Sacred things are symbols.

They symbolize the things of the unseen, super-empirical world, they

symbolize certain sacred but tangible realities. When a Hindu worships a cow, he worships it not
because of the kind of animal the cow is, but because of a host of super-empirical characteristics which
this animal is imagined to represent.

3. Ritual:

Religious ritual is “the active side of religion. It is behaviour with reference to super empirical entities
and sacred- objects”. It includes any kind of behavior (such as the wearing of special clothing and the
immersion in certain rivers, in the Ganga for instance), prayers, hymns, creedal recitations, and other
forms of reverence, usually performed with other people and in public. It can include singing, dancing,
weeping, crawling, starving, feasting, etc. Failure to perform these acts is considered a sin.

4. Acts defined as Sinful:

Each religion defines certain acts as sinful and profane (unholy). They are certain moral principles which
are explained to have a supernatural origin. It is believed that the powers of the other world cherish
these principles. The violation of these principles creates man’s sense of guilty. It may also bring upon
him the disfavour of the supernatural powers. If the behaviour is not in accordance with the religions
code, the behaviour or act is considered as sinful.

5. Some Method of Salvation:

A method of salvation is the fifth basic element of religion. Man needs some method by which he can
regain harmony with the Gods through removal of guilt. In Hindu religion Moksha or Salvation
represents the end of life, the realisation of an inner spirituality in man.