| Based on the
evidence of the Mahabharata it could be argued that India is perhaps the oldest nation in
the world. It is the same case with Hinduism as a religion. Hinduism as we know it today
is basically the same religion taught in the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata presents a
synthesis of the worship of the great Hindu Gods of Shiva, Vishnu and the Goddess (Devil),
as well as the lesser figures of Ganesh, Skanda, and Surya. Their worship is integrated on an earlier Brahman cal basis and a
respect for the Vedas, the Vedic Rishis and the Upanishads, which includes the great
truths of Vedanta. The Mahabharata makes Krishna into a great teacher and avatars as well
as recognizes Rama and the other avatars of Vishnu. The Mahabharata presents a synthesis
of the teachings of Vedanta, Sankhya and Yoga. It contains teaching on the duties of
kings, classes and stages of life, medicine and astrology. |
