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| Old Hinduism; the god of thunderbolts, clouds, and rain, and is the ruler of heaven |
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| Old Hinduism; the god of fire, he brings offerings to the other gods |
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| Old Hinduism; the god of death and destruction |
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| New; the creator but is barely worshipped |
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| New; the god of death, destruction, and dance |
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| New, the goddess of wisdom (Brahma's spouse) |
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| New, the female half of the perfect couple, or Kali, who wears a necklace of skulls; goddess of smallpox |
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| New; the preserver of the universe and the god of love |
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| New; the spouse of Vishnu; goddess of wealth and fertility |
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| Artisans, merchants, and farmers |
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| Untouchables; perform the most menial and ritually defiling tasks |
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| Heard and transmitted the Vedas; did not create them |
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| Veda; a collection of more than a thousand chants to the Aryan gods |
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| Veda; contains matter for recitation during sacrifice |
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| Veda; a handbook of musical elaborations of Vedic chants |
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| Veda; consists of practical prayers and charms such as prayers to protect against sickness |
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| Discusses the nature of reality and spirituality |
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| Upanishad; something that can be known, a divine reality at the heart of things. The absolute or divine reality that underlies all existence. Is behind the changes of the universe. |
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| Upanishad; the part of the Brahman in all things. The real self, the eternal life principle which underlies physical existence (supernatural). Is behind the changes of the individual. |
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| Upanishad; usually transmitted as "illusion." The power that produces the phenomena of physical existence (supernatural) |
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| Upanishad; the law of moral cause and effect. It is what determines the direction of one's rebirth. It is considered a system of merit and dismerit that determines the favorableness of the next rebirth. It governs all human thoughts and actions. |
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| Upanishad; refers to the wheel of life, the circle of constant rebirth, and it suggests strongly that the everyday world is full of change as well as struggle and suffering. |
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| Upanishad; means freedom or liberation. It is considered the ultimate human goal. It is release from samsara, which occurs when an individual achieves the realized state of union with Brahman |
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| Least important Hindu goal. Pleasure |
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| Second most important Hindu goal. Economic security and power |
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| Most important Hindu goal. Social and religious duty |
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| First Hindu stage of life. A young man between ages 8 and 12, but no later than 24 is introduced to study the Vedas, including celibacy |
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| 2nd stage of Hindu life. Age 25, tries to observe caste duties in marriage, in his occupation, and in raising children. |
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| 3rd stage of Hindu life. They continue to live with their children and with other relative in an extended-family setting, but they may eat separately from the rest of the family and spend time on religious pursuits with friends. Devote their time to the study of sacred writing and meditate on uniting their souls with God. |
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| 4th stage of Hindu life. It is optional. If one wishes to live eternally free from society, they are permitted to leave home. Purpose is to hasten mystical insight, to free oneself of all attachments, to end rebirth, and to attain moksha. The goal is samadhi, the release of the soul from the body so that it can unite with the Brahman. |
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