What would be the pillars of Hinduism?

Namaste,

If someone asked you, what are the pillars or 'core doctrines' of Hinduism, what would you say?

For example, a Muslim would say the 5 pillars of Islam such as faith, prayers, pilgrimage, charity and fasting.

My attempt: Ahimsa, fasting, prayers, service and pilgrimage. Of these, in my view, ahimsa or non-violence is the most important.

Thanks,

Viraja

Vannakkam,

To me, a pillar means something that would hold the religion up, on it's own, the the rest wasn't there. So Holy men, temples, and scripture would be my 3 pillars.

Aum Namasivaya

Thanks, EM ji!

Namaste

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.17.24

tapaḥ śaucaṁ dayā satyam

iti pādāḥ kṛte kṛtāḥ

adharmāṁśais trayo bhagnāḥ

smaya-saṅga-madais tava

Bhagavad Gita 18.42

samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam

Namaste MD ji,

What would be the meaning of the verse you have quoted from Bhagavatam?

Many thanks.

Namaste Viraja

TEXT 24 tapaḥ śaucaṁ dayā satyam iti pādāḥ kṛte kṛtāḥ adharmāṁśais trayo bhagnāḥ smaya-saṅga-madais tava SYNONYMS tapaḥ—austerity; śaucam—cleanliness; dayā—mercy; satyam—truthfulness; iti—thus; pādāḥ—legs; kṛte—in the age of Satya; kṛtāḥ—established; adharma—irreligiosity; aṁśaiḥ—by the parts; trayaḥ—three combined; bhagnāḥ—broken; smaya—pride; saṅga—too much association with women; madaiḥ—intoxication;tava—your. TRANSLATION In the age of Satya [truthfulness] your four legs were established by the four principles of austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. But it appears that three of your legs are broken due to rampant irreligion in the form of pride, lust for women, and intoxication. samo damas tapah saucam ksantir arjavam eva ca jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam SYNONYMS śamaḥ—peacefulness; damaḥ—self-control; tapaḥ—austerity; śaucam—purity; kṣāntiḥ—tolerance; ārjavam—honesty; eva—certainly; ca—and;jñānam—wisdom; vijñānam—knowledge; āstikyam—religiousness; brahma—of a brāhmaṇa; karma—duty; svabhāva-jam—born of his own nature. TRANSLATION Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness-these are the qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work.

Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness....

Great!

Thank you!