Hinduism is a diverse system of thought that emphasizes dharma (right living) over rigid doctrines. It allows for many paths and practices to realize the divine. The essence of Hindu dharma is upholding righteousness through moral and spiritual disciplines in order to attain contentment, avoid suffering, and potentially achieve moksha (liberation). Living righteously according to dharma cultivates virtues while avoiding vices. Ultimately, Hinduism's teachings encourage following one's own spiritual experiences to unite individual consciousness with the divine.

1. Praying God the Hindu way
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
Today the Modern Generation of Hindu born children, question the relevance of rituals we followed
in the traditional Hinduism. With years of living in the World, many realise the Universe runs on
wheel of Dharma which means that life goes on with action and reaction that many religions call it as
retribution that we call as Karma. Unlike many religions Hinduism has given an opportunity to
express and follow a system which suits any one that is what we call Hinduism, we have many
choices to follow and worship the God in many paths. The Hindu system has never imposed any
restrictions on living or praying and allowedeveryone to follow his own Dharma, however the too
much perceived freedom has misunderstood by many younger generation, as we pass in life, we
realise the God is almighty and eternal force that controls the world. Hinduism is a modern term, but
it represents the ancient most living thought and culture of the world. The concept of 'Hindu-ism'
(categorically termed 'Hinduism' in the narrow sense 'religion') being a single monolithic religion is
recent; The Hindu tradition consists of several schools of thought. Thus any definition of Hinduism is
somewhat arbitrary and requires qualification. One such definition is "the followers of Vaidika
Dharma," or those who follow the religious teachings outlined in the Vedas and their corollaries
which bound us millions of years. If you analyse the Hinduism in depth,the Hinduism is rightly called
a dharma that was evolved by the great rishi (sages and seers) of ancient India. It emphasizes the
dharma (right way of living) rather than a set of doctrines, and thus embraces diverse thoughts and
practices. Hinduism has been called the "cradle of spirituality" and "the mother of all religions,"
partly because it has influenced virtually every major religions.Some scholars view that Hinduism
must have existed even in circa 10,000 B.C. and that the earliest of the Hindu scriptures – the RigVeda — was composed well before 6,500 B.C. Yet, in spite of the fact that it first evolved more than
5,000 years ago, Hinduism is also very much a living tradition. Many question why there are different
worships and paths to realise the God, Hindu Dharma recognizes that everyone is different and has a
unique intellectual and spiritual outlook. It is not based on one single book or a set of dogmas; on
the contrary, it allows a great deal of freedom of thought, faith and worship. Hinduism is not a single
religious faith system because itdoes not insist on any fixed set of doctrines. Therefore, it allows
people to develop and grow at their own pace by making different margas (spiritual paths) available
to them. It allows various schools of thought under its broad principles. It also allows for freedom of
worship so that individuals may be guided by their own spiritual experiences. The Hinduism unites
every living creature with the power of word Atman, The Innermost Self, by achieving awareness of
atman and its unity with Brahman; we attain not only happiness, but also moksha, or liberation. But
liberation from what? At one level, the liberation is from unhappiness, but the answer provided by
Vedanta Hinduism goes deeper: Many call it heaven we Hindus call it as Moksha, it is liberation from
a chain of lives called samsara. Many of us are not satisfied with life in the materialistic world, many
of us are living in turbulent worldnot many are getting minimal justice, by the social system created
around us, may not get answer the question?, however whenwe follow the principles of life, the
Hinduism describes Dharma as the natural universal law whose observance enables humans to be
contented and happy, and to save himself from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law
combined with spiritual discipline that guides one’s life. Hindus consider Dharma the very
foundation of life. Atharva Veda describes Dharma symbolically: Prithivim Dharmana dhritam, that
is, "this world is upheld by Dharma”. I get to read Hindu scriptures not for salvation but realization to

2. live with a purpose, anything that helps human being to reach god is Dharma and anything that
hinders human being from reaching god is Adharma. For instance, in the epic poem Maha Bharata,
the Pandavasrepresent Dharma in life and the Kauravas represent dharma. According to the
BhagavatPurana, righteous living or life on a dharmic pathhas four aspects: austerity (tap), purity
(shauch), compassion (daya) and truthfulness (satya); and adharmic or unrighteous life has three
vices: pride (ahankar), contact (sang), and intoxication (madya)he purpose of Dharma is not only to
attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality; it also suggests a code of conduct that is
intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Hinduism is the religion that suggests
methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and eternal bliss here and now on earth and not
somewhere in heaven.The glory of Hinduism is ineffable. It has within it all the features of a
universal religion. Its Dharmas are universal. Its doctrines are sublime. Its philosophy is grand. Its
ethics is soul-elevating. Its scriptures are wonderful. Its Sadhanas or Yoga-Vedantic practices are
unique. Glorious has been the past of this religion; still more glorious is its future. It has a message to
give to a world is filled by hatred, dissension and war—the message of cosmic love, truth and nonviolence, the gospel of unity of Self or Upanishad oneness. Many pray the God with a purpose
however the best way to reach the almighty, is with our own good and moral actions, which can be
learnt from Practice of Hinduism, embedded in Hindu Dharma. The true action of life is taught in
Bhagavad-Gita any prayer or action without anticipating results continues to bear the best fruits.
(From Many thoughts on Hinduism)
Dr.T.V.Rao MD – Free-lance writer