Words & Concepts

Bhagavad Gita:
Comprehensive Analysis


Bhagavad Gita:
Commentaries


Bhagavad Gita:
Sanskrit Linguist


Key Words from the Bhagavad Gita


The Bhagavad Gita, a revered text in Hindu philosophy, contains a rich vocabulary that is both profound and symbolic. Below is a list of important words frequently used in the Gita, along with their definitions and etymologies.


1. Aham Brahmasmi

  • Definition: “Aham Brahmasmi” is a Sanskrit phrase from Advaita Vedanta philosophy meaning “I am Brahman,” emphasizing the non-dualistic identity of the individual soul with the ultimate reality.

  • Etymology: “Aham” (I), “Brahma” (universal consciousness), “Asmi” (am).

2. Arjuna

  • Definition: The protagonist, a prince and warrior counseled by Krishna.

  • Etymology: Means “bright,” from Sanskrit “Arj” (to shine, be bright).

3. Atman

  • Definition: The self, soul, or spirit; the true essence beyond the physical.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “at” (to breathe), symbolizing the essence of life.

4. Bhakti

  • Definition: Devotion; loving devotion towards a personal god.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “bhaj” (to share, partake, love).

5. Dharma

  • Definition: Righteous duty, moral order, or one’s rightful duty.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “dhṛ” (to hold, maintain, keep).

6. Guna

  • Definition: Quality or attribute; three gunas are sattva, rajas, tamas.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “gun” (string, quality).

7. Jnana

  • Definition: Knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge or wisdom.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “jñā” (to know).

8. Karma

  • Definition: Action or deed; the cycle of cause and effect.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “kṛ” (to do, perform, accomplish).

9. Krishna

  • Definition: The charioteer of Arjuna, incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

  • Etymology: Means “dark,” from Sanskrit “kṛṣ” (to attract).

10. Maya

  • Definition: Illusion; the material world perceived through senses.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “mā” (to measure, form, build).

11. Moksha

  • Definition: Liberation or release; freedom from rebirth.

  • Etymology: From Sanskrit “muc” (to free, release).

12. Paramatman

  • Definition: Supreme Self or Universal Soul, identical with Brahman.

  • Etymology: “Parama” (supreme) + “Atman” (self/soul).

13. Prakriti

  • Definition: Nature or the material world.

  • Etymology: “Pra” (beginning, front) + “kriti” (creation).

14. Purusha

  • Definition: Eternal, unchanging consciousness.

  • Etymology: Sanskrit “puruṣa” (man, spirit, cosmic principle).

15. Rita

  • Definition: Cosmic order, principle of truth governing the universe.

  • Etymology: Sanskrit “ṛ” (to flow, move), symbolizing cosmic order.

16. Samadhi

  • Definition: Intense meditation, union with the object of meditation.

  • Etymology: Sanskrit “sam” (together) + “ā-dhā” (to put, place).

17. Samsara

  • Definition: Cycle of birth, death, rebirth.

  • Etymology: “Sam” (together, well) + “sṛ” (to flow, run).

18. Turiya

  • Definition: Fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, deep sleep.

  • Etymology: Sanskrit “tura” (fourth).

19. Udbhavaḥ

  • Definition: Emergence, arising, coming into existence.

  • Etymology: “Ud-” (upward) + “bhava” (being, existence).

20. Vairagya

  • Definition: Detachment from desires and possessions.

  • Etymology: “Vi” (without) + “raga” (passion, attachment).

21. Vedas

  • Definition: Ancient sacred scriptures of Hinduism.

  • Etymology: Sanskrit “vid” (to know).

22. Viveka

  • Definition: Discernment between real and unreal, true and false.

  • Etymology: “Vi-” (apart) + “vic-” (to distinguish).

23. Yoga

  • Definition: Union; path to spiritual realization.

  • Etymology: Sanskrit “yuj” (to join, unite).

 

The Bhagavad Gita, a central text in Hindu philosophy and spirituality, encompasses several key concepts that are crucial for understanding its teachings. Here is a list of some of the most important concepts found in the Gita:

  • Atman: The true self or soul. The Gita teaches that the Atman is eternal, and realizing one’s Atman is essential for spiritual growth and ultimately, Moksha.
  • Bhakti: Devotion to a personal god, especially to Lord Krishna in the context of the Gita. Bhakti Yoga is highlighted as a path to achieve spiritual wisdom and liberation.
  • Brahmaand Santulan:  The term means the balance of the universe, suggesting everything in the cosmos is in harmony. The word combines “Brahmaand” (universe), from “Brahma” (creation) and “Aand” (egg), with “Santulan” (balance), from “Sam” (together) and “Tulan” (to weigh), showing how the term reflects the idea of everything being perfectly balanced.
  • Dharma: Often translated as duty, righteousness, or moral order, Dharma is a central concept in the Gita. It refers to the ethical and moral principles that guide an individual’s life and actions, particularly in the context of one’s societal and familial roles.
  • Gunas: These are the three fundamental qualities or tendencies present in all beings and matter: Sattva (goodness, constructive, harmonious), Rajas (passion, active, confused), and Tamas (darkness, destructive, chaotic).
  • Homeostasis: Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable, optimal conditions despite external changes.
  • Karma: This refers to action or deed. The Gita elaborates on the law of Karma, which posits that every action has consequences, and these consequences are born by the doer. The Gita emphasizes performing one’s duty and actions without attachment to the results.
  • Maya: Often translated as illusion or ignorance, Maya in the Gita refers to the material world and its transient nature, which distracts the soul from the realization of the true self.
  • Moksha: Liberation or release from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). Moksha is the ultimate goal of human life according to Hindu philosophy, representing freedom from material existence and union with the divine.
  • Ontology: Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, and the categorization of reality.
  • Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by Karma. The Gita presents this cycle as something to transcend through spiritual wisdom and right action.
  • Self-Referential Consciousness: Self-referential consciousness, in the context of eternal reality, refers to the awareness and contemplation of one’s consciousness as a part of, or connected to, an unchanging, timeless reality, allowing for the perception of oneself not just as a temporal entity but as an aspect of a perpetual, universal existence.
  • Vedanta: A key philosophical foundation of the Gita, Vedanta refers to the end of the Vedas (the ancient Hindu scriptures) and is characterized by the philosophy of non-dualism, which asserts the oneness of Atman (soul) and Brahman (ultimate reality).
  • Yoga: In the Gita, Yoga is described as a discipline or a practice to achieve spiritual insight and tranquility. It goes beyond physical postures and includes paths like Karma Yoga (path of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion), and Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge).