Bhagavad Gita:
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The Bhagavad Gita, a revered text in Hindu philosophy, contains a rich vocabulary that is both profound and symbolic. Here is a list of some important words frequently used in the Gita, along with their brief meanings:
- 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: Derived from Sanskrit, “Aham” means “I,” “Brahma” refers to the universal consciousness, and “Asmi” signifies “am,” collectively translating to “I am Brahman.”
- Arjuna
- Definition: The protagonist, a prince and warrior, counseled by Krishna.
- Etymology: Literally means “bright,” “shining,” from the Sanskrit root “Arj,” meaning “to shine, be bright.”
- Atman
- Definition: The self, soul, or spirit; the true essence of an individual beyond the physical.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “at,” meaning “to breathe,” symbolizing the essence of life.
- Bhakti
- Definition: Devotion; loving devotion towards a personal god.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “bhaj,” meaning “to share, partake, to love.”
- Dharma
- Definition: Righteous duty, moral order, or one’s rightful duty.
- Etymology: Derived from the Sanskrit root “dhṛ,” meaning “to hold, maintain, keep.”
- Guna
- Definition: Quality or attribute; the three gunas are sattva, rajas, tamas.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “gun,” meaning “string, single line, quality.”
- Jnana
- Definition: Knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge or wisdom.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “jñā,” meaning “to know.”
- Karma
- Definition: Action or deed; also implies the cycle of cause and effect.
- Etymology: Comes from the Sanskrit root “kṛ,” meaning “to do, make, perform, accomplish.”
- Krishna
- Definition: The charioteer of Arjuna and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
- Etymology: Means “dark,” “black,” or “dark-blue,” possibly derived from the Sanskrit root “kṛṣ,” meaning “to attract.”
- Maya
- Definition: Illusion; the material world perceived through the senses.
- Etymology: Derived from the Sanskrit root “mā,” meaning “to measure, form, build.”
- Moksha
- Definition: Liberation or release; the goal of spiritual pursuit, freedom from rebirth.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “muc,” meaning “to free, release, let go.”
- Paramatman
- Definition: Paramatman refers to the Supreme Self or Universal Soul in Hindu philosophy, representing the highest aspect of the self that is identical with the ultimate reality, Brahman.
- Etymology: “Paramatman” combines “parama” (supreme) and “atman” (self or soul), signifying the ultimate, transcendental self.
- Prakriti
- Definition: Nature or the material world; the environment.
- Etymology: From the roots “pra,” meaning “beginning, front,” and “kriti,” meaning “creation, making.”
Prakriti
- Purusha
- Definition: The eternal, unchanging, and original consciousness.
- Rita
- Rita refers to the cosmic order and principle of truth, law, and righteous living that governs the universe. It represents the principle that governs the cosmos, ensuring the proper functioning of the natural, moral, and cosmic order.
- Samadhi
- Definition: A state of intense concentration and meditation, leading to a profound union with the object of meditation.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit roots “sam,” meaning “together,” and “ā-dhā,” meaning “to put, place.”
- Samsara
- Definition: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
- Etymology: From “sam,” meaning “together, well,” and “sṛ,” meaning “to flow, run, move.”
- Vairagya
- The practice of detachment from personal desires and material possessions to achieve spiritual clarity and enlightenment.
- Etymology: From “vi” (without) and “raga” (color, passion, or attachment), signifying freedom from desires and attachments.
- Vedas
- Definition: Ancient sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “vid,” meaning “to know,” indicating knowledge.
- 20. Viveka
- Definition: The ability to discern between what is real and what is not, or between the true and the false, often used in the context of spiritual and philosophical understanding.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “vi-” meaning “apart” and “vic-” meaning “to separate or distinguish,” collectively signifying discernment or discrimination.
- Yoga
- Definition: Union; in the Gita, it refers to the path to spiritual realization.
- Etymology: From the Sanskrit root “yuj,” meaning “to join, yoke, 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).