Hinduism is not a religion of mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion you will find such a variety of practical Yoga practised and such sublime unique philosophy expounded. That is the reason why India is the only glorious land of sages, Rishis, Yogins and saints.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hinduism: Emphasis On Spiritual Practice

See also:

Sati practice, Sati practice - Origin, Sati practice - The practice, Sati practice - Compulsion, Sati practice - Royal funerals, Sati practice - Symbolic sati, Sati practice - Jauhar, Sati practice - Burials, Sati practice - Prevalence, Sati practice - Numbers, Sati practice - Communities, Sati practice - Regional variations, Sati practice - Recent incidence, Sati practice - Justifications and criticisms, Sati practice - Law books, Sati practice - Scriptures, Sati practice - Counter-arguments within Hinduism, Sati practice - Non-Hindu views and criticisms, Sati practice - Suppression, Sati practice - Mughal period, Sati practice - British and other European territories, Sati practice - Modern times, Sati practice - Influences on art and culture, Sati practice - Notes

Read more here: » Sati practice: Encyclopedia II - Sati practice - Origin

The first known instance of official attempts to stop the practice were those of the Sultanate of Delhi, under Muhammad Tughlaq. They required formal permits to be issued before the act could take place, from about 1325. Sati practice - Mughal period. Humayun issued a royal fiat against sati, which he later withdrew. Akbar required that permission be granted by his officials, and these officials were instructed to delay the woman's decision for as long as possible. The reasoning was that she was les ...

See also:

Sati practice, Sati practice - Origin, Sati practice - The practice, Sati practice - Compulsion, Sati practice - Royal funerals, Sati practice - Symbolic sati, Sati practice - Jauhar, Sati practice - Burials, Sati practice - Prevalence, Sati practice - Numbers, Sati practice - Communities, Sati practice - Regional variations, Sati practice - Recent incidence, Sati practice - Justifications and criticisms, Sati practice - Law books, Sati practice - Scriptures, Sati practice - Counter-arguments within Hinduism, Sati practice - Non-Hindu views and criticisms, Sati practice - Suppression, Sati practice - Mughal period, Sati practice - British and other European territories, Sati practice - Modern times, Sati practice - Influences on art and culture, Sati practice - Notes

Read more here: » Sati practice: Encyclopedia II - Sati practice - Suppression

Introduction to Hinduism

Statistically, there are over 700 million Hindus, mainly in Bharat (India), and Nepal. Hinduism is referred to as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal faith. Hinduism is not strictly a religion. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. Since Hinduism has no founder, anyone who practices Dharma can call himself a Hindu. He can question the authority of any scripture, or even the existence of the Divine.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Introduction to Hinduism

Hinduism Rituals: Hindu Samskaras

Hinduism prescribes both ritual and spiritual practices for the final liberation of men. The ritual aspect is meant to make man more spiritual in the end, not vice versa. Each and every important event in the life a Hindu, who has chosen to lead a normal householder's life calls for the performance of certain rites. These rites are intended mainly to invoke the blessings of various gods and ensure success in the performance of his ordained duties. They are performed during various stages in his life for different ends. Some of the important rites of Hinduism are described here.

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The Agamas : Another class of popular scriptures are the Agamas. The Agamas are theological treatises and practical manuals of divine worship. The Agamas include the Tantras, Mantras and Yantras. These are treatises explaining the external worship of God, in idols, temples, etc. All the Agamas treat of (i) Jnana or Knowledge, (ii) Yoga or Concentration, (iii) Kriya or Esoteric Ritual and (iv) Charya or Exoteric Worship.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Agamas: The Agamas in the Hindu Scriptures

Soma and Ananda

The Vedic ritual reaches its climax in the Soma offering, in which specially prepared plant juices are offered into the sacred fire (Agni) as the drink of the Gods. But this ancient ritual reflects a deeper internal ritual or alchemy of awareness that is its real import. In exploring this process, we will discover many secrets of the practice of Yoga, including the path of Self-inquiry or Jnana Yoga.

Read more here: » Soma and Ananda: The Flow of Soma

A general view of Ayyavazhi may seem make it similar to, or serves as an offshoot of, Hinduism. But in regards to religious practices, belief, and sociology, Ayyavazhi differs from traditional Hinduism. Hindu's view Vedas, rather than the Akilam, as Books of Perfection. Ayyavazhi also believe they were, (but not rather than Akilam) at one point, but feel they were corrupted by later, and that Kaliyan bought the Vedas as a Boon and so all the Previous religious books including Agamas and Puranas lost their Substances, and so Akilattira ...

Including:

• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Differences between Ayyavazhi and Hinduism
• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Religious Practices
• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Beliefs
• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Sociology
• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Similarities between Ayyavazhi and Hinduism
• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Religious Practices
• Ayyavazhi and Hinduism - Theology

Read more here: » Ayyavazhi and Hinduism: Encyclopedia - Ayyavazhi and Hinduism

Non violence: Ahimsa or non-violence is the most important virtue. That is the reason why Patanjali Maharshi has placed it first in Yama. Practice of Ahimsa must be in thought, word and deed. Practice of Ahimsa is not impotence or cowardice or weakness. It is the highest type of heroism. The practice demands immense patience, forbearance and endurance, infinite inner spiritual strength and gigantic will-power.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Ahimsa: Ahimsa or non-violence in Hinduism Dharma

Practice of Dharma leads to the perfect realisation of essential unity or the final end, the highest good, namely, Moksha. The practitioner experiences peace, joy, strength and tranquillity within himself. His life becomes thoroughly disciplined. His powers and capacities are exceedingly intensified

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Dharma: Benefits Of The Practice Of Dharma

Morality is the gateway to religion. He who leads a moral or virtuous life attains freedom, perfection or Moksha.

Practice of ethics will help you to live in harmony with your neighbours, friends, your own family members, fellow-beings and other people. It will confer on you lasting happiness and Moksha.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Ethics: Benefits Of The Practice Of Ethics

The very root and core of all moral discipline is mental purification through refraining from all evil action and the active practice of virtue. Do good at all times. Ahimsa, Satya and Brahmacharya symbolise the three processes of avoiding sin, sticking to virtue and Self-purification.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Ethics: Ethical Culture Or The Process Of Purification

What is Hinduism?

I will answer it simply, first by first asking if you ever heard of a religion called Jordanism? No, you haven't. But let us juxtapose it to Hinduism. Along the Jordan River Christianity, Islam and Judaism came up. Jordanism could become a modern word to name all three of these religions, which do have similar beliefs and practices. But, like the denominations now under the banner name of Hinduism, they are also three separate religions.

Read more here: » Hinduism: What is Hinduism?

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 attains prosperity and fame, here and hereafter, through the practice of Dharma.

Good conduct is the highest Dharma. It is the root of all Tapas or austerities. Righteousness, truth and good works, power and prosperity - all originate from conduct.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Ethics: Ethics in Hindu Darma

God and Gods of Hinduism

Devotion to God and the Gods of Hinduism is known as Bhakti. It is an entire realm of knowledge and practice unto itself, ranging from the childlike wonder of the unknown and the mysterious to the deep reverence which comes with understanding of esoteric interworkings of the three worlds. Hinduism views existence as composed of three worlds. The First World is the physical universe; the Second World is the subtle astral or mental plane of existence in which the devas, angels and spirits live; and the Third World is the spiritual universe of the Mahadevas, "great shining beings," our Hindu Gods. Hinduism is the harmonious working together of these three worlds.

Read more here: » Hinduism: God and Gods of Hinduism

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 of active temperament, Bhakti Yoga for a man of devotional temperament, Raja Yoga for a man of mystic temperament, and Jnana Yoga for a man of rational and philosophical temperament, or a man of enquiry.

Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga or Kundalini Yoga, Lambika Yoga and Hatha Yoga, are other Yogas. Yoga, really, means union with God. The practice of Yoga leads to communion with the Lord. Whatever may be the starting point, the end reached is the same.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Yoga: The Four Paths of Hindu Yoga

Nine Questions About Hinduism

Prepared for the July 4th, 1990 meeting of the youth of the Hindu Temple of greater Chicago, by Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

1) What is the Hindu definition of God-monotheistic or polytheistic?

2) Could you describe the process of reincarnation?

3) What is karma?

4) Why do Hindus regard the cow as sacred?

5) Are Hindus idol worshippers?

6) Is there a rule about Hindus eating meat?

7) Why do Hindu women wear the dot on the forehead?

8) Is the memorization of slokas and mantras essential to being a good Hindu?

9) How can we use scriptures and the Bhagavad Gita or religious books as a practical guide to growing up in the United States?

Read more here: » Hinduism: Nine Questions About Hinduism

Hindu Quotes: Practice of Meditation

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(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Read more here: » Hindu Quotes: Practice of Meditation

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 - to hold - and its etymological meaning is that which holds this world, or the people of the world, or the whole creation from the microcosm to the macrocosm.

Dharma is generally defined as righteousness or duty. Dharma is the principle of righteousness. It is the principle of holiness. It is also the principle of unity.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Dharma: Definition Of Dharma

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Asrama Dharma: Asrama Dharma Under Modern Conditions