If we accept this truth, - and there seems to be no reason why we should
not - the question is irrelevant. How can you ask the age of a religion that
does not exist? If we are talking about any religion as Hindu religion, it
started in the prehistoric days, when the aboriginal men were slowly
trying to understand the mysteries of their own existence and the
mysteries of the world around them and were trying to build a stable
society. It was founded on the survival of the fittest. When a Hindu talks
about Sanadhana Dharma (Eternal Religion), he actually means this:
How old is the religion, which is so amorphous and undefined without
form and consistent content? And it is true that is how Hinduism is
defined. A religion of Self - started with the beginning of man – the
fallen man. Probably even long before – before the creation of man
among other created fallen beings.
Theistic Hinduism
It is therefore important that we make sure to categorize the Hindu
religious groups. We will talk henceforth about the "Theistic Hindu
Forest" avoiding the clutter of other traditions, though it is often mixed
up and impossible to isolate. One problem talking to my Hindu brothers
was their ability to jump from one tree to another as occasion demanded.
Therefore, we need to concentrate and address those groups who have
authority, who has a well-defined scripture and who has norms and fixed
traditions to get anywhere. The normal Hindu will hold on to it only so
far it can be held without problem; once challenged he will leave it and
embrace another. It will be a futile attempt of chasing after the shadows.
In another chapter, I have tried to interpret and understand the special
interpretations of Hinduism by various intellectual giants. Nevertheless,
there are many others, which go deeper into (Abhichara) witchcraft and
god manipulation by mantras and tantras, which are not commonly dealt
with. These are based on the realism that spirits are not divine beings but
are like humans - essentially fallen. By suitable means, they too can be subjected to serve the priesthood of man. Once subjugated they too will
become slaves to the person and can be exploited. But they need to be
kept constantly in chains. There is a whole realm of spirits in existence in
the created universe. Among them are fallen beings like man, each trying
to control other beings.
