Key Beliefs of Hinduism at a Glance
A short overview of the main beliefs shared by most Hindus, from Brahman and the self to karma, rebirth, dharma and the paths to liberation.
Hinduism has no single creed that every Hindu must accept, and beliefs vary widely between traditions, regions and families. Even so, a core set of ideas is shared by most Hindus. This page summarises them, with links to fuller articles on each.
The core ideas
| Concept | In brief |
|---|---|
| Brahman | The one ultimate reality behind everything that exists. |
| Atman | The eternal true self in every living being, which many schools teach is one with Brahman. |
| Dharma | Duty, righteousness and the moral order of the universe. |
| Karma | The law that every intentional action has consequences. |
| Samsara | The cycle of birth, death and rebirth. |
| Moksha | Liberation from samsara, the highest goal of life. |
| Maya | The power that makes the world appear as many separate things, hiding its underlying unity. |
| Ahimsa | Non-violence towards all living beings. |
One God, many forms
Most Hindus believe in a supreme divine reality that can be worshipped in many forms. The Trimurti presents three of these as creator (Brahma), preserver (Vishnu) and destroyer (Shiva). Many Hindus also worship the Goddess, Devi, as the supreme power. Vishnu is believed to descend to earth as avatars, such as Rama and Krishna, whenever righteousness declines.
In practice, each Hindu usually has a particular deity they feel closest to, called their ishta devata (“chosen deity”), while respecting the others.
Life's goals and stages
Hindu tradition teaches four legitimate aims of life, the purusharthas: dharma (righteousness), artha (prosperity), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation). It also describes four stages of life: student, householder, retiree and renunciant, each with its own duties.
Time and the universe
Hindus traditionally see time as cyclical rather than linear. The universe is created, sustained and dissolved again in vast cycles, and each cycle passes through four ages, the yugas. We are said to be living in the Kali Yuga, the last and most difficult of the four.
Paths to liberation
There are several recognised paths to moksha, set out in the four yogas: knowledge (jnana), devotion (bhakti), selfless action (karma) and meditation (raja). Most Hindus follow the path of devotion, expressed through puja, prayer and festivals.
Authority
Most Hindus accept the authority of the Vedas and regard other texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the epics and the Puranas, as sacred. Teachers (gurus), family tradition and local custom also carry great weight.
Respect for other paths
Many Hindus hold that different religions are different paths to the same truth. A verse of the Rig Veda (1.164.46) is often quoted: “Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.” This idea was championed in modern times by teachers such as Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.
Sources and further reading
- Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism (Cambridge University Press, 1996).
- Kim Knott, Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction, 2nd edn (Oxford University Press, 2016).