Ancient historical account of Hinduism
Age of the Puranas and Darshanas 300 AD-650AD:
Prof. Pon. Sakthivel
Continued from last week
HISTORY: The Gupta empire ushers in the golden age of Hinduism, which
is now popularised through the 18 Puranas. India is now (in the opinion
of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy) ‘the dynamic centre of all Asia, and the
first civilised power in the world. Kalidasa the great poet and the
famous Nalanda University belong to this age.
King Harsha partly undoes the havocs of the Hun invasions
congregational worship and temples are common. The Jains are still
active in the South.
Syrian Christians establish themselves in Thanjavoyur. Vaishnavaite
and Shawaite theism bloom in the South Shaktism grows though tarntric
hymns as a result of Aryamsation. Out of the earlier 70 odd schools of
philosophy only six emerge. Mimamyamsa, Vedenta, Sankya, Yoga, Nyaya and
Vaisheshika.
The first two from the core of our systematic philosophy and the
Vedanta-Sutras have become an authoritative scripture comprising the
Upanishads, Brahmasutras and Bhavad Gita worship of Ganapathi and
Karlikeya (son of Shiva) as well as Suriya (sun) are now popular.
Age of the later Puranas and Darshanas 650 AD - 1000 AD
After King Harshe’s death, the country begins to disintegrate. The
Rajputs (mixture of the earlier Kashatriyas and the Hums) assert
themselves and establish kingdoms. Many foreigners are assimilated into
the Hindu fold. The Parsis establish themselves in Western India.
The further decline of Buddhism and its assimilation into Hinduism is
due to the efforts of Kumarilla Batla and Adi Sankara of the grounds of
Karma and Gnana respectively and due to the South Indian saints on the
grounds of Bhakthi.
Vegetarianism gains ground in Hinduism due to Jain influence,
Sanctity of animal life, rejection of animal sacrifices, monasticism due
to Buddhist influence, Sankara’s Advith become very popular.
Maya identity of Atman with Brahman, to realise which gnana is the
best means. Avidiya ie. ignorance is like mistaking a rope for a
serpent. In the South, the 12 Alvars and the 63 shaivaite Nayanmars
spread the godpel of Bhakthi.
The hymns of the former are collected by Nathamuni to become of the
Nalayema Prabandam (4000 hymas) the lives of the latter are described in
the ‘piriyapurana by Sekkilar and the hymns of four of them ie Appar,
Sampanthar, Surntharamoorthy and Manickavasar are collected by
Nambirariurar to form the major portion of the ‘Thirumari’.
Thus God becomes accessible to the masses. Love and surrender to God
becomes a popular path shaltism allied to vedanta gave rise to Sri Vidya
(highest from of Devi worship.) All over the country the Bhavatha Purana
catches the imagination of masses as pakthi pervades entire Purana.
Krishna with a flute and a cow by his side is in the minds of
everyone as a God of pure divine love of the highest type.
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Neighbourhood in Islam
M. B. M. Mahir
DUTY: Neighbours constitute an important part in our lives. Be they
Muslim or not, rich or poor, big or small, Islam has laid down their
rights and privileges. And ordered us to protect them. Duty towards
neighbours has been placed next to duty towards parents and relations.
The supreme importance given to this duty towards neighbours is a unique
feature in Islam.
The Holy Quran says: “Be good to the parents, next of kin, orphans,
the needy, relatives, neighbours, and the alien neighbours (4:3). The
above injunction of the Quran is mentioned many a times the Holy book in
order to strengthen our Iman and Ikhlas towards the duty to neighbours.
The Prophet (Sal) said as reported by Anas (Rali)
“One whose neighbours is not safe from his troubles shall not enter
paradise” as reported by sahih Muslim “the character of a man is known
only from his neighbours” the Prophet said further and explained the
duties of neighbours.
One who is good to his neighbours in this world will be among good
neighbours in the next world of qiyamah. Everyone should send presents
and food to the neighbours and the neighbour has the right to be invited
on important occasions. Every sort of help should be extended to a
neighbour without any discrimination of caste, creed and religion.
The property and life of everyone should be well secured. In
extending help and assistance preference should be given to the
neighbours first even if they are not Muslim on humanitarian grounds.
This is as true for a particular individual as to a nation. The
neighbouring nations should live in perfect unity and peace.
We must always bear in mind that there may be the sick, the aged, the
pregnant, the nursing baby and similar category of people among the
neighbourhood. We must ensure that we must not disturb such people by
our behaviour of shouting, screaming, scolding and fighting among us.
This is more important in a heterogeneous society of us with people
of all communities living side by side in peace and harmony. A wrong
impression should not be given that Muslims do not know to behave
themselves as Muslims are messengers of peace. We should endeavour to
practice what we preach.
During the holy month of Ramazan we have come across situation by
which our neighbours are disturbed by our own behaviour. It is true that
Muslims must be awake in the night to perform good deeds in this holy
month. It is true that attending Tharaweeh prayers, Hiflul Quran,
Qoyamul lail, Thahajjath are all meritorious activities in this great
month.
But it is also true that by disturbing the peace of this
neighbourhood by loud sounding, playing games, congregating in mosques
and discussing business and personal matters, speeches made in loud
sounding microphones results in loss of sleep and peace of the
neighbourhood. These actions are endangering the names of Islam and
tarnishing the image of Muslims.
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Holy Prophet Muhammed, ‘A Mercy unto all creation’
M. Liyawdeen
MESSENGER OF GOD: He was named Muhammad (The praised one) and Ahmed,
(the one worthy of praise). God Almighty sent him to this world as the
last of his messengers and referred to him in his book Al Quran as “A
Mercy unto all creation”. God Almighty praised him an extolled his
virtues when He mentioned “You possess an exemplary character”.
He further declared “Indeed in the personality of the Messenger of
God you have an excellent pattern of all virtues”.
However, of all the great historic figures none has been so much
maligned as our Holy Prophet. Some of the early non - Muslim writers
portrayed him as an ‘imposter’ and described Islam as the ‘devil’s’
religion.
The campaign of slander, vilification and calumny against the Holy
Prophet continued unabated for centuries and heightened during the seven
principal crusades from 1095 to 1271.
The prejudice and antipathy towards the Holy Prophet and Islam may
have been triggered by the rapid spread of Islam and the powerful
influence it wielded in the political, social and economic fronts
internationally.
In the recent past especially since the events of September 11th, one
observes the vilification and slander campaign against the Holy Prophet
and Islam rearing its ugly head again and gradually gaining intensity.
The publication of caricatures demonising the Holy Prophet and
derogatory and disparaging remarks and comments by leading religious and
political personalities were apparent attempts to blame Islam and its
messenger for acts of violence perpetrated by a few extremist Muslim
elements.
In the context of the above misconception and mis-information of
Islam and the Holy Prophet, it would be relevant to quote from a few
well-known non-Muslim figures who have researched and studied Islam
objectively.
In their studies and writings these authors and prominent
personalities not only rejected the baseless allegations and slander,
but on the contrary admired the exemplary qualities of the Holy Prophet
and the noble code of ethics promulgated by Islam.
“The accounts of Muhammad and Islam which were published in Europe
before the beginning of the 19th century are to be regarded as literary
curiosities” observed Professor Bevan in his book Cambridge Medieval
History.
Continued next week
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Ten Commandments: Unifying laws for Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Tuan Rassool
FAMOUS TEXT: The Ten Commandments is arguably the most famous text in
the Old Testament. It is recognised as a shining example of ethics.
Most people would be able to recite half of the verses off the top of
their heads, maybe not nowadays. Yet, it remains largely misunderstood
in its implications. Being a familiar text, it is often glossed over and
generalised, escaping the scrutiny that an obscure passage would
undoubtedly get. We cannot be guilty of just passing over these verses
without inspecting its relevance to all major branches of religion.
According to the Bible, Moses (peace be upon him) was given the Ten
Commandments on Mt. Sinai. These divine Commandments have a paramount
place in the ethical system in Judaism and Christianity, and also
influenced the writing of the current man-made laws.
Listed in the books of Exodus and confirmed in Deuteronomy, the
commandments are divided into duties toward God, one’s neighbours, and
society. Their normative status is indicated by their prescriptive and
unconditional language.
They function as general stipulations decreed by God as part of God’s
covenant with the people of Israel.
Although the Ten Commandments have traditionally been considered as
part of Christian and Jewish heritage, the Holy Qur’an also endorses
that Moses (peace be upon him) was given revelation, Torah (or Taurat in
Arabic). These Commandments are scattered among the many chapters of the
Holy Qur’an.
With the social and spiritual maturity of mankind, Ten Commandments
were either superseded, or enhanced with the times, or explained in
greater details and clarity with later revelations in the Holy Qur’an.
However, the fundamentals and the essence of the laws were not changed.
What is striking about the Ten Commandments is the common thread
which weaves through all three major religions. At the same time, what
has set them apart is that the unreasonable interpretations of these
religious texts with unsubstantiated beliefs. I hope this article will
serve to throw new light and fresh understanding to the rudimentary of
our beliefs.
The author’s intention is to show that the originator of the Laws in
the biblical texts and the Holy Qur’an is from a single Divine source.
This common legacy is something we should be all proud of. The
potential to ease inter-faith rivalry and encourage goodwill should be
encouraged and hopefully bring humanity closer.
The Ten Commandments do not specifically address some of the most
active of today’s moral controversies such as abortion, the death
penalty, genetic engineering, etc. Nevertheless, they provided certain
fundamental important rules of behaviour.
The First Commandment
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Bible, Exodus 20, 3)
This First Commandment is the fountainhead of all subsequent divine
laws.
To be continued
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