ashrama dharma: "Duties of life's stages."

Human or developmental dharma. The natural process of maturing from childhood to old age through fulfillment of the duties of each of the four stages of life- brahmachari (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (elder advisor) and sannyasa (religious solitaire)- in pursuit of the four human goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation).

See: ashrama dharma.

(See also: Ashrama dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ashrama dharma: (Sanskrit) "Laws life's orders." Meritorious way of life particular to each of the four stages (ashramas) of life, following which one lives in harmony with nature and life, allowing the body, emotions and mind to develop and undergo their natural cycles in a most positive way. The four stages are as follows.

�      brahmacharya: (Sanskrit) Studentship, from age 12 to 24.

�      grihastha: (Sanskrit) Householder, from 24 to 48.

�      vanaprastha: (Sanskrit) Elder advisor, from 48 to 72.

�      sannyasa: (Sanskrit) Religious solitaire, from 72 onward.

The first two ashramas make up the pravritti marga, (Sanskrit) the way of going toward the world through the force of desire and ambition. The last two are the nivritti marga, (Sanskrit) moving away from the world through introspection and renunciation. See: dharma, grihastha dharma, sannyasa dharma.

(See also: Ashrama dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ashrama dharma: (Sanskrit) "Laws life's orders." Meritorious way of life particular to each of the four stages (ashramas) of life, following which one lives in harmony with nature and life, allowing the body, emotions and mind to develop and undergo their natural cycles in a most positive way. The four stages are as follows.

�      brahmacharya: (Sanskrit) Studentship, from age 12 to 24.

�      grihastha: (Sanskrit) Householder, from 24 to 48.

�      vanaprastha: (Sanskrit) Elder advisor, from 48 to 72.

�      sannyasa: (Sanskrit) Religious solitaire, from 72 onward.

The first two ashramas make up the pravritti marga, (Sanskrit) the way of going toward the world through the force of desire and ambition. The last two are the nivritti marga, (Sanskrit) moving away from the world through introspection and renunciation. See: dharma, grihastha dharma, sannyasa dharma.

(See also: Ashrama dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Grihastha vs Sanyas - The Eternal Dilemma

Once, a king asked his guru: Who is superior, a sanyasi or a householder? In response, the guru took him to a kingdom where the king had announced that his daughter's husband would be given half the kingdom. The princess chose a sanyasi , who refused to marry her. Even after the king offered his entire kingdom, the sanyasi walked away. The guru and his king-disciple followed the princess, whom they found crying in the forest where the sanyasi had disappeared. Hungry and lost, the three lit a fire for warmth.

Read more here: » Sanyasi: Grihastha vs Sanyas - The Eternal Dilemma

Lord Krishna's influence on our lives far exceeds that of any other God-incarnate. Krishna is depicted not only as an embodiment of wisdom and selfless action, but also as a humane liberal and practical philosopher with foresight.

Krishna's mysticism and activism have greatly inspired poets, painters, writers, dramatists and dancers. The advice he rendered to a disheartened Arjuna at Kurukshetra - immortalised in the Bhagavad Gita - greatly influenced philosophers and continues to inspire millions of people worldwide.

(See also: Krishna, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism and Buddhism Compared

Similiarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism.

Read more here: » Hinduism vs Buddhism: Hinduism and Buddhism Compared

Hinduism Lexicon on B

From backbiting to buddhi chitta.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Hinduism Lexicon on B

Hinduism Lexicon on A

From aadheenam to axis.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Hinduism Lexicon on A

dharma: (Sanskrit) "Righteousness." From dhri, "to sustain; carry, hold."

Hence dharma is "that which contains or upholds the cosmos." Dharma, religion, is a complex and all-inclusive term with many meanings, including: divine law, law of being, way of righteousness, religion, ethics, duty, responsibility, virtue, justice, goodness and truth. Essentially, dharma is the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature or destiny. Relating to the soul, it is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path.

(See also: Dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Smartism is a denomination of the Hindu religion. This term is usually used to denote a certain category of Brahmins. Smartas consider the Vedas supreme. The majority of members of Smarta community are followers of Advaita. In practicality, Smarta and Advaita have become almost synonymous because of the prevalence of Advaita philosophy among Smarta Brahmins. But not all believers in Advaita are Smartas. In ancient times, all Brahmins who specialized in the Karma Kanda of the Vedas, and who followed the Vedas and Shastras (both Smriti ...

Including:

• Smartism - Definition
• Smartism - Why They Became Distinguished From Others
• Smartism - Main Beliefs
• Smartism - Smarta Contributions to Advaita
• Smartism - Smarta Contributions to other Philosophies
• Smartism - Smartas Who Split Away From Their Group
• Smartism - Important Religious Books Followed
• Smartism - Prominent Communities

Read more here: » Smartism: Encyclopedia - Smartism

Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Yoga Purva Mimamsa Advaita Vedanta Vishishtadvaita Dvaita Carvaka Jain Buddhist Logic Hindu philosophy (one of the main divisions of Indian philosophy) is traditionally seen through the prism of six different systems (called darshanas in Sanskrit) that are listed here and make up the main belief systems of Hinduism. Th ...

Including:

• Hindu philosophy - Hindu Philosophy: The Six Main Schools of Thought
• Hindu philosophy - Samkhya
• Hindu philosophy - Nyaya
• Hindu philosophy - Vaisheshika
• Hindu philosophy - Yoga
• Hindu philosophy - Purva Mimamsa
• Hindu philosophy - Uttara Mimamsa: The Three Schools of Vedanta

Read more here: » Hindu philosophy: Encyclopedia - Hindu philosophy

Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj is presently one of the foremost spiritual leader of the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates in the world today. He is a the dearly beloved disciple of Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj and who is in turn the equally beloved disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada. Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - His Early life. His Divine Grace Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj appeared in 1924 in Assam, India, on Ra ...

Including:

• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - His Early life
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - Taking Shelter of the Divine Master
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - Preaching in the Indian Sub continent
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - His Worldwide Preaching
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - A Fearless Preacher
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - His Teachings
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - His Writings
• Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj - His Present Mission

Read more here: » Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj: Encyclopedia - Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj

Isha Upanishad (IAST īśopaniṣad), also known as the Ishavasya (īśāvāsya) Upanishad, is one of the smaller Upanishads but is probably the most often quoted Upanishad. Ishopanishad - About the Upanishad. Ishopani ...

Including:

• Ishopanishad - About the Upanishad
• Ishopanishad - A Difficult Upanishad
• Ishopanishad - Operational plan for how to live
• Ishopanishad - Two most beautiful verses descriptive of Atman
• Ishopanishad - Stepwise Formula for identification with the Ultimate
• Ishopanishad - A most powerful profile of the Self in all of Upanishads
• Ishopanishad - Verses #s. 9 10 and 11
• Ishopanishad - Seven interpretations as a sample
• Ishopanishad - Practical implications
• Ishopanishad - More Technicalities
• Ishopanishad - Winding up with a universal prayer
• Ishopanishad - Allegory of the Golden Container
• Ishopanishad - The final utterance
• Ishopanishad - Sources

Read more here: » Ishopanishad: Encyclopedia - Ishopanishad

Brahmanism, popularly known as Hinduism, developed its ritual, worship and philosophy from Aryan scriptures; the Vedas. Over the years this civilization, culture and tradition were trickled down to the lower caste of the social hierarchy of the Hindu society through puranas as well as Ithihasas like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Brahmanism considers Brahmin caste as hereditary creators, preservers and propagators of religion. A Brahmin (less often Brahman) is a person born in the priestly Brahmin caste. The word is related to but not to be confused with religious conception of the t ...

Including:

• Brahmanism - Theology
• Brahmanism - Pantheism
• Brahmanism - Caste
• Brahmanism - Sub castes
• Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:
• Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:
• Brahmanism - The four stages of life
• Brahmanism - Sacramental rites
• Brahmanism - Vegetarianism
• Brahmanism - Moksha
• Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism
• Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy
• Brahmanism - Trimurti
• Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System
• Brahmanism - Buddhism
• Brahmanism - Charvaka
• Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar
• Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia - Brahmanism

varna-ashrama dharma:

varna-ashrama dharma (-aashrama dharma). Obligations relating to the caste-stage of life.

(See also: varna-ashrama dharma, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

brahmacharya ashrama: (Sanskrit) See: ashrama dharma.

(See also: Brahmacharya ashrama, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

grihastha ashrama: (Sanskrit) "Householder stage."

See: ashrama dharma.

(See also: Grihastha ashrama, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

vanaprastha ashrama: (Sanskrit) "Forest-dweller stage."

See: ashrama dharma, shashtyabda purti.

(See also: Vanaprastha ashrama, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

vanaprastha ashrama: (Sanskrit) "Forest-dweller stage."

See: ashrama dharma, shashtyabda purti.

(See also: Vanaprastha ashrama, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

varnashrama dharma: (Sanskrit) "The way of one's caste and stage of life." Names the social structure of four classes (varna), hundreds of castes (jati) and four stages of life (ashramas). It is the combined principles of varna dharma and ashrama dharma.

See: ashrama dharma, dharma, varna dharma.

(See also: Varnashrama dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)