Hinduism: A Complete Guide to Hindu Religion, Beliefs, Scriptures and Traditions

What Is Hinduism?

Hinduism is a diverse family of religious and philosophical traditions originating in the Indian subcontinent. It includes numerous spiritual paths, schools of philosophy, scriptures, forms of worship, rituals and cultural traditions.

Hinduism does not have a single historical founder, one central religious institution or one universally binding statement of faith. Instead, Hindu traditions developed over a very long period through different communities, teachers, philosophical schools and devotional movements.

Hindu traditions may approach the Divine through devotion to a particular deity, philosophical inquiry, meditation, disciplined action, ritual practice or a combination of these approaches.

Important concepts found across many Hindu traditions include dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, atman and Brahman.

Hinduism at a Glance

Main Beliefs of Hinduism

Hinduism contains many different theological and philosophical traditions. Nevertheless, several concepts are especially important in Hindu thought.

Dharma

Dharma is one of the most important concepts in Hindu thought. Depending on context, it can refer to duty, righteousness, ethical conduct, religious responsibility or the principles that sustain an ordered life.

Karma

Karma relates to action and its consequences. In Hindu philosophical traditions, karma is particularly connected with ethical action, future experience and the cycle of rebirth.

Samsara

Samsara refers to the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Many Hindu traditions understand ordinary existence as involving repeated cycles of existence.

Moksha

Moksha generally means liberation. It is commonly understood as liberation from samsara and the limitations associated with conditioned existence.

Atman

Atman is commonly translated as the self or innermost self. It is especially important in the Upanishads and later Hindu philosophical traditions.

Brahman

Brahman, particularly in Vedantic philosophy, refers to ultimate reality. Different schools explain the relationship between Brahman, the individual self and the world in different ways.

These concepts are explored individually throughout the Hinduism section of ShivMarg.

Hindu Gods and Deities

Hinduism includes an enormous diversity of deities and divine forms. Different Hindu traditions place different deities at the center of devotion and theology.

Shiva

Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and is especially important in Shaivism. He is associated with transformation, meditation, asceticism and many other dimensions of Hindu theology.

Vishnu

Vishnu is one of the principal Hindu deities and is associated with preservation and protection. Hindu traditions traditionally associate Rama and Krishna with Vishnu's avatars.

Devi

Devi, meaning Goddess, represents the Divine Feminine in Hindu traditions. Forms of Devi include Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati.

Krishna

Krishna is one of the most widely worshipped divine figures in Hinduism and is particularly central to Vaishnava traditions. He is a major figure in the Mahabharata and Krishna devotional traditions.

Rama

Rama is the central figure of the Ramayana and is widely revered as an avatar of Vishnu.

Ganesha

Ganesha is widely worshipped in Hindu traditions and is associated with wisdom, learning, beginnings and the removal of obstacles.

Hanuman

Hanuman is a major figure of the Ramayana and is widely revered for devotion, strength, courage and service to Rama.

Lakshmi and Saraswati

Lakshmi is associated with prosperity, abundance, good fortune and auspiciousness, while Saraswati is associated with knowledge, learning, music, speech and the arts.

Sacred Texts of Hinduism

Hinduism has an extensive body of sacred literature rather than one single scripture accepted in exactly the same way by every Hindu tradition.

The Vedas

The Vedas are among the oldest sacred texts associated with Hindu traditions. The four traditionally recognized Vedas are the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.

The Upanishads

The Upanishads explore philosophical questions concerning the self, ultimate reality, consciousness, knowledge and liberation.

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna within the Mahabharata. It discusses dharma, action, devotion, knowledge, meditation and liberation.

Ramayana

The Ramayana, traditionally associated with Valmiki, tells the story of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Ravana and has profoundly influenced Hindu religious and cultural traditions.

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is one of the great Sanskrit epics. It contains stories, ethical discussions, philosophical teachings and the Bhagavad Gita.

Puranas

The Puranas are a large body of Hindu religious literature containing stories, cosmology, theology, pilgrimage traditions, genealogies and teachings associated with different deities.

Hindu Philosophy

Hindu philosophy contains multiple schools rather than one philosophical system.

• Nyaya
• Vaisheshika
• Samkhya
• Yoga
• Mimamsa
• Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta is associated particularly with Adi Shankaracharya and presents a non-dual understanding of ultimate reality.

Vishishtadvaita

Vishishtadvaita, associated with Ramanuja, presents a qualified non-dual understanding of Brahman and places strong emphasis on devotion to God.

Dvaita

Dvaita, associated with Madhva, emphasizes a distinction between God and individual souls.

The Four Purusharthas

Traditional Hindu thought describes four broad goals of human life, known as the Purusharthas.

1. Dharma — ethical and righteous living
2. Artha — material prosperity and legitimate worldly goals
3. Kama — pleasure, love and enjoyment
4. Moksha — spiritual liberation

The Four Ashramas

Traditional Hindu thought also describes four stages of life known as the Ashramas.

Brahmacharya

Traditionally associated with learning, discipline and education.

Grihastha

The household stage involving family, work and social responsibilities.

Vanaprastha

Traditionally associated with gradually withdrawing from worldly responsibilities and increasing spiritual focus.

Sannyasa

Associated with renunciation and dedicated spiritual pursuit.

Hindu Worship and Religious Practices

Hindu religious practice varies greatly between communities, regions and traditions.

Puja

Puja is a form of worship involving prayers, offerings and reverence toward a deity or sacred presence. Puja can take place at home or in a temple.

Mantra

A mantra is a sacred sound, word or phrase used in prayer, meditation, ritual or spiritual practice.

Explore the Shiva Mantras and other mantra collections on ShivMarg.

Meditation

Meditation appears in several Hindu traditions and may involve concentration, contemplation, mantra repetition, breath awareness or philosophical inquiry.

Yoga

Yoga has roots in ancient Indian philosophical and religious traditions. It encompasses multiple spiritual and philosophical paths rather than referring only to modern physical exercise.

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is an important practice across many Hindu traditions. Sacred destinations include Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Ujjain, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri and Dwarka.

Hindu Temples and Mandirs

A Hindu temple, commonly called a mandir, is a sacred place associated with worship and religious practice. Temple architecture and worship traditions vary significantly across India.

A temple may contain a murti, a sacred representation of a deity used within worship.

Hindu worship can also take place at home through prayer, meditation, offerings, devotional singing and household rituals.

Major Hindu Festivals

Hindu festivals are celebrated throughout India and by Hindu communities around the world. Their customs and meanings can vary between regions and traditions.

• Diwali — the festival of lights.
• Holi — a major festival associated with colors and spring.
• Navratri — a nine-night festival associated especially with Devi worship.
• Durga Puja — a major festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
• Maha Shivaratri — a major festival dedicated to Shiva.
• Janmashtami — associated with the birth of Krishna.
• Rama Navami — associated with the birth of Rama.
• Ganesh Chaturthi — a major festival associated with Ganesha.
• Raksha Bandhan — associated with sibling bonds and family traditions.
• Makar Sankranti — a solar festival celebrated under different regional traditions.

ShivMarg also publishes detailed Hindu festival guides covering dates, rituals, significance and regional traditions.

Hinduism and the Cycle of Life

Many Hindu traditions contain teachings about birth, death and rebirth. The concepts of karma and samsara are closely connected with these teachings.

In traditions that affirm rebirth, death is not understood as the absolute end of existence. The cycle of samsara continues until liberation is attained according to the relevant philosophical tradition.

Hinduism and Reincarnation

The term reincarnation is commonly used to describe the Hindu idea of rebirth. Hindu texts and philosophical schools provide different explanations of the self, karma, rebirth and liberation.

Paths to Spiritual Liberation

Jnana Yoga — Path of Knowledge

Jnana Yoga emphasizes knowledge, inquiry, discrimination and understanding of ultimate reality.

Bhakti Yoga — Path of Devotion

Bhakti Yoga emphasizes love, devotion, prayer, surrender and relationship with the Divine.

Karma Yoga — Path of Selfless Action

Karma Yoga emphasizes performing one's responsibilities without attachment to personal results.

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is associated with meditation and disciplined control of the mind and is closely connected with classical Yoga traditions.

Major Hindu Traditions

Vaishnavism

Vaishnavism includes Hindu traditions centered on Vishnu and his manifestations, especially Krishna and Rama.

Shaivism

Shaivism includes traditions centered on Shiva.

Shaktism

Shaktism centers religious devotion and theology on Devi, the Divine Feminine.

Smarta Traditions

Smarta traditions are associated with a broad approach to Hindu worship in which multiple major forms of the Divine may be revered.

Hinduism in India and Around the World

India has been the primary historical setting for the development of Hindu traditions. Hindu ideas and practices have influenced Indian philosophy, literature, music, dance, architecture, festivals, pilgrimage, art and regional cultures.

Hindu communities are also found across the world, including in Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Hindu traditions vary significantly between regions, languages, communities, philosophical schools and devotional traditions.

Hindu Symbols

Om — ॐ

Om is a sacred syllable of profound importance in many Hindu traditions and appears in religious texts, prayers and meditation.

Swastika

The swastika is an ancient auspicious symbol used in Indian religious traditions. Its traditional South Asian religious meanings are distinct from its later appropriation by Nazi Germany.

Lotus

The lotus has extensive symbolic significance in Hindu religious literature, mythology and art.

Tilak

A tilak is a mark worn on the forehead in various Hindu traditions. Its form and meaning differ between communities.

Is Hinduism a Religion or a Way of Life?

Hinduism is commonly described as a religion, while the phrase "way of life" is also frequently used because Hindu traditions encompass religious practices, philosophy, ethics, family customs, festivals and cultural traditions.

Describing Hinduism only as a way of life, however, does not capture its extensive theological, philosophical, ritual and devotional traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hinduism

Hinduism Summary