Hindu Philosophy in brief

Main philosophy of Hinduism

Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul, and they're all part of the supreme soul.

Pillars of Hindu Philosophy

These are dharma, artha, kama and moksha. These provide Hindus with opportunities to act morally and ethically and lead a good life. Throughout their lives, Hindus attempt to end the cycle of samsara. and behave in a way that provides good karma.

The four Puruṣārthas, the proper goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity/work), (desires/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom/salvation);[16][17] karma (action, intent and consequences), Saṃsāra (cycle of rebirth), and the various Yogas .

Four stages of a hindu male's life - Brahmacharja, Garhasthe, Vanaprastha and Sannyas.

The stages are (1) the student (brahmacari), marked by chastity, devotion, and obedience to one's teacher, (2) the householder (grihastha), requiring marriage, the begetting of children, sustaining one's family and helping support priests and holy men, and fulfillment of duties toward gods and ancestors, (3) the forest dweller (vanaprastha), beginning after the birth of grandchildren and consisting of withdrawal from concern with material things, pursuit of solitude, and ascetic and yogic practices, and (4) the homeless renouncer (sannyasi), involving renouncing all one’s possessions to wander from place to place begging for food, concerned only with union with brahman (the Absolute). Traditionally, moksha (liberation from rebirth) should be pursued only during the last two stages of a person’s life.

 Desire>unfulfilled>Anger. Desire>fulfilled>Greed>never satiated. Anger>clouding of mind and intellect>erroneous behaviour.

detrimental effects of Anger and Greed caused by desire.

When desires are fulfilled they come back with redoubled intensity.

human heart is like the bottomless bowl – no matter how much we fill, it never fills up. That’s the basis for greed.

unfulfilled desire leads to anger which leads to delusion which leads to loss of memory which leads to deluded intellect which leads to degradation of the soul

Desire, mother or janani of anger and greed.

Thought>contemplate(chintan)>attachment>desire>fulfilled>greed;unfulfilled>anger.

Hindu idol worship stands on a strong philosophy and idols are used as tools for meditation and devices to increase devotion. In Hinduism, God is one without a second but can be approached using any form.

 Saral Bhagvad Gita

Jeev,Prakriti,Iswar,Kaal,Karma. Jeev- Sthulasarira(made of Panchabhuta :Ksiti,op,tej,morut,byom).

  (Subtle body - Mann,Buddhi,Ahankar  - Mind, Intellect, Ego) Our true identity is 'I am atma'.

Subtle body= Mann, Buddhi, Ahankar. Body is like a clothing. On death, Atma leaves body along with Mann and Buddhi. We all are atma, not the body. Body is our false identity. 

Mann(Mind) -  willing,thinking,feeling and storehouse for memory of this as well as previous lives. It also stores fulfilled and unfulfilled desires.Mann sthula, Buddhi (Intellect)less sthula, Ahankar (Atman)suksma. Buddhi differentiates,decides and stays determined. Those who follow mind only are Mannmouji. Even if we know it is wrong, still continue to do it! We should decide with buddhi not with Mann only.

Mann comes in contact with sense objects through sense organs then starts willing ie desires to have it, then thinks how to get it and on getting it starts feeling. If you stick to false identity as I am the body only, mann will take you down wrong path. So, control Mann as our true identiity is we are atma, not the body. Then Mann will be your friend and you will reach your goal. You can control mann by training it to think good, positive etc. Do not get distracted by other senses and sense gratifications. Focus on what you want. Mann will get you whatever you want, good or bad. God will help you if you wish to be good, have faith in God, he will do good for you. If you concentrate and do the right karma, your desire will fulfilled. God always helps, whatever is good for you will happen if you want it sincerely. If you sincerely want to be bad, he will help you to be badder. If you want to be he will make you gooder! That is why scientists, as well as criminals excel. When there is good, there will be bad as well. All are his creation. Duality of single origin!

Important slokas:

Atma

Na jayate mriyate ba kadachin, nayang bhutva bhabita ba na bhuyah, ajo nitya saswatohayang purano, na hanyate hanyamane sarire.

Nainang chhindanti shastrani, nainang dahati pabaka, na chainang kledayanti opo, nainaing shosayati marutah.

Sthulasarira

Basangsi jirnani jatha bihaya, nabani grihnati naroparani, tatha sarirani bihaya jirna, anyani sangjati nabani dehi.

Karma

Karmaneybadhikareste, ma falesu kadachana, ma karmafalheturvu, ma te sango asti akarmani.