Svadharma Refers to an Individual’s Unique Duty

Svadharma (स्वधर्म) is a term (from sva: proper, and dharma: law, duty) which, in Hinduism, designates the responsibilities of an individual, according…

Nonattachment is not About Renouncing the World Entirely

Nonattachment (अनासक्ति), non-attachment, or detachment is a state in which a person overcomes their emotional attachment to or desire for things, people,…

Achourya Refers to the Principle of Non Stealing

Achourya (अचौर्य) or Asteya (अस्तेय) is the Sanskrit term for “non-stealing”. It is a virtue in Jainism. The practice of asteya demands that one must not steal, nor have…

Non-Possession Means not Living in Poverty

Non-possession (अपरिग्रह) is a religious tenet followed in Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions in South Asia. In Jainism, aparigraha is the virtue of non-possessiveness,…

Dharma Refers to Order and Custom That Sustain Life

Dharma (धर्म) is a key concept with multiple meanings in the Indian religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, among others. Although no single-word translation exists for dharma in English (or…

Vairagya Frees From Constant Cycle Of Desire

Vairagya (वैराग्य) is a Sanskrit term used in Hinduism as well as Eastern philosophy that roughly translates as dispassion, detachment, or renunciation.…

Maya is Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity, and Love

Maya (माया), literally “illusion” or “magic”, has multiple meanings in Indian philosophies depending on the context. Maya also connotes that which “is constantly…

Shiva Means Auspicious, Benign, and Friendly

Shiva (शिव), also known as Mahadeva (महादेव), is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions…

Moksha: The Utmost Aim of Human Life

Moksha (मोक्ष), also called Vimoksha, Vimukti, and Mukti is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. It refers to freedom from Dukkha and Saṃsāra, the…

Pranayama Benefits for the Mind and Body

Pranayama is the yogic practice of focusing on the breath. In Sanskrit, prana means “vital life force”, and Yama means to gain control. In yoga, breath…