Religion & Spirituality

Religion & Spirituality

According to Hindu religion, man has four goals in life. Various Hindu scriptures define the four goals as:-

1 Dharma,

2.Artha,

3.Kama

4.Moksha.


The four goals can be achieved only through Self realization. Hindus believe that equal importance has to be given to the four goals.


Dharma:- Is bit tricky to define as there is no exact English definition to it. It can be termed as a righteous way of living or social obligations.


Artha:- Can be defined as economic, social and political achievements – making of money or generating wealth.


Kama:- Can be defined as pleasurable pursuits including sexual and other enjoyments which are momentary. Fulfilment of desires.


Moksha:- Is spiritual liberation. Brahman realization.


For a balanced human life one has to give importance to the four goals. Giving too much importance to one particular goal will lead to imbalance. Getting stuck in one goal and ignoring other goals also leads to imbalance. All the four goals compliment each other.

One goal is also a guide to another goal. A person rooted in Dharma will clearly understand what is positive Kama and negative Kama (violence). He will understand the difference between positive wealth generation and greediness.

Dharma, Artha and Kama leads to Moksha – the final goal of each human being in Sanatana Dharma.


Many people find it difficult to understand Hinduism because of the numerous deities, scriptures and schools of thought. The difficulty is primarily due to the popular concept of God – that there is a God sitting somewhere up in the heavens and controlling the happenings on earth. In fact majority of Hindus too believe in a ‘God sitting above’ but the sole difference that a Hindu can choose a personal God or Gods from the numerous deities in the Hindu pantheon who are all the representative of the Supreme Being – Brahman.

Hinduism, the real name Sanatana Dharma, should be understood step by step. The confusion arises when people directly jumps into the various schools of thought and scriptures or by forming an opinion by standing in the outskirts.

First step, every Hindu begins by praying to a personal god or gods or goddess or goddesses. There is a goddess for learning, there is a god of wealth etc etc. Each individual’s personal god is a symbol of his/her highest ideals.

The whole confusion exists in this level. The numerous gods and goddesses exist in this step. The various schools of thoughts, numerous rituals, scriptures, the caste system, mythology, incarnations, festivals, prayers, debates, astrology, shlokas exist in this level. Most people in this level are fortune seekers – who want to lead a good life on the earth with the help of God. So they propitiate a personal god. The three important sects in Hindu religion – the Vaishnava (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva) and Shakti (Mother Goddess) is also found in this level.


Even majority of Hindus do not realize the concept of Brahman in this level. The personal god becomes the sole refuge for many. But the scriptures like:-

The Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads constantly remind people to think beyond and to find answers to questions like:-

Who am I? or Why do I suffer? Very few find time to find answers or even dare to enter the next domain.

The next level begins with contemplation. Some people reach at this level by questioning the very existence of God. Others by trying to find answers to questions like Who am I?

In this level the person realizes that I and God are one and therefore he studies more and more about Brahman. In this level he reads the scriptures, looks out for a Guru, and follows the teachings of ancient seers with the help and guidance of a Guru.

There are few souls who will get into the next level. They realize that there is only Brahman – I and Body will drop.

They will become silent or sing in praises of the numerous gods or concentrate on a single personal God. Reaching this level is very difficult. But very few return back from this level. They like solitude life or become wandering monks. They find the true meaning of ‘Thou Art That’ or everything is Brahman. There is no death or birth but mere transformation. But even in this level to a small degree the Brahman remains outside.

The next level is the highest level.

Nothing to write, nothing to talk because there is only ONE. Please note that these thoughts are my personal opinion and a reflection of what I have understood so far.


Definition of Spirituality

Spirituality is travelling the path of God. At the time of the big bang... all souls' at mans got separated and in the cosmic sojourn gathered impurities on the way. It is spirituality that gives us this true essence of life. How as a human being can one gain enlightenment and finally attain salvation (moksha). Spirituality is finally reaching the kingdom of God.


The ultimate goal of our soul is reaching the kingdom of God. It is only then it gets liberated from the cycle of birth and death forever. Human being is the highest manifest stage in the cosmic life cycle. Only as a human being can one gain enlightenment and salvation.

Bhagavad Gita... the doctrine by Lord Krishna in Mahabharata in Hinduism gives all that is required on the spiritual path. The knower of Bhagavad Gita finally becomes the knower of all. Assimilating the pearls of wisdom contained in Bhagavad Gita... one finally crosses the ocean of the worldly life.

Spirituality is not a small concept. How tough is the journey can be fathomed from the fact that in the last about 150 years only two persons gained enlightenment amongst 6500 million people living on Mother Earth. They were Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana.


Being spiritual means following the path towards God Almighty! Every human being is primarily spiritual. The fact that the body of a human being does not belong to one cannot be denied. It has been manifested by the spirit within... the soul residing within our heart. Our soul atman is the absolute owner of the body for the present manifestation. Everything we do... the fruits of our karma always belong to the soul within.


Spiritual Awakening.

If you truly desire travelling the spiritual path... you need learn the Wisdom contained in Bhagavad Gita. The knower of Bhagavad Gita becomes the knower of all! Everything that is required to be known on the spiritual path is contained in Bhagavad Gita. One single Divine & Holy document... the sacred Bhagavad Gita teaches all right from the first manifestation as an amoeba to the last..

Spiritual Experience.

Spirituality is that subtle truth of life in absence of which no living being can survive. It is pure spirituality that makes one aware of the spiritual awakenings on the spiritual path. Reaching the end of life... gaining enlightenment is the cosmic goal fixed by God.


Spiritual Path

Enlightenment is pronounced enlightenment. It is never pronounced spiritual enlightenment for the reason that traveling the path of spirituality one gains enlightenment... never otherwise! No religious person ever gains enlightenment. One needs travel the spiritual path to gain enlightenment and finally salvation (moksha)./liberation &
In Unity with Supreme.


JK