Hinduism was the religion of the Hindu Vedic Scriptures. "The Vedas" and the Universal Wisdom for the Hindus, "The Sangtana Dharma". Hinduism was an ancient and complex religion with no single founding Hindu prophet or religious leader. The roots of Hinduism date back to before 3,000 B.C. and encompass an entire Hindu civilization and way of life for the Hindus. There are numerous Hindu sects but Hinduism has no clearly delineated religious organization. Due to the extreme hierarchical nature of the Hindu castes, as well as, the divergent rituals, beliefs, and daily habits of the Hindus, the forms of Hindu worship varied considerably between them. The complex system of hereditary Hindu groups, ranked Hindus by their social strata and occupations (Brahmans, priests and scholars, Kshatriyas, warriors and rulers, Vaishyas, farmers and merchants, Shudras, peasants and laborers, and Panchamas, menials and untouchables). Although the Hindu castes also adhered to the principle of the four stages of life for the Hindus (Brahmacharya, celibate student, Grihastha, householder, Vanaprastha, forest hermitage, and Sannyasa, spiritual renunciation), in practice the Hindu householder and the ascetic continued to be the main alternatives. One billion adherents follow Hinduism today, mostly in India but there are large populations in other countries. Hinduism was a family of myriad faiths that range from an absolute monistic triad, (Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer) to a pluralistic Hindu theism (the Supreme Being manifests as many gods and goddesses). The scriptures and Vedic hymns of the Hindus espouse many different viewpoints on Ultimate Reality but there are still many beliefs shared by all Hindus. Brahman Ultimate, unchanging reality, composed of pure being and consciousness, Brahman, the all pervasive, was both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. Brahman, the primal soul, existed behind the apparent multiplicity of the phenomenal world, and was fundamentally identical to the inner essence of the human being. This all encompassing divinity, order, balance, harmony, law, principle of intelligence, unified life energy, or pure consciousness underscored, emanated, and resonated throughout all of existence. Dharma Doctrine of virtuous living and of the religious and moral rights and duties of each individual to live a life of good conduct. By following divine law; being respectful of parents, elders, and swamis; by not doing mental, emotional, or physical harm to others; and by doing heart centered works of selfless service, pastlife karmas were resolved. Karma An individual's state in this life was the result of physical and mental actions in past lives. Actions in this life will influence the circumstances of future incarnations. By this law of cause and effect, individuals created their own destinies by their deeds, words, and thoughts. The cycle of rebirth will continue until all karmas were resolved and the soul attained spiritual knowledge and liberation. To read more about karmic cycles please see Karma Dharma and Reincarnation Cycles. Manifold Deities and Mahadevas All of the Hinduism goddesses and gods were revered with many different names and qualities. They were really different forms of the one, all pervasive, supreme being. The Mahadevas with the assistance of multitudes of angelic devas protected and provided daily guidance to Hindus. The Mahadevas with the assistance of multitudes of angelic devas protected and provided daily guidance to Hindus over the ages. Hinduism recognized the valuable contribution of the Nature Spirits, the Devas (Shining Ones), to the overall development and harmonic balance of India and the planetary evolutionary spirals of the Hindus. The Landscape, the Divine Forest, and the the Sacred Rivers were enlivened and hallowed by the presence of the Nature Spirits. The elemental beings of air, water, fire, and earth enlivened and sanctified all the Days and Ways of Hindu daily living. To read more about them please see Manifold Mahadevas Nature Spirits. Moksha or Mukti By transcending karma or the results of one's actions, attainment of liberation from rebirth occurred. This goal of liberation from suffering and from the cycle of rebirth was accomplished by the elimination of passions, through knowledge of reality, and union with divinity. Reincarnation and Transmigration of the Soul After the death of the body, the individual soul entered a new existence based on karma (the actions of the body and mind) which determined the quality of rebirth (making it important to follow the dharma, doing what was right for the both the individual and the universe). This cycle of rebirth occurred until the attainment of mukti releases the soul from the wheel of incarnations. Vedas These ancient Hindu scriptures in the form of mantras or hymns were the timeless and eternal religion, shruti (heard directly from the deities), wisdom revealed through the inner spiritual experience of the seers and sages. The Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas each contain four sections: Sanhitas (the hymns), Brahmanas (prose explanations about the significance of the hymns), Aranyakas (interpretations of the hymns), and Upanishads, (metaphysical dialogs).