Myths and Facts:

[Guest guest]

I started writing about the Myths because we see so many

misinterpretations of Hindu religion.

 

Recently some people had protested strongly when a text book mentioned

about MAA DURGA drinking alcohol. What these people did not realize

that this is part of Devi Mahatmyam. Many of the images of MAA in

South India have a wine cup in her left hand. Without knowing this

someone starts a campaign against so called denigration of Hindu gods.

The use of Somapana in Yagnas is well known.

 

Vegetarian food is preferred for those seeking the spiritual path

because of its Sattvik nature. But animal sacrifices were common in

most of the Yagnas and it is specifically mentioned in Krishna Yajur

Veda which deals with the procedures for Yagnas.

 

Even today it is the tradition in many states to offer Animals as

sacrifice to God. The only religion where animal sacrifice is

forbidden is Christianity. What surprises me is that many of the

people who argue against animal sacrifice do not think at all while

eating mutton and chicken. The fact is that the sacrificial rites are

definitely kinder to the animals than the procedures in abattoirs or

slaughter houses.

 

Just because these are done by the common man does not give us any

right to look askance at the practice. By doing that we are driving

away people from Hinduism.

 

Hinduism is a parliament of religions ranging from Animism to Advaita.

Everyone follows a path which suits his/her nature. We have to accept

these traditions. We talk about tolerance or acceptance of other

religions. But let us first practice tolerance of the various

traditions in Hinduism.

 

By the way the Rishis were mostly Grahasthas with wife and family.

Their main job to preserve and propagate the knowledge of the Vedas

and other scriptures. As they got older they took Vanaprastha and

retired to the forest with their wives. We should not confuse the

Rishis with Yogis. Then there were Rishis like Jamadagni and Bargava

who were well versed in the art of warfare. Bargava was one of the

greatest teachers and practitioner of warfare. He is one of my preceptors.