Hindu Religion
Legal definition for Indian law research
Definition
Hindu religion, Unlike other religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one God; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set of religious rites or performances; in fact, it does not appear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of any religion or creed. It may broadly be described as a way of life and nothing more, Shastri Yagnapurushdasji v. Muldas Bhundardas Vaishya, AIR 1966 SC 1119 (1128): (1966) 3 SCR 242.
Acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; recognition of the fact that the means or ways of salvation are diverse; and realisation of the truth that the number of gods to be worshipped is large, that indeed is the distinguishing feature of Hindu religion, Commissioner of Wealth Tax v. Late R. Sridharan, (1976) 4 SCC 489: (1976) Supp SCR 478: (1976) 4 SCC 489. See 'Gitarahasya' by B.G. Tilak, pp. 481-82.
Hindu religion is marvelously catholic and elastic. Its theology is marked by eclecticism and tolerance and almost unlimited freedom of private worship. Its social code is much more stringent, but amongst its different casts and sectoins, exhibits wide diversity of practice. No trait is more marked of Hindu society in general than its horror of using the meat of the cow, Bhagwan Koer v. J. C. Bose, 1904 ILR 31 Cal 11: 30 IA 249.
Acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; recognition of the fact that the means or ways of salvation are diverse; and realisation of the truth that the number of gods to be worshipped is large, that indeed is the distinguishing feature of Hindu religion, Commissioner of Wealth Tax v. Late R. Sridharan, (1976) 4 SCC 489: (1976) Supp SCR 478: (1976) 4 SCC 489. See 'Gitarahasya' by B.G. Tilak, pp. 481-82.
Hindu religion is marvelously catholic and elastic. Its theology is marked by eclecticism and tolerance and almost unlimited freedom of private worship. Its social code is much more stringent, but amongst its different casts and sectoins, exhibits wide diversity of practice. No trait is more marked of Hindu society in general than its horror of using the meat of the cow, Bhagwan Koer v. J. C. Bose, 1904 ILR 31 Cal 11: 30 IA 249.
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