Karma-yoga
- The yoga of selfless action
- In the Karma-yoga, one must understand selfless action binds the soul. In the performance of selfless action one is relieved from the reactions to self-centered activities. The Karma-yoga suggests that all activities relate to a greater cause. On the highest level, the yoga refers to unreserved dedication to serve the ultimate lord.
Jnana-yoga
- Philosophical research and wisdom
- Jnana-yoga promotes the acquisition of knowledge through seclusion, study, and sense abnegation. Activities and the necessities of life are minimized and the pursuit of wisdom is not only acedemic but also about becoming free from the sensual desire of the soul.
Ashtanga/Raja Yoga
- Physical exercises and meditation
- Asta, meaning eight, refers to the eight essential stages based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These are explored mostly in the Bhagavad-gita and many types of modern yoga are related. The eight stages are discussed in the sutras and talk about the superstates of consciousness.
Bhakti-yoga
- The path of devotional service
- This is the path most recommended in the Gita. It combines all the yogas and is the predominant path toward spiritual fulfillment. Includes the external symbolic worship and other practices such as the pilrimage and inner development. Has been presented to those with emotional dispositions rather than intellectual ones more often than not. Also stress the importance of developing bhakti based on knowledge and the importance of grace in achieving spiritual knowledge. The goals of Bhakti transcend past enjoyment and liberation and aim at selfless sercive to God.
Murti
- Worship of the murti or sacred image is essential and central to Hinduism. Although it was rejected in the nineteenth century as outdated and superstitious sacred-image worship is still a major concept in the faith for helping many followers to develop and maintain their relationship with God
Trimurti
- The three main deities of the material world are called the trimurti or three deities. These deities are Braham, Vishnu, and Shiva. They fulfill the creation, sustenance, and destruction roles set by God. God also exists beyond the material world as an impersonal force and as the Supreme Being.
Puja: Ritual Worship
- Puja refers to worship of the sacred image usually. Each separate denomination has different rules for worship and the details vary considerably. Puja usually involves bathing the deity and offerings of various items such as water, food, perfume, and flowers. The ceremony generally includes a minimum of 16 devotional acts.
Janmashtame Celebration
- This festival celebrates the birth of Krishna. The people sing to him, dancing for him, and honoring him with a special puja. People also prepare special food for the two-day festival. Krishna is celebrated because he faced many moral dangers in his lifetime, all of which he prevailed above. He was also considered to be the eighth incarnation of Vishnu.
Dussehra
- This day is celebrated for Rama killing the Deamon-King, while also rescuing his wife Sita. In other words it shows the triumph of good over evil. Although the festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the country, everyone celebrates with enthusiasm. Ramilila is the main focus in the northern part of the country and the triumph over the Goddess Durga is the focus.
Varanasi
- One of the most famous places, Varanasi is on right next to the Ganges about 450 miles south of Delhi. May be one of the oldest cities left on earth and is mentioned as the foremost city of Shiva. Hindus travel to Varanasi in hope of achieving liberation. Many people are also transported there after their death to be cremated.
Puri
- Mathura is an ancient city about 95 miles south of Delhi, and is famous because it is the place of Krishna’s birth. Radha and Krishna are worshipped in it’s main temple and around has 12 sacred forests. People retire here in hope of ending the reincarnation cycle at death.
Jatakarma
- The Jatakarma is the birth ceremony for infants. The father of the baby puts ghee and honey on the infant’s tongue and whispers the name of God in the their ear.
Upanayana – Initiation or sacred thread ceremony
- This ceremony marks a boy’s official acceptance into his varna, and it is essential for the 3 higher classes. This is also the beginning of the spiritual journey where a young man seeks his spiritual identity. This is also when a child takes accepts a spiritual teacher and sometimes a new spiritual name. Once the child accepts their teacher they are given their sacred thread which they usually wear the rest of their life.
Dharma, Varna, Ashrams
- Dharma is a religious obligation to God. The use of dharma in life refers to leading a religious life in harmony with nature defined in scripture. Even though every Hindu has to follow the general moral codes of conduct they each have their own duties that are in accordance with their nature. These codes are regulated by the four Varnas which are the four social classes in Hinduism, and the ashrams which are the stages of life
- The four Varnas are the shudras which are the workers and artisans, the Vaishyas which are the farmers, merchants, and business people, the Kshatriyas which are the police, warriors, and administrators, and the Brahmans which are the priests, Teachers, and intellectuals.
- The Four Ashrams are the Brahmachari which is the student life, the Grihasta which is the household life, the Vanaprashta which is the retired life, and the Sannyasa which is the renounced life.
Music
- Indian music is called sangeet and is considered to have mythological roots associated with the Gandharvas or heavenly singers. The oldest musical texts are the Sama Veda consisting of hymns and ritual songs. From early days music was considered spiritual rather than for entertainment. There are three parts to music in Hinduism, the Guru, Vinaya, and the sadhana.
Other social Issues
- Other than the caste issue many other social groupings and divisions have arisen. These divisions include poverty, the differing views on the role of women, differing opinion on child marriage, sati, which is a devotion to another even into the next life, polygamy, and the dowry system.
