Hinduism, the world’s oldest and the most diverse living religion doesn’t revolve around a single founder or a single tradition; hence, there is no single doctrine as well.
Though there is no single doctrine, there are 7 core beliefs of Hinduism that are widely recognized across major schools of Hindu thought.
In this article, we’ll explore these seven core beliefs, drawing from major sacred texts of Hinduism such as the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. Whether you’re new to Hinduism or deepening your understanding, this guide offers a clear and insightful introduction to the core beliefs.
- Brahman: The Infinite Source of Everything
- Atman: The Divine Self Within
- Dharma: Living with Righteous Duty and Cosmic Order
- Karma: The Law of Action and Consequences
- Samsara: The Cycle of Birth, Death & Rebirth
- Moksha: Liberation from Samsara
- Yoga: The Path to Spiritual Realization
- What are the 7 core beliefs of Hinduism?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Brahman: The Infinite Source of Everything
At the heart of Hindu philosophy lies Brahman, the eternal, formless, infinite source of all creation. Brahman is not just a deity but the divine essence that permeates everything — animate and inanimate.
“Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” — The Truth is One, the wise call it by many names. – Rig Veda
There are two aspects of Brahman:
- Nirguna Brahman – Without form or qualities (pure consciousness, energy)
- Saguna Brahman – With form and attributes (as deities like Vishnu, Shiva, Devi)
To understand this even further, let me frame it with simple fire analogy. Nirguna Brahman is like the invisible heat of fire— it’s everywhere, but you can’t see or touch it directly. It just is pure energy without any form. Whereas, Saguna Brahman is like the visible flame and light of fire—something you can see, feel, and even worship. Just as fire takes a visible form to give us light and warmth, the divine takes form (Like Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Devi).
At the core, Brahman is to Hinduism what the ocean is to waves — the eternal source.
Atman: The Divine Self Within
Atman is the inner self, the soul — the unchanging essence of a person. The physical body is born and the physical body dies, but the Atman is always there. Unlike the physical body or thoughts, the Atman is eternal, unchanging, and untouched by pain or death.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says:
“The soul is eternal, unborn, and undying. It is not slain when the body is slain.” (Gita 2.20)
When one realizes the Atman within them, they come to understand the unity of all existence.
Dharma: Living with Righteous Duty and Cosmic Order
Dharma comes from the root ‘dhr’, meaning “to uphold.” It is the cosmic law and one’s righteous duty in life. Every being has a dharma, and every being shall upload them to maintain balance both individually and universally.
There are layers of dharma, such as the:
- Sanatana Dharma: Consists of eternal universal values (such as the truth, non-violence, compassion)
- Svadharma: Personal duty based on one’s stage of life, caste, and situation. (The actual caste system in Hinduism isn’t something that you get based on the family that you’re born in, but rather as per your nature and occupation).
The Ramayana and Mahabharata are filled with dilemmas, lessons, and the path to choose around dharma — like Arjuna’s conflict in the Gita about fighting his own family. Dharma is not rigid; it’s dynamic and context-sensitive.
Karma: The Law of Action and Consequences
Karma means action, and it carries consequences. Good actions (in thoughts, words, and deeds) bring favorable outcomes, while harmful actions bring suffering — either in this life or the next.
“As you sow, so shall you reap.”
There are three types of Karma:
- Sanchita – Accumulation of Karma of all previous lives (both good and bad). It is like a database of Karma, where all your data of Karma is stored.
- Prarabdha – A certain portion of Karma allocated from Sanchita Karma to this life. This is fixed and cannot be changed.
- Agami – Future karma generated by present actions.
Karma isn’t punishment; it’s the universe maintaining balance and teaching through experience.
Samsara: The Cycle of Birth, Death & Rebirth
Samsara in Hinduism is the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is driven by karma and the illusion (Moha, Maya) that binds the soul to the material world, being unaware of one’s true nature (Atman).
This cycle is seen as a state of suffering, ignorance, ego, and limitation. Life after life, the soul keeps moving until it realizes its true nature (Atman) and seeks liberation (Moksha).
Moksha: Liberation from Samsara
Moksha is the ultimate goal in Hinduism — liberation from the cycle of Samsara. It is freedom from suffering, ignorance, and the ego.
Upon attaining Moksha, the soul merges with Brahman (non-dualism), reaches the abode of God, or exists in blissful independence (depending on the school and traditions).
There are multiple paths to attain Moksha, the major 4 recognized ones are:
- Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion, where the devote surrender to a personal deity realizing their divineness.
- Jnana Yoga: The path of wisdom, where deep self-inquiry and knowledge of the Self dissolve ignorance.
- Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action, performing one’s duty without attachment, and surrendering the fruits of one’s action to god.
- Raja Yoga: The path of meditation and discipline, having control over the mind and the senses.
Yoga: The Path to Spiritual Realization
Yoga means “union.” It is the disciplined path toward self-realization and oneness with the divine (union with the divine, with the Brahman). The Asanas (physical exercises) are only a portion of Yoga, and true yoga expands much more than that (the major 4 ones mentioned above).
Yoga is the practical tool for applying the other six beliefs. Each person can follow the path most aligned with their temperament.
What are the 7 core beliefs of Hinduism?
The 7 core beliefs of Hinduism are:
- Yoga (The Path to Spiritual Realization)
- Brahman (The Ultimate Reality)
- Atman (The inner self, Soul)
- Dharma (Righteousness Living, Following one’s Duty)
- Karma (The Law of Cause and Effect)
- Samsara (The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth)
- Moksha (Liberation from Samsara)
Frequently Asked Questions
Hinduism’s strength lies in its flexibility. These core beliefs form a universal foundation, but the paths are diverse. You may reach Moksha through devotion, service, inquiry, or meditation — all are possible.
In the end, Hinduism invites each seeker to explore their dharma, discover the Atman within, and realize their unity with the infinite Brahman.
“Aham Brahmasmi” – I am Brahman.
If you found this blog insightful, dive deeper into Hinduism’s timeless wisdom by exploring more articles on our website!
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