Introduction
Hinduism is not a single founded religion but a family of traditions that developed over more than three thousand years on the Indian subcontinent. They share reverence for the Vedas, the concepts of dharma (right order and duty), karma (action and consequence), samsara (rebirth) and moksha (liberation), and a wide range of devotional, philosophical and ritual paths.
The Vedas and Upanishads are shruti — 'that which is heard' — and carry the highest authority. The Bhagavad Gita, part of the epic Mahabharata, is the most widely read Hindu text, presenting paths of action, devotion and knowledge. The Ramayana, the Puranas and the writings of teachers such as Shankara and Ramanuja shape the many schools, from Vaishnava and Shaiva devotion to Advaita non-dualism.
The Guide cites the Gita by chapter and verse and the Upanishads by section, and notes when a teaching belongs to one school rather than to Hinduism as a whole.
Primary scriptures
Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna on duty, devotion, knowledge and the self — 18 chapters, 700 verses.
Philosophical texts on Brahman, Atman and liberation, e.g. Chandogya, Katha, Brihadaranyaka.
The oldest of the four Vedas — hymns to the divine powers, c. 1500–1200 BCE.
Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Puranas — narrative, devotion and cosmology.
Major concepts
Dharma
Right order, duty and ethical living appropriate to one's situation.
Karma and samsara
Action and its consequence across the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Moksha
Liberation from samsara — described variously as union with, or realisation of, Brahman.
Brahman and Atman
Ultimate reality and the inner self; schools differ on whether they are identical.
Bhakti, karma and jnana yoga
Paths of devotion, action and knowledge described in the Gita.
Relevant passages
Passages the Guide cites for the questions in the library, each linked to a public reference edition.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness among the divine qualities.
Forgiveness listed among qualities that arise from the divine.
Death & the afterlife
The self is never born and never dies.
As a person discards worn clothes, the self takes new bodies.
'For one who is born, death is certain.'
As one acts and desires, so one becomes.
Suffering
Pleasure and pain come and go; the wise bear them with equanimity.
Act without attachment to the fruits of action.
Fixing the mind on God, one crosses all obstacles.
Purpose of life
Your right is to action alone, never to its fruits.
Worship God through one's own work.
'Tat tvam asi' — that thou art.
Meaning of life
Nachiketa chooses knowledge of the self over worldly gifts.
Whatever you do, offer it to God.
Seeing the self in all beings and all beings in the self.
God & ultimate reality
'Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.'
God pervades all beings yet is not contained by them.
'I am the Self seated in the hearts of all creatures.'
Enemies & conflict
One who hates no being, friendly and compassionate to all.
Equal-minded toward friends, enemies and the indifferent.
Non-violence, forgiveness and absence of malice among divine qualities.
Love
The devotee dear to God is friendly and compassionate to all beings.
A leaf, flower, fruit or water offered with love is accepted.
'The devotees who worship Me with love reside in Me and I reside in them.'
Right & wrong
Let the scriptures be your authority for what should and should not be done.
Better one's own dharma imperfectly than another's perfectly.
Perform your own prescribed duty, though tinged with faults.
Peace & stillness
Freedom from attachment and aversion brings peace; without peace, no happiness.
The sage undisturbed like the ocean; giving up desire and ego 'attains perfect peace'.
The yogi who has conquered the mind remains peaceful amid dualities.
Grief & loss
'The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead'; the soul takes another body.
As one sheds worn-out clothes, the soul casts off a worn-out body.
'Death is certain for one who has been born... you should not lament over the inevitable.'
Frequently asked questions
Is Hinduism polytheistic?
It depends on the school. Many Hindus revere multiple deities as forms of one ultimate reality; the Rig Veda says 'Truth is one; the wise call it by many names' (1.164.46). Others are devoted to a single supreme God.
What is the most important Hindu scripture?
The Vedas hold the highest formal authority; the Bhagavad Gita is the most widely read and quoted. Different traditions emphasise different texts.
Why do Hindu teachings on the same topic vary?
Because Hinduism includes many schools — Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Dvaita, Shaiva, Shakta and more — with distinct theologies and practices.
Ask the Guide about Hinduism
Answers are AI-assisted, drawn from nine traditions and linked to original sources. No account needed.
The Scripture Guide uses artificial intelligence to help organize and explain religious texts and traditions. AI-generated responses may contain errors or omissions. When accuracy is important, consult the original scripture and authoritative sources.