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            What is Hinduism exactly? A straight answer is almost impossible because of its complexity. Most of the definitions are either too narrow or too generalized. Hinduism is the name Europeans gave to the religious, cultural, social, political and philosophical beliefs that contribute to the Hindu way of life. Hindus define their religion as Sanatan Dharma or Eternal Faith which has existed for over thousands of years. While India is home to 93% of the world's 816 million Hindus, nearly 60 million are scattered widely across the world with approximately 600,00 in the United States. .
             The name "Hinduism" originally had a geographical connotation. The Aryans who invaded India through the northwestern passage of the Himalayas gave the river that flows through the sub-continent the name Shindu . Hindu is only a corrupt form of Sindhu given to the Aryans by the Greeks. A way of life that is all things to Hindus, the religion encompasses a vast, uncoordinated complex of sects, doctrines, beliefs and practices set in a social framework. It has the unique distinction of having no single founder, no centralized organized hierarchy and no fixed dogmas. It represents instead countless sages and the truths revealed to them over thousands of years in the Vedas. The sanctity of the four Vedas-Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda-is the ultimate authority for all Hindus. While the Vedas is a very important aspect of Sanatan Dharma, the Bhagavad Gita is Hinduism's most widely read literary work. It is basically a dialogue between Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) and the charioteer of Arjuna who refused to kill his own relatives in battle. According to my source, the Bhagavad Gita contains the same principles as the Vedas. However, the Bhagavad Gita is more easily understood. Unlike the major religions of the world Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Hinduism does not advocate the worship of a single divinity.