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

Non-violence, 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 tile 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 ofbirths.

Muni

Seer; sage; particularly a Jaina 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 practised 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.