|
A |
up |
|
Abhishek |
|
|
Acharya |
Leader of a diocese |
|
Adharma |
That which does not conform to dharma. Sinful. Unrighteous. |
|
Adhibhut |
Physical illness |
|
Adhidev |
Natural disasters, such as floods, famines, earthquakes and plagues |
|
Adhyatma |
Miseries of the mind |
|
Advait |
Non-dual, monotheistic doctrine explained primarily by Shankaracharya |
|
Ahamkar |
Ego |
|
Ahimsa |
Non-injury in thought, in word, and in deed |
|
Agna |
Instruction, order, command |
|
Ajatshatru |
one who has no enemies |
|
Akaran daya |
Extreme benevolence. Compassion without reason. Used for God's compassion for humans. |
|
Akash |
Space. |
|
Akshar |
One of the five eternal elements. The ideal devotee, abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Also called: Aksharbrahma, Brahma. |
|
Akshar muktas |
liberated souls in Akshardham |
|
Akshar Purush |
also called Maha Purush, Mul Purush, Purush |
|
Aksharbrahma(n) |
One of the five eternal elements. The ideal devotee, abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Also called: Akshar, Brahman. |
|
Akshardham |
The divine abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Literally, 'the everlasting home'. |
|
Aksharrup |
Form of akshar; that which has qualities similar to those of Akshar |
|
Akshividya |
Knowledge of the eyes |
|
Alok |
A region beyond this realm |
|
Amrut |
Nectar, which gives immortality |
|
Ang |
A habit, a liking. For example an ang for katha, bhajans, seva, dhyan. |
|
Anirdesh |
undefinable |
|
Antahkaran |
composite form of the mind, intellect, lower mind and ego |
|
Antardrashti |
to introspect |
|
Antaryami |
one who controls from within; power of God to reside within a jiva, ishwar, etc and control its actions |
|
Anu |
smallest building block of creation |
|
Anvay |
following or succession; when used for God it implies immanent (inherently existing within) |
|
Anyatha kartum |
a power of God |
|
Aparoksha jnana |
knowledge of the manifest form of God |
|
Archimarg |
road of fire; path the jiva takes to the abode of God after death |
|
Artha |
one of the four purusharths, literally means success |
|
Arti |
worship ritual of waving lighted wicks before the murtis of God |
|
Asan |
seat |
|
Asat |
untruth, that which is false; perishable |
|
Asatya |
untruth, that which is false; perishable |
|
Ashadh |
the first month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between June and July |
|
Ashram |
a place where devotees, sadhus live; refers to the four stages of Hindu life: brahmacharya, grushath, vanashram, sannyasi |
|
Ashtang Yog |
eight fold yoga |
|
Aso |
fourth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, normally beginning between September and October |
|
Asopalav |
a type of tree whose leaves are used in rituals |
|
Astik |
a person who believes in the existence of God |
|
Asuya |
a type of jealousy, in which one attributes faults to the virtues of the person that he or she is jealous of |
|
Atal |
the first realm beneath Mryutulok, where demons reside |
|
Atharva Veda |
the fourth Ved |
|
Atma |
the purified soul, distinct from the physical body and free of all worldly desires and ignorance |
|
Atmanivedi |
a person who offers this type of bhakti has totally surrendered him or herself to God |
|
Atmarup |
one who has realized one's true self as atma |
|
Atyantik Daya |
ultimate compassion; God's compassion to liberate his devotees |
|
Atyantik Pralay |
final dissolution |
|
Atmanishtha |
the conviction that one is atma |
|
Atmachintan |
reflecting or thinking that one is atma |
|
Atyantik |
ultimate, final |
|
Aval |
a small shrub whose leaves have inherent healing qualities |
|
Avidya |
ignorance, false understanding of the nature of reality; synonymous with maya |
|
Avgun |
bad or malicious attribute |
|
Avatar |
incarnation |
|
Avatari |
the cause of all incarnations |
|
Avatarvad |
belief of avatars incarnating on the earth |
|
Avyakrut |
causal body of the Virat Purush and other ishwars |
|
Ayodhyawasi |
residents of Ayodhya |
|
Ayurveda |
the science of healing |
|
B |
Top |
|
Badrikashram |
the abode of Nar Narayan |
|
Bhadarva |
the third month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between August and September |
|
Bhagwad Gita |
an important Hindu scripture which comprises of the dialogue between Arjun and Shri Krishna |
|
Bhagwan |
God |
|
Bhagwati Diksha |
initiation into the sadhu fold |
|
Bhagwat Dharma |
|
|
Bhajan |
to worship; a poem praising Bhagwan |
|
Bhakta |
a devotee of Bhagwan |
|
Bhakti |
devotion to Bhagwan; out of the nine types atmanivedi is best |
|
Bharat Khand |
ancient India |
|
Bhavna |
feeling, sentiment |
|
Bhido |
physical and mental discomfort during festivals or in Satsang |
|
Bhurlok |
Mrutyulok |
|
Bhut |
an element of Virat Purush's sthul body from which the physical word is formed; these five elements are: pruthvi, jal, tej, vayu and akash |
|
Bhuvarlok |
the first realm above Mrutyulok, where impure demigods reside |
|
Bokani |
a cloth tied around the head |
|
Bordi |
a type of tree which bears flowers and apple like fruit called bors |
|
Borsali |
a type of tree that bears delicate white flowers |
|
Brahmachari |
one who observes brahmacharya (celibacy) |
|
Brahmacharya |
Eight fold celibacy |
|
Brahmacharya ashram |
the first of the four stages of life when one fulfills one's duty as a student and a celibate |
|
Brahma(n) |
Akshar, one of the five eternal elements; ideal devotee; abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan |
|
Brahma kalp |
period of time during creation when Brahma and other jivas are given their respective bodies by God |
|
Brahmamahol |
palace of God; also called Akshardham |
|
Brahmand |
one of the 14 realms |
|
Brahmalok |
realm of God; also called Akshardham |
|
Brahmarshi |
Brahmin sage |
|
Brahmapur |
abode of God; also called Akshardham |
|
Brahmarup |
possessing qualities similar to Brahman |
|
Brahmasatta |
Brahma without a form, Chidakash; atma, characterized by eternal existence |
|
Brahma sushupti |
the divine light of Brahma |
|
Brahmaswarup |
form of Brahma |
|
Brahmaswarup Satpurush |
God realized Sadhu |
|
Brahmavidya |
knowledge of Brahma |
|
Brahmin |
|
|
Bruhadaranya Upanishad |
belongs to Yajur Ved, ascribed to Yagnavalkya Rishi, focuses on worship, contemplation and identity |
|
Buranpuri |
a specific type of cloth from north India |
|
Buddhi |
intellect |
|
C |
Top |
|
Chaitanya |
consciousness |
|
Chaitanya prakruti |
a term describing all things that are chetan, or animate |
|
Chaitra |
tenth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between March and April |
|
Chakhdis |
wooden, strapless sandals often worn by renunciants |
|
Chakra |
wheel |
|
Chameli |
jasminum grandiflorum |
|
Champa |
michelia champaca |
|
Chana |
a type of gram, similar to chickpeas |
|
Chandlo |
a small round mark on the center of one's forehead |
|
Chandrayan |
a strict fast during which one's food intake is determined by the waxing and waning of the moon |
|
Charan |
God or the gunateet sadhu's feet |
|
Chaturmas |
four months of the monsoon season |
|
Chetan |
animate |
|
Chhandogya Upanishad |
belongs to Sam Veda, focuses on origin and significance of AUM, atma, contemplation, and life after death |
|
Chhint |
a type of rich embroidered cloth |
|
Chhoglu |
a crest like piece of cloth on the end of a pagh, or hanging from one side |
|
Chidakash |
formless and pure chaitanya form of Akshar |
|
Chintan |
reflection, to think |
|
Chintamani |
wish fulfilling gem |
|
Chit |
the lower mind |
|
D |
Top |
|
Dagli |
a waistcoat with inner lining, usually worn during cold weather |
|
Daharvidya |
knowledge of the inner akash, Chidakash |
|
Dan |
donation |
|
Dandvat |
prostration |
|
Darbar |
court of residence |
|
Darshan |
physically looking at the murti of Bhagwan, His true Sadhu, |
|
Darshans |
insights or perspectives; six classical systems of Hindu philosophy |
|
Dehbhav |
body consciousness |
|
Dev, devi |
deity |
|
Devlok |
realm of the demigods, also called: Swarglok |
|
Dharma |
a term which encompasses: divine law, path of righteousness, moral duty, ethical conduct, justice, responsibility, religion and truth |
|
Dharmakul |
Bhagwan Swaminarayan Himself; family of Dharmadev, Bhagwan Swaminarayan's father |
|
Dharma shastras |
scriptures which explain the basic laws and principles of social conduct |
|
Dharna |
concentration, sixth of the eight steps of ashtang yoga |
|
Dharna parna |
an extremely difficult type of austerity, where one is allowed to eat only once every two days |
|
Dhruv Star |
fixed star, popularly known as the North Star |
|
Dhun |
chanting of Bhagwan's name |
|
Dhunya |
continuous chanting of God's name, commonly pronounced as dhun |
|
Dhotiyu |
unstitched long piece of cloth traditionally worn by males as a lower garment |
|
Dhyan |
meditation |
|
Diksha |
initiation |
|
Divo |
a earthen lamp |
|
Divyabhav |
to believe that all the actions of Bhagwan and His Sadhu are divine |
|
Diwali |
last day of the Vikram Samvat year; Hindu festival celebrating Ram Bhagwan's return from his 14 year exile and the victory of good over evil, popularly known as the festival of lights |
|
Dodi |
cheap spinach usually eaten by the poor |
|
Dolariya |
jasminum sambac japani |
|
Dosh |
bad attribute |
|
Drashta |
seer, refers to the atma as the observer |
|
Drashya |
visible, an object of vision; visible world as a whole |
|
Droh |
to go against Bhagwan or His Bhakta |
|
Dudhpak |
a food item made from sweetened milk and rice garnished with spices and nuts |
|
Dukad |
a pair of traditional Indian drums, similar to present day tabla |
|
Dvait |
dual, philosophical doctrine explaining the separate nature of the jiva and God |
|
Dwapar yug |
the third age; lasting 864,000 human years; characterized by impurity and unrighteousness; people lived to be 1,000 years old and the system of four castes came into being |
|
Dwip |
island |
|
E |
Top |
|
Ekadashi |
a day of fast that comes twice a month; on the 11th of the bright half and dark half of the lunar month in the Hindu calendar |
|
Ekadmal |
a former sadhu |
|
Ekantik |
one with an elevated spiritual state who offers bhakti along with dharma, gnan and vairagya |
|
Ekantik Bhakta |
highest level of devotee; one who offers ekantik bhakti |
|
Ekantik Bhakti |
bhakti along with dharma, gnan, and vairagya |
|
Ekantik Dharma |
a term for the combination of dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti |
|
Ekantik Sadhu |
highest level of sadhu; one who has attained ekantik state |
|
Ekantik Sant |
Satpurush, the ideal ekantik sadhu |
|
F |
Top |
|
Fagun |
ninth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between February and March |
|
Feto |
a long piece of cloth twisted and tied around head |
|
G |
Top |
|
Gandharva |
a celestial being engaged in music, song and dance in the celestial realms |
|
Garud |
Bhagwan Vishnu's vehicle; an eagle like bird with a white head, red wings, and a golden body |
|
Garbh gruh |
the inner shrine of a mandir where the murtis are installed |
|
Gau |
|
|
Gaumukhi |
|
|
Ghadi |
duration of time approximately 24 minutes |
|
Gita |
Bhagwad Gita |
|
Gnan |
knowledge |
|
Gnani |
one who is knowledgeable |
|
Gnan indriya |
the cognitive sense through which one can know |
|
Gnan pralay |
dissolution by spiritual wisdom |
|
Golok |
celestial abode of Shri Krishna; literally means realm of cows |
|
Gopas |
male members of the cattle rearing community of Vrundavan during Shri Krishna's time; literally means protector of cows |
|
Gopis |
wives of male members of the cattle rearing community of Vrundavan during Shri Krishna's time; literally means protector of cows |
|
Gorakh asan |
a specific asan to protect the indriyas |
|
Goshthi |
to discuss the katha one has heard |
|
Granth |
text |
|
Gruhasth |
a householder devotee |
|
Guldavadi |
flower of chrysanthemum genus, also known as sevanti |
|
Guna(s) |
quality of Prakruti or maya; three in total, namely sattvagun, rajogun and tamogun |
|
Gunatit |
one who is above the three gunas of rajas, tamas, and sattva; above maya |
|
Guna vibhag |
portion of Shri Krishna's final teachings to Uddhav, noted in the 11th Canto, 25th Chapter of the Shrimad Bhagwat |
|
Guru |
a spiritual leader |
|
H |
Top |
|
Hajari |
a large yellow flower, similar to marigold |
|
Harililamrutam |
a gujarati scripture detailing the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan |
|
Harivansh |
annexe to the Mahabharat narrating in over 16,000 verses Vishnu's lineage |
|
Harmo |
a specific type of tree which gives white flowers found in the Kutch region of Gujarat |
|
Haveli |
a mansion like building constructed of traditionally carved woodwork |
|
Hrudayakash |
space within the heart; spiritual region of the heart |
|
I |
Top |
|
Ida nadi |
one of the three major nerves or channels in the body; this nerve transmits physical and emotional energy within the inner body of a person and ends on the left side |
|
Indralok |
realm of Indra, the god of rain and king of demigods; also called Swarglok |
|
Indriyas |
sense, through which one can know and perform actions |
|
Irsha |
jealousy |
|
Ishtadeva |
favorable deity; beloved god |
|
Ishwar |
one of the five eternal realities, a cosmic being |
|
Itihas |
history; includes two popular Indian epics the Ramayan and Mahabharat |
|
J |
Top |
|
Jad |
inanimate |
|
Jad prakruti |
8 inanimate parts of the world, namely, pruthvi, jal, tej, vayu, akash, mahattattva, Pradah Prakruti and Mul Prakruti |
|
Jai Sachchidanand |
a traditional verbal greeting among Hindus |
|
Jai Swaminarayan |
a traditional verbal greeting among Swaminarayan devotees |
|
Jain |
belonging to Jainism |
|
Jal |
water |
|
Jal basti |
a yogic practice that helps clean the inner parts of the body |
|
Janlok |
fourth realm above Mrutyulok, where Bhrugu and other rishis reside |
|
Janmashtami |
Birthday of Shri Krishna according to the Indian calendar, Shravan Vadi 8 |
|
Janma maran |
births and deaths |
|
Janmangal namavali |
108 names of Bhagwan Swaminarayan |
|
Jay nad |
calling out loud the names of God and gurus in praise |
|
Japa |
to chant |
|
Jarayuj |
category of life forms born from wombs |
|
Jhanjh |
pair of small cymbals, slightly larger than manjiras |
|
Jiva/Jivatma |
the soul in its state of ignorance |
|
Jyeshtha |
the 12th month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between May and June |
|
K |
Top |
|
Kailas |
celestial abode of Shiv |
|
Kal |
time |
|
Kali yug |
age of darkness, the fourth and present of the four ages; lasts 432,000 human years, people live to be 100 years old |
|
Kalpa |
a day of Brahma |
|
Kalpavruksh |
a special tree that lasts for a kalp; this tree fulfills the wishes of anyone who sits underneath it |
|
Kalyankari |
redemptive |
|
Kam |
one of the four purusharths; allows for the fulfillment of personal and social desires |
|
Kanbi |
a sub caste of Vaishya caste |
|
Kanthi |
double threaded necklace, usually made of small tulsi beads, received by satsangis upon initiation into the Satsang Fellowship, and worn as a sign of their affiliation to Bhagwan Swaminarayan |
|
Kapil Gita |
portion of the Shrimad Bhagwat which consists of Kapilji's preachings to his mother noted in 3rd Canto, Chapters 25-33 |
|
Karan |
causal; one of the three bodies of the jiva, the other two being sthul and shukshma |
|
Karma |
action, deed |
|
Karma indriyas |
the senses through which one can perform actions; five in total, namely, speech, handling, walking, excretion, procreation |
|
Karma yogi |
one who is striving for yoga through activities |
|
Karnikar |
a specific type of flower, usually red, white or yellow in color |
|
Kartik |
fifth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, normally beginning between October and November |
|
Kartum |
extraordinary divine power of God |
|
Karyakar |
volunteer |
|
Kathavalli Upanishad |
known as the Katha Upanishad, belongs to the Yajur Veda, includes the story of Nachiketa |
|
Kat vadi javu |
to oblige instantly |
|
Katha |
spiritual discourses |
|
Kayasth |
a specific community of people, or a person born of Brahmin and Kshatriya parents |
|
Keval gnan |
perfect or ultimate knowledge, popularly used in Jain philosophy |
|
Khand |
continent |
|
Khes |
piece of cloth worn as a dhotiyu |
|
Khir |
food item made with sweetened milk and rice, garnished with nuts and spices |
|
Kinkhab |
fine silken fabric which has golden and silver threads, originally made in Egypt |
|
Kirtan |
devotional poem |
|
Kishore |
teenager |
|
Kodra |
inferior quality of grain lacking in nutrition |
|
Koli |
subcaste of people traditionally living on boats who catch fish for a living |
|
Kotha |
cheap inferior quality sour fruit |
|
Kothari |
chief administrator of a mandir |
|
Krishnatapni Upanishad |
one of the many upanishads |
|
Kriya |
actions |
|
Kriyaman karmas |
actions whose consequences are in the process of being formed; present deeds including words and thoughts which will be added to the stock of karmas |
|
Kruchchhra chandrayan |
a strict type of fast where one eats according to the waxing and waning of the moon |
|
Kshatriya |
person of power, physical and sovereign |
|
Kshetra |
field or territory |
|
Kshetragna |
knower of kshetra, often used with kshetra to describe the relationship between a landowner his land |
|
Kshir sagar |
ocean of milk |
|
Kuda panthi |
a non Vedic follower |
|
Kumkum |
fine red powder, applied on forehead as chandlo |
|
Kunjar kriya |
elephant act, a yogic practice that cleanses the inner body; one drinks water, swirls it around in the stomach, and then discharges it through the mouth |
|
Kusang |
company which hinders one from progressing on the spiritual path |
|
Kusangi |
a person that negatively influences one's spiritual progress |
|
L |
Top |
|
Lav |
a period of time equaling 1/150th of a second |
|
Lila |
divine action of God or His Sadhu |
|
M |
Top |
|
Madhvi Sampraday |
school of philosophy which adheres to the doctrine of Madhavacharya, a 13th century South Indian Vaishnav acharya |
|
Magdhi |
a dialect specific to Magadh |
|
Magshar |
sixth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between November and December |
|
Maha |
eighth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between January and February |
|
Mahabharat |
the great epic of India, a Hindu scripture centered on the feud between the Pandavs and the Kauravas |
|
Mahabhuts |
a collective term for the five major elements that evolve from tamas ahamkar and ishwars, namely, pruthvi, jal, tej, vayu, akash |
|
Mahamaya |
Mulmaya, Mul Prakruti, Prakruti |
|
Mahant |
the head sadhu of a Hindu mandir |
|
Mahapran |
one of the 11 efforts required to pronounce certain syllables |
|
Maha Purush |
also called Mul Purush, Akshar Purush, or just Purush |
|
Maharlok |
the third realm above Mrutyulok, wher Aryam and the other demigods live |
|
Maharaj |
short for Bhagwan Swaminarayan |
|
Mahatal |
fifth realm below Mrutyulok, where the nocturnal reside |
|
Mahatmya |
glory and greatness |
|
Mahattattva |
first of the entities produced by Pradhan Purush |
|
Mahima |
glory |
|
Mala |
rosary |
|
Man |
mind; ego |
|
Manan |
repeated thinking, reflecting |
|
Mandal |
a group of satsangis or sadhus |
|
Mandir |
a Hindu house of worship |
|
Manjiras |
pair of small traditional cymbals |
|
Manomay chakra |
the mind seen as a turning wheel whose spokes are the 10 indriyas |
|
Mansi Puja |
mental worship |
|
Mantra |
|
|
Manu smruti |
oldest most authoritative Smruti scriptures, ascribed to King Manu, describing the day to day laws and duties for people |
|
Manushyabhav |
to attach human attributes and failings to God and His Sadhu |
|
Manvantar |
duration of time equaling 306,720,000 human years |
|
Margi |
follower of vam marg, a cult that propagates lust as a means to liberation |
|
Matsar |
the inability to tolerate the rise and gain of anyone else |
|
Maya |
anything that deviates one from the worship of God. One of the five eternal realities or power of God used as the fundamental substance of creation |
|
Mayik |
pertaining to maya, opposite of divine |
|
Mogra |
a delicate flower of the jasmine genus |
|
Moksha |
salvation; deliverance from the cycle of births and deaths |
|
Moksha dharma |
portion of the Mahabharat comprising of Bhishma's teachings from his bed of arrows to King Yudhisthir noted in the Shanti Parva, chapters 174-365 |
|
Moliyu |
rich fabric with a silky finish, woven with golden or silver threads |
|
Mothya |
cheap inferior spinach |
|
Mrudang |
a double sided drum |
|
Mrutyulok |
realm of death, the only realm in the brahmand where human birth and ultimate liberation is possible |
|
Mukta |
a liberated soul |
|
Mul Prakruti |
also called mahamaya, mulmaya or simply Prakruti |
|
Mul Prakruti Purush |
Prakruti Purush |
|
Mul Purush |
also called Maha Purush, Akshar Purush, or Purush |
|
Murti |
an image or idol of God |
|
Murti Puja |
worship of an image or idol of God |
|
Murti Pratishtha |
consecration of murtis in a mndir |
|
N |
Top |
|
Nadachhadi |
a special sanctified string tied around the right wrist during rituals |
|
Nadi |
nerve or channel within the body |
|
Narad Panchratra |
revised edition of the Panchratra Tantra composed by Naradji |
|
Narak |
realm to which sinners are sent to suffer at the hands of Yam |
|
Narayan |
|
|
Nastik |
a person who does not believe in the existence of God |
|
Nididhyas |
constant contemplation |
|
Nimish |
a duration of time equaling 2/5th of a second; blink |
|
Nimitta pralay |
stimulated dissolution; destruction of the lower 10 realms of the 14 realm system |
|
Niranna mukta |
a liberated soul of Shwetdwip |
|
Nirgun |
without attributes of maya |
|
Nirvikalp |
without doubt |
|
Nirvikalp Samadhi |
highest state of realization in which one sees only God |
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Nirvishesh |
adjective describing that which is without any adjuncts |
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Nishkam Dharma |
brahmacharya, celibacy |
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Nishtha |
proficiency, steadiness, perfection, single mindeness |
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Nitishatak |
100 verse scripture explaining values and morals composed by Bhartuhari |
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Nitya pralay |
constant dissolution; the day to day dying of demigods, demons, humans and others |
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Nivrutti |
inactivity |
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Nivrutti dharma |
path of inactivity for worldly pursuits |
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Niyam |
moral and spiritual disciplines, and religious codes of conduct prescribed by God, the Satpurush, or the scriptures. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has outlined the basic niyams for all of his followers in the Shikshapatri |
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Padhramani |
visit by sadhus to sanctify homes or other places |
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Padma Puran |
one of the 18 Purans; a scripture with 55,000 verses that describes creation, the world, swarg, patal, and the seat of Brahma |
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Padma kalp
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measures one of Brahma's days 4.32 x 10^9 human years; period of time during creation when Marichi and other jivas are given their bodies by God |
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Pagh |
traditional head gear |
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Palkhi |
a carriage for carrying people |
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Pal |
duration of time equaling 24 seconds |
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Pakhwaj |
a type of mrudang or double sided drum |
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Panchratra Tantra |
scripture of the Vaishnavs composed by Vasudev Bhagwan explaining rites and rituals, mandir constructions |
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Panchvishays |
the five types of objects the jiva indulges in through the indriyas, namely sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches |
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Parabrahma(n) |
Bhagwan Purushottam (Supreme Reality) |
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Paramatma |
Bhagwan Purushottam (Supreme Reality), also known as Parabrahma |
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Param Bhagwat |
ideal devotee of God; Satpurush |
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Param Bhagwat Sant |
ideal sadhu of God; Satpurush |
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Param Ekantik Sant |
ideal ekantik sadhu of God; Satpurush |
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Parameshwar |
see Parabrahma(n) |
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Paramhansa |
'supreme swan.' A male sadhu of the highest order, characterized by his ability to discriminate between sat and asat - just as swans were traditionally considered to be able to distinguish between milk mixed with water |
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Param hitkari |
one who wishes for the best for others |
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Parampara |
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Parardh |
duration of time equality 1x10^17 human years |
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Parashar Smruti |
one of the ancient Smruti scriptures written by Parashar Rishi, the father of Vyas |
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Parasmani |
philosopher's stone; the magical gem that turns iron into gold |
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Parna |
breaking of fast |
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Paroksh |
non manifest |
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Parshad |
a renunciant in white clothes |
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Patal |
collective term for region of realms below Mrutyulok |
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Pathshala |
a place of learning, a school or college |
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Pativrata |
chaste, loyal |
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Posh |
seventh month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between December and January |
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Potlu |
a piece of cloth used as a bag |
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Pradakshina |
circumambulation |
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Pradhan |
Pradhan Prakruti |
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Pradhan Prakruti |
the Prakruti half of the Pradhan Purush pair conceived by Mul Purush and Mul Prakruti for the creation and sustenance of each Brahmand |
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Pradhan Purush |
one of the countless pairs of Pradhan Prakruti and Purush conceived by Mul Purush and Mul Prakruti for the creation and sustenance of each Brahman |
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Pragat |
manifest |
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Pragna |
jivatma when it is in deep sleep |
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Prajapati |
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Prakruti |
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Prakruti Purush |
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Prakrut pralay |
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Pralay |
destruction |
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Pranam |
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Pranav |
the vibration at the time of creation, AUM or OM |
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Pranayam |
fourth of the eight steps to ashtang yog; involves controlling the prans through breathing exercises |
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Prans |
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Prarabdha |
one of the three types of karmas; those which have ripened to form this present human body and which have to be borne till death |
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Prarabdha karmas |
deeds whose consequences are already set in motion |
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Prarthana |
prayer |
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Prasad |
sanctified food, blessed and consecrated by having been offered to God |
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Pratyahar |
fifth of the eight steps of asthang yoga; involves withdrawing of consciousness from oneself |
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Pravrutti |
activity in the form of social duties and affairs |
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Pravrutti dharma |
path of activity |
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Pruthvi |
earth, one of the five mahabhuts |
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Puja |
morning personal worship ritual |
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Pujan |
the act of worshipping |
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Pujari |
the priest of a mandir who performs the necessary rites and rituals |
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Punam |
day of the full moon; the 15th day of the bright half of an Indian calendar month |
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Punya |
spiritual merit |
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Purans |
set of 18 scriptures recording ancient Hindu narratives about ethical and spiritual teachings; the most popular being the Shrimad Bhagwat Puran |
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Purush |
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Purusharths |
the four pursuits of life, namely dharma, arth, kam, and moksha |
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Purushavatar |
physical world, or a brahmand in human form |
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Purushottam |
Bhagwan Swaminarayan (Supreme Reality) |
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Rajarshi |
a householder or royalty with qualities like a rishi |
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Rajas ahamkar |
a type of ahamkar that evolves from mahattatva, from which the 10 indriyas, buddhi and prans evolve |
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Rajasik |
pertaining to rajogun, the quality of passion |
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Rajogun |
one of the three qualities of Prakruti or maya characterized by incoherence and desire for the vishays |
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Rajput |
a specific subcaste of the Kshatriya caste |
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Ramayan |
a Hindu scripture narrating the story of Shri Ram Bhagwan sharing ideals for society through virtues exhibited by the lives of Shri Ram, Sita, and Ram's brothers, Lakshman and Bharat |
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Rakhdi |
a decorative strand wristlet traditionally tied by sisters to their brothers on the day of Raksha Bandhan, Shravan Sud Punam |
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Ras |
traditional Indian folk dance played between a collection of partners, each partner having a pair of sticks to strike |
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Rasatal |
sixth realm below Mrutyulok, where nocturnal beings reside |
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Ras panchadhyayi |
five chapters in the Shrimad Bhagwat Puran narrating the ras episode of Shri Krishna with the gopis |
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Reto |
feto, moliyu, or shelu with silky, decorative edges woven with silver or golden threads |
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Roopchoki |
square or compounded area on the outer sides of a mandir |
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Rotlo |
a bread like food in many parts of Gujarat, made from millet flour that is knead and padded into a circular shape before being cooked |
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Sabha |
spiritual assembly |
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Sadguru |
a high ranking sadhu |
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Sadhak |
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Sadhana |
spiritual endeavor |
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Sadhu |
a Hindu ascetic |
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Sadhuta |
saintliness |
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Sagun |
possessing divine qualities; possessing mayik qualities; extremely vast |
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Sakar |
that which has a form |
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Sakshatkar |
spiritual realization |
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Samadhi |
spiritual trance |
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Samaiya |
festival |
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Sampraday |
an organization which follows the truthful sermons (sat updesh) given by a succession of spiritual gurus |
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Samsar |
course of mundane life, worldly existence |
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Sanchit karmas |
accumulated deeds, collection of all deeds performed in past lives and in the present which is retained in the karan body |
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Sankalp |
desire, wish |
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Sankhya |
all that evolves from maya is perishable and vain |
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Sankhya yogi |
a devotee who has renounced his/her worldly duties and is sincerely striving for liberation |
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Sanskar |
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Sanskruti |
traditions |
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Sant |
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Sannyas ashram |
last of the four stages of life, when one renounces all worldly duties and lives as an ascetic |
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Sannyasi |
a person who has renounced all worldly duties and is living as an ascetic |
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Sarangi |
a traditional Indian stringed instrument played by stroking a bow and depressing strings on a fretted neck |
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Saroda |
traditional Indian stringed instrument played by plucking with a plectrum and depressing strings on a fretless neck |
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Sarvopari |
supreme |
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Sat |
truth |
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Sati |
a widow who voluntarily throws herself onto her dead husband's burning funeral pyre |
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Satpurush |
the Sadhu who has constant rapport with Bhagwan, the Gunatit Sadhu |
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Satsang |
the practice of spiritually associating with the Satpurush, fellow satsangis, one's own atma and the sacred scriptures of the Satsang fellowship |
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Satsangi |
member of the satsang fellowship. One who practices satsang
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Sattvagun |
one of the three qualities of maya or prakruti, characterized by awareness and vairagya towards the vishays |
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Sattvik |
full of sattvagun |
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Sattvik ahamkar |
one of the three types of ahamkar, |
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Satya |
truth, imperishable |
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Satyalok |
realm of Brahma; the highest realm in the 14 realm brahmand |
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Satya yug |
first of the four ages lasting 1,728,000 human years, purest and most righteous of the ages; people live to be 100,000 years old |
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Satyam |
truth, honesty |
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Savikalp |
with alternatives or doubts |
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Savikalp samadhi |
state of realization in which one sees God but doubts or distinctions still remain |
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Seva |
service |
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Sevak |
one who serves |
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Sevanti |
flower of the chrysanthemum genus, also known as guldavadi |
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Shabdatit |
beyond description |
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Shakti panthi |
follower of the Shakti sect wherein the consumption of meat and alcohol is considered holy |
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Shaligram |
a small sacred stone worshipped by Vaishnavs as a form of Vishnu |
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Shankh likhit Smruti |
one of the Smruti scritpures ascribed to the two brothers Shankh Rishi and Likhit Rishi |
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Sharabh |
legendary beast which roams in the Himalayas |
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Sharir |
physical and non physical world, which is pervaded, inspired and governed by God |
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Shariri |
God, the one who pervades, inspires and governs the physical and non physical world |
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Shastra |
scriptures of the six Darshans, Hindu schools of philosophy |
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Shelu |
rich fabric with silky finish woven with golden or silver threads |
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Shilpashastras |
scriptures which give details on the art and architecture of building mandirs |
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Shikshapatri |
a 212 verse scripture written by Bhagwan Swaminarayan describing codes of conduct for all his followers |
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Shingadiyo vachhnag |
an aquatic plant whose leaves are poisonous |
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Shishumar chakra |
a center of spiritual energy located inside the inner body |
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Shraddh |
rituals in memory of one's ancestors |
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Shraddha |
a virtue that incorporates faith, trust, hope, patience, persistence and zeal |
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Shravan |
to listen to the talks of God |
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Shrimad Bhagwat |
the most popular of the 18 Purans which narrates the life, actions and incidents of Shri Krishna Bhagwan |
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Shrivatsa |
a divine mark found on the chest of the murtis of Vishnu and Shri Krishna |
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Sinhasan |
throne for God |
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Shruti |
to recall, to remember a divine episode of Bhagwan or Satpurush |
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Shrutis |
the heard; collection of philosophical and spiritual wisdom; Four Vedas fall in this category |
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Shudra |
laborer |
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Shuli |
a brutal form of execution |
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Shuksha gnan |
monotheistic philosophy of the Advait school; dry knowledge because it disclaims the existence of a personal God and does not promote bhakti |
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Shushka Vedanta |
the Advait doctrine explaining that Brahman is the only reality; dry because it disclaims the existence of a personal God, His abode and does not promote bhakti |
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Shuskha vedanti |
followers of the Shushka Vedanta school of philosophy |
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Shwetdwip |
Celestial abode of Shri Lakshmi Narayan |
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Skand Puran |
one of the 18 Purans; consists of 84,000 verses narrating the killing of the demon Tarakasur by Skand, the son of Shiv. Contains the Vasudev Mahatmya
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Smrutis |
the remembered texts the Upanishads, as well as texts by Yajnavalkya, Manu, Parashar etc |
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Sthul |
one of the three bodies; the physical body of the jiva which is composed of the five bhuts |
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Stithapragna |
a stable state of the mind; one who is calm and controlled in any situation or circumstance |
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Sud |
bright half of the lunar month |
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Sudarshan Chakra |
fiery disc like weapon used by Vishu and later by Shri Krishna |
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Sudi |
the brighter half of the Hindu lunar month |
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Sukshma |
one of the three bodies; the subtle body of the jiva which is composed of the 19 elements, 5 gnan indriyas, 5 karma indriyas, 5 prans and the 4 antahkarans |
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Surval |
trouser like garment |
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Sushumna |
Sutal third realm beneath Mrutyulok |
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Svedaj |
category of life born from sweat |
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Swabhav |
a person's nature |
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Swadharma |
one's own dharma |
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Swaminarayan |
a mantra given by Bhagwan Swaminarayan to his followers in 1801 |
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Swarglok |
second realm above Mrutyulok, where Indra and other demigods reside |
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Tabla |
drums |
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Taijas |
jivatma in the dream state |
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Tal |
pair of small cymbals |
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Talatal |
fourth realm beneath Mrutyulok, where nocturnal reside |
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Tamas |
ahamkar one of the three types of ahamkar |
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Tamasik |
of, or pertaining to tamogun, quality of darkness |
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Tamogun |
one of the three principle qualities of maya or Prakruti, characterized by unconsciousness and passiveness |
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Tanmatra |
a subtle element that is the root cause of its corresponding bhut there are five in total, sights, sounds, smells, taste, and touch |
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Taplok |
fifth realm above Mrutyulok, where Bhrugu and other rishis reside |
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Tapta kruchchhra |
a strict fast during which one does not eat or drink anything for 12 consecutive days |
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Tej |
fire or energy, one of the five elements |
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Thakorji |
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Thal |
food devotionally offered to God as a form of bhakti |
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Tilak Chandlo
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'U' shaped mark made with sandalwood paste and a round mark of kumkum in its center; a hallmark of one's allegiance to the Swaminarayan Sampraday |
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Treta yug |
the second of the four ages lasting 1,296,000 human years, when purity and righteousness decreased; people lived to be 10,000 |
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Tulsi |
a leaf from the mint family used in Hindu prayer rituals |
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Turyapad |
fourth state, a term referring to God who transcends the three states of waking, dream and sleep |
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Tyag |
to renounce |
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Tyagi |
an ascetic, a sadhu |
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Udbhij |
category of life forms born out of the ground |
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Uddhav Sampraday |
name used by Bhagwan Swaminarayan to refer to the Satsang Fellowship |
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Udyog Parva |
fifth of the 12 sections of the Mahabharat describing the Pandavs and Kauravs commitment to the war and contains the Vidurniti |
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Upanishads |
fourth and final portion of the Vedas |
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Upasana |
philosophical understanding of the nature of God as well as the mode of worship of God, i.e., how one understands God's nature, and how one worships Him. Sometimes synonymous with bhakti |
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Upsham |
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Utsav |
festival |
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V |
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Vachan |
word, promise |
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Vachanamrut |
Compilation of 273 spiritual discourses delivered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan |
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Vadi |
dark half of a Hindu lunar month |
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Vadvanal |
a form of fire that resides within the ocean but remains inextinguishable |
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Vaijayanti |
a unique garland adorned by Vishnu and other avatars |
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Vaikunth |
celestial abode of Bhagwan Vishnu |
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Vairagya |
detachment from material objects and pursuits |
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Vaishakh |
the tenth month of the Ashadhi Samvat year, usually begins between April and May |
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Vaishnav |
a follower of Vishnu and/or his various incarnations in particular Shri Krishna Bhagwan |
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Vaishya |
businessman employer traditionally dealing with financial and commercial matters in society |
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Valmiki Ramayan |
Sanskrit scripture depicting the story of Shri Ram Bhagwan as told by Valmiki Rishi |
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Vaniya |
specific class of people of Vaishya caste |
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Vanprasth ashram |
third of the four stages of life, when one withdraws from some social duties and serves as an elderly advisor |
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Vartman |
vow |
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Vasana |
mundane desire; unfulfilled desires and impressions of past karmas merged with the jiva |
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Vasudev Mahatmya |
portion of the Skand Puran describing how an ekantik bhakt should offer bhakti to God while possessing dharma, gnan and vairagya |
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Vayu |
one of the five gross elements; air or gaseous matter |
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Vedanta |
school of thought embodied in the Upanishads which reveal the teachings of the Vedas |
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Vedanti |
anyone who follows the Vedanta philosophy |
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Vedas |
the most sacred set of Hindu scriptures collated into four parts Rig Veda, Sam Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda |
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Vedstuti |
portion of Shrimad Bhagwat which the Vedas explain the glory and greatness of God |
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Vicharan |
spiritual touring |
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Vidurniti |
political ethics explained by Vidur, to his oldest brother King Dhrutrashta; forms a portion of the Mahabharat |
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Vidhi |
rules and rituals that are to be observed |
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Vidya |
knowledge |
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Vidyadhar |
celestial servant of Indra and is thought to live between the skies and the earth |
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Virat |
of the three bodies of Virat Purush and other ishwars, the physical body i.e. the physical world itself composed of five mahabhuts and which sustains the bodies of all jivas |
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Virat Purush |
Virat Purush |
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Vishalyakarani |
ancient herbal medicine that relieves one of any stab wounds in the body |
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Vishay |
worldly pleasure |
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Vishnupad |
a devotional song written by Narsinh Mehta narrating the divine actions of Krishna Bhagwan |
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Vishnu sahasranam |
a scripture |
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Vishnu yag |
specific yagna performed to seek the blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu |
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Vishwarup |
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Vital |
second realm beneath Mrutyulok, where demons reside.
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Vivek |
the ability to discern between truth and untruth |
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Vrat |
a spiritual observance |
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Vrutti |
defined as an emanation of the indriyas, antahkaran or jiva |
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Vyas Sutras |
a collection of scriptures containing the essence of the Upanishads written by Vyas |
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Vyatirek |
distinct or unassociated |
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Yagna |
a special sacrificial worship |
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Yagnavalkya Smruti |
one of the principal ancient Smruti scriptures ascribed by Yagnavalkya Rishi |
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Yam |
the first of the eight steps of ashtang yog |
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Yampuri |
narak, the city of Yam raj |
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Yoga |
school of philosophy focusing on decreasing the fluctuations of the mind through physical and mental practices |
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Yojan |
measure of distance equaling four gaus, i.e. approximately 6-7 km |
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Yug |
age, division of time used to outline the time scale of the world |