Hinduism Vocab terms #1-20

ahimsa

The doctrine of nonviolence

Aryans

Believed to have possibly come from outside Indus Valley region, bringing the Vedas with them.

Atman

The Universal Soul/Self of the individual.

avatar

The descent/manifestation of a god/goddess in bodily form.

Bhagavad Gita

Most popular book of Hindu scripture; includes Krishna.

bhakti

Devotion and love towards a God(s).

Brahman

Known as Ultimate Reality; the highest God

dharma

The way; eternal religion; righteousness.

Ghar Wapsi

A conservative political movement where people who converted to Christianity, Islam, etc. are called back "home" to Hinduism, as a result of Hindu nationalism, or Hindutva

Guru

Teaches disciples to follow & later become successors.

karma

The law of cause and effect where one's actions impact their future life/lives.

maya

Illusion, which governs duality in the universe.

moksha

Liberation—typically with 4 ways in Hinduism.

puja

Any Hindu religious ceremony of worship.

Sadhguru (Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev)

Contemporary Indian guru and founder of the Isha Foundation, who has reached millions globally through social media, teaching yoga and leading ecological campaigns like Save Soil.

samsara

The endless repetition of births, deaths, and rebirths.

Shankara

In the 8th century CE, he reintroduced the way of knowledge to the faith, which is the popular and foundational form of the faith (Advaita Vedanta). Taught that all of life is maya and that Brahman and Atman are identical.

shruti

Most important and authoritative category of Hindu scriptures; revealed to rishis.

smriti

Least authoritative category of Hindu scriptures that deals with "that which is remembered," such as the Mahabharata & Bhagavad Gita

Vedas

Most authoritative book of Hindu scripture.