j

Mahabharata

One of the two significant ancient epics from India, written in Sanskrit.

Ramayana

An epic written by Valmiki, which tells the story of Rama's exile and his quest to rescue Sita.

Hebrew literature

A primary form of Jewish literature that includes religious, philosophical, historical, and fictional texts.

Sanskrit

The language of many ancient texts in India, important in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

South Asia

A region that includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

West Asia

A region consisting of 16 countries, including Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

Tanakh

The most important work in Jewish literature, known as the Hebrew Bible.

Wisdom Literature

A genre consisting of reflections and advice on life's realities.

Frame Narrative

A story within a story, arranged into chapters or cantos in a Sanskrit epic.

Magic Realism

A narrative strategy that blends fantasy with reality.

Journalistic writing

A type of writing designed to inform readers about current events or issues.

Primary sources

Firsthand accounts created by someone who experienced an event.

Secondary sources

Secondhand accounts created by someone who did not experience the event.

Copyright

The legal right of the owner of intellectual property to copy their work.

Citation

The method used to credit sources of information in academic writing.

Active voice

A sentence structure where the subject performs the action.

Passive voice

A sentence structure where the subject receives the action.

Direct Speech

The exact words spoken by someone, quoted directly.

Reported Speech

Retelling what someone said in the past, often with changes in wording.

Vedas

Ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, composed in early Sanskrit, which form the foundation of Hindu philosophy and rituals.

Upanishads

Philosophical texts that explore the concepts found in the Vedas, focusing on meditative practices and the nature of reality.

Bhagavad Gita

A 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, offering guidance on dharma and yoga.

Jataka Tales

Stories about the previous lives of the Buddha, which convey moral lessons and ideals of compassion.

Natyashastra

An ancient Indian treatise on the performing arts, including theater, dance, and music.

Puranas

Ancient Hindu texts that narrate the history of the universe from creation to destruction, detailing legends, cosmology, and genealogies.

Sufism

A mystical Islamic belief system focusing on the inward search for God and shunning materialism.

Bhakti Poetry

Devotional poetry expressing love for a personal god, influential in various Indian religions.

Kavya

A Sanskrit term for poetic composition, typically characterized by its aesthetic beauty and complexity.

Dharma

A key concept in Hinduism and Buddhism, signifying the moral order, duty, and righteousness