Dancing with Siva

Resource 9: Glossary O to S

Glossary O to S

Sabda Kosah

objective: 1)Quality of thinking or perception relating to the object as it truly is. Not biased or colored by one's personal point of view or prejudices, which then would be subjective thinking.2) A target, goal or anything sought for or aimed at. Cf: subjective.

oblation: An offering or sacrifice ceremoniously given to a God or guru. See: sacrifice, yajna.

obliteration: A thorough blotting out; wiping out.

obscuration: The power to make obscure, to conceal or veil, as in Siva's veiling or obscuring grace. See: grace, Nataraja.

obscuring grace: See: grace, Nataraja.

obstacle: See: upasarga.

obstinate (obstinacy): Overly determined to have one's own way. Stubborn.

occult: Hidden, or kept secret; revealed only after initiation. See: mysticism.

odic: Spiritually magnetic -- of or pertaining to consciousness within ashuddha maya, the realm of the physical and lower astral planes. Odic force in its rarified state is prakriti, the primary gross energy of nature, manifesting in the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. It is the force of attraction and repulsion between people, people and their things, and manifests as masculine (aggressive) and feminine (passive), arising from the pingala and ida currents. These two currents (nadi) are found within the spine of the subtle body. Odic force is a magnetic, sticky, binding substance that people seek to develop when they want to bind themselves together, such as in partnerships, marriage, guru-shishya relationships and friendships. Odic energy is the combined emanation of the pranamaya and annamaya koshas. The term odic is the adjective form of od (pronounced like mode), defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "a hypothetical force held by Baron von Reichenbach (1788 -- 1869) to pervade all nature, manifesting itself in certain persons of sensitive temperament (streaming from their fingertips), and exhibited especially by magnets, crystals, heat, light and chemical action; it has been held to explain the phenomena of mesmerism and animal magnetism." See: actinic, actinodic, guna, kosha, odic, subtle body, tattva.

offset: Made up for, compensated for, counterbalanced.

offspring: The young of animals or humans. Children. Sanskrit: apatya.

olai: "Leaf." An ancient form of Indian books used in India, made of strips of fronds from the palmyra (trindruma) and talipot (talapatra, "fan-leaf") palms. Prepared birch bark (bhurja patra) was the medium in the North. The pages were loosely tied, with cord passed between one or two holes and usually bound between wooden covers. Ink, made from lampblack or charcoal, was applied with a reed pen. Or, more commonly in the South, the letters were scribed with a stylus, then rubbed with powdered lampblack. These books are small in size, averaging about 2 inches high and 8 inches wide and up to 11 or 12 inches thick, wound with string and generally protected in colored cloth. See: grantha.

old soul: One who has reincarnated many times, experienced much and is therefore further along the path than young souls. Old souls may be recognized by their qualities of compassion, self-effacement and wisdom. See: evolution of the soul, soul.

Om: "Yes, verily." The most sacred mantra of Hinduism. Om is an alternate transliteration of Aum (the sounds A and U blend to become O). See: Aum.

ominous: Foreboding; frightening, sinister.

omnipotent: All-powerful. Able to do anything.

omnipresent: Present everywhere and in all things.

omniscient: Possessing infinite knowledge.

oneness: Quality or state of being one. Unity, identity, especially in spite of appearances to the contrary -- e.g., the oneness of soul and God. See: monism.

ontology: The branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of reality.

orbit: The path taken by a celestial body revolving around another.

ordain (ordination): To bestow the duties and responsibilities, authority and spiritual power of a religious office, such as priest, minister or satguru, through religious ceremony or mystical initiation. See: diksha.

original sin: See: sin.

orthodox: "Of right (correct) opinion." Conforming to established doctrines or beliefs. Opposite of heterodox, "different opinion."

outgrow (outgrown): To grow faster or larger than and, therefore, to lose or be rid of in the process of growing.

overshadow: To cast a shadow over or be more important than; to dominate.

overwhelm: To overcome or overpower as with great force or emotion.

pada: "A step, pace, stride; footstep, trace."

pada: "The foot (of men and animals); quarter-part, section; stage; path." Names the major sections of the Agamic texts and the corresponding stages of practice and unfoldment on the path to moksha. According to Saiva Siddhanta, there are four padas, which are successive and cumulative; i.e. in accomplishing each one the soul prepares itself for the next. (In Tamil, Saiva Siddhanta is also known as Nalu-pada, "four-stage," Saivam.) -- charya pada: "Good conduct stage."The first stage where one learns to live righteously, serve selflessly, performing karma yoga. It is also known as dasa marga,"servitor's path," a time when the aspirant relates to God as a servant to a master.Traditional acts of charya include cleaning the temple, lighting lamps and collecting flowers for worship. Worship at this stage is mostly external. -- kriya pada:"Religious action; worship stage." Stage of bhakti yoga, of cultivating devotion through performing puja and regular daily sadhana. It is also known as the satputra marga, "true son's way," as the soul now relates to God as a son to his father. A central practice of the kriya pada is performing daily puja. -- yoga pada: Having matured in the charya and kriya padas, the soul now turns to internalized worship and raja yoga under the guidance of a satguru. It is a time of sadhana and serious striving when realization of the Self is the goal. It is the sakha marga, "way of the friend," for now God is looked upon as an intimate friend. -- jnana pada:"Stage of wisdom." Once the soul has attained Realization, it is henceforth a wise one who lives out the life of the body, shedding blessings on mankind. This stage is also called the San Marga, "true path," on which God is our dearest beloved; implying transcendence of individuality and merger with the Divine. The Tirumantiram describes the fulfillment of each stage as follows. In charya, the soul forges a kindred tie in "God's world" (salokya). In kriya it attains "nearness" (samipya) to Him. In yoga it attains "likeness" (sarupya) with Him. In jnana the soul enjoys the ultimate bliss of union or identity (sayujya) with Siva. See: jnana, nirvani and upadeshi.

padapuja: "Foot worship." Ceremonial worship of the guru's sandals or holy feet, often through ablution with precious substances and offering of fruit and flowers. After the ceremony, the water of the bath, the fruit and other precious substances are partaken of as prasada by the devotees. See: guru, guru bhakti, paduka, prasada, ucchhishta.

padartha: "Constituent substance." Primary categories or essential elements of existence, defined differently or uniquely by each philosophical school. For example, in the Sankhya Darshana, the padarthas are purusha (spirit) and prakriti (matter). According to Advaita Vedanta, they are chit (spirit) and achit (nonspirit), which from an absolute perspective are taken as the One padartha, Brahman. In Shakta and Saiva traditions, the padarthas are Pati (God), pashu (soul) and pasha (world, or bonds).

paddhati: "Foot-path; track; guideline." A class of expository writings, e.g., Gorakshanatha's Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati and the many paddhatis that are guidebooks for temple rituals. There are paddhatis for the Vedas and for the Agamas.

padma: The lotus flower, Nelumbo nucifera, symbol of spiritual development and the chakras. Because it grows out of mud and rises to perfect purity and glory, it is an apt representation of the soul's mystical growth and maturity.

Padma Purana: One of the six main Vishnu Puranas.

paduka: "Sandals." Shri Paduka refers to the sandals of the preceptor, the traditional icon of the guru, representing his venerable feet and worshiped as the source of grace. Paduka also names one of Vira Saivism's eight aids (ashtavaranam) to faith -- the practice of drinking the water from the ceremonial ablution of the Sivalinga or the guru's feet. See: guru bhakti, padapuja, prasada, satguru, ucchhishta.

pagan: From the Latin paganus, "villager." A term used disparagingly by Semitic faiths for a member of another religion or of no religion, originally for the pre-Christian religions of the Roman Empire, and then for the rest of Europe. Akin to shamanism and other of the world's indigenous faiths, which have survived to this day despite organized persecution. Pagans are gradually surfacing again, and have acknowledged an affinity with Hinduism. See: mysticism, shamanism.

pageantry: Aspectacular and grand representation, elaborately decorated show, procession, drama, etc. See: festival.

Paingala Upanishad: Belongs to the Shukla Yajur Veda. A 12-verse dialog between Sage Yajnavalkya and his disciple Paingala covering a wide range of topics, including liberation and the five sheaths of man.

panchabhuta: "Five elements." Earth, water, fire, air and ether. Also called mahabhuta. See: tattva.

panchachara: "Five rules." The fivefold Vira Saivite code of conduct. 1) Lingachara:Daily worship of the Sivalinga. 2) sadachara: attention to vocation and duty. 3) Sivachara:Acknowledging Siva as the one God and observing equality among members. 4) bhrityachara: Humility toward all creatures. 5) ganachara: defense of the community and its tenets.See: Vira Saivism.

Pancha Ganapati Utsava: "Fivefold Ganapati festival." A modern five-day festival observed from the 21st through 25th of December. Pancha (five) denotes Ganesha's five faces, each representing a specific power (shakti). One face is worshiped each day, creating 1) harmony in the home, 2) concord among relatives, neighbors and friends, 3) good business and public relations, 4) cultural upliftment and 5) heartfelt charity and religiousness. The festival, a favorite among children, was conceived in 1985 by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami along with elders of various Hindu sects. It is a time of sharing gifts, renewing ties of family and friendship while focusing inwardly on this great God of abundance. See: Ganesha.

Panchakshara Mantra: "Five-lettered chant." Saivism's most sacred mantra. See: Namah Sivaya.

Panchamukha Ganapati: "Five-faced Ganapati." A special form of Lord Ganesha with five faces; similar to Siddhi Ganapati.

pancha nitya karma(s): "Five constant duties." A traditional regimen of religious practice for Hindus: 1) dharma, virtuous living, 2) upasana, worship, 3) utsava, holy days, 4) tirthayatra, pilgrimage and 5) samskaras, sacraments. See: dharma, festival, samskara, tirthayatra. See also: Primer, p. 711

Pancharatra: An ancient form of Vaishnavism. Literally "five nights," but this may be a corruption of pancharatha ("five vehicles, ways or paths"), thought to indicate five ancient sects in the vicinity of Mathura that eventually merged into one with the worship of Krishna.

Pancharatra Agama(s): The most popular of the two major groups of Vaishnava Agamas (the other being the Vaikasana Agamas).

Panchartha Bhashya: Commentary by Kaundinya (ca 100) on Lakulisa's Pashupata Sutras, one of the few extant philosophical texts of Pashupata Saivism. It was rediscovered in 1930. See: Pashupata Saivism.

pancha shraddha: "Five faiths." A concise summary of Hindu belief exactly correlated to the "five constant practices," pancha nitya karmas. The pancha shraddha are 1) sarva Brahman: God is All in all, soul is divine; 2)mandira: belief in temples and divine beings; 3) karma: cosmic justice; 4) samsara -- moksha: rebirth brings enlightenment and liberation; 5) Vedas and satguru: the necessity of scripture and preceptor. See: pancha nitya karma.

Panchatantra: The collection of animal fables used by sage Vishnu (Vishnu) Sharma to teach the king's sons the "art of practical life." They were written down in Sanskrit in about 200 BCE, but had circulated previously as part of oral tradition. The engaging apologues have migrated all over the world to reappear in Aesop's Fables, Arabian Nights, Canterbury Tales and in ancient Chinese and Japanese literature. See: apologue, folk-narratives, mythology.

panchayatana puja: "Five-shrine worship." A system of personal worship, thought to have developed after the 7th century, in the Smarta brahminical tradition, and which is now part of orthodox daily practice for Smartas. The ritual involves the worship of five Deities: Vishnu, Siva, Surya, Ganesha and Shakti. The five are represented by small murtis, or by five kinds of stones, or by five marks drawn on the floor. One is placed in the center as the devotee's preferred God, Ishta Devata, and the other four in a square around it. Kumara, often added as a sixth Deity, is generally situated behind the Ishta Devata. Philosophically, all are seen by Smartas as equal reflections of the one Saguna Brahman, rather than as distinct beings. This arrangement is also represented in Smarta temples, with one in a central sanctum, and the others installed in smaller shrines. Each God may be worshiped in any of His/Her traditional aspects or incarnations, allowing for much variety (e.g., Shakti as Lakshmi, Vishnu as Rama, and Siva as Bhairava). With the addition of the sixth Deity, Kumara, the system is known as shanmata, "sixfold path." This system has laid the foundation for the modern secular or neo-Indian religion, in which Hindus freely add Jesus, Mother Mary, Mohammed, Buddha or other holy personages to their altars. This modern syncretism has no basis in traditional scripture. See: Ishta Devata, neo-Indian religion, shanmata sthapanacharya, Smartism.

pandit (pandita): (Also, pundit.) A Hindu religious scholar or theologian, one well versed in philosophy, liturgy, religious law and sacred science.

panentheism: "All-in-God doctrine." The view that the universe is part of the being of God, as distinguished from pantheism ("all-is-God doctrine"), which identifies God with the total reality. In contrast, panentheism holds that God pervades the world, but is also beyond it. He is immanent and transcendent, relative and Absolute. This embracing of opposites is called dipolar. For the panentheist, God is in all, and all is in God. Panentheism is the technical term for monistic theism. See: Advaita Ishvaravada, dvaita-advaita, monistic theism, pantheism.

Panini (Panini): Great Sanskrit grammarian, author of the 4,000-sutra Ashtadhyayi, which set the linguistic standards for classical Sanskrit (ca 400 BCE). See: Vyakarana Vedanga.

pantheism: "All-is-God doctrine." A term applied to a variety of philosophical positions in which God and the world are identical. To the pantheist, God is not a Personal Lord, nor a transcendent or formless Being, but is the totality of all existence, including universal laws, movement, matter, etc. See also: monistic theism, panentheism.

papa: "Wickedness or sin;" "crime." 1) Bad or evil. 2)Wrongful action. 3) Demerit earned through wrongdoing. Papa includes all forms of wrongdoing, from the simplest infraction to the most heinous crime, such as premeditated murder. Each act of papa carries its karmic consequence, karmaphala, "fruit of action," for which scriptures delineate specific penance for expiation. Those who have awakened psychic sight can clearly see papa in the inner subconscious aura as a colorful, sticky, astral substance. Papa is seen as dark unrelated colors, whereas its counterpart, punya, is seen as pastels. The color arrangements are not unlike modern art murals. Papa colors can produce disease, depression, loneliness and such, but can be dissolved through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya).

There are specific consequences, karmaphala, "fruit of action," that result from each type of transgression of dharma. For example, a man who steals from his neighbors creates a cosmic debt which may be repaid later by having his own possessions taken away. There are also specific penances, prayashchitta, that can be performed for atonement and the accrual of punya (merit) to balance out the papa, the negative karma of the wrongful act. Such disciplines are provided in the various Dharma Shastras and prescribed by knowing preceptors, panditas, shastris, swamis, yogis and village elders according to the varna and education of the individual.

For example, the Laws of Manu give several types of penance for the crime of murder, including 1) making a forest hut and subsisting there on alms for twelve years and using a human skull as one's emblem; or 2)walking 100 yojanas (900 miles), while reciting the Vedas, eating little and remaining continent. A contemporary example: if a man fells a large healthy tree, he may atone by planting ten trees and ensuring that at least one grows to replace it.

The degree of papa accrued from an action depends on various factors, including the karma, dharma and spiritual advancement of the individual, the intent or motivation, as well as the time and place of the action (for example, unvirtuous deeds carry great demerit when performed in holy places). Papa is the opposite of punya (merit, virtue). See: evil, karma, penance, punya, sin.

papa-duhkha: "Sin and suffering." See: karma, papa, sin.

papman: "Evil; sin." See: evil, papa, Satan, sin.

para: "Supreme; beyond." A prefix referring to the highest dimension of what it precedes, as in Parashiva or Parabrahman. (Sometimes para, as in Parashakti.)

parable: A short, simple story illustrating a moral or religious principle.

Parabrahman: "Supreme (or transcendent) God." A synonym for Nirguna Brahman, Absolute Reality, beyond time, form and space. Same as Parashiva. See: Brahman, Parashiva.

paradox: "Side-by-side opinion or thought." An apparent contradiction according to conventional logic and reason.

Parakhya Agama: A subsidiary Saiva Agamic text (Upagama).

parama: "Highest; supreme." See: para.

paramaguru: "Grand preceptor." The guru of a disciple's guru.

paramahamsa: "Supreme swan." From hamsa, meaning swan or, more precisely, the high-flying Indian goose, Anser Indicus. A class of liberated renunciates. See: hamsa.

Paramananda (Paramananda): See: Kailasa Parampara.

Paramatman: "Supreme Self," or "transcendent soul." Parashiva, Absolute Reality, the one transcendent Self of every soul. Contrasted with atman, which includes all three aspects of the soul: Parashiva, Parashakti and anandamaya kosha. See: atman, kosha, Parashakti, Parashiva, soul.

Parameshvara: "Supreme Lord or Ruler."God Siva's third perfection, Supreme Mahadeva, Siva-Shakti, mother of the universe. In this perfection, as personal, father-mother God, Siva is a person -- who has a body, with head, arms and legs, etc. -- who acts, wills, blesses, gives darshana, guides, creates, preserves, reabsorbs, obscures and enlightens. In Truth, it is Siva-Shakti who does all. The term Primal Soul, Paramapurusha, designates Parameshvara as the original, uncreated soul, the creator of all other souls. Parameshvara has many other names and epithets, including those denoting the five divine actions -- Sadashiva, the revealer; Maheshvara, the obscurer;Brahma, the creator; Vishnu the preserver; and Rudra the destroyer. See: Nataraja, Parashakti, Parashiva, Sadashiva.

parampara: "Uninterrupted succession." A lineage. See: guru parampara.

parartha puja: "Public liturgy and worship." See: puja.

Parashakti: "Supreme power; primal energy." God Siva's second perfection, which is impersonal, immanent, and with form -- the all-pervasive, Pure Consciousness and Primal Substance of all that exists. There are many other descriptive names for Parashakti -- Satchidananda ("existence-consciousness-bliss"), light, silence, divine mind, superconsciousness and more. Parashakti can be experienced by the diligent yogi or meditator as a merging in, or identification with, the underlying oneness flowing through all form. The experience is called savikalpa samadhi. See: raja yoga, Shakti, Satchidananda, tattva.

Parasamvid: In Siddha Siddhanta, the highest, transcendental state of Siva. A synonym of Parashiva.

Parashiva: "Transcendent Siva." The Self God, Siva's first perfection, Absolute Reality. Parashiva is That which is beyond the grasp of consciousness, transcends time, form and space and defies description. To merge with the Absolute in mystic union is the ultimate goal of all incarnated souls, the reason for their living on this planet, and the deepest meaning of their experiences. Attainment of this is called Self Realization or nirvikalpa samadhi. See: samadhi, Siva.

Parvati: "Mountain's daughter." One of many names for the Universal Mother. Prayers are offered to Her for strength, health and eradication of impurities. Mythologically, Parvati is wedded to Siva. See: Goddess, Shakti.

pasha: "Tether; noose." The whole of existence, manifest and unmanifest. That which binds or limits the soul and keeps it (for a time) from manifesting its full potential. Pasha consists of the soul's threefold bondage of anava, karma and maya. See: liberation, mala, Pati-pashu-pasha.

pasha-jnana: "Knowledge of the world." That which is sought for by the soul in the first stage of the sakala avastha, known as irul. See: irul, sakala avastha.

pashu: "Cow, cattle, kine; fettered individual." Refers to animals or beasts, including man. In philosophy, the soul. Siva as lord of creatures is called Pashupati. See: pasha, Pati-pashu-pasha.

pashu-jnana: "Soul-knowledge." The object of seeking in the second stage of the sakala avastha, called marul. See: marul, sakala avastha.

pashupalaka: "Herdsman." One who protects, nourishes and guards. A Hindu chaplain or missionary.

Pashupata Saivism: Monistic and theistic, this school of Saivism reveres Siva as Supreme Cause and Personal Ruler of soul and world, denoted in His form as Pashupati, "Lord of souls." This school centers around the ascetic path, emphasizing sadhana, detachment from the world and the quest for "internal kundalini grace." The Karavana Mahatmya recounts the birth of Lakulisa (ca 200 BCE), a principal Pashupata guru, and refers to the temple of Somanatha as one of the most important Pashupata centers. Lakulisa propounded a Saiva monism, though indications are that Pashupata philosophy was previously dualistic, with Siva as efficient cause of the universe but not material cause. It is thought to be the source of various ascetic streams, including the Kapalikas and the Kalamukhas. This school is represented today in the broad sadhu tradition, and numerous Pashupata sites of worship are scattered across India. See: Saivism.

Pashupata Sutra(s): The recently rediscovered (1930) central scripture of the Pashupata school of Saivism, attributed to Lakulisa. It covers asceticism at great length, and the five subjects of Pashupata theology: effect, cause, meditation, behavior and dissolution of sorrow. It urges the ascetic to go unrecognized and even invite abuse. See: Pashupata Saivism.

Pashupati: "Herdsman; lord of animals." An ancient name and attribute of Siva, first appearing in the Atharva Veda. This form of Siva, seated in yogic pose, was found on a seal from the 6,000-year-old Indus Valley civilization. See: Pashupata Saivism, Saivism.

Pasupatinatha mandira: Foremost temple of Nepal, linked to the ancient Pashupata sect of Saivism.

patala: "Fallen or sinful region." The seventh chakra below the muladhara, centered in the soles of the feet. Corresponds to the seventh and lowest astral netherworld beneath the Earth's surface, called Kakola ("black poison") or Patala. This is the realm in which misguided souls indulge in destruction for the sake of destruction, of torture, and of murder for the sake of murder. Patala also names the netherworld in general, and is a synonym for Naraka. See: chakra, loka, Naraka.

Patanjali (Patanjali): A Saivite Natha siddha (ca 200 BCE) who codified the ancient yoga philosophy which outlines the path to enlightenment through purification, control and transcendence of the mind. One of the six classical philosophical systems (darshanas) of Hinduism, known as Yoga Darshana. His great work, the Yoga Sutras, comprises some 200 aphorisms delineating ashtanga (eight-limbed), raja (kingly) or siddha (perfection) yoga. Still today it is the foremost ancient text on meditative yoga. Different from the namesake grammarian. See: Kailasa Parampara, raja yoga, shad darshana, yoga.

path: Marga or pantha. A trail, road or way. In Hinduism the term path is used in various ways. -- path of enlightenment/salvation/ moksha:The way to the ultimate goals of Self Realization and liberation. -- universal path: The spiritual path followed by all of existence, progressing to Godhood. -- path of dharma: Following principles of good conduct and virtue. -- the two paths: The way of the monk and that of the householder, a choice to be made by each Hindu young man. -- peerless/highest path: The spiritual path (or the path of renunciation) as the noblest of human undertakings. -- the straight path: The way that leads directly to the goal, without distraction or karmic detour. -- on the path: one seriously studying, striving and performing sadhana to perfect the inner and outer nature. -- our right path in life: The best way for us personally to proceed;personal dharma, svadharma. -- "Truth is one, paths are many:" Hinduism's affirmation for tolerance. It accepts that there are various ways to proceed toward the ultimate goal.See: dharma, pada.

pathaka: "Reader, reciter."An inspired reader of scripture and sacred literature.

Pati: "Master; lord; owner." A name for God Siva indicating His commanding relationship with souls as caring ruler and helpful guide. In Saiva Siddhanta the term is part of the analogy of cowherd (pati), cows (pashu, souls) and the tether (pasha -- anava, karma and maya) by which cows are tied. See: monotheism, Pati-pashu-pasha, Siva.

Pati-jnana:"Knowledge of God," sought for by the soul in the third stage of the sakala avastha, called arul. See: arul, sakala avastha, shaktinipata.

Pati-pashu-pasha : Literally: "master, cow and tether." These are the three primary elements (padartha, or tattvatrayi) of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy: God, soul and world -- Divinity, man and cosmos -- seen as a mystically and intricately interrelated unity. Pati is God, envisioned as a cowherd. Pashu is the soul, envisioned as a cow. Pasha is the all-important force or fetter by which God brings souls along the path to Truth. The various schools of Hinduism define the rapport among the three in varying ways. For pluralistic Saiva Siddhantins they are three beginningless verities, self-existent, eternal entities. For monistic Saiva Siddhantins, pashu and pasha are the emanational creation of Pati, Lord Siva, and He alone is eternal reality. See: pasha, Saiva Siddhanta, soul.

Paushkara Agama: Subsidiary text (Upagama) of the Matanga Parameshvara Saiva Agama, containing 977 verses divided into 90 chapters. A mostly philosophic treatise dealing with God, soul and world and the instruments of knowledge. See: Saiva Agama.

penance: Prayashchitta. Atonement, expiation. An act of devotion (bhakti), austerity (tapas) or discipline (sukritya) undertaken to soften or nullify the anticipated reaction to a past action. Penance is uncomfortable karma inflicted upon oneself to mitigate one's karmic burden caused by wrongful actions (kukarma). It includes such acts as prostrating 108 times, fasting, self-denial, or carrying kavadi (public penance), as well as more extreme austerities, or tapas. Penance is often suggested by spiritual leaders and elders. Penitence or repentance, suffering regret for misdeeds, is called anutapa, meaning "reheating." See: evil, kavadi, papa, prayashchitta, sin, tapas.

pendant: An ornament or piece of jewelry "appended" to a necklace. See: wedding pendant.

perfections: Qualities, aspects, nature or dimensions that are perfect. God Siva's three perfections are Parashiva, Parashakti and Parameshvara. Though spoken of as threefold for the sake of understanding, God Siva ever remains a one transcendent-immanent Being. See: Siva.

Periyapuranam: Twelfth book of the Tirumurai. Lives of the 63 Saiva Nayanar saints of Tamil Nadu, by Sekkilar (ca 1140). See: Tirumurai.

personal dharma: Svadharma. An individual's unique path in life in conformance with divine law. See: dharma, karma.

Personal God: See: Ishta Devata, Parameshvara.

perspective: Point of view.

pilgrimage: Tirthayatra. Journeying to a holy temple, near or far, performed by all Hindus at least once each year. See: tirthayatra.

pinda: Roundish "pellet; mass; body;" part of the whole, individual; microcosm." In worship rites, small balls of cooked rice set aside daily in remembrance of ancestors. Philosophically, and emphasized in Siddha Siddhanta, the human body as a replica of the macrocosm, mahasakara pinda, also called Brahmanda (cosmic egg), or simply anda (egg). Within the individual body of man is reflected and contained the entire cosmos. Each chakra represents a world or plane of consciousness with the highest locus in the head and the lowest in the feet. "Microcosm-macrocosm" is embodied in the terms pinda-anda. Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati lists six pindas, from the garbhapinda, "womb-born body," to parapinda, "transcendental body." See: Brahmanda, microcosm-macrocosm.

pingala: "Tawny channel." The masculine psychic current flowing along the spine. See: kundalini, nadi, raja yoga.

pir: Holy "father." Muslim title for a religious leader; applied to leaders of a few Gorakshanatha monasteries. See: Siddha Siddhanta.

pitha: "Seat; pedestal; foundation." 1) The base or pedestal of the Sivalinga, or of any Deity idol. 2) A religious seat, such as the throne of the abbot of a monastery. 3) An aadheenam, ashrama or matha established around such a seat of spiritual authority. See: Sivalinga.

Pitriloka: "World of ancestors." The upper region of Bhuvarloka. See: loka.

pitta: "Bile; fire." One of the three bodily humors, called doshas, pitta is known as the fire humor. It is the ayurvedic principle of bodily heat-energy. Pitta dosha governs nutritional absorption, body temperature and intelligence. See: ayurveda, dosha.

plague: To distress, afflict, trouble or torment.

plane: A stage or level of existence; e.g., the causal plane (Sivaloka). See: loka.

Pleiades: A cluster of stars in the Taurus constellation, six of which are now visible from Earth. This group of stars is known in Sanskrit as Krittika, an important nakshatra for Lord Karttikeya and believed to be this Deity's place of origin before He came to the star system of Earth. See: Karttikeya.

pliant: Flexible, adaptable, not rigid.

Plotinus: Egypt-born Greek philosopher (205 -- 270), one of the Western world's greatest known mystics, who extended and revived the work of the Greek philosopher Plato in the Roman Empire. His philosophy, known as Neo-Platonism, posits concentric levels of reality, not unlike the Hindu cosmology of lokas, with a central source of sublime existence and values and an outer sheath of physical matter. Man, he said, is a microcosm of this system, capable of attaining the sublime inner state through enstasy. He practiced and taught ahimsa, vegetarianism, karma, reincarnation and belief in Supreme Being as both immanent and transcendent. His writings, in six divisions, are called the Enneads. He was apparently familiar with Hindu wisdom through reading Life of Apollonius of Tyana, a partly fictionalized biography of a Greek renunciate who is said to have visited India.

pluralism (pluralistic): Doctrine that holds existence to be composed of three or more distinct and irreducible components, such as God, souls and world. See: dvaita-advaita.

pluralistic realism: A term for pluralism used by various schools including Meykandar Saiva Siddhanta, emphasizing that the components of existence are absolutely real in themselves and not creations of consciousness or God.

polygamy: Practice of having more than one spouse.

polytheism: Belief in or worship of many Gods. See also: monotheism.

pomp: A dignified or brilliant display. Splendor and pageantry.

pontifical: Having to do with pontiffs, or high priests. Having all the dignity, respect, and influence of a spiritual leader endowed with great authority.

potent: Having power, authority. Effective, able.

potentialities: A state of latency, something that has power but is not developed or manifest, such as a talent yet to be matured.

pradakshina: "Moving to the right." Worshipful circumambulation, walking clockwise around the temple sanctum or other holy place, with the intention of shifting the mind from worldly concerns to awareness of the Divine. Clockwise has esoteric significance in that the chakras of muladhara and above spin clockwise, while those below spin counterclockwise, taking one down into the lower regions of selfishness, greed, conflict and turmoil.

pradosha: The auspicious 3-hour period, 1H hours before and after sunset. Pradosha especially refers to this period on the 13th (trayodashi) tithi of each fortnight, an optimum time of the month for meditation. Its observance, prepared for by fasting, is called pradosha vrata. See: fast, tithi.

pragmatic: Practical. Concerned with application, not theory or speculation.

prakriti: "Primary matter; nature." In the 25-tattva Sankhya system -- which concerns itself only with the tangible spectrum of creation -- prakriti, or pradhana, is one of two supreme beginningless realities: matter and spirit, Prakriti and Purusha, the female and male principles. Prakriti is the manifesting aspect, as contrasted with the quiescent unmanifest -- Purusha, which is pure consciousness. In Shaktism, Prakriti, the active principle, is personified as Devi, the Goddess, and is synonymous with Maya. Prakriti is thus often seen, and depicted so in the Puranas, as the Divine Mother, whose love and care embrace and comfort all beings. In Saivite cosmology, prakriti is the 24th of 36 tattvas, the potentiality of the physical cosmos, the gross energy from which all lower tattvas are formed. Its three qualities are sattva, rajas and tamas. See: odic, purusha, tattva.

pralaya: "Dissolution, reabsorption; destruction; death." A synonym for samhara, one of the five functions of Siva. Also names the partial destruction or reabsorption of the cosmos at the end of each eon or kalpa. There are three kinds of periods of dissolution: 1) laya, at the end of a mahayuga, when the physical world is destroyed; 2) pralaya, at the end of a kalpa, when both the physical and subtle worlds are destroyed; and 3)mahapralaya at the end of a mahakalpa, when all three worlds (physical, subtle and causal) are absorbed into Siva. See: cosmic cycle, mahapralaya.

pramukha: Literally, "forward-face." "Head; chief; principal. " Leader, guide; such as the family head, kutumba pramukha. See: joint family.

prana: Vital energy or life principle. Literally, "vital air," from the root pran, "to breathe."Prana in the human body moves in the pranamaya kosha as five primary life currents known as vayus, "vital airs or winds." These are prana (outgoing breath), apana (incoming breath), vyana (retained breath), udana (ascending breath) and samana (equalizing breath). Each governs crucial bodily functions, and all bodily energies are modifications of these. While prana usually refers to the life principle, it sometimes denotes energy, the interrelated odic and actinic forces, the power or the animating force of the cosmos, the sum total of all energy and forces. See: kosha, tattva.

Pranagnihotra Upanishad: A minor Upanishad which explains how to transform the external ritual of the fire sacrifice into pranagnihotra, "the sacrifice offered in the prana fire" of one's own being.

Pranalinga: "Living mark." Personally experiencing God in the Sivalinga. A term used especially in Vira Saivism. See: Sivalinga, Vira Saivism.

pranama: "Obeisance; bowing down." Reverent salutation in which the head or body is bowed. -- ashtanga pranama: "Eight-limbed obeisance." The full prostration for men, in which the hands, chest, forehead, knees and feet touch the ground. (The same as shashtanga pranama.) -- panchanga pranama: "Five-limbed obeisance." The woman's form of prostration, in which the hands, head and legs touch the ground (with the ankles crossed, right over the left). A more exacting term for prostration is pranipata, "falling down in obeisance." See: bhakti, namaskara, prapatti.

pranamaya kosha: "Life-energy sheath." See: kosha, prana.

pranatyaga: "Abandoning life force." A term for suicide but without the connotation of violence expressed in the more common terms svadehaghata, "murdering one's body," and atmaghata, "self-murder." See: death, suicide.

Pranava: "Humming." The mantra Aum, denoting God as the Primal Sound. It can be heard as the sound of one's own nerve system, like the sound of an electrical transformer or a swarm of bees. The meditator is taught to inwardly transform this sound into the inner light which lights the thoughts, and bask in this blissful consciousness. Pranava is also known as the sound of the nada-nadi shakti. See: Aum, Siva Consciousness.

pranayama: "Breath control."See: raja yoga.

pranic body: The subtle, life-giving sheath called pranamaya kosha. See: kosha.

prapatti: "Throwing oneself down." Bhakti, total, unconditional submission to God, often coupled with the attitude of personal helplessness, self-effacement and resignation. A term especially used in Vaishnavism to name a concept extremely central to virtually all Hindu schools. In Saiva Siddhanta, bhakti is all important in the development of the soul and its release into spiritual maturity. The doctrine is perhaps best expressed in the teachings of the four Samayacharya saints, who all shared a profound and mystical love of Siva marked by 1) deep humility and self-effacement, admission of sin and weakness; 2) total surrender in God as the only true refuge and 3) a relationship of lover and beloved known as bridal mysticism, in which the devotee is the bride and Siva the bridegroom. The practice of yoga, too, is an expression of love of God in Saiva Siddhanta, and it is only with God's grace that success is achieved. Rishi Tirumular states: "Unless your heart melts in the sweet ecstasy of love -- my Lord, my treasure-trove, you can never possess" (Tirumantiram 272). It is in this concept of the need for self-effacement and total surrender, prapatti, that the members of all sects merge in oneness, at the fulfillment of their individual paths. Similarly, they all meet in unity at the beginning of the path with the worship of Lord Ganesha. See: bhakti, grace, pada, surrender.

prarabdha karma: "Action that has been unleashed or aroused." See: karma.

prasada: "Clarity, brightness; grace." 1) The virtue of serenity and graciousness. 2) Food offered to the Deity or the guru, or the blessed remnants of such food. 3) Any propitiatory offering. See: sacrament, Vira Saivism.

Prashna Upanishad: Belongs to the Atharva Veda and is divided into six sections addressing six questions asked of sage Pippalada (Pippalada) by his disciples, regarding life, Realization and the mantra Aum.

prashnottaram: "Question-answer (prashna-uttaram)." A term used in Dancing with Siva for catechism, an interrogatory summation of religious doctrine. See:Upanishad.

pratyabhijna: "Recognition or recollection," from "knowledge" (jnana) which "faces" (abhi) the knower and toward which he eventually "turns" (prati). A concept of Kashmir Saivism which denotes the devotee's recognition, as a result of the guru's grace, of the Truth that ever was -- that Siva is indeed everywhere, and the soul is already united with Him.

Pratyabhijna Darshana: The philosophical name for Kashmir Saivism.

Pratyabhijna Sutra(s): A foundational Kashmir Saiva scripture, 190 sutras.

pratyahara: "Withdrawal." The drawing in of forces. In yoga, the withdrawal from external consciousness. (Also a synonym for pralaya.) See: raja yoga, mahapralaya, meditation.

prayashchitta: "Predominant thought or aim." Penance. Acts of atonement. See: papa, penance, punya.

prayojaka: "An instigator, manager, promoter, agent." Also a designation of a coordinator of religious outreach activities and literature distribution.

prayopavesha: "Resolving to die through fasting." Self-willed death by fasting. See: death, suicide.

precede: To come before in time, importance, influence or rank.

precinct: An enclosed or delimited area. Also the grounds surrounding a religious edifice.

precursor: Forerunner. A person or thing that goes before. Predecessor.

Premaiva Sivamaya, Satyam eva Parashivah: "God Siva is immanent love and transcendent Reality." A Saivite Hindu affirmation of faith. See: affirmation.

prenatal: Existing or occurring before physical birth, or relating to the time before birth. See: samskaras of birth.

preservation: The act of maintaining or protecting. One of the five cosmic powers. See: Nataraja.

preside: To be chairman at a gathering, in a position of authority within a group. To have charge of; to dominate.

Pretaloka: "World of the departed." The realm of the earth-bound souls. This lower region of Bhuvarloka is an astral duplicate of the physical world. See: loka.

prevail: To be strong and victorious; overcome all obstacles. To exist widely.

Primal Soul: The uncreated, original, perfect soul -- Siva Parameshvara -- who emanates from Himself the inner and outer universes and an infinite plurality of individual souls whose essence is identical with His essence. God in His personal aspect as Lord and Creator, depicted in many forms: Nataraja by Saivites, Vishnu by Vaishnavites, Devi by Shaktas. See: Nataraja, Parameshvara.

Primal Sound: In Hinduism, sound is the first manifestation, even before light, in the creative scheme of things. The Primal Sound is also known as Pranava, the sound of the mula mantra, "Aum." See: sound.

Primal Substance: The fundamental energy and rarified form from which the manifest world in its infinite diversity is derived. See: Parashakti.

principle: An essential truth, law or rule upon which others are based.

pristine: Pure, unspoiled; original condition.

procreation: The process of begetting offspring.

procurer: Provider.

progeny: Offspring, children; descendants.

prohibit: To forbid or prevent by authority.

prominent: Conspicuous, noticeable at once. Widely known.

promiscuity: Engaging in sex indiscriminantly or with many persons.

prone: Tending or inclined toward.

pronged: Having one or several pointed ends.

propel: To push, impel, or drive forward.

prophecy: Divination. Act or practice of predicting the future.

propound: To set forth. To put forward.

protest: To state positively, affirm solemnly; or speak strongly against.

protocol: Customs of proper etiquette and ceremony, especially in relation to religious or political dignitaries.

protrude: To jut out or project.

province: Sphere, area or division.

prow: The forward part of a ship; any similar projecting or leading part.

prudent: Careful. Showing wisdom and good judgment in practical matters.

psalm: A sacred hymn, song or poem.

psychic: "Of the psyche or soul." Sensitive to spiritual processes and energies. Inwardly or intuitively aware of nonphysical realities; able to use powers such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and precognition. Nonphysical, subtle; pertaining to the deeper aspects of man. See: mysticism, odic.

puja: "Worship, adoration." An Agamic rite of worship performed in the home, temple or shrine, to the murti, shri paduka, or other consecrated object, or to a person, such as the satguru. Its inner purpose is to purify the atmosphere around the object worshiped, establish a connection with the inner worlds and invoke the presence of God, Gods or one's guru. During puja, the officiant (pujari) recites various chants praising the Divine and beseeching divine blessings, while making offerings in accordance with established traditions. Puja, the worship of a murti through water, lights and flowers in temples and shrines, is the Agamic counterpart of the Vedic yajna rite, in which offerings are conveyed through the sacred homa fire. These are the two great streams of adoration and communion in Hinduism. Central steps of puja include: 1) achamana, water sipping for purification; 2)Ganapati prarthana, prayers to Ganesha; 3) sankalpa, declaration of intent; 4) ghanta, ringing bell, inviting devas and dismissing asuras; 5) avahana, inviting the Deity ; 6) mantras and dhyana, meditating on the Deity; 7) svagata, welcoming; 8) namaskara, obeisance; 9) arghyam, water offerings; 10) pradakshina, circumambulation; 11) abhisheka, bathing the murti; 12) dhupa, incense-offering; 13) dipa, offering lights; 14)naivedya, offering food; 15)archana, chanting holy names; 16) arati, final offering of lights; 17) prarthana, personal requests; 18) visarjana, dismissal-farewell. Also central are pranayama (breath control), guru vandana (adoration of the preceptor), nyasa (empowerment through touching) and mudra (mystic gestures). Puja offerings also include pushpa (flowers), arghya (water), tambula (betel leaf) and chandana (sandalpaste). -- atmartha puja: Karana Agama, v. 2, states: Atmartha cha parartha cha puja dvividhamuchyate, "Worship is twofold: for the benefit of oneself and for the benefit of others." Atmartha puja is done for oneself and immediate family, usually at home in a private shrine. -- parartha puja: "Puja for others." Parartha puja is public puja, performed by authorized or ordained priests in a public shrine or temple. See: pujari, yajna.

pujari: "Worshiper." A general term for Hindu temple priests, as well as anyone performing puja. Pujari (sometimes pujari) is the Hindi form of the Sanskrit pujaka; pusari in Tamil. Archaka is another term for priest used in the southern tradition. Purohita is a Smarta brahmin priest who specializes in domestic rites. See: puja.

pulsate: To beat or throb in rhythm, as the heart.

punarjanma: "Reincarnation."From punah, "again and again," and janma, "taking birth." See: reincarnation.

pundit (pandita): A Hindu religious scholar or theologian, a man well versed in philosophy, liturgy, religious law and sacred science.

Punjab (Punjab): The area of ancient India between the Indus and Sutlej, below Kashmir. It is now divided between India and Pakistan. It was a center of Saivism prior to the Muslim invasions. The modern Indian state is 19,445 square miles in area with a population of 18 million.

punsavana: "Male rite; bringing forth a male." Traditional sacrament performed during early pregnancy in prayer of a son. See: samskaras of birth.

punya: "Holy; virtuous; auspicious." 1) Good or righteous. 2) Meritorious action. 3) Merit earned through right thought, word and action. Punya includes all forms of doing good, from the simplest helpful deed to a lifetime of conscientious beneficence. Each act of punya carries its karmic consequence, karmaphala, "fruit of action" -- the positive reward of actions, words and deeds that are in keeping with dharma. Awakened psychics who have developed clairvoyant sight can clearly see the punya accrued in the inner subconscious aura as a colorful, free-flowing, astral, light-energy, pranic substance. Punya is seen as light-hued, pastel colors, whereas its counterpart, papa, is seen as shades of darker colors which are usually static and immovable. These variegations of the papa shades and punya hues are not unlike the free-expression paintings found in modern art. Punya colors produce inner contentment, deep joy, the feeling of security and fearlessness. Papa can be dissolved and punya created through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya). Punya is earned through virtuous living, following the multi-faceted laws of dharma. Punya depends on purity of acts according to various factors including 1) the karma and evolution of the individual, 2) degree of sacrifice and unselfish motivation and 3) time and place. For example, virtuous deeds, sadhana, tapas and penance have greater merit when performed in holy places and at auspicious times. The Tirukural (105) states that "Help rendered another cannot be measured by the extent of the assistance given. Its true measure is the worth of the recipient." In other words, a small act done for a great and worthy soul carries more punya than even a large act performed for a lesser person. (Opposite of papa.) See: aura, karma, papa, penance.

Purana: "Ancient lore." Hindu folk narratives containing ethical and cosmological teachings relative to Gods, man and the world. They revolve around five subjects: primary creation, secondary creation, genealogy, cycles of time and history. There are 18 major Puranas which are designated as either Saivite, Vaishnavite or Shakta. See: folk narratives, mythology.

Pure Consciousness: See: Parashakti, Satchidananda, tattva.

purgatory: A state or place of temporary punishment or expiation. A hellish condition that is not eternal. Purgatory is actually more fitting than the term hell as an equivalent for the Sanskrit Naraka. See: hell, loka, Naraka.

puritan: A person who is overly strict or rigid regarding morals and religion.

purity-impurity: Shaucha-ashaucha. Purity and its opposite, pollution, are a fundamental part of Hindu culture. While they refer to physical cleanliness, their more important meanings extend to social, ceremonial, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual cleanliness or contamination. Freedom from all forms of contamination is a key to Hindu spirituality, and is one of the yamas. Physical purity requires a clean and well-ordered environment, yogic purging of the internal organs and frequent cleansing with water. Mental purity derives from meditation, right living and right thinking. Emotional purity depends on control of the mind, clearing the subconscious and keeping good company. Spiritual purity is achieved through following the yamas and niyamas, study of the Vedas and other scriptures, pilgrimage, meditation, japa, tapas and ahimsa. Ritual purity requires the observance of certain prayashchittas, or penances, for defilement derived from foreign travel, contact with base people or places, conversion to other faiths, contact with bodily wastes, attending a funeral, etc. Purity is of three forms -- purity in mind, speech and body, or thought, word and deed. Purity is the pristine and natural state of the soul. Impurity, or pollution, is the obscuring of this state by adulterating experience and beclouding conceptions. In daily life, the Hindu strives to protect this innate purity by wise living, following the codes of dharma. This includes harnessing the sexual energies, associating with other virtuous Hindu devotees, never using harsh, angered or indecent language, and keeping a clean and healthy physical body. See: dharma, papa, penance, punya, yama-niyama.

purnima: "Fullness."Full moon. See:Guru Purnima.

purohita: "Front-most; leader; family priest."A Smarta brahmin priest who specializes in home ceremonies. See: pujari, Smarta.

pursue (pursuit): To go with determination after a goal. To follow.

purusha: "The spirit that dwells in the body/in the universe." Person; spirit; man. Metaphysically, the soul, neither male nor female. Also used in Yoga and Sankhya for the transcendent Self. A synonym for atman. Purusha can also refer to the Supreme Being or Soul, as it sometimes does in the Upanishads. In the Rig Veda hymn "Purusha Sukta," Purusha is the cosmic man, having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet and encompassing the Earth, spreading in all directions into animate and inanimate things. In the Sankhya system, Purusha is one of two supreme, beginningless realities: spirit and matter, Purusha and Prakriti, the male and female principles. It is the quiescent unmanifest, pure consciousness, contrasted with Prakriti, the manifesting, primal nature from which the cosmos unfolds. In Saiva cosmology, purusha is the 25th of 36 tattvas, one level subtler than prakriti. Beyond these lie the subtle realms of shuddha maya. Transcending all the tattvas is Parashiva. See: atman, jiva, prakriti, soul, tattva.

purusha dharma: "A man's code of duty and conduct." See: dharma.

purushartha: "Human wealth or purpose." The four pursuits in which people may legitimately engage, also called chaturvarga, "fourfold good" -- a basic principle of Hindu ethics. -- dharma: "Righteous living." The fulfillment of virtue, good works, duties and responsibilities, restraints and observances -- performing one's part in the service and upliftment of society. This includes pursuit of truth under a guru of a particular parampara and sampradaya. Dharma is of four primary forms. It is the steady guide for artha and kama. See: dharma. -- artha: "Wealth." Material welfare and abundance, money, property, possessions. Artha is the pursuit of wealth, guided by dharma. It includes the basic needs -- food, money, clothing and shelter -- and extends to the wealth required to maintain a comfortable home, raise a family, fulfill a successful career and perform religious duties. The broadest concept of wealth embraces financial independence, freedom from debt, worthy children, good friends, leisure time, faithful servants, trustworthy employees, and the joys of giving, including tithing (dashamamsha), feeding the poor, supporting religious mendicants, worshiping devoutly, protecting all creatures, upholding the family and offering hospitality to guests. Artha measures not only riches but quality of life, providing the personal and social security needed to pursue kama, dharma and moksha. It allows for the fulfillment of the householder's five daily sacrifices, pancha mahayajna: to God, ancestors, devas, creatures and men. See: yajna. -- kama: "Pleasure, love; enjoyment." Earthly love, aesthetic and cultural fulfillment, pleasures of the world (including sexual), the joys of family, intellectual satisfaction. Enjoyment of happiness, security, creativity, usefulness and inspiration. See: Kama Sutras. -- moksha: "Liberation." Freedom from rebirth through the ultimate attainment, realization of the Self God, Parashiva. The spiritual attainments and superconscious joys, attending renunciation and yoga leading to Self Realization. Moksha comes through the fulfillment of dharma, artha and kama (known in Tamil as aram, porul and inbam, and explained by Tiruvalluvar in Tirukural) in the current or past lives, so that one is no longer attached to worldly joys or sorrows. It is the supreme goal of life, called paramartha. See: liberation, moksha.

qualified nondualism: Nearly monistic; a translation of Vishishtadvaita. See: Vishishtadvaita.

quantum: Quantity or amount. In the quantum theory of modern science: a fixed basic unit, usually of energy. -- quantum particles of light: Light understood not as a continuum, but as traveling bundles each of a same intensity. Deeper still, these particles originate and resolve themselves in a one divine energy. -- at the quantum level (of the mind): Deep within the mind, at a subtle energy level. See: apex of creation, microcosm-macrocosm, tattva.

quell: To put an end to, subdue or make quiet.

race: Technically speaking, each of the five varieties of man (Caucasoid, Congoid, Mongoloid, Australoid and Capoid) is a Homo sapiens subspecies. A subspecies is a branch showing slight but significant differences from another branch living in a different area. Few traits are unique to any one race. It is the combination of several traits that indicate racial identity. Accurate race determination can be made by blood analysis or by measuring and comparing certain body dimensions. Ninety-eight percent of all Hindus belong to the Caucasoid race. There are also large numbers of Hindu Mongoloids in Nepal and Assam and some Australoids, such as the Gond and Bhil tribes of India. North and South Indians are among Earth's 2.5 billion Caucasoids, whose traits include straight to wavy hair, thin lips, small to medium teeth, blue to dark brown eyes and a high incident of A -Rh and Gm blood genes. Skin color, often erroneously attached to the idea of race, is now known to be adaptation to climate: over generations, people in northern climates have developed lighter complexions than their southern brothers.

In a more general sense, the term race can apply to any geographical, national or tribal ethnic group, or to mankind as a whole, as "the human race."

Radhakrishnan (Radhakrishnan), Dr. S.: (1888-1975) The President of India from 1962 to 1967, an outstanding scholar, philosopher, prolific writer, compelling speaker and effective spokesman for Hinduism. Along with Vivekananda, Tagore, Aurobindo and others, he helped bring about the current Hindu revival. He made Hinduism better known and appreciated at home and abroad, especially in the intellectual world. He was a foremost proponent of panentheism. See: Vedanta.

rage: Uncontrolled anger. Fuming fit of fury. See: vitala chakra.

Rahu: "The seizer." In Hindu astrology, Rahuis one of the nine important planets (graha), but is an invisible or "astral" one, along with its counterpart, Ketu. Physically speaking, it is one of two points in the heavens where the moon crosses the ecliptic or path of the sun. The point where the moon crosses the ecliptic moving from south to north is Rahu, the north node. The south node is Ketu. Rahu and Ketu are depicted as a serpent demon who encircles the Earth. Ketu is the dragon's tail and Rahu is the head. Both are believed to cause general consternation among people. See: jyotisha.

rajanya: "Rulership." A synonym for kshatriya. See: varna dharma.

rajas: "Passion; activity." See: guna.

raja yoga: "King of yogas," also known as ashtanga yoga,"eight-limbed yoga." The classical yoga system of eight progressive stages to Illumination as described in various yoga Upanishads, the Tirumantiram and, most notably, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The eight limbs are as follows. 1) -- yama: "Restraint." Virtuous and moral living, which brings purity of mind, freedom from anger, jealousy and subconscious confusion which would inhibit the process of meditation. 2) -- niyama: "Observance." Religious practices which cultivate the qualities of the higher nature, such as devotion, cognition, humility and contentment -- giving the refinement of nature and control of mind needed to concentrate and ultimately plunge into samadhi. 3) -- asana: "Seat or posture." A sound body is needed for success in meditation. This is attained through hatha yoga, the postures of which balance the energies of mind and body, promoting health and serenity, e.g., padmasana, the "lotus pose," for meditation. The Yoga Sutrasindicate that asanas make the yogi impervious to the impact of the pairs of opposites (dvandva), heat-cold, etc. 4) -- pranayama: "Mastering life force." Breath control, which quiets the chitta and balances ida and pingala. Science of controlling prana through breathing techniques in which the lengths of inhalation, retention and exhalation are modulated. Pranayama prepares the mind for deep meditation. 5) -- pratyahara: "Withdrawal." The practice of withdrawing consciousness from the physical senses first, such as not hearing noise while meditating, then progressively receding from emotions, intellect and eventually from individual consciousness itself in order to merge into the Universal. 6) -- dharana: "Concentration."Focusing the mind on a single object or line of thought, not allowing it to wander. The guiding of the flow of consciousness. When concentration is sustained long and deeply enough, meditation naturally follows. 7) -- dhyana: "Meditation." A quiet, alert, powerfully concentrated state wherein new knowledge and insight pour into the field of consciousness. This state is possible once the subconscious mind has been cleared or quieted. 8) -- samadhi: "Enstasy," which means "standing within one's self." "Sameness, contemplation/realization."The state of true yoga, in which the meditator and the object of meditation are one. See: asana, samadhi, yoga.

Rama: Venerated hero of the Ramayana epic, and one of the two most popular incarnations of Vishnu, along with Krishna. His worship is almost universal among Vaishnavas, and extensive among Smartas and other liberal Hindus. He was a great worshiper of Siva, and a Siva temple, called Rameshvaram, was built in his name at the southern tip of India.

Ramakantha (Ramakantha) I: A great exponent of Saiva Siddhanta, ca 950. In the lineage of Aghorasiva.

Ramakantha II: Great exponent of Saiva Siddhanta, ca 1150. Aghorasiva's teacher.

Ramakrishna (Ramakrishna): (1836 -- 1886) One of the great saints and mystics of modern Hinduism, and an exemplar of monistic theism -- fervent devotee of Mother Kali and staunch monist who taught oneness and the pursuit of nirvikalpa samadhi, realization of the Absolute. He was guru to the great Swami Vivekananda (1863 -- 1902), who internationalized Hindu thought and philosophy.

Ramanuja (Ramanuja): Philosopher saint, great bhakta (1017 -- 1137), founder of one of five major Vaishnava schools, and considered the greatest critic of advaita. In his famous Shri Bhashya on the Brahma Sutras, he countered Sankara's absolute monism, point-by-point, with his qualified monism, called Vishishtadvaita Vedanta. See: shad darshana, Vedanta.

Ramaraja (Ramaraja): (1478 -- 1565). The last king of South India's Vijayanagara Empire.

Ramayana: "Life of Rama."One of India's two grand epics (Itihasa) along with the Mahabharata. It is Valmiki's tragic love story of Rama and Sita, whose exemplary lives have helped set high standards of dignity and nobility as an integral part of Hindu dharma. Astronomical data in the story puts Rama's reign at about 2015 BCE. See: Rama.

Ramprasad (Ramprasad): Great Bengali devotional saint-poet (1718 -- 1775) who composed hymns to Shakti.

rasatala: "Subterranean region." The fifth chakra below the muladhara, centered in the ankles. Corresponds to the fifth astral netherworld beneath the Earth's surface, called Rijisha ("expelled") or Rasatala. Region of selfishness, self-centeredness and possessiveness. Rasa means "earth, soil;" or "moisture." See: chakra, loka, Naraka.

rationalize: Excuse through reason. Making plausible explanations.

Raurava Agama: Among the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas, this scripture was conveyed by Lord Siva to sage Ruru (hence the name). Its extensive kriya pada section details the structure of the Siva temple and its annexes.

Ravana (Ravana): Villain of the Ramayana epic. A legendary demon-king of Sri Lanka, adversary of Rama, eventually defeated by Rama and his armies.

reabsorption (reabsorb): Taking in again, as water is squeezed from and then drawn back into a sponge. See: cosmic cycle, mahapralaya, pralaya.

reaffirmation: A new affirming or a declaration about a thing as true or still pertinent. See: affirmation.

reality: See: Absolute Reality, relative.

realm: A kingdom, region, area or sphere. See: loka.

reap: To cut for harvest. To gain as a result of effort.

rebellious: Resisting authority or any form of control.

recluse: One who retreats from the world and lives in seclusion.

reconcile (reconciliation): To settle or resolve, as a dispute. To make consistent or compatible, e.g., two conflicting ideas.

redeem: To recover, to set free from penalty or deliver from sin. -- redemption: Act of redeeming. See: absolution, penance.

reembody: To come into a body again. To reincarnate.

reincarnation: "Re-entering the flesh." Punarjanma; metempsychosis. The process wherein souls take on a physical body through the birth process. Reincarnation is one of the fundamental principles of Hindu spiritual insight, shared by the mystical schools of nearly all religions, including Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism (and even Christianity until condemned by the Nicene Council of 787). It is against the backdrop of this principle of the soul's enjoying many lives that other aspects of Hinduism can be understood. It is a repetitive cycle, known as punarjanma, which originates in the subtle plane (Antarloka), the realm in which souls live between births and return to after death. Here they are assisted in readjusting to the "in-between" world and eventually prepared for yet another birth. The quality and nature of the birth depends on the merit or demerit of their past actions (karma) and on the needs of their unique pattern of development and experience (dharma). The mother, the father and the soul together create a new body for the soul. At the moment of conception, the soul connects with and is irrevocably bound to the embryo. As soon as the egg is fertilized, the process of human life begins. It is during the mid-term of pregnancy that the full humanness of the fetus is achieved and the soul fully inhabits the new body, a stage which is acknowledged when the child begins to move and kick within the mother's womb. (Tirumantiram, 460: "There in the pregnant womb, the soul lay in primordial quiescence [turiya] state. From that state, Maya [or Prakriti] and Her tribe aroused it and conferred consciousness and maya's evolutes eight -- desires and the rest. Thus say scriptures holy and true.") Finally, at birth the soul emerges into earth consciousness, veiled of all memory of past lives and the inner worlds. The cycle of reincarnation ends when karma has been resolved and the Self God (Parashiva) has been realized. This condition of release is called moksha. Then the soul continues to evolve and mature, but without the need to return to physical existence. How many earthly births must one have to attain the unattainable? Many thousands to be sure, hastened by righteous living, tapas, austerities on all levels, penance and good deeds in abundance. See: evolution of the soul, karma, moksha, nonhuman birth, samsara, soul.

relative: Quality or object which is meaningful only in relation to something else. Not absolute. -- relative reality: Maya. That which is ever changing and changeable. Describes the nature of manifest existence, indicating that it is not an illusion but is also not Absolute Reality, which is eternal and unchanging. See: Absolute Reality, maya.

religion: From Latin religare,"to bind back." Any system of belief and worship of superhuman beings or powers and/or of a Supreme Being or Power. Religion is a structured vehicle for soul advancement which often includes theology, scripture, spiritual and moral practices, priesthood and liturgy. See: Hinduism.

relinquish: To give up, let go of or abandon. See: sacrifice, tyaga.

remorse: Deep, painful regret or guilt over a wrong one has done. Moral anguish. See: absolution, hri, penance.

remote: Distant, secluded; difficult to reach.

renaissance: "Rebirth" or "new birth." A renewal, revival or reawakening.

render: To cause to be or to become.

renowned: Famous.

Renukacharya (Renukacharya): A Vira Saiva philosopher and saint.

renunciation: See: sannyasa, tyaga, vairagya.

replenish: To fill up or cause to be full again.

repose: To rest peacefully. -- to repose in one's realization: To cease outward activity and enjoy communion with the Divine.

repudiation: Public rejection of a condition, habit or way of being.

rescind: To cancel or revoke.

resemble: To look like, or have similar qualities.

resent (resentment): A feeling of ill-will, indignation or hostility from a sense of having been wronged.

residue: Remainder. That which is left over.

resplendence: Radiance; brilliance.

restive: Nervous, eager to go forward; hard to control.

restraints: See: yama-niyama.

retaliation: Paying back an injury, returning like for like, hurt for hurt. Getting even; vengeance.

revealing grace: See: anugraha shakti, grace.

Righama (Righama): See: Kailasa Parampara.

rigorous: Very strict or severe.

Rig Veda: "Veda of verse (rik)." The first and oldest of the four Veda corpora of revealed scriptures (shruti), including a hymn collection (Samhita), priestly explanatory manuals (Brahmanas), forest treatises (Aranyakas) elaborating on the Vedic rites, and philosophical dialogs (Upanishads). Like the other Vedas, the Rig Veda was brought to earth consciousness not all at once, but gradually, over a period of perhaps several thousand years. The oldest and core portion is the Samhita, believed to date back, in its oral form, as far as 8,000 years, and to have been written down in archaic Sanskrit some 3,000 years ago. It consists of more than 10,000 verses, averaging three or four lines (riks), forming 1,028 hymns (suktas), organized in ten books called mandalas. It embodies prayerful hymns of praise and invocation to the Divinities of nature and to the One Divine. They are the spiritual reflections of a pastoral people with a profound awe for the powers of nature, each of which they revered as sacred and alive. The rishis who unfolded these outpourings of adoration perceived a well-ordered cosmos in which dharma is the way of attunement with celestial worlds, from which all righteousness and prosperity descends. The main concern is man's relationship with God and the world, and the invocation of the subtle worlds into mundane existence. Prayers beseech the Gods for happy family life, wealth, pleasure, cattle, health, protection from enemies, strength in battle, matrimony, progeny, long life and happiness, wisdom and realization and final liberation from rebirth. The Rig Veda Samhita, which in length equals Homer's Iliad and Odyssey combined, is the most important hymn collection, for it lends a large number of its hymns to the other three Veda Samhitas (the Sama, Yajur and Atharva). Chronologically, after the Samhitas came the Brahmanas, followed by the Aranyakas, and finally the Upanishads, also called the Vedanta, meaning "Veda's end." See: shruti, Vedas.

rishi: "Seer." A term for an enlightened being, emphasizing psychic perception and visionary wisdom. In the Vedic age, rishis lived in forest or mountain retreats, either alone or with disciples. These rishis were great souls who were the inspired conveyers of the Vedas. Seven particular rishis (the sapta-rishis) mentioned in the Rig Veda are said to still guide mankind from the inner worlds. See: shruti.

Rishi from the Himalayas: First recent known siddha of the Nandinatha Sampradaya. See: Kailasa Parampara Nandinatha Sampradaya.

rita: "Sacred order, cosmic law; truth." See: dharma.

rite (or ritual): A religious ceremony. See: sacrament, sacrifice, samskara.

rites of passage: Sacraments marking crucial stages of life. See: samskara.

ritu kala: "Fit or proper season." Time of menses. Traditional ceremony marking a young woman's coming of age. Ritu kala thus means "onset of puberty." See: samskaras of adulthood.

Rudra: "Controller of terrific powers;" or "red, shining one." A name of Siva as the God of dissolution, the universal force of reabsorption. Rudra-Siva is revered both as the "terrifying one" and the "lord of tears," for He wields and controls the terrific powers which may cause lamentation among humans. See: Nataraja.

rudraksha: "Eye of Rudra; or red-eyed." Refers to the third eye, or ajna chakra. Marble-sized, multi-faced, reddish-brown seeds from the Eleocarpus ganitrus, or blue marble tree, which are sacred to Siva and a symbol of His compassion for humanity. Garlands, rudraksha mala, of larger seeds are worn around the neck by monks, and nonmonastics often wear a single bead on a cord at the throat. Smaller beads (usually numbering 108) are strung together for japa (recitation). See: japa, mantra.

Rudrasambhu (Rudrashambhu) : Principal guru in the Amardaka order of Saiva monastics, about 775 in Ujjain, one of Saivism's holiest cities. The sect served as advisors to the king prior to the Muslim domination around 1300.

Rudrayamala Tantra: A little-known text dealing with worship.

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.

sacred thread: Yajnopavita. See: upanayana.

sacrifice: Yajna. 1) Presenting 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. See: tyaga, yajna.

sadachara: "Proper conduct; virtue, morality." It is embodied in the principles of dharma. See: dharma, pada, yama-niyama.

Sadashiva: "Ever-auspicious." A name of the Primal Soul, Siva, a synonym for Parameshvara, which is expressed in the physical being of the satguru. Sadashiva especially denotes the power of revealing grace, anugraha shakti, the third tattva, after which emerge Siva's other four divine powers. This fivefold manifestation or expression of God's activity in the cosmos is depicted in Hindu mantras, literature and art as the five-faced Sadashivamurti. Looking upward is Ishana, "ruler" (the power of revealment). Facing east is Tatpurusha, "supreme soul" (the power of obscuration). Westward-looking is Sadyojata, "quickly birthing" (the power of creation). Northward is Vamadeva, "lovely, pleasing" (the power of preservation). Southward is Aghora, "nonterrifying" (the power of reabsorption). The first four faces revealed the Vedas. The fifth face, Ishana, revealed the Agamas. These five are also called Sadashiva, the revealer; Maheshvara, the obscurer;Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver; and Rudra, the destroyer. See: grace, Parameshvara, Sadashiva, Siva, tattva.

sadhaka: "Accomplished one; a devotee who performs sadhana." A serious aspirant who has undertaken spiritual disciplines, is usually celibate and under the guidance of a guru. He wears white and may be under vows, but is not a sannyasin. See: sadhana.

sadhana: "Effective means of attainment." 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, purity-impurity, raja yoga, sadhana marga, spiritual unfoldment.

sadhana marga: "The way of sadhana." A term 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: mysticism, 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. There are countless sadhus on the roads, byways, mountains, riverbanks, and in the ashramas and caves of India. They have, by their very existence, a profound, stabilizing effect on the consciousness of India and the world. See: vairagi.

sadhvi: Feminine of sadhu. See: sadhu.

Saguna Brahman: "God with qualities." The Personal Lord. See: Brahman, Parameshvara.

sahasra lekhana sadhana: "Thousand-times writing discipline." The spiritual practice of writing a sacred mantra 1,008 times.

sahasrara chakra: The cranial psychic force center. "Thousand-spoked wheel." See: chakra.

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 are 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. Of these, ten are of the Sivabheda division and are considered dualistic: 1) Kamika, 2) Yogaja, 3) Chintya, 4) Karana, 5) Ajita, 6) Dipta, 7) Sukshma, 8) Sahasraka, 9) Amshumat and 10) Suprabheda. There are 18 in the Rudrabheda group, classed as dual-nondual: 11) Vijaya, 12) Nihshvasa, 13) Svayambhuva, 14) Anala, 15) Vira (Bhadra), 16) Raurava, 17) Makuta, 18) Vimala, 19) Chandrajnana (or Chandrahasa), 20)Mukhabimba (or Bimba), 21) Prodgita (or Udgita), 22)Lalita, 23) Siddha, 24) Santana, 25) Sarvokta (Narasimha), 26) Parameshvara, 27) Kirana and 28) Vatula (or Parahita). Rishi Tirumular, in his Tirumantiram, refers to 28 Agamas and mentions nine by name. Eight of these -- Karana, Kamika, Vira, Chintya, Vatula, Vimala, Suprabheda and Makuta -- are in the above list of 28 furnished by the French Institute of Indology, Pondicherry. The ninth, Kalottara, is presently regarded as an Upagama, or secondary text, of Vatula. The Kamika is the Agama most widely followed in Tamil Saiva temples, because of the availability of Aghorasiva's manual-commentary (paddhati) on it. Vira Saivites especially refer to the Vatula and Vira Agamas. 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: Agamas, Vedas.

Saiva Neri: "Saiva path." Tamil term for Saivism. See: Saivism.

Saiva Samayam: "Saiva religion." See: Saivism.

Saiva Siddhanta: "Final conclusions of Saivism." The most widespread and influential Saivite school today, predominant especially among the Tamil people of Sri Lanka and South India. It is the formalized theology of the divine revelations contained in the twenty-eight Saiva Agamas. The first known guru of the Shuddha ("pure") Saiva Siddhanta tradition was Maharishi Nandinatha of Kashmir (ca BCE 250), recorded in Panini's book of grammar as the teacher of rishis Patanjali, Vyaghrapada and Vasishtha. 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 Aghorasiva and Meykandar. For Aghorasiva'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 Vishishtadvaita: The philosophy of Siva Advaita. See: Siva Advaita.

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. In the Ramayana, dated astronomically at 2000 BCE, Lord Rama worshiped Siva, as did his rival Ravana. Buddha in 624 BCE was born into a Saivite family, and records of his time speak of the Saiva ascetics who wandered the hills looking much as they do today. There are many schools of Saivism, six of which are Saiva Shiddhanta, 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 principle 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 threefold 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: individual school entries, Saivism (six schools).

Saivism (six schools): Through history Saivism has developed a vast array of lineages. Philosophically, six schools are most notable: Saiva Siddhanta, Pashupata Saivism, Kashmir Saivism, Vira Saivism, Siddha Siddhanta and Siva Advaita. Saiva Siddhanta first distinguished itself in the second century BCE through the masterful treatise of a Himalayan pilgrim to South India, Rishi Tirumular. It is Saivism's most widespread and influential school. Pashupata Saivism emerged in the Himalayan hills over 25 centuries ago. Ancient writings chronicle it as a Saiva ascetic yoga path whose most renowned guru was Lakulisa. Kashmir Saivism, a strongly monistic lineage, arose from the revelatory aphorisms of Sri Vasugupta in the tenth century. Vira Saivism took shape in India's Karnataka state in the 12th-century under the inspiration of Sri Basavanna. It is a dynamic, reformist sect, rejecting religious complexity and stressing each devotee's personal relationship with God. Siddha Siddhanta, also known as Gorakshanatha Saivism, takes its name from the writings of the powerful 10th-century yogi, Sri Gorakshanatha, whose techniques for Siva identity attracted a large monastic and householder following in North India and Nepal. Siva Advaita is a Saivite interpretation of the Vedanta Sutras, based on the writings of Srikantha, a 12th-century scholar who sought to reconcile the Upanishads with the Agamas. See: individual school entries.

Saivite (Saiva): Of or relating to Saivism or its adherents, of whom there are about 400 million in the world today. See: Hinduism, Saivism.

shakahara: "Vegetarian diet." From shaka, "vegetable;" and ahara, "eating; taking food." See: meat-eater, vegetarian, yama-niyama.

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-jnana); 2) marul, "confusion;" caught between the world and God, the soul begins to turn within for knowledge of its own nature (pashu-jnana); and 3) arul, "grace," when the soul seeks to know God (Pati-jnana); and receive His grace. See: avastha, evolution of the soul, kevala avastha, shuddha avastha.

sakha marga: "Friend's path." See: attainment, pada.

sakshin: "Eye witness." Awareness, the witness consciousness of the soul. Known as nef in the mystical Natha language of Shum. See: awareness, chit, consciousness (individual), Shum, soul.

Shakta: Of or relating to Shaktism. See: Hinduism, Shaktism, tantrism.

Shakta Tantrism: See: Shaktism, tantrism.

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. This pristine, divine energy unfolds as icchha shakti (the power of desire, will, love), kriya shakti (the power of action) and jnana shakti (the power of wisdom, knowing), represented as the three prongs of Siva's trishula, or trident. From these arise the five powers of revealment, concealment, dissolution, preservation and creation.

In Saiva Siddhanta, Siva is All, and His divine energy, Shakti, is inseparable from Him. This unity is symbolized in the image of Ardhanarishvara, "half-female God." In popular, village Hinduism, the unity of Siva and Shakti is replaced with the concept of Siva and Shakti as separate entities. Shakti is represented as female, and Siva as male. In Hindu temples, art and mythology, they are everywhere seen as the divine couple. This depiction has its source in the folk-narrative sections of the Puranas, where it is given elaborate expression. Shakti is personified in many forms as the consorts of the Gods. For example, the Goddesses Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarasvati are the respective mythological consorts of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. Philosophically, however, the caution is always made that God and God's energy are One, and the metaphor of the inseparable divine couple serves only to illustrate this Oneness.

Within the Shakta religion, the worship of the Goddess is paramount, in Her many fierce and benign forms. Shakti is the Divine Mother of manifest creation, visualized as a female form, and Siva is specifically the Unmanifest Absolute. The fierce or black (asita) forms of the Goddess include Kali, Durga, Chandi, Chamundi, Bhadrakali and Bhairavi. The benign or white (sita) forms include Uma, Gauri, Ambika, Parvati, Maheshvari, Lalita and Annapurna. As Rajarajeshvari (divine "Queen of kings") She is the presiding Deity of the Shri Chakra yantra. She is also worshiped as the ten Mahavidyas, manifestations of the highest knowledge -- Kali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Bagata, Matangi and Kamala. While some Shaktas view these as individual beings, most revere them as manifestations of the singular Devi. There are also numerous minor Goddess forms, in the category of Gramadevata ("village Deity"). These include Pitari, "Snake-catcher" (usually represented by a simple stone), and Mariyamman, "Smallpox Goddess."

In the yoga mysticism of all traditions, divine energy, shakti, is experienced within the human body in three aspects: 1) the feminine force, ida shakti, 2) the masculine force, pingala shakti, and 3) the pure androgynous force, kundalini shakti, that flows through the sushumna nadi.

Shakti is most easily experienced by devotees as the sublime, bliss-inspiring energy that emanates from a holy person or sanctified Hindu temple. See: Amman, Ardhanarishvara, Goddess, Parashakti, Shaktism.

shaktinipata: "Descent of grace," occurring during the advanced stage of the soul's evolution called arul, at the end of the sakala avastha. Shaktinipata is twofold: 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.

shaktipata: "Descent of grace." Guru diksha, initiation from the preceptor; particularly the first initiation, which awakens the kundalini and launches the process of spiritual unfoldment. See: anugraha shakti, diksha, grace, kundalini.

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. Geographically, Shaktism has two main forms, the Shrikula "family of the Goddess Shri (or Lakshmi)," which respects the brahminical tradition (a mainstream Hindu tradition which respects caste and purity rules) and is strongest in South India; and the Kalikula, "family of Kali," which rejects brahminical tradition and prevails in Northern and Eastern India. Four major expressions of Shaktism are evident today: folk-shamanism, yoga, devotionalism and universalism. Among the eminent mantras of Shaktism is: Aum Hrim Chandikayai Namah, "I bow to Her who tears apart all dualities." There are many varieties of folk Shaktism gravitating around various forms of the Goddess, such as Kali, Durga and a number of forms of Amman. Such worship often involves animal sacrifice and fire-walking, though the former is tending to disappear. See: Amman, Goddess, Ishta Devata, Kali, Shakti, tantrism.

Shakti Vishishtadvaita: The philosophy of Vira Saivism. See: Vira Saivism.

shaktopaya: "Way of power." See: upaya.

Shakya: Name of the Saivite noble clan into which Buddha, also called Shakyamuni, was born (in what is now Nepal). See: Buddha.

samadhi: "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. In Classical Yoga, nirvikalpa samadhi is known as asamprajnata samadhi, "supraconscious enstasy" -- samadhi, or beingness, without thought or cognition, prajna. Savikalpa samadhi is also called samprajnata samadhi, "conscious enstasy." (Note that samadhi differs from samyama -- the continuous meditation on a subject or mystic key [such as a chakra] to gain revelation on that subject or area of consciousness. As explained by Patanjali, samyama consists of dharana, dhyana and samadhi.) See: enstasy, kundalini, Parashiva, raja yoga, samarasa, Satchidananda, Self Realization, trance.

samarasa: "Even essence" or "same taste." In Siddha Siddhanta, a term describing the state attained by a yogi in which he consciously experiences the world and daily life while never losing his perspective of the essential unity of God, soul and world. Similar in concept to sayujya samadhi. See: jnana, kaivalya, samadhi, Siddha Siddhanta, Sivasayujya.

samavartana: "Returning home." The ceremony marking a youth's completion of Vedic studies. See: samskaras.

Sama Veda: "Song of wisdom." Third of the four Vedas. Ninety percent of its 1,875 stanzas are derived from the Rig Veda. It is a collection of hymns specially arranged and notated for chanting with a distinctive melody and cadence by the Udgata priests during yajna, fire ceremony, together with stanzas from the Yajur Veda. This Veda represents the oldest known form of Indian music. See: Shruti, Vedas.

Samayacharya: "Religious teacher." See: Alvar, Nalvar.

Sambandar: Child saint of the 7th-century Saivite renaissance. Composed many Devaram hymns in praise of Siva, reconverted at least one Tamil king who had embraced Jainism, and vehemently sought to counter the incursion of Buddhism, bringing the Tamil people back to Saivism. See: Nalvar, Nayanar, Tirumurai.

Shambhavopaya: "Way of Shambhu" (Siva). See: upaya.

samhara: "Dissolution; destruction." See: mahapralaya, Nataraja.

samhita: "Collection."1) Any methodically arranged collection of texts or verses. 2) The hymn collection of each of the four Vedas. 3) A common alternate term for Vaishnava Agamas. See: Vedas.

sampradaya: "Tradition," "transmission;" a philosophical or religious doctrineor 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 "to give out," "render," grant, bestow or confer; to hand down by tradition; to bequeath. Sampradaya is thus a philosophy borne down through history by verbal transmission. It is more inclusive than the related term parampara which names a living lineage of ordained gurus who embody and carry forth a sampradaya. Each sampradaya is often represented by many paramparas. See: parampara.

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, punarjanma, reincarnation.

samsari: "One in samsara;" "wanderer."A soul during transmigration, immersed in or attached to mundane existence, hence not striving for liberation (moksha). A samsari is someone who is not "on the path." See: materialism, samsara, San Marga, worldly.

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. These make deep and positive impressions on the mind of the recipient, inform the family and community of changes in the lives of its members and secure inner-world blessings. The numerous samskaras are outlined in the Grihya Shastras. Most are accompanied by specific mantras from the Vedas. 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 anticipating 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 newborn 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. See: earrings. -- chudakarana: "Head-shaving." The shaving of the head, for boys and girls, between the 31st 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. -- ritu kala: "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 "Declaration of intention. 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, and home purification. See: bone-gathering, cremation, death, pinda, samskara, shashtyabda purti, shraddha, transition.

Sanatana Dharma: "Eternal religion" or "Everlasting path." It is a traditional designation for the Hindu religion. See: Hinduism.

Sanatkumara: "Ever-youthful;" perpetual virgin boy. A name of God Murugan. Also one of the eight disciples of Maharishi Nandinatha. See: Kailasa Parampara, Karttikeya.

sanchita karma: "Accumulated action." The accumulated consequence of an individual's actions in this and past lives. See: karma.

sanctify: To make holy.

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: darshana, garbhagriha, temple.

sandalwood: Chandana. The Asian evergreen tree Santalum album. Its sweetly fragrant heartwood is ground into the fine, tan-colored paste distributed as prasada in Saivite temples and used for sacred marks on the forehead, tilaka. Sandalwood is also prized for incense, carving and fine cabinetry.

sandhya upasana: "Worship at time's junctures." Drawing near to God at the changes of time -- worship and sadhana performed in the home at dawn, noon and dusk. See: sadhana.

Shandilya Upanishad: Belongs to the Atharva Veda.Discusses eight forms of yoga, restraints, observances, breath control, meditation and the nature of Truth.

sangama: "Association; fellowship." (Tamil: sangam) Coming together in a group, especially for religious purposes. Also a town in Karnataka, South India, where the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers meet; an ancient center of Kalamukha Saivism where the Vira Saivite preceptor Basavanna lived and studied as a youth. See: congregational worship.

sankalpa: "Will; purpose; determination." A solemn vow or declaration of purpose to perform any ritual observance. Most commonly, sankalpa names the mental and verbal preparation made by a temple priest as he begins rites of worship. During the sankalpa, he proclaims to the three worlds what he is about to do. He intones the name of the Deity, the type of ritual he is about to perform and the present time and place according to precise astrological notations. Once the sankalpa is made, he is bound to complete the ceremony. See: puja.

Sankara (Shankara): "Conferring happiness;" "propitious." A name of Siva. Also one of Hinduism's most extraordinary monks, Adi Sankara (788 -- 820), preeminent guru of the Smarta Sampradaya, noted for his monistic philosophy (Advaita Vedanta), his many scriptural commentaries, and his formalizing of ten orders of sannyasins with pontifical headquarters at strategic points across India. He lived only 32 years, but traveled throughout India and transformed the Hindu world of that time. See: Dashanami, Shankaracharya pitha, shanmata sthapanacharya, Smarta Sampradaya, Vedanta.

Shankaracharya pitha: Advaita monasteries established by Sankara (ca 788 -- 820) as centers of Smarta authority in India, each with a distinct guru parampara and a reigning pontiff entitled Shankaracharya, and one of the four Upanishadic mahavakyas as a mantra. East coast: Govardhana Matha, in Puri (center of the Aranya and Vana orders). Himalayas: Jyotih Matha, near Badrinath (Giri, Parvata and Sagara orders). West coast: Sharada Matha, in Dvaraka (Tirtha and Ashrama orders). South: Shringeri Matha (Bharati, Puri and Sarasvati orders). A fifth prominent pitha, associated with Sringeri Matha, is in Kanchipuram, also in the South. See: Dashanami, Smarta, Sankara.

Sankhya: "Enumeration, reckoning." See: prakriti, purusha, shad darshana, tattva.

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. A San Margi is a person "on the path," as opposed to a samsari, one engrossed in worldliness. San Marga also names the jnana pada. See: pada, sadhana marga, samsari.

San Marga Sanctuary:A meditation tirtha at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mount Waialeale, on Hawaii's Garden Island, Kauai. Here pilgrims follow the H-mile path, San Marga, to a natural Sivalinga, walk the path of the Tamil Nayanars around picturesque lotus lakes and ponds and visit the six shrines of the Kailasa Parampara on the banks of Sharavanabhava Lake in Rishi Valley. 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, one of America's senior Hindu religious institutions. See: Subramuniyaswami.

sannidhana: "Nearness; proximity; provost; taking charge of." A title of heads of monasteries: Guru Mahasannidhana. See: sannidhya.

sannidhya: "(Divine) presence; nearness, indwelling." 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 acceptance 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, videhamukti.

sannyasa ashrama: "Renunciate stage." The period of life after age 72. See: ashrama.

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. Traditionally, this dharma is available to those under age 25 who meet strict qualifications. Alternately, the householder may embrace sannyasa dharma after age 72 through the customary initiatory rites given by a sannyasin and then diligently pursuing his spiritual sadhana in a state of genuine renunciation and not in the midst of his family. These two forms of sannyasa are not to be confused with simply entering the sannyasa ashrama, the last stage of life. See: sannyasa, sannyasa diksha, sannyasin, videhamukti.

sannyasa diksha: "Renunciate initiation." This diksha is a formal rite, or less often an informal blessing, entering 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. Strictest tradition requires that lifetime renunciates be single men and that they enter training in their order before age 25. However, there are certain orders which accept men into sannyasa after age 25, provided they have been in college and not in the world after that time. Others will accept widowers; and a few initiate women. Such rules and qualifications apply primarily to cenobites, that is, to those who will live and serve together in an ashrama or monastery. The rules pertaining to homeless anchorites are, for obvious reasons, more lenient. See: sannyasa dharma, videhamukti.

Sannyasa Upanishad: An Upanishad of the Atharva Veda. It deals with the transition to the vanaprastha and sannyasa ashramas.

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. The seasoned sannyasin is truly the liberated man, the spiritual exemplar, the disciplined yogi and ultimately the knower of Truth, freed to commune with the Divine and bound to uplift humanity through the sharing of his wisdom, his peace, his devotion and his illumination, however great or small. The sannyasin is the guardian of his religion, immersed in it constantly, freed from worldliness, freed from distraction, able to offer his work and his worship in unbroken continuity and one-pointed effectiveness. He undertakes certain disciplines including the purification of body, mind and emotion. He restrains and controls the mind through his sadhana, tapas and meditative regimen. He unfolds from within himself a profound love of God and the Gods. His practice of upasana, worship, is predominantly internal, seeking God Siva within. 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 as a spoken vernacular.

sant: "Saint." A Hindi or vernacular word derived from the Sanskrit sat, meaning "true; real; virtuous."

santosha: "Contentment." See: yama-niyama.

sharana: "Refuge." See: Sivasharana, Vira Saivism.

Sarasvati: "The flowing one." Shakti, the Universal Mother; Goddess of the arts and learning, mythological consort of the God Brahma. Sarasvati, the river Goddess, is usually depicted wearing a white sari and holding a vina, sitting upon a swan or lotus flower. Prayers are offered to her for refinements of art, culture and learning. Sarasvati also names one of seven sacred rivers (Sapta Sindhu) mentioned in the Rig Veda. Parts of the Indus Valley civilization thrived along the river until it dried up in 1900BCE. Its course was lost and thought a myth by some until recently discovered in images taken by a French satellite. In addition, one of the ten Dashanami swami orders is the Sarasvati. See: Goddess, Shakti.

Sharavana: "Thicket of reeds." Mythologically, a sacred Himalayan pond where Lord Karttikeya was nurtured; esoterically understood as the lake of divine essence, or primal consciousness. See: Karttikeya.

sari: (Hindi, ) The traditional outer garment of a Hindu woman, 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.

sharira: "Body; husk."Three bodies of the soul: 1)sthula sharira, "gross or physical body"(also called annamaya kosha), the odic body; 2) sukshma sharira, "subtle body"(also called linga sharira, it includes the pranamaya, manomaya and vijnanamaya koshas); 3)karana sharira, "causal body" (also called anandamaya kosha), the actinic causal body. Another term for body is deha. See: kosha, subtle body.

sarvabhadra: "All is auspicious; the goodness of all." Bhadra indicates that which is "blessed, auspicious, dear, excellent." Sarva ("all") bhadra thus denotes the cognition that everything in the universe is a manifestation of Divinity, that it is holy, good and purposeful. See: auspiciousness, grace, Sivamaya, world.

Sarvajnanottara Agama: This text is not among the traditional list of Agamas and subsidiary scriptures. But it is thought to be a second version of Kalajnanam, a subsidiary text of Vatula Agama. The extant sections deal with right knowledge.

shastra: "Sacred text; teaching." 1) Any religious or philosophical treatise, or body of writings. 2) A department of knowledge, a science; e.g., the Dharma Shastras on religious law, Artha Shastras on politics.

shastri: One who is knowledgeable in shastra, or scriptures.

sat: "True, existing, real, good; reality, existence, truth." See: Satchidananda.

Satan: The devil; evil personified. A being who in Christian and other Semitic religions opposes God's will and tempts souls into wickedness. In Hinduism, all is seen as the manifestation of God, and there is no Satan. See: asura, hell, Naraka.

Shatapatha Brahmana: "Sacerdotal treatise of 100 paths." A priestly manual of the Shukla Yajur Veda, dealing with theology, philosophy and modes of worship.

Satchidananda (Sachchidananda): "Existence-consciousness-bliss." A synonym for Parashakti. Lord Siva's Divine Mind and simultaneously the pure superconscious mind of each individual soul. Satchidananda is 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, holding back the vrittis through yogic practices. In Advaita Vedanta, Satchidananda is considered a description of the Absolute (Brahman). Whereas in monistic, or shuddha, Saiva Siddhanta it is understood as divine form -- pure, amorphous matter or energy -- not as an equivalent of the Absolute, formless, "atattva," Parashiva. In this latter school, Parashiva is radically transcendent, and Satchidananda is known as the primal and most perfectly divine form to emerge from the formless Parashiva. See: atattva, Parashakti, tattva.

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 liberation. See: guru, guru bhakti, guru-shishya relationship, padapuja.

satgurunatha: "Lord and true guru." A highly respectful and honorific term for one's preceptor. See: satguru.

sattva guna: "Perfection of Being." The quality of goodness or purity. See: guna.

satya: "Truthfulness." See: yama-niyama.

Satyaloka: "Plane of reality, truth." Also called Brahmaloka; the realm of sahasrara chakra, it is the highest of the seven upper worlds. See: loka.

shaucha: "Purity." See: purity-impurity, yama-niyama.

saumanasya: "Benevolence, causing gladness or cheerfulness of mind, right understanding (related to the term soma)." See: chakra.

savikalpa samadhi: "Enstasy with form (or seed)." See: enstasy, raja yoga, samadhi.

sayujya: "Intimate union." Perpetual God Consciousness. See: Sivasayujya, vishvagrasa.

scarlet: The color red with orange tint.

scepter: Rajadanda. The staff and insignia of royal or imperial authority and power held by spiritual monarchs or kings. Traditionally, the scepters of Indian kings are prepared and empowered by respected heads of traditional Hindu religious orders through esoteric means. See: danda.

scripture (scriptural): "A writing."Sacred text(s) or holy book(s) having authority for a given sect or religion. See: shastra, smriti, shruti.

secluded (seclusion): Isolated; hidden. Kept apart from others. See: muni.

Second World: The astral or subtle plane. See: loka.

seed karma: Dormant or anarabdha karma. All past actions which have not yet sprouted. See: karma.

seer: Visionary; rishi. A wise being or mystic who sees beyond the limits of ordinary perception. See: akasha, clairvoyance, muni, rishi, shamanism.

Self (Self God): God Siva's perfection of Absolute Reality, Parashiva -- That which abides at the core of every soul. See: atattva, Paramatman, Parashiva.

self-assertive: Dominant. Demanding recognition.

self-conceit: Too high an opinion of oneself; vanity, vain pride.

self-luminous: Producing its own light; radiating light.

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: enstasy, God Realization, kundalini, liberation, Parashiva, raja yoga, samadhi.

self-reflection: Observation of, or meditation upon, oneself, one's mind, emotions, thinking. Introspection. Playing back memories and impressions locked within the subconscious, endeavoring to deal with them. It is anticipating one's future and how the past will react upon it, enhance or detract from it. See: spiritual unfoldment.

servitude: Condition of bondage (slavery) in subjection to a master.

seva: "Service," karma yoga, an integral part of the spiritual path, doing selfless, useful work for others, such as volunteer work at a temple, without preference or thought of reward or personal gain. Seva, or Sivathondu in Tamil, is 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 to this understanding view of sexual experience are adultery and abortion, both of which are considered to carry heavy karmic implications for this and future births. See: abortion, bisexuality, homosexuality.

shad darshana: "Six views," "six insights." Six classical philosophies distinguished among the hundreds of Hindu darshanas known through history: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Each was tersely formulated in sutra form by its "founder," and elaborated in extensive commentaries by other writers. They are understood as varied attempts at describing Truth and the path to it. Elements of each form part of the Hindu fabric today. -- Nyaya:"System, rule; logic." A system of logical realism, founded sometime around 300 BCE by Gautama, known for its systems of logic and epistemology and concerned with the means of acquiring right knowledge. Its tools of enquiry and rules for argumentation were adopted by all schools of Hinduism. -- Vaisheshika:"Differentiation," from vishesha, "differences." Philosophy founded by Kanada (ca 300 BCE) teaching that liberation is to be attained through understanding the nature of existence, which is classified in nine basic realities (dravyas): earth, water, light, air, ether, time, space, soul and mind. Nyaya and Vaisheshika are viewed as a complementary pair, with Nyaya emphasizing logic, and Vaisheshika analyzing the nature of the world. -- Sankhya: "Enumeration, reckoning." A philosophy founded by the sage Kapila (ca 500 BCE), author of the Sankhya Sutras. Sankhya is primarily concerned with "categories of existence," tattvas, which it understands as 25 in number. The first two are the unmanifest Purusha and the manifest primal nature, Prakriti -- the male-female polarity, viewed as the foundation of all existence. Prakriti, out of which all things evolve, is the unity of the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. Sankhya and Yoga are considered an inseparable pair whose principles permeate all of Hinduism. See: prakriti, purusha. -- Yoga:"Yoking; joining." Ancient tradition of philosophy and practice codified by Patanjali (ca 200 BCE) in the Yoga Sutras. It is also known as raja yoga, "king of yogas," or ashtanga yoga, "eight-limbed yoga." Its object is to achieve, at will, the cessation of all fluctuations of consciousness, and the attainment of Self Realization. Yoga is wholly dedicated to putting the high philosophy of Hinduism into practice, to achieve personal transformation through transcendental experience, samadhi. See: yoga. -- Mimamsa:"Inquiry" (or Purva, "early," Mimamsa). Founded by Jaimini (ca 200 BCE), author of the Mimamsa Sutras, who taught the correct performance of Vedic rites as the means to salvation. -- Vedanta(or Uttara "later" Mimamsa): "End (or culmination) of the Vedas." For Vedanta, the main basis is the Upanishads and Aranyakas (the "end," anta, of the Vedas), rather than the hymns and ritual portions of the Vedas. The teaching of Vedanta is that there is one Absolute Reality, Brahman. Man is one with Brahman, and the object of life is to realize that truth through right knowledge, intuition and personal experience. The Vedanta Sutras (or Brahma Sutras) were composed by Rishi Badarayana (ca 400 BCE). See: Brahma Sutra, padartha, tattva, Vedanta, yoga.

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. See: folk-shamanic, mysticism, pagan, Shaktism.

shanmata sthapanacharya: "Founding teacher of the sixfold system." A title conferred upon Adi Sankara while he was living. It refers to his attempt to consolidate the six main sects of Hinduism in nonsectarian unity, as represented by its altar of five (or six) Deities. See: panchayatana puja, Sankara, Smartism.

Shanmukha: "Six-faced." (Tamil: Shanmuga.) A name for Lord Murugan or Karttikeya, denoting the multiplicity of His divine functions. See: Karttikeya.

Shanmukha Gayatri: A Vedic Gayatri chant, the Savitri Gayatri modified to address Lord Karttikeya as Shanmukha "He of six faces."

shashtyabda purti: "Sixtieth birthday celebration." Done for the couple on the husband's birthday, usually with many family and friends attending. It consists in a homa, renewal of marriage vows and retying the wedding pendant.

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. A similar emblem in Judaism is of independent origin and signification. See: Ardhanarishvara, Karttikeya.

shatsthala: "Six stages." Vira Saivism's six stages to union with Siva. See: Vira Saivism.

shatter: To break into many pieces suddenly, as if struck.

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.

Shum-Tyeif:A Natha mystical language of meditation (also simply known as Shum) revealed in Switzerland in 1968 by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Its primary alphabet looks like this:

shuttle: An instrument that carries a spool of thread in the weaving of cloth.

siddha: A "perfected one'' or accomplished yogi, a person of great spiritual attainment or powers. See: siddha yoga, siddha yogi, siddhi.

Siddha Marga: Another term for Siddha Siddhanta. See: Siddha Siddhanta, siddha yoga.

siddhanta: "Final attainments;" "final conclusions." Siddhanta refers to ultimate understanding arrived at in any given field of knowledge.

siddhanta shravana (or shravana): "Scriptural listening." See: yama-niyama.

Siddha Siddhanta: Siddha Siddhanta, also called Gorakshanatha Saivism, is generally considered to have evolved in the lineage of the earlier ascetic orders of India. Its most well-known preceptor was Gorakshanatha (ca 1000) a disciple of Matsyendranatha, patron saint of Nepal, revered by certain esoteric Buddhist schools as well as by Hindus. The school systematized and developed the practice of hatha yoga to a remarkable degree. Indeed, nearly all of what is today taught about hatha yoga comes from this school. Among its central texts are Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svatmarama, Gheranda Samhita, Shiva Samhita and Jnanamrita. Siddha Siddhanta theology embraces both transcendent Siva (being) and immanent Siva (becoming). Siva is both the efficient and material cause of the universe. Devotion is expressed through temple worship and pilgrimage, with the central focus on internal worship and kundalini yoga, with the goal of realizing Parasamvid, the supreme transcendent state of Siva. Today there are perhaps 750,000 adherents of Siddha Siddhanta Saivism, who are often understood as Shaktas or advaita tantrics. The school fans out through India, but is most prominent in North India and Nepal. Devotees are called yogis, and stress is placed on world renunciation -- even for householders. This sect is most commonly known as Natha, the Gorakshapantha and Siddha Yogi Sampradaya. Other names include Adinatha Sampradaya, Nathamatha and Siddhamarga. See: Gorakshanatha Saivism.

Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati: "Tracks on the doctrines of the adepts." A text of 353 mystical verses, ascribed to Gorakshanatha, dealing with the esoteric nature of the inner bodies and the soul's union with Supreme Reality. See: Gorakshanatha, Siddha Siddhanta.

siddha yoga: "Yoga of perfected attainment," or 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 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.

Siddha Yogi Sampradaya: Another term for Siddha Siddhanta. See: Siddha Siddhanta.

siddhi: "Power, accomplishment; perfection." Extraordinary powers of the soul, developed through consistent meditation and deliberate, often uncomfortable and grueling tapas, or awakened naturally through spiritual maturity and yogic sadhana. Through the repeated experience of Self Realization, siddhis naturally unfold according to the needs of the individual. Before Self Realization, the use or development of siddhis is among the greatest obstacles on the path because it cultivates ahamkara, "I-ness" (egoity), and militates against the attainment of prapatti, complete submission to the will of God, Gods and guru. Six siddhis in particular are considered primary obstacles to samadhi: clairvoyance (adarsha siddhi or divya siddhi), clairaudience (shravana siddhi or divyashravana), divination (pratibha siddhi), super-feeling (vedana siddhi) and super-taste (asvadana siddhi), super-smell (varta siddhi). The eight classical siddhis are: 1) anima: diminution; being as small as an atom; 2)mahima: enlargement; becoming infinitely large; 3) laghima: super-lightness, levitation; 4) prapti: pervasiveness, extension, ability 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. The supreme siddhi (parasiddhi) is realization of the Self, Parashiva. See: ahamkara, prapatti, siddha yoga.

shikhara: "Summit; pinnacle; crest." The towering superstructure above the garbhagriha in North Indian style temples. In Southern temples, shikhara refers to the top stone of the superstructure, or vimana.

Sikh: "Disciple." Religion of nine million members founded in India about 500 years ago by the saint Guru Nanak. A reformist faith, Sikhism rejects idolatry and the caste system, its holy book is the Adi Granth, and main center is the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Sikhs honor a line of ten gurus: Guru Nanak (Nanak), Guru Angad, Guru Amardas, Guru Ram Das (Ram Das), Guru Arjun, Guru Har Govind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishnan (Krishnan), Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Govind Singh. See: Adi Granth.

Shiksha Vedanga: Auxiliary Vedic tracts on Sanskrit phonetics, among four linguistic skills taught for mastery of the Vedas and rites of yajna. Shiksha literally means "rules of instruction; learning; method of study." See: Vedanga.

Shilpa Shastra: "Art or craft manual." 1) A particular class of works which formed the primary teachings on any of the fine arts or sacred sciences, such as architecture, dance, painting, jewelry-making, pottery, weaving, and basketry, garlandry, metal-working, acting, cooking and horsemanship. The earliest Shilpa Shastras are thought to date to 200 BCE. Many were written between the 5th and 14th centuries. See: kala -- 64, Sthapatyaveda.

simantonnayana: "Hair-parting rite." See: samskaras of birth.

simile: A figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another.

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. It is thought natural, if unfortunate, that young souls act wrongly, for they are living in nescience, avidya, the darkness of ignorance. Sin is an adharmic course of action which automatically brings negative consequences. The term sin carries a double meaning, as do its Sanskrit equivalents: 1) a wrongful act, 2) the negative consequences resulting from a wrongful act. In Sanskrit the wrongful act is known by several terms, including pataka (from pat, "to fall"), papa, enas, kilbisha, adharma, anrita and rina (transgression, in the sense of omission). The residue of sin is called papa, sometimes conceived of as a sticky, astral substance which can be dissolved through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya). This astral substance can be psychically seen within the inner, subconscious aura of the individual. Note that papa is also accrued through unknowing or unintentional transgressions of dharma, as in the term aparadha (offense, fault, mistake). -- inherent (or original) sin: A doctrine of Semitic faiths whereby each soul is born in sin as a result of Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Sometimes mistakenly compared to the Saiva Siddhanta concept of the three malas, especially anava. See: pasha. -- mortal sin: According to some theologies, sins so grave that they can hardly be expiated and which cause the soul to be condemned to suffer eternally in hell. In Hinduism, there are no such concepts as inherent or mortal sin. See: aura, evil, karma, papa.

shishya: "A pupil or disciple," especially one who has proven himself and 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, prapatti, Sadashiva, Saivism, Satchidananda.

Siva Advaita: Also called Siva Vishishtadvaita, or Saivite "qualified nondualism," Siva Advaita is the philosophy of Srikantha (ca 1050) as expounded in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras (ca 500-200 bce). Patterned after the Vaishnavite Vishishtadvaita of Ramanuja, this philosophy was later amplified by Appaya Dikshita. Brahman, or Siva, is transcendent and the efficient and material cause of the world and souls. Souls are not identical with Him and never merge in Him, even after liberation. As a school, Siva Advaita remained exclusively intellectual, never enjoying a following of practitioners. Purification, devotion and meditation upon Siva as the Self -- the akasha within the heart -- define the path. Meditation is directed to the Self, Siva, the One Existence that evolved into all form. Liberation depends on grace, not deeds. See: Appaya Dikshita, Saivism, Srikantha.

Sivachaitanya: "God consciousness." See: Siva consciousness.

Sivachara: "Treating all as God." See: Vira Saivism.

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 priest tradition. See: Adishaiva, brahmin.

Siva consciousness: Sivachaitanya. A broad term naming the experience or state of being conscious of Siva in a multitude of ways, such as in the five expressed in the following meditation. Vital Breath: prana. Experience the inbreath and outbreath as Siva's will within your body. Become attuned to the ever-present pulse of the universe, knowing that nothing moves but by His divine will. All-Pervasive Energy: shakti. Become conscious of the flow of life within your body. Realize that it is the same universal energy within every living thing. Practice seeing the life energy within another's eyes. Manifest Sacred Form: darshana. Hold in your mind a sacred form, such as Nataraja, Sivalinga or your satguru -- who is Sadashiva -- and think of nothing else. See every form as a form of our God Siva. Inner Light: jyoti. Observe the light that illumines your thoughts. Concentrate only on that light, as you might practice being more aware of the light on a TV screen than of its changing pictures. Sacred Sound: nada. Listen to the constant high-pitched ee sounding in your head. It is like the tone of an electrical transformer, a hundred tamburas distantly playing or a humming swarm of bees.

These five constitute the "Sivachaitanya Panchatantra," five simple experiences that bring the Divine into the reach of each individual. Sivachaitanya, of course, applies to deeper states of meditation and contemplation as well. See: jnana, mind (five states), Sivasayujya.

Siva Drishti: A scripture of Kashmir Saivism, now lost, written by Somananda, a disciple of Vasugupta. See: Kashmir Saivism.

Sivajnanabodham: "Memorandum on Siva Realization." A digest authored (or, some believe, a portion of the Raurava Agama translated into Tamil) by Meykandar, ca 1300, consisting of 12 sutras describing the relationship between God, soul and world. The Meykandar Sampradaya revere it as their primary philosophical text and consider it a pluralistic exposition. Others view it as monistic in character, with a pluralistic interpretation introduced by later commentators. Connected with this important text is an acute commentary on each of the 12 sutras. See: Meykandar Shastras.

Sivakarnamrita: A text by Appaya Dikshita (1554 -- 1626) written to reestablish the superiority of God Siva in the face of widespread conversion to Vaishnavism. See: Appaya Dikshita.

Sivalaya: The holy Siva temple. "Siva's residence or dwelling" (alaya). See: temple.

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 (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. According to the Karana Agama (verse 6), a transitory Sivalinga may be made of 12 different materials: sand, rice, cooked food, river clay, cow dung, butter, rudraksha seeds, ashes, sandalwood, dharba grass, a flower garland or molasses. See: murti, Saivism, svayambhu Linga.

Sivaloka: "Realm of Siva." See: loka.

Sivamaya: "Formed, made, consisting of" or "full of Siva." A part of the Saivite affirmation of faith, denoting that all of existence -- all worlds, all beings, all of manifestation, that which undergoes creation, preservation and destruction, all dualities and paradoxes -- consists of and is pervaded by Siva. An important concept of monistic Saivism. See: maya, sarvabhadra, tattva, world.

Sivamayakosha: "Sheath composed of Siva." The Primal Soul form, Parameshvara -- the body of God Siva -- into which the individual soul merges as the fulfillment of its evolution. See: Parameshvara, vishvagrasa.

Sivanadiyar: "Servitor of Siva." Conveys a mystic relationship between the devotee and Siva in which all spiritual, mental and physical actions are perceived as fulfilling the will and design of Siva. See: karma yoga.

Sivananda: "Bliss of Siva."

Sivananda, Swami (Sivananda): One of Hinduism's most influential modern-day saints (1887 -- 1963). He was born in South India, practiced medicine in Malaysia, published a medical journal, became administrator of a hospital and later renounced the world. Initiated by Swami Visvananda Sarasvati at Rishikesh in 1924, he founded the Divine Life Society in 1939, which has branches in many countries today. He has been a powerful force in spreading Hindu teachings in India and abroad through his many books and the travels of his numerous swamis. Emphasized hatha and raja yoga and a broad, universal form of Hinduism.

Sivaness: Quality of being Siva or like Siva, especially sharing in His divine state of consciousness. See: samarasa, Siva consciousness, Sivasayujya.

Sivanubhava Mandapa: The "Hall of Siva experience," where the Vira Saivites gathered to develop the basic doctrines of the movement in the 12th century.

Siva Purana: "Ancient [lore] of Siva." 1) A collection of six major scriptures sacred to Saivites. 2)The name of the oldest of these six texts, though some consider it a version of the Vayu Purana.

Siva Rakshamani Dipika: A purely nondual commentary and interpretation by Appaya Dikshita (1554 -- 1626) on the writings of Srikantha. See: Saivism.

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: Ardhanarishvara, Parameshvara, Parashiva, Siva.

Siva Samhita: Text from the Gorakshanatha school of Saivism, ca 1700. In 212 sutras it discusses anatomy, asanas, energy, breathing and philosophy. It is available in various languages and widely studied as a valuable overview of yoga practice.

Sivasharana: "One surrendered in God." See: Vira Saivism.

Sivasayujya: "Intimate union with Siva." Becoming one with God. The state of perpetual Siva consciousness; simultaneous perception of the inner and the outer. A permanent state of oneness with Siva, even in the midst of ordinary activities, the aftermath or plateau which comes after repeated Self Realization experiences. Rishi Tirumular says: "Sayujya is the state of jagratita -- the 'Beyond Consciousness.' Sayujya is to abide forever in upashanta, the peace that knows no understanding. Sayujya is to become Siva Himself. Sayujya is to experience the infinite power of inward bliss forever and ever (Tirumantiram 1513)." In many Hindu schools of thought it is the highest attainment. It dawns when the kundalini resides coiled in the sahasrara chakra. See: jivanmukti, kaivalya, kundalini, moksha.

Siva's five faces:See: Sadashiva.

Siva Sutra(s): The seminal or seed scripture of Kashmir Saivism, 77 aphorisms revealed to Sage Vasugupta (ca 800). See: Vasugupta.

Sivathondan: "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: "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.

Sivayogamuni (Sivayogamuni): One of the eight disciples of Maharishi Nandinatha. See: Kailasa Parampara.

Shivena saha Nartanam: "Dancing with Siva."

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, Mahabharata and Ramayana. See: bhashya, sutra.

Smarta: "Of or related to smriti," the secondary Hindu scriptures. See: Smartism, smriti.

Smarta Sampradaya: The teaching tradition of Hinduism's Smarta sect, formalized by Adi Sankara in the 9th century. See: Smartism.

Smartism: Sect based on the secondary scriptures (smriti). The most liberal of the four major Hindu denominations, 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 representations 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. To encompass a sixth important lineage, Sankara recommended the addition of a sixth Deity, Kumara. Thus he was proclaimed shanmata sthapanacharya, founder of the sixfold 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. These are the headquarters of ten orders of renunciate monks who spread the Advaita Vedanta teachings far and wide. Within Smartism three primary religious approaches are distinguished: ritualistic, devotional and philosophical. See: Dashanami, panchayatana puja, Sankara.

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. 1) The term smriti refers to certain collections of ancient Sanskritic texts: the six or more Vedangas, the four Upavedas, the two Itihasas, and the 18 major Puranas. Among the Vedangas, the Kalpa Vedanga defines codes of ritual in the Shrauta and Shulba Shastras, and domestic-civil laws in the Grihya and Dharma Shastras. Also included as classical smriti are the founding sutras of six ancient philosophies called shad darshana (Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta). 2) In a general sense, smriti may refer to any text other than shruti (revealed scripture) that is revered as scripture within a particular sect. 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, Ramayana, Tirumurai.

snare: A trap for catching unawares, especially animals.

social dharma: (varna dharma). See: dharma.

solace: A comforting of distress, pain or sorrow.

solemn: Observed or performed according to ritual or tradition. Formal, serious, inspiring feelings of awe. -- solemnize: To consecrate with formal ceremony. See: sacrament, samskara.

soliloquy: An act of speaking to oneself.

solitary (solitaire): A hermit. One who lives alone and away from all human company.

Somananda (Somananda): Disciple of Vasugupta and author of Siva Drishti (ca 850 -- 900), which was said to be a highly influential explanation and defense of the Kashmir Saiva philosophy. See: Kashmir Saivism.

Somanath Temple: Ancient center of Pashupata Saivism located in modern Gujarat state and mentioned in the Mahabharata. The first recorded temple was built there before 100. In 1026 the then fabulously wealthy temple was sacked by Muslim invaders, the Sivalinga smashed and 50,000 brahmins slaughtered. The temple was rebuilt several times and finally demolished by the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb (ca 1700). Sardar Patel, deputy prime minister of India, spearheaded its reconstruction in 1947.

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). It is the emanational creation of God Siva, destined to one day merge back into Him. During its evolution, the soul functions through four types of outer sheaths that envelop the soul form -- mental, instinctive-intellectual, vital and physical -- and employs the mental faculties of manas, buddhi and ahamkara, as well as the five agents of perception (jnanendriyas), and five agents of action (karmendriyas). The "soul body" is not a body in sense of a case, a vessel, vehicle or enclosure for something else. The soul body is the soul itself -- a radiant, self-effulgent, human-like, super-intelligent being. Its very composition is Satchidananda in various subtle levels of manifestation. It is the finest of subatomic forms, on the quantum level. 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. The experiences of life, in all the various planes of consciousness, are "food for the soul," reaping lessons that actually raise the level of intelligence and divine love. Thus, very refined souls, whether embodied or in the disembodied, ajiva, state, are like walking intelligences with inventive creativeness and powers of preservation, beaming with love and luminosity in their self-effulgent bodies of quantum light particles. See: atman, evolution of the soul, indriya, kosha, Parashakti, Parashiva, purusha, quantum, Satchidananda, spiritual unfoldment.

sound: Shabda. As the darshana, or "seeing," of the Divine is a central article of faith for Hindus, similarly, hearing the Divine is spiritually indispensable. The ears are a center of many nadis connected to inner organs of perception. Gurus may when imparting initiation whisper in the ear of disciples to stimulate these centers and give a greater effect to their instructions. During temple puja, bells ring loudly, drums resound, conches and woodwinds blare to awaken worshipers from routine states of consciousness. Meditation on inner sound, called nada anusandhana, is an essential yoga practice. Listening to the Vedas or other scripture is a mystical process. Traditional music is revered as the nectar of the Divine. See: Aum, nada, Siva consciousness.

Soundless Sound: Paranada. See: nada.

sovereign: Above or superior to all others. Supreme in rank or authority.

sow: To scatter or plant, as seeds for cultivation; disseminate; propagate.

span: To stretch across or over, as a bridge spans a river. To cover or take in the whole of something.

Spanda Karika: A commentary of 52 verses by Vasugupta on the Siva Sutras. Also called the Spanda Sutras. See: Vasugupta, Kashmir Saivism.

spark: A small burning piece of matter, usually thrown off by a fire. A tiny beginning. To stir or activate.

spectrum: A series of colored bands which blend one into the other so as to include the entire range of colors, as a rainbow. The entire range of variations of anything, as in the spectrum of all possible emotions.

speculate (speculation): To conjecture, reflect, think or meditate on a subject without, or with incomplete, evidence. See: meditation, self-reflection.

sphatika: "Quartz crystal." From sphat, "to expand; blossom; to burst open or into view." See: sphatika Sivalinga.

sphatika Sivalinga: "Crystal mark of God." A quartz-crystal Sivalinga. See: San Marga Sanctuary, Sivalinga, Svayambhu Linga.

sphere: A world. The area, place; the extent or range or action, experience or influence. See: loka, world.

Spinoza, Baruch: Dutch philosopher (1632-1677) who taught a monistic pantheism of one infinite substance, God or nature.

spiritual evolution: Adhyatma prasara.See: adhyatma prasara, evolution of the soul.

spiritual unfoldment: Adhyatma vikasha. 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. Contrasted with development, which implies intellectual study; or growth, which implies character building and sadhana. Sound intellect and good character are the foundation for spiritual unfoldment, but they are not the unfoldment itself. When philosophical training and sadhana is complete, the kundalini rises safely and imperceptibly, without jerks, twitches, tears or hot flashes. Brings greater willpower, compassion and perceptive qualities. See: adhyatma vikasha, kundalini, liberation, pada, sadhana, sadhana marga, San Marga, tapas.

splendor (splendid): Great brightness, magnificent in richness, beauty or character. Grandeur.

spouse: A partner in a marriage; a husband or wife.

shraddha: "Faith; belief." See: pancha shraddha.

shraddha: Relating to commemorative ceremonies for the deceased, held one week, one month after death, and annually thereafter, according to tradition. See: bone-gathering, death, pinda, samskaras of later life.

shraddha dharana: "Distillation of faith or belief." A term used in Dancing with Siva for creed, a concise synopsis of religious doctrine. See: creed, faith.

shrauta: "Related to hearing; audible." That which is prescribed by or conforms with the Vedas.

Shrauta Shastra: "Texts on the revelation." 1)Refers to scriptures or teachings that are in agreement with the Vedas. 2) A certain group of texts of the Kalpa Vedanga, and part of the essential study for Vedic priests. The Shrauta Shastras offer explanation of the yajna rituals. See: Vedanga.

shri: "Radiant,", "excellent;" "honorable," "eminent." An honorific title prefixed to the names of Deities (e.g., Shri Ganesha); to the names of scriptural works (meaning holy, sacred), or eminent persons (Sir, Mr.). The feminine equivalent is shrimati.

Shri Chakra: See: yantra.

Srikantha (Shrikantha): A saint and philosopher (ca 1050) who promoted a Saivite theology which embraced monism and dualism. Founder of the Saiva school called Siva Advaita, or Siva Vishishtadvaita, teaching a "Saivite qualified nondualism," resembling Ramanuja's Vaishnavite Vishishtadvaita. He was also known as Nilakantha Sivacharya (Nilakantha Sivacharya). See: Siva Advaita.

Srikumara (Shrikumara): Monistic Saiva Siddhanta philosopher (ca 1050) who refuted the Sankaran Vedanta doctrine of maya as illusion and expounded that Siva is both material cause (upadana karana) and efficient cause (nimitta karana).

Shrila: "Excellency," Eminence," "Most Venerable." Honorific title for distinguished religious prelates.

Sri Lanka (Shri Lanka): "Venerable lion." Island state off the southeast tip of India, formerly called Ceylon, 80% Buddhist, home to several million Tamil Saivites who live mostly in the arid north. It was a British colony until independence in 1948 as a member of the Commonwealth. Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. Area: 25,000 square miles; 19 million population.

Srinagar (Shrinagara): The summer capital ofJammu & Kashmir.

Srinatha (Shrinatha): A Kashmir Saivite teacher of monistic theism. See: Durvasas.

shri paduka: The guru's venerable sandals. See: holy feet, paduka.

Shri Rudram: "(Hymn) to the wielder of awesome powers." Preeminent Vedic hymn to Lord Siva as the God of dissolution, chanted daily in Siva temples throughout India. It is in this long prayer, located in the Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Samhita, in the middle of the first three Vedas, that the Saivite mantra Namah Sivaya first appears.

srishti "Creation." See: Nataraja.

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, "supra-human." 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. For countless centuries shruti has been the basis of philosophical discussion, study and commentary, and this attention has given rise to countless schools of thought. It is also the subject of deep study and meditation, to realize the wisdom of the ancients within oneself. Most mantras are drawn from shruti, used for rites of worship, both public and domestic, as well as personal prayer and japa. It is a remarkable tribute to Hindu culture that so much of shruti was preserved without alteration by means of oral instruction from guru to shishya, generation after generation for thousands of years. In the Veda tradition this was accomplished by requiring the student to learn each verse in eleven different ways, including backwards. Traditionally shruti is not read, but chanted according to extremely precise rules of grammar, pitch, intonation and rhythm. This brings forth its greatest power. In the sacred language of shruti, word and meaning are so closely aligned that hearing these holy scriptures properly chanted is magical in its effect upon the soul of the listener. See: Agamas, smriti, Vedas.

stave off: Push back, impede, prevent from happening.

steadfast: Constant. Firm, established, secure. Not wavering or changeable.

sthapati: From stha, "building or place," and pati, "lord or father." A master architect of Agamic temples. A sthapati must be well versed in the Shilpa Shastras, experienced in all aspects of temple construction, pious, mystically trained, and a good administrator, for he has a team of shilpis working under him, stone cutters, carvers, sculptors, wood workers, etc. See: Shilpa Shastras, Stapatyaveda.

Sthapatyaveda: "Science of architecture." A class of writings on architecture, sometimes classed as one of the Upavedas. It embodies such works as the Manasara, the Vastu Shastras and the architectural Shilpa Shastra. See: Upaveda.

sthiti: "Preservation." See: Nataraja.

sthula sharira: "Gross or physical body." The odic body. See: actinic, actinodic, kosha, odic, subtle body.

stingy (stinginess): Miserly. Unwilling or reluctant to give or spend.

Stoics: Ancient Greek philosophers who held that all things are governed by natural laws and that the wise follow virtue and remain aloof from the external world and its passions.

straits: A narrow waterway; a difficult, dangerous experience or passage in life.

stranglehold: Any measure that suppresses freedom or thwarts or cuts of life.

stratification: "Making layers." The process of organizing or arranging in layers or levels.

stri dharma: "Womanly conduct." See: dharma.

Subala Upanishad: Belongs to the Shukla Yajur Veda. A dialog between sage Subala (Subala) and Brahma about the Supreme Being as Narayana.

subatomic: Of the inner parts of atoms; anything smaller than an atom.

subconscious mind: Samskara chitta. See: aura, conscience, mind (five states).

shubha muhurta: "Auspicious time." A range of time when specified activities are most likely to thrive and succeed. See: muhurta.

subjective: Personal. Of or colored by the personality, state of mind etc., of the observer (subject). Opposite of objective. Cf: objective.

sublime: Exalted, grand. Inspiring awe or reverence.

subliminal: Below the threshold of consciousness or apprehension, such as an attitude of which one is not aware. Subconscious. See: mind (five states).

Subramanya: "Very pious; dear to holy men." A Name of Lord Karttikeya. See: Karttikeya.

Subramuniyaswami: Author of this book, 162nd satguru (1927 -- 2001) 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 6:21pm. This was just days after he had attained nirvikalpa samadhi in the caves of Jalani. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami is recognized worldwide as one of foremost Hindu ministers of our times, contributing to the revival of Hinduism in immeasurable abundance. He was simultaneously a staunch defender of traditions, as the tried and proven ways of the past, and a fearless innovator, setting new patterns of life for contemporary humanity. For a brief biography of this remarkable seer and renaissance guru, see About the Author on page 923.

Gurudeva taught the traditional Saivite Hindu path to enlightenment, a path that leads the soul from simple service to worshipful devotion to God, from the disciplines of meditation and yoga to the direct knowing of Divinity within. His insights into the nature of consciousness provide a key for quieting the external mind and revealing to aspirants their deeper states of being, which are eternally perfect, full of light, love, serenity and wisdom. He urges all seekers to live a life of ahimsa, harmlessness towards nature, people and creatures, an ethic which includes vegetarianism.

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.

subside: To become less active or less intense. To abate.

substance: Essence; real nature.

substratum: "Layer underneath." In geology, the layer of rock or other matter forming the foundation of a landscape and acting as its support. In philosophy, that which is "underneath," not visible but the support for all of existence, the substance or underlying force which is the foundation of any and all manifestation: Satchidananda. See: Parashakti, Satchidananda, tattva.

sub-subconscious mind: Vasana chitta. See: mind (five states).

subsuperconscious mind: Anukarana chitta. See: kala, mind, tattvas.

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 pranamaya, manomaya and vijnanamaya koshas if the soul is physically embodied. It consists of only manomaya and vijnanamaya after death, when pranamaya kosha disintegrates. And it consists of only vijnanamaya kosha when manomaya kosha is dropped off just before rebirth or when higher evolutionary planes are entered. Also part of the subtle body are the antahkarana (mental faculty: intellect, instinct and ego -- buddhi, manas and ahamkara), the five jnanendriyas (agents of perception: hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell); and the five karmendriyas (agents of action: speech, grasping, movement, excretion and generation). See: astral body, indriya, jiva, kosha, reincarnation.

subtle plane: See: loka, three worlds.

successor: A person who follows another, in office or title, as the successor to a satguru or king. -- succession: A number of persons or things coming one after another in order; e.g., a spiritual succession. See: guru parampara.

suchi: "Needle; sharp point." An index: that which reveals a book.

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.

shuddhavidya: "Pure Knowledge." The fifth tattva in the Saiva Siddhanta system. See: tattva.

shudra: "Worker, servant." The social class of skilled artisans, workers and laborers. See: varna dharma.

suicide: "Self-killing." In Sanskrit, pranatyaga, "abandoning life force." Intentionally ending one's own life through poisoning, drowning, burning, jumping, shooting, etc. Suicide has traditionally been condemned in Hindu scripture because, being an abrupt escape from life, it creates unseemly karma to face in the future. However, in cases of terminal disease or great disability, religious self-willed death through fasting -- prayopavesha -- is permitted. The person making such a decision declares it publicly, which allows for community regulation and distinguishes the act from suicide performed privately in traumatic emotional states of anguish and despair. Ancient lawgivers cite various stipulations: 1) inability to perform normal bodily purification; 2) death appears imminent or the condition is so bad that life's pleasures are nil; 3)the action must be done under community regulation. The gradual nature of prayopavesha is a key factor distinguishing it from sudden suicide, svadehaghata ("murdering one's body"), for it allows time for the individual to settle all differences with others, to ponder life and draw close to God, as well as for loved ones to oversee the person's gradual exit from the physical world. In the ideal, highly ritualized practice, one begins by obtaining forgiveness and giving forgiveness. Next a formal vow, mahavrata-marana, "great vow of death," is given to one's guru, following a full discussion of all karmas of this life, especially fully and openly confessing one's wrongdoings. Thereafter, attention is to be focused on scripture and the guru's noble teachings. Meditation on the innermost, immortal Self becomes the full focus as one gradually abstains from food. At the very end, as the soul releases itself from the body, the sacred mantra is repeated as instructed by the preceptor. See: death, penance, prayopavesha, reincarnation, soul.

Shukla Yajur Veda: See: Yajur Veda.

sukshma sharira: "Subtle body," or astral body. See: actinic, actinodic, kosha, odic, soul, subtle body.

Shulba Shastra(s): Practical manuals giving the measurements and procedures for constructing the sites of Vedic yajna rites. A division of the Kalpa Vedanga (Veda limb on rituals), these sutras employ sophisticated geometry and are India's earliest extant mathematical texts. Shulba means "string or cord," denoting the use of string for measuring. See: Vedanga.

sully (sullied): To make dirty, or impure. See: purity-impurity.

Sundaranatha: The original name of Natha Siddha Tirumular before he trekked to South India from the Himalayas. See: Tirumular.

Sundarar: One of the four Tamil Samayacharyas (ca 800), and composer of devotional hymns to God Siva, which form the seventh book of the Tirumurai. In these, he pleads forthrightly to Siva for material as well as spiritual abundance. See: Nalvar, Nayanar, Tirumurai.

Shunya Sampadane: "Gaining of Nothingness." A primary text of Vira Saivism (ca 1550) consisting of debates and writings of the Siva Sharanas. Shunya: "the void, the distinctionless absolute;" sampadana: "attainment, realization, enlightenment."

superconscious mind: Karana chitta. See: kala, mind (five states), mind (three phases), Satchidananda, tattva.

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.

supplicate (supplication): To ask for humbly. To pray for earnestly.

Suprabheda Agama: One of the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas, this scripture discusses temple worship, especially personal devotions, festivals, practices and initiations for each stage of life. A total of 4,666 verses have been preserved from the original scripture.

supreme: Highest in rank, power, authority.

Supreme God: Highest God, the source or creator of all other Gods, beings and all manifestation. See: Nataraja, perfections, Siva.

Surdas (Surdas): Blind North-Indian Vaishnava poet (ca 1550), famous for his devotional hymns to Lord Krishna. His massive writing Sursagar, "Sur's Ocean," is widely read.

surpass: To excel; to be superior to.

surrender: Giving up or yielding. Surrender to the Divine is called prapatti, a complete giving over of oneself to God's will in total trust and abandonment. See: bhakti, prapatti, sacrifice.

Surya: "Sun." One of the principal Divinities of the Vedas, also prominent in the epics and Puranas. Saivites revere Surya, the Sun God each morning as Siva Surya. Smartas and Vaishnavas revere the golden orb as Surya Narayana. As the source of light, the sun is the most readily apparent image of Divinity available to man. As the giver of life, Surya is worshiped during harvest festivals everywhere. Esoterically, the sun represents the point where the manifest and unmanifest worlds meet or unite. In yoga, the sun represents the masculine force, pingala. Surya also signifies the Self within. In the Vedic description of the course of souls after death, the "path of the sun" leads liberated souls to the realm of Brahman; while the path of the moon leads back to physical birth.

sushumna nadi: "Most gracious channel." Central psychic nerve current within the spinal column. See: kundalini, nadi, samadhi.

sustainable: Maintainable; able to be kept up or continued consistently over a period of time.

sustenance (to sustain): Support. That which preserves life, or gives strength. Nourishment.

sutala: "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, loka, Naraka..

Suta Samhita: A chapter of the Skanda Purana dealing in part with philosophy.

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. Sutra also names the wife's wedding pendant (mangala sutra). See: bhashya, wedding pendant.

svadharma: "One's own way." See: dharma.

svadhishthana: "One's own base." See: chakra.

svadhyaya: "Self-reflection; personal scriptural study." See: yama-niyama.

svarga: "Abode of light." An intermediate realm of the Antarloka; a term essentially synonymous with Svarloka. See: loka.

Svarloka: "Celestial (or bright) plane." The third of the seven upper worlds, the mid-astral region (equated in some texts with Svarga), realm of manipura chakra. See: loka.

Svatmarama (Svatmarama): See: Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

svayambhu Linga : "Self-existent mark or sign of God." Names a Sivalinga discovered in nature and not carved or crafted by human hands; often a smooth cylindrical stone, called banalinga, such as found in India's Narmada River. See: Sivalinga.

Svayambhuva Agama: One of the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas. See: Saiva Agama.

Svayambhuva Sutra(s): A subsidiary text of the Saiva Agamas.

Shvetashvatara Upanishad: An Upanishad of the Yajur Veda that emphasizes theism -- personal God and devotion -- and at the same time monism -- the unity of God, soul and world. It is valued as a major Upanishad, among the greatest panentheist writings, especially precious to Saivite schools.

swami: "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.

swamini: The feminine form of swami. See: monastic, nun, sannyasa, swami.

swastika: "Sign of auspiciousness." From su, "wellness," "auspiciousness" and astu, "be it so." The ancient Hindu symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune, representing the sun and often associated with Ganesha. 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 symbol in many cultures. See: murti.

swirl: To move in a whirling, circular motion, like a whirlpool.

symbolism: The representation of one thing by something else. E.g., the damaru, Siva's drum, is a symbol of creation.

syncretism: A combination of various beliefs and practices, often of opposing views formed into a one creed or system of belief, typically marked by inconsistencies. See: universalist.

synonymous: Having the same or similar meaning. Quality of two words or phrases whose meanings are identical.

synthesis: A combining of various parts to make a whole.