Aarti

A very important part of worship in which the devotee  waves a lamp around the Sadguru or Deity and simultaneously sings devotional hyms.

Abhanga

Singing of religious hymns in praise of God or Sadguru

Adimata

Goddess Parvati. Divine consort of Lord shiva

Adnya Chakra

The kundalini energy center at the center of forehead between the eyebrows. A chakra is a nexus of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy residing in the human body along the spinal cord. There are seven charkas/centers and each has its own properties. They are (from bottom of the spine and up): Muladhara or The base or root chakra, Swadhisthana or The sacral chakra, Manipura or The solar plexus chakra, Anahata or The heart/emotions chakra, Vishuddha or The throat chakra, Ajna or The Third eye, and Sahasrara or The crown charka. The chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a certain color, multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics.They are visualised as lotuses with a different number of petals in every chakra. The chakras are thought to vitalise the physical body and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental nature. They are considered loci of life energy, or prana, (also called shakti), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadis. The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in this Universal Life Force Energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance.

Ajanubahu

One whose arms are long enough to reach the knees

Ajanubahu

One with long arms that reach upto the knees

Akshata

Consecreted rice. Akshata: (Sanskrit) “Unbroken.” Unmilled, uncooked rice, often mixed with turmeric, offered as a sacred substance during puja, or in blessings for ceremonies. This, the very best food, is the finest offering a devotee can give to God.

Alakh

Name of Brahma, the creator of universe.

Alchemy

The art of transforming base metal into Gold

Amavasya day

New moon day

Anant Vrat

Infinite Religious Observance

Anchal

The border of her saree. Generally Women extend the border of their saree to accept blessings from a Sadguru or Deity. The blessings can be in various forms: coconut, cloth, rice etc depending on the Sadguru’s wish at the time.

Annas

One Indian rupee equals sixteen annas.

Ashad

The fourth month of the Hindu year and the month June\July, as per English Calendar

Ashram

Hermitage. An Ashram (Pronounced ‘aashram’) in ancient India was a Hindu hermitage where sages lived in peace and tranquility amidst nature. Spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of Yoga, were regularly performed by the hermitage residents. Other sacrifices and penances, such as Yajnas were also performed.

Ashwin Krishna Dwadashi

The twelfth day of second fortnight of the seventh ‘Ashwin’ month as per Hindu Calendar and October or November month as per English calendar

Atmalinga

Symbol of Self. An embodiment of a supreme entity’s divine presence.

Atmanand

Soul-Joy resulting from Divine contemplation

Atri Rishi

Atri maharishi is one of the ten sons of Creator Brahma, created by just the will of the Almighty and therefore designated as a Maanasa-putras (mentally generated issues). There were ten of these. Atri’s wife is Anasuyaa, a daughter of Kardama Prajapati. They had three sons: Datta, Durvasa and Soma. Rama, the son of Dasaratha, visited Atri Maharishi’s Ashram during his fourteen years of stay in the forest. It was Atri who showed the way to Dandakaranya forest to Rama, after showering his hospitality on him. Atri Maharishi is considered to be one of the great discoverers of sacred Mantras of Hinduism. In his family line there were a few other seers of mantras namely: Shaavaashva, Avishtir, and Purvaatithi. There were also other great Rishis in that line: Mudgala, Uddaalaki, Shaakalaayani, Chaandogya, etc. Atri-samhita and Atri-smriti are two works attributed to Atri.

Audumbar

Glomerous Fig tree. Always associated with Lord Dattatreya. Also known as Udumbar Tree.

Avadhoot

  An avadhoot (also spelled Avadhut) is a mystic who has risen above body-consciousness, duality, and worldly concerns. The term is described in one text as one who is free from the consciousness of the ego, roaming free like a child over the face of the earth. An avadhut does not identify with the body, mind or emotions. Such a person is said to be pure consciousness in human form. The nature of the avadhut is the subject of the Avadhut Gita, the authorship of which is traditionally ascribed to Dattatreya.

Avadhoot Geeta

A sacred poem on the Incarnation of Lord Dattatrey

Avatar

An avatar most commonly refers to the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of a higher being (deva), or the Supreme Being (God) onto planet Earth. It usually implies a deliberate descent into lower realms of existence for special purposes.

Awalia

An accomplished muslim saint

Badrikavan

Badrika Forest

Badshah

Emperor or King

Bailiff

A Class III employee of the court

Balayogi

Child ascetic

Baroda

Now known as Vadodara, Gujarath State

Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi

Month of August-September as per English calendar

Bhagirathi

River Ganges

Bhagwat

A Purana depicting the glory of Lord Vishnu

Bhagwat Dharma

A system of divine faith and worship

Bhajan

Singing hymns in the praise of God or Sadguru.

Bharat

India

Bhasma

Sacred ash

Bhavani Mata

Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva’s consort.

Brahmachari

A celibate.

Brahmacharya-ashram

The first of the four Ashrams or stages of life, through which the Brahmin passes- that from the investiture with the sacrificial thread until marriage

Brahmani

Wife of a Brahmin

Brahmanistha

The one who is constantly absorbed in the cotemplation of Brahma

Brahma-rakshas

A haughty, disdainful spirit of a 
Brahmin.

Brahmarshi

Brahmarshi (from the Sanskrit words Brahma and Rishi) is the highest of the Rishis, the Hindu sages – one who has understood the meaning of Brahman. The title of Brahmarshi was a status defined and recognized in the sacred Vedas of Vedic religion. A Brahmarshi is the ultimate expert of religion and spiritual knowledge. Below him are the Maharshis (Great Rishis). The Saptarshis created out of Brahma’s thoughts are perfect brahmarshis. They are greater than the Devas in power and piety. Vishwamitra was the only brahmarshi who rose to the position out of pure tapasya, a journey lasting tens of thousands of years as explained within Hindu mythology. Originally belonging to the kshatriya caste of kings and warriors, he rose by pure merit to a Brahmarshi. Bhrigu, Angira, Atri, Vishwamitra, Kashyapa, Vasishta, and Agastya are the seven brahmarshis.

Brahmatadakarata

Get absorption into the Supreme Being

Brahma-tatva

The true knowledge of Supreme Spirit

Brahmin

The traditional higher caste wherein the person is an expert in the knowledge of Vedas and other Vedic texts in the Hindu sacred Scriptures

Brahmin Bhojan

Sumptuous food served to all Brahmins as a part of service to Deity or Sadguru.

Burfi

Indian Sweetmeat. Generally prepared for festivities and special occasions.

Chandra Swar

Breathing air out of left nostril.

Charanodaka

The holy water which washed the lotus feet of Sri Swamiji

Charan-Teerth

Holy water obtained from washing the lotus feet. Considered to have divine energy of a Sadguru or deity.

Chaturdashguni tambul

A roll of betal leaf with fourteen ingredients like lime, betalnut etc

Chaturmas

Period of four months covered between Ashadha Shuddha Ekadashi to Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi as per Hindu calendar and July to November as per English calendar

Chillim

A small smoking pipe

Chiroot

A kind of cigar

Chowrie

A fly whisk made of feathers.

Circumambulating

Walking around the temple from left to right.

Damaru

A damaru is a small two-headed drum used by Lord Shiva

Dargah

A Muslim place of worship

Darshan

Darshan is a Sanskrit term meaning sight (in the sense of an instance of seeing something or somebody), vision, apparition, or a glimpse. It is most commonly used for visions of the divine; that is, of a god or a very holy person or artifact. We could have a “darshan” of the deity in the temple (at the gross level) or have a “darshan” in that inward eye of a light or awareness (at a subtle plane). Sudarshan means a glimpse of the “self”. In India people travel hundreds of kilometres for the darshan, the look, of a holy man or woman because this look is believed to confer blessings. Conversely, looks of anger or envy are widely feared. “Darshan” means Seeing, derived from the root drsh= “to see” To see with reverence and devotion. The term is used specifically for beholding highly revered people with the intention of inwardly contacting and receiving their grace and blessings. “By doing darshan properly a devotee develops affection for God, and God develops affection for that devotee.” In Indian culture, the touching of the feet (pranam or charanasparsh) is a show of respect and it is often an integral part of darshan. Children do touch the feet of their family elders while people of all ages will bend to touch the feet of a great guru or a form of God (such as Ram or Krishna).

Dashapindi

The oblations collectively to the manes of a deceased ancestor which are offered daily from the first day of his decease until the tenth or which are offered together on the tenth

Dashmi

A flat bread prepared in milk

Datta-Sampradaya

The tradition of Lord Dattatrey and his lineage

Devghar

A sacred place where deities or idols are established and worshipped.

Dewan

Prime Minister

Dharmaglani

Decline in religious practice

Dharmashala

A charitable institution meant for the accommodation of travellers (pilgrims).

Dhotees

A garment of males worn around waist passing under and tucked behind

Digambar

A naked ascetic

Digambar Bua

Naked Man

Diwali

Diwali festival – the festival of nocturnal illuminations held during the last two days of Ashwin and first two days of Kartik, as per Hindu calendar and the month of November as per English calendar. The festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness.

Dwarka

A holy place of Lord Krishna in Gujarath. It is located in the Jamnagar District of Gujarat. It is on the mouth of the Gomti River into Gulf of Kutch. The city lies in the westernmost part of India. .Dwarka is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country. The legendary city of Dvaraka in Hindu mythology was the dwelling place of Krishna. It is believed that, due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dvaraka has submerged six times and modern Dwarka is the 7th city to be built in the area. Dvaraka is mentioned in the the Mahabharata, the Harivansha, the Bhagavata Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the Vishnu Purana. The legend says that Krishna renounced war in Mathura for the greater good (and hence the name Ranchodrai) and founded (and settled in) Dvaraka. Sri Krishna killed Kamsa (his maternal uncle) and made Ugrasen (his maternal grandfather) the king of Mathura. Enraged, the father-in-law of Kamsa, Jarasandha (king of Magadha) with his friend Kalayavan attacked Mathura 17 times. For the safety of the people, Krishna and Yadavas decided to move the capital from Mathura to Dvaraka. Land was reclaimed from the sea near the western shores of Saurashtra. A city was planned and built here. Dvaraka was a planned city, on the banks of Gomati River. This city was also known as Dvaramati, Dvaravati and Kushsthali. It had well organized six sectors, residential and commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities. A hall called “Sudharma Sabha” was built to hold public meetings. The city also boasted a good harbour. After Krishna left for the heavenly abode, and the major Yadava heads were killed in disputes among themselves; Arjuna went to Dvaraka to bring Krishna’s grandsons and the Yadava wives to Hastinapur. After Arjuna left Dvaraka, it was submerged in the sea. Following is the account given by Arjuna, in Mahabharata: “The sea, which had been beating against the shores, suddenly broke the boundary that was imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the city. It coursed through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the city. I saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. In a matter of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake. There was no trace of the city. Dwaraka was just a name; just a memory.” The Vishnu Purana states that “On the same day that Krishna departed from the earth the powerful dark-bodied Kali Age descended. The oceans rose and submerged the whole of Dvaraka.”

Ekadashi

The eleventh day of a fortnight. Hindus treat Ekadashi as a very holy day and fast on that day. Considered very auspicious.

Fakir

Muslim mendicant

Ganagapur

In Gulbarga, Karnatak State.

Ganesh Utsav

Festival held in the month of Bhadrapad as per Hindu calendar, month of August /September as per English calendar, in the honour of the deity, Lord Ganesh, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati

Ganga Mata

River Ganges. Generally referred to as Mother Ganga.

Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri Mantra is the most revered mantra in Hinduism (second only to the mantra Om). It consists of the prefix %om bhur bhuva svaha , a formula taken from the Yajurveda, and the verse 3.62.10 of the Rigveda (which is an example of the Gayatri meter). Since all the other three Vedas contain much material rearranged from the Rig Veda, the Gayatri mantra is found in all the four Vedas. The deva invoked in this mantra is Savitar, and hence the mantra is also called Savitri. The Gayatri is seen as a Divine awakening of the mind and soul, and within it a way to reach the most Supreme form of existence, and the way to Union with Brahman. Understanding, and purely loving the essence of the Gayatri Mantra is seen by many, to be one, if not the most powerful ways to attain God. Originally the personification of the mantra, the goddess Gayatri is considered the veda mata, the mother of all Vedas and the consort of the God Brahma and also the personification of the all-pervading Parabrahman, the ultimate unchanging reality that lies behind all phenomena. Gayatri Veda Mata is seen by many Hindus to be not just a Goddess, but a portrayal of Brahman himself, in the feminine form. Essentially, the Goddess is seen to combine all the phenomenal attributes of Brahman, including Past, Present and Future [Bhuh BHuvah Swah] as well as the 3 realms of existence. Goddess Gayatri is also worshipped as the Hindu Trimurti combined as one [Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva], and the image of her portrays her carrying all the ‘objects’ in the hands of each God of the Trimurti, symbolising the Divine creation, preservation and destruction as one omnipotent force

Girded up his loins

i.e. Vowed.

Girnar Mountain

A Mountain in Gujarath.

Goddess Chandala Parmeshwari

Temple of Goddess near Gulbarga in Karnatak State

Goddess Jagadamba

Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva’s divine consort.

Goddess Laxmi

Goddess of Wealth

Godess Bhavani

Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva’s consort.

Gokarn Mahabaleshwer

A holy place in Karnatak State

Gotra

Lineage. ‘Gotra’ may be defined as a concept of patrilineal classification and identification of various families of a caste.

Granth

A Sacred book

Guru

Preceptor. The importance of finding a guru who can impart transcendental knowledge (vidya) is one of the tenets of Hinduism. One of the main Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita, is a dialogue between God in the form of Krishna and Arjuna a nobleman. Not only does their dialogue outlines many of the ideals of Hinduism, but the discussion and relationship between the two considered to be an expression of the ideal Guru/disciple relationship. In the Gita itself, Krishna speaks of the importance of finding a guru to Arjuna: Acquire the transcendental knowledge from a Self-realized master by humble reverence, by sincere inquiry, and by service. The wise ones who have realized the Truth will impart the Knowledge to you. (Bhagavad Gita, c4 s34) In the sense mentioned above, guru is used more or less interchangeably with “satguru” (literally: true teacher) and satpurusha. The disciple of a guru is called a sishya or chela. Often, a guru lives in an ashram or in a gurukula (the guru’s household) together with his disciples. The lineage of a guru, spread by worthy disciples who carry on that guru’s particular message, is known as the guru parampara or disciplic succession. The guru is the one who guides his or her disciple to become jivanmukta, the liberated soul able to achieve salvation in his or her lifetime through God-realization.

Guru Charitra

The biography of the spiritual preceptor

Guru Pooja

Worship of spiritual Instructor as an embodiment of God

GuruCharitra

In this context it is the Biography of Lord Dattatreya

Gurudakshina

A gift to a Guru, the spiritual preceptor on the completion of a course of instruction

Gurupratipada

Worship of preceptor on the first day of lunar fortnight

Gururaj

An ascetic of the highest order

Hakim

Arabic physician

Haladi-Kumkum

Turmeric powder and red powder. Considered auspicious and are used in sacred and religious ceremonies.

Haldi

Turmeric

Hans

One of the fourteen kinds of ascetics of high order.

Hanuman

Monkey God as per Hindu religion and symbolizes extreme and pure devotion to Lord Rama

Hathayogi

A person practising Hatha Yoga

Hukka

A smoking pipe. Generally bigger than Chillim. See Footnote for Chillim.

Hurda

Parched corn of tender pods

In this context

A coper coin in circulation during those time equal to the sixty-fourth part of a rupee.

Jagadguru

The preceptor of the world.

Jagrut Daivat

The most awakened Deity. The one who fulfils the requests of his devotees.

Jahagirdar

One who holds the land gifted by the governmentnormally referred to as Jahagir. Generally considered to be very rich as a result of the land ownership.

Jalasamadhi

Self-immolation by drowning oneself in the water

Jamadar

Chief Police constable.

Jangam

One who is moving.

Japa

Chanting. Naamsmaran.

JattaA

Long Matted Hair

Jyotirlinga

Jyotirlinga is one of twelve famous Lingas of the Hindu God Shiva; Lingam is the emblamatic representation of Lord Shiva. The Lingam (also, Linga; Sanskrit meaning “mark” or “sign”) is used as a symbol for the worship of god Shiva. The use of this symbol as an object of worship is a timeless tradition in India. Lingam is usually found with Yoni, the pedestal. As such, Lingam represented the male entity of the universe, while Yoni represented the female; it was natural togetherness of the male (Shiva) and female (Shakti) (Lingam and Yoni) as the point of energy, point of creation, and point of enlightenment.

Kadalivan

Kardali forest. Banana Grove [Van- Forest]

Kafani

A long robe worn by mendicants

Kali Mata

Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva’s consort.

Kali Yug

Kali Yuga** (lit. Age of Kali, also known as Iron Age), is one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as part of the cycle of Yugas, as described in Hindu scriptures. The other Yugas are Dwapara Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Satya Yuga. In the Vishnu Purana, for example, the Kali yuga is described thus- “In the Kali Yuga, there will be numerous rulers vying with each other. They will have no character. Violence, falsehood, and wickedness will be the order of the day. Piety and good nature will dwindle slowly… Passion and lust will be the only attraction between the sexes. Women will be the objects of sensual pleasure. Dishonest will be the bottom line of subsistence. Learned people will be ridiculed and put to shame; the word of the wealthy person will be the only law.”

Kalleshwar

Another name of Lord Shiva.

Kalpa

A kalpa is a length of time in Hindu cosmology. It is equal to 4,320 million years, a “day of Brahma” or one thousand Yugas, measuring the duration of the world; a “month of Brahma” is supposed to contain thirty such Kalpas, or 129.6 billion years. According to the Mahabharata, 12 months of Brahma constitute his year, and 100 such years. Fifty years of Brahma’s are supposed to have elapsed, and we are now in the shvetavaraha-kalpa of the fifty-first; at the end of a Kalpa the world is annihilated.

Kamandalu

Holy Pot

Kartik Poornima

Full Moon day in the month of Kartik as per Hindu calendar and November or December month of English Calendar.

Kartik Poornima

Full moon day of Kartik month, the 8th Hindu month and the month of November or December as per English calendar

Kartikeya

Son of Lord Shiva

Kashi

A holy place in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Kashi

In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state of India.

Kashi Benaras, Badrikedar

Holy places in Uttar Pradesh State, in India.

Kashi Vishveshwar

Another name of Lord Shiva.

Khandoba

another name of Lord Shiva.

Kheer

Sweet dish prepared of milk and vermicelli

Khichdi

A mixed preparation of rice and pulse

King Janaka

King of Mithila, father of Goddess Sita, the devoted wife of Lord Rama

Kirtan

Narration of a topic, generally spiritual in nature, punctuated by music.

Kirtankar

One who performs Kirtan. One who narrates a spiritual topic punctuated by music.

Kokanya

In this context- A person living in Konkan, Maharashtra.

Kotikoop

Water tank

Koupeen

A loin cloth just covering private parts

Kunda Flower

A kind of Jasmine flower

Langoti

A strip of cloth just covering the private parts

Lord Mahesh

Another name of Lord Shiva

Lord Narsinha

Lion-Headed Man – The Fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Lord Pandurang

Another name of Lord Vithal.

Lord Shiva

Shiva is a form of Ishvara or God. Shiva is the supreme God in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism. Adi Sankara interprets the name Shiva meaning “One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name” or the Pure One. That is, Shiva is unaffected by the three gunas (characteristics) of Prakrti (matter) namely Satva, Rajas, and Tamas. Shiva is one of the Trimurti (i.e trinity”). In the Trimurti, Shiva is the destroyer, while Brahma is the creator and Vishnu is the preserver. Even though he represents destruction, Shiva is viewed as a positive force (The Destroyer of Evil), since creation follows destruction. However, according to Shaivism, Shiva is not merely a destroyer but performs five functions: 1. Creator, 2. Preserver, 3. Destroyer, 4. Hiding the sins, and most importantly, 5. Blessing. Shiva also assumes many other roles, including the Lord of Ascetics (Mahadeva), the Lord of Boons (Rudra), and also the Universal Divinity (Mahesvara).Shaivaites, the worshippers of Shiva consider as the Ultimate Reality. Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga (or lingam), usually depicted as a clay mound with three horizontal stripes on it. In anthropomorphised images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, his traditional abode. Shiva is referred to as the good one or the auspicious one. Shiva as Rudra is considered to be the destroyer of evil and sorrow. Shiva as Shankara is the doer of good. Shiva is ‘tri netra’ (divine vision), and is ‘neela kantha’ (blue necked,having consumed the poison Halahala to save the world from destruction). Shiva as Nataraja is the Divine Cosmic Dancer. Shiva as Ardh narishvara is both man and woman. He is both static and dynamic; both creator and destroyer. He is the oldest and the youngest; he is the eternal youth as well as the infant. He is the source of fertility in all living beings. He has gentle as well as fierce forms. Shiva is the greatest of renouncers as well as the ideal lover. He destroys evil and protects good. He bestows prosperity on worshipers although he is austere. He is omnipresent and resides in everyone as pure consciousness. Shiva is inseparable from Parvati (also referred to as Shakti),the daughter of Himavaan and Haimavati. There is no Shiva without Shakti and no Shakti without Shiva;the two are one, the absolute state of being – consciousness and bliss.

Lord Veer Bhadra

The name of a powerful hero created by Lord Shiva, whom he ordered to destroy the
Dakshayadnya

Lord Vishwanath

another name of Lord Shiva.

Maghi Poornima

Full moon day in the month of Magha as per Hindu calendar and January or February as per
English calendar

Maha pooja

Solemn worship on great occasions.

Mahabhojan Mahaprasad

Feeding devotees for seven days in the Muth

Mahamantra

The great Mantra, a sacred hymn of the deities

Mahar Community

Depressed class of people. Generally performing low jobs and used to live on the outskirts of a village during those times. Mahar’s would normally be seen as untouchables during those times.

Mahasamadhi

Last conscious communion with God. Fully accomplished yogis have been said to consciously leave their bodies at their WILL and merge effortlessly into the transcendental Divine Bliss or the Supreme spirit.

Mahashivratri

Mahashivaratri is a great religious festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, held on the 14th day of the second half of the month of Magh as per Hindu calendar and February month as per English Calendar.

Mala

Rossary

Malbar

A region in south of India.

Mallikarjun

Another name of Lord Shiva.

Mamlatdar

Taluka Magistrate

Mangalwedha

A town in Solapur District, Maharashtra

Mantrashastra

A sacred science which teaches the prayers and hymns to be addressed to particular deities

Maratha

Non-Brahmin. Warrior community

Margasheersh Poornima

Full moon day of the ninth Hindu month and the month of December as per English Calendar.

Maruti Mandir

(Maruti- Lord Hanuman, Mandir- Temple). Temple of Lord Hanuman

Matherchod

Rascal. A very offensive abusive word used only in very derogatory way.

Maya

Illusion.

Maya

Illusion. Maya must be seen through in order to achieve moksha (liberation of the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth) – ahamkar (ego-consciousness) and karma are seen as part of the binding forces of Maya.

Meen Rashi

Pisces sign of zodiac

Mehandi

Henna

Mogalai

The then Hyderabad

Moharram

The day of Imam Hussain’s martyrdam, which is held sacred by Mohammedans and celebrated as a day of mourning

Mool Purush, Vat Ka Vriksha, Dattanagar

I am the eternal Supreme Brahman with a background of banyan tree and originated from the incarnation of Lord Dattatrey

Moulvis

Muslim Priests

Mouni Baba

One who has taken a vow of silence

Mount Abu

a Mountain in Rajasthan.

Muth

Temple-Shrine. Muth and Temple – Shrine have been used interchangeably in this
book.

Naivedya

Food offered to the Deity. An important element in puja. Also see Footnote 87.

Namsmaran

The continuous repetition of God’s name (or Sadguru’s name).

Narasimha

Half Man-Half Lion Avatar of Lord Vishnu. In a previous avatar, (Varaha), Vishnu killed the rakshasa Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha’s brother Hiranyakashipu, greatly angered by this, starts to abhor Lord Vishnu and His followers. Further, he decides to put an end to Vishnu by gaining magical powers by performing a penance for Brahma. Brahma, pleased with his tough penance, appears before him and agrees to grant a boon. Hiranyakashipu asks for a tricky boon from Brahma: that he would not die on earth or in space, nor in fire or water, neither during the day nor at night, neither inside a building nor outside, not by the hand of a human, god, animal, nor by any animate or inanimate being. This virtually no-death boon to Hiranyakashipu makes him arrogant enough to conquer the entire world, not caring that it means severe trouble and torture for common people, munis and followers of Vishnu. Meanwhile, while Hiranyakashipu is away for the penance, divine sage Narada preaches about the sweetness of reciting Vishnu’s name to Hiranyakashipu’s son, Prahlada, while he is still in his mother’s womb. Thus, Prahlada is born a very devoted follower of Vishnu, the youngest ardent devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu fails in convincing his son to join him against Vishnu, and therefore tries to kill him in many ways, but each time Prahlada is protected by Vishnu himself. When asked, Prahlada refuses to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the universe and claims that Vishnu is omnipresent. Once Hiranyakashipu points to a particular pillar and asks if Vishnu is in it; Prahlada answers, “He was, He is and He will be”. Hiranyakashipu, unable to control his anger, smashes the pillar, and Vishnu in the form of Narasimha comes from it. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu, who cannot be killed by human, god or animal, Narasimha is partly all three: a god incarnate as a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his lap (neither earth nor space). Using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon.

Narayan Teerth

Holy water

Nath Sect

A member of the medieval religious sect called the Nathpanth. The Nath Sampradaya, a development of the earlier Siddha or Avadhut Sampradaya is an ancient lineage of spiritual masters. Its founding is traditionally ascribed to Shri Bhagavan Dattatreya, considered by some to have been an incarnation of Lord Shiva. However, the establishment of the Naths as a distinct historical sect began around the 8th or 9th century with a simple fisherman, Matsyendranath (sometimes called Minanath, who may be identified with or called the father of Matsyendranath in some sources). One story of the origin of the Nath teachings is that Matsyendranath was swallowed by a fish and while inside the fish overheard the teachings given by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati, who had taken her to the bottom of the ocean in order to avoid being overheard. After being rescued from the fish by another fisherman, Matsyendranath took initiation as a sannyasin from Siddha Carpati. It was Matsyendranath who became known as the founder of the Nath Sampradaya. Matysendranath’s two most important disciples were Caurangi and Gorakshanath. The latter came to eclipse his Master in importance in many of the branches and sub-sects of the Nath Sampradaya. Even today, Gorakshanath is considered by many to have been the most influential of the ancient Naths. He is reputed to have written the first books dealing with Laya yoga and the raising of the kundalini-shakti. He is also reputed to have been the original inventor of Hatha yoga. The Nath Sampradaya does not recognize caste barriers, and their teachings were adopted by outcasts and kings alike. The heterodox Nath tradition has many sub-sects, but all honor Matsyendranath and Gorakshanath as the founders of the tradition.

Neem Tree

Margosa tree

Nirgun Padukas

Attributeless foot impressions on a stone worshipped as the trace of God or SadGuru

Nirgun-Nirakar

Attributeless – Formless. Virtueless and formless God

Nizam

The ruler of the then Hyderabad state

Nrusinhawadi Dattakshetra

A holy place of Lord Dattatreya

Omkar

The continous vibratory sound of Om or Aum: Om (also Aum, ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, symbolizing the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe. This syllable is sometimes called the “Udgitha” or “pranava mantra” (primordial mantra), because it is considered to be the primal sound, and because most mantras begin with it. In Hindu metaphysics, it is proposed that the manifested cosmos (from Brahman) has name and form (nama-rupa), and that the closest approximation to the name and form of the universe is Om, since all existence is fundamentally composed of vibration. (This concept of describing reality as vibrations, or rhythmic waves, can also be found in quantum physics and superstring theory, which describe the universe in terms of vibrating fields or strings.)

Paduka

The impressions of the lotus feet of a true Guru, either on stone or wooden or metal (usually silver) sandals.

Padyapooja

Padyapooja is a ceremony of honouring a person worthy of reverence, by cleaning the holy-feet of that person and then worshipping him

Panchapatra

A small cylinderical vessel

Panchashramee

One who observes the five stages of life of a Brahman

Pandhainath Lord Vithoba

A manifested form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in a single deity.

Pandharpur

Holy place of Lord Vithoba the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Pandharpur is a town in state of Maharashtra in Western India. Pandharpur is one of the most respected pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. It is located on the banks of the Bhima river, which is also known as Chandrabhaga. Pandharpur hosts the famous Vithoba temple, on the banks of the river. Vithoba is considered to be Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu; Vitthala is said to have been derived from the word Vishnu in Kannada. Vithoba’s consort is Rakhumai or Rukmini. The worship of Vishnu – Vitthala at Pandharpur is derived mainly from the puranas and has been augmented by the contribution of the great Vaishnava saints of Maharashtra from the 13th through the 17th centuries (Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, , Sant Eknath, Tukaram). This temple, covering a vast area, has a total of six gates. The eastern entrance to this temple is known as the Namdev gate. The sanctum enshrines a standing image of Vithoba also known as Panduranga, Pandhari or Vitthala. Pandharpur hosts 4 “Yatras” in a year – of which “Aashadhi Yatra” is the one which attracts most (around 0.4 million) piligrims to Pandharpur. Piligrims take holy bath in river Bhima and usually stand in queues 3km long in order to take “Darshana” of lord Vitthala.

Param Hans

An ascetic of the highest order

Parikrama

Circumambulation

Parjanyasookta

Repeating Vedic hymns regarding rain

Patalganga

The source of river Ganga in the Himalayas

Patil

Head of a Village

Paush Shukla Dwitiya

Month of January as per English Calendar

Pedhas

Sweet Meat. A sweet prepared from Milk ingredient. Generally Pedhas are a normal way to celebrate festivities and offerings to a Deity.

Peepal Tree

The Holy Fig Tree. Tree belongs to the Sacred Figs (Ficus religiosa).

Peersaheb

A muslim saint

Pradosh

Shivopasana, an observance in the worship of Lord Shiva on the evening of thirteenth lunar day

Prana Pratisthan

Prana pratistha is a rite or ceremony (Samskara in Sanskrit) by which the spirit or being of a deity is infused or brought to inhabit a murti or cult image of that deity. Once Prana Pratisthan is performed, the Idol is considered to be divinely charged and a representation of the Divine supreme spirit.

Pranayam

A mode of regulated breathing.

Prasad

Prasad is both a mental condition of generosity, as well as a material substance that is first offered to a deity and then consumed with the faith that the deity’s blessing resides within it. In contemporary Hindu religious practice in India, the desire to get prasad and have darshan are the two major motivations of pilgrimage & temple visits. In its material sense, prasada is created by a process of giving and receiving between a human devotee and the divine god. For example, a devotee makes an offering of a material substance such as flowers, fruits, or sweets — which is called ‘naivedya’. The deity then ‘enjoys’ or tastes a bit of the offering. This now-divinely invested substance is called ‘prasad”, and is received by the devotee to be ingested, worn, etc. It may be the same material that was originally offered, or material offered by others and then re-distributed to other devotees. As a ‘leftover substance’, prasada is special because it is understood as being invested with divine grace or blessing.

Prayag

New name – Alahabad in Uttar Pradesh

Puran Puroshattam

Ancient and Eternal Supreme Being

Puranas

The Puranas (Sanskrit, puraná “ancient”, since they focus on ancient history of the universe) are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss varied topics like devotion to God in his various aspects, traditional sciences like Ayurveda, Jyotish, cosmology, concepts like dharma, karma, reincarnation and many others. The sage Vyasa is credited with compilation of Puranas from age (yuga) to age, and for the current age he has been identified and named Krishna Dvaipayana, the son of the sage Parashara.According to tradition the Puranas were written by Vyasa at the end of Dvapara Yuga. One of the main objectives of the Puranas was to make available the essence of the Vedas to the common man, and the Puranas were basically meant not for the scholars but for the ordinary man. They bring forth the Vedic knowledge and teachings by way of parables, allegories, stories, legends, life stories of kings and other prominent persons, and chronologies of historical events. The Puranas unfold the principles of Hinduism in a simple way. Puranas are named after the three main forms of Brahman: Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the Protector of Life and Humanity; and Shiva, the Destroyer. Brahma Puranas — Brahma Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana. Vishnu Puranas — (Harivansh) Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Naradeya Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana, Varaha Purana. Shiva Puranas — Shiva Purana, Vayu purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma purana. Apart from the above mentioned eighteen major Puranas, there are an equal number of subsidiary Puranas, called Upapuranas. They are: Sanatkumara, Narasimha, Brihannaradiya, Sivarahasya, Durvasa, Kapila, Vamana, Bhargava, Varuna, Kalika, Samba, Nandi, Surya, Parasara, Vasishtha, Devi-Bhagavata, Ganesa and Hamsa.

Puranik

An expert in Puranas. Also see Footnote on – Puranas.

Puranpoli

A sweet stuffed pancake generally prepared on important ceremonies and festivals.

Rajas

The mode of passion

Rameshwar

A holy place in Tamil Nadu, South India

Rameshwar

Another name of Lord Shiva.

Ramnavmi

The birth day of Lord Rama celebrated on ninth day of the first half of Chaitra month as per Hindu calendar and March or April month as per English calendar

Rangapanchami

Festival of Colors. This festival falls on 5th day of the latter half of the month Falgun as per Hindu Calendar and March month as per English Calendar.

Rigveda

The holiest Hindu Scripture. There are four Vedas-Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. It is one of the world’s oldest religious texts. It was preserved over the centuries by oral tradition.

Rigvedi Brahmin

A follower of Rigveda, the first of the four Vedas, Hindu Holy Scriptures. Also see Footnote 11.

Rigvedi Brahmin

A Brahmin who is an expert in Rigveda – Hindu Holy Scripture. Also see Footnote on ‘Veda’

Rudrabhishek

A ceremonial ablution of Lord Shiva

Rudraksha

Rudraksha has its etymological origin in the Sanskrit words, ‘Rudra’ and ‘Aksha’. ‘Rudra’ is another name for Lord Shiva, and ‘aksha’ means teardrop. Mythological tales have it that the Rudraksha plant was born out of Lord Shiva’s tear drops. Ancient scriptures, such as ‘Shiva Purana’, ‘Padma Purana’ and ‘Srimad Bhagavad’ mention the greatness and wonderful powers of the Rudraksha. For thousands of years, they have adorned the bodies of sages and saints leading a fearless life in far-flung frontiers seeking enlightenment and liberation.

Sadguru

Sadguru means true guru (Sanskrit- sat=true), literally- true teacher. The title means that his students have faith that the guru can be trusted and will lead them to moksha, enlightenment or inner peace. It is based on a long line of Hindu philosophical understandings of the importance of knowledge and that the teacher, guru, is the sacred conduit to self-realization.

Sadguru Atmaram

The precepto, who has been distracted from sense objects and delighted in the contempletion of one’s own soul

Sadguru Mauli

The preceptor a mother – Ramanand with affection looked upon his preceptor Sri Swami Samarth, as his mother

Sadhak

One who accomplishes by engaging oneself in a course of rites, observances acts and sufferings in order to obtain Moksha or emancipation.

Sage Narada

A divine sage, who is an enduring chanter of the names Hari and Narayana which are other names for Vishnu, considered to be the supreme God by Hindus. He is regarded the Manasputra (son born of one’s mind) of Brahma as he was born of his thoughts. He is regarded as the Triloka sanchaari, the ultimate nomad who roams the three lokas of Swargaloka (heaven), Mrityuloka (earth) and Patalloka (nether-world). He does this to find out about the life and welfare of people. He was the first to practise Natya Yoga. He is also known as Kalahapriya as he playfully causes quarrels amongst Gods (devas), Goddesses and people.

Sagun-Sakar

With attributes and form. All-virtuous personified form of God

Sahaj-samadhi

Contemplating the highest state of meditation and attain unity with the Absolute

Samadhi

Samadhi is a term that describes a non-dualistic state of consciousness in which the consciousness of the experiencing subject becomes one with the experienced object, and in which the mind becomes still (one-pointed or concentrated)but the person remains conscious. A tomb is normally constructed at the place where a Sadguru takes ‘Samadhi’. In such cases the Tomb is referred to as ‘Samadhi’.

Samadhi Mandir

A Temple Shrine dedicated to a Saint after he leaves his body

Sangam

Confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Panchganga. Typically Sriguru was known to dwell under a Audumbar Tree at the Sangam. Henceforth this dwelling place is commonly referred to as the Sangam.

Sardars

Chieftains. Generally considered very royal.

Satva

Mode of Goodness

Satya yuga

The first Yuga or age, the golden age, comprising of one million seven hundred twentyeight thousand years. In Hindu tradition, the world goes through a continuous cycle of these epochs. Each ascending phase of the cycle from Kali Yuga to Satya Yuga is followed by a descending phase back to Kali Yuga, then another ascending phase and so on. Alternatively, it is sometimes supposed that at the end of the descending Kali Yuga, the world will return to the Satya Yuga, and begin a new decline. The descent from Satya to Kali is associated with progressively deterioration of Dharma (righteousness) manifested as decrease in length of human life and quality of human moral standards. The traditional virtues accorded highest value in the four epochs are: Satya Yuga or Krita Yuga – dhyana (meditation), Treta Yuga – yajna (sacrifice), Dvapara Yuga – archana (worship), Kali Yuga – daana (gifts) In the highest yuga, the great majority of the people can experience spirituality by direct intuitive realization of truth. The veil between the material and the transcendent realms becomes almost transparent. According to Natya Shastra, there is no Natya performances in the Krita Yuga because it is a period free from any kind of unhappiness or misery. Satya Yuga is also called the Golden Age. Treta Yuga is the mental age, mental power is harnessed, men are in power, and inventions dissolve the illusion of time. (Inventions are characteristic of both Dvapara and Treta yugas.) In Dwapara Yuga, science flourishes, people experience the spiritual in terms of subtle energies and rational choices, inventions are abundant, particularly those that dissolve the illusion of distance (between people and between things), and power is mostly in the hands of women. The end of this age is associated with the death of Krishna, and the events described in the Mahabharata. In the lowest phase, Kali Yuga, most people are aware only of the physical aspect of existence, the predominant emphasis of living is material survival, and power is mostly in the hands of men. People’s relationship with the spiritual is governed predominantly by superstition and by authority. Temples, wars, and writing are hallmarks of Dvapara and Kali yugas. In the higher ages (Treta and Satya), writing is unnecessary because people communicate directly by thought; temples are unnecessary because people feel the omnipresence of God; wars are rare but they do occur; one such war is described in the Ramayana. The traditional timescale of the yugas is as follows- Satya Yuga or Krita Yuga – 1,728,000 years – Treta Yuga – 1,296,000 years – Dvapara Yuga – 864,000 years – Kali Yuga – 432,000 years Upon conclusion of seventy-one (or sometimes seven) circuits of this cycle, there is a period equally long during which the world is inundated; then the cycle begins again.

Satya Yuga

The Satya Yuga, also called Sat Yuga, Krta Yuga and Krita Yuga is the “Yuga (Age or Era) of Truth”, when humankind is governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest ideal and mankind will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme. It is sometimes referred to as the “Golden Age.”The yugas are said to succeed each other almost endlessly. After the perfect Satya Yuga, a decline marks the Treta Yuga. Further decline brings about the Dwapara Yuga, and after it comes the final and dark Kali Yuga, a time of wickedness, when man kills man. At the end of the cycle a Divine Being is said to take birth and reestablish righteousness, thus beginning a new Satya Yuga. Amongst the four eras, the Satya Yuga is the first and the most significant one. This era extends up to 1,728,000 years. Knowledge, meditation, and penance hold special importance in this era. All the pillars of religion are present in totality. During Satya Yuga, all people engage only in good, sublime deeds.

Seers

Indian measure of weight. One Seer = Two pounds.

Shaktipat

The ancient method of awakening and activating the Kundalini energy in the shortest possible time. Kundalini energy is the energy dormant at the base of the spine of every human being

Shaligram

A black stone worshipped as God Vishnu

Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya, (Sankaracharya in standard transliteration) is a commonly used title of heads of mathas (monasteries) in the Advaita tradition. The title derives from Sankara of Kaladi, an influential theologian of Hinduism, who first established four mathas in the four regions of India. He was given the name Sankara at birth, and acharya is a title, meaning ‘learned teacher’. As the first historically recognized teacher in the lineage, Sankara is also called Adi Sankara. (The Sanskrit word Adi means original/first.) The four institutions traditionally said to have been established by Adi Sankara are; the Uttaramnaya matha, or northern matha at Joshimath, the Purvamnaya matha or eastern matha, the Govardhana matha, at Puri, the Dakshinamnaya matha, or the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, the southern matha, at Shringeri, the Paschimamnaya matha, or the Dwaraka Pitha, the western matha, at Dwarka. The heads of these four institutions are considered the principal Shankaracharya-s in India today.

Shastras

Shastra is a Sanskrit word used to denote education/knowledge in a general sense. The word is generally used as a suffix in the context of technical or specialised knowledge in a defined area of practice. For example, Astra shastra means, knowledge about “Handling of weapons”, Astra means weapons, and Shastra is their knowledge. The shastra is commonly used to mean a treatise or text written in explanation of some idea/topic. There are several types of shastras in the Hindu religion.

Shastri

One who has studied the shastras

Shastries

One who has studied the Hindu scriptures Shastras. Also see Footnote for Shastras.

Shivabhishek

Ceremonial ablution regarding Lord Shiva

Shloka

Sanskrit verse

Shodashopachar

Very Elaborate way of worshipping a deity. It incorporates 16 different constituents in worshipping a deity, they are%- Awahana, Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamana, Snana, Vastra, Yadnayopaweet, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhoop, Deepa, Naivedya, Dakshina, Pradakshina, Mantra, Pushpa.

Shraddha

Offerings in the memory of the manes of the deceased ancestors – death anniversary of one of the family members

Shraddha

Ceremony performed periodically in the honour of a dead relative and offer food, water etc to Brahmin in the honour of manes

Shravan

Fifth month in the Hindu Calendar, July/August as per English Calendar

Siddheshwar

Another name of Lord Shiva.

Siddhi

Spiritual Accomplishment. Power emanating from the state of awakening of the charkas. Each charka opens up a spate of mystical powers. A person who has all the seven centers/charkas awakened is said to be one with the universal spirit/God.

Sonareen

Woman from Goldsmith caste

Soubhagya

Auspicious state of wifehood

Sri Swami Samarth

Sriguru / Sri Narsinha Saraswati. Henceforth referred to as Sri Swami Samarth.

Sriguru

(Lord) Sri Narasinha Saraswati

Srimad Bhagavatam

One of the most important classics of India describing the life and times of Lord Krishna. It is verily the Hindu Bible. Also called Bhagvat Purana. The writer of this book is named Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasadeva, also called Badarayana. He is the Lord, the bhagavan, amongst the philosophers, who in India assembled all the holy texts. He arranged the Vedas, the basic books (s’ruti) with the mantras for the rituals, the wisdom and the hymns and wrote the Mahabharata, the greatest epic poem in the world describing the history (itihâsa) of the great fall that the Vedic culture once made. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of it. Vyâsa also wrote the rest of the eighteen great Bibles (the puranas) of India as well as the Brahma-sutra, his masterpiece on the Absolute Truth.

Srishail Parvat

Srishail Srishail Mountain. Srishail Mountain is a holy place of Lord Mallikarjun (Lord Shiva) in Andhra Pradesh where one of the twelve famous ‘Lingas’ of the Hindu God Shiva is located.

Subedar

Officer

Surya-Swar

Breathing out air out of the right nostril.

Suvasinee

A woman with the husband still alive.

Swami Dattaguru

Lord Dattatrey

Swar Shastra

The treatise which interprets the indications and premonitions of the air as it proceeds through the nostrils

Taboota

The bier carried by Mohammedans in Moharram

Tahsildar

An officer in charge of a sub-division of a district

Tamas

The mode of ignorance

Tambul

A roll of betal leaves generally chewed by people for its juice.

Tantra-Mantra

Enchantment and Sacred Hymns

Teerth

Holy water (or mixture of water and milk) given by a Sadguru or Deity. This water is considered to have divine energy of the Sadguru and is accepted as a blessing and is consumed by devotees.

Teli

A person who is in the business of selling Oil. Generally referred to as ‘Oil Man’.

Thread Ceremony

‘Upanayanam’ perhaps better known outside India by the name “Sacred thread ceremony”, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. Traditionally, the ceremony was performed to mark the point at which male children began their formal education. The ceremony is performed to young boys of 7+ years of age (and girls in some sects) from the three varnas of brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya. The youngster is taught during the ceremony the secret of life through Brahmopadesam (revealing the nature of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality) or the Gayatri mantra. He then becomes qualified for life as a student or Brahmacharya, as prescribed in the Manusmriti. The Sanskrit word Upanayanam is believed to be derived from the word nayanam meaning “eye”, prefixed with upa- (“auxiliary”), making for the interpretative meaning: bringing (the ultimate truth nearer in sight)

Tirth

A pond of Holy water. Also see Footnote

Tola

Measure of weight generally used for precious metals. 10 Gm is 1 Tola.

Tonga

Horse carriage. Traditionally used for transportating people over long distances.

Trinity

A union of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva

Trishul

Trident. This is the weapon wielded by Hindu God, Lord Shiva. The three points are said to represent Shiva’s three aspects – creator, destroyer and protector.

Tulsi

The Tulsi (also known as Tulasi) plant or Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is an important symbol in many Hindu religious traditions. The name “tulsi” means “the incomparable one”. Tulsi is a venerated plant and devotees worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama (Krishna) Tulsi and light or Rama Tulsi are the two main varieties of basil. The former possesses greater medicinal value and is commonly used for worship. Tulsi has also been recognized by the rishis for thousands of years as a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. It has been traditionally used by Hindus, and now others, for its diverse healing properties. Tulsi is mentioned by Acharya Charak, in the Charak Samhita, the central teaching of Ayurvedic medicine written at least two thousand years ago, and in the Rigveda. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, Tulsi is regarded as a kind of “elixir of life” and believed to promote longevity.

Tutelary Deity

A tutelary spirit is a god,  who serves as the guardian or watcher over a particular site, person, or nation.

Upanishad

108 Philosophical treatises that appear within Vedas. The Upanishads are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most forms of Hinduism. The very edifice of Indian religions (Hinduism,Jainism,and Budhism) is built on the strong foundation of the Upanishads. The Upanishads are mystic or spiritual interpretations on the Vedas, their putative end and essence, and thus known as Vedanta (“the end of the Vedas”).

Vaaksiddhi

A superhuman power that turns everything a person says into truth or reality

Vada

Fried cake made of lentils andother grams.

Vaidur Nagar

New name- Bidar’, now in Karnatak State

Vaidya

Ayurvedic physician. Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a from of anchient traditional medicine in use primarily in the Indian subcontinent. The word “Ayurveda” is a tatpurusha compound of ayus “life” and veda “knowledge”, and would roughly translate as the “Science of Life”. Ayurveda deals with the measures of healthy living, along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems to medicine involving surgery.

Vaidya

Ayurvedic physician

Vaikunth

The paradise of the Lord Vishnu

Vairagya

Complete detachment from worldly pleasures. A very high state of realization.

Vaishnav

Devotee of Lord Vishnu

Vaishnavas

Followers and devotees of Lord Vishnu

Vatavriksha

Indian Fig tree

Veda Bua

Crazy Man: Lunatic

Vedanta

The theological part of the Vedas, i.e. Upanishad. Vedanta means the anta or culmination or essence of the Vedas. It is a principal branch of Hindu philosophy. Literally, the end of the Vedas is constituted by the series of literature termed as the Aranyakas (the forest scriptures), of which the Upanishads form the chief constituent. The primary philosophy captured in the Upanishads, that of one absolute reality termed as Brahman is the main principle of Vedanta. The sage Badarayana is supposed to be one of the major proponents of this philosophy and author of the Brahma Sutras based on the Upanishads. The concept of Brahman – the Supreme Spirit or the eternal, self existent, immanent and transcedent Supreme and Ultimate Reality which is the divine ground of all Being – is central to Vedanta.

Vedas

The Vedas are the most ancient books in the World, and they are the Foundation of Hinduism. Veda means knowledge. Vedas have no beginning or end. While it might surprise people how a book can have no beginning or end, the ancient Rishis who wrote these accepted that the complete knowledge of the Universe could never fit in any book, so there would always be new things to discover. This philosophy makes Hinduism a very tolerant religon, always ready to accept new ideas from other cultures.

Vibhuti

Vibhuti, a word of Sanskrit and several other languages of India. Literally, it has several meaning including all pervading; superhuman power; and wealth. Vibhuti is also the name for sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism, especially connected with Lord Shiva. The ash has several symbolic meanings. Placed on the forehead of devotees, it covers the mark of the spiritual third eye of Hindu belief that sees development of mystic insight as the primary path to Self-realization. It is a reminder of one’s mortality since bodies are cremated being only temporary vessels of the soul. It calls to the good of ridding oneself of selfish and base worldly desires that wrap the self in Maya (illusion) just as Shiva burned the god of desire, Kama, to ashes when he attempted to break Shiva’s focus on the Divine Truth.

Vishnu Panchayatan

Five deities – Shiva, Vishnu, Sun, Ganapati and Devee

Vishnu Sahasranaam

A list of One thousand names of Lord Vishnu

Vishnupad

The lotus foot of Lord Vishnu

Warkaris

Pilgrim-devotees of Lord Vithoba, Pandharpur

Yahoodi

Israeli

Yajurvedi Brahmin

A Brahmin who observes the rites and ceremonies as prescribed in the Yajurveda, the second of the four Vedas- Hindu scriptures. Also see Footnote for Vedas.

Yavan

Muslim

Yogeshwar Siddhapurush

A cccomplished and divine ascetic of the greatest order.

Yoginis

Its literal meaning is a demoness or a sorceress. The word is used to refer to advanced female yoga practitioners. In a wider and general context, a yogini is believed to be women who possess supernatural powers. During Durga’s battles with the demons (asurs) eight yoginis are described who emanated from the body of Durga, and they assisted her in the battle, Later, the number of Yoginis increased to sixty-four. All these yoginis represented forces of vegetation and fertility, illness and death, Yoga and magic. All yogins are worshipped collectively and together, each one is enshrined in an individual position in a circular temple open to the sky. One of the most impressive yogini temples is the 9th century Chaunsath yogini (sixty-four yogini) temple is located at Hirapur, Bhubaneshvar district, Orissa. Other two important yogini temples are the 10th century monuments at Khajuraho, near Chhattarpur and Bheraghat, near Jabalpur, both in Madhya Pradesh.

Yog-Vidya

Science of spiritual discipline

27 Yoga’s

There are twenty-seven yoga’s; they are Vishkambh, Preeti, Ayushman, Soubhagya, Shobhan, Atigand, Sukarma, Dhruti, Shoola, Gand, Vruddhi, Dhruv, Vyaghat, Harshana, Vajra, Siddhi, Vyatipat, Variyan, Parigha, Shiva, Siddhi, Sadhya, Shubha, Shukla, Brahma, Aaindra, and Vaighruti. The astrologers enumerate twenty-eight yoga’s.