Chapter 1: ESSENCE OF HINDUISM -- upcoming new book by Chander Mehra

"When the nations of the earth were sent forth one after the other, a special word was given by God to each, the word which was to express the particular message of each. To Egypt, the word was science, to Greece, it was beauty, to Rome the word was law, and to India, He gave a word that summed up the whole in one, the word Dharma, which means a code of duty.  Duty towards God and His people, society, animals and birds, the love for all creation."

These are the words of Dr. (Mrs) Annie Besant, the renowned 19th century co-founder of the Theosophical Society. Coming as it did from a non-Hindu, the words sum up the essence of Hinduism.

Hinduism is not doctrinaire, nor is it dogmatic. It shows the perfect path for perfection in a pragmatic way. Fundamentalism and narrow-mindedness have no room for those who lead the Hindu way of life.

Equally importantly, Hinduism is an egalitarian theology with belief in one God -- Om or Omkara, the sacred seed-syllable in the Vedas, which is the compact representation of the Absolute Truth for all humanity.

Hinduism is the only religion in the world which has neither a single founder nor a lone scripture, nor does it have a clearly-defined creed to which allegiance must be owed. In fact, Hinduism is a way of life, a positive way. A Hindu may be a monotheist, monist or idol-worshipper, a vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

• "Let us hear with our ears what is auspicious; let us behold with our eyes what is auspicious. With firm-limbed bodies, may we spend the God-allotted span of praising Thee: Peace, Peace, Peace." (Om, Shanti, Om Shanti, Om Shanti).
• This peace hymn has come down to Hindus from dateless past, giving the basic approach of the Indian spirit. In Hindu tradition, a god is not exclusive. He lives in friendliness with gods. In essence, "other" gods are His own manifestations. In this tradition, He also has no rigid form and is conceived in widely different ways: Plurally, singly, monoistically.
• God also recognizes no single favorite intermediary but reveals Himself to all who approach Him with devotion and wisdom. The Hindu tradition also accords the fullest freedom of worship.. Not only has every one the right to worship his God in his own way  but every God is also entitled to the worship of His own devotees: freedom, indeed, both for human beings and gods.