Overview

Hindus throughout the world seek to attain salvation form this world through one of three ways. First, Karma: the Way of Works. This way is basically cause and effect: do good and receive good, do bad and receive bad. The second way is jyana: the Way of Knowledge. This way emphasizes mystical experience in order to acheive nirvana. The third way is bhakti: the Way of Worship. This is followed through devotion and faith in the Hindu gods.

The law of Karma works with reincarnation. A person comes into this life with a character and environment that are direct results of the karma in all past lives.

Through jyana, a Hindu is meant to go through four different stages of life to acheive enlightenment: student, householder, hermit, and holy man.

Most Hindus today follow the third way, because it is open to everyone, regardless of caste. Usually these people direct their devotion to one of two major gods: Shiva or Vishnu.