Etymology Explorer
Trace word origins across languages and eras to uncover deeper meaning.
Arabic
Atonement
Root: كَفَّارَة (kaffarah)
Expiation, atonement for sins
Same Semitic root כ-פ-ר as Hebrew kippur. Kaffarah includes fasting, feeding the poor, or freeing a slave
Blessing
Root: بَرَكَة (barakah)
Blessing, increase, divine favor
Same Semitic root as Hebrew berakhah. Barakah is the spiritual energy and blessing that flows from God
Covenant
Root: عَهْد ('ahd)
Covenant, pledge, contract
Quran 2:40: 'Fulfill My covenant and I will fulfill yours.' God's covenant with humanity through prophets
Dominion
Root: مُلْك (mulk)
Sovereignty, kingdom, dominion
Al-Malik (The King/Sovereign) is one of the 99 Names. Surah 67 is Al-Mulk — 'The Sovereignty'
Eternal
Root: أَبَدِيّ (abadi) / صَمَد (samad)
The Everlasting, the Eternal
As-Samad (The Eternal, Self-Sufficient) is in Quran 112:2. Jannah is described as eternal — 'khalidina fiha abada'
Faith
Root: إِيمَان (iman)
Faith, belief, security
From root أ-م-ن (safety). A mu'min (believer) is one who has iman
Forgiveness
Root: مَغْفِرَة (maghfirah)
Forgiveness, concealment of sins
From root غ-ف-ر (to cover/conceal). Al-Ghafur (The Forgiving) is one of the 99 Names of Allah
Glory
Root: مَجْد (majd)
Glory, majesty, might
Al-Majid (The Glorious) is one of the 99 Names. Also سُبْحَان (subhan) — used in 'Subhan Allah' (Glory be to God)
Grace
Root: فَضْل (fadl)
Grace, bounty, favor of God
Quran 3:174: 'They returned with grace and bounty from Allah.' God's fadl exceeds what anyone deserves
Heaven
Root: جَنَّة (jannah)
Garden, paradise
From root meaning 'to conceal/cover' — a lush hidden garden. Quran describes rivers of milk, honey, and wine
Judgment
Root: حِسَاب (hisab)
Judgment, the reckoning
Yawm al-Hisab — Day of Reckoning. Also دِين (din) in 'Yawm ad-Din' (Day of Judgment), Quran 1:4
Light
Root: نُور (nur)
Light, divine illumination
An-Nur (The Light) is a Name of Allah. Surah 24 is called An-Nur
Love
Root: حُبّ (hubb)
Divine love, mercy
Al-Wadud (The Loving) is one of the 99 Names of Allah
Mercy
Root: رَحْمَة (rahmah)
Mercy, compassion
Same Semitic root as Hebrew rachamim. Every surah begins 'In the name of God, the Most Merciful'
Peace
Root: سَلَام (salaam)
Peace, submission, safety
Same root as 'Islam' (submission) — As-Salam is a Name of Allah
Praise
Root: حَمْد (hamd)
Praise, thanksgiving to God
Al-Hamdu lillah — 'All praise belongs to God,' the opening of the Quran. Muhammad means 'the praised one'
Prayer
Root: صَلَاة (salat)
Ritual prayer, connection
One of five pillars of Islam. Du'a is personal supplication; salat is ritual worship
Prophet
Root: نَبِيّ (nabi)
Prophet, one who brings news from God
Same Semitic root as Hebrew navi. Islam recognizes 25 named prophets, from Adam to Muhammad
Repentance
Root: تَوْبَة (tawbah)
Repentance, turning back to God
From root ت-و-ب (to turn). At-Tawwab (The Acceptor of Repentance) is one of the 99 Names of Allah
Resurrection
Root: بَعْث (ba'th)
Resurrection, the arising
Yawm al-Ba'th — the Day of Resurrection. Quran 75 (Al-Qiyamah) is devoted entirely to the resurrection
Revelation
Root: وَحْي (wahy)
Divine revelation sent down
The Quran was sent down as wahy to Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Also تَنْزِيل (tanzil) — 'sending down'
Righteousness
Root: صِدْق (sidq)
Truthfulness, sincerity, honesty
Cognate with Hebrew tsedaqah. As-Siddiq (The Truthful) was Abu Bakr's title
Sacrifice
Root: قُرْبَان (qurban)
Sacrifice, offering to draw near to God
Same Semitic root as Hebrew qorban. Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son
Salvation
Root: فَلَاح (falah)
Success, salvation, prosperity
The muezzin calls 'Hayya 'ala al-falah' — 'Come to salvation/success.' Ultimate salvation is entering jannah
Sanctuary
Root: حَرَم (haram)
Sacred precinct, inviolable place
Al-Masjid al-Haram — the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Haram means both sacred and forbidden (inviolable)
Sin
Root: ذَنْب (dhanb)
Sin, wrongdoing
Islam has no original sin — each person is born pure (fitrah) and accountable for their own acts
Soul
Root: نَفْس (nafs)
Soul, self, spirit
Quran describes three states: nafs al-ammara (commanding), lawwama (self-reproaching), mutma'inna (at peace)
Temple
Root: مَسْجِد (masjid)
Place of prostration, mosque
From root س-ج-د (to prostrate). Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem are holiest sites
Truth
Root: حَقّ (haqq)
Truth, reality, right
Al-Haqq (The Truth) is one of the 99 Names of Allah
Wisdom
Root: حِكْمَة (hikmah)
Wisdom, sound judgment
Al-Hakim (The Wise) is a Name of Allah. Surah 31 (Luqman) is about wisdom
English
Atonement
Root: Middle English coinage
At-one-ment (to make 'at one')
Coined in 1513 by William Tyndale — 'at + one + ment' — reconciliation, making two parties one
Greek
Atonement
Root: ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion)
Propitiation, means of reconciliation
Used in Romans 3:25 for Christ as the 'mercy seat.' Also καταλλαγή (katallagē) — exchange/reconciliation
Blessing
Root: εὐλογία (eulogia)
To speak well of, praise, bless
From eu (good/well) + logos (word). Source of 'eulogy.' 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ' (Ephesians 1:3)
Covenant
Root: διαθήκη (diathēkē)
Covenant, testament, will
Jesus at the Last Supper: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood' (Luke 22:20)
Dominion
Root: κυριότης (kyriotēs)
Lordship, dominion, ruling power
From kyrios (lord). Used in Ephesians 1:21 for divine authority above all powers and dominions
Eternal
Root: αἰώνιος (aiōnios)
Of the age, pertaining to an age, eternal
From aiōn (age/eon). 'This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God' (John 17:3)
Faith
Root: πίστις (pistis)
Trust, confidence, conviction
'The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1)
Forgiveness
Root: ἄφεσις (aphesis)
To release, send away, let go
Literally 'sending away' — Jesus: 'Forgive and you will be forgiven' (Luke 6:37)
Glory
Root: δόξα (doxa)
Glory, splendor, radiance, opinion
Originally meant 'opinion/reputation' — in LXX translated kavod as divine radiance. 'We beheld his glory' (John 1:14)
Grace
Root: χάρις (charis)
Grace, unmerited favor, gift
Root of 'charisma.' Paul: 'By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing' (Ephesians 2:8)
Heaven
Root: οὐρανός (ouranos)
Heaven, the sky, God's realm
Jesus taught disciples to pray: 'Our Father in heaven' (Matthew 6:9). Also the Kingdom of Heaven
Judgment
Root: κρίσις (krisis)
Judgment, decision, condemnation
Source of English 'crisis.' Jesus: 'The Father has given all judgment to the Son' (John 5:22)
Light
Root: φῶς (phōs)
Light, radiance
'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12). Source of English 'phosphorus'
Love
Root: ἀγάπη (agapē)
Unconditional, self-giving love
Chosen over eros/philia to express divine love in LXX and NT
Mercy
Root: ἔλεος (eleos)
Mercy, pity, compassion
'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy' (Matthew 5:7)
Peace
Root: εἰρήνη (eirēnē)
Peace, harmony, tranquility
Used by Paul to describe reconciliation between God and humanity
Praise
Root: αἶνος (ainos)
To tell, narrate, declare praise
Also δοξολογία (doxologia) — giving glory. Luke 2:13: the angels praising God at Jesus's birth
Prayer
Root: προσευχή (proseuchē)
To wish toward, petition
Jesus taught: 'When you pray, go into your room and shut the door' (Matthew 6:6)
Prophet
Root: προφήτης (prophētēs)
One who speaks before/forth for God
Not primarily a fortune-teller but a forth-teller — one who proclaims God's message
Repentance
Root: μετάνοια (metanoia)
Change of mind, transformation of thinking
From meta (after/change) + nous (mind). John the Baptist: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'
Resurrection
Root: ἀνάστασις (anastasis)
Standing up again, rising from the dead
From ana (up) + stasis (standing). Martha: 'I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day' (John 11:24)
Revelation
Root: ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis)
Unveiling, disclosure, apocalypse
Literally 'uncovering.' The Book of Revelation is the Apokalypsis — the unveiling of things to come
Righteousness
Root: δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē)
Justice, righteousness, equity
Central to Paul's theology: 'the righteousness of God revealed through faith' (Romans 1:17)
Sacrifice
Root: θυσία (thysia)
Offering, sacrifice
From 'thyō' (to offer). Hebrews 10:12: 'He offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins'
Salvation
Root: σωτηρία (sōtēria)
Deliverance, preservation, salvation
From 'sōzō' (to save). Paul: 'For by grace you have been saved through faith' (Ephesians 2:8)
Sanctuary
Root: τὸ ἅγιον (to hagion)
The holy place, the sanctuary
Hebrews 9:12: 'He entered once for all into the holy places.' The heavenly sanctuary surpasses the earthly
Sin
Root: ἁμαρτία (hamartia)
Missing the mark, failure
Also an archery term in classical Greek. Paul: 'All have sinned and fall short' (Romans 3:23)
Soul
Root: ψυχή (psychē)
Soul, life, self
Source of 'psychology'. More dualistic than Hebrew nephesh — can exist apart from body
Temple
Root: ναός (naos) / ἱερόν (hieron)
Sacred precinct, inner sanctuary
Naos = inner shrine where God dwells; hieron = entire temple complex. Paul: 'Your body is a naos of the Holy Spirit'
Truth
Root: ἀλήθεια (alētheia)
Unhiddenness, disclosure, reality
Literally 'un-concealment' — Jesus says 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'
Wisdom
Root: σοφία (sophia)
Wisdom, deep knowledge
Paul contrasts worldly wisdom with the 'foolishness' of the cross
Hebrew
Atonement
Root: כִּפּוּר (kippur)
To cover, wipe clean, ransom
From root כ-פ-ר (to cover). Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement, holiest day in Judaism. The kapporet covered the Ark
Blessing
Root: בְּרָכָה (berakhah)
To kneel, bless, bestow abundance
From root ב-ר-ך (to kneel). A berakhah is both a blessing from God and a prayer blessing God. 'Blessed are you, LORD our God'
Covenant
Root: בְּרִית (berit)
Bond, pact, treaty (literally 'to cut')
Covenants were 'cut' — animals divided in ratification ritual. Foundation of Israel's relationship with God
Dominion
Root: מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah)
To rule, have dominion, tread down
Also רָדָה (radah) — Genesis 1:28: 'Have dominion over the fish of the sea.' Implies stewardship, not tyranny
Eternal
Root: עוֹלָם (olam)
Perpetuity, forever, hidden time
Can mean both 'forever' and 'the world/age.' 'The eternal God is your refuge' (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Faith
Root: אֱמוּנָה (emunah)
Firmness, steadfastness, trust
From same root as 'Amen' and 'emet' (truth). Active trust, not mere belief
Forgiveness
Root: סְלִיחָה (selichah)
To bear, carry away, pardon
From root ס-ל-ח. Also נָשָׂא (nasa) — to lift/carry away guilt. Central to Yom Kippur liturgy
Glory
Root: כָּבוֹד (kavod)
Weight, heaviness, honor, splendor
From root כ-ב-ד (to be heavy). God's glory has weight and substance — it filled the Tabernacle as a cloud (Exodus 40:34)
Grace
Root: חֵן (chen)
Favor, graciousness, kindness freely given
'Noah found chen in the eyes of the LORD' (Genesis 6:8). Unmerited divine favor
Heaven
Root: שָׁמַיִם (shamayim)
The heights, the skies, God's dwelling
Dual form — 'the heavens.' Can mean physical sky or God's abode. 'The heavens declare the glory of God' (Psalm 19:1)
Judgment
Root: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat)
Justice, verdict, act of judging
Both divine and human judgment. The Shoftim (Judges) administered God's justice in Israel
Light
Root: אוֹר (or)
Light, illumination
First thing created: 'Let there be light' (Genesis 1:3). God's presence = light
Love
Root: אהבה (ahavah)
Covenantal faithfulness, loyal love
Used 250+ times in Hebrew Bible; chesed (חסד) conveys steadfast lovingkindness
Mercy
Root: רַחֲמִים (rachamim)
Womb-love, deep compassion
From 'rechem' (womb) — God's mercy compared to a mother's love for her child
Peace
Root: שָׁלוֹם (shalom)
Wholeness, completeness, well-being
More than absence of conflict — implies total flourishing and divine order
Praise
Root: הַלֵּל (hallel)
To shine, boast, rave, celebrate
Root of 'Hallelujah' — 'Praise Yah.' Also תְּהִלָּה (tehillah, song of praise) — the Book of Psalms is Tehillim
Prayer
Root: תְּפִלָּה (tefillah)
To judge oneself, intercede
Hitpallel is reflexive — prayer as self-examination before God
Prophet
Root: נָבִיא (navi)
Called one, spokesman of God
From Akkadian 'nabu' (to call). A navi receives divine revelation and speaks it to the people
Repentance
Root: תְּשׁוּבָה (teshuvah)
To turn, return, come back
From root שׁ-ו-ב (to return). Not guilt but turning back to God. Central to the Days of Awe before Yom Kippur
Resurrection
Root: תְּחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים (techiyat hametim)
Rising of the dead, revival
Ezekiel 37 — Valley of Dry Bones: 'I will open your graves and raise you.' Pharisees affirmed bodily resurrection
Revelation
Root: גָּלָה (galah)
To uncover, make naked, disclose
God 'uncovers' his word to prophets. Also חָזוֹן (chazon) — a vision. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish' (Proverbs 29:18)
Righteousness
Root: צְדָקָה (tsedaqah)
Rightness, justice, conformity to a standard
From root צ-ד-ק — implies right relationship, not moral perfection. A tsaddiq is one who acts justly
Sacrifice
Root: קָרְבָּן (qorban)
Offering, that which is brought near
From root ק-ר-ב meaning 'to draw near.' Sacrifice is about drawing near to God, not mere slaughter
Salvation
Root: יְשׁוּעָה (yeshuah)
Rescue, deliverance, spaciousness
Same root as the name Yeshua/Joshua/Jesus. Implies being brought from a narrow place to a wide, open space
Sanctuary
Root: מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash)
Holy place, dwelling of God's presence
From root ק-ד-שׁ (holy). 'Let them make me a miqdash, that I may dwell among them' (Exodus 25:8)
Sin
Root: חֵטְא (chet)
To miss the mark, go astray
An archery term — falling short of God's standard. Not inherent corruption but an act
Soul
Root: נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh)
Living being, breath, life force
Not a disembodied soul — refers to the whole living person. 'And man became a living nephesh'
Temple
Root: בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ (beit hamikdash)
House, dwelling place of God
Literally 'House of Holiness.' Also הֵיכָל (heikhal) — the main hall. Solomon built the First Temple c. 957 BCE
Truth
Root: אֱמֶת (emet)
Firmness, reliability, faithfulness
From root א-מ-נ meaning 'to support, confirm' — same root as 'Amen'
Wisdom
Root: חָכְמָה (chokmah)
Skill, wisdom, insight
Personified as a woman in Proverbs 8. 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom'
Pali
Peace
Root: nibbāna
Peace through cessation of craving
Nirvana — the ultimate peace beyond suffering in Buddhism
Salvation
Root: nibbāna
Liberation, unbinding, extinction of suffering
Literally 'blowing out' — the cessation of craving, aversion, and delusion. The Third Noble Truth
Soul
Root: anattā
No-self, non-self
Buddhism teaches anatta — there is no permanent self, contrasting Hindu atman
PIE
Covenant
Root: *gʷem- + *h₁en
To come together
Latin 'convenire' (to come together, agree) gives English 'covenant' via Old French
Dominion
Root: *dem- (house/household)
To tame, have power over
Latin 'dominus' (lord/master) from 'domus' (house). Dominion = mastery over one's domain
Eternal
Root: *h₂eyw- (vital force, age)
An age, a vital force, lifetime
Root of Latin 'aevum' (age), Greek 'aiōn' (age/eon), English 'ever.' Eternity as unending vital force
Faith
Root: *bheidh-
To trust, persuade
Root of Latin 'fidēs' (faith) and Greek 'peithō' (to persuade)
Forgiveness
Root: *per- + *gʰebʰ-
To give completely, grant
English 'forgive' from Old English 'forgiefan' — to give up a debt or claim
Glory
Root: *ǵneh₃- (to know/recognize)
To call out, invoke
Latin 'gloria' may derive from a root meaning fame or recognition — that which is known and praised
Grace
Root: *gʷerH- (to praise)
To sing, praise, call out
Root of Latin 'gratia' (favor, thanks), giving English 'grace,' 'grateful,' 'gratitude'
Heaven
Root: *h₂éḱmō
Stone, sky (as a stone vault)
Related to Old English 'heofon.' PIE peoples conceived the sky as a solid dome
Judgment
Root: *yewes- (law)
To point out what is right, law
Root of Latin 'ius' (law/right) and 'iudex' (judge), giving English 'judge' and 'justice'
Light
Root: *leuk-
To shine, be bright
Root of Latin 'lux', Greek 'leukos', Sanskrit 'rocate'
Love
Root: *leubh-
To care, desire
Root of Latin 'lubēre' (to please) and Sanskrit 'lubhyati' (desires)
Mercy
Root: *merk-
Exchange, trade (hence: price, reward)
Latin 'merces' (reward) → 'misericordia' (compassion for those in misery)
Peace
Root: *pak-
To fasten, join together
Root of Latin 'pax' and 'pangere' (to fasten)
Praise
Root: *pretyo- (price)
To set a price, value highly
Latin 'pretiare' (to prize) via Old French 'preisier.' To praise = to declare the worth of
Prayer
Root: *prek-
To ask, entreat
Root of Latin 'precari' (to pray), German 'fragen' (to ask)
Prophet
Root: *bʰeh₂- (to speak)
To speak forth, declare
Greek 'prophētēs' from pro- (before/forth) + phēnai (to speak) — one who speaks forth
Repentance
Root: *peh₂- (to hurt)
To feel pain, regret
Latin 'paenitēre' (to cause regret) gives 'repent.' Originally about suffering, not moral change
Resurrection
Root: *h₃reǵ- (to straighten/rise)
To rise again
Latin 'resurgere' (to rise again) from re- (again) + surgere (to rise). Source of 'resurrect'
Revelation
Root: *wel- (to cover/veil)
To pull back the veil
Latin 'revelare' from re- (back) + velare (to veil). To reveal = to un-veil, uncover what was hidden
Righteousness
Root: *h₃reǵ-
To move in a straight line, direct
Root of Latin 'rectus' (straight), 'regere' (to rule), English 'right'
Sacrifice
Root: *sak- (to sanctify)
To make sacred
Latin 'sacrificium' from 'sacer' (sacred) + 'facere' (to make). To sacrifice is to make something holy
Salvation
Root: *solh₂- (whole)
Whole, well-kept, safe
Root of Latin 'salvus' (safe), 'salus' (health/salvation). Same root as English 'safe' and 'salute'
Sanctuary
Root: *sak- (to sanctify)
To make holy, consecrate
Root of Latin 'sanctus' (holy), 'sanctuarium' (a holy place). Related to 'sacred' and 'sacrifice'
Sin
Root: *es-ont-
To be, exist (as a state of being)
Debated origin — possibly connected to 'being guilty' as an existential state
Soul
Root: *saiwalo-
Coming from the sea/lake
Possibly linked to pre-Christian belief that souls came from and returned to water
Temple
Root: *tem- (to cut)
To cut, section (a sacred precinct)
Latin 'templum' originally meant a space cut off or marked out in the sky for augury
Truth
Root: *deru-
Firm, solid, faithful
Root of English 'true', 'trust', 'tree' (that which stands firm)
Wisdom
Root: *weid-
To see, know
Root of Latin 'vidēre' (to see), Sanskrit 'veda' (knowledge), English 'wise'
Proto-Germanic
Blessing
Root: *blōþisōjan (to hallow with blood)
To sprinkle with blood (consecrate)
Old English 'blēdsian' from 'blōd' (blood) — originally a pagan consecration rite
Sanskrit
Blessing
Root: आशीर्वाद (ashirvad)
Blessing, benediction, grace
From ashis (wish/blessing) + vad (to speak). Elders give ashirvad by placing hands on the head
Dominion
Root: ऐश्वर्य (aishvarya)
Sovereignty, supreme rule, lordship
From Ishvara (Lord/God). One of the six divine opulences of Bhagavan described in the Vishnu Purana
Eternal
Root: शाश्वत (shashvata) / सनातन (sanatana)
Eternal, without beginning or end
Sanatana Dharma — the 'eternal way.' Krishna: 'The soul is never born and never dies; it is eternal' (Bhagavad Gita 2:20)
Faith
Root: श्रद्धा (shraddha)
Faith, trust, devotion
Essential prerequisite in Bhagavad Gita: without shraddha, spiritual knowledge cannot arise
Forgiveness
Root: क्षमा (kshama)
Forgiveness, forbearance, patience
One of the ten virtues (yamas) in Hinduism. Kshama is considered the highest dharma
Glory
Root: तेजस् (tejas)
Splendor, divine radiance, spiritual luster
The radiant energy of the divine. Arjuna saw Krishna's tejas in the universal form (Bhagavad Gita 11)
Grace
Root: प्रसाद (prasada)
Grace, divine favor bestowed upon devotees
Literally 'clarity/brightness.' In bhakti tradition, liberation comes through God's prasada, not human effort alone
Heaven
Root: स्वर्ग (svarga)
Heaven, celestial realm of the gods
Realm of Indra; place of reward for the righteous. But ultimate goal is moksha — liberation beyond even svarga
Judgment
Root: न्याय (nyaya)
Righteous judgment, justice of cosmic law
Also one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. Yama, lord of death, judges souls by their karma
Light
Root: ज्योति (jyoti)
Inner light, divine radiance
Gayatri Mantra prays to the divine light that illuminates all minds
Love
Root: भक्ति (bhakti)
Divine devotion, attachment to God
Bhakti yoga — the path of loving devotion in Hinduism
Mercy
Root: करुणा (karuna)
Compassion for all beings
Central to Buddhism — karuna is one of the four Brahma Viharas (divine abodes)
Peace
Root: शान्ति (shanti)
Peace, tranquility, bliss
Repeated three times in prayer: 'Om shanti shanti shanti'
Praise
Root: स्तुति (stuti)
Hymn of praise, glorification
The Vedic hymns are stutis to the devas. Bhajans (devotional songs) are the living tradition of praise
Prayer
Root: ध्यान (dhyana)
Meditation, contemplation
Root of 'Zen' (via Chinese 'chan'). The seventh limb of yoga
Prophet
Root: ऋषि (rishi)
Seer, one who perceives truth
Rishis 'saw' the Vedic hymns — they did not compose them but received them through tapas (spiritual heat)
Repentance
Root: प्रायश्चित्त (prayashchitta)
Atonement, expiation, penance
Literally 'atonement of the mind.' Performed through tapas (austerity), dana (charity), and japa (chanting)
Revelation
Root: श्रुति (shruti)
That which is heard, divine revelation
The Vedas are shruti — 'heard' by the rishis, not authored by humans. Contrasted with smriti (remembered tradition)
Righteousness
Root: ऋत (rita)
Cosmic order, truth, righteousness
The cosmic principle of natural order that governs the universe; precursor to dharma
Sacrifice
Root: यज्ञ (yajna)
Fire sacrifice, ritual offering
The central Vedic ritual. Bhagavad Gita 3:9: 'Work done as yajna liberates; all other work binds'
Salvation
Root: मोक्ष (moksha)
Liberation, release from the cycle of rebirth
The supreme goal of Hindu life — freedom from samsara. Achieved through jnana, karma, or bhakti yoga
Sin
Root: पाप (papa)
Sin as ignorance
In Hinduism, sin stems from avidya (ignorance) of one's true divine nature
Soul
Root: आत्मन् (atman)
Self, eternal soul
The eternal self identical with Brahman: 'Tat Tvam Asi' (Thou art That)
Temple
Root: मन्दिर (mandir)
House of God, abode of the deity
From root 'mand' (to dwell/praise). A mandir houses the murti (sacred image) through which the divine is worshipped
Truth
Root: सत्य (satya)
Truth, being, reality
Gandhi's principle of Satyagraha — 'holding firmly to truth'
Wisdom
Root: प्रज्ञा (prajna)
Discriminative wisdom
In Buddhism, prajna is perfected wisdom — seeing the true nature of reality