“that which is remembered.” Hindu scriptures in the form of epics and stories that shed light on the more abstract and esoteric shruti scriptures. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are in this category.

(a)  

Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality

(a)  

An epic about the feud between the Pandava and Kaurava families over inheritance. Within the large epic are smaller stories, often philosophical.

(a)  

An epic about the adventures of a prince who journeys to rescue his wife from the demon king.

(a)  

A meditation technique derived from Hinduism that promotes deep relaxation through recitation of a mantra.

One of the stories in the Mahabharata epic, the most quoted of all Hindu scriptures. It is a dialogue between Arjuna, a religious warrior, and his charioteer, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, about personal detachment.

(a)  

The sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences or reincarnations.

(a)  

The endless cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation.

(a)  

“that which is heard,” the most revered body of Hindu sacred scripture.

(a)  

The intentional avoidance of violence or injury against another living thing by acts of omission or commission, be it word or deed.

(a)  

“Teacher” in Sanskrit.

(a)  

Ancient scriptures composed in Sanskrit that are the foundation of Hinduism. The most important consists of 1,028 hymns praising the gods of the Aryan tribes who invaded India from the northwest starting around 2000 BCE.

(a)  

Meaning “lying beyond the ordinary range of perception.”

(a)