Hindusim Terms

Vedas

Rig, Sama, yajur, and Athrarva

Rig Veda

Collection of chants and hymns

What is the Sama Veda?

Musical elaboration of the Rig Veda

What is the Yajur Veda?

Instructions on how to perform rituals

What is the Atharva Veda?

Miscellaneous and additional topics including spells

What is the Caste System in Hinduism?

Hierarchical social structure from high to low: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra

Who are the Brahmins in the Caste System?

Priests and scholars

Who are the Kshatriyas in the Caste System?

Warriors and rulers

Who are the Vaishyas in the Caste System?

Farmers, merchants, and traders

Who are the Shudras in the Caste System?

Laborers and service providers

What are the Four Goals of Hinduism?

From simple to complex: Kama, Artha, Dharma, Moksha

What is Kama as a goal in Hinduism?

Pleasure and enjoyment

What is Artha as a goal in Hinduism?

Wealth and helping others

What is Dharma as a goal in Hinduism?

Duty and responsibility

What is Moksha as a goal in Hinduism?

Liberation from samsara (cycle of rebirth)

What is the Trimurti in Hinduism?

Three faces of God: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer)

Who is Vishnu in the Trimurti?

Preserver God

Who is Shiva in the Trimurti?

Destroyer God

Who are the Aryans in Hindu history?

People who brought Hinduism to India, nobles

What is Sanskrit?

Ancient Indo-European language of Hindu texts

What is Yajna in Vedic Hinduism?

Fire sacrifice offering food to gods

What is a Mantra in Vedic Hinduism?

Sacred utterance or short prayer

What is a Deva in Vedic Hinduism?

God, meaning 'Shining One'

Who is Indra in Vedic Hinduism?

God of War and Storms

Who is Agni in Vedic Hinduism?

God of Fire and Messages

What are the Upanishads in Upanishadic Hinduism?

First abstract texts, meaning 'sit close to make connections'

What is Maya in Upanishadic Hinduism?

Illusion of the material world

What is Atman in Upanishadic Hinduism?

The self and soul, inner spark

What is Brahman in Upanishadic Hinduism?

Absolute reality or ultimate essence

What is Karma in Upanishadic Hinduism?

Cause and effect from actions

What is the Ramayana?

Epic story of Rama

What is the Mahabharata?

Longer epic containing Bhagavad Gita, deals with Dharma

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

Conversation between Krishna and Arjuna, 'Song of the Lord'

Who is Krishna?

Avatar of Vishnu, meaning 'Black'

What is Dharma in Epic/Puranic Hinduism?

Law, order, and duty

What are the Puranas?

Ancient stories of gods and goddesses, ancient history

What is Bhakti in Epic/Puranic Hinduism?

Devotion to a deity

What is Ahimsa?

Nonviolence

What is Puja?

Ritual offering to deities

What is Prasad?

Blessed food offering, grace

What is Avatara?

Incarnations of a god or goddess

What is Yoga in Hinduism?

Practice to connect to the divine

Who is Durga?

Goddess of liberation, rides tiger with weapons

Who is Kali?

Goddess of power and death, incarnation of Shakti

Who is Ganesha?

Remover of obstacles, elephant-headed god

What is Shakti?

Feminine creative power

What does Orthodox mean in religion?

Correct belief

What does Orthoprax mean in religion?

Correct practice

What is Monotheism?

Belief in one god

What is Polytheism?

Belief in many gods

What is a Ritual in religion?

Sacred ceremony

Who is Brahma in the Trimurti?

Creator God