| Vocabulary | Definition |
| Aryan | Powerful pale-skinned barbarian tribe which invaded Indus Valley from the north and established the caste system |
| Ashrama | The four stages of life described in the Code of Manu: study (the Vedas), householding (having children), forest dwelling, and renouncing (to meditate while prepping for enlightenment) |
| Avatars | The appearance on Earth of a god, usually Vishnu, in human or animal form. There are 10 linked to Vishnu. Avatars appeared during evil times to help restore order and righteousness. |
| Krishna | an Avatar (human form of a young hero and lover) of the god Vishnu. |
| Rama | an Avatar (reincarnation) of the god Vishnu. He took the human form of prince and hero. |
| Bhagavid-Gita | an ancient writing which summarizes the main beliefs of Hinduism through an epic story. Main message: live life as a journey toward a higher level |
| Bhakti | devotion to and worship of God in the pursuit of enlightenment |
| Brahma | one of the Hindu Trinity Gods with Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is the balance between Shiva and Vishnu |
| Vishnu | one of the Hindu Trinity Gods; the good and merciful; the greatest god. Maintains a balance between good and evil. |
| Shiva | one of the Hindu Trinity Gods; destructive and vengeful |
| Brahma (the god) | one of the Hindu Trinity Gods; the balance |
| Brahman (the search) | the search for knowledge and understanding. |
| Brahmin (the priests) | Caste of high priests. The Vedas were compiled and guarded by the Brahmins |
| Caste | the station in life or level of society which one is born into |
| Code of Manu | Ancient group of laws and rules for behavior |
| Dharma | Sanskrit for duty; one of the Purusarthas. |
| Enlightenment | highest challenge and goal of existence -- takes several lifetimes to achieve |
| guru | a teacher |
| Hinduism | religious philosophy based on cosmic wholeness |
| Moksha | state of bliss achieved through enlightenment; ultimate goal of all human life; takes many lifetimes to achieve; one of the Purusarthas |
| Karma | the belief that a person experiences the consequences of his/her own actions. You reap what you sow. |
| Kshatriyas | the warrior caste and nobelmen; 2nd below the Brahmins |
| Maya | One of the key beliefs in the Vedas is that the world is misleading and a world of illusion |
| Pariahs | workers not admitted into the four main castes. AKA untouchables. |
| Purusarthas | the four goals of humans which are considered good to seek. They are: Moksha (enlightenment), dharma (duty), artha (wealth and purpose), kama (pleasure) |
| Artha | one of the Purusarthas; wealth and purpose |
| Kama | one of the Purusarthas; pleasure |
| Samsara | the belief that the cycle of life, death, and rebirth define our existence. |
| Sanskrit | the sacred Hindu language developed by the Aryans of the Indus Valley |
| Sudras (or Shudras) | the fourth level of the caste system comprised of servants. Code of Manu suggests Sudras cannot achieve enlightenment |
| Upanishads | a group of writings which were added to the Vedas focused on the nature of existence and consciousness |
| Vaisyas | Third in the caste system under Brahmins and Kshatriyans. Caste contains merchants, skilled workers, and farmers. |
| Varna | color; refers to racial differences between white Aryans of the north and the brown native population |
| Vedas | Considered the world's oldest writings that may date as early as 2000 BCE. Traditionally, only males of the top 3 castes could read the Vedas |
| Hindu Caste System | divides society by castes based on occupation and used the human body as a metaphor for the caste |
| Hindu Caste: Brahmin | Brahmin: the mouth (the priests) |
| Hindu Caste: Kshatriyas | Kshatriyas: the arms (the warriors) |
| Hindu Caste: Vaishyas | Vaishyas: the thighs (skilled workers and farmers) |
| Hindu Caste: Shudras | Shudras: the feet (the servants) |