Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about terms and jargon used in Hinduism.
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What is the meaning of demon names: yAtudAnAs and AtatAyins?
Demons are also called yAtudAnAs and AtatAyins. What are the meanings of these two terms and why demons are called so.
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43 views
What is the difference between consciousness and matter?
I want to know the difference between consciousness, awareness, energy and matter. Also how could we define if any thing is consciousness or not?
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0answers
44 views
Difference between Palankarta and Palanhaara
We all are aware of the fact that Lord Vishnu is Palankarta because he takes care of all the lokas like a mother and protects them like a father. He plays Father and Mother role for all lokas. He is ...
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1answer
73 views
What does mayavad and tattvavad mean?
What are the meanings of the terms mayavad and tattvavad? What are the differences between them?
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2answers
84 views
What is the difference between a sloka and a mantra?
I see these 2 terms (sloka and mantra) being used interchangeably. But they are not the same. If someone knowledgeable can elaborate on the difference for the benefit of the future users, it would be ...
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1answer
75 views
In a family, does the birth of a son vs daughter, signify anything with respect to Pitru-s (ancestors)?
Scriptures suggest that, a person himself gets reborn as his own children, whether boy or girl.
Bhishma said, 'The son is even as one's own self, and the daughter is like unto the son. How, ...
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1answer
98 views
What is my religion? [duplicate]
I was watching Satguru (Jaggi Vasudev) video on YouTube where he said that Hindu is not a religion, its a geographical identity and that's why all part of India follows different practices and have ...
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2answers
83 views
Does kalpa bheda explanation for reconciling different narrative in puranas have scriptural basis?
Some sects use kalpa bheda or manvantara bheda to explain contradictions in the events narrated differently in different puranas and when there exists no way to reconcile them.
Does such explanation ...
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0answers
48 views
What's difference between Rishi, Rajarishi, Maha Rishi, Brahma Rishi and Saptarishi? [duplicate]
I have heard a lot about those rishis. I know these are categories or may be level/rank of rishis. "Rishis" are bottom level and "Saptarishi" are top level. But what made them any of these? I mean, If ...
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1answer
80 views
What does the term “Adhikarika Purusha” mean?
What is the meaning of the term "Adhikarika Purusha"? Is it the Vedic equivalent to Abrahamic prophets? Which scriptures mention this term? How is it related to Vedanta? Are there any examples of such ...
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2answers
142 views
On what basis do Hindu philosophies say Atman exist? [duplicate]
Hindu philosophies, especially Vedanta, say there is 'the Self' which is the reason for the existence of our human body. However, science hasn't proven the existence of that. Moreover, according to ...
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1answer
106 views
Phrases like “Reflection of the real self” and “Space inside the pot”, are they simply theories?
Are they simply theories or are they actually mentioned in the upanishads? ... When it comes to the example of the two birds sitting on a tree, is it mentioned anywhere in the mundaka & ...
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1answer
524 views
What is a definition of being a Hindu and can one be a Hindu without being a particular caste? [duplicate]
To illustrate being a Christian means, I have faith that Jesus is the son of God is our saviour, put my faith in Lord the Father, Lord the Christ and the Holy Ghost. Rest all are historic developments....
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2answers
207 views
What is the meaning of Para?
Parabrahma, Paramatma, ParaShiva, Parampitha, Paraparam
When we insert Para before a word it becomes great. So what is meaning of Para as per our scriptures?
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3answers
432 views
What is called for those who have not realized their Saguna or Nirguna bodies?
Whoever has awakened to the true nature of their being is called Brahman in Hindu.
What is the called for those, who have not awakened to the true Nature ?
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1answer
135 views
What is the difference between Mukti and Moksha
As already requested in my earlier question if the Jivatma didn't stay more than 5 days either in moksha and naraka. However what's the difference between mukti and moksha.
Do you someone have any ...
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0answers
19 views
At what point of time the SanAtana Dharma was started to be known as “SanAtana Dharma”? [duplicate]
"Hinduism" is typically known as a religion or set of religions . In broader sense, it's also called a "way of life". See:
Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is not a religion but simply a way ...
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1answer
77 views
Does yajur Veda samhita also use asura in positive context?
Asura word is used in positive context in rig vedic samhita, but do other Vedas like yajur, atharva use them in same context i.e. positively ?
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How exactly do we define devotion?
I would like to understand the definition of the term 'devotion' from two different perspective:
Bachelor person (brahmchari)
Married person
Reason is that as a bachelor you are free to opt for any ...
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0answers
51 views
What is the meaning of “Aum”? [duplicate]
I have heard that many saints saying aum when they are in meditation. Not only saints, but many mantras like:
aum namah shivaya; aum sreekrishnaya namah
have "aum" present in it.
Questions:
...
5
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3answers
132 views
Shaivism or Shivaism?
What is the correct term to use, Shaivism or Shivaism? I could not find a good source about how the word Shaiva (Saiva, Caiva) appeared and when.
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what is the meaning of Sage? [duplicate]
In an abridged version
of Brahmanda Purana,
After a while, he saw Indra riding the elephant Iravata. The sage approached Indra, who did not appear to recognise and prostrate to the sage. However, ...
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5answers
406 views
Who is considered Hindu?
Keeping geographical location aside, who is considered to be a Hindu? (i.e. not belonging to other religions)
Should that person accept authority of someone (Vedas, some God, philosophy etc.)?
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1answer
90 views
Does the state of Moksha differ for different sects?
In another question, I asked if Ajamila attained Moksha and the reply was "He attained the abode of Vishnu". Is that only a Vaishnavite definition of Moksha? What other definitions exist in ...
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Is the notion of “Godhead” opposed to Vaishnavite theology?
Wiki of Godhead in Christianity says:
Godhead (or godhood), is the divinity or substance (ousia) of the Christian God, the substantial impersonal being of God, as opposed to the individual persons ...
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If Hinduism is not the same as Sanatana Dharma, in what way are they different?
That the names Hinduism was given by foreigners means nothing. After all, "India" is a foreign-origin name. Sanatana Dharma by definition extends back to the remotest past and would live forever. ...
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34 views
Is there any definition for gods? [duplicate]
In Hinduism lot of gods available. Is there any definition for gods in Hinduism? How the gods are identified?
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78 views
How can everybody attain Moksha if the new descendents are always born & certain Karma-s are always lingering?
Moksha implies freedom from the cycle of rebirth. In theory thus anybody can attain it, including lower species who may ascend to higher consciousness.
What about the latest descendents, who will ...
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0answers
30 views
What is the difference: Tapas (तपस्) vs Yajna (यज्ञ)? [duplicate]
What's the terminology difference between Tapas-austerities and Yajna-sacrifice/perseverance?
Also when to choose one over the other?
7
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1answer
133 views
When was the expression “Sanatana Dharma” first used and what does it mean?
Does it mean it has existed forever and would exist forever? Does it mean it is changeless? The evidence shows that India is now only 80 percent Hindu and there are all kinds of forces trying to ...
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2answers
277 views
What does the expression “kalpa bheda” mean?
I see this expression a lot to explain seeming contradictions in puranas. kalpa-bheda could mean difference between kalpas - does that mean all puranic stories happen repeatedly from one kalpa to the ...
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0answers
168 views
Are Merkaba and Sri Yantra the same thing?
I was reading an article about Merkaba and it says:
A merkaba is a star tetrahedron, a three dimensional 8 pointed star
made from two triangular pyramids, one pointing up and the other down.
...
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0answers
60 views
Is hetuvāda now a derogatory term? In what context did Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata use the word?
The Monier Williams dictionary defines hetuvāda as:
हेतु--वाद
m. a statement of reasons or arguments, assigning a cause, disputation MBh. R.
I see two sources next to the meaning:
MBh. ...
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2answers
226 views
Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is not a religion but simply a way of life?
I have seen in many answers here that a lot of people have this notion that Hinduism is a way of life (as opposed to a well-defined religion. I find this notion amusing because I think Hinduism is ...
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1answer
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What's the meaning & relevance of LIC logo “yogakshemam vahamyaham”? [closed]
What's the philosophy of "yogakshemam vahamyaham" & how is it relevant to LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India)?
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते | तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां यो...
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What is the difference between — “Hypnotism” and “Divya Drushti” granted to Arjuna by Krishna?
Currently, not much information is available about Hypnotism in Hinduism .SE.
Let's draw parallels between Krishna granting Divya Drushti to Arjuna [BG 11.8] and the typical Hypnotism (Vashikarana) ...
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1answer
423 views
What was the name of 'Hindustan' before 'Bharat'?
Well I know that 'Hindustan' was called 'Bharat' after the name of king Bharat, but curious to know what was the ancient name prior to that?
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0answers
89 views
What is the difference between Devas and Asuras? [duplicate]
Devas are the benevolent and asuras are manevolent. Asuras used to take captive of Devas. Other than this, any historical comparison to devas and asuras?
What are the meanings of these terms?
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3answers
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What is “Brahm” in “Brahmacharya”? How does it relate to celibacy?
My perception was that, "Brahm"(ब्रह्म) in "Brahmacharya"(ब्रह्मचर्य) is the same "Brahm", which is referred in Gita at many places. In this site, we mainly refer it as "Brahman" (ब्रह्मन्). And "...
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1answer
256 views
Who is a pasandi?
The word ''Pasandi'' comes numerous times in the Chaitanya Charitamrita while ISKCON uses the word to describe ''devotees of demigods''. What is the meaning of this word according to the scriptures?
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What is the relation between Niti , Nyaya and Dharma?
Ruling Lands of great Kings are said to be complete in Niti , Nyaya and Dharma without any decline.
While solving problems, these three must be there in judgement and one must only live considering ...
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0answers
122 views
What is Purva Mimansa Arthavada
Arthavada is a term associated with the least famous Purva Mimansa established by Rishi Jaimini. What is Arthavada and how does Uttara Mimansa counteract against this Arthavada.
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2answers
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Can present day teachers be considered as Gurus?
From Mahabaratha, Ramayana we find Guru's like Dronacharya, Viswamitra, Sandipani etc.,
It is emphasized many times in Mahabaratha that Guru should be respected well. If a person humiliates/ ...
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Sanatana dharma or Hindu [duplicate]
From somewhere I came to know 'Hindu' is a geographical word, it is not a religious one. Original word is 'Sanatana'. Is it true?
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105 views
Difference between Danam and Dharma?
What is the difference between danam and dharma I cannot find out the difference in any of the scriptures as Karna is called the dana warrior and Yudhishthira is called of dharma
Can anyone help me.......
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2answers
711 views
Why is Brahma referred as Viranchi in Scriptures?
In some scriptures Brahma is referred as Viranchi (विरञ्चि):
Whenever I see sun raising in early morning, following mantra automatically pops out from my mind/month:
नमः सवित्रे जगदेकचक्षुषे । ...
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1answer
540 views
Definition of Bhagavan as per Vishnu Purana
What is the definition of Bhagavan as per Vishnu Purana?
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2answers
373 views
Aesthetics in Hinduism
Is there a branch of philosophy in Hinduism about aesthetics? By aesthetics I mean the western notions of the term as we currently understand to be one of the main branches of western philosophy. I do ...
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1answer
873 views
What is the significance of or symbolism behind Ajanbahu?
This wiki article describes Ajanbahu as
a person, whose length of arms is so that his finger touch his knee
It also claims that many Hindu Gods are Ajanbahu.
Is there any deeper spiritual ...
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3answers
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What is Adhyatma (spiritual)?
I am looking for a precise scriptural definition of Adhyatma (अध्यात्म) which is also known as spiritual in English.
So, Let me ask relevant questions:
What is the definition (meaning) of Adhyatma?
...
