Abstract
Hinduism has been viewed by Semitic religions as a religion
devoid of revelation. Early, Medieval and modern Muslim and
Christian writings have often portrayed Hinduism as pagan even
satanic while Hindus for millennia have claimed to be divinely
revealed. Is Hinduism really a revealed religion and if so, what kind
of a revelation does it have? In what manner does the divine reveal
himself and who are the recipients of this revelation? To what extent
is this concept different from ours? Does the process of revelation
continue or has it been discontinued? These are some of the more
significant questions that this article shall engage with. It clarifies
that Hindus have books which they consider revealed and look upon
much as Muslims look upon their Qur'an. The most significant of
these among a majority of the Hindus are called the Vedas, literally,
knowledge. It goes on to introduce the Vedas with respect to their
various parts and content, what Hindus largely believe about it and
how they ensured its preservation and safe transmission to later
generations through various intricate and elaborate memorization
techniques.
The article highlights the importance of rishī, the recipients
of these revelations, their kinds, characteristics and role in the
process of revelation. The article contends that there is much in
common between Rishiand Semitic prophets with respect to their
characteristics but that the similarities do not end here. Rather there
is much more common ground to be explored with respect to
revelation and its contents and its conveyors than meets the eye.
devoid of revelation. Early, Medieval and modern Muslim and
Christian writings have often portrayed Hinduism as pagan even
satanic while Hindus for millennia have claimed to be divinely
revealed. Is Hinduism really a revealed religion and if so, what kind
of a revelation does it have? In what manner does the divine reveal
himself and who are the recipients of this revelation? To what extent
is this concept different from ours? Does the process of revelation
continue or has it been discontinued? These are some of the more
significant questions that this article shall engage with. It clarifies
that Hindus have books which they consider revealed and look upon
much as Muslims look upon their Qur'an. The most significant of
these among a majority of the Hindus are called the Vedas, literally,
knowledge. It goes on to introduce the Vedas with respect to their
various parts and content, what Hindus largely believe about it and
how they ensured its preservation and safe transmission to later
generations through various intricate and elaborate memorization
techniques.
The article highlights the importance of rishī, the recipients
of these revelations, their kinds, characteristics and role in the
process of revelation. The article contends that there is much in
common between Rishiand Semitic prophets with respect to their
characteristics but that the similarities do not end here. Rather there
is much more common ground to be explored with respect to
revelation and its contents and its conveyors than meets the eye.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Al-Baseera |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |