Karma is the universal law of cause and effect, where every action produces a corresponding result that shapes one's future. Good deeds lead to positive outcomes while harmful actions bring suffering, across this life and future births.
What is Dharma in Hinduism?
Dharma refers to righteous duty, moral law, and cosmic order that sustains the universe. It encompasses one's personal duties based on age, caste, gender, and occupation, as well as universal ethical principles like truthfulness and non-violence.
What is Moksha?
Moksha is the ultimate goal of Hindu life, representing liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). It is achieved when the individual soul (atman) realizes its oneness with Brahman, the supreme reality.
What is Samsara?
Samsara is the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that every soul undergoes until it attains moksha. The quality of each rebirth is determined by accumulated karma from previous lives.
What is Atman?
Atman is the eternal, unchanging soul or true self that exists within every living being. Hindu philosophy teaches that atman is distinct from the body and mind, and is ultimately identical with Brahman, the universal consciousness.
What is Brahman in Hindu philosophy?
Brahman is the ultimate, formless, infinite reality that is the source and essence of everything in the universe. It is described as sat-chit-ananda (existence-consciousness-bliss) and is considered the supreme cosmic principle.
What is Maya in Hinduism?
Maya is the cosmic illusion that makes the material world appear real and separate from Brahman. It veils the true nature of reality and causes beings to identify with their body and ego rather than their eternal soul.
What is the significance of Om in Hinduism?
Om (Aum) is the most sacred syllable and universal sound that represents Brahman and the essence of all creation. It encompasses the three states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—and is chanted at the beginning and end of prayers and meditation.
What does Namaste mean?
Namaste literally means 'I bow to you' and is a greeting that honors the divine spark within every person. It is performed by pressing palms together at the heart chakra, symbolizing the belief that God resides in each being.
What is the significance of Tilak?
Tilak is a sacred mark applied on the forehead between the eyebrows, the location of the Ajna chakra (third eye). It signifies devotion to God, and different styles of tilak represent allegiance to different deities—vertical lines for Vishnu, three horizontal lines for Shiva.
What is the Sacred Thread (Janeu) ceremony?
The Upanayana or sacred thread ceremony marks the spiritual initiation of a young Hindu, traditionally a Brahmin boy, into Vedic learning. The three strands of the thread represent the three Vedic debts—to sages, ancestors, and gods—and the wearer commits to spiritual discipline.
Why do many Hindus practice vegetarianism?
Many Hindus practice vegetarianism based on the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) toward all living beings. Sattvic (pure) foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains are believed to promote spiritual clarity, while meat is considered tamasic and harmful to spiritual progress.
What is the caste system in Hinduism?
The varna system originally described four social divisions based on qualities and occupation: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers). Modern Hinduism increasingly rejects caste-based discrimination, emphasizing that all souls are equal before God.
What are the four Ashrams of life?
The four ashrams are life stages: Brahmacharya (student life of celibacy and learning), Grihastha (householder life of family and work), Vanaprastha (retired life of spiritual reflection), and Sannyasa (renunciation of worldly attachments). Each stage has specific duties and goals.
What are the Purusharthas?
Purusharthas are the four goals of human life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation). They provide a balanced framework where material and spiritual pursuits complement each other.
What are the three Gunas?
The three gunas are fundamental qualities of nature: Sattva (purity, harmony, goodness), Rajas (passion, activity, restlessness), and Tamas (ignorance, inertia, darkness). Every person and thing in creation contains these three qualities in varying proportions.
What is Sattva Guna?
Sattva guna represents purity, wisdom, harmony, and goodness. A person dominated by sattva is calm, truthful, compassionate, and drawn to knowledge and spiritual pursuits. Sattvic foods, thoughts, and actions promote clarity and inner peace.
What is Rajas Guna?
Rajas guna represents passion, activity, ambition, and restlessness. A rajasic person is driven by desire, attachment, and ego, constantly seeking power, pleasure, and worldly achievements. While it fuels action, excess rajas leads to anxiety and dissatisfaction.
What is Tamas Guna?
Tamas guna represents darkness, inertia, ignorance, and lethargy. A tamasic person is prone to laziness, confusion, depression, and destructive behavior. Tamasic foods include stale, overcooked, or intoxicating substances that dull the mind.
What are the seven Chakras in Hinduism?
The seven chakras are energy centers along the spine: Muladhara (root), Svadhisthana (sacral), Manipura (navel), Anahata (heart), Vishuddha (throat), Ajna (third eye), and Sahasrara (crown). Balancing these chakras through yoga and meditation promotes physical and spiritual well-being.
