SACRED TEXT OF THE HINDU

Om

Hindu sages say,

"The universe is founded on two principles:

1. Rita: law, order or regularity. Making possible scientific and moral discovery; giving meaning.

2. Yajna: Renunciation. The most powerful action is sacrificing personal gain for the higher and holier.

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The four Purusharthas (objectives) in Hinduism:

Dharma (righteousness)

Artha (prosperity)

Kama (pleasure)

Moksha (liberation)

Dharma & Moksha are they that man ought to seek but ordinarily does not; while Artha & Kama are the one that man is naturally inclined to seek.

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THE SACRED TEXT OF THE HINDU

The sacred texts of Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism are called namely 'Shastra' in definition a treatise command and protecting those abiding by it. The Shastras deal the life and teachings of Paramatma (God) and avatars (incarnations).

Hinduism holds a legacy of wisdom in its sacred text comprising of: Vedas, Upanishads, Dharma Shastras, Agamas, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc.

Holding the pride among them are the Vedas besides being the oldest of the literature. They were revealed by Paramatma to enlightened rishis. These are the Shruti shastras. 'Shruti' meaning 'heard' or revealed, and are the primary texts of Hinduism.

The chronological and philosophical culminations of the Vedas are the Upanishads; mainly philosophical and theological dialogues encompassing the nature and function of Parabrahman, Brahman, jiva (soul), Jagat (world), mukti (liberation), etc.

Secondary text are known as 'Smruti' shastras meaning 'remembered' , a repository of knowledge and history written by great seers, based on their teachings from spiritual masters including the Dharma shastras (social and moral codes of conduct), the Itahasa or epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), and the Puranas (ancient literature).

In additon, the Vedic literature consists of Vedangas (limbs of Vedas) and Upavedas (subsidiary Vedas), the Agamas and the Sutra. The Vedangas assist in understanding and practicing the teachings. The Upavedas deal with the secular arts and sciences. The Agamas aid with yogic practice and philosophy, rituals and code of conduct. The Sutra consist of aphorisms or shorthand.

The shastras aim to inspire character, peace, faith, happiness in this world and achieve Moksha - the goal of life. Teaching social moral and spiritual principles. Encouraging sound moral behaviour, spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.

Classification on the Shastras, namely the Vedas: Shruti Shastras, Smruti Shastras, Agamas and Tantras, Vedangas, Upavedas and Sutra literature.

For many the Holiest are the Shruti or Vedas. In the broader sense the Vedas are comprised of the four Samhitas, Brahmana texts, The Aranyaka texts, and the Upanishads. The latter three are rooted in the four Samhitas. The four Samhitas are the: Rig, Yajur, Sama and Artharva. Samhitas are made up mostly of prayers. The Brahmana texts explain the guidance of Yajna rituals; the Aranyakas include spiritual contemplation and meditation. The Upanishads contain the discourses, both philosophical and theological, on Brahman (ultimate reality) and its relation to souls and the material world. Schools of tradition hold the Vedas to be authorative among the texts.

Secondary in authority to the Shruti are the Smruti Shastras dealing with moral and social laws, rites, rituals and history. Including the body of texts known as Dharma Shastras, such as Manu Smurti, Yajnavalkya Smurti, etc., Itihasa or epics, namely the Ramayana and Mahabharata (with the Bahagavad-Gita as its core) and the 18 Maha-Puranas, the 18 Upa-Puranas and other literature.

The Agamas or sectarian literature are exclusive to some Sampradayas. Their followers consider them of divine revelation (Shruti). The three Hindu traditions of Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism have their own Agamas or Tantras. Even Buddhists or Jains have their own Agamas or Tantras.

Vedic sciences include the Vedangas and the Upavedas. The Sutra literature is also part of the sankrit ancient text containing the aphorisms. It includes the Kalpasutras, Gruhyasutras and Brahmasutras.

In accordance with the Purva Mimansa (a school of philosophy dealing with Vedic rites, rituals and sacrifices) and Uttam Mimansa (or Vedanta, which deals with topics of: atma, Paramatma, jnana, and moksha) classification would have it, a Shastra should have four basic factors,

Vishaya or a designated subject to discuss or inform

Prayojana or purpose or goal to be gained by its study or practice

Sambandha or connection with other related subjects

Adhikari means a competent student or person

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THE THREE GUNAS

Guna is a word in Sanskrit meaning "quality, peculiarity, attribute, or tendency".

The Hindu religion notes three Gunas: Sattva involving transcendence, Rajas involving activity and Tamas involving inertia. These are fundamental aspects of nature present in all things and beings. There is no physical entity without these, not a single atom is free of these three dimensions of a certain static nature, of energy, and of vibrance. In human behavior studies, Guna means the personality, innate nature and psychological attributes of an individual.

In the Bhagavad Gita:

Sattva is associated with joy, positivity, and knowledge

Rajas is associated with attachment and frustration

Tamas is associated with ignorance and delusion

In yoga it is an objective to achieve sattva reducing rajas and tamas and making liberation possible.

Sattva (Transcendence) is a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence. Other qualities include: goodness, calmness, intelligence, wholesomeness, lucidity, beauty.

Rajas (Activity) is a state of energy, action, change and movement. Other qualities include: passion, activity, excitement, desire to follow a purpose, attraction, attachment.

Tamas (Inertia) is a state of darkness, inactivity and materiality. Other qualities include: Ignorance, laziness, stability, groundedness, perseverance, patience, ease, loyalty.

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UPANISHADS -

The Great Sayings (MahaVakyas):

“Divine Consciousness is the Supreme Reality” Aitareya: 5.3

“I am Brahman” Brihadāranyaka: 1.4.10

“You are That (Brahman)” Chāndogya: 6.8.7

“This indwelling self is Brahman” Māndukya: 2

Note: Brahman (Reality) & Parabrahman (Supreme Reality)

"All are equal in birth and in death. Differences arise only during the interval. The Emperor and the beggar are both born naked; they sleep equally silently; they bow out without even leaving their new address. Then how can their reality be different? There can be no doubt on this score. All are basically the same."

– The Atharva Veda

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We are created both significant and insignificant, neither here nor there. We are all like steps on a staircase. We all give all we have in the end, no-one is above anyone.