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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality: Scholar's Terms
A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality: Scholar's Terms
Scholar’s Terms
First Edition
Octavian Sarbatoare
A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Scholar’s Terms
A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism
or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without
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294.2
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Octavian Sarbatoare
Sarbatoare Publications
Sydney
A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Octavian Sarbatoare
Sydney, 2009, Australia
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A
Abhaya
Fearlessness as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
Abhaya Mudr1
Bhaya)
Bhaya
The gesture of dispelling fear (Bhaya
Abhigamana
vide Up1sana
Abhim1na
The ego awareness, a synonym for Asmit1
Abhimata
A pleasant object for meditation
vide also Dhy1na
Abhinive0a
Will to live, as one of the five Kle0a-s,
Kle0a known also as !0i=
vide V1san1
Abhi=eka
A ceremonial purification either of a deity or an individual by bathing or sprinkling water
Abhivyakti
Manifestation
vide also Abhivyaktik1ra9a,
Abhivyaktik1ra9a Vyakta
Abhivyaktik1ra9a
Vyakta)
Vyakta
The cause of manifestation (Vyakta
Abhy1sa
Practical application of spiritual teachings as a way to obtain perfection and liberation
Abhy1sin
A practitioner of any form of Abhy1sa;
Abhy1sa a S1dhaka or Yog2
!camana
A ceremonial rite of sipping water from the palm of the hand and sprinkling it on the body on
various parts for the purpose of purification
It is used also for purification before meals or religious ceremonies.
Ac1pala
Absence of fickleness as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
!c1ra
Lit. 'manner of action, conduct, practice; rule'
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
One's competency for spiritual S1dhan1 as assessed by the Guru before initiation
Adhik1rabheda
Lit. 'right of separation'
The coexistence of various doctrines and believes in the history of India, all as forms of one Reality
Sat)
Sat
(Sat
Adhik1rin
Lit. 'fit for; entitled to'
A name of a qualified aspirant for spiritual life, a competent S1dhaka
Adhim1tra T2vrasa%vega
High intensity of eagerness as one of the three T2vrasa%vega-s
T2vrasa%vega
Adhi=7h1na
Lit. 'abode, residence, site; standing by'
A locus or medium to experience with
Adhvabheda
The process of time difference between At2ta,
At2ta Vartam1na and An1gata Dharma-s
Dharma
Adhvara
In the Veda-s
Veda a non-injuring sacrifice consisting of preliminary preparations and duties before the
sacrifice itself
vide also Adhvaryu
Adhvaryu
$rvija-s)
$rvija the one who chants the hymns of the Yajur Veda while
One of the four Vedic priests ($rvija
performing Adhvara
An Adhvaryu is assisted by three helper priests viz. Pratiprasth1t4,
Pratiprasth1t4 Ne=74 and Unnet4.
Unnet4
Adhy1tma
Lit. 'origin of !tma'
The Supreme Spirit; the science of the Supreme Spirit as )1stra
Adhy1tma Vidy1
Knowledge of the Supreme Spirit
!din1tha (also !d20vara)
A name of )iva as the original Guru,
Guru the Primal Lord
Aditi
Lit. 'boundless, infinity'
One of the most ancient known Mother Goddess referred to in the $g Veda as being the daughter
of Dak=a,
Dak=a mother of the !ditya-s
!ditya and of the gods
!d20vara (see !din1tha)
!ditya
Lit. 'primal light'
A Vedic class of deities; principle sustaining nature and the universe
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!k10a Vidy1
The knowledge of !k10a
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 (one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s)
Vidy1 referring to !k10a as pervading everything. This
endless Tattva has to be seen in connection with the Tanm1tra of )abda and the sound of
Udg2tha.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
!k102 Dh1ra91
The Dh1ra91 on space as one of the Pa6cadh1ra91-s
Pa6cadh1ra91
Akha98a
Without division
vide also Kha98a
Kha98a
Akha981gni
Uninterrupted fire
Akrodha
Krodha)
Krodha as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Absence of anger (Krodha Daiv2sampat
Ak=a
vide Rudr1k=a
Ak=am1
Not letting go of a negative experience as opposed to K=am1
Ak=ara
Lit. 'imperishable'
A syllable; a name for the syllable O%;
O% a name for Brahman
Ak=ar1k=ara Vidy1
Brahman)
Brahman
The knowledge of the imperishable (Brahman
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s
Vidy1 in which the knowledge of Brahman is the higher
Vidy1 by which the imperishable is realized.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Ak=ayapatra
Ak=ayapatra
Lit. 'never ending leaf'
A symbol of abundance, as the leaf could serve as plate for food
Ak=i Vidy1
The knowledge of the eye
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 It is a Devay1na path in which Puru=a is meditated
upon internally as Indra in the right eye and Indr192 in the left eye. The conjoint meditation leads
to the knowledge of Sagu9a Brahman if this Vidy1 as correlated with Antar1ditya Vidy1.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Akula
vide Kaula
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Alabdhabh3mikatva
The state of lack of concentration as one of the nine Citta Vik=epa-s
Vik=epa
Alakhb1ra
Lit. 'invisible boundary'
A place of seclusion where Paramaha%sa Sanny1sin-s
Sanny1sin live
!lambana
Object of an experience having !0raya as its basis
vide also V1san1
Ala%bus1 N182
The N182 connected to the centre of the forehead
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvasa%k=obhi92
!lasya
Laziness as one of the nine Citta Vik=epa-s
Vik=epa and one of the seven Varjana-s
Varjana
Ali^ga
Lit. 'without sign'
A synonym for Avyakta Prak4ti;
Prak4ti a stage of non-differentiation when Gu9a-s
Gu9a are in equilibrium and
Asmit1 Sam1dhi is experienced (vide Gu9aparva)
Gu9aparva
!loka
Light as experience beyond the Loka-s
Loka
vide also Jyoti=mat2 Prav4tti
Aloluptva
Freedom from desire as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
Amanaska
The knowledge of Brahman beyond the mental plane
vide also Manaska
Am1nitva
Humility as a virtue of wisdom
Ambhas2 Dh1ra91
The Dh1ra91 on water as one of the Pa6cadh1ra91-s
Pa6cadh1ra91
Ambik1
Great Mother as a name of Dev2
Amla
Rasa-s)
Rasa
Sour, one of the essential tastes (Rasa
Am4ta
Nectar of immortality, ambrosia
vide also Soma, Soma Rasa
Am4t1kar=i92
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A
Worship with offering especially of flowers to the several parts of Lord's body
A^ga Vidy1
The esoteric knowledge and interpretation of various marks on the body
A^gay1ga
A subordinate sacrificial rite
vide also Y1ga
A^gi Nity1
vide !dy1
A^giras
Name of a $=i in the Veda-s;
Veda seer; ray
vide also Sapta4=i
A^gu=7ham1tra Vidy1
J2va)
J2va
The knowledge of the Soul (J2va
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 The term A^gu=7ham1tra for the soul denotes
something which is extremely fine, having residence in the heart.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Anib1dha
Unobstructed, without obstacles; liberty
A9im1
Lit. 'minuteness'
One of the eight yogic powers of becoming as small as an atom
vide also Siddhi,
Siddhi A=7asiddhi
A9im1di
vide A=7asiddhi
A=7asiddhi
A6jali
Reverence, salutation
A6jali Mudr1
The gesture of placing side by side the open hands in front of the body as kind of reverence
A6jana Siddhi
The power of making clear
vide also Siddhi
A6janat1
The quality of identifying with the form of an object as a result of Am4t1p3r9a
A^ku0a
Lit. 'goad'
A representation of Dve=a
vide also Ana^gamadan1^ku01, P101^ku0a
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A
Anna
Food
Annamaya Ko0a
The body of nourishment as sphere of consciousness
It forms Sth3la )ar2ra,
)ar2ra the gross body having its seat in the M3l1dh1ra
M3l1dh1ra Cakra. This Ko0a is the
expression and experience of the gross matter.
Anna Yoga
The Yoga of food based on !h1ra rules
Anta5kara9a
Lit. 'the internal organ'
The thinking faculty of mind
vide also !k10a
Antar
Inner
Antar1ditya Vidy1
The knowledge of the inner sun
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 The right eye represents the sun, the left eye the
moon, meditation on this Vidy1 has an external form leading to the knowledge of Sagu9a
Brahman if correlated with Ak=i Vidy1.
vide also Dv1tri%0at
Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Antar1k10a
Inner space
Antara^ga
The internal stage, the inner expression as opposed to Bahira^ga
Antar1ya
vide Citta Vik=ep1
Antardhauti
Yogic technique of inner purification
There are four main Antardhauti-s
Antardhauti viz. V1tas1ra,
V1tas1ra V1ris1ra,
V1ris1ra Vahnis1ra (or Agnis1ra)
Agnis1ra and
Bahi=k4ta.
Antardhy1na
Inner deep meditation
Antarindriya
An internal organ
In Ved1nta there are four Antarindriya-s
Antarindriya viz. Manas,
Manas Citta,
Citta Buddhi,
Buddhi and Aha%k1ra.
Antarj61na
The knowledge coming from within
Antary1ga
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Inner worship
vide also Y1ga
Y1ga,
ga Bahiry1ga
Antasa^kalpa
A terminal spiritual stage of a Yog2 who has experienced Dharmamegha Sam1dhi when there is
no urge to fulfil anything.
A9u
Atom
vide also Tanm1tra,
Tanm1tra Param19u
A9ubh3ti
Lit. 'perception'
The generic term which describes the spiritual experience as various degrees of experience of
consciousness, another term to describe Sam1dhi in Yoga
Anugraha
Lit. 'kindness, favour; conferring benefits'
Blessing, grace
Anulomaviloma
Kind of Pr191y1ma as technique of alternate breathe
Anusa%dh1na
Lit. 'investigation, searching into; plan'
Discovery
Anu=7h1na
Lit. 'performance; undertaking; practice'
The accomplishment of an act with absolute discipline according to a definite plan; the Sa^kalpa
of an act
There is a wide range of Anu=7h1na-s
Anu=7h1na like Japa,
Japa J61na,
J61na T1pasya,
T1pasya Yoga,
Yoga Tantra,
Tantra etc.
Anusv1ra
vide Bindu
Anv1h1ryapacana Agni
vide Agni
Ap
Water
The A%0a-s
A%0a of Ap in the Pi98198a are the five Tanm1tra-s.
Tanm1tra
vide also Bh3ta
Apai0una
Absence of crookedness as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
Ap1na
The V1yu which expels the life-force from the body
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Au%
vide O%
Au=adhi
vide O=adhi
Avadh3ta
Lit. 'one who has rejected all his worldly feelings and obligations'
A highly spiritual person
Avair1gya
Attachment as one of the eight Bh1va-s
Bh1va
vide also Vair1gya
!vara9a
Lit. 'what covers'
The covering of the inner reality on the path of Yoga
!vara9a is one of the two functions of M1y1 as the illusion which covers the inner reality. One of
the best ways of removing !vara9a is the practice of Pr191y1ma.
Pr191y1ma It is a fundamental concept that
!vara9a)
!vara9a the higher awareness can be experienced.
only by removing the covering (!vara9a
!vara9a Devat1
A deity of covering
There are three !vara9a Devat1-s
Devat1 namely K1me0var2,
K1me0var2 Vajre0var2 and Bhagam1lin2
Bhagam1lin2,
agam1lin2 the deities
covering the light.
vide also Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
Avaroha9a
The act of descending as opposed to !roha9a
Avasth1
Lit. 'condition'
State of human existence
Avasth1traya)
Avasth1traya viz. J1grat (waking), Svapna (dreaming) and Su=upti
There are three states (Avasth1traya
(deep sleep), each one having specific V4tti-s.
V4tti Beyond Avasth1traya there is one more state known
as Tur2ya.
Tur2ya
Avasth1 Pari91ma
Citta)
Citta accompanying the Pari91ma-s
Transformation of state of mind (Citta Pari91ma as a result of Sa%yama
Avasth1traya
vide Avasth1
Avat1ra
(from Avat4i i.e. to descend)
Incarnation of the Divine upon earth
The best known Avat1ra-s
Avat1ra are the ten forms of Vi=9u.
Vi=9u
Avidy1
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Bagal1 Mukhi
The eighth of the ten Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 representing the unconscious plane of existence that is the
source of illusion
Bahira^ga
The external stage, the outer expression as opposed to Antara^ga
Bahiry1ga
External worship known also as B1hyay1ga
vide also Y1ga,
Y1ga Antary1ga
Antary1ga
Bahi=kara9a
The body as external instrument
Bahi=k4ta Dhauti
One of the Antardhauti-s
Antardhauti as internal purification
By its practice a Deva Deha may be obtained.
Bahuda
Lit. 'much-giving'
One of the preliminary stages of Sanny1sa life-style when the Sanny1sin
Sanny1sin gives the best in the life
of an !0rama
B1hy1k10a
Outer space
B1hyap3j1
Lit. 'lower worship'
A ritual practice of worship, using voice, objects or images
vide also P3j1,
P3j1 Devay1na
B1hyay1ga
vide Bahiry1ga,
Bahiry1ga Y1ga
Bala
Bodily and mental strength or vitality as one of the four K1ya Sampad-s
Sampad
B1l1ki
Name of a sage in the Upani=ad-s
Upani=ad
vide also B1l1ki Vidy1
B1l1ki Vidy1
The knowledge of B1l1ki
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B
Bhakti
Devotion
Devotion is seen as channelling of emotions towards God in order to experience the eternal
existence. In the tradition, Bhakti is the only way God can be reached, as the experience of the
Brahm198a) Pi98198a).
Pi98198a The Bhakti M2m1%s1 S3tra describes
Brahm198a in the Microcosm (Pi98198a
Macrocosm (Brahm198a
devotion as being "Supreme longing for the Lord". It is said that the Lord becomes perceptible
through devotion. Bh1vac381ma9i says: "Nothing is accomplished by constant Japa,Japa sacrifices
and austerities which torture the body, because without deep devotion Yantra-s
Yantra and Mantra-s
Mantra do
not yield fruit".
vide also Bhaj
Bhakticcheda
Any decoration or marks on forehead, arms, cheeks, nose, breasts, etc. as an expression of devotion
to Devat1-s.
Devat1
Bhakti M1rga
The path of devotion
vide also Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga
The Yoga of Devotion
The last stage in Yoga,
Yoga considered to be the Yoga of the 21st century. It has nine limbs (A^ga
A^ga-s)
A^ga
namely )r1va9a (listening to holy scriptures), K2rtana (singing devotional songs), Smarana
(remembering the Divine), P1da Sev1na (service to the feet of the Lord), Arcan1 or P3j1 (ritual
worship), Vandana (prostration before the image of the Lord), D1sya (slavish devotion to the
Lord), S1khya (friendship) and !tma Nivedana (Self-offering to the Lord). In Bhakti Yoga
Bh1va-s)
Bh1va namely )1nta (tranquil), D1sya (slavish),
there are five main states or conditions (Bh1va
V1tsalya (affectionate), S1khya (friendly) and M1dhurya (sweet).
vide also )uddha Bhakti
Bhakti Yoga Sam1dhi
The Sam1dhi as a result of Bhakti Yoga practice
Bh1^g
A drink made of Indian hemp leaves
Bh1rati
In the Veda-s Satya);
Veda the word signifying the truth (Satya
Satya a high educational institution
Bhasma
Ashes used for spiritual purpose
Bhastrik1
Lit. 'causing the sound of bellows'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma
Bh1=ya
Lit. 'an explanatory work, exposition, commentary'
Work of a spiritual kind
Bh1va
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B
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B
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C
C
Caitanya
Consciousness; the Universal Soul
vide also Cetana
Caitra
The month corresponding to parts of March/April
vide also M1sa
Cakra
Lit. 'wheel; circle'
Centre (vortex) of energy and level of awareness
In the human body there are seven major Cakra-s
Cakra viz. M3l1dh1ra,
M3l1dh1ra Svadhi=7h1na,
Svadhi=7h1na Ma9ip3ra,
Ma9ip3ra
An1hata, Vi0uddha (or Vi0uddhi),
An1hata Vi0uddhi !j61 and Sahasr1ra.
Sahasr1ra Known also as Padma-s
Padma (lotuses) the
Cakra-s
Cakra are located in the S3k=ma )ar2ra body influencing also the other two )ar2ra-s.
)ar2ra Round
the centre of energy there are expansions producing the appearances of the petals of a lotus flower,
N182-s).
N182
in fact they are starting points of energy channels (N182 When opened the Cakra-s
Cakra become
gates of connection between the three )ar2ra-s
ar2ra therefore the physical consciousness may thus have
access to other planes. The Cakra-s
Cakra represent also the cycle of creation, preservation and
destruction (absorption).
vide also Pa6c1gni,
Pa6c1gni Loka
Cakra K=etra
The horizontal projection of a Cakra trigger point in the spinal cord on the front surface of the body
Only Svadhi=7h1na, Ma9ip3ra, An1hata, Vi0uddhi and !j61 Cakra-s
Cakra have Cakra
K=etra-s.
K=etra
Cakra P3j1
Circle worship
Tantric rite of which Bhairav2 Cakra is the most important.
Cakrar1ja
Lit. 'royal wheel'
Another name for )r2 Cakra
Cakr1sana
vide Tantr1sana
Cakra )uddhi
The process of purification of Cakra-s
Cakra
Cakre0vara
The leader of a Cakra P3j1 as a Tantric Guru
vide also Cakre0var2
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Cakre0var2
A generic name for a )akti presiding over a Cakra P3j1
vide also Cakre0vara
Cak=u
The third eye, the eye of )iva;
)iva the physical eye
The opening of Cak=us is linked to the renunciation to desired (vide Ana^ga).
Ana^ga
vide also Netra,
Netra J61nendriya
C1mu981
A terrific aspect of Dev2 as destroyer of Ca98a and Mu98a
Ca982 (or Ca98ik1 )
Lit. 'an ardent, passionate woman'
A popular name of Dev2
Ca98id1s
Poet and initiate of 15th century Bengal
vide also R1mi
Ca98ik1
vide Ca982
Candra
Lit. 'shining; the moon'
The moon or the lunar phase as one of the Navagraha-s;
Navagraha the Devat1 of I81
I81 N182;
N182 the feminine
kind of energetic; a Devat1
vide also Candrakha98a
Candradv1ra
The passage of the moon
Candrakal1
The increase/ decrease of the moon's disc in twenty-four hours, i.e. one sixteenth of the moon's disk
The moon is so personified as twenty-eight Nity1 )akti-s
)akti
Candrak1nti
Moonlight
Candrakha98a
Group containing Vi0uddhi and !jn1 Cakra-s
Cakra and Rudragranthi
The presiding deity is Candra,
Candra the Gu9a is Sattva,
Sattva the corresponding cosmic planes are
Taparloka and Satyaloka.
Satyaloka
Candrama98ala
Moon's halo, a representation of )r2 Cakra
Candra N182
A synonym for I81 N182
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C
Candra0ekhara
Lit. 'the one who has the moon as diadem'
A name of )iva
Caturtha Pr191y1ma
Lit. 'the fourth Pr191y1ma'
Catu=p27ha
Lit. 'the four P27ha-s'
The four P27ha-s
P27ha are K1mar3pa,
K1mar3pa P3r9agiri
P3r9agiri,
iri J1landhara and U882y1na.
vide also Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra,
Cakra Sarv1nandamaya Cakra,
Cakra Siddhap27ha
Cau0atti Yogin2
The sixty-four Yogin2-s
Yogin2
Cela
Disciple
Cetana
Lit. 'the one that illuminates'
Consciousness
vide also Caitanya
Ch1ndogya Upani=ad
One of the most important Upani=ad from where many Veda Vidy1-s
Vidy1 are extracted
Ch1ya
Shade, shadow; reflection; protection; giving protection (as a name of )iva)
)iva
Ch1ya Puru=a
The consciousness beyond Buddhi
Ch1y1 Up1san1
Tr17aka technique when the practitioner does the gazing on own shadow (from sun or moon)
Cidagni
vide Cidvahni
Cidagniku98a
The altar of the fire of consciousness
It is from where Dev2 was born in Her physical form.
Cid1k10a
Lit. 'space of knowledge'
Mind space as space of consciousness; the cosmic universal mind
The dark colour space visualized in front of the closed eyes in which is experienced the visual
aspect of mental energy is the Cid1k10a experience. Only when Ku98alin2 reaches Sahasr1ra
Cakra there is the full experience of Cid1k10a.
Cid1k10a
Cid1k10a Dh1ra91
Dh1ra91
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D1haka
The J17har1gni (digestive fire) of burning (heating)
vide also Sarvaj61namay2
Dahar1k10a
Lit. 'small space'
The space of the lower three Cakra-s
Cakra in the human body
Dahar1k10a Dh1ra91
The practice of meditation on the lower Cakra-s
Cakra (i.e. M3l1dh1ra,
M3l1dh1ra Svadhi=7h1na and Ma9ipura
Ma9ipura)
ra
Dahara Vidy1
The knowledge of the small
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s
Vidy1 which could be known by meditation into the heart
H4daya)
H4daya as the open door for the inner !k10a leading to the full knowledge of !k10a
(H4daya
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Daiv2sampat
Daiv2sampat
Divine quality
In the Bhagavad G2t1 are mentioned twenty-six divine qualities namely Abhaya,
Abhaya
Sattvasa%0uddhi, J61nayogavyavasthiti,
Sattvasa%0uddhi J61nayogavyavasthiti D1na,
D1na Dana,
Dana Yaj6a,
Yaj6a Sv1dhy1ya,
Sv1dhy1ya Tapas,
Tapas !rjava,
!rjava
Ahi%s1,
Ahi%s1 Satya,
Satya Akrodha,
Akrodha Ty1ga,
Ty1ga )1nti,
)1nti Apai0una,
Apai0una Day1,
Day1 Aloluptva,
Aloluptva M1rdava,
M1rdava Hr2,
Hr2 Ac1pala,
Ac1pala
Tejas,
Tejas K=am1,
K=am1 Dh4ti,
Dh4ti )auca,
)auca Adroha and N1tim1nit1.
N1tim1nit1
Daiv2 V1k
It is how was called the Sanskrit language during the Vedic period
*1kin2
The )akti residing in M3l1dh1ra Cakra
Dak=a
Lit. 'able, intelligent; strong'
One of the Praj1pati-s
Praj1pati known also as Pracet1s considered to be Dev2's
Dev2 father; one of the twelve
!ditya-s
!ditya
Dak=i9a
Right side; having somebody to the right side as a mark of honour (as opposed to V1ma i.e. to the
left); one of the sacrificial fires (vide Agni)
Agni
Dak=i9a is also a donation, fee or gift to a priest or Guru.
Guru
Dak=i9a Agni
One of the three sacrificial fires, the southern fire of the altar of sacrifice
In the human body it is located in the heart area, esoterically is the level of consciousness of
An1hata Cakra.
Cakra
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D
Devadatta
Lit. 'the God-given'
The V1yu producing the function of yawning
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarv1^gasundar2
Deva Deha
Divine body
Devaloka
Heaven, the world of Gods
Devamaithuna
The cohabitation of the Gods as expression of )iva )akti form of union
Devan1gari
Lit. 'divine writing'
The Sanskrit alphabet
vide also M1t4k1
Devas3
Ga9a Devat1-s)
The procreating Gods as one class of deities (Ga9a Devat1
There are eight Devas3-s,
Devas3 each having specific functions, namely Agni G4hapati,
G4hapati Soma
Vanaspati,
Vanaspati Savit4 Satyaprasava,
Satyaprasava Rudra Pa0upati,
Pa0upati B4haspati V1caspati,
V1caspati Indra Jye=7ha
Jye=7ha,
7ha Mitra
Satya and Varuna Dharmapati. They all manifest within the human body.
Devasu=i
Lit. 'divine tube'
The gates of the five major V1yu-s
V1yu located in the centre of the lotus of the heart
The gates have to be seen as the openings in the K1ra9a )ar2ra through which the five major
V1yu-s are born within the Suk=ma )ar2ra. The gates are located as four towards the four quarters
V1yu
Sam1na to the north, Vy1na to the south, Ap1na to the west, Pr19a to the east) and one upwords
(Sam1na
namely Ud1na. Each gate possesses specific Siddhi-s,
Siddhi which have to be overcome. Beyond the
five gates it is Para%jyoti=,
Para%jyoti= the J2v1tm1 Itself.
vide also G1yatr2 Vidy1
Devat1
God or Goddess; Deity
vide Deva
Devay1na
The path of Gods
A spiritual path using Gods as vehicles to attain the knowledge of Sagu9a Brahman.
Brahman
Devayoni
Spirit, demigod
Spirits said to people Mount Kail1sa and Mount Meru.
Meru )r2 Gane=a after receiving the teaching of
the Tantra-s
Tantra from his father Lord )iva,
)iva preached them first to Devayoni on Mount Kail1sa.
Kail1sa
Dev2
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D
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Dh4ti
Fortitude as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
Dh3m1v1t2
The seventh of the ten Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1
Called also "the smoky one" she represents the ultimate destruction, a kind of existence when
everything in the universe is in a state of darkness and inertia.
Dh3mra
Lit. 'smoke-coloured, smoky'
A certain experience leading to the path of Dak=i91yana
vide also Dh3mrali^ga
Dh3mrali^ga
The experience of Dh3mra in the M3l1dh1ra Cakra as form taken by )iva
It is also known as Svayamb3 Li^ga.
Li^ga
vide also )ivali^ga
Dhvani
The audible sound
Dhy1na (from the root Dhyai i.e. to contemplate, imagine)
Awareness as unbroken state of thoughts flow
This is a process of expansion of consciousness in which time (representing )iva)
)iva and space
(representing )akti)
)akti are brought together. In Yoga it is one of the eight A^ga-s
A^ga of the A=71^ga
Yoga of Pata6jali and an essential path to further human evolution. Through Dhy1na, Dhy1na
Pratyak=atva is obtained. Consciousness is also compared with the fire (Agni
Agni),
Agni which by its nature
consumes the material universe. Dhy1na,
Dhy1na as degree of finesse, is of three kinds, namely
Sth3ladhy1na,
Sth3ladhy1na S3k=madhy1na and Jyotirdhy1na.
Jyotirdhy1na
vide also Cidvahni
Dhy1na Mudr1
A kind of Mudr1 used for meditation
Dhy1nasth1na
Point of Dhy1na
Dhy1na practice inside the human body
Dhy1na Yoga
Kind of Yoga by practicing various kinds of meditation
Dhy1na Yoga Sam1dhi
The Sam1dhi as a result of Dhy1na Yoga practice
Digambara
Lit. 'sky-clothed'
A naked mendicant, a N1ga
vide also Rakt1mbara
D2k=1
52
D
D40ya
Lit. 'seen'
Indriya-s)
Indriya and all A%0a-s
All the objects known through senses (Indriya A%0a of !k10a in the Pi98198a;
Pi98198a
anything subject to cognition
Du5kha
Lit. 'unpleasant, pain, sorrow'
The mental activity of being sad, distressed; suffering; grief
The root of Du5kha is considered to be the duality (Dvaita
Dvaita).
Dvaita Philosophically Du5kha as suffering
Mok=a),
Mok=a a condition the human being has to
is a necessity, a conditio sine qua non of liberation (Mok=a
rise above and put an end to suffering. As one of the four Vik=epasahabh3-s
Vik=epasahabh3 Du5kha is connected
to the Vij61namaya Ko0a.
Ko0a
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra,
Cakra Vimal1,
Vimal1 Kle0a
Durg1
Lit. 'fortress'
A form of )akti as culmination of all positive attributes
The ascent of Ku98alin2 )akti from M3l1dh1ra CakraCakra (where it takes the form of K1l2)
K1l2
culminates in Sahasr1ra Cakra when takes the form of Durg1.
Durg1
Durg1 B2ja
vide Hr2%
Du% is also Durg1 B2ja (as per Varad1 Tantra)
Tantra
D3rv1
Kind of grass scientifically known as Panicum Dactylon or Agrostis Linearis
Meditation on D3rv1 grass gives specific benefits.
D3t2
Lit. 'female messenger'
One of the Nity1 )akti-s
)akti known also as )ivad3t2
Dvaita
Duality
vide also Advaita
Dvandva
A pair of opposites (e.g. cold and heat or happiness and sorrow); couple; face to face
Dvandva-s
Dvandva as pair of opposites could be overcome by steadiness in !sana.
!sana
Dv1para Yuga
An age of the world consisting of 864,000 years
vide Yuga
Dv1ra
Gate, passage; aperture of the human body
Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
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E
Ek1gra
One-pointed state as one of the five Cittabh3mi-s
Cittabh3mi
Ek1grat1
Concentration on a single point (one-pointed), a state of doing only one action at a time
Ek1grat1 Pari91ma
Transformation of concentration as one of the three Pari91ma-s
Pari91ma
vide also Lak=ana Pari91ma
Ekatattv1bhy1sa
The practice of one principle only
Eloke02
The hair of goddess K1l2 as symbol of mysteries of life
56
G
G
Gaja Kara9i
A yogic technique of vomiting in order to purify the N182-s
N182
Gamana
The act of going or attaining
vide also Ana^gamadan1tur1
Ga9a Devat1
Class of deities
There is a wide range of Ga9a Devat1-s
Devat1 depending on the historical periods of India and kind of
literature.
vide also Devas3
Ga9apati
A name of Ga9e=a
Gandha
Smell
vide also Tanm1tra
Gandh1kar=i92
The attractive power of Gandha
vide also Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
G1ndh1r2 N182
The N182 connected to the left ankle
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvava0a^kar2
Gandharva
Being in the heavenly world expert in music
vide also Kail1sa
Gandhatattva
The Tattva of Gandha
Ga9e=a
The elephant-headed god, a son of )iva,
)iva a symbol of the primordial power, the starting point for the
human access to the divine by overcoming all obstacles
His vehicle is the mouse also a symbol of enduring and overcoming obstacles.
vide also Ga^g1,
Ga^g1 Devayoni
Ga^g1
Lit. 'that which goes with Ga%
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G
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Graha9a
The knowledge acquired through senses
vide also Sam1patti
Grah2t4
The knower
vide also Sam1patti
Grah2t4 Graha9a Gr1hya
In Yoga S3tra-s
S3tra the triple merge of the one who knows, the knowledge, and the object of
knowledge
This is a parallel concepts to J61ta J61na J6eya of the )r2 Yantra.
Yantra Such a merge is possible only
when A6janat1 quality is acquired.
Gr1hya
The object of knowledge
vide also Sam1patti
Gr1ma Devat1
Village deity
Granthi
Psychic knot as stage of manifested consciousness
Along Su=umn1 N182 there are three knots viz. Brahmagranthi,
Brahmagranthi Vi=9ugranthi and
Rudragranthi.
Rudragranthi Each one is a door to a different level of consciousness. Each Granthi belongs to a
specific Kha98a (vide Agnikha98a,
Agnikha98a S3ryakha98a,
S3ryakha98a Candrakha98a
Candrakha98a),
a98a each Kha98a corresponds
to a K37a of Pa6cada01k=ar2 Mantra.
Mantra The force of M1y1 is very powerful in the knots. Pains and
various physical disorders often accompany Granthi-s’
Granthi piercing.
Gr1vastut
Lit. 'the one praising the Soma stones'
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Hot4 priest named after the hymn to the Soma stones
G4hastha
Householder
vide also !0rama
Gu9a
Quality, attribute, characteristic; a property of Prak4ti
The three Gu9a-s Trigu9a)
Trigu9a are Sattva,
Gu9a (Trigu9a Sattva R1jas and Tamas
vide also Ali^ga,
Ali^ga Gu9aparva
Gu9aparva
Gu9aparva
State of the Gu9a-s
Gu9a as stages of their manifestations
There are four Gu9aparva-s
Gu9aparva namely Vi0e0a,
Vi0e0a Avi0e0a,
Avi0e0a Li^gam1tra and Ali^ga.
Ali^ga
Gu9a Rahita !k10a
The first of the Vyoma Pa6caka-s
Pa6caka described as the space without attributes
60
G
Gupta
Lit. 'the hidden one'
A name of K4=9a
Gupt1sana
The hidden !sana
Guru
Lit. 'remover of darkness'
Spiritual teacher, preceptor; the planet Jupiter one of the Navagraha-s
Navagraha
As spiritual teacher, Guru helps the )i=ya (disciple) to contact and awaken the inner Guru (i.e. the
Self). As far as the Guru-)i=ya
Guru )i=ya relationship is concerned, Guru is basically the individual
projection of every )i=ya.
)i=ya
Guru Tattva
Essence of the concept of role of a Guru
Gy1na
vide J61na
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H
H1kin2
The )akti residing in the !jn1 Cakra
Ha%sa
Lit. 'accord; harmony; swan'
The symbol for the Supreme Reality; one of the stages of Sanny1sa lifestyle
Ha%sa5
The Ajap1 Japa Mantra
It has two parts. The Ha% (representing )iva)
)iva is produced during inhalation and Sa5 (representing
)akti) is produced during the exhalation of the air.
)akti
H1na
The act of rejecting or abandoning
In Yoga,
Yoga H1na is the liberation of Puru=a from Prak4ti.
Prak4ti
vide also Ana^garekh1
Hanta
vide Dhenu
Hanum1n
The monkey devotee of R1ma renowned for his deep devotion, courage and strength
Hara
A name of )iva
Harac381ma9i
)iva's
)iva crest-gem, i.e. the moon
vide also Candra0ekhara
Hari
A name of Vi=9u or K4=9a
Hastijihv1 N182
The N182 connected to the right side of the body
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvasa%mohi92
Hastin2
vide Padmin2
H1sya
Humour as one of the Rasa-s
Rasa
Ha7ha Yoga
The physical Yoga having the goal to balance the solar influence (represented by Ha Mantra)
Mantra and
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H
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I
I
Icch1
Lit. 'desire, will'
The mental activity of wishing
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra,
Cakra Aru91
Icch1 )akti
The energy of will
Id1 N182
Known also as Candra N182 it is one of the major N182-s
N182 (in the human subtle body) running up
the left side of Su=umn1,
Su=umn1 the central channel
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra A0vini,
A0vini Sarvasampattip3ra92,
Sarvasampattip3ra92 Candra,
Candra Candra
N182
Ik=ukoda98a
The sugar-cane bow of K1ma
Known also as Dhanu=,
Dhanu= it denotes the mind.
vide also !yudha Devat1
Il1
In the Veda-s
Veda the Goddess Earth, daughter of Manu,
Manu a symbol of inspiration and love
Ilya
The tree in the Brahmaloka that is seen after passing the Viraj1 river and before the S1lajja city
The seeing of the tree enables the devotee to have a preliminary Gandha (smell as experience) of
the existence of Brahma and to overcome it eventually.
vide also Parya^ka Vidy1
Indra
Lord of Light representing the archetypal of pure being as object of human knowledge
In the Veda-s
Veda Indra is called "the thunderbolt" as an expression of strength and vigour. He is the
divine warrior breaking all barriers, the transcendental experience of stepping from unconsciousness
to consciousness. Indra is equated with the concept of Puru=a in Yoga.
Yoga
vide also Svarloka,
Svarloka Parya^ka Vidy1,
Vidy1 !nandamaya Vidy1,
Vidy1 Agni S3rya Indra
Indra,
dra Indra Agni
Soma S3rya
Indra Agni Soma S3rya
The four Godhead of the Veda-s
Veda
The concept of Indra Agni Soma S3rya of the Veda-s
Veda is a parallel idea with that of Sat Cit
!nanda. Therefore Indra is the fundamental Reality (Sat
!nanda Sat),
Sat Agni the Consciousness (Cit Cit)
Cit and
Soma the state of Ecstasy or Bliss (!nanda
!nanda).
!nanda S3rya is the door-gate of access through knowledge
J61na)
J61na of the unity of Sat,
(J61na Sat Cit and !nanda.
!nanda
vide also !tman,
!tman Agni S3rya Indra
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Indradhanu=
The rainbow
Indra Jye=7ha
Indra the leader of the heaven
One of the eight Devas3-s,
Devas3 an aspect of Indra,
Indra the most important of Devas3 Ga9a Devat1-s.
Devat1 .
Indriya
Manas)
Manas as source of lower consciousness of objects
Sense and action organs and the mind (Manas
experience
Indriya-s
Indriya consist of five J61nendriya-s,
J61nendriya five Karmendriya-s
Karmendriya and Manas.
Manas In Tantra their
stimulation brings the stimulation of Cakra-s
Cakra as the externalised practice of Praty1h1ra.
Praty1h1ra
vide also Asmit1,
Asmit1 Rudra,
Rudra Antarindriya
I^gitaj6a
The interpretation of the inner intention by external gestures of a person
vide also Lak=a9a
Lak=a9a Siddhi
@0a Vidy1
The knowledge of God
A Veda Vidy1, one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 It refers to Sagu9a Brahman as a subject of
knowledge, but to Nirgu9a Brahman as the subject of Self-realization only (ref. @01v1sya
Upani=ad).
Upani=ad
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
@01na
An old name of )iva;
)iva the sun as a form of )iva
@0itva
Lit. 'superiority'
One of the eight yogic powers that of being above others
vide also Siddhi, A=7asiddhi
I=7a Devat1
The chosen deity of an aspirant as the expression of the supreme reality to be followed or
worshipped in various forms
I=7ihan (from I=7i i.e. impulse)
Overcoming a specific place and time in the Brahmaloka thus enabling the devotee not to destroy
the sacrifice of crossing the lakes !ra and Nya
Pa6c1gni-s).
Pa6c1gni
It helps also to rise above the five internal fires (Pa6c1gni
vide also Parya^ka Vidy1
@0vara (from the root @0 i.e. to rule)
Lit. 'lord'
The Supreme Puru=a as non-manifested state; a name of )iva as patron of Yogi-s;
Yogi God in Yoga
@0vara is also the Devat1 of V1yu Bh3ta.
Bh3ta
vide also Parabrahman
Parabrahman,
man Asat,
Asat Avyakta,
Avyakta Nir1k1ra,
Nir1k1ra Sagu9a Brahman
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I
@0varapra9idh1na
Devotion to God as one of the five Niyama-s
Niyama
@0varapra9idh1naprati=7h1
A state in which @0varapra9idh1na is experienced
A Yog2 possessing this state will be able to experience the ecstasy accompanying the surrender to
the Divine.
@0varatattva
The Tattva of J61na )akti (the energy of knowledge)
vide also @=vara
Itarali^ga
Lit. 'identification with this and that'
The experience of the similar nature of J2v1tman and !tman taken by )iva in !j61 Cakra as
advanced form of awareness
vide also )ivali^ga
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J
J1gar2
The name of J2va in the J1grat state
Jagat
The ever-changing universe as phenomenal world
J1grat
The Avasth1 of waking associated with a specific V4tti (vide J1grat V4tti)
V4tti
In this state the J2va
J2va consciousness is in the gross body (Sthula
Sthula )ar2ra)
)ar2ra and the perception is
through the senses and mind.
J1gratsvapna
J1grat) Svapna)
J1grat and dreaming (Svapna
An intermediate state between waking (J1grat Svapna
J1grat V4tti
The condition of the waking state associated in the mind with the Alpha brain waves
vide also Avasth1,
Avasth1 V4tti
Jala
Water
vide also Ap
Jala Basti
The Basti with water as one of the two Basti-s
Basti
J1landhara Bandha
Lit. 'water pipe lock'
The ‘vital centre’ Bandha as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
vide also Bandhatraya
J1landhara
J1landhara P27ha
vide Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
In the S3k=ma )ar2ra it is equated with Vi0uddhi Cakra
vide also P27ha,
P27ha Catu=p27ha
Janarloka
The Loka of rebirth inhabited by Brahm1-s
Brahm1 son Sanatkum1ra
Janma Cakra
The wheel of life (from Janma meaning birth)
Janmar10i
Janmar10i
Zodiacal sign
Janmasiddha
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J
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K
K
Kadamba
The tree Nauclea Cadamba whose fragrant blossoms of orange colour are used in worship
particularly of Dev2's
Dev2
K1di
The first of all )r2 Vidy1 Mantra
Kail1sa
Mythical mountains in Him1laya-s
Him1laya
Mountains frequented by Siddha-s
Siddha and Gandharva-s,
Gandharva the paradise of )iva. )iva Here is where
P1rvat2,
P1rvat2 )iva's
)iva spouse, the daughter of the Mountain King was born. These mountains are also
)iva K=etra,
K=etra where there are the three great shrines of Gangotri (the source of the Ganges),
Kedarnath (a Ma7h and temple of Sad10iva
Sad10iva)
iva and Badrinath (a temple of an incarnation of Lord
Vi=9u).
Vi=9u It is the place of Satsa^ga of Lord )iva for $=i-s
$=i and Muni-s,
Muni a place of great beauty, the
fabulous residence of Kubera built of Cint1ma9i and surrounded by Kadamba trees. The mystic
mount is to be sought in the Sahasr1ra Cakra in the body of every J2va.
J2va
Kail1sav1sin
Lit. 'the one dwelling on the mount Kail1sa'
A name of )iva
Kai%karya
vide D1sya
Kaivalya (from the word Kevala,
Kevala vide)
The state of absolute unity of spirit as a culmination of supreme knowledge and absence of Avidy1
As a process of unfolding the pure consciousness, Kaivalya is defined as the Pratiprasava
(involution) of the three Gu9a-s
Gu9a when they acquire an undisturbed condition, so being able to fulfil
the Puru=1rtha-s.
Puru=1rtha
Kaivalya Mukti
The liberation of absolute unity
Kaivalyapr1gbh1ram
Lit. 'tendency towards absolute unity'
Citta)
Citta attraction towards the unity experienced by a practitioner in the final
The process of mind's (Citta
stages of own S1dhana
K1ki Mudr1
Lit. 'gesture of the crow'
The crow Mudr1 as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
K1kin2
The )akti residing in An1hata Cakra
Kal1
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K
K1ma
Desire, the passion associated with Sv1dhi=7h1na Cakra
One of the names of K1madeva as one who generates desire for love. In the $g Veda,
Veda K1ma is
described as the first movement of creation.
vide also Puru=1rtha,
Puru=1rtha Pa6c1gni
K1m1^ga
The mango tree Magnifera Indica
K1mab19a
An arrow of K1madeva
K1ma B2ja
vide Kl2%
K1mabindu
Lit. 'wish drop'
A drop of melted butter into the sacred fire in order to obtain the fulfilment of a wish
K1madeva
The God of Love
He can assume any form at will. His other names are Madan1,
Madan1 Manmatha,
Manmatha K1ma,
K1ma Smara,
Smara M1ra,
M1ra
Pradyumna,
Pradyumna Ana^ga,
Ana^ga Kusume=u,
Kusume=u Kandarpa,
Kandarpa Manobhava,
Manobhava Kamar1ja,
Kamar1ja etc., all as expressions
of love, attachment and desires. His two wives are Rati and Pr2ti as sentiment and joy. His B2ja
Mantra is Kl2%. K1madeva is the son of Brahm1,
Brahm1 the Creator as K1ma (desire) comes always as
part of the creation, but even exists without an object of desire (vide Ana^ga,
Ana^ga K1ma).
K1ma His emblem
is the Makara,
Makara hence the name Makaraketana (the one having the Makara for an emblem).
K1madhenu
The cow of plenty, the mythical cow of Vasi=7ha
As per )1rad1 Tilaka,
Tilaka K1madhenu is the awakened Ku98alin2.
Ku98alin2
K1makal1
K1ma signifies the union of )iva and )akti as K1me0vara and K1me0var2,
K1me0var2 Kal1 is their
manifestation
K1m1kar=i92
The attractive power of K1ma
vide also Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
K1m1k=y1
Temple in K1mar3pa (Assam-India) where Sati's
Sati Yoni fell to ground
It is a Tantric centre of great power.
Kamal1
The tenth of the ten Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 represents the state of reconstituted unity when everything is joy,
happiness and good fortune
Kamal1 is also one of Goddess Lak=m2's
Lak=m2 names. Dev2 is also named Kamal1 as she is in every
)akti.
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K1mar1ja
Lit. 'king of desire'
One of the names of K1madeva as king of desires
vide also K1ma
K1mar1jak37a
One group (section) of Pa6cada02 Mantra known also as Madhyak37a
It is presided over by S3rya
K1mar3pa
Lit. 'shape assumed at will; the Yoni'
An old region corresponding to the actual east part of Bengal and west part of Assam in India where
the famous temple K1m1k=y1 is located
K1mar3pa P27ha
vide Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
vide also P27ha,
P27ha Catu=p27ha
In the S3k=ma )ar2ra it is equated with Sv1dhi=7h1na Cakra.
Cakra It is also a Yonip27ha.
K1ma0ara
Lit. 'love's shaft'
An arrow of K1madeva
K1me02
The passionate One
One of the V1gdev2-s
V1gdev2 corresponding to the mental activity of U=na.
U=na
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra
K1me0vara
Lit. 'the king of love'
A name of )iva without attributes
vide also K1makal1
K1me0var2
Lit. 'the queen of love'
One of the !vara9a Devat1-s
Devat1 presiding over the principle of existence of Avyakta
K1me0var2 is also a name for the Supreme )akti (vide K1makal1,
K1makal1 K1me0var2 Nity1).
Nity1
vide also Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
K1me0var2 Nity1
The eternal K1me0var2,
K1me0var2 a name for the Supreme )akti
K1min2k16cana
Lust and gold as expressions of desire and greed
K1myahoma
Homa with the purpose of attainment of one's desires
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K
Ka6cuka
Lit. 'cover, disguise'
Limitation
Forms of )akti in which the primordial unity is obscured by M1y1 )akti so the inner perfection of
Cit !nanda as )iva )akti union is limited. There are five Ka6cuka-s
Ka6cuka (part of the thirty-six
Tattva-s),
Tattva viz. Kal1,
Kal1 Vidy1,
Vidy1 R1ga,
R1ga K1la and Niyati.
Niyati
Kandarpa
Lit. 'inflamer even of a god'
One of K1madeva‘s
K1madeva names, as the one inflaming love
Kap1labh1ti
Lit. 'shinning skull'
One of the +a7karma-s
+a7karma used to destroy the disorders caused by Kapha (phlegm)
It is of three kinds namely V1makrama,
V1makrama Vyutkrama and )2tkrama.
)2tkrama
Kap1larandhra Dhauti
Cleaning of the frontal sinuses as one of the Danta Dhauti-s
Dhauti
Kapha
One of the three Do=a-s
Do=a
In the !yurveda system, Kapha is a deficiency of phlegm as a cause to diseases.
K1ra9a
Cause, origin
K1ra9a Bindu
The causal source, which proceeds the K1rya Bindu
K1ra9a R3pa
Causal form
vide also R3pa
K1ra9a
K1ra9a )ar2ra
The causal body (composed of Sa%sk1ra-s) Sa%s1ra)
Sa%sk1ra as vehicle of transmigration (Sa%s1ra
Sa%s1ra
Its centre is the heart. This )ar2ra is the cause of all other lower bodies.
Karav2ra
The plant oleander (Nerium Odorum) or its flower; a species of Soma used in worship
K1rik1
A verse of an essential statement usually applied in grammar and philosophy
Karma (from the root K4 i.e. to accomplish)
Action and its accumulations
The accumulated Karma is of three kinds, viz. )ukla Karma,
Karma K4=9a Karma and A0ukl1k4=9a
Karma-s)
Karma producing fruits according to own nature. The actions (Karma
Karma are accompanied by
Pari91ma,
Pari91ma T1pa and Sa%sk1ra.
Sa%sk1ra As degree of finesse Karma is of two kinds, i.e. Sth3la and
S3k=ma.
S3k=ma Karma accumulates only when there is a sense of doing something. From the point of
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view of timely effect, Karma is of two kinds, viz. Sopakrama and Nirupakrama.
Nirupakrama
vide also Karm10aya,
Karm10aya Sa%sk1ra
Karma Deva
A god created by own actions as compared to a !j1naya Deva (god by birth)
vide also !nandamaya Vidy1
Karma Sanny1sa
One of the preliminary stages of Sanny1sa lifestyle when the Sanny1sin although living in the
world is committed to spiritual life
Karma Sanny1sa is also a kind of initiation of yogic type.
vide also Dik=a
Karm10aya
Repository of acts as Karma-s
Karma of various natures, the store of the traces of past Karma-s
Karma
accumulated in the forms of Sa%sk1ra-s
Sa%sk1ra
Karma Yoga
The Yoga of action
vide also Pari0rama
Karmendriya
Organ of action in the human body
Karmendriya-s namely V1k (mouth), Upastha (genitals), P1yu (anus), P192
There are five Karmendriya
(hands), P1da (feet) produced from the Rajas Gu9a of Prak4ti and are parts of the thirty-six
Tattva-s.
Tattva
vide also Vikara9a Bh1va
Kar9a Dhauti
Cleaning of the ear opening as one of the Danta Dhauti-s
Dhauti
Karobari
The caretaker of a spiritual institution
Kartar2
A two-syllables Mantra
K1rtika
The month corresponding to parts of Oct./ Nov.
vide also M1sa
K1rttikeya
The god of war, son of )iva and P1rvat2
Karu91
The sentiment of compassion; compassion as one of the Rasa-s
Rasa
Karu91 is also one of the Citta Pras1dana-s
Pras1dana as an attitude towards unhappy people.
vide also Maitry1di
K1rya
78
K
Effect; action
vide also K1ra9a,
K1ra9a Satk1ryav1da
K1rya Bindu
The effect source, which follows the K1ra9a Bindu
Ka=1ya
Rasa-s)
Rasa
Astringent as one of the essential tastes (Rasa
Ka7uka
Rasa-s)
Rasa
Pungent as one of the essential tastes (Rasa
Kaula
The essence common to both )iva and )akti
Kaula Dharma and Kaulika Dharma are synonyms. In the Tantra-s
Tantra Kula means )akti,
)akti Akula
means )iva and the union between Kula and Akula is called Kaula.
Kaula The path of Su=umn1 is also
named Kula,
Kula as Dev2's
Dev2 names are Kulayogin2 and Kaulin2.
Kaulin2 Traditionally there are eight kinds of
women attending on Kaula worship.
Kaulam1rga
The Kaula path
Kaulika
vide Kaula
Kaulin2
The essential (basic) One
One of the V1gdev2-s
V1gdev2 corresponding to the mental quality of Tamas.
Tamas
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra,
Cakra Kaula
Kaumud2
Lit. 'moonlight'
The day of full-moon in the month of K1rtika when the festival in honour of K1rttikeya is held
Kaumud2 is also personified as goddess, the wife of Candra.
Candra
Kaumud2c1ra
The day of full-moon in the month of !0vina
Kavitva
The literary ability
vide also P198itya
K1vya
Poem; charming
K1ya
Body
K1y1gni
The fire of the body as digestive fire
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K1yar3pa
Form of the body
Performing Sa%yama on K1yar3pa and suspending the reception of the light in the eyes will
enable the Yog2 to become invisible.
K1ya Sampad
Bodily perfection
In Ha7ha Yoga the marks of bodily perfection are four viz. R3pa,
R3pa L1va9ya,
L1va9ya Bala and
Vajsa%hananatv1ni (vide Yoga S3tra-s
S3tra III.46).
K1ya Sthairya
Steadiness of the body
K1yika
Kind of worship "by body" of the Dev2
vide also Y1ga
Ke0ava
Lit. 'having long or handsome hair'
A name of K4=9a
Ke0ava assumes various forms in different Yuga-s.
Yuga
Ketu
The descending node in astronomy and astrology, one of the Navagraha-s
Navagraha
Kevala
Lit. 'entirely, wholly'
The state of highest possible knowledge
Kevala Kumbhaka
Spontaneous Kumbhaka as a result of full awakening of Ku98alin2
vide also Sahita Kumbhaka
Keval2
Lit. 'causing absorption'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma
Pr191y1ma
Kha8ga Siddhi
The power of breaking through
vide also Siddhi
Khajuraho
Lit. 'agitated chest'
The famous Tantric temples
Kha98a
Lit. 'part, chapter, group, section of a work'
Division
80
K
Khecar2
The flying One
Khecari Mudr1
The Mudr1 of flying as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
Khy1ti
Awareness
vide also Vivekakhy1ti
K2rtana
One of the A^ga-s
A^ga of Bhakti Yoga as the devotional act of singing songs for the Divine
K2rti
Fame
Kle0a
Affliction, suffering
In Yoga the five afflictions binding down the human being are Avidy1
Avidy1, Asmit1,
Asmit1 R1ga,
R1ga Dve=a,
Dve=a
Abhinive0a. From Avidy1,
Abhinive0a Avidy1 Asmit1 will appear, from Asmit1,
Asmit1 R1ga,
R1ga from R1ga,
R1ga Dve=a,
Dve=a from
Dve=a,
Dve=a Abhinive0a.
Abhinive0a Kle0a-s
Kle0a can be eliminated mainly by living into an !0rama and coming back
to society after a while.
vide also Du5kha
Kl2%
K1ma B2ja
A B2ja for K1madeva and K4=9a.
K4=9a
Kon1rak
Lit. 'corner of the time-wheel'
The famous Tantric temple in Orissa (India)
Ko0a
Lit. 'sheath; body'
Sphere of consciousness
There are five Ko0a-s
Ko0a viz. Annamaya,
Annamaya Pr19amaya,
Pr19amaya Manomaya,
Manomaya Vij61namaya and
!nandamaya as an integral part of the three )ar2ra-s.
)ar2ra
vide also Vik=epasahabh3
Krama
Lit. 'proceeding, going towards; progressing step by step; method'
Sequence, order
Kratu
Name of a $=i;
$=i capacity; will
vide also Sapta4=i
Kriy1 )akti
The energy of action
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Kriy1 Yoga
The practical Yoga
K4kara
The V1yu producing the function of hunger
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvavighaniv1ri92
Krodha
Anger as one of the seven Varjana-s
Varjana
Krodha,
Krodha known also as Dve=a is the passion associated with Ma9ip3ra Cakra.
Cakra
vide also Pa6c1gni,
Pa6c1gni A^ku0a
K4p1
Mercy
K4p1 Ka71k=a
A side look (glance) full of grace as Dev2's
Dev2 kind of look
K4p1s1gara
Lit. 'the one who is an ocean of mercy'
A name of K4=9a
K4=9a
Lit. 'dark-blue; the one who attracts'
Avat1ra)
Avat1ra of Vi=9u
An incarnation (Avat1ra
K4=9a Karma
The bad (dark) Karma as one of the three accumulated Karma-s
Karma
K4ta Yuga
vide Satya Yuga,
Yuga Yuga
K4ti
The quality of being active
vide also Bh3ma Vidy1
K=am1
Forgiveness as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
vide also Ak=am1
K=1raka
The J17har1gni of bile secreting
vide also Sarv1dh1rasvar3pi92
K=atriya
One of the four Var9a-s
Var9a in the Vedic tradition consisting of military and administrative people
K=etra
Field
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K
84
K
Ku0a
Grass scientifically known as Poa Cynosuroides used in certain sacred ceremonies and for
meditation in Yoga
Kusuma
Flower; menstrual discharge
vide also Ana^gakusuk1
Kusume=u
Lit. 'arrow of flower'
One of the names of K1madeva as one whose love arrows are flowers
vide also Kusuma
Ku7icaka
Lit. 'happy in the hut'
One of the preliminary stages of Sanny1sa lifestyle when the Sanny1sin starts to live in an
!0rama
Ku72r
Cottage, hut as a retreat for a Sanny1sin
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L
Laghim1
Lit. 'lightness'
One of the eight yogic powers the one allowing somebody to become very light; lightness as a
result of practicing Pr191y1ma
vide also Siddhi,
Siddhi A=7asiddhi
Laghu
Short
Lajj1
Modesty; shame; bashfulness
L1kin2
The )akti residing in the Ma9ip3ra Cakra
Lak=a9a
Lit. 'expressing indirectly, indicating; symbol, sign'
Characteristic, attribute, mark; a kind of )1stra;
)1stra expression of a condition
Lak=a9a Pari91ma
Citta)
Citta accompanying the Pari91ma-s
Transformation of quality of the mind (Citta Pari91ma as a result of
Sa%yama
Lak=a9a Siddhi
The power to have a correct interpretation of nature’s warnings of past, present and future events
This ability makes possible to have accurate predictions.
vide also )akuna Tantra,
Tantra Siddhi
Lak=ma9a
The brother of R1ma renowned for his devotion to R1ma;
R1ma a famous Tantric temple at Khajuraho
(India)
Lak=m2
Goddess of prosperity, spouse of Lord Vi=9u known also as Kamal1,
Kamal1 Ram1
Lak=m2 B2ja
vide )r2%
Lak=ya
Aim, goal
Lalan1 Cakra
A minor Cakra located to the back wall of the pharynx serving to store the Am4ta falling from
Bindu prior to the release to Vi0uddha Cakra
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L
Lalit1
Lit. 'she who plays; she who is charming, lovely, desired'
A special name of Dev2, the great Goddess, the great )akti
Her play is world-play. The word Lalit1 has the meanings of eight human qualities namely
brilliancy, manifestation, tenderness, depth, concentration, energy, grace and compassion. She is the
deity of )r2 Vidy1,
Vidy1 the supreme Kame0var2 at the centre of )r2 Yantra. Yantra According to Padma
Pur19a,
Pur19a Lalit1 is the deity worshipped at Pray1ga. The Goddess Lalit1 has many names, the most
famous group being Lalit1 Sahasran1ma Stotra.Stotra
vide also !yudha Devat1
Lalit1 Sahasran1ma Stotra
The most relevant reference book in the )akti tradition
Lat1
Creeper; slender body; woman partner
Lat1 S1dhana
A Tantric practice of a female with a male
Esoterically is the expression of Dev2 Ku98alin2 encircling the Svayambh3 Li^ga like a creeper
Lat1)
Lat1 in M3l1dh1ra Cakra.
(Lat1 Cakra
Laulik2
vide Neti
Lava9a
Rasa-s)
Rasa
Salt, one of the essential tastes (Rasa
L1va9ya
Beauty as one of the four K1ya Sampad-s
Sampad
Laya
Lit. 'absorption, dissolution'
The process in which a product dissolves or is absorbed into that from which has originated.
vide also Niv4tti
Layakrama
Lit. 'going towards absorption'
The process of absorption as opposed to S4=7ikrama
Practically any act of Yoga is a Layakrama act. In the )r2 Yantra
Yantra the action of absorption have
the direction from Trailokyamohana to Bindu. Practically any act of Yoga is a Layakrama act.
Laya Siddhi Yoga
Kind of Yoga by practicing with Yoni Mudr1
Laya Siddhi Yoga Sam1dhi
The Sam1dhi as a result of Laya Siddhi Yoga practice
Laya Yoga
The Yoga of dissolution known also as Ku98alin2 Yoga,
Yoga a combination of Karma and J61na
Yoga-s
Yoga
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
The final absorption into Ku98alin2 means becoming one with the J61na )akti.
)akti
L2l1
Divine play producing the universe
vide also Lalit1
Li^ga
Lit. 'emblem; sign; form in disguise'
A mark of identification; the transmigrating soul
Li^gam1tra
Lit. 'with mark'
One of the four Gu9aparva-s
Gu9aparva in which !nanda Sam1dhi is experienced
Li^ga Mudr1
The gesture of the Li^ga form generating heat in the body
Li^ga )ar2ra
)ar2ra
The subtle body, same as S3k=ma )ar2ra
Lobha
Greed, the passion associated with M3l1dh1ra Cakra
vide also Pa6c1gni
Loka
Lit. 'plane; world; region'
Degree of space access and level of awareness
Traditionally there are fourteen Loka-s,
Loka seven above (and including) the Bh3rloka and seven
below. The above earth worlds are Bh3rloka,
Bh3rloka Bhuvarloka,
Bhuvarloka Svarloka,
Svarloka Maharloka,
Maharloka Janarloka,
Janarloka
Taparloka and Satyaloka (or Brahmaloka).
Brahmaloka The below regions are Atalaloka,
Atalaloka Vitalaloka,
Vitalaloka
Sutalaloka,
Sutalaloka Ras1talaloka,
Ras1talaloka Tal1talaloka,
Tal1talaloka Mah1talaloka
Mah1talaloka and P1t1laloka.
P1t1laloka There is a
correspondence between Loka-s
Loka and Cakra-s
Cakra as expressing various levels of awareness
(consciousness).
88
M
M
Mada
Pride, arrogance, the passion associated with Vi0uddha Cakra
vide also Pa6c1gni
Madan1
Lit. 'love, passion; the season of spring; intoxication'
One of the names of K1madeva as one who intoxicates with love
vide also Ana^gamadan1
Madan1tur1
Lit. 'love-sick'
vide Ana^gamadan1tur1
Madhu
Lit. 'sweet, delightful; honey'
The season of spring; a name of )iva
Madhubh3mika
Madhubh3mika
A Yog2 who can experience his Siddhi-s
Siddhi in the world of Prak4ti
Madhura
Rasa-s)
Rasa
Sweet, one of the essential tastes (Rasa
M1dhurya
Loveliness, sweetness; deep affection; one of the Bh1va-s
Bh1va of Bhakti Yoga,
Yoga also one of the Rasa-s
Rasa
Madhu Vidy1
The knowledge of the honey
A Veda Vidy1 (one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s)
Vidy1 having the central point the sun and its
manifestations as Madhu (honey) of all the gods and their manifestations. The universe is
compared to the honeycomb similar to the honeycomb of the human body.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Madhya
Middle
Madhyak37a
vide K1mar1jak37a
Madhyam1
The audible (whispering) stage of )abda
Madhya Marga
vide Su=umn1
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
Madhya0akti
The middle one of the Ku98akin2 )akti-s
)akti
Madhya T2vrasa%vega
Medium intensity of eagerness as one of the three T2vrasa%vega-s
T2vrasa%vega
Madya
vide Pa6ca Mak1ra
M1gha
The month corresponding to parts of Jan./ Feb.
vide also M1sa
Mah1 Bandha
The great Bandha as one of the also Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
A kind of Bandha in which the three major Bandha-s
Bandha are performed concurrently.
vide also Bandhatraya
Mah1bh1rata
The great Indian epic attributed to the sage Vy1sa
It describes the conflict between the forces of light (the P19du-s)
P19du and the forces of evil (the
Dh4tar1=tra-s).
Dh4tar1=tra
Mah1bh3ta
vide Bh3ta
Mah1bindu
vide Par1bindu
Mah1deva
Lit. 'the great god'
A name of )iva
Mah1 K1ra9a )ar2ra
The great causal body associated with the state of Tur2ya and )uddhatattva-s
)uddhatattva
vide also Tur2y1t2ta
Mah1k10a
The third of the Vyoma Pa6caka-s
Pa6caka described as the great space
Mah1 M1y1
Lit. 'great illusion'
The objective universe
Mah1 Mudr1
The great Mudr1 as one of the most important Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
Mah1navam2
The ninth day of the bright half of !0vina and Caitra
Mah1pralaya
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M
Maharloka
The region above the polar star
A Loka inhabited by Bh4gu and other saints, also known as the middle region.
Mah1 $=i
Great seer of the Vedic tradition
vide Brahm1
Mah10akti
Supreme )akti
A synonym for Parama0akti.
Parama0akti In that supreme sphere crossing all worlds her residence is called
Mah1 Kail1sa or Apar1jita.
Apar1jita There she is one with Parama0iva.
Parama0iva Her body is of pure Sattva.
Sattva
Mahat
The highest intelligence; the cosmic principle of Buddhi
On the human plane Mahat takes the form of the Tanm1tra-s.
Tanm1tra
vide also Bhagam1lin2,
Bhagam1lin2 Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
Mah1talaloka
vide Loka
Mah1tattva
The centre of individuality in any Avasth1 (state) of a person, experienced as Aha%k1ra or
Asmit1. Sa%yama on Mah1tattva leads to Nirmana Citta experience.
Asmit1
M1h1tmya
Greatness
Mah1tripur1sundar2
Mah1tripur1sundar2
The Great Beautiful Tripur1
vide also Sarv1nandamaya Cakra
Mah1vajre0var2
One of the Nitya )akti-s
)akti
Mah1v1kya
The four great sayings of the Upani=ad-s:
Upani=ad Tattvamasi,
Tattvamasi Aha%brahm1smi,
Aha%brahm1smi Praj61nam Brahm1
and !yam1tma Brahm1
They summarise the whole philosophical concept of the Upani=ad-s.
Upani=ad The experience of these four
sayings is possible only after attaining Dharmamegha Sam1dhi through yogic techniques, i.e. full
spiritual liberation.
Mah1 Vedha
The awakening Bandha as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
The awakening refers to Ku98alin2 )akti
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Mah1videh1
Lit. 'great bodiless'
The awareness of Cid1k10a as a way to destroy/ remove !vara9a
Mah1vidy1
Lit. 'great wisdom'
The third kind of initiation in the Tantra S1dhana;
S1dhana the ten Tantric )akti-s
)akti
As Tantric )akti-s
)akti they are K1l2,
K1l2 T1r1,
T1r1 +o8a02,
+o8a02 Bhuvane0var2,
Bhuvane0var2 Cinnamast1,
Cinnamast1 Tripur1 Bhairav2,
Bhairav2
Dh3m1v1t2, Bagal1 Mukhi,
Dh3m1v1t2 Mukhi M1ta^g2,
M1ta^g2 Kamal1 representing the gradual transformation of the
primordial principle of creation that is Goddess K1l2.
K1l2
Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 have specific Yantra-s
Yantra to depict the polarity of their divine nature either positive or
negative. In Tantra the ten Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 are degrees of experiences towards unity.
Mah1y1ga
Great Worship
The paramount worship of Dev2 or of the sixty-four Yogin2-s
Yogin2 as is performed by )ivayog2-s
)ivayog2 only.
vide also Y1ga
Mah1yaj6a
Great sacrifice (offering)
vide also $tvija,
$tvija Yaj6a
Mah1 Yuga
The great Yuga
vide Yuga
Mahim1
Lit. 'greatness'
One of the eight yogic powers of becoming as big as the universe
vide also Siddhi,
Siddhi A=7asiddhi
Maithuna
Lit. 'coupling, union'
Sexual union between a Yogin2 and a Yogi,
Yogi representing )akti (energy) and )iva (consciousness)
Maithuna has three R3pa-s
R3pa (forms) namely Sth3la,
Sth3la S3k=ma and K1ra9a.
K1ra9a The Sth3la Maithuna
(gross union) is the sexual union, the S3k=ma Maithuna is the union of Pr19a-s
Pr19a (energies), and
the K1ra9a Maithuna is the union of Ku98alin2 )akti with )iva as a culmination experience in
Tantra.
Tantra But K1ra9a Maithuna transcends the ordinary experience being the esoteric kind of
Maithuna.
Maithuna The three R3pa-s
R3pa of Maithuna are expressions of the experience of duality matter-
spirit.
vide also Pa6ca Mak1ra,
Mak1ra Mithuna M3rti,
M3rti Samarasa
Maitr1varu9a
Lit. 'the one belonging to Mitra and Varu9a'
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest, the first assistant of a Hot4 priest
Maitrey2 Vidy1
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A method of reflection in order to differentiate between what is real and what is unreal and achieve
Viveka on any particular experience
Manas
The mind as organ of perception or supporting organ
The mind is the organ through which the human being will have a finite experience of the infinite
Cit or Samvit)
consciousness (Cit Samvit through Citta as reflection of Cit.
vide also !k10a
M1nasa
Kind of worship "by mind" of the Dev2
vide also Y1ga
M1nasap3j1
Lit. 'mental worship'
A ritual practice of mental worship such as using a Mantra for example
vide also P3j1
Manaska
The knowledge of Brahman through the mental plane
vide also Amanaska
Manas )akti
K1la)
K1la as one of the )akti-s
The awareness of time (K1la )akti flowing through I81 N182 thus enabling the
J61nendriya-s
J61nendriya to function
Manas )akti is the mental kind of energy (vide )akti).
)akti
vide also )iva )akti
Manastattva
The Tattva of Manas
M1navaugha
Lit. 'the human teacher'
Three aspects of )iva as part of Navan1tha-s
Navan1tha represented in the human body by two nostrils
Ghr19a) P1yu)
Ghr19a and the anus (P1yu
(Ghr19a P1yu
Ma98ala
Lit. 'circular; group, multitude'
Kind of Yantra representation of a Devat1 either in bi-dimensional or tri-dimensional form
There is a fundamental concept that the human body is a Ma98ala,
Ma98ala thus subject to all forms of
Yantra worship.
Ma98alap27ha
A symbol of creation as attribute of the Dev2 in the Ma98ala or Yantra forms
vide also P27ha
Ma98apa
Hall; temple
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M
Ma98uk1sana
The frog !sana
M198uk2 Mudr1
The frog Mudr1 as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
Ma^gala
Lit. 'happiness'
Anything auspicious; an aspect related to the )iva concept; a name for planet Mars
Ma9i
Gem, jewel, pearl
Ma9ip3ra Cakra (known also as N1bhipadma)
N1bhipadma
Lit. 'city of jewels wheel'
The Cakra located in the subtle body on the vertebral column behind the navel
This Cakra is associated with the J61nendriya of Netra,
Netra the Karmendriya of P1da,
P1da the
Tanm1tra of R3pa,
R3pa is the centre for Sam1na V1yu and the seat of Pr19amaya Ko0a,
Ko0a the level
of awareness is Svarloka.
Svarloka
vide also L1kin2
Manmatha
Lit. 'stirring the mind; destroying the mind'
One of the names of K1madeva as one who agitates the mind
Manobhava
Lit. 'mind born'
One of the names of K1madeva as one who is first born in the mind, then takes different forms
Manomaya Ko0a
The body of mind as sphere of consciousness
It forms S3k=ma )ar2ra,
)ar2ra the subtle body. This Ko0a is the expression and experience of the mind
and has its seat in the An1hata Cakra.
Cakra
Manonman2
The cessation of mind functioning as a yogic experience
Mantha
Lit. 'churning'
The activity of stirring round an offering as part of an oblation; the churning-stick or the mash-pot
Mantra
Lit. 'liberation of the mind'
A sacred formula as a subtle form of a Devat1,
Devat1 an expression of the consciousness as sound
Mantra-s
Mantra are of five kinds viz. Pi98a,
Pi98a Kartar2,
Kartar2 B2ja,
B2ja Mantra and M1l1.
M1l1 A Mantra having ten to
twenty syllables is called Mantra (vide all five kinds). Mantra practice goes in spiral bringing the
mind closer and closer to the source of the sound. The most celebrated is Mantra O%,O% the sound
going towards absorption.
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Mantrap27ha
A symbol of creation as attribute of the Dev2 in a Mantra form
vide also P27ha
Manu=ya
Human being
M1ra
Lit. 'killing'
One of the names of K1madeva as one who kills for love
M1ra is personified as a demon wearing a crown with a shinning jewel that it blinds those looking
at it. The jewel is the fascination of vice, the demon M1ra is in fact the personification of the
human temptation to vice hence an aspect of K1madeva
K1madeva who kills for the vicious love.
M1ra9akarma
Lit. 'action of destruction of an enemy'
One of the +a7karma-s,
+a7karma which gives the power to kill one's enemy
This is one of the five malefic magical rites in the Tantra-s.
Tantra
M1rdava
Gentleness as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
M1rga
Lit. 'search, seeking'
Path; the spiritual path
vide also Devay1na
M1rga02r=a
The month corresponding to parts of Nov./ Dec. known also as Sahas or Agrah1ya9a
vide also M1sa
Mar2ci
Name of a $=i
vide also Sapta4=i
Marut
Lit. 'shinning one'
In the Veda-s
Veda the Storm-Gods sons of Rudra and companions of Indra symbolizing the liberated
sages i.e. the Self-realized seers
vide also $=i,
$=i Sapta4=i
M1sa
Month
The lunar months are Caitra,
Caitra Vai01kha,
Vai01kha Jye=7ha,
Jye=7ha !=18ha,
!=18ha )r1va9a,
)r1va9a Bh1drapada,
Bh1drapada !0vina,
!0vina
K1rtika,
K1rtika M1rga02r=a,
M1rga02r=a Pau=a,
Pau=a M1gha,
M1gha Ph1lguna.
M1t1
Mother
96
M
M1ta^g2
The ninth of the ten Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 representing the power to control and annihilate evil and exercise
virtues
M1ta^gin2 Mudr1
The she-elephant Mudr1 as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
Ma7ha
A place of hermitage; an !0rama
Mati
The quality of determination
vide also Bh3ma Vidy1
M1tr1
A unit of time for measuring the duration of Pr191y1ma approximated to one second or less
M1t4k1
Lit. 'source'
Letters from A to Ha of Devan1gari,
Devan1gari the Sanskrit alphabet; divine mother
Its source is )abda,
)abda the letters symbolizing functions of the same creative force. The letters are to
be regarded as Mantra-s,
Mantra sounds representing the subtle forms of Devat1-s.
Devat1 M1t4 means mother
hence M1t4k1 emphasises a creative aspect. In symbols of the human subtle body, M1t4k1-s
M1t4k1 are
present on letters on the petals of Cakra-s.
Cakra There are 50 letters of Devan1gari alphabet.
Matsya
Fish; an Avat1ra of Vi=9u as representation of the beginning of manifestation of the universe
vide also Pa6ca Mak1ra
Mak1ra
Matsy1sana
The fish !sana
Matsyendr1sana
The king of fish !sana
Mauna
Vow of silence as a yogic Praty1h1ra technique developing the attitude of a seer (Dra=7a
Dra=7a)
Dra=7a
M1y1
Illusion of duality in Ved1nta
It has two functions namely !vara9a and Vik=epa and manifests in the human mind as Avidy1.
Avidy1
vide also M1y1 )akti,
)akti Brahman
M1y1 B2ja
vide Hr2%
M1y1 )akti
The energy of illusion, the cosmic energy
It is a manifestation of )akti which veils in various degrees Herself as consciousness. In Tantra-s,
Tantra
M1y1 is real, only her manifestation becomes an illusion (mere semblance).
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M1y1tattva
The Tattva of M1y1 )akti
May3r1sana
The peacock !sana
Meda
Fat
vide Dh1tu
Me8hra
Penis
Mekhal1 (also Mekhala)
Mekhala
Lit. 'girdle, belt; ceremony of investiture'
Name of the girdle worn by the men of the first three castes of Hindu tradition
That of a Brahman is made of Mu6ja,
Mu6ja that of a K=atriya of M3rv1,
M3rv1 that of a Vai0ya of )a9a.
vide also Var9a,
Var9a Ana^gamekhal1
Meru
Mythical mountain in the Him1laya-s
Him1laya
Here is the centre of the world-lotus, in esoteric terms the Sahasr1ra Cakra
Meru Da98a
The vertebral column symbolized by the stem of the V291 of Tripurasundar2
M2m1%s1
One of the +a8 Dar0ana-s
Dar0ana
It has two branches namely P3rva and Uttara M2m1%s1-s
M2m1%s1
M291k=i
Lit. 'the one having fish-eyes'
A form of )akti as spouse of )iva;
)iva kind of Soma plant; a famous Tantric temple in Madhurai
(India); a daughter of Kubera
Mi0ra
Mixed
Mi0rabindu
The point of return of thought after activity and the union with the pure thought
One of the three Par1bindu-s
Par1bindu representing the )iva )akti M1y1 as well as the Icch1 )akti as
manifestations.
vide Bindu,
Bindu Par1bindu
Mit1h1ra
Moderate diet
vide also An1h1ra,
An1h1ra Aty1h1ra
Mithuna M3rti
98
M
A name of )iva
M38ha
Confused state as one of the five Cittabh3mi-s
Cittabh3mi
In this state Tamas Gu9a predominates.
Mudit1
The sentiment of joy
Mudit1 is also one of the Citta Pras1dana-s
Pras1dana as an attitude towards virtuous people.
vide also Maitry1di
Mudr1
Gesture of invocation
Mudr1-s
Mudr1 represent the language in which the body speaks to the divinity, an expression of body
consciousness. Through Mudr1-s,
Mudr1 Sthirat1 is obtained, their practice brings certain experiences in
the mind. There is an exoteric and esoteric symbolism of Mudr1-s.
Mudr1 For the purpose of Mudr1 the
five fingers correspond to the five Bh3ta-s.
Bh3ta Example of Mudr1-s
Mudr1 are Abhaya,
Abhaya Vara,
Vara Vy1khy1na,
Vy1khy1na
J61na,
J61na Pr19a,
Pr19a Ap1na,
Ap1na Li^ga,
Li^ga Varu9a,
Varu9a )3nya,
)3nya Surabhi.
Surabhi
Many other Mudr1-s
Mudr1 are associated with Mudr1 Bandha techniques.
vide also !tm1rpa9a,
!tm1rpa9a Pa6ca Mak1ra
Mak1ra
Mudr1 Bandha
A joined Yoga technique of gesture and contraction practice
Ten Mudr1-s
Mudr1 are enumerated in the Ha7ha Yoga Prad2pik1 namely Mah1 Mudr1, Mudr1 Mah1
Bandha,
Bandha Mah1 Vedha,
Vedha Khecar2,
Khecar2 U882y1na Bandha,
Bandha M3la Bandha,
Bandha J1landhara Bandha,
Bandha
Vipar2ta Kara92,
Kara92 Vajrol2
Vajrol2,
ol2 )aktic1lana.
)aktic1lana In the Ghera98a Sa%hit1 are enumerated twenty-five
Mudr1-s,
Mudr1 that are in fact Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha namely Mah1 Mudr1,
Mudr1 Nabhomudr1,
Nabhomudr1 U882y1na,
U882y1na
J1landhara,
J1landhara M3la Bandha,
Bandha Mah1 Bandha,
Bandha Mah1 Vedha,
Vedha Khecar2,
Khecar2 Vipar2ta Kara92,
Kara92 Yoni,
Yoni
Vajrol2,
Vajrol2 )aktic1lan2,
)aktic1lan2 T181g2,
181g2 M198uk2,
M198uk2 )1mbhav2,
)1mbhav2 Pa6cadh1ra91-s,
Pa6cadh1ra91 (i.e. P4thiv2 Dh1ra91,
Dh1ra91
!mbhas2 Dh1ra91,
Dh1ra91 !gney2 Dh1ra91,
Dh1ra91 V1yav2 Dh1ra91,
Dh1ra91 !k102 Dh1ra91),
Dh1ra91 A0vin2,
A0vin2 P10in2,
P10in2
K1k2,
K1k2 M1ta^gin2,
M1ta^gin2 and Bhuja^gin2.
Bhuja^gin2
Mudr1p27ha
A symbol of creation as attribute of the Dev2 in the Mudr1 form
vide also P27ha
Muh3rta
An astronomically determined time of auspicious beginnings
Mukta
A person of liberated soul
vide also J2vanmukta
Mukt1sana
The freedom !sana
Muktatrive92
A name for M3l1dh1ra Cakra as a place of lower intersection of the three main N182
N182-s
82 and giver
Mukti)
Mukti
of liberation (Mukti
100
M
Mukti
Final liberation
vide also J2vanmukti
M3la
Root, origin
M3la Bandha
Lit. 'root lock'
The root Bandha as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
vide also Bandhatraya
M3la B2ja
vide Hr2%
M3l1dh1ra Cakra
Cakra
Lit. 'root's support Cakr a'
The Cakra located between the scrotum and the anus
This Cakra is associated with the J61nendriya of Ghr19a,
Ghr19a the Karmendriya of P1yu,
P1yu the
Tanm1tra of Gandha,
Gandha is the centre for Ap1na V1yu and the seat of Annamaya Ko0a,
Ko0a the level
of awareness is Bh3rloka.
Bh3rloka
vide also Muktatrive92,
Muktatrive92 *1kin2,
*1kin2 Dh3mrali^ga
M3la Mantra
vide Hr2%
M3laprak4ti
The primary cause of matter as transcendental basis of physical nature; the original root (out of
which matter evolved) based in M3l1dh1ra Cakra in the human body
vide also V1k,
V1k )abda
M3la )odhana
Yogic technique of purification of the rectum with water in order to allow Ap1na V1ya to flow
freely; one of the four Dhauti-s
Dhauti
M3la Triko9a
Primary triangle of the )r2 Yantra as seat (!sana
!sana)
!sana of Dev2
It represents the threefold process of S4=7i (creation), Sthiti (preservation) and Sa%h1ra
(dissolution).
M3la Triko9a Cakra
vide Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
Mumuk=u
One aspiring to Mok=a
Muni
Lit. 'one who knows'
A saint; one having spiritual knowledge
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102
N
N
N1bhi
Navel
N1bhipadma
vide Ma9ip3ra Cakra
Nabhomudr1
The navel Mudr1 as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
N1ciket1gni Vidy1
The knowledge of the fire of N1ciketas
A Veda Vidy1 (one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s)
Vidy1 which deals with the heavenly fire and its
H4d).
H4d
correspondence in the human body, the heart (H4d
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1,
Vidy1 Cidagni
N1ciketa (also N1ciketas)
N1ciketas
The young Brahmin in the Ka7ha Upani=ad who received teachings from Lord Yama.
Yama
N1da
Sound
It represents the first impulse towards creation, the dual aspect of )iva-
)iva-)akti as sound or word.
From N1da emerged B2ja.
vide also Bindu
N1da Dh1ra9a
Dh1ra9a on sound as a specific practice of concentration in order to obtain Divya )rotra
vide also Jyoti=mat2
N1da Yoga
Yoga of the sound as yogic concept based on sound consciousness
N1da Yoga
Kind of Yoga practice using gross or subtle sounds leading in a specific way to the state of
Sam1dhi
N182
Lit. 'tube, pipe'
S3k=ma )ar2ra)
Channel of energy in the subtle body (S3k=ma )ar2ra
Traditionally there are 72,000 N182-s
N182 in the human body as symbolized by V291'sV291 strings of
Tripurasundar2.
Tripurasundar2 The fourteen main N182-s
N182 in the human body are Su=umn1,
Su=umn1 I81,
I81 Pi^gal1,
Pi^gal1
Sarasvat2,
Sarasvat2 )a^khin2,
)a^khin2 P3=1,
P3=1 G1ndh1r2,
G1ndh1r2 Payasvin2,
Payasvin2 Yo0ovat2,
Yo0ovat2 Hastijihv1,
Hastijihv1 V1ru92,
V1ru92 Vi0vodar1,
Vi0vodar1
Kuh3,
Kuh3 Ala%bus1.
Ala%bus1 The most important N182-s
N182 are Su=umn1,
Su=umn1 I81 and Pi^gal1,
Pi^gal1 out of which
Su=umn1 is central to the experience of spiritual awakening.
N1ga
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104
N
106
N
Nidr1 J61na
The state of conscious sleeping
Nigama
Scripture
Nigama-s
Nigama are considered to be the Veda-s
Veda or any work as auxiliary or explaining the Veda-s
Veda or a
Muni-s).
Muni
doctrine or instruction as words of gods or holy persons (Muni In the Tantra-s
Tantra Nigama-s
Nigama are
sacred works in which Dev2 is Guru and )iva is )i=ya.
)i=ya
Nigarbha Sahita Pr191y1ma
vide Sahita Kumbhaka
Nigrahahoma
Homa with the purpose of restraining an enemy
vide +a7karma for the magical rites in the Tantra-s.
Tantra
N2laka97ha
Lit. 'one having blue throat'
A name of )iva as the one who has taken poison in order to save the world
Nilapatak1
One of the Nity1 )akti-s
)akti also known as N2lapat1kin2
N2lapat1kin2
vide N2lapatak1
Nir1k1ra
Without form, ‘non-manifested’ as a name for Nirgu9a Brahman
vide also !k1ra
Nira6jan1
Stainless; a name for Sam1dhi;
Sam1dhi a name for Su=umn1 N182
Nirb2ja Sam1dhi
Sam1dhi without seed (B2ja
B2ja)
B2ja beyond Pratyaya and devoid of awareness
A stage of Sam1dhi in which the !tmadra=7a is able to reach the Ali^ga, Ali^ga the stillness as state of
non-differentiation of the three Gu9a-s.
Gu9a Nirb2ja Sam1dhi is the union with the Divine and the
final goal for liberation. Beyond that is a different reality subject to Dharmamegha Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi
vide also Sab2ja Sam1dhi
Nirgu9a
Without quality or attribute
As an aspect of Brahman,
Brahman Nirgu9a is beyond any description.
vide also Sagu9a
Nirgu9a Brahman
The Universal Spirit without qualities
vide also Brahman,
Brahman Parabrahman,
Parabrahman Avyakta,
Avyakta @0vara,
@0vara Nir1k1ra
Nirgu9op1sana
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inside the experience of spiritual salvation. This state of Sam1dhi is also known as Nirvic1r1
Asampraj61ta Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi
vide also $tambhar1 Prajn1
Nirvikalpa Sam1dhi
Lit. ' Sam1dhi without Vikalpa'
State of Sam1dhi in which there is no separation between J61t1 (one who knows) and J6eya
(object of knowledge) as full expression of union with Sagu9a Brahman
This experience in Yoga is similar to the experience of consciousness at Sahasr1ra Cakra
Cakra level in
Tantra.
Nirvitark1 Sam1dhi
Lit. ' Sam1dhi without Vitarka'
State of Sam1dhi in which the mind is devoid of awareness and the knowledge of the form comes
from within and beyond the state of Vitarka
This state of Sam1dhi is also known as Nirvitarka
Nirvitarka Asampraj61ta Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi
Ni01cara
Lit. 'one who acts during the night'
A demon using the dark of night for wrong doings
Ni=kala
Without parts
The kind of form (Ni=kalar3pa) of Brahman that can only be attained through J61na.
Ni=k1ma
Without desire
Ni=k1ma
Ni=k1ma Karma
Action without desire as an attitude of a Yog2 who is free to accumulating Sa%sk1ra-s,
Sa%sk1ra i.e. there is
Karma-s)
Karma
no sense of doing of actions (Karma
Ni=k1ma S1dhaka
Kind of Yoga practitioner known also as Sanny1sin walking the path of liberation and being
aware of all the four Puru=1rtha-s
Puru=1rtha
Ni=patti Avasth1
The final stage of the four Yoga Avasth1-s
Avasth1 when the consciousness of the Yog2 has reached the
unity in Sahasr1ra Cakra
Ni=7h1
The quality of firmness in service
vide also Bh3ma Vidy1
Nitya
Eternal, perpetual
Nity1
One of the Nity1 )akti-s
)akti
Nity1klinn1
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110
O
O
O8821na P27ha
vide U882y1na P27ha
Ojas
Lit. 'vigour, bodily strength, energy'
Vitality
O%
The most celebrated of all Mantra-s
Mantra known also as Pra9ava or O%k1ra
As attributes it is circular in form, eternal, pervading all. Various actions such as recitation, reading
rites, penance, sacrifices, Yoga techniques, Kirtan,
Kirtan in short every spiritual act should be preceded
by O%.
O% In its detailed form O% consists of five parts A, U, M, N1da and Bindu corresponding to
the five gods Brahm1,
Brahm1 Vi=9u,Vi=9u Rudra,
Rudra @0vara and Sad10iva.
Sad10iva There are different kinds of
pronunciation of the sacred syllable namely Kulluk1,
Kulluk1 Setu,
Setu Mah1setu.
Mah1setu For its use in the Vedic
perspective, there are four Svara-s
Svara (tones) of Pra9ava,
Pra9ava i.e. Ud1tta (for Br1hma9a-s),
Br1hma9a Anud1tta
(for K=atriya-s),
K=atriya Pracita (for Vai0ya-s)
Vai0ya and Auk1ra (for )3dra-s).
)3dra The chanting of O% Mantra is
in fact the chanting of the name of God. In many books O% is described as having three parts A, U,
M for the threefold designation of Brahman as Brahm1, Brahm1 Vi=9u and Rudra.Rudra There is a rich
literature to describe Pra9ava AUM as indicating three Veda-s,Veda three V4tti-s,
V4tti three Loka-s,
Loka three
Granthi-s,
Granthi etc.
vide also Udg2ta Vidy1,
Vidy1 Udg2ta
O%k1ra
vide O%
O% Nama5 )iv1ya
vide Pa6c1k=ar2
O=adhi (also Au=adhi)
Au=adhi
Lit. 'light receptacle'
Herb, any medicinal herb; creature
Devan1gari).
Devan1gari
There are fifty relevant herbs, one for each of the fifty letters of Sanskrit alphabet (Devan1gari
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P
Pacaka
Pacaka
The J17har1gni of digestion of food
vide also Sarva0aktiprad1
P1da
Foot; chapter
vide also Karmendriya
P1da Sev1na
One of the nine A^ga-s
A^ga of Bhakti Yoga as the devotional act of service to the feet of the Lord
P1datattva
The Tattva of P1da
Padma
Lotus
vide also Cakra
Padm1sana
The lotus !sana
Padmin2
The first of the four classes into which females are divided, the other three are said to be )a^khin2,
)a^khin2
Citri92 and Hastin2
P1duk1 Siddhi
The power to impress somebody
vide also Siddhi
Pa6cabh3ta
vide Bh3ta
Pa6cada01k=ar2
vide Pa6cada02
Pa6cada02
The fifteen-syllables Mantra,
Mantra the Dev2 Herself in Her S3k=ma form
It is to be learned from a qualified Guru.
Guru Pa6cada02 is known also as Pa6cada0ak=ar2,
Pa6cada0ak=ar2 )r2
Vidy1 Mantra,
Mantra Vidy1r1ja,
Vidy1r1ja G1yatr2 of the )1kta-s,
)1kta etc. It contains three groups (K37aK37a-s)
K37a i.e.
V1gbhavak37a,
V1gbhavak37a Madhyak37a or K1mar1jak37a and )aktik37a. )aktik37a The three K37a-s
K37a are identified
with the face, the trunk and the limbs of Dev2.
Dev2 It has the body of three and a half as expressing the
Ku98alin2 )akti.
)akti The work Lalit1tri0at2
Lalit1tri0at2 gives the Mantra indirectly in the three hundred names
where there are twenty names beginning with each of the syllables.
Pa6cadh1ra91
112
P
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114
P
Paramapuru=a Vidy1
The knowledge of the supreme Puru=a
A Veda Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s
Vidy1 in which N1ciketas
N1ciketas is instructed by Yama in
Indriya-s,
Indriya Manas,
knowing various stages (Indriya Manas Buddhi,
Buddhi Avyakta)
Avyakta leading to the knowledge of the
supreme Puru=a.
Puru=a
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Parama0akti
The Supreme )akti
vide also Parabrahman
Parama0iva
The Supreme )iva
vide also Parabrahman
Parama0iva Parama0akti
The Supreme )iva )akti
It is the Supreme consciousness as Nirgu9a,
Nirgu9a in which )iva is the static aspect and )akti the active
aspect of the same Supreme Consciousness (Cit Cit).
Cit The static and active aspects have to be seen only
as potentialities without any characteristics i.e. Parama0iva is the potentiality of consciousness and
Parama0akti the potentiality of manifestation.
Param1tm1
vide Param1tman
Param1tman (also Param1tm1)
Param1tm1
The Supreme Soul as compared to J2v1tman,
J2v1tman the individual Soul
Param1tman and J2v1tman are two manifestations (one external and one internal as refers to the
Sat).
Sat
human being) of the same Reality (Sat
Para%jyoti=
Supreme Light
The light beyond the five gates (vide Devasu=i ), the light of J2v1tman. Para%jyoti= is also
Parabrahman.
Parabrahman
Par1n1da
The supreme sound
Par1p3j1
Lit. 'supreme worship'
A ritual form of transcendental worship
vide also P3j1
Para0ur1ma
An Avat1ra of Vi=9u,
Vi=9u a representation of the emergency of the brave man sometimes called
J1madagnya or Bh1rgava
Bh1rgava (as descending from Bh4gu)
Bh4gu
Para0ur1ma Sutra
An authoritative scripture of Kaula doctrine of Tantra
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Paravairagya
Highest Vairagya in which various roots of bondage are eliminated through a direct cognition of
Puru=a
Par1tpar1
Supreme of the Supreme
P1r1ya9a
P1r1ya9a
Daily reading of a sacred text
Paricaya Avasth1
A Yoga Avasth1 of a Yog2 after overcoming the Rudragranthi
Pari91ma
Transformation as a result of performing Sa%yama;
Sa%yama principle of evolution; change in general
As a result of Sa%yama the Pari91ma-s
Pari91ma are of three kinds viz. Sam1dhi Pari91ma,
Pari91ma Ek1grat1
Pari91ma and Nirodha Pari91ma.
Pari91ma Each one is accompanied by three stages of transformations of
properties of the mind viz. Dharma Pari91ma,
Pari91ma Lak=a9a Pari91ma and Avasth1 Pari91ma.
Pari91ma
Pari91ma is also the change accompanying every action (Karma
Karma).
Karma As principle of evolution there
are five stages of Pari91ma namely: from non-manifest to manifest, from mineral to vegetable,
from vegetable to animal, from animal to human, from human to superhuman.
vide also Prak4ti
Pari0rama
Pari0rama
Physical labour as technique for body purification
vide also Karma Yoga
Pari0uddhi
Purification of memory
vide also )uddhi
P1rvat2
Lit. 'stream of a mountain'
A name of )akti
)iva's
)iva spouse as daughter of Himavat the mountain King of Kail1sa.
Kail1sa She is often depicted with
folded hands (vide Svastika)
Svastika and her face full of devotion for her Lord )iva.
)iva
vide also Dev2
Parya^ka
The couch on which Brahm1 sits in the Brahmaloka.
Brahmaloka Every part of the couch represents a specific
manifestation related to Brahm1.
Parya^ka Vidy1
Vidy1
The knowledge of the couch
A Veda Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s
Vidy1 in which the devotee is led in successive stages to
reach the Parya^ka.
Parya^ka The obstacles in the Brahmaloka start with !ra and (ya lakes, then I=7ihan
place and time, Viraj1 river, Ilya tree (an A0vattha tree named Somasavana),
Somasavana S1lajja city,
Apar1jita palace, Indra and Praj1pati as doorkeepers, Vibhu hall, Vicak=a9a throne and finally
Parya^ka couch.
116
P
118
P
Place of pilgrimage; shrine, temple; a symbol of creation as attribute of the Dev2 (Goddess); a
Tantric sacred place where the fifty parts of Sat2-s
Sat2 body fell, so becoming pilgrimage centres
Known also as P27hasth1na-s,
P27hasth1na the P27ha-s
P27ha can be of Sth3la (gross), S3k=ma (subtle) and K1ra9a
(causal) forms and experienced as Vidy1p27ha
Vidy1p27ha-s,
dy1p27ha Ma98alap27ha-s,
Ma98alap27ha Yon2p27ha-s,
Yon2p27ha Stanap27ha-s,
Stanap27ha
Dev2p27ha-s,
Dev2p27ha Siddhap27ha-s,
Siddhap27ha etc. They may or may not have holy shrines like P27hat2rtha-s
P27hat2rtha or
P27hak=etra-s
P27hak=etra do. The P27ha-s
P27ha is where Dev2 resides in a form or as different parts of the body of
Sat2.
Sat2
P27hak=etra
P27hak=etra
Location of a P27ha in a K=etra place; holy shrine
P27hasth1na
vide P27ha
P27hat2rtha
Location of a P27ha in a T2rtha place; holy shrine
Pit4
Ancestor
vide also Dhenu,
Dhenu !nandamaya Vidy1
Pitta
One of the three Do=a-s
Do=a
In !yurveda system of medicine a deficiency of bile as a cause to diseases.
Pl1vaka
The J17har1gni of flooding of gastric juice
vide also Sarvavy1dhivin10in2
Pl1vin2
Lit. 'causing floating'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma-s
Pr191y1ma
Pot4
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Br1hma9a priest
Pracetas
Lit. 'clever, wise'
vide Dak=a,
Dak=a Brahm1
Pradak=i9a
The act of turning towards persons or objects so as to place them on one's right side of the body as
form of worship
vide also !tm1rpa9a
Pradh1na
The universal Soul as primary germ of the material universe
In S1mkhya philosophy Pradh1na is similar to Prak4ti.
Prak4ti
Pradyumna
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P
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Pra9ava
vide O%
vide also T1raka
Pr19a Vidy1
The knowledge of Pr19a
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 which together with Pratardana Vidy1 is contained within the Pr191gnihotra
Vidy1.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Pr191y1ma
Lit. 'lengthening of the breath'
The process of expansion and regulation of the flow of energy within Pr19amaya Ko0a of the
human body; in Yoga one of the eight A^ga-s
A^ga of the A=71^ga Yoga of Pata6jali
Through Pr191y1ma,
Pr191y1ma Laghim1 is obtained and Prak10a !vara9a will gradually disappear. It has
three states viz. P3raka,
P3raka Kumbhaka and Recaka,
Recaka it is regulated by De0a (place as climate), K1la
(time as duration of the three states) and S1^khya (number of rounds). There is one more state
(beyond the Indriya-s
Indriya experiences) named Caturtha Pr191y1ma,
Pr191y1ma a continuous awareness of the
breath, i.e. Ajapajapa practice. As a form of rite Pr191y1ma is identified with Agnihotra.
Agnihotra
In Ha7ha Yoga Prad2pik1 eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma are enumerated viz. S3rya Bheda,
Bheda
Ujj1y2,
Ujj1y2 )2tk1r2,
)2tk1r2 )2tal2,
)2tal2 Bhastrik1,
Bhastrik1 Bhr1mar2,
Bhr1mar2 M3rch1 and Pl1vin2.
Pl1vin2 There are many other
Pr191y1ma-s
Pr191y1ma both from Tantric and Vedic traditions. The Ghera98a Sa%hit1 enumerates also
eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma viz. Sahita,
Sahita S3rya Bheda,
Bheda Ujj1y2,
Ujj1y2 )2tal2,
)2tal2 Bhastrik1,
Bhastrik1
Bhr1mar2,
Bhr1mar2 M3rch1 and Keval2.
Keval2
vide also Nirodha
Pr192
The breathing creature
Pra9idh1na
Lit. 'put completely'
Surrender to God as a sure way to Self-realization
Pr1pti
Lit. 'reaching; obtaining'
One of the yogic powers of obtaining anything at will
vide also Siddhi,
Siddhi A=7asiddhi
Pr1rabdha
Lit. 'undertaking, beginning'
Commencement of an action
Pr1rabdha Karma
Past action producing result in the present, a synonym to Sopakrama Karma
Pras1da
Grace; the offering of food as sign of grace
Prasa%khy1na
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Kind of Dhy1na (meditation, reflection) in which the practitioner will accept goods only for the
present needs
Prasava
Lit. 'impulse forward'
Evolution as state of Prak4ti when the elements of nature produce more effects
vide also Pratiprasava,
Pratiprasava Vyakta
Prast1va
The chanting of prelude sung by the Prastrot4 priest
Prastot4
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Udg1t4 priest by chanting the Prast1va
Pratardana Vidy1
The knowledge of the piercing
A Veda Vidy1
Vidy1 which together with Pr19a Vidy1 is contained within the Pr191gnihotra Vidy1.
Vidy1
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Prathamakalpika
A Yog2 as beginner in experiencing Sam1dhi
Pr1tibha
Lit. 'to shine upon'
The reflective Self; a specific power acquired naturally (without Sa%yama)
Sa%yama by somebody having
the knowledge of the Self
In the state of Pr1tibha the supernatural senses of )r1va9a,
)r1va9a Vedana,
Vedana !dar0a,
!dar0a !sv1da and V1rta
arise naturally as Siddhi-s.
Siddhi
Pr1tibha J61na
Lit. 'knowledge flashing upon the thoughts'
Intuition
Pratihart4
Pratihart4
Lit. 'the one bringing back'
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Udg1t4 priest
Pratim1 (Devat1pratim1
Devat1pratim1)
Devat1pratim1
Icon of a deity, quasi similar to Murti in two-dimensional form
Pratipad
The new-moon time
Pratipak=a Bh1vana
The practice of thinking of the opposite quality in order to transform the negative habits into
positive ones
Pratiprasava
Involution as state of Prak4ti when the elements of nature return to their original cause
vide also Prasava,
Prasava Vyakta,
Vyakta Yoga
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Pratiprasth1t4
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Adhvaryu priest
Pratyabhij61
The consciousness recognizing the identity of the individual Soul and the Supreme Soul as state of
illumined knowledge
vide also Savic1r1 Sam1dhi
Praty1h1ra
Awareness as an externalised (first) then internalised state, the gradual withdrawal of the mind from
the objects experience
In Yoga one of the eight A^ga-s
A^ga of the A=71^ga Yoga of Pata6jali,
Pata6jali the first step in understanding
the pure mind. Through Praty1h1ra,
Praty1h1ra Dhairyat1 is obtained. This transitional (between the outer
and inner experiences) step in Yoga employs various practices like Japa,
Japa K2rtana,
K2rtana Tr17aka,
Tr17aka N1da
Yoga,
Yoga Tantra S1dhana.
S1dhana
vide also Indriya
Pratyak=a
Correct knowledge based on non-defective senses as one of the three Pram19a-s
Pram19a
Pratyak=atva
Conscious and continuous perception as a result of practicing Dhy1na
Pratyaya
In Yoga the basis (as content of mind) on which the consciousness functions
Pratyaya is subject to the three Gu9a-s
Gu9a
Prav4tti
The creative process as mind faculty
vide also Niv4tti,
Niv4tti Jyoti=mat2 Prav4tti
Pray1ga
Lit. 'place of sacrifice'
A place of pilgrimage near All1h1b1d (India) where is the confluence of three rivers namely
Ga^g1,
Ga^g1 Yamun1 and Sarasvat2
The confluence is also known as Trive92,
Trive92 symbolically corresponding to !j61 Cakra
vide also Lalit1,
Lalit1 )y1ma
Prayoga
Recitation of a sacred formula
Pr2ti
Lit. 'joy'
One of the two wives of K1madeva
Priya
Dear, beloved
P4thiv2 (also P4thv2)
P4thv2
124
P
Earth
The A%0a-s
A%0a of P4thiv2 in the Pi98198a are the five Karmendriya-s
Karmendriya
vide also Bh3ta
P4thiv2 Dh1ra91
The Dh1ra91 on earth as one of the Pa6cadh1ra91-s
Pa6cadh1ra91
P4thiv2tattva
The Tattva of P4thiv2 known also as Bh3mitattva
Puhapak1sana
vide Tantr1sana
P3j1
Recitation; ritual; chanting or reading of a sacred text as a ritual practice of worship
Known also as Arcan1,
Arcan1 P3j1 is part of the nine A^ga-s
A^ga of Bhakti Yoga.
Yoga The ritual practice is of
three kinds viz. B1hyap3j1,
B1hyap3j1 M1nasap3j1 and Par1p3j1,
Par1p3j1 and is both internal and external. The
fundamental concept of ritual is its cosmic meaning; any P3j1 is an involvement of the cosmic
energies.
P3jar2
Performer of recitation of a sacred text (vide P3j1)
P3j1
P3jy1
Worthy of devoted worship
Pulaha
Name of a $=i
vide also Sapta4=i,
Sapta4=i Brahm1
Pulastya
Name of a $=i
vide also Sapta4=i,
Sapta4=i Brahm1
Punarjanma
Rebirth as a result of Soul transmigration
Pu9ya
Virtue, merit; holy
vide also Dharma
Pura
Lit. 'in advance, forward; a stronghold, fortress'
The human body; the living principle, life
P3raka
Controlled inspiration of breath as one of the three states of Pr191y1ma
Pur19a
Lit. 'ancient'
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126
P
Puru=1rtha
Lit. 'aim of Puru=a'
Object of human desire
There are four Puru=1rtha-s
Puru=1rtha viz. K1ma,
K1ma Artha,
Artha Dharma and Mok=a
Puru=atattva
The Tattva of Puru=a
Puru=a Vidy1
The knowledge of Puru=a
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 In this Vidy1,
Vidy1 the human being is seen as the
Sacrificer and Puru=a the Y1j6a.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Puru=avi0e=a
A state of consciousness, which manifests in every human being as experience of the Divine
P3rvac2ti
Lit. 'first thought'
In the Veda-s
Veda the original basis of consciousness as Brahman
P3rvap2ti
Lit. 'first drinking'
In the Veda-s
Veda the original absorption into Brahman
P3=an
A god in the Veda-s
Veda representing prosperity; one of the twelve !ditya-s
!ditya
P3=1 N182
The N182 connected to the left thigh
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvara6ja92
Pu=pa
Flower; menstrual flow
Pu=pi92
A woman in her period
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R
R1dh1
K4=9a's
K4=9a beloved
The love between K4=9a and R1dh1 symbolizes the human-God relationship, which becomes
complete only when the human surrenders completely to God.
R1ga
(from the root Ra6j i.e. to be attracted by)
Lit. 'red colour; passion'
Infatuation; love; passion; attachment as one of the five Kle0a-s
Kle0a known also as Moha
vide also P10a,
P10a P101^ku0a,
P101^ku0a Vair1gya
R1ga Ka6cuka
Ka6cuka
Form of )akti limiting the perception of the real nature of love as being one with the primordial
unity of )iva )akti
vide also Tattva,
Tattva R1gatattva
R1gatattva
The Tattva of R1ga Ka6cuka
Rahasya
Lit. 'secret'
The secret doctrine of esoteric teaching
Rahasya
Rahasya N1ma Sahasra
The thousand secret names
R1hu
The ascending node in the astronomy/ astrology one of the Navagraha-s
Navagraha
Raja
The pollen of flowers; the menstrual excretion'
Rajas
Lit. 'emotion, affection'
The quality of passion, activity and motion; the woman's menstrual discharge
One of the three Gu9a-s
Gu9a sometimes identified with Tejas.
Tejas
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra,
Cakra Jayin2
Rajas Tapas
The purification of Rajas Gu9a
vide also Tapas
R1ja Yoga
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R
Ka7uka (pungent), Tikta (bitter) and Ka=1ya (astringent). As sentiments and characters of a work
there are ten Rasa-s,
Rasa viz. )4ng1ra (love), V2ra (heroism), B2bhatsa (disgust), Raudra (fury),
H1sya (humour), Bhay1naka
Bhay1naka (terror),, Karu91 (compassion), Adbhuta (wonder), )1nta
(peacefulness) and V1tsalya (affection). As devotional sentiments and degrees of Bhakti there are
five Rasa-s
Rasa or Bh1va-s,
Bh1va called also Rati-sRati namely )1nta (peace), D1sya (service), S1khya
(friendship), V1tsalya (affection) and M1dhurya (loveliness). When these five sentiments are
directed towards the Self, they take the forms of !tma Rati.
vide also Tanm1tra
Ras1kar=i92
The attractive power of Rasa
vide Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
Ras1m4ta Curan
Product of Ayurvedic Tantra based on sulphide of mercury
The receipt is given in Siddhayoga of V4nda.
V4nda
Ras1nanda Yoga
Kind of Yoga by practicing with Bhr1mar2 Pr191y1ma
Ras1nanda Yoga Sam1dhi
The Sam1dhi as a result of Ras1nanda Yoga practice
Ras1talaloka
vide Loka
Rasatattva
The Tattva of Rasa
Ras1ya9a
The Indian alchemy
Rati
Lit. 'sentiment; devotion; pleasure'
One of the two wives of K1madeva
Rati is the goddess expressing various degrees of Bhakti (vide Rasa).
Rasa To direct these sentiments
towards the Self is called !tma Rati.
Rati !sana
vide Tantr1sana
Ratna
Jewel, gem
R1tri
Night
vide also Dak=i91yana,
Dak=i91yana )ivar1tri
Raudra
Fury as one of the Rasa-s
Rasa
R1va9a
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R
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out of the control of humans and even of gods. All have to obey the rules of $ta,
$ta which is created at
Sat)
Sat as foundational design of manifestation. It has to be followed in
the highest level of the reality (Sat
rituals and human behaviour, thus being the basis of Dharma. $tvija-s)
Dharma The Vedic priests ($tvija
$tvija do apply
$ta when performing their duties.
$tambhar1 Praj61
Praj61
The super-consciousness state full of cosmic experience as a culmination of Nirvic1r1 Sam1dhi
vide also Nirgu9op1sana
$tu
Lit. 'season'
The natural sequence of seasons
An observation that has a deep spiritual connotation that is conceptualised as $ta,
$ta order of things at
every scale.
$tvija
A Vedic priest
There are four chief priests of the Veda-s
Veda namely Hot4,
Hot4 Adhvaryu,
Adhvaryu Udg1t4 and Br1hma9a,
Br1hma9a each
one having three helper priests making sixteen the number of priests necessary to perform the
Mah1yaj6a with the Soma juice (Soma Soma Rasa or Am4ta).
Am4ta
Rudra
Trim3rti)
Trim3rti an aspect of )iva;
One of the Gods of Hindu trinity (Trim3rti )iva the principle and manifestation of
transformation; the Devat1 of Tejas Bh3ta
Lord Rudra presides over the transformation of Macrocosm (Brahm198a
Brahm198a)
Brahm198a and Microcosm
Pi98198a).
Pi98198a In Brahm198a he acts as Natar1ja,
(Pi98198a Natar1ja an agent of transformation at grand scale. In the
Pi98198a (the human body as microcosm) there are eleven Rudra-s
Rudra i.e. five J61nendriya-s,
J61nendriya five
Karmendriya-s Manas),
Manas all together are known as the eleven Indriya-s.
Karmendriya and the mind (Manas Indriya
Rudragranthi
Lit. 'knot of Rudra'
The knot located in the Candrakha98a
It represents the attachment to Mada (pride) and Siddhi-s Siddhi (supernormal powers). The
transcendence of this knot is equivalent to full awakening of Ku98alin2.
Ku98alin2
Rudr1k=a
Lit. 'pervaded by Rudra'
The tree Elaeocarpus Granitrus or its seed used for rosaries by followers of )iva tradition
It is also known as Ak=a.
Rudr192
vide Trim3rti
Rudra Pa0upati
Rudra the lord of the souls covered by ignorance
One of the eight Devas3
Devas3-s,
vas3 an aspect of Rudra.
R3pa
Form; sight
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S
Sabar Mantra (from Sabar i.e. milk, nectar)
Mantra representing the quintessence of a sacred text
)abda
Lit. 'vibration, sound; word'
The vibration of sound; the thought process in the form of words
There are four stages of )abda namely Vaikhar2,
Vaikhar2 Madhyam1,
Madhyam1 Pa0yant2 and Par1 by which the
whole universe of N1mar3pa comes into existence. Various S1dhana-s
S1dhana using )abda in different
forms (like K2rtana,
K2rtana Bhajan,
Bhajan Mantra,
Mantra N1da Yoga,
Yoga etc.) have the purpose to merge the sound
consciousness into the mental consciousness. The original cause of )abda is M3laprak4ti.
M3laprak4ti In the
Veda-s
Veda V1k Dev2 was later identified with Sarasvat2,
Sarasvat2 the goddess of speech.
vide also Karmendriya,
Karmendriya Savitark1 Sam1dhi
)abda Brahman
Brahman as the primal sound-energy
)abd1kar=i92
The attractive power of )abda
vide also Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
)abdatattva
The Tattva of )abda
Sab2ja Sam1dhi
Sam1dhi with seed (B2ja
B2ja)
B2ja based on Pratyaya
Pratyaya
Towards finer and finer realms of consciousness Sab2ja Sam1dhi is of six kinds viz. Savitark1,
Savitark1
Nirvitark1,
Nirvitark1 Savic1r1,
Savic1r1 Nirvic1r1,
Nirvic1r1 !nanda and Asmit1.
Asmit1 Other varieties of Sab2ja Sam1dhi are
Sampraj61ta Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi Asampraj61ta Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi
vide also Nirb2ja Sam1dhi
Sam1dhi, Savikalpa Sam1dhi
)accid1nanda
In Vedanta existence-consciousness-bliss as a state similar to Nirb2ja Sam1dhi in Yoga
vide also Sat Cit !nanda
+a8a^ga
Lit. 'six limbs'
The science of forms
The forms are seen as outer expressions of the inner reality, the means to provide a spiritual
experience by understanding their transcendental correspondence. Although +a8a^ga as a word
refers to the six limbs (vide +a8a^gany1sa)
+a8a^gany1sa its expression as science of forms is very wide,
addressing the symbol-values of Yantra,
Yantra Ma98ala,
Ma98ala statues, icons, temples, geometry, architecture,
etc.
vide also M3rti
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S
+a8a^gany1sa
Lit. 'Ny1sa of the six limbs'
The act of installing of deities by touch and Mantra-s
Mantra invocation into six parts of the body namely
heart, forehead, crown of the head, anus, eyes and navel.
vide also +a8a^ga
Sad10iva
Lit. 'always auspicious'
A form of )iva;
)iva the Devat1 of !k10a Bh3ta
Sad10ivatattva
The Tattva of Icch1 )akti (the energy of will)
+a8 Dar0ana
The six classical philosophies of the Indian tradition namely M2m1%s1
M2m1%s1,
m1%s1 Ny1ya,
Ny1ya Vai0e=ika,
Vai0e=ika
S1%khya, Yoga,
S1%khya Yoga Ved1nta
They are also known as Indian orthodox (i.e. accepted by Hinduism) systems of philosophy.
vide also Tattva Cintana
S1dhaka
Lit. 'efficient, effective'
Adept, spiritual aspirant practicing S1dhana
According to Gandharva Tantra a competent S1dhaka should be Dak=a (intelligent), Jitendriya
(having senses under control), Sarv1hi%s1 Vinirmukta (free from injuring all creatures),
Sarvapr19ihita Rata (doing always good to all beings), !stika (believer in Veda-s),
Veda )uci
)uci (pure),
Brahmav1d2 (with faith in Brahman).
Brahman In the Tantra-s
Tantra there are three kinds of S1dhaka-s
S1dhaka viz.
Pa0u,
Pa0u V2ra and Divya,
Divya each one having preponderance over one of the three Gu9a-s.
Gu9a In Yoga-s
Yoga
there are two kinds of S1dhaka-s
S1dhaka viz. Sak1ma and Ni=k1ma.
Ni=k1ma
vide also Tantra )1str1dhik1ra
S1dhana (also S1dhan1)
S1dhan1
Lit. 'leading straight to a goal'
A practice from Yoga,
Yoga Tantra,
Tantra Veda,
Veda etc. with a spiritual aim
The goal of S1dhana is to enable the practitioner as manifestation of )iva )akti at Microcosmic
level (i.e. K=udra
K=udra Brahm198a)
Brahm198a to experience )iva )akti at Macrocosmic level (i.e. Brahm198a)
Brahm198a
where the experience is unlimited.
vide also Tantra S1dhana,
S1dhana Veda S1dhana,
S1dhana Yoga S1dhana
S1dhik1
A female S1dhaka
S1dhu
A holy man, saint; a saintly woman
Sad Vidy1
Sat)
Sat
The knowledge of the reality (Sat
A Veda Vidy1 (one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s)
Vidy1 which deals with Asat as the cause of Sat,
Sat as the
knowledge imparted by sage Udd1laka to his son )vetaketu.
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Known also as Sahita Pr191y1ma it is of two kinds viz. Sagarbha (with repetition of Mantra-s)
Mantra
and Nigarbha (without repetition of Mantra-s).
Mantra Sahita Kumbhaka leads to Kevala Kumbhaka
therefore the awakening of Ku98alin2 )akti.
)akti
Sahodara
Lit. 'born of the same womb'
A sister or brother
)aiva
A follower of )iva and kind of philosophical tradition in India in which the male principle is
paramount
Sakala
With parts
Sak1ma
With desire
Sak1ma S1dhaka
Kind of Yoga practitioner known also as Sa%s1r2 concerned mainly with the first two of the
Puru=1rtha-s
Puru=1rtha i.e. K1ma and Artha
Sakara
With form, manifested
S1khya
Friendship; one of the nine A^ga-s
A^ga of Bhakti Yoga as the devotional act of friendship, also one of
the Rasa-s
Rasa
S1kin2
The )akti residing in the Vi0uddhi Cakra
)akra
Courage as one of the twelve !ditya-s
ditya
S1k=i
Witness
vide also Dra=7a
S1k=ibh1va
Attitude of a witness
S1k=i)
S1k=i is the Universal Consciousness (Cit
The real witness (S1k=i Cit).
Cit By practicing S1k=ibh1va
S1k=ibh1va a
S1dhaka is on the same side with the real witness. The practical manner is to reserve approx. 1%
of the conscious activity of the brain to witness what the other 99% does.
vide also Dra=7a,
Dra=7a !tmadra=7a
)1kta
A follower (worshipper) of )akti known also as )aktip3jaka;
)aktip3jaka kind of philosophical tradition in
India in which the female principle is paramount
)akti
Lit. 'power, energy'
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)akunopade0a
vide )akuna Tantra
)alabh1sana
The locust !sana
)1lagr1ma
A sacred stone worshipped by Vai=9ava-s
Vai=9ava
The black stone containing a fossil ammonite is found near the )1lagr1ma village on the river
Ga9dak2 in Nepal. Its name comes from the )1l trees (Vatica Robusta) which grow in the area.
The black ammonite falls into the river from the mountain Ga9dak2 (which according to
Bh1gavata Pur19a,
Pur19a Vi=9u had transformed himself). The )1lagr1ma believed to be pervaded by
the presence of Lord Vi=9u is the most sacred object of Vai=9ava-s
Vai=9ava having the same status as
)ivali^ga for )aiva-s.
)aiva
S1lajja
Lit. 'granting modesty'
The city of Brahm1 in the Brahmaloka representing the experiences of the world of Brahm1,
Brahm1 as
various Rasa-s
Rasa as sentiments
The devotee has to raise above these kinds of experiences (vide Parya^ka Vidy1)
Vidy1 by a Dra=7a
attitude.
vide also S1k=ibh1va
S1lokya
Lit. 'same world'
The state in which the devotee lives on the same plane with the Divine
vide also !tma Rati
)am
Lit. 'contentment, peace'
Auspiciousness as a name of )iva
Sam1dhi
Lit. 'union with the Lord'
Awareness as states of consciousness (transcending the mind eventually) in which any duality will
J2v1tma)
J2v1tma of a Dra=7a merges with the cosmic Self
disappear gradually and the individual Self (J2v1tma
Param1tm1)
Param1tm1
(Param1tm1
In Yoga,
Yoga Sam1dhi is one of the eight A^ga-s
A^ga of the A=71^ga Yoga of Pata6jali Pata6jali.
jali Through
Sam1dhi, Nirliptat1 is obtained. There are only two categories of Sam1dhi viz. Sab2ja and
Sam1dhi
Nirb2ja,
Nirb2ja other kinds such as Sampraj61ta,
Sampraj61ta Asampraj61ta are only intermediate states of
Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi There are also Sam1dhi-s
Sam1dhi as a result of particular kinds of Yoga practices like Bhakti
Yoga Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi R1ja Yoga Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi Laya Siddhi Yoga Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi Dhy1na Yoga Sam1dhi, Sam1dhi
N1da Yoga Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi Ras1nanda Yoga Sam1dhi as stated in Ghera98a Sa%hit1 work. The
Sam1dhi concept has to be seen as the experience of awareness therefore it has limitless aspects.
vide also Sam1patti,
Sam1patti Nira6jan1,
Nira6jan1 Samarasa
Sam1dhi Pari91ma
Transformation of consciousness as one of the three Pari91ma-s
Pari91ma
vide also Dharma Pari91ma
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Sam1dhi Praj61
The higher intelligence possessing a spiritual vision
It is developed as a result of successfully practicing Sampraj61ta Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi
Sam1na
The V1yu which controls digestion into the body
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvak1maprad1,
Sarvak1maprad1 Devasu=i
S1m1nya Homa
The ordinary Homa
Sam1patti
Lit. 'coming together'
The state of merge in various stages of individual identity with cosmic identity known in Yoga
S3tra as the merge of Grah2t4,
Grah2t4 Graha9a,
Graha9a Gr1hya.
Gr1hya
This is a state preliminary to Sam1dhi. Both Sam1patti and Sam1dhi employ the same process,
however Sam1patti deals with an impure mind, but Sam1dhi arises in a pure mind, therefore its
!vara9a).
!vara9a After purification of the
perception is much more advanced by the removal of covering (!vara9a
mind Sam1patti graduates into Sam1dhi.
Sam1dhi
vide also Samarasa
Samarasa (also Samarasatva)
Samarasatva
The experience of unity in Tantric practices, a state parallel to Sam1dhi in Yoga
vide also Maithuna
Samarpa9a
The act of offering
Samastavidy1
The Sth3la (gross) worship of Dev2
Samatva (also Samat1)
Samat1
Balance, equanimity
S1ma Veda
The Veda of chanting, one of the four Veda Sa%hit1-s
Sa%hit1
Samaya
Traditional custom
Samaya also means the five books of Sanaka,
Sanaka Sanandana,
Sanandana Sanatkum1ra,
Sanatkum1ra )uka and Vasi=7ha
because they describe the traditional custom, therefore the traditional custom of Samaya becomes
Samaya doctrine.
vide also )ubh1gama Pa6caka
Samayana
The state of emptiness, equanimity and mental tranquillity
In this state the cognitive, cognative and volitional functions cease to exist.
)1%bhav2 Mudr1
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)a^kara
The author of the celebrated Tantric text Saundaryalahari (eighth century CE) known also as
)a^kar1c1rya or )a%kar1c1rya he is the founder of the ten orders ( Dasn1mi)
Dasn1mi of mendicants in
India
vide also N1ga
Sa^ka71sana
The twister !sana
)a^kha
Conch-shell used for ritual, ornaments or as instrument to produce sounds
)a^khin2
vide Padmin2
)a^khin2 N182
The connected to the left side of the body
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvonm1di92
Sanny1sa
vide Sa%ny1sa
Sanny1sin
vide Sa%ny1sin
)1nta
Peacefulness as one of the Rasa-s
Rasa
)1nti
Peacefulness as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s
Daiv2sampat
)1ntikarma
Lit. 'action of peace'
One of the +a7karma-s
+a7karma giving protection from the evil influences of planets and curses by others,
or removes diseases and dispels fears bringing peace and happiness
This +a7karma will counterbalance the ill effects of the others five malefic magical rites, therefore
bringing the Tantric concept of polarity into effect.
Santo=a
Contentment as one of the five Niyama-s
Niyama
Santo=aprati=7h1
A state in which Santo=a is firmly established
A Yog2 possessing Santo=aprati=7h1 becomes very happy.
Saptabh3mi
The seven upper worlds
In the human body they correspond to the seven Cakra-s.
Cakra
vide also Loka
Sapta
Sapta Dh1tu
144
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vide Dh1tu
Sapta4=i
The seven seers
In astronomy the seven $=i-s
$=i are the seven stars viz. Mar2ci (or Marut),
Marut Atri,
Atri A^giras,
A^giras Pulastya,
Pulastya
Pulaha,
Pulaha Kratu and Vasi=7ha of the constellation Ursa Major.
vide also Brahm1
Sarasvat2
Lit. 'she who is full of inspiration'
Consort of Lord Brahm1;
Brahm1 name of a river (vide Pray1ga and Trive92)
Trive92 in the Veda-s
Veda
As a personification of Praj6a,
Praj6a Sarasvat2 presides over arts and eloquence, wisdom and learning.
vide also $g Veda
Sarasvat2 N182
The N182 connected to the left shoulder
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarv1rthas1dha92
)ar2ra
Body, frame
There are there bodies as states of consciousness viz. Sth3la (gross), S3k=ma (subtle) and K1ra9a
(causal). They are represented in the Tantra-s
Tantra in the form of the three types of )ivali^ga-s
)ivali^ga and
experienced through the five Ko0a-s
Ko0a as different vibrations of energy. Beyond these three bodies
there is the Mah1 K1ra9a )ar2ra,
)ar2ra their source associated with Tur2ya state.
)1r2ra
The Soul in the Sth3la )ar2ra (gross body)
vide also J2v1tman
J2v1tman
)ar2r1kar=i92
The attractive power of )ar2ra
vide also Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
Sar=7i
The state in which the devotee realizes the knowledge of the Divine
vide also !tma Rati
Sar3pa
With form
S1r3pya
The state in which the devotee realizes same form with the Divine
vide also !tma Rati
Sarv1dh1rasvar3pi92
The one in the form of all supports
In the human gross body corresponds to the J17har1gni of K=1raka
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
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Sarvadu5khavimoci92
The remover of all sufferings
In the human subtle body corresponds to N1ga V1yu.
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra
Sarvadvandvak=aya^kar2
The destroyer of duality
In the human subtle body corresponds to Su=umn1 N182.
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarvahl1di92
The delighter of all
In the human subtle body corresponds to V1ru92 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarvai0varyaprad1
The giver of all sovereignty (authority)
In the human subtle body corresponds to J17har1gni of )o=aka.
)o=aka
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
Sarvaj61
The one who knows all
In the human gross body corresponds to J17har1gni of Recaka.
Recaka
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
Sarvaj61namay2
The one full of all knowledge
In the human gross body corresponds to J17har1gni of D1haka.
D1haka
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
Sarvaj4mbhi92
The releaser of all
In the human subtle body corresponds to Payasvin2 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarvak1maprad1
The giver of all desires (wants)
In the human subtle body corresponds to Sam1na V1yu.
V1yu
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra
Sarvakar=i92
The one who attracts all
In the human subtle body corresponds to Vi0vodar1 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarvama^gal1
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The )akti-s
)akti to be worshipped in this Cakra are the deities of accomplishments namely
Sarvasiddhiprad1,
Sarvasiddhiprad1 Sarvasampatprad1,
Sarvasampatprad1 Sarvapriya%kar2
Sarvapriya%kar2,
%kar2 Sarvama^gal1kari92,
Sarvama^gal1kari92
Sarvak1maprad1,
Sarvak1maprad1 Sarvadu5khavimoci92,
Sarvadu5khavimoci92 Sarvam4tyupra0ama92,
Sarvam4tyupra0ama92 Sarvavighaniv1ri92,
Sarvavighaniv1ri92
Sarv1^gasundar2,
Sarv1^gasundar2 Sarvasaubh1gyad1yi92.
Sarvasaubh1gyad1yi92 In the subtle body they correspond to the ten V1yu-
V1yu
s viz. Pr19a,
Pr19a Ap1na,
Ap1na Vy1na,
Vy1na Ud1na,
Ud1na Sam1na,
Sam1na N1ga,N1ga K3rma,
K3rma K4kara
K4kara, Devadatta,
Devadatta
Dhana6jay1.
Dhana6jay1
vide also V1yu
Sarv1rths1dha92
The one who accomplishes all material gains
In the human subtle body corresponds to Sarasvat2 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarva0aktiprad1
The giver of all powers
In the human gross body corresponds to the J17har1gni of Pacaka.
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
Sarv10a%k=obha9a Cakra
Lit. 'the wheel agitating all'
The Eight-petals Red Lotus Wheel of the )r2 Yantra presided by Tripur1sundar2 )akti
The )akti-s
)akti to be worshipped on the petals are the deities who agitate the mind viz.
Ana^gakusum1, Ana^gamekhal1,
Ana^gakusum1 Ana^gamekhal1 Ana^gamadan1,
Ana^gamadan1 Ana^gamadan1tur1,
Ana^gamadan1tur1 Ana^garekh1,
Ana^garekh1
Ana^gavegan2,
Ana^gavegan2 Ana^gamadan1^ku01 and Ana^gam1lin2.
Ana^gam1lin2 They correspond to the human
expressions and attitudes of Vacana,
Vacana Upek=a,
Upek=a !nanda,
!nanda Gamana,
Gamana H1na,
1na Visarga,
Visarga !d1na and
Up1d1na.
Up1d1na
Sarvasa%k=obhi92
The agitator of all
In the human subtle body corresponds to Ala%bus1 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarvasa%mohi92
The one who can delude all (everything)
In the human subtle body corresponds to Hastijihv1 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarvasampatprad1
The giver of all material gains
In the human subtle body corresponds to Ap1na V1yu.
V1yu
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra
Sarvasampattip3ra92
The one who can fulfil and satisfy all
In the human subtle body corresponds to I81 N182.
N182
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
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S
152
S
154
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Siddhi
Power resulting from Yoga;
Yoga power of intellect
There are eight major Siddhi (vide A=7asiddhi)
A=7asiddhi and many minor Siddhi-s
Siddhi viz. Vedha,
Vedha Nidhi,
Nidhi
A6jana, P1duk1,
A6jana P1duk1 Bila,
Bila Kha8ga,
Kha8ga !kar=a9a,
!kar=a9a Va0ya,
Va0ya etc. Their acquisition requires Am4t1p3r9a
Am4t1p3r9a
(purity of mind). Siddhi-s
Siddhi are gifts of Ku98alin2 and it is the consciousness itself through
A6janat1 which identifies with the object, quality or manifestation by using a specific state known
as Sa%yama.
Sa%yama
vide also Utkr1nti,
Utkr1nti Vibh3ti
)ilpi Yog2
A Yog2 artist using art for spiritual growth towards Yoga
Si%h1sana
The lion !sana;
!sana the lion's throne
)irovrata
Lit. 'fire devotion'
The rite of carrying fire on the head as symbol of opening the head to higher consciousness
This is also a kind of )aiva initiation (according to S3ta Sa%hit1).
Sa%hit1
vide also Vrata
)i=ya
(from the Sanskrit root )1s i.e. to teach)
Lit. 'one who is to be taught'
Disciple of spiritual teaching
vide also Guru
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)2ta
Lit. 'cold; cool'
The mental activity of being calm, unmoved
vide also Sarvarogahara
Sarvarogahara Cakra, Va0in2
)2t1
The wife of R1ma (vide)
)2tal2
Lit. 'causing coolness'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma
)2tk1r2
Lit. 'causing the sound )2t'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma
)2tkrama
Yogic technique of taking water through the mouth and expelling it through the nostrils as one of
the three Kap1labhati-s
Kap1labhati
)iva
Lit. 'in whom all things lie; auspicious'
Lord )iva one of the Hindu trinity as Rudra,
Rudra the destroyer
His various names indicate particular states, qualities and manifestations of the Self in its descent
towards the many. Many of His names are given in the Pura9a-s
Pura9a like Agni,
Agni Padma,
Padma K3rma,
K3rma )iva,
)iva
V1mana,
V1mana etc., as well as in )iva Sahasran1ma (one thousand names of )iva). )iva His abode is
Mount Kail1sa
Kail1sa (vide). Lord )iva promulgates His teachings in works as Y1mala,
Y1mala D1mara,
D1mara )iva
S3tra and Tantra-s.
Tantra He is the first devotee of )r2 Vidy1 and the original Guru (!din1tha !din1tha).
!din1tha As
Rudra,
Rudra )iva brings about the destruction of the ego (Aha%k1ra Aha%k1ra)
Aha%k1ra and transformation. In His
representations )iva's
)iva third eye is a symbol of spiritual wisdom, the tiger skin represents the slain of
the tiger of lust, the snakes are symbol of vital energy.
vide also Brahman,
Brahman Parama0iva,
Parama0iva )iva )akti,
)akti Trim3rti
)ivad3t2
)iva-s
)iva messenger; one of the many names of Dev2
vide also D3t2
)ivali^ga
Lit. ' mark of )iva'
An oval-shaped form representing the pure consciousness of )iva;
)iva the cosmic universal mind
Cid1k10a);
Cid1k10a
(Cid1k10a a symbol of )iva or )iva )akti principle
)ivali^ga-s
)ivali^ga can be of three kinds according to their R3pa-s
R3pa viz. Dh3mrali^ga,
Dh3mrali^ga Itarali^ga and
Jyotirli^ga. At one end of the form is time (K1la
Jyotirli^ga K1la)
K1la representing )iva,
)iva at the other end is space
!k10a)
!k10a representing )akti,
(!k10a )akti in the centre is Bindu,
Bindu the place of union.
vise also Brahm198a
)ivar1tri
)ivar1tri
Lit. ')iva's night'
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Sm4ty1kar=i92
The attractive power of Sm4ti
vide also Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
+o8a02
The third of the Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 represents the power of perfection.
+o8a02 is also the sixteen-syllables Mantra which has to be learned from a Guru or might be
revealed to a devotee in various ways.
)odhana
Purification of the body as a result of practicing +a7karma-s
+a7karma as yogic processes of purification
Soham
Lit. 'he I am'
A Mantra to identify oneself with )iva;
)iva the reverse of Ha%sa5
It is also known as Ajap1 G1yatr2.
vide also S1ham,
S1ham Ajap1 Japa
Soma
Lit. 'juice'
The Soma plant and its juice; the drink of gods
Personified as an important Vedic deity Soma is identified with the moon and any form of Am4ta.
Esoterically Soma is the state of happiness and divine intoxication, the !nanda of Sat Cit
!nanda,
!nanda the three attributes of !tman.
!tman
vide also Indra,
Indra Agni,
Agni Soma,
Soma S3rya
Soma Cakra
vide Sahasr1ra Cakra
Soma Rasa
The juice of the Soma plant known also as Am4ta
Somasavana
Lit. 'that which exudes nectar'
vide Parya^ka Vidy1
Soma Vanaspati
Soma the lord of loveliness; the essence of happiness
One of the eight Devas3-s,
Devas3 an aspect of Soma.
Sopakrama Karma
The active Karma with fruits in the present
vide also Apar1taj61na,
Apar1taj61na Pr1rabdha Karma
)o=aka
The J17har1gni (digestive fire) of removing the humours (Do=a
Do=a-s)
Do=a
vide also Sarvai0varyaprad1
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Spar0a
Touch
vide Tanm1tra
Spar01kar=i92
The attractive power of Spar0a
vide Sarv101paripuraka Cakra
Spar0a Sa%vit
Siddhi)
Siddhi
Divine touch as a supernormal power (Siddhi
Spar0atattva
The Tattva of Spar0a
Spho7a
The subtle sound or vibration out of which the world was created
)raddh1
Lit. 'that which holds the truth'
Faith; the quality of being faithful
vide also Bh3ma Vidy1
)r1va9a ( also )rava9a)
)rava9a
The month corresponding to parts of July/ August (vide also M1sa);
M1sa the sense of supernormal
hearing; one of the nine A^ga-s
A^ga of Bhakti Yoga as the devotional act of listening to Holy
Scriptures
vide also Pr1tibha
)r2
Holy
)r2 Cakra
Lit. 'holy wheel'
vide )r2 Yantra
)r2ka97ha
Lit. 'holy desire'
The four upwards-pointed triangles representing the )iva element in the )r2 Cakra.
vide also )ivayuvat2
)r2%
Lak=m2 B2ja Mantra
)r2man Ny1sa Vidy1
The knowledge of consecration to God
A VedaVidy1,
VedaVidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s
Vidy1 refers to the path of Sa%ny1sa (renunciation) as
leading to the knowledge of Sagu9a Brahman.
Brahman
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
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)r2m1t1
The Holy Mother as one of the sacred names of Dev2
)r2 Pura
vide )r2 Yantra
)r2 Vidy1
Holy Science
vide )r2 Yantra
)r2 Vidy1 Mantra
vide Pa6cada02
)r2 Yantra
The most celebrated of all Yantra-s
Yantra it is the graphical representation of S4=7ikrama and its reverse
the Layakrama.
Layakrama Its manifestation is the development and the absorption of the outer universe
Brahm198a)
Brahm198a as well as the inner universe (Pi98198a
(Brahm198a Pi98198a)
Pi98198a on nine levels. The graphical
representation is subject to meditation of various forms, the object of the )r2 Yantra is to realize
the unity of J61t1 (who is Hotra),
Hotra of J61na (which is Arghya)
Arghya and of J6eya (which is Havi).
Havi The
Bindu)
Bindu of the )r2 Yantra is Lalit1.
deity worshipped at the centre (Bindu Lalit1 It is also known as )r2 Cakra,
Cakra
)r2 Pura,
Pura Navayoni Cakra,
Cakra )r2 Vidy1,
Vidy1 etc. The nine levels of Cakra-s
Cakra towards the centre are
Trailokyamohana,
Trailokyamohana Sarv101paripuraka,
Sarv101paripuraka Sarva0a%k=obha9a,
Sarva0a%k=obha9a Sarvsaubh1gyad1yaka,
Sarvsaubh1gyad1yaka
Sarv1rthas1dhaka,
Sarv1rthas1dhaka Sarvarak=1kara,
Sarvarak=1kara Sarvrogahara,
Sarvrogahara Sarvasiddhiprada and
Sarv1nandamaya.
Sarv1nandamaya
)49g1ra
Lit. 'love; the erotic sentiment'
Love as one of the Rasa-s
Rasa (vide)
)rotra
Organ of hearing, the ear
vide also J61nendriya
)rotratattva
The Tattva of )rotra
S4=7i
A work of creation
vide also M3la Triko9a,
Triko9a Tantra,
Tantra Sa%h1ra
S4=7i applies also to the creation of the physical universe (Brahm198a
Brahm198a)
Brahm198a as opposed to Pralaya
(dissolution)
S4=7ikrama
Going towards creation
The action opposed to Layakrama.
Layakrama In the )r2 Yantra the direction from Bindu to
Trailokyamohana.
Trailokyamohana
S4=7i Sthiti Sa%h1ra
Creation-preservation-dissolution as manifestation of Trim3rti of )akti expression
)ruti
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Sth3la Mah1bh3ta
vide Bh3ta
Sth3la R3pa
Gross form
vide also R3pa
Sth3la )ar2ra
The gross (physical) body
Stotra
Prayer; hymn of spiritual nature
Str2
Woman, female
Str2mantra
A female Mantra (i.e. a Mantra ending with Sv1h1)
Sv1h1
Sty1na
The state of dullness as one of the nine Citta Vik=epa-s
Vik=epa
)ubh1gama Pa6caka
The five authoritative scriptures of Samaya doctrine i.e. Sanaka,
Sanaka Sananda,
Sananda Sanatkum1ra,
Sanatkum1ra
)uka and Vasi=7ha
Subrahma9ya
Lit. 'the one dear to Br1hma9a'
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Udg1t4 priest
Sudar0ana Cakra
Vi=9u’s
Vi=9u discus, as sun’s symbol, and invincible weapon
)uddha Bhakti
Bhakti
The purity of Bhakti as a necessary condition to develop a relationship with God
)uddh10uddhatattva
The pure-impure Tattva-s
Tattva i.e. the seven Tattva-s
Tattva from Mah1tattva down to Puru=atattva (vide
Tattva)
Tattva
)uddhatattva
The pure Tattva-s
Tattva i.e. the five Tattva
Tattva-s from )ivatattva down to )uddhavidy1tattva (vide
Tattva)
Tattva
)uddhavidy1tattva
The Tattva of Kriy1 )akti (the energy of action)
)uddhi
Purification; element of purification as opposed to A0uddhi
vide also Citta0uddhi,
Citta0uddhi Pari0uddhi
Sudh1
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)3nya Mudr1
The gesture of the void
)3nyaka
Emptiness
)3ny1ta
Void
Supta
Sleeping
Surabhi Mudr1
The gesture of charming
S3rya
The sun or its deity; the Devat1 of Pi^gal1 N182;
N182 the right nostril
One of the gods of the Vedic trinity, S3rya presides over the sky, while Agni is on the earth and
Indra in the atmosphere. S3rya is also one of the Navagraha-s
Navagraha and the source of energy within all
creatures on earth. Esoterically is the psycho-cosmic principle of light and the experience and
knowledge of consciousness, the immanent Godhead.
vide also Savit4,
Savit4 !ditya,
!ditya Ravi,
Ravi Veda,
Veda Agni S3rya Indra
S3rya Bheda
Lit. 'causing sun expansion'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma
S3ryadv1ra
S3ryadv1ra
The passage of the sun
S3ry1k10a
The fifth of the Vyoma Pa6caka-s
Pa6caka described as the space of the sun
S3ryakha98a
Group containing Ma9ip3ra and An1hata Cakra-s
Cakra and Vi=9ugranthi
The presiding deity is S3rya,
S3rya the Gu9a is Rajas and corresponds in the cosmic planes to
Maharloka and Janarloka.
Janarloka
S3ryama98ala
Sun's disc
S3rya N182
A synonym for Pi^gal1 N182
)u=ka Basti
The dry Basti as one of the two Basti-s
Basti
Su=umnadv1ra
The passage of Su=umn1
Su=umn1 N182
164
S
The N182 connected to the back of the forehead running along the vertebral column, the passage
for Ku98alin2 )akti
It is the most important N182 in the human subtle body. It is also known as )3nya Padav2,
Padav2
Madhya M1rga,
M1rga etc.
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvadvandvak=aya^kar2,
Sarvadvandvak=aya^kar2 Agni,
Agni Nira6jan1
Su=upti
Su=upti
The Avasth1 of deep sleep associate with a specific V4tti (vide Su=upti V4tti)
V4tti
In this state the J2va consciousness is in the causal body (K1ra9a
K1ra9a )ar2ra)
)ar2ra and the perception of
consciousness is undifferentiated therefore beyond the experiences of J2grat and Svapna states.
!nanda)
!nanda leading to the fourth state called Tur2ya.
This is the state of bliss (!nanda
Su=upti V4tti
The condition of the deep sleep state associated in the mind with the Delta brain waves
vide also Avasth1,
Avasth1 V4tti
Sutalaloka
vide Loka
S3tra
Lit. 'thread'
Aphorism, short sentence or a book of aphorisms (i.e. the author's thoughts hang as beads on a
thread)
Suv2ta (also Suvita)
Suvita
In the Veda-s
Veda the path of prosperity; a happy journey
Svadh1
Lit. 'self-nature'
A Vedic Mantra as expression of the Self
vide also Dhenu
Svadharma
One's own Dharma
Sv1dhi=7h1na Cakra
Lit. 'own residence Cakra'
The Cakra located at the base of the vertebral column where the coccyx bone is situated
This Cakra is associated with the J61nendriya of Jihva,
Jihva the Karmendriya of Upastha
Upastha, the
Tanm1tra of Rasa,
Rasa it is the centre for Vy1na V1yu and the seat of Pr19amaya Ko0a,
Ko0a the level of
awareness is Bhuvarloka.
Bhuvarloka
vide also R1ki92
Sv1dhy1ya
Lit. 'own study'
Study of )1stra-s Niyama-s and one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s;
)1stra as one of the five Niyama Daiv2sampat the
analysis of one's own self; recitation of Mantra-s
Mantra
vide also Up1sana
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Sv1dhy1yaprati=7h1
A state in which Sv1dhy1ya is practiced and the observation of one's own self experienced
A Yog2 possessing Sv1dhy1yaprati=7h1 will be able to experience the union with a desired
Devat1.
Sv1h1
Lit. 'self-affirmation'
The final word of a Mantra for a goddess
vide also Str2mantra,
Str2mantra Dhenu
Sv1mi (also Sv1min)
Sv1min
Lit. 'master of one's self'
A particular kind of Sanny1sin as result of a specific initiation (D2k=1
D2k=1)
D2k=1
Svapna
Lit. 'dreaming'
The Avasth1 of dreaming associated with a specific V4tti (vide Svapna V4tti)
V4tti
In this state the J2va consciousness is in the subtle body (S3k=ma
S3k=ma )ar2ra)
)ar2ra and the perception is
mental only.
Svapna J61na
The state of conscious dreaming
Svapna V4tti
V4tti
The condition of the dreaming state associated in the mind with the Theta brain waves
vide also Avasth1,
Avasth1 V4tti
Svara
Sound; air breathed through the nostrils; tone in recitation; a note of the musical scale
vide also O%
Svara S1dhana
Kind of S1dhana (practice) using the seven notes of the musical scale, each note being related to
one of the seven major Cakra-s
Cakra
vide also N1da Yoga
Svara Yoga
The Yoga of breathing cycle
Svarga
Leading to heaven
Svarloka
The region between the sun and polar star as Indra
Indra's heaven
Svar3pa
Lit. 'own form'
Sat)
Sat
Essential nature of a deity; the form of Reality (Sat
166
S
)v1sa Pra0v1sa
Lit. 'inspiration-expiration'
The activity of agitated breath
As one of the four Vik=epasahabh3-s
Vik=epasahabh3 it is connected to the Annamaya Ko0a.
Ko0a
Svasti
Happiness; kind of salutation (like "Hail!")
Svastika
A kind of cross as symbol of being auspicious and bringing good luck
It is considered to be a simplified symbol of the sun. As a Mudr1,
Mudr1 it is performed by crossing arms
and hands on chest. For example the folded hands of P1rvat2 (vide).
Svastik1sana
The auspicious !sana
Svayambh3 Li^ga
(from Svayambh3 i.e. self-created)
vide Dh3mra Li^ga
)vetabindu
The point of pure thought (vide Bindu)
Bindu
)vetabindu is one of the three Par1bindu-s
Par1bindu representing the )iva M1y1 as well as the J61na
)akti as manifestations.
)vetaketu
vide Sad Vidy1
Sy1dv1da
The doctrine of probability
)y1ma
Lit. 'of dark or dark-blue complexion'
A name of )iva;
)iva the sacred fig-tree at Pray1ga
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T
T181g2 Mudr1
The tank Mudr1 as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
Tad1k1r1patti
Lit. 'accomplishment of own form'
The supreme awareness, the highest state of Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi the experience of Sat Cit !nanda or pure
awareness
Tadupar1ga
The reflection of the object in the mind as a cognitive process
vide also Citta
Tal1talaloka
Tal1talaloka
vide Loka
Tamas
Lit. 'darkness, inertia'
The quality of ignorance, inertia and stagnation
It is one of the three Gu9a-s.
Gu9a
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra,
Cakra Kaulin2
Tamas Tapas
The purification of Tamas Gu9a
vide also Tapas
T1mb3la
Betel (scientifically known as Piper Betel), an article used in ritual offering
Tamogu9a
The quality of ignorance
vide also Tamas,
Tamas Gu9a
Tanm1tra
Lit. 'element of extension'
Subtle element (essence, quality) of the human body; subtle form of matter; senses
Known also as S3k=ma Mah1 Bh3ta-s,Bh3ta there are five Tanm1tra-s
Tanm1tra namely )abda (sound),
Spar0a (touch), R3pa (form, sight), Rasa (taste, flavour), Gandha (smell, odour), produced from
the Tamas Gu9a of Prak4ti and are parts of the thirty-six Tattva-
Tattva-s. Tanm1tra-s
Tanm1tra are considered to
A9u-s).
A9u
have a subatomic structure and be the constituents of atoms (A9u
vide also B1na,
B1na A9u
Tanm1tra Sam1dhi
Awareness of the senses as a lower stage of Sam1dhi
168
T
Tantra
Lit. 'liberation through extension'
Tan means to extend, stretch, spread; Tra means threefold and stands for liberation, as the path to
(Tan
liberation is threefold. In other words the meaning of the word Tantra is to expand consciousness
and liberate energy, which has the same significance as Brahman in the Veda-s)
Veda
System, doctrine, teaching, science
Some texts equate Tantra with Atharva Veda.
Veda Tantra is considered to be the scripture ()1stra
)1stra)
)1stra of
the Kali Yuga. Many of the Tantra-
Tantra-s called !gama-s
!gama are thought to the world by Lord )iva in the
form of dialogues between Him and Dev2 as Durg1 or P1rvat2. When the dialogue is addressed by
P1rvat2 to )iva,
)iva the form of Tantra is called Nigama. Another form of Tantra is Y1mala.
The doctrine of Tantra emphasizes on unity in duality and duality in unity, the ultimate Reality
)iva as Prak10a aspect) and dynamic ()akti
being both static ()iva )akti as Vimar0a aspect). Tantra treats
five subjects: the creation of the world, the absorption of the world, the worship of gods, the
attainment of desires, the union with the Divine.
The Indian Tantra and other similar practices developed in many parts of the world have evolved
from taboos, superstitions and agricultural rituals of the primitive people. Even the $g Veda
contains chants to ensure success in agriculture. The symbolism of Tantra is in the form of animal
or human figures.
The five systems of Tantra are: Dak=i91c1ra,
Dak=i91c1ra V1m1c1ra,
V1m1c1ra Ved1c1ra, Siddh1nt1c1ra and
Yog1c1ra.
In Tantra seven ways of spiritual life are distinguished namely Ved1c1ra,
Ved1c1ra Vai=9av1c1ra,
Vai=9av1c1ra
)aiv1c1ra, Dak=i91c1ra,
)aiv1c1ra Dak=i91c1ra V1m1c1ra,
V1m1c1ra Siddh1nt1c1ra and Kul1c1ra.
Tantric symbols are found in the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000 BCE) on non-Indo-Aryan
origin, however many later Tantric practices are based on Vedic practices (including those from
Upani=ad-s
Upani=ad and Pur19a-s).
Pur19a It can be said there is a closed connection between Tantra
Tantra-s and
Veda-s
Veda as parallel concepts.
Traditionally there are sixty-four Tantra-s
Tantra as mentioned by Sa9kara in his work
Saundaryalahari. The principal sects or branches of Tantra are )aiva-s
)aiva (worshippers of )iva),
)iva
Vai=nava-s
Vai=nava (worshippers of Vi=9u)
Vi=9u and )1kta-s
)1kta (worshippers of )akti).
)akti
Tantra Anu=7h1na
The Anu=7h1na related to practices of Tantra
Tantra S1dhaka
vide S1dhaka
Tantra S1dhana
The practice of Tantra
It covers a very wide range of practices. There are four kinds of initiations in the Tantra S1dhana
namely Pa0y1c1ra,
Pa0y1c1ra V2r1c1ra,
V2r1c1ra Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 and Brahmayoga.
Tantr1sana
Tantric posture using the sexual energy in order to unfold and experience higher awareness
Typical Tantric postures are Cakr1sana,
Cakr1sana Puhapak1sana,
Puhapak1sana Yoni !sana,
!sana Padm1sana,
Padm1sana
Siddh1sana, Viparitarati !sana,
Siddh1sana !sana Rati !sana,
!sana J1nujugm1sana,
J1nujugm1sana Bhag1sana.
Tantra01stra
The doctrine of Tantra
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Tantra )1str1dhik1ra
Competency for Tantra
It is fully described in Gandharva Tantra (vide S1dhaka for conditions of competency).
vide also Adhik1rin
Tantra Tattva
The principles of Tantra as awareness, meditation and acceptance
Tantr2
The Indian lute or V291
T1ntrika
Lit. 'relating to Tantra'
A follower of the Tantra doctrine
T1pa
Lit. 'pain'
Karma)
Karma
Anxiety accompanying an action (Karma
Taparloka
vide Loka
A Loka inhabited by deified Vair1gin-s,
Vair1gin the level of awareness before Satyaloka.
Tapas (also T1pasya )
(from Tap i.e. to shine, to produce energy)
A process of self-purification as one of the five Niyama-s
Niyama and one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-
Daiv2sampat
s
There are three kinds of Tapas acting on different levels on the human body viz. Sattva Tapas,
Tapas
Rajas Tapas and Tamas Tapas.
Tapas
vide also Loka
T1pasa
Ascetic as practitioner of various Tapas
T1pasprati=7h1
A state acquired by practicing Tapas
A Yog2 possessing Tapasprati=7h1 will have own impurities destroyed and a healthy body.
T1pasya
vide Tapas
T1pasya Anu=7h1na
The Anu=7h1na related to observance of T1pasya-s.
T1pasya
T1r1
The second of the Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 represents the power of spiritual aspiration
T1raka
Lit. 'that which enables to go over'
170
T
Mekhal1),
Mekhal1 the space between forming the Traillokyamohana.
concentric circles, girdles (Mekhal1 Traillokyamohana
Tr17aka
Yogic technique of fixing the eyes on one external or internal object or location as one of the
+a7karma-s
+a7karma
vide also Praty1h1ra
Tret1 Yuga
An age of the world consisting of 1,296,000 years
vide Yuga
Trigu9a
The three Gu9a-s
Gu9a (vide)
Trigu91ti
Beyond the three Gu9a-s
Gu9a
Trigu91tmik1
The Dev2 in the form of Prak4ti as composed of the three Gu9a-s
Gu9a
Triko9a
Lit. 'triangle'
vide Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
Trik37i
The joining point of the three main N182-s
N182 in the !j6a Cakra
vide also Bhr3madhya
Trim3rti
Lit. 'three forms'
The Hindu Trinity consisting of Brahm1 (the Creator), Vi=9u (the preserver) and Rudra or )iva
(the destroyer, the one who brings transformation)
Brahm1 (Viri6ci
Viri6ci),
Viri6ci Vi=9u (Hari
Hari)
Hari and Rudra (Hara Hara)
Hara are the names for functions of the one
Universal Consciousness operating within ourselves as well as outside the human body. According
to Kubjika Tantra there are not Brahm1,
Brahm1 Vi=9u and Rudra who create, maintain and destroy, but
their )akti-s
)akti as manifestations namely Brahm192,
Brahm192 Vi=9av2 and Rudr192. These three forms of
functions are present in various degrees in any activity. Brahm1 as function should be seen in any
activity of creation and multiplication, Vi=9u in any activity which stops creation but maintains the
already existing status of things, Rudra in any activity which stops creation and destroys the
existing things through absorption. In terms of spiritual evolution Rudra's
Rudra function becomes
essential as the activity of consciously going back to the source of creation and becoming one is
Yoga (union).
vide also S4=7i Sthiti Sa%h1ra
Tripur1
Lit. 'she who is threefold'
An aspect of Dev2
Dev2
The K1lik1 Pur19a says: "She has three angles as well as three circles and her Bh3pura is three-
lined. Her Mantra is said to be of three syllables and She has three aspects. Ku98ali92 energy is
also threefold in order that She may create the three gods, thus since She is everywhere triple, She is
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A Sanskrit Dictionary of Spirituality
called Tripur1".
Tripur1 Tripur1r9ava work says: "Tripur1
Tripur1 means the three N182-s,
N182 Su=umn1,
Su=umn1 I81 and
Pi9gal1, it means also Manas,
Pi9gal1 Manas Buddhi and Citta.
Citta As Dev2 dwells in these She is called Tripur1".
Tripur1
Tripur1 refers also to the three Bindu-s
Bindu at the centre of )r2 Yantra.
Yantra
vide also Trailokyamohana Cakra,
Cakra Bindu,
Bindu Tripur1ntaka
Tripur1 Bhairav2
The sixth of the ten Mah1vidy1-s
Mah1vidy1 represents the power of destruction as the annihilated power of
time of all existence
Tripuram1lin2
The Garlanded Tripur1
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
Tripur1mb1
The Mother Tripur1
vide also Sarvasiddhiprada Cakra
Tripurasiddh1
The Perfect Tripur1
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra
Tripura0r2
The Holy Tripur1
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra
Tripur1sundar2
The Beautiful Tripur1
vide also Sarva0a%k=obha9a Cakra,
Cakra Bindu
Tripurav1sin2
The Dwelling Tripur1
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra
Tripur1ntaka
Lit. 'the one destroying the three cities'
A name of )iva
The three cities are Lobha,
Lobha K1ma and Krodha,
Krodha which are the Pa6c1gni-s
Pa6c1gni (fires) associated with
the three lower Cakra-s.
Cakra Their destruction means the overcoming of these fires and the raise of the
level of consciousness above them.
Tripure0i
The Sovereign Tripur1
vide also Sarv1s1paripuraka Cakra
Tri=tubh
Eleven syllables as Vedic meter used in addressing the Divine
Trive92 (vide Pray1ga for the place of pilgrimage)
The conjunction of the three main N182-s
N182 between the eyebrows
174
T
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U
Ucc17anakarma
Lit. 'action of ruining an enemy'
One of the +a7karma-s
+a7karma which gives the power to ruin and torment an enemy by creating material
discomfort, pain, shame, etc.
It is one of the five malefic magical rites in the Tantra-s.
Tantra
Ud1na
The V1yu which controls circulation into the body
vide also Sarv1rthas1dhaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvama^gal1k1ri92,
Sarvama^gal1k1ri92 Devasu=i
Devasu=i,
=i Utkr1nti
Udd1laka
vide Sad Vidy1,
Vidy1 Udd1laka !ru9i Vidy1
Udd1laka !ru9i Vidy1
The knowledge of Udd1laka !ru9i
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 Udd1laka !ru9i was a renowned Br1hma9a
teacher who had the knowledge of !tm1 as being latent in everything. It is given the example of
V1yu as being like a thread binding everything in the world and Pr19a like a thread in the human
body.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
U882
Lit. 'to fly up; to cause to fly up'
The action or feeling of flying
U882y1na Bandha
Lit. 'upwards lock'
The flying up Bandha as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
vide also Bandhatraya
U882y1na P27ha
The symbol of creation as attribute of the Dev2 in the middle of the Sarv1nandamaya Cakra
Known also as O882y1na P27ha (or Au882y1na P27ha)
P27ha it is equated with Sahasr1ra Cakra.
Cakra
vide also U882,
U882 Catu=p27ha
Udg1t4
$tvija-s),
$tvija
One of the four Vedic priests ($tvija the one who chants the hymns of the S1ma Veda
An Udg1t4 is assisted by three other helper priests, viz. Prastot4,
Prastot4 Pratihart4 and Subrahma9ya.
Subrahma9ya
Udg1raka
The J17har1gni (digestive fire) of belching (vomiting)
vide also Sarvap1pahar1
176
U
Udg2tha
Lit. 'to chant aloud'
The chanting of S1ma Veda by the Udg1t4 priest; the chanting of O% Mantra;
Mantra a general name for
the S1ma Veda.
Udg2tha Vidy1
The knowledge of Pra9ava O%
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s,
Vidy1 which deals with the chanting of the O% Mantra as
expression of the name of God.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Ujj1y2
Lit. 'causing victory'
In Ha7ha Yoga one of the eight major kinds of Pr191y1ma
Um1
A form of Dev2
Unm1dana
One of the five arrows of K1madeva the one causing intoxication with love
vide also Sarvonm1di92
Unman2 (also Unman2 Avasth1)
Avasth1
Lit. 'to become absent in mind'
A kind of state beyond the experience of the mind
Unman2 Avasth1
vide Unman2
Unman2bh1va
Unman2bh1va
Bh1va)
Bh1va
Absence of mind as attitude (Bh1va
vide also Unman2
Unnet4
In the Veda-s
Veda a helper priest assisting the Adhvaryu priest by pouring the Soma Rasa into the
recipients
Upac1ra
Offering used for worship
Up1d1na
The act of accepting
vide also Ana^gam1lin2
Ana^gam1lin2,
in2 Up1sana
Upade0a
Advice
Upakosala Vidy1
The knowledge of Upakosala
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A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s.
Vidy1 This Vidy1,
Vidy1 named after Upakosala Kamal1yana,
Kamal1yana
a disciple of Satyak1ma J1b1la,
J1b1la deals with the knowledge of the three kinds of Agni and their
Loka-s
Loka as levels of awareness.
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
Upani=ad
Lit. 'sitting by the side'
A class of philosophical works exposing the secret doctrine
They are regarded as a source of Ved1nta,
Ved1nta S1%kya and Yoga philosophies, the secret knowledge
acquired by sitting near the master.
vide also Mah1v1kya
Up1saka
Worshipper, devotee
Up1sana
The external worship and contemplation with the aim to integrate in oneself the two polarities as
)iva - )akti
It has five stages i.e. Abhigamana (approach), Up1d1na (acceptance of offering), Ijy1 (oblation),
Sv1dhy1ya (recitation of Mantra-s),
Mantra and Yoga (devotional feeling of unity).
vide also Sagu9op1sana
Upasarga
Obstacle in spiritual life
Upastha
Sexual organs
vide also Karmendriya
Upasthatattva
The Tattva of Upastha
Upavas
Upavas
Lit. 'sitting by the side of God'
Fasting
Up1ya
A means to successfully approach an action; a stratagem
There are various Up1ya-s
Up1ya depending on purpose.
Upek=a
The act of ignoring or disregarding (also Upek=1)
Upek=1
Upek=a is also one of the Citta Pras1dana-s
Pras1dana as an attitude towards people full of vice.
vide also Ana^gamekhal1
#rdhvam3la
Lit. 'upper origin'
Brahman as the root cause represented by Adha501kha
178
U
#rdhvaretas
Lit. 'raising the semen upwards'
A certain condition of a Yog2 when the sexual energy is sublimated
For this purpose Mudra Bandha-s
Bandha techniques are recommended.
#rdhva0akti
The upper one of the Ku98alin2 )akti-s
)akti
Uruloka
Lit. 'great world'
The wide space; awareness of the vast space
U=as
In the Veda-s
Veda represents the dawn, awakening, blossoming, full-moon night; the Dawn Goddess as
symbol of awakening
U=asta Kohala Vidy1
A Veda Vidy1,
Vidy1 one of the thirty-two Vidy1-s
Vidy1 that deals with the knowledge of U=asta C1kr1ya9a
and Kohala Kau=2taka about the bondage of the Soul. Only through renunciation will come the
knowledge leading one to Devaloka.
Devaloka
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1
U=9a
Lit. 'hot; passionate'
The mental activity of being ardent, passionate
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra,
Cakra K1me02
U=7r1sana
The camel !sana
Utka71sana
The hazardous !sana
Utkr1nti
Levitation as a result of possessing Laghim1 Siddhi
It is considered that levitation can be experienced by mastery over Ud1na V1yu.
V1yu
Utt1nak3rm1sana
The straight tortoise !sana
Utt1nama98uk1sana
The straight frog !sana
Uttar1yana
Sun's progress north of the equator (from 22nd Dec. to 21st June) expressing the northwards way to
Yama's quarter; the bright path
Yama
The passage of the sun is called Uttar1yana Sa%kr1nti or Sa%kr1nti.
Sa%kr1nti For the departed soul it
offers the experience of Agni and Jyotir i.e. the consciousness will not return to the material plane.
vide also Dak=i91yana
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V
Vacana
The act of speaking
vide also Ana^gakusum1
V1cika
Kind of worship of Dev2 by speech; any vocal worship
vide also Y1ga
V1ditva
The ability to speak clearly
vide also P198itya
Vagbhavak37a
One group (section) of Pa6cada0i presided over by Agni
V1gdev2
A deity of mental expression
The V1gdev2-s
V1gdev2 are expressions of some mental activities or qualities, out of which the speech is
only one. There are eight V1gdev2-s
V1gdev2 (each being the Devat1 of one expression only) namely:
Va0in2,
Va0in2 K1me0i,
K1me0i Modin2,
Modin2 Vimal1,
Vimal1 Aru91,
Aru91 Jayin2,
Jayin2 Sarve02 and Kaulin2.
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra
V1gmitva
The ability of eloquence
vide also P198itya
Vahni
Fire
The A%0a-s
A%0a of Vahni in the Pi98198a are the five J61nendriya-s
J61nendriya
vide also Bh3ta
Vahnikal1
The essence of fire
vide also Sarvarak=1kara Cakra
Vahnis1ra Dhauti
One of the Antardhauti-s
Antardhauti (known also as Agnis1ra)
Agnis1ra a yogic technique to increase Ja7har1gni by
fire purification
Vahnitattva
vide Tejastattva
Vahniv1sin2
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V
Va0in2
The subduing (mastering) One
One of the V1gdev2-s
V1gdev2 corresponding to the mental activity of )ita (calm).
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra
Vasi=7ha
Name of a $=i an exponent of Vedanta teaching
vide also Sapta4=i,
Sapta4=i Brahm1,
Brahm1 Samaya,
Samaya K1madhenu
Va0itva
Lit. 'fitness for subjection'
One of the eight yogic powers of keeping others under control
vide also Siddhi,
Siddhi A=7asiddhi
A=7asiddhi
V1sodhauti
Cleaning by cloth as one of the H4d Dhauti-s
Dhauti in order to cure many diseases
Vasti
vide Basti
Va0ya
The subjecting to one's will by Mantra-s,
Mantra Yantra-s,
Yantra etc.
Va0ya Siddhi
The power of subjugation
vide also Siddhi
V1ta
One of the three Do=a-s
Do=a
In !yurveda system a deficiency of air as a cause to diseases.
V1tas1ra Dhauti
One of the Antardhauti-s,
Antardhauti as air purification
V1tsalya
Affection; one of the Bh1va-s
Bh1va of Bhakti Yoga,
Yoga also one of the Rasa-s
Rasa
Vau=at
A certain Mantra
V1yav2 Dh1ra91
The Dh1ra91
Dh1ra91 on air as one of the Pa6cadh1ra91-s
Pa6cadh1ra91
V1yu
Lit. 'wind, air, breath'
Air, vital air; the god of air
The A%0a-s
A%0a of V1yu in the Pi98198a are the five major vital airs viz. Ap1na,
Ap1na Sam1na,
Sam1na Pr19a,
Pr19a
Ud1na,
Ud1na Vy1na and the five minor airs viz, N1ga,
N1ga K3rma,
K3rma K4kara,
K4kara Devadatta and Dhana6jay1.
Dhana6jay1
In the $g Veda,
Veda V1yu is the god of the wind.
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Vedyagni
The fire on the Vedi
Vega
Lit. 'agitation, emotion, excitement; effect of poison; flood of water or tears; semen virile'
vide Ana^gavegan2
Vibhu
The hall in the Brahmaloka standing for Aha%k1ra
vide also Parya^ka Vidy1
Vibh3ti
The power of an enlightened Soul; the supernatural power known also as Siddhi described in the
third chapter of Yoga S3tra
Vicak=a9a
The throne in the Brahmaloka standing for Mahat
vide also Parya^ka Vidy1
Vic1ra
The state of consciousness flowing without the basis of )abda (as word) and being able to
discriminate
Vic1ra is a S3k=ma (subtle) kind of Vi=aya.
Vidve=a9akarma
Lit. 'action of exciting enmity'
One of the +a7karma-s
+a7karma which gives the power of creating ill-feelings and separating two parties
like friends, lovers, relatives, etc.
One of the five malefic magical rites in the Tantra-s.
Tantra
Vidy1
Vidy1
Lit. 'that which expands'
Science, knowledge, learning; meditation conducting to knowledge; non-duality
vide also Dv1tri%0at Vidy1,
Vidy1 Mah1vidy1,
Mah1vidy1 J61na,
J61na Kaivalya,
Kaivalya Sahaja
Vidy1dhara
A kind of being possessing of magical powers attending upon )iva in the Him1laya
Him1laya-s;
1laya fairy
Vidy1 Ka6cuka
Form of )akti limiting the perception of the real knowledge as being one with the primordial unity
of )iva )akti
vide also Tattva,
Tattva Vidy1tattva
Vidy1p27ha
A symbol of creation as attribute of the Dev2 in the )r2 Vidy1 (i.e. the )r2 Yantra )
vide also Pitha
Vidy1r1ja
The Royal Science
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vide Pa9cada02
Vidy1tattva
The Tattva of Vidy1 Ka6cuka
Vighne0vara
Lit. 'remover of obstacles'
A name of Ga9e=a
Vijay1
One of the Nity1 )akti-s;
)akti ever victorious
Vij61na
Perception; direct perception of Brahman as manifestation (i.e. Sagu9a Brahman)
Brahman
vide also J61na,
J61na Bh3ma Vidy1
Vij61namaya Ko0a
The body of intellect as sphere of consciousness known also as Buddhimaya Ko0a it is the
expression and experience of the intellect and has the seat in the Vi0uddhi
Vi0uddhi and !j61 Cakra-s.
Cakra
Vikalpa
A part, aspect or concept as object of meditation; one of the five Cittav4tti-s
Cittav4tti
vide also Savikalpa Sam1dhi,
Sam1dhi Nirvikalpa Sam1dhi
Vikara9a Bh1va
The state of perception without the instrumentality of J61nendriya-s
J61nendriya and Karmendriya
Karmendriya-s
driya
Vik=epa
Lit. 'what distracts or diverts'
Distraction on the path of Yoga
There are nine Vik=epa-s
Vik=epa in the form of Citta V4tti-s V4tti (vide). Vik=epa is also one of the two
functions of M1y1 as the illusion of believing that Self-realization lies without.
Vik=epasahabh3
Associate obstructive distraction on the path of Yoga (vide Yoga S3tra I.31)
There are four Vik=epasahabh3-s
Vik=epasahabh3 namely Du5kha,
Du5kha Daurmanasya,
Daurmanasya A^gamejayatva and )v1sa
Pra0v1sa connected to the Ko0a-s
Ko0a (except !nandamaya Ko0a which transcends distraction).
The four Vik=epasahabh3-s
Vik=epasahabh3 are associated to the nine Citta Vik=epa-s
Vik=epa as obstructive distractions
in Yoga.
Yoga
Vik=ipta
Agitated state as one of the five Cittabh3mi-s
Cittabh3mi
Vimal1
The afflicting One
One of the V1gdev2-s
V1gdev2 corresponding to the mental activity of Du5kha (distressed)
vide also Sarvarogahara Cakra
Vim1na
The celestial chariot
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Vimar0a )akti
Manifested Power
Aspect of )akti inclined towards creation. )iva is the other aspect called Prak10a.
Prak10a According to
K1makal1vil1sa work, it is the pure mirror in which )iva reflects Himself.
vide also )iva,
)iva )akti,
)akti )iva )akti,
)akti !dy10akti
V291
The Indian lute usually having seven strings
The most celebrated one is V29a of Sarasvat2.
Sarasvat2 There is also a Tantra called V291 Tantra.
Tantra
vide also Tantr2
Vipar2ta Kara92
Lit. 'inverted effect'
The reversal polarity as one of the Mudr1 Bandha-s
Bandha
Viparyaya
Incorrect knowledge as a form of Avidy1 and one of the five Cittav4tti-s
Cittav4tti
vide also Pram19a
V2ra
A kind of S1dhaka at a level between Pa0u and Divya in the Tantra-s;
Tantra heroism as one of the
Rasa-s
Rasa
In a V2ra kind of person the Rajas Gu9a is predominant.
vide also S1dhaka
V2ra Bh1va
One of the Bh1va-s
Bh1va as a state of human personality based on activity and motion, therefore of
Rajas nature
vide also S1dhaka
V2r1c1ra
The second kind of initiation in the Tantra S1dhana
vide Tantra S1dhana
Viraj1
The ageless river in the Brahmaloka whose crossing enable the devotee never to grow old, but to
live to the age of Brahm1 i.e. to attain Self-realization
V2r1sana
The hero !sana
Viri6ci
Lit. 'he who creates'
A name of Brahm1
V2rya
Physical and mental energy; courage to overcome obstacles on the path of Yoga
It represents the energy accumulated by sublimation of sexual energy in order to stimulate the
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unfolding of consciousness.
V2ryayojan1
Lit. 'energy union'
The process in which the Guru gives to the disciple the power of a Mantra
Visarga
The symbol of two dots (:) pronounced like H with a distinctly audible aspiration; the act of
evacuation of excrement
Esoterically is the symbol of )iva )akti as a double Bindu.
vide also Bindu,
Bindu Ana^gavegan2
Visarjana
The act of throwing the image of a deity into holy water as a rite of bidding farewell at the end of a
festival or worship
It has either practical or symbolical aspects.
Vi=aya
An object of sense perception , knowledge or meditation
vide also Vic1ra,
Vic1ra Vitarka
Vi=ayak1ra
The active state of Citta in which identifies itself with the senses
Vi=ayak1ra V4tti
The V4tti of Vi=ayak1ra state
Vi=ayavat2 Prav4tti
The sense experience as kind of Dh1ra91 on Tanm1tra-s
Tanm1tra
Vi0e=a
Lit. 'without difference'
One of the four Gu9aparva-s
Gu9aparva in which Savitarka Sam1dhi is experienced
The difference has to be seen as the distinction between Puru=a and Prak4ti,
Prak4ti in Yoga an essential
experience.
vide also !tmabh1va
Vi=9u
Lord Vi=nu one of the Hindu trinity (Trimurti
Trimurti)
Trimurti protector of the Universe, presiding over the
preservation of the Brahm198a;
Brahm198a the Devat1 of !p Bh3ta
His vehicle is Garu8a,
Garu8a the Eagle. Lord Vi=nu is the consort of Lak=m2.
Lak=m2 There are ten incarnations
Avat1ra-s)
Avat1ra
(Avat1ra of Vi=nu namely Fish (Matsya
Matsya), K3rma),
Matsya Tortoise (K3rma Var1ha),
K3rma Boar (Var1ha
Var1ha Man-lion
Narasi%ha), V1mana),
V1mana Para0ur1ma,
Narasi%ha Dwarf (V1mana
(Narasi%ha Para0ur1ma R1ma,R1ma K4=9a,
K4=9a Buddha and Kalki as evolutionary
unfolding of the universe. Vi=nu is also one of the twelve !ditya-s.
!ditya
Vi=9ugranthi
Lit. 'knot of Vi=nu'
Located in the S3rya Kha98a represents the attachment to Krodha (anger) and Moha (infatuation)
Vi0ok1
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Y
Y1ga
Worship as general term in all Indian traditions
The Dev2's
Dev2' worship is of three kinds: Antary1ga (or K1yika),
K1yika Bahiry1ga (B1hyay1ga
B1hyay1ga or
V1cika)
V1cika and Bh1vana (or M1nasa).
M1nasa A special kind of worship is Mah1y1ga.
Yajm1na
A priest presiding over Yaj6a
Yaj6a (also Y1j6a)
Y1j6a
Lit. 'worship, prayer, devotion; oblation, offering, sacrifice'
The fire sacrifice as altar of the Vedic fire
Y1j6a means also sacrifice as one of the twenty-six Daiv2sampat-s.
Daiv2sampat Y1j6a is basically an
expression of consciousness in a Vedic ritual form in order to obtain awareness, therefore a parallel
concept to Sam1dhi in Yoga.
vide also !tm1rpa9a,
!tm1rpa9a $tvija,
$tvija Puru=a Vidy1,
Vidy1 Agni,
Agni Homa,
Homa Cidagni,
Cidagni Cidagni Ku98a
Y1j6avalkya
A sage householder in the B4had1ra9yaka Upani=ad
vide also Maitrey2 Vidy1
Yajur Veda
One of the four Veda-s
Veda known also as the sacrificial Veda
vide Veda
Y1kin2
The )akti residing in Sahasr1ra Cakra
Yak=a
A class of semi-divine beings
Yama
In the Veda-s
Veda the god who rules the spirits of the dead and presides over the Pit4-s;
Pit4 in Yoga one of
the eight A^ga-s
A^ga of the A=71^gaYoga of Pata6jali.
Pata6jali It contains five moral codes of conduct viz.
Ahi%s1,
Ahi%s1 Satya,
Satya Asteya,
Asteya Brahmacarya,
Brahmacarya Aparigraha all as expressions of a balanced state of
mind.
Y1mala
A class of Tantra works
vide )iva,
)iva Tantra
Yamun1
A river in India commonly known as Jumn1
vide also Pray1ga,
Pray1ga Trive92
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Yantra
Lit. 'amulet; mystical diagram'
Brahm198a)
Brahm198a and Microcosm
A form-symbol of a deity; a Tantric symbol of unity of Macrocosm (Brahm198a
Pi98198a);
Pi98198a an expression of the supreme consciousness as diagram or symbol
(Pi98198a
The most celebrated Yantra is )r2 Yantra.
Yantra A fundamental concept is that the human body as
Microcosm is a Yantra therefore subject to meditation of various kinds.
vide also Ma98ala,
Ma98ala +ada^ga
Yantrop1sana
Meditation on Yantra
Ya0ovat2 N182
The N182 connected to the right thigh
vide also Sarvasaubh1gyad1yaka Cakra,
Cakra Sarvastambhi92
Y1tr1
Expedition, pilgrimage, campaign with a spiritual purpose
Yoga (from the root Y3j i.e. to connect)
Lit. 'joining, yoking'
The state of union with the Divine; one of the +a8 Dar0ana-s;
Dar0ana disunion between Puru=a
Puru=a and
Prak4ti
Yoga consists of different physiological, mental and spiritual practices of union, knowledge,
awareness and understanding leading to self-discovery of the individual nature as well as the higher
nature or cosmic Self. Traditionally Lord )iva was the first Yog2 who taught the Yoga Vidy1 as
part of Tantra to his wife P1rvat2,
P1rvat2 the first )i0ya. Any conscious step upwards is Yoga.
Yoga There are
many classifications of Yoga-s
Yoga depending of kinds of practices. The main paths are considered to
be J61na Yoga
Yoga,
ga Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga as described in the Bhagavad G2t1 by K4=9a. K4=9a
vide also Pratiprasava,
Pratiprasava Yog2,
Yog2 Yog1c1ra,
Yog1c1ra Trim3rti,
Trim3rti Yoga Avasth1
Yoga Anu=7h1na
The Anu=7h1na related to practices of Yoga as spiritual union
Yoga Avasth1
The Yoga state known also as Bh3mik1
There are four Yoga states namely !ra%bha,
!ra%bha Gha7a,
Gha7a Paricaya and Ni=patti as gradual
experiences of Ku98alin2 ascending (i.e. !roha9a)
!roha9a the Su=umn1 N182.
Yog1c1ra
The Yoga based division of Tantra
The Tantric path based of yogic techniques
vide Tantra
Tantra
Yoga Dar0ana
The Indian system of philosophy of Yoga
vide also +a8 Dar0ana
Yogam1y1 S1dhana
The magical practices in the Tantra-s
Tantra
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The author
Octavian Sarbatoare was born in Romania in 1952. Since 1987 he has been
living in Australia. He completed his BA in Philosophy and Studies in
Religion, BA (Honours) in Studies in Religion, Master of Arts with Merit
(PACS), all at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD (Honorary
Degree) as well. Octavian is the author of various books of scholarly
research and fiction, both in English and Romanian.
Sarbatoare Publications