Hinduism & Sikhism

[Ciryaher]

I am curious as to who has read the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhaghavadgita, and other Hindu (as well as the branching religions that use the same) texts. In addition to voting whether you have or have not read any of them, please say what you thought about them and any insight you have received :)

And the Kama Sutra does not count, because it is not religious and goes against everything sacred in Hinduism. :mad:

I am reading the Upanishads at the moment, and will soon be working on the Bhaghavad Gita. I find the Upanishads to be an amazing piece, both eloquent and deeply meaningful. I am still trying to comprehend the difference between Brahman and Purusha, but as for the message the book delivers, I am enjoying and taking it to heart.

[Ciryaher]

I see that someone has voted "Yes" but there are no responses. Surely the person who voted "Yes" besides myself has something to say on this matter?

[Eriol]

I did not vote yes :D.

Anyway. Ciryaher, how do you deal with translation uncertainties? I am reading the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, written in Latin in the 13th century, and I find that it is a very laborious (though rewarding :) ) task to reconstruct the meanings of the words used; for many words changed in meaning from that time to ours. I find that I often have to think back to the Latin original word to get a fuller grasp of the meaning. The meaning of words such as "actual/potential", "species/genus", "matter/form" are not at all similar to our current meanings of these words.

How do you deal with this problem in a much older work, in a language completely different -- and therefore more liable to mistranslation?

I was thinking about your thread this morning and this question popped up in my head :).

[Ciryaher]

Good point! :)

I have a very literally translated edition of the Bhaghavadgita, and a well-put-together edition of the Upanishads.

Like the Bible, though the Bible is not so strong an example, one must read with one's mind open and tuned in to the topic. This is true for any book.

But I plan on overcoming the mistranslations of both the Bible and the Hindu texts by studying Greek, Hebrew, and Hindi :D

I've already learned some uber-interesting things about the Ten Commandments. "Thou shalt not kill" is a misinterpretation of one of the ten Hebrew words for "kill" in different situations; so it SHOULD be read as "Thou shalt not commit premeditated murder" and would exclude self defense and war.

[HLGStrider]

I voted no, though of course I've seen excerpts and read those. . .normally less than a paragraph. . .that really doesn't count.

With so many more nos than yess you're going to have a heck of a time getting anything out of this as far as discussion goes.

I just thought I'd say that partly so I can subscribe to this and watch. . .just out of curiousity. I probably wont have much to say on the topic. . .if anything. .. unless it sidetracks, which hopefully it won't.

[Ciryaher]

Yes, with the site's immense Christian and atheist majority, I hadn't expected a lot of response, though I had hoped some people had at least read something other than just the Bible....

I think I'll broaden the topic to encompass a similar religion, Sikhism....so, anyone who has also read the Gurus, please post your thoughts :)

[Kementari]

I have read the Bhagavad Gita and parts of other various texts (there really really hard to find in this part of the world), though Cir already knows this since i suggested them.
In my opinion the Bhagavad Gita is the best thing ever writen next to the Gospels, the Book of Revelation, and the Lotr(of course).

Brahman is basically the spirit, esecence of God (Vishnu, whoever)

Purusha is *your* spirit, your immortal soul

[Valdarmyr]

Good thread, Ciryaher! I've found the Bhagavad-gita conveys many truths as if they spring up through one's heart, and it does so in a very poetic, musical and powerful way. Reading it has helped me understand the various aspects of myself, and how I relate to the Divine and with other people.

The way I see the story is that the battle Arjuna must fight is symbolic of the challenges we face in the world, and that fortitude, or "warrior energy," is needed to overcome fear and laziness and to do what must be done to live rightly and to make the right decisions. And the Divine Presence (here it is Krishna) is always with us to help open the way to greater vision, growth, and a higher level of experience. And the other characters can be seen as symbolizing other aspects of our experience.

One part of the gita I admire has to do with the wisdom of embracing our experience but not getting carried away by it, letting there be balance. Krishna says to Arjuna:

"In sorrows not dejected, and in joys
Not overjoyed; dwelling outside the stress
Of passion, fear, and anger; fixed in calms
Of lofty understanding--such an one
Is Muni, is the Sage, the truly Radiant One!"

Some say the title Baghavad-gita in English means the "Divine Song of God," the "Song of the Lord," or the "Song Celestial."

PS...Ciryaher, because of your fine signature, I'm now starting to read the Katha Upanishad...it hits the spot!

[Ciryaher]

Glad I've inspired someone, hehehe :D I'm trying to find the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, but the only version I can find that seems complete and accurate and not insanely costly is online. I suppose I'll have to make to and read that, or maybe print it off in sections... *delves into readings*