Vèdantin-s (those who believe in Véd-s, ie. - Hindus) believe in many things – from one all pervading God to many Gods and even no God. All views are accepted. Everyone has the freedom to choose and nobody is permanently denied Moksh (salvation). Following are some of the important beliefs:
1. Ātmā (Self, soul, Jivātmā) and Paramātmā (Brahman, God) The force or energy that keeps us alive is called Ātmā. Our body becomes life-less when it leaves the body. This energy cannot be damaged or destroyed. It is the same in all living beings. Paramātmā is the ocean of life-force from which all Ātmā- s originate. After a process of evolution, all Āatmā- s merge with Paramātmā (God). God can be worshiped in any form we wish to give Him or Her, any name he / she wants to call Her / Him / It. All prayers are heard by one and the same Supreme Reality (God).
God has been described as follows:
There, the eye goes not, nor the words, nor the mind.
We know not. We cannot understand
how ‘He’ can be explained.
‘He’ is above the known, and ‘He’ is above the unknown.
Thus have we heard from the ancient sages
who explained this truth to us.
Sām Véd, Kén Upanishad 1.3
As fragrance abides in the flower,
as reflection is within the mirror,
so does your Lord abide within you.
Why search for Him without?
Guru Nanak Devji (1469-1539), founder of Sikhism
एकं स िव ा : ब धा वदि अ यमं मात र वानम् आ : ||
There is only one Truth (God)
Sages call it by different names
such as agni (fire), yama, vāyu (wind), etc.
2. Karma
Literal meaning of Karma is action. However, Karma in scriptures includes the intentions behind the action, the means used in performing the action and the consequences (fruit) of that action ( Karma-phala). An ‘action’ is good if the intention is unselfish and methods used are nonviolent (according to Dharma). We do not have any control over what follows the
‘action’ (the result or consequences). Every act or even a thought has similar consequences.
‘Good’ thoughts and ‘good’ actions have ‘good’ consequences. We have choice only over our intentions and the means used to perform any action. If we do something for others with good intentions and without expecting anything in return for ourselves, good things will eventually happen to us too. It is essential that we analyze our intentions continuously, do our best, work hard, persevere, and leave the results to Him.
वास स जीण िन यथा िवहाय
नवािन गृ णा त नरोऽपरा ण ।
तथा शरीरा ण िवहाय जण िन
अ ािन संया त नवािन देही ॥
Vāsāṇsi jirńāni yathā vihāya
Navāni gruhńāti naroparāńi
Tathā sharirāńi vihāya jirńāni