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Glossary B
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Explanation
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Bhagavadgita
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The meaning of the Sanskrit word is ‘Song of God’. Bhagavadgita is one of the holy and most beautiful Hindu scriptures. It is written in the form of a dialogue between the warrior Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. It forms a part of
the famous Indian epic Mahabharata and consists of 700 Sanskrit verses divided into 18 chapters and was probably written in the 1st or 2nd century AD. It is of a later date than the major parts of
the Mahabharata.
The dialogue takes place on the field of battle, just as the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas is about to begin. The two
armies stand opposing each other, but Prince Arjuna hesitates, on seeing many of his friends and kinsmen among those lined up on the other side. He considers whether it would not be better to throw
down his arms and allow himself to be slain by the enemy rather than to engage in a just, but cruel, war. He is recalled to his sense of duty as a warrior and leader of the army by Krishna who stands
by his side in this war as his charioteer. Krishna points out to him the more responsible way as dispassionate charge of duty, performed with faith in God, consecrating oneself to a fair sake, than
to be with friends and kinsmen on the wrong side and to live only for personal triumph or gain.
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Bhagavan, Bhagvan
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The term bhagavan is derived from the Sanskrit root bhaj (to participate, to distribute). Bhagavan means 'someone, who takes part', signifying someone, who at the time takes part in something and who distributes something as well. For the Bhagavatas, the devotees of Bhagavan,
he is the benefactor, providing them with his grace and receiving vice versa their worship and devotion.
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Bhakta
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Devotee of the bhakti-doctrine
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Bhakti
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The term bhakti is derived from the Sanskrit-root bhaj (to worship). The primary meaning of bhakti is therefore 'Worship'. Bhakti-marga(the path of bhakti) signifies generally those Hindu-communities, which
follow the path of devotion in order to attain salvation - as against karma-marga (the path of action) or jnana-marga (the path of knowledge). The doctrine of bhakti, which is predominant mainly in Vishnuism,
is followed nowadays world-wide by approximate 150 million devotees. The concept of bhakti includes the loving devotion and commitment of man towards god and all mankind. The central point of this monistic faith is the absolute worship of a personal god, in which the different schools of bhakti worship different gods. In general Vishnu, or his
incarnations, especially Krishna, are the centre of worship. The goal of the devotees is the communion with god and the individual liberation, being achieved through worship of the
personal god and the devotional recitation of his name (kirtana, sankirtana). As against the doctrine of advaita and samkhya, which negotiate an eternal existence of god, here exists
the belief in a heavenly next world, where the individual soul will reside after liberation.
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Bhakti-marga
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See: bhakti
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Brahman, Brahma
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In the old Indian scriptures, called Brahmanas (1000-800 BC), Brahmansignifies the holy word of the ceremonial cult,
which is considered as provided with magical power regarding society and cosmos. In the UpanishadsBrahman is considered as the ultimate being, being opposed by the individual being, atman (or atma). However, atmanis
also considered as a part of Brahman, where it returns after the ending of physical existence.
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Brahmin
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Member of the highest social cast of the Hinducaste system (varna). According to the Hindu books of law (dharma) the Brahminwas
authorized to learn and to teach the holy scriptures, as well as to perform the ceremonial sacrifices. The term Brahmin is derived from the word Brahma, signifying the magical power being evoked during the
recitation of the holy mantras. This significance was fixed in the Upanishads (800-600 BC). Here, Brahma signified the origin and cause of creation and became the charisma of the Brahmin. In the same scriptures the holy knowledge of the
meaning of sacrifice and its micro- and makrocosmical relevance, was elevated above the practice of the sacrifice as means of salvation. This knowledge was the privilege of the Brahmin. During
this procedure the Brahmin were elevated on top of society, being provided with social and material privileges. In the course of time, the Brahmin were allowed to take other professions as well, but their high social status is maintained until today.
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