As per Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita and also Upanishads (independent spiritual treatises), it was only in human form the soul atman within could reach cosmic end of life.
Human form is the highest manifest stage on mother earth in cosmic life cycle. The maximum human beings could evolve was becoming an enlightened one like Mahavira, Gautama Buddha and Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed.
As per Hinduism we are lucky to be born a human, the highest stage on the evolutionary scale. As detailed in Bhagavad Gita only human beings could indulge in spirituality to reach state of enlightenment. Spirituality could never be practiced in lower forms of life.
Hinduism does not differentiate between individuals based on religion, faith or belief even caste. Hinduism believes in the inner entity we called soul atman. All human beings on mother earth as per Hinduism were at different levels of evolution.
The evolutionary journey of soul atman ends when human beings succeeded in gaining enlightenment in their lifetime.
Hinduism does not bar people world over belonging to different religions, faith or believes to follow teachings of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. Every single human being on mother earth could follow teachings of spirituality contained in Bhagavad Gita to reach state of enlightenment.
The noblest part of Hinduism is, remaining wherever we were we could indulge in Indian spirituality to follow teachings of spirituality detailed in Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. To follow Bhagavad Gita one need not convert to Hinduism religion ever. Even while following ones religion one could indulge in Indian spirituality to realize self from within.
The entire teachings of Hinduism had universal appeal, could be followed by any human being world over.
Out of lowliness, immaturity some priests pundits even in present times prohibited people from different castes, even ladies to enter precincts of some temples. Such practices are abhorred by teachings of spirituality contained in Hinduism. The petty thinking of pundits makes matters worse.
The relationship between god and man in Hinduism
Hinduism believes that every single human being on mother earth had the capability within to become a man god like Mahavira, Gautama Buddha and Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed. No human being as per Hinduism was barred from travelling towards god. Hinduism views all religions as distinctive attributes of the only godly attribute we called Dharma.
Hinduism never says that human beings indulge only in rituals for this path never leads to god. The primary scriptures of Hinduism, Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads promote inner journey towards God. The human form was not meant only for praying to god. We as human beings were meant to realize our true inner self, consciousness existing in heart. Despite sayings of scriptures and wise elderly most in India preferred indulging in rituals than pure spirituality.
Only one or two persons in the entire world in a period of about 100 to 200 years successfully indulged in spirituality to become a man god like Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa or Maharshi Ramana.
From the very beginning of life God Almighty keeps reminding human beings to follow him but mankind always looks the other way.
Following path taken by Swami Vivekananda was not a matter of choice for human beings on mother earth. Now or in future manifestations we have to become a Swami Vivekananda in real life. Only then we could expect to reach stage of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa or Maharshi Ramana.
What does it mean to be human in the Hindu religion
Hinduism promotes the underlying unity amongst all forms of life. As a human being we could just not abandon the interest of lower forms of life ever. If for dinner we require shooting one duck, then killing three for the sake of pleasure incurs unpardonable sin. We shall definitely be punished by God for this act of ours towards the lower form of life.
In the evolution hierarchy human form sits at the highest stage. It becomes even more important for human beings to take care of their younger brethren. As detailed in Bhagavad Gita every single species on mother earth had a right to live. If we could not promote the rights of lower forms of life, we had no right to indulge in unjustified killing heaped on them.
Human beings, the highest manifest stage on mother earth had the responsibility to maintain a delicate balance between different forms of life. If we minutely observe travelers of spiritual path, we would find they cared for all forms of life equally. The law of karma was equally applicable to all forms of life. Does not mean if a lion attacks us, we do not save our self!
Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita rightly says to save lives of millions if a few are sacrificed then no sin is committed.
Hinduism promotes the inner being that exists in all human beings including lower forms of life more than the physical self.