Jagadacharya: "World teacher."

jagrat: "Wakefulness." The state of mind in which the senses are turned outward. Conscious mind. One of four states of consciousness, avasthas, described in the Mandukya Upanishad. See: avastha, consciousness.

jagrat chitta: "Wakeful consciousness." The conscious mind.

Jainism: (Jaina) An ancient non-Vedic religion of India made prominent by the teachings of Mahavira ("Great Hero"), ca 500 BCE. The Jain Agamas teach reverence for all life, vegetarianism and strict renunciation for ascetics. Jains focus great emphasis on the fact that all souls may attain liberation, each by own effort. Their great historic saints, called Tirthankaras ("Ford-Crossers"), are objects of worship, of whom Mahavira was the 24th and last. Jains number about six million today, living mostly in India.

japa: "Recitation." Practice of concentrated repeating of a mantra, often while counting the repetitions on a mala or strand of beads. It may be done silently or aloud. Sometimes known as mantra yoga, japa is a major sadhana in Hindu spiritual practice, from the simple utterance of a few names of God to extraordinary feats of repeating sacred syllables millions of times for years on end. See: amrita, mantra, yama-niyama, yoga.

jarred: Irritated, clashing, quarreling, discordant.

Jehovah: Modern (incorrect) vocalization of Yahweh, Hebrew name for God, introduced by Christian Renaissance scholars.

Jesus Christ: A Jewish teacher and prophet in the first century CE whose teachings became the basis of Christianity.

Jew: An adherent of Judaism, or descendant of such adherents. See: Judaism.

jiva: "Living, existing." From jiv, "to live." The individual soul, atman, bound by the three malas (anava, karma and maya). The individuated self (jiva-atman) as opposed to the transcendental Self (parama atman). The jivanmukta is one who is "liberated while living." See: atman, evolution of the soul, jivanmukta, purusha, soul.

jivanmukta: "Liberated soul." One who has attained nirvikalpa samadhi -- the realization of the Self, Parasiva -- and is liberated from rebirth while living in a human body. (Contrasted with videhamukta, one liberated at the point of death.)This attainment is the culmination of lifetimes of intense striving, sadhana and tapas, requiring total renunciation, sannyasa (death to the external world, denoted in the conducting of one's own funeral rites),in the current incarnation.While completing life in the physical body, the jivanmukta enjoys the ability to re-enter nirvikalpa samadhi again and again. See: jivanmukti, jnana, kaivalya, moksha, Self Realization, Sivasayujya, videhamukti.

jivanmukti: "Liberation while living." The state of the jivanmukta. Contrasted with videhamukti, liberation at the point of death. See: death, jivanmukta, moksha, reincarnation, videhamukti.

jnana: "Knowledge; wisdom." (Tamil: jnanam) The matured state of the soul. It is the wisdom that comes as an aftermath of the kundalini breaking through the door of Brahmaninto the realization of Parasiva, Absolute Reality. The repeated samadhis of Parasiva ever deepen this flow of divine knowing which establishes the knower in an extraordinary point of reference, totally different from those who have not attained this enlightenment. Jnana is sometimes misunderstood as book knowledge, as a maturity or awakening that comes from simply understanding a complex philosophical system or systems. Those who define jnana in this way deny that the path is a progression of charya-kriya-yoga-jnana or of karma-bhakti-raja-jnana. Rather, they say that one can choose one's own path, and that each leads to the ultimate goal. See: God Realization, door of Brahman, Self Realization, samadhi.

jnana marga: See: jnana pada.

jnana pada: "Stage of wisdom." According to the Saiva Siddhanta rishis, jnana is the last of the four successive padas (stages) of spiritual unfoldment. It is the culmination of the third stage, the yoga pada. Also names the knowledge section of each Agama. See: jnana, pada.

jnana shakti: "Power of wisdom." One of Siva's three primary shaktis. Also a name for Lord Karttikeya's vel. See: Karttikeya, Shakti, trishula vel.

jnana yoga: "Union of knowledge." Describes the esoteric spiritual practices of the fully enlightened being, or jnani. An alternative meaning, popularized by Swami Vivekananda, is the quest for cognition through intellectual religious study, as one of four alternate paths to truth, the other three being bhakti yoga, karma yoga and raja yoga. See: jnana, yoga.

jnani: "Sage." One who possesses jnana. See: jivanmukta, jnana.

jot: To make a brief note.

Judaic-Christian: Concerned with two of the three religions descended from Abraham, Judaism and Christianity, especially in the sense of their shared beliefs.

Judaism: The religion of over 12 million adherents worldwide (over half in the United States), first of the Abrahamic faiths, founded about 3,700 years ago in Canaan (now Israel) by Abraham, who started the lineage, and in Egypt by Moses, who emancipated the enslaved Jewish tribes. Its major scripture is the Torah.

judicious: Having or showing good judgment; prudent.

jyotisha: From jyoti, "light." "The science of the lights (or stars)." Hindu astrology, the knowledge and practice of analyzing events and circumstances, delineating character and determining auspicious moments, according to the positions and movements of heavenly bodies. In calculating horoscopes, jyotisha uses the sidereal (fixed-star) system, whereas Western astrology uses the tropical (fixed-date) method.

kaif: (Shum) The state of awareness aware of itself. Pronounced kaw-eef. See: Shum.

Kailasa (Kailasa): "Crystalline" or "Abode of bliss." The four-faced Himalayan peak in Western Tibet; the earthly abode of Lord Siva. Associated with Mount Meru, the legendary center of the universe, it is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus, as well as Tibetan Buddhists. Kailasa is represented in Shaktism by a certain three-dimensional form of the Shri Chakra yantra (also called kailasa chakra).

Kailasa Parampara:A spiritual lineage of 163 siddhas, a major stream of the Nandinatha Sampradaya, proponents of the ancient philosophy of monistic Saiva Siddhanta. The first of these masters that history recalls was Maharishi Nandinatha (or Nandikesvara) 2,250 years ago, satguru to the great Tirumular, ca 200 BCE, and seven other disciples (as stated in the Tirumantiram). The lineage continued down the centuries and is alive today -- the first recent siddha is known as the "Rishi from the Himalayas," so named because he descended from those holy mountains. In South India, he initiated Kadaitswami (ca1810 -- 1875), who in turn initiated Chellappaswami(1840 -- 1915). Chellappan passed the mantle of authority to Sage Yogaswami (1872 -- 1964), who in 1949 initiated Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927 -- 2001), who initiated the present satguru, Bodhinatha Veylanswami. See: Natha Sampradaya, Patanjali, Tirumular, Vyaghrapada, Yogaswami.

kaivalya: "Absolute oneness, aloneness; perfect detachment, freedom." Liberation. Kaivalya is the term used by Patanjali and others in the yoga tradition to name the goal and fulfillment of yoga, the state of complete detachment from transmigration. It is virtually synonymous with moksha. Kaivalya is the perfectly transcendent state, the highest condition resulting from the ultimate realization. It is defined uniquely according to each philosophical school, depending on its beliefs regarding the nature of the soul. See: moksha, Sivasayujya, jnana.

kaleidoscope: A tube-like instrument that shows a constantly changing pattern of colors and lights. Anything so changeable.

Kali: "Black" Goddess. A form of Shakti in Her fierce aspect, as worshiped by various sects within Shaktism. She is dark, nude, primordial and fiercely powerful, as of a naked energy untamed. But from the perspective of devotees, She is the incomparable protectress, champion of sadhana and mother of liberation. The Goddess Durga, seated on a tiger, has similar characteristics and is often identified with Kali. See: Shakti, Shaktism.

Kali Yuga: "Dark Age." The Kali Yuga is the last age in the repetitive cycle of four phases of time the universe passes through. It is comparable to the darkest part of the night, as the forces of ignorance are in full power and many subtle faculties of the soul are obscured. See: mahapralaya, yuga.

kama: "Pleasure, love; desire." Cultural, intellectual and sexual fulfillment. One of four human goals, purushartha. See: purushartha.

kapha: "Biological water." One of the three bodily humors, called dosha, kapha is known as the water humor. Principle of cohesion. Kapha gives bodily structure and stability, lubricates, heals and bestows immunity. See: ayurveda, dosha.

Karaikkalammaiyar: fhiuf;fhyk;ikahh; The 23rd of the 63 canonized saints of Tamil Saivism. A great mystic, poet and yogini, she composed mystical-devotional hymns which are part of Tirumurai.

karma: "Action," "deed." One of the most important principles in Hindu thought, karma refers to 1) any act or deed; 2) the principle of cause and effect; 3) a consequence or "fruit of action" (karmaphala) or "after effect" (uttaraphala), whichsooner or later returns upon the doer. What we sow, we shall reap in this or future lives. Selfish, hateful acts (papakarma or kukarma) will bring suffering. Benevolent actions (punyakarma or sukarma) will bring loving reactions. Karma is threefold: sanchita, prarabdha and kriyamana. -- Sanchita karma: "Accumulated actions." The sum of all karmas of this life and past lives. -- Prarabdha karma: "Actions begun; set in motion." That portion of sanchita karma that is bearing fruit and shaping the events and conditions of the current life, including the nature of one's bodies, personal tendencies and associations. -- Kriyamana karma: "Being made." The karma being created and added to sanchita in this life by one's thoughts, words and actions, or in the inner worlds between lives. Kriyamana karma is also called agami, "coming, arriving," and vartamana, "current, revolving, set in motion." While some kriyamana karmas bear fruit in the current life, others are stored for future births. See: anava, fate, mala, maya, moksha, pasha, sin, soul.

karma marga: "Path of action-reaction." A coined term describing the worldly condition of souls totally enmeshed in the actions and reactions of the past, making new karmas so swiftly that little true personal identity is experienced. See: anava marga, pada.

karma yoga: "Union through action." Selfless service. See: yoga.

Karttikeya:Child of the Pleiades, from Krittika, "Pleiades." Second son of Siva, brother of Ganesha. A great Mahadeva worshiped in all parts of India and the world. Also known as Murugan, Kumara, Skanda, Shanmukhanatha, Subramanyaand more, He is the God who guides that part of evolution which is religion, the transformation of the instinctive into a divine wisdom through the practice of yoga. See: Murugan, Pleiades, Veda.

Kashmir Saivism:In this mildly theistic and intensely monistic school founded by Vasugupta around 850, Siva is immanent and transcendent. Purification and yoga are strongly emphasized. Kashmir Saivism offers an extremely rich and detailed understanding of the human psyche, and a clear and distinct path of kundalini-siddha yoga to the goal of Self Realization. The Kashmir Saivite is not so much concerned with worshiping a personal God as he is with attaining the transcendental state of Siva consciousness. While the number of formal followers is uncertain, the school continues to exert an important influence in India. See: Saivism.

Kauai: Northernmost and oldest of the Hawaiian islands, 553 square miles, population 50,000.

Kauai Aadheenam: Monastery-temple complex founded by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami in 1970; international headquarters of Saiva Siddhanta Church.

kaula: "Of or related to kula," a tantric teaching. Kaula also names the liberated soul in Shakta traditions, one to whom wood and gold, life and death are the same.

kavi: "Ocher-saffron color." A Tamil word for the color taken on by robes of sadhus who sit, meditate or live on the banks of the Ganges. Hence the color of the sannyasin's robes. The Sanskrit equivalent is kashaya.

kevala avastha: "Stage of oneness, aloneness." (Tamil: avasthai.) In Saiva Siddhanta, the first of three stages of the soul's evolution, a state beginning with its emanation or spawning by Lord Siva as an etheric form unaware of itself, a spark of the Divine shrouded in a cloud of darkness known as anava. Here the soul is likened to a seed hidden in the ground, yet to germinate and unfold its potential. See: anava, avastha, evolution of the soul, sakala avastha, soul, shuddha avastha.

knack: Ability to do something easily; a particular skill, dexterity.

konrai: The Golden Shower tree, Cassia fistula; symbol of Siva's cascading, abundant, golden grace. Konrai flowers are sacred to Siva.

kosha: "Sheath; vessel, container; layer." Philosophically, five sheaths through which the soul functions simultaneously in the various planes or levels of existence. They are sometimes compared to the layers of an onion. The koshas, in order of increasing subtlety, are as follows. -- annamaya kosha: "Sheath composed of food." The physical or odic body, coarsest of sheaths in comparison to the faculties of the soul, yet indispensable for evolution and Self Realization, because only within it can all fourteen chakras fully function. See: chakra. -- pranamaya kosha: "Sheath composed of prana (vital force)." Also known as the pranic or health body, or the etheric body or etheric double, it coexists within the physical body as its source of life, breath and vitality, and is its connection with the astral body. Prana moves in the pranamaya kosha as five primary currents or vayus, "vital airs or winds." Pranamaya kosha disintegrates at death along with the physical body. See: prana. -- manomaya kosha: "Mind-formed sheath." The lower astral body, from manas, "thought, will, wish." The instinctive-intellectual sheath of ordinary thought, desire and emotion. It is the seat of the indriyas -- sensory and motor organs, respectively called jnanendriyas and karmendriyas. The manomaya kosha takes form as the physical body develops and is discarded in the inner worlds before rebirth. It is understood in two layers: 1) the odic-causal sheath (buddhi) and 2) the odic-astral sheath (manas). See: manas. -- vijnanamaya kosha: "Sheath of cognition." The mental or cognitive-intuitive sheath, also called the actinodic sheath. It is the vehicle of higher thought, vijnana -- understanding, knowing, direct cognition, wisdom, intuition and creativity. -- anandamaya kosha: "Body of bliss." The intuitive-superconscious sheath or actinic-causal body. This inmost soul form (svarupa) is the ultimate foundation of all life, intelligence and higher faculties. Its essence is Parashakti (Pure Consciousness) and Parasiva (the Absolute). See: actinic, actinodic, manomaya kosha, odic, soul, subtle body.

Krishna: "Black." Also compared to krishtih, "drawing, attracting." One of the most popular Gods of the Hindu pantheon. Krishna is worshiped by Vaishnavas as the eighth avatara, incarnation, of Vishnu. He is best known as the Supreme Personage celebrated in the Mahabharata, especially in the Bhagavad Gita. For Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Krishna is the Godhead.

kriya: "Action." 1) In a general sense, kriya can refer to doing of any kind. Specifically, it names religious action, especially rites or ceremonies. 2) In yoga terminology, kriya names involuntary physical movements occurring during meditation that are pretended or caused by lack of emotional self-control or by the premature or unharnessed arousal of the kundalini. 3)Various traditional hatha yoga techniques for cleansing the mucous membranes. 4) The second stage of the Saiva path, religious action, or kriya pada. See: pada.

kriya marga: See kriya pada.

kriya pada: "Stage of religious action; worship." The stage of worship and devotion, second of four progressive stages of maturation on the Saiva Siddhanta path of attainment. See: pada.

Kriyakramadyotika: A manual by Aghorasiva (ca 1050) detailing Agamic Saiva ritual. It is used widely by South Indian priests to this day.

kriyamana karma: "Actions being made." See: karma.

kriya shakti: "Action power." The universal force of doing. See: Shakti, trishula.

kukarma: "Unwholesome acts," or the fruit thereof. See: karma.

kulachara: "The divine way of life;" the state of jivanmukti, "liberation while living" in Shaktism. It is attained through sadhana and grace.

kulaguru: "Family preceptor" or "family teacher." The kulaguru guides the joint and extended family, particularly through the heads of families, and provides spiritual education. He may or may not be a satguru.

kundalini: "She who is coiled; serpent power." The primordial cosmic energy in every individual which, at first, lies coiled like a serpent at the base of the spine and eventually, through the practice of yoga, rises up the sushumna nadi. As it rises, the kundalini awakens each successive chakra. Nirvikalpa samadhi, enlightenment, comes as it pierces through the door of Brahman at the core of the sahasrara and enters. Kundalini shakti then returns to rest in any one of the seven chakras. Sivasayujya, union, is complete when the kundalini arrives back in the sahasrara and remains coiled in this crown chakra. See: chakra, door of Brahman, nadi, samadhi, sayujya, tantra.

kundalini shakti: The pure (neither masculine nor feminine) force that flows through the sushumna nadi. See: kundalini, shakti, sushumna nadi.

kundalini yoga: "Uniting the serpent power." Advanced meditative practices and sadhana techniques, a part of raja yoga, performed to deliberately arouse the kundalini power and guide it up the spine into the crown chakra, sahasrara. In its highest form, this yoga is the natural result of sadhanas and tapas well performed, rather than a distinct system of striving and teaching in its own right.

kunkuma: "Saffron; red." (Tamil: kumkum.) The red powder, made of turmeric and lime, worn by Hindus as the pottu or bindu, dot, at the point of the third eye on the forehead. Names the saffron plant, Crocus sativus, and its pollen. See: ajna chakra.

Kural: See: Tirukural.

labyrinth: Something highly intricate or convoluted in character, composition or construction. A maze.

Lakshmi: "Mark or sign," often of success or prosperity. Shakti, the Universal Mother, as Goddess of wealth. The mythological consort of Vishnu. Usually depicted on a lotus flower. Prayers are offered to Lakshmi for wealth, beauty and peace. See: Shakti.

lament: To express grief for or mourn.

lapse: To fall (or slip) down, away or back. To cease or become forfeit or void by default.

larceny: Stealing personal property; theft.

latent: Present but hidden or potential; not evident or active.

laud: To praise. To sing, chant or speak the qualities or glories of.

layman: A man who is not a cleric or monastic.

ledger: A book in which monetary transactions are posted in the form of debits and credits.

lest: For fear that a thing might happen.

lethargy: A state of sluggishness, inactivity and apathy.

levitation: The power or ability to float in the air or to cause objects to do so at will.

liberal: Free; broad-minded; tolerant; unconfined; generous.

liberation: Moksha, release from the bonds of pasha, after which the soul is liberated from samsara (the round of births and deaths). In Saiva Siddhanta, pasha is the threefold bondage of anava, karma and maya, which limit and confine the soul to the reincarnational cycle so that it may evolve. Moksha is freedom from the fettering power of these bonds, which do not cease to exist, but no longer have the power to fetter or bind the soul. See: mala, jivanmukti, moksha, pasha, reincarnation, satguru, Self Realization, soul.

light: In an ordinary sense, a form of energy which makes physical objects visible to the eye. In a religious, mystical sense, light also illumines inner objects (i.e., mental images). -- inner light: light perceived inside the head and body, of which there are varying intensities. When the karmas have been sufficiently quieted, the meditator can see and enjoy inner light independently of mental images. -- moon-like inner light: Inner light perceived at a first level of intensity, glowing softly, much like the moon. The meditator's first experience of it is an important milestone in unfoldment. -- clear white light: Inner light at a high level of intensity, very clear and pure. When experienced fully, it is seen to be permeating all of existence, the universal substance of all form, inner and outer, pure consciousness, Satchidananda. This experience, repeated at regular intervals, can yield "a knowing greater than you could acquire at any university or institute of higher learning." See: Siva consciousness, tattva.

limber: Bending or flexing readily; pliable.

lineage: A direct line of ancestors and descendants or predecessors and successors.

linger: To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance; tarry. To persist.

liturgy: The proper, prescribed forms of ritual.

loka: "World, habitat, realm, or plane of existence." From loc, "to shine, be bright, visible." See: three worlds.

lore: Accumulated facts, traditions, or beliefs about a particular subject.

lotus flower: An aquatic plant (Nelumbo nucifera) native to southern Asia and Australia, with large leaves, fragrant, pinkish flowers, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes.

lotus pose:Padmasana. The most famous of hatha yoga poses and the optimum position for meditation. The legs are crossed, turning the soles of the feet up, which then resemble lotus petals. See: asana, hatha yoga, padmasana.

lucid: Clear to the mind; easily understood; intelligible.

luminary: An object, such as a celestial body, that emits light.

luminous: Giving off light, shining.

lurk: To wait unobserved or unsuspected in order to harm or attack.

lust: Intense desire or craving, especially sexual.

lymph: A clear, yellowish fluid of the body containing white blood cells and circulating throughout the lymphatic system. Among its functions, it removes bacteria and certain proteins from tissues, and transports fat from the small intestine. In ayurveda, lymph is part of rasa, the first of the human body's seven dhatus (constituents; tissues), each of which is transformed into the next: 1)rasa (whichincludes plasma, lymph, serum, cytoplasm and chyle); 2)rakta (red blood cells, blood tissue -- the oxygen carrying unit); 3)mamsa (muscle tissue); 4)meda (adipose tissue -- subcutaneous fat and sweat); 5)asthi (bone tissue); 6)maija (nerve tissue and bone marrow) and; 7)shura (reproductive tissue, semen). See: ayurveda, ojas, tejas, transmutation.

macrocosm: "Great world" or "universe." See: microcosm-macrocosm, three worlds.

Madhumateya: A Saiva Siddhanta monastic order founded by Pavanashiva, preceptor of the Kalachuri kings of Central India.

Madhva (Madhva):South Indian Vaishnava saint (1197 -- 1278) who expounded a purely dualistic (pluralistic) Vedanta in which there is an essential and eternal distinction between God, soul and world, and between all beings and things. He is also one of the few Hindus to have taught the existence of an eternal hell where lost souls would be condemned to suffer forever. See: dvaita-advaita, Vedanta.

maestro: A master, especially in art or music.

magnanimous: Courageously noble in mind and heart. Generous in forgiving. Eschewing resentment or revenge; unselfish.

magnetized: Having been made magnetic. Metaphysically, physical elements are magnetized with actinodic power in a shrine through the chanting of mantras and by various other means.

maha: An adjective or prefix meaning "great."

Mahabharata: "Great Epic of India." The world's longest epic poem. It revolves around the conflict between two royal families, those of the Pandavas and Kauravas, and their great battle of Kurukshetra near modern Delhi in approximately 1424 BCE. The Mahabharata is revered as scripture by Vaishnavites and Smartas. See: Bhagavad Gita, Itihasa.

Mahadeva: "Great shining one;" "God." Referring either to God Siva or any of the highly evolved beings who live in the Sivaloka in their natural, effulgent soul bodies. God Siva in His perfection as Primal Soul is one of the Mahadevas, yet He is unique and incomparable in that He alone is uncreated, the Father-Mother and Destiny of all other Mahadevas. He is called Parameshvara, "Supreme God." He is the Primal Soul, whereas the other Gods are individual souls. It is said in scripture that there are 330 million Gods. See: Gods, Parameshvara, Siva, deva.

mahapralaya: "Great dissolution." Total annihilation of the universe at the end of a mahakalpa. It is the absorption of all existence, including time, space and individual consciousness, all the lokas and their inhabitants into God Siva, as the water of a river returns to its source, the sea. Then Siva alone exists in His three perfections, until He again emanates creation. During this incredibly vast period there are many partial dissolutions, pralayas, when either the Bhuloka or the Bhuloka and the Antarloka are destroyed. See: yuga.

Maharshi (Maharishi): "Great seer." Title for the greatest and most influential of siddhas.

mahasamadhi: "Great enstasy." The death, or quitting off of the physical body, of a great soul, an event occasioned by tremendous blessings. Also names the shrine in which the remains of a great soul are entombed. See: cremation, death.

mahatala: Sixth netherworld. Region of consciencelessness. See: chakra.

mahavakya: "Great saying." A profound aphorism from scripture or a holy person. Most famous are four Upanishad proclamations: Prajanam Brahma ("Pure consciousness is God" -- Aitareya U.), Aham Brahmasmi ("I am God" -- Brihadaranyaka U.), Tat tvam asi ("Thou art That" -- Chhandogya U.) and Ayam atma Brahma ("The soul is God" -- Mandukya U.).

Maheshvara: "Great Lord." In Saiva Siddhanta,one of five aspects, or forms, of Parameshvara (the Primal Soul), each related to one of the Lord's five powers. Maheshvara corresponds to Siva's energy of veiling grace. Maheshvara is alsoa popular epithet for Lord Siva as Primal Soul and personal Lord. See: Nataraja, Parameshvara.

mahout: The keeper or driver of an elephant.

mala: "Impurity." An important term in Saivism referring tothree bonds, called pasha -- anava, karma, and maya -- which limit the soul, preventing it from knowing its true, divine nature. See: anava, karma, liberation, maya, pasha.

mala: "Garland." A strand of beads for holy recitation, japa, usually made of rudraksha, tulasi, sandalwood or crystal. Also a flower garland.

malaparipakam: "Ripening of bonds." The state attained after the three malas, anava, karma and maya, are brought under control during marul, the second stage of the sakala avastha. At this time, the Lord's concealing grace, tirodhana shakti, has accomplished its work, giving way to anugraha, His revealing grace, leading to the descent of grace, shaktinipata. See: anava, anugraha, karma, malas, marul, maya, sakala avastha, shaktinipata, tirodhana shakti.

malevolent: Motivated by ill will, wishing harm to others; malicious. Exercising an evil or harmful influence.

malice: Ill will; desire or intent to do harm to another, generally without conscience. See: mahatala.

malign: To defame, speak evil of, with harmful, often untrue statements; vicious slander.

malleable: Pliable; flexible to changing circumstances.

mana: The Polynesian word for pranic shakti. Supernatural or divine power, miraculous power, believed to reside in a person or thing.

manana: "Thinking; deep reflection."

manas: "Mind; understanding." The lower or instinctive mind, seat of desire and governor of sensory and motor organs, called indriyas. Manas is termed the undisciplined, empirical mind. Manas is characterized by desire, determination, doubt, faith, lack of faith, steadfastness, lack of steadfastness, shame, intellection and fear. It is a faculty of manomaya kosha, the lower astral or instinctive-intellectual sheath. See: awareness, instinctive mind, manomaya kosha, mind (individual).

manas chakra: The mature sahasrara chakra at the top of the head. It attains this level after many experiences of Self Realizations when the kundalini force coils itself at the top of the head. This then becomes the muladhara chakra of this golden soul body. See: chakras, svarnasharira, vishvagrasa, anandamaya kosha.

manas chitta: "Instinctive mind." See: manas, manomaya kosha, instinctive mind.

manifest: To show or reveal. Perceivable or knowable, therefore having form. The opposite of unmanifest or transcendent. See: formless, tattva.

Manikkavasagar: "He of ruby-like utterances." Tamil saint who contributed to the medieval Saivite renaissance (ca 850). He gave up his position as Prime Minister to follow a renunciate life. His poetic Tiruvasagam, "Holy utterances" -- a major Saiva Siddhanta scripture (part of the eighth Tirumurai) and a jewel of Tamil literature -- express his aspirations, trials and yogic realizations. See: Tirumurai, Tiruvasagam.

manipulate: To influence or manage shrewdly or deviously. To handle, maneuver or move.

manipura chakra: "Wheel of the jewelled city." Solar-plexus center of willpower. See: chakra.

mannequin: A life-size full or partial model (figure) of the human body.

manomaya kosha: See: kosha.

mantra: "Mystic formula." A sound, syllable, word or phrase endowed with special power, usually drawn from scripture. Mantras are chanted loudly during puja to invoke the Gods and establish a spiritual force field. Certain mantras are repeated softly or mentally for japa, the subtle tones quieting the mind, harmonizing the inner bodies and stimulating latent spiritual qualities. Hinduism's universal mantra is Aum. To be truly efficacious, such mantras must be bestowed by the preceptor during initiation. See: Aum, incantation, japa, puja, yajna.

marga: "Path; way." From marg, "to seek." See: pada.

margi: A "follower" on a specific path or marga. See: pada.

Mariyamman: "Smallpox Goddess," known commonly as Amman, protectress from plagues. See: Shakti, Shaktism.

Markanduswami: A disciple of Satguru Yogaswami who passed his later years as a white robed sadhu. He lived an austere life and hardly spoke but to pronounce the words and sayings of his guru.

martyrdom: Extreme suffering, especially inflicted for a cause.

marul: "Confusion." The second of the three stages of the sakala avastha, when the soul is "caught" between the world and God and begins to seek knowledge of its own true nature (pashu-jnana). See: pashu-jnana, sakala avastha.

masturbation: Manipulating one's genitals, or the genitals of another, for sexual gratification. See: celibacy, dissipation, ojas, tejas, transmutation.

materialism (materialistic): The doctrine that matter is the only reality, that all life, thought and feelings are but the effects of movements of matter, and that there exist no worlds but the physical. Materialists usually hold that there is no God -- a cosmic, material, prime mover perhaps, but no personal God. An Indian school of thought which propounded this view were the Charvaka. See: atheism, Charvaka, worldly.

matha: "Monastery." See: monastery.

mathavasi: "Monastic; monastery dweller." See: monk.

Mattamayura Order: A Saiva Siddhanta monastic order founded by Purandara (successor to Rudrasambhu), centered in the Punjab. Members of this order served as advisors to the king.

mauna: The discipline of remaining silent.

maya: "Consisting of; made of," as in manomaya, "made of mind." See: manomaya kosha.

maya: "Artfulness," "illusion," "phantom" or "mirific energy." The substance emanated from Siva through which the world of form is manifested. Hence all creation is also termed maya. It is the cosmic creative force, the principle of manifestation, ever in the process of creation, preservation and dissolution. Maya is akey concept in Hinduism, originally meaning "supernatural power; God's mirific energy." See: loka, mala, mind (universal), tattva, world.

maya marga: "Path of worldliness." The soul engrossed in the ignorance of the world and the fulfillment of instinctive and intellectual impulses. See: pada.

meander: To wander aimlessly and idly without fixed direction.

meditation: Dhyana. Sustained concentration. Meditation describes a quiet, alert, powerfully concentrated state wherein new knowledge and insights are awakened from within as awareness focuses one-pointedly on an object or specific line of thought. See: internalized worship, raja yoga, Satchidananda.

medley: A jumbled or mixed assortment; a mixture.

mendicant: A beggar; a wandering monk, or sadhu, who lives on alms. See: sadhu.

mental body (sheath): The higher-mind layer of the subtle or astral body in which the soul functions in Maharloka of the Antarloka or subtle plane.In Sanskrit, the mental body is vijnanamaya kosha, "sheath of cognition." See: intellectual mind, kosha, subtle body.

mental plane: Names the refined strata of the subtle world. Here the soul is shrouded in the mental or cognitive sheath, called vijnanamaya kosha. See: vijnanamaya kosha.

merge: To lose distinctness or identity by being sunk in, immersed or absorbed. To unite or become one with something larger.

mesh: A net or network. Something that snares or entraps.

metabolism: The physical and chemical processes within a living cell or organism necessary for the maintenance of life.

metamorphosis: Complete transformation, as in a caterpillar's becoming a butterfly. See: kundalini, reincarnation.

metaphysics: The philosophy that examines the nature of reality, especially those aspects of reality beyond the realm of physical perception, or impossible to investigate by intellectual scientific study.

methodical: Proceeding in regular, systematic order.

methodology: Means, technique, or procedure; working method.

Meykandar: "Truth seer." The 13th-century Tamil theologian, author (or translator from the Raurava Agama) of the Sivajnanabodham. Founder of the Meykandar Sampradaya of pluralistic Saiva Siddhanta. See: Saiva Siddhanta, Sivajnanabodham.

microcosm-macrocosm: "Little world" or "miniature universe" as compared with "great world." Microcosm refers to the internal source of something larger or more external (macrocosm). In Hindu cosmology, the outer world is a macrocosm of the inner world, which is its microcosm and is mystically larger and more complex than the physical universe and functions at a higher rate of vibration and even a different rate of time. The microcosm precedes the macrocosm. Thus, the guiding principle of the Bhuloka comes from the Antarloka and Sivaloka. Consciousness precedes physical form. In the tantric tradition, the body of man is viewed as a microcosm of the entire divine creation. "Microcosm-macrocosm" is embodied in the terms pinda and anda.See: apex of creation, quantum, tattva, tantra.

militate: To fight or work (against).

mind (five states): A view of the mind in five parts. -- conscious mind: Jagrat chitta ("wakeful consciousness"). The ordinary, waking, thinking state of mind in which the majority of people function most of the day. -- subconscious mind: Samskara chitta ("impression mind"). The part of mind "beneath" the conscious mind, the storehouse or recorder of all experience (whether remembered consciously or not) -- the holder of past impressions, reactions and desires. Also, the seat of involuntary physiological processes. -- subsubconscious mind: Vasana chitta ("mind of subliminal traits"). The area of the subconscious mind formed when two thoughts or experiences of the same rate of intensity are sent into the subconscious at different times and, intermingling, give rise to a new and totally different rate of vibration. This subconscious formation later causes the external mind to react to situations according to these accumulated vibrations, be they positive, negative or mixed. -- superconscious mind: Karana chitta. The mind of light, the all-knowing intelligence of the soul. The Sanskrit term is turiya, "the fourth," meaning the condition beyond the states of wakefulness (jagrat), "dream" (svapna), and "deep sleep" (sushupti). At its deepest level, the superconscious isParashakti, or Satchidananda, the Divine Mind of God Siva. In Sanskrit, there are numerous terms for the various levels and states of superconsciousness. Specific superconscious states such as: vishvachaitanya ("universal consciousness"), advaita chaitanya ("nondual consciousness"), adhyatma chetana ("spiritual consciousness"). -- subsuperconscious mind: Anukarana chitta. The superconscious mind working through the conscious and subconscious states, which brings forth intuition, clarity and insight. See: chitta, consciousness, samskara, Satchidananda, vasana.

mind (individual): At the microcosmic level of individual souls, mind is consciousness and its faculties of memory, desire, thought and cognition. Individual mind is chitta (mind, consciousness), and its threefold expression is called antahkarana, "inner faculty" composed of: 1) buddhi ("intellect, reason, logic," higher mind); 2) ahamkara ("I-maker," egoity); 3) manas ("lower mind," instinctive-intellectual mind, the seat of desire). From the perspective of the 36 tattvas (categories of existence), each of these is a tattva which evolves out of the one before it. Thus, from buddhi comes ahamkara and then manas. These three are faculties of the manomaya kosha (astral or instinctive-intellectual sheath). Anukarana chitta, subsuperconsciousness, the knowing mind, is the mind-state of the vijnanamaya kosha (mental or intuitive-cognitive sheath). The aspect of mind corresponding directly to the anandamaya kosha (causal body) is karana chitta, superconsciousness. See: ahamkara, buddhi, chitta, manas, mind (universal).

mind (three phases): A perspective of mind as instinctive, intellectual and superconscious. -- instinctive mind. Manas chitta, the seat of desire and governor of sensory and motor organs. -- intellectual mind. Buddhi chitta, the faculty of thought and intelligence. -- superconscious mind: Karana chitta, the stratum of intuition, benevolence and spiritual sustenance. Its most refined essence is Parasakti, or Satchidananda, all-knowing, omnipresent consciousness, the One transcendental, self-luminous, divine mind common to all souls. See: awareness, consciousness, mind (five states).

mind (universal): In the most profound sense, mind is the sum of all things, all energies and manifestations, all forms, subtle and gross, sacred and mundane. It is the inner and outer cosmos. Mind is maya. It is the material matrix. It is everything but That, the Self within, Parasiva, which is timeless, formless, causeless, spaceless, known by the knower only after Self Realization. The Self is the indescribable, unnameable, Ultimate Reality. Mind in its subtlest form is undifferentiated Pure Consciousness, primal substance (Parashakti or Satchidananda), out of which emerge the myriad forms of existence, both psychic and material. See: chitta, consciousness, maya, tattva, world.

mirth: Gaiety, fun, amusement, especially expressed with laughter.

misapprehension: Incorrect apprehension; misunderstanding.

miserliness: The quality of being stingy, selfish, especially with money.

misfit: A person unable to adjust to social environment or disturbingly different from others in his place and group.

mishmash: A collection of confused or unrelated things.

moksha: "Liberation." Release from transmigration, samsara, the round of births and deaths, which occurs after karma has been resolved and nirvikalpa samadhi -- realization of the Self, Parasiva -- has been attained. Synonymous with mukti. See: jivanmukta, kaivalya, kundalini, nirvikalpa samadhi, Parasiva, raja yoga, videhamukti.

molten: Made liquid by heat; melted.

monastery: "Place of solitariness." Matha. The age-old tradition, carried forward from Lemurian times into the Hindu culture of India, a sacred residence where those of the same gender live under strict vows and work out their birth karmas in community toward realization of the Self. In monasteries, dedicated to transmutation of the sexual energies, celibacy is strictly upheld and there is no fraternizing with the opposite sex. The purpose of the monastery is to create an environment in which the monastic can balance the male and female energies (pingala and ida) within himself so that he lives in the spiritual, or sushumna, energy, which cannot be maintained in close association with the opposite sex. The monastic, whether a monk or a nun, is, in a sense, neither male nor female, but a pure soul being. See: ashrama, monk, nadi.

monastic: A monk or nun (based on the Greek monos, "single," "alone"). A man or woman who has withdrawn from the world and lives an austere, religious life, either alone or with others in a monastery. (Not to be confused with monistic, having to do with the doctrine of monism.) A monastery-dweller is a mathavasi; the word sadhu is a rough equivalent for mendicant. See: monk, sannyasin.

monism: "Doctrine of oneness." 1) The philosophical view that there is only one ultimate substance or principle. 2) The view that reality is a unified whole without independent parts. See: dvaita-advaita, pluralism.

monistic theism: Advaita Ishvaravada.Monism is the doctrine that reality is a one whole or existence without independent parts. Theism is the belief that God exists as a real, conscious, personal Supreme Being. Monistic theism is the dipolar doctrine, also called panentheism, that embraces both monism and theism, two perspectives ordinarily considered contradictory or mutually exclusive, since theism implies dualism. Monistic theism simultaneously accepts that God has a personal form, that He creates, pervades and is all that exists -- and that He ultimately transcends all existence and that the soul is, in essence, one with God. Advaita Siddhanta (monistic Saiva Siddhanta, or Advaita Ishvaravada Saiva Siddhanta) is a specific form of monistic theism. See: advaita, Advaita Ishvaravada, Advaita Siddhanta, dvaita-advaita.

monk: A celibate man wholly dedicated to religious life, either cenobitic (residing with others in a monastery) or anchoritic (living alone, as a hermit or mendicant). Literally, "one who lives alone" (from the Greek monachos, "solitary"). A synonym for monastic. Its feminine counterpart is nun. See: monastic, sannyasin.

montage: A single pictorial composition made by juxtaposing or superimposing many pictures or designs.

mulif: (Shum) The perspective of the mind in its intellectual, philosophical state. Pronounced moo-leef. See: Shum, Shum perspectives.

morass: Bog, marsh. figuratively, a troublesome, difficult state of affairs.

mortal: Subject to death. Opposite of immortal. See: amrita, death.

mortician: Funeral director, someone who arranges for the burial or cremation of the dead and assists at funeral rites.

mortification: Discipline of the body and the appetites by self-denial or voluntary privation.

mridanga: (Tamil: mridangam) A South Indian concert drum, barrel-shaped and two-headed.

mukti: "Release." A synonym for moksha. See: moksha.

mula: "Root." The root, base or basis of anything, as in muladhara chakra. Foundational, original or causal, as in mulagrantha, "original text."

muladhara chakra: "Root-support wheel." The four-petaled psychic center at the base of the spine; it governs memory. See: chakra.

mula mantra: "Root mystic formula." See: Aum.

mull over: To ponder, cogitate.

multiplicity: The state of being various; a large number.

multitude: A very large number of things or people.

mummify: To prepare a dead body for a long preservation by excisions, chemical and embalming agents and drying.

Mundaka Upanishad: Belongs to the Atharva Veda and teaches of the difference between the intellectual study of the Vedas and their supplementary texts and the intuitive knowledge by which God is known.

mundane: Worldly, especially as distinguished from heavenly or spiritual. Ordinary. From Latin mundus "world;" mundanus "worldly."

murky: Dark, gloomy, obscure or clouded.

Murugan: "Beautiful one," a favorite name of Karttikeya among the Tamils of South India, Sri Lanka and the diaspora. See: Karttikeya.

muse: To think (or say) meditatively.

myriad: Constituting a very large, indefinite number; innumerable.

mystic: One who perceives and lives according to esoteric mysteries. Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder.

mysticism: Spirituality; the pursuit of direct spiritual or religious experience. Spiritual discipline aimed at union or communion with Ultimate Reality or God through deep meditation or trance-like contemplation. From the Greek mystikos, "of mysteries." Characterized by the belief that Truth transcends intellectual processes and must be attained through transcendent means. See: clairaudience, clairvoyance, psychic, trance.

nada: "Sound; tone, vibration." Metaphysically, the mystic sounds of the Eternal, of which the highest is the transcendent, Soundless Sound, Paranada, the first vibration from which creation emanates. Paranada is so pure and subtle that it cannot be identified to the denser regions of the mind. From Paranada comes Pranava, Aum, and further evolutes of nada. These are experienced by the meditator as the nadanadi shakti, "energy current of sound," heard pulsing through the nerve system as a steady high-pitched hum, much like a tambura, an electrical transformer, a swarm of bees or a shruti box. Listening to the inner sounds is a contemplative practice called nada upasana, "worship through sound," nada anusandhana, "cultivation of inner sound," or nada yoga "union through sound." Subtle variations of the nadanadi shakti represent the psychic wavelengths of established guru lineages of many Indian religions. Nada also refers to other psychic sounds heard during deep meditation, including those resembling various musical instruments. Nada also refers to ordinary sound. See: Aum, nadi.

nadanadi shakti: "Energy current of sound." See: nada.

nadi: "Conduit; river." A nerve fiber or energy channel of the subtle (inner) bodies of man. It is said there are 72,000 nadis. These interconnect the chakras. The three main nadis are ida, pingala and sushumna. Ida and pingala intertwine the spinal column, beginning at the muladhara chakra, ending at the sahasrara and crossing at the manipura and the vishuddha chakras. -- ida,also known as chandra (moon) nadi, is pink in color. It flows downward, ending on the left side of the body. This current is feminine in nature and is the channel of physical-emotional energy.-- pingala, also known as surya (sun) nadi, is blue in color. It flows upward, ending on the right side of the body. This current is masculine in nature and is the channel of intellectual-mental energy. -- sushumna is the major nerve current which passes through the spinal column from the muladhara chakra at the base to the sahasrara at the crown of the head. It is the channel of kundalini. Through yoga, the kundalini energy lying dormant in the muladhara is awakened and made to rise up this channel through each chakra to the sahasrara chakra. [See illustration, page 787.] See: chakra, kundalini, raja yoga.

nagasvara: "Surpentine tone." Often nadaswaram. A double-reed woodwind musical instrument about three feet long, similar to an oboe, but more shrill and piercing. Common in South India, played at Hindu pujas and processions with the tavil, a large drum.

naive: Lacking critical ability or analytical insight; not subtle or learned. Simple and gullible.

nakshatra: "Star cluster." Central to astrological determinations, the nakshatras are 27 star-clusters, constellations arranged along the ecliptic, or path of the sun. An individual's nakshatra, or birth star, is the constellation the moon was aligned with at the time of birth. See: jyotisha.

Namah Sivaya: "Adoration (homage) to Siva." The supreme mantra of Saivism, known as the Panchakshara, or "five syllables." Na is the Lord's veiling grace; Ma is the world; Shi is Siva; Va is His revealing grace; Ya is the soul. The syllables also represent the physical body: Na the legs, Ma the stomach, Shi the shoulders, Va the mouth and Ya the eyes. Embodying the essence of Saiva Siddhanta, this mantra is found in the center of the central Veda (the Yajur) of the original three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama). Namastaraya namah shambhave cha mayobhave cha, namah shankaraya cha mayaskaraya cha, namah shivaya cha shivayataraya cha. "Homage to the source of health and to the source of delight. Homage to the maker of health and to the maker of delight. Homage to the Auspicious, and to the more Auspicious" (Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.8).

When applied to the symbolism of Lord Nataraja, a second and partly differing rendering relates Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya to Siva's five actions as follows. Na represents samhara, destruction or dissolution, corresponding to the hand which which holds a blazing flame. Ma stands for His concealing grace, tirodhana shakti, symbolized by Lord Nataraja's planted foot. Va indicates revealing grace, anugraha shakti, by which souls return to Him, reflected in the left front hand in the elephant trunk pose, gajahasta, pointing to His left foot, source of revealing grace. Shi stands for srishti, creation, and Siva's back right hand holding the drum. Ya stands for Siva's power of stithi, preservation and protection, shown in His hand gesturing abhaya, "fear not."

Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya also stands for the five elements: Na as earth; Ma, water; Shi, fire; Va, air; and Ya, akasha. See: mantra, japa.

namaskara:"Reverent salutations." The traditional Hindu verbal greeting and mudra in which the palms are joined together and held before the heart or raised to the level of the forehead. The mudra is also called anjali. It is a devotional gesture made equally before a Deity, holy person, friend or momentary acquaintance.

Namo Myoho Renge Kyo:"Glory to the marvelous Lotus Sutra." A foremost Japanese Nichiren Buddhist mantra.

Nandi: "The joyful." A white bull with a black tail who is the vahana, or mount, of Lord Siva, symbol of the powerful instinctive force tamed by Him. Nandi is the perfect devotee, the soul of man, kneeling humbly before God Siva, ever concentrated on Him. The ideal and goal of the Siva bhakta is to behold Siva in everything.

Nandikeshvara Kashika: The only surviving work of Nandikesvara (ca 250 BCE). Its 26 verses are the earliest extant exposition of advaitic Saivism, aside from the Saiva Agamas.

Nandinatha (Nandinatha): (ca 250 BCE) The first siddha satguru of the major stream of the Nandinatha Sampradaya, the Kailasa Parampara, recorded in Panini's book of grammar as the teacher of rishis Patanjali, Vyaghrapada and Vasishtha. Among its representatives today are counted Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001) and his successor Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami (1942-). See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha Sampradaya.

Nandinatha Sampradaya:See: Natha Sampradaya.

Naraka:Abode of darkness.Literally, "pertaining to man." The nether worlds. Equivalent to the Western term hell, a gross region of the Antarloka. Naraka is a congested, distressful area where demonic beings and young souls may sojourn until they resolve the darksome karmas they have created. Here beings suffer the consequences of their own misdeeds in previous lives. Narakais understood as having seven regions, called tala, corresponding to the states of consciousness of the seven lower chakras. They are described as places of torment, pain, darkness, confusion and disease, but these are only temporary abodes for the evolving soul. Hinduism has no such concept as eternal hell. See: asura, hell, loka (also, individual tala entries).

Narayanakantha (Narayanakantha):Great exponent of Saiva Siddhanta (ca 1050).

Nataraja: "King of Dance" or "King of Dancers." God as the Cosmic Dancer. Perhaps Hinduism's richest and most eloquent symbol, Nataraja represents Siva, the Primal Soul, Parameshvara, as the power, energy and life of all that exists. This is Siva's intricate state of Being in Manifestation. The dance of Siva as Natesha, Lord of Dancers, is the rhythmic movement of the entire cosmos. All that is, whether sentient or insentient, pulsates in His body, and He within it. Both male and female elements are depicted in this icon -- as they are in Ardhanarishvara, the "half-female God," symbol of the inseparable nature of Siva-Shakti. See: Parashakti Parameshvara, Parashakti, Parasiva, Sadashiva.

Natchintanai: ew;rpe;jid The collected songs of Sage Yogaswami (1872 -- 1964) of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, extolling the power of the satguru, worship of Lord Siva, the path of dharma and the attainment of Self Realization. See: Kailasa Parampara.

Natha: "Master, lord; adept." Names an ancient Himalayan tradition of Saiva-yoga mysticism whose first historically known exponent was Nandikesvara (ca 250 BCE). Natha -- Self-Realized adept -- designates the extraordinary ascetic masters (or devotees) of this school. who through siddha yoga have attained tremendous powers, siddhis, and are sometimes called siddha yogis (accomplished or fully enlightened ones). The words of such beings naturally penetrate deeply into the psyche of their devotees, causing mystical awakenings. Like all tantrics, Nathas have refused to recognize caste distinctions in spiritual pursuits. Their satgurus bestow initiation according to spiritual worthiness, accepting devotees from the lowest to the highest rungs of society. Natha also designates a follower of the Natha tradition. The Nathas are considered the source of hatha as well as raja yoga. See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha Sampradaya, siddha yoga.

Natha Sampradaya: "Traditional doctrine of the masters." Sampradaya means a living stream of tradition or theology. Natha Sampradaya isa philosophical and yogic tradition of Saivism whose origins are unknown. This oldest of Saivite sampradayas existing today consists of two major streams: the Nandinatha and the Adinatha. The Nandinatha Sampradaya has had as exponents Maharishi Nandinatha and his disciples: Patanjali (author of the Yoga Sutras) and Tirumular (author of Tirumantiram). Among its representatives today are the successive siddhars of the Kailasa Parampara. The Adinatha lineage's known exponents are Maharishi Adinatha, Matsyendranatha and Gorakshanatha, who founded a well-known order of yogis. See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha, Saivism, sampradaya.

Nayanar: ehadhq "One who shows the way." The 63 canonized Tamil saints of South India, as documented in the Periyapuranam by Sekkilar (ca 1140). All but a few were householders, honored as exemplars of radical devotion to Lord Siva, though their biographies are perhaps historically inaccurate and the actions of some were violent, even heinous. Several contributed to the Saiva Siddhanta scriptural compendium called Tirumurai.

near-death: Drawing very near the point of death, without actually dying.

negative attachment: A fear, worry or doubt about the future or a lingering regret about the past that keeps one from "flowing with the river of life," living fully in the moment as an independent, spiritual being, facing each experience in the light of understanding.

neri: "Path."

nerves: Cord-like bundles of fibers made up of neurons through which impulses pass between the brain, central nervous system and other parts of the body. Here also names the fibrous network of inner bodies.

nervous system: The system of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia and parts of the receptor and effector organs that regulates the body's responses to internal and external stimuli.

neuroses: A mental or emotional disorder with symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, depression and irrational fears.

neutralize: To counteract and affect or make useless; to balance.

neutron star: A star which has collapsed in on itself and is extremely dense. A neutron star the size of an orange would weigh more than the Earth.

nightingale: A small European songbird known for its melodious singing, especially at night.

nightmare: A dream arousing feelings of intense fear, horror and distress.

nikashum: (Shum) Withdrawing all the physical/astral energies into the spinal current. Pronounced nee-kaw-shoom. See: Shum.

nimbus: A radiant light surrounding a person or thing; an aura.

Nirguna Brahman: "God without qualities." See: Brahman.

nirvana: "Extinction." In Buddhism, the indescribable ultimate attainment or disinterested wisdom and compassion. In Hinduism, emancipation from ignorance and the end of all attachment. Also an ideal condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy.

nirvani and upadeshi: Nirvani means "extinguished one," and upadeshi means "teacher." In general, nirvani refers to a liberated soul, or to a certain class of monk. Upadeshi refers to a teacher, generally a renunciate. In Dancing with Siva, these two terms have special meaning, similar to the Buddhist arhat and bodhisattva, naming the two earthly modes of the realized, liberated soul. After full illumination, the jivanmukta has the choice to return to the world to help others along the path. This is the way of the upadeshi (akin to bodhisattva), exemplified by the benevolent satguru who leads seekers to the goal of God Realization. He may found and direct institutions and monastic lineages. The nirvani (akin to arhat) abides at the pinnacle of consciousness, shunning all worldly involvement. He is typified by the silent ascetic, the reclusive sage. See: satguru, vishvagrasa.

nirvikalpa samadhi: "Undifferentiated trance, enstasy (samadhi) without form or seed." The realization of the Self, Parasiva, a state of oneness beyond all change or diversity; beyond time, form and space. The prefix vi connotes "change, differentiation." Kalpa means "order, arrangement; a period of time." Thus vikalpa means "diversity, thought; difference of perception, distinction." Nir means "without." See: enstasy, raja yoga, samadhi, Self Realization.

niyama: "Restraint." See: yama-niyama.

nondualism: "Not two-ness." Monistic philosophy. See: advaita, monism, monistic theism, Vedanta.

nonsectarian: Not limited to or associated with a particular religious denomination.

nook: A hidden or secluded spot. Here it refers to areas of the mind.

nostalgia: A longing for past events, people or things; homesickness.

nuances: Subtle or slight degrees of difference, as in meaning, feeling or tone. Here it refers to shades of the mind and thought.

nucleus: A central part with other parts grouped around it; a core.

nullify: To make invalid or useless.

numerology: The study of the hidden meanings of numbers and how they influence human life.

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

oblige: To constrain, make indebted or grateful.

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

obscure: Dark, hidden; not noticed or seen. Not clearly understood or explained; vague.

obscuring grace: See: grace, Nataraja.

observation: The act, power or practice of noting, or being aware, of facts and events.

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

obstruction: An obstacle; something that prevents a desired result.

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

occultism: The study of, and attempted control over, the supernatural.

odic force:Spiritually magnetic -- of or pertaining to consciousness within ashuddha maya, the realm of the physical and lower astral planes. Odic force in its rarefied state is prakriti, the primary gross energy of nature, manifesting in the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. All matter -- earth, air, fire and water, as well as thought -- is composed of odic force. 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. It, of itself, is stagnant and unflowing. Odic energy is the combined emanation of the pranamaya and annamaya koshas. See: actinic, kosha, subtle body, tattva.

odic prana: Physical vitality. During the process of making the mind return to an object or subject of concentration, odic as well as actinic prana is forced through the subtle nerve currents, causing them to grow strong so that concentration becomes effortless as the subconscious responds to the conscious-mind concentration efforts, causing a new process called meditation to occur. See: actinic force, actinic prana, odic force, willpower.

officiate: Performing duties and responsibilities of an officer or priest.

offset: Make up for, compensate for, counterbalance.

offshoot: Something that branches out or derives its existence or origin from a particular source.

ojas: "Vigor, force, strength, vitality." In ayurveda, the underlying life-sap or fluid-essence of the dhatus, the seven tissue systems of the body -- plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, nerves and reproductive tissue. Ojas pervades every part of the body and underlies all physical capacities. It is not a physical substance, but exists on a subtle level. Ojas is depleted by excessive sex, drugs, excessive talking, loud music, emotional burnout and insufficient rest. Signs of diminished ojas are fear, worry, sensory organ pain, poor complexion, cheerlessness, harshness, emaciation, immune system disorders and tendency to contract diseases (all the symptoms of the modern disease AIDS). Conservation of the vital sexual fluids increases the store of ojas, strengthens the immune system and enhances health and the quality of one's consciousness. Ojas is depleted by ejaculation in men, and by orgasm and menstruation in women. After 30 days of complete sexual abstinence, sperm is transmuted into ojas. This abundance of ojas rises to the brain and becomes centered in the head chakras, where it is expressed as spiritual and intellectual power. Such an individual develops a radiance, called tejas. In the realized being, the energy of ojas is transmuted to Absolute Consciousness as kundalini shakti. See: ayurveda, lymph, tejas, transmutation, yoni.

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. An alternate transliteration of Aum(the sounds A and U blend to become O). See: Aum.

omen: A sign that portends the nature of future events, either auspicious or inauspicious.

ominous: Foreboding; frightening, sinister.

omnipotent: All-powerful, able to do anything.

omnipresent: Present everywhere and in all things.

omniscient: Having infinite knowledge, all-knowing.

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.

onerous: Burdensome; weighing heavily.

opalescent (opaline): Opal-like in appearance, a family of precious and semi-precious stones, milky white or of various colors, capable of refracting light and reflecting it into an array of colors. Showing a play of colors. Iridescent.

opinionated knowledge: Knowledge gained through the study, hearing and quoting of opinions of others which is stored in the memory gridwork of the subconscious mind, providing a platform for the intellect and the ego. Seeing the world through the eyes of others. See: ego, intellect, subconscious mind.

ordain (ordination): To confer 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.

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

overt: Open and observable to anyone; not covert, unconcealed.

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, and yet each remains vital and is not outgrown as the next stage is reached. (In Tamil, Saiva Siddhanta is also known as Nalu-pada, "four-stage," Saivam). -- charya pada (ormarga): "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 (ormarga): "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 (or marga): 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 (or marga): "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 isour dearest beloved.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 identity (sayujya) with Siva. See: jnana, nirvani and upadeshi.

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.

padmasana: "Lotus posture." The most famous hatha yoga asana, the optimum pose for sustained meditation. The legs are crossed, the soles of the feet upward, resembling a lotus flower. In this pose the intellectual-emotional energies are balanced and quieted. See: lotus pose, raja yoga, yoga.

pale: To decrease in importance. Low-intensity variation of a color, whitish.

Pali: Ancient Indian language; a scriptural medium of Hinayana Buddhism.

palmist: One who analyzes a person's character and predicts his future by interpreting the lines of the palm of his hand.

panacea: A supposed single remedy for all diseases or discomforts; a cure-all.

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

panchanga: "five limbs, or parts." (Tamil: panchangam) The traditional Hindu almanac, so named for five basic elements -- tithi, nakshatra, karana, yoga and vara (or vasara). It provides vital statistics and interpretations about astrological factors -- planets and stars -- aspects of our subtle environment which are unseen but strongly influence the subtle environment, the ebb of karma and the flow of forces between people. Panchangams are used to determine the optimum times for all activities.

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, samskara, tirthayatra.

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

Panini (Panini): Author of the Ashtadhyayi, systematizing Sanskrit grammar in 4,000 rules. (Dating uncertain: 4th century BCE, or later according to Western scholars.)

panorama: An unbroken view of the whole of a surrounding area.

pantheon: All the Gods of a religion together.

papa: "Wickedness; 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 penancefor expiation. Papa is the opposite of punya (merit, virtue). See: aura, evil, karma, penance, punya, sin.

paper dragon: An artificially apparent but unreal threat or problem.

para: "Supreme; beyond." As a first member in compounds this preposition denotes the highest dimension of whatever it precedes -- as in Parasiva or Parabrahman. (Sometimes para, as in Parashakti.)

paradox: "Contrary to opinion," belief or expectation. An apparent contradiction according to conventional logic and reason.

Param: "The Supreme," i.e., God, in Tamil.

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

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

paramount: Most important, highest.

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

paranada:"Transcendent sound, tone or vibration." Metaphysically, the highest mystic sounds of the Eternal, the transcendent or Soundless Sound, the first vibration from which creation emanates. From Paranada comes Pranava Aum and further evolutes of nada. See: Aum, nada.

paranoiac: Characterized by delusions of persecution or extreme suspiciousness.

Paraparam: "The Ultimate; Beyond the beyond."

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. Parashaktican 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.

Parasiva: "Transcendent Siva," the Self God, Siva's first perfection, Absolute Reality. Parasiva 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.

pareschatology: Study of the details of the life between births.

pasha: "Tether; noose." (Tamil: pasham.) 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.

passion: A powerful emotion, including strong sexual desire, or lust.

passive: Submitting to circumstances without objection or resistance.

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.

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 CE), 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.

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: raja yoga, yoga.

Pati: "Master; lord; owner." An appellation of God Siva indicating His commanding relationship with souls as caring ruler and helpful guide. In Saiva Siddhanta the title 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: 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.

pelvic: In the area of the pelvis, or hips.

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. See: evil, prayashchitta, sin, tapas.

pendulum: A suspended object that swings back and forth.

penicillin: A widely used antibiotic drug prescribed to fight infection.

penthouse: A snug, top-floor office or apartment.

perennial: Lasting from year to year; returning or becoming active again and again.

perfectionist: A person who does everything to a very high standard.

perfections: Qualities, aspects, nature or dimensions that are perfect. God Siva's three perfections are Parasiva (Absolute Reality), Parashakti (Pure Consciousness) and Parameshvara (Primal Soul). Though spoken of as threefold for the sake of understanding, God Siva ever remains a one transcendent-immanent Being. See: Parameshvara, Parashakti, Parasiva, Siva.

permeate: Pervade, penetrate throughout.

perpetuate: To prolong the existence of.

perplex: To confuse or puzzle.

perseverance: Steady adherence to a specific course of action.

persona: The outer personality or fachade presented to others by an individual. (Plural, personae.)

personality: The pattern of collective character, behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental traits of a person.

personification: Something that is an example of a certain quality or idea.

pervade: To permeate or be present throughout.

pessimism: The tendency to stress the negative.

Pharaoh: A king of ancient Egypt.

pharyngeal: Located near the throat.

phenomenon: Any fact, circumstance or experience. Especially an unusual occurrence, a marvel. Plural: phenomena.

phonograph: A machine that reproduces sound by means of a pin in contact with a grooved spinning disk called a phonograph record.

phosphorescent: Emitting of light without burning, or burning slowly, giving off negligible heat.

physique: The build and appearance of the physical body.

pictorial: Composed of or represented by pictures.

pilgrimage: Tirthayatra, one of the five sacred duties (pancha nitya karmas) of the Hindu, to journey periodically to one of the innumerable holy spots in India or other countries. Preceded by fasting and continence, pilgrimage is a time of austerity and purification, when all worldly concerns are set aside and God becomes one's singular focus. Streams of devout pilgrims are received daily at the many ancient holy sites (tirthas) in India, and tens of thousands at festival times. See: pancha nitya karma.

pineal gland: A small gland located at the roof of the thalamic region of the brain, scientifically little understood but related to sexual maturation and sleep cycles. It is of considerable importance esoterically as the reception point for external psychic contacts, consciousness expansion and as the terminal of the awakened kundalini flame. It is masculine, or pingala, in nature.

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

pinnacle: The culminating or highest point; apex.

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.

pituitary gland: Small gland in the brain at the ventral surface of the hypothalamus regulating major life functions including growth, sexual activity, metabolism and coordinating endocrine secretions of other glands. Esoterically, the gland is feminine, ida, in nature, and the storehouse of spiritual forces associated with the ajna chakra. See: chakra, pingala.

placenta: A vascular organ that develops in the uterus of most mammals during pregnancy, for the nourishment of the fetus.

plasma: The clear, fluid portion of blood, lymph, or intramuscular fluid in which cells are suspended. An electrically neutral, highly ionized gas composed of ions, electrons, and neutral particles. It is a phase of matter distinct from solids, liquids, and normal gases.

plateau: A relatively flat elevated expanse land. A stable level, period or state.

plausible: Seemingly valid, likely or acceptable; possible.

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.

plexus: A structure consisting of interwoven parts; a network. Especially of nerves, blood vessels or lymphatic nodes.

plummet: To fall or drop; plunge abruptly.

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.

point blank: Straightforward; blunt.

polarize: To turn, grow, think, feel in a certain way as a result of attraction or repulsion. Here: to consciously align individual spiritual forces with the higher cosmic forces, also to attract and sustain the presence of divine beings.

pornography: Writings, pictures, etc., intended to excite sexual sensations.

postulate: An assumption of a basic principle. To claim, demand or assume as self-evident.

prabhamandala: "Luminous circle," diptachakra, the ring of fire in which Siva dances, which is the hall of consciousness, chitsabha; in other words, the light-filled heart of man, the central chamber of the manifest cosmos. Also names the human aura.

practitioner: One who practices a profession, art, etc.

pragmatic: Practical. Concerned with application, rather than theory or speculation.

prakriti: "Primary matter; nature." See: odic, purusha, tattva.

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: apanam, kosha, tattva.

prana-aura: The phase of the human aura, prabhamandala, subtlely visible to the human eye yet colorless, closely bound to the physical body, comprised of the radiation of physical and mental life force from a living thing. Its form and density indicate health and vitality. Energy from the prana-aura is left behind for some time after the departure of a living being from one place to another, and is connected with certain physical emissions such as scent, etc. See: aura, prana.

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

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

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

pranic sheath: See: pranamaya kosha.

pranipata: "Falling down in obeisance." Prostration before God, Gods or guru, full body, face down, arms and hands outstretched. See: prostration.

prapatti: "Throwing oneself down." Bhakti -- total, unconditional submission to God, often coupled with the attitude of personal helplessness, self-effacement and resignation. See: bhakti, grace, pada.

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.

prate (prattle): To talk or chatter idly, meaninglessly or to little purpose.

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.

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: penance.

precarious: Uncertain, insecure, risky, unstable.

precept: A commandment meant as a rule of action or conduct.

preceptor: Highly respected teacher and head of a spiritual order and clan; English equivalent for satguru.

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

precipice: A high cliff. A hazardous situation.

precognition: Clairvoyant knowledge of something before it happens.

prejudice: Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion.

premonition: An intuitive forewarning, presentiment of something about to occur.

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.

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

procrastination: Postponing or needless delaying.

procreation: The process of begetting offspring.

promiscuity: Engaging in sex indiscriminantly or with many partners.

promulgate: To make something known publicly.

prone: Tending or inclined toward.

prophetic: Foretelling future events.

prostatic: Relating to or near the prostate gland.

prostitute: A person who solicits and accepts payment for sexual acts.

prostrate: Lying face down, as in submission or adoration. See: pranipata.

prostration: pranama: "Obeisance; bowing down." Reverent salutation in which the head or body is bowed. -- ashtanga pranama: "Eight-limbed obeisance." The full body form for men, in which the hands, chest, forehead, knees and feet touch the ground (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.

pry: To look into or snoop in an unwanted manner.

psalm: A sacred hymn, song or poem.

psyche: The soul.

psychiatrist: A medical specialist who treats mental and emotional disorders according to one or another of the various modern theories of human behavior.

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.

psychism: See: occultism.

psychoanalyze: To interpret mental and emotional processes as results of unconscious impulses, repressed experiences and conflicts, etc.

psychological moment: A moment when the mind and emotions are especially open and receptive.

psychologist: A person schooled in understanding of mental and emotional processes and behavior and treating minor disorders of such nature according to one or another of the various modern theories of human behavior.

psychology: The intellectual study of mental processes and behavior. The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, or an activity.

psychometry: The psychic faculty of divining knowledge about an object, or the persons connected to it, through contact with the object.

puissant: Powerful; mighty.

puja: "Worship, adoration." An Agamic rite of worship performed in the home, temple or shrine to a Deity icon (murti), the sacred sandals of a guru (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. See: 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 the officiant priest used in the southern tradition. Purohita is a Smarta brahmin priest who specializes in domestic rites. See: puja.

pungent: Producing a sharp sensation of taste or smell; stimulating.

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. (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, each designated as Saiva, Vaishnava or Shakta.

Puranic: Relating to the Puranas. See: Purana.

Pure Consciousness: See: Parashakti, Satchidananda, tattva.

purport: The importance or significance of something spoken or written.

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. See: karma, penance.

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, Parasiva. 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.

quantum: Quantity or amount. In science's quantum theory, 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.

quiescence: The state of being quiet, still or inactive.

quiescent: Remaining quiet, still, or calm; inactive.

rajas: "Passion; activity."

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, in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The eight limbs are: 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 -- inducing 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. 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, enlightenment, enstasy, 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 I (Ramakantha):A great exponent of Saiva Siddhanta, ca 950. In the lineage of Aghorasiva.

Ramakantha II (Ramakantha):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 a proponent 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 Swami Vivekananda(1863 -- 1902), who internationalized Hindu thought and philosophy.

Ramana Maharshi: (1879-1950) Hindu Advaita renunciate renaissance saint of Tiruvannamalai, South India.

ramifications: Resulting effects and consequences.

ramify: To branch out; make more complex.

rampant: Unchecked; unrestrained.

rapport: Relationship, especially of trust and understanding

rapturous: filled with great joy; ecstatic.

rarefied : Made thin or less dense; purified or refined.

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, s