Hinduism

hinduism

Term coined by briton on 1787

Sanathan Dharm

Term preferred by some Hindus as it and signifies "eternal duty" or "eternal order". refers to what they claim is an everlasting religion and

Hindu Traditions

diverse beliefs, rituals, and practices within Hinduism.

Karma

action, such as ritual and moral deeds, that influences one's future.

Jnana

knowledge or wisdom, particularly in the spiritual context of understanding the true nature of reality and self.

Bhakti

devotion or love for a personal god, emphasizing worship and emotional attachment in spiritual practice.

Bhagavad Gita

A text detailing that three paths lead to the ultimate deity

Sanskrit

An ancient indic language many of the oldest hindu texts were written in

Temple(Mandir)

A place where one or more deity is installed for worship

puja

the Hindu ritual of worship, a form of devotion to a deity that involves a structured series of steps designed to create a spiritual connection between the worshipper and the divine

Havan

The fire sacrifice of offerings such as ghee while reciting sanskrit verses

Vedas

Described the havan rituals and are over 3000 years old

Sacrificer

Paid and requested for the havan

Sacrifier

preforms the havan for the sacrificer

Hanuman

A popular diety in north India. Monkey good who in a ramayan text got an entire mountain to give a medicine to a hero

Mutri

Sculpture of the god

Darshan

The deity inhabiting the murti can see those who view him and exchange vision. Key reason for prayer at temples

Puja

The ritual worship that completes the reinstalment of the murti with a brahman

Brahman

A part of the caste associated with sanskrit learning and ritual preformance

Jati or caste

a hereditary social class

Vedas

ancient sacred scriptures of Hinduism, composed in Vedic Sanskrit, meaning "knowledge". Some of the oldest literature in the world. 

Devata

the multiplicity of gods

Ram

heroes of Ramayan and avatar of Vishnu. Wandered the wilderness with his wife and brother

Avatar

Incarnation of a god

Sita

Hero of the ramayan and manifestation of Devi

Vishnu

one of the principal deities in Hinduism, known as the Preserver or Protector of the universe

Devi

Generic term for the goddess may manifest as sita, durga and kali

Bhagavan

the original god from which all others are an expression of

Vrat

A vow that women take to protect their families

Jnana

Sanskrit term for knowledge

Can be pursued through study and meditiation

Moksha

Liberation

Sadhus

Men who seek knowledge through deep meditation and temperance

Sadhvi

woMen who seek knowledge through deep meditation and temperance

Buddha

A famous sadhu who was a prince and found enlightenment. Buddha is the one who knows all

Yoga

an endeavor to control the body so that it will not distract the mind in meditation.

Bhakti

a path to the divine from devotion that tends to heartfelt

Mahabharat

A popular hindu story where a woman prays to krishna as a villian disrobes her but Krishna appears and saves her as her bhakti saves her

Krishna

avatar of vishnu-at one point was a cowherder who got bhakti from motherly love

Shakti

energy that gives devi powers

Hinduvata

Hindu Nationalist movement that sees india as a goddess and all true indians are hindu

Mohandas Gandhi

Spoke for a pluralist india once free of the british

Swami Vivekananda

Pushed for widespread education, elimation of child marriage and that hinduism was the mother of all religion

B.R Ambedkar

Drafted the constituiton and fought for social reform

Dalit

lowest cast