This document examines the origins and antiquity of the term 'Hindu' through an analysis of epigraphic and literary evidence from ancient Persian, Indian, Greek, Chinese and Arabic sources. Key points:
- Epigraphic evidence from Achaemenid, Ashokan and Sasanian inscriptions dating back to 500 BC use forms of 'Hindu/Hindu' to refer to India and Indians.
- Literary evidence from ancient Sanskrit texts, the Avesta and pre-Islamic Arabic poetry also use 'Hindu' suggesting its origins in the Vedic period.
- While likely derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sindhu', the author argues 'Hindu' emerged
Part One of this paper provides a case for rejecting the Autochthonous Aryan theory and
proposes an alternative to the Aryan Migration Theory, i.e. it examines why the genetic input from
Central Asia may have been extremely small and how the Spread of IE language and culture in
India might have occurred in trickle in scenarios i.e. when movements of IE speakers were small. It
suggests that the IE speakers first migrated into and settled in the northernmost tip of the subcontinent,
trickled into the plains due to climatic changes in the northernmost tip of India,
synthesized with the Harappans, fused with them and got the upper hand when the transfers of
population from North-West India into the Gangetic plains took place around 1900 BC, and then
desynthesized with whatever was left of the Harappan civilization till it vanished around 1400 BC.
Cultural contacts with West Asia and then with South India would complete the process of Spread
of IE language and culture in India. This paper suggests the need for delinking race with spoken
and written forms of language and culture while studying the identity of the Harappans, analyzes
the role of internal and external migrations in shaping Indian culture and questions some other longheld
assumptions about Post-Harappan India. This paper also suggests that an integrated
framework be developed for studying Ancient India. This paper stresses the need for adopting via
media approaches for resolving the Aryan issue and comes up with a new hypothesis which the
author hopes will be taken up for a debate and discussion. This also proposes a concurrent dating
paradigm and a new heuristic framework which the Author hopes will be useful both for future
cultural studies of Ancient India and for conducting further archeological excavations, and then uses
this framework to make his own inferences about the cultural and religious history of the subcontinent.
The methodology the author adopts is to take the Aryan Migration Theory (1500 BC) as a
base and work backwards to arrive at a fresh set of conclusions. Part Two contains all the major
conclusions such as methods to derive and reconstruct the languages of the IVC, the origin of IA
languages etc.
Accelerating data-intensive science by outsourcing the mundaneIan Foster
Talk at eResearch New Zealand Conference, June 2011 (given remotely from Italy, unfortunately!)
Abstract: Whitehead observed that "civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them." I propose that cloud computing can allow us to accelerate dramatically the pace of discovery by removing a range of mundane but timeconsuming research data management tasks from our consciousness. I describe the Globus Online system that we are developing to explore these possibilities, and propose milestones for evaluating progress towards smarter science.
Part One of this paper provides a case for rejecting the Autochthonous Aryan theory and
proposes an alternative to the Aryan Migration Theory, i.e. it examines why the genetic input from
Central Asia may have been extremely small and how the Spread of IE language and culture in
India might have occurred in trickle in scenarios i.e. when movements of IE speakers were small. It
suggests that the IE speakers first migrated into and settled in the northernmost tip of the subcontinent,
trickled into the plains due to climatic changes in the northernmost tip of India,
synthesized with the Harappans, fused with them and got the upper hand when the transfers of
population from North-West India into the Gangetic plains took place around 1900 BC, and then
desynthesized with whatever was left of the Harappan civilization till it vanished around 1400 BC.
Cultural contacts with West Asia and then with South India would complete the process of Spread
of IE language and culture in India. This paper suggests the need for delinking race with spoken
and written forms of language and culture while studying the identity of the Harappans, analyzes
the role of internal and external migrations in shaping Indian culture and questions some other longheld
assumptions about Post-Harappan India. This paper also suggests that an integrated
framework be developed for studying Ancient India. This paper stresses the need for adopting via
media approaches for resolving the Aryan issue and comes up with a new hypothesis which the
author hopes will be taken up for a debate and discussion. This also proposes a concurrent dating
paradigm and a new heuristic framework which the Author hopes will be useful both for future
cultural studies of Ancient India and for conducting further archeological excavations, and then uses
this framework to make his own inferences about the cultural and religious history of the subcontinent.
The methodology the author adopts is to take the Aryan Migration Theory (1500 BC) as a
base and work backwards to arrive at a fresh set of conclusions. Part Two contains all the major
conclusions such as methods to derive and reconstruct the languages of the IVC, the origin of IA
languages etc.
Accelerating data-intensive science by outsourcing the mundaneIan Foster
Talk at eResearch New Zealand Conference, June 2011 (given remotely from Italy, unfortunately!)
Abstract: Whitehead observed that "civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them." I propose that cloud computing can allow us to accelerate dramatically the pace of discovery by removing a range of mundane but timeconsuming research data management tasks from our consciousness. I describe the Globus Online system that we are developing to explore these possibilities, and propose milestones for evaluating progress towards smarter science.
Réponses aux Témoins de Jéhovah. Comment aider un Témoin de Jéhovah à devenir un Chrétien. 43 erreurs fondamentales des Témoins de Jéhovah prouvées bibliquement. Réponses à leurs objections. Dossier spécial sur la Trinité. Réponses bibliques aux erreurs des antitrinitaires et aux Témoins modernes d'Arius.
The Pharma 2020 series
The Pharmaceutical industry's long successful strategy of placing big bets on a few molecules, promoting them heavily and turning them into blockbusters worked well for many years, but its R&D productivity has now plummeted and the environment’s changing. PwC believes that seven major trends are reshaping the marketplace:
Source of info:
http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/pharma-life-sciences/pharma2020/index.jhtml#
Startups founded by Indian Institute Technology (IIT) alumniShilpi Sharma
As part of PAN IIT marketing effort for upcoming Global Leadership Conference at Santa Clara (July 23-25th 2015), this infographic is created by a team of volunteers (current IIT students & IIT alum) on April 2015.
Scope: We have quantified and highlighted all the startups:
#1 Founded by alumni from 8 IITs (BHU, Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee)
#2 In last 10 years (Except few notables from the past)
#3 Have raised at least a million dollar in funding as of April 2015
#4 Listed on either crunchbase.com or angel.co
Note: This list is not at all 100% inclusive.
Volunteers:
1. Akshay Sanghi (2nd yr) and Ankit Kumar (3rd yr) - IIT Kanpur
2. Devang Thakkar (2nd yr) - IIT Bombay
3. Adarsh Kosta (2nd yr) - IIT Kharagpur
4. Sashank Sudhakar Vandrangi (4th yr ) - IIT Madras
5. Akshat Bhandari (2nd yr) - IIT Roorkee
6. Cheshta Balwani (Alum), Saloni Acharya (3rd yr) - IIT BHU
7. Design Intern - Sooraj Ramachandran, MDes in Visual Communication Design at IIT Kanpur
Colliers Vietnam's monthly market report on the Central Business District of Ho Chi Minh City. It covers the Office, Retail, Hotel, and Serviced Apartment markets.
Design Thinking - how does it add value - a different takeManoj Kothari
Design Thinking focuses on user. Also it helps creating a better entry barrier for your business. It creates IPR ready documentation. It helps making the product/service more accessible and hence desirable. An extended and different articulation of Design Thinking,
Innovation Blueprints is a free magazine to help you innovate by decoding and sharing the innovation tools & processes that the worlds leading innovators use.
In the Innovation Blueprints magazine you'll discover how a ‘New Breed’ of Organisations are using the latest innovation breakthroughs to innovate across every aspect of their business – from new products, marketing and sales to customer service and financial processes.
Innovation Blueprints is published by www.InnovationBlueprint.com.au
Réponses aux Témoins de Jéhovah. Comment aider un Témoin de Jéhovah à devenir un Chrétien. 43 erreurs fondamentales des Témoins de Jéhovah prouvées bibliquement. Réponses à leurs objections. Dossier spécial sur la Trinité. Réponses bibliques aux erreurs des antitrinitaires et aux Témoins modernes d'Arius.
The Pharma 2020 series
The Pharmaceutical industry's long successful strategy of placing big bets on a few molecules, promoting them heavily and turning them into blockbusters worked well for many years, but its R&D productivity has now plummeted and the environment’s changing. PwC believes that seven major trends are reshaping the marketplace:
Source of info:
http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/pharma-life-sciences/pharma2020/index.jhtml#
Startups founded by Indian Institute Technology (IIT) alumniShilpi Sharma
As part of PAN IIT marketing effort for upcoming Global Leadership Conference at Santa Clara (July 23-25th 2015), this infographic is created by a team of volunteers (current IIT students & IIT alum) on April 2015.
Scope: We have quantified and highlighted all the startups:
#1 Founded by alumni from 8 IITs (BHU, Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee)
#2 In last 10 years (Except few notables from the past)
#3 Have raised at least a million dollar in funding as of April 2015
#4 Listed on either crunchbase.com or angel.co
Note: This list is not at all 100% inclusive.
Volunteers:
1. Akshay Sanghi (2nd yr) and Ankit Kumar (3rd yr) - IIT Kanpur
2. Devang Thakkar (2nd yr) - IIT Bombay
3. Adarsh Kosta (2nd yr) - IIT Kharagpur
4. Sashank Sudhakar Vandrangi (4th yr ) - IIT Madras
5. Akshat Bhandari (2nd yr) - IIT Roorkee
6. Cheshta Balwani (Alum), Saloni Acharya (3rd yr) - IIT BHU
7. Design Intern - Sooraj Ramachandran, MDes in Visual Communication Design at IIT Kanpur
Colliers Vietnam's monthly market report on the Central Business District of Ho Chi Minh City. It covers the Office, Retail, Hotel, and Serviced Apartment markets.
Design Thinking - how does it add value - a different takeManoj Kothari
Design Thinking focuses on user. Also it helps creating a better entry barrier for your business. It creates IPR ready documentation. It helps making the product/service more accessible and hence desirable. An extended and different articulation of Design Thinking,
Innovation Blueprints is a free magazine to help you innovate by decoding and sharing the innovation tools & processes that the worlds leading innovators use.
In the Innovation Blueprints magazine you'll discover how a ‘New Breed’ of Organisations are using the latest innovation breakthroughs to innovate across every aspect of their business – from new products, marketing and sales to customer service and financial processes.
Innovation Blueprints is published by www.InnovationBlueprint.com.au
We as Indians have failed to understand the deep and real meaning of the holy Vedas and Hindu culture texts written by the great sages and our ancestors. Psychologically, if we look, any knowledge from our ancient times can be easily understood by adding some personal relevance around the subject to show it through storytelling, making it interesting and easy for the listener to remember. However, this concept given by our sages was not properly adopted by future generations, took only symbolic meaning without understanding it scientifically and due to lack of understanding of the original deep knowledge, a great blow was inflicted on the social, economic and spiritual spheres. Every knowledge, literature, concept written as some message is actually a deep scientific and technical concept, information about composition, medicine and surgery, advice on physical, mental and social health, nurturing and balancing of environment, life management and work management, political and economic considerations. The main objective was to create a socially, economically, spiritually healthy society so that the country and the world would progress at the same time with the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
Advances in science and technology are the main reason for the growth of human civilization. India has been contributing in the field of science and technology since ancient times. Even today what we call “traditional knowledge” is actually based on scientific reasoning.
Veer Savarkar wanted, “Not only a particular caste, but everyone should raise the standard of living by developing modern technology using Vedic literature”.
Lokmanya Tilak had a very in-depth study of Vedic knowledge, a treatise can be written on his knowledge.
Hindu ancestors, sages put this great knowledge not only on paper but at that time with great skill and design many concepts were practically implemented on the ground. We can see various temples, metalwork, architectural beauty, mathematics, surgical methods….
Physics
The German physicist Werner Heisenberg once said … “About Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of quantum physics that seemed so crazy suddenly became more meaningful”.
The concepts of atoms, molecules and substances can be traced back to the Vedic age. Moreover, the concepts of astronomy, metaphysics and spirituality are described in the Rig Veda, the ancient Hindu scriptures of the Vedic period.
Why have Indians built thousands, so incredibly architecturally amazing temples around the world? Were they rich enough to spend money on this venture?
Yes, their eternal Sanatan Hindu culture gave them wisdom, intelligence, hard work, spirituality and most importantly progress in the field of research, the purpose behind which was to make humanity prosperous and peaceful.
The German philosopher Gottfried von Herder once said, “The origin of mankind can be traced back to India where the human mind got its first shape of wisdom and virtue.”These copper plates absoBS
DEFINITION OF HINDUS & HINDUISM
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Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
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Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
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Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
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Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
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Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
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https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
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Vertical Church Kyiv Report 2022-2023: Church at war
Antiquity of Term Hindu
1. *Retired as Deputy General Manager, Research Centre, Escorts Ltd., Faridabad.
*Formerly Faculty Member at I.I.T., Kharagpur and at I.I.T., New Delhi.
*Ph.D. (Theoretical & Applied Mechanics, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1972)
Antiquity and Origin of the Term 'Hindu'
Dr. Murlidhar H. Pahoja*
The anti-Hindu historians like Romila Thapar 1
and D.N. Jha 2
have opined that
the word 'Hindu' was given currency by the Arabs in the 8th
century. They
however, do not explain the basis of their conclusion nor do they cite any
evidence in support of their claim. Even Arab Muslim writers do not make such
an extravagant claim 3
. Another theory propounded by European writers is that
the word 'Hindu' is a Persian corruption of 'Sindhu' resulting from the Persian
practice of replacing 'S' with 'H'. Even here, no evidence is cited. In fact the word
Persia itself contains 'S' which should have become 'Perhia' if this theory was
correct. The present paper examines the above two theories in the light of
epigraphic and litereary evidence available from Persian, Indian, Greek, Chinese
and Arabic sources. The evidence appears to support the conclusion that 'Hindu'
like 'Sindhu', has been in use since the Vedic age and that although 'Hindu' is a
modified form of 'Sindhu', its origin lies in the Saurashtran practice of
pronouncing 'H' in place of 'S'.
1. Epigraphic Evidence :
The Hamadan, Persepolis and Naqsh-I-Rustam Inscriptions4
of Persian monarch
Darius mention a people 'Hidu' as included in his empire. These inscriptions are
dated between 520-485 B.C.4
This fact establishes that the term 'Hi(n)du' was
current more than 500 years before Christ. Xerexes, successor of Darius, in his
inscriptios4
at Persepolis, gives names of countries under his rule. The list
includes 'Hidu'. Xerexes was ruling between 485-465 B.C.4
On a tomb in
Persepolis, another inscription assigned to Artaxerexes (404-395 B.C.)4
, there
2. Page 2 of 8
2
are three figures above which are inscribed 'iyam Qataguviya' (this is Satygidian),
'iyam Ga(n)dariya' (this is Gandhara) and 'iyam Hi(n)duviya' (this is Hi(n)du).
The Asokan inscriptions (3rd
century B.C.)5
, repeatedly use expressions like
'Hida' (fgn) for 'India' and 'Hida loka' (fgn yksd) for 'Indian nation'. 'Hida' and its
derivative forms are used more than 70 times in the Ashokan inscriptions. For
instance in the Jaugadha, separate rock edict II, the lines 3 &4, read,
lo eqfulk es itkA vFk itk;s bNkfe fdafr es los.kk fgrlq[ksu ;qts;qA vFk itk;s bNfe fdafr
es losu fgrlq[ksu ;qts;w fr fgnfgnfgnfgnyksfxd ikyyksfdds.k gsoaeso es bN loeqfulslqA
(All men are my people. I desire for my people that they may be provided with all
welfare and happiness. I desire for my people, including the people of Hind and
beyond and I desire for all men.)
The Edict further, says in lines 7 & 8,
ee fufera p /kaea pys;w fr fgnfgnfgnfgnyksxa p ikyyksxa p vkyk/k;s;wA
(Dhamma may be followed and and the people of Hind and beyond may be
served.)
The Ashokan inscriptions establish the antiquity of the name 'Hind' for India to
atleast third century B.C.
In Persepolis Pahlvi inscriptions of Shahpur II (310 A.D.) the king has the titles
shakanshah hind shakastan u tuxaristan dabiran dabir, "king of Shakastan,
minister of ministers of Hind Shakastan and Tukharistan".6
The epigraphic evidence from the Achaemenid, Ashokan and Sasanian Pahlvi
records, puts a question mark on the theory about the term 'Hindu' having
originated in Arab usage in the 8th
century A.D. Literary evidence takes the
antiquity of the word 'Hindu' back to atleast 1000 B.C. and possibly 5000 B.C.
3. Page 3 of 8
3
2. Evidence from Pahlvi Avesta :
In the Avesta, Hapta-Hindu is used for Sanskrit Sapta-Sindhu7
, the Avesta
being dated variously between 5000-1000 B.C. This indicates that the term
'Hindu' is as old as the word 'Sindhu'. Sindhu is a Vedik term used in the
Rigveda. And therefore, 'Hindu' is as ancient as the Rigveda.
In the Avestan Gatha 'Shatir', 163rd
Verse speaks of the visit of Veda Vyas to
the court of Gustashp and in the presence of Zorashtra, Veda Vyas introduces
himself saying 'man marde am Hind jijad' 8
- I am man born in 'Hind'. Veda Vyas
was an elder contemporary of Shri Krishna (3100 B.C.).
3. Greek Usage
The Greek term 'Indoi' is a softened form of 'Hindu' where the initial 'H' was
dropped as the Greek alphabet has no aspirate9
. This term 'Indoi' was used in
Greek literature by Hekataeus (late 6th
century B.C.) and Herodotus (early 5th
century B.C.) 9
, thus establishing that the Greeks were using this derivative of
'Hindu' as early as 6th
century B.C.
4. The Hebrew Bible :
The Hebrew bible uses 'Hodu' 10
for India, which is a Judaic form of 'Hindu'. The
Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is considered earlier than 300 B.C.10
Today's
Hebrew spoken in Israel also uses Hodu for India.
5. The Chinese Testimony :
The Chinese used the term 'Hien-tu' for 'Hindu' about 100 B.C.11
While
describing movements of the Sai-Wang (100 B.C.), the Chinese annals state that
the Sai-Wang went towards the South and passing Hien-tu reached Ki-Pin11
.
4. Page 4 of 8
4
Later Chinese travellers Fa-Hien (5th
century A.D.) and Huen-Tsang (7th
century
A.D.) use a slightly modified term 'Yintu' 12
but the affinity to 'Hindu' is still
retained. This term 'Yintu' continues to be used till today 13
.
6. Pre-Islamic Arabic Literature :
Sair-ul-Okul14
is an anthology of ancient Arabic poetry available in the Turkish
library Makhtab-e-Sultania in Istambul. In this anthology is included a poem by
Prophet Mohammed's uncle Omar-bin-e-Hassham. The poem is in praise of
Mahadev (Shiva), and uses 'Hind' for India and 'Hindu' for Indians. Some verses
are quoted below:
Wa Abaloha ajabu armeeman Mahadevo
Manojail ilamuddin minhum wa sayattaru
(If but once one worships Mahadev with devotion,
One will attain the ultimate salvation.)
Wa sahabi Kay yam feema Kamil Hinda e Yauman,
Wa Yakulam na latabahan foeennak Tawajjaru.
( Oh Lord grant me but one day's sojourn in Hind,
Where one can attain spiritual bliss.)
Massayare akhalakan hasanan Kullahum,
Najumam aja at Summa gabul Hindu.
( But one pilgrimage there gets one all merit,
And the company of great Hindu saints.)
The same anthology has another poem by Labi-bin-e Akhtab bin-e Turfa who is
dated 2300 before Mohammed i.e. 1700 B.C. This poem also uses 'Hind' for
India and 'Hindu' for Indian. The poem also mentions the four Vedas Sama,
Yajur, Rig and Athar. This poem is quoted on columns in the Laxmi Narayan
Mandir in New Delhi, popularly known as Birla Mandir (Temple) 8
. Some verses14
are as follows:
5. Page 5 of 8
5
Aya muwarekal araj yushaiya noha minar Hinda e,
wa aradakallha manyonaifail jikaratun.
( Oh the Divine land of Hind, blessed art thou,
thou art chosen land showered with divine knowledge.)
Wahalatjali Yatun ainana sahabi akhatun jikra,
Wahajayahi yonajjalur rasu minal Hindatun.
( That celetial knowledge shines with such brilliance,
Through the words of Hindu saints in fourfold abundance.)
Yakuloonallaha ya ahlal araf alameen kullahum,
fattabe-u jikaratul Veda bukkun malam yonajjaylatun.
( God enjoins on all, follow with devotion,
path shown by Veda with divine percept.)
Wahowa alamus Sama wal Yajur minallahay Tanajeelan,
Fa e noma ya akhigo mutibayan Yobasshariyona jatun.
( Overflowing with knowledge are Sama and Yajur for Man,
Brothers, follow the path which guides you to salvation.)
Wa isa nain huma Rig Athar nasahin ka Khuwatun,
Wa asanat Ala-udan wabowa masha e ratun,
( Also the two Rig and Athar(va) teach us fraternity,
taking shelter under their lusture, dispels darkness.)
7. 'Hindu' in Sanskrit Literature :
Another doubt created by the modern day anglicized historian is that the term
'Hindu' is not found used in Sanskrit literature. This misconception can be
dispelled by quoting from Sanskrit works15
:
Meru tantra (es#rU=) (4th
to 6th
century A.D.), a Shaiva text, comments on 'Hindu'.
ghghghghua p nwnwnwnw";R;so fgUnqfjR;qP;rs fiz;sA
(Hindu is one who discards the mean and the ignoble.)
6. Page 6 of 8
6
The same idea is expressed in Shabda Kalpadruma ('kCndYinzqe),
ghghghghua nwnwnwnw"k;fRk bfr fgUnwA
Brihaspati Agam (c`gLifr vkxe) says,
fgfgfgfgeky;a lekjH; ;kofnUnqUnqUnqUnq ljksoje~A
ra nsofufeZra ns'ka fgUnqLFkkua izp{krsAA
(Starting from Himalaya upto Indu waters is this God-created country Hindustan)
Parijat Haran Natak (ikfjtkrgj.k ukVd) describes Hindu as,
fgfgfgfgufLr rilk ikiku~ nSfgdku~ nqnqnqnq"Vekulku~A
gsfrfHk% 'k=qoxZa p l fgUnqfgUnqfgUnqfgUnqjfHk/kh;rsAA
(Hindu is one who with penance washes one's sins and evil thoughts and with
arms destroys one's enemies.)
Madhava Digvijaya (ek/ko fnfXot;) states,
vksadkjewyeU=k<~; iqutZUe–<k'k;%A
xksHkäks Hkkjrxq#fgZUnqfgZalunw"kd%AA
(One who meditates on Omkar as the primeal sound, believes in karma &
reincarnation, has reverence for the cow, who is devoted to Bharat, and abhors
evil, is deserving of being called Hindu.)
Vriddha Smriti (o`) Le`fr) defines Hindu as,
fgafgafgafgal;k nwnwnwnw;rs ;'p lnkpj.krRijA
osnxksizfreklsoh l fgUnqeq[k'CnHkkd~AA
(One who abhors the mean and the ignoble, and is of noblebearing,
who reveres the Veda, the cow, and the deity, is a Hindu.)
7. Page 7 of 8
7
Similarly other Sanskrit works which use the term 'Hindu' are, Kalika Puran,
Bhavishya Puran, Adbhut Kosh, Medini Kosh, Ram Kosh etc 8,15
. Even Kalidas
has used a derivative form 'Haindava' 16
.
8. 'Hindu' and 'Sindhu'
Another theory says that 'Hindu' originated from the Persian practice of replacing
'S' with 'H'. This does not seem to be true is evident from the fact that Sindh has
not become Hind and both Sindh and Hind exist in Persian as well as Arabic. The
inscriptions of Darius and Xerexes which describe India as Hi(n)du, also use the
term 'Sugd' for Sogdiana. This 'Sugd' should have become 'Hugd' as per this
theory. The Pahlvi inscription of Shahpur II, uses 'S' in Shakastan and
Tuxaristan.
But it cannot be denied that Hindu is a form of Sindhu. It needs to be realised
that this change from S to H is common in Saurashtra where Sorath becomes
Horath, Somnath becomes Homnath and so on. The form Hindu is therefore,
likely to have come from Saurashtra.
It should also be noted that as per Nirukta rules of grammar, in the Vedik
language, replacement of S with H is permitted 17
.
9. Conclusion :
Epigraphic evidence takes the antiquity of 'Hindu' back to atleast 500 B.C. Use of
'Hindu' as part of 'Hapta-Hindu' in the Avesta suggests that 'Hindu' is as old as
'Sindhu' and therefore, belongs to the Vedic age.
Regarding the origin of 'Hindu' from 'Sindhu', the Saurashtran practice of
pronouncing 'H' in place of 'S' provides the answer.
8. Page 8 of 8
8
REFERENCES:
1. Thapar, Romila., A history of India, vol 1, Harmondsworth, 1966.
2. Jha, D.N., Ancient India in Historical Outline, Manohar, New Delhi, 1998.
3. Dowson, J., The History of India as Told by its Own Historians, Low Price
Publications, Delhi, 1990.
4. Chattopadhyaya, S., The Achaemenids and India, Munshiram Manoharlal,
new Delhi, 1974.
5- ik.Ms;] jktcyh-] v'kksd ds vfHkys[k] Kkue.My] okjk.klh] laor 2022-
6. Herzfeld, E., Kushano-Sasanian Coins, Archaeolgical Survey of India,
New Delhi, 1998.
7. Damodaran, E., India the Cradle of Mankind, Sahayog Publications,
Mumbai, 1999.
8- rulq[kjke xqIr] fgUnq /keZ ifjp;] lw;ZHkkjrh izdk'ku] ubZ fnYyh] 1997-
9. Rawlinson, H.G., India and the Western World, Rai Book Service, Delhi,
1977.
10. Achtemeier, Paul J. (Ed.), Harper's Bible Dictionery, Theological
Publications in India, Bangalore, 1990.
11. Konow, S., Kharoshti Inscriptions, Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, vol 2,
Pt 1, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, 1991.
12- ekFkqj] fot;sUnzdqekj] ,sfrgkfld LFkkukoyh] jktLFkku fgUnh xzUFk vdkneh] t;iqj]
1990-
13. Chinese Equivalents of Place Names in India and Environs, Survey of India,
Dehradun, 1987.
14. Oak, P.N., World Vedik Heritage, pp 687-698, P.N. Oak, 1984.
15- 'kekZ] lqjsUnz] fgUnw /keZ vkSj laLd`fr] fo".kq izdk'ku] isrfyax t;] eysf'k;k-
16. Asiatic Researches, Vol 3, pp 369, Cosmo Publications, New Delhi, 1980.
17- 'kkL=h]ek/kokpk;Z-] ^fgUnw dkSu*]dY;k.k&fgUnw laLd`fr vad]xksj[kiqj] la 2050-