Who is a Hindu ?

In a meeting of the Sanatana Dharma Sabha, Lokamanya Tilak said: “A Hindu is he who believes that the Vedas contain self-evident and axiomatic truths.”

The Hindu Maha Sabha has given another definition: “A Hindu is one who believes in a religion which has originated in India.”

“Those who burn the dead are Hindus.” This is another definition given by some.

“He who protects the cows and the Brahmins is a Hindu.” This is another definition given by some.

Some define: “A Hindu is one who regards India as his motherland and the most sacred spot on earth.”

Some others define: “He who calls and considers himself a Hindu is a Hindu.”

Some define: “He who accepts the Vedas, the Smritis, the Puranas and the Tantras as the basis of religion and of the rule of conduct, and believes in one Supreme God (Brahman), in the Law of Karma or retributive justice, and in reincarnation (Punarjanma), is a Hindu.”

“He who has perfect faith in the Law of Karma, the law of reincarnation Avatara, ancestor worship, Varnashrama Dharma, Vedas and existence of God, he who practises the instructions given in the Vedas with faith and earnestness, he who does Sandhya, Sraaddha, Pitri-Tarpana and the Pancha-Maha-Yajnas, he who follows the Varnashrama Dharmas, he who worships the Avataras and studies the Vedas, is a Hindu.” This is the definition given by some highly cultured men. This is the only correct and complete definition.

Who is a Hindu?

• Belief in one God, many adorable forms, names and incarnations
• Acceptance Karma and the fruits of each deed
• Upholding Dharma as a duty towards all aspects of life
• A true Hindu will give up his life to defend and protect Hinduism.
• Will fight evils perpetrated against our religion and will take up arms if his/her Bharat, its' people and religion are under threat from enemies
• Knowing Hinduism as the eternal religion
• Acceptance of various paths leading to God
• Respecting all ancient Hindu scriptures
• Seeing God in all
• Body dies but the soul is eternal
• Belief in the concept of reincarnation
• All living things have souls & moksha as the final destination
• Respect of Gurus and their teachings

A true Hindu is one who has tasted the sweetness of freedom of choice and is wiling to choose death before  giving up his freedom. Freedom of choice to follow a path is the basic human right and no one shall tell him/her otherwise. Any Hindu who converts to islam or christianity is giving up his rights and virtually giving himself and his future generations to slavery. A Hindu is one that believes in one God who incarnates, as and when He feels fit, in the shape and form He wants. God creates,  sustains and destroys when time comes. Many names and forms are given to each with the love and affection of each individual devotee. He has, can and will send us as many prophets ( Only prophet ?) , saints and sons (only son?) and is fully capable of doing so. Our Dharma is eternal, so is God and all the souls. It is our conviction that body dies but not the soul. The old scriptures are a guide to salvation and an individual can steadily make his way back to God in the speed and path selected. Karma (deeds) and results of Karma are the basis of our lives. Knowing  that good karma will bring good results and vice versa, our lives can be guided towards fruition of Salvation termed as Moksha. Guru plays a very important part in molding our lives and whilst the Holy book Gita can be accepted as Guru so can the word of Guru Nanak . A Hindu may or may not agree to some of the points above but he will willingly give his fellow human the right to practice religion as and how the other sees fit.