Akash Singh (0:00)

Today we're going to be discussing all the different sects of Hinduism. Hinduism is not a single religion, but a vast spiritual ecosystem of countless paths, each offering a different way to understand. Your data is like gold to hackers. They'll sell it to the highest bidder. Are you protected? McAfee helps shield you blocking suspicious texts, malicious emails and fraudulent websites. McAfee Secure VPN lets you browse safely and its AI powered tech scam detector spots threats instantly. You'll also get up to $2 million of award winning antivirus and identity theft protection, all for just $39.99 for your first year. Visit McAfee.com, cancel anytime terms apply. Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the boy? Well, with LinkedIn ads you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company seniority, skills. Wait, did I say job title yet? Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply. The Universe Time isn't necessarily linear in Hindu reincarnation philosophy, but some traditions suggest that rebirth doesn't just move forward. It can move sideways, backwards, or even drop you into another timeline entirely. Tvishnu is a big deal. He's a divine figure who steps in when the universe is teetering on the edge of chaos. Shiva, the God of destruction. He's both a figure of peace but also immense power. His weapon of choice, a trident. Hindu karma is a long game. Your actions today might not catch up with you until your next lifetime. Some people worship Vishnu, some worship Shiva. Some worship goddesses. Some worship everything. And even some worship nothing at all. And guess what? They're all Hindu. So let's get into the details. All right. Hinduism, the open world RPG of religions. The ultimate role player game. What's up people and welcome back to camp. That's right, this is not just regular camp. This is religion camp. This is the place where we explore the most interesting, fascinating and controversial stories of all religions from around the world. Today I'm joined by my friend and producer Christos, the Greek freak. You don't get to see him, but just know that he's six five, chiseled, jacked, horny, full head of hair. Full head of hair. He's a great guy. And also I'm wearing brand new camp goods clothing, hat. It's not merch that's for damn sure. It's not merch, it's. It's a brand new brand. The greatest brand. And outerwear, trail wear, all that stuff, you can cop it at campgoods Co. We probably should change that name soon because we're gonna sued. But regardless, today I just want to say hello and namaste to all my Hindu brethren. All the brown boys out there. Not exclusively brown, but I've, I've yet to meet like a white Hindu outside of maybe like one of Akash Singh's stand up clips. You see a couple white Hindus in there, but that's basically it. All right, predominantly the brown boys. And today we're going to be discussing all the different sects of Hinduism. This is a new topic to me. I'll be honest with you again. I'm not Hindu. I didn't grow up Hindu. I have long hair. So maybe I'm more Punjabi, Punjabi than anything. Maybe I'm sick. But that's not what we're talking about today. We're talking about Hinduism. All right, so this is a topic and some research that came to me from my friend Zach. My good old buddy Zach put this together, so I'm going to be learning and reading along with you guys. Okay? So I'm gonna be googling stuff. And to all my Hindu brothers, I'm probably gonna get some of this wrong, so please comment and let me know what I missed. But let's begin. All right, when you think of Hinduism, what do you think, Christos, what are you thinking of right now? Go elephants. You racist motherf God. Lee. I hate. Why can't, why can't you just have a pure mind and be open minded about other religions from around the world? Okay? Sacred cows. It's even worse. I, I cannot believe. I'm sorry, guys, for, for Christos, he's not normally like this. I think of the Kama Sutra, a guy making food with his feet, yoga. Is that worse? That's worse. All right, well, I think of a lot of things, okay. I think of chicken tikka masala. Sometimes I think of like a, like a blue guy playing a flute. But there's a lot more to Hinduism than just that. Yeah, that's like saying like Christianity is just about Christmas and chick fil a or something, you know, it's not, it's more than just, you know, some feel good philosophy or lifestyle choice in the West. I think a lot of white people in the west kind of co opt Hinduism and make it mean different things. But Hinduism has a long Deep, deep history. Shout out to all the Hindus out there, by the way, that have basically figured out cosmology. I had no idea that in like, you know, the Vedas or the Bhagavan Gita that y'all basically figured out space travel and stuff. But again, topic for a different video. Hinduism is not a single religion and it doesn't have a single founder or, you know, one specific doctrine or one set of rules. It's a little different, right? So like Christianity has, you know, the, the Bible, Islam has the Hadiths and the Quran, okay? But Hinduism is a little, a little broader. Okay. It's also much older than, than both of those. You got to think Hinduism is like, like an open world, like rpg, maybe. That's a good way to put it. It's basically like GTA in a way where a bunch of people have their own paths, they have their own lore that just kind of keeps expanding over thousands of years. And Hinduism's lore, oh, it goes. It goes deep. We're talking about cosmic battles, sages who have the power to curse people into oblivion, celestial beings who perform interdimensional travel like Alex Jones has been talking about. So let's get into the details. All right? Hinduism, the open world RPG of religions. The ultimate role player game. All right, like I said, unlike a lot of religions that have like a this is the way quote unquote doctrine, all right, Hinduism is a. A buffet of beliefs and all you can eat, so to speak. You don't have to follow necessarily one God, one path, or even one sacred book. Instead, it's a massive interconnected web of ideas, traditions, and philosophies that somehow still fall under one giant religious umbrella. Okay, Imagine if a show never said, okay, guys, this is canon. And just let every fan theory have its own spin off franchise. That's kind of Hinduism. Okay? Some people worship Vishnu, some worship Shiva, some worship goddesses, some worship everything, and even some worship nothing at all. And guess what? They're all Hindu. It's kind of nice, right? Like, I feel like I might be Hindu at this point. It seems, it seems broad enough. Hindus, correct me if I'm wrong here. I don't know, this seems pretty nice so far. The Hindus have been trying to recruit me for a long time. And this is a good sales pitch, right? 4,000-year-old spiritual ecosystem where multiple denominations evolved, fought for dominance, merged, split, and then somehow agreed in three major concepts. That's right. Under all these umbrellas we're going to talk about, there's three major things that stick out. Karma, Dharma and reincarnation. So what are those? Karma. Like I said, if Hinduism was a video game, Karma would be the inescapable consequence of your players actions. And yeah, you, you know, every move you make, every action, it's all being logged into the great cosmic ledger. But how does karma play out across the different Hindu sects? Well, this is where things get a little bit interesting. So karma is the backbone of Hinduism, but different denominations, whether you're Shivism or Vishnism, Vishnavism. I don't want to be disrespectful to the, the Vishnu ites, Shaktism or smartism. Which smartism is the most Indian one? Right? Like what Indian doesn't want to be like I'm the smart one. But those are, those are some different sects and they all have their own different spin on how karma works. So for example, the Shivites who worship Shiva as the ultimate reality often view karma as this unavoidable force that can only be transcended through spiritual discipline and renunciation. They believe Shiva, the cosmic destroyer also serves as a purifier, meaning your karmic baggage can be burned away through deep meditation and asceticism. Asceticism, I always miss that word up. Asceticism. I don't even know what it means to live an ascetic lifestyle. It's basically like to renounce all things of the earth. Like to, to almost like, it's almost like stoicism, you could say, like you just get rid of all your, your worldly belongings, but even more so like your desires. Like you just live a perf. Sort of like monks would be ascetic. Buddhism. Buddhism type shit. Not that they're the same. Not that they're good. Golly, you're going to, you're going to get us killed by a Buddhist extremist. Essentially. If karma is this inescapable cycle of cause and effect, Shiva is the cosmic admin who basically, you know, can reset your debt if you're worthy. Here is a bullet. Imagine this. You're 30ft underground, digging through frozen earth with spoons and mess halls, plates. Nazi guards patrol overhead. One wrong move, one loose pebble and it's over. But on this night in 1944, 76 Allied prisoners would attempt the impossible, tunneling their way to freedom in the largest prisoner of war escape of World War II. And centuries earlier. In a cold stone chamber, a teenage girl in armor stood before her accusers. Her crime. Leading armies, speaking to angels and daring to Challenge the most powerful men in Europe. Joan of Arc's trial would become one of history's most infamous moments. These are just two stories from Today in History, the newsletter that brings you the most fascinating events from the past delivered fresh to your inbox. From epic wars to religious rebellions, ancient mysteries to modern marvels. Don't miss another piece of history. Scan the QR code now or click the link in the description to sign up for Today in History. If you're like me, you probably read a news story and you're like, this is crazy. What is the truth about this? Is this a partisan spin? Is this funded by some media company or some country, by their state sponsored media to try to warp my brain? I genuinely read news articles now with so much skepticism because I have no idea if this is from the right or the left and what the agenda is and why it's being presented in front of me. And that is why I follow and support ground news. That's right. So even before I started working with this company on the podcast, I've been following them on Instagram because I just thought they gave a very, very great, unbiased, nonpartisan approach to media. It's awesome. Basically, you're going to get a headline and they will show you sort of the different media splits as it comes to understanding the story. They will compare the reporting from different outlets across the political spectrum in one place to show you how the framing and word choice can affect our understanding of a story. I mean, here's a story that my mom sent me from a couple months ago. Robberies, assaults, surge in Central park, leaving New Yorkers and NYC tourists terrified. What is the purpose of this story? Who is writing it? Where is it coming from? Now I can go to Ground News, read this headline, and be able to make an assessment as to whether or not this is predominantly being reported by the right wing or by the left wing and make some type of deduction like, oh, this is actually being used, you know, as some sort of political apparatus. So if you're like me, if you're a truth seeker, if you're trying to find unbiased news, I would absolutely recommend Ground News. It is completely independent, nonpartisan, subscriber funded. It allows readers to think critically about the world around them. And it doesn't tell them what to think, but instead lets them think for themselves. And ultimately it avoids misinformation and tries to heal polarization within our country, which I think is absolutely amazing. So don't let misinformation and sensationalism influence how you think? Save a massive 40% on Ground News's top tier vantage plan with my link. Ground News slash Gagnon J, G N O N. Or scan my QR code right here or go to the description and click on the link. This unlocks access to all of their news analysis features. Something that I think is, I don't know, super important to have. Yeah. Make decisions based on facts, not spin. This November. Check them out. Now Vishnu bites, on the other hand, take a slightly different approach. They see karma as deeply intertwined with Bhakti or the devotion to Vishnu and his avatars, who we will get to in a second. According to Vishnuism, karma isn't just about cause and effect. It's about grace. Worshiping Vishnu and surrendering oneself to his will can accelerate karmic liberation. Think of this as like having like an inside connect to like the CEO of the universe. If you're devoted enough, you just might get like a little cosmic pardon. The Vishnuites emphasize that love and devotion can override karma's bureaucratic red tape. Kind of sounds like Jesus as a matter of fact, as we're kind of going through this, meaning you don't necessarily have to grind lifetimes of good deeds if you have a deep faith in Vishnu. Now, Shaktism, which revolves around the worship of the Divine Mother, views karma through a lens of divine power and justice. In this tradition, Karma isn't just some neutral force. It's actively governed by the Goddess herself. Worshippers believe that Karma can be reshaped or even mitigated through rituals, devotion and seeking the Goddess's intervention. Essentially, if you accumulate bad karma, you better hope that the Divine Mother is feeling merciful. And then there's smartism. This is a more philosophical and all inclusive approach that considers all major deities as manifestations of one supreme reality. The Brahman Smartists take a more, how could I say, Advaita Vedanta approach. That's what. That's what I would call it. This essentially argues that karma and material worlds in and of themselves are part of this illusion known as Maya. The ultimate goal isn't just good karma. It's realizing that karma, reincarnation and even individual identity are all constructs of the mind. The only way out. Attain self realization and recognize that you were never truly bound by Karma in the first place. Basically finding out that all these side quests and stuff in the game was just for nothing and that it's all really about waking up. It's not even about beating the game. It's just realizing that there's a game that you're playing in the first place. So despite all these variations, all the Hindu sects agree that one thing is true. Karma is real. And don't forget it. Unlike the modern, you know, like instant karma memes where, you know, someone cuts in line and then, you know, like they get punched in the face or like they drop their coffee or something, Hindu karma is a long game. Your actions today might not catch up with you until your next lifetime, which is extremely unsatisfying. Right. Like I want the guy that like cuts me off in traffic. I just immediately just. Their car just. Just diddies themselves, you know, I mean, just like explodes, not like gay, but like, you know how he put a bomb in Kid Cudi's car? Allegedly. Allegedly. Okay, now we got Buddhist extremists and Diddy coming after us. This is all alleged. But if someone does cut me off, I want instant karma. I don't like to see. I don't want them to get punished when 20 years when they're. Or 20 lifetimes when they're like a butterfly. Instant gratification. Exactly. But again, that's not the purpose of Hinduism. It's not instant gratification. It's accepting that we're in a. We're in a video game. And to enlighten myself, regardless, there's also this idea known as collective karma. This is another fascinating concept found across Hindu traditions. And it's not just individuals who rack up karma, but families, communities, and even nations generate collective karmic energy. That's honestly fascinating. I feel like that explains a lot of like Hindu life. You know what I mean? Like all my Hindu friends. Maybe this is like, I don't know, like a western American bias. But like, you have so many, like indie. I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more squats anywhere I can. 1, 2, 3. Will that be cash or credit? Credit. 4 Galaxy S25 Ultra. The AI companion that does the heavy lifting. So you can do. You get yours@samsung.com compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy. Still getting around to that fix on your car. You got this on ebay. You'll find millions of parts guaranteed to fit. Doesn't matter if it's a major engine repair or your first time swapping your windshield wipers. Ebay has that part you need. Ready to click perfectly into Place for changes, big and small, loud or quiet. Find all the parts you need at prices you'll love. Guaranteed to fit every time. But you already know that. Ebay things people love. Eligible items only. Exclusion supply in immigrants that come over. And there's so much pressure to, like, do honor for your family. Become, like, a doctor. Like, do something noble. And obviously, like, immigrants want to be successful. Like, that's, like, a thing. But even I wonder if that happens even in India. Like, I feel like there's, like, a. Like, a nobility where, like, you want to, like, prove your family, you know, like, you want to do something honorable for your family. And I wonder if that's subconsciously connected to this karmic tradition across family lines. Pretty interesting. Kind of like being on a team. Yeah, basically. What are you doing, dude? We're all going down with you. Yeah, exactly. I strike up on my sister's, like, you know, Mother Teresa. Like, according to Hindu philosophy, mass actions over centuries can influence the entire fate of societies. This is generational karma, the spiritual equivalent of, like, inheriting your great great grandfather's bad investments. I'm gonna say, I like, Christianity has a pretty good take on this. Like, oh, you can't punish the. The child for the sins of the father. But in Hinduism, it's like, yo, you better live a good life, or else your kid's gonna deal with your. So maybe that's actually good also. I don't know. Then there's also karma yoga, which, again, take yoga out of it. But this is basically action without attachment to the results. Popularized by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, Karma yoga teaches that the best way to deal with karma is to act with righteousness while remaining detached from personal gain. It's like playing the game of life with a total focus but zero ego. So you put in the work, but you don't obsess over the scoreboard. And ironically, by not obsessing over the outcome is how you win the game. That's kind of nice. It's like a very, like, Rick Rubin approach. It's like, hey, just make stuff. Put it out. Don't worry about the outcome. Like, just have fun playing. So what's the takeaway? Hinduism's many denominations all agree that karma is the cosmic justice system that keeps everything in check. But they each offer unique strategies with dealing with it. So whether you're seeking Shiva's liberation, Vishnu's grace, the Goddess's intervention, or maybe just a philosophical escape, one thing's for sure. Karma is always adding up, and that Brings us to the next thing. Dharma. What is that? Sticking with this video game kind of comparison, Dharma would be your class, the main storyline, the quest progression, all rolled into, like, one thing. It's not just about what you want to do. It's doing what you were designed to do. And, no, that doesn't mean you're stuck playing a character you hate. Think of it more like, I don't know. Did you play Skyrim? I love Skyrim. How is it khajiit? Okay, but you can think of, like, the dragonborn from Skyrim. So whether you were born to be a warrior, a scholar, or even a cow, you are a part in this sort of cosmic video game. You have a part to play. Trees need to be trees. You know what I mean? They need to be doing tree stuff. Squirrels need to be doing squirrel stuff. And that is your dharmic duty. At its core, Dharma is duty, but it's duty with nuance. It's like the glue holding Hindu society, ethics, and the entire cosmic order together. It's what tells a soldier to pick up sword, a teacher to educate, monks to monk it up or whatever. It's why the Bhagavan Gita has Krishna telling Arjuna to stop whining and to get back to the battlefield. Because fighting was Arjuna's dharma. As a warrior, you don't get to just roll mid game because you don't like your setup. All right? You have a duty according to your dharmic path. Did you have something to contribute it? Chris says no. You're looking very skeptical. It sounds like fate. It's kind of like fate, but fate is something you can't control. Fate is just like, this is happening to me, and I have no. I have no agency to change it. Rather, Dharma is like, you have a purpose. You have a mission in life. You are born with some type of duty, and perhaps you can choose that duty. Perhaps for you, that duty might be being a dj. And you need to go out there and just live your dharmic duty to start just dropping beats. But instead, you're in here with me, like an idiot. Me and blondish. Exactly, dude. But it also gets a little bit more complicated, okay? There's not just one type of Dharma. You got your personal duty, the Svad Dharma, your social duty, the Varna Dharma, the universal duty, the Sanatana Dharma, and even your life stage duty, Ashrama Dharma. That's Dharma and Greg as Rama Dharma. That is awesome. I feel like I've met that guy. That guy dropped me off on 34th Street. And this isn't just like a one size fits all philosophy. It's multi layered. You know, kind of like a choose your own destiny framework where every aspect of your existence has its own kind of rules. Dharma also evolves, right? A child's Dharma isn't the same as an old guy's Dharma. When you're young, your duty might be to learn, absorb knowledge, be kind, share. But as you grow, your responsibilities shift to work, provide, you know, you become a father, take care of your children and the stages of life, provide a roadmap for fulfilling Dharma at every stage of existence. Essentially, if life hands you different quests, you gotta level up. And let's not forget, Dharma isn't just about the individual duty. It's also social balance. Hindu society has long been structured around the concept of varna, or social class, which dictates certain responsibilities. While, you know, little controversial, you could say in modern, modern context, the idea originally revolved around the notion that everyone has a role to play in maintaining cosmic order. The king's dharma is to do king. The merchant's dharma is to sustain trade. And a laborer's dharma is to provide essential services, increase those. Dharma is just to be skrillex. It's a system designed for balance. But like any human institution, there's going to be, you know, some exploitation that goes along with it. Now, just as like a kind of a sidebar, let's discuss cows. I want to do a whole different episode about this because a lot of people think that just because you're Hindu, it means like you worship cows or something, which is not true. Okay, Some love. Some love a good cow, you know, I mean, if you go to India, you'll see specific sex sections. I don't get demonetized. You'll see some specific sex. The Kama Sutra, shout out to y'all. No, you'll see some specific subsets of Hinduism being very reverent to, you know, like a bull or to like a heifer. But that's not all. So if you think the reverence for cows and Hinduism is just about not eating beef, you got to think bigger. The dharmic worldview, every being has a place in cows. Seen as nurturing, life giving creatures. They embody this selfless service and abundance. They're basically, you know, kind of NPCs, non playable characters handing out side quests in the form of milk, fertilizer, labor. And they do their dharma by existing in harmony with nature. Hinduism places an enormous emphasis on interconnectedness. And the cow is the symbol of that harmony. So you can't just be, you know, lopping their heads off, be rude. The fascinating thing about Dharma is that it's not all about personal ambition. You don't get to wake up one day and decide you'd rather, you know, be a king than a farmer. That doesn't mean that there's no freedom. Rather, it means that the freedom comes from how well you perform within your role. You play your part right, contribute to the greater harmony of existence, and that's great. And try to opt out, and, well, is where things kind of fall apart a little bit. So does Dharma ever end? Great question, Christos. Some people say yes. Within some sects of Hinduism, they argue that Dharma itself is transient and that the ultimate Dharma is to seek moksha. And this is liberation. This is to break free from the cycle of rebirth, the Advaita Vedanta. What I was talking about before would say the Dharma is necessarily only as long as you believe in the illusion of the self. Once you realize that all of existence is Brahman, the ultimate reality, the ultimate creator, Dharma dissolves, and so does the need for worldly roles. So Dharma isn't just like a set of rules. It is the fabric of the universe, right? Planets got to be doing planet stuff. Aliens got to be aliens. Like, there is an order to the universe, and that is what we all exist within. This silent force that keeps everything in this perfect balance. Now, that brings us to reincarnation. This is obviously going to be big for Hindus. If you don't know anything about Hinduism, think about Hinduism. You probably think about reincarnation in some capacity. I actually did a whole episode on Kids with Past Lives with my friend Shub, a great Hindu, and also with Miles. Let's go to Miles in the chat, by the way, while we're. While we're here. So reincarnation is again, if we're doing video game vibes, you get to play again, you get to respawn, but the new conditions are based on your past performance. So in Hinduism, existence isn't just a one and done deal. It's an ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This concept within Hinduism is known as samsara. Every action, every choice, and every moral decision carries over to your next playthrough. You screw up in this life, no problem. You get to try again. But here's a twist. You're going to be a cockroach. Oops. But maybe that's great, because maybe there's gonna be a nuclear war. And then you survive. And now you get to try it again now. Guess what? Now you're Chinese. Not that that's in the order of anything, but maybe you come back as a Chinese guy, and maybe you're living life as a Chinese dude, and then you die. You come back, you know, as a different type of person. I'm not gonna say one is better than. I'm just saying you get to come back. Okay. And who knows what you get to come back as? And maybe you get little memories of your past life. I have a friend that did a past life regression. Alex Media. He did a past life regression. Realized back in his past life he was a white guy and now he's a black dude. No comment on that. Maybe he lived a great life as a white guy. God. And, you know, Brahma was like, hey, guess what? Now you're gonna be able to dunk. That's pretty sick. Upgrade. That's an upgrade, I would say. Hey, you get to be funny. You get to say all the words. That's pretty cool. Just saying. Reincarnation isn't just about getting another shot. It's about progression or regression based on your karma or your dharma. If your act of good karma. Congrats. You get to be reborn to a slightly higher social standing. A life of wisdom. Or maybe you get to be a sage. Maybe you get to be, I don't know, Keanu Reeves. I'd kill for that. Actually, that would be. No. If you kill for it, then you got to go back. Gotcha. You got to be Bill Cosby. Oh, not well. He had a good run. He had a good run and also is acquitted. I think he's free. Maybe. I don't know. I don't know what that means. Legally now. His eyes are all weird, so I don't know. No. What happened to his eyes? You haven't seen his eyes? No. Oh, let's get Bill Cosby. He looks all Glock hom up. No, really? Yeah. Yo, someone get that guy. J. Looks like a skin walker. No, I mean, look. Oh. Oh, yeah. No, he's. He's going through it a little bit. He must have just been poking people in the eyes in his past life. Oh, yeah, that's. Oh, this one's going all the way off to the side. Yeah, that's a tough look. Dang. Here is a bullet. In a secret CIA facility, doctors administered mysterious substances to unwitting Americans. Their goal? Mind control. The year was 1973, and as agents frantically burned thousands of documents, Project MK Ultra's darkest secrets nearly vanished into smoke. Now step Back to Friday the 13th, 1314. The Grand Master of history's most powerful military order kneels before the flames as the fire rises. Jacques de Molay, last leader of the Knights Templar, utters a curse so chilling that when both the French king and pope die within the year, whispers of dark prophecy spread across Europe. Now these aren't crazy conspiracy theories or something you read in, you know, some fan fiction. These are real historical events you'll discover in Today in History, the newsletter that uncovers the strange, shocking, and sublime moments that shape our world. Get your daily dose of mind bending history. Scan the QR code or click the link below to join Today in History. So again, you get to kind of just level up or level down. It's all based off of how you live this life. And if you live perfectly, then you get to escape. You know what I mean? In hidden new cosmology, the universe doesn't just dish out arbitrary punishments. It gives you exactly what your past actions warrant. So your next form is reflection of your past deeds, making, you know, this the most unforgiving but fair progression system ever designed. And this is where it gets crazier. Time isn't necessary linear. In Hindu reincarnation philosophy, think about that. God exists outside of time. So some traditions suggest that rebirth doesn't just move forward. It can move sideways, backwards, or even drop you into another timeline entirely. That's crazy. Think about that. You live a great life and you get to go back and be like some medieval king. But I feel like that'd be worse. Actually. No, I think. I guess it depends if you live like, if you have like a terrible life here. Terrible, right. Think like you just are living and it's like there's war everywhere, but you live a good life. I feel like being a medieval king would be better. But imagine you're having past life thoughts from a life that's in the future. You don't have past life thoughts. Some people, allegedly. Alex Media. Alex Media, Right. Some people. I mean, all these kids that have past life regressions. That's crazy to think you might have past life thoughts. I wonder if sometimes that's what deja vu is. Someone look into that. I'm on it. Okay. Yeah, I guess that's what we're here for. But anyway, it's crazy. Yeah. If you exist outside of time, time's not linear. You could go back forth or even into a different dimension altogether. That's awesome. Imagine being reborn in the 1600s because your karmic tab says you got to, you know, you did Good or bad. Maybe you do bad now and then you got to go back all the way. That would be crazy. So that basically means your past self could be walking around right now in another timeline trying to make better choices than the ones that you did. I wonder if your past self could be alive right now. Oh, that'd be sick. That's great. Like, if you got to think, like. Or maybe your future. All right, we're getting everywhere. Everywhere all at once. Think about this though. Astrophysicists are trying to figure out time travel. Reincarnation has already got it. Hindus already figured out. So you just leave it to the Indians, bro. They're honest, they're so smart, they're already going to space. They don't even need to go to space because they already know what's going on, right? But now these astrophysicists have to go there because they're like, that's my dharmic duty. You know what I mean? I have to achieve samsara. So I have to continue, you know, doing astrophysics, because that's what I'm designed to do. So then we have these liberated beings. What is that? This is a soul who's broken free from the reincarnation cycle, but they voluntarily return to guide others. That's awesome. You're like a little Sherpa. Some traditions recognize them as gurus, enlightened masters, divine avatars who choose to reincarnate again solely for the benefit of humanity. Hinduism is full of these guys, right? Adi Shankaracharya. That guy. Do you know who that is? Nope. Christos, you don't know anything. I'll educate you. He was a good guy. He was known as an enlightened being or a liberated being. Regardless, supposedly according to Hindu philosophy, they've come back. They've escaped this sort of karmic dharmic rat race. They're done reincarnating. They could just go to nirvana, but instead they come to help humanity. So shout out to them. So what about continuity, right? Do you carry over skills, personality traits, memories, any of that stuff? Great question, Christos. The jury is still out. Not everyone really knows. Some schools of thought suggest that reincarnation wipes the slate clean, leaving you with no recollection, recollections of past mistakes or triumphs. Others argue that you know, you. You may not have direct memories, past life experiences, but the these experiences might subtly shape your personality, fears and affinities in your new life. Think about that. Maybe you die drowning in your past life. In your future life, you're afraid of Water. Who knows? Ever have an inexplicable attraction to a certain culture, skill or time period? You're a white guy that wants cornrows. Maybe you're a black dude. That's pretty cool. See, we're all connected, man. Remember that. That could be your soul's way of hinting at its past incarnations. Ever feel irrationally afraid of something? There you go. And then there's moksha. That's the end game. The ultimate goal isn't just another, better life. It's to transcend the cycle altogether. Moksha is the equivalent of breaking free from the matrix, dissolving the ego and merging with the divine. No more, you know, karma, no more grinding, just blissful liberation from existence itself. Different sects offer different routes to moksha. They say it's achieved through, you know, pure devotion. Bhakti, right? Remember that word. Others, through discipline or knowledge. Janana. Janana. I think that's how you pronounce. I don't know. I'm sorry. Hindus correct me. I think that's. I think it's janana. I feel like it'd be silent. The j, the not. So it's just nana. Possibly Nana. Others through selfish action, selfless action. This is like the karma yoga thing we're talking about. But no matter the path, one thing remains the same. Once you hit moksha, you're out of the cycle for good. Now you're just living in divine communication with the ultimate creator. Now, not everyone is aiming for moksha right away. Some people are focused on leveling up in the material world, playing out their karmic debts, stacking up good deeds to ensure more comfortable, you know, next incarnation. And this is why Hinduism accommodates a range of spiritual goals. Most other religions, it's like, die, go see God. But in Hinduism, it's like, die, try again, little better, little worse. Da, da, da. And then moksha. So just to recap, Hinduism basically, you know, believes across all, you know, sects that your actions affect your future lives. And the goal is to eventually level up and get to, you know, God tier enlightenment, right? Pretty simple. But this is where it gets complicated. So though, again, we went through the three main things, right? You got karma, dharma, reincarnation. But now someone said to you, like, oh, you're a Christian, so you must be the exact same as every other Christian. You'd be like, well, you know, we have Catholicism, we have Protestantism, we have like Eastern Orthodox, Southern Baptist, Mormons, which some people don't even include. I like Mormons. For the record, shout out To Mormons. I think y'all are cool. You've got some crazy stuff in that book, though. But I'm cool with y'all. So let's get into the four main branches. All right? You got karma, dharma, reincarnation. Everyone kind of agrees with that, but they do not agree on some of the other stuff. All right, so if you ever wonder why, like, some Hindus worship Krishna while others are obsessed with Shiva, or some just are deep into the goddess worship, while others just sort of meditate on universal oneness, well, now you know. Hinduism is not a single religion, but a vast spiritual ecosystem of countless paths, each offering a different way to understand the universe. So let's start with Vishnuism. In Hinduism, Vishnu would be the undisputed prom king, right? People love Vishnu, so Vishnuvites would be the most dedicated fan club. But we're not talking about just some casual appreciation. All right? This is full blown, all in lifelong devotion to the God of preservation, order, and cosmic balance. Vishnu is a big deal. He's a divine figure who steps in when the universe is teetering on the edge of chaos, restoring order and ensuring the cosmos don't just explode like Armageddon or something. His role is to preserve dharma while making sure the whole system doesn't just collapse in on itself. Right? So depicted with four arms. You know, here's a picture you can see. Very efficient. He's got a conch. Conch. Conch shell. Conch shell. I always miss something. I always want to say conch shell, but it's not. It's conch shell. A discus, a lotus, and a mace, each symbolizing different aspects of cosmic power. Vishnu doesn't just show up in his original form. Sometimes he sends an avatar, an incarnation. Ryan Reynolds here from IT Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do@mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full terms@mintmobile.com Go further with the American Express Business Gold Card. Earn 3 times Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels when you book through amextravel.com whether your destination is a business conference or a client meeting. Your purchases will help you earn more points for future trips. Experience more on your travels with Amex Business Gold terms apply. Learn more@americanexpress.com Business Gold AmEx Business Gold Card Built for business by American Express. That's similar to the other word, reincarnation. He sends an avatar to handle things in the mortal realm. Think of these avatars as different versions of Vishnu, each tailored for a specific mission. So some of the very famous ones, obviously Krishna, Rama, Nara, Simha, Vamana, and Kalki. Kalki, we actually covered in Hindu eschatology. This is an episode I did with my friend Joey Avery going through all the end time stories. And Kalki, as we've said before, is an incarnation of Vishnu that's going to come and bring the end of this yug. Krishna, often regarded as Hinduism's rock star. He's charming, mischievous and very wise. He delivers the Bhagavan Gita and the life changing wisdom with it, while also stealing butter and charming everybody in sight. Rama, on the other hand, is the epitome of honor, duty and a perfect ruler. If Krishna is like the lead singer, Rama is like the older brother who never misses a show. He's just always fighting for, you know. And then you got Narasima. Narasimha, I like that. That's a half lion, half man and represents Vishnu when he's going beast when diplomacy isn't an option. And then Vamana, that might be the coolest one. This is an avatar who's basically like a dwarf. Pretty cool. Outsmarts like a demon king, reclaims the universe in, you know, a couple steps. Because why fight when you can outsmart, Right? Very Indian. Then there's Kalki. This is one I talked about before. This is Vishnu's yet to arrive apocalyptic avatar who's prophesied to ride in on a white horse and bring an edge end to the current age of darkness and corruption. Vishnuism is deeply rooted in bhakti. This is this concept that means the, you know, absolute devotion to Vishnu. If other branches of Hinduism lean into philosophy or meditation, Vishnuites take a different approach. Forget all that, you know, just love God and everything. And bhakti is highly emotional and personal. Songs, prayers, festivals, temples, all these kind of rituals are all centered around feeling Vishnu's presence. This is why Vishnuism is often compared to like, like evangelical Christianity. It's like very charismatic. There's a deep devotion, a passionate worship, and a strong emphasis on personal connection with the divine. Now again, Vishnuism, just like evangelical Christianity, is not a monolith within it. There are subgroups that interpret Vishnu's worship in their own unique ways. Sri Vishnuism focuses on Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi as the ultimate divine duo. And then there's Gadiya Vishnu, known for inspiring the Hare Krishna movement, which, if you're familiar with, like, psychedelic rock in the 60s and 70s, which is very influential. They took over, like, college campuses and stuff. And this centers on Krishna worship and the constant chanting of his name as the highest spiritual practice. And then there's Pushti Marg. And this is a more relaxed approach. This is emphasizing love of grace over, you know, the super, super strict ritual observance that some of these other sects have. And then you got the Madhva tradition, which takes like a more hardline monotheistic stance, asserting that Vishnu is the only God that matters, but no room for alternative interpretations. And then, yeah. Vishnuism plays a significant role in Hinduism as it is the largest sect, meaning that if you meet a Hindu, there's a good chance that they're a Vishnuvite. Many of Hinduism's most well known stories, festivals, and a lot of their traditions come from Vishnuvite texts. Celebrations like Diwali or Holi are closely tied to Vishnu's avatars, with Rama's return being the central story of Diwali and Krishna's colorful antics inspiring Holi. The teachings of Krishna, especially in the Bhagavan Gita, have influenced millions of people worldwide, not just Hindus, but very, very many spiritual seekers from different backgrounds. So Vishnuism keeps Hinduism's devotional aspect alive and thriving, ensuring that divine love remains at the heart of religious life. But what if you're not into a God who acts like this cosmic father figure? What if you are a Hindu but you prefer a deity that's more about destruction, chaos, the Limp Bizkit of Hinduism. All right. I mean, that. That limp bizkit performance, woodstock99, you've seen that? Oh, it's unbelievable. Break stuff goes crazy. Give me something to break. So if that's your vibe, then maybe Shivism, that's the one for you. It's one of the major denominations of Hinduism centered around the worship of Shiva, the God of destruction. But look, don't let the title fool you. This isn't just a, you know, mindless devastation and doom. Shiva is the destroyer in a far deeper, more philosophical sense. His destruction is about breaking down illusions, shattering the ego, dissolving attachments that present that prevent spiritual enlightenment. So Shivites believe that by embracing Shiva's wisdom and renouncing worldly Distractions, they can transcend the material world and reach ultimate liberation, which again, moksha. This goes for this sect as well. Moksha. This is again the highest goal of the the Shivite spiritual journey. This is where the soul merges with the divine and is freed from the cycle of rebirth. Other Hindu sects that focus on grand temples and elaborate rituals, Shivites tend to be more strict and meditative in their approach to spirituality. These are hardcore minimalists of Hinduism. Yogis, ascetics, wandering monks who give up material wealth and comfort in pursuit of divine knowledge. Many Shivite practitioners retreat to the mountains or the forest to meditate in solitude. Mirroring Shiva's own legendary lifestyle, he's often depicted sitting in deep meditation atop, what is it, Mount Kalash. Far from the concerns of mortal life, it is believed that those who successfully attain a deep state of meditation aligned with Shiva can access this heightened awareness beyond ordinary perception. Perhaps the most interesting and fascinating aspects of Shiva is the paradoxical nature that this deity, you know, ascertains. On one hand, he's the ultimate ascetic, an eternal meditating sage who, you know, exists outside of time and space. But on the other hand, he's wild and an unpredictable force of nature, you know, dancing in the form of nataraja, the cosmic dancer, whose rhythmic movements symbolized a perpetual cycle of creation and destruction. His physical appearance reflects his duality. Let's take a look. Matted locks, ash covered skin, a third eye that can incinerate anything with a single glance. Like Terminator. That's sick. He's both a figure of peace, but also immense power. His weapon of choice. Yes, a trident representing the three fundamental aspects of existence. Creation, preservation, destruction. Down. Shiva is also associated with practices that push the boundaries of conventional spirituality. Often depicted with this kind of chill demeanor, you know, he resides in the icy Himalayas and is linked to the use of herbs, particularly those associated with transcendental states of consciousness. AKA drugs. Many Shivites, sometimes known as sadhus or holy men, follow in this tradition, using meditation, ascetic practices, and sometimes even psychoactive substances to deepen their connection to the divine. I just guessed that, but turns out I'm right. The practice of renunciation, where followers abandon all their material possessions and dedicate themselves entirely to these spiritual pursuits, is highly regarded. In Shivism, these people are known as sanyasis, and they often smear their bodies with ash, symbolizing the impermanence of the material life and the burning away of worldly desires. Have you seen that video of the guy that goes and interviews like this ascetic monk. It's crazy. Apparently this monk is like, technically a cannibal. Okay. And he's like, covered in ash. It's awesome. We should get the video of it here. But it's awesome. But yeah, I'm assuming that guy is a, A shaveite, a Shivite. And yeah, he's, he's big on Shiva. So again, these ashes showing death, destruction, rebirth, etc, the most religious traditions are about following the rules. So Advaita Shivism is the one that figures out the loopholes. So remember that term we talked about earlier? This is a sect that isn't about bowing, begging, or suffering your way to enlightenment. It's about realizing that you already are enlightened. That's right. You listening right now? This chaotic mess. You are technically divine according to this specific sect known as Kashmir Shivism, or followers of Advaita Shivism. You're already there. While the other branches of Hinduism are busy arguing over which God is the coolest. Advaita Shivism just kind of chills, sips on some chai and just is like, yeah, dude, it's you. You're already there. You are a God in your own right. You have God within you. That's right. You, your neighbor, the annoying dog that shits on your sidewalk, the email you've been avoiding, and even your terrible taste and tv. It's all just manifestations of Shiva playing hide and seek with itself. This is like, deep cut. I feel like Hindu philosophy. I don't even really understand how all this plays out. If there's any Shivites listening to this, please correct me. Tell me where I'm, what I'm missing on this part. Like, is there a feeling of, like, asceticism? Is there a God within you? Am I off on that? I'd love to know. All right, let's go even more deep cut. A subculture within a subculture, all right? This is Lingayat Shivism. Now, if mainstream Shivism is the wise old monk sitting in a Himalayan cave, the Lingayat Shivism is the punk rocks teenager storming out of the temple, flipping, you know, the caste system the bird and declaring that spirituality doesn't need all this extra baggage. This sect isn't just another, you know, offshoot of Hinduism. Hinduism. It's this full blown reformation movement that looked at the rigid societal hierarchy and said, yeah, we're not doing that. Founded in the 12th century by this philosopher saint, Basava, Lingat Shivism was less about following the rules and More about torching the ones that didn't make sense. Basava wasn't just another guru handing out cryptic wisdom. He was a full on social reformer who saw the caste system, all these rituals and all these, you know, priestly privileges as outdated nonsense. Kind of sick to be honest with you. His followers, the lingyats, I hope I'm pronouncing it correctly. Correct me if I'm wrong. Lingayats. The Lingayats I like. Lingayats built a movement centered around direct devotion to Shiva and, and a complete rejection of the oppressive norms of traditional Hinduism. Now I feel like this is going to get controversial. Now like a lot of Hinduism is tied to like the caste system, for example. Lingayats reject it entirely. They believe that devotion to Shiva is what matters, not what family you're born into or whether some Brahman gave you divine approval. Unlike Shivites, who worship Shiva in various forms, Lingayats focus on Ishtalinga, a personal representation of Shiva worn around the neck. It's not just jewelry. It's a portable deity, a direct hotline to the divine. And it constant reminder, the reminder that spirituality isn't confined to temples or anything like that. What about the Vedic scriptures? What about that, huh? Lingayats toss it aside. They say, hey, we don't need it. Their teachings come from vachanas, poetic verses that emphasize social justice, equality and direct connection to God. A lot of Hindu sects love a good statue or, you know, some type of grand ritual. The lingayats are all about simplicity. No temple worship, no animal sacrifices, just no nonsense connection to Shiva. Sounds pretty punk rock to me, to be honest with you. In modern India, Lingayats continue to be a powerful sociopolitical force, particularly in Karnataka where they make up a significant portion of the population. Their demand for official recognition as a distinct religion has sparked endless debates and depend, depending on who you ask, whether you know, radical reformers or inconvenient troublemakers who refuse to blend into the larger Hindu umbrella. I mean that's, that's pretty interesting. That's like Hinduism's countercultural movement, Lingayat shivism. It challenges religious hierarchy and strip spirituality down to the rawest forms. Some people don't even technically recognize it as like a, you know, a subset. Some people see it as like a complete, you know, separate, you know, religion in some capacities. It's pretty fascinating. Now, what about the agories? So shivism also contains agories who are basically the spiritual, like, you know, rock stars, I guess, of like Hinduism. And they're equal Parts terrifying and fascinating. Oh, dude, I think this is. I think the agories are the ones that. Those are like the. That's the one I was talking about before. The cannibal guy. I remember that now. The agories. So while some monks in Hinduism, you know, they're meditating in caves or whatever, the Agoris are out there dunking themselves in cremation ashes. That's right. Drinking from skull cups called kapala and throwing basically every societal norm out the window. Because they believe that everything, life, death, purity, and even impurity is just Shiva. So the Agoris, they will prey on cremation grounds because what better way to conquer the fear of death than to cover yourself in it? It's interesting. Again, we listen and we don't judge. They're covered in ashes of the dead, and seed decay is just another illusion. Some even take it further and practice shava sadhana. This is meditation on top of a literal corpse because nothing screams spiritual growth like a dead body is a yoga mat. The goal is to remove past fear, attachment, and petty concerns of polite society. It's pretty hardcore. The Agoris, those. Those are real ones, dude. Some people have said that they're. They're cannibals, which is crazy. I mean, Indian food messes my stomach up sometimes. What about just an Indian? What do you think? Spicy? Get some heartburn? Probably. If I had a guess. I don't know. I've never eaten an Indian. Also, your skin absorbs whatever you put on it, so technically you're eating. Oh, that's a good point. So you are absorbing it. Whoa. And the Agoris are pretty punk rock, all right. Actually, not even punk rock, just regular rock. Alcohol, marijuana, other intoxicants. They're not just a good time. They're tools to break through the normal perceptions and touch something deeper. To them, altered states aren't distractions, but shortcuts to enlightenment that bypass the process of rational thought. So you. You might be agory. If you're listening to this. You like doing drugs, you know, clothing. You don't like it. Comfort, who cares? You know, a lot of agories, they roam naked. Not like, as a gimmick, but, like, as a symbol of complete detachment from society's norms. You might. If you're listening to this right now and you're like, this sounds pretty cool. You might be an agory. Look into it. Yeah. So agories don't just worship Shiva. They like the alter ego, the Bhairava in Shiva. If. If you could see Shiva as, like, you know, the laid back Yogi on that mountain we were talking about. Bhairava is the not no nonsense, skull wielding enforcer who means business. Bhairava is associated with destruction and transcendence and grants Agori's supernatural abilities that protects them from getting lost in their practices. I mean, that's pretty sweet. Dude, Agoris are wild. All right, now we could sit here and talk about Shivism all day. I mean, there's way more to discuss with this. So if you're a Shivite, I'm sorry if I'm, you know, moving on too quickly, but there's a lot. There's a lot to cover, okay? So let's move on to shaktism. All right? Shaktism, or if you're a shakti, this is not just, you know, another one of those random branches of Hinduism. This one is fascinating because it doesn't just acknowledge female power, but outright worships it. That's right. For all you racists out there that think Hindus don't respect women, Shaktis, they worship women. I think. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong if there's any shaktis listening to this, but, you know, imagine your male dominated pantheons of gods. Shaktism is where the real energy is. By energy, we mean shakti, this cosmic force that powers the entire universe. Because girls run the world. At its core, Shaktism revolves around the worship of shakti, this divine feminine energy that manifests. And a bunch of different badass goddesses. All right, some of the most intense, inspiring deities belong to the sect, but they don't mess around. For example, take Kali, okay? Terrifying skull wearing warrior mom who doesn't just slay demons, but dances on their bodies like an agori. She's the kind of goddess who would show up in your nightmares, you know, and just start messing stuff up. And then there's Durga, the multi armed powerhouse who rides a lion and carries an arsenal of weapons. I mean, this girl is awesome. These goddesses aren't just here to, like, give you a gentle blessing. They're here to remind you of who's really in charge. Women. And then there's Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, who makes it clear that divine femininity isn't just about power, but also abundance, good fortune. And then there's the Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, creativity and music. This is a cosmic scholar who makes sure that all intelligence gets its fair share of divine recognition. It's kind of nice shockism. It's got these badass women flying around knocking people's heads off and let. Let the record show Shockism doesn't just do passive spirituality. So unlike other Hindu denominations that focus on the philosophical introspection or devotional love, Shaktism leans hard into Tantra, a spiritual path that embraces both the physical and the metaphysical systems like rituals, meditations, and sometimes there's a thing that Westerners call tantric sex. Okay, before it's you get all, you know, bricked up, let's clarify. It's not what you think. Tantra isn't just about stretching your endurance. It's about channeling divine energy and achieving spiritual enlightenment and breaking free from the illusions of reality. So sorry if you're trying to catch a beat to this, all right? That's not what this is about. Okay? Tantra and Shaktism is highly ritualistic and deeply rooted in practices that merge the material and the spiritual worlds. Some different versions of Shaktism incorporate chanting, fire, ceremonies, and meditation, while some engage in more esoteric techniques designed to awaken kundalini energy, a dormant force believed to reside at the base of the spine, waiting to rise through the chakras to bring about spiritual awakening. The idea is that true liberation comes from not rejecting the world, but fully engaging with it, understanding that divinity is present in all aspects of life, including, you know, the sensual. One of the most fascinating things about Shaktism is how it flips the traditional power structure on its head. So imagine most religions, they have this divine, masculine, central figure. And sometimes there's some women, you know, playing like a supporting role, but not in shockism. Goddesses aren't just important. They are the main event male God, you know, the. The dudes, the bros, like Shiva, they're depicted as completely powerless without Shakti. That's right. Without divine feminine energy, the universe itself would just sit there, useless, inert, no abundance, nothing to bring forth life. Shiva himself is often seen as a meditative ascetic until awakened by Shakti's dynamic energy. Without her, he is stillness without movement, potential without action. Now let's talk about worship. Shaktiism isn't just about saying prayers and lighting incense. It's about full on immersive devotion. Followers engage in elaborate festivals, vibrant rituals, and intense spiritual practices. So some forms of Shaktiism, specifically in like, Bengal and Nepal, they involve a blood sacrifice, apparently. I don't know, I'm just reading this for the first time. That's wild. Is that true, Zach? We got. I mean, we gotta double check that. Yeah, blood sacrifice. It's most. Are your ulcerative colitis symptoms proving difficult to manage Tremphya. Giselcomab can help you manage the cycle of UC symptoms. At one year, many patients taking Tremphya achieved clinical remission and some patients also achieved endoscopic remission. Individual Results Tremphya is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions and increased risk of infections may occur. Before treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tb. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu like symptoms or if you need a vaccine. Ask your doctor if Tremphya can help you manage the cycle of UC symptoms. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit trimfireradio.com this episode is brought to you by Lifelock. It's tax season and we're all a bit tired of numbers, but here's one you need to $16.5 billion. That's how much the IRS flagged for possible identity fraud last year. Now here's a good number. 100 million. That's how many data points LifeLock monitors every second. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it, guaranteed. Save up to 40% your first year@lifelock.com podcast terms apply. They symbolic? Mostly. But the point is clear. Devotion to the Goddess isn't just about words. It's about actions. Okay, so you got the Durga Puja is one of the biggest Hindu festivals dedicated to Shakti, where the entire cities light up. You got these giant idols that are worshiped in days of celebration, bringing communities together in a stunning display of devotion. Shaktiism's influence stretches beyond the religious sphere, deeply embedding itself in Indian cultural identity. Feminism, spiritual philosophy, the empowerment of the divine feminine isn't just an abstract concept. It influences literature, politics, social movements. From ancient scriptures to modern empowerment narratives, Shakti remains a force to be reckoned with. I like that. That's interesting. I never, I never. I never knew that about. About some. Some Hindus will actually worship Shakti. And the blood sacrifice is animal blood. Oh, yeah, I probably should have mentioned that. Goats, probably. Goats, right? It's not cows. Definitely not cows. Humans, maybe. The. The group that we were talking about before, the Vishnuvite or an Agori. The Agories. Oh, they could team up. The Shaktis and the Agoris. They could be like, hey, we need a blood sacrifice. The gorge. Like we're trying to free ourselves from death and liberate from the material world. Now let's talk about smartism. Okay. This is kind of like the. The all encompassing version. You don't have to choose just one God, you can worship all of them. It's kind of nice, kind of a catch all. So maybe if you're a little indecisive, you don't want to choose a side. Team Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti. Smartism is here to tell you, porque no los dos. This is Hinduism's all inclusive, non denominational greatest hits. Smartas believe that all gods are just different forms of the same divine source. Meaning you don't have to pledge allegiance to one deity. You get the full bundle. Yeah, no Netflix, Hulu, no cable. Smartism isn't about passionate, single minded devotion to one God, right? Like Shivism or Vishnuism. Instead, it's like this kind of intellectual cousin that steps back and he's like, bro, just look at the big picture, dude. It's about recognizing all the gods. Everything. Ganesh, Surya, Vishnu. It's all the same, man. It's all part of one ultimate reality known as Brahman. In a way, smartism is Hinduism's answer to the it's all connected conspiracy theory, right? Except maybe like the Clintons or lizards or something. This makes smartism perfect for people who like their spirituality with the side of logic and the sprinkle of philosophical detachment. Okay, Unlike more ritual heavy sex, right, Smartism leans into the Advaita Vedanta, which we mentioned earlier, is a school of thought that says the ultimate goal, to realize that everything, including you, is already a part of God, already a part of Brahman. You don't need to pick a deity and obsess over it. You just need to wake up and be like, yo, you're in a game, dude. Step out. The main practice of smartism is Nana Yoga with a silent J. Still, we don't know exactly. Someone correct me. Or this is what's known as the path of knowledge. This means that instead of spending hours performing rituals or chanting names, smartas sit back, contemplate existence, read up on some ancient scriptures, have a nice existential conversation. This sounds like what I do on this podcast, to be honest with you. But don't get it wrong, okay? Smartas, they still worship, all right? It's just that the way that they do it is more relaxed, is more flexible, you know? They typically recognize six major deities, some that we've already talked about. You got Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, Ganesh, Surya, and Skanda. And if you want to worship one of the other one over the others, go for it. If you want to mix and match, that's fine. The idea is that all of these gods are just different doorways to the same truth. Worship. And smartism is usually less about this grand emotional devotion and more about a quiet reverence. They have strong traditions of setting up home altars with idols, lighting some incense, offering some food and then going about their day. No pressure. No, oh, you're God. My, it's just chill. Open minded. What makes martism stand out is its adaptability, right? It's like a, like an Indian Swiss army knife. Flexible, multifunctional. Whether you're drawn to the aesthetic wisdom of Shiva, the disciplined devotion of Vishnu, the raw feminine power of Shakti, smartism says, hey, nice, you get to do that. But let's not forget, while smartism sounds like, you know, just your weed smoking cousin, it's got deep intellectual roots. All right? Some of Hinduism's greatest thinkers and philosophers were smartas. Including that guy we talked about before, Adi Shankaracharya. That guy, he essentially built the foundation of Advaita Vedanta. His teachings emphasized the unity of all deities under the concept of the Brahman. Making him one, if not the most influential spiritual minds in Hindu history. His philosophy basically boils down to one radical idea. Everything is one. You, me, this tent, Christos, full head of hair, the universe. It's all just different manifestations of the same divine source. So if you've ever thought about picking a single path in a religion or maybe a single genre of music to listen to for the rest of your life, smartism could be the answer. Gives you the entire playlist. You get to shuffle through divine experiences at your own pace. Kind of a Cheesecake Factory, right? Oh, what do we get? Italian, French? Hey, go to Cheesecake Factory, they got everything. So now you know all the major denominations, which one are you going for? Are you a Shiva worshiping ascetic? A goddess revering warrior? I don't know, maybe a passionate Vishnu devotee. Or maybe you're a smarta, right? Maybe you're a smartist taking the laid back, all inclusive approach. Christos, what do you think? Which one are you going to be? I'm an ally, so I'm going with the Vishnu. Vishnu bites. Yes, because they believe in the females. That's the. This. Did you. Am I not listening? It's the shock these that believe in. Ah, the shock these. That's you horny, you are. Chris has been on one Tinder day and he's like, God worship one and a half. The future's female dude. Nah, I mean the Shakti's are cool, I respect that. But which one are you? The smartest. Seem like the coolest. To me, that's. That sounds like you. Right? It's just kind of open minded. It's like, all right, let's just take a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Let's just kind of feel everything, kind of see where everyone lies. Vishnuvites have the coolest holidays, though. What are their holidays? They. That, that's Holy Diwali, like all the big ones. Most Hindus are Vishnuvites. And then the, the shit, your smartism, you get to do all of those. A good point. So, yeah, smartism, that's what I'm picking. But let me know if I'm wrong. Tell me if there's Hindus comment. Let's keep it civil though. You know, we don't need to make a whole race war or something. But let me know, what do you think? What is your tradition? Did you convert? Why did you pick the tradition you converted to? And yeah, I'd love to know what y'all think. I'm fascinated by Hinduism. I'm. I find it very charming. I like all my, all my Hindu friends, I find that they have like a real reverence and like an appreciation for the divine. I think it's a very interesting faith. And yeah, I have a lot of respect for all my, all the Hindus out there that are, that are listening to this program. And there's also something to be said that like, you know, some if not most, to my memory, this is not even written down. Zach didn't do any research on this. Are not polytheistic. Like a lot of people are like, oh, they're polytheistic, right? Are they pantheistic? You know, monotheistic? What are they? Depends on your tradition. Some see like Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, you know, like the creator, the preserver, the destroyer, as three versions, like some trinity of the ultimate God, the Brahman, and that there is one God. So there are a lot of Hindus that are actually monotheistic, that just honor the Brahmin, but then see three different versions of it in this trinity, kind of like Christians. So there's any Hindus out there listening. Correct me on that also. But yeah, I appreciate you all for tuning in to another episode of Camp Religion Camp, specifically. Let me know what you think of this episode. If you're not Hindu, I'd be so curious to know, what do you think about our Hindu brothers listening to it? If you are Hindu, I'd love to know what you think. Did I get any of this wrong? What did I miss? Correct me please, because I like I said, I am just a a visitor in the space of the of Hindus and I'd love to go to India one day and see it all up close. Maybe for Holi. I think that'd be kind of fun. Throw some powdered gender reveal colors and stuff. Anyway, appreciate y'all and we will see you next time. Namaste and peace be with you. 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