Glossary of Hindu Terms

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This glossary of Hindu terms covers the most important terms, scriptures and deities of Hinduism . With a few exceptions, the language is Sanskrit . These terms are also used in modern Indian languages.

A.

B.

C.

D.

G

H

I.

J

K

L.

M.

  • Mahabharata - Epic
  • Makar Sankranti - Feast of the solstice in January
  • Mala (prayer chain) - any chain with sacred meaning
  • Mantra - word sequence, recited as prayer and contemplation
  • Manu - important legislator, ancestor of the people
  • Manusmriti - "Code of Manu", normative treatises on appropriate behavior at the turn of the times
  • Mathura - city in India, with the childhood of Krishna is connected
  • Maya - illusion of the world
  • Moksha - redemption
  • Mudra - symbolic and powerful hand gesture
  • Muni - another word for sadhu, ascetic, monk, hermit
  • Murti - idol, god statue

N

O

  • Om - Sanskrit syllable, expression for the highest conception of God, the most famous mantra

P


R.

S.

  • Sadhu - monk
  • Samadhi - higher state of consciousness
  • Samaveda - one of the four Vedas
  • Samkhya - direction of Indian philosophy
  • Samsara - cycle of rebirth
  • Samhita - hymns, oldest part of the Veda
  • Samskara - Hindu sacraments
  • Sannyasin - also Samnyasin, especially ascetic monks, sadhus
  • Sanskrit - language in which the classical Hindu scriptures are written
  • Sarasvati - goddess of wisdom
  • Sati - woman who burns herself at the stake of her deceased husband
  • Sattva - "purity", one of the three Gunas
  • Satsang - meeting with a spiritual teacher
  • Sathya Sai Baba - Guru; † 2011
  • Shankara - philosopher, founder of Advaita Vedanta , 9th century
  • Shakti - goddess, feminine energy of the universe
  • Shaktism - a mainstream Hindu movement, worship of the Shakti
  • Shiva - god, in the Trimurti he represents destruction
  • Shaivism - Hindu direction, worship of Shiva
  • Shivaratri - 'Night of Shiva', the most important holiday in honor of Shiva
  • Shruti - "what has been heard", texts of the highest authority that are believed to have been heard by wise men
  • Shudra - lowest of the four boxes
  • Sita - wife of Rama in the epic Ramayana
  • Sivananda - scholar and yoga master; † 1963
  • Smriti - "that which is remembered", texts of great authority that are believed to have been handed down by teachers
  • Surya Namaskar - "Sun Salutation", yoga exercise
  • Sutra Guide
  • Svami - religious master and teacher
  • Swastika - Hindu symbol of good luck, swastika

T

U

  • Upanishads - philosophical teachings, basis of Indian philosophy

V

Y

  • Yantra - ritual diagram
  • Yama - abstention, self-control; first stage of Raja Yoga
  • Yama - personification of death and Lord of Dharma , righteousness
  • Yajurveda - one of the four Vedas
  • Yoga - 1. union with the spirit, 2. one of the six orthodox philosophical systems
  • Yogananda - yoga teacher; † 1952
  • Yuga - world age
  • Yukteswar - spiritual teacher; † 1936

See also