Q: When was the VEDAS composed ?
A: According to the English translator of the VEDAS, the Oxford University [U.K] Professor Max Muller of 19th. Century, estimated that the Vedic period was over around 1500 B.C. The recent satellite picture of India shows that the river Saraswati [mentioned in the Rig-veda] was dried up around 2000 B.C. & thus the fall of the Mohanjo-daro & Harappan civilization. Moreover, from the present position of the Pleiades which is at the latitude of~ fifty degrees from the vernal equinox [precession of the equinox is 72 years per degree], supports the estimated time frame of Prof. Muller.

Q: What is the definition of “TIME” in Hinduism?
A: In Hinduism “TIME” is cyclical and the Cosmic time interval is defined as the Expansion & Contraction of the COSMOS [the Universe] at the rate of 4.32 billion years [and this is the time period of the Creation-Destruction-Recreation cycle of the Universe]. Another time cycle which is the sum total time periods of the four ages [named as Maha-yuga: Krita, Treta, Dvapara & Kali] amounts to 4.32 million years [which also follows the same cyclic rule, but one thousandth part smaller than the Cosmic time scale] & this is the micro-Cosmic time period of birth-life-death-incarnation cycle of the human beings. According to the Hindu Astronomer Aryabhata of 5th century C.E., the Sun, the Moon and all the planets, are in conjunction at Vernal equinox, in the interval of 4.32 million years.

Q: Why the monkey-god “HANUMAN” is worshipped?
A: The monkey–god HANUMAN was a great devotee of the god-incarnate RAMA, the main character of the epic poem in Sanskrit “RAMAYANA”, composed by the sage VALMIKI. Hanuman was such a great devotee of Rama that only Hanuman could cross the ocean by one jump while chanting the name of the Lord Rama & even the Lord himself could not do so. Hanuman became the GOD himself by the power of devotion & thus the people worship Hanuman as GOD. The sage VALMIKI composed the story of Ramayana in the “Krita- Yuga“ [the golden age], when the four-fold [or complete] aspect of TRUTH, used to prevail in the Society & close contact existed among the gods, the human beings & the animals. We are at the fourth age: “Kali-Yuga” [the iron age], when only ONE aspect of the TRUTH, remains in the Society, so we need both the KNOWLEDGE & WORSHIP.
According to the Indian Saint Sri Ramakrishna of the 19th.century, the one truth of the Iron–age, is the SYNCHRONIZATION of one’s MIND, SPEECH & ACTION.

Q: What is "DEATH" in Hinduism?
A: According to Hinduism, the Supreme Being [or SOUL or UNIVERSAL POWER], resides in the heart of every individual as personal God [or apparent SOUL]. The BODY of the individual follows the cycle of "birth-death-rebirth", governed by the law of ACTION [or Karma]. The individual soul gets an opportunity to make life better thru this cycle of "birth-death-rebirth", until it realizes the "ONENESS" of the SOUL. The Vedantic conception of "immortality" is the KNOWLEDGE of the "ONENESS" of the SOUL. The BODY dies but the SOUL [or Supreme Being] exits ETERNALLY. The "book of death" in Hinduism, is the"KATHA UPANISAD" [the conversation between a student & the teacher who is the God of Death].

Q: What is the significance of the symbol "AUM"[or OM]?
A: The sound-symbol "AUM" [or OM] is always used at the beginning and at the end of any Mantra or Chanting & thus making a dam to increase the power of the mantra or chanting.The significance of this symbol are as follows:

1. the symbol "AUM" represent the ONE UNIVERSAL POWER which governs every dynamical system of the cosmos.
   
2. After the THREE-FOLD division of this symbol as A, U, M which are the THREE POWER OPERATORS of the cycle of birth-life-death.
   
3. The FIVE -FOLD division as A-U-M, represent the FIVE POWER[or Energy] ingredients of the Universe, such as Earth, Air, Water, Fire and the Space.
   
4. This sound -symbol AUM is sung by using the SEVEN musical notes.
   

Q. Who is the GODDESS SARASVATI?

1. From RIG-VEDA SANHITA: Book 10, Sukta 125. In this sukta, the Goddess SARASVATI is the divine "ONE"[VAK], who is the transcendental ONE BRAHMAN [the Absolute] and also is the immanent CREATING FORCE of the Universe.
   The 19th. century English translator Ralph T.H. Griffith' comments on this sukta: "VAK is Speech personified, the Word, the first creation and representative of Spirit, and the means of communication between men and Gods. Here She is said to be the daughter of the Risi Ambhrina."
   
2. From KENO Upanisad: The Goddess is the Universal Power and She appeared before the king of the Gods, Indra as the divine mother "UMA"[Light] with four hands, bestowing
   1. Dharma[Knowledge],
   2. Artha [Wealth],
   3. Kama [Pleasure],
   4. Moksa [Liberation].
3. From the MARKANDEYA PURANA: Here the Goddess VAK is considered as the Mother of the Universe [SAKTI], who is the Source of all Creation, and She is manifested as the
   1. Sarasvati [the Goddess of Learning and Intelligence]
   2. Lakshmi [the Goddess of Wealth]
   3. Kali [the Goddess of Liberation]
4. From SANKHYA PHILOSOPHY: The Goddess is the dynamic aspect of the "ONE" as" PRAKRITI", and the static aspect of the "ONE" as "PURUSA".
   
5. The Goddess Sarasvati [no.1 of c.] is worshipped on the fifth day from the first New Moon, after the winter solstice [Bengali month Magha panchami].

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