Glossary of Hinduism terms
The following is a glossary of terms and concepts in Hinduism. The list consists of concepts that are derived from both Hinduism and Hindu tradition, which are expressed as words in Sanskrit as well as other languages of India.
C
D
- :;
- Dvaita
- A branch of Hindu philosophy, founded by Shri Madhvacharya that advocates dualism and stresses a strict distinction between God and souls.
E
F
G
- Ganga
- A holy river in Northern India, believed to be a goddess by Hindus (see Ganga in Hinduism)
- Grihastha
- The second of the four phases (Purushartha) of a man, when a person gets married and settles down in life and begets children.
- Guru
- A spiritual teacher. In contemporary India, the title and term "Guru" is widely used within the general meaning of "wise man".
H
I
J
K
- Kama
- Best understood as aesthetics, the definition of Kama involves sensual gratification, sexual fulfillment, pleasure of the senses, love, and the ordinary enjoyments of life regarded as one of the four ends of man (purusharthas).
- Karma
- A Sanskrit term that encompasses the entire cycle of cause and effect.
- Krishna
- The eighth avatar of Vishnu, one of the most worshipped by many Hindus. Krishna is famous for his lecture to Arjuna written in the Bhagavad Gita.
- Kshatriya
- The second caste in Hindu tradition, consisting of the warriors, soldiers and rulers of society.
L
M
- Mahabharata
- One of the two major ancient Sanskrit epics of India, the other being the Ramayana. The Mahabharata is of religious and philosophical importance in India; in particular, the Bhagavad Gita, which is one of its chapters (Bhishmaparva) and a sacred text of Hinduism.
- Mantra
- A religious syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words and vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras are performed through chanting.
- Moksha
- Refers to liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. In higher Hindu philosophy, it is seen as a transcendence of phenomenal being, of any sense of consciousness of time, space, and causation (karma).
N
O
- Om
- (Also Aum, ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, first coming to light in the Vedic Tradition. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra); not only because it is considered to be the primal sound, but also because most mantras begin with it.
P
- Parashurama
- The sixth Avatar of Vishnu, where he came in the form of an axe-wielder in order to kill the corrupt kings at the time.
- Purushartha
- The four chief aims of human life. Arranged from lowest to highest, these goals are: sensual pleasures (kama), worldly status and security (artha), personal righteousness and social morality (dharma), and liberation from the cycle of reincarnation (moksha).
Q
R
S
- Samsara
- Refers to the concept of reincarnation or rebirth in Indian philosophical traditions.
- Shudra
- The lowest of the four castes in Hindu tradition, consisting of artisans, cleaners and labourers.
- Śruti
- A canon of Hindu scriptures. Shruti is believed to have no author; rather a divine recording of the "cosmic sounds of truth", heard by rishis.
- Smarta
- A Hindu denomination, which follows Advaita philosophy and considers that all gods are manifestations of Ishvar.
- Sutra
- Refers to an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a book or text.
T
U
- Upanishad
- Part of the Hindu Śruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy, seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism.
V
- Vaishya
- The third caste in Hindu tradition consisting of merchants, artisans, and landowners.
- Vanaprastha
- A person who is living in the forest as a hermit after giving up material desires.
- Varuna
- A god of the sky, of rain and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law and of the underworld.
- Vishnu
- A form of God, to whom many Hindus pray. For Vaishnavas, He is the only Ultimate Reality or God. In Trimurti belief, He is the second aspect of God in the Trimurti (also called the Hindu Trinity), along with Brahma and Shiva. Known as the Preserver, He is most famously identified with His avatars, especially Krishna and Rama.
W
Y
- Yamas
- A yama (Sanskrit), literally translates as a "restraint", a rule or code of conduct for living virtuously.
- Yoga
- Spiritual practices performed primarily as a means to enlightenment (or bodhi). Traditionally, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main yogas. In the West, yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, popular as fitness exercises.
- Yoga Sutra
- One of the six darshanas of Hindu or Vedic schools and, alongside the Bhagavad Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, are a milestone in the history of Yoga.
- Yuga
- In Hindu philosophy (and in the teachings of Surat Shabd Yoga) the cycle of creation is divided into four yugas (ages or eras).
- Yuga Dharma
- One aspect of Dharma, as understood by Hindus. Yuga dharma is an aspect of dharma that is valid for a Yuga. The other aspect of dharma is Sanatan Dharma, dharma which is valid for eternity.
Z
Notes
- Paul V. M. Flesher. "Hinduism Glossary for Introduction to Religion". Retrieved 2006-06-25.
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References
- Storm, Rachel (1999). The Encyclopedia of Eastern Mythology. New York: Lorenz Books. ISBN 0-7548-0069-5.
- Paul V. M. Flesher. "Hinduism Glossary for Introduction to Religion". Retrieved 2006-06-25.
- Dallapiccola, Anna L. (2002). Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-51088-1.
See also
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