Let’s start with some questions-
1. Is it only me or even you feel that Hinduism is staunch, impractical ?
As it is so old, Hinduism has been interpreted in a lot of different ways. Some of them are useful, others outrageous. Teachings in pre-pre ancient times were passed only through ‘shruti’, which involved fables and all that. So what are fables? They are metaphoric, at best distorted historical stories. So when someone says Rakshas were some other species and Ravan had an army of them, it sounds impractical. But when I know, that these stories were written by the fair-skinned Aryans about their constant fights with Dravidians, it makes sense.
Thumb rule- Whatever seems impractical, don’t follow it.
2. Do you believe in murti-worship ?
Scaling up a mountain 14 km high for catching a little glimpse of three pieces of stones together in hope that it helps me get success in exams? Insane to say the least. I had gone there some 10 years ago. The three seconds that I got for “worshipping” the shrine were equally divided in applying for my wish and wondering whether at all this tiring trip was successful.
Idol-worship or precisely, murti-worship was introduced in the Dvapar yuga (the one before the present Kalyug) as a form of manifestation of God due to his immanence. Immanence is the property God beholds, by which he is thought to be present everywhere. So humans made human/animal-like figures of God, so he could be visible while he was been addressed, so that the faith would get a path to radiate.
For God’s sake, come on. If you think God is everywhere, why not manifest himself in you? Your hands? Your legs? They are always visible. If God is immanent, why not see him in the mountains, not those little stones up there?
I don’t know why nobody talks about this. If you are cringing on me by now - Go to Kedarnath. (HELL, YEAH)
3. Do you think Hinduism is a religion? Who founded it ?
Not one person alone can be credited for that. Isn’t it interesting? Almost all other religions can trace their founders except Hinduism. Because it was the oldest of its kind. Us samay concept hi nahi tha religion baant kar ladne kaa. We even don’t have an official rulebook, while other religions recorded sermons and angel deliverings into writings. It’s a way of life. A way of understanding nature, evolution of life on earth and our everyday life. Even the Indian supreme court said that.
4. Is Sachin a God ?
In my view, our culture has thrived for so long because it is so flexible, relevant and experienced.
It allows updates, modifications.
In its pagan version, Hindus worshipped Sun (Aditya), Rain(Indra), Moon, Stars, Wind etc.
Then we had our superheroes, Rama, Krishna and Shiva (all humans who did great work).
Sachin is one man who has made the people happy. That’s what Gods do. And why stop, we can have an electricity god, an internet god and so on.
But please don’t make statues and statues of unity.
5. Why do you call yourself a Hindu, if you do so?
This particular question which led me thinking all this a few years back. Culture provides identity. What kind of identity do you associate yourself with? Think.
Although I have deleted some other points, the above may help us have an introspection. I have tried to make them discussable and relevant. Relevant to being Hindusiastic. Relevant to making a literate society. Catch my next - A step by step guide to do disco on bullet fire.