The Divine Trinity (Trimurti)
This member of the Trimurti is known as the Creator of the universe.
Brahma
This sacred language is considered the primary language of Hindu scriptures and texts.
Sanskrit
This core concept represents ethical duty, moral order, and the righteous way of living.
Dharma
This vibrant "Festival of Lights" is celebrated in autumn to signify the triumph of good over evil.
Diwali
This sacred river is personified as a goddess, and bathing in its waters is believed to wash away sins.
Ganges (Ganga)
This member of the Trimurti is known as the Preserver and has taken ten major avatars, including Rama and Krishna.
Vishnu
This ancient, monumental epic describes the life of Prince Rama and his quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana.
Ramayana
This is the spiritual principle of cause and effect, where one's deeds and actions determine their destiny in future lives.
Karma
This is the sacred, highly recognizable symbol consisting of three curves and a dot, representing the supreme reality.
Om
This holy animal is highly revered as a symbol of life, non-violence, and maternal giving.
Cow
This member of the Trimurti is known as the Destroyer, dances the cosmic dance (Nataraja), and is often associated with meditation.
Shiva
This celebrated scripture features a crucial conversation right before a massive battle between the warrior Arjuna and the avatar Krishna.
Bhagavad Gita
This universal term refers to the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Samsara
This term describes the Hindu practice of ritual devotion, offering prayers, light, or food to a deity.
Puja
This sacred flower grows in muddy water but remains pristine, representing spiritual purity and enlightenment.
Lotus
This Hindu deity, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely revered as the "remover of obstacles" and has the head of an elephant.
Ganesha
These four oldest and most authoritative sacred texts lay the foundation for Hindu beliefs and rituals.
The Vedas
This is the ultimate spiritual goal in Hinduism: releasing the soul from the cycle of reincarnation and achieving unity with the divine.
Moksha
This major spring festival involves throwing brightly colored powders, bonfires, and celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
Holi
This ancient symbol of good fortune and prosperity features a cross with four bent arms.
Swastika
This fierce, multi-armed goddess is the consort of Shiva and represents the ultimate power (Shakti) that destroys evil.
Kali
This philosophical text contains the foundational teachings regarding Brahman and the eternal soul, translating to "sitting down near a teacher".
Upanishads
In Hindu philosophy, this is the supreme, universal, and eternal soul or ultimate reality that pervades everything.
Brahman
This early morning period (usually between 3:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.) is considered the most auspicious time for meditation and spiritual pursuits.
Brahma Muhurta
This ancient city on the banks of the Ganges is considered the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri).
Varanasi (Kashi)