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In Hindu mythology he is the primordial lord of creatures, and is mentioned in Vedic, epic and Puranic literature. In Vedic legends he is described in various ways as the creator of the world, and the creator of heaven and earth. He is an androgynous being who impregnated himself by fusing elements of mind and speech. In later epics he is the guardian of the sex organ. Prajapati becomes the name for Brahma in later Hinduism.
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a Veda consisting of a collection of Hindu
poems dating from before 2000 BC. India's
first religious text, and one of the four vedas |
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the sustainer; a Hindu divinity worshipped as the preserver of worlds. Major deity and member
of Hindu trinity with Brahma and Shiva. Seen as the preserver of the universe and embodiment of goodness and mercy.The supreme deity
(Isvara) who becomes incarnate in times
of crisis and declining dharma. He is
usually depicted standing, holding weapons,
or reclining on a serpent. |
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Hindu goddess of fortune and prosperity.
The consort of Vishnu and the Goddess of prosperity. She is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali. It is said that she arose from the oceans when it was being churned by the Devas and Asuras.
the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune,
beauty, success, splendor, royal power,
the mistress of a house |
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| Post-Vedic personal Creator god of the Hindu trinity (with Vishnu and Shiva). Usually represented as red in color and holding a goblet, a bow, a scepter, and the Vedas. Unlike Vishnu and Shiva, he is seldom worshipped today. |
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| symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief. It is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one's being, the atman or soul. |
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| A person's true Self or underlying vital force. According to Vedanta philosophy, "____ is Brahman." |
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a collection of mantras and tunes for use with the Rig-Veda.The second of the Vedas, which
focuses on liturgical functions |
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The caste of priests, of those who know and repeat the Vedas.
They were created from the mouth of Brahma so that they might instruct mankind. This was why they were considered the highest of the four castes, as they had the most to do with intellect. Since it was recognised that knowledge is the only thing that remains with a person throughout life they, as teachers, were duly respected |
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- (Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness
- Eden: any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
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| Genre of Vedic texts that were the last to be added (and thus also known as Vedanta, "the end of the Vedas), written between 1000 and 500 BCE. The ___ are much less concerned with Vedic gods and rituals than other Vedic texts, and focus on philosophical and mystical questions about reality. The ____ contain the teaching that atman (the self) is Brahman (ultimate reality), and that knowledge of Brahman brings release (moksa) from the suffering of rebirth (samsara). The later __ are less philosophical and more sectarian. |
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A wandering monk in certain austere traditions of ancient India, including Jainism, Buddhism, and ajvika religion.
They believed the ideal of mendicancy and abandonment, that the worldly life was full of anguish and that liberation urgently required giving up of all kinds of desires and withdrawal into a lonely and contemplative life. |
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A cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
It is sometimes thought of as a circumstance or an illusion. In Buddhism it is also thought of as the process by which karma causes rebirth.
It is sometimes depicted as the opposite of Nirvana. However, the Mahayana school of Buddhism views both Nirvana and ___as mental representations. To one who appreciates the true nature of the world, Nirvana and ____ Samsara are not different from one another. |
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Epithet of the Buddha Gautama meaning "sage of the ___." The ___ were a clan into which the Buddha was born a prince; their kingdom covered an area that is today in southern Nepal and part of what is now northern Uttar Pradesh, India. |
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| In ancient Greece, ___ were courtesans, that is to say, sophisticated companions and prostitutes. |
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