Article - Asrama Dharma: Asrama Dharma Under Modern Conditions
  Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda      » Read the article

Article - Free Will: The Supremacy Of Free-will
  Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda      » Read the article

Article - Karma: The Devayana And The Pitriyana
  Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda      » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Different Kinds Of Dharma
  Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda      » Read the article

Article - Hindu Rituals: An Overview Of Hindu Rituals
An initiated journey thru the mayor Hindu Spiritual rituals by Sri Swami Sivandanda.   Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami...   » Read the article

Article - Japa Mala: Hindu Symbols - Significance Of The Number Of Beads
  Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda      » Read the article

Article - Reincarnation: The Doctrine Of Reincarnation
The doctrine of reincarnation or transmigration of souls is a fundamental tenet of Hinduism. The word reincarnation literally means embod...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Ethics In Hindu Darma
The mark of Dharma is Achara or good conduct. Achara is the mark of the good. From Achara is Dharma born. Dharma enhances life. Man att...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Ethical Codes In Hinduism
Hinduism lays great emphasis on ethical discipline. Yama (self-restraint) and Niyama (religious observances or canons) are the foundation...   » Read the article

Article - Upanishads: The Upanishads In The Hindu Scriptures
The Upanishads are the concluding portions of the Vedas or the end of the Vedas. The teaching based on them is called Vedanta. The Upanis...   » Read the article

Article - Vaishnava Agamas: The Vaishnava Agamas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Vaishnava Agamas are of four kinds: the Vaikhanasa, Pancharatra, Pratishthasara and Vijnanalalita. The Brahma, Saiva Kaumara, Vasisht...   » Read the article

Article - Puranas: The Puranas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Puranas are of the same class as the Itihasas. They have five characteristics (Pancha-Lakshana) viz., history, cosmology (with variou...   » Read the article

Article - Purva Mimamsa: Hindu Philosophy - The Purva Mimamsa
Purva Mimamsa or Karma-Mimamsa is an enquiry into the earlier portion of the Vedas, an enquiry into the ritual of the Vedas or that porti...   » Read the article

Article - Srimad Bhagavata Purana: The Srimad Bhagavata Purana And The Ten Avataras In The Hindu Scriptures
The Srimad Bhagavata Purana and the Ten Avataras The Srimad Bhagavata Purana is a chronicle of the various Avataras of Lord Vishnu. The...   » Read the article

Article - Upa-puranas: The Upa-puranas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Upa-Puranas : The eighteen Upa-Puranas are: Sanatkumara, Narasimha, Brihannaradiya, Sivarahasya, Durvasa, Kapila, Vamana, Bhargava, V...   » Read the article

Article - Upa-vedas: The Upa-vedas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Upa-Vedas: There are four Upa-Vedas or subsidiary Vedas, viz., the Ayurveda, the Dhanurveda, the Gandharva Veda and the Arthasastra, ...   » Read the article

Article - Vedangas: The Vedangas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Vedangas: There are six Angas or explanatory limbs, to the Vedas: the Siksha and Vyakarana of Panini, the Chhandas of Pingalacharya, ...   » Read the article

Article - Inner Voice Of Dharma: Inner Voice Of Dharma In The Hindu Scriptures
The Inner Voice of Dharma: He who is endowed with a pure heart through protracted Tapas, Japa, Kirtana, meditation and service of Guru an...   » Read the article

Article - Srutis: The Srutis In The Hindu Scriptures
The Srutis are called the Vedas, or the Amnaya. The Hindus have received their religion through revelation, the Vedas. These are direct i...   » Read the article

Article - Saiva Agamas: The Saiva Agamas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Saiva Agamas: The Saivas recognise twenty-eight Agamas, of which the chief is Kamika. The Agamas are also the basis of Kashmir Saivis...   » Read the article

Article - Secular Writings: Secular Writings In The Vedic Scriptures
The Subhashitas are wise sayings, instructions and stories, either in poetry or in prose. Examples are Bhartriharis three centuries of ve...   » Read the article

Article - The Subhashitas: The Subhashitas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Subhashitas are wise sayings, instructions and stories, either in poetry or in prose. Examples are Bhartriharis three centuries of ve...   » Read the article

Article - Truth: Truth And Ahimsa
Truth must be observed in thought, word and deed. If you are established in truth, all other virtues will cling to you by themselves &nb...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma In Hinduism: Varna Dharma Ð The Dharma According To The Caste
The principle of Varnasrama Dharma is one of the basic principles of Hinduism. The Varnasrama system is peculiar to Hindus. It is a chara...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Religion: Reasons For Survival Of The Hindu Religion
Hinduism is neither asceticism nor illusionism, neither polytheism nor pantheism. It is the synthesis of all types of religious experienc...   » Read the article

Article - Hinduism: Distinguishing Features Of Hinduism
Hinduism is the religion of the Hindus, a name given to the Universal Religion which hailed supreme in India. It is the oldest of all liv...   » Read the article

Article - Hinduism: Hindu Religion Ð All About Hinduism
Hinduism is the religion of the Hindus, a name given to the Universal Religion which hailed supreme in India. It is the oldest of all liv...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Ethical Culture Or The Process Of Purification
The very root and core of all moral discipline is mental purification through refraining from all evil action and the active practice of ...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: The Changing Dharma
Dharma depends upon time, circumstances, age, degree of evolution and the community to which one belongs. The Dharma of this century is d...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Samanya Dharma
Samanya Dharma is the general Dharma or law for all men. Varnasrama Dharmas are special Dharmas which are to be practised by particular c...   » Read the article

Article - Sanatana Dharma: The Grihastha Or The Householder In Sanatana Dharma
Grihastha or householder: The household stage is entered at marriage, when the student has completed his studentship and is ready to take...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Service As Worship
Dharma depends upon time, circumstances, age, degree of evolution and the community to which one belongs. The Dharma of this century is d...   » Read the article

Article - Hinduism: Emphasis On Spiritual Practice
Hinduism is not a religion of mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion you will find such a variety of practical Yoga pra...   » Read the article

Article - Avatara: The Concept Of Avatara
Avatara is the decent of God on earth for the ascent of man. The Lord Krishna says: - Though unborn, the Imperishable Self and also the L...   » Read the article

Article - Sandhyopasana: Worship At The Junctions Of Time - Sandhyopasana
Sandhyopasana literally means - worship at the junctions of time. - It is a prayer and worship offered to the Lord at the junction (Sandh...   » Read the article

Article - Sanatana Dharma: The Vanaprastha Or The Recluse In Sanatana Dharma
The third stage is that of the Varnaprastha. Brahmacharya is a preparation for the life of the householder. Even so, Vanaprastha is a pre...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Fundamentals Of Dharma
The Samanya Dharmas must be practised by all, irrespective of distinctions of Varna and Asrama, creed or colour. Goodness is not the prop...   » Read the article

Article - Pancha Mahayajnas: The Hindu Ritual Pancha Mahayajnas
There are five great daily sacrifices that are to be performed by every householder. They are: Brahma Yajna, called also Veda Yajna, sacr...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma In Hinduism: The Four Asramas In Hindu Dharma
There are four Asramas or stages in life, viz., Brahmacharya or the period of studentship, Grihastha or the stage of the householder, Van...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Rituals: The Ten Scriptural Samskaras
The rites that pertain to the stages of life of man are called Samskaras. The Samskaras are purificatory rites which sanctify the life of...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Worship: Worship In Hinduism For Different Hindu Gods
Religious observances, traditional worship and Vratas have, at times, more than one significance. Apart from being the adoration of the D...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Dharma In Hinduism - The Hindu Dharma
What is Dharma? Dharma is so called, because it holds; Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the root Dhr -...   » Read the article

Article - Sanatana Dharma: The Sannyasin Or The Renunciate In Sanatana Dharma
The next stage is that of a Sannyasin. When a man becomes a Sannyasin, he renounces all possessions, all distinctions of caste, all rites...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Dharma In Other Religions
All other religions also lay stress on Dharma. Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Islam are all remarkably alive t...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: The Sole Authority Of The Vedas For Hindu Dharma
The four Vedas, the Smriti texts, the behaviour of those who have entered into their spirit and act according to their injunctions, the c...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Benefits Of The Practice Of Dharma
Practice of Dharma leads to the perfect realisation of essential unity or the final end, the highest good, namely, Moksha. The practition...   » Read the article

Article - Purity: Purity Of Body And Mind
Purity comprises both external purity and internal purity. Purity implies both purity of body and purity of mind. Purity of body is only ...   » Read the article

Article - Hinduism: Who Is A Hindu
In a meeting of the Sanatana Dharma Sabha, Lokamanya Tilak said: - A Hindu is he who believes that the Vedas contain self-evident and axi...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu: Origin And Significance Of The Term Hindu
That part of the great Aryan race which migrated from Central Asia, through the mountain passes into India, settled first in the district...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Yogic Gardening
By doing wrong actions, you taint your character. By doing virtuous actions, you develop a noble character. Without character, man falls ...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: Passage Of The Soul Between Death And Rebirth
The soul migrates with the astral body, or Sukshma-Sarira or Linga-Deha. This astral body is made up of nineteen Tattvas or principles, v...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Ethics Or The Science Of Conduct
Morality or ethics is the science of conduct. Ethics is the study of what is right or good in conduct. Ethical science shows the way in w...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Ethics, Spirituality And Religion
Without ethics, you cannot have progress in the spiritual path. Ethics is the foundation of Yoga. Ethics is the corner-stone of Vedanta. ...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Benefits Of The Practice Of Ethics
Morality is the gateway to religion. He who leads a moral or virtuous life attains freedom, perfection or Moksha.   Practice of et...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Sects: Hinduism - A Fellowship Of Faiths And A Federation Of Philosophies - About Hindu Sects And Cults
The term Hinduism is most elastic. It includes a number of sects and cults, allied, but different in many important points. Hinduism has,...   » Read the article

Article - God, Soul And Universe: Vedic Philosophy - God, Soul And Universe
Short definition of God, Soul And Universe according to Vedic Philosophy.   Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda ...   » Read the article

Article - Vedantic Wisdom: Vedic Philosophy - Celebrated Vedantic Wisdom Quotes
Ten celebrated formulae of Vedanta.   Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda      » Read the article

Article - Sanatana Dharma: The Brahmacharin Or The Celibate Student In Sanatana Dharma
Brahmacharya is the period of study and discipline. The student should not indulge in any pleasures. He stays in the house of his precept...   » Read the article

Article - Caste System: The Caste System And The Law Of Spiritual Economics
The underlying principle in caste system or Varna Dharma, is division of labour. Rishis studied human nature carefully. They came to the ...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Sanatana Dharma
The foundation of Sanatana Dharma is Sruti; Smritis are the walls; the Itihasas and Purnas are the buttresses or supports. In ancient tim...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: The Law Of Karma
Karma means not only action, but also the result of an action. The consequence of an action is really not a separate thing. It is a part ...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: The Working Of The Law Of Karma
The Law of Karma is one of the fundamental doctrines not only in Hinduism, but also in Buddhism, and in Jainism. As a man sows, so he sha...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: The Three Kinds Of Karma - Sanchita, Prarabdha And Agami
Karma is of three kinds, viz., Sanchita (accumulated works), Prarabdha (fructifying works) and Kriyamana or Agami (current works). Sanchi...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: Karma And Rebirth
The doctrine of rebirth is a corollary to the Law of Karma. The differences of disposition that are found between one individual and an...   » Read the article

Article - Vritti: Vritti In The Hindu Scriptures
A Vritti is a short gloss explaining the aphorisms in a more elaborate way, but not as extensively as a Bhashya. An example is Bodhayanas...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: The Foundational Principles Of Hindu Ethics
The ethics of the Hindus is subtle, sublime and profound. All religions have taught ethical precepts such as:   - Do not kill, do ...   » Read the article

Article - Nagas: Hindu Sects And Cults - Nagas
Nagas: Nagas are Saiva Sannyasins. They are in a naked state. They smear their bodies with ashes. They have beard and matted locks. &nbs...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Definition Of Dharma
What is Dharma? Dharma is so called, because it holds; Dharma alone holds the people, etc. The word Dharma is derived from the root Dhr -...   » Read the article

Article - Dharma: Yuga Dharma
In Satya-Yuga or the golden age there was a different set of Dharmas or laws; in Treta, they changed into another form; in Dvapara, the D...   » Read the article

Article - Ahimsa: Ahimsa Or Non-violence In Hinduism Dharma
Non violence: Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important virtue. That is the reason why Patanjali Maharshi has placed it first in Yama....   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Symbols: Symbols In Hinduism
Outward symbols are necessary and beneficial. When viewed from the right angle of vision, you will find that they play a very important p...   » Read the article

Article - Hinduism: Is There A Rule About Hindus Eating Meat?
Hinduism: Is there a rule about Hindus eating meat? Basically, there is a rule, an overlying rule, which gives the Hindu answer to this ...   » Read the article

Article - Caste System: The Four Castes In Hinduism
In Purusha-Sukta of the Rig-Veda, there is reference to the division of Hindu society into four classes. It is described there that the B...   » Read the article

Article - Vedanta: The Glory Of Vedanta And Yoga
Vedanta, or the philosophy of the Upanishads, is lofty, sublime and unique. The Western philosophers have paid their tribute to the ancie...   » Read the article

Article - Hinduism: The Spiritual Soil Of India
India is the sacred land which has given birth to countless sages, Rishis, Yogins, saints and prophets. India is the land that has produc...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: How Karma Is Fashioned
Man is threefold in his nature. He consists of Ichha (desire, feeling), Jnana (knowing) and Kriya (willing). These three fashion his Karm...   » Read the article

Article - Karma: Action, Habit, Character And Destiny
Thought moulds your character. If you entertain noble thoughts, you will develop a noble character; and if you entertain evil thoughts, y...   » Read the article

Article - Previous Births: Proofs For The Existence Of Previous Births
A new-born child manifests marks of joy, fear and grief. This is inexplicable unless we suppose that the child, perceiving certain things...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Ethics: Philosophy Of Right And Wrong
Everybody speaks: - This is right, that is wrong; you are right, he is wrong; - but he cannot tell you exactly what he means by right and...   » Read the article

Article - Orthodox And Heterodox Systems: Vedic Philosophy - The Orthodox And The Heterodox Systems Of Indian Philosophy
The orthodox systems of philosophy believe in the authority of the Vedas. The heterodox systems of philosophy do not believe in the autho...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Worship: An Introduction To Hindu Worship
There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Worship: The Philosophy And Significance Of Idol-worship
There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses a...   » Read the article

Article - Sutra : Sutra In The Hindu Scriptures
A Sutra or an aphorism is a short formula with the least possible number of letters, without any ambiguity or doubtful assertion, contain...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Literature: Other Scriptures In The Hindu Literature
The Tevaram and the Tiruvachakam which are the hymns of the Saiva saints of South India, the Divya-Prabandham of the Alvar saints of Sout...   » Read the article

Article - Vaiseshika: Hindu Philosophy - The Vaiseshika
The Vaiseshika system takes its name from Visesha or particularity which is the characteristic differentia of things. The aphorisms of Ka...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Yoga: The Four Paths Of Hindu Yoga
The four main spiritual paths for God-realisation are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is suitable for a man...   » Read the article

Article - Knowledge: Vedic Philosophy - Knowledge
Knowledge: All knowledge implies four conditions: (i) the subject or the Pramata, the cogniser, (ii) the object or the Prameya, (iii) the...   » Read the article

Article - Self-control: Self-control - Control Of The Body And Control Of The Mind
Self-control : You must have perfect self-control or self-mastery. Self-control implies both control of the body and control of the mind....   » Read the article

Article - Sakta Agamas : The Sakta Agamas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Sakta Agamas: There is another group of scriptures known as the Tantras. They belong to the Sakta cult. They glorify Sakti as the Wor...   » Read the article

Article - Bhashya : Bhashya In The Hindu Scriptures
A Bhashya is an elaborate exposition, a commentary on the Sutras, with word by word meaning of the aphoristic precepts, their running tra...   » Read the article

Article - Varttika : Varttika In The Hindu Scriptures
A Varttika is a work where a critical study is made of that which is said and left unsaid or imperfectly said in a Bhashya, and the ways ...   » Read the article

Article - Tippani: Tippani In The Hindu Scriptures
Tippani is just like a Vritti, but is less orthodox than the Vritti. It is an explanation of difficult words or phrases occurring in the ...   » Read the article

Article - The Natakas: The Natakas In The Hindu Scriptures
The Natakas are marvellously scholastic dramas embodying the Rasas of Sringara, Vira, Karuna, Adbhuta, Hasya, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa and Rau...   » Read the article

Article - The Alankaras: The Alankaras In The Hindu Scriptures
The Alankaras are grand rhetorical texts, treating of the science of perfection and beauty of ornamental language and of effective compos...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Mythology: Hinduism Mythology And Symbols
There are great truths behind the ancient mythology of Hinduism. You cannot ignore a thing simply because it has a garb of mythology. Do ...   » Read the article

Article - Saivas: Hindu Sects And Cults - Saivas
Saivas: In South India, there are Tamil Sannyasins who belong to the Kovilur Mutt, Thiruvavaduthurai and Dharmapuram Adhinams. They do no...   » Read the article

Article - Udasis: Hindu Sects And Cults - Udasis
Udasis: Guru Nanaks order of ascetics are called Udasis. They correspond to Sannyasins and Vairagis. They are indifferent to the sensual ...   » Read the article

Article - Dadu Panthis: Hindu Sects And Cults - Dadu Panthis
Dadu Panthis: The Dadu Panthis form one of the Vaishnava cults. Dadu, the founder of this sect, was a disciple of one of the Kabir Panthi...   » Read the article

Article - Vedanta Schools: The Advaita Philosophy Of Sri Sankara
The teachings of Sankara can be summed up in half a verse: Brahman (the Absolute) is alone real; this world is unreal; and the Jiva or th...   » Read the article

Article - Hindu Philosophy: Hindu Philosophy And Its Various Schools And Systems
A clear understanding of mans relation to God is a matter of momentous importance to students of philosophy and to all aspirants. Philoso...   » Read the article