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**Morageort** · 09-19-2011, 06:34 PM

It is common question among the learned people all over the world. The simple answer is yes I am an Hindu (this avoids further queries).
Sometimes you have to go deeper and then it becomes tricky.
Then you have explain that there is nothing really called Hinduism in the tradition of other prophet based religion, and name itself is a misnomer. There is no vedic authority for this name, more appropriate would be Sanatan Dharma.
Then question of explaining your religion in few words makes it very difficult.
I would like to hear from other learned people.

Dear Sri Rajprasad,

Yes, You are correct. My personal interpretation of the word Hindu is "any one born in this Country can claim to be a Hindu". The word Hindu was given to people living on the banks of Sindhu (River) by outsiders. The word Hindu was first used by Arab invaders and then went further west by the Arabic term al-Hind referring to the land of the people who live across river Indus. and the Persian term Hindū referring to all Indians. By the 13th century, Hindustan meaning the "land of Hindus"emerged as the name for this land.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan gives the following definition for Hinduism.

Hinduism is more a way of life than a form of thought. While it gives
absolute liberty in the world of thought, it enjoins a strict code of
practice. The theist and atheist, the skeptic and the agnostic may all
be Hindus.... Hinduism insists on a moral life and draws into
fellowship all who feel themselves bound to the claims which the moral
law or dharma makes upon them. (-S. Radhakrishnan, The Hindu View Of Life, 1926 )

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

09-19-2011, 06:34 PM	#3
Morageort Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 454 Senior Member	It is common question among the learned people all over the world. The simple answer is yes I am an Hindu (this avoids further queries). Sometimes you have to go deeper and then it becomes tricky. Then you have explain that there is nothing really called Hinduism in the tradition of other prophet based religion, and name itself is a misnomer. There is no vedic authority for this name, more appropriate would be Sanatan Dharma. Then question of explaining your religion in few words makes it very difficult. I would like to hear from other learned people. Dear Sri Rajprasad, Yes, You are correct. My personal interpretation of the word Hindu is "any one born in this Country can claim to be a Hindu". The word Hindu was given to people living on the banks of Sindhu (River) by outsiders. The word Hindu was first used by Arab invaders and then went further west by the Arabic term al-Hind referring to the land of the people who live across river Indus. and the Persian term Hindū referring to all Indians. By the 13th century, Hindustan meaning the "land of Hindus"emerged as the name for this land. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan gives the following definition for Hinduism. Hinduism is more a way of life than a form of thought. While it gives absolute liberty in the world of thought, it enjoins a strict code of practice. The theist and atheist, the skeptic and the agnostic may all be Hindus.... Hinduism insists on a moral life and draws into fellowship all who feel themselves bound to the claims which the moral law or dharma makes upon them. (-S. Radhakrishnan, The Hindu View Of Life, 1926 ) Brahmanyan, Bangalore.
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