Hinduism
Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana
Hinduism is the world's oldest living religion and one of its most textually rich, its sacred literature spans over 4,000 years, from the ancient Vedas and Upanishads to the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, remains one of the most widely read philosophical texts in world history. Read the Gita and Vedas at Vedabase ↗
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Hinduism is one of the world's oldest living religious traditions, with roots in the Indian subcontinent stretching back thousands of years. Rather than a single founder or creed, it is a broad family of beliefs, practices, and philosophies that developed over time, which is why scholars often describe it as highly diverse. Central concepts widely shared across its many forms include dharma (moral and cosmic order or duty), karma (the moral law of cause and effect), samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth), and moksha (liberation from that cycle). Hindus may worship one supreme reality, expressed through many deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi, or may emphasize a single chosen form of the divine. Its foundational writings include the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and epics such as the Ramayana.
Browse Hinduism Texts
The Bhagavad Gita -- 18 chapters of divine dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.
Arjuna's Dilemma
Sankhya Yoga
Karma Yoga
Jnana Yoga
Karma Sanyasa Yoga
Dhyana Yoga
Jnana Vijnana Yoga
Aksara Brahma Yoga
Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
Vibhuti Yoga
Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhakti Yoga
Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Purushottama Yoga
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Trusted Sources
🕉️ Hinduism Sacred Holidays
View full calendar →Diwali (Deepavali)
The Festival of Lights, the most celebrated Hindu holiday worldwide.
Holi
The Festival of Colors and Spring, celebrating love, joy, and the victory of good over evil.
Navratri
Nine nights honoring the divine feminine, Goddess Durga and her nine forms.
Makar Sankranti
The solar festival marking the sun's passage into Capricorn, a harvest celebration.
Krishna Janmashtami
The birthday of Lord Krishna, the divine teacher of the Bhagavad Gita.
Rama Navami
The birthday of Lord Rama, the embodiment of righteousness and dharma.
Maha Shivaratri
The Great Night of Shiva, the most sacred night for devotees of Lord Shiva.
Ganesh Chaturthi
The birthday of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and god of new beginnings.
Onam
Kerala's great harvest festival, celebrating the mythical golden age of King Mahabali.
Pongal
The Tamil harvest festival, four days of abundance and gratitude.
Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Puja)
Honoring Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and learning, the herald of spring.
Guru Purnima
The full moon of gratitude, honoring spiritual teachers and the tradition of the guru.
Raksha Bandhan
The bond of protection, sisters tie a sacred thread on their brothers' wrists.
Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival)
The great chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
Karva Chauth
A day-long fast by married women for the longevity of their husbands.
Akshaya Tritiya
The auspicious day of inexhaustible merit, the most auspicious day of the Hindu year.
Chhath Puja
The ancient sun festival of Bihar, standing in water to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun.
From the Blog
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions & Answers
What is Hinduism?+
Hinduism is a major world religion and a diverse family of traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It has no single founder or universally required creed, and instead encompasses a wide range of beliefs, rituals, and philosophical schools. Common threads across many Hindu traditions include the ideas of dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha, along with reverence for sacred texts and a variety of deities understood by many Hindus as expressions of one ultimate reality.
What are the sacred texts of Hinduism?+
Hindu scripture is traditionally grouped into shruti (that which is heard or revealed), which includes the Vedas and the Upanishads, and smriti (that which is remembered), which includes epics and other works. Widely revered texts include the four Vedas, the philosophical Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita (part of the Mahabharata epic), and the Ramayana. These texts address ritual, ethics, cosmology, and the nature of the self and the divine, and you can read them in the U-God library.
What do Hindus believe about karma and reincarnation?+
Many Hindus understand karma as the principle that actions carry moral consequences that shape one's future, in this life or in lives to come. This connects to samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, in which the soul (atman) is reborn according to its karma. The widely shared spiritual goal in Hindu tradition is moksha, liberation from this cycle and union with or realization of the ultimate reality often called Brahman. Interpretations of these ideas vary considerably across Hindu schools and communities.
Do Hindus worship one god or many gods?+
Hindu views on this vary, and the tradition includes monotheistic, polytheistic, monistic, and other perspectives. Many Hindus hold that there is one supreme reality, often called Brahman, that is expressed through many deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. Others focus their devotion on a single chosen deity while respecting others. Because of this internal diversity, Hinduism cannot be reduced to a single description of God.
What are common Hindu practices?+
Hindu practice is varied and can include puja (devotional worship at home or in temples), prayer, meditation, and the chanting of mantras. Many Hindus observe festivals such as Diwali and Holi, undertake pilgrimages to sacred sites, and follow paths of devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), or disciplined action (karma yoga). Practices differ widely by region, community, and personal tradition.