Hinduism Paths to Salvation Caste System

Paths to Salvation - Yoga Dharma - One’s moral and sacred duty as defined by: their stage in life (student / householder / retirement / renunciation) their caste – determines one’s occupation their gender Yoga – to yoke or bind together

4 Paths to Salvation Bhakti Yoga – love and devotion (to be attracted to god) Karma Yoga – good deeds and thoughts Jnana Yoga – scripture and meditation Raja Yoga - meditation

Bhakti Yoga – love and devotion Most simple path to salvation Devotion and love towards a personal deity Provides an opportunity to worship Brahman in a concrete way, rather than as an abstract notion Images / statues of deity help followers focus their devotion Prayer / ritual

Karma Yoga – good deeds and thoughts Good deeds lead to the accumulation of good karma Unselfish actions don not for reward but because they are morally right Duty of an individual

Jnana Yoga – scripture and meditation Difficult path Guidance of a guru / teacher Learn about: the relationship between the Brahman and atman Nature of the universe Scriptures Meditate to gain the insight needed to achieve salvation / moksha

Raja Yoga - meditation Achieve salvation through intense mediation / contemplation on mediation on Brahman Trans like state Become one with Brahman Strict physical and spiritual discipline