‘The common Hindu identity’ especially for the younger generation, has been a subject of discussion and some people seem to feel that it is hard to articulate the ‘single greatest common factor’ or ‘the least common denominator’ of all Hindus.
So, is there a common factor, a common belief, a common practice, that can be seen as common to all Hindus? The Hindu identity is a collage of worshipping thousands of deities, people following equally expansive paths shown by numerous acharyas and mahatmas, further amplified by the innumerable traditions set forth by multiple sects within each of these paths; it is a collage of the myriad ways even common festivals are celebrated, varieties in the interpretations of significant days on the calendar, nuances in everyday practices passed on from generations.
Through all of this, one can easily see the complexity of the Hindu identity and the difficulty it can present to young minds, when they are exposed to the whole world as they are today. A Hindu child growing up outside India, while say visiting a Hindu neighbor in that foreign land, can find a completely different representation of the faith than at home. The complexity of the faith and the inconsistencies they see everywhere can be confusing for the young minds.
The name Hindu itself is not to be found anywhere in our religious texts. It is a moniker bestowed by outsiders to differentiate ‘the people who lived on the other side of the River Sindhu.’ So, what can we expect to convey to curious minds as the common denominator of ALL Hindus? Even our name isn’t ours, one may think.
‘Infinite Ways to Infinite Bliss’ is how our Sri Swamiji (HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji) conveyed it in a book he wrote three decades ago. Because the Divine is infinite, the ways to attain that Divine are also infinite. This is an extremely logical, open, accepting system that gives the freedom to the individual to approach divinity through infinite ways. Can any other faith system boldly give this freedom? We don’t have anything to be afraid about. Sanatana Dharma shall continue to live and thrive eternally.
Our mahatmas assert – one jnani in a corner of the world is enough, one person chanting the Vedas is enough, one bhakta chanting the divine name is enough, for the world to remain auspicious and flourishing. We don’t need to be afraid of losing the Hindu identity and having to defend our roots, practices, etc. The system is run by Bhagavan, and we have no desire for propaganda or self-promotion. The fact is, we don’t have an identity crisis in our religion. It is perhaps a perceived problem for those who may fail to pursue true human goals.
However, this is not a way to chicken out of answering the original question to begin with. There is a common denominator, and it is extremely evident. And it is also common not only for the Hindu faith but also for all faiths – because true to form, we don’t define a Hindu by the need to wear certain types of clothes or face markings, speak a certain language, or celebrate certain deities. The real Hindu is one who celebrates Bhagavan, celebrates the world, and celebrates the Divine within, because in reality, the Hindu sees Divinity in all three. In an answer to a question whether Hinduism had one God or many gods, a Hindu leader once famously said, “We have Only God.” The lofty ideal of a practicing Hindu is to be able to truly see Divinity in All. This is perhaps the only identity challenge that a Hindu may have. And our religion encourages such introspection, which itself will lead the person to the divine!
Moreover, no matter where we go in the Hindu faith system, there is also one more important common factor, and that is The Divine Name of God! Each and every path, yes, every one of the infinite paths – from one who sits in solitude practicing Yoga, to one enquiring into the ‘self’, people who are devout karma yogis, and bhaktas yearning for the divine love of Bhagavan, share the commonality to the Divine Name. Not just the above but also even everyday temple goers, those who simply follow only traditions and rituals… basically everyone who calls themselves a Hindu, they all culminate in this ‘least common denominator’ and the ‘greatest common factor’ of the Divine Name!
That Divine Name that shines in the divine cosmic space, also hides itself in plain sight. Do we see it?
Sriram Ramanujam, Houston TX
Illustration: Radharani Narayanan, Atlanta GA
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