In Hinduism, an avatar or avatara (Sanskrit अवतार), is the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of an Immortal Being, or of the Ultimate Supreme Being. It derives from the Sanskrit word avatāra which means "descent" and usually implies a deliberate descent into mortal realms for special purposes. The term is used primarily in Hinduism, for incarnations of Vishnu the Preserver, whom many Hindus worship as God. The Dasavatara (see below) are t ...

Including:

• Avatar - Teachings and significance
• Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara
• Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas
• Avatar - Types of avatars
• Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?
• Avatar - Symbolism
• Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars
• Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia - Avatar

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas

Besides the ten traditional avatars of Hinduism, some other Indian Hindus are considered to be avatars by themselves or by others. Some of these include: Chaitanya (1486-1534) is claimed to be an avatar of Krishna by the Gaudiya Vaishnavism sect. He is also known as the 'Golden Avatar'. His appearance is predicted in the latter texts of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For more information, see Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology. Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1851) According to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi, Lord Vaikunda ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars

The Maha Avatara (Great Avatars) of Vishnu are usually said to be ten and this is popularly known as the Dasavatara (dasa (dasha) in Sanskrit means ten). The first four of the ten avatars have appeared in the Krita Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or Ages that comprise one Mahayuga - for more details please read the section above on Lord Brahma). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapar Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The ...

See also:

Avatar, Avatar - Teachings and significance, Avatar - The ten Avatars, or Dasavatara, Avatar - The 24 Avatars of the Puranas, Avatar - Types of avatars, Avatar - The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?, Avatar - Symbolism, Avatar - List of other people considered to be avatars, Avatar - Other Uses

Read more here: » Avatar: Encyclopedia II - Avatar - The ten Avatars, or Dasavatara

Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The oldest of these, widely known as Hinduism, is Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Buddhism, Ayyavazhi, Jainism and Sikhism also retain the centrality of Dharma. In these traditions, beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towards moksha, nirvana, or personal liberation. Dharma also refers to the teachings and doctrines of t ...

Including:

• Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma
• Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
• Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas
• Dharma - Developing conceptions
• Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha
• Dharma - Kane's view
• Dharma - In Jainism
• Dharma - The two Dharmas
• Dharma - In Buddhism
• Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha
• Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma
• Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology
• Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma

Keshava and Keshav (केशव) are alternate names for the Hindu Lord Krishna. Keshava is the Sanskrit form of the name, Keshav the Hindi pronounciation. Keshava appears as the 23rd and 648th names in the Vishnu sahasranama. Kesava (Sanskrit) is the first of the 24 epithets of Lord Krishna. According to Adi Sankara' s commentary on the Vishnu sahasranama, Keshava has three meanings: one whose Kesa or locks are beautiful one who is Himself the three: kah Brahma; ah Vishnu and Isa Shiva one who destroyed the as ...

Including:

• Keshava - External link

Read more here: » Keshava: Encyclopedia - Keshava

Vaishnava Theology is the theological discourse concerning the Hindu deity Vishnu and/or one of His avatar. Vaishnava Theology - Vaishnava Philosophical/Theological Schools. Radhavallabha Theology, espoused by Harivamsa Gosvami. Vishishtadvaita, espoused by Ramanuja Dvaita, espoused by Shri Madhvacharya Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology, espoused by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan Shuddhadvaita, espoused by Vallabhacharya Dvaitaadvaita, ...

Including:

• Vaishnava Theology - Vaishnava Philosophical/Theological Schools
• Vaishnava Theology - Contemporary Vaishnava Theological Discourse
• Vaishnava Theology - Bhaktivedanta College and Vaishnava Theology
• Vaishnava Theology - The Journal of Vaishnava Studies
• Vaishnava Theology - Dasavatara
• Vaishnava Theology - Puranic Vishnu Avatara

Read more here: » Vaishnava Theology: Encyclopedia - Vaishnava Theology

Krishna (IAST kṛṣṇa, the Sanskrit for "the all-attractive one") is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, however, he is seen as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the fountain head of all avatars. Krishna appears in a number of stories in different cultures and traditions. Sometimes these contradict each other, though ther ...

Including:

• Krishna - The name
• Krishna - Texts stories and literature
• Krishna - The story of Krishna
• Krishna - The incarnation
• Krishna - Birth and childhood
• Krishna - Boyhood and youth
• Krishna - Krishna the prince
• Krishna - The Kurukshetra war
• Krishna - The last days
• Krishna - The worship of Krishna
• Krishna - Early references
• Krishna - The Bhakti tradition
• Krishna - Gita Govinda - the song of the cowherd
• Krishna - Recent Krishna bhakti movements
• Krishna - Krishna in Jainism
• Krishna - Krishna in Buddhism
• Krishna - Chronology

Read more here: » Krishna: Encyclopedia - Krishna

In Hinduism, Kārttikeya (also Skanda, Subrahmanya, Kumara, Arumugan, Shanmugan, Murugan, Guha, Saravana, Swaminatha, Velan,Velavan, Senthil) is a god born out of a magical spark created by Shiva. The name Kārttikeya means "him of the Pleiades". There are several legends surrounding his birth. Kartikeya - Origins. Kartikeya - In the Hindu epics. The first elaborate account of Kartikeya's ...

Including:

• Kartikeya - Origins
• Kartikeya - In the Hindu epics
• Kartikeya - In the Hindu Puranas
• Kartikeya - In Sanskrit Kavya/Poetry
• Kartikeya - The adoration of Kartikeya
• Kartikeya - In the Tamil land
• Kartikeya - Differences in Northern and Southern traditions
• Kartikeya - Related Links
• Kartikeya - Related Links

Read more here: » Kartikeya: Encyclopedia - Kartikeya

The Sanskrit word guna (guṇa) has the basic meaning of "string" or "a single thread or strand of a cord or twine". In more abstract uses, it may mean "a subdivision, species, kind", and generally "quality". Guna - In Classical literature. In Classical literature (e.g. Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana), a Guna is an attribute of the 5 elements (each with an associa ...

Including:

• Guna - In Classical literature
• Guna - In Samkhya philosophy
• Guna - In Nyaya philosophy
• Guna - In grammar

Read more here: » Guna: Encyclopedia - Guna

Eschatology (from the Greek έσχατος meaning "last" + -logy) is a part of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or the ultimate destiny of human kind, commonly phrased as the end of the world. In many religions, the end of the world is a future event prophesied in sacred texts or folklore. More broadly, eschatology may encompass related concepts such as the Messiah or Messianic Age, the afterlife, and the soul. The Greek word αιών means "age"; some translation ...

Including:

• Eschatology - Buddhism
• Eschatology - Christianity
• Eschatology - Hinduism
• Eschatology - Islam
• Eschatology - Judaism
• Eschatology - Native American
• Eschatology - Hopi
• Eschatology - Mayans
• Eschatology - Sioux
• Eschatology - Norse mythology
• Eschatology - Zoroastrianism
• Eschatology - Prophetic movements
• Eschatology - Other religions

Read more here: » Eschatology: Encyclopedia - Eschatology

The beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation, founded by the Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba (major article) can be characterized as a rather traditional but syncretistic form of Hinduism. Additionally, believers have faith in the guru as an purna avatar (full divine incarnation) of Shiva and Shakti, who is predicted in the Bhagavad Gita. In non-Hindu terms, this means that his followers see him as God. Followers are engaged in singing bhajans and charity. Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisati ...

Including:

• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Important teachings
• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Ashrams in India and the person of Sathya Sai Baba
• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Youth stories
• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Practices in the ashrams and the person of Sathya Sai Baba
• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Activities in local Sathya Sai Baba groups
• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Celebrations and commemorations
• Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation - Bibliography

Read more here: » Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation: Encyclopedia - Beliefs and practices in the Sathya Sai Organisation

The term puja is also used to refer to certain ceremonies performed by Buddhists on holy days. Pūjā (alternative transliteration pooja, Sanskrit: reverence or worship, loosely) is a religious ritual that Hindus perform for a variety of occasions- some perform it every morning after shower, and before breakfast, it is performed on the birthdays of the various deities and on festivals such as New Year's and Pongal (a Than ...

Including:

• Puja - Puja Rituals
• Puja - 27 steps of a puja
• Puja - The role of the Priest
• Puja - Individuals

Read more here: » Puja: Encyclopedia - Puja

Gayatri (gāyatrī) is the feminine form of gāyatra, a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. It can be:- The name of a Vedic poetic meter of 24 syllables (three lines of eight syllables each), see Vedic meter. Any hymn composed in this meter. In Hinduism, it is one mantra in particular, and a goddess as its personification. It was written and developed by one of the greatest brahmarishi sages, Vishwamitra. Gayatri - Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra is the ...

Including:

• Gayatri - Mantra
• Gayatri - Text
• Gayatri - Translation
• Gayatri - Goddess
• Gayatri - External link
• Gayatri - Organizations

Read more here: » Gayatri: Encyclopedia - Gayatri

The Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba is the subject of many allegations and intense controversy. Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - False claims of miracles. One of Sathya Sai Baba's most long-standing critics is the Indian atheist and skeptic Basava Premanand who has published several critical books about him with telling titles such as "Lure of miracles" and "Divine Octopus".1 He has also attempted to bring Sathya Sai Baba to cour ...

Including:

• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - False claims of miracles
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Unresolved murders in Baba's private quarters
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Sexual abuse
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Not an avatar of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Other accusations
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Myth making
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Political governmental and parliamentary responses
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Debating the allegations
• Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba - Bibliography

Read more here: » Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba: Encyclopedia - Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba

Sathya Sai Baba (born Sathya Narayana Raju with the family name Ratnakaram [1], November 23, 1926 or October 4, 1929 is a popular, controversial Indian guru who has millions of followers and hundreds of Sathya Sai Baba groups in many countries. In the 1940s he claimed to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba and subsequently took the fakir's name. He says that he is an avatar (incarnation) of Shiva and Shakti and an embodiment of love w ...

Including:

• Sathya Sai Baba - History and origins
• Sathya Sai Baba - Miracles claims and ashrams
• Sathya Sai Baba - Teachings
• Sathya Sai Baba - Organizations
• Sathya Sai Baba - Opposition controversy and allegations
• Sathya Sai Baba - Stances by devotees and proponents
• Sathya Sai Baba - Parliamentary governmental and political issues and responses
• Sathya Sai Baba - Sathya Sai Baba's Presence in Popular Culture
• Sathya Sai Baba - Bibliography
• Sathya Sai Baba - Books by Sai Baba
• Sathya Sai Baba - Selected books by his followers
• Sathya Sai Baba - Books by sceptics and critics
• Sathya Sai Baba - Other books

Read more here: » Sathya Sai Baba: Encyclopedia - Sathya Sai Baba

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (also transliterated Caitanya, IAST caitanya mahaprabhu) (Bangla চৈতন্য মহাপ্রভূ) (1486 - 1534), was an ascetic Hindu monk and social reformer in 16th century Bengal, India (present-day West Bengal and Bangladesh). A great proponent of loving devotion for God bhakti yoga, Chaitanya worshiped the Lord in the ...

Including:

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's life
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Chaitanya's tradition
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Cultural legacy

Read more here: » Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Encyclopedia - Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Hatha yoga, pronounced /ˈhʌtə/ or /ˈhæθə/, is also known as Hatha vidya. It is a particular system of Yoga propagated by Swami Swatmarama, a yogic sage of the 15th century in India. It is part of the Hindu traditions of Yoga and Tantra, and is a path of spiritual realization leading to the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, or contemplation of the One Reality. It is what most people associate with the word "Yoga" and is mainly practiced for mental, physical health and vitality outside of India. Hatha yoga - Origins. < ...

Including:

• Hatha yoga - Origins
• Hatha yoga - Concept
• Hatha yoga - Yama
• Hatha yoga - Asanas Postures
• Hatha yoga - Pranayama - The science of breathing
• Hatha yoga - General Directions for Yogasana
• Hatha yoga - Health Benefits ascribed to Yogasana practice
• Hatha yoga - Etymology
• Hatha yoga - In the West

Read more here: » Hatha yoga: Encyclopedia - Hatha yoga

A guru (गुरू Sanskrit) is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism. Based on a long line of philosophical understanding as to the importance of knowledge, the guru is seen in these religions as a sacred conduit, or a way to self-realization. In India and among people of Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh belief, the title retains a hallowed meaning. Guru also refers in Sanskrit to Brihaspati, a Hindu figure analogous to the Roman planet/god Jupiter. In Vedic astrology, Jupiter/Guru/Brihaspati is believed to ...

Including:

• Guru - Etymology
• Guru - Guru in Hinduism
• Guru - Guru in Buddhism
• Guru - Guru in Sikhism
• Guru - Types of gurus
• Guru - Succession and lineage parampara
• Guru - Guru in a Western culture context
• Guru - Gurus in the West
• Guru - Assessment and criticism
• Guru - Notable scandals and controversies
• Guru - Bibliography

Read more here: » Guru: Encyclopedia - Guru

Dharma (Sanskrit, roughly law or way) is the way of the higher Truths. Beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly towards moksha, nirvana, or personal liberation. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The oldest of these, widely known as Hinduism, is Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Dharma. Buddhism, Ayyavazhi, Jainism and Sikhism also retain the centrality of Dharma. For the followers of these traditions, Dharma also refers to the teachings ...

Including:

• Dharma - Meanings and origins of the word Dharma
• Dharma - Dharma in Hinduism
• Dharma - Origin and development in Hinduism
• Dharma - Proto-dharma: rta in the Vedas
• Dharma - Developing conceptions
• Dharma - Dharma as a Purushartha
• Dharma - Kane's view
• Dharma - In Jainism
• Dharma - The two Dharmas
• Dharma - In Buddhism
• Dharma - The teachings of the Buddha
• Dharma - Qualities of Buddha Dharma
• Dharma - Dharmas in Buddhist phenomenology
• Dharma - Dharma as righteousness

Read more here: » Dharma: Encyclopedia - Dharma