This questions and answers document is prepared by a group of Hindu Speakers as a source of information for them or for any one seeking information on Hinduism. There are multiple ways of answering a single question and this group is not claiming to provide all potential answers here.
On Hinduism
The target audience is 9th grader Abrahamic students in American Schools but it will be useful to anyone interested in learning about Hinduism. All answers are designed to answer in about a 3 minute time frame. We have also provided links to other reading materials and video links relating to each question.
Considering Hindu speakers are invariably asked some sensitive geopolitical questions, we have included some potentially sensitive topics here to help speakers answer them from Hindu perspective. However we wish to clarify that this group is composed of Hindus but the group does not have any political affiliation.
Questions starting with “z” are being worked on now. We hope to list some 300 questions and answers below.
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06. Life Goal
Aim of Human life is known as Purushartha (endeavours), “goals of human existence” or “the soul’s purpose.” The Hindu Human Pursuit is a progression through the four endeavors – Dhama, Kama, Artha, and Moksha.
Dharma is the right way of living, being conscious in your actions, words and thoughts and living a life that is lawful and harmonious.
Kama is desire. We cannot live without a desire or a goal in life. Desire should follow Dharma.
Artha is money. Money is an important goal in human life and should be earned according to Dharma and is best when utilized towards Moksha.
The ultimate goal for a human life is to attain Moksha, which means liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Other reading material:
Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is the aim of life?,
Contribution: Geetha Ravula
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06. Life Goal
The ultimate purpose and goal for a Hindu’s religious and spiritual practice is to attain moksha. Moksha is Self-realization (atma-jnana) or realization of one’s true divine nature. Hindus Consider each individual (anything living) to be a divine self (atman, soul, life principle, consciousness), but that spiritual ignorance leads one to identify the self completely with the body and ego, thereby forgetting the divine nature of not only one’s self, but all of existence. Self realization is knowledge of the true self beyond both delusion and identification with material phenomena.
Other reading material:
Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is Self Realization
Contribution: Kaushik Macherla
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06. Life Goal
A true word used in Hinduism is Ananda, a state of causeless bliss and joy. There are many theories about True Happiness (sukha). Happiness is a state of mind and is achieved in many different forms for different people. Some may say happiness is fulfilment of desires, e.g. people striving for something in their lives and upon achieving their goal, they can say they found happiness. But, True Happiness, according to the sages, is a State of Being that cannot be acquired from the world outside, but comes from within. When one is at peace within oneself, then there is true joy and calmness.
When you are in a state of ananda, you are able to find joy in little things like being outside under blue skies, a bird singing, or being in sunshine or the rain. When you are in a state of ananda, you find a purpose in life by doing greater good for humanity.
The other side of happiness is dukha (sadness) that comes out of not accepting the world as it is but desiring a world of your dreams and then having an attachment to the desire. Desires and attachments to worldly things bring miseries in life.
Other reading material:
Relevant videos: Swami Nikhilanand Hinduism Q & A: What is True Happiness
Contributor: Mukta Vadera
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06. Life Goal
Enlightenment literally means to be enlightened. When the previous state of darkness or ignorance is removed, now you are in the state of enlightenment.
As Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva says, “You are busy with your own thoughts, with your own emotion, with your own silly little things that you are creating around yourself. You are living in your own Universe. You must understand that there is no such thing as your Universe. Your universe is an illusion.” This is a big disillusionment that yogis go through when their awareness rises and they begin to form a new perspective of the world around them. Sadhguru then says, “Enlightenment is when all illusions collapse.”
Other reading material:
Relevant videos: NIkhilanand
Contributor: Rajeev Singh
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06. Life Goal