D. atman
Explanation:
Hindus believe that every living thing has an atman (soul or spirit), which is the inner self or true self. The atman is immortal and only the body, in which it resides, can die. Hindus believe that an atman cycles through millions of temporary bodies, both human and animal, before reaching the final goal: to become one with the Ultimate Being, Brahman. Moksha or nirvana is the release or liberation of an atman from the cycle of reincarnation in bodily form. The number of cycles an atman will go through depends on its karma (actions or deeds).
Karma refers to actions or deeds as well as their repercussions, which depends on their intent. It is a cause and effect mechanism. Hindus believe that good intent and deeds bring happiness and good karma, while bad intent and deeds bring bad karma. They believe that all actions have an effect or reaction in the future. This future, however, not only refers to a person's ongoing life, but also to the person's future lives. Karma is tied to an atman and stays with that atman through all of its births. Samsara is the concept of rebirth, which comprises a repetitive cycle of birth, life, and death. After death, the atman takes birth in another body as a human, animal, or divine being through the process called reincarnation.
Hindus believe there are four main goals in a human's life. They call these goals purusharthas, which roughly translates as "human purpose." Dharma means righteousness, duty, and religion. According to dharma, people should perform their duties virtuously as per their personal obligations. Karma is always in harmony with dharma. Artha means prosperity or worldly success, and it includes success in career, skills, wealth, and health. Kama means pleasure or desire in married life and refers to sexual pleasure, love, affection, and aesthetic pleasure. Moksha (or mukti) is the process of liberation of the atman from the cycle of reincarnations. It is the ultimate goal, wherein the atman becomes one with the Ultimate Reality.
Yoga is a set of practices that yoke or bring together the mind, body, and spirit. Most people associate yoga with exercise, though this is only a part of it. Hindus use yoga to get in touch with their inner or true self. It is a path to salvation, which culminates with moksha or samidhi (the highest state of meditation, which transcends the mind, body, and intellect). According to Hinduism, there are four main branches of yoga. Karma yoga is salvation through work and deeds. Bhakti yoga is salvation through devotion to Brahman. Jnana yoga is salvation through knowledge. Raja yoga helps practitioners gain control over their mind and emotions.
