Glossary

Question 0

Key word: Brahman

Answer 0

The universal spirit behind all things

Question 1

Key word: Atman

Answer 1

The soul passed in the Samsara cycle from Brahman to Moksha (where it is reunited with Brahman)

Question 2

Key word: Brahma

Answer 2

The creator (part of Trimurti) 
Consort = Saraswati 
Vehicle = Swan (wisdom)

Question 3

Key word: Vishnu

Answer 3

The sustainer (part of Trimurti) 
Consort = Lakshmi 
Vehicle = Cobra (infinity)

Question 4

Key word: Shiva

Answer 4

The destroyer (part of the Trimurti) 
Consort = Parvati 
Vehicle = Bull

Question 5

Key word: Brahmin

Answer 5

Highest varna (caste) - priests, scholars, preserving teachings

Question 6

Key word: Samsara

Answer 6

Cycle of life, death, rebirth & liberation

Controlled by karma

Question 7

Key word: Maya

Answer 7

Goal to leave pleasure & pain behind to reach a state of bliss

Question 8

Key word: Varna

Answer 8

Caste: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas & Shudras

Question 9

Key word: Ashrama

Answer 9

Stages of life: students, householder, retired, renunciation

Question 10

Key word: Dharma

Answer 10

Duties: spiritual (Sanatanadharma) or personal (Varnashramadharma)

Question 11

Key word: Puja

Answer 11

Worship - paying respects in homage to God for His blessing, as an individual act of devotion

Question 12

Key word: Arti

Answer 12

Worship using lights (lamp is lit & rotated)

Question 13

Key word: Mandir

Answer 13

Hindu Temple - place of worship

Question 14

Key word: Kumkum

Answer 14

Red powder found in the shrine room/ Mandir, put on statue & own forehead

Question 15

Key word: Kumbh Mela

Answer 15

World’s largest pilgrimage - bathe in Ganges & Sangam, talk with holy people & procession
Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik & Allahabad (biggest)

Question 16

Key word: Ahimsa

Answer 16

Non-violence to all living things

Question 17

Key word: Prashaad

Answer 17

Food offered to & blessed by God

Question 18

Key word: Lingam

Answer 18

Shiva’s phallus - cosmic pillar reaching from the bowels of earth to the heavens
Signifies his energy to (re)generate life

Question 19

Key word: Avatar

Answer 19

An embodiment/incarnation of a God (V/S/B)

Question 20

Key word: Trimurti

Answer 20

Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva - they have avatars, partners, children & helpers
Embodiment of Brahman

Question 21

Key word: Moksha

Answer 21

Liberation of the Atman (joins Brahman) through Samsara cycle, reached by Karma, Bhakti & Mukti

Question 22

Key word: Deva

Answer 22

God

Question 23

Key word: Guru

Answer 23

Teacher

Question 24

Key word: Mahabharata

Answer 24

World's longest poem (by Vyasa) - argument between Kauravas and Pandavas Contains Bhagavad Gita

Question 25

Key word: Ramayana

Answer 25

Epic poem - Rama & Sita story - duties, faiths & relationships Sins washed away if read

Question 26

Key word: Vedas

Answer 26

Priest teachings - 4 main parts including Upanishads ('knowledge')

Question 27

Key word: Karma yoga

Answer 27

Unselfish action - daily work/duties selflessly, without desire for rewards

Question 28

Key word: Jnana yoga

Answer 28

Knowledge & understanding - self realisation, deep meditation & oneness with God

Question 29

Key word: Raja yoga

Answer 29

Self control over senses & mind, deep contemplation & freed from lust/anger/sadness etc Highest form of yoga

Question 30

Key word: Bhakti yoga

Answer 30

Devotion to God - loving relationship with deity, praising, chanting & singing

Question 31

Key word: Bhajans

Answer 31

Hymns/songs

Question 32

Key word: Seva

Answer 32

Selfless service to others

Question 33

Key word: Yajna

Answer 33

Hindu rituals include an aspect of sacrifice

Question 34

Key word: Shakti

Answer 34

Goddess female energy, which gives life or actuates the male God

Question 35

Key word: Darshan

Answer 35

'Viewing' - paying respects to image & receiving blessing

Question 36

Key word: Havan

Answer 36

Sacred fire, blessed by priest, with Goddess Agni & used in worship

Question 37

Key word: Rangoli

Answer 37

Special powders made from coloured patters & displayed on ground

Question 38

Key word: Antarala

Answer 38

The bit between the main shrine & the Mandap (steps)

Question 39

Key word: Garbagriha

Answer 39

'Womb house' - centre focus, inner sanctum where Murti (image) of Deity is

Question 40

Key word: Mandap

Answer 40

A hall where people sit, in the Mandir

Question 41

Key word: Vahana

Answer 41

Vehicle

Question 42

Key word: Diwali

Answer 42

Festival of lights, celebrates return of Rama & Sita from exile

Question 43

Key word: Holi

Answer 43

Festival of colours

Question 44

Key word: Varanasi

Answer 44

City of Shiva - his temple = Vishwanath

Question 45

Key word: Ganga

Answer 45

Holy river

Question 46

Key word: Ghats

Answer 46

Funeral pyres/site

Question 47

Key word: Allahabad/Haridwar/Ujjain/Nashik

Answer 47

Kumbh Mela - Demi Gods hid pot of nectar from Demons there H/U/N: every 4 years A: every 12 years

Question 48

Key word: Samskaras

Answer 48

16 rituals that mark a new stage of life

Question 49

Key word: Jatakarma

Answer 49

Whispering name to baby & placing honey on its tongue (welcomes it)

Question 50

Key word: Harijans

Answer 50

'Children of God' (Ghandi said) - 5th Varna, below all others

Question 51

Key word: Smriti

Answer 51

Teachings interpreted for use of ordinary people

Question 52

Key word: Shruti

Answer 52

Hymns & teachings widely used by priests

Question 53

Key word: Aum

Answer 53

Sacred syllable which represents God

Question 54

Key word: Vivaha

Answer 54

Marriage ceremony

Question 55

Key word: Antyeshti

Answer 55

Funeral ceremony

Question 56

Key word: Pindas

Answer 56

Rice balls

Question 57

Key word: Shraddha

Answer 57

Service of mourning | Blessed food is offered to departed ancestors

Question 58

Key word: Karma

Answer 58

'Action' - cause & effect - every action has a consequence

Question 59

Key word: Hindu (origin of the word)

Answer 59

People of the Indus valley