Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
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Glossary of Sanskrit Terms: A-L | M-R | S-U | V-Y Advaita The nondualistic school of Vedanta philosophy that affirms the oneness of the individual soul, God, and the universe. Aranyakas That section of the Vedas which gives a spiritual interpretation to the ritualistic portion of the Vedas. It is also called the "forest treatises" because it was originally intended for ascetics who lived in the forests. Ashrama or Ashram A center of spiritual study or meditation. A retreat, hermitage, or monastery. Ashtavakra The sage who authored the Ashtavakra Samhita. Ashtavakra Samhita A classic text on Advaita Vedanta. Atman The divine Spirit in man, the Self which is one with Brahman, the all-pervading divine existence, the Ground of the universe. Avadhuta Gita A classic text on Advaita Vedanta. Avatar An incarnation of God. Avidya Ignorance, individual or cosmic, which hides the nature of the supreme Reality from our view. Badarayana Author of the Brahma Sutras. Little is known of him, though tradition identifies him with Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, who lived in India somewhere between 500 and 200 B.C. Bhagavad Gita Literally the "Song of God," the Gita is one of the most revered scriptures of Hinduism, and consists of 700 verses. Bhakti Love of God. Bhakti yoga Union with God through the path of loving devotion. Bhasya A commentary. Brahman The absolute Reality, the Unity of all that exists, the formless, attributeless Godhead. Brahma Sutras Also known as the Vedanta Sutras. A treatise by Badarayana on Vedanta philosophy which interprets the Upanishads, and discusses the knowledge of Brahman. Buddhi Intelligence or discriminating faculty which classifies sense impressions. Chakra One of the six centers of consciousness located along the spinal column. Chandi Also known as the Devi Mahatmyam. The Chandi is a sacred Hindu scripture which praises the Divine Mother of the universe, identifying her as the ultimate Reality. Devi Lit., "goddess." The word can refer to any female deity in Hinduism. Dharma Righteousness, truth, or religious duty. Dhruva (or Dhruba) smriti The state of constant recollectedness of God. Dhyana Meditation or prolonged concentration. Durga An aspect of the Divine Mother of the universe, the consort of Shiva. Durga is generally represented with ten arms, seated on a lion. She is the protectress of the universe, destroying the demons of ignorance and giving the blessings of divine love and knowledge. Guna Lit., "quality." In Hindu philosophy there are three gunas which constitute prakriti, or nature: sattva, rajas, and tamas. Tamas is characterized by dullness, stupidity, inertia; rajas by activity, restlessness, and passion; sattva by calmness, purity, and wisdom. These three qualities are found in varying proportions in the external world and in all created beings. Guru Spiritual teacher. Ishta The spiritual aspirant's chosen ideal of God. Ishvara The personal aspect of God; God with attributes. Janaka A famous king who was both a knower of Brahman as well as the ruler of his kingdom, Videha. Japa Repetition of the Lord's name, usually one's own mantra. Jnana Knowledge of the ultimate Reality, attained through the process of reason and discrimination between the real and the unreal. Jnana yoga Path of union with the ultimate Reality through spiritual knowledge and discrimination between the real and the unreal. Jnani One who follows the path of knowledge by discriminating between the eternal and the transitory. Kali One of the aspects of the Divine Mother of the universe. Kali was Ramakrishna's Chosen Ideal, and he worshiped her image at the Dakshineswar temple for many years. Kali is usually shown standing on the chest of her consort, Shiva. Around her waist she wears a garland of human arms, and around her neck a garland of human heads. She has four arms: the lower left hand holds a human head, her upper hand grips a saber. With one right hand she offers boons to her children, and with the other she makes the sign that dispels fear. She deals out death as she creates and preserves. Kali destroys ignorance, preserves world order, and gives blessings and liberation to those who earnestly seek it. While Shiva represents the Absolute, Kali represents the dynamic, or relative aspect of the Supreme Reality. Karma Action, both physical and mental, and the effects of action. Karma yoga Path of union with God through selfless activity. Karpanya The feeling of helplessness; self-surrender. Lokacharya, Pillai Twelfth-century Vaishnava philosopher and writer who held that God's grace is spontaneous; it was to be sought not only through bhakti, devotion, but also through total self-surrender. Glossary: A-L | M-R | S-U | V-Y About Us | Online Lectures | Online Vespers | Links | Sitemap | Contact Us |
