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Splashes from Hindu Maha Sagar – 29 Hinduism is a Blend of Science and Faith One of the most remarkable features of Hinduism is that unlike other faiths, its mythology is not confined to any area such as Middle East and time, but has its imprints left over the entire universe. There are several inter-planetary movements of not only of gods and goddesses, but also of sages and mortal beings. The gods, goddesses and sages so created are timeless. They appear and disappear; Hinduism has thus unified abstract scientific knowledge and humanized illustrations for the development of individuals in the form of spiritual literature and mythology. Although mythology is a subject of faith and beliefs but abstract knowledge compiled in books is open to scrutiny at all times. As a matter of fact, Hindu scriptures and text books should be included in the university curriculum so that the various hypotheses could be evaluated by employing modern tools. The concepts in Hinduism are so strong that criticism is not a taboo or blasphemous. Hinduism has thus a blend of Science and faith, and both are complementary to each other. The Evolution Theory The beginning of Indian scientific thought is traced to the Rig Veda. According to Vedas CREATION indicated that when there was no Creator. It is line between indefinable ‘nothingness’ and something defined by attributes and function. It was like the moment before the ‘Big Bang Theory’. These concepts about TRUTH provide cue to the scientific mind and are not mere religion. Manu Smariti (chapter one) refers to evolution of Earth and life on out planet. Several Purans also give details about the origin of our Universe. As per Sage Manu, the first germ of life was developed by water and heat. Water ascends towards the sky in vapors; from the sun it descends in rain, from the rains are born the plants, and from the plants, animals and subsequently humans are born. The ancient thinkers correctly understood the theory of animal life and particularly of man. The Brihat Vishnu Purana states that the aquatic life preceded monkey life, and the monkey life is the precursor of the human life. Darwin also supported this. The ten incarnations of Vishnu explain the same theory in an interesting way since evolution, like everything else, was the manifestation of the supreme spirit (Atman). Chandogya Upanishad also testified the same thought. Karma, the Law of Cause and Effect, Shrimad Bhagvad Gita propounded the law of cause and effect that has been subsequently accepted by the scientist and philosophers of the world today. ‘Karma’ means ‘Action’. It is acceptedscientific truth that ‘Action and Reaction are equal and opposite.’ Doer does an action and its fruit is given by Almighty God and goes to the doer itself. In simple words, ‘Man acts and God reacts. Whatever you sow shall you reap is an eternal law. There are four kinds of Karmas according to their result: - Nishkaam Karmas: The Punya-Karmas done with the intention of attaining Moksha, such as service to mankindand spreading knowledge. Punya Karmas: When Karma and intention both are good, then they are Punya Karmas such as service of mankind. Paap Karmas: Whenaction andintention both are bad Mixed Karmas: When action is good but intention is bad and vice versa.One gets a good harvest but it is a fact that some insects are being killed. Another classification of Karma according to time is as under: Kriyamaan Karmas: done in the present time andnew Karmas are being created. Sanchita Karma:actions done in the past. These are waiting to produce a reaction. Prarabdha:past actions whose reactions are fully manifesting, in our present life. These are mature Karma and are termed as Bhaagya (Destiny). We all come into this world with a certain destiny. It is the Sanskaras due to which a person is born in king's palace or in a poor man's hut. While some are born healthy, handsome, beautiful, fair, black, tall, short, others are weak, retarded, or sick. Man is the architect of his destiny as what happens to us directly or indirectly is the result of our action and also has a choice over our actions. Karma isthe main cause of our existence in this world. An individual is not only affected by his Karma, but also by ‘collective Karma’ that of the community or race to which he belongs. -- Wish you all the best and good luck **Life is like that**
