Glossary Glossary

Ātman

Transliteration: आत्मन् / ĀtmanTransliteration: आत्मन् / ĀtmanMeaning / Explanation: The inner Self; pure consciousness; the eternal witness within.Origin: SanskritNote: Ātman is not personality or ego — it is existence-awareness itself. MoreMeaning / Explanation: The inner Self; pure consciousness; the eternal…

Avidyā

Transliteration: AvidyāTransliteration: AvidyāMeaning / Explanation: Ignorance of one’s true nature; root cause of bondage.Origin: SanskritNote: Not lack of information, but lack of realization. MoreMeaning / Explanation: Ignorance of one’s true nature; root cause of bondage.Origin: SanskritNote: Not lack of information,…

Bhakti

Transliteration: BhaktiTransliteration: Bhakti / भक्तिMeaning / Explanation: Devotion; loving surrender to the divine with awareness.Origin: SanskritNote: Bhakti is relationship, not dependence. More / भक्तिMeaning / Explanation: Devotion; loving surrender to the divine with awareness.Origin: SanskritNote: BhaktiTransliteration: Bhakti / भक्तिMeaning /…

Brahman

Transliteration: ब्रह्मन् / BrahmanTransliteration: ब्रह्मन् / BrahmanMeaning / Explanation: Absolute reality; infinite, formless, unchanging consciousness from which all existence arises.Origin: SanskritNote: “Ātman = Brahman” is the core Upanishadic realization. MoreMeaning / Explanation: Absolute reality; infinite, formless, unchanging consciousness from which…

Dharma

Transliteration: धर्म / DharmaTransliteration: धर्म / DharmaMeaning / Explanation: That which upholds, sustains, and maintains cosmic and social order. Includes duty, righteousness, natural law, and inner truth.Origin: Sanskrit (from root dhṛ — “to hold, support”)Note: Dharma is contextual — it…

Jñāna

Transliteration: JñānaTransliteration: Jñāna / ज्ञानMeaning / Explanation: Experiential wisdom; knowledge born of realization.Origin: SanskritNote: Jñāna dissolves ignorance directly. More / ज्ञानMeaning / Explanation: Experiential wisdom; knowledge born of realization.Origin: SanskritNote: JñānaTransliteration: Jñāna / ज्ञानMeaning / Explanation: Experiential wisdom; knowledge born…

Karma

Transliteration: KarmaTransliteration: KarmaMeaning / Explanation: Action and its inevitable consequence. Not fate, but the law of cause and effect across lifetimes.Origin: Sanskrit (from kṛ — “to act”)Note: Karma includes intention, not just action. MoreMeaning / Explanation: Action and its inevitable…

Māyā

Transliteration: माया / MāyāTransliteration: माया / MāyāMeaning / Explanation: The power of appearance and illusion that makes the impermanent seem permanent and the unreal seem real.Origin: SanskritNote: Māyā is not falsehood — it is misperception. MoreMeaning / Explanation: The power…

Mokṣa

Transliteration: मोक्ष / MokṣaTransliteration: मोक्ष / MokṣaMeaning / Explanation: Liberation from Saṃsāra; realization of one’s true nature beyond body and mind.Origin: SanskritNote: Mokṣa is freedom through knowledge, not reward. MoreMeaning / Explanation: Liberation from SaṃsāraTransliteration: संसार / SaṃsāraMeaning / Explanation:…

Ṛta

Transliteration: ऋत / ṚtaTransliteration: ऋत / ṚtaMeaning / Explanation: Cosmic order, natural rhythm, universal truth governing the universe. Precursor to the concept of Dharma.Origin: Vedic SanskritNote: Ṛta governs planets, seasons, karma, and moral order alike. MoreMeaning / Explanation: Cosmic order,…