Theodicy Soteriology, Hermeneutics

SOTERIOLOGY : M. M. NINAN
The Ways
Depending on the individual the path to perfection also differs. These disciplines are called Sadhanas or
Margas or Yogas - the ways.
These Sadhanas are:
1. the Karma Yoga, (Karma Yoga is the path of disinterested action. Do your duty without regard to
rewards good or bad. This is fit for active people.)
2. the Bhakti Yoga, (Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion and faith to God. This is probably the easiest and
the fastest and the safest way. This is fit for the emotional type)
3. the Raja Yoga (Raja Yoga is the path of psychic control. This is meant for the introspective)
4, the Jnana Yoga. (Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge. This is fit for the intellectuals)
According to Hinduism, spiritual freedom or Moksha is the ultimate goal of life.
The Purusharthas
There are four Purusharthas- the four goals of every man. These are Dharma(Duty), Artha (Wealth), Kama
(Pleasures) and Moksha (Salvation)
The Ashramas
Moksha is the cessation from the cycle of birth and death, which is when the spirit returns to the Lord and
does not go out again. With this Moksha in view, Hinduism requires every man to pass through the four
stages of life, the Ashramas, viz., Brahmacharya (Chaste studenthood),Grahasthya (the stage of the
householder), Vanaprastha (retired life in forest)and Sannyasa (life of complete renunciation).
Karma
In the everyday life man gathers Karma. Karma is universal energy generated by thought, deed and action.
Every Karma has an effect. When a bad Karma is generated it will eventually reflect back to us. So does
the good Karma. The compendium of Karma is the essence of life. When Karma is not expiated it is
carried over to the next cycle of life. This causes bondage. The escape from Karma and out of the cycle of
birth and rebirth is accomplished when karma is performed without expectation of reward. This reduces
the karmic energy so that it dies out fast. However whatever we do it will produce some karmic wave. We
can only try to reduce the impact of it.
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