Religious Appeal in Ancient India

Hinduism is more of a way of life than a Religion. It is present with every possible name and form for Truth or the Divine. This is because Hinduism requires that we see the same reality in all the diversity of creation – that we see the same Self in all beings. It is not because Hinduism is trapped in the diversity of name and form but because its sense of unity is inclusive. Hinduism is not attached even to its own names and forms, however diverse. It can accommodate the names and forms of all religions into its view.

This universal view pervades the form of the teachings of Hinduism, which consists of many different approaches to the same One Reality. It allows the teaching of Hinduism to include all time and all religion, and affords it a characteristic tolerance and combined view of life. Hindu’s mode of living is governed by what is called the “Caste System”. This fourfold caste consists of the Brahmins or the priests, the Kshatriyas or the warriors, The Vaishyas or the merchants or artisans and lastly the Sudras or the servants whose sole purpose is to serve the other three classes.

No one imparts a person into these classes. One has to be born a Brahmin or a Vaishya. The question of why one person is born in one caste and one in the other again depends on ones deeds. At first everyone is born a Brahmin, as a consequence of one’s conduct, one again takes birth in a different order. This appealed to the Rich and the people who were already a high caste, because they would live in luxury until death.

In India, change was happening. Many new religions appeared and many forms of worship came about. Not only was this in India, but the world was going through this change. Different groups were attracted to different religions. Many religions evolved and suited peoples needs, thus prospering.