Hindu Versus Non-Hindu

The difference between Hindu and non-Hindu view is nothing other

than universal and particular. The Hindu view which is based on

the Vedas look upon the entire universe as that Supreme being.

It is the art and science of looking at the whole or everything

at once. This encompasses everything and excludes nothing.

Another way of saying the same thing is to look upon the family,

society and the entire universe as the body of God. The individual

duty or svadharma which would be different and dependent on the

nature of the individual is analogous to the difference in

the functions according to the nature of each part of the body.

Probably the claim that Vedas are apourusheya (impersonal or has

no author) has its roots in this universal view which always remains

the same.

Every other, particular (and therefore human/spatio-temporal) view

cannot be external and forms a subset of this universal Hindu view.

Every other non-Hindu view is only looking at only a particular

portion of the otherwise universal Hindu view. They are all true in

the sense that they are not external to the Hindu God who is this

very universe. At the same time they are problematic as they restrict

their view to only particular name/form thereby creating an

"artificial split" in the otherwise integral, holistic and unifying

Vedic Hindu view.

Every other religion therefore has a need to convert people and

give/restrict them to a particular name and simultaneously urging

them not to engage in their sva-dharma thereby violating the natural

law of dharma. On the other hand, for a Hindu there is no need for

any such conversion as the dharmic way of life automatically follows

by recognizing one's relationship with God in the form of the universe.

In other words, for those who are interested to "return back" to Hindu

religion there is no need to go through any formal "conversion" process.

It may still be possible to put a process together for psychological

satisfaction. But technically or intellectually it is not needed as

the real "conversion" has to do with one's understanding.  

In other words there is a need to "un-convert" from every kind of

particular views and integrate all such views culminating in the grand

view of God in the form this entire universe.

Nothing in the world, like the earth, water and fire and so on can be

converted and so also is the spirit self. But they all have to perform

their duties according to their nature as a service to that Supreme

universal being. There is no selfishness anywhere in nature. But there

is difference in nature and duties accordingly. Difference never means

high or low or more or less. But performance of one's duty according to

one's nature without hate or greed is very much essential for the overall

well-being of the universe as a whole. This is Varnashrama duties in a

nutshell.

Our existence in the world is made possible by every blessed entity

around us, yes - even the evil or adharma is included as it indirectly

helps in teaching how not to be and by taking away our bad karma.

There is a oblation to adharma - "adharmaya svaha" in the daily

vaishwadeva karma performed by the brahmanas who are expected

to engage in their yagya or nitya karma to propitiate the devatas

so that they can bless the world with timely rains and harvest.

So every entity represented by a devata deserves recognition and service,

according to one's nature and position. Ultimately all the many different

duties or worship of devatas culminates in the service of the supreme God,

Ishwara or Brahman, indwelling in all and and manifesting as the entire

universe. Every particular human transaction therefore, is verily a yagya

or worship of Him alone who manifests in many varieties.

Question: So Should Hindus worship all gods of all religions?

Answer 1: No, because the Vedic Hindu view of looking upon the entire universe

as that supreme God obviously does not exclude all the "so called non-Hindu"

gods wherever they exist. Hindu view is actually looking at the whole as

opposed to the others who are only looking at a part or portion of the

reality. Even all the many particular gods or devatas worshiped by

various sects of Hindus are ultimately cognized within the all pervading

supreme Brahman - "Sarve devah tattra eki bhavanti". Hindus would encourage

people of other religions also to reconcile with them in the same way.

Non-Hindus can happily worship their particular god as long as they allow

Hindus to worship theirs.  

All religions are indirectly worshiping Hindu God, in the form of the

absolute Brahman only. This is because the absolute Brahman is the all

pervading and indwelling spirit self that is manifesting through all

name/forms. So Hindus don't have any problem if people of other religion

have different name/form for "their" God. But other religions have problem

as their vision is limited and so cannot SEE God in all.

The fight between particular (non-Hindu or asura) and universal

(Hindu or devata) is an eternal one and will continue eternally

as the world is always divided based the three gunas. But the universal

Vedic Hindu view of God as the all pervading inner spirit indwelling and

manifesting as this universe, alone ultimately prevails.

Namaste,
Suresh