Understanding what it means to be a Hindu? by Shashi Tharoor

Dr. Tharoor defines his own Hinduism, and then talks about the Hindu way. He explains why Hinduism was able to survive for thousands of years, and what are its characteristics, which make it possible to differentiate from other semitic religions. His assertions of diversity inside Hinduism, of various customs, faiths, beliefs, gods, and modes of worship, makes it the most eclectic religion. He goes on to explain that it is very difficult to define the right Hindu way, of course there’s none such.

Why I am a Hindu? Well quite simply, I was born as such. And to be very brief, this could be the only reason. But Shashi Tharoor, does not stop here, and goes on explaining what it really means to be a Hindu. He explains what Hinduism stands for? What does it mean to practice Hinduism in the modern world? And the difference between the real Hinduism and created Hindutva?

Well, at first , I was not sure how this book was going to be? Does it try to explain the history of Hinduism origin or give scientific explanations to various Hindu practices, some of which seem very bizarre to me? Or it will talk about the greatness of Hinduism over other religions, and will try to prove that Hinduism is the best religion of the world? Or, politically motivated, he will try to establish strong negatives about the right wing politics in India?

So, to be very fair, I can say it turned out to be none.

The book opens up with the original question posted in the cover. Dr Tharoor answers this question quite frankly, and explains what in daily practice meant for him to be Hindu, whether in childhood days or in present political journey.

A person can call him a Hindu, if he worships Ram, or Krishna , or Shiva, or any other 3,000 gods, or even none of these. He can be astik or nastik. He can worship everyday or never. He can go to temples, or can avoid them. He can chant mantras or prayers or can just sit and talk to the almighty. And, to the very extent , I find it true. The sheer freedom offered in Hinduism is incomparable to other religions. It’s a faith that allows questioning, assertion, and discussion of anything and everything. Nothing is fixed and unquestionable here.

He further goes on questioning some of Hindu customs, noticeably of caste and Hinduism and the ‘Guru’ culture in Hinduism. He also questions the Hindu fatalism, and the belief in fate, which can make us not to actively decide on our actions.

He also talks about the great souls of Hinduism, and briefs about the work of Adi Shankaracharya, the invention of Buddhism and Jainism from Hinduism, the influence of Bhakti movement, and the role of Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and Ram Mohan Roy in redefining the religion.

At the end, he talks about the rise of Hindutva politics and rise of Hindu populism. He presents the thoughts of Savarkar, Golarkar, and Deen Dayal Upadhayay in shaping the ideas of Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh, and the politics of Bharatiya Janata party. He completely disagrees with the Hindutva way, and questions its reasonings.

I found the work quite engaging, sometimes, difficult to comprehend, and sometimes, unsatisfied with some explanations. But, these constraints do not discard reading this book. I suggest this book to anyone who wants to understand Hinduism, its complexities and its beauty.