Defining religion is nothing short of an impossible task, as many people define and express their opinions about it differently. What can be deduced, however, is that religion represents the quest to make sense of the divine. It has existed throughout human history, albeit in numerous forms. Nevertheless, our modern understanding has highlighted the major world religions within this diversity. The oldest of these religions is Hinduism, which originates from the Indus River Valley (Flood, 2017). It is regarded as a Yogic religion, and its practices are varied. To some, Hinduism is their religious truth and way of life; to others, it is merely a cultural association.
A central religious text essential for practicing Hindus is the Bhagavad Gita, translated as “Song of the Lord.” In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna (the Avatar of Vishnu) describes the way of the Four Margs to Prince Arjun. Each path is a choice that every Hindu must make to reach moksha, or what we understand as salvation. The four paths are as follows: Karma Marg, Jnana Marg, Bhakti Marg, and Yoga Marg. Each of these paths is characterized by different actions an individual must perform to generate good karma, hoping to achieve liberation from the cycles of reincarnation.
Hinduism is indeed a puzzling faith, yet it has stood the test of time. This religion has given rise to other world religions and various ways of understanding the divine. C.S. Lewis asserted that only two true world religions exist: Hinduism and Christianity. Both are intended to be lived as a way of life, although it can sometimes be difficult to see who embodies this most fully. The claims of these two faiths differ significantly, yet some shared truths persist. Hinduism seeks to connect with an impersonal force or god, while Christians relate to a personal God. Hinduism encourages looking within to discover your true self and strive for liberation, whereas Christianity invites believers to look solely to Jesus. While both aim toward the divine, it ultimately comes down to reaching into the darkness or the light. It is our responsibility to share the light with everyone.
Though sharing our faith with someone in a diverse cultural context like Hinduism may seem like a daunting task, we know that it is our calling. By sharing the love of a personal God and understanding that we achieve salvation not through our own efforts but through Him, we can break the chains of looking inward to find truth. Within us is the propensity to commit all sorts of evil, and practically, we stumble daily. However, we do not need to fear that our actions will have consequences in the next life. Instead, we have a Savior who atoned for those mistakes, and we now hold the promise of eternity. This understanding is what we must share with those who have yet to experience the gift of grace in Jesus.
Written by Caityln Conn
Resources
Flood, G. D. An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Lewis, C.S. Surprised by Joy. HarperCollins Publishers, 1955.