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The organic view of society was explained by comparing the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras with the head, the hands, the legs and feet respectively. Dr.Dilip Vedalankar writes in his book ‘Vedic Humanism'(pub.by Vijay Kumar Govind Ram Hasanand, Delhi) “The Rigveda uses the metaphor of “person like society”. Purusha Sukta is an analogy between four limbs of the body(head, arms, thighs & feet identified symbolically with society) and the four varnas, i.e., Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra who as providers of knowledge, protection, wealth and service are respectively required to eliminate ignorance, injustice, inadequacy and indolence, the four social ills of the society and serve mankind as per their functional values and natural propensities. However, for a proper understanding of the sense of the Vedas, we have to bear in mind the established standpoint of etymologists like Yaska that all the Vedic words are derived from verbal roots and their meanings are based on their derivation from verbal roots. The unique characteristic of Vedic language(different from classical Sanskrit) is that it is highly metaphorical and symbolic and capable of multiple interpretation. The above hymn of the Purush Sukta relating to Purusha(supreme reality) is entirely an imaginative piece of writing and it is not to be literally translated to mean that the Brahmin originated from the mouth of the Purusha(all pervasive Supreme Entity and obviously implying here formless), the Kshatriyas from the arms, the Vaishyas from the abdomen and the Shudras from the feet. Uru tadasya yadvaishya padabhyam shudro ajayat. So Purusha is the Supreme Being or Supreme reality which resides in the heart of all beings.”īrahmanoasya mukhamasida bahu rajanyakriah This analogy is extended further to describe the human body as a pur or city with the soul or Jiva(atma) residing within it and also referred to as Purusha. This universe is likened to a ‘pur’ in which the Supreme Being or the Supreme Entity dwells. It could also mean one who lives in a ‘pur’ or a fortified city. The word Purusha thus means one who exists and pervades the entire universe. Pt.Nardev Vedalankar, Editor of Shastra Navanitam(A concise study of Hindu Scriptures), pub.by Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, South Africa describes it as “The word ‘Purusha’ is derived from the Sanskrit verb, ‘priyn’ which means to fill.
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The word ‘God’ in this sukta should be interpreted as ‘Purusha’ or ‘Brahman'(the Supreme Being or Supreme reality which pervades the entire universe). SALVATION IS THE PLAN OF GODĬhristianity is a remarkable contrast to all the salvation options in Hinduism.Literal translation of Vedas and particularly Purusha Sukta or Hymns to Purusha has created lot of myth, misgivings and misunderstanding. Much of “New Age” thinking is drawn from this Indian philosophy. He based his gospel on the doctrine of the identity of the individual soul with Brahma, and so espoused the divinity of man. The way of salvation in Hinduism is unique in each of the early periods of Hinduism, which have teaching about religion was that no conversion should be attempted, because nobody is a sinner. SALVATION IN THE EARLY PERIODS OF HINDUISM (3500 B.C.-250 A.D.) I will survey the teaching of salvation theme from three standpoints: 1) The early period of Hinduism 2) popular Hinduism 3) modern Hinduism. The concept of salvation in Hinduism also changes and varies in different periods of time. Hence it is called “Sanathan Dharma” (Eternal Religion). Some adherents worship a personified Power of Nature while others worship idols of local areas. Hinduism is a religion without a founder, without a central authority, and without a fixed creed. Over the centuries the salvation options in Hinduism have varied widely. Hinduism is unique among the religions of the world for it has a system of castes: Brahman (the priestly class) Kshatriya (the rulers and warriors) Vaisya (the common agriculturists and artisans) and the Sudra (the low caste). It is also the largest religion in India: of the total population of 880 million, 83% are Hindus. Hinduism, one of the oldest religions in the world, dates from perhaps 3500 B.C.
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Hinduism is one of the living religions that originated in southern Asia along with Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.