Adharma
Not according to dharma; evil.
Adharmi
A person who doesn't act according to dharma.
Agni
Fire; also the name of the Hindu god of fire.
Anjali
An offering.
Artha
Wealth and possessions. Artha is one of the four goals in life (the others are dharma, kama, and moksha).
Asrama
A hermitage; a place where wise men live.
Astra
Divine weapon.
Asura
One type of demon or supernatural being.
Atman
The individual soul.
Avatara
Incarnation of a God, especially Vishnu.
Bhakti
Love, devotion. ('Bhakta' refers to a devoted person.)
Bharatavarsha
The land of Bharata; India.
Brahmana
Member of the priestly class; one of Brahma's people. ('Brahman' refers to this caste as well.)
Deva
Any of a class of celestial, elemental beings.
Dharma
Truth, justice, duty. The right path.
Guru
Spiritual teacher or guide; master.
Gyana
Knowledge, wisdom.
Hatya
Murder.
Jitendriya
One who has conquered his senses.
Kavya
Poem.
Kshatriya
A member of the caste of royal warriors.
Kula
Clan.
Maharathika
A great warrior.
Mantra
A sacred incantation.
Maya
Cosmic illusion ('Maya' also refers to the goddess of illusion).
Muni
A sage or seer; silent one; knower of minds.
Moksha
Liberation from this lower earthly realm; freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth; enlightenment.
Pativrata
A devoted wife.
Puja
Ritual worship.
Punya
Virtue; merit.
Rakshasa
A vicious type of demon (feminine form is 'rakshasi').
Rig Veda
The first Veda, one of the most holy books in Hinduism.
Rishi
A sage, mystic; a wise man who meditates in the forest or in an ashram.
Samsara
The world of illusion; the world we inhabit presently.
Shakti
Feminine power or weapon.
Shastra
Scripture; holy text.
Sudra
A member of the fourth Hindu caste; one of the laborers or workers.
Tapasya
Act of penance or forbearance (fasting, enduring heat or cold, etc.) that develops one's spiritual powers and wins favor with the gods.
Vabdhi
A singer, sage, or bard.
Vana
Jungle; forest.
Vanara
An ancient and magical race of monkeys.
Vina
An ancient Indian stringed instrument, similar to a lute.
Vrata
A vow.
Yoga
Literally, "Union." Refers to the union of the self with God through spiritual exercises (a male who practices yoga is called a 'yogi'; a female is called a 'yogini').
Yatra
A journey, often with religious significance.
Yagna
A ritual or sacrifice.
