The Hindu Worldview
Means "deed" or "action" and the consequences
karma
An Elephant-headed deity that is the remover of obstacles; offspring of Shiva and Parvati
Ganesh
Term used to describe any number of spiritual practices in Hinduism; more specifically to clear the mind for a state of heightened awareness; means "yoke" or "union"
Yoga
This country is best known for its practice of Hinduism
India
These people make up the highest caste in Hindu society
Brahmins
Refers to one's spiritual duty
Dharma
The veneration of the goddess in all her forms
Shaktism
A worldview that understands reality to be composed of two fundamental aspects or forces
Dualism
The warrior nomadic groups that brought its spiritual practice to the Indus Valley
The Aryans
The name for Hindu worship
Puja
One's essential self; the soul
This god is an incarnation of Vishnu, depicted as a herdsman an flutist; featured in the Bhagavad-Gita
Krishna
A repeated phrase of sacred significance
Mantra
An ancient collection of hymns and prayers addressed to the Hindu deities
The Vedas
Considered the most important of the Hindu Life Stages
Householder
The Hindu world for ultimate reality
Brahman
Shiva
This philosophical tradition is perhaps the oldest of the three, holds that suffering is caused by the inability to differentiate between the two fundamental aspects of life
Samkhya
The most important part of the Vedas
The Rig Veda
The name for the "untouchable" caste in Hindu society
Dalit
The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
Samsara
This is the symbol of male fertility associated with Shiva
Lingam
This philosophical tradition is monistic, believes suffering is caused by the veil of Maya
Avaita Vedanta
The most appropriate/accurate term for the spiritual practices of India
Sanatana Dharma
This is the last of the Hindu Life Stages
Sannyasin