|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
abhicara
(alternate spellings: abhichara)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Exorcism; practice of black magic
(more)
|
|
|
Abhirami Antadi
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
See under "Abhirami Bhatta".
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: Abhirami Bhatta |
Abhiramibhattar
(alternate spellings: Abhiramibhatta)
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
His real name was Subrahmanya and he was a contemporary of the Maratha raja of Tanjavur, Sarabhoji II (1798-1832).
(more)
|
|
|
|
abhiseka
(alternate spellings: abhisheka)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Sprinkling; showering; bathing a deity or a guru.
(more)
|
|
|
|
abhivadana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Reverential salutation of a superior like a teacher or any elder.
(more)
|
|
|
|
acara
(alternate spellings: achara)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Matters of custom and tradition that serve as a general discipline.
(more)
|
|
|
|
acarya
(alternate spellings: acharya)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A teacher or spiritual Master
(more)
|
|
|
|
adhikarana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Placing at the head of; appointing;
(more)
|
|
|
|
adhyapana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Imparting instruction in the Vedas
(more)
|
|
|
|
adhyaropa
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
lit. "false covering"; superimposition of the unreal upon the real.
(more)
|
|
|
|
adhyasa
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
false perception; superimposition.
(more)
|
|
|
|
adhyaya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A chapter or division of a work
(more)
|
|
|
|
adhyayana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Learning the Vedas, chanting them
(more)
|
|
|
|
Adi Sankara
(alternate spellings: Adi Shankara)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"Adi" means "first." See under the name "Shankara"
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: Shankara |
Advaita
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"non-dualist" interpretation of the Vedānta
(more)
|
|
|
|
Agama
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The āgama śāstras deal with ritual, iconography, the construction of temples, yantras and so on.
(more)
|
|
|
|
agrahara
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The Brahmin quarter in a village or town
(more)
|
|
|
|
ahankara
(alternate spellings: ahamkara)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the ego; the "I"-consciousness
(more)
|
|
|
|
ahimsa
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"non-violence," a fundamental tenet of Hindu ethics
(more)
|
|
|
|
ahitagnin
(alternate spellings: ahitagni)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
One who tends the sacred śrauta and grhya fires
(more)
|
|
|
|
ahuti
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Oblation made in the sacrificial fire.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Airavata
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The celestial elephant.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Aiyanar
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
Almost all villages of Tamil Nadu have a guardian deity (grama devata) called Aiyanar, also known as Sasta.
(more)
|
|
|
|
aksata
(alternate spellings: akshata)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Whole, uninjured; unbroken rice grains used in various rites.
(more)
|
|
|
|
amrita vrisht
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
“shower of nectar” (in Hinduism)
(more)
|
|
|
|
ananda
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"bliss, beatitude, joy"
(more)
|
|
|
|
anandamaya-kosha
(alternate spellings: anandamaya-kosa)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the sheath of bliss
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: panchakoshas |
Anandashram
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
“abode of bliss” (in Hinduism)
(more)
|
|
|
|
Andal
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
Daughter of Visnucitta who belonged to Srivilliputtur in Tirunelveli district.
(more)
|
|
|
|
anga (s)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Limb(s); the six limbs of the Vedas
(more)
|
|
|
|
annamaya-kosha
(alternate spellings: annamaya-kosa)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the sheath of nutriment; the physical body
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: panchakoshas |
antahkarana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The internal organ consisting of mind, memory, intellect, and ego
(more)
|
|
|
|
anudatta
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Lowered tone in Vedic chanting
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: udatta |
anumana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Inference in Nyāya.
(more)
|
|
|
|
anusvara
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Literally means "after-sound"
(more)
|
|
|
|
apara vidya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Lower type of knowledge.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Apara-Brahman
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the "non-supreme" or penultimate Brahman
(more)
|
|
|
|
aparoksa
(alternate spellings: aparoksha)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Literally, "not indirect, non-mediated"; thus, direct, immediate (jñāna, knowledge)
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: paroksha |
apavada
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
de-superimposition; the removal of superimposition
(more)
|
|
|
|
apavarga
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Liberation, emancipation of the soul
(more)
|
|
|
|
Appar
(alternate spellings: Apparsvamigal, Apparsvamin, Tirunavukkarasu)
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
A celebrated Saiva saint poet whose hymns are included in the Tevaram (qv).
(more)
|
|
|
|
Appayya Diksita
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
(1554-1626) He belonged to a family of scholars and wrote 104 works on such topics as poetics and Vedanta.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Apsara
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Celestial damsel.
(more)
|
|
|
|
arangerru
(alternate spellings: arangerram)
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
Presenting a literary work, dance recital or dramatic performance for the first time.
(more)
|
|
|
|
arghya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Libation to the gods, rsis or fathers
(more)
|
|
|
|
Arunagirinathar
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
He belonged to the 15th century and his hymns in praise of Kanda or Muruga
(more)
|
|
|
|
arupa
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
formless; beyond form
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: rupa |
asamshakti
(alternate spellings: asamsakti)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
non-attachment; the fifth of the seven stages of enlightenment
(more)
|
|
|
|
ashrama
(alternate spellings: ashram, asram, asrama)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the four stages of life for a Hindu
(more)
|
|
|
|
ashtanga-yoga
(alternate spellings: astanga-yoga)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
lit. "eight-limbed yoga"; a reference to the eight steps of rāja-yoga.
(more)
|
|
|
|
astaksari
(alternate spellings: ashtakshari)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
An eight-syllable mantra like "Aum Namo Nārāyanāya".
(more)
|
|
|
|
asvamedha
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Horse-sacrifice performed by an imperial ruler or a "sārvabhauma" (literally a "universal monarch").
(more)
|
|
|
|
asvattha
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Ficus religiosa, the sacred-fig tree ("peepal" tree), the bo tree
(more)
|
|
|
|
atithya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Pertaining to a guest; acts of hospitality
(more)
|
|
|
|
Atma
(alternate spellings: ātmā, Atmā, Âtma, Âtmâ, Atman)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations
(more)
|
|
|
|
Atma-jnani
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
one who has realized the Self.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Atma-vichara
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
enquiry into the Self
(more)
|
|
|
|
Atma-vidya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Science of the Self; it is learning that imparts the highest wisdom and enlightenment.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Aum
(alternate spellings: Om)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, regarded as the "seed" of all mantras
(more)
|
|
|
|
Auvvai
(alternate spellings: Auvvaiyar)
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
Great saint-poetess who is often referred to as "Auvya-patti".
(more)
|
|
|
|
avarana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the veiling or concealment of Brahman by manifestation.
(more)
|
|
|
|
avastha
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
state of consciousness
(more)
|
|
|
|
avatara
(alternate spellings: avatar)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the earthly "descent," incarnation, or manifestation of God
(more)
|
|
|
|
avidya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"ignorance" of the truth; spiritual delusion, unawareness of Brahma.
(more)
|
|
|
|
avyakta
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
hidden, unmanifest.
(more)
|
|
|
|
azhvar
(alternate spellings: alvar, alwar)
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
The word means "immersed in the Lord". The Azhvars, numbering twelve, are Vaisnava saint-poets.
(more)
|
|
|
|
bahudaka
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
a wandering renunciate (sannyāsin) who undertakes pilgrimages to the holy sites
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: kuteechaka hamsa paramahamsa |
bali
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
This is also one of the "panca-mahāyajnas" and vaiśvadeva or bhūtayajna rite to be performed by the householder.
(more)
|
|
|
|
balya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"childhood," spiritual childlikeness; used as an expression of humility.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Bana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A great master of Sanskrit prose, he flourished in the court of Harsavardhana of Kānyakubja (A.D. 606-647).
(more)
|
|
|
|
Bhagavad Gita
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
lit. "the Song of the Lord"; a text of primary rank dealing with the converse of Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) and the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhagavan
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
noble; holy; an epithet used by devotees when addressing the personal God (Īshvara)
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhajan
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
religious music (in Hinduism)
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhakta
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
a follower of the spiritual path of bhakti
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhakti
(alternate spellings: bhakti-marga)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the spiritual "path" (mārga) of "love" (bhakti) and devotion.
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhakti-yoga
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the spiritual path of love and devotion.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Bharati
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
See under Subrahmanya Bharati.
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: Subrahmanya Bharati |
Bhartrhari
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A popular poet and grammarian believed to be from the 7th century.
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhasma
(alternate spellings: bhasman)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Sacred ashes smeared on the forehead and body
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhasya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Commentary or exposition, especially of sūtras
(more)
|
|
|
|
Bhavabhuti
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
As a poet and dramatist, his place is second only to that of Kālidāsa.
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhedavasana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
latencies connected with differentiation
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: vasana |
bhiksha
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
alms (in Hinduism)
(more)
|
|
|
|
bhogavasana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
latencies connected with enjoyment
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: vasana |
bhutayajna
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the offering of food to all created beings.
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: bali |
Bilhana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Kāśmiri poet (10th-11th centuries)
(more)
|
|
|
|
bilva
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The egle marmelos tree, considered sacred to Lord Shiva.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Bodhendra Sarasvati Svamin
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The 59th Śankarācārya of Kanci Kamkoti Pītha (1638-1692), he was known as "Bhagavannāma Bodhendra."
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brahma
(alternate spellings: Brahmâ)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
God in the aspect of Creator, the first divine "person" of the Trimūrti;
(more)
|
|
|
|
brahmacarin
(alternate spellings: brahmachari, brahmacharin)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
One who has had his upanayana (i.e formal initiation into Vedic study under a guru)
(more)
|
|
|
|
brahmacarya
(alternate spellings: brahmacharya)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Total discipline required to master the Vedas and other branches of learning.
(more)
|
|
|
|
brahmacaryasrama
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The first stage of life, that of the brahmachārin.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brahmaloka
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the heavenly paradise of Brahmā .
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brahman
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
.Brahman considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brahman nirguna
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
the Supreme Reality, the Absolute.Brahma considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brahman saguna
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Brahma "qualified" by attributes and predicates
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brahmana
(alternate spellings: Brahmin)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"Brahmin"; a member of the highest of the four Hindu castes; a priest or spiritual teacher.
(more)
|
|
|
|
brahmarandhra
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Aperture in the crown of the head where. the susumna nādi terminates.
(more)
|
|
|
|
brahmavi
(alternate spellings: brahmavid)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
one who has realized Brahman
(more)
|
|
|
|
brahmopadesa
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Instruction in the Vedas or sacred knowledge.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brihaspati
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
a Vedic god; chief priest of the gods
(more)
|
|
|
|
Brndavana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Forest near Gokula, the word brnda (or vrnda) itself meaning the tulaśī.
(more)
|
|
|
|
buddhanusmriti
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
(continual) "remembrance or mindfulness of the Buddha"
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: nien-fo nembutsu |
buddhi
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
"Intellect"; the highest faculty of knowledge, to be contrasted with manas
(more)
|
|
|
|
caitanya
(alternate spellings: chaitanya)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Spirit, life, vitality.
(more)
|
|
|
|
caturdasa-vidya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The foruteen branches of Vedic learning the four Vedas
(more)
|
|
|
|
caula (or cudakarma)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The first cutting of the hair on the head of a child
(more)
|
|
|
|
cayana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Literally collecting or piling
(more)
|
|
|
|
cela
(alternate spellings: chela, celâ, chela, chelâ)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
in Hinduism, a disciple
(more)
|
|
|
|
chandala
(alternate spellings: candala)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
outcaste or "untouchable"; pariahs who stand outside the Hindu caste system
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: varna |
Chandas
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The Vedas; prosody.
(more)
|
|
|
|
chit
(alternate spellings: Chit, cit)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
one of the three essential aspects of Apara-Brahma, "consciousness"
(more)
|
|
|
|
Chitta
(alternate spellings: citta)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The consciousness, the mind
(more)
|
|
|
|
daksina
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A present, gift or fee paid to a priest or to a guru
(more)
|
|
|
|
daksinayana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The six months from the time the sun turns from the tropic of Cancer
(more)
|
|
|
|
dana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Giving, donation, charity.
(more)
|
|
|
|
Dandin
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Sri Dandin was an author from Kānci and who lived during the reign of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (630-668).
(more)
|
|
|
|
darbha
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A kind of sacred grass used in religious rites
(more)
|
|
|
|
darshan
(alternate spellings: darsan, darsana, darśaṇa, darshana)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
In Hinduism, literally, "seeing," "viewing," or "perceiving"
(more)
|
|
|
|
dehavasana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
latencies connected with the body
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: vasana |
deva
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
a god
(more)
|
|
|
|
dhanurveda
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
The art of warfare or weaponry; military science
(more)
|
|
|
|
dharana
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Concentration; fixing one's mind or inner faculties on an object, on the One Reality.
(more)
|
|
|
|
dhoti
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
A long strip of white cotton fastened at the waist and draped around the lower part of the body (in Hinduism).
(more)
|
|
|
|
Dhyani-Bodhisattva (and Dhyani-Buddha)
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Bodhisattva and Buddha "of meditation"
(more)
|
|
|
|
diksa
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Initiation in general; consecration for a religious ceremony
(more)
|
|
|
|
dirgha-sumangali
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
a long-lived sumangali (qv).
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: sumangali |
Divya Prabandham
(Language: Tamil)
|
|
The "Divine Collection" of hymns to Lord Vishnu by the Alvar mystics.
(more)
|
|
|
| Related Terms: azhvar |
dravya
(Language: Sanskrit)
|
|
Material; material for a sacrificial rite.
(more)
|
|
|
|
| | |