ImportMaster at 09:43, 11 January 2022

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{{Hinduism}}
{{For|alphabetial article index|Index of Hinduism-related articles}}
{{For|list of articles ordered by topic|Outline of Hinduism}}

The following list consists of notable [[concept]]s that are derived from [[Hinduism|Hindu culture]] and associated cultures ([[Culture of India|Indian]], [[Culture of Nepal|Nepali]], [[Balinese people#Culture|Balinese]]) traditions, which are expressed as words in [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] or other [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indic languages]] and [[Dravidian languages]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Terms of Use|url=https://www.thehindu.com/termsofuse/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=The Hindu|language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Flesher|}} The main purpose of this list is to disambiguate multiple spellings, to make note of spellings no longer in use for these concepts, to define the concept in one or two lines, to make it easy for one to find and pin down specific concepts, and to provide a guide to unique concepts of Hinduism all in one place.{{Sfn|Dallapiccola|2002}}

Separating concepts in Hinduism from concepts specific to Indian [[culture]], or from the language itself, can be difficult. Many [[Sanskrit]] concepts have an Indian secular meaning as well as a Hindu dharmic meaning. One example is the concept of [[Dharma]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Etymology and History of Hinduism {{!}} World Religions|url=https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-fscj-worldreligions/chapter/etymology-and-history/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=courses.lumenlearning.com}}</ref> Sanskrit, like all languages, contains words whose meanings differ across various contexts.

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==A==
:;[[Arti (Hinduism)|Arti]]: Hindu ritual for welcoming someone.
:;'''[[Abhisheka]]''' : Hindu bathing ritual offered to someone who is worshipped.
:;'''[[Acharya]]''' : Hindu religious expert in any field.
:;'''[[Adharma]]''' : Something against [[Dharma]].
:;'''[[Adivasis]]''' : Indian term for tribal people.
:;'''[[Agastya]]''' : Hindu sage.
:;'''[[Agni]]''' : Fire god.
:;'''[[Ahamkara]]''' : Sanskrit term for "Ego".
:;'''[[Akshaya Tritiya]]''' : Annual spring festival for [[Hindus]] and [[Jainism|Jains]].
:;'''[[Añjanā]]''' : Mother of [[Hanumana]].
:;'''[[Antyesti]]''' : Last death ritual.
:;'''[[Ashram]]''' : Hindu monastery.
:;'''[[Asura]]''' : A semi-divine, power-seeking being.
:;'''[[Ashvins]]''' : Hindu twin gods for medicine, health and science.
:;'''[[Ashwatthama]]''' : The son of [[Drona]].
:;'''[[Aruna (Hinduism)|Aruna]]''' : The charioteer of [[Surya]] the Sun God.
:;'''[[Aryan]]''' : Group of [[Vedic period|Vedic people]].
:;'''[[Aupasana]]''' : Yagya performed during [[Hindu wedding]].
:;'''[[Avarna]]''' : A person not belonging to any class in [[Varna (Hinduism)|Varna system]].
:;'''[[Avatar]]''' : Material appearance or incarnation of a deity on earth.
:;'''[[Ayurveda]]''' : A medical system of [[Indian subcontinent]].

==B==
:;'''[[Bajrang Bali]]''' : Other name of [[Hanumana]].
:;'''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''' : A knowledge of the attaining the [[Brahman|supreme]] told to [[Arjuna]] by [[Krishna]] on the [[Kurukshetra]] battlefield.
:;'''[[Bhagavan]]''' : Bhagavan is a term used to refer to a god.
:;'''[[Bhagavata]]''' : Worship of ''Bhagavat'' Vishnu.
:;'''[[Bhagavati]]''' : A word for female [[List of Hindu deities|Hindu deities]].
:;'''[[Bhajan]]''' : A Hindu devotional song as a spiritual practice.
:;'''[[Bhakti]]''' : A Hindu word for faith, devotion or love to god.
:;'''[[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharata]]''' : Brother of [[Rama]].
:;'''[[Bhargava]]''' : The descendants of the great rishi, [[Bhrigu]].
:;'''[[Bhasmasura]]''' : Ancient legendary character in [[Hinduism]].
:;'''[[Bhavana]]''' : Sense for ''calling into existence''.
:;'''[[Brahma]]''' : The Creator God.
:;'''[[Brahmacharya]]''' : The first phase of a person's life where he goes to live with his guru to learn the different studies.
:;'''[[Brahman]]''' :The Supreme Transcendental Awareness which pervades and yet transcends the manifest universe. Not to be confused with the god Brahma or the varna Brahmin.
:;'''[[Brahmin]]''' : The class or varna of people consisting of priests, sages and [[gurus]].
:;'''[[Brahma Sutras]]''' : Sanskrit texts attributed by Sage [[Vyasa]].
:;'''[[Brahmastra]]''' : Supernatural weapon as per Hindu texts.
:;'''[[Braj]]''' : Region where [[Krishna]] was born.

==C==
:;'''[[Catur sloki|Catur Sloki]]''': Four most important verses among [[Hindu texts]].
:;'''[[Chakra]]''' : Focal points in body activated during meditation.
:;'''[[Charu]]''' : Pure and spiritual person.
:;'''[[Chyavana]]''' : A great [[Bhargava]] rishi.
:;'''[[Chiranjivi]]''' : One who is immortal.

==D==
:;'''[[Daitya]]''': A race of [[Asuras]].
:;'''[[Dakini]]''' : Female spirit of demon as per [[Hindu mythology]].
:;'''[[Dāna]]''' : Virtue of generosity.
:;'''[[Dasharatha]]''' : Father of [[Rama]].
:;'''[[Dashavatara]]''' : The series of 10 [[Avatar]]s of [[Vishnu]].
:;'''[[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]''': Term for deity in Hinduism.
:;'''[[Devi]]''' : Term for female deity in Hinduism.
:;'''[[Dharma]]''' : Following the divine and great path.
:;'''[[Dharmaśāstra]]''' : Hindu theological texts in Sanskrit.
:;'''[[Dhritarashtra]]''' : Father of [[Kaurava]].
:;'''[[Glossary of Hinduism terms#D|Dhaumya]]''' : A great sage who had three disciples - [[Aruni#In the Mahabharata|Aruni]], [[Upamanyu]] and [[Uttanka#Adi Parva|Veda]].
:;'''[[Dilīpa]]''' : Hindu king of [[Ikshvaku dynasty]].
:;'''[[Dhruva]]''' : Ascetic devotee of [[Vishnu]].
:;'''[[Drona]]''' : Guru (or teacher) of [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]].
:;'''[[Dvaita]]''' : A branch of [[Hindu philosophy]], founded by [[Shri Madhvacharya]] that advocates [[Dualism (Indian philosophy)|dualism]] and stresses a strict distinction between God and souls.

==E==
:;'''[[Ekalavya]]''' : Young Nishada prince and character in Mahabharata.
:;'''[[Ekayāna]]''' : Oneness of god in Hinduism.
:;'''[[Glossary of Hinduism terms#E|Elapatra]]''' : A character in the [[Sarpa Satra]].

==F==
:;'''[[Falgun]]''' : One of the month as per [[Hindu calendar]].

==G==
:;'''[[Gandhara]]''' : Ancient Indian [[Mahajanapadas]].
:;'''[[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]''' : Wife of [[Dhritarashtra]] and mother of [[Kaurava]].
:;'''[[Gandhari people]]''' : Ancient Hindu tribes in [[Mahabharata]].
:;'''[[Gandharva]]''' : Rigvedic tribe.
:;'''[[Ganesha]]''' : The god of good fortune, commonly identified for his [[elephant]] [[head]].
:;'''[[Ganges|Ganga]]''' : A holy river in [[Northern India]], believed to be a goddess by Hindus (see [[Ganga in Hinduism]])
:;'''[[Gayatri Mantra]]''' : A revered [[mantra]] in [[Hinduism]], found in the [[Yajur Veda]].
:;'''[[Ghanta]]''' : Metal bell used during Hindu worship ritual.
:;'''[[Gopi]]''' : Mates of Gopal.
:;'''[[Gotra]]''' : Ancestral lineage among Hindus.
:;'''[[Grihastha]]''' : The second of the four phases (''[[#Purushartha|Purushartha]]'') of a man, when a person gets married and settles down in life and begets children.
:;'''[[Guru]]''' : A spiritual teacher. In contemporary India, the title and term "Guru" is widely used within the general meaning of "wise man".

==H==
:;'''[[Hanuman]]''' : A [[vanara]] who helped [[Rama]], the seventh avatar of [[Vishnu]], in rescuing his wife [[Sita]] from the [[Rakshasa]] king [[Ravana]].
:;'''[[Hindu scripture]]''' : Sacred texts of Hinduism mostly written in [[Sanskrit]]. Hindu scripture is divided into two categories: ''[[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]]'' – that which is heard (i.e. revelation) and ''[[Smriti]]'' – that which is remembered (i.e. tradition, not revelation).
:;'''[[Hinduism]]''' : A worldwide religious tradition that is based on the [[Veda]]s and is the direct descendant of the [[Vedic civilization|Vedic]] religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies.

==I==
:;'''[[Indra]]''' : The chief [[deity]] of the [[Rigveda]], the god of [[weather]] and [[war]] as well as Lord of [[Swarga|Svargaloka]] in [[Hinduism]].
:;'''[[Ishvara]]''' : A [[Hindu]] philosophical concept of [[God]] referring to the Supreme Being which is the lord and the ruler of everything. [[Hinduism]] uses the term Ishvara exclusively to refer to the Supreme [[God]] in a monotheistic sense.

==J==
:'''[[Janeu]]''' : Sacred thread worn by [[Hindus]], especially by [[Brahmin]] after the rite of [[Upanayana]].
:;'''[[Japa]]''' : A spiritual discipline in which a devotee repeats a [[mantra]] or the name of [[God]]. The repetition can be aloud, just the movement of lips or in the mind.

==K==
:;'''[[Kali]]''' : A dark, black aspect of the mother-goddess [[Devi]] whose consort is [[Shiva]].
:;'''[[Kali (demon)|Kali Purusha]]''' : The demonic and evil personification of [[Kali Yuga]].
:'''[[Kali Yuga]]''' : Last of four [[yuga]]s in Hindu cosmology.
:;'''[[Kalki]]''' : The tenth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] who is yet to come and will appear as a man on a horse at the end of [[Kali Yuga]].
:;'''[[Kama]]''' : Best understood as aesthetics, the definition of Kama involves sensual gratification, sexual fulfillment, pleasure of the senses, love, and the ordinary enjoyments of life regarded as one of the four ends of man ([[purusharthas]]).
:;'''[[Karma]]''' : A Sanskrit term that encompasses the entire cycle of [[cause and effect]].
:;'''[[Karma Yoga]]''' : The practise of disciplining action. [[Karma]] [[yoga]] focuses on the adherence to duty ([[dharma]]) while remaining detached from the reward. It states that one can attain [[Moksha]] (salvation) by doing his duties in an unselfish manner.
:;'''[[Kartikeya]]''' : A god born out of a magical spark created by [[Shiva]], his father. His brother is [[Ganesha]].
:;'''[[Krishna]]''' : The eighth avatar of [[Vishnu]], one of the most worshipped by many Hindus. Krishna is famous for his lecture to [[Arjuna]] written in the [[Bhagavad Gita]].
:;'''[[Kshatriya]]''' : The class or varna in Hindu tradition, consisting of the warriors, soldiers and rulers of society.
:;'''[[Kubera]]''' : One of the gods of [[wealth]] and riches.
:;'''[[Kurma]]''' : The second [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] where he took the form of a [[tortoise]].

==L==
:;'''[[Lakshmi]]''' : Goddess of prosperity, wealth and good fortune. She is the consort of [[Vishnu]] and an aspect of [[Devi]].

==M==
:;'''[[Mahabharata]]''' : One of the two major ancient [[Sanskrit]] [[Epic poetry|epic]]s of [[India]], the other being the ''[[Ramayana]]''. The ''Mahabharata'' is of religious and philosophical importance in India; in particular, the [[Bhagavad Gita]], which is one of its chapters (''Bhishmaparva'') and a sacred text of [[Hinduism]].
:;'''[[Mantra]]''' : A [[religion|religious]] [[syllable]] or [[poem]], typically from the [[Sanskrit]] language. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words and vibrations that instill one-pointed [[concentration]] in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras are performed through [[chanting]].
:;'''[[Matsya]]''' : The first [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], where he came in the form of a [[fish]].
:;'''[[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]]''' : One of the [[Aditya]]s.
:;'''[[Moksha]]''' : Refers to liberation from the [[samsara|cycle]] of death and [[Reincarnation#Hinduism|rebirth]]. In higher [[Hindu philosophy]], it is seen as a transcendence of phenomenal being, of any sense of [[consciousness]] of [[time]], [[space]], and [[Causality|causation]] ([[karma]]).

==N==
:;'''[[Narasimha]]''' : The fourth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. He is a mixed form of a man and a [[lion]].
:;'''[[Nirvana]]''' : Literally "extinction" and/or "extinguishing", is the culmination of the [[yogi]]'s pursuit of liberation. [[Hinduism]] uses the word nirvana to describe the state of [[moksha]], roughly equivalent to [[heaven]].

==O==
:;'''[[Om]]''': (Also ''Aum'', '''ॐ''') is the most [[sacred]] [[syllable]] in [[Hinduism]], first coming to light in the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic Tradition]]. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "'''Udgitha'''" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra); not only because it is considered to be the primal sound, but also because most [[mantra]]s begin with it.

==P==
:;'''[[Parashurama]]''' : The sixth [[Avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], where he came in the form of an axe-wielder in order to kill the corrupt kings at the time.
:;'''[[Parvati]]''' : Goddess of love, the consort of [[Shiva]] and mother of [[Ganesha]].
:;'''[[Purusharthas|Purushartha]]''' : The four chief aims of human life. Arranged from lowest to highest, these goals are: sensual pleasures ([[kama]]), worldly status and security ([[artha]]), personal righteousness and social morality ([[dharma]]), and liberation from the cycle of [[reincarnation]] ([[moksha]]).

==R==
:;'''[[Rama]]''': The Seventh [[Avatar]]a of [[Vishnu]]. The life and heroic deeds of Rama are written in the [[Sanskrit]] [[epic poetry|epic]], The [[Ramayana]].
:;'''[[Ramayana]]''' : Part of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[smriti]], written by [[Valmiki]]. This [[Epic poetry|epic]] of 24,000 verses in seven ''kandas'' (chapters or books) tells of a [[Raghuvamsa]] prince, [[Rama]] of [[Ayodhya]], whose wife [[Sita]] is abducted by the [[rakshasa]] [[Ravana]].
:;'''[[Rudra]]''' : A [[Rigveda|Rigvedic]] god of the storm, the hunt, [[death]], [[Nature]] and the [[Wind]]. Rudra is an early form of [[Shiva]] and a name of Shiva in the [[Shiva sahasranama]].
:;'''[[Glossary of Hinduism terms#R|Ruru]]''' : The son of Pramati and grandson of [[Chyavana]]. He married Pramadvara, granddaughter of Vaivasvata [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]].

==S==
:;'''[[Sadhana]]''' : [[spirituality|Spiritual]] exercise by a [[Sadhu]] or a Sadhaka to attain [[moksha]], which is liberation from the cycle of birth and death ([[Samsara]]), or a particular goal such as blessing from a [[Deva (Hinduism)|deity]].
:;'''[[Samadhi]]''' : A term used in [[yoga|yogic]] meditation. Samadhi is also the [[Hindi]] word for a structure commemorating the dead.
:;'''[[Samkhya]]''' : A school of philosophy emphasising a [[Dualism (Indian philosophy)|dualism]] between [[Purusha]] and [[Prakrti]].
:;'''[[Samsara]]''' : Refers to the concept of [[reincarnation]] or [[Reincarnation#Hinduism|rebirth]] in [[Indian philosophy|Indian philosophical]] traditions.
:;'''[[Saraswati]]''' : The goddess of education and consort of [[Brahma]].
:;'''[[Shakti]]''' : An aspect of [[Devi]] and a personification of [[God]] as the Divine Mother who represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power.
:;'''[[Shiva]]''' : A form of [[Ishvara]] or [[God]] in [[Shaivism]]. Śiva is commonly known as "the destroyer" and is the third god of the [[Trimurti]].
:;'''[[Shudra]]''' : The class or varna in Hindu tradition, consisting of artisans, cleaners and labourers.
:;'''[[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]]''' : A canon of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[scripture]]s. Shruti is believed to have no [[author]]; rather a [[divinity|divine]] recording of the "cosmic sounds of truth", heard by [[rishi]]s.
:;'''[[Sita]]''' : The wife of [[Vishnu]]'s seventh [[avatar]] [[Rama]].
:;'''[[Śloka|Sloka]]''' : A verse of lines in [[Sanskrit]], typically recited as a prayer.
:;'''[[Smarta]]''' : A [[Hindu]] [[religious denomination|denomination]], which follows [[Advaita]] philosophy and considers that all gods are manifestations of [[Ishvar]].
:;'''[[Soma (drink)|Soma]]''' : A ritual drink of importance among [[Hindu]]s. It is frequently mentioned in the [[Rigveda]], which contains many hymns praising its energizing or intoxicating qualities.
:;'''[[Surya]]''' : A solar deity who is one of the three main [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] Gods.
:;'''[[Sutra]]''' : Refers to an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a book or text.

==T==
:;'''[[Tantra]]''' : The esoteric Hindu traditions of [[ritual]]s and [[yoga]]. Tantra can be summarised as a family of voluntary rituals modeled on those of the Vedas, together with their attendant texts and lineages.

==U==
:;'''[[Upanishad]]''' : Part of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] ''[[Śruti (scripture)|Śruti]]'' [[Sacred text|scripture]]s which primarily discuss [[meditation]] and [[philosophy]], seen as religious instructions by most schools of [[Hinduism]].

==V==
:;'''[[Vaishya]]''' : The class or varna in [[Hindu tradition]] consisting of merchants, artisans, and landowners.
:;'''[[Vamana]]''' : The fifth [[Avatara]] of [[Vishnu]]. He is the first Avatar of Vishnu which had a completely human form, although it was that of a dwarf [[brahmin]].
:;'''[[Vanaprastha]]''' : A person who is living in the forest as a hermit after giving up material desires.
:;'''[[Varaha]]''' : The third [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], who came in the form of a [[boar]].
:;'''[[Varna (Hinduism)|Varna]]''' : Varna, according to Hindu scriptures, refers to the classification of people based on their qualities. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word, vr, which means "to describe," "to classify" or "to cover."
:;'''[[Varuna]]''' : A god of the [[sky]], of [[rain]] and of the [[celestial ocean]], as well as a god of [[law]] and of the [[underworld]].
:;'''[[Vayu]]''' : The god of [[air]] and [[wind]] who is also father of [[Bhima]] and [[Hanuman]].
:;'''[[Veda]]''' : Collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo Aryan religious literature that are considered by adherents of [[Hinduism]] to be ''revealed'' knowledge. Many [[Hindu]]s believe the Vedas existed since the beginning of creation.
:;'''[[Vishnu]]''' : A form of [[God]], to whom many [[Hindu]]s pray. For [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavas]], He is the only Ultimate Reality or God. In [[Trimurti]] belief, He is the second aspect of God in the [[Trimurti]] (also called the Hindu Trinity), along with [[Brahma]] and [[Shiva]]. Known as the ''Preserver'', He is most famously identified with His [[avatar]]s, especially [[Krishna]] and [[Rama]].
:;'''[[Vrata]]''' : Fast.

==W==
:;'''Wamika''' : God.

==Y==
:;'''[[Yajna]]''' : A [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] [[ritual]] of [[sacrifice]] performed to please the [[deva (Hinduism)|Devas]], or sometimes to the Supreme Spirit [[Brahman]]. Often it involves a fire, which represents the god [[Agni]], in the centre of the stage and items are offered into the fire.
:;'''[[Yama (Hinduism)|Yama]]''' : The lord of [[death]] in [[Hinduism]], first recorded in the [[Veda]]s.
:;'''[[Yamas]]''' : A yama ([[Sanskrit]]), literally translates as a "restraint", a rule or code of conduct for living [[virtuous]]ly.
:;'''[[Yoga]]''' : [[Spiritual practice]]s performed primarily as a means to [[enlightenment (concept)|enlightenment]] (or [[bodhi]]). Traditionally, [[Karma Yoga]], [[Bhakti Yoga]], [[Jnana Yoga]], and [[Raja Yoga]] are considered the four main yogas. In the [[western world|West]], yoga has become associated with the [[asanas]] (postures) of [[Hatha Yoga]], popular as fitness exercises.
:;'''[[Yoga Sutra]]''' : One of the six [[darshana]]s of Hindu or [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic]] schools and, alongside the [[Bhagavad Gita]] and [[Hatha Yoga Pradipika]], are a milestone in the history of [[Yoga]].
:;'''[[Yuga]]''': In Hindu philosophy (and in the teachings of Surat Shabd Yoga) the cycle of creation is divided into four yugas (ages or eras).
:;'''[[Yuga Dharma]]''' : One aspect of Dharma, as understood by Hindus. Yuga dharma is an aspect of dharma that is valid for a [[Yuga]]. The other aspect of dharma is Sanatan Dharma, dharma which is valid for eternity.

==Z==
:;'''[[Glossary of Hinduism terms#Z|Zaal]]''' : Trap.

== References ==

=== Citation ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{cite book | first=Rachel | last=Storm | title=The Encyclopedia of Eastern Mythology | publisher=Lorenz Books | location=New York | year=1999 | isbn=0-7548-0069-5 }}
* {{cite web | url = http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/HGLOSSRY.HTM | title = Hinduism Glossary for Introduction to Religion | author = Flesher |first=Paul V. M.|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book | first=Anna L. | last=Dallapiccola | title=[[Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend]] | publisher=Thames & Hudson | year=2002| isbn=0-500-51088-1 }}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Hinduism}}
* [[Outline of Hinduism]]
* Index of Hinduism-related articles
{{Hindudharma}}

[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases|*]]
[[Category:Glossaries of religion|Hinduism terms]]
[[Category:Hinduism]]

Glossary of Hinduism terms - Revision history

ImportMaster at 09:43, 11 January 2022