Ask a Hindu/Ask an Indian

[aneeshm]

Okay, so that says what are the criteria, but why? On what grounds can you say that the Geeta is a reliable source? Doesn't that involve circular reasoning, to trust it in the first place?

By reasoning. If we cannot find internal contradictions within the philosophy propounded in the Geeta, and it agrees with observation, then it can be accepted as true.

The Geeta is not an "absolute" scripture, even though God incarnate is the author.

The only "holy" or "absolute" scriptures of Hinduism are the Vedas - and thankfully, they don't mandate much anything at all, so Hindu society is free to evolve, but still has a centre to return to in times of crisis.

(just trying to understand, of course. I am certainly not trying to be antagonistic, in case you were wondering.)

I don't mind in the least. In fact, the more you question, the better for me - it either forces me to change my views if they were wrong, or it confirms them if they were right. It is also good for you - if you agree, then you have learnt something good, if you disagree and can give the reason for your disagreement, then you have convinced another person of the rightness of some of your views.

 

[punkbass2000]

Okay, so that says what are the criteria, but why? On what grounds can you say that the Geeta is a reliable source? Doesn't that involve circular reasoning, to trust it in the first place?

(just trying to understand, of course. I am certainly not trying to be antagonistic, in case you were wondering.)

You can know through personal experience whether it's true or not. And it isn't, incidentally.

 

[aneeshm]

You can know through personal experience whether it's true or not.

Of course. That's a given. I take that so much for granted that it completely slipped my mind that I may need to mention it explicitly.

And it isn't, incidentally.

Could you please elaborate on that a little? I'm rather intrigued here.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

By reasoning. If we cannot find internal contradictions within the philosophy propounded in the Geeta, and it agrees with observation, then it can be accepted as true.

Some of my scriptures are both free from internal contradictions and make claims that fit with observations, and indeed it would not be difficult to come up with a completely new set of scriptures that can do that. That doesn't make them true.

The Geeta is not an "absolute" scripture, even though God incarnate is the author. The only "holy" or "absolute" scriptures of Hinduism are the Vedas - and thankfully, they don't mandate much anything at all, so Hindu society is free to evolve, but still has a centre to return to in times of crisis.

Well, in that case could you give us an overview of the Geeta (is that the same thing as the Gita?) and the Vedas?

 

[aneeshm]

Some of my scriptures are both free from internal contradictions and make claims that fit with observations,

Then they are true.

and indeed it would not be difficult to come up with a completely new set of scriptures that can do that. That doesn't make them true.

Why not? If they agree with observation, and have no contradictions, and can be verified by personal experience and give the way of experiencing them, then why are they not true?

Well, in that case could you give us an overview of the Geeta (is that the same thing as the Gita?) and the Vedas?

The Geeta is basically a description of the different Yogas, or methods of achieving enlightenment. The different Yogic traditions cover all that in much more practical detail, but the Geeta gives us a basic overview, gives us the essence.

Yes, the Gita and Geeta are the same. The latter, however, is the correct pronunciation.

An overview of the Geeta is rather difficult to give. I can give you a link to a good translation, however. At the bottom you will find links to the Eighteen chapters (they're not really very big).

As for an overview of the Vedas - forget it. No chance. Too big and diverse and disparate and disconnected.

 

[Ballazic]

Are arranged marriages commen in india? How do most of the younger generation feel about it?

 

[silver 2039]

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

[aneeshm]

Sort of it depends. It is far less common than it was before but still common fairly. Indian society is conservative. My parents had an arranged marriage for instance it failed after about 18 years, when they divorced. Arranged marriages usually last a while but in my expirence a lot of them fail after a long time.

It usually works, though, if the two partners aren't too incompatible. And it usually works better than a love marriage.

 

[aneeshm]

Are arranged marriages commen in india? How do most of the younger generation feel about it?

Arranged marriages are quite common in India, but the Gandharva form is now regaining popularity.

 

[Flak]

Trust me, you're not.

Yes I perfectly understood what I was asking and I wasn't confused.

The numbers you gave refer to families killing the bride while the husband is still alive, because they want dowry. That's plain murder, nothing else.

This is exactly what I was refferring to. Not Sati. Not anything else.

So I ask again. Considering the thousands that are reported and prosecuted every year, do you think that bride buring will ever stop?



Another question: I can't find any statistics, but is it true that only 1 in 25 arranged marriages end in divorce? That's pretty amazing.

 

[silver 2039]

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

[aneeshm]

Yes there are increasingly harsher peantalies for dowry murder and dowry harassment, and I would say that the whole concept of dowry will eventually be phased out in say 20 years perhaps...among the urban population. Ironically even the urban population practices dowry it boggled my mind when I heard how rich people give away cars and houses as dowry...utterly insane.

Unfortunately, the laws in this regard are rather ********.

98% of dowry harassment cases are fakes - it's just a vindictive woman wanting to ruin the good name of the husband who launches the case as a means of legal intimidation.

Under the law today, you can be sued for calling the cousin of your ex an idiot when he demands your TV set because he is related to your ex (an ex who you were with 25 years ago, and who moved in for one day).

The law needs to be done right, not in the haphazard manner it is implemented and formulated today.

Sounds about right I. Why they stay together for so long even when their incompatiable is usually because they have a kid really quick and stay together because of that. By the time the kids grown up its too late and they're too old to do anything else. It sucks.

I'd disagree. Many couples defer having children, but still stay together.

This is usually because, in an arranged marriage, both people come from the same socio-economic position, caste, religion, culture, they have a common language, and in general everything is mostly similar, including many mental attitudes, so the adjustments that have to be made are completely minimised.

Then, there are two types of people - those who are happy with arranged marriages, and those who are not. The ones who are not, don't usually go for them. The ones who are, tend to be even more similar to each other, temperamentally. So it's a bit self-reinforcing.

I, for instance, am not suited to an arranged marriage - I wouldn't like it too much (I have very sharp tastes in people), and it would be too cruel to some random girl to have me loosed on her.

So I'll most probably go for a Gandharva marriage. There are others who prefer the arranged form (because of its very low risk and even lower responsibility), and it is best for them.

 

[Sophie 378]

Some of my scriptures are both free from internal contradictions and make claims that fit with observations, and indeed it would not be difficult to come up with a completely new set of scriptures that can do that. That doesn't make them true.

Then they are true.



Why not? If they agree with observation, and have no contradictions, and can be verified by personal experience and give the way of experiencing them, then why are they not true?

If this was 100% true and accurate, why are there so many different theories in science about the same things? Especially all those cosmology/astronomy theories that make me go

Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult, I just seem to be having an attack of spotting (perhaps non-existant) logical inconsistancies.

 

[silver 2039]

98% of dowry harassment cases are fakes - it's just a vindictive woman wanting to ruin the good name of the husband who launches the case as a means of legal intimidation.

Heh and 99% of the statistics on the internet without citations are also fake. I would say that is a relatively rare occurance and dowry harassment is all too real.

 

[Sophie 378]

Heh and 99% of the statistics on the internet without citations are also fake. I would say that is a relatively rare occurance and dowry harassment is all too real.

You mean, 57.4% of statistics are made up on the spot?

 

[silver 2039]

You mean, 57.4% of statistics are made up on the spot?

No I thought it was 63.92% of statistics are made up on the spot, while 99% without citations are fake. That I am sure about. There was a study done by a group of Turkmenistani journalists and they came to the same conclusion.

 

[CartesianFart]

Why is it that whenever you go to a convenience store that is owned by a Pakistani or an Indian,that they give facial expression of suspicion and contempt(especially the look of a man who haven't sh!t for days)?

 

[silver 2039]

Why is it that whenever you go to a convenience store that is owned by a Pakistani or an Indian,that they give facial expression of suspicion and contempt(especially the look of a man who haven't sh!t for days)?

Damn white people get out of my store! We automatically assume that you've come to steal our curry and impregnate our daughters. Thus we dislike you especially white teenagers.

 

[CartesianFart]

Damn white people get out of my store! We automatically assume that you've come to steal our curry and impregnate our daughters. Thus we dislike you especially white teenagers.

There is a hot Indian chick that sometimes work on Sunday.

 

[silver 2039]

There is a hot Indian chick that sometimes work on Sunday

Yeah its proabaly his daughter? Is the guy Sikh? If so bewarae...he's liable to castrate you with his ceremonial dagger if you go near her....