The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (49 page)

(Skt.). In Hinduism, the opposite of
dharma
, synonym of
p
pa
: evil, sin, what is not right or natural, or according to
stras
.
Adharma is personified in Hindu mythology as the son of
Brahm
and brother of
Dharma
, born from Brahm
's back.

 
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Adhvaryu
(performer)
:

see
SACRIFICE
(
HINDU
).

 
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Adhvenak
(image)
:

see
FRAVASI
.

 
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(Skt., ‘false covering’). The way in which in Hinduism, illusory or false understandings impose themselves on what is truly the case, which ultimately must be
Brahm
n
. The classic example is that given by
a
kara
of a rope on a path which is believed to be a snake, an error which arises from
avidy
(ignorance). It follows that release from ignorance requires instructed attention to what is real, and to the ways leading to that knowledge.