Vedic studies cannot be a part of the syllabus of Hindu Studies, because the Word “Hindu” is not found in any Veda, Vedang, (18 Purans), or Vedant, which is the last of the series of Vedic literature, and is a purely philosophical extract of all the preceding Vedic literature, mentioning only one God, the Creator, referred to as the “Pita”, (Father). In fact, Brahmo Samaj was founded in the 18th C.E. purely on the Philosophy of the Vedant. The Hindus, had, then, promptly expelled the “Brahmos” from the Hindu fold.
The word “Hindu” was coined by Persians in the 6th C BCE, to refer to all people living beyond the Sindhu river, which they pronounced as Hindu river. (s in Persian is pronounced as puh-zhuh; e.g. Persia in pharsi is pronounced as puh-zhuh).
Later, it was the Muslim invaders and Rulers who referred to people other than them in the Country, as “Hindus”.
Much later, it is the British who coined the word “Hinduism” to denote the religion of all who practised idol worship, with their thirtythree crores “Devis” &:”Devtas”.
If the Hindus, (Including Adi-Shankaracharya, who swore by Vedant), consider Vedant as part of their religious literature, they have a Hymalayan Dichotomy on their hands; how to reconcile the One God Philosophy of Vedant with the fellowship of thirty three crores Gods & Goddesses.
The Supreme Court of India had earlier, rightly termed the word “Hinduism” as a way of life; the way of life of millions, who worship thirty-three crores God’s & Goddesses. These people must be stopped from teaching students, that Vedic Literature is part of their religion.
Supreme Court of India must take suo motu cognizance of the matter to debar the use of the word Hinduism to denote the Vedic Religion.
Samuel Dhar is a veteran of the Indian Army. He is an out and out secular Nationalist. He goes all out to defend and uphold the CONSTITUTION of India, (That is also called Bharat), as per the oath he was administered at the time of his commission as an officer in 1962. Apart from a large number of published Articles, Samuel also has a Blog site https://samuelsworld1937.blogspot.in. He can be contacted on [email protected]
