Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

happiness (sukha)

This is the declared aim of all Hindu

systems, spurred by the experience of

unhappiness (duåkha).

Hara (‘the one who takes away’)

A name of ŸIVA.

Harappa

An ancient city in the Indus valley, exca-

vated in the early 20th century. While

most scholars still consider it as part of

a pre-Äryan civilization, some recent

findings suggest that it might have been

a late Vedic urban settlement.

Hardwar, also Hari-dvär(a),

Hara-dvär(a) (‘gate of Hari/Hara’)

Famous place of pilgrimage in North

India where the already mighty GA¢GÄ

breaks through the last range of the

Himälayas and enters the plains. It is

filled with ashrams and temples, and is

one of the four places where the

KUMBHAMELAis held every twelve years.

It is also the starting-point for pilgrim-

ages to Kedarnäflh and Badrïnäth.

Hari (‘the yellowish-green one’)

A name of VIÆŒU.

Hari-Hara

A combination of Vi•æu and Ÿiva in one

image.

Harijan (‘God’s people’)

Designation for OUTCASTESintroduced

by Mahatma GANDHIto emphasize their

dignity and human rights.

Hariÿcandra

An ancient king famous for his piety

and righteousness, a paradigm of liber-

ality, the subject of many stories in

Puräæas and dramatic performances.

Harita-smøti

A lawbook ascribed to the sage Harita.

Hari-vamÿa (Puräæa)

A lengthy appendix to the Mahä-

bhärata. Literally the ‘genealogy of

Hari’, the work conists of three parts:

(1) creation, patriarchal and regal

dynasties; (2) the life and exploits of

Kø•æa; (3) future of the world and the

end of the KALIYUGA.

Hastinä-pura

The capital city of the KAURAVASat the

Bhägïrathï (Gaægä), about 100 km

north-east of modern Delhi, founded

by Hastin, a descendant of BHARATA

(4), installed on the throne by

ØÆABHA.

häsya (‘laughing’)

One of the RASASof Indian aesthetics.

happiness 80

Hanuman, the monkey ally of Räma,

conquering Laökä and liberating Sïtä

from Rävaæa’s captivity.

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