On Hinduism

Simple answers to your questions on Hinduism are provided here.
Use the search button (top right on desktop, top left on smartphones) to find specific topics of interest. At the bottom of each answer, check the “Tags” section for related topics. To learn more about this Q&A project, click [here].

You can also download an earlier collection: 300QAs on Hinduism (PDF). Thank you.

05. Traditions

Most Hindus belong to one of four major deity traditions (denominations)—Shaiva, Shakta, Vaishnava, and Smarta. The central deity worshipped and certain philosophical tenets differ. All denominations, however, share many core beliefs such as maya, karma, and moksha. All uphold the validity of Vedas. Shaivas primarily worship different forms of Lord Shiva; Shaktas worship Shakti, or the Divine Mother in Her various forms; Vaishnavas worship forms of Lord Vishnu; and Smartas worship different forms of six major deities, including Lord Shiva, Shakti, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya and Lord Surya, holding them all to be forms of Brahman, the eternal, infinite, unchanging principle that is the substratum of the universe and is both immanent and transcendent.


.Other reading material: https://houseoflac.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/worship-in-sanatan-dharma/

Relevant videos

Contributor: Dharmi Sarkar

Location of this post (5a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-are-four-deity-traditions/

Category: 05. Traditions

24. Women in Hinduism

In Hinduism, women are considered equal in their pursuit of life’s goals: dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Hinduism acknowledges both masculine and feminine aspects of the divine, emphasizing the worship of the Divine in its feminine form. This recognition of the Divine as feminine, represented by Shakti, is a significant aspect of Hinduism.

However, despite these spiritual ideals, social practices have often deviated from the principles of gender equality as seen in ancient Vedic times. Like many cultures, Hindu societies have faced social inequalities that are being addressed over time.

Throughout history, there have been voices advocating against discrimination and misogyny within Hinduism. Women such as Mirabai and Akka Mahadevi are revered as spiritual leaders from past centuries. In contemporary Hindu movements, female leaders like Sharda Devi, Ammachi, Shree Maa, and others advocate for seeing the divine in all individuals, promoting equality and respect for all.


Other reading material: Short answers to real questions about Hinduism

HAF: https://www.hinduamerican.org/hinduism-short-answers-real-questions#Women

Video: An answer in a classroom,

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (24a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-the-status-of-women-in-the-practice-of-hinduism/