It is hard to define Hinduism. It is not a religion in a narrow sense associated with the word religion.

1. SCIENTIFIC ROOT OF HINDU
RELIGION
Dr. Dileep Tiwari, Ph.D.
1

2. 2

3. Introduction
 It is hard to define Hinduism. It is not a religion in a narrow sense associated with the
word religion.
 Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with approximately 900 million
devotees.
 It is also the oldest known religion in the world today
 The origins cannot be ascribed to any single founder or a specific time or a single place.
 Hinduism is a way of life.
 It has been influenced by the aspirations and needs of the human society from time to
time.
 Hinduism is a mixture of sects, cults and doctrines which have had a profound effect on
Indian culture.
 In Spite of this diversity, there are few of its aspects which do not rely in some way or the
other on the authority of Indian religious literature – the Vedas, the Epics and
the Puranas.
3

4. 4

5. Three major texts of Hinduism
 The Vedas
The oldest and most important is the Vedas (in 4 parts) First in the form of oral
histories
 The Bhagavad Gita (400 BCE)
It is perhaps the most famous, and definitely the most widely-read text of ancient
India.
 The Upanishads (400 BCE)
Focus on 1) meditation and 2) religious instruction with a guru
5

6. Chanting the ‘Om’ Mantra
You may have heard the people chanting the
“OM” mantra in their prayers. The same spell
is pronounced during the pranayamam
(breathing exercise) as well.
Scientific Reason: Pronouncing OM has been
proven to reduce the blood pressure and in
turn the heart rates too. By offering a deep
relaxation, it greatly improves the sense of
alertness and so the concentration.
6

7. Why Namaste, Why Not A Hand Shake
Indian has a great tradition of
greeting each other by joining
the fingers and palms together.
You could have known this
popular gesture with the name
of “Namaste”. Obviously this
tradition is used to show the
respect. But what is the science
behind?
Scientific Reason: When joining all the finger tips and palms
against each other, pressure points connected with our eyes, nose,
ears and mind get activated. This process helps our little brain to
store the one we meet, in its long term memory.
7

8. Significance Of Applying Tilak
For all Hindus regardless of their gender, applying Tilak on forehead is being
considered as one of the most important traditions.
Scientific Reason: The major nerve point of our whole human body is located at
the center of 2 eye brows. So the act of applying a tilak or kumkum on that area
prevents the loss of energy. Besides to increasing the concentration levels, it
ensures the regulated blood supply to the entire face muscles.
8

9. Choti (Shikha)On The Male Head
Sushrut rishi, the foremost surgeon of Ayurveda,
describes the master sensitive spot on the head as
Adhipati Marma, where there is a nexus of all nerves.
The shikha protects this spot. Below, in the brain,
occurs the Brahma-randhra,. In Yog, Brahma-randhra
is the highest, seventh chakra, with the thousand-
petalled lotus. It is the centre of wisdom. The knotted
shikha helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle
energy known as ojas
9

10. Upnayan Sankar
Upnayan(Janeyu) tradition is the part of an
education procedure, which provides to a child at
a particular age, it is also part of upbringing of
Child, it is known as Upnayan Sanskar.
In it a person assume(hold) a janeu(a thread
three-fold) there are three knots in it which is
mark of three chief Gods of Hindu's
Bramha,Vishnu And Mahesh.
Scientific Reason: Scientifically sacred thread is very useful for
health . It reduces the chances of heart disease. Venus on the right ear
during urination protects sacred thread twists.
10

11. Indian Women Wear A Toe Ring
Scientific Reason: The silver metal of which the toe rings are usually
made of are good conductors hence conduct the polar energies of the
earth to the body. Another important reason being, the second toe has
the nerve connected to the uterus and passes to the heart, hence,
wearing toe ring on this toe strengthens the uterus and regulates the
blood flow.
Mostly women in India wear a toe ring on
their second toe. Though this tradition is
followed to show their marital status
11

12. Lighting the lamp
The lamp has its own special place in Hindu
Dharma. It is a form and a symbol of Tej
(Absolute fire principle). The lamp is invoked as,
‘तमसो मा ज्‍
योततर्गमय ।’ meaning the lamp
leads us from darkness towards light. It burns
only to give message of peace and light to the
man.
12

13. Chanting
Boosts Immunity:
The control tower of the brain, it regulates
communication between the nervous system and the
endocrine system, taking in information from the entire
body.
Reduces Anxiety and Depression:
By combining sound, breath and rhythm, mantra meditation channels the
flow of energy through the mind-body circuit, adjusting the chemical
composition of our internal states and regulating brain-hemisphere
imbalances.
By balancing the nervous system, chanting regulates the chronic stress,
chanting normalizes hormone production.
13

14. Why Do Hindus Worship Idol
When compare to all other religions, Hinduism provides
an at most importance to the idol worshiping. In fact,
every God and Goddess quoted in the sculptures are
given a shape and you can see all of them in temples.
Scientific Reason: Rather than imagining the void, having something in
focus greatly improves the concentration. It helps the mind to stay away
from diversions which are supposed to occur during the prayer and
meditation.
This is why idol worshiping is widely promoted by the ancient Indians.
14

15. Why Should You Visit The Hindu Temples
Though prayers can be offered at any place from
where we are, visiting the temple at least once a week
is followed as a compulsorily tradition in all Hindu
Families.
Scientific Reason: Generally every Hindu temples are strategically
positioned at the place where the positive energy is available in abundance.
Moreover, the core of the temple holding the main idol known as
“*Garbhagriha*” is built at the place where earth’s magnetic waves are at
their maximum. To strengthen these electromagnetic waves, the copper plates
are buried under the main idol. This is where it gets interesting. These copper
plates absorb more of the magnetic waves and reflect it to the surroundings.
Scientifically this positive energy is what every lives on earth require to have
a healthy life.
15

16. Vedic Havans
As per ancient Hindu texts on havans, any offering to Fire (Agni
God) is actually an offering to the Sun. Offerings such as ghee, rice,
dry fruits, honey, herbs, wood etc are offered to the sacred fire while
performing by Sanskrit mantras.
16

17. Vedic Havans
Scientific Reason: The fumes that rise out of the sacred fires of the
havan kund are known to reduce bacteria, and to kill fungi and
pathogens in the atmosphere. The fumes emanating from this sacred fire
reduce the level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in
the atmosphere.
Sandal (Chandan) wood: Memory power
Googol (Gum): Heart Diseases, Destroy bacteria
Black pepper: Remove cough
Sweet: Ozone effect
Camphor (Kapoor): Removed Nasal lesion
You can conduct this ritual once in a month for purity of your home
and surroundings .
17

18. Why Tulsi Plant Is Bestowed In Hinduism
In Hindu religion, Tulsi plant
is worshiped in the status of
mother. So you can see it
growing in most of the Hindu
families as a holy plant.
Scientific Reason: Taking Tulsi everyday in tea, increases
immunity and help to prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health
condition, balance his or her body system and most important of
all. Keeping Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes
from entering the house.
18

19. Why Peepal Tree Is Worshiped ?
Scientific Reason: Peepal is the only tree on earth which
produces oxygen even during the night times. Indian ancestors
have known this fact before the ages . So in order to protect this
unique tree, they bestowed it to the level of God.
Peepal tree neither provides a delicious
fruit nor a strong wood. So if you ask a
question why the Hinduism worships this
tree, here is an answer
19

20. The Ganges River
Falling from Its source of
Vishnu’s feet onto Shiva’s
head and out from his hair,
the water of the Ganges is
sacred enough to purify all
sins.
Scientific Reason:
Bacteriophage found in
Ganga water which is killed
the microoganisms.
20

21. Thought of day
Stand up, be bold, be strong, take whole
responsibility on your own shoulders, and know
that you are the creator of your own destiny.
Swami Vivekananda
Jai Hind
21