Indians believe that society naturally functions in a unified way, as do the different parts of the human body. Rig Veda suggests that the four classes of human beings, the devas, the four seasons, and all life emerged from a great being who was sacrificed in a fire to form the universe. A form of fire sacrifice was important to the Aryans, since placing offerings in the sacred fire by the priest was considered the best means for contacting, honoring, and receiving help from the gods. The final goal is moksha or spiritual liberation, which occurs when the person experientially realizes total oneness with Brahman. It entails true knowledge and the complete detachment from the good or bad fruits of all actions.
Incarnations appear during eras of human distress.
Puja consists especially of fruit, flowers, a light, and incense offered with love and reverence to an idol or a picture of a god or guru. In a temple a Brahmin priest will do the puja , while the householder or his wife will do so daily in the home. In each case the person who goes will bring back food or water that has been blessed, purified, and empowered by the God form to which they were offered. Puja may also be offered at the feet of a holy person. For all three paths, wisdom, morality, selfless action, love, and devoted service are combined in some measure to lead the aspirant toward unity with God.