ashtanga pranama: "Eight-limbed salutation." See: prostration.

ashtanga yoga: "Eight-limbed union." The classical raja yoga system of eight progressive stages or steps as described in numerous Hindu scriptures including various Upanishads, the Tirumantiram by Saint Tirumular and the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali. The eight limbs are: restraints (yama), observances (niyama), postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), sense withdrawal (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and contemplation-Self Realization (samadhi). See: raja yoga, yoga, yama-niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi.

Asoka (Ashoka): The greatest Mauryan Emperor (ca -232 BCE), grandson of Chandragupta. In his 40-year reign, Buddhism became a world power. The Rock and Pillar Edicts preserve his work and teachings.

aspirant: A person who strives for high achievement.

ashrama dharma: "Laws of life development." Meritorious way of life appropriate to each of its four successive stages (ashramas), observing which one lives in harmony with nature and life, allowing the body, emotions and mind to develop and undergo their natural cycles in a most positive way. The four stages are: -- 1) brahmacharya:Studentship, from age 12 to . -- 2) grihastha:Householder, from 24 to 48. -- 3) vanaprastha:Elder advisor, from 48 to 72. -- 4) sannyasa:Religious solitary, from 72 onward. See: dharma, grihastha dharma, sannyasa dharma.

assertion: Something declared or stated positively.

assimilation: Making one's own or similar to something else. Incorporation and absorption, as into the mind.

astral entity: Any being abiding in the astral plane. See: astral plane.

astral plane: The subtle world, or Antarloka, spanning the spectrum of consciousness from the vishuddha chakra in the throat to the patala chakra in the soles of the feet. The astral plane includes: 1) the higher astral plane, Maharloka, "plane of balance;" 2) mid-astral plane, Svarloka, "celestial plane;" 3) lower astral plane, Bhuvarloka, "plane of atmosphere," a counterpart or subtle duplicate of the physical plane (consisting of the Pitriloka and Pretaloka); and 4) the sub-astral plane, Naraka, consisting of seven hellish realms corresponding to the seven chakras below the base of the spine. In the astral plane, the soul is enshrouded in the astral body, called sukshma sharira. See: Antarloka, astral body, loka, Naraka, three worlds.

astral school: A meeting place in the Antarloka where inner-plane masters teach devotees in their astral bodies during sleep. See: astral plane.

astral shell: The odic astral form which a soul leaves behind in the astral plane when it enters into a new physical birth. The astral shell soon disintegrates as creative forces generate a new physical and astral body.

astrology: Science of celestial influences. See: jyotisha.

ashuddha maya: "World of impurity." The realm of the physical world and lower astral planes. See: maya.

asura: "Evil spirit; demon." (Opposite of sura: "deva; God.") A being of the lower astral plane, Naraka. Asuras can and do interact with the physical plane, causing major and minor problems in people's lives. Asuras do evolve and do not remain permanently in this state. See: Naraka.

asura loka: Another name for Naraka. A general term for the inner worlds of asuric/demonic energies. See: asura, Naraka.

asuric: Of the nature of an asura, "not spiritual."

asylum: A place of any refuge, often an institution for people with serious mental or emotional problems.

atala: "Bottomless region."The first chakra below the muladhara, at the hip level. Region of fear and lust. See: chakra, loka, Naraka.

Atharva Veda: From Atharva, the name of the rishi said to have compiled this fourth Veda. See: Veda.

atheism: The rejection of all religion or religious belief, or simply the belief that God or Gods do not exist. See: materialism.

atman: "The soul; the breath; the principle of life and sensation." The soul in its entirety -- as the soul body (anandamaya kosha) and its essence (Parashakti and Parasiva). One of Hinduism's most fundamental tenets is that we are the atman, not the physical body, emotions, external mind or personality. In Hindu scriptures, atman sometimes refers to the ego-personality, and its meaning must be determined according to context. The Atma Upanishad (1 -- 3) describes atman, or purusha, as threefold: bahyatman, the outer or physical person; antaratman, the inner person, excluding the physical form, who perceives, thinks and cognizes; and Paramatman, the transcendent Self God within. See: Paramatman, kosha, soul.

atmartha puja: "Personal worship rite." Home puja -- Sanskrit liturgy performed in the home shrine. See: puja.

attachments: That which one holds onto or clings to with the energy of possessiveness, which is a natural function of the inner and outer ego of an individual. As one unfolds through the chakras, the force of attachment naturally diminishes through sadhana, tapas and the grace of the guru.

attainment: Acquisition, achievement or realization through effort; spiritual accomplishment. Saiva Siddhanta notes four primary levels of attainment: salokya (sharing God's world, the goal of charya), samipya (nearness to God, the goal of kriya), sarupya (likeness to God, the goal of yoga) and sayujya (union with God, the state of jnana). As described in Tirumantiram verse 1507: "In charya, the soul forges a kindred tie in "God's world" (salokya). In kriya it attains "nearness" (samipya) to Him. In yoga it attains "likeness" (sarupya) with Him. In jnana the soul enjoys the ultimate bliss of identity (sayujya) with Siva."See: God Realization, pada, Self Realization, siddha yoga, siddhi.

attention: Focusing of the mental powers upon an object or a particular subject.

Aum: Often spelled Om. The mystic syllable of Hinduism, placed at the beginning of most sacred writings. As a mantra, it is pronounced aw (as in law), oo (as in zoo), mm. Aum represents the Divine, and is associated with Lord Ganesha, for its initial sound "aa," vibrates within the muladhara, the chakra at the base of the spine upon which this God sits. The second sound of this mantra, "oo," vibrates within the throat and chest chakras, the realm of Lord Murugan, or Kumara. The third sound, "mm," vibrates within the cranial chakras, ajna and sahasrara, where the Supreme God reigns.

aura: The luminous colorful field of subtle energy radiating within and around the human body, extending out from three to seven feet. The colors of the aura change constantly according to the ebb and flow of one's state of consciousness, thoughts, moods and emotions. Higher, benevolent feelings create bright pastels; base, negative feelings are darker in color. The aura consists of three aspects, the prana-aura, the outer aura and the inner aura. The prana-aura is the reflection of the physical body, the life force. The outer aura extends beyond the physical body and changes continuously, reflecting the individual's moment-to-moment panorama of thought and emotion. See: prana-aura.

auric circle: An energy shell around the aura itself that acts as a shelter or shield against psychic influences.

auspicious: Mangala. Favorable, of good omen, foreboding well. One of the central concepts in Hindu life. Astrology defines a method for determining times that are favorable for various human endeavors. See: jyotisha.

austerity: Self-denial and discipline, physical or mental, performed for various reasons including acquiring powers (siddhis), attaining grace, conquering the instinctive nature and burning the seeds of past karmas. Ranging from simple deprivations, such as foregoing a meal, to severe disciplines, called tapas, such as always standing, never sitting or lying down, even for sleep. See: penance, tapas.

autonomous: Not controlled by or reliant upon other forces; independent.

autopsy: "Own viewing." The examination and dissection of a dead body to determine the cause of death, extent of disease, etc.

avail: To be of use or advantage toward completing an end.

avarice: Uncontrolled desire for wealth.

avastha: (Tamil: avasthai.) "Condition or state" of consciousness or experience. 1) Any of three stages of the soul's evolution from the point of its creation to final merger in the Primal Soul. 2) The states of consciousness as discussed in the Mandukya Upanishad: jagrat (or vaishvanara), "wakefulness;" svapna (or taijasa), "dreaming;" sushupti, "deep sleep;" and turiya, "the fourth" state, of superconsciousness. A fifth state, "beyond turiya," is turiyatita. See: kevala avastha, sakala avastha, shuddha avastha.

avatara: "Descent." A God born in a human (or animal) body. A central concept of Shaktism, Smartism and Vaishnavism. See: incarnation, Ishta Devata.

avidya: Spiritual "ignorance." Wrongful understanding of the nature of reality. Mistaking the impermanent for the everlasting.

awareness: Individual consciousness, perception, knowing; the witness of perception, the "inner eye of the soul." Sakshin or chit in Sanskrit. The soul's ability to sense, see or know and to be conscious of this knowing. When awareness is indrawn (pratyak chetana), various states of samadhi may occur. Awareness is known in the Agamas as chitshakti, the "power of awareness," the inner self and eternal witness. See: consciousness, sakshin.

axiom: A rule or maxim that is universally accepted as true; a fundamental principle or truth.

ayurveda: "Science of life," "science of longevity." A holistic system of medicine and health native to ancient India. The aims of ayurveda are ayus, "long life," and arogya, "diseaselessness," which facilitate progress toward ultimate spiritual goals. Health is achieved by balancing energies (especially the doshas, bodily humors) at all levels of being.

Ayyappan: Iag;gd; The popular God of a recently formed sect that focuses on pilgrimage to the top of Sabarimalai, a sacred hill in Kerala, where He is said to appear as a divine light. Ayyappan is revered as a son of Vishnu and Siva (Hari-Hara putra). His vahana, or mount, is the tiger.

balk: To stop abruptly and refuse to go on.

ballast: A stabilizing weight, usually on a boat.

bane: Deadly harm, misfortune. A cause of death, destruction, or ruin.

Banyan tree: ficus indicus (vata in Sanskrit), symbolizes Hinduism, which branches out in all directions, draws from many roots, spreads shade far and wide, yet stems from one great trunk. Siva as Silent Sage sits beneath it.

bardo: A Tibetan term for an intermediate state between death and further destiny of the soul.

Basavanna (Basavanna): A 12th-century philosopher, poet and prime minister who reformed and revived Vira Saivism in Karnataka. See: Vira Saivism.

bask: To enjoy pleasant warmth, sunshine, praise or blessing.

beatitude: Supreme blessedness or happiness.

beclouding: Darkening as if with clouds; obscuring.

bedrock: Solid rock beneath the soil. firm foundation.

behoove: To be necessary, proper or befitting.

Being: Upper case:God's essential divine nature -- Pure Consciousness, Absolute Reality and Primal Soul (God's nature as a divine Person). Lower case: the essential nature of a person, that within which never changes; existence. See: Siva.

benign: Good, kindly, doing no harm. See: ahimsa.

bereft: Deprived of something.

beseech (besought): To ask of someone earnestly; solicit with fervor; beg.

bestow: To offer graciously as a gift.

betoken: To indicate, show; offer as a sign of the future; symbolize.

Bhagavad Gita: "The Lord's Song." One of the most popular of Hindu writings, a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the brink of the great battle at Kurukshetra. In this central episode of the epic Mahabharata (part of the Sixth Book), Krishna illumines the warrior-prince Arjuna on yoga, asceticism, dharma and the manifold spiritual path. See: Mahabharata.

bhakta: (Tamil: bhaktar.) "Devotee." A worshiper. One who is surrendered to the Divine. See: bhakti, bhakti yoga, devotee, guru bhakti.

bhakti: "Devotion." Surrender to God, Gods or guru. Bhakti extends from the simplest expression of devotion to the ego-decimating principle of prapatti, which is total surrender. Bhakti is the foundation of all sects of Hinduism, as well as yoga schools throughout the world. See: bhakti yoga, darshana, prapatti, prasada, yajna.

bhakti yoga: "Union through devotion." Bhakti yoga is the practice of devotional disciplines, worship, prayer, chanting and singing with the aim of awakening love in the heart and opening oneself to God's grace. Bhakti may be directed toward God, Gods or one's spiritual preceptor. Bhakti yoga is embodied in Patanjali's Yoga Darshana in the second limb, niyamas (observances), as devotion (Ishvarapranidhana). See: prapatti, yajna.

Bharata Natyam: One of the ancient dance forms of India dating back to the second century BCE. This dance type originated in the Hindu temples of Southern India and is one of the most graceful and sophisticated dance styles.

Bhogabhumi:"Land of pleasure," referring to the world.

Bhogar Rishi: One of the 18 siddhas of Saiva tradition, an alchemist and tantrika yogi, associated with the Murugan temple at Palani Hills, South India. Chinese historical records suggest that he came from China. See: siddha, siddhi, tantric.

Bhojadeva Paramara (Paramara): Saivite king, poet, artist and theologian of Gujarat (1018-1060). Author of Tattvaprakasha. Renowned for establishing a systematic, monistic Saiva Siddhanta. See: Tatparyadipika.

bhukti: "Worldly enjoyment."

Big Bang: A theory that the universe -- time, space and matter -- originated approximately 20 billion years ago from the explosive expansion of a "singularity."

bija mantra: "Seed syllable." A Sanskrit sound associated with a specific Deity used for invocation during mystic rites.

bindu: "A drop, small particle, dot." 1) The seed or source of creation. In the 36 tattvas, the nucleus or first particle of transcendent light, technically called Parabindu, corresponding to the Shakti tattva. See: tattva.

biophysics: The science of relating physics to biological processes and phenomena.

Bodhinatha Veylanswami: "Lord of wisdom" or "chief among the awakened ones." The current abbot of Kauai's Hindu Monastery, 163rd Jagadacharya of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. Bodhinatha was ordained by his satguru, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, on October 21, 2001, the tenth evening of the extraordinary renaissance master's 32-day prayopavesha fast, which he undertook upon learning he had terminal cancer. Gurudeva had designated Bodhinatha, the senior monk of his order, as his successor in 1995, and from that time on gradually turned over to him the responsibilities of that esteemed religious post.

Born in Berkeley, California, on October 15, 1942, Bodhinatha began spiritual studies in 1960 with the Self Realization Fellowship and the Vedanta Society with a deep interest in monastic life. He met Gurudeva at the Mountain Desert Monastery in September, 1964, in Virginia City, Nevada, stating at this first meeting his desire to realize God. Gurudeva had him serve at the San Francisco monastery on weekends, and, after completing college, Bodhinatha entered the monastery in June, 1965.

boddhisattva: See: nirvani and upadeshi.

boon: Varadana. A welcome blessing, a gracious benefit received. An unexpected gift or bonus. See: grace.

bounteous: Generously and copiously giving.

Brahma: The name of God in His aspect of Creator. Saivites consider Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra to be three of five aspects of Siva. Smartas group Brahma, Vishnu and Siva as a Holy Trinity in which Siva is the Destroyer. See: Brahman, Parameshvara.

brahmachari: An unmarried male spiritual aspirant who practices continence, observes religious disciplines, including sadhana, devotion and service and who may be under simple vows. Names also a young man in the student stage, age 12-24, or until marriage. See: ashrama dharma, monk.

brahmacharini:Feminine counterpart of brahmachari.

brahmacharya: See: yama-niyama.

Brahmadhvara: The door to the seven chakras and the Narakalokajust below the muladhara. In order for the higher chakras to come into power, this door must be shut, making it impossible for fears, hatreds, angers and jealousies to arise. Sadhana and right thought, word and deed are among the aids in this accomplishment. See: Naraka, yoni.

Brahmaloka: The realm of sahasrara chakra, it is the highest of the seven upper worlds. See: sahasrara chakra.

Brahman: "Supreme Being; Expansive Spirit." From the root brih, "to grow, increase, expand." Name of God or Supreme Deity in the Vedas, where He is described as 1) the Transcendent Absolute, 2) the all-pervading energy and 3) the Supreme Lord or Primal Soul. These three correspond to Siva in His three perfections. Thus, Saivites know Brahman and Siva to be one and the same God: -- Nirguna Brahman, God "without qualities" (guna), i.e., formless, Absolute Reality, Parabrahman,orParasiva -- totally transcending guna (quality), manifest existence and even Parashakti, all of which exhibit perceivable qualities; -- Saguna Brahman, God "with qualities;" Siva in His perfections of Parashakti and Parameshvara -- God as superconscious, omnipresent, all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful. The term Brahman is not to be confused with 1) Brahma, the Creator God; 2) Brahmana, Vedic texts, nor with 3) brahmana, Hindu priest caste (English spelling: brahmin). See: Parashakti, Parasiva.

Brahmarandhra: See: door of Brahman.

Brahmavidya:"Knowledge or realization of God."

brahmin (brahmana): "Mature or evolved soul." The class of pious souls of exceptional learning. From brahman, "growth, expansion, evolution, development, swelling of the spirit or soul."

brahminical tradition: The hereditary religious practices of the Vedic brahmins, such as reciting mantras, and personal rules for daily living.

brethren: Older plural of brother; often used for brothers in religion.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: One of the major Upanishads, part of the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Yajur Veda. Ascribed to Sage Yajnavalkya, it teaches modes of worship, meditation and the identity of the individual self with the Supreme Self. See: Upanishad.

Brihaspati: "Lord of Prayer." Vedic preceptor of the Gods and Lord of the Word, sometimes identified with Lord Ganesha. See: Ganesha.

Brihaspati (Brihaspati): The name of a great exponent of Saiva Siddhanta (ca 900).

Buddha: "The Enlightened." Usually the title of Siddhartha Gautama (ca624 -- 544 BCE), a prince born of the Shakya clan -- a Saivite Hindu tribe in eastern India on the Nepalese border. He renounced the world and became a monk. After enlightenment he preached the doctrines upon which his followers later founded Buddhism. See: Buddhism.

buddhi chitta: "Intellectual mind." See: intellectual mind.

Buddhism: The religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha (ca 624 -- 544 BCE). He refuted the idea of man's having an immortal soul and did not preach of any Supreme Deity. Instead he taught that man should seek to overcome greed, hatred and delusion and attain enlightenment through realizing the Four Noble Truths and following the Eightfold Path. Prominent among its holy books is the Dhammapada. Buddhism arose out of Hinduism as an inspired reform movement which rejected the caste system and the sanctity of the Vedas. It is thus classed as nastika, "unbelieving," and outside of Hinduism. Buddhism eventually migrated out of India, the country of its origin, and now enjoys a following of over 350 million, mostly in Asia. See: Buddha.

Buddhist: Relating to Buddhism, the religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. See: Buddhism.

buoyant, buoyed: Light, weightless; elated, happy, optimistic.

caliber: Quality, station or ability of a person.

canalize: To provide an outlet or channel for.

cancer: Disease characterized by the aberrant growth of cells.

cardiac: Near, or relating to the heart.

cardinal: Of primary importance; paramount.

Catholicism: The faith, doctrine, system and practice of the Catholic Church, a major Christian denomination.

causal body: Karana sharira, the inmost body; the soul form, also called anandamaya kosha, "bliss sheath," and actinic causal body. See: kosha, soul.

causal mind: Karana chitta. Superconscious mind. See: mind (five states).

causal plane: The highest realm of existence, Sivaloka. See: loka.

cause: Karana. Anything which produces an effect, a result. -- efficient cause: (nimitta karana) That which directly produces the effect; that which conceives, makes, shapes, etc., such as the potter who fashions a clay pot, or God who creates the world. -- material cause: (upadana karana) The matter from which the effect is formed, as the clay which is shaped into a pot, or God as primal substance becoming the world.
-- instrumental cause: (sahakari karana) That which serves as a means, mechanism or tool in producing the effect, such as the potter's wheel, necessary for making a pot, or God's generative Shakti. See: maya, tattva.

cauterize: To burn or sear so as to remove unwanted tissue, or to seal a wound.

cavernous plexus: The region where the brain stem enters the skull from the spine, associated with the pineal gland and the ajna chakra.

celestial: "Of the sky or heavens." Of or relating to the heavenly regions or beings.Highly refined, divine.

celibacy: Complete sexual abstinence. Also the state of a person who has vowed to remain unmarried and abstinent. Celibacy is abstinence from the eight degrees of sexual activity: fantasy (smarana), glorification (kirtana), flirtation (keli), glances (prekshana), secret talk (guhya bhashana), longing (kama samkalpa), rendezvous (adhyavasaya) and intercourse (kriya nivritti). See: brahmachari, ojas, tejas, transmutation, yama-niyama.

cenobite: A member of a monastery community.

cerebral: Relating to the brain.

ceremony: From the Latin caerimonia, "awe; reverent rite." A formal rite established by custom or authority as proper to special occasions.

chaitanya: "Spirit, consciousness," especially "higher consciousness;" "Supreme Being."A widely used term, often preceded by modifiers, e.g., sakshi chaitanya, "witness consciousness," or bhakti chaitanya, "devotional consciousness," or Sivachaitanya, "God consciousness." See: chitta, consciousness, mind (five states), Siva consciousness.

chakra: "Wheel." Any of the nerve plexes or centers of force and consciousness located within the inner bodies of man. In the physical body there are corresponding nerve plexuses, ganglia and glands. The seven principal chakras can be seenpsychically as colorful, multi-petaled wheels or lotuses. They are situated along the spinal cord from the base to the cranial chamber. The seven principal chakras, from lowest to highest, are: 1) muladhara (base of spine): memory, time and space; 2) svadhishthana (below navel): reason; 3) manipura (solar plexus): willpower; 4) anahata (heart center): direct cognition; 5) vishuddha (throat): divine love; 6) ajna (third eye): divine sight; 7) sahasrara (crown of head): illumination, Godliness.

Additionally, seven chakras, barely visible, exist below the spine. They are seats of instinctive consciousness, the origin of jealousy, hatred, envy, guilt, sorrow, etc. They constitute the lower or hellish world, called Narakaor patala. From highest to lowest they are 1) atala (hips): fear and lust; ) vitala (thighs): raging anger; 3) sutala (knees): retaliatory jealousy; 4) talatala (calves): prolonged mental confusion; 5) rasatala (ankles): selfishness; 6) mahatala (feet): absence of conscience; 7) patala (located in the soles of the feet): murder and malice.

Seven chakras, or conglomerates of nadis, exist within and above the sahasrara, as the seven levels of the rarified dimensions of paranada, the first tattva and the highest stratum of sound. From lowest to highest they are: 1)vyapini: "all-pervasive;" 2) vyomanga: "space-bodied;" 3) ananta: "infinity;" 4) anatha: having "no master;" 5) anashrita: "independent;" 6) samana: "uniform, synchronous;" 7) unmana: "ecstatic, trans-mental." See: chakras above sahasrara, Naraka (also: individual chakra entries).

chalice: An ornate cup or goblet.

Chalukya: Indian dynasty (450 -- 1189) in the Punjab area.

Chhandogya Upanishad: One of the major Upanishads, it consists of eight chapters of the Chhandogya Brahmana of the Sama Veda. It teaches the origin and significance of Aum, the importance of the Sama Veda, the Self, meditation and life after death. See: Upanishad.

chandra: "The moon." Of central importance in Hindu astrology and in the calculation of the festival calendar. Considered the ruler of emotion.

chaos: Great disorder and confusion.

charya marga:See: charya pada.

charya pada: "Conduct stage." Stage of service and character building. See: pada, Saiva Siddhanta, Saivism.

chela: "Disciple." (Hindi.) A disciple of a guru; synonym for the Sanskrit shishya. The feminine equivalent is chelina or cheli.

Chellappan: Another name for Chellappaswami. See: Chellappaswami.

Chellappaswami: bry;yg;ghRthkp "Wealthy father." Reclusive siddha and 160th satguru (1840-1915) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. Lived on Sri Lanka's Jaffna peninsula near Nallur Kandaswami Temple in a small hut where today there is a small samadhi shrine. Among his disciples was Sage Yogaswami, whom he trained intensely for five years and initiated as his successor. See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha Sampradaya.

Chettiar: brl;oahh; The name of the merchant caste of South India and Sri Lanka.

Chidambaram: rpjk;guk; "Hall of Consciousness." A very famous South Indian Siva Nataraja temple. See: Nataraja.

chit: "Consciousness," or "awareness." Philosophically, pure awareness; transcendent consciousness, as in Sat-chit-ananda.In mundane usage, chit means "perception; consciousness." See: awareness, chitta, consciousness, mind (universal), sakshin.

chitta: "Mind; consciousness." Mind-stuff. On the personal level, it is that in which mental impressions and experiences are recorded. Seat of the conscious, subconscious and superconscious states. See: awareness, consciousness, mind (individual), mind (universal), sakshin.

Christ: See: Jesus Christ.

Christian: A follower of the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The second of the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Christian-Judaic: See: Judaic-Christian.

chronicle: A detailed, narrative report.

chyle: A milky fluid comprised of lymph and emulsified fat extracted from chyme during digestion and passed to the bloodstream through the thoracic duct.

chyme: The thick semifluid mass of partly digested food that is passed from the stomach to the duodenum.

citrine: A yellow-orange crystal; a light to moderate olive color.

clairaudience: "Clear-hearing." Psychic or divine hearing, divyashravana. The ability to hear the inner currents of the nervous system, the Aum and other mystic tones. Hearing in one's mind the words of inner-plane beings or earthly beings not physically present. Also, hearing the nadanadi shakti through the day or while in meditation. See: clairvoyance, extrasensory, ESP, nada, nada nadi shakti.

clairvoyance: "Clear-seeing." Psychic or divine sight, divyadrishti. The ability to look into the inner worlds and see auras, chakras, nadis, thought forms, non-physical people and subtle forces. See: akasha, extrasensory, ESP, clairaudience.

clear white light: See: light.

cliche: A much overused expression.

cloistered: Secluded, as in a monastery.

coexistent: Existing together in the same place or time.

cognition: Knowing; perception. Knowledge reached through intuitive, superconscious faculties rather than through intellect alone.

cognitive body: Vijnanamaya kosha. The most refined sheath of the astral, or subtle, body (sukshma sharira). It is the sheath of higher thought and cognition. See: astral body, kosha.

cognizant: Informed or aware of something.

cognizantability: The ability to perceive or become aware of knowledge through observation. A term coined by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in 1950.

cognize: Taking notice of something.

cohesive: Clinging together; not disintegrating.

component: An element; one of the parts constituting a whole.

comprehend: Understand; grasp.

comprehensive: Including much or all.

conceit: A regarding of oneself with often excessive favor. A high opinion of one's own abilities or worth. Also egoism or vanity.

conceive: To form or develop an idea, thought, belief or attitude.

concentration: Uninterrupted and sustained attention. See: raja yoga.

concept: An idea or thought, especially a generalized or abstract idea.

conception: Power to imagine, conceive or create. Moment when a pregnancy is begun, a new earthly body generated. -- the point of conception; the apex of creation: The simple instant that precedes any creative impulse and is therefore the source and summit of the powers of creation or manifestation. To become conscious of the point of conception is a great siddhi.

conclave: A secret or confidential meeting.

condemnation: Strong disapproval; severe reproof; strong censure.

confession: An admission, acknowledgement; as of guilt or wrongdoing.

confine(s): Boundary, limits, border. To restrict or keep within limits.

congeal: To solidify by, or as if by, freezing. To coagulate, jell.

congested: Overcrowded, overfilled, clogged.

conglomerate: A group of things put together.

conjure: Bring to mind, call up or evoke.

connotation: An idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing.

conscience: The inner sense of right and wrong, sometimes called "the knowing voice of the soul." However, the conscience is affected by the individual's training and belief patterns, and is therefore not necessarily a perfect reflection of dharma. It is the subconscious of the person -- the sum total of past impressions and training -- that defines the credal structure and colors the conscience and either clearly reflects or distorts superconscious wisdom. See: creed, dharma, mind (individual).

conscious mind: The external, everyday state of consciousness. See: mind.

consciousness: Chitta or chaitanya. 1) A synonym for mind-stuff, chitta; or 2) the condition or power of perception, awareness, apprehension. There are myriad gradations of consciousness, from the simple sentience of inanimate matter to the consciousness of basic life forms, to the higher consciousness of human embodiment, to omniscient states of superconsciousness, leading to immersion in the One universal consciousness, Parashakti. In writing "Cognizantability," 50 years ago, Gurudeva used the word consciousness to name man's individual awareness in most cases, whereas in later teachings he tended to use the word awareness to mean the same thing, and used consciousness to name the mind or intelligence within all living things. All-pervasive consciousness always means Satchidananda. One needs to know the context and time of the upadesha to make these subtle distinctions. Individual awareness names the soul's awareness that flows unattached through all states of mind. See: awareness, chitta, chaitanya, jagrat, sushupti, svapna, turiya, mind (all entries).

constituent: An element, piece, part or component.

construe: Explain the meaning of; interpret in a certain way.

contemplation: Religious or mystical absorption beyond meditation. See: raja yoga, samadhi.

contention: Striving in controversy or debate.

contentious: Likely to cause or involving intense debate; quarrelsome.

continuum: A continuous whole, quantity, or series; something whose parts cannot be separated or separately discerned.

conundrum: A paradoxical problem, riddle or mystery.

conveyance: A transfer of something; a vehicle.

cope: To contend with on equal terms. To face or deal with difficulties.

corollary: A natural consequence of effect.

cosmic: Universal; vast. Of or relating to the cosmos or entire universe.

Cosmic Soul: Purusha or Parameshvara. Primal Soul. The Universal Being; Personal God. See: Parameshvara, Primal Soul, purusha, Siva.

cranial chakras: The ajna, or third-eye center, and the sahasrara, at the top of the head near the pineal and pituitary glands. See: chakra.

cranium: The skull.

cranny: A small space, interstice, nook and cranny.

creation: The act of creating, especially bringing the world into ordered existence. Also, all of created existence, the cosmos. Creation, according to the monistic-theistic view, is an emanation or extension of God, the Creator. It is Himself in another form, and not inherently something other than Him. See: cause, damaru, tattva.

Creator: He who brings about creation.Siva as one of His five powers. See: creation, Nataraja, Parameshvara.

creed: Shraddhadharana. An authoritative formulation of the beliefs of a religion. See: conscience.

cremation: Dahana. Burning of the dead. Cremation is the traditional manner of disposing of bodily remains, having the positive effect of releasing the soul most quickly from any lingering attachment to the earth plane. Note that the remains of enlightened masters are sometimes buried or sealed in a special tomb called a samadhi. This is done in acknowledgement of the extraordinary attainment of such a soul, whose very body, having become holy, is revered as a sacred presence, sannidhya, and which not infrequently becomes the spiritual seed of a temple or place of pilgrimage. See: death, reincarnation.

crescendo: A gradual increase of force or intensity.

crevice: A narrow opening or crack.

crimson: A deep to vivid purplish red.

crown chakra: Sahasrara chakra. The thousand-petaled cranial center of divine consciousness. See: chakra, sahasrara chakra.

crux: The essential, deciding or difficult point. Latin "cross." Originally a mark indicating a difficult textual problem in books.

crypt: An underground vault or chamber, often used as a burial place.

crystal-gazing: An occult practice for divining the future by gazing into a crystal ball.

crystallize: To take on a definite, precise, and usually permanent form.

culminate: To bring to the highest point, to the greatest intensity, or to completion.

cumbersome: Difficult to handle due to weight or bulk.

cybernetics: The theoretical study of communication and control processes in biological, mechanical, and electronic systems, especially the comparison of these processes in biological and artificial systems.

cynical: Scornful of motives or integrity; skeptical of others' sincerity.

dakshina: A fee or honorarium to a priest given at the completion of any rite; also given to gurus as a token of appreciation for their spiritual blessings.

damaru: The thin-waisted rattle drum of Siva Nataraja. It is the symbol of Divine Creation, which begins with the soundless sound, paranada, whence arises the mantra Aum. See: Nataraja, Siva, Aum.

darshan (darshana): "Vision, sight." Seeing the Divine. Beholding, with inner or outer vision, a temple image, Deity, holy person or place, with the desire to inwardly contact and receive the grace and blessings of the venerated being or beings. Even beholding a photograph in the proper spirit is a form of darshana. Not only does the devotee seek to see the Divine, but to be seen as well, to stand humbly in the awakened gaze of the holy one, even if for an instant, such as in a crowded temple when thousands of worshipers file quickly past the enshrined Lord. Gods and gurus are thus said to "give" darshana, and devotees "take" darshana, with the eyes being the mystic locus through which energy is exchanged. This direct, personal two-sided apprehension is a central and highly sought-after experience of Hindu faith. Also: "point of view," doctrine or philosophy.

Dasakariyam: Ten spiritual experiences of the soul in its path toward liberation, as found in the University of Madras Tamil Lexicon. 1)Tattuvarupam: the cognition of the operation of the 36 tattvas; 2)Tattuvatarisanam: the realization that the 36 tattvas are the outcome of maya; 3)Tattuvasutti: the soul's experience of no longer being influenced by the 36 tattvas and knowing itself to be an entity different from them; 4)Anmarupam: the soul's discovery, when free of impurity, that its form is intelligence; 5) Anmatarisanam: the soul's perception that it cannot act independently of Siva; 6)Anmasutti: the soul's self-effacement and establishment in divine grace; 7)Sivarupam: the clear understanding that Siva, by His five gracious functions, cleanses the soul of the three malas and bestows liberation; 8)Sivatarisanam: the soul's cognition of its limitations and perception of the divine wisdom that, of its own accord, bestows grace; 9) Sivayogam: the soul's realization of the omnitude of Siva and setting itself in tune with Him without losing its individuality; 10)Sivapokam: the merger of the soul's individuality in Siva, the Supreme Being.

dauntless: Not intimidated or discouraged; fearless.

death: The soul's detaching itself from the physical body and continuing on in the subtle body (sukshma sharira) with the same desires, aspirations and activities as when it lived in a physical body. See: reincarnation, videhamukti.

deceit (deception): The act of representing as true what is known to be false. A dishonest action.

decipher: To read or interpret ambiguous, obscure, or illegible matter.

deduction: Drawing a conclusion through reasoning; the act of deducing.

defabricate: To take apart; disassemble.

difi: (Shum) The space aspect of the mind. The perspective of space travel, devas and Gods; inner communication. Pronounced dee-fee. See: Shum, Shum perspectives.

Deity: "God." Can refer either to the image or murti installed in a temple or to the Mahadeva the murti represents. See: puja.

delineate: To mark out, sketch; to describe.

delinquent: Failing to do what law or duty requires.

delude: To deceive, as by false promises or misleadings.

delusion: Moha. False belief, misconception.

demon: See: asura.

denote: To indicate, signify or refer to.

depolarize: To eliminate or counteract polarization. Bringing together that which is apart. -- Polarize: to separate into diametrically opposed often antagonistic groups, viewpoints, etc.

derogate: To take away.

Destroyer: Epithet of God Siva in His aspect of Rudra. See: Nataraja.

deterrent: Something that prevents or discourages action; frightens away.

detractor: One who takes away from the positive qualities of a group.

deva: "Shining one." A being inhabiting the higher astral plane, in a subtle, nonphysical body. Deva is also used in scripture to mean "God" or "Deity." See: Mahadeva.

Devaloka: "Plane of radiant beings." A synonym of Maharloka, the higher astral plane, realm of anahata chakra. See: loka.

Devi: "Goddess." A name of Shakti, used especially in Shaktism. See: Shakti, Shaktism.

Devikalottara Agama: One recension (version) of the Sardha Trishati Kalottara Agama,Also known as the Skanda Kalottara.Its 350 verses are in the form of a dialog between Karttikeya and Siva and deal with esoterics of mantras, initiations, right knowledge, faith and worship of Siva. See: Saiva Agamas.

devonic: Angelic, heavenly, spiritual. Of the nature of the higher worlds, in tune with the refined energies of the higher chakras or centers of consciousness. Of or relating to the devas. Implies that something is divinely guided. See: deva.

devotee: A person strongly dedicated to something or someone, such as to a God or a guru. The term disciple implies an even deeper commitment. See: bhakta, bhakti, guru bhakti.

devout: Strongly attached to religion or religious obligations. See: bhakti.

dharana: "Concentration." From dhri, "to hold." See: meditation, raja yoga.

dharma: From dhri, "to sustain; carry, hold." Hence dharma is "that which contains or upholds the cosmos." Dharma, religion, is a complex and comprehensive term with many meanings, including divine law, law of being, way of righteousness, ethics, duty, responsibility, virtue, justice, goodness and truth. Essentially, dharma is the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature or destiny. Relating to the soul, it is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path.

Dharmapura Aadheenam: A monastery and spiritual center in South India, established in the 16th century by Sri Guru Jnanasambandhar. This aadheenam preaches pluralistic Siddhanta, as opposed to monistic Siddhanta or monistic theism. See: aadheenam.

dhyana: "Meditation." See: internalized worship, meditation, raja yoga.

diabolical: Very wicked or cruel; devilish.

diametrically: Exactly opposite; contrary.

diaphragm: A muscular partition between the abdomen and chest cavity, instrumental in breathing.

diaphragmatic breathing: Deep regulated breathing from the diaphragm, at the solar plexus region, as opposed to the upper chest.

diksha: "Initiation." Solemn induction by which one is entered into a new realm of spiritual awareness and practice by a teacher or preceptor through the transmission of blessings. Denotes initial or deepened connection with the teacher and his lineage and is usually accompanied by ceremony. Initiation, revered as a moment of awakening, may be conferred by a touch, a word, a look or a thought. See: grace, shaktipata.

diligent: Painstaking, careful and constant in effort.

diplomacy: Tact and skill in dealing with people.

dipolar: Relating to two poles instead of only one. A philosophy is said to be dipolar when it embraces both of two contradictory (or apparently contradictory) propositions, concepts, tendencies, etc. Instead of saying "it is either this or that," a dipolar position says "it is both this and that." See: dvaita-advaita.

discern: To distinguish, discriminate and make balanced judgments.

discrimination: Viveka. Act or ability to distinguish or perceive differences. In spirituality, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, real and apparent, eternal and transient, as in the Upanishadic maxim, Neti, neti, "It is not this, it is not that." See: conscience.

disdain: Regard or treat as beneath one's dignity, as being unworthy.

disincarnate: Having no physical body; of the astral plane; astral beings. See: astral body, astral plane.

dispatch: To send off promptly, especially on an errand. To finish quickly.

dispel: To scatter. To rid one's mind of. To drive away or off.

dissertation: A lengthy, thorough, formal treatment of a subject in writing or speech; a thesis.

dissidence: Disagreement; dissent.

dissipate: Here, to let loose more than often the vital sexual energies, which must be transmuted in order to make progress in spiritual life. Dissipation occurs through excessive talk, and through loss of the vital fluids, such as through masturbation or excessive intercourse only for pleasure, with no intention of conceiving a child. In one explanation of ancient India's caste system, strength -- mental, emotional and physical as well as spiritual -- is directly related to the frequency of orgasms. A shudra (laborer), releases his sexual energies daily and thus drains his brain. The vaishya (businessman) has sex weekly, as his energies are caught up in the mental activities of his business. The kshatriya (politician, defender of the country), engaged in statesmanship, martial arts, horsemanship, developing mind and body, expends his energies but monthly. The brahmin (priestly caste) has sexual union yearly, and only for the creation of a child. His energies are transmuted in his Sanskrit chanting, daily rituals and high-minded activities of all kind to uplift humanity. Thus, dissipation is on many levels and creates many kinds of people, according to the four levels of consciousness. See: ojas, tejas, yoni, actinic, actinodic, odic, transmutation.

dissolution: Dissolving or breaking up into parts. An alternative term for destruction. See: mahapralaya, Nataraja.

distort: To twist out of shape. To misrepresent.

divest: To strip of, deprive or rid of something.

Divine: Godlike; supremely good or beautiful.

Divinity: A God, or Deity. Also the spirituality or holiness that pervades the universe and is most easily felt in the presence of a holy man or in a temple.

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid. A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix. The sequence of nucleotides determines individual hereditary characteristics.

dogma: An authoritative principle, belief, or statement of ideas or opinion, especially one considered to be absolutely true.

dominion: Rulership; domain; sway.

doordarshan (durdarshana): "Vision from afar." Hindi for television.

door of Brahman: Brahmarandhra, also called nirvana chakra. A subtle or esoteric aperture in the crown of the head, the opening of sushumna nadi through which kundalini enters in ultimate Self Realization, and the spirit escapes at death. Only the spirits of the truly pure leave the body in this way. Samsaris take a downward course. See: jnana, kundalini, videhamukti.

dosha: "Bodily humor; individual constitution." The three bodily humors, which according to ayurveda regulate the body, govern its proper functioning and determine its unique constitution. These are vata, the air humor; pitta, the fire humor; and kapha, the water humor. Vata humor is metabolic, nerve energy. Pitta is the catabolic, fire energy. Kapha is the anabolic, nutritive energy. The three doshas (tridosha) also give rise to the various emotions and correspond to the three gunas, "qualities:" sattva (quiescence -- vata), rajas (activity -- pitta) and tamas (inertia -- kapha). See: ayurveda, kapha, pitta, vata.

Dravidian: The term used here to name the monastic communities of the Dvapara and Kali Yugas. In modern times it refers to the various Caucasoid peoples of southern India and northern Sri Lanka. From the Sanskrit Dravida, of which it is believed the original form was Dramid(or Dramil), which meant "sweet" or "good natured," and is the source of the word Tamil, naming the Dravidian people of South India and Sri Lanka and their language.

dreamologist: One who studies and interprets dreams (a coined word).

dross: Rubbish, waste matter; a useless byproduct.

Druidism: Beliefs of members of an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain who appear in Welsh and Irish legend as prophets and sorcerers.

dual: Having or composed of two parts or kinds.

dualism: See: dvaita-advaita.

duality: A state or condition of being dual.

ductless glands: The endocrine glands which release hormones to regulate many functions of the body.

dvaita-advaita: "Dual-nondual; twoness-not twoness." Among the most important categories in the classification of Hindu philosophies. Dvaita and advaita define two ends of a vast spectrum. -- dvaita: The doctrine of dualism, according to which reality is ultimately composed of two irreducible principles, entities, truths, etc. God and soul, for example, are seen as eternally separate. -- dualistic: Of or relating to dualism, concepts, writings, theories which treat dualities (good-and-evil, high-and-low, them-and-us) as fixed, rather than transcendable. -- pluralism: A form of non-monism which emphasizes three or more eternally separate realities, e.g., God, soul and world. -- advaita: The doctrine of nondualism or monism, that reality is ultimately composed of one whole principle, substance or God, with no independent parts. In essence, all is God. -- monistic theism: A dipolar view which encompasses both monism and dualism. See: monistic theism, pluralistic realism.

Dvaita Siddhanta: "Dualistic final conclusions." Schools of Saiva Siddhanta that postulate God, soul and world are three eternally distinct and separate realities. See: Pati-pashu-pasha, Saiva Siddhanta.

ebb: A period of flow back, decline, or recession.

eccentric: Different from the recognized norm; unusual; queer.

ecstasy (ecstatic): State of being overtaken by emotion such as joy or wonder. Literally, "standing outside (oneself)." See: enstasy, raja yoga, samadhi.

edict: A formal command by an authority.

efficacious: Producing or capable of producing the desired effect.

efficient cause: Nimitta karana. That which directly produces the effect; that which conceives, makes, shapes, etc. See: cause.

effulgent: Bright, radiant; emitting its own light.

ego: The external personality or sense of "I" and "mine." Broadly, individual identity. In Saiva Siddhanta and other schools, the ego is equated with the tattva of ahamkara, "I-maker," which bestows the sense of I-ness, individuality and separateness from God. See: ahamkara, anava mala.

egocentric: Placing one's own ego in the center of all values and experiences.

egoism: A preponderance of self-interest, self-preservation and self-indulgence.

egoity: Ahamkara. Self-interest, selfishness. See: anava mala, mind (individual), ahamkara.

egotist: One who is selfish, conceited or boastful.

egregious: Bad or offensive. Standing out of the norm.

elation: Exultant joy, high spirits, gladness.

eloquent: Fluent, forceful, graceful and persuasive speech or writing.

elucidate: Explain, clarify or make clear.

elucidation: A clear or plain explanation; clarification.

elusive: Tending to escape one's grasp or understanding. Hard to capture.

emanation: "Flowing out from." Abhasa. Shining forth from a source, emission or issuing from. A monistic doctrine of creation whereby God issues forth manifestation like rays from the sun or sparks from a fire.

emancipator: That which, or one who, liberates.

embalming: The process of treating a dead body with various chemicals to prevent it from decaying rapidly. See: cremation.

embellishment: A decoration; beautification.

eminent: High; above others in stature, rank or achievement. Renowned or distinguished; prominent, conspicuous. Not to be confused with: 1) imminent, about to happen; 2) emanate, to issue from; 3) immanent, inherent or indwelling.

emit: To send out matter, energy or light.

emote: To express emotion.

emotional body: See: manomaya kosha.

emulate: To imitate. To attempt to equal or surpass someone, generally by copying his ways, talents or successes.

encase: To cover completely; to enclose; to envelop.

encasement: A covering or enclosure; an envelopment.

encompass: To surround or encircle; to include.

encumber: To put burden as with a heavy load.

encumbrance: A burden or impediment.

endearment: An expression of affection.

endocrine: Of or relating to endocrine glands (the "ductless glands") or the hormones secreted by them.

enlightened: Having attained enlightenment, Self Realization. A jnani or jivanmukta. See: jivanmukta, jnana, Self Realization.

enlightenment: For Saiva monists, Self Realization, samadhi without seed (nirvikalpa samadhi); the ultimate attainment, sometimes referred to as Paramatma darshana, or as atma darshana, "Self vision" (a term which appears in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras). Enlightenment is the experience/nonexperience resulting in the realization of one's transcendent Self, Parasiva, which exists beyond time, form and space. Each tradition has its own understanding of enlightenment, often indicated by unique terms. See: enstasy, God Realization, kundalini, nirvikalpa samadhi, Self Realization.

en masse: In a mass; as a whole; all together; in great numbers.

enmesh: To entangle or catch as if in a net.

enstasy: A term coined in 1969 by Mircea Eliade to contrast the Eastern view of bliss as "standing inside oneself" (enstasy) with the Western view as ecstasy, "standing outside oneself." A word chosen as the English equivalent of samadhi. See: ecstasy, samadhi, raja yoga.

ensuing: Following as a result of something.

enthrall: To hold in a spell; captivate; fascinate.

eon: Also aeon. An indefinitely long period; an age.

epigastric: The upper middle region of the abdomen.

epistle: A formal letter.

equivocal: Uncertain; undecided; doubtful.

eradicate: To "root out," destroy, get rid of.

err: To make a mistake or an error.

errant: Straying from the proper course; distracted.

erroneous: Containing or based on error; wrong.

erroneously: Adverb form of erroneous: containing or deriving from error; mistaken.

erudite: Possessing wide knowledge; learned, scholarly.

escalate: To increase, enlarge, or intensify.

eschew: To shun, avoid, stay away from.

esoteric: Hard to understand or secret. Teaching intended for a chosen few, as an inner group of initiates. Abstruse or private.

ESP: "Extra Sensory Perception." Communication or perception by means other than physical. See: clairvoyance, clairaudience, extrasensory.

essence (essential): The most important, ultimate, real and unchanging nature of a thing or being. -- essence of the soul: See: atman, soul.

eternity: Time without beginning or end.

ether: Akasha. Space, the most subtle of the five elements. See: akasha, tattva.

ethereal: Highly refined, light, invisible.

etheric: Having to do with ether or space.

ethics: The code or system of morals of a nation, people, philosophy, religion. See: dharma, yama-niyama.

ethnic: Pertaining to, or designating a large group or groups of people with the same culture, race, religion, or national heritage.

etymology: The science of the origin of words and their signification. The history of a word. See: Sanskrit.

evanescent: Vanishing, or likely to vanish like vapor.

eve: Evening; the day or night before something.

evil: That which is bad, morally wrong, causing misery. See: hell, karma.

evolution of the soul: Adhyatma prasara. In Saiva Siddhanta, the soul's evolution is a progressive unfoldment, growth and maturing toward its inherent, divine destiny, which is complete merger with Siva. This occurs in three stages, or avasthas. In its essence, each soul is ever perfect. But as an individual soul body emanated by God Siva, it is like a small seed yet to develop. As an acorn needs to be planted in the dark underground to grow into a mighty oak tree, so must the soul unfold out of the darkness of the malas to full maturity and realization of its innate oneness with God. The soul is not created at the moment of conception of a physical body. Rather, it is created in the Sivaloka. It evolves by taking on denser and denser sheaths -- cognitive, instinctive-intellectual and pranic -- until finally it takes birth in physical form in the Bhuloka. Then it experiences many lives, maturing through the reincarnation process. Thus, from birth to birth, souls learn and mature. Evolution is the result of experience and the lessons derived from it. There are young souls just beginning to evolve and old souls nearing the end of their earthly sojourn. In Saiva Siddhanta, evolution is understood as the removal of fetters which comes as a natural unfoldment, realization and expression of one's true, self-effulgent nature. This ripening or dropping away of the soul's bonds (mala) is called malaparipakam. The realization of the soul nature is termed svanubhuti (experience of the Self). Self Realization leads to moksha, liberation from the three malas and the reincarnation cycles. Then evolution continues in the celestial worlds until the soul finally merges fully and indistinguishably into Supreme God Siva, the Primal Soul, Parameshvara. In his Tirumantiram, Rishi Tirumular calls this merger vishvagrasa, "total absorption." See: mala, moksha, reincarnation, samsara, vishvagrasa.

ewe: A female sheep.

exalt: To praise highly or honor.

exhalation: Letting air out, especially from the lungs.

exhilaration: The state of being stimulated, refreshed or extremely happy.

exiled: Forceably sent out of one's native country.

existence: "Coming or standing forth." Being; reality; that which is.

existentialism: A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

existentialist: Pertaining to, or one who believes in existentialism. See: existentialism.

experience: From the Latin experior, "to prove; put to the test." Living through an event; personal involvement. In Sanskrit, anubhava.

explicitly: Openly stated, leaving nothing hidden or implied; distinctly expressed.

expound: To explain or clarify, point by point.

exquisite: Elaborate, delicate or beautiful.

extol: "Raise up;" "lift up." To praise highly.

extraneous: Not pertinent; placed outside; superfluous.

extrasensory: Beyond the five senses, especially psychic perception such as seeing or hearing at a distance. See: clairvoyance, clairaudience, ESP.

extroverted: Interested in things outside of one's self.

exuberant: Full of unrestrained enthusiasm or joy.

fachade: A front (of a building). Often a deceptive, artificial appearance.

facet: One of numerous aspects of a subject, concept or idea.

facial: Having to do with the face.

fad: A fashion followed with great enthusiasm for a short period of time.

fallacious: Containing or based on a false concept.

fallacy: An incorrect understanding; misconception.

falter: To be unsteady in purpose or action; waver.

fanatical: Excessively or irrationally devoted to a cause; overly zealous.

fathom: To ascertain the depth of; to get to the bottom; to understand.

ferret: To uncover or understand by searching.

fervent: Showing great warmth of feeling; ardent; passionate, enthusiastic.

fervor: Intense warmth of emotion; ardor, passion

fetter: A chain or shackle for the ankles or feet. Something that serves to restrict; a restraint. In Saiva Siddhanta philosophy, specifically a translation of pasha, the triple bonds of anava, karma and maya. See: anava, karma, maya.

feud: A bitter, often prolonged quarrel or state of enmity and opposition.

finicky: Too careful about particulars. Fussy; fastidious; difficult to please.

finite: Having an ending.

First World: The physical universe, called Bhuloka, of gross or material substance in which phenomena are perceived by the five senses. See: loka.

fizzle: To fail or end weakly (colloquial).

flamboyant: Elaborately colored; showy; outrageous.

fluctuate: To flow, move, change back and forth.

fluent: Flowing easily and smoothly, especially of speaking and writing.

flux: Continuous flowing movement or change.

foible: A minor weakness or character flaw.

forbearance: Self-control; responding with patience and compassion, especially under provocation. Endurance; tolerance. See: yama-niyama.

force field: A region of space through which a force, for example, an electric current, is operative. Here the term is used in reference to psychic energies, both positive and negative, that are generated by the emotions, the mind, the higher or lower chakras or emanate from the inner higher or lower worlds. Positive psychic force fields, such as those surrounding and protecting a temple, an ashrama or harmonious home, are built up by worship, invoking of the Deities, sadhana, tapas and disciplined living, attracting divine spirits, or devas. Negative force fields, such as found in the worst areas of a city or within an inharmonious home, are built up by anger, violence, lust and outbursts of such lower emotions, attracting evil spirits, or asuras. See: odic, actinic, prana.

foreboding: A sense of impending danger or evil.

forged: Given form or shape (originally of metal by heating and hammering).

formless: Philosophically, atattva, beyond the realm of form or substance. Used in attempting to describe the wondersome, indescribable Absolute, which is "timeless, formless and spaceless." God Siva has form and is formless. He is the immanent Pure Consciousness or pure form. He is the Personal Lord manifesting as innumerable forms; and He is the impersonal, transcendent Absolute beyond all form. Thus we know Siva in three perfections, two of form and one formless. See: Parasiva, Satchidananda.

forsake: To abandon, give up or renounce.

forsooth: In truth; indeed.

frank: Open, undisguised; blunt, straightforward.

fretful: Irritated, disturbed, worried or troubled.

fringe: A decorative border or edging, or something that resembles a border.

fruition: The bearing of fruit. The coming to fulfillment of something that has been awaited or worked for.

gait: Manner of moving on foot, walking or running; the stride or way(s) of movement of a horse or other four-legged animal.

gamut: A complete musical scale. Hence a complete range, spread or extent of anything.

gana(s): "Throng, troop; retinue; a body of followers or attendants." A retinue of demigods -- God Siva's attendants, devonic helpers under the supervision of Lord Ganesha. See: Ganapati, Ganesha.

Ganapati: "Leader of the ganas." A surname of Ganesha.

gandharvas: Astral male lovers, counterparts to the female apsara, mentioned in the Vedas. See: apsara.

Ganesha: "Lord of Categories." (From gan, "to count or reckon," and Isha, "lord.") Or: "Lord of attendants (gana)," synonymous with Ganapati. Ganesha is a Mahadeva, the beloved elephant-faced Deity honored by Hindus of every sect. He is the Lord of Obstacles (Vighneshvara), revered for His great wisdom and invoked first before any undertaking, for He knows all intricacies of each soul's karma and the perfect path of dharma that makes action successful. He sits on the muladhara chakra and is easy of access. See: gana, Ganapati, Mahadeva.

Ganga Shadhana:A practice for unburdening the mind, performed by releasing the energy of unwanted thoughts. An internal cleansing sadhana of sitting quietly by a river or stream and listening to the Aum sound as the water flows over the rocks. When a thought arises, it is mentally placed into a leaf held in the right hand, then gently tossed into the water. Then a flower is offered to thank the water for carrying away the thought. This is a subconscious cleansing process of letting go of hurts, anger, problems or whatever it is that rises in the mind to disturb the meditation.

Ganges (Ganga): India's most sacred river, 1,557 miles long, arising in the Himalayas above Haridwar under the name Bhagiratha, and being named Ganga after joining the Alakanada (where the Sarasvati is said to join them underground). It flows southeast across the densely populated Gangetic plain, joining its sister Yamuna (or Jumna) at Prayaga (Allahabad) and ending at the Bay of Bengal.

ganglia: Groups of nerve cells that form a nerve center outside of the brain or spinal cord. A center of power, activity, or energy. (Singular: ganglion). See chakra.

ganglionic: Referring to the ganglion.

Garuda: The king of birds. The celestial vehicle (vahana) of Lord Vishnu.

gauntlet: A medieval knight's glove thrown down in a challenge, as to a fight. Hence "throwing down the gauntlet" means to challenge or provoke.

Gayatri Mantra: Famous Vedic mantra used in puja and personal chanting. Om [bhur bhuvah svah] tat savitur varenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. "[O Divine Beings of all three worlds,] we meditate upon the glorious splendor of the Vivifier divine. May He illumine our minds."

genial: Having a pleasant, easy-going or friendly disposition or manner.

gestation: The period of time between conception and birth; pregnancy.

girt: To gird, surround.

gist: The central idea; the essence.

glorify: To give glory, honor, or high praise to; exalt.

God Realization: Direct and personal experience of the Divine within oneself. It can refer to: 1) savikalpa samadhi ("enstasy with form") in its various levels, from the experience of inner light to the realization of Satchidananda, the pure consciousness or primal substance flowing through all form, or 2) nirvikalpa samadhi ("enstasy without form"), union with the transcendent Absolute, Parasiva, the Self God, beyond time, form and space. In Merging with Siva, the expression God Realization may name either of the above samadhis, whereas Self Realization refers only to nirvikalpa samadhi. See: raja yoga, samadhi, Self Realization.

Gods: Mahadevas, "great beings of light." In Merging with Siva, the plural of God refers to extremely advanced beings existing in their self-effulgent soul bodies in the causal plane. The meaning of Gods is best seen in the phrase, "God and the Gods," referring to the Supreme God -- Siva -- and the Mahadevas who are His creation. See: Mahadeva.

Gorakhnath Saivism (Gorakshanatha Saivism): One of the six schools of Saivism, also called Siddha Siddhanta. See: Siddha Siddhanta, siddha yoga.

Gorakshanatha (Gorakshanatha): A renowned siddha yoga master of the Adinatha Sampradaya (ca 950). Expounder and foremost guru of Siddha Siddhanta Saivism, he traveled and extolled the greatness of Siva throughout North India and Nepal where he and his guru, Matsyendranatha, are still highly revered.See: hatha yoga, Siddha Siddhanta, Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati.

gorgeous: Dazzlingly beautiful or magnificent.

grace: "Benevolence, love, giving," from the Latin gratia, "favor," "goodwill." God's power of revealment, anugraha shakti ("kindness, showing favor"), by which souls are awakened to their true, Divine nature. Grace in the unripe stages of the spiritual journey is experienced by the devotee as receiving gifts or boons, often unbidden, from God. The mature soul finds himself surrounded by grace. He sees all of God's actions as grace, whether they be seemingly pleasant and helpful or not. See: prapatti, shaktipata.

grandeur: Greatness, magnificence; of lofty character; sublime nobility.

gratification: Indulging in what is desired.

grating: Irritating or annoying.

graven image: Sculpted or carved statue of God or a God, a derogatory term from the English Bible translation.

grihastha: "Householder." Family man or woman. Family of a married couple and other relatives. Pertaining to family life. The purely masculine form of the word is grihasthin, and the feminine grihasthi. Grihasthi also names the home itself. See: ashrama dharma, grihastha dharma.

grihastha ashrama: "Householder stage." See: ashrama dharma.

grihastha dharma: "Householder law." The virtues and ideals of family life. See: ashrama dharma.

Grim Reaper: Personification of death in Western tradition, a hooded, black-robed skeleton figure carrying a scythe to cut down lives.

gross: Dense, coarse, unrefined, crude; carnal, sensual; lacking sensitivity.

Guha: An epithet of Karttikeya. "The interior one." -- guha: "Cave." See: Karttikeya.

Guhavasi Siddha (Guhavasi): A guru of central India (ca 675) credited with the re-founding of Saiva Siddhanta in that area, based fully in Sanskrit. Guhavasi -- literally "cave-dweller; he who is hidden," or "mysterious" -- is also an epithet of Lord Siva.

guile: Treacherous cunning; crafty deceit.

gulika kala: An auspicious period of time (about 90 minutes) which occurs at a different time each day according to the astrological configuration indicated on the panchanga calendar.

guru: "Weighty one," indicating an authority of great knowledge or skill. A title for a teacher or guide in any subject, such as music, dance, sculpture, but especially religion. See: guru-shishya system, satguru.

guru bhakti: Devotion to the teacher. The attitude of humility, love and ideation held by a student in any field of study. In the spiritual realm, the devotee strives to see the guru as his higher Self. By attuning himself to the satguru's inner nature and wisdom, the disciple slowly transforms his own nature to ultimately attain the same peace and enlightenment his guru has achieved. Guru bhakti is expressed through serving the guru, meditating on his form, working closely with his mind and obeying his instructions. See: guru, satguru, guru-shishya system, Kularnava Tantra.

Gurudeva: "Divine" or "radiant preceptor." An affectionate, respectful title for the guru. See: guru.

guru mahasannidhanam:Spiritual head of a traditional aadheenam. See: aadheenakartar.

guru parampara: "Preceptorial succession" (literally, "from one teacher to another"). A line of spiritual gurus in authentic succession of initiation; the chain of mystical power and authorized continuity, passed from guru to guru. See: sampradaya.

Guru Purnima: Occurring on the full moon of July, Guru Purnima is for devotees a day of rededication to all that the guru represents. It is occasioned by padapuja -- ceremonial worship of the guru's sandals, which represent his holy feet. See: guru-shishya system.

guru-shishya system: "Master-disciple" system. An important educational system of Hinduism whereby the teacher conveys his knowledge and tradition to a student. Such knowledge, whether it be Vedic-Agamic art, architecture or spirituality, is imparted through the developing relationship between guru and disciple. See: guru, guru bhakti, satguru.

gust: A short but strong blast of wind; an outburst.

hallowed: Sanctified; consecrated. Highly venerated; sacrosanct.

halo: A luminous ring or disk of light surrounding the heads of great spiritual teachers. An aura. See: aura.

hamper: To prevent progress, or free movement.

Hanuman: (Hindi) "Large jawed." The powerful monkey God-King of the epic, Ramayana, and the central figure in the famous drama, Hanuman-Nataka. The perfect devoted servant to his master, Rama, this popular Deity is the epitome of dasya bhakti.

haphazard: Dependent on mere chance; casual.

Happy Hunting Grounds: In the Native American beliefs, the place where the deceased go after death.

harken: To listen attentively; give heed.

harmonize: To bring about agreement or harmony.

hasten: To move or act swiftly. To hurry, speed up.

hasty: Done or made too quickly to be accurate or wise; rash.

hatha yoga: "Forceful yoga." A system of physical and mental exercise developed in ancient times as a means of rejuvenation by rishis and tapasvins who meditated for long hours, and used today in preparing the body and mind for meditation. In the West, hatha yoga has been superficially adopted as a health-promoting, limbering, stress-reducing form of exercise, often included in aerobic routines. Esoterically, ha and tha, respectively, indicate the microcosmic sun (ha) and moon (tha), which symbolize the masculine current, pingala nadi, and feminine current, ida nadi, in the human body. See: asana, kundalini, nadi, yoga, raja yoga.

havana: "fire pit for sacred offering; making oblations through fire." Same as homa. Havis and havya name the offerings. See: homa, yajna.

haven: A harbor. Metaphorically a place of rest or refuge; a sanctuary.

havoc: Widespread destruction, disorder, or chaos.

hazy: Cloudy. Not clearly defined; unclear or vague.

heart chakra: Anahata chakra. Center of direct cognition. See: chakra.

heaven: The celestial spheres, including the causal plane and the higher realms of the subtle plane, where souls rest and learn between births, and mature souls continue to evolve after moksha. Heaven is often used by translators as an equivalent to the Sanskrit svarga. See: loka.

heed: To pay close attention to; take careful notice of.

heinous: Grossly wicked or reprehensible; abominable.

hell: Naraka.An unhappy, mentally and emotionally congested, distressful area of consciousness. Hell is a state of mind that can be experienced on the physical plane or in the sub-astral plane (Naraka) after death of the physical body. It is accompanied by the tormented emotions of hatred, remorse, resentment, fear, jealousy and self-condemnation. However, in the Hindu view, the hellish experience is not permanent, but a temporary condition of one's own making. See: asura, loka, Naraka.

hence: "From here." For this reason; therefore.

herald: One that gives an announcement or indication of something to come; a harbinger.

heritage: A tradition passed down from preceding generations as an inheritance.

hermit: One withdrawn from society, living a solitary life; an anchorite.

hierarchy: A group of beings arranged in order of rank or class; as a hierarchy of God, Gods and devas.

higher nature, lower nature: Expressions indicating man's refined, soulful qualities on the one hand, and his base, instinctive qualities on the other. See: kosha, mind (five states), soul.

Himalayan Academy: An educational and publishing institution of Saiva Siddhanta Church founded by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in 1957. The Academy's objective is to share the teachings of Sanatana Dharma -- through the Master Course Trilogy, travel-study programs, HINDUISM TODAY magazine and other publications -- as a public service to Hindus worldwide. See: Hinduism Today, Subramuniyaswami.

Himalayas (Himalayas): "Abode of snow." The mountain system extending along the India-Tibet border and through Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan.

himsa: "Injury;" "harm;" "hurt." Injuriousness, hostility -- mental, verbal or physical. See: ahimsa.

Hindu: A follower of, or relating to, Hinduism. Generally, one is understood to be a Hindu by being born into a Hindu family and practicing the faith, or by professing oneself a Hindu. Acceptance into the fold is recognized through the name-giving sacrament, a temple ceremony called namakarana samskara, given to born Hindus shortly after birth, and to self-declared Hindus who have proven their sincerity and been accepted by a Hindu community. Full conversion is completed through disavowal of previous religious affiliations and legal change of name. While traditions vary greatly, all Hindus rely on the Vedas as scriptural authority and generally attest to the following nine principles: 1) There exists a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both creator and unmanifest Reality. 2) The universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. 3) All souls are evolving toward God and will ultimately find moksha: spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny.4)Karma is the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. 5) The soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved. 6) Divine beings exist in unseen worlds, and temple worship, rituals, sacraments, as well as personal devotionals, create a communion with these devas and Gods. 7)A spiritually awakened master or satguru is essential to know the transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, self-inquiry and meditation. 8) All life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore one should practice ahimsa, nonviolence. 9) No particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others. Rather, all genuine religious paths are facets of God's pure love and light, deserving tolerance and understanding. See: Hinduism.

Hinduism (Hindu Dharma): India's indigenous religious and cultural system, followed today by nearly one billion adherents, mostly in India, but with large diaspora in many other countries. Also called Sanatana Dharma (Eternal religion) and Vaidika Dharma (Religion of the Vedas.) Hinduism is the world's most ancient religion and encompasses a broad spectrum of philosophies ranging from pluralistic theism to absolute monism. It is a family of myriad faiths with four primary denominations: Saivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. These four hold such divergent beliefs that each is a complete and independent religion. Yet, they share a vast heritage of culture and belief -- karma, dharma, reincarnation, all-pervasive Divinity, temple worship, sacraments, manifold Deities, the guru-shishya tradition and a reliance on the Vedas as scriptural authority. From the rich soil of Hinduism long ago sprang various other traditions. Among these were Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, which rejected the Vedas and thus emerged as completely distinct religions, dissociated from Hinduism, while still sharing many philosophical insights and cultural values with their parent faith. See: Hindu.

Hinduism Today: The Hindu family magazine founded by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in 1979 and published by Himalayan Academy to affirm Sanatana Dharma and record the modern history of a billion-strong global religion in renaissance. This award-winning, lavishly illustrated, all color, computer-produced news and information resource reaches thousands of readers in over 150 countries throughout the world. See: Himalayan Academy.

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