Hinduism is sometimes compared to a great river. Over thousands of years, many streams of

beliefs, practices, and traditions have flowed into this great river. As a result , Indians may

honor different gods and follow different rituals . But, as you will read, all Hindus share the

same basic beliefs.

Hindus believe that people are born wanting four basic things. All four goals are desirable ,

but not all people achieve all of these goals in a life time.

1. PLEASURE AND SUCCESS:

People begin their lives by wanting pleasure. This may be a simple pleasure such as eating, or

it may be a deeper pleasure such as falling in love.

The Second goal is success. Success may mean graining fame, wealth, or power, or it may

mean becoming important in community in some way. Hindus see nothing wrong with

wanting these things. To desire pleasure and success is human nature. But as desirable as

these goals are, over time. They may leave people feeling empty. By themselves, Hindus

believe, pleasure and success do not bring true happiness.

2. DHARMA:

The third goal is an ethical, moral life. Hindus call living a moral life Dharma. What people

must do to live such a life depends on their age and place in life. Dharma for a student will be

different than dharma for a teacher. For a Hindu, dharma means ( among other things)

fulfilling to the extent possible the duties that are assigned to one ’s caste, or position in life.

These duties for Hindus are spelled out in great detail in a book called “The Laws of Manu”.

The laws cover everything from what a person should eat or wear to how a person should

conduct business. People who do not follow their proper Dharma threaten the social order. In

the Bhagavad-Gita, Kirshna tells Arjuna that it is “better to do one’s own duty imperfectly

than to do antoher’s well.”

3. MOKSHA: The last goal is moksha, or release from life. When this happens, a person ‘s soul

is united with the universal soul. Atman, one’s soul, and Brahman become one.

For Hindus , to become one with God is the purpose of human life. A soul that has achieved

moksha is free from want , fear, and pain. It lives forever in a state of joy.

Hindus believe that few people can achieve moksha in one lifetime. Instead, they believe that

when most people die, their souls live on to be reborn in another body. The rebirth of a soul

in a new body is known as reincarnation. Hinduism teaches that a person may be reborn as a

human being of a higher or lower caste ( or another life form) depending upon the quality of

one’s deeds. The person may be reborn as an animal , or even as an insect. IN the Bhagavad -

Gita, Krishna explains reincarnation in this way:

“ As a man discards

worn out clothes

to put one new

and different ones,

so the embodied self (soul)

discards

its worn-out bodies

to take one other new ones”

…….. Bhagavad-Gita…………

How a person is reborn is determined by the law of karma. Karma is the sum of a person’s

actions and consequences, words, and thoughts. Hindus believe that bad karma-evil acitons

or thoughts---will bring rebirth in a lower form of life. Good karma brings rebirth in a higher

caste or social class.

Hinduism recognizes that people are different. The religion lays out three different paths to

moksha, or become one with God. Hindus may try to follow just one or two of these paths, or

they may try all three at once.

1. The Way of Knowledge:

Traditionally, the way of knowledge was chosen mainly by Brahmins. For one following the

way knowledge, moksha comes with a true understanding of atman and Brahman. Such

understanding does not come easily. “Rare are the wise, who shut their eyes to outside

things.” Say the Upanishads,” and behold [see] the glory of the atman withing.”

2. The Way of Works:

The way of works involves carrying out the religious rituals and duties that will improve one ’s

karma. This has been the path chosen by most Hindus.

People who follow this path pay close attention to dharma, or the duties of their caste. They

offer prayers and food to the gods at temple ceremonies or at informal ceremonies. They do

good deeds without expecting any reward. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna praises “he who

does the task dictated by duty, caring nothing for the fruit [reward] of the action ”

3. The Way of Devotion:

The way of devotion is also known as the Path of Love. People on this path achieve moksha

by devoting themselves to loving God. The Bhagavad-Gita suggests that the way of devotion

is superior to the other ways. This is true partly because any one , regardless of his or her

position in life, can show devotion.

For most Hindus, loving God is easier when he is represented by one of India’s many gods or

goddesses. These lesser gods or goddesses have human forms and personalities. People can

approach loving them much as they might love a parent , a child , or a friend.

The way of devotion takes many forms. People on this path may repeat their god ’s name all

day long. They may present gifts to god’s temple. They may travel to sites sacred to their god.

In all of these ways, Hindus try to move closer to God in their hearts.