Hinduism CAMFOW

Cosmology

the understanding of the nature of the universe

Brahman

the eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe, beyond the reach of human perception and thought

Atman

the individual soul

Moksha

Becoming liberated for the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism.

Monism

everything is ultimately one, a single, unified reality (Brahman), and that the apparent diversity of the universe is an illusion.

Deities

gods and goddesses

Reincarnation

The rebirth of a soul in a new body

Samsara

the cycle of life and rebirth in Hinduism

Karma

the effects that good or bad actions have on a person's soul

dharma

In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties

Mandir

Hindu temple

Mandapa

pillared entrance hall of a Hindu temple

Murti

image of a deity

Puja

Hindu devotional worship of deities at home or in a temple

brahmin

the highest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of priests

Darshan

worship through simultaneously seeing and being seen by a deity in the presence of its image

Shankha

conch shell

Prasad

blessed food

arti/arati

a Hindu ritual employed in worship, part of a puja, in which light from a flame

Om

Om is often referred to as the prime symbol of Hinduism and is said to be the primordial sound from which the universe was created

Lotus flower

A flower in India representing purity of heart and mind; symbol of enlightenment

Shikara

beehive-shaped tower of a northern style Hindu temple

Karma marga

"the path of works" - One of the three Hindu paths to salvation, emphasizing performing right actions according to dharma.

Brahmin

the highest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of priests

Kshatriya

The Hindu warrior caste.

Vaishya

the third of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of producers, such as farmers, merchants, and artisans

Shudra

the lowest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of servants and laborers

Varnashramadharma

duties performed according to your caste and stage of life

Varna

The four major social divisions in India's caste system: the Brahmin priest class, the Kshatriya warrior/administrator class, the Vaishya merchant/farmer class, and the Shudra laborer class.

Ashrama

stage of life

Sanskrit

the most important language of ancient India

Vedas

Ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.

Upanishads

A major book in Hinduism that is often in the form of dialogues that explored the Vedas and the religious issues that they raised.

Mahabharata

the longest single poem in the world, about a war fought between two branches of the same family. One of India's greatest epics written between 1000 and 700 BC

Bhagavad Gita

The most important work of Indian sacred literature, a dialogue between the great warrior Arjuna and the god Krishna on duty and the fate of the spirit.

Arjuna and Krishna

two cousins who killed demons. Arjuna means white, Krishna means black. Arjuna didn't want to fight and Krishna told him it was his moral duty to fight.

Ramayana

one of two classical Hindu epics telling of the banishment of Rama from his kingdom and the abduction of his wife by a demon and Rama's restoration to the throne

Rama and Sita

The model for the perfect Hindu married couple; prince and princess; avatars of the great God and Goddess

Hanuman

Hindu monkey god of courage and bravery

Jnana Marga

"the path of knowledge" - one of the three Hindu paths to salvation, emphasizing knowing the true nature of reality through learning and meditation.

Yoga

a system of exercises practiced as part of the Hindu discipline to promote control of the body and mind

Samadhi

a trancelike state in which self-consciousness is lost and the mind is absorbed into the ultimate reality; the culmination of the eight steps of Yoga.

Vedanta

A system of Hindu philosophy and one approach within jnana marga, "the path of knowledge," holding that all reality is essentially Brahman; most notable advocate is the medieval Hindu philosopher Shankara.

maya

the cosmic illusion or veil of ignorance that obscures the true nature of reality and prevents us from realizing our oneness with the divine

Bhakti Marga

a prominent spiritual path within Hinduism that emphasizes loving devotion and surrender to a personal god or deity, aiming for union with the divine.

Brahma

A Hindu god considered the creator of the world.

Shiva

destroyer

Vishnu

A Hindu god considered the preserver of the world

avatars

divine incarnations of deities, particularly Vishnu, who descend to Earth to restore dharma (cosmic order) and combat evil

Krishna (Radha)

Krishna is the incarnation of the god Vishnu. He is one of the most popular gods in India and around the world.

Ganesha

Hindu god of the removal of obstacles; represented as an elephant

Devis

refer to deities, often representing forces or principles of nature, and embodying aspects of the Supreme Being, Brahman

Durga

"Awe-inspiring," "distant"; a mother-goddess, a form of Devi

Kali

"Dark," a form of Devi; a goddess associated with destruction and rebirth

Saraswati

Goddess of Knowledge

Lakshmi

Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity

Diwali

Hindu festival of lights

Holi

a Hindu spring festival celebrated in February or March in honor of Krishna

Ganesh Chaturthi

A celebration for Ganesh

Ram Navami

is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of the god Rama