What's the ultimate goal of human life in Hinduism?

[The Crimson Universe]

Would love to know the beliefs of the various sects.

 

[Metempsychosis]

One sect of Hindus is this:

They are actually fighting a war on Adharma in this world.They might be killed for that.But will come back and again start fighting for dharma again,they will do this till Adharma is totally destroyed. Moksha can wait.
Chapter 2, Verse 37 – Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God – Swami Mukundananda

hato vā prāpsyasi swargaṁ jitvā vā bhokṣhyase mahīm
tasmād uttiṣhṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛita-niśhchayaḥ

If you fight, you will either be slain on the battlefield and go to the celestial abodes, or you will gain victory and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise with determination, O son of Kunti, and be prepared to fight.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

Which sect is that and why would they be killed in this civilized modern age?

 

[Ashoka]

Would love to know the beliefs of the various sects.

In my sampradaya (sect), it is Moksha, oneness with Shiva, returning to Him, merging with Him.

The Purusarthas also give goals for human life, and it includes Moksha:
1. Dharma (Doing your Dharma, righteousness)
2. Artha (Working, making money)
3. Kama (Pleasure)
4. Moksha (Oneness with God)

 

[George-ananda]

Would love to know the beliefs of the various sects.

(Advaita Vedanta)

The ultimate purpose is to end our temporary illusion of separateness and realize we are Brahman.

Now I'm going to go on my own here and say that Maya (illusion) is designed to be a play/drama in which Brahman separates Himself from Himself in Act I and returns Himself to Himself in Act II. Why? Why do humans create art for no practical purpose? To Experience.

So, my second answer to the purpose is to EXPERIENCE the joy of the stages of advancement from a limited egoic existence to the more broad and fulfilling love and inclusion stages.

 

[Vinayaka]

Moksha, in my sect.

 

[Metempsychosis]

Which sect is that and why would they be killed in this civilized modern age?

Well in civilized modern age one foreign religious group is uncivilized and a big chunk of that group does not want coexistence(of-course only when in majority).They don't accept reform or or criticism. We consider the entire mindset to be Adharma. One group of Hindus saints( cannot name them) are fighting this mindset to stop them from destroying Hinduism.

 

[Jainarayan]

Attaining “Krishna’s state”. In my understanding, it is merging, or remembering we are not separate. It is saccidānanda. The Bhagavad Gita, IMO, screams Advaita.

Those who relinquish the body while remembering Me at the moment of death will come to Me. There is certainly no doubt about this. Bhagavad Gita 8.5

Swami Mukundananda explains: “Shree Krishna declares in this verse that, whoever remembers Him at the time of death, attains Him and becomes God-like in character. He uses the words mad bhāvaṁ, which means “God-like nature.” Therefore, one can achieve the cherished goal of God-realization by consciously absorbing one’s mind in the transcendental Names, Forms, Virtues, Pastimes, and Abodes of God, even at the time of death.”

But those who dedicate all their actions to Me, regarding Me as the Supreme goal, worshiping Me and meditating on Me with exclusive devotion, O Parth, I swiftly deliver them from the ocean of birth and death, for their consciousness is united with Me. Bhagavad Gita 12.6-12.7

Fix your mind on Me alone and surrender your intellect to Me. There upon, you will always live in Me. Of this, there is no doubt. Bhagavad Gita 12.8

 

[The Crimson Universe]

@George-ananda So, if this is all a play/drama for Brahman as per advaita, then that means all this suffering (which is imposed upon ITSELF by Brahman) will never end.
If it ends, then the game will be over. And i guess, Brahman doesn't want it to end.

If a few thousand men attain moksha and become one with the infinite ocean, then a thousand more waves (mortal bodies) will appear in this samsara. I guess then there's no point in having moksha.

I don't think, there will ever come a time (maybe in a million more years) when all humans on earth will attain moksha and creation/manifestation would stop. If it stops then how will Brahman get to experience this play.

 

[George-ananda]

@George-ananda So, if this is all a play/drama for Brahman as per advaita, then that means all this suffering (which is imposed upon ITSELF by Brahman) will never end.
If it ends, then the game will be over. And i guess, Brahman doesn't want it to end.

If a few thousand men attain moksha and become one with the infinite ocean, then a thousand more waves (mortal bodies) will appear in this samsara. I guess then there's no point in having moksha.

I don't think, there will ever come a time (maybe in a million more years) when all humans on earth will attain moksha and creation/manifestation would stop. If it stops then how will Brahman get to experience this play.

All souls will attain Moksha in their time. It is a play with a happy ending for all characters.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

In my sampradaya (sect), it is Moksha, oneness with Shiva, returning to Him, merging with Him.

Is Shiva in your sect, the personal God with matted hair as displayed in your profile picture or is Shiva the formless infinite consciousness like what the Kashmiri Shaivites believe in?

 

[mangalavara]

Would love to know the beliefs of the various sects.

At this time, I'm not a member of any sect. I'm just a Hindu. My view is that the highest goal is dharma, and the final goal is mokṣa. As to what exactly mokṣa or liberation from metempsychosis is, I believe it means being in everlasting and continuous communion with Nārāyaṇa. In June 2021, I had a moment of self-realization where I learned, mystically, that this is my purpose as a jīvātman: to find happiness and fulfillment in worshiping him, forever. It was a powerful experience, and I was in tears.

 

[ajay0]

Would love to know the beliefs of the various sects.

Basically, it is moksha or enlightenment or returning to the original state of pure consciousness minus the vasanas or impure impressions ( that sprout cravings or aversions resulting in pleasure followed by more misery) .

This state, has the same characteristics of satchitananda (Truth-Consciousness-Bliss), and is considered highly auspicious and blissful.

It is also considered heroic, due to the heavy difficulties placed by Maya with attractive sensory pleasures that distract the aspirant and weeds out the weak and superficial.

 

[Ashoka]

Is Shiva in your sect, the personal God with matted hair as displayed in your profile picture or is Shiva the formless infinite consciousness like what the Kashmiri Shaivites believe in?

Both. He is personal and inpersonal, with form and formless.

 

[Aupmanyav]

The goal of life in Hinduism is perform one's 'dharma' (duties), IMHO. That is regardless of the sect one may be following.

hato vā prāpsyasi swargaṁ jitvā vā bhokṣhyase mahīm
tasmād uttiṣhṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛita-niśhchayaḥ

If you fight, you will either be slain on the battlefield and go to the celestial abodes, or you will gain victory and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise with determination, O son of Kunti, and be prepared to fight.

That is 'situational advice', given at the beginning of a war to a soldier who dithered. If there is war, then deaths are inevitable. Again, it is a requirement of duty for a soldier. It is applicable to all sects. Do wars not happen in the modern age?

 

[Aupmanyav]

(Advaita Vedanta)
The ultimate purpose is to end our temporary illusion of separateness and realize we are Brahman.

Now I'm going to go on my own here and say that Maya (illusion) is designed to be a play/drama in which Brahman separates Himself from Himself in Act I and returns Himself to Himself in Act II. Why? Why do humans create art for no practical purpose? To Experience.

So, my second answer to the purpose is to EXPERIENCE the joy of the stages of advancement from a limited egoic existence to the more broad and fulfilling love and inclusion stages.

You are right in your view. However, IMHO, Brahman is indivisible.

@George-ananda So, if this is all a play/drama for Brahman as per advaita, then that means all this suffering (which is imposed upon ITSELF by Brahman) will never end.
I don't think, there will ever come a time (maybe in a million more years) when all humans on earth will attain moksha and creation/manifestation would stop. If it stops then how will Brahman get to experience this play.

You are taking what you perceive as the reality. It is not.
'Moksha' in strict Advaita, is meaningless, 'Tat twam asi' (That is what you are), 'Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma' (All things here are Brahman - human, animal, vegetation, non-living things). Does Brahman requires 'moksha'? Sankaracharya said:

I have no hatred or dislike, nor affiliation or liking,
nor greed, nor delusion, nor pride or haughtiness,
nor feelings of envy or jealousy.
I have no duty, nor any money,
nor any desire, nor even liberation.
I am a form of eternal bliss, I am the auspicious, indeed, I am that.

(Na me dwesha raghou na me lobha mohou,
Mado naiva me naiva matsarya bhava,
Na dharmo na cha artha na kamo na moksha,
Chidananada Roopah Shivoham, Shivoham.)
Nirvana shatakam - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia, Verse 3.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Is Shiva in your sect, the personal God with matted hair as displayed in your profile picture or is Shiva the formless infinite consciousness like what the Kashmiri Shaivites believe in?

Yeah Shiva with his matted hair with Mother Ganges flowing out of it and topped by the moon, with garlands of snakes, clad in skin of elephant, with trident and rattle by his side, and with the marijuana drink offered by his other half, Mother Parvati, sitting in icy himalayas, is whom Shaivas worship.

 

[sayak83]

Would love to know the beliefs of the various sects.

Realization of the unity of the self within with Brahman, the ultimate ground of Being.

 

[George-ananda]

You are right in your view. However, IMHO, Brahman is indivisible.

Brahman is understood as ultimately 'indivisible' in my standard Advaita Vedanta beliefs too. Maya is then a play/drama/sport/illusion the indivisible enjoys in its creative aspect.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Again, the indivisible has no organ to enjoy or hate. It is uninvolved, unblemished (Nirguna), no 'vikara'. But, of course, all people have their own views.