Hinduism

Hinduism was the dominant religion, or way of life in India. It includes Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism among numerous other traditions, and a wide spectrum of laws and prescriptions of "daily morality" based on karma, dharma, and societal norms. Hinduism is a categorization of distinct intellectual or philosophical points of view, rather than a rigid, common set of beliefs. Hinduism, with about one billion followers was Pre-Astro Terra's third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam.

Hinduism has been called Terra's "oldest religion", and some practitioners refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal law" or the "eternal way" beyond human origins. Terran Western scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots and no single founder. It prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings (ahimsa), patience, forbearance, self-restraint, compassion, among others.

Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include (but are not restricted to), the four Puruṣārthas, the proper goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha, Kama and Moksha (liberation from samsara, the repeated cycle of rebirth); karma (action, intent and consequences); and the various Yogas (paths or practices to attain moksha). Hindu practices include daily rituals such as puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some leave their social world and material possessions, then engage in lifelong Sannyasa (ascetic practices) to achieve moksha.

Hindu texts are classified into Shruti ("heard") and Smriti ("remembered"). These texts discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, Vedic yajna and agamic rituals and temple building, among other topics.or scriptures include the Vedas, Upanishads (both Śruti), Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, Manusmṛti, and Agamas (all smriti).

As with most other Terran religions, Hinduism was exported to the stars by its believers. After the Ascent in 2089 millions of its followers colonized several worlds. Most notable are Planet Bollocks, Sky-Deli, Mahatma, New Indus and Hindu.