Hindu Concepts

Non-violence, non-injury to any living being. Listed among the divine qualities in Chapter 16. A fundamental ethical principle in Hinduism, …

The individual self or soul, which is eternal and unchanging. Chapter 2 of the Gita famously teaches that the Atman …

Loving devotion to a personal god. Chapter 12 of the Gita is entirely devoted to bhakti yoga. Krishna declares that …

The ultimate reality, the supreme cosmic principle, the ground of all being. Not a personal god but the infinite, eternal, …

The cosmic law underlying right behavior and social order. In the Gita, dharma encompasses duty, righteousness, moral law, and the …

Spiritual teacher who dispels the darkness of ignorance. In the Gita, Krishna serves as guru to Arjuna. The guru-disciple tradition …

Spiritual knowledge or wisdom. Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge, involving discrimination between the real and unreal, the eternal …

The law of cause and effect — every action produces consequences that shape future experiences. The Gita teaches nishkama karma: …

Sacred syllable, word, or verse used in meditation and worship. The most sacred mantra is Om (Aum), which the Gita …

The divine power of illusion that makes the manifold world appear real. In the Gita, Krishna states that his divine …

Liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). The ultimate goal of Hindu life. Achieved through jnana (knowledge), bhakti …

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. All beings are bound in samsara until they achieve moksha. The Gita describes …

Truthfulness, one of the essential virtues. In the Gita, satya is listed among the divine qualities. The Upanishads declare 'Satyam …

Austerity, self-discipline, spiritual heat. Chapter 17 describes three types of tapas: physical, verbal, and mental, each classified by the three …

Literally 'union' — the discipline of connecting the individual self with the divine. The Gita describes multiple yogas: Karma Yoga, …