hinduism beliefs

• Brahma


  One of Trimurti; the Creator.
• Vedas


  Ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.
• Saraswati


  consort of Brahma, goddess of knowledge
• consort


  Wife of a god
• Avatar


  Different forms/incarnations of the divine
• Lakshmi


  Deity of wealth, fortune and prosperity; wife/consort of Vishnu.
• Vaishnavism


  Branch of Hinduism which looks to Vishnu as the supreme manifestation of Brahman.
• Shavism


  Branch of Hinduism which looks to Shiva as the supreme manifestation of Brahman.
• Parvati


  Consort of Shiva
• Shatki


  goddess, especially Shiva's consorts
• Rama


  Avatar of Vishnu
• Avatar


  Different forms/incarnations of the divine
• Krishna


  Avatar of Vishnu; appeared on earth to restore the dharma
• Ganesha


  Elephant-headed deity symbolising wisdom and success.
• Hanuman


  Monkey deity; messenger of Rama
• Atman


  The individual inner self, immortal soul; distinct from the material mind and body
• Samsara


  Cycle of birth and death
• Transmigration


  the movement of the atman into another body after death
• Moksha


  Liberation from samsara
• karma


  Moral action and reaction
• Dharma


  Hindu path in life
• Artha


  earning a lawful living.
• Kama


  enjoying the pleasures of life
• Sanatana Dharma


  Eternal dharma, truth; another name for Hinduism.
• Ahimsa


  Non-harming; a personal virtue and guiding principle of Hinduism
• Free will


  The way we choose to respond to whatever we experience; the choices we make
• Personal virtues


  Qualities a Hindu should develop in themselves; include ahimsa, respect, empathy, self-control, humility and love
• Varnashrama dharma


  Dharma for specific stages in life; the idea that each stage (student, householder, etc) and each varna (social grouping) has particular duties to fulfil