Hindu: The Religion
By - Dr. Satyabrata Jena
Continuity, Diversity, and the Search for Meaning Hinduism is often described as the world’s oldest living religion, but to call it merely a religion is to simplify a vast and complex civilisational experience. Hindu is not a single creed, prophet, or book-bound faith; it is a living tradition, shaped by geography, philosophy, ritual, debate, and everyday practice over thousands of years. In a time of ideological polarisation and identity politics, understanding Hinduism in its true depth has become both necessary and urgent.
A Religion Without a Single Gate Unlike many organised religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no central authority, and no uniform doctrine. It evolved through the Vedas, Upanishads, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Puranas, Bhakti poetry, folk traditions, and philosophical schools ranging from Advaita to Dvaita, from Yoga to Tantra.
This openness is its greatest strength. Hinduism allows belief and disbelief, devotion and doubt, ritual and renunciation to coexist. A Hindu may worship many gods, one god, or no god at all—and still remain within the tradition. This pluralism has enabled Hinduism to survive invasions, reform movements, colonialism, and modernity.
Dharma: The Moral Core At the heart of Hindu thought lies Dharma—a concept far richer than law or religion. Dharma refers to duty, ethics, balance, responsibility, and the right way of living in harmony with society and nature. It is situational, contextual, and deeply moral. In classical Hindu philosophy, Dharma was never about dominance or exclusion. It was about self-discipline before social control, conscience before commandment. Kings were judged by Dharma; power was not above it. This ethical core is often forgotten when religion is reduced to slogans or symbols.
Diversity as Foundation, Not Exception Hinduism is inherently diverse. Shaivites, Vaishnavites, Shaktas, Smartas; temple traditions and tribal rituals; Sanskrit scholarship and oral folklore—all are equally Hindu. Regional practices from Odisha to Tamil Nadu, from Kashmir to Kerala, reflect this diversity. Attempts to impose a single definition of Hinduism weaken it. Historically, Hindu society thrived because it allowed multiple paths to the same existential questions: Who am I? What is my duty? What is liberation? Uniformity was never the Hindu ideal; coexistence was.
Reform, Critique, and Self-Correction Hinduism has not been static. Social reform movements—from the Bhakti saints to modern reformers—challenged ritual excess, caste rigidity, and social injustice. Internal critique has always been part of the tradition. It is important to recognise that defending Hinduism does not mean denying its historical flaws. Practices like caste discrimination and gender inequality were challenged from within Hindu society long before modern politics entered the scene. A living religion evolves by self-reflection, not by denial.
Religion and Politics: A Delicate Line In contemporary India, Hinduism often finds itself entangled with politics. While faith inevitably influences public life, religion becomes vulnerable when it is used as a political instrument. Power simplifies what tradition complexifies. When Hindu identity is reduced to political mobilisation, the philosophical richness of the religion is overshadowed. Dharma turns into dominance, and spirituality gives way to spectacle. A civilisation as old as Hinduism does not need constant political validation. It survives through thought, practice, and tolerance, not aggression.
Hinduism in the Modern World For today’s generation, Hinduism faces a new challenge: relevance. Young people question rituals without understanding, hierarchy without explanation, and tradition without meaning. The future of Hinduism lies not in rigid preservation but in interpretation—connecting ancient ideas like Dharma, Karma, and Ahimsa to modern concerns such as environmental responsibility, mental health, social justice, and ethical leadership. Hinduism’s ecological consciousness, its emphasis on inner balance, and its acceptance of plurality offer powerful answers to modern anxieties—if articulated thoughtfully.
Beyond Identity, Toward Understanding Hinduism does not demand conversion; it invites exploration. It does not insist on certainty; it allows inquiry. In a fractured world, this approach is deeply relevant. To understand Hinduism is not merely to defend it against criticism or misuse it for identity assertion. It is to engage with it honestly—as philosophy, culture, ethics, and lived experience.
Hinduism has endured because it adapts without losing its core. It absorbs change without surrendering depth. Its future depends not on loud proclamations, but on quiet confidence, ethical living, and intellectual openness. To honour Hinduism is to practise Dharma—not just in temples, but in society; not just in belief, but in conduct.
That is the true strength of the religion—and its enduring promise.
