"PRAHYANA" The word "Journey or eternal way" or "eternal law" refers to Hindu Dharma, also called Santana Dharma is the journey towards "Moksha". Yo must be Devoted (Bhakti) to acquire the Knowledge (Jnana), and offer a service that will change who you are inside and how you act on the outside.
At its core, Hindu Dharma stresses responsibility, kindness, and seeking greater truth. It tells people to align their actions with cosmic harmony (ṛta) and move toward worldly happiness and ultimate freedom (mokṣa).
The tradition is ancient, pluralistic, and has many different parts. It does not have a single, strict set of rules for behaviour. Instead, it has many teachings, texts, and philosophical schools that help people live morally and reach their spiritual goals. The following summarises some well-known Hindu ideas and principles that affect how people act and make moral choices.
1. Dharma
Dharma is often translated in English as right and wrong, duty, moral order, or virtue. It includes one's duties and the moral rules that balance the universe and society.
People have different responsibilities depending on their position in their family and society. Social harmony encourages people to do things that are good for everyone and follow moral standards.
Universal Values:
Truth (Satya), nonviolence (ahiṃsā), and kindness are important parts of universal dharma. Hindu ethics are based on dharma, which is like a moral compass that tells people how to maintain balance (ṛta) in their lives, in society, and in the universe.
2. Karmic (गर)
What it means:
Its precise meaning is "action." Hinduism stands for both action and the moral law of cause and effect, which says that every action, whether physical, verbal, or mental, has results that affect how a person lives in the future.
What this means for behaviour:
It encourages people to take responsibility for their actions since evil actions lead to bad results (and vice versa).
Through saṃsāra, the circle of rebirth affects a person's personality and the events that happen in their lives in this life and future lives.
It stresses the significance of living morally and being self-aware, knowing that all actions have seeds that grow into results, whether they are good or bad.
3. Saṁsāra (संसार) and Mokṣa (मोक्ष)
Karma causes the never-ending circle of birth, death, and rebirth. People believe life is a trip through many bodies where the soul (ātman) grows spiritually.
Moksha means freedom from this cycle. You can get it through spiritual understanding (jñāna), devotion (bhakti), disciplined action (karma-yoga), or a mix of these.
Behavioral Relevance: Being moral (in line with dharma) and learning more about yourself can help you overcome ignorance and pain.
4. The Four Puruṣāthas (पुरुषाऍथ): Life's Goals
A critical idea in Hinduism is that a balanced life is based on four activities or goals:
The word "dharma" means spiritual duty and order.
Wealth, safety, and a way to live are what Artha (उर्थ) means.
Desire, pleasure, and mental satisfaction are all parts of kāma.
Mokṣa (मोग्ष) means spiritual freedom and being free from the circle of rebirth.
The goal is to balance desires for the world (artha and kāma) with moral duties (dharma) and eventually seek spiritual freedom (mokṣa). People usually think it is wrong to ignore dharma for the sake of money or pleasure, and they also think a life without taking care of worldly duties is not complete.
5. There are four Àramas, which are stages of life.
In traditional Hindu thought, life is often split into four stages or āśramas. Each stage has its tasks and expectations.
Focus on study, discipline, and celibacy during your Brahmacarya (student life). This will help you build character and information.
GṺhastha (Householder Life): getting married, having kids, giving back to the community, and caring for everyday duties.
Vānaprastha, which means "retirement" or "forest-dweller," means slowly giving up worldly responsibilities and focusing on spiritual activities.
Sannyāsa, which means "renunciation," means giving up all links to the world and committing oneself to spiritual freedom.
Being in these stages means understanding that your moral obligations change as your life does, but you still follow dharma and seek greater truths.
6. Yamas and Niyamas (from the tradition of yoga)
The ethical teachings in Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras are considered universal rules in Hinduism, even though yoga is usually linked with poses (āsanas). These are them:
Yamas, which mean moral rules or limits
Nahiṃsā (Nonviolence): Do not believe, say, or do anything that hurts someone.
Truthfulness, or Satya, means being honest in what you say and do.
The Asteya (Non-Stealing) card says not to take what is not yours.
Continence, also known as "Right Use of Energy," is a concept often associated with celibacy for renunciates. However, it refers to the smart use of all life energies, including sexual energy.
Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness): Do not be greedy or attached to things you own.
Niyamas, or "good habits,"
Śauca (Purity): Being clean in body, mind, and surroundings.
Santo‣a (Contentment): Being thankful for what you have and being happy with it.
Tapas, which means "Disciplined Effort," is a way to build character through self-discipline, economy, and strong will.
Svādhyāya, or "self-study," means reading holy books and thinking about yourself to learn more.
Surrendering to the Divine, or ĥśvarapraṇidhāna, means giving up everything and committing your deeds to a higher ideal or the Divine.
Many Hindus believe that the Yamas and Niyamas, which are often taught in the context of yoga, are very important for living a good and spiritual life.
7. Important morals and traits in Hinduism
Nonviolence, or Ahiṃsā, is a central value that great people like Mahatma Gandhi pushed.
Satya (Truth): Being truthful in what you think, say, and do.
Day 22 (Compassion): Show care and compassion for all living things; promote kindness and service (sevā).
Dāna (Generosity): Giving without expecting anything in return is a householder's important job.
KᲣamā (Forgiveness): Learning to be patient and understanding.
Ahaitukī Bhakti, which means "selfless devotion," means loving God without wanting anything in return.
These virtues are discussed in many Hindu texts, such as the Mahābhārata, the Rāmāya, and different Purāⲇas. They are moral guidelines for how people should act and connect with others.
8. Bible verses and other written sources
The Vedas (Śruti) are the oldest writing pieces in Sanskrit and are thought to be the most important revelations.
Upanishads are philosophical works discussing what truth (Brahman) is and what the self (Ātman) is.
As a part of the Mahābhārata, the Bhagavad Gītā teaches duties (dharma), selfless actions (karma-yoga), devotion (bhakti), and understanding (jñāna). It is an essential guide for moral and spiritual behaviour.
Dharmaśāstras, like Manusmṛti, are old laws that show how people behaved at certain times. In modern times, Hindus may take them figuratively rather than literally.
You can learn moral lessons when you read the Puranas, which are stories about gods and saints.
Because Hindu Dharma is complex, different regions, sects, and academic schools have various ways of understanding and emphasizing it. However, the main goal is to live in balance with the order of the universe (Მta), do what is right, and eventually find freedom.
9. What Bhakti, Jñāna, and Karma Do
The Bhagavad Gītā and many other books discuss three main spiritual "paths" or yogas. Each one affects how people should behave morally:
There is a path called Karma Yoga, which means doing one's job without caring about the results.
Bhakti Yoga, or "the path of devotion," is a way to grow loving devotion to a personal form of the Divine while encouraging good qualities like kindness and humility.
Jñāna Yoga is the path of knowledge and wisdom. It means seeking spiritual insight into the nature of reality and the self, which can change one's thinking and actions.
These roads often cross each other; you can work on your devotion (bhakti), your moral actions (karma), and your wisdom (jñāna) simultaneously. This will help you make both spiritual and moral decisions.
10. A Comprehensive View of Ethics
Instead of a single set of strict "laws," Hindu Dharma offers a complete set of moral and spiritual rules based on
Dharma means honourable task and living honestly.
Karma is the idea that what you do has effects on other people.
A Purushārtha is a way to balance material and spiritual goals.
The Yamas and Niyamas are fundamental rules for being moral and responsible.
Devotion, Knowledge, and Service: Ways that change who you are inside and how you act on the outside.
At its core, Hindu Dharma stresses responsibility, kindness, and seeking greater truth. It tells people to align their actions with cosmic harmony (ṛta) and move toward worldly happiness and ultimate freedom (mokṣa).