Hinduism: A Holistic Way of Life
The Hindu Vedas and Puranas elucidate on not only theology and mytho
Hinduism is not just a theology. It is a holistic way of life. The Vedas and Puranas deal with the arts and culture, medicine and health and other aspects of life.
Hinduism: A Holistic Way of Life
Hinduism is not just a theology. It is a holistic way of life. That it includes mythology and philosophy is apparent even to the casual follower. But Hinduism also encompasses disciplines like culture, health, sociology, governance, science, warfare and a lot more.
The disciplines are in a sense distinct but inseparable. The situation can be pictured as follows. Consider the disciplines as strands of wool of different colors. Then mentally twist the strands, bundle them, tangle them and knot them into a ball. Hinduism is the entire multi-colored ball. The different strands can be clearly visible but cannot be separated from each other. What this means to us is that we cannot discuss any of the disciplines in isolation because it is necessarily influenced by others.
The reason for this interaction is that all the disciplines originate and evolve from the same set of scriptural texts. These texts shall be discussed in more detail in a later article. What is pertinent is that the texts do not categorize these disciplines as distinct but treat them in a holistic manner.
Today we see yoga exercises as a method of generally keeping fit or addressing specific ailments. However these exercises originated for a much wider purpose. In his Yoga Sutra (Threads of Union) Patanjali, the creator of this branch of Yoga writes that the purpose of Yoga is to facilitate the individual’s union with the Supreme Being. This union is possible only when the mind and body are both healthy and the mind is free from any negative disturbances. The Yogic exercises, breathing and meditation create the healthy mind and body. This concept was not Patanjali’s. He only expounded what had been mentioned in the Vedas. The idea that was a seed in the Vedas blossoms in full bloom in the Bhagavad Gita (The Celestial Song). Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita discusses the Path of Meditation. Verses 13 and 14 of this chapter are
“One should sit by holding the waist, spine, chest, neck, and head erect, motionless and steady; fix the eyes and the mind steadily on the front of the nose, without looking around; make your mind serene and fearless, practice celibacy; have the mind under control, think of Me, and have Me as the supreme goal.”
Kalidas is one of India’s most famous playwrights, writing in about the 5th century A.D. His play Vikramorvasiyam centers on the romance of the apsara (heavenly maiden) Urvashi and King Pururava. A reference to this tale is first made in the Riga Veda in Chapter X Verse 95. It thereafter evolves in various Puranas (mythological texts) till it is presented as a full play by Kalidas. Almost the entire spectrum of Indian Literature till about a hundred years ago can be traced to the Vedas and Puranas. Also requiring mention here is Natya Shastra (Study of Drama), an ancient text attributed to sage Bharat, which spells out various elements of drama much like Aristotle’s Poetics. The Sanskrit plays rigidly followed the mechanics stated in the Natya Shastra. Like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, Natya Shastra has its roots in the Vedas.
The Puranas regularly use mythological episodes to elucidate points of religion or philosophy. The Mahabharata is well known as a mythological epic. It contains the Bhagavad Gita, which is perhaps the holiest religious text. In it Krishna delivers a sermon to Arjun exhorting him to battle against his cousins in the field of Kurukshetra, explaining how it is his moral duty to do so.
A holistic approach to life helps in energizing synergies and adds to the purpose of life.
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Please check my articles on Mythology from India
