ABSTRACT
In order to acquire a reasonable understanding of the fundamental ideas related to Hindu spirituality and the unique way in which they manifests themselves in practices related to death and bereavement, it would be necessary to consider the major features of Hinduism. Beliefs in astrology and the malevolent influence of planets on one’s life are strongly ingrained in the Indian psyche. Two opposing views have been offered concerning the origin of Hinduism. At its simplest level, many scholars have argued that Hinduism, like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, is a revealed religion. There are others who dispute such a formulation, and have argued that Hinduism, like many other religions, has evolved over centuries. To grasp the full impact of the caste system on the daily lives of Hindus, it is necessary to understand the fundamental characteristics of the caste system. The three fundamental characteristics of the caste system are: hierarchy, pollution and purification, and specialization.
