Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about terms and jargon used in Hinduism.
135 questions
11
votes
3
answers
1k
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 "...
- 551
2
votes
1
answer
238
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?
- 32k
3
votes
0
answers
154
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 ...
- 4,299
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is the difference between Avadhuta and Jivanmukta?
What is the main difference between Avadhuta and Jivanmukta?
- 32k
11
votes
2
answers
5k
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 ...
- 471
3
votes
1
answer
362
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 ...
- 297
8
votes
2
answers
440
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?
user17294
5
votes
0
answers
310
views
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 '...
user17294
3
votes
1
answer
3k
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 ...
- 747
5
votes
1
answer
870
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 ...
user2612
10
votes
4
answers
1k
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 ...
user2612
3
votes
3
answers
166
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.
user17294
3
votes
1
answer
833
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 ...
user17294
2
votes
1
answer
214
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?
user16895
-2
votes
1
answer
149
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 ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
104
views
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?
- 32k
5
votes
1
answer
117
views
Which is the earliest scripture to use the word "varna" to denote caste?
The Rig Vedic Purusha Sukta mentions Rajanya, Brahmin, Vaishya and Sudra, but doesn't call them Varnas. Which scripture first uses the word varna for the classification-scheme?
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
146
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 ...
- 29
8
votes
1
answer
172
views
Who coined the term "neo-vedanta?"
Some folks on this site are saying:
This term was invented by Western Christian orientalists to denigrate the Hindu religion...
Paul Hacker coined Neo-Vedanta for the spread of Christianity and ...
- 31.2k
2
votes
0
answers
54
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.,)?
- 32k
2
votes
1
answer
87
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?
- 32k
1
vote
0
answers
83
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.
- 697
2
votes
1
answer
116
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?
3
votes
0
answers
697
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 ...
- 3,699
4
votes
1
answer
590
views
What does mayavad and tattvavad mean?
What are the meanings of the terms mayavad and tattvavad? What are the differences between them?
user16895
8
votes
2
answers
2k
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 ...
- 2,454
4
votes
1
answer
698
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, ...
- 19.9k
2
votes
1
answer
139
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 ...
- 199
9
votes
3
answers
679
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 ...
user16618
2
votes
0
answers
409
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 ...
- 3,699
5
votes
1
answer
450
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 ...
user9969
3
votes
2
answers
860
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 ...
- 3,969
5
votes
1
answer
224
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 & ...
- 2,652
6
votes
1
answer
596
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....
user15877
3
votes
2
answers
738
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?
- 3,481
6
votes
3
answers
473
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 ?
- 1,470
7
votes
1
answer
2k
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 ...
- 2,175
5
votes
1
answer
148
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 ?
- 2,599
4
votes
0
answers
58
views
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 ...
- 8,958
1
vote
0
answers
70
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:
...
user14752
6
votes
4
answers
321
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.
- 431
1
vote
0
answers
52
views
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, ...
- 157
14
votes
7
answers
1k
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.)?
- 19.9k
6
votes
1
answer
182
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 ...
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
81
views
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 ...
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
125
views
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. ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
40
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?
- 545
10
votes
1
answer
598
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 ...
2
votes
0
answers
46
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?
- 19.9k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
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 ...
- 1