V.Srinivasan V.Srinivasan

This chapter focuses on providing an overview of the framework of Hindu religion, or the Hindu way of life. This chapter goes into the purpose of this video series, which is to enable a framework level understanding of Hinduism and put in perspective, the many different texts, gods, beliefs, and topics commonly discussed around Hinduism.     The video series consists of a total of 15 chapters listed below in addition to a short video about the author.  1. Chapter 1 - Hinduism - Religion, Origin, Beliefs, and Gods 2. Chapter 2 - Hinduism - Goal of Hindu Religion - Enlightenment 3. Chapter 3 - Hinduism - Importance of Mind 4. Chapter 4 - Hinduism - Origin and Evolution 5. Chapter 5 - Hinduism - Path to Enlightenment 6. Chapter 6 - Hinduism - Bhakti Maarga - Enlightenment through Devotion 7. Chapter 7 - Hinduism - Karma Maarga - Enlightenment through Work 8. Chapter 8 - Hinduism - Gnana Maarga - Enlightenment through Pursuit of Knowledge 9. Chapter 9 - Hinduism - Raja Yoga & Tantra - Enlightenment through Absolute Focus 10. Chapter 10 - Hinduism - Vedas and Scriptures 11. Chapter 11 - Hinduism - Upanishad - What is God 12. Chapter 12 - Hinduism - Gods and Prayers 13. Chapter 13 - Hinduism - The significance of Astronomy and Astrology 14. Chapter 14 - Hinduism - Understanding the Universe 15. Chapter 15 - Hinduism - Summary of Hindu Philosophy

In this chapter on Hinduism, the goal of Hindu religion is covered, which is Mukti, or enlightenment.  Its true meaning, why it is difficult to attain Mukti, how to attain Mukti, and what happens when we attain Mukti  are some of the areas addressed.  The Goal of the Hindu Religion is to attain Mukthi •Mukthi means eternal peace of mind (Sath-chith-Ananda). Mukthi can be achieved only when one is able to get rid of fear, greed or any trace of attachment to wordly things. •If the mind has to be eternally peaceful, gradually it has to be peaceful at every point of time. •This cannot be achieved easily. •This is a very slow process which has to be achieved over a period by continuous training and practice. •The Hindu Philosophy prescribes various ways by which peacefulness of mind can be achieved, which over a long period can be improved to eternal peace of mind (without fear, greed , or any trace of attachment to worldly things), which is Mukthi. •Even if the desire for materiaistic things such as wealth etc are subdued, desires for finer and stronger desires like fame, name, status, honour etc prove very hard nuts to crack. They remain hidden in the subconscious depths of mind. This makes the task of attaining Mukthi almost impossible. •When Mukthi is attained the soul is liberated from samsara (birth and death cycles of this world).

This chapter on Hinduism emphasizes on the importance of the mind in order to attain Mukti or enlightenment, as the mind controls all our actions. He explains the reasons for mind losing its peace and how to overcome it by focusing on Brahman (God). Hindu religion plays a big role in this process of controlling the mind to attain peace and happiness which benefits the individual and the society as a whole.

This chapter on Hinduism focuses on the origin of Hinduism and duration of its existence. One can refer back Hindu practices to timelines as old as 432 billion years in history by explaining the Hindu units of time measurement such as Yugas, Kalpas etc.

This chapter on Hinduism explains the various paths to enlightenment (mukti)   Bhakti Maarga – Enlightenment through Devotion Karma Maarga – Enlightenment through Work Gnana Maarga – Enlightenment through Pursuit of Knowledge Rajayoga – Enlightenment through Absolute focus  The chapter also touches upon enlightenment while in family life and while leaving family life.

This chapter on Hinduism crisply articulates and defines Bhakti Maarga and how to attain enlightenment through devotion. Bhakti Maarga is all about prayers and how prayers can keep one’s mind occupied in constant thought about a God of his/her choice, thus attaining Mukti. This chapter also puts in perspective, various kinds of prayers like Pujas, Sthothras and Japas and how they help in detaching us from material aspects of life to attain Mukti.