Veda
(from the Sanskrit word for `knowledge') any of the most ancient sacred writings of Hinduism written in early Sanskrit; traditionally believed to comprise the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads
Rig-Veda
a Veda consisting of a collection of Hindu poems dating from before 2000 BC
Vedism
the form of Hinduism that revolves primarily around the mythic version and ritual ideologies in the Vedas
hymn
a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
deity
any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force
Mecca
joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam
sura
one of the sections (or chapters) in the Koran
archetype
something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
