Attributed to: Vyasa
Written: Usually estimated as between the fifth and first centuries, B.C.
Other works of interest:The Upanishads
What we present here is a general look at Hinduism, especially as illustrated in the Bhagavagita.
The name Hindu actually originates with the Muslims who, seeing that the Indians lived upon the opposite shore of the river Sind (which was pronounced by them as Hind), referred to India as Hindustan. Thus the people living there were called Hindus. The literature of the Hindus itself is called the Vedas, and encompasses a several large volumes of songs and poems of which the Bhagavagita is only one small part.
With this in mind, there are three major points in the text which we wish to elucidate, namely:
Coming to the first item on the list, transmigration, we have the ascension of the soul through several lives, or incarnations, starting within the vegetable kingdom and ending with the ultimate goal of release from physical ensoulment.
The reincarnation view of the Hindu's states that we start out within the vegetable kingdom and work our way up through the various other kingdoms as follows: through the reptile kingdom, then the avians, the the mammals and finally human ensoulment. Human ensoulment is the only form that allows conscious pursuit of devotion, and, as such, is the only one that allows a soul to practice the meditative techniques which culminate in moksha or release from the cycles of reincarnation.
With this in mind, part of the reason of a vegetarian diet becomes clear. One should only take from the lower incarnations what can be freely given, thus reducing the amount of pain that is already present within their current incarnation. It is worth pointing out here that many fruits and vegetables can be aquired without the destruction of the plant that provides them. Also, many of the Hindu recipes make use of milk, for this can be aquired without harm to the cow. The cow is thus seen as a provider and is respected as such.
It is also of interest to note that it has been of common practice for Bhuddhists, who closely resemble Hindus in many aspects of their practice, to help insects along on their journey so that it will experience less exertion in its progress.
Those who violate the sanctity of life are said to be themselves slaughtered in a later life either literally, the hindu view of reincarnation allows for degression in form for those who violate the laws of Karma, or figuratively, as in death during war.
The reason for wishing to achieve moksha is simple; the world is a place full of pain. The illusion of the physical form is propagated by the unclear mind, we draw ourselves downward into these forms through a yearning for things of the flesh, and partake of the creation and continuation of suffering when we do. Moksha is a release from the fetters of space-time and physical suffering into the purely spiritual union with Vishnu (God). The meditation methods of Yoga are designed to help the seeker find such a release from the cycke of reincarnation.
The second item on the list is the freedom of religious expression.
The Bhagavagita states, through the the words of Krsna, that "Whoever with true devotion worships any deity, in him I deepen that devotion; and through it he fulfills his desire." This follows an old Hindu myth about Vishnu's net, which is said to span across the universe. Vishnu's net is a net that has at every crosspiece a precious gem. When one looks into any of these gems, one sees the reflections of all the other gems therein. Everything is a reflection of everything else. Everything is a reflection of the one. Since everything is a reflection of the one, it does not matter which reflection or manifestation that you choose to follow, as long as you follow with true devotion you will find yourself upon the same path.
Krsna is not a jealous god, his is a path of mutual love; as long as one has devotion, one will find their way.
The last point of elucidation is that of Dharma and class. The Bhagavagita opens with a battle. Arjuna, a warrior of the Pandavas, finds himself facing his cousins, Kauravas in battle. They wish to usurp the kingdom from the good Pandavas and claim it as their own. Arjuna finds himself troubled by the prospect of having to kill his cousins, and this is where the conversation between him and Krsna begins. One of the first things explained, for this reason, is that Arjuna's place is that of a warrior and thus it is his Dharma, or sacred duty, to fight.
Every sect, or class, of Hinduism has a Dharmic purpose that they are supposed to follow. Following these duties helps to lead to the attainment of the souls freedom. Not following your Dharma means that you find yourself slipping into lower forms of physical consciousness. In other words Moksha (liberation) is not attained by religious devotion alone, but also devotion to your calling and to you society.
There are some that may view this as a way to keep the poorer classes in check, so it should be pointed out that one's place in society can change. If this does happen, then one's Dharma changes with it. In fact, one will find their Dharma constantly changing as they move through the different aspects of aging. The ages that one moves through are accompanied by different sets of duties. Following one's Dharma is a matter of following the precepts of the age and station that one finds themselves in from moment to moment.
There is of course more to both Hinduism and the Bhagavagita then this simple essay can shed light upon, but with the preceeding bit of information the Gita should open up more readily to the reader's understanding.
