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Glossary

Advaita Non-duality. A school of philosophy associated with the Indian philosopher, Shankaracharya (788-820), which believes that there is only one Absolute Truth; all else is appearance.
Ahimsa Nonviolence, positively the practice of love.
Ashram Hermitage; a quiet place where people having common ideals lead a community life and follow a particular discipline. The place where Gandhi resided with his co-workers and disciples was referred to as the ashram.
Ashrama Hindu idealism prescribes four stages or periods of good life, called ashramas: the period of study and self-discipline; of life as a householder and man of the World; of contemplation and gradual withdrawal from worldly ties; of total renunciation.
Atma Soul, Self.
Avatar A divine incarnation.
Bania Member of the third caste among the Hindus, whose traditional occupation is trade and commerce.
Bhagavat A sacred book of the Hindus dealing also with the life and teachings of Lord Krishna.
Brahmacharya Celibacy; a life of self-discipline and continence dedicated to higher pursuits.
Brahmin Member of the first caste among the Hindus whose traditional occupation is priesthood or devotion to learning.
Chapati Cake of unleavened bread.
Charkha Spinning wheel.
Dharma Religion; moral law or practice; duty.
Diwan Chief minister of a princely State.
Himsa Violence
Kalma Designates the profession of faith whereby a Muslim witnesses the unity of God.
Khaddar Hand-spun and hand-woven doth.
Mahatma Lit. A great soul; a title generally given to saints. In later years Gandhi was generally referred to in India as the Mahatma.
Manu An ancient preceptor and author of the Code of Laws, named after him.
Moksha Emancipation from earthly attachments; liberation from the cycle of births.
Muni Seer; sage; particularly a Jain saint.
Nawab Muslim dignitary or ruler.
Purdah Veil worn by woman in some eastern countries.
Rishi Sage
Sadavrata Giving of alms to the poor
Samskar Indelible impression left by past action.
Satyagraha Lit. Holding on to truth. Name given by Gandhi to the technique of non-violent resistance as practiced by him and under his guidance.
Seva Samiti A society for voluntary social service.
Shastra Hindu scripture
Swadeshi Love of one's own country or patronage of things indigenous and native.
Swaraj Self-rule
Upanishad Ancient discourses on philosophy which are generally regarded as the source material of Hindu metaphysics. There are more than a hundred such Upanishads of which ten are considered as principal.
Vakil Pleader; lawyer
Vedas The earliest and most sacred writings of the Hindus.