Sources of wisdom and authority

Hindu scriptures fall into two broad categories:

• Shruti ("that which is heard") — the revealed texts: the Vedas and the Upanishads, regarded as the highest authority.
• Smriti ("that which is remembered") — including the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata (which contains the Bhagavad Gita), and the law books.

Hinduism is highly diverse, with many teachers (gurus) and schools rather than a single authority.

Brahman and Atman

Ultimate reality is Brahman — the supreme, all-pervading reality. The individual self is Atman. Schools of Vedanta understand their relationship differently:

• Shankara (Advaita / non-dualism): Atman is Brahman; plurality is ultimately illusion (maya).
• Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita / qualified non-dualism): the self is real and distinct yet dependent on God.
• Madhva (Dvaita / dualism): God and souls are permanently distinct.

Brahman may be worshipped as nirguna (without form) or saguna (with form) — in deities such as the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Whose Advaita?

Self, death and liberation

The Atman passes through repeated reincarnation in the cycle of samsara, shaped by karma — the moral law that actions have consequences across lives.

The ultimate goal is moksha — liberation from samsara and union with, or nearness to, Brahman.

Dharma and the aims of life

Right conduct centres on dharma — duty, righteousness, the order that sustains the cosmos and society (including varnashrama dharma, duties according to social group and stage of life).

Hinduism sets out four aims of life (purusharthas): dharma (duty), artha (prosperity), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation).

Ahimsa (non-violence) is a key value, powerfully embodied by Gandhi.

The goal of liberation

Paths and expression

There are several margas (paths) to liberation, taught notably in the Bhagavad Gita:

• Karma yoga — the path of selfless action.
• Bhakti yoga — the path of loving devotion to God.
• Jnana yoga — the path of knowledge.

Religious identity is expressed through puja (worship, often before a murti/image), temple (mandir) practice, and festivals such as Diwali and Holi.

Science, gender, society, secularism

• Science: cyclical Hindu cosmology and vast timescales are often presented as broadly compatible with modern science.
• Society: the caste system has been fiercely debated; Gandhi campaigned against untouchability, and B. R. Ambedkar (a Dalit leader) challenged caste from within and later beyond Hinduism.
• Gender: debate continues over the roles and rights of women.
• Secularism: Hinduism engages a modern, plural and secular India.

Shruti or Smriti?

Weighing it up

• Which understanding of Brahman and Atman — Advaita, Vishishtadvaita or Dvaita — is most coherent?
• Is Hinduism best seen as one religion or a family of traditions?
• How should tradition respond to critiques of caste and gender?
• Do the many deities compromise, or express, its underlying monism?

Sort each idea by theme

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The big ideas to hold together

You can now survey Hinduism across the Component 2 themes and evaluate its major schools. Press Finish to see your score.