Book Reviewed: Hinduism: Hinduism for Beginners: Guide to Understanding Hinduism and the Hindu Religion by Shalu Sharma

Seeking the power of God for salvation: A Hindu way of living

In this book on Hinduism, author Shalu Sharma interprets the beliefs, traditions and teachings sacred scriptures of Hindu faith. The apparent polytheistic nature of Hinduism and the unique style of deity worship are inherent in Indian traditions since Vedic times. The sacred scriptures of Vedas, the Upanishads, the Gita, the Epics and the Puranas, with six schools of Hindu philosophy offers a solid foundation for a belief system that is significantly different, and more ancient than the Abrahamic religions. An understanding of ancient Indian history and the birth and evolution of Hindu belief systems are necessary to comprehend an Indian faith. In this regard, the author’s efforts to explain the deity worship and apparent polytheistic nature is commendable. Hinduism is the worship of One God in many forms, and the monotheistic nature of the faith is found in the concept of "Brahman," in the holy scriptures of Gita and Upanishads. This idea is enumerated extensively in the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. The gods of Hinduism are eternal, they are described in Vedas and the Epics and Puranas. The Vedic god represent a force of nature, Agni for fire; Varuna for water (ocean); Vayu for wind; Soma for plants; and Indra for thunder, power, and strength. The prayers (hymns) offer the highest attributes to Vedic gods; but there is One Supreme Godhead. Lord Krishna in BhagavadGita 4:11 and 7:21, says that He, the Supreme Lord, will respond to the devotees in whichever form they worship Him and in whichever way they approach Him. In Rigveda 1.164.46, we find, "ekam sat viprah bhaudha vadanti," translation; The Truth is One; Sages call it by different names. This sets the tone for very early metaphysical ideas that were later developed in Upanishads. The scribe of this hymn suggests that deities appear in different forms but there is only One God. The ancient traditions of Vedic beliefs and the monotheistic system of Upanishads and the six philosophical systems for the core of Hindu belief system.

The scared text of BhagavadGita, the holy book of Hinduism teaches the institution of dharma, and to practice the principles of bhakti and the yogic ideals for attaining moksha. Atman finding unification with Brahman is the goal of mortal sinners. We can free ourselves from the bondage of cycle of birth and death through the unification with Supreme Soul. The setting of the Gita in a battlefield has been interpreted as an allegory for the ethical and moral struggles of material life that is dominated by three human qualities, sattva, rajas or tamas. These gunas are part of Prakriti that cause our ignorance, delusion, bondage and suffering in a material world.