This page reflects the vocabulary and concept cards generated by the class. Use it as a study guide for the exams. If you find an error, or feel that$ definition could be better expressed, please let me know.
This page reflects the vocabulary and concept cards generated by the class. Use it as a study guide for the exams. If you find an error, or feel that$ definition could be better expressed, please let me know.
ACOLYTES
One who assists the clergyman in a liturgical service: any follower or helper, or someone who helps a priests in some religious ceremony.
ADIVASI
A term used now in India to designate the original
inhabitants of a region Indigenous People
ADIVASIS
A man who has no formal title to his land & they
can be most small farmers
AGAMA
The ancient religions texts which describe the hall as the embodiment of feminine force, Shakti; and the shrine as the male energy of Purusha.
AKBAR
A painter that created the Mughal style of art. Akbar painted the Hindu, Jain, and sultanate traditions, assimilating them with Iran styles and techniques from China and European sources. Akbar's painting are famous.
AKBARNAMA
"Tales of Akbar." This manuscript illustrates the maturity of the Mughal style.
AMALOKA
The top of a temple, representing a plant that brings good things (a Nagaran stylistic element)
AMARAVATI
A great stupa found on the southeast coast.
-this is a very important stupa because all decoration is laid out sequencially & it's not around anymore. Very detailed and decorative. Built during Andhra Dynasty.
ANIRUDDAH
From the Pancharatra school's three aspects of
Vishnu the creative aspect
ARABESQUES
Used in Islamic art to describe scrolling of
interlacing plant forms
ASHOKA
MAURYA
He was the third Mauryan ruler and reigned from 272-231 BC. He controlled an empire that extended from Afghanistan to southern India. He's important because he was the most prominent of the Mauryan rulers, and under his control, large scale art in stone first appeared and India entered the age of written history.
ATMAN
Your soul, what is reincarnated; actually same as
Brahman which is the universal essence that permeates everything; "white light"
AVATAR
1) Form the Hindu god Vishnu takes when he comes down to earth.
2) A descent or manifestation of a deity; specifically of a human or animal form assumed by Vishnu.
AXIS
MUNDI
-is the central pillar of the Mughal empire.
BADGIR
Known as a wind catcher which can be seen in the palace area of the Panch Mahal (a five story mansion)
BALUSTRADES
A railing with supporting balusters any of various symmetrical supports, as furniture legs or spindles, tending to swell toward the bottom or top
BENARES
Also Varanasi, Kasi, one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, situated on the Ganges River.
BHAGAVAD
GITA
This is one of the most beautifully composed and popular religions texts in Hinduism. Krishna delivers a celebrated sermon.
BHAKTI
Worship through a very personal, emotional connection with God. This concept relates a way in which Hinduism differs from many other religions, which focus more on group or mass worship.
BIRUDAS
Nature of titles that exist at the sites, like Narasimha, Kamalalita (playful with love), Nayanamanohara (pleasing to the eyes), Rahajaya (victorious in battle), Niruttara (without superior), all of which could be assigned to various kings. The birudas would feature several contradictions of each religious readings (specific purpose of the monuments). And concerns of authorship at each monument.
BODHISATTVA
(1) One who has reached enlightenment but, instead of Nirvana, chooses to be reborn and help others.
(2) "Essence of enlightenment"
BRAHMACHARYA
Literally means practicing conduct that leads one to God. Mostly used to describe self-restraint, especially over sexual organs (celibacy); first stage in the fourfold Hindu life cycle scheme of development
BRAHMAN
Undifferentiated universal force that permeates everything; a spiritual energy of which all gods and goddesses are a part [essential to understanding Hinduism and the nature of its gods]
CHAITYA
1) Hallways or chapels in the cave monasteries found throughout India. This is important to know because the cave monasteries are discussed all through Chapter 5 and they are a big piece of Buddhism.
2) Apsidal Buddhist chapel; also a sacred spot. This is important because some chaityas were carved inside caves and this rock cutting was a popular method of artistic expression for a thousand years in India, starting around 260 BC.
CHAKRAVARTIN
In Hindu theology, the universal king (I believe a good, general understanding of Hinduism is essential to the study of India)
CHAR-BAGH
A four-part garden divided by four water channels. And is seen in the Mughal garden tomb.
CHATTRAS
Parasols on the pole (axis mundi) of the anda in a stupa.
CHAYTIA
"sacred grove," huge center cave of worship
DANA
Buddhist and Hindu concept of giving to beggars and
monasteries. It is thought to bring good
Karma and religious merit
DARSHAM
"To see and be seen by God." To bring balance to opposing forces. It is the ultimate goal and point of Puja.
DARSHAN
The dynamic act of viewing an enshrined Hindu deity; darshan is given by the god or goddess and received by the worshipper. Darshan lies at the heart of the creation of images of the divine.
DEVA
DASI
Women dedicated to God of temple
DEVADASIS
Women who typically resided in the temples having vowed to dedicate themselves to the temple deity; sing & dance in praise of deity
DEVI
The Great Goddess who has numerous names &
forms; Parvati, spouse of Shiva
DIN-ILANI
Divine Faith, a new code, not a new religion. May have had roots in the Mughal belief which is radiated from the Light of Allah & special beings touched with divinity
DIVYA
PRABANDHAM
During major festival in celebration of Vishnu and his two popular avatars as Rama & Krishna, are sacred hyms recited at the 21 day festival in December and January.
DRAVIDA
Southern India temple style characterized by
horizontal features
DURGA
An important Hindu goddess who is one of the most important Hindu deities, embodying for many the supreme manifest form of god head.
EFFICACY
Capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness; efficacious capable of having the desired result or effect; effective as a means, measure, remedy
GANDHARVAS
The musicians of the gods, and they were associated
with informal marriage based on mutual consent
GANDHARVA
VEDA
The science of music, song, drama, dance. An appendage of the Sama Veda.
GANESHA
Elephant-headed Hindu god; god of wisdom and problem-solving who is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is presented as a pot-bellied man with an elephant's head. Also called Ganapati.
GARBHAGRIHA
("womb house") the sanctum sanctorum of a Hindu temple. Located directly in the center, with the sikhara (tower) directly above. Cannot go into garbhagriha. Thought of as "feminine".
GAVDA
The old language of Bengal.
GIMCRACK
A showy object of little use or value: attractive on
the surface but badly made and of no real or permanent value
GITA
GOVINDA
1) Song of the dark lord, reflecting the Krishna/Rada love. Influences painting, sculptuir, art and dance. Associated with certain form of dance, meeting of human and divine.
2) Hindu sacred poem which tells of the love of the god Krisna and the cowherd girl (gopi) Rahha; this devotional text must be read on a metaphorical level as the longing of the human soul for union with the devine.
GOPURA
1)
Pyramidal
gate-houses of south Indian temples
2)
The
puramid gate houses of south Indian temples. The entrance into a temple that is
a two-storyed pillared cloister. It was built by the emperor's trusted general.
GOPURAM
The entrance gateway into a Hindu temple enclosure
GRAHAS
Planetary deities in the Lakshmana which are intended to form a protection / a protective mandala around the temple.
GRAMADEVATA
1) One of the three aspects of divinity, gramadevata is the community chosen God.
2) The community shrine primarily female deities
HADITH
"utterances" of the Prophet"; saying associated with the Prophet, Muhammad. Second source of Shari'a (Islamic law) following the Koran.
HARAM
SARA
Is the harem enclosure that houses the many women of the imperial household.
HAVELI
A term used to designate a set of "townhouses" built around a central courtyard by the nobility and wealthy merchants of the Rajput courts
HINAYĀNĀ
BUDDHISM
"Small vehicle Buddhism." Their goal is to reach Nirvana and end suffering. They're less interested in the masses, and more interested in they're individual release from samsara.
HINDISAT
"the Indian art", referring to mathematics (Important due to the fact that the concept of "zero" was developed in India)
HORROR
VACUI
In Latin, "fear of empty space"; indicated by a
crowded design
Used to describe crowded narration decorating the stupa (#1) in Sanche 2/19.
ICONOGRAPHY
The study of images "icon-god, "ography" the study of.
ICONOLOGY
The study of the meaning of the image.
ISHTADEVATA
The third aspect of divinity. Ishtadevata is the chosen god of an
individual, each individual chooses one god to worship
JADE
A greenish stone believed to counteract poison. It is used in jewelry and specially favored for cups. In Mughal it is commonly used for other such things as dagger handles, scabbards, and other weapons because it is thought to bring victory. It is often found encrusted with gems.
JATAKA
Name given to the story of any one of Buddha's previous lives.
JAVAB
Answer or echo; it is the architectural replica of
the mosque faηade of the Taj Mahal. Its only purpose is to balance the symmetry
KAILASA
TEMPLE
(1) 757-83 at Ellora, site of Buddhist + Jain
caves
creation of Krishna. Consists of 3 separate units: a gatehouse, a pavilion to house Shiva's vehicle (Nandi), and a southern-style temple containing a linga
(2) Created by Krishna I of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, carved into a range of low Deccan trap hills at Ellora
-this is important because it's such a major accomplishment incredible to look at, and important for Hinduism and art.
KAILASH
The paradise of Shiva. A Himalayan mountain, north of Lake Manasa.
KALI
1) Beautiful, delightful female aspect of yame, is destroying evil of world, often seen standing on a corpse.
2) A terrifying Hindu Goddess who is the devourer of time. She represents the unpleasant realities of life.
KALPA
A cosmic era in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain
cyclical concept of time
KALPASUTRA
An important Jain text that narrates the lives of the Jinas.
KAOLIN
A fine usually white clay that is used in ceramics
and refractories, as an absorbent, and as a filler or extender
-local mineral used for color source in cave art of
Buddhists
KHADI
A hand-spun cotton cloth. A defiant statement of self-reliance & a badge that shows membership in the Gov't movement. The khadi is still worn today by Gandhian workers.
KIRTANAM
South Indian vocal music. This is important because it has sacred content and was nourished in temple premises.
KORAN
Book believed by Muslims to contain the actual word of God, as revealed through the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad.
KRISHNA
Popular Hindu god, incarnation of Vishnu. Literally
means black or dark blue
KRSŃA
LILA
The love play of Krsńa. Lila's aspects of divinity (the world is god's Lila)
KULADEVATA
1) The god of a particular household, there is usually a statue or shrine and comes about through Jati. It is not so much the essence of the family as it is the essence of the home itself.
2) The deity of the home. It's usually decided on by family history or jati. It's the main shrine of the house and the essence of the home. This is important because most worship is done in the home rather than in a temple.
KUMBH
MELA
Supposedly the largest celebration of any kind on
earth, alternates between Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar wutg each city
hosting it once every 12 years. Kumbh means "pot" or "pitcher" and in Hindu
mythology four drops of the nectar of immortality fell to earth, one in each of
these places. The next Kumbh Mela in Nasik will be in 2003.
LAXMI
The shakti of Vishnu; goddess of good fortune; seen with/interchangeable with Shri goddess of wealth (also Shakti of Vishnu)
LINGUM
Most commonly seen/worshipped symbol of Shiva. Representing a phallus, it is at the center of most temples.
LULA
All reality is the play of Krisna
MAHABHARATA
Great Hindu Vedic porm of the Bharata dynasty; containing about 10,000 verses, describing the battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
MAHAPAVINIRVANA
"Great passing away" term for death of Buddha.
MAHAYUGA
One day in the life of Brahma. Equal to 1000 cycles of krita (1,728,000,000 years), Treat (1,296,000,000 years), Dvapara (854,000 years), and Kali Yuga (432,000 years). Brahma will live for 100 years, each day made up of 1000 of these cycles. This concept gives an impression of the Hindu ideas of time, permanence, and eternity. Gods are not immortal.
MANĀYĀNA
BUDDHISM
"large vehicle Buddhism." Their goal is to reach as many people as possible, even if it means staying in samsara to do it. Buddha becomes a much more divine presence.
MANDALA
(1) A sacred diagram of the cosmos with a chosen diety (sic) in the center. Ancient cities and temples were laid out according to a Mandala plan.
(2) A circular cosmic diagram for meditation deities in outer areas of mandala are experienced before concentrating on the chosen deity in the center. Cities and temples are believed to have been laid out in a "mandala" plan.
MANDAPAH
Porch structure associated with Hindu temple architecture. Covered by heavy stone built of columns & lintels. Forms the main traffic area inside of the temple. Associated with the male principles which bring together the feminine energy of the Sakira & male principle of Mandapah.
Both of these principles (Sakira and Madapah) are fundemental in Hindu temple construction & instrumental in understanding how the Hindu cosmology & world view is expressed in the temple architecture.
MANTRA
The power of sound
MASJID
A place for prostration. At the masjids, a prayer is done which is a physical act of kneeling, bowing, & prostrating in the direction of Mecca (Mt. Hira)
MAURYA
The name of the dynasty that established the First Indian empire.
MAYA
(1) The sense-world of manifold phenomena held in Vedanta to conceal the unity of absolute being.
(2) The power that generates and anorates the visible universe. Flux; the dynamic aspect of he unchanging world.
(3) Illusion, wondrous power. Refers to the flux and change in which all existence is bound.
MITHUNA
Loving couple; in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain India they were emblems of fertility, and hence represented growth, abundance and prosperity. Sculptures of the mithuna couples cover the sikhara of the Hindu temple.
MONISM
1)
Everything
is god, one ultimate substance; reality is an organic unitary whole that cannot
be subdivided
2)
Everything
is god, there is one ultimate substance and reality is an organic unitary whole
which can't be subdivided. This is important because Hinduism is a monistic
religion.
MONOTHEISM
Belief in one god, that is a separate entity.
MUDRA
A hand gesture used to express the mood and meaning of images of the gods and Buddha.
MUEZZIN
An announcer of the Prophet Muhammad. He would call the faithful to prayer from the roof of Muhammad's house, then the Prophet would lead the prayer
MULASARVASTIVADIN VINAYA
A text of monastic discipline, while giving instructions for the decoration of monasteries, speaks of paintings for the meditative practices of the monks.
MULLAH
Religious teacher, in Islamic faith
MUSAWWIR
The Arabic, Islamic word for "creator" or God the creator, it is the word used for the "artist" who, in the Islamic world, was frowned upon for "creating" a human form, a task possible only for God.
NAGA
Literally "snake", considered guardians of underworld.
NAGARA
1)
Northern
style of temple. More stair-shaped than rounded
2)
Temples
across Northern India. Common
architectural style but distinct from South. Primarily the shikhara and roof
structure of hall that distinguishes northern from southern style temples.
NAGA
SAPHOS
Naked ascetics, followers of Shiva. Also known as the Protector Ascetics.
NARMADA
Directly translated as delightful one, it is one of the holliest rivers in central India running east west.
NAVAGRAHA
Normally refers to the prayer hall in Hindu temples; means the place where the nine planets are aligned.
NAVAKARMIKAS
Monastic supervisors of new monks, as with Amaravati
-this is important because donations @ Amaravati were treated so differently than those @ Sanchi, which shows the growth & change in Buddhism it was becoming much more complex, requiring navakarmikas to take charge and maintain order with placing Jataka stories on the stupa, etc.
PAHADI
"Of the hills". Name given to paintings from the states of the Punjab hills (includes Kangra, Kulu, Chamba, etc.)
PANCHAMAKAVAS
Secret practices that was advocated by Kaula teachers, or 5 items starting with "m" in Sanskrit:
1.
matsya
(fish)
2.
mamsa
(meat)
3.
mudra
(parched grain)
4.
mada
(wine)
5.
maithuna
(sexual intercourse)
Which was a tantric offshoot of Shiva worship during
the 10th century when the Khajuraho temples began to be built.
PARVATI
Hindu mother and fertility goddess; the wife of Shiva. She is thought of as the model Hindu wife and is often depicted with a conch, mirror and lotus.
PHILOSOPHY
OF UPANISHADS
Explains that the human soul emanates from the
Infinite & is not a distinct entity; the soul lives its life on earth,
& then returns to merge & become one with the Infinite. Can be termed monism, also.
PIETRA
DURA
A technique in which thin sections of precisely cut
semi-precious stones and gemstone are inlaid into the white marble
PLANETS
Play an important role in Hindu life as they form
the basis upon which horoscopes are cast.
Of the nine planets which include the sun and moon in Indian astronomy
include Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.
PORTICO
A colonnade or covered ambulatory especially in
classical architecture and often at the entrance of a building
-used repeatedly in Jain temples
PRADAKSHINA
Circumambulation or ritual circling of a sacred monument or image. This is important because it was the primary way of showing worship.
PRADASHINA
The ritual circling of a stupa or other religious monument. Also known as circumambulation. A person enters the stupa through a torana and walks in a clockwise direction seven times before exiting. This serves to pay homage to the relic contain within the stupa and to absorb its religious content.
PRADYUMNA
From the Pancharatra school's three aspects of
Vishnu the force of preservation
PRASAD
Fruit or similar offering. A priest would take a worshipper's prasad to the inner sanctum of a temple, leave some for the Gods, and return the rest to the worshipper. This portion would then be brought home for ceremonial consumption. This is another way Hindus connect on a personal level with their Gods.
PUJA
(1) ritual Hindu worship, whether in a home shrine or in a temple ritual is said to sharpen the senses and direct them towards the object of worship.
(2) the ceremonious art of showing reverence to the divine through invocations, prayers, mantras, mudras, etc. in the home.
(3) ritual worship which includes offerings of a fresh flower garland, new clothes, food, cool water, lamps, incense and music. Puja involves seeing the diety, smelling the incense, hearing the chants of worship and the chiming of bells, touching the feet of the image, and tasting food sanctified by the diety. Performed at home, in a shrine, or in a temple. The purpose of puja is to bring balance and create Carshan. The diety becomes the image.
(4) ceremonial act of showing reference to a god or
goddess through payer, song or ritual.
PUNYAKSHETRA
Field of spiritual merit
QAMARGAH
An imperial hunting technique. Qamargah is depicted
in Mughal Indian art, specifically painted by Akbar
QUAWWALI
/ QAWWALI
1) Singer of quawwals (literally, aphorisms), songs in praise of God singer of songs used by Sufi "singer-saints" to popularize their message a group of singers in a constant interchange of solo and choral modalities
2) The Sufi form of religious song. This is a very important and prevalent aspect of Sufism, something which sets it apart from orthodox Islam, which forbids song in religious ceremonies
RELIQUARY
A container or shrine where
sacred relics are kept
·
Introduced
in class 2/19 in regards to the stupas at Sanche & Amaraviti; the stupa
acts as a reliquary
RETICENCE
Inclined to be silent or secretive: uncommunicative: reserved: (reticent unwilling to speak about your thoughts or feelings)
SADHU
A Hindu mendicant ascetic
SADHVI
Female Sadhu
SAHIB
Sir, master, used especially among Hindus and Muslims in colonial India when addressing or speaking of a European of some social or official status.
SAKIRA
Towering edifice found atop hindu (sic) temples, placed directly over the inner sanctum or Garbagria. The Sakra personify the female principle in temple architecture. Generally considered modeled after the holy Himalyan peak of Khailasa.
SALAT
One of the Five Pillars of Islam; the call to prayer 5 times/day at specific times (>5 times per day for some Shi'ite groups.)
SAMKARSHANA
From the Pancharatra school's three aspects of
Vishnu the destructive form
SARASVATI
Shakti of Brahama, but more important of the two. Goddess of wisdom, learning, literature, music, etc.
SESHA
"the remains" Vishnu absorbs the cosmos and this is what is left.
SHAHADAH
This is another of the five pillars of Islam, this is the declaration of faith which must be recited aloud at least once in a believer's lifetime, with conviction and true understanding, the declaration is: "There is no God but God; Mohammed is his prophet.
SHAIVANA
A follower/worshipper of Shiva
SHEIKH
An Arab chief
SHIKHARA
1) Roof structure of the hall that distinguishes the northern from the southern style of temple. The terms also means the spire of a Hindu, Buddhist or Jain temple.
2) Also means mountain peak! The spire of Hindu, Buddhist or Jain temple.
SHILPA
Sanskrit word for "art".
SHIVA
NATARAJA
Icons and metaphors of power of Shiva creatd in bronze casting (wax).
SHIVITE
Male denunciant mendicant
SHRINE FOR A LINGA
A linga is an iconic emblem of Hindu God Shiva that forms the object of devotion within the sanctum of a Shiva temple; also interpreted as a phallic symbol that represents Shiva's great ascetic and yogic power.
SIKHARA
("Mountain Peak") The term also means the spire of a Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain temple. Constructed with post and lintel no mortar used. The tower (sikhara) looks like a linga and has erotic couples carved into it.
-this is important because it holds the garbhagriha
the most important part of the temple
SITA
Bhumi's daughter, a reincarnation of goddess Laxmi. She represents the ideal Hindu wife. She is wife to Rama and is a key figure in the Ramayana.
SITAR
A Hindu guitar with a long neck and a varying number of strings.
STUPI
The rounded architectural unit crowning the tower (sikhara) of the southern, or DRAVIDA style of temple.
-this is important because we need to be able to distinguish between the 2 styles of temples.
SUFI
Mystic saint of the Islamic tradition
SUTRA
Literally, a thread or string, a story in litery forms
SYNCRETIC
The combination or reconciliation of differing beliefs or practices in religion (Webster's New World Dictionary)
TANPURA
A long gourd with four strings, used to provide a drone in support of main instrument or voice
TANTRA
1) Term used to designate an esoteric form of religion. Hindu and Buddhists, that was associated with secret rites of a magical nature. Hense tantric: of, or having to do with tantra.
2) The sacred books of Tantrism. They were written between the 7th and 17th centuries CE and mostly consist of a dialogue between Shiva and his wife Shakti. (from Sanskrit="loom, warp, ground work, system, doctrine")
UPACHARA
The Hindu ritual of treating sacred statues in a household like honored guests or pets. "Playing house with your gods" As it is often referred to by westerners.
URNA
A mark of Buddha's perfection; the tuft of hair between the eyebrows symbolized by a dot.
URS
1) Celebration of the death of a saint
2) Celebration of the death of a Sufi saint (literally means marriage)
VAHAKAS
Smaller caves around the chaytia that are used as dormitories, hospitals, and cafeterias.
VARNA
In English, color or caste. Referring to the social division within a culture.
VENDANTA
An orthodox system of Hindu philosophy developing especially in a qualified monism the speculation of the Upanishads on ultimate reality and the liberation of the soul.
VERMILLION
A bright red pigment used as external symbols that proclaim a persons adherence to Hinduism.
VINA
A string instrument. A pillar that depicts Sarasvati which is the goddess of music and also learning. She holds this string instrument
VISHNU
Hindu god; called the Preserver. The second member of the triad that includes Brahma the Creator and Shiva the Destroyer.
VISHNU SAMHITA
Ancient Hindu ritual text.
YAKSHI (female) / YASKSHA (male)
Semi-divine beings of an elemental nature, associated with fertility. They were considered auspicious beings.
YAVANAS
Indian term for Greek merchants, though later used loosely for all foreigners, were among those who contributed towards the embellishment of Buddhist cave monasteries.
YONI
Represents the female vulva. The lingum rests upon it.
YUGAS
The cycle of creation to destruction is divided into 4 ages it is arranged in order of declining strength, peace and happiness.
ZAKAT
One of the five pillars of Islam, this is a tax which today is most often a donation in the form of charity
ZENANA
Section of a place, Rajput or Mughal, reserved for the royal women
ZIKR
A Sufi religious ceremony used to achieve a state of ecstasy, thought to be oneness with God. Comes in many forms and is a term used for almost any Sufi ceremony.