ife, known as the purusharthas (ordered from least to greatest): Kama (wish, desire, love and sensual pleasure), Artha (wealth, prosperity, glory), Dharma (righteousness, duty, morality, virtue, ethics), e

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Hinduism is a religious category including many beliefs and traditions. Since Hinduism was the way of expressing meaningful living for a long time, before there was a need for naming it as a separate religion, Hindu doctrines are supplementary and complementary in nature, generally non-exclusive, suggestive and tolerant in content.[78] Most believe that the atman (spirit, soul)—the person's true self—is eternal.[79] In part, this stems from Hindu beliefs that spiritual development occurs across many lifetimes, and goals should match the state of development of the individual. There are four possible aims to human life, known as the purusharthas (ordered from least to greatest): Kama (wish, desire, love and sensual pleasure), Artha (wealth, prosperity, glory), Dharma (righteousness, duty, morality, virtue, ethics), encompassing notions such as ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truth) and Moksha (liberation, i.e. liberation from Sa?sara, the cycle of reincarnation).[80][81][82]
In all schools of Hinduism, the meaning of life is tied up in the concepts of karma (causal action), sansara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), and moksha (liberation). Existence is conceived as the progression of the atman (similar to the western concept of a soul) across numerous lifetimes, and its ultimate progression towards liberation from karma. Particular goals for life are generally subsumed under broader yogas (practices) or dharma (correct living) which are intended to create more favorable reincarnations, though they are generally positive acts in this life as well. Traditional schools of Hinduism often worship Devas which are manifestations of Ishvara (a personal or chosen God); these Devas are taken as ideal forms to be identified with, as a form of spiritual improvement.
In short, the goal is to realize the fundamental truth about oneself. This thought is conveyed in the Mahavakyas ("Tat Tvam Asi" (thou art that), "Aham Brahmasmi", "Prajñanam Brahma" and "Ayam Atma Brahma" (the soul and the world are one)).
Advaita and Dvaita Hinduism
Further information: Advaita Vedanta and Dvaita
Later schools reinterpreted the vedas to focus on Brahman, "The One Without a Second",[83] as a central God-like figure.
In monist Advaita Vedanta, atman is ultimately indistinguishable from Brahman, and the goal of life is to know or realize that one's atman (soul) is identical to Brahman.[84] To the Upanishads, whoever becomes fully aware of the atman, as one's core of self, realizes identity with Brahman, and, thereby, achieves Moksha (liberation, freedom).[79][85][86]
Dualist Dvaita Vedanta and other bhakti schools have a dualist interpretation. Brahman is seen as a supreme being with a personality and manifest qualities. The atman depends upon Brahman for its existence; the meaning of life is achieving Moksha through love of God and upon His grace.[85]
Vaishnavism