glossary of key terms in yogatradition.doc

7/29/2019 GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS in YogaTradition.doc

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GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS in YogaTradition()

cra ("conduct"). Way of life, approach to spiritual practice.

crya ("preceptor"). A teacher, who may or may not be one'sguru.

Adhytma- Yoga ("Yoga of the innermost Self'). A Vednta-based Yoga.Advaita Vednta (Unondual Vednta"). The metaphystradition of nondualism based on the UpaniIts two main branch

es are Kevala-Advaita (written Kevaldvaita, "Radical Nondualisrn"), as taught by Shankara, and Vishishta-Advaita (writVishishtdvaita, "Qualified Nondualisrn"), as taught by Rrnnuja.

gama ("tradition"). A revealed ritual text belonging to the Pancartra- Vaishnava tradition or to the Shaiva tradition

(in which case it is typically called Tantra).

Agastya. The name of several sages, the most famous of whom was a great adept (siddha) in Southem India.

Aghora ("nonterrible"). An epithet of God Shiva, parain his terrifying aspect.

Aghori. A Tantra-based Shaiva sect whose members are well-known for their extremist practices. See also Klrnukha, Kplika.

Ahamkra ("I-maker"). The sense of individuation, or ego.

Ahims ("nonharming"). Abstention from harmful actions, thoughts, and words. An important moraldiscipline (yama) in Yoga, Buddhism, and Jainism.

jn-cakra ("command wheel"). The psychoenergetic center located in the middle of the head, also known as the "third eye."

Ajnna. See avidy.lvr. A member of a group of Vishnu-worshiping poet-saints of South India.

Anhata-cakra ("wheel of the unstruck [sound]"). The psychoenergetic center located at the heart, where the universalsound om can be heard in rnedita

nanda ("bliss"). (i) In Vednta, the rnind-transoendblissfulness of the ultirnate Reality, or Self, which is not onsidered to be a quality but the very essence of Reality. (ii) In Patanjali's Yoga, an experientialstate associated with alower type of ecstasy, viz.samprajnta-samdhi.

Anga ("lirnb"). (i) The body as a whole, or a limb. (ii) A category of yogic practices. See also yogaanga.

Arjuna. The hero of theBhagavad-Git and disciple of Lord Krishna.rogya (Uhealth, well-being"). The opposite of disease tvydhiy;a positive state of bodily and mental balance. Cf. vya

dhi.

Asamprajnta-samdhi ("supraconscious ecstasy").The technique leading to, the experience of, uniconsciousness in which the subject becomesone with the experienced object, without any thoughts orideas being present. In Vednta, this is known as nirvikalpa-samdhi. Cf.samprajntasamdhi.

sana ("seat, posture"). (i) The seat on which theyogin oryogini is seated. (ii) Posture, which is the third limb (anga) ofPatanjali's eightfold Yoga.

Asanga. A great Mahayana Buddhist master and originator of the Yogcra school.

shrama. (i) Hennitage. (ii) Stage of life. Traditional Hinduism distinguishes foul' such stages: pup i (brahmacarya), householdership tgdrhasthya), forest-dwelling life tvana-prsthya),and renunciation (samnyasa).

Asmit ("I-am-ness"). See ahamkra.

Asparsha- Yoga ("Yoga of noncontact"). The nondualYoga expounded in theMdndkya-Kdrik of Gaudapda, the teacher of Shankara's teacher.

Atharva- Veda ("Atharvan's knowledge"). One of the foul' Vedic hymncollections (samhitQ) that deals primarily with

magical speIls but also contains several important documents of early Yoga. See also Rig-Veda. Sdma-Veda, Yajur-Veda.

tma-darshana ("Self vision"). The same as Self-realorliberation.

tman ("self'). (i) Oneself. (ii) The transeendental Self, whieh is identical with the Absolute (brahaccording to the nondualist schools of thought. Cf.purusha.

Avadhta("he who has cast off"). A radical type of renouncer who abandons all conventions; a crazy adept.

Avatra ("descent"). An incamation of the Divine, especially of God Vishnu, such as Krishna orRa

Avidy ("ignorance"). Spiritual nescience, which is the root of all human suffering and the cause of one 's bondage toegoic states of consciousness. Cf. jnna, vidy.

yur-Veda ("life science"). The native Hindu system of medicine.

Bandha ("bond"). (i) Bondage to the phenomenal world, driven by kanna, as opposed to liberation (moksha). (ii) "Lock"-a special technique used in Hatha- Yoga for confining the life 'force in cerparts of the body.

Bhagavad-Git ("lord's song"). The earliest and most popular Yoga scripture containing the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna.


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Bhagavat ("lord"). Appellation of the Divine, often Krishna. In the nominative: Bhagavn.Bhgavata. (i) Adherent of Vishnu in the form of Krishna. (ii) Name of the tradition of Krishna worshipers.Bhgavata-Purna, A comprehensive tenth-century Sanskrit scripture containing, among other things, the mythical li

fe story of Lord Krishna. It is also called Shrimad-Bhdgavata.

Bhakta ("devoted, devotee"). A folIower of the path of devotion (bhakti).Bhakti ("devotion, love"). The spiritual sentiment of loving participation in the Divine.Bhakti-Stra ("aphorisms on devotion"). There are two works by this title; one is attributed to the sage Nrada, the ot

her to the sage Shndilya.

Bhakti- Yoga ("Yoga of devotion"). One of the princibranches of Hindu Yoga.Bhairava. (i) One of the epithets orforms of Shiva. (ii) Tantric initiate. (iii) Name of one of the masters of Hatha- Yo

ga.

Bhairavi. (i) One of the epithets orfonns of Devi. (ii) Tantric female initiate.Bhva ("state, condition"). In Bhakti-Yoga this refers to astate of uplifted emotion, of which the literadistinguishes fi

ve kinds that represent different ways of relating to the Divine.Bhrigu. The most famous of Vedic seers (rishi). He often figures as a teacher of Yoga in medieval texts.

Bhta ("element"). (i) Hindu cosrnology distinguishes five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether/ space. (ii)

Demon.

Bhta-shuddhi("purification of the elements"). An important Tantric practice and a precondition for the safe and complete arousal of the serpent power (kundalinf-shakti).

Bja ("seed"). (i) A kannic cause in the form of a subactivator(samskras.(ii) A meditative object oridea. (iii) Short forbija-mantra.

Bja-mantra ("seed syllable"). A prirnary mantra, such as om, ram, oryam.

Bindu ("drop"). (i) The dot placed above the Sanskrit letterm in the syllable om and other similarmanindicating that the sound m is to be nasal(ii) The nasalized sound itself. (iii) Aspecial psychoenergetic center in the head, close to the jn-cakra.(iv) The central point of ayantra ormandala. (v) In yogic experience, the objectless state of awa

reness prior to the appearance of imand thoughts but not identical to the transeendental Being-Consciousness.(vi) In Hindu cosmology, the threshold between the unmanifest dimension of Nature and manifestation. (v ii) Semen, whieh, according to Tantrism, should be mingled with the wornari's ejaculate called rajas.

Bodhi ("enlightenment"). The state of enlightenment, or liberation (moksha).

Bodhisattva ("enlightenment being"). In Mahayana Buddhism, the spiritual practitioner who has vowed to commit himself or herself to the liberaof all beings.

Brahma. The Creator-God of the famous medieval Hindu triad of deities, which is known as trimrti. The other two are Vishnu (as Preserver) and Shiva (as Destroyer). Brahma must be caredistinguished from brahman, which is the etemal, impersonal foundation of existence tranall deities.

Brahmacarya ("brahmic conduct"). The practice of chastity in thought, word, and deed, which is regarded as one of the fundamental moral disci(yama) of Yoga.

Brahman. The Absolute according to Vednta: the transeendental ground of existence, which is disfrom Brahma, the Creator. See also tman, sac-cid-nanda.

Brhmana, (i) A member of the priestly class of Hindu society, a brahmin. (ii) A type of ritual text explaining the hymns of the Vedas as they are relto the sacrificial ritualism of the brahmins.

Buddha ("awakened"). Title of Gautama, founder of Buddhism.Buddhi ("awareness, wisdom"). The higher, intuitive mind, or faculty of wisdom. This term is also used to denote "th

ought" or "cognition." See also citta, manas.Caitanya. A great medieval teacher of Bhakti- Yoga and worshiper of Lord Krishna.

Cakra ("wheel"). (i) A psychoenergetic center of the body, of which Tantrism and Hatha- Yoga typicaldistinguish seven: mldhra, svdhishthna, manipura, anhata, vishuddha, jn, andsahasrra. These are aligned along thespinal axis and form part of the body of the serpent power(kundalini-shakti).

Caturtha ("fourth"). The transeendental Self, as the fourth and ultimate or real state (avasthyof conthe other three being the normal wakstate, dream sleep, and deep sleep.

Cit ("awareness, consciousness"). Pure Awareness, or the transeendental Consciousness beyond all thought; the etemal witness. See also tman, pur

Citta ("consciousness, mind"). The finite mind, psyche or consciousness, which is dependent on the play of attention,as opposed to cit. See also buddhi. manas.

Darshana C'vision"). (i) Inner or extemal vision. (ii) Sighting of an adept, which is considered auspicious. (iii) A philosophical system, or school of thought. Hinduism recognizes six c1assical perYoga, Smkhya, Mimms, Vednta,Ny ya,and Vaisheshika.

Datttreya. A sage connected with the Avadhta tradiwho became deified as an incamation of God Shiva.


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Deha ("body"). The physical body, also calledsharira. Deva ("shining one, god"). Usually this word refers to one ofthe many deities of the Hindu pantheon. They are envisioned as powerful beings in subtle dimensions of existence. The term can also stand for the Divine itself. Cf. devi.

Devat ("deity"). See deva, ishta-devat.

Dev ("goddess"). The Divine conceived in its feminine aspect, Cf. deva.Dhran ("holding"). Concentration, the sixth limb (anga) of Patanjali 's eightfold Yoga, consisting of the prolonged

focusing of attention on a single mental object and leading to meditation (dhynas.Dharma ("bearer"). (i) The cosmic law or order. (ii) Morality or virtue, as one of the legitimate conof a human being

(purusha-artha) sancby Hinduism. It is understood as a manior reflection of the divine law. (iii) Teaching, doctrine. (iv) Quality, as opposed to substance (dharmin).

Dharma-megha-samdhl ("ecstasy ofdharma cloud"). According to Patanjali, the highest form of supraconscious ecstasy iasamprajndta-samddhi), which is the doorway to liberation.

Dharma-shstra ("moral teaching"), (i) The corpus of moral teachings in Hinduism. (ii) A scripture dealing wi

th morality (dharma).

Dhyna ("meditation"). Meditative absorption, or conthe seventh limb (anga) of Patanjali's eightfold Yoga, which isunderstood as a deepenof concentration (dhrand). See alsosamdhi.

Dksh ("initiation"); An important feature of all yogic schools by which a seeker is made part of a traditional chain o

fgurus.Dosha ("defect, flaw"). This specifically refers to the five faults, namely lust (kma), anger(krodha), greed (lobha), f

ear(bhaya), and delusion (moha). The term also can denote the three humors: vta (wind),pitta (bile), and kapha (phlegm).

Duhkha C'suffering"). According to all liberation teachings of India, conditioned or finite existence is inherently sorrowful or painful. It is this insight that provides the impetus for the spiritual struggle to realize liberation (moksha).

Eka ("one"). The singular Reality that is ornnipresent and omnitemporal. See also tman, brahman.Ekgrat C'one-pointedness," from eka and agrati.

The process underlying concentration.Ekatanat ("one-flowness," from eka and tanaty. The process underlying meditation.Gautama. Name of many sages, including the Buddha and the founder of the Nyya school of thought.Gt ("song"). Title of many didactic works composed in metric Sanskrit, notably theBhagavad-Git.

Gopa ("cowherd"). In Vaishnavism, a male devotee of Krishna.Gop ("cowgirl"). A female devotee of Krishna. Goraksha. The founder of the Knphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha- Yoga, who lived in the tenth or eleventh century.Guna ("strand, quality"). (i) In Yoga, Smkhya, and many schools of Vednta, ODe of three primary constituents of

Nature (prakriti): sattva (principle of lucidity), rajas (principle of dynamism), and tamas (principle of inertia).The interaction between them creates the entire manifest andunmanifest cosmos, including all psychomental phenomena. (ii) Virtue, high moral quality.

Guna-tta ("transcending the qualities"). (i) Liberawhich transcends the constituents (guna) of Nature (prakriti). (ii)The liberated sage.

Guru ("heavy, weighty"). Spiritual teacher. Guru-pj ("guru worship"). A core spiritual practice in many schools ofYoga in which the teacher is venerated as an embodiment of the Divine.Guru- Yoga. Yogic practice in which theguru is the focus of the disciple 's spiritual efforts.Hamsa ("gander," generally translated as "swan"). (i) The breath or life force tprna). (ii) The tranSelf(atman). (iii) A

type of wandering ascetic (parivrjakai.Haribhadra Srt, An important Jaina teacher, who composed several works on Yoga, including the Yoga-Bindu.

Hatha- Yoga ("forceful Yoga" or "Yoga of force"). The Yoga of physical discipline, aiming at the awakof the serpentpower(kundalinf-shakti) and the creation of an indestructible divine body (divya-deha).

Hemacandra, An eleventh-century Jaina master, who authored the Yoga-Shstra and other works.Hinayana ("small vehicle"). The minority school of Buddhism, which revolves around the ideal of the

arhat(orarhant) as opposed to the bodhisattva. Cf. ~ahyana, Vajrayna.Hiranyagarbha ("golden germ"). (i) The mythical oriof Yoga. (ii) Cosmologically, the condipreceding manifestation,

corresponding to Brahma.Hrid, Hridaya ("heart"). Sinee ancient times considto be the physical anchor point of the Self(atman). In Tantrism, th

e heart is the loeation of the anhata-cakra.Indra, Great Vedic deity associated with the sky and war.Indriya ("pertaining to Indra" or "instrument"). Sense organ, including the lower mind (manas) as the sixth sensory in

strurnent.


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ish, isha, Ishvara ("ruler"). (i) The divine Being. (ii) The Creator. (iii) In Patanjali's Yoga, ishvara is explained as a "special Self."

Ishta-devat ("chosen deity"). Aspiritual practitionfavored deity.Ishvara Krishna, Author of the Sdmkhya-Krik, the source text of Classical Srnkhya.

Ishvara-pranidhana ("devotion to the Lord"). One of the practices of restraint (niyama) in Patanjali's Yoga.Jaina. (i) Relating to Jainism, the religio-spiritual tradition founded by Mahvira, a contemporary of Gautama the Bu

ddha. (ii) A member of Jainism.Japa ("muttering"). The meditative recitation ofmanJapin ("mutterer"). A practitioner ofjapa.Jva ("living being"). The psyche or finite human perwhich experierices itself as different from others and does not kn

ow the transeendental Self directly. Cf.atman, purusha..Jva-tman ("living self'). The individuated self as opposed to the transeendental Self(atman). The same asjiva.Jvan-mukti ("living liberation"). According to most Vednta schooIs, it is possible to gain liberation, or full enlighte

nment, even while still embodied. The Self-realized adept who is thus liberated is known as ajfvan-mukta.Jnna ("knowledge, wisdom"). Depending on the context, this term can refer either to conventional knowledge or libe

rating wisdom. In the latter sense,jndna is coessential with the transcendenReality. Cf. ajnna, avidy.Jnnadeva. The greatest Yoga master of medieval Maharashtra, who at a very young age composed a brilliant comme

ntary on theBhagavad-Git.Jnna- Yoga ("Yoga of wisdom"). The non-dualist Yoga of self-transcending wisdom, which proceeds by careful disc

rimination (viveka)bethe Real (i.e., the Self) and the unreal (i.e., the ego and Nature).Kaivalya ("aloneness"). The state of liberation, espein Yoga and Jainism. See also moksha.

Kla ("time"). An integral aspect of the finite world tsamsravand a major reason why it is experias suffering (duhkha).KalC'part"). (i) The sixteenth lunar phase, wh ich is considered auspieious. (ii) A highly esoterie fact or experience i

n Kashmiri Shaivism and Tanwh ich is related to the lunar ambrosia of immortality (amrita).Klmukha. A Tantra-based order derived from the Lakulisha tradition of Shaivism. Cf. Aghori, Kplika.Kal. The "dark" Hindu Goddess, who destroys illuKali-yuga. The age of spiritual decline, calling for a new approach to Self-realization. It is traditionalheld to have co

mmenced in 3102 B.C.E. See

alsoyuga. .Kalpa ("form"). An eon lasting a day in the life of Brahma, the Creator, and consisting of a thousandyugas.

Kma ("desire"). (i) A deity, the Hindu cupid. (ii) Lust, one of the obstacles on the yogie path.Knphata ("split-ear"). The sect or order ofyogins founded by Goraksha, who developed HathaKplika, An extremist Tantric order whose members carry a skull (kapla) as a begging bowl. See also Aghori, Kl

rnukha.Kapila. The originator of the Srnkhya tradition, who is attributed with the authorship of the SmkhyaSutra.Karman ("action"). (i) Activity in general. (ii) Karma, or the subtle effect caused by the actions and voliions of an une

nlightened individual, whieh is responsible for his or her rebirth and also for the experiences during the presentlife and future lives. The idea behind all of India's liberation teachings is to escape the effects of past karma and prevent the production of new karma, whether good or bad. See alsosamskra, vsan.

Karma- Yoga ("Yoga of action"). A principal type of Yoga, which consists in the self-transcendingperformance of actions that are in consonance with one's innermost being (sva-bhfiva) and with one 's moral obligations (sva-dharma).

Kaula ("relating to ku/a"). (i) A practitioner ofku/a. (ii) Tantrie school focusing on kula teachings.

Kaulika ("relating to kaula"). Practitioner or teaching of the kaula school of Tantrism.Keshin ("Iong-haired"). (i) Vedie name of the sun. (ii) A Vedic ecstatic, often regarded as a forerunner ofyogins.Kosha ("sheath, casing"). This Vedantie term denotes a bodily envelope, of wh ich there are five: the sheath compose

d of food (anna-maya-kosha), the sheath composed of life force tprna-mayathe sheath composed of thought (manothe sheath composed of underivijndna-maya-koshai, and the sheath composed of bliss (ananda-maya-kosha). The last-mentioned envelope is sometimes equated with the Absolute itself.

Krishna ("attractor"). An ancient adept who was later deified. As an incamation of God Vishnu, he instructed PrinceArjuna, as recorded in theBhagavad-Git.

Kriy ("action, ritual"). A major aspect ofTantric practice.Kriy-Yoga ("Yoga of action"). Patanjali's name for the combined practice of asceticism (tapas), study (svdhyyav;an

d devotion to the Lord (fshvara-pranidhnai.

Kshatriya. A member of the warrior class of Hindu society.Kula ("flock, family"). (i) Shakti. (ii) Tantric group. (iii) The ecstatic experience of the identity of Shiva and Shakti,

God and Goddess. See also kau/a.


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Kundalin ("coiled one"). The serpent power(kundalint-shaktii, which lies dormant in the lowest psycenter of the bodyIts awakening is the central goal of Tantrism and Hatha- Yoga. The kundalini's ascent to the highest psychoenergetic center at the crownof the head brings about a temporary state of ecstatic identification with the SeIt" (innirvikalpa-samdhii.

Kundalin-Yoga. Tantric Yoga dedieated to the arousal of the kundalini. The innermost teaching of Hatha-Yoga.Lakshm. Goddess of good fortune, also called Shri, and Vishnu's divine spouse.Laya ("dissolution"). (i) A synonym ofpra/aya, or cosdissolution. (ii) The yogie dissolution of the

elements tbhiaa) and other aspects of bodily existence by way of meditation and visualization.Laya-Yoga. The yogic process of achieving dissolution (laya) through meditation and related practices by whieh the

transeendental Self(atman) is revealed.Linga ("sign, symbol, mark"). (i) In Shaivism, the symbol of the creative aspect of the Divine. (ii) The phallus as a sy

mbol of creativity. (iii) In Patanjali's Yoga, a specific phase in the process of psyehocosmie evolution, representing the first step into manifestation.

Mahbhrata, One of India 's two great national epies, recounting the great war between the Kauravas and Pandavas(Arjuna's side). The epie contains many instructional passages, including theBhagavad-Git and theMoksha-Dharma, Cf.Rmyana.

Mahvira ("great hero"). The title of Vardhamna, the historical founder of Jainism. See alsojaina.

Mahayana ("great vehiele"). The majority branch of Buddhism, which has at its doctrinal eore the bodhisattva ideal and the teaching about ernptitshnyatd).

Maithun ("intercourse"). The ritual practice of sexueongress in the left-hand and kaulabranches of Tantrism.Manas ("mind"). The lower mind, whieh is understood as a relay station for the senses (indriyai and whieh is itself re

garded as one of the senses. Cf. buddhi, citta.Mandala C'circle"). (i) A sacred area in which rituals are performed. (ii) An area of the body specific to a eertain mat

erial element (water, fire, ete.). (iii) Agraphie representation sirnilar to theyantra, mostly in the context of (Tibetan) Vajrayna Buddhism. See alsoyantra,

Manipura-cakra ("wheel of the jeweled city"). The psychoenergetic center at the navel, . See also cakra.Mantra. Sacred sound that empowers the mind for concentration and the transcendence of ordinary states of consciou

sness. A mantra can consist of a single "seed" (bfja) syllable, like om, or astring of sounds and words, which may or may not have a meaning.

Mantra- Yoga. A type of Yoga focusing on the recita(japa) ofmantras.

Manu. Mythological founder of the present human race.Each world period has its own Manu. The present one is Manu Vaivasvata, whose rule will comc to an end with the termination of the kali-yuga.

Matsyendra ("lord of fish," from matsya and indra). A great adept of Tantrism and possibly the founder of the YoginiKaula school who is widely considered by tradition as the teacher of Goraksha.

Mauna ("silence"). An important yogie practiee, which is particularly characteristie of the muni.Maya ("measure"). (i) The measuring, divisive power of the Divine. (ii) Illusion or the illusory world.Mtmms ("inquiry"). One of the six elassieal schools (darshana) of Hindu philosophy, which is concemed with the

explanation of Vedie ritualism and its moral applications.Moksha ("liberation, release"). According to Hindu ethics, the highest of four possible human pur(purusha-artha). It i

s synonymous with Self-realization. See also mukti, kaivalya.Moksha-Dharma ("liberation teaching"). A didactic section of theMahbhdrata, containing many yogie teachings.Mudr ("seal"). (i) A hand gesture or bodily posture, which has symbolic signifieance but. is also thought to conduct t

he life energy in thebody in specific ways. Hinduism and Buddhism know many such gestures, as can be seen in iconography. (ii) A fe male initiate in the Tantric ritual, with whom sacred intercourse (rnaithundy is prac(iii)Parched grain, wh ich is one of the "five M's" tpanca-makdras of the left-hand and kaula schools; it is thoughtto have aphrodisiacal prop

Mukti ("release"). A synonym ofmoksha. Mldhra-cakra ("root-prop wheel"). The lowest of the psyehoenergetie centers of the human body, situated at the base of the spine. It is here that the serpent power(kundalinf-shakti) lies dormant.Muni. A sage, or one who practices silence (mauna).

See also rishi.Nda ("sound"). The primal sound (shabda) of the unisometimes said to be the sacred mantra om. It has various form

s of manifestation, which can be heard as an inner sound when meditation reaches a certain depth.Nd ("conduit, channel"). According to Hindu esoterithe human body (or, rather, its subtle counterpart) consists of a

network of channels along whieh flows the life force (prnai. Often the fig72,000 is mentioned. Of these chann

els, three are most irnportant, viz. the idd, pingai, andsushumn. The last-rnentioned conduit extends from th


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e lowest psychoenergetic center at the base of the spine to the center at the crown of the head, and it is along this central pathway that the awakened kundalini must trave!.

Nma ("name"). Often used tn conjunction with "form" (rupa) to describe the conditioned reality, as opposed to the name- and forrn-transcending Reality (tattva).

Ninak. The founder of Sikhism, traditionaIly caIled Guru Nnak,Nirada. A famous ancient sage teaching Bhakti- Yoga, to whom the authorship of theBhakti-Stra is ascribed. Cf. Sh

ndilya.Nitha ("master, lord"). (i) An epithet of God Shiva, (ii) Appellation of various Tantric adepts, especially Matsyendra

and Goraksha.

Nayanmar. A member of a group of Shiva-worshiping poet-saints of South India. See also lvr,Nirguna-brahman ("unqualified Absolute"). The ultiReality in its pure, transeendental state, which is formless and de

void of all qualities (guna). Cf.saguna-brahman.Nirodha ("restrietion"). In Patanjali 's Yoga, the process of stopping the "whirls" (vritti) of the mind.Nirvna ("extinction"). In Buddhism, the transcenof the ego-self. This condition is occasiondescribed in positive term

s as weil as the attainment of a Reality untouched by space and time. In Hindu contexts, the term is mostly usedinterchangeably with liberation (moksha).

Nirvikalpa-samadhi ("transconceptual ecstasy"). The Vedantic term for what Patanjali ca lied asamprajnta-samdhi.

Cf.savikalpa-samdhi.Niyama ("restraint"). The second limb of Patanjali 's eightfold Yoga, which consists in the practice of purity, content

ment, austerity (tapas), study (svadhyaya), and devotion to the Lord (fshvarapranidhnay. See alsoyama.Nysa ("placement"). The Tantric practice of touching particular parts of the body or objects in order to infuse them

with life energy tprna) or other subtle energies.Nyya ("ruIe"). One of the six classical systems of Hindu philosophy, which is concemed with logiand critical argum

ent.Ojas, The energy producedthrough asceticism, especially the practice of chastity, which involves the process of subli

mation called rdhva-retas, which means literally the '''upward (streaming) of the semen."

Om, The key mantra of Hinduism, symbolizing the Absolute.This sacred syllable is also found in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Panca-ma-kra ("five m 's"), The coIlective name of the five practices of the core ritual of Ieft-hand and kaula Tantrism: the consumption of fish (matsya), meat tmmsa), wine (madya), and parched grain (rnudri, aIl of which are rega

rded as aphrodisiacs, as weIl as actual sexual inter(maithun), The right-hand schools of Tantrism understand these five symbolically rat her than literally. See also tantra.

Pancartra ("five nights"). An early tradition revolvaround the worship of Vishnu.Pandita. A scholar, or pundit.Parama-atman ("supreme Self," writtenparamtman). The transeendental Self, as opposed to the empirical, embodied

self(jiva-tmany. See also tman.Parampar ("one to the other"). A teaching lineage. Psha ("bond, fetter"). In Shaivism, the condition of bondage caused by spiritual ignorance.Pashu ("beast"). In Shaivism, the term for an ordinary worldling (samsrint, who is unaware of the higher spiritual real

ity of the Self, or the Divine.Pshupata ("relating topashupati"). An early tradition focusing on the worship of Shiva in the form of Pashupati.

Pashupati ("lord of beasts"). An epithet of Shiva, as the ruler of aIl creatures.Patanjali. Author of the Yoga-Sutra, the source text of Classical Yoga. He probably lived in the second century C.E., tho

ugh Hindu tradition identifies hirn with the grammarian by that name who lived 400 years earlier.Pitri ("forefather, ancestor"). The ancestors play an important roIe in the daily ritual life of Hindus, and this is also re

cognized in Yoga.

Prajpati ("lord of creatures"). Creator, same as Hir

Prajn ("wisdom"). Liberating knowledge. See alsojnna, vidy.Prajn-Pramit ("perfection of wisdom"). A corpus of Mahayana Sutras teaching emptiness (shunya), and the name of

the fern ale deity associated with these texts.Prakrit i ("creatrix"). Nature, which is insentient, conof an etemal, transeendental ground (ca liedpradhna oralinga) a

nd various levels of subtle tskshma) and gross (sthUla) manifestation. The lowest level is the visible material realm with its myriad objects. Nature iscomposed of three types of qualities or forces (guna). Cf. tman, purusha.

Pralaya ("dissolution"). The destruction of the cosmos at the end of ayuga orkalpa.

Pramna. Valid cognition, one of the mental activities singled out by Patanjali. Cf. viparyaya.Prna ("life"). (i) Life in general. (ii) The life force sustaining the body, which has five principal forms:prna, apna,

samna, udna, and vyna. (iii) The breath as the external manifestation of the life force.


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Prnyma("breath control"). The careful regulation (or expansion, ayama) of the breath, which is the fourth limb of Patanjali's eightfold Yoga.

Prapatti. The practice of total self-surrender to the Divine in Vaishnavism.

Prasda ("grace, clarity"), The element of grace, as found even in nondualist Yoga schools; also called anugraha.Pratyabhijn ("recognition"). A prominent Shaiva school of medieval Kashmir.Pratyhra ("withdrawal"). Sensory inhibition, wh ich is the fifth limb of Patanjali's eightfold Yoga. Seeyoga-anga.Puj orpjana ("worship"). The ritual veneration of a deity or the guru, which is an important aspect of many forms of

Yoga, but especially Bhakti- Yoga.Purna ("ancient [story]"). A type of popular quasireligious encyclopedia, covering cosmology and theology, butespe

cially the history of kings and sages.Puma ("fulI, whole"). A characterization of the ultiReality, which is inexhaustible and integral.

Purusha ("male"). In the Yoga and Smkhya traditions, the transeendental SeIf, Spirit, or pure Awareness (eit), as opposed to the finite personality (jivav. Cf.prakriti.

Purusha-artha ("human goal"). Hinduism acknowlfour Iegitimate goals of human aspiration: material welfare (artha),pleasure (kc1ma), rnoral(dharma), and liberation (moksha).

Rdh, Krishna's divine spouse.Rajas (from the verbal root raj, "to be excited"). (i) The quality or principle of activity, dynamism, which is one of th

e three primary constituents (guna) of Nature (prakriti). (ii) Female genital ejaculate or menstrual blood, both of wh ich hold special sigin Tantrisrn. The mingling ofrajas and retas (male semen) is said to bring about the ecstatic condition. See alsosattva, tamas.

Raja-Yoga ("royal Yoga"). A late designation of Pateightfold Yoga, invented to contrast it with Hatha- Yoga.

Rma.The main hero of theRmdyana, deified as an incamation of Vishnu.

Rmnuja. The eleventh-century founder of the school of Qualified Nondualism (Vishishta Advaita) andchief rival of Shankara's Absolute Nondualism (Kevala Advaita).

Rmyana. One of India's two national epics, telling the heroic story of Rma, Cf.Mahbhrata.

Rasa ("essence"). (i) Taste. (ii) Quintessence of bliss in some schools of Bhakti- Yoga, especially the Vaishnava Sahajiymovernent of Bengal. (iii) The nectar of immortality (amrita) in Hatha- Yoga and Tantrism. (iv) Alchemical elixir.

Rasyana, Alchemy, which is closely associated with Hatha-Yoga.

Rig- Veda ("knowledge of praise"). The oidest Vedic hymnody, the most sacred scripture of the HinSee alsoAtharva-Veda, Sma-Veda. YajurVeda.

Rishi. A type of ancient sage who sees the hymns (mantra) of the Vedas. See also muni.Rudra ("howler"). An epithet or form of Shiva.

Rpa ("form"). IJI conjunction with the term nma often used to refer to the manifest world.

Sac-cid-nanda ("being-consciousness-bliss," fromsat, cit, and nandai. The ultimate Reality according to Vednta.See also nanda, brahman, cit, sat, tattva.

Sad-guru ("true teacher"). An authenticguru whose very presence draws disciples to the Divine.Sdhaka ("realizer"). Aspiritual practitioner, especialthe Tantric path, aspiring to realization (sidCf.sdhik.Sdhana ("realizing"). The path of spiritual realiza-

tion; a particular spiritual discipline.Sdhik, A female practitioner. Cf.sdhaka.Sdhu ("good one"). A virtuous ascetic. Saguna-brahman ("qualified Absolute"). The ultimate

Reality in its stepped-down form as Being endowed with various qualities (guna). Cf. nirgu

Sahaja ("twinned"). A medieval term expressing the factthat the transeendental Reality and the empirreality are coessential. It is often rendered as "spontaneous" or "natural."

Sahaja-samdhi ("natural ecstasy"). The effortless ecstasy (samdhiy. which is the same as liberation. It is also calle

d "open-eyed ecstasy" because it does not depend on the introversion of attention through concentration idluirand) and meditation idhydna).

Sahajy. A medieval Tantra-oriented devotion al tbhakti) movement.

Sahasrra-cakra ("thousand-spoked wheel"). The psychoenergetic center at the crown of the head,which in Tantrism is the destination point of the awakened serpent power(kundalinf-shakti). See also cakra.

Samdhi ("ecstasy"). This is the eighth limb of Patanjali 's eightfold Yoga. It consists in the temidentification between subject and contemplated object and has two principal forms: conscious ecstasy (samprajnta-samdhii, which includes a variety of spontaneously arising thoughts, and supraconscious ecstasy (asamprajnta-samdhiy; which is free from all ideation. See also dharma-megha-samdhi, nirvikalpasamdhi, sahaja-samdhi, savikalpa-samdhi.

Samatva ("evenness"). The state of inner balance. Sma- Veda ("knowledge of chants"). The Vedic hymnody conta


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ining the chants (smanvused in fire rituals. See also,Atharva-Veda, Rig-Veda, Yajur- Veda.Smkhya ("enumeration," which is related tosamkhya, "nurnber"). One of the six c1assical Hindu schools of though

t, which is concerned with the c1assification of the various principles (tattva), or categories, of existence.Samnysa ("renunciation"). The practice of turning one's attention away from worldly things and toward the Divine,

which is generally accompanied by an outward act of abandoning convenlife. A purely inner renunciation, however, is also possible.

Samnysin C'renouncer"). The person practicingsamnysa.Samprajnta-samdhi ("conscious ecstasy"). The lower type of ecstatic identification with the conobject, accompani

ed by spontaneously arising thoughts (pratyaya). Cf. asamprajntasamdhi.Samsra ("confluence"). The finite world of change, as opposed to the infinite, changeless transcenReality. Cf. nirv

na.

Samsrin. The worldling trapped in the world of" change.

Samskra ("activator"). Every action or volition prodeposit (aslUlya) in the mind, which, in turn, leads to new psychomental activithus keeping the person enmeshed in the world

"of change. See also karman, vsan.Sarasvati. (i) A great river in the heartland of the Vedic civilization. (ii) A Vedic Goddess, personifying the river an

d the arts.

Sarga ("creation"). The creation of the cosmos, as opposed to its dissolution (pralaya).Sat ("being"). That which is ultimately real, or Reality.

See also nanda, cit, tattva.Sat-sanga ("association with the real"). The spiritual

practice of frequenting the good (sat) company of saints, sages, and Self-realized adepts, who comthe ultimateReality (sat).

Sattva ("beingness"). (i) A being. (ii) The principle of pure being or lucidity, which is the highest type of primary constituent (guna) of Nature (prakriti). Cf. rajas, tamas.

Satya ("truth"). (i) Truthfulness. (ii) The ultimate Realtsat, tattva).Savikalpa-samdhi ("ecstasy with form/ideation"), In Vednta, the state of ecstatic identification with the transeendent

al Reality, whichis accompanied by thoughts and imagery. See also samprajntasamdhi; cf. nirvikalpa-samdhi.

Shabda ("sound"). According to Hindu thought, sound is inextricably connected with cosmic existence. Thus, sound e

xists on various levels of manifesThe ultimate sound is the sacred mantra om. See also nda.Shaiva. Designation for any process or literary work, etc., pertaining to Shiva, or a worshiper of this deity. See also v

aishnava.

Shaiva-Siddhnta, A South "Indian tradition of ShaiShakti ("power"). The feminine power aspect of the Divine, which is fundamental to the metaphysics

and spirituality of Shaktism and Tantrism. "Shakti-pta ("descent of power"). The process of iniusually in Tantric contexts, by wh ich a guru empowers the discipl

e 's spiritual practice.Shndilya. A famous ancient sage and the reputed author of theBhakti-Stra. Cf.Nrada.Shankara ("pacifier"). The greatest propounder of Hindu nondualism (Advaita Vednta), who lived in the eighth cent

ury C.E. or possibly somewhat earlier.Shnti ("peace"). A desirable quality inyogins. Ultipeace coincides with Self-realization, or enlightenment (bodhai,Shstra ("teaching, textbook"), A body of knowledge, often in the form of a book. Thus yoga-shstra can mean bot

h "Yoga teaching" in general and a particular text by that designation.Shiva ("benign"). The deity who, more than any other deity ofthe Hindu pantheon, has served yogins as a model throughout the ages.

Shruti ("revelation"). The Vedic revelation comprising the fourVedas,the Brhmanas, and the UpaniCf.smriti.Shdra, A member of the servile dass of traditional Hindu society.Shnya ("void"). A key concept of Mahayana Budaccording to which all phenomena are empty of an etemal essence.Shunyat ("voidness, emptiness"). A synonym of

shnya. I

Siddha ("accobplished"). A Self-realized adept who, has reached perfection (siddhi).Siddhi ("perfection, accomplishment"). (i) Spiritual perfection; that is, the attainment of flawless identification with t

he ultimate Reality, or libera(moksha). (ii) Paranormal power, especially the eight great abilities that co me asa result of perfect adeptship.

Smriti ("memory, remembered wisdom"). Tradition, as opposed to revelation (shruti).Spanda ("vibration"). According to Kashmiri Shaiveven the fonnless Absolute is in a continuous vibratory state, whic


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h is the cause of all creation.Sukha C'pleasure, joy"). Ordinary life is a combination of pleasure and pain (duhkha), and both types of experience m

ust be transcended to realize the ultimate bliss (ananda), which is aiso called "great joy" (mah-sukhas.

Srya C'sun"). The solar deity, who has many other names.

Sutra ("thread"). An aphoristic statement or a work containing such statements, e.g., the Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali.Svdhishthna-cakra ("self-standing wheel"). The psychoenergetic center at the genitals. See also cakra.

Svadhyya ("self-study"). Both the study of sacred texts and one's psyche by means of meditation.

Svamin ('~lord, master"). Title of Hindugurusbelongto a monastic order.

Svarga C'heaven"). Hindu metaphysics recognizes the existence of both various hell realms and heavenabodes. The lauer, however, still belong to the world of change and must be transcended in order to attain liberation (moksha).

Tamas C'darkness"). The principle of inertia, which is one of the three primary constituents (guna) of Nature (prakritii. See also rajas, sattva.

Tantra ("100m"). (i) A type of sacred scripture pertaining to Tantrism and primarily dealing with ritual worship focusi

ng on the feminine divine principle, orshakti. (ii) Tantrism, the rnany-branched religious and cultural movement originating in the early centuries of the Common Era and flourishing around 1000C.E. Tantrism has a right-hand (conand a left-hand (antinomian) branch.

Tntrika. A practitioner of Tantrism.Tapas ("glow, heat"), Asceticism, which is thought to lead to great vitality. This tenn was applied to Yoga-Iike practi

ces in Vedic times.Traka- Yoga ("Yoga of the deliverer"). A TantraYoga emphasizing the meditative experiof light.Tat ("that"). In Vednta, a cryptic reference to the ultiReality, or transeendental Self, as in the die"Thou art That" (ta

t tvam asi).

Tattva ("reality"). (i) The ultimate Reality. (ii) A principle or category of existence, such as higher mind (buddhi), lo

wer mind (manas), senses (inand material elements (bhuta).Tattva-vid ("knower of reality"). (i) A liberated sage. (ii) Aspiritual practitioner who knowsthe various categories of e

xistence taught in Smkhya and Yoga.Tirtha ("ford"). A sacred place for pilgrimage. TIrthankara ("ford-maker"). Title of the great Selfrealized teachers ofJainism, such as Mahvira.Tirurnlr, A great South Indian poet-saint, author of 'he Tiru-Mantiram.

Trika ("triad"). A medieval Shaiva school of Kashmir, which is nondualistic but acknowledges the relaexistence of multiplicity (epitornized in the many individual human beings called nara), duality (symbolized byshakti), and unity (reprebyshiva).

Upanishad ("sitting near"). A type of esoteric Hindu scripture that expounds the metaphysics of nondualism (AdvaitaVednta) and is considered the last phase in the Vedic .revelation (shruti).

Upya ("means"). In Buddhism, another tenn for com(karundi, the counterpart ofprajn, standing for insight into theempty tshnya) nature of all phenomena.

Vaisheshika ("distinctionism"). One of the six classiHindu schools of thought, which is concemed with the categoriesof material existence.

Vaishnava" ("pertaining to Vishnu"). Designation for any process or literary work, etc., pertaining to God Vishnu, ora worshiper of this deity. See also

shaiva. .

Vaishya. A member of the merchant class of traditionHindu society.

Vajrayna ("adamantine vehicle"). The Tantric branch of Buddhism, especially in Tibet, which evolved out of the Mahyna.

V san ("~@it"). (i) Desire. (ii) In Patanjali's Yoga, the conctenation of subliminal activators (samskdra) deposited in the depth of the mind through

actions and volitions. These must be dissolved before liberation (moksha), or enlightenment (bodha), can be attained.

Vashishtha. The name of several ancient sages, notthe great authority of the Yoga- Vsishtha.Vednta ("Veda's end"). The dominant Hindu philotradition, which teaches that Reality is nondual (advaita). See also

tman, brahman.

Videha-mukti ("disembodied liberation"). The ideal of so me schools ofVednta, which deny that fulllibcan be attained while the body is still alive. Cf. jivan-mukti.

Vidy ("wisdom, knowledge"). In spiritual contexts, usually liberating wisdom, as opposed to intellectual knowledge.

See alsojnna,prajn.


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Viparyaya ("error"). According to Patanjali, one of the mental activities (vrittis) that must be silenced. Cf.pramna.Vi ra ("hero"). In Tantrisrn, a particular type of spiritupractitioner(sdhakas,usually following the left -hand branch.Vishnu ("pervader"). The deity worshiped by the Vaishnavas and Bhgavatas, whose two most famous incamations (av

tarai are Rmaand Krishna ..

Vishuddha-cakra ("pure wheel"). The psychoenercenter at the throat. See also cakra.Vishva ("all"). The empirical world tsamsray.Viveka ("discernment, discrimination"). On the yogic path, specifically the discrimination between the Self(atman) an

d the nonself(antmanv.Vrata ("vow"). An important feature of many yogic approaches.Vrtya C'vowed"). A member of a sacred brotherhood in Vedic times, bound together by vows (vrata) and in whose cir

cles yogic practices were develVritti ("whirl"). In Patanjali 's Yoga, one of five modalof mental activity that must be controlled: valid cognition tpra

mnay; erroneous cognition tviparyayat, conceptualization (vikalpa), sleep (nidrv;and memory (smriti).Vydhi ("disease"). Illness, as understood as an imbalof the three humors (dosha). Cf. rogya.Vysa ("arranger"). The legendary composer of theMahdbhrata epic, collator of the four Vedic

hymnodies, manyPurnas, and other works, such as the Yoga-Bhshya commentary on Pat's Yoga-Sutra.Yajna ("sacrifice"). The practice of ritual sacrifice is fundamental to Hinduism. At the time of the Brhmanas and mor

e so with the Upanishads, the external sacrificial ritual was internalized in the form of intense meditation, leading to the fulltradition of Yoga.

Yjnavalkya. The most renowned sage of the early Post - Vedic Era.Yajur- Veda ("knowledge of sacrifice"). The Vedic hymn containing the sacrificial formulas (yajus). See alsoAtharva-

Veda, Rig-Veda, Sma-Yeda.

Yama ("discipline"). (i) The deity of death. (ii) The first limb of Patanjali's eightfold Yoga, cornprisfive moral precepts of universal validity.

Yantra ("instrument"). A geometrie design in Hinduism representing the body of one 's chosen deity (ishta-devats forextern al worship and meditation, See also mandala.

Yoga ("union"). (i) Spiritual or mystical practice in general. (ii) One of the six classical Hindu . schools of thought, codified by Patanjali in his Yoga-Sutra.Yoga-anga ("limb of Yoga"). According to Patanjali, there are the following eight limbs: moral disci (yama), self-restr

aint (niyama),posture (asana),breath control tprnymav.sense-with(pratyhdray. concentration tdhrandi, medit

ation (dhyana), and ecstasy tsamddhiv.Yogcra ("Yoga way"). The Mahayana Buddhist school founded by Asanga.Yoga-Sutra C'Yoga aphorism"). The source text of Classical Yoga, compiled by Patanjali. See alsostra.Yoga- Vsishtha. A massive poetic treatment of nonduYoga, composed sometime in the tenth cenC.E.Yogin. A male practitioner of Yoga. Yogini. A female practitioner ofYoga,Yuga ("yoke").A world age. According to Hindu costhere are four such world ages, each of several thousand years' d

uration. The kali-yuga is held to be the darkest period and precedes anothgolden age. Cf. kalpa.

glossary of key terms in yogatradition.doc

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