Philosophy

Unity in Variety

Humans differ from one another in many ways: physical, intellectual, moral, social, cultural, etc. There are inherent temperamental differences in people. If we do not take into account these differences while prescribing a certain path to lead a good life—and instead offer a single formula to all, it will only lead to incompatibility. Moreover, it is this variety in human beings that makes them valuable to one another.

The Individual and Society

Supreme Spirit

Creation and Dissolution

Liberation: Here and Now

One of the remarkable contributions of Hindus is that they not only crystallized the concept of Ultimate Liberation but also established its immediacy. In other words, mokṣa is not restricted to a post-death stage but can happen here and now.

This glorious conception—of being liberated during one’s lifetime—is called jīvanmukti.

Nature of the Self

Everyone, without exception, wants to be happy – at all times and at all places. Happiness is our highest goal. All our suffering, struggle, and effort invariably are exercises towards the attainment of happiness. Happiness is the one point where all our diverging natures converge.

Cultural Refinement

The expanse of a human life starts at conception—even before the child is actually born—and continues even after death, albeit in the minds and hearts of people who know the individual. Through the course of this journey, sixteen different points of time were earmarked by our seers—spanning from conception until death, all of which were to be recognized by means of special ceremonies. Apart from this, they envisaged a yearly ceremony (śrāddha) after the death of the individual that would honour their memory.

Freedom of Choice

There is a pre-existing universal order (ṛta), we are born into this world carrying the three great debts (ṛṇa), and we are expected to adhere to a path of sustainability (dharma). So, it is natural to ask: Where does individual freedom feature in the scheme of things?

Cosmic Order