Common Nouns Lexicon

Shiism is a major branch of Islam, primarily distinguished from Sunnism by its recognition of Ali and his descendants as the legitimate successors to Prophet Muhammad.

The shikhara is a central and ornate tower that surmounts the main sanctuary of a Hindu temple, characteristic of the Nagara architectural style.

Siddhashila is a Jain concept that refers to the place where liberated souls reside after achieving spiritual perfection.

Siddhis are supernatural powers acquired through meditation and spiritual practice in Hinduism.

A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion established in northern India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak.

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century in northern India by Guru Nanak Dev, characterized by its teachings of equality, justice, and faith.

The term smṛti refers to Hindu sacred texts considered to be of human origin, transmitted through memory and interpretation rather than divine revelation.

The Sphinx is a mythological creature from ancient Egypt, depicted with the body of a lion and the head of a human or ram, symbolizing strength and wisdom. Although the Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest, numerous sphinxes, including ram-headed ones, were built across Egypt to honor pharaohs and gods.

The term śramaṇa refers to ancient Indian renunciants who adopted ascetic lives outside the Vedic tradition, giving rise to religious movements like Buddhism and Jainism.

The term śruti refers to the sacred revealed texts of Hinduism, regarded as divinely originated and transmitted orally before being written down.