A goddess is a female deity, in contrast with a male deity known as a "god". A great many cultures have goddesses, sometimes alone, but more often as part of a larger pantheon that includes both of the conventional genders and in some cases even hermaphroditic (or gender neutral) deities. As the concept of monotheism and polytheism can be relativistic, so too can related concepts be culturally misunderstood. The concept of gender as applied to a god and goddess, may connote deeper tendencies of patriarchy and matriarchy, which ...

Including:

• Goddess - Ancient Near East
• Goddess - Egypt
• Goddess - Mesopotamia
• Goddess - Arabia
• Goddess - Indo-European religion
• Goddess - Hinduism
• Goddess - Graeco-Roman religion
• Goddess - Celtic religion
• Goddess - Germanic religion
• Goddess - Abrahamic religions
• Goddess - Judaism
• Goddess - Christianity
• Goddess - Islam
• Goddess - New religious movements
• Goddess - Wicca and Neopaganism
• Goddess - Religious feminism
• Goddess - Secular use

Read more here: » Goddess: Encyclopedia - Goddess

A mother goddess is a goddess portrayed as the Earth Mother who serves as a general fertility deity, the bountiful embodiment of the earth. From the elegant snake-offering goddess figures of Knossos to the rock-cut images of Cybele, to Dione ("the Goddess") who was invoked at Dodona, along with Zeus, until late Classical times, it is sometimes too facile to class all archaic female goddesses as manifestations of the mother goddess. Archaeologists tend to avoid such theories in interpreting sites and material remains and sometim ...

Including:

• Mother goddess - Matriarchy and goddess history
• Mother goddess - Sumerian Mesopotamian and Greek goddesses
• Mother goddess - Celtic goddesses
• Mother goddess - Norse goddesses
• Mother goddess - Olympian goddesses
• Mother goddess - Hinduism
• Mother goddess - Shaktism
• Mother goddess - Mother goddess worship in Catholicism
• Mother goddess - Neopaganism

Read more here: » Mother goddess: Encyclopedia - Mother goddess

Brahman (ब्रह्मन् in devanagari script) in the Vedantic (and subsequently Yogic) schools of Hinduism, is the signifying name given to the concept of the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality that is the Divine Ground of all being in this universe. This Supreme Cosmic Spirit is regarded to be eternal, genderless, omnipotent, omniscient and yet indescribable. It can be at best described as infinite Truth, infinite Consciousness and infinite Bliss. It is regarded as the source and sum of the cosmo ...

Including:

• Brahman - Etymology
• Brahman - Semantics and pronunciation
• Brahman - Brahman and Atman
• Brahman - Enlightenment and Brahman
• Brahman - Advaita concept
• Brahman - Dvaita Vaishnava concept
• Brahman - External links
• Brahman - Notes

Read more here: » Brahman: Encyclopedia - Brahman

Ashoka the Great (Devanagari: अशोक; IAST transliteration: Aśoka) was the emperor of the Mauryan Empire from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. After a number of military conquests, Ashoka reigned over most of South Asia and beyond, from present-day Afghanistan to Bengal and as far south as Mysore. An early supporter of Buddhism, Ashoka established monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, and according to Buddhist tradition was closely involved in t ...

Including:

• Ashoka - Historical sources
• Ashoka - Early life
• Ashoka - Rise to power
• Ashoka - Conversion to Buddhism
• Ashoka - Death and legacy
• Ashoka - Ashoka and Buddhist Kingship
• Ashoka - Ashoka in popular culture
• Ashoka - Sources

Read more here: » Ashoka: Encyclopedia - Ashoka

Bengali or Bangla (বাংলা Bāṇlā) is an Indo-Aryan language of South Asia that evolved as a successor to the Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit languages. Bengali is the English word for the name of the language and for its speakers; in Bengali, the language itself is called Bangla (pronounced: IPA: < ...

Including:

• Bengali language - Script
• Bengali language - Phonetics
• Bengali language - Phonology
• Bengali language - Stress
• Bengali language - Intonation
• Bengali language - Vowel Length
• Bengali language - Consonant Clusters
• Bengali language - Syntax
• Bengali language - Morphology
• Bengali language - Nouns
• Bengali language - Verbs
• Bengali language - Vocabulary
• Bengali language - Variation in dialects
• Bengali language - Literary forms
• Bengali language - Regional variations
• Bengali language - Lexical variations
• Bengali language - Bangla literature
• Bengali language - History
• Bengali language - The Fight for Bangla

Read more here: » Bengali language: Encyclopedia - Bengali language

Bhakti (Sanskrit: भक्ति; Tamil: பக்தி) is a Tamil or Sanskrit term from Hinduism that means intense devotion expressed by action (service). A person who practices bhakti is called Bhakta. The concept of devotion is more or less the same in all religions. But in Hinduism there are certain extra subtleties which make it comparatively more complicated. These are : the One Reality versus many ‘Gods’ of worship; deity worship through ‘icons’ and ‘images’; the freedom to choose one’s own ‘favo ...

Including:

• Bhakti - Concept of God
• Bhakti - Brahman the Ultimate
• Bhakti - Two schools the Absolutist and the non-Absolutist
• Bhakti - Ishwara the all-powerful Almighty
• Bhakti - Names and Forms
• Bhakti - Favourite deity worship
• Bhakti - Six traditional favourites
• Bhakti - All-encompassing eclecticism
• Bhakti - Classifications of Bhakti
• Bhakti - Example of Towering Giants of Bhakti
• Bhakti - Theory of Grace
• Bhakti - Take the first step
• Bhakti - One Purpose of prayer and worship
• Bhakti - Sources

Read more here: » Bhakti: Encyclopedia - Bhakti

Hinduism encompasses many movements and schools fairly organized within Hindu denominations. A denomination shares a common ground of beliefs but embraces many different movements and schools inside its philosophical branches. Hindu denominations - Basic overview. Contemporary Hinduism is traditionally divided into four major denominations: Śaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and Smartha. Hinduism is a very rich and complex religion. Each of its four denominations share rituals, bel ...

Including:

• Hindu denominations - Basic overview
• Hindu denominations - Vaishnavism
• Hindu denominations - Śaivism
• Hindu denominations - Shaktism
• Hindu denominations - Smartha sect
• Hindu denominations - Newer denominations
• Hindu denominations - Agama Hindu Dharma

Read more here: » Hindu denominations: Encyclopedia - Hindu denominations

Hinduism (हिन्दू धर्म; also known as Sanātana Dharma - सनातन धर्म, and Vaidika-Dharma - वैदिक धर्म) is 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. An array of deities, all manifestations of the one supreme monistic Ishvara, are venerated. Beliefs, codes and principles vary fr ...

Including:

• Hinduism - Core Concepts
• Hinduism - The Eternal Way
• Hinduism - Basic beliefs
• Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma
• Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life
• Hinduism - The four stages of Life
• Hinduism - The four classes of the society
• Hinduism - Nature of God
• Hinduism - Denominations
• Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts
• Hinduism - Shruti
• Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā
• Hinduism - Smriti
• Hinduism - Origins and society
• Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism
• Hinduism - Etymology
• Hinduism - Vedic religion
• Hinduism - Hindu nationalism
• Hinduism - Temples
• Hinduism - Current geographic distribution
• Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought
• Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā
• Hinduism - Yoga
• Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools
• Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship
• Hinduism - The Bhakti schools
• Hinduism - Tantra
• Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism
• Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows
• Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow
• Hinduism - Hindu symbolism
• Hinduism - Murtis icons
• Hinduism - Sanskrit
• Hinduism - Mantra
• Hinduism - Criticism
• Hinduism - Hinduism
• Hinduism - Related systems and religions

Read more here: » Hinduism: Encyclopedia - Hinduism

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Bangla: রামকৃষ্ণ পরমহংস), born Gadadhar Chattopadhyay (Bangla: গদাধর চট্টোপাধ্যায়) [1], (February 18, 1836 - August 16, 1886) was one of the most important Hindu religious leaders of India, and is deeply revered by many Hindus to this date. Ramakrishna was a greatly influential figure in the Bengal Renaissance of 19th century as well. Ramakrishna ...

Including:

• Ramakrishna - Biography
• Ramakrishna - Childhood
• Ramakrishna - Career as priest
• Ramakrishna - Initiation
• Ramakrishna - Married life
• Ramakrishna - Later life
• Ramakrishna - Religious Perspectives
• Ramakrishna - Teachings
• Ramakrishna - Reception
• Ramakrishna - Ramakrshna's Impact
• Ramakrishna - On Hinduism
• Ramakrishna - On Indian Nationalism
• Ramakrishna - Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna Math
• Ramakrishna - Quotations

Read more here: » Ramakrishna: Encyclopedia - Ramakrishna

1960 in film - Top grossing films. North America Ben-Hur Can Can Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho Operation Petticoat Suddenly, Last Summer The Apartment Solomon and Sheba On the Beach 1960 in film - Academy Awards. Best Picture: The Apartment - Mirisch, United Artists Best Actor: Burt Lancaster - Including:

• 1960 in film - Events
• 1960 in film - Top grossing films
• 1960 in film - Academy Awards
• 1960 in film - Births
• 1960 in film - Deaths
• 1960 in film - Other movies released

Read more here: » 1960 in film: Encyclopedia - 1960 in film

Ashok Kumar Banker (born 1964) is a novelist and short story writer born and living in Mumbai, India. He has written professionally since his early teens, and has worked as a print journalist, columnist, scriptwriter for television series and documentaries, and in advertising. Banker has published in several genres, ranging from contemporary fiction about urban life in India to multi-volume mythological epics, as well as science fiction, fantasy, and cross-genre works. His first three novels to be published were crime thrillers ...

Including:

• Ashok Banker - Bibliography

Read more here: » Ashok Banker: Encyclopedia - Ashok Banker

In Hinduism, Bagalamukhi is one of the mahavidyas. Bagalamukhi Devi smashes the devotee's misconceptions and delusions by her cudgel. The name literally means “crane faced,” which is how this goddess is sometimes depicted. She has a golden complexion and her cloth is yellow. She sits in a golden throne in the midst of an ocean of nectar full of yellow lotuses. A crescent moon adorns her head. She holds a club in her right hand with which she beats an enemy, while pulling his tongue out with another. This image is som ...

Read more here: » Bagalamukhi: Encyclopedia - Bagalamukhi

Pantheism (Greek: pan = all and Theos = God) literally means "God is All" and "All is God". It is the view that everything is of an all-encompassing immanent God; or that the universe, or nature, and God are equivalent. More detailed definitions tend to emphasize the idea that natural law, existence, and/or the universe (the sum total of all that is, was, and shall be) is represented or personified in the theological principle of 'God'. Pantheism - History. The term "pantheist" — of which th ...

Including:

• Pantheism - History
• Pantheism - Varieties of pantheism
• Pantheism - Methods of explanation
• Pantheism - Debate
• Pantheism - Related concepts
• Pantheism - Panentheism
• Pantheism - Cosmotheism
• Pantheism - Pantheistic concepts in religion
• Pantheism - Hinduism
• Pantheism - Ayyavazhi
• Pantheism - Judaism
• Pantheism - Christian
• Pantheism - Islam
• Pantheism - Other religions
• Pantheism - Quotations

Read more here: » Pantheism: Encyclopedia - Pantheism

A mantra is a religious syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. 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 originated in India with Vedic Hinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists and Jains, now popular in various modern forms of spiritual practice which are loosely b ...

Including:

• Mantra - Introduction
• Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism
• Mantra - Mantra Japa
• Mantra - Some Hindu mantras
• Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth
• Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
• Mantra - The shanti mantras
• Mantra - Universal prayer
• Mantra - Other examples
• Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra
• Mantra - Remarks
• Mantra - What is Dharma?
• Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om
• Mantra - Mantras and Prayers
• Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan
• Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound
• Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
• Mantra - Om mani padme hum
• Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists
• Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia - Mantra

Idolatry is the worship of an image, idea or object, as opposed to the worship of a supreme being. It is forbidden by some major religions such as the Abrahamic religions. Some religious authorities and groups have used the term to describe other religions apart from their own. Idolatry - Etymology. The word idolatry comes (by haplology) from the Greek word eidololatria, a compound of eidolon, "image" or "figure", and latreia, "worship". Although the Greek appears to be a loan tr ...

Including:

• Idolatry - Etymology
• Idolatry - Idolatry in many forms
• Idolatry - Idolatry in the Hebrew Bible
• Idolatry - Did idolators really worship idols?
• Idolatry - Were ancient Israelites ever henotheistic?
• Idolatry - Idolatry in Jewish thought
• Idolatry - Christian views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Muslim views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Eastern religions and idolatry
• Idolatry - Hindu views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Shinto views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Christian views regarding Confucianism as idolatry
• Idolatry - Buddhist views of idolatry
• Idolatry - Polytheistic views of idolatry in general
• Idolatry - Notes

Read more here: » Idolatry: Encyclopedia - Idolatry

Maya illusion - Maya in Hinduism. See also: Maya_(Hinduism) In Vedic philosophy, maya (Sanskrit: ma: not, ya: this) is the illusion of a limited, purely physical and mental reality in which our everyday consciousness has become entangled, a veiling of the true, unitary Self, also known as Brahman. Maya originated in the Hindu scriptures known as the Upanishads. Many philosphies or religions seek to "pierce the veil" in order to glimpse the transcendent truth, from which th ...

Including:

• Maya illusion - Maya in Hinduism
• Maya illusion - Maya as Adopted And Viewed By Other Religions
• Maya illusion - Maya In Sikhism
• Maya illusion - Parallels To Maya In Other Religions

Read more here: » Maya illusion: Encyclopedia - Maya illusion

In Hindu theology, Bhaktas are devotees of a particular aspect of God, such as Siva, Vishnu, or God's Power personfied, Devi. Other related archivesDevi, God, Hindu, Siva, Vishnu, theology

Read more here: » Bhaktas: Encyclopedia - Bhaktas

Nirguna Brahman, stresses the Ultimate Truth which exists and pervades through the Universe. It is considered without any form in Advaita and without material form in Dvaita schools of philosophy. In either case, it is considered beyond sensory and mental comprehension of humans. Advaita philosophers say that for human eyes Nirguna Brahman is viewed as Saguna Brahman, or Brahman with personal attributes, and is c ...

Read more here: » Nirguna Brahman: Encyclopedia - Nirguna Brahman

In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called the Hindu trinity) are three aspects of God in His forms as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This Trimurti concept is a tenet strongly held in Smartism as well as Ayyavazhi mythology. Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver Shiva - the Destroyer The trimurti itself is conceived of as a deity and artistically represented as a three-faced human figure. Brahma is no longer as relevant as he once was, some would say the all-in-one Devi or Shakti, the Divine Moth ...

Including:

• Trimurti - Symbolizations
• Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity
• Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia - Trimurti

In Hinduism, Dhumavati is one the of mahavidyas (Great Wisdoms); she is one of the many aspects of Devi. She acts as the divine smoke screen in the form of old age and death. Only the ardent devotee is able to see beyond the fear of mortality to the Goddess's promise of immortality. Shruti (primary scriptures): Vedas | Upanishads | Bhagavad Gita | Itihasa (Ramayana & Mahabharata) | Agamas Smriti (oth

Read more here: » Dhumavati: Encyclopedia - Dhumavati

Kumari, or Kumari Devi is a living Hindu goddess in Nepal. Kumari means literally virgin in Nepali. A Kumari is a prepubescent girl selected from the Shakya caste of the Nepalese Newari community. The Kumari she is revered and worshipped by the country's Hindus as well as the Nepali Buddhist not the Tibetan Buddhist. While there are several Kumaris throughout Nepal, with some cities having several, the best known is the Royal Kumari of Kathmandu. The selection process for her is especially rigorous, and she lives ...

Including:

• Kumari - History
• Kumari - Selection process
• Kumari - Life of the Royal Kumari
• Kumari - Former Kumaris
• Kumari - References
• Kumari - External links

Read more here: » Kumari: Encyclopedia - Kumari

This article is in need of attention. You can help Wikipedia by editing it into a better article. Please also consider changing this notice to be more specific. In most South Asian languages, Shakti translates literally as power. In Hinduism, Shakti is an aspect of Devi, and a personification of God as the Divine Mother who represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. In Shaktism, Shakti is worshiped as the Supreme Being. Alternatively, in other Hindu tradi ...

Including:

• Shakti - Shakti Peeths

Read more here: » Shakti: Encyclopedia - Shakti