I am currently reading Amartya Sen's The Argumentative Indian, one book I think everyone interested in India should read. It taught me so many new things, beginning with how ancient Indian texts are all filled with argumentative conversations and skepticism. Most surprising was this excerpt from the Song of Creation, in the opening chapter of the Rigveda, which goes:
Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it? Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation? The gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe. Who then knows whence it has arisen?
Whence this creation has arisen perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not the one who looks down on it, in the highest heaven, only he knows or perhaps he does not know.
The Rigveda is one of the most revered texts in Hinduism, many claim that Hinduism finds its origins in it. How beautiful and rational a picture it paints, questioning the existence of an almighty whose presence is taken for granted by most Hindus. This is the problem with us, as Sen observes. Nobody bothers to look beyond the severely politicized versions of religious history which are so prominent in India. Everybody wants to translate and interpret religions in ways that pay off in the best way possible. The same is with Islam. How many times have you heard of Muslim fanatics blaming kafirs(non believers) for all the suffering and pain and general trouble in the world? I myself have been told to be vary of all those who have strayed away from the path of 'righteousness'. Nice to know though, that the Prophet mentions in the last verses of the Quran, in Surat al-Kafiroon, or "The Chapter on Non-believers" as follows:
O disbelievers, I do not worship that which you worship, nor do you worship the One whom I worship. And neither I am going to worship that which you have worshipped, nor will you worship the One whom I worship. For you is your faith, and for me, my faith.
Where did all the idiocy about conversions to Islam and hatred of non Muslims come up? Why did Hindutva gain prominence over Hinduism? Why did the rational, skeptic views of our religions die and the cruel, sectarian versions flourish? Almost all wars in recorded history were fought in the name of religion.
Momin's couplet makes me laugh:
~
Umr to saari kati ishq-e-butaan mein 'Momin'
Aakhri waqt mein kya khaaq musalmaan honge?
~
I'll post more on this topic as I make progress with Sen's wonderful book.
Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it? Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation? The gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe. Who then knows whence it has arisen?
Whence this creation has arisen perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not the one who looks down on it, in the highest heaven, only he knows or perhaps he does not know.
The Rigveda is one of the most revered texts in Hinduism, many claim that Hinduism finds its origins in it. How beautiful and rational a picture it paints, questioning the existence of an almighty whose presence is taken for granted by most Hindus. This is the problem with us, as Sen observes. Nobody bothers to look beyond the severely politicized versions of religious history which are so prominent in India. Everybody wants to translate and interpret religions in ways that pay off in the best way possible. The same is with Islam. How many times have you heard of Muslim fanatics blaming kafirs(non believers) for all the suffering and pain and general trouble in the world? I myself have been told to be vary of all those who have strayed away from the path of 'righteousness'. Nice to know though, that the Prophet mentions in the last verses of the Quran, in Surat al-Kafiroon, or "The Chapter on Non-believers" as follows:
O disbelievers, I do not worship that which you worship, nor do you worship the One whom I worship. And neither I am going to worship that which you have worshipped, nor will you worship the One whom I worship. For you is your faith, and for me, my faith.
Where did all the idiocy about conversions to Islam and hatred of non Muslims come up? Why did Hindutva gain prominence over Hinduism? Why did the rational, skeptic views of our religions die and the cruel, sectarian versions flourish? Almost all wars in recorded history were fought in the name of religion.
Momin's couplet makes me laugh:
~
Umr to saari kati ishq-e-butaan mein 'Momin'
Aakhri waqt mein kya khaaq musalmaan honge?
~
I'll post more on this topic as I make progress with Sen's wonderful book.
