Ideas That Shaped India

Medieval devotional movement emphasizing personal love for God that transformed Indian spirituality, challenging caste barriers and inspiring regional literature.

Dharma is a fundamental concept in Indian philosophy encompassing duty, righteousness, cosmic law, and moral order across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions.

Moksha (liberation) is the ultimate spiritual goal in Indian philosophy, representing freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).

Form of nonviolent resistance developed by Mahatma Gandhi, combining truth and firmness to achieve social and political change through moral force.

Ancient Indian practice combining physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines for liberation and well-being, originating from pre-Vedic traditions and evolving into diverse schools.

The ancient Indian philosophical and ethical principle of non-violence toward all living beings, foundational to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and famously adopted by Mahatma Gandhi

Ancient Hindu system dividing life into four stages (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa) for spiritual and social development across the lifespan.

Traditional system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent, based on balancing bodily humors through diet, herbal treatments, and lifestyle practices.

Ancient Indian classical dance form from Tamil Nadu, combining expressive storytelling with rhythmic precision through bhava, raga, and tala.

Classical music tradition of South India with ancient roots, characterized by intricate ragas, devotional themes, and a rich compositional heritage spanning centuries.

Ancient social stratification system that has profoundly shaped Indian society, organizing communities into hierarchical hereditary groups based on occupation and ritual purity.

Ancient Indian tradition of spiritual teachers and guides who transmit knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual insight across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions.

Ancient Indian residential education system where students lived with their guru to receive holistic spiritual, intellectual, and practical training.

Ancient art music tradition of northern India and Pakistan, characterized by raga-based improvisation, deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural heritage.

Ancient Indian spiritual concept of cause and effect governing moral actions and their consequences across lifetimes, central to Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain philosophy.

Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance, originating from northern India, characterized by intricate footwork, spins, and storytelling.

Sacred utterances and sound formulas used in Indian religions for meditation, prayer, and spiritual practice across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions.

India's system of local self-government through village councils, constitutionally empowered since 1992 to decentralize governance and promote grassroots democracy.

Puja is a devotional worship ritual in Hinduism involving offerings and prayers to deities, practiced in homes and temples across India for millennia.

Traditional Indian art form creating colorful decorative patterns on floors using materials like colored rice, flour, and flower petals during festivals and auspicious occasions.

The cycle of death and rebirth in Indian religions - a fundamental concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism representing continuous worldly existence.

Indian independence movement strategy promoting domestic goods and boycotting British products, crucial in nationalist resistance from 1905-1947.

Esoteric traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism encompassing rituals, meditation, and yogic practices aimed at spiritual liberation and divine realization.

Ancient Hindu social classification system dividing society into four hierarchical groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, described in Vedic texts.

One of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy focusing on the Upanishads, teaching the unity of Atman and Brahman through diverse interpretations.