The religious practice of the Hindu community evolved over many years assimilating various local community practices and faiths along with the Vedic teachings. As their religious teachings were very tolerant to alternate thoughts, faiths and rituals, it was easy for them to accommodate the different social customs. In the ancient times, every small community in the various parts of the Indian subcontinent, and probably the adjoining areas of Persia [Iran], Afghanistan, Central Asia and Southeast Asia had very similar thinking and philosophy with similar social customs and practice. They all believed in One God as Almighty superior force and prayed in several forms, distinct and different in each area. Even though they had been fighting many wars from ancient times, as Asuras and Devas, their belief remained similar. Many Hindu Saints including Vyasa, Apasthamba, Bodhayana and others established the rationalized thinking and practice based on Vedic and Agamic teachings.

While the Vedas and later books explained the Philosophy and rituals along with prayers, there was always a subtle message in all of them for proper social behavior, recommended for the individual and the community. Any scientific theory, Philosophical teaching or socioeconomic principle is of no use to the community unless it is applied to the people for their day to day living. It will not survive the test of time unless it is popular among the masses for their personal use. The Vedic teachings are all theories and philosophy useful for scholars to study and understand the Divine Principle. The Smrithis and Dharma Sasthras were establishing the constitutional rules for daily living and regular rituals for daily practice to establish that faith. There were different rules for varying age-groups and for each community. The Agamas and various Puranas translated them with simple stories for the masses. This helps not only to understand the principles but also to keep it popular over many generations of people to adhere to the faith. They help to comprehend the main teachings on qualities of the Divine and various aspects of Dharma, Karma and Ahimsa.

When we help another person in need, we should not wait and expect any favor in return and wait for it; it will come just like the tall coconut tree which takes the plain water poured at its feet [root] returns it back to us as sweet water at its head.

--[a Tamil poem by Poet Saint Avvaiyaar]

The effects of all our actions as Karma will be returned back to us properly. But, any action performed with greed, and attachment looking for a return of benefit will lead to pain and grief only. When we help a person ineed, such action will be rewarded at appropriate time in a better form when we are in need of such services.