The Essence of Hinduism
This is the sum of all true righteousness: deal with others as thou wouldst thyself be dealt by. Do nothing to thy neighbour that thou wouldst not have him do to thee hereafter. (Mahabharata)
Gambling
Gambling will make one lose these five: Riches, food, fame, learning and clothes.(Tirukkural)
Pursuit of wealth
In pursuit of money, man descends to the level of the beast. Money is of the nature of manure. Piled up in one place, it pollutes the air. Spread it wide; scatter it over fields; it rewards you with a bumper harvest. (Atharva Veda)
Creation
The universe may be compared to an eternal tree that has its origin (or root) in the Supreme Being and its branches below in the cosmos. The Vedic hymns are the leaves of this tree. One who understands this tree is a knower of the Vedas. (Bhagavad Gita)
Life without…
Life without good thoughts, good actions and good words is like the sky in the night without the moon or stars. It is like a wheel without a hub or spokes! (Atharva Veda)
Conscience versus conformity
One should practise what one considers to be one’s duty, guided by reasons, instead of blindly following the practices of the world (Mahabharata)
The Omnipresence of God(s)
As the air is everywhere, flowing around a pot and filling it,
So God is everywhere, filling all things and flowing through them forever (Ashtavakra Gita)
Reverence for all creation
Eight million four hundred thousand species of living beings, classified under four broad divisions, inhabit land, water and the air. Realising the whole world to be pervaded by Sita and Rama, I make obeisance with folded hands (Tulsidas Ramayana)
The Path to ruin
Threefold are the doors of Hell, leading to the ruin of the soul – desire, wrath and greed; therefore let man renounce these three (Gita)
Reality and illusion
Fear Not. What is not real never was and never will be. What is real always was and cannot be destroyed. (Gita)
Worldly comfort is an illusion, No sooner you get it, it goes. I have chosen the Indestructible for my refuge. (Hymn by Mirabai)
Virtue
Of all virtues summed by ancient sages, the foremost are to share one’s food and to protect all living creatures. (Tirukural)
Water is sufficient to cleanse the body, but truthfulness alone can purify the mind (Tirukural)
Truth beyond description
There the eye goes not, nor words, nor mind. We know not. We cannot understand how He can be explained. He is above the known, and He is above the unknown. Thus have we heard from the ancient sages who explained this truth to us. (Sama Veda, Kena Upanishad)
On Love
Love is the first-born, loftier than the Gods, the Fathers and men. You O Love, are the eldest of all, altogether mighty. To you we pay homage! In many forms of goodness, O Love, you show your face. Grant that these forms may penetrate our hearts. (Atharva Veda)
