9781422279717

Words to Understand in This Chapter

atma— the self: body, mind, or spirit; or the Supreme Spirit. Brahma— the first created being, created by Vishnu; the grandfather of the uni- verse, member of the Hindu trinity. deva— a divine being; the higher order of created being. karma— action; past actions, which accrue results; hence can refer to the results of past actions. Paramatma— the supreme self, or supersoul, who dwells within every living being. reincarnation— being reborn in a new body. samsara— the seemingly endless cycle of birth, old age, disease, and death. Shiva— the form of God who dissolves the universe with his dance in a circle of fire. Vishnu— preserver of the Universe, who creates the universe from his breath, and Brahma, the first living being.