Communication Between Cultures

Sacred Texts

We have already mentioned that Hinduism is not only one of the oldest of all reli-

gions but also the most diverse. You can observe that diversity in the size, use, and

influence these scriptures have had on Hindus for thousands of years. Looking at

some of the scriptures can help you develop insight into this intriguing religion.

The Vedas

The oldest and most fundamental scriptures are called the Vedas. For thousands of years,

the wisdom concerning what is now Hinduism was transmitted orally. In fact, one defi-

nition of“Vedas”actually means“hearing.”The Vedas are composed of four books that

seek to“transmit the ancient revelations in a series of hymns, ritual texts, and specula-

tions composed over a period of a millennium beginning ca. 1400 BC.”^173 These four

books, with their philosophical maxims and spiritual guidance, are important because

they not only deal with the spiritual dimensions of Hinduism but also offer insights

into the cultural life in India thousands of years ago. In addition, some authorities

believe that the Vedas describe“the origin of the world and human society.”^174

The Upanishads

Sometime between 800 and 400 BCE, another important group of Hindu texts

appeared. They are called the Upanishads. These books, written in both prose and

verse, are highly metaphysical. They are also instrumental in shaping many of the

philosophical beliefs of the Hindu religion. The reason behind their longevity and

significance is underscored by Stroud:“These texts contain the core of what would

become modern Hinduism—the commitment to reality being undivided at its most

basic level and to a renunciation of worldly goods.”^175 The texts stress issues of faith

dealing with notions of reality, the“oneness”of everything in the universe, the role

of one’s soul, and the importance of contemplation and meditation. Usha elaborates

on the power of the Upanishads when he writes,“TheUpanishadsteach the knowl-

edge of God and record the spiritual experiences of the sages of ancient India.”^176

The Bhagavad Gita

Written around 540 to 300 BCE, theBhagavad Gitacontains, in poetic form, a dialogue

between a warrior, Prince Arjuna, and the godLord Krishna. This eighteen-chapter book,

revealing the wisdom of Krishna, teaches how to become aware of the“Supreme Reality,”a

reality that can be known through the pursuit of knowledge, devotion, altruistic behavior,

and contemplation. Robinson and Rodrigues speak to the importance of theBhagavad Gita

when they write,“In the two millennia since its composition, theGita, as it is often called,

has served as a source of inspiration for countless numbers, from Hindu philosophers and

politicians such as Shankara and Mahatma

Gandhi, to Western authors and poets such

as Henry David Thoreau and T. S. Eliot.”^177

A major characteristic of the text is that it

reinforcestheverycoreofHinduism:that

God is an exalted, stirring, and sublime force

within us. Because God is within us, we can

rise above our mortal limitations and be

liberated.

REMEMBER THIS

Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious thought, values, and

beliefs drawn from a variety of sources. As such it does not

have a single founder or an organizational hierarchy. Among

Hindus one may find magic, nature worship, animal venera-

tion, and an unlimited number of deities.

Sacred Texts 139

Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).