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| # '''Jnana or Knowledge''' : The knowledge of Vedas, Vedangas, Darshanas all culminate in the Vedanta. All these were summed up together as the Lesser Knowledge (outward and revealed), and the Knowledge of the ONE, is alone considered as supreme and indivisible by virtue of it being an internal experience of Atma. Thus states Mundakopanishad (1.1.4.5). Knowledge of the Brahman (Jnana) is attained by experiencing the Self or Atma which is possible by the removal of Avidya, the root cause of karmic cycle of rebirth. | | # '''Jnana or Knowledge''' : The knowledge of Vedas, Vedangas, Darshanas all culminate in the Vedanta. All these were summed up together as the Lesser Knowledge (outward and revealed), and the Knowledge of the ONE, is alone considered as supreme and indivisible by virtue of it being an internal experience of Atma. Thus states Mundakopanishad (1.1.4.5). Knowledge of the Brahman (Jnana) is attained by experiencing the Self or Atma which is possible by the removal of Avidya, the root cause of karmic cycle of rebirth. |
| # '''Karma Siddhanta (Law of Cause and Effect)''' : The soul undergoes it’s own karma, by which each person must experience the results or consequences of his activities and creates his own destiny based on his thought, words and deeds. | | # '''Karma Siddhanta (Law of Cause and Effect)''' : The soul undergoes it’s own karma, by which each person must experience the results or consequences of his activities and creates his own destiny based on his thought, words and deeds. |
− | # '''Punarjanma (Rebirth) :''' Man (Jiva the seed of Brahman) transmigrates in different forms wandering about in the Universe, as long as he thinks of himself as different from Ishvara or the Supreme. As long as this Avidya continues he wanders in Samsara only attaining moksha from punarjanma (cycle of birth and death) once he realizes his identity with the Paramatma. Shvetasvara Upanishad summarizes in a single sloka, the reason for punarjanma and the means to end it. | + | # '''Punarjanma (Rebirth) :''' Man (Jiva the seed of Brahman) transmigrates in different forms wandering about in the Universe, as long as he thinks of himself as different from Ishvara or the Supreme. As long as this Avidya continues he wanders in Samsara only attaining moksha from punarjanma (cycle of birth and death) once he realizes his identity with the Paramatma. Shvetasvara Upanishad summarizes in a single sloka, the reason for punarjanma and the means to end it. <blockquote> सर्वाजीवे सर्वसंस्थे बृहन्ते तस्मिन्हंसो भ्राम्यते ब्रह्मचक्रे । पृथगात्मानं प्रेरितारं च मत्वा जुष्टस्ततस्तेनामृतत्वमेति ॥ ६ ॥</blockquote> |
− | ## सर्वाजीवे सर्वसंस्थे बृहन्ते तस्मिन्हंसो भ्राम्यते ब्रह्मचक्रे । पृथगात्मानं प्रेरितारं च मत्वा जुष्टस्ततस्तेनामृतत्वमेति ॥ ६ ॥
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| # '''Guru-Shishya Parampara:''' We can receive proper instruction on how to follow the teachings of the Vedic philosophy from an authorized guru who is in line with a genuine parampara, or line of gurus. | | # '''Guru-Shishya Parampara:''' We can receive proper instruction on how to follow the teachings of the Vedic philosophy from an authorized guru who is in line with a genuine parampara, or line of gurus. |
| # '''Dharmik Jeevanavidhana''' ''':''' Leading a Dharmik lifestyle includes adherence to principles of Dharma as laid down in Shrutis and Smrtis. such as ahimsa or non-violence should be followed. | | # '''Dharmik Jeevanavidhana''' ''':''' Leading a Dharmik lifestyle includes adherence to principles of Dharma as laid down in Shrutis and Smrtis. such as ahimsa or non-violence should be followed. |
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| # then '''Kama''', to enjoy and work out our basic material desires as is appropriate for our particular stage of life; | | # then '''Kama''', to enjoy and work out our basic material desires as is appropriate for our particular stage of life; |
| # and then retire from all that and focus on '''Moksha''' or attaining Self-realization and freedom from any further rounds of birth and death in material existence. | | # and then retire from all that and focus on '''Moksha''' or attaining Self-realization and freedom from any further rounds of birth and death in material existence. |
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| == Expansion of the ten principles == | | == Expansion of the ten principles == |
| # The Vedic Tradition is not a religion, '''but a way of life''', a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence. | | # The Vedic Tradition is not a religion, '''but a way of life''', a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence. |