Hinduism - who exactly is a Hindu and purpose of being a Hindu

[Ranjana]

i wonder if gods are actually functioning anywhere

[gauranggroups]

Omkaar,

It\'s really a great article, mate. Everyone should read it once atleast. Good work! Keep it up!!

[Virinchi]

Hind is a word derived from sindh river and India is derived by westeners from indus valley civilization (formed around indus/sindh river)
Today, both words don't apply to this country.

Indus river flows in pakistan and it should be called India.
and present India should be named a Bharat

Also indus valley civilization is limited to few parts of north and north-west india.
rest of india (especially south and east had their own cultures and civilizations since ages)

If you think religion binded everyone, then it shouldn't be a secular country.
If it is culture, then it is different in each state. Even temples are built differently in north, east and south. Food is different.

Then what binds everyone who lives here ?
What makes even muslim women wear bangles and toe-rings after marriage ?

think......... think..people who crave for money, food and sex..think..

[Shree]

The present day India was never like a one country or rather Kingdom (as there was no concept of country before but kingdoms ruled by Kings). In the ancient times King Bharat, and in modern times King Ashoka had unified most of present India under as one Kingdom. Other Kings who had to some extent rules over and unified most part of India Chandragupta and Vikramaditya. Except for some periods like above various parts of India were ruled by different kings, who kept fighting with each other over various issues.
Hindusthan has come from Sindhu or Indus river. India was also called as Aryavrat, but it would refer to the dwelling place of Arya's and would exclude some places in South India.
The only common thread between whole of India was religion, and cultural practices. 

Shree

[.Seeker.]

Modern Hinduism for dotcom generation
In Mundaka Upanishad there is a question by a student to a teacher "What is that (truth), O Blessed One! By knowing which one can know everything in this manifested world?"

The teacher replies "Two kinds of science or knowledge are to be inquired into by man, so say the sages who know the truth of ultimate Reality of Brahman; one is called apara vidya , ordinary knowledge; and the other is called para vidya, higher knowledge."

To gain proficiency in spiritual matters, one may look to Vedas, Bible, Quran etc. but all these sacred books can help only up to a point. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa has said that by squeezing the pages of an almanac showing the dates of rain not one drop of water can be produced. Realization of the Supreme can only be by individual effort and has to be a personal experience.

Before commencing a journey, including the spiritual journey, one has to be aware of the destination and the path to be followed.

Very Very True.
Truly it has to be personal and by divine grace one can achieve it

[nangapunga]

'Hindu' has nothing to do with 'Hindustan' or u may call India. Oldest name of India is 'Aaryawrutt'. Ancient India which included Pakistan and Bangladesh was called 'Aaryawrutt' and what we call 'Hindu' religion today was being called as 'Sanatan Dharma' then.

Divergence of people and mental stress is caused of increasing materialistic approach. Taamsik Tatva always leads towards discomfort.

[Star Dust]

sanatana dharma and family structure have given strength to india till date