Prescribed by the Nationl CurriculumandTexbook Board
as a Textbook for class six from the academic year 1997
HINDU RELIGIOUS STUDIES
For class Six
Translated by
Amirun Nesa
Anita Sarma
Edited by :
Tapan Chakravorty
Anita Sarma
NATIONAL CURRICULUM & TEXTBOOK BOARD, DHAKA
Published by
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board
69-70, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka
[All rights reserved by the Publisher]
First Print
Reprint
: 1997
: 2007
Computer Compose
Farhana Offset Printers
6, Zindabahar 1st Lane, Dhaka-1100
Cover Design
Md. Abdul Halim
Illustrator
Mafruha Begum
Design
NCTB, Dhaka
For free distribution from academic year 2010 by the Government of Bangladesh
Website Version developed By : MARS Solutions Ltd.
Preface
New textbooks at Junior Secondary and Secondary levels were introduced in the
early 80's in the light of the recommendations of the National Curriculum and
Syllabus Committee formed in 1975. Although more than a decade has elapsed,
no major attempts were made to modify and revise the curriculum and develop
new textbooks to meet the changing socio-economic needs of the country and to
incorporate advanced scientific and technological knowledge of the
contemporary world.
In this context, the Government took a comprehensive programme to modify and
reform the time-old curricula: and syllabi of Junior Secondary, Secondary and
Higher Secondary stages of education in 1994⎯1995. The broad aims and
objectives of the modified curriculum are: to raise the standard of our education
upto international level, to enable the students to acquire newer knowledge, to
inculcate in them religious, moral and social values, and equip them with such
skills that help them in self-employment.
New textbooks for classes VI to X were developed in accordance with the
modified and renewed curriculum and syllabus. These books were first
introduced in classes VI and IX in 1996 and those for classes VII and VIII were
introduced in 1997. As usual these textbooks are written in Bengali.
In compliance with the Government decision of allowing the students to study in
English medium also, National Curriculum and Textbook Board, for the first
time in its history, undertook the task of preparing English version of the
existing textbooks of different subjects for classes VI to X.
'This book 'Hindu Religious Studies' for class VI is the English version of the
original textbook entitled "Hindu Dharma Shiksha " written in Bangla.
The work of translation, editing and printing was done rather in haste so as to
make the book available to the students in time. Inspite of sincere efforts some
inadvertent errors and omissions may be found in the book. As curriculum
development is a continuous process, our efforts will continue to make the book
free from these errors and improve accordingly in the next edition. In this respect
positive advice and constructive suggestions from any quarter will be highly
appreciated.
My sincere thanks and gratitudes are due to those who were involved in
translating, editing and printing the book. My thanks are also due to Higher
Secondary Education Project for their financial assistance and cooperation in this
work. All efforts will be deemed fruitful if the teachers and students are
benefited by the book.
Professor Md. Mostafa Kamaluddin
Chairman
National Curriculum and Textbook Board,
Dhaka.
Contents
Chapter
Subject
Page
One.
Creator and Creation
1
Two.
Praise-Solicitation and Prayer
6
Three.
Philosophy and Religion
11
Four
Sacred Scriptures
18
Five.
Gods and Goddesses
25
Six.
Worships and Religious Festivals
32
Seven.
Moral Knowledge
42
Eight.
Virtue and vice
49
Nine.
Anecdotes
53
Ten.
Ideal Biographies
65
CHAPTER ONE
CREATOR AND CREATION
The sun glitters in the deep blue sky by day. Suddenly dark clouds from
unknown source come and engulf the whole sky. Sun light disappears. The
blue sky as if becomes dark at night. Stars twinkle in this sky. Sometimes the
moon appears in the sky. What a pleasant light of the moon! We have many
beautiful and varied things in our natural world besides the sun, the moon and
the sky.
Natural Scenery
We have sea-as blue as the sky and crowned with waves. In some places,
there are very high and vast mountains. Somewhere there are green trees.
Creepers are thatched with fruits and flowers. Colourful birds of various
kinds hide under the branches of trees or creepers. There live some ferocious
animals like tigers and bears as well as some gentle animals like deer in the
forest. The flow of thousand rivers flow through the green paddy fields and
green forests. In some places there are blazing deserts. All taking into account
our natural world is varied and very beautiful.
All these natural things have not come to the earth all on a sudden. These have
not come into being spontaneously. Behind all these things, there is a Creator.
We recognise this Creator as God. He is also known as Brahma. Bhagavan is
also his another name. The Creator lives among all His creations. The beauty of
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Hindu Religious Studies
the Creator is reflected among all His creations. That is why all the creations
are so beautiful. So if any one loves the creation, he loves the Creator. For this
reason, Swami Vibekanando said⎯
"Where are you searching for God,
Who appears in front of you in various forms.
The man who loves living beings,
He is serving the God."
God is omnipresent in this world through all living beings. We do not know
or can not conceive it. That is why we do not love the living beings as God,
we do not serve them as God. Instead we very often neglect them, ignore
them. Hindu religion advocates to serve the living beings as God or Brahma.
How God is omnipresent within living beings. God lives within living beings as
soul. That is why if anyone serves the living beings, he serves the God. One of
the fundamental feature of Hindu religion has been reflected in the midst of this
belief. This fundamental feature is theism.
The original sacred scripture of Hindu religion is Veda. It is the doctrine of
the Veda that the Supreme being is omnipresent throughout the world and
beyond this world. Upanishad is also a sacred scripture. It is said in the
Upanishad that God can not be revealed through the sun, even not through
the moon and the stars. God reveals Himself through His own power and at
the same time He reveals others. He Himself is the blue insect, green parrot
with red lips, He is the black cloud from which flashes the lightning. The
whole universe is created from Him. In the Bhagavadgita He is depicted as
first Progenitor. He has endless manifestations. He is the greatest soul and
He is the ultimate shelter. As the soul of any creature is a part of the
Supreme being, so this soul will never destroy. The body perishes. As a
man changes his old clothes and wears new ones so does the soul. It
leaves the old body and enters into a new one. This process of, changing
the body by soul is called life and death. According to Hindu religion it is
called the Doctrine of Rebirth. After several rebirths, a time comes when it
is stopped. Then the creature attains salvation.
Hindu religion aims at the welfare of living beings and the earth and at the
same time it wants the salvation of living beings. As it aims at the welfare of
living beings so it creates scope for prayer to various manifestations of
God. These varied manifestations are known as deities. For example,
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3
Brahma is the deity of creation, Vishnu preserves us. Saraswati is a deity for
knowledge etc. To the Hindus, God or Brahma is formless but He can take
form. According to Hindu religion, there are two systems of worship (i)
Worship of God or Brahma who has no forms. (ii) Worship of male and
female deities who have different forms.
God descends on earth adorning various forms, for controlling the evils and for
preserving the pious human beings and for protection of religion. This
phenomenon is depicted as the incarnation of God. The descendants are known
as Avatar. For example- Vaman, Nrisimha, Ram, are-the incarnation of God.
The duties of the Avatars too are to do good to living beings and to the world.
Hindu religion is perpetual (sanatana). Perpetual (Sanatana) means which
existed, which exists and which will exist in future. According to current
practice this perpetual religion is called Hindu religion. The main doctrines of
Hindu religion is theism, relationship between human soul and the Supreme
Being, offering love to living beings as they are offering the same to God,
incarnated descendents, meditation or effort for coming in touch with God,
belief in rebirth, achieving salvation. One is to pray for God. One is to sing
praising the God. Deities are also to be worshipped. Through worship, the
devotees pray for peace and happiness. Temples are built for worship. The holy
place of religion is called shrine. When an individual goes for a pilgrimage,
'body and mind of the devotee becomes purified.
The principle theme of Hindu religion is devotion for God, to do welfare of the
world, and meditation for the salvation of soul. Again, this meditation is
appertaining to God. All living beings are created from God. On the other hand,
God is omnipresent in living beings. Universal poet Rabindranath Tagore has
uttered beautifully in the following rhymes.
“You are infinite within the limit
You play on your tune
Your manifestation within me
Hence it is so melodious.”
Limit i. e. God is revealed through limit. i. e creations. That is why all the
creations are so beautiful so sweet.
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Hindu Religious Studies
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
2.
What is the name of the original scripture of Hindu religion?
a)
Veda
b)
Mahabharata
c)
Purana
d)
Manusamhita
Whom did Swami Vivekananda address the following lines?
“Where are you searching for God, Ignore,
who appears in front of you in various forms?”
3.
a)
Brahmins
b)
Elder Brother
c)
Parents
d)
Creature
‘Soul of any creature is a part of the Supreme being’, both of them
has____.
i)
the same quality
ii)
to undergo decay
iii) no destruction
Which one is correct?
a.
i
b.
ii
c.
iii
d.
i, iii
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4.
5
It is said in the Upanishad that God can’t be revealed through the sun.
Because, he reveals −
a)
himself through has own power
b)
himself through the moon
c)
through the fire
d)
through light
Creative Question
1.
In this varied world of ours God exists in living beings. Since we
understand, we don’t care for or love living creatures and sometimes
we neglect them. Besides we don’t know the way how God is revered
by serving living beings. Hindu religion advocates helping and giving
service to living beings as God or Brahma. Because Brahma is the
Supreme soul and soul is in the living beings.
a)
Who is God?
b)
Why is it advocated in Hindu religion to serve the living beings?
c)
How will you help a poor classmate who can’t come to school for
the lack of his books and school uniform?
d)
Explain the term-“The soul of a living being is a part of a
Supreme soul.”
CHAPTER TWO
PRAISE-SOLICITATION AND PRAYER
A. Hymns
(i) Veda
Sahasrashirsha purushah
Sahasraksah sahasrapat /
Sa bhumim viswato vritva
Atyatisthad dashangulam//(Rigveda 10/90/1)
Simple meaning :
Purusha (God) is thousand headed, thousand eyed and thousand footed. He
is omnipresent throughout the world and cxtends beyond earth upto the
length of ten fingers.
(ii) Upanishad :
Na jayate mriyate va vipahscin
Nayam kutashcinna vabhuva kashcit /
Ajo nityah saswato’ayam purano
Na hanyate hanyamane sharire //
(Kathopanisad 1/2/18)
Simple meaning :
The supreme soul does not take birth, does not die and nothing was born
(directly) from it. This supreme soul is absolute, eternal, perpetual and having no
beginning, It is not perished though the body is destroyed.
(iii) Srimadbhagavadgita
Pitasi lokasya characharasya
Tvamasya pujyashca ururgariyan /
Na tvatsamo’astyabhyadhikah kuto’anyo
Lokatraye’apyapratima prabhava // (11/43)
Simple meaning
O! immensely powerful Purusha (God), you are the creator of animate and
inanimate world. You are worshipful and the greatest spiritual guide. In the
universe, there is no other power like you. Where and how will stay any
one greater than you?
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(iv) Shri Shri Candi
Sarvasya vuddhirupena hridi samsthite /
Swargapavargade devi narayani namo’astute //
Simple meaning:
O, Narayani! You stay in our hearts as intelligence,
You are the authority to give us heaven and freedom.
I salute you.
B. Prayers
(i) Srimadbhagavadgita
Kiritinam gadinam cakrahastamichami tvam drashtumaham tathaiva /
Tenaiva rupena caturbhujena
Sahasravaho bhava vishwamurte // (11/46)
Simple meaning :
I intend to see your previous form, holding crown, mallet and wheel. Oh!
thousand armed, Oh! existing in all forms, please allow me to see your four
armed figure.
(ii) Bangla Prayer
Bring down my head
to the dust at your feet.
Drown all my pride
in tears.
When I try to glorify myself
all I do
is insult my self only.
Encompassing myself only
whirl round and round
every moment.
Drown all my pride
in tears.
May I never proclaim
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Hindu Religious Studies
my own merits in my work.
May your will
be fulfilled in my life.
I beg for
your ultimate peace
your divine grace in my soul.
Shelter me.
Standing on
of my heart-lotus-petal
Drown all my pride
in tears.
---------RABINDRA NATH TAGOR
Notes :
Veda : Veda is the fundamental sacred scripture of Hindus. Veda means
knowledge. The hymns of Veda were revealed to the Saints during meditation.
So they are said to the onlooker of Veda. There are four kinds of Veda-Rig
Veda, Sam Veda, Yayur Veda and Atharva Veda.
Upanishad (The Vedanta philosophy) : The Vedas having two cantos-work
oriented canto and knowledge oriented canto. Upanishad belongs to knowledge
oriented canto. Upanishad deals with knowledge of God or Brahma. Number of
main Upanishads is twelve. Among them the best Upanishads are Isha, ken,
kath, prasna etc.
Srimadbhagavadgita
It is one of the precious sacred scripture of Hindus. This scripture belongs to
Vishmacanto of epic Mahabharata. In the beginning of kuruskhetra war Lord
Srikrishna gave advices to Arjun. Bhagavadgita is the compilation of those
advices. This sacred scripture is generally known as Gita. Gita is the summary
of all themes of Upanishads.
Special Note : Rigveda 10/90/1= First Mantra of the ninetieth sukta (verses) of
tenth Mondol (a collection) of Rigveda. Kathopanishad 1/2/18= The eighteenth
Mantra of second Bally of the first chapter of kathopanishad.
Srimadbhagavadgita 11/43rd and 11/46th=Slokes of 43rd and 46th of l1th
chapter of Srimadvagabhadgita.
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9
Hymn : Praise or praise of virtues
Prayer : Ask something,
Analysis of euphonically combined word-group and meaning of the
words.
Atyatisthat=Ati + Atisthat-To extend beyond.
NayamNa+Ayam,
Ayam-This.
Kutashcinna=kutashcit+Na.
kutashcit =kutah + cit;From something.
Shashwato’ayam =Shashwatah+Ayam.
.
Aja-who do not take birth.
Hanyamane- If killed too.
Tvatsamo’astyabhyadhikah=Tvatsamah+Asti+Abhi+Adhikah.
Kuto’anyo= kutah+Anyo.
Lokatraye’apyapratimaprabhava- Lokatraye+Api+Apratimaprabhava.
Cakrahastamicchami= Cakrahastam+Icchami.
‘a=hidden ‘a’.
EXERCISE
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
There are ____chapters in Srimadbhagavadgeeta.
a) fifteen
b) sixteen
c) seventeen
d) eighteen
2.
In a prayer something is _________.
a) asked
b) praised
c) received
d) felt
3.
Hindu’s idea is that by reading Srimadbhagavadgeeta, people can
learn __________.
i) how God can be served
ii) the advices of Srikrishna to Arjun.
iii) the greatness of the goddess Durga
Which one is correct?
a. i
b. ii
c. iii
d. i and ii
4.
Who lives in our heart in the shape of intelligence?
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Hindu Religious Studies
a)
b)
c)
d)
Saraswati
Durga
Shiva
Ganesh
Read the passage below and answer the Questions 5 and 6.
Arjun said to his friend Srikrishna in Geeta, “Oh! Thousand armed! Oh!
Figure of universe! Please assume the shape of that with four arms.”
Srikrishna said , “I have showed you this figure of mine as you are favourite
to me.”
5.
6.
Which canto does the Geeta of the Mahabharata belong to?
a) Bhishma Canto
b) Ayodhya Canto
c) Kishkinda Canto
d) Lanka Canto.
What would you do if you were favourite to Krishna?
i) I’d speak like Arjuna
ii) I’d fight against Krishna
iii) I’d embrace him
Which one is correct?
a) i
b) ii
c) iii
d) ii and iii
Creative Question
Sitting beside her mother Oishi was listening to Upanishad (Kathopanishad
1.2.18) and was asking her about different things. Mother explained them in
simple language.
Na jayate mriayate va vipashcin
Nayam kutashcinna vabhuva kashcit /
Ajo nityah shashwato’ayam purano
Na hanyate hanyamane sharire //
a) How many segments/parts are there of the main Upanishad?
b) How did mother simplify Oishi the slok below ?
‘Ajo nityah shashwato’ayam purano
Na hanyate hanyamane sharire //
c) Explain the glory of Brahma in the light of the above slok.
d)
Explain the term - ‘Supreme soul is indestructible’.
CHAPTER THREE
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
Religion and philosophy-these two combine the philosophy of religion.
Philosophy of religion brings welfare to man. Religion means welfare to man.
To achieve this welfare, men are bound to pray to God and to offer worship to
God. Because God is the creator of all.
On the other hand, the general idea about darshan is to see the things by eye.
But in broad sense philosophy is the theoretical knowledge about God means
the knowledge about the feature of universe and living beings. What is the
feature of the universe? Who has created the living beings and the universe`?
What is the relation between universe and living beings with God? Philosophy
tries to give answer to those questions.
Nature of Religion and philosophy is different. Religion includes perception,
imagination, emotion, respect and devotion.
A philosopher wishes to know about God by his pure thinking. To a
philosopher mere perception and emotion are meaningless. Inconsiderate and
unjustified faith carry no value to philosophers. In all, source of religious
conscious is the heart or emotion of a man and source of thinking is the brain or
Intelligence.
There are also some similarities between religion and philosophy. The main
objective of religion is to achieve salvation of soul. Salvation of soul means to
unite with the supreme being i.e. God. Salvation of soul too is the fundamental
objective of Indian philosophy.
In every religious doctrine there are some philosophical explanation. Indian
philosophy can be divided into two aspects-Astik (believer of God) and
Nastik (Non-believer- of God). The philosophy which has accepted the
Vedas and Upanishads as documentary proofs is known as Astik
philosophy. And the philosophy is contrary to it is known as Nastik
philosophy. There are six systems of Astik philosophy, viz.- : Syankha,
Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Purvamimamsa and the Uttarmimamsa or Vedanta.
In all, these six systems are known as Shadadarshan. On the otherhand
Budhism, Jainism and the doctrines of Charvak philosophy-these three are
known as Nastik philosophy.
Hindu Religious Studies
12
The philosophy which consider and justify the religion is called Religious
philosophy. The subject matter of religious philosophy is vast. Religious
conscience, religious emotion, God, god and goddess, soul, next world,
religious rituals, religious laws and prohibitions, social norms of human
beings etc. are all subject matter of philosophy. In all philosophy of religion
determines the relation between the theory and practice. Besides these,
freedom of will and achieving immortality are also included in to the domain
of philosophy of' religion.
In short, it may be said that, religion and philosophy directs men for
achieving welfare and salvation of soul. Moreover the objective of
philosophy of religion is to justify and analysis of religious doctrines.
YOUGIC MEDITATION
(Proper posture of abstract meditation)
Yoga is one of the system of offering worship to God. Generally, yoga means
union of something to other things. But, for religious practice yoga means
uniting the sentient soul with the supreme being or uniting with the God.
Both body and mind have the importance for meditation of God. Meditation
may be performed through body. So to keep the body healthy is a precondition. Normally, it is seen that body is the shelter of diseases. Body
becomes prey of diseases so easily. Sound mind can not be expected in a illbody. Proper sports, study, domestic works, religious practices can not be
performed through ill body and mind. So, sacred scripture (sacred book) says"Sariramadyama khalu dharmasadhanam'' means- healthy body is a
precondition for meditation. And for this, in ancient time the Muni-Rishi (saintsage) provided provisions for yougic meditation for keeping sound health and
mind. Yougic meditation is a process to keep sound health and mind.
Maharsi Patanjali is the author of Yougic philosophy. There are eight ograns of
yoga Viz- 1. Yama 2. Niyam 3. Asan 4. Pranayam 5. Pratyahara 6. Dharana, 7.
Dhyana. 8. Samadhi.
1. Yama : Yama means becoming self restrained.
2. Niyam : Niyam means to take care of health. Regular and moderate
bathing. eating and resting.
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Hindu Religious Studies
3. Asan : Means to sit on special posture .
4. Pranayam : Means regulation of inspiration and expiration systems.
5. Pratyahara : Means to withdraw extrovert mind and to make it introvert.
6. Dharana: Means to concentrate mind in any one particular aspect.
7. Dhyana : Means to dive deep into an uninterrupted thought.
8. Samadhi: Means total absorption of mind in tile thought of one's choosen
spiritual guide during meditation.
Regular yougic meditation keeps the health fit but it is not painful. There are
many types of yougic meditation, such as- Padmasan, Vajrasan, Bhadrasan.
Shavasan, etc.
Two typess of posture- in yougic meditation are described here-
1. Padmasan
Method of practice : The meditator will sit on a hard place or on the floor, Then
by folding right knee, the right feet near the left thigh will he placed. Now
folding the left knee and placing the left feet over the right leg will be placed near the
right thigh. At that time back bone will remain straight and hands will be placed
on knees stretched. The meditator will inspire and expire very slowly. In this
way yougic practice should he done according to his ability. Replacement of
the feet are to be made for many times. After this practice the meditator will
take rest through Shavasan.
Utility of this Asan :
Concentration of mind increases. Moreover this
practice is good for knee and heel, and it keeps
the back bone straight and very strong. Padmasan
also helps to increase the digestive power and
prevents the rheumatism indirectly.
Warning
If any one suffers from rheumatism or pain in the
joint of knee or heel he is to be careful in
practising this Asan. In that condition application
of much pressure is prohibited.
Padmasan
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14
2. Shavasan
("Shav," means dead body). The meditator will stretch his body on the floor as
it a dead body is lying on it.
Method of practice
The meditator will lie down on the back and will stretch the legs straight. The gap
between two legs will be 30 to 40 centimeters. Heels will remain inside and toes
will remain stretched outside the feet. Hands will remain perpendicularly on both
side of the body according to the choice of the meditator, backside of palm, will
remain stretched and in touch with the floor. Body will be kept loose as possible.
Shavasan
Respiration will be slow . But one is to ensure that any nerve and muscle
should not remain in a bit stiff condition.
Utility of Shavasan : Shavasan keeps the nerves of the body in rest. It
regulates the excitement of mind.
Lungs and heart get maximum rest. It contributes in amelioration of heart
disease, diabetics and high blood pressure. Shavasan practice is essential after
practicing any Asan. Maximum benefit may be achieved by doing this practice.
Who can not do this practice in a fixed time, they can practice it in the same way
by sitting on a chair. In this way mental and physical exhaustion may be
relieved. It encourages to do work with energized enthusiasm.
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Hindu Religious Studies
General rules for yougic meditation
1. It is necessary to practice yougic meditation in a fixed time, suitable time
for yougic practice is in the morning and in the evening.
2. At the time of practicing, mind should be kept still, calm and quiet.
3. 1t is not wise to practice in full stomach or empty stomach. After taking some
light food; rest for a while. Then yougic practice may be performed.
4. To do yougic practice on soft bed is prohibited. Practice should be done on
a blanket or hand woven carpet.
The objective of yougic meditation is to build up mind and body for offering
prayer to God. There are methods of offering prayer to God through knowledge,
work, devotion and Yoga etc. Process of worship of these, yoga is given
priority. In the holy Bhagavadgita, Lord Srikrishna adviced Arjuna to be an
yogi. And God Srikrishna is the lord of all Yogies. So, devotees Compulsorily are
to practice yougic meditation as far as possible.
EXERCISE
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
Religion requires involvement of _________.
i) emotion
ii) perception and imagination
iii) respect and devotion
Which one is correct?
a. i
c. ii
c. iii
d. i, ii and iii
2.
In Hindu religion the source of religion is _____of man’s heart.
i) emotion
ii) love and devotion
iii) power
Which one is correct?
a)
b)
c)
d)
i
ii
i and ii
i, ii and iii
Hindu Religious Studies
16
3.
The function of religious philosophy is to;a) relate practice with religion.
b) differentiate between practice and religion.
c) create a close connection of practice with religion.
d) maintain a balance between practice and religion.
4.
Dharmendu recites the holy Geeta after taking bath in the morning;
This manner of Dharmendu is due to_________________.
a) his religious bindings
b) social norms
c) religious rituals
d) religious consciousness.
5.
The main object of human life is to achieve ____________.
a) salvation of soul
b) money
c) devotion
d) honour
The method of worshiping God is _______ .
a) knowledge
b) practice
c) devotion
d) yoga
6.
Creative Question
Religious philosophy
Religion
Philosophy
Astik/ Religious
Philosophy
Nastik/ Secular
Philosophy
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Hindu Religious Studies
[The main function of religious philosophy is to direct the way of doing
welfare and attaining salvation of soul].
a)
What is the philosophy of religion?
b)
Discuss the nature of religion and philosophy according to the table
above.
c)
Explain the current rules and regulations of the society, religious
practices and identifying social practices and customs which indicates
religious philosophy.
d)
“The main function of religious philosophy is to direct the way of
doing welfare and attaining salvation of soul.” Discuss.
Padmasan
a)
What is the Asan referred to in the picture?
b)
Discuss how the Asan above keeps the body fit and the mind sound.
c)
How will you practise the Asan above?
d)
Discuss the term- “Yougic meditation is the process of keeping the
body fit and mind sound.”
CHAPTER FOUR
SACRED SCRIPTURES
We know the book in which the theme of religion is written is called sacred
scripture. Sacred Scriptures describes the holy advices of God and preaches the
greatness of God. Besides these, other advices are also included for our
welfare. These advices are not always given directly. Sometimes advices has
given in the form of story or legend or describing the incidents of history. The
code of livelihood are mentioned in the sacred scriptures.
The Vedas are the fundamental sacred scriptures of the Hindus. Besides these
the Upanishad, the Purans, the Ramayan, the Mahabharata, the
Srimadbhagavadgita, the Srichandi etc are also our sacred scriptures. Now we
shall try to know in brief about the Vedas and the Gita.
The Vedas
We have stated earlier that, the Vedas are our fundamental sacred scriptures. The
meaning of the word veda is to know or knowledge. This knowledge means holy
knowledge. Knowledge about varied and beautiful nature and its creator,
knowledge is also about men and life. Is there any limitation of knowledge? Is
knowledge achievable without effort? We are to make effort for attainment of
Knowledge. We are to devote ourself for acquiring knowledge. One is to dive
deep into meditation for achieving it. Meditation is being absorbed in deep
thought. Truth is revealed through meditation. Truth is perpetual and eternal.
Which is eternal, it has no beginning and end. This truth can not be created. It is
revealed in the light of deep meditation. It is perceptible.
In ancient time, those who could realize truth or knowledge and who could
conceive the greatness of the creator were called Saints. The Vedas are the holy
knowledge, of these saints attained through meditation. As the truth or knowledge
connot be created, so the Vedas are called 'Apaurusheya' (devine). Means it was
not written by any Purusha or person. Though the saints did not write or compose.
they realized the truth through meditation and expressed through emotion.
Cherishing it in mind, it can be identified that the Vedas are perceptible but not
created. Means nobody has created-the Vedas, these are only perceptible.
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Hindu Religious Studies
This supreme knowledge or the Vedas are the root of religion. A saint, named
Manu told “Vedah Akhiladharmamulam”- the Vedas are the root of worldly
religions. Knowledge about religion and Brahma can be attained by studing the
Vedas. Knowledge about the universe and life is also attained through Vedas. The
subject matter of the Vedas has been called deities. The sanits have highlighted the
greatness of the deities. They have praised the deities and prayed to the extra
ordinary powerful and influencial deities for wealth, happiness and peace. The
sayings of the Vedas are also called Mantras. The saints performed religious
rituals or prayer through uttering mantras from the Vedas. The system of vedic
worship was to do Yajna or homa (sacrifice). Let us be clear about this
conception. The saints have divided the deities into three main divisions-.
(i) The deities of the heaven-their powers can only to recognized. Such asSurya(Sun). Yama, Baruna etc. (ii) The deities of the sky-their powers can be
conceived and visualized too. Such as-Indra is the god of rain and dew. Deity likeVayu comes to the earth but does not stay and (iii) The deities of the earth is Agni.
We can Visualize Agni in the earth. So good things are sacrificed to him and the
other deities are welcomed through him and prayers are also offered to those
deities through Agni. To welcome the deities and offering prayes to them by
igniting fire and by uttering the mantras of the vedas is called Yajna (Sacrifice).
Mantras are included in the Vedas to be used, in such yajna.
Moreover, the mantras of Vedas were tuned and they used to sing those tuned
mantras. Such type of songs are found in Vedas. In those days those songs were
known as Sama.
Vedas also have included varied type of knowledge about various dimentions of
life.
On the basis of this type of subject matter and the style of composition the great
sage Krishnadwaipayana has divided the Vedas. As because he had divided the
Vedas, he is known as Vedavyasa. His disciples have helped him in this work. The
Vedas are divided into four parts. Such as the Rigveda, the Samaveda, the
Yajurveda and the Atharvaveda.
1. The Rigveda : There are mantras for prayer. These are composed in verse or
these may be considered as a kind of poems.
2. The Samaveda: Songs were compiled in this Veda. Almost all portion of the
Samaveda consists of poems collected from the Rigveda and these poems have
been turned into songs. These songs are sung to pleased the deities during yajna.
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3. The Yajurveda : There are some mantras in the Yajurveda which are
recited at the time of Yajna (sacrifice).
4. The Atharvaveda : Knowledge on medical science, building construction
along with the knowledge of other aspects of life are incuded in this Veda. Each
part of the veda is called Samhita (collection) Viz : Rigveda Samhita, Samveda
Samhita etc.
The other name of the vedas is called Sruti. Sruti means to listen. The disciples
used to memorize the mantras through listening from his Guru or spiritual guide.
Disciples of a disciple would memorize mantras from his guide. Because of this
way of memorizing the mantras through listening the vedas from generation to
generation, it is known as Shruti. In this context it is notable that, the Vedas are
explained after Samhita (Anthology or collection). This explanation is known as
Brahmana. The Brahmanas have three parts- The explanation of the rituals of
sacrifices is pure Brahmana. The Aranyakas and the Upanisads are composed
of the knowledge of the creator and creation. Brahma or God has been discussed
in the Upanisads. Upanishad is called vedanta as it is the ending part of the Vedas.
The vast vedic literature consists of Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka. Upanishad etc.
Only a brief idea has given in the above discussion.
A short introduction of the Gita
In short the Srimadbhavadgita is called Gita. It was told earlier, that, though the
Gita is a part of the Mahabharata but it is glorified as a separate holy book. Of the
eighteen Parvas or cantos of the Mahabharata, Vishmaparva is one of them. The
Gita consists of eighteen adhyayas or chapters, i.e. 25-42 cantos of Vishmaparva.
The names of these eighteen chapters are as follows :
( i).Arjunavishadayoga
(2) Samkhyayoga (3) Karmayoga (4) Jnanayoga (5)
Sannyasayoga (6) Dhyanayoga (7) Jananavijnanayoga (8) Aksarabrahmayoga
(9) Rajavidyarajaguhyayoga (10) Vibhutiyoga (11) Vishwarupadarshanayoga (12)
Bhaktiyoga (13) Kshetra-kshetrajna vibhagayoga (14) Gunatrayavibhagayoga
(15)Purushottamayoga(16)Devasurasampadvibhagayoga
(17)Shraddhatrayavibhagayoga (18) Mokshayoga.
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Hindu Religious Studies
Contents of Gita
Dhritarashtra and Pandu were two brothers. Dshritarahtra was the elder and Pandu
was the younger brother. Dhritararshtra had one hundred sons and a dauahter. His
sons were such as Duryodhan, Duhshasan etc and daughter was Duhshala. Pandu
had five sons- Yudhisthir, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev. The sons of
Dhiritarashtra were called Kaurav according to the family name of Kuru. And the
sons of Pandu were called Pandav according to the name of their father. War
started between Kuru and Pandav for possession of kingdom. At that time
incarnated lord or Avatar Shrikrishna was the king of Dwaraka. He allowed his
soldiers to fight in favour of Kaurav. He kept himself unarmed and joined as
charioteer of Arjun’s chariot. When the chariot reached in the middle of two
armies, Arjun became down hearted by seeing his relatives in both the armies. He
thought that he was to fight with his relation. So he decided, that he would refrain
from fight. Then Lord Shrikrishna advised to Arjun about duty, knowledge and
devotion. These advices were compiled in the holy Gita. Lord Shrikrishna's advice
inspired Arjun. Arjun decided to fight.
Though Arjuna was a pretext but the advice of Lord Shrikrishna compilled in Gita
is applicable to all mankind.
It is not possible to conceive all the advices compilled in Gita. These may be
explained in many ways and in many dimensions. In brief, the Following are
the advices of Gita.
Gita advices to get rid of weeknesses and to surrender to God. Ono is to do his
duty without expecting results in favour of him. Duty is important, whatever be
the result. Doing duties without expectation of any result is called Niskam Karma
(expectation free duty). Gita also advocates for maintaing harmony among all the
religions.
Arjuna was not willing to fight with his relatives, but it would not bring any good
result. Because, our life, death and living depends on God. So, death of anybody
does not depend upon Arjuna. Even Arjuna himself did not know when he will
face death. Moreover God exists within us in the from of soul. Hence from death
body is destroyed, not the soul, Agni, Vayu, water etc no one can destroy the soul.
The soul is eternal and imperishable. One can overcome sorrow if he can conceive
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22
the idea of soul in this way. Then sorrows, happiness, win or defeat carries same
value to him. The Gita says about Yoga i.e. union with the God. Yoga is the
technique of work. Union with the God is possible through performing duties,
achieving knowledge and devotion. Shrikrishna called him Bhakta (devotee), who
devotes himself to the God. Bhaktas (devotees) are of four kinds, viz. Arta,
Artharthi. Jijnasu and Jnani. Arta means helpless or oppressed. One who prays to
God for rescue from danger, he is known as Arta Bhakta. Artharthi (Artharthi
means hankering after any material gain) Bhaktas are those, who prays to God for
fulfilling his will or prayer. Those who try to perceive the God through knowledge
are Jijnasu Bhakta. (Jijnasu means quest for knowledge.) He who prays to God
without any expectation is known as Jnani (Jnani means knowledgeable, person)
Bhakta.
God responds to him who prays to God whatever the way he likes. Here lies the
idea of harmonization of religions.
The Gita inspires us to stand against injustice. Because, God himself descends to
earth as an Avatar or incarnation for protection of religion, for controlling the
wicked and for fostering the pious. Soul is indestructible, these lessons of Gita
give us courage to go ahead for good cause overcoming the fear of death.
We learn from Gita that (1) who show respect to God, can acquire knowledge. (2)
A self controlled person can achieve freedom (moksha). (3) An wise devout
person feels Him in his heart and (4) What ever it is in mobile and immobile
world, everything of the universe exists in God. The description of the universal
existence of God in Gita arise devotion and love for God in our heart. The
descriptions of omnipresent God are also in many Upanishadas, but Gita is theessence of all Upanishads.
All the conceptions about God or Brahma are accumulated in Gita and expressed
in harmonized form. Hence the influence of Gita says that, all the Upanishads are
like is cow and the Gita is the accumulation of milk of cow. Calf strikes the nipple
slowly and repeatedly to draw the milk from the mother. Arjuna also took the
same tacties. He did put questions of Lord Shrikrishna one after other. Shrikrishna
gave the answers which were compilled in Bhagavadgita.
The various dimentions of knowledge were discussed in the Gita. The Gita also
have shown how to lead practical day to day life. Here lies the limitless
importance of the Gita as sacred scripture of Hindus.
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Hindu Religious Studies
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
The origin of religion is Veda- the statement was depicted by_______
a) Manu
b) Vishwamitra
c) Indra
d) Arjun
2.
The four divisions of the Vedas are ____
a) Rik, Samhita, Yaju and Atharva
b) Geeta, Samhita, Sama and Aranyak
c) Rik, Sama, Yaju and Atharva
d) Manusamhita, Arya, Sama and Atharva.
“Everything is present in God whatever permanent and beneficial in
this wide world.” This is stated in ___________.
3.
a) Mahabharata
b) Purana
c) Geeta
d) Upanishad.
4.
The person who calls God for fulfilling any of his desire or prayer is
called ____________.
a) Arta Bhakta
b) Artharthi
c) Inquisitive/Jijnasu
d) Wise/jnani
5.
What will you learn by reading the scriptures?
i) The advice of God and the greatness of God.
ii) The advices for human welfare
iii) The code of livelihood.
Which one is correct?
a. i
d. ii
c. iii
d. i, ii and iii
6.
‘Nitai Babu worships through the mantras’. Which scripture of the
Vedas does this duty belong to?
a) Rik
b) Sama
c) Yaju
d) Atharva
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Read the passage and answer the Questions 7 and 8.
Vidita and Sampad are two brother & sister. Both of them are students of
medicine. Vidita’s dream is that she’d sacrifice her life to the service of
mankind after the completion of her study. But Sampad’s desire is that he
will try to be the owner of lot of money and vast wealth after his student life.
7.
This desire of Vidita belongs to ___________.
i) Sakamkarma
ii) Niskamkarma
iii) Nityakarma
Which one is correct?
a) i
b) ii
c) iii
d) i and iii
8.
Sakamkarma has worked behind Sampad’s being a doctor because he
wants to ________________.
i) be rich
ii) earn name and fame
iii) do good to others
Which one is carrect?
b) i
b) ii
c) iii
d) i and ii
Creative Question
Answer the questions below from the passage given.
As Arjun didn’t want to fight in the field of Kurukshetra, Shrikrishna
reminded him about his responsibility. Arjun understood that performing
work was his duty. Through doing his duty he had surrendered to God.
Besides, nobody knows about the time of his death. Again if anybody dies,
his soul doesn’t perish, because God is Omnipresent in every soul.
Shrikrishna’s advice charmed Arjun.
a)
In which scripture do these advices of Shrikrishna aiming Arjun
belong to?
b)
Why didn’t Arjun want to fight?
c)
How will you practise the advices of Shrikrishna about duty in your
personal life?
d)
Write the main idea of Shrikrisna’s advices to Arjun about his duty.
CHAPTER FIVE
GODS AND GODDESSES
We know that deities possess manifold power. For example, the Brahma creats,
Vishnu fosters us, the Durga is deity for power-, the Laxmi gives us wealth and the
Saraswati is the deity of learning.
Though male and female deities have different qualities and powers but they are
not the super being or the God. God has no form. But He can take any form or
shape. When God takes any form or shape and become, corporeal and reveals
some special qualities, power or divine grace then he becomes a deity.
Deities are the exposer of special qualities and power of the Super Power
(God). So it is noted that all the male an female deities like Brahma, Vishnu,
Shiva, Laxmi, Saraswati, Manasa and Kartika reveals manifold powers of the
one God.
The scriptures like the mythologies (Purana) have been written later on the basis
of the fundamental Sacred scripture-Veda. The forms, powers, influences & social
importance of different male and female deities were described in the Veda and
the mythologies
Besides these there are other male and female deities but they were not mentioned
in the Veda & mythologies. But the devotees have been worshiping them for ages.
Thus we know about three types of male and female deities. (1) Those deities who
were mentioned in the Vedas arc called Vedic deities (2) Those deities who were
mentioned in mythologies are called mythological deities. (3) Those deities who
were not mentioned either in the Veda or in the mythologies but they are
worshiped they are known as secular Gods mythologies did mentioned some
Vedie deities also. Again some of the secular deities were included in the
mythologies.
Fire, Sun, Vishnu, Varun, Usha etc. are Vedie deities. Vishnu, Fire, Varun etc.
were also included in mythologies (Puran). Manasa is a secular female deity.
Later on description about this deity has also been included in the mythology
(Puran).
Idols of deities are established either at home or in the temple. Then these idols are
worshipped everyday or worshipped on special occasions or special time- periods.
There are some methods, rituals or mantras, for worshipping deities. Now here we
are identifying three deities- Vishnu, Manasa and Kartika.
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26
Vishnu
The form in which God fosters His
creation is called Vishnu. In other
words, the power of fostering by God is
called Vishnu. Whatever are there in
this world, Vishnu fosters and saves all.
Form of Vishnu
Vishnu has four hands. There are four
objects in his four hands. In the upper
left hand, there is a conch and a wheel
in the right hand. This conch of the
Vishnu is called Panchajanya’ The
wheel in called 'Sudarshan'. There is a
club in the lower left hand and a lotus in
the lower right hand. The colour of
Vishnu's body is as the light of moon.
According to mythology, Vishnu lives
in the Vaikuntha (celestial abode). A
bird named Gadur carries Vishnu.
Vishnu
Time for worship of Vishnu
At the time of all worship, Vishnu is worshipped. There is no fixed day for
worship of Vishnu. At anyday Vishnu may be worshipped. A large number of
devotees worship Vishnu. Those who worship Vishnu are called ‘Vaishnava'.
Credit and influence of Vishnu
Of all the deites Vishnu were adorned on the top most position. When deities are
in danger, they take shelter to Vishnu. The other name of Vishnu is Narayan. He
descended on the earth for many times taking different forms for controlling the
wickeds and fostering the pious. Many ‘Avatars’ (Incarnations) of Vishnu have
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Hindu Religious Studies
been mentioned in mythology; such as; Matsya, Kurma, Nrisingha, Vaman,
Parshuram, Ram etc.
In the form of different 'Avatars'. Vishnu has worked for the welfare of the world.
Many demons like Madhu and Kaitabha. Hiranyakashipu, Shishupal, Kamsa etc.
flooded the world with oppression. The whole environment of the universe was
polluted. Vishnu suppressed or killed those demons and brought back peace and
discipline in the world.
Importance of worship of Vishnu is unlimited. By the remembrance of Vishnu all
kinds of sins are removed. The mind becomes sacred. It brings peace in mind. The
devotees worship, Shri Vishnu with great respect. They chant the glory of the
deity Vishnu and bow down their heads at his feet.
Prayer for Vishnu
Namo Brahmanyadevaya Gobrahmanahitaya cha /
Jagaddhitaya Krishnaya Govindaya Namo Namah //
Simple meaning :
Salute to Brahmanya Deva. We salute again and again to Krishna or Govinda,
who is the well wisher of world, Brahmin, cows and the universe.
Manasa
Manasa is the deity of snakes. She is the mother of snake-family. Some people call
her the deity of agriculture. But she is known and worshipped more as a deity of
snakes. The Manasa is the secular deity. Later on, she was regarded as
mythological deity. According to mythology, she was the wife of Jaratkaru
Muni (saint), mother of Astik and sister of Vasuki. Recliving instructions from
Brahma Saint Vashistha created the mantras of snakes. By virtue of his meditation,
the diety Mansa was born from his mind. As she has got the from the core of
saint’s mind, so she was known as Manasa.
Forms of Manasa
The complexion of deity Manasa is fair. So her another name is Jagatgauri (gaur
means fair). Her face is as beautiful and pleasing as the moon. She wears soft redcoloured clothes. The colour as the soft red light of morning sun. She also wears
golden ornaments. Some snakes wrap her up as if they are her ornaments. She sits
on a duck with a smiling face. That means duck is her mount.
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Time of the worship of the Manasa
After the fullmoon in the month of Ashar,
the
fifth
lunar
day
is
called
‘Nagpanchami’. On that day a ‘sij’ tree is
placed in the yard and the Manasa is
worshipped in it. There is a system of
worshipping Manasa till the 5th day of dark
fortnight.
Influence and importance of the
Manasa
Devotees become free from the fear of
snakes by worshiping deity Manasa. There
are many episodes regarding the greatness
of the diety Manasa. In these episodes, the
terrific consequences of not worshipping
the deity Manasa and the good results of
worshipping her, have been described.
During worship of the Manasa, these
episodes are being read out. On the basis of
these episodes, many narrative operas have
been composed. 'Vasan' ( a kind of
folksong celebrating the activities of
Manasa) of Manasa is this type of narrative
opera.
Kartik
The Full name of Kartik is Kartikeya. In brief this deity is popularly known
as Kartik.
Form of the Kartik
Kartik is very handsome to look at. For this reason, in describing the beauty of an
individual it is said that he is as handsome as Kartik. The colour of his body is as
that of molten gold. He wears varieties of ornaments. He has two hands. Though
his one face is seen, yet he has one form with six faces. As he has six faces he is
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Hindu Religious Studies
called 'Saranan' (one having six faces). In his left hand there is a bow and in the
right, there is an arrow. He has beauty as well as endless power. So the deities
accepted him as Commander in chief. Kartik sits on a peacock with a pleasant
mood. That Means peacock is his mount.
Time for the worship of the Kartik
At the end of the month of Kartik deity
Kartik is worshipped. There are
arrangements for worshipping and
listening to the utterances of vow four
times relating to four 'prahar' (Measure
of time equal to three hours). If
impossible, Kartik is worshipped only
once. Deity kartik is worshipped during
worship of the deity Durga.
Kartik, the commander in chief of all
the deities participated almost all the
wars between the deities and their
enemies i.e. demons. In mythology it is
said that Kartik was born to kill
Tarakasur. Besides these, he cut off the
head of Mahishasur. He defeated
Vanasur.
Kartik is worshipped and prayed for the issuing of child. It is said that
Devaki achieved Shri krishna as a son through fulfilling the vow to Kartik.
There are many temples of the deity Kartik in many places of the subcontinent. In ancient times, a good number of kings engraved the statue of
Kartik with their own money. There is a mythology named 'Skandapuran
after the name of 'Skanda' or Kartik.
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30
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
Which tree is placed to worship Manasa?
a)
Bilva
b)
Amra
c)
Sij
d)
Nim
2. Which Puran is named after the mythology of Kartik?
a)
Vayu Puran
b)
Skanda Puran
c)
Bramha vaivarta Puran
d)
Samhita Puran.
Read the paragraph and answer the Question 3 and 4.
After ten years of her marriage Rita was blessed with a very handsome son
as desired by Bhagavan. This overflooded their family with joy.
3.
4.
Which of the gods did Rita pray to for being blessed with a child?
a)
Mahamaya
b)
Mahadev
c)
Kartik
d)
Ganesh
What name of the boys of handsome appearance do people call by?
a)
Shiva
b)
Visnu
c)
Indra
d)
Kartik
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Hindu Religious Studies
Creative Question
1.
Everyone of the family of selfish terrorist Kalipada was fed up with
his torture. To bring him back from his criminal life Jethamashai said,
“the aim of god Vishnu is to control the wicked and foster the docile.”
Those who worship Vishnu are called ‘Vaishnava’. In ancient time by
killing the demons Shri Vishnu saved many people from their
oppression. Hearing this, Kalipada became the devotee of Vishnu and
came back to the right path from wrong path.
a)
What is the title of those people who worship Vishnu?
b)
Why did god Vishnu kill the demons?
c)
How did Kalipada come back to the right path?
d)
Explain_ “Vishnu’s aim was to control the wicked and foster the
docile.”
2.
Deities represent special qualities and power of Supreme Being(God).
God has no form. We want to get to close to God by worshipping his
corporeal form. This makes our heart pure. In pure mind we submit
ourselves to the creator. We build the idols of different deities and
worship his corporeal forms. We show regards to their virtues and
power. There are different methods, rituals or mantras for
worshipping particular deities.
a)
Who are called deities?
b)
Why do we establish the idols of deities in our houses or temples?
c)
“An indivilual deity is the form of an individual power.” Explain.
d)
“The deities are not the Supreme Being though they possess
individual quality and power.”-Discuss.
CHAPTER SIX
WORSHIPS AND RELIGIOUS
FESTIVALS
Thc word "Puja" means prayer or worship. To perform Puja means to praise God
or to show respect to God. But in Hindu religion the word 'Puja' is used for
specific meaning. ‘Puja’ means worshipping the symbol of God or any other
form with flowers and other materials through a special method. We know God
has no form. But He can take form and this form of god is called deity. Deities are of
different qualities or powers of the Supreme Power i.e. God. The idols of deities
are made and worshipped. Idols means statues.
The devotees want to perceive God, want to come near to Him or want to express
their emotions to Him. To fulfill these desires of the devotees puja or prayer
systems were introduced.
So to please the male and female deities who expresses the virtues of the Supreme
Power (God) some formalities are observed, Such as; serving the mankind,
praising the God or prayer to God etc. These are known as Puja. Festival means
different religious rituals.
As religion has theoretical aspects as well as has its different explanations, so for
fostering religion has its practical and ritual and formal aspects. Puja expresses
special formal or ritual aspects of Hindu religion. So Puja has a close connection
with the rules and regulations of how to worship and how to make symbols or
idols.
The objective of Puja is to come in close contact with God. Through deities one
can reach the Super Power-God. One perceives that the divine power of God is
transmitted through the Idols. At that time, the devotee surrenders to God and
becomes deeply absorbed in meditation for perception of God's power. The
objective of worship idols is to surrender oneself to God. So it is said that God is
unique, formless and illuminated. But God is given an imaginary form for the
welbeing of devotees. Swami Vivekananda has said regarding the worship of
idols:
“The Hindus do not worship idols
Made with wood and clay
They perceive the super power in the
midst of idols
being absorbed in meditation.”
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Hindu Religious Studies
There are some hints to worship of deities through the advice of Shrikrishna in
the Gita. Shri Bhagavan said in the Gita, "Ye yatha mam prapadyante
tamstathaiva bhajamyaham". It means one has freedom to worship me in any
way. I bless him also in that way. Both the worshipper and the worshipped i.e.
the devotee and the deities get pleasure through puja. This pleasure is enhanced
when all devotees worship together. This kind of community worship is called a
religious festival.
So it is observed that opportunities are being created for social congregation and
social welfare through puja and religious festivals. The temple, the idol, the
materials of puja, the decoration of the temple, the smell of incense, waving of
lights, illumination and devotees with clean clothes etc, all these make congenial
and pleasant atmosphere. This atmosphere makes people sacred their mind
become delighted and a brotherly feelings are developed among them. Deep
concentration and devotion for deities are aroused through puja (worship).
Devotion paves the way of salvation. When devotion & brotherly feeling are
aroused in minds, people become free from jealousy and malice. The joy of free
congregation makes the puja a success.
The art of making idols of deities developes making different types of idols for
worshipping different deities. Cultural consciousness and cultural activities are
enhanced through organising religious discussion, cultural function and
publication of different magazines and journals. Practically, through puja and
religious festival social congregation and social welfare are achieved. Religious
feelings are also aroused on the pretext of worshipping the idols.
People worship different male and female deities everyday, every week, every
month or on particular periods of a year. There are special systems for
worship/Puja. Some common formalities are to be maintained during worship for
all worship. Then special prayers are to be devoted for particular deity. Now we
are going to discuss in brief about the general rules and regulations of worship.
General Instructions of Puja/worship
Materials of Puja : The materials of puja are - a pitcher, photographs, idols,
books, sacred stone, fire, water etc. The worship is being done with the help of
these articles.
Methods of Puja: There are certain or specific rules for puja. There are sequences
of rules and principle of what is to be done after what. So it is easier to know these
instructions by doing practice instead of listening. Because most of the formalities
of puja are practical. Even then we are discussing in brief about the main aspects
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of puja maintaining the sequence. Sitting on a holy seat, first of all devotee will
rinse mouth through sips of water. During rinsing of mouth he is to remember
Vishnu. It follows the utterance of Swastivachan. "Swasti" means welfare and
"vachan" means prayer. It means prayer for welfare or prayer for blessing of God.
At the beginning of Puja the Brahmin utters this swastivachan for blessing of God.
There are different types of Swastivachan according to different sacred scriptureslike the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, Samveda, Tantra (i.e. rescue) etc. Then Narayana
is to be worshipped with sandalwood, leaves of wood apple flowers etc. Offerings
should be made to the sun. These offerings are called 'Suryarghya' (offering to the
sun). Then purpose of puja will be determined. Determination means taking oath.
My firm determination is that I will complete this duty of worship. Then a small
amount of tips is to be given. The water, the seat. the flowers etc. are made
purified through mantras. For convenience of making worship are removed and
evil spirits are purified.
Then there are arrangements for some yoga such as 'Nyas'-(exercises for
controlling respiration) and Pranayam (practice of suspension of the breath).
When all these are completed, then Ganesh should be worshipped. Ganesh
possesses esoteric powers. Then comes the worship of five deities along with
Shiva. The man who conducts the worship is called the Priest. There are many
scriptures for Priests regarding the systems of worships. In those books there
are detailed discussions about systems of worships.
After completing worship following the general rules of worship, Priest will start
the worship of particular deity. Meditation is to be made for that god. After that
deity will be welcomed by this hymns," Ihagacha, Iha thistha, mama Pujyam
grihan". Oh my deity, come here, sit here and accept my puja. What is this
meditation? In case of puja, meditation is nothing but thinking about forms.
Meditation is thinking about that deity who is to be worshipped. In the hymns for
meditation, there are descriptions of the forms and characteristics of different
deities. According to that description, meditation is to be made. Worship should
be done using materials as much as possible. Materials are of three typesa. Five materials of worship-- smell, flower, incense, lamp and 'naivedya' (rice.
Fruits, sweets etc. )
b. Ten materials of worship- Padya (water for washing feet), offerings,
acamaniya (water for washing the mouth), smell, flowers, incense, lamp,
'naivedya' and drinks.
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c. Sixteen materials of worship : Seat, welcome, padya (water for washing feet),
offerings, acamaniya (water for washing the mouth), punaracamahiya (water for
washing the mouth again), oblation of honey, water for bath, clothes, ornament,
smell, flower, incense, lamp, naivedya and drinks.
After completing puja the priests are given 'dakshina' (honorarium for priest).
Then the priest prays for forgiveness if there any fault is done by him during puja.
Last of all, all the activities are surrendered. It follows self dedication through
pranum.
Here is a brief description of the systems of worship of the female deities-the
Laxmi and the Saraswati.
Worship of Laxmi
Laxmi is the deity of wealth. Laxmi is worshipped regularly. Laxmi is worshipped
in every Hindu family. Everyday the women worship Laxmi using the idol or
photograph of Laxmi, Flowers, leaves of wood-apple, fruits and sweets are given
as 'naivedya' (offerings). Then the 'Panchali' is read which contains the discussion
about divine power of Laxmi.
If idols are made and worshipped then arrangements for opening of the eyes and
establishment of soul in idol are made through imagination. There are some
'mantras' for these activities. It is perceived that deity has stepped in the idol.
When worship is over the idol is immersed in water, as if the deity disappears.
The idol of the Laxmi is made in a particular lunar day of bright fort night in the
month of Ashwin and worshipped with pomp and grandeur. This 'purnima' is
called, the 'L,axmi Purnima' or 'Kojagari Purnima'. The worship of the Laxmi goes
simultaneously with the deity Durga. The deity who is being worshipped specially
determinations are to be made for her. Then she is meditated. There are 'mantras'
for meditation. Flowers are to be offered with special 'mantras'. There are also
hymns for the Laxmi. When the Laxmi is worshipped specially, these hymns are
read. Last of all, the worshipper will pray for forgiveness if there is any fault and
will 'surrender through 'pranam'.
Pushpanjalimantra of the deity Laxmi :
Om namaste sarvabhutanam varadasi haripriye /
Ya gatistam prapannanam sa me bhuyattvadarchanat //
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Simple meaning : You give blessings as well as wealth to all the deity. I am
taking shelter to you. Bless me so that I can achieve wealth.
Pranam mantra of the deity Laxmi
"Om vishwarupasya bharyasi padme padmalaye shubhe/
Sarvatah pahi mam devi mahalaxmi namostute"//
Simple meaning : Oh! deity of welfare, you pour your good wishes on all. My
'pranam' is to you. Save me, mother, in all respects.
Ringing of bell is prohibited during worship of the Laxmi. Wealth is achieved
through worship of the Laxmi. If the Laxmi is satisfied, all suffering and poverty "
are removed. Devotee lives with great happiness.
The Worship of Saraswati
Saraswati is the deity of learning. Usually she is worshipped on the fifth lunar day
of bright fortnight in the month of Magh. After rinsing the mouth, praying for
welfare and worshipping other deities then worship of the deity Saraswati begins.
Worship of this deity also needs to take determination and meditation. There are
also special mantras.
Pushpanjali mantra of the deity Saraswati
Om saraswatyai namo nityam bhadra kalya namo namah
Vedavedangavedantavidyasthanebhya eva ca swaha /
Esha sacandana vilwapatranjalih om saraswatyai namah"//
Pranam mantra of Saraswati
Om saraswati mahabhage vidye kamalalochane /
Vishwarupe vishalakshi vidyam dehi namostute //
Simple meaning : Oh magnanimous Devi Saraswati, the deity of knowledge- you
have eyes like lotus. You are Bishwarupa i.e. world of nature is revealed in you.
You are the possessor of large eyes. Please give me knowledge. My 'pranam' to
you.
If any idol is worshipped, then according to the rule, it should be immersed into
water. For this, there are also some specific mantras. The main objective behind
worshipping the Saraswati is to surrender completely to the deity for acquaring
knowledge.
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DAILY RELIGIOUS DUTIES
God is the root of religion. Because He is the creator of all. He exists in all too.
The objective of Vedas is to realize this truth. Attempts are taken to achieve God
through prayer. It has to satisfy different powers of God through worship. For this
reason, one has to pray and offer worship regularly. At the same time, he has to
take care of the body to keep it fit. For this, some rules and regulations are to
follow too. Pure mind remain in a pure body. When the body and mind remain
pure, an individual can lead a calm and quite life and worship God. Thus a devo
tee can follow and lead a fine daily life. He can set a daily routine for himself.
Duties performed everyday is known as Daily religious duties. Duties of
everyday life are to be done regularly. In all the activities-starting from the very
early in the morning till going to bed at night are called the duties of everyday life.
The period of time from morning to night can be divided into six parts. These are(1) early morning (2) forenoon (3) noon (4) afternoon (5) evening and (6) night.
Duties of daily life can also be divided into six parts in consistence with the six
parts of a day. These activities are called (1) morning duties (2) forenoon duties
(3) noon duties (4) afternoon duties (5) evening duties & (6) night duties.
1. Morning duties : An individual has to get up from sleep before the sun rises.
He has to sit on bed facing eastwardly or northwardly and recite the 'mantras'
remembering different deities. So there are some mantras in the, sacred scriptures.
Two mantras are given below :
a. 'Brahma Muraristripurantakari,
Bhanuh shashi Bhumisuto Vudhashca /
Gurashca Shukra Shanirahuketuh
kurvantu sarve mama suprabhatam,' //
Simple Meaning : Brahma, Murari (krishna), shiva-the destroyer of the demon
Tripur, the sun, moon, Mercury, Guru. Venus, the saturn. Rahu. Ketu- all of them
may kindly make this morning congenial for me,
b.
Punyashloko nal raja punyasloko yudhisthirah /
Punyashloko vaidehi punyasloko janardanah //
Simple meaning : King Nal, Yudhisthirah, Sita & Vishnu-these four are sacred
names. If an individual remembers these four names, may spend a good day.
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Then remembering the Guru, he should come out of the house and bow his head to
the earth and the sun. He should respect (salute) his parents every morning and
evening. Then he should wash his hands and face and should take a bath and put
on clean clothes.
2. Forenoon duties : After finishing morning duties, the duties which are
performed untill noon are called forenoon duties. At this time, an individual has to
pray and worship God and perform other activities of the day.
3. Noon duties : The duties of this time of the day are to take meal and after that,
some rest. If there is any guest, he should be entertained with respect. Because it is
said in the sacred scripture-Guests are Narayan. If the guests are served, God is
served.
4. Afternoon duties : After the noon, the duties which are performed untill
evening are called afternoon duties. At this time, an individual performs some
necessary duties for himself as well as for the family. Playing in the afternoon and
doing some other exercises or walking help one's body to keep fit.
5. Evening duties : Sayanha means evening. In the evening an individual must
have to wash to clean his hands and face. Then he is to pray to God, mentioned
bellow:
(1) Have to beg power for meditation of supreme God Head to spiritnal teacher,
parents and deities (gods). (In the common speech and song) (2) Have to sing
song the praise worthy name of God (Praise or song). Such as:
Dinanath dinavandhu diner Sharana
Agatir gati pita adhama-tarana //
Dayamaya Kripamaya Karunanidhana
Tumi Satya-Sanatan patita-Pavana //
Tumi he mangalamaya Shanti-niketana
Tumi Shiva tumi vibhu tumi he tarana //
Anadi ananta tumi nikhila Karana
Ananta jnana-nidhana hridaya-ranjana
Srijana-palanakari Kripar nidhan
Ananta nyayer dham papir Shasan
Mangala Charane tava nami he tarana
Mangala Charane nami anadi Karana //
(Mahatma Gurunath Sengupta)
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(3) Oral prayer to God :
(a) For Salvation from sin
(b) For the qualities of devotion, love, concentration, etc.
(c) For Welfare/Peace of the universe.
(4) Thank to God (With Common Speech or Song) :
Song.
Tumari gehe palicha snehe Tumi dhanya dhanya he
Amar pran Tumari dan, Tumi dhanya dhanya he
Pitar Vakshe rekhecha more, janam diyecha janani krore,
Vendhecha sakhar pranaya dore, tumi dhanya dhanya he
Hridaye-Vahire, Swadeshe-Videshe juge-jugantare nimeshe nimeshe
janame janame shoke anande tumi dhanya dhanya he //
(Ravindranath Tagore)
(5) Have to lie Prostrate to God with great devotion after uttering the following
speech:
Yini srishti Karechen bhuta-Samudaya
Se Savare yei jan palen sadaya
Sarvashaktiman Yini jagater pati
Tanhar Charane ami janai Pranati //
6. Night Duties : After evening the duties performed untill going to bed are the
night duties. At this time, an individual performs some necessary activities
and also studies: Then he takes his supper and goes to bed calmly and
quietly remembering one of the names of God, ‘Padmanabha’.
If an individual performs the daily duties, he learns punctuality. Every work is
finished in time nothing is left undone. He becomes healthy because of doing
exercise and walking regularly and taking food in time. Healthy body makes the
mind healthy. If the mind is healthy, the surroundings appear suitable to him
and he can concentrate in every work with patience. The feeling of love for human
beings is aroused. Respect for God becomes deep through regular worship. These
are the necessities and usefulness of performing duties of daily life.
So we should abide by the rules of duties starting from morning till night and we
would be sincere to our duties. There should be deep respect for God in our heart.
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Multiple Choice Questions
1.
What are the different kinds of Upachar?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four.
2.
Which deity will Dipankar worship first during his prayer?
a) Shiva
b) Ganesh
c) Vishnu
d) Kartik
Read the sentence and answer the questions 3 and 4.
“Shivu remains busy in deep meditation every morning”.
3.
What does Shivu think about in meditation?
a) Form of the deities
b) Naivedya
c) Upachars of worshiping
d) Creation of God.
4.
Why do Shivu meditate while he worships?
i) To bring concentration
ii) To abide by the rules of Puja
iii) To recite mantras of meditation
Which one is correct?
e. i
f. ii
c. iii
d. i and ii
5.
Puja means _______.
a) prayer and worship
b) building idols
c) to sing in praise (hymn)
d) to serve
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6.
7.
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During Puja, a devotee has to ___________.
a) do pranayam
b) do Shavasan
c) sing hymns
d) play a musical instrument.
Meditation means ______
a) going to the deities
b) thinking about the form of the deities
c) offering anjali to the deity
d) offering Pranam to the deity.
8.
When is the ‘Kojagari Laxmi Puja’ performed?
a) On a particular day of bright fortnight of Ashwin.
b) On the eighth day of the month of Bhadra
c) On the fifth day of Magh
d) On the ninth day of Chaitra
9.
Which deity does remember a Hindu when he go to bed?
a) Vishnu
b) Brahma
c) Durga
d) Padmanava
10. What is the term used for duties performed everyday?
a) Daily duty
b) Regular work
c) Household duty
d) Duties to deity.
Creative Question
1.
Diya went to the house of Disha and Deepa. She found the
arrangement of a festival there. She asked her friend Disha, “Why is
there a congregation of so many people in your house?” Disha said,
“Today is the lunar-bright fortnight of Aswin. The arrangement for
Puja is going on. In our house we use different upachars in various
rituals of Pujas to celebrate our religious festivals.” Diya wanted to
know, “Can we actually reach God through Puja? We know God has
no form. So why do we worship idols by building them?”
a)
What does the word ‘Puja’ mean?
b)
Mark the two differences between ‘Saraswati Puja and Laxmi Puja’.
c)
‘In your house you perform Saraswati Puja’.
What are the upachars you use during the Puja? How do you worship
this deity?
c) ‘The corporeal form of God is revered through worship.’ Discuss.
CHAPTER SEVEN
MORAL KNOWLEDGE
Moral knowledge means knowledge or behaviour about morality or ethics. What
is morality? Morality is the beneficial rules and regulations for society and
mankind. It may be clarified by an example.
Jadu and Madhu were two friends. They were in the same class. One day Jadu
beat Madhu without any reason. Madhu was also not less strong. He also beat Jadu
seriousy. Both were wounded. Both were rebuked by the teacher. Their friendship
was ruined.
Another example :
There was deep friendship between Bhujanga and Nakul. One day Bhujanga beat
Nakul a blow without any reason. Nakul was sickly and weak. He complained to
the teacher. The teacher became very much angry and beat Bhujanga very
seriously. Hearing that Nakul's elder brother became very angry. He also beat
Bhujanga some blows. Hearing this, Bhujanga's uncle became angry. On his way,
when he met Naku1's brother, he beat him with blows. Quarrelling and higgling
were started between two families. Do you see how a pretty matter was turned into
a serious problem. What do you understand from this? It is understood that none
should be beaten unjustly. It causes unrest and harm. The knowledge which helps
to discriminate right from wrong is called knowledge of morality or ethics.
Moral teachings have deep relationship with religious teachings. It has been said
regarding symptom of religion -
Veda Smriti, Sadacharah
Swasya ca piryamatmanh /
Etachhaturvidham prahuh
Sakshat Dharmasya Lakshanam //
It means that the massage of Veda, Smriti, Sadachar and conscience are the
symptoms of religion.
Veda is the massage of God. Smriti is one type of religious scripture which
includes religious and social rules and regulations. If any advice is not available
from Smriti Shastra, one has to depend on Sadachar. Besides Veda, Smriti and
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Sadachar, very often one has to decide which should be done and which should
not. It is called massage of Conscience. Within the massege of Veda, Smriti,
Sadachar and conscience knowledge of morality is also included. According to
religion, all creatures are parts of God. To serve the creatures is to serve the God.
Morality also teaches to serve. It advises people not to steal, not to be jealous but
to he self restrained and patient. Religion also teaches same thing. These are
religious rules and regulation too. So it is observed that moral teaching is a part of
religious teaching. Now two aspects of morality-self restraint and tolerance and
drug adiction will be discussed.
Self-restraint and Tolerance
Self-restraint means to control or suppress. Which should be controlled or
suppressed? The bad aspirations or instincts should be controlled. Self-restraint is
one of the main core of religion or external symptoms. Self-restraint means
keeping one's body and soul in self-control. The symptoms of self-restraint are not
to be jealous of others, not to be greedy but to preserve the sanctity, to be truthful
and not to accept any useless donation. One must be first of all selfrestraint if he
wishes to conceive God, and then ,only it will modesty. Modesty brings devotion
for the God.
Tolerance is also a symptom of religion. The quality which enables one to be
restraint even when he/she faces the unwanted situation or behaviour (that quality)
is called Tolerance. Tolerance is built up on perseverance, forgiveness and
absence of anger.
A man, in order to be healthy and ideal needs self-restraint and tolerant. In the
absence of these qualities, there are possibilities of a man to go astray and to be
detached from religion. Absence of self-restraint and tolerance brings excitement
easily. Excitement brings greediness, jealousy, anger and hatred. At that time we
become impatient. As a result we go far from the path of religion. So, in order to
be religious, self restraint and tolerance are indispensable. To acquire knowledge
one needs to be self-restraint and tolerant. The quality of patience is developed
through moderate eating, perseverance, regular study and obeying the advises of
teachers, parents and elders. Learning is not acquired if one does not have the
quality of behaving good with the classmates. So one must be self restraint and
tolerant if one wants to lead a good moral and religious life.
Now I am going to tell a story relating to self restraint and patience. Listen:
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Tolerance of Lord Nityananda
"Jay Jay Shri Chaitanya Jay Nityananda".
When Shri Chaitanya Dev is remembered, Shri Nityananda is also remembered.
The other name of Shri Chaitanaya Dev is Gauranga. He was very fair
complexioned that's why he was called so. Nityananda was known as Nitai. People
used to call him Gaur-Nitai to express their love to them.
It is a story about five hundred years ago. At that time the society was vitiated by
caste system and colour distinctions among people. At that time many people were
involved in different kinds of sinful activities like-violence instead of not violence,
hatred instead of love etc. During that time, Chaitanya Dev appeared.
He asked people, "Utter the name of Krishna and be sacred. Love people in a pure
mind. Forget about all differences. He refined the existing eternal religion or
Hindu religion. His newly introduced refined Hindu religion was known as
Vaishnava religion. Shri Chaitanya's friend-Shri Nityananda helped him in
refining Hindu religion.
During that time, Shri Chaitanya and Shri Nityanando used to live in Navadwip.
At that place, there lived two notorious people-Jagai and Madhai. They were born
at a Brahmin family. They were proud of their high caste. They served as 'kotal'
(chief of a police station). They had enough wealth. They were oppressing people
in different ways-they said people whatever they liked. They beat people if they
did not work according to their instructions. Even they gutted their houses.
One day Jagai and Madhai were making uproar on the street. Nobody dared to
stay there nearby. Some were enjoying the scene hiding themselves from safe
distance. Nityananda came forward. He was no less courageous. In his childhood,
he used to plunge- into the water of the Ganges. At that time, people were afraid
of the Ganges because of Crocodiles were there. He used to go for catching
crocodiles. Seeing people used to shout loudly in fear standing on the bank of the
river. On the other hand his mind was as soft as flowers. He could dance and sing.
He started singing"Bala Krishna Bhaja Krishna Laha Krishna Naam". It means say Krishna, worship
Krishna, utter the name of Krishna.
He asked Jagai Madhai, "Say the name of Krishna. Put on the light of love within
heart for people. Hearing this, the two brothers became furious. They hurriedly
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came to chase Shri Nityananda and Shri Hari Das. On that day they fled away.
Actually they pretended. They did not lose patience. They came back restraining
themselves. Afterwards, they passed the day singing Nagar Kirtan (holy songs
sung by a group in the streets) and coming back at night. On their way they met
Jagai and Madhai. Again he asked them to utter Krishna. He did not lose patience
though he was once chased by them. He did not even counter attack. He had this
kind of self-restraint. Jagai Madhai became very furious. There was a very big
earthen pot nearby. Madhai took that pot and hit Nityananda on his head. His head
was bleeding. Madhai was about to hit him again. Jagai stopped him.
People informed Shri Chaitanya about the incidence. He rushed to the spot with
his companions. Seeing the blood of Nityananda, Shri Chaitanya was very much
excited. Shri Nityananda forgot about his condition and tried to calm down Shri
Chaitanya. He said that though Madhai hit me, Jagai had stopped him. Shri
Chaitanya said that Jagai might be forgiven but what about Madhai? This bleeding
is, as if, from my body not from Nityanando's. Madhai would not be escaped. In
fact, Shri Chaitanya descended as an incarnation of the God. It was his one kind of
graceful posture. So, he became a bit hard.
But Nityananda showed tolerance more than trees. Though he had the opportunity
of taking revenge, he forgave Madhai. He addressed him as 'brother' and embraced
him. It is called tolerance. As a result, Jagai and Madhai became pious. They
followed the enlightened path of Vaishnava religion.
Self restraint and tolerance are organs of religion.
SMOKING AND DRUG ADDICTION
Smoking is a harmful bad habit. As a result of smoking, the person is affected
both physically and mentally. Besides these, while man smokes, it affects others
who are around him.
Smoking means taking smoke of biri, cigarettes, cigars, tobacco etc. Doctors
regard smoking as inhaling poison. There is an element called nicotin in the smoke
of biri, cigarettes, cigars, tobacco etc. This nicotin enters into human body through
smoking and it ultimately causes death. Doctors think that as a result of smoking
many kinds of diseases may attack human body. The diseases 'which may be
caused by smoking are--asthma, pneumonia, bronchities, tuberculosis, lung
cancer, gastric, ulcer, loss of appetite and heart disease. A smoker may face
premature death when attacked by these diseases.
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Smoking is harmful not only for the smokers but also for those men, women,
children, youngers as well as the olders who are non-smokers but come in touch
with the smokers. Smoking is one kind of intoxication. Those who are tolerant and
self-restraint: they have no habit of any intoxication. Generally they are not
smoker. We will be self-restraint and will refrain from the habit of smoking. Drug
addiction is a dangerous bad habit. Drugs create adverse effect on human body
and mind. A drug-addict loses his sense and intelligence. Intoxicating drugs
include wine, toddy, hemp etc. Other drugs are hashis or charas, bham and
marijuana are derivatives of hemp. Opium like drugs such as heroin, morphin.
Pathedin, codin, Phencidyl etc. Besides these different types of sedatives are also
used as drugs.
When anyone becomes dependent on certain intoxicative or sedative drugs it is
called drug addiction. Any kind of drug which derange the healthy brain, and
destroys intellect and memory, is called intoxicant.
According to Hindu religion, any kind of addiction is a sin unlawful, unjust. From
this point of view drug addiction is a sin.
It is unlawful and it must be avoided. Drug-addict may be attacked by different
kind of diseases. Such as aversion to food, physical atrophy, malnutrition, loss of
weight, cough, distortion of bronchial tube, damage of lever and kidney etc. A
drug addicted man may die a premature death if attacked by above said diseases.
From religious point of view smoking should be avoided and any kind of drug
addiction is also unlawful. In the sacred scripture it is said. "Sharirmadhyam khalu
Dharmasadhanam", Which means the first condition of practising religion is to keep
body healthy. If the body is not healthy, the mind cannot remain healthy. One
cannot worship God if there is no stability of mind. So the instruction is given by the
sacred scripture to keep body and mind suitable for worship through practising selfrestraint. Worship is to be done through the body. Considering the importance of
keeping the body undisturbed and healthy, any kind of alcoholic drink, is regarded as
a great sin. Now it is understood that no worshipper will take any thing which
imparts intoxication. So from religious point of view, any kind of alcoholic drink or
intoxication should be abandoned. Smoking which creats addiction should also
abandoned. So from both health and religious point of view smoking and alcoholic
drink should be avoided. So it can be said that we will be self-restraint. We will not
smoke. We will not be drug addict or we will not indulge into any intoxication. We
will help those who smoke or drug addict as they may avoid their habits.
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Multiple Choice Questions
1.
The term ‘self restraint’ means to ______.
a) do good
b) spoil things
c) avoid
d) control
2.
Moral knowledge is _______ for man.
a) beneficial
b) troublesome
c) tiresome
d) pleasant
3.
Drug addiction means ________.
i) to be addicted to drugs or alcoholic drinks.
ii) to assist one to abuse drugs.
iii) to prepare and sell drugs.
Which one is correct?
a. i
b. ii
c. i and ii
d. ii and iii
4.
How can drug addiction be prevented?
i) By implementing law against drug addiction.
ii) By arranging games and sports and recreations.
iii) By building hospitals for the recovery of drug addiction.
Which one is correct?
a. i
b. ii
c. i and ii
d. ii and iii
5.
What should a student do to stay away from alcoholic goods?
i) Keep good company
ii) stay away from addicted persons
iii) Study in proper time
Which one is correct?
a. i
b. ii
c. iii
d. i, ii and iii
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Read the passage and answer the questions 6 and 7.
Rouf, Joy and John three friends enjoy equally the pleasure of Eid, Puja and
Christmas day. They don’t hurt the religious feeling of each other.
6.
What characteristics come out in the behaviour of the three friends
during the event?
a) Self restraint
b) Self control
c) Devotion
d) Friendship
7.
That virtue _________.
a) teaches man to be tolerant
b) teaches man to be generous
c) makes man broad-minded
d) makes man emotional.
Creative questions
1.
Due to keeping evil company Dipu has become addicted to smoking
and as a consequence of that he started to suffer from many physical
problems. Inspite of the advice of the physician to stay away with
smoking Dipu failed to do so. During this situation, one day his parent
advised him about the demerits and effects of smoking. Referring to
this he said, “Smoking is regarded as taking poison”. Hearing this
Dipu slowly started to avoid smoking.
a)
b)
c)
d)
What is meant by smoking?
What physical problems did Dipu face as a result of smoking?
What were the effects of smoking on the family of Dipu?
‘Smoking is the same as taking poison’.-Discuss.
2.
David, Sunil and Rahmat are three friends. They take part in various
family affairs including the religions rituals. They don’t ever have any
disagreement on any matter. They know that self restraint and
tolerance are the part of religion and friendliness. This tolerance
builds up through patience, forgiveness, courtesy, etc.
a) What is self restraint ?
b) Why do the three friends work together through tolerance ?
c) Select some deeds which need tolerance and self restraint. Why
are these virtues needed in these actions ?
d) ‘Tolerance builds up through patience, forgiveness and being free
from anger;’ Why? Discuss.
CPAPTER EIGHT
VIRTUE AND VICE
The word "Dharma" means "To hold". Which can hold is known as religion, As
for example, coldness is the religion of water, heat and light are the religions of
fire etc. So the things that hold us is our religion. The things that helps attaining
prosperity and welfare is called religion. God has created all, religion is also
created by God. So God is the root of religion.
The ways and principles of life based on special faith and beneficial rituals are
summarized as religion.
We know, Vedas, Smriti, Sadachar (good manners) and consciousness are the
symptoms of religion. We also know that the Veda is the massage of God,
Smritishastra is some rules, and regulations for leading life. The noble men's ways
of lives are the examples of Sadachar (good manners). One's morality is massage
of his conciousness. Following these four symptoms virtues and vices are
determined. Religion is exposed through pious men. Some virtues are found
among those men. On the other hand he may be called pious or virtuous man who
possesses some special qualities. Religion is revealed through such ten virtues.
Dhriti-Kshma-Damo’asteyam, shaucamindriya Nigrahah /
Dhirvidya-Satyamakrodh Dashakam Dharmalakshanam //
Tolerance, mercy, kindness, honesty, sanctity, self-restraint, pure intelligence,
knowledge, truth and free from anger, these ten virtues are the noticeable
symptoms of religion.
If we realize what is religion we can easily understand what is irreligiousness.
Because what is not religion that is irreligiousness. As for example, tolerance is a
symptoms of religion then intolerance is irreligiousness. Not to steal is religion
and stealing is irreligiousness.
Religion keeps man on correct tract and saves him. Irreligion drags men to wrong
tract and destroy them.
The virtuous man becomes victorious through his religion. Irreligiousness is the
cause of defeat. Listen to a story about the victory of religion.
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Dharmer Joy (Victory of religion)
There was a king in a country. He had a son. The name of the prince was
"Chandrahas." In his childhood he was sent to other place far from kingdom.
Accidentally the king of that place got the boy. The king had many male and
female servants. The boy lived with them and was growing up like their son in the
kings palace. One day a festival was celebrated in king's palace. On the day of
occassion astrologers said, this boy will be the king in future. The king was
shocked at hearing this. He had son. The king thought that on ordinary street boy
will be the king of his kingdom. So the king ordered the executioner to kill the boy
in execution place. Executioner could not dare to ask anything. He took away
Chandrahas.
Chandrahas was a very pious boy. Chandrahas prayed to God with concentration
and said, "O, lord I have not committed any wrong. Please, rescue me.' God
responded to his prayer. As a result the executioner did not want to kill the boy.
They cut a finger of his hand and let him free. Chandrahas had six finger in a
hand. So, he was unhappy. So that extra finger became a blessing in disguise of a
curse. At that time, there was a custom that six fingered person could not be the
king. Actually God had arrange to cut out his excess finger through playing that
trick. Now there was no bar in the way to be the king.
Being released Chandrahas came to a forest on foot. In that forest a king came
for prey. Seeing Chandrahas, the king took away him to his kingdom. This king
again had sent Chandrahas to another king as gift. This king was that man, who
had given Chandrahas to executioner. When the king saw Chandrahas he became
astronished. He became angry also. He understood that the executioner did not kill
Chandrahas.
Again Chandrahas fell in danger. But then he was not a little boy, he became a
young brave hero. Seeing the danger he again started prayer to the God. The king
then wrote a letter to his son and handed it over to Chandrahas and said that “This
letter is written to my son. My son is in rest in groove. This letter is very secret.
Don't open it. Don't show it to others. You will give it to my son."
Chandrahas in reply said to king, "Yes my lord, I have understood. The king wrote
to his son that, when this man would reach, then and there You will hand over him
to Visha (Vish means poison). The name of king's daughter was Visha. At that
time she was with her brother. So the prince thought, his father wrote him to hand
over his sister to that young
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Hindu Religious Studies
man. He decided to do according to father's instruction. So. princes Visha were married
to Chandrahas.
Delighted prince came to their royal palace with Visha and Chandrahas. The king
became astonished. He was angry too. But he could not express, anything to
anyone.
The king was determined to fulfill his, mission. He decided that, he would not
allow Chandrahas to remain alive though he knew that his daughter would be a
widow. Tactfully he did send Visha and Chandrahas to Solemonize kalipuja.
According to the order of' the king, the executioner- was ready there. When
Chandrahans will bow down his head then the executioner will kill him by afalchion.
Kings bad intension was not unknown to deity Kali. She decided to safe religious
Chandrahas. When Chandrahas was about to bow down to deity, the executioner
was ready to kill him. Right at that time, the statue of deity kali divided into two
parts. From that divided parts deity kali came out. Then she cut out the enemy of
Chandrahas by her falchion. The king tried again and again to kill religious
Chandrahas. But he failed. He was shocked and committed suicide in front of the
temple.
Chandrahas became king. Religion safes the religious man. Religion becomes
victorious. Irreligion is to face defeat.
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
What didn’t the executioners want to do?
a) Kill the king
b) Kill the baby
c) Commit suicide
d) Kill a saint
2.
‘The term ‘Irreligiousness’ drags man to destruction’ is similar to
i. dragging oneself towards dishonest way
ii) being intolerant
iii) being addicted to evil deeds
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Which one is correct ?
a) i
b) ii
c) iii
d) i, ii, and iii
3.
Why did the king hand over a letter to Chandrahas ?
i. For causing death by poisoning
ii. For geting visha married to Chandrahas
iii. For causing death to Chandrahas by his daughter
Which one is correct ?
a) i
b) ii
c) i and ii
d) i, ii and iii
4.
Who was sent away from the kingdom in his childhood ?
a) Chandrahas
b) Rajhans
c) Bivas
d) Suhas
5.
Shuveccha, being adult, wants to earn in an honest means to lead an
honest life . There is _________ behind his such honest life.
a) activity
b) religion
c) the religious norms
d) principles
Creative Question
Sadiccha went to a religious function where she heard the sermons of many
pious men and understood that religion saves the pious. She got a good idea
of religion and irreligion. Good work begets piety and evil begets sin.
Religion keeps man in the right path. Through various religious stories,
Sadichcha could understand that the victory of religion is inevitable.
a)
What is religion?
b)
How could Sadiccha understand that religion saves the religious man ?
c)
Write the names of some religions and their functions. Explain why
they are religion or irreligion.
d)
Write the importance of the term ‘The victory of religion is
inevitable’, in the light of religious stories.
CHAPTER NINE
ANECDOTES
A devoted boy's worship of God
Shri Ram Krishna said, "The aim of life is the attainment of God". If anyone wants
to attain it, one has to worship God throughout life. For worship there is no age
limit. A man of any age can do it. Dhruva worshipped God from his very
childhood and attained divine grace. The anecdote of Dhruva's worship for God
was collected in the Puran.
In ancient time, there lived a king named Uttanpada. He had two wives-Suniti and
Suruchi. Siuniti was older and Suruchi-the younger. Suruchi was very favourite to
the king. Days passed by. In course of time, two sons named Dhruva and Uttam
were born to Suniti & Suruchi respectively. The king loved Uttam more than
Dhruva as Uttam was the son of Suruci but Dhruva was deprived of father
affection.
One day the king was seated on the throne taking Uttam in his lap. At that time
Dhruva appeared there. He also liked to be in the lap of his father. As soon as he
started to go to his fathers lap, Suruchi resisted him. She said to Dhruva, "Being a
son of Suniti how do you dare to be in the lap of your father. If you have that
desire, pray to God so that you may take rebirth to my womb. Otherwise, you will
never get the chance of going to your father's lap." Hearing these words from his
step mother, he was very sorry. He went to his mother weeping. Affectionate
Suniti wanted to know the cause of his weeping. Dhruva narrated the incident to
his mother. Suniti also thought of her ill fate and wept. She consoled her son and
said, "My child, don't be sorry. Whatever your step mother has said-is correct.
Only God can relieve people of his sorrow. Pray to Shri Hari wholeheartedly. He
will of course show you mercy if you can call Him in a befitting manner".
His mother's words helped him to find out the way to overcome sorrows. He
decided to worship Shri Hari.
Dhruva was five years old. One night when his parents were sleeping he came out
of the house leaving everything behind. Dhruva started worshipping Shri Hari
(God) throughout night and day. Gradually he advanced to the dense forest. He
was meditating for God Shri Hari wholeheartedly. Observing his devotion
the wild beasts like tiger, lion, bear etc. did not do any harm to him.
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Dhruva had never seen Shri Hari (God). He did not know how Hari was to look at.
So whoever he met any one, he embraced him as Shri Hari. On his way, he met a
saint. He had a lute in his hand and he was uttering the name of Shri Hari. Dhruva
thought him to be his Shri Hari (God). He bowed his head at his (man's) feet and
wanted to know his name. The saint introduced himself as Narad-a saint of the
deities. He saw Dhruva indifferent to worldly affairs life and said, "My child being
offended you have left your home. You have not done the right thing. For whom
you are roaming from forest to forest is it so easy to get Him at this stage of life?
Go back home and lead a family life. Enjoy life. Worship God when you are
grown up''.
Dhruva said in reply, "I bow my head at your feet. I am sure that you know all
about me. I have left home being deprived of my father's affection. I am not
interested in family life. I want to have such a precious wealth which my father
and grandfather have never attained. I will not go back home without getting
mercy of Shri Hari (God). O lord! please tell me how I can meet Shri Hari (God)."
Narad was pleased to hear Dhruva's determination. So he said, "My child Dhruva,
go to the Madhuvan by the hank of the river Kalindi and involve yourself in
meditation for Shri Hari. Then you will see Him with a shell, a wheel, a club and a
lotus in four hands. You will mutter inaudibly the name Shri Hari calm and
quietly. Then you will meet Shri Hart and your desire will be fulfilled''.
Narad went away playing on his lute and praising God Shri Hari.
Dhruva started for the Madhuvan. At last he reached the hank of the river Kalindi
after crossing many rivers and mountains. He took bath in the river and sat in
Madhuvan for meditation. Days passed by- Dhruva could not meet Shri Hari. He
did not leave his seat too. He passed days without bath, food and sleep.
Being satisfied with austere meditation Shri Hari appeared before Dhruva. All on
a sudden a devine smell spread all around. Even then, Dhruva was meditating Shri
Hri with closed eyes. He opened his eyes and met his expected Shri Hari before
him in an unparallel beauty. Dhruva bowed his head to Shri Hari with due respect.
Shri Hari took Dhruva on His lap with affection.
Dhruva praised Shri Hari. Shri Hari told him. "My child, though you are very
young. your austere meditation pleased me. Because of your pious mother you
were aroused for meditation to Me. So, you attained Me. Now tell Me what bless
do you want? I will fulfill your desire''.
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Dhruva stopped meditation and said, "O God, you know what I want-what should
I say."
Shri Hari said. "Your desire will be fulfilled. You will be placed over the sun, the
moon and the stars. The place will be named after you- Dhruvaloka. Dhruvaloka
will remain illuminated by the divine light of' Vishnu (Baikunthu). After death
you will be placed in that place Dhruvaloka. Now go back home. You have to lead
a family life for sometimes''.
With these words, Shri Hari disappeared with cheerful mind. Dhruva was very
much satisfied as he had attained divine grace.
IDEAL OF FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is the act of not giving Punishment to a criminal who is repentant.
Forgiveness is a part of religion. Forgiveness purifies a criminal's mind. He does
not commit crime any more. Forgiveness helps flourishing, noble qualities among
human beings. Listen to a story related to the ideal of forgiveness.
It's a story of many days past. It was the Dapar era (Third age) passing the Satya
and Treta era (First and second ages respectively). The demon Kamsa was the king
of Mathura at that time. The people of Mathura was very much irritated by his
oppression and suppression. He caused much trouble to the devotees of Vishnu.
Not only Kamsa but also many other kings like Jarasandha. Shishupal were very
much oppressive. God descended on earth as an incarnation i.e Shri Krishna to
control these evil spirits and to save religion.
Shri Krishna was in his boyhood. At that time, there was a lake in the river
Kalindi. There lived a poisonous snake. Its name was Kaliya Naag. Its appearance
was very ferocious. It had one thousand heads. Fire mixed with smoke would
come out with flash from its thousand faces. So, nobody could live by the bank of
'the lake-Kaliya. The bank of the river Kalindi became desolate. The water of the
river Kalindi was boiling by the fire coming out from the mouth of Kaliya Naag.
Water of that place was poisonous. If- anyone would come down to the water of
Kalindi or drink it he would die instantly. Kaliya used to throw water towards the
sky like a fountain. That poisonous water would make the air poisonous. If that air
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would come in touch with any flying bird instantly it would fall into the lake and
die.
One day Shri Krishna went to the bank of the river Kalindi accompanied by
Balaram, Sudam, Subal, Shridam to graze the cows. Bhagavan, the protector of the
world had descended to earth as Shri Krishna and became the cowboy of Vraja.
One day the cowboys who were friends of Shri Krishna’s reached the bank of the
river Kalindi while grazing the cows. Their cows and they themselves were very
much thirsty. So they all drank the water of the river Kalindi. As soon as they
drink, they suffered from the reaction of poison. They became motionless.
Shri Krishna noticed their sufferings and realised that it was because of the
poisonous water of Kaliya Lake.
He climbed on a tall tree beside the lake. Then he plunged into the water of the
lake. A strong shivering in the water of Kalindi was stared by the motion of his
fall. There was roaring of strong waves. Water of Kalindi was swelling as if a
strong storm was blowing in the water.
Kaliya heard the sound in water and thought "Who is there? Is he going to attack
my shelter?" He appeared on the Surface of the river. Kalindi and saw Shri
Krishna making whirlpools in the water by hands, "I will see you! You are
creating problems in my shelter.
Banamali Bhagavan Shri Krishna who was wearing a yellow loin-cloth smiled.
Kaliya Naag became furious. He clung Shri Krishna by his one thousand expanded
hoods. Those who witnessed the scene from the bank of the river were very Much
frightened. They became more frightened when they saw Shri Krishna becoming
motionless-but it was a pretention.
Shri Krishna made his body bigger and bigger and became a giant. Kaliya could
not stand it. The knot of his expanded hoods became loose. It became very much
furious and made hissing sounds
- Where will you go. Shir Krishna jumped on the head of Kaliya Naag and started
dancing-Kaliya Naag became very much restless by the unbearable pain. Naag
was defeated.
Kaliya said, "I have committed sins. Please excuse me. I have my wife and
children''.
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Kaliya Naag begged for pardon again and again. Then Shri Krishna said to
him, "When you killed others, they had also wives and sons. Will you again
be cheerful killing others"? Then Kaiya again said, "I will never do it again I
beg for my life.”
Bhagavan Shri Krishna felt pity for him. He said to Kaliya, ''Your life is at my
hand. Now if I wish I can kill you just now but I will not do it because you have
asked for forgiveness. You are repentant."
-''I am repentant, I am repentant",-said Kaliya.
-"So I forgive you. Leave this lake and go away from Kalindi. Kaliya bowed his
head at the feet of Shri Krishna and left Kalindi and went to the sea with his
family.
Bhagavan Shri Krishna established examples not only of heroism but also of
forgiveness. Through the act of controlling Kaliya the noble ideal of forgiveness
and heroism was exposed simultaneously.
BRAHMAVADINI GARGI
Vedic era means ancient era. During Vedic cra education was not so much
spreaded. But at that time the women could educate themselves simultaneously
with Men. It's evidence are found in Vedic mantra or hymns. The attainment of
many Vedic mantras were through the male saints. But some of' these mantras also
came through women saints. Among these women saints Ghosha, Lopamudra.
Vuck and Gargi were remarkable. At that time, there were arrangements for
receiving education in different areas like medical science and the art and science
of weapons etc. Of all these learnings, the learning about Brahma was thought to
be the best one. Gargi became an expert in this learning.
Gargi's father was a saint. His name was Bachaksa. Gargi was very much
intelligent from her early childhood. Her father encouraged her to acquire
knowledge of Brahma. She carried on her meditation. In course of time, she
became an expert in knowledge of Brahma. That's why she was called
Brahmavadini Gargi. There is a story about her knowledge in Brahma. Once
Janak, the king of Mithila made arrangements for a big sacrificial fire. Many
scholars and talented saints from different parts of the country assembled there.
That religious festival was going to be finished in a very pompous manner. Now it
was time for honorarium to the priest. Rajarshi (greatest saint) Janak took that
opportunity to know the name of the saint who might he adorned as greatest
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scholar on the knowledge in Brahma. He announced that he would donate three
thousand cows. The donation would he presented to that scholar, present in that
sacrificial congregation, who will be considered as the best scholar possessing
knowledge in Brahma.
Hearing that announcement suddenly the assembly became silent. Who would be
that best scholar? All were thinking. Breaking the silence Maharshi Yajnavalkya
claimed himself to be the best knowledged person about Brahma. But his claim
was not accepted by all without any controversy.
The priest "Ashwal" of Rajarshi Janak and other saints claimed themselves to be
the best. Competition on knowledge was started among them and Yajnavalkya.
They started asking questions to Yajnavalkya on different aspects. They received
correct answers from Yajnavalkya and accepted him as the best.
At that time the woman saint Gargi, who was well-versed in Vedas was present in
that occassion started asking questions. She asked many questions to Yajnavalkya.
Actually she shattered him putting questions after questions. She wanted to know,
who were entangled pervasively to the water and air of the earth? Her questions
gradually became more and more delicate. Yajnavalkya answered correctly to all
the questions. Even then Gargi did not stop asking questions. She asked questions
about the abode of Brahma (Brahmaloka) beyond this world. At that time,
Yajnavalkya asked Brahmavadini Gargi to stop. He reminded her instructions of
Vedas regarding the limitation of putting questions. It is called the edict of Vedas.
It is a sin if any one would disobey that edict. There are possibilities of being in
troubles if Gargi commits this crime.
Gargi did not ask any more questions after this. As Yajnavalkya replied to all the
questions of Gargi-Yajnavalkya was recommended as the best scholar who had
most knowledge about Brahma. Yajnavalkya accepted the donation of Rajarsi
Janak.
Yajnavalkya proved his depth of knowledge about Brahma by answering all the
questions asked by Gargi. The saints and hermits present in that congregation
welcomed Gargi as Brahmavadini. From that time, She was respected as
Brahmavadini.
Knowledge is an invaluable asset in human life. People remember them
respectfully who make contribution to the field of knowledge. For this reason,
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after such a long period of time, the contribution made by Gargi, one of the
learned women of Vedic era remains memorable.
DIFFERENCE IN INTELLECT MAKES DIFFERENCE
IN KNOWLEDGE OR UNDERSTANDING
Knowledge is gained through five sense organs-eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin.
So these are called five sense organs. As soon as something is seen or heard it
does not imply that knowledge is acquired. It needs some kinds of judgement. It is
done by ‘intellect. Again this intellect is not equally acquired by everyone.
Knowledge depends on the intellect possessed by one. In relation to this, the
episode from Brihadaranyak Upanishad may be remembered.
Brahma is the Creator. In Vedas and Upanishads, Brahma was called Prajapati
(the Creator of all living Creatures). This Creator-Brahma has created all the
deities human beings and demons. He has not only created these but also took
responsibility of educating them.
The deities, human beings and the demons all lived in the hermitage of Brahma.
They were celibate. Celibacy was necessary for accumulating power. Power helps
in acquiring knowledge. For that reason, they were observing celibacy in their life.
Many days past in that way. They waited with the hope of getting advice from the
Prajapati.
The deities usually possessed pure character. By virtue of celibacy deities
accumulated power much earlier than human beings and demons. Because of that
first of all the deities went to Prajapati and appealed, “Bhagavan, we observed
celibacy for long time. Now give us advice.”
Prajapati Brahma advised them in brief. He only said, “Da”. After giving advice.
Brahma thought whether deities could understood his advice or not. So He asked,
“Have you understood my advice? Deities replied. Yes, O God. we have
understood. You have told ‘Da’ which means “To control”, “To control”.
Heaven is the place of earthly pleasure and luxury. The deities were addicted to
earthly pleasure and luxury. After adopting celibacy they understood that self
restraint of sensual appetites is the way of keeping fresh and clean heart. So, the
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deities were understood the meaning by the letter ‘Da’, the advice of Prajapati, is
“To control the self-restraint of sensual appetites.”
Next it was the turn for human beings. They went to Prajapati and appealed, “O
God! we have observed celibacy for a pretty long time. Now please give us advice.
That time Prajapati again gave same advice ‘Da’. He again asked, “Have you
understood the advice?” They replied, “Yes God! we have understood, ‘Da’ means
“Donate”,
Human beings usually like-to accumulate wealth. They are greedy. By observing
celibacy, they attained pure mind. So they could understand the meaning of ‘Da’
Prajapati Brahma had asked them, "To donate.''
At last came the demons. They also appealed to Prajapati, ″O God! we are
observing celibacy for a long time. Now give us advice"
Brahma again said, ‘Da’. Then he asked, "Will you tell me what have I said?" The
demons replied, ‘Da’ means "Be kind". Demons are usually cruel. Through
observing celibacy they attained almost pure hearts. So they easily understood that
Brahma had asked them to be kind.
So, it is proved that difference in intellect- makes difference in knowledge or
understanding. The saints have also given these three advice in different sacred
scriptures-Control, donate and be kind. Control yourself, donate others and show
kindness to living beings.
EXERCISE
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
Who can remove the sufferings of man ?
a) Durga
b) Narayan
c) Shri Hari
d) Maheshwar
2.
Why did Narad, the saint of the deities, told Dhruva about the rules
and regulations of meditation?
a) Being charmed at the meditation of Dhruva
b) To get the chance of meeting of Sankha Chakra Goda
Padmadhari Shri Hari
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c)
3.
4.
5.
For getting an interview of Shri Hari because of his mother’s
piety.
d) Shri Hari khows everything that are known to him.
The name of the place was Dhruvaloka because ___________.
i) it was on the river Kalindi
ii) Madhuvan was a lonely place
iii) According to name of Dhruva
Which one is right ?
a) i
b) ii
c) iii
d) i, ii and iii
At the root of Dhruva’s being devoted to Hari was __________ .
i) father’s carelessness
ii) influenced by the piety of his mother
iii) affected by his step mother’s cross words
Which one is correct ?
a) i
b) ii
c) i and iii
d) i, ii and iii
To achieve of God human beings have to _________.
i)
meditate
ii)
endeavour arduously
iii) worship
Which one is correct ?
a) i
b) ii
c) i and ii
d) i, ii and iii
Answer the questions 6 and 7 from the passage below :
The water of Kaliya lake became poisonous because of the torture of Kaliya
Naag. As a result, Bhagavan himself became very irritated. Everywhere
there were pangs of sufferings. Kaliya Naag suffered the punishment for the
consequences of his misdeeds.
Hindu Religious Studies
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
62
What was the reason behind the water of Lake Kaliya being poisoned?
i) The result of the fire coming out from the mouth of the Naag.
ii) The result of the rotten trees, plants and mosses.
iii) Boiling water due to the fire coming out of the mouth of Kaliya
Naag.
Which one is correct?
a) i
b) ii
c) i and ii
d) i, ii and iii
Why did God himself take steps to drive away Kaliya Naag?
Because ___________.
a) the whole animal world suffered by Kaliya Naag’s torture.
b) Kaliya Naag’s watchfulness over God.
c) of Kaliya became enraged by seeing Bhagavan’s laughing.
d) he frightened everybody by making hissing sounds and spreading
his hood.
The character of the deities is usually _______.
a) bright
b) clear
c) beautiful
d) pure
Brahmavadini Gargi means ________.
a) meditation on the teaching of Brahma
b) becoming expert on the knowledge of Brahma
c) the knowledge of Brahma is the best knowledge
d) Brahma vidya is the best of the three ages.
What does intelligence work?
a) Conscience
b) Mind
c) decision making
d) Five sense organs.
________ is to set a repentant criminal free and go unpunished.
a) Forgiveness
b) Kindness
c) Illusion
d) Affection
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Creative Question
1.
Man has to suffer various troubles at different stages of his life. The
boy Dhruva had to suffer many such troubles . He had heard from his
mother that it is only Shri Hari who can remove sufferings of human
beings. So one day Dhruva had to leave his family and went to a deep
forest. There he was meditating for Shri Hari. Being satisfied at the
serious meditation of Dhruva Shri Hari met him. This relieved the
mental agony of Dhruva.
a)
Who was Dhruva?
b)
Why was Dhruva suffering from the pangs of his sufferings?
c)
How will you be inspired by Dhruva’s meditation for Hari for making
a good result in educational career?
d)
Give a summary of the meditation of the devoted boy Dhruva for
getting God’s blessing.
2.
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Tapan was caught redhanded for stealing some money from his
classmates. His classmates wanted to punish him severely. Tapan was
repentant and was seeking forgiveness for his misdeeds. But his
classmates didn’t pay any heed to his words. They would punish him.
At that time, their religious teacher appeared there. He heard every
thing and let them know the story of controlling of Kaliya Naag by
Shrikrishna in their religious book. His friends forgave Tapan and
embraced him.
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a)
Which era does the story of Shrikrishna’s Kaliya Naag belong to?
b)
What was the aim of the religious teacher’s story-telling?
c)
How are you influenced by the ideal of forgiveness?
d)
Write the summary of the story of overpowering Kaliya Naag by Shri
Krishna.
3.
Read the passage and answer the questions given bellow:
For acquiring knowledge, deities, human beings and the monsters
were observing Brahmacharya in the hermitage of Brahma. After a
long observance of Brahmacharya they would go back to their own
houses carrying the advices of Brahma. Brahma gave everybody the
same advices. But the diety, the human being and the monster took the
advice for different meanings of things such as ‘suppress’, ‘donate’
and ‘be kind’ respectively. Though the same advice was interpreted in
various ways, Brahma understood that everyone was right.
a)
What advice did Brahma give to every one?
b)
Why did the deity, the human being and the monster interpret
Brahma’s advice differently?
c)
How would you use Brahma’s advice in your personal life?
d)
‘Everyone like the deity, the human being and the monster understood
the proper meaning of Brahma’s advice though they interpreted it for
different meaning. Make it clear.
CHAPTER TEN
IDEAL BIOGRAPHIES
SWAMI SWARUPANANDA
It was one hundred years ago. The
Ganguly family of Chandpur was
known to all as a pious family. In
Bangla 1294 in Poush month Swami
Swarupananda was born in that family.
His father was Satish Chandra Ganguli
and mother Mamatamayi Devi. Harihar
Ganguli father of Satis Chandra was a
pious man. Volananda Giri Maharaj
used to say about him the "Vashishta
of Kali Yug" (Modern era). Fathers
devotion to God also influenced his
son. Swarupananda was born from so a
pious father. His family name was
Bankim Chandra. Affectionately, every
one used to call him Baltu.
Baltu’s study started in his village patshala. One day suddenly in patshala some
unusual behaviour was observed in Baltu. Gurumahashaya asked the students to
write. Little Baltu was writting like others. But what was the matter? All the
writings became amulgamated to the form of “Om”. Whatever he tried to write it
took the form “Om”.
After going home. Baltu asked his mother-"How the cat mews." In reply mother
uttered “Mew Mew’. Little Baltu said, I think cat mews- “Om”, “Om”. In very
childhood the “Om’ which was revealed in his heart that became his mantra for
meditation for God in the later life. ‘Hari Om, became his devotional song.
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His Primary education was completed in village patshala. Then he came to Dhaka
and passed the entrance examination. He went to Calcutta for college education.
That time sub-continent was under British rule. Independence movement was
started against British rule. When he was the student of B.A. class in Ripon
college, he became involved in independence movement. He could understood,
that country would be independent. So everyone should he aware of how to
preserve independence. So people with a determined strong character were
indispensable. He used to say, “worship of characterless men is meaningless and
they would not be true patriots”. He believed that" Divine power lies within human
being. If that power can be aroused then they will be transformed into god like
men”. It could be possible when people would attain pure character. He started
movement to build up people with good character. He roamed from one corner to
other corner of the country. He stood by the side of the oppressed poor people and
instructed them the way for achieving peace. But for that social work he did not
collect money through beggary or charity. The name of his vow was Abhiksha
Vrata (i.e. austerity without charity). He established a hermitage in Banaras and
its name is Azachak Ashram."
Though he had deep respect for his own religion but he did not think for a special
community. He said " I belong, to all community and all community are with me”.
His ideology took shape through the establishment of Akhandamondali i.e.
(undivided world)". He believed that the people from different community or
religion pray to one God. So his massage was to worship God through a symbol
“Om”.
He preached that whatever might be the religion of men, they are part of one
undivided soul. For realization of it, men would have to arouse their divine power.
In that way men would achieve completeness in their lives. People of the world
would attain uninterrupted peace.
Landlord Harihar Mishra became influenced by the ideology of Swarupananda.
Harihar Mishra invited Swarupananda to a small village Pupunki of Singbhum of
Bihar. Swarupananda responded. They started work in wood land of Pupunki.
The area of wood land as thousand bigha. Gradually they built up
“Multiuniversity.” Four languages were taught there. Languages were- English,
Bengali, Hindi and Sanskrit. Side by side they arranged for some work oriented
teaching. As a result, the student were engaged with Some multifarious work like-
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Agriculture, Printing, Dairy etc. Swarupananda built up as if a factory for
production of human resource.
Swami Swarupananda was a great Karmayogi (active philosopher or industrious
person who devotes to God through work). He took work as religion and again he
brought religion into the work.
Swami Swarupananda showed the way how people are transformed as god like
men. He composed songs and these were collected books like--Mandir Murchana,
Madhumallar, Mangalmurali etc. Besides these, he wrote fourty books; i.e. a
“Saral Brahmacharya,” Atmagathan”, Samjam-sadhana, etc. are noteworthy.
Massages of Swami Swarupananada.
1. Be sacred, be pure, try heart and soul to be spotless. Sacredness is
completeness, sacredness is Godliness.
2. They duty of religion is to create equilibrium among all the living beings, to
establish unity among the creatures and to remove animality from the
creatures and arouse divinity in them.
3. In whatever the way any one may worship God, he is worshipping one God.
4. Keep faith in your moral strength. Whose faith is deeper, his success is also
greater.
VAMAKSHEPA
Vamakshepa was a famous Bangali devotee. He attained success in meditation
through tantrik worship. Tarapith was his place of meditation. Tarapith is situated
in Birbhum District of west Bengal. This holy place held an old history of Tantraworship.
It is a story of many years past. There
was a devotee named “Bashishthadev”.
He worshipped Tara Devi at Nilachal.
But there he did not attain Success. Then
he went to Kamakhya and started
worship there to Tarama observing holy
rituals. That time, he heard a divine
revelation that he could not attain
success because he did not know the
rituals of prayer. He was also asked to
go to China to learn rituals. Vashishtha
went to china and there he learnt the
rituals from Budha like Janardhana.
Following
divine
nstruction,
Vashishthadev went to a crematory on
the east bank of the river Dwaraka.
Vamakshepa
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There he estab1ished a Panchamundi (deity with five heads) under a tree. He also
established there the symbol of Tara Devi made of stone. He started painstaking
meditation. He became successful by the grace of Tara-Devi. Tarapur crematory
transformed to a holy-land. In memory of the fame of Vashisthadev, the spiritual
son of Brahma, this holy place is called "Vashistha Siddhapith".
For years together many Tantra-devotees attained here after meditation. Kshepa
Anandanath, Kailaspati, Vamakshepa etc. all are the successful worshipper of
Tarapith. Tarapith had been glorified as a famous sacred place of Hindus for long
time.
Atala village is near to Tarapith. Vamacharan was born in Bangla 1244 on Shiva
Chaturdashi (Shiva Chaturdashi i.e. the fourteen day of new moon, generally in
the Bangla month of Falgun). His father was Sarvananda Chattopadhyay and
mother Rajkumari Devi. Their family was running on small income from land.
Vamacharan was the second child of this family. Jaykali was the first child. Durga
Devi Dravamayi and Sundari were there sisters and another brother was Ram
Chandra by name.
Sarvananda was a very pious and simple hearted man. He was initiated in his
boyhood and plunged himself into deep meditation to Tara Ma. His wife
Rajkumari was also pious and respectful to God. Vamacharan was a proud son of
such parents. He also became a devotee of 'Tara Ma. Vama used to roll on floor
saying "Joytara” “Joytara”. Vamacharan was an absent minded and a simple man.
His simplicity was mistook by others as madness.
His study was started in village pathshala. But he was not attentive to Study. Vama
used to throw blank look to his teacher. When he was asked to write then he
promptly would write "Joytara" "joytara". If he was questioned about the cause of
his behaviour, in reply he used to confess that he learned those from his father. His
father told him that, knowledge about Tara was the greatest knowledge. Somehow
Vama completed his Pathshala education. He could not reach high school. But
Vama had a special quality. He could sing in melodious tune. One day in fornt of
the temple of Tara Ma, a musical soiree was arranged. Sarvananda was playing on
a violin. Sarvananda dressed his son as "Krishna". He put ornaments like- string of
small bells round the ankle, peacocks feather on head, flower garland, yellow
dress and a flute in hand. Seeing Vama's dress children got much pleasure. Vama
was looking like Krishna. Villagers were surprised to see the beauty of Vama's
dress as Krishna.
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Vama was singing with undivided attention. Suddenly he stopped his song and
was insisting his father to take him to the crematory. Father failed to stop him.
Being compelled father took Vama to crematory.Vama was introduced with
Vashishtha Sidhapith. Seeing the vast crematory Vama become a changed boy. He
became an ardent lover of the crematory.
After this occurance Vama became totally changed. Truely he became insane. He
established close relationship with the crematory and Tara Ma. Then Vamas
revalation was started. In that time Tantra devotee and well conversant in Vedes
Mokshadananda was in the crematory. The inhabitant of Braja Kailaspati Baba,
was also present there. Kailaspati accepted Vama as his disciple and
Mokshadananda showed him the path of meditation. Vamacharan's meditation
throgh Tantra began in the great crematory of Tarapith.
That time Vama could not be seperated from his family bindings. Suddenly his
father died. Then Vama was eighteen years old. Mother Rajkumari was very much
worried to run her family. She told Vama to do something, otherwise all were to
die on starvation. Vamacharan was trying to get a job. There was a Kali (a deity)
temple in Muluk village. He was appointed to cook food offering and to pluck
flowers for the deity. Mother became assured. Though he was working there, his
mind was engaged in meditation for "Ma Tara". He was not attentive to do his
duty. At the time of plucking red china rose he used to remember the red feet of
Tara Ma. He would become emotional and used to offer songs sitting under trees.
He did not response even to the shouts of priest of the temple. So, he lost his job.
After that, he joined in house hold work according to the instruction of his mother.
His duty was to bring food for the labourers working in the field.
But here also he used to behave as an insane. Sometimes he would distribute food
to the street beggar or to the dogs of Tarapith. Mother again felt trouble with her
insane son. Seeing, no other means, mother sent her two sons to their maternal
uncle. Uncle engaged him in grazing the cows. He failed in this job too. He would
go to the field for grazing the cows but he would deeply absorbed in meditation
thinking himself as Rakhal Raja (Sri krishna). In the meantime the cows would
destroy others crops. Villagers complained against Vama to his Uncle. Uncle beat
him and abused him. Vama could not stay also in uncle's house. Vama came back
to their house with his younger brother.
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Again finding no other means, mother sought help to her neighbourr, Durgadas
Sarker. Durgdas was in government service at Natore. Durgadas was in charge of
Tarapith. He used to loved Vama. So he engaged Vama in plucking flower for
Tara temple, Vama was getting some salary and food there. That time Vama got a
job according to his choice. But here also he could not do proper justice to his
duties. At the time of touching the branch of red china rose, he lost his sense.
Whenever he would see the red china rose he would feel it as the red-feet of 'Tara
Ma'. Observing his condition Durga Das engaged him in the duty of temple. Then
he was to prepare sandal-paste and offerings (rice, fruits etc) for the worship. But
he could not do any duty because he used to be involved in deep, meditation for
all the time. He would destroy the articles of worship while he would loss his
senses. He was censured for his misdoings.
Durgadas Mahashaya saw a divine power in Vama. He made him free from the
responsibility of regular duties. Durgadas said to every body that Kshepa would
not do any particular duty. He would stay near by the Tara Ma and would do
duties according to his will.
Vamas practice of devotional austerities began revealing. At first his extreme
indifference to worldly affairs developed. He was indifferent to his health. He was
not touched by hot, cold or rain. He was immersed in meditation day and night.
His aim was to attain the grace of Annandamoyi Ma Tara Devi. He became
successful. His name and fame did spread out all over. The responsibilities of the
maintenance of Tarapith was on the king family of Natore. Authority made him
the chief of Tarapith. Vama had no hard and fast rule regarding the choice of food
and rituals. He did not rnaintain the system of puja and Mantra-Tantra”. Take my
hard-apple leaf, take food, take water, take flower" ----that was the way of worship
of Vama.
The priest, workers and some members of the Tarapith agitated at the behaviour of
Vama. They were thinking to treat rightfully Vamakshepa. They got chance. One
day Vama came from somewhere and Started eating bhoga (i.e. offered food to
deity) of Tara Ma. Having the hints of priest, The guard of the temple beat him.
Vama fled away to the jungle of crematory. Kshepa did not turn-up for two to
three days. On the other hand, Queen Annadasundari of Natore dreamt a dream.
The dream was, Tara Ma said to her "by the instruction of your priest, my son
kshepa was beaten by your guard. They did not beat him, actually they did beat
me. Blood is dozing from my back. My son has not taken food for two to three
days and I have not accepted food either".
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The dream was over. Ranima woke up and apprehended danger. On the very next
day morning, Ranima sent instruction to Tarapith through her royal officer. She
summoned that “Vamakshepa is a saint. He is an affection son of Tara Ma.
Henceforth no one will be allowed to complain about his behaviour. Kshepa Baba
will take food first, then Tara Ma will be offered food.
Order of Ranima was carried Kshepa was brought from the jungle of crematory
and was fed. Then they ceremoniously offered voga to Tara Ma.
Vama was very much respectful to Tara Ma and he was respectful too to his
mother. Once his mother Rajkumari Devi died. Her dead body were brought in
Tarapith for cremation. The crematory of Tarapith stands on the opposite side of
the Dwaraka river. Vamakshepa saw the assemblage of his relations on the
opposite side of river. It was a rainy season. The large waves of the river looked
horrifying. No one was daring to bring the dead body on the reverse side of the
river. They were arranging cremation of dead body on that side of the river.
Kshepa became restless. He felt that her mother's body should be cremated at the
Tarapith crematory, for the salvation of his mother's soul. Being very much
anxious Vama said, "Ma Tara!, help me as my mother may be cremated at the
crematory of Tarapith". Just uttering it, he jumped into the river.
Dead body was placed in the funeral pyre and his younger brother was going to
put fire in her mouth. At that time Vama reached there. Vama picked up mothers
dead body from ' funeral pyre and held the dead body with his body tightening by
clothes. Then he went to Tarapith swiming, the river. His mother's dead body was
cremated in the holy crematory of Tarapith.
During the day of obsequies ceremony they faced another trouble. It was raining
cats and dogs. Some how, the ceremony was completed. But where they would
arrange for serving food to the invited guests. Looking at the sky Kshepa told, "O
Tara Ma, you are the daughter of a cruel father, so are you cruel too? Will you not
safe me from this trouble?” The sky became clear after a while. Then they were
able to serve the guests.
Vamakshepa attained divinity and did welfare to the country and the people. For
mass education he used to say--
1.
Religion is the wealth of the heart. It is lost by pompus display.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
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If any one can win illusion he can get the grace of Mahamaya (i.e.
God).
By the grace of Tara Ma, any one can achieve salvation of soul.
Never think that there are diflerences among Guru (spiritual guide). Mantra
(religious hymns) and Bhagavan (God). Keep these advices in mind. God
will bless you. In Kaliyuga (present era)) there is no way of salvation without
'Harinam (Songs on Sri Krishna or Hari).
Sin cannot touch him, who always pray to Kali Tara (a deity) and RadhaKrishna.
By establishing undying fame Vamakshepa left his corporeal body and started his
journey to heaven on 2nd Shravan, 1318.
SADHU NAGMAHASHAYA
Deuvog village is verv near to
Narayangonj.
The
house
of
Nagmahashaya was there. In 1856 on
21st August a son was born in Nag
family. Next time this child was known
as Nagmahashaya. But this name was
not given by his parents. Father
Dindayal Nag and mother Tripura
Sundari gave him name Durgacharan
Nag. By the grace of Shri Ramkrishna
Durgacharan became Nagmahashaya at
his later life.
He lost his mother in his early
childhood. Their aunt looked after two
children-Durgacharan and his younger
sister Sarada. Their aunt Vagabati was a
child widow. She was staying in her
brother's house. Motherless children
were brought up by that aunt.
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Durgacharan was very much interested in study. His education was started in a
patshala at Narayangonj. After completing primary education, he was admitted to
normal school at Dhaka. The distance of school from his village was ten miles. He
used to go this long distance on foot. He could return from school after dusk. On the
way of return he used to eat one paisa's muri-murki (fried rice). After completing
school education, his father took him to Calcutta and admitted him in Camble medical
school. Durgacharan could not find interest in studying Allopathy system. He started
to study Homoepathic system of medicine. At that time, Durgcharan and his sister
were married on a same day. Affectionate aunt was very interested in their –marriage.
Durgacharan married Prasannakumari, daughter of Jagannath Das. Jagannath Das was
from Raizdia village of Vikrampur. After five months of wedding Durgacharan went
to Calcutta.
Being a doctor Durgacharan started practice in Calcutta. He used to treat the poor
patient and distribute free medicine among the poor. Within a short time, he earned
fame as a good doctor. He could earn a lot. But he did not do so. His mission was to
help other.
One day he went to a poor man's house for treatment. The patient was serious. He
paid attention to that patient for three to four hours at a stress. Durgacharan gave
him imedicine. Again he came to see the patient at night. Then it was winter
season. Patient's house was in a very bad condition. Patient had no clothes to
prevent cold. Durgacharan thought that, it would be very difficult to save such
serious patient in so cold. He covered the patient's body with his Vagalpuri shawl
and left. There are so many instances of his charity.
In early age he lost his first wife. He was shocked. He felt relieved because God
had released him from family bindings. On the other hand his father Dindayal
became worried about his son. He thought his family would become lively at the
presence of his son and daughter-in-law. Deendayal decided to arrange remarraige
for his son. But Durgacharan denied. At last Durgacharan agreed to marry for the
second time to meet the immense interest of his father.
Preparation of wedding was going on. Durgacharan and his father came back from
Calcutta to their village. Durgacharan married Shsaratkamini, daughter of
Ramdayal Bhowmik, who was an inhabitant of the same village. After marraige
Durgacharan went to Calcutta with his father.
Durgacharan was passing his days through practising medicine, chating with
friends and discussing about God. Suddenly a letter came from his village. The
letter carried the news of sickness of his aunt. Durgacharan returned to his village.
Aunt was old. She became very weak. He tried utmost but she was not improving.
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Fifteen minutes before deth, his aunt was muttering prayer to God. Before death
aunt kept her hand to Durgacharan's head and blessed him and asked him to
remain devoted to God Ram.
Durgacharan was over shocked at the death of his aunt. He lost his mother in
childhood. He was brought up with great affection by the aunt. He used to say.
"Aunt is my past and future mother".
Durgacharan came back to Calcutta. All the time he was thinking how he could
escape from the bindings of worldly affairs and affections. How he could percieve
the God and who would guide him to attain that goal. He became mentally restless
in thinking it.
It was 1880 Sharatkamini, wife of Durgacharan, went to Calcutta to serve her
husband and father-in-law. Within a very short time she realized that, her husband
was not an ordinary man. Though he was living in family, actually he was a saint
indifferent to worldly bindings.
She was influenced by Durgacharan's advices and gradually she also became a
devotee. She would practice religious rituals along with household affairs.
Durgacharan became anxious for initiation. He used to think sitting on the bank of
the river Ganges. One day while he was thinking, a boat came near the bank of the
river. He felt curiosity. He went to the boat and saw Bangachandra Bhattacharjee,
Bangachandra was his family preceptor. Bangachandra said to Durgacharan, "O
my child, I was instructed by Mahamaya (a deity) to show you the path of your
meditation and salvation." Durgacharan became very much pleased. Durgacharan
and his wife were initiated by the preceptor. Then he began his hard meditation.
Shri Suresh Chandra lived in Hatkhola. He came from famous Dutta family of
Hatkhola. He was very known to Durgacharan. He used to exchange views with
him about worship, meditation etc. By the by, he came to know from Suresh
Chandra that, there was a saint in Dakshineshwar. He was a self sacrificing great
man, who always would remain absorved in meditation.
Suresh Chandra and Durgacharan came to Dakshineshwar. They met Shri
Ramkrishna. Ramkrishna heard about their desire. Then he advised to them "Live
in family just like Eel fish. There is no harm in doing worldly affairs. Eel lives in
clay, but its body remain free form clay. Like Eelfish, stay in family but your mind
will remain free from the dirt of worldly affairs".
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Hindu Religious Studies
After paying due respect to Shri Ramkrishna, they came back. On the way
Durgacharan thought that, really he was a great saint.
After a week they again went to see him. Shri Ramkrishna lost in reverie when he
saw Durgacharan. He said to them" Its fine, that you have come again. I am
anxiously waiting for you."
On the third day, Durgacharan went to Dakshineshwar alone. That day also, Shri
Ramkrishna lost in reverie, just after seeing him. He said to Durgacharan, 'Hello,
are you not a doctor? please see what is the problem in my leg'. Durgacharan got
chance to touch the feet of Shri Ramkrishna. Durgacharan felt proud of it'.
Durgacharan took the feet of Shri Ramkrishna on his head and chest again and
again. Shri Ramkrishna adviced to Durgacharan, "you will do household duties
like saint Janak. General people will follow you."
Being blessed by Shri Ramkrishna, Durgacharan became Nagmahashaya. From
that time he was known as Sadhu (Saint) Nagmahashaya.
After the demise of Shri Ramkrishna, Nagmahashaya came back from Calcutta to
his village Deuvog. His meditation was going on. Within a short time his name
and fame as a saint were known to surrounding people. Many people used, to
come to see him. Distinguished men and many devotees also used to come to see
him. His followers did not address him Nagmahashaya. They address him "Sadhu
Nagmahashaya". After demise of Nagmahashaya Swami Vivekananda went to
Deovog . He stayed there for a day and paid deep respect to Nagmahashaya. The
wife of Nagmahashaya presented him a piece of cloth. With due respect Swami
Vivekananda received it and hold it on his head.
Father of Nagmahashaya became old. He said to his son, to take him to Calutta at
the time of a religious ritual named Ardhodaya yoga. Nagmahashaya felt
embarrassed. He had no enough money to take his father to Calcultta. But he said
to him, "I shall see it".
Only two days left for the holy bath in the river Ganges. Father became
disappointed. On the day of holy bath Durgacharan requested his father to take
bath. Durgacharan was digging a hole on the yard. All on a sudden water began to
spring forcefully from that hole. The yard was flooded with water within a short
time. Cheerful Nagmahashaya told "Mother Ganges has come here. Come every
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body and take bath". Village people assembled there hearing the news and joyfully
took their bath 'in this sacred moment. Father of Nagmahashaya was pleased to
take his cherished holy bath.
His family condition became miserable after the death of his father. In Bangla
1306 Nagmahashaya became ill. Day by day his condition was becoming worse.
In that condition he expressed his desire to offer worship to mother kali (a deity).
Worship was held on Saturday night of 9th Poush. After immersion of the idol of
deity Kali, Sadhu Nagmahashaya told, "mother departed. Now its the time for me
to depart." On 13th Poush at 8 A. M. his condition became very serious. In a
feeble tone he told," Oh! let me hear the song of Rama'. Then saint Shadhu
Nagmahasaya left for peace hearing the name of Rama.
Realizations of Sadhu Nagmahashaya
1. 1 have no a bit doubt about the existence of God. Why you debate on the
existence of God, while He is omnipresent. God is automatically revealed as Sun.
2. God is the only truth. Your life will be fulfilled if you can reach Him.
3. Meditation without publicity will gain more and more stability, otherwise it will
go in vain.
SARADA DEVI
Sarada Devi was a female devotee. She
was the wife of holy saint Shri
Ramkrishna. She was born at
Joyramvati village in Bankura district
of West Bengal. Her father was
Ramchandra Mukherjee and mother
Shyamasundari. Both of them were
committed to justice, amiable and
pious. Their livelihood was dependant
on pretty income from the crops of
small land and priesthood.
On Thursday evening of 8th poush at
1260 A.D Sarada Devi was born in this
poor family. That new born baby was
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named "Srimati Thakurmani Devi. Mother called her kshemongkari. Loving
aunt of babycalled her Sarada.
Sarada was the first child of her parents. She had a sister and five brothers too. At
that time general people used to think that if the girls were given, opportunity for
study, they would not involve them into household affairs. So, the father of`
Sarada was indifferent to her study. But Sarada being interested herself attended
village patshala along with her brothers. In this way she learnt to read but not to
write. Though she had no bookish knowledge, but she learnt many valuable
advices through listening story of kathak Thakur, drama and holy songs.
Sarada was married at her childhood. Her husband was Godadhar son of
Kshudiram Chattopadhyay of village Kamarpukur. Later on Gadadhar became the
holy saint Shri Ramkrishna.
After living together for one and half years at Kamarpukur Shri Ramkrishna went
to Dakshineshwar. Sarada Devi resided in her father's house. After two years,
Gadadhar went to his father-in-law’s house for the second time. At that time,
Sarada Devi got chance to serve her husband.
It happened after seven years. Gadadhar came to see his birth place. He
acccompained Bhairavi and Hriday with him. Bhairavi was his initiator of Tantra
meditation and Haridya was his nephew. Sarada Devi was also brought from
Joyramvati. At that time, Shri Ramkrishna adviced Sarada Devi about the duties
of life and about God. He said to Sarada, "God is omnipresent in all. He who loves
'God from heart and soul and prays to Him, he can percieve God. If you devote
yourself to Him, You also can come in contact with him. Moreover the aim of life
is to attain Him."
The advice of her husband touched her heart. She decided to follow the advice of
her husband as pole star of life and accepted it as initiation. She devoted her life to
God. Shri Ramkrishna stayed in his village for seven months, then he went to
Dakshineshwar. Sarada Devi came back to Joyramvati. Many days passed. There
was no response from Sri Ramkrishna. Sarada Devi became very much worried
for him. She came to know that, there would be held a holy bath ritual on the bank
of the river Ganges in Falgoon, 1872. Sarada wanted to go for bath along with the
villagers. Father Ramchandra started for Calcutta with his daughter on foot.
On the way she became ill. Feeling better she again started to Calcutta with her
father. Sarada Devi reached Dakshineshwar after enduring many troubles. Shri
Ramkrishna arranged her treatment and cured.
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At Dakshineshwar Sarada Devi served her husband whole heartedly. Through hard
meditation Sarada was transformed to Shri Ma.
On 31st Shravan, 1293, Shri Ramkrishna breathed his last drowned in profound
deep meditation. His mortal body was crennated. Shri Ma was unfastening all of
her ornaments. When she was about to unfasten the ornament made of conch, then
Shri Ramkrishna appeared before her and prevented her from unfastening of that
particular ornament and said, "have I gone anywhere? It is Just an exchange of
room." She spent her rest life as her hushand was alive i.e. she was never treated
as widow.
Shri Ma began visiting pilgrimage. She visited kanshi Brindavan, Puri etc. In her
old age she became very ill. One day she said to her disciple- Saradananda, "1
have done everything through my body according to the will of Shri Ramkrishna.
Now its the time of my departure."
Saradananda understood, Mother will die very soon. On 4th Shravan night 1327
Sarada slept for eternal peace. Her mortal body was cremated at Belur Temple. In
the next year Matri Mandir (temle for Mother) was built on the holy crematory of
the Mother. On the bank of the Ganga Matri Mandir is situated. There Mother is
awaiting to welcome her descendant from home and abroad.
Advice of "Mother"
l.
You must have patience like the earth. The earth is being oppressed in many
ways, but she is tolerating without putting resistance. Men have to be tolerant
also.
2.
If you want peace, O, my mother, don't try to find out others fault. Find out
your own fault. Learn to take the world as yours. O, my mother, none is
unrelated from you. World is yours.
3.
Do meditation, Prayer in early life. Is it possible in old age? What is possible
on your part, do right now.
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EXERCISE
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
What did everybody affectionately call Swarupananda?
a) Baltu
b) Paltu
c) Nantu
d) Jhantu.
Read the passage below and answer the questions 2 and 3.
The honorable teacher ordered the students to practice handwriting. All the
writings of Krishna became amalgamated to the form of ‘Om’. Even he took
the ‘mew’ sound of cat for ‘Om’.
2.
Which saint has the similarity with the incident of Krisna?
a) The Saint Naag Mahashaya
b) The devotee Vamakshepa
c) Swami Swarupananda
d) Mother Sarada Devi
3.
Why did the ‘mew’ of cat seem to be ‘Om’ to Krishna?
a) Due to the influence of fanaticism
b) Due to the divine power
c) For not knowing the mew of a cat
d) For being negligent to study.
Where was Tarapeeth?
a) Nadia
b) Burdowan
c) Beerbhum
d) Hoogly
4.
5.
What was the reason behind the madness of Vamakshepa?
i) Adoration and worship of Tara Ma
ii) Overwhelmed with emotion
iii) To carry out the order of the following Queen mother.
Which one is correct
a. i
b. ii
c. iii
d. i and iii
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6.
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Why did Vamakshepa like the duty of plucking flowers in the temple
of Natore?
a) he would be able to serve his mother Tara
b) there was the arrangement of salary and food.
c) he would be able to see the red feet of Tara Ma.
Which one is correct of the following?
a) i and ii
b) ii and iii
c) i and iii
d) i, ii and iii
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Who made the comment, “Don’t believe of any difference between
Guru, Mantra and Bhagavan.?
a) Durgacharan
b) Vamakshepa
c) Shri Ramkrishna
d) Swami Vivekananda
What was the name of the first wife of Saint Naag Mahashaya?
a) Sarat Kaminee
b) Prasanna Kumari
c) Tripura Sundari
d) Shyma Sundari
What do you learn from the giving the wrapper to a patient of Saint
Naag Mahashaya?
a) Serve a saint
b) Serve an honest man
c) Serve the relatives
d) Serve the sufferers.
What can one do if staying in a family?
a) Doing religious practices
b) Serve the sufferers
c) Serve the husband
d) Doing good to others
What did the wife of Naag Mahashaya give to Vivekananda?
a) Some money
b) A piece of cloth/garment
c) A piece of wrapper
d) Some ornaments.
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12.
Hindu Religious Studies
Who gave the name ‘Khemankari’ to Mother Sarada?
a) Her father
b) Her mother
c) Her aunt
d) Her maternal uncle.
Read the passage below and answer the questions 13 and 14
After the death of her husband, Sarada Devi wanted to change her dress as
per the religious norms. Suddenly she heard a voice, “Have I gone any
where? It is just like shifting a house from this to that.” Mother Sarada didn’t
change dress any more.
13. Who is the ‘I’ in the term ____ ‘ Have I gone any where?”.
a) God himself
b) Maa Kali herself
c) Shri Ramkrishna
d) Swami Vivekananda.
14. Which dress did Maa. Sarada like to put on?
a) Of Maa kali
b) Of a wife whose husband was alive
c) Of a widow
d) Of a female saint
15. On which subject did Sri Ramkrishna advise Sarada Devi ?
i) Life and world
ii) Duty and God
iii) God and doing rituals of worshipping and sacrifice.
Which one is correct below?
a. i
b. ii
c. i and ii
d. ii and iii
Creative Question
1.
From his boyhood, pious and honest Swarupananda Biswas believed
that there is the power of deities in man. He began to work for
building human character to awaken that power. He used to believe
any act to be religious. He built a Univesity in Pupunki of Simbhum
Where the students form good character, become sincere workers and
perform religions rituals.
a) What is the name of the University set up in Pupunki?
b) Why did he set up this University?
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c)
d)
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How would the lesson of Swarupananda influence you to be fit for
Karmayogi?
‘Work is worship’-Explain the term in the light of the worshipping
life of Swarupananda.
2.
‘The knowledge of Tara is a great knowledge’. This lesson boyhood
had influenced Vamakshepa deeply. Very slowly he started
meditating his Goddess-mother Tara very seriously until he had
acquired success. There were many obstacles on the way of his
perfection. He had to suffer physical oppressions as well. Many
People termed his meditation to be fanaticism, but he didn’t give up.
a)
Who taught Vamakshepa the lesson “Knowledge of Tara is a great
knowledge”.
Why couldn’t any obstacle stop Vamapkhsepa from his mission?
How would you be influenced by the missionary life of Vamakshepa
to reach a certain goal?
‘Many people termed the missionary zeal of Vamakshepa is madness’.
Give reasons in support of your opinion.
b)
c)
d)
3.
Durgacharan used to serve the poor and the distressed people. One
day he nursed a poor patient with his own hand. On a chilly night he
covered the body of the patient with his own shawl. Thus he spent his
time by giving treatment to patients, giving company to friends and
having religious discussions. One day he became a disciple of a saint
of Dakshineshwar. Then he started worshipping Ma Kali.
a)
b)
To which saint did Durgacharan become a disciple?
Why did he cover a patient with his shawl though he himself was
suffering from cold?
What do you learn from the story of Durgacharan’s nursing a patient?
Write the Summary of Durgacharan’s method of meditation.
c)
d)
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