Glossary
Adi Shankara Enlightened master from Bharat who lived only 32 years in the eighth century CE. Greatest exponent of the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta or non-dualism, whose movement restored glory to the declining vedic tradition and Hinduism during that period. Shankara established the Hindu order of monks which continues unbroken till today.
Agamya The actions one constantly does out of free will after taking birth on planet Earth. These are not born out of true desires but from desires borrowed from society, by looking at others.
Aham Brahmasmi Literally means 'I am god.' Aham means 'I am'; Brahman means 'god' or 'supreme being'. The statement refers to the essence of the soul which is ever identical to god.
Ahankar The false identification of the pure inner self with the outer world; a form of ego that makes you project a false identity of you to the outer world.
Ajapa japa Chanting a sacred chant involuntarily.
Ajna chakra The sixth energy center located between the eyebrows. Means 'command' or 'will' in Sanskrit. This chakra is blocked by one's own ego.
Akbar Moghul emperor.
Anahata chakra Subtle energy center in the heart region related to love.
Anal-Haq I am the Truth. Said to have been constantly uttered by the Sufi master Mansur, who was hanged to death for this sacrilege.
Ananda Literally means 'that which cannot be reduced'.
Anima Anima siddhi is one of the eight yogic powers, referring to the power of decreasing one's body size to that of a minute particle.
Annamalai Swamigal Disciple of Ramana Maharishi in the temple town of Tiruvannamalai, whose teachings led to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's deep spiritual experience at the age of 12.
Arati Fire ritual performed at the end of most vedic worship done with lighted lamps or camphor, accompanied often by devotional songs.
Arjuna Warrior prince and the third of the five brothers of the Pandava family in the great Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was a disciple of enlightened master Krishna who received the wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita from Krishna.
Arunachala Literally the unmoving red mountain in Tiruvannamalai in Tamilnadu in South Bharat, this mystical hill is considered a representation of lord Shiva.
Arunagiri Yogeeshwara The temple of Arunachaleswara in Tiruvannamalai is built on the living energy tomb of Arunagiri Yogeeshwara, who is considered an incarnation of enlightened master Shiva.
Asana Physical posture and one of the eight paths of yoga in Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga. Asana must be stable and comfortable.
Ashram A monastery for Hindu or Buddhist monks.
Ashrama The four stages in one's life: brahmacharya as a student, grihastha as a married householder, vanaprastha at the end of a productive married life and sannyasi as a person who renounces all material aspects in life.
Ashtanga yoga Eight limbs or paths of Patanjali's Yoga: yama (discipline), niyama (rules), asana (body postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (bliss).
Ashtavakra An enlightened vedic sage who was born with eight crooked limbs. He is the author of the Ashtavakra Gita.
Atma deepo bhava Buddha's message to his disciples exhorting them: 'Be a lamp unto your Self'.
Ayurveda Traditional Hindu system of medicine, Ayurveda literally means knowledge of life.
Bhagavad Gita Ancient Hindu scripture, delivered by enlightened master Krishna, and considered the essence of the Upanishads or scriptures.
Bhagavan Used as a title of veneration with great masters, literally meaning 'prosperous'.
Bhagavatam The foremost epic of Hindu religion describing the incarnations of Vishnu, especially his incarnation as Krishna. It was written by Vyasa, who was also the author of the itihasa or epic Mahabharata.
Bhaja Govindam Collection of 32 (sometimes 34) devotional verses composed by enlightened master Adi Shankara. This is considered to be the essence of Vedanta and Advaita, non duality.
Bhakti Devotion.
Bhakti yogi A person who follows the path of devotion, bhakti yoga, as a means to enlightenment.
Bharatanatyam Classical South Hindu dance form.
Bhava Emotional mood, referring here to the five emotional ways in which a disciple can interact with the master.
Birbal Advisor to Moghul emperor Akbar.
Brahma The Creator amongst the Hindu Trinity of Gods.
Brahmachari A vedic student, usually referring to a young celibate monk.
Brahmacharinis A female vedic student, usually referring to a young celibate monk
Brahman Absolute, Cosmic Consciousness, Formless god etc all referring to the Universal Energy source of which the individual energy of the soul is a holographic part.
Buddha Enlightened master and founder of the religion of Buddhism.
Buddhi Intelligence.
Buddhism Religion founded by enlightened master Buddha.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu A 15th century mystic from Bengal, Bharat steeped in devotion to enlightened master Krishna. His followers are known as Gaudiya Vaishnavas.
Chakras Energy centers in the body. Literally means 'wheel' based on the experience of mystics who perceived these energy centers as whirlpools of energy. There are seven major chakras along the spine: muladhara, swadhishthana, manipuraka, anahata, vishuddhi, ajna and sahasrara.
Chakshu Energy behind the power of sight.
Chandogya Upanishad One of the oldest and primary Upanishads or scriptures.
Chidambaram A place in South Bharat famous for its ancient temple dedicated to enlightened master Shiva in his dancing form as Nataraja and where he is represented as the space energy.
Chitta Memory.
Darshan Literally 'sight', referring to the vision of the divine, a deity or master.
Dasoham Means 'I am the servant' signifying surrender to master.
Devi Supreme goddess in Hinduism, Cosmic Mother.
Dhamma Representing the teachings of the enlightened master. Buddha spoke of the three elements of his mission, Buddha the master, dhamma his teachings and sangha his community.
Dhammapada Teachings of Buddha in scriptural form.
Dharma Sanskrit equivalent of the Pali word dhamma used by Buddha. Also translated as 'righteous behavior'.
Dheera Courageous person. Term used by Swami Vivekananda in exhorting his followers.
Dhyana Meditation. Seventh of the eight limbs of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga.
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid, the building block of all living beings containing the genetic code.
Dukkha ateeta Beyond sorrow and pain.
Dukkha Harana 'Removal of sorrows' meditation that is part of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's Life Bliss Programs. Addresses the root energy center muladhara.
Dvija Twice born. Refers to the state of awakening of Consciousness.
Engram Shortened form for engraved memories, referring to value systems, beliefs and conditioning memories that are stored in our unconscious mind, which drive us in our thoughts and actions.
Gananaatha Refers to Hindu god Ganesha.
Ganga The most celebrated river in Bharat, considered holy by all Hindus.
Gnana Knowledge.
Gnana shakti Energy of knowledge.
Gnana yogi One who follows the path of knowledge for Self Realization.
Goddess Saraswati Hindu goddess of learning
Gomukh Source of river Ganga.
Gopis Women who tended cows who were devotees of enlightened master Krishna.
Guru Krupa Compassion of the master.
Gurukul Vedic educational institution.
Hamsa Mantra Also called soham mantra, it is practised by intoning 'hmmm' while inhaling and 'sssooo' while exhaling.
Hanuman The monkey god revered by Hindus and a disciple of Rama.
Hatha Yoga A form of Yoga developed by Yogi Swatmarama focusing on the physical aspects of Patanjali's ashtanga yoga.
Hinduism Religion of most Bharatiyas. Developed from the vedic principles of sanatana dharma, the eternal law, that gave rise to other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc.
Iccha shakti Energy of desire. The other two are kriya shakti, energy of action and gnana shakti, energy of knowledge.
Isa vasya Upanishad One of the major and oldest vedic scriptures.
Ishwara Supreme.
Jagat Universe.
Jain Follower of the religion of Jainism.
Jalaluddin Rumi 13th century Persian Sufi poet..
Janma marana chakra Cycle of birth and death.
Japa Repetition of a mantra or sacred syllable either silently or loudly.
Jataraagni Inner fire that sustains life.
Jeeva sually the imperishable spirit that dwells in all living beings.
Jeevan mukta A person who achieves liberation from the cycle of birth and death during one's lifetime.
Kabir Mystic devotional poet of Bharat.
Kalpataru Boon-giving tree.
Kalpataru darshan A meditation darshan program of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM.
Kamandalu Water pot carried by Hindu monks.
Kapha One of the three doshas or attributes of the body in Ayurveda. Energy related to the elements of water and earth. Kapha is structure and lubrication.
Kapilavastu Kingdom where enlightened master Buddha was born.
Karma The vedic concept of one's freewill actions deciding one's destiny.
Karma bandha Bound by one's actions, since they are performed with vested interests.
Karma mukta Free of one's actions, because they are performed without attachment.
Karma yoga The path of Self Realization by fulfilling one's responsibilities without attachment.
Karurar South Hindu mystic saint upon whose immortal remains, the temple at Tanjore is believed to have been built.
Kathopanishad One of the major Upanishad or scriptures that features the interaction between Yama, Hindu god of death and a young boy Nachiketa.
Keertans Devotional songs.
Konganavar Hindu saint and disciple of Bogar, upon whose immortal remains, Tirupati temple is said to have been built.
Koshas Five energy sheaths around the physical body. Described in detail in the vedic text, Taittreya Upanishad.
Krishna Enlightened master from Bharat who delivered the Truths of the Bhagavad Gita.
Kriya Action.
Kriya shakti Energy of action. Other two energies are energy of desire and energy of knowledge.
Kshana Interval between two thoughts.
Leela Divine play, especially that of Krishna.
Madhyapantha 'Middle Path' prescribed by enlightened master Buddha. It represents the power of witnessing that causes one to be in moderation without being pushed and pulled into extremes of emotions.
Madurai Temple town in south Bharat. A major pilgrim center with the temple to Meenakshi and her consort Sundareshwara, an aspect of enlightened master Shiva.
Mahabharata The Hindu itihasa or epic whose central characters are the five Pandava princes, their hundred Kaurava cousins and enlightened master Krishna.
Mahamantra Humming meditation that energizes the anahata chakra and taught as part of THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's Life Bliss Programs.
Mahavira Vardhamana Mahavira was the 24th and last tirthankara or enlightened one, and established the tenets of the religion of Jainism, founded in Bharat and now practiced by millions worldwide.
Mamakar Inner ego that constantly says that you are smaller than what you think you are.
Manas Mind.
Manipuraka chakra Subtle energy center located near the navel region, related to the emotion of worry.
Mantra Literally means 'that which shows the way'. Sacred syllables that have a powerful positive vibrational effect.
Maya Literally 'That which is not'. The concept that life is but a dream, however real it may seem while being experienced.
Meenakshi The goddess at Madurai in south Bharat. She is said to be a saint upon whose immortal remains, the temple has been built.
Meerabai Princess of Chittor, a devotee of Krishna, mystical poetess and singer, ill-treated by her husband for her devotion to Krishna.
Milarepa Tibetan Yogi and disciple of Tibetan Buddhist teacher Marpa.
Mithyananda Someone who represents and teaches impermanent happiness.
Mudra Signs formed with hands during yoga practices, especially meditation, to distribute and seal energy within the body.
Mukti Liberation through Self Realization
Muladhara chakra Subtle energy center at the root of the spine, related to the emotions of greed and lust.
Muruganar A disciple of enlightened master Ramana Maharishi and Tamil poet who composed many verses about Ramana.
Nalanda A great Buddhist center of learning in modern day Bihar in Bharat comprising a university and library.
Namaskar Hindu custom of greeting. Means 'I bow to you'.
Namo Homage, refers to masters and deities as in Om namo narayanaya, with reference to Vishnu.
Nataraja Enlightened master Shiva in the dancing form in the temple of Chidambaram in south Bharat.
Nayanmars Tamil devotee saints of enlightened master Shiva, 63 in number, whose life stories are told in the book Periya Puranam.
Nirvana Liberation through Self Realization.
Nithya ananda Eternal Bliss.
Nithya Dhyaan Meditation developed by THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM as the daily meditation for his followers.
Nithya mukta Eternally liberated person.
Nithya Yoga THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's teachings of yoga based on the body language of Patanjali, taught by his teachers.
Nithyam Eternal.
Nithyananda Spurana Eternal flowering of bliss.
Om The sacred syllable and symbol that represents creation in Hinduism.
Parabrahma Supreme Being.
Paramahamsa Literally means Supreme Swan. Title bestowed on enlightened beings.
Paramahamsa Yogananda An enlightened master well known for his book Autobiography of a Yogi. He founded Self Realization Fellowship movement in USA in 1920.
Patanjali A sage of ancient Bharat and author of Yoga Sutras, which is considered the foundation of the system of yoga.
Periya Puranam A Tamil classic by Sekkizhar on the lives of the 63 Nayanmars, the devotee saints of enlightened master Shiva.
Poornima Fullmoon day.
Prana Life energy or life force.
Pranayama Breath control, one of the eight limbs of the Ashtanga yoga of Patanjali.
Prarabdha Mindset and desires that we bring into this world when we are born.
Pratyahara Fifth limb of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga referring to turning away from sensory inputs.
Puja Hindu ritual worship.
Rajas One of the three gunas or attributes of nature. Attribute of aggression.
Rama Prince of the kingdom of Ayodhya in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Enlightened master from West Bengal in Bharat. His chief disciple was Swami Vivekananda.
Ramana Maharishi Enlightened master, based in Tiruvannamalai in South Bharat. He taught the method of Self-inquiry, asking oneself, 'Who am I?', as the path to Self-realization.
Ramanuja Founder of the Vishishtadvaita or modified duality principle. Along with Adi Shankara and Madhva, considered to be one of the three great teachers of Hindu philosophy.
Ramayana Hindu itihasa or epic about prince Rama. The original version was written by poet sage Valmiki.
Rishis Vedic sages
Sadasoham I am always Brahman. I am always conscious.
Sadhana Spiritual practice.
Sahaja Spontaneous divine joy.
Samskara Engrams or deeply engraved memories.
Sanchita Bank of accumulated karmas from which we choose to bring into this birth a few as prarabdha karma.
Sangha Community.
Sankalpa Vow or promise.
Sannyas Renunciation.
Sannyasi One who has renounced, a monk.
Satori High state of consciousness.
Satsangs Gatherings for prayer, meditation and spiritual purpose.
Sattva One of the three gunas or attributes of nature. Attribute of passive action.
Shakti The supreme female principle, Cosmic Mother.
Shakti Dharana A meditation taught by THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM to all Nithya Spiritual Healers.
Shanmukhi Mudra Mudra in which eyes, ears, nose and mouth are covered while meditating.
Shastra Weapon
Shirdi Sai Baba An enlightened master worshipped by Hindus and Muslims alike. Lived in Shirdi near Nasik in Bharat.
Shiva Enlightened master from Bharat. The word shiva literally means 'causeless auspiciousness'.
Shiva Sutras A collection of teachings of Shiva in epigram form as techniques. Includes Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Guru Gita, Tiru Mandiram etc.
Shraddha Saburi Sincere commitment and perseverance. The essence of Shirdi Sai Baba's teachings.
Siddhis Yogic powers that arise during spiritual journey.
Sufism Mystical dimension of Islam.
Sutra Spiritual techniques offered in epigram form.
Swadhishthana chakra Spleen energy
center between base of spine and navel. Blocked by fear.
Swami A honorific term used for a sannyasi, a monk.
Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri Master of enlightened master Paramahamsa Yogananda.
Taittreya Upanishad One of the major Upanishads or scriptures that explains the concepts of the five elements and five koshas or energy sheaths.
Tamas One of the three gunas or attributes of nature. Attribute of inaction.
Tantra Ancient tradition of achieving enlightenment through spiritual techniques or practices, meditations and ritual worship.
Tapas Spiritual penance.
Tathata Suchness.
Tirupati Famous temple to Vishnu as Venkateshwara or Balaji in Andhra Pradesh, South Bharat.
Transcendental Meditation™ Meditation technique popularized by Mahesh Yogi.
Turiya Fourth state of consciousness in which there are no thoughts and only awareness.
Upanishad Scriptures that form the essence of the ancient texts of the Vedas. Literally means 'sitting with the master'. There are eleven main Upanishads that have been commented on by enlightened master Adi Shankara.
Vak Energy behind speech.
Vali Monkey King in the Hindu epic Ramayana who is killed by prince Rama.
Vanaprastha sannyas The third stage of life according to the vedic tradition, where the wife and husband lead the rest of their married life in spiritual activities in pursuit of the ultimate Truth.
Vasana Mindset.
Vedas Ancient scriptural texts explaining the deep spiritual Truths. There are four main Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. These texts explain about the performance of sacrifice and consist of stories and chants. The Vedas are considered to be revelations of the Truths that happened to the mystics and seers.
Veera Bravery.
Vishnu Sustainer in the Hindu Trinity of gods.
Vivekachoodamani Enlightened master Adi Shankara's philosophical work.
Vivekananda Primary disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Founder of the Ramakrishna Order. 19th century Eastern mystic considered a key figure in spreading awareness of Hinduism and Yoga in Europe and America.
Yaksha Demigod who according to Hindu mythology guards wealth.
Yama Hindu god of death and justice.
Yama The first limb of Ashtanga Yoga comprising observance of the five principles of satya(truth), ahimsa(non-violence), asteya(nonstealing), aparigraha (minimal possessions) and brahmacharya (celibacy).
Yamuna A holy Hindu river associated with enlightened master Krishna.
Yantra device, usually a metal plate that is energized, used in spiritual practices.
Yoga Literally means 'uniting' of body-mindspirit.
Yoga Sutras The book on yoga authored by enlightened master Patanjali.
Yudhishtra The eldest of the five princes of the Pandava family in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Yukti Clarity to know what needs to change and what needs to be accepted.
Zen Japanese Buddhist practice. Derived from dhyana, meditation.
Zen koans Riddles given as techniques in Zen to aid Self Realization.