Deeply rooted in the past, Hinduism stands firmly as one of the world's most ancient religions. It carries many amazing scriptures that have guided millions of believers in their spiritual endeavours. These texts range over long periods and handle essential questions of existence, especially about the nature of reality, the human situation, the meaning of existence, and the path to release (moksha). Of course, there is an overwhelming bulk and elaborate connotations vis-à-vis these texts, especially for the neophyte. This blog, having an all-encompassing theme, is aimed at laying a clear path to the Hindu scriptures in the "big" world of complications.
Before delving into specific texts, it is essential to grasp the unique structure and classification of Hindu scriptures. Hinduism is a faith that comprises a plethora of scriptures authored by various sages and seers across epochs, while some other religions deal with only one central book. These texts could be broadly divided into two categories: the Shruti and the Smriti.
Shruti (That Which Is Heard): Shruti is considered the prima facie authoritative divine revelation spiritually gifted to the ancient Rishis (sages). The Vedas, the most crucial literature of Shruti, are:
Rigveda: An extensive compilation of hymns and praises, known as Mandala, directed to diverse gods and goddesses.
Yajurveda: A collection that holds prose mantras and closely worded formulas of prayers for sacrificial rites is mentioned in this text.
Samaveda: A compilation in which some mantras or hymns are taken from the Rig Veda and then changes are made to them as per ritual requirements. To particular tunes, these chants or melodies are sung and accompanied along.
Atharvaveda: This text consists of incantations, charms, prayers, and hymns that relate to the everyday life of individuals.
Every Veda is further subdivided into four sections:
The Samhitas, which are collections of hymns to be chanted in sacrifices;
The Brahmanas: describing the rituals and offering explanations in prose documents;
The Aranyakas: "Forest (dwelling)" wisdom books comprising the philosophical and interpretative speculative approaches to the rituals; and
Upanishads: dialogues that involve deep philosophical enquiries into the nature of reality or truth, the self, and Brahman in the mind of the meditators.
Smriti (That which is Remembered) is that which is handed down by human memory and interpretation of the Shruti. While they are respected, they are regarded as secondary to the Shruti. Important Smriti texts include:
Itihasas (the Epics): The Ramayana and the Mahabharata tell epic stories with moral, ethical, and philosophical teachings interwoven within.
Puranas (Ancient Stories): Encyclopaedic texts dealing with myths, legends, genealogies, cosmology, and religious instructions.
Dharma Shastras (Law Books): Texts that prescribe social and ethical conduct, duties, and laws.
Agamas (Treatise): Texts that concern specific deities and their worship, including temple rites.
Many scriptures in Hinduism seem intimidating. As such, begin with those texts that will be more easily available and interesting for beginners.
The Bhagavad Gita: a most popular text as a part of the Mahabharata and is generally considered a consolidated version of Hindu philosophy. A conversation on a battlefield at Kurukshetra takes place between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna; they discuss the fundamental questions of dharma (duty), karma (action), bhakti (devotion), and the nature of reality. Due to its universal message and practical wisdom, the Gita is an excellent candidate for starting with.
The Ramayana: The tale of the noble Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, who, on a noble quest, rescued his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. The tale of Ramayana is not only captivating but is also filled with moral and ethical teachings, portraying righteousness, devotion, and family values.
Selected Upanishads: Upanishads are regarded as the philosophical peak of the Vedas. In each of their texts, they delve into profoundly metaphysical concepts. Admissions are being proposed to start with Upanishads like Isha, Kena, Katha, and Mandukya, which are shorter and not as difficult as foundational philosophies to maintain the personal philosopher's understanding of Vedanta. It thereby explicates the concepts of Brahman and Atman, along with how the individual self relates to the ultimate reality.
A series of methods can enhance their study of Hindu scriptures. Some of them are:
Study with Translations and Commentaries: New students are highly recommended to use a reliable translation, the main objective of this being to increase accessibility. It would be better, particularly if such translations were written by a renowned scholar or spiritual guide, since they explain confusing concepts and provide a myriad of historical and cultural contexts, which are indispensable when trying to figure out their inner essence.
Joining Study Groups or Classes: Coming together with others possessing some interest in Hindu scriptures greatly enhances enkindled learning. A study group or a class will create room for discussing, clearing all doubts, and even gathering the knowledge of fellow learners. A lot of temples, cultural centres, and various digital platforms offer such chances.
Approaching a Guru for Guidance: In traditional Hindu cultures, the learning of scriptures largely occurs under the guidance of a guru, who is a "spiritual teacher" with profound wisdom and experience visiting temples and other religious sites." The guru provides personalized guidance, deals with complicated concepts, proffers gentle suggestions, and guides the learner in practical and spiritual life.
Some simple tips for maximizing your learning experience follow:
Establish a Study Routine: While participating in a regular schedule, it is valuable to assign certain times of each day or each week to scripture reading and reflection.
Maintain an Open Mind and an Open Heart: Giving your respect and humility, approach the text with an open mind and a will to learn.
Reflect on the Teachings: Having done patient reading, bring to mind possible meanings of the verses and their relevance to your own life.
Learn Some Basic Sanskrit: Advanced study in Sanskrit is not needed, but learning all this can make the original texts and their subtle and often tricky meanings easier to grasp.
