Hinduism Clarified and Simplified

(xv) Belief in Saguna and Nirguna: Hindus have different ways of worshipping, and believe in God without Qualities (Nirguna Brahman) and God with Qualities (Saguna Brahman).

(xvi) Kaivalya Prãpti (Moksha): Hindus believe in eternal emancipation or liberation from the ties of the world, unity with the Almighty, or salvation through perfect purity.

Without getting at the root of these beliefs one can hardly understand Hinduism and Hindu culture.

(viii) Prayer and worship: Prayers and worship of Hinduism are based on devotion and yoga. It has the widest possible range of prayers and ways of worshipping.

(ix) Idol worship: By establishing temples and putting idols in it the Hindus declare the existence of God and worship His existence.

(x) Purities-impurities and touchables and untouchables: Hindus have definite scientific reasons for touching or not touching a particular thing or whether something is pure or impure but these things became a part of religion. So, people seldom think of the scientific reasons.

(xi) Belief in yagyas (yajna) and mahãyagyas: There are numerous yagyas and five mahãyagyas that Hindus perform.

(xii) Belief in Vedas and other Scriptures: Hindus have unmatched faith in the Vedas, Upanishadas, Purãnas and other numerous Scriptures. They use this or that part of this or that Scripture in each pooja, yagya or mahayagya. Incidentally, there is no occasion when they can use the complete Scriptures because the Scriptures cover a vast area.

(xiii) Faith in Karma, the seed of karma, Samskãrs: Hindus believe in the actions and deeds and the rewards and punishments (kriyã and pratikriyã).

(xiv) Belief in Rebirth: Hindus believe in the immortality of soul that does not perish with death and after a certain time takes rebirth.

Hinduism accepts sixteen basic principles that are the pillars of religion.

(i) Moral Behaviour: It includes all physical activities that must have proximity with religious teachings and in the best interest of others.

(ii) Purity in thought: It aims solely on the improvement in the inner-self and emancipation.

(iii) Obey the division in social set up: It includes living within and fulfilling the duties associated with the Varna one belongs to.

(iv) Chastity and faithfulness of women: The happiness and development of a family depends on the chastity and faithfulness of women; if otherwise, the family will be ruined.

(v) To follow the four stages in life: By following it the life remains organised.

(vi) Belief in a world of spirits: The concrete world is protected by the abstract world.

(vii) Unshakable faith in the Divine Power of the Absolute God: The Hindus believe in God and the incarnations of the Gods and Demons or rãkshas.