Hinduism Vocabulary

Samsara

The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that all souls experience until achieving liberation (moksha).

Karma

The law of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences, determining one's circumstances in future lives based on past deeds.

Varnashrama Dharma

The traditional Hindu social system combining Varna (class) and Ashrama (life stage) to define one's Dharma (duties and obligations).

Varna

The four traditional social classes in Hindu society: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers).

Ashrama

The four traditional life stages in Hinduism: Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (household life), Vanaprastha (retired life), and Sannyasa (renounced life).

Dharma

One's righteous duty or moral obligation based on their position in society, life stage, and circumstances; the cosmic order that maintains harmony.

Jati

Birth-based hereditary groups within the Varna system, representing the actual social castes that determine occupation, marriage, and social interactions.

Atman

The individual soul or true self that is eternal and divine, often considered a reflection of, part of, or identical to the universal spirit (Brahman).

Brahman

The ultimate, formless reality and universal spirit that underlies all existence; the absolute divine principle in Hindu philosophy.

Moksha

Liberation from the cycle of Samsara; the ultimate spiritual goal of union with Brahman and freedom from rebirth.

Yoga

Spiritual and physical practices aimed at achieving union with the divine by supporting understanding and interaction with the world and the divine.

Karma Yoga

The path of selfless action and service; performing one's duties without attachment to results or personal gain.

Bhakti Yoga

The path of devotion and love; achieving spiritual realization through worship, prayer, and emotional surrender to a chosen deity.

Jnana Yoga

The path of knowledge and wisdom; pursuing liberation through study, contemplation, and direct realization of one's true nature as Brahman.

Maya

The cosmic illusion or veil that conceals the true nature of reality, making the material world appear separate from Brahman.

Trimurti

The three primary manifestations of the divine: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer/transformer).

Ramayana

Epic poem narrating the story of Prince Rama's quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, illustrating dharmic ideals.

Bhagavad Gita

Sacred dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield, exploring duty, devotion, and paths to spiritual realization (following Dharma).

Mahabharata

Epic poem recounting the great war between the Pandava and Kaurava families, containing the Bhagavad Gita and exploring themes of dharma and moral complexity.

Smriti

"That which is remembered" - Hindu texts based on human memory and interpretation, including epics, law codes, and puranas.

Shruti

"That which is heard" - the most sacred Hindu texts believed to be divinely revealed, including the Vedas and Upanishads.