The Relevance of Hindu Sacred Texts: From Ancient Philosophy to Modern Solutions

By Dr Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 28 July 2025 Hindu sacred texts like the Vedas, Gita, and Upanishads promote ethics, spirituality, and peace. Their timeless teachings address modern issues like stress, offering moral guidance, inner peace, and universal values that benefit all humanity, regardless of religion or background. Main Points: 1. Hindu texts guide moral living through dharma, compassion, truth, and peace across all aspects of life. 2. The Vedas, Gita, and Upanishads emphasize self-realization, devotion, non-violence, and spiritual discipline. 3. Al-Biruni respected Hinduism, studying it honestly, proving interfaith understanding is possible through knowledge. 4. Gita teaches emotional balance, meditation, and duty without selfishness to overcome stress and confusion. 5. These texts are not just religious but global treasures offering timeless wisdom for modern challenges. ------- Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, and its sacred books are full of deep knowledge about life, ethics, peace, and spirituality. These texts are not only important for Hindus but can also guide human beings toward a better, more meaningful life. An Introduction of Hindu Religious literature: Shruti (That Which is Heard) The Shruti texts are considered to be of divine origin. They were heard by ancient sages (rishis) in deep meditation and passed down orally for generations before being written down. These are the most authoritative texts in Hinduism. a. The Vedas There are four Vedas: Rigveda – Contains hymns and praises for various deities. Samaveda – Focuses on melodies and chants used in rituals. Yajurveda – Includes formulas for sacrifices and rituals. Atharvaveda – Contains prayers, charms, and wisdom for daily life. b. The Brahmanas These are prose texts explaining the rituals and ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas. c. The Aranyakas These texts are called "forest books" and serve as a bridge between rituals and meditation. d. The Upanishads The Upanishads are highly philosophical texts that explore the nature of the soul (Atman), ultimate reality (Brahman), and the meaning of life. They form the foundation of Vedanta philosophy. 2. Smriti (That Which is Remembered) Smriti texts are considered to be written by sages based on divine inspiration. They are less authoritative than the Vedas but are very influential in shaping Hindu culture and daily life. a. The Epics Ramayana (by Valmiki): The story of Lord Rama, teaching ideals of dharma, devotion, and morality. Mahabharata (by Vyasa): A massive epic that includes the Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on duty, life, and spirituality. b. The Bhagavad Gita Though part of the Mahabharata, the Gita is treated as a separate, highly respected scripture. It teaches selfless action, inner peace, and the path to liberation. c. The Puranas There are 18 main Puranas, including the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Shiva Purana. These contain stories of gods, goddesses, creation, kings, and moral lessons in an easy-to-understand narrative form. d. The Dharma Shastras These are texts about law, ethics, and social duties. The most famous is the Manusmriti, which discusses the duties of individuals at different stages of life and in different roles. 3. Themes and Purpose of Hindu Religious Literature Hindu texts are not just about religion—they are guides to every part of life. They talk about: Dharma (righteous duty) Karma (action and its consequences) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) Bhakti (devotion) Gyan (knowledge) These texts teach peace, tolerance, spiritual growth, and respect for all living beings. They encourage meditation, self-realization, and balance between material and spiritual life. Hindu religious literature is a vast ocean of wisdom that addresses both the inner self and the outer world. From the spiritual depth of the Upanishads to the moral stories of the Ramayana, from the practical teachings of the Gita to the cultural richness of the Puranas—this literature continues to inspire, guide, and enlighten people across the world. It is not just a religious treasure but a universal heritage of human thought and experience. Hindu Texts Promote Ethics, Spirituality, Peace, and Moral Values: Hindu religious texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata teach people how to live a good and peaceful life. They tell us that being kind, honest, and responsible is more important than just performing rituals. These books guide people to follow Dharma (moral duty), which means doing what is right, even when it is difficult. They teach Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Karuna (compassion), and Shanti (peace). For example: The Ramayana teaches us about loyalty, sacrifice, and truth through the life of Lord Rama. The Mahabharata shows the dangers of greed and the value of justice and righteousness. In short, Hindu texts provide a complete roadmap for living a meaningful, peaceful, and ethical life. Al-Biruni Documented Hindu Beliefs with Fairness and Academic Honesty: In the 11th century, a Muslim scholar named Al-Biruni came from Central Asia to India. He was deeply interested in Indian culture and religion. Instead of criticizing Hindu beliefs, he studied them with respect and fairness. He learned the Sanskrit language and read many Hindu books. In his famous book “Kitab fi Tahqiq ma li’l-Hind”, he explained Hindu philosophy, science, festivals, and spiritual ideas honestly. Al-Biruni showed that people from different religions can understand and respect each other. His work was very important because it helped the world learn about Hinduism in a truthful and respectful way. Gita and Upanishads Emphasize Tolerance, Self-Realization, and Unity Among all Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads are considered most important for understanding life and spirituality. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us to do our duty without selfishness and to treat all people with respect. It says that every person has their own path and should be supported in their journey. The Upanishads focus on the idea that our soul (Atman) is connected to the ultimate reality (Brahman). This means all humans are connected, and no one is better than others. These books teach tolerance (respecting all religions), unity (all humans are one family), and self-realization (knowing your inner self). Their ideas help build peace between different communities and nations. Sacred Texts Address Modern Issues Like Stress and Moral Decline: Today, the world is facing many problems like stress, depression, violence, and lack of moral values. Hindu texts offer solutions to these modern issues. The Gita teaches how to stay calm during tough times and how to handle emotions through meditation and selfless action. The Yoga Sutras explain how to control the mind and stay focused. Vedantic teachings tell us not to run behind material things but to find happiness inside ourselves. These ideas are very useful for modern people who are busy, confused, or tired. They give mental peace, moral clarity, and emotional strength. Conclusion: Hindu sacred texts are not only religious books but treasures of human wisdom. They teach us to live with honesty, peace, love, and self-understanding. Thinkers like Al-Biruni have shown how these teachings can be respected by people of other faiths too. Whether you are Hindu or not, these books can help you become a better person and make the world a better place. Their message is timeless and universal. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/hindu-sacred-texts-ancient-philosophy-modern/d/136313 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism