Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about terms and jargon used in Hinduism.
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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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Is there any difference between 'ajna chakra' and the 'third eye' of a human?
When I try to know more about the stages of a yogi, I read more discussions about a chakra named Ajna. There are numerous mentions of this chakra in several scriptures. Lalitha Sahastranaama also ...
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Is it proper to call "world in swapna" as srusti?
There are three avasthas for humans: Jagrath, Swapna, and Sushuphi.
In Jagrath avastha, srusthi of Brahma exists and humans experience their karma in the srusthi.
In Swapna avastha also there are ...
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What is the origin of the word "Hindu"?
It is a fact that the term "Hindu" derives from the river "Sindh". But most of Hinduism's tenets and teachings derive from the Vedas. Why wasn't it named after the Vedas, but it's rather given a name ...
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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?
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What is the source of “mananāt trāyatē iti mantrah”?
Definition of Mantra: “mananāt trāyatē iti mantrah” (मननात् त्रायते इति मंत्रः)
That which protects/releases by repetition/contemplation is called a Mantra.
The sustained repetition/contemplation (...
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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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Simple definition of karma according to Hinduism
I wanted to ask about the simple definition of karma according to Hinduism. In most websites or sources I've come across Karma means Action/Deed, but on one website it says "Karma means only good ...
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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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What do the terms "Sanchit Karma" and "Prarabdha", mean?
What do the terms "Sanchit Karma" and "Prarabdha", mean?
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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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What is the significance of or symbolism behind AjanubAhu (आजानुबाहु)?
This wiki article describes AjanubAhu as
a person, whose length of arms is so that his finger touch his knee
It also claims that many Hindu Gods, saints, kings or great warriors are AjanubAhu.
Is ...
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What is the difference between the two words - Jagat and Vishva?
The two words जगत (jagat) and विश्व (vishva) are both Sanskrit in origin and are also used synonymously in common Hindi parlance.
In English, both translate to either 'world' or 'universe', or more ...
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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 ...
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What is the meaning of Sachidanand?
What is the meaning of Sachidanand? What does the word "Sachidanand mean?
I think the word can be broken into - Sat + Chit + Anand.
Does it have some relation with Brahmha (Sat) , Chit (Vishnu) ...
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What do the words 'Dhatu,' 'Moola,' and 'Jeeva' mean in Vedic astrology?
What do the words 'Dhatu,' 'Moola,' and 'Jeeva' mean in Vedic astrology?
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Is the period of one muhurta fixed, and what is the ghatika which is mentioned in panchanga?
Muhurta is considered approximately 48 minutes.
But it is determined as 1/30 of the day, so if the length of the day is changing will the period of muhurta also change?
Also, panchanga mentions ghati ...
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Are static and mobile mounts of Gods called by different names?
Vishnu lies on Adisesha but uses Garuda to move around. Garuda is called "vahana" I believe, but how about Sesha? What is Sesha considered?
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What is Sam-Dan-Danda-Bhed?
Whenever, in India, we get into a conflict with someone, we use the phrase "Sam-dan-danda-bhed" to resolve the matter. What is it, and what exactly does it mean? Please explain it with ...
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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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Meaning of words in a marriage/baby shower invitation
I recently came across an invitation for baby shower. I have mentioned below some terms mentioned in it on which i wanted some clarification/their meaning.
Dhouhitran (and there was another word with ...
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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 "...
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What is the difference between 'chetana' and 'chaitanya'?
We generally come across these two words in the scriptures. For example, you can see both in Lalitha sahastranaamas.
Although they look similar, the meanings of both are different. Afaik, Chaitanya ...
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Why is India also called Bharata?
Sanatana Dharma originated in India. India also has another name: "Bharata/Bharathavarsha". The term ArshaBharata culture is commonly used for pointing out the Sanatana Dharma in South India. How did ...
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What are all the entities that are induced by ones kula (कुल)?
The word कुल is used across scriptures in different contexts. I am using the meaning of family here. Many entities are induced in an individual born in a kula.
I want to know all the entities that are ...
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is the term baba mentioned in scriptures?
we the have titles called BABA for saints like
Neem karoli Baba
Sai Baba
Satya Sai Baba
Baba Ramdev
Is scriptures talks about this baba term and what does it mean? Could any saint be given baba titles?...
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Is there a precise statement in scripture to delimit what scriptures have the status of being "Vedic" (in Sanskrit वैदिक)?
"Vedic" here only means the adjectival form of Vedas - not "scriptures having the status of Vedas", "scriptures based on Vedas", "scriptures that explain the Vedas&...
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Is the deity of the Sun (Surya) a 'Devatā', or a 'Bhagvān, ' according to major sects?
What's the status of Surya as a deity as per acharyas of major sects (currently Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shaktas)?
Adi Shankaracharya listed him as one of the five equally worship-worthy Pañcayatan deities. ...
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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 the usage of Varna in Humans only.
I know at least five senses:
Varna ...
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What is the fundamental difference between 'lok' and 'jagat'?
We generally refer Jagat to our physical universe. I think there is no ambiguity about it. Hence, Jagat is the same for all living beings living in the same physical universe with a physical body.
But,...
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What exactly can be the concept of possessing in this context?
We frequently encounter the phenomenon of "someone possessing the others" in the scriptures. One example can be found here. I provided below another example of kali possessing Nala.
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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 meant by 'kala sarpa'?
Some scriptures contain the word kala sarpa. It is treated as an inauspicious thing.
What exactly is kala sarpa?
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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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What is the meaning of the word 'Gītā (गीता)'?
Well, it's a no-brainer that etymologically, the word 'gītā' literally means 'that which is sung or chanted'.
However, by that logic even Rāmacaritamānasa is sung or chanted, or even a daily ārtī (आरती...
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What is the essential difference between Śaraṇāgati (शरणागति) and Prapatti (प्रपत्ति)?
Sanskrit Kosha dictionary gives:-
Śaraṇāgati (शरणागति): surrender
Prapatti (प्रपत्ति): Pious resignation or devotion.
Shri Shailacarya (18th century) uses the words interchangeably in Chapter 18 ...
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Does the term - 'Vedānta (वेदान्त)' occur in any canonical text?
Vedānta is the most popular 'School of Thought' within Hinduism.
As per Wikipedia:
Vedānta also (called) Uttara Mīmāṃsā, is one of the six (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy.
Literally meaning &...
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What is the definition of Veda?
What is the definition of Veda?
I listen to the following two lines but could not understand. And like to know.
"to know" is Veda. How?
"Veda is Akhand" what does it mean?
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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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What are Avidya, Maya and Ignorance according to Advaita?
According to Advaita, I want to get a clear understanding of the following terms:
Avidya
Maya
Ignorance
What are Avidya, Maya, and Ignorance? And what is the difference/relationship between them?
In ...
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What is Turiya and how can we realize it?
While reading Vivekachudamani, commentaries on some of the Mukhya Upanishads, (Jnaneshwari) Bhagavad Gita & Yoga Vasistha, I found that they are talking about the different state of Chitt viz. ...
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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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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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What exactly is Hrudayam?
There are several similar and related terms in the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma. But there will be subtle differences between those terms. Manas, Chitta, buddhi, Hrudayam are one such example.
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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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Raghuvamsha - Meaning of Kakapakshadhara
In Raghuvamsha Maha-kavya, chapter 11, stanza 1, why is Lord Rama referred to as Kakapakshadhara? What does it mean?
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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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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.
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