Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about terms and jargon used in Hinduism.
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Sanskrit references for the usage of the word varna for a given sense
The word Varna has been used by scriptures in different senses/meanings based on the context. This question is restricted to usage of Varna in Humans only.
I know at-least five senses:
Varna assigned ...
2
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0answers
32 views
Meaning of chitraguptha and its corresponding entity in Jiva
Chitragupta, according to widely known belief, is a god who stays near Yama and records all the karma of an individual.
The actual meaning of Yama, according to a dictionary is
The one who decides ...
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votes
1answer
108 views
Why is Ramana Maharshi referred with the title of “Bhagwaan”?
According to his Wikipedia:
Ramana Maharshi was an Indian Hindu sage and a jivanmukta (liberated being). He was born Venkataraman Iyer, but is mostly known by the name Bhagavān Sri Ramana Maharshi.
...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
Partition of night in to parts
Night or nighttime (also spelled night-time or night time) is the period of ambient darkness from sunset to sunrise during each 24-hour day.
Consider the following statement of Vyasa from the ...
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0answers
60 views
What exactly is Vamachara?
For any great verses or naamas in scriptures, there can be different kinds of interpretations. Dharmic, vedic etc., are the types of interpretations.
I heard that there can be another type of ...
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2answers
144 views
A person capable of knowing anything and everything
In sanathan dharma, Sarvajna stands for a person who realizes that everything is Brahman.
So, Sarvajna is not the person I'm asking for.
I know that saguna brahman satisfies the property mentioned in ...
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1answer
114 views
Does apauruṣeyā mean truly authorless or simply 'no human author'? Or do different schools of philosophy interpret the word differently?
Does apauruṣeyā when applied to Vedas just mean 'not of human origin' leaving the possibility that a superhuman being could have authored them?
Or do different schools of Hindu philosophy interpret ...
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1answer
158 views
Person without parampara cannot be a sadhguru
Sadguru may have several definitions across scriptures.
I want a definition from scriptures that is similar to the following
A person is not eligible to be a Sadguru if (s)he has no known
parampara(...
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1answer
168 views
Who exactly are Charanas?
In Mahabharata and many other scriptures, there is a class of elite people called Charanas.
For example, consider the following excerpt from Mahabharata
The men carried the message in a trice to the ...
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0answers
161 views
Are many peetadhipathis pseudo Vedantists?
The term Pseudo Vedantist has been explained by Swami Sivananda in an article called "Pseudo-Vedantic Student".
Vedanta in the hands of raw and unregenerate persons who lack purity
and ...
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2answers
138 views
Raghuvamsha - Meaning of Kakapakshadhara
In Raghuvamsha Maha-kavya, chapter 11, stanza 1, why is Lord Rama referred to as Kakapakshadhara? What does it mean?
5
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1answer
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What is meant by Kavacha?
There are Kavachas for several gods and goddess.
Is it a mantra? If yes, then which mantras falls into the category of Kavacha? If no, then what is the exact (scriptural) definition for Kavacha?
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0answers
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Which scriptures should be suffixed with the term Samhita?
According to the Wikipedia
Samhita literally means "put together, joined, union", a "collection",
and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".
Samhita ...
3
votes
1answer
118 views
Is the word vanara mentioned for a particular race in scriptures can be different from monkeys?
According to the dictionary, the word वानर has multiple meanings. One among them is Monkey.
But others include ape, Monkey-like etc.,
Hanuman, Sugreeva etc., are said to be of Vanara race.
In this ...
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2answers
715 views
What is meant by Adhi-Vyadhi?
I heard the word Adhi-Vyadhi (ఆధివ్యాధులు) several times in preachings as well as in scriptural books.
Example: From Sloka 3
What is the exact meaning for that word?
3
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2answers
296 views
Who exactly are nishadas?
Nala was a king of Nishadas
Vrihadaswa said, "There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena.
And he was strong, and handsome, and well-versed in (the knowledge of)
horses, and possessed of ...
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1answer
318 views
Is there a concept like the concept of Logos in Hinduism?
In western Philosophy, Jewish mysticism and Christianity there's an important concept, that is the concept of Logos.
This concept is important in theology, cosmology and creation of the world.
Is ...
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1answer
86 views
What is meant by the term Nirukta?
I would like to understand what exactly is 'Nirukta'?
What is it's origin?
Does it have any association with Sanskrit language?
Please do cite authentic references.
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1answer
185 views
What does the term Āstika-Nāstika mean- as such - without any connection with one particular faith?
There are different shades of interpretation of the terms Āstika-Nāstika.
Most of the answers on this forum relate to the interpretations that are propounded by some vested groups to denigrate other ...
3
votes
2answers
210 views
Meaning of Ghataka Shruti
Advaita follows Abheda Shruti, Dvaita Bheda Shruti. Vishishtadvaita follows Ghataka Shruti.
Abheda Shruti means passages from Shruti literature which talk about non-difference. Bheda Shruti means ...
3
votes
2answers
222 views
What actually transfers during rebirth?
Consider the concept of rebirth in Hinduism.
Is there any established definition for rebirth in Hinduism?
Hinduism supports the idea of rebirth.
As per my understanding, in general, the following ...
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vote
2answers
876 views
What is the meaning of upasana?
I heard many times the word Upasana. Upasana is used as suffix to the names of god or goddesses. For example: Sri Vidya upasana, Siva upasana etc.,
What is the meaning for the term upasana?
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1answer
74 views
Is Jnana means knowledge alone or knowledge by experience in Hinduism?
We come across the word Jnana several times in Hinduism.
In general, Jnana stands for knowledge. But there are several types of knowledge. Knowledge of a human may come from books, experience etc., ...
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0answers
68 views
What is meant by bhaya(fear) yogi?
What is meant by bhaya yogi? And is the term bhaya yogi anywhere mentioned in scriptures?
4
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1answer
800 views
What is the difference between a stotra, stava, stuti, sukta and mantra?
What is the difference between a stotra, stava, stuti, sukta and mantra? Please give examples of each to explain.
Would be helpful if any references can be quoted from scriptures.
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votes
3answers
620 views
Mythology vs itihasa?
What is the more appropriate English word to be used when we talk about Ramayana, Mahabharata, or puranas and other scriptures? The use of the word "mythology" is quite common but I hear that "...
2
votes
1answer
133 views
What is the exact scriptural meaning of Shraddha?
In chapter 4 verse 39 of Geetha, lord Krishna told that a person with Shraddha achieves gnanam.
In this context what is the exact meaning of Shraddha according to scriptures?
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0answers
136 views
What is the meaning of mahavakya and how was/is it used?
What is the meaning of mahavakya? What was/is it used for, I mean what is its importance? What does mahavakya convey? This is not specifically with respect to Advaita Vedanta, but in general whichever ...
4
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2answers
503 views
What is the difference between Avadhuta and Jivanmukta?
What is the main difference between Avadhuta and Jivanmukta?
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2answers
4k views
Alternative to “rest in peace” (RIP)
What should be said on the death of a Hindu, instead of RIP?
I am given to understand that religions like Christianity and Islam use the phrase RIP in relation to a dead person, so that he/she ...
3
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1answer
201 views
Who are the Samaneans?
St. Jerome, in his Against Jovinianus bk. 2 (393 A.D.) c. 14, divides the
Gymnosophists of India [into two classes,] the one [of which is] called Brahmans, the other Samaneans [Samanæos], who are ...
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2answers
357 views
What is implied by the word 'Desika'
As titles of some Acharyas, the word 'Desika' or 'Desikan' are used.What is the meaning of this word according to the scriptures?
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0answers
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Why did SriSailapurna say Sri Ramanuja's brother that Lord Shiva is 'Lila-dveshi'?
I read in a biography of Sri Ramanujacharya that SriSailapurna asked Sri Ramanuja's brother Govinda, who was a devotee of Lord Shiva, to discard Shiva and worship Narayana instead, as Lord Shiva is '...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the difference between Devata, Upadevata and Apadevata?
What is the difference between Devata, Upadevata and Apadevata?
We have come across these terms several times and each is referred to the same entity consciously or not consciously. People use the ...
5
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1answer
382 views
What is difference between achintya and anirvachaniya?
Gaudiya Vaishnava Vedanta uses a term "achintya" (inconceivable).
Advaita Vedanta uses a term "anirvachaniya" (inexplicable).
What is difference between achintya and anirvachaniya? In what situations ...
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2answers
743 views
Why does ISKCON translate bhagavan as 'Supreme Personality of Godhead' and others as demigod?
Why does ISKCON translate bhagavan as 'Supreme Personality of Godhead' instead of just 'O fortunate one' or 'O glorious one' or 'one with opulences'. Only when Krishna or Vishnu or Rama or other ...
3
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3answers
121 views
What are the different concepts of Maya available in different scriptures and different sects?
What are the different concepts of Maya available in different scriptures and different sects? Please mention the uniqueness of each concept clearly.
3
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1answer
485 views
Scriptural basis for the spirit of the term 'Daridra-Narayana' coined by Swami Vivekananda
To inspire His countrymen to serve the poor masses of India, Swami Vivekananda coined a beautiful term 'Daridra-Narayana'. Can anyone provide a scriptural shloka or instruction that contains the ...
2
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1answer
118 views
What is meant by Karika bhasya?
What is meaning of Karika bhasya(commentarary)? How is it different from normal bhasyas?
What are examples of few Karika bhasyas apart from Gaudapada Karika bhasya on Mandukya upanishad?
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1answer
120 views
What is the nearest Hindu term for “numinous”?
Wikipedia gives following information for Numinous:
Numinous (/ˈnjuːmɪnəs/) is an English adjective, derived from the Latin numen, meaning "arousing spiritual or religious emotion; mysterious or ...
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0answers
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What is meant by 'kala sarpa'?
Some scriptures contain the word kala sarpa. It is treated as an inauspicious thing.
What exactly is kala sarpa?
2
votes
1answer
116 views
Where are drona and shiva used as meters, what other meters are there similarly?
I learned recently about Koorathaazhvar and Kulothunga Chola's apparent argument, although I'm not interested in the context it was used, I'm curious about the question, as what and when are these ...
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0answers
46 views
Is akshaya(अक्षय) used as substitute of thousands (numbers) any where?
Akshaya in Hindu texts is generally translated as everlasting, forever etc.,
Does Akshaya is used anywhere in the scriptures as a substitute for large numbers (hundreds, thousands etc.,)?
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1answer
68 views
What is Natal chart and where it has been mentioned?
What is meant by Natal chart?
Which text describes about Natal chart in detail?
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0answers
56 views
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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69 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
323 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 ...
3
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1answer
329 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
1k 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 ...
4
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1answer
332 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, ...
