1. The 4 Hindu Aims/Goals of Life
This consists of a Hindus personal value system and it incorporates their material
desires as well as their spiritual needs.
Aim / Goal
Characteristics
1. Dharma
live your life with compassion toward all beings
absence of cruelty and greed
search for peace, tranquility and goodness
2. Artha
earning money by honest means
provide for the family
acquire wealth and status honestly
no stealing, cheating, charging interest
3. Kama
pursuit of love and physical pleasure to balance life
this is accomplished through marriage and not until then
4. Moksha
leading the soul toward salvation through honest and moral action

2. Main Characteristics or Plan of Action
Paths to Salvation (Paths of YOGA)
Paths to Salvation (Paths of YOGA) = Paths to liberation, or Moksha.
Hindus can choose 1 of 4 paths to help them on their road to end samsara, or the cycle
of rebirths. This is done in choosing one or more paths of YOGA. These are listed from the easiest path to the most difficult path.
Type of Yoga
The Path of:
Level of Difficulty
Main Characteristics or Plan of Action
1. Bhakti Yoga
Devotion
Easiest
devotion and love to a personal deity
(ie. puja)
2. Karma Yoga
Action
Moderate
dharma = karma
good acts and deeds
doing what is morally right
3. Jnana Yoga
Wisdom
Difficult
guidance from a guru
learn sanskrit
meditation and insight
learn about relationship between atman and Brahman
4. Raja Yoga
Meditation
Very Difficult
meditation
contemplation on Brahman
search for the truth

3. Dharma is the CODE or moral duty
Dharma is the CODE or moral duty. All must follow dharma for the well-being of the individual, family, and society.