Glossary of terms used on this site
There are 20 entries in this glossary.| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dalit |
'Broken', 'downtrodden' or 'oppressed' a term the untouchables use to describe themselves. This term has a more defiant and universal meaning. The term Harijan, coined by Gandhi is frowned upon as it was also used to describe the illegitimate offspring of Devadasis or temple prostitutes. |
| Danda |
Literally 'stick', symbols of state power in ancient India. Officials with names such as Dandanayak and Mahadandanayak existed with magisterial functions in the Gupta period. |
| Dharama |
Righteousness, doctrine, morality, law, religion |
| Dharma |
Religion, law, morality, the Way. That which upholds. Commonly applied to Hindu religion or Hindu way of life. Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs also use the same term. Part of the Hindu Dharma is varnaasharma Dharma or the caste system in its practical aspects. |
Rquotes
Lokayatics (Quotes)
On Holy Writs
What pompous talk they revel in, those foolish ones who take their stand.
On argued 'word' of holy writ, professing there is naught save this!
On Asceticism
On Philosophical Inference
We accept the inference which is this wordly. We condemn inference
which is used beyond this world only to prove hereafter etc. That inference is merely baseless and utopian by nature.
On Creator
No one sharpens the thorns, no one variegates the animals and birds.
Likewise nobody does make the sugercanes sweet and the tree of Nimba bitter. All this is but natural.
On Vedantist and Buddhists
If you can call respectfully the Vedanta a Scripture that denies the existence of even
this world which is proved by direct perception, then why do you condemn the Buddhists?
Old Testament of Indian Atheism by Surendra Ajnat, Bheem Patrika Publications, Jullundhar, India,
