| It will be seen
from what has been said above that Hinduism, which has within its fold not only the
various schools of Vedanta, but also Saivism, Saktisin and Vaishnavism and which includes
even some of the primitive cults, is more a League of religions than a single religion
with a definite creed. In its hospitable mansion there is room for all types of souls from
the highest to the lowest, and, as one grows in virtue, love and insight, one can pass fro
apartment to apartment and never feel that the atmosphere of the place is stuffy or
hot. For this reason it is rather difficult
to answer the question, what is Hinduism? in a way, which will do justice to all, it's
varied beliefs and practices. However, an attempt will be made in the following chapters
to give a short account of what is common to all the living faiths that make up
Hinduism in their different aspects of rituals, ethics, systems of discipline and schools
of philosophy. But, first of all, we must briefly indicate in the next chapter what the
authoritative sources of those faiths are. |
