Intro Hinduism Vocab One

Advaita

A philosophical system in Hinduism that posits non-dualism, asserting that the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are identical.

Agni

Hindu god of fire, representing transformation and purification.

Aranyaka

A category of ancient Hindu texts that serve as the concluding portions of the Vedas, focusing on meditation, philosophy, and rituals for ascetic practices.

Aryan

An ethnic group that migrated to India and contributed to the early development of Hindu culture, language, and religious practices. Viewed as “Nobility”

Atharva Veda

One of the four Vedas, containing hymns, spells, and incantations, focusing on everyday life and practical knowledge.

Atman

The spiritual essence or soul in Hindu philosophy, believed to be eternal and fundamentally connected to Brahman, the ultimate reality.

Avidya

Avidyā is a Sanskrit term that means "ignorance," "delusion," or "misunderstanding" of the true nature of reality

brahman

Brahman is the supreme, formless, and all-pervading ultimate reality in Hinduism from which all things originate from.

Brahmana

The 2nd part of Vedas, Explanations of the Samhitas

Harappa

Ancient archaeological site

Indra

Ancient king of the gods in Hindu Vedic Mythology

Indus Valley Civilization

Bronze age society from 2500-500BCE

Jnana

sanskrit word for knowledge, wisdom, or insight into the nature of reality

Karma

Spiritual law of cause and effect insinuating reciprocity of action and outcome on life.

Mohenjo-Daro

is an archaeological site in the Larkana District of Sindh, Pakistan

Moksha

sanskrit word for “release” or “to free”. Final and fourth goal of Human life in Hinduism

Rig Veda

oldest of the vedas, hymns to the gods

rta

Cosmic order and connection between rituals and the universe

Sama Veda

Songs of praise to the gods

Samhita

1st part of the vedas, main content within them

Samsara

The spiritual concept of endless birth, life, death, and rebirth

Shramana

A person “who labours, toils, or exerts themselves for some higher or religious purpose”

Shruti

That which is heard. Refers to the most ancient religious text and the central canon of Hinduism.

Soma

Hallucinogenic plant utilized in the rituals of the Vedas.

tat tvam asi

Famous expression of the relationship between the individual and the absolute found in the Upanishads

Upanishad

4th veda section, reasoning and philosophical section

Veda

Sanskrit for knowledge, grouping of Hindu ritual intructions and the “truth” of the universe that keeps everything in check.

Vedanta

The word meaning, “Conclusion of the Vedas”

Yajur Veda

Deatiled ritual instructions

Atharva Veda

Ritual spell maintenance of the other Vedas

Dharmani

the fundamental moral duty, righteousness, and cosmic law