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Principles
and Practice of Hindu Religion A
Comprehensive Study of the Ancient Tradition and
the Perennial Philosophy | Epilogue
: Progress,
Prosperity & Problems
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Time to Think About It is Now The
Decline of the Society and
a Time for Renaissance |
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E
- 08 - : Mythology,
Faith, Theology and Divine Law The
Paths of Theology and Mythology in East and West
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The
Semitic [Western] Religions originating in the Middle East with Abraham and Moses
followed religious edicts based on several Theological dogmas and Spiritual teachings
of their Messiahs, leaving philosophy and mythology to the secular thinking. Most
mythologies stayed with the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. The
Eastern Religions like Hinduism originating in the "Saraswathi culture" and related
Indo-Gangetic faiths continued their religious teachings and theologies along
with the Eastern philosophy and historical treatises called "Ithihasas and Puranas."
The philosophy was difficult to understand for the common people not educated
in religious teachings and was difficult to follow though it was the essence of
the faith. So, mythology and rituals become an essential part of the practice
of the religion. It must be remembered that in all Ithihasas and Puranas, a basic
philosophy is explained as their true inner meaning. They should not be taken
as normal human behavior. |
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Hindus
follow the "Dharma Sasthra" as the guidance of Divine law for their Faith. Manu
Dharma Sasthra, though very popular by its name, was written for the Kritha or
Sathya Yuga. Yajnavaalkya Smrithi is written as the law for Thretha Yuga. Many
portions of Hindu Law codes of Independent India are based on this. Sanaka-Likhitha
gave the Smrithis for Dwapara Yuga. The Divine Law codes or Smrithis of Sage Paraasara
are written for Kali Yuga. Thus, the Religious and moral code and Divine laws
are different for different ages even according to our ancient texts. We should
not blindly adhere to any ancient religious edicts for modern times, but devise
and follow moral codes suitable for the 21st century. We need new sets of Dharma
Sasthra for the new Century. Most of us adhere to the rituals and prayers as the
beginning as well as the end. The nasthikas like Charvaka denied His existence
and lived for the pleasures of life. When we all live in this world of "three
dimensions", it is often difficult to comprehend the "fourth dimension" of our
Soul and the "Divine Supreme Truth" due to the limitations of our "Upathis" of
the clothing of Avidhya or ignorance.
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Sanãthana
Dharma ãsthra |
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