Hinduism: Ways of Living

Question 1

What are the four margas?

Answer 1

• Jnana Marga (path of knowledge; scriptures or science)
• Bhakti Marga (path of spiritual devotion; worship of an ishvara)
• Karma Marga (path of action)
• Astanga or Raja Marga (path of meditation)

Question 2

How do the margas bring you closer to Moksha?

Answer 2

• Moksha is like the centre of a circle
• With every reincarnation, you are getting nearer: this is the path of Bhakti devotion that most Hindus follow.
• When you purge all your karma, you reach Moksha
• Jnana, Raja, and Karma Yoga are like a straight line to the centre of the circle.
• Raja (Bhagavad Gita):
  “To the self-controlled and serene, the Supreme Self is the object of constant realisation, in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, as well as in honour and dishonour”

Question 3

What is Svadharma?

Answer 3

Personal duty - doing your duty in keeping with your nature.

Question 4

What is Sewa?

Answer 4

• Selfless service - being kind without expecting any reward
• Concept of selfless love is fairly modern - Swaminarayan and Hare Krishna
• Rig Veda: “The Gods have not ordained hunger to be a death”

Question 5

What is Dana?

Answer 5

• Giving
• Traditional Hindus believe you should try to get as much money as you can, then when you retire, you should give it to a philanthropic cause, e.g. building a school or temple
• Modern sects, e.g. Hare Krishna, take this literally. They give money to charity.