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Version 1GlossaryCambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism 9487For examination from 2021 Copyright © March 2019Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group.

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Contents Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism ..............................................................................................................2 Paper 2 Development of Hinduism .................................................................................................... 6 Paper 3 Hinduism: Philosophy and Religion .....................................................................................9 Paper 4 Hinduism in Contemporary Society .................................................................................. 11 Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes 1.1.1 dharma 1.1.1 artha 1.1.1 kama 1.1.1 moksha 1.1.1 Sanatana Dharma 1.1.1 Sadharana Dharma 1.1.1 adharma 1.1.1 Yug Dharma 1.1.1 Mahayuga 1.1.1 Satya Yuga 1.1.1 Treta Yuga 1.1.1 Dvapara Yuga 1.1.1 Kali Yuga ‘Duty’.
Can also be translated as ‘order’ or ‘righteousness’.

Occasionally ‘teaching’ as in ‘Sanatana Dharma’.

No direct English equivalent.

Meaning can change slightly with context.

One of the four purusharthas.

Material wealth or prosperity.

One of the four purusharthas.

Literally ‘desire’, it includes all sensory pleasures.

Liberation from the cycle of samsara (rebirth).

The last of the four purusharthas.

‘Eternal Dharma’.

A term used by some as an alternative to Hinduism.


Universal dharma, a term used to describe ethical principles which always apply to every person.

This is distinct from the particular ethics and duties associated with varna and ashrama.

Unrighteousness.

Behaviour that goes against one’s dharma.

The aspects of dharma that are specific to the current yuga (era or age) and so subject to change.
One cycle through the four yugas that make up the life of the universe before its dissolution to be created anew.

‘The yuga of truth’.

The first yuga (age) in the mahayuga when there is almost perfect righteousness.

Sometimes called the ‘Golden Age’, Dharma (symbolised by a cow) stands on four legs.

The second yuga (age) in the mahayuga when dharma has diminished and stands on three legs rather than four.

It is characterised by three avatars of Vishnu.


The third yuga (age) in the mahayuga when dharma is further diminished and stands on two legs: compassion and truthfulness.

The final and current yuga (age) of the mahayuga when almost all virtue has vanished from the world and dharma stands on one leg only.

It is characterised by strife and conflict.


2 Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes 1.1.2 varnashramadharma One’s dharma according to their varna and ashrama.

1.1.2 varna Classification of members of the society.

There are four varnas.

brahmin Varna of priests, scholars, teachers.

kshatriya Varna of warriors.

vaishya Varna of merchants and traders.


shudra Varna of labourers or service providers.

1.1.2 ashrama One’s stage in life.

brahmacharya One of the ashramas; student stage of life.

grihastha One of the ashramas; householder stage of life.

vanaprastha One of the ashramas; forest-dweller/ retirement stage of life.

Not listed in the syllabus but required knowledge for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but required knowledge for this topic.


Not listed in the syllabus but required knowledge for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but required knowledge for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but required knowledge for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but required knowledge for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.
sannyasa guru tri rinas One of the ashramas; renunciate stage of life.

Literally ‘elder’, a title given to a teacher of a specific religious tradition.

The debts a person owes to the gods (dev rina), to their ancestors (pitri rina) and to gurus/sages (rishi rina).

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.

1.1.2 jati 1.1.3 svadharma One’s position in society according to birth.

Sometimes translated as ‘caste’.

One’s personal dharma.


This may change over time and is determined by varna, ashrama and personal conscience.

1.1.4 1.2.1 sthri dharma The dharma that is appropriate to women.

samsara The cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Back to contents page 3 www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.


1.2.1 1.2.2 karma maya avidya adhyasa 1.2.2 Brahman 1.2.3 vikarma 1.2.3 akarma 1.2.3 sakama karma 1.2.3 nishkama karma 1.2.3 sanchita karma 1.2.3 prarabdha karma 1.2.3 agami karma The consequences of one’s actions.

‘Illusion’, ‘deceit’ or ‘delusion’.

Often applied to the material world, which some Hindu traditions regard as unreal.

‘Ignorance’.
‘Ignorance’.

The term is usually applied to ignorance of one’s true nature and relationship to the world.

‘Superimposition’, attributing qualities to something which it does not truly have.

The Ultimate or Absolute reality or the Absolute Divine.

Usually understood as unknowable.

Usually translated as ‘wrong action’ that leads to rebirth, although Vinoba Bhave, an associate of Gandhi, interprets it as the intention that underlies an action.
The benefit of a dharmic action is only realised if the intention behind it is also good.

Literally ‘inaction’ but it is used in the Bhagavad Gita to describe actions which create no consequences and which do not bind the atman to samsara.

Selfish or self-interested action.

Actions that are carried out with attachment to their consequences, in expectation of receiving a reward.

Selfless or desireless action.


Actions that are carried out with no attachment to their consequences, with no expectation of receiving a reward.

The sum of all karma amassed in previous lives.

The portion of past karma that is responsible for the circumstances of the present birth, and which will be experienced, for good or bad, in the present life.

New karma created by the actions of this life that will form the circumstances and experiences of future births.
1.2.4 1.2.4 deity/deities Gods and goddesses.

jivan mukti Moksha (liberation) attained during lifetime.

4 Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 1 Concepts in Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes 1.2.4 1.2.4 videha mukti Moksha (liberation) after death.

Jnana marga The path (marga) to moksha through mystical knowledge, study and wisdom.
1.2.4 Karma marga 1.2.4 Bhakti marga 1.2.4 Raja marga The path (marga) to moksha through actions in the world.

The path (marga) to moksha through personal love and devotion to a deity.

The path (marga) to moksha through the practice of meditation and self-discipline.
Back to contents page 5 www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 2 Development of Hinduism Paper 2 Development of Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes 2.1.1 Vedas 2.1.1 Samhitas 2.1.1 Aranyakas 2.1.1 Brahmanas 2.1.1 Upanishads 2.1.1 shruti 2.1.1 smriti 2.1.1 astika 2.1.1 nastika 2.2.1 atman avatar (2.2.1, 2.2.2), 4.2 2.2.1 nirguna Brahman The core sacred texts of Hinduism.

There are four Vedas each with its own collection of texts attached.
These are the earliest Vedic texts.

They are concerned with hymns and prayers to the Vedic deities.

The next layer of Vedic writings, also known as forest treatise – philosophical discussions.

The next layer of the Vedic writings incorporating commentaries on the Vedic hymns and discussions on Vedic rituals: yajnas.

The final layer of the Vedas comprising philosophical and metaphysical discussion on the nature of the atman and its relationship to the Absolute (Brahman).
‘That which is heard and revealed’.

A category of scriptures comprised mostly of the Vedas, which is attributed to divine authorship, or to be without author.

It is considered uniquely authoritative.

‘That which is remembered’.

A category of scripture attributed to human authors, which includes epics, puranas and shastras.

Often translated as ‘orthodox’ Hindu traditions, usually those that accept the authority of the Vedas.
Literally ‘one who says it is not’ and often translated as ‘heterodox’ or ‘non- conformist’.

Commonly used to describe traditions that do not accept the authority of the Vedas.

Usually translated as ‘self’ or ‘soul’.

The eternal, unchanging essence that is bound to the material world.

Literally ‘to descend’.

The incarnation of a divine being into a physical form in order to accomplish a purpose.
Brahman without attributes or qualities (often described as ‘Sat, chit, ananda’ (Truth, consciousness and bliss)).

6 Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 2 Development of Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes 2.2.1 saguna Brahman Brahman with attributes.

Deity in a specific form which can be related to as a person as distinct from an impersonal concept like ‘the Absolute’.
2.2.1 2.2.1 2.2.1 2.2.1 sat chit ananda neti-neti 2.2.1 murti 2.2.1 ishvara 2.2.1 Devi/Shakti Truth.

Consciousness.

Bliss.

‘Not this, not that’, a way of describing the divine in terms of what it is not, derived from the Upanishads.

An image (picture or statue) of a deity or spiritual leader used as a focus for worship.

A personal deity adopted by an individual, family or community.

Often regarded as an expression of saguna Brahman.


Feminine divine energy; can be used to refer to the female consort of a god or to the Goddess as supreme divinity.

The word literally means ‘power’ so can also indicate the active power of a male deity, personified as his consort.

2.2.1 2.2.2 puja Worship.

theistic traditions Religious traditions that posit the existence of a divine being.
2.2.2 Vaishnavism 2.2.2 Shaivism 2.2.2 Shaktism 2.2.2 Smartism 2.2.3 henotheism 2.2.3 monism The Hindu tradition that regards Vishnu as the highest expression of divinity or as the absolute divine.

The Hindu tradition that regards Shiva as the highest expression of divinity or as the absolute divine.

The Hindu tradition that regards Shakti or the Goddess as the highest expression of divinity or as the absolute divine.

A Hindu tradition based on the smriti writings.


It is based on the worship of five deities (Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh, Surya and Devi/Shakti) in household shrines.

A sixth, impersonal deity is often included.

The worship of a single god, while not denying the existence of others.

Any theory that rejects dualism and accepts oneness.
Back to contents page 7 www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 2 Development of Hinduism Term/word Definition Notes 2.2.3 2.2.3 monotheism The belief in a single personal God.

pantheism The belief that everything in existence comprises the divine.

Everything is God, or rather, God is comprised of everything.

2.2.3 polytheism The belief in many gods and goddesses.
8 Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 3 Hinduism: Philosophy and Religion Paper 3 Hinduism: Philosophy and Religion Term/word Definition Notes 3.1 3.1 Darshanas Samkhya 3.1 Yoga 3.1 Ashtanga Yoga 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 Purusha purushas Prakriti kaivalya gunas sattva rajas Philosophical schools.

A philosophical tradition within Hinduism.


Its basic belief is that there are two eternally distinct kinds of substance, Purusha or ‘self’ and Prakriti or matter.

Literally means to ‘bind’ or to ‘yoke’.

Sometimes interpreted as to unite.

It is usually associated with a philosophical and practical system related to Samkhya, although it can also be used to describe a system of physical postures or different methods or paths to the attainment of liberation.
‘Eight-limbed’ yoga, a system for achieving citta-vritti-nirodha (cessation of mental modifications) outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra.

The Self.

Pure consciousness.

Individual selves.

The physical or material aspects of the world.

‘Isolation’ or ‘aloneness’.

A term used within Samkhya to mean ‘liberation’.


The three gunas are the constituents of Prakriti and the basic elements out of which the material universe is composed: sattva, (lightness and spirituality), rajas (energy and motion, passion) and tamas (lethargy or inertia).

One of the three gunas, lightness and spirituality.

One of the three gunas, energy and motion, passion.

tamas One of the three gunas, lethargy or inertia.


non-theistic traditions Traditions that reject the existence of a divine being/beings.

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.
Back to contents page 9 www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 3 Hinduism: Philosophy and Religion Term/word Definition Notes 3.2 Advaita Non-dualism.

Rejecting the idea that reality is not composed of a single being or substance.

3.2 Vedanta 3.2 jagat Literally ‘The end of the Vedas’.

Usually interpreted as knowledge or understanding.


Vedanta traditions concern themselves with the relationship between Brahman, atman and the material or apparent world.

The physical world.

Also used to describe the subjective experience of being in the world.

3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.4 jiva atman An individual self.

jnana Spiritual knowledge and understanding.

Vishistadvaita Qualified non-dualism.

paramatman The absolute or supreme atman.

acit jiva-jagat Dvaita Non-consciousness.


The self in the world.

Dualism.

3.6. pluralistic 3.6 Shramana tirthankaras 3.7 3.7 3.7 ahimsa Satyagraha world religion Pluralistic religions accept the truth of all traditions as being different paths to the same goal.

Shramana traditions reject the authority of the Vedas.

Examples include Buddhism and Jainism and the term might also be used to refer to ascetics within those traditions.

Literally ‘ford makers’, also called jinas (conquerors).
They are the spiritual teachers of Jainism, creating a path to liberation that others can follow.

Non violence.

‘Truth-force’, using non violent methods in order to effect change.

A religious system perceived as a distinct and separate tradition which exists on a global scale.

Usually an umbrella term covering a range of different branches or forms of practice.

The Hindu tradition that states that the atman and Brahman are the same substance but eternally distinct.
The belief that the atman and Brahman are essentially different.

Not listed in the syllabus but this is a useful term for this topic.
10 Back to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/alevel Cambridge International AS & A Level Hinduism (9487) Glossary Paper 4 Hinduism in Contemporary Society Paper 4 Hinduism in Contemporary Society Term/word Definition Notes 4.1 new religious movements 4.1 multiculturalism 4.2 proselytisation 4.3 4.3 4.3 Hindutva secular secularism 4.4 dalits 4.4 Caste 4.5 sati 4.5 dowry A religious or spiritual group of relatively recent origin.

It may be completely new or derived from an older tradition.
A society that includes and incorporates different cultures.

The act of attempting to recruit others to one’s religion or world view.

Meaning ‘Hinduness’.

Hindu nationalism.

Not connected to or bound by religion.

The disassociation of religion from the state or political life.

‘Oppressed’.

The self-chosen name for those who are outside the varna system and as such traditionally have no place in ritual life.

Once referred to as ‘untouchable’.


The system by which people’s status and occupation is determined by birth.

Often equated with jati.

The archaic practice where the widow of a dead man dies on his funeral pyre.

It became illegal in India in 1829.

Payment made by a bride’s family to the bridegroom’s family on the occasion of the marriage.
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