SUBDIVISIONS

Presently, there are four principal denominations within the Hindu faith. These are Shaivism, Shaktism,
Vaishavism, and Smartism. It is important to note, however, that while these gods have different names,
Hindus all worship one supreme being.

SHAIVISM

LORD SHIVA, the Compassionate One, is God for the Saivites. Followers of Shaivism value self-discipline
and philosophy. They worship in temples and practice yoga.

SHAKTISM

The Goddess Shakti is supreme for Shaktas. She is the divine mother and assumes many forms, be it a
gentle one or a fierce deity. Believers use chants, magic, and yoga to summon cosmic forces.

VAISHNAVISM

Lord Vishnu is God for the Vaishnavites, especially in his incarnations Krishna and Rama. Adherents have
multitudes of saints, temples, and sacred texts.

SMARTISM

For the Smartas, devotees are left to choose their own deity in one of six manifestations, namely,
Ganesha, Siva, Shakti, Vishnu, Surya, and Skanda. Smartas are known as liberals as they embrace all
major Hindu gods.
Hinduism and Women

Even though the Manusmriti or the "Laws of Manu" states that women should be honored in Hindu
society, women have always been considered inferior to men in almost all aspects of life. A woman's life
revolves around the men in her life, to be taking care of by her father in childhood, by her husband in
marriage life, and by her sons upon old age. Thus, women are relegated to performing household chores
and are expected to become loyal to their husbands, even after their husbands die.

In traditional society, women are expected to perform sati or suttee wherein widowed women are
expected to jump on the funeral pyre of their husbands in the afterlife.