Hinduism- Beliefs And Teachings Glossary

Question 1

Indus Civilization

Answer 1

One of the earliest urban civilizations in South Asia, where Hinduism’s roots may have begun.

Question 2

River Ganges

Answer 2

A sacred river in India, considered holy in Hinduism.

Question 3

Shruti Texts

Answer 3

Hindu scriptures believed to be divinely revealed, like the Vedas

Question 4

Smriti texts

Answer 4

Hindu scriptures that are remembered and passed down, like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Question 5

Brahman

Answer 5

The ultimate reality or supreme cosmic power in Hinduism.

Question 6

Aum symbol

Answer 6

A sacred sound and spiritual icon in Hinduism, representing the universe

Question 7

Monotheism

Answer 7

The belief in one God, which some Hindu traditions emphasize.

Question 8

Nirguna Brahman

Answer 8

The idea of Brahman as formless and beyond human understanding

Question 9

Saguna Brahman

Answer 9

The idea of Brahman with form and attributes, often represented as gods.

Question 10

Deities

Answer 10

Hindu gods and goddesses who represent different aspects of the divine.

Question 11

Bhagavan

Answer 11

A term for God or the supreme being in Hinduism.

Question 12

Antaryami

Answer 12

The inner guide or divine presence within all beings.

Question 13

Ganesha

Answer 13

The elephant-headed god of wisdom, success, and new beginnings.

Question 14

Hanuman

Answer 14

A monkey god known for his strength and devotion to Lord Rama

Question 15

Parvati

Answer 15

A goddess associated with love, fertility, and devotion; wife of Shiva.

Question 16

Saraswati

Answer 16

The goddess of wisdom, learning, and the arts.

Question 17

Lakshmi

Answer 17

The goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.

Question 18

The Trimurti

Answer 18

The three main gods of Hinduism: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer).

Question 19

Brahma

Answer 19

The god of creation in Hinduism.

Question 20

Shiva

Answer 20

The god of destruction and transformation in Hinduism.

Question 21

Maya

Answer 21

The illusion or deceptive nature of the material world.

Question 22

Ascetic

Answer 22

A person who renounces worldly pleasures for spiritual growth.

Question 24

Shaivism

Answer 24

A major Hindu tradition that worships Shiva as the supreme deity.

Question 25

Vishnu

Answer 25

A major Hindu god, known as the preserver of the universe.

Question 26

Vaishnavism

Answer 26

A Hindu tradition that worships Vishnu as the supreme deity.

Question 27

Avatar

Answer 27

A divine being or god taking a physical form on Earth, like Rama or Krishna.

Question 28

Dharma

Answer 28

A person’s duty or righteousness based on their role in society.

Question 29

Adharma

Answer 29

Opposite of dharma; actions that go against righteousness.

Question 30

Rama

Answer 30

An avatar of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana.

Question 31

The Ramayana

Answer 31

A Hindu epic about Prince Rama’s quest to rescue his wife, Sita.

Question 32

Ravana

Answer 32

The ten-headed demon king who kidnaps Sita in the Ramayana

Question 33

Sita

Answer 33

The wife of Rama, known for her devotion and virtue.

Question 34

Krishna

Answer 34

An avatar of Vishnu, known for his role in the Mahabharata and as a divine teacher.

Question 35

The Kurukshetra War

Answer 35

A great battle in the Mahabharata between two rival families.

Question 36

Artha

Answer 36

The pursuit of wealth and success in a righteous way.

Question 37

Kama

Answer 37

The pursuit of pleasure and love in life.

Question 38

Moksha

Answer 38

Liberation from the cycle of rebirth and union with the divine.

Question 39

Sanatana dharma

Answer 39

The eternal and universal duties in Hinduism.

Question 40

Varnashrama Dharma

Answer 40

Duties based on a person’s caste (varna) and stage of life (ashrama).

Question 41

Varna

Answer 41

The four social classes in Hinduism: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

Question 42

Free will

Answer 42

The ability to make choices in life, influencing one’s karma.

Question 43

The 6 personal virtues

Answer 43

Important qualities in Hinduism, such as patience, self-control, and honesty.

Question 44

Ahimsa

Answer 44

The principle of non-violence towards all living beings.

Question 45

Atman

Answer 45

The eternal soul or true self in Hinduism.

Question 46

Transmigration

Answer 46

The movement of the soul from one body to another after death (reincarnation).

Question 47

Samsara cycle

Answer 47

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism.

Question 48

The law of karma

Answer 48

The belief that a person’s actions affect their future lives.

Question 49

Reincarnation/rebirth

Answer 49

The process of the soul being born into a new body after death.

Question 50

Punya

Answer 50

Good karma earned through righteous actions.

Question 51

Papa

Answer 51

Bad karma resulting from negative actions.

Question 52

Prakriti

Answer 52

The material world and nature in Hindu philosophy.

Question 53

Purusa

Answer 53

The eternal and unchanging spirit or consciousness

Question 54

Jive

Answer 54

An individual soul that goes through the cycle of rebirth.

Question 55

Maya

Answer 55

The illusion that the physical world is the ultimate reality.

Question 56

Cosmology

Answer 56

The Hindu understanding of the universe’s creation and structure.

Question 57

The cycle of 4 ages

Answer 57

The belief that time moves in repeating cycles of four ages.

Question 58

Yuga

Answer 58

A time period in the Hindu cycle of ages.

Question 59

Golden yuga (Satya Yuga)

Answer 59

The first and most virtuous age, full of truth and righteousness.

Question 60

Silver yuga (Treta Yuga)

Answer 60

The second age, where virtue begins to decline.

Question 61

Copper yuga (Dvapara Yuga)

Answer 61

The third age, where people become more selfish.

Question 62

Iron yuga (Kali Yuga)

Answer 62

The current and final age, marked by corruption and ignorance.

Question 63

Kalki

Answer 63

The prophesied future avatar of Vishnu, who will restore righteousness.

Question 64

Tri-guna

Answer 64

The three qualities of nature: Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance).