SOR FIA1 Study

Vedas

Collections of hymns in Brahmanism/Vedic Hinduism which were recorded orally and passed through families of Brahmin categorized into four Samhitas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda; and attached to them are three other classes of texts known as the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads.

Upanishads

The conclusion of the Vedas (thus known as Vedanta) which philosophize the true meaning of them and which introduce the concept of atman and Brahman.

Aranyakas

The philosophical interpretations of the rituals in the myths of the Vedas to attribute symbolic meaning to them

Brahmanas (texts)

A type of text in the Vedas which includes prose and deals with the theory of ritual and sacrifice.

Krishna

An incarnation of Vishnu.

Vishnu

A Hindu God, the lord of creatures

Atman

The self/ soul

Brahman

The Ultimate Reality or the Absolute which is described in the Upanishads and as either having or not having characteristics.

Puja

Personal worship in bhakti movement which removed need for priests; a means to express devotion.

Karma

The performance of actions based in attachment, resulting in rebirth

Samsara

Endless cycle of rebirth and redeath

Moksha

Liberation, specifically from samsara

Dharma

Pursuit of duty and virtue, especially duty of social position or religious duty.

4 castes

A Hindu hierarchical social system with four groups: Brahmin, Ksatriyas, Vaishya, and Shudras.

Purana

genre of ancient Indian texts that encompass a wide range of narratives, myths, legends, and religious teachings, providing a comprehensive repository of Hindu mythology, history, cosmology, and theology.