Hinduism Vocab

Brahman

A metaphysical concept of Hinduism referring to the ultimate, unchanging reality, which is created, eternal, infinite, transcendent, the cause, the foundation, the source, and the goal of all existence

Avatar

The incarnation of a deity in human or animal form to counteract some particular evil in the world. Avatars are essentially manifestations of the different gods and deities in Hinduism. Each god is not bound to one avatar, there can be hundreds for just one.

Brahmin

The highest class, spiritually and socially, according to the caste system

Brahma

The ultimate creator → associated with creating, knowledge, and the Vedas

Vishnu

The preserver and protector of the world.

Shiva

The destroyer God → not a bad kind of destroying, it is simply fulfilling a Hindu legend

Murti

A sacred image or depiction of a deity

Darshan

Associated with sight; “the auspicious sight of a deity or a holy person.” Essentially offers a view between a deity and the viewer, a Hindu.

Dharma

Dharma in Hinduism means religion, virtue, duty, and morality. It is a path of goodness all Hindus are seeking. Also, it is associated with being the religious and moral law governing individual conduct.

• emphasizes the importance of living one's life according to ethical principles and fulfilling one's responsibilities.

Ahisma

“without injury” → involves doing the least amount of harm you can to humans and other beings → stresses nonviolence

Samsara

The cycle of life, death, and rebirth

Motska

The liberation from the cycle of samsara → achieving spiritual freedom and unity with the divine.

Maya

A concept that means “illusion” and refers to the ways in which a person’s existence and self-centeredness stops them from seeing the truth

Gunas

• The three qualities or characteristics that influence human behavior and the nature of all beings: Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (darkness).

• The word guna literally means “strand” or “fiber” and implies that the gunas are woven together to form the objective universe → used as a philosophical theory to explain what the universe is made of and how it extended itself as mind and matter.

Yoga

A group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices/disciplines that are aimed at controlling the body and mind to attain various salvation goals

Bhakti Yoga

Allows for the unrestricted flow of devotion for union with the Absolute

Jnana Yoga

Self-knowledge; self-wisdom

Karma Yoga

A selfless action performed for the benefit of others

Karma

The concept of action and its consequences; it encompasses both good and bad deeds that impact future conditions.

• Karma is constantly being performed, whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally

Atman

The eternal self → believed to be divine and interconnected with Brahman

Paap

Sin and wrongdoing

Punya (Puja)

Ceremonial worship involving prayer to one or more deities

Shakti

power/energy → the force

Caste System

A system created by the Aryans that divides the Hindus society, past and present, into five distinctive social classes → this social hierarchy determines their roles and responsibilities in society

• Brahmins: priests and teachers

• Kshatriyas: warriors and rulers

• Vaishyas: farmers, traders, and merchants

• Shudras: laborers

• Dalits: outcasts → those who have committed an unforgivable crime or a huge sin