The following list consists of notableconcepts that are derived fromHindu culture and associated cultures’ (Indian,Nepali,Balinese) traditions, which are expressed as words inSanskrit or otherIndic languages andDravidian languages.[1][2] The main purpose of this list is to disambiguate multiple spellings, to make note of spellings no longer in use for these concepts, to define the concept in one or two lines, to make it easy for one to find and pin down specific concepts, and to provide a guide to unique concepts of Hinduism all in one place.[3]
Separating concepts in Hinduism from concepts specific to Indianculture, or from the language itself, can be difficult. ManySanskrit concepts have an Indian secular meaning as well as a Hindu dharmic meaning. One example is the concept ofDharma.[4] Sanskrit, like all languages, contains words whose meanings differ across various contexts.
Areligious principle ofnon-violence and respect for alllife.Ahimsa (अहिंसाahiṁsā) isSanskrit for avoidance ofhimsa, or injury. It is interpreted most often as meaning peace and reverence toward allsentient beings. Ahimsa is the core ofHinduism,Jainism, andBuddhism. Its first mention in Indian philosophy is found in the Hindu scriptures called theUpanishads, the oldest dating about 800 BC. Those who practice Ahimsa are oftenvegetarians orvegans.
(Akasha is aSanskrit word meaning "sky", "space" or "aether") In the religion of theosophy and the philosophical school called anthroposophy, the Akashic records are a compendium of all universal events, thoughts, words, emotions and intent ever to have occurred in the past, present, or future in terms of all entities and life forms, not just human. They are believed by theosophists to be encoded in a non-physical plane of existence known as the mental plane.
The Supreme Transcendental Awareness which pervades and yet transcends the manifest universe. Not to be confused with the god Brahma or the varna Brahmin.
Sacred texts of Hinduism mostly written inSanskrit. Hindu scripture is divided into two categories:Śruti – that which is heard (i.e. revelation) andSmriti – that which is remembered (i.e. tradition, not revelation).
A worldwide religious tradition that is based on theVedas and is the direct descendant of theVedic religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies.
AHindu philosophical concept ofGod referring to the Supreme Being which is the lord and the ruler of everything.Hinduism uses the term Ishvara exclusively to refer to the SupremeGod in a monotheistic sense.
Best understood as aesthetics, the definition of Kama involves sensual gratification, sexual fulfillment, the pleasure of the senses, love, and the ordinary enjoyments of life regarded as one of the four ends of man (purusharthas).
The practise of disciplining action.Karmayoga focuses on the adherence to duty (dharma) while remaining detached from the reward. It states that one can attainMoksha (salvation) by unselfishly doing his duties.
a huge Hindu religious pilgrimage/gathering/festival every 12 years at the Ganges and other sacred rivers, which many sanyasis (especially sadhus) attend.
One of the two major ancientSanskritepics ofIndia, the other being theRamayana. TheMahabharata is of religious and philosophical importance in India; in particular, theBhagavad Gita, which is one of its chapters (Bhishmaparva) and a sacred text ofHinduism.
Areligioussyllable orpoem, typically from theSanskrit language. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words, and vibrations that instill one-pointedconcentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras are performed throughchanting.
Literally "extinction" and/or "extinguishing", is the culmination of theyogi's pursuit of liberation.Hinduism uses the word nirvana to describe the state ofmoksha, roughly equivalent toheaven.
("Om", alsoAum,ॐ) is the mostsacredsyllable inHinduism, first coming to light in theVedic 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 mostmantras begin with it.
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 ofreincarnation (moksha).
Spiritual exercise by aSadhu or a Sadhaka to attainmoksha, which is liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), or a particular goal such as blessing from adeity.
(Sanskrit सीमाबन्ध, literally “boundary, edge + bounded”) a restriction in access to a specific area, often for training &/or purification in esoteric Hinduism (and Buddhism).
A newer/secondary canon of Hindu texts/scriptures including auxiliary Vedic texts, epics, Dharma Sutras &Shastras, Artha Shastras, Puranas, poetry, reviews/commentary, digests.
(शून्यता, romanized: śūnyatā), translated most often as "emptiness",[1] "vacuity", and sometimes "voidness",[2] or "nothingness"; a philosophical concept. Within Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and other philosophical strands, the concept has multiple meanings depending on its doctrinal context. It is either an ontological feature of reality, a meditative state, or a phenomenological analysis of experience.
The esoteric Hindu traditions ofrituals andyoga. Tantra can be summarised as a family of voluntary rituals modeled on those of the Vedas, together with their attendant texts and lineages.
(Sanskrit: तोरण; [tawr-uh-nuh]) is a free-standing ornamental or arched gateway for ceremonial purposes in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture of the Indian subcontinent.Toranas can also be widely seen in Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia; ChineseShanmen gateways, JapaneseTorii gateways, KoreanIljumun andHongsalmun gateways, VietnameseTam quan gateways, andThai Sao Ching Cha was derived from the Indian Torana. They are also referred to asvandanamalikas.
Varna, according to Hindu scriptures, refers to the classification of people based on their qualities. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word, vr, which means "to describe," "to classify" or "to cover."
Collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo-Aryan religious literature that is considered by adherents ofHinduism to berevealed knowledge. ManyHindu believe the Vedas existed since the beginning of creation.
God of Preservation. A form ofGod, to whom manyHindus pray. ForVaishnavas, He is the only Ultimate Reality or God. InTrimurti belief, He is the second aspect of God in theTrimurti (also called the Hindu Trinity), along withBrahma andShiva. Known as thePreserver, He is most famously identified with Hisavatars, especiallyKrishna andRama.
AVedicritual ofsacrifice performed to please theDevas, or sometimes to the Supreme SpiritBrahman. Often it involves a fire, which represents the godAgni, in the center of the stage and items are offered into the fire.
One aspect of Dharma, as understood by Hindus. Yuga dharma is an aspect of dharma that is valid for aYuga. The other aspect of dharma is Sanatan Dharma, dharma which is valid for eternity.
