Hinduism/Etymology of the words Hindu and Hinduism

Long before the birth of Jesus and Muhammad, the word Hindu was variously used in the context of gentle, beautiful, amiable, adorned, rightful person, who is also the conqueror of enemies.

Alexander led an expedition up to Punjab which is in India’s western borders. This is not now a part of ancient Bharat. At that time, he had the desire to visit the Hindkoot Parvat or Hindukush.

The word Hindu is mentioned in one of the scriptures of Zoroastrians called ‘Shaatir’. In the Zoroastrian (Parsi) holy book Avesta the word Hindu is also stated. It was written hundreds of years before Alexander. So this is the truth.

Interestingly, the Afghan city of Balkh was once called Hindwar. According to the Rigveda, ‘Sa’ and ‘Ha’ are the same thing. These are Sanskrit and according to grammatical and divine rules, they both are used as the same alphabet in particular places and purposes. The Vedic scholar knows about it.

In “Bhavishya Puran” variously refers to the country as Sindhusthan, Hindusthan, or Hindustan. It is called the perfect abode of “Aryas”. Also, in Kalka Purana, the ‘Hindavah’ word is used. ‘Veda margoyam’, people treading on the path of Vedas were called Hindu’.

Indu and Sindhu were, therefore, considered as synonyms. The “Brihaspati Agama” text makes a very specific reference to the word ‘Hindustan’. Also, in "Aashvamedhik Parv" of Mahabharat, ‘Aryavarta’ is called Hindustan or Sindhustan.

A Hindu is one who is virtuous, shuns violence but is simultaneously capable of destroying anarchic elements, and protector of the Vedas and cattle. It must also be noted that the word Hindu also occurs in "Ramkosh" and "Parijaat Haran" Naatak. Play is the closest word to translate the word Naatak. Remember, these are references and all Hindus got the highest regard for these means of information and knowledge.

Another word which is more accurate than Hindu, is Bhaaratiya. People of India are believed to be the descendants of King Bharat. From his name comes the original name of India, Bhaarat, and, those residing in Bhaarat are Bhaaratiye.