Dictionary - Enlightenment: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Enlightenment
enlightenment: For Saiva monists, Self Realization, samadhi without seed (nirvikalpa samadhi); the ultimate attainment, sometimes re...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Reincarnation: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Reincarnation
reincarnation: "Re-entering the flesh." Punarjanma; metempsychosis. The process wherein souls take on a physical body throug...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Temple: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Temple
temple: An edice in a consecrated place dedicated to the worship of God or the Gods. From the Latin templum, "temple, sanctuary; ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Siddhi: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Siddhi
siddhi: (Sanskrit) "Power, accomplishment; perfection."   Extraordinary powers of the soul, developed through consiste...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mysticism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Mysticism
mysticism: Spirituality; the pursuit of direct spiritual or religious experience. Spiritual discipline aimed at union or communion wit...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Deeksha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Deeksha
deeksha: (Sanskrit) "Initiation."   Solemn induction by which one is entered into a new realm of awareness and practic...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Culture: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Culture
culture: Development or refinement of intellect, emotions, interests, manners, and tastes.   The ideals, customs, skills and art...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Rites Of Passage: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Rites Of Passage
rites of passage: Sacraments marking crucial stages of life. See: samskara. (See also: Rites of passage , Hinduism, Body Mind and S...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Precede: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Precede
precede: To come before in time, importance, influence or rank. (See also: Precede , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Chakra: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Chakra
chakra: (Sanskrit) "Wheel."   Any of the nerve plexes or centers of force and consciousness located within the inner b...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Death: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Death
death: Death is a rich concept for which there are many words in Sanskrit, such as: mahaprasthana, "great departure;" samadh...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Vedanta: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Vedanta
Vedanta: (Sanskrit) "Ultimate wisdom" or "final conclusions of the Vedas." Vedanta is the system of thought embodi...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Rudraksha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Rudraksha
rudraksha: (Sanskrit) "Eye of Rudra;" or "red-eyed." From rud, "to cry," and aksha, meaning "eye.&q...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Faith: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Faith
faith: Trust or belief. Conviction. From the Latin fides, "trust." Faith in its broadest sense means "religion, dharma....   » Read the article

Dictionary - Samskaras Of Birth: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Samskaras Of Birth
samskaras of birth: From the rite of conception to the blessings of the new-born child. -       garbhad...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tattva: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Tattva
tattva: (Sanskrit) "That-ness" or "essential nature." Tattvas are the primary principles, elements, states or cate...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Gayatri Mantra: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra: (Sanskrit) 1) Famous Vedic mantra used in puja and personal chanting. Om (bhur bhuvah svah) tat savitur varenyam, bha...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sivalinga: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sivalinga
Sivalinga: (Sanskrit) "Mark, or sign, of Siva."   The most prevalent icon of Siva, found in virtually all Siva temples...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Obstinate (obstinacy):: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Obstinate (obstinacy):
obstinate (obstinacy): Overly determined to have one's own way. Stubborn. (See also: Obstinate (obstinacy): , Hinduism, Body Mind a...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Ether: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Ether
ether: Akasha. Space, the most subtle of the five elements. See: akasha, tattva. (See also: Ether , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul) ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Aum: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Aum
Aum: (Sanskrit) or (Sanskrit) Often spelled Om. The mystic syllable of Hinduism, placed at the beginning of most sacred writings. As a...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Epic History: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Epic History
epic history: Long narrative poem in a high style about grand exploits of Gods and heroes. The Ramayana and Mahabharata are India's tw...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Purushartha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Purushartha
purushartha: (Sanskrit) "Human wealth or purpose."   The four pursuits in which humans may legitimately engage, also c...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sannyasa Diksha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sannyasa Diksha
sannyasa diksha: (Sanskrit) "Renunciate initiation."   This diksha is a formal rite, or less often an informal blessin...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Joint Family: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Joint Family
joint family: Kutumba or kula.   The Hindu social unit consisting of several generations of kindred living together under the sa...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bhaskara: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Bhaskara
Bhaskara: n (Sanskrit) Philosopher (ca 950). His Bhaskarabhashya, a commentary on the Brahma Sutras, was the first elaborate criticism...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Samskara: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Samskara
samskara: (Sanskrit) "Impression, activator; sanctification, preparation." 1)    The imprints left on the su...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Buddhism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Buddhism
Buddhism: The religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (ca 624544 bce). He refuted the idea of man's...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Three Worlds: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Three Worlds
three worlds: The three worlds of existence, triloka, are the primary hierarchical divisions of the cosmos. -    ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Murti: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Murti
murti: (Sanskrit) "Form; manifestation, embodiment, personification." An image or icon of God or one of the many Gods used d...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sin: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sin
sin: Intentional transgression of divine law. Akin to the Latin sons, "guilty."   Hinduism does not view sin as a crim...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Vedanta: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Vedanta
Vedanta: (Sanskrit) "Ultimate wisdom" or "final conclusions of the Vedas."   Vedanta is the system of though...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Preside: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Preside
preside: To be chairman at a gathering, in a position of authority within a group. To have charge of; to dominate. (See also: Presi...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Transfix: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Transfix
transfix: To render motionless. (See also: Transfix , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Pashupatinatha Mandira: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Pashupatinatha Mandira
Pashupatinatha mandira: (Sanskrit) Foremost temple of Nepal, linked to the ancient Pashupata sect of Saivism. (See also: Pashupatin...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mantra: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Mantra
mantra: (Sanskrit) "Mystic formula."   A sound, syllable, word or phrase endowed with special power, usually drawn fro...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Heaven: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Heaven
heaven: The celestial spheres, including the causal plane and the higher realms of the subtle plane, where souls rest and learn betwee...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Apprehend: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Apprehend
apprehend: To mentally seize and hold, to see or understand; to physically detain. (See also: Apprehend , Hinduism, Body Mind and S...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Milieu: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Milieu
milieu: Environment; social or cultural setting. (See also: Milieu , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Shikhara: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Shikhara
shikhara: (Sanskrit) "Summit or crest."   The towering superstructure above the garbhagriha in North Indian style temp...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sanchita Karma:: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sanchita Karma:
sanchita karma: (Sanskrit) "Accumulated action."   The accumulated consequence of an individual's actions in this and ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Shiksha Vedanga: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Shiksha Vedanga
Shiksha Vedanga: (Sanskrit) Auxiliary Vedic texts on Sanskrit phonetics, among four linguistic skills taught for mastery of the Vedas ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dhoti: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dhoti
dhoti: (Sanskrit) (Hindi) A long, unstitched cloth wound about the lower part of the body, and sometimes passed between the legs and t...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Meritorious: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Meritorious
meritorious: Having merit, deserving of praise or reward. See: punya. (See also: Meritorious , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)  ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Prarabdha Karma: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Prarabdha Karma
prarabdha karma: (Sanskrit) "Action that has been unleashed or aroused." See: karma. (See also: Prarabdha karma , Hinduis...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Hindu Cosmology: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Hindu Cosmology
Hindu cosmology: See: loka, three worlds. (See also: Hindu cosmology , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Himalayas: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Himalayas
Himalayas: (Sanskrit) "Abode of snow." The mountain system extending along the India-Tibet border and through Pakistan, Nepa...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Murugan: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Murugan
Murugan: (Tamil) "Beautiful one," a favorite name of Karttikeya among the Tamils of South India, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. Se...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Jainism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Jainism
Jainism: (Jaina) (Sanskrit) An ancient non-Vedic religion of India made prominent by the teachings of Mahavira ("Great Hero"...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Appaya Dikshita: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Appaya Dikshita
Appaya Dikshita: (Sanskrit) Philosophical genius of South India (1554-1626) who worked to reconcile Vaishnavism and Saivism, advancing...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Ananda Tandava: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Ananda Tandava
ananda tandava: (Sanskrit) "Violent dance of bliss." See: Nataraja, tandava. (See also: Ananda tandava , Hinduism, Body M...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Trimurti: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Trimurti
Trimurti: (Sanskrit) A classic representation of God as the three-fold Deity image - Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. See: Brahma. (See als...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Siva Samhita: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Siva Samhita
Siva Samhita: (Sanskrit) Text from the Gorakshanatha school of Saivism, ca 1700. In 212 sutras it discusses anatomy, asanas, energy, b...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Soundless Sound: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Soundless Sound
Soundless Sound: Paranada. See: nada. (See also: Soundless Sound , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Shruti: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Shruti
shruti: (Sanskrit) "That which is heard."   Hinduism's revealed scriptures, of supreme theological authority and spiri...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Allama Prabhu: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Allama Prabhu
Allama Prabhu: (Sanskrit) A contemporary of Basavanna and central figure of Vira Saivism (ca 1150), the head of an order of 300 enligh...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Punjab: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Punjab
Punjab: (Sanskrit) The area of ancient India between the Indus and Sutlej, below Kashmir. It is now divided between India and Pakistan...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dr S Radhakrishnan: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dr S Radhakrishnan
Radhakrishnan, Dr. S.: (Sanskrit) (1888-1975) A President of India (1962 to 1967), an outstanding philosopher, prolific writer, compel...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sthapatyaveda: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sthapatyaveda
Sthapatyaveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of architecture."   A class of writings on architecture, sometimes classed as one o...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Trance: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Trance
trance: In general, a condition of altered consciousness, accompanied by a lack of awareness to physical surroundings, neither a state...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Veda: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Veda
Veda: (Sanskrit) "Wisdom." Sagely revelations which comprise Hinduism's most authoritative scripture. They, along with the A...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dharma: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dharma
dharma: (Sanskrit) "Righteousness." From dhri, "to sustain; carry, hold."   Hence dharma is "that which...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Purgatory: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Purgatory
purgatory: A state or place of temporary punishment or expiation. A hellish condition that is not eternal. Purgatory is actually more ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Niyati: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Niyati
niyati: (Sanskrit) "Necessity, restriction; the fixed order of things, destiny."   A synonym for karma, niyati is the ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Subramuniyaswami: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Subramuniyaswami
Subramuniyaswami: Current and 162nd satguru (1927-) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. He was ordained Sivaya Subramuni...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Goddess: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Goddess
Goddess: Female representation or manifestation of Divinity; Shakti or Devi.   Goddess can refer to a female perception or depic...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dhanurveda: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dhanurveda
Dhanurveda: (Sanskrit) "Science of archery."   A class of ancient texts on the military arts, comprising the Upaveda o...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Satchidananda: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Satchidananda
Satchidananda (Sachchidananda): (Sanskrit) "Existence-consciousness-bliss."   A synonym for Parashakti. Lord Siva's Di...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dosha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dosha
dosha: (Sanskrit) "Bodily humor; individual constitution."   Three bodily humors, which according to ayurveda regulate...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Extended Family: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Extended Family
extended family: Brihatkutumba or mahakutumba.   One or more joint families plus their broader associations and affiliations. Un...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yajna: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Yajna
yajna: (Sanskrit) "Worship; sacrifice."   One of the most central Hindu concepts - sacrifice and surrender through act...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Bi-sexual: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Bi-sexual
bi-sexual: Of or characterized by sexual attraction for members of both genders. See: heterosexual, homosexual, sexuality. (See also...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Ethics: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Ethics
ethics: The code or system of morals of a nation, people, religion, etc. See: dharma, pancha nitya karmas, punya, purity-impurity. (...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Yama-niyama: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Yama-niyama
yama-niyama: (Sanskrit) "Restraints-observances."   The first two of the eight limbs of raja yoga, constituting Hindui...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Fast: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Fast
fast: Abstaining from all or certain foods, as in observance of a vow or holy day.   Hindus fast in various ways. A simple fas...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Durga: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Durga
Durga: (Sanskrit) "She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach."   A form of Shakti worshiped in Her gracious as...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Mahavakya: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Mahavakya
mahavakya: (Sanskrit) "Great saying."   A profound aphorism from scripture or a holy person. Most famous are four Upan...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Shad Darshana: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Shad Darshana
shad darshana: (Sanskrit) "Six views or insights; six philosophies."   Among the hundreds of Hindu darshanas known thr...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Tiruvasagam: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Tiruvasagam
Tiruvasagam: (Tamil) "Holy Utterances."   The lyrical Tamil scripture by Saint Manikkavasagar (ca 850). Considered one...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Shaktism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Shaktism
Shaktism (Shakta): (Sanskrit) "Doctrine of power."   The religion followed by those who worship the Supreme as the Div...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Assuage: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Assuage
assuage: To lessen pain or distress; to calm passions or desires. (See also: Assuage , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Conversion To Hinduism: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Conversion To Hinduism
conversion to Hinduism: Entering Hinduism has traditionally required little more than accepting and living the beliefs and codes of Hi...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Actinic: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Actinic
actinic: Spiritual, creating light. Adjective derived from the Greek aktis, "ray." Of or pertaining to consciousness in its ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Varanasi: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Varanasi
Varanasi: (Sanskrit) Also known as Kashi or Banaras. (Derived from the name of two rivers, the Varana, "warding off," and As...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Supplicate: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Supplicate
supplicate (supplication): To ask for humbly. To earnestly pray for. (See also: Supplicate , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Destiny: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Destiny
destiny: Final outcome. The seemingly inevitable or predetermined course of events. See: adrishta, fate, karma. (See also: Destiny...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Transcendent: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Transcendent
transcendent: Surpassing the limits of experience or manifest form. In Saiva Siddhanta, a quality of God Siva as Absolute Reality, Par...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Annihilate: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Annihilate
annihilate: To destroy completely, to reduce to nothing. (See also: Annihilate , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Diksha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Diksha
diksha: (Sanskrit) "Initiation."   Solemn induction by which one is entered into a new realm of awareness and practice...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Aghori: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Aghori
Aghori: (Sanskrit) "Nonterrifying." An order of Saiva ascetics thought to be derived from the Kapalika order (ca 14th centur...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Anchorite: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Anchorite
anchorite: "Hermit." A monk or aspirant who lives alone and apart from society, as contrasted with cenobite, a member of a r...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sakha Marga: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sakha Marga
sakha marga: (Sanskrit) "Friend's path." See: attainment, pada. (See also: Sakha marga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul) &...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Fate: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Fate
fate: From the Latin fatum, "prophetic declaration, oracle." In Western thought, fate is the force or agency, God or other p...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Sadhvi: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Sadhvi
sadhvi: (Sanskrit) Feminine counterpart of sadhu. See: sadhu. (See also: Sadhvi , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article

Dictionary - Dieu Siva Est Amour OmniprŽsent Et RŽalitŽ Transcendante:: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dieu Siva Est Amour OmniprŽsent Et RŽalitŽ Transcendante:
Dieu Siva est amour omniprŽsent et RŽalitŽ transcendante: French for "God Siva is Immanent Love and Transcendent Reality." I...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Brahma: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Brahma
Brahma: (Sanskrit) The name of God in His aspect of Creator. Saivites consider Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra to be three of five aspects of...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Samsara: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Samsara
samsara: (Sanskrit) "Flow." The phenomenal world. Transmigratory existence, fraught with impermanence and change.   Th...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Consciousness: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Consciousness
consciousness: Chitta or chaitanya.   1)    A synonym for mind-stuff, chitta; or 2)    the condit...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Light: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Light
light: In an ordinary sense, a form of energy which makes physical objects visible to the eye. In a religious-mystical sense, light al...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Moksha: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Moksha
moksha: (Sanskrit) "Liberation."   Release from transmigration, samsara, the round of births and deaths, which occurs ...   » Read the article

Dictionary - Dance: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary On Dance
dance: See: tandava, Nataraja. (See also: Dance , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)      » Read the article