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Glossary Terms
| Term (EN) | Definition | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Karmavada | Doctrine that every intentional action generates returning moral consequences | Core concept Q |
| Rit | Vedic cosmic moral order sustaining the universe; precursor to Dharma | Vedic ethics Q |
| Rin | Primordial debt — Deva, Pitru, Rishi Rin — grounding all ethical obligation | Obligation Q |
| Deva Rin | Debt to Nature/Gods — repaid through environmental stewardship | Environmental ethics |
| Pitru Rin | Debt to ancestors/parents — repaid through family duty and cultural preservation | Family duty Q |
| Rishi Rin | Debt to teachers/knowledge tradition — repaid through learning and teaching | Knowledge ethics |
| Purushartha | Four aims of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha | Framework Q |
| Dharma | Righteous duty; cosmic-social order; ethical conduct | Primary Purushartha |
| Artha | Material prosperity; political power — legitimate within Dharma | Economic ethics |
| Kama | Desire; pleasure — legitimate within Dharma | Balanced ethics |
| Moksha | Liberation from ego-driven existence; highest spiritual aim | Ultimate good |
| Svadharma | One's own contextual duty arising from role and nature — Gita 3.35 | Role ethics Q |
| Nishkama Karma | Action without attachment to personal outcomes — Bhagavad Gita 3.19 | Ideal service Q |
| Sanchita Karma | Accumulated past karma not yet yielding results | Karma types |
| Agami Karma | Karma created by current intentional actions | Decision accountability |
| Shubha | The Good: what is Dharma-aligned, spiritually conducive, universally beneficial | Good life Q |
| Sreya | The genuinely good though difficult (vs. Preya = merely pleasant) — Katha Upanishad | Ethical choice |
| Preya | The immediately pleasant but ultimately harmful — Katha Upanishad | Ethical choice |
| Sadguna | Virtues: Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha, Daya, Dhairya, Prajna | Virtue list |
| Yamas | Restraints in Yoga Sutras: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha | Virtue source |
| Niyamas | Observances in Yoga Sutras: Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya | Virtue source |
| Trigunas | Three qualities: Sattvic (pure), Rajasic (passionate), Tamasic (inert) | Character types |
| Sthitaprajna | Steadily wise person; stable in all situations — Bhagavad Gita 2.55 | Leadership ideal |
| Abhyasa | Repeated practice for cultivating virtues — Gita 6.35 | Virtue formation |
| Yajna | Sacrifice/offering; life as continuous giving-back; extends concept of Rin | Cosmic obligation |
Sources: Rigveda (various hymns to Varuna, Mitra); Katha Upanishad (1.2 — Sreya vs. Preya); Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (3.2.13 — Karma); Bhagavad Gita Chapters 2, 3, 6, 18; Kautilya, Arthashastra (trans. R. Shamasastry); Patanjali, Yoga Sutras; RPSC Mains PYQ 2013–2023; RPSC 2026 Official Syllabus; UPSC GS4 Reference Material; S. Radhakrishnan, The Principal Upanishads (1953).