"HINDU "
By Maharshi Premananda



The prevalent history of the origin of the word "Hindu" as depicted by the historians, seems incongruous with reference to the history of culture and civilisation of the nation. R. gved is universally acknowledged as the oldest among the revealed books and on this base stands "Hindu" ; civilisation. A class of historian tells that the term "Hindu" is nothing but the perverted form of the name of the river "Sindhu". The people who lived on the bank of the river "Sindhu" was termed as "Hindu" by the people living on the far distant lands from the river; as they failed to pronounce the consonant "Sh" (স্ ) "Sha" (স ) was pervertedly pronounced by them as "Ha (হ ).

It bears no logic, as well as any justification. We find that the name of the river (Sindhu) has remain unchanged. Then do we think that the name of the river (Sindhu) has remain unchanged. Then do we think that the name of the mountain "Hindukush" (হিন্দুকুশ ) was originally "Sindhukush" (সিন্দুকুশ )? But that is not the fact.

The names of up-holders of all the religious faiths of the world bear an individual definite meaning of its own. As Christian means "Loving man" (vide oxford), Muslim means a "Farm believer in God", Jain means a "Victorious" over senses. The word is derived from the root 1/- Jain means "Victory" similarly "Sikh" (শিখ)lern. means a learner probably the word is derived from the root (শিস) (Sis) means to lern. But the word "Hindu" remains meaningless or bears a curious meaning.

Then how this curious meaning can be accepted to the wise and analytical minds of the standard bearers of the Religion (faith) following the oldest scripture (R. gved).

The term "Hindu" itself reflects the nature and religion (virtue) of the people following those creeds. The term is self-explanatory of the chracteristics of the "Hindues", though now a day they are far away from those characteristics. If we look at the root from which the word "Hindu' is derived, we shall get the proper meaning of the word as well as the duties and virtues of the nation. The root "Hins" (হিংস্) from which the word "Himsa" (হিংসা ) (violence) is derived, together with the suffix Dur (দুর ) = difficult to perform) form the word " হিন্দুর " (Hindur). In treating philologically we find that the letter "র " (Ra) in হিন্দুর gradually falls in to disuse in course of dialogue and thus forms the word Hindu (হিন্দু ) হিনস > দুর = হিন্দুর > হিন্দু I It means in whose life it is difficult to perform violence. Thus the meaning of the word হিন্দু (Hindu) stands as non-violent. Probably for this reason we hear in Hindu philosophy the great note "Non-violence is the supreme religion".

The word হিন্দু (Hindu) is the perverted form of the (সিন্ধু ) "Sindhu" was originally preached and told by the Western Historians, and not by any orientalist.