What is the meaning of the word “Hindu” ?
The word “Hindu” was of a far, far later origin; during the Greek period of history, Greeks and West Asians used the term Indu/Hindu with reference to the people living beyond the banks of the River Indus, and later the name began to be ascribed to the religion of the land also. ‘Hindu’ thus has only a geographical connotation and derivation; but, nevertheless, it has come to stay. It is interesting to note that the word is not used by Indians in their descriptions or writings till the 17th century. If we go by the original definition of the word Hindu, any one who lives in the subcontinent is a Hindu and whatever religion he or she practices is Hinduism. The word Hindu is a secular word and literally translated it means Indian and the word Hinduism denotes any religion or religions that are practiced by the multitude of people living in the land beyond the river Indus. The religion was used to be known as “Vaidika Dharma” or “Vedic Dharma” and even “Yoga Dharma”), as it has the Vedas
