Vedānta Glossary
Essential terms and concepts from the Vedic tradition
Collaborative construction with all students of Vishva Vidya Organization · 25 terms
Fundamental Concepts
Brahman
ब्रह्मन्The absolute, infinite, and non-dual reality
Ātman
आत्मन्The essential self — individual consciousness identical to Brahman
Māyā
मायाThe creative power that manifests the universe of names and forms
Mokṣa
मोक्षLiberation — the end of the cycle of suffering, recognizing oneself as Brahman
Avidyā
अविद्याFundamental ignorance — not knowing who you are
Īśvara
ईश्वरThe Lord — Brahman seen as creator and ruler of the universe
Ānanda
आनन्दAbsolute fullness — the nature of Brahman as bliss
Jñāna
ज्ञानDirect knowledge of reality — the only means for mokṣa
Mithyā
मिथ्याApparent — neither real nor unreal, dependent on Brahman
Prāṇa
प्राणVital force — the energy that sustains all manifestation of life
Saṃsāra
संसारThe cycle of birth and death — the continuous flow of existence
Sattva
सत्त्वQuality of clarity and purity — one of the three guṇas
Ethics and Values
Tradition and Teaching
Sacred Texts
Mind and Psychology
Practices and Paths
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