The ideal of Dharma is an attempt to relate the temporal (the earthly,) life to the spiritual (the eternal,) life. It also aims to control temporal by the spiritual aspects of life. At the time of death, Dharma is the only companion and guide of the soul and by it alone one has to cross darkness and attain light.

Hindus are not Fatalists as is generally believed by the westerners. Human Effort (Purushakara over the Deivakara) is emphasized as the feasible alternative. The doctrine of KARMA merely affirms that Moral Law governs the Universe. Every cause will have an effect. But the soul is free and with God’s grace, the chain of karma can be broken. THUS SELF-EFFORT and the GRACE OF GOD is given a primary place in the BHAGAVAT GITA.

The Hindu concept of the brotherhood of man is based on the concept of the fatherhood of God.              

The essence of virtues is said to be ASANGA or ANASAKTHI (Detachment.)

Hindu ethics emphasize virtues (Atma Gunas,) more than the sacraments (Samskaras.

Hindu Ethics emphasize NON-INJURY (Ahimsa,) Truth (Sathya,) Purity (Saucha,) Contentment (Samtrupti,) non-covetousness (Aparigraha,) Compassion (karuna,) Self-control, (Atma Nigraha,) Forgiveness, (Kshamapana,) Auspiciousness and absence of jealousy etc as the cardinal virtues

Ramayana illustrates the great truth that pleasure (KAMA,) which is pursued to the detriment of Dharma is an evil and will lead to destruction. Mahabharata illustrates equally a great truth that Artha (wealth,) which is sought to the detriment of Dharma is an evil and will lead to destruction. Therefore the aim of human conduct should be to harmonize Dharma ( Righteousness,) and Artha (wealth,)  and Kama  (Pleasure.). This approach should enable every one to realize that essentially and  ultimately man is pure spirit ( Atma,) and that salvation (Moksha,) is his final goal. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha are described as the Purushardhas or Human  pursuits in Hinduism.

Bhagavat gita enumerates elements of Divine temperament as well as Demoniac temperament, which constitute the Do’s and the Don’ts of the Hindu Ethical System.

Gita also lays stress on DISPASSION AND DISPASSIONATE out look while doing one’s prescribed duty. This is known as NISHKAMA KARMA.

Hindu Scriptures also prescribe remedial measures ( Prayas chittas,) for the transgression of the Ethical life. The main elements of expiation are repentance for the committed sins and resolve never to commit them again.

Gita clearly says that if a man is deficient in Achara, ( Traditional observances,) but he is full of devotion to God, he must be reckoned a good man and he will attain Divine Peace and happiness.

In Hinduism Ethics, Philosophy and religion  together constitute an inseparable trinity and they never parted company. Thus like all the great Religions of the worlds, Hinduism has its rituals, its moral disciplines, its emotional disciplines of PRAYER ( Prarthanas,) and CONTEMPLATION  /  MEDITATION, (Dhyana.) AND DEVOTION  with its system of Philosophic Thought.