Glossary of Hinduism

March 19, 2024 · updated March 19, 2024

atman
A person's true Self or underlying vital force. According to Vedanta philosophy, "atman is Brahman."
Brahman
("growth, expansion"). The impersonal Absolute, the unproduced Producer of all that is. In the Vedas, Brahman is the force behind the magical formulas.
Darshanas
Hindu philosophy manuals based on the Vedas.
Devi
Hindu Mother Goddess whose major forms are Durga, Parvati, and Kali. In the Vedas, the Goddess was associated with natural phenomena such as dawn, night, and the Ganges River. For Shaktas, she is not a counterpart but the supreme deity herself..
Diwali
(Sanskrit dipavali, "row of lights"). Major festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
guru
(Sanskrit) Spiritual teacher.
Hatha Yoga
The yoga (path) focusing on bodily postures to improve meditation. Popular in the West as a means to health, fitness, and relaxation.
Hindu temple
The house of worship for Hindus.
Holi
An annual spring festival that is the last festival of the Hindu calendar, occuring on the full-moon day of Phalguna in February or March. It is only on this day that the typical restrictions of caste, sex, age, and status are set aside..
jati
Caste. The Indian caste system determines social status based on birth and lineage, and is generally not alterable. Its importance has declined somewhat in urban areas, but is still important in marriage.
karma
("action" or "deed"). Impact of previous deeds (usually in former lives) on one's current circumstances.
karma-marga
Path of works. One of three paths to moksa.
kundalini
("snake"). The spiritual force in every human being that lies at the base of the spine, coiled like a snake.
lotus
Decorative motif of highly conventionalized flowers or buds derived from certain Egyptian plants; common in ancient Egyptian art and, in classicizing styles, in anthemions.
Mahabharata
("Great Tale of Bharata's descendents"). Epic tale of over 100,000 verses in length composed between about 400 BCE and 400 CE. The Mahabharata recounts the battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas for kingship.
Mahadeva
One of the names of Shiva.
Mahashivaratri
An annual Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva, celebrated on the night before the new moon in February or March.
Mahesvari
Consort of Mahesvara; a name for Shakti; one of the goddesses created by Shiva who constitute the Divine Mothers (Matrkas).
mlecchas
In ancient India, foreigners, especially those considered barbarians or less civilized.
moksa
("release"). Liberation from the cycle of rebirth, which is believed by most philosophical schools to be the ultimate goal of life.
niyama
Moral observance; something one should do. Comparable to the western idea of virtue.
Ramayana
Very popular Hindu epic, composed around 700 CE by Valmiki. It is as long as the Christian Bible and tells the story of the virtuous hero Rama who rescues his beloved Sita from the evil king.
Rig Veda
The oldest known literary work in India, a collection of hymns to the Vedic gods dating from c. 1500 BCE.
sadhu
A holy man who has renounced the material world to devote himself to spiritual practice. He wanders from place to place and owns nothing. A female sadhu is a sadhvi.
Sama Veda
Liturgical Hindu text
samyama
In yoga, movement from meditative concentration into total mental absorption.
sanatana dharma
("everlasting truth"). Hindu word for Hinduism.
Shakti
The Great Goddess and consort of Shiva. Her many forms include Durga, Kali and Amba.
Shiva
("auspicious"). Major deity and the third in the Hindu trinity (with Brahma and Vishnu). Shiva has roots in the pre-Vedic period, there associated with the god Rudra. To Saivities, Shiva is creator, preserver and destroyer, and the supreme deity.
smrti
("remembered"). Scriptures of human origin (as opposed to sruti) but highly regarded and authoritative.
sutra
(Sanskrit) Discourse or section of teachings.
swastika
(Sanskrit svastika, "all is well") Ancient symbol of good fortune and well-being, with a variety of uses and meanings in Hinduism, Buddhism and many other faiths.
tapas
("heat"). Self-discipline. One of the five niyamas.
Upanishads
Genre of Vedic texts that were the last to be added (and thus also known as Vedanta, "the end of the Vedas), written between 1000 and 500 BCE. The later Upanishads are less philosophical and more sectarian..
varnas
("color"). Four categories of Hindu society dating from the time of the Vedas: Brahmans, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras.
Vishnu
("pervader"). Major deity and member of Hindu trinity with Brahma and Shiva. Seen as the preserver of the universe and embodiment of goodness and mercy. Vishnu is usually depicted standing, holding weapons, or reclining on a serpent..
worship
The reverent love and allegiance accorded a deity, idol, or sacred object, often expressed through ceremonies, prayers, or other religious rituals.
Yajur Veda
Liturgical Hindu text
yama
Something one should not do. Comparable to the western idea of sin.
yantra
a geometrical diagram representing the universe
yoga
(Sanskrit, "yoke").