It’s uncommon for two Hindus to hold the same beliefs. The following is a general overview of Hinduism; nevertheless, it’s always preferable to question people about their personal beliefs.

What Are Hindus’ Opinions on God?

Hinduism has generally been classified as polytheistic, or the worshipping of many gods, but it is more accurately described as henotheistic, or the devotion of one god while denying the existence of others. Although Hinduism recognises up to 333 million deities, many Hindus think that this enormous number indicates god’s limitless forms—god is in everyone and everything.

Brahma, the builder of the universe, Vishnu, the protector of the universe, and Shiva, the destruction of the universe, are the three gods worshipped by many Hindus. These deities, together with the billions of other gods, are thought to be representations of one supreme deity or a singular, transcendent entity known as Brahman (not to be confused with Brahmins, the priestly social class). 

Most Hindus are enthusiastic animists, regardless of which type of Hinduism they practise. They pray at favourable hours, read star signs, and wear ornaments to fight off sicknesses and supernatural forces in an attempt to please both good & evil entities.

Hindu Sacred Texts

Many Hindu activities now depend on the Vedas’ spiritual content and authority—texts of sacred knowledge given to the people of northern India by an absolute force. Historical poets and philosophers authored and orally communicated the Sanskrit scriptures that help compensate the Vedas as earlier as 1700 BC. Many individuals, nevertheless, do not read, follow, or understand these sacred scriptures. To maintain their dominant status in society, high-caste Brahmins—by birth representatives of the priest social class—have a carefully guarded understanding of the Vedas. As a result, many Hindus prefer to obey family traditions and the advice of their spiritual leaders, known as gurus.

Hindus believe in salvation.

Hindus trust in the Atman, or spirit, or ultimate self. Reincarnation, as per Hindu belief, is the soul’s rebirth into a fresh form after dying. Samsara refers to the eternal cycle of life, birth, death, and reincarnation. Karma—the effect of one’s conduct or behaviours in this life—influences rebirth.

In Hinduism, there seems to be no notion of sin as it is understood in Western history. Alternatively, there is the principle of karma, which states that every nice idea, phrase, or action has a positive impact on the next lifetime, whereas every bad idea, phrase, or action hurts the next existence. The rule of karma does not provide for pardon; instead, it allows for the buildup of unavoidable consequences—good or terrible, based on right or wrong actions. Karma does not affect a Hindu’s connection with Brahman, the ultimate power. It makes no difference whether a person’s karma is positive or negative because they are fundamentally one with Brahman.

People were born into a specific caste based on their past life’s deeds. Good karma results in higher class rebirth, whereas negative karma results in a lesser caste rebirth. Dying and rebirth are the only ways to become a part of a distinct caste. The spirit will finally reach moksha—also known as salvation, enlightenment, or freedom from rebirth—and be one with Brahman, the ultimate power.

For a Hindu, what is the meaning of life?

In human existence, Hindus possess 4 particular purposes.

• Dharma: seeking moral behaviour and carrying out one’s responsibilities in life.
• Artha: seeking and accumulating money and prosperity
• Kama: pursuing enjoyment in all its shapes
• Moksha: trying to pursue salvation

The first three aims of human existence are particularly significant to Hindus since they are concerned with the standard of living. The most important goal, however, is moksha. At least 3 routes to moksha are available in Hinduism: the route of ritual and activity, the path of learning and concentration, and the path of dedication. Hindus normally choose one route over the others and prioritise it.

• The path of rituals and conduct asserts that it is the person’s holy and moral duty to do one’s task in this life. Each class has a task or purpose that contributes to the overall well-being of society. When someone fails to perform his or her responsibilities, it is seen as a calamity for both the individual and the community. The method of ritual and conduct, comparable to Buddhism, emphasises separation from craving to achieve redemption. High-caste Hindus, such as Brahmins, are the most common followers of this path.

• Humans are stuck in a delusion, according to the path of learning and concentration, that prevents us from recognising we are indeed a part of God. We will achieve nirvana by being one with the absolute truth once this delusion is removed. In their quest to destroy delusion, practitioners of this path practise yoga, concentration, and are encouraged to learn literature. Modern-day teachers of this way argue to be gods and say that we can all become gods as well. This route is primarily followed by intellectuals, although its ideology has been widely adopted by non-Hindus that hold New Age beliefs.

• Acts of dedication to one’s specific god in the expectation of getting forgiveness and speedy salvation mark the devotional path. Ascetic rituals, chanting hymns, and chanting the name of God (the word om) are all examples of these activities, as are pilgrimages and tributes. Everyone is welcome on this road, including low-castes, outcasts, women, and children.