Bhaskar says:

“”initially felt bad when geeta wrote dat thr wer some quotes which hury women but felt gud when i read ur reply dat thr r no such quotes. “”

I dont agree. No offence, Gurudev bhai. But you simply evaded to counter the Geeta’s doubts/questions to the point( Except ofcourse in the case of RamCharitManas).

Someone explain me… why those kind of misogynistic verses(?) in Vedas? or they are tampered ones? [:)]

Gurudev says:

Yes Ramakrishna, you are right, which is why I try not to rely on translations as far as possible.

Gurudev says:

Balraj
Please refer to the comments by ursri above in this page. ursri has provided some detailed explanations regarding the origins of the concept of 330 million gods.

Gurudev says:

Thanks a lot for your wishes san.

ursri says:

First of all thank you so much Gurudev.
My reading is quite snail pace. Your article made me read quite fast and helped me to understand what i read as I should be careful while putting it down right.

ursri says:

Sainath, here goes abstract on Brahma.

Before detailing How Indian philosophical world view and can be placed in current physics, I shall place abstract on Brahma – desription first.
Source : Vedas The source of Ultimate Science

Brahma is the avyakta(non-comprehensible) sub-stratum. When he whishes to be discriminate, vyakta(comprehensible), He does so by first forming the avyakta space, avyakta time and counsciousness or the three Gunas:

1. SAT (Vishnu) => nothing but substance => vastness=> pure wave (in physics) ,
Here Wave has no inertia
2. RAJ (Brahma) => thinking consciousness => creation
Infinite space and erterninity cannot be comprehended; only meditated upon. The process of comprehension brings them into finitude.
3. TAMA (Shiva) annihiliation=>time, eternity => pure oscillator
Here energy conservation from homogeneity of time, Oscillation needs inertia

It is still the avyakta substratum of the three Gunas in equilibrium. Brahma sets in the Task of Creation.

In Indian philosophy, the main terms used in Upanishad have dynamic connotations. The word Brahman or ?????? or Bramha(not braahman/braahmana) is derived from the Sanskrit root brih – to grow – and thus suggests a reality which is dynamic and alive. In the words of S. Radhakrishan, the word Brahman ?????? or Bramha means growth and is suggestive of life; motion and progress’. The Upanishads refer to Brahman ?????? as ‘ this unformed, immortal, moving ‘ thus associating it with motion even though it transcends all forms.

ursri says:

Gods as personifications of natural phenomena (The Vedic Gods – Last Section..)

The Vedic Risis also considered the devas (Gods) as personifications of natural phenomena. Gods(devas) are the personified agents of the rta – GiÉ or cosmic order or harmony whose ordinances shine through rta(Rgv X65.5). this rta implies that perfect exsting between the essence of being, sat and its activity, i.e., the inner and outer, the latter being but the effect and in some sense, the mirror of the former. It implies also the spontaneous rightness observable in the majestic movement of the stars, the recurrence of the seasons. Unerring rhythm of birth, growth, death of each form of life, that rhythm which is the very breath of the divine action.
But there are other aspects to the Gods, of eaqual weight, to be noted. Apart from being deities in their own right, cosmic agents who obey the great law-rta-of which they are willing instruments, divinities who won their own immortality long before man came upon the scene of this world, the devas are also, through their gifts to men, powers inherent in man through and by means of which man can enter into communion with and participate in the divine process. We catch here a glimpse of elaboreate inter linkedness of the cosmos and its creatures.
In Veda, the dual role or sometimes triple role has assigned to gods. For example Agni the divine force which builds the cosmos, the destruction energy which shatters unwanted forms; Agni is also great purifying agency hidden in all things and the “sacrificial priest” and invoke, the guest in the human tabernacle. Agni is the immortal in mortals which makes the gods manifest (Rgv. I 77) (krnoti devas). Again and again he is called upon to bring the gods “to birth” for his torch once kindled reveals in their fullness the divine powers both in man and the universe. Through that flame power hidden in man the latter becomes conscious of the other divine powers. The physical fact – fire – is made use of the figure of Agni as tangible taken to express the activity and impact of that other, intangible fire which keeps vigil in the darkness of human awareness and is made perceptible in the illumination of awakened man. The hidden divinity, the profound mystery of which no mind can solve, is beautifully expressed in the Yajur Veda (Yaj V. vs 32.8).

==== Shubham====

Gurudev says:

Very well written Chetanarupa

ursri says:

We shall do that Sainath, we are encouraged by your interest.
@Gurudev
Gods as personifications of natural phenomena, is the last section under Vedic Gods.

If you think it is worth to start another topic on Universe/Trinity in Vedic view and relating to modern science, pls start so. Or mention which existing thread would be appropriate.

This would answer relation between , space, time with representation of trimurthies to explain dual nature of matter.

sainath says:

usri a request to you and gurudev….could you please add all the 33 devtas information in a 1 blog post here so that it will be better to read and understand and discuss on..

Thanks

ursri says:

Dear Gurudev
It is my pleasure to share the info as I am learning a lot in the process. It was my opportunity that I came across such wonderful book in a Sanskrit Prachar sabha while I was searching a reference book for my recently enrolled higher studies in Sanskrit. Many books talks on 64 kind of arts essential for general lively hood. It is surprising to see that most of advanced scientific queries are explained by authorized highly qualified professors including scientists of current genre (who depended up on Vedas).

Hope this info helps those who have quest for knowledge.
**********************************************
Here goes the info on

The Gods of The Rig Veda

The gods of Rig Veda period can be classified into various categories, some of the Gods and Goddesses they worshipped were as follows

Gods of the Sky or Heaven :
(a) Dyus – was the God of heaven and is amongst the most ancient of the deities
(b) Varuna – was the sovereign of the Universe was regulated the seasons. He had the overlordship of the cosmic waters and was, considered the regulator of the waters which caused the rivers to flow. In the Rig Veda it is mentioned that the people turned to Him for forgiveness of sins.
(c) Usha – was the Goddess of Dawn. She is described as the daughter of the sky, has Night for her sister and is related to Varuna.
(d) Surya – also called Savitri, was the Sun-God.
(e) Pushan – was name of a sun-god and was said to behold the entire Universe; is addressed as the guide of travelers and the protector of cattle.

Gods of the Atmosphere:
(a) Indra – was one of the most popular Gods and was God of thunder, rain and war. They believed that He fought against demons and protected the people. He also caused the rain to fall, giving them prosperity.
(b) Rudra – was the God of thunder and storm. Maruts are called sons of Rudra.
(c) Vayu – was the God of winds. He is associated with Indra and is regarded equally with him as representing or ruling over the atmosphere.
(d) Parjanya – was a God who presided over the lightening, the thunder, the rain and the procreation of plants and living creatures.

Gods of the Earth:
(a) Prithvi – was the goddess of Earth and is amongst the most ancient of all deities.
(b) Agni – was the God of fire and is one of the most prominent of the deities of the Vedas. He is said to be a son of Dyaus and Prithvi.
(c) Saraswati – was the river deity, who came to be regarded as the Goddess of Learning.
(I think this would be a good reference to Saraswati Darshan – The revelation of Sarasvati River article too). And give a death blow that Sarraswati River existence is not documented in ancient days

Although the ancients (the original text says Aryan: since Aryan is controversial therory.. I shall replace aryans with ancients for simplicity) worshipped many Gods, yet they believed in the existence of one supreme power as the creator of the entire universe. Apart from these Gods and Goddesses, the cosmos was supposed to be peopled by innumerable celestial beings. Gandharvas, Asuras, Vishvadevas and many others, here is no sign of the use of image-worship in Rig-Vedic times. The Gods were worshipped by means of sacrifice and prayers.

What the Vedic Gods represent has remained unsolved question till today. The Vedic thought provides a complete picture of the complexity of human minds and of its attempt at understanding of the order of the Universe, with rich promises of insights into human psyche – for one aspect of the gods, often over-looked, represents and externalization of certain features of the psyche.

Gods as personifications of natural phenomena…. in next post

ursri says:

Number of Devtas (Continued..)

According to Yajurveda, there are thirty-three Devatas.

??????????????????? ??????????????????????? ?

RuyaastriMshataastuvata BootaanyashaamyanprajaapatiH |

Here ???? ?????? (traya stri) means thirty three.

Shatapatha Brahmana furnishes details of these thirty-three devatas as under:
- Eight Vasus
- Eleven Rudras
- Twelve Adityas
- One Indra
And
- One Prajapti.
All these devtas manifest gods’ might in their respective spheres and are helpful to us in our lives. The following are the further details of these thirty-three devatas.
(a) Vasus – Fire, Earth, Air, Sky, Moon, Stars and Heaven
(b) Rudras – Ten Pranas(vital airs) in the body viz.,
Prana, Apana, Vyana, Samana, Udana, Naga, Karm, Krikla, Devadatta, Dhananjaya and soul
- some describe them as ten sensory and motor organs in human body
I could able to appreciate our shodashopachara – 16 steps to honor God- Puja by relating these Rudras mentioned in Naivedya step. This has provoked me to find more reference of respecting nature in Pujas.
(c ) Aditya – These are twelve-12 months in an year
(d) Indra – Indra is indicative of power, vigour, vital force, electricity – (major element to cause thunder and initiate rain and many more)
(e) Prajapati ie., Yajna because through Yajna waters are purified and thus they sustain lives.

Besides, Yaju, in Atharvaveda too, there is a mention of these Thirthy-Three Devas

???? ?????????????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????

yasya trayastriMshad devaa nidhiM rakShanti sarvadaa
(Ath 10-7-23)

?????????????????? ???? ???? …… ????? ?
yasyatrayastriMshad devaa aMge …… viduH |

(Ath 10-7-27)

Whose secret treasure the thrity-three mighty forces of world always protect, who is amongst them, who knows this treasure which they guard carefully. The thirty-three cosmic elements withing the body are disposed as limbs and those learned men who know about Universe and its master know these thirty three cosmic powers

The Gods of The Rig Veda… in next post

ursri says:

Dear Balraj, pls come back to India. Hope the below info might inspire many more at abroad who are in dilemma to identify themselves, unable to break tie with Indian culture but worried about their children’s upbringing. Initially you may have to cope up with cultural shocks. Here is a useful link on How to Cope with Culture Shock
One of my friend’s brother worked in several countries. He is SAP consultant, made quite good amount of money even before Y2K. He aspired to return back to India. Parents informed that he should not say later that he left colorful life or whatever and came back to India for the sake of parents. But with humble he replied “”I have seen you both taking care of grand parent in spite of all limitations. Now I have sufficient money to support and don’t long for more. It is only my desire to follow your foot prints to serve you elders.”" Now he is settled with family, happy father of kid and working with reputed company too. We could see a satisfactory glow in his face when we just ask him if he is happy returning back to India. It is amazing to see such simple equally able who have taken responsibility what to teach to their younger generation.

ursri says:

The Vedic Gods .. Continued

Again Nirukta States (7.1) ..

?????? ?????????? ???
?????????????? ?????? ??????? ??????????????? ????? ? ??????? ?????

i.e., when God desiring to impart instructions regarding a particular subject-matter, describes its properties or qualities in a verse, it is said to have that object as devta.
Vedic “Devatas” are forces of objects, capable of illuminating them or explaining them to is, or which lights of lights are.
? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?
ya tena ucyate saa devataa |
That which signifies a subject-matter of a verse is its ‘devta’

??????? ?? ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????-???? ?
yujjate mana uta yujjate dhiyo vipraa viprasya bRUhato vipash-citaH |
(Yaju 11.4)

God is the fountain of knowledge; He is the knower of all acts, worlds and sciences and those who pick up His knowledge are learned persons and are called devas
(Shatpath 6.3.1.6)

From the above, it is clear that God is the fountain-head of knowledge and devtas are by themselves nothing, they derive their qualities from Him.

? ???? ?????? ???? ? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????????? ?
???? ??????????? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ?

na tatra sUryo Baati na candra taarakaM nemaa viGuto Baanti kutoyamagniH |
tameva BantamanuBaati sarva tasya Baasaa sarvamidaM viBaati ||

The Sun does not shine, nor the Moon, nor the Stars, much less these flashes of lightenings. He shines and everything shines as a result thereof.

In view of above, the ideas of Western scholars that these objects of nature are independent Gods, are not justified.
In action portion (Karmakanda) of the Veda i.e., the Yajurveda the word ‘Devta’ signifies the Vedic mantra, composed of meters (Gayatri, etc, etc). They are learned as such because they explain the method as to how to perform a particular act. A meter has that substance as its devta whose name occurs therein – The mantras are called cevtas because the learned, describe, express and bring to light all true sciences through them.
In fact all those who impart knowledge or form object of knowledge are devtas.

??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?
??????? ????-?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?

punantu maa devajanaaH punantu manasaa dhiyaH |
punantu viS-vaa Butaani jaanavedaH punaahi maa ||
(Yaju 19.39)

From the foregoing facts, it is thus clear that Vedic devtas(gods, deities) are eternal forces of nature and are objects to impart knowledge of all kinds and to bring happiness, to uplift an individual and the society as a whole.
*******************************************
Coming next Number of Devatas

ursri says:

The Vedic Gods

Source: A Book : Vedas: The Source of Ultimate Science
Author: Dr. Shri Ram Verma- Reader in Dept of Physics in DBS (PG).
Ph.D in Nuclear Physics from Aligarh Muslim University
Research in Nuclear Physics and Astrophycis- City University, New York (USA)

Vedic rishis were attracted by the bright and beautiful aspects of nature and so they worshiped the various forces of nature as manifestations of supreme GOD. Thus they worshipped a number of Nature Gods.
The word ‘Deva’ or ‘Devta’ is normally translated by western scholars and their followers in India, as deity or god. But this is an incorrect interpretation due to the fact that they have not tried to find out the root from which this word has been derived.
As per Nirukta “Dev” is derived from the words da, dut, dip and divu
???? ?????? ?? ???????? ????????? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ?? ?
(Nirukta 7-16)
According to it, knowledge, light, peace, delight and all those objects that give peace or pleasure are callaed “devtas”. This fact is borne by veda mantha itself.

????????????, ???? ?????, ?????? ?????, ???????? ????? ???? ?????
????? ??????????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????????????????????? ????? ????? ??????

(Yajur 14-20)
Fir, air, Sun, Vasus(space or abode), Aditya(time), learned persons of contemplative mood, all useful and good objects, God the creator and protector of the Universe, Vedas, well earned riches and water are all devtas i.e., highly useful things.

Again Nirukta States (7.1) ..

***********************************
to be continued in next post

ursri says:

1 devine conqueror is also called as Brahma

The 12 adityas are:
12 Adityas (and 12 months) in the Vedanta:
1. Amsa (the share of the gods) Moon Surya
2. Aryaman (generous, nobility) Mercury Aryama
3. Bhaga (due inheritance) Venus Bhaga
4. Daksa (ritual skill) Mars Dhata
5. Mitra (constancy in friendship) Saturn Mitra
6. Pusan (prosperity) Pusha
7. Sakra (courage)
8. Savitr (power of words) Sun Savita
9. Tvastar (skill in craft and technique) Tvastha
10. Varuna (fate) Jupiter Varuna
11. Vishnu (cosmic law) Saturn Indra
12. Vivasvat (social law). [Jupiter]
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam
Vivasvan, Aryama, Pusha, Tvashta, Savita, Bhaga, Dhata, Vidhata, Varuna, Mitra, Satru and Urukrama.

In the Bramanas, there are also 12 Adityas, corresponding to the twelve months:
Aryaman
Bhaga
Daksa
Dhata
Indra
Mitra
Ravi
Savita
Surya
Varuna
Yama

Leo Brahma/Vishnu
Virgo Shukra
Libra Savitri
Scorpio Vivaswat
Sagittarius Indra/Pushan
Capricorn Twashtri
—————————–
Aquarius Bhaga
Pisces Mitra
Aries Rudra/Aryaman
Taurus Amsa
Gemini Varuna
Cancer Daksha

The 8 Vasus

8 Vasus are sometimes referred to as the 8 Elements, i.e. earth, fire, atmosphere and oceans, wind, sky, sun, mansions of moon and Soma.

Vasu 1. Prithivi
Vasu 2. Agni
Vasu 3. Antariksa
Vasu 4. Vayu
Vasu 5. Dyaus
Vasu 6. Surya
Vasu 7. Naksatra
Vasu 8. Soma

Dhara Earth
Anala Fire
Apa Waters
Anila Wind
Dhruva Pole Star
Soma Moon
Prabhasa Light
attendants of Indra
From Website: Vedic Pantheon

the names of the Vasus , according to the Vishnu-Purana , are
1. Apa [connected with {ap}, water]
2. Dhruva , the Pole-star
3. Soma , the Moon
4. Dhava or Dhara
5. Anila Wind
6. Anala or Pavaka Fire
7. Pratyusha the Dawn
8. Prabhasa Light
but their names are variously given
Ahan , Day being sometimes substituted for 1 ; in their relationship to Fire and Light they appear to belong to Vedic rather than Puranic mythology)
Cologne Sanskrit Dictionary under Vasu

Their names were Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Salila, Anala, Pratyusha and Prabhasa.

Sainath says:

gurudev just 1 thing. are there really 33 crores of god, i mean why doesn’t the number increase or decrease…in 1 of your post i had copy pasted some lines from wikipedia about the same. Do you have details over it?
And once again…you are 2 good…excellent gurudev…long live hunduism

Sree says:

I support Gurudev’s statement that Hindus are nature lovers. That is absolutely right. I would say by default they are. Our sacred texts say “”Taru devo Bhava: “” means trees are Gods. This is a warning for people not to hurt trees. I have seen something strange in Kerala to substantiate this. In the compounds /Estates owned by Hindus you often see many other trees that are not useful for human beings but used by birds & animals. Once the property is sold to any minority community member the first thing they do is cut down these “”unwanted”" trees. They tend to keep only the trees that are beneficial to them. I feel pity.

Every ancient Tharavad ( Khandaan ) of Kerala had ( my family still has ) one or two Kaavu ( small forest area untouched and left for wild animals like snake / jungle fowls & animals. Many of these Kaavus consists small water tanks or wells. Our ancestors may have cleared forests to build houses so they realised that they are occupying the house of these poor animals. So they must have built this for them. Now when the new generation Hindus sell these properties to Christians or Muslims the first thing they do is clear the Kaavus !. What a pity !

These Kaavus provide natural habitat for birds and small animals and no one hurts them in the Kaavu. The water bodies in this Kaavus are actually harvesting rain water and storing for the whole community ( irrespective of the relegion, caste and creed )and ofcourse for all including animals ! We do not use the water directly from it but it becomes a source for other wells & tanks indirectly. Some Kaavus are spread across acres of land. Our State Govt. is always at the mercy of the minority communities so they do nothing to protect these. On the other hand the Govt. spends money to promote rain water harvesting & build cement tanks near building & houses. What a pity again !

I think Hindusim is the only religion where nature is an itegral part of the day to day life and yet we are not animists. Unlike the African animists we have a philosophy and yet have great affinity towards all nature’s creations.

Another important thing why Bonsai did not flourish in India like China is because of our beliefs. Although lately some fashionable people are perhaps thinking that plants have no life of their own.

Rubber trees are brought by Europeans and the first community to embrace the cultivation are Christians in Kerala. Rubber milk is the blood of the tree. You create a wound on the trunk to extract it !

For medicinal purposes we may be doing this to other trees but to a very small extent. Rubber cutivation requires bleeding of thousands of trees on a regular basis !.

Many families in India did not take to Silk worm cultivation ( serie culture ) because of the cruelty involved in it.

It is indeed a pity our secular governments have never highlighted these nature loving habits as great contribution by hinduism to our country. Our secular historians paint it as an Indian culture which they say has contributions from the religions of Invaders.

Dev says:

I endorse your thoughts .. when you talk about Hinduism .. you actually end up talking “”about environment, pollution, moral values, human duties towards nature and other humans and other life forms.. the food we eat..”"

My religion has GEMS for the mankind to flourish in all aspects of life.

Dev says:

To Gurudev ..

Excellent .. Your too good. I read your complete reply to Geeta. I am very pleased with your reply. Let me tell you in the process, many of my own doubts got clarified.

Good Geeta asked such questions..

I feel so disappointing that we go by others’ words than actually taking efforts to find out the truth behind what is said.

bachodi says:

Wonderful post ,
One thing .. is “”aham brahmasmi “” vedic ? I always thouht its punch line of dwita siddanta by madhwacharya.

Geeta says:

I am reading contradictions in your own posts!! And no, I don’t know Sanskrit, but I do know enough to verify the texts with the Pandit in the local Sanatan Temple. Also when I discuss this with some of my very religious and learned Hindu friends, including elders, who go to this temple, and who go to all the Dhams, and to various pilgrimages, they are very apologetic and they tell me that there is some sort of movement going on where they are trying to get these words, specifically the words by Tulsidas, removed from the texts! They are also very apologetic about other facets regarding women, be it long time ago, such as Sati. Or the fact that their daughters cannot take part in the Thread Ceremony. The list goes on. Not to mention other very serious topics such as untouchability.

I was hoping to have a healthy exchange of ideas and information, and not to get into a drawn-out argument which, in my humble opinion, appears to be your intent. Your last sentence appears to be loaded with ego. If there is anyone you want to pity, it should be yourself. Reading your spin, I am reminded of the ostrich’s head in the sand. Feel free to believe whatever you want to believe. The facts speak for themselves. This is the end of my posts. All the best.

Gurudev says:

@Geeta
This is a problem with the so called educated society, that a lie repeated 110 times looks like a truth! In the age of internet, a lie pasted on 110 websites looks like a truth!

From where did you copy paste these Vedic translations madam? Do you know Sanskrit? Have you read the Vedas? Just dont do some google search and copy paste things. All those vedic translations you have pasted are from the Max Muller and British era (When British ruled India) who were hell bent on proving that everything that is Indian is wrong and bad and everything that is western is good and great, just to make Indians submissive to the colonial powers. Even the Aryan Invasion theory which is an utter flop today is from the same era.

People who dont know ABCD of sanskrit translate vedic texts into English with their own interpretations and then the so called educated(?), intelligent people like you become the messengers of their translations! Nobody even bothers to look at the original texts.

Before giving specific answers to the quotes you have mentioned above, get some facts straight. Did you ever know the fact that many Vedic hymns were written by women themselves like Ghosha, Lopamudra, Sulabha Maitreyi, and Gargi? Have you ever read the wonderful knowledge they have written into the vedic texts? See this link http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa031601c.htm

Would this have been possible if the vedic texts and the society at that time were against women? Name just one another religion on this planet where the religious texts are written by women? You cant !!

The same Rigveda that you have mentioned above contains 10 hymns by a woman, Maitreyi! Apart from the male sages, there are more than 30 woman authors who have wrote various Rig Vedic hymns!
The same Rigveda if you had really read on your own, would
have told you in 10.85, the marriage hymn, explicitly that ‘the daughter in law should be treated like a queen (samrajni)’
Another Rigvedic Hymn 10.27.12 states that ‘The woman should have complete rights to decide who her husband should be’. Do you know about swayamvaras in ancient India or is it selective amnesia?

For other readers who dont know about Swayamvara, it was the practice in ancient India (you can see it in ALL ANCIENT INDIAN STORIES) where all the eligible prince (males) would line up to marry a female (usually a princess) and the princess would DECIDE whom she wanted to marry by garlanding that prince of her choice. You will never read about a story in ancient Hindu texts where females were lined up and the male came to decide whom he wants to marry! It was always the women who decided! Even when the king Shantanu in Mahabharatha wanted to marry a poor girl Satyavati in her kingdom, he had to get her permission and convince her before she finally agrees!

Manusmriti another ancient hindu text says, “”Yatra naaryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devatah; Yatraitaastu na pujyante, savaastatra aphalah kriyah”" which means “”Where women are respected and worshipped, there all Gods and Goddesses live and bless the people. Where they are not, all efforts remain fruitless and nothing will succeed’ !

Coming back to @Geeta who has commented to my article above, I suggest you to go learn sanskrit and then read the actual Sanskrit books, understand them and then come to argue if you still have a point to make. Dont show your foolishness by copy pasting incorrect translations by people who dont know the ABCD of sanskrit! Sanskrit is not a word to word translation. It is a context based language by its very own nature! The very meaning of a word depends on what context it is used in.

Suppose I say something like this “”Women are the greatest creation of God. But if God had created women with all bad qualities that many men have, then Women would have been the worst creation of God!”".
Now what if some half baked soul picks up only what I said in the end, then starts spreading a rumour saying “”In line 3 Gurudev said ”Women are the worst creation of God”"! Note that he also has changed what I said from ‘would have been’ to ‘are’ (because either he doesnt know sanskrit or he deliberately wants to twist the story). And others start quoting him everywhere, like you quoted just now! You people wont even look at what else is said by me like “”Women are the greatest creation of God.”"!

Atharva-Veda 14.1.43-44 says that when a woman gets married and enters her husband’s house, she enters “like how a river enters into a sea” (sea becomes saltish and dead without its rivers!) and “ she enters to rule the house along with her husband, like a queen, presiding over the other family members”

I can as well make a dead lock to your arguments by quoting the above vedic verses which show the greatest respect to woman. But winning the debate with you is not my intention. My intention is trying to make you realise the truth.

Do you think it is a bunch of jokers who wrote the vedas, that in one place they say something and then say something totally opposite in another place? First get your facts right. Validate and verify your source of information, dont blindly believe what somebody says. Go to the actual book, learn its language, read and understand it, then you will have the real eligibility to debate on it.

The most unfortunate thing is that Hindus and people within India itself dont know about Hinduism and Vedas as much as people from outside India, people who are not Hindus know!
These outsiders have come to India, learnt sanskrit, read and understood the ancient Indian texts, hindu scriptures, vedas etc, and appreciated its message. So I suggest one such reading for you below
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/women_in_vedic_culture.htm

If you still want to believe that ancient vedic texts , the sacred sources of Hinduism ill treat(?) women, I can only pity you!

Gurudev says:

@Mai
On your comment “Sikhs are not Hindus”
That is what I had said in my entire post. The core difference between Hinduism and other religions.
You cannot be a Christian, Muslim or Sikh and then say that I will worship God of different religion! Your religion wont allow that!

Unfortunately that has created all kinds of problems on this planet where every religion wants to prove its God to be the real God and we end up with things like Islamic Fundamentalism, Khalistan movement etc. See http://hitxp.wordpress.com/2007/04/24/root-of-all-evil/

Where as in Hinduism you can still be a Hindu and still say that I will worship Jesus or Allah or go to a Sikh Gurudwara. In fact I myself go to other places of worship. There is no objection for this in the Hindu sacred texts. This is because in Hinduism God is one and the same, no matter by what name you call him/her!

Mai says:

As a Sikh, far be it from me to criticise your belief system, but it seems you’re leaving a few things out, like the very ‘tolerant’(that’s sarcastic, in case you missed my tone of voice) caste system which is an integral part of the Hindu culture/religion. I just read a news story about a Dalit (the current polite word for ‘untouchable’) woman whose two children starved to death because no one at the health centre would help a Dalit woman get the card for free milk.

Or how about the treatment, even today, of widows as ‘bad luck to be avoided.’

Or the disrespect shown to women, in general, in Hindu culture. How ironic that a religion that worships Woman as a goddess also despises her as less than a real human being, that is, a man.

I wouldn’t dream of compelling anyone to believe or live as I do under any circumstances. I wouldn’t even suggest it to them. It is a difficult way to live, but also, for me highly satisfying and fulfilling. (An slight aside, RSS notwithstanding, Sikhs are not Hindus.)

I am delighted that your religion/way of life suits you so well. But please don’t overlook the facts. Hinduism has its dark side, too.