Is there a proper definition for the term Hindu? The meaning of the term Hindu has always been controversial for many reasons. Today it is limited to denote the practitioners of Hinduism or Hindu religion. But while searching for a definition of the term I came across a beautiful meaning and explanation of the term Hindu by Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, Ph. D., D.litt. Indian institute of scientific heritage, Thiruvananthapuram.
The definition of Hindu as per Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan reads like this –
Aa sindho: sinduparyantham yasya bhaaratha bhoomikaa maathru bhoo: pithru bhoo (punya) schaiva sa vai Hindu iti smruthaa:
Meaning - Whomsoever, is considering the land between the sapta sindu ( Indus valley river) upto
Himaalayam samaarabhya yaavath hindu sarovaram tham deva nirmitham desam hindustaanam prachakshate.
The land created by god himself and which is lying between Himalayas and Indian Ocean is known as
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4 comments:
The problem with this definition is that it excludes those who are not Indian, but who are Hindus.
So my question would be, how would this definition include those who are not of Hindustani origin? Or is it meant somehow to exclude those people who call themselves Hindus? There are orthodox movements whose aim is to exclude such people explicitly. Yet, Hinduism is an inherently heterodox religious tradition.
And besides this, how would Muslims, Parsis, Christians, and Jews from India feel about this definition?
Swami Sukhabodhananda once said "Heenam Naashayati iti Hindu....".
I have heard Zakir Naik always mentioning in Peace TV that "Hindu" does not mean a religion. It is more related to a "Geographical" status...... He says "It should actually be called Vedic Religion". Then are everyone fools till date calling our religion as "Hinduism" ????
Swami Sukhabodhananda once said "Heenam Naashayati Iti Hindu"....!
Indian is a cultural, political and geographical word.
Hindu is a religious and spiritual word.
The two words are not alike.
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