The following list consists of notable
concepts
that are derived from
Hindu culture
and associated cultures (
Indian
,
Nepali
,
Balinese
) traditions, which are expressed as words in
Sanskrit
or other
Indic languages
and
Dravidian languages
.
[1]
[2]
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.
[3]
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
.
[4]
Sanskrit, like all languages, contains words whose meanings differ across various contexts.
The Supreme Transcendental Awareness which pervades and yet transcends the manifest universe. Not to be confused with the god Brahma or the varna Brahmin.
Sacred texts of Hinduism mostly written in
Sanskrit
. Hindu scripture is divided into two categories:
Śruti
–
that which is heard (i.e. revelation) and
Smriti
–
that which is remembered (i.e. tradition, not revelation).
A worldwide religious tradition that is based on the
Vedas
and is the direct descendant of the
Vedic
religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies.
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.
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
).
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.
One of the two major ancient
Sanskrit
epics
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
.
A
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
.
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
.
("Om", also
Aum
,
ॐ
) is the most
sacred
syllable
in
Hinduism
, first coming to light in the
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
mantras
begin with it.
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
).
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
deity
.
The esoteric Hindu traditions of
rituals
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.
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."
Collectively refers to a corpus of ancient Indo Aryan religious literature that are considered by adherents of
Hinduism
to be
revealed
knowledge. Many
Hindus
believe the Vedas existed since the beginning of creation.
God of Preservation. A form of
God
, to whom many
Hindus
pray. For
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
avatars
, especially
Krishna
and
Rama
.
A
Vedic
ritual
of
sacrifice
performed to please the
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.
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.