Important pooja's in a person's life

Poojas are important events in the lives of Hindu devotees. Even with our fast-paced lives and strict schedules we try to make time to offer Poojas in order to seek God’s blessings and ensure a prosperous life.
The purpose of Pooja is to seek a connection with a particular God. Devotees chant mantras, perform elaborate rituals and whisper their desires to God Himself. Any successful pooja can benefit a devotee’s life and fulfill their desires. However, some particular poojas are exceptionally powerful and super-effective. They are done at some of the most highly revered temples across the country by learned, experienced priests and always have tremendous quick benefits.

Let us have a look at the top 12 Poojas one can perform:

1. Shanidev Tailabhishekam – The offering of oil to Swayambhu Shanidev at the holy shrine of Shingnapaur is the most powerful remedy for Shani Dosh. Devotees from all across the nation visit Shanidev’s temple at Shingnapur to perform Tailabhishekam which also gets rid of bad karmic influences, marital and personal problems; besides eliminating Shani Dosh completely. 

2. Parthiv Shivling Pooja – Parthiv Shivling Pooja is a special pooja dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Parthiv Shivling is a shivling made of Mud/Sand. 108 Parthi Shivlings are made on the bank of Holy river Ganga and Abhishek is done on your behalf. This pooja can be done at the Omkareshwar and Kashi Jyoptirlinga temples and has several benefits. It is an effective cure for Grah Dosh, diseases, misfortune, accidents and reduces stress too.

3. Rudra Abhishek Pooja – Rudra Abhishek Pooja is another auspicious pooja, performed to seek Lord Shiva’s powerful blessings. Rudra abhishek Puja includes Shivling Abhishek with 11 Ingredients and chanting of 108 names of Lord Shiva. Benefits of this pooja include professional and personal success, financial stability, familial harmony and also the removal of planetary dosh.

4. Kaalsarp Dosh Nivarana Pooja – Kalsarp Yog exists when all seven planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury) are aligned between Rahu and Ketu. People, who are born during this period, are said to be suffering from misfortune and death-like painful experiences throughout their lives. The Kaalsarp Dosh Nivaran Pooja is quite effective in removing the negative effects of Kaalsarp Dosh, which immensely improves the lives of devotees.

5. Mangal Dosh Nivarana Pooja – Mars or Mangal is a fiery planet and one of the main Navagrahas that hugely influence life on earth. IfMars is placed in any of the houses 1, 4, 7, 8 or 12, in a Horoscope where the rising sign or the ascendant is taken as the first house, Manglik Dosh is said to be formed in that horoscope. Mangal Dosh Nivarana Pooja removes obstacles in personal and professional life, gets rid of Manglik Dosh and encourages positive thoughts and actions.

6. Mahamrityunjay Mantra Jaap – The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is one of the most powerful Shiva mantras and is also extremely effective in seeking His blessings. It has the power to destroy all negative spiritual effects, creates a Kavach of protection over one’s family and helps one become ambitious. Most obstacles in life can be resolved by this Pooja and one’s past sins are also forgiven.

7. Satyanarayan Katha and Havan – Satyanarayan is one of the most famous forms of Lord Vishnu, who is widely revered by Hindus everywhere. This form of Lord Vishnu is considered as the embodiment of truth and is quite famous amongst Vishnu bhakts. Performing Satyanarayan Pooja during Purnima days is considered particularly auspicious. It helps one become successful in life and improves one’s body and mind. This pooja also removes past sins and encourages familial harmony.

8. Vishnu Pooja – Vishnu is one of the most revered deities of the Hinduism and one of the Trimurti Gods alongside Brahma and Shiva. Devotees all across India perform worship of Lord Vishnu at home and at temples every day, to seek his most auspicious blessings. This special pooja has several benefits. It provides mental, physical and spiritual peace and helps one live a righteous life. It also helps devotees to face difficulties and gain Moksha in the afterlife.

9. Katyayani Pooja – Maa Katyayani is a manifestation of Maa Shakti, who is one one of the key deities of  Hinduism. Each year, millions of devotees visit the various Shaktipeeth temples to offer Pooja to Maa Katyayani. It is one of the most important Devi Poojas and has tremendous benefits. Katyayani Pooja can eliminate Manglik Dosh, bring happiness to married life and benefits overall quality of family life. 

10. Hanuman Pooja – Hanuman ji is considered as incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Hanuman Puja is done before sunrise with Hanuman Chalisa Jaap. Performing Hanumanji’s Pooja and Aarti has many benefits for you and your family. This pooja removes fear from the hearts of devotees and gives them courage to face all difficulties of life. It also eliminates Grah Dosh and ensures future prosperity. 

11. Ganesh Pooja – Lord Ganesh is one of the most important deities in Hinduism and no other pooja can be performed without worshipping him first. However the exclusive pooja of Lord Ganesh has many amazing benefits for a devotee’s life. Ganesh pooja brings good health, wealth, prosperity and success. It also has the ability to destroy planetary and other dosh. 

12. Lakshmi Pooja – Maa Lakshmi is one of the key forms of Shakti and she is widely revered by devotees. She is one of the Trimurti Godesses of Hinduism along with Durga and Saraswati. Lakshmi Pooja has many key benefits for a person’s life. It bestows good fortune, wealth and prosperity and brings joy to family life.

Information about Lord Shiva

How do I identify images of the god Shiva and his family?

Shiva The god Shiva, the Creator and Destroyer, is often shown with a cobra, the Naga, symbol of fertility and strength, wrapped around his neck. The god usually has four arms, signifying his superhuman power, each with a hand holding one of his attributes. He uses the trishula, or trident, like a spear to destroy his demon foes. Frequently he holds a drum rattlewhose sound creates life as it reverberates through the cosmos. The beads of his rosary symbolize all time (past, present, and future) and its transcendence. The three horizontal lines often seen on Shiva's forehead represent three aspects of the divine: the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer. During puja, many devotees of Shiva mark their own foreheads with these three lines in sacred ash or sandalwood paste.

How do Hindus worship at Home?

The heart of every Hindu home is its shrine: the sacred space set apart for honoring and worshiping the gods. While a particularly devout Hindu may visit a temple every day, others go there only to request a favor of the deity, to fulfill specific vows, or on festival days. The pujas that take place in the household shrine are the foundation of all family actions and decisions. Temple worship requires the intervention of a priest, but in the home the contact between devotee and deity is direct. The size and decoration of a household shrine do not matter. The shrine may be large and impressive, an entire room or a beautifully designed edifice, or it may be simply a tiny niche, or even just a row of religious prints pasted on a wall. Although children grow up following family beliefs, they are encouraged as young adults to make their own choices of which gods or goddesses they find personally inspiring. Consequently, household shrines contain images of deities that pertain to the belief systems of all a home's inhabitants, and it is not uncommon to find several small individual shrines in one household. Puja is usually performed by at least one member of the household every day. Puja is a means of honoring the gods or goddesses, whose presence in the home is believed to protect the family and to engender good fortune. The paraphernalia used include an incense burner and a tray with flowers, fruits, and food.

Case Study: Worship at a Household Shrine The shrine in the photograph on the left is typical of one that might be found in a middle-class Hindu home. Members of the family choose objects specific to their devotion to place in the shrine. Many objects are handed down through generations, while others may be purchased during a pilgrimage or commissioned from a craftsperson in response to a special need. As a part of daily puja, the deities' presence is honored by washing each sculpture with water and other sacred substances, dressing it, and adorning it with flowers and powdered vermilion, a red dye. During worship, each devotee gives to the gods offerings of more flowers and fruit Courtesy: Daily Puja.

How do Hindus worship in a temple?

A Hindu temple is believed to be the earthly seat of a deity and the place where the deity waits for its devotees. As such, temple structures are sacred spaces where gods partake of human offerings and in which the people can be with the gods. Many temples resemble palace architecture; this is not surprising, as deities are often considered kings. Temples are normally dedicated to one primary god. Often they are elaborately decorated on the outside with stone or plaster carvings depicting religious stories, and their decoration is specific to the deity being worshiped. Mythological scenes are juxtaposed with scenes of everyday life and important political events, such as royal coronations, conquests, and celebrations, or with portraits of royal and secular patrons. These divine images and mythological scenes on the outer walls of the temple help worshipers recall the sacred stories they have heard or read. One should remove one's shoes before entering a Hindu temple in order to pay appropriate respect to the deity within the temple. The innermost sanctuary of the temple contains the principal image of the deity. The character of each shrine is determined by the deity being worshiped.

Case Study: A Temple Dedicated to Shiva In a temple dedicated to the god Shiva, the sacred, inner sanctum is always simple. It holds the most precious image of Shiva: a linga. The linga is a symbolic image of the god. Some people believe it derives its shape from sexual symbolism, but most Hindus view this imagery as simply a representation of the god's potency in every area of existence.  Often an image of Nandi, the sacred bull on which Shiva rides, faces the linga. Nandi signifies single-minded devotion and the peaceful strength of faith. Sets of bronze bells may hang at the front of the shrine. At the beginning of puja and during prayers, they are rung by worshipers to request the god's attention. Above the linga may be a vessel filled with holy water that is allowed to drip onto the top of the linga during puja, symbolically anointing it in order to honor the deity. At the front of the shrine there are usually oil lamps that are lit during worship. Other objects that may be used during puja are a small pot to hold holy water; a spoon for ladling the water onto the linga; an incense burner; and a handbell that is rung by the priest during the puja. In all Hindu shrines one moves clockwise around the central image before approaching the god.

Why are there so many different Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism..

Why are there so many different gods and goddesses?

The presence of so many different gods is often puzzling to non-Hindus. Hindus suggest that one may view the divine force as a diamond with innumerable facets; each deity is one of these facets. One or another of the facets may have particular significance and appeal to an individual. By acknowledging the power of an individual facet, however, the believer does not deny the existence of others. On the contrary, Hindus affirm the existence of many aspects of the divine.

Posters from left to right: Vishnu and Lakshmi, Durga, and Rama with Lakshman (left), Sita (right), and Hanuman (kneeling). Why are there so many different forms of the deities? Hindu deities are the sum of all of existence: masculine and feminine, sadness and happiness, creation and destruction, disease and health. Each deity may have several manifestations, each one representing a different side of the deity's personality. In addition, Hindus believe in reincarnation, and some of the deities themselves have many incarnations. The god Vishnu, for example, is said to have had ten incarnations. Most images in Hindu temples and shrines are permanent and impermeable. Carved of stone, cast in metal, or painted on cloth, they may remain in one spot for centuries or even thousands of years. In some shrines, however, the icon of the principal deity is sculpted of an impermanent material and may be immersed in a river or left to disintegrate after the puja. Shrines themselves may also be transitory. Some rituals are enacted only once a year in conjunction with a seasonal change, while others respond to a specific need, such as relief from drought or protection from epidemic. For any of these irregular events, a temporary shrine may be built and then dismantled after use. Many images of deities are anthropomorphic, that is, they are painted or sculpted to represent the deity in human or superhuman form. Others are abstract or amorphous-a tree, a rock, a pot, a cone, or a stake. Any of these objects, whether anthropomorphic or abstract, can be invested with the holy and powerful spirit of the deity. Where do Hindus worship? Hindus commonly conduct pujas in shrines in three different environments: in temples, in the home, and in outdoor public spaces. It is equally common for any of the deities to be worshiped in any of these three types of shrines. Hindus believe that if proper care is not taken of a temple's images, the deity will abandon the temple. Hence priests reside at the temple and take care of the gods' needs. Priests perform puja at sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight. For a layperson, however, visiting a temple every day or even regularly is not mandatory, and many devout Hindus worship at home. The essential aspect of puja is not congregational worship but an individual's offering to a deity. Worship in the home usually takes place daily.

Basic beliefs of Hinduism..

What are the basic beliefs of Hinduism?
Most Hindus believe in an immense unifying force that governs all existence and cannot be completely known by humanity. Individual gods and goddesses are personifications of this cosmic force. In practice, each Hindu worships those few deities that he or she believes directly influence his or her life. By selecting one or more of these deities to worship, and by conducting the rituals designed to facilitate contact with them, a Hindu devotee is striving to experience his or her unity with that cosmic force. While scholars, philosophers, and priests debate the finer points of Hindu theology, lay worshipers call upon familiar gods to help with their everyday hopes and problems.
There are three primary Hindu deities:
	Shiva (the Creator and Destroyer), who destroys the old while creating the new. His consorts include the loving Parvati and the ferocious Durga, who represent the feminine aspects of his complex nature.
	Vishnu (the Preserver) and his two most popular incarnations, Krishna and Rama.
	Devi (the Protecting Mother), sometimes known simply as the Goddess, who appears in some form in every region of India. She is often identified as the creative energy of the universe, and is considered by her followers the equal of Vishnu and Shiva.

What is a Puja?

What is puja?

Puja is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. An essential part of puja for the Hindu devotee is making a spiritual connection with the divine. Most often that contact is facilitated through an object: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print. During puja an image or other symbol of the god serves as a means of gaining access to the divine. This icon is not the deity itself; rather, it is believed to be filled with the deity's cosmic energy. It is a focal point for honoring and communicating with the god. For the devout Hindu, the icon's artistic merit is important, but is secondary to its spiritual content. The objects are created as receptacles for spiritual energy that allow the devotee to experience direct communication with his or her gods. How is puja performed? Wherever puja is performed it includes three important components: the seeing of the deity; puja, or worship, which includes offering flowers, fruits, and foods; and retrieving the blessed food and consuming it. By performing these sacred acts the worshiper creates a relationship with the divine through his or her emotions and senses. During a household puja, the head of the household chants prayers to the god or goddess. The worshipers offer the deity a seat, wash its feet, and give it water. An image may be symbolically bathed, clothed in new garments, and embellished with ornaments. Perfumes and ointments may be applied, and flowers and garlands may be placed before it. Incense is burned, and a lighted lamp is waved in front of the deity. Foods such as cooked rice, fruit, butter, and sugar are offered. Family members bow before the image, sip the water they have given the god, and receive a portion of cooked food. The food and water are now considered to have been blessed by the deity for the devotees. At the temple, where the gods are believed to dwell as royalty, puja is usually performed at sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight. Worshipers may also arrange for a puja to be done by a priest to mark a special event such as a birth or death or to ask for a particular favor. Puja is a multisensory experience. One observes the offering of the lighted lamps, touches the ritual objects and feet of the deity (where possible), hears the ringing of the bells and the sacred chants being recited, smells the incense, and tastes the blessed food offered at the end of the ritual.

History of Hindu Temples

Historians say Hindu Temples did not exist during the Vedic period (1500 - 500 BC). The remains of the earliest temple structure were discovered in Surkh Kotal, a place in Afghanistan by a French archeologist in 1951. It was not dedicated to a god but to the imperial cult of King Kanishka (127 - 151 AD). The ritual of idol worship which became popular at the end of the Vedic age may have given rise to the concept of temples as a place of worship.

The Earliest Hindu Temples

The earliest temple structures were not made of stones or bricks, which came much later. In ancient times, public or community temples were possibly made of clay with thatched roofs made of straw or leaves. Cave-temples were prevalent in remote places and mountainous terrains.

According to historian Nirad C. Chaudhuri, the earliest structures that indicate idol worship date back to the 4th or 5th century AD. There was a seminal development in temple architecture between the 6th and the 16th century. This growth phase of Hindu temples charts its rise and fall alongside the fate of the various dynasties that reigned India during the period majorly contributing and influencing the building of temples, especially in South India. Hindus consider the building of temples an extremely pious act, bringing great religious merit. Hence kings and wealthy men were eager to sponsor the construction of temples, notes Swami Harshananda, and the various steps of building the shrines were performed as religious rites.

Temples of South India (6th - 18th Century AD)

The Pallavas (600 - 900 AD) sponsored the building of the rock-cut chariot-shaped temples of Mahabalipuram, including the famous shore temple, the Kailashnath and Vaikuntha Perumal temples in Kanchipuram in southern India. The Pallavas style further flourished with the structures growing in stature and sculptures becoming more ornate and intricate during the rule of the dynasties that followed, particularly the Cholas (900 - 1200 AD), the Pandyas temples (1216 - 1345 AD), the Vijayanagar kings (1350 - 1565 AD) and the Nayaks (1600 - 1750 AD).

The Chalukyas (543 - 753 AD) and the Rastrakutas (753 - 982 AD) also made major contributions to the development of temple architecture in Southern India. The Cave Temples of Badami, the Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal, the Durga Temple at Aihole and the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora are standing examples of the grandeur of this era. Other important architectural marvels of this period are the sculptures of Elephanta Caves and the Kashivishvanatha temple.

During the Chola period, the South Indian style of building temples reached its pinnacle, as exhibited by the imposing structures of the Tanjore temples. The Pandyas followed in the footsteps the Cholas and further improved on their Dravidian style as evident in the elaborate temple complexes of Madurai and Srirangam. After the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar kings continued the Dravidian tradition, as evident in the marvelous temples of Hampi. The Nayaks of Madurai, who followed the Vijayanagar kings, hugely contributed to the architectural style of their temples, bringing in elaborate hundred or thousand-pillared corridors, and tall and ornate 'gopurams' or monumental structures that formed the gateway to the temples as evident in the temples of Madurai and Rameswaram.

Temples of East, West and Central India (8th - 13th Century AD)

In Eastern India, particularly in Orissa between 750-1250 AD and in Central India between 950-1050 AD many gorgeous temples were built. The temples of Lingaraja in Bhubaneswar, the Jagannath temple in Puri and the Surya temple in Konarak bear the stamp of Orissa's proud ancient heritage. The Khajuraho temples, known for its erotic sculptures, the temples of Modhera and Mt. Abu have their own style belonging to Central India. The terracotta architectural style of Bengal also lent itself to its temples, also notable for its gabled roof and eight-sided pyramid structure called the 'aath-chala'.

Temples of Southeast Asia (7th - 14th century AD)

Southeast Asian countries, many of which were ruled by Indian monarchs saw the construction of many marvelous temples in the region between 7th and 14th century AD that are popular tourist attractions till his day, the most famous amongst them being the Angkor Vat temples built by King Surya Varman II in the 12th century. Some of the major Hindu temples in Southeast Asia that are still extant include the Chen La temples of Cambodia (7th - 8th century), the Shiva temples at Dieng and Gdong Songo in Java (8th - 9th century), the Pranbanan temples of Java (9th - 10th century), the Banteay Srei temple at Angkor (10th century), the Gunung Kawi temples of Tampaksiring in Bali (11th century), and Panataran (Java) (14th century), and the Mother Temple of Besakih in Bali (14th century).

Hindu Temples of Today

Today, Hindu temples across the globe form the cynosure of India's cultural tradition and spiritual succor. There are Hindu temples in all almost countries of the world, and contemporary India is bristling with beautiful temples, which hugely contribute to her cultural heritage. In 2005, arguably the largest temple complex was inaugurated in New Delhi on the banks of river Yamuna. The mammoth effort of 11,000 artisans and volunteers made the majestic grandeur of Akshardham temple a reality, an astounding feat which the proposed world's tallest Hindu temple of Mayapur in West Bengal is aiming accomplish.

[Written by Subhomay Das]

What Do Hindu Idols Symbolize?

The Vedic deities symbolize the forces of nature as well as inside human beings. While discussing the symbolic significance of Vedic deities in his The Secret of the Vedas, Rishi Aurobindo says that the gods, goddesses, and demons mentioned in the Vedas represent various cosmic powers, on one hand, and man's virtues and vices on the other.

Why Worship Idol?

Idol worship and rituals are at the heart of Hinduism have great religious and philosophical significance. All Hindu deities are themselves symbols of the abstract Absolute and point to a particular aspect of the Brahman. The Hindu Trinity is represented by three Godheads: Brahma - the creator, Vishnu - the protector and Shiva - the destroyer.

Why Worship Different Deities?

Unlike the followers of any other religion, Hindus enjoy the freedom of worshipping their personally chosen icon to offer their prayers to the indefinable Brahman. Each deity in Hinduism controls a particular energy. These energies, present in man as wild forces must be controlled and canalized fruitfully to infuse a divine consciousness in him. For this, man has to gain the goodwill of different gods who stir up his consciousness accordingly to help him master the different forces of nature. In a person's path of spiritual progress, he or she needs to develop the various attributes of these godheads in him or her to attain all-round spiritual perfection.

Symbolism of Gods & Goddesses

Each Hindu God and Goddess has many characteristics, like the dress, 'vehicle', weapons, etc., that are themselves symbols of the deity's power. Brahma holds the Vedas in his hands, which signifies that he has the supreme command over creative and religious knowledge. Vishnu holds a conch which stands for the five elements and eternity; a discus, which is the symbol of the mind; a bow that symbolizes power and a lotus which is the symbol of the cosmos. Shiva's trident represents the three gunas. Similarly, Krishna's flute symbolizes divine music.

Many deities can be recognized by the symbols associated with them. Shiva is often symbolized by the 'linga' or 'tripundra' - the three horizontal lines on his forehead. In the same way, Krishna can be identified by the peacock feather he wears in his head and also by the prong-like mark on his forehead.

Vehicles of the Gods

Each deity has a particular vehicle on which he or she travels. These vehicles, which are either animals or birds, represent the various forces that he or she rides. Goddess Saraswati's vehicle, the graceful and beautiful peacock denotes that she is the controller of the pursuit of performing arts. Vishnu sits on the primal serpent, which represents the desire of consciousness in humankind. Shiva rides the Nandi bull, which stands for the brute and blind power, as well as the unbridled sexual energy in man - the qualities only he can help us control. His consort Parvati, Durga or Kali rides on a lion, which symbolizes mercilessness, anger, and pride - vices she can help her devotees check. Ganesha's carrier, the mouse represents the timidity and nervousness that overwhelm us at the onset of any new venture - feelings that can be overcome by the blessings of Ganesha.

[Written by Subhomay Das]

The Darshanas: An Introduction to Hindu Philosophy

What are Darshanas?

Darshanas are schools of philosophy based on the Vedas. They are part of the six scriptures of the Hindus, the other five being Shrutis, Smritis, Itihasas, Puranas, and Agamas. While the first four are intuitional, and the fifth inspirational and emotional, the Darshanas are the intellectual sections of the Hindu writings. The Darshana literature is philosophical in nature and meant for the erudite scholars who are endowed with acumen, understanding, and intellect. While the Itihasas, Puranas, and Agamas are meant for the masses and appeal to the heart, the Darshanas appeal to the intellect.

How is Hindu Philosophy Classified?

Hindu philosophy has six divisions—Shad-Darsana—the six Darshanas or ways of seeing things, usually called the six systems or schools of thought. The six divisions of philosophy are the instruments of demonstrating Truth. Each school has interpreted, assimilated and correlated the various parts of the Vedas in its own way. Each system has its Sutrakara, i.e., the one great sage who systematized the doctrines of the school and put them in short aphorisms or Sutras.

What are the Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy?

The various schools of thought are different paths that lead to the same goal. The six systems are:

1. The Nyaya: Sage Gautama devised the principles of Nyaya or the Indian logical system. The Nyaya is considered as a prerequisite for all philosophical inquiry.
2. The Vaiseshika: The Vaiseshika is a supplement of the Nyaya. Sage Kanada composed the Vaiseshika Sutras.
3. The Sankhya: Sage Kapila founded the Sankhya system.
4. The Yoga: The Yoga is a supplement to the Sankhya. Sage Patanjali systematized the Yoga school and composed the Yoga Sutras.
5. The Mimamsa: Sage Jaimini, a disciple of the great sage Vyasa, composed the Sutras of the Mimamsa school, which is based on the ritual sections of the Vedas.
6. The Vedanta: The Vedanta is an amplification and fulfillment of the Sankhya. Sage Badarayana composed the Vedanta-Sutras or Brahma-Sutras which expound the teachings of the Upanishads.

What is the Goal of the Darshanas?

The goal of all the six Darshanas is the removal of ignorance and its effects of pain and sufferings, and the attainment of freedom, perfection, and eternal bliss by the union of the individual soul or Jivatman with the Supreme Soul or Paramatman. The Nyaya calls ignorance Mithya Jnana or false knowledge. The Sankhya styles it Aviveka or non-discrimination between the real and the unreal. The Vedanta names it Avidya or nescience. Each philosophy aims at eradicating ignorance through knowledge or Jnana and achieve eternal bliss.

What is Interrelation between the Six Systems

During the time of Sankaracharya, all the six schools of philosophy flourished. The six schools are divided into three groups: 

1. The Nyaya and the Vaiseshika
2. The Sankhya and the Yoga
3. The Mimamsa and the Vedanta

Nyaya & Vaiseshika: The Nyaya and the Vaiseshika give an analysis of the world of experience. By the study of Nyaya and Vaiseshika, one learns to utilize their intellect to find out fallacies and know about the material constitution of the world. They arrange all things of the world into certain kinds or categories or Padarthas. They explain how God has made all this material world out of atoms and molecules, and show the way to attain Supreme Knowledge – that of God.

Sankhya & Yoga: Through the study of Sankhya, one can understand the course of evolution. Postulated by the great sage Kapila, who is regarded as the father of psychology, the Sankhya provides an in-depth knowledge of Hindu psychology. The study and practice of Yoga give one self-restraint and mastery over the mind and senses. The Yoga philosophy deals with meditation and the control of Vrittis or thought-waves and shows the ways to discipline the mind and the senses. It helps one to cultivate concentration and one-pointedness of the mind and enter into the superconscious state known as Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

Mimamsa & Vedanta: Mimamsa comprises two parts: The ‘Purva-Mimamsa’ deals with the Karma-Kanda of the Vedas which deals with action, and the ‘Uttara-Mimamsa’ with the Jnana-Kanda, which deals with knowledge. The latter is also known as the ‘Vedanta-Darshana’ and forms the cornerstone of Hinduism. The Vedanta philosophy explains in detail the nature of Brahman or the Eternal Being and shows that the individual soul is, in essence, identical with the Supreme Self. It gives methods to remove Avidya or the veil of ignorance and to merge oneself in the ocean of bliss, i.e., the Brahman. By the practice of Vedanta, one can reach the pinnacle of spirituality or divine glory and oneness with the Supreme Being.

Which is the Most Satisfactory System of Indian Philosophy?

The Vedanta is the most satisfactory system of philosophy and having evolved out of the Upanishads, it has superseded all other schools. According to the Vedanta, Self-realisation or Jnana is the foremost thing, and ritual and worship are mere accessories. Karma may take one to heaven but it cannot destroy the cycle of births and deaths, and cannot give eternal bliss and immortality.

[Written by Subhamoy Das]