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Page iii

A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy

Sanskrit Terms Defined in English
John Grimes

STATE UNIVERSITY OF
NEW YORK PRESS

1 01' I

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Page iv

Published by
State University of ew York Press, Albany
1996 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the

nited tate of menca

o part of thi book may be u ed or reproduced in any manner what ocvcr without written penn i ion. 0 part of thi
bo k rna be torcd in a retrieval . ' tern or tran mined in an form or b an mean including electronic.
electro tatic. magnetic tape. mechanical. photocopying. recording. or othcrwi c without the prior penni ion in
writing of the publisher.
For information. addrc
tate niv r ity of cw York Pr
State University Plaza, Albany, Y 12246
Production by Bernadin Dawe

* Iarkcting by Fran en ton

Library of Congre ss Catalogin g-in-Publication Data

Grimes. John. 1948conci c dictional' of Indian philo ophy : an krit term d lined
in ngli h I John rimes. - cw and rev. cd..
p. em.
I B 0-79 14-"'067-7 (h : alk. pap r) , -I B 0-79 14-"'06 - - (pb:
alk. paper)
I. Philo ophy. lndic-Dictionari c - an krit, 2. an skrit
language-Dietionaries-English. 1. Title.
B 131.G67 1996
!

18 1 'A '03-de20

96-12383

CIP

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Page v

Contents
Foreword

V11

Preface

tX

cknowl dgmcnt

Xl

chcmc of ran lit ration

XII

chcmc of Pronunciation

Xllt

A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy

Author and Their Philo ophical Work

363

Charts
The Vedas

367

ourccb ok of the a tika ~ Systems

ourcebook of the

t i ka~

Systems

ourcebook of the aiva" Schools

1 01'2

370
371
375

Padarthas'[ (Categories)

377

Vaisesika[ Padarthas'[ (Categories)

379

Jainism Categories

381

Saiva Siddhanta[ Tattva(s)

382

Kashmir Saivism ~ Tattva(s)

383

Scheme of Visistadvaita *

384

Jaina Epi icmology

386
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Evolution of Prakrti[ According to Sankhya'[

388

Cakras

389

Angasthala ~

390

tart ofCitationlf

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C\\

York Press] P ll DPJI99

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A Pantheon of Words
A Foreword to the Concise Dictionary
ofIndian Philosophy

It is an undeserved honor for me to say a few words to introduce you to this latest

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nical vocabulary of the primary language of Indian philosophy and religion, Sanskrit. No beginning student entering that exotic and bewildering world can afford
to do so without A Concise Dictionarv of Indian Philosoohv as a Imide to the
richest (and most precise) philosophical vocabulary ever devised or accumulated.
A

.,.

'r

. 1 . & .1
IIY.

~II""

VI

~IIV"'''''

.J.
"IIV

~
I

".,VII

n.

Linguistic legend describes the enormous choice of synonyms expressing the

minutely different species of snow in the language of the snowbound Eskimo.
Sanskrit, a language which has survived as the living language of Indian philosophy, likewise expresses the exacting concerns of those who read and write in
Sanskrit with the details of a spiritual approach to life-Le., philosophical and
religious concerns. Although Sanskrit has largely died as a language of everyday
life in India, it has survived not only in India, but in the disaspora of its philosophies, everywhere in the world where Indian philosophy is studied. It has survived as "The Language of the Gods," magic words which can, by themselves,
create states of altered consciousness, keys to open secrets.
As the language of a vast collection of complex systems of cosmology, epistemology, metaphysics, theology, and ethics, Sanskrit presents a minute discrimination and precision of unbelievable complexity. Whereas, for instance, the
culture of the United States has evolved terminology for but two states of consciousness generally acknowledged as possible for living beings-that is, waking
and sleeping-the Sanskrit vocabulary of Indian philosophy provides a vast and
subtly differentiated set of definitions of consciousness's myriad states. Such a
vii

Vlll

Foreword

rich vocabulary is required for a culture as preoccupied with consciousness as the

Eskimo is with frozen water. Sanskrit records the Indian minds' minute investigations into consciousness, providing a vocabulary uniquely subtle and precise
and finely divided in its sensitivity to the meaning and feeling of states of consciousness, concepts, and processes of the mind and soul and universe. The myriad words of Indian thought and spirituality are as richly diverse as the populous
pantheon of the Hindu gods.
The student of Indian philosophy, perhaps more than any other student,
greatly benefits from a gazeteer to the bewilderingly diverse and complex map to
the many journeys whose destinations are an understanding of reality and
enlightenment. Professor Grimes' fine and wonderfully useful dictionary is truly
a vade mecum for such a journey.
Neal W' 're -

San Francisco State University

Preface to the New Edition (1996)

A Concise Dictionary ofIndian Philosophy (Sanskrit Terms Defined in English) is

the outcome of a personal, experienced need in the field of Indian philosophy. The
original work was compiled as an introduction to the basic terms found in the major
schools of classical Indian philosophy. The terms fundamental to epistemology,
metaphysics, and practical teachings were found therein. The schools dealt with
hAPA

._.-

: ... ,...1 ,riA'

...,.

....

.,

~;--

-.

,.T

_._, . ' J - J - '

'T""

C'-,Ll.

.,-'

Vnn...
-

'0"

Mimarnsa, Vedanta (mainly

but not exclusively
Advaita,
Visi~~advaita, Dvaita),
,
,
,
Saiva xiccnanta, v Ira ~aIVISm, Kasnrmr Sarvism, ana Sivanvana.
This new and revised edition has come about due to a continued correspondence with many readers of the first edition. Not only have I rearranged the placement of the devaniigari script (to avoid the impression that it is not alphabetically
correct), but I have added to "old" definitions as well as adding some five hundred
new terms.
In the original work I strove to provide mainly philosophical terms since
other dictionaries, encyclopedias, and word books exist in regard to Indian religious or, as I would prefer to call them, popular Hinduism, terms. My correspondence has led me to include at least some of these terms in this new edition.
Like its predecessor, this dictionary, I hope, will serve as an introductory sourcebook with cross references wherever relevant. I have attempted to give the common
or nontechnical definition of a word first, and then, if this word has a special meaning or meanings within a particular philosophical system, I have listed such. For
example, a word like jiva (individual soul) has fourteen different technical definitions listed since each school conceives of this concept differently.
I have endeavored to cover, at the least, the basic concepts fundamental to
each individual system. Further, if there is a technical definition given by one
school which coincides with that given by another school (e.g. Nyaya and Sankhya
/

ix

Preface

or Bhatta 1t'ITmiiIpsa and Advaita Vedanta), I have only listed the most common
reference. I have also endeavored to give cross references wherever appropriate.
For instance, consider the close interaction of the term avidyii with the related
terms: mayi, anirvacaniya, sadasadvilaksana, anadi, bhavarupa, jnananivartya,
avarana. and viksepa.
This book aims at being both basic and, in some areas, comprehensive. It is
basic in that it (l) includes virtually all the words basic to the various Indian
philosophical systems, and (2) defines these terms in their dictionary or common
and literal meanings. The book is comprehensive in that it defines many of its
terms with the specific meanings that a word has for a specific school.
The purpose of this book is to provide not only the academic community but
also the interested lay individual with a dictionary of most Indian philosophical
terms, The terms are listed both in roman transliteration and devandgari script
alone with definitions in Enzlish.
At the end of the book are given fourteen charts which provide, at a glance,
. ..

tn th".
.......
.'
- , <:1nrl' .
individual schools. These charts are referred to in the main body of the text and
me reaaer can
mem ...."..... ..... ...- .-.
. f\ISO, mere nas oeen
a
fifteenth chart providing a list of the most frequently quoted Indian philosophy
authors and their major philosophical works.
Since this book is intended primarily for individuals who are not specialists
in Sanskrit., I have compiled the Sanskrit terms in the order of the English alphabet. Wherever relevant, I have illustrated the definitions with the traditional
examples used in Indian philosophical texts; for example, for savyabhicara-fire
and smoke-or, for asraya-asiddha-a sky-lotus. One will also find a "scheme
of transliteration" and a "scheme of pronunciation" to assist the reader.
I.'

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge my eternal indebtedness to my teachers, without whom

this work would never have been written. First lowe more than words can say to
Professor R. Balasubramaniam, former Director of the Radhakrishnan Institute for
Advanced Study in Philosophy, University of Madras. Not only did he patiently
eac me
ian p i os P y in e ra i iona way, u e person y w c
v r
my life in India. I also owe an eternal debt ofgratitude to Professor P. K. Sundaram,
who, along with Dr. Balasubramaniam, taught me Advaita Vedanta and spent Iit-

not forget.
Advanced Study in Philosophy without whose assistance and guidance this volume
would not have been possible: Dr. T. P. Ramachandran, Dr. S. Gopalan, Dr. T. S.
Devadoss, Dr. V. Rathinasabapathy, Dr. T. N. Ganapathi, and Dr. V. K. S. N.
Raghavan.
I must thank all the readers and reviewers of this work who suggested/
demanded/implored me to write and rewrite again and again. Though everyone
may still not be satisfied, its evolution has been gratifying.
I would like to thank the State University of New York Press for all that they
have done and continue to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I would like to thank the National University of Singapore for providing me
the time and facilities to update this work.
I offer my pranams to the SYDA Foundation for providing me with the
place and time to work on this new and revised edition. Many of the new terms
were suggested and/or inspired during this period.
I wish to acknowledge the kind and generous assistance of Shekar, David
Kempton, and Cynthia and Shumway Poole. No words of mine are adequate to
express my obligation to them.
xi

Scheme of Transliteration

31'

3lT

"3'

;n

at

an

an

au

at

am

31':

ah

~...

kh

IT...

a-...

gh

&...

...

ao...

ch

7if

ih

51"

fi

n[

~n

5...

~ll

..

Ul

...

1.1

(f

...

q...

th

c::

er...

dh

q
"'

q)

ph

ar...

1.f...

bh

11...

l:f

\.

M...

Cf...

"'

lSI'
"'

If...

00

ks

3f...

tr

it

jfi

...

"'
"'

..

"'

""

xii

""

Scheme of Pronunciation

like a in organ or the u in but

as in tongue

like a in psalm

th

as in anthill

like i in knit

as in dark

like ee in meet

db

as in God-head

like u in pull

as in Monday

like u in rule

as in tub

like ri in Rita

th

as in thought

Iike em they

as in dub

!'Ii

li1rp ~i in !'Iidp

like

au

like ow in how

III

.~

.'

in go
ut u.

IS a nasal

111 1

.. .

UII

i:1;:)

as in nut

as in pan

ph

as in up-hill

visarga is pronounced in the

articulating position of the
preceding vowel

as in bed

bh

as in clubhouse

as in kite

as in mother

kh

as in inkhorn

as in yes

as in give

as in race

gh

as in dighard

as in light

Ii

as in sing

as in vine

as in chair

as in sure

ch

as in church-history

as in bush

as in joy

as in sun

gh

as in hedgehog

as in hall

fi

as 10 new

as in curl

XllI

A Concise Dictionary
of
Indian Philosophy

A
Abaddham -

31G4~q

"'

-liberated; free; not bound

~-

Abiidhita -

noncontradicted; unsublated
1. In the epistemology of Advaita Vedanta, valid knowledge (pramii)
is new knowledge which has not been contradicted.

Abhanga -

3l$T - a particular metrical composition in praise of the deity

1. A devotional song composed in the Marathi language expressing the
longing of a devotee for God.
\oIll'ln

".L
...'"

..

~_.L".

.v.,,,

'TC

.Ul''''''',

ie

creation, semblance; conduct motivated by selfish desire

1. Fallacy, according to Jainism.
Abhiisa-viida - 311l"IIftq I~ - theory of appearance or manifestation
1. A causation theory in Advaita Vedanta which posits that the individual soul (jiva) is a seeming or illusory appearance of the Absolute
(Brahman). It maintains that all manifestation of name and form is
an appearing-to-be in the place of an actual existence. The unity of
Being appears to be a multiplicity in the sense of its seeming to appear as such. Those ignorant of the underlying unity (Brahman) behind this apparent diversity assume the diversity to be real, whereas
it has no real independent status. It is a variation of the reflection theory. (See pratibimba-vada; avaccheda-viida; satkiirya-viida.)
2. The creation theory of the Siva and Sakta schools, which posits that
the universe consists of appearances which are all real in the sense
that they are aspects of the ultimate reality. The world is an effect
and Siva is the cause.
,
3. The basic creation theory of Kashmir Saivism. It explains the absolute freedom and autonomy of the Lord to manifest externally the
world of names and forms, which always exists within Him. Accordingly, the world is the effect and Siva is the cause. The world is real,
not an illusion, as taught in Advaita Vedanta.
Abhautika AL.1. -

~-

nonmaterial; immaterial; subtle

...

ffrnm thp vprh rnnt

~

bhu = "to be become, exist"; and a = "not")

1. Tne Nyaya, v aisesuca, Hnana wumamsa, ana Dvaita vedanta

schools hold that nonexistence is a distinct category. The Buddhist

schools deny the existence of negation altogether, as do the Prabhakara Mimmpsa and Visi~!advaita Vedanta schools.
2. Nonexistence has two main divisions: (i) the absence of one entity
in another (samsarga-abhavai, which is of three kinds: (a) prior
nonexistence (priig-abhiiva), (b) annihilative nonexistence (pradhvamsa-abhdva, and (c) absolute nonexistence tatyanta-abhiivav; (ii)
one object not being another (anyonya-abhava) or reciprocal nonexistence.
Abhiivariipa-dharma - ~ -

"negative attribute"

Abhavatmaka - 3P'Ila kii(fi - a type of motion (dharma) in Jainism which indicates the distinction of one thing from another
Abhiivya -- 3ll1I'C5tT 1

one who is incapable of attaining liberation

i ...

1'.1

"

I'

I.

th",t

,_.-

. ~ ~
. _-

.1

may never attain liberation as they do not possess the capacity for it.
Abhaya -

3N1=f - fearlessness; without fear (from a = "not, without" + bhaya =

'fear")
1. The divine virtue of fearlessness is a state of steadfastness in which
one is not swayed by the fear-born inner or outer enemies.
2. Abhaya mudrii is a symbolic gesture formed by raising one hand
with the palm outward, meaning "do not fear." Many deities, saints,
and idols are depicted with this gesture. It is the hand gesture of fearlessness; or "seal of fearlessness." All fear is ultimately groundless
for one's true nature is bliss. (See mudra.i
3. In Advaita Vedanta, abhaya is equivalent to liberation (moksai.

Abheda _. ~ -

nondifference; nonduality

Abheda darsana -

~~~sn=1

cognition or realization of nonduality

Abheda-samsarga- ~~8ffIY - relation of nonduality; relationship of identity (see viikyiirtha)

~C;:'3~

a scriptural text whose purport is nonduality

1. The Upanisadic texts (mahavakyay which express nondifference between the individual soul (fiviitman) and the supreme Being (paramatmani.

Abheda-sruti -

.
4

~-

Abhiciira -

~-

Abhidhii -

Abhidhamma -

incantation; exorcising; spell; magic

primary meaning; literal sense

~-

metaphysics; doctrine (see tripitikai

~-

nameable or denotable thing; spiritual practices

1. According to Vaisnavisrn, the means of attaining the goal of life. It
is one of the three cardinal points which mark the absolute region:
knowledge of the eternal relation between the Lord and the individual (sambandhajfztina); spiritual practices (abhidheya); and the goal
of life (prayojana).

Abhidheya -

Abhigamana -

Abhighata Ll t: r.

~-

3lfiremr -

morning worship

a type of contact producing sound; striking; impact

t:

Abhihitiinvaya-viida
-311"'1~(1
the theory of the construction of the
uttered; relating the meanings of the words of a sentence after they are
uttered
1. The BhaHa Mimfu!1sa theory holds that words independently signify
their own separate meanings and subsequently these isolated meanings combine again to produce the single meaning of a sentence.
Thus a sentence sense is a later cognition coming from the construction of the meanings of the words (which express one connected
idea). One first remembers the isolated meanings of the words and
then a simultaneous collective memory gives the same a collective
meaning. See Anvitabhidhana-vada.
Abhijfui-3rtimT- recognize; be aware of; perceive; know; recollection

Abhlkalpanii - ~a:;FqP1 , - cogent anticipatory conception which is necessary in the initial stage for forming an idea of the principles which are
beyond ordinary conception-e.g., purusa and prakrti
Abhilapa -

~-

the association of name and permanence to objects per-

ceived
Abhimiina

conceit; attachment; l-sense; egoism; pride (from the

"11 ...... 14

" ....h ..nnt

WnM

"tn th: ....lr"

nJ..'o

"tnn ..............l-. ",,+",'\

1. The function of the ego (ahafikiira). It gives rise to feelings like "I
am the body," "I am male," etc.
2. A state of mind which interprets experience as "mine."
Abhimiina-dravya -

3lfi4'l H~Otl -

the ego; conceit; ego substance

Abhimukti -- ~ - turned toward liberation (from abhi = "toward" +

much/moks = "to liberate"
I. The stage of the arhat.
2. See bodhisattva.

Abhinava-anyatha-khyati -

~ ~tt I{Ott I ~ -

the theory of "apprehen-

sion otherwise"
I. The Dvaita Vedanta theory of error. It is a combination of asat-khyiitt. in mal me object OJ me erroneous cognilion is nero [0 De unreal,
and of anyatha-khyati, in that the object of error appears as otherwise than what it is. Thus what is seen in erroneous cognition is unrp!l) hilt it il: I:ppn in!l

-'-

ic rp!l) (~PP

.l.' ,I,.

I.L

'_\J/uin \

Abhinavagupta
;j1.
.' ~~
Commentator and great exponent of Kashmir
Saivisrn (c. 950-1015)
1. He was of the lineage of Vasugupta and Somananda, and author of
numerous works including Tantriiloka, Tantrasiira, and lsvara
Pratyabhijiui Vimarsini. Tradition considers him an incarnation of

Daksi namisrti.
Abhinaya -- ~ - to stream forth; to represent dramatically; expressing
sentiments
1. In classical Indian dance, to indicate a passion, emotion, or purpose
by a look, gesture, etc.
Abhinivesa - ~ - will to live; strong desire; false identification of the
Self with the body or mind
1. One of the five types of afflictions (klda) according to the Yoga
school. It is an instinctive clinging to life and a dread of death. It is
rooted in ignorance (avidya).
2. See klesa and trsna.
Abhinna -- 3rtirn' - undifferentiated; not different

Abhinna-nimittopadana - 3lfi4?1RfJ01f11ql~H marertat ~ cause)

nondifferent

efficient

and

1. The Advaita Vedanta theory that the efficient and material causes
are one and nondifferent: both causes are the Absolute (Brahman)
since there is ultimately nothing but Brahman. Visi~~advaita Vedanta also accepts this theory.
2. See kiirana.
Abhipriiya -

3lfimtf - intention; opinion

Abhisandhiina -

~-

Abhisankriirui -

3lf4f1 :s.:fi If.:d - synthesis

coordination; binding together

Abhiseka - ~ - "sprinkling"; consecration; annointing ceremony; ritual

bathing
1. The annointing of a deity, person, or sacred implement. Any ablu-

..

er sacred entity in substances prescribed by Agamic scripture-s-i.e.,

stances, each with its own unique properties, serves to cleanse the
deity's power and channel its divine energies. (See puja.)
~-

Abhivyakta -

manifested

Abhivyakti-yogyatii - 3ifi:I0Lf PcRt zfp Lktl - fitness for manifestation

1. That part of the internal organ which pervades the object, assumes
the form of the object, and invests the object with the character of
objectness (is known as fitness for manifestation).

3WITrT -

Abhoga -

immediate experience; engrossed attachment of the mind to

one thing
~-

Abhriinta -

nonillusory; real; true

Abhiaa - 3n-Rf - nonexistent; unborn (from a = "not, without" + the verb root
bhis = "to be, exist")
0\

internal objects
1. According to the Sautrantikas, it has two subclasses: citta, or intelligence, and caitta, or that which belongs to intelligence.

Abhyantara -

3lU"t;:=('1{ -

Abhyiisa -- ~ - continuous endeavor; constant practice; repetition; exercise; exertion (from the verb root as = "to throw" + abhi = "toward")
(see saa-linga)
Abhydsapratyaya -

repetitional cognition

3f1'Xf Ifft;4(LfLf -

Abhyudaya - ~ - prosperity; festival; rise of any heavenly body

1. The purpose of life as related to material prosperity and individual
and social welfare. It is enjoined by the ritual section of the Vedas
ikarma-kandav and is the empirical objective of everyone.

Abhyupagama-siddhanta - ~qtILffft"l~ - for the sake of argument, opponent's views are granted uncritically, thereby establishing a conclusion the consequences of which will then be refuted (see siddhiinta)
A

.1.

-I

ct

~"'

'J

means of the senses other than visual (see upayoga)

th~

Jir/ll/l

..

dill firm'

out change; mountain (from a = "not" + cal = "to move")

1. The fourth of Yogacara's nonoriginated elements tasamskrta dharma}-a state of total disregard for all pleasure or power.
2. See asamskrta dharma and bodhisattva.
Acamaniya - 31liitLf4)Lf - water offered to the deity for rinsing the mouth (iicamana). It also implies sipping a few drops of water from the palm of the
hand prior to religious rites.
Acara -

~~

immobile

"conduct"; good behavior; custom; practice; teaching

I. Technically, acara is a particular approach to liberation. Tantra distinguishes between the right-hand approach (daksina-acarai and the
left-hand approach (vama-acarai. Saivism makes a distinction between carya, kriyii, yoga, andjniina as well as between the Vedic approach (veda-iicarai, the Vaisnavite approach (vaisnava-acarai; the
Saivite approach (saiva-aciira), the left-hand approach tviimaiiciira), the doctrinal approach (dhanta-acarai, and the best approach of all, the traditional approach (kula-iiciira).

Acara - 3fTm( -

th~'

-I'

'ct

.1

..

,,,~~

/,"

.L.I ,\

Acara-mida - 311 iSt I ('aM

Acarya -

source of (religious) conduct

31 liSt 14 - preceptor; teacher; spiritual guide; monk-scholar; master

(from the verb root car = "to go" + the prefix a = "toward"; hence to

approach)
1. A title affixed to the names of learned spiritual individuals. Technically. it is a person who lives according to the scriptures (sastra) of
a particular tradition. It is "knowing or teaching the iicdra or rules of
conduct." The title applies especially to one who invests the student
with the sacrificial thread and instructs one in the Vedas. (See guru.)
2. According to Jainism, one stage of the ascetic order. Their duties are
to initiate people in the spiritual path; to guide, instruct, and correct
those aspirants; and to govern and regulate the monks of the Order.

Acarya-abhimana - ~ - devotion to the teacher

. : __

...

"'" '"

Acintya -

31f'i;t-('11 IVVL LlU -

"

....

unthinkable; incomprehensible; inexplicable (from the

.L

_1."

LV LilIa11\.

"'"
IIVL

1. A name denoting the Divine because it is said that the mind cannot
cognize the Ineffable.
2. A type of power. (See sakti.)

aG

Acintya-bhedabheda-vediinta - 3iI%i -('t1 ~

I=-a - a Vedantic school
of philosophy founded by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called unthinkable
dualistic nondualism or ineffable difference-in-identity
1. It propounds that there is both difference and nondifference between
all individual souls viva) and the Absolute (Brahman), but that this
dualistic relation of both difference and nondifference is logically
unthinkable.

Acit - ~- insentient; inert; nonconscious; matter; inanimate phenomenal

object
1. According to Vlra Saivism, it comprises the twenty-four elements
(tattva) beginning from primordial Nature (prakrtis. (See chart no.
12.)
2. One of the three realities according to Visi~tadvaita Vedanta. (See
tattvatraya.)
3'11~ {1"kt1t1 -

Adarapratyaya -

.....

..

..

regardful cognition
......... "'&

Adbhuta -- ~ -

Ade sa - ~ -

command; instruction

Adhama - 3'i1:1tf Adhamiidhama Adhiira -

wonderful; marvelous; miraculous

the low; below

~-

the lowest (of the low)

~-

"to support or prop"; support; substratum; body apparatus

(from the root dhr + ii = "to support")
1. The term designates various places upon one's body whereon one
focuses one's attention for purposes of discipline, concentration, and
meditation.

. ..

....

tn

nn",'"

duty; medium of motion

1. uenerauy speaxmg, tne wora stands tor unngnteous acnon or lawlessness. Such behavior stems from a lack of virtue or righteousness.
2. Jainism understands this concept as totally different from what it
in ",11 th", nth ..r

nf
'oJ

co'

nh
c

..

A
-oJ'

tA

co'
-<;>

Jainism, it means the principle of rest which pervades the entire universe. It is one of the five categories included in the term nonself
(aj7va). Along with the medium of motion (dharma), it is considered
to be responsible for the systematic character of the universe. Without it, no substance could remain at rest.
3. See astikaya, ajiva, and dharma.

Adharmastikiiya - 3le44IfRlCf'14 Adheya -

medium of rest (in Jainism) (see adharma)

3iW:r -

occasioned; dependent upon; supported

I . A type of power (sakti) that is occasioned in a thing by some new
operation (as in an idol when it is consecrated).

Adhibhautika - ~ - of inanimate objects; of elements; physical; extrinsic

I. According to Sankhya, one of the three types of sorrows. These are
miseries caused by extrinsic, natural influences inflicted by other individuals, beasts, birds, and inanimate objects.
2. See also iidhidaivika and iidhyatmika.
Adhidaivika - ~ - cosmic; supernatural; divine; celestial; pertaining
to deities
1

."

~:- .

"""'"

,,~ .ho .h .."""" ."... ""e- ,,~

10

"f'h""""" "'..'"

miseries caused by extrinsic supernatural influences such as spirits,

demons, ghosts, etc. Gaudapada also included herein miseries due to
heat and cold, wind and rain, etc., due to the theory that these phenomena, in their origination, are presided over by deities.
2. See also ddhibautika and iidhyiitmika.
Adhikiira -

3lfucm" -

chapter; authority; qualification

Adhikiira-mukta - ~ - pure soul; "qualified for liberation"

1. A term used in Salva Siddhanta to denote a state of the soul in which
it is qualified to receive spiritual knowledge. (See jiva.)
Adhikarana - ~ - topic; set of arguments; section of a textbook
1. A siara work is divided into chapters (adhyiiya); each chapter is divided into sections (piida); and each section is further divided into
topics (adhikaranay. The procedure of exposition for an adhikarana

..

..

vestigation (visayavakyai. Then a doubt (samsayai is raised regard-

. .

tpiava-paksa)
. is stated. This is then refuted (uttara-paksa).
. And fina y t e cone USlOn (nirnaya IS esta IS e.
ese are t e ive

limbs of a topic.
2. These five limbs of a topic are also listed as visaya, visaya, samsaya,
purva-paksa, and siddhanta.
Adhikarana-siddhanta - ~(f;(OI ~"Ir=('1 - an established conclusion which,
once being accepted, other conclusions will naturally follow (see siddhiinta)
Adhikarin - aID::tail fi""l- eligible person; a qualified aspirant after liberation;
spiritual aspirant
I. This implies a qualified religious aspirant, a fit student who has
shown his or her deservedness to be taught. It includes both a fitness
to be taught and a capability to learn.
2. The two elements deemed absolutely necessary for a religious aspirant are humility and truthfulness. Sankaracarya lists the fourfold
prerequisites to spiritual disciplines. (See siidhana-catustaya.i
Adhikiiri-bheda - ~ - the difference of the qualified aspirants
1. Aspirants are distinguished by different qualifications. All are not
capable of apprehending the same truth. Thus, some are taught ac-

taught wisdom (jniina).

II

Adhikari-vyavasthii - ~m - "determining the qualified"

1. The individual human being identified with the gross body,
Adhisthana - ~ - basis; substratum; ground
1. According to the Bhagavad Gita, one of the five factors necessary
for an action.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, the Absolute (Brahman) is the only
real adhisthana.
Adholoka -- an::OAla; - the region where the denizens of hell reside; the lower
world (see loka)

WlRL1lqa;:nFcRt -

Adhoniyamaka-sakn -

rance

(ii~ava)
~I-

th",

Adhvan - ' ~... -

the power of impurity of ignowhich misdirects the soul and leads it to degrade itself;

'

th", "1'111

evolution: way; time; "course or path; level or rnanifesta-

tion
1. The six ways that God (Siva) is declared to be connected to the soul
Co'
H'

""'111-

UU,"U

~".

'T"L

I.""'J UI....

'J

'UJ,

I"'U"'I~

(var~a),

words (piida) , world (bhuvana), categories (tattva) , and

constrictors (kala). These six ways help the soul experience and attain the Lord. The Lord takes form on the basis of these six and gives
results to the soul according to its aspiration.
2. According to Kashmir Saivism, the whole universe, in both its subjective and objective aspects, is a manifestation or proliferation of
saktt or subtle sound tparavak; in six forms (sad adhvii)-the six
routes or courses. They are, on the subjective side, varna. mantra,
and pada, while the objective side consists of kalii, tattva, and
bhiivana.

Adhvara -- ~ -

sacrifice

Adhvaryu - ~ - chief priest of the sacrifice who lays out the measure of
the ritual
1. Any officiating priest in a Vedic sacrifice. Specifically it refers to
the adherents of the Yajur Veda who are responsible for ritual action.
It also refers to priests of a particular class (as distinguished from the
hotri, udgatri, and brahmii), who had to measure the ground of the
sacrifice, build the alter, prepare the sacrificial vessels, fetch wood
and water, and bring the animal and immolate it.
A -11_

"./

.1.

---~-

,-

tn th",

12

,~

Adhyiiropa - 3l"6t41 (i4 knowledge

superimpositon;

incorrect

attribution;

erroneous

Adhyiiropiipaviida - 3ll:Xf I {)4 14C5l1~ - the "method or theory of prior superimposition and subsequent denial"
1. By this method, one first superimposes illusory attributes on an attributeless entity and then subsequently denies or removes them.
This technique is used by Advaita Vedanta to lead an aspirant to the
knowledge of the nondual Self (Atman).
2. See apaviida.
Adhyiisa -

~-

superimposition; illusion; false attribution

1. The imposition of a thing on what is not that thing (atasmims-tadbuddhi~). It is of two kinds: svariipa-adhyasa and samsarga~.~

"

"rJ....

&

10

n ...

:...

aa_

aaa

~ ..

t"-.

...

'11

~a

'J

""~
"

-,

'/

object on something real; i.e., superimposing an illusory snake on a

real rope, WhICh IS an example ot an ornmary error, or ot supenmposing ignorance (avidYii) and the empirical world upon the Absolute (Brahman), which is an example of a foundational error.
C'.

"

i" th...

O'~"

'r"

.,

,,~ "'... ",ttwoih.. t ...

_a

.a

" ... "' ...

~a

"h

_a_

ject. This relation is false (mithyii); i.e., to superimpose redness upon

a crystal which is in the immediate physical proximity of a red object.
2. It may also be divided into (i) artha-adhydsa (the superimposition
of an object upon a substratum) and (ii) jiuina-adhyiisa (superimposition of the knowledge of the former upon the knowledge of the latter).
3. A third division of adhyiisa is (i) dharma-adhyiisa (superimposition
of objects) and (ii) dharmi-adhyiisa (superimposition of attributes).
~-

"commentary on superimposition"
1. Sankaracarya's famous introductory part of his commentary on the
Brahma-siara which precedes the commentary on the text itself.

Adhyiisa-bhdsya -

Adhyiitma - ~ - personal; individual; of the supreme Self; supreme;

spiritual; pertaining to the self
Adhyiitmavidya -

arc:.~ - metaphysics; study of the self

Adhyiitmika - 3ll:Xf I Rqq; - internal; intrinsic; spiritual; "pertaining to the Self'

I. According to Sankhya, one of the three types of sorrows. These are
hv '

, ,.,

h.n.rt'h. <lInrt

e",..h <lie

" J '

13

the presence of bile or phlegm or desire, anger, etc. They are generated internally by illness of the body or by unsatisfied passions of the
mind.
2. See iidhibhautika and tidhidaivika.
an::Lfq~ ILf

affirmative process; conviction; determinative

cognition; apprehension

Adhyavasiiya -

Adhyaya -- ~ Adhyayana -

chapter; section

-learning, study; lecture

Adi - anf~ - first; origin; beginning; original

.....
Adiniitha -- \j1llc;"1lq' -

"first or nrimallord"
I. A name for Lord Siva both as the Great God and as the first spiritual
.L'

\OUf WJ VI

...

!J.

2. The name for the spiritual lineage of the Gorakhnath school of the
Natha Sampradiiya.

Adi Sesa -- 311~~1SI - "first or primal remainer"; the primeval serpent

I. The thousand-headed serpent upon which Lord Visnu reclines. He
"remains" after the destruction of the universe. (See ananta.)
Aditi - a:f I~Rt - boundless; the unbounded; "Infinite Mother" (from a = "not"
+ diti ="limit") or (from a = "not" + di = "to decay or perish")
I. She is the source of all the cosmic forms of consciousness from the
physical upwards.
Aditya -

311~('tt -

Adiviisi -- 311 ~Q I fii

the sun; the Sun god

original inhabitants; name denoting the tribals in India

Adravya -- ~ -

nonsubstance
1. One of the two main categories of Visistadvaita Vedanta.
2. It has ten members: the qualities of purity, activity, inertia; the attributes of sound, sight, form, taste, smell; conjunction; and power
isauva. rajas. tamas. sabda. sparsa, riipa, rasa. gandha, samyoga,
and sakti). They are all considered as attributes and always dependent upon substances (dravya). They are "that which inheres in a

substance."
A

.t.

,~.

J'

14

,..

.. " n.,. ........

~~.,

HI

........

1. It is generated by actions for helping to bring about their respective

fruits in a hereafter.
2. The unknown quality of things which arranges for later experiences
in accordance with merits and demerits.
3. The unseen power of one's past good and bad deeds.
4. It is also called apiava.
5. According to Vaisesika, it is the cause of the world process.
31 ~ ~q; I {U I -

Adrsta-karana -

an unknown cause

Adrsta-phala - 31<t~CfiM - unseen fruit

1. The results of (Vedic) actions are said to be imperceptible and to
manifest at a future time.
"'" y ~ I tf - imperceptible results; supersenuous; transempirical

Adrstdrtha -

A ..1.

"

..

3$f- nondualism; nonduality; "not-two" (from a = "not" + dvaita

Advaita -

"rllI",1

hun")

"

1. A term used to indicate a position of nonduality adopted by various

Indian schools of thought. Advaita Vedanta adopts a position of absolute nonduality while all other uses of the term accept internal distinctions within their various types of monisms. Thus, in its latter
usages, it signifies the interconnectedness of everything which is dependent upon the nondual One, Transcendent Reality.
2. Advaita Vedanta is commonly referred to as Advaita because it was
the first and, perhaps, the greatest exponent of this idea. It is one of
the six orthodox (astika) schools of Indian philosophy and the first
school of Vedanta philosophy. It has no individual founder, for its
roots are to be found in the Vedas, and particularly the Upani~ads
though its greatest exponent is Sankaracarya Bhagavatpada, Its central teaching is the oneness of the individual soul CJlva) with the Absolute (Brahman). It affirms the nonduality of Brahman, the
nonreality of the empirical world, and the nondifference between the
individual soul and Brahman (brahma satyam, jagan-mithyii, jivo
brahmaiva nii'parah). Its basic source books are the Upanisads, the
Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma-siara. (See prasthiina-traya.)
3. The key concept in Advaita Vedanta is ignorance (avidyii/miiyii).
This explains the otherwise perplexing distinction between the
formless (nirgu1)a) and the having form (sagu1)a) Brahman, between
- 1 , Qp~litv

the

..

:1,,'

..J"

Is and

:1"

Gon

(Tr

accounts for Advaita's metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.

.....
"'t.

~cc

l;lJ(U l IIU .....

15

I)

It

Advaya -

~-

one; oneness; unique

Advayam-ajdtam - 31ii;t1Li\ifictLi, -

one non-coming-into-being; the birthless

nondual (Reality)
Advayatii -- 31ii;ttct I -

oneness; secondless

Advitiya -- 3'1 ~8lt1 -

without a second

A.dyiivasth<i - ~ - first state; initial manifestation

1. A technical term in Yadava's cosmology.
A.gama -

3ifTTJ1- scripture; what has come down from tradition; canonical lit-

erature; source; beginning; "that which has come down" (from the verb

Agama,
2. They are divided into three main branches according to the deity that
is worshipped therein. Piiiicariitra and Yaikhiinasa Agamas are the
Vaisnava scriptures which extol Visnu. The Saiva Agamas extol
Siva. And the Sakta A.gamas extol the Goddess (Devi). Sakta tantras
are enumerated as sixty-four and grouped into two kinds: daksina
and vama or right and left hand. Vai~T}ava tantras are subdivided
into Yaikhiinasa and Piiiicariura. Those revealed by Sage Vikhanas
to his disciples Bhrgu, Marici, Ati, etc., are Vaikhanasa tantras.
Pancariitra Agamas are threefold: divya or directly revealed by
Lord Narayana; Munibhiisita or those handed over to the sages such
as Bharadviijasamhita, Paramesvarasamhita, etc., and Aptamanujaprokta, or those written by men whose word is trustworthy. Saiva
Agamas are fourfold: Kapiila, Kiiliimukha, Piisupata, and Saiva.
Traditionally, twenty-eight Salva Agamas are recognized as forming
the revealed canon (though hundreds of these scriptures are spoken
of): Kdmika, Yogaja, Cintya, Kiirana, Ajita, Dipta, Siiksma, Sahasra, Amsumad, Suprabheda, Vijaya, Nissvasa, Sviiyambhuva, Ana/a,
Vira, Raurava, Makuta, Vima/a, Candrajiuina, Mukhabimba,
Progita, Lalita, Siddha, Santana, Sarvokta, Paramesvara, Kirana,
and Vatu/a.

3. An A ama deals with four to ics: tern Ie construction makin

idols, etc.: philosophical doctrines; meditative practices; and meth-

16

into three divisions: tantra which teaches rituals; mantra which

teaches the yoga stage of worship; and upadeia which ex.pounds the
ex.istence and nature of the three eternal entities-individual souls,
bonds, and God tpasu, piisa, and path.
4. Traditionally, twenty-eight Agamas are recognized as forming the
revealed canon, though hundreds of these scriptures are spoken of.
(See chart no. 5.)
31 It 1'1 14I fi4

Agamapayi -

that which appears and which disappears

Agami -

31 II Ii f4

Agastya -

31llf<"Lt - A sage (r~i) and reputed seer of many hymns in the Rg Veda; "mountain thrower"

karma yet -to-come (see karma)

Loparnudra, He befriended Rama and Laksrnana in the Riimiiyana.

In South India he is held in great veneration as the first teacher of
science and literature, as the originator of the Tamil language, and
as the first among siddhas (perfected ones possessing miraculous
powers).
~ - nonobstructive karmas
1. According to Jainism, nonobstructive actions (karma) are of four
types which determine the length of life in any given birth (ayus);
the particular body with its general and special qualities and faculties (nama); the nationality, caste, family, etc. (gotra); and the inborn energy of the soul by the obstruction (antariiya) of which it
prevents the doing of a good action when there is a desire to do it.
They are actions which generate embodiment and the particular conditions thereof. (See karma.)

Aghiiti-karma -

Aghaiitaghatarui - ~4re('j4C:"11 priiptasya praptih)

Aghora -

accomplishment of the unaccomplished (see

3iEir( - "horrible, nonterrifying"; benevolent power; name of a Saiv,

iva.
17

Agni -

anT";:r -

fire; Vedic god

1. Fire is of five kinds: the fire of time (kiila-agni); the fire of hunger
iksudhii-agnir; the cold fire (sita-agni); the fire of anger (kopa-agniy; and the fire of knowledge (jfiiina-agni). These five fires reside
respectively in the feet, navel, stomach, eye, and heart.
2. In the Hindu srauta ritual, there are three types of fire: the householder's fire (giirha-patya), the fire to be offered into (iihavaniya),
and the southern fire tdaksina). In order to perform srauta rites, one
must "establish" these three fires. In the Vedas, Agni appears in
three phases: in heaven as the sun, in midair as lightning, and on
earth as ordinary fire. In the Vedas, Agni was one of the chief deities
with more hymns addressed to him than any other god.
3. According to some, Agni is the Divine Will and/or the sacred spark
of divinity within an individual, and/or fire per se, the priest god, and
the great effulgence of God, and/or Ganesa/Subramanyam. He is

.. .

...

lilt::

~_.

__

. ..

auu

Lilt::

~VU:),

(1:)

well as their protector and witness to their actions.

4. See tejas.
31fi"'ii.ttt"'i - "the piling of Agni"; piling of the fire altar
1. une or toe most eranorate OJ verne rituals. A large altar 10 tne snape
of a bird is piled up from more than one thousand bricks in five layers. The ritual lasts twelve days and is an optional (kiimya) ritual. It
is a special preparation of an altar for soma sacrifices.

Agnicayana -

3ffi"'i{j:it - "fire offering"; a Vedic fire sacrifice

1. The name of an obligatory rite enjoined on all twice-born persons,
daily, so long as they live. It is the twice-daily offering of milk products into the sacred sacrificial fire. The simplest Vedic (srauta) ritual. It consists of an oblation of milk offered every morning and
evening by a householder with the optional assistance of a priest. It
is an obligatory (nitya) ritual.

Agnihotra -

"praise of Agni"; fire sacrifice; a five-day Vedic ritual

Agnistoma -31f1"'ilfI4
I. The most basic form of soma sacrifice. See soma.
Agra -

3m -

foremost; chief

Agraha -- ~ Agraha -- ~ -

noncognition; nonperception
anger

.
'-':

nnt
'0

18

thp tn.th

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is an aspect of ignorance which remains even in the deep sleep state, though in a latent form, This explains how deep sleep differs from liberation.
2. Nonapprehension is negative (abhiiva) and what is negative cannot
be the cause of anything according to Advaita Vedanta.

Agriihyam Ahalyii -

31 ij 1~'1 - ungraspable; not understandable

"'

31EFtt I - beautiful; not ugly (from a = "not" and halya = "ugly")

1. The wife of the sage Gautama. Because of an infidelity, she was
turned into stone by her husband's curse but recovered her human
form when touched by Lord Rama's foot. Her story is told in the

Riimayana.
"
self-consciousness; "I't-consciousness: the pure inner Self
1. There are said to be two "I's": the lower self or egotistical individual

2. According to Kashmir Saivism, it points to the free and Self-illumi-

..

Aham-brahmiismi - ~ 4ij~ I ffa:t

"I am the Absolute (Brahman)"
1. A Great Saying (mahiiviikya) conveying the wisdom of the Upanisads which occurs in the Brhadiiranyaka Upanisad of the Yajur
Veda
2. See mahavakya.
Aham vimarsa - ~ ~ -

pure "I" -consciousness

31~il(

- 'I' -ness; egoism; the concept of individuality (from the

verb root kr ="action" + aham ="I"); literally ="the 'I' -maker"
1. In the evolutionary process ahankara is said to evolve from the intellect (buddhi) and give evolution to the senses (indriya) and the
subtle essence of the elements (tanmiitra) in tum. Its function is selfassertion. It is an aspect of the inner organ (antahkaranai and it has
the three aspects of vaikiirika or sattva, taijasa or rajas, and bhiitiidi
or tamas.
2. See chart no. 12.

Ahankara -

Ahiira -

~-

food; what is brought near (from ii + hr = "to bring near")

19

A.hiiryiiropa - ~ IE 1tfl il q - adventitious assumption

A.hiirya-sQllkii - ~ I~ 14"'1 - adventitious doubt
A.hiivaniya - ~ I~ la:::flt4 - "to be offered into"
1. One of three fires of the srauta ritual and the one into which the oblations are poured. (See agni.)
Ahimsd -

3lftm" -

noninjury; nonviolence (from the verb root hims = "to injure" + the prefix a = "not")
1. One of the great vows (mahiivrata) of the Jainas. It is the law of
compassion in body, mind, and spirit. Negatively it means refraining
from causing any injury, and positively it stands for the practice of
love toward all living beings. (See mahiivrata.)
'L. It IS the nrst and most Important ot the abstentions iyamai ot the
Yoga System. It is the cardinal virtue upon which all others depend.
It is the law of compassion in body, mind, and spirit. (See yama.)

Ahita - ~ -

improper; not propitious

Ahrlka - ~ - shamelessness

Aiksata -- ~ - "to see"; saw; thought; desired

Aikya -ir<:ftf - oneness (see sthala)
Aikya-siimanadhikaranya -"QCft4f1IJ:f l'9IMCf5<Ot4 - grammatical coordination
in the sense of oneness
I. In the sentence, "This is a cow," the word this refers to an individual
object and the word cow refers to the generic attribute of cowness.
In this example, the two words are equated due to their being in
grammatical coordination to each other. (See samiiniidhi-karanya.i

Airavata .- ~ - "child of the water"

I. The white elephant produced at the churning of the ocean and given
to Indra.

Aisvarya - ~ - dominion; power; lordship; divine glory; majesty; splendor

1. An attribute of God (Isvara) or any theistic deity. (See Isvara.i
A

: 1.

.......

-.t'

..

.t
,

20

1 ... IIIV&

1. A traditional belief or beliefs which have been handed down from

generation to generation.
2. One of the means of valid knowledge (pramanai according to the
Pauranikas.

Aja - 3l\;f - unborn; unproduced; birthless; goat (from a = "not" + the verb root
ja = "to be born")
~-

Ajada -

immaterial; nonmaterial
1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, immaterial substance is of two
kinds: external (parak) and internal (pratyak). The external is of two
kinds: eternal manifestation (nitya-vibhuti) and attributive consciousness tdharma-bhiua-jhanai. The internal is also of two kinds:
individual self viva) and God (Isvara).

I' -

Aiahal-laksana - "'" '\.: :~

nonexclusive implication
1. When the primary meaning of a sentence is not adequate to convey
a

.~

,y

IUl;;;a, UII;;;II UII;;;

I;) I

.,_.

LV. 1.11 LIII;)

case, the primary meaning is not totally rejected but is retained and
added to by the implied meaning; e.g., "The red runs" means that the
red horse runs. The primary meaning of "red" is retained and clarified by adding to it the implied meaning, namely "horse." See
laksanii.

Ajdmila -

~-

name of a person rescued by God's grace

1. A brahmin who fell from his life of pure conduct when he was
aroused by passion for a woman. But by invoking the name of God
as the time of his death, he was redeemed and was taken to heaven
by messengers of Visnu. His life is an example that even the most
wicked person can attain liberation, by God's grace.

Ajapa-japa - 31\il4'J't4
the natural mantra of the breath; natural repetition
1. The natural, involuntary, and effortless repetition of the mantra that
goes on within every living creature in the form of the incoming and
outgoing breath; repetitive prayer. Also known as hamsa.
Ajati -

31\il1 1ft - nonorigination; birthless

1. A term employed by both Gaudapada and the Madhyarnika school
of Buddhism to mean that nothing is born and nothing dies (though
for

'1'1'

:)

Tt

'UIVC;:

.-

thnt thp wnrlti ~nrf thp'

..

. ~rp

not there, have not been born, and will not die. Nothing is real from
an unimare sranapoim.
21

JFi11 RIa 1<:; - the theory of nonorigination

1. The Advaita Vedanta theory, especially associated with Gaudapada,
which denies any causal change. That which is nonexistent in the beginning and nonexistent at the end is also nonexistent in the middle
and therefore completely nonexistent. See ajiiti.

Ajiiti-viida -

A/iva -

~-

nonsoul; what is inert or nonconscious; insentient

1. One of the two principles which constitute reality according to Jainism. It is comprised of five categories: matter (pudgala), medium of
motion (dharma), medium of rest (adharma), space (iikiisa), and
time (kala).
~ ~

the lotus of command; "command wheel"

1. One of the subtle centers of energy located along the spinal column.
The spmtual center located between the eyebrows. The awakened
kundalini passes through this nerve plexus (cakra) only by the command (ajfla) of the guru, and for this reason it is also known as the

Ajfia cakra -

,1. ~

0"'" "'..."',....

'In.

........ ,

".1

"

. f.'

'J ,.,

.L

6' ......' ~...... 0"'"

often touches the seeker at this spot. (See cakra.)

Ajiuina -- ~ -

ignorance; nescience (from the verb rootjfiii = "to know" +

a = "not")
I. One of the five types of delusion (mithyiitva) according to Jainism.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is defined as beginningless (aniidi), positive ibhava-rupav; removable by right knowledge ijiumanivartyai, having its locus either in the Absolute (Brahman) or in the
individual 0iva), having the two powers of concealment tavarana';
and projection (viksepa), and indeterminable tanirvacantya). (See
avidyii and miiya.)
3. Primal limitation (mala), according to Saivism.
Ajfiana-viida -

31~I"1q 1& -

agnosticism; the theory of disbelief

Ajfziita-piiipana -

3'1~k1~lq"1

Akala _. ~ -

without parts; an attribute of the Divine Being

knowing what is not otherwise known; the

unknown becoming known

Akalpita -

unimagined

31ct'fFq("l .1

"t.

, .-

22

Akiiilk~ii -

Akiira Akaraja -

expectancy; mutual affinity between words; syntax

1. One of the material conditions or causes which brings about a valid
cognition from a proposition. Words must be compatible in order to
fulfill this condition; e.g., a mere string of words such as man, horse,
dog, cow, etc., does not produce a valid sentence.
2. See asatti, yogyatii, and tatparya.
311Cf' IISm -

~-

form; category

311Cf'{\ij -

Akiiraja-bandha -

mineral; one of the four kinds of fire (see tejas)

311Cf'1 {\ijG4-\:t -limitation by form

Akarma-krta - 31 Cf'4<td - nonkarmically made

1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, those bodies which are noneternal and non-karma made. These include the forms of God
(Isvara) such as the Great (mahat), etc., and the forms of divine inI.

~. .... ~ ~ _ : 11 I
.n ..." ' . . . . .

- .\

, ... ' ........., ....1

,-

t.

2. See anitya-sarira.
Akartr -

~do")

Akasa -

311Cf'1!fI -

not an agent; doerless (from a = "not" + the verb root kr = "to

"not visible"; ether; space; inner sky; sky; room; any type of
space: physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual
1. Space, the subtlest of the five physical elements, which gives rise to
the other four elements and which has the attribute of all-pervasiveness. It denotes any type of space: physical, mental, intellectual, and!
or spiritual. It is also known as the inner mind or consciousness of
an individual. (See paiicabhiaa and mahabhiua.i
2. In Buddhism, one of the three asamskrta-dharmas. It is held to be a
permanent, omnipresent, immaterial substance. Its essence is free
from obstruction. (See asamskrta-dharma.i
3. In Jainism, it is an all-pervasive, subtle, existent substance which
provides the ground for all other substances to exist. It is divided into
space occupied by things (lokakliSa) and/or the space beyond, the
void (alokiikiisa).
4. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, it is what is inferred as the eternal
and all-pervasive substratum in which sound inheres.
5. According to Sankhya and Advaita Vedanta, it is one of the five elements which are oroduced and destroved.
6. According to Sautrantika, it is the same as the ultimate atom, since
1.

.1.

VVLlI UJ ....

.1.
IlV lllVl ....

~llUJI

23

Akevalatva -

31cfsC4H('q -

Akhanda -- Jt~o S "break")

manifoldness; multiplicity

indivisible; whole; undivided (from a = "not" + khanda =

Akhanda-desa -

31flqU s~"

Akhanda kala -

31flqU set'IH -

indivisible space

impartite time; indivisible time

1. It is held to be eternal and all-pervasive. See kala.

Akhandakara-vrtti-jnana - 31flqU sl4"1 <qff1~ I.... - the modal cognition through

which the Absolute (Brahman) is apprehended; direct knowledge of the
Self (Atman) in Advaita Vedanta
I. This is knowledge which arises through a mental mode, the object

...1:S l i l t ; .

Ui

W 111\,,11

. ..~j

11li:S

(v[tti) is called the ultimate modification tantya-vrtti). It destroys

every other vrtti, giving rise to the direct perception of Reality
tsaksiukiira. and then it also .nerishes leavinz on Iv the Realitv

..

,,

..

.-

lIlY

..

31~0:S Iqa ICftf -

identity statement
I. A sentence where the subject and the predicate refer to the same entity. Each word has its own meaning and yet, both of them refer to
one entity; e.g., "That thou art" (tat tvam as i) or "This is that Devadatta" tso'yam devadattah).
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is a literal expression of the nondual Reality.
3. Visi~~advaita Vedanta holds that the grammar of language is the
grammar of Reality and thus, unlike Advaita Vedanta, it posits that
identity statements indicate a qualified Reality.

Akhandiirtha-vakya -

Akhandopiidhi - 31flqU s"',q 1M - an attribute which is not a generic or class attribute but which is similar to it
Akhila -- ~ Akhyiina bhiiga -

undivided; complete; whole

~-

Akhyiita .- 311 {OLtkl A 1.1_

.-+4"nu

.....
Ilrt

narrative part of a sacred text

verbal suffix

..

. .

24

Akhyati-viida - 31<0L1 Rlq

I"-

theory of nonapprehension
1. The theory of error of the Sankhya and the Prabhakara-Mimamsa
schools. Error is conceived as a case of omission or nonobservation.
When an individual mistakes a snake for a rope and makes the judgment "This is a snake," the error lies in the nonapprehension of the
nonrelation between the perceived "this" and the remembered
snake. There is no error in respect of the object which is seen, nor in
respect of the snake remembered. The error is in one's failure to realize that they are nonrelated as subject and predicate. Thus error is
due to incomplete knowledge and arises from nondiscrimination.
2. See khyati-viida.
3f ~lr:t(C4 -

Akiiicanatva Akificanya -,

A' ,

absolute want; meekness

311 ~~r:t1 -

sense of meekness

--

..

c..

~~;nt

1. (12th century) Also known as Mahadevi Akka. She was an ecstatic

poet-saint ot soutn moia. In her short lIte she composed many devotional poems (vacanas) in the Kannada language. These poems were
often addressed to Siva as Chennamallikiirjuna, "The Lord White as
Jasmine."

Aklista - 31 fCfM@ - nonafflicted: unmoved (from a = "not" + the verb root klii
= "afflicted")
1. According to the Yoga school, a state of the mind which leads one
toward liberation.
~-

Akrama -

not happening successively; happening at once

~-

Akrodha -

absence of anger; angerless

Akrti- 31ICflf(l - form; uncreated; the eternal principle underlying words

Ak.~a -

3Tm - pertaining to the senses

Aksapada Aksara -

~-

name of Gautarna, author of the Nyayasiaras

imperishable; indestructible; immutable; undying; syllable

(from a ="not" + ksi = to destroy. perish")
1. A name for the Reality (Brahman) in its transcendent immutable aspect. Sometimes used as a name for maya or prakrti.
Jrei( -

,.,

_~ ~~

e;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' " .V&

..1-..
~ . .' "

--I
V.U

v ' .

25

;3i"~ -

Aksaya -

A.k~epa -,~ -

Akula -

undecaying; everlasting
objection

~-

without~ form; formless

1. A name for Siva.
-.:l

A.kufzcana - 3'11Gf'ER'9
- contraction
-.:l
1. One of the five types of action.
2. See karma.

A.kuta - ~ - idea; intention

Aliibha -

3lM1l.l- loss

Alaksana -- ~ "".

indefinable; without any sign or mark

, --.

verb root lamb

Alandi -

.- .-

' . - .-

.....0

,HU"....'"

= "to hand down" + a = "hither, unto")

31M ~ - town in Maharashtra

1. Birthplace of Jfianesvar Maharaj and the place of his samiidhi
shrine.

A/ankfJra- 31Ml'l ( - ornamentation; rhetoric

1. The science of poetry.
A./asya - 31IMfL - idleness; apathy; sloth; laziness
1. One of the obstacles to yoga.
Alata-cakru - 31Mk14'fi - fire-brand circle
1. See aliita santi.

31M Ict$jj R1 - quenching of the fire brand

1. Title of chapter 4 of the Maf}t!ukyakarika in which Gaudapada explains the illusoriness of the phenomenal world by comparing it to
the illusory designs produced by the waving of a fire brand.

Aliita-siinti -

Alaukika -

31M"" fWGf' -

transcendental; supernormal

Alaukika-mukhya visesyata
1

31 ffi f4?Gf'1 {&:I

26

fa"

l$Lfct 1

supernormal princi-

Alaukika-saksatkara -

31Mi~Gt5ft 1~1(q51( -

supemonnal immediate appre-

hension

Alaukika-sannikarsa - ~ - supernormal contact

I. Of three types: samanya-laksana-s-wnen the generic nature of the
individual is perceived; jfziina-lak~af}a-something is seen and its
invisible qualities are also perceived; yogaja-yogic intuition.
Alaukika-visayata - 31F?tfa;Gt5~lSftU11 ~-

Alaya -

supernormal objectness

indissoluble; imperishable; unending

Alaya - 31'T'Mlf - storehouse; receptacle

..

" ~ ""

;;;;;,~.,..

"-J

,'(,

,...,

"r

'J

~~

...

'J'O

1. A tenn used in Yogacara Buddhism to indicate the storehouse consciousness. The Yogacarins posit a reality of nothing by ideas, consciousness tviiiuina). and this storehouse is the carrier of all latent
potencies and the receptacle for all accumulating tendencies, It can
also mean the transcendent and eternal Reality that is the Absolute
Consciousness. Thus, depending upon one's perspective, it is either
the continually changing stream of consciousness or the Absolute
Being itself. As it is always changing, dynamic, and a continuum
that is one and homogenous, it is unanalyzable by the faculty of reasoning.

Alinga - ~ - without any characteristic or mark

I. Sometimes used in reference to one perspective of the Sankhyan Nature (prakrti) in which no characteristic may be affirmed of it.

Allama Prabhu - ~ ~ - Saivite saint

1. (12th century) A great Saivite saint of South India, also known as
Prabhudeva. He presided over a group of Virasaiva saints who completely rejected formal ritual. He composed many beautiful vacanas
(devotional poems) in the Kannada language.
A/obha A/ocana

amN" -

disinterestedness; not greedy

311M1i3fr:t
:.'

,'.

bare awareness; simple perception; nondetenninate cog~I~

27

31IM1 ~"'1~ 1"'1 -

A/ocana-j;iana A/oka - ~ ism

A!var -

sense cognition; cognition of bare awareness

the transcendent region of liberated souls according to Jain-

(Tamil) - 31ICija IJ - "one who has taken a deep plunge into the ocean
of divinity"; South Indian Vaisnavite saints
1. In the Bhagavata-purana it is said that the devotees of Lord Visnu
would appear in South Indian on the banks of rivers. This reference
is to the twelve A!vars who were wandering saints dedicated to
spreading Visnu's glory by songs. They propagated the path of devotion. Their compositions are collected in the Niilayira-divya-prabandha (The Book of Four Thousand Divine Stanzas).
2. The twelve Alvars are Periyalvar, A.QQa!, Kulasekhara A.!var, Tirumalisai A.!vavar, 'I'iruppanalvar, Madhurakavi A.!var, Tirumangai
Alvar, Namrnalvar, Bhudattalvar and Pey Alvar,
pure; immaculate; free from defects (from a = "not" + mala =

Ama/a - 3ltJM -

,y')

1111111

1. Amalii is a name of Laksml,

Amari -

arqTft - prohibition of animal sacrifice

Amarsa -- ~ -

Amatrii -

passion; anger; impatience

modeless; the fourth (turiya) state (see turiya)

31'1=fm -

Amavasya - 31Lt lalfLt - "one"; new moon

1. The fifteenth day of the lunar month. It is the day of the half moon
or the fifteenth tithi of the dark fortnight.
Ambd -

~-

"mother"; a name of the divine Mother; the beautiful form of

Durga
1. One of the names for Parvati,

Ambhah .- ~ -

a form of laziness (see tusti)

Ambikii -- 3'1Ltf~a;1 - "the mother"

1. One of the names for Parvati.
2. The wife of Agni.

Amitabha -

31 fQ(1ll.l- immeasurable glory (from amita = "unmeasured" +

-;.J",/., -

"

"\

28

1. The Buddha of unmeasurable splendor. He is the Buddha of the

three forms: The Dharmakiiya or Absolute, the Sambhogakdya or
Divine Incarnation, and the Nirmiinakiiya or historical Buddha.
Amniiya -

31 1J'1 lti -

~-

Amasa-dharma Amrta -

tradition; scripture; lineage

that which is not lost; preserved teachings

3llFf- "not death" (from the verb root mr = "to die" + the prefix a =
"not"; immortal; immortality; divine nectar; juice of divine delight; ambrosia; mystical bliss
1. The nectar of immortality. The divine nectar which flows down
from the thousand-petaled lotus (sahasriira cakra) when one has
raised the kundalini.
ocean of milk when the gods and demons churned it.

Amsavatiira - 31i!flckl1< -

minor incarnation (of Visnu)

Amsa traya - 3'i!fl?lti - the triple aspects

1. They are the method, the means, and the end.
Amsin -

3fflFr -

Amiirta -

3l1ffi -

whole
1. One of the ten categories in Dvaita Vedanta. It is neither the parts,
nor their relation, nor both.
2. See padiirtha and chart no. 6.
/

'"

formless; without form; void; subtle

Anabhibhava - ~ Anabhivyakta -

not being overcome

~-

Anadhigata - ~ -

potential; unmanifest

previously unacquired; original

29

Anadhyavasiiya -

~ttcH"

Itt -

want of definite knowledge; indefinite corre-

lation (see samsayai

Aniidi - 3l~ - beginningless; eternal

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, six things are eternal: Brahman (Absolute), Isvara (God), jiva (individual), avidya (ignorance), the difference between the jiva and Isvara. and the relation between pure
consciousness and avidya.
Anagiimin .- 31"1 P IIfq~ - never returner (from an = "not" + agiimin = "one
coming")
1. A Buddhist aspirant who has destroyed all the obstacles to perfection (nirviina). Such a one will never be born into the cycle of birth
and death again.
2. See bodhisattva.
Anagata

-~.., '.'0

ruture: not yet come lOW existence

Aniihata -- 31r:tIEd - "unbeaten"; unstruck; continuous inner resonance; the

neart; tne neart center; tne mner uivme merooy: um
1. The twelve-petaled lotus or subtle center of psychic energy lying in
the central channel tsusumnii niit[i). The lotus of the heart is the
fourth plexus (cakra). (See cakra.)
Aniihata niida - 31r:tIEd ;:rrq - continuous sound
1. The inner divine melody; the "unstruck" sound heard in meditation.
(See also niida.)
Anaikiintika hetu - 312ta; I f-=<1a;~ g- nonabsolute reason
1. A type of fallacy in inferential reasoning wherein the concomitance
of the middle term (hetu) with the major term (siidhya) is not absolute; e.g., sound is eternal since it is an object of knowledge. (Being
an object of knowledge, it is found present in eternal as well as noneternal things.)
2. See hetvabhiisa.

Anaikantikatva - 31~a;lf-'f1Cf5("q - inconclusiveness

Anaksara - 3i"1'W Ananda -- 311"i--G -

without letters; non alphabetic

bliss; delight; a type of samadhi in which the mind concen11

ua~~~

Vll

Ul~

/ e.
.t.
_t.
\l1VIII Ul\.- V \,;1 V

30

lVV~

J....

f1UflU

~v

-J

'" J

Anandamaya-kosa- 31 H'"GLit1Q)l!11 - the sheath of bliss

1. The innermost of the five sheaths enveloping the self. (See kosa.t
2. Truly speaking it is infinite, transcendent, and perfect and not really
a sheath, according to some schools, but the very essence of the Self.
3. It is also known as the causal body tkarana-tarirov. according to
Advaita Vedanta.

Ananda sakti - ~ -

the power of absolute bliss

Ananda-taratamya- 311 rot""G ('1 1('1U1 - gradation of bliss

1. The nature of release is graded in Dvaita Vedanta according to the
soul's level of knowledge. The four levels are entering the abode of
Visnu (siilokya), proximity to God (siimipya), having the form of
God (siirupya), and united to God (siiyujya).

Ananta -

~-

"infinite"; without end; endless; name of the snake upon

which Visnu rests (from a = "not" + anta = "end")

Ananta-darsana- 31 rot""d Grnrot - infinite perception

1. According to Jainism, the soul, in its pure state, possesses infinite
perception.

Ananta-jiiiina -31rot==<'1$H - infinite knowledge

1. According to Jainism, the soul, in its pure state, possesses infinite
knowledge.

Anantara - 31'1==<'1 ( -

immediate; proximity

Ananta-sukha - ~ - infinite bliss

1. According to Jainism, the soul, in its pure state, possesses infinite
bliss.
Ananta-virya - 31rotr=f141tf - infinite power
1. According to Jainism, the soul, in its pure state, possesses infinite
power.

Ananya -

.4

~-

similar but not equal; nondifferent; identical; nonseparate

1. One who has realized his or her oneness with the Absolute (Brahman).

.........T'"

31

'"

_._.1

Ananyathii-siddha - JPFlftilflotli; - indispensable antecedent

I. A technical term employed by the Vaisesika school. The cause is the
indispensable or necessary antecedent of the effect.

Anapadesa- 314q~1l1 - fallacious middle

I. An instance of fallacious reasoning wherein there is no connection
between the major and middle terms,
Anapeksa -- ~ Anartha -

ar-=r2f -

independent

suffering; evil; harmful

3144&0 s<;i4d - a Jaina ethical code of conduct which

enjoins one to abstain from harmful activities
1. Refraining from the minor types of evil activity: contemplating

Anartha-danda-vrata -

. .
having articles of destruction (guns, poisons, etc.);

harm to

etc.;

Anartha-hetu -

,,. or

.'

au VI\';C, anu

3R"~ -

. ,. cnr-h ~li;.

"

. ..

PUI.-

...,

giving

-0'

undesired middle term (see anumanai

Anarviicina - 31=-tat=4l=-t - ancient determinate and indeterminate perception

1. A type of perception which does not need the help of the sense organs. (See pratyaksa.i
2. It is the knowledge possessed by God (Isvara), eternals (nityasurii,
and liberated souls (mukta) according to Visi~~advaita Vedanta.
Andrya -

3RTlf -

Anasakti Yoga -

ignoble; unholy

31=-t!1lfW

Anasana -- ~=-t1l1=-t -

tim -

the yoga of nonattachment, of desirelessness.

an external penance in Jainism; fasting

Aniisrava -- ~ -

undefiled

Anasrta-tattva - JF=f9F'di""a - independent categories (unaffected by maya)

I. The first five categories in Kashmir Saivisrn. (See chart no. 9.)
2. An act of cognizing consciousness in which there is no objective
content as yet.

.... ,

'.'
~
....." ....... t"

32

Anatman - 3'1~ k""lr:t - without substance; not-self (from an = "not" + atman =

"Self')
I. The Buddhist theory of the nonexistence of the soul.
/

Anatta -

Anaupiidhika A~ava -

3'1'r:rrr -

(Pali term) -

~-

same as aniuman
unconditional; necessary (see vyiipti)

impurity of ignorance; impurity of minuteness; veil; stain

I. One of the impurities or limitations which brings about bondage of
the universal Self and reduces it to a limited, individual being; the
individual's innate ignorance of his true nature. (See mala.)
2. It is the root impurity (mUla-mala). It is the cause of delusion by
which the infinite soul becomes finite. It is a beginningless positive

3fTl1Ta' -

:...h~

~~.:..1
"'''~'~J

".1

' ..."' . . .'" ...'"

~n . . . . ~

.... ~

........ 1'..

"' .. ~"'''' "'. "'''' ... '"

,~

-'
~

T. : .. A",~ .....
A'

.'"

~~-

.'"

iinava that the other two rna/as-karma and miiyQ---.get tainted and
oecome retters ror me SOUl. n nas lWO powers: avaraKa-salai (concealing) and adhoniyiimaka-sakti (projecting).
....

Anavakiisa -

n:::r

31r:tqCfjI~

{"",."t:>. \"'--

.'~

-/

that whose scope remains unfulfilled

Anavasthita - 31r:tqn:tr - "instability"; inability to find a footing; mental unsteadiness

1. One of the obstacles (antariiya) of Yoga. (See antariiya.t
Anavasthii - 3AGffq'f A~avopiiya -

infinite regress; regressus ad infinitum (see tarka)

31,o'~"'lq,t1 -

"atomic means"; path of Self-limitation

I. One of the four steps to liberation according to Kashmir Saivism. It
refers to the approach through individual effort. The yoga whereby
the individual utilizes his senses, breath (pra1}a) , mind (manas).
sound, etc., for Self-realization. It is also known as iinava upiiya,
bheda upaya, or kriya upaya. (See upiiya.)

Anaya Anda -

3lT::rtr-

bring

3fO'S - cosmic spherets); the whole

I. They are infinite in number according to some traditions.
'00

'J

33

Andha-uimisra - ~ paryaya)

a type of false knowledge: self-love (see vi-

Anekiinta -- 3'1~q;1""'d - manifoldness; versatility of aspects

I.. According to Jainism, nothing can be affirmed absolutely as all affirmations are true only under certain conditions.
2. See anekiinta-viida.
Anekdnta-viida - 31==lC,f;I;::;etct I~ - the theory of relative pluralism; manifoldness
1. According to Jainism, all things are relatively manifold. Nothing can
be affirmed absolutely (as all affirmations are true only under certain
conditions). Thus, the nature of Reality can only be expressed in several steps; no single definition is adequate to describe all of its manifoldness. (See sapta-bhangi.i

3fW -

Anga -

"limb"; individual part; accessory; member; technique; a scripture (from the verb root ang = "to move")

..

2. According to Buddhism, the name of each member of the twelve

3. According to Jainism, the Angas are its chief scriptures. (See Anga~.)

Anga-bahya - 31 'ii'i4I~ - not incorporated in the twelve Angas; subsidiary canon

1. One of the two classes of knowledge contained in the Jaina scriptures. This class has twelve varieties within it. (See snua-jnana.)
Angii~

~~:

- the name of the Jaina sacred books or canonical literature

1. There are eleven Angas which constitute the oldest existing Jaina
canon.
2. See chart no. 2.

Anga-pravistha - 31'il';4~@ - incorporated in the twelve Angas.

1. One of the two classes of knowledge contained in the Jaina scriptures. (See sruta-jiiiina.)

Anga-sthala - ~tTM - part of the classification scheme of Vira Saivism (see

sat-sthala, linga-sthala, and chart no. 14)
Angatva-bodhaka-pramana -

31'il'(OqlS41ClCf';4Q lUI -

34

the valid means of knowl-

1. According to Mimarpsa, the list of principles by which one could decide whether there obtains a subsidiary relation or not
2. These principles are direct assertion (Sruti), indication or capability
(linga), context (prakaranay, position or proximity (sthanav. syntactical relation (viikya), and designation (samiikhyii).
Angi -

am:- the whole

1. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, the individual is a part ianga)
or mode tprakarii) of God who is the whole (angi). God (lsvara), together with individuals and matter, is an organic whole.
~-

Vedic sage <r~i)

1. One of the seven celestial sages. (See rsis.)

Angiras -

Anguliiva->

Animii-

-fingerness

little; minute; atomization

of the supernatural powers of Yoga. (See asta-aitvarya.i

Animitta -

31 f:=j ~ f1 -

Anindriya -3'1f~~ti -

no cause; uncaused
not a sense organ

Anirmoksa prasanga - ~ of birth and death

impossibility of release from the cycle

Aniruddha - 31 Ft 6~ - free; without hindrance; unobstructed; one of the four

vyuhas of the theistic systems
1. He emanates from Pradyumna and rules over ego (ahankiira). He
protects the creation and makes known liberation which results from
practice (siidhana). He has consummate potency and splendor. He is
the origin of the sub-vyuhas; viz., Hrsikesa, Padmaniibha, and Damodara. (See vyuha.)
Anirvacaniya - 31 P1J~4)Lf - indeterminable as either real or unreal; indeterminability; inexplicable; ineffable; inexpressible (see avidyii;

definability of ignorance (avidyii)

o
uja s seven major 0 jec ions agains
35

e-

ory of ignorance iavidyii). (See saptavidhii-anupapatti.y

Anirvacaniya-khyiiti - ~ - the indefinability of apprenhesion
1. The theory of error of Advaita Vedanta. Advaita Vedanta holds that
the object of error is neither real nor unreal. As the object of error is
sublatable, it is not ultimately real. And as the object of error is perceivable, it cannot be said to be totally unreal. It cannot be both real
and unreal for that amounts to a violation of the law of contradiction.
For perceptual error to take place, two main factors are necessary:
there must exist a substratum (adhisthana) on which the false is superimposed, and there must be a defect (do~a) called ignorance. This
ignorance projects the false object upon the substratum. (See khyiiri.)

Anirvacyii-viida -

31fr:t4j~ jq 1& -

the doctrine of the indeterminable, the in-

definable, the inexpressible

Anisargaja Ani~tfl

Anitya -

~-

not natural

. . ..

~~ f.=!("Lt -

impermanent; transient (from a == "not" + nitya == "constant")

Anitya-dosa -

31f.:'kLt&llSl -

Anitya-phala -

31PkLtq;M

occasional defect
nonetemal results; transitory fruits

Anitya-sarira - 31 PkLt !1H 11 - nonetemal bodies

1. They are twofold: non-karma-made bodies (akarma-krtai and karma-made bodies tkarma-krta), Again, they are classified as either
nonambulant or ambulant.
Anityatii -- 31 P'kLtdl Anitya-viida -

31f:=tcLtql& -

Aniyata-vipiika Aiijali -

transitoriness

3lALtdf'aq

the doctrine of momentariness (see ksanika-vadai

I'*' - fruition of action(s) not restricted to one life

.~ -

handful (of flowers, etc); two hands held with palms together,
as in greeting

36

31 :g.~(
"...:I

Ankura Ankusa -

sprout

3'1:g.(;f;!tl- goad; one of the divine weapons (from the verb root aile =
"...:I
"to bend" or from ii + kuiic = "to contract, make curved, crooked")

Annam -

"food" (from the verb root ad = "to eat")

3l?Ttr -

"

Annamaya-kosa - 3'1?ltlt:t4'1!11 - "the sheath of food"

1. It is the outermost sheath enveloping the individual soul. It is made
of food and is also called the physical body or the gross body. (See
sthula-sarira.i
Annapiirna - 3'1?l,!of - "full of food"; goddess of food (from anna = "food" +
puma "full")

'T'h", ......""...~
A"~

l:>'~-'

-' -'

I""'.. . -'
\~

~:\

...
~

)'.~

-'

"'<'
~

~h",~.

n.~
~n.~

~~-

...... ....1

abundance.

3'1P11t1Q -

Anottapa -

~_

r'~~ 1

hardness of heart
~ ,~

-'

.1
1
UI~

law,

Anta - 3Rf -

extremity; end; death; essence of

Antah-karana - ~:q;(DT - the internal organ; inner sense; inner instrument;

"inner causes"
I. It is comprised of the intellect, the mind, the ego, and the consciousness (buddhi, manas, ahankara, and cit), according to Advaita
Vedanta. The Sankhya school recognizes only the intellect, mind,
and ego as comprising the inner organ.
2. It is the seat of the functions of the senses as distinct from their outer
organs. It receives and arranges what is conveyed to it through the
senses. It reflects objects by its relation with the self (puru~a) according to Sankhya or by its relation to the Self (Arman) according
to Advaita Vedanta.
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, the perceived variations of different
individuals' cognitions are due to the differences in their respective

antahkaranas.
.
.
4. The inner organ functions by streaming out to an object, illumining
it, assuming its shape, and then cognizing it according to Advaita
Vedanta.
Antah-karana-vrtti

~:~<Ol~ftt

mental mode; modification of the inter-

.1

37

1.. In perception, the mind becomes identified with the object perceived
and takes its form.
3F(i:~ -

inwardly cognitive
l. The dream state wherein consciousness still functions but is not externally manifested. This dream consciousness is technically called
taijasa. Here the dreamer experiences subtle objects which are projections of the mind. (See taijasa.)

Antah-prajnii -

3F(i:~ -

Antah-pravesa Antara -

al'~ -

Antarii-bhava -

entering into

internal; interior; inside

~-

ntaranga-sa

an intermediate state between death and rebirth

proximate ar to

ration

l.Inr-'-tJ
I
r
tion, meditation, and union (dhiiranii. dhydna, and samiidhi) are
2. See sadhana-catustaya and astangayoga.
Antaratman -

31:cHkLi.... /

conscience; inner self

Antariiya -- 3'1r:c1 <1L4 - obstacle; a subtype of (karma) particle which binds the
soul
1. The Yoga Siara lists the following obstacles on the path of yoga: illness tvyadhi), languor (styana), doubt (samsaya), heedlessness
ipramada), sloth (alasya), dissipation tavirati), false vision tbhriinti-darsanai, nonattainment of the higher levels (alabdha-bhianikatva), and instability (anavasthitva). These are all called distractions

(viksepay.
2. According to Jainism, they are of five types and are responsible for
obscuring the inherent power of the soul. They obscure, respectively, charity, profitmaking, enjoyment, will power, and circumstances
under which enjoyment will be possible. These actions (karma) determine the inborn energy of the soul by the obstruction of which it
prevents the doing of a good action when there is a desire to do it.
(See aghati-karma.i
Antarbhiua-kiira ita -

~cta:;1 <fttct I -

38

immanent cause of creation

tween" and the verb root ksam = "to endure"; or from antar = "within"
+ ksi = "to destroy, annihilate, or to possess")
Antar-mukha - 31::O~ - "inward vision"
1. According to Kashmir Saivism, Siva limits His powers through inward vision so that the withdrawal of the world is effected.

inner concomitance
1. Concomitance between that which has the characteristic of the mark
(linga) and that which has the characteristic of the subject (sadhya);
e.g., fire, in the sentence "Where there is smoke there is fire."

Antar-vyapti-3'1"f1OtiTft<1 -

Antaryaga - 31k1Lif l l - internal sacrifice (from antar = "within, inner" and

yaga = "to sacrifice")

e process were y an overt

contem lative act.

within; the "witness" who dwells within eve living being (from
antar ="within, inner" + yamin = "guide")
1. The immanent form of God (present in the heart).
2. The cosmic form of the Self as associated with illusion (maya). (See
VIm

lsvara.i
Antya-visesa - 31-cLf

ra"

lSI - ultimate particularity

1. For example, the atoms (a~u) of the Vaisesika system.

Antyesti -

A~u

31-c~ f

last rites
1. These include cremation (then) ten days of mixing sesame with water and various leaves; offering of a small ball of rice tpinda).

3l1'J -

"atom"; atomic; elementary particle; that which cannot be further

divided; an individual being
1. The smallest indivisible particle of matter of which all material
things are ultimately produced. They are said to be eternal.
2. Visistadvaita Vedanta calls the size of the soul "atomic."
3. According to Jainism, atoms have touch, taste, smell, and color.
Two atoms form a compound (skandha). They maintain that atoms
are in contact with one another (a fact which Buddhists deny).

39

air, fire, and water-are atomic in their primary form. The variety
seen in the universe is due to the number of atoms in a particular object's composition. Atoms are eternal and qualitatively differ as
smell, taste, color, and touch. Atoms have no parts, are nonspatial,
and are globular tparimimdalya).
5. In Kashmir Savisirn, it is a technical term referring to the individual
soul tjiva).
Anubandha-catustaya - ~ - four prerequisites
1. There are four preambulary factors to a philosophical work: the subject matter (vi~aya), the aim (prayojana), the relation (sambandha),
and the persons for whom the work is meant (adhikiirfn).
~

Anubhaga 1

intensity

tn

nn..

nf th.. fnllr tun.."

-j

nf

bandha.)

nerceotion:
. direct
.nresentation: knowledze: exnerience
.
1. According to Jainism, the result or retribution of an action; intensity.
L.. According IO Auvaira veufuua, rt is me nnai coun or appeal: near me
truth-sTuti; reflect upon it-yukti; direct personal experience-

Anuhhava -

~.., ... a ~

anubhava).

Anubhava - ~- that which indicates a feeling (from the verb root bhii =
"to be become, exist" + anu = "along, after")
1. According to Indian aesthetics, this is one of the three factors regarded as the efficient cause of the essence of bliss (rasa). It is the effect
or manifestation of an emotion. All the physical changes that accompany an emotion come under this term. They are of two main types:
ssttvika-bhavas. which are involuntary expressions of an emotion
which cannot be produced at will, and bhiivas other than siutvikabhiivas. Bharata enumerated eight siittvika bhiivas: stupefactions
(stambha), perspiration (sveda), horripilation (romiinca), trembling
(vepathu), change of voice (svara-bheda), change of color (vaivarnyai, shedding tears (asru), and fainting (pralaya). (See rasa.)
Anubhuta -

~-

subperceptional

Anubhuti - ~ - direct apprehensions; experience which reveals new

knowledge; experience
,

..

JJ-

.....

'1".

40

-'

Anuddharsa - 31jlt;tSf -

not overjoyed (see siidhana-saptaka)

Anugraha - ~ - grace; attraction; "favor"

1. Divine grace is often cited as the cause of liberation. (See krpii.)
AnukUlyasa sankalpah - ~ ~iO({Of: - to conceive what is in conformity with the will of God (Isvara) (see prapatti)
Anuloma -

~-

Anumana -

~-

in a natural order

inference; syllogism; instrument of inference (from the

verb root mii ="to measure, prepare, display" + anu ="along, after")
1. Literally it means "after-knowledge," that is, knowledge which "folIn\1/~nthpr'

.1.1"Y

'.11

.1

ic l

-I

th~trp_

-I
Q

sults through the instrumentation of some other knowledge (jiiiina-

.. --

"'WI

~).

-J

2. It is the efficient instrument of inferential cognition.

3. It is divided into knowledge for others (pariirtha) and knowledge for
u" {,

o' r) due to

to

-I'

.1'

. .

. or it is

divided into parvavat, sesavat, and samanyatodrsta, due to distinctions according to the kinds of relation (vyiipti); or it is divided into
kevaliinvayi, kevala-vyatireki, and anvaya-vyatireki, due to distinctions according to the establishment of the vyiipti. (See vyiipti.)
4. Nyaya claims there are five members of a syllogism: thesis
tpratijiui), reason (hetu), exemplification (udaharanai, subsumptive
correlation (upanaya), and the conclusion (nigamana).
5. Mimmpsa claims there are needed only three members in a syllogism and they may be comprised of either the pratijiui, hetu, and
udaharana or of the udiiharana, upanaya, and nigamana.
6. Buddhism claims that only two members of a syllogism are necessary: the udiiharana and upanaya.
7. There are five conditions to be fulfilled in a valid inference: the reason must be present in the minor term; the reason must be found
wherever the major term is found; the reason must not be found
wherever the major term is not found; the reason must not be related
to something absurd; and the reason must not be contradicted by an
equally strong middle term.
8. Some old Naiyayikas claimed there were ten members of an inference: desire to know the truth (jijiiiisii), doubt about the real nature
of a thing tsamsaya), capacity of the pramiinas to lead to true knowlp.rlOp. ( '

....

.1.

-;\

"..

thp.

nf

an i ,..

{J

,.

"J

'1\

removal of all doubts about the truth of an inference (samsaya._

o.
.._ _
..
._
v....

t), ute:)t:) \jJluUjfuJ),

41

vnetu ),

U~UJ).

(lp-

plication of the example (upanaya), and the final conclusion (nigamana).

9. See linga-paramarsa-vyapti, and hetvabhasa.
31ljL:f 1Fr=tC$ -

Anumanika -

Anumeya -- 31jqtt Anumiti -

~-

Anumiti-karana -

inferential

object of inference
inference

3'1jfttRlC${01 -

prime cause of inference

Anupalabdhi - 31jqM(1l:l- noncognition; nonapprehension; nonperception

I. The Bhatta Mimamsakas and the Advaita Vedantins hold that non..
~140I'._
f) IS .... I l U W l l . . ,
1 ne
or
an object is known due to its nonperception. It is the specific cause
of an immediate knowledge of nonexistence. It is based upon the

...,

i ... ~

thar

., ThP

.1.

two

schools are the only schools to accept noncognition as a separate val....

IU

"~

VI

_~O-

r .

-.'

VJ"

T'

J). LV 1,;;11 a<) PV<)IU VI,;;

L'
T

VI

some existent through a valid means of knowledge is a way of cognizing, so is the nonapprehension of something another way of cognizing according to these two schools. The critics say that this is
merely a variant of perception and not really a separate source of
cognition. However, as it is the specific cause of an immediate
knowledge of nonexistence which is not produced by any other
means of knowledge, it deserves a place in the list of valid pramanas
(or so claim the Bhatta Mlmamsakas and the Advaita Vedantins),
(See pramana.t

Anupalambha - 3"1'jqM"l" -

nonapprehension

Anupapatti- 3'1jqqrn - untenability (see saptavidha-anupapattis

Anuparimana -

3'1 '1 q ftL:f 10 I -

size of the atom; atomic measurement

Anupasamhiirin - 3'1jqf\E In~

nonconclusive reason
I. A type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason has no affirmative
or negative example; e.g., all things are noneternal because they are
knowable. (See savyabhicara.i

Anupiiya -- 3'1jq Itt - "without means"; way without a way; the highest path toward Self-realization
42

I. One of the four means or steps to liberation according to Kashmir

Saivism. It involves a spontaneous realization of the Self without
any special effort. (See upaya.)

Anu-pramana - ~ - secondary means of knowledge

I. The sources of valid knowledge are held to be secondary means according to Dvaita Vedanta. They are the means (of acquiring valid
knowledge) though they reveal an object only indirectly. These
means include perception, inference, and verbal testimony. It is kevala-pramana which is defined as giving knowledge of an object as
it is. (See kevala-pramana.i
Anupreksii - ~ - a process to stop the inrush of karma particles; reflection
I. According to Jainism it is one of the bhiiva-samvaras. It consists of
meditation on the transient character of the world, on one's helpless..1.
II"'~~

.. , . J . .

~II'" U

.,

.. 1.

U~II, VII

'11'" '"

,.

.e J.. J..

"'."'~ VA

-J -J,

.1.

VII U ' U I I " " " ' U " ' , VII VII'"

-J,

o "u

ties and responsibilities for one's good and bad actions, on the
distinction between the soul and nonsoul, on the detects or the physical body, on the influx of matter (karma) and its stoppage and destruction, and on the essential principles of the soul, the world,
knowledge, faith, and conduct. (See bhava-samvara.i
Anupurvi- ~ IjSc:lY - particular order; regular

Anuriiga -

3f3trTT -

devotion; intense love (toward the Divine)

Anusasana - 31j!fl+'t'1 - instruction; explanation; precept (from the verb root

sas = "to chastise, correct, restrain, teach" + anu = "after, with")
1. An explanatory treatise on "what has been taught before."
Anusandhiina- ~ - subsumptive correlation; the application; contemplation
1. The Vaisesika technical term for upanaya, one of the five members
of a syllogism.

Anusmrti - ~ - remembrance
Anusmrti-nirdesa - 31j~J~:r('f F~a-!fl - reminiscent discrimination referring only
to the past (see nirdesai
\7l"J......

II'("I~'

....,,""' , .,1111

43

Anusthana .- 31j81=1 - observance; pursuit; religious exercise (from the root

stha ="to stand" + the prefix anu ="after")
I. Ritualistic repetition of a mantra for a set number of times during a
given period.
Anusthiti -- 31jft3~ -

action

Anusviira -- ~ -

nasal resonance

Anutpiida -- 31'jfQ I~ -

"not being born"; nonproduction; not undergoing an-

other birth
Anuttamdmbhas -

~-

increase of desires leading to greater disap-

pointments (see tusti)

Anuttara -- ~

"beyond which there is nothing"; the Highest, the Su-

' lilt:

I. A name for Reality, according to Kashmir Saivism, beyond which

there is nothing.
A~utva

~-

smallness
1. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, smallness (afJutva) and largeness
(mahattva) are the two main varieties of size.

Anuviida -- ~ -

restatement; translation (see artha-viida)

Anuvadaka -

corroborative; translator

the lesser or minor vows

I. The five vows which a householder or layperson is prescribed to observe in Jainism. These observances consist of nonviolence, truthfulness, nonstealing, celibacy, and noncovetousness. These vows
are the same in form as those enjoined upon the monks and nuns,
with the exception that they are milder and a less scrupulous observance is expected and enjoined.
2. See mahii-vrata and compare with yama.

Anu-vrata -

Anu-vrtta - 31"jC!ff -

Anuvyaiijana Anu-vyavasiiya
1

continuity; persistence

secondary mark; token

31'jOL1<:H'iIL1

'T'\.
.. . . . . . . " ,

"T I.
.. n.IIV"

>1.

recognition; reperception; reflexive cognition

T I.

' I I . . . . . n.IIV

44

.....

"

3r-JoqC4t1ILf~ H

Anu-vyavasaya-jiuina -

after-cognition; reflexive cogni-

tion; aware of awareness

I. According to Nyaya, a cognition wherein both knowledge and the
knowing subject are revealed. A cognition wherein the mind comes
into contact for a second time with a cognition which has already
been perceived.
2. A second-order knowledge.

Anuyoga - 31'jl:('n I Anuyogin -

exposition; a group of postcanonical texts in Jainism

3fJl:fl 11 - correlate
I. The ground or substrate of nonexistence. The locus of noncognition.
When two things are related, the correlate exists in the countercorrelate or locus; e.g., between a pot and the floor, the floor is the locus
or zround for the DOt. It is also known as oratisedha-visava.
(See
.
.
pratiyogin.)

Anviigata - 31;::q If 1(1 OJ

r'~

connected

..

"""...

-,

.~~

Anvaya-drstdnta - 31;:ql:j<t@I;::et Anvaya-sahaciira -

31;:ql:j~E~H

Anvaya-vyiipti - 31;:qLfoq I ft<1

.~

-,

,-

._~

affirmative example; "seeing the positive"

-

sequence of positive factors

positive concomitance

Anvaya-vyatireka - ~ - positive and negative concomitance

I. A type of inference based upon the invariable concomitance of
agreement in presence and agreement in absence. In this type of inference, the reason (hetu) is both copresent and coabsent with the
major term (siidhya); e.g., smoke is both positively and negatively
concomitant with fire. In a hearth, smoke is copresent with fire and,
in a lake, smoke is coabsent with fire. (See anumana.i

Anvaya-vyatireki - 31;:qLf&:1 Rt1fai - see anvaya-vyatireka

A.nvayika -

~-

A.nvTk~iki -

~-

.A

. -,

,,_-

-..I

directly connected
the science of logic
.....

.....

.45

V'

V' . . ~ _

l. The Prabhakara Mlmamsa theory that words convey their own

meanings as well as the construed meaning of the sentence.
2. See abhihitanvaya-vada.
Anyatara-karmaja - 3'1:::q ('1 {q,4'it -

one of the two actions

1. A type of conjunction where one substance comes and conjoins another. (See samyoga.i
2. A type of disjunction where the action of one of the conjoined substances leads to separation-e.g., a leaf falling from a tree. (See vibJuiga.)

Anyathii _. ~ ~ -

otherwise than what it is

Anyathii-bhana - ~~ - becoming otherwise

I. One thinz anoears as another without reallv chanzinz: e.z. a straizht
stick appears bent when seen through water.
Anyatha-bhava - 3Ftf~ - existing otherwise
1. When an object changes, it is no more as it was. When gold is made
into a banzle it no lonzer aooears as a lumo of zold.
Anyatlui-grahana - ~t1IU~ol a.pprehension
Anyathii-jiuina - 3'1::t4 t11~ H nition

otherwise-than-what-it-is apprehension; mis-

false cognition; otherwise-than-what-it-is cog-

Ire -

Anyatha-khyiiti - ~t1I~
apprehension otherwise; vision of otherness
I. The theory of error propounded by the Nyaya school. The object of
error exists, but not in the place where it is perceived. The "this" of
error is proximate, but the object of error is elsewhere. Errors consist
in wrongly synthesising the "this" with the object of error. (See
khyati- vada.)
Anyatha-siddha - 3Ftftil ~ " - dispensable antecedent; accidental CIrcumstance
1. A dispensable antecedent is not the true cause of an effect.
Anyathii-siddha-sunya - ~t11 ff1 "!!l:::q indispensable
Anyatva-bhiivana are

3F'r~

not being established as other than

to meditate on the fact that all individuals

UIU";;I ";;IIL

46

~-

reciprocal nonexistence
1. It is also called difference (bheda). In stating "A is not B," the significance of "not" is reciprocal nonexistence or difference. This type
of nonexistence is eternal. (See abhiiva.)

Anyonya-abhiiva -

31==ttl;::q I~"tf -

reciprocal dependence; mutual support

1. The fallacy of mutual dependence; i.e., "A is dependent on B and B
is dependent upon A." This leads to fallacious reasoning. (See tar-

Anyonya-dsraya -

ka.)

319' . .3lTQ': -

Ap (iipa~) -

water
1. One of the five elements. It possesses color, taste, and touch. (See
mahiibhuta.)

..

....

Apacchedanydya
th..

..

",.,'"

"",~''1

."

.
.~

.. - ...
~

the principle of the subsequent sublating

1. It is so called because it was expounded by the Piirva Mim3.q'lsa

scnooi In connectIon witn me expiatory ntes wmcn are to oe performed when the various priests let go their hold of the tucked-up
waist cloth of the priest in front while going around the sacrificial
fire.
at Iq~4 -

the law (dharma) of calamity

1. During times of distress, there is a certain laxity in the rules and regulations of the law. This is based upon the idea that before a good
life may be secured, life itself must be preserved.
2. See dharma.

Apad-dharma -

3144!ll -

Apadesa -

middle term; second step in a syllogism; statement of the

reason
1. A Vaisesika term corresponding to the Nyaya term hetu.
Apadhyiina -

3ltre-""tTR -

cessation from inflicting any bodily injuries, killing,

etc.
Apa~ -

art:r: - water (see ap)

Apahatapiipman .Ii

314~ct4 Iu:t=~

sinless; free from evil

t'

47

-J

Apakarsa -- 31q",4 -

subtraction

Apiina -

"carrying-downwards breath"; inspired breath; outbreath; inhalation; digestive energy (from the root an = "to breath" + apa =
"away")
I. One of the five types of breath or vital airs tpriina). It is downwardmoving energy which controls the abdomen and excretion of wastes
from the body. The life breath, which removes out of the human system all that is waste material.
2. This breath naturally flows downwards, but in tantric practices it is
enduced to enter the central nerve channel (susumnai and ascend upwards. (See prana.)

Apara -

3m -

3ftfA' -

lower; lower knowledge

I. A term emnloved in the Unanisads to describe knowledge relatinz to
the phenomenal world.

_. &"-.

.,

....

h.,..,

,-,.,. ... C'.

Apara-brahman -

..- _. _.- _ .

h"",

~.

31q hil~? -

1......" ..... .,.... ,.1

'~ ... o.

... ~ ..;; \

'~--r

.,

the supreme Reality as conditioned by attributes

31 q N'11 Rt - (see jatf)

1. It is immanent, limited, and with name and form. It is the master of
the universe and within the cause-effect sphere. It is omnipresent,
omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, creator, sustainer, and destroyer,
according to Vedanta Vedanta. (See parabrahman.)

Apara-jati -

Aparamartha - 31 q {4 Iff Aparamartha-rajata Apiiramarthika -

not real; relative

not-real silver

31 q (4 I th\i1d -

~-

unreal; illusory

Apara-mukta - 31q{~Cf('1 - souls failing to understand; unliberated beings (see

jiva per Saiva Siddhanta)
Aparatva .- 314 {('C4 - spatial or temporal proximity
1. According to the Vaisesika school, one of the categories (padiirtha)
is quality (guna). The twelfth quality is aparatva and it gives rise to
perceptions of spatial and temporal nearness.
2. See chart no. 7.
Annrn vidvn
J

0'

.....

......

Iower

48

'"

Aparigraha -

~-

nonpossession; nongrasping; nondesiring; not greedy

1. It is to accept only that which is absolutely necessary, in thought,
word, and deed.
2. One of the limbs of ciiritra (right conduct) and also one of the great
vows (mahiivrata) in Jainism.
3. One of the abstentions (yama) in the Yoga school.
4. See caritra, mahiivrata, and yama.

Aparoksa -

~-

immediate; direct

Aparoksiinubhiui - ~ - "the perception of what is invisible"

1. An independent treatise (prakarana grantha) on Advaita Vedanta
philosophy (attributed to SaI1kara~arya) explaining Self-realization
as an immediate and direct perception of one's own inner Self by
nf'
"'I'

'J

Aparoksa-jiuina
.." Y (I ~.~.
diate cosnition

direct intuition; Brahman knowledge; imme-

rtparoKfa-prauvnasa.."Y(IC(1\ltI\I.,m

Apas-

~-

Apasmara -

an ooject or immeciate percepnon

religious ceremony; water

31Q+'t'( I

<-

the dwarf representing ignorance whereon the foot of

Siva is placed
Apauruseya - 3'1 c(j f'iSlti - impersonal; not the composition of any person; a =
"not" + purusa = "human" or "divine," and thus, that which is not composed by anyone, human or divine-Le., the Vedas
1. The Vedas are said to be impersonal as they were revealed to sages
(r~is) and not composed by them. They are held to be eternal and authorless. Not even God is considered their author, according to
Mimfu11sa.
Apaviida -31Qql& - statement; recession; subsequent denial; refutation (see
adhyiiropa-apaviida)
Apavarga -

a;qq-rf - liberation; release; escape from pain

1. The Nyaya-Vaisesika term for liberation.

2. The Sankhva-Yoza term for liberation.
3. Ultimate cessation from pain. Vatsyayana expounded that liberation
.1,

,. u,", VIUJ

~_
.J
II VIII p a l l l QlIU llVL a

49

' ,
,~L,I,'
p V " H I . '" """L'" VI

Ull".,.

Apaya -

3{lff'tf -

annihilation; losing

Apeksiibuddhi - ~- enumerative cognition

I. A cognition which has the notion of relativeness, of twoness.
2. The Vaisesika school uses this term to account for the conception of
numbers.
Apoha -

~~ -

exclusion; negation
I. The Buddhist theory of word meaning, based on the principle of negation. Words, when applied to unique particulars, mean only exclusion.

Apracarita-sunyatii -

~-

an unknown type of nothingness

a,.,

A"- "

'J

31l)A l<rd

nonmaterial

Apriikrta

7'

Aprama -- 3fC;ftJT - invalidity

1. Nyaya defines invalidity as not truth, not untruth, but invalidityi.e. doubt.
31lJ4t:tt1 -

Apramatta -

Aprameya - 31lJ4qt4 -

without losing oneself

not an object of valid knowledge; immeasurable

31lJ4IUfCf'IR - not remaining in its place

1. All the sense organs except the visual sense remain in their respective places and perceive objects which come within their reach. The
visual organ streams out toward its object. (See priipyakiiri.)

Aprdpyakari -

Aprasiddha - 31 e;t fft lG - not well established; nonexistent; unknown

Apratisankhyii-nirodha - 3'1l)A Rt +1 g:{OL1l
r~ tl \:l - natural annihilation
,
1. One of the three unconditional (asamskrtai dharmas as of Buddhist
metaphysics. It is nonsubstantial, nonexistent, and illusory. It means
the destruction of a thing brought about naturally. It is cessation
brought about by the absence of conditioning factors.
2. The difference between pratisankhyii-nirodha and apratisankhyiinirodha is made less of in the Sautrantika school than in the Vaibhasika school.
'1

~........

,I,L.

;;

-11_.

50

.,

-11_

Apratyaksa - 31',kLtf(f- imperceptibility

31CA~rn -

Apravrtti -

involution

Apnhak-siddha-visesana - 3ll!ttmlG~~ISIOI - inseparable attribute

Aprthak-siddhi - 3ll!~ - internal relation of inseparability
1. The key concept of Visi~llidvaita Vedanta. It is the relation that obtains between God (Brahman) on the one hand and souls (cit) and
matter (adt) on the other. This internal, inseparable relation connotes that one of the two entities related is dependent upon the other
in such a way that it cannot exist without the other also existing.
Thus the relation between substance and attribute, between body and
soul, and between God and the soul, or the world, is necessarily ina

.,.,.

_ lU V

,,

......"4 V

a.

lilt:

. .-

t:lllllY

cannot be rightly known without the other also being known at the
same time.

Apsariis -

314HIf1... - "water stream"; a celestial damsel; nymph; dancer (from

ap = "water + the verb root = "to now, glide ')
1. Some traditions say there are seven celestial damsels and others list
fourteen. The most famous include Urvasi, Menaka, and Rambha.
They were said to be born during the churning of the ocean of milk
and endowed with great beauty, lovliness, and charm.

sr

Apta -

trustworthy person
1. One who knows the truth and conveys it correctly.

3l'fC(f -

Apta-kama -

311C('t(f;ILf -

the state of having attained one's desires

Apta-vacana - 31 IC('tqQP1 - words of reliable authority or trustworthy person;

testimony
1. The Nyaya school defines verbal knowledge (sabda) as the testimony of a reliable authority.

Apta-vakya - 311C(1q 1CfL1 - the testimony of a trustworthy person

Apti - 3TTfto - attainment; immerging
1. One of the fourfold effects of actions (karma). (See karma.)

, L'

hV::I

51

'L1

I1nllrrp

Apunaravrtti Apurva -

3ll3'"i (lC!fft -

nonretum

~ - unseen potency; new; supersenuous principle

1. According to Mlmamsa, the force which brings about the future effects of an action. (See adrsta.i

Apiova-vidhi - ~ -

unknown or unseen injunction

1. A type of injunction which enjoins something not otherwise known.
(See vidhi.t

A.riidhana -

3'fRll:F1T -

worship of the divine; adoration; self-surrender

Araa-upakaraka - 3'l' <,~q<t', <<t' - indirect means; a subsidiary action which is

directly helpful to something else; an accessory
<J.'U5U

..

VI""

Ariigramiitra -

3'll( I('itt 1">1 -

atomic; point sized

Arambha-vada - ~ - the "theory of origination"

I. The Nyaya-Vaisesika theory of causation which states that the effect
is a new production from the cause. The cause is one thing, the effect
is another. The effect is held to be nonexistent before its production
by the cause. This theory is also called asatkiirya-viida.
2. See katana; satkarya-vada.

Arani -

mfOT -

wooden piece; tinder stick

Aranyaka - 311 (oLfq5 - "forest book"; "forest born"; scriptural text (from the
verb root r = "to move" + the prefix a = "away")
1. That section of the Vedas included in the Briihmana section which
gives philosophical prose treatises. It interprets the ritual section by
allegorizing them and prescribing various modes of meditation (upiisanii) and/or symbolic worship. It was mainly meant for ascetics
who lived in the forest. (See Veda.)
Aratl -

.It ..,.;;

3l'rfl" -

lamp-waving ceremony
1. The waving of lights, incense, camphor, etc., before a saint or image
as an act of worship.
-r'

...,

52

if'nn

Arcanam - 31=4;:ijij - worshipping an image or idol of the divine (see bhakti)

31 ITeM' ( - sacred images or idols
1. That special form which the divine, without remoteness of space and
time, accepts for its body as a substance chosen by the devotees and
descends into it with a nonmaterial body. (See vyiiha.)
2. It is fourfold: self-manifested, consecrated by divine beings, consecrated by sages, and consecrated by human beings.
3. It is God in the shape of sacred idols and one of the fivefold forms
of God (Isvara).

Arcdvatiira -

Arciradi-marga - 31 fi:h, ~1i PT - the path to liberation; the passage through

which the individual (jiva) journeys to the supreme Being/Abode; the
path of light (see devayiina)

Arcismati - 31 n=.ftSt1i tf1 - radiant insight (from arcis = "radiance" + mati = "inSIght ') (see ooanisattvai
Ardhanarisvara - 3rJ';:ij I fhla ( - "half-female lord"; the Lord who is both male
anu remaie
1. The half-male and half-female form of Siva. The right half of this
image is male and the left half is female. It symbolizes the merging
of the idii and pingald or of the transcending of all opposites.
arei45'Mct' -loincloth worn by Jaina Svetambara monks

Ardha-phii/aka -

~-

Ardrendhana -

Arghya -

3fElf -

green wood; wet fuel

sacred offering of garlands, etc., made to the deity during

worship

Arhanta - ~ - enlightened one; holy one; worthy; deserving

1. According to Jainism, this is the fourth stage in an ascetic's spiritual
evolution. In this stage all traces of anger, pride, greed, deceit, attatchment, hatred, and ignorance are destroyed. The practice of nonviolence is now perfect. At this stage, one's very presence is able to
convert and uplift the people.
Arhat -

3lt<J -

enlightened one; holy one; "worthy of worship" (from arh = "to

be worthy or holy")
1. One of the stages of the Jaina ascetic order. Arhat is an intensely

tn ~11 (~pp

hPinC'r n/hn

53

.t:

2. In Hlnayana Buddhism, an arhat is an enlightened saint who has obtained his deliverance through instruction.
3. According to Buddhism, there are three stages: the stage of entering
the stream (srotapani-margay; the stage of the once returner
(sakrdagami-margav; and the stage of the never returner (anagiimi-

margas.
Arjava -:~ - straightforwardness; honesty; rectitude (from the verb root
[iij = "to make straight")
1. It is one of the five restraints (yama) of Patanjali's Yoga System.

bright; white; clear

1. The third of the five Pandava brothers-a famous warrior and one of
the heroes of the Indian epic, the Mahabhiirata. It was to Arjuna that
K~l)a imnarted the knowledge of the Bhazavad Gita .

Arjuna -

...

Arogya

neanny; rree Hom oisease

Aroha -

.3mW -

Aropa -

3l'1ttq - hypothetical admission; superimposition; causing to rise

(from a = "to, toward" + the causative form of the root ruh = "to rise
up")
I. A metaphoric poetic device used to describe flattering eulogy.

ascent

Aropita -- 311 ilfQ(1 -

3ri -

Ar~a Arrha -

appearance; assumed

authority; sagelike intuition

a=rtf -

wealth; meaning of a word; object; thing; purpose; aim (from the

verb root arth = "to request the sense, to point out")
1. One of the goals of life tpurusartha) sought by individuals. It is the
secular value which is both desired and desirable. It satisfies the acquisitive tendency in individuals. It is the economic value. (See purusartha.i

Arthiidhigati -

3l~ -

Arthiidhyahara-viida A

.1.

I. . '

3l~t11~ 1(q l~ -

- ... ,

attaining what one wishes to attain

"l

'0'

the theory of supplying the meaning

, ,

'I...

VJ yo

,~"

54

<"'"
'J

Artha-kriya-karitva - ~ - the power of performing actions and

purposes of some kind; practical efficiency; the doctrine of causal efficiency
1. A criterion of right knowledge according to the Nyaya school.
2. A criterion of existence according to Buddhism. The capacity to produce an effect.
Artha-kriya-siddhi - 31~ - the fulfillment of any need; the accomplishment of producing any action or event
Artha-naya - 31~ - the viewpoint which is concerned with the meaning of
objects (see naya)
Arthiinupapatti - 3141144 fit - contradiction of the present perception with a
previously acquirea certain xnowiecge

31414 fi1

postulation; presumption
1. r
is a valid source or xnowiecge (JJramii1}a) ror me
Mim3Ipsa schools and for Advaita Vedanta. It is the postulation of
what explains through the knowledge of what is to be explained. It
is the process of knowledge which makes something intelligible by
assuming something else.
2. It is of two kinds: postulation from what is heard (sruta-arthiipatti)
and postulation from what is seen (drsta-arthapaitiy.
3. The Prabhakara school says that it involves an element of doubt and
postulation's job is to remove that doubt. The Bhana school says that
it involves a conflict between two well-known facts. Advaita Vedanta says that there is neither a doubt nor a conflict, but merely an inexplicable fact which needs explaining. Presumption is the framing
of an explanatory hypothesis on the basis of the knowledge of the
fact to be explained, posits Advaita.

Arthiipatti -

Artha-prakasa -

a4""CfiI(fl -

Artha-prtipakatva -

that which reveals others; revelatory of Reality

314"" IqCf'cq -

practical experience

31~ - a synonym of postulation (arthiipatti)

1. A term found in the Caraka-samhita.

Artha-priipti -

Artha-vada - 314a"'rq - eulogistic meaning: corroborative sentence; supplimental texts which are explanatory to injunctive texts; nonessential

55

I. Sentences in the Vedas which, occurring in context, may either describe existing things, praise, or denounce some deed of an injunction.
They are held to be subordinate to injunctive sentences, according to
the Mlmamsakas. They indicate their meaning only as syntactically
connected with the injunctive sentences.
2. They are of three kinds: figurative statements tguna-vaday; statements which reiterate what is already known (anu-viida); and a
statement of a fact which is not already known and which is not contradictory to known facts tbhutartha-vada).
Arul - (Tamil)

divine grace

Arundhati -- ~ - "the morning star"

1. Wife of the sage C!~i) VaSi~!ha. Usually cited as an example of the
ideal wife.
2. The tiny star belonging to the Great Bear constellation which is a

Arundhati-darsana-nyiiya -

~ff\G!ttr:tr:t1It1 - the method of spotting the

one Arundhati as it is pointed out until one actually arrives at the tiny
star itself
1. The process of moving from the known to the unknown.
2. The process of moving from a preliminary definition to a final definition.

Ariipa -:~ Ariipa-loka -

formless

31 ~qM'c:e; -

Arvacina -- 31qY~l"1 -

realm of incorporeality

recent determinate and indeterminate perception

I. They are twofold: dependent on senses tindriya-siipeksai and independent of the senses tindriya-anapeksa).
2. See pratyaksa.

Al)'a - 31Tlf - the noble; loyal; faithful (from the verb root! = "to rise upward")
Arya astanga-marga -

31Tlf

31@ I {i'Xi 111 -

the noble eightfold path

I. It is the fourth of Buddha's four noble truths embodying the path that

nirvana. The path consists of eight steps which are to be cultivated

56

(samyag-viik), right resolve isamyak-sankalpa), right conduct

(samyak-karmiinta), right livelihood tsamyag-iijivai, right effort
(samyag-vyiiyiima), right recollection (samyak-smrti), and right
contemplation tsamyak-samadhi).
Aryasatya -

A.M -

3114fk1 - "sublime truth"; noble truth

1. Name for the four noble truths of Buddhism: duhkha, duhkha samudaya, duhkha nirodha, and duhkha nirodha marga.

arnrr -

hope; craving; desire

Asad-akiirar;iit-31ft&Cf'I{OIl() -that which has no existence does not possess

the capacity to create

1. One of the logical proofs for the theory of satkiirya-viida found in
t e an ya- an . t POSItS at tee ect must exist previous y,
otentiall in the cause, before it is roduced. (See satkarya-vada.i

Asiidharana -

~-

special; uncommon; strange; extraordinary; too re-

stricted
1. That which is free from the three faults of a definition: overapplicability (ati-vyiipti), partial inapplicability (a-vyiipti), and total inapplicability (asambhava).
2. A type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason is fallacious due
to its being present only in the subject and not present in any example; e.g., "Sound is eternal because it is sound."
3. See savyabhiciira.
Asiidhiirana-dharma -

~-

Asadharana-karana -

~ I{olCf'1 {ol

Asadrispa - 31ft<; f'q to the senses

Asiidhya -

3llfl1:."'tf -

specific feature
-

special cause

existing in a place in a negative relation; imperceptible

that which cannot be accomplished through actions

57

Asakti -:::11 QI FciR1

inability; disability; powerless

31ftLt I'-Pt Idltt<;oqqttftt -

Asamana-jatiya-dravya-parydya -

(see paryaya)

31ftLt Iq I fqq:;I( O I -

noninherent cause
1. One of the three types of causes. (See kiirana.)
2. It is that cause which produces its characteristics in the effect
through the medium of the material cause (upiidana); e.g., clay is not
the cause of the color of the pot, but the color of the clay is the cause
of the color of the pot.
3. It is never the inherent cause, but that which inheres in the inherent
cause.

Asamavayi-kiirana -

~-

Asambhava 1

.. L..J~.

"rL

. . . . . .'"

UI . . U

total inapplicability
.1.

IIU. . .

.~
V.

-'

L!'

.. L

...

""

.......

.. L

1.00<

. .'"

" ....."'" . . . . ."

T.. . L
. . .'"

.L
... v

sence of definition anywhere in the thing defined. (See asadhiirana.i

doubt
1. Doubt is of two types: doubt per the source of knowledge (pramanai

Asambhiivanii

II,::J.-<j

..

.~ ..... I~

..
uy

\,)"IUVU~Ul),

CUIU

pta

lilt:

'..

UI

knowledge (prameya) which is removed by reflection (manana).

a:mum:AT ~ - doubt which questions whether what
the scripture tells one is possible or not
1. It is removed by repeated contemplation (nididhyiisana).

Asambhiivanii sankii -

Asambhiiti - ~ - the unmanifest; the undifferentiated; a name for

'"
prakrti
1. Nonbecoming-the Naturalist view that the world has no creator.
Asamjiiin -

31~~? -

without rationality
I. According to Jainism, the lower animals have no faculty of reason.

Asamkhyiita -

31~~ 1<1 -

innumerable

Asamprajiui-sanuidhi - 31ftUJ4~ IftLt I f':l- a stage in samiidhi wherein one is

not conscious of any object; supraconscious union
I. In this stage the mind ceases to function.
2. See samddhi.
Asampramosa

31ftUJ4Lf1Q1

not to acquire objects or ideas which are not

58

Asamskrta -

31~f<t(1 -

nonoriginated; nonconstructed; eternal

Asamskrta-dharma - ~ - nonoriginated dharma; the noncomposite;

one of two types of objects
1. That which is eternal, permanent, unchanging, and pure, according
to Buddhism. It does not originate from a cause nor is it destroyed.
2. It is of three types according to Sarvastiviidins: pratisankhyiinirodha, apratisankhya-nirodha, and akasa.
3. It is of six types according to Yogacarins: iikasa or limitless, mere
being; pratisankhyii-nirodha or cessation of klesas per knowledge;
apratisankhyii-nirodha or cessation of klesas without knowledge;
acala or state of disregard for all power and pleasure; samjiuivedanirodha or state where feelings and perceptions do not exist;
and tathatii or the state of suchness or the Absolute.
4. See samskrta-dharma.
nonrestramt

Asamyama

kana - 3lTlFf - posture; seat

1. A posture that is stable and conducive to bliss. One of the eight limbs
of raja-yoga. (See astanga-yoga.;
2. External aids which constitute the physical culturing of the indi vidual.
Anyone of various bodily postures, practiced to strengthen the body,
purify the nerves, and develop one-pointedness of mind. The yoga
scriptures describe eighty-four major postures of which the two chief
ones are svastikasana and padmasana. Siva has said there are 840,000
postures of which thirty-two are useful: siddha, padma, bhadra, mukta, vajra, svastika, simha, gomukha, vira, dhanu, mrta, gupta, matsya,
matsyendra, goraksa, pascimottana, utkata, samkata, mayura, kukkuta, kiama, uuiina mandaka, utuina kiamaka, vrksa miindiika, garuda, vrsa, salabha, makara, ustra, bhujanga, yoga.
3. A name for the small mat, rug, or cloth upon which one sits during
meditation.
Asandigdha -

3'1 fI R H:l- an assured definite cognition

Asanka - ~ - doubt
1. One of the members of the ten-membered syllogism. (See samsaya.i
Asanka-prati~edha-

3'I1~~'Ii;(Rt6tl:l- removal of doubt

1. One of the members of the ten-membered syllogism. (See satiisaya-

.-

59

Asankhyeya-kalpa - 311:g:(Oil t1q;(q -

Asara -

3fffT( -

a very vast period of time

worthless

Asarana -- ~ - without help; helpless

~

Asarana-bhiivana -

Asariratva-31!11~h(q -

- a meditation on helplessness

formless; bodiless; a siddha

Asarya - ~ - rarely appearing; curious; wonderful; marvelous; extraordinary; miraculous; surprise

o.

/"l..lU.lVUIU-

,I

Asat-3fffi) - "nonbeing"; nonexistence; false; the world of change; unrnani~

I. It is the basis of the universe, according to Advaita Vedanta. It is

falsely real and really false. Sometimes it is said to be totally nonexistent, as in the case of a square circle.
Asatkarya-vada - ~ - the "theory of the nonpreexistent effect"
1. The Nyaya-Vaisesika theory of causation which states that the effect
is a new production from the cause. The cause is one thing, the effect
is another. The effect is held to be nonexistent prior to its production
by the cause.
2. This theory is also known as arambha-vada.
3. See satkiirya-viida.
Asat-khyiiti - 31fk~ IRt - "apprehension of the nonexistent"
1. The theory of error held by the Madhyamika Buddhist school. According to them, the object of error is totally nonexistent. Error is the
cognition of a totally nonexistent object as being existent. There is
no substrate whatever for delusive cognitions and the sublation of
these delusions is without limit. (See khyati-vada.)
Asat-pratipaksa - 31f'l(t;l fdq~ - absence of opposite reason
I. An inference in which the reason (hetu) is such that it may establish
an opposite conclusion equally as strong as the one it attempts to establish is called satpratipaksa. The inference in which the reason is
nAt "'A ;'" /J"/J/_

rc

60

Asatti - amffif - proximity; nearness

1. The formal condition which words must possess to constitute a sentence. The words that make upa sentence must be proximate or contiguous in time when they are spoken, or in space when they are
written. Thus it consists in the articulation of words without undue
delay. It is also called sannidhi.
2. See iikiil}k~ii, yogyatii, tiuparya. and sannidhi.
Asatya -

- unreal; untrue

Asauca-31'Q1~~ -

impurity

Asava - 3l'mCi - depravities; influxes; subject affectations

1. The Buddhists classify them as kiimasava, bhaviisava, ditthasava,

..

~-

Asiddha -

"unestablished" (reason); untrue

abode (iisraya-asiddha), unestablished in respect of itself (svariipaast

a ,an unesta IS
In respect 0 ItS concomitance (vyiipyatva-asiddhai.
2. See hetvabhiisa.
ASI~ -

3mft: -

desire for self-welfare

Asirviidam - ~ l~cflC~ij - blessing; benediction

Asmitii - 31 fl:q(11 - egoism; state of concentration; an impurity; "I-am-ness"
1. One of the five afflictions of the mind. It is the erroneous identification of the self with the mind-body complex. (See klesa.)
2. According to the Yoga school, it is a state of unifying concentration
(samiidhi). In this state the intellect (buddhi) concentrates on pure
substance as divested of all modifications.
31 fC4 ~L11l\ - the "yoga of no contact"
1. The yoga of transcendence whereby one realizes the suprarational
Reality. The path to the realization of nonduality.
2. It is prescribed in the Miil}qukya-kiirikii of Gaudapada.

Asparsa-yoga -

A.srama - ~ - a haltin lace' sta e of life' level' herrnita e: "a lace of

striving" or '(a place ot) nonwandering"; "a place that removes the fa-

"

61

I. Some claim the word is derived from the verb root sram meaning "to
become weary, tired, exhausted" plus the prefix a meaning "not."
Others claim the word is derived from the verb root sram meaning
"to labor, toil, to exert oneself." Thus the word means either "a place
which is free from weariness and exhaustion" or "a place where one
exherts oneself, with an emphasis on religious exertions." There is a
third possible interpretation which derives from the root sramana
(meaning "to wander") and thus, an asrama is a "place of rest or
peace."
2. There are four stages (iisrama) of life's journey. They delineate the
individual's vertical ascent to liberation. These four are the student
stage (brahmacarya), the householder stage (grhasthai, the forest
dweller (viinaprastha), and the renunciant (sannyiisa). These emphasize the individual aspect of one's personal development. They
are stages of strife when selfishness is slowly but steadily rooted out.
'1
J.

'T'l.

.L

.......

..I.

.e

.1.&

v,uo"'''v, .,u........

p'u",,,,v,

' ......... .,p ..

itual seekers engage in spiritual practices and study sacred teachings.

4. See varna.
A '

,~~

\"'...'"

~o

.\

'I

A.srava _. ~ - influx of karmic matter

I. The entrance of karma particles into the body of the individual soul.
It is a cause of human bondage. It acts as a channel through which
the karma may enter the soul. These channels are said to be of fortytwo types, according to Jainism.
2. It is of two types: bhiiva-iisrava-when the soul loses its resistence
to the inflow of karma particles; and dravya-iisrava-when the actual influx of karma binds the soul.
3. There are five main sources from which matter flows into the soul:
perversity of outlook (mithyiitva), absence of self-control (avirati),
negligence of duties (pramiida) , passions ikasaya), and actions of
the body, mind, and speech (yoga).
A.sraya-- ~ -

support; ground; locus

A.sraya-anupapatti - 3ffi;t1:f ~ - untenability of locus

I. One of Ramanuja's seven major objections against the Advaita
Vedanta theory of ignorance (avidyii/miiyii).
2. See saptavidha anupapatti.
A.sraya-asiddha - a:JMtt J ff41i'; - "unestablished in respect of abode"; the falIa..
.
cy or
inetui wrucn IS not m me lOCUS
62

1. One type of an unestablished reason. An example of this type of fallacy would be "A sky lotus is fragrant because it is a lotus, like the
lotus in a pond." In this example, the sky lotus is the abode or subject
and, as such, it does not exist at all. (See asiddha.)
~-

dependent categories
1. The latter thirty-one categories of Kashmir Saivism. (See chart no.
9.)
2. Consciousness which admits the existence of other objects.

Asrita tattva -

Asruta-kalpana - ~da"(""qr:t 1- extratextual assumption made to suit one's

own ideas

Asta-aisvarya - ~-~ - "eight supernormal powers"

Asta-iivarana - ~-31lcHoI - the eight aids or protections; rules to be observed

1. According to Vira Saivism, there are eight protections by which an
individual self protects itself from the three fetters (mala). They are
necessary prerequisites to sat-sthala. They are obedience to a teacher (guru); worship of the divine Self (l;;zga); reverence for a person
who moves from place to place (jangamay; sipping the water in
which the feet of a guru or jangama have been ceremoniously
washed (piidodaka); offering food to a guru, jangama, or linga and
then partaking sacramentally of what is left over (prasiida); smearing of the sacred ash tvibhiui or bhasma); wearing of the sacred rosary beads trudraksai, and uttering the five-syllabled formula
namah siviiya (mantra).
Astami -

3Wr -

"eight"
1. The name of the eighth tithi (lunar day) of each of the two fortnights
of the moon's cycle.

Asta-miati - 31@'if<f-"eightforms"
,

is said to pervade the earth, water, air, fire, sky, sun, moon, and hu-

63

A~!iinga- yoga -

~ @I {lt11 ~ I -

the eight-limbed yoga

1. According to the Yoga school, a spiritual discipline (siidhana) to remove afflictions and lead to the discriminative knowledge (of the
Self and the not-Self) which gives liberation. The eight limbs are abstentions (yama); observances (niyama); postures (iisana); control
of breath (pr{u;iiyiima); withdrawal of the senses from their objects
(pratyiihiira); fixing one's attention (dhiiraIJii); meditation (dhyiina); and meditative trance, a state of oneness, or unifying concentration (samiidhi). The first five limbs are external aids; the latter three
are internal aids (technically known as samyamai.
~- eight supernormal powers (see siddhi)

Astd-siddhi -

Astavakra - 31 @Gi*, - "deformed in eight places"

I. A zreat saze of ancient times and the son of a saze. Author of the
Astavakra Gitii, an important Advaita work which explains the path
.......

~""....I

"

nonsteahng

Asteya

J ()npofthp. .

(Vflmfl)ofthp.Voo~' It
"""

not onlv

not taking what does not belong to oneself, but also not coveting another's property, even mentally. Greed and envy are thus to be totally shunned. (See yama.)
2. In Jainism, it constitutes one of the great vows and one type of right
conduct. (See maha-vrata and caritra.i
Asthiina -

~21Ff

Asthiila -- ~ -

without abode; not established

not gross

311 ff<1 ~~rtY~ - a name of the Vaidika systems; "vision of orthodoxy"

I. The schools of Indian philosophy which regard the Vedas as infallible and authoritative. These orthodox schools (flstika-mata) are six:
Nyaya, Vaisesika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. (See
sad-darsana.i
2. They are of two types: those which are directly based upon the Vedas (Mimamsa and Vedanta), and those which are not directly based
on the Vedas but which do accept their testimony and try to show
how their systems are harmonious with the Vedas (Nyaya, Vaisesika, Sankhya, and Yoga).

Astikadarsana -

,.....

'~0.4.!"

'"

64

'0

. : .. : .

1. Anything that occupies space or has pervasiveness. It is a form of

substance. The astikiiyas are matter (pudgala), medium of motion
(dharma), medium of rest (adharma), and space (akiiia), according
to Jainism.
"either is or is not" (see syiid-viida)

Asti-niisti-31fk1"1Iffi1 ~-

Asubha -

inauspicious

Asuci-bhavana - ~ - meditation on the impurity of the body

Asuddha -

~-

impure; incorrect

Asuddhadhvan - ':"P:f'~Ic.q., - imoure way

1. The impure creation (the latter thirty-one categories of Kashmir
c.. .. ., r c
....
n,
'-J

oJQIYI;)III).

\oJ~~

lUUI'U allU \,.lIalL IIV. 7.)

~-

Asuddha-jiva ,..

I. L

y
Q

impure individual
.t.

LV

....

...

.1'

~L'" L

...

LIII;) I;) all UIUI Y IUUQI III LII'" ;)LQLI\;i VI

As it is associated with matter (karma), it is considered impure.

Asuddha-mayii - ~Gq 111 -

impure power (mayii)

1. According to Saiva Siddhanta, mayii is twofold in nature. Impure
miiyii is that which is mixed with the impurities of ignorance (ii~va)
and action (karma). From impure miiya evolve the bodies, organs,
worlds, and objects of enjoyment for the impure souls. It may be
equated with the Sankhyan prakrti. For pure maya, see suddhamaya.

2. See chart no. 9.

Aiuddha-niscaya -

~-

impure determination (see naya-niscayai

~CfM lq;tSul

- neither white nor black

1. A type of action (karma) according to the Yoga school. (See karma.)

Asukliikrsna -

Asura -

demon; those who delight in physical life; traditional enemies

of the gods
1. Different types of demons include daitya, danava, dasya. niiga, pau-

loma, pisaca, raksasa.

A
.n.JH'

.LJ.

uu, ..

VI~"''''

65

Asurz- 3i~ - demoniac

~-

"He who is easily pleased"

1. An epithet of God according to most traditions.

asutosa -

Asvamedha - ~ - "horse sacrifice"

1. In Vedic times, a sacrifice or ritual performed by a king to consolidate and extend his power, in which a horse was allowed to roam
freely, followed by the king's army. When the horse entered a foreign kingdom, its ruler could either fight against or become an ally
of the invaders. If new kingdoms were acquired in this way, the
horse was sacrificed as an offering.
Asvattha -- ~tf -

pipal tree; sacred fig tree; the tree of life; the world tree
."
,- "
ose roots are

10

horses; twin divine vedic powers

1. Two divinities who appear in the sky before dawn in a golden carriage drawn by horses or birds; physicians of human beings; they
avert misfortune and sickness and bring treasures.
Atala -

~fl'(fM -

nether world
1. One of the seven lower worlds. It is the nether pole of Satya-loka. It
is a state of spiritual annihilation.

2. See loka and tala.

Atasmin-tad-buddhih - 31<1 f~"<1<;~~: - the "cognition of something as something else"
I. Sankaracarya's definition of superimposition (adhyiisa) as given in
his Brahma-sutra-bhasya introduction.
Atha - 3itf - a term used to express a beginning, doubt, interrogation, condition; "After, then, now"
Atharvan -

3i~ - Vedic sage (!~i)

I. A riest who first instituted worshi of fire a ni and nectar soma .
He was Brahma's eldest son and the first teacher of divine wisdom

66

Atharva Veda - 3f~ das (see veda)

wisdom of (the sage) Atharva; one of the four Ve-

Athiito brahma-jijiuisii -312fTI:fT ~~f\i1~I~ I - now, therefore, the inquiry into

the real nature of Reality (Brahman)
1. The first aphorism isiara) of the Brahma-siura.

rn

Aticiira -

31 i:11 { - infractions committed by accident; transgressions of one

type of ethical code; incorrect behavior (see digvirati-vratai

Atidesa -

31 Rt~~ - a type of injunction; analogy

1. For example, "Achieve heaven through charity for a whole month."

Atidesa-viikya - 3lfu~~0l1Cf"li Atindriya - 31 c?i f~ t1 -

assimilative proposition (see upamiina)

transsenuous; infrasensible; transcendental

Atiprasanga - 31 f<lCJ4ft{l. - undue extension; unwarranted discussion

..:1 -

......

....

.1 "art ....f th~ .

r

Atireka - ~ -

J.,'

excess

Atisaya - 31 ff1~t1 - peculiarity; superiority

1. According to Jainsim, a superhuman quality of an arhat.

Atithi-samvibhiiga - ~ - a Jaina ethical code of conduct enjoining honoring of one's guests

Atithi-samvibhaga-vrata -

al'fffi2Hl R4OllOl P 1<;4<'1 -

making gifts to others (see

sik~ii- vrata)

Ativiihika-puru~a -

~-

one who conducts the released individual self to the world of the Absolute (Brahman)

Ativarnasramin - 31R=tOloIT9A~'1- one beyond the rules of caste and the stages
of life

Ativyiipti- 31 f(1Otf Ifl<:t

overapplication; being too wide; overpervasion

1. A fallacy in a definition which tries to say too much. It is the presence in the

defined.
-

'"" '"

,....

of

..

.. 67

other than the thine

- -

1.

to he

(see Atman)

Atma - 311(J1T Atmahhava -

~-

the nature of the Self

Atmaika-prakaratva - 31 k~q;",q;I(C4 Self

deriving its modal existence from the

Atmaika-prayojanatva - 31 k~q;"'t11:::J1"kC4 the Self

Atmaikasrayatva - 31 k~q; p~ tkCi -

entirely subserving the needs of

dependent entirely on the Self

Atmaikatva - 31 k~2f'(C4 -

unity of the Self

Atma-jnana - 31 kLf~ ,.... -

knowledge of the Self

Atma-kama - 31 ki4a;Ii4 -

desirous of the Self

Atma-manovadin - 31 ki4i4tlC4 I~? mind as the Self.

a type of Carvaka who considers the

Atman - 31 ki41"1 - atma - "breath" (from the verb root at = "to breathe") or
(from the verb root ap = "to pervade, reach up to"); the inner Self
1. The Reality which is the substrate of the individual and identical
with the Absolute (Brahman), according to Advaita Vedanta. It cannot be doubted, for it is the basis of all experience. It cannot be
known by thought, as the knower cannot be the known. Yet there is
no experience without it. It is the basis of all proofs, yet cannot be
proved itself, though it can be experienced.
2. Nyaya and Vaisesika call it the substratum in which cognition inheres. It is of two kinds: supreme Soul and individual soul. It is a
/

. is

_1

.J

in onf>'" inner

..

.~1

arising through the inner sense of mind, independently of the exter-

IIdl

68

3. Sankhya and Yoga define it as an unrelated, attributeless, self-luminous, omnipresent entity which is identical with consciousness.
4. The Upanisads say that it denotes the ultimate essence of the universe as well as the vital breath in human beings.
5. It is the unseen basis which is the reality within the five sheaths. It
is the spark of the Divine within. It is the reality behind the appearance, and universal and immanent in every entity. It is not born nor
does it die. It is imperishable, according to the Upanisads.
6. In the Indian philosophical systems, the Self is said to be of one of
three sizes: Dvaita Vedanta and Visi~~dvaita Vedanta call it atomic
tanu-parimdnay; Advaita Vedanta and Sankhya call it all-pervasive
(vibhuparimanar; Jainism calls it neither atomic nor all-pervasive
but of medium size (madhyama-parimdna).
7. Buddhism denies any reality to the Self altogether. (See aniitman.)

Atmanubhava - ~ - Self-realization
Atma-siik~atkiira -

31lc"ff I~ 1CCf' I{ -

"direct sight of the Self'; realization of

the true nature of the Self; Self-realization

Atmiisraya - 31 Ie" I~Lt - self-dependence

1. A type of logical fallacy.

Atma-vada- 31 Ie"q I~ - the "theory of the Self'

1. A belief in the abiding reality of the Self. Sometimes the Advaita
Vedantins are labelled atma-vddins.
Atma-viciira-~- "enquiry into the (nature of the) Self'

Atma- vidya - 31 Ie" fcuu

"knowledge of the Self'

I. Realization of the reality of the Self.

Atyanta-abhava- 3'1cLtkl ~ -

"absolute nonexistence"

69

by the Logicians, though this is denied by the Advaita Vedantins.

(See abhava.i
Atyanta-abheda -

3'k4""d-~ -

Atyanta-bhinna -

~-

Atyanta-asat -

"absolute difference"

"complete nonbeing"; nonexistence

3'kt1""dlfH) -

Atyantika-du~kha-dhvarizsa -

"absolute nondifference"

~ k4f~q;~:~ -

final annihilation of sor-

rows
Aryantika-pralaya -

31 k4 f..::<1q;YM4 -

frnrn tho .~

Audarya

,j1IG'1
t

the state wherein the individual obtains

nf

the fire in the stomach; the fire of appetite; being in the

{epp tDin~\

-"

d11~ I Lief' -

the state in which action (karma) takes its effect and

produces its proper results in the ordinary manner

Audayika -

Aupaciirika-vrtti - afjqi'tI RCf'q:ffi - the secondary denotation of words; metaphorical

1. It is of two types: laksanii (e.g., the village is on the river). and gauni
(e.g., the boy is a lion). (See laksana.)
~-

Aupiidhika Aupamya -

due to limiting adjuncts

3flq1O1 - comparison; analogy; resemblance

Aupapiidika -

~-

Aupasamika - 3fjq!llfl:tq; (karma)

born spontaneously
complete subsidence of vision-deluding matter

1. According to Jainism, by proper efforts action (karma) may be prevented from taking effect though it still continues to exist. This is
one of the states of being within the doctrine of gunasthiina. (See

gunasthana.)
A

. L. J. -

..
70

Avacchedaka-3'1a~4Cf' -

delimiting; limitation
1. The delimitant serves the purpose of specifying which attribute is referred to.

Avacchedaka-sambandha - 3'1cfC4~Cf'ftJ44~ - delimiting relation

1. Each delimited attribute has a specifric relation and this relation
must be stated to avoid any ambiguity.
Avaccheda-viida-~q~~ql~ -"theory of limitation"

1. The individual is but an abridgement of the Absolute (Brahman), according to Advaita Vedanta. The body-mind complex seemingly
limits the infinite Self (Atman), just as a pot seemingly limits the infinite space. When the adjunct is dispensed with, one realizes the
nondifference between the two. This view is attributed to Vacaspati

na -

- concentration; attention

Avadharana- 3lCfc::1'ITDT - assertion

3fa'fu" - supernatural cognition; transcendental knowledge; clairvoy-

Avadhi -

ance; limit
1. According to Jainism, it refers to an individual's ability to perceive
without the help of the sense organs and the mind, things which have
shape and form. All living beings possess this capacity in varying
degrees, with limitations appropriate to each, imposed due to material (karma) veils.
2. It is of three types: limited space and time (desa-avadhiy, not limited
by space and time (parama-avadhi), and apprehension of all modes
of physical objects (sarva-avadhi).

Avadhi-darsana - ~ - a type of determinate understanding (see upayoga)

Avadhiaa -

~-

"cast off'; spiritual adept

1. An ascetic, particularly an enlightened being, who has renounced all
worldl attachments and connections and lives in a state be ond
body consciousness and whose behavior is not bound
by ordinary
,

71

Brahmavadhiaa. These are divided into perfect tparamahamsav and

imperfect (apiirna).
Avagraha- ~ - sense-object contact devoid of particularity
I. The first stage if mati-jiiana according to Jainism. It is of two types:
only contact between the subject and object tvyaiijana-avagrahav.
and the subject both apprehends and feels the object (artha-avagra00). (See mati.)
~-

Avaksepana -

downward motion (see karma)

Avaktavya - 31<:4tt'iOtf ible

unspeakable; inconceivable; indescribable; inexpress-

3'1<:4 ICfLt I~
ken
"

Avakyartha

a sentence conveying a nonverbal sense; "not-spo-

1. Any Great Saying (mahiiviikya); e.g., tat tvam asi-That thou art, or

ur,"ff'

Avalambana -

VI

31QMiOGl:=t -

. . .

-1 CUll

_'" lU

~U' <U'-U

basis

Avantara-vakya - 31Q 10ft (QICfLt - subsidiary text

I. A branch of the Upanisadic texts which do not give liberating
knowledge. They are the intermediary texts which give knowledge
about the Reality with form and attributes tsaguna-brahman). This
view is held by Advaita Vedanta.
2. See chart no. 1.

Avapta-samasta-kama - 31Q lC(1ftqf('1~lq - one whose desires are ever fulfilled

Avara-~-Iower

Aviiraka-.sakti - 311<:41 (~ltIfffl- the power of concealment (iir;ava) which covers the cognitive, conative, and affective energies of the individual and
renders them inoperative (according to Saiva Siddhanta)
Avara1}a .- 311<:4 <0 I - concealment; veil; screen; obstruction
I. The veilinz Dower of iznorance, According to Advaita Vedanta one
of the twofold powers of ignorance (avidyii).
""....

-i.. J~~

0'

. . ' ... ' ....., ... ,

_ _

auu

"~U.YU'

72

Avarana-sakti - 31lcHo I" ff1

31q il~

Avaroha -

Avasarpini

s--

capacity or power to conceal

descent

31qf4Rfof) -

~t1r

going down gradually; descending slowly

state of experience; state of consciousness; condition

1. There are three states of experience: waking (jiigrat), dreaming
(svapna), and deep sleep tsusuptii. Also see turiya.
2. According to Visi~~dvaita, "an adventitious quality which should
be inseparably related to the substance."

Avasthii -

Avasthii-bheda -

~-

Avastha-jiiana

~tt I~ H

difference in condition
any individual state or experience of ignorance

Avasthd-pariniima - ~ - change of experience or appearance

with regard to the past, present, and future
Avasthii-traya-viciira - 3lm=t.:1I~t'1~~I( - enquiry into the three states of expenence
1. This is a technique used in Advaita Vedanta to reveal the real nature
of the individual. In its empirical existence, the individual has three
kinds of experience-waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. The Self is
involved in these three states through the adjunct of the body-mind
complex with which it is associated. This enquiry is meant to reveal
that the Self is not really affected by the triple stream of experience.
It is adventitious and not natural to it. To realize this is to realize the
fourth (turiya) state, or the Absolute (Brahman).
Avastu -

~-

Avafyaka Avatiira -

nonsubstantial

31lq!ft'1 -

necessary; conclusion; religious duty

3'1q('t I{ - "divine descent"; the descent of God into the world in a

tangible form (from the verb root tri = "to cross" + preposition ava =
"down")
l. It is sometimes translated as "divine incarnation" but it should be
noted that the term refers to the supreme Lord appearing in this
.L t V

/,> ; ;<1] world in

TT'

ITT

own

T".

Form out of His/Her own in-

conceivable prerogative. Noting this, the words descent or incarnaItVH IllaJ

L
u,",

IJI;;U.

73

2. According to the Vaisnava tradition there are ten major divine descendents (avatarai of Visnu: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasirnha,
Vamana, Parasurama, Ramacandra, Balararna, Krsna, and Kalki. A
variation of this list replaces Balarama with Buddha.
3. They are of two types: principal and subordinate. The former is
when Visnu himself descends and the latter is the incarnation of inspired saints. The stories of the avataras are told in the Puranas,
4. Some accounts describe twenty-six descents of Visnu: Sanaka, Sananda, Sanataria, Sanatkumara, Varaha, Narada, Nara, Kapila, Dattatreya, Yajfia, Rsabhadeva, Prthu, Matsya, Mohini, Kurma, Garuda,
Dhanvantari, Narasirnha, Vamana, Parasurama,Vyasa, Ramacandra,
Balarama, Krsna, Buddha, and Kalki.
5. Though Siva i~ ~sually depicted without incarnations, there is a school
of thought which describes His twenty-eight incarnations (who are
depicted as the twenty-eight revealers of the Salva Agamas.
Avaya -

:~

perceptual judgment
I. A stage in perceptual knowledge tmati-jnana) wherein the object is
-

""

fCO.

'\

Avayava -- 31a4-'1"- premise; member; component part

I. The five premises (members) in a syllogism. (See anumiina.y

2. One of the sixteen categories in the Nyaya system.
3. See padartha and chart no. 6.
Avayavuvayavi -

3fa4 la4 ~ -

part and whole; member and nonmember

Avayavin -

3fati~1- the whole; composite structure

Avibhiiga -

3lfql;rm -

inseparability

AVibhagad-vaiSvarftpasya-~ ~,qfLt - the unmanifest is that in

which all effects dissolve
1. Sankhyan proof for the existence of primal Nature tprakrtiv. As there
is an identity between cause and effect, if one traces each effect backwards into its cause, eventually one will reach the unmanifestprakrti.

mIG -

A vicara-siddha - 3f ~ I I<

nonenquiry into the nature of the Ultimate

A vidvan -- ~
/

one who has no know ledge (of the Ultimate)

Avidya -- 3lfum -

ignorance; nescience (from the verb root vid = "to know" +

a-

not ')

74

I. It is the key concept in the Advaita Vedanta system. It serves as the

cornerstone for Advaita Vedanta metaphysics, epistemology, and
ethical disciplines; thus its role cannot be belittled. It is characterized by six marks: it is beginningless (aniidi); it is removed by right
knowledge (jliana-nivartya); it is a positive entity of the nature of an
existent (bhavaritpa); it is indescribable (anirvacaniya); it has the
two powers of concealment and projection which respectively represent the truth and suggest the false (avaralJ.a and viksepav; and its
locus is either in the individual self Viva) or in the Absolute (Brahman).
2. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence. (See
pratityasamutptuia.y It is the root of all and the primary cause of existence according to Buddhism.
Avidyii-dosa -

31 fa tHC(ltSf - defect of ignorance

....

....

....

of'

;".l"lIC'I .-tnll'l"'t
G

~-

Avidya-svabhava -

nature of ignorance

Avidyii-vrtti - 31 fa ij IC!M - a mode of ignorance

I. A modification of ignorance. It gives knowledge of illusory objects;
internal states of the mind like pleasure and pain; and know ledge
Uliana) and ignorance (avidyiz), according to Advaita Vedanta. This
knowing is done by the witness consciousness (saksin).
Avighiita Avijliata -

~~iff ((11

Avikalpita -

Avinabhiiva -

.-

..

invariable relation

lack of control; nonrestraint

~-

....

indeterminate

not subject to change

~-

Avirati - 31 fa (f(t -

one who does not know; an epithet of Lord Visnu

~-

Avikari-31 ~4'lft -

Avirbhizva -

nonobstruction

manifestation; becoming visible; presence

.~

nYII UHU.U

75

Avirodha -- ~ -

noncontlict

Avise~a -31rq~iSl - indeterminate

I. A technical term in Sankhya for the ego tahankiirav and the five subtle essences of the elements (tanmiitra).

A vita -

a:lm -

a type of inference which proceeds by denying the consequent

I. A type of inference according to Sarikhya. It is also called sesavat,
It is essentially negative in nature as it is based on the coabsence of
the major term (probandum) and the middle term (probans). In this
type of inference, no positive instance is possible and only negative
instances may be given; e.g., the effect (cloth) is nondifferent from
the cause (threads), for the former inheres in the latter, as a property
of it. No positive instance can be given because all instances will fall
within what is sought to be proved. If the effect and the cause were
different, inherence would be impossible. (See sesavat.y

Aviveka -- 31 ~aC6 -

nondiscrimination
nf

A vyabhiciiri -

~-

unalterable

Avyiikrta - 31Ot1lcrd - "unanswerable questions"; invisible (from a "not" + the

verb root an] + "to appear")
I. They are the questions which Buddha refused to answer. They are
ten (sometimes delineated as fourteen) questions on causality which
Buddha answered by "Do not say so."
Avyiikrtakiisa -

31Ot1Iq;dC6l~

unmanifested ether

Avyakta -- 310LttB - unmanifest

I. Sankhyan term for primal Nature tprakrti).
Avyapadesya -

310Ltq~!(tt -

A vyapti -- 310Lt I fC<1

unspeakable; nonverbalizable

- inapplicability; nonpervasion

I. A logical fallacy which attempts to give a definition that says too little. It is the absence of the definition in a thing sought to be defined.
(See asadharana.i
A \. -

_",."i

76

Avyiipya-vrttitva Avyavahdrya -

310L1 1U1<!ft1('C4 -

partial extensity

31OL1C4E 14 - unrelatable

Avyaya -

31OLI"l1- eternal; imperishable

Ayama -

31'Tll1t:r -

length; expansion; extension

Ayam-iitma brahma - 31t141c41 ~ - "this Self is the Absolute (Brahman)"

1. A Great Saying tmaha-vakya) which occurs in the Miil}qflkya Upanisad of the Atharva Veda.
Ayana -

3fl:P1- solstice; a period of time; way

and southern way idaksinayanar. (See each listed separately.)

1. The sense organs; viz., mind, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, organ of elimmatron, an organ

generation.
2. See pratityasamutpada.

Ayathiirtha - $=ftTTq -

erroneous

Ayatharthiinubhava - $=fqr~ Ayaugapadya - 314~ I( q (l

Ayodhyii -

~-

erroneous experience

nonsimultaneity

city and center of pilgrimage

1. Birthplace and capital of Lord Rarna. It is one of India's seven sacred

cities, located in North India.
Ayonija -

31ti'iR\i1 - origin unknown; not born of mortal beings

1. Bodies whose birth (origin) is unknown.
2. Those individuals not born of mortal beings-e.g., Sita, Padrnavati,
Andal.

Ayu~ (iiyus) -

3ITlJ: -

"age determining": span of life

1. One of the ei ht main t s of obscurin matter (karma) in Jainism. It
is subdivided into four types as relating to the duration of life (Iongev-

77

karma), human

(manusya-ayus-karmas, animal (tiryag iiyus-karma),

and hell being tnaraka-ayus-karmay.

Ayuhana -- 311'1E" - conglomeration

Ayur-veda - 31lsa~ - the scripture dealing with medicine; "life knowledge"
1. The ancient Indian science of medicine which teaches that good
health depends on maintaining the even balance of the three bodily
humors: wind, bile, and phlegm.
Ayus -

3111t-life; vital power (from the root i = "to go") See iiyu~

Ayuta-siddha - 31'1<1 n:.~

the establishment of absolutely different things appearing as one inseparable whole; inseparable
l. .nus relation means mat, ot the related ennties, one IS mvanabty
found associated with the other.
2. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, there are five types of ayuta-siddha

I.

,) <>nrl"

,.

1 I>,,n)"
~

'0

I.

,.

./

./

and action (karma); particular (vyakti) and universal (jati); ultimate

'"

i:UIU

paI

IS

a"

..

.OJ'-':"'), i:UIU

t1..

uie "',"v.'"

".
t) i:UIU

Pi:lfl~

iamsa),

Ayutasiddha-avayava - 3l1j('1fl:t~IC4LtC4 - the combination of parts which exist

close together; a conglomeration of interrelated parts

78

B
Biidariiyana - G41~{It101 - "inhabitant of Biidarika Asrama"
1. A name for the sage Vyasa.
~-

Baddha -

bound

Baddha-jiva - iS4~'3flq -

bound individual human being (see jiva)

Biidha - iITtl- cessation; contradiction; fallacy

~-

Biidhaka D - -"

.,.

sublator

..........

'1"1

Bddhdyiim samdnadhikaranya
,.

..

t11""rt"""~""1

grammatical co-

in th... " ...n"... n-f

1. A grammatical theory used by the Advaita Vedantins to interpret the

Great Sayings (maha-vakyasy; e.g., originally one perceived the object as a post, but later realized that it was a man. The original perception of the post is thus sublated.
Biidhita -

Gfrfu(r - sublated; contradictory reason; stultified reason

1. A logical fallacy which tries to prove a thesis which is contrary to
direct experience; e.g., when someone says, "fire is not hot because
it is a substance" the thesis is wrong because of stultified reason.
2. This fallacy is also known as kiildtita and kdliityaydpadista. (See

hetvabhasa.i
Badrinath - G4l}l"9lb - one of the major centers of Hindu pilgrimage, sacred to
Visnu, located in the heart of the Himalayas
Baglamukhi - G41 M~{C{t - "crane headed"
1. An aspect of the universal Mother (Sakti) who is depicted with the
head of a crane.
Bahi~-prajnti-art[:~- outer knowledge
1
&

T~ ..... ~
~......

~"''''o

n"~"~

~~.

"'~"~"'"

..
&

, 'n

w. '"

"

r\~~
'-'u'"'

operates (knows) through one's ten senses (indriyas), five vital airs
ipranasi. and the mtemal organ iantankaranay Through these, one

79

receives stimuli from the external world and reacts to them in diverse ways.
Bahiranga-sadhana - a ~ OrA 1l::Ff - the remote aid to spiritual practices;
"outer-limb practices"
I. It is comprised of daily and occasional actions (nitya and naimittikakarmas).
2. According to the Yoga system, the first five limbs of astanga-yoga
are known as the external spiritual disciplines. These are abstentions, observances, postures, breathing techniques, and withdrawal
of the senses from sense objects (yama, niyama, asana, priif}iiyama ,
and pratyaharai. (See astiinga-yoga.i
Bahir-dravyatva -

a~sf&kq - external substanceness

Bahir-mukha -G4l%1tc4

outward vision
I. The cause for the exhibition of the universe according to Kashmir
Saivism. Lord Siva turns his vision outwards.
external

Jjanya -lStfE-f -

1. A type of perception in Nyaya,

Bala -

Bala -

~ffM

- strength; force; vigor; power (from the root bal = "to breathe,
live") (see bhaga)
-

childlike; young; youthful

Balavadanistiinanubandhin - aMq~P=t~I""jG4fl~ - that which does not entail great harm

Bandha .- ~ -

"lock"; bond; bondage; control; determination (from the verb

root bandh = "to bind")
I. A class of exercises in Hatha Yoga, which when practiced along
with praniiyama (breathing exercises) aids in uniting the prana and
apana (the ingoing and outgoing breath). They also help to seal the
vital breath (prii1}a) in the body during the practice of locks (mudrii).
The three main locks are jdlandhara bandha (in which the head is
bent forward and the chin is pressed against the chest), uddiyana
bandha (in which the stomach muscles are pulled inward toward the
"nine)
and miila l
,

(in whi

.1.

the anus is

."..1'

'\

2. According to Jainism, bondage is due to karma particles. It is caused

,
.. .
,.,
,
. '""
,
vy

d~llVllIC~

Vi

uic uouy -uuuu

80

d~

vy

This bondage has two stages: Bhiiva-bandha and dravya-bandha.

Bhiiva-bandha represents a change in the individual's consciousness
due to passions tkasaya), which prepares the individual for the actual bondage (dravya-bandha) which follows. The latter stage is when
there is an actual contact of the karma particles with the individual.
3. Bondage is of four kinds: nature bondage (prakrti-bandhai, spacequantity bondage (pradesa-bandhai, duration-quality bondage tsthitibandha), and intensity-of-fruition bondage (anubhiiga-bandha).
4. The majority of Indian philosophical schools attribute bondage to
ignorance (avidyii). Bondage signifies the human condition of finite
existence, unenlightenment.
Bandhu -

~-

connection; relation; association

.,...

~.

'I..:

Bhadra Bhaga -

~-

blessing; happy; well

J.m - six glorious features of God (Isvara); luck; fortune

1. They are jfuina (wisdom), sakti (potency), bala (strength), aisvarya
(lordship), virya (valor), tejas (splendor). (See lsvara.i

Bhiiga-tyaga-laksana -101 11 kLlII IAlfttTIT (see jahad-ajahal-laksandi

Bhagavad-anubhava -101 IlaG=j4Ci -

another name of jahad-ajahal-laksana

God-realization

Bhagavad Gitii - "song of God" (from the verb root bhaj = "to love, revere" +
gii = "to sing")
1. One of the essential scriptures of Hinduism, a portion of the Maha-

bharata, in which Krsna, on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, instructs

Arjuna about the nature of God, the universe, and the Self; on the
different forms of Yoga; and on the way to attain God. (See Mahiibhiirata.)

Bhagavan -1Oj11q 17 - Lord; God; revered person; venerable; the fortunate; the
powerful; blessed one (from the root bhag = "good fortune, wealth,
splendor, power") + van "possessor, Master, having")
1. The Lord. The one who is glorious. illustrious, divine, venerable. A
,_...

t ... .-rY>

......

of

~.

of........ ~ ......rl
.~.

~~~,

........ "",;"t",
....
~.

~_

~,

,,"n-o'" r-' ,.

~-e>-~,

""'''0''-'
~.,,-~,

c>

what is glorious, divine, venerable, and holy. He possesses six divine quanties: knowledge (jnana), strength toata), iordsrup

8]

(aisvaryai. potency (sakli), virility (virya), and splendor (te}as). (See

lsvara.i
Bhagavata -14 P 16k1 - devotee of God; name of a major Puriina; name of a sect
of Vaisnavas
1. Bhiigavata Puriina (or Srimad Bhiigavata) is one of the eighteen
major Puranas and the primary source book for the conception and
worship of Lord Krsna. It contains the biography of Krsna, This
scripture is respected, revered, and studied regularly, especially by

Vaisnavas.
Bhagavata kainkarya -101 P Iq(1$Cf54 -

"service to the devotees of God"

Bhagavatpiida -lOfJlckql~ -

Bhiigya --1fTl'tf -

"God-footed"

salvation or liberation worked out by fate; fortune (see tustiv

Bhairava .- ~ - fri htful; fear ins irin ; horrible; terrible; formidible; form
of Siva
1. Siva the terrible. A name for Siva implying the Lord who is responsible for the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the universe. In
the Kopala and Kiilamukha sects of Kashmir Saivism, they worship
Bhairava as Siva or the Absolute.
Bhairavi -- ~ -

The Goddess (Sakti of Bhairava) (see Bhairava)

Bha}ana -- ~ -

devotional singing (from the root bhaj = "to love, worship,

praise")
I. Individual or group singing of devotional songs, hymns, and chants.
Devotional songs in praise of the Divine. It is a form of pure and unadulterated devotion to God.
Bhakta -- ~ -

devotee; lover of God (from the verb root boo) = "to love, worship, revere")
1. A devotee; a lover or worshipper of God. Followers of Bhakti Yoga,
the path of love and devotion.
2. According to Visistadvaita Vedanta, a devotee is one type of seeker
of liberation. They are those who have read the Veda together with
the earlier and later parts of the Mimarpsa, have determined the naure 0
e
sur
1 ",.",...

82

and the world (acit). They are of the nature of bliss and know Brahman as of the nature of bliss, infinitude, and unsurpassability.
3. A stage of consciousness. (See sthala.)
Bhakti -11ftf; -loving devotion (from the verb root bhaj = "to love, worship,

revere")
I. The path of devotion leading to union with God; the state of intense
devotional love for God or guru. It is one of the paths to liberation
(bhakti marga). (See bhakti yoga.)
2. Devotion is said to be of two types: sadhana-bhakti (comprised of
astanga-yoga, siidhana-saptaka; etc.) and phala-bhakti (received by
an individual through God's grace spontaneously).
3. It is also divided into nine forms: sravana, kirtana, smaral}a, piidasevana, arcana, vandana, diisya, sakhya, and atma-nivedana. (See
navavidhii bhakti.)
. evotion to od can assume many forms and the devotee can be related to God in one of man attitudes. The chief ones are diis a the
attitude of a servant to his master; sakhya, the attitude of a friend to
tude of a child to a parent; kiinta, the attitude of a wife to a husband;
ra I, e a 1 u e 0 a over 0 e e ove ; an ve-ra, e a 1 u e 0
an atheist toward God.
5. Visistadvaita Vedanta defines devotion as "a continuous stream of
remembrance of God uninterrupted like the flow of oil from one vessel to another."
6. Vaisnavas divide perfect love of God (ragatmika bhakti) into kamatmika (consisting of a desire for erotic and mystical enjoyment inspired by an exclusive effort to please Krsna) and sambandhiitmika
(consisting of a sense of relationship to Krsna). The former is composed of sneha (affection wherein the heart melts); mana (affected
repulse of endearment due to excess emotion); pranaya (friendly
confidence); raga (erotic transmutation of sorrow into joy); and
anuriiga (love as a constant freshness). Under the latter, the modes
of viitsalya and sakhya involve sneha, mana, pranaya, raga, and
anuriiga, while the diisya mode includes all but anuriiga and the
santa mode involves none of them.
Bhakti-rupdpanna-jiuina -1.fRtsf'q Iq?f~P'1 -love of God; knowledge turned

into devotion
Bhakti Siara -

~ ~-

"threads of devotion"

Bhakti
Siuras: The Bhakti Siaras of Narada and the Bhakti Sutras of
,

83

Narada's uses plain and simple terms, while Sandilya's work is

more philosophical and scholarly.

Bhakti Yoga -lOi ffflLtlll - Yoga of devotion; path to union with God (from the
verb root bhaj = "to share in," "to belong to," "to worship")
1. One of the principal paths to liberation. It is of the nature of the supreme love of God. On attaining it, a person becomes perfect, immortal, and eternally blissful. It is depicts the Divine and human
relationship from the human side. (See bhakti.i
2. Vaisnavites say it is of two kinds: formal (which is the lower type
dependent upon external aids and depicts a step-by-step process)
and real (which knows no rules, involves complete surrender, and is
immediate).
3. There are four kinds of devotees: those who, being hard pressed, tum
to God for relief; those who, seeking intellectual satisfaction, love

Bhamati-prasthdna -lOiltirlli1lf2fA - the Bhamatl school or "foundation"

1. One of the two schools within Advaita Vedanta. Its most important
works are the Bhiimati of Vacaspati, the Kalpataru of Amalananda,
and the Parimala of Appayya Diksita. (See chart no. 4.)
2. The school derives its influence and inspiration from Mandana
Misra.
3. See vivarana-prasthiina.
Bharata --11ITff - suporter; to support; "bearer of the oblation"; name for India
(from the verb root bhr = "to support")
1. Ancient name for the land of India.
2. Name for the people of India: those who support or uphold righteousness (dharma)
3. The son of Dusyanta, born of Sakuntala.
4. A sage and author of the Niuyasiistra.
5. Name of the son of Dasaratha and one of Rama's three brothers.
6. Short for Mahabharata.
7. Author of the Natya-siistra.
Bharati -- ~ - Goddess; name of Sarasvati
o the ten monastic orders founded b Sailkaracar a.
2. Wife of Mandana Misra, who refereed the debate between Sankar-

84

Bhartrhari - ~ - a king and famous Sanskrit poet; a famous grammarian

(from bhartr = "supporter" + hari = "remover")
1. An eleventh-century king who was the son of Vidyasagara and
Mandakini and who renounced his kingdom to become a yogi. He
was a disciple of Goraknath. A collection of his Sanskrit poetry,
Satakatrayam tNiti, Srngiira, and Vairiigya Satakasi, deal with
worldly concerns, spiritual ideals, renunciation, and the nature of
passion.
2. A seventh-century grammarian and one of India's greatest philosophers of language. Author of the Vakyapadiya.
Bhasa -l.l'TlSfT -language; gentle and holy talk (see samitii
Bhasaka -

~-

revealer

Bhasma-~-ash

1. Saivites place ashes from funeral pyres, sacrificial fires, and/or cow-

...

..

uung upon urerr

-.

_.

U IS one or uie

.....

-c

..

~VIlC.

It symbolizes the ordeal of universal conflagration, the extraction of

the world essence, the perfect distillation. All material things eventually and ultimately become "ash." (See vibhiai.)
2. There are three types of bhasma: ash from ordinary fire is employed
in cleaning metal, wood, grains, clothing. Ash from the sacrificial
fire, purified by mantras, is taken as sanctified gift (prasadv. Wearing it on one's body is like absorbing the sacrificial rite itself. Finally, ash from burned bilva leaves, sanctified by the recitation of the
Aghora mantra, is known as Sivagni (the fire of Siva). The ash from
this is strained and put into a pot, mixed with twigs of the sami, banyan, and pipul trees together with burnt blades of darbha grass
mixed with cowdung cakes. The three horizontal lines of ash distinctive of all Saivites which are placed on the forehead, are made of this
ash.
3. It is difficult for the mind, engrossed in names and forms, to conceive
of the formless. Bhasma or sacred ashes, is one of the most sacred
means offormlformless worship. It represents Lord Siva and denotes
primarily the destruction of samsiira and karma. Lord Siva gives the
boons of dispassion tvairagya; and destruction of limitations to his
devotees. Everyone can apply bhasma irrespective of caste, creed, or
religion. It has the profound symbolism of reminding one of the transience of all created things. Eventually all things tum to ash. Bhasma
indicates time (kala), It also reminds one to make efforts to reach the
One beyond time (kalatita), or Lord Siva. The sacred ash is called
~L"
Ulv

.c .
UUV I V l l I l

,,~ :...
VI

o iv a.

, ...

85

I:) a o l v a t

-'
allu

.1

and can remove obnoxious odors. The color of bhasma is white. It

symbolizes wisdom. After all karma is burnt out, what is left is wisdom. Anything put into a fire, will first tum black, but eventually it
will tum white. White is the ultimate state.

Bhastrika --lOfff:ifCf'1 -

"bellows"; a type of breathing exercise (prri'piyrima)

1. A yogic practice of controlled, forceful breathing which purifies the
body and stills the mind. It is a type of breathing exercise where the
air if forcibly drawn in and out or "blasted" as in a furnace. (See
p rriT}riyrima.)

Bhiisvara -- ~ -

brilliant

Bhasya -l1J&f - commentary

Bhiisyakiira -lOflQ1Cf'I<: - commentator (from the verb root kr
bhasya = "commentary")
1 TI,. .. "....""t ,,,.. 11_'

.'

,~

c..

= "to

- -

.J

do" +

1'",. A A_

vaita Vedanta, Ramanuja for Vlststadvaita Vedanta, and Madhvacarya ror Dvaita veuIDlla.
2. Ramanuja is familiarily known as "the bluisya-kara" in the Vedantic
literature of Visistadvaita Vedanta.

Bhriti- ~rmr
shining; self-luminous
1. In Vedanta, the Absolute (Brahman) is described as asti (it is), bhiiti
(it shines), priyam (it is blissful). All physical entities partake eternally of these three while, momentarily, they partake of name and
form (niima and riipa).
Bhatia -1.1f - Kurnarila Bhatta
1. The originator of one of the two main schools of Piirva Mimarnsa,
the Bhatta school.
2. Advaita Vedantins usually follow the Bhatta view in all matters empirical.

Bhauma --1.fn:r - terrestrial (from the verb root bhu ="to become, exist")
1. One of the four kinds of fire. (See tejas.)
Bhautika -1ft Faa;
Bhava -.1OfCf ~UIllC,

formed of matter; constituted of the gross elements

becoming; an epithet of Siva (from the verb root bhi: = "to beCAl:SL " )

86

Bhava -l.fTCf -

state of being; existence; emotion; feeling; attitude (from the

verb root bhu ="to become, exist");
1. Existence: That from which everything comes.
2. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence, according
to Buddhism. (See pratityasamutpada.i
3. Becoming or a state of flux.
4. A feeling of absorption or identification. A spiritual attitude.

Bhavanii -1fTCFfT - reminiscent impression; meditation; consideration; mental

discipline
1. According to Jainisrn, it is a class of verbal knowledge (srutajfliina).
It is the stage of reconsidering the nature of a familiar phenomenon
so that a new phenomenon which is known to be associated with it
can be properly understood.
2. According to the Vaisesika school, it is a type of trait (guna) from
latent impressions (sarhskara). It is that quality of the self by which
hi
.
i

ualloses its resistence to the inflow of karmic particles (see iisrava)

Bhaviini -101 Iq 141 - "the Giver of existence"

1. One of the names of the universal Divine Mother. The Existent; Pure
Existence. The Great Goddess. A name for Parvati.
Bhdviitmaka -lOi lq I(4Cfi - a type of substance (dharma) in Jainism which indicates the form and condition of a thing
Bhava-bandha -lOllqd1rt:l- a Jaina term describing the state wherein there is a

change in an individual's consciousness due to passions (see bandha)

Bhava-karma-lOIlqCfiQ -

actions of body, mind, and speech which produce

subtle (karma) matter according to Jainism

Bhava-kdrya -lOflq~14 -

positive product

Bhiiva-lesya -101 IqH!(ti - the feelings generated by the accumulation of (karma) matter according to Jainism (see ldya)
Bhiiva-linga-lOIlqf"A:ji -

a form of the formless Siva (see linga-sthalai

Bhava-nirjarii -lOf Iq r'"f#( 1-

a Jaina term describing the stage of an individual

87

1. This stage is effected by a modification or change in the individual

itself. (See nirjarii.)
Bhiiva-padartha -lOIlaQ& Itf - existent entities
Bhava-pratyaya nirodha-lOIlalJ4(~~f;:tfh::f-atype of arrested state of the

mind not conducive to liberation

Bhiiva-pratyaya-samadhi -1011 a IJ4 (~ ~ ft q 1l1:l- a form of attribute less union
(samiidhi) in which a trace of ignorance remains

1. In this stage the latent tendencies of an individual's passions remain.

Thus, even after attaining this stage, one will have to return to the
world again. (See samiidhi.)
n

"pIA

","",,-,

"

'"

&."
'VAl ..

1. An attribute of ignorance (avidyii) according to Advaita Vedanta.

(See avidyii/miiyii.)
Bhiiva-samvara -lOIlcctieH -

a Jaina tenn describing the state of an individual

wherein the susceptibility to the inflow of karmic particles IS stopped
1. This state includes maha-vrata. samiti, gupti, dharma, anupreksa,
parisahajaya, and caritra.
2. See samvara.

Bhiivita-smartavya -1011 fqflf1trl6l1 -

recollection of an experience that is un-

real or imagined
Bhavya

one who is capable of attaining liberation, in Jainism

_.1.ff(5l:f -

"what is to be accomplished"

Bhavya _. 1.ff(5l:f -

Bhaya _.11tr Bheda -

fear; terror

~-

difference; disjunction
1. A key concept of Dvaita Vedanta. According to Dvaita, it is fivefold:
the difference between God and individuals; between different individuals; between God and matter; between individuals and matter;
and between matter and matter itself in its various forms. (See panca-bheda.i

') It

j<;:

('of

1..,

thrpp tvnp<;:'

.J

or'

II ,.....

'- -

... I - U

..

bheda or the difference which exists between two objects belonging

LU

lilt:

same crass; anu

VIJWIYU-

88

...

UI

..uic .....

..

VYll1\..ll

CAlMS

between two objects belonging to different classes. (See each bheda

listed individually.)
~-

Bhediibhava -

absence of duality or difference

Bhedabheda - ~ - the relation of identity in difference; difference-cumnondifference; unity in multiplicity; diversity in unity
1. A view held by the Bhana Mlrnamsakas, the Nirnbarka school, and
first made well known by Bhartrprapaiica.
Bhediibheda-vada - ~ (see bhediibheda)
Bhedad-anyah -

the "theory of nondifference in difference"

iOI& 1&4:1: - "something other than difference"

Bhedagrahana -iOI&I~~O' - "nonapprehension of difference"

"

"

e a-samsarga~-

"duality scriptures"
1. Upanisadic texts (and/or passages therein) which support the doctrines of duality, plurality, and multiplicity.

Bheda-sruti -

Bheda upiiya - ~ 3Q'Tlf -

See anava upiiya

Bheda-virodhi-iOI&fqtlfbT- "what is opposed to difference"

Bhiksa -

~-

alms; begging

Bhiksu - ~ - Buddhist monk or mendicant; beggar; bhikku (Pali).

Bhik!fu-sutra-~- "the monk's thread" (or scripture)

I. A name for the Brahma-siara, since those who are most competent
to study it are said to be monks or renunciants.
Bhima -

~-

"the terrible"; fear inspiring

1. The second the the five Pandava brothers and the mightiest warrior
the chief characters
in the Mahiibhiirata. Son of Kunti and Vayu.
,

89

Bhinna -

f~ -

fl:I?lfaiSfLf -

Bhinna-visaya Bhisma -

Bhoga -

differentiated
difference in subject matter

~-

frightful; terrifying; terrible; dreadful

1. The patriarch of the Kaurava and Pandava families, whose story is
told in the Mahabharata. To please his father, Santanu, he made a
(terrible) vow never to marry so that his father could marry Satyavati. He was the commander in chief of the Kaurava army during the
Mahabhdrata war.

~-

enjoyment; pleasure; experience

1. Enjoyment of the objects of the world through the senses. Worldy
experience.
2. Enjoyment or unending bliss in the state of liberation, according to
Jv~it~

V4

~ I ~ IIjO

Bhogabhiaa

Bhogiinga -1Oft 111 'ii -

-1-

involuntary action; action arising out of latencies of

pleasure-seeking individual (see sat-sthalai

Bhoga-sthana -1ftm:2Wf - "abode of enjoyment"

Bhoga-vastu -14111c:Ht! - "object of enjoyment"

Bhogopabhoga-parima1}a-1Oft 1nQ4'P IQRtf IOI -

a Jaina ethical code of conduct dealing with establishing limits to the use of objects with a view to
minimize attachment.

Bhogopakarana -10[11 Oq4'(ol Bhogya

--1Wtr -

means of enjoyment

object of experience

Bhogya-kanda - t:t11t14'lo s - objects of enjoyment

1. According to Saiva Siddhanta, God's mysterious power (maya) provides the individual with the means, locations, and objects of enjoyment.

, ....."t'''''........."' ......

90

Bhoktr -~ -

enjoyer
~q- -

poet-saint
1. A nineteenth-century poet-saint of Uttar Pradesh who established
his hermitage (asrama) on the banks of the Yamuna river. He composed (hymns) bhajans and a number of poetical works on Vedanta,
including the Siddha Gtta and Vedanta Candavali.

Bholenath or Bhole Baba -

Bhrama -

~-

error; illusion; hallucination; perplexity

1. The cognition of an object as it is not.

Bhriinti -l,lTR; - delusion

1. One of the obstacles to Self-realization. (See vighna.)
L"'~ 614

..,

?~

...., , .. 0&&

V&

0&

~ ~.J

1. In the Bhagavad GUa, Krsna says, "Of the great sages, I am Bhrgu."
ro,

.-

--

Bhish -

pancacara)

. ...
ru

n'llrv

<:jv~ (~pp

the earth; the material world (see loka)

11": '"

Bhujangini mudra - ~1i1 ~'411~ I - "serpent seal"

1. A Hatha Yoga exercise, called the serpent gesture (mudras, in which

one draws in air through the esophagus. Its practice destroys stomach disease. (See mudrd.i
Bhukti Bhuloka -

Bhiimi-

~-

enjoyment

~-

'"

"earth world" (from bhu

="earth" + loka ="world")

ptr -

the earth; stage; floor; realm

1. There are ten bhiimis or stages on the path according to Buddhism.
(See bodhisauva.y

Bhiua -lFf - element; gross elemental principle (from the verb root bhii = "to

become, exist")
1. That is, the five elements: earth (ksiti or prthivii, water (ap), fire (tejas), air (vOyu), space (akasa). (See mahabhiua.i
Bhiitiidi -

~I ~~ ...,
\

.\ ~~...I
J

the state where inertia (tamas) predominates over purity

I ~'~,\
a ] \' J "J

91

1. From this state evolve the subtle elements (tannuirra) according to

Sankhya,
Bhiaakoti --1;!dCf'lfe -

the highest culminating point for all human beings

Bhlsta-paiicaka -1;!dqla;

- the "five elements"

1. The five physical elements are earth (prthivi), air (vayu), fire (tejas),
water (ap), and ether (akdsa). The are the elements of which the
physical cosmos is composed. According to Sankhya cosmology,
they derive from the subtle elements ttanmiura). (See chart no. 12.)
Bhutiirtha-vada -1Jffi~ - statement of a fact not already known; "theory
of existent objects" (see artha-viidas
DL.-..~_

.J.

Bhiaatva --1ffi'(Cf '"

Bhuvah -- ~: -

"elementness"

the midregion; the world of becoming (see loka and gayatri)

Bhuvana -- ~ -

the universe; the world

Bhuvana-sundara -

~-

Bhiiyo-dariana -

~ttlqrn~

Bibhatsa .- ~ -

God as cosmic beauty

repeated observation

trembling

Bija - ~ - seed; drop; seminal

1. In Yoga, it denotes the causes of afflictions (klesa). They are the
seeds of the defects.
2. Sound derives its most sublime recognizable form as the fifty-one
phonemes of the Sanskrit language-Le., the so-called little mothers
(matrka). As such, mantras often occur as, or derive from, collections of meaningless seed (b'ija) sounds. As their name suggests.
they are the "seeds" of all sounds. Some examples include hrim,
srim, gam, glaum, aum, aim. (See mantra.)
B'ijiinkura-nyiiya - aft'if1i< ~ - the analogy (or logic) of the seed and the
tree. each beinz the cause of the other
~ ..e:::..-UUVU
lQill~

a u cc

..

Willi

. 1

92

~;,
LUlU lJlva.

T
~U

~1~aL

Bimba - ~ -

original, prototype

Bimba-pratibimba-vada - ~1a1'14R1f~1a1cw~ - reflection theory; "theory of the

original and its reflection"
1. The reflection theory of the Advaita Vedanta Vivarana school, in
which consciousness is said to be reflected in the adventitious condition, ignorance (avidyii). According to this view, the individual is
a reflection of intelligence present in egoity. As there exists no difference between a reflection and the original, the individual soul
0iva) is nondifferent from the Absolute (Brahman).
Bimbopiisana - f~~lq 1~P1 - "meditation on the reflection"
1. Meditation on the position of the individual as a reflection of the
Lord.

for the soul.

Bindu -

taR; -

"a dot, point"; drop; crescent

I. The compact mass of spiritual power or energy (Sakti) gathered into
an undifferentiated point, ready to manifest as the universe. A form
made of light (Blue Pearl). The material cause and substance of creation.
2. The cause of form (rupa) in Kashmir Saivisrn. It is a combination of
the four subtle elements (tanmiitras).
3. A mark on the forehead, which may serve (depending upon the substance employed) cosmetic, medicinal, or religious functions. The
center of the forehead, between the eyebrows, is the most important
psychic center in the physical body and its importance is stressed by
putting a colored mark at this spot. This spot is where the sixth cakra
(iijiiii cakra) is located. It is known as the third eye or the eye of wisdom. This mark not only reminds one that the purpose of one's life
is to realize one's Self, but it helps one to remember that all one's
actions are to be dedicated to this goal. The most common material
used for making this mark is kumkum, a red powder which is a mixture of tumeric, alum, iodine, camphor, etc. Another popular material is sandalwood paste blended with musk. This has a strong
coolin effect and is enerall meant for those who have meditated
for a long time. Sacred ash from a sacrificial fire or funeral pyre is

93

cause they have renounced their attachments to worldly life and ash
symbolizes this.

Bindu Bheda - ~ ~ - (seeing) one thing with two eyes

l. A movement (kriyii) of the eyes; a subtle piercing of the eyeballs after which one begins to perceive the Blue Light vibrating everywhere; the purification of the eyes.
Bodha - ~ Bodhi -

Gilfu -

consciousness; knowledge; "to be awake"; enlightenment

enlightenment; "to be awakened"

Bodhicitta - ~ - love; foundation of all good; attitude to serve all

1. It has two aspects according to Buddhism. The stage when the individual resolves to become a bodhisattva tbodhi-pranidhi-cittai and
actually entering the path and taking the journey ibodhi-prasthanacitta).
Bodhi-prat}idhi-citta-~- see bodhicitta

Bodhi-prasthana-citta -~tflr:tf%tn -

see bodhicitta

Bodhisattva - ~ - a being aspiring to enlightenment; one who has attained the essence of wisdom; an "awakened one"
1. They exist for the good and happiness of all. Their ideal is enlightenment for all sentient beings. They are of two types: earthly and
transcendent.
2. There are ten stages to perfect bodhisattva-hood: pramuditii, vimalii,
prabhakari, arcismati, sudurjayii, abhimukti, diirangama, acalii,
siidhumati. and dharma-megha.
3. In its early usages, it referred to the career of Siddhartha Gotama. It
gradually became extended to refer to all one's previous lives in
one's passage to Buddhahood.
4. The major bodhisattvas include Amitabha, Avalokitesvara, Manjusrt, Vairocana, and Samantabhadra. Lesser bodhisattvas include
Aksobhya, Ratnasarhbhava, Amoghasiddhi, and Mahastharna. The
last of the bodhisattvas or the "Buddha-to-come" is Maitreya.

Brahma -- ~ - the creator of the universe; one of the Indian trinity comprised
of Brahms. Visnu. and Rudra: Driest
I. The Absolute Reality manifested as the active creator of the uni.t,

.&........,J

94

.& ....

T y'

-'

The other two are Visnu, who represents the principle of sustenance,
and Siva, who represents the principle of destruction.
2. One of the four principal priests in a Vedic sacrifice (the others being Hotri, adhvaryu, udgiitri). The brahma priest, the most learned
of the four, was required to know the three Vedas, supervise the sacrifice, and set right mistakes committed by the other priests.
3. See Vi~~u, Siva
Brahma-bhiiva -

~-

the state of being the Absolute (Brahman)

I. Identification with the all-pervasive Reality.

Brahmacarya - 41$i?t4 - a code of conduct; dwelling in Brahman; a student;

"the path that leads to Brahman" or "moving in Brahman"; abstention
from incontinence; celibacy
I. The first staze of life-Le., studentshin, (See asrama.i The foundation for the Indian hermitage (iisrama) and teacher's school (gu~,

.-

-,

"-J

~J

~~_

,..~
~~

2. One of the abstentions in the Yoga system. (See yama.)

3. One of the great vows and one of the proper modes of conduct accordinz to Jainism. (See mahiivrata and ciiritra.i
Brahmagranthi - 41~P) F.=q - "knot of Brahman"
I. Located in the mystic lowermost nerve plexus (mUliidhiira), it is the
junction point in the susumna niit!i where the ida, pingala, and
susumnii niidis converge and form a knot.
Brahmajijnasa - 41~ ~~ 1ft
Brahma-jiuina -

41$~ H

"enquiry into Reality"

"knowledge of the Absolute"; Self-realization

Brahmaloka - 41$<'='14' - "the world of Brahrna"

1. The Heaven of the Creator (Brahma). The highest heaven. The
world of supreme joy. Those who reach this plane of existence (10ka) after death are beyond rebirth.
2. Brahma is said to be the creator of the fourteen worlds: the seven upper worlds-bhur-Ioka, bhuvar-loka, svar-loka, mahar-loka, janaloka, tapo-loka, and satya-Ioka; and the seven lower worlds-atala,
vitala, sutala, talatala, mahiitala, rasatala, and patala.
Brahma-muhiata - ~ -

"the moment or hour of Brahman" .. sacred early

time
1. The period of time between 3:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M., which is de-

lU

ue me oesr ume ror

95

anu w

..

Brahma-nadi -

4*~r:t, tl

another name for the susumna nadt

1. A subtle channel (naifi) located in the middle of the citrini naqi. The
nectar from the thousand-petaled lotus at the crown of the head (sahasrarai flows through this naifi. This is another name for the
susumna nadi or the main channel of energy running through the
center of the spinal column. When energy tprana) enters it, it takes
the seeker to Brahman, the Absolute, and hence its name. (See niiqi.)

Brahman -- ~ -

the ultimate Reality; the ground of the universe; the Absolute; the Divine; "great" (from the root brn = "to expand, greater than
the greatest")
1. The Absolutely Great; that which is greater than the greatest. "That
which puts an end to differences." The Absolute Reality or all-pervasive supreme principle of the universe. It has nothing similar to it
and nothing different from it, and it has no empirical distinctions
from the acosmic viewpoint.
') v, .- . tPrTn fnr thp Ii'
n
.1'
'rhP A'

nr !>lLnpnJ!>_
"

t:

sive supreme principle of the universe. The nature of Brahman is deIn lIle I
ana In v

J] as sal
(Existence absolute), cit (Consciousness absolute), and iinanda
(Bliss absolute). (See satcidananda.y
3. Advaita Vedanta says it is not possible to explain Brahman in words.
It transcends all concepts and ideas and is therefore nirguna-i-oeyond conceptualization. It is declared to be the only Truth. Other
Vedantas explain that words may not entirely define what Brahman
is, but they do describe its glorious attributes and is therefore
sagu'}a-"with glorious attributes."
4. In the Upanisads it is conceived of in two modes: the Reality of
which the universe is but an appearance inisprapaiicav and the allinclusive ground of the universe (saprapancai. It is described positively as existence (sat), knowledge (cit), bliss (iinanda), and infinite (ananta) and negatively as "not this, not this" (neti neti). It has
nothing similar to it and nothing different from it, and it has no empirical distinctions from the acosmic viewpoint. According to Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is known in two forms: that as qualified by
limiting conditions owing to the distinctions of "name and form"
and as what is free from all limiting conditions whatever. Both
Visistadvaita and Dvaita Vedanta conceive of Brahman as endowed
with auspicious qualities tsaguna).
Briihmana - 4il1~OI - a spiritual and intellectual being endowed with purity,
who has understood Realitv (Brahman), who fosters sniritualitv. and
who helps others to know the Reality; a member of the priestly caste;
,L

&

,L

'T.~.

96

1. One of the four castes whose duty it is to study and perpetuate the
Vedas. (See varna.i
2. Liturgical texts written in prose and explanatory of the significance
of the different rituals found in the samhitas. They are the guidebooks for performing sacrificial rites. Distinct from the mantra and
Upanisad sections, the briihmanas contain rules for the employment
of the mantras, or hymns, at various sacrifices, with detailed explanations of their origin and meaning and numerous ancient legends.
They aresaid by Sayanacarya to contain two parts: vidhi, or rules for
rites and arthaviida. or explanatory remarks. Each Veda has its own
Briihmana. That of the Rg Veda is preserved in two works, Aitareya
and Kausitaki. The White Yajur Veda has the Satapatha Brahmana
and the Black Yajur Veda has the Taittiriya Briihmana. The Siima
Veda has eight Brahmanas, the best known of which are the
Praudha
. and the Sadvinsa. The Atharva Veda has one Briihmana
.

.~

l;i1Ueu

lilt:

t.:>t:t: veau.)

cosmic egg; the universe; the cosmos (from a1J4a =

ij4~110 5 - the
"
'
t:gg T UI unma)

Brahmanda -

1. One of the twenty Dvaita Vedanta substances. (Seedravya and chart

no. 6.)

Brahma-nisthii- ~~ Pitt!

remaining steadfast in the Absolute (Brahman)

1. One who is firmly established in the supreme Being, in Brahman, the
Absolute Reality.

Brahma-prapti - ~ - attainment of liberation

Brahmarpana -

ij4$lciul -

Brahma-randhra -

dedication to Brahman; "Brahman is the ritual"

- "the hole of Brahman"; the aperture in the crown

of the head through which the individual soul may leave its body upon
death
1. Subtle aperture in the crown of the head. Said to be the gateway to
the Absolute (Brahman) in the thousand-petaled lotus in the crown
of the head (sahasriira). Liberated beings are said to exit the physical body through this aperture.

Brahma satyamjagan-mithya jtvo brahmaiva na'parah - ~ ~ 'i:P I fr:q ttrr

~ ~

the Absolute (Brahman) is real; the world is nonreal; the individual soul is nondifferent from Brahman
t

..........~.

1. 1111;)

vn-

:;rtT(: -'

.
Y~I;)~ OIY~;) UI~

97

I ' t.
UI~

VI

-'

'It'_'
V

doctrine. The first two lines are found in Sankaracarya's Vivekacudiimani,

Brahma-sutra -

44~~~

- "threads of the Absolute"; brief aphorisms written by

Badarayana harmonizing the teachings of the Upanisads
I. An authoritative treatise on the Vedanta philosophy dealing with the
knowledge of the Absolute (Brahman). It is ascribed to Vyasa and
known by various names such as Badariiyana Siura, Vedanta Siura,
Vyasa Sutra, Siirlraka Siara. Every founder'of a Vedantic school has
to write a commentary on the book, though Sankaracarya's is perhaps the most famous.
2. It sets forth the teachings of the Vedanta in a logical order. (See prasthiina-traya.)
3. The Bhiisyakaras or main commentators (exponents) on the Brahrna-sutra' are Sankara, Bhaskara, Yadava, Nirnbarka, Ramanuja,
~-.ll

U,

, u ...~"".

'IT'"
~

-1

QUU

.......

-1

...

4. Other names for the Brahma-siitra include Yediinta-siitra Sarlrakasutra, Bhiksu-siara, and Uttara-Mimamsa-siura.
5. It is divided into four chanters
. tadhvavav with each chanter
. consisting of four parts ipada) and each part being divided into a number
.&

.s r: .

V~

1:'.

_t.

...' ..... / . LJU"'II

VII'" V,

I I ' V ' ' ' ' oJ".., ... oJ

depending upon the interpretation of the Bhasyakara thereof.

6. Its four chapters are entitled "harmony" (samanvaya)-bringing out
the coherent import of the Upanisads by explaining apparently
doubtful statements; "nonconflict" (avirodha)-presenting the
Vedantic position philosophically with regard to other systems; "the
means" (sadhana)-outlining the spiritual pathway to liberation;
and "the fruit" (phala)-discussing the nature of the goal itself.
Brahrna-vicara-44$~:Ci4l( -

"enquiry into the Absolute (Brahman)"

Brahma-vihara -41$f'aE I { - divine state; "abiding or dwelling in the Absolute

(Brahman)"
1. According to Buddhism, these are the characteristics of a perfectly
enlightened individual (bodhisattva) who is in a divine state: compassion ikarund), love (maitra), equanimity (upeksay; and joy (muditii).
Brahmin -- 44~4..- member of the priestly caste; priest
I. The first caste of Hindu society. The members of this caste or class
are, by tradition, priests and scholars. (See varna.i
Brhadaranyaka Upanisad ~

.L

qE~I(OL1ct;'1qFr:IiS'ct- "sitting down nearby (the

L!."

98

1. This Upanisad belongs to the Satapatha Briihmana of the Sukla Yajur

Veda. The theme ofthis Upanisad is the nondifference of the Absolute
(Brahman) and the individual (Atrnan). It is the largest Upanisad and
is considered great (b[had) due both to its length and its profundity.
It consists of three sections (kii1}tja), each having two chapters. The
Madhu Kii1}tja expounds the basic identity of the individual self with
the Universal Self. The Muni Kanda (Yiijiiavalkya Kiinda) provides
the philosophical justification of the teaching. The Khi la Kiinda deals
with certain modes of worship and meditation (upiisana, sravana,
manana, nididhyiisana) and contains much information per meditation. This Upanisad also contains the mahiivakya, aham brahmiismi.
Noble personages found in this Upanisad include Maitreyi, Gargi,
Janaka, and Yajfiavalkya.
Brhaspati _. ~6 ~ I(, -

"great father"; Jupiter; teacher (guru) of the priests

I. The deity identified with speech and intellect. He is the chief offerer
.

-I....
......

...1.......1

VA I U U ] " " " UUU

UUU . "

."'t'&

..I'.

~U'" .t''''''''~ <&J'U

of the gods, with whom he intercedes for human beings.

n

-.

Brhat -

th~ n"'rn~

. L""

h..
'J

.t

. t.

tn.

the Taittiriya-briihmana, the priest who desired to become a purohita

obtained that office
~-

the great; the large

1. In the Veda, the true, the right (satyam [tam) is called the great
tbrhat),

Bubhuksavah -~: Buddha -

n. '"

~,

~-

pleasure seekers (see jiva and siistra-vasya)

(the awakened one (from the verb root budh = "to enlighten, to

know")
1. Gautama the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
Buddhi -~- intellect; the discriminative faculty (from the verb root budh =
"to enlighten, to know")
1. The ascertaining intelligence and the impersonal or superpersonal
state of consciousness of a limited individual.
2. The first evolute of primordial Nature (prakrtiy. It is the basis of the
intelligence of the individual. It is the determinative faculty and by
it one
.1.
unon a
of
(See
.J.
.)
3. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, it is of two kinds: recollection

,.
\~H'!U}aJlU

..

99

t ),

c
Caitanya -- ~(14:1 - consciousness; intelligence; spirit; awareness; Pure Consciousness
1. The fundamental Consciousness which has absolute freedom of
knowing (jniina sakti) and doing (kriyii sakti). According to Kashmir Saivisrn. it is the Absolute Reality, and is essentially, one and
nondual, Pure Illumination (suddha prakasav; self-luminous, and
self-revealed.
2. ~I.1a Caitanya (1486-1533) was the name of a Bengali saint who
is considered the founder of the Vedanta school called Acintya
Bhedabheda. He is also considered the founder of the Hari Krishna
sect of Vaisnavism and responsible for a great revival of Kr~I.1a de~

..

~ 111 LlIC

vs-

3. Stages of consciousness: vyaiijaniivagraha, arthavagraha, ihii,

aviiya, dhariina.
Caitta -'~ - mental; mental process
1. In the Yogacara system, it is what belongs to the mind. (See cittasamprayukta. )
2. See samskrta-dharma.
Caitya - ~ Cakra -

temple

~-

"wheel or circle"; center; disc; plexus; centers in the body (from

the verb root car = "to move")
1. In the human body, there are seven major energy centers or nerve
pIexes called cakras. A cakra is a center of energy located in the
subtle body where the channels (nii4i) converge, giving the appearance of a lotus. Energy is said to flow in the human body through
three main channels (niiljis), namely, susumna, pingala, and ida.
Susumnii is located inside the spinal column while the pingalii and
ida start respectively from the right and left nostrils, move up to the
crown of the head and course downwards to the base of the spine.
These two ruidis intersect with each other and also with the susumnii.
These junctions of the niitfis are known as cakras or the fly-wheels
which regulate the body mechanism. There are six main cakras located in the susumna (the subtle central channel). The cakras are
centers of consciousness within the human being which control the
c.

~~

~11

.h~

""

~~
~.

.h~
..

h~A.

V'J~J'

r\~.'~
"'
""

5J

(Kundalinii lies dormant, coiled at the base of the susumnii in the

miuaanara cakra. When awakened, eitner by yogic practices or by

100

guru's grace, Kundalini begins to ascend through the susumnii piercing all the cakras until She enters the sahasriira, the topmost spiritual center.
2. The six main cakras are (1) Muladhara, a four-pelaled lotus located
at the base of the spinal column where KundalinI lies coiled up; (2)
Svddhisthana, a six-petaled lotus located at the root of the reproductive organs; (3) Manipiira, a ten-petaled lotus located in the naval region; (4) Anahata, a twelve-petaled lotus located in the region of the
heart; (5) Yisuddhi, a sixteen-petaled lotus located at the base of the
throat; and (6) Ajiiii, a two-petaled lotus located between the two
eyebrows, a seat of the guru. Other cakras include surya (sun) situated in the region between the navel and the heart; soma (moon) situated in the center of the brain; and laliita (forehead) situated at the
top of the forehead.
3. See chart no. 13.
Cakraka -

i.4'f'5Cf5 - a type of hypothetical argument; circular argument (see

anyonyiisraya,tarka,hetviibhiisa)

.....'=r::,r

at monarch
Cakravartin - =~rf:
~'r'q l(1j umvers
1. The "wheel king" or "counter of the spokes"; thus the person who
has made the universe his/her own-Le., a liberated being.

Caksuh

-~: -

eye; visual sense (see jiiiinendriyas

Caksu-darsana - ~ - seeing through the eye of the scripture; visual perception (see upayoga)
Caksusa Calana -

~~-

ocular perception
motion

Camatkiira - i.4'f("q?1 <- astonishment; surprise; clever; shining forth with divine glory
Canda Candala -

,-,LUlU

~-

silver; moon

i.4 D g 1M -

wild; bad; untouchable; outcaste

1. The lowest caste, or, not a caste at all, but an outcaste, in Indian society
~

"'VVII

101

1.. In Indian thought, the moon represents the mind. It is also that subtle
structure within the body which oozes the nectar of immortality
(amrta).
:q~(""ICfS -

the subtle "world of the moon"

l. The world of the moon, reached by the Southern Path ipitryana),
which is characterized by such unpleasant stages as smoke, night,
the dark fortnight of the moon, and the winter months.

Candra loka -

Cara-linga - :q {fA~' - "moving form of linga" (see linga-sthalay

Carama-sloka -:q <'l!(M1CfS -last verse; final passage; important stanza; essence of the scripture
1. The carama-sloka (essence of) the Bhagavad Gitd is from chapter
love and adore me, worship Me always, bow to Me only, and you
all duties in Me, your refuge. Fear no longer, for I will save you from
suffering and bondage,"
kal!4a 18. (Rama says) "This is my firm vow: if one seeks my refuge

just once and says, 'I am yours,' him I shall protect from all fear."
Carana -- ~ -

practice; surrender

Caritiirthatii - mffirtfuT - the state of having accomplished one's desired object; the end
Caritra -- :q, R='I - right conduct; rules of conduct (from the verb root car = "to
move")
1. According to Jainism, the rules of conduct are careful movement
(irya) , careful language (bhii~ii), careful begging (i~a1}a), careful
giving and receiving (diina-samiti), care in general (utsarga-samiti),
careful thoughts (mano-gupti), careful speech tvag-gupti), and careful actions (kiiya-gupti). (See bhava-samvara.i

Ciirviika -- ~ - the Indian Materialistic school

1. It is also known as Lokayata. It is traced to the sage Brhaspati. Its
central teaching is that matter is the only reality. The Carvakas accept perception as the only valid means of knowledge (pranuinai.
Sense satisfaction is their oal. A hiloso h of hedonism.

102

1. A path of liberation in Salva Siddhanta which consists of external

acts of worship like cleaning the temple, gathering flowers for the
deity, etc. It is called the path of the servant (diisa-miirga). Its fruit
is residence in the realm of God (siilokya).
Caryii-piida - ~ - that part of the Agamas which describes the methods
of worship (see iigama)
Catuh-siari - ~:~ - "four aphorisms (sutra)"
1. The first four aphorisms (sutra) of the Brahma-siura. They are athatobrahmajijfliisii,janmiidyasya yata~, siistra-yonitviit, and tauu samanvayiit. The first aphorism initiates the enquiry into the Absolute
(Brahman). The second aphorism offers a definition of Brahman.
The third aphorism concerns itself with the source of our knowledge
lOT'><'

"

VI VI

"

.M.UU Lue J.Vuuu apuvl1:)Ul

LV

Lue

supreme value of the knowledge of Brahman.

2. Vacaspati's Bhdmati Catuh-siari is sometimes called "the Catuhf:litri "

..

Ciuurmasya
~~"'I~
..tour months
1. The rainy season, June through September (from Sayana-ekiidasi to
Uuhana-ekadasis, in India, during which seasonal sacrifices are performed and during which monks do not travel about. Generally one
performs austerities during this period.
Caturtha - ~tf - the fourth; the turiya state; the transcendental Self beyond
the three states (see avasthii and turiya)
Caturthi - ~ - "fourth"
1. The name of the fourth tithi (lunar day) of each of the two fortnights
of the moon's cycle.

Catuskoti -

ftlfCf'l fu" -

"four-pronged negation"
1. A method of Nagarjuna which denies any of four alternatives: being,
nonbeing, both being and nonbeing, neither being nor nonbeing.
(See prasanga.i

Catviiri drya-satyiini - ~fq 1ft 3114~:kLf 1P=i - the "four noble truths"
1. The central teaching of the Buddha. These truths are Duhkha (suf1'.

. . . I ' . ' ,...,.,_,.,.

paul), _
~-

UJIU

...I

/AL

'yu \ UI\"

\"au~,",

auu

.~

VI.

N'
~Ull,",l-

ing), Duhkha-nirodha (the cessation of suffering), and Duhkhanirodha-miirga (the path to the cessation of suffering).
103

Ce/a - ~ -

disciple

Cestii - ~ - volitional activity; gesture; the tenth means of knowledge

I. Nonverbal facial expressions, body movements, etc., which convey
certain ideas.
Cetana - ~ -

consciousness; volition; intelligence (see cit)

Cetomukha - ~(11ij(q - gateway to cognition

I. It is used as a name for deep sleep tsusupti).
Cha/a

-~ -

"quibbling"; arguing; sophistry

I. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school. (See padiirtha

iisanii) with an emphasis on meditation. The second five chapters deal

with three fundamental Vedantic doctrines: Tat tvam asi, doctrine of
infinity, and doctrine of Atman. Along with the Brhadaranyaka Upanisad, it is considered one ofthe oldest ofthe Upanisads. Some noble
personages in this Upanisad include Satyakarna Jabala, Narada,
Gautama, Aruni, Sanatkumara, Prajapati, Uddalaka, and Svetaketu.

C hoti -

mit -

the wisp of hair left on the top of the head

Cid-abhasa - ~ - the reflection of intelligence which resides in the intemalorgan

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, this reflection of intelligence is
needed in order to enable the modification or fluctuation (vrtti) of
the intellect to illumine an object. The intellect, by itself, is inert and
nonintelligent and, thus, unable to manifest any object by itself without the aid of consciousness (cit).
Cidiikasa -

f~~ 1C61lf1 -

"consciousness space"
1. The subtle space of Consciousness in the thousand-petaled lotus (5ahasriira) and/or in the heart.

104

1. According to Saiva Siddhanta, the individual acts conscious (cit) as

it unites with cit and acts inert (acit) as it unites with acit.
Cidiimbaram - f%t~ 1411 (4... - "hall of consciousness"
1. One of the most venerated Siva temples in India. It is located in
,!,amil Nadu in South India. It is famous for its idol of the dancing
Siva (Nataraja) as well as being known as the natural (svayambhuy
location of the space (akasa) lingam.
Cin mudrii - ~ - "seal of consciousness"
1. Hand gesture in which the tip of the thumb and index finger touch
while the other three fingers are outstretched, practiced during meditation to keep spiritual energy from flowing out of the body. It represents the union of the individual (forefinger) with the Divine
-'

\1

_."

L"..

II

"n auu un;; IIIUIVIUUdl :)

a}JdllllUIII

uu::;

.L

"

UUII::;II::;

tguna; the other three fingers), which comprise the world.

............~:

~.

']'

....'

Cit - ~ - spirit; consciousness; the individual self; Reality; Siva (from the
verb root cit = "to perceive, observe, think, be aware, know")
1. One of the three ultimate realities (tattva-traya) according to
Visi~~advaita Vedanta.
2. See tattva.
Citra -

m-

variegated

Citrinl-nam- f1;t ~ ;:fl:fI fl - "shining channel"

1. A nerve (0041) located within the vajrii na41. This is a subtle conduit
within the central channel or susumna
nadi.
.
. Within it lies the Brahmanadi, whereon the six cakras are strung like a lotus garland. (See
nii41)
Cit-sakti (cicchakti) - ~ ~ - the power of consciousness; the power of
Self-revelation by which the Supreme shines by itself
I. The dynamic power of the Absolute which manifests the world process. The power of the Universal Consciousness. Also known as
Kundalini, Kundalini Sakti, Mahamaya, Parasakti, Sakti). divine
conscious energy. The creative aspect of God, portrayed as the uni-

_.u...

,,~~~nl

2. Saiva Siddhanta refers to Atma-cu-sokti as the sole valid means of

knowledge tpramanav; With the other pramanas as Its auxiliaries.

105

Citta -

ftrn -

consciousness; mind; thought; apperception (from the verb root

cit = "to perceive, observe, know")
1. In Kashmir Saivism, the limitation of the Universal Consciousness
manifested in the individual mind. It is the mind of the empirical individual. In Raja Yoga, citta means mind, and in Advaita Vedanta,
it refers to the subconscious.
2. In the Vaibhasika system, it is samskrta-dharmas, born out of the interaction of the senses with their objects. (See samskrta-dharma.i
3. In the Yogacara system, it is the mano-dharma. It is the primary
dharma and essentially the only dharma. (See citta samprayukta.)
4. In the Yoga system. the intellect (buddhi), ego (ahankara), and the
senses (indriyas) are often called citta.
5. According to the Sankhya, the mind (ciua) has five processes:
pramiina, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidrii, and smrti.

Citta-bhiani -

~-

r,..~

,1.

........ -

~-,

stage of the mind

.1

"I' - / _-

"

01

..

T'~'

Yogacara Buddhism
1. They are divided into those with form and those without form. The
formless are again divided into mind (dtta) and mental (caitta).
Citta-suddhi - ~ Citta-vimukta -

"purification of the mind"

~f1 I'a!!n=; - "detached from the mind"

Citta-viprayukta - R:.tftfaygn=; - neutral elements (dharma) according to Yogacara Buddhism

1. They are samskrta-dharmas which are neither physical (rupa) nor
mental (caitta). (See samskrta-dharma.i

f~t1 [qy'jtf'i+1RfI {~ - nonmental

Citta-viprayukta-samskiira-dharma composite things

Citta-vrtti-nirodha - ~ - cessation of the modifications of the

mind (from citta = "mind" + vrt ="to tum" + ni ="down" + rudh ="to
hold")
I. The goal of life, according to the Yoga school. The second aphorism
(sutra) ofPatafijali's Yoga Siaras.
---

'-' I VU, U

~.t...1,.~
""'I , ..... '\

'II...,

UI""~~

VI U

0.

...

106

Codana -

il~==t I -

injunction; command
1. See the Mimamsa-sutro-:" the mark of reality is Vedic commands:

codana laksanartho
dharmah."
..
.

107

D
Daitya -

~-

Daiva -

;~ -

demon; slave
belonging to or coming from the gods/God; celestial; divine

Daksinii -- ~~ - gift; priestly gift; sacrificial fee (from the root daks = "to
be strong, able")
1. The present or fee given the priests officiating at a ritual by the sacrificer who arranged or ordered the ritual.
2. Any offering given as a gift of gratitude by a student, devotee, or individual.

Daksiniiciira -~Oil~l{ -"right-hand practice" (from daks> "to be able" +

cara = "behavior")
1. Tantric .nractices which do not emolov
. . anv ordinarily. forbidden substances or promote a form of worship that may lead to a breach in
.L

.~.

~ ..... ..,~..

V~

lJ

'.1. L ' .L
"'HII

'0'

behavior.
Daksiniimurti -~oll'iifa - "south-facing form" (from daks = "to be able" +
misrti = "form"); the embodiment of wisdom
1. A name for Lord Siva as the silent teacher. He, as the guru of gurus,
sat beneath a banyan tree and taught his four disciples through the
elegance of silence.

Daksinayana - ~OI140' - "southern way"

1. The solar year is divided into two halves. The daksiniiyana (southern way or summer solstice [June 21]) is when the sun begins its apparent southward journey for the next six months. It marks the first
day of summer. This day is held to be sacred and a time of auspiciousness ipunyakala). (See uttariiyana.)
Dama -- ~ - self-control; control of the senses; restraint (from the verb root
dam = "to control") (see siidhana-catustaya and yama)
Dambha - SJ=4' Dana -- ~ -

ostentation; pride

"giving"; gift; charity; alms giving; self-sacrifice; donation; gen.,..

CIU:slLY t

u um

.11

..

LIlC VCIU lUUL UU

108

"

LU

~lVC

1. One of the ethical limbs (niyama) of Patanjali's Yoga System. (See

niyama.)

Diina-piiramita - ~ Hq l<fi:tdl - benevolence; the "virtue of giving"

Diina-samiti - ~ I rot fl fi:i fft - avoiding all transgressions when taking or giving
anything (See ciiritra.)

Danda -

~-

stick; staff; rod; justice; fine; force; coercion: punishment;

chastisement

Dar;4anlti-qy 5'1"jf'a Darpa - ~ n,'

science of judicature; the administration of force

pride; arrogance (from the verb root drp = "to be proud")

.~
"'\

"cinht"

tn h",,,,,,,

'0'"

-c

..

cinht nf tn c"""" '" nr""",t nr

'0"

0'

holy being, either human or divine; sensation; apprehension; intuition;

a philosophical school
1. Seeinz or beinz in the presence of a revered person. sacred idol. or
sacred place. It refers to both "seeing" and "being seen."
2. According to Iainism, that stage of knowledge where there is an
awareness of sensations of sense data. The specific characteristics of
the objects are not noted however.
3. A standpoint or a system of thought. The various philosophical
schools are known as darsanas. See sad-darsana.

Darsanamohaniya - ~rnrotlfj~ 4)4 - insight-deluding actions (see mohaniyai

~rnrot la (0,"4 - apprehension-obscuring, perception-obscuring actions
1. According to Iainism, this is an obstructive type of matter (karma)
which obscures one's apprehension. It is of nine types. The first four
types pertain to obscuration in vision and apprehension and the rest
in producing various degrees and types of sleep.

Darsatuivaraniya -

Diisah -~: - servant

Dasa-nuirga -

&Ifl4 PY - the path of the servant (see bhakti and ciirya)

n1. The name for the tenth tithi (lunar day) of each of the two fortnights
or me moon s CYCle.
109

Ddsya -

~-

Dasyu -

~-

service; surrendering to the will of God

I. The relation of a servant to the master.
2. See bhakti and sesa.
slave; name for non-Aryans in Rg Veda

Dattiitreya - ~ff l:il t1 - a famous Puranic sage; son of Anasuya and Atri received as a gift (from datta ="given" + iitreya ="son of Atri")
I. A divine incarnation known as the Lord of avadhiaas, and often revered as the embodiment of the supreme guru. He is credited with
being the author of the A vadhiaa Gitii, the Jivanmukti GUo, and the
Tripura Rahasya.

Daurmanasya - ~ - feeling of wretchedness and miserableness

Daya -

~-

mercy; compassion; grace; empathy (from the verb root day =

"to sympathize, to be compassionate")
I

.J: .. L

A.

"'..'" v ....'"

T.. ~_ ..L

...u""'""

~&
'V~

another person's suffering and pain and a feeling of unselfish love

and tenderness directed toward that person without Judgment or pity.
(See yama and karuna.)
Deha -

i~ -

the physical body; form; shape; person (from the verb root dih =
"to smear, annoint, mould, shape")

Dehiitmabhava -

~-

Dehiitma-viidin ~~ ki4<:4 1R1

the individual
Desa -

~-

imagining the body to constitute the self

a type of Carvaka who considers the body as

place; space location

Desa-kaia-sambandha - ~!llCf'IMft44~l=l- the relation of time and place

Desapabandha - ~~q~"'1:l-limitation of place
1. One of the Jaina codes of conduct. (See caritra.i
Desavadhi - ~$j1 1<:4 ~ - a type of clairvoyance which is limited by time and
space (see avadhi)
- " 'r

~S1la~II~~

~ Jaina

pthi('<;Il

no

C.MP.

of

conduct which fixes a

limit on one's movement to a region limited by the boundaries of one's

own village.
1. This restriction assists the religious aspirant in observing nonviolence.

Desika - ~ - one who gives spiritual instruction (upadesai

Desita - ~ - dictated

Deva - ~ - "shining" (from the verb root div = "to shine"); one who shines;
god(s); celestial being; light giver; abode; sphere (see jangamai

Devadasi - ~qG Itil - "servant of God" (from deva = "god" + dasa = "given")
1. Temple dancers in the classical Indian dance traditions who were well
in

ritll~l

..l

~tt' Th~

-.J

..l

'Ul~C

co

_tt

married to the temple deity and her first allegiance was to ceremonies
~

us

. oorue re]

ly

Ti:ueu

uuu ~OUn uanc-

ers, often of ill repute.

1)

"th~ Ulnrlt1 nf -,

"

(t
....

~ )". thp Ulnrltl nf thp n-nA"

.... - /

<;>

1. The world of the gods or heaven. The realm of perpetual youth, delight, and joy.

Devaniigari- ~q'1 Ii I fl

"divine city"; the Sanskrit script

Devatii- ~ - Godhead; divinity; celestial being

Devatma Sakti - a:q kLt!llffr; - "the power of the divine inner Self'
1. A treatise on Siddha Yoga by Vishnu Tirth containing a technical description of Kundalini Yoga.

Devayana - ~aLf H - the "way or path of the gods"

1. It is also called the Northern Path (uttariiyal}a), characterized by various luminous stages such as flame, day, the bright fortnight of the
moon, the bright half of the year when the sun travels northward, the
sun, and lightning. Those who follow this path and reach Brahmaloka generally do not return to the earth. It is meant for those who cultivate faith and asceticism. At death, those individuals who attain
liberation (moksai by the devaydna, never return to the cycle of birth
and death.

Devi-a:at- "shining"; goddess; resplendent (from the verb root div = "to
srune )

111

1. A name for the Goddess. Lord Siva's consort who represents Sakti
or cosmic energy. In her benign form, she is known as Parvati, In her
fierce aspect she is known as Kall and/or Durga, though it may refer
to any manifestation of the Goddess.

Dhairya -- ~ - firmness; steadiness

Dhiima -- 't:lT'If - area; body
Dhamma -

(p~m)

see dharma

\::lJ:J:f -

Dhanus -- ~ - bow
Dharaka -

~-

sustenance; supporter

Dharana -l::ffit11T - concentration; support; single-rnindedness; "holding,

anng ; to eep In remem ranee
1. The sixth limb of the Yo a disci line. It is the concentration of the
mind (dtta) on some object with fixed attention. A technique for cen-

yoga.)
2. According to Jainism, it is a stage in which the full knowledge about
an object leaves an impression.
3. A centering technique described in the Saivite text, Vijiziina Bhairava.

Dharma -

\:lIf -

righteousness; merit; religious duty; religion; law; a goal of

life tpurusarthay; medium of motion (Jainisrn); scriptural texts (Buddhism); quality (Buddhism); cause (Buddhism); religious teaching
(Buddhism); unsubstantial and soulless (Buddhism) (from the verb root
dhr = "to uphold, to establish, to suport")
1. Literally it means "what holds together"; thus, it is the basis of all
order, whether social or moral. As an ethical or moral value, it is the
instrumental value to liberation (except for the Mimamsaka who
considers it the supreme value). (See purusiirtha.)
2. Var1}a iisrama-dharma is one's specific duty.
3. Saniitana-dharma is the eternal religion.
4. Sva-dharma is one's own individual duty.
5. Apad-dharma is the dharma prescribed at the time of adversities.
6. fuga-dharma is the law of time (aeon).
7. Siidhiirana-dharma is the general obligations or the common duties
of each and every individual. It is comprised of virtues like self-conindividuals are born with a number of debts and these duties help to

112

8. According to Jainism, it is the medium of motion and pervades the

entire universe. It is one and eternal. It is neither active itself nor can
it produce action in others. However, it makes the motion of all else
possible by providing the movement medium for them. (See ajiva.i
9. According to Buddhism, the chief definitions of this term include
cosmic order, the natural law , the teachings of the Buddha, noons of
conduct, things or facts, ideas, and factors of existence.
10. According to the Mimfurtsa school, it is what is enjoined in the Veda.
It is religious duty, the performance thereof bringing merit and its
neglect bringing demerit.
11. Generally dharma is twofold: sadharana-dharma, which is common to everyone, and varna-iisrama-dharma, which is specific to
each class and stage of life.
12. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, dharma is a specific quality tvisesagUl}a) that belongs to the self. However, dharma signifies merit
tpunya) rather than right. They believe that dharma is directly per,t t",lr...", ... " ...,,,
t" A" "''' 'T"h'., ,., At'''''''' h,
.L

.L

'"

"'0"

'"

of alaukika-pratyaksa.
1j. According to
ya- Yoga, dharma IS a mode ot the mtetlect (buddhi). It is due to a confusion that one may believe that dharma belongs to the empirical sphere and that merit and demerit do not ever
touch the trans-empirical individual soul.

Dharma-bhiaa-jtuina - ~ - attributive consciousness

1. The key concept in Visi!advaita Vedanta. Knowledge is the attribute
of God and individuals. It is a nonmaterial, self-luminous, unconscious substance. It is both substance and an attribute. It is a substance as the substratum of change through its states of expansion
and contraction, and it is an attribute since it inheres in substances
like God (Isvara) and individuals. It is eternal and all-pervasive in
eternals (Isvara, nitya-siiris, muktas), and it is obscured in the case
of bound individuals. In the state of release it becomes all-pervasive.
It has the power to reveal objects as well as itself, but not to know
them. What it illumines is always for another. It functions through
the mind in all knowing processes; thus, all objective knowledge is
a modification of it. In perception, it goes out to the object, takes on
the object's form, and as a result the object becomes known to the
perceiving subject. Its modes also include the internal states of the
mind like desire and anger.
Dharma-cakra-oravartana
wheel of the law"
1. i ne uue or me

the "settinz in motion of the

a s nrst sermon aner nis emigmenmem.
113

Dharma-dhiitu - ~ - the core of Reality; the "suchness" or "thusness" of

existence; the unity or oneness of it all
1. According to the Buddhists, this is the highest Reality.
Dharma-jijtuisa -lif4Rit~181 - "an inquiry into righteous action (dharma)"
1. The first sutra of the Mtmamsa-sutra of Jaimini is athiito dharma
jijnasii.
Dharma-kayo - ~ - the "sheath of the law"; the Reality; the Void; the
Absolute; the embodied law
1. This is the reality of all beings and appearances, both immanent and
transcendent. It refers both to the essence of worldly beings and the
essence of the Buddhas. In the former, it means the reality or suchness or emptiness. In the latter, it refers to the Buddha-nature. It is
the only one of the Three Bodies (trikiiya) which all Buddhas have
In common. While there are countless earthly and transcendent Buddhas, there is only one dharma-kava. (See trikava.;
....,'

....

-:

'

....

...

"

Dharma-megha
......' ......
"cloud of the law"
1. The final stage of the Bodhisattva's path to perfection. "He who
rains down the law on earth." See bodhisattva.

Dharma-megha-samadhi-e-v:..:iqbt~rtll'-:r - the final state of one-pointedness

1. When an individual becomes disinterested even in omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.
Dharma-parindma -

~-

changes of quality

Dharma-siistra - ~ - Law Book

I. The texts codifying customary law.
Dharmiistikaya - \ittflf('1(fIt4 - the medium of motion (according to Jainism)
(see dharma and ajiva)
Dharma-sviikhyatatii-bhiivana - li44R4ltott kkll~ virtues which uphold the world order
Dharmi -

't:lfif -

Dharmi-jiuina

the practice of the

subject; that which supports

c.c ,...~ ,.,

ipt"'t (c.pp

II

substantive consciousness; knowledge of the subI

.;nnnn)

114

Dhatr-~ -

giver; a name for God; creator; establisher (from the root dhii =
"to create, execute")

Dhiitu -

- root (in grammar); the six sense organs, the six sense objects,
and the six sense consciousnesses; element; original element; core; constituent
1. According to Buddhism, these are the subtle elements whose groupings lead to the generation of knowledge.
2. According to Sankhya, there are six elements: earth, air, fire, water,
ether, and cetana (consciousness; also called purusai.
3. According to Ayur Veda, the three constituents of the body are wind
(viita), gall (pitta), and phlegm (kapha).

Dhi-m- mind; idea; thought (from the verb root dhi = "luminous") or (from
"_-".L
.1.
LV HUIIA,

.1.

HI\.- IVVL UfU

Dhira - \:ft{ -

...

'"
)

steadfast; strong (from the verb root dhr = "to hold")

Dhrti _. ~- "steadfast or constant"; attraction; sustaining effort; firmness

(from the verb root dhr = "to hold")
1. One of the observances (yama) of Patafijali's Yoga System. It is the
overcoming of fear, indecisiveness, and a tendency to waver. (See
yama.)
Dhruva -

~-

permanent; fixed; steady

1. A child iksatriya Hi) who performed severe penance to gain a high
and eternal position. He became the pole star by the grace of Visnu,

Dhiuniidi-marga - ~ - the way to heaven beginning with smoke

Dhiaa -

'"cFf - shaken; agitated

Dhvamsiibhava - ~ - (pradhvamsa-abhavai - negation following the

destruction of an object (see abhiiva)
Dhvani - eq-R - word; suggested meaning; sound; noise
1. According to the Alailldirikas, it refers to the theory of poetic suggestion. It is said to be the soul of poetry. It is said to be of two main
types-avivaksita-viicya and vivaksitanyapara-vacva. The former is
subdivided into atyantatiraskrta-vacya (where the literal sense is

"...... "',,:A....\

"'riA

115

., -

.,

f,

.1.

.. h

....

latter meaning is shifted). The latter (also known as abhidhamula) is

subdivided into samlaksya-krama-vyangya (where the stages of realizing the suggested sense from the expressed sense can be well
perceived) and asamlaksya-krama-vyangya (where the stages in the
realization of the suggested sense are imperceptible). Samlaksyakrama-vyangya is subdivided into vastu-dhvani (where a fact is suggested) and alankara-dhvani (where the suggested element is a
figure of speech).
Dhydna --l:.""l:f"Pf - meditation (total) concentration
I. The mind flowing in an unbroken current toward a particular object.
2. The seventh limb of Patafijali's astdnga-yoga. (See a~!iinga-yoga.)
3. One of the six virtues (piiramitii) in Buddhism. (See piiramitii.)

w Hln~Gn:;lct:f -

one whose destiny (karma)

has all been burnt by the fire of meditation

Dhvanagnidatuihakarma -

~ ,..,'''''11. ,ql ~.., -

one who holds that meditation is

a prescribed discipline to attain the knowledge of the Absolute

Dhyana-niyoga-vadin -

Dhyana-paramitii -

WeNI <f4<11 -

virtue of meditation (see paramita)

Dhyatr -- CX41<! - meditator

Dhyeya -- ~ -

object of meditation

Digambara -fc;lltG'H - sky clad; clothed in space; naked

I. One of the two principal sects in Jainism. They hold an extremely
puritan position. They differ from the svetambaras on certain tenets;
i.e., they hold that perfect saints live without food; a monk who owns
property or wears clothes cannot attain liberation; worrien cannot attain liberation, etc. (See svetiimbara.i
Digvirati-vrata-~q<R1i;1<1 -

one of the minor duties imposed upon householders, according to lainism

I. It imposes a restricted area upon an individual in which to carry out
activities. It is based on the principle of nonviolence for it enables
one to desist from injuring living beings in other areas, where one is
forbidden to go.

Dik -

f~aj

- space; spatial direction

1. A

suostance \aravya), accoraing

116

(Q

vaise~iKa. H

is mal oy vinue

OI

which things are perceived as being on the right, left, up, down, etc.
It is all-pervasive and is composed of eternal atoms.
Diksa -

~-

initiation; dedication; the process which gives Self-realization

and destroys ignorance or bondage; process of initiation; consecration
(from the root da = "to give" + ksi = "to destroy") or (from the verb root
dikS = "to consecrate") or (from the desiderative form of the verb daks
= "to grow, to increase")
I. Any religious initiation. It is an initiation given by a guru, usually by
imparting a sacred word or series of words (mantra). It is called the
descent of grace (saktipiit) in some systems and grace (anugraha) in
others.
2. According to Vira Saivism, it is of three kinds: vedhii, which establishes the bhiiva-linga in the causal body; mantra, which establishes
. an kri - whi h s blishes the
th rima-lin a in e u I
ista-linga in the gross body. The first eradicates anava-mala. the
3. According to Salva Siddhanta, there are three stages of initiation:
initial initiation into spiritual life (samaya); learning worship, ritutype is called siidhiira and is given to aspirants who are bound by
iinava-, karma- and mayii-malas. The second and third types, called
niriidhara, are for aspirants with either iinava- and karma- or only
anava-mala.
4. According to Kashmir Savisim, it is the spiritual awakening of the
disciple by the bestoyal of divine grace (saktipiit). Two major levels
are spoken of: samiiyi dik~ii, which is the initial initiation and purifies the disciple's body and mind, making them receptive to the
Kundalini's work, and putraka diksii, which is given by the guru
when the disciple is highly qualified and ready to become enlightened. Again, initiation is said to occur in three stages: pasaksaya, or
the destruction of the bonds in the form of rna/as; sivatva-yogana. or
pratibhd jtidnodaya, which is the awakening of knowledge; and
sivatva-priipti. or the integral realization of Siva.
5. Initiation is one of various kinds, depending upon the qualifications
of the individual. It may be by the teacher's sight, touch, or word; by
meditation techniques; by scriptural injunctions; by yoga, etc. Its
purpose is to purify the individual. Initiation by sight (cak~u-dik~ii)
is called the way of the fish. Initiation by touch (sparSa-dik~ii) is
known as the way of the hen. Initiation by thought (smara1}a-dik~ii)
is called the way of the tortoise.

117

Disa

-mrr -

~-

clay
l. A length of time. (See kala.)

Divasa -

Divya -

quarter; direction (see dik)

fe:otr -

divine; celestial; divine nature (from the root div = "to shine")
1. A type of perception caused by the grace of the Lord. It is independent of the senses. (See pratyaksa.i
2. One of the four kinds of fire. (See tejas.)

Divya caksuh -~ ~: -

divine eye; the heavenly eye; wisdom

Divya-prabandha-~oqQaP01:1- the divine composition (of poems or verses)

1. The collection of the hymns of the Alvars which were composed in

the Tamil language. It consists of four parts, each numbering a thou-

tute the Tamil Veda and is held by

Visi~~dvaita

Vedantins to be as

Visi~~dvaita

is referred to as Ubhaya-vediinta.
2. See alvar and ubhaya-veddnta.
Dosa - ~N - defect; imperfection; blemish; fault; disorder of the three humors
of the body
1. According to Buddhism, one of the afflictions (kleSa).
2.10 Yoga, the five defects: lust (kama), anger (krodha), greed (lobha),
delusion (moha), envy (miltsarya).
Drastii -

W - the pure consciousness comprehending all objects; seer; purusa

Dravatva -

~-

liquidity; fluidity
1. According to Vaisesika, a quality belonging to a genus, is called fluidity. It is the nonintimate cause of the first flow of a fluid substance.
It is found in earth, water, and fire. It is of two kinds: natural and artificial. Natural fluidity is found in water and artificial fluidity is
found in earth and fire.

Dravya -- ~ - substance; that which flows

I. It is the principal catgory according to the Vaisesika school. It includes in it all living and nonliving entities. It is defined as the substrate of ualities and activit and as the inherent cause of a roduct.
It is of nine types: earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, individ-

118

2. According to Jainism, it is constituted of the six real and independent categories. These are individuals (jiva), matter (pudgala), principle of motion (dharma), principle of rest (adharma), space
(iikilsa), and time (kiila). Except for time, they are all extended real
substances (astikiiya). Except for matter, they are all immaterial.
(See chart no. 8.)
3. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, it is one of the two fundamental
categories. These are six substances: primeval matter iprakrti), time
(kiila), pure matter (suddha-sattva or nitya-vibhiuii, attributive consciousness (dhatma-bhiaa-itianai, individual soul Viva), and God
(Isvara). The first two are material tjada; and the others are nonmaterial (ajada). By substance is meant "what has modes." Except
God, all the substances are dependent. (See chart no. 6.)
4. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is one of the ten categories. It is the
most important category, as all the others are dependent upon it. The
(Laksml), individual souls Viva), unmanifested ether (avyiikrtiikilsa) ,
pnmor I rna ter ra rtn, e ree qu rues guna-trayay, t e
"great" (mahat, which is a roduct of the three gunas), e oit
(ahankiira), intellect (buddhi), mind (manas, which is of two fonns-

essences of the elements (tanmiitra), elements (mahabhiaa), cosmic

egg tbrahmanda), ignorance (avidyii) , letters (varf}a) , darkness
(timira), mental impressions (viisanii), time (kala), and reflection
(pratibimba). The first three are sentient (cetana) and the others are
insentient (acetana). God is independent and the other nineteen dravyas are dependent upon Him. (See chart no. 6.)
5. Both of the POrva-Mimfu!1sa schools call substance a category. (See
chart no. 6.)
Dravyiirthika-naya -

c;OLt I ~q;~ Lf - substance viewpoint

1. According to Jainism, this is the consideration of an object in the

light of its substance. It includes three standpoints: universal-particular standpoint (naigiima-naya); class viewpoint (sangraha-nayai;
and the standpoint of the particular (vyiivahiira-naya). (See naya.)
Dravya-iisrava -

c;OLt l~q

the stage of the actual inflow of karmic particles

into the individual

1. According to Jainism, it affects the individual in eight different
ways. (See iisrava.)
Drav a-bandha -

~":Tr~LT

the actu I

dividual

119

Dravya-karma - ~OttCf'4 - actions of body, speech, and mind which have actually transformed themselves into subtle matter and stick to the individual
1. A type of matter according to Jainism. (See karma.)
Dravya-lesya - l;0t4Altt4 - the actual coloration of the individual by karma
matter
1. According to lainism, as good or bad matter sticks to the individual,
the individual itself gets colored as either golden, lotus pink, white,
or black, blue, and grey. (See lesya.i
Dravya-naya -

substance viewpoint (see dravyarthika-naya)

l;0t4'1Lf -

Dravya-nirjarii - l;OLf~;;f{1 - the stage of the actual destruction of binding

karma particles
1. According to lainism it is either bv the reaoinz of their fruits or bv
penances done before their time of fruition that karma particles can
L

-I

...I

Ie

..

-"

Dravya-parmanu
~~"" {6oi IUj
simple atoms
1. According to Buddhism, it is the subtlest form of matter. It is a unit
possessing the fourfold substratum of color, smell, taste, and contact, though it is invisible, inaudible, untastable, and intangible. Seven such paramanus combine to form an atom (anu), and in this
combined form they become perceptible.
Dravya-samvara - l;OZH'icc <- the stage of the actual stoppage of the inflow of
karma particles according to Jainism (see samvaray

Dravyatva - l;0t4('q - substanceness; thingness

1. The characteristic of a substance. Substance is defined, according to
the Nyaya school, as that which has the characteristic of a substance.
Drk -

~~-

Drkchakti -

Drsta -

seer; perceiver; consciousness (see drasta)

itajii9 ffF; - power of manifestation; capacity to know

- perceived resemblance (from the verb root drs = "to see, perceive, understand")
1. A class of inference in which a previously known case and the in-

l'''''.... ''''A

,..nco"" nO'""

""v.,,..t1,, th""

CO.,OVlO""

120

,.

t",

ro.

--I

2. The "seen," one of Patanjali's terms for primal Nature (prakrti).

3. See siimdnyatodrsta.

Drstiinta -

it@ Ikl -

typical instance; illustration; example

1. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school. (See padartha
and chart no. 6.)
2. It is the third member of a five-membered syllogism; e.g., "Wherever there is smoke there is fire, such as in a hearth." Nyaya defines it
as that on which both the common man and the expert hold the same
opinion.
3. The Vaisesika refers to this as nidarsana.

it 12 1;::0 lltm -

Drstantiibhiisa -

Drstiirtha-s- ~2f -

fallacious example

perceptible result

D!~!a-arthiipatti-~-postulation derived from what

IS

seen (see

arthiipatti)
it@Q5M - perceptible result

Drsta-phala -

Drsti - ~ - seeing; inner sight; vision; speculative standpoint; view; opinion;

gaze; known by perception; evil eye (from the verb root drs = "to see,
perceive, understand")
1. According to Buddhism, it means belief, dogma, or false theory.
Drsti-srsti-viida
it f!ffea l~ - the theory that "perception is creation"
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, a theory that regards the entire world
as the fabrication of the individual's intellect. Before the objects of
experience are perceived, they are held to be nonexistent. The world
is created by an imaginer who imagines it.
Drsya -

visible; object seen; objects of consciousness; perceived; nature

Drsyatva - it,tka - objectivity

1. The notion of objectivity carries with it the idea of materiality.
Duhkha -

~:~
o

pain; suffering; sorrow; grief; unhappiness; that which is un-

'"

'J

(I\

:. :'"
&U

&&&&y""&

.\

(~~~~ A .. ~

" ..... o...l"

l~l.~

\&&VU

"state")
1. The first noble truth ofthe Buddha. (See catvari arya-satyam.)
121

Duhkha-nirodha - ~:~ - the cessation of suffering (from dur = "bad" +

kha = "state" + nirodha = "broken down")
1. The third noble truth of the Buddha. (See catviiri iirya-satyiini.)

Duhkha-nirodha-marga - ~:~ - the path to the cessation of suffering

1. The fourth noble truth of the Buddha. (See catvari iirya-satyiini.)
2. From this truth came the eightfold path to enlightenment. (See aryaastiinga-mdrga. )
~:~ -

Duhkha-anuvyavasiiya -

apperception of sorrow

Duhkha-samudaya - ~:~ - the cause and origin of suffering (from dur

=: "bad" + kha
"state" + sam-ud-aya = "to rise up together")

'rT'O'

, ,

",

...,

..... ".

"'"

- . -

_ .,

pratityasamutpiida. )
Duriigama -

Durangama -

~< I1jq ~<'i"J4

bad scripture

- the far going (from duran = "far" + ga = "to go")

1. One of the stages of bodhisattva-hood. (See bodhisattva.t

Durga -

~ - "Incomprehensible One"; "she who is difficult to reach," "hard

to conquer"; the Goddess
1. One of the names of the universal Mother. In Her personal form, She
is portrayed as the eight-armed Goddess who rides a lion and carries
weapons. She is the destroyer of evil tendencies. She is worshipped
in sixty-four forms, of which Parvati is one.
2. In the Devi-Miihatmyam, she triumphs over the buffalo demon who
appears in three forms, Mahisasura, Nisumbha, and Sumbha. She is
known as the "savior from crisis" or the "protectress." An entire
Purana, the Devi-Bhiigavatam, is dedicated to her. She is perhaps the
mostwidely worshipped aspect of the Sakti.

Durniti -- ~41~ - knowledge which views part of an object as the whole

I. According to Jainism, a particular standpoint. (See naya.)

Diisana -- ~ - refutation; objection

~eg

Dusta-hetu
1

A"

defective reason
.L

~.

122

~ 14~ 1'4\' -

Dvadasanga -

the twelve interdependent links in the causal chain of

existence
1. A point located at a distance of twelve fingers from various specific
spots, such as the tip of the nose or the heart.
2. See pratityasamutpada.

Dvaita - ~ - dual; duality; dualism

1. The name given to Madhvacarya's system of philosophy. It is a
school of Vedanta which teaches that God, the individual souls, and
the world of matter are all eternally separate and real.

Dvandva -

~-

pairs of opposites in nature

1. For example, pleasure and pain, hot and cold, light and darkness,
gain and loss, victory and defeat, love and hatred.

Dvandva-moha - ~~tftii - the delusion of the pairs of opposites in nature,

such as pain and pleasure
~ I q {y;t I

Dviipara-yuga -

the third age among four yugas; the bronze age

(rrom toe root YUJ - "to umte + avapara - tworom ')
1. The age where truth is said to stand on only two of its legs. The path
to liberation in this age is said to be worship of the deity. (See yuga.)
-

Dvesa - ~ - antipathy; hatred; aversion (from the verb root dvis = "to hate")
1. One of the five types of false knowledge according to Sankhya/Y0gao (See klesa.)
Dvija - ~ - "twice born" (from the verb root ja = "to be born" + dvi =
"two"); appellation of any member of the three upper castes, whose initiation is considered a second birth
Dvipa -

~-

Dvipradesa -

island; continent
ftY~!ll -

the combination of two atoms

Dvitva - ~ - twoness
1. The concept of numbers greater than one is due to a relative oscillatory state of the mind, according to Vaisesika.

Dvyanuka -

~l.1~J~ -

dyad; a binary molecule

1. Two atoms combine to generate a dyad and three dyads form a triad,
_.

,I

.11

'

'...

123

IC'I

"

E
Eka -

Qq;' -

one; unique; Reality

Ekadasi-> QCf'I~Iq(l- "ten (and) one"; eleventh day (of each half month)
1. The name of the eleventh tithi (lunar day) of each of the two fortnights of the moon's cycle. The eleventh day after every full moon
and new moon is known as Had viisara (the Lord's day).
2. A religious festival. A day of fasting and prayer observed twice each
month on the eleventh day after the new moon and the eleventh day
after the full moon.
Ekiigrata -- QCf'It:l - one-pointed; close attention
1. The one-pointed mind IS that which IS devoted to a single object. It
is a mind filled with purity.Iuminosity (sattva).
2. According to Buddhism, one of the five elements which comprise

3. According to the Yoga school, it is a stage of the mind (citta) in

wmcn one concentrates steaouy on an ooject ror a tong time.

Eka-jiva -- QCf'~l~ - a single self or individual

Eka-jiva-viida - QCf'~C:CC:CIG - the theory that there is only one self or individual
1. A theory within Advaita Vedanta which posits that there is but one
jiva and one material body. The manifold world is erroneously
imagined by the ignorance of the one individual while the one personal consciousness is real. This one individual (j7va}-Hiraf}yagarbha-is a reflection of the Absolute (Brahman), and all other
individuals are mere semblances of individuals and to these semblances pertain bondage and liberation.
Ekam-eva-advitiyam - ~ vcr 3f~81tC'3 - "one only without a second"
1. A Great Saying (mahiiviikya) which occurs in the Chiindogya Upanisad of the Sama Veda. It denotes the Absolute (Brahman)--either
as the sole Reality or as the Reality which is blemishless.
Ekiinta -- QCf'I=O - one sided; a false belief unknowingly accepted and uncritically followed
1 Tti"nn... nfth... fiv ... lrinrlc;:nf

I'

-c

tnT"

TIl...

are contrariness (viparitay, irregularity (vinaya). doubt (samsayai,

ana tg
~. - :J.
124

Ekiinta-bhava -

~q5Ik14TCf -

Eka-prthaktva -

~~ -

one-pointedness; aloofness
1. An aspect of devotion according to Dvaita Vedanta. (See bhakti.)

~q5ktji;kttt1ff I

Ekatma-pratyayasdra Ekatva-bhavanii vidual

~-

~Gf'('q l-=tt('q -

Ekatviinyatva -

~Gf'q ICfLfdI -

Eka-vakyatii 1

distinct separateness

.,

meditation on the uniqueness of each indi-

either this or that

one meaning; syntactic unity

nnitv
., is h::lC;:pcI on

<- the essence as oneness with the Self

::I

"..J.l

that of a word ro a sert-

tence tpadaikavakyatiii and that of a sentence to another sentence

/.

Ekavisaya
Ekiiyana -

-:1.

-.-

~Gf'rabftt
~Gf'It1"'1 -

the same subject

a name for the Dvaita Vedanta system

Ekibhava - ~ -

oneness with the Absolute

Ekoddista -

~cffl R;@

Eva -

only; in fact; without limitation

'Qq -

funeral ceremony for the deceased

Evambhiaanaya - ~ - the such-like standpoint

1. According to Jainism, the standpoint which is concerned with the
performance of an actual function suggested by the etymology of a
word. Thus, if one is called "Bhlma," he can be referred to by this
name only when he is actually displaying strength (bhfma). The
word must be entirely true in meaning and sense to fulfill the requirements of this standpoint.

125

G
Gaccha Gaddi -

~-

~-

a chapter of monks
throne; seat; head (of a monastery)

Gaganopaman -

JPI'11Q1i"j -

similar to vacuous sky

Gamaka -- TTtrCf' -

pervaded; indicative

Gamana -- ~ -

locomotion; action (see karma)

Gamya r:.nnn

rra:r TlUT

pervader

..

"

". crrolln' ~

~.

of

hOlO:tlO:'

troops
1. oiva s oana or attendants or wnom uaI)esa ana/or rxanciIS me ieacer.
2. Ganas are known as a motley assemblage of Siva's attendants. They
are known to be both benevolent and malevolent; short, hardy spirits; wild but extremely devoted followers; gross and misshapen
imps. They are led by Nandi, Bhrngin, and Ganesa,

Ganaciira - J10 II "iS4 I( - striving for the upliftment of everyone

I. An ethical code of conduct in Vira Saivism, (See paflciiciira.)
the leader of a group (gaf}G) of disciples
1. According to Jaina legend, the eleven leader-disciples of Mahavlra,
the twenty-fourth Jaina Tirthankara, who are said to have composed
the eleven Aizgas. (See chart no. 2.)

Ganadhara -

T'(tJl"t:l"{ -

Gandha -- T'Fl:l- smell (see tanmiitra)

Gandharva - ~ - celestial musician

1. A member of a class of demigods. A celestial denizen's (gandharva)
habitation is the sky, the midregion, or the heavenly waters. It is their
special duty to guard the divine nectar (soma) which the gods ob~I

Th..."

th...ir .

.L

'0'

i"

~ tn h ...

a physician because the soma is the best medicine. They know and
maxe Known me secrets or neaven ana QIVIne trutns In general. I ney
126

are the parents of the first pair of human beings and have a peculiar
power over women (for this reason they are invoked in marriage ceremonies). They are known as the celestial musicians or heavenly
singers. Human gandharvas have the power of making themselves
invisible at will. They are expert in dancing and music. They possess
the power of resisting heat and cold and the other pairs of opposites
and can command all material pleasures.
Giindharva-sastra - ~ - the scripture expounding the science of
music
1. One of the Upa-vedas.

Ganesa -

Tfl1m" -

elephant-headed son of Siva and Parvati; remover of obstacles; lord of the hosts; lord of wisdom; lord of beginnings (from gana =
"multitude" and isa = "lord")

Ganga _. TTl1- the Ganges river; a Goddess; the "one who goes swiftly"
,..

,.,

UUf VflU

..,'

Garbha-grha - ~ - innennost sanctuary of a temple; "house or dwelling

womb"
1. The innermost chamber or sanctum sanctorum of a Hindu temple. In
this space is installed and resides the primary deity of the temple.

tfq

Giirhapatya - t II eLf - householder's fire

1. The fire received from one's father and transmitted to one's descendents. It is one of three sacred fires from which sacrificial fires are
lit.

TJft1rr -

Garimii -

heaviness; the ability to rise up

1. One of the eight supernatural powers. It is the power to make one's
body heavy at will. (See siddhi.)

Garuda -

TlJS -

eagle; Visnu's vehicle; "devourer"

I. The king of birds. The celestial vehicle (viihana) of Lord Visnu,

Giithii - TTTtn' Gati -

TTffi -

Gati-ciniana

. . T.

verse; stanza

path; motion; result; birth; destiny; process

tI

fa ~kl'1

meditation on the path to the world of Brahman

,,_,_

1. 1 "'Q.lU~ VI

III

....
Ul~

_,.

U)'UJUf U

127

r- .. 7

VI

-' -

~'"

J ~ g q l~

famous Advaita Vedantin

1. Author of the Miif}c!ukya-kiirikii and first known Advaitin from
whom we still possess a written text. He was thought to be Sar'lkara's
teacher's teacher (paramaguru).

Gaudapada -

Gauh -

nt: -

cow

Gauna -

rfrur -

Gaunt -

'lfrnft -

secondary; implied

an aspect of the secondary meaning of words

1. This type of meaning is illustrated by such sentences as "The boy is
a lion." The relation between the word lion and its meaning is indirect. It is based on the similarity of the actual intended sense with the
original primary sense. (See laksanii and aupacarika-vrtti.i

yasiara; also called Aksapada

~

IIClIU

willi

OY

1. Traditionally used in Indian philosophy as an example in demonstrating comparison (upamiina).

Gayatrl-- J I111fl- "hymnal"; Vedic mantra; Vedic metre of twenty-four syllables
I. Sage Visvamitra is the seer of the mantra. This mantra is held to be
the most sacred mantra of the Vedas: Om bhur bhuvah. suvah. tat
saviturvareniyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah pracodayiit: "We meditate on the adorable light of the radiant sun. May
He stimulate our intellect." A brahmin is supposed to recite it morning, noon, and night. It is also known as Siivitri, from being addressed to the sun as the generator of life.

Ghata -- CfC Ghatakasa -

pot; jar
EOlclctil:(l -

the space enclosed in a pot or jar

Ghataka-sruti - ~ -

mediatory text (see abheda-sruti and bheda-srutii

Ghiiti-karma - ~ I fHC64 - obstructive actions

1. According to Jainism, there are four types of obstructive karmas:
,"-- ~.

. .

128

(darsanavaranan feeling producing (vedintyay; and deluding (mo-

haniyas.
2. See karma.
Gheranda Samhitii -~(ogfff%f11 Yoga text
~-

Ghriina -

"Gheranda's collection"; famous Hatha

sense of smell (see jiiimendriyat

Ghriinaja -\;41 0 l \if -

olfactory perception; sense of smell

Girijddhava 1R\if I\:lCf - giri = "mountain" + jii = "born" + dhava = "Lord,

husband"
1. The Lord of the mountain born (Parvati). The Master or husband of
Parvati. Name for Lord Siva.
Gocara - ~ Gopaia -

Gop; -

object; place

cownera ; masrer or me cows

(from go = "cow, sense organs, the earth" + pala = "Protector, Lord,
Master"); the Protector of cows; the Lord of the senses and the mind
1. Lord of the senses and the mind. An epithet of Krsna, The cowherd
boy (Krsna), The Protector of the Earth.
~

ll"tIM -

TlTtft -

milk maid; eternal associates or companions of Krsna

1. The milkmaids of Vraja, childhood companions and devotees of
Krsna, They are revered as the embodiments of the ideal states of ecstatic devotion to God.

Goptrtva-varana - ~ iiq('ClcHOI
(see prapatti)
Gopuram -

iig<1j -

to seek God (Isvara) alone as the protector

towerlike structure over an entrance into a temple

Goraknatha - ~ ii <CF11 q- - perfected one (siddha) and famous master of hatha

yoga
1. Ninth or tenth century. One of the nine Naths, a lineage of yogis
known for their extraordinary powers. Goraknath was the guru of
":,,' '

-..

,.,hn'

,.

..T'

-..

,T__
_ ,a '"

nl~A"

"'r\~

~.

guru. I!-e wrote Goraksa Samhitii, Amaraugha Prabodha, Jiiiitii

Amrta sastra, ana tne siaana siaananta raaanau.
129

Gotra -

Tfr;r - clan; family; lineage; stable

l. According to Jainism, one of the eight kinds of matter (karma). (See
dravya-iisrava.i
2. The patriarchal family to which an individual belongs.

Gotva -

r1tfq - cowness

Govinda -- 1 f'a=& - "cowherd" (from go + inda = "cows" + "master") or (from

go + vid = "speech" + "Knower"); the Knower of the Vedas
1. An epithet of Krsna. The master of speech. The supporter of the
earth. He who rescued the earth from hell.

Grahana -- ~ - apprehension; to grasp

Grahita

'1JQ'jdj

receiver; recipient

1 r\, ~ l..~
'-' ..... "' ..v

't't'

__.
v.

T_ .. l.._ V
,

J'U

~. . . . . . . .

v6<&

':.'
, ..

both the intellect (buddhi) and the individual soul (purusay.

r;, -:/.

_TTTU

of

. '- .

. .

'-'

Grantha -- 1;Ftf -

treatise; work; book

Granthi -- ~ - knot (from the root granth = "to string together")

1. The three junction points in the central channel (su~umna) where the
illii, pingalii, and susumnii niicfis converge and form a knot. They are
brahma granthi-located in the muladhara cakra; visnu granthilocated in the anahata (heart) cakra; and Rudra granthi-located in
the iijizii cakra. When the divine energy tKundalini) awakens, She
pierces through these knots as She ascends upward to the thousandpetaled lotus (sahasriira).
2. In Advaita Vedanta, the individual soul (jiva) is defined as the knot
between the Self and the not-self tcit-acit-granthi).

Grha -

~-

Grhastha -

home; house; temple

~~

- householder
1. The second stage in the Indian social order. (See iisrama.)

Grhya-siara -

~J~H:PI -

scriptures setting down the rituals to be performed in

the home
1

"

.J'

.1

130

1~J:'_.1

~ ... _

.L

.1.._

emonies performed at birth, initiation, marriage, or death. "Domestic rites," "rites of passage," "sacraments." They require only one
fire and one priest. (See srauta.i
Guha -1J[T - "reared in a secret place"; cave; the heart
Gulma -~ -

shrubs (see sthiivara)

Guna -1J1T - quality; attribute; characteristic; excellence; rope; constituent;

subsidiary; mode
I. The three basic qualities of nature, which determine the inherent
characteristics of all created things. They are sattva-purity, light,
harmony; rajas-activity, passion; and tamas-dullness, inertia,
and ignorance.
school's interpretations) the three aspects: sattva, which is buoyant,
rg t, 1 ummatmg, now e ge, an appmess: rajas, w IC IS stunulating, mobile, pain, and action; and tamas, which is heavy, enveloping, indifferent, and laziness.
tum, has no furthur qualities, and is not the cause of, or concerned
with conjunction or disjunction. There are twenty-four qualities,
some being material and others being mental: color (rispa), taste (rasa), odor (gandha), touch isparia), sound (sabda), number
(sankhyil), measure (parimiti), mutual difference (Prthaktva), connection (sarhyoga), separation (vibhiiga), perception of long time
(paratva), perception of short time (aparatva), heaviness (gurutva),
fluidity (dravatva), viscidity (sneha), knowledge (buddhi), happiwill (icchii), hatred (dvesa),
ness (sukha), sorrow (duhkha),
.
. effort
(yatna), latent tendencies (samskara, which is of three types: vega,
sthiti-sthiipaka, and bhavanii), righteousness (dharma), and unrighteousness (adharma).
4. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the first product of primordial Nature (prakrtii. It always resides in a substance. There are infinite
number of qualities, mental as well as physical. Insentient entities
have physical qualities while sentient beings have both physical and
mental qualities.
5. According to Advaita Vedanta and Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, it is an attribute of prakrti and is threefold. However, the two schools differ
as to the ontological status of the gunas.
6. According to Sankhya, gUf}as, being the three constituents of prakrti

bind the individual and they are subsidiary in that they provide en-

131

the subtle substances or cosmic constituents which evolve into all

the various categories of existence. (See chart no. 12.)

Guna-iisraya -

~OII~t4

-locus of qualities

Gunagananidhih -~: -

the storehouse of all innumerable auspi-

cious qualities
Guniistaka -ljOII@Cf' - the eightfold divine qualities of God (Isvara) and individuals Viva)
1. An individual possessing the above qualities is pure (apahatapiiprna), birthless tvijarah). deathless (vimrtyulJ), desireless (visokah),
vijighatsah, apipiisah, satyakiimah, and satyasankalpah.
Gunasthiina fication

tfA' -

states of excellence' the fourteen Jaina sta es of un-

individual soul passes on its journey to spiritual perfection. They

are mithyii-drsti-gunasthana. sasiidana-samyagdrsti gunasthana,
"r'

guna-sthana, pramatta samyata gunasthana, apra matta samyata

gunasthana, nivrtti badara sampariiya gunasthiina, anivrtti biidara
sampariiya-gunasthana, siiksma biidara sampariiya gunasthana,
upasanta kasayavita riiga chadmastha-gunasthana, ksinakasiiya
vitariiga chadmastha-gunasthana, sayogi kevali gunasthana, and
ayogi kevali gunasthana.

Gunatita --lJollffld - "beyond the qualities"; transcending the qualities

1. One who is free from, and gone beyond, the three qualities (gunas).
Guna-vtida -

~UlqlG

figurative statement (see artha-vadai

Guna-vrata - ~ - ethical code of conduct

1. According to Jainism, it is comprised of minor restrictions (digrata),
limitation on movement tdeiavakiisika). and abstenance from harmful activities tanarthadandavratay.
Guna-vrtti -

!juICfft1 -

Gupti - ~ -

implied meaning through similarity (see laksana)

restraint, moderation

him/herself. According to Jainism, this is control over the body,

132

Guru -IF - teacher; preceptor; great; "heavy"; weighty; venerable (from the
verb root gr ="to invoke or to praise")
1. A spiritual master who has attained oneness with the Self/God and
who initiates his or her disciples and devotees into the spiritual path
and guides them to liberation.
2. One who removes the darkness of ignorance. A guru should be both
an exemplar and articulator of Reality. Sankara defined a guru as
one who is firmly convinced that he or she is the supreme consciousness; one whose mind is rooted in the highest reality; one who has a
pure and tranquil mind; one who has realized one's identity with the
Absolute (Brahman).
3. There is a tradition which says that a guru gives instruction in the
Veda; an acarya initiates one and then gives instruction; an upadhyiiya is a secondary type of teacher in that they give only partial
instruction and take fees for it; an adhvanka is an instructor of
-

.
.
IUlv", ''''u.s''',

a 1/'

-..

~o/

_~

lIS a

<;>

au-

vanced students and other teachers; a pravaktii is a generic word for

teacher; and a priiciirya is a retired teacher.
4. A sannvdsa should know four zenerations of his nrecentors: euru
parama guru. paramesti guru, and parapara guru.
C

T.

T T'

~I.L

J,,,,,I.L

~II'" UU'" 5"'"'~

""..J"
'-'vu

J."

5"' "-UL~U.

6. The etymological derivation of the word guru is in this verse from

the Guru Gita: "The root gu stands for darkness; ru for its removal.
The removal of the darkness of ignorance in the heart is indicated by
the word guru." The meanings of gu and ru can also be traced to the
Panini-siaras gu samvarane and ru himsane, indicating concealment and its annulment.
Guru Gita - ~61flct I - "song of the spiritual teacher"
1. A spiritual text found in the Markandeya Puriina. A garland of mantras in the form of a dialogue between Siva and His consort Parvatl,
which explains the identity of the guru with the supreme Absolute
and describes the nature of the guru, the guru/disciple relationship,
and meditation on the guru.
Gurukula -

~6~M

- "teacher's school," or "teacher's abode"

1. Traditionally, the gurukula referred to the residence of a spiritual
teacher wherein young students came to live and learn. The word
kula comes from the root kul = "to gather or group together" and,
thus, refers to any manifestation from the smallest to the largest (i.e.,
an abode, house, body, family, school, teachings, lineage, state of
being, etc.). The word guru comes from s ="remover of darkness"
+ ru = "bestower of light." Thus, the gurukula is any place where the

ro.~'

~<'

133

h. ~h ... l;nh~ ro~

Gurukulavasa -

"f!~Mq ,~

remaining or residing at the house of the teacher;

dwelling in the teacher's abode

Guru-lingo - !j6FMil' -

a form of the formless Siva (see Iinga-sthalai

Guru-paramparii - ~6q(LCH' -line of teachers; preceptorial order; uninterrupted chain of succession of teachers (guru)
I. The Advaita Vedanta lineage sloka is: nariiyanam padma-bhuvam
vasistham saktim ca tatputra parasaraiica vyasam sukam gaudapadam mahiintam govinda yogindram athiisya sisyam sri sankaracaryam athiisya padmapiidaiica hastiimalakatica si~am tam
totakam viirttikakaram anyan asmad guriin santatamanato'smi.
2. The Guru GUo. says Adi Natha (Siva), Sakti, Ganapati and so on.
'-1-'

Gurupo.yu~: -~:
1

A'

&

"

,. ,

~v

"the teacher (guru) is the way," "the guru is the method"

..., .
..... v

n... .......

.&
V&

.1..~
.......

6:

u ....

n UK',

......

'vrL.".
&......

'." ~

....

........

"

Tt..
........

guru is the supreme Power who leads the religious aspirant to the
goat 01 me.

Gurutva -- ~ - heaviness; weight; greatness

1. The functioning as a spiritual teacher. Whenever a teacher removes
a disciple's ignorance and lights the lamp of knowledge, that teacher
possesses gurutva.
2. According to Nyaya- Vaisesika, it is the nonintimate cause of the
first downward motion of a falling substance. It is found in earth and
water.

134

H
Haituka -~ - name of a Naiyayika
Hamsa - ~ - swan; "I am He"
1. The natural vibration of the Self, which occurs spontaneously with
each incoming and outgoing breath. By becoming aware of hamsa,
a seeker experiences the identity between the individual self and the
supreme Self. Also repeated as So'ham.
~ -liberation;

Hana -

detatchment
1. Abandoning everything that is possible to discard.

Hiinopiiya ...

~ "'11q'L4

the means of achieving liberation (see hiina)

"......

11"

I:"
lI~ay J VI
J~
-I. A powerful monkey chief of extraordinary strength and prowess,
whose exploits are celebrated in the epic Riimayana. He was the son
of Aiijana and Vayu. Hence he is also called Aiijaneya. As the son
of Vayu, he is known as Maruti, He is regarded as one of the immortals. He was an ideal devotee (bhakta) and servant of Lord Rama.
Q~'"

Hara -

~ - "one who takes away"; name of Siva; the destroyer; remover; "redeemer"; "ravishing" (from the verb root hr = "to take")
1. An epithet of Siva or Rudra, the supreme Lord in its destructive aspect as He is the destroyer of one's ignorance.

Hari - ~ - "the remover"; "yellowish-greenish one"; "he who is tawny";

name of Visnu (from the verb root hr = "to take")
1. An epithet of Visnu in general and Krsna in particular. The supreme
Lord as the destroyer of one's blemishes. The remover of ignorance.
Harijana -

~-

"child of God"; an outcaste

Harsa - ~ - joy; excitement

Hasta FF

~__

hand

. .
135

Q6 tfP I - physical exercises or postures; "sun-moon union"

(from the verb root hath = "to oppress")
1. A yogic discipline by which the unitive (samiJdhi) state is attained
by uniting the priina and apiina (ingoing and outgoing breath). Various bodily and menta) exercises are practiced for the purpose of purifying the 72,000 nadts and to bring about the even flow of prana.
When the flow of priina is even, the mind becomes still. One then
experiences equality consciousness and enters into the state of
samadhi. (See astanga-yoga.)

Hatha yoga -

Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Qotfli 1",~rqCf' - "light on the union of the sun and
moon"
1. Authoritative treatise on Hatha Yoga, written by Svatmarama Yogi,
in which the practice of various Hatha Yoga techniques, such as
priJf}iiydma, asanas, mudriis, etc., are described.

':3

.r-

1. It is the reason or mark on the strength of which something is inferred. It must fulfill five conditions m a valid inferential process:
there must exist the knowlege of the universal and invariable concomitance between the middle term and the major term; it must be
observed as being necessarily and unconditionally present in the minor term; it must not be found where the major term is not found; it
must not be related to something absurd; and it must not be contradicted by an equally strong middle term.
2. Nyaya posits that the middle term is ofthree kinds: positive and negative (anvaya-vyatireka); merely positive (kevaliinvaya); and merely negative (kevala-vyatireka). Advaita Vedanta accepts only a
positive middle term.
3. See vyiipti and paksa-dharmata-jiuina.
Hetiipanibandha - ~ -

antecedent reason

Hetu-vada - ~tlq 1<:; - the science of logic; the theory of reasoning

1. A name for the Nyaya school,
Hetu-vibhakti - ~ (see anumdna)

one of the limbs in a ten-membered syllogism

Hetviibhasa - ~ - pseudoprobans; semblance of reason; fallacious reasoninz

1. The Nyaya school enumerates five types of fallacious reasoning due

,.

I L. .~ .. \

136

-n...~~~ ~~~

..... ~

~~

~~

the reason strays away (savyabhiciira or anaikiintikay; the reason is

contradictory or an adverse reason (viruddha); the reason is contradicted by a counterinference or opposite reason tprakaranasama or
satpratipaksai; the reason is unproved or an unestablished reason
(siidhyasama or asiddhai: and the reason is mistimed or inopportune
(kiiliitita or biidhita).
2. An inconsistent or straying reason is of three kinds: common
(sadharanav; uncommon (asiidharana), and noninclusive (anupasamharini. A common strayer is that reason which is present in a
place where the subject is not present. The uncommon strayer is that
reason which is present only in the subject and not present in any
similar example or counterexample. The nonconclusive strayer is
that reason which has no affirmative or negative example.
3. An unestablished reason is said to be of three kinds: unestablished
in respect oflocus or abode (iisrayiisiddha), unestablished in respect
comitance (vyiipyatviisiddha).

the reason (hetu) (see hetviibhiisa)

Heya - ~ -

anything fit to be abandoned or discarded

Heyojjhita -~Ltl~(1 - devoid of all inauspicious qualities

1. An essential feature of God (Brahman) according to the theistic systems.
Himsa -

~-

injury; violence

Himsopakaridiina - ~ft'>jqq;i11~1"1 - desisting from giving implements of agriculture to individuals which will lead to the killing of insects
I. A limb of the Jaina ethical code of conduct called anarthadandavratao (See ciiritra.)

Hinayana - ~"1Lf 1"1 - the small vehicle; the lower vehicle

1. A term (given by the Mahayanists) referring to the Theravada Buddhist schools as distinguished from Mahayana Buddhism. As such
the name has pejorative connotations and if anything, the Hinayana
tradition should be called Theravada or classical Buddhism. Name
given to all the southern schools. The two main representatives are
the Mahayanists) because its disciplines are meant for the few and

137

In this school one frees oneself from bondage by one's own efforts.
The Hlnayana is prevalent in Sri Lanka, Burma, Laos, and Thailand.
~{oz:p j1f -

"golden egg"; gold germ; the cosmic form of the

self; cosmic womb; creator of the subtle universe
1. It is the thread self or the subtle vesture. It is the form of all the individuals together or the only individual. (See eka-iiva-vada.i It is
the seed of the universe. It is also known as siaratman. The Rg Veda
(X.121) says, "Hiranyagarbha arose in the beginning; born, he was
the one lord of things existing."
2. A name of God, the Creator (saguna Brahman) as born from a golden egg. This egg was formed from the seed deposited in the primordial waters by the self-existent Brahman on the eve of creation. The
seed took the form of a golden egg, out of which Brahman was born
as Brahma, the creator. It also means the soul invested by the subtle
body. Various synonyms for this term include mahat, virat, Isvara,

Hiranyagarbha -

'"'
OJ

Hita -, ~(i -

means to the end; beneficial; good; salutary

1 Vi'

.. -.

VI'-

rpfpr~ to

three main

of

.L

~1

tattva (reality), hila (means), and purusiirtha (goal of life).

Hladini - ~ Homa -

~-

.-

enjoyment; glad

fire oblation; sacrificial fire; offering

Hotr- [icf- class of Vedic priests

1. An offerer of oblations in a Vedic sacrifice. They are especially the
priests who, at a sacrifice, invoke the gods or recite the hymns of the
Rg Veda. They are one of four classes of priests officiating at a sacrifice. (See brahma.i
Hrdaya -

~-

heart; center or core of something; essence; the Self

1. The psycho-physical center where an individual feels pleasure and
pain.
2. The space where the inbreath and outbreath merge. The true heart.
The place where the breath is still in the state of merging. (See
sahrdaya.i

Hrasva -- ~- small; short

1. The name given to two atoms when they generate a dyad. (See
- .J
j/Ut

138

Hrf- ~ -

modesty; remorse; bashfulness; absence of pride (from the verb root

hr = "to be modest, bashful")
1. One of the three consorts of Lord Visnu, according to Visi~~advaita
Vedanta.
2. One of the traditional prohibitions (niyama).
3. Hri means "modesty" and thus it is an expression of shame which
one expresses upon committing a misdeed. (See niyama.)

139

I
lceha -

~~ -

desire; will; wish; divine will; free will (from the verb root ieeh
== "to wish")
1. The will of God (Isvara) not only brings about creation and dissolution, but also is the sustainer and disposer of merit and demerit.

/ccha-sakti - ~ iS0l!tl ~ - the power of desire; power of the will; Sakti in the
aspect of divine will
1. According to Saivism, para-sakti is the form of the Lord. Through
his power of will (icchii-saktiy, he desired, "May I become many."
By his power of knowledge (jiitlna-sakti) he considered the means
and instruments necessary for creation. By his power of action
rtya-sa tt e create t e uruverse, w IC IS I e a picture painte
on the wall of iccha-sakti.

1. The channel (niidi) which originates at the base of the spine and terminates at the left nostril. It is called the moon tuidi because of its
cooling effect. (See pingala and niitfi.)

/dam -

lha-

/jya -

/ndra -

"this"
1. The Veda often uses this term to refer to the manifested universe.
2. Advaita Vedanta uses this term to refer to the foundation (adhisthana) of illusions. The "this" in the perception of a snake superimposed upon a rope, is the rope which is the basis of the illusion of the
snake.

2?-'D'
"~""'o:-)

~ - a stage of inperceptual knowledge (mati) in which the location of

cognition is sought; expectation
1. According to Jainism, the individual appreciates a visible object in
this stage. (See mati.)
~

the principal worship at midday (as ordained in the school of

Piiiicariitra Agama); sacrifice (see niyama)
-

~-

"ruler"; "chief' (of the gods in the Vedic pantheon); mighty;

powerful
The Deity identified with strength. Known as the god of the atmo-

140

rules over the deities of the midregion and fights against, and conquers with his thunderbolt the demons or forces of darkness.
Indriya -

~ f~Lf

sense organ; "pertaining to Indra"

I. According to the Buddhists, the senses are but orbs.
2. According to the Mlrnamsakas, the senses are the capacities of the
orbs.
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, the senses are the instruments of perception.
4. According to Dvaita Vedanta, the senses are the five external senses,
the mind (manas), and the witness consciousness tsiiksin).
5. The five organs of knowledge are the ear (srotra), skin (tvak), eye
(caksusi, tongue ijihvii), and nose tghrana). (See jnanendriya.i
6. The five organs of action are the voice (vak), hand tpani), foot (pada), organ of excretion (piiyu), and the organ of generation (upastha). (See karmendriya.y

7. According to Nvava, a sense organ is the seat of such contact with

the mind which causes a cognition.

Indriya-anapeksa - {P=<;Lf 1'1 q~ - a type ofperception independent of the senses

I. It is of two kinds: self-accomlished (svayamsiddhai and divine tdivya).

2. See pratyaksa and arvactna.

lndriyanigraha -

~ ~t1 ~ lJ~ -

sense control

lndriydrtha -~~qltf- sense objects

Indriyartha-sannikarsa - ~4+1 ~Cf5tsf - contact of the sense organs with
objects (see sannikarsai
Indriyiitma-vadin - ~q kqq I ~"j - a type of Carvaka (Materialist) who
considers the senses as the individual
~~qt't Iqaf- a type of perception dependent on the senses
(see pratyaksa and arviicina)

lndriya-siipeksa -

lrsya - ~ - envy; jealousy

Iruvinai-oppu - (Tamil) ~~lfic~ - equanimity; equipose; tranquility
1 The state of the ;lIcti v ..11.1i:i1 in ,.
it takes an a 'lJdt of . .L
equanimity toward both righteous and sinful deeds .
....

Y.

4. .LL 1;)

.11

-'

- '

....

I\UI f/IU-JUffJ YU 111

141

lrya -

flh -

an external rule of conduct in Jainism; care in walking

1. To go by well-established paths so as not to kill living entities which
might be lying on the way. (See cdritra and samiti.)

lsa -~ -- Lord; master; ruler

lsana - ~ - the All-enjoyer; Lord of everything; Lord of space; to beg alms
in the proper monastic order
1. According to Jainism, one of the external rules of conduct. (See ciiritra.)

2. A name for Siva.

lsa Upanisad - ~bflqP1lSftt- "sitting steadfastly nearby the Lord"; the Lord
Upanisad
e openmg mantra 0 t e WI om section
of the Vaiasane I School of the Sukla Ya 'ur Veda be ins
"Isavasyamidam sarvam ... ,"-"all things of this world, the tran-

Reality of each," and thus the Upanisad's name. This Upanisad has
on y erg een man ras, e Irs wo w ic ea tree y wi
e
problem of liberation and the other sixteen which elaborate this solution and serve as commentaries thereon. It deals with the problem
of the material causality of the world and of the human being's relation thereto; with the nature of the highest truth; and with the difference between Reality and unreality and between knowledge and
ignorance.

lsitva - ~M(q - the power of absolute mastery over all physical objects; lordship
1. One of the eight powers (siddhi). (See asta-aisvarya and siddhi.)
Ista-devata - ~~~qd I - one's chosen deity; tutelary deity
1. That specific aspect of a deity favored by an individual and singled
out as resprsentative of Divinity. (See linga-sthala.i

lsta-purta - ~~'3.J - the sacrifices and digging of wells and tanks

1. A forerunner to the idea "as one sows, so one reaps" (karma). The
term occurs in the Rg Veda.

Isvara -- ~ - Lord; God; the Great God (from the verb root is = "to rule"); a
quality ttattva) in Saivism

142

2. According to ViSi~~advaita Vedanta, He is the supreme Ruler and

Controller. He is full of auspicious qualities. He is both transcendent
and immanent. The world of animate and inanimate entities emerge
from His body. He is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. He
is all-merciful and by His grace, individual souls attain liberation. He
is the author of the universe, both as its material and efficient causes.
He manifests himself in five forms as transcendent (para); emanations (vyuha); incarnations (vibhava); indweller taniaryaminv; and
sacred icons (area). As para, He possesses six divine qualities:
knowledge (jfzana), strength (ba/a), lordship (aisvaryai, potency
(sakti), virility (virya), and splendor (tejas).
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, God (Isvara) is the Absolute (Brahman) as conditioned by ignorance or illusion (avidyalmiiya). The
Absolute knows no distinctions; yet in relation to the world, the
Godhead becomes its source and ground. Isvara is both the material
..J

. .t..

:.'

a......

,",au"", VI.

_1..J"I"'\..

UI'"

nVJ.I..........'"

~'O

.'~ -VI

fT'

_".

''''''YCUQj I"

said to be omnipotent, omniscient, and the creator, etc.

4. me tourtn category {tattva) 10 tne process ot uruversat mamtestation. In this tattva, "I" and "this" are equally prominent. The consciousness of Sadasiva is "I am this." The consciousness of Isvara is
"'T'h1l: !lim T "

J{",

(i;;;:;nn\

il:'

in thil:

fnff"n

lsvara-pranidhana - ~!fa {Q fOl\:lT'=i - devotion to God

1. The cultivation of a spirit of absolute self-surrender to God in whatever one does. It has also been represented as a means of attaining
union isamadhi) and, through samiidhi, liberation (kaiva/ya). (See
bhakti.)
Iti -

~ - "thus"
1.lti is used at the end of a work to denote its conclusion.

Itihdsa - ~~ 1ft - "thus spoken" (from iti + ha + lisa = "so it was"); history;
technical term for the epics Ramayana and Mahabhiirata

143

J
Jada -

~g' -

inert, unconscious; matter

1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, it is a substance devoid of pure
sattva. It is of two types, prakrti and akiisa.

Jagadguru -

Jagat -

\3ffl9 -

the world; cosmos

1. In Indian philosophy the world origin is traced either to a plurality
of ultimate Teals which are simple and atomic (as in Nyaya-Vaisesika)
or it may be derived from a single substance which is assumed to be

Jagat-prapaiica

Jagrat -

"l]"Q - world teacher; great guru

\ii1J9 -

anA ",11

::i1IINq;a

(a" in C",-.,

_V.n.na\

world appearance

the waking state (see avasthii)

'i1~~::i1~~~ -

exclusive-nonexclusive implication
1. A type of secondary implication in which part of the primary meaning of a word is given up and part of it is retained. In an identity
statement, "This is that Devadatta," the meaning of the word this
means Devadatta, as qualified by present time, place, etc., and the
sense of the word that is the same Devadatta, as qualified by past
time, place, etc. In this type of judgment, part of the meaning of the
words that and this-viz. "Qualified by present time" and "qualified
by past time"-are rejected. (See laksana.)
2. This method is used by the Advaita Vedantins to obtain the meaning
of identity statements, mahavakyas.

Jahad-ajahal-laksana -

~-

exclusive implication
1. The implication of a sentence's meaning which is other than the primary sense as indicated by the words, but which is related to them
while the primary meaning is completely given up. In the phrase
"the village on the river," the primary meaning of the word river is
given up and the bank, which is related to the river, is implied and
accepted. (See lak~aT}ii.)

Jahal-laksanii -

Jaimini -

~~Fr1- founder of the Purva-Mimarnsa school and author of the

rurva-m tmamsa-sutra
144

Jala-~-water

~-

Jalpa -

arguing constructively as well as destructively for victory in a

debate; sophistry
1. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school.
2. See paddrtha, vitaTJqa, and chart no. 6.

Janah -

\iFf:- the world of delight; the world of the great gods; man (see loka)

Janaka -

~-

Janeu-

"begetter"; "father"; king of Mithila and father of SIta

1. Saintly king of Mithila in ancient India, the father of SIta, Lord Rarna's consort.
sacred thread worn b the three u

~-

aizgama -

movmg

r castes in Hinduism

les

(manusyai, animal beings

(tiryak), and hell beings (niiraki).
,

knowledge, who moves from place to place preaching Vira Saivite

ideals and guiding the devotees to Lord Siva
Janma -\iFI1- birth (fromjan = "to be born")

Janmiidi asya yatah - ~ 31ltf t:Rf: - that (is Brahman) from which (are
derived) the origin, etc., of this (universe)
1. The second aphorism tsutra) of the Brahma-siara.

Janma-kathanta - \i1;::qQ;;QPfiI - knowledge of an individual's past lives and

apprehension of future lives
Janya -~ -

producible thing (fromjan = "to be born")

Janya-buddhi-\i14faut'- created intellect

Janya-krti Japa -

\i1~'tR1

originated volition

- repetition; the recitation of the name of God, or of a mantra

1. Repetiton of a mantra. It may be practiced orally, whispered, or

145

Jarii-marana - \J1 (jrj (01 - old age, decay, and death (from j! = "to grow old +
m! = "to die")
1. According to Buddhism, twelfth link in the wheel of empirical existence. Birth is its cause. (See pratityasamutpada.y
Jarayuja -- \'i1(1Zj\i1 Jara -

~-

Jataka -

womb-born beings

long matted hair

birth stories
I. The stories of the various lives of the Buddha on earth. It is written
in Pali and forms part of the orthodox Hinayana canon, the Suttapitaka.

\if 1("JCf' -

~-

'1.

l'

,...

iL

,,,'
'-."
ing objectives; part; generality; universal; genus (from jan = "to be

oorn)
1. One of the links in the wheel of emoirical existence according to
Buddhism. (See pratityasamutpada.y
,., An.,. r>.~ .. h.,.
_.~

_ _

........

._,~

r>.~ .. h"" .. T
~-

Tn ..hi.,

it

"~"J.J-

refers to specious and unavailing objectives. (See padiirtha and

chart no. 6.)
3. According to Nyaya, the meaning of words is said to refer to class
notions. Class is defined as that which produces the notion of sameness.
4. According to Mfmarpsa, class character has no separate existence,
apart from individuals (unlike the Nyaya position, which claims that
it does).
5. The Mlmamskas, the Vedantins, and the Grammarians say that a
word primarily refers to a universal.
6. The highest genus is Being (satta), according to the Nyaya school.
It is called parajati or the highest universal. The lower universals are
called aparajati.
7. It consists in the drawing of contradictory conclusions and the raising of false issues with a deliberate intention of defeating an opponent.
Jaya -

\i{l:f -

victory; victorious; hail; salutations

Jayanthi - ~t:r - "birth day"; the day one is born; victorious; conquering;
name of Durga
TlInnn

(P:iJi) ~

(see

JI.

146

.'\

Jihvii - ~ Jijniisii -

tongue

f\i1~If11 -

Jina -

m--

Jiva -

mer-

enquiry, desire to know

conquering one; victor

1. The title given to the twenty-four teachers (tirthankarasi of the Jaina
tradition. More specifically, it refers to Mahavira, the twenty-fourth
tirthankara. Disciples of a Jina are called Jainas.

individual soul; life; embodied self; living entity (from the verb
root jl v = "to Ii ve")
1. According to Jainism, the individual soul is characterized by consciousness, life, immateriality, and extension in space. Consciousness is its characteristic mark and consists in knowledge, insight,
bhss, and power. The SIze ottne individual tsoul) IS the same as that
of the body that it occupies; expanding and contracting as the case
may necessitate. It is held that there is plurality of individuals. They
.,.."" .....+' h " ..... h.,,,;,. L-; ... A".

--

~4

~_~4_

",... A1..."

'J _

n44&~~,

2. According to Buddhism, there is no individual (soul) apart from a

cluster or factors. 1ne mGIvIGUal IS a mere name tor a complex ot
changing constituents.
3. According to Nyaya, it is a noncomposite, partless, pervasive, eternal substance. There is an infinite number of individual souls.
4. According to Vaisesika, it is an eternal, imperceptible, all-pervading, spiritual substance. There is an infinite number of individual
souls.
5. According to Sankhya, purusa is an eternal, immutable, conscious
entity. It is nonactive and has neither birth nor death. What is subject
to experience and empirical changes is the phenomenal self which is
a blend of purusa and mind. There is an infinite number of individual souls.
6. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, individual souls are real, eternal, unborn, spiritual, have knowledge, and are of the nature of
knowledge. They are atomic in size and infinite in number. They are
an inseparable part of God and dependent thereupon. They are of
three types: those eternally free (nitya), those liberated (mukta), and
those bound (baddha). The individual soul as knowledge does not
change, but bound soul's knowledge changes. The soul's knowledge
is eternal and in the state of liberation is all-knowing, but on account
of empirical limitations this knowledge is diminished. The souls are
both agent and enjoyer. They are a part or mode of God. Their relation is one of inseparability, with the individual soul related to and
..I

..I

nnnn ~M

147

7. According to Dvaita Vedanta, individual souls are atomic in size and

infinite in number. They are eternal and no two are alike. They are
similar to God (Brahman) in kind, but not in degree. They are active
agents dependent upon God's will. They are of three grades: the ever
free (nitya), those having attained freedom (mukta), and those bound
(baddha). Among the liberated souls there is an intrinsic gradation,
and among the bound souls, there are three types: those fit for release
tmukti-yogya), those eternally within the cycle of birth and death
(nitya-samsarini. and those fit only for hell (tamo-yogya).
8. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is a blend of the Self and not-Self
with a wrong identification of each of the other. It is a complex entity consisting of the mind-body organism. It is a complex of the substrate intelligence plus the subtle body plus a reflection of
consciousness therein. It is consciousness, inseparably qualified by
the internal organs. It is a reflection of the consciousness (cidabempirical ego. Intrinsically individuals are one, but phenomenally
t ey are many; t ey are e to
-perva 109 10 size.
9. Accordin to Vira Saivism, individual souls are in three sta es of
spiritual maturity: vira, purusa, and anga. They are a part of Lord
,1#.

from Siva in that, though they share his essence, they do not possess
his attributes of omnipotence. omniscience, omnipresence, etc.
Their powers of knowledge and action are limited due to impurities.
Thus, they are both identical and different from Lord Siva. This relation is called difference-cum-nondifference ibheda-bheda).
10. According to Salva Siddhanta, individual souls are infinite in number, all-pervasive, and omniscient by nature, though veiled by the
three impurities (mala). They are dependent upon God. They are of
three types: those completely liberated (para-muktay, those liberated
while living (jivan-mukta), those craving power (adhikiira-mukta).
Individual souls are also of three classes: those subject to the three
rnalas (sakala), those subject only to dnava- and karma-malas tpralayiikala), and those subject only to anava-mala (vijnanakala). Individual souls are related to Lord Siv~ as the body is related to the
individual soul. That is, they are different. but they are not separate.
In nature they are similar but in essence, as an entity, they are different. Even in release this distinctiveness remains.
11. According to Kashmir Saivism, individual souls are called bound
(pasu) due to limitations caused by impurities. Individual souls are
eternal, real, identical with Lord Siva, and essentially unlimited, allpervading, ever-conscious luminosity. Liberation
, comes by recognitypes: bound (pasu). peaceful (santa), conceited and devoid of

148

individual soul passes through the five elements (tattva) of the pure
creation in a reverse order on its way to liberation. These stages are
called mantra, mantresa, mantra-mehesa, saktija, and sambhava.
Liberation comes when the soul remembers its identity with Lord
Siva.
12. According to Sivadvaita, individuals are a part of God (Brahman),
eternal, atomic in size, infinite in number, dependent, and bound by
their impurities (ma/a), though in essence they are pure and perfect.
Liberation is being similar to, but not identical with, Lord Siva. It is
the realization of one's own essential nature. This is achieved
through contemplation of Lord Siva.
13. According to Mimiiqlsa, the individual soul is one of the substances.
It is eternal and distinct from the mind-body complex. It is an agent
of action and the enjoyer of the fruits thereof. There is a plurality of
individual souls.
eternal, omnipresent, conscious entity. It is entirely passive. Liberation comes when the individual soul roots out ignorance and stills
the modifications of the mind.
15. The wordjlva is derived from the rootjlv which means "to continue

(agent). It is also described as purusa, which is explained as purisaya or "what lies in the citadel of the body,"
Jiva-brahma aikya -

~~-~ -

the oneness of the individual soul with

the Absolute.
1. The central teaching of Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Saivism, and Saiva Siddhanta.

Jivanmukta - ;;fIq~ - liberated while living

1. A doctrine admitted by Sankhya, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir
Saivism, and Salva Siddhanta, though with variations according to
each system. The doctrine posits that an individual may be liberated
even while living in a physical body.
2. According to Sankhya, it occurs the moment there is an essential, experiential discrimination between the individual soul (purusas and
primordial Nature (prakrtii. The physical body continues due to past
actions (karma), which had brought it about in the first place. When
this action (karma) subsides, through experience thereof, the physical body calls and one is then released without the body (videhamukti).
tion of ignorance (avidyii). The continuance of the physical body is

149

that the physical body is only an illusory appearance. If the body

were real, liberation could occur only after its destruction. However,
liberation is a change of perspective. Since the physical body is not
real, its continued appearance or disappearance is of no consequence. Thus, the jivanmukta is one who lives in the world, but is not
of it. Whether such an individual has a body or not is of no difference.
4. According to Salva Siddhanta, it is an individual soul which is freed
from anava-, miiyii-, and karma-malas and their operations. The individual enjoys bliss even while living in an embodied state.
"11q~ftt; -liberation while living (see fivanmukta)

Jivanmukti -

Jivanyoni - ~qr:ttlPt

the activity of procreation

Jivatman - ;;ij)qkLf., - the individual self (see ]lva)

Jiiana - trri - knowledge; wisdom; comprehension (from the verb root jiia =
"to know")
1

A"

t"

' 0 , '

it ." th..

.1..J

"f' .,

.,

~..

2. According to Saiva Siddhanta, it is a path to liberation. It is the direct

means and takes the individual straight to God. Its goal is union with
God (siiyujya).
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the ultimate means to liberation.
Since it is the only thing which is opposed to ignorance (avidyii), it
is the only means to release.
4. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, knowledge is not only about objects
but also about itself.
5. According to Mimamsa, knowledge is a mode of the self. It is described as an act (kriyii), or process (vyiipiira). It is supersensible and
though knowable, it is known only indirectly through inference and
not directly through introspection as Nyaya- Vaisesika posits. It may
be either mediate or immediate.
6. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is a modification (vrtti) of the
mind as inspired by the witness self (siiksin). The mental modification (vrtti) element is contingent and the element of consciousness is
eternal. It is divided into saksi-jnana and vrtti-jtuina. (See both listed
separately.) It may be either mediate or immediate. The "that" of an
object is known in mediate knowledge. In immediate knowledge,
the "what" is also revealed. Immediate knowledge takes place when
the following conditions are fulfilled: the object must be directly
1

" { ,

'-I

O~

thp

rrn rcr hp
-J

~t thp tirnp' thprp

should be established a certain intimate relation between the subject

150

7. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, knowledge is able to manifest

itself and other objects unaided, but what it manifests is never for itself. It pertains to either individual soul Viva) or to God (lsvara).
Jiuuia-abhasa -

Jiiana-abhiiva -

~-

erroneous congition

absence of knowledge; negation of knowledge;

noncognition

Jnana-asraya - it P11~ -locus of knowledge

Jiuina-kiinda - i1IP"1Cf51 0 S - the parts ofthe Veda dealing with the knowledge of
the Absolute (Brahman) (see karma-kanday
J fliina-karma-samaccava
and action

.1.

the combination of knowledge

51

....

' . .

, i:UIU

IlCIU HIC V ICW Hli:ll

.
..
uic

IUJVVV J-

edge-cum-action is the means to liberation. Advaita Vedantins like

Suresvara strongly opposed this combination view as a possible
means for liberation because knowledge and action are oooosed to
each other in three essential respects: per their source-the former
arises from a valid means of knowledge (pramanai while the latter
arises from ignorance (avidyii); per their nature-the former illumines while the latter conceals; and per their effect-knowledge destroys ignorance, while action's results are either origination,
attainment, modification, or purification.
2. Generally it may be said that Purva-Mlmamsa takes the position that
karma is primary and knowledge is subsidiary; the bhediibheda-vadins take the position that the two means are of equal importance;
and Mandana takes the position that knowledge is primary and actions are subsidiary.
Jiuina-laksana - i11'1M~ - supernormal sense contact
1. The contact (sannikarsai through the cognition of an object revived
in memory. It is the relation characterized by previous knowledge
and it is responsible for all cases of acquired perception; e.g., the
sight of sandalwood is an occasion for the perception of fragrant sandal, even though there is no physical contact between the sandalwood and one's sense of smell. This is due to one's past associations
with it. It is perception by complication because it is based upon past
experience. It is extraordinary perception because generally one
of a
.
ususally stimulates some other sense organ.

sense orQ'an does not

"""

"

.,

Iv

151

SI

.. "~t:

.1. . '-

Jiiana-nivartya -

i11-=1 f.1qc-q

Jtuina-priigabhava -

"removable by right knowledge" (see avidyii)

iil r1ilP 1'1l'Gf -

"prior nonexistence of knowledge" (see ab-

hava)
~-

the "potency or power of knowledge"

1. According to Sivadvaita, the power of knowledge is the instrument
by which the Lord considered the means and instruments necessary
for creation.
2. According to Kashmir Saivism, the power of knowledge is that by
virtue of which the objects of creation are brought together and held
together in consciousness.
3. The power of knowledge. The power of maintaining all objects in
conscious relationship with oneself and with one another

Jiuina-sakti -

Inana-svarupa - ii Hfa ,q - knowledge as essence; "embodiment of knowlenge

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, one's true nature isjiiiina-svarupa.
T,- '<'

J iiiiniivarClTfiya - ii H lq {bTl L1 - "knowledge obscuring"; comprehension obscuring

1. According to Jainism, these are obstructive (ghati) karma particles
which obscure right knowledge. They limit the individual's capacity
to acquire direct knowledge (keva/a-jfiiina).
2. Since knowledge is of five types, there are, corresponding to them,
five types of knowledge-obscuring karmas.
Jiuina Yoga -ifFf tim- the path of wisdom; the Yoga of knowledge
1. One of the principal means to liberation tmoksav. According to Advaita Vedanta it is the means to Self-realization. According to other
schools of Vedanta, it is an aid to liberation.

iii ~ f~Lf - organs of know ledge; senses of knowledge

1. The five cognitive sense organs are the organs of knowledge. They
are the organs of hearing tsrotra), touch (tvak), sight (caksus), taste
(rasana), and smell (ghrana).
2. The Sankhya school also includes the mind (manas) as one of the
sense organs. The Nyaya- Vaisesika also includes mind as one of the
indrivas.
3. They are also referred to as the "internal senses" as they impact

J iuinendriya -

.1"

c.

152

Iiuinesvara - iil~~ - Maharashtra's great saint and poetical genius; also

known as JiUinadeva
1. (1275-1296) Foremost among the saints of Maharashtra and a child
yogi of extraordinary powers. He was born in a family of saints, and
his older brother Nivrttinath was his guru. His verse commentary on
the Bhagavad Giui, the Jiianeswari. written in the Marathi language,
is acknowledged as one of the world's most important spiritual
works. He took live samadhi at the age of twenty-one in Alandi,
where his samadhi shrine continues to this day to attract thousands
of seekers.

Jiiapti - iii fl<1

lniitii Unat!') -

i11aT - "knower"

i1"ffi -mq;:f - "knowing what is already known"

Jtuita-jtuipana -

Jtiatau: y

knowledge; cognition

iil('ldl - "state of being known"; cognizedness

"1.'

.1.'

"

Jtieya -

~-

Jyotib -

'iLf1Rt: -light; flame; Kundalini

knowable things; the known object of knowledge

Jyotirlinga - '*"1 Rt fc:o ~ I - " linga of light"

1. There are twelve great jyotirlingams in India: (1) Somanatha in Saurastra, (2) Mallikarjuna at Sri-saila, (3) Mahakala at UjjayinI, (4)
Paramesvara at Ornkara, (5) Kedara at Kedamath, (6) Bhimasankara
at Dakinl, (7) Visvesa at V~asi, (8) Tryambaka at the source of
the Godavari, (9) Vaidyanatha at Citabhumi, (10) Nagesa at Darukavana, (11) Ramesa at Setubandha, and (12) Ghusmesa at Sivalaya,
(See linga.)
Jyotisa -

\iLl"iR'tiSf -

one of the auxiliary sciences of the Veda; astronomy; as-

trology
Jyotisam-jyotih -

'J"ttl fe:t: -

"light of lights"

Jyotismati - 'iLfl fH tSq<fl - effulgent

1. A state of mind which is pervaded by pure qualities tsattva-gunai,

'n
...

.iI'hl
"
153

Jyoti~roma- \il11fu~-'li4 -

name of a Vedic sacrifice; seasonal sacrifice for the

departed
1. A variety of the agnistoma.

154

I(

(Tamil) Cf)&~<'1 - God; literally "God in the body"

Kadavul Kailasa -

"crystalline"; the name of the mountain home of Siva

1. A mountain peak in the Himalayas (in present-day Tibet) revered as
the abode of Siva.
aMlff -

~ - spiritual service; selfless servant; the feeling of considering oneself as a personal attendant of the Lord

Kainkarya -

Kaivalya -

JiaFti -

aloofness; aloneness; isolation

ya an
oga, testate 0 1 ranon. t IS com. ccor mg 0
plete detachment from matter and from transmigration. Yoga defines it: "when the purity of contemplation equals the purity of the
primal Nature (prakrti) and all its transformations. There is no pain

this aloofness is discriminating knowledge (viveka).

JiaFtiq ( -

a seeker of liberation who is desirous of the bliss

of the Self (Atman) or of the bliss of meditation (see mumuksutvay

Kaivalya-para -

Kala -

CfSMT - a unit of time; limited agency; part; aspect; bit; digit of the moon;
a small part; 111 6th of the whole; one of the "restrictors" (kafzcuka); authorship; an aspect of Sakti
1. One of the five constrictors (kafzcuka). It is the power that limits the
universal condition of external existence; therefore, it is the origin of
time, the cause of the sequential existence of things, which are
known and then cease to be known. It is the cause of the temporal
order, past, present, and future. One of the five sheaths. (See paiicakaiicuka.i
2. It is made of thirty kii~rhiis. (See kala.;

Kala -

GfflM - time; death; fate; black

1. According to Jainism, it is a nonindividual category (ajIva-dravya).
It has no parts (anasti-kayai, is beginningless, and is immaterial. It
is real and the auxiliary cause of change. It is of two types: absolute

2. According to Sankhya, the existence of any real time is denied.

Sankhya considers time as the duration taken by an atom to traverse
155

its own unit of space. Time has no existence separate from atoms and
their movements.
3. According to the Nyaya and Vaisesika schools, time is an all-pervading, partless substance which exists by itself. It appears as many
due to its association with changes which are related to it.
4. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, time is an inert substance devoid of the three qualities (gunasy. It is essential and all-pervasive.
It is divided into past, present, and future. It is designated as simultaneous, immediate, long, the winking of an eye, etc. It is coordinate
of prakrti and is comprised in Brahman, and dependent thereon.
5. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is one of the substances (dravya). It
always has a beginning and it is subject to destruction. It consists of
everflowing time units.
6. According to the Saiva schools, it is one of the fundamental categories (tattva).
"'7....

f.

....
....

LV.",,,,

'I. T.

.........

.-

..

.L.l'
LUU.... 103 LU....
V"Ln ........ U

at..1
Ul.... l .... 'U

Absolute (Brahman) and the nonreal appearance of name and form

(maya). Thus time IS pnenornenat.
8. Accordinz to Saivism it is the Dower that limits the universal condition of omnipotence; therefore, it is the cause of the limited agency
,..~

th ...

.,,....1

9. See charts no. 6, 7, 8,9, and 10.

Kiilacakra -

ct'IM~*,

"wheel of time"; a tantric rite of initiation

Kii/iititii --ct'IMlffldl - mistimed reason or probans

1. A type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason is mistirned or inopportune; e.g., "sound is eternal because it is manifested through
conjunction. like color." This inference is unsound because the reason does not coincide with the example given in the point of time.
(See hetviibhasa.)

Kaliityayopadista - ct'1M ktt tt I q f~@

a type of fallacious inferential reason-

ing (same as kalatita)

Kali -

~~ -

the last of the four ages (yugas) (from the verb root ka! = "to
count or impel") (see kaliyuga and yuga)

Kiili - ~~ - "the black one," the terrible form of the goddess (from the verb
root kal ="to count or impel")
1. She who is black; the black one (personifies time-past and future in uttar d
:)
.
2. Mother of time and death. She is an embodiment of time. She em.

i~

"

Vi

156

urue.

3. A name for the goddess Durga,

4. She represents the ferocious or destructive aspect of the phenomenal
universe
5. She is nude or clothed in space. Her disheveled hair represents her
relentless activity.

Kiilika-sambandha - 4'1~4'fltaIl-l:l- time relation

Kiilika-visesanatii - 4'lfMqirc:.~IStUI(11 - temporal attributiveness
1. According to the Nyaya school, time is infinite and single, yet to explain such common empirical notions as minutes, hours, days, etc.,
all things are posited to exist in temporal time through the relation
of temporal attributiveness.

Kali- u a -

- the dark age; the iron age (from the root yuj = "to unite"

+ kaJ = "to incite, to impel")

the future (tenth) incarnation (avatar) of Visnu

1. He will come on a white horse. (See avatar.s

Kalki -

qifFG# -

Kalpa -

~-

a cycle of time of an extremely long duration; way; method

(from the verb root kal = "to count, or impel")
1. One of the six limbs of the Vedas. Texts describing sacrificial rites.
(See vedangas.;
2. It is a "day" of Brahrna and is divided into a number of lesser periods
called manvantara. Four yugas makes a mahii-yuga (or manvantara) and 1000 maha-yugas make a half-kalpa or 4,320,000,000
years, which is the duration of one day or one night of Brahma, Two
half-ka/pas make aka/pa which is one day of Brahrna (i.e., a day and
a night).

Kalpand - 4'(Yq'11 - the association of name and pennanance to objects; imagination; presumptive knowledge; assumption, creation
1. Also called abhiliipa.

Kalpita - qiMd -

imaginary

Kalpita-samvrti - a:;ft;:or:r-x:i'arFrl -

imaginary relative point of view

157

Kalyana-guna -

a"Ft1101~01 -

auspicious quality

Kama - Cf'"P1- desire; pleasure; lust; love (from the verb root kam = "to desire")
1. One of the four values of life. It is the hedonistic or the psychological value of life. (See purusartha.i
2. The god of beauty and love. Born from the Creator's (Brahma's)
mind.
~-

Kamadhenu -

Kamala -

~-

Kiimika -

a"1ft:ta" -

V.

1.
"J-'-

wishfulfilling cow

lotus; rose colored

given to lust; a Saiva Agama
co

_.."...
.-

-'

.....

....

. ..:.""...
'..

&

-y

1. Positively enjoined ritual actions prescribed for one who wishes to

obtain a certain result-s-i.e., increase in wealth or heaven, etc. (See

karma.i
Kaniida -- a"0ll& - atom eater
1. A name given to the founder of the Vaisesika school and the author
of the Yaisesikasturas.
Kaiicuka -- ~ - constrictor; covering of the Self
I. The categories of kala, niyati, raga, vidyii, and kala. They envelop
an individual soul and constitute the limitations imposed upon it.
Kala is temporal limitation; niyati is spatial limitation; raga is attachment; vidyii is limited knowledge; and kala is limited agency.
According to Kashmir Saivism, these five envelop the individual
soul and thus make for its finitude.
Kanda -

a"'fU"S -

section; part; chapter

Kapila - a"fqM - brown; the red one

1. The name of the sage who is the author of the Sdnkhya-sastra and
the founder of the Sankhya school. It is also an epithet of the Sun.
Karakavyiipara -

a"1(a"0t4 Iq I< -

casual operation

158

Katana -

"instrument"; cause; the efficient or instrumental cause

(from the causative form of the verb root kr = "to make, to cause to
make")
1. The unique or special cause through the action of which a particular
effect is produced. The adherents of satkiirana-vada hold that the
cause alone exists and all effects are illusory appearances of the
cause.
2. Siidhiirana-kdranas
.
. are common causes.
3. Asadharana-karanas are specific causes.
4. Samavayi-karana is the material cause.
5. Asamavayi-kiirana is that which produces its characteristics in the
effect through the medium of the material cause.
6. Nyaya-Vaisesika, unlike the other systems which posit that all positive effects have two sets of causes (the material cause-upadtinakarafJa-and the efficient cause-nimitta-ktiral}a), says that besides
Cffl(OT-

..

as samaviiyi- and asamaviiyi-karanas. The samaviiyi-kiirana is invariably a dravya and the asamavayi-karana is a gUfJa or karma.
..
i t -

ments (sense organs).

templates the body and the nervous system as a replica of the cosmos.
Kiirana-citta - 4'1 {OI~f1 - the causal mind; the cosmic mind
1. According to the Yoga school, the causal mind is all pervading like
ether.
Kiirana-dosa-jiidna -

4'1{ol&l6j~H -

knowledge which is known to be faulty

and defective
Kiirananupalabdhi - ~ I {o"14M ~\::l- nonperception of the cause
1. A type of nonperception; e.g., "there is no smoke here, since there is
no fire."
Karana-sarira - 4'1{ol~fl{ - causal body
1. The sheath of bliss enveloped in ignorance, according to Advaita
Vedanta.
2. It is also called iinandamayakosa.
3. See sarira.
Kiiranaviruddhakaryopalabdhi -

~I {olfq6~4'ltiY4Mf1\::l- presence of ef-

159

1. A type of nonperception: e.g., "This place is not occupied by individuals of shivering sensations for it is full of smoke."
Kiiranaviruddhopalabdhi - C61 (olfci46~qMf$\:l- presence of opposite causes
1. A type of nonperception; e.g., A person says, "There is no shivering
through cold here," since he is near the fire.
Kiirika - q;lftq;1 - verse; commentary; treatise
I. Independent treatises which try to summarize the main topics of a
system in a succinct manner.
Karma -

qf - action; rite; deed; cause and effect; accumulation of past actions; physical, verbal, or mental action (from the verb root kr = "to act,
do, make")
2. All the Indian systems except the Carvaka school accept the theory
of karma in one form or the other. They agree that "As one sows, so
" "
"
tion performed by an individual leaves behind some sort of potency
cording to its nature.
3. According to Jainism, karma means an aggregate of extremely fine
matter which is imperceptible to the senses. This matter consists of
eight main types: comprehension obscuring Uiianavara1}a), apprehension obscuring tdarsandvaranai, feeling producing (vedaniya),
deluding (mohaniya), age determining (ayus), status determining
(gotra), personality making (nama), power obscuring (antaraya).
The first four are obstructive (ghati) and the rest are nonobstructive
(aghati).

4. According to Buddhism, it is the correlation between cause and consequence and the effect is conditional upon circumstances. According
to the Buddha, one of the three factors-extemal stimuli, conscious
motives, and unconscious motives--determines karma. Though the
Buddhists deny identity, they do not deny continuity. Their doctrine
of karma is based on the doctrine of dependent origination (pratityasamutpadai.
5. According to the Yoga school, it is divided into four classes: white
(sukla) actions which produce happiness; black (krsna; actions
which produce sorrow; white-black (sukla-kr~1}ii) actions which
produce partly happiness and partly sorrow; and neither white nor
black (asukla-kr~lJa) actions which are devoid of any pleasure or

160

eration or release is said to be gained through actions alone. There

are obligatory actions (nitya-karma); occasional rites (naimittikakarma), and optional rites (kamya-karma). One is enjoined to perform the first two types of actions and to refrain from the optional
rites. One should also refrain from prohibited actions (pratisiddhakarma). By these actions one will balance one's karma and at the
end of one's life, there will be no more samsara for that person. Release requires what-is-to-be-accomplished and the latter requires action for its accomplishments.
7. According to Advaita Vedanta, the entire Veda does not have its
purport in ritualistic action and action is not the means to release.
Action is for the purification of mind and is, thus, a remote auxiliary
to liberation.
8. Vihua-karmas are the actions prescribed by the Veda.
9. Saiicita-karma is residue produced by acts performed either in this
, . '"

Ulli:' VI IU

a pi ...... v

.... VUIi:', VUL VYIU,",U

".1..
laL~UL

UUI 1115 Ul1i) ,

life.
10. Agiimi-karma is the result of acts performed during this present life
which will mature in the normal course of events.
11. Prdrabdha-karma is the residue of acts that is working itself out dur"'6

.\,

u .....

1: ....-

........

12. Priiyascitta-karma is expiatory action. It is performed to purify oneself because one has failed to do certain prescribed acts either in this
life or in past lives.
13. According to the Vaisesika school, it means physical motion. It is defined as "That which resides in only one substance, is devoid of qualities, and is the direct and immediate cause of both conjunction and
disjunction." Motion is offive kinds: upward (utksepanai, downward
(avaksepanai, contraction (iikuiicana), expansion (prasaranay, and
locomotion (gamana).

Gi'4'4s IU , - ritual portion of the Veda.

1. The section of the Veda dealing with actions. Also known as

Karma-kiinda -

Piuvakiinda.
..
Karma-krta - Gi'q<t'd - action-born bodies
1. These are nonetemal bodies and of five types: born out of the earth
(udbhijia), sweat born (svedaja), egg born tandaja), womb born
(jariiyuija), and those whose origin is unknown (ayonija).
Karma-lakiira -

Gi'4MGi' I<: -

verbal suffix of the object in a sentence.

Gi'qrtM - impurity of action; impurity in the form of residual

impressions or past actions

Karma-mala -

161

1. One of the three impurities. The limitation of the universal power of

action to a finite power. It is the impurity caused by the impressions
left on the mind by one's motivated action. (See mala.)

Karmasiimya - ~ - See iruvinai-oppu

Karma-sarita - G#q!(l fl ( - the karma matter which has accumulated around

the individual self during its numberless past lives (see karma, according to Jainism)

Karmasaya - q;s41!(ltC -latent impression of action which will eventually fructify

Karmendriya - ~ - organs of action
1

'TOL

I 11" llV"

'T"'L

.V"

~"II~"

.L

11"] aJ'" Ul"

VleaJl~

VJ.

s:

r . -: J_"

\VUl\.j,

prehension (piini), movement (piida), excretion (piiyu), and generanon (upastha).

Kiirpanya - G#lq0t4 - meekness.

1. 1'\1S0 mown as aKincanya. (oee prapaui.)
i~ -

Kartii -

agent; doer

Kartr-lakdra - q;-<fMG#1 ( - verbal suffix of agency

Karund -- Cf760ll - compassion
1. A type of meditation in Buddhism: One should sympathize with the
sorrows of one's friends and foes alike.
2. An inherent principle embraced and protected by all Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas.
Kiirya -

~-

effect; product

Kiirya-brahman - ~ - Hiranyagarbha; effected Absolute (Brahman)

Kiirya-citta - Gf'14f%lf1 - the effect mind
1. According to the Yoga school, as the mind assocates with an individual self, it expands or contracts in accordance with the space of
the body in question; thus, it is subject to modifications and afflictions.
rr _

._

. .

...

Ul V 1~IUI"

uruc

162

1. Time, as human beings experience it in their ordinary empirical

lives. It is changing and nonetemal. (See kiUa.)
Kiirya-kiirana-bhiiva - Cf51 tfCf5 Ito1l.llQ - cause-and-effect relation.
1. Unconditionality and invariability are indispensable for the causeeffect relationship.
Kiiryiinupalabdhi - ~ - nonperception of the effects.
1. For example, "There are not the causes of smoke here, for there is no
smoke." (See anupalabdhi.)
Karyaparavakya done.
.1.

Gf'ltfq(q ICfLf -

.1.

Karyatavaccneaaka-samsarga
ins the effect
r-rnUfYUYIf

.r

proposition which conveys what has to be

.'''."

of pffprt

.
rYl l(An , .....

I. I

~............

.'.'PI""I""Q~"'~llQl""

retanonsrup deterrrnn-

"

Vi

'CC

L"L".

~l1~\"L

1. A type of nonperception; e.g., "There is not here the causes which

can give cold, since there is fire." See anupalabdhi.
Kasiiya -

Cf51S11t1 - astringent; passions

1. One of the five types of influx of karmic particles tbhava-asravas).
(See bhiiva-iisrava.)

Kashmir Saivtsm - philosophical system of nondualism attributed to Lord Siva

himself; known by the names Trika, Spanda, and Pratyabhijiui
1. A nondual philosophy that recognizes the entire universe as a manifestation of Citi, or divine conscious energy. Kashmir Saivisrn explains how the formless, unmanifest supreme principle, manifests as
the universe. The authoritative scripture of Kashmir Saivism is the
Siva Sutras, a sanskrit text consisting of seventy-seven siaras, attributed to Lord Siva and revealed to the sage, Vasuguptacarya.
Kasta Ka~fha -

r"

r,

Cf5!' - evil; wrong; harsh

cmm -

a unit of time
1. It is fifteen nimesas (winking of an eye).
2. See kala.

.........

."

"

163

."

1. This Upanisad contains the story of the young child, Naciketas, with
the lord of death, Yama. It has become famous on account of its clarity and depth. Many of its thoughts are also found in the Bhagavad
Gitii. It belongs to the Katha Sakha of the Taittirtya school of the
K!~T}a Yajur Veda. Some noble personages in this Upanisad include
Yama, Naciketas, and VajaSravasa (Usanas also called Gautama of
Gautama Gotra).
Katipaya-drsti-s- a;R!qLtitf! -

partial cognition
1. Objects are seen incompletely and, at most, one at a time.

Kaupina -- c:ffl fq"9 Kavi -

~-

Kaya -

q;rtf -

V.-

1,1

small strip of cloth used to cover one's private parts

poet; omniscient (from kil = "to sound")

relating to God; assemblage; body; collection; multitude; capital

.:

&L ....

......
n.

.1
IoU'

&

1. An absolute steadiness and fixity of the body.

a; ILtLf1JI - the sensation of material (karma) particles through actions
1. A type of influx of karmic matter (iisrava) according to Jainism.
(See iisrava.)

Kiiyayoga -

Kiiyotsarga - a; \qk+1 If - type of Jaina religious austerity

Kena Upanisad -

~-lit. "By whom? Upanisad"

1. This Upanisad derives its name from the first word of the first stanza
of the first section of the Upanisad: "Kenesitham . . ."-"by whom?"
It belongs to the Sarna Veda. It is a small text in four sections dealing
essentially with the nature of the Absolute (Brahman) as the efficient
cause of the universe as well as the knowledge thereof. The main
teaching is that Brahman cannot be known by the mind.

Kesava -- ~ - "beautiful haired" (from ka ="Brahma" + a ="Vi~Q.u" + isa

="Siva"); i.e., "He who controls Brahma, Visnu, and Siva is the Lord,

Kesava
1. Name for Lord Krsna, the long-haired one, the one who slew the demon, Kesi.
I\.

e VUIU

(,;fJq {'?

aJVU~,

164

'"

..

Kevaladhikarana -

~qM 111::t(O I -

mere container

Kevala-jiuina - Cf';qMij H - direct knowledge; immediate perception; omniscience

1. According to Jainism, it is omniscience. It is the height of wisdompure, perfect, and absolute. It transcends all spatial and temporal categories. It manifests itself in the individual when all of the limiting
obstructions have been removed. It is independent of the senses. It
is uncontaminated by doubt, error, and delusion.

Kevala-karma-krta - ~qM4<t'd - purely action-made bodies

1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, these are bodies of bound individuals made of latent predispositions. (See baddha-jiva.i

-."""

Kevaliinvavi

"onlv conresence"
I. A type of inference in which the middle term (hetu) is only copresent
WIlli

me

II1(1Jur term I

_..

f)~

e.g.,

IS . . _ IS IICUIIC-

able. There is no negative instance possible to illustrate such a statement. (See anumana.i
Kevala-pramii1'}a-~qM'lJ4LlIOI-knowledge

of an object as it is (yathiirtha-

jnanam kevalam)

1. It is the form of valid knowledge in Dvaita Vedanta. Corresponding

to every source of knowledge, there is a mode of knowledge. Kevalapramana is the means by which is effected direct intuition of the objects of cognition.They reveal an object directly. It is generated by
the means of valid knowledge (anupramanav and has three forms corresponding to the three means (perception, inference, and verbal testimony).
2. It is the means by which is effected direct intuitions which are of
four kinds: of ordinary persons; of Yogins; of Laksmi; and of God.
Kevala-vyatireki-~ -

"only coabsence"
1. A type of inference in which the middle term (hetu) is only coabsent
with the major terms (siidhya), there being no positive instance possible to illustrate such a statement; e.g., "All beings that possess animal functions have souls, can be proved only by negative examples
such as chair, tables, etc., which have no animal functions and therefore no souls." (See anumiina.)

Khadga 10-

~-

sword

165

1. There are nine continents in Hindu cosmology. They are Bharata,

Kimpurusa, Hari, Ramyaka, Hiranyaka, Kuru, Bhadrasva, Keturnala, and Ilavarta, These nine constitute the Jambis-dvipa.
KOOndOO -- (Pali) ~ -

see skandha

Khecari Mudra - ~~ ft ~ - "space-walking seal" (from kha = "space" + the

verb root car = "to move")
1. An advanced yogic pose in which the tongue is thrust upwards. This
mudrii pierces the knot of Rudra (rudra granthi) in the central channel isusumna naq;) causing the meditator to experience union
(samadhit and taste the nectar of immortality tamrta). It is the gesture of the state in which one roams in the inner spiritual sky.
vo, -'

~'l\'

. ..

..

..

; IIo.IIVYV u;;uo~; Y 1031VII

Khyati-vada -~- theory of error

1. mere are tnree types OJ
OJ error.
YVlI~l~ me
of error is real (sat-khyiiti-vada), theories where the object of error is
unreal (asat-kyhati-vadai, and the theory where the object of error is
neither real nor unreal tanirvacantya-khyati-vada). Under the first
group find N yaya' s anyathii-khyiiti, Yogacara's iuma-khyiui.
Sankhya and Prabhakara's a-khyiiti, Bhatta's viparita-khyati, and
Ramanuja's sat-khyati (or yathiirtha-khyati). Under the second group
find the Madhyamika'sasat-khyati and Madhva'sabhinava-anyathiikhytiti. Under the last group find Advaita's anirvacaniya-khyati.
-01

Kiiicijjiia -

fct5fl'i{1 - knowing only in parts; parviscient

Kirtana -- ~ - singing the praises of the Lord; chanting

1. One of the nine forms of devotion. (See bhakti.i

Klesa - ~ - affliction; passion; suffering; pain; defiling element (from the

verb root klis = "to suffer, torment or distress")
1. The afflictions of the body, mind, and speech.
2. Afflictions are of five types: ignorance tavidyii), egoism (asmitii) ,
attachment (raga), aversion tdvesai, and the will to live (abhini-

ve.sa).
3. According to Yoga, there are four operational modes: dormant, attenuated, intercepted, and aroused.

166

1. When the states of the mind lead one toward passions and their satisfaction, the mind stuff (citra) is afflicted. (See klesa.)
2. The past participle of the root klis = "to suffer." Patafijali described
the five modifications of the mind as either afflicted or nonafflicted.
(See aklista.)

Klista-mana - f&'M@'1;ij - the seed of all thought and experience; afflicted

mind
1.The afflicted mind is ignorance's first expression. The subject-object distinction is born. It is the individuation of the storehouse consciousness (iilaya-vijniina) according to Yogacara Buddhism.
Kolam -

~lM'I.... -

"drawing"
1. Traditional household drawings of intricate decorative patterns at

="to enfold")
1. The individual self is enveloped within five subtle bodies: physical
(annamaya), vital (priinamayay, mental (manomaya), consciousness
tvijiianamaya), and bliss (iinandamaya). Each sheath is within the
previous one and, thus, they become subtler and subtler, one within
the next. (See each kosa listed separately.)
Krama -

sequential; order; stage

Krama-bhava - ~ - invariable antecedent

1. One of the ways in which the reason is connected with the probandum in an inferential statement. (See anumana.y

Krama-drsti - :>f5'1ii fk

seeing in succession

Krama-mukti - :>f5'15FcR1 - attainment of liberation in stages; gradual liberation

1. Gradual liberation in stages in which an individual goes first to the
world of the Creator (Brahms), gains knowledge of the Absolute
the time of the great dissolution. The means prescribed for this as-

167

Krama-samuccaya - ;ifSrr+'l!!~:q4 - sequential combination (see samuccaya

and jiiiina-karma-samuccayar
Kriyii - f~ - action; skill; exercises; movement; function
1. Gross (physical) or subtle (mental and emotional) purificatory
movements initiated by the awakened Kundalini. Kriyiis purify the
body and nervous system so as to allow a seeker to endure the energy
of higher states of consciousness.
2. A path or preparatory stage to liberation in Saiva Siddhanta which is
characterized by acts of intimate service to God. It is called the path
of the good son (satputra-miirga). Its goal is to attain nearness to
God (siimipya).
Kriya-pada -

f5piq Iq 1& - action-denoting word

(Veda) is verb signifying action. A sentence is meaningless without

pera ver an t e unction 0 a ver IS to sigru an action to
formed.
2. That section of the Agamas which contains directions for the build-

f,psq I!t1Rti - power of action; the power of Paramasiva to assume any and every form
1. Lord Siva created the universe with this power, according to Sivadvaita.
2. According to Kashmir Saivism, the principle (tattva) which is predominant in the sad-vidya-tattva and functions as its dominating influence. In this stage there is activity and movement of thought. It is
responsible for the actual manifestation of objects and their relations.

Kriyii-sakti-

Krodha -- ~ - anger; wrathful; furious (from the verb root krudh == "to be
angry")
1. One of the four passions (kasayas).

Krpii - :2fQT - grace; favor

1. There are three types of grace: siidhana kripa, or the grace of selfeffort; guru kripd, or the grace and guidance of a living master; and
divya kripa, or divine grace. (See anugraha.)

Krsna --

crwr -

black; ninth descent (avatiira) of Visnu: "the dark one," "the

"
168

ored"); or (from krs = "truth" + na = "bliss"); i.e., He whose nature is

truth and bliss
1. The dark blue One-Le., Lord Krsna (black or dark blue is the color
of the infinite, the formless).
2. The one who attracts irresistibly. The eighth incarnation of Visnu,
whose life story is described in the Srimad Bhiigavatam and the
Mahabhiirata and whose spiritual teachings are contained in the
Bhagavad Gita.
3. According to the Yoga school, a type of action (karma).

Krsna-dvaipayana - <tiSUl~qt4'1 - Vyasa

1. A name for the great sage, Vyasa, who is said to be the author of the
Mahiibharata. Born on an island (dvipa) to the sage Parasara and a
fisherwoman named Kall, (See Vyasa.)
~-

Krta -

action; a period of time (see yuga)

Krtakatva - crdC6eq V'.

~L!

'1.'''~

IU-f"5U

producibility; artificiality
.L

"

"II'" ...,

"5'"

/.I!...L

\JlVIII UI\;- IVVt

.l"J

" "

tV UIIU'"

,_

f\,!

"

tV

do")
1. The age when truth is said to stand on all of its four legs. The means
to liberation in this age is meditation (dhyiina).
2. It is also known as the Satya-yuga. (See yuga.)

Krti -

<rfff -

volitional effort

~-

Ksama -

forgiveness; patience (from the verb root ksam = "to be patient,

to forgive'') (see yama)

Ksana -

~-

movement; an extremely small portion of time

1. According to Sankhya, the time taken by an atom to move its own

measure of space.

Ksanika - ~ - existing only for one moment; momentary

Ksanika-viida - ~fOlqiq I~ - the theory of momentariness
1. The Buddhist theory that nothing continues the same for even two
consecutive moments. All things not only change, but everything
exists only for a moment in time.
V'

,,_

.....

....
'

..', ,

ly

169

Ksiinti - ~ - patience; forbearance

1. One of the ten virtues (dharmas) of Jainism.
2. In Buddhism, one of the virtues (piiramitfl).

Ksara -

to flow; stream; slip away; perish; mobile

fff( -

Ksatriya -- ~ - warrior; member of the second caste (see iisrama)

~-

Ksaya -

dwelling; residence; abode of the Lord of Death

Ksaylka -- t'l1fl:4Q; - the state of the individual self wherein matter (karma) is
not only prevented from operating, but is annihilated
1. According to Jainism, from this state liberation is attained. (See
gunasthana.y
Ksetra - ~ - "field"; property; place of pilgrimage; sacred spot; astrological
mansion
Ksetrajiia - ~ - knower of the field; the individual self
Ksipra -- f~ - immediate
1. An aspect of designate time. (See kala.)

Ksiprata - ~ - quickness
Ksipta _.

mco -

restless; wandering
1. A condition of the mind when it is tossed about by objects. In this
state, there is an excess of rajas in the mind.

Ksiriibdhi~ - ocean of milk; the abode of Visnu

(of vyuha form)
.
' ,

Ksiti -f~ - earth

Ksobha -- ~ - shaking; agitated; disturbed; emotion
Ksudhii -- ~ -

hunger (see dosa)

Kula _.~ - "grouping together" (from the root kul ="a grouping together");
school; condensation; solidification; that which binds or contracts;
whatever has name and form; any unit of manifestation; human body;
.,;)

.L

-'

&~

ct~tp nf hPino' UlnrJrJ

:1 1.'

170

prn_

bodied cosmos; divine creative energy; Saivite philosophical systems

characterized by certain principles
Kumari -

CfS41 ft - virgin; name of the Goddess

Kumati -

~-

Kumbha -

\.:;)

a type of perception in Jainism

1. According to Jainism, it is a fallacious form of mati (knowledge).
(See mati.i
~-

"water vessel"; pot

1. A name for the zodiac sign known as Aquarius.
2. It is a name for the kalasa or pot of water on which a husked coconut
is placed. (See kalasa.)

, retentron tor me oreatrn (see priilJiiyiima)

Aum

Kumbha-melii - ~ - "gathering for the urn or chalice" (containing the

~

01

.l-C11lL)')

1. Every twelve years there is a bathing fair attended by millions of

people and monks which takes place (in alternating periods at Hardvat' and Prayaga) (at this writing, the most recent being in 1986).

kumkum - Cf"G'f;J'i - "red-red"

\.:;)

\.:;)

1. The red-colored powder, made from tumeric, used for putting the
auspicious mark between the eyebrows in remembrance of the guru
and for ritual worship. It is the red powder worn by Hindus as a pottu
or bindi dot at the point of the third eye, or eye of wisdom, on the
forehead. (See bindi.)
Kundalini - ~ - serpent; life force; a type of Yoga; coiled; winding;
spiraled; "coiled one" (from the verb root kund = "to bum")
1. The primordial Sakti, or cosmic energy that lies coiled in the
muladhara cakra of every individual. When awakened, it begins to
move upward within the subtle central channel (susumnai, piercing
the cakras and initiating various yogic processes which bring about
total purification and rejuventation of the entire being. When
Kundalini enters the sahasrara, the spiritual center in the crown of
the head, the individual self merges in the universal Self and attains
the state of Self-realization.
2. The term used to refer to the latent spiritual power envisoned in the
f".................;
.. ,..,.,.:1""..1 .h
.........'"
. . .h""
. '" .. .,,,,Ir
_._
........""
__ .:

_u ...h,.,........
&~.

~~~

cakra) at the base of the spine.

j . ~ee

cakra.

171

I'"

-.Jr~

Kiirma K usa -

tortoise; second incarnation of Visnu (see avatarai

~-

one of the varieties of sacred grass (darbha) used in religious rites

1. A type of grass (poa cynosuroidesi which is considered to be sacred
and is said to possess the quality of warding off evils. In all Indian
rituals, kusa grass, in some form or another, is required.

Kusala -- ~ - proficient in yoga; one who has attained discriminative

~

knowledge
Kusruta -- ~ - a type of perception in Jainism
1. According to Jainism, it is a fallacious form of sruta knowledge.
(See sruta-jniina.)
Kiuastha -

~-

the

suura

- ~('11 (

Immutable; not subject to change; "summit abiding"; "on

. or on the anvil" (from kuta"
. " + sthii "to stand")

hut; bundmg; hermitage

172

L
Labdhi - ~ - the power of comparing or conceiving
1. According to Jainism, it is one of the four classes of verbal knowledge (Sruta-jiiiina). It stands for the stage of explanation which
needs reference to a phenomenon with which the one under consideration is associated.
Labha - M1lf-

gain

Ldghava - Ml4q T

'

principle of parsimony or logical economy; lightness

l'

".I

1. One of the eight powers which enables one to rise up in the air (on
toe rays or toe sun). t~ee siaam.i
~-

Laghu Lajja -

simple; small; concise

M\N11 - modesty; shame; wife of the God Dharma; mother of humility

(see dosai

Laksana -

~-

Laksand -

~-

definition; characteristic; attribute; sign; mark

secondary meaning of a word; implied meaning

1. When the primary meaning of a word does not fit in with the context,
the word must be interpreted in a secondary sense. This is classified
in two ways: bare implication tkevala-laksanas and implication by
the implied (la~ita-[ak~aTJii). Bare implication stands in direct relation to the expressed sense as in the expression, "the hamlet on the
river." For the word river there is bare implication of the bank which
is in direct relation to the river. Implied implication has no direct relation to the expressed sense, as in the example, "the boy is a lion";
the gauni type of implied implication refers to his strength.
2. A second classification of implication is divided into three kinds: exclusive implication (jahal-laksanai, nonexclusive implication (ajahal-laksandi, and exclusive-cum-nonexclusive implication (jahadajahal-laksaniii. Jahal-laksanii is where the original meaning is given up and a new meaning is acquired. A meaning is implied (other
th",n
,a_

thA "An"...
.aa_

.a

,~_

.,

,'.'
" .

'.;"
aaa_aa

av

'

t". thA
.~

.aa_

r a aaa a _

meaning, while the primary meaning is totally rejected, In the phrase

'tne Village on me nver, tne pnmary meamng or toe wore rtver IS
173

rejected and the bank which is related to it is implied.Ajahal-lak.~a~ul

cognizes another sense even while including the expressed sense. The
entire original meaning is preserved in total. "The red runs" means
the "red horse runs:' The entire original meaning of "red" is retained
and the implied meaning "horse" is added to u.Jahad-ajahal-laksana
preserves a part of the original meaning and rejects the rest. In the
phrase "this is that Devadatta," "this" and "that" as they relate to Devadatta (the substance) are accepted and, as they relate to time and place,
they are relinquished. (See each term listed separately.)
3. There are three essential conditions necessary in a laksanii; in the
context, the primary meaning must be inapplicable; there must exist
some relation between the primary and the actual referent of the
word; and either popular usage must sanction the implied sense or
else there must be a definite motive justifying the transfer of meaning.
A
n ' .J

th....
"'.

'J

",.,.A
th....
_ . - -

'J

,.,

,,{: -" ...".....

~.

~._,

""..........
..._
v~

Grammarians also accept a suggested meaning tvyangyartha).

T

.1

'i-vrtti

Laksmih

. f"1l':IU

.aI 1T'1

.. .

(~ee 1 .1.

- and

I'

- , ' -,
.~

the consort of Lord Visnu; good fortune; auspiciousness;

multiplicity; divine mediator; the Goddess of wealth and prosperity
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, one of the twenty substances (dravya). While all substances are dependent upon the independent
Lord, Laksmi is the foremost of the dependents. She is the personification of the Lord's creative energy. She is eternally free from
samsara and is untainted by sorrow.
2. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, she is the creative energy of the
Lord and the Divine Mother of the universe. She intercedes with
God on behalf of a weak and erring humanity.
3. See Srih.
'Mli1"1I:

Laksya -- ~ -

secondary; perceivable object; vision

Laksya-laksana-sambandha-jniina - ~ - indirect indication; knowledge of the relation between the primary and secondary
meanings
1. Knowledge of the relation between the primary meaning and the
secondary meaning.
Laksyartha - ~ - secondary meaning of a word
1. It is necessarily related to the primary meaning of a word. (See
.s:

- \

.J

174

Lata -Mffi Laukika -

creeper; vine (see sthiivara)

~ fa;Cf' -

Laukika-vakya -

secular; worldly; normal

e-fI f~Cf'a IGftt -

everyday language
1. Sentences about empircal discourse.

Laukika-saksiitkdra -

M~l faiCf'ti I ~ kCf' I{ -

"normal immediate apprehension"

Laukika-visayata - M~I fa5Cf'fatSl4C't1 - "normal objectness"

Laya -

M4' - dissolution; absorption; "to merge"

1. It is release or liberation proper according to Dvaita Vedanta.
3. The Agni Puriina describes four types of dissolution: daily death
(nitya-/aya); incidental dissolution of everything into the Absolute
world period (priikrita-naya); and ultimate dissolution of the indi-

Leiyii -

Lilii -

~ - coloration
1. It is produced by material (karma) particles which make the character of the individual self according to Jainism.
~-

play; sport; divine play

1. The cosmic play. The idea is that creation is a play of the Divine, existing for no other reason than for the mere joy of it.
2. According to some of the Vedanta schools, it is the motive of creation. Some Nyaya- Vaisesikas and Tantrics also hold this view.

M1M' FqqRr -

the cosmic sport of Isvara

1. For God, the creation of the universe is mere play; thus, the act of
creation is a drama undertaken by the Lord at his own sweet will. It
implies a certain joy, freedom, and disinterestedness as well as implying the absolute independence of God.
2. See nityavibhiui.

Lilii-vibhiui -

Linga -

~-

"mark"; "charactertisic"; indication; form; reason

1. Siva's sacred s mbol re resentin his creative ower. An ovalshaped emblem made of stone, metal, or clay.

175

form with the formless is materially symbolized thus. The distinctive sign through which it is possible to recognize the nature of
something. It is a "mark" of Lord Siva. (See linga-sthala.)
3. According to Vira Saivism, its followers (Lingayats) wear a linga on
their person. It represents Lord Siva and is the object of worship or
adoration.
4. See angatva-bodhaka-pramana.

Lingiiciira - ~".:et l{

one of the five ethical codes of conduct per Vira

Saivism (see paticacarai

Lingiingastimarasya -

fM 'ii'1 'ii'ft IXi (fl'4 -

identity in essence between the Lord

(linga) and the individual self (anga)
1. The final stage of liberation according to Vira Saivism. In this stage
there is unitv iaikvas between the individual self and Para Siva,
wherein the individual enjoys unexcellable bliss.

fH,,q<IJ4:n -

subsumptive reflection
1. Paramarsa is the ratiocinative process which makes known the fact

Linga-paramarsa -

th"'tth""

"'..trlf,:,;,nn\
v-

-o'n"

uI.ththA ...

.-

ferred character, is present in the subject. There is a correlation of a

particular case with the universal which pervades it. The presence of
fire on the hill is inferred when the particular (smoke) is observed on
the hill and subsumed under the generalization involving the universal pervasion of smoke by fire.

Linga-sarira - ffi'i;'!li fl( - subtle body

1. According to Sankhya-Yoga, what transmigrates is the subtle body
consisting of the eleven organs of sense together with the intellect,
egoity, and the five subtle essences of the elements.
2. See siiksma-sarira.

Linga-sthala - ~ - the worshipped form of the formless Siva

1. According to Vira Saivisrn, it is Siva or Rudra, and is the object of
worship/adoration. It manifests itself in six forms divided into three
types: a manifestation of Siva's Being (sat) which is called bhiivalingo. This is the infinite Divine and is of two types: mahii-linga
and prasiida-linga. A manifestation of Siva's consciousness (cit) is
called priina-linga. This is the universal Divine and is of two types:
cara-linga and siva-linga. And lastly, there is the manifestation of
Siva's bliss tanandas which is called ista-linga, This is the individual divine and is of two types: guru-lingo and acara-linga. Bhdva"

'1

'"'0''' ."

-".1-

... ........

1......l

...l

UV....J .......... a c

176

1....

4."~ :.1...

n. _.

' ........ UJ ....0 . . . .

........

linga is located in the subtle body and is perceived by the mind.

lsta-linga is located in the physical body and is perceived by the

eye. There is a similar sixfold manifestation of anga-sthala which

proceeds along similar lines. It is this correspondence which shows
the essential identity between the individual soul and God and assists the individual soul in realizing this identity.
2. See chart no. 14 and anga-sthala.
Liflgiiyata - m::;j Lk 1- a general term used to denote the community which follows the principles of Vira Saivism
Lobha - ffiq - greed; covetousness
I. According to Buddhism, one of the klesas.
2. According to Jainism, one of the four kasiiyas.
Loka - M1cf; - world; universe; plane
1. There are seven planes according to Indian lore: bhu-, bnuvar-, svar-,
mahar-, iano-, taoo-, and satva-loka. These olanes reoresent the
heavens or the places of vastness, light, and becoming. They are said
t.n. hD
h.n.A"

;" thA f"AAt

.. thA
.J'.
'
J
' - ' ..., .1",
navel, heart, throat, between the eyebrows, and on the crest of the
. head. (See cakra.)
2. According to Jainism, the universe has three parts: where the gods
reside (urdhva-loka), earth (madhya-loka), and hell (adho-loka). It
is that place in which happiness and misery are experienced as results of virtue and vice. The perfected individual goes beyond the
iadhva-loka, to the top of lokiikiisa and remains motionless there.
3. Another list of planes includes: Brahma-loka, the abode of Brahma;
Tapo-loka, the abode of Viraj; Iana-loka, the abode of certain of
Brahma's sons; Mahar-loka, the abode of certain Prajiipatis; Svarloka, the paradise of Visnu, Siva, Indra, and Krsna; Bhuvar-loka, the
atmosphere sphere, and abode of the pitrs; and Bhii-loka, the earth.
4. See tala.
.1

;"

Loka-sangraha-vyiipiira -M1Cf?ft~y~0tlIql( welfare

action in the interest of world

Lokiiyata - M1Cf?It1H - "restricted to the world of common experience"

I. A name for the Carvaka (Materialist) school.

177

M
Mada -1~ -

pride; conceit; intoxication; exhilaration; dementia

Madana -- ~ -love; love of God

Madhumati - ~ centration
Madhura -

a state of knowledge attained by yogins through con-

~-

sweet; honeylike
1. One of the emotions (bhava) representing the relationship of love toward God by the devotee.
hilosoher and reli ious teacher c. 1199-

Visnu.
Madhya :-: I:fl:."'lf - "central"; middle
1. The central, pure "I" -consciousness. The susumna nadi. Also called
madhyadhiima, the central abode of the awakened Kundalini.
2. According to Jainism, it is the earth region. (See loka.)
~

middle standpoint; middling; a nadi; intermediary voice

1. Sound in its subtle form as it exists in the mind/psyche before its
gross manifestation.
2. Generally four stages of sound are distinguished: supreme sound
(para); visible sound which can be heard as om (pasyami); middle
sound which refers to a variety of basic sounds (miitrkii) that are
very subtle (madhyama); and manifest sound (vaikhara; which is
the grossest level of sound and is what is heard in ordinary speech.
(See sabda.)

Madhyama -

Miidhyamaka -

~-

middle doctrine

Madhyama-parimana - qe.ttqqRq lUI - the size of the individual (soul) in

Jainism; middling size

178

to be either atomic or all-pervasive, Jainism holds the individual to

be of middling size.
Madhyamii-pratipad -11'e:t(Lj 11;4 fct qc; - the middle path
1. The eightfold path which serves as the central foundation of Buddhist ethics. It may be cryptically expressed as faith (sraddhii), insight (darsanai, and contemplation (bhavano).
2. It consists of right views, right motivation, right speech, right action,
right livelihood, right endeavor, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
3. This path avoids the extremes of self-indulgence and self-motivation. The eight disciplines constituting the path are not successive
steps for they are to be cultivated together. When followed, this path
leads to nirvana, here and now.
4. See arya-astiinga-marga.
.... - .rt.

t,

'"

_L

_',...~

"

... __._ -

-'L

all is void/empty (sunya). It takes its name "intermediate, the middle

way from that fact that It sought a middle position between realism and
idealism
1. Followers of the Madhyamika school of Buddhism, which teaches
that Reality lies in the middle (madhyama) and not in any of the extremes. According to them, the world is unreal or void (sunya) and
all mental and nonmental phenomena are illusory. They are also
called nihilists or Sunyaviidins.
2. This school owes its foundation to Nagarjuna. Its name is derived
from the Middle Way taught by the Buddha. Nagarjuna rejected the
alternative standpoints of "is" and their conjunction and disjunction.
It is also known as sunyaviida because voidness is the ultimate reality.
2. This school excludes all conceivable predicates to reality, whether
they be of existence, of nonexistence, of neither existence nor nonexistence, or of both existence and nonexistence. Starting from the
Buddha's silence over metaphysical questions, Nagarjuna demonstrated that every possible speculative standpoint is guilty of selfcontradiction.
3. The school holds that all is void, without essence. Since all phenomena are embedded in the one absolute emptiness, which itself is
without essence, it follows that the world of phenomena and the absolute emptiness are identical. And since nothing can be said about
this emptiness without self-contradiction, the realization of this fact
constitutes liberation.
0...

...

1 rl. U U flY

., v"" "...,

_L

VII\.- W IIV J~

_"

179

Mahii -11[1' -

"great"; mighty; powerful; lofty; noble

Mahii-bahyiiktisa -

Lf~ IGilI~ 1<;t;1(JI

unlimited external ether

Mahabharata - ~ - the great epic of the Bharatas

I. The epic poem compiled by the sage Vyasa which recounts the
struggle between the Kauravas and the P~4ava brothers over a disputed kingdom. As its vast narrative unfolds, a treasure house of Indian secular and religious lore is revealed. The Bhagavad Gila
occurs in the latter portion of the Mahilbhilrata.
2. One of two Hindu epics. (See Ramayana.; It consists of 220,000
lines divided into twelve books. It is the longest poem in the world
containing legendary and philosophical material worked into and
around a central heroic narrative which portrays the struggles between two Bharata families: the evil Kurus and the virtuous
Pandavas, Written by Vyasa, it contains the Bhagavad GUa and is
sometimes called the fifth Veda.
uie

~~ 1~{1

llYC glCCll

1. They are ether (akiisa) , which emerges from sound tsabday; air
(vayu), which emerges from touch (sparta); fire (tejas), which
emerges from color (rupa); water (ap), which emerges from taste
(rasa); and earth (prthivi), which emerges from smell (gandha).

These five gross elements emerge from the subtle essences of the elements (tanmiitras).
2. See chart no. 12.

Mahiideva - Lf~ l~q - "great God"

I. A name for Lord Siva.
Maha~ --~:

Mahakata -

heaven; the world of vastness (see loka)

Lf~ 1<;t;IM

MahiikiiUka-vise~a1J.atii utiveness

undivided time
q~ 1Cf'1f'BCf'ra"ISt Ok11 -

(relation of) temporal attrib-

Mahaliiiga - Lf~ IFM~' - a worshipped form of the formless Siva (see linga-sthala)
Mahiimliyii - q~ Iq Itt I - "great illusion"; divine Power operating as identified
with the supreme Lord
1

.v,"",," roof ~<llrt;

th,,"

n, _.
180

Mahan -

~-

great; the Great One; supreme

1. Name for Lord Visnu or Lord Siva
2. An ancient Vedic name for the Supreme
3. That One which is impossible to adequately praise. That alone
which is truly Great.

Mahiipralaya - tiQ I'74HLf - final cosmic dissolution

1. The end of a world age or manvantara. The end of a cosmic age or
kalpa. It is usually used to designate the dissolution of a cosmic age.
The great flood. It is also the great destruction of the universe when
God reabsorbs all names and forms into His being.
Maharsi - ~ I

~ J~

great sage
'\.:

.,

0 ' - - ' _ _

1. A realized yogi's conscious departure from the physical body at

death.
Mahdsiimanya -

tiE Ifllt:! 1:::t1 -

grand generality; the summum genus

Mahasanghika -tiElfltfaCb - the great community

1. At the Second Council, the Buddhist community split into two
groups: the Theravadins and the Mahasanghikas. The later were
more liberal and wanted a more esoteric interpretation of the doctrine. Eventually they led to the formation of the Mahayana school.
Mahasunya - liE 11~ - "the great emptiness or void"
1. The state of the formless Absolute, which is empty in the sense that
it is without manifest creation. It is not a state of nonexistence, because it has the nature of Being, Consciousness, and Bliss.
Mahat -

tr[(J - the Great; intellect

1. The first evolute of primordial Nature tprakrtis. It is the cosmic aspect of the intellect and, along with the intellect, ego, and mind, it is
the cause of the entire creation. It is also called buddhi which is the
pyschological aspect of the intellect in individuals, It is both eternal
and nonetemal.lts special function is determination. From it evolves
egoity (ahankaras. (See chart no. 12.)

Mahatala - liQ I<1H - hell; great plane or region

1. The nether pole of bhuvar-loka. It is a region of darkness. (See tala
llnrt /nlrn )

181

Mahatma - 4E 1<"41 - "great Self'; great soul (from maha = "great" + atman =
"Self')
l. A title of respect and honor given to the noblest of people.

Mahatmya-jnana - JOfEk14itH -knowledge of God's greatness

1. Acording to Dvaita Vedanta, it is one of the steps leading to liberation. Here the individual turns toward God and beings to study scriptures.
Mahattva -- 4EfC -

largeness; medium dimension

Mahavakya - 4E Iq 1<ft1 - Great Saying

1. They are the Great Sayings of the Upanisads, Traditionally they are
four in number: prajiiiinam brahma, which occurs in the Aitareya

Chiindogya Upanisad of the Siima Veda; and aham brahmdsmi,

which occurs in the Brhadaranyaka Upanisad of the Yajur Veda.
See each listed se aratel .
2. Advaita Vedanta says that the mahavakyas posit the essential iden-

that this knowledge by itself can cause direct understanding while

others hold that it is only by meditating on the meaning of the
maluivdkya (and not the mere hearing) that cognition occurs.
3. Visi~~advaita Vedanta also says that the mahavakya's import is to affirm the identity of the individual with Brahman. However, unlike
Advaita Vedanta, the unity means that individual souls are eternal
with God and not external to God. The souls and the world are real
and distinct, but they are included as parts within the one Absolute.
Distinction is not denied but, at the same time, the organic unity of
the whole is affirmed.

Maha-vrata - 4E 1<:4('1 - great vow

1. According to Jainism, there are five vows which are meant for asceticsm. They pave the way for the liberation of the individual from the
bondage of actions (karma). They include nonkilling (ahimsii),
truthfulness (satya), nonstealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacarya),
and nonpossession (aparigraha).
2. Compare with yama.

tji! Itt 1=1

great vehicle; higher vehicle

1. The school of Buddhism which stresses universal enli htenment. Its
two main branches are the Madhyamika and the Yogacara. They are

Mahayana -

182

atheistic and conceived of Buddha as a human being, the Mahayana

gradually came to deify him and even developed ways to worship
him as a means to liberation.

Mahesvara - 4~ (fa (

great God; transcendent Lord

1. A name of Lord Siva.
2. A stage of consciousness in Vira Saivism. (See sthala.)

Mahimii -

4~lH -

extensive magnitude; miracle; magnification

1. One of the eight supernormal powers. (See siddhi.i

Maitri> i?r*t - friendliness; friendship; love

1. One of the inherent principles cultivated and protected by all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
2. Reco ized as a virtue in Yo a.

pers the freedom of Consciousness; ~efilement covering the Self

. t IS 0 tree 10 s accor 109 to aivrsm: iinava, maya, an
rma.
The bind the individual soul and limit its inherent ualities. The
are the cause of the individual's transmigration from birth to death
and death to birth. pasa means a rope and these three (al}ava, miiya,
and karma) are said to be its three strands. Al}ava is the mula-mala
and the main constraint on the individual. Karma follows the individual through births and deaths. Maya is the material source for the
body, instruments, world, and objects of enjoyment. Al}ava is pratibandha.
Karma is anubandha. Maya is sambandha.
,
2. Sivadvaita also speaks of the three impurities that envelop the individual soul.
3. Kashmir Saivism says that the individual soul is covered with three
impurities: iinava-, karma-, and maya-malas. Al}ava is the innate
impurity of ignorance and the root cause of bondage. It is beginningless but can be destroyed. Karma-mala is the result of iinava. Mayamala is caused by karma-mala and is the impurity of transmigratory
existence.
4. See piisa.

Mala - trTMT - garland; rosary; chain

1. A string of beads, used like a rosary, to facilitate a state of concentration on a mantra.

1. The individual's attainment of the stage wherein the three impurities

183

Mana -

Manah -

vanity; pride; idea; concept; honor

1. One of the four passions (ka~iiya) according to Jainism.
2. One of the afflictions (klda) according to Buddhism.
3. Same as pramiina. (See pramana.i

q'Ff -

mind; one of the aspects of the internal organ (from the verb
root man = "to think")
1. Mind emerges from the Pure (sattva) aspect of egoity (ahankara).
2. Mind stimulates the other senses to attend to their respective objects.
Thus it is an organ of cognition and of action. It is the doorkeeper to
the senses. Its specific function is to explicate.
3. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, it is atomic and eternal. It is an instrument of knowing and is inen as any other sense. Its cooperation
is necessary for all knowledge. It exercises a double function: it
helns the self to acauire knowledze and it narrows its field to a sinzle
object or group of objects. Association with the mind is the basic
q;;: -

""n .... "" ,..~

---~-

L
~&..,

4. According to Iainism, it is not a sense organ, but the organ of cogninon ot all objects or all the senses. it IS ot two types: physical mind
tbhava), which performs the mental functions proper, and material
mind (dravya), which is subtle matter compounded into the physical
mind.
5. According to Dvaita Vedanta and Sankhya, the mind is considered
as one of the sense organs (indriya).
6. According to Mimarpsa, different cognitions are explained by a type
of atom called manas. The mind alone brings about cognitions, aversions, efforts, etc., but by itself it is devoid of any qualities such as
color, smell, etc. Thus it needs the aid of the other organs to cognize
these qualities.
7. See antahkarana.
.
.
tFr:4ttTtt - telepathy; thought reading
I. According to Jainism, it is one of the five types of knowledge. (See
chart no. 11.) It is possible for saints only, as it is a refined and subtle
type of knowledge. It stands for the individual's capacity to directly
apprehend the modes of other minds. It is a type of otherworldly
(vikala) knowledge.
2. It is of two kinds: limited telepathy (rju-mati) and extended telepathy
(vipula-mati), which vary only in degree.

Manah-paryiiya -

Manah-suddhi -

tA':~- purity of the mind.

I. According to Jainism, when the passions (kasaya) are removed,

th~ .. ~ ;"

-J

rof th~ n->;nrl

184

~-

reflection; consideration
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it removes the doubt of an aspirant
regarding the nature of the object (prameya) to be contemplatedi.e., the Absolute (Brahman). Reflection is to be employed so as to
get an intellectual conviction of the truth. It is the constant thinking
of the Absolute (Brahman).
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, the path of knowledge consists of
three steps: study (sravar.za), reflection (manana), and contemplation (nididhyasana). Reflection is discovering how and why the
teachings are true. The truth has been discovered by study, but now
any doubts tasambhiivaniiy are to be removed so that what has been
received on trust can be made one's own. This reveals a unique feature of Advaita which posits and recognizes the value of analytical
reflection.
3. See mukhya-antaranga-siidhana.

Manana -

Manasa-pratyaksa -

&f ,.-.ftCA('Lftf -

"'I"I~~

Mandala

mental perception

~u SM

circle; magic circle; the special domain of any particular

divinity; section of the Rg Veda;

Mandapa Ma,.u!ira -

'10

,q -

&ffO' ( -

tent; covered hall

temple; palace; dwelling (from the verb root mand = "to

abide")

'0

MiifJc!ukya Upanisad :-- q {Cfl114 ~- "frog"

1. This Upanisad is said to contain, in just twelve verses, the gist of all
the other Upanisads. It belongs to the Atharva Veda. It consists of only
twelve verses and is thus the shortest ofthe Upanisads, Brahman (the
Absolute) is identified with the sound Om and entire universe is represented as a manifestation ofthis Om. The sound Om consists of three
parts-A, U, and M,-which are identified with Vaisvanara, Taijasa,
and Prajna. Unlike the other Upanisads, this one does not relate any
anecdotes, imaginary dialogues, or stories to illustrate its teachings.
Also, unlike the other Upanisads, it is silent about rituals and worship
and plunges at once into a discussion of Atman and Brahman.

Mangala -

- auspicious

Mnni :-: trlUr- ip.wp.l

185

Miinitva

_'''P'kq -

pride

Manogupti-'t""~fl:d -equanimity of the mind

1. According to Jainism, it is one of the external rules of conduct. (See

ciiritra.) It enables one to remove all false thoughts, to remain satisfied within oneself, and to hold all people to be the same. (See gupti.)
Manohara - 't;:fl~ { - "mind" + "ravisher"; enchanter; stealer; the one who
captivates one's mind
1. A name of Lord Visnu in Vi~~u Sahasraniima. A name for Lord
Krsna as the flute player who captivates one's mind. The Lord who
is infinite Bliss.

Manoianva

accordinz to Jainism the mind can function without

the help of the sense organs (see kevala-jiiiinay

Manomayakosa - 't'11"t1Gf'1~ - the sheath of the mind; the mental sheath

1. It is part of the subtle sheath (suksma-sariray. with its patterns of de~:.~~
~ ~,..~ .... ~
~:~A T.
u
_u, ...
_u, ~.,.,,~
.."..,., .
.....,
........ . ,.",."I1~A ......
.....'" .......
third sheath of the body composed of thought. (See kosa.)
'on

~,.

~....

. . . . ",

Manovargaua - 'trotlqlYol - peculiar material molecules

1. According to Jainism, the material mind is made of subtle particles
of matter.
Manovijiuina - "roil fc:4i1 H - ego consciousness; mental perception
1. A type of perception which refers to sensual knowledge in the form
of parallel concepts formed after the acquisition of knowledge
through the senses. This knowledge is a mental modification born of
both the object and the consciousness.
2. According to Buddhism, the manovijiuina possesses actual discrimination as to present, past, and future, as well as reminiscent discrimination referring only to the past. It is the ignorant mind which clings
to the conception of "I" and "not-I."
Mano-yoga - q..ftLftII - the sensation of material (karma) particles through the
mind
1. According to Jainism, it is a type of influx of karmic matter (iisrava).
Before the karma particles enter the individual soul, the latter feels
a sort of sensation which is due to either the mind, the body, or
speech.
'1

1;:'"""" I. -

" ... ,.1

186

Mantavya Mantra -

tlk10tl -

what should be reflected upon

~-

a sacred word or phrase of spiritual significance and power;

hymns; "that which saves the one who reflects" (from the verb root man
= "to think"); form of sound
1. Along with the Briihmanas, as hymns they constitute the ritual section of the Veda (karma-kiilJ4a).
2. They are classified according to their metres: gayatrt has twentyfour syllables with nine subdivisions; usnik has twenty-eight syllables with seven subdivisions; prakrti has forty syllables with eight
subdivisions; brhati has thirty-six syllables with nine subdivisions;
tristup has forty-four syllables with ten subdivisions; jagati has forty-eight syllables with three subdivisions; ajagati has fifty-two syllables; sakvari has fifty-six syllables; atisakvari has sixty syllables;
asti
.. has sixt -four s Ilables: dhrti
. has sevent -two s llables: and
atidhrti has seventy-six syllables.

4. According to Sakta philosophy, a mantra is so called because it

saves one who meditates on its significance. Each mantra has a deity
devatii . For i
etc.
5. Mantras are of two classes: kanthika, or those given expression to
by the voice, and ajapa, or those non uttered mantras which are not
spoken but repeated intemally.
Mantra-drastiirah truths

q"'51~@I(:

- seers of the Vedic hymns intuiting the Vedic

Mantra-mahesvara - tlP1~"'~,cH - one of the seven stages of the individual

soul in Kashmir Saivism
1. Subjects who experience the "I am this" level of consciousness of
the Sadasiva tattva.
2. See sapta-pramatr.
Mantra-virya - q ...~c:fl4 - the perfect "}"-consciousness, which is the fountainhead of all the powers or potencies behind the mantra; Siva-consciousness; the experience of piiriiviik: (sound in its seed form)
Mantra Yoga - q'1~tfpl -the yoga of the Divine Word
1. The science of sound. The path to union through mantra yoga is
based on repetition of a sacred mantra and contemplating its mean-

187

Manu -

trj - ancestor of humanity; one of the Law Books

1. The law giver of the Indian tradition.

Manusya -- ~ - human being (see jangamai

Manvantara - q;:q"+l ( - epoch
1. One of the five topics which a Purana should deal with. An age of
Manu. Within a cosmic age (kalpa) there are fourteen manvantaras.
(See purana.)
Maral}tl--1:Rl1f -

death (from the verb root mr = "to die") (see pratityasamut-

pada)
Mardava -- ~ -

gentleness; kindness (from the verb root mrd = "to treat

kindly, gently")

Marga -

qnf - way; path; street (from the verb root marg = "to seek, to strive")
or (from the verb root mrj = "to pursue, search for")
1

I'

"'"

to ~~iv~

n'

II

thp.rp. ~I'P. four n~th~' thp. w~v of thp

..-

servant tdasa-marga. with caryii as the means and salokya as the

goal); the way of the son tputra-marga, with kriya as the means and
siimipya as the goal); the way of the friend (sakha-marga, with yoga
as the means and sarupya as the goal); and beyond a path (sanmarga, with jniina as the means and sOyujya as the goal). These four
paths are supposed to attune the body, the sense organs, and the
mind to worship and union.
Masa -

J:Jm'- month (see kala)

Mota _:q(f -

thought; view; opinion; faith; religion; doctrine; tradition; convic-

tion

Matha -- trO Mati -

monastery; school of learning

trfcf -

perceptual knowledge; mind; thought; conviction

1. According to Jainism, it is a type of direct, practical knowledge. It is
perceptual, being caused by the senses and/or the mind. It occurs in
the following order: cognition of sense data (avagraha), speculation
(iha), perceptual judgment (avaya), and then retention (dhara'}a).

Matra -- tmrT- mode' measure' nrosodial instant

188

1. The Omktira is composed of the three modes, AUM, and a fourth, amiitra, silence (turiya). (See avasthii-traya-vicara.i
2. It is the length of time required for pronouncing a short vowel.
Miitrki: - :q I~d51 - letter or sound syllable which is the basis of all words and
hence of all knowledge; "little mothers"
1. The Mother Goddess or Sakti in the form of sound, which generates
the universe. The inherent power of letters and words. Because it is
the source of words, mdtrkii is said to be the source of ignorance
(which comes about mainly through the ideas produced by words).

Miitsara -tllcfi{ -jealous; selfish

Matsarya - tlJcfiLf -

envy; jealousy

Mat
Mauna-

Mauni -

tfr::Tt -

silence
one who silently meditates on the Self

Maya - qp::rr - the principle of appearance; illusion; marvelous power of creation; magical power; mystery; God's power (from the verb root ma =
"to measure, to limit, give form"); "that which measures"
1. The force which shows the unreal as real and presents that which is
temporary and short lived as eternal and everlasting. The force that
conceals our divinity. In the Advaita Vedanta of Sankaracarya, it is
described as the beginningless cause which brings about the illusion
of the world; an indescribable power of the Absolute (Brahman),
which is neither real nor totally unreal.
2. The principle which shows the attributeless Absolute as having attributes.
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the indeterminable principle
which brings about the illusory manifestation of the universe. It is
the principle of illusion. It is the key concept of Advaita Vedanta.
(See avidyiilmaya.) It is not ultimately real, nor can it function without Brahman/Annan as its locus. It is the device by which the Advaitin explains how the one reality appears as many. It is the power
which brings about error and has significance only at the empirical
minated by right knowledge (jnana-nivartya); it veils and projects

189

nature of a positive existence ibhiivarupay; and it is located either in

the individual tjiva) or in the Absolute (Brahman). Sankara used the
term maya as interchangeable with avidya.
4. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is God's mysterious power.
5. According to ViSi~~dvaita Vedanta, it is the mysterious power of
God. See sapta-vidha-anupapatti for Rarnanuja's major objections
to the Advaita Vedanta concept of avidyalmiiyii.
6. According to Saiva Siddhanta, it is the material cause of the world.
It is nonconscious. It is twofold as pure (suddha) and impure (asuddha). It is both a bond (pasa) of the individual soul and that which
provides the individual souls with the means, location, and objects
ofenjoyment. It requires the guidance ofSiva to function, though Siva
does not directly operate on maya, but only through his cit-sakti.
7. According to Vira Saivism, it is the name of Sakti or mida-prakrti.
It evolves into the phenomenal universe.
0..
,.
T7"
c.. .
~ ~.
.1.
r
,
T.
u.
....
IJQI 'I,:nll, lL I.,
t''U
--or
...L.,
c

~v

~II'"

~.

purpose is to limit the experience as regards both the experiencer and

what IS experienced. It IS a restnctor (mala) wrucn IS the impurity or
transmigratory existence. It is real and a creation of the Lord. It is
divided into suddha and asuddha-maya.
o

C'I

&'"...

J'~J"~'J""~t'

Miiyadhvan

"07

J._ -

-~-

impure way
1. The impure creation (the latter thirty-one categories of Kashmir
Saivism).
2. See chart no. 9.

Maya sakli-'l Ittl~fffi - the power of Siva

1. The Sakti of Siva who creates differentiation in the mind of the
bound soul and gives rise to maya tattva: the limiting power of the
Infinite; also called maha maya.

Maya tattva - 'l Itt IHf'a -

the principle of power

1. The principle that throws a veil over pure Consciousness; material
cause of physical manifestation; source of the five kaiicukas, or limitations. (See also maya sakti.)

Maya-mala - x:rrFLiq;'lA - the impurity of transmigratory existence

1. The limitation caused by maya which gives rise to the individual
soul, its gross and subtle bodies, and brings about a sense of differentiation. (See mala.)

190

1. The feeling that one need not hurry toward salvation as it will come
in its own time. (See tusti.)
Megha Nada-q~"1IC:; -

the "sound of the clouds"

1. The roar of the clouds. The highest form of divine inner music. The
sound of inner thunder followed by a shower of divine nectar flowing from the sahasriira. (See nada.)

Mela -

irMT -

Meru -

in; - mountain; the mythological Olympus

fair; large religious gathering

1. The fabulous mountain which is said to be in the center of Jambudvipa, which is brill ant and taintless and supports heaven itself. The
golden-colored peak of Himaviin and the seat of Lord Siva. It is also
known as Sumeru. On it is situated Svarga, the heaven of Indra.
2. The name of the central bead on a rosary (mala).
Mima'!lsa -

q)q ifi I - "enquiry"; investigation; debate; discussion

1. It is short for Purva-Mimarnsa, one of the six schools of philosophy
tsad-d.

..

.)

2. It is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools and it primarily investigates the Vedic rites and their uses. Its main objective is to establish the authority of the Veda.
3. Jaimini is the founder and the author of the Mimamsii-siitra which is
the foundational work of the school, and the longest of the siura
works.
4. The aphorisms commented on by Sabarasvamin gave rise to two
main schools of interpretation: Prabhakara's and Kurnarila Bhatta's,
Mimiimsaka -

4)qifiq; -

a follower of the Purva Mlmii'!lsii school of Jaimini

Misra (s!~{i) -fWJ-pure and impure (creation) (see suddhasuddha-mayii)

Misra-sativa Mithyii -

fttS34fif1CC -

matter in which all three qualities (gulJa) exist

ftrarr - not real; neither real nor unreal; illusory; false; untrue; incorrect (from the verb root mith = "to dispute angrily, altercate")
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it has a special status as it is not the
real (sat)-for it is sublatable-and it is not the unreal (asat)-because it is perceived (unlike a barren woman's son or a square circle). (See bhramalmayalavidya.i

I'.'
-,t

.1,
- . ~~.

''''Uo '.....

, ~~1~~
'~l

191

.~.~ ...

'.~."'.,

Mithya-jnana - fq' U 41 ii l'9 -

false knowledge; false cognition

Mithya-inana- vasana - f4u:1 Iii 1'9'* Iff'9 I - impression of false knowledge

Mithyiitva -- ftrUi lea - delusion

Mithyopiidhi -

ftru?i q I fu" -

false limitation

Mitra - ftr;;r - friend; companion; associate

I. The Vedic God of harmony.
Mleccha -- tA~ - foreigner; an alien; barbarian; someone who does not belong to Hindu culture
Moha -

~-

infatuation; delusion (from the verb root muh = "to delude")

1. The power to delude. A power of illusion (maya).

" A_~ ~& .l..~

.... "...... ..... ......

......

r t.). ,J:.~\

t.~ -no

'I

-f;>

.....

3. One of the five types of false knowledge (viparyaya) according to

Sankhya.

Mona-mula -

,jIEIlA -

rooted in delusion.

Mohaniya - 4lE41tt - delusion-producing karma

1. According to Jainism, they are a type of obscuring karma (ghiiti).
They are karmas which obscure the right attitude of the individual
toward right faith and right conduct. The individual is so infatuated
that it does not know right from wrong. (See karma and ghati.)
Moksa -- ~ -liberation; spiritual freedom; release; the final goal of human
life (from the verb root moks = "to liberate")
1. There are two views in the Upanisads toward liberation. Some say it
is attainable in this very life and others say that it is attainable only
after death. (See jivanmukta.i
2. Mimamsa says that it is achieved through action (karma) and Vedic
rites alone. It is release from action, both in the sense of action and
in the sense of the fruits of one's actions.
3. Advaita Vedanta says that knowledge (jfiiina) is the ultimate means
to release. Truly speaking, release is the eternal nature of the Self
(Arman) and manifests itself once ignorance is removed. It is not a
new acquisition, but the realization of what eternally is.
/!

"./.

04"04

".'-

~~ .. ~ .l..~.

'

'"

""J" '''04' ...... .., .. ..,.. \'

192

1.:\:... l..",
'/ ." ......

,.

means to release. Karma-yoga andjnana-yoga are aids to devotion

(bhakti-yoga). Liberation is living in Vaikuntha with a nonphysical
body enjoying omniscience and bliss and dwelling in the presence
of God. Visi~~dvaita Vedanta also recognizes total surrender (prapatti) as a means of release.
5. Dvaita Vedanta says that God's grace (prasiida) is the ultimate
means to release. Leading to ultimate release, the individual soul
practices knowledge, dispassion, action, devotion, and a loving
meditation of God, regarding oneself as His reflection. In the state
of release, the individual soul remains separate from God though
similar and dependent. Its personality remains in one of the four levels of graded release which Dvaita posits. (See iinanda-tiiratamya.t
6. Jainism says that release is the highest state of isolation in which the
individual is freed from all fetters of karma particles. The means to
release are right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. (See tri7. Buddhism says that release (nirvii~a) is the eradication of all craving
an an overcoming 0 t e w ee 0 1 an ea. e means to It
is the ei htfold ath.
8. Nyaya-Vaisesika says that release (apavarga) is a separation from

..

ence whatsoever in release. It is achieved by cultivating ethical virtues and obtaining an insight into the nature of the categories.
9. Sankhya says that release (kaivalya) is aloofness from all matter.
There is neither pleasure nor pain, though there is an undisturbable
peace. It is achieved once the individual is able to discriminate between the spirit tpurusa; and matter (prakrtii. It is defined as purusa-prakrti viveka.
10. Yoga says that the cultivation of the eight-limbed yogic path is the
way to kaivalya or a state of superconscious samadhi in which the
individual is left totally alone. Yoga defines it as citta vrtti nirodha.
11. Saiva Siddhanta says that the path to release consists in carya, kriyii,
yoga, and jniina. In release, the soul retains its individuality. It becomes similar to God and, thus, release is unity in duality. The soul
enjoys God's nature, though it is not identical with God.
12. Vlra Saivism says that release is identity in essence between Siva
and the individual soul (lingiHlga-siimarasya). The individual soul is
a part of Siva though it is also different. Release is a unity (aikya) of
the individual soul with Siva. wherein the individual soul enjoys
complete and unexcellable bliss. The path to release is devotion as
aided by the eight aids (astavaranai.
13. Sivadvaita says that release is freedom from bondage and an attainnature. Contemplation of Lord Siva is the means to release.

. ..

193

11

ual's identity with the ultimate Reality. It is a return to one's original

state of perfection and purity. It is gained by the four steps of
iinavopiiya, siiktopiiya, siimbhavopiiya, and anupiiya, culminating
in the grace of the Divine Will.
15. Liberation in theistic Saivism is generally said to be in heaven
(Kailasa), Liberation in Vaisnavism is in Vaikuntha.
16. See purusiirtha.
Moksa-para - tfmq( - a seeker of liberation
1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, they are of two kinds: lovers of
God (bhakta) and those who have completely resigned themselves
to God (prapanna).

Mrtyu -

- death

Mudrii _. ~ -

gesture; hand pose; seal; stamp (from mud = "joy" + ra = "to

give")
1. Called mudrii because it gives the bliss of the Self. Called a seal because it seals up (mudraniit) the universe into the being of transcendental Consciousness.
2. It is a Hatha Yoga posture and manipulation of different organs of
the body as an aid in concentration. Various advanced Hatha Yoga
techniques practiced to hold the priina within the body, forcing the
Kundalini to flow into the susumna. These mudriis can occur spontaneously after receiving saktipat; symbolic gestures and movements of the hands, which express inner feelings and inner states, or
which convey various meanings such as charity, knowledge, and
fearlessness. Many deities, saints, and idols are pictured performing
these gestures granting their benediction.
3. Symbolic signs made with the fingers in ritualistic worship and classical dance.
4. Deities are said to be pleased when mudras are used. They are also
said to destroy the sins of an aspirant who uses them.

194

Mukhya -

~-

primary; important; main; principal

Mukhya-antaranga-sadhana -

~(04I""ft fii"ti Ier-; -

the principal proximate aid

to liberation
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, the main proximate aid to liberation
consists in hearing (sravalJa), reflection (manana), and meditation
(nididhyiisana). After a spiritual aspiriant becomes qualified (see
sadhana-catustayai, they should hear the Upanisadic texts from a
qualified teacher, reflect on their truth, and contemplate upon their
purport.
2. See sravana, manana, and nididhyasana.
Mukhyiirtha -

~q.- primary meaing; see abhidhii or vacyartha

d~-

MUKnya-v!rri

""l,1'tl

primary meaning or wows

Mukta -~ -liberated; freed (from the verb root much = "to liberate")

1. One who

IS

liberated from bondage. (See moksa.y

!!ff'Nf)a -liberated individual soul

1. One of the three types of individual soul according to
Vedanta. (See jlvs.)

Mukta-jiva -

Visi~~dvaita

Mukti - ~ -liberation; release (from the verb root much = "to liberate")
1. One who is liberated from bondage. (See moksa.i
~L('PLf -

individuals who are eligible for release according

to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta
1. These are pure (sattva)-dominant individual souls which include celestial beings, sages, and advanced human beings. (See svariipatraividhya.i

Mukti-yogya -

Milia -

Jf-

original; primary; text; root

Midadhara - ~ - the center located at the base of the spine; the "seat of the
root"; the seat of the earth; mula ="root or source" and adhiira = "to
support"
1. The spiritual center at the base of the spine where the Kundalini lies
dormant. (See cakra.)
2. The wheel (cakra) at the base of the spine where Kundalini lies
" .....;l""rl la,~ n ...... nt,~ 1:'............. u~ .......... + ....+
. . .~"" ... u .....n"".

.~

~~"".

195

u"" .... _ .

-,~,

v,
~'

.s

all the activities of the physiological system through its network of

72,000 nerves.
Mula-mala - l'iMl'iM - the main constraint on the individual which is called
'"
"impurity of ignorance"; the primary impurity.
1. The Salva schools speak of ignorance (a~ava) as the root imperfection or original defect (mula-mala).
Mula-prakrti -I3.M'1lqsRi - the primordial matter; root nature
1. The original germ out of which matter and all forms arose and
evolved. The primary cause. It is not an evolute itself, but that from
which all else evolves.
Mulavidya - ~ 1.

primordial nescience

_.., 10 ~ _ _

, ...

IS

me root cause or every

appearance in the universe.

_.

':J':J~

.L'

.J.

nnll Q

1:.
LVi

....

1'1

1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, they are of two kinds: votaries

of Self-realization (kaiva/ya) and votaries of liberation (moksai.
(See kaivalya-para and moksa-para.y

Mumuksutva - ~ - a burning desire for liberation

1. It is one of the four qualifications for a spiritual aspirant. (See sadhana-catustaya.)
MufJ4aka Upanisad> ~-lit."shaven head Upanisad"
1. Since this Upanisad speaks of Brahmavidyii or knowledge of the
Absolute as the mystery which only those with shaven heads know,
thus its name. Or, the instruction given in this Upanisad has the
sharpness of a razor. It comes from the Atharva Veda. It consists of
three parts called mundakas, each subdivided into two sections. The
Upanisad draws a clear line between the higher knowledge of Brahman and the lower knowledge of the phenomenal world, It describes
the phenomenal world as springing from Brahman.
Muni - ~ -

sage; ascetic; silent one

Muni-dharma -

~-

.'

'0

t .....

the duties of an ascetic

T

.,

th~,,~.J

_.

'" "h""t ..

.....fth~

great vows tmaha-vratay; complete control over one's body, mind,

ana speecn tgupri), ana mooerarion isamun.
196

Mkrta - ~ - form; body

Mitrti - ~ - embodiment; figure; image; statue (from the verb root murc =
"to form, to become solid")
1. Any image of the Divine, either in a temple or in a place of worship.
Mit~aka -

~-

mouse; the vehicle (vahana) Ganesa rides upon (from the

root mus meaning "to steal")
1. Said to be a symbol of the mind or of God's grace or of the Self.

197

N
Niida - ;:rtq - sound
1. Metaphysically, the first movement of Siva-Sakti toward manifestation.
2. In Yoga, the unstruck sound experienced in meditation. Divine music or sound which is heard in higher states of meditation.
3. According to Sakta philosophy, the first movement of sound (sabda)
is called nada-tattva. Along with the bindu, they are the complements of the ultimate potency of creation. From these arise the tribindu or kama-kala, which is the root of all mantras. (See bindu.i

Niiq; -

;;rtt -

nerve; vessel; ducts for vital air (prii'}a); conduit; channel; vein;

artery
1. The 72,000 channels of vital force in the body.
2. It is said that there are three and one half crores of subtle nerves in
th",

h"rh

-.I

"rh",,,
J

"'r'"

.. c'

. "f

n f ' ... th",

~.

three principal ones are iqii, pingald, and susumnii. Others include
iitamvusii niiql wtricn are me lUDUIar organs or me suone oooy
through which energy flows. They are said to connect the mouth and
the anus; brahma niit!i (another name for the susumnii naifi-see
listed separately); citra niitjl or the nerves emanating from the heart,
through which the creative energy of Kundalini passes to reach the
sahasriira; giindhiiri nddi, located behind the ida ruidi, terminating
near the left eye, regulating the function of eye sight; hastijihvii nat!i,
located in front of the iqa naq;, terminating near the right eye, regulating the function of eye sight; kausiki naq;, terminating near the
big toes; kiirma niiq;, whose function is to stabilise the body and the
mind; and samkhini nat!i, which terminates at the genital organs and
carries the essence of food.
Niiga - ;wr - snake; serpent; naked; heretic

Nagara -- ;:;TT'{ -

city; town

Naigama-naya - ~ ~ jtt=14 -

the universal-particular (or teleological) standpoint

1. According to Jainism, a naya is a particular viewpoint or opinion. In
this case, the viewpoint considers both the universal and the specific
aspects of an entity. It signifies that the particular aspect must con,,;rI.. r th..

.1

"'nrl ,,;1"''' " .. r"'" "rh. '"

<ll

OJ

nf th.. hlln

aspects is enjoined. This averts asserting either absolute identity or

aosoiute oisuncuon.
198

2. Another interpretation of this standpoint is that it relates to the purpose of a given action or actions. Thus, one says, "I am cooking" instead of saying, "I am cutting the vegetables, heating the water, etc,"
All the individual acts are controlled by a single purpose-s-i.e.,
cooking food.
~ yq ft10f'

Naimittika -

occasional

Naimittika-karma - ~ - occasional duties to be performed on special occasions like the full moon, new moon days, etc. (see karma)
~ (kLtf -

Nairiitmya -

nonsoul; no substance in anything

~ (I(Ltfq 1& - the doctrine of no-self according to Buddhism

1. The term nairiitmya is negative and tells "what an object is not."
. inz
anart from the
Thus. there is no selfor sense data of any object, conscious or nonconscious.

Nairiumya-viida -

'I

~tSCf'a:f - freedom from action (karma) and its influence

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, disinterested and dedicated action,
selfless service, which serves to purify the mind and thus serve as an
auxiliary to liberation.

Naiskarmva -

Naisthika-brahmaciirin - ~llJOf'4i~i4IR? - one vowed to celibacy; eternally

established in the Absolute (Brahman)
Naivedya -

~-

Naksatra -

~-

food offered to an image of God

star; heavenly body; asterism or constellation

1. According to Hindu astrology there are twenty-seven asterisms:
asvini, bharani, krttikii, rohini tbriihmiv, mrga-siras (angraha yani),
tiruviidirai, punarpiisam. pusam, ayilyam, maghii, piiram, uttariis,
hasta, citra, svati, visakhii (riidhii), anusam, kettai, mula, piiriidam,
utriidam, tiruvonam, aviuam, sadayam, purattadi, utrattadi, revati,

Nama -

r:rJ11- name (from the verb root nam = "to honor")

I, According to Jainism, it is one of the eight main types of action (karma). In itself, it is of one hundred and three types. They all have to
do with personality making. They are subdivided into four groups:
~~1'

+,,~~" ,~.
""~Jt'...,... 'C

,l~

:\.'

I'

"":"I'''~

'I

h,~~"

....... '4.~Jt'..., ... V'

'

;\.

.." ..." .. fJ "''';''/7

self-movable body ttrasadasakay; and immovable body tsthavara-

aasasas.
199

2. According to Buddhism, one of the names for the four elements (because they are objects of name).
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, every appearance consists of name
and form (nama and rupa).
4. The Name is a referent to the Divine. God's various names are employed in chanting sacred hymns. Note the Rg Veda hymn "The One
Being the wise call by many names--ekam sad viprii bahudhii vadanti:"
Namadheya - ~ - a portion of the Veda whose words have the appearance of a name of an action and yet are capable of another interpretation

Namarupa - "11"'f,q - "name and form"

I. According to Buddhism, one line of the causal chain of dependent

..

tana) and in tum is dependent itself on consciousness (vijfuina).

r
1,

predisposition); and "form" is the four elements and forms derived

from the four elements.
and names as distinguished from the indeterminate indefinable reality.
3. Advaita Vedanta uses the term to indicate the phenomenally existent
(vyavaharika) universe.
4. See pratityasamutpiida.

Namaskiira - ""i"'ffCf'f( - greeting (in a spirit of worship); "I bow to you"; the
act of invoking "not-me" (but Thou); salutation; obeisance (from na =
"not" + ma :; "mine" + kiira = "to do"
Niinajtva-viida -"1 f"1l\illqq 1& Nandi -

Nara

~ - "the joyful"; bull; Siva's vehicle

I. Lord Siva's vehicle (viihana). A white bull with a black tail. He
symbolizes the ideal devotee. He is said to be in constant communion with Lord Siva.

-;n- -

Niirada -

the theory of the plurality of selves

man; human; incarnation of Visnu (from nara = "man, humanity")

- a famous son of Brahms and sa e in the Puranas

1. A divine rsi, or seer, a great devotee and servant of Visnu. He is rep-

200

thought to be the inventor of the lute (vi~a). He appears in many of

the Puranas and is the author of the Niirada Bhakti Siaras, the authoritative text on Bhakti Yoga.

Naraka -

~-

hell; "pertaining to the human"

1. There are various hells: put-the childless hell; avici-hell for those
awaiting reincarnation; samhiita-s-io: general evildoers; tiimisrawhere the real gloom of hell begins; !fi~a--where torments attack;
kudmala-s-ssv: worst hell for those who will be reincarnated; taliitala-the bottomless pit, the eternal hell of indescribable tortures and
pain for those who have no hope of reincarnation. (See loka and tala.)

Niiraki - rot I {fct; - hell being (see jangamai

Nariiyar;a - '"11{1t1 UI - "God in humanity"; incarnate divinity (from nara =
'humarnty + ayana - pam or gomg + I - to go ; or from nara "products of the Self' + ayana = "abode"-Le., the abode of all beings;
or from nara = "water" + ayana = "moving"-Le., he who lies upon [or
,\.....<:Im.. fnr' nrA Vi"n.'
.,1 th.. """<:In nf
'
..
1. The Godhead in humanity. Incarnate Divinity. The sole refuge of all
creatures. The Universal Abode. One who has made the causal waters his abode. One who is the abode of all human beings. One who
has made the hearts of human beings his abode. One who is the final
goal of everyone.
2. A name for Visnu; often depicted as reclining on the milky ocean
with the serpent Sesa as his couch. The sole refuge of all creatures.
~

Niisa

-::mr -

annihilation; destruction

Niisadiya - rot l~cflLj - title of a very famous Rg Veda hymn depicting the Absolute as impersonal
I. It begins, "At first there was neither Being nor nonbeing. There was
not air nor yet sky beyond. What was its wrapping? Where? In
whose protection?"
Niistika - '"1 I fktG6 - atheist; heretic; one who denies the Vedic authority; heterodox
1. Those systems of Indian philosophy (Jainism, Buddhism, and
Carvaka) which neither regard the Vedas as infallible nor try to es. thpir

nUln

.','.:1'

'"
"oJ

nn
"

thpir

o'

co

it

"J

is said that there are six heterodox systems in contrast to the six or-

..

201

~"

Jainism, and Buddhism is split into its four main schools, Vaibhasika, Sautrantika, Yogacara, and Madhyamika. (See iistika.)
Nastikaya -- r::rrf'kt(f;l1 - nonextended real
I. According to Jainism, time is the only substance which has no body.
2. See astikiiya and kala.
Natariija -- =1c(l\i1 - "king of dance"; Lord of dance; name of Siva (from nata
:: "dancer" + raja = King")
I. An epithet of Siva, referred to as the dancing Siva. The object of His
dance is to free all souls from the fetters of illusion. The whole cosmic play, or lila, is the dance of Siva. All movements within the cosmos are His dance. He sets into motion the creation of the world, and
when the time comes, also destroys all names and forms through His
dancing.

Niitha _::n-q- - "lord": ruler: protector

1. A lineage of yogis known for their extraordinary powers.
Niitya -

~-

Navavidhd bhakti -

dance; dramatic art

~-

the nine forms of devotion

I. These are listening to God's glory (sravaT}Q), singing God's praise
(kirtana), contemplating the Lord (smaranai. worshipping the
Lord's feet (padasevanai, worshipping the Lord (as in a image) (arcana), waiting on the Lord as a servant (diisya), fellowship with the
Lord (sakhya), and offering oneself totally to the Lord (iirmanivedanat. (See bhakti.)

Naya -

~-

standpoint; opinion
I. According to Jainism, a particular opinion or viewpoint is called naya.
Each standpoint is a partial truth about an entity. It is the knowledge
of a thing in a particular context or relationship. It may be divided
into two kinds: artha-naya, and sabda-naya. Artha-naya is concerned
with the meaning of objects, is further subdivided into naigama,
sangraha, vyiivahiira, and rjusiara. Sabda-naya, concerned with the
meaning of words is further subdivided into sabda, sanuibhi-ruddha,
and evambhiaa. (See each term listed separately.) Naya has also been
divided into two categories: dravya-artha, which considers an object
from the standpoint of substance, and paryayarthika-naya, which
considers an object from the standpoint of its modifications and con. .

T h p .

of

"

m a n i f

, - ,

, . .

a n d

c h

of an object is a unified while-e.g."a book"-while the latter views

"

I]

~'!5"

202

_1_

1-'(1",\;;1, 1111\.,

...

"

~,

\;;L\".

Nayiibhiisa - ~ - fallacy of viewpoint; false standpoint

1. According to Jainism, anyone viewpoint which regards itself as absolutely true to the exclusion of all other viewpoints is fallacious.
The Jainas regard anyone viewpoint as but one of an infinite number
of ways to view a thing. Anyone viewpoint is true in a limited sense
and under limited conditions. This idea led to the Jaina doctrine of
sydd-viida. (See naya and syiid-viida.)

Niiyanmar -::t ltt;:::q IJ - the sixty-three Saivite saints (or Niiyaniirs)

1. Also known as adiyar, these saints lived and demonstrated the way
of devotion to Si~a. Foremost among them were Manikkavacakar,
Tirujfianasambandhar, Tirunavukkarasar, and Sundaramurti Nayanar,

....

--

Nava-niscava
rot'4
.nerfect vision or knowledae of a thins in a narticular context
1. t\.ccoroing to Jainism, tt is or IWO types: asuaana-niscaya. or me
knowledge of an object minus its attributes, and suddha-niscaya, or
the knowledge of an object in its conditional stages.
Naya-viida - ::tttq l~
nayiibhiisa)

the theory of relative pluralism in lainism (see naya and

Neti-neti -:9'ftf :9'ftf - "not this, not this" (not such, not such) (from na = "not"
+ iti = "thus")
1. Yajnavalkya said, "The Self (Atman) is not this, not this"
tBrhadaranyaka Upanisad, 5.5. 15).
2. The ultimate Reality cannot be described by any positive means, according to Advaita Vedanta, because conceptual thought is always
limited to the finite. Thus, the most appropriate way to indicate it is
to say, "not this, not this."
Nibandha - ~ - bandage; composition; binding; ritual handbook; compendium (from the root bandh = "to bind" + ni = "down")
1. A term used to indicate the ritual codification of a particular lineage
or tradition and to supply its liturgy. Another name for this is paddhati.
Nidana -

f.:1~14 -

cause of disease (from ni-da = "to bind down")

I. The method of the cause-and-effect relation.
....

('

,.

,. eT

203

1. One of the members of a five-membered syllogism. (See udiiha-

rana.i
Nidarsanabhiisa -

fr:t&rn., I~ -

fallacy of the example

Nididhyiisana - ~ - meditation; contemplation; profound and continuous meditation

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it removes the contrarywise tendencies of the mind. It is one of the principle aids to liberation. (See

mukhya-antaranga-siidhana.)

2. It is a continuous, unbroken stream of ideas of the same kind as those

of the Absolute (Brahman).

Nididhyiisitavya - ~ - "that should be meditated upon (Brahman

Nigama -- f.:t ~ ILl -

Veda; authoritative scripture

Nigamana - P1~ ILl., - conclusion

1. The last member of a five-membered syllogism. It states the original
thesis as having been proved; e.g., "therefore, the hill has fire." See

anamiina.
Nigantha - f.:t~Ir:tr - see nirgrantha
Nighantu - Pt40~ -

a vocabulary

Nigrahasthana - fr1U~fqr;; - refutations; vulnerable points

I. A term relating to debates and one of the sixteen categories of the
Nyaya system. It means the exposure of the opponent's argument as
c
is en
e c. b which th 0 0nent is conclusively defeated.

204

Nihsambodha - ~:~ -

indeterminate consciousness

Nihsreyasa - ~:~ - release; freedom from action (karma); salvation; highest good
1. A Vaisesika term for liberation. (See moksa.i It is attained through
righteousness or correct living (dharma).
2. According to Nyaya, it is the highest good which is attained through
a knowledge of the sixteen categories.
Nija -

~-

perception without sense organs

1. According to Jainism, perception without sense organs is of two

types: (i) imperfect (vika/a), or avadhi and manahparyiiya jiuina;
and (ii) perfect (saka/a), or kevala-jiuina.
2. See pratyaksa per Jainism.

Nikaya -

friC:W;It1 - collection; heap

1. The collection of the Buddhist siaras are named thus. (See chart no.

"'''
Niksepa -

~-

the study of words to see their implications

1. According to Jainism, its function is to analyze and understand the
exact content of words in terms of meaning and usage. It has four aspects: primary tpradhiinai. secondary (apradhiina), imagined (ka/pita), and unimagined (aka/pita). It is of four types: that which refers
to proper names tnama-niksepav; that which refers to the meaning of
an object with reference to time (dravya-niksepas, that which refers
to the meaning of a word isthapana-niksepai, and that which refers
to the meaning of the nature of an object (bhava-niksepas. It also
means saranagati. (See nyasa.)

M/a -

~-

MIa -

~-

blue; dark blue

one among the three consorts of Lord Visnu; a Goddess

Nimesa - ~ - twinkling of an eye; moment; closing up

1. A unit of time. (See ka/a.)

Nimitta -

~~f1 - concomitant; instrumental; efficient; cause; mysterious

cause; appearance; sign; substance

...

..........
,

~u

thp

205

1. For example, the loom is the instrumental cause of the cloth. (See
kiirana.)

Niriikara -- PHIQ5I< - without form

f~{ICf)I< aqt('p li1H -

apprehension
1. According to Jainism, it is one of the two types of understanding.
(See upayoga.)

Nirakara-upayoga-jiidna -

f..'1( IMtCSiH -

Niriilambana -

without support; independent of anything else

Niraiijana -

fr1{t~ -

without blemish

Nirapeksa -

fr1 {qa-r -

independent; free from desire

Niratisaya -

~-

11.7:

......

,,'.. ~

I .... <q~

Niravadya
Niravayava -

unsurpassed
.........

C'

"".

...1.,,,... r

faultless

f.:t <aLta - partless

Nirbija -- f:=t~'it -

attributeless

Nirdesa-- f.1&:tI - definition; discrimination

1. Discrimination is of three kinds: svabhava-nirdesa (natural preceptual discrimination); prayoga-nirdesa (actual discrimination as
present, past, and future); and anusmrti-nirdesa (reminiscent discrimination referring only to the past). The senses only possess the
first type, while the mind performs the latter two types of discrimination.

R't:F2{ -

those who have been freed from fetters

I. A name for the Jainas in early Sanskrit classical literature.
2. The Pali classics of Buddhism called the Jainas Nirgranthas.

Nirgrantha -

Nirguna -

AljoT -

attributeless; devoid of qualities; without attribute; the

formless
Nirgunopasana ~nr

f~

10nQ Ift~ -

meditation on the attributeless Absolute

l)

206

Nirhetuka-kataksa -

F-'1~tlct'ct'C:I af -

unconditioned or operative grace

f.:1'Jf<I -

the destruction of karma particles

1. According to Janism, there are two stages in the shedding of material
(karma) particles from the individual. Bhiiva-nirjara refers to the
modifications caused in the individual as a consequence of which
there is a partial disappearance of karma particles. This is also of two
types: avipaka or akiima-bhava-nirjard, wherein the particles are
automatically destroyed after enjoyment, and vipiika or sakiimabhava-nirjarii, wherein the particles are destroyed even before enjoyment is finished. Dravya-nirjara refers to the actual destruction
of karma particles residing in the individual.
2. Devas or "the ever-shining ones."

Nirjarii -

Nirmana-sakti

1"'6of1-"~1"

the power to project; a power belonging to illu-

cion t . - .",

esraousnmg ; decisive knowledge; conciusion: ascertainment; confirmation

1. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya system. It is the conclusion one arrives at as a result of deliberation (tarka).
2. See padiirtha and chart no. 6.

Ntrnaya

Nirodha -

I..,UI'1

negation; cessation; restriction (from the verb root rudh =

"to obstruct, arrest, avert," + ni = "down or into")
1. According to Buddhism, it is of two types: space (iikiisa) and extinction (nirvana).
2. According to Sankhya, immediately before liberation occurs the
mind (ciUa) is in a state of cessation (nirodha).
3. According to Yoga, "restriction." It is both a process and a state of
restriction. It is of four types: vrtti, pratyaya, samskiira, and sarva
nirodha.

Niruddha -

Nirukta -

A'_'

Rtrel' -

-II'

Pi 6~ -

restricted; restrained

~ 6Cfd -

definition; etymology; the work of Sage Yaska.

1. One of the limbs of the Veda (Vediinga). It consists of the science of
etymology.
"

207

1. In the theistic systems, God is called nirupiidhika-bandhu (an unconditioned relative).

Nirupiidhi-pratibimba - f.:16q INCJ4fftfi141 - "reflection where there is no medium"

I. The reflection theory of the Dvaita Vedanta school.

Nirupadhi-sesa - ~ - a state of perfection (nirvana) in which there

is complete extinction of all impressions
Niriipaka .- P=t f'qq; -

correlating; correlated

Nirupita-svarupa-dharma -

~-

qualities which abide in the

Lord
1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, they are six in number: knowledze (iliiina) strenzth (balas dominion taisvarvas. rnizht (sakti: energy (virya), and splendor (tejas). (See svarupa-nirupaka-dharma.)
Nirupya-nirupaka-sambandha - 'Pi 'U1 f.:t ,q~ft41r:t:l- the relation between
the determined and the determinent

P1JC... -

explanation; etymological derivation; definite predication; elucidation

Nirvacana -

Nirvana -

P1qTuj -

extinction; perfection; the Great Peace; "blowing out";

"cooling" (from the verb root vii = "to blow" + nir = "out")
1. According to Buddhism, it is the goal of life.
2. According to Theravada Buddhism, it is nonconditional dharma

(asamskna-dharma).
3. According to Hlnayana, it is the eradication of the craving that causes rebirth. It is an overcoming of the wheel of birth and death
tsamsarav; and a final exit from the world of becoming.
4. According to the Mahayana, it is becoming conscious of one's own
suchness. In this school, perfection (nirvii1)a) equals the world of
birth and death (samsara). Its four characteristics are bliss, permanence, freedom, and purity.
5. In the Hinayana interpretation, perfection (nirvana) must be created,
while according to the Mahayana, it is one's very essence.
6. The Mahayana divides perfection (nirvana) into active (apratisthitav and static (oratisthitai.
7. It is a state of peace and the Buddha said that it is unknown, unique,
-'
, Q.llU

208

8. Its two divisions: perfection (nirva~a), in which some impressions

remain due to rebirth (sopadhi-sesai, and nirvana, in which there is
complete extinction of all impressions (nirupadhi-sesai.
9. Yoga describes it as citta-vrtti-nirodha or the cessation of all mental
activities.
10. It has been called unborn, absolute freedom, unconditional, tathata
or suchness, unchangeable, indescribable. Dharma-kayo, nonattach...
ment to either being or nonbeing.
Nirveda - ~ - regret and repentance
1. There is a section, Nirvedakarikiih. in the beginning of the Ahnikakiirika~ of Vangi Vamsesvara (Visi~~advaita Vedanta).
Nirvicara - ~ 1

,1.11.

.1.~

"without enquiry"
_......

.l..

...

~& .1..~

_1. .1

'U..

'U

....

(tanmiitra) and is one with them without any notion of their qualiues, It IS caueo nus. it IS a state ot concentration accornmg to the
Yoga school. (See vicara.)
.Y'

lUI

--~

,." ........', ..,

' .

,"He...

sl.C:ue Ul

samadhi, beyond all thought, attribute, and description (see samiidhi)

1. A type of unifying concentration (samiidhi).
2. A type of perception (pratyaksai.

Nirvikalpaka-pratyaksa - ~h('"qct'c;c("tC ftf - "indeterminate perception"; or

cognition of the object for the first time.
1. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, it is perception of an object isolated
and altogether uncharacterized. It is a preliminary cognition which
is only logically deduced from a fundamental postulate of the system. All complex things are explained as the putting together of simples constituting them. However, such simples, cannot be directly
cognized. (See pratyaksa.i
2. According to Mimamsa, the knowledge one first gains in perception
is quite vague and indefinite. However, unlike the Nyaya- Vaisesika
conception, this knowledge is not a theoretical supposition. It is part
of the perception process itself, serves a purpose, and can even be
acted upon.
3. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, perceptual experience is called
nirvikalpaka when an object is experienced for the first time. According to it, all experience involves judgment and it is merely a case
nf

'';

nr

<0,_1.

-rr

4. According to the Buddhists, indeterminate perception is the only

KInO or percepuon. An ooject, wnen H IS percervea, IS unique, ana
209

any name, universal, etc., added to this perception is added by the

mind.
5. According to the Advaita Vedantins, indeterminate perception is
knowledge which does not apprehend any relatedness of the substantive and its qualifying attribute. Thus it is not necessarily the
first or initial perception but any perception which is indeterminate.
Nirvikiira -- PtfciCfSI ( - without transformation or change; changeless
N irvise ~a --

f., M'" IS( -

without difference; attribute less; undifferentiated

Nirvitarka -'f.1 Fclct l~ - a concentration on objects without any notion of their

names and qualities.
1. According to the Yoga school, it is a state of concentration.
Nisargaja -

f.=tff tTIJ't

Niscava -- ~.u(,4
Niscayajnana

....

natural
determination: resolve

,,,,11'"

determinate knowledge

Nisedha -- ~ - negative command; prohibition

1. According to Mimamsa, it is an injunction stating what one should
not do. By avoiding such actions, an individual can purify him/herself and become eligible for the attainment of heavenly bliss.
Niskala -- PitSa;A -

partless; undivided; complete

Niskama-karma - PitSa;ltf(f)q - dedicated action; disinterested action; desireless action

1. Action dedicated to the Divine without any personal desire for the
fruits of one's labor. It purifies the mind and is a remote auxiliary to
the path of knowledge (according to Advaita Vedanta). It is activity
engaged in as dedication and worship.
2. Some aver that it is the central teaching of the Bhagavad GUli. It is
to act according to God's will; to be a successful instrument in the
divine hands through complete identity with the Divine. In doing action thus, one relinquishes the desire for any fruits of such action.
Niskampa-pravrtti -

F-16Q;LqQ~fi1- unfaltering effort

, .....

..

210

~~J

011

- - - _ ..

AlS4'M - fruitless; without result

Nisphala -

f1:tlSc;4q~ -

Nisprapatica -

transphenomenal; acosmic view of the Absolute

RlSc;4qfilCf5(oIP1Lfl~ Iqlf~7 -

Nisprapattci-karana-niyogavadin -

one who be-

lieves in the theory of liberation as cosmic dissolution

~-

devoid of nature; devoid of existence

1. According to Buddhism, qualities (dharma) are devoid of nature.

Nisvabhavata -

Niti -;:ftfu -

rules for ethical living

Ac'tf - permanent; eternal; unchanging

Nitya -

".~ ""1- "" ..., 'JuJu

.I-.~ ~:~~ ~+ .I-.~ ~.~~" ~.I-.~~ .:~~

, ...... " ......... ...,. . .",
, .......... , ........,

'T.'

space, mind, and the Self CAtman) is eternal.

N'irwa:

. I

-o?

Nitya-dosa

!tttrihlltP~ (of !t

f;::'kt1&1 6t
permanent defect
1. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, there is a distinction between permanent defect (a defect, which, when rightly detected, always vitiates the probans) and occasional defect (anitya-dosa) (a defect,
which, when rightly detected, vitiates the probans only under certain
circumstances).

Nitya-guna -

f:o:t(t1 T'T - eternal quality

Nitya-karma - Pt(tlq;q - obligatory Vedic duties; categorical imperative

1. According to the Mirnamsakes, they produce no specific fruits,
though if these actions are not performed, they produce demerit or
sin. This theory is denied by the Advaita Vedantins. The Advaitins
claim that omission of these actions does not produce sin. Nityakarmas are the regular rites which are to be performed daily---e.g.,
the daily fire sacrifice (agni-hotra), etc.

Nitya-naimtttika-karma - P1("t1~fttft1Cf5Cf54 - obligatory and occasional rites

1. These are two of the positive commands in the Veda. Obligatory duties are to be performed daily and do not depend upon the option of
an individual. Occasional rites are rituals which should be observed
on certain occasions---e.g., the ceremonial bath to be taken during
,.

TI-.",,"

n.+ .1-."".."" h"n. h,........,... n.+ ~~."".. ....In.,,,,...... n.. 1""",....1

211

to any merit but, according to the Mimamsakas, their nonperformance will result in demerit.

Nitya-priipta - ~("t1Q ICd - eternally realized

R,

Nitya-samsiirin - 'fr:1cLltiff I
eternally transmigrating individual
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, these are individuals who are tied down
to the cycle of birth and death forever. They are action (rajas) dominated and can never obtain liberation. (See svarupa-traividhyii.s
Nitya-sarira - flt(LI!11~h - eternal body
1. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, these are the bodies of God and
of eternally liberated individuals.
Nitya-surt

-<.

ever tree; eternal mdrvidual

1. Accordinz to Visi~~vaita and Dvaita Vedanta these are individuals which are ever free. (See jiva.)
I"C"'l~I

Nitya-vibhiai - ~ - eternal manifestation

1. According to ViSi~~dvaita Vedanta, this is the eternal, self-luminous, immaterial, infinite realm beyond primordial Nature (prakrtii
and its three Qualities (guIJa). It is the "material" out of which the
bodies of Isvara, eternals, and liberated beings are made. The five
powers (saktis) of sarva, nivrtti, visva, purusa, and paramesthin
comprise its nature. With the aid of suddhasattva which has only
purity (sattva) characterizing it, nityavibhiai is a type of supernature. It is matter without the latter's mutability.
Nivartaka-anupapatti - fr:tq<lCljqqRi - the untenability of that which removes (i.e., knowledge)
1. One of the seven untenables of Ramanuja in his criticism of the Advaita Vedanta concept of ignorance (avidyii). (See sapta-vidha-anupapatti.)

Nivartaka-jnana - f~c4(fct'it ,..., - knowledge which removes error

Nivrtti -- P=1ctft1 - negation; the path of turning away from activity; involution;
withdrawal (from the verb root vrt = "to tum" + ni = "back")
1. An infolding or a flowing-back-inwards of that which is outwardly
.{'

.1

2. According to the Vaisesika school, it is the effort to get rid of someLIlIIl~.

212

3. According to the Bhagavad Gitd, duty (dharma) as taught in the

Veda is twofold: of the form of active involvement in the world
(pravruiv and the form of turning away from activity (nivrtti), It is
by the latter, or renunciation, that one will gain liberation.
4. See nitya-vibhiui.

Nivrtti-anupapatti - 'f.:tqfi1 ~ - the untenability against release.

1. One of the seven untenables of Ramanuja in his criticism of the Advaita Vedanta concept of ignorance (avidyii). (See sapta-vidha-anupapatti.)
Niyama -

Pitt'! - observance; discipline

1. Daily observances recommended for the practice of yoga-Le.,
cleanliness, contentment, and mental and physical discipline. (See
yama.)
L.

me secona urno or i-atanjau s KIngly yoga (raja-yogai wrucn comprises five positive virtues. These are purity (sauca), contentment
(santosav; austerity (tapas), study (sviidhyiiya), and devotion to God
(i~

_'\ (~tata

.Jr.r

"'

_"non)

-.

v-

,/0

-,

3. The process of "going on."

Niyama-vidhi -~ - restrictive injunction
1. This is an injunction where, when a thing could have been done in a
number of ways, an order is given by the Veda restricting one to follow some definite alternative. For instance, though the chaff from
the com could be separated even by the nails, the order that "com
should be threshed" restricts one to threshing as the only accepted
action.
2. See vidhi.
Niyamena-iidheyatva - 'f.:tttq=t ~ - the body is defined as that which
the individual (soul) controls
1. This is an example given to illustrate the concept of inseparable relation iaprthak-siddhi) according to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta.

Niyamena-prakiira -

f.:tttq=t

~-

invariable mode; restrictive adjunct

Niyamena-sesatva - f~ttq=t ~ - the body is defined as that which the individual (soul) utilizes for its own ends
1. This is an example given to illustrate the concept of inseparable relation (aprthak-siddhiv according to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta.

Niyamena-vidheyatva uie

~-

f.1ttq=t

UlUl v lUU4l ~SOUIJ

I U)

213

the body is defined as that which

I. This is an example given to illustrate the concept of inseparable relation (aprthak-siddhii according to Visi~~advaita Vedanta.
Niyiimya -- Pitt l"tt -

controlled

Niyantd _. Pittkt 1Ntyantr>-

P1tt;:q -

ruler; controller
invariable; immutable; unchangeable

Attd -

Niyata -

the controller

Niyata-purva- vrtti- ~ - invariable antecedent

p.:,ttd~ql45 -

Niyata-vipaka -

...'yUH

fruition of action restricted to one life

,. ..

, . ,

............

\ a;)

I 'Co110

_'"

LV

-r

, a \;au;)c VI

,
Ul1U"I-

standing (from ni ="down" + the verb root yam ="to restrain")

I. One of the five constrictors (kaflcuka). It is the power that limits the
,

",

of:llJ.

or

. Ie

it is the cause of limitation with regard to space and cause. It connects specific causes to specific effects. (See paiica-kancuka.i
2. According to Kashmir Saivism, this is one of the impure categories
(tattva) which envelop the individual and make for its finitude.
3. According to Jainism, necessity. There are five conditions which
create diversity: time, nature, necessity, activity, and desire to be and
act.
Niyoga -- P"t41 11 -

to fasten; tie; apply; command; order

f~ti)J 14514 -

what is to be accomplished, as per an injunction

I. According to Mlmamsa, the Veda has injunction (niyoga) as its sole
purport. Advaita Vedanta denies and attempts to refute this claim.

Niyogakiirya -

Nodana -- "11~"'1 Nrsimha Nrtya -

ifl1~

~-

Nyiisa -::::rrm -

push; upward or side motion

man-lion; an incarnation of Visnu (see avatiira)

dance
renunciation; laying down; placing; imprinting; casting; puri-

rying
214

1. A ritual process in which parts of the human body and deities and
mystic diagrams are identified in order to form a series of microcosmic and macrocosmic relationships.
2. Nyiisa includes (1) j7va-nyasa-infusing the life of the deity into
one's body; (2) matrika-nyasa--placing the fifty letters of the Sanskrit alphabet into one's body; (3) !~i-nyasa-saluting various deities associated with various parts of the body; and (4) sadanganyasa~stablish power in the six limbs; all of which distributes
power in the body, creating a new inner and outer reality for oneself.

Nyaya -::::tITlf -logic; axiom; logical reasoning; rule; method; syllogism

1. An orthodox (astika) school of Indian philosophy. Its founder was
Gautama; its viirttika-kiira was Uddyotakara; and its bhasya-kiira
was Vatsyayana. It is primarily a school of logic and epistemology.
It has been defined as a critique of the categories through means of
vane xnowtecge. it IS arso rererren to ny the names anvtkstki ana tar-

ka.
2. The Nyaya school holds a philosophy of logical realism. The dis.

nfthic

'iC itc

L'

.....

nfth~ tnnlc nf~n_

quiry and its formulation of the technique of argumentation.

Nyiiya-prasthiina - o:ti ILfCJ4ftfFf - "the foundatin of logic or reasoning"; a

name for the Brahma-siitra
1. It is so called because it sets forth the teachings of Vedanta in a logicalorder.
Nyiiydvayava -

4:1 Itt Ictttct -

component of a syllogism

215

o
Ojah - $ir: - vitality; luster; splendor; energy; spiritual energy; the sexual fluid is converted into ojas in the course of yoga when continence is practiced (from the verb root vaj = "to be strong")

Om - ~ - the Word; the pranava: the Eternal

1. All words are said to be but various forms of the one sound--omaccording to the Upanisads, It represents the Divine and the power
of God. It is the sound symbol for the ultimate Reality.
2. The three letters (miitra)-A, U, and M-represent, respectively, the
outer, the inner, and the superconscient states of consciousness and
the waking, dream, and deep-sleep states. And beyond these is the
modeiess tourth ta-matra), wrucn IS the-Self, accoromgToAITvaUa
Vedanta.
~

...

... ....

.,.

..

216

p
Piida -

~-

part; chapter; foot; a type of significatory power of words

1. Yaisvanara, taijasa, prajiui, and turiya are the four quarters (piida)
of the Self as described in the Miir:u!ukya Upanisad. The first three
are parts and the fourth is the whole.
2. It means "a quarter," as originally it referred to the four feet of an
animal. Thus, there are four parts to the Self or four parts to a verse,
etc.
3. Sometimes it is used as an honorific ending, applied to form titles of
individuals-e.g., Pujyapada.
4. See karmendriya.

Padaikavakyatii
(cpp obn_

...

1~(11

~tt- category;

Padiirtha 1

the syntactic unity of a word to a sentence

-.

tn

objects of experience
thprp

.:llrP

t~vn rn.:llin

.'

.J'

'.J.

en.. )

....'
....
(jiva; and nonsoul (aj7va). The individual soul is an extended, conscious, immaterial substance. The nonsoul is divided into time (kii/a),
space (iikiisa), medium of motion (dharma), medium of rest (adharma), and matter (pudgala). All these except time are extended, non-

conscious substances. Time has no parts and thus is not extended.

2. According to Nyaya, there are sixteen categories: means of valid
knowledge (pramana), objects of valid knowledge (prameya), doubt
(samsaya), purpose (prayojana), instances (dr~~iinta), established
conclusion (siddhiinta), members of a syllogism (avayava), reductio
ad. absurdum (tarka), arguing (ja/pa), decisive knowledge (nirnayai,
arguing for truth (viida), mere destructive argument (vitalJ4ii), fallacious reasons (hetviibhiisa), quibbling (cha/a), specious and unavailing objections (jiiti), and vulnerable points (nigraha-sthiina).
3. According to Vaisesika, there are seven categories: substance (dravya), quality (gulJa), activity (karma), generality (siimiinya), particularity tvisesa), inherence tsamavaya), and nonexistence (abhiiva).
These are defined as what can be known Ufreya) or validly cognized
(prameya), and names (abhidheya).
4. According to Sankhya, there are two basic categories: spirit tpurusat
and matter (prakrtii. The former is conscious, nonactive, unchanging, pure, and many. The latter isnonconscious, active, ever changinn- .:lln~ nn~
'0'

5. According to Prabhakara Mimfu!1sa, there are eight categories: substance iaravya), quauty iguna), action (karma), generanty isaman217

ya), dependence (paratantratii), potency (Sakti), similarity (siidrsya),

and number tsankhya).

6. According to Bhana Mimamsa, there are five categories: substance

(dravya), quality (guna), action (karma), generality (siimiinya), and
nonexistence (abhiiva).
7. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, there are two categories: substance (dravya) and nonsubstance (adravya). The substances are six:
primal matter tprakrtii; time (kiila), pure matter (suddha-sattva) or
nitya- vibhiai), attributive consciousness (dharma-bhiua-jnanai. individual soul viva), and God (Isvara). These nonsubstances are ten:
the five qualities of the elements-sound, touch, color, taste, and
smell; the three qualities (guna) of primordial Nature (prakrttv-s-sattva, rajas, and tamas; potency (sakti); and conjunction isamyoga).
8. According to Dvaita Vedanta there are ten categories: substance
(dravya), quality (gul}a), action (karma), generality (siimiinya), par

I' .

_"

\VlolC;~U),

' ...

I'

\1

~ ,

_"

.".~~ ... l

. 1

~ ..... v

~-

I),

\olUI\U),

similarity (sadrSya), and nonexistence (abhiiva).

9. According to Saiva Siddhanta, the main categories are three: God
toativ individual soul (vasu). and bonds (viisa).
10. According to Advaita Vedanta, there are two empirical categories:

I'

'.".J

~PUH \ " " / UlIU

' .

I'
'."
T:'.
.t.
A.
\U" . . / . s: IVlIJ LlI'"

.t.
. ' L1J"'.'"

is only the Absolute (Brahman).

11. According to Kashmir Saivism, there are thirty-six categories: Siva,
Sakti, Sadasiva or Siidiikhya, lsvara, sad-vidya, the power of obscuration (maya), time (kala), spatial restriction (niyati), attachment
(raga), knowledge (vidyii), agency (kalii), individual soul (purusay,
primordial Nature (prakrtii, intellect (buddhi), individuation (ahankiira), mind (manas), the five organs of knowledge tjnanendriyav,
the five organs of action (karmendriya), and the five gross elements
(mahii-bhiaay.
12. See charts no. 6-9.
Piidasevana Padma -- tm" -

ql~~q"1 -

worship of the Lord's feet (see bhakti)

lotus; the Goddess

Padmiisana - qll~r:t - "lotus posture"

1. The most important posture for meditation, formed by sitting on the
ground with the back erect, placing the right foot over the left thigh
and the left foot over the right thigh, Both hands can be placed on
the knee joints.
Padodaka-ql(fl~Qi -drinking the water used to clean the guru's or thejwigama s teet

218

1. According to Vlra Sai vism, it is the taking of the water which is used
to clean either the guru's or e jangama's feet or the water which is
used to worship the linga and drinking it as sacred prasada. It is said
to purify the threefold body of a spiritual aspirant.
2. See asta-tivarana.
..
.
Piiduka -

q '~Cf" - sandals; the sandals of the guru

Piika -

~-

Paksa -

~-

heat; cooking; ripening; baking

minor term; subject; probandum

1. It is that in which the presence of the probandum is not known for
certain and is yet to be proved; e.g., the mountain is the probandum
when smoke is the probans. It is the subject where the character is
10 erre ,e.g., Ire t e c aracter IS 10 erre on t e l
t e su ject .
2. It is of two kinds: sa aksa a similar instance in which the robandum is known for certain, and vipaksa, a counterexample in which

3. It is one of two factors essential in an inferential process. Not only

must there be the knowledge of the universal concomitance between
the mark and the predicted character, but also the observation of the
mark as being present in the subject (paksai. The former is called
vyiipti-jiuina and the latter is called paksa-dharmata-jiiana.
4. It is also known as a period of time-Le., fourteen days (a fortnight).

Paksiibhdsa -

~-

fallacy of the minor term or subject

Paksa-dharmatii-jiuina - ~ - knowledge of the subject as having

the mark
1. It is one of the two factors necessary for an inferential process. It is
the observation of the mark as being present in the subject. It is the
minor premise or that about which the assertion has been made. It
must be invariable and universal for the inference to be valid.
2. See linga-pariimarsa.
Paiiea-bheda - ~ - five differences
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, difference is fivefold: the difference
between God and the individual soul; between different individual
ter; and between matter and matter itself (in its various forms) prapaneo e apanca a r:
219

Panca-bhiaa-vtveka -~drc-aq; -

enquiry into the five elements

I. The title of the second chapter of the Pancadast and a method which
enquires into the nature of the five elements in order to demonstrate
that the Real is not the objective world made of the five elements.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, when all of the elements are denied,
only existence (sat) remains.
3. The principle employed is: What is grosser and more external is less
real then the subtler, more internal, more pervasive. As the Self is the
subtlest and innermost being, it is the most supremely real, according to Advaita Vedanta.
five codes of conduct
1. According to Vira Saivism. there are five ethical codes of conduct:
one should daily worship the linga, remain strictly monotheistic, and
admit all rules only on the basis of knowledge (liligaciira); one must
work for one's livelihood, be righteous, and help others tsadacarav;

Paiicacara -

Q1liSfl< -

one

_L

_1--1

as. T.ord Siva (~. - - .v. one

see

_1_1

he

humble to Lord Siva and his devotees (bhrtyiicara); and one should
;)UIY~

.L

IVI

UI~

"A.

VI

11

au

_."

'UJ.

~.

2. These are the disciplines necessary as aids which precede the six
stages of consciousness isatsthala),
~-

"knowledge of the five fires"

I. The eschatological doctrine of the five fires taught as a form of meditation is the Chandogya Upanisad.

Panciignividya -

Paiica-katicuka - Q1q;t>.3~ - five sheaths; the five restrictors or constrictors;

the "five obscuring coverings"
I. According to Kashmir Saivism, there are five categories: the power
of time (kala), the power of natural law tniyati), the power of attachment (raga), the power of limited knowledge (vidyii), and the power
of limited action (kala), which are called the five sheaths and which
envelop the individual soul, making for its finitude. The soul, which
is thus enveloped in the sheaths, is called the purusa.

"five causes"
1. The five conditions involved in determining a causal condition: neither the cause nor the effect is perceived; the cause is perceived; in
immediate succession the effect is perceived; the cause disappears;
in immediate succession the effect disappears.

Paiicakarani -

Qtq;l(4) -

Pahca-kosa-viveka 1
.l

rra.
.lll~

'.1
ULl~

~.S:.L
V.l

~11~

.L.oJ
~lIliU

"enquiry into the five sheaths"

.S:.L

220

V.l

~II~

'-'
,

. . .o

...

_..
~II'-

ployed to demonstrate that the Self is not the psycho-physical organism. The principle employed is: What is grosser and more external
is less real than the subtler, more internal, more pervasive. As the
Self is the subtlest and the innennost being, it is the most supremely
real, according to Advaita Vedanta.
Paiica-krtya - qfe:p(Lf - "fivefold activity"
1. According to Kashmir Saivism, Siva is said to perform five actions:
creation (sr~{i), maintenance (sthiti), dissolution (samhiiray. obscuration (tirodJuina), and grace (anugraha).

Paiica-maha-vrata -

qllq~ lact

the five great vows (see maha-vratay

the five "m's"

1. maaya ~ wine), miimsii lmealJ, matsya (nsn), muarii ~
gram ,
and maithuna (coition) are the five essential elements in the worship
of the Goddess (Sakti).

Paiica-makiira -

Paiiciinga -

qfJ4q;I{ -

qf rii' - "five limbs or parts"; the traditional Indian calendar

1. The name of the traditional Hindu calendar. It includes five basic elements: tithi, naksatra, katana. yoga, and vara (vasara). It is a sophisticated tool for planning. It provides precise information about
unseen astrological factors, planets, and stars which influence and
alter the nature of the subtle environment.
Paticariitra - qsHlit
Vai~f}ava Agama; a system belonging to the iigama
class; "five nights"
1. It consists of authoritative source books, according to both Visi~~ad
vaita and Dvaita Vedanta, which are attributed to Lord Visnu. Some
of the more important works include Brhad-brahmasamhitii, Jtuinamrtasiirasamhitd, lsvarasamhita, Pauskarabudhnya-samhita, and
Piidmasamhitii.
2. It is a Vaisnavite sect also known by the names Narayaniya, Sattvata, Ekantika, and Bhagavata. They worship Vasudeva-Krsna, with
his four emanations (vyuha).
Patica-sila - qf~M - five moral precepts
1. The five moral precepts which every Buddhist lay disciple (upiisaka) and every monk (bhiksu) must promise to observe: abstinence
from iniurinz others (oranatioata), stealing (adattaniidiinas. incontinence (abrahmacarya) , lying (mrsavadas, and temperance (sura- .,

-. ..

221

Paiica-skandha - qlt<:f5-\:l- the five aggregates (see anumanay

Paiiciivayava-viikya - QlIC4LfC4C4 ICftt - a syllogism with five members
1. These are thesis (pratijiui), reason (hetu), universal proposition
(udaharanai, the application (upanaya), and the conclusion tnigamana).

Paiiciiyata - Qllttd - "council of five"; traditional Indian village government

council
Paiicikarana- q~Cf'(ol - quintuplication
1. The theory that every physical object contains all the five elements
in various proportions. In the Upanisads there was reference only to
three elements, but the Vedanta extended it to five elements. (See
n.
,.
YY'
,.,.,.,., .. " , .
UIUfUHU-o,)UHU ..... lV ...... )
v

,.

. . .,.-

.....~~... v

.,
_

.L''
'j~

uu~

Ul\;;VlJ

to explain their theory of error known as "cognition of the real" (satkhydti).

Pandita _. q fO sd -learned individual; scholar; pundit

Piil}i-trrfUr- hand
I. One of the five organs of action. (See karmendriya.)
Papa -

sin; demerit; evil

1. Actions which produce sorrow.
2. According to Jainism, one of the aspects of nonself tajtva).

qrq -

qI41q~1 -

desisting from advising people to engage in agriculture which leads to the killing of insects
1. This is a limb of anarthadanda, which is one of the minor duties
placed upon householders within Jaina ethics.

Piipopadeia -

Para - qTI -

higher; universal; beyond; supreme; transcendent

1. According to Sankhya, it is one of the nine kinds of laziness or contentment (tu~ri). Here it refers to the idea that no exertion toward liberation is necessary because of the troubles which come of earning
one's living.
2. According to Vaisesika, it is a type of quality (gulJa) representing
universality.
3. A term employed in the Upanisads to describe knowledge relating to
Reality.

r:.

-11-.

f",,..

"f <,,,..... ,.1

222

., ..'"

..1,'

,C'h",r1.

(para); visible sound, which can be heard as "om" (pasyantiv; middle sound, which refers to a variety of basic sounds (matrka) that are
very subtle (madhyama); and manifest sound ivaikharai, which is
the grossest level of sound and is what is heard in ordinary speech.
(See sabda.i
5. See apara.
Parabhakti - ~ - supreme devotion (from para = "supreme" + bhakti =
"devotion")
1. Supreme devotion is of five types: santa, diisya, sakhya, viitsalya.
and madhurya. (See bhakti.)
Parabrahman - q {41$1 - the supreme Being; the Divine as transcendent; that
which is beyond all dualities (from para = "supreme" + brahman =
"Absolute")
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the supracosmic Divine who
sunnorts with its timeless and soaceless existence the entire cosmic
manifestation of its own being in time and space. It is infinite, at

. . . I ' .1.

_1

,..u.U

...I

"U"VLI~

..

..u ..'" LII.U

c.
IVJllI.

co

\U"''''

~.

.J

Pariidhinatva
Y (I t.41-1 ('q
the other-dependent; to be dependent upon God"daivadhinam jagatsarvam"
Parajati -

q {"1 1ft - highest universal (from para ="supreme" + jati ="universal")

1. For example, sattii (being) is the "highest universal" in the NyayaVaisesika system.

Para-jiuina - q hiP'"' - wisdom; supreme knowledge (from para = "supreme"

+ jfiana = "knowledge")
1. It is devotion awakened by sastraic knowledge according to
Visi~~advaita Vedanta. (See bhakti.)

Pariik -

~
/

Pariik-drsti -

external; the transcendent

q <: I~ct f

outward vision

Piira-laukika - ~ Parama -

q(Il-

transempirical: transcendent; beyond this world

highest; supreme

Parama-bhakti - ~ T

the quintessence of devotion (from parama =

.. . . .

."
. )

223

1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, it is an unquestionable thirst for

God. (See bhakti.i

Parama-guru-

~-

one's teacher's teacher; grandfather guru; supreme guru

1. Within Advaita Vedanta, Gaudapada is known as Sankaracarya's

parama-guru.
Paramanu - q ( JOiI'1 - atom
1. The minutest conceivable particle of matter which cannot be further
divided.
2. According to Buddhism, it consists of the fourfold substratum of color, smell, taste, and contact. It is the minutest form of rupa. It cannot
be divided, seen, analyzed, tasted, or felt. Yet it is not permanent, but
a mere momentary flash into being. Single atoms are called drayaparanuinu and compound atoms are called sanghiita-paramanu. Sev-

..

stance is constituted of three dyads called a tryanuka. Two atoms

constitute a dyad (dvyanuka).
4. According to Sankhya, atoms are of five types: (space, air, fire, water, earth-akiisa, vQyu, tejas, ap, and bhiaadi). They are generated
from the subtle elements (tanmiltra).

Paramapada - 4(qqG - the highest abode; the supreme abode (Vaikuntha) of

Lord Visnu.
1. It is the immaterial, self-luminous, infinite, realm of Vaikuntha.

Pariimarsa - q (14t - subsumptive reflection; self-experience

1. Understanding the minor premise in relation to the major premise is
called subsumptive reflection. It is the ratiocinative process that
makes known the fact that the reason, which is universally concomitant with the inferred character, is present in the subject. The principle involved in this process is subsumption or the correlation of a
particular case with the universal pervading it. For example, when a
particular case of smoke on a hill has been perceived, the presence
of fire can be inferred because the smoke is subsumed under the generalization involving the universal pervasion of smoke by fire. (See
I inga-paramarsa.i

Paramartha -

'Q(tITtf -

the highest purpose or goal; absolute truth; real; Reali=

224

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the highest of the three levels of

reality. It represents the absolute truth. (See vyiivaharika and priitibhdsika.) This term is contextual for it is used with regard to the Absolute for the purpose of distinguishing it from all else.

Paramartha-satya - Q(11l'Q'kt1 - the transcendental truth according to

Madhyamika Buddhism
Paramiirthika - ~ - the Absolute; the absolutely real (from parama =
"highest" + arrha = "purpose")
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the highest of the three levels of
reality. It represents the absolute truth. (See vyiivaharika and prattbJuisika.) This term is contextual for it is used with regard to the Absolute for the purpose of distinguishing it from all else.
Paramatman - q {Lj kLj==1... - the supreme Self; Brahman; God; the Absolute
(from parama - "highest + atma - "Self")
1. Accordinz to Sankhva the conscious individual iourusas is called

paramiitman.
Parama-avadhi - Q'{lf ~ - a type of clairvoyance
1. According to Jainism, in this type of clairvoyance, the range is not
so limited by spatial and temporal conditions. (See avadhi.)

Paramesvara- q <q!fq <- the supreme Lord; Siva (from parama = "highest" +
isvara = "lord")
Paramita

q, {fqell - highest ideals of spiritual perfection; virtues

1. According to Buddhism, these virtues guide and assist the aspirant
on the path to perfection. They have three stages: ideals for the
worldly life, ideals for the mental life, and ideals for the spiritual life.
They are six in number: dana or charity and love; fila or good behavior; ksanti or patience; virya or zeal; dhyana or meditation; and
prajna or widsom.

Pararhjyoti-q{~lRt -supreme light (from para = "supreme" + artha =

"goal"; jyoti = "light")

Paramparii - q {Lq {I

tradition; one following another; lineage; succession;

uninterrupted succession. (See eur paramparii.)

Uf

_...

'U

. ..

..
225

Paramukta - q <ljtfS - highest liberation (from para = "highest" + moksa =

"liberation")
l. Individual souls completely liberated according to Saiva Siddhanta.
2. See jiva per Saiva Siddhanta,
Pariipara -- 4 (14 <-

one of the nine types of defects

1. According to Sankhya, it is the natural waste of things earned by enjoyment.
2. See tusti.

Pariirdha -- ~ -

one thousand crores of crores; one thousand million

Pariutha-anumana - trn~ - inference through the help of articulated

propositions for convincing others in a debate
1. According to Nyaya, it is one of two classes of inference. It is inference for the sake of another. This type of inference requires the formulation of the five-membered svllozism in order to anive at a
conclusion.
"

....

.....

~1.~

....

.1. ~~

04'"''''

.....,

"..1..1"
~

_.~._

..... '''''VIA

.&'

...,.

I'

"u""

svartha-anumana and pariirtha-anumana.

J. According to Mlmarpsa, tms type ot mterence only needs three
members of a syllogism (praiijtia. hetu, and drstantas.
4. See anumana.

Parasamvit - 4 <1~ra('1

the Supreme experiencing principle;, absolute experience; self-luminous knowledge; pure Consciousness; Siva
1. According to Kashmir Saivism, it is the supreme Reality-c-one, indivisible, and infinite. It is Consciousness (caitanya). It is not exhausted by its innumerable and diverse manifestations in the
universe nor is it limited or conditioned by space, time, or form. It
transcends all. As such it is called the Absolute (anuttara).
~

Paraspariisraya - q n:q <I~lf - reciprocal dependence

1. A type of logical fallacy. (See anyonyiisraya.i
Parasuriima - ~ - Rama with the battle axe (from parasu = "axe" +
rtima = "delight"); an incarnation of Visnu (see avatarai
tm=f:l7f141 0 LfqI ~ - the theory of extrinsic validity
1. The theory of the Nyaya school which says that knowledge is not
self-evidently valid as it arises, but becomes valid only on fulfilling
certain extrinsic conditions. The conditions of validity and invalidity
of knowledge are other than the conditions of knowledge itself. (See

Paratah-pramanya- vada -

r,

-'-', r

-.1.

-_./

226

Paratantra - q ('Ir?l - externally valid; dependent

1. One of three types of knowledge according to Aryasailgha. It is relative knowledge which exists of the mind and for philosophers. At
this level, empirical phenomena are recognized to be relative and interdependent.
2. See parikalpita.

Piiratantrya - ql('IP?t1 Paratastva - q ('IRa Paratogriihya -

dependence (on God)

extrinsicality

q 11 f) I~ -

made out extrinsically

Paratva - tmCf - a type of quality (guna) which gives rise to perception of a

long duration of time and remoteness of space.
1

to"'

,.

...,

'" '"

-V:"

.,

it ic i

"

of

. 1

::Inti

ral remoteness.
q (I fa fJI - the higher knowledge: wisdom
1. The Upanisads sometimes make a distinction between the higher
and lower truth. In the Mundaka Upanisad, the former is the knowledge of the Absolute (Brahman) and the latter is the knowledge of
empirical things. Generally it is the supreme knowledge of the Ultimate or imperishable Reality. It is knowledge of the Self.

Para vidva -

Paricarana -

qft~ (0 I -

attending; rendering service

Paricchinna - q fi~7t Parigraha Parihara -

qfif)~ -

finite determination; limited

acceptance

q R~ I( - a logical category
1. It is a logical category found in the Caraka-samhitii.

Parikalpa - qRq;("q -

conceive; to imagine; creation from within

Parikalpita - qf{q;fFq(1 - illusory; imaginary

1. One ofthe three types ofknowledge according to Yogacara Buddhism.
Arya-saI1l?;ha says that this knowledge is as simple, everyday, ianorant
individuals hold. At this level, what is imagined, appears as real.
"

co. ~

.J

227

Parikrama - ~ - circumambulation; "to traverse around"

Pariksa --

trtm-

enquiry; examination

Parimana - qftlf(UT - size; quantity; measure

1. Nyaya-Vaisesika divides size into anu-parimana, hrasva-parimiina,
mahat-parimana. They also say that the size of the atoms of space,
time, ether, mind, and the Self (Atrnan) are eternal and all-pervasive.
Piirimiindalya - q \1'11 0 sFL1 - globular; round; atomic size
1. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, atomic size is eternal and unchanging in itself. It is the measure of an atom. It is the smallest conceivable size.

...

-- -

..

1. According to Nyaya- Vaisesika, it is that entity of quality in things by

virtue or wrucn mQlVIOmUS perceive tnem as great or small ana speak
of them as such. It is one of the six classes of categories (paddrtha),
n
&

'.....

......

,
"
opment; ripening; changing
"

...J.1

qftoilLfal<:; - transformation theory

1. The theory that the cause is continually transforming itself into its
effects.
2. According to Brahma-parinama-viida, the world is a transformation of the Absolute (Brahman), and according to prakrti-pariniimavada, the world is a transformation of primordial Nature (prakrti).
3. According to Sankhya, causation is the manifestation of what is in a
latent condition in the cause. That is, the effect exists already in the
cause in a potential state, and the causal operation only makes patent
what is latent in the cause. This theory is also called satkarya-vada.
Visi~~dvaita Vedanta also accepts this theory.
4. Saiva Siddhanta holds that the world is a transformation of the primordial Nature tprakrti-parinama-vada),

Parindma-vada -

Parinispanna - qf1P1lSq?t - Absolute

1. One of the three types of knowledge in Buddhism, according to Aryasangha. This is the perfect knowledge which the Buddha is said to
possess.

Parisahajaya
..J L

q ft lSI ~ \i1l4

the ability to remain steadfast on the religious path

.L:l

.L

228

1. According to Jainism, this is one of the bhiiva-samvaras. (See bhiiva-samvara.i It is employed to control the inrush of material (karma) particles into the individual.
Parisankhya-vidhi - qRtf~O{C5tt I fa 1':1- exclusive injunction
1. One of the three classes of injunctions. When two or more things of
unknown value are enjoined, one must choose according to the
scriptures. What is enjoined is already known, but not necessarily as
possible alternatives. For instance, a mantra may be used in a number of places, but there are cases where it should not be used.
2. See vidhi.

Parisesa - ~ - elimination; exclusion, residue

1. Knowing something by means of elimination.
qfi~lS(q IPi

reductio ad absurdum
1. A type ot ranacious mterence. .rms type consists in assertmg anythinz" because it is already known to be so.

Parisesamana -

n'
.. UI

.J

IUV

Parivriijaka - q 0:<;41 'if(f; - one who has renounced the world; a sannyasin;
"one who wanders"
Paroksa -

triref -

nonperceptional; indirect; mediate

Paroksa-jiidna - ~ -

Piirvati

s--

mediate knowledge

Q'TCfcfi - "daughter of the mountain"; Siva's consort; Divine Mother

Paryiiya - qL1fL1 - mode; change

1. A Jaina term applied to the changes which occur in the attributes of
substances.
2. The individual viva) has four modes: divine, human, hell dweller,
and animal-divya, manusya, ndrakiya, and tiryak.
3. Modes are of two kinds: dravya-paryiiya. which gives a vision of
unity in the diversity of modes; e.g., a green fruit or a ripe fruit is always fruit. This mode is of two kinds: samana-jatiya-dravyaparyiiya and asamana-jatiya-dravya-paryiiya. The second type of
mode is jiva-paryaya.
no

I. UI

yuyu-fluyu

..,..., ,..., ,...,

'"

229

...

- HJlfl.U-flUyU

JCC pUI YUYUf

Paryiiyarthika-naya - qt1Tt1 J ft:1Cf'''1 t1 - the viewpoint of modes

1. According to Jainism, this is the viewpoint which considers the
modifications and conditions of an object. It indicates the infinite
standpoints possible when Reality is analysed from the point of view
of the modes it possesses.
2. It is of four types: standpoint of momentariness tryustura-nayat,
synonyms (sabda-naya), etymological standpoint isamabhiriuihanaya), and such-like standpoint tevambhiua-nayas. (See naya.)

Piiia -Q"rw - bond; fetter; reins; rope

1. Literally, "a rope." It is comprised of three strands: impurity of ignorance ianava), impurity of action (karma), and the power of obscuration (miiyii). These three tie the individual soul into bondage.
A~ava is ignorance. It is a beginningless, positive, inert entity which
causes delusion. It is the orizinal cause of the individual's bondaze.
It has two powers: iivaraka-sakti and adhonyamika-sakti. Action
r t.
\'~

... ,

.\ :~ +J....~ 1-.~_"'"

, .... ,

.'"

...... vv......

..

J.....
....

~~ .

"'.....

~_.....

...... ~ .....

"'..... , "'. .................

These produce merit and demerit which tie the individual to the
wheel ot birth and death. Maya provides the individual With its bodies, instruments, and objects of experience. It creates the universe for
one's advancement, though under the influence of ignorance, it is
misused and becomes a fetter.
2. See mala.

Piisanda
Pasu -

s-:

q 1!l10~ -

heretic; hypocrite; unbeliever

~-

individual soul; animal; slave

1. The individual soul by nature is infinite, pervasive, and omniscient
according to Saiva Siddhanta. However, due to impurities, individuals experience themselves as finite, limited, and ignorant. These
impurities which bind the individual are three: anava, karma, and
miiyii. (See pasa.)
2. According to Saiva Siddhanta, individuals are divided into three
classes: sakala.pralayakala, and vijnanakalo-ses they exist with either all three impurities, only the first two impurities, or only anava,
Individuals are infinite in number and are related to the Lord as a
body is related to the soul.
3. According to Kashmir Saivism, the individual is nothing but the
universal Self appearing under limitation. Not only is the nature of
the Real veiled, but also an apparent plurality of souls is projected
by mayii. Each of these individuals is called pasu because the nonspatial Self is limited.
If

C'~~ ":'. ~

230

Piisupata -

q l~q(1 -

a philosophical theory of one of the Saiva schools

1. It is one of the Saiva sects, and sometimes Saiva systems are called
thus because Siva is the lord of the individual.

Pasupati - ~ -

Lord of individuals; Lord Siva; Lord of animals

Pasyanti - q!(Lf=d1- the first prearticulated aspect of sound; sound in a subtle

form as it starts to manifest before reaching the mind; visible sound
1. Generally four stages of sound are distinguished: supreme sound
(Para); visible sound, which can be heard as om (pasyantiy; middle
sound, which refers to a variety of basic sounds (matrka) that are
very subtle (madhyama); and manifest sound (vaikhiira), which is
the grossest level of sound and is what is heard in ordinary speech.
(See sabda.i

Piitala -

q IdiM - hell; nether world

1. The nether pole of Bhii-loka. According to Hindu tradition, it is one
nf th". ,.

(~".". tnln "nA In!?n \

"/

Pataiijali

name of a philosopher and the greatest exponent of the

Yoga philosophy
1. He is the author of the Yoga Sutras. There is a Patanjali who is the
reputed author of the Mahabhdsya, the great commentary on
Piinini' Siaras on grammar.
'Hl;}'lIM

"Lord'" " God' Master', Siva

1. Siva is the Lord of all beings and the highest Reality according to the
Saiva schools. He is the only independent substance according to
Saivism. Origination, maintenance, and destruction have their origin
in him, but he himself does not undergo any change. He is the unchanging ground of all that changes. He is the efficient cause of the
world. He has eight qualities: independence, purity, self-knowledge,
omniscience, freedom from impurities, omnipotence, bliss, and
grace. He is both immanent and transcendent. He has five functions:
creation (sr~ri), preservation (sthiti), destruction isamhiirai, obscuration (tirodhiina), and grace (anugraha). He has eight names:
Rudra, Sarva, Ugra, Asani, Bhava, Pasupati, Mahadeva, and Isana.
(See also Rudra and Siva.)

Pati -.....;:::....
~1(1 -

Patupratyaya n

.l

...

qg,OkLp.'1 - vivid cognition

,ll~

mlll'ip of

. 1

231

Pauruseya - ,,",/ (iG4tt - personal; what originates from a person

Piivana -

~-

fire; holy; purifying

Pavitra -

~-

holy; pure

Piiyasa - q Ittfl - a sweet rice pudding prepared with or made from milk
Piiyu - tfTlj' - anus; organ of excretion
1. One of the five organs of action. (See karmendriya.)
Phala -

~-

fruit, result

Phala-bhakti -~ - devotion which is the result of God's srace ziven

spontaneously (see bhakti)
Phala-vyapyatva - QiHOtf 1CL1('q - pervasion by knowledge
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is one of the two conditions neeS!.
~""<.UJ

I.VI

..
~

.V U'-' Ull

'J

. S!
VI. ~IV

..
I~U6~'

2. See vrtti-vyiipyatva.
Phaiibhiuajiiiina -

cM'l4dit 1"1 - resultant cognition

Pilupdka .- cflHq I~ - heating of atoms

1. According to Vaisesika, it is the impact of heat upon simple atoms
which decompose dvyanukas into simpler arrangements so that new
characteristics or qualities may arise. There is first a disintegration
into simple atoms, then change of atomic qualities, and then a final
recombination. Compare puharapiika.
...:)

Pinda -

ftroT -

part of the whole; individual; small ball of rice offered to one's

ancestors as an oblation

Pingala -- fqi'HI - reddish brown; tawny; one of the three chief subtle nerves
or arteries
1. A channel (nii4i) that originates at the base of the spine and terminates at the right nostril; called the sun niidi because of its heating
effect. (See niiifi and i4ii.)

Pisaca - fq::nl'il

demon; ogre; imp; devil; vampire (from the verb root pis

232

fQo - seat; throne; chair

Pitha -

1. It indicates both the center or essence of a tradition/lineage or of a

monastery and the person who sits upon the seat in that center.
Pitharapiika - fCtO(qI(f; - heating of molecules
1. According to Nyaya, heat directly affects the character of molecules
and changes their qualities without effecting a change in the atoms.
(Compare with pilupaka, as this is one of the few points of difference between the later Nyaya and Vaisesika schools.)
Pitha-sthana - ~ Pit! -

fQq -

the location of a monastery

ancestor; forefather

Pitryana -'fqQ:t4IPi -path of the ancestors

,

""'"

I .lUll;;

way

.., ~'-

VI

u ic

..

.,.

...

...

..

.1

IU WIU,",U LUll;; UIUIVIUUa.a 03VUI.,

"

'Jv UULU,

after death, it once more enters a womb to be born again.

~

."

o"'''u

1. In Ayur Veda, it is one ofthe bodily humors (dhiitu) and has the following qualities: fatness, hotness, plungent, and liquid.
Prabandha Prabhii -

~-

gl.IT -

fasten; check; hinder; to bind

effulgence; shine; splendor (from prabhii = "to shine")

Prabhiikari - 't;f1Ot I(f;dl - illumination (from prabhii ="to shine" + kr

(see bodhisattva)

="to do")

Prabhu - Q1j - Lord; excelling; mighty; powerful; master (from the verb root
bhu = "to become, hence, to rule" + pra = "forth")

Priicurya - ~ - abundance
Praddksina - ~ - "right facing"; respect show through certain actions
like prostration
1. The sacred act of worshipful circumambulation, walking clockwise
around a temple sanctorum or other holy place.
, .....

-J'

233

Pradhiina -l;rc::.l'A - the originator; primordial matter; the original source of the
material universe; foundation (see prakrti; PrdhiinaksetrajnapatirgU'}eSa~)

Pradhvamsabhava - ~ - annihilative or posterior nonexistence

1. The nonexistence of a thing after it is destroyed. It has a beginning
but no end, according to Nyaya, The Advaita Vedantin holds that
this type of nonexistence has an end also.
2. See abhiiva.
Pradyumna -

~-

one of the manifestations of God

1. He creates the universe and introduces all qualities (dharma), according to Visi~!advaita Vedanta. He emanates from Sankarsana and
from him emanates Aniruddha. He possesses, in the highest degree,
lordship and virility. He hypostatizes into Trivikrama, Vamana, and
Sridhara. (See vyisha.)

Priig-abhiiva - t;(lTll.fc:f - antecedent or prior nonexistence

I. The nonexistence of an object before it comes into being. It is said
to be bezinninzless. but this nonexistence obviously comes to an end
when the object in question is brought into being. (See abhiiva.)
Prairaniki-pravrtti -

a<fOlc61""qfft -

imposed volition

"" Ii1I q f(t

lord of creatures; creator; lord of becoming (from prajii
= "creation" + pati = "lord")
I. God who divided himself into male and female. The highest manifestation of the Absolute (Brahman), who is known by such names
as Hiranyagarbha, Sutratman, Prana, and so on.

Prajiipati -

Prajna --l1ifT - wisdom; intuitive wisdom; gnosis

1. The intuitive wisdom, the highest knowledge, according to Mahayana Buddhism.
2. It is one of the six virtues of Buddhism. (See piiramitii.)
3. The individual form of the self as the witness of the bare nescience
in the state of sleep. It is also known as dnandamaya. The experiencer in deep sleep is called the prajiui when there is no determinate
knowledge, but only pure bliss and pure consciousness.
Prajiianam-brahma - Qt1I~Jj ~ - "Consciousness is the Absolute (Brahman)"
1. A mahii-viikya (Great Saying) which occurs in the Aitareya Upan;('OnA " f thA

I)"

1/oAn

234

Prajiui-paramiui -1J4i1lq l{~H I - the highest wisdom; the perfection of wisdom

1. It is the name of the Buddhist scriptures of the Mahayana school
which deal with the emptiness of all things.
Prajiiapti -

CJ4i1fCd - experience

Priikiimya - QIC6lut - the power by which impediments to the will power are
removed (see asta-aisvaryai

Prakiira - QCffl( -

mode; adjunct

Prakarana - CJ4Cf5(ol - chapter; section; topic

1. A short manual which confines itself to some essential topics of a
Io' -

,~'~

".

h", .. f"".... '

,.' ~

l'

",I",

ments or anubhanda: the determination of the fitness of a student

ror me stucy or me [realise ~aaniKllri); me subject matter ~vi~aya);
the mutual relationship between the treatise and the subject matter
(sambandha); and the object to be attained by the study (prayojanav

il:. ''''

::1.1:.

~-

'J

-hnn:

dham sastrakarayantarestaitam. ahu~ prakaranam nama granyabhedam vipascitah.

2. It is the context. It is one of the principles by which to decide whether or not there obtains a subsidiary relation.
3. See angatva-bodhaka-pramana.
Prakarana-grantha treatise

QC":f'(om-tf- introductory book or manual; independent

Prakarana-sama -1J4q;(ol~04 - similar topic or reason

1. A logical fallacy in an inferential process in which the reason (hetu)
is contradicted by counterinference; e.g., "sound is eternal because
it is audible" is contradicted by the inference, "sound is nonetemal
because it is produced." (See hetviibhiisa.)
Prakiira-prakiiribhiiva -1J4C,f; I(1J4q; IR4"Jq - the relation between the modes and
that which has modes
Prakiisa -1J4C6llt1 - shining; luminous; effulgence; illumination; Pure Consciousness (from the verb root kiif = "to shine" and pra = "forth")
1. One of the two aspects of Pararnasiva, the Ultimate Reality. It is the
principle of self-revelation which illuminates everything; con th",

. ,

h..

235

..,

.J'

",I .. ", ; .. '

a stage of consciousness (citta) which is predominated by

the pure element (sattva-gunai and in which the clouded element (tamoguna) remains in subordination

Prakhya --1;1(&41 -

Prakrsta-mahattva -l;Iqz@J4~tc1 -

higher magnitude

Prakrti -- "'qzRl - primal Nature; primordial Nature; creatrix (from the verb
root kr = "to make, to do" + pra = "forth")
1. According to Sankhya, it is also called pradhana and avyakta; matter
is one of the two categories basic to its system. It is fundamentally
active, but nonconscious. It is fundamentally one and imperceptible.
It is the source of the universe and can be inferred from its effects. It
is a composite of three constituents called gunas (sa/tva, rajas, and
tamas). (See chart no. 12.)
2. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, it is one of the six substances.
uruiKe in
ya, me qualities ~guT}a) are me qualities OJ primal
Nature (prakrtis and not its constituents. These qualities are inseparable from it, but not identical with it. It is inseparably related to God

.. .
Sankhya. It is the dwelling place of the individual, and through it, of
1'\ J:lnit

,"7,

IInnn Him

thp'"

. nf

..~

,..

..~.

, L'

\JUU

.... -

' _ ,

"';)

p' UII.! II

I;)

._.~

_.

uu~

_.

IICIC 1L I;)

above by the eternal manifestation tnityavibhiai).

3. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is a principle of illusion (maya),
and therefore not fundamentally real. It is a phenomenon but not a
phantasm, however,
4. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the material cause of the world
and one of the twenty substances (dravya).
Pralaya -

periodic cosmic dissolution (from the verb root ti = "to dissolve" + pra = "away")
1. It is a period of repose or reabsorption. It is of three types: eternal
(nitya), which is the sleep in which every effort dissolves for the
time being; occasional (naimittika), which occurs at the end of a day
of Brahma; and priikrta, which occurs at the end of an epoch of
Brahma. The dissolution and reabsorption of the universe at the end
of a kalpa. The passive phase or potential period when all manifestations are dormant.
2. All the Indian schools, excepting the Mimfu11sa school, accept this
theory.
t;fMI:f -

Pralaya-kiila Pralayiikala -

IIIMLfCf' 1M "'ALt ICf'A

time of dissolution
a kind of individual soul (jiva); a type of disernbod-

jprl l1.nnl

236

1. Experiencing subjects or individual souls resting in the maya tattva

during dissolution (pralaya). They are not cognizant of anything and
possess no physical body-only the subtle body.
2. One of the seven kinds of knowers, according to Kashmir Saivism,
(See saptapramatr.i It is a type of individual soul which is subject
to the two bonds or limitations of ignorance (a~ava) and action (karma). (See mala.) It is the individual as it exists at the time of dissolution.
Pralaya-kevalin -

;IHtt<f;Q~ -

a type of individual soul according to Kash-

mir Saivism

Prama -1;t1=IT - valid knowledge; true knowledge (from the verb root ma = "to
measure" + pra = "before or forward")
1. According
- to Nvava it is true .nresentational knowledge tvathiirthanu-bhavai. It is a definite and assured cognition of an object

.,.

".u~u .~

~ ,

u ... ~

'".~

..
u.

2. According to the Sautrantika and Vaibhasika schools, it is the identity of content between a cogmtion and the cogrutum, This IS a realist
view which posits that the obiect determines the cognition's validity.
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is knowledge which possesses
noncontradictedness (abcidhita) and novelty (or sometimes just the
former).
4. According to Bhatta MImarpsa, it is primary and original knowledge
(anadhigata).

5. According to Prabhakara MImarpsa, it is immediate experience

tanubhiui).
6. According to Vaisesika, it is the unique operative cause of both true
presentational knowledge and memory.
7. According to Jainism, it is immediate presentational knowledge and
mediate knowledge insofar as they are true.
8. According to Visi~tadYaita Vedanta, all knowledge is of the real. Its
mark is that it is practically useful.
9. According to Sankhya, it is knowledge not previously known (anadhigata), free from error, and above doubt.

Pramiida -

Pramadacarana -

- negligence; slip; error

;1'1 jGj:q {OJ -

to desist from attending the theater, gambling,

etc.
1. This is one limb of the Jaina ethical code anarthadanda.
n.

.~

t...1

237

. "

tion (from the verb root ma = "to measure" and pra = "before or forward")
1. It is the instrument (karanav of valid knowledge. As the cause, so the
effect (miiniidhlniimeyasiddhi~). According to each system, the
number of pramdnas accepted as valid will depend upon the types
of knowledge that are recognized.
2. The Carvaka (Materialist) school accepts perception (pratyaksai as
the only means of valid knowledge. The Buddhists and Vaisesika
accept perception and inference (anumiina). The Jainas, Sankhya,
y oga, Visi~~advaita Vedanta, and Dvaita Vedanta accept perception, inference, and verbal testimony (sabday. Nyaya accepts perception, inference, verbal testimony, and comparison (upamiina).
The Prabhakara Mimamsa school accepts perception, inference,
verbal testimony, comparison, and presumption (arthiipatti). The
Bhana Mimfurlsa and Advaita accept perception, inference, verbal
~_A
,

&

..........

oJ

.L

\"r

""

dhi). Saiva Siddhanta accepts Siva-cit-sakti as the only valid means

or knowieage, tnougn, as seconaary means, It accepts me traditron-

at first three pramanas. Dvaita Vedanta calls the sources of valid

knowledge as anu-pramdna; kevala-pramana is defined as the
.

. ~- O
nf'
<:In J

<:I"

'f'"

T)" 1

'nf'""r_

ence, and verbal testimony as anu-pramdna.

3. According to Jainism, the means of valid knowledge is knowledge
of a thing as it is. It is direct iaparoksa), and indirect iparoksa). Direet is either practical (vyiivahiirika) or otherworldly tpiiramarthilea). Practical is either perceptual knowledge (mati) or verbal (srta).
Otherworldly is either direct knowledge (keva/a) or indirect tvika/a). Indirect is of five types smrti, pratyabhijiui, tarka, anumana,
and agama. (See chart no. 11.)
4. According to some traditions, inclusion (sambhava), tradition taitihya), parisesa (supplement or remainder), and cesta (gesticulation)
are pranuinas.

Pramana-midaka Pramdnya -

tAiOllOl~Mq;

tAiOl 10 tt -

right knowledge

truth; validity

Pramatii - tALl k11 - the cognizer; the subject or the knower who cognizes (see
triputiy; limited experiencer
Pramatta-niistika no

tAiOli1=1lf@q; -

erring heretic; infatuated atheist

.'-

.".,
oJ

238

.
J

1. One of the four factors of knowledge according to Nyaya,

2. See triputi.

Pramiti - ~ - the act of cognition

1. One of the four factors of knowledge according to Nyaya.
2. See triputi.
Pramoda -

~-

seeing good in all things

1. According to Sankhya, a type of miraculous power (siddhi) which
leads directly to the separation of primordial Nature (prakrtis from
the conscious individual (purusay:

Pramiulha - ~ - ignorant
1. According to Sankhya, a state of the mind (citta) revealing ignorant

VI

Pramudita -~-joy in one's activities (see bodhisattva)

vital air; life breath; vitality (from the verb root an = "to
breathe" + pra = "forth")
1. It is that air which is perceptible in the mouth and nostrils. Or, it is
the principle of vitality in the individual organism, whereby it is said
to be all-pervading, invisible, and the life duration of all.
2. The five vital airs (priina) are known as priina, the air which rises
upwards; apiina, that which moves downwards; vyana, that by which
these two are held; samana, that which carries the grosser material
of food to aptina and brings the subtler material to each limb; and
udana, that which brings up or carries down what has been drunk or
eaten.
3. See pranayama.

Priina -1;{1Uf -

Priina-linga -1,oolf'Mi - a form of the formless Siva (see linga-sthalai

Priina-lingin -

Q jOIff-,ir;,

- a stage of consciousness. (see stha/a)

Pranam - '" 1PiI'l- "to bow"; to greet with respect

Priinamaya-kosa - "'lolqt4&?l~ - the sheath of vital air
1. The second sheath encasing the body, with its instrumentality of vit",) ",i~ ",n~ thp

-,/

It i"

-'

thp

-,/

.1

sheath. It is permeated by mental, consciousness, and bliss sheaths.

239

Pranava --lJ1 IUIQ - the primeval word; om; omkara; the word which refers to
the mystic syllable om (see om)
Priina-viidin - QIOjqlf41- a type of Carvaka (Materialist) who considers the
vital airs to be the soul
control of the breath
1. One of the eight limbs of raja-yoga. (See astanga-yoga.) The control of the breath helps to bring the mind under control. It is the technique of regulating and restraining the function of breathing.
2. Control of breath has three aspects: inhalation (recaka), retention
(kumbhaka), and exhalation (puraka). The practice of pranayama
aims at making the span of piiraka. recaka, and kumbhaka longer.
There are also prafJayamas for purifying the blood, vitalizing the inner organs, etc.

Pranayama -lJ1I UtlL1l&f -

.,,~

. th...

~ ,~

tn. h ...ln '-

or

-..,

tn

~1

a vow taken by a bodhisattva

Priioaka -

'oI1"4Ql-

that which makes one attain an end

Prapanca - t;Itl - the world; world appearance

Prapaticaniisana -lJ1qj091~"" -

Prapanna -

annihilation of the world

the capacity of realization; one who has surrendered his self

to God; a seeker of God

Prapatti -

'Q't1?I' -

CJ4q~ -

complete and absolute surrender

1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, it is one of the means to liberation. It has six constitutents: anukidyasya sankalpa, to conceive
what is in conformity with the will of God (Isvara); priuikidyasya
varjanam, to reject what is disagreeable to Isvara; raksisyatiti
visvasa, to have firm faith that God (Isvara) will save the self; kiirpafJya, the feeling that one is incapable to follow the prescribed path
of action (karma), knowledge Uliana), and devotion (bhakti);
goptrtva-varanam, to seek isvara alone as the protector; and atmaniksepa, to surrender oneself to God (Isvara) in all meekness.
2. This concept points to the idea that liberation may be obtained
through God's free grace. It is also called saranagati or absolute
confidence in the saving grace of the Lord.
3. In this path there are no restrictions of place, time, mode, eligibility,

....

~ .. A ~~.:
~

240

Priiptasyapraptih - CJ4t(lft1CJ4 fCd: - attainment of the already attained

1. For example, finding the necklace around one's neck which one
thought had been lost or discovering that one is the Self when one
had thought oneself to be merely the body-mind complex.

Prapti - ~ - the power to secure whatever is desired; extension; the power

to reach everywhere (see asta-aisvarya)

Priipya -1;'fJtXf - "that which is to be obtained"

Priipyakiiri- CJ41U1a;lfi - the visual sense, being constituted by light, travels to
the spot where visible objects happen to be and perceives them
1. Except for the visual sense, most of the Indian systems (save Nyaya)
do not believe that the senses go out to meet their objects.
",.
,j

r.

II

I.,..

.,..

I" "...,

I\.UI IHY

111,

pa.:JL,

the fruits of which are experienced now and cannot be erased; "ripened"
actions (from pra == "before" + the root rabh = "begin")
1 Th!lt n!lrt nf th~

~ff~,.t nf n!lct A~~Ac

~

h!lc

tn

take effect with the creation of the present physical body and which
is responsible for the continuance of the body even after release is
attained. It is destroyed only when its force is spent. It cannot be
averted, avoided, or changed-though either by knowledge or by
grace, its impact can be minimized or rendered nil to the perceiver.
2. See iigdmi and saticita karma.

t;ITtRT -

Priirthana Prasada -

prayer; invocation; benediction

- grace (from the verb root sad ="to sit" + the prefix pra ="to
settle down, grace, favor"); a gift from God; an offering made to God
which is then distributed to devotees with His blessings; clarity; tranquility; serenity
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the ultimate cause of liberation.
2. According to many systems, it is the offerings which are first given
to the Lord and then partaken of. They are said to purify the taints
inherent in all objects. (See asta-iivarana.i
~

"'fj 1& fB:;; -

Prasada-lingo -

one of the fOnDS of the formless Siva (see linga-

sthala)
...

t'
I'

/C>AA
\"~

"'

241

,r. . I.\
.J

Prasanga .- ~ - a method of argument employed only with the view in mind

of destroying; reductio ad absurdum
1. This is a method employed by the Madhyamika system to expose the
inner contradictions inherent in anyone particular philosophical position.

Prasankhydna - i;H"f~O{6L1I"1 - continued meditation

1. As a meditation theory (prasankhyana-vadai, it was espoused by
Mandana positing that the Vedas enjoin both the performance of
prescribed acts and meditation on the Absolute (Brahman) as the
means to liberation. He believed that meditation is necessary to get
a direct and immediate knowledge of Brahman.
&;4!f1I""(1q I ~ dI -

Prasdnta-viihitii Prasdrana n

~ ~J~

Q~ I (01 -

.....

u ........

continuity of a tranquil state of mind

expansion (see karma)

...

~
WPII

wplI

.... .

'J'

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, ignorance (avidyii) is well known

om not eSlaDlisnea oy means or valia xnowiecge Ipramaf}asiaana).

Prasiddha-vnti-- &;4fl1~<tff1 -

primary meaning (see mukhya-vrttiy

Prasna Upanisad - &;4!(41qPfiSfG:\- "questions"

1. This Upanisad is so-called because it is in the form of questions
(prasna) and answers. It consists of six sections in the form of six
questions put to a seer <r~i) by six disciples seeking knowledge of
the Absolute (Brahman) and the seer's answers to their questions.
The subjects dealt with include the ultimate cause of this world, the
supreme Being, the nature and power of the sound Om, the relation
of the Supreme to the things of the world. This Upanisad belongs to
the Atharva Veda. Some important personages in this Upanisad include Pippalada, Satyakama, Sukesa, Gargya, Kausalya, Bhargava,
and Kabandhi.

Prasthiina-traya - Ql=t1I"1~ ti - "the triple canon or foundation" (of Vedanta)

1. It consists of the Upanisads, the Bhagavad Gila, and the Brahmasiara. These works form the primary (sruti), the secondary tsmrti),
and the logical foundations (nyiiya-prasthiina) of Vedanta, and all
teach the same doctrine-Le., Brahman! Atman.
Prathama-vvavasava -

~ttqOL1q~ll4

242

orimarv coznition

Pratibandhaka - ~ - counteragent
Pratibha - ~ - special mental power; imaginative insight; intuition; evercreative activity or Consciousness; the spontaneous supreme "I"-consciousness; Parasakti
1. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, it is the power to know the happening of a future event. (See pratibhana-jtuina.i
2. According to Indian Aesthetics, it is a penetrative imagination that
creates or apprehends what is given in a work of art. It is said to be
the mental faculty which flashes forth ever-new ideas. Thus, it belongs both to an artist and to a perceptive spectator. This type of
imagination is more penetrative than the ordinary kind.

Pratibhana-jnana - ~ - extrasensory perception; highest knowl...1

"'U6'"

1. It is a type of perception directly perceived by the mind.

2. It is concerned with objects beyond one's senses; e.g., having the intuition that one's father will come tomorrow and then havinz such
an event come to pass. Nyaya- Vaisesika recognizes this as a type of
.t:1

A~

.11'

.e i.:

Priitibhasika - ~ - apparent; illusory

1. The truth that exists only in appearance-e.g., a mirage or a rope/
snake.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is one of three levels of reality from
the relative point of view. (See vydvahiirika and paramarthika.i
Pratibimba-viida - .,.f(lf~J:a4c4IC~ - reflection theory
1. The theory that the individual 07va) is an appearance of the Absolute
(Brahman) as reflected in nescience. This theory is propounded by
the Vivarana school of Advaita Vedanta. Padrnapada gives an analogy of a reflection in a mirror in contrast to the analogy of the red
crystal that is given in iibhasa-viida.

Pratijiiii -l}4 rniil - the first member of a five-membered syllogism; the thesis
to be proved; recognition; proposition
1. The premise-what is to be proved-in an inferential argument. Its
purpose is to inform the other party of what is sought to be established and where; e.g., the hill has fire.
2. See anumana .
n

'r

.....
LJ 11"'tN't

..

'

243

Pratikramana -

stepping to and fro; walking around

m5PSLjOj -

Priitikidyasya varjana - CJ41 R1GfFLtftt ~ - rejecting what is disagreeable to

God (Isvara) (see prapatti)
Pratima -- ~ -

creator; image; symbol; reflection; idol; figure

Pratipiidya-prattpadaka-bhava- CJ4 Rl q I ijCJ4 ~ q l~~a.m.r - the relation of a

treatise with its subject material
I. This forms the relation (sambandha) in almost all scriptural (sastra)
works.

Pratipaksa-bhiivana - ~ - reflecting on what is contrary to the observances and abstentions (yama and niyama) and cultivating those
traits which are onoosed to these obstructions
1. It is a technique employed by Patafijali in his raja-yoga.

Pratisamkrama - '"Rl ~:;P>Lf

transmission

I. It is an unconditional category (dharma) in the Vaibhasika school.

2. It refers to all categories (dharma) negated by knowledge. (See

asamskrta-dharma. )
3. It is the final deliverance from bondage. Its essential characteristic is
everlastingness. This state is brought about through the observance
of the eightfold path.

Pratisarga -

QRnliT -

dissolution
I. One of the five topics or subject matter with which a Purana should
deal. (See purana.:

Pratisedha - CJ4 R1~\:l- denial; negation (see pratisiddha-karmai

Pratisedha-visaya
.
. - ",ra~l:4~iSttt - correlate; the locus of a negated object
I. It is also called anuyogin.
2. See anuyogin and pratiyogin.

Pratisedhya - ",fc:t~l:.'l:f -

that which is negated; countercorrelate

I. It is also known as the pratiyogin.
2. See pratiyogin and anuyogin.

Pratisiddha-karma
1

'"rI-.~~_

.,.1

"prohibited actions"

(1.

I.

~: . . _

"'~ ..

244

h_:..

I.

IC!.__

r.

Pratistha -lit RH~ I - gross matter; earth (from pratt ="down upon" + stha =Uto
stand")

Pratisthiipanii -mBlq"i1 - a logical category found in Nyaya-Vaisesika

Pratitantra-siddhiinta - ",ffi(1P?1Il1~,Pf1 - an established conclusion held by
one school, or similar schools, but opposed by others (see siddhiinta)

Pratiti - ~ - perception; apprehension

Pratityasamutpada - "'ffkL4~~("q,~ - dependent origination; happening by

way of a cause (from prati-itya = "gone," "back," and, hence, "cause"
+ sam-ut-piida = "happening"
1. Literallv it means "this being given that follows."
2. It is the central doctrine of the Buddha upon which his other teachL
.... T~
'.L
1115-3 aJ\o< V""'"'U. J . L .
UI\;<

I:

.....

L.L'

....

va -3Lua\o<aIl15, VVLII._._ ',",IJ aJlU

absolutely. It is comprised of twelve links (nidiinas) which perpetuate the wheel of causation. Those links which are due to one's past
life are iznorance iavidvas and nredisnositions tsamskiira). Those
links which are due to one's present life are consciousness (vijfliina);
name and form (nama-rupay; the six fields or the five sense organs
and the mind along with their objects isadayatanay; sense-object
contact (sparsay; feeling (vedana); craving (tanhay; and attachment
(upiidana). Those links which are due to one's future life are coming
to be (bhlzva), rebirth (jiiti), and old age and death (jara-maranai.
From each antecedent factor comes the succeeding one and thus together they form the individual's chain of bondage to the wheel of
birth and death. They have four characteristics: objectivity, necessity, invariability, and conditionality.

Pratiyogin - ~
- countercorrelate
/
1. When two things are related, the correlate exists in the locus; e.g.,
between a pot and the floor, the pot is correlate.
2. The predicated object of nonexistence is located in the countercorrelate. The countercorrelate is the locus itself.
3. It is also called pratisedhya.
4. See anu-yogin.

Pratyabhijiiii - ~ - recognition; remembrance

1. A name for Kashmir Saivism. (See trika.s
2. The recognition or awareness that the individual is identical with the
T

.1

Vill v\O<l;)aJ.

245

3. The means of liberation in Kashmir Saivism. It is the way that the

individual realizes its identity with Lord Siva,
4. Knowledge from the resemblance of things.
Pratyagiitman - l,ktp I kLf., - the Self whose existence is understood only by
turning one's vision inward; the indwelling Self
Pratyag-drsti -

t;4('tPitf8 - inward vision

Pratyiihara - c,kt4lii I{ - withdrawal of the senses from their objects; beyond

the mind
1. Control of the mind. It is one of the eight limbs of raja-yoga. By the
disciplining of the senses, the mind will be tamed. (See astdnga-yoga.)
2. Literally it means "gathering toward oneself."
Pratvak

internal' subjective

Pratyaksa -

~-

perception (from the verb root aks = "to reach, penetrate,

h~C'Jc"

" +- nrnti" ....

1. It is a valid means of knowledge (pramana) for every school of Indian philosophy.

2. According to Nyaya, it is knowledge generated by sense-object contact. Later Naiyayikas defined it as direct apprehension so as to include God's perception and the supernormal perception of yogins.
3. What distinguishes it from all other types of cognition is its immediacy. Two stages are distinguished: indeterminate (nirvikalpa) and
determinate (savikalpa). Generally, the former is bare awareness of
an object, while the latter is a cognition of an object that is qualified.
The former gives isolated sense data, while the latter compounds
these elements and subject-predicate knowledge arises. (For further
distinctions, see nirvikalpa-pratyaksa and infra.)
4. The Nyaya school gives six normal (laukika) types of perception: samyoga, samyukta-samavaya, samyukta-samaveta sama-vaya. samaviiya,
samaveta-samavaya, and visesana-visesya-bhiiva (or visesanata). It
also lists three supernormal (alaukika) types: samiinya-laksana.jiiiina-Iaksana, and yogaja.
5. According to Sankhya, there are two stages in perception-the indeterminate (nirvikalpa) and the determinate (savikalpa}-but its explanation is different from that of the Nyaya school. Sankhya says
that the former is a vague awareness which later becomes clear and
I'

.1.

.1
'0

.",,,,It

j"

OJ' J

",nA'
'

'1'h11" n - '1 t

.c

-"

does not adhere to a mosaic theory of knowledge but more of an or-c

ganic growtn Hom me simple IO me
246

6. The Mimamsaka agrees with Nyaya's definition but interprets the

two stages in perception differently. Indeterminate perception is
simple observation or mere awareness. This knowledge is vague and
indefinite. Class characteristics and specific features are not recognized here, whereas they are noted only in determinate perception.
Indirect perception is not what has to be inferred on the basis of the
subsequent determinate perception, as in Nyaya, but is an experienced stage of perception itself. Also Nyaya accepts supernormal
modes of perception while Mim~sa does not. To be perceived, an
object must be present and fit to be perceived. Thus, the sense organs
have their limitations and what is beyond them is open only for the
Veda to reveal.
7. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, indeterminate (nirvikalpa) perception is not perception of a mere, unqualified "that." All knowledge, in this school, is of a qualified object. Thus indeterminate
C

-c

I;) c

L'

...

lUI

u ic

111;)l

'- . ,

lUII~,

\.)u-

1I11~

vikalpa) perception signifies perception of the same object on the

second and subsequent occasions,

8. Dvaita Vedanta accents only determinate tsavikaloav oerceotion.
Knowledge being both unqualified and objectless is held to be imc

'L'

~
&

~" ~

c...

. . . . n~'

.....

u ......

.......

0 .... ~

~ 1-..

VJ

,,~~,,~ ~1-.

ject contact with both the sense organ and the object, free from defects.
9. The Buddhists accept only indeterminate (nirvikalpa) perception.
10. The Nyaya school recognizes both external (bahya) and internal
(manasa) perceptions.
11. According to Jainism, there are two types of perception: vyavahiirika-with sense organs-and nija-without sense organs.
Nija is of two types: vikala-imperfect (or avadhi and manahparyiiya-jfzilna)-and sakala-perfect (or kevala-jfzilna).
12. According to Advaita Vedanta, indeterminate (nirvikaJpa) perception presents the Absolute (Brahman) alone as its cognition. It is
knowledge which does not apprehend any relatedness of the substantive and its qualifying attribute. Thus, it is not necessarily the
first or initial perception but any perception which is indeterminate.
Examples of this include "Thou art that" (tat tvam asi) or "This is
that Devadatta" (so'yam devadattahi.
Priuyaksika -

.,.. kt1 f~ - perceptual

Pratyaktva - C;kt1Gf"("q -

self-awareness

.
"./'

,.,

between indeterminate and determinate perceptions according to Visi~~advaita Vedanta

247

Pratyavaya -

';ktfC4 Itf -

sin; demeritorious actions

suffix; condition (from the verb root i = "to go" + prati =

"against, back")

Pratyaya -- ',ktftf -

Praviiha-viccheda Pravartana -

~-

lAqff'1 -

uninterrupted tradition

imposition

Pravrtti - ~ - action; endeavor; inclination; effort (from the verb root vrt =
"to tum" + pra = "forth")
1. The path of active involvement in the world. It is attached action.
2. According to the Vaisesika school, it is an effort to possess some object.
~

,.. ,..

"--

"'~I-nlq(1I"

~VVIVIU~

.1Sc:::mSC:::~A~II~II\"~

1. This is the mind of the common people according to the Yozacara.

It is a product of the storehouse consciousness (iilaya-vijnana).
Prayascitta -lAtfflffr -

atonement (through various prescribed acts)

Prayatna .- l)I4tfH - effort; conscious activity

1. According to the Vaisesika school, effort or conscious activity has
three distinctions: pravrtti, nivrtti, and jlvanyoni--effort for possessing some object, effort to get rid of something, and activity for
procreation.

lA z:i) ~ I Pr1a:$(I
ture (see nirdesa)

Prayoga-nirdesa -

actual discrimination as present, past, and fu-

Prayojana -lAttllit'1 -

purpose: the aim of a work

1. It is one of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school.
2. See padiirtha and chart no. 6.

Prema -- ~ -

love; divine love

Preta - ~ - ghost; soul; a deceased individual who has not yet received ritual
offerings
n.

.1...1.-

~v~lp. of hirth ~nrl death

248

Preyas - ~ - pleasing; worldly gain (see sreyas)

Pritl -

Rrfff -love

Priyam - ~ - dear; pleasing

Prosadhopavasa - ~ - a Jaina ethical code of conduct dealing with

fasting procedures
Prthakatva -

tfttq;fq -

mutual difference; separateness

PrthV1- ~ - the earth (see maha-bhiaa)

- . ..

-VI

-..

uUf1Iu-VUUUI

.....:

IIIC(?

UIlC

WllU

.uuius
..

lUC:lL

..

lIlC

(Brahman) is the indeterminate bliss and not the blissful (in the anandamayiidhi -karanai
Pudgala -

Pujii -

~g ~ 1M -

matter
1. It is a real, nonconscious, independent substance according to Jainism. It is uncreated and eternal. It is that which undergoes modifications by combinations and dissociations.
2. It is of four types: aggregate iskandha), aggregate occupying space
(skandha-desay; aggregate occupying limited space (skandhapradesai, and atoms (paramanu).

~-

worship; honor; adoration; ritual; ceremonial worship (from the

root puj = "to worship, to honor, to serve, to collect or bring together, to
shine")
1. Is an intelligent bringing together of luminous objects or elements in
order to honor or worship. It is a ritual which employs the use of an
image imurti). The term is used to denote a ritual of worship of an
image or an aniconic form of a deity as well as of any other object
that is considered to possess special powers and be sacred.
2. They are performed to receive the deity's blessing and to develop
one's own inner divinity. They involve three actions: the devotee
presents an offering to the deity; the devotee is granted the blessed
sight (darsana) of the deity; the devotee in turn receives a blessed
article from the worship tprasiid). Three things are usually associated with the worship of a deity: a geometrical design (yantra or
cakra) in which the deity resides; mystic syllables (mantra) by
.t. .1.

"n~ .

.1.

th~ ~"";h,' ""n~ .

249

'."."i .. ti\

Pujari-triff'ft - the priest who performs temple worship

1. Action performed in worship.
2. An altar with images of the guru or deity and the objects used in
worship.

g.... ;ij;::q -

Punarjanma Punya -

merit; meritorious acts; actions which produce happiness (from

the root pUT) = "to act piously") (see ajiva)
-

Piiraka -'~ -

Purana -

rebirth; "birth again"

in-breathing; inhalation (see priinayama)

STIt1T -

"ancient"; old (from the verb root pur = "to go before, pre-

cede")
1. There are eighteen major Purat:tas, or sacred books, contammg stories, legends, and hymns about the creation of the universe, the incarnations of God, and the instructions of various deities as well as
~h""

.-

.'

.1 1

.. "''''''''" ", ... A

.....{:
...~.

~-o-~

....-

1,: ...",,,
'U"O~'

2. The legendary histories of India and the repositories of popular religious creeds. 1ney traoiuonauy neal wun nve topics: creation isarga), dissolution (pratisarga), lineage tvamsa), epochs (manvantarani), and the legends of future lineage (vamasanucaritamy. The
eighteen major Puranas are divided into three categories. Those which
are sattvic and honor Visnu are Vi~T)u, Bhagavata, Padma, Naradiya,
Garuda, and Variiha. Those which are rajasic and honor Brahma are
Brahma, Brahmavaivarta, Bhavisya Brahmii~4a, Va"!ana, Markandeya. Those which are tamasic and honor Siva are Siva (Vayu),
Matsya, Lingo, Skanda, Agni, and Kurma.

Purisaha-e- gfttS4E - bearing all pains arising from hunger, thirst, cold, etc.,
with fortitude.
Puma -

soT -

full; complete

Purnima-sqa- tuM I - full moon

1. The day of the full moon, the fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight,
often an auspicious time for holy celebrations.

Purohita - ~ - priest; class of Vedic priests

Purusa -- ~ - spirit; individual soul; "person"; the indwelling form of God;
r

250

1. One of the two basic categories of the Sankhya system. It is pure

consciousness, unattached and unrelated to anything. It is nonactive,
unchanging, eternal, and pure. There are an infinite number of individual souls.
2. According to Kashmir Saivism, it isenveloped in the five sheaths of
time, restriction, desire, knowledge, and portion of time (kala.
niyati, raga. vidyii, and kala). It is the universal Self appearing under
limitation as the many individual souls.
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is fundamentally one. It is the eternal witness, the modificationless, the one who knows the body. Really speaking, the supreme Self (paramatmani is the one and the
only purusa.
4. The Purusa-sukta describes the primal puru~a as thousand-headed,
thousand-eyed, thousand-footed, immanent and transcendent, covering the earth on all sides and extending beyond the length of ten

1. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, Visnu's consort, Laksml plays

the role of purusakiira.
Purusa-tantra - g61S1d=?l - person dependent
1. There are three options open to a doer of an action: a person may do
the action, may not do the action, or may do the action otherwise.
2. Action (karma) is person dependent, while knowledge, according to
Advaita Vedanta, is object dependent. (See vastu-tantra.y
Purusiirtha - ~2f - the four goals of human life
1. The Hindu theory of values. They are wealth (artha), desire (kama),
righteousness (dharma), and liberation (moksai. The first is the economic value, the second is the psychological value, the third is the
moral value, and the fourth is the spiritual value.
2. Wealth (artha), the economic value, and desire (kama), the hedonistic or acquisitive value, are the secular values of life. Dharma tells
how the secular life should be lived. It is the ethical or moral value.
And along with moksa, it is a spiritual value. Dharma is the instrumental value leading to moksa. All the four values are truly vital and
must be integrated. Artha and kama are means values or instrumen-

251

something to be attained for its own sake. This is the intrinsic aspect.
It also involves whatever serves as a means to it. This is the instrumental aspect. Thus, it may be defined as an end which is consciously sought to be accomplished either for its own sake or for the sake
of utilizing it as a means to the accomplishment of a further end.
Purusottama - ~6lSt1f1q - the supreme self; the Lord (see "uttamah, purusastvanyah paramatmetydiihrtah" [from puru~a = "spirit, person" + uttama
=: "highest"])
Piava - ~ - "the former (texts)"; the fourteen canonical books of the Jainas;
antecedent
1. All of the works are lost now.
2. See Angas.
Purva-paksa - ~ ."

prima facie view; the opponent's view; prior viewpoint

~.

IY,

_11'"

11~

&

&

..J
nv~I\.,

:..L

~11'''',

u~'"

view is given, and then, after this view is rejected, one gives the final
view isiddhdnta).
Piuvavat>-- ~ -like the previous

1. A classification of vita inference. (See vita.) It proceeds from a perceived cause to an unperceived effect-s-e.g., the inference of rain
from the perception of dark, heavy clouds. (See anumiina.) It is
based on the observed concomitance of the specific major and middle terms.
Puspa -

~-

flower
form of devotion (bhakti)

Putra -

~-

son

252

R
Riidhd - 'ITt:lT - consort of Krsna; the most celebrated of the Gopis; "fortunate
or successful"
Raga - trTT - attachment; greed; passion; in music, the basic tune
1. One of the five constrictors (kancuka). It is the power that limits the
universal condition of completeness; therefore, it is the cause of love
or attraction for particular objects. (See panca-kaiicuka.i
2. See klesa.
Rahasya - ([ftf - secret; concealed; mysterious (from the verb root rah = "to
hide, to part")
1. Any secret or subtle doctrine of mystical or esoteric teaching.
Riihukiila -

<1~Cf' 1M -

inauspicious time
1. The time when a demon (daitya) is supposed to seize an individual.

Raja -TI'if - "royal" (from the verb root raj = "to reign, to illuminate"); king
Rajas -

~-

active; energy; passion

1. One of the three qualities (guna). (See guna.i

Raja yoga - ~

tinT -

Raksaka -

~-

Rdksasa -

<IGift -

(see astanga yoga)

redeemer

demon; goblin (from the verb rootraks = "to guard against")

1. A demon in general, the raksasas are of three types: semidivine and
benevolent nature and ranking with yaksas, etc.; relentless enemies
of the gods; and nocturnal demons, imps, fiends, and goblins which
go about at night, haunting cemeteries, disturbing sacrifices, and devouring human beings.

Raksisyatitivisvasah - -n\t 6 l1 <fl fi:t ~ I(q 1ft: vara) will save you (see prapatti)

to have finn faith that God

(Is-

Rama - TIl1- "pleasing"; "delight"; the hero of the Riimayana; an incarnation

~~
V'&

y.

&~'.'~

I~p~~ ~h~ .,~ph .~~~

\U"'... ......

......... "''''.

~. _

".

""'.

,-,'

~~ ...I~I ~,," .."\

.V'

'-' ,

1. The seventh divine descent or incarnation of Visnu, whose life story

IS told In the Ramayana. A name 01' the all-pervasive supreme Real253

ity. He was the perfect embodiment of righteousness (dharma). (See

avatiira.i
Riimanuja -- ~ - founder of the Visi~~dvaita Vedanta school of philosophy (1017-1137)
1. Famous saint and philosopher of South India, the founder and greatest exponent of the philosophical school of qualified nondualism
(Visi~!advaita Vedanta)
Riimayana - {It:l ILtDj - "the vehicle of Rama"
1. The oldest known Sanskrit epic poem. It was composed by the sage
Valmlki. The Riimayana celebrates the life and exploits of Rama,
the seventh incarnation of Visnu. The story tells of the abduction of
Sita, Rama's wife, by the ten-headed demon king Ravana, and how
Rama, alonz with the heln of Hanuman and the monkev kinzdom
fought and conquered Ravana,
Rasa -

taste; essence; savor; juice; nectar of delight (from the root ras =
"To feel, be sensible of')

'Hf 1

{)na nf tha

ft"""

.,

",

.,

acid, salt, pungent, astringent, bitter.

2. The essence of things. The delight of existence.
3. The supreme delight produced in the mind of an appreciator ofa work
of art whose content is an emotion (bhiiva). It results from the interaction of the objective factors tvibhava, anubhiiva, and vyabhiciiribhiiva) and the subjective factor, a qualified appreciator (sahrdayai
with their essence ofemotion (stiiyibhiiva). The stiiyibhiiva is the material cause of rasa. The vibhiiva, anubhava, and vyabhiciiribhiiva are
together regarded as the efficient cause of rasa. These latter three excite, articulate, and develop the stayibhava of the spectator. Vibhiivas
are of two kinds: iilambana and uddipana. The former is made up of
the human element and the latter of the natural element in the situation. The former is the main excitant and the latter a contributory one.
Anubhiivas are of two types: siutivikabhavas, which cannot be produced at will, and all of the other emotions, which can be produced
at will. Vyabhicaribhiiva (also called sancaribhavai is an emotion
which accompanies the stayibhava.
4. According to Indian aesthetics, there are eight main types of experience: srngiira (the rasa based on conjugal love), hasya (the rasa based
on mirth), karuna (the rasa based on sorrow), raudra (the rasa based
on anger), vira (the rasa based on fortitude), bhayiinaka (the rasa
h~~pti nn fp~r)

L-

(thp rrt ea h~~ti nn

t) ~nti

..J"

JL'_

(thp

rasa based on wonder). Sometimes it is said that there are two more
,-

..

I) CUIU

U~

254

'

..

" " \.1

i).

5. According to Nyaya- Valsesika, taste is of various types: sweet, sour,

pungent ikatu), astringent ikasaya), and bitter (tikta).

Rasand -

sense of taste (see jiianendriyai

(lFfT -

Hi kiM - hell

Rasiitala -

1. The nether pole of mahar-loka. It is a place of sense enjoyment. (See

loka and tala.)
H'kti P I -

Rasatyaga -

renunciation of delights

1. An eternal penance in lainism

TIm -

Riisi -

mode (in Bhartrprapafica's philosophy); "zodiac sign"

1. It refers to anv one of the twelve houses of the zodiac. The sanskrit
names for the zodiac signs are Mesa (Aries), Vrsabha (Taurus),
~,

. . . . '.1

:\

\"

v,

'C':~J..~ IT ~~\

Ir'.

'I'

\.oJ'"""'I,

v~_

.. ~

"~""J'"

I'T:_~~\

"0"'1'

Tula (Libra), Vrscika (Scorpio), Dhanus (Sagittarius), Makara (Capncom), Kumbha (Aquanus), and Mma (Pisces).
~-

Rathin -

-mr -

Rat; -

the master in the chariot

pleasure; the pleasure of love

Ratna - tM' - jewel; pearl; gem

Ratri Rc -

m-

night

~-

praise; verse; verse of wisdom

1. A sacred verse recited in praise of a deity.

Rddhi - ~ -

increase; growth; prosperity; success; wealth

Recaka -~ - out-breath; exhalation (see priinayamay

Rg Veda -%tJaG %'11i 1ft

Rju-mati 1

(see veda)

telepathy; straightforward

tA T.
'-'

it il;! ~ tun"" rof

"J

r-

I"J'

It i" th"" ",hil it., tro

'J

know the thoughts of other beings that are located within the spatial
range spanmng Hom rour to eignt krosas to rour to eight yojanas.
255

Temporally, it is within the range spanning from one lifetime to

eight past and eight future lifetimes. (See manahparyaya.i
Rju-siara-naya - %'1~?1 =ILl - the standpoint of momentariness
1. This standpoint considers only the present form of an object to be
significant. It is not concerned with an object's past or future. It refers to the fleeting, mathematical, momentary present. The past is
past and the future has not yet come so it would be nonsensical to
entertain these viewpoints (from this perspective). (See naya.)
J!.k-~

hymn (see rc)

Rna -;nuT - fugitive; flying; going; guilty; debt; duty

1. A priest (brahmin) is said to owe three debts: to the seers- rsis
t~ ,A

. ....~ 'T~An~\ ~ ..... ~ ~~~

, ........'-OJ ""
""...........)',." "" l),,'-O....

J.
. . " ......

t."

't""" "....

.~

n ... A .. '~..
_.....
".

ship); to the ancestors-pitr (procreate and produce a child).

.-

thrPp'

Rnn.trnvn

<I"'I~ I

Romanca

..

horripilation; goosebumps

Rsi - ~~ - seer; a Vedic sage (from the verb root drs = "to see")
1. Individuals who "heard," perceived, or recorded the Vedic hymns.
2. The seven great seers <r~i) are Marici, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu,
Pulastya, and Vasistha. Other great seers include Kasyapa, Gautarna, Jamdagni, Bharadvaja, and Visvamitra,
3. The three classes of rsis are Brahmarsis, who are born out of the
mind of Brahma; Devarsis, who are of lower rank than the former;
Riijarsis, or kings who became rsis.
Rta -

~(f -

Truth; Law; Right; Order; "the course of things" (from the root! =
"to rise, tend upward")
1. It is the working out of Truth in action. It is the eternal Order, cosmic
as well as moral. It is said to be the basis for the later idea of karma.

Rtu - *~

- season
1. In Indian tradition there are six seasons: spring (vasanta), summer
igrismas, rainy tvarsai, autumn (Sarad), cloudy (hemanta), and winter (sisira).

Rudhi -- ~ - conventional sense of a word

oee samaoniruq.na.
256

Rudra -~ - Siva; God; reddish; "eye of Shiva" (from the verb root rud = "to
cry, howl")
1. This term refers to Lord Siva. It is traceable to the Vedas and said to
be derived from rud (driivayitii)-he who drives away sin or suffering.
Rudraksa -~ - bead of Siva or Rudra; perspiration; seeds from a tree sacred to Siva, strung as beads for rosaries.
I. According to Saivism, it is the seed which emanates from the eye of
Siva and depicts his grace.
2. The rudriiksa is one of the most commonly used rosary beads
among the Hindus. The tree on which it grows belongs to the species of Elaeocarpus Ganitrus found in the Himalayas. The seed of
the fruit of this tree is classified into four categories according to
their shane and size. The bead is classified on the basis of the number of lines or mouths running from top to bottom. The number of
-

"'uu .. LU..J

&..
U

"

V.II

VII....

..v VU......."'11.

'T'I.
~ II....

r..
....... -

/.

...

mukha) beads are the most common while those having one to four
and SIX to fourteen are the most rare. A single-faced bead IS the rarest and the owner will be free from the cycle of births and rebirths.
The double-faced one is sacred to Siva and his Sakti. The threefaced one is sacred to the trinity and the three saktis, The four-faced
one is associated with Brahms and the four Vedas. The five-faced
one is sacred to Siva. And the six-faced one is sacred to Kartikeya.
On wearing the seven-faced bead, the goddess Mahalak.~mi is happy. The eight-faced one is to Ganesa, and the wearer is always victorious. The nine-faced bead represents the nine saktis (Durga), The
ten-faced one represents the ten directions and is specially useful.
The eleven-faced one represents Rudra, the twelve-faced one the
sun, and the thirteen-faced one removes all evil. The fourteen-faced
one represents fourteen manifestations and also destroys all evil.
The seeds are generally of four colors. The most highly prized are
the white, the reddish, the golden, and the dark. The first and third
varities are rare. Their superiority is not on the basis of rarity but on
the four castes/colors (see varna), white being suggestive of a brahmin, red of a ksatriya, gold of a vaisya, and dark ones of a sudra.
Legend has it that the rudriiksa seed was created from the tears of
Rudra, the fierce form of Siva: thus endowing it with medicinal, occult, and spiritual powers. Each of the fourteen types of beads has a
governing deity and specific powers and properties. The smaller
the size of the bead, the greater is its efficacy. The bead that has a
natural oneninz to allow the strinz to nass is considered the most
sacred. Wearing of the beads is supposed to bring good health and
.11 1 . .
~
L
oJ.
oJ

tt.
"'""7
257

or 54 or 108 beads. The test of a genuine rudriiksa is that it will

sink to the bottom if put in a glass of water.
3. See asta-iivarana.

Rupa -

;rt~

- form; aggregate; body; matter; sight; color

1. One of the five aggregates. (See skandha.)
2. One of the five subtle essence of the elements. (See tanmatra.)
3. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, the colors are white, blue, red,
green, brown, and variegated (citra). Color belongs only to earth,
water, and fire.
4. See samskrta-dharma.

Ruparupa -

~q I({q

form and formless

258

s
Sabda - ~ - verbal testimony; verbal knowledge; sound; word; scriptural
authority (from the verb root sabd = "sound")
1. It is one of the valid means of knowledge. (See pramana.y
2. It is one of the five subtle essence of the elements. (See tanmatra.i
3. According to Nyaya, it is the testimony of a trustworthy personone who knows the truth and communicates it correctly.
4. According to Advaita Vedanta, the truth revealed by sabda is the
fundamental unity of Being.
5. According to Mimarpsa, its purport lies in the injunctive texts of the
ritual sections of the Vedas.
6. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, sound is a quality perceived by the

sound, which refers to a variety of basic sounds (miitrkii) that are

very subtle (madhyama); and manifest sound (vaikhiira), which is
the grossest level of sound and is what is heard in ordinary speech.
Sabda bodha - liG~l~ - verbal cognition
Sabda-jiuina -

I~if I~ -

Sabdamlti - liG fI:f ~

verbal knowledge

- verbal knowledge

I~~Lf - the standpoint of synonyms

1. According to Jainism, this standpoint refers to the significance of the
synonymous words one encounters in any language. Despite differences of tense, case, etc., there exists a similarity of meaning; e.g.,
kumbha and ghata both refer to the same object-ajar. (See naya.)

Sabda-naya -

Sabda-tanmiitra - ~~H-=ti ,'I - subtle sound (the subtle element of ether); subtle essence of the elemental sounds
Sabda-vrtti -11I~af,rr -

significative force

259

Sabhii -

~-

Sabija - f1af)\i1 -

assembly; congregation; public audience

with attributes

Saccidiinanda - m&Ir:t""G - existence/knowledge/bliss; Existence Absolute,

Consciousness Absolute, Bliss Absolute
1. According to theistic Vedanta schools and Saivite schools, they are
the attributes of God (Brahman).
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the very essence of the Absolute
(Brahman).

Sadiiciira -- fiG l:elf I<- morality; good behavior

1. One should work for one's livelihood, be righteous, and help others.
(See oancacara.)

Sadakhya- f1IG l~ - the experience of Being

1. According to VIra Saivism, it is a name for the formless fonn. It is
~1", .... ,....l1 ....rl C'

.-,.

-~~

rt

:,.,.t.... h ....: ...

_. a.

f t . ,.......,.,.

~~"'C

t....... C!.

.: .....- .... . . . -

..

into contact with the five powers (saktis}-Siva-siidiikhya, Amisrtas

ya, M urta-saaaxnya, s.artr-saaaxnya, ana sarma-saaasnya.

ISH; 'iitfp I - sixfold yoga

1. It is a type of yoga referred to in the Maitri Upanisad. The six limbs
are postures, breathing techniques, withdrawal of the senses from
sense objects, concentration, meditation, union (asana, pranayama,
pratyiihara, dharan, dnyana, and samiidhi).

sadanga-yoga -

Sad-asad-vilaksana - fl&fl~M&'fDT - what is other than the real (sat) and the
unreal (asat) (see anirvacaniya)

Sad-asat -- ~&~() - real-cum-unreal

Sadasiva- fl&~q - "eternally happy or prosperous" (from sada = "eternally,
ever" + siv = "auspicious"
I. A name for Siva, the eternally auspicious One. In Kashmir Saivism.
it stands for the principle of the eternal Siva and corresponds to the
power of will (icchii-sakti).
sadiiyatana -154 g 14dr:t - the six sense organs (from sad = six + aya-tana = "organs")
1. According to Buddhism, it is one of the links in the causal chain of
IC........

-.J

260

~a4bhava.vikiira-~lq~a;I<: -

the six changes applicable to a positive en-

tity
1. These are origination, existence, growth, maturity, decline, and
death.
sad-darsana -

lSI ~4M~

the six orthodox (iistika) schools of Indian philoso-

phy
1. They are Nyaya, Vaisesika, Sankhya, Yoga, MImiiqlsa, and Vedanta.
Sadguru -

~-

"true teacher"; perfect Master; authentic teacher; realized

spiritual guide (from sat = "true, real" + guru = teacher" [see guru])
1. Such a guru is one with God, one with the Self, one with the Absolute, one with the mantra.
~

Siidhaka -

..;;.-/1.
u

one who practices spiritual disciplines (from the verb root

"...... ........
O'

......h", ... ",,,,1"\. '"

'0'

0';'.

1. According to the Siva Samhita, there are four types: the soft practilioner smrau; wno tacks zeal, is ouu witted, siCKly, greeny; attaenetr;
etc., who doesn't carry out the guru's commands, even when asked;
the middling practitioner (madhya) who is evenminded, patient, desirous of virtue, etc., who carries out the guru's commands when
asked; the ardent practitioner (adhimiitra) who is steadyminded, disciplined, constantly engaged in spiritual disciplines, who anticipates
the guru's commands; most ardent practitioner (adhimiitratama)
who gains realization very quickly.
Siidhana-~-self-effort;

spiritual discipline; means; the way (from the

verb root siidh = "to go straight to the goal")
1. Generally "the means to release or liberation."
2. Jainism is the three jewels (tri-ratna) comprised of right faith, right
knowledge, and rightconduct.
3. Buddhism is the eightfold path (iirya-a~{ii1iga-miirga).
4. Sankhya is discrimination between spirit (purusa) and matter
(prakrtii.
5. Yoga is the eight-limbed yoga (assanga-yoga).
6. MIma111sa is action (karma) or injunction (vidhi).
7. Advaita Vedanta is ultimately right knowledge (brahma-jiiiina),
with the preliminary aids of the fourfold prerequisites (sadhanacatustayai and hearing, reflecting upon, and digesting the liberating
knowledge (srava~a, manana, and nididhyssanas.
8. Visistadvaita Vedanta is action (karma voea: and knowledge iiiuinayoga), ultimately culminating in devotion (bhakti-yoga). The other
~",+h : .. +""+,,,)

261

;\

9. Dvaita Vedanta is discrimination followed by knowledge, followed

by grace (vairagya.jiiana, mahdtmya-jtuina, niskiima-karma, bhakti,
and prasiiday.
10. Saiva Siddhanta is external acts of worship (carya), then acts of intimate service to God tkriyii), then contemplation and internal worship (yoga), and finally divine knowledge of God Uliana).
II. Vira Saivism is the eight protections to be observed (asta-iivarana)
and the five codes of conduct (paticiicarav.
12. Kashmir Saivism is divine Self-rememberance (pratyabhijliii) with
the means of anupiiya. sambhavopaya, siiktopiiya, and iinavopiiya.
13. Sivadvaita is contemplation (tatkratu-nyiiya-one bec~mes what
one contemplates) which leads to the realization of one's own true
and essential nature.
Siidhana-bhakti -

~-

devotion with effort; spiritual disciplines con-

c:eming devotion

v
It is devotion engendered by spiritual exercises. It consists of the
w

Sadhana-catustaya -~ ..... ttle Lf - the fourfold aid to the study of Vedanta

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, these four comprise the proximate
aid to liberation. They are the ability to discriminate between the
transient and the eternal (nitya-anitya-vastu-vivekav; the absence of
desire for securing pleasure or pain either here or elsewhere tihaamutra-artha-phala-vairagyay; the attainment of calmness, temperance, spirit of renunciation, fortitude, power of concentration of
mind, and faith (sama-damiidi-siidhana-sampatti); and an intense
desire for liberation tmumuksutvai.

Sadhana-saptaka - me1':H1C('1Cf'

sevenfold moral and spiritual discipline lead-

ing to devotion
I. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, these are discrimination (viveka),
which is the purification of the body by food that has not become impure either on account of species, abode, or adventitious causes; mental detatchment (vimoka) which consists of nonattachment to desires;
practice (abhyiisa) which is the continuous meditation on the Absolute (Brahman); action (kriya) which is the performance of the five

262

(anavasadai which is freedom from dejection; and nonexultation

ianuddharsai which is the absence of exultation.
~

Siuihiirana -

- common

1. A class of fallacious reasoning in which the reason is present in a

place where the major term (sadhya) is not present; e.g., the mountain has fire because it is knowlable. (See savyabhiciira.i

Siidharani-karana - m":'1l{oTl~{OI - idealization; cause of achievement

1. According to Indian aesthetics, the secret of an artist's achievement
consists in idealization. It is the generalizing of the particular. It enables an artist to conform his or her creation to the highest conception of beauty. It frees the object from ugliness, faults, defects, and
mutability.
Sadhu -

~-

holy person; saint; virtuous; good; sage (from the verb root sadh

LV l!>V

......,
...,

LV LIlt:' l!>VCll

j, Cl IlIVllA VI

1. According to Jainism, it is the fourth stage of the ascetic order. They

are saints who scrupulously observe the codes of conduct. They are
who lio not mix ~-

., with"

.1.

nor ...,
oivp.

."

.1 lii!:.-

courses. Their entire being is fixed on spiritual practices.

2. Any person who is practicing spiritual disciplines isadhana).

Siidhumati -~ - "good wisdom" (see bodhisattva)

Sadhvi -

~-

Siidhya -

~-

female ascetic; Jaina nun

the subject; the probandum; that which is to be proved; the

major term
1. It is the character which is inferred. It is the major term in a syllogism,
2. See anumiina.
ffiC."'l:fff11- both the reason and the subject are unproved and
yet to be proved
1. A type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason (hetu) is unproved
and yet to be proved; e.g., "shadow is a substance, because it is characterized by movement." This is unproved because the reason, "being characterized by movement," is as unproved as the subject,
"being a substance." See hetviibhiisa.

Siidhya-sama -

Siidhyopaya -lneL11q 1t1 me aspirant

the means to liberation which has to be effected by

263

Sad-lingo -- ~ -

the six marks

1. According to MImarpsa, there are six marks to be noticed in understanding the scripture (Veda). They are beginning and conclusion (upakrama and upasamhiiray; novelty (apurviita); repetition
(abhyasav; result or fruit (pha/a); praise or censure (arthaviida);
and intelligibility in the light of reason tupapatti).

Sadrsya -- ff 1<i!fLt - similarity

1. One of the ten categories of Dvaita Vedanta. Dvaita claims that inference is made possible because of it.
2. See padartha and chart no. 6.
Sadriipa -- ~ -

existing in a place in a positive relation; perceptible by the

senses
$aqvidha .~araT,lagati~ -

~ !lI (0 I It I ~: -

the six limbs of absolute self-

1. It has six constitutents; to conceive what is in conformity with the

will of God (Isvara) (anuku/yasya sankalpay; to reject what is dis to;

(J

-' -

,).

to have firm faith that

.... God (Isvara) will save the self (raksisyatiti vifviisa); the feeling that
one is incapable to follow the prescribed path of action (karma),
knowledge <j;iiina), and devotion (bhakti) (kiirpaT,lya); to seek Isvara
alone as the protector igoptrtva-varanamy; and to surrender oneself
to God (lsvara) in all meekness (iitma-nik~epa). (See prapatti.)
~

Sadvidya-s- ~ - meditation on the Absolute (Brahman) as the Real (sat)

without a second, as described in the Chiindogya Upanisad; knowledge
of the Real
Sadvidya tattva -~fll(1fq - "element of true knowledge"; the stage in
which the subjective and objective sides of experience are equal, according to Kashmir Saivism (see tattvai
lSI S....factS I( - the "six changes"
1. There are six changes which occur to an object: origination or birth,
growth, maturity, decline, death, and dissolution.

Sadvikiira
. .

~-

"bodiless liberation"; immediately on attaining

knowledge of the Self (atma-jftiina), one gives up one's physical body
1. According to Advaita Vedanta. it is complete liberation from the
embodied state which occurs upon realization. The embodied exist-

Sadyomukti -

1. ~

264

I~~~ '-

Siigara -

~-

sea; ocean

Saguna -

~-

with attributes; with qualities

Sahaja -

~-

natural; innate; spontaneous; inborn; "together born"

1. A type of power which exists in things and by virtue of which changes occur, according to Dvaita Vedanta.
2. The Self is not other than the individual who is seeking it. It is natural, innate, not external but part of one's inner nature.

Sahakari-karana - ff~q;IRq;1 (01 - accessory or concomitant cause

1. The components that help the material cause to produce the effect.
Sahasrara -

ff~ ~ 1(

the thousand-petaled; the seventh subtle center

1. The topmost spiritual center or thousand-petaled lotus located in the
_.-

...<lIA
. rt.f'th...
_ . . . .- h ,_. -Tt j" th...
. ""'<lIt rt.f'
~

cS~"<lI , th...
-c-

"fir'''

Ulh""n

Kundalini Sakti unites with Siva in the sahasriira, the yogi achieves
me state or .:sen-reallzalion. (oee caxra.i
Sahitya - ~ Sahopalambha -

association; connection; society; combination; harmony

ff~lqMUl- simultaneous apprehension

Sahrdaya - fliiALf - a qualified appreciator of a work of art; one of similar

heart; connoisseur
1. According to Indian aesthetics, an appreciator of a work of art has to
recreate or reconstruct in his or her mind the idea implicit in the
work. In order to do this, the appreciator him- or herself must be an
artist at heart. Thus, the appreciator must be a qualified appreciator
in order to grasp the true import of a work of art.
Saiva -~ - a follower of Siva; pertaining to Siva; one who worships Siva as
the supreme Self; a devotee of Siva
Sajatiya -

ff'ij I81Lf - "with characteristics"; the difference which exists between two objects belonging to the same class
1. For example, between one tree and another.
2. See bheda.

Sakala -

~1

determinate; embodied being

A "t"'h'" ,..f'th...

~ ~

_t

"",.. 1

265

,.

t.n. cS",,,,,, C' , .. -

{~ ......

j7va.) The individual as it exists with the three bonds of ignorance.

action, and obscuration (anava, karma, and maya) is called sakala.

Kashmir Saivism uses the term in the same way.

2. A stage of consciousness-the waking state wherein an individual
desires to obtain knowledge.

Sakama-bhiiva-nirjarii - ff(t;ILji4I~P:Nhl - an aspect of bhiiva nirjarii

10

which the material (karma) particles are destroyed even before their enjoyment is finished
1. It is also called vipaka.
2. See nirjarii.

Sakampapravrtti

ff(t;Lq lJl4qfu - halting effort

U/lth fnnn

co -.1. -

Sakara-upayoga
1

f'f'(t;I<" .. ",

..,

.~

comprehension
:t :" ......... "" ......+ tl.""

t ...... T.
,

~ -

~ .........

r-......... +

h ,...""" ......

'J

~.

.c

.....

derstanding.
L..

Sakha -

oee upayoga.

~ - schools; branches
1. Different brances of the Briihmanas which later led to the establishment of the different schools-e.g., Aitareya, Kausltaki, etc.

Sakhyam - fftottl{- friendship

1. One of the emotions (bJuiva). It is the relationship of friendship.
2. One of the nine forms of devotion. (See bhakti.)

Sakrddarsana - ffcrf:::n.-. - single observation

Sakrdiigamin -ffcr~Plfq"'3 - comes back only once; once returner (from
sakrd ="again" + iigiimin ="one coming")
1. A stage in the ethical path of Buddhism wherein an aspirant is only
born one more time before attaining perfection.

Sdksad-upakaraka - ffT&11<jqq;I<(t; - direct means (see aradupakiirakay

~

Saksatkara C'

-.1,

;1.

- Self-realization; direct experience

,..,,...,

"'.

7'''

,,'.

266

Siiksin -

mfu? -

the witness self; the intuitive faculty

1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the witness consciousness which
is the faculty of direct apprehension or perception. It is the purest
sense, without defects, and always produces absolutely valid knowledge. It indirectly perceives the objects presented to all the other
senses, through the senses, as well as directly perceiving the Self
(Atman), internal organ (antahkaranai, and the attributes of the
manas or mind (pleasure and pain), ignorance, time, and unrnanifested ether. It has two functions: it helps produce knowledge and
validity of knowledge. It is the essential attribute of the Self; the
Self's own sense organ.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the witness self and neutral. It is
consciousness marked by the internal organ tantahkarana-upahitacaitanyai. It is always in relation to consciousness and the witness
thereof. It is self-luminous and ever present. It corresponds to the puru~a or me
ya-r oga-s-r.e., as me passive observer or me states
of the internal organ. It never appears by itself, but always in association with the internal organ.

Siiksi-bhiisya - ~ - revealed by the witness self

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, all things are revealed by the witness
self (sdksin) as assisted by the internal organ iantahkaranay. Three
things are revealed by the witness self alone: prdtibhasika objects
(e.g., a mirage or a rope/snake), subjective states of the mind (e.g.,
pleasure or pain), and ignorance (avidyii).
Siiksi-caitanya -~~d=t4 - the witness consciousness
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is the awareness which underlies
and supports all the states of consciousness. It pervades the waking,
dreaming, and deep-sleep states. It is not a state like one of these
three, but being omnipresent, it is the common denominator that
runs throughout them.
Siikta -~ - a tradition that regards the female (Sakti) as the supreme Deity;
of or relating to Sakti and her worship; a devotee of the Goddess (from
sak = "to be able")
1. It is a philosophy closely allied with Saivism. It regards Sakti. Power, personified as the consort of Siva as the supreme Deity. The basis
texts of this school are the Sakta-agamas, also called Tantras.
Siikta upiiya - ~ I ~I q 14 - "means of power"; path of Sakti
1. In Kashmir Saivism, a means to Self-realization, primarily through
.t.

.J:.t.

..I

c'

.t.1

267

1.1

also called jiiiina upiiya or the path of knowledge. It is also called

bhediibheda (unity in multiplicity) upaya. (See upaya.)
Sakti-~ - power; capacity; energy; potency; Citi; Kundalini; force; the divine cosmic energy which projects, maintains, and dissolves the universe; the spouse of Siva (from sak = "to be able")
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is one of the ten categories, (See
padiirtha and chart no. 6.) It is of four kinds: mysterious power
(acintya), causal or natural (kiiraT}a or sahaja), occasioned (iidheya),
and word (pada),
2. According to Vira Saivism, it is of six forms: cit-sakti, parii-sakti,
aLii-sakti, iccha-sakti, jnana-sakti, and kriyii-sakti.
3. According to Sakta philosophy, it is consciousness as dynamic. Sakti
is one with Siva, being the dynamic aspect of his feminine part.
4. It is the Divine Mother, the latent power of Siva.
5. The potential power latent 10 human beings IS called Kundalinisakti.
/.

,_.....

.e

"(11 ..... "..., 1\1

VI.

,..

L
r~"

I.I.Vlli

..I.'

I.V UI.,\OI-

ple: spiritual awakening; "descent of divine grace"

1. According to the Malini Vijaya Tantra, there are nine degrees of the
descent of grace (Sakti). Abhinavagupta later elaborated these nine
degrees into twenty-seven by explaining that there are three forms
of grace-intense, medium, and gentle. The most intense form
grants instantaneous liberation (tivrativra saktipiit). The next level is
tivramadhya, or intense-medium, which makes the recipient a selfborn guru (Jfianesvar was an example of this form.) Tivramanda, or
intense-gentle saktipiu, awakens in the aspirant a powerful yearning
to find a Sadguru. Such a one, upon meeting the Master, will be initiated by scriptural discussion, by spiritual disciplines, by ritual, by
mantra, by mudrii, or by the Master simply gazing at the disciple. Of
the medium forms, the madhyativra disciple does not have a firm
conviction that he/she is Siva, and attains Self-realization only after
death. The other forms include madhyamadhya, madhyamanda,
mandativra, mandamadhya, and mandamanda.
Siiktopaya - !11lctC11Q Itt (see upiiya)
Siilagriima- !11tM~ 14 C'

"'J

one of the steps to liberation per Kashmir Saivism

ammonite; symbol of Visnu

1. According to Jainism, a means to rid oneself of all karma particles

unto death

ana to acmeve uoeranon.

268

Siilokya -

ft I M1Cft1 -

to live in the region of God; being on the same plane as

the Divine (from sa = "with" + loka = "world")
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the first level of release. It is entering the abode of Vi~DU (Vaikuntha). (See ananda-tiiratamya.i
2. According to Saiva Siddhanta, the path to release consists of four
stages. The first stage is called the path of the servant (diisa-miirga)
and its goal is siilokya. In this case, it means residence in the realm
of Siva (Kailiisa). (See moksa per Saiva Siddhanta and carya; also
see siimipya.)

Sama -~ - calmness; tranquility; control of the internal sense organs; same;

equal (from sam = "to be quiet")
1. The method of training the mind by quiet persuasion. (See siidhanacatustaya.)
2. Perfect equality is samatva. To detach the mind from all objective
things by continually seeing their imperfection, and to direct it
''''

Samabhiriidha

.,

the

t1 "'t I "'t ~<O

AL

.1.

i~11.J

~1~ ...

the etymological standpoint

1 This xtand

on the

~.

....

Even between synonyms, dissimilarity exists when their etymologies are examined. Thus each word has only one exact meaning from
this standpoint.
2. It is also said to imply the splitting of words according to their roots.
For example, the literal meaning of the word pankaja is "one born
out of mud" (panka).
3. See naya.

Sama-damadi-sddhana-sampattih - !1l4~41~fll~-fl~fft: - the attainment

of calmness, temperance, a spirit of renunciation, power of concentration of the mind, fortitude, and faith
1. The third limb of Sarikara's fourfold prerequisites (see siidhanacatustaya), it comprises sama, dama, uparati, titiksii, samiidhiina,
and sraddha.
Samadhi - ~ - one-pointedness; concentration; absorption; union; a calm,
desireless fixity; a unifying concentration; "equal mind" (from the verb
root dhii "to hold" + the prefixes ii + sam "together completely")
1. It is a deep spiritual meditation or a meditative union with the Absolute.
2. A superconscious state where there is complete absorption of the intelIect into the object of meditation.

':l

"t<lt",

1."

<InA <1M"'" <Ill

269

.t.

1.

U",r",

.1

<InA

mind cannot reach. It is a state of utter calmness in which consciousness is unwavering.

4. It is a limb of Pataiijali 's raja-yoga. (See astanga-yoga.)
.5. According to Yoga, it has four aspects: vitarka, vicara, ananda. and
asmita. These are called samadhi with knowledge of objects (samprajfzata). There is also a samddhi without any knowledge of objects
tasamprajnata).
6. According to Buddhism, it is of three types: upaciira or preliminary;
jhiina or fixed and steady; and appanii or achieved meditation.
7. It has also been divided into samiidhi with the mind (savikalpa) and
samadhi without any mental modifications (nirvikalpa).

Siimagri -- ft It( Ql - collocation; the whole causal apparatus; totality

.. ,-,- -

("I.pp

II

.J, __ ,_

_'\

Samano -- fI'tfFf - to breath equally

1
~

r\ ...... ~~ .l.... ~., ... .,:.",1 "':.....

........"'"

""'~

.~ ....

~.

"'"

. u _ .... y.

Ie...... r -- :-./\
,~""'-

2. It is the life breath which controls digestion and assimilation. It

Keeps an equuionum 10 tne oooy. It IS located 10 tne regron OJ tne navel.

Siimiinadhikaranya - flirt I..,I fbtq;(o t1 - the principle of grammatical coordination

1. The principle which states that one entity may have two aspects. It
shows identity as well as difference. It cannot be used wherein there
is complete identity or complete difference between the words.
2. Ramanuja used it to explain his key concept of inseparable relation
iaprthak-siddhiv. According to Ramanuja, the grammar of language
is the grammar of reality. Two terms, "blue" and "lotus," have distinct meanings but refer to the same substance. Distinction is not denied, while at the same time, the organic unity of the whole is
affirmed.
3. Advaita Vedanta uses the same concept to show "nondifference" or
"identity."

Samana-jatiya-dravya-paryaya - fit( 1"'\i1lfflt1~OLtqLtrLt- a type of mode that

is the result of the combination of inanimate substances (see paryayai

Samiina-tantra - fit( HdAt - allied systems

1. For example, Sankhya-Yoga, Nyaya-Vaisesika, and Mimamsa-

...
v

270

Samanvaya Samiinya -

~q;::qtt

~ Iq 1r:t:1

harmony

generality; class; universal feature; concept; genus

1. One of the seven categories of the Vaisesika system. (See padiirtha
and chart no. 6.) It is the generic feature that resides in all the members of a class. It is one, eternal, and resides in the many. It is the
common characteristic by virtue of possessing which an individual
becomes a member of a class. It is perceptible in perceptible things
and imperceptible in imperceptible things. It has a reality of its own,
independent of the particulars. It is of different grades-the highest
(para) is "being" (sattii); the lowest (apara) "pot-ness"; and the intermediate tparaparas "earthness." The "potness" and "earthness"
are less general than "being." It is said to reside in substances, qualities, and activities. The relation between it and an individual is inherence (samavaya).
2. According to Jainism, It IS neither an abstract entity nor an imposttion of the mind, but represents only the accession of similar qualities by a similar development of qualities of atoms forming an
-

(~oo - "

,.

..,..,....

-.,./\

3. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is one of the ten categories

\'paaarma). 1l is me nature wnicn ctraractertzes a ClaSS. 1l is eternai
in eternal substances and noneternal in nonetemal substances.
Siimanya-laksana - fllt:f I=t:tM afDT - relation by generality or class nature
1. One of the supernormal modes of perception posited by the Nyaya
school. It is the relation characterized by generality or class nature
by which, when one perceives a particular of a class, one also perceives, in general, the other particulars; e.g., to see a cow is to see
"cowness" which is present in all cows. (See pratyaksa per Nyaya.)
2. According to the Vaibhasika and the Sautrantika, it is the conceptual
elements added by the mind in an act of perception. What is actually
perceived is only the bare particular tsvalaksanay. To the bare particular the mind adds subjective determinations which are of five
types: generality (jati), quality (gu~a), action (karma), name (nama),
and substance (dravya).
Siimiinyatodrsta - f1ltt l=t:td)<t@ - inference based on noncausal uniformity
1. A classification of vita inference based on the distinctions of pervasion tvyapti). In this type the inference is based on noncausal uniformity; e.g., when one sees an animal having horns, one infers that it
must possess cloven hoofs. It gives knowledge of an imperceptible
or unperceived object. It is based, not upon a relation of causality,
but upon the fact that the means and the end are always found together.

_.....~4""""'''
_-

"

271

Siimanya-visesa

filq 14:1 ~"lSI -

generic differentia

m-

Samapatti - fi q Iq
engrossment; attainment; achievement; state of becoming one; coincidence
1. In yoga, the state of becoming one with the object of cognition, the
instrument of cognition, and the subject of cognition in meditation.

Samapti -- fiq I ft<1 - completion

Samarasya - ft Iq {ftC

homogeneity; even essence; equilibrium

1. The process of bringing the body into a harmonious resonance with
the Divine.
-

Samarpana - filqqui - surrender to God (from the causative form of I = "to

rise, teno upwara + sam - "tojoin togetner,TOlreTiverTIsee samavesai
Siimarthya -In'lfuf - power; capacity

Samasti -- ~ -

cosmic; collective

Sama-samuccaya - fiqfi5'C~t1 ma-samuccaya)

simultaneous combination (see jiuina-kar-

Samasyii - fiqft11 - a type of false knowledge found in mati and srta knowledge which admits of doubt and suspicion

Samatva -

~-

equality; equanimity; equalness

Samaviiya - fiqq ILl - inherence

1. According to Nyaya, it is a normal mode of sense relation in which
there is inherence--e.g., contact with sound which inheres in the
sense of hearing. (See sannikarsa.i
2. According to Vaisesika, it is the intimate relation between inseparables. It is an eternal relationship which is inherent in the objects related. It exists between five kinds of inseparables: substance and
quality, substance and activity, particular and generality, eternal
substance and particularity, and whole and parts. Of these relations,
at least one of the entities cannot remain without its relation to the
other. (See ayutasiddha.)
3. See padartha.

- .,-

..
272

,.. <>11 ,,.,.

1. The inherent cause is that in which the effect inheres when it is produced; e.g., threads are the inherent cause of cloth. (See karana.i
Samaviiyin -

ftLtalf"t4? -

Sarna Veda -

ftlLja~ -

constitutive
(see veda)

Samdvesa - ftLj la:n - attainment of the original position; divine union; perfect
merging of consciousness
1. The final attainment of the individual according to Kashmir
Saivism, It also signifies the state wherein Siva and Sakti are identical (samarasyai.

Samaveta-samavaya

f\LtadftL:jq 14 -

r'O

1. rVI

inherence in that which inheres

' . ' "

.'

WILU

WII1'-1I

III

, WIII\,U

in tum inheres in the sense of hearing.

2. A normal mode of sense relation according to the Nyaya school.
(See sannikarsa.s
ournayu

~ 61"1

time ~ ui viUll;u into, anu percei vee as, moments, Hours, cays,
etc.); agreement; rule of conduct; compact; custom; convention; order;
precept
1. According to Jainism, this is the appearance of the unchangeable
time in so many different forms.
2. See kala.

Samayiiciirya -

ffLtttl~14 -

the foremost (noteworthy) Saivite saints (Nayan-

mars)
1. They are Appar, Sundarar, Sambandhar, and Manikkavacakar.
Samayika -

ft l'llltq; -

according to convention; a Jaina ethical code of conduct

1. It is the practicing of being one with the Reality.

Siimayikiibhdva - ~ -

temporary nonexistence

Sambandha - ~ - relation (see samyoga, samavtiya. svariipa-sambandha

and tadiitmya)
Sambandhokti - ~ ideas
C'

. ,. ,

a prose portion of a work which introduces new

273

I. The process of knowing something, not directly or immediately but

indirectly, by virtue of its being included in something else which is
already known. It is of two types: certain inclusion---e.g., one thousand includes one hundred-and possible inclusion--e.g., a brahmin
may possess holiness.
2. See pramana.
Siimbhavopiiya-~ -

one of the steps to liberation per Kashmir

Saivisrn; "path of Siva"

I. In Kashmir Saivisrn, a means to Self-realization meant for advanced
aspirants. It entails a sudden emergence of Siva-consciousness by a
mere hint from the guru. Since in this means (upiiya) the Self is realized through the will, it is also called icchii upiiya. (See upiiya.)
Sambhoeakiiva - ~Q.:(H 1C$lti -

the sheath of enjoyment (see tri-kiiva)

tne benencient; auspICIOUS ltrom sam - aUSpICIOUS, nappIness bliss" + bhis == "to become orizin source")
I. The origin or source of bliss. The bestower of happiness. A name for

Sambno -- ~ -

T
..I
.....v.u ...... ' ....

Samdhya - ~ -

twilight; dusk and dawn prayers recited at dawn

Samgha -- im - aggregate; compound

I. The substratum of elements (dharma) according to the Sarvastivadins.
2. According to the Vaibhasikas, all perceptible things are real and
composed of compounds of atoms.
Samgraha-naya - tfUtP'fti - the class point of view
I. According to Jainism, it is the standpoint which is concerned with
the general properties or class characteristics of an object. It's of two
kinds: para-samgraha and apara-samgraha. While the former is the
highest general outlook for which all the objects are part of the extant object, the latter dilates upon the general traits of different kinds.
2. See naya.
Samhara - ~ - destruction; dissolution
I. According to the Saiva schools, it is one of the five functions of Siva.
(See Siva.)
"

.-

.....,

11

, a

..

"" un;; ...l',-'

\;;ua, uy UUJ;)

-"
UJ Y J;)JVU Vi

274

Samipya -

~ 141ut

- nearness to God

1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the second level of graded release. (See ananda-taratamya.i
2. According to Saiva Siddhanta, the path to release consists of four
stages. The goal of the path of son (satputra-margai is to attain the
nearness of Siva. (See moksa per Saiva Siddhanta; also see kriya.)
Samiti -

~ MRt

Samjiui -

~-

C'

-
OJ

Sampat -

moderation
I. According to Jainism, it is of five types: moderation in walking (tryasamiti), moderation in speaking tbhdsa-samiti), moderation in bodily
wants (esana-samitis. careful handling of objects (tidtina-nik~epana
samiti), and moderation in answering calls of nature (utsarga-samiti).
2. See bhiiva-samvara.
idea; concept; sign; understanding

......

.1

nltl' )

~tq9

Sampradiiya Samprajanya -

wealth

~Lg~ lti

tradition; school; doctrine; handed-down instruction

flUJIl\i1::tf -

watchfulness over the state of one's body and mind

Samprajiuina - flUJIltll .... - knowledge of the principles (tattvas) gained through

concentration and retained in a one-pointed mind

Samprajiuita - ~D;ltlld - a stage in samiidhi wherein one is conscious ofan object

I. The mind functions in this stage, and concentrates on an object of
knowledge.
2. See samiidhi.
Samprajiuita-yoga - flUJlli'll<'ltf1 1 1 intense concentration in a one-pointed mind
in which the principles (tattvas) are revealed and permanently retained
Sampratipatti -

flUJJl R1 q ffi

Samprayukta -

fitgtjetd -

Samsiira -

~-

composite

empirical existence; the wheel of birth and death; transrni-

... I-.~ .n,.~ ~+

tradition

...... . . ..n.

..I-.~

'V . . . ." "

, ' ... I-.~ .n~

'V . . . . . ,

. . ." "

275

&&'V

~+

..I-.~

'V . . . ." "

... ~~1~ ... I-.~

'V . . . . . ,

......

,.
"'

""

......

verse; this world (from the verb root sr = "to flow" and sam =
"together"); worldly illusion
Samsargiibhava - ~ -

relation of nonexistence (see abhiiva)

~ - relation of nonduality
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, one of two types of abheda-samsargao (See vakyartha.) This is oneness by courtesy. There is a oneness
with relation, for the oneness exists only on a relational level. The
object is one-e.g., a lotus-but it possesses two or more attributes,
and/or meanings-viz.,lotusness and blueness, etc.

Samsarga-abheda -

mmT

Samsaya -- ~ - doubt
1. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school. (See padiirtha
h no. 6.
2. It is a' cognition of conflicting notions with regard to one and the

nonpost? (uha)-or it may be eontrary-e.g., is it a post or is it a

man. ana yavasiiya.
3. Doubt is of five t es due to whether it arises from ree tion of
such properties as are common to many things, cognition of a particular and unique property, conflicting testimony, irregularity of perception, or irregularity of nonperception.
4. Doubt is neither true nor false.
Samsaya-jtiana -

tt1qi1l~ -

Samsaya-vyudiisa inference
Siimsiddhika -

doubtful cognition

tt1qOY;C::I~ -

tt1q~~qi -

removal of all doubts about the truth of an

natural

Samskiira - tt'f4'l ( -latent impression; predisposition; consecration; imprint,

innate tendency; innate potence; mold; inborn nature; residual impression; purificatory rite; rite of passage (from sam + kr = "to fashion or to
do together")
1. It is a predisposition from past impressions. It is one of the five aggregates according to Buddhism. (See skandha.) They are impressions left in the mind after any experience. (See vasana.)
2. It is one of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence, accord-

3. It is a rite performed with the help of sacred syllables (mantra) to re-

276

4. It is a purificatory rite in connection with an individual's life in

Brahmanical Indian society. It includes the sacred thread ceremony,
marriage rites, funeral rites, etc.
5. It is of three kinds: velocity (vega), by virtue of which an object possesses motion; feeling (bluivana), by virtue of which there is memory or recognition; and oscillation (sthitistluipa-katva), by means of
which a substance returns from a distance to its original position.

Samskrta - tif<t<1 - coming together; combined cause; compounded thing;

"perfected or polished"; refined
Samskrta-dharma - ftf<t(1~ - ephemeral; impermanent; impure
1. According to the Vaibhasika school, they are of four types: riipa, citta, caitta, and ctttaviparyukta. These are made of subtle elements,
physical as well as mental, whose action and reaction cause the eree universe. ese are om ou 0
e cons rue Ion 0
ings
a ion 0
and are ephemeral, impermanent, and impure. Rupa is of all physical
elements and has been divided into eleven kinds: the five external
interaction of the senses with their objects. All the samskiiras remain

changes every moment. Caitta are the mental processes related with
citta. There are forty-six types of caitta. Citta-viparyukta is the
dharma which cannot be classified as either rupa or citta. It is of
fourteen types.

Samskrti -

ft+<rRt -

purification
1. The work of action is said to be fourfold and one of those effects is
purification.
2. See karma.

ft,AbI -

Samslesa -

union

Samsrsta-visaya - ~ - relational knowledge

1. A sentence, by its very nature (being comprised ofsubject and object),
conveys relational, qualified knowledge, according to Visistadvaita
Vedanta. Advaita Vedanta posits that there are some sentences
(mahavakya) which convey nonrelational, nondual knowledge (i.e.,
mahavakya).
Samuccaya -

~-

Samudaya-satya -

combination (see jnana-karma-samuccayav

tig~ It:tti<"tt

the apparent reality of the aggregate

277

ft'JJ~ IM~"" -

Samiduilambana -

group cognition

Samvada -- ~ - agreement; correspondence

1. Nyaya holds that validity is ascertained by agreement with the objective facts of experience.

Samviidi-bhrama - t1q I ~I,ltf - error which leads to the truth

1. For example, a person mistakes the light of a gem for the gem itself
and thereby actually comes to secure the gem.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, God takes the form of Isvara so that
a contact may be made between who the individual thinks they are
(the embodied person) and that which they really are (the Self),
which will eventually lead to liberation.

amvara --

i a
s
articles which bind the individual
1. According to Jainism, it is of two types: bhiiva-samvara and dravya-

Samvedana -

tia&.... - cognition

Samvega .- ~ -

Samvid -- ~ Samvrtti -- tiq:fi1

intense ardor derived from long practice

knowledge; supreme Consciousness

- a relative point of view; the empirical world; limit; bound-

ary

Samvrtti-satya - t1qrnftctt - empirical truth

1. According to Madhyamika Buddhism, this is empirical truth. It is
of two kinds: worldly truth (loka-satya) and illusory truth (mithyiisatya). It is the pseudo-truth which relates to the world as phenomena. However, according to Madhyamika, the distinction between
samvrtti-satya and paramartha-satya is episternic and does not import a difference into Reality. The Real is one and nondual.

Samyag-ajiva -

right or correct livelihood (from samyak =

278

1. One limb of the noble eightfold path of Buddhism. (See iirya-astiin-

ga-miirga.v

mr-

Samyak-ciiritra - +iU1Cfji311
right conduct or character (from samyak =
"right" + car = "to go")
1. One of the three jewels of Jainism. It is the practice of beneficial activities which lead to liberation and the abstinence of harmful activities which bind the individual. It includes observing the five great
vows (pafica-mahii-vrata), restraints (gupti) , dharma, etc. It is of
two types: partial (vikala) for the householder (sravaka) and complete (sakala) for the renunciant (muni). (See tri-ratna.i
Samyag-darsana - +i1041~~P1 = "to see, view")

right or correct faith (from samyak = "right" +

drs

of liberation as it paves the way for the other two jewels. It is right
ai In e seven a tvas: jtva, ajtva, a
a, samvara, ntrjara, an
moksa. (See tri-ratna.i

= "to see")

1. One limb ofthe noble eightfold path ofBuddhism. (See arya-astangamarga.)

Samyag-jiuina - ~U1 Jit H - right or correct knowledge (from samyak =
"right" + jfiii = "to know")
1. One of the three jewels of Jainism. It is a specialized knowledge of
the essence of the self viva) and not-self (aj7va). It is without any defects and beyond all doubt. (See tri-ratna.i
Samyag- viik - +iLlf 1q ICfj - right or correct speech (from samyak = "right" + vac
= "to speak")
1. One limb of the noble eightfold path of Buddhism. (See iirya-astanga-marga.i
Samyag-vyiiyama - +i1041oq fLIP., - right or correct effort (from samyak =
"right" + vi-a-yam = "to strive")
1. One limb of the noble eightfold path ofBuddhism. (See arya-astangamdrga.i
Samyak-karmdnta - +iU1J aiLff:::et -

right or correct conduct (from samyak =

279

1. One limb ofthe noble eightfold path ofBuddhism. (See iirya-astiingamarga.)

Samyak-samddhi - ftU1Cf?ctjfitt I~ - right or correct contemplation (from

samyak ="right" + sam-ii-dha ="to direct, unite, together")
I. One limb ofthe noble eightfold path ofB uddhism. (See arya-astangamiirga.)

ft'4ctjftCf'("q - right or correct resolve (from samyak =

"right" + samklrp = "to resolve")
1. One limb ofthe noble eightfold path ofBuddhism. (See iirya-astiinga-

Samyak-sankalpa -

miirga.)

Samyak-smrti- ft'4ctjfliftf - right or correct recollection (from samyak =

"right" + smr = "to remember")
~

1.

um::: , .~
marga.)

UIC:::

.1&

...,

rut
&

~~

.or

..

.. .
&

1. The combined practice of the last three steps in riija-yoga-s-coucentrattorr; meoiIalion, ana union ianarana, anyana, ana samaanu.

Samyoga -- fi4'n I - conjunction; contact

1. A normal mode of sense relation in Nyaya; e.g., conjunction is represented by the contact of the sense of sight with an object, which is
in conjunction therewith.
2. According to Vaisesika, it is of three types: where one substance
comes and conjoins with another (anyatara-karmaja), where the
conjunction takes place as a result of activity on the part of both the
substances (ubhaya-karmaja), and where the conjunction takes
place through the medium of another conjunction tsamyogajai.
3. See sannikarsa.

ALi'P I\if -

a type of conjunction where the conjoining takes place

through the medium of another conjunction (see sarhyoga)

Samyogaja -

Samyukta-samavaya - filjCR1fiLlqlL4 - inherence with that which is in conjunction

I. A normal mode of sense relation according to Nyaya; e.g., contact
with the blue color which is inherent with the sense of sight.
2. See sannikarsa.

Samyukta-samaveta-samavaya - fi~CR1 fiLiact fiLlq Iq

.. . . 11) III
III uuu
YV 111\..1I

280

inherence in that which

1. A normal mode of sense relation according to Nyaya; e.g., contact

with the blueness which is inherent in the blue color which inheres
in a flower which is in conjunction with the sense of sight.
2. See sannikarsa.
ff Ir:t~ffLj II'-:r -

a stage in samddhi wherein the mind (citta)

is concentrated on a pure (siittvika) subtle object
1. This type of meditation renders the mind pure (siittvika) and gives
bliss.

Siinanda-samadhi -

Saniitana -

eternal; ancient; primeval

ff=1ld=1 -

Saiicita - ~ - karma in action; unripe actions (from sam = "together" + cit

= "consciousness, thought")
1.

YY 111'-'11

nave nUL yel

"'"

lU

Llleu

ur

HUI~.

2. See karma, prarabdha, and iigamin.

n

.11.

I)'U

'\1 -.

I..

'

, UIIIVII,

.\.

<J

1. The junction of the three divisions of the day-Le., dawn, noon, and
dusk.
Sandhyopiisana -lRiXfl q Iff =1 -

the daily worship of God at sunrise, noon, and

sunset prescribed for the twice-born Hindu

Sandigdha - ff ~ h::1- doubtful middle term

1. It occurs in an inferential cognition when there is a doubtful connection between the middle term (hetu) and the major term (stuihya).
Sangha -

~-

collection; community
1. The community of monks who followed the Buddha. Its nucleus was
formed in the Deer Park when the Buddha gave his first sermon. It
is the custodian of the Buddhist religion or teachings (dharma).
2. The disciples of Mahavira formed the Jaina community (sanghas.
They divided themselves into eleven groups called gana with each
group being led by a ganadhara.

Siingrahani> ff 1~'U~UTl- a type of sacrifice

Sankii - ~ C'

J
.~

,.~

doubt (see samsayai

......

..., :~J...,

I'

281

..... ,

. :

11.

(from the root klrp = "to be in order, come into existence, determine" +
sam = "completely, perfectly")
ll. The dynamic energy of Visnu,
2. One of the four ways a guru gives Saktipiu initiation. (See saktipat.)

Sankalpiisraya - fti'F419,ftf - dependent on the will of God

Sankara - ~ - "auspicious"; name for Siva (from the verb root kr = "to
make" and sam = "auspicious")

Sankaracarya - fti":IT.414 - the great sage and most famous exponent of Advaita Vedanta (from the verb root kr = "to make" and sam = "auspicious" + iiciirya = "teacher")
1. (788-820) The great Indian philosopher and saint who expounded
the philosophy of absolute nondualism (Advaita Vedanta). He travelIed all over India defeating the contending schools of philosophy,
T...

!lnrl

(,-'

~\ 1n thp fnl1r f'nr_

ners of India.

Sankarsana -

,.,,-..~ - one of the manifestations of Visnu

1. His activities are to destroy the universe at the time of dissolution

and to propound the scriptures. He is said to have emanated from
Vasudeva, and Pradyumna emanated from him in turn. He hypostatizes into Govinda, Visnu, and MadhusOdana. He has the qualities of
knowledge and strength.
2. See vyiiha.

Siinkarya .- ~ - unwarranted blend

Sanketa -- ~ - convention
Sankha - ~ - conch shell (see Vi~~u)
Sankhdra - ft Iij{q l( - synthetic mental states and the synthetic functioning of
compound sense affections, compound feelings, and compound concepts
Sankhyii -- ~ 1ij{&11 -

number; knowledge
1. One of the categories of the Prabhakara school.
2. It is one of the qualities of Nyaya- Vaisesika.

Siinkhya -- ~1ij.{&1 - the philosophical school which enumerates the ultimate

282

1. Kapila was the founder of this orthodox (iistika) system and the author of the Siinkhyasiura. The earliest authoritative book on classical
Sankhya is the Sankhya-karikd of Isvarakr~Qa. The school professes
dualistic realism with its two eternal realities, spirit (purusai and primordial matter (prakrtiy. The term Sankhya means both "discriminative knowledge" and "enumeration."
Sanklesa -

fiCiA$lI -

Sankoca -

fii~ ~ -

affliction
contraction

~-

Sanksepa -

an external penance in Jainism

Sanmatra-viidin - fi::q,~ q' f&"j

mere Beine

one who holds the theory of the Absolute as

---

, ~ ""' ""' I

P~I

1. According to Buddhism, one of the five aggregates. (See skandha.)

C"

.....l::l...,_

Jl. -

Sannidhi -

"

-.

~-

proximity
1. One of the causes which brings about a valid cognition from a proposition. It consists in the articulation of words without undue delay.
It is also called asatti.
2. See iikij;lk~ii, asatti, yogyata, and tiitparya.
~"'tf -

existing in the proximity of God

1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, one of the four levels of release. (See
samipya and iinanda-taratamya.s
2. According to Salva Siddhanta, it is the goal of the satputra-marga in
the stage of kriyii. (See moksa per Saiva Siddhanta.)

Sannidhya -

fi f?lq;~ - sense-object contact

1. According to Nyaya, sense-object contact may be of six normal
(laukika) modes of sense-object relation. This is due to the fact that
contact occurs between substances, qualities, class nature, etc. These
six modes are conjunction (samyogai. inherence in that which is in
conjunction (samyukta-samaviiya), inherence in that which inheres
in that which is in conjunction (samyukta-samaveta-samaviiya), in-

Sannikarsa -

(rn .....n"n"/J\
v-

in th~t

.L

''/ . "

.. L

(1:'/1rt1/11wt/1rn

mavdyat, adjunct-substantive relation tvisesana-visesya-bhava or

283

2. According to Nyaya, there are also three supernormal (alaukika)

modes of sense-object relation: relation by generality (siimanyalaksanai, relation by previous knowledge ijiuina-laksanai. and the
perceptive faculty of yogins or that is cultivated by yoga (yogaja).

Sannipatya-upakdraka - ft ~qC"q a4Q;1 {Q; a subsidiary action which is componently helpful to something else; an accessory
Sannyasa :-- fI;:;::q Ifl - monkhood; renunciation (from sam = "complete" + ni =
"down" + as = "to throw"; hence, "to throw down completely")
1. The stage of renouncing all worldly possessions and ties. The last
stage of human life. (See asrama.) It is of two kinds: vividisii-sannydsa or renunciation preceded by a sense of detachment from the
world, and vidvat-sannyiisa which is renunciation par excellence
and preceded by the dawn of realization of the Self. In the former,
certain rules must be observed but, in the latter, there is absolute
freedom.
n

. . . . .

JU'J'JJUolJ, .

~- '111~?

'

II lUI U\.,

. '"

\.lIUlli

sum

"complete" + ni = "down" + as = "to throw"; hence, "to throw down

completely")
1. An ascetic ordained as a monk. A renunciant who has taken the formal vows of renunciation.

Sanskrtam - fI~<rd&j - polished; refined; name of an Indian language; perfected (from the prefix sam = "to make perfect, complete" + the verb
root kr = "to do")
Sanmarga -

Santa-

~-

~-

true way; highest stage in Saiva Siddhanta (see miirga)

having an end

Santa - ~ - peace; contentment (from the verb root sam = "to be at peace")
(see para-bhaktii
Santanacarya - fI"'ft-=tIfIL< - the philosophical preceptors of Saiva Siddhanta
1. They are Meykandar, Arulnandi Sivacarya, Umapati, and Joana
Sambandhar.
Santi -:mi=o - peace; contentment (from the verb root sam = "to be at peace")
Santosa-- fI =-6llSl - contentment; peace
1. une OJ me onservances ~niyama) in raranjali s Kaja r oga.
284

Sapaksa -

~-

similar instance
1. That which possesses similar attributes of the subject which is desired to be inferred. The subject is known for certain in this case.
2. See paksa and vipaksa.

Saprapaiica - fte;tqS'\ - the cosmic view of the Absolute

1. The Upanisads conceived of the Absolute (Brahman) as the all-inclusive ground of the universe (saprapaiica) as well as the reality of
which the universe is but an appearance (nisprapaiicas. The theistic
traditions hold the cosmic view.
~-

Saptabhangi-naya -

the seven propositions (see syiid-viida)

Saptamiurkii - ftC(1LtI<tChI - the seven mothers

1. The Goddess is depicted under seven forms. These seven are in the
"creation of the word" and identified with the seven vowels (five
nnr"" !tnn

tUlA

'\'

!:lr"" th"" h!tcic Af!t 11

...,

...,

Th""c"" c"",,_

en are Brahmfu)i, Mahesvari, Kaurnari, Vaisnavi, Varahi, Indranl,

~

anu v

Sapta-pramatr ftCdw=t k1
the seven stages of the individual soul in Kashmir
Saivism
1. They are sakala, pralayiikala, vijiuiniikala, mantra, mantresvara,
mantramahesvara, and siva. The individual endowed with three
taints (ma/a) is called sakala; endowed with karma and anava-mala
is called pralayiikala; endowed with only anava IS called
vijiiandkala; as it passes through the Siva-tattva it is called Siva (or
siimbhava); as it passes through the Sakti-tattva it is called saktija:
as it passes through the Sadasiva or sadakhya-tattva it is called
mantra-mahesvara; as it passes through the lsvara-tattva it is called
mantresvara; and as it passes through the Sadvidya-tattva it is
called mantra.
Sapta-vidha-anupapatti - ftC(1 ~1:l ~ - the seven (great) untenables
1. The seven untenables are the seven major objections raised by
Ramanuja against the avidyii doctrine propounded by Advaita
Vedanta. They are the untenability of the locus-asraya-anupapatti; untenability of concealment-tirodhiina-anupapatti; untenability of avidya's nature-svarupa--anupapatti; untenability of
indefinability-anirvacaniya-anupapatti; untenability per valid
means of knowledge-pramiif}a-anupapatti; untenability of that
which removes-nivartaka-anupapatti' untenability of complete
cessation-nivrtti-anupapatti. (For details, refer to the Sribhasya
.. " r i l l.

.1-

,1_

"'f ...... -

285

Sarana -

protection; refuge
1. It is also a stage of consciousness. (See sthala.)

'H(l7T -

Saraniigati - ~H:U IPI fft - absolute self-surrender

1. Total dependence on God, leaving everything to His will is called total self-surrender, according to Visistadvaita Vedanta. It is an absolute, unconditional, surrender of the self.
2. See prapatti.

Sarasvati -- ft(fqrl)- "she of the stream"; the name of Brahma's consort who
presides over speech, knowledge, and the arts; the goddess of wisdom
(from saras = "flowing" and vati = "having")
1. The name of one of the monastie orders founded by Sankaracarya,
sarga

~~

, l;"(lfllU;

1. One of the five tooies which a Purana deals with. (See purana.)
,

Sartra

."""
~(I(

oooy,mal Wll1\o1l ."to waste away")

1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, the body is that which is supported by the self, controlled by the self, and exists for the sake of
the self. It has eight constituents: the five elements tmahdbhiua), primordial Nature (prakrtiy, egoism (ahankiira), and the Great (mahat).
2. It is divided into the gross body tsthida-sarira), the subtle body (linga
or suksma-sarirai, and the causal body (karana-sariras.
3. Advaita Vedanta calls the causal body the sheath of bliss. The subtle
body is composed of the mental sheath, the sheath of the intellect,
and the sheath of breath. The gross body is composed of the food
sheath.
4. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, the body is made up of earth, water,
fire, and air and is not constituted of the five elements as postulated
by Sarikhya and Advaita Vedanta.

Sariraka-siara - S1l ft (Of'~~

a name for the Brahma-siura, since it is concerned with the nature and destiny of the embodied individual soul
-

Sarira-sariri-bhiiva - S1lft <~ftR~ - the relation subsisting between the

body and the soul (according to Visistadvaita Vedanta)

Sarira-sariri-sambandha - S1l ft <SIt ft nflta14:f - the vital relation of the body

and the indwelling soul, between the finite self and the Absolute, as ex-' L

n-

286

Sarita-vyapiira - !11 fHOt1 Iq H - physical effort

Sarirendriya -!fI fl1:P=c;tt

!1Iflft? -

Saririn -

the psycho-physical complex of the individual

the individual soul (jlva) (according to Visistadvaita

Vedanta)
~ I ~Ctt

Sarva -

to obtain the same form as God

1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, it is the third level of graded release.
(See ananda-taratamya and moksa.i
2. According to Saiva Siddhanta, it is the goal of the path of the friend
(sakha-miirga) in the stage of yoga. (See moksa per Saiva Siddhanta.)

Sarupya -

~-

all; complete

..

tiC1 ~ 1('1

sarvagata

Sarvajna - ~ -

omnipresem
omniscient; all knowing

ftcfa5Q(tt I t I - renunciation of all actions

Sarva-karma-tyiiga -

Sarvasti-viida - ftcf,R1a 1& - the theory that all exists

1. It is an early, realistic school of Buddhism associated with the Theravada or Hlnayana tradition. It is also called Vaibhasika.
Sarviivadhi - ~ - clairvoyance
1. An aspect of clairvoyance by which one may perceive the nonsensuous aspects of all the material things of the universe. According
to Jainism, it is a type of otherworldly (vikala) knowledge. (See
avadhi.)

ficfi1("q - omniscience

Sarvajiiatva -

Sarva-karma-sannyasa - ftcfa54tt~ 1ft - renunciation of all actions

1. It is the renunciation of all actions .

. Sarva-kartrtva - ~cfa5~(a - omnipotence

~cf(1"'?l fft~lkl -

Sarvatantra-siddhanta L

.11

vy au

.1

.1' .L

Vi

.L

'"

/
\;:)~~

287

an established conclusion accepted

Jr. -

~}

Sarvottama - ~ - the supreme Reality

Sasambodha -

fH''iJOill::l- determinate consciousness

Sasmit-samadhi - ft Ifftkftti 1M - a stage (in samadhis in which the intellect itself becomes the object of concentration (see samiidhi)
~d"'" -

Sastitantra -

a name for the Sankhya school

Sastra - ~~ - scripture; teaching; doctrine; treatise (from the verb root sas =
';'to rule, teach")
1. The sacred books of Indian thought are divided into four categories:
primary scripture (Sruti--"that which is heard"), secondary scripture
(Smrti--"that which is remembered"), historical and mythological
(Puranay, epics (lthihasa), and Tantra.
Sastra-avaSya~-~ 31C4!(l1I: -

tural Injunctions (see jtva

those individuals who do not abide by scripper baddha)

Sastra-vasyan - WJ'f3r Cf!(l1'T: - those individual souls who follow scriptural injunctions
1. They are of two kinds: pleasure seekers tbubhuksu) and liberation
seekers (mumuksui.
2. See jiva.
Sastra-yonitviit-~ ti1P1CC1I<j -

(Brahman is not known from any other

source) since the scriptures (alone) are the means of Brahman knowledge
I. The third aphorism (siara) of the Brahma-siara.
2. It may also be interpreted: (The Absolute [Brahman] is omniscient)
because of (Its) being the source of the scriptures.

Sastri - ~ Ifl4 - one who knows the traditional doctrine; teacher; punisher
(from the verb root siis = "to rule, teach, punish")
Sasvata -- ~ 1!tC4(9 - eternal
Sat

-l't"9 -

existence; reality; being

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, the Absolute is pure Being.
(,,~~
/

288

iSf('tiSlcp ;ft ~qol

"piercing the six centers"

1. Name ofa Yoga text dealing with the serpent power (Kundalini sakxi)
and its arousal from the base of the spine (muladhiira cakra) to the
crown ofthe head (sahasriira), piercing the six nerve plexuses (cakra)
on its way up.

Sat-cakra-nirupana -

Satl-lRlt - the burning of widows on the husband's funeral pyre

1. Originally, only a king's (maharaja; wife performed the act of entering the burning pyre of her dead husband.
Satkiirana-viida - ft('Gf51 <olC4l~ - the theory that cause alone exists
1. Strickly speaking, the Advaita Vedanta theory of causation should
be called this, instead of satkiirya-vada. The cause alone is real and
ever existent, and all effects or phenomena in themselves are unreal.
1"1

C'

-..1 .

... ...""'''"' t'. t'u, .u t'uuu.

Satkiirya-viida - ~ .. _ : .. ~''''
..v

~_

the theory of causation that the effect exists prior

~

1~ ..__ .. ~ .. ~ .. _

u'"

"'

~_

.. 1..._ _ ~ . ,~_
"' ....

1. The causal operation only makes patent the latent effect, according
to this theory. It IS a theory held by the - . ya school which states
that the world is an emanation of the Absolute (Brahman). It is also
called pariniima-viida.
2. Saiva Siddhanta also holds satkiirya-viida.
3. See parinama-viida and asatkiirya-viida.

Satkiirya-drsti- ~ - illlusory vision

1. A belief in the permanence of the individual soul. This is an illusory
belief according to Buddhism, for there is no soul. The soul is but a
name given to an aggregate of elements. It is the first obstacle to an
ethical life.
Sat-khyiiti - fk{6t11 Rt - cognition of the real
1. A theory of error in which the content of error is, in some sense or
other, real. All the systems except Madhyamika, Advaita Vedanta,
and Dvaita Vedanta fall into this category; viz., the iitma-khyiiti of
Yogacara, the a-khyiiti of Sankhya and Prabhakara MTmarpsa, and
the yathiirtha-khyiui of Visi~!advaita Vedanta.
2. The Visi~!advaita Vedanta theory of error is sometimes called satkhyati. (See yathartha-khyati.s
3. See khyati-viida.
J

.,. ,

289

1. A type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason is contradicted by

a counterinference. (See hetvabhasa.i
2. See prakarana-sama.
Satsanga -- f'(f''fi' - holy company; association with the good (from sat =
"good, truth, holy" + san-ga ="come together, meeting")
1. Company of the good, of the godly, of the wise, of God-minded persons. Pious comradeship for spiritual aspirants. A meeting of devotees to hear scriptures, chant, or sit in the presence of a holy being.
The company of saints and devotees.
Sat-sthala - ~~ - a process in Vira Saivism whereby an aspirant grows
step by step in various stages until he or she attains oneness with Lord
Siva
1. There are six stages of consciousness: bhakta-sthala, mahesa-sthala,
prasiidhi-sthala, priina-lingi-sthala, sarana-sthala, and aikya-stha-

..

avadhiina, anubhiiva, iinanda, and siimarasa bhaktis. These six are

mahayoga. Of these six, the first two are the characteristics of a tyiiga
soul; the next two are of a bhoga soul; and the last two are of a yoga
soul.
2. It is the connecting link between the Self (Atrnan) and the Absolute
(Brahman), according to Sripati.
3. See chart no. 14.
Satta - mIT - Being; Existence
1. According to the Vaisesika school, Being is the highest universal.
(See jari.)
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, Being is the Reality.
Sattva -lffCf - pure; steady; goodness; illuminating; buoyant; joy; pleasure
1. One of the three qualities (guna). Its nature is of pleasure and it
serves to illumine. (See guna.s
Sattva-sunya - ~ffl!!t4:t - empty time
1. In the Visistadvaita Vedanta system, time is devoid of all qualities
(guna).

Satya -

~-

truth (from the verb root as = "to be")

1 The world of the hi hest truth or b in . S e 10
2. The Golden Age. An age of truth, innocence, and purity. The path to

290

3. One of the abstentions of the raja-yoga discipline. It is absolute

truthfulness and abstaining from uttering any falsehood. (See yama.)
4. One of the five ethical principles of Jainism. (See maha-vrata.i
t1(Ltq5IJOj - one who loves the good; the Being with eternal perfections; one whose desires are ever fulfilled
1 Name of a truthful child in the Chandogya Upanisad, who approached the sage, Gautama, and asked to be admitted to his school.
Because he told the truth, he was admitted even though he did not
know his lineage.

Satyakama -

Satya-sankalpa -

fktlfl~'FQ

one who wills the true; one whose will is always

realized

Satvasva satvam - fkLtft1

~('1'1 -

the True of the true; real Reality

1. A famous quote from the Upanisads describing what is Real.

Satyopiulhi - fl(t11QIfu" - true limitation

1. True limitation is opposed to false limiting adjuncts.
Sauca -

~ - purity; cleanliness
1. One of the religious observances of the raja-yoga discipline. (See
niyama.)
2. One of the ten (dharmas), according to Jainism.

Saulabhya - ~ - easy accessibility; benevolence

1. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, God is easily accessible to his

devotees,
Sava -

~-

corpse

Siivadhika - ~ - limited (opposite of niravadhikai

Siivakasa -

that which has had its scope fulfilled

fllqq5l!t1 -

t1 fa iii I(flJOj Ifu" - a stage in samiidhi wherein the mind

(citta) is identified with some subtle object and assumes its form (see
samadhii

Saviciira-samadhi -

Savikalpa co

~~q;(Yq ..........

determinate (see nirvikalpa-pratyaksa and samadhis

"~..J

'.L
,

"

YILII

291

Savisesa-abhinna-dharmi-svarupa-bheda-viida - ~

3Tfim ~

~-

the Dvaita Vedanta theory that difference is identical with the

essential nature of an object
I. According to Dvaita Vedanta, difference is the essence of an object,
while at the same time providing, through attributes, the means of
distinguishing the difference from the object as such. (See bheda.)

ru-

one of the two types of vitarka concenSavitarka-samddhi - ~fa('f~ffLf'

tration
I. This is a type of union tsamadhi) in which the mind concentrates on
objects, remembering their names and qualities.
2. See samiidhi and vitarka.
Savyabhiciira - ~ - a type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason
is inconstant
1 For
'when fire is taken as the
it turns out i
and cannot prove the existence of smoke, for even where there is no
~'cL

UICIC III<IJ

._

uc

L-

.IIC.

2. It is divided into three types: common (siidhiira1}a), uncommon

tasadharana), and unsubsuming (anupasamhiirin). (See hetviibhasa.)

3. It is otherwise known as anaikiintika.

Siiyujya -- ~ - united with God; togetherness (from the verb root yuj = "to
unite" + sa = "with")
1. The final level of liberation, according to Dvaita Vedanta. (See
iinanda-tiiratamya.)
2. The consummate level of liberation, according to Visi~~dvaita
Vedanta.
3. The final stage of liberation, according to Saiva Siddhanta, It is the
goal of sanmarga and is the stage of knowledge (jiiana). (See moksa
per Siva Siddhanta.)
.

Sesa- " - part that is left over; accessory; dependent; the endless; infinite
I. According to Visistadvaita Vedanta, the relation of God with an individual soul is that of the sesin (principal) and the sesa (subordinate).
2. The name of the snake which Visnu reclines upon. The Lord reclines
on the "infinite."

Sesavat -- ~1SlC49 - a type of inference based on the distinctions of pervasion

\.VYUJJU)

292

1. This type of inference proceeds from a perceived effect to an unperceived cause; e.g., when one infers, on the perception of a river in
flood, that it was raining heavily in the mountains which feed the river.
It is essentially negative in character as it is based on the coabsence
of the major and middle terms. It is also called avila.
2. See anumana.

Sesin - ~ - principal; God (in Visi~~dvaita Vedanta)

Seva -lfq - service; selfless service; work performed with an attitude of nondoership, without attachment to the fruits of one's labor
Siddha - ~ - complete; perfect; accomplished; adept (from the verb root
sidh = "to attain")

lution. It is the final stage which represents the transempirical state.

Siddhas are those who are free from the causal plane and all effects
of karma. Their state is one of infinite, pure, and unlimited bliss.
They have reached the top of the universe and, from there, there is
no fall.
3. There are traditionally said to be sixty-four perfected beings (siddhas)
though, in actuality, there are many more. Two of the most wellknown siddhas include Matsyendranath and Goraksanath. Lord Siva
is said to be the first siddha.
4. Some people define a siddha as one who possesses miraculous powers (siddhz).
Siddhanta - f~~I=<"l -

the final view; the settled conclusion

Siddhaparaviikya -fl:i~q {q ICfLf - an assertive proposition conveying something that is already descriptive
Siddhiirtha-vakya - ~tfq ICfLf - existential statement; statement which is
purely descriptive
1. Such statements convey knowledge of objects already in existence.

293

validity. Advaita gives existential statements primary importance as

they intimate the existent Absolute (Brahman). Advaita Vedanta interprets them qualitatively, giving supreme importance to them.
Mtrnamsa gives injunctions the greatest validity due to their being
quantitatively greater in the Vedas. Mimamsa says that existential
statements convey what is already known through other sources of
knowledge and, hence, they are mere restatements (anuviida).

Siddhasana - fft~It1P1 - "the perfect posture"

1. A posture used for meditation formed by placing one heel at the anus
and placing the other heel at the root of the sexual organ, with the
ankle joints touching one another.

Siddhi -

~-

powers; modes of success; attainment; supernatural powers attained through mantra repetition, meditation, and other yogic practices
(from the verb root sidh = "to attain")
1. There are ei ht traditional owers: anima fa hima arimo mahima
praptih.prakamyam, vasitvam,andyatrakiimavasliyitvam. These are

ability to rise up; extreme heaviness; extensive magnitude; extreme

reac ; 0 tairung ate 0 ~ects 0 one s esire: In a I I rty 0 purpose.
2. Other powers include the ability to fly (dardura); the conquest ofdeath
(mrtyuiijayay; the ability to acquire hidden treasure (patti/a-siddhi);
the ability to fly over the earth tbhucari); the ability to enter into another's body (kiiya-siddhi); the ability to fly in the sky (khecari);
knowledge of the past, present, and future (trikala-inanav; the power
to die at will ticcha-mrtyu), the power to be free from hunger, thirst,
sorrows, infatuation, infirmity, old age, and death (anurmima-tvam) ,
the ability to hear even at long distances (durasravaT,la), the ability
to see even at long distances (durdarsanay; the ability to move the
body as quickly as the mind (manojava), the ability to take any form
one wishes tkdmarupa), the ability to enter into another person's body
tparakiiya-pravesa), the ability to die when one wishes (svacchandamrtyu), the ability to see the sportive activities of the gods (deva-krdadarsana), the ability to attain things of one's predetermination
(sankalpa-padiinha-priipti), the ability to command anyone to do
anything (apratihata-adesai.

Siddhopaya - ffttdlq Itt (see upiiya)

the means to liberation which is self-accomplished

Sikhii -1~ - tuft on the crown of the head; tonsure

294

Siksd-vrata - ~ - a Jaina ethical code of conduct

1. It is comprised of siimayika. prosadhopavdsa, bhogopa-bhogaparimana, and atithisamvibhiiga.

su -~ -

conduct; good behavior; right discipline; morality

1. Good behavior, humility, self-restraint, and self-giving comprise
right discipline. It is the desisting from committing all sinful deeds.
2. According to Buddhism, it is one of the six ideals or virtues. (See
piiramita.i

Silpa-sdstra- ~("'q!(llfjj - scripture which deals with the construction of temples and the fine arts
Si~a-~-disciple; student
1. One who is taught by the teacher (siksyata iti sisyah).
'J Onp U/hn h!'l~ t

~ !'I~

!'I

rp~1I1t nf crnrlv nf thp

J

scriptures tathavd sisyate visisyate sastradi parijiianena bahir-c

. " - itt si~).
3. One who controls and curbs the activities of one's own sense organs
tindriyadi pravrtim siksyati iti sisyah),
Sista - ~ SUa -

~-

the disciplined one

"furrow"; Rama's consort and daughter of Janaka; heroine of the

Riimdyana
Siva - ~ - auspicious; the Ultimate Reality; Lord
1. According to the Saiva schools, Siva is the supreme Godhead. The
concept is traced to the Rg Veda and He is the same as Rudra.
2. Literally siva means "good or auspicious."
3. Lord Siva exercises five functions: creation (srsti), maintenance
(sthiti), dissolution (samhiiros, obscuration ttirodhanai; and grace
(anugraha).

4. According to Saiva Siddhanta, Siva has eight qualities: independence, purity, self-knowledge, omniscience, freedom from mala,
boundless benevolence, omnipotence, and bliss.
5. According to Saiva Siddhanta, Siva appears in eight forms: earth,
water, air, fire, sky, the sun and the moon, and in human beings. See
the benedictory (nandi) verse of the Abhijiuina-sakuntala of
K:"71' ....1-

6. According to Vira Saivism, Siva manifests in six forms. (See linga-

. .J

295

7. A a name for the all-pervasive supreme Reality. As one member of

the Hindu trinity, He represents God as the destroyer. He is the personal God of the Saivites. In His personal form, He is portrayed as a
yogi wearing a tiger skin and holding a trident, with snakes coiled
around His neck and arms.
8. According to Kashmir Savism, Siva has five principles: Vidyd,
lsvara, Sadasiva, Sakti, and Siva. He also has five faces: Sadyojata,
Viimadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusa, and lsana.
Siva-bhoga - ~ - a stage of liberation in Saiva Siddhanta
1. In this stage the individual soul enjoys bliss with Lord Siva.
Siviiciira -- tVlC41 ~ I{ -

seeing everyone as Lord Siva

1. One of the five codes of conduct in Vira Saivism. (See pancacara.y

Siva-linga - ~ - a form of the formless Siva

f

,,~_

..

1.

... IV

Co

"11'l lJ'll "1;)111, 11 I;)

.,.

P.L

.......

,~

VI UII;; 1..JI VillI;;. \'IJI;;I;;

linga-sthala.i
2. See linga.
Siva-sakti-s- ~C4~frtS - the twin truths of Saktaism affirming the static and dynamic aspects of Reality
Siva-yoga -lVlcttfn I -

a stage in liberation in Saiva Siddhanta

1. In this stage the individual soul unites with Lord Siva.

Skambha -

Skandha -

"pillar" (see stambha)

group; aggregate
1. According to Buddhism, they are aggregates of bodily and psychical states which are immediate to oneself. They are divided into
five classes: body (rupa), feelings (vedanii), perceptions (saniia),
predispositions from past impressions (samskiiray; and consciousness (vijfliina). They constitute what a person is. Being impennanent, they lead only to sorrow. They point to the fact that a person is
merely an empirical aggregate and has no essence.
2. Rupa stands for the physical elements, and the other four aggregates
(skandha) stand for the psychical elements in the self.

Slesa - ~ - connection; combination; words having more than one meaning;

.f.

11pnt

1. Most words in the Sanskrit language are very amenable to double,

uiple, etc., meanings.

296

Smaranam -

ttl (Ol'j -

remembering (the Lord) (see bhakti)

Smarta - ~ - followers of the secondary scriptures (smrti or remembered

texts) (from the verb root smr = "to remember")
Smrti - ~ - memory; recollection; "that which is remembered" (from the
verb root smr = "to remember")
1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, it is included in perception as a
valid means ofknowledge. It is caused by similarity (sadrya), unseen
effect (adrsta), deep thinking tcintd), or association (sahacaryai.
2. According to Nyaya, it is nonpresentative knowledge which may be
either true tyatharthas or false (ayathartha) but not valid (pramii).
3. According to the Jainas and the Vaisesikas, it is valid mediate
knowledge.
~y

,.

't..

- , , . -

.~,

-"

...., LV l'JAJCl. i1I1U

,~

1UiVWll;;;':l~1;;;

, IL 1;:)

\.1

-0

their reasons for its invalidity differ).

5. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is either valid or invalid as the case
m~vhp
J

6. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, recollection is a cognition caused

;)Vll;;;iY

uy

auu..

..

as a

cognitive complex consisting of two parts: perceptual experience

and recollection. Nyaya calls it perceptual experience of a special
type.
7. Smrti also refers to traditional scriptures, which include the limbs of
the Veda (Veoongas), the Law Books tDharmasastras), the Epics
(Ithihiisas), and the Puranas.
8. The principle Law Books are the Manusmrti, Pariisarasmrti. and
Vasisthasmni. Other smrtis are of Sankha, Likhita, Atri, Visnu,
Harlta, Yama, Angirasa, Usanas, Sarnvarta, Brhaspati, Katyayana,
Daksa, Vyasa, yajfiavalkya. and Satatapa.

Smrti-prasthana - ~ - "the remembered foundation"; the Bhagavad

cus
1. The Bhagavad Gitii is so-called according to Vedanta.
2. See prasthiina-traya.

Snana - A"R - ritual bath

Sneha - ~ - smoothness; oiliness; viscidity
1. According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, viscidity is the quality which causes
the lumping up of powder, etc. It causes the particles of powder. etc.,
tn

II

tn "''''I''h nth ...... Tt

0"

_..

........ 1..

297

t..... ,.,"'t......
.-

J'~

Soka- ~ - sorrow
So'ham -- ~ - "I am He"
1. The natural vibration of the Self, which occurs spontaneously with
each incoming and outgoing breath. By becoming aware of it, a yogi
experiences the identity between his individual self and the supreme
Self

Soma - ~ - intoxicating drink used in Vedic sacrifices; nectar of immortality

Sopiidhi-bhrama - ~ -

delusion due to an external adjunct

1. For example, a crystal appears red in the physical proximity of a red
flower.

Sopiidhi-sesa -

~-

a form of perfection (nirvana) in which some im-

...

"

Sopakrama - ftlq~q - action which has started producing results

Spanda -- ~ - vibration; flutter; throb; self-movement; creative (svatantrya)
Sakti; pulsation; creative pulsation; apparent motion in the motionless
Siva which brings about the manifestation, maintenance, and withdrawal of the universe
1. A name for Kashmir Saivism.
2. The principle of apparent movement from the state of absolute unity
to the plurality of the world.
Spada -- ~ - touch; sense contact
1. One of the five subtle essences of the elements. (See tanmatra.i
2. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence. (See

pratityasamutpiida.)
Sphatika - f45t'eqi - crystal
1. Some lingos are made of this substance. (See liilga.)

me -

Sphota -to burst; manifest; boil; idea; connection between letter and
meaning
1. The hidden or underlying power behind individual letters of a word
.1. 1.

the

of the word to the

..J

It i s

or'

the eternal essence of a word, according to the Grammarians. It is

.~

uy ieuer ~ anu

IL~ClI

298

.~..

ure

VI

WVIU. II

is the single meaningful symbol. The articulated sounds used in linguistic discourse are merely the means by which the symbol is revealed, according to the Grammarians who propounded the theory.
2. It is the eternal essence of words, both because it is manifested by
the letters and because it manifests the meaning. The concept arose
due to the need to explain how individual letters form a meaningful
word.

Sphuratii -

~ 11 -

to tremble; throb; quiver; palpatate; flash; twinkle; shine;

be brilliant

Sraddhii - ~ - faith (from the verb root dhii "to place" + srad = "faith")
Sraddha - ~ -last rites

Sramana - 5ljur - monk; mendicant; making effort; struggling; laboring

Srauta -

m-

scrintural
1. These are scriptures based on the Vedas.
c: v euic

Yueuicareu 0 f\.gni ana oorna. 1 ney are generally older and more complex than grhya rituals. Usually called
"traditional," "public," or "solemn." They require three fire altars
and the services of several priests. (See grhya.)
3. See agama.

Sraviika - 9,itq Iq; -

listener; disciple

1. A name for the followers of the Hinayana tradition in Buddhism.

2. A layperson in Jainism, who merely expresses his or her (sriivika)
faith in the Jaina doctrines and attempts as best they can to follow
the dharma.
3. See sravaka-dharma.

Sravaka-dharma- ~ - the householder's duties

1. According to Jaina spiritual disciplines, many concessions are allowed to the householder in observing the various virtues.

Sravana - ~ - hearing; study

1. A proximate aid, according to Advaita, for liberation. An aspirant
should hear the Upanisadic texts from a qualified teacher. This will
remove any doubts one has as to the nature of the means of valid
n

'-~I:>-

'Y

- . \ .~ L-~~", .h~ A

'/'~

.u.~

..._.

It is the stage of formal study.

2. see mukhya-antaranga-sddhana.

299

1 0 ' .\

: ~

/, .:
'._.," .....

Sravanam - SoAaolij - listening (to the glory of the Lord) (see bhakti)

Sreyas -- ~ - good; beneficial

1. In the Upanisads there is a distinction made between preyas, what is
pleasing or pleasurable, and sreyas, what is good or truly beneficial.
One is warned never to be lured away by the merely pleasing, for
there is no end to the pursuit of pleasure. (See preyas.)
SrI~ -

SIft: - excellent; venerated; wealth; Laksmi (from the verb root sri = "to
flame, diffuse light"); a term of respect; also means prosperity; glory;
success
1. She is the consort of Visnu. She is said to be the purusakiira (interceder), according to Visi~~advaita Vedanta.
2. It is often used as an honorific prefix to the name of deities and holy
.. -"

SrI Sampradiiya

Srt-vatsa

sflftUJOfGILt

,,1_"

"

the Visi~~dvaita Vedanta system

sf"la('ft - mark on Visnu's body signifying Laksmi's presence;

"mark of beauty"

s--

Srngiira - ~ - feelings of erotic love (see rasa)

Srotra -- m

the ear
1. One of the five sense organs (jniinendriya).

Srst! - ~ - creation
1. One of the five functions of Siva. (See Siva.)

Srssi-viikya - ~f@a Icttt - creation texts

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, these texts only allude to Reality and
do not teach creation per se. They explain how creation works only
at the empirical level. By employing the method of adhyiiropa and
apavada (prior superimposition and subsequent denial), these texts
lead an aspirant from the known and the familiar to the unknown and
the unfamiliar-Le., to the Absolute (Brahman).
Srutahiini-~('1~IPi -

distortion of the text; giving up what is actually stated

Sruta-jiiiina - ~('1~ 1"9 - scriptural knowledge

."..,.

I. 1111:) I:)

L'

~ypc

VI

.~.v

300

_.

""~o"'"

~.

T.

L'

1L I:) VI

two kinds: Anga-bahya (not incorporated in the twelve Angas), and

Anga pravista (incorporated in the twelve Angas). Its object of cognition may belong to the past, present, or future, and being the utterance of great ones (apta-vacana), it is pure and beyond change. It is
authoritative knowledge whose validity is unchallengeable. It is
knowledge derived through words. It is divided into four classes or
processes: integration (labdhi), consideration (bhiivanii), understanding (upayoga), and interpretation (naya). A unique feature of
the Jaina theory of scriptural knowledge is that it is always preceded
by perceptual knowledge (mati). No other school maintains that perceptual knowledge is basic to scriptural knowledge.

Srutarthiipatti - SjffitfrQftr - a type of postulation which helps to explain

something that is heard
1. For example, the fact that the village from which Krsna hails is on
me Yamuna can De understood only wnen trus statement IS interpreted as meaning that the village is situated on the banks of the river
Yamuna. (See arthiipatti.)
Sruti -

~ - what is heard; revealed scripture; direct assertion; Veda

1. The Vedas are called the sruti. They are the Hindu revelatory scripture. The Divine Word (Veda) which is "heard" by the Seer <r~i)
constitutes the immemorial truth. (See angatvabodhaka-pramana.i
2. It is divided into bheda- and abheda-sruti.

Sruti-aneka - ~ aFrq; - diversity of scriptural statements

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, any seeming contradictions which
exist in one's mind regarding the Absolute (Brahman), are removed
by the study (sraval}Q) of the scriptures.

Sruti-prasthana - ~t.l'R - the Upanisads

1. The Upanisads are so called by the Vedanta schools because they are
not only the summit (siras) of the Veda but also a part of it. They are
the foundation or basis of revelatory scripture. (See prasthiinatraya.)

Sruti-sdpeksa- ~Rtf1lqar- dependent upon scripture for authoritativeness

Sruti-siras- ~ - the summits of the scripture
1. The Upanisads are called the summit of the Veda.
Stambha -

~1. i

ne

to fix firmly: support; sustain; prop; "pillar"

~.~.
or ..,
or me universe. me universal pillar.
301

Steya -

~-

stealing

Sthala -l=tTM -

an abode; place
1. The supreme Reality in Vlra Saivism.
2. It is a name for consciousness. According to Vira Saivisrn, there are
six stages of consciousness: aikya-after knowing the world as unreal, one shares the bliss of Siva; sarano-s-oee sees God (linga) in
oneself and everywhere; praf}Oliliga-renunciation of the ego;
prasiidi-offering all objects of enjoyment to God; mahesvara-ifinn belief in the existence of God; and bhakttr-performing rituals
and possessing devotion. The first two stages belong to yoga-anga,
the next two to bhoga-anga, and the last two belong to tyaga-anga.
(See chart no. 14.)
3. According to ViraSaivism,sthalaor Sivadivides unolinga andaliga.
Linga is Siva, or Rudra, and is the object of worship or adoration. ATiga
IS

. ...

. .-r

..

uie 11lUI VIUUi:1l SUUI, me

t:

ur

-'"

.nom

'l.l1U

ahga-sthala manifest in six forms. (See chart no. 14.)

Sthiina _. ~ n.'-

IS'

~~ l~

nosition: nroximitv (see aneatva-bodhaka-oramdnav

.

<.

"'0'

IY

1. They are said to be of four kinds: stones (sUa), shrubs (gulma), trees
(v!k~a), and creepers (lata).
Sthaviravada -

{-tt ~ (q 14 -

See Theravada

Sthiiyibhava - f~ - essence of emotion forming the content of a work

of art; an emotion located in an appreciator of a work of art
1. According to Indian aesthetics, it is the material cause of rasa. (See
rasa.) Such emotions are fit for representation as the theme of a
work because these basic emotions may be assumed to be present in
the responding spectator. There are nine basic emotions: love (rati),
mirth (hiisa), sorrow (soka), anger (krodha), fortitude tutsaha), fear
(bhaya), disgust (jugupsii), wonder (vismaya), and calmness tsama).

Sthitaprajiia - ~ - one who is established in the divine Consciousness

(from the verb root sthii = "to stand" + pra = "before" + jnii = "to know")
1. One who is unmoved by agitated feelings and emotions-whether
good or bad, pleasurable or painful-who is neither elated by joy nor
depressed by sorrow and is stable in the knowledge and awareness
of the Reality. (See the Bhagavad Gitii 2.55-57.)
Sthiti

'~~'(1

a state; condition; preservation; maintenance (from the verb

rnnt <,th;; - "tn ct!llnI'P'\

302

Sthitasthapaka -

ft2:fffftt ,qq;; -

f~ -

gross material

Sthula -

Sthida-cit - ~H Ftic) -

elasticity (see samskiira)

physical consciousness

Sthula-sarira - ftJHft fl <- gross body; physical body

1. According to Sankhya, it is constituted of the twenty-five elemental
principles: the fivejfianendriyas (the organs of hearing, touch, sight,
taste, and smell), the five karmendriyas (the organs of speech prehension, movement, excretion, and generation), the five tanmiitras
(the subtle essence of the elements of sound, touch, sight, taste, and
smell), the five mahdbhiitas (ether, air, fire, water, and earth), and
the five vital airs (prana, apana, samana, udana, and vyana).
L.

Stotra -

~ee

~-

sanra.
hymn (in praise of God)

Strotapanna - f'tld ,q?l - (Pali term) one in the stream of perfection

1. It is a stage of a Buddhist aspirant on the path to perfection.

Stiipa -

~-

a religious monument, shaped like a dome or pillar

Subha -~ - auspicious; good (from the verb root subh = "to shine, to be auspicious")
Suddha - ~ -

pure (from the verb root sudh = "to purify")

Suddhiidhvan - ~ - perfect or pure way

1. According to Kashmir Saivism, it is a name for the pure creation.
(See tauva.i
Suddhadvaita - !J\i;'~d - pure nonduality
1. The name of Vallabha's school of Vedanta.
Suddha-avasthii
't'!~lcH:m - pure state
1. According to Saiva Siddhanta, it is the state when the individual enters into a nondual union with Siva. It is twofold: liberated while living (jivanmuktis and supreme liberation (paramukti).

303

SUddha-]7va-~~\if1a - a perfect individual soul (according to Jainism); pure

individual (see ]7va)

Suddha-maya - ~~iHt11 - Siva's pure power (maya)

1. According to Salva Siddhanta, God's power (maya) is twofold: pure
and impure. Pure maya is maya in its primal state. It gives rise to the
five pure principles.

Suddha-niscaya - ~~f.:t$t1" -

knowledge of a thing in a particular context (see

naya-niscaya)

Suddha-sattva - ~~fffa - pure matter

1. According to Visi~tfulvaita, it is a self-luminous, immaterial, spiritual substance which is unconnected with the three qualities (gulJa). It
is infinite in the higher regions and finite in the lower regions. It IS
the "matter" out of which the bodies of God (lsvara). etemals. and
liberated individuals are made. (See nitya-vibhiai.t

~"go. ~
1\ pure and impure creation
1. According to Salva Slddhanta, the space-time universe evolves from
here. It is an impure creation and is directed by the lesser divinities.
It evolves into particle (kala), knowledge (vidya), desire (raga), individual soul tpurusa), and matter (maya). These elements (tattva)
cause enjoyment for the individual soul. They are also called misratattvas. (See chart no. 9.)

SUddhiisuddha-miiya -

'go.

Suddha-vidyii -~~RHtI - pure knowledge

1. It is a category in Srikantha's philosophy. (See chart no. 9.)

Sudurbodha - ~~afl'er - inexplicable

Sudurjaya -

f!~\iit1 -

supreme invincibility in meditation (see bodhisattva)

pleasant; happy; agreeable (from su = "good, fine" + kha =

"state")

Sukha -- ~ -

Sukla -- ~ - bright
SUk~ma-cit-~~;-'~(l-subtle sentience: subtle consciousness
1. According to Saiva Siddhanta, God needs neither support nor expeLU

304

Suksma-indriya - ~ ~ ~l1 - subtle sense organ

1. It is a name for the mind (manas).
Siiksma-sarira - ~~ fl <- subtle body
1. The sheaths of vital airs (priina), mind (manas), and knowledge
(vijfziina) constitute the subtle body. They are called theprii'}amayakosa, manomaya-kosa, and vijtuina-maya-kosa.
2. The subtle body consists of the internal organs tbuddhi, ahankara,
and manas), the organs of knowledge (jiiiinendriya), the organs of
action (karmendriya), and the five vital airs (prii'}Q).
3. It is also called the lihga-sarira or the astral body.
4. See kosa and sarira.

Siikta -

~-

Sunya -

~ - the void; nonbeing; nonexistence; negation; emptiness; zero

(from the verb root su, svii, svi = "to swell ')
1. Accordinz to Madhvamika Buddhism there is no Realitv or nonreality. All is sunya, void, empty, as all realities are disclaimed. Thus,

Vedic hymn

. _ _

I."

I., IIVL U"""I

L n '
...
U] a l l ]
.'
-0 __

....
~._

VI WI]

phenomenal characteristics, "void" or "the indescribable" is the real

nature of things.

Sunvata -

~4:lC't I - voidness; emptiness

1. According to Buddhism, it is the suchness of existence. (See sunya.)

Sunyaviida-~4:lqlq -

Sura -

W-

Surii -

~-

Surya - ~ -

the theory of the void (see Madhyarnika)

divine being
intoxicating drink
sun (from su

Su~ka-yukti-~lSqiSf<h1-

Susumnii -

tl~t:r1

="to press out")

dry reasoning

,-

the subtle central nerve; the principal nerve (see niiifi)

1. The central and most important of all 72,000 nerve channels (niiqi)
located in the center of the spinal column extending from the base of
the spine to the top of the head. The six vortices (cakra) are situated
in the central channel tsusumnas, and it is through the susumna
.
.l-.n l-.~ V.
~:~~~
....... . .
..............

.......

J'

305

Susupti - ~ - deep sleep; sleep without dream

1. The state of deep-sleep consciousness. There are no objects
present-neither of external things of the world nor of internal ideas;
thus, there is no apprehension of duality, though ignorance (avidyii)
still persists in a latent state.
2. See avastha.

Sutala - ~ - hell
1. The nether pole of Jano-loka. It is a state of good matter wherein desire and passion rule.
2. See loka and tala.

Siura -

F -

aphorism; "thread" (from the verb root siv = "to sew")

1. An extremely condensed and cryptic statement requiring a commen,

/1_

_.

".., ,

3. The basic text for a philosophical system. It consists of a set of aphsettinz forth in an ordered
the leadinz concents
. and
doctrines of the system concerned. These aphorisms are cryptic and

aJ.\.-UVL.

t.
..I
UULU1U03LV

l]

C".t.
1.
J:
1].lJlU,","LU'-']U1\;.Ull'-'l,

they lend themselves to divergent interpretations. (See bhiifYa.)

Sutta-pitaka - ~n fqeq; - the basket of sermons

1. This is the Buddhist scripture (compiled by Ananda) which gives the
sermons and parables of the Buddha. It is divided into five sections
(nikiiya): digha, majjhima, samyutta, anguttara, and khuddaka.
Svabhiiva -

~-

essential nature; integral nature; inherent property

1. The essential nature of one's nature.
2. The theory of self-nature tsvabhava-vadai or "naturalism," which
holds that things are as their nature makes them. It acknowledges the
universality of causation while tracing all changes to the thing itself
to which it belongs. Everything is unique and is predetermined by
that uniqueness. Everything is self-determined. What is to happen,
must happen, whether one wills it or not.

Svabhiiva-nirdesa - ~ la fr:tCf!tj
nirdesai

natural

perceptual

discrimination

(see

~ - one's own natural duty

1. It arises from one's obligations toward one's nature, class, social po-

Svadharma -

~: .'~~

"n..,u,

1~.~~.

...,...

~1~~~

t'

...,~,

306

~~A .:~~

"'.

'C~~

\~...,'"

"
,~.

\
1

Svadhyaya - ~~ - study; study of scripture; "self-study" (from sva =

"self' + the verb root adhi-i = "to go over")
1. One of the religious observances of Patafijali's raja-yoga. (See
niyama.)
Svagata-bheda - fC4lj('1 ~ - internal distinctions
1. For example, the difference between the leaves and flowers of a tree.
(See bheda.)
Sviihii -

~-

invocation at offerings to gods (deva); "it is offered"

1. A mantra used when offering oblations to the sacrificial fire.

Svalaksana - ~ - the bare particular in perception

1. According to both Vaibhasika and Sautrantika schools, what is per-'

~1

v. c

-'.L

.'"

~II""

v ........

-1
t'LU

L 1

-'0"

v.u.....

All.L
'111

.11.... ..., ........

elements (blueness, peacockness, etc.) are added by the mind and

are termed samanya-taksana.

Svami - fGi I ~ - "lord"; owner; spiritual preceptor; teacher; spiritual guide

...

\llVlll

.,__,_
Ul~

V~lU

l\J\}L .}VU

"'''''''
VWll VI

;:)~1l

), .}VU

Vll~;:)

VWll "T UMfU

"T

1.

am," thus, the only independent one-Le., God

1. By courtesy, it is a term applied to monks who have taken a vow to
dedicate their lives to the pursuit of the great inner Self. In these cases, it has the connotation of "revered."
2. See also swami.
Svanirviihaka Svanubhava Svapna -

fC4 f.:tqY~(f;
~-

what is self-accomplished

Self-realization; self-experience

~-

dream; the dream state

1. It is to be immersed in one's own self. The state of consciousness
called dream is also known as prajiui.
2. See avasthii.

Svaprakiisa - fGil74(f;I$fI - self-revealing; self-luminous

Svarasika -

fGi I <:fftq;

Svarasiki-pravrtti -

- self-evident

fC41 <:ftlclfll74qfn - spontaneous volition

307

Svarloka (Svarga) - ~Mlq; - heaven

1. A world of light and delight.
2. See loka and tala.
Sviirtha-anumiina - ~ - inference for one's own sake
1. An inference which is intended for the satisfaction of one's own reasoning. It consists of three propositions. The Buddhists, Jainas, and
Naiyayikas all make this distinction. (See anumiina.)
Svariipa -- ~ ~q - natural form; actual or essential nature; essence (from sva =
"own, self' + riipa = "form, shape, figure")
Svariipa-abheda - +a ~q ~ - nonrelational proposition; identity statement
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, examples of this type of proposition
"1

.>V yUlfJ

<6,..

.I'LL

.L

r'Ioo

,"Ulli:)

Ii:)

"lUlL

~_

.L._ -

",

VI

Ul~

"I-UfJU-

viikya, tat tvam asi.

2. It is one of the two types of vilkyilrthas. This type IS a nonretational
sentence in that the two entities referred to are actuallv identical.
(See vakyartha.;
Svariipa-anupapatti - +a ~q
~ - the untenability of the nature (of
avidyii)
1. One of the seven untenabilities pointed out by Ramanuja in his criticism of the Advaita Vedanta concept of ignorance (avidyii). (See
saptavtdha-anupapatti.)

Svarispa-dharma - +a ~ql:1lf - essential attributes of a substance

Svarupaikya Svarupa-jtuina -

+a~~GfLt - absolute identity

~ ~qi1lr:t -

knowledge which is of the nature of the Self (At-

man)
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is another name for the Absolute
(Brahman). Advaita makes a distinction between svarlipa-jiiiina,
which is the Absolute (Brahman), and vrtti-jnana, which is a cognition or knowledge through a mental mode. Svarupa-jiiana is not opposed to ignorance (avidyii), while vrtti-jiuina is. The type of modal
knowledge through which Brahman is apprehended is called
akhandakara- vrtti-jiiana.

2. See vrtti-jiidna.

308

_'-1

1. The essential nature of a thing lasts as long as the thing persists.

Thus, its essential nature distinguishes it from all other things. It is a
definition by essence. It defines a thing without the implication of
the differentiation entering into the constitution.
2. According to Advaita Vedanta, existence, knowledge, and bliss (satcit-imanda) are the essential nature of the Absolute (Brahman).
However, it should be noted that the essential nature of the Absolute
(Brahman), as defined by Advaita, is interpreted only negatively.
3. See tatastha-laksana.
.
..
Svariipa-niriipaka-dharma - ~ f'q ~ f'qa;1:l1f - eternal qualities which describe the Lord
1. According to Visi~~dvaita Vedanta, these three qualities are said to
be the Lord's essential nature. They are truth (satyatva), knowledge
(jnanatva), and bliss (anandatva).
Svariuia-sambandha - fa f'qfl0i4r:.er - self-relation
1. According to Nyaya, self-relation is of two types: those which limit
J \Vr' ll-

&

. -

tyamasa) anu uiose

uu nUL 1111III

&

tvrtty-aniyamakai.
Svarupiisiddha - ~ f'q I fl:4 ~
unestablished in respect of itself
]. A type of unestablished reason (hetu) in an inferential process; e.g.,
sound is a quality, because it is visible, like a color. Visibility cannot
be predicated of sound, which is only audible.
2. See asiddha and hetviibhasa.
Svariipa-sthiti - ~ -

remaining in one's own natural condition

Svarispa-traividhya - faf'q~ Fal::."l:T - three forms of the self

l. According to Dvaita Vedanta, there are three types of individual
souls: mukti-yogya-pure (sattva)-predominant individuals fit for
release; nitya-samsarin-seasv (rajas)-predominant individuals
who are ever within the cycle of birth and death; and tamo-yogyo-
lethargic (tamas)-predominant individuals or evil beings. The second and third types of individuals cannot ever obtain liberation.
Svariipa-upiidhi-pratibimba - ~ ~q ~ '"f(i f~0i4 - the soul Viva) is a reflection through its own nature functioning as the reflecting medium
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, this is a concept regarding the individual soul.
_1

- "

- "1;'"

309

R4ftiFqft~~dq;;~ -

Svasankalpa-sahakrta-karma-krta -

bodies made by

one's own will

1. It is said that yogins possess the power to make such bodies.
2. See sarira.

Svasiddha -

taffl~

self-established

Svasti -l~ - successful; fortune; well being (from su = "well" + astu =

"may be")
1. Svastu is a term of salutation indicating "hail" or "health" or "may it
be well with you."
Sviistika -- ~ Ifkt4' -

sign of auspiciousness

Svatah niriikiira -lCffi: P=\<I4iI<

formless in itself

Svatah-priimiinya-vada -~: ';U'tl0 l'4q 1& - the theory of intrinsic validity

1. The theory that the validity of knowledge is present in the material
th.:llt

th~

.:linn th!lt th~

-J

nf thic

.1..r
~

!Iric~c

spontaneously with that knowledge itself. (See paratah-priimanyaviida.)

2. Sankhya holds that validity and invalidity are intrinsic to knowledge. Mlmamsa and Advaita Vedanta hold that validity is intrinsic,
but that invalidity is extrinsic to knowledge. (See pramii.s

Svatah-siddha -~: ~- self-established; self-luminous

Svatantra -lad~ - independent; free; absolute freedom (from sva
tantra = "rule")

Svatantra-tattva -

R5l(1~(1f"q

="own" +

an independent real

1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, God (Brahman) is an independent real.

Svatantrya-viida - R4 k1;:::>ttq 1& - the theory of self-dependence or sovereignty

1. The unique and chief doctrine of Kashmir Saivism. It proclaims that
Siva's will is responsible for all manifestations. The supreme Reality manifests all from itself, in itself, and by itself as it is self-dependent.

,.
-"

310

~dhH~

Svatogriihya Svatograhana Svatojanya -

intrinsically made out

~('1'IU~OI -

~d1\il-=t1 -

intrinsic apprehension

intrinsically brought out

~(fl04Ic:UfQ5 -

Svatovyiivartaka -

fqf1104lqtt -

Svatovyiivrtta Svayambhii -

~-

self-differentiated

self-generated; being of itself; name for supreme Being

Svayam-jyoti - ~ ~1 R1

+aL4U74Q5I~

Svayam-prakiisa

self-discriminating

self-luminous
selt-luminous

Svayam-siddha - ~ -

self-accomplished
1. A type ot perception mdependent or the senses and accornpnsneo oy
yogic practices. (See arvacina-pratyaksa.i

Svecchii -

~~ I -

Svedaja -

~G\il -

free will

sweat born
1. Bodies born of sweat. (See karma-krta.i

Svetambara - '~('f 1LCS4 (

white clad
1. One of the two principal Jaina sects. (See digambara.) Its adherents
wear all white clothing. They are the most catholic among the Jainas.

Svetara-bheda -

fd('f (~ - different from the rest

Svetiisvatara Upanisad - the Upanisad of the sage Svetasvatara

1. It belongs to the Taittiriya or Krsna Yajur Veda. It contains a strong
theistic vein and mentions nam~~'like Hara, Rudra, Siva, and Bhagavan, Devotion is mentioned as a means of realizing the Supreme.
Swiimin -

~Ifq..,/

Lord; "master of one's own self' (from sva = "one's own"

or "independent" + asmi ="to be")
1. A title given to renunciants (sannyasins) out of courtesy since they
are seriously pursuing their inherent divinity.

"

311

Syiid-asti -- ~ - "may be it is" (see syiid-viida)

Syiid-asti-avaktavyam - tLtlG fft(1 31OlCfdOttq - "may be it is and is indescrib'"
able" (see syiid-viida)
Syad-asti-nasti - ~ - "may be it is and it is not" (see syiid-vada)
Syiid-asti-niisti-avaktavyam - ~ 3lCfGRf-otfl\- "may be it is, is
not and is indescribable" (see syiid-viida)
Syad-avaktavyam -

ft1l~qCfdOttq

... - "may be it is indescribable" (see syad- vada)

Syiid-nasti -~ ~ -

Sviid-nasti-avaktavvam

"may be it is not" (see syad-vada)

~

l=tf'T'C..,

"mav be it is not and is

11K

indescribable" (see syiid-viida)

ft1l~q I~

- the theory of "may be"; conditioned predication

1. As Reality is a complex phenomena, according to the Jainas, no one

Syiid-viida -

c c

th""

('<In

-c

,,40'"'

,.

f .. lh
'J-J

Th .. " th""
.~

term may be (syiid) is prefixed before seven propositions (saptabhangi) giving each one a conditional point of view. Each proposition affirms something only in a relative point of view and, thus, the
definite Jaina point of view is that there is no one definite point of
view of Reality. All knowledge is relative and may be examined
from the point of view of time, space, substance, and mode; e.g., a
pot exists, now, from one point of view and does not exist at another
time-in the future. From one point of view, a pot doesn't exist (before it is made) and from another point of view, it exists (after it is
made). This pot exists from the point of view of its substance, clay,
its place, the present moment, and its mode, which is its particular
shape. The pot does not exist from the point of view of another substance, say gold, etc. To ignore the complexity of objects is to commit the fallacy of dogmatism according to the Jainas.
2. The seven propositions are syiid-asti, syiid-niisti, syiid-asti-nasti,

syad-asti-avaktavyam, sydd-nasti-avaktavyam, syad-asti-nasti-avaktavyam, and syiid-avaktavyam.

Syiima - ~ - it., "the dark one"; a name of Krsna, so-called because of his
dark blue complexion
Syenayaga

!(~"1Lf I J I

.......... ' .

a type of Vedic ritual for bringing about a calamity to

312

T
Tadanyabiidhitiirtha-prasanga - ~q"'~:Hi' - a type of reasoning
(see tarka)
Tiicfiisana -

(1 I g Iff=t

"mountain pose"
1. A standing pose where one stands finn and erect as a mountain.
-

Tiidiitmya - (1 1<:;(Ltf - identity; empathy

1. The relation of identity is also referred to as the relation of nonduality (sarhsarga). According to Sankhya, Bhatta, and Advaita Vedanta, this is essentially an internal relation.
Taijasa -

~ - the dream self; the vital self; the fiery

1. It is the self having a conceit in an individual subtle body in dream
exnerience. It is so called because it is of the nature of lizht and thus
can function in the absence of external objects. It knows subtle in
.1'
......1....
'.1..
.....
.....,.....u . "
...,uu
-J"J
loA.""'"
.... ......,
2. See visva and prajfliJ.
"'UIU.

Taittiriya Upanisad - ~- "partridge"; an Upanisad belonging to

the K!~1Jf1 or Black Yajur Veda named after the sage Tittiri
1. Though relatively short, it is regarded as a source book of Vedanta
philosophy. It is divided into three sections (valli). The first section
deals with pronunciation and prayers addressed to deities for the removing of obstacles to spiritual wisdom. The second part discusses
knowledge of the Absolute (Brahman) through an analysis of the five
sheaths (kosa). The third part deals with a dialogue between Varuna
and his son, Bhrgu, which puts forth Brahman as the cause of the creation, continuance, and dissolution of the universe.
Ta/a -

place or world
1. There are seven talas in Indian lore: piitii/a, the serpent kingdom of
the Niigas; ata/a, the kingdom of the Yaksas; rasatala, the abode of
the asuras, daityas, and diinavas; ta/iita/a, the kingdom of the riiksasas; vita/a, the kingdom of Siva's demons; sutala, ruled by Bali; a'nd
mahatala. the kingdom of pretas and demons.
2. See /oka

('"f'M -

Taliitala -

hell
I. A state or purely outwardpassions ana sense mnurgence. It IS a place
('"fA I('"fA -

313

and yet not a place, It is a plane of existence which is not fully material nor fully nonmaterial.
2. See loka and tala.

Tamas

-?f~ -

darkness; inertia; dullness; sluggish; state of rest; that which

resists activity
1. One of the three qualities (gunai. It is of the nature of indifference
and serves to restrain. It is heavy and enveloping. (See guna.i

Tamo-yogin - d41ti1fll=J - individual souls who are destined to go to hell

I. According to Dvaita Vedanta, these individuals are tamas-predominant, evil beings. They can never obtain liberation.
2. See svariipa-traividhya.
"
I. Siva Nataraja, the Lord of the dance, dances a dance of destruction
en he dances as
w en it IS time or the universe to rsappear,
Nataraia he holds a drum damaru in His u er ri ht hand connoting sound or creation of the universe. In Siva's upper left hand he

lower right hand is in abhaya-mudrii, or the gesture bestowing peace

and protection on His devotees. His lower left hand points toward
his upraised foot, showing that his feet are the sole refuge of the individual soul. His lifted foot stands for liberation.

Tanhii -

(~-

craving; desire; thirst

I. A Pali terrn for desire. (See

t!~lJii.)

Tanmiitra- d;:q 1'1

the subtle essence of the fire elements; the pure elements;
elemental essence (from tad ="that" + ma ="to measure")
1. They are sound (sabda), touch (sparsa), sight (rupa), taste (rasa), and
smell (gandha). The five elements tmahabhiaai are derived from the
tanmiitras: from sound comes ether; from touch comes air; from sight
comes fire; from taste comes water; and from smell comes earth. The
tanmiitras are said to evolve from the tiimasa aspect of egoity according to Sankhya.
2. See chart no. 13.
Tantra -

rule; ritual, scripture; religious treatise; loom; warp (from the

root "tan" = "do in detail" + "tra" = "to protect")
(F'l" -

314

Sakti, the creative power of the Absolute, as the Divine Mother

through the practice of rituals, mantras, and yantras. The goal of
tantra is attaining Self-realization through
Kundalini
awakening and
,
./
through uniting the two principles, Siva and Sakti. Tantras are divinely revealed scriptures revealing the secrets of knowledge, meditation, and devotion to the guru, and practices for the attainment of
Self-realization.
2. Tantra is, "A science giving details regarding creation, mantras,
temples, holy places, civil codes, elements, yantras, astrology and
philosophy, purity and impurity, and hells." It is called Tantra because it explains in detail the knowledge relating to tattvas and
mantras, and protects those who resort to it.
3. They treat five subjects: creation, destruction, worship of gods and
goddesses, attainment ofthe six powers, and the four modes of union
with the Divine in meditation.
4. They are pracncat treatises on reugion. Hy means or worsrup or Images (arca), diagrams (yantra), repetition of mystic syllables (mantrai, and meditation (upiisanai, they provide courses for developing
tho

L '..J..J

Intont

in .

.oJ.'

'..:1.

l"

tn

1
Q

,.

Thou
"J

may also be used for attaining worldly desires.

.J. An initial cttaractertzatton or tantric texts is a IeXI wnicn presents
itself as revealed without attaching itself in any way to the Veda. A
second aspect of tantra is that it has a strong reaction against Upanisadic renunciation. It strives for both liberation (mukti) and enjoyment (bhukti). Third, tantra establishes a series of correlations between human beings, the universe, the gods, and rituals. Finally,
tantra stresses the centrality of the goddess or divine power (Sakti)
in all its forms.

Tanu - crj - body; person; thin; small

Tapa -

Tapas -

heating; one of the five latent impressions tsamskara) according

to the SrI Vaisnavas

(ifq -

~-

austerity; concentrated discipline; penance; heat; energy; "to

heat up" (from the verb root tap = "to bum")
1. A burning enquiry and aspiration. It is a spiritual force of concentrated energy generated by a spiritual aspirant.
2. See niyama.

Tapasvin - ("jqffq'j - ascetic; one who has accumulated merit through austeritipl;:

Tapo-toka

(1"'1IMIq?

heaven
315

1. The world or plane of spiritual force. It is the world of self-conscious

energy.
2. See loka and tala.

Tara -

((Tn -

"savior"; star; a name for the universal Divine Mother; consort of

Lord Siva

Tiiratamya -

('f I {('fLtf -

graduation
1. According to Dvaita Vedanta, among individuals there is an intrinsic
gradation. There are three grades of individual souls: the ever free
(nitya), those who have attained freedom (mukta), and those individuals who are bound (baddha). Among the latter there are those eligible for release (mukti-yogya) and those not eligible for release
(nitya-samsarin and tamo-yogyay. And among the souls eligible for
release there is an intrinsic zradation. Celestial beinzs sazes and
advanced individuals comprise this latter category.

"I
A
...

,...
~

~v

T"'o

&.I, IoU......

'T.

.11
,.
un..,

, IoU'

'UWIoU

.1.1..~
..,
, ..v

~vw

~,

WoO....

~.

' ......'

joy pure bliss. However, this bliss varies in degree, though not inquality .
.nus IS oaseo on me tneory mat 1O<1IVlauaIS enter 10 tneir Character.
3. See ananaa-taratamva and svarkpa-traividhva.
Tarka -

(~- reasoning; argumentation; logic; debate (from the root tark ="to
reason")
1. It is one of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school. (See padiirtha
and chart no. 6.)
2. It means deliberation on an unknown thing to discern its real name.
It consists of seeking reasons in support of some supposition to the
exclusion of other suppositions. It is employed whenever a doubt is
present about the specific nature of anything.
3. It is a hypothetical argument. It is a type of reasoning by which one
may test the validity of the conclusion of any reasoning. It consists
in deducing an untenable proposition from a given proposition. It
takes the contradiction of a proposition as a hypothesis and sees how
it leads to a contradiction.
4. It is of five types: iumiisraya, which shows the fallacy of self-dependence: anyonyasraya, which shows the fallacy of reciprocal dependence; cakraka, which shows the fallacy of a presupposition
explaining another presupposition; anavastha, which shows the fallacy of infinite regress; and tadanya-biidhitiirtha-prasanga, which
indirectly shows the validity of a reasoning by proving the contradictory of the conclusion absurd.

Tarka-siistra - ('jll1lf~ - another name for the Nyaya school; the science of
reasoning.
316

?ftfur -

Tarpana -

offering of water to ancestors

mJ -

Tat -

"That"
1. A neuter pronoun expressing the indescribable Absolute (See tattvam-asi.)

Tatastha-laksana -

(fGf~ -

identifying marks; accidental attributes; the

definition per accidens

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, the Absolute (Brahman) may be defined from the relative standpoint or from the absolute standpoint.
Tatastha-laksana describes the accidental attributes superimposed
upon the essential nature of a thing. These attributes remain in that
thing only for a time and differentiate it from other things. This definition, per accidens, is from the relative standpoint. Thus, to describe the Absolute (Brahman) as the source and support of the
world is to superimpose relational aspects upon the nonrelational,
.

A'

Th'.,

'..

. . -

h",., '"

.1

&

'I"

.....

for the Advaitin. It is easy for a beginner to understand the nature of

a quannen liOO usranmanj. Then, rrorn trus known posiuon, It IS
easier to convey the final Advaitic position of nonduality.
2. See svarupa-laksana, adhyiiropa, and apaviida.
Tathatii - (f2fT - suchness; is-ness; things as they are
1. According to the Buddhists. that which is beyond all dualities and
descriptions. It is a Madhyamika term for the ultimate Reality.
Tathiigata - (f2fl1'T'(f - "one who has thus gone"; one who has gone beyond the
beyond
1. A title of the Buddha.
2. One of the four meditations (dhyiina) spoken of in the Lankavatiira
Siara. It is that state in which the mind lapses into suchness. In this
state the nothingness and incomprehensibility of all phenomena is
perfectly realized.
Tathiigatagarbha - (;21 P 1('11 lif - the womb of the perfect One
1. It is also known as dharma-kayo.
2. It is called iilaya-vijnana in Yogacara Buddhism.
Tatkratu -

dcetttl -

the principle that one who meditates becomes one with the
object of meditation

Tiitparya

(11<""'1'"
1
&.

"rl..
.. ......

purport; intrinsic significance

y .... y v & .

~&.1.

V&

.......

"

.:.I~

1 ...." ".....

"v.,;,,~.~

317

"C"

~.'"

istic marks (~{l(!linga): the harmony of the initial and concluding

passages (upakrama and upasamhiiray; repetition (abhyiisa); novelty (apiirvatiiv: fruitfulness (pha/a); glorification by eulogistic passages or condemnations by deprecatory passages (arthavadav; and
intelligibility in the light of reasoning (upapatti).
2. It is one of the four conditions which, when fulfilled, produce the
meaning of a sentence. (See iikiink~a, yogyaui, sannidhi/iisatti.) Purport is the capacity for generation of the cognition of a particular
thing, according to Advaita Vedanta. According to Nyaya, purport
is the intention of the speaker.
Tiitparya-bodhaka-sadlinga - dkQtf611litctSISOjfHi' - the six marks which determine the purport of a text's verse (see tiitparya)
Tat-tu-samanvayat -

chjflLj;:qtt 1C15!t- but that (Brahman is to be known only

lished) because it is the main purport (of all Vedanta texts)

1. This is a siara (1, 1, 4) in the Brahma-siara.
Tattva - (ffCf -

category; truth; the essence of things; reality; principle; "that-

1. It is the essence of anything. It is a thing's essential being, its "thatness."

2. Each school in Indian philosophy names a certain number of elements (tattva) as fundamentals in its system of thought. Advaita
Vedanta lists two (from the empirical, relative point of view): tat and
tvam. Sankhya lists twenty-five tanmatras, the five mahabhiitas, the
five karmendriyas, the five jiianendriyas, manas, and purusa. Kashmir Saivism lists thirty-six: Siva, Sakti, Sadiisiva (siidiikhya), lsvara,
Suddha-vidyii, miiya, kala, niyati, raga, vidyii, kala, purusa, prakrti,
buddhi, ahankara, manas, five karmendriyas, five jnanendriyas,
five tanmiitra, and five mahiibhutas. (The first five constitute the
pure creation and the latter thirty-one form the impure creation). All
the other schools accept a similar number of categories-about seven to twenty-six.
3. That which is the essence of each stage of manifestation. The process of creation, according to Kashmir Saivism, contains thirty-six
tattvas: Siva, Sakti, Sadiisiva. lsvara, suddhavidya, maya tattva, the
five cloaks (paiica kaiicukas), purusa (individual soul), prakrti (primordial nature, the basic stuff of the material universe), buddhi (intellect), ahamkiira (ego), manas (mind), the five powers of sense
perception, the five powers of action, the five tanmatras or rudimenfrom Siva to the earth.

318

Tauva-ajiiana - (1ffl ltl 1"'1 egones

nonapprehension of the real; ignorance of the cat-

Tattva-darsana - (1fqe(i"1 - the absolute level of truth as designated by

Gaudapada; "to have sight of the essence"

Tattviidhyavasiiya -~ - conclusive determination of the truth

Tattva-jiuina - ctfqtl H - Brahman realization; apprehension of the real;
knowledge of the categories
Tat-tvam-asi - ct\qttf~ - "That thou art"
1. A Great Saying (mahiiviikya) which occurs in the Chiindogya Upanisad of the Sama Veda. According to Advaita Vedanta, it implies that
you, the individual, are not different from the Absolute (That). Ac.

tn Vi'

,.

VprHit~

it

~..

are a part of God (That).

. .

th~t

vnll thp'

...

Tattva-trava - ctfa3ft4 - three realities

1. According to Visi~tadvaita Vedanta, three realities exist: living beings (cit), inanimate things (acit), and the supreme Ruler and Controller (Isvara).
2. All philosophical systems must explain the three realities, God or
the Absolute, the individual, and the universe.

Tattvavabodha -

(1t(W:i4611~ -

apprehension of reality or truth

Tejas - ~... - fire; splendor; light; heat; brilliance

1. It is one of the five elements. (See mahabhiua.i
2. It is of four kinds: terrestrial (bhauma), celestial (divya), ofthe stomach (audarya), and mineral (iikaraja).
Te;,kalai-~- (Tamil term) the Southern sect or school of Visistadvaita
Vedanta
1. It was founded by Pillai Lokacarya. This school regards the Tamil
Prabandham as canonical and is indifferent to the Sanskrit tradition.
2. See Vadakalai and Ubhaya-vediinta.

Thiikkur- blGfC!tJ
T'-

deity; holy person; object of reverence

thp "w~v nf thp . -'

319

"

1. The name given to the form of Buddhism dominant in Southeast

Asia. According to tradition, Theravada is so called because it was
established by a council of five hundred elders soon after the demise
of Buddha. (See Mahayana.)

Tikll- ttq;r -

subcommentary; gloss

17laka-cflMCf' hindu)
Timira -

sacred mark on one's forehead between the eyebrows (see

'F<tftrt -

darkness
1. It is also a disease of the eye producing double vision.

Tippani -- fecquT) -

gloss; subcommentary
-

Tirodhana -

fCrITt:lA" -

scuranon; Isappearance

obscuration; concealment

active at the time the individual souls are fettered.

Tirodhdna-anupapatti - ~ - the untenability of concealment

1. One ofthe seven untenabilities posed by Ramanuja against the Advaita
Vedanta concept of ignorance (avidya). (See saptavidha-anupapatti.t
Tirtha -

<fttf -

fjording place; place of pilgrimage (from the root tr = "to cross

over, fulfill")

Tirthankara - <1T~ - fjord crosser; fjord maker

1. The twenty-four prophets of Jainism who represent the goal ofhuman
life. They are called fjord makers because they serve as the ferrymen
across the river of transmigration. They are the perfected ones who
lead the way to liberation. Rsabha was the first one, mentioned even
in Vedic lore, though there is no historical evidence available until
one comes to the twenty-third preceptor, Parsvanatha, The prophets
are listed as Rsabha, Ajita, Sambhava, Abhinandhana, Sumati, Padmaprabha, Suparsva, Candraprabha, Suvidhi, SItala, Sreyamsa, Vasuppujya, Vimala, Ananta, Dharma, Santi, Kunthu, Ara, Malli,
Munisuvrata, Nami, Aristenemi, Parsva, and Vardhamana Mahavira.
Tirthasthiina - <1T~tW=r - place of pilgrimage on the banks of sacred streams;
hin lac

320

Tirumiilar -

fftl'iM {- (Tamil) great sage of South India

1. Author of the Tiru-Mantiram, a great work on Yoga which consists

of over 3000 verses on ethical, philosophical, and religious matters.

Tiruvadipperu - R11a~d~6 - (Tamil) grace

Tiryak - ~ -

animal being (see jangama)

Titiksii - ~ - endurance of opposites; forbearance; tolerance

1. The ability to withstand opposites like pleasure and pain, heat and
cold, etc., with equal fortitude. The bearing of all afflictions without
caring to change them and without anxiety or lament.
2. See siidhana-catustaya.
tvra-mumu uliberation

Traigunya -

-onew

~-

the three qualities (guT}Q) tsattva, rajas, and tamas)

Trasa -;rn:r - individuals who possess more than one sense organ
1. They include human beings, birds, animals, gods, and devils.
2. They are individuals capable of movement.
3. See chart no. 8.
Trasarenu - ~ - triad; ternary product
1. It is also called truti. It is the smallest visible substance, according
to Nyaya-Vaiseslka, It is made up of three dyads (dvyanuka).
2. See anu.
Tretii-yuga - ~ - the silver age (from the root yuj = "to unite" + tretii =
"three")
1. The age where dharma (truth) stands on only three of its four legs.
In this age the way to liberation is through sacrifice (yajfla). (See
yuga.)

Triguna - ~ Trika-

the three qualities: sattva, rajas, and tamas (see gUT}Q)

triple; triadism

321

2. It refers to the triple principle with which Kashmir Saivism deals;

viz., pati-piisa-pasu, or siva-sakti-anu, or God-souls-bonds.
3. Kashmir Saivism is called Trika because, of the sixty-four Agamas
recognized as authoritative by them, the Mdlini, Siddha, and Namaka
Agarnas are the three of greatest importance. Others say that it is so
called because it expounds the three modes of knowledge of Reality:
nondual (abheda), dual-curn-nondual (bhediibheda), and duality
(bheda). Others say that it describes the three types of literature: Agarna Spanda, and Pratyabhijiui Sastra.
Trikaya _. ntGf'14

- the three sheaths (of the Buddha)

I. Dharrnakiiya-the sheath of the Law. This is the Reality, the Void,

the Absolute. It is the universal and transcendent Buddha.
2. Sarnbhogakiiya-the sheath of enjoyment. This is the sheath in
which a Buddha or Bodhisattva dwells on the earth or beyond.
J. Nlrva'}akaya-the sheath ot the transtormation. ThIS IS the sheath ot
the historical Buddha.
4. The first sheath is unmanifest; the second is manifest to the eye of
+n:.l.

"4....

. ~

l...~.rll.'

n_A .l.~

, "4"'4

.1.:_A
"

.J

~~

.11.
J

~n

'"''4'''

fest.
Trikona -- nt qo,lo I - primal triangle

Triloka -

ntM1Gf' - the three worlds

Trimiirti -- f1l JOt0.. f<f - the three forms-Le., Brahma, Visnu,

and Siva; the Hindu
.,
trinity

f3t fQeGf' -

the "three baskets"

1. The early Buddhist canon written in Pali, These are Sutta or utterances
of the Buddha himself; Vinaya or rules of discipline; and Abhidhamrna or philosophic discussion.

Tri-pitaka -

Tripradesa -

f1lQ~!tl-combination of three atoms (see alJu)

Triputi -- f3t ~tl - triple form

1. The process of knowing or knowledge implies the subject, who
knows, and the object, which is known. Every act of cognition involves this triple form of the cognizer, the object cognized, and the
means of cognition.
2. The knower, the known, the act of knowledge.
~

...,

,.~.

322

I. According to Jainism, the three jewels are the quintessence of their

theory of liberation. They are right knowledge (samyag-jiiiina), right
vision (samyag-darSana), and right conduct (samyak-ciiritra). Right
vision is faith in the Jaina scriptures. Right knowledge is knowledge
of the truths taught by Jainism. Right conduct is making one's life
conform to the truths learned; thus, these are the three principles that
exalt life. (For right conduct see mahii-vrata).
2. According to Buddhism, the three jewels are the Buddha, His doctrine, and the Order. Thus, there is the profession of faith: I go for
refuge to the Buddha; I go for refuge to the Dharma; I go for refuge
to the Sangha. iBuddham saranam gacchiimi .. dharmam saranam

gacchiimi; sangham; saranam gacchiimi.i

3. According to Visistadvaita Vedanta, the three jewels are mantraratna (Dvayas.puranaratna (Visnupurana), and Stotraratna (a work of
Yamuna).
Trisula

'..J

f,.
~~M
a three:'\lJC::i::lI lJl
lUI: III W
nv ~lVi:1
1. Symbolic of the three qualities (gul}a), or the three major channels
~nfll!l), or me tnree powers ~iccna satat; Kriya sakit. jniina saKei).

n_nn_

n_

L __

on

Trivikrama - ~ - the three steps (of Visnu); another name for Varnana
(the dwarf incarnation of Visnu)

Trivrtkarana - Bl q("q? (01 - triplication; all objects are made of three parts
1. The mixture of the three elements-fire, water, and earth, in different proportions--constitutes all the various objects. The yatharthakhyiiti of Visi~~advaita Vedanta grounds itself on the trivrtkarana
texts of the Upanisads.
2. See pahci-karana.

Trsna -

~-

thirst; craving; desire

I. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence. Upiiddna is
an advanced desire which, again, is the result of pleasure and pain.
(See pratityasamutpada.i

Trtiyalinga-paramarsa - <1<111 l'M{i.q (14:n - the two factors necessary in an inferential process; subsumptive reflection
I. There must be knowledge of the universal concomitance between the
reason (hetu) and the major term (siidhya), and there must also be a
necessary relation between the reason and the minor term ipaksa) in
'" .,,,,l,~rI

,.
~

2. Vyiipti-jiiiina and paksa-dharmata-jiuina must combine so as to

serve as the instrument or inference. Pariimarsa IS the ratiocmanve

323

process which makes known the fact that the mark, which is universally concomitant with the inferred character, is present in the subject. The principle involved in this process is subsumption, the
correlation of a particular case with the universal pervading it. Linga
is the hetu or probans and should be such that it is (1) related to the
probandum (siidhya), (2) is known to exist in that which is connected therewith, and (3) does not exist where the siidhya is not present.
3. See anumana.

Truti -~- triad; ternary product (see trasarenut

Tryanuka -- ~ - triad (of atoms); three atoms grouped together
I. The smallest visible substances, according to Vaisesika, From these
triads, grouped in different ways, all the various things are produced.
See anu.

m--

1. The absolutel nonexistent--e. ., the child of a barren woman or a

square circle.
nary individual, neither real nor unreal (anirvacaniya) to the philospher, and unreal (tuceha) to the enlightened individual.

Tulasl- ~JM~ - small tree (holy basil) sacred to Visnu

Turiya - ~ - "the fourth"; the transcendental Self; the supreme Reality; the
state of witness consciousness
I. It is the fourth state of consciousness, according to Advaita Vedanta,
which is beyond the states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep and
which pervades and transcends all these states. However, it is not really a state but the underlying substratum of the other three states,
the waking, dreaming and deep-sleep states.
2. It is the real Self which is beyond the changing modes of existence.
It is indivisible, ungraspable, unthinkable, and unnameable. Each of
the other three states have their own names tvaisvanara, taijasa, and
prajnii), but not the Absolute, which is merely referred to as the
fourth. It is a-miura or modeless.
3. See avastha, om, and pada.

Turtyatita -gftL4ldld - the state of the individual soul in which it is in a totally

some Hindu schools

324

state of complete freedom from all duality and the awareness of the
one Self in all, the final attainment.
2. This is a term used for the individual in Saiva Siddhanta.

Tusti- ~ - laziness; satisfaction; contentment; happiness

1. There are nine types of laziness, according to Sankhya: no exertion
is necessary for an individual since primordial Nature (prakrti; will
herself bring about one's liberation (ambhas); it is not necessary to
meditate, for it is enough if one merely renounces the householder's
life (salila); there is no hurry, for salvation will come in its own time
(megha); salvation will be worked out by fate (bfuigya); contentment leading to renunciation proceeds from five causes-the troubles of earning, the troubles of protecting the earned money, the
natural waste of things earned by enjoyment, increase of desires
leading to greater disappointments, and all gain leads to the injury of
others.
2. The intellectual aspect of human nature.

Tvak -

Tyaga -

c=aq;
- sense of touch
/
1. One of the organs of knowledge. It is of three types: cool, hot, and
lukewarm.
2. See jiumendriya.

abandonment; renunciation
1. The Bhagavad Gitii considers true renunciation to be the relinquishment of the fruits of one's actions.

(lfrTT -

('4 II II 'it. - part of the classification scheme of Vira Saivism (see

satsthala, anga-sthala, and chart no. 14)

Tyiiganga -

Tyiigi -

~-

renouncer; ascetic

325

u
"31"ltt&54\i1 -

a type of disjunction where the separation of

two conjoined substances takes place through the activity in both the
substances
1. For example, as when two wrestlers break apart. (See vibhaga.i
2. A type of conjunction where the conjoining takes place due to the
activity of both the substances. (See samyoga.i

Ubhaya-karmaja -

Ubhaya-lingatva - "31"ltt~'ii("q - Brahman; Siva; God's twofold form

1. Saiva Siddhanta-s-God is both transcendent and immanent, or both
with form and without form.
2. Visistadvaita Vedanta-e-God has no blemishes and has all good
qualities.

Ubhaya-veddnta - "31"ltt~&I;::c:'l - the twofold Vedanta

1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, the hymns (Divya prabandha)
of the Vai~I)avite saints (Alvars) constitute the Tamil Veda and alonz
with the Sanskrit texts (prasthiina-traya), together they constitute
the twofold source of authority for the school.
Ucchiira -- 3"41< - "to go upwards, ascend, rise"
1. According to Saivism, on the path to liberation using external aids
(anava upiiya), it is a technique of concentration on the vital force
(priil'}a sakti). Various aspects of bliss (ananda) are experienced during this concentration.

U'daharana - 3& I~ <0 I -

illustration; example; corroboration

1. A member of a syllogism which is essential for establishing the validity of an argument; e.g., wherever there is smoke, there is fire, as
in a hearth. It substantiates the reason (hetu) by citing the universal
and an example. (See anumana.i
2. Udiiharana means "example" and originally this member of a syllogism only contained the example. But it was realized that there could
be no genuine inference from particulars to particulars. Thus, the
universal was added to the example and, after the addition, the name
of the member, as udaharana, was retained. This shows that the Indian syllogism is deductive-inductive.
31ttqJ -

Udaiyavar ..

yo"

Vi

(Tamil) he who holds the key to the two worlds; a name

oJ

326

3~1"1

- one of the five vital airs; vertical (from the root an = "to
breath" + ud ="up" + ii ="toward")
1. It is the life breath which directs the vital currents of the body upwards. (See prana.)

Udiina -

~-

Udbhava -

appearance; manifestation

Udbhijja - ~ - sprout born

1. That whose birth comes out of the earth
2. See karma-krta.
~-

Udbhiaa -

perceptible; manifested

Udbodhaka - ~ element
Uddii/aka -

Uddhava -

3~IMqi -

a Vedic seer (rsi); the most well-known name of Aruni

1. Name of a sage who instructed his son Svetaketu concermng the key
to all knowledge (tattvam asii. This instruction is found in the Chandogya Upanisad. His daughter, Sujata, was the mother of Astavakra,
~-

friend of Krsna
1. Friend, minister, and devotee of Krsna, Krsna imparted his teachings
to Uddhava in Book Eleven of the Srimad Bhiigavatam, often referred to as the Uddhava Gitii. He is one of the paradigm examples
of the friend (sakhya) form of devotion.

*-

Uddesa -

that which causes something to manifest; stimulating

Uddesya -

3~!(l1 -

Udyama -

~-

enumeration; object; end

subject
exertion; rising up

U.dgatri - 3~ I f3l - priest (from ud-gai = "to chant, sing")

1. One of the chief priests in a Vedic sacrifice. The ones who chant the
Soma Veda.
Ugra -

('hn

powerful; mighty; strong; violent; terrible; fierce; cruel; ferocious; hot; sharp; name for Siva or Rudra

'31J -

..

,1.

327

<:lnrf

,\

Unmanii or unmani- 3;:oqPiI - "that which transcends the mind (manas)"

1. The transcendental power (Sakti) of Paramasiva in its primal movement toward manifestation. This Sakti is measureless (amiitra) and
beyond time.

Unmesa -. 3;::q", - "opening the eye"; opening out

1. The externalizing of the power of the will (icchii sakti). It is the beginning of the world process.
2. The unfolding of the spiritual awareness.

Upa-briihmana Puranas

,~sqi4I~OI

minor or auxiliary texts-Le., Epics (ltihiisa) and

Upaciira -- 3qi:f I <- "approach"; tantric rites; offerings to the deity

1. The twentv-one offerinzs include iivahana (invocation): svazata
(welcome); asana (seat for the image); sthiipana (seating); padya
...... t\.
,..~
~".
l'I,..,.,
_ tl.....
._-- ~---'J,
- 0't:' J - (,\
_
---,
ers, sandal paste, etc.); snana (water for bathing); vastra (cloth); upavua (sacred tnreac); onusana (ornarnents); ganana (rragrance,
sandal paste); puspa (flowers); dhupa (incense); dipa (light); naivedya (food); acamana (water for sipping); tiimbida (betel leaves);

\ - ._-

~,....

,.

.L

1"1'"

-~-

"

...

~.

._~

malya (garlands); arati (waving lights before the image); namaskiira

(prayer); visarjana (asking the deity invoked to retire).
U'padana .- 3q I~ H - mental clinging; causal substance; material cause
1. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence. (See

pratityasamutpada.)
3q IGIPiCf'1 (01 - material cause
1. For example, thread is the material cause of cloth.

Upadana-karana -

Upadesa -- 3q~", - initiation; spiritual instruction

I. Whatever a teacher (guru) does that removes ignorance and lights
the lamp of knowledge in a disciple is initiation. (See dik~a.)
Upiidhi -- ~ -

adventitious condition; association; vehicle; attribute; support; limiting adjunct; attribute; title; deceit

Upadhyaya - ~ - tutor; one of the six stages of the Jaina ascetic order
I. He is empowered to give discourses on spiritual matters, but not to
correct erring individuals.

Il,

,.

thp.

..

'. with

328

. with ~ mMK

aqi$f)'l

Upakrama -

the beginning; introduction (see sad-linga)

Upakrama-nyaya - aq*''l;:Lj Itt - the principle that there is no conflict between the earlier and subsequent cognitions
Upalabdhi -

aqM~\:l- apprehension; perception

1. According to Jainism, one type of perceptual knowlege (mati-jiuinai.

aqq H -

comparison; analogy
1. The distinctive cause of the valid cognition of similarity. Nyaya,
Mimamsa, and Advaita Vedanta admit comparison as an independent means of valid knowledge (pramalJQ).
2. Nyaya says, it is the knowledge gained from a word which signifies
a thing, hitherto unknown, and on the strength of its similarity with

Upamiina -

3. MimaqIsa says, it is the knowledge which is gained by inferring that

the unknown object presently being perceived is similar to an object

4. Advaita Vedanta agrees with MimaqIsa as far as it goes. But the

between the perceived object to the remembered one. Mimarpsa
stops with the knowledge of the similarity between the remembered
object to the perceived one.
Upamiti -

3q~Rt -

Upanaya -

aq..,tt -

assimilative cognition or experience.

subsumptive correlation; the application

1. One of the members of a five-membered syllogism. It shows that the
reason (hetu), which is known to be concomitant with the major term
(siidhya), is present in the subject (paksay; e.g., the hill has smoke
which is invariably concomitant with fire. (See anumiina.)

Upanayana -

3Q..,ttPi -

U'panga -

~-

Upanita -

aq4)('j -

initiation; investure with sacred thread

auxiliary sciences or texts in addition to Vedangas

that which is brought (to the cognition through supernor-

mal relation)

329

1. The teachings of the ancient sages which form the knowledge and/
or end portion of the Vedas. The central teaching of the Upanisads
is that the Self ofa human being is the same as Brahman, the Absolute.
The goal oflife, according to the Upanisads, is realization ofBrahman.
2. They are treatises in poetry and prose; on spiritual and philosophical
subjects.
3. There are ten principal Upanisads. lsa, Kena, Katha, Prasna,
Mundaka, Mar:z4ukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chiindogya, and Brhadiiranyaka.
4. The concluding portion of the Vedas. They are also called Vedanta
(which in tum bases its theories on the ideas of the Upanisads).
5. Some hold the view that upanisad literally means "secret teaching"
(rahasya); and as the Upanisads are so varied, and difficult to decide
as to what their import is, they account for the emergence in later
times of the diverse schools of Vedanta.
'D. see prastnana-traya.

Upanyasa -- 34;=tt 1ft -

statement; discourse

Upapatti -- 344fft - intelligibility; in the light of reasoning; explanation; evidence (see ~a4-li1iga)
Uparati _. 34 <Rt - (once the senses have been restricted) the power to ensure
that the senses may not once again be tempted toward worldly objects
1. It is a limb of the virtues necessary for an aspirant to be spiritually
qualified. (See siidhana-catustaya.i
Upiisaka -- 34 IflGf' -

Upasamhara -

one who meditates, an aspirant; worshipper

34~~ 1<

- the end; recapitulation (see

~a4-linga)

Upasana -- 34 Ift~ - meditation; worship; adoration; sitting near; spiritual discipline; attending
1. It is of three kinds: angiivabodhopasana, in which some person or
thing is worshipped or meditated on as a limb of a rite (e.g., where a
piece of grass is thought of as a deity); pratikapiisana is where an
idol or picture is worshipped as God; ahamgrahopasana in which
the worshipper equates him(her)self with a deity.
Upastambhaka -

~-

Upastha -- ~tf . "

1.

supportive

organ of generation
L"

,..

vile VI ule 11 ve

..

IJI ~i"l 1:"\

VI

330

'...

~"ee I\oUf

.~

,_.

tyu.}

Upasthiti - ~qftr Upavasa -

:aqqlft -

Upaveda -

:aqa~ -

thought, presence

fasting

"minor wisom books (veda)"

1. The minor scriptures of wisdom: iiyur-veda--scripture dealing with
medicine; dhanur-veda--scripture dealing with archery; sastra.Mstra--scripture dealing with weapons; gandharva-veda-scripture dealing with music; stluipatya-veda--scripture dealing with architecture; and silpa-.sastra--scripture dealing with the fine arts.

skillful means; means of liberation; technique; way; path;

means of approach
1. According to Buddhism, it is a device or way to entice individuals

Upiiya -:3Q'Ttr -

whenever he said something which, though not totally true, was

nevertheless instrumental in furthering an aspirant's progre~s.
v
anavopaya, siiktopiiya, siimbhavopiiya and anupiiya. Each preceding
is the path which uses external aids like the eight-limbedyoga,japa,
etc. Siiktopiiya (also calledjfiiinopiiya) is the path by which one attempts to transcend duality; recognition of one's essential unity is
sought. Sambhavopiiya (also called icchopayat is the stage wherein
the knowledge of the ultimate Reality arises through a mere exercise
of will power. Anupiiya (also called dnandopayat is the last stage, in
which there is total liberation, and is for advanced individuals.
Upiiya-pratyaya-samddhi - 3q ILtC,kLfLfftLt I fu" - a type of attributeless samadhi
in which ignorance is totally destroyed
1. As wisdom is aroused, all of one's passions (klefa) are destroyed
and the mind (ciua) is established in true knowledge, according to
Yoga.
Upayoga -

understanding; use
1. One of the classes of sruta-jiuina, or a stage therein, according to
Jainism. It is the stage where there is a proper understanding of a
new object of cognition. This stage is preceded by the processes of
integration and consideration. It is divided into apprehension
(niriikara-upayogai and comprehension (sakara-upayogas.
2. Determinate understandin is ofei ht kinds: mati- 'niina, sruta- 'iiana,
:aqLi'PI -

avadhi-jnana, manah-paryaya-jnana, kevala-jtiana, mati-ajiiana,

331

four kinds: caksu-darsana, acaksu-darsana, avadhi-darsana, and

kevala-darsana.
3. It is substratum of the faculty of cognition which is only a manifestation of consciousness in a limited fonn. It is the defining characteristic of the individual soul.

Upeksa -- ~ - indifference; equanimity resulting from disinterestedness

(see brahma-vihiira)
Upeya - ~ - end to be attained
Urdhva - ~ - above; upward
1. Where the gods reside, according to Jainism.

UfUflYU

Utkramana

. ...

Vl

3bf)LfD/

ascent from the body

Utkrdnti .- ~ - when the physical body is cast off, the individual soul,
according to Dvaita Vedanta, rises in its subtle body to the world of the
gods where it will wait until the world's destruction

Utksepana - ~ -lifting up; stretching upward. (see karma)

Utpada-- 3(q /G - origination
1. One of the four functions of action.
2. See karma.

Utpatti -- 3<'4R1- origination; generation

1. One of the four possible effects of action.
2. See karma.
Utsarga -

3('ftlY -

general rule

Uttama- ~ - highest; superior; best (from the superlative form of ut =

"up")
Uttamadhikari - ~ - one who has the highest qualification for Vedic
knowledge

Uttamasramin - 3"clLfP:4fl:l'~ - a sannyasin; a member of the highest stage of

life (see iisrama)
332

Uttara -~ -

higher (from the comparative form of ut = "up")

Uttara-Mimamsii-siara - 3ft (4)"ift Itt" - another name of the Brahma-siitra

1. The Brahma-siara is called as such because it is an enquiry
(mimiimsa) into the final (uttara) sections of the Vedas
3ft <ltlDj - "northern way"
1. The solar year is divided into two halves. The uttarayana-s-ot northern way or winter solstice (December 21)-is when the sun begins
its apparent northward journey for the next six months. It marks the
first day of winter. This day is held to be sacred and a time of auspiciousness (pUliyakala).

Uttarayana

333

v
Vac -

word; Divine Word; logos; speech; Goddess (see karmendriya)

epigrams composed by Vira Saivite mystics which exVacana -- ~ - pithy

,
pound Vlra Saivism in a popular and understandable manner

Viida -

~-

debate; argument; theory

1. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school.
2. See padiirtha and chart no. 6.

Vadakalai (Tamil) ~

I.

r ue

QgC6H - the Northern sect of Visi~~advaitaVedanta

~..

...
v

,..

....

..

r ney
... UVUl lIle I(UIUI r rubandham and the Sanskrit tradition as equally authoritative.
VI

2. See tenkalai.

Vag-yoga -

qP)Lil 11- sensation of karma particles through speech

1. According to Jainism, it is a type of asrava.
2. See iisrava.

Viihana -- ~ - conveyance; vehicle (from the root va~ = "to carry")

1. For example, Nandi the bull is Siva's vehicle. Garuda the eagle is
Visnu 's vehicle. Ganesa rides on a mouse, Sarasvati rides on a swan,
and Durga rides on a lion or tiger.

Vahni -- ~ - fire
Vaibhdsika - ~ IfblC6 - an early school of Buddhism belonging to the Hinayana tradition
1. Their authority is the Abhidhamma texts and especially the commentaries written thereon tvibhasas), They are of a realistic school
which holds that both things and ideas are real and that the mind can
directly know objects in perception. However, things and ideas are
not real, as this term is commonly understood, for what are real are
dharmas-the ultimate particulars which are neither substances nor
attributes. These ultimate elements of existence are real yet momentary. They are the simplest entities and give rise to all else by combining into aggregates.
7

II Ull-Ul I.YU

."

..

..

Ul"~l

334

Vaicitrya Vaidika -

ai%lx:t - the notion "I am the doer"

a~4' - Vedic (see veda)

Vaikiirika-a4'IR4' - the pure (sattva) aspect of the ego (ahankiiras

1. It is the first development of the intellect (buddhi), according to the
evolutionary scheme of Sankhya,
2. Generally four stages of sound are distinguished: supreme sound
(parii); visible sound which can be heard as om (pasyantiy; middle
sound that refers to a variety of basic sounds (miitrkii) which are
very subtle (madhyama); and manifest sound (vaikhiira) which is
the grossest level of sound and is what is heard in ordinary speech.
(See sabda.;

....

vatknanasa

,,,t1

the Agamas that originate rrom Lora tsranma

1. Thev are valid source books accordinz to Visistadvaita and Dvaita
Vedanta. (See iigama.)
q<!"ll

Vaikuntha -a~r:o

Visnu's heaven; the celestial abode of Visnu

Vaikhari-~-speech; articulated speech; repetition of God's name aloud

1. Power (Sakti) as gross speech or word.
Vairiigya -

Vaisamya -

a<P L1 -

dispassion; detachment; renunciation; non attachment

1. Renunciation is giving up all the pleasures of the eyes, ears, and the
other senses, giving up all objects of transitory enjoyment, giving up
the desire for a physical body as well as for the highest kind of spirit
body of a god.

~ - partiality

Vaisesika - ~ - one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy

1. It was founded by Kanada and is closely allied to Nyaya, The term
Vaisesika means excellence or distinction; the system is so called
because, according to its followers, it excels other systems. The peculiar feature of the system is its doctrine of "particularity."
Vaisnava - alSDla - relating to, devoted to, or consecrated to Visnu. a devotee
of Visnu
l/";~',,",

.
335

Yatsvanara -3'(t14( - universal being

1. The self of the waking state. It is the self that leads all creatures in
diverse ways to the enjoyment of different objects.
2. The locus of meditation on Vaisvanara is the right eye.
3. According to Advaita Vedanta, it stands for the cosmic self in waking, while visva stands for the waking individual self.
4. See pada.
~

Vajra -

thunderbolt; diamond

Vajrayiina-a~(ttH -the

diamond vehicle; another name for Tibetan Bud-

dhism
Viik -

CffGf -

(see viie) - Vagdevi, the Goddess of Speech; voice; word; prirnormar wora; Logos
1. She is the Divine Mother (sound) who became all the words .

..y _. _.

OJ

ullugn;

.q

1. It is another name of the Nyaya school.

2. It is called the science of logic in the Chiindogya Upanisad.
Viikya _.CfT(ftf -

word; syntactical connection (see angatva-bodhaka-pramanai

Viikyaika-viikyatii -CflCftrf:1q,q ICfttfll - syntactical unity of sentences

I. When sentences which are complete in respect of their own meanings again combine on the basis of their relationship, one being principal and the others subordinate, they form a syntactic unity.
2. See padaika-vdkyatii and eka-vdkyatii.
Viikyiirtha - a ICfLf Itf - verbal sense; primary meaning
1. It is of two kinds: bheda-samsarga (relation of duality) and abhedasamsarga (relation of nonduality). In the former, the meaning of a
sentence may be conveyed through a relation obtaining among the
words conveying difference; e.g., "Bring the cow by means of a
stick." All the words denote and connote different entities. In the latter, oneness is known, or conveyed, through the principle of grammatical coordination (siimiiniidhi-karaf}ya)-two words which connote different things, denote the same object--e.g., the blue lotus.
2. Abheda-samsarga is of two kinds according to Advaita Vedanta:
samsarea-abheda (oneness with relation) which is at the relational
level and is called oneness by courtesy only. The object may be one
11..1. ~

1~.... ~\

1......

: ..

1-.~~

... .,~

336

~_ ....

Svariipa-abheda (nonrelational proposition or an identity statement)

is true oneness, for the words employed both connote and denote the
same entity; e.g., "This is that Devadatta," or "tat tvam asi"
3. The primary meaning is also referred to as vakyartOO, mukhyartha,
and abhidheyartha.

Vakyartha-bodha -ql<fl1I~- verbal judgment; knowledge gained by sentence meaning

Valmiki - ~ - "ant hill"; author of the Riimayana
1. Considered the first poet of India.

Vama - em:r - "lovely," "dear," "pleasant"

1. One of the five special names of Lord Siva.

Vamacara -

a Irt 1"61 I( -

left-handed wa in Tantra

em -lineage; genealogy

Vamsa -

1. One of the five topics with which a Purana should deal. (See
puriina.)

Yamsanucarita -~ - the future continuance of lineage.

1. One of the five topics with which a Purana should deal. (See

purii'}a.)
Vana - c.r=f - forest; grove; wood; thicket
Vanaprastha - a I"1Qfq' - forest dweller (from pra-sthii = "go forth" + vana =
"wood") (see asrama)

Vandana -

q""G~

offering gratitude for blessings received from God (see

bhakti)
Variiha - Cf{T[ -

Var1)Q -

CfOf -

boar; an incarnation of Visnu (see avatarai

caste; alphabets; color; articulate syllables; letters

337

the vaisyas, who are traders and merchants; and the siidras, who serve
others. This division is based on the principle of social economy. Its
basis is functional. It refers to the social and institutional side of life
and gives a horizontal view of society. Each class is relative, though
unconditionally obligatory in the sphere in which it is respectively
applicable. One specializes in religion, politics, economics, and labor
according to one's station in life and individual aptitude.
2. Regarding varna as alphabetical letters, see sabda.

Varnaka .- qofcf; - chapter

Vartamana - qJ4 Pi - turning; unfolding; present (tense)

1. A type of action. (See karma.)

Viirttika .- ~ - verse commentary

1. These are commentaries whose purpose is to enquire into what has
N:-pn l;:~irt (ulrtn\ Ulh!'lt h!'ll;: nnt N:-pn l;:!'Iirt

t,

J\.

!'Inrt Ulh!'lt h!'ll;: nnt

been said clearly (durukta).

1.. oee vartttkakara:

Viirttikakara q ,fffcfiCf" ( commentator

1. Suresvara is the commentator of the Advaita Vedanta school. He
wrote the B!hadaranyakopani~ad-bJujfYa-viirttika and the Taittiriyopanisad-bhdsya-varttika.
2. Kumarila Bhatta is the commentator of the Mimamsa school. He
wrote the Slok~-viirttika, the Tantra-viirttika, and th~ tup-tikii.
Viisanii- q 1+1"''11
latent tendency; impression; conditioning; self-limitation;
predisposition; desires
1. A latent potency or residual impression which clings to the individual. It is also called samskiira.
Vasikara - q$fflCf'1( - control
1. A state of detachment.

Yasistha - ~ - one of the most famous of Vedic seers

1. He was the seer of many of the hymns of the seventh book of the Rg
Veda.
Vasita -q~dl -

the power of subduing all to one's own will

Vasitva - q~("q -

the power by which all living beings may be conquered (see

."

338

Vastavi Vastu -

C1 Iffia1- real
~

- object; thing (from the verb root vas = "to live, dwell, remain,
abide")

Vastu tantra - C1ftldAt - object dependent

1. Knowledge is said to be object dependent according to Advaita.
2. See purusa-tantra.
Vasudeva - ~ - "universal God"; one of the manifestations of God
(Isvara), the son of Vasudeva; the indweller (from vasu = "dweller,"
"indwelling" + deva = "luminous," "god"); i.e., the God who dwells
within all
1. He is the highest Self and possesses all the six attributes: knowledge
ijnana), tordsrup taisvarya), potency (saKtiJ, sTrengIfl(Dalaj, vimity
(virya), and splendor (tejas). He hypostatizes into Kesava, Narayana,
and Madhava, (See vyuha.)
Vata - emf - air; wind
1. One of the five material elements.
2. In Ayur Veda, it is one of the bodily humors (dhatu) and has the qualities of dryness, coldness, and mobility.

Vatsatya - C1 I(e~ -love as between parents and child

1. This is parental love. (See bhakti.)
Vayu -

~-

air; life breath

1. It is of five types: priina, apana, samiina, vyiina, and udiina.
2. It is one of the five elements. (See mahiibhiaa and prana.)

Veda - ~ - knowledge; wisdom; revealed scripture

1. The sacred scriptures (sruti) of the Hindu tradition. They are impersonal (apauruseyai and eternal (nitya). There are four Vedas as arranged by Vyasa: Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sarna Veda, and Atharva
Veda. These are divided into mantra, briihmana, dranyaka, and upanisad sections. Strictly speaking, the Veda stands for the parts known
as mantra and briihmana. The appendages to the briihmana are the
aranyakas and the concluding portion of the iiranyakas are the upanisads.
2. There once existed 1131 recensions isdkhas) of the Vedic Samhitiis.
The Rg Veda had 21, the Yajur Veda had 101, the Sarna Veda had
IIVV\

~_..I .t.~ A d.

IT".-J_ t.~..Il\

339

3. The Rg Veda is the Veda of hymns of wisdom. The Siima Veda is a

liturgical collection of hymns, mostly taken from the Rg Veda, sung
to certain melodies. The Yajur Veda is the scripture of sacrificial
rites. The Atharva Veda is comprised of formulas intended mainly
to counteract evil, diseases, and other practical events. The Yajur
Veda is said to be of two recensions: the white (suk/a) and the black
(kr~1)a).

4. The Rg Veda is for the priest whose function is to recite the hymns
inviting the gods to the sacrificial altar. The Sama Veda is for the
Udgiitr priest who sings the hymns. Yajur Veda is for the Adhvaryu
priest who performs the sacrifice according to the rules. The Atharva
Veda is for the Brahmana priest who is the general supervisor of the
sacrifice.
5. The Rg Veda contains the Aitareya Upanisad. The Sama Veda contains the Chiindogya Upanisad and the Kena Upanisad. The Yajur

Katha U'panisads. The Atharva Veda contains the Prasna, the

Mundaka, and the Mii'J4ukya Upanisads.

Vedana --

- sense expenence; sensation: eelmg

1. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence. (See pratityasamutpiida.)
2. One of the five aggregates. (See skandha.)
3. It is caused by sense contact and consists of pleasure, pain, and indifference, according to Buddhism.

Yediinga .- ~ - limbs of the Vedas; vedic sciences

1. The limbs of the Vedas are phonetics (sik~ii), prosody (chandas) ,
grammar (vyiikara1)a) , etymology (nirukta), astronomy (jyoti~a),
and ceremonial (ka/pa). Kalpa is of two kinds: srauta-siara, which
relates to the Vedas (or sruti), and smdrta-siura. which is based on
the smrti.

ac::'11 t1 -

Vedaniya -

feeling -producing karma

1. According to Jainism, they are one of the eight main types of karmas. These are nonobscuring-producing actions which generate
feelings of pleasure and feelings of pain (asadvedya). (See karma.i

Vedanta

- aGI"ff - end of the Vedas; Uttara-Mimamsa; end of knowledge;

1. A name of the Upanisads. (See upanisad.i

340

ings ofthe Upanisads. The major schools are Advaita, Visi~!advaita,

and Dvaita Vedanta.
3. The basic texts of Vedanta are the Upanisads, the Bhagavad Gita,
and the Brahma-siara. (See prasthana-traya.t
4. The central question considered in the Vedantic schools concerns
the nature of God or the Absolute (Brahman).

Vediinta-siura - a~IPfl~5f - another name of the Brahma-siara

1. It is so called because it is the aphoristic text on Vedanta.
Vega - ~ - motion; velocity; inertia
1. According to Vaisesika, it is of three types: ubhaya-karmaja, anyatara-karmaja, and vibhagaja. (See each list separately.) It is the
quality of a moving substance which is responsible for its continuing
in the same direction.
Y 7".'

....

....

-"
"

.
~

....I.

~.

'AU ........ '

1. According to Vaisesika, it is a type of quality (gufJa). It is that entity

(or quality) by virtue of which the connection or contact of things is
destroved.
Vibhagaja -~ - motion caused by disjunction
1. A type of motion, according to Nyaya-Vaisesika. (See vega.)
Vibhanga - ~ - a fallacious form of clairvoyance; one of the Abhidhamma
texts
1. See avadhi.
2. See Abhidhamma-pitaka.

Vibhava - ~ - the descents of Vi~t:lu; incarnations; avauiras.. emanation

1. The descent of God (iivara) among humanity. It is of ten main advents: Matsya, Kiirma, Varaha, Nrsimha, Vamana, Parasuriima,
Ramacandra, Balabhadra, Krsna, and Kalki. Some people substitute Buddha for Balabhadra. These incarnations originate from the
vyiiha, Aniruddha. The cause for the descent is Isvara's will only and
is for the protection of the good and the destruction of the evils. (See
vyuha.)
Vibhava -

~ - an aspect, condition, state; manifestation; one of the three

efficient causes of rasa (emotion) (from the verb root bhu = "to become" + vi - "anart")
1. It is of two kinds: dlambana (main excitant) and uddipana (contrib,~

ULV1J

\~~~ IU3U.)

341

Vibhrama -- ~ Vibhu -

delusion (see bhrama)

Wj -

all-pervasive
1. According to Advaita Vedanta and Nyaya, the form of the indi vidual
soul is all-pervasive.

Vibhu-dravya - ~ -

all-pervasive substance

Vibhiui - ~ - sacred ash (bhasma); manifestations of divine power; might;

prosperity; welfare; splendor; exalted rank; greatness; superhuman
power resembling that of God (Isvara) (the verb root bhi; = "the existent, manifest" + vi = "apart")
1. One of the eight aids, according to Vira Saivism. It is the smearing
of the sacred ash upon the body. (See asta-iivarana.i
2. Incarnations such as spiritual teachers, etc., who aid humanity, are
called vibhiais.
~

tn ".;.

-<;>

--l

:.

V.

th...

.,.

'

deva-e.g., Sankarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha.

~. Mrracutmrs 1"'''' "'.... are alSO
vtbhtuis: t;,ee siaani.)
Viciira

~ i:41 {

reflection; enquiry; introspection; investigation

1. According to the Yoga school, it is a state of samddhi, It is of two
kinds: nirvicara (when the mind concentrates and is one with the
tanmiitras without any notion of their qualities) and saviciira (when
the mind concentrates on the tanmiitras with a remembrance of their
qualities).
2. See samiidhi.

Vicchinna -

fq ~?I -

limited

Yicikitsii -- ft:rf1;t fCf'c-fll -

doubt (suspicion)

Videha-mukti -~ -liberation attained at the time of leaving one's

body
Vidheya -- ~ -

predicate; obedient

Vidheyatva - ~ - the quality of being controlled

1. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, all things are controlled by God
tlsvara),
Vidhi -

fu'fu' ... -

injunction; positive command

- If.." ........

"

.rIl.;;

"t"

342

In

the Vedas, according to

n11t : " " ..AA ....\

1. They are of three types apiava-vidhi (original injunction), niyamavidhi (restrictive injunction), and parisankhyii-vidhi (exclusive injunction). (See each listed separately.)
2. There are five classes of injunctions: karmotpatti-vakya which enjoins a certain act; gunaviikya which enjoins certain necessary details connected with a prescribed act; phala-viikya which mentions
the result following from the performance of a certain act; phalaguna-vakya which lays down certain necessary details as conducive
to a particular result; saguna-karmotpatti-viikya which enjoins an
action along with an accessory detail.
3. According to Mimarpsa, positive commands include obligatory duties (nitya-karma), occasional rites (naimiuika-karmai, and optional
rites (kiimya-karma). They refer to supramundane affairs and are to
be understood literally.
..... .....
'"
viani-vasya
IQIt4QIq-<..t
mjuncnve semence
1. According to Mimamsa iniunctive sentences contain the essence
and purport of the Veda-Le., action.
,., C'~. ~1..~ _ _ ~ 1
..........""" ",uo.u. uv. &

R4gH,

Vidvan

one who has learned the kavyas, the lexicon, and grammar

Vidvat-sannyiisa - fag<J8'""4:118 - becoming a renunciant after knowing the

truth
1. It is asceticism resorted by wise persons (jfliinis) and perfected ones
(siddhas). It is called renunciation by the wise.
2. See sannyiisa.
Vidyii -

ftim' -

knowledge; meditation; wisdom; insight

1. There are thirty-two types or varieties of Brahmavidyii described in
the Upanisads for securing liberation. These are various types of
meditation; for instance, meditation on the pranava mantra, om.
2. The chief branches of knowledge are four, according to Vaisesika:
iinviksiki (logic and philosophy), trayi (the Vedic religion), vartii
(economic science and philosophy of wealth), and dandaniti (the
science of polity).

Vidyii-pada - .~ iHq 1& - that part of the A.gamas which sets forth the philosophical doctrines (see iigama)
Vidvii- ".-

.....

:::lI U

I+-~

1"'1

~L -

me

_.i't.~

'"

or

.,-'

1. These are the four Vedas, the six vedangas, Puranas, Mimiimsa,
nyiiya, ana ttttarma-tastra:
343

Vighna -

favf - obstacle
1. Obstacles on the spiritual path include laziness (iilasya), boastfulness
(katthana), keeping the company of rogues (dhiata-gosthi), gossiping (prakatthiinam), lack of application (anusandhana-rahityai. inertia (laya), stupor (tamas).

Yighna-dhvamsa -

~-

Vihiira - ~ -

vehicle

destruction of obstacles

Vijatiya -- fa'it 181Lt - one of the three types of difference that exists between
things belonging to two different classes
1. For example, the difference between a tree and a stone.
2. See bheda.
Vijaya -

~'itLt I -

vijriiina

consciousness (from the verb root jna = "to know" + vi = "apart," hence,
"to discern")
1. One of the twelve links in the causal chain of existence. (See
- ,q(l ,..,

victory; triumph
...

'_

"

,01

pratityasamutpada.i
2. One of the five aggregates. (See skandha.)
3. The intellect. It is also called buddhi.
Vijnaniikala - fali H IC47H - an individual soul in which the bonds of karmamala and maya-mala have been removed and only ii1)llva-mala remains;
a type of unembodied being
1. This type of individual soul no longer has to return to empirical existence when it gives up its body, for it is fit for release.
2. Seejiva.

IFJ, -

Vijriiina-kevalin - fali Hcf;Q

a liberated individual soul
1. According to Kashmir Saivism. it is a term for an individual who has
become liberated.
Vijnanamaya-kosa - fali H'lLtOf'l!(1 - the sheath of the intellect
1. It is located within the mental sheath (manomaya-kosay. These two,
together with the priinamaya-kosa, constitute the subtle body. (See
kosa.)
11:' ~

344

vikala-inana - fa asH if Irot - otherworldly knowledge

1. According to Jainism, it is divided into two: avadhi and manahparyiiya.

faaspq -

Vikalpa -

imagination; mental construct; abstraction; conceptualization; hallucination; distinction; experience (from the verb root kip = "to
correspond, in accordance with, suitable to," + vi = "asunder or away");
thought; oscillation of the mind
1. According to Sankhya, the mind (dtta) has five processes, among
which are abstraction, construction, and different kinds of imagination.

Yikiira -

~ctil ( -

change; change of form; modification; gluiness; manifestation (from the root kr ="to make" + vi ="apart")
expansion

Yikasa - factilti -

Yiksti - ~ - modification
1. The work of action (karma) is fourfold. This is one of its four effects.
(See karma.i
Yiksepa -

ftmtf -

projection; false projection; distraction

1. It is the projecting power of ignorance, according to Advaita Vedanta. (See avidya.)

Yiksepa-sakti - ~ - the power of ignorance (maya) by which the

manifold experiences are projected; power of dispersion
Yiksipta - ~ - distracted; unsteady; dispersed
1. A state of the mind where it is unstable and shifts its attention from
object to object.
Vilaya -~ Vimala -

dissolution

fa4H

purity; unblemished; without stain (from vi = "without" +

mala = "stain, defect")
1. One of the ten stages of a bodhisattva.
2. See bodhisattva.

Vimana -

fa4H -

disrespect; dishonor

Vimarsa -

~-

consideration; examination; test; reasoning; discussion;

.........,

..

......

~E>

....,

...

345

1. The Self-consciousness or Self-awareness of Paramasiva, full of

knowledge (jfuina) and action tkriyd), which brings about the world
process. On an individual level, the aspect of consciousness through
which one understands the specific characteristics of that which is
known.
Vimoha - '~1ilE

~=-t Ilft -

Yinasa -

error; delusion; perversity

destruction; annihilation (from the root vi-nas = "to perish,

destroy")
\!ina -

cftoTT -

the Indian lute

Vinaya -

~=-tL1 -

Yipiika -

l'aq I -

discipline

a type of transformation; ripening; resultant; fruition

Yipaksa -- ~ - counterinstance
1. That which is devoid of the probandum as well as anything similar
to it. The absence of the subject is known for certain in this type of
reasoning.
2. In a ten-membered syllogism, it was the fifth member--e.g., the
negative example. (See paksa.i
Viparita -- l'aq ft("1 - contrary; contrary to what it is
1. Uncertainty as to the exact nature of truth. It is a type of delusion.

Viparita-bhdvand - ~ - error; the opposite stream of thought

1. It is said to be removed by contemplation, according to Advaita
Vedanta.
Viparita-jiuina -

faq n("1i1I"1 -

false knowledge

Vi arita-kh iiti - fa q n ("1 {Ot11 f(1 - contr

a rehension
1. The theory of error propounded by the Prabhakara Mtmamsa school.

346

object of error is held to be real and it is the identity of its appearance

with its basis which is unreal. (See khydti-viida.)

Viparyasa -faqlfz;, 1ft -

overturning; reverse; error; mistake

Viparyaya - ~q4t1 - erroneous cognition; illusion; misapprehension (from

the verb root i = "to go, flow, get about" + vi = "asunder, away" + pari
= "around")
1. The Sankhya-karika lists its causes as ignorance (avidya) , egoism (asmita), attachment (raga), antipathy tdvesa), and self-love (abhinive.fa). These five are also called tamas, moha, mahamoha, tiimisra,
and andhatiimisra.
Viparyaya-graha1Jtl-~q4t10EOI -

misapprehension; knowing the truth oth-

erwise
1. It is an asoect of iznorance, To understand ignorance nositivelv as
misapprehension or to understand it negatively as nonapprehension

\UO"

_,.

10>

&

_I.
-'
~.L
.. -'.
a.3A~U VI LUI\;;

'"

"

T.'-

,
0>

of ignorance tavidya). (See avidyii.)

m--

Vipra -

brahmin; priest

fa "'Aut' -

Vipralambha -

separation from the beloved one

Vipula-mati - ~ - a type of telepathy

1. According to Jainism, it has a spatial range between four yojanas
and two and a half dvipas. Its temporal range is between eight and
an infinite number of incarnations. It lasts until the dawn of omniscience. (See mati.)
Vim -

em-

Viriiga -

hero; heroic; strength (from the root vir = "to be powerful")

I. According to Jainism, it is a stage wherein one becomes master of
oneself.
2. According to Tantric practices, it refers to a spiritual practitioner
who adopts the heroic disposition, or the left-hand discipline.

Fcn III -

nonattachment

Viraj- rq (1"1- the macrocosm; the manifested universe; the world man
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, visva (sthilla) and vaisvanara are

'0'

_.

WJUI VlfUJ

347

Yirakti - ~ - self-renouncement
1. The first prerequisite for those who seek the Absolute (Brahman).
Vira! -

ftm9 -

the cosmic form of the Self as the cause of the gross world (see

viraJ)
Virodha -- ~ -

opposition; conflict

Yiruddha -- ~ - contradictory
1. A type of fallacious reasoning in which the reason (hetu) is contradictory. Here, the reason proves the contradictory of what is intended to be provided; e.g., "sound is eternal because it is produced" only
proves the noneternality of sound because whatever is produced is
necessarily noneternal. (See hetvdbhasa.)

Ism.

Visada - n-CSC I~ - depression; dullness; despair (from vi = "apart" + the verb

root sad = "to sit")

Visamvadi-vyavahara - ftH1~ I ~oq Iq~ I <- unsuccessful volition

Visarga -- ftn:nf - emanation
Visaya-~ -

doubt

Visaya - ~ -

object; subject matter; content

Vi~aya-vakya-'rabjttqICftt - a Vedic statement which is taken up as the sub-

ject for investigation

Visaya-visayi-bhava - ~ - the relation between the revealed and

the revealer, or the relation between the object and its knowledge

Visayin -' ~ - the subject who knows

348

1. A category in Vaisesika metaphysics. It is the feature which distinguishes one individual from another. Yisesas are innumerable, eternal, and partless. The Vaisesika system depends upon this category
for its pluralism. It is the differentia of ultimate things which are otherwise alike.
2. It is the basic concept of Dvaita Vedanta. It justifies their concept of
pluralism. They hold that every substance has an infinite number of
particulars, with one for each quality. It is the power by which a
quality is distinguished from a substance. They distinguish the different aspects they qualify and, as they are self-distinguishing, they
do not need another quality to distinguish themselves.

Visesa-guna - ra"lS4fJ17f -

specific quality

fa"lS4 ol - oualification: attributive element' distinzuishinz attribute

Visesana -

vtsesanata
'I (1 I
that mode ot contact wnicn leads to the perception ot
nonexistence
I. It is also called visesana-visesya-bhava.
'"l

: I.

C".

Visesana-visesya-bhiiva - fa ~ IS4 0 Ifa ~ iSLf 1.fTCi - the relation of the qualification

and the qualified; a mode of contact
I. It is also called visesanatii.
2. According to Nyaya, this is the contact for the perception of nonexistence (abluiva).
3. See sannikarsa
. and visesanatii.
..
Vise~a1Ja-vise~atii-jfl.lzna -

fa~lS4ol~~iSLfdlifH -

knowledge which has a

subject-predicate relation (see viikyartha)

~~lS4lftd -

visesaptt -

the emergence of new features

I. The Dvaita Vedanta theory of causation. The world originates from
matter with newer and newer forms. At every stage this emergence
is dependent upon God's will.

Yisesya -

fa~iSLf -

the substantive element; the qualified

Visesyatavacchedaka Visi~{a -

fa~&Li Iq;;q~Cf' -

fa~~ -

determinant of substantiveness

that which is qualified; determinate

1. Accordmg to Dvaita Vedanta, It IS the torrn a thing acquires when It
349

gets related to its attributes. It is the substance and quality taken together. It is one of the ten categories of Dvaita. (See padiirtha.)
2. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, the qualified is one, but the factors qualifying it are quite distinct, though inseparable, from it.
Visista-buddhi - ~ -

qualified cognition

f4 ~e I'd -

qualified nondualism; pansynthetic monism

1. A theistic school of Vedanta whose great consolidator and exponent
is Ramanuja. It posits three ultimate realities: God, individuals, and
matter (Isvara, cit, and acit), which exist in an inseparable relationship, though cit and acit are dependent upon the independent God
(Isvara). The complex whole forms an organic unity and thus its
name, Visistadvaita.

visistadvaita -

.. .. .....

Visistaikya

""\'

pr~)

unity in the form of an organic whole involving sev-

qualified knowledge

Visista-jnana

Yisista-pratiu -

ra~et;lfflrn

Yisista-visaya -

ra~I2fc:tb4t1 -

determinant cognition
qualified object

Vislesa - ~!(Ab4 - separation

Vi~~u -

fc~ - the supreme Lord; the all-pervading

1. A name for the all-pervasive supreme Reality. One of the Hindu trinity of gods, representing God as the sustainer, the personal God of
the Vaisnavas. In His personal form, He is portrayed as four-armed
holding a conch, a discus, a lotus, and a mace. He is dark blue in color. During times of great wickedness and trouble, Visnu incarnates
on the earth in order to protect men and gods and reestablish righteousness. There are ten such incarnations in our present world cycle, with Rama and Krsna being the most popular and important.
2. According to Visi~~advaita Vedanta, he is the sole Reality, one without a second, having the sentient (cit) and insentient (acit) for his
qualifications. He is the means to liberation and the goal to be attained.
3. He abides in a fivefold form as para, vyiiha, vibhava, antarydmin,
and area.
4. He has six divine qualities: knowledge (jfliina), strength (bala), lord.1'

"llll-' \lUJOU,'

I ' _1.:'\

_ '\

)'Uh t'"

.....

\Jun.Uh

350

~ 1:.
I
. 111 I l l ] \

'J[

_ '\

)'UI

..J'
UUU -r-

I.

_ ,,\

V~J'

"'1'

5. Among His manifestations are Sankarsana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha,

and Vasudeva.
6. His weapons include the conch (sankha), discus (cakrai, club
(gadii), sword (khacfga), and bow (sii";lga).
7. One of the names of the Law Books and a name of a Purana. (See

smrti.i
~!f~fM~'~ 11 -

Visphulinga-nyaya -

the analogy of fire and its sparks

Visuddhi - ~ - purity; cakra

1. One of the seven wheels (cakra). It is located in the throat center.
(See cakra.)
ViSva -

mer -

the individual form of the Self having egoism in a gross body

while awake; universe
1 It i," thp fnnn nf thp .~plf in it,"

,"tlltp

..

tn A

'-'

Vedanta.
1.. u is pervasive or me entire oooy Out, ror purposes or meairaIion, it
has its seat in the right eye. Its limiting adjunct is the gross body
(sthida-sariray.
3. See piida.
~-

Visviidhika -

more than the universe; transcendent

Visva-maya - fa!fq4lLf I - universal nescience

fa!fq ~q -

Visva-riipa -

~ !fd41 f(:n I -

Visviitiga -

of the form of the universe

transcendent

Yisvottima - '~!fc">jJ)oY - transcendent

Vita -

<:fur -

a type of inference
1. Inference is classified into two types, according to Sankhya. The vita
type is where there is a positive concomitance between the reason
(hetu) and the major term (siidhya). It is divided into two varieties:
piirvavat, which is based on the observed concomitance of the specified reason and the major term-Le., smoke and fire-and which is
1

.'-

nnnr

-0',

L.

",,,'

-' in '"

<:an,",
,

yato-drsta, the concomitance which is known through similarity.

~ee anumana.
351

Vitala -

~-

hell
1. The nether pole of Tapo-loka. It is a state changing toward materiality.
2. See loka and tala.

VitaTJ4ii -- rc:.d O SI - destructive criticism; destructive argument

1. One of the sixteen categories of the Nyaya school. (See padartha
and chart no. 6.)
2. This is a destructive criticism which seeks to refute an opponent's
doctrine without seeking to establish or formulate any new doctrine
of its own.
Vitarka _. R.4d~ - a state of samiidhi: debate; logical argument
1. It is of two kinds: savitarka and nirvitarka.
.... ...
- -', .
Yita-sandeha

cfldt4~i!

free from doubt

....

Yitthala -- Iq~M - a name for Lord Krsna (from vid = "brick" + sthala = "standing"); i.e., the one standing on a brick
1. "Vittha" is said to be a corrupted form of "Visnu."

Viviida _. rc:.cU~ - dispute

Yivarana - ~cHOI - explanation

Yivaranakiira - R.4a {o 1<:61 { - a name of Prakasatman, the author of the Paiicapadika-vivarana, a commentary on Padmapada's Paiicapiidika
Yivarana-prasthana - ~ - the Vivarana school of Advaita Vedanta
1. It is one of the two schools of Advaita Vedanta. (See Bhiimati.)
2. Its most important works are the Paiicapadika of Padmapada, the
Paiicapiidikii-vivarana of Prakasatrnan, and the Vivarana-prameyasangraha of Vidyaranya,
3. Suresvara's works are reputed to have been the inspiration of the
school.
Vivartha -- R.4a tf - transfiguration; apparent change; illusory appearance
Yivarta-vada - ~arlalC;

. .- .-

the theory of apparent change; the theory of phe-

352

1. The Advaita Vedanta theory of causation which posits that the world
is an illusory appearance superimposed by ignorance (avidyii) on the
Absolute (Brahman).
2. See parinama-vada and iibhiisa-viida.
Viveka - ~ - discrimination
1. Viveka is defined as an awareness by means of which one can tell the
true from the false, the eternal from the impermanent, It is an understanding that the world is impermanent and perishable and that the
Self is permanent. (See sadhana catustaya.i

Vividisa-sannyasa - ~iSt Ift;:;::q1ft - renunciation for the purpose of desire

to know
1. According to Visi~~vaita Vedanta, it is renunciation for seekers
and spiritual aspirants (siidhaka). It is a preliminary renunciation, renunciation with a desire to know.
.,

.c;:.pp

!linn

--

vtvtkta-sayyasana

an external penance 10 raimsm; to keep

thorouzhlv aloof with rezard to abode and seat

Vrata -

~-

Iq 1....... ""(I-1I~.,

vow; rule of conduct

Vr~a-~-tree

Vrtti - ~ - mental mode; a modification of the mind whose function is to

manifest objects; being; condition; fluctuation; activity (from the verb
root vrt = "to tum, revolve, roll, move")
1. It is what makes knowledge possible, according to Advaita Vedanta.
It serves as the connecting link between the knowing subject and the
known object. It is a transformation of either the internal organ or of
nescience (avidyii). It goes out through the senses and pervades the
object.
Vrtti-jliiina - qfiull~ - empirical knowledge
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is a blend of a modification of the
mind and the reflection of consciousness therein.
2. It is of two kinds: immediate (aparoksai and mediate iparoksai.
3. It is opposed to avidya. (See svarupa-sambandha.i

--

VJ a

353

.~

1. According to Advaita Vedanta, it is one of the two conditons necessary for an entity to be an object of knowledge
2. See phala-vyiipyatva.
~-

Yrttyaniyamaka -

Vyabhicara - ~ Vyiig hata -- Ot41 E41 (i

Vyiija -

See svariipa sambandha

deviation

given up; dispenses with

occasion; indirect cause

Yyiikarana - Ot41Cf'{Oj - grammar

1. One of the limbs of the Vedas.
2. See vedanga.
Vyakta -

oq d"('1

Vviina -

~-

manifest; revealed

a vital air: diffused breath (from the root an = "to breath" + vi

:: "apart" + ii = "toward")
1. The life breath which governs the circulation of blood in the body.
(See priina.)

Vyangyiirtha - oq i'LlI tf - suggested meaning

1. According to Indian aesthetics, besides the primary meaning
(mukhyiirtha) and the secondary meaning (lak~iirtha), words may
also have a suggested meaning. In this type of meaning, the primary
meaning stands as a stepping stone to it. The primary meaning suggests--or hints or indicates-to the mind of the listener what the
meaning is, but this meaning is not necessarily related or connected
to the primary meaning. For example, by saying that the village is on
the Ganges, the idea may be to convey that it is cool and holy.
2. In poetry, this type of meaning is indispensable where the connection is emotion.
Vyiipaka -- oq j4Cf) - pervader; probandum (siidhya)
1. Vyiipaktva is omnipresence
Vyiipdra -- &:41 Q I{ Vyiipti - otrrft<; -'

activity; intermediate cause

invariable concomitance; universal pervasion between the
-'

.1.

LCllll auu UIC IllaJUI LCllll

354

1. This relation must be unconditional or necessary. It is the central essence of an inferential cognition. It is a correlation between two
terms, of which one is the pervaded and the other is the pervader.
The hetu is the pervaded and the sadhya is the pervader in a vytipti.
It is the relation of coexistence of the hetu and the siidhya. This relation must also be free from any adventitious circumstance. (See

anumana.i
pervaded; probans (sadhaka-sadhanas

Vyiipya - &:1ICti -

Vyapyatvasiddha - Ot1IU1(Q I ~ - unestablished in respect to its concomitance

1. One type of unestablished reason. Here the reason is associated with
an adventitious condition. (See asiddha and hetvabhasa.i
Vyapya-vrtti - oq ICL4qft1 T T_ J

~"

pervasive

". "
....'

.."
&

1. Vedic sage credited with the compilation of the Vedas and the author
ot the M ahabharata and the Puranas,

Vyasajya-vrtti - &:1lti\itlq:ft1 -

partially contained

Vyatireka-drstanta - 0t1 Rr1<f'<t 121 k1 -

negative example

Vyatireka-sahacara - &:1 Rr{<f'ti ~ i:41 { - concomitance of negation

Vyatireka-vyapti - &:1 ~<f'&:11 ftd

negative pervasion
1. A type of inference in which only agreement in absence of the middle and major terms has been observed; e.g., where there is no fire,
there is no smoke. (See kevala-vyatireka and anumana.i

Vyavahiira - oqct~ I{ - empirical; worldly life; practice (from vi = "apart" +

ava = "down" + hr = "to take")
1. That on which is based all of one's practical movements.

2. Empirical discourse.

Vyavahiira-naya Vyavaharika T UVU

&:1ct~

I{,"1ti -

~''I

UUWIl

"1'

T"!

a type of viewpoint in lainism (see naya)

the relative viewpoint; empirical (from vi

'I

.....

LU Li:1I\.C )

355

="apart"

1. The standpoint of ignorance, according to Advaita Vedanta. At this

level, the Absolute is with attributes (sagu1}a), one individual differs
from another, and the entire pluralistic universe exists. (See priitibJuisika and paramarthika.)
Vyiivahizrika-satya - C5L4Qf! 1n:4'~ktt empirical world
Vyavahita -- ~ -

phenomenal (or relative) reality; the

mediate
differentiating feature

Vyiivartaka - Ot1IQ(fQ; -

Vyavasiiya - Ot1Qflitt - determinate cognition

1. A determinate cognition gives only the cognition of the object. (See
.-"..J"
UfJUY

Yyavasaya-jtuina
1

original cognition

C5L4Q+1lttill"i
. . . . _ ... T

..

...

"'U

_.

IJ ....J..., ....

" " I U.... U

6 .......,.

_ _ 1,

.. 1.

'UIUJ

..u

....

cognition of an object (and not the awareness that one is aware of

sucn as a cogrunon) IS cauec vyavasaya-jnana. (see anuvyavasiiya.)
Vyavasthiz- Ot1Qftff -

order; restriction

Vyiivrtta -- C5L4 Ictt1 - discontinunity

Vyiivrtti _. ~ Vyaya -

~-

differentiation

disappearance; loss; expenditure

Vyoman _. 0tt1L1, - moving through the air; a divine being that moves through
the air; the magic art of flying; a bird
Vyuha -

c~

- manifestation; emanation; part; manifestation of Visnu, forms

1. According to Visi~!advaita Vedanta, it is one of the fivefold forms

God (isvara) takes. There are four manifestations (for the purposes
of meditation by the devotees and for the creation, etc., of the universe)-Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. Each
emanates from the former, with Vasudeva as the highest self. They
~rP ~11'"

of Vr-'

356

thp onp ..

and virya evolves Pradyumna. From sakti and tejas evolves Aniruddha, (See Isvara.i
3. Sankarsana fulfils the function of creation, maintenance, and dissolution of the world and exists as the deity superintending all the individual souls. Pradyumna protects the individual souls and
superintends their birth and gives them instruction regarding spiritual matters. Aniruddha helps individuals toward liberation and protects the world. (See each listed individually.)

Vyutsarga - &j(+1 ~T - indifference to objects

Vyutthana -

0lF~

rising up; awakening; a stage in Yoga

357

individual(s) for whom a vedic rite is performed

Yajamana -- Lf\i1tp"'l Yajtia -

tfif - sacrifice; sacrificial ceremony (from the verb root yaj = "to sacrifice")
1. Every twice-born Hindu is enjoined to perform regularly the five
great sacrifices tpanca-maha-yajiiai. Deva-yajiia is deity worship;
Brahma-yajiia is worship of Brahma, a sacrifice to the sages by
studying, teaching, or meditating on the Vedas; Pitr-yajiia is ancestor worship; Bhiaa-yajiia refers to gratification of living beingsviz., animals and birds; and Nara-yajiia consists in welcoming the
guests and honoring them .

......J ' .... , .....,,)'....

-,

,~'....

0"'....

... -,

""".."" "'''''''''.

1. A great seer <r~i) whose teachings are recorded in the Brhadaranyaka Upanisad. He was the spiritual teacher (guru) of King Janaka. He
was the first teacher ofthe Viiiasanevi Samhitii or White Yaiur Veda.
Maitreyi was his wife.
Yajiiopavita -

Lf~lqcfk,
~-

Yajur Veda -

sacred thread

(see veda)

Yajus-~-rites

Yaksa - Lflf - demon; goblin; tree spirit; ghost; a class of semidivine beings
whose king, Kubera, is the lord of wealth
Yama -

tfJ1- abstentions; self-control; restraint (from yam ="to restrain")

1. The first limb of Pataiijali's raja-yoga. It is comprised of noninjury
(ahirizsii), truth (satya), nonstealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacarya), and nonpossession (aparigraha). (See astiinga-yoga.)

Yiina -l:fPf -

Yantra -

~1
,....
I

vehicle; teaching
"to restrain"; "to compel"; mystic diagram
."

-,
~

..
~

.
LV

....
t"~ J

~VII-

centrating them on a pattern such that it (the pattern) becomes reproduced by the devotee s visualizing power. They are usually classified

358

into two types: devices for protection and devices for worship. Those
for worship can be divided into yantras for actualizing divinities and
yantras for facilitating meditation.

Yatamana - L1ct'tI"'1 - engaged in effort

1. A state of detachment.
Yathartha-khyati - qqJq(OL1l R1 - apprehension of the real
1. This theory of error is propounded by Vtsistadvalta Vedanta. All
that is presented in experience is real. Thus illusory knowledge or error is unreal not because it has an unreal object but because it fails
in life. The object of error is real and existent, but the error arises and
is explained by the theory of quintuplication. What is perceived in
error is but a minor portion of an existent entity.
2. See khviui-vada.

.
~uu

~I\.I

L1 R1 (I 'it

Yatiriija 1

~ 1

_~

king of ascetics
_& ...... -

'. _

.........'" V ~ J

.. L

'IT .

-'

,03"'''' ~II'" ~ U "

-J'

'_&".'-,
.,.

.....

VI.

..J
........

the Yatiriija- vimsati of Varavaramuni.

Yatra - 'lfPr - pilgrimage

Yatra-kamavasayitva - L1stGf5I'tlq~lIfl:t(q fulfilled (see asta-aisvaryai
Yaugika
Yoga -

t(l 1C6 -

the power by which all desires are

derivative

mn-

"union"; yoke; a process or path or discipline leading to oneness

with the Divine or with one's Self (from the verb root yuj = "to unite,
join, connect"); the state of oneness with the Self, God; the practices
leading to that state
1. The chief systems of yoga are hatha-yoga (the yoga of the body and
life breath), karma-yoga (the path of action), bhakti-yoga (the path
of devotion), raja-yoga (the kingly yoga), japa-yoga or mantrayoga (the yoga of repeating God's names or of repeating holy
words), kundalini-yoga (the serpent power yoga),jiiana-yoga (path
of knowledge).
2. It is also the name for the school of philosophy founded by Patatijali.
It"

;" th", "n;nn nf"

.' .

-J

,1 "n"l nl~th

th",

.,.

~",1f'

',"

It is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. (See

saqaarsana. )

359

3. According to Salva Siddhanta, it is a path to liberation characterized

by contemplation and internal worship. It is called the path of friendship to God (sakha-miirga). Its goal is gaining the form of God
(sariipya). (See moksa.i
Yogiiciira -- t(J1 I lilt I( -

practice of yoga; "way of union"

1. A Mahayana school of Buddhism which advocates subjective idealism. It asserts that consciousness alone is real and emphasizes yoga
practices to achieve its idea. Its two most famous exponents are
Asanga and Vasubandhu. It is also called Vijfuinaviida.

Yoganga -- l11 111" - the stages of yoga in Saivism (see satsthala;

Yogaja -

l1111~ -

extrasensory perception
~ ~L

''''''

I.

'-'II~

VI

UI~

VI

i:)~IIi:)~

c'

_...

LV

Nyaya. It is cultivated by yoga and, by means of it, one is able to perceive trungs beyond the reach or the senses. (See pratyaksa.)

Yogaja-laksana- z:(lll ~M~ - (contact) originated from yogic powers

Yoganidra -

~-

yogic sleep; light sleep; wakefulness

Yogapiida- l1111 q I~ - that part of the Agamas which teaches practices of meditation (see iigama)

Yoga-riidha - l1111 k - derivative-eonventional

Yogin -

~-

joined or connected with; one who practices Yoga

Yogini - ~ - a female practioner of Yoga; a female demon endowed with

magical powers; fairy; witch; sorceress
1. Durga is said to have created eight Yoginis.
~-

Yogyanupalabdhi -

effectual noncognition

Yogyata -- l111 1(11 - special fitness; congruity

1. One of the causes which bring about a valid cognition from a proposition. It consists in there being no contradiction among the meanings of the words of a sentence; e.g., "fire is cold." (See asatti.
..,,- - .,-

- -

,IUlpUI yu.)

2. The transcendent touch of the purusa which sets in motion the original nature (prakrti) in Sankhya.
360

Yojana -

t11\i1"'"t -

Yoni - ~ Yuga -

"mile"

womb; source; type

~-

age or cycle; aeon; world era (from the root yuj = "to unite")
1. Four ages are said to exist: the Golden Age (satya or krtai, the Silver
Age (treta), the Bronze Age (dviipara), and the Iron Age (kali).
2. In a day of Brahma (see kalpa) there are four yugas, each preceded
by a period called its sandhyii (evening twilight). Four yugas make
a half kalpa (4,320,000,000 years), which is the duration of one day
or one night of Brahma,

Yuga-dharma - ~ - the law of time

1. During each Age, there is a particular code of law to be followed

.. . .

. ~_ lIS

LV IL. 111
.....1
A! lU-YU15U

VIIC

~ ......~.....

.v

UIC

.I

..

. rrus

siistra. In Treta-yuga one follows the Gautamadharmasiistra. In

Dviipara-yuga one follows the Sankhalikhitadharmasiistra. In the
Kali-vuea one follows the Pariisarasmrti.
t ugapat

4j ~ 1"'4<')

simunaneous
1. An aspect of designate time. (See kala.)

Yukti - ~ - reasoning
1. According to Advaita Vedanta, the truth is realized through hearing
the liberating word (sruti), reasoning about it (yukti) and finally, the
final court of appeal, personal experience (anubhava).
Yukti-darsana -1Jfcffi~rn"'"t - the empirical level of Reality; "to have sight of
(with) reason"

361

AUTHORS AND
THEIR PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS

Abhinnavagupta-Abhinava-bharati (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-Dhvanyiiloka-locana (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-Miilini-vijaya-vartika (KS)

U, "'HU' Hau-;)Uf U \.0.."')

Abhinnavae:uota-PariitrimSika Vivarana (KS)

~.'C

Abhinnavagupta-PariitriSika-laghuvrtti (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-Tantrasiira (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-Tantraloka (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-Vimarsini (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-isvara Pratyabhijiia kiirikii (KS)
Abhinnavagupta-lsvara Pratyabhijiui Vivrti (KS)

Amalananda-Kalpataru (A)
Appayya DTk~ita-eommentary on Sikaf}{ha' s Brahmasiarabhasya (SA)
Appayya

DTk~ita-Kalpataru-parimala

Appayya

DTk~ita-Siddhiinta-leSa-sangraha

(A)
(A)

Arulnandi Sivadirya-Siva Jiiiina Siddiyiir (S5)

Basava-Vacanas (SA)
BadarayaJ)a-Brahmasutra (V)
Bhojaraja-Bhoja-vrtti (Y)
Daksinaranjana Sastri-eiirviika-~aHi(C)

363

364

Authors and Their Philosophical Works

Ohannaraja-Vedantaparibhiifii (A)
Gailgesa--TattvacintiimalJi (N)

Gau9aparul-MiilJqukya kiirikii (A)

Gau4ap~~iivalJabhiif.Ya(notexumt)(V)

Gautarna--Nyiiyasutra (N)
HaribhadrasUri-8ad-darSana-samuccaya (C)
Isvar~r:ta-8iinkhyakiirikii(S)

Jaimini-Purvamimii'!Jsii-sutra (M)
Jayanta-Nyiiyamaiijari (N)
Jayatirtha--Nyiiyasudhii (0)

lavatirtha--Tattva
PrakiiSikii (0)
.
K~emaraja-8panda Sandoha (KS)
K~maraja-Spanda
~~e
J(

~.
-..I

vimw;iul ~~;))

.vr- j "

Nirnaya (KS)

or

(Va)

Kalla~-Spanda-vrtti(KS)

Kapila--Siinkhyasutra (S)

Kurnarila Bha~~--Sloka-viirttika (M)

Kumarila Bhana-Tantra-varttika (M)
Kumarila Bha~~Tuprikii (M)
Mar:t4ana-Brahmasiddhi (A)

MadhusUdana Sarasvati-Advaitasiddhi (A)

Madhva--Anuvyiikhyiina(O)
Madhva-BhiiratatiitparyanirlJOya (D)
Madhva-Brahmasutrabhiif.Ya (D)
Madhva--Dasa-prakaralJa (0)

MaJ:iikkavacakar-Tiruviicakam (SS)
Madhvacarya-Sarva-darSana-sangraha (C)

Meyk~~--Siva Iiuina Bodham (SS)

Padmapada-Paiicapadikii (A)
Patafijali--Yogasutra (Y)

PiHai -lokacarya-Artha-paiicaka (V)

PiHai -lokacarya-T'attvatraya (V)

PrabnaJcara-Brhatl (M)

Authors and Their Philosophical Works

Prakasatrnan-Pancapadika-vivarana (A)
Prasastapada-s-Vaisesikasistrabhasya or
Padarthadharma-sangraha (Va)

Piil1)ananda-Tattvamuktavali (A)
Raghavendra Yati-eandrika Prakasa (0)

RamakaJ:lta-Vivrti (KS)
Ramanuja-Sribha~a(V)

Ramanuja-Vedtmtampa (V)
Ramanuja-Vedtmtasara (V)
Ramanuja-Vedarthasangraha (V)
Ramanuja-VivaralJQ-prameya-sangraha (V)
Sailkaracarya-Brahmasutrabhi4Ya (A
;..

,.

IJa.-

T r:
V~

J'

\""J

/I. ,

Sankaracarva->Vivekacudamani (A)
Sailkaracarya-Atmabodha (A)
Sabara-Purvamima'!lsa-sutra-bha~a
( M)

Sadananda-Vedtmtasara (A)
SaIikanatha-rjuvimala (M)
Salikanatha-Nyiiya-ratnakara (M)
SaIikanatha-PrakaralJa-paficika (M)
Seki!ar-Periya Puranam (SS)
Somananda-Siva-dr~!i(KS)
Somananda-Paratrif!lSika-vivrti (KS)
Somesvara-Nyiiyasudha (M)

Sridhara-Nyciya-kandall (Va)
SrikaJ:l~ha-Brahmasutrabha~a(SA)
Sucarita Misra-Kasika (M)

SundarSanasuri-Srutaprakasikti (V)
Suresvara-BrhadaralJyakabha~avarttika

(A)

Suresvara-Nai~karmyasiddhi(A)
Suresvara-Taittiriyabha~avarttika

(A)

Tirumiilar-Tirumantiram (SS)
Udayana-KiralJvali (Va)
Udayana-Nyciyavarttikatatparya-parisuddhi (N)
Uddyota.k:ara-Nyayasutravarttika (N)

365

366

Authors and Their Philosophical Works

Urnapati Sivacarya-Siddhiinta Astakam (55)

Utpala Vai~Qava-Pradipikii (KS)
Utpaladeva-iSvara Pratyabhijiilz (KS)
Utpalacarya-Pratyabhijiiii-karikiis (KS)
Vacaspati-Bhiimati Catuhsutri (A)
Vagakkuttiruvlthip-piHai-36000-paqi or iqu (V)

Vasugupta-Siva Siara (KS)

Vasugupta-Spanda-kiirikiis (K5)
Vacaspati-Nyiiyaviirttikatiitparya-

~ikii

(N)

Vacaspati-Siinkhyakiirikiibhii~a
(S)

Vacaspati-Tattva-kaumudi (S)
Vatsyayana-Nyiiyasutrabhii~a
V

vu-" "..-

(N)
u

\.

v)

Vedantadesika-Tattva-tikii (V)
Vidy3r.aQya-Paiicadas;(A)
Viji1anabhik~u-Sii;,khya-pravacanabhii~a (S)
Vijfianabhik~u-Tattvavaisiiradi

(Y)

Vimuktatman-J~!asiddhi(A)
Visvanatha-Bhii~iipar;ccheda(Va)

Vyasa-Yogasutrabhil~a

(Y)

Vyasaraya-Tiitparya Candrika (D)

Yamunacarya-Gitiirtha-sangraha (V)
Yamunacarya-8iddhi-traya (V)
Yamunac:arya-Agama-priimQ'.lya (V)

A=Advaita; C=Carvaka D=Dvaita; K5=Kashmir Saivlsm; M=MImamsa;

N=Nyaya; S=Sankhya; SA=Sivadvaita; SS=Saiva Siddhanta; V=Visi~~v~ita;
Va=Vaisesika; Y=Yoga

Chart 1
THE VEDAS
VEDA

I
Mantra

BrahmllQa

I
Vidhi
Apiirva

Niyama

Parisankhya

Arthaviida
Gunavada

Vediinta-viikya
I
Bhiitiirthaviida

Anuvlida

....

J1r~h~~_o",,~-;~~_
-r

nirupana-vakya
Svarupa-laksana

upadesa-vakya

- _. , \

Tatastha-laksana

fiyi1ll1

Brahma

Auua

Brahma

rat rvam

Asi

f\nam
Brahrnasmi

Chart 1 (continued)

THE VEDAS (continued)

VEDA

4 VEDAS

(EACH VEDA DIVIDED INTO 4 SECflONS)

Rg (hymns/prayers)

Mantra (hymns)
Brahmana (guide books)
Aranyaka (forest texts)
Upanisad (wisdom)

Sarna (sung)
Yajur (rites)
Atharva (formulas)

K~$l'!A

~G

YAJUR VEDA (Kr~T}11 Yajur Samhita)

VEDA (~k sari/hita)

oranmana
aranyaxa

upamsao

oranrnana

1.l1.i,ur.:ya

1.

1.

1.

2.Kau~'itaki

'l.Kausitaki

2.Kau~'itaki

..

J. rUITIl;'

-J

..

2. Ballavi
J.

-- -

4. Maitriiyani
~
J.

...

nu~,

aranyasa
1.

.'J

upani~au

- "'''',Yu
.. -

I.J

2.
Katha
_ J. . _ ,
--:Y.u

4. MahiiniiriiyaT}11
" .. . - -

rh"'rl t

SUKLA YAJUR VEDA (Sukla Yaiuh Samhitav

SAMA VEDA

brahrnana

(Siuna

arlll]yaka

brahmana

aranyaka

upanisad

1. Satapatha

1. Satapatha

1. lia
1. Tiif}l!ya
2. Brhadaranvaka 2. Talavakiira
3. liiMla
3.Ar~eya
4. Vamsa
4. Paingala
5. Daivatiidhyiiya
6. Mantra
7. Sama-vidhana
8. SamhitopanisadBriihrnafJil

ATHARVA VEDA-brahmlll]a

=Gopatha; Upanisad =Muf}l!aka. Mii'J4ukya. Prasna

upanisad

1. Chiindogya
2.Kena

Chart 2
SOURCEBOOKS OF THE NAsTIKA SYSTEMS

CARVAKA

JAINISM

Biirhaspatya siara (not extant)

(references in):
1. Sarva-darsana-sangraha of
Madhvacarya

Fourteen Piavas (not extant)

Eleven Angas
Acara
Siarakrta
Sthana
Samaviiya

2. sad-darsana-samuccaya of

Haribhadrasuri

Six Chedasiaras
Four Midasiuras
Ten Prakirnas

Bhagavati
Jnata-Dharmakatluis

3. Carvaka-sasti of
Daksinaranjan Sastri

U'pasakadasas
Antakrtadasas
Anuttara-U,papiitikadasiis

Prasnavyiikarana
Yipaka

Twelve Uoansas

BUDDHISM
HInayana
Tri-pitika (Pali Canon)
Yinayapitaka
Suttavibhanga
Khandhakas
Mahavagga
Chullavagga
Pariviira

Suttapitaka
Digha Nikiiya
Majjhima Nikiiya
Samyutta Nikiiya
Anguuara Nikaya
Khuddaka Nikiiya

Mahayana
Mahiiprajiiiipiiramitdsiara
Abhidhammapitaka

Astasiihasrika-

Patthiina

prajtuiparamitii
Vajracchedika
Saddharmapundarika

Dhammasangani

Mahaparinirvanasiura

Dhiitukathii
Puggalapaiiiuuti
Vibhangi

Avatamsaka
Gandavyuha

Yamaka

Dasabhiimika

Kathavatthu

Lankavatarasiara
Vimalakirti Nirdesa
Lalitii Yistara

Vajrasekharasiura, etc.

cnart j
SOURCEBOOKS OF THE A.STIKA SYSTEMS
NYA.YA

VAISE~IKA

SA.~A

YOGA

Nviivasutra of

Yaisesikasiara of
Kanada

Siirikhvasutra of

YOQasutra of
Patafijali
Yogasiarabhdsya of

Gautama
Nyayasutrabhasya

of Vatsyayana
Nyayasiaraviattika

Vaisesikasiarabhasya
or Padarthadharma-

Kapila (not extant)

Siinkhyakiirikii of
Isvarakrsna

sangraha of Prasastapada
Riivanabhasya (not extant)

Siinkhyakiirikiibhii~ya

of Uddyotakara
Nyiiyaviirttikatiitparyarikii of Vacaspati
Nyiiyaviirttikatiitparyaparisuddhi of Udayana

tvyayamanjart
Jayanta

Gangesa

Vyasa
of

Gaudapada
Bhiiradviijabhii~a

(not extant)

Vacaspati

Kiranvali of

Siirikhya-pravacanabhii~a

UdayanaUdayana

01

Ivyaya-Kanaall

'UI

Dnii~'iipariccneaaUI

01

Sridhara
Visvanatha

Tattva-kaumudi of

of Vijfiiinabhik~u

Tattvavaisaradi of

Vacaspati
Yogasara-sangraha of
Vijfiiinabhik~u

Bhoja-vrtti of Bhojaraja

...." ._A

..

' ~~_ rl.~~. ?

At:) A~TTV A

ADVAITA

VISI1?TADVAITA

DVAITA

upamsaas
Bhagavadgita
Dra"maSUrra 01 Brahmasiarabhasya of Sankara
.
-

uparusads
Bhagavadgita

Bhagavadgita

.- -

of Suresvara

.-

~.

~
&

Suresvara
-.-

V&

&

VI

&

Bhiimati Calu~sutri of Vlicaspati

.'-'

~-

Prakasatman

.,

~~

~~

Yivarana-prameya-sangraha
nf

upamsaos

'r

0'

- -

~.

~'J'

.n.
-J

- -

--

- -

Yedarthasangraha ofRiimanuja

nf--

._- -

VI

-J

Puriinas

Brahmasiarabhasya of

Gitartha-sangraha of Yiimunlicarya
C':

Vai~~va

iirli

Puranas
.Vai~~ava
..

_:

UI

Niiliiyira Divya Prabandham

01 1'\.1 V

"-

- - ...
Dasa-prakarana of Madhva
.
, nfU"tlhv"
Tattva PrakiiSikii of Jayatirtha
n f '

Tatparya Candrika of

Vvasarava

Chart 4 (continued)
SOURCEBOOKS OFA.STIKA SYSTEMS (continued) plus TANTRA
.n.. i

.... A

TANTRA

Purvamimamsa-siara of Jaimini

r: urvumlma,! sii-sulra-orlii,rya 01 eanara

Sloka-varttika of Kumarila Bhatta
-.
arut u-vur "'MJ VJ
L DIUl~!"

.-.

Tup!lkii of Kumarila Bhatta

~

v ......

VI

-.

,;.

0''-

Nyiiya-ratniikara of Siilikanatha
Kjj~ilrjj

,MiE....

Nyayasudhii of Somesvara

Tantra

Ku/asiira Tantra

,~J

urura

. ..

Tantrariija Tantra
-~
......, .....",......
..",r..
Brahma Yamalii Tantra
~

Rjuvimala of Siilikanatha
;..

Mahiinirvii~a

suianava I amra

._.

-- -Todala Tantra
t,o

--:.

,v

-, rr:

tTl ~ .. 1.. t .. ntM,.

...

, ~ .. v~ th"...... r" "'-'l

other traditions claim there are an endless number of them)

Chart 4 (continued)

Kalpataru-parimala of
Purnananda

SarasvatI
lVlaT}'!U1cya KariKa or lJau9apaoa
Paiicadasi of Vidyaranya
-

Vi

Vediintaparibhasa of Dhannariija

.~

,.
-.,,~.. -

v.

'0'

Appayya Diksita
..

,-

. '

Yivekaciidamani of SaIikariiciirya

- .

,~~

--

Tattvamukuivali of

6000-paqi of Pillan
36000-paqi or lqu of

Candrikii Prakaia of

Appayya Dtksita

Brahmasiddhi of MaJ)~
Naiscarmyastaant or suresvara
lstasiddhi of Vimuktiitman
Aavauastaani or MaahuSUOana

Vediintadipa of Riimiinuja

V adakkut-nruvttrup-prnai

Srutaprakiisi:kii of Sundarsanasuri
Artna-pancaka or t'1Hl1l-10IG1Carya

Tattvatraya of Pillai-lokacarya
Konasya-rrayasiira or
Tattva-tika of Vedantadesika

Riighavendra Yati

Chart 5
SOURCEBOOKS OF THE SAN A SCHOOLS

"

..UUy~

nT~~"- .~

,."

'

Vedas
SaivaAgamas
To/kiippiyam
Twelve Tirumurais
Teviiram of Sambandhar, Appar
and Sundarar

fi~faKam

or umiipari

~ ~ru

,
y

.~!Y1

Vedas
SaivaAgamas
Puranas
Vacanas of Basava and others

Tiruviicakam of M~ikkaviicakar
J trumanttram otTirumular
~eriya Puriinam of Sekki!iir
~Iva mana tsoanam or NleyKat;I"'llf.
SivaJiiana Siddiyar of Aru!nand} Sivacarya
Siddhiinta

~iviicarya

~.

'''UY

~.!.~

Brahmasiarabhiisya of Srikantha

Commentary on above by
Appayya Dik~ita

r'L

c:

A C'UI"nn

Co

A TtlJC'l"f

AGAMA SASTRA

SPANDA SASTRA

Aamlfl
Mrg endra
Svachchanda

spanaa-kansas 01 V asugupta
Spanda-~rtti of Kallata
spanaa sanaona OJ hljemardja
SpandaNirnaya of K~marlija

v ijnanu-

Y IY!" Ul

Ucchusma-bhairava

Pradipikii of Utpala Vaisnava

nuara I amasa

...............
-,

Miilini Vijaya
T. -

.
.......-..
",.

!~!'

Ui

.,

PRATYABHIJNA SASTRA
,
:SIva sutra 01 vasugupta
Vimadini of Ksemaraja
"- - Ui
tsvara r
Pariitri'!'sikii-vivrti of Somlinanda

- ..
"- -...............

Ui

Abhinnavagupta's works

livara Praryabhijiiii kiirikii

;1..._--

". -

In._T;

"J'

Netra

Virnadini

Kularnava

Pariurimsikii Vivarana

Kirana

Pariuriiikii-laghuvrtti
Miilini- vi iava-viirtika

Piiramesvara

Dhvanyaloka-locana

.'

_~;;rn

Abhinava-bharati

.-

roL

,~

n, PRABHAKARA

ill. BHATIA

IV. SANKHY A

1. Pramana

1. Dravya

2. Prameya
,). .-:lamsaya
4. Prayojana
:J
...
6. Siddhanta

2.Gu~a

1. Dravya
2. Guna
3.Kanna
4. Slimlinya
j.Abhiiva

1. Purusa
2. Prakrti

I. NYAYA

-J

8. Tarka
n

>'T.

........uJu

10. Viida
II

Tnl __

-r

12. Vitanda
1'1

- -

14. Chala
1 C; llit;

16. Nigrahasthiina

,). J\.anna
4. Slimlinya
:J .t;ararantrata

6.Sakti
I. 03itUpiyit

8.SaIikhyii

Chart 6 (continued)
PADARTHAS (CATEGORIES)

I. VISI~TADVAITA
(i) Adravya

~'~n

4. rasa
"

(ii) Dravya

~,,~Ahn

O'

2. kala
'2

..IL

I~ un_n

2. guna
'2

I..-.. rrn ..

2.laksrni
':I

iJv~

4. sarnanya

4. avyakfl3kasa

"

"

<; n .. "l..-rt;

:7un

J'

9. sakti
10. samyoga

(ii) Dravya

4. dharrnabhumjfiana
6. tsvara

.... ;.. e

A.
'J

6. sattva

8. tamas

(i) Padartha

./'

>u,,~u

2. sparsa
'2

II. DVAITA

"1TI6;n

8. sakti
9. slidfsva
10. abhava

v;6.. c ..

6. visista
7 mllh~t
8. ahankara
9. buddhi
10. rnanas
I 1. indriyas
12. tanmatras
13. rnahiibhiitas
14. brahmanda
15. avidya

6.g~atraya

17. tirnira
III vii<"nii

19. kala
')f1 nr.. tibimba

Chart 7
VAISE~IKA PADARTHAS (CATEGORIES)
(i) dravya (substance)

prthivi

(ii) guna (quality)

Iiipa

"n

r"~,,

tejas
vavu
iikasa
kala
dik
atman
manas

gandha
!';narSa
sabda
saJikhva
parirnana
prthaktva
sarnyoga
vibhaga
paratva
aparatva
buddhi
sukha
dul:1kha

'.

iccha

dvesa
prayatna
,mn.tv"
~

dravyatva
sneha

sarnskara
dhanna
adhanna

(iii) karma (activity)

utkseppana
.'

iikuficana
nrac;araQa
gamana

Chart 7 (continued)
(iv) Siimanya

(v) visesa
This obtains between five kinds
of inseparables
I. substance and aualitv
2. substance and activity
3. particular and generality
4. eternal substance and
particularity
5. whole and parts

(vi) samaviiya
Of four tvoes
1. priig-abhiiva
2. pradhvarnsabhava
3.anvonabhiiva
4. atyantiibhiiva

(vii) abhava

Chart 8
JAINISM CATEGORIES
dravya

astikaya

anastikliya

I
I
jlva

k~a

ajlva

I
I

OllUuna

ruuxia

unarma

nW>i:1

PUUji1li:l

I
I

trasa

sthlivara

~u

one-~ensed

ekth

...two-~nsed

,.:l

four-sensed

fire

fi".. _... n~ ..A

,,;r

Sanghlita

Chart 9

SAlVA SIDOHANTA TATTYA(S)

MAYA
suddhamaya
nada
bindu
sadasiva
rnahesvara
suddhavidya
maya

purusa

suddhasuddhamaya
kala
niyati
kala
vidya
raga
jiianendriyas (5)
xarmencnyas P J
tanmatras (5)

asuddhamaya
(kala)
prakrti
buddhi
ahankara
manas

~JJ

(siva-tattvas)

(vidyii-tattvas)

(iitma-tattvas)

Chart 9 (continued)

KASHMIRSAIVISMTATfVA(S)
suddha tattvas

(anasrita-tattvasi
siva

sakti
sadliSiva
isvara
sadvidva

asuddha tattvas
(iisrita-tattvas)
miivii

kala, niyati, raga, vidya, kala

ouru~a

prakrti
buddhi
ahankara
manas, jfianendriyas, karmendriyas
tanmatras
mahsbhutas

Chart 10
SCHEME OF VISI~TADVAITA
acrravya

dravya

Ji19a

~
prakrti

... ....
~

ahankara

" ..uua

aj7a

pratyak

parak

kala

sparsa
IU....

rasa
6

sattva

bhiita-

tarnas

.JL

....1..

vibhiiti

......

~J'

:"'''_n

6n!'.:

J'

sarhyoga

kannendriyas
n""n",~

tanmatras

- -

nast-nresent-future

Chart 10 (continued)

-'''HUe>

J'.V"

baddha

mukta

nitya

para

"J-'-

vibhava

bubhuk~u

area

mum~u

arthakamapara

dhannaklimapara
1

votaries of the gods

votari.."

~t

vntjlrie s

votaries of bhagavan

bhakta

~f mnlc~
I

prapanna
I

k I .
e antin

I
parama ekantin

I
drpta

I
li.rtta

rh",... 11

or.V

lANA

pramana
I

paroksa

aparoksa

I
vyavaharika

avldhi

smrti
pratyabhijiiii
tarka

anumana

I
kevalajiiana
(sakala)

pratyaksa
paramarthika

naya

vikalajfiana

ffianaJ:1p~iiya

iigama

artha naya

sabd~ naya

Chart 11 (continued)
I

mati

srta

naigama naya
sangraha naya
vyavahara naya
rjusutra naya

avagralla
iha
avaya
dhiir~a

aitgabahya

I . tha
angapravist

sabda naya
samabhirudha naya
evambhilta naya

Chart 12
EVOLUTION OF P~TI ACCORDING TO SA~A
lIli1I\.!Ll

mahat
ahariklira

,!.

';;~Mq

";;;qoq

~q~q.

-a-

(vaikrta)

(bhiitiidi)

(taijasa)

;~..lr:"q.
-J

'--

<_L

rnanas
srotra
tvak

vale

cak~us

payu

rasana
ghrana

upastha

p~

Pada

..<.

aleii~vavu-teia<;-a

mahabhutas

..IL
.-LivI

Chart 13
CAKRAS

--,,-

........

.,"'u.,'"

<IIIIIIIlI

-'
UIJa

UUIU""l~

miiladhiira

bottom of
spine

anna

earth

smell

elephant

4akini

lam

svadi~~hana

generative
orl!an

prana

water

taste

crocodile

rakinI

vam

manipura

navel

manas

fire

sight

ram

lakinI

ram

10

anshata

heart

vijiiana

air

touch

antelope

kakinI

yam

12

LlLIvaL

auauua

cUII:r

IlC'lUllg

saKim

nam

10

cit

mahat

mind

hiikinI

om

.,
iijiiii

between
eyebrows

" .."mn

"f'

the head

--"

swan

0"""
lVVV

Chart 14
ANGASTHALA
Yoganga

TyiigiiJiga

HhogiiJiga

stage of consciousness

aikya

saraJ)a

pranalingi

prasiidi

mahesvara

bhakta

aspect U1 Lorn worshipped

mana

prasaoa

cara

Siva

guru

acara

attendant sakti

cit

Dara

iidhi

icchii

ifiiina

kriva

name of bhakti

samarasa

iinanda

anubhiiva

avadhiina

ni~~ii

sraddha

1 nTI"'

" ...... 1

~aliIiga

Bhavalinga

I
mananIiga

Istalinga

I
prasadalinga

vedhii

dik~

I
sivalinga

caralinga

gurulinga

acaralinga

mantra dik~ii

kri yii dik~ii