Living with Siva | Glossary, S-Z |
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Sabda Kosah Glossary |
shabda kosha: "Sheath of sounds, or words." Vocabulary; a dictionary or glossary of terms. sacrament: 1) Holy rite, especially one solemnized in a formal, consecrated manner which is a bonding between the recipient and God, Gods or guru. This includes rites of passage (samskara), ceremonies sanctifying crucial events or stages of life. 2) Prasada. Sacred substances, grace-filled gifts, blessed in sacred ceremony or by a holy person. See: prasada, samskara. sacrifice: Yajna. 1) Making offerings to a Deity as an expression of homage and devotion. 2) Giving up something, often one's own possession, advantage or preference, to serve a higher purpose. The literal meaning of sacrifice is "to make sacred," implying an act of worship. It is the most common translation of the term yajna, from the verb yuj, "to worship." In Hinduism, all of life is a sacrifice -- called jivayajna, a giving of oneself -- through which comes true spiritual fulfillment. Tyaga, the power of detachment, is an essential quality of true sacrifice. sadhaka: From sadh, "going straight to the goal." A spiritual aspirant; a devotee who performs sadhana. A serious seeker who has undertaken spiritual disciplines, is usually celibate and under the guidance of a guru. He wears white and may be under simple vows, but is not a yogi or sannyasin. In Gurudeva's monastic communities, sadhakas, or postulants, abide by four vows -- obedience, humility, purity and confidence, which they renew every two years. See: sadhana. sadhana: "Effective means of attainment." Self-effort, spiritual discipline; the way. Religious or spiritual disciplines, such as puja, yoga, meditation, japa, fasting and austerity. The effect of sadhana is the building of willpower, faith and confidence in oneself and in God, Gods and guru. Sadhana harnesses and transmutes the instinctive-intellectual nature, allowing progressive spiritual unfoldment into the superconscious realizations and innate abilities of the soul. See: pada, raja yoga, sadhana marga, spiritual unfoldment. sadhana marga: "The way of sadhana." A phrase used by Sage Yogaswami to name his prescription for seekers of Truth -- a path of intense effort, spiritual discipline and consistent inner transformation, as opposed to theoretical and intellectual learning. See: pada, sadhana, spiritual unfoldment. sadhu: "Virtuous one; straight, unerring." A holy man dedicated to the search for God. A sadhu may or may not be a yogi or a sannyasin, or be connected in any way with a guru or legitimate lineage. Sadhus usually have no fixed abode and travel unattached from place to place, often living on alms. The feminine form is sadhvi. saffron: An orange yellow, traditional color of the Hindu monk, said to originate from the mud of the Ganga discoloring their white robes. sage: A person respected for his spiritual wisdom and judgement. Saguna Brahman: "God with qualities." The Personal Lord. See: Brahman, Parameshvara. sahasradala padma: "Thousand-petaled lotus." Another name for the sahasrara, or crown, chakra. See: sahasrara chakra, chakra. sahasrara chakra: "Thousand-spoked wheel." The cranial psychic force center. See: chakra. saint: A holy person. See: Nayanar. Saiva: Of or relating to Saivism or its adherents, of whom there are about 400 million in the world today. Same as Saivite. See: Saivism. Saiva Agamas: The sectarian revealed scriptures of the Saivas. Strongly theistic, they identify Siva as the Supreme Lord, immanent and transcendent. They fall in two main divisions: the 64 Kashmir Saiva Agamas and the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas. The latter group are the fundamental sectarian scriptures of Saiva Siddhanta. The Saiva Agama scriptures, above all else, are the connecting strand through all the schools of Saivism. The Agamas themselves express that they are entirely consistent with the teachings of the Veda, that they contain the essence of the Veda, and must be studied with the same high degree of devotion. See: Agama, Vedas. Saiva Dharma: Another name for Saivism. See: Saivism. Saiva Dharma Shastras: Saiva Siddhanta Church's Book of Discipline, detailing policies, membership rules and mission guidelines. Saiva Neri: "Saiva path." Tamil term for Saivism. See: Saivism. Saiva Samayam: "Saivite religion." See: Saivism. Saiva Siddhanta: "Final conclusions of Saivism." The most widespread and influential Saivite school today, predominant especially among the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and South India. It is the formalized theology of the divine revelations contained in the twenty-eight Saiva Agamas. Other sacred scriptures include the Tirumantiram and the voluminous collection of devotional hymns, the Tirumurai, and the masterpiece on ethics and statecraft, the Tirukural. For Saiva Siddhantins, Siva is the totality of all, understood in three perfections: Parameshvara (the Personal Creator Lord), Parashakti (the substratum of form) and Parashiva (Absolute Reality which transcends all). Souls and world are identical in essence with Siva, yet also differ in that they are evolving. A pluralistic stream arose in the Middle Ages from the teachings of Aghorashiva and Meykandar. For Aghorashiva's school (ca 1150) Siva is not the material cause of the universe, and the soul attains perfect "sameness" with Siva upon liberation. Meykandar's (ca 1250) pluralistic school denies that souls ever attain perfect sameness or unity with Siva. See: Saivism. Saiva Siddhanta Church: "Church of God Siva's Revealed Truth," founded in 1949 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order: Ecclesiastical body of lifetime renunciate swamis of Saiva Siddhanta Church. This sangam was founded by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in 1949. Saivism (Saiva): The religion followed by those who worship Siva as supreme God. Oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. The earliest historical evidence of Saivism is from the 8,000-year-old Indus Valley civilization in the form of the famous seal of Siva as Lord Pashupati, seated in a yogic pose. There are many schools of Saivism, six of which are Saiva Siddhanta, Pashupata Saivism, Kashmir Saivism, Vira Saivism, Siddha Siddhanta and Siva Advaita. They are based firmly on the Vedas and Saiva Agamas, and thus have much in common, including the following principal doctrines: 1) the five powers of Siva -- creation, preservation, destruction, revealing and concealing grace; 2) The three categories: Pati, pashu and pasha ("God, souls and bonds"); 3) the three bonds: anava, karma and maya; 4) the three-fold power of Siva: icchha shakti, kriya shakti and jnana shakti; 5) the thirty-six tattvas, or categories of existence; 6) the need for initiation from a satguru; 7) the power of mantra; 8) the four padas (stages): charya (selfless service), kriya (devotion), yoga (meditation), and jnana (illumination); 9) the belief in the Panchakshara as the foremost mantra, and in rudraksha and vibhuti as sacred aids to faith; 10) the beliefs in satguru (preceptor), Sivalinga (object of worship) and sangama (company of holy persons). See: Saivism. Saivite (Saiva): Of or relating to Saivism. See: Saivism. sakala avastha: "Stage of embodied being." (Tamil: avasthai.) In Saiva Siddhanta, the second of three stages of the soul's evolution, when it is engaged in the world through the senses as it first develops a mental, then emotional and astral body, and finally a physical body, entering the cycles of birth, death and rebirth under the veiling powers of karma and maya. Progress through sakala avastha is measured in three stages: 1) irul, "darkness;" when the impetus is toward pasha, knowledge and experience of the world (pasha-jnanam); 2) marul, "confusion;" caught between the world and God, the soul begins to turn within for knowledge of its own nature (pashu-jnanam); and 3) arul, "grace," when the soul seeks to know God (Pati-jnanam); and receive His grace. See: avastha, evolution of the soul, kevala avastha, shuddha avastha. Shakta: Of or relating to Shaktism. See: Shaktism. Shakti: "Power, energy." The active power or manifest energy of Siva that pervades all of existence. Its most refined aspect is Parashakti, or Satchidananda, the pure consciousness and primal substratum of all form. In Saiva Siddhanta, Siva is All, and His divine energy, Shakti, is inseparable from Him. Shakti is most easily experienced by devotees as the sublime, bliss-inducing energy that emanates from a holy person or sanctified Hindu temple. See: kundalini, Parashakti, Shaktism. shaktinipata: "Descent of grace," occuring during the advanced stage of the soul's evolution called arul, at the end of the sakala avasthai. Shaktinipata is two-fold: the internal descent is recognized as a tremendous yearning for Siva; the outer descent of grace is the appearance of a satguru. At this stage, the devotee increasingly wants to devote himself to all that is spiritual and holy. Same as shaktipata. See: arul, grace, sakala avastha, shaktipata. Shaktism (Shakta): "Doctrine of power." The religion followed by those who worship the Supreme as the Divine Mother -- Shakti or Devi -- in Her many forms, both gentle and fierce. Shaktism is one of the four primary sects of Hinduism. Shaktism's first historical signs are thousands of female statuettes dated ca 5500 BCE recovered at the Mehrgarh village in India. In philosophy and practice, Shaktism greatly resembles Saivism, both faiths promulgating, for example, the same ultimate goals of advaitic union with Siva and moksha. But Shaktas worship Shakti as the Supreme Being exclusively, as the dynamic aspect of Divinity, while Siva is considered solely transcendent and is not worshiped. There are many forms of Shaktism, with endless varieties of practices which seek to capture divine energy or power for spiritual transformation. See: Shakti, tantric. salutations to the sun: Surya namaskara. A group of eight or more yoga asanas, postures, performed in methodic sequence in the morning while facing and saluting the sun. The sequence incorporates stretching and limbering exercises with controlled breathing and reverent concentration as a daily regimen for good health and as a preparation for meditation. samadhi: From verb-root with prepositional prefixes samadha "to hold together completely." "Enstasy," which means "standing within one's Self." "Sameness; contemplation; union, wholeness; completion, accomplishment." Samadhi is the state of true yoga, in which the meditator and the object of meditation are one. Samadhi is of two levels. The first is savikalpa samadhi ("enstasy with form" or "seed"), identification or oneness with the essence of an object. Its highest form is the realization of the primal substratum or pure consciousness, Satchidananda. The second is nirvikalpa samadhi ("enstasy without form" or "seed"), identification with the Self, in which all modes of consciousness are transcended and Absolute Reality, Parashiva, beyond time, form and space, is experienced. This brings in its aftermath a complete transformation of consciousness. Note that samadhi differs from samyama. See: God Realization, kundalini, Parashiva, raja yoga, samyama, Satchidananda, Self Realization, trance. samayam: "Religion." sampradaya: "Tradition," "transmission;" a philosophical or religious doctrine or lineage. A living stream of tradition or theology within Hinduism, passed on by oral training and initiation. The term derives from the verb samprada, meaning "gift, grant, bestowing or conferring; handing down by tradition; bequeathing." samsara: "Flow." The phenomenal world. Transmigratory existence, fraught with impermanence and change. The cycle of birth, death and rebirth; the total pattern of successive earthly lives experienced by a soul. A term similar to punarjanma (reincarnation), but with broader connotations. See: evolution of the soul, karma, reincarnation. samskara: "Impression, activator; sanctification, preparation." 1) The imprints left on the subconscious mind by experience (from this or previous lives), which then color all of life, one's nature, responses, states of mind, etc. 2) A sacrament or rite done to mark a significant transition of life, such as name-giving, first feeding, commencement of learning, coming of age and marriage. See: mind (five states), sacrament. samskaras of birth: From the rite of conception to the blessings of the new-born child. -- garbhadhana: "Womb-placing." Rite of conception, where physical union is consecrated with the intent of bringing into physical birth an advanced soul. -- punsavana: "Male rite; bringing forth a male." A rite performed during the third month of pregnancy consisting of prayers for a son and for the well-being of mother and child. A custom, found in all societies, based on the need for men to defend the country, run the family business and support the parents in old age. The need for male children in such societies is also based on the fact that women outlive men and leave the family to join their husband's family. -- simantonnayana: "Hair-parting." A ceremony held between the fourth and seventh months in which the husband combs his wife's hair and expresses his love and support. -- jatakarma: "Rite of birth." The father welcomes and blesses the new-born child and feeds it a taste of ghee and honey. See: samskara. samskaras of childhood: From naming to education. -- namakarana: "Name-giving" and formal entry into one or another sect of Hinduism, performed 11 to 41 days after birth. The name is chosen according to astrology, preferably the name of a God or Goddess. At this time, guardian devas are assigned to see the child through life. One who converts to or adopts Hinduism later in life would receive this same sacrament. -- annaprashana: "Feeding." The ceremony marking the first taking of solid food, held at about six months. (Breast-feeding generally continues). -- karnavedha: "Ear-piercing." The piercing of both ears, for boys and girls, and the inserting of gold earrings, held during the first, third or fifth year. -- chudakarana: "Head-shaving." The shaving of the head, for boys and girls, between the 31 st day and the fourth year. -- vidyarambha: Marks the beginning of formal education. The boy or girl ceremoniously writes his/her first letter of the alphabet in a tray of uncooked rice. -- upanayana: Given to boys at about 12 years of age, marks the beginning of the period of brahmacharya and formal study of scripture and sacred lore, usually with an acharya or guru. -- samavartana: Marks the end of formal religious study. See: samskara. samskaras of adulthood: From coming-of-age to marriage. -- ritukala: "Fit or proper season." Time of menses. A home blessing marking the coming of age for girls. -- keshanta: Marking a boy's first beard-shaving, at about 16 years. Both of the above are home ceremonies in which the young ones are reminded of their brahmacharya, given new clothes and jewelry and joyously admitted into the adult community as young adults. -- nishchitartha "Settlement of aim." Also called vagdana, "word-giving." A formal engagement or betrothal ceremony in which a couple pledge themselves to one another, exchanging rings and other gifts. -- vivaha: Marriage." An elaborate and joyous ceremony performed in presence of God and Gods, in which the homa fire is central. To conclude the ceremony, the couple take seven steps to the Northeast as the groom recites: "One step for vigor, two steps for vitality, three steps for prosperity, four steps for happiness, five steps for cattle, six steps for seasons, seven steps for friendship. To me be devoted (Hiranyakeshi Grihya Sutras 1.6.21.2. VE )." See: samskara. samskaras of later life: -- vanaprastha ashrama: Age 48 marks the entrance into the elder advisor stage, celebrated in some communities by special ceremony. -- sannyasa ashrama vrata: The advent of withdrawal from social duties and responsibilities at age 72 is sometimes ritually acknowledged (different from sannyasa diksha). See: sannyasa dharma. -- antyeshti: The various funeral rites performed to guide the soul in its transition to inner worlds, including preparation of the body, cremation, bone-gathering, dispersal of ashes, home purification. See: cremation, death, shraddha, samskara, transition. samyama: "Constraint." Continuous meditation on a single concept to gain revelation on a particular subject or area of consciousness. As explained by Sage Patanjali, samyama consists of dharana, dhyana and samadhi. See: dharana, dhyana, raja yoga, samadhi. Sanatana Dharma: "Eternal religion" or "Everlasting path." It is a traditional designation for the Hindu religion. See: Hinduism. sanchita karma: "Accumulated action." The accumulated consequence of an individual's actions in this and past lives. See: karma. sanctum sanctorum: "Holy of holies." Garbhagriha. The most sacred part of a temple, usually a cave-like stone chamber, in which the main icon is installed. See: temple. Shandilya Upanishad: Belongs to the Atharva Veda. Discusses eight forms of yoga, restraints, observances, breath control, meditation and the nature of Truth. sanga: "Association; fellowship." (Tamil: Sangam) Coming together in a group, especially for religious purposes. Shankara: "Conferring happiness; propitious." An epithet of Siva. Sankara (Shankara), Adi: One of Hinduism's most extraordinary monks (788-820) and pre-eminent guru of the Smarta Sampradaya. He is noted for his monistic philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and his many scriptural commentaries. See: Advaita Siddhanta, Vedanta. San Marga: "True path." The straight spiritual path leading to the ultimate goal, Self Realization, without detouring into unnecessary psychic exploration or pointless development of siddhis. See: pada, sadhana marga. San Marga Sanctuary: A meditation tirtha at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mount Waialeale, on Hawaii's Garden Island, Kauai. Paths lead visitors to the sacred Wailua River, then up stone stairs to the Chola-style white-granite Iraivan Temple, hand-carved in Bangalore, India. In the sanctum sanctorum, the Supreme God, Siva (Parameshvara-Parashakti-Parashiva), will be enshrined as a massive 700 -pound, single-pointed earthkeeper quartz crystal. San Marga Sanctuary, founded in 1970 , is among many public services of Saiva Siddhanta Church. sannidhya: "(Divine) presence; nearness, proximity." The radiance and blessed presence of shakti within and around a temple or a holy person. sannyasa: "Renunciation." "Throwing down" or "abandoning." Sannyasa is the repudiation of the dharma, including the obligations and duties, of the householder and the assumption of the even more demanding dharma of the renunciate. The ancient shastras recognize four justifiable motivations for entering into sannyasa: vidvat, vividisha, markata and atura. Vidvat ("knowing; wise") sannyasa is the spontaneous withdrawal from the world in search for Self Realization which results from karma and tendencies developed in a previous life. Vividisha ("discriminating") sannyasa is renunciation to satisfy a yearning for the Self developed through scriptural study and practice. Markata sannyasa is taking refuge in sannyasa as a result of great sorrow, disappointment or misfortune in worldly pursuits. (Markata means "monkey-like," perhaps implying the analogy of a monkey clinging to its mother.) Atura ("suffering or sick") sannyasa is entering into sannyasa upon one's deathbed, realizing that there is no longer hope in life. See: sannyasa dharma, sannyasa diksha. sannyasa dharma: "Renunciate virtue." The life, way and traditions of those who have irrevocably renounced prerogatives and obligations of the householder, including personal property, wealth, ambitions, social position and family ties, in favor of the full-time monastic quest for divine awakening, Self Realization and spiritual upliftment of humanity. See: sannyasa, sannyasa diksha, sannyasin. sannyasa diksha: "Renunciate initiation." This diksha is a formal rite, or less often an informal blessing, ushering the devotee into renunciate monasticism, binding him for life to certain vows which include chastity, poverty and obedience, and directing him on the path to Self Realization. See: sannyasa dharma. sannyasin: "Renouncer." One who has taken sannyasa diksha. A Hindu monk, swami, and one of a world brotherhood (or holy order) of sannyasins. Some are wanderers and others live in monasteries. See: sannyasa, sannyasa dharma, sannyasa diksha, swami. Sanskrit (Samskrita): "Well-made;" "refined," "perfected." The classical sacerdotal language of ancient India, considered a pure vehicle for communication with the celestial worlds. It is the primary language in which Hindu scriptures are written, including the Vedas and Agamas. Employed today as a liturgical, literary and scholarly language, but no longer used as a spoken vernacular. shanti: "Peace." Shanti Mantra: "Peace chant." So that each gathering of devotees is harmonious and productive, especially sessions of teacher and student, this mantra from the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) is recited at the outset to invoke peace, clarity and divine blessings, thus dispelling all potential enmity or confusion. It is recited again at the end as a closing benediction. santosha: "Contentment." See: yama-niyama. sapta rishis: Seven inner-plane masters who help guide the karmas of mankind. sari: ) The traditional outer garment of Hindu women, consisting of a long, unstitched piece of cloth, usually colorful cotton or silk, wrapped around the body, forming an ankle-length skirt, and around the bosom and over the shoulder. sarvabhuta: "All living beings." sarvada: "For all times." shastra: "Sacred script; teaching." 1) Any religious or philosophical treatise, or body of writings. 2) A department of knowledge, a science. sat: "True, existing, good; reality, existence, truth." See: Satchidananda. Satchidananda (Sachchidananda): "Existence-consciousness-bliss." A synonym for Parashakti. Lord Siva's Divine Mind and simultaneously the pure superconscious mind of each individual soul. Perfect love and omniscient, omnipotent consciousness, the fountainhead of all existence, yet containing and permeating all existence. Also called pure consciousness, pure form, substratum of existence, and more. One of the goals of the meditator or yogi is to experience the natural state of the mind, Satchidananda, subduing the vrittis through yogic practices. See: Parashakti. satguru (sadguru): "True weighty one." A spiritual preceptor of the highest attainment and authority -- one who has realized the ultimate Truth, Parashiva, through nirvikalpa samadhi -- a jivanmukta able to lead others securely along the spiritual path. He is always a sannyasin, an unmarried renunciate. All Hindu denominations teach that the grace and guidance of a living satguru is a necessity for Self Realization. He is recognized and revered as the embodiment of God, Sadashiva, the source of grace and of liberation. See: guru bhakti, guru, guru-shishya system. satsanga: Gathering in the company of good souls. sattvic: Of, or relating to the sattva guna, the quality of goodness or purity. See: guna. satya: "Truthfulness." See: yama-niyama. Sat Yuga (Satya Yuga): "Age of Truth," also called Krita, "accomplished, good, cultivated, kind action; the winning die cast of four dots." The first in the repetitive cycle of yugas, lasting 1,728,000 years, representing the brightest time, when the full light of the Central Sun permeates Earth. See: yuga. savikalpa samadhi: "Enstasy with form" or "seed." See: raja yoga, samadhi. scripture (scriptural): "A writing." Asacred text or holy book(s) authoritative for a given sect or religion. See: shastra, smriti, shruti. Second World: The astral or subtle plane. Here the soul continues its activities in the astral body during sleep and after the physical body dies. It is the in-between world which includes the Devaloka and the Narakaloka. The Second world exists "within" the First World or physical plane. See: three worlds. sect: A group of adherents who form a smaller asociation withing a larger (often religious) body. A religious denomination. sectarian: Narrow adherence to the beliefs of a specific sect, especially in the sense that all other sects are incorrect or incomplete. secular:Not sacred or religious; temporal or worldly. seed karma: Dormant or anarabdha karma. All past actions which have not yet sprouted. See: karma. seer: A wise person who sees beyond the limits of ordinary perception. Self (Self God): God Siva's perfection of Absolute Reality, Parashiva -- That which abides at the core of every soul. See: Paramatman, Parashiva. Self Realization: Direct knowing of the Self God, Parashiva. Self Realization is known in Sanskrit as nirvikalpa samadhi; "enstasy without form or seed;" the ultimate spiritual attainment (also called asamprajnata samadhi). Esoterically, this state is attained when the mystic kundalini force pierces through the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head. This transcendence of all modes of human consciousness brings the realization or "nonexperience" of That which exists beyond the mind, beyond time, form and space. But even to assign a name to Parashiva, or to its realization is to name that which cannot be named. In fact, it is "experienced" only in its aftermath as a change in perspective, a permanent transformation, and as an intuitive familiarity with the Truth that surpasses understanding. See: God Realization, liberation, kundalini, Parashiva, raja yoga, samadhi. self-effacement: Modest, retiring behavior; giving all credit to God, preceptor and other persons and not accepting praise for one's accomplishments. self-effulgent: Shining brilliantly by itself. Semitic religions: The three faiths -- Judaism, Islam and Christianity -- that trace their origins to Abraham. See: Abrahamic. seva: "Service." Karma yoga. An integral part of the spiritual path, where the aspirant strives to serve without thought of reward or personal gain. The central practice of the charya pada. See: yoga. seval: The large, red, fighting rooster (kukkuta in Sanskrit) that adorns Lord Murugan's flag, heralding the dawn of wisdom and the conquest of the forces of ignorance. See: Karttikeya. sexuality: Hinduism has a healthy, unrepressed outlook on human sexuality, and sexual pleasure is part of kama, one of the four legitimate goals of life. On matters such as birth control, sterilization, masturbation, homosexuality, bisexuality, petting and polygamy, Hindu scripture is tolerantly silent, neither calling them sins nor encouraging their practice, neither condemning nor condoning. The two important exceptions are adultery and abortion, both of which are considered to carry heavy karmic implications for this and future births. See: celibacy, dissipation, odic force, ojas, tejas, transmutation. shaman: A priest of certain tribal societies who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit worlds. See: Shamanism. shamanism (shamanic): From a Siberian tribal word, akin to the Sanskrit shramana, "ascetic," akin to shram, meaning "to exert." The religion of certain indigenous peoples of Northeast Asia, based on the belief in good and evil spirits who can be contacted and influenced by priests, or shamans, generally during a state of altered consciousness or trance. Also descriptive of many of the world's native, tribal faiths, and of various groups that today carry forward the practices and traditions of shamanism to maximize human abilities of mind and spirit for healing and problem-solving. shatkona: "Six-pointed star," formed by two interlocking triangles, the upper one representing Siva's transcendent Being, and the lower one Siva's manifest energy, Shakti. The shatkona is part of Lord Karttikeya's yantra. See: Ardhanarishvara, Karttikeya. sheath:A covering or receptacle, such as the husk surrounding a grain of rice. In Sanskrit, it is kosha, philosophically the bodily envelopes of the soul. See: kosha, soul, subtle body. Shintoism: The indigenous religion of Japan, based on the sacred power or God, kami, within a variety of forms, mainly of nature. Shum-Tyeif: A Natha mystical language of meditation revealed in Switzerland in 1968 by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. (Pronounced shoom-tyay-eef.) Its primary alphabet looks like this: ### INSERT PICTURE HERE### Shum perspectives: The four perspectives of the mind: -- moolif: intellectual/philosophical; -- shumif: individual awareness; -- simnif: scientific/intellectual; -- difi: space travel, devas and Gods, inner communication. See: defee, moolef, shumef, simnef. shumef: (Shum) The perspective of the mind as a solid and individual awareness traveling from one area of the mind to another. Pronounced shoom-eef. See: Shum, Shum perspectives. shun: To avoid or keep away from consistently. Shunning detractors or adversaries is courteously avoiding interaction and karmic entanglement with those who have shown by their actions that such interaction would not be beneficial or welcome. Shunning is a form of protection through nonengagement, building a "friendly, firm wall" while still remaining cordial. siddha: A "perfected one'' or accomplished yogi, a person of great spiritual attainment or powers. See: siddhi. siddha yoga: "Yoga of perfected attainment, or of supernatural powers." 1 ) A term used in the Tirumantiram and other Saiva scriptures to describe the yoga which is the way of life of adepts after attaining of Parashiva. Siddha yoga involves the development of magical or mystical powers, or siddhis, such as the eight classical powers. It is a highly advanced yoga which seeks profound transformation of body, mind and emotions and the ability to live in a flawless state of God Consciousness. 2 ) The highly accomplished practices of certain alchemists. See: siddha yogi, siddhi. siddha yogi: "Yogi of perfection." A perfected one, adept, a realized being who is the embodiment of the most profound yogic states and has attained magical or mystical powers. See: siddha yoga, siddhi. siddhanta: "Final attainments" or "conclusions." 1) Siddhanta refers to ultimate understanding arrived at in any given field of knowledge. 2) Especially when juxtaposed with the term Vedanta, it refers to the daily theistic practices of religion, as opposed to the monistic, meditative aspects; though Saiva Siddhanta encompasses both theism and monism, Vedanta and Siddhanta, Vedas and Agamas. siddhanta shravana (or shravana): "Scriptural audition." See: yama-niyama. siddhi: "Power, accomplishment; perfection." Traditionally refers to extraordinary powers of the soul, especially psychic powers developed through consistent meditation and deliberate, yogic sadhana. The eight classical siddhis are: 1) anima: to be as small as an atom; 2) mahima: to become infinitely large; 3) laghima: super-lightness, levitation; 4) prapti: pervasiveness, extension, to be anywhere at will; 5) prakamya: fulfillment of desires; 6) vashitva: control of natural forces; 7) ishititva: supremacy over nature; 8) kama-avasayitva: complete satisfaction. Sikhism: "Discipleship." Religion of nine million members founded in India about 500 years ago by the saint Guru Nanak. A reformist faith which rejects idolatry and the caste system, its holy book is the Adi Granth, and main holy center is the Golden Temple of Amritsar. shilpi: "Craftsman." A stone worker or other traditional Hindu artrisan. silver cord: The astral substance which connects the physical body to the astral body which is disconnected at the time of death of the physical body. simnef: (Shum) The perspective of the mind in its scientific, intellectual state. Pronounced sim-neef. See: Shum, Shum perspectives. sin: Intentional transgression of divine law. Akin to the Latin sons, "guilty." Hinduism does not view sin as a crime against God, but as an act against dharma -- moral order -- and one's own self. See: karma. shishya: "A pupil" or "disciple," especially one who has proven himself and has formally been accepted by a guru. Siva: The "Auspicious," "Gracious," or "Kindly one." Supreme Being of the Saivite religion. God Siva is All and in all, simultaneously the creator and the creation, both immanent and transcendent. As personal Deity, He is Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. He is a one Being, perhaps best understood in three perfections: Parameshvara (Primal Soul), Parashakti (Pure Consciousness) and Parashiva (Absolute Reality). See: Parameshvara, Parashakti, Parashiva, Nataraja, Saivism, Satchidananda. Siva consciousness: Sivachaitanya. A broad term naming the experience or state of being conscious of Siva in a multitude of ways. See: jnana, mind (five states). Sivacharya: The hereditary priests of the Saiva Siddhanta tradition. The title of Adishaiva Brahmins. An Adishaiva priest who has received the necessary training and dikshas to perform public Siva temple rites known as Agamic nitya parartha puja. A fully qualified Sivacharya is also known as archaka. Sivacharya, too, names the family clan of this priestly tradition. See: brahmin. Sivalinga: "Mark," "Token" or "Sign of Siva." The most prevalent emblem of Siva, found in virtually all Siva temples. A rounded, elliptical, aniconic image, usually set on a circular base, or pitha. The Sivalinga is the simplest and most ancient symbol of Siva, especially of Parashiva, God beyond all forms and qualities. The pitha represents Parashakti, the manifesting power of God. Lingas are usually of stone (either carved or naturally existing, svayambhu, such as shaped by a swift-flowing river), but may also be of metal, precious gems, crystal, wood, earth or transitory materials such as ice. See: Saivism. Sivaloka: "Realm of Siva." See: loka. Sivaness: Quality of being Siva or like Siva, especially sharing in His divine state of consciousness. See: Siva consciousness. Sivaratri: "Night of Siva." See: Mahashivaratri. Siva-Shakti: Father-Mother God, both immanent and transcendent. A name for God Siva encompassing His unmanifest Being and manifest energy. See: Parameshvara, Primal Soul, Siva. Sivasambandha: "Bound together in love of Siva." The underlying unity and harmony among devotees of Siva, irrespective of caste or creed. Sivathondar: "Servant of Siva." Conveys the same mystic meaning as Sivanadiyar, denoting a devotee who regularly performs actions dedicated to God Siva; selfless work in service to others. See: karma yoga, Sivathondu. Sivathondu: "Service to Siva." Akin to the concept of karma yoga. See: karma yoga. Sivaya Namah: "Adoration to Siva." Alternate form of Namah Sivaya. See: Namah Sivaya. Skanda: "Quicksilver; leaping one." One of Lord Karttikeya's oldest names, and His form as scarlet-hued warrior God. See: Karttikeya. Skanda Shashthi: A six-day festival in October-November celebrating Lord Karttikeya's, or Skanda's, victory over the forces of darkness. shloka: A verse, phrase, proverb or hymn of praise, usually composed in a specified meter. Especially a verse of two lines, each of sixteen syllables. Shloka is the primary verse form of the Sanskrit epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. slothful: Lazy, disinterested in working or exerting oneself. Smarta: "Of or related to smriti," the secondary Hindu scriptures. See: Smartism, smriti. Smartism: "Sect based on the secondary scriptures (smriti)." The most liberal of the four major denominations of Hinduism, an ancient Vedic brahminical tradition (ca 700 bce) which from the 9th century onward was guided and deeply influenced by the Advaita Vedanta teachings of the reformist Adi Sankara. Its adherents rely mainly on the classical smriti literature, especially the Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharata, the latter of which includes the Bhagavad Gita), Puranas and Dharma Shastras. These are regarded as complementary to and a means to understanding the Vedas. Smartas adhere to Sankara's view that all Gods are but various depictions of Saguna Brahman. Thus, Smartas are avowedly eclectic, worshiping all the Gods and discouraging sectarianism. The Smarta system of worship, called panchayatana puja, reinforces this outlook by including the major Deity of each primary Hindu sect of ancient days: Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Siva and Shakti. In order to encompass a sixth important lineage, Sankara recommended the addition of a sixth Deity, Kumara. Thus he was proclaimed Shanmata Sthapanacharya, founder of the six-fold system. One among the six is generally chosen as the devotee's preferred Deity, Ishta Devata. For spiritual authority, Smartas look to the regional monasteries established across India by Sankara, and to their pontiffs. Within Smartism three primary religious approaches are distinguished: ritualistic, devotional and philosophical. See: Sankara. smidgen: A tiny bit, small piece or quantity. smriti: That which is "remembered;" the tradition. Hinduism's nonrevealed, secondary but deeply revered scriptures, derived from man's insight and experience. Smriti speaks of secular matters -- science, law, history, agriculture, etc. -- as well as spiritual lore, ranging from day-to-day rules and regulations to superconscious outpourings. From the vast body of sacred literature, shastra, each sect and school claims its own preferred texts as secondary scripture, e.g., the Ramayana of Vaishnavism and Smartism, or the Tirumurai of Saiva Siddhanta. Thus, the selection of smriti varies widely from one sect and lineage to another. See: Mahabharata, Tirumurai. socialism: A system of government in which private ownership and production is superceded by community or state control. Socrates: Greek philosopher and teacher (470-399 BCE). His method of question and answer is expressed in the dialogues of Plato, his foremost student. solar plexus: A major physical and psychic nerve center of the body, located physically at the base of the sternum. soul: The real being of man, as distinguished from body, mind and emotions. The soul -- known as atman or purusha -- is the sum of its two aspects, the form or body of the soul and the essence of the soul (though many texts use the word soul to refer to the essence only). -- essence or nucleus of the soul: Man's innermost and unchanging being -- Pure Consciousness (Parashakti or Satchidananda) and Absolute Reality (Parashiva). This essence was never created, does not change or evolve and is eternally identical with God Siva's perfections of Parashakti and Parashiva. soul body: anandamaya kosha ("sheath of bliss"), also referred to as the "causal body" (karana sharira), "innermost sheath" and "body of light." Body of the soul, or soul body, names the soul's manifest nature as an individual being -- an effulgent, human-like form composed of light (quantums). The soul form evolves as its consciousness evolves, becoming more and more refined until finally it is the same intensity or refinement as the Primal Soul, Parameshvara. See: atman, evolution of the soul, kosha, Parashakti, Parashiva, purusha, Satchidananda, spiritual unfoldment. spiritual unfoldment: Adhyatma vikasa. The unfoldment of the spirit, the inherent, divine soul of man. The very gradual expansion of consciousness as kundalini shakti slowly rises through the sushumna. The term spiritual unfoldment indicates this slow, imperceptible process, likened to a lotus flower's emerging from bud to effulgent beauty. When philosophical training and sadhana is complete, the kundalini rises safely and imperceptively, without jerks, twitches, tears or hot flashes. Brings greater willpower, compassion and perceptive qualities. shraddha: Relating to commemorative ceremonies for the deceased, held one week, one month after death, and annually thereafter, according to tradition. See: samskaras of later life. shruti: That which is "heard." Hinduism's revealed scriptures, of supreme theological authority and spiritual value. They are timeless teachings transmitted to rishis, or seers, directly by God thousands of years ago. Shruti is thus said to be apaurusheya, "impersonal," or rather "suprahuman." Shruti consists of the Vedas and the Agamas, preserved through oral tradition and eventually written down in Sanskrit. Among the many sacred books of the Hindus, these two bodies of knowledge are held in the highest esteem. See: Agama, smriti, Veda. stimulants: Drugs that temporarily arouse or accelerate physiological or organic activity. Certain drugs are capable of stimulating psychic experiences, often with unpleasant consequences. stri dharma: "Womanly conduct." See: dharma. subconscious mind: Samskara chitta. See: conscience, mind (five states). shubha: "Auspicious," "splendid," "bright." shubha muhurta: "Auspicious time." A range of time when specified activities are most likely to thrive and succeed. sublimate: To cause an instinctual impulse to manifest itself in a higher expression rather than a lower form. Coined after the property of some substances to transform themselves directly from a solid to a gas without becoming liquid. See: transmutation. submission: Yielding to the power of another. Compliance; meekness. Subramuniyaswami: Current and 162nd satguru (1927 -- ) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. He was ordained Sivaya Subramuniyaswami by Sage Yogaswami on the full-moon day of May 12, 1949, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, at 6:21 PM. This was just days after he had attained nirvikalpa samadhi in the caves of Jalani. The name Subramuniya is a Tamil spelling of the Sanskrit Shubhramunya (not to be confused with Subramanya). It is formed from shubhra meaning "light; intuition," and muni, "silent sage." Ya means "restraint; religious meditation." Thus, Subramuniya means a self-restrained soul who remains silent or, when he speaks, speaks out from intuition. substratum: "Layer underneath." In philosophy, the substance or underlying force which is the foundation of any and all manifestation: Satchidananda. See: Parashakti, Satchidananda. subsubconscious mind: Vasana chitta ("mind of subliminal traits"). The area of the subconscious mind formed when two thoughts or experiences of the same rate of intensity are sent into the subconscious at different times and, intermingling, give rise to a new and totally different rate of vibration. This subconscious formation later causes the external mind to react to situations according to these accumulated vibrations, be they positive, negative or mixed. subsuperconscious mind: Anukarana chitta. See: mind. subtle bodies: The various aspects of man: pranic, astral, mental and the innermost body of the soul. subtle body: Sukshma sharira, the nonphysical, astral body or vehicle in which the soul encases itself to function in the Antarloka, or subtle world. The subtle body includes the pranic, astral and mental sheaths if the soul is physically embodied. It consists of only the astral and mental sheaths after death, when the pranic sheath disintegrates. And it consists of only the mental sheath when the astral sheath is dropped off just before rebirth or when higher evolutionary planes are entered. See: jiva, kosha. shudra: "Worker, servant." See: caste. shuddha: "Pure." shuddha avastha: "Stage of purity." (Tamil: avasthai.) In Saiva Siddhanta, the last of three stages of evolution, in which the soul is immersed in Siva. Self Realization having been attained, the mental body is purified and thus reflects the divine soul nature, Siva's nature, more than in the kevala or sakala state. Now the soul continues to unfold through the stages of realization, and ultimately merges back into its source, the Primal Soul. See: avastha, evolution of the soul, kevala avastha, sakala avastha, vishvagrasa. Shuddha Saiva Siddhanta: "Pure Saiva Siddhanta," a term first used by Tirumular in the Tirumantiram to describe his monistic Saiva Siddhanta and distinguish it from pluralistic Siddhanta and other forms of Siddhanta that do not encompass the ultimate monism of Vedanta. Sufism: A mystical Islamic tradition in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience. sugar, processed: In Living with Siva, a number of forms of sucrose processed from sugar cane. These include "white sugar" (the most refined form of sucrose), confectioner's sugar (powdered white sugar) and brown sugar (white sugar with molasses added). Highly refined cane sugar is unhealthy because they are stripped of all of the natural vitamins and minerals which are helpful in the digestion of sugars, causing the body to rob the same vitamins and minerals from the body's stores to assimilate them. Less refined cane sugar products, such as raw sugar, turbinado and sucanat (dried cane juice and molasses), make healthier alternatives. More nutritious sweeteners are maple syrup, date sugar (pulverized dried dates), honey, barley malt, rice syrup, jaggery and molasses. sukarma: See: karma. shukladana: "White, bright or pure gifts." Funds that are given freely and were earned through dharmic means, and thus unsullied by the negative karmic taint of adharmic activities. See: yama-niyama. superconscious mind: Karana chitta. See: mind (five states), mind (three phases), Satchidananda. supernatural: Beyond or transcending the natural laws of the physical cosmos. Of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible universe, referring to events, agencies or knowledge superseding or mystically explaining the laws of nature. See: mysticism, shamanism. superstition: A belief or practice not supported by experience or reason. supplicate (supplication): To ask for, beg humbly. To earnestly pray for. suppressed: Subdued; ended forcibly. Kept from being revealed; inhibited. Deliberately excluded from the mind, such as with unacceptable desires or thoughts. suppression: Desires, thoughts or memories consciously excluded from the mind. Related to repression, in which similar desires, etc., are excluded, but on a completely subconscious level. Supreme God: Highest God, the source or creator of all other Gods, beings and all manifestation. sushumna nadi: "Most gracious channel." Central psychic nerve current within the spinal column. See: kundalini, nadi, samadhi. sutala chakra: "Great abyss." Region of obsessive jealousy and retaliation. The third chakra below the muladhara, centered in the knees. Corresponds to the third astral netherworld beneath the Earth's surface, called Samhata ("abandoned") or Sutala. See: chakra, hell, Naraka. sutra: "Thread." An aphoristic verse; the literary style consisting of such maxims. From 500 bce, this style was widely adopted by Indian philosophical systems and eventually employed in works on law, grammar, medicine, poetry, crafts, etc. Each sutra is often accompanied by a commentary called bhashya and sometimes subcommentary called tika, vyakhyana or tippani. Through the media of short, concise, easily memorized sutras, vast amounts of knowledge were preserved. Reciting relevant sutra texts from memory is a daily sadhana in various Hindu arts and sciences. svadhishthana: "One's own base." See: chakra. svarnasharira: The golden actinic body formed after many experiences of Self Realization. See: vishvagrasa. swami (svami): "Lord; owner; self-possessed." He who knows or is master of himself. A respectful title for a Hindu monk, usually a sannyasin, an initiated, orange-robed renunciate, dedicated wholly to religious life. As a sign of respect, the term swami is sometimes applied more broadly to include non-monastics dedicated to spiritual work. See: monk, sannyasa dharma, sannyasin. swastika (svastika): "It is well." The ancient Hindu symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune, representing the sun. The right-angled arms of the swastika denote the indirect way in which Divinity is reached -- through intuition and not by intellect. It has been a prominent icon in many cultures. sympathetic nervous system: The part of the autonomic nervous system originating in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord that in general inhibits or opposes the physiological effects of the parasympathetic nervous system, as in tending to reduce digestive secretions, speeding up the heart, and contracting blood vessels. syncretism: The combination of different beliefs or practices. synthesis: Here: the application of reason to reach a particular conclusion from general concepts; also the combination of ideas to form a new idea.
tala: "Plane or world; level; base, bottom; abyss." Root of the name of the seven realms of lower consciousness centered in the seven chakras below the muladhara. See: chakra, hell, Naraka. talatala chakra: "Lower region." The fourth chakra below the muladhara, centered in the calves. Region of chronic mental confusion and unreasonable stubbornness. Corresponds to the fourth astral netherworld beneath the Earth's surface, called Tamisra ("darkness") or Talatala. This state of consciousness is born of the sole motivation of self-preservation. See: chakra, Naraka. tamas(ic): "Force of inertia." The quality of denseness, inertia, contraction, resistance and dissolution. See: guna. tambura: (Hindi) A long-necked, four-stringed fretless lute that provides a drone accompaniment for a singer or instrumentalist. Tamil: The ancient Dravidian language of the Tamils, a Caucasoid people of South India and Northern Sri Lanka, now living throughout the world. The official language of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Tamil Nadu: State in South India, 50,000 square miles, population 55 million. Land of countless holy scriptures, saints, sages and over 40,000 magnificent temples, including Chidambaram, Madurai, Palani Hills and Rameshvaram. tandava: "Exuberant dance." Any vigorous dance sequence performed by a male dancer. There are many forms of tandava. Its prototype is Siva's dance of bliss, ananda tandava. The much softer feminine dance is called lasya, from lasa, "lively." Dance in general is nartana. See: Nataraja. tantra: "Loom, methodology." 1) Most generally, a synonym for shastra, "scripture." 2) A synonym for the Agamic texts, especially those of the Shakta faith, a class of Hindu scripture providing detailed instruction on all aspects of religion, mystic knowledge and science. The Tantras are also associated with the Saiva tradition. 3) A specific method, technique or spiritual practice within the Saiva and Shakta traditions. For example, pranayama is a tantra. 4)Disciplines and techniques with a strong emphasis on worship of the feminine force, often involving sexual encounters, with the purported goal of transformation and union with the Divine. See: kundalini, sushumna nadi, tantrism. tantric (tantrika): 1) Adjectival to qualify practices prescribed in the Tantra traditions. 2) Referring to the methods of directing the subtle masculine/feminine, aggressive/passive energies that flow between men and women. 3) Also names a practitioner of any of the Tantra traditions. 4) Tantra has today come to commonly refer to sex-based spiritual practices developed in Hinduism (known as "left-handed tantra") and in other faiths, including Bon, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Judaism and the New Age. See: Shaktism, kundalini, raja yoga, tantra. Taoism: A Chinese religion, based on the doctrines of Lao-Tzu, founded 2,500 years ago, advocating simplicity, selflessness and other virtues. Taoism, a potently mystical tradition, is concerned with man's spiritual level of being. Following is estimated at 50 million, mostly in China and and other parts of Asia. tapas: Also tapasya. "Warmth, heat," hence psychic energy, spiritual fervor or ardor. Austerity, asceticism, penance. State of accelerated unfoldment and working with the forces through spiritual practices. A state of humble submission to the divine forces and surrender to the processes of inner purification which occur almost automatically at certain stages. In the monastery tapas is administered and guided by the guru. Denotes religious austerity, severe meditation, penance, bodily mortification, special observances; connotes spiritual purification and transformation as a "fiery process" which "burns up" impurities, ego, illusions and past karmas that obstruct God Realization. tapasvin: One who performs tapas or is in the state of tapas. tejas: "Brilliance, fire, splendor." Heat or fire, one of the five elements -- earth, water, fire, air, ether. Tejas also names the glow of tapas in the shining expression of the tapasvin. Tejas is increased through brahmacharya, control of the sexual energies by lifting the heat into the higher chakras. See: celibacy, ojas, tapas, transmutation. temple: An edifice in a consecrated place dedicated to, the worship of God or Gods. Hindus revere their temples as sacred, magical places in which the three worlds most consciously commune -- structures especially built and consecrated to channel the subtle spiritual energies of inner-world beings. The temple's psychic atmosphere is maintained through regular worship ceremonies (puja) invoking the Deity, who uses His installed image (murti) as a temporary body to bless those living on the earth plane. In Hinduism, the temple is the hub of virtually all aspects of social and religious life. It may be referred to by the Sanskrit terms mandira, devalaya (or Sivalaya, a Siva temple), as well as by vernacular terms such as koyil (Tamil). temptation: Something tempting, enticing or alluring. temptress: An alluring, enchanting woman. That: When capitalized, this simple demonstrative pronoun refers uniquely to the Ultimate, Indescribable or Nameless Absolute. The Self God, Parashiva. It is the English equivalent of Tat, as in, Tat tvam asi, "You are That!" theistic: The belief that God exists as a real, conscious, personal Supreme Being, creator and ruler of the universe. May also include belief in the Gods. Third World: Sivaloka,"Realm of Siva." The spiritual realm or causal plane of existence wherein Mahadevas and highly evolved souls live in their own self-effulgent forms. See: Sivaloka, three worlds, loka. thought form: Manifestations of astral matter, or odic force, created within the aura of a person, which travel through astral space, or odic force fields, from one destination to another. They have the power to create, preserve, protect and destroy. They can also be seen, just as auras can be seen. See: astral plane, aura, odic force, intellect. three worlds: The three worlds of existence, triloka, are the primary hierarchical divisions of the cosmos. 1) Bhuloka: "Earth world," the physical plane. 2) Antarloka: "Inner" or "in-between world," the subtle or astral plane. 3) Sivaloka: "World of Siva," and of the Gods and highly evolved souls; the causal plane, also called Karanaloka. See: chakra, Naraka. tilaka: Marks made on the forehead or the brow with clay, ashes or sandalwood paste as an indication of Hindu sectarian affiliation. time-out: A period of removing oneself or another person from a conflict to allow time to cool off. A technique of positive discipline for raising children with love rather punishment. See: positive discipline. tirodhana shakti: "Concealing power." Veiling grace, or God's power to obscure the soul's divine nature. Tirodhana shakti is the particular energy of Siva that binds the three bonds of anava, karma, maya to the soul. It is a purposeful limiting of consciousness to give the opportunity to the soul to grow and mature through experience of the world. See: evolution of the soul, grace. tirthayatra: "Journey to a holy place." Pilgrimage. See: pilgrimage. tiru: "Sacred; holy." The exact Tamil rendition of shri. Feminine equivalent is tirumati. Tirukural: "Holy couplets." A treasury of Hindu ethical insight and a literary masterpiece of the Tamil language, written by Saiva Saint Tiruvalluvar (ca 200 BCE) near Chennai. See: Tiruvalluvar. Tirumantiram: "Holy incantation." The Nandinatha Sampradaya's oldest Tamil scripture; written ca 200 BCE by Rishi Tirumular. It is the earliest of the Tirumurai, and a vast storehouse of esoteric yogic and tantric knowledge. It contains the mystical essence of raja yoga and siddha yoga, and the fundamental doctrines of the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas, which in turn are the heritage of the ancient pre-historic traditions of Saivism. See: Tirumurai, Tirumular. Tirumular: An illustrious siddha yogi and rishi of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara who came from the Himalayas (ca 200 BCE) to Tamil Nadu to compose the Tirumantiram. In this scripture he recorded the tenets of Saivism in concise and precise verse form, based upon his own realizations and the supreme authority of the Saiva Agamas and the Vedas. Tirumular was a disciple of Maharishi Nandinatha. See: Tirumantiram, Kailasa Parampara, Vedanta. Tirumurai: "Holy script." A twelve-book collection of hymns and writings of South Indian Saivite saints, compiled by Saint Nambiyandar Nambi (ca 1000). tiruvadi: The feet of the satguru or his holy sandals, known in Sanskrit as shri paduka, worshiped as the source of grace. The guru's feet are especially sacred, being the point of contact of the divine and physical spheres. See: paduka. Tiruvalluvar: "Holy weaver." Tamil weaver and householder saint (ca 200 BCE) who wrote the classic Saivite ethical scripture Tirukural. He lived with his wife, Vasuki, famed for her remarkable loyalty and virtues, near modern-day Chennai. There a memorial park, the Valluvar Kottam, enshrining his extraordinary verses in marble. See: Tirukural. tithe (tithing): In Sanskrit dashamamsha, or makimai in the Tamil tradition. The spiritual discipline, often a vrata, of giving one tenth of one's gainful and gifted income to a religious organization of one's choice, thus sustaining spiritual education and upliftment on earth. Tithing is given not as an offering, but as "God's money." tithi: A lunar day, approximately one-thirtieth of the time it takes the moon to orbit the earth. Because of their means of calculation (based on the difference of the longitudinal angle between the position of sun and the moon), tithis may vary in length. There are 15 tithis in each fortnight (half month). The names of the tithis are Prathama (new moon), Dvitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dashami, Ekadashi, Dvadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, and lastly either Purnima (full moon) or Amavasya (new moon). These are sometimes prefixed to indicate either the dark (krishna) fortnight -- when the moon is waning -- or the light (shukla) fortnight -- when the moon is waxing -- e.g., Shukla-Navami. Most Hindu festivals are calculated according to the tithis. trance mediumship: In spiritualism, trance mediumship describes the phenomenon in which the medium leaves the physical body, and a disincarnate being enters or takes control of the body, often giving forth verbal messages to others in attendance, as in a seance. See: samadhi. transcend: To go beyond one's limitations, e.g., "to transcend one's ego." Philosophically, to go beyond the limits of this world, or more profoundly, beyond time, form and space into the Absolute, the Self God. transcendent: Surpassing the limits of experience or manifest form. In Saiva Siddhanta, a quality of God Siva as Absolute Reality, Parashiva, the Self. Distinguished from immanent. See: Parashiva. transference: Passing something from one place (or state) to another. transgress: To overstep or break a law or principle. transition: Passing from one state, condition or place to another. A synonym of death which implies, more correctly, continuity of the individual rather than his annihilation. transmigration: Reincarnation, the repeated rebirth of the soul in a succession of human bodies. transmutation: Change from one
form to another. Here, changing or transforming the sexual/instinctive
energies into intellectual and spiritual ones. Transmutation means to
reverse the forces that constantly flow from the sahasrara downward into the muladhara.
It is lifting the force of sexual impulses that would tend to manifest
in visualization, longing for affection and sensual feelings, often
leading to masturbation and loss of the sacred fluids. One exception
for both men and women is the occurrence of wet dreams, for here the
astral, psychic vitality of the actinodic into the actinic energies
rises as the odic fluids are released. However, night emissions are to
be controlled and may be minimized or eliminated by taking only liquid
or light foods in the evening. trikona: A triangle; symbol of God Siva as Absolute Reality. Also represents the element fire. triple bondage: See: mala, pasha. tripundra: "Three marks." The Saivite sectarian mark, consisting of three horizontal lines of vibhuti (holy ash) on the brow, often with a dot (bindu) at the third eye. The three lines represent the soul's three bonds: anava, karma and maya. Holy ash, made of burnt cow dung, is a reminder of the temporary nature of the physical body and the urgency to strive for spiritual attainment and closeness to God. See: bindu, tilaka, vibhuti. trishula: A three-pronged spear or trident wielded by Lord Siva and certain Saivite ascetics. Symbolizes God's three fundamental shaktis or powers -- icchha (desire, will, love), kriya (action) and jnana (wisdom). Truth: When capitalized, ultimate knowing which is unchanging. Lower case (truth): honesty, integrity; virtue.
unfoldment: Opening gradually, especially in stages. See: evolution, spiritual unfoldment. United Nations: UN, a worldwide organization established in 1945, devoted to world peace, promoting economic, social and educational welfare and to creating cultural understanding between nations. unmanifest: Not evident or perceivable. Philosophically, akin to transcendent. Siva is unmanifest in His formless perfection, Parashiva. See: formless. unravel: To undo, to separate, disentangle something entangled. upadesha: "Advice; religious instruction." Often given in question-and-answer form from guru to disciple. The satguru's spiritual discourses. upadeshi: A liberated soul who chooses to teach, actively helping others to the goal of liberation. Contrasted with nirvani. See: nirvani and upadeshi, satguru. Upanishad: "Sitting near devotedly." The fourth and final portion of the Vedas, expounding the secret, philosophical meaning of the Vedic hymns. The Upanishads are a collection of profound texts which are the source of Vedanta and have dominated Indian thought for thousands of years. They are philosophical chronicles of rishis expounding the nature of God, soul and cosmos, exquisite renderings of the deepest Hindu thought. See: shruti, Veda, Vedanta.
Vaishnavism (Vaishnava): One of the four major religions, or denominations of Hinduism, representing roughly half of the world's one billion Hindus. It gravitates around the worship of Lord Vishnu as Personal God, His incarnations and their consorts. The doctrine of avatara (He who descends), especially important to Vaishnavism, teaches that whenever adharma gains ascendency in the world, God takes a human birth to reestablish "the way." The most renowned avataras were Rama and Krishna. Vaishnavism stresses the personal aspect of God over the impersonal, and bhakti (devotion) as the true path to salvation. The goal of Vaishnavism is the attainment of mukti, defined as blissful union with God's body, the loving recognition that the soul is a part of Him, and eternal nearness to Him in Vaikuntha, heaven. vaishya: "Landowner; merchant." See: caste. vanakkam: The Tamil equivalent to namaskara. Varaha Upanishad: A minor Upanishad of the Krishna Yajur Veda. vasana: "Abode." Subconscious inclinations. From vas, "dwelling, residue, remainder." The subliminal inclinations and habit patterns which, as driving forces, color and motivate one's attitudes and future actions. Vasanas are the conglomerate results of subconscious impressions (samskaras) created through experience. Samskaras, experiential impressions, combine in the subconscious to form vasanas, which thereafter contribute to mental fluctuations, called vritti. The most complex and emotionally charged vasanas are found in the dimension of mind called the sub-subconscious, or vasana chitta. See: samskara, mind (five states), vasana daha tantra, vritti. vasana daha tantra: "Purification of the subconscious by fire." Daha means burning, tantra is a method, and vasanas are deep-seated subconscious traits or tendencies that shape one's attitudes and motivations. Vasanas can be ether positive or negative. One of the best methods for resolving difficulties in life, of dissolving troublesome vasanas, the vasana daha tantra is the practice of burning confessions, or even long letters to loved ones or acquaintances, describing pains, expressing confusions and registering grievances and long-felt hurts. Also called spiritual journaling, writing down problems and burning them in any ordinary fire brings them from the subconscious into the external mind, releasing the supressed emotion as the fire consumes the paper. This is a magical healing process. -- maha vasana daha tantra: The special sadhana of looking back over and writing about the various aspects of one's life in order to clear all accumulated subconscious burdens, burning the papers as done in the periodic vasana daha tantra. Ten pages are to be written about each year. Other aspects of this tantra include writing about people one has known (people check), all sexual experiences (sex check). See also: vasana. vata: The banyan tree, Ficus indicus, sacred to Siva. Thought to derive from vat, "to surround, encompass" -- also called nyagrodha, "growing downwards." Ancient symbol of the Sanatana Dharma. Its relative, the ashvattha, or pipal tree, is given in the Upanishads as a metaphor for creation, with the "roots above and the branches below." Vastu Shastras: Various ancient texts on vastu, "the science of time and space," in the words of renowned Indian architect, Sri V. Ganapati Sthapati. The Vastu Shastras are categorized as part of the Sthapatyaveda, science of architecture, classed among the Upavedas, which are secondary Vedic texts discussing such areas as statecraft, health and music. Vastu unfolds the scientific principles and models of spiritual art and architecture to yield a harmonious flow of energy in the physical environment, giving rise to good health, wealth, intelligence and happiness. Veda: "Wisdom." Sagely revelations which comprise Hinduism's most authoritative scripture. They, along with the Agamas, are shruti, that which is "heard." The Vedas are a body of dozens of holy texts known collectively as the Veda, or as the four Vedas: Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. In all they include over 100,000 verses, as well as additional prose. The knowledge imparted by the Vedas is highly mystical or superconscious rather than intellectual. Each Veda has four sections: Samhitas (hymn collections), Brahmanas (priestly manuals), Aranyakas (forest treatises) and Upanishads (enlightened discourses). The oldest portions of the Vedas are thought by some to date back as far as 6,000 BCE, written down in Sanskrit in the last few millennia, making them the world's most ancient scriptures. See: shruti, Upanishad. Vedanta: "Ultimate wisdom" or "final conclusions of the Vedas." Vedanta is the system of thought embodied in the Upanishads (ca 1500-600 BCE), which give forth the ultimate conclusions of the Vedas. Through history there developed numerous Vedanta schools, ranging from pure dualism to absolute monism. The first and original school is Advaita Ishvaravada, "monistic theism" or panentheism, exemplified in the Vedanta-Siddhanta of Rishi Tirumular (ca 250 BCE) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya in his Tirumantiram, which is a perfect summation of both the Vedas and the Agamas. See: dvaita-advaita, monistic theism. Vedic-Agamic: Simultaneously drawing from and complying with both of Hinduism's revealed scriptures (shruti), Vedas and Agamas, which represent two complimentary, intertwining streams of history and tradition. The difference between Siddhanta and Vedanta is traditionally described in the way that while the Vedas represent man looking for God, the Agamas hold the perspective of God looking to help man. This is reflected in the fact that while the Vedas are voiced by rishis, God or the Goddess is the bestower of truth in the Agama texts. See: grace, shruti. vegetarian: Shakahara. Of a diet which excludes meat, fish, fowl and eggs. Vegetarianism is a principle of health and environmental ethics that has been a keystone of Indian life for thousands of years. Vegetarian foods include grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and dairy products. Natural, fresh foods, locally grown, without insecticides or chemical fertilizers, are preferred. The following foods are minimized: frozen and canned foods, highly processed foods, such as white rice, white sugar and white flour; and "junk" foods and beverages (those with abundant chemical additives, such as artificial sweeteners, colorings, flavorings and preservatives, or prepared with unwholesome ingredients). veiling grace: Tirobhava shakti. The divine power that limits the soul's perception by binding or attaching the soul to the bonds of anava, karma, and maya -- enabling it to grow and evolve as an individual being. See: grace. vel: "Spear, lance." The symbol of Lord Karttikeya's divine authority as Lord of yoga and commander of the devas. (Known as shula in Sanskrit.) See: Karttikeya. vicarious: Empathizing or sharing in the experience of another person through feeling or imagination. vibhuti: Powerful," "pervading," "appearing." From bhu "existence," or "manifestation" and vi, "apart." Holy ash, a whitish powder prepared by burning cow dung along with other precious substances -- milk, ghee, honey, etc. It symbolizes purity and is one of the main sacraments offered to God and given to worshipers after puja in all Saivite temples and shrines. Saivites wear three stripes on the brow as a distinct sectarian mark, as do many Smartas. vibration: A distinctive emotional aura or atmosphere that can be instinctively sensed or experienced. vidyarambha: "Commencement of learning." See: samskaras of childhood. vigil: A one-hour time of sadhana, ideally before sunrise, a regimen of puja, chanting of the Guru Mantra, personal japa, scriptural study, hatha yoga and meditation. vina: Large South Indian popular musical instrument usually having seven strings and two calabash gourds as resonance boxes. Vishnu: "All-pervasive." Supreme Deity of the Vaishnavite religion. God as personal Lord and Creator, the All-Loving Divine Personality, who periodically incarnates and lives a fully human life to re-establish dharma whenever necessary. In Saivism, Vishnu is Siva's aspect as Preserver. See: Vaishnavism. vishuddha chakra: "Wheel of purity." The fifth chakra. Center of divine love. See: chakra. vishvagrasa: "Total absorption." The final merger, or absorption, of the soul in Siva, by His grace, at the fulfillment of its evolution. It is the ultimate union of the individual soul body with the body of Siva -- Parameshvara -- within the Sivaloka, from whence the soul first emanated. This occurs at the end of the soul's evolution, after the four outer sheaths -- annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha and vijnamaya kosha -- have been discarded. Finally, anandamaya kosha, the soul form itself, merges in the Primal Soul. See: atman, evolution of the soul, nirvani and upadeshi, samadhi, soul. Vishvaguru: "World as teacher." The playful personification of the world as the guru of those with no guru, headmaster of the school of hard knocks, where students are left to their own devices and learn by their own mistakes rather than by following a traditional teacher. vital forces: The life-giving energies in the physical body. vitala chakra: "Region of negation." Region of raging anger and viciousness. The second chakra below the muladhara, centered in the thighs. Corresponds to the second astral netherworld beneath the earth's surface, called Avichi ("joyless") or Vitala. See: chakra, Naraka. vivaha: "Marriage." See: samskaras. Vivekananda, Swami: Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna who was overtaken by an ardent love of Hinduism and a missionary zeal that drove him onward. He passed into mahasamadhi at the age of 39 (1863 -- 1902). vrata: "Vow, religious oath." Often a vow to perform certain disciplines over a period of time, such as penance, fasting, specific mantra repetitions, worship or meditation. Vratas extend from the simplest personal promise to irrevocable vows made before God, Gods, guru and community. vratyastoma: "Vow pronouncement." The traditional purification rite, outlined in the Tandya Brahmana, to welcome back into a Hindu community. It is performed for Hindus returning to India from abroad and for those who have embraced other faiths. vritti: "Whirlpool, vortex." In yoga psychology, names the fluctuations of consciousness, the waves of mental activities (chitta vritti) of thought and perception. A statement from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (1.2) reads, "Yoga is the restraint (nirodha) of mental activity (chitta vritti)." In general use, vritti means: 1) course of action, mode of life; conduct, behavior; way in which something is done; 2) mode of being, nature, kind, character. See: mind (individual), raja yoga.
Web browsing: Computer viewing of sites on the World Wide Web on a computer containing information posted by individuals or group or organizations. wedding penant. See: marriage pendant. wet dream: An involuntary emission of semen during sleep, usually as a result of a sexual dream. Swami Sivananda discusses wet dreams in his Yoga Lessons for Children, Chapter 36 on Brahmacharya. He states, "Many young boys and men suffer from wet dreams. Sri Aurobindo states that an occurrence once a week is normal. To have it more frequently indicates indulgence in sex thoughts." Sivananda advises a sattvic diet, rising early (as wet dreams usually occur in the last quarter of the night), cold showers, hatha yoga, fresh fruit and raw foods, not going to bed right after a heavy meal. He says, "The actual essence does not come out during wet dreams. It is only the watery prostatic juice with a little semen. When nocturnal emission takes place, the mind which was working in the inner astral body suddenly enters the physical body vehemently in an agitated condition. That is the reason why emission takes place suddenly." He concludes, "Do not get depressed or anxious. It is best not to give too much importance to these dreams. Forget them, then they will not trouble you." See: transmutation. winds of the body: The five primary pranas or forces of the physical body. When they are in perfect balance, vibrant health is experienced. See: pranas. worldly: Materialistic, unspiritual. Devoted to or concerned with the affairs or pleasures of the world, especially excessive concern to the exclusion of religious thought and life. Connoting ways born of the lower chakras: jealousy, greed, selfishness, anger, guile, etc.
yama-niyama: "Austerity." See: anna dana, jnana dana, krishna dana, raja yoga, shukla dana. yantra: "Vessel; container." A mystic diagram composed of geometric and alphabetic designs -- usually etched on small plates of gold, silver or copper. Sometimes rendered in three dimensions in stone or metal. The purpose of a yantra is to focus spiritual and mental energies according to a computer-like yantric pattern, be it for health, wealth, childbearing or the invoking of one God or another. It is usually installed near or under the temple Deity. Psychically seen, the temple yantra is a magnificent three-dimensional edifice of light and sound in which the devas work. On the astral plane, it is much larger than the temple itself. yoga: "Union." From yuj, "to yoke, harness, unite." The philosophy, process, disciplines and practices whose purpose is the yoking of individual consciousness with transcendent or divine consciousness. One of the six darshanas, or systems, of orthodox Hindu philosophy. Yoga wascodified by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras (ca 200 BCE) as the eight limbs (ashtanga) of raja yoga. It is essentially a one system, but historically, parts of raja yoga have been developed and emphasized as yogas in themselves. Prominent among the many forms of yoga are hatha yoga (emphasizing bodily perfection in preparation for meditation), kriya yoga (emphasizing breath control), as well as karma yoga (selfless service) and bhakti yoga (devotional practices) which could be regarded as an expression of raja yoga's first two limbs (yama and niyama). See: bhakti yoga, kriya yoga, hatha yoga, raja yoga. yoga marga: See: pada. yoga pada: The third of the successive stages in spiritual unfoldment in Saiva Siddhanta, wherein the goal is Self Realization. See: pada, yoga. Yoga Sutras: The great work by Saivite Natha siddha Patanjali (ca 200 BCE), comprising some 200 aphorisms delineating ashtanga (eight-limbed), raja (kingly) or siddha (perfection) yoga. Still today, it is the foremost text on meditative yoga. See: Kailasa Parampara, raja yoga, yoga. Yogaswami: "Master of yoga." Sri Lanka's most renowned contemporary spiritual master (1872-1964), a Sivajnani and Natha siddhar revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. He was trained in and practiced kundalini yoga under the guidance of Satguru Chellappaswami, from whom he received guru diksha. Sage Yogaswami was in turn the satguru of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, current preceptor of the Natha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. Yogaswami conveyed his teachings in hundreds of songs, called Natchintanai, "good thoughts," urging seekers to follow dharma and realize God within. See: Kailasa Parampara. yogi: (yogin) One who practices yoga, especially kundalini or raja yoga. In Gurudeva's monastic community, yogis, or tapasvins, are distinguished by their yellow robes and earnestness in the performance of sadhana and humble service. (Hindi and modern Indian vernaculars. Sanskrit: yogin.) yogini: Feminine counterpart of yogi. yoke: To join securely as if with a yoke; bind: partners who were yoked together for life. To force into heavy labor, bondage, or subjugation. yoking: Joining securely or closely uniting. young soul: A soul who has gone through only a few births, and is thus inexperienced or immature. See: soul. yuga: "Aeon," "age." One of four ages which chart the duration of the world, our solar system, according to Hindu thought. They are: Satya (or Krita), Treta, Dvapara and Kali. In the first period, dharma reigns supreme, but as the ages revolve, virtue diminishes and ignorance and injustice increases. At the end of the Kali Yuga, in which we are now, the cycle begins again with a new Satya Yuga.
Zen: A school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, contemplation and intuition, rather than through faith and devotion. |