Glossary
The words of the tradition, in plain English.
A working reference for the Sanskrit and Hindi terms that recur across these texts, sorted A to Z by their English spelling. 965 terms in all: twenty-two key words first, each with its context and a verse to read it in, then every term with a one-line meaning. On the Hindi pages these same words show their meaning when you touch them; here they are gathered for looking up.
Twenty-two key words
A short list of the words that recur in the Bhagavad Gita, the Kena and Katha Upanishads, and the stories of the Yoga Vasistha, the words those texts lean their weight on. Each carries its root meaning, a little context, and a verse or two to read it in.
adhyatma“pertaining to the self”
Whatever belongs to the self, the awareness that lives within each being. The prefix adhi means “concerning”, so adhyatma names everything that happens at the level of the self. The Upanishads often lay out three parallel frames side by side: adhidaiva, the level of the gods; adhibhuta, the level of the elements; and adhyatma, the level of the self.
amrita“that which does not die”
A plus mrita, “not dead”: deathless, immortal. The word reaches past the plain idea of a body that never dies, toward the state in which the very wheel of birth and death is broken. The highest goal the Upanishads hold out.
See: Katha 1.2.18, Kena 2.4
avyakta“the unmanifest”
Root nature, which is itself unmanifest and from which everything emerges. A basic word of Samkhya philosophy that appears in both the Katha Upanishad and the Gita. Think of it as possibility held in seed form: it has taken no shape yet, and every shape comes out of it.
See: Katha 1.3.11
karma“action, deed”
Literally “that which is done”. In Indian philosophy the word carries three meanings: (1) any action at all, (2) the unseen impression an action leaves, which shapes what comes later, and (3) in the setting of rebirth, the whole account of past actions. The Gita’s real subject is how to act so that action does not bind.
guha“cave”
Literally “cave”. In the Upanishads it always points to the inner space of the heart. When the self is said to “dwell in the cave”, the meaning is the deepest and stillest place, where outer commotion never reaches.
See: Katha 1.2.12, 1.3.1
tapas“heat, glow”
Literally “heat”: the inner heat that discipline builds. Tapasya means holding oneself to some hard rule so that the seeker’s inner energy grows. Its true form lies in the practice of discernment and restraint, with bodily hardship at most a servant of that aim.
See: Kena 4.8
dama“restraint”
Mastery of the senses: holding the five senses of knowing (eye, ear, nose, tongue, skin) back from running after their objects. Tapas and dama travel together; tapas is the heat within, and dama the firm hand on what goes out.
See: Kena 4.8
dhira“steady, patient”
One who is settled and steady and acts with patience. The Upanishads speak again and again of the dhira, the person who moves by reflection. The opposite of dhira is manda, the dull one caught in the pleasure of the moment.
See: Katha 1.2.2, Kena 1.2
dharma“that which upholds”
From the root dhri, “to hold, to bear”. Dharma is what holds a life together and keeps it standing. No single English word carries it; by context it can mean duty, morality, inner nature, the path of truth, or law. In the Gita it works on several levels at once.
purusha“person, self”
A word with many layers. In ordinary speech, “a person”. In philosophy, “consciousness”. In Samkhya, the conscious principle set apart from unmanifest nature. The Upanishads often use the image of “the purusha the size of a thumb, seated in the heart”, meaning the self.
See: Katha 1.3.11, 2.1.12
preya“the pleasant”
Whatever feels good right now and gives quick pleasure: sweet food, a tasty drink, comfort. Such things do no wrong in themselves; the error lies in mistaking them for shreya. This is the first lesson of the Katha Upanishad.
See: Katha 1.2.1-2
prana“life force, breath”
Literally “breath”: the force that keeps life moving. Five pranas are counted: prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana, the five works of the breath.
See: Katha 2.2.3-5
brahman“vastness”
From the root brih, “to expand”. Brahman is the supreme reality in which everything exists, and it need not be pictured as a personal god. In the Upanishads it is the ground of all: everything came from brahman, rests in brahman, and will return to brahman.
bhakti“sharing, portion, devotion”
From the root bhaj, “to share, to serve”. Bhakti is giving oneself over to another, sharing one’s whole being in devotion. The Gita offers three paths, action, knowledge and devotion, and calls devotion the easiest, since it asks for the least intellectual preparation.
manana“reflection”
Thinking deeply about what one has heard. The Upanishads name three stages of learning: shravana (hearing), manana (reflecting) and nididhyasana (meditating). What is heard stays incomplete until it has been reflected upon.
moksha“release”
From the root much, “to let go, to be freed”: release from the wheel of worldly life. It is a state, and it can be reached while the body still lives; this is called jivanmukti. Katha 2.3.14 says that when every desire lodged in the heart falls away, the mortal becomes immortal here and now.
See: Katha 2.3.14
yaksha“a mysterious presence”
A divine being whose form cannot be made out. In the Kena Upanishad brahman appears before the gods as a yaksha, so that they fail to recognize it. Its identity is hidden on purpose.
See: Kena, part 3
yoga“joining, discipline”
From the root yuj, “to join”: literally, making two things one. The Katha Upanishad gives its first clear definition: “When the five senses come to rest together with the mind, and the intellect too does not stir, that is called yoga.” Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras stand on this ground.
See: Katha 2.3.10-11
shraddha“deep trust”
A little different from belief. Shraddha is the inner leaning that joins inquiry and devotion. Shraddha “entered” Nachiketa: a sharp awakening that came together with trust. Learning without shraddha stays on the surface.
See: Katha 1.1.2
shreya“that which brings the good”
What is good in the long run, what brings true welfare. It often feels hard in the moment: discipline, telling the truth, steady work are all shreya. The opposite of preya. The first practical lesson of the Katha Upanishad.
See: Katha 1.2.1-2
sadhana“the means”
Regular practice undertaken toward a goal. Meditation, mantra repetition, sacrifice, self-study and service are all forms of sadhana. The word sadhaka, the practitioner, comes from it.
satya“that which is”
From sat, “being”. Satya is what truly is, whose existence never breaks. The Kena says that “truth is the dwelling of the Upanishad”, meaning this knowledge cannot stand without truthfulness.
See: Kena 4.8
A
aartithe worship rite performed by circling a lamp
abhayadanathe pledge given to protect from fear
abhicharaa tantric rite performed to destroy an enemy
Abhijitthe supremely auspicious midday muhurta
abhijnanarecognition; a token that establishes identity
abhimanapride filled with ego
abhishekathe rite of bathing with water and the like to bestow a position or worship
abhishtadesired from the heart
abhyasathe constant effort of repeatedly bringing the mind back to its goal
abhyasayogathe path of practice through repeatedly focusing the mind
achamanathe purifying act of sipping water thrice while reciting a mantra
achintyathat which is beyond thought and imagination
Achyutathe imperishable Vishnu who never falls from his own nature
adharmathe opposite of dharma, injustice and sin
adhibhautikasuffering caused by creatures such as animals, serpents, and thieves
adhibhutathe principle of the perishable, changing physical world
adhidaivathe divine cosmic principle pervading creation
adhidaivikasuffering caused by divine forces such as cold, heat, and rain
adhishthanathe true ground on which an illusion stands
adhiyajnathe Supreme as the presiding lord of the yajna within the body
adhvaryuthe chief priest who handles the ritual actions of the yajna
adhyatmaone's own inner Self dwelling within the being
adhyatmikasuffering arising from one's own body and mind
Adishaktithe primal power that is the first cause of all creation
Adityathe twelve sun-forms who ride the sun-chariot through each month
advaitathe philosophy that holds no difference between the individual self and Brahman
agamathe revealed scriptures of the tantra tradition
agneyastrathe divine weapon of the fire-god, one that rains fire
agnihotrathe daily rite of offering oblations into the fire morning and evening
agnishtomaa principal Vedic yajna performed with soma
agrajaelder brother
agrapujathe honor given first of all in an assembly
ahamkarathe inner sense of I and mine
ahavaniyathe fire to the east of the sacrificial ground into which oblations are offered
ahimsanot harming any creature in thought, word, and deed
ahutian offering cast into the fire with a mantra
aindra-astrathe weapon of Indra
airavataIndra's white king of elephants
aishvaryalordship, splendor, and the power of dominion
ajagavathe name of Lord Shiva's bow
ajanmathat which is never born
ajnatavasatime spent hiding one's identity
ajyaclarified ghee heated for oblation
ajyabhagathe portion of two fixed ghee oblations in a yajna
akarmathe inner sense of non-doership and desirelessness even while acting
akartaone who, though acting, does not regard himself as the doer
akashvania bodiless divine voice from the sky
akhyanathe detailed narration of an old tale
aksharathat which never perishes; also a letter of the alphabet
akshataunbroken rice offered in worship
akshauhinithe largest measure of an army, thousands of chariots and elephants and hundreds of thousands of soldiers
amatrathe measureless fourth part of Om; the turiya
amatyaa minister of the king
ambarathe sky; also cloth
Ambikathe Goddess worshiped as Mother
amritathe divine nectar that makes one immortal on drinking, sudha
amshaa manifestation arising from a partial form of a deity
anadithat which has no beginning
analafire
Anandavanathe ancient name of Kashi
Anangathe bodiless one; a name of Kamadeva after he was burned to ash
Anantaa name of Shesha-naga; Vishnu's boundless tamas-natured form
ananyaone whose mind goes nowhere else, single-minded
ananyabhaktidevotion fixed on God alone, without any other support
anasaktafree of attachment to the fruit; unattached
anatmathe Buddhist doctrine that there is no permanent self
andajacreatures born from eggs, such as birds and serpents
anikinia tenth part of an akshauhini, a large unit of an army
anilawind, air
anishtaan unwanted, evil outcome; harm
anityathat which does not last, ever changing and perishing
ankushaa pointed goad for driving an elephant
antahkaranathe inner instrument of mind, intellect, chitta, and ego
antahpurathe inner part of a palace where the queens dwell
antakalathe final moment of death
antardhanavanishing from sight as one watches
antaryamiGod who dwells within all and knows all
antyeshtithe last rites, the rite of cremation
anucharaa servant who follows behind
anugrahagrace received from elders
anujayounger brother
anushthanaa religious rite performed according to prescribed procedure
anushtupthe well-known Sanskrit meter of four feet of eight syllables each
apad-dharmadharma relaxed in a time of crisis
apanathe vital air that flows downward
aparathe lower prakriti made of inert matter
aparigrahathe vow of not hoarding beyond need
Aparnaa name of Parvati, earned by performing tapas after giving up even leaves
apaurusheyanot composed by any human; a characteristic of the Vedas
apavargaanother name for moksha, release from the world
apsaraa dancer of heaven
aranithe wooden sticks rubbed together to kindle the sacrificial fire
aranyaforest, wilderness
aranyakathe Vedic texts studied in the forest
arghyathe rite of offering water and the like in reverence
arjavastraightness of mind, speech, and conduct
arpanathe offering of an act or object to God
artaone who calls out to God while caught in distress
arthathe aim of wealth and prosperity among the purusharthas
artharthia devotee who worships out of desire for worldly things
arthashastrathe science of statecraft and economics
aryaa respectful word for a noble and cultured person
aryaputraa respectful address used by queens for their husband
arya satyathe Buddha's four noble truths; the doctrine of suffering and its cessation
asaktithe mind's grip on objects or fruits
asanathe steady posture for meditation, or a seat
asatfaithless and fruitless action; that which is not sat
ashramabrahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa, the four stages of life
ashrutears
ashtakaa stotra of eight verses
ashtangika margaBuddhism's eightfold path to the cessation of suffering
ashvaa horse
ashvamedhathe great royal yajna performed by releasing a horse
ashvatthathe pipal tree; the world-tree with its roots turned upward
asteyathe vow of not stealing
astraa divine weapon launched by a mantra
asuraan enemy of the gods, a being of unrighteous disposition
asurisampadathe demonic tendencies that bind one
atirathia high chariot warrior who fights many warriors alone
atithia revered guest who arrives without an appointed date
atmanthe eternal, unborn conscious Self beyond the body
attahasaa thundering, terrifying laughter
atyantikathe jiva's eternal merging into the Supreme through knowledge, moksha
aurasaone's own son born of one's seed
aurdhvadaihikathe funeral rites performed after death
avabhrithathe concluding bath taken when a yajna is completed
Avadhithe Awadh language of the Ramcharitmanas
avadhutaa supreme renunciate who lives beyond worldly awareness
avadhyaone who cannot be killed
avagamanthe repeated cycle of birth and death
avahanathe rite of inviting the deity at the start of worship
avajnadisrespect, disregard of a command
avaranathe seven sheaths of water, fire, and the rest that surround the universe
avatarGod taking on a body and appearing to protect dharma
avidyathe root ignorance of not recognizing one's true nature
Avimuktathat which Shiva never abandons, a name of Kashi
avirbhavaappearing, coming into view
avyaktathat which is not yet manifest, the seed-form source
ayanaa period of six months; the sun's northward or southward course
ayurvedathe science of longevity and curing disease, an Upaveda
B
bahushrutaone who has heard and studied much, greatly learned
bandhanathe binding of the soul by karma and attachment, which keeps it in the round of birth and death
Bhadrakalithe fierce, battle-waging form of the Goddess
bhagathe six divine qualities: majesty, righteousness, fame, prosperity, knowledge, and dispassion
Bhairavathe fierce and terrifying form of Shiva
bhajana devotional song of God's glory
bhaktaa worshiper who holds exclusive love for God
bhaktavatsalaone ever affectionate toward devotees (Shiva)
bhaktiexclusive love and surrender toward God
bhaktiyogathe path of reaching God through love and surrender
bharyawife
bhashyaa detailed written commentary on a difficult text
bhasmaash; the form reduced to ash by burning
bhaumavaraTuesday
Bhavanithe goddess Parvati, mother of the world
bheria large drum sounded in war
bhindipalaa sling-like weapon thrown to strike
bhoktathe enjoyer; the experiencing soul
bhringia chief attendant (gana) of Shiva
bhutanathaShiva, lord of the spirits and goblin hosts
bhuvarlokathe mid-region world between the earth and heaven
bija-mantraa short mantra holding a deity's power in a single syllable
bilvathe bel tree and its fruit, dear to Shiva
Brahmathe creator god, whose single day spans a thousand yugas
brahmacharyathe first stage of life, of self-restraint and gaining knowledge
brahmadandaBrahma's infallible rod-weapon
brahmaghoshathe resonant collective chanting of Vedic mantras
brahmalokathe highest world of Brahma
brahmamuhurtathe sacred predawn hour before sunrise
brahmanthe root of all creation, the one formless supreme reality
brahmandathe spherical universe girded by seven sheaths, like the seed of a wood-apple
brahmanirvanathe supreme peace of merging into Brahman
brahmarakshasathe demon-birth taken by a wicked Brahmin after death
brahmarshithe highest rishi who has attained Brahman through tapas
brahmashiraa deadly weapon held to be even greater than the Brahmastra
brahmastrathe most terrible divine weapon linked to the power of Brahma
brahmatejathe spiritual radiance born of Brahminhood or austerity
brahmavidyathe supreme knowledge by which Brahman is known
brahmayajnathe daily yajna of reciting the Vedas
brahmayogathe yoga of fixing the mind on the supreme Brahman
Brahminthe first class among the varnas, who study and perform yajna
brajabhashathe Braj dialect of Krishna-devotional poetry
buddhithe discerning faculty of the inner instrument that determines
C
chaitanyapure consciousness that knows and perceives
chakravartithe universal emperor of the whole earth
chakravyuhaa wheel-like rotating battle array
chalisaa hymn of praise composed in forty couplets
chamaraa fly-whisk waved over the king
chamua large division of an army
chamundathe fierce goddess who killed Chanda and Munda
chandalathe outcaste community considered outside the class order
chandithe fierce form of Durga; a popular name of the Devi Mahatmya
chandikathe fierce, wrathful form of the goddess
chandralokathe heavenly world of those who act with desire, from which one must return
chandrashekharaShiva, who wears the moon upon his head
chandravanshathe royal dynasty descended from the moon
characarathe moving and the unmoving, all living creation
charamashlokathe final essence verse of the Gita, the pledge of complete surrender
charanaa bard of the heavens; also wandering singers of praise
charanamritathe water drunk after washing a deity's feet
charugrain cooked in milk for a yajna
chaturanginian army of four limbs, elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry
chaturbhujafour-armed Vishnu bearing conch, discus, mace, and lotus
chaturthikarmathe rite performed on the fourth day of marriage
chaturyugathe four ages Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali together forming one Mahayuga
chaupaia metrical verse of four feet
chetanathe knowing life-force pervading living beings
chhandathe rule of meter and rhythm in verse
chhatraa royal umbrella held over the king's head
chidakashathe boundless inner space of consciousness
chintamania divine gem that fulfills a wish the moment it is thought of
chitipure consciousness; awareness in its power-form
chittathe layer of the mind where memories and impressions reside
chudamania fine gem worn in the hair knot
D
daityaan asura of the lineage of Diti
daivisampadathe wealth of divine qualities that leads toward liberation
dakshinathe gift given to the priest after a religious rite
dakshinagnithe fire on the southern side of the sacrifice
dakshinayanathe six months of the sun's southward course
damaruShiva's small two-faced drum
dambhaa show of piety, hypocrisy
danagiving to a worthy recipient without desire for return
danavaan asura of the lineage of Danu
darbhaanother name for kusha grass
darshandirect experience or the beholding of a divine form
dauhitraa daughter's son, grandson
dayacompassion and tenderness toward all beings
dehatitabeyond the body; free of body-identification
dehithe soul dwelling in the body, the embodied being
devalayaa temple of a deity
devarshia rishi counted among the gods, such as Narada
devayajnathe daily rite of offering oblations to the gods in fire
dhanurvedathe science of archery and warfare, an Upaveda
dhanushathe bow for shooting arrows
dhanvantarithe physician of the gods, who arose from the churning of the ocean bearing the pot of nectar
dharanathe practice of holding the mind fixed on one point
dharmathe duty worth upholding and the eternal moral order
dharmajnaone who knows the essence of dharma
dharmashastraa Smriti text expounding rules of conduct
dhritipatience, firmness of mind
dhruvathe fixed pole star at the hub of the celestial sphere; Vishnu's third abode
dhvajaa banner flown high
dhyanaconcentrating the mind on a single point and holding it within
dhyanayogathe path of practice of concentrating the mind and holding it within
digambarathe naked Shiva, clad only in the directions
diggajathe great elephants that uphold the directions
digvijayaa campaign to conquer the kingdoms of all four directions
dikpalathe guardian gods of the eight directions
dikshathe rite of receiving a mantra or vow from a guru
divyadrishtithe power of divine, supernatural sight
divyastraa mantra-empowered weapon received from the gods
dohaa two-line metrical couplet
drashtathe seer, the conscious principle apart from the seen
drishtantaan example given to explain a point
dukulafine silken cloth
dundubhia large kettledrum sounded in war and festivity
duradharshaone who is hard even to assail
durdharshahard to suppress or defeat
durgatia base birth or a hellish fate
durvathe soft green grass offered in worship
dvaitathe philosophy that holds the self and God to be separate
dvandvaopposing pairs such as pleasure and pain, cold and heat
dvandva-yuddhaa face-to-face duel between two warriors
dvaparathe third of the four ages, the era of the Krishna story
dveshahatred and aversion toward someone
dvijaone twice-born through the sacraments, usually a Brahmin
dyulokathe sky or the heavenly realm
dyutaa game of dice, gambling
E
ekantaa secluded and quiet place of solitude
ekarnavathe one great ocean that submerges all creation at the dissolution
G
gadaVishnu's chief weapon, the mace named Kaumodaki
gajacharmathe elephant hide that Shiva wears as a garment
ganathe host of Shiva's attendants and servants
ganadhyakshathe lord of all the ganas
gandharvaa celestial singer among the demigods
gandharvavedathe science of music and song, an Upaveda
gandharva vivahaa marriage made by mutual consent
gandivathe divine bow of Arjuna
gangadharaShiva, who holds the Ganga in his matted locks
ganthjodthe knot tying the garments of bride and groom together
garhapatyathe householder's daily worshiped domestic sacrificial fire
garudaVishnu's mount, the king of birds
gatithe state or path attained by the soul after death
gaurithe fair-hued goddess Parvati
gayatria Vedic meter of three feet; also the famous mantra composed in it
ghoshayatraa royal outing under the pretext of inspecting cattle stations
ghritaghee
giria mountain
girijathe daughter of the mountain king, Parvati
godanathe gift of a cow, considered a great merit
gohatyathe great sin of killing a cow
golokathe supreme divine abode of Sri Krishna
gotrathe lineage identity carried down from the rishi tradition
govindaVishnu or Krishna, lord of the cows and the senses
grahapujanathe worship of the planets before an auspicious rite
gridhraa vulture
grihasthathe stage of life of living in a household and fulfilling dharma
guhyakaa class of demigods who serve Kubera
gulmaa small detachment of an army
gunathe three basic qualities of nature, sattva, rajas, and tamas
gunatitabeyond the three gunas of sattva, rajas, and tamas
gunatrayathe set of the three gunas, sattva, rajas, and tamas
guruthe teacher and guide who imparts knowledge of the Self
gurudakshinathe gift given to the guru on completing one's education
H
halahalathe fierce poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean
haranato carry off by trickery or force
hariLord Vishnu, who takes away sin and sorrow
haumaiin Sikh thought, egotism, the sense of I-ness
havanaan oblation into the fire; homa
havithe material offered into the fire, such as ghee and grain
havishyasacred food fit to be offered in a yajna
hiranyagarbhathe golden seed-form of creation, the first manifest principle
homathe act of offering oblations into the fire
hrishikeshaLord Vishnu, master of the senses
I
ichchha-mrityuthe boon of death coming only at one's own will
Ik Onkarthe one formless Supreme in Sikhism
indriyathe powers of knowledge and action, such as seeing and hearing
ishtadevathe deity one takes as one's own and worships
ishtia small yajna performed with a particular wish
ishvarathe creator and controller of creation, the supreme Lord
itihasahistorical texts such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata
J
jagadambathe mother of the world, the goddess Parvati
jagratthe waking state
jambudvipathe central island of the seven, with Sumeru at its center and Bharatavarsha within
jambunadafine gold made from the silt of the Jambu river
janalokathe world above Maharloka, of Sanandana and other sons of Brahma
janardanaVishnu, entreated by beings, who destroys and protects all
janeuthe sacred thread of the twice-born, the yajnopavita
jangamacreatures able to move about
janmakundalithe chart of the planetary positions at the time of birth
japarepeated remembrance of a mantra or divine name
jarayujacreatures born from the womb, such as humans and animals
jatathe ascetic's long matted lock of hair
jatakarmathe rite performed at the time of birth
jatamukutamatted locks bound up in the shape of a crown
jatharagnithe digestive fire seated in the belly
jatismaraone who retains the memory of past births
jijnasuone who holds a deep desire to know
jitendriyaone who has conquered his senses
jivaconsciousness bound in a body, the soul of a living being
jivanmuktaone who has become liberated while still in the body
jivatmathe embodied soul; the individual living being
jnanathe realization of one's true nature, knowledge of reality
jnanakandathe portion of the Veda dealing with knowledge of the self
jnanayogathe path of liberation through knowledge of the Self and discernment
jnanendriyathe five organs of knowledge such as sight and hearing
jnanione who has known reality, the knower of the Self
jrimbhanastraa weapon that induces yawning and stupefying sleep
jyeshthathe eldest in age
jyotirlingaone of the twelve chief self-manifested radiant lingas of Shiva
jyotishathe Vedanga of time-reckoning and the planets and stars
jyotishchakrathe celestial sphere of planets and stars turning around the pole star
K
kailasathe Himalayan abode of Lord Shiva
kaivalyathe pure state of the self set apart from all, supreme liberation
kalaa measure of time equal to thirty kashthas; a phase of the moon
kalathat power-form of Vishnu that drives creation, preservation, and dissolution; time
kalabhairavathe guardian of Kashi, Bhairava, the time-form of Shiva
kalachakrathe wheel of time turning through seasons and solstices
kalatitabeyond time, transcending time
kalithe dark-hued goddess; a childhood name of Parvati
kaliyugathe last of the four ages, the era now underway
kalkiVishnu's coming avatar who destroys the barbarians at the end of Kali Yuga
kalpaone day of Brahma, a very long span of creation
kalpavrikshaa heavenly tree that grants everything the moment it is asked
kamaintense desire for enjoyment, craving that is never satisfied
kamadhenuthe divine cow that grants every wish
kamandaluthe water pot of ascetics
kananaa dense forest
kanchukian aged attendant who oversees the inner quarters
kandaa large division of a text such as the Ramayana
kanishthathe youngest in age
kanyadanagiving away the bride into the groom's hands in marriage
kapalaa skull or begging bowl held in the hand
karadaa subordinate king who pays tribute to the victor
karmaaction or duty, and the law that yields its fruit
karmakandathe portion of scripture dealing with the procedures of yajna and worship
karmaphalathe result or fruit received from action
karmayogathe path of remaining free by doing one's duty without desire for its fruit
karmendriyathe five organs of action such as the hands and feet
kartathe doer of action, the sense of 'I am the doer'
karunathe feeling of being moved by others' suffering, compassion
kashithe liberation-giving city of Shiva, Varanasi
kashthaa measure of time equal to fifteen nimeshas
kaushikithe fair goddess who emerged from Parvati's sheath
kaustubhathe divine gem worn on Vishnu's chest, symbol of the pure soul
kavacharecitation of protective mantras; also armor worn in battle
kavyathe oblation offered to the ancestors
kayavyuhaan array of bodies assumed to exhaust remaining karma
keshavaVishnu, of beautiful locks, lord even of Brahma and Shiva
khadgaa sword
khagaa bird
khandaa part or division of a text
khatvangaShiva's weapon in the form of a staff topped with a skull
kinnaraa divine race skilled in song and music
kiratthe Sikh ideal of earning a livelihood by honest labor
kirtanthe singing of the Lord's name and glories
kohbarthe decorated inner chamber of the marriage house
kratua classical name for a yajna
kraunchadvipaan island ringed by the ocean of curds
krichchhraa penance vow with severe rules
krishnapakshathe dark fortnight of the waning moon
kritaghnaone who forgets a kindness done to him
kritarthablessed, one whose purpose is fulfilled
krittivasaShiva, who wears the hide of the elephant demon Gajasura
kriyamanakarma being performed right now
krodhathe surge that rises from thwarted desire, one gate of hell
kshamaforbearance, the disposition to forgive a wrong
kshanabhangurperishing in a moment
ksharathe perishable and changing world or being
kshatradharmathe kshatriya's dharma of war and protection
kshatriyathe class charged with protection and governance
kshatriya-dharmathe duty of the kshatriya, protecting the people and waging war
kshepaniyaa missile weapon hurled to strike
kshetrathe body, which is known and observed
kshetrajnathe consciousness that knows the body-field from within
kshetrapalathe deity who guards a place or field
kshirasagarathe ocean of milk, the resting place of Vishnu
kshubdhashaken to the core
kumbhakaholding the breath within during pranayama
kundathe pit made for the fire of the havan
kundalaa round ornament worn in the ear
kunjaraan elephant
kurmaVishnu's tortoise avatar who bore Mount Mandara on his back
kushathe sacred grass spread in worship and yajna
kusumaa flower
L
lagnathe auspicious moment for a wedding and the birth-time zodiac sign
lakshagrihaa house built of lac, made to blaze up in an instant
lakutaa thick staff or mace-like club
lavathe roasted grain offered into the wedding fire
layathe dissolving of creation, dissolution
lilaGod's spontaneous divine play
lobhathe insatiable craving to hoard wealth
lokalokathe ring-shaped mountain at the edge of the earth dividing light from darkness
lokapalapresiding deities such as Indra who guard the directions
lokasangrahathe noble person's continued action for the welfare of the world
M
madathe intoxicating pride of wealth, strength, or position
MadanaKama, the god of love
madhuparkathe offering of curd, ghee, and honey given to a guest
madhuryasweetness; the tender love-mood of devotion
MadhusudanaVishnu, slayer of the demon Madhu
madhyahnathe time of midday
madhyamathe subtle mental level of speech
magadhathe bard who sings a king's praises and lineage
mahabhutathe five gross elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space
MahakalaShiva, who protects as the form of time at Ujjain
mahakavyaa great poem with a vast narrative
mahamayathe great power of the Goddess that enchants the world
mahapatakaan extremely grave sin
mahaprajnaone of very great intellect
mahapralayathe great dissolution of all creation
mahaprasthanathe final journey on foot to renounce the world
mahapuranaone of the eighteen principal Puranas beginning with the Brahma Purana
maharathia chariot warrior able to fight thousands of warriors single-handed
maharlokathe world above Dhruva, where perfected sages like Bhrigu dwell for a whole kalpa
maharshia great ascetic and seer among the rishis
mahatin Samkhya, the first principle arising from nature; cosmic intellect
mahatmyathe account of the glory of a deity, holy place, or text
mahattattvathe first principle born of the stirring of nature, the intellect-principle
mahavakyathe four core statements of wisdom from the Upanishads
mahayugaone complete cycle of the four yugas
Maheshvarathe great Lord of all beings
mahishaa buffalo
mahishithe chief queen of a king
maitrithe attitude of friendliness toward all beings
manathe faculty of the inner instrument that wills and doubts
mananadeep reflection on the knowledge one has heard
manasaputraa son born from Brahma's mere thought
mandapaa canopied pavilion decorated for weddings and the like
Mandarachalathe mountain used as a churning rod in the churning of the ocean; the peak that holds up Meru
mangalacharanathe salutation to the divine made at the beginning of a text
Manikarnikathe famous great pilgrimage ghat of Kashi
mantrathe sacred word-formula of a deity or principle
mantranasecret counsel, deliberation
Manuthe primordial being who establishes dharma and law in each manvantara
manvantarathe long span of one Manu's reign
maranadharmasubject to death; perishable and mortal
marutthe forty-nine wind gods who aid Indra
masaa lunar month; a month
matamahathe mother's father, maternal grandfather
matrikathe mother-goddesses manifest as divine powers
MatsyaVishnu's fish incarnation
matulamaternal uncle
maunarestraint of speech, the practice of silence
mayaBrahman's wondrous power that makes the world appear real
medhasharp, retentive intellect
mekhalathe munja-grass girdle tied around the waist
Meruthe golden great mountain standing at the center of Jambudvipa, Sumeru
mimamsathe philosophy that examines the ritual portion of the Vedas
mithyathat which appears true but does not endure
mlechchhaa non-Aryan person outside Vedic conduct
mohadelusion and attachment born of ignorance
MohiniVishnu's enchanting female form
mokshapermanent release from the bondage of birth and death
mrigacharmadeer skin, which was made into a seat and garment
mrigayathe hunting sport of kings
mrityulokathe world of mortal beings, the earth
mrityunjayaShiva who conquers death, and his mantra
mudgaraa heavy weapon like a hammer
muhurtaa span of about 48 minutes; an auspicious moment
muktirelease from bondage, freedom from birth and death
mumukshua seeker with a deep longing for liberation
munian ascetic sage established in silence and contemplation
munjathe sacred grass used to make the sacred thread and girdle
musalaa heavy pestle-shaped weapon
N
nadikaa time measure of fifteen kalas, gauged by a copper water-vessel
nagathe hooded serpent race dwelling in the netherworld
nagapashaa binding missile made of serpents
naimittikaoccurring occasionally on some occasion; the dissolution at the end of a kalpa when Brahma sleeps
naishthikaone who observes lifelong, unwavering celibacy
naivedyathe food offered to God
nakshatrathe twenty-seven star clusters beginning with Ashwini, the stations along the moon's path
nam-simranthe constant remembrance and repetition of the Lord's name
nandiShiva's chief attendant and mount in the form of a bull
narakathe nether realm under Yama where sinners undergo punishment
NarayanaLord Vishnu, who reclines upon the waters
narayanastraVishnu's infallible divine weapon
navagrahathe nine planets: the sun, moon, Mars, and the rest
navaratrathe festival of the nine nights of the Goddess
netithe rope for turning the churning stick
neti-netithe method of seeking truth by saying not this, not that
nididhyasanaremaining absorbed in that truth after reflection
nigraharestraint, holding in check
nilakanthaShiva, blue-throated from drinking poison
nimeshathe time it takes to blink an eye
nimittathe occasion through which a thing happens, the immediate cause
nirakaraBrahman devoid of form and shape
nirbhauan attribute of God in the Sikh Mul Mantar: without fear
nirbhayatathe complete absence of fear, a fearless state of mind
nirgunaGod's nature beyond form and qualities
nirjharaa waterfall tumbling from a mountain
niruktathe Vedanga of the etymology of words
nirvairuan attribute of God in the Sikh Mul Mantar: without enmity
nirvanaextinction, absorption into supreme peace
nirvikalpathe samadhi in which no stir of thought remains
nishacharaa demon who roams by night
nishadaa hunter-boatman tribe living by rivers and forests
nishkamafree from desire for the fruit of action
nishkantakafree of thorns, that is of obstacles; unobstructed
nishkartathe sense of non-doership, that I am not the doer
nishnatafully expert in a discipline
nishthafirm and unwavering devotion to a path or ideal
nitistatecraft and prudent conduct
nityathat which ever endures, eternal and imperishable
nityakarmathe obligatory religious duties to be performed daily
nivrittithe path of turning toward liberation by renouncing the fruits of action
niyogathe ancient scriptural practice of obtaining offspring in a sonless house
nyagrodhathe banyan tree
nyasathe rite of installing divine power into the limbs by uttering mantras
O
om tat satthe threefold name of Brahman, the beginning of every auspicious act
P
padyathe water given to wash a guest's feet
pakhandaa sham of religion, a false doctrine opposed to the Vedas
pallavaa new, tender leaf
panchabhutaearth, water, fire, air, and ether, these five great elements
panchagnithe austerity performed seated amid fires on all sides with the sun above
panchakoshathe five sheaths that cover the self
panchaksharaShiva's five-syllable mantra, Namah Shivaya
panchalakshanathe five essential subjects of a Purana
panchamritathe sacred mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar
panchamukhathe five-faced form of Sadashiva
panigrahanathe groom taking the bride's hand in marriage
papaan evil deed and its inauspicious fruit
parathe higher Prakriti in the form of the conscious living being
parabrahmanthe supreme Brahman, attributeless and changeless
paradharmaanother's dharma, which is not fit to adopt
paramadhamaGod's eternal abode, from which one does not return
paramagatithe highest goal, the attainment of the supreme abode
paramarthathe highest, imperishable reality; the true purpose
paramatmathe supreme conscious God, the ground of all
parameshvarathe supreme God, master of all
parardhahalf of Brahma's hundred-year lifespan, an immense measure of time
parashua battle-axe
paratparathat which is beyond even the highest
parayanaorderly recitation of a text from beginning to end
parighaa heavy iron weapon like a mace
parijatathe fragrant divine tree of heaven, brought forth from the churning of the ocean
parikhaa defensive moat dug around a city or fort
parnakutia small hut thatched with leaves
parshadaan attendant of a god or king, a member of the retinue
parthivamade of clay for worship (a linga or image)
parvaa large division of a text such as the Mahabharata
pashaa snaring noose
pashupataa severe vow connected with Shiva and his infallible weapon
pashupatastraShiva's all-destroying, invincible divine weapon
pashupatiShiva, lord of all beings who are like bound animals
pashutvathe bound animal-nature of the living being, from which Shiva grants release
pashyantithe subtler, seeing level of speech
patalathe seven nether realms below the earth, where nagas and demons dwell
pativrataa virtuous woman devoted solely to her husband
pattabhishekathe anointment ceremony of enthroning on the royal seat
pattithe smallest unit of an army, one chariot-elephant and a few soldiers
paurushaone's own effort and strength
payasakheer, sweet grain cooked in milk
phalashrutithe final portion that states the fruit of the recitation
pinakathe bow of Lord Shiva
pindathe ball of food offered to the ancestors in a shraddha
pishachaa fearsome flesh-eating ghoul
pitamahafather's father, grandfather
pitambarayellow silk cloth, the garment of Vishnu and Krishna
pitria departed ancestor to whom water and food are offered
plakshadvipathe island beyond Jambudvipa, surrounded by the ocean of sugarcane juice
Prabhasathe sacred coastal region of Somnath
pradakshinacircumambulating a deity with reverence
pradhanathe equilibrium of sattva, rajas, and tamas, primordial nature; the ultimate cause of the world
pradoshathe twilight hour auspicious for the worship of Shiva
praharaan eighth part of day and night, about 3 hours
prahrishtablossoming with joy
prajapatithe title of the lord of creatures and creation
prakarathe high rampart wall of a city or fort
prakritathe dissolution in which all creation merges back into primordial nature
prakritithe primal substance of the world woven from the three gunas
pralayathe dissolution in which creation folds back and merges
pramadacarelessness and sloth toward one's duty
pramathathe class of Shiva's chief attendants (ganas)
pranathe life-breath flowing in the body, the vital force
pranapratishthathe rite of awakening the divine power in an image
pranavathe scriptural name for the syllable Om
pranayamathe yogic practice of controlling inhalation and exhalation
pranipatahumble prostration and surrender before the guru
prapanchathe expanse of the visible world of name and form
prarabdhathe portion of past karma that bears fruit in this life
prasadasacred food offered to a deity and returned as a blessing
pratiharia guard who stands at the royal gate
pratisargathe re-creation after dissolution; one mark of a Purana
pratityasamutpadathe Buddhist doctrine that every thing arises dependent upon causes
pratyaharadrawing the senses back from their objects
pratyanchathe string of a bow
pravrittithe path of action performed with desire for its fruit
prayashchittaa scripturally prescribed act performed to wash away sin
pretaa restless, unsatisfied soul wandering after death
preyathat which pleases at once but is not always good for one
pritanaa large detachment of an army
pujathe worship of a deity with due offerings
pundarikakshaLord Vishnu, whose eyes are like lotuses
punyaa meritorious deed and its auspicious fruit
punyaha-vachanathe auspicious rite of proclaiming a holy day
purakadrawing the breath inward in pranayama
puranaan ancient scripture with the five marks of creation, secondary creation, and the rest
purashcharanathe prescribed repetition and rite performed to master a mantra
purnahutithe final oblation offered at the end of a yajna
purnapatraa vessel filled with grain given in charity
purodashaa special cake of grain made for the yajna
purushathe conscious self-principle, the enjoyer and witness of Prakriti
purusharthadharma, artha, kama, and moksha, the four aims of life
purushottamathe supreme Person beyond the perishable and the imperishable, the Lord
Pushkara renowned place of pilgrimage
pushkaradvipathe last and largest continent, ringed by the sea of sweet water
pushkaravartakathe clouds that pour down in torrents at the time of dissolution
putreshtia yajna performed with the wish for a son
R
ragaattraction and attachment toward objects
Rahuthe shadow-planet that seizes and eclipses; one of the nine planets
rajaguhyathe king of secrets, the most confidential knowledge
rajakoshathe king's treasury; the state treasury
rajarshia great man who attained the rank of rishi while being a king
rajasthe quality that stirs activity, desire, and restlessness
rajasapredominant in rajas; active and impulsive
rajasikaendowed with rajas, restless, full of desire and craving for fruit
rajasuyathe great yajna performed for the rank of supreme emperor
rajasvalaa woman in the days of her menstruation
rajatilakathe mark of coronation; the emblem of kingship
rajavidyathe king of knowledge, the supreme knowledge of the Self
rajyabhishekaconsecration as king through anointing with water
rakshasathe cruel, flesh-eating class of night-roaming demons
ranabhumithe field of battle
rasatalathe deepest level of the netherworld
rathia warrior who fights mounted on a chariot
raudra-astrathe weapon of Rudra-Shiva
rechakathe exhaling of breath in pranayama
richaa verse mantra of the Veda
rikshaa bear; the bear race in the Rama story
rishia Vedic sage who is a seer of mantras
ritathe eternal moral and physical order of the universe; the law of truth
ritvijaa priest chosen to conduct a yajna
RudraLord Shiva in his destructive form
rudrakshasacred seed beads worn in the worship of Shiva
S
sachchidanandathe supreme reality whose nature is being, consciousness, and bliss
sadashivathe embodied supreme Shiva form of the formless Parabrahman
sadgatithe good state attained after death
sadhakaa practitioner walking the path of spiritual discipline
sadhanaregular spiritual practice undertaken toward a goal
sadhua saintly person of good conduct
sagunaGod's nature with form and qualities
sahasranamathe ordered recitation of the 1000 names of a deity
sakarathe form of God endowed with shape and figure
sakshatkarathe direct experience of truth; realization of the Self
sakshithe inner consciousness that watches everything without changing
salilawater
salokyaliberation as dwelling in the world of one's chosen deity
samadarshanaseeing the one same consciousness equally in all beings
samadhithe depth of meditation where the mind comes fully to rest
samadritareceived with honor
samatvaan even feeling in pleasure and pain, gain and loss
samavedathe Veda sung in the form of chant
samharato bring about total destruction
samhitaan ordered collection of mantras or verses
samidhadry sacred wood placed into the fire of the yajna
samsarathe ceaselessly turning cycle of birth and death
samvatsarathe scriptural name for a year
sanatanathat which has always been and will always remain
sanchitakarma accumulated from past lives
sandhyathe daily worship of morning and evening; also the hour of dusk
sanjivanithe lore that brings the dead back to life
sankalpaa firm resolve taken in the mind
sankarshanathe Rudra form that emerges from Shesha's mouth to destroy at the end of a kalpa; one of Vishnu's vyuhas
sankhyathe philosophy of discernment that explains the distinction between soul and Prakriti
sannyasathe stage of renouncing everything and moving toward moksha
sanshayathe mind's conflict and uncertainty
sanskaraa religious rite of purification; also an old impression left on the mind
santan accomplished saint of the path of devotion
santoshacontentment with what one has, freedom from craving
sanyamacontrol over the senses and the mind
sapatnia co-wife, another wife of the same husband
sapta-matrikathe seven mother goddesses beginning with Brahmi
saptapadithe custom of walking seven steps before the fire in marriage
saptarshithe seven great rishis; the seven stars named for them in the sky
saptashatithe Devi Mahatmya; the glory of the goddess in seven hundred verses
sarathione who drives a chariot
sarathyathe act of driving a chariot, the work of a charioteer
sargaa chapter of an epic poem
saritaa river
sarpasatraa long yajna performed with the resolve to destroy serpents
sarvajnathe all-knowing one
satiDaksha's daughter and Shiva's wife, who gave up her body at her father's sacrifice; later also the name for a widow who died on her husband's pyre, and for that rite
sattathe fundamental principle of being, existence
sattvathe quality that brings light, peace, and purity
sattvikaendowed with sattva, pure, calm, and conducive to knowledge
satyatruthful and beneficial speech; the renunciation of falsehood
satyalokathe highest Brahmaloka, where dwell the immortals who never die again
satyayugathe first of the four ages, the age ruled by dharma
savyasachione who shoots arrows with both hands; an epithet of Arjuna
sayujyathe highest liberation of merging into God
senapatithe chief commander of an army
setua bridge; especially Rama's bridge to Lanka
shabdabrahmaBrahman in the form of sound or Om
shailaa mountain
shaivathe tradition that worships Shiva
shakadvipathe island ringed by the ocean of milk, bearing a giant shaka tree
shakambharithe goddess who nourishes the world with herbs and fruit
shakhaa recitational tradition of a Veda; a Vedic branch
shakhamrigaa monkey, one who roams branch to branch
shaktathe tradition that worships the goddess Shakti
shaktithe primal divine feminine energy of creation; Shiva's consort
shaligramaa black stone worshiped as a symbolic form of Vishnu
shalmalaan island ringed by the ocean of wine
shamathe practice of keeping the mind calm and controlled
shambhuLord Shiva, the bestower of welfare
shankhathe shell of a sea creature, blown as a battle cry and in worship
shanmukhaLord Kartikeya of the six faces
shantipathathe peace mantra recited at the beginning and end of a reading
shapaa curse pronounced in anger
sharanagatisurrendering oneself completely into God's refuge
sharashayyaa bed made on the points of arrows
sharngathe bow of Lord Vishnu
shashvatathat which is never destroyed, everlasting
shastraa weapon wielded in the hand
shastraan authoritative scripture on dharma and duty
shatanamaa hymn of a hundred names of a deity
sheshaVishnu's thousand-hooded serpent Ananta, bearing the earth at the base of the netherworld
sheshashayyaVishnu's serpent-couch of Shesha upon the waters of dissolution
shibikaa palanquin carried by hand
shikshathe Vedanga of pronunciation; phonetics
shishumarathe crocodile-shaped starry form of Vishnu in the sky, with Dhruva on its tail
shishyaone who receives knowledge from a guru
shivathe goddess who is Shiva's consort and embodied power
shivalayaa temple of Lord Shiva
shivalingathe formless venerated symbol of Lord Shiva
shivatattvathe knowledge or principle of Shiva's supreme nature
shlokaa metrical verse; an anushtup couplet
shodashopacharathe complete worship performed with 16 offerings
shraddha (rite)the rite performed for the satisfaction of the ancestors
shraddhadeep faith and trust
shrautasacrificial rites based on shruti, that is, the Veda
shravanalistening attentively to knowledge from the guru
shreyathat which truly benefits in the end, the higher path
shrivatsathe divine mark on Vishnu's chest, symbol of Prakriti
shrutithe Vedic word preserved by the tradition of hearing
shudrathe varna that aids society through service
shuklapakshathe bright fortnight of the waxing moon
shulathe trident; a spear-like weapon
shvasurafather-in-law
siddhaa divine adept who has gained supernatural powers through austerity
siddhia supernatural power gained through spiritual practice
simantathe simantonnayana sacrament performed for an expectant mother
simhanadaa warrior's roar like the growl of a lion
skandhaa major division of a Purana, especially the Bhagavata
smaranaconstant remembrance of God in the mind, dwelling on the name
smartathe tradition that follows the smriti and worships the five deities
smritithe books of dharma composed by the sages; also the power of memory
somathe sacred creeper pressed in a yajna and its juice
somarasathe sacred juice of the yajna extracted from the soma creeper
srashtathe maker, the one who brings forth creation
srishtithe creation of the world; bringing forth
sruvaa long wooden ladle for pouring oblations
sthanuunmoving like a pillar, a name of Lord Shiva
sthavarabeings fixed in one place, such as trees and creepers
sthitaprajnaone whose intellect does not waver in pleasure or pain
sthulathe gross form visible to the senses
stotraa verse composition in praise of a deity
stutia reverent song of a being's qualities
sudarshanaLord Vishnu's weapon, the discus
sudhaanother name for the nectar of immortality
suhrida friend who wishes one well with a sincere heart
sukshmaso subtle that the eye cannot see it
suktaa group of verses on a single deity or theme
suryavanshathe solar royal dynasty descended from Ikshvaku
sushuptithe state of deep sleep without dreams
sutaa reciter who tells tales; also a charioteer
sutraa short sentence that binds a deep meaning in few words
svabhavathe innate disposition formed of nature and the gunas
svadhathe utterance made while offering oblation to the ancestors
svadharmaone's own duty according to one's nature and station
svadhyayathe regular recitation of scripture and study of the self
svahathe mantra-utterance made while offering oblation to the gods
svajanaone's own family and kinfolk
svargarohanaascent to heaven in the body
svastivachanathe recitation of auspicious mantras before an auspicious act
svayambhuthat which manifests of its own accord
svayamvarathe ceremony of a maiden choosing her own husband
svedajacreatures such as insects born of sweat or damp
T
tadagaa pond
tamasthe quality that brings inertia, dullness, and darkness
tamasadominated by tamas; inert and dark
tamasikaendowed with tamas, full of ignorance, sloth, and delusion
tambulaa betel-leaf roll offered in worship
tandavathe fierce, impassioned dance of Lord Shiva
tankarthe twang of a bowstring
tanmatrathe five subtle objects such as sound and touch, from which the great elements arise
tantrathe esoteric scripture and tradition centered on spiritual practice
tapasthe disciplined practice of restraining body, speech, and mind
tapasaa seeker who performs austerity
tapasyasevere spiritual practice; austerity
tapobalathe spiritual power gained through austerity
tapolokathe realm of the Vairaja gods, above Janaloka
tapovanathe quiet forest where sages perform austerity
tarpanathe rite of satisfying the gods and ancestors by offering water
tattvathe true nature of a thing, its underlying reality
tattvadarshithe sage who directly experiences the truth
tejaspiritual vigor and inner radiance
tikaa commentary that explains a text
tirthaa sacred, venerable place where one bathes and takes darshan
tiryakcreatures that move sideways, that is, animals and birds
tithia lunar day; one phase-stage of the fortnight
titikshathe strength to bear pleasure and pain with calm
tomara spear-like weapon thrown to strike
toranaa decorative arch built over a gateway
trayithe three Vedas: Rik, Yajus, and Saman
tretathe second of the four ages, the era of the Rama story
trigunasattva, rajas, and tamas, these three qualities of Prakriti
trilokiheaven, earth, and the netherworld, the three realms
tripurariShiva, destroyer of the three cities
trishulaShiva's chief weapon, the three-pointed trident
tritiya netrathe third eye on Shiva's forehead, from which the fire of dissolution issues
tryambakathe three-eyed Shiva; a jyotirlinga
tunira quiver for holding arrows
turiyathe fourth state beyond waking, dream, and deep sleep
turiyatitathe supreme reality beyond even the turiya state
tyagathe renunciation of the fruits of action and attachment
tyagione who renounces fruit and attachment
U
udasinthe detached witness-attitude free of attraction and aversion
udbhijjabeings such as trees that sprout by breaking through the earth
udgatathe priest who chants the Samaveda mantras in a yajna
udgithathe Om sung in a high tone during Sama chanting
udvignaagitated, restless
udyapanathe rite performed on the completion of a vow
Umaa name of Parvati, given when her mother said 'u ma', that is 'do not perform tapas'
upadhia covering like body and mind laid over the self that hides its true form
upadhyayaa teacher who imparts learning
upakhyanaa small tale told within the main story
upanayanathe rite of beginning study by bestowing the sacred thread
upapuranathe minor Puranas besides the eighteen Mahapuranas
uparatithe mind turning back from objects and settling within
upasanaregular worship and meditation done with faith
upavasaabstaining from food for a vow
uragaa snake, a creature that crawls on its breast
urdhvamulaone whose roots are above; the inverted world-tree
ushnishaa turban bound on the head
utpataan inauspicious sign; an event portending disturbance
uttarayanathe six months of the sun's northward course
V
vagdanathe promise to give a daughter in marriage; betrothal
vahinia medium unit of an army
vaijayantiVishnu's forest garland made of five gems
vaikharithe gross, articulate level of speech; spoken sound
vaikunthathe supreme abode of Vishnu; his form in one manvantara
vairagyathe mind's spontaneous turning away from pleasures
vaishnavathe tradition that worships Vishnu-Narayana
vaishvadevathe daily oblation offered to all the gods before eating
vaishyathe varna engaged in farming, cattle-keeping, and trade
vaitaranithe river believed to lie on the path to the next world
vaivasvatathe Manu of the present seventh manvantara; son of the sun
vajapeyaa great Vedic yajna connected with soma
vajrathe weapon of Indra; the hardest of things
valkalathe garment of ascetics made from tree bark
vamanaVishnu's dwarf avatar who begged three paces of land from Bali
vamangathe left side of the body, from which Shiva manifested Vishnu
vanaprasthathe third stage of life, of leaving the household for austerity in the forest
vandthe Sikh ideal of sharing a portion of one's earnings
vanshathe genealogy of gods, sages, and kings described in the Puranas; one of the five marks of a Purana
vanshanucharitathe account of the deeds of dynasties; a mark of a Purana
varadanaa boon granted in pleasure; a blessing
varahaVishnu's boar avatar who lifts the sunken earth on his tusks
varanachoosing someone respectfully for a task
varnathe four divisions of society: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra
varnadharmathe duty ordained according to one's varna and nature
varnashramathe code of dharma bound to varna and stage of life
vasanathe old imprint of desire lodged deep in the mind
vashatkarathe word 'vashat' uttered while pouring an oblation
vasudevathe supreme lord Vishnu who dwells in all beings
vasudhathe earth
vatsalyathe parental love that wells up for a child
vedathe foundational shruti scriptures of eternal knowledge
vedangathe six sciences that aid in understanding the Vedas
vedantathe final knowledge portion of the Vedas, the science of the self and Brahman
vedithe raised sacred platform built for a yajna or worship
vibhutiGod's manifest glory; also sacred ash
vidyaknowledge, especially knowledge of Brahman
vidyadharaa divine race skilled in magic arts who roam the sky
vijnanaknowledge realized in direct experience; immediate awareness
vikarmaforbidden, tainted, and improper action
vimanathe celestial sky-going chariot of the gods
vinayathe disposition of humility and deference
viniyogastating the rishi, meter, and purpose of a text before reciting it
virabhadrathe fierce warrior attendant born from Shiva's wrath
viratthe vast all-pervading cosmic form of God
visarjanathe rite of bidding the deity farewell at the end of worship
vishadadeep sorrow, the sinking of the mind
vishayathe objects of sense enjoyment: form, taste, sound, and the rest
vishvanathaShiva, lord of the universe, enshrined in Kashi
vishvarupathe vast form of God holding all the worlds within
vivekathe discernment that distinguishes the eternal from the impermanent
vrataa religious vow undertaken with discipline and faith
vratyaa fallen twice-born, degraded through neglected sacraments
vrishabhaa bull
vrishabhadhvajaLord Shiva, who bears the bull on his banner
vrittantathe full account from beginning to end
vrittia wave of thought rising in the mind
vyadhaa hunter of wild animals, a fowler
vyaghraa tiger
vyaghracharmathe tiger skin, Shiva's seat and garment
vyakaranathe Vedanga of word-formation, grammar
vyasathe sage's office of dividing the Veda in every Dvapara age
vyomathe sky
vyuhaa deliberate battle formation, an encircling array
Y
Yadavaa descendant of Yadu, the clan of Krishna
yajamanathe householder for whom and by whose wealth a yajna is performed
yajnaa Vedic fire rite performed by offering oblations into the fire
yajnabhagathe share of the oblation the gods receive in a yajna
yajnapurushaLord Vishnu manifest in the form of the yajna
yajnashalathe pavilion built for a yajna
yajnopavitathe sacred thread received in the initiation rite, the janeu
yakshaa demigod held to be a guardian of wealth
Yamathe god who judges sin and merit, lord of death and dharma
yamadutathe messengers of Yama who carry a being to Yama's world
yogathe practice of controlling the mind and uniting the soul with the Supreme
yogakshemagaining what one lacks and preserving what one has
yogamayaGod's power that draws a veil over the divine play
yoga-nidraVishnu's yogic divine sleep during the time of dissolution
yogeshvarathe lord of all yogas, God
yogia seeker established in yoga, a person who has attained equanimity
yoginia perfected female power who attends the Goddess
yojanaan ancient measure of distance, about 12 to 15 kilometers
yonithe species or kind of birth, a bodily form
yugaone phase of the cycle of time: Satya, Treta, Dvapara, or Kali
yuga-dharmathe dharma suited to a particular age
yupathe sacred post fixed at the sacrificial ground
yuthapatithe leader of an army or troop
yuvarajathe declared heir to the throne