Sacred Texts
Gods/Followers
Paths/Philosophies
Castes
Beliefs
100
Term denoting the category of Vedic literature accepted by orthodox Hindus as revealed truth.
What is shruti?
100
A “descent” of God (usually Vishnu) to earth in a physical form with the specific goal of aiding the world.
What is an avatar?
100
Duty, righteousness, “religion”; basis for living in a way that upholds cosmic and social order.
What is dharma?
100
Term for caste or class; the four main classes form the basis of the traditional hierarchical organization of Hindu society.
What is varna?
100
The continuing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; also the thisworldly realm in which the cycle recurs.
What is samsara?
200
Broadly, all Vedic literature; narrowly, four ancient collections (samhitas) of hymns and other religious material.
What are the Vedas?
200
For monistic Hinduism, the supreme, unitary reality, the ground of all Being. For dualistic Hinduism, this can refer to the supreme God (e.g. Vishnu).
What is Brahman?
200
Action; also the consequences of action.
What is karma?
200
A member of the priestly class of the varna or caste system.
What is brahmin?
200
The eternal self or soul that is successively reincarnated until released from samsara through moksha.
What is atman?
300
Term denoting the vast category of Hindu sacred texts that is not shruti.
What is smriti?
300
A devotee of Vishnu and his avatars.
What is Vaishnava?
300
The path of devotion.
What is bhakti Yoga?
300
A member of the producer (farmer and merchant) class of the varna or caste system.
What is vaishya?
300
Liberation, the final release from samsara.
What is moksha?
400
A philosophical text from the later period of Vedic literature, also called Vedanta (“end of the Vedas”).
What are the Upanishads?
400
A devotee of Shiva.
What is Shaiva?
400
The path of ethical and ritual works, or “action.”
What is karma Yoga?
400
Self-designation of people who had traditionally been classified as untouchables or outcastes.
What is dalit?
400
A ritual formula recited to produce a spiritual effect.
What is mantra?
500
A compendium of myth, usually with a sectarian emphasis.
What is Purana?
500
A devotee of the Great Goddess, Devi.
What is Shakta?
500
The path of wisdom
What is Jnana yoga?
500
A member of the warrior and administrator class of the varna or caste system.
What is kshatriya?
500
The primordial sound through which the universe is manifested.
What is OM or AUM?
M
e
n
u