14. Glossary & Sanskrit Pronunciation

-A-

Abduction—Also called retroduction. It is the acceptance of a philosophical premise on the basis of its power to account for causation with logic and evidence. Abduction is the rational justification of a deduction. Deduction per se is the acceptance of a premise on authority. The term abduction was put forward by C.S. Peirce (1839-1914). Çréla Prabhupäda termed a similar method of Vedic thought philosophical speculation. See Deduction, Induction, Logic.

Absolute—The root comes from the Latin absolutus, the perfect or the completed (derived from the verbum absolvere, to detach, to free, to acquit). The term was introduced into Western philosophy in the fifteenth century by Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464). The absolute is the ultimate, underlying and all-inclusive reality that depends upon nothing else for its existence. All other things depend upon it. The absolute is substance as it is, rather than as we perceive it. See Brahman, Reality, Relativism, Substance.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda—Çréla Prabhupäda-(1896-1977) His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. He is the tenth generation from Caitanya Mahäprabhu. The founder-äcärya, spiritual master of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Çréla Prabhupäda was the widely-acclaimed author of more than seventy books on the science of pure bhakti-yoga, unalloyed Kåñëa consciousness. His major works are annotated English translations of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, and the Bhagavad-gétä As It Is. He was the world's most distinguished teacher of Vedic religion and thought. Çréla Prabhupäda is a fully God conscious saint who has perfect realization of the Vedic scriptures. He worked incessantly to spread Kåñëa consciousness all over the world. He guided his society and saw it grow to a worldwide confederation of hundreds of äçramas, schools, temples, institutes, and farm communities.

Äbhäsa—a shadow.

Abhaya—one of the sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Abhidheya—the regulated activities of the soul for reviving his relationship with the Lord; devotional service.

Abhimanyu—the heroic son Arjuna and Subhadrä. He was killed by the Son of Duùçäsana. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Abhiñeka—a bathing ceremony, particularly for the coronation of a king or the installation of the Lord's Deity form.

Absolute Truth—the ultimate source of all energies.

Acala—a brother of Çakuni. He was killed by Arjuna. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Äcamana—a ritual of purification in which one sips water and simultaneously chants names of the Supreme Lord.

Äcärya—a spiritual master who teaches by his own example, and who sets the proper religious example for all human beings.

Acchha—good, ok, all right.

Acintya-bhedäbheda-tattva—Lord Caitanya's "simultaneously one and different" doctrine, which establishes the inconceivable, simultaneous oneness and difference of the Lord and His expansions.

Acintya-çakti—the inconceivable energy of the Supreme Lord.

Acintya—inconceivable.

Acit—the inert material nature; without life or consciousness

Acyutäyus—he fought on the side of Duryodhana. He and his brother Çrutäyus were killed by Arjuna. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Acyuta—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can never fall down from His position.

Adbhuta-rasa—the indirect relationship of wonder or amazement.

Ädeça-käré—the actions resulting from sinful activities.

Adhama paòuyäs—degraded scholars who consider devotional activities material.

Adhama—the lowest among men.

Adharma—irreligion.

Adhéra—restless ecstasy of love for Kåñëa.

Ädhibhautika-kleça—miseries inflicted by other living entities.

Adhibhautika—(misery) caused by other living beings.

Adhibhütam—the physical nature.

Adhidaivatam—the universal form of the Supreme Lord.

Adhidaivic powers—the administrative functions delegated by the Lord to demigods, such as control over rain, wind and sun.

Ädhidaivika-kleça—natural disturbances caused by the demigods.

Adhidaivika—(misery) caused by nature.

Adhikäré—one who knows the science of Kåñëa and is engaged in His service.

Adhiratha—foster father of Karëa. He was a charioteer by profession. He one day found the child Karëa floating in Ganges in a basket. His wife was barren and happily he took the child home and gave it to his wife. He was also the father of Sangramajit.

Adhirüòha—an advanced symptom of mahä-bhäva found only in the gopés.

Adhiyajïa—the Supersoul, the plenary expansion of the Lord in the heart of every living being.

Adhokñaja—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond material sense perception, who is not perceivable by impure material senses; Revealed knowledge. The fourth of the five stages of Vedic knowledge.

Ädhyätmika—miseries arising from one's own body and mind.

Adhyätma-cetasä—one who depends solely on Kåñëa.

Adhyätmika—(misery) caused by one's own body and mind.

Ädi-lélä—the first twenty-four years of Lord Caitanya's pastimes.

Ädi-puruña—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, the original person.

Aditi—the mother of the demigods.

Ädityas—the demigods who are descendants of Kaçyapa Muni's wife, Aditi.

Advaita Prabhu—Advaitäcärya-an incarnation of Lord Mahä-Viñëu, who appeared as one of the four principal associates of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Advaita-siddhänta—the conclusion of the monists, namely, that the Absolute Truth and the individual living entity are separate in the material state, but that when they are spiritually situated there is no difference between them.

Advaita-väda—the philosophy of absolute oneness taught by Çaìkaräcärya, and whose conclusion is advaita-siddhänta.

Advaita-vädés—atheistic philosophers who say all distinctions are but material illusions. Mayävädé-one who propounds the philosophy of Çaìkaräcärya, which basically holds that God is featureless and impersonal, that devotion to a personal Godhead is false, the material creation of the Lord is also false, and the ultimate goal of life is to become existentially one with the all-pervading, impersonal Absolute.

Advaitäcärya—an incarnation of Lord Mahä-Viñëu who appeared as one of the four principal associates of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Advaitin—A follower of the teaching.

Advaita—Oneness (from a, not and dvaita, duality). The system of Vedänta philosophy put forward by Çaìkaräcärya is known as Advaita Vedänta. It argues for a monistic, impersonal absolute truth. See Dvaita, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Çaìkaräcärya, Vedänta; nondual; without differentiation.

Ägamas—authorized Vedic literatures; also, specifically the Païcarätras.

Agastya—the mind.

Agastya Muni—a great sage who authored many Vedic hymns and writings on Äyurvedic medicine. The son of Mitra and Varuëa, he was born from a water jar. Once he swallowed the ocean and forced the Vindhya mountain range to prostrate itself before him. Who helped the demigods defeat the Danavas by drinking up the ocean they were hiding in. He also gave the brahmashira weapon to Drona.

Aghana—transcendental bliss that is incomplete (lit. "not concentrated").

Ägneyästra—a powerful weapon belonging to the demigod Agni. Arjuna received this weapon from his preceptor, Droëa.

Agnihotra-yajïa—the ceremonial fire sacrifice offered to the demigod Agni performed in Vedic rituals.

Agnistoma—a sacrifice performed by a person who wants go to heaven. A minimum of sixteen priests are required for this sacrifice, which lasts five days.

Agni—the demigod who controls fire. He took the form of a brähmaëa and begged charity from Lord Kåñëa and Arjuna. He then consumed the Khäëòava forest.

Agrahäyaëa—a name for the month of Märgaçirña (November/December). In contemporary Vaiñëavism it is known as the month of Keçava.

Ahaituké—without cheating motivation.

Ahaituké-kåpä—causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord or His bonafide representative.

Ahaà brahmäsmi—the Vedic aphorism "I am spirit."

Ahaà mämeti—the false conception of "I" and "mine [Bhäg. 5.5.8]."

Ahaìgraha-upäsanä—a Mäyävädé's worship of his own body as the Supreme; self-worship in general.

Ahaìkära—false ego, by which the soul misidentifies with the material body.

Ähläda—transcendental bliss.

Ahiàsä—nonviolence.

Aiçvarya-jïäna-yukta—emotion with an understanding of the Lord's full opulences.

Aiçvarya-lélä—the Lord's pastimes of opulence.

Aja—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unborn.

Äjagara-våtti—the occupation of a python.

Ajämila—a fallen brähmaëa who was saved from hell by unintentionally chanting the Lord's name at the time of death.

Ajam—unborn.

Ajita—the Supreme Lord who is unconquerable.

Ajïäta-sukåti—pious or devotional activity performed accidentally, without knowledge of its effect.

Ajïa—a description of Kåñëa indicating that nothing is unknown to Him.

Akäma-bhakta—one who serves the Lord without material motive.

Akarma (naiskarma)—action for which one suffers no reaction because it is performed in Kåñëa consciousness; free from material desire; one who is desireless.

Äkäça—sky.

Akhila-rasämåta-mürti—Kåñëa, the transcendental form of attraction for all kinds of devotees.

Akiïcana-gocara—Lord Kåñëa, who is easily approached by those who are materially exhausted.

Akiïcana—one who possesses nothing in the material world.

Akrüra—an uncle of Lord Kåñëa. A hero of the Yadu dynasty.

Akñauhiëé—a military division consisting of 21,870 chariots, 21,870 elephants, 109,350 infantrymen and 65,610 horsemen.

Äküti—one of Sväyambhuva Manu's three daughters and the wife of Ruci.

Alakäpuré—the residence ot Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods. It sits on a peak in the Himälayas.

Alambuña—a Räkñasa who was killed by Ghaöotkaca. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Älasya—laziness, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Aläyudha—a Räkñasa who fought on the side of Duryodhana. He was killed by Ghaöotkaca. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Alolupa—a son of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Alu—potato

Alwars—Tamil Nadu saints who were devotees of Lord Viñëu.

Ämalaké—a tree that Närada Muni brought from the spiritual world to the material realm to please the Supreme Lord. Its fruits are very rich in vitamin C.

Ämäné—food that is not offered to Lord Jagannätha.

Amarakoça—a Sanskrit dictionary and thesaurus widely used in the teaching of Sanskrit.

Amarävaté—the capital city of Lord Indra's heavenly abode. It has the power of greatly extending the life span of its residents.

Amarña—anger, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Amätya—the governor of the senses, the mind.

Amävasyä—the dark-moon night, or the night of the new moon, when various sacrifices are offered to both demigods and demons.

Ambälikä—Youngest of the daughters of the King of Käçi. She was married to Vicitravérya. When Vicitravérya died early, she begot Päëòu by the great sage Vyäsa. (Ädi Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Ambaréña Mahäräja—a great devotee-king who perfectly executed all nine devotional practices (hearing, chanting, etc.). A great king glorified by Narada Muni.

Ambä—Older sister of Ambikä and Ambälikä and daughter of the King of Käçi. She was abducted by Bhéñma during her svayaàvara, but she wanted to marry Çälva. She did penance to please Lord Çiva and she received a benediction she could take birth in her next life as a son of King Drupada. (Ädi Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Ambikä—Second daughter of the King of Käçi. She married Vicitravérya. Later when Vicitravérya died, she begot Dhåtaräñöra by the great sage Vyäsa. (Ädi Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Amåtatva—eternal life.

Amåta—nectar, the food of the gods, which makes the drinker immortal.

Aàçäveça—partial incarnations of God.

Aàça—an expansion of the Supreme Lord.

Ämukha—technical term for a drama's introduction, further classified into five kinds.

Angrezi—English. The term is extended in Vrndavan to mean 'foreigner'.

Atma-hanah—killer of the soul; one who neglects spiritual life.

Anädi—since time immemorial.

Analysis—A term similar in meaning to the Sanskrit säìkhya. It comes from the Greek an (up) plus lyein (to loosen, to untie), meaning to resolve into its elements. Analysis is the procedure of separating a problem into its component parts in order to 1) study the parts separately, 2) study their interrelationships, or 3) study how they relate to the whole. See Elements, Säìkhya.

Anamra—one who offers obeisances to no one.

Änandamaya—full of bliss in spiritual realization; Kåñëa consciousness.

Änanda—spiritual, transcendental bliss.

Ananta-caturdaçé—date of the yearly festival commemorating the passing away of Haridäsa Öhäkura.

Ananta-Çeña—an incarnation of the Supreme Lord in the form of His thousand-headed serpent, on which Viñëu rests, and who sustains the planets on His hoods.

Anantavijaya—name of King Yudhiñöhira's conchshell.

Ananta—unlimited.

Anapekña—indifference to mundane people.

Anaranya—King of Iksvaku dynasty, killed by Ravana. When dying he cursed Ravana to be killed by Rama

Anartha-nivåtti—a stage in the progressive development of devotion to Lord Kåñëa in which one is freed from unwanted desires and karmic reactions; cleansing the heart of all unwanted things

Anavasara—period of a fortnight between bathing ceremony and Ratha-yäträ when the body of the Jagannätha Deity is repainted.

Äëdal—one of the famous devotees, or Älvärs, who lived in South India before Rämänuja.

Aìga Mahäräja—the father of King Vena.

Aìga-räga—repainting of the body of Lord Jagannätha.

Aìgirä Åñi—one of the seven sages of the first Manvantara, all of whom were born directly from Lord Brahmä. One of the Prajäpatis, he is the author of the Vedic writings on astronomy.

Aniläyäma—Präëäyäma-breath control used in yoga practice, especially añöäìga-yoga (one of the eight parts of the añöanga-yoga system).

Aëimä-siddhi—mystic power by which one can become as small as an atom so that he can enter into stone.

Aniruddha—a grandson of Lord Kåñëa; also one of the four original expansions of Lord Kåñëa in the spiritual world.

Anna-präçana—the ceremony of offering a child his first food grains; one of the ten purificatory saàskäras.

Annamaya—(consciousness) absorbed only in food.

Annapurna—Durgä manifested in her form of supplier of food.

Anna—food grains.

Antaraìga-sevä—service performed in one's spiritual body.

Antardhäna—Vijitäçva, the eldest son of King Påthu.

Antarikña—outer space.

Antaryämé—the expansion of the Supreme Lord situated in everyone's heart as Supersoul, the indwelling controller.

Anthropomorphism—From the Greek nthropos (man) and morph (form, shape, figure), it is an induction of the Supreme Being's form, emotions, interests, etc. drawn from human experience: God in the image of man, instead of man in the image of God. See Induction, Mechanomorphism.

Antya-lélä—the last eighteen years of Lord Caitanya's pastimes.

Antyajas—an outcaste.

Aëu-atma—the minute spirit soul, who is part and parcel of Kåñëa.

Anubhäva—bodily symptoms manifested by a devotee in ecstatic love for Kåñëa.

Anukara—imitating.

Anumäna—Reason, thought, philosophical speculation. The second of the three Vaiñëava pramäëas. See Pramäëa, Pratyakña, Rationalism, Reflective thinking, Çabda.

Anuräga—subattachment in ecstatic love of God.

Anurasa—second-class type of rasäbhäsa, occurring when something is derived from the original mellow.

Anusara—trying to follow in the footsteps.

Anusüyä—the wig of Atri Muni, the sage among the demigods. She is the mother of three-headed Lord Dattätreya.

Anuvinda—a King of Avanti. He and his brother, Vinda, were the brothers of Mitravindä, who was married to Lord Çré Kåñëa. Both brothers were inimical to Lord Kåñëa and were killed by Arjuna. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Apäna-väyu—one of the internal bodily airs which is controlled by the añöäìga-yoga system. The apäna-väyu travels downwards.

Aparä prakåti—the inferior material energy of the Lord.

Apara-vidyä—Vedic knowledge of mind and matter that includes logic, grammar, astrology, medicine, social organization, martial arts, music, dance and so on (as distinct from para-vidyä, the science of God). The karma-käëòa and jïäna-käëòa scriptures make up the apara-vidyä of the Vedas. See Avidyä, Jïäna-käëòa, Karma-käëòa, Para-vidyä; material knowledge

Aparädha—an offense.

Aparäjita—one of the sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhémasena. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Aparasa—third-class type of rasäbhäsa, occurring when something is appreciated that is far removed from the original mellow.

Aparokña—Direct knowledge. The third of the five stages of Vedic knowledge.

Apasmära—forgetfulness, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Apauruñeya—not made by man (that is, revealed by God); A term to describe the divine origin of the Vedas.

Apavarga—liberation from pavarga, the miseries of material existence.

Apavitra-anna—food that is unacceptable for a Vaiñëava.

Aprakaöa-lélä—the unmanifested pastimes of the Lord.

Apräkåta—spiritual, or anti-material, transcendental to material nature; The fifth of the five stages of Vedic knowledge.

Aprameya—immeasurable.

Apratihatä—uninterrupted.

Apsarä—a heavenly courtesan. The most beautiful women in the heavenly planets, who are expert at dancing.

Ärati—a ceremony in which one greets and worships the Lord in the Deity form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by offering Him incense, a flame in a lamp with ghee-soaked wicks, a flame in a lamp containing camphor, water in a conchshell, a fine cloth, a fragrant flower, a peacock-feather, and yak-tail wisk, accompanied by bell-ringing and chanting.

Aravindakña—a name of the Lord meaning one whose eyes are as beautiful as lotus petals.

Arcä-mürti—See: Arcä-vigraha below.

Arcä-vigraha—an authorized form of God manifested through material elements, as in a painting or statue of Kåñëa worshiped in a temple or home. Actually present in this form, the Lord accepts worship from His devotees.

Arcana—the procedures followed for worshiping the arcä-vigraha, the Deity in the temple; engaging all the senses in the service of the Lord.

Arcana naturae (Lat.)—The secrets of nature. See New Philosophy.

Arci—the wife of King Påthu.

Arbuda-arbuda—various types of çravaëa and kértana of the Supreme Lord's name, quality, form and so on.

Ardha-bähya—half-external consciousness.

Arghya—a ceremonious offering, in a conchshell, of water and other auspicious items.

Ari—impediments like disease.

Ariñöäsura—a demon who took the form of a bull and tried to kill Lord Kåñëa.

Aristotle—Greek philosopher who taught in the fourth century before Christ (384-322 BC). Aristotle studied under Plato for almost twenty years, then went on to start his own school of thought. He was very interested in what the Bhagavad-gétä calls the field of knowledge, which he analyzed minutely according to his own system. He was less concerned with the knower of the field, the soul. He defined the soul as What it is to be for a body of the character just assigned (De anima, 412b). In other words, if an axe was a product of nature, then its characteristic body or form would be its soul. (The ax example is Aristotle's own.)

Aryama—the demigod in charge of Pitåloka, the planet were qualified departed ancestors reside.

Ärjava—a brother of Çakuni who was killed by Irävän. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Arjuna—the third son of Päëòu and intimate friend of Lord Kåñëa. After Päëòu was cursed by a sage, Kunté used a special mantra to beget children and called for the demigod Indra. By the union of Indra and Kunté, Arjuna was born. In his previous life he was Nara, the eternal associate of Lord Näräyaëa. Kåñëa became his chariot driver and spoke the Bhagavad-gétä to him on the battlefield of Kurukñetra; An eternal associate of Kåñëa.

Artha—economic development.

Aruëa gems—rubies decorating Kåñëa's flute.

Aryamä—the demigod in charge of Pitåloka, the planet where qualified departed ancestors reside.

Aryan—a follower of Vedic culture. A person whose goal is spiritual advancement. He truly knows the value of life and has a civilization based on spiritual realization.

Asamanya—a king of the solar dynasty, son of Sagara, known for his cruelty.

Asaàskåta—unreformed.

Asäìga—detachment from material consciousness.

Äsana—seat, or throne; a sitting posture in yoga practice.

Asat-saìga—the association of nondevotees.

Asat—not eternal, temporary.

Ashoka—a king who spread Buddhism in India in the 3rd century BC.

Asita—an ancient authority on the Vedas.

Açoka—a tree with long, pointed leaves. Goddess Sétä was placed under an açoka tree after being kidnapped by Rävaëa.

Äçrama—one of the four spiritual orders of life-brahmacäré-äçrama, or student life; Gåhastha-äçrama, or married life; vänaprastha, or retired life; and sannyäsa-äçrama, or the renounced order of life; the home of the spiritual master, a place where spiritual practices are executed.

Äçraya-vigraha—the manifestation of the Lord of whom one must take shelter.

Äçraya—the Transcendence, who is the source and support of all; the worshiper.

Añtavakra—a boy sage who won a debate in the court of King Janaka.

Añöa-siddhis—the eight mystic perfections acquired through yoga practice.

Añöäìga-yoga—the eightfold system of mystic yoga, propounded by Pataïjali, meant for realizing the presence of Paramätmä, the Lord in the heart.

Añöakä—the eighth day after the full moon.

Añöänga-yoga—(añöa=eight + aìga=part) a mystic yoga system propounded by Pataïjali in his Yoga-sütras and consisting of eight parts-yama, niyama, äsana, präëäyäma, pratyähära, dhäraëä, dhyäna and samädhi, progressing from moral practices to deep meditation on God.

Añöävakra—the founder of Mäyäväda philosophy, which declares that the spiritual effulgence (Brahman) is the cause of all causes.

Asuraà bhavam äçrita—persons who are openly atheistic.

Asura—demon, one who does not follow the principles of scripture, atheist, gross materialist. One who is envious of God, and is averse to the supremacy and service of the Supreme Lord, Viñëu.

Äçutoña—Lord Çiva, who is very easily satisfied when one worships him. Çiva-the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Asüyä—jealousy, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Açvamedha-yajïa—a Vedic horse sacrifice. One of eight recommended in the Vedic scriptures, it is performed by kings.

Añvatthämä—the son of Droëa. He was a friend of Duryodhana and fought on his side during the Kurukñetra battle. He lived through the battle of Kurukñetra, but was cursed by Lord Çré Kåñëa. He killed the five sons of Draupadé when they were awakening from sleep and attempted to kill Parékñit when he was in the womb of Uttarä.

Äçvina—the third month of the four-month Cäturmäsya fast.

Açviné deities—demigods in charge of the nostrils and sense of smell.

Açvinékumäras—Demigods who begot Nakula and Sahadeva in the womb of Mädré, the wife of Päëòu.

Atattva-jïa—one who has no knowledge of the Absolute Truth.

Atharva Veda—one of the four Vedas, the original revealed scriptures spoken by the Lord Himself, consisting primarily of formulas and chants designed to counteract the effects of disease and calamity.

Atheism—From the Greek theos (a, not and theo, God). In it most blatant form, atheism argues that God does not exist. The proof of that claim is that He is not available to our sensory inspection. Also, religious doctrines that oppose theism are not theistic, hence atheistic. As explained in the entry for theism, the Vedic account of Lord Kåñëa's immanence and transcendence is the clearest demonstration of the standard definition of theism. To oppose Vaiñëava philosophy is therefore to court atheism. Much of what passes for religion is actually atheism in pious disguise. Atheism disguised as religion is called Deism, Semi-deism, Dualism, Henotheism, Kathenotheism, Panpsychism, Pantheism, and Polytheism. These entries, together with the entry for Theism, may be consulted for a clearer understanding.

Authoritarianism—The view that knowledge cannot be questioned, as opposed to the free spirit of inquiry.

Atibäri-sampradäya—bogus disciplic succession coming from an Orissan named Jagannätha däsa, who was a contemporary of Lord Caitanya. Initially, he was a follower of Haridäsa Öhäkura, but he later rejected him.

Ätma-nivedana—the devotional process of surrendering everything to the Lord.

Ätma-samarpaëa—full surrender to Kåñëa without reservation.

Ätma-tattva—spiritual science.

Ätmäräma—one who is self-satisfied, free from external, material desires.

Ätmä—the self (refers sometimes to the body, sometimes to the soul, and sometimes to the senses).

Atri Åñi—one of the seven great sages born directly from Brahmä;. He is the husband of Anusüyä and father of the Lord's incarnation Dattätreya. He contributed to the knowledge of astronomy.

Augrya—violence, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Autsukya—eagerness, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Avadhüta—a very saintly and renounced person who may live outside regulative principles, having surpassed any need for them.

Avadhüta—one who is above all rules and regulations.

Avahitthä—concealment, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Avaiñëava—one who is not a Vaiñëava.

Ävaraëätmikä—mäyä's "covering" power, by which a conditioned soul feels satisfied in any condition of life.

Avara—material.

Avaroha-panthä—the descending process of receiving revealed knowledge; inductive and deductive process of knowledge.

Avatära—literally means "one who descends." A partially or fully empowered incarnation of the Lord who descends from the spiritual sky to the material universe with a particular mission described in scriptures; When Kåñëa descends from the world of spirit into the world of matter, His appearance here is called avatära. The Sanskrit term avatära (one who descends) is often rendered into English as incarnation. It is wrong, however, to think that Kåñëa incarnates in a body made of physical elements. The Seventh and Eighth Chapters of Bhagavad-gétä distinguish at length between the material nature (apara-prakåti), visible as the temporary substances of earth, water, fire, air and ethereal space, and God's own spiritual nature (para-prakåti), which is invisible (avyakta), eternal (sanätana) and infallible (akñara). When the Lord descends, by His mercy the invisible becomes visible. As He Himself states in Bg. 4.6, I descend by My own nature, appearing in My form of spiritual energy (prakåtià sväm adhiñöhäya sambhavämy ätma-mäyayä). In Bg. 4.9 He declares, janma karma ca me divyam, My appearance and activities are divine. God has many avatäras. But of all of them, that form described in Bg. 11.50 as the most beautiful (saumya-vapu) is His own original form (svakaà rüpam). This is the eternal form of Çré Kåñëa, the all-charming lotus-eyed youth whose body is the shape of spiritual ecstasy. Bhäg. 1.3.28 confirms that Kåñëa is the original form of Viñëu: ete cäàça-kaläù puàsaù kåñëas tu bhagavän svayam indräri-vyäkulaà lokaà måòayanti yuge yuge, which means, All of the incarnations of Viñëu listed in the scriptures are expansions of the Lord. Lord Çré Kåñëa is the original Personality of Godhead. All avatäras appear in the world whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists. The Çrémad-Bhägavatam also provides us with the authorized list of scheduled incarnations of Godhead, of whom the Daçävatära (ten avatäras) are particularly celebrated. The ten are 1) Matsya (the Lord's form of a gigantic golden fish), 2) Kürma (the turtle), 3) Varäha (the boar), 4) Çré Nåsiàha (the half-man, half-lion form), 5) Paraçuräma (the hermit who wields an axe), 6) Vämana (the small brähmaëa boy), 7) Çré Rämacandra (the Lord of Ayodhya), 8) Çré Baladeva (Lord Kåñëa's brother), 9) Buddha (the sage who cheated the atheists), and 10) Kalki (who will depopulate the world of all degraded, sinful men at the end of the present age of Kali). There are two broad categories of avatäras. Some, like Çré Kåñëa, Çré Räma and Çré Nåsiàha, are Viñëu-tattva, i.e. direct forms of God Himself, the source of all power. Others are individual souls (jéva-tattva) who are empowered by the Lord in one or more of the following seven ways: with knowledge, devotion, creative ability, personal service to God, rulership over the material world, power to support planets, or power to destroy rogues and miscreants. This second category of avatära is called çaktyäveça. Included herein are Buddha, Christ and Muhammed. The Mäyävädés think that form necessarily means limitation. God is omnipresent, unlimited and therefore formless, they argue. When He reveals His avatära form within this world, that form, being limited in presence to a particular place and time, cannot be the real God. It is only an indication of God. But the fact is that it is not God's form that is limited. It is only the Mäyävädés' conception of form that is limited, because that conception is grossly physical. God's form is of the nature of supreme consciousness. Being spiritual, it is called sükñma, most subtle. There is no contradiction between the omnipresence of something subtle and its having form. The most subtle material phenomena we can perceive is sound. Sound may be formless (as noise) or it may have form (as music). Because sound is subtle, its having form does not affect its ability to pervade a huge building. Similarly, God's having form does not affect His ability to pervade the entire universe. Since God's form is finer than the finest material subtlety, it is completely inappropriate for Mäyävädés to compare His form to gross hunks of matter. Because they believe God's form is grossly physical, Mäyävädés often argue that any and all embodied creatures may be termed avatäras. Any number of living gods are being proclaimed within India and other parts of the world today. Some of these gods are mystics, some are charismatics, some are politicians, and some are sexual athletes. But none of them are authorized by the Vedic scriptures. They represent only the mistaken Mäyävädé idea that the one formless unlimited Truth appears in endless gross, physical human incarnations, and that you and me and I and he are therefore all together God. And since each god has a different idea of what dharma is, the final truth, according to Mäyäväda philosophy, is that the paths of all gods lead to the same goal. This idea is as unenlightened as it is impractical. When ordinary people proclaim themselves to be God, and that whatever they are doing is Vedic dharma, that is called dharmasya gläniù [Bg. 4.7], a disturbance to eternal religious principles. Therefore Kåñëa came again, 500 years ago, as the Golden Avatära, Caitanya Mahäprabhu. He established the yuga-dharma, the correct form of sanätana-dharma for our time (saìkértana). Lord Caitanya's appearance was predicted in Bhäg. 11.5.32: In this Age of Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by congregational chanting of the holy names of God. See Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Kåñëa.

Ävega—intense emotion, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Äveça-avatära—a living being empowered as an incarnation of the Lord's qualities.

Äveça—See: Çakty-äveça.

Avidhi-pürvaka—without properly following rules and regulations.

Avidyä-çakti—material energy, or nescience.

Avidyä—nescience, ignorance; the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord; Ignorance or non-Vedic knowledge, as opposed to apara-vidyä and para-vidyä. See Apara-vidyä, Para-vidyä.

Avyakta—unmanifested; the material creation when it is not yet manifested from the mahat-tattva.

Ayer, A.J.—British philosopher (1910-1989), a twentieth century advocate of Hume's scepticism towards religion, and one of the founders of logical positivism. In his younger years he was a phenomenalist, but later he drew back from that position. See Logical positivism.

Ayodya—a city in North India, capital of the kings of the Ikavaku (solar) dynasty. Today, it is till the chief Holy City of Lord Rama's devotees.

Ayoga—See: Viyoga.

Ayukta—the ecstatic condition of not having yet met one's lover.

Äyurveda—the section of the Vedas which expounds the Vedic science of medicine delivered by Lord Dhanvantari, the incarnation of the Supreme Lord as a physician. He was born out of the ocean of milk when it was churned by the demons and demigods in the Satya-yuga. He expounded on the three categories of medicine.

-B-

Bäbäjé—a person who dwells alone in one place and leads a life of meditation, penance and austerity; renounced order beyond sannyäsa, in which one chants and reads.

Baba—religious master, a term of respect.

Bäëäsura—a thousand-armed demon slain by Lord Kåñëa.

Babhruvähana—a son of Arjuna by Citräìgadä, the daughter of the King of Maëipur. Babhruvähana engaged in battle with his father over the sacrificial horse. At that time Babhruvähana killed Arjuna. Arjuna was later brought back to life by Ulüpé, another wife of Arjuna.

Babhru—one of the Yadu warriors and servant of Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Badarikäçrama—a sacred holy place of pilgrimage in the Himälayas. The Päëòavas visited here during their exile in the forest. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata) It is the abode of Lord Nara-Näräyaëa, who sat under a badaré (plum) tree to perform austerities.

Baddha-jïa—a conditioned soul who distinguishes between the Lord's body and soul.

Bagh—garden.

Bähadbala—the King of Kosala. He joined the side of the Kauravas and was killed by Abhimanyu. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Bähadratha—a king of Magadha, and the father of Jaräsandha.

Bahirmukha-jana—a person influenced by the external energy.

Bahüdaka—the second stage of the sannyäsa order, in which one begs from door to door.

Bähuka—the personified sins of King Vena.

Bakäsura—a demon who was shaped like a huge duck and who tried to kill Kåñëa.

Baksheesh—tip, donation, or bribe.

Bakula—a fragrant flower very pleasing to Lord Kåñna.

Bäla-gopäla—Deity of Kåñëa as a cowherd boy.

Baladeva Vidyäbhüñaëa—Born in the 18th century in the Baleswar district of Orissa, he was initially a learned scholar of the Madhva-sampradäya. He was converted to Gauòéya Vaiñëavism and became the ardent follower of Viçvanätha Cakravarté Thäkura. He is especially renowned for his commentary on Vedänta-sütra called Govinda-bhäñya; Çréla Baladeva Vidyäbhüñaëa was a highly renounced pure devotee. For the spiritual benefit of mankind, he presented many transcendental literatures to the world. The details of his early life are not known for sure, as he never mentioned his birth place or his family background. Historians have estimated that he was born sometime in the eighteenth century, most probably in Orissa (possibly near Remuna). At a very early age, Baladeva finished his studies of grammar, poetry, rhetoric and logic and then went on pilgrimage. During his travels he spent some time with the Tattvavädés in South India and thus became conversant with the teachings of Çré Madhväcärya. He became a powerful exponent of this philosophy throughout India. Later he was initiated into the Gauòéya Vaiñëava sampradäya by Rädhä-Dämodara Deva, and went to Våndävana to study under the great äcärya Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura. Baladeva's defeat of an assembly of Rämänandé scholars is celebrated in Indian philosophical history. It was on this occasion that he composed the Govinda-bhäñya commentary on the Vedänta-sütra. Actually, it was dictated to him by the Çré Govinda Deva Deity; hence, it is named after the Lord. The commentary so astonished the scholars that they bestowed upon Baladeva the title Vidyäbhüñaëa (ornament of learning).

Balagaëòi festival—the festival during the Ratha-yäträ procession when everyone offers various opulent foods to Lord Jagannätha at Balagaëòi.

Balaräma (Baladeva)—the first plenary expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kåñëa. He appeared as the son of Rohiëé and elder brother of Lord Kåñëa. Also known as Balabhadra or Baladeva, present as one of the three Jagannätha deities.

Bälhéka—a son of Pratépa. He had two brothers Deväpi and Çantanu. He was killed by Bhémasena during the Kurukñetra war. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Bali Mähäraja—the king of the demons who gave three paces of land to Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation of Lord Viñëu, and thereby became a great devotee by surrendering everything to Him.

Bäliça—innocent and foolish like a child.

Ballal Sen—King of Bengal in the 12th century. He was the son of King Vijaya Sen, the founder of Navadvépa. Ballal Sen's son was Laksman Sen, the sponsor of Jayadeva Gosvämi, the author of Gétä-govinda.

Bandhu-ha—the killer of mäyä.

Bandi—son of Varuëa who was defeated in debate by Añöavakra.

Banyan tree—a sacred tree of the fig family with self-rooting branches.

Barbaras—low caste people born from Sabala, the Surabhi cow.

Barhiñat—See: Präcénabarhi

Barhiñmän—See: Präcénabarhi

Battle of Kurukñetra—a battle between the Kurus and the Päëòavas, which took place five thousand years ago and before which Lord Kåñëa spoke Bhagavad-gétä to Arjuna.

Bäula community—one of the apa-sampradäyas, or unauthorized devotional groups.

Bel-phala—the fruit of the bel tree. It is especially dear to Lord Çiva and has great medicinal value. Its pulp is very soothing.

Benares—Väräëasé, holy city on the Ganges in northern India.

Bhadrakali—another name of Durgä.

Bhadra—one of the wives of Väsudeva.

Bhagadatta—the King of Prägjyotiñapura, and the son of Narakäsura or Bhaumäsura. He was killed by Arjuna during the Kurukñetra war. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Bhagavad-bhakti—bhakti-yoga, devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

Bhagavad-gétä—a seven-hundred verse record of a conversation between Lord Kåñëa and His disciple, Arjuna, from the Bhéñma Parva of the Mahäbhärata of Vedavyäsa. The conversation took place between two armies minutes before the start of an immense fratricidal battle. Kåñëa teaches the science of the Absolute Truth and the importance of devotional service to the despondent Arjuna, and it contains the essence of all Vedic wisdom. Çréla Prabhupäda's annotated English translation is called Bhagavad-gétä As It Is; This most essential text of spiritual knowledge, The Song of the Lord, contains Kåñëa's instructions to Arjuna at Kurukñetra. It is found in the Mahäbhärata. The Mahäbhärata is classified as småti-çästra, a supplement of the çruti-çästra. Çruti, the core Vedic literature, includes the four Vedas (Åg, Säma, Yajur and Atharva) and the Upaniñads. Çruti advances the understanding of the absolute. Bhagavad-gétä is also known as Gétopaniñad, or a çruti text spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Therefore, Çréla Prabhupäda wrote in a letter, the Gétä should be taken as çruti. But they take it as småti because it is part of the småti (Mahäbhärata). In one sense it is both çruti and småti. In only 700 verses, the Bhagavad-gétä summarizes all Vedic knowledge about the soul, God, sanätana-dharma, sacrifice, yoga, karma, reincarnation, the modes of material nature, Vedänta and pure devotion. See Arjuna, Caitanya-caritämåta, Kåñëa, Mahäbhärata, Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Bhagavän—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who possesses in full the opulences of wealth, beauty, strength, knowledge, fame, and renunciation; an epithet of the Supreme Person; The Personality of Godhead, the possessor (vän) of six opulences (bhaga) in unlimited fullness: wealth (aiçvarya), strength (vérya), fame (yaçaù), beauty (çriyaù), knowledge (jïäna), and renunciation (vairägya). See Kåñëa.

Bhägavata jévana—the life of a devotee.

Bhägavata Puräëa—Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Bhägavata-dharma—the science of devotional service to the Supreme Lord; the religious principles enunciated by the Lord; the eternal function of the living being.

Bhägavata-saptäha—a seven-day series of lectures on Çrémad-Bhägavatam given by professional reciters to a paying audience.

Bhägavata-vidhi—the devotional process of serving the pure devotee and preaching Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Bhägavata-vidyä—transcendental knowledge of the Supreme Lord.

Bhägavatam system—spreading of Kåñëa consciousness philosophy by recitation and discussion of Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Bhägavatas—persons or things in relationship with the Lord.

Bhägavata—anything related to Bhagavän, the Supreme Lord, especially the devotee of the Lord and the scripture Çrémad-Bhägavatam;

Bhagératha—the king who performed austerities to bring the Ganges to earth to save his ancestors.

Bhägyavän—most fortunate.

Bhägya—good fortune.

Bhairava—the terrifying aspect of Lord Çiva, who chopped off the fifth head of Brahmä.

Bhajana-kutira—a small hut or cottage where a Vaiñëava or saintly person performs his bhajana or personal mediation.

Bhajanänandé—a devotee who performs his devotional activities in seclusion, not attempting to preach; a devotee who is satisfied to cultivate devotional service for himself.

Bhajana—this term generally to indicates the service and worship of the Supreme Lord executed by Vaiñëavas from the neophytes up to those who are fully God-realized. The main form that this service takes is the hearing and chanting of the holy name. Otherwise, the term refers to the singing of devotional songs about Kåñëa, usually accompanied by musical instruments.

Bhakta-avatära—an incarnation of God as a devotee.

Bhakta-präya—an "almost" devotee.

Bhakta—a devotee of the Lord; one who performs devotional service (bhakti).

Bhakti-çakti—the spiritual potency which is the essence of the pleasure potency and the eternity potency.

Bhakti-çästras—Scriptures dealing with the science of devotion.

Bhakti-kalpataru—the desire tree of devotional service.

Bhakti-latä-béja—the seed of the creeper of devotional service.

Bhakti-latä—devotional creeper.

Bhakti-märga—the path of developing devotion to Kåñëa.

Bhakti-rasäcärya—one who knows and teaches the essence of devotional service.

Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu—one of the principal works on the science of bhakti-yoga, written by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé in the sixteenth century, a confidential associate of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. All of its conclusions are elaborately supported by reference to the Vedic literatures.

Bhakti-rasa—the mellow derived from devotional service.

Bhakti-sandarbha—one of the six treatises on the science of devotional service written by Çrila Jiva Gosvämé.

Bhakti-siddhänta-viruddha—that which is against the philosophy of acintya-bhedäbheda.

Bhakti-yoga—the system of cultivation of bhakti, or pure devotional service, which is untinged by sense gratification or philosophical speculation; The process of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kåñëa. According to a famous verse in Çrémad-Bhägavatam, it consists of nine aìgas or parts: çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù smaraëaà päda-sevanam-arcanaà vandanaà däsyaà sakhyam ätma-nivedanam 1) Hearing and 2) chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Kåñëa, 3) remembering them, 4) serving the lotus feet of the Lord, 5) offering the Deity of the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, 6) offering prayers to the Lord, 7) serving His mission, 8) making friends with the Lord, and 9) surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. (Bhäg. 7.5.23)

Bhaktidevi—the personification of devotional service.

Bhaktisiddhänta—Sarasvaté Öhäkura Gosvämé Mahäräja Prabhupäda (1874-1937) the spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, and thus the spiritual grandfather of the present day Kåñëa consciousness movement. A powerful preacher, he founded sixty four missions in India; The transcendentally empowered son of Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura appeared in this world on February 6, 1874. His father was deputy magistrate of Jagannätha Puré in Orissa at this time. Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura had been very concerned about unauthorized pseudo-Vaiñëavas who were usurping the pure teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and therefore had begun a revival of the saìkértana mission. Though very busy with his profession, he wrote profusely about all aspects of Kåñëa consciousness. He prayed constantly for someone to boldly preach his writings.

Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura's prayers were answered in Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura. When he was six months old, the Ratha-yäträ festival of chariots was held in Puré. Lord Jagannätha's chariot stopped in front of Çréla Bhaktivinoda's house, which was on the main road between the temple and the Guëòicä mandira. The chariot stayed there for three days. On the third day, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta's mother brought the child out to see the Lord. The püjärés picked him up and put him on the cart. He crawled to the base of Lord Jagannätha, touching His lotus feet. Simultaneously a garland fell from the neck of the Lord and landed around the child. The püjärés exclaimed that this child was especially blessed by the Lord. The boy grew up to be a great scholar in many fields of learning. But when he reached twenty-two, he left his studies at college, vowing to never take to householder life. For three years, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura held the post of räja-päëòita (royal scholar) of the Vaiñëava king of Tripura.

Thereafter he took initiation from Çréla Gaurakiçora däsa Bäbäjé. Çréla Gaurakiçora was a Vaiñëava renunciate who had fully absorbed himself in the worship of Kåñëa at Våndävana for a long time. Then he settled at the holy city of Navadvépa on the bank of the Ganges. By this time Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura had retired from his government work and was worshiping Lord Kåñëa in a small house near Navadvépa, at Godruma. Every day he gave Çrémad-Bhägavatam class there. Çréla Gaurakiçora used to attend these classes. Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura told his son, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, to accept Çréla Gaurakiçora as his initiating spiritual master. He received the name Värñabhänavé-devé-dayitäya däsa. Thereafter Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura gave up all other activities to chant 194 rounds daily for seven years. He stayed in a kuöira (hut) but did not take time to repair the roof; if it rained, he just used an umbrella.

In 1918 he opened the first center of the Gauòéya Mission in Ultadanga Road in Calcutta. He was then forty-four. All across India he established Lord Caitanya's teachings as the most excellent spiritual philosophy. He started his mission in the midst of war and political agitation for national liberation. He was uncompromising in his disregard of such mundane concerns. The most important thing is to invoke the spirit of devotion to the Supreme Lord; this concern lies far above any material consideration. Many leaders objected that he was diverting too many young men from India's national interests, but he paid them no heed. In this period, Çréla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda visited Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura on the rooftop at Ultadanga Road. Çréla Prabhupäda, at that time known as Abhay Caran De, was an adherent of Gandhi's svaräja movement. Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura convinced him in just one sitting of the vital necessity of Lord Caitanya's mission over everything else. Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura departed this world in 1936. Two weeks before leaving his body, he instructed Çréla Prabhupäda to introduce the saìkértana mission to the Western world. See Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Kåñëa.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda—His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda is the foremost Vaiñëava äcärya in the modern age. In 1896, he appeared in this world as Abhay Caran De in Calcutta, where he received an English-language education. He first met his spiritual master, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, in 1922. At their first meeting, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura requested Çréla Prabhupäda to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In 1933, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura initiated Çréla Prabhupäda as Abhaya Caraëäravinda däsa. In the years that followed, he wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gétä, assisted the Gauòéya Mission in its work, and in 1944 started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine, still continued by his disciples today. He received the title Bhaktivedanta in 1947 from the Gauòéya Vaiñëava Society.

In the 1950's, Çréla Prabhupäda retired from family life, accepting the vänaprastha order. Thus he was able to devote more time to his studies and writing. He came to Våndävana to live humbly at the historic medieval temple of Rädhä-Dämodara. After several years of deep absorption in Kåñëa consciousness, Çréla Prabhupäda accepted the order of sannyäsa from his Godbrother Keçava Prajïa Mahäräja, in 1959. It was then that he began to work on his life's masterpiece: a multivolume translation of and commentary on the eighteen-thousand verse Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

After publishing three volumes of the Bhägavatam in India, Çréla Prabhupäda came to the United States in 1965. After great difficulty, with no initial financial resources, he established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York in July, 1966. The residents of that great metropolis of materialism were astounded as the youthful American followers of Çréla Prabhupäda danced and chanted the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra in their midst, that eternal Vedic sound echoing between the glass and steel skyscraper canyon walls. The Kåñëa consciousness movement soon spread to San Francisco, where the Ratha-yäträ festival of the chariots was held for the first time outside of India. A group of American disciples started a branch in London, where George Harrison of the Beatles became a life-long follower of Çréla Prabhupäda. From England the movement went to Germany, Holland, France, and other European countries.

It likewise flourished in Canada, Latin America, Australia and Africa. Simultaneously, Çréla Prabhupäda personally established several multi-million-dollar ISKCON temple and guesthouse projects in India at Bombay, Våndävana, Mayapur and Hyderabad. But Çréla Prabhupäda considered his most significant contribution to be his books, which form a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, culture and literature. Highly respected by the academic community for their authority, depth and clarity, they serve as standard textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into more than eighty languages. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, established in 1972 to publish his works, is the world's largest publisher in the field of Vedic studies.

In the twelve years after his first arrival in America up to his departure from this world in 1977, Çréla Prabhupäda circled the globe fourteen times on lecture tours that took him to six continents. Even in his physical absence, his great mission continues to move forward. With the collapse of the Soviet Empire that Çréla Prabhupäda predicted during his 1972 visit to Moscow, Kåñëa consciousness is vigorously blossoming throughout Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Far East. ISKCON's Mayapur project is growing into a modern spiritual city on the bank of the holy Ganges. 1996, the year of Çréla Prabhupäda's centennial, saw the opening of grand temple projects in Delhi, Bangalore and Baroda. See Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, ISKCON, Kåñëa.

Bhaktivedäntas—advanced transcendentalists who have realized the conclusion of the Vedas through devotional service.

Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura—(1838-1915) the great-grandfather of the present-day Kåñëa consciousness movement, the spiritual master of Çréla Gaura-kiçora däsa Bäbäjé, the father of Çrila Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté, and the grand-spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura was a responsible officer and a householder, yet his service to the cause of expanding the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu is unique. He has written many books on the philosophy of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu; Appearing in this world in 1838 and departing it in 1914, Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura is one of the great teachers of Kåñëa consciousness in the disciplic succession of spiritual masters. He is famous in Bengal for having located the exact site of the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu. This site at Çrédhäma Mäyäpur, near the city of Navadvépa about 90 miles north of Calcutta, had been lost for centuries due to the shifting course of the Ganges river. The Öhäkura's discovery rapidly transformed Mäyäpur into an important place of pilgimage for Kåñëa devotees. The Gaura-Viñëupriya temple he founded in 1891 was the first of many holy places of worship now visible at Mäyäpur. In 1896, Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura announced the saìkértana mission to the Western world by sending a copy of one of his small books Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu: His Life and Precepts to McGill University in Canada. Many of his Bengali songs are available in Songs of the Vaiñëava àcäryas, published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura predicted that the saìkértana movement would spread from India to the great cities of the Western world. See Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, Bhaktivedanta Swami Pra-bhupäda, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Kåñëa.

Bhakti—devotional service to the Supreme Lord; purified service of the senses of the Lord by one's own senses; Love and devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kåñëa. The formal systematization of devotion is called bhakti-yoga. See Bhakti-yoga, Kåñëa.

Bhakty-unmukhé sukåti—pious activities that awaken one's dormant Kåñëa consciousness.

Bhänumän—a prince of Kaliìga. He fought on the side of the Kauravas and was killed by Bhémasena.

Bhänusena—a son of Karëa. He was killed by Bhémasena during the Kurukñetra war. (Karëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Bharadväja—a great sage and the father of Droëa.

Bharata Mahäräja—an ancient king of India and a great devotee of the Lord from whom the Päëòavas descended. The son of Mahäräja Duñyanta who renounced his kingdom and family at an early age. He became very advanced in spiritual practice, but later became attached to a pet deer causing him to take birth as a deer. In his next life, as Jaòa Bharata, he attained spiritual perfection.

Bhärata-varña—a name for the earth (now for India), derived from King Bharata, a great king who was the eldest son of Lord Åñabhadeva.

Bharata—half-brother of Lord Räma, he ruled Ayodhya when Lord Räma was in exile.

Bhäraté—Sarasvaté-goddess of learning. Wife of Lord Brahmä. She usually sits on a white swan and holds a veena (stringed instrument) in her hands.

Bhauma-ijya-dhéù—accepting something to be spiritual when it is actually material.

Bhäva-bhakti—the platform of purified goodness when one's heart melts in devotional service; the first stage of love of Godhead.

Bhava-roga—material miseries or diseases.

Bhava-sägara—the ocean of repeated birth and death.

Bhäva—the stage of transcendental love experienced after transcendental affection; manifestation of ecstatic symptoms in the body of a devotee.

Bhaviñya Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas. It was spoken by Lord Brahmä and concerns future events and religious rites and observances.

Bhaviñya-uttara Puräëa—the last section of the Bhaviñya Puräëa.

Bhävuka—sentimental; can also mean advanced in the knowledge of spiritual rasas.

Bhayänaka-rasa—the indirect relationship of fear.

Bhaya—fear.

Bhéma—the second son of Päëòu and Kunté. Actually, his father was Väyu, because Päëòu had been cursed not being able to conceive children. By mantra Kunté called Väyu and Bhéma was born. He was known for his strength and strong appetite.

Bhinna-rüpa-sandhi—the meeting of contradictory ecstasies.

Bhéñmadeva—the grandfather of the Päëòavas, and the most powerful and venerable warrior on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra. The noble general respected as the "grandfather" of the Kuru dynasty. He is recognized as one of the twelve mahäjanas, authorities on devotional service to the Lord. He was given a boon to leave his body any time he pleased, consequently he decided to leave while laying on a bed of arrows in full view of Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Bhéñmaka—the King of Vidarbha and father of Çrémäté Rukmiëé.

Bhoga-mandira—the place where the Deity's food is kept.

Bhoga—material sense enjoyment; or, food before it has been offered to the Deity.

Bhogé—sense gratifier.

Bhogonmukhé—pious activities that bestow material opulence.

Bohr, Niels—Danish physicist of great fame in the twentieth century (1885-1962). He has been called the spiritual father of all quantum physicists. Einstein was not happy with Bohr's idea that the universe is as it is purely by chance. He admonished Bohr, God does not play dice. Einstein's criticisms so bothered Bohr that he sometimes used to pace back and forth while chanting Einstein ... Einstein ... Einstein ... to himself.

Bhrama—false knowledge or mistakes.

Bhågu—the most powerful of the sages born directly from Brahmä.

Bhåtya—the servants of the body, namely the senses.

Bhü—the creative energy of the cosmic creation.

Bhü-dhäraëa-çakti—the power to hold up the planets within the universe.

Bhu devé—consort of Lord Viñëu.

Bhukti—material enjoyment.

Bhümi—Mother Earth

Bhüriçrava—one of the three sons of Somadatta, a King of the Kuru dynasty. He was killed by Sätyaki during the great Kurukñetra battle. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Bhür—the lower material planets.

Bhüti—opulence.

Bhuvaneçvara—a holy place in the district of Puri, Orissa, that is sacred to Lord Çiva and that was visited by Lord Caitanya. It is glorified in detail in the Skanda Puräëa.

Bhuvar—the middle material planets.

Bébhatsa-rasa—the indirect relationship of abomination.

Bihar—a state in northwestern India.

Bila-svarga—the subterranean heavens.

Bilvamaìgala Öhäkura—a great devotee-author, whose works include the Kåñëa-karëämåta, the confidential pastimes of Lord Kåñëa.

Birnagar—a town just south of Krishnanagar in the West Bengal district of Nadia. In ancient times the Ganges flowed past this town making it a prosperous river port. Once, the prince Srimanta Sandagar was sailing his fleet of ships up the Ganges to Birnagar and a violent storm arose. To save himself and his fleet, he prayed to Uläcaëòi, a wife of Lord Çiva. The fleet was saved, and the prince instituted her worship at this site. The town of Birnagar was thus also known as Ulä-gräma, the birthplace of Öhäkura Bhaktivinoda.

Bloop—the sound of the soul falling into the ocean of material suffering; commonly used in ISKCON to describe someone who leaves the organization.

Bo (Bodhi) tree—the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Brahma çäpa—a brähmaëa's curse.

Brahma-bandhu—one born in a brähmaëa family but lacking brahminical qualification.

Brahma-bhüta—the joyful state of being freed from material contamination. One in this state is characterized by transcendental happiness, and he engages in the service of the Supreme Lord; liberation.

Brahma-jïäna—knowledge of the Supreme.

Brahma-jïäné—an impersonalist scholar.

Brahma-jijïäsä—inquiry into the Absolute Truth; spiritual inquiry into one's own identity.

Brähma-muhürta—the auspicious period of the day just before dawn, from one and a half hours to fifty minutes before sunrise. It is especially favorable for spiritual practices.

Brahma-räkñasa—a man-eating demon who was a fallen brähmaëa in his last life; the ghost of a sinful brähmana.

Brahma-randhra—the hole in the skull through which the perfected yogé quits his body.

Brahma-saàhitä—a very ancient Sanskrit scripture recording the prayers of Brahmä offered to the Supreme Lord, Govinda, recovered from a temple in South India by Lord Caitanya.

Brahma-satra—meditating on the Supreme Lord always.

Brahma-saukhya—spiritual happiness, which is unobstructed and eternal.

Brahma-sütra—the Vedänta-sütra.

Brahma-tejas—the potency of a brähmaëa.

Brahma-upäsaka—a worshiper of the impersonal Brahman.

Brahma-vaivarta Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas. It contains prayers and invocations addressed to Lord Çré Kåñëa, as well as descriptions of His transcendental pastimes with Srématé Rädhäräëé and the other cowherd girls of Våndävana.

Brahma-vidyä—transcendental knowledge.

Brahma-yajïa—studying the Vedas.

Brahmacäré—a celibate student under the care of a spiritual master. One in the first order of spiritual life; In the Vedic social order, the student class who strictly accept the vow of celibacy, in the case of brähmaëas, up to the age of 25, at which time they may marry or continue the life of celibacy; a celibate student of a spiritual master; A member of the first spiritual devision of life, according to the Vedic social system of four äçramas. See Gåhastha, Sannyäsé, Vänaprastha.

Brahmacarya—celibate student life; the first order of Vedic spiritual life; the vow of strict abstinence from sex indulgence.

Brähmaëa thread—a multistranded thread worn by brähmaëas across the left shoulder and chest.

Brähmaëa—a member of the intellectual, priestly class; a person wise in Vedic knowledge, fixed in goodness and knowledgeable of Brahman, the Absolute Truth; One of the four orders of occupational life, brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya and çüdra. The brähmaëas are the intellectual class and their occupation is hearing Vedic literature, teaching Vedic literature, learning deity worship and teaching deity worship, receiving charity and giving charity.

Brähmaëé—the wife of a brähmana.

Brahmäëòa Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas. It was revealed by Lord Brahmä and contains knowledge about this brahmäëòa, or spherical universe and future millennia.

Brahmäëòa-bhramaëa—wandering up and down throughout the universe.

Brahmäëòa—the material universe.

Brahmaëya-deva—the Supreme Lord, who is the protector of brahminical culture.

Brahmajyoti—the impersonal bodily effulgence emanating from the transcendental body of the Supreme Lord Kåñëa, which constitutes the brilliant illumination of the spiritual sky; From Kåñëa's transcendental personal form of eternity, knowledge and bliss emanates a shining effulgence called the brahmajyoti (light of Brahman). The material prakåti, the jévas who desire to enjoy matter, and käla (time), are situated within this brahma-jyotir, which is pure existence devoid of difference and activity. It is the impersonal Brahman of the Mayavädés, and the Clear Light of some Buddhist sects. For many mystics and philosophers the world over, the brahmajyoti is the indefinable One from which all things emerge in the beginning and merge into at the end. The brahmajyoti is Kåñëa's feature of sat (eternality) separated from cit (knowledge) and änanda (bliss). See Brahman, Buddhism, Impersonalism, Life after death, Mäyäväda philosophy, Modes of nature, Mysticism, Sac-cid-änanda, Vedänta.

Brahmaloka—the highest planet of the universe, that of the demigod Lord Brahmä.

Brahmänanda—the spiritual bliss derived from impersonal Brahman realization.

Brahman—(1) the infinitesimal spiritual individual soul; (2) the impersonal, all-pervasive aspect of the Supreme; (3) the Supreme Personality of Godhead; (4) the mahat-tattva, or total material substance; This Sanskrit term comes from the root båh, which means to grow or to evolve. In the Chändogya Upaniñad 3.14, Brahman is described as tajjalän, as that (tat) from which the world arises (ja), into which it returns (la), and by which is is supported and lives (an). Impersonalists equate Brahman with the brahmajyoti. But in its fullest sense, Brahman is the vastu, the actual substance of the world: 1) Viñëu as the Supreme Soul (paraà brahman), 2) the individual self as the subordinate soul (jéva-brahman), and 3) matter as creative nature (mahad-brahman). Viñëu is accepted by all schools of Vaiñëava Vedänta as the transcendental, unlimited Puruñottama (Supreme Person), while the individual souls and matter are His conscious and unconscious energies (cid-acid-çakti). See Absolute, Brahmajyoti, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Kåñëa, Life after death, Modes of nature, Supersoul, Vedänta, Viñëu.

Brahmarñi—a title meaning "sage among the brähmaëas."

Brahmästra—a nuclear weapon produced by chanting a mantra, more powerful than many atomic bombs. It could be used only on a person of equal or superior strength. This weapon was given by Droëa to Arjuna.

Brahmavädés—impersonalists among the transcendentalists; those who are absorbed in the thought of impersonal Brahman.

Brahmä—the first created living being and secondary creator of the material universe. Directed by Lord Viñëu, he creates all life forms in the universes. He also rules the mode of passion. Twelve of his hours equals 4,320,000,000 earth-years, and his life span is more than 311 trillion of our years; The first living being in the universe, Brahmä was born not of a womb but the lotus that grows from Lord Viñëu's navel. He is the forefather and guru of the demigods, the giver of the Vedas, and the director of the vaikåta or secondary phase of cosmic creation by which all species of plants, animals, human beings and demigods come into existence. Thus he takes charge of the creative rajo-guëa, just as Çiva takes charge of the destructive tamo-guëa. Brahmä is usually a jéva, though rarely, when there is no qualified jéva to assume this post, the Supreme Lord expands Himself as Brahmä. See Demigods, Modes of nature.

Brajmandal (Vraja-mandala)—The circular area which encompasses Braj and designated by the pilgrimage path through the area's sacred sites, each a scene of one of Krsna's exploits.

Brajbhasah—dialect of local spoken language in the Våndävana area.

Bran—the tough outer pericarp layer of the wheat grain. It is removed together with the germ during milling to produce flour. It is a rich source of protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, and, of course, fibre.

Båghu—the leader of the sages in the universe.

Båhan-näradéya Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas, or Vedic historical scriptures.

Båhaspati—the spiritual master of King Indra and chief priest for the demigods.

Brijbäsi—inhabitant of Våndävana.

Bubhukñus—those who desire to enjoy the material world.

Buddha—incarnation of Kåñëa, the founder of Buddhism who lived during the 5th century B.C., and appeared to bewilder atheists and dissuade them from performing unnecessary animal sacrifices; Two thousand five hundred years ago, Lord Viñëu sent forth an empowered jéva known as the Buddha (the Enlightened One). Assuming the guise of Siddhärtha Gautama, he took birth in Kapilavastu (present-day Nepal) as the son of King Çuddhodana. At age twenty-nine he renounced the world and embarked upon a mission to preach ahiàsä (nonviolence) and çünyatä (extinction of the self). He especially opposed the prevailing karma-mémäàsä philosophy of his time, which distorted Vedic knowledge and promoted unnecessary animal sacrifice. The Buddha's teaching rests on four principles: 1) material existence is duùkha, miserable. 2) There is samudäya, a cause of material existence. 3) Because there is a cause, there is also nirodha, a way to remove material existence. 4) That way is märga, the path of righteousness that the Buddha himself exemplified. But as he circumvented the distortion of Vedic sacrifice in leading people away from the sin of animal slaughter, he denied the Vedas, the soul, and God. After the Buddha's disappearance, many schools of Buddhism came into being. See Avatära (Çaktyäveça), Buddhism.

Buddhi—Discernment, intelligence; in Greek dinoia. According to SB 3.26.30, it has five functions: saàçaya (doubt), viparyäsa (misapprehension), niçcaya (correct apprehension), småti (memory), and sväpa (sleep, dreaming). See Intellect.

Buddhism—Vaiñëava Vedäntist äcäryas such as Rämänuja, Madhva and Baladeva have analyzed four types of Buddhist doctrine. These four are held, respectively, by schools known as the Sauträntikas, Vaibhäñikas, Yogäcäras and Mädhyamikas. The first doctrine views mind and matter as having real but momentary existencei.e. with each moment, the reality of mind and matter changes. The second views matter as being knowable only through the mind; mind and the matter known through it are momentarily real. The third views matter as unreal, mind as absolute, and the perception of matter as momentary imagination. The fourth, known as Çünyaväda, views the previous three doctrines as useless attempts at explaining what cannot be put into words. See Buddha, Mäyäväda philosophy, Nirväna, Scepticism, Six systems, Voidism.

Buddhi-yoga—(buddhi-intelligence + yoga-mystic elevation) another term for bhakti-yoga (devotional service to Kåñëa), indicating that it represents the highest use of intelligence by surrendering it to the will of the Supreme Lord. Action in Kåñëa consciousness is buddhi-yoga, for that is the highest intelligence.

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Caitanya Mahäprabhu, (1486-1534)—Lord Kåñëa in the aspect of His own devotee. He appeared in Navadvépa, West Bengal, and inaugurated the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord to teach pure love of God by means of saìkértana. Lord Caitanya is understood by Gauòéya Vaiñëavas to be Lord Kåñëa Himself; The Golden Avatära of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who descended into the material world 500 years ago at Çrédhäma Mäyäpur. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu inaugurated the yuga-dharma of saìkértana. Together with His associates Nityänanda, Advaita, Gadädhara and Çréväsa, Lord Caitanya is worshiped by the Gauòéya Vaiñëavas as the Païca-tattva (five-fold Absolute Truth). Within the Païca-tattva, Mahäprabhu is the éça-tattva, the Supreme Lord. Nityänanda is the prakäça-tattva, the feature of éçvara who controls the kriyä-çakti, out of which the käla and karma potencies expand. Advaita is the avatära-tattva, the incarnation. Gadadhara is çakti-tattva, a feature of the original, spiritual prakåti. Çrévasa is jéva-tattva. See Avatära, Gauòéya Vaiñëava, Éçvara, Saìkértana.

Caitanya-caritämåta—translated as "the character of the living force in immortality," it is the title of the authorized biography of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu written in the late sixteenth century and compiled by Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé, presenting the Lord's pastimes and teachings. Written in Bengali, with many Sanskrit verses as well, it is regarded as the most authoritative book on Lord Caitanya's life and teachings; Written by Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé, this biography of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu is the single most important text of Gauòéya Vaiñëava philosophy. Caitanya-caritämåta means the immortal character of the living force. It is the postgraduate study of spiritual knowledge, and so is not intended for the novice. Ideally, one begins with Bhagavad-gétä and advances through Çrémad-Bhägavatam to the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta. Although alI these great scriptures are on the same absolute level, for the sake of comparative study Çré Caitanya-caritämåta is considered to be on the highest platform. See Bhagavad-gétä, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Gauòéya Vaiñëava, Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Caitanya—living force.

Caitya-guru—the Supersoul, the expansion of Kåñëa who is seated as the spiritual master within the heart of the living being.

Cakita—a position in which the heroine appears very afraid although she is not at all afraid.

Cakora—a bird that drinks only water from the Çväti Nakñatra.

Cakra (Sudarçana)—the disc weapon of the Supreme Lord, Viñëu. On the top of Viñëu temples there is usually a cakra.

Cakraväké—the female counterpart of the cakra bird. When the male cakra bird and the female cakraväké bird are separated, they make mournful sounds during the night.

Cakravyüha—a formation of soldiers in the form of a cakra. This formation was considered impenetrable, and only the most capable warriors could penetrate it. Abhimanyu was killed while fighting in this formation. His father, Arjuna, taught him how to enter, but he did not know how to exit the gigantic formation.

Cakra—one of six centers of vital energy located in the body; the wheel of Viñëu on top of temples.

Cämara—a yak-tail fan used in Deity worship.

Camasa Åñi—one of the nine Yogendras.

Campaka-puñpa—a yellowish and very fragrant flower from the campaka tree. This flower is very dear to Lord Kåñëa.

Camphor—a pure white crystalline powder derived from steam of the camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphera, which is found in China and India.

Cäëakya Paëòita—the brähmaëa advisor to King Candragupta responsible for checking Alexander the Great's invasion of India. He is a famous author of books containing aphorisms on politics and morality.

Caëòakauçika—a muni who blessed King Bähadratha, the King of Magadha, with a child. The child was born in two halves from each of the King's queens. The two halves were thrown in the forest where they were joined by a witch named Jara. The child was later named Jaräsandha.

Caëòäla—an outcaste or untouchable; dog-eaters, the lowest class of human beings.

Candana-yäträ—a twenty-one day festival held throughout India in the summer season. During Candana-yäträ devotees anoint the Deities of the Lord with sooting sandalwood paste.

Candana—a cosmetic paste made from sandalwood; used in Deity worship.

Candraçekhara Äcärya—a great householder devotee of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Candragupta—a king of the Maurya dynasty in India. His armies repelled Alexander the Great's advance into India.

Candraloka—the moon planet.

Candra—the demigod who rules the moon.

Cäpalya—impudence, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Capäté—a flat bread made from whole-wheat flour.

Cäraëaloka—the heavenly planet of the Cäraëa demigods.

Caraëämåta—remnants of water and other liquids used for bathing the Deity and then been mixed with yogurt and sugar.

Carlyle, Thomas (1795-1881)—a Scottish historian and social critic who was an important philosophical moralist of the early Victorian age. He was opposed to empiricism, mechanism and materialism.

Cärväka Muni—the originator of hedonistic philosophy.

Cärväka—a Räkñasa, who was a close friend of Duryodhana. He took the form of a brähmaëa and tried to condemn Yudhiñöhira as an enemy of the people. He was recognized by the brähmaëas who then chanted mantras turning him into ashes.

Catur-hotra—the four kinds of fire sacrifices prescribed in the Vedas for purification of fruitive activities.

Cätur-varëyam—the four occupational divisions of society (brähmaëas, kñatriyas, vaiçyas, and çüdras).

Catur-vyüha—the quadruple expansions of Kåñëa who predominate over the Vaikuëöha planets.

Caturdaçé—the fourteenth day of the waxing and waning moon.

Cäturmäsya—the four months of the rainy season in India, when sannyäsés do not travel. Devotees observe special vows of austerity during this time.

Catuù-çloké—the four verses of Çrémad-Bhägavatam [Bhäg. 2.9.33-36], spoken by Lord Kåñëa to Brahmä, that summarize the entire philosophy of Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Catuùsana—the four Kumäras.

Causa (Lat.)—Reason or motive for something happening (in Gr. aitai). Aristotle proposed four causes to explain how creation occurs: causa materialis (the material cause), causa formalis (the formal cause), causa efficiens (the efficient cause), and causa finalis (the final cause).

Causal Ocean—the ocean in which all the universes are floating. See: Käraëa Ocean.

Cediräja—the king of Cedi; also known as Çiçupäla. Lord Kåñëa killed him because of his blasphemy.

Cekitäna—a warrior of the Yadu dynasty. He was killed by Duryodhana during the Kurukñetra war. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Cetana—a conscious living entity.

Chadar—cotton or wool cloth worn on the upper half of the body, also worn by temple priests during worship.

Chaitya—Buddhist temple. Buddhist hall of worship.

Chakra—disc weapon of Lord Viñëu.

Chalo, Chalo—let's go, let's go.

Chamara—a yak-tail wisk or fan.

Chandas—the different meters of Vedic hymns.

Chändogya Upaniñad—one of the principal Upaniñads, philosophical portions of the Vedas.

Chandra—the moon-god of the moon.

Channävatära—a concealed incarnation in disguise.

Channa—chick peas (garbanzo beans)

Channing, William Ellery (1780-1842)—an American theologian, founder of the Unitarian movement in New England. He believed in both rationality and mysticism. He concluded that in order for man to have a relationship with God He must be a person.

Chappals—sandals.

Chaukidar (chowkidar)—night watchman; guard.

Chauvinism—A term derived from the name of a legendary French soldier, Nicolas Chauvin, chavinism originally meant fanatical patriotism, but lately means a prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's own group; for example, male chauvinism.

Choti (coti)—Shikha; a tuft of hair worn at the back of the head of the braj area and by male Vaisnavisas.

Choko—Used in Mexican, Chinese, and Indonesian cooking, this delicate, pale-green, pear-shaped vegetable, which is related to the gourd family, originally came from Mexico, where it is known as chayote. When buying chokos, look for young tender ones with pale, green, almost translucent skin. The spikes on the skin should be short and soft. Chokos add a subtle flavour and an apple-like texture to any dish.

Cholas—South Indian rulers from the Tamil Nadu area.

Choli—sari blouse.

Chonki—a low wooden table.

Chos—Greek term for gap or chasm, derived from chainein, gape. In Greek philosophy, chos is the confused, formless and undifferentiated state of primal matter; the condition of the universe before reason appeared and brought the world into order. The Sanskrit equivalent is pradhäna, the unmanifest material nature. See Modes of nature.

Choultry—dharmashala in the south; pilgrim accommodation.

Christ—See Avatära (Çaktyäveça).

Cid-viläsa—spiritual pleasure.

Cintämaëi—a spiritual mystically potent gemstone ("touchstone"), found in the transcendental realm. It fulfills all the desires of one who possesses it. When applied to a metal transforms it into gold.

Cintä—anxiety, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Cira-loka-pälas—permanent governors of the universe.

Circulus vitiosus (Lat.)—A vicious circle, i.e. the fallacy of proving a proposition from another which depends on the first for its own proof. See Fallacy, Logic.

Cit—alive and conscious; the indiviual living beings; unlimited knowledge.

Cit-çakti—(cit-knowledge + sakti-potency) internal or enlightening knowledge potency of the Supreme Lord.

Cit-kaëäs—particles of spirit; the living entities.

Citrabähu—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Citrabäna—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Citracäpa—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Citragupta—the personal secretary of Yamaräja, who is the lord of death. He records the living entities' pious and evil deeds.

Citräìgada—one of the sons of Mahäräja Çantanu by Satyavaté. He was killed by a Gandharva of the same name.

Citräìgadä—one of the wives of Arjuna. She was the daughter of the King of Maëipura. Their son's name was Babhruvähana.

Citräìga—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Çalya Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Citraka—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Citraketu—a member of the royal order who became fully enlightened in spiritual knowledge.

Citrasena—a Gandharva leader who was a friend of Arjuna and a son of Viçvä-vasu. He received a weapon of fire from Arjuna, and helped the Päëòavas when Duryodhana tried to embarrass them at Dvaitavana.

Citrasena—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Citravarma—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Cogito ergo sum (Lat.)—I think, therefore I am. The famous maxim of Descartes that conveys his certitude about his own existence. See Descartes.

Consciousness—This term is derived from the Latin conscire, to know or be aware of. The equivalent Sanskrit term is cetana. Consciousness is the irreducible symptom of the self. It knows, it feels, and it wills. There are many theories about the relation of consciousness to matter (see Mind/body problem), but all of them are conceived in the conscious mind. Take away consciousness and theories are impossible. Then what is the use of speculation about dead matter as the source of consciousness? Subtle mind, intelligence and false ego are imposed upon consciousness by the three modes of nature. Similarly, due to these modes, wakefulness, dreaming and swoon occur against the background of consciousness. But though the modes cover it, consciousness remains essentially pure, eternally. In the liberated state, consciousness displays a non-material mind, intelligence, pure ego and perfect form. There are two orders of consciousness: vibhu and aëu. The first is the level of God's consciousness, which is all-pervading. God knows everything in totality and everything in particular. His consciousness is never influenced by matter, although matter cannot exist apart from His consciousness. The aëu (limited) order of consciousness belongs to the jéva. Because it is limited, matter can cover it, unless the jéva remains under the shelter of the Supreme Consciousness. See Ecstasy, False ego, Gross body, Intellect, Jéva, Mind, Mind/body problem, Modes of nature, Soul, Subtle body, Supersoul.

Contradiction—This term is formed from the Latin contra (against) and dicere (speak); hence, a statement that speaks against itself is contradictory. In Aristotilian logic, contradictions are violations of the second of the Three Laws of Thought: 1) The Law of Identity if a thing exists, it exists. If it does not exist, it does not exist. Whatever is, is. 2) The Law of Noncontradiction something cannot be itself and not be itself at the same time. Nothing can both be and not be. 3) The Law of the Excluded Middlesomething that exists is real and true, and something that does not exist is unreal and not true. There is no middle ground between these two positions. Things must either be or not be.

Cratylus—Athenean philosopher, a contemporary of Socrates and Plato. Cratylus taught a radical form of scepticism. He was a disciple of Heraclitus, whose most famous aphorism is You cannot step in the same river twice. Cratylus amended that aphorism, making it You cannot step into the same river once. He believed there is no point even to speak, because as we speak we and the world change, rendering all that we say into useless babble about nothing real. See Scepticism.

Crore—ten million; one hundred lakhs.

Cyavana—a son of Bhågu Muni and the author of a text on astronomy. He is one of the seven great sages of the second Manvantara.

-D-

Dacoit—a thief, particularly an armed robber.

Daihika—the bodily necessities of life.

Dainya—meekness, vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Daityas—demons; a race of demons descending from Diti.

Daiva-varëäçrama—the social system given by God for the upliftment of mankind; Varëäçrama-dharma-the system of four social and four spiritual orders established in the Vedic scriptures and discussed by Çré Kåñëa in the Bhagavad-gétä.

Daivé mäyä—the Lord's divine deluding potency, the material energy.

Daivé prakåti—see: Yogamäyä; Daivi in Sanskrit means divine, and prakåti means nature. This term refers to the original spiritual nature, out of which matter (guëa-mäyä), personified as goddess Durgä, manifests (see Bg. 7.14). The word daivi is closely related to deva, God. Daivi-prakåti is therefore nature that is abhinna, not separate from God. A synonym for daivi-prakåti is para-prakåti (superior nature, see Bg. 7.5). Çréla Prabhupäda explained the daivi-prakåti to be the person of Çrématé Rädhäräëé: ... Just like we are trying to be under the guidance of Rädhäräëé, daivi-prakåti. Prakåti means woman, and daivi means transcendental woman. (SB lecture in Los Angeles, August 19, 1972) See Prakåti, Rädhäräëé.

Däkñäyaëé—a name of Sati

Däkñäyaëé—Saté, daughter of Dakña and wife of Lord Çiva.

Dakña—one of the sons of Brahmä and a chief progenitor of universal population; The Sanskrit word dakña literally means expert. A son of Brahmä, Dakña was expert in kämya-karma, activities full of lusty desire. As a prajäpati or progenitor of living beings, he had the facility for unlimited sexual intercourse. Blinded by pride in the course of performing Vedic sacrifices, he offended Çiva. After a great fight with Çiva's ghostly associates, Dakña's head was replaced with that of a goat. Then Dakña gave up his life because of his degraded condition. Attaining a new demigod form, Dakña followed the same path as before and offended Närada Muni.

Dakñiëä—a disciple's gift to his spiritual master upon initiation, collected by begging and given as a token of gratitude.

Dakñiëä—right-wing group of gopés, who cannot tolerate womanly anger.

Dälbhya Muni—an ancient sage and grammarian.

Damayanté—the queen of King Nala who burnt a hunter to ashes by her curse when he attempted to molest her.

Dama—controlling the senses and not deviating from the Lord's service.

Dämodara—a name for Çré Kåñëa meaning "one who is tied around the waist with rope." This name refers to the Lord's pastime of allowing Mother Yaçodä to bind Him.

Dänavas—the sons born to Kasyapa Prajapati by his wife danu; a race of demons.

Däna—charity, one of the six duties of a brähmaëa.

Daëòa-bhaìga-lélä—the pastime of Lord Nityänanda breaking the staff of Lord Caitanya.

Daëòavats—respectful prostrated obeisances offered to an elevated personality, such as one's spiritual master or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The word literally means "like a pole."; falling flat like a rod.

Daëòa—a staff carried by those in the renounced order of life, sannyäsés.

Däré sannyäsé—a bogus tantric sannyäsé who keeps women.

Daridra-näräyaëa—"poor Näräyaëa," an offensive term used by Mäyävädés to equate poor men with the Supreme Lord.

Darçana—the act of seeing and being seen by the Deity in the temple or by a spiritually advanced person. A verbal noun meaning the act of beholding or seeing. It also translates as 'audience'. When one goes to the temple of the Lord to have His audience and to behold Him, one is said to have the Lord's darçana; This Sanskrit term literally means a vision. It may mean a vision of something difficult to see (e.g. Brahmä's vision of Vaikuëöha), or knowledge of something difficult to know (e.g. Vedänta-darçana). See çaò-darçana, Six systems.

Darwin, Charles—British naturalist of the nineteenth century (1809-1882) who presented the world his version of the theory of evolution in On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection; or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (1859). In fact, the theory that living forms in earlier times were not what they are now, but were simpler organisms that evolved in complexity, was proposed by Anaximander (610-546 BC), who studied fossils in a cliffside. His theory was rejected in ancient Greece, but was revived in the nineteenth century, principally by Darwin. All areas of modern Western thought continue to be influenced by Darwinism. Philosophers and scientists have grown increasingly divided over his theory. One section of scientists argues there is no certain law of evolution it happened completely by chance. Another section holds that the evolutionary process is encoded in some sort of cosmic algorithm. A recent trend in philosophy, called postmodernism, views Darwinism as simply a matter of historical interpretation: it is a metaphor for capitalism and a white male-centered power structure. There is a growing feeling that the ideas of Darwin, like those of Marx and Freud, are obsolete. See Saàsära.

Däruka—the charioteer of Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Darwaza—door, gateway.

Däsa—servant; term used as addition to the name of a newly initiated disciple, meaning servant of Kåñëa.

Daça-vidhä-saàskära—ten Vedic rituals performed one by one, from the time of conception until death, for the purification of human beings.

Daçamé—the day before Ekädaçi, when one prepares to observe the sacred fast.

Daçaratha—the father of Lord Rämacandra.

Daçärha—the founder of one branch of the Yadu clan.

Daçävatära-stotra—the introduction to Jayadeva Gosvämé's Gétä-govinda.

Dasendriya—the ten sense organs: ear, eye, tongue, nose, skin, hands, legs, speech, anus and genitals.

Däsya-rasa—the servitor relationship with the Lord.

Däsya-rati—See: Däsya-rasa

Däsya—the devotional process of rendering service to the Lord.

Dasyu-dharma—the occupational duty of rogues and thieves.

Dattätreya—an combined incarnation of Brahmä, Viñëu, and Çiva of the Supreme Lord who appeared as the son of Anusuyä by Atri Muni to teach the path of mystic yoga.

Dävänala—a forest fire; often refers to the self-kindled fire of material existence.

Davies, Paul—British-born professor of mathematical physics at the University of Adelaide in Australia. He is the author of some twenty books on science.

Dayitä-patis—leaders of the dayitäs; they come from the brähmaëa caste.

Dayitäs—servants who carry the Deity of Lord Jagannätha to His chariot.

Deduction—A form of reason that comprehends the cause of an effect from authoritative testimony or a priori knowledge. See Abduction, àroha/Avaroha, Hypothetico-deduction, Induction, Logic.

Deism—A term first used by the Calvinists in the seventeenth century, deism is the belief in God as the first cause of the universe, who created the laws by which the universe is governed, but who is in no way immanent in His creation. God's maintenance of the world means nothing more than the permanence of natural laws. Nature follows a regular course. The sole purpose of the world is to be the habitat of mankind. The deists opposed mystical and supernatural interpretations of scripture; human reason is the true measure of scriptural understanding. Many of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America (e.g. Adams, Jefferson and Paine) were of deistic inclination. See Atheism, Semi-deism, Theism.

Deity of the Lord—the authorized form of Kåñëa worshiped in temples.

Deity—As Lord Kåñëa appears in the sound of His holy name, so also He appears within the arcä-avatära, His incarnation as the Deity worshiped in the temple. The central focus of every ISKCON temple around the world is the worship of Kåñëa's Deity form as represented in stone, metal, wood or as painted pictures. Through ceremonial services (püjä) conducted according to Vedic tradition, the devotees fulfill the Lord's injunction in Bg. 9.27: Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform do that, O son of Kunté, as an offering to Me. This püjä purifies the minds and senses of the devotees and connects them to Kåñëa in an attitude of love. Mäyävädés decry service to the Deity as idol worship. They argue that God is not present within the Deity, because He is everywhere. But if He is everywhere, then why is He not within the Deity as well? Moisture is also everywhere, even within the air. But when one needs a drink of water, he cannot get it from the air. He must drink the water from where water tangibly avails itself to be drunk: from a faucet, a well, or a clear stream. Similarly, although God is everywhere, it is in His Deity form that He makes Himself tangibly available for worship. See Avatära, Kåñëa.

Demigods—universal controllers and residents of the higher planets; The Sanskrit equivalent is deva or devata. Demigods are jévas whom the éçvara empowers to represent Him in the management of the universe. The first of the demigods is Brahmä. Indra is the demigod of rain, Sürya of the sunshine, Candra of the moonshine, Varuëa of water. There are thirty-three million demigods in all. They live in the upper regions of the universe called svarga, or heaven. Less intelligent people worship the demigods through karma-käëòa rituals to get material blessings in this life, and to be granted entrance into svarga in the next life. In the Bhagavad-gétä, Lord Kåñëa condemns demigod worship as being avidhi-pürvaka, against the true purpose of the Vedas. See Tri-loka.

Demons—impious beings who do not follow the instructions of the Lord.

De omnibus est dubitandum (Lat.)—Doubt is everything. See Scepticism.

Descartes, Ren—French rationalist philosopher of the seventeenth century (1596-1650), called the father of modern philosophy. He broke free of Scholasticism, the Christian re-interpretation of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy that had long held sway in European schools. Descartes is an important founder of the modern scientific attitude. He viewed the material world as a mechanism wholly describable by numerical values. Modern science, more Cartesii (after the manner of Descartes), tries to describe everything in terms of mathematics. Descartes strongly believed that science can help mankind become masters and possessors of nature. Through scientific advancement we might rid ourselves of an infinity of maladies, both of body and mind, and even perhaps the enfeeblement brought on by old age, if we had sufficiently ample knowledge of their causes, and of all the remedies provided for us by nature. Convinced that his revolutionary approach to knowledge would at least free himself from an infinity of maladies, Descartes wrote at age forty-two that he would be surprised if he lived less than over a hundred years. Unfortunately, he died at age fifty-four. See Cogito ergo sum, Rationalism.

Deul—In Orissan temples it corresponds to the vimana or towered sanctum. It is a cubical inner apartment where the main Deity is located. with tower over it

Deva—See Demigod.

Devaké-nandana—Kåñëa, the joy and darling son of Devaké.

Deva-däsés—professional dancing and singing girls trained to dramatize Vaiñëava ideology; they are called mähärés in Orissa.

Deva-gaëa—a type of demigod.

Devaçayané—the Ekädaçé that occurs when the demigods go to sleep.

Devadatta—the conch of Arjuna which was obtained by Maya Dänava from Varuëa.

Devahüti—the daughter of Sväyambhuva Manu who was the wife of Kardama Muni and the mother of the Lord's incarnation Lord Kapila.

Devaki—the mother of Lord Kåñëa. She was the daughter of King Devaka and a wife of Vasudeva's. When Kåñëa appears in the material world, He first sends some of His devotees to act as His father, mother, etc.

Devala—an ancient authority on the Vedas.

Deväpi—the brother of Mahäräja Çantanu.

Devarñi—a title meaning "sage among the demigods."; usually refers to Närada Muni.

Deva—a demigod or godly person.

Devé-dhäma—the material world, under the control of the goddess Devé, or Durgä.

Devotional service—the process of worshiping Lord Kåñëa by dedicating one's thoughts, words and actions to Him with love.

Devotthäné—the Ekädaçé that occurs when the demigods awaken from sleep.

Dhäma—abode, place of residence; usually refers to the Lord's abodes.

Dhanaïjaya—a name for Arjuna meaning "he who attains great wealth by conquest." This name refers to Arjuna's collecting vast wealth for Yudhiñöhira's Räjasüya sacrifice.

Dhanur Veda—a Vedic treatise on the science of warfare.

Dhanvantari—the incarnation of the Supreme Lord who is the father of medical science.

Dharä-maëòala—the earth planet.

Dhäraëä—fixed concentration, prior to full meditation (dhyäna).

Dharma-çästras—religious scriptures that prescribe regulations of social organization and religion.

Dharma-dhvajé—a hypocrite, especially one who accepts sannyäsa but again becomes agitated by senses.

Dharma-kalaìka—See: Dharma-dhvajé.

Dharmaçälä—buildings usually found in holy places in India which provide free or cheap rooming for pilgrims and mendicants.

Dharmakñetra—a holy place of pilgrimage.

Dharmänvekñamäëah—strictly according to religious principles.

Dharmaputra—another name for King Yudhiñöhira.

Dharmaräja—a name for Yudhiñöhira, the first son of Päëòu, or for Yamaräja, the lord of death. It means "the king of religiosity."

Dharmaù kaitavaù—cheating religions.

Dharma—religious principles; one's natural occupation. The capacity to render service, which is the essential quality of a living being. The occupational eternal duty of the living entity, regarded as inseparable from the soul himself; The Sanskrit term dharma is variously translated as duty, virtue, morality, righteousness, or religion, but no single English word conveys the whole meaning of dharma. The Vedic sage Jaimini defined dharma as a good which is of the nature of a command that leads to the attainment of the highest good. In Bg. 18.66, Lord Kåñëa commands us to give up all other dharmas and surrender to Him. This is the paro-dharma, or supreme command (good, duty, virtue, etc.) of the Vedas.

Dharmé—one who abides by Vedic law, or religious principles.

Dhåñöaketu—the son of Çiçupäla. He took the side of the Päëòavas during the Kurukñetra war and was killed by Droëa.

Dhaumya—the younger brother of Devala, and the priest of the Päëòavas.

Dhenukäsura—a mystic demon who took the form of a donkey and was killed by Kåñëa.

Dhéra—one who is undisturbed by the material energy in all circumstances; ecstasy of sober love for Kåñëa.

Dhobi—a man who washes clothes.

Dhoti—a long cotton cloth, traditionally worn by lndian men, that covers the lower half of the body.

Dhåñöadyumna—the fire born son of King Drupada, who arranged the military phalanx of the Päëòavas on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra, and the brother of Draupadé. He was born to kill Droëa, and did so by severing his head. He was later killed by Açvatthämä while awaking from sleep.

Dhåtaräñöra—the father of the Kauravas. He was born of the union of Vyäsa and Ambikä. He was born blind because Ambikä closed her eyes during conception, out of fear of the sage. He was reputed to have the strength of ten thousand elephants. The uncle of the Päëòavas whose attempt to usurp their kingdom for the sake of his own sons resulted in the Kurukñetra war. Bhagavad-gétä was related to Dhåtaräñöra by his secretary as it was being spoken on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra.

Dhåti—perseverance or endurance; forbearance, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Dhruva Mahäräja—a great devotee who at the age of five performed severe austerities and realized the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He received an entire planet, the Pole Star.

Dhruvaloka—the polestar, which is a spiritual planet within the material universe and is presided over by Dhruva Mahäräja.

Dhümäyitä—the stage exhibited by a devotee when only one or two transformations are slightly present and it is possible to conceal them.

Dhüpa-ärati—ceremony of offering incense and a flower to the Deity.

Dhvajastambha—flagstaff

Dhyäna—meditational yoga.

Dékñä-guru—the spiritual master who initiates according to the regulations of the çästras.

Dékñä—spiritual initiation.

Dilépa—the son of Aàçumän and father of Bhagiratha. He was born in the sun dynasty and was an ancestor of Lord Rämacandra's.

Dinoia—Greek term for discernment or intellect, similar to the Sanskrit buddhi. See Intellect.

Dépta—the stage exhibited by a devotee when four of five ecstatic symptoms are manifest.

Discernment—See Buddhi, Dinoia, Intellect.

Diti—a wife of Kaçyapa Muni, and the mother of the demons Hiraëyäkña and Hiraëyakaçipu.

Divya Desam temples—108 important Viñëu temples sung about by the 12 Alwar devotees of Tamil Nadu.

Divyonmäda—transcendental madness in separation from Kåñëa.

Diwan-i-am—Hall of Public Audience

Diwan-i-khas—Hall of Private Audience.

Dola-yäträ—the swing festival of Rädhä and Kåñëa.

Dosas—a very large, thin pancake. made of fermented rice flour. They are often wrapped round a spiced potato filling and are then called masala dosa.

Dosa—one of the three constituents of the body, according to Ayurveda. They are kapha (mucus), pitta (bile), and väyu (air) .

Draupadé—the daughter of King Drupada, and wife of the Päëòavas. She was born from a sacrificial fire to be the wife of Arjuna. She was won by Arjuna at her svayaàvara. She was a great devotee of Lord Kåñëa.

Dravida—South India.

Draviòa-räja—devotional service or a person eligible to act in devotional service.

Dravya—Matter, material (physical) objects, material possessions.

Dåòha-vrata—firm determination.

Droëäcärya—the martial preceptor of the Päëòavas and the Kauravas. The military teacher of Arjuna and the other Päëòavas and the commander-in-chief of the Kurus, who was obliged to fight the Päëòavas on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra. He was the son of the great sage Bharadväja. He wife was Käpé, and his son was Açvatthämä. He was killed by Dhåñöadyumna during the great Kurukñetra war.

Drupada—the King of Päïcäla, and the father of Draupadé and Dhåñöadyumna. He was involved in a quarrel with Droëa over half his kingdom. He engaged a sage name Yäja in a sacrifice to get a son who could kill Droëa and a daughter who could marry Arjuna. Thus Dhåñöadyumna and Draupadé were born. In the battle of Kurukñetra he was killed by Droëa.

Dhrupad—a musical style that means 'fixed verse'.

Dualism—From the Latin dualis, containing two. There are two types of dualism in Western thought: metaphysical and religious. Metaphysical dualism is covered under the entry for the Mind/body problem. As a religious term, it was introduced in 1700 by Thomas Hyde in his work The Ancient Persian Religions. He characterized as dualism the conflict between the two principle gods of Zoroastrianism, the good Ormazd and the evil Ahriman. Zoroastrian dualism strongly influenced Judaism, Christianity and Islam. All three adhere to a doctrine of eternal struggle between God and Satan. But dualism, in the words of philosopher G.C. Nayak, is not an attempt to solve the problem of evil within the theistic concept. (From Evil and the Retributive Hypothesis, 1993, p. 44) Hence, none of the above religions, insofar as they are dualistic, can be considered truly theistic. See Atheism, Dvaita, Metaphysics, Mind/body problem, Problem of Evil, Theism.

Duùçala—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Duùçalä—the only daughter of Dhåtaräñöra and Gändhäré. She was married to Jayadratha.

Duùçäsana—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Duùsaìga—bad association.

Durädhära—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durbar—royal court, meeting place.

Durdharñaëa—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durgä-çakti—the material energy.

Durgä-maëòapa—the place in a house where mother Durgä is worshiped.

Durgä—Lord Çiva's wife in a fierce form, riding a tiger. The goddess is empowered by the Supreme Lord to preside over the material nature and bewilder the souls situated there into misconceiving themselves to be their material bodies and enjoyers and controllers of the mundane creation. She is very powerful, superseded only by Lord Viñëu Himself, and is the external manifestation of the Lord's internal potency, Yoga-mäyä. Once a fallen soul takes to the path of God consciousness, she continues to offer various material allurements so as to test his sincerity and determination to serve the Lord. Once the Lord accepts the struggling soul she can no longer influence that soul and it is thus liberated.

Durjaya—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durmarñaëa—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durmukha—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durväsä Muni—a partial incarnation of Lord Çiva, a powerful mystic yogé, famous for his fearful curses. He is known for being easily angered. He granted a benediction to Kunté that she could call any demigod and conceive children. Duryodhana once pleased Durväsä and asked for a benediction that he and his thousands of disciples would visit Yudhiñöhira at a time when Draupadé had already eaten from her copper pot. The idea was that Durväsä would become angry and curse the Päëòavas. The plan back fired because Lord Kåñëa saved the situation. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durvigäha—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durvimocana—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durviñaha—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Durvirocana—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Duryodhana—the first born and chief of the evil-minded one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra, and chief rival of the Päëòavas. He was a wicked asura by birth. He became envious of the Päëòavas and tried in many ways to kill them. It was for the sake of establishing Duryodhana as king of the world that the Kurus fought the Battle of Kurukñetra. He was killed by Bhéma when the later broke his thighs on the last day of the battle of Kurukñetra.

Duñkarëa—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Duñkåtam—miscreants who do not surrender to Kåñëa.

Duñkåté—a miscreant.

Duñparäjaya—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Çalya Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Duñpradharñaëa—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Çalya Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Duñöa-damana-çakti—the power to cut down rogues and demons.

Dvädaçé—the twelfth day after the full or new moon, thus the day after Ekädaçé, when one breaks one's fast by eating grains.

Dvaipäyana—Vyäsadeva (Vyäsa)—the literary incarnation of God, and the greatest philosopher of ancient times. The son of Paräçara, and the compiler of the original Vedic scriptures, including the eighteen Puräëas, Vedänta-sütra, the Mahäbhärata, and the Upaniñads. He played a very important part in guiding the Päëòavas during crucial times. He gave the vision of the battle of Kurukñetra to Saïjaya so that he could relate it to Dhåtaräñöra. He is still living in this world.

Dvaita—Duality. It is also the name of a system of Vedänta established by Madhväcärya. See Advaita, Dualism, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Madhva, Vedänta.

Dvaitädvaita-väda—the Vedänta philosophy taught by Nimbarkäcärya. This philosophy posits a simultaneous oneness and difference between the tiny spirit souls and the Supreme Lord. Later, Lord Caitanya gave further development to this idea as acintya-bhedäbheda-väda.

Dvaitavana—a forest where the Päëòavas lived during their exile in the forest.

Dväpara-yuga—the third age of the cycle of a mahä-yuga. It lasts more than 864,000 years.

Dvära—the doors of the body, such as the eyes and ears.

Dvärakädhéça—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, Lord of the city of Dvärakä.

Dvärakä—the island kingdom of Lord Kåñëa, lying off India's west coast, where He performed pastimes five thousand years ago. The capital city of the Yadus. Lord Kåñëa had this city built to protect the Yadus from the attacks by the demons. It is an island situated off the eastern part of India, which is now known as Gujarat. When Lord Kåñëa left this world, the ocean enveloped the whole city.

Dvi-parärdha—the duration of Brahmä's life, 311 trillion 411 billion years.

Dvija-bandhus—unworthy sons of the twice-born.

Dvija-bandhu—See: Brahma-bandhu

Dvija—a brähmaëa, or twice-born person.

Dvépa—island; planet.

Dvivida gorilla—a huge, apelike demon killed by Lord Balaräma.

Dwarapala—the doorkeeper sculptures by the doorways of Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Dxa (Gr.)—Opinion, as opposed to factual knowledge (nesis).

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Ecstasy—For a devotee of Kåñëa, freedom from birth and death is gained by purifying consciousness and desires until the ecstasy of pure Kåñëa consciousness is achieved. As the term ecstasy indicates (Gr. kstasis, standing outside [the body]), God consciousness transports the soul beyond identification with the material body. After the steady practice of the nine methods of bhakti-yoga awakens love of Kåñëa in the devotee's heart, Kåñëa appears before the devotee. At that time all the senses of the devotee (the eyes, nose, ears, tongue, sense of touch) become the receptacles of the auspicious qualities of Kåñëa: His supreme beauty, fragrance, melody, youthfulness, tastefulness, munificence and mercy. The Lord reveals first His beauty to the eyes of the devotee. Due to the sweetness of that beauty, all the senses and the mind take on the quality of eyes. From this the devotee swoons. To console the devotee, the Lord next reveals His fragrance to the nostrils of the devotee, and by this, the devotee's senses take on the quality of the nose in order to smell. Again the devotee swoons in bliss. The Lord then reveals His sonorous voice to the devotee's ears. All the senses become like ears to hear, and for the third time the devotee faints. The Lord then mercifully gives the touch of His lotus feet, His hands and His chest to the devotee, and the devotee experiences the Lord's fresh youthfulness. To those who love the Lord in the mood of servitude, He places His lotus feet on their heads. To those in the mood of friendship, He grasps their hands with His. To those in the mood of parental affection, with His hand He wipes away their tears. Those in the conjugal mood He embraces, touching them with His hands and chest. Then the devotee's senses all take on the sense of touch and the devotee faints again. In this way, the devotee attains his rasa (spiritual relationship) with Kåñëa. See Bhakti-yoga, Live after death, Rasa.

Eddington, Arthur Stanley—British astronomer and mathematician (1882-1944) who proved Einstein's theory of relativity. He was an advocate of phenomenalism. See Phenomenalism.

Egalitarianism—The view that all humans are socially, politically and in some schools, economically equal. According to the Vedic understanding, all humans and in fact all living beings are spiritually equal. But due to the rule of the three modes of nature over the universe, material equality is impossible.

Einstein, Albert—German-born physicist (1879-1955), certainly the most famous scientist of the twentieth century. In a book entitled Sidelights on Relativity, he wrote: As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality. See Relativity theory. Elements From the Latin elementa, the first principles of things. Some ancient Greek philosophers proposed four elements: water, air, fire and earth. This idea dominated European thought until the seventeenth century. To Arjuna, Lord Kåñëa says there are five gross and three subtle material elements (see Bg. 7.4). The five include the four counted by the Greeks, plus äkäça or ethereal space. The three subtle elements are mind, intelligence and false ego, which are manifestations of the three guëas (modes), goodness, passion and ignorance respectively. To Uddhava, Lord Kåñëa says, I personally approve of that knowledge by which one sees the combination of nine, eleven, five and three elements in all living entities, and ultimately one element within those twenty-eight. (SB 11.19.14) The nine are material nature, the living entity, the mahat-tattva, false ego, and the five objects of sense perception (sound, touch, form, taste and aroma). The eleven are the five karmendriya or working senses (the voice, hands, legs, genitalia and rectum) plus the five jïänendriya or knowledge-acquiring senses (the ears, touch, eyes, tongue and nostrils), along with the coordinative sense, the mind. The five are the physical elements of earth, water, fire, air and äkäça or sky, and the three are the modes of material nature (guëas). The one within all twenty-eight elements is the Supersoul. See Analysis, Gross body, Modes of nature, Subtle body, Supersoul.

Ekacakra—a village where the Päëòavas stayed after the burning of the palace of lac. It was here that Bhéma killed the Räkñasa Baka.

Ekädaçé—a special day for increased remembrance of Kåñëa, which comes on the eleventh day after both the full and new moon. Abstinence from grains and beans is prescribed. Directly presided over by Lord Hari, Ekädaçé is a holy test day for Vaiñëavas. One should utilize this day for fasting and increasing one's devotion to Lord Çré Kåñëa by intensifying their chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra and other devotional activities.

Ekadaëòa—the staff, made of a single rod, carried by a sannyäsé of the Mäyäväda (impersonalist) school.

Ekalavya—the son of Hiraëyadhanus, the King of the Niñadhas. He approached Droëa to learn the science of archery, but was refused because of his low birth. He later built a deity of Droëa and thus learned the science of archery. However, Droëa did not approve of this process and asked for his thumb as däkñiëä. Ekalavya submitted and cut off his thumb. He then found he did not have the same skill as before. Ekalavya was latter killed by Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882)—an American poet, lecturer and essayist who was the leading member of the Transcendentalists, a group of New England idealists. His view was an eclectic one, and he was much influenced by his studies of Vedic thought.

Epistemology—This term comes from the Greek epistme (knowledge) and lgos (the study of). Epistemology is one of the four main branches of philosophy (besides ethics, logic and metaphysics). It asks questions regarding knowledge: What is knowledge? Where does it come from? How is it formulated, expressed and communicated? Is sense experience necessary for all types of knowledge? What part does reason play in knowledge? Is there knowledge derived only from reason? What is the difference between belief, knowledge, opinion, fact, reality, error, imagining, conceptualization, idea, truth, possibility and certainty? See Ethics, Logic, Metaphysics, Ontology, Philosophy.

Ethics—This is one of the four main branches of philosophy (besides epistemology, logic and metaphysics). Ethics (also called moral philosophy) asks questions like: what sort of life is good? Which goals are worthy? Whose intentions are respectable? How are right and wrong defined? How to choose between right and wrong? See Epistemology, Logic, Metaphysics, Philosophy.

Evädat—offering prayers to the Supreme Person (Arabic).

Evolution—See Darwin, Saàsära.

Existentialism—A rationalist trend of many theoretical shades. It was started in the nineteenth by the Danish Christian thinker Sören Kierkegaard (1813-1855), and the German critic of Christianity, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900). But it is usually identified with the twentieth century French atheist Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980). In Sartre's version, existence is the essence of everything. In other words, the ultimate meaning of a thing is that it simply is. An individual is nothing other than his or her power of choice. The universe has no rational direction or scheme. It is meaningless and absurd. Therefore individuals have complete freedom of choice. See Rationalism.

Experientia (Lat.)—Trial, knowledge resulting from observation. Root of the English term experience. The Sanskrit equivalent is pratyakña, sense perception; the Greek equivalent is empeira. See Pratyakña.

Experimentum (Lat.)—Trial, test, action undertaken to discover or test something. Root of the English term experiment. An experimentum fructiferum is a fruitive experiment designed to produce a particular effect or useful purpose. An experimentum luciferum is a experiment of light meant to uncover nature's occult qualities. See New Philosophy, Occult.

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Fallacy—An error in reasoning. An argument is called fallacious if it does not follow the formal structures and rules of logic. It is also fallacious if it is not adequately supported and/or does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that the proponent of the argument wants to establish. An example is begging the question (petitio principi). This is also known as circular reasoning, by which one arrives at a conclusion from statements that are themselves questionable and have to be proved. For instanceMajor premise: Genuine yogés live in the forest and only eat fruit. Minor premise: This monkey lives in the forest and only eats fruit. Conclusion: This monkey is a genuine yogé. See Circulus vitiosus, Infinite regress, Logic.

False ego—the conception that "I am this material body, mind or intelligence."; False ego In Sanskrit, it is termed ahaìkära. False ego is a soul's wrong identification with matter in two ways: I (as, for instance, I am this body) and mine (this land is mine). The primal stage of the false ego is tämasa-buddhi, intelligence in ignorance. This occurs when the original consciousness of the spirit soul comes into contact with the mahad-brahman, the unmanifest prakåti. From out of tämasa-buddhi, the three modes make their appearance. These take shape as the mind (mode of goodness), the senses (mode of passion) and the sense objects (mode of ignorance). The ahaìkära identifies the self with these, according to the predominance of one mode over another (the three modes constantly compete with one another to control the living entity). Thus a person in goodness identifies with the mind. A person in passion identifies with the senses. A person in ignorance identifies with the sense objects. But all these are the result of the intelligence being absorbed in primal ignorance: ignorance of Kåñëa. In the Eleventh Canto of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Kåñëa says to Uddhava that the false ego is cid-acin-mayaù, that which encompasses both spirit and matter, because it binds the cid (conscious soul) to the acid (unconscious matter). The cultivation of the innate goodness of the mind is the essence of the Vedic method of yoga, summarized by Kåñëa as follows. The mind can be controlled when it is fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Having achieved a stable situation, the mind becomes free from polluted desires to execute material activities; thus as the mode of goodness increases in strength, one can completely give up the modes of passion and ignorance, and gradually one transcends even the material mode of goodness. When the mind is freed from the fuel of the modes of nature, the fire of material existence is extinguished. Then one achieves the transcendental platform of direct relationship with the object of his meditation, the Supreme Lord. (SB 11.9.12) See Buddhi, Consciousness, Intellect, Mind, Modes of nature, Soul, Subtle body, Supersoul.

Feminism—The promotion of the rights of females in human society.

Feyerabend, Paul Karl—Austrian-born American philosopher of science who is a self-professed intellectual anarchist (1924-1994). According to him, the mark of creativity in science is the proliferation of theories.

Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas—There are four Vaiñëava schools (sampradäyas) of Vedänta. These are 1) the Çré Sampradäya, whose äcärya is Rämänuja; 2) the Brahmä Sampradäya, whose äcärya is Madhva; 3) the Rudra Sampradäya, whose äcärya is Viñëusvämé, and 4) the Kumära Sampradäya, whose äcärya is Nimbärka. Opposed to these is the non-Vaiñëava Vedäntist school of Çaìkaräcärya. Every Vedäntist school is known for its siddhänta or essential conclusion about the relationships between God and the soul, the soul and matter, matter and matter, matter and God, and the soul and souls. Çaìkaräcärya's siddhänta is Advaita, nondifference (i.e. everything is one, therefore these five relationships are unreal). All the other siddhäntas support the reality of these relationships from various points of view. Rämänuja's siddhänta is Viçiñöädvaita, qualified nondifference. Madhva's siddhänta is Dvaita, difference. Viñëusvämé's siddhänta is Çuddhädvaita, purified nondifference. And Nimbärka's siddhänta is Dvaita-advaita, difference-and-identity. The Bengali branch of Madhva's sampradäya is known as the Brahmä-Madhva-Gauòéya Sampradäya, or the Caitanya Sampradäya. In the 1700's this school presented Indian philosophers with a commentary on Vedänta-sütra written by Baladeva Vidyäbhüñaëa that argued yet another siddhänta. It is called acintya-bhedäbheda-tattva, which means simultaneous inconceivable oneness and difference. In recent years this siddhänta has become known to people from all over the world due to the popularity of the books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. Acintya-bhedäbheda philosophy maintains the same standpoint of difference as Madhva's siddhänta on the five-fold relationship of God to soul, soul to matter, matter to matter, matter to God and soul to soul. But acintya-bhedäbheda-tattva further teaches the doctrine of çakti-pariëäma-väda (the transformation of the Lord's çakti), in which the origin of this five-fold differentiation is traced to the Lord's play with His çakti or energy. Because the souls and matter emanate from the Lord, they are one in Him as His energy yet simultaneously distinct from Him and one another. The oneness and difference of this five-fold relationship is termed acintya or inconceivable because, as Çréla Prabhupäda writes in his purport to Bg. 18.78, Nothing is different from the Supreme, but the Supreme is always different from everything. As the transcendental origin and coordinator of His energies, God is ever the inconceivable factor. See Advaita, Dvaita, Mäyävädé philosophy, Six systems, Vedänta, Vedänta-sütra.

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Gadädhara-präëanätha—Lord Caitanya, the life and soul of Gadädhara Paëòita.

Gadädhara—a name for the Personality of Godhead meaning "He who wields a club [in one of His four hands];" an intimate associate of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Gadäira Gauräìga—Lord Caitanya, the Lord Gauräìga of Gadädhara Paëòita.

Gada—a brother of Lord Çré Kåñëa and Lord Baladeva. He was born to Vasudeva's wife Rohiëé.

Gadä—the club held by Lord Viñëu.

Gajendra—the king of the elephants. He was saved from a crocodile by Lord Viñëu and awarded liberation.

Gamcha—an item of cloth, worn casually, usually around the waist.

Gäëòéva—the famous bow of Arjuna gifted to him by Varuëa before the burning of the Khäëòava forest. (Ädi Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Gandhamädana—a mountain situated east of Mount Meru. Renowned for its fragrant forests, it forms the boundary between Ilävåta-varña and Bhärata-varña.

Gändhära—a province in ancient India believed to be the present day Afghanistan.

Gändhäré—the saintly and faithful wife of King Dhåtaräñöra and mother of one hundred sons. The daughter of King Subala of Gändhära. She was a great devotee of Lord Çiva from her childhood. Lord Çiva blessed her with a benediction she could have one hundred sons. Çréla Vyäsadeva also blessed her with the same benediction. She was married to Dhåtaräñöra, who was blind. When she found out that her future husband was blind, she voluntarily blindfolded herself for the rest of her life. She is considered one of the most chaste women of all time.

Gandharvas—the celestial demigod dancers, singers, and musicians of the heavenly planets.

Gaëeça—the demigod in charge of material opulence and freedom from misfortune. He is the son of Lord Çiva and Pärvaté, and is the scribe who wrote down the Mahäbhärata. He has an elephant head. He has a rat for a carrier.

Gaìgä—the famous and holy Ganges river of India, which runs throughout the entire universe. She originates from the spiritual world, and descended when Lord Vämanadeva kicked a hole in the top of the universe. One is recommended to bathe in the Ganges for purification. She married Mahäräja Çantanu and begot the famous devotee and warrior, Bhéñmadeva

Gauda-desa—the holy lands of Lord Caitanya's birthplace.

Gäïjä—marijuana.

Garbha-gåha—inner sanctuary or altar room that contains the main Deity of the temple. The literal meaning is "womb chamber."

Garbhädhäna-saàskära—the Vedic ceremony of purification to be performed by parents before conceiving a child.

Garbhodaka Ocean—the body of water that fills the bottom part of each material universe.

Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu—the second Viñëu expansion, who enters each universe and from whose navel grows a lotus upon which Lord Brahmä appears. Brahmä then creates the diverse material manifestations.

Garga Muni—the family priest for the Yadu dynasty.

Garh—fort.

Gari—vehicle.

Garuda—Lord Viñëu's eternal carrier, a great devotee, the son of Aditi and Kaçyapa who takes the form of an eagle and is the bird carrier of Lord Viñëu. He is often found atop a pole facing the entrance of Viñëu temples. The emblem of Garuòa is always on the chariot of Lord Kåñëa.

Garuòa Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas, or Vedic historical scriptures.

Garva—pride, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Gauòa-deça—Bengal.

Gauòa-maëòala-bhümi—the places in Bengal where Lord Caitanya stayed. [Çré Gaura Mahimä 3]

Gauòas—pullers of Lord Jagannätha's car.

Gauòéya Maöha—a Vaisnava institution, originally with 64 temples in India and elsewhere, founded by Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Thäkura for propagating the sacred teachings of Lord Caitanya throughout India and the world. It was first established in 1918 as the Çré Bhaktivinoda Äsana. In 1919 he re-established it as the Viçva-vaiñëava-räja-sabhä, an institution originally established by Çréla Jéva Gosvämé and re-instituted by Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura. The organization ultimately came to be known as the Gauòéya Maöha. Its influenced waned after the passing of Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura.

Gauòéya Vaiñëava sampradäya—the authorized Vaiñëava disciplic succession of bona fide spiritual masters coming through Çréla Madhväcärya and Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu; the followers in that tradition.

Gauòiya Vaiñëava—specifically, a Vaiñëava born in Bengal, or, more generally, any Vaiñëava who follows the pure teachings of Lord Caitanya; The name gauòéya refers to the region of Bengal and Bangladesh. A Vaiñëava is a devotee of Viñëu or Kåñëa. Hence, a Gauòéya Vaiñëava is a practicioner of the form of Vaiñëavism associated with Bengal, as started by Caitanya Mahäprabhu some 500 years ago. See Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Kåñëa, Vaiñëava, Viñëu.

Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya—the Bengal Vaisanava sect founded by Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the late fifteenth century. Lord Caitanya's immediate disciples, the six Gosvamis, inititated the resurection of Vrndavana.

Gaura-Hari—Radha and Krsna combined into one form as the Golden Avatar.

Gaura mantra—mantra composed of the four syllables gau-ra-aì-ga.

Gaura Pürëimä—the appearance day of Lord Caitanya.

Gaura-gopäla mantra—mantra composed of the four syllables rä-dhä-kåñ-ëa.

Gauracandra—(gaura-golden; candra-moon) a name of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu denoting His appearance to be like that of a golden moon.

Gauräìga-nägarés—the name of a particular sahajiyä sect.

Gaurakåñëa—see: Caitanya Mahäprabhu

Gaurakiçora däsa Bäbäjé—the disciple of Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura who was the initiating spiritual master of Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura.

Gaurasundara—the beautiful, golden-complexioned Lord, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Gaurava-däsya—condition when the devotee takes the form of giving protection to the Lord; category of däsya-rasa.

Gaurava-sakhya—the mellow of friendship in awe and veneration.

Gaura—of fair complexion.

Gautama Muni—one of the seven sons born from Lord Brahma's mind. He belongs to the family of Aìgirä Åñi and is the author of Nyäya-çästra, the science of logic, which explains that the combination of atoms is the cause of everything.

Gäyatré—a sacred mantra that a brähmaëa chants silently three times a day at sunrise, noon and sunset to attain the transcendental platform; the Vedic mantra that delivers one from material entanglement.

Gayä—a famous holy place on the bank of the Phalgu River in the state of Bihar, where many pilgrims go to offer worship on behalf of their forefathers. The imprint of the lotus feet of the Lord are enshrined there, and it was there that Lord Caitanya met and was initiated by Isvara Puré. Lord Buddha attained here nirväëa. This is one of the four places in India where many pilgrims come to offer oblations to deparated ancestors.

Ghana—transcendental bliss that is complete (lit. "concentrated").

Ghara-bhäta—rice prepared at home, not offered to Lord Jagannätha in His temple.

Ghaöa-paöiyä—Mäyäväda philosophy, which sees no distinctions, stating that everything is one.

Ghaöotkaca—the son of Bhéma by Hidimbé, a Räkñasa woman. He played a very important role in the Kurukñetra war. He was killed by Karëa with the Çakti weapon of Indra.

Ghat—steps that lead down to holy river, lake or kuëòa.

Ghee—clarified butter

Ghåta—ghee.

Giriça—Çiva-the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Giridhäré (Govardhana)-silä—stones from Govardhana Hill in Våndävana. Worship of these stones was inaugurated by Lord Caitanya and Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé. On the basis of statements from Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Lord Caitanya established the non-difference of Govardhana Hill and Kåñëa. By such worship Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé got the direct darçana of the Lord.

Girivraja—the capital city of Jaräsandha.

Giri—hill.

Gläni—a feeling that one is in a faulty position, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Godäsa—servant of the senses.

Godhead—the ultimate source of all energies.

Godown—warehouse, storage room.

Goldsmith, Oliver (1730-1774)—an Anglo-Irish author who was famed as an essayist, poet, novelist, playwright, biographer and historian. One of his major poems is "The Deserted Village".

Goloka Våndävana (Kåñëaloka)—the highest spiritual planet in the kingdom of God, Lord Kåñëa's personal abode.

Good and evil—See Problem of evil.

Goodness—See Modes of nature (Sattva-guëa).

Goonda (guëòa)—hired thug.

Gopäla Bhaööa Gosvämé—one of the Six Gosvämés of Våndävana, who directly followed Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and systematically presented His teachings, born at the beginning of the 16th century near Çré Raìgam in South India. He met Lord Caitanya as a child when the Lord stayed with his father, Vyenkata Bhaööa, during the four-month rainy season. On the order of Lord Caitanya he journeyed to Våndävana to join the other Gosvämés. While on pilgrimage he obtained twelve çälagrama-çéläs. Later, a Dämodara çilä manifested Himself as the beautiful Rädhä-ramaëa Deity, Who is worshiped to this day with great eclat. Gopäla Bhaööa assisted Sanätana Gosvämé in his writing.

Gopäla—a name of Kåñëa as a young boy; the Supreme Lord Kåñëa, who protects the cows.

Gopé-candana—type of clay used for tilaka. Sacred earth from a pond near Dvärakä, used by devotees in making auspicious markings on the body.

Gopéçvara—Çiva-the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Gopés—the cowherd girls of Vraja, who are generally the counterparts of Çré Kåñëa's hlädini-säkti, Çrématé Rädhäräëé. They assist Her as maidservants in her conjugal pastimes with the Supreme Personality of Godhead; Gopäla Kåñëa's cowherd girl friends, who are His most surrendered and confidential devotees.

Gopijana-vallabha—the Supreme Lord Kåñëa, who is dear to the gopés.

Gopuram (gopura)—highly carved soaring towers over the gates of the temples

Gosäïi—other name for Gosvämé.

Goñöhy-änandé—a Vaiñëava who is interested in spreading Kåñëa consciousness.

Gosvämé-viddhi—"the way of the Gosvämés," i.e., transcendental devotional service.

Gosvämé—a person who has his senses under full control: the title of a person in the renounced order of life, sannyasa. (go-senses + svamé-master) master of the senses.

Govardhana-çilä—a stone from Govardhana Hill in Våndävana; it is as worshipable as Kåñëa Himself.

Govardhana-dhäré—Kåñëa, the lifter of Govardhana Hill.

Govardhana—a large hill dear to Lord Kåñëa and His devotees. Kåñëa held it up for seven days to protect His devotees in Våndävana from a devastating storm sent by Indra.

Govinda däsa Öhäkura—the author of several important Vaiñëava songs.

Govinda—name the Supreme Lord Kåñëa. "One who gives pleasure to the land, the cows and the senses."

Grämya-karma—mundane activities.

Grämya-kathä—talk concerning family life.

Grämya-kavi—a poet who writes only about the relationship between man and woman.

Granthika—a name used by Nakula during the last year of the Päëòavas' exile in the kingdom of Viräöa.

Gåha-vrata—one who is attached to living in a comfortable home although it is actually miserable; one attached to the material duties of family life.

Gåham andhaküpam—the "blind well" of family affection.

Gåhamedhi—envious materialistic householder who lives only for sense gratification.

Gåha—home. For spiritual cultivation one requires an undisturbed place or the good association of devotees.

Gåhastha—householder stage of life. One who lives in God conscious married life and raises a family in Kåñëa consciousness; regulated householder living according to the Vedic social system; the second order of Vedic spiritual life.

Gross body—The body that grows on food is known in Sanskrit as the sthüla-çaréra, the gross body. It is a combination of the gross material elements moved about by the soul under the spell of the three modes of material nature. This body is ever-changing, transformed by birth, growth, maturity, reproduction, old age, and death. The living entity who rides within the heart of the body attempts to find satisfaction through sense happiness. But sense happiness is inseparable from sense distress. By Vedic knowledge, the body can be engaged in acts of sacrifice that liberate the soul from the duality of happiness and distress. The body of a pure devotee, who keeps himself always in Kåñëa consciousness, loses its ordinary material qualities, just as a piece of iron loses its usual qualities when it is kept within fire. As the iron becomes fiery, similarly the body of a pure devotee is spiritualized. See Ecstasy, Elements, Modes of nature, Soul, Subtle body.

Gujarat—a province in northwestern India.

Guëa-avatäras—incarnations who control material qualities; the presiding deities of the three modes of nature. Viñëu, Brahmä and Çiva.

Guëa—See Modes of nature.

Guëa-mäyä—the material world.

Guëas—the three modes, or qualities, of material nature: Brahmä controls passion, Viñëu goodness, and Çiva ignorance.

Guëätéta—Nirguëa-without material qualities; uncontaminated by the three modes of material nature.

Guëòicä-märjana—washing and cleansing the Guëòicä temple.

Gurdwara—Sikh religious complex, which usually includes a temple and guest house.

Guru-avajïä—disobeying the instructions of the spiritual master.

Guru-dakñiëä—a disciple's gift to his spiritual master, collected by begging and given as a token of gratitude.

Guru-kåpä—the mercy of the spiritual master.

Guru-kula—a school of Vedic learning. Boys begin at five years old and live as celibate students, guided by a spiritual master.

Guru-püjä—worship of the spiritual master.

Guru—spiritual master; one of the three authorities for a Vaiñëava. Literally, this term means heavy. The spiritual master is called guru because he is heavy with knowledge. See Sädhu, Çästra.

Guru-bhai—god-brother

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Hädéka—the father of Kåtavarmän.

Haihayas—a dynasty of demoniac kings destroyed by Lord Paraçuräma.

Hamlyn, David W.—Professor of Philosophy at Birbeck College, University of London. He is the author of a number of books on philosophy and the editor of Mind magazine.

Hanumän—the great famous monkey devotee of Lord Rämacandra. The eleventh portion of Rudra. He is the brother of Bhéma and the son of the wind-god, Väyu, and Aïjana, the daughter of Gautama Åñi. The story of how Bhéma and Hanumän met is told in the Vana Parva of the Mahäbhärata. Hanumän gave a benediction to Bhéma that he would ride on the flagstaff of Arjuna's chariot and strike terror into the Kaurava troops with earth trembling battle cries. He served the Supreme Lord in His incarnation as Lord Rämacandra and assisted Him in defeating the demon Rävaëa.

Hara—a name of Lord Çiva-the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Harä—Rädhäräëé-Lord Kåñëa's most intimate consort, who the personification of the internal, pleasure potency of Lord Kåñëa. She appeared in this world as the daughter of King Våsabhänu and Kirti-devé and is the Queen of Våndävana. The most favorite consort of Kåñëa in Vrindavana, situated on Lord Kåñëa's left on altars and pictures.

Hare Kåñëa mantra—a sixteen-word prayer composed of the names Hare, Kåñëa, and Räma: Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare, Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare is the personal form of God's own happiness, His eternal consort, Çrématé Rädhäräëé. Kåñëa, "the all-attractive one," and Räma, "the all-pleasing one," are names of God. This prayer means "My dear Rädhäräëé and Kåñëa, please engage me in Your devotional service." The Vedas recommend the chanting of the Hare Kåñëa mantra as the easiest and most sublime method of awakening one's dormant love of God; the great chant for deliverance. These names have been particularly recommended for chanting in this age; The chanting of this mantra is the most recommended means for spiritual progress in this age of Kali, as it cleanses the mind and enables one to transcend the temporary designations of race, religion, and nationality and to understand one's true identity as an eternal spiritual being. In other words, simply by chanting Hare Kåñëa one can directly experience self-realization and lead a blissful life. See Kali-yuga, Mantra.

Hari-bhakti-viläsa—the ritual and devotional practices of the Gauòéya-vaiñëava-sampradäya, codified into twenty chapters by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé and Çréla Gopäla Bhaööa Gosvämé. The work represents extensive scriptural research and includes a Sanskrit commentary written by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé called Dig-darçiëé Tika.

Hari-cakra—Kåñëa's Sudarçana weapon, the wheel.

Hari-kathä—topics of Lord Hari, Kåñëa.

Hari-kértana—the chanting of the names of Lord Hari (Kåñëa); Saìkértana-yajïa-the sacrifice prescribed for the Age of Kali, namely, congregational chanting of the name, fame and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Hari-näma-saìkértana—congregational chanting of the holy names of the Supreme Lord.

Hari-vaàça—the appendix to the Mahäbhärata. It is a summary of Kåñëa's pastimes by Çréla Vyäsadeva.

Haribol—"Chant the holy name."

Hariçcandra—the twenty-eighth king in the Tretä-yuga. He appeared in the dynasty of the sun as the son of Triçaìku, and he is celebrated in the Märkaëòeya Puräëa as the pious king who satisfied Viçvämitra Muni by sacrificing his kingdom, wife, and son.

Haridäsa Öhäkura—although born in a Muslim family, he was a confidential associate of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. He was so absorbed in the nectar of the Holy Name that he chanted day and night, and it was his regular practice to chant 300,000 names of the Lord daily. Lord Caitanya made him the nämäcärya (teacher of chanting of the holy name).The Muslim government and caste-conscious Hindus attempted to persecute him, but all of their efforts failed, as he was under the direct protection of the Lord.

Haridvära (Hardwar)—a famous place of pilgrimage in the northern foothills of the Himälaya Mountains. This is where Ajämila went for purification, where Prajäpati Dakña performed his sacrifice and lost his daughter Saté, and where some drops of nectar falling from the hand of Mohiné-mürti, the Lord's incarnation as a woman, landed. Because these drops of nectar fell, there is a Kumbha-melä every twelve years here. Nowadays the town is known as Haradwara, meaning "the gateway to Lord Çiva."

Harinäma-yajïa—congregational chanting of the holy names of the Supreme Lord, the recommended sacrifice for this age.

Hari—the Supreme Lord, who removes all obstacles to spiritual progress; Lord Viñëu, the seeing the Deity of the Lord.

Harña—jubilation, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Haryakña—see: Hiraëyäkña

Hastinäpura—the ancient capital city of Bhärata-varña, or India. The Sanskrit word hasti means elephants and in this city there were many elephants kept. It occupies a portion of what is today called New Delhi; The capital city of the Päëòavas. When Dhåtaräñöra wanted to give the Päëòavas half of the kingdom, this part was given.

Häsya-rasa—the indirect relationship of laughing.

Haöha-yoga—the practice of postures and breathing exercises for achieving purification and sense control.

Hathi—elephant

Hawking, Stephen—Famous British physicist (*1942) who believes the riddle of the origin of the universe can be solved by mathematics. Hawking is a positivist. See Logical Positivism, Positivism.

Hayaçérñä—the horse-headed incarnation of Lord Kåñëa. He spoke the Vedas to Lord Brahmä.

Hayagriva—Lord Kåñëa's horse-headed incarnation, who returned the stolen Vedas to Brahmä.

Heavenly planets—the higher planets of the universe, residences of the demigods.

Hell—hellish planets within this universe meant for the punishment and rectification of the sinful.

Henotheism—This term comes from the Greek eno, one, plus theo, God. Henotheism is a form of polytheism. It postulates that there are many gods, one of which rules the others, as Indra rules the demigods. The ruling god, however, is neither absolute nor eternal. He is just for the time being more powerful than the other gods. Max Müller mistakenly thought the Vedic religion was henotheistic: the Vedas present many gods, and when any one of them is worshiped, that god or goddess becomes the highest deity of the Vedas. See Atheism, Demigods, Polytheism, Theism.

Herä-païcamé festival—celebration of the coming of the goddess of fortune to the Guëòicä temple.

Hiòimba—a Räkñasa who fought with Bhéma and was killed. This incident is mentioned in the Ädi Parva of the Mahäbhärata.

Hiòimbé—the sister of Hiòimba. She later married Bhéma and begot a son named Ghaöotkaca.

Himavän—the great mountain on the northern side of India. The Päëòavas stayed for some time in this region.

Hindu—a newly-concocted name for members of various social and religious groups of India.

Hinduism—This term is derived from the name of a river in present-day Pakistan, the Sindhu, Sind or Indus. Beginning around 1000 AD, invading armies from the Middle East called the place beyond the Sindhu river Hindustan and the people who lived there the Hindus. (Due to the invaders' language, the s was changed to h.) In the centuries that followed, the term Hindu became acceptable even to the Indians themselves as a general designation for their different religious traditions. But since the word Hindu is not found in the Vedic scriptures upon which these traditions are based, it is quite inappropriate. The proper term is Vedic Dharma. See Dharma.

Hing—asafoetida

Hiraëmaya-mahat-tattva—the total material energy.

Hiraëyadhanus—the father of Ekalavya, and the King of the Niçadhas, forest dwellers.

Hiraëyakaçipu—a powerful demon and great atheist who tormented his son Prahläda Mahäräja, a great devotee, and was killed by Kåñëa in His incarnation as Nåsiàha-deva (the half man-half lion form of Lord Viñëu).

Hiraëyäkña—the demoniac son of Kaçyapa who was killed by Lord Varäha.

Hiraëyavarman—a king of Daçärëa. His daughter was married to Çikhaëòé.

Hlädiné çakti—Kåñëa's pleasure potency.

Holé—a major Hindu holiday celebrated on the last day of the bright fortnight of the month of Phalgun (February-March). This festival is said to be one of Kåñëa's favorites. The most popular activity is ther throwing of colored water and powder by participants on each other.

Hotravähana—the maternal grandfather of Ambä. He recommended to Ambä that she approach Paraçuräma to influence Bhéñma to marry her.

Hoysala—South Indian dynasty that ruled part of South India.

Håñékeça—a name of Kåñëa meaning "the master of all senses."

Håta-jïäna—bereft of intelligence.

Humanism—Humanism grew into a distinct ideological movement during the Renaissance as a reaction against feudalism and medieval theology. It proclaims freedom of the rational individual, opposes religious asceticism, and promotes man's rights to pleasure and the satisfaction of earthly desires and requirements. It is dedicated to fostering the ethical and creative development of the individual without reference to God or other concepts of the supernatural. In the nineteenth century, humanism took the shape of a secular religion; a prominent humanist of that time was Karl Marx. Today, the term is commonly used to mean a set of entirely non-religious beliefs and values. See Marxism, Relativism.

Hume, David—Along with Locke and Berkeley, Hume (1711-1776) is classified as one of the three principle British empiricist philosophers. He taught that knowledge is comprised of sense data; there is no a priori knowledge; existence is identical to our own ideas; there is no objective connection between cause and effect, and there is no mind, self, or spiritual substance apart from a bundle of sense impressions and ideas in our heads. See Empiricism.

Hypothetico-deduction—A method of reasoning widely used in the Western world for a very long time. An example from history is found in De Stella Martis by Kepler, who was puzzled by the problem of the shape of the orbit of Mars. Unable to figure it out by empirical observation, Kepler decided to simply suppose that the orbit was elliptical. Following this hypothesis, he worked out positions for the planet that corresponded well with its observed positions. Thus his hypothesis was not formed on the basis of previous observations, as it would have been had Kepler followed the empirical method. Rather, it was devised by speculation. The observations were then deductively brought into line with that speculation. See Abduction, Deduction, Induction.

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Idea—The Greek term ida means form or pattern. An idea is anything that is contained in consciousness as an item of thought or awareness. It is usually taken to mean a mental image of something. It may also mean the essence of a thing; a general notion; an imagination; a belief, opinion or doctrine, or an ideal.

Idealism—Theoretically, the opposite of materialism. But like materialism, idealism is a very broad category of philosophy containing many shades of theory. It is sometimes called mentalism or immaterialism. Idealists believe the universe is the embodiment of a mind. All reality is mental, and matter does not exist. The external world is not physical. Famous idealist philosophers are Berkeley, Hegel, Kant, and Plato. See Materialism, Mind/body problem.

Ideology—From the Greek ida and lgos, ideology in classical times meant the science of ideas. Nowadays it means the system of ideas that constitutes a dogma: the ideology of fascism, for instance. See Idea.

Idhmavähat—the devotee who approaches the spiritual master. Idhma refers to wood that is taken to burn as fuel for a fire. A brahmacäré is supposed to take this idhma to ignite the fire used in performing sacrifices. By spiritual instruction a brahmacäri is trained to ignite a fire and offer oblations in the morning. He is supposed to go to the spiritual master to take lessons on transcendental subject matter, and the Vedic injunction is that when approaching the spiritual master one must carry with him fuel to perform yajïas, or sacrifices. The exact Vedic injunction is as follows: tad-vijïänärthaà sa gurum eväbhigacchet-samit-päëiù çrotriyaà brahma-niñöham " To understand these things properly, one must humbly approach, with firewood in hand, a spiritual master who is learned in the Vedas and firmly devoted to the Absolute Truth.""To learn transcendental subject matter, one must approach the spiritual master. In doing so, he should carry fuel to burn in sacrifice. The symptom of such a spiritual master is that he is expert in understanding the Vedic conclusion, and therefore he constantly engages in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (Muëòaka Upaniñad 1.2.12) By serving such a bona fide spiritual master, gradually a conditioned soul becomes detached from material enjoyment and invariably makes progress in spiritual realization under the direction of the spiritual master. Those who are misled by the illusory energy are never interested in approaching a spiritual master to make life successful.

Ignorance—See Modes of nature (Tamo-guëa).

Ikñväku—the son of Manu who was king of the earth in ancient times and to whom Manu spoke Bhagavad-gétä.

Ikñväku—the son of the sun-god, Vivasvän, and the first king of the earth planet.

Ilävåta-varña—the original name of this earth planet, before it became known as Bharata-varña.

Impersonal monism—Mäyäväda-the impersonal philosophy first propounded by Çaìkaräcärya, which proposes the unqualified oneness of God and the living entities (who are both conceived of as being ultimately formless) and the nonreality of manifest nature; the philosophy that everything is one and that the Absolute Truth is not a person; See Brahmajyoti, Buddhism, Mäyävädé philosophy, Personalism, Voidism.

Indra-néla—gems decorating Kåñëa's flute.

Indraloka—the planet where Lord Indra resides.

Indraprastha—Hastinäpura-the ancient capital city of Bhärata-varña, or India. The Sanskrit word hasti means elephants and in this city there were many elephants kept. It occupies a portion of what is today called New Delhi; The capital city of the Päëòavas. When Dhåtaräñöra wanted to give the Päëòavas half of the kingdom, this part was given.

Indra—the chief demigod of heaven and presiding deity of rain, and the father of Arjuna. He is the son of Aditi.

Indriya-saàyama—curbing one's senses.

Induction—A form of reason that guesses the nature of a cause from the perception of an effect. See Abduction, àroha/ Avaroha, Deduction, Empiricism, Logic, Phenomenalism.

Infinite—regress From the Latin regressus ad infinitum (similar in meaning to the Sanskrit anavasthä), infinite regress is the fallacy that occurs when someone argues that a material thing is the ultimate cause. Any material cause must depend upon a remoter material cause. That cause must depend upon an even more remote material cause, and so on ad infinitum (into infinity). Thus arguments for material causation never reach a logical end. See Fallacy, Logic.

Intellect, intelligence—The power of discrimination, in Sanskrit called buddhi, in Greek dinoia. Intelligence is as natural to the jéva as taste is to water or smell is to earth: As there is no separate existence of the earth and its aroma or of water and its taste, there cannot be any separate existence of intelligence and consciousness. (Kapiladeva, SB 3.27.18) Buddhi manifests within each living entity as the ability to distinguish between forms in the field of perception, and as the sense of direction. The mind (manaù) imputes emotional values to form and direction (painful, pleasurable, etc.). The false ego (ahaìkära) lays claim to the field of perception (this is mine etc.). Intelligence, being originally spiritual, can rise above the influence of mind and false ego by buddhi-yoga, as explained in Bhagavad-gétä. Närada Muni tells Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira in SB 3.27.18: O King Yudhiñöhira, the Supersoul in every body gives intelligence to the individual soul according to his capacity for understanding. Therefore the Supersoul is the chief within the body. The Supersoul is manifested to the individual soul according to the individual's comparative development of knowledge, austerity, penance and so on. Since buddhi is awarded to all living entities by the Supersoul according to their knowledge and austerity, when a living entity surrenders completely to Kåñëa, he is awarded pure intelligence. Surrendering completely to Kåñëa entails surrendering to the spiritual master by renouncing the emotional values of the mind and the claims of the false ego. When original intelligence is covered by ignorance, it is called tämasa-buddhi. This is the beginning of the material existence of the soul. In Bg. 10.10 Lord Kåñëa says that buddhi-yoga, the respiritualization of the intelligence, is accomplished by préti-pürvakam, the method of loving devotion. See Consciousness, False ego, Mind, Modes of nature, Soul, Subtle body, Supersoul. Ipse dixit (Lat.) He himself has said it. A kind of proof, after the answer that disciples of Pythagoras, an ancient Greek sage, used to give whenever an opponent called the certitude of the sage's doctrine into question. This proof is rejected by modern philosophers. See Çabda.

Irävän—the son of Arjuna by Ulüpé. He was killed by the Räkñasa, Alambuña, during the Kurukñetra battle.

Éça—the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Éça-tattva—the Supreme Lord.

Éçänukathä—scriptural information about the Lord and His devotees.

Éçävasya—(éça-the Lord + vasya-control) the concept that everything is owned and controlled by the Lord and should be used in His service.

ISKCON—the abbreviation for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness; the Hare Krishna Movement. The society was founded in New York, 1966, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, who came by boat, the Jaladuta from Calcutta in 1965, with just forty rupees and a trunk full of books. Sumati Morarji kindly donated his passage; Çréla Prabhupäda-(1896-1977) His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. He is the tenth generation from Caitanya Mahäprabhu. The founder-äcärya, spiritual master of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Çréla Prabhupäda was the widely-acclaimed author of more than seventy books on the science of pure bhakti-yoga, unalloyed Kåñëa consciousness. His major works are annotated English translations of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, and the Bhagavad-gétä As It Is. He was the world's most distinguished teacher of Vedic religion and thought. Çréla Prabhupäda was a fully God conscious saint who had perfect realization of the Vedic scriptures. He worked incessantly to spread Kåñëa consciousness all over the world. He guided his society and saw it grow to a worldwide confederation of hundreds of ashrams, schools, temples, institutes, and farm communities; Acronym for the International Society for Kåñëa Consciousness, the branch of Caitanya Mahäprabhu's saìkértana mission established by Çréla Prabhupäda in New York in 1966. ISKCON is a worldwide nonsectarian movement dedicated to propagating the message of the Vedas for the benefit of mankind. Over the years ISKCON has steadily grown in popularity and influence, and today it is widely recognized by theologians, scholars and laymen as a genuine and important spiritual movement. The hundreds of ISKCON centers throughout the world enable full-time members to live in close association, following the principles of Vedic life, and also provide a place where interested visitors can learn about the philosophy and culture of Kåñëa consciousness and participate in its various functions. The basis of the movement is the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. The devotees experience divine ecstasy in singing these holy names of God to the accompaniment of musical instruments. The ISKCON devotees, as a prerequisite for the serious pursuit of spiritual life, abstain from meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication, and gambling. The Kåñëa conscious life style is based on the principles of simple living and high thinking. The devotees rise very early, about 3:30 a.m., and spend the morning hours in meditation and study. During the day, some devotees go out to public places to distribute the Society's books and its official journal, Back to Godhead magazine. In addition to book distribution, devotees engage in a variety of activities, including teaching, artistic pursuits, farming and business. See Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, Hare Kåñëa Mahä-mantra, Kåñëa.

Éçopaniñad—one of the 108 principal Vedic scriptures known as the Upaniñads.

Iñöä—the performance of public welfare activities such as digging wells or planting trees.

Éçvara—a controller. Kåñëa is parameçvara, the supreme controller; One of the five tattvas, or Vedic ontological truths: the supreme controller of all living and nonliving energy. In Bg. 18.61-62, Lord Kåñëa tells Arjuna: éçvaraù sarva-bhütänäà håd-deçe 'rjuna tiñöhati bhrämayan sarva-bhütäni yanträrüòhäni mäyayä tam eva çaraëaà gaccha sarva-bhävena bhärata tat-prasädät paräà çäntià sthänaà präpsyasi çäçvatam. The Supreme Lord (éçvara) is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy. O scion of Bharata, surrender unto Him utterly. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode. And Cc., Ädi-lélä 5.142 states: ekale éçvara kåñëa, ära saba bhåtya yäre yaiche näcäya, se taiche kare nåtya. Lord Kåñëa alone is the supreme controller, and all others are His servants. They dance as He makes them do so. The éçvara has full control over the jéva, prakåti, käla and karma. The jéva has the power to choose whether to surrender to the éçvara or not. If he does surrender, he is freed from bondage within prakåti, käla and karma. If he does not, he is bound by them in the cycle of birth and death (saàsära). See Avatära, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Kåñëa, Modes of nature, Supersoul, Tattva.

Itihäsa—a historical account.

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Jaòa Bharata—Bharata Mahäräja in his final birth as a renounced brähmaëa. He gave wonderful spiritual instruction to Mahäräja Rahügaëa.

Jäòya—invalidity, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Jagad-éça—the Supreme Lord, who is the proprietor of all the universes.

Jagad-guru—the spiritual master of the whole world.

Jagad-rüpa (Viräö-rüpa, Viçva-rüpa)—The universal form of éçvara, in which jéva, prakåti, käla and karma are revealed as energies of the Supreme. This form was shown by Lord Kåñëa to Arjuna in the Eleventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gétä. See Éçvara, Kåñëa.

Jagäi and Mädhäi—two great debauchees whom Lord Nityänanda converted into Vaiñëavas.

Jagamohana—the area directly in front of the central altar of an Orissan temple.

Jagannätha Puré—place of pilgrimage on the east coast of India where the deity of Jagannätha is worshiped

Jagannätha—the Supreme Lord, who is Lord of the universe. A particular Deity form of Lord Krñëa, seemingly fashioned from wood and brightly painted, which has been worshiped for many centuries in Jagannätha Puré. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu used to daily visit Lord Jagannätha and see Him in a mood of intense separation, in the mood of Rädhäräëé, who was parted from her beloved Kåñëa most of her days.

Jagannatha Misra—Kåñëa's eternal father, Nada Maharaj of Kåñëa-lila.

Jägara—the ecstatic symptom of wakefulness.

Jagat—the material universe.

Jajmani—system of patron-client relationships.

Jana-niväsa—name for Kåñëa indicating that He is the ultimate resort of all living entities.

Jaiminé—the atheistic propounder and philosopher of Karma-mimäàsä philosophy, and author of the Karma-mémäàsä-sütras, which explain the Vedas in ritualistic terms, and advocate material work as the purpose of life. He theorized that if fruitive activity is performed nicely, then God is obliged to give the results.

Jains—religious sect based on impersonalist ideas.

Jämbavaté—the daughter of Jämbavän. She is one of the eight principal queens of Lord Kåñëa.

Janaka Mahäräja—considered one of the mahäjanas, the great self-realized king of Mithilä, and the father of Sétä-devé, consort of Lord Rämacandra.

Janaloka—a heavenly planet.

Janamejaya—the son of King Parékñit.

Janärdana—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who is the original abode and protector of all living beings".

Janas—see: Janaloka above

Jaìgama-näräyaëa—moving Näräyaëa.

Janmäñöamé—the celebration of Lord Kåñëa's appearance in the material world;the eighth lunar day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra (August-September). The festival of Kåñëa's birthday.

Japa—the soft recitation of the Kåñëa's holy names as a private meditation, with the aid of 108 prayer beads.

Jaräsandha—the King of Magadha. He was killed by Bhéma. (Sabhä Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Jarä—old age.

Jaöäsura—a Räkñasa who disguised himself as a brähmaëa and tried to kidnap Draupadé and four of the Päëòavas except for Bhéma. Bhéma challenged him and killed him in single combat.

Jaöäyu—a devotee of Lord Rämacandra who was the king of the vultures, and the brother of Sampäti. He fought with the demon Rävaëa when the latter kidnapped Sétä, the consort of Lord Rämacandra.

Jäta-karma—a purificatory ceremony performed at the birth of a child.

Jaya and Vijaya—two doorkeepers of Vaikuëöha who were cursed on account of offending the four Kumära Åñis, and who thus both had to take birth three times in the material world as great demons, Hiraëyakaçipu and Hiraëyäkña in Satya-yuga, Rävaëa and Kumbhakarëa in the next yuga, Tretä-yuga, and Çiçupäla and Dantavakra at the end of Dväpara-yuga.

Jayadeva Gosvämé—a great Vaisnava poet and author of Gita-govinda.

Jayadratha—the King of Sindhu. He was killed by Arjuna in the battle of Kurukñetra. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Jäyanteyas—nine great sages, sons of King Bharata, who were also known as the nine Yogendras.

Jayatsena—the son of Jaräsandha. He took the side of Duryodhana in the Kurukñetra war and was killed by Abhimanyu. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Jaya—a son of Dhåtaräñöra who was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Jäyä—intelligence.

Jaya—an exclamation meaning "All victory to you!" or "All glories to you!"

Jhulana yatra—the swing festival beginning on the third day of the month of Shravan (July-August) and lasting for a fortnight. The swings, usually made from gold or silver, are hung in temples on which the Deities are swung during kirtan by the guests and Vaisnavas.

Ji—honorific suffix added to almost any name as a term of endearment

Jémüta—a wrestler who was killed by Bhéma during a wrestling match in the kingdom of Viräöa.

Jérëa-sarpa—the fatigued air of life.

Jitendriya—one who has conquered the senses.

Jéva (jévätmä)—the living entity, who is an eternal soul, individual but part and parcel of the Supreme Lord; One of the five tattvas, or Vedic ontological truths: the living entity, or individual soul. See Soul, Tattva.

Jéva Gosvämé—one of the Six Gosvämés of Våndävana and the nephew of Rupa and Sanätana Gosvämés. His father, Anupama, died when the boy was very young. He grew up absorbed in the worship of Kåñëa and Balaräma. Lord Caitanya instructed him in a dream to proceed to Navadvépa, and there he toured that sacred place in the association of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu. He then went to Benares to study Sanskrit, and from there to Våndävana to be under the shelter of his uncles. He became a disciple of Rüpa Gosvämé and wrote eighteen major works on Vaiñëava philosophy, comprising more than 400,000 verses. He is considered by many philosophers and Sanskritists to be the greatest scholar who ever lived.

Jéva Jago—wake up sleeping souls. [Aruëodaya-kértana II]

Jéva-bhüta—the living force within matter. Jéva (jévätmä)-the living entity, who is an eternal soul, individual but part and parcel of the Supreme Lord.

Jéva-hiàsä—envy of other living entities. [CB Madhya 15.072]

Jéva-mäyä—the living entities.

Jéva-tattva—the living entities, atomic parts of the Supreme Lord.

Jévan-mukta—a person who is already liberated even while living in his present body.

Jïäna-çakti—the power to distribute transcendental knowledge.

Jïäna-käëòa—the division of the Vedas dealing with empirical speculation in pursuit of truth; also, such speculation itself; the portions of the Vedas containing knowledge of Brahman, or spirit.

Jïäna-märga—the cultivation of knowledge.

Jïäna-yoga—the process of approaching the Supreme by the cultivation of knowledge; the predominantly empirical process of linking with the Supreme, which is executed when one is still attached to mental speculation.

Jïäna—knowledge. Material jïäna does not go beyond the material body. Transcendental jïäna discriminates between matter and spirit. Perfect jïäna is knowledge of the body, the soul and the Supreme Lord.

Jïäné—one who is engaged in the cultivation of knowledge (especially by philosophical speculation). Upon attaining perfection, a jïäné surrenders to Kåñëa; This Sanskrit term is related in both form and meaning to the English word know via the Greek word gnsis. In Vedic terminology, there is jïäna and vijïäna. Jïäna refers to the knowledge of the self as not the body, whereas vijïäna refers to knowledge of the self's relationship to the Supreme Self.

Jnänagamya—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who is understood through knowledge of the Vedas."

Jïäna-käëòa—The path of philosophical speculation. One of the three departments of Vedic knowledge, jïäna-käëòa is taught by the Kumäras. See Apara-vidyä, Karma-käëòa, Upäsanä-käëòa.

Jïänendriya—The five knowledge-acquiring senses: the ears, the skin, the eyes, the tongue and the nostrils.

Jvalitä—the stage exhibited by a devotee when more than two or three transcendental transformations are manifest and it is possible to conceal them with difficulty.

Jyotir-linga—one of the 12 selfmanifested Çiva-lingas

Jyotiù-çästra—the Vedic science of astronomy.

-K-

Kabandha—a son of Çré. Indra once stuffed his legs and head into his belly as a punishment. Indra foretold that until his long arms were cut off by Lord Räma (which later occurred), Kabandha would not achieve peace.

Kacchapé-véëä—the stringed instrument of Rädhäräëé.

Kaòära—the ointment of Lord Jagannätha, the remnants of which were used by Lord Caitanya.

Kadru—wife of Kasyapa and mother of the race of serpents.

Kailasa—the home of Lord Çiva in the Himalayas.

Kaiçora—Kåñëa's age from the eleventh to the fifteenth year.

Kaitava-dharma—cheating religion.

Kaivalyam—the state of realization of one's constitutional position as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, which is preliminary to manifestation of activities on the platform of devotional service.

Kaivalya—the impersonal liberation of merging into the spiritual effulgence of Brahman emanating from the Lord.

Kajjala—a preparation of lampblack used to darken the edges of the eyelids; kohl.

Katha—stories and discussion on religious themes, especially from the purunas.

Käka—crow.

Kälakanyä—the invalidity of old age.

Kala namak—Black salt-a reddish-gray variety of salt with a distinct "hard-boiled egg-yolk" flavour. Black salt or kala namak, as it is known in Indian cuisine, is a major ingredient in the spice blend chat masala. Sprinkle black salt in Scrambled Curd. It is available at Indian grocers.

Käla-sarpa—the snake of time.

Kalä—a form of the Lord that is an expansion of the Lord's original form.

Kala—eternal time.

Kälé—Durgä-Lord Çiva 's wife in a fierce form, riding a tiger. The goddess is empowered by the Supreme Lord to preside over the material nature and bewilder the souls situated there into misconceiving themselves to be their material bodies and enjoyers and controllers of the mundane creation. She is very powerful, superseded only by Lord Viñëu Himself, and is the external manifestation of the Lord's internal potency, Yoga-mäyä. Once a fallen soul takes to the path of God consciousness, she continues to offer various material allurements so as to test his sincerity and determination to serve the Lord. Once the Lord accepts the struggling soul she can no longer influence that soul and it is thus liberated.

Kali-yuga—the "Age of Quarrel and Hypocrisy " The fourth and last age in the cycle of a mahä-yuga. This is the present age in which we are now living. It began 5,000 years ago and lasts for a total of 432,000 years. It is characterized by irreligious practice and stringent material miseries. In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam the age is personified as an evil black man who tries to kill a helpless cow and bull. The four legs of the cow represent the four principles of religiosity-namely, truth, cleanliness, mercy and austerity. The bull represents religion itself; The most recommended process of spiritual upliftment in this age is saìkértana, the congregational glorification of the Lord through chanting His holy name. See Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Hare Kåñëa Mahä-mantra, ISKCON, Saìkértana, Time.

Kaliìga—a province in ancient India.

Käliya—the many-headed serpent chastised by Lord Kåñëa for poisoning a section of the Yamunä River.

Kali—the black intense form of Lord Çiva's wife. She wears a necklace of skulls. Demigoddess to whom worshipers may offer meat. Durgä-Lord Çiva 's wife in a fierce form, riding a tiger. The goddess is empowered by the Supreme Lord to preside over the material nature and bewilder the souls situated there into misconceiving themselves to be their material bodies and enjoyers and controllers of the mundane creation. She is very powerful, superseded only by Lord Viñëu Himself, and is the external manifestation of the Lord's internal potency, Yoga-mäyä. Once a fallen soul takes to the path of God consciousness, she continues to offer various material allurements so as to test his sincerity and determination to serve the Lord. Once the Lord accepts the struggling soul she can no longer influence that soul and it is thus liberated.

Kalki—He is the tenth incarnation of Lord Viñëu. He arrives on a white horse at the end of Kali-yuga to annihilate all the remaining atheists.

Kalmaña—sin.

Kalpa-avatäras—lélä-avatäras appearing in each day of Brahmä.

Kalpa-våkña—wish-fulfilling trees.

Kalpa—Brahmä's daytime, 4,320,000,000 years.

Käma-dhenus—desire-fulfilling cows in Våndävana.

Käma-gäyatré—a Vedic hymn which is composed of twenty-four and a half syllables.

Käma-lekha—exchanges of letters between a young boy and young girl concerning their awakening of attachment for one another.

Kämadhenu—spiritual cows, in the spiritual world, which yield unlimited quantities of milk.

Kamaëòalu—the water-pot carried by sannyäsés.

Käma—lust; the desire to gratify one's own senses; Desire, especially material desire and sexual desire; lust, as opposed to prema. See Prema.

Käma—a high fever.

Kämbhoja—a province situated in the north western part of India.

Kämpilya—the capital of King Drupada.

Kaàsa—a demoniac king of the Bhoja dynasty and maternal uncle of Kåñëa. The son of Ugrasena. He imprisoned his father and took charge of the kingdom. He killed the first six children of Devaké. Kaàsa was killed by Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Kaëäda—the propounder of Vaiçeñika philosophy, which states that atoms are the original cause of the creation.

Käëaphäöä-yogés—beggars similar to gypsies who wear ivory earrings.

Käëòas—three divisions of the Vedas.

Kaëika—a brähmaëa minister of King Dhåtaräñöra. He advised the King to kill his enemies by any means. (Ädi Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kaniñöha-adhikäré—a neophyte devotee in lowest stage of Vaiñëava life.

Kaìka—the name Yudhiñöhira used during the last year of exile in the kingdom of Viräöa.

Kant, Immanuel—German rationalist philosopher, born in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in 1724. He laid down what are known as the regulative principles of modern science, such as the law of the conservation of matter and the principle of causality. Kant gave the world the theory that the universe was formed out of a cloud of dust. He died in 1804. See Idealism, Rationalism.

Kanyäkumäré—the virgin maiden; another name of the wife of Lord Çiva.

Kapha—mucus, one of the three major elements of the gross body.

Kåpé—the sister of Kåpäcärya and the wife of Droëa. Her son was Açvatthämä.

Kapila—an incarnation of Kåñëa who appeared in Satya-yuga as the son of Devahüti and Kardama Muni and expounded the devotional Säìkhya philosophy, the analysis of matter and spirit, as a means of cultivatingdevotional service to the Lord. (There is also an atheist named Kapila, but he is not an incarnation of the Lord.)

Käraëa Ocean—the corner of the spiritual universe in which Lord Mahä-Viñëu lies down to create the entirety of material universes.

Karaëäpäöava—imperfection of the material senses.

Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu—Mahä-Viñëu, the expansion of the Supreme Lord from whom all material universes emanate. He lies within the Causal Ocean and breathes out innumerable universes.

Karaìga—waterpot carried by sannyäsés.

Karatälas—hand cymbals used in kértana.

Kardama Muni—the father of Lord Kapila and one of the chief forefathers of the population of the universe.

Karhai—a deep, rounded pan with handles on both sides, used for deep-frying or pan-frying.

Karma-bandhana—bondage to the reactions of fruitive activities.

Karma-bandha—the bondage of fruitive activities.

Karma-käëòa—the division of the Vedas which deals with fruitive activities performed for the purpose of gradual purification of the grossly entangled materialist; The path of fruitive work. One of the three departments of Vedic knowledge, karma-käëòa is taught by Dakña. See Apara-vidyä, Jïäna-käëòa, Upäsanä-käëòa.

Karma-käëòéya—relating to karma-käëòa.

Karma-mémäàsä—one of the six main Vedic philosophies. It states that the subtle laws of nature reward or punish one according to how one acts, without reference to an independent God; A doctrine of fruitive work taught by sage Jaimini. One of the six systems of Vedic philosophy. See Six systems.

Karma-niñöhas—those who consider devotional service to be fruitive activities.

Karma-tyäga—the giving of the results of karma to the Supreme Lord.

Karma-véra—a successful fruitive worker.

Karma-yoga—action in devotional service; the path of God realization through dedicating the fruits of one's work to God.

Karmätmaka—one whose mind is colored with fruitive activity.

Karma—1. material action performed according to scriptural regulations; 2. action pertaining to the development of the material body; 3. any material action which will incur a subsequent reaction; 4. the material reaction one incurs due to fruitive activities; This Sanskrit word means 'action' or, more specifically, any material action that brings a reaction binding us to the material world. According to the law of karma, if we cause pain and suffering to other living beings, we must endure pain and suffering in return; One of the five tattvas, or Vedic ontological truths: the activity or work which the embodied living entity performs with the karmendriya, as well as the resultant reaction. The soul receives the due reaction to work by taking his next birth in a subhuman species, or the human species, or a superhuman species. Or the soul may be liberated from birth and death altogether. All this depends upon whether the karma performed within this lifetime is ignorant, passionate, good or transcendental. Karma dedicated in sacrifice as directed by Vedic injunctions raises the quality of a human being's work. Sacrifice culminates in activity dedicated only to Lord Kåñëa's service. Such transcendental karma is called naiñkarma. See Liberation, Life after death, Reincarnation, Saàsära, Supersoul, Tattva.

Karmendriya—The five working senses or organs of action: the mouth (with the double function of speaking and eating), the hands, the legs, the genitalia and the rectum.

Karmendriyas—the working senses.

Karmés—fruitive laborers.

Karmé—one engaged in kärma (fruitive activity); a materialist.

Karëa—the eldest son of Kunté before her marriage to Päëòu. She had received a mantra from Durväsä Muni that she could call any deva and conceive children. In her innocence she called Sürya, the sun-god and conceived Karëa. She was forced to abandon the child out of fear of her relatives. Karëa was then raised by Adhiratha and Rädhä. He fought against the Päëòavas and was killed by Arjuna in the battle of Kurukñetra.

Kärñëas—the members of Lord Kåñëa's family.

Kathenotheism—From the Greek kth'n, one by one, plus thes, a god. A kathenotheist worships one god after another among a pantheon of gods, at intervals throughout the year. These gods are supposed to represent different facets of the absolute. See Atheism, Theism.

Kärttika—the name of a Vedic month occurring around October-November of the solar calendar, in which the Dämodara form of Lord Kåñëa is worshiped.

Kärttikeya—the younger son of Lord Çiva and Pärvaté. He is the presiding deity of warfare. Also known as Subrahmanya or Skanda.

Karuëa-rasa—the indirect relationship of compassion.

Käçamdi—a kind of pickle.

Käçé—one of the oldest sacred places of learning in India. The Puräëic name of the modern city of Benares in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the place of Lord Çiva and generally the followers of Lord Çiva live there. Ambä, Ambikä and Ambälikä were abducted by Bhéñma from this city. This was the site of Lord Caitanya's famous conversion of the leading impersonalist scholar of the day, Prakäçänanda Sarasvaté.

Kaçyapa—a great saint who was the father of many demigods and also of the Supreme Lord's incarnation Vämanadeva; one of the seven mental sons of Lord Brahmä.

Kaöha Upaniñad—one of the 108 Vedic scriptures known as Upaniñads.

Kathakali—Keralan religious dance.

Kätyäyané—the material energy personified. She is also known as Durgä and Kälé and by many other names.

Kauòis—small conchshells.

Kaunteya—the son of Kunté (usually refers to Arjuna).

Kaupéna—the thick belt and underwear worn by saintly persons.

Kauravas—the descendants of King Kuru who fought against the Päëòavas in the Battle of Kurukñetra.

Kaustubha gem—a jewel worn by Lord Viñëu, or Kåñëa, on His chest.

Kavacé—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Karëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kavi-karëapüra Gosvämé—a noted sixteenth-century author of Sanskrit poems and plays. He is one of the leading followers of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Käyastha caste—a Hindu community who are expert in managing business and government affairs; they are very reliable and faithful servants.

Kekaya—a province in ancient India. Five princes from this country joined with Yudhiñöhira in the battle of Kurukñetra, and they were killed by Droëa. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Keça-avatäras—the false story of the incarnations of Kåñëa and Balaräma from respective black and white hairs of Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu.

Kesava Kasmir—learned scholar in Caitanya-lila.

Keçava—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, who has fine, long black hair.

Kesava Gaudiya Matha—This temple was established by Srila Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, the sannyasa-guru of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The presiding Deities are Sri Sri Radha-vinoda-vihari.

Kevalädvaita-vädés—Mäyävädé philosophers.

Kevala—devotional platform of seeing the unlimited potency of Kåñëa but still considering oneself equal with Him; pure, uncontaminated emotion.

Keçé—a demon who attacked the inhabitants of Våndävana in the form of a wild horse but was killed by Lord Kåñëa.

Khäòi—cotton cloth.

Khäjä—a kind of light sweetmeat.

Khäëòavaprastha—another name for Indraprastha. The forest in the part of the Kuru kingdom was devoured by Agni with the help of Lord Kåñëa and Arjuna.

Khaëòa—a valley between two mountains;a section of a book.

Khasädayaù—classes of lowborn men.

Khaöväìga—a saintly king who is famous for attaining unalloyed Kåñëa consciousness just moments before his death.

Khetari—birthplace and residence of the great Vaiñëava Çréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura and site of a magnificent festival and Deity installation in which thousands of devotees took part, located in the West Bengal district of Rajasahi.

Kécaka—brother-in-law of King Viräöa. He was killed during the last year of the Päëòavas exile in the kingdom of Viräöa. When he lusted after Draupadé, he was killed by Bhéma.

Kikaöa—the present state of Gaya, in north-central India.

Kindama—a sage who was killed by Päëòu in the forest. Kindama had taken the form of a deer and was enjoying sex with his wife. Päëòu, thinking the deer fit for sacrifice, killed the deer and its mate. Before leaving his body, Kindama cursed Päëòu to die while he was enjoying his wife.

Kinnaras—minor demigods inhabiting the heavenly planets. They can change their form at will.

Kiräta—a mountainous region near modern Udaipur, Rajasthan, where Arjuna did penance. Lord Çiva took the form of a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna.

Kiréöé—another name for Arjuna.

Kirméra—a fierce Räkñasa and the brother of Baka. He was killed by Bhéma during their exile in the forest. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kértana—glorification of the Supreme Lord. Narrating or singing the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His Holy Names; the devotional process of chanting the names and glories of the Supreme Lord; A related Sanskrit word is kérti (fame). Hence, kértana means to glorify, and saìkértana means to glorify congregationally, the fame of the Supreme Lord. Saìkértana is the yuga-dharma, or the main occupation and attribute of the present age (Kali-yuga). See Bhakti, Hare Kåñëa Mahä-mantra, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Saìkértana;

Kåñëa—Literally, the all-attractive Lord; the main Sanskrit name of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Çré Kåñëa is the source of all incarnations, and no one is equal to Him or greater than Him. The Vedas glorify His partial incarnations (which include the demigods), His impersonal Brahman effulgence, His almighty Näräyaëa feature with four hands, and at last His superexcellent pastimes as the most sublime youth who herds millions of cows in the forest of Våndävana and dances with millions of cowherd girls (gopés). There is nothing to compare with this, the two-armed form of the Lord, blackish like a rain cloud, with reddish lotus eyes and a world-enchanting smile. In the material world the owner of the body is called the soul, and the body is called a material designation. In the spiritual Vaikuëöha world, however, there is no such distinction. The owner of the body is not different from the body, for both are pure spirit. The divine body of Lord Kåñëa in Vaikuëöha is the first and the cynosure of all spiritual forms. He is eternal, and His appearance within the material world as an avatära is perpetual. Kåñëa is personally Bhagavän, the possessor of six opulences in unlimited fullness: wealth, strength, beauty, knowledge, fame and renunciation. Semi-personally and impersonally, Kåñëa is represented by the Supersoul and the brahma-jyotir Besides all-attractive, the name Kåñëa also means the whole of existence and He who stops birth and death. Kåñëa has unlimited other names like Govinda, Gopäla, Mukunda and Hari. These holy names are nondifferent from Him and indicate the forms He displays in His various pleasure pastimes. See Avatära, Bhagavän, Bhakti, Brahmajyoti, Brahman, Deity, ISKCON, Éçvara, Lélä, Rädhäräëé, Supersoul, Spiritual world, Viñëu.

Kiçora-gopäla—Kåñëa as a young boy.

Kitava—a great cheater.

Kleça-ghné—description of devotional service indicating that it reduces or nullifies all kinds of suffering.

Kosala—a prosperous kingdom in ancient India. Bhémasena conquered this country for Yudhiñöhira before the Räjasüya sacrifice.

Koöé—ten million.

Kovil—temple in Tamil Nadu.

Kratu—one of the seven great sages who were born directly from Lord Brahmä.

Krishnanagar—a town that is the government headquarters of a sub-division of the West Bengal district of Nadia. It is about ten miles east of Çré Mäyäpura.

Kriyä-héna—devoid of spiritual behavior.

Kriyä-vidhäna—injunctions for Vedic rituals.

Krodha—anger.

Kåpä-siddha—one who as attained perfection by the mercy of superior authorities.

Kåpä-siddhi—perfection attained simply by the blessings of the Lord or a great devotee.

Kåpäcärya—the son of Çaradvän. He was a brähmaëa by birth, but was inclined to the duties of a kñatriya. He learned the Dhanur Veda from his father, and taught the sons of Dhåtaräñöra and the sons of Päëòu what he had learned from his father. Due to politics he took the side of Duryodhana during the battle of Kurukñetra. He later became the teacher of Mahäräja Parékñit.

Kåpaëa—a miserly man who wastes his life by not striving for spiritual realization.

Krpä-siddihi—perfection attained simply by the blessings of a great devotee or transcendentalist.

Kåñëa Dvaipäyana—another name of Çréla Vyäsadeva.

Kåñëa-äkarñiëé—description of pure devotional service indicating that it gradually attracts Kåñëa toward the devotee.

Kåñëa-bahirmukha—bereft of one's relationship with Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-bhakta—a devotee of Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-bhakti—devotion to Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-däsa—servant of Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-karma—doing all work for the sake of Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-kathä—discussions or topics spoken by or about Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-kértana—the chanting of Kåñëa's name and pastimes.

Kåñëa-lélä—the transcendental pastimes of Lord Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-päriñada—associates of the Lord.

Kåñëa-prasädam—Prasäda, or prasädam-"the mercy of Lord Kåñëa." Food prepared for the pleasure of Kåñëa and offered to Him with love and devotion. Because Kåñëa tastes the offering, the food becomes spiritualized and purifies anyone who eats it. See also: Mahä-prasädam

Kåñëa-prema-dhana—the treasure of love for Kåñëa.

Kåñëa-viraha—the feeling of spiritual separation from Kåñëa.

Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämi—author of the immortal Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, considered the greatest work on the life and philosophy of Lord Caitanya. He composed it in his nineties, despite bodily infirmity. This book is especially revered by Gauòéya Vaiñëavas. He was ordered by Lord Nityänanda in a dream to go to Våndävana where he studied the Gosvämé literature under the direction of Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé.

Kåñëäliìgita-vigraha—the spiritual master, who is always embraced by Kåñëa.

Kåñëä—another name of Draupadé.

Kåñëa—the original, two-armed form of the Supreme Lord, who is the origin of all expansions.

Kåñëe matir astu—greeting of Vaiñëava sannyäsés meaning "Let your attention be on Kåñëa."

Krñnaloka—the planet in the spiritual world where Krñna resides. See also: Goloka Våndävana

Kåta-yuga—Satya-yuga.

Kåtavarmä—a king of the Våñëi dynasty, and the son of Hädéka. He took the side of Duryodhana during the battle of Kurukñetra. He was killed during the fratricidal war of the Yadus.

Kñattä—a name of Vidura.

Kñara—perishable.

Kñatradeva—the son of Çikhaëòé. He was killed by Lakñmaëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Kñatradharman—one of the sons of Dhåñöadyumna. He was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Kñatraïjaya—one of the sons of Dhåñöadyumna. He was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Kñatravarman—one of the sons of Dhåñöadyumna. He was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Kñatriya—third of the four orders of the varëäçrama system. A warrior who is inclined to fight and lead others. The administrative or protective occupation according to the system of four social and spiritual orders.

Kñepaëa—subordinate ecstatic symptoms, including dancing and bodily contortions; a division of anubhäva.

Kñetra-sannyäsa—vow to leave household life and live in a place of pilgrimage devoted to Lord Viñëu.

Kñetrajïa—one who is conscious of the body. Both the soul and the Supersoul are kñetrajïa, for the individual soul is conscious of his own particular body and the Supersoul is conscious of the bodies of all living beings.

Kñetra—field of activities, the body of the conditioned soul.

Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu—the Viñëu expansion of the Supreme Lord who enters within each atom and between each atom of the universe and enters the heart of every living entity. He is also called the Supersoul.

Kñéracorä—Gopénätha Deity who stole condensed milk for Mädhavendra Puré.

Kñudhä-tåñëä—hunger and thirst.

Ku-viñaya—sense gratificatory activities performed under sinful conditions.

Kuça—an auspicious grass used in Vedic rituals and sacrifices.

Kulaçekhara—a great devotee-king and the author of Mukunda-mälä stotra, prayers to Lord Kåñëa.

Kuläcala—the place where there is no disturbance.

Kumäras—four learned ascetic sons of Lord Brahmä appearing eternally as children, who became great devotees of the Lord and great authorities on devotional service; Four sons of Brahmä, named Sanat, Sanandana, Sanaka and Sanätana, who are incarnations of the jïäna-çakti (power of knowledge) of Lord Viñëu. They live for the entire duration of universal time, but appear as children of only 5 years. One of the four Vaiñëava sampradäyas is called the Kumära Sampradäya. They are its original founders.

Kumbha-melä—a fair held every twelve years at Prayäga for spiritual upliftment; attended by people from all over India.

Kumbhaka-yoga—complete stoppage of the air currents within the body as part of the eightfold mystic process.

Kumbha—pitcher.

Kumera—a variety of sweet potato with a rich, orange colour, popular in New Zealand.

Kuëòadhära—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kuëòaja—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kuëòalé—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kuëòa—small lake or pond.

Kuëòodara—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Kuìkuma—a sweetly-flavored reddish cosmetic powder which is thrown on the bodies of worshipable persons, also used by married women to decorate their foreheads.

Kunté—the mother of the Päëòavas and Lord Kåñëa's aunt in the Mahäbhärata. She was the daughter of Çürasena and the sister of Vasudeva. She was adopted by King Kuntébhoja and later married King Päëòu. Her other name is Påthä.

Kuntibhoja—a king of the Yadu dynasty, and the foster father of Kunté. He took the side of the Päëòavas during the Kurukñetra war.

Kurara—a type of osprey (female kuraré).

Kürma Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas. It describes the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa's tortoise incarnation.

Kürma—the Supreme Lord's incarnation as a tortoise.

Kurta—Indian shirts pullover.

Kurukñetra—a holy place due to the penances of King Kuru. It was here that the great Mahäbhärata war was fought; situated about ninety miles north of New Delhi where Lord Kåñëa spoke the Bhagavad-gétä to Arjuna, five thousand years ago. It is a place of pilgrimage.

Kurus—all of the descendants of King Kuru, but specifically the 100 sons of Dhåtaräñöra. The Päëòavas were also descendants of King Kuru, but Dhåtaräñöra wished to exclude them from the family tradition; enemies of the Päëòavas.

Kuru—the founder of the dynasty in which the Päëòavas, as well as their archrivals, the sons of Dhåtaräñöra, took birth.

Kutärkikas—false logicians.

Kuöécaka—the first stage of the sannyäsa order. The kuöécaka lives in a hut nearby his village, and his family brings him food.

Kuöi-näöi—duplicity or fault-finding.

Kuööamita—happy within the heart, but externally angry and offended.

Kuöumbiné—intelligence.

Kuvera—one of the important demigods in heaven, and the treasurer of wealth. He benedicted the Päëòavas during their exile in the forest; father of Nalaküvara and Maëigréva.

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Laghima-siddhi—mystic ability to make one's body very light

Laghu-bhägavatämåta—a book by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé describing Kåñëa, His incarnations and His devotees.

Lakh—one hundred thousand, written as 1,00,000.

Lakñmaëa—a very brave son of Duryodhana. He was killed by Abhimanyu during the battle of Kurukñetra.

Lakñmaëa—a younger brother of Lord Rämacandra's. An incarnation of Saìkarñaëa, He accompanied Räma and Sétä in Their exile.

Lakñmé-Näräyaëa—the transcendental couple of Lord Kåñëa in His four-armed form and the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé.

Lakñmé-vijayotsava festival—the pastime of Lakñmé's victory during the Ratha-yäträ festival.

Lakñmé—the goddess of fortune and the eternal consort of the Supreme Lord as Lord Närayaëa, who resides in the unlimited spiritual realm of Vaikuëtha.

Laksman Sen—King of Bengal in the 12th century. His grandfather, Vijaya Sen, founded the city of Navadvépa in 1063 on the eastern bank of the Ganges. Laksman Sen was crowned king in 1178, and he made Navadvépa his capital. The ruins of his kingdom can still be found in the villages of Bamanpukur and Mäyäpura. He was a great patron of learning and sponsored the famous Jayadeva Gosvämé, author of Gétä-govinda.

Laìkä—the golden city of Rävaëa, situated some eight hundred miles south of India, in Ceylon.

Laos—Galangal-there are two varieties of galangal-greater and lesser. Both are closely related, although the lesser is more important. Greater galangal (Alpinia galanga), native to Indonesia, is related to ginger. Its large, knobby, spicy roots taste rather like ginger and are used in Indonesian cooking. Lesser galangal (Alpinia officinarum) is the rhizome of a plant native to China. Its roots have a pepper-ginger flavour and are used in many Indonesian and Malaysian dishes. In Indonesia it is also known as laos. Laos or galangal can occasionally be obtained fresh from Chinese or Indonesian shops. Peel and slice it before use. If unavailable, substitute fresh ginger. Laos powder is also used, especially in Indonesian cooking. It is less hot and more bitter than fresh laos. Use very sparingly or substitute slices of fresh ginger.

Galangal—

Läphrä-vyaïjana—combination of green vegetables, often mixed with rice.

Lassi—a sweet or salty yogurt drink.

Laukika—Ordinary, mundane or commonplace; nonscriptural, as opposed to çästramülaka. See Çästramülaka.

Lgos (Gr.)—Reason, argument, word, speech, or knowledge of something. In Greek philosophy, lgos has three aspects of meaning: structured thought, structured speech and the structured appearance of the world. See Logic.

Liberation—freedom from the material concept of life; being situated in one's constitutional position as an eternal servant of God; In Sanskrit, mokña or mukti. Vedic culture guides mankind through four stages of value development: dharma (religiosity), artha (economic development), käma (sense gratification) and mokña (liberation of the soul from birth and death). Beyond even mokña, taught Caitanya Mahäprabhu, is the fifth and unsurpassed stage, love of God (prema). See Ecstasy, Life after death, Karma, Nirväna, Prema.

Life after death—All the great religions of mankind teach that this present life is meant to cultivate a life in the hereafter. Among the various sects of Judaeo-Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, two paths of cultivation can be discerned: 1) the path of elevation, and 2) the path of salvation. The elevationists aim for an elevated state of material happiness in the afterlife. Their hope is to join their family and friends in the celestial realm known as heaven in the Bible and svarga in the Vedas. The Bhagavad-gétä warns that although life in heaven is much longer than on earth, it is not eternal: When they have thus enjoyed vast heavenly sense pleasure and the results of their pious activities are exhausted, they return to this mortal planet again. Thus those who seek sense enjoyment by adhering to the principles of elevation achieve only repeated birth and death. [Bg. 9.21] Salvationists, on the other hand, aim to be saved from their mortality. They often speak of salvation as the surrender of the mortal self to the eternal light that is Nirväna, Brahman or God. Some speak of salvation as a state of unbroken prayerful contemplation upon a personal deity. These are descriptions of impersonal Brahman and Paramätmä realization. Impersonal Brahman, as explained in the brahma-jyotir entry, is the formless effulgence of Kåñëa's personal form. Mystics and yogés who are able to negate their minds' attachments to the world of material form may lose themselves within this formless light. Paramätmä is Kåñëa's form as the Supersoul, who dwells within the hearts of all living beings as the overseer and permitter (see Bg. 13.23). Paramätmä realization is semi-personal, because the salvationist's relationship to the Supersoul in the heart remains passive. More than wanting to serve God, the salvationist wants to be saved from death and rebirth. Thus impersonal Brahman and semi-personal Paramätmä realization are incomplete. The complete realization is the realization of the Personality of Godhead through bhakti-yoga. The most fortunate salvationists can attain only the çänta-rasa (passive relationship in awe and reverence). The four higher rasas are reserved for Kåñëa's pure devotees. By flooding the senses with eternal nectar from the original, pure source of pleasure God Himself love of Kåñëa completely liberates the devotee from attraction to temporary material sense pleasures. Thus the consciousness of the soul completely takes shelter of its original position as an eternal associate of the Lord in the spiritual world. As long as he or she still possesses a physical body, the fully Kåñëa conscious devotee is called jévan-mukta, liberated while still within the material world. When he or she gives up the physical body, the fully Kåñëa conscious devotee remains forever with Kåñëa in the spiritual world. This is videha-mukti, liberation that transcends the material world altogether. See Bhakti-yoga, Brahmajyoti, Brahman, Karma, Liberation, Nirväna, Prema, Rasa, Reincarnation, Saàsära, Supersoul.

Lélä-avatäras—innumerable incarnations, like Matsya, Kurma, Räma and Nåsiàha, who descend to display the spiritual pastimes of the Personality of Godhead in the material world.

Lélä-çakti—Kåñëa's internal potency, the energy that helps to enact His pastimes.

Lélä—a transcendental ''pastime" or activity performed by God or His devotee; The endlessly expanding spiritual activities and pastimes of Kåñëa. See Kåñëa.

Liìgam—phallic symbol which is used in the worship of Lord Çiva.

Liìga-çaréra—See Subtle body.

Liìga—the subtle body: mind, intelligence and false ego.

Lobha—greed.

Locana däsa Öhäkura—a great Kåñëa conscious spiritual master.

Logic—This is one of the four main branches of philosophy (besides epistemology, ethics and metaphysics). Logic is the study of reasoning systematic thought expressed in language (speech) that accounts for what we know in this world. Through logic the experience of the world is made intelligible. See Epistemology, Ethics, Fallacy, Lgos, Metaphysics, Nyäya, Philosophy.

Logical positivism—A twentieth century development of positivism and empiricism. Its basis is the theory of verification, which claims the only valid truth is that which is proven by the modern scientific method. Language should emulate mathematical logic in order to express this truth. Metaphysical statements and values are meaningless. One of its founders is the British philosopher A.J. Ayer. See Empiricism, Positivism.

Loka-päla—a generic term for the deity presiding over one of the directions: Indra for the east, Agni for the southeast. Yama for the south, Sürya for the southwest, Varuëa for the west, Väyu for the northwest, Kuvera for the north, and Candra for the northeast.

Loka-pratäraka—a pretender.

Lokäyatikas—a class of philosophers, akin to the Buddhists, who existed when Lord Kåñëa spoke Bhagavad-gétä and who accept that life is a product of a mature combination of material elements.

Loka—planet.

Lomaça—a sage who guided the Päëòavas during their exile in the forest. He took them to many places of pilgrimage. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Lorry—truck.

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Mad elephant offense—offense against the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava.

Madana-mohana-mohiné—Rädhäräëé, the enchanter of the enchanter of Cupid.

Madana-mohana—the name of Kåñëa which means "He who charms Cupid."

Mädana—a category of highly advanced ecstasy in which the lovers meet together and there is kissing and many other symptoms.

Madana—Cupid, the demigod who incites lusty desires in the living beings.

Mada—madness, a vyabhicäri-bhäva; also, intoxication.

Mädhäi—see: Jagäi and Mädhäi

Mädhava—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who appeared in the Madhu dynasty." It is also a name for the Yadu dynasty; also a name of Kåñëa comparing Him to the sweetness of springtime or the sweetness of honey.

Mädhukaré—a saintly mendicant who takes a little food from each householder's place like a bee gathering honey; a system of begging adopted by a mendicant.

Madhupati—name of Kåñëa in Dvärakä.

Madhura-rasa—see:Mädhurya-rasa. below.

Mädhurya-bhaktas—devotees engaged only in conjugal love.

Mädhurya-lélä—Lord Kåñëa's pastimes of conjugal love with His eternal associates.

Mädhurya-rasa—the spiritual relationship in conjugal love which the Supreme Lord and His devotee reciprocate as lovers.

Mädhurya-rati—see: Mädhurya-rasa. above.

Madhusüdana—a name of Kåñëa, "killer of the Madhu demon."

Madhväcärya—a great thirteenth-century Vaiñëava spiritual master, who preached the theistic philosophy of pure dualism. The founder of the dvaita school of Vedänta philosophy. He wrote a number of works which refuted the impersonal philosophy of Çaìkaräcärya. He appeared in the 13th century in Udipé, in South India. He took sannyäsa at the age of twelve, traveled all over India and had the personal darçana of Çréla Vyäsadeva in the Himalayan abode of Badarikäçrama and presented his commentary on Bhagavad-gétä before that venerable sage. He also received a çälagrama-çéla called Añöamürti from Vyäsa. He was very powerful both physically and intellectualy, and was considered to be an incarnation of Väyu, the wind god.

Madhva—Also known as Änandatértha and Pürëaprajïa, äcärya Madhva re-established the Brahmä Sampradäya in the thirteenth century AD. He is considered to be the avatära of Väyu and Hanumän. A prolific writer and undefeatable in debate, he established Dvaita Vedänta in direct opposition to Çaìkaräcärya's Advaita Vedänta. Çréla Jéva Go-svämé acknowledged Madhva's works as an inspiration for his own writings on acintya-bheda-abheda philosophy. See Advaita, Dvaita, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Çaìkaräcärya, Vedänta.

Madhya-lélä—the pastimes Lord Caitanya performed during the middle part of His manifest presence, while He was traveling throughout India; the portion of the Caitanya-caritämåta recounting those pastimes.

Madhyama-adhikäré—devotee who worships the Lord with firm faith, makes friends with His devotees, preaches to the innocent, and avoids atheists; Madhyama-bhägavata

Madirä—a wife of Vasudeva.

Madirekñaëä—refers to one whose eyes are so attractive that one who observes them becomes maddened by her. In other words, madirekñaëä means a very beautiful young girl. According to Jéva Gosvämé, madirekñaëä means the personified deity of bhakti. If one is attracted by the bhakti cult, he becomes engaged in the service of the Lord and the spiritual master, and thus his life becomes successful. Vaidarbhé, the woman, became a follower of her husband. As she left her comfortable home for the service of her husband, a serious student of spiritual understanding must give up everything for the service of the spiritual master. As stated by Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura, yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù: if one wants actual success in life, he must strictly follow the instructions of the spiritual master. By following such instructions, one is sure to make rapid progress in spiritual life. [Gurv-añöaka 8] This statement by Viçvanätha Cakravarté is in pursuance of the following injunction from the Çvetäçvatara Upaniñadyasya deve parä bhaktir yathä deve tathä gurau tasyaite kathitä hy arthäù prakäçante mahätmanaù "Unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master, all the imports of Vedic knowledge are automatically revealed." (Çvetäçvatara Upaniñad 6.23) ataù çré-kåñëa-nämädi na bhaved grähyam indriyaiù sevonmukhe hi jihvädau svayam eva sphuraty adaù "No one can understand Kåñëa as He is by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him." [Padma Puräëa] bhaktyä mäm abhijänäti yävän yaç cäsmi tattvataù tato mäà tattvato jïätvä viçate tad-anantaram "One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God."

These are Vedic instructions. One must have full faith in the words of the spiritual master and similar faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Then the real knowledge of ätmä and Paramätmä and the distinction between matter and spirit will be automatically revealed. This ätma-tattva, or spiritual knowledge, will be revealed within the core of a devotee's heart because of his having taken shelter of the lotus feet of a mahäjana such as Prahläda Mahäräja. [6.23]: yasya deve parä bhaktir yathä deve tathä gurau tasyaite kathitä hy arthäù prakäçante mahätmanaù"Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed." In the Chändogya Upaniñad [6.14.2] it is said, äcäryavän puruño veda: "One who approaches a bona fide spiritual master can understand everything about spiritual realization."

Mädré—the co-wife (with Kunté) of King Päëòu. She conceived Nakula and Sahadeva from the Açviné Kumära demigods. She entered the fire with her husband.

Magadha—a province of ancient India; also the capital city of King Jaräsandha.

Mägha-melä—a yearly fair held during the month of Mägha at Prayäga for spiritual upliftment.

Mahä-bhägavata—a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord in the highest stage of devotional life; Uttama-adhikäré-a first-class devotee who is expert in Vedic literature and has full faith in the Supreme Lord; he can deliver the whole world; The Sanskrit term bhagavata refers to a devotee of Bhagavän Çré Kåñëa. A mahä-bhagavata is a great or first-class Vaiñëava devotee.

Mahä-bhäva—the highest stage of love of God.

Mahäbhärata—An important and famous itihäsa (historical) scripture belonging to the småti section of the Vedic scriptures. The Mahäbhärata narrates the history of the great Kuru dynasty of kñatriyas (warriors) that was annihilated by the Kurukñetra war. Contained within the Mahäbhärata is the Bhagavad-gétä. See Bhagavad-gétä.

Mahä-bhütas—The five material elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. See Elements.

Mahä-dvädaçé—the day after Ekädaçé, celebrated instead of Ekädaçi because of astronomical overlapping. Lord Kåñëa calls it Ekädaçé if a fast is observed on that day.

Mahä-lakñmé—Lakñmé-the goddess of fortune and the eternal consort of the Supreme Lord as Lord Närayaëa, who resides in the unlimited spiritual realm of Vaikuëtha.

Mahä-mahä-prasädam—the remnants of food left by a pure Vaiñëava.

Mala—string of 108 beads made from Tulsasi wood used for chanting or Japa-the soft recitation of the Kåñëa's holy names as a private meditation, with the aid of 108 prayer beads.

Mahä-mantra—the great chanting for deliverance: Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare; is the great mantra composed of the principal names of Godhead in their vocative forms. This maha-mantra is found in the Puräëas and Upaniñads and is specifically recommended for chanting in this age of Kali as the only means of God realization. Lord Caitanya personally designated it as the mahä-mantra and practically demonstrated the effects of the chanting.

Mahä-mäyä—the material nature; the external potency of the Supreme Lord, which bewilders the conditioned living entities. She is personified as Durgä-devé; the illusory, material energy of the Supreme Lord.

Mahä-paëòita—a very learned person.

Mahä-prasädam—sanctified food that consists of remnants from the plate offered directly to Kåñëa in His Deity form.

Mahat—Literally, very great, this word is often used in the Vedic scriptures to signify the immeasurability of material nature.

Mahat-tattva—The first stage of creation, in which the ingredients of subsequent creations are displayed within material nature. The ingredients appear when the three modes of material nature are activated by the glance of Mahä-Viñëu. See Modes of nature, Prakåti, Viñëu.

Mahapuri—one of the pilgrimage cities in India where residence brings salvation. The seven maha-puris are Mathura, Ayodhya, Hardwar, Varanasi, Kanchi, Ujjain, and Dwarka.

Mahä-pürëa—the highest level of perfection.

Mahä-puruña—the Supreme Lord, who is the supreme enjoyer.

Mahä-ratha—a powerful warrior who can single-handedly fight against ten thousand others.

Mahä-snäna—a vast bath with ghee and water used to bathe the Deity.

Mahä-vadänyävatära—Lord Caitanya, the most magnanimous incarnation.

Mahä-väkya—transcendental sound vibration.

Maha-Viñëu—the expansion of the Supreme Lord Viñëu reclining on Ädi-Sesa, from whom all material universes emanate; See Supersoul, Viñëu.

Mahäbhärata-tatparya-nérëaya—Madhväcärya's commentary on the Mahäbhärata.

Mahäbhärata—an ancient, Sanskrit, epic history of Bhärata, or India composed by Krñëa Dvaipäyana Vyäsadeva, the literary incarnation of Godhead, in 100,000 verses. The essence of all Vedic philosophy, the Bhagavad-gétä, is a part of this great work. Mahabhärata is a history of the earth from its creation to the great Kurukñetra war fought between the Kuru and Päëdava factions of the Kaurava dynasty, which took place about five thousand years ago. The battle was waged to determine who would be the emperor of the world: the saintly Yudhiñthira, a Vaiñëava king, or the evil-minded Duryodhana, the son of Dhrtarastra.

Mahäbhuta—(mahä-great + bhuta-element) the five great material elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether.

Mahädeva—Lord Çiva-the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Mahäjana—one of the twelve great self-realized souls, authorized agents of the Lord whose duty is to preach the cult of devotional service to the people in general; one who understands the Absolute Truth and throughout his life behaves likes a pure devotee.

Mahäkäça—(lit., the greatest sky of all) the space occupied by Goloka Våndävana.

Mahal—palace or house.

Mahäprabhu—supreme master of all masters; Lord Caitanya.

Mahäräëé—wife of the king or the ruler in her own right.

Mahäräja—king, ruler, sannyasi (renounced order of life)

Mahäraurava—a hell wherein animal killers are sent.

Maharloka—a heavenly planet.

Mahätmä—a "great soul" an exalted devotee of Lord Kåñëa, free from material contamination. one who factually understands that Kåñëa is everything and who therefore surrenders unto Him.

Maheçvara—the supreme proprietor. Çiva-the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Mahendra—Lord Indra, the King of heaven.

Mahiña—buffalo demon who was killed by Durgä.

Mahodara—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Maidan—open square or park.

Mainäka—this mountain was the son of Himavan during the Satya-yuga, when mountains had wings. Its wings were clipped, and it was placed in the ocean by Indra.

Maitreya Muni—the great sage who spoke Çrémäd-Bhagävätäm to Vidura, who gave advice to the Päëòavas during their exile in the forest. He cursed Duryodhana that Bhéma would fulfill his vow.

Makara-dhvaja—"The sex-god is called Makara-dhvaja." Bhäg. 3.28.32. See also: Cupid

Mälä—chanting with beads.

Malayadhvaja—a nice devotee who is like sandalwood.

Malina-aìgatä—the ecstatic symptom of uncleanliness.

Mallikä—a sweet-scented flower of Våndävana.

Mälyavän—a great demon.

Mamatä—an intimate attachment between the servitor and the served in devotional service.

Mänasa-gaìgä—a sacred river that flows in Våndävana along part of the base of Govardhana Hill.

Mänasarovara—a lake north of India, near Mount Kailäsa.

Mänä—standard of measurement for rice and grain.

Mäna—when the lover feels novel sweetness by exchanging hearty loving words but wishes to hide his feelings by crooked means.

Mandapam (mandapa)—halls of the temple, often with many pillars. They are one or more entrance porches or halls that lead to the vimana or inner sanctum.

Mandaräcala—the mountain used by the demigods and demons to churn the ocean of milk and thus extract nectar.

Mandir—temple

Maìgala-arati—the daily predawn worship ceremony honoring the Deity of the Supreme Lord.

Maëimän—a Yakña who was killed by Bhémasena. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Maëimä—an address used for respectable persons in Orissa.

Manéñä—intelligence.

Maïjaré—the small, purplish flowers of the tulasé plant. Maïjarés, along with tulasé leaves, are offered only to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They must be fresh.

Manjughoñä—a society lady of the heavenly planets.

Manomaya—(consciousness) absorbed in mental activity.

Mantra—(man-mind + tra-deliverance) a pure sound vibration when repeated over and over delivers the mind from its material inclinations and illusion. A transcendental sound or Vedic hymn, a prayer or chant; Combining the Sanskrit terms manas (mind) and trayate (to deliver), a mantra is a spiritual sound that frees consciousness from illusion. The Vedic scriptures are composed of many thousands of mantras. Mahä-mantra means great mantra; it is a synonym for the Hare Kåñëa mantra: Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa Kåñëa Kåñëa Hare Hare Hare Räma Hare Räma Räma Räma Hare Hare

Manu-saàhitä—the scriptural lawbook for mankind, written by Manu, the administrative demigod, and father of mankind.

Manuñya-gaëa—mankind.

Manu—Svayambhuva Manu, a demigod son of Brahmä who is the original father and lawgiver of the human race; also, a generic name for any of the fourteen universal rulers also known as Manvantara-avataras, who appear in each day of Lord Brahmä. Their names are 1) Svayambhuva; 2) Svärociña; 3) Uttama; 4) Tämasa; 5) Raivata; 6) Cäkñusa; 7) Vaivasvata; 8) Savarëi; 9) Dakña-sävarëi; 10) Brahma-sävarëi; 11) Dharma-sävarëi; 12) Rudra-sävarëi; 13) Deva-sävarni; 14) Indra-sävarëi.

Manvantara-avatäras—the incarnations of the Supreme Lord who appear during the reign of each Manu (306,720,000 years); used as a standard division of history.

Manvantara—the duration of each Manu' s reign

Marakata-maëi—an emerald.

Maratha—ruling group from Maharashtra in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Märga—road.

Maréci—one of the great sages born directly from Lord Brahmä.

Märiñä—the society girl of the heavenly planets sent by Indra to seduce the sage Kaëòu.

Märkaëòeya Åñi—an ancient sage who narrated the Märkaëòeya Puräëa, which, describes the nature of Krñëa. He beheld the Lord lying down on a Banyan leaf during the period of universal devastation

Märkaëòeya Puräëa—the Puräëa of Märkaëòeya Åñi.

Markaöa-vairägya—false renunciation; literally, the renunciation of a monkey.

Martya-loka—the "world of death," the earth.

Martya—a description of Kåñëa indicating that because of His affection for His devotees He appears like an ordinary human being.

Marudloka—the planet of the Maruts, associates of King Indra.

Maruts—the demigod associates of King Indra, the gods of the air. They number forty-nine and are sons of Diti.

Marxism—The rationalist political and economic doctrine of the nineteenth century German social revolutionary Karl Marx (1818-1883). Marx is considered to be a materialist, but his materialism is special. He believed the material (especially economic) facts of a society determine its mental aspects: social laws, religion, culture and other patterns of thought. In short, Marx believed the material determines the mental. But materialism is actually the belief that the material is the mental. Marx was much influenced by the idealist Hegel, whose philosophy of history predicted the progressive development of human consciousness towards knowledge of the absolute. Marx translated that notion of progress into economic terms. But the historical end he foresaw for humanity perpetual communisms idealistic, not materialistic. According to materialism, nothing is perpetual except primordial matter. Phenomena are ever-changing. Hence, no social system can be permanent. Theorist of economy that he was, Marx was not able to provide for his wife and children. He and his family were supported by his fellow revolutionary Friedrich Engels, a rich man's son. See Humanism, Idealism, Materialism, Rationalism.

Maryädä-laìghana—a violation of the regulative principles.

Masjéd—a mosque.

Mätä Çacé—the mother of Lord Çri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, the daughter of Nilämbara Cakravarté and the wife of Çré Jagannätha Miçra.

Mätali—the charioteer of Indra. He took Arjuna to the heavenly planets. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Mata—mother.

Materialism—A very broad category of philosophy containing many shades of theory. The main points are that everything in existence is only matter in motion. According to some materialists, mind exists, but only as an effect of matter in motion. Other materialists say mind has no existence at all. All agree there is no God, there is no first cause or prime mover and that life is not eternal. All phenomena change, eventually pass out of existence, returning back again to a primordial eternal material ground in an eternal retransformation of matter. Marxists claim to be materialists, but the doctrine taught by Karl Marx has idealistic tendencies. See Idealism, Marxism, Mind/body problem, Scepticism.

Maöha—a temple of the Lord with an attached residence or äçrama for brahmacärés (celibate students) and sannyäsés (renunciants) to live; monastery.

Mathurä—Lord Kåñëa's abode, and birth place, surrounding Våndävana. At the end of Lord Kåñëa's manifest lélä, Vajra, His grandson, was put in charge of this sacred city. Lord Krsëa displayed His pastimes after leaving Våndävana. It is also the name of the district where Vraja (Våndävana) is located.

Matiar—peas.

Mati—attention, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Mätsarya—envy.

Matsya—the fish incarnation of the Supreme Lord.

Maugdhya—assuming the position of not knowing things although everything is known.

Mauñala-lélä—the pastimes of the annihilation of the Yadu dynasty and Lord Kåñëa's disappearance.

Maya Dänava—the architect of the demons.

Mäyä-çakti—Mäyä-illusion; an energy of Krñna's which deludes the living entity into forgetfulness of the Supreme Lord. That which is not, unreality, deception, forgetfulness, material illusion. Under illusion a man thinks he can be happy in this temporary material world. The nature of the material world is that the more a man tries to exploit the material situation, the more he is bound by mäyä's complexities.

Mäyä-sukha—material happiness, which is illusory and temporary.

Moha-illusion.—

Mäyä-vaça—subjected to the influence of the illusory energy.

Mäyädhéça—the Lord of all energy.

Mäyäväda—the impersonal philosophy first propounded by Çaìkaräcärya, which proposes the unqualified oneness of God and the living entities (who are both conceived of as being ultimately formless) and the nonreality of manifest nature; the philosophy that everything is one and that the Absolute Truth is not a person.

Mayävädé—one who propounds the philosophy of Çaìkaräcärya, which basically holds that God is featureless and impersonal, that devotion to a personal Godhead is false, the material creation of the Lord is also false, and the ultimate goal of life is to become existentially one with the all-pervading, impersonal Absolute.

Mäyä—Mäyäväda philosophy. Mäyäväda in Sanskrit means doctrine of illusion. In India, the philosophies of the Buddha and of Çaìkaräcärya are called Mäyäväda. The second grew out of the first. The fundamental principles accepted by both are the following: 1) name, form, individuality, thoughts, desires and words arise from mäyä or illusion, not God; 2) mäyä cannot be rationally explained, since the very idea that anything needs explaining is itself mäyä; 3) the individual self or soul is not eternal, because upon liberation it ceases to exist; 4) like mäyä, the state of liberation is beyond all explanation. The main difference between the two is that Çaìkaräcärya's Mäyäväda asserts that beyond mäyä is an eternal impersonal monistic reality, Brahman, the nature of which is the self. Buddhism, however, aims at extinction (nirodha) as the final goal. Of the two, Çaìkaräcärya's Mäyäväda is more dangerous, as it apparently derives its authority from the Vedas. Much word-jugglery is employed to defend the Vedic origins of Çaìkaräcärya's Mäyäväda. But ultimately Mäyävädés dispense with Vedic authority by concluding that the Supreme cannot be known through çabda, that the name of Kåñëa is a material vibration, that the form of Kåñëa is illusion, and so on. The Çaìkarites agree with the Buddhists that näma-rüpa (name and form) must always be mäyä. Therefore Vaiñëavas reject both kinds of Mäyäväda as atheism. Buddhists generally do not deny that they are atheists, whereas the Çaìkarite Mäyävädés claim to be theists. But actually they are monists and pantheists. Their claim to theism is refuted by their belief that the Supreme Self is overcome by mäyä and becomes the bound soul. Çaìkaräcärya's Mäyäväda is similar in significant ways to the Western doctrine of solipsism. Like solipsism, it arrives at a philosophical dead end. The questions that remain unanswered are: If my consciousness is the only reality, why can't I change the universe at will, simply by thought? And if my own self is the only reality, why am I dependent for my life, learning and happiness upon a world full of living entities that refuse to acknowledge this reality? See Brahmajyoti, Brahman, Buddhism, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Monism, Pantheism, Çaìkaräcärya, Scepticism, Solipsism, Six systems.

Mäyä—illusion; an energy of Krñna's which deludes the living entity into forgetfulness of the Supreme Lord. That which is not, unreality, deception, forgetfulness, material illusion. Under illusion a man thinks he can be happy in this temporary material world. The nature of the material world is that the more a man tries to exploit the material situation, the more he is bound by mäyä's complexities; This is a Sanskrit term of many meanings. It may mean energy; yoga-mäyä is the spiritual energy sustaining the transcendental manifestation of the spiritual Vaikuëöha world, while the reflection, mahä-mäyä, is the energy of the material world. The Lord's twofold mäyä bewilders the jéva, hence mäyä also means bewilderment or illusion. Transcendental bewilderment is in love, by which the devotee sees God as his master, friend, dependent or amorous beloved. The material bewilderment of the living entity begins with his attraction to the glare of the brahmajyoti. That attraction leads to his entanglement in the modes of material nature. According to Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, mäyä also means that which can be measured. This is the feature of Lord Kåñëa's prakåti that captures the minds of scientific materialists. The Vaiñëava and Mäyäväda explanations of mäyä are not the same. See Mäyäväda philosophy, Modes of nature, Spiritual world.

Mechanomorphism—In Contemporary Scientific Mythology (1957), Stephen Toulmin wrote: We are inclined to suppose that myths must necessarily be anthropomorphic, and that personification is the unique road to myth. But this assumption is baseless; the myths of the twentieth century, as we shall see, are not so much anthropomorphic as mechanomorphic. In mechanomorphism, God or the total universe is conceived in terms of mythical machines. See Anthropomorphism.

Mela—fair, festival.

Menakä—the famous society girl of the heavenly planets who seduced the sage Viçvämitra.

Meru—a mountain, the golden peak of Himavan, seat of Lord Çiva, abode of the demigods. Also called Maha-meru.

Metaphysics—This is one of the four main branches of philosophy (besides epistemology, ethics and logic). Metaphysics inquires into reality beyond sense perception. It typically holds sense perception to be illusory. The term metaphysics comes from the Greek phrase, t met t physik, the things past the physics. See Epistemology, Ethics, Logic, Philosophy.

Method—In philosophy, method is what must be done to attain knowledge. In Vedic language, method corresponds to vidhi (injunction), which together with artha-väda (explanation) and mantra (transcendental chants) forms the very substance of knowledge itself.

Mezze—Middle Eastern hors d'oeuvres or appetizers. Mezze is essentially a Lebanese creation but has spread throughout the Middle East. Delicious vegetarian mezze included in this book are fresh, round Middle Eastern Breads (Pita) and dips such as Chickpea and Sesame Dip (Hummus), Lebanese Eggplant Dip (Babagannonj, and Syrian Yogurt Cheese Labreh). Lebanese Bulgur Wheat Salad (Tabbouleh) invariably appears on the mezze banquet table, as do varieties of Stuffed Vine Leaves (Dolmades), along with simple items such as slices of cucumber, olives, fresh raw or blanched vegetables, nuts, whole cooked chickpeas, and lemon wedges.

Mémäàsakas—atheistic philosophers who say that even if God exists He is obliged to reward us the fruits of our work. From karma-mimäàsä philosophy of Jaiminé-the atheistic propounder and philosopher of Karma-mimäàsä philosophy, and author of the Karma-mémäàsä-sütras, which explain the Vedas in ritualistic terms, and advocate material work as the purpose of life. He theorized that if fruitive activity is performed nicely, then God is obliged to give the results.

Mémäàsä—see:above

Mind—Some prominent theories of the mind are the following: 1) it is an eternal transmigrating soul; 2) it is a product of the action of the soul upon the body; 3) it is a non-material substance totally unlike the body; 4) it is a succession of mental events; 5) it is a by-product of the body; 6) it is a function of the form of the body, as vision is to the form of the eye; 7) it is function of the organism as a whole; 8) it is the behavior patterns of the body; 9) it is identical to the brain; 10) it is matter in motion. None of these theories exactly correspond to the Vedic version, and some are completely materialistic. The Vedas state that the seed of the mind is the desire of the soul. If desire is pure, the mind that develops out of it is spiritual. If desire is impure, then what develops is subtle matter in the mode of goodness. The development of the mind of the living entity is governed by the Supersoul (Aniruddha). According to Lord Kåñëa, the functions of the mind are saìkalpa-vikalpa (acceptance and rejection; see SB 11.2.38). See Consciousness, False ego, Intellect, Mind/body problem, Modes of nature, Soul, Subtle body, Supersoul. Mind/body problem Throughout history, philosophers of the East and West have offered speculations about the exact nature of the relationship between the mind and the body. They can be grouped under the following headings: 1) Dualism: mind/body as two substances, mental and material. 2) Logical Behaviorism: mind as the logic of the body's behavior. 3) Idealism: mind/body as one substance, mind. 4) Materialism: mind/body as one substance, matter. 5) Functionalism: mind as the functions of input, processing, output, analogous to the functions of a computer. 6) Double aspect theory: mind/body as aspects of a substance that is neither mental nor physical. That substance is supposed by different philosophers to be the totality of everything, or a neutral monistic stuff, or the fundamental concept person, of which mind and matter are aspects. 7) Phenomenology: mind/body as a problem of experience, rather than a problem of theory. The mind/body duality is really a problem of the materialistic soul's intention toward matter, from which all dualities arise. The mind and body of the bound soul are material. The mind and body of the liberated soul are spiritual. See Consciousness, Dualism, False ego, Gross body, Idealism, Intellect, Logic, Materialism, Mind, Modes of nature, Phenomenology, Soul, Subtle body, Supersoul.

Mirabai—poetess, author of popular devotional songs.

Miçra-sattva—mundane goodness.

Mithila—capital of the kingdom of Videha, ruled by King Janaka, father of Sita. Modern Janatput, Nepal.

Mitra—the demigod who controls death.

Mleccha—someone lower than a çüdra.

Mlecchas—uncivilized humans, outside the Vedic system of society, who are generally meat-eaters.

Modes of nature—There are three guëas, or modes of material nature: goodness (sattva-guëa), passion (rajo-guëa) and ignorance (tamo-guëa). They make possible our mental, emotional and physical experiences of the universe. Without the influence of the modes, thought, value judgement and action are impossible for the conditioned soul. The English word mode, as used by Çréla Prabhupäda in his translations of Vedic literature, best conveys the sense of the Sanskrit term guëa (material quality). Mode comes from the Latin modus, and it has a special application in European philosophy. Modus means measure. It is used to distinguish between two aspects of material nature: that which is immeasurable (called natura naturans, the creative nature) and that which seems measurable (called natura naturata, the created nature). Creative nature is a single divine substance that manifests, through modes, the created nature, the material world of physical and mental variety. Being immeasurable (in other words, without modes), creative nature cannot be humanly perceived. Created nature (with modes) seems measurable, hence we do perceive it. Modus also means a manner of activity. When creative nature acts, it assumes characteristic modes of behavior: creation, maintainance and destruction. Bhagavad-gétä (14.3-5) presents a similar twofold description of material nature as mahat yoni, the source of birth, and as guëa prakåti, that which acts wonderfully through modes. Material nature as the source of birth is also termed mahad-brahman, the great or immeasurable Brahman. Mahad-brahman is nature as the divine creative substance, which is the material cause of everything. Material cause is a term common to both European philosophy (as causa materialis) and Vedänta philosophy (as upadäna käraëa). It means the source of ingredients that make up creation. We get an example of a material cause from the Sanskrit word yoni, which literally means womb. The mother's womb provides the ingredients for the formation of the embryo. Similarly, the immeasurable creative nature provides the ingredients for the formation of the material world in which we live, the seemingly measurable created nature. The clarity of this example forces a question: what about the father, who must impregnate the womb first before it can act as the material cause? This question is answered by Kåñëa, the speaker of the Bhagavad-gétä, in verse 14.4: ahaà béja-pradaù pitä, I am the seed-giving father. In Vedänta philosophy, this factor of causation is termed nimitta-mätram (the remote cause). It is important to note that by presenting creation as the result of the union of two causes (the material and the remote), the Bhagavad-gétä rejects the philosophy of Deus sive natura, the identity of God and nature. In short, though creative nature may be accepted as the direct cause of creation, it is not the self-sufficient cause of creation. The seed with which Kåñëa impregnates the womb of creative nature is comprised of sarva-bhütänäm, all living entities [Bg. 14.3]. And Bg. 14.5 explains that when Kåñëa puts the souls into the womb of material nature, their consciousness is conditioned by three modes, or tri-guëa. The modes are three measures of interaction between conscious spirit and unconscious matter. The modes may be compared to the three primary colors, yellow, red and blue, and consciousness may be compared to clear light. The conditioning (nibhadnanti: they do condition) of consciousness upon its entry into the womb of material nature is comparable to the coloration of light upon its passing through a prism. The color yellow symbolizes sattva-guëa, the mode of goodness. This mode is pure, illuminating, and sinless. Goodness conditions the soul with the sense of happiness and knowledge. The color red symbolizes the rajo-guëa, the mode of passion, full of longings and desires. By the influence of passion the soul engages in works of material accomplishment. The color blue symbolizes tamo-guëa, the mode of ignorance, which binds the soul to madness, indolence and sleep. As the three primary colors combine to produce a vast spectrum of hues, so the three modes combine to produce the vast spectrum of states of conditioned consciousness that encompasses all living entities within the universe. See Kåñëa, Threefold miseries.

Moghul—the Muslim dynasty of Indian Emperors starting from Babur.

Mohana—highly advanced ecstasy in which the lovers are separated; divided into udghürëä and citra-jalpa.

Moha—bewilderment, a vyabhicäri-bhäva; illusion.

Mohiné—the incarnation of the Supreme Lord as a most beautiful woman. She distributed the nectar produced from the churning of the ocean of milk. She was also pursued by Lord Çiva.

Monism—From the Greek mnos, single. It is generally taken to mean the doctrine of oneness argued by Mäyävädé philosophers, that reality is without variety and matter is an illusion. Vaiñëavas explain monism differently: all things in the universe occur out of the activity of one fundamental essence or substance, the Supreme Lord. See Atheism, Mäyäväda philosophy, Theism.

Mokña-kämé—one who desires liberation.

Mokñäkäìkñé—see: Mokña-kämé above

Mokña—liberation from material bondage; See Liberation.

Mokñonmukhé—pious activities that enable the living entity to merge into the existence of the Supreme.

Monolith—a monument, statue or temple carved out of a single stone.

Monotheism—The doctrine that there is only one God (from Gr. mnos, only, alone, plus thes, God). See Atheism, Theism.

Monsoon—rainy season from June to October.

Moööäyita—awakening of lusty desires by the remembrance and words of the hero.

Mådaìga—a two-headed clay drum used for kértana performances and congregational chanting.

Måttikä—clay derived from wet earth.

Måtyu—death personified, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Müòha—a fool or rascal; asslike person.

Muhammed—See Avatära (Çaktyäveça).

Muhürta—a period of forty-eight minutes.

Mukta-puruña—a liberated soul.

Mukti-devé—the demigoddess who is the personification of liberation.

Mukti-päda—the Supreme Lord under whose feet exist all kinds of liberation.

Mukti—liberation of a conditioned soul from material consciousness and bondage.

Mukunda—the name of Kåñëa meaning "the giver of liberation."

Müla-mantra—a short Sanskrit incantation uttered before one offers an item of worship to the Deity of Kåñëa or His expansions.

Mukunda-datta—Madhukantha, famous singer of Vrajabhumi

Mukut—a crown or tiara worn by the Deity.

Mumukñu—one who desires liberation from the material world.

Muni-putra—the son of a sage.

Muni—a sage or self-realized soul.

Muraripu (Muradviña)—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, the killer of the demon Mura

Muräri—Kåñëa, the enemy of the demon Mura.

Mürti—form of the Lord or His devotee.

Mysticism—From the Greek mystes, one initiated into the mysteries or secrets of higher knowledge. Andrew Weeks, a scholar of this subject, points out the difficulty of coming to clear terms with what mysticism actually is: The concept of mysticism is controversial and ambiguous in its core. There is no agreement among scholars on the question of who ought to be classified as a mystic. (from German Mysticism, 1993, p. 3) St. John of the Cross, a Christian mystic, wrote: In order to arrive at that which thou knowest not, Thou must go by a way that thou knowest not. In order to arrive at that which thou possesseth not, Thou must go by a way that thou possesseth not. As Çréla Prabhupäda once said, Mystical means misty. See Brahmajyoti, Ecstasy, Sphoöaväda.

Mystic yoga—yoga performed for the purpose of developing subtle material powers.

-N-

Näbhi—the saintly king who was the father of Lord Åñabhadeva.

Nadéyä-nägaré—a so-called party of devotees who worship Viñëupriyä.

Nadi—river.

Nägapatné—a wife of a serpent.

Nagara—a town or city.

Nägas—a race of serpents.

Näga—a snake. Çeña-näga is the incarnation of Lord Sankarñaëa, or Baladeva.

Naimiñäraëya—a sacred forest in central India where the eighteen Puräëas were spoken and which is said to be the hub of the universe.

Naishada—a forest dweller, desdants of Naishada, an ugly dwarf born of the thigh of King Vena.

Naiñkarma—another term for akarma; action for which one suffers no reaction because it is performed in Kåñëa consciousness.

Naiñöhika-brahmacäré—one who has been celibate since birth.

Nakñatra—star; also refers to an asterism. In Vedic astrology there are twenty-seven asterisms.

Nakula—a mongoose, the enemy of snakes.

Nakula—the fourth of the Päëòavas. He was the son of Mädré by the twin Açviné Kumära demigods. Nakula and his brother Sahadeva were taken care of by Kunté after Madré entered the funeral fire of Päëòu. Nakula was reputed for being handsome.

Näma-aparädha—an offense against the holy name of the Lord.

Näma-saìkértana—congregational chanting of the holy names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, usually accompanied by hand cymbals (karatälas) and clay mådaìga drums. Lord Caitanya and the Vedic literatures recommend this saìkértana as the most effective means of God-realization in the present age of Kali.

Nämäbhäsa—the stage just above the offensive stage of chanting the name of God, in which one realizes a dim reflection of the holy name.

Nämäcärya—äcärya of the chanting of the holy names (Haridäsa Öhäkura).

Namaste—Hindu greetings, meaning "obeisances."

Nämmälvära—a famous South Indian devotee who lived before Rämänuja and composed many beautiful prayers.

Namo näräyaëäya—greeting of Mäyävädé sannyäsés meaning "I offer my obeisances to Näräyaëa."

Nan—baked leavened bread.

Nanda Mahäräja—the king of the cowherd men of Våndävana, Vraja, foster father of Lord Kåñëa.

Nanda-mahotsava—the festival of Nanda Mahäräja; Kåñëa's birthday.

Nanda-nandana—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, who is the darling son of Nanda Mahäräja.

Nandana-känana—the beautiful forest in the celestial world where Lord Indra sports with his wife and where there is heavenly music and dancing.

Nandavana—lower garden.

Nanda—one of the chief personal servants of Lord Näräyaëa in His spiritual abode, Vaikuëöha.

Nändé-çloka—the introductory portion of a drama, which is written to invoke good fortune.

Nandi—the bull carrier of Çiva found in many Çiva temples.

Nara-deva—the king, who is an earthly god.

Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi—an incarnation of the Supreme Lord appearing as two sages to teach by example the practice of austerities.

Närada Muni—a pure devotee of the Lord, one of the sons of Lord Brahmä, who travels throughout the universes in his eternal body, glorifying devotional service while delivering the science of bhakti. He is the spiritual master of Vyäsadeva and of many other great devotees; A great sage among the demigods, the favorite son of Brahmä, and one of the foremost authorities on viñëu-bhakti. In Kali-santaraëa Upaniñad, Brahmä taught Närada the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. Närada is famous throughout the universe for his ecstatic chanting of the holy name of Kåñëa. He taught the Närada-païcaratra and the Närada-bhakti-sütra and gives a number of illuminating discourses in Çrémad-Bhägavatam and other Puräëas. Among Närada's prominent disciples are Prahläda, Dhruva, Citraketu (Våträsura), the Haryaçvas, and Vyäsadeva, who compiled all the Vedic scriptures. See Bhakti-yoga, Brahmä, Demigods, Prahläda, Vyäsa.

Närada Païcarätra—Närada Muni's book on the processes of Deity worship and mantra meditation.

Narädhama—the lowest of mankind, those who are socially and politically developed but have no religious principles.

Narakäsura—the father of King Bhagadatta. He was killed by Lord Kåñëa.

Narakeçvara—a name for the Supreme Lord as well as for Yamaräja, meaning "he who is in charge of the hellish regions".

Näraké—candidate for hellish life.

Narakuëòa—lake of hell.

Narasiàha, Lord—Nåsiàha-deva-the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Kåñëa, who killed the demon Hiranyakasipu and saved His devotee, Prahlada Mahäräja.

Näräyaëa-paräyaëa—a devotee of Lord Näräyaëa.

Näräyaëa-para—one who has dedicated his life to the Supreme Lord Näräyana, or Kåñëa.

Näräyaëa—a name for the majestic four-armed form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who is the source and goal of all living entities." The resting place of all living entities, who presides over the Vaikuëöha planets; Lord Viñëu, He is an expansion of Kåñëa.

Nara—the human race or a human being.

Narottama däsa Öhäkura—a renowned Vaiñëava spiritual master in the disciplic succession from Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, who is famous for his many compositions of devotional songs. He appeared in the 16th century in Khetari. in the West Bengal district of Rajasahi, just north of Nadia. He was devoted to Lord Caitanya from birth. His father was a king and dedicated to Lord Nityänanda. Narottama went to Våndävana and became the initiated disciple of Lokanätha Gosvämé. He studied under Çréla Jéva Gosvämé and preached widely throughout India, making many thousands of disciples.

Nañöa-buddhi—bereft of all good sense.

Nañöa-prajïa—bereft of all intelligence.

Nataräja—Çiva as the cosmic dancer.

Natural theology—A theological movement of the late seventeenth to early nineteenth century that minimized traditional revealed theology. Natural theology was the attempt of rationalist philosophers to acquire and demonstrate God consciousness by innate or natural reason. See Rationalism.

Nava-yauvana day—the day on which Lord Jagannätha, Çrématé Subhadrä and Lord Balaräma enter seclusion for fifteen days before Ratha-yäträ.

Nava-yauvana—the eternal transcendental form of Kåñëa as pre-youth.

Navadvépa—the topmost holy place, ninety miles north of Calcutta. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city became the greatest center of Sanskrit learning in all of India. Lord Caitanya, the yuga-avatära, appeared there in the late 15th century and propagated the chanting of the Holy Names all over India. His appearance made Navadvépa the crest jewel of all holy places in the present age.

Navagraha—nine planets.

Navamé—the ninth day of the waxing and waning moon.

Nawab—Muslim ruler or a big landowner

Nawab Hussein Shah—the Muhammdan governor of Bengal during the time of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance.

Nesis (Gr.)—Factual, intellectual knowledge, as opposed to mere opinion (dxa). See Epistemology.

Neti neti—the negative process of the jïänés: "This is not spirit, this is not Brahman."

Netrotsava festival—the festival of painting the eyes of Lord Jagannätha during the Nava-yauvana ceremony.

Newman, John Henry (1801-1890)—an English cardinal who became one of the most outstanding European religious thinkers and essayists of the 19th century. He spent his life defending Christian truth against various forms of so-called rationalism.

New Philosophy—A European intellectual movement of the seventeenth century that directly led to the rise of modern science, New Philosophy owed much to Descartes' analytical, mechanistic view of the material world. The essential premise of New Philosophy is that knowledge is how something is made. The arcana naturae (secrets of nature) are to be exposed by experimenta lucifera (experiments of light), and the results of such experiments are to be validated by the reproduction of nature's effects with the help of mechanical apparatus.

Newton, Sir Isaac—English scientist who lived from 1643 to 1727. He was a follower of the Unitarian wing of Christianity, and tried to keep his science firmly grounded upon his faith. Newton opposed Descartes, whose philosophy he perceived as leading science away from the Bible.

Nidrä—sleep, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Nigarbha-yogé—a yogé who worships the Supersoul without form.

Nija-dharma—one's constitutional position.

Nélä—the Lord's energy that destroys the creation.

Nilambar Cakravarté—the grand father of Sri Caitanya Maha-prabhu.

Nilambara Cakravarté—the great astrologer and scholar Vaisnava, Garga Muni, of Krsna-lila.

Nimi—a devotee king, ruler of Videha.

Nimai—Lord Caitanya in His childhood.

Nindakas—blasphemers.

Nirantara—without cessation, continuously, constantly.

Nirgrantha-muni—a completely liberated saint.

Nirguëa-brahma—the impersonal conception of the Supreme Truth as being without any qualities.

Nirguëa—without material qualities; uncontaminated by the three modes of material nature.

Nirjala—fasting completely, even from water.

Nirmama—consciousness that nothing belongs to oneself.

Nirodha—the winding up of all energies employed in creation.

Nirväëa—the cessation of material activities and existence, which according to Vaiñëava philosophy, does not deny spiritual activities and existence; freedom from and the end of the process of materialistic life; Literally, of, or like, a candle extinguised. A Sanskrit term for deliverance from material identity or extinction of the false ego, nirväna is often identified with Buddhism. However, it is to be found throughout the Vedic literatures, e.g. in Bhagavad-gétä 2.72, 5.24-26, and 6.15. See Buddhism, False ego, Liberation, Modes of nature.

Nirveda—indifference, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Nirviçeña-vädés—impersonalists who accept an Absolute but deny that He has any qualities of His own.

Niçcaya—Correct apprehension. One of the five functions of buddhi. See Buddhi.

Niñiddhäcära—acting in a way forbidden in the çästra.

Niñkäma—free from material desires.

Niñkiïcana—free from all material possessions; having nothing; a renunciant.

Nistraiguëya—the transcendental position above the three modes of nature.

Nitya-baddha—the eternally conditioned soul, bound in the material world.

Nitya-lélä—Kåñëa's eternally present pastimes.

Nitya-muktas—souls who never come in contact with the external energy.

Nitya-mukta—an eternally liberated soul.

Nitya-siddha—one who has attained eternal perfection attained by never forgetting Kåñëa at any time; an ever-purified associate of the Lord

Nityänanda Prabhu—the incarnation of Lord Balaräma who appeared as the principal associate of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Nivätakavacas—a sect of demons who were killed by Arjuna at the request of Indra.

Nivåtti-märga—the path of renunciation, which leads to liberation; directions for giving up the material world for higher spiritual understanding.

Niyamägraha—either following rules and regulations insufficiently (niyama-agraha) or fanatically without understanding the goal (niyama-ägraha).

Niyama—restraint of the senses.

Nå-yajïa—the proper reception of guests; lit. "a sacrifice to satisfy people."

Någa—a king who was cursed to become a snake because of a slight discrepancy in his service to brähmaëas. He was delivered by Lord Kåñëa.

Nrita-mandapa—dance hall.

Nåsiàha Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas. It describes the pastimes of the Supreme Lord in His half-lion, half-man incarnation.

Nåsiàha-caturdaçé festival—the appearance day of Lord Nåsiàha.

Nåsiàha-deva—the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Kåñëa, who killed the demon Hiranyakasipu and saved His devotee, Prahlada Mahäräja.

Numinous—Opposite of phenomenal. The root of the word numinous is the Latin numen, nod: a nod as a sign of command. From this comes the sense of a divine will or divine command. Thus the term numinous indicates the felt presence of the divine spirit, the transcendental, the everlasting. See Phenomenalism.

Nyäya—logic; Gautama Muni-one of the seven sons born from Lord Brahma's mind. He belongs to the family of Aìgirä Åñi and is the author of Nyäya-çästra, the science of logic, which explains that the combination of atoms is the cause of everything; One of the six systems of Vedic philosophy; taught by sage Gautama. See Logic, Six systems.

Nyäyu-çästra—the Sanskrit literary works, written by the ancient Åñi Gautama Muni and his followers, that teach the philosophical science of logic. Nyayu (or dialectics) was founded by Gautama and is one of the six major schools of Indian philosophy.

-O-

Objective reality—The external reality to which our language and perceptions refer.

Occult, Occult quality—References to the occult were made by Aristotle in his Ethics. He considered occult any effect of nature for which a cause could not be demonstrated. Hence, the occult qualities of nature (for instance, magnetism) could not be subject to scientific inquiry. The New Philosophy viewed all natural phenomena to be occult, since it considered science before the seventeenth century hopelessly inadequate for discovering causation. Though nature's qualities were occult, it was believed that scientific inquiry of a more aggressive kind than Aristotle had conceived of could unlock her secrets. See New Philosophy.

Oòana-ñañöhé—ceremony at the beginning of winter when Lord Jagannätha gets a winter shawl.

Om tat sat—the three transcendental syllables used by brähmaëas for satisfaction of the Supreme when chanting Vedic hymns or offering sacrifice. They indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead.

Ontology—The study of being. It asks, what does to be, or to exist, really mean? Utilized in this study are terms and categories such as being/becoming, actuality/potentiality, real/apparent, change, time, existence/nonexistence, essence, necessity, being-as-being, self-dependency, self-sufficiency, ultimate and ground. See Epistemology, Philosophy.

Oàkära—oà, the root of Vedic knowledge; known as the mahä-väkya, the supreme sound; the transcendental syllable which represents Kåñëa, and which is vibrated by transcendentalists for attainment of the Supreme when undertaking sacrifices, charities and penances; The transcendental sound oà, which symbolically denotes the Personality of Godhead as the root of the creation, maintenance and destruction of the cosmic manifestation.

-P-

Paani—water.

Päda-sevana—the devotional process of serving at the Lord's feet.

Padayäträ—foot journey; to go on pilgrimage by foot.

Paòichä—a superintendent of an Orissan temple.

Padma Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas, or Vedic historical scriptures. It consists of conversation between Lord Çiva and his wife, Pärvati.

Padmanäbha—a name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who has a lotus flower sprouting from His navel" or "He whose navel resembles a lotus."

Padma—the lotus flower held by Lord Viñëu.

Pädya—water ceremoniously offered for washing feet.

Paise—100 paise equals one rupee.

Pakka—ripe, mature, reliable

Pälana-çakti—the power to rule and maintain the living entities.

Palanquin—a seat that can be carried by four men, usually used to transport great personages or ladies.

Pälas—attendants who look after a temple's external affairs.

Pallavas—South Indian dynasty of rulers.

Païca-gavya—five kinds of products of the cow used to bathe the Deity.

Païca-mahäbhüta—the five gross elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether.

Païca-mahäyajïa—the five daily sacrifices performed by householders to become free from unintentional sins.

Païca-tattva—the Lord-Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, His plenary portion-Nityänanda Prabhu, His incarnation-Advaita Prabhu, His energy-Gadädhara Prabhu, and His devotee-Çréväsa Öhäkura.

Päïcajanya—the conchshell of Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Päïcäla—the kingdom of King Drupada.

Païcäla—the five sense objects.

Païcämåta—five kinds of nectar used to bathe the Deity.

Païcarätra-vidhi—the standard Vaiñëava method of temple worship taught in the Païcarätras.

Païcarätra—Vedic literatures describing the process of Deity worship. See also: Närada Païcarätra

Païcarätrika-vidhi—the devotional process of Deity worship and mantra meditation as found in the Païcarätra literature.

Païcarätrika—the process of worshiping the Deity, as explained by Närada Muni. Also, a five-day fast, as explained by Kauëòilya Åñi.

Païcopäsanä—worship by impersonalist Mäyävädés of five deities (Viñëu, Durgä, Brahmä, Gaëeça and Vivasvän) that is motivated by the desire to ultimately abandon all conceptions of a personal Absolute.

Panch masala—a mixture of five whole spices used in preparing vegetable dishes.

Panch puran—Five-spice-two varieties of five-spice are prominent in the world of vegetarian cuisine-Chinese five-spice powder and Indian panch puran, a blend of five whole spices. Chinese five-spice powder is a combination of five dried, ground spices, generally cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns, the pungent brown peppercorns native to the Sichuan province. When used as a condiment for fried food, it is used in sparing quantities because it is very potent. Try making your own by grinding together 2 or 3 small sections of cinnamon stick, a dozen cloves, 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds, 2 teaspoons of Sichuan peppercorns, and 3 or 4 star anise. Keep the powder in a well-sealed jar in a cool, dry place. Obtain your ingredients at any Asian grocery store. You can also purchase Chinese five-spice ready-made. Panch puran is most often associated with Bengali cuisine. It is a combination of equal quantities of fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, black mustard seeds, and nigella (kalonji) seeds. Panch puran is always fried in ghee or oil before use to release the dormant flavour in the seeds. Mix your own, or purchase it ready-mixed at Indian grocery stores.

Päëòavas—the five pious ksatriya brothers Yudhiñöhira, Bhéma, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. They were intimate friends of Lord Kåñëa's and inherited the leadership of the world upon their victory over the Kurus in the Battle of Kurukñetra.

Päëòä—a brahmäëa guide at temples and holy places; see also: Paëòita.

Paëòita-maëi—word indicating that Kåñëa is honored even by learned scholars.

Päëòitaka—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Paëòita—a learned scholar.

Paëòita—a scholar learned in Vedic literature, not only academically but also by dint of spiritual realization. Though this is the proper definition of the word, the term is also loosely applied to any scholar.

Päëòu-vijaya—the function of carrying Lord Jagannätha to His car prior to the Ratha-yäträ procession.

Päëòu—a great king of the Kuru dynasty, and the father of the Päëòavas, Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva; the heroes of the Mahäbhärata. He had two wives, Kunté and Mädré. He was a younger brother of Dhåtaräñöra's who died early, leaving his five young sons under the care of Dhåtaräñöra.

Päëòyas—the South Indian dynasty that ruled over Madurai and Rämeçvaram in South India.

Panentheism—The belief that all things are imbued with God's presence, because all things are in God (Gr. pan, all; en, in, and theo, God). See Atheism, Theism; The belief that God is identical to the universe.

Päìji-öikä—further explanations of a subject.

Panpsychism—The belief that God pervades all things as a psychic force. Hence, God's consciousness is behind the movement of matter; our individual consciousness is an aspect of God's. This falls short of true theism. See Atheism, Theism.

Päpahäriëé—a name for the Ekädaçé that occurs during the dark part of the month of Caitra. It means "that which takes away sin." Another name for this day, having the same meaning, is Päpamocani.

Päpänkuñä—the name for the Ekädaçé that occurs during the light part of the month of Açvina. It means "that which has the power to pierce sin personified."

Paradox—From the Greek par, contrary to, and dxa, opinion, paradox originally meant anything that goes against common sense but yet still may be true. Nowadays it more commonly means an insoluble dilemma, or a contradiction.

Parä-prakåti—the superior, spiritual energy or nature of the Lord.

Para-upakära—helping others.

Para-vidyä—transcendental knowledge.

Para-brahman—the Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa.

Paraçuräma—the sixth incarnation of Lord Kåñëa, who appeared in ancient times to overthrow the warrior class when they had become degraded, who destroyed twenty-one consecutive generations of lawless members of the ruling class. He taught the science of weapons to Droëa and Karëa.

Parakéya-rasa—relationship with Kåñëa as His paramour.

Parakéya—the relationship between a married woman and her paramour; particularly the relationship between the damsels of Våndävana and Krñëa.

Param Brahman—the Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead, Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Param dhäma—the eternal planets of the spiritual world.

Parama-puruñärtha—the supreme goal of life.

Parama-vidvän—the most learned scholar.

Paramaà padam—the Lord's transcendental abode.

Paraà satyam—the Supreme Truth

Paramahaàsa Bäbäjé—he who is on the highest platform of spiritual asceticism and who has given up all social and caste designations. The only designation maintained by him is that of being a tiny servant of the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Paramahaàsa-öhäkura—one who acts as an äcärya, directly presenting Lord Kåñëa by spreading His name and fame.

Paramahaàsa—a topmost, God-realized, swanlike devotee of the Supreme Lord; highest stage of sannyäsa.

Paramätmä—the Supersoul, the localized aspect Viñëu expansion of the Supreme Lord residing in the heart of each embodied living entity and pervading all of material nature. See Supersoul.

Parameçvara—the supreme controller, Lord Kåñëa.

Paramparä—the disciplic succession through which spiritual knowledge is transmitted by bona-fide spiritual masters; Literally, one after the other. It refers to the disciplic succession of spiritual masters and their disciples who became spiritual masters, beginning with Kåñëa and Brahmä, His disciple at the dawn of creation. See Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas.

Parantapa—a name of Arjuna, "chastiser of the enemies."

Parärdha—one half of Brahmä's lifetime of 311 trillion 40 billion years.

Parasara Muni—a great sage, the speaker of the Viñëu Puräëa, and the father of Çréla Vyäsadeva.

Paravyoma—the spiritual sky.

Para—transcendental.

Para-vidyä—Vedic knowledge of transcendence concerning the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His service, as distinct from apara-vidyä. The upäsanä-käëòa scriptures make up the para-vidyä of the Vedas. See Apara-vidyä, Avidyä, Upäsanä-käëòa.

Paricchada—the total aggregate of the senses.

Parikrama—the path that circles a sacred tract such as Vrndavan or Braj

Parékñit—the son of Abhimanyu and grandson of Arjuna. When the Päëòavas retired from kingly life, he was crowned king of the entire world. He was later cursed to die by an immature brähmaëa boy and became the hearer of Çrémad-Bhägavatam from Çukadeva Gosvämé, and thus attained perfection.

Pariëäma-väda—the theory of transformation in the creation of the universe.

Pärijäta—an extraordinarily fragrant white flower that Lord Kåñëa brought from the heavenly planets for His wife Rukmiëi.

Päriñats—devotees who are personal associates of the Lord.

Parivräjakäcärya—the third stage of sannyäsa, wherein the devotee constantly travels and preaches.

Parokña—Knowledge though another's senses. The second of the five stages of Vedic knowledge.

Pärtha-särathi—Kåñëa, the chariot driver of Arjuna (Pärtha).

Pärvata Muni—a great sage who is a constant companion of Närada.

Pärvaté—Sati, Lord Çiva's consort, meaning daughter of the mountain. She was reborn as the daughter of Himälaya after consuming herself in mystic fire at Dakña's sacrificial arena.

Päñaëòa—atheism.

Päñaëòé—an "offender," or atheist; a nonbeliever; one who thinks God and the demigods are on the same level, or who considers devotional activities to be material.

Päsa—a mystic noose used to capture Bali Mahäräja.

Päñcälé—another name of Draupadé, the wife of the Päëòavas.

Passion—See Modes of nature (Rajo-guëa).

Päçupatästra—the ultimate weapon of Lord Çiva. This weapon was used by Arjuna to kill Jayadratha.

Pataïjali—a great authority and propounder on the añöäìga mystic yoga system and author of the Yoga-sütra. He imagined the form of the Absolute Truth in everything.

Pätälaloka—the lowest of the universe's fourteen planetary systems; also, the lower planets in general; also the seventh tier of the lower planetary systems, where Bali Mahäräja reigns.

Paöhana—a brähmaëa's duty to be conversant with the Vedic scriptures; study of the scriptures.

Patita-pävana—Lord Caitanya, the deliverer of the fallen souls.

Pati—a husband.

Pätra—players in a drama.

Paugaëòa—the age from five to ten years.

Pauëòraka—an enemy of Lord Kåñëa who attempted to imitate Him.

Paura-jana—the seven elements that constitute the body.

Pautra—patience and gravity.

Pauëòram—the conchshell of Bhémasena.

Pavitram—pure.

Personalism—The philosophical position that accepts personality as ultimate. Early Buddhist philosophers, themselves impersonalists, used the term puruña-vädé (Skr. personalist) in reference to the Vedic worshipers of the Mahäpuruña (the Supreme Person). In Western philosophy, personalism is often used as a synonym for relativism. Çréla Prabhupäda used the term in the absolute sense, referring it only to the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not to the worship of demigods, humans or human ideals. He equated impersonalism with atheism. See Atheism, Impersonalism, Relativism, Theism.

Phala-çrutis—Sanskrit verses granting various benedictions.

Phalguna—another name for Arjuna; one of the months corresponding to January/February or February/March.

Phalgu—weak, temporary.

Phenomenalism—A doctrine of sense perception and reality that is associated with the British philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). For Mill, all knowledge is derived from sense perception. Things are real only when they are perceived. Therefore the material world cannot be said to exist apart from perception. Phenomenalism is closely associated with empiricism and induction. It is not to be confused with phenomenology. See Empiricism, Induction, Numinous.

Phenomenology—A modern development in European rationalism. Its most famous exponents are Franz Brentano (1838-1917), Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), Martin Heidegger (1899-1976), Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) and Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961). Phenomenology investigates consciousness through experience. Some of its theories are reminiscent of Vedic knowledge, for example, the theory of the triumvirate of consciousness: the knower, the act of knowing, and the thing known. In Vedic terminology, these are jïätä, jïäna, and jïeya. See Mind/body problem, Rationalism.

Philosophy—From the Greek phlos, lover, friend, and sophs, wise, learned. A philosopher is someone who loves wisdom and erudition (sopha). Therefore he devotes himself to knowledge, that it may bloom into wisdom without hindrance. In Bg. 7.17, Lord Kåñëa declares that when a sage devotes himself to knowing Him, he becomes very dear to the Lord.

Phul gobhi—cauliflower

Pika—the Indian cuckoo bird.

Piëòa—an offering made to departed ancestors.

Piçäca—a hobgoblin follower of Lord Çiva.

Pitäs—forefathers; especially those departed ancestors who have been promoted to one of the higher planets.

Péöha—the pedestal or altar of the Deity. The péöha is in the sanctum sanctorum (inner sanctum)

Pitå-yajïa—offering oblations of water before one's forefathers.

Pitåloka—the planet of the ancestors, a heavenly planet.

Pitta—bile, one of the three main elements of the body.

Plato—Disciple of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, and a prolific writer (427-347 BC). Almost all that is known about Socrates comes from Plato's works. A Platonic doctrine that resembles the Bhagavad-gétä philosophy of the three modes of material nature is the care of the soul. The soul is said to work within the body through three faculties: appetite, spiritedness and reason. The appetitive faculty is lowest of the three. It consists of the drives for physical enjoyment (of food and sex) and for the avoidance of pain. Thums, or spiritedness, is the middle faculty. It is excitable, aggressive and pugnacious, and seeks adventure and honor. Highest is the faculty of reason. It expresses itself as inquiry and as worthy activity. Reason seeks beauty, truth and goodness. The appetites can be compared to a herd of sheep, spiritedness to a sheepdog, and reason to a shepherd. Care of the soul means to keep the three faculties in harmony, so that they don't meddle in one another's purpose. The purpose of appetite is to see that the body is properly cared for. Spiritedness's purpose is to fight fear and complacency. The purpose of reason is impose order upon the other two, to maintain harmony, and to care for the soul. Reason gets its sense of correct order and harmony by contemplation of the Good, described as a realm of eternal, unchanging thought-forms. When reason harmonizes human life with the Good, the soul is freed from human ignorance and suffering. British philosopher A.N. Whitehead (1861-1947) said the whole history of Western philosophy consists of nothing more than footnotes to Plato. See Idealism. Plotinus Plotinus lived in Egypt and Rome some two centuries after Christ (204-270 AD) and is the founder of the Neoplatonist school of Greek philosophy. As a young man in Alexandria, he learned philosophy under Ammonius Saccas. There is speculation that Ammonius Saccus was originally from India. Plotinus tried to visit India but failed. Back in the Mediterranean world, he taught that the soul is eternal and transmigrates from body to body (reincarnation). The gradation of species of living entities emanates from the impersonal spiritual essence, God. The philosophical soul gradually ascends to that essence and merges into it. Neoplatonism had a strong influence on the early Christian church. See Mysticism, Plato.

Polenta—a yellow maize or cornmeal grown in northern Italy, where it is regarded as a staple food. Polenta is graded according to its texture and is available fine-, medium-, or coarse-ground. It is available at most supermarkets and health food stores.

Polytheism—The belief in the existence of many gods. See Atheism, Theism.

Popper, Karl—Austrian-born philosopher of science (1902-1994) who taught at the University of London. His most influential books are Logic of Scientific Discovery, The Open Society and Its Enemies and Conjectures and Refutations. Popper was a staunch opponent of logical positivism, which he challenged with his own theory of falsifiability.

Poñaëa—the Lord's special care and protection for His devotees.

Positivism—A rationalist doctrine founded by French philosopher Auguste Compte (1798-1857), who argued that human thought unavoidably evolves from theological thinking at the lowest stage, through metaphysics (depersonalized philosophy) at the middle stage, to positivism at the highest stage. Positivism consists of the elements of modern science: mathematics, logic, observation, experimentation and control. According to Compte, the highest form of religion is worship of reason and universal humanity, devoid of any reference to God. See Empiricism, Logical positivism, Metaphysics, Rationalism.

Prabhäsa—a holy place near Dvärakä where the fratricide of the Yadu dynasty took place.

Prabhu-datta-deça—a place for preaching given by the spiritual master or Lord Kåñëa.

Prabhupäda, Çréla—Çréla Prabhupäda-(1896-1977) His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. He is the tenth generation from Caitanya Mahäprabhu. The founder-äcärya, spiritual master of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Çréla Prabhupäda was the widely-acclaimed author of more than seventy books on the science of pure bhakti-yoga, unalloyed Kåñëa consciousness. His major works are annotated English translations of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, and the Bhagavad-gétä As It Is. He was the world's most distinguished teacher of Vedic religion and thought. Çréla Prabhupäda was a fully God conscious saint who had perfect realization of the Vedic scriptures. He worked incessantly to spread Kåñëa consciousness all over the world. He guided his society and saw it grow to a worldwide confederation of hundreds of ashrams, schools, temples, institutes, and farm communities. See Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda.

Prabhupäda—master at whose feet all other masters surrender.

Prabhu—master.

Prabodhänanda Sarasvaté—a great Vaiñëava poet-philosopher and devotee of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. He was the uncle of Gopäla Bhaööa Gosvämé.

Prabodha—awakening, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Präcénabarhi—a king who, entangled in fruitive activities, received instructions on devotional service from Närada Muni.

Pracetäs—the ten sons of King Präcénabarhi. They achieved perfection by worshiping Lord Viñëu.

Pradesh—state in India.

Pradhäna—the total material energy in its unmanifest state; The unmanifest (avyakta) material nature (Gr. chos). See Modes of nature, Tan-mätras.

Pradyumna—one of the four original expansions of Lord Kåñëa in the spiritual world; also the first son of Lord Kåñëa by Rukminé. He fought against Çälva in the fight for Dvärakä. (Vana Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Prägjyotiñapura—the capital city of Narakäsura and his son Bhagadatta.

Pragmatism—A rationalist doctrine founded by American philosopher C.S. Peirce (1839-1914) that attempts to halt all metaphysical speculation about the truth by arguing that practical human activity is the only real test of truth. See Rationalism.

Prahararäja—a designation given to brähmaëas who represent the king when the throne is vacant.

Prahara—a three-hour period, eight of which make up each day.

Prahläda Maharäja—a great devotee of Lord Kåñëa who was persecuted by his atheistic father, Hiraëyakaçipu, but was always protected by the Lord and ultimately saved by the Lord in the form of Nåsiàha-deva; A great devotee of the Lord in His Narasiàha (man-lion) feature, Prahläda is one of the foremost authorities on bhakti-yoga. Many important verses in Çrémad-Bhägavatam are spoken by him.

Prajalpa—idle talk on mundane subjects.

Prajvära—a kind of fever called viñëu jvära.

Prajäpatis—the progenitors of living entities, chief of whom is Lord Brahmä; The demigods in charge of populating the universe.

Prajäs—citizens (including all species of life).

Prakäça-vigrahas—forms of the Lord manifested for His pastimes.

Präkämya—the mystic ability to fulfill any of one's desires.

Prakaöa-lélä—the manifestation on earth of the Supreme Lord's pastimes.

Prakara—the high walls surrounding the temple grounds.

Präkåta-bhaktas—materialistic devotees not advanced in spiritual knowledge.

Präkåta-sahajiyäs—pseudo devotees of Kåñëa who take devotional service cheaply and do not follow the regulations of the scripture; materialistic so-called Vaiñëavas who imagine themselves to be confidential devotees.

Präkåta—on the material platform.

Prakåti—material nature, the energy of the Supreme (lit., that which is predominated).; the female principle enjoyed by the male puruña. There are two prakrtis-apara-prakåti, the material nature, and para-prakrti, the spiritual nature (living entities)-which are both predominated over by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; One of the five tattvas, or Vedic ontological truths: (material or spiritual) nature. See Daivi-prakåti, Modes of nature, Tattva.

Prakñepätmikä-çakti—mäyä's power to throw one into the material world.

Praläpa—the ecstatic symptom of talking like a madman.

Pramäëa—Evidence, proof. The term refers to sources of knowledge that are held to be valid. In the Brahmä-Madhva-Gauòéya Sampradäya, the school of Vedic knowledge that ISKCON represents, there are three pramäëas. They are pratyakña (direct sense perception), anumäna (reason), and çabda (authoritative testimony). Of these three pramäëas, çabda is imperative, while pratyakña and anumäna are supportive. See Anumäna, Pratyakña, Çabda.

Pramäda—inattention or misunderstanding of reality.

Pramadä—woman, to whom a man becomes madly attached.

Pramatta—one who is crazy because he cannot control his senses.

Pramlocä—the daughter of the sage Kaëòu by the heavenly society girl Märiñä who became the wife of the Pracetäs.

Präëa-maya—(consciousness) absorbed in maintaining one's bodily existence.

Praëava—Oàkära-oà, the root of Vedic knowledge; known as the mahä-väkya, the supreme sound; the transcendental syllable which represents Kåñëa, and which is vibrated by transcendentalists for attainment of the Supreme when undertaking sacrifices, charities and penances.

Präëäyäma—breath control used in yoga practice, especially añöäìga-yoga (one of the eight parts of the añöanga-yoga system).

Praëaya—that mellow of love when there is a possibility to receive direct honor, but it is avoided.

Präëa—the life air.

Pranava oàkara—Oàkära-oà, the root of Vedic knowledge; known as the mahä-väkya, the supreme sound; the transcendental syllable which represents Kåñëa, and which is vibrated by transcendentalists for attainment of the Supreme when undertaking sacrifices, charities and penances.

Präpta-brahma-laya—one who has already attained the Brahman position.

Präpta-svarüpas—those merged in Brahman realization.

Präpti-siddhi—mystic perfection of acquisition by which the yogé can reach his hand anywhere and obtain whatever he likes.

Präpti—the mystic ability to immediately obtain any material object.

Prarocanä—the method inducing the audience to become more and more eager to hear by praising the time and place, the hero and the audience.

Praçänta—undisturbed by the modes of nature.

Prasäda, or prasädam—"the mercy of Lord Kåñëa." Food prepared for the pleasure of Kåñëa and offered to Him with love and devotion. Because Kåñëa tastes the offering, the food becomes spiritualized and purifies anyone who eats it. Literally, mercy. When sattvic foods (milk, grains, fruits, vegetables, sugar and legumes) prepared by a devotee are offered to the Deity of Kåñëa as prescribed in the system of bhakti-yoga, the offering is transformed into prasädam, the mercy of the Lord. Prasädam is delicious, nourishing but most important, transcendental. Ordinary food, unoffered to Kåñëa, breeds karmic reactions for every mouthful that is eaten, because so many living entities gave up their lives during the preparation. But food offered to Kåñëa is freed of sin and invokes an attraction to Kåñëa in whomever accepts it. See Bhakti-yoga. See also: Mahä-prasädam

Prasädé—food offered to Lord Jagannätha.

Prasannätmä—joyfulness attained when one is relieved from material conceptions.

Prasüti—a daughter of Sväyambhuva Manu who was the wife of Dakña.

Pratépa—the father of Mahäräja Çantanu.

Pratibimba-väda—the worship of a form that is the reflection of a false material form.

Pratigraha—accepting charity; the duty of a brähmaëa to accept contributions from his followers.

Pratikriyä—counteracting agents such as mantras and medicines.

Pratiñöhäçä—desire for name and fame or high position.

Prativindhya—the son of Draupadé and Yudhiñöhira. He was killed by Açvatthämä while awaking from sleep in his tent.

Pratyag-ätmä—the soul, when purified of material attachment.

Pratyakña—Direct sense perception. 1) The first of the five stages of Vedic knowledge, considered as a subordinate, not self-evident, proof of knowledge. 2) The first of the three Vaiñëava pramäëas. See Anumäna, Empiricism, Experientia, Pramäëa, Çabda.

Pratyähära—withdrawal of the senses from all unnecessary activities, as a means of advancement in the añöäìga-yoga system..

Pravartaka—introduction to a drama, when the players first enter the stage in response to the time.

Praväsa—the condition of separation of lovers who were previously intimately associated.

Pravåtti-märga—the path of sense enjoyment in accordance with Vedic regulations.

Präyaçcitta—atonement for sinful acts.

Prayäga—(modern Allahabad) a very sacred place, mentioned in the Puräëas, situated at the confluence of the holy Ganges, Yamunä and Sarasvaté Rivers. A Mägha-melä and a Kumbha-melä are celebrated here. Every year many thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the holy waters. It was here that Lord Caitanya instructed Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé for ten days.

Prayojana—the ultimate goal of life, to develop love of God.

Preyas—activity which is immediately beneficial but not ultimately auspicious.

Prema—Love, especially love of Kåñëa. Cc., Adi-lélä 4.165 distinguishes prema from käma (lust). Prema is evinced by service to Kåñëa's senses, whereas käma is evinced by service to the senses of the material body. See Kåñëa.

Prema-bhakti—pure love of Lord Kåñëa, the highest perfectional stage in the progressive development of pure devotional service.

Prema-saìkértana—congregational chanting in love of Godhead.

Prema-vaicittya—an abundance of love that brings about grief from fear of separation although the lover is present.

Prema-vataù—one who has great love for the spiritual master.

Prema—real love of God, the highest perfectional stage of life.

Pretsila Hill—a hill about 540 feet high, located five miles northwest of Gayä in the state of Bihar. Pilgrims perform the çraddha ceremony there. A long flight of steps which leads to the summit and temple was constructed in 1774 by Öhäkura Bhaktivinoda's ancestor Madan Mohan Dutt.

Priyatama—dearmost.

Priyavrata—the son of Sväyambhuva Manu and brother of Uttänapäda. He once ruled the universe.

Problem of evil—Professor A.L. Herman, philosopher at the University of Wisconsin, compiled a list of twenty-one attempts to solve the problem of evil put forward by Western philosophers and theologians during the Christian era. He admits that the list is not exhaustive, only representative. Of those he listed, Herman says none will suffice to dissolve the problem, and of unlisted attempts, he comments, I think this result must be inevitable for all such similar attempts undertaken within the context of the traditional Western approach to the problem of evil. The problem stems from three assumptions, only two of which seem to be compatible: 1) God is omnipotent; 2) God is omnibenevolent; 3) Evil exists. For evil to exist, so the argument goes, God must either be less than all-powerful or less than all-good. The Vedic answer is given by Çréla Prabhupäda in On the Way to Kåñëa, Chapter Three. Accordingly, the human perception of good and evil is due to the influence of the three modes of material nature upon consciousness. These three modes originate in Kåñëa, who is omnipotent and omnibenevolent. Though the modes and their effects are within Kåñëa, He is not in them. Hence, the human perception of good in this world does not correspond to the goodness of Kåñëa, the source of the world. For example, electricity is perceived in the home in terms of heat (in an electric stove) and cold (in a refrigerator). But at the power plant, electricity is not known in terms of the duality of heat and cold. In the home, whether electrical heat and cold are good or bad depends upon ever-changing circumstances and individual opinions. At the power plant, such changing circumstances and differing opinions do not occur. The power plant is not responsible for the reasons that cause people to say electrical heat is good, electrical cold is bad, or vice-versa. Similarly, individuals of different natures, circumstances and opinions define good and evil differently. Death is evil if it happens to me. Death is good if it happens to my enemy. Or death may be good for me if it delivers me from lingering agony, and not good if it does the same for my enemy. Although life and death, or good and evil, are within Kåñëa, His own divine goodness is not within them. The good and evil we ascribe to life and death or anything else are creations of the material mind. See Modes of nature.

Proñita-bhaåtkä—a woman whose husband has left home and gone to a foreign country.

Påñata—the father of King Drupada.

Påçni—the name of Devaké in a previous birth.

Påthä—Kunté, the wife of King Päëòu, mother of the Päëòavas and aunt of Lord Kåñëa. See also: Kunti-devi.

Påthu Mahäräja—an empowered incarnation of Lord Kåñëa who demonstrated how to be an ideal ruler.

Püjäré—priest, one who offers püjä or worships the Deity in a temple.

Püjä—offering of worship.

Pulastya (Pulaha)—one of the seven great sages who were born directly from Lord Brahmä.

Puàçcalé—a harlot, or unchaste woman.

Puëòarékäkña—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He whose eyes are like the reddish lotus flower."

Puëya-çloka—verses that increase one's piety; one who is glorified by such verses.

Puëya—karma-pious activities, which help to liberate one from the cycle of birth and death in the material world.

Puraçcaraëa—a preliminary ritualistic performance for the fulfillment of certain desires.

Puraçcaryä—five preliminary devotional activities performed to qualify for initiation.

Puräëa—Literally, very old. Within the småti section of the Vedic scriptures, there are eighteen Mahä-puräëas (great books of ancient wisdom). Of these, the greatest is the Bhägavata Puräëa, also called Çrémad-Bhägavatam. See Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Puräëas—the eighteen major and eighteen minor ancient Vedic literatures compiled about five thousand years ago in India by Srila Vyasadeva that are histories of this and other planets; literatures supplementary to the Vedas, discussing such topics as the creation of the universe, incarnations of the Supreme Lord and demigods, and the history of dynasties of saintly kings. The eighteen principal Puräëas discuss ten primary subject matters: 1) the primary creation, 2) the secondary creation, 3) the planetary systems, 4) protection and maintenance by the avatäras, 5) the Manus. 6) dynasties of great kings, 7) noble character and activities of great kings, 8) dissolution of the universe and liberation of the living entity, 9) the jéva (the spirit soul), 10) the Supreme Lord.

Puraka—the stage of equilibrium attained by offering the inhaled breath into the exhaled breath.

Puram—town.

Pura-pälaka—the life air.

Pürëam—complete.

Pürëa—the complete whole, Lord Kåñëa.

Purnima—the day of the full moon.

Purocana—a minister of King Duryodhana. He died in the fire of the house of lac in Väraëävata.

Pürtam—performance of sacrifice.

Puruña-adhama—the Personality of Godhead, under whom all other persons remain.

Puruña-avatäras—the primary expansions of Lord Viñëu who effect the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material universes.

Puruña-avatäras—the primary expansions of Lord Viñëu who effect the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material universes.

Puruña-sükta—a sacred hymn glorifying the Supersoul of the universe.

Puruñärtha—the goal of life.

Puruña—the enjoyer, or male; the living entity or the Supreme Lord; Viñëu, the incarnation of the Lord for material creation; the male or controlling principle; erson, enjoyer or soul. This term may be applied to both the jéva and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. See Personalism.

Puruñottama—Lord Kåñëa, who is the Supreme Person, meaning "the most exalted person."

Purüravä—a king who was captivated by the celestial woman Urvaçé.

Püru—the youngest son of King Yayäti, who agreed to exchange his youth for his father's old age.

Pürva-räga—the ecstasy of lovers before their meeting.

Pürva-vidhi—the injunction in Çrémad-Bhägavatam against praising characteristics or activities of others.

Purväñädhä—one of the twenty-seven asterisms in Vedic astrology.

Puñkara—a lake in western India dear to Lord Brahmä. At this place of pilgrimage is the only authorized temple of Lord Brahmä the world.

Puñpa-aïjali—the ceremony of offering flowers to the Lord.

Puñpadanta—a name for the Supreme Lord meaning "He whose teeth are as white as jasmine flowers." Also, a devotee of Lord Çiva renowned for his poetic skill.

Pütanä—a witch who was sent by Kaàsa to appear in the form of a beautiful woman to kill baby Kåñëa but who was killed by Him and granted liberation.

Putra—consciousness.

-Q-

Quantum mechanical theory—A theory of subatomic physics begun by Max Planck (1858-1947) and developed by Niels Bohr (1885-1962), Ernst Schrodinger (1887-1961), Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976), Paul Dirac (1902-1984) and others. In order to form an elementary understanding of quantum theory, it is useful to compare it to Newtonian and Einsteinian physics. In Newton's classical view, science defines the structure and movement of matter in a very fixed and real sense. Matter is composed of particles that move according to the same forces that govern the movement of billiard balls. Einstein argued that while the structure of matter ought to be considered definite, its movement is not. If particles are like billiard balls in motion, then the billiard table is also in motion. The billiard table is comprised of space and time, which are not two separate entities hence the term spacetime in relativity theory. Even stranger, the movement of the billiard balls creates the spacetime billiard table that is the basis of the balls' movement. Einstein introduced into science the idea that the position of an observer contributes to the reality of the motion observed. When two observers, each in a different position, observe the same event differently, there is no way to determine whether one observation is right and the other wrong. If Newton's theory is compared to a tidy piece of realistic art, then Einstein's theory is more like a puzzle in which the objects look real enough, though their spatial relationships change before our eyes as in the case of a small circle drawn within a cube frame. As we gaze at it, the perspective shifts. The circle appears to be near the back left lower corner of the cube, then near the front left lower corner. But quantum theory can be compared only to an abstract yet suggestive art forma painting that at first glance appears to depict no subject at all, only chaos. Then, during closer scrutiny, forms are seen to emerge out of and merge back into the chaos a face, a hand, a bird or something else. Quantum theory gives no fixed and real definition of either the structure or the motion of matter. It predicts only where a quantum object may be found, or what state of motion it will be in. The where and what state of motion of that object are logically incompatible. Therefore quantum theory speaks of quantum objects as wave-particles. Ordinarily, the motion of objects through space is described in terms of four dimensions: length, breadth, height and duration of time. In quantum theory, as the number of quantum objects to be measured increases, more dimensions of space are added to account for them. But these dimensions are creations of the mind. This brings us to the problem of the interplay between mind and matter in quantum mechanics. There is no settled opinion as to where subjectivity ends and objectivity begins. Consequently, it has been remarked of quantum physics that there is no 'there' there. See Relativity theory.

Quine, W.V.—American philosopher of great repute in the twentieth century (1908-1995). His argument that in scientific theory, any statement can be held true, come what may, if we make drastic enough adjustments elsewhere in the system, is often quoted.

-R-

Rädhä—the wife of Adhiratha, and foster mother of Karëa.

Rädhä-bhäva-mürti—the mood of Rädhäräëé.

Rädhä-kuëòa—the bathing place of Çrématé Rädhäräëé, a sacred pond near Govardhana Hill in Vraja that was created by Rädhäräëé and her gopé companions. It is supreme among all the holy places in Vraja and the most exalted holy place for all Gauòéya Vaiñëavas. The eight major Gauòéya Vaiñëava temples of Våndävana also exist at Rädhä-kuëòa, as well as the bhajana-kutéras of Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé and Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé. This is the site of the most intimate loving affairs of Çré Çré Rädhä-Kåñëa, and the waters of Rädhä-kuëòa are considered non-different from Rädhäräëé and productive of love of Godhead.

Rädhäräëé—Lord Kåñëa's most intimate consort, who the personification of the internal, pleasure potency of Lord Kåñëa. She appeared in this world as the daughter of King Våsabhänu and Kirti-devé and is the Queen of Våndävana. The most favorite consort of Kåñëa in Vrindavana, situated on Lord Kåñëa's left on altars and pictures; The feminine counterpart of Lord Kåñëa. She directs the änanda potency (hlädiné-çakti) for the transcendental pleasure of the Lord. See Daivi-prakåti, Kåñëa, Sac-cid-änanda.

Rädhäñtamé—the appearance anniversary of Çrimaté Rädhäräni.

Rädhikä—Çrématé Rädhäräëé.

Räga-bhakti—devotional service in transcendental rapture.

Räga-märga—the path of devotional service in spontaneous love of Godhead. [Cc Ädi 4.15]

Rägänuga-bhakti—devotional service following the spontaneous loving service of the inhabitants of Våndävana.

Rägätmika-bhakti—spontaneous devotional service of the inhabitants of Våndävana according to their transcendental attachment.

Räga—attachment in ecstatic love of God.

Räghava—Lord Rämacandra, who appeared in the Raghu dynasty, the dynasty of the sun.

Raghunätha Bhaööa Gosvämé—one of the Six Gosvamis of Våndävana. He appeared in 1506 as the son of Tapana Miçra. He first met Lord Caitanya in Benares when the Lord stayed at his father's home for two months. He rendered direct service to the Lord and received His mercy. After the demise of his parents, he went to Puré and associated with the Lord, cooking for Him and taking His remnants. He was especially well-known for his sweetly singing the Bhägavatam to different tunes, his super-excellent cooking and his never hearing, or speaking about, either worldly topics or criticism of Vaiñëavas. On the order of the Lord, he proceeded to Våndävana and associated there with the other Gosvämés. He did not write books. His disciples assisted with the construction of the Govindaji Temple for Rüpa Gosvämé's Deity. He disappeared in 1580 at the age of seventy-four.

Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé—one of the Six Gosvämés of Våndävana. He appeared in 1495. He was the son of the fabulously wealthy Govardhana Majumdara, the younger brother of the then Zamindar Hiraëya Majumdara in the village of Krishnapura in West Bengal. His forefathers were Vaiñëavas, and when he was a boy he got the association and blessings of Çréla Haridäsa Öhäkura. He was mad with the desire to join Lord Caitanya in Jagannätha Puré, but every time he ran away from home his parents would have him captured and brought back. Finally, he was successful. He received the mercy of Lord Caitanya and served for many years as the assistant of Svarüpa Dämodara. He was thus known as the Raghu of Svarüpa. Later, he was sent to Våndävana and lived in Rädhä-kuëòa, performing severe austerities. In his later years he subsisted on just a few drops of buttermilk each day. He wrote important texts on devotion, his only concern being the chanting of the Holy Name. He ascended in 1571 at the age of 76.

Rahügaëa Mahäräja—the king who received spiritual instruction from Jaòa Bharata.

Railhead—town or station at the end of the railway line; ending point.

Raita—fruits or semicooked vegetables in lightly seasoned yogurt.

Raivataka—a mountain near Dvärakä.

Räja-päla—the governor of the state.

Räja-yoga—Pataïjali's process of imagining a form of the Absolute Truth within many forms.

Rajaguëa—the mode of passion of material nature.

Räjarñi—a great saintly king.

Räjasa-ahaìkära—egotism in passion.

Räjasüya-yajïa—an elaborate sacrifice that establishes who is the emperor of the world. It was performed by Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira before the Battle of Kurukñetra and attended by Lord Kåñëa. (Sabhä Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Rajas—the material mode of passion.

Raja—rule or sovereignty. Used to describe the British rule; king or prince.

Rajo-guëa—the material mode of passion. See Modes of nature.

Räkñasa-gaëa—man-eating demons.

Räkñasa—a class of asura or ungodly people. The Räkñasa are always opposed to God's will. Generally, they are man-eaters and have grotesque forms.

Rakta—red in the Treta-yuga.

Räma-navamé—the appearance anniversary of Lord Rämacandra.

Räma-räjya—a perfect, Vedic kingdom following the example of Lord Rämacandra-the incarnation of the Supreme Lord appearing as the perfect king.

Rämacandra—the eighteenth incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the killer of the tenheaded demon king, Rävaëa. Räma was exiled to the forest on the order of His father, Mahäräja Daçaratha. His wife Sétä was kidnapped by Rävaëa, but by employing a huge army of monkeys, who were the powerful and intelligent offspring of demigods, He regained his wife in battle, and eventually His ancestral kingdom too. This great epic is recounted in Välméki's Rämäyaëa.

Rämänanda Räya—an intimate associate of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu in His later pastimes.

Rämänujäcärya—a great eleventh-century Vaiñëava spiritual master of the Çré-sampradäya.

Rämäyaëa—the original epic history about Lord Rämacandra and Sétä, written by Välméki Muni.

Räma—name of the Absolute Truth as the source of unlimited pleasure for transcendentalists; incarnation of the Supreme Lord, Lord Rämacandra as a perfect, righteous king, who appeared in Ayodhya in the Tretä-yuga; Literally, the supreme pleasure; a prominent Sanskrit name of the Personality of Godhead. See Kåñëa.

Ramä—Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune and eternal consort of the Supreme Lord, Näräyaëa.

Ranaghat—a town in the West Bengal district of Nadia just south of Navadvépa on the railway to Calcutta. Ranaghat is the government headquarters of the Ranaghat subdivision of the Nadia district. It covers an area of about two-and-a-half square miles. Öhäkura Bhaktivinoda's family lived here at different times.

Raìganätha—Deity of Lord Viñëu worshiped in Çré Raìgam.

Ranga-bhumi—This is where the wrestling match took place between Krsna, Balaram and the professional wrestlers, Canura and Mustika.

Räsa dance—Lord Kåñëa's pleasure dance with the cowherd maidens of Våndävana, Vrajabhümi. It is a pure exchange of spiritual love between the Lord and His most advanced, confidential servitors.

Räsa-lélä—the group dancing of Kåñëa and His cowherd girlfriends in His Våndävana pastimes.

Rasa-yäträ—festival of the rasa dancing of Kåñëa.

Rasäbhäsa—incompatible overlapping of transcendental mellows.

Räsädi-viläsé—the enjoyer of the räsa dance and other pastimes.

Rasam powder—a South Indian spice blend used to flavour the famous rasam, a chili-hot soup dish made from toovar (arhar) dal lentils. Ingredients vary. The home-made rasam powder recipe contains mustard seeds, coriander seeds, dried hot red chilies, black peppercorns, fenugreek seeds, and cumin seeds. Rasam powder can be purchased ready-mixed in packets or tins from Indian grocery shops.

Rasätala—the lowest planet in the lowest planetary system (Pätäla) ins

Rasa—relationship between the Lord and the living entities; mellow, or the sweet taste of a relationship, especially between the Lord and the living entities. They are of five principal varieties-neutral relationship (santa-rasa), relationship as servant (däsya-rasa), as friend (sakhya-rasa), parent (vätsalya-rasa) and conjugal lover (mädhurya-rasa). Eternal spiritual relationship with Kåñëa. There are five rasas: çänta (passive awe and reverence); däsya (servitude); sakhya (friendship); vätsalya (parenthood); and mädhurya (conjugal love). According to his specific kind of rasa, the soul displays a spiritual form as Kåñëa's eternal servant, friend, parent or conjugal lover. Just as our present material body permits us to engage in karma (physical activities), so the spiritual rasa-body permits us to engage in lélä (Kåñëa's endlessly expanding spiritual activities) See Ecstasy, Lélä.

Ratha-yäträ—the festival celebrating Kåñëa's return to Våndävana; The journey of the chariots, a traditional Vaiñëava festival held every year at Jagannätha Puré in Orissa. In Puré the devotees place the immense Deity forms of Jagannätha, Baladeva and Lady Subhadrä on three towering, huge gaily decorated canopied chariots, each having sixteen wheels. Thousands of people pull these cars to the Guëòicä temple, where Lord Jagannätha abides for seven days, after which there is a return Ratha-yäträ to the Jagannätha Temple. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and His associates gathered every year to observe this celebration with a massive festival of saìkértana. This great celebration of Ratha-yäträ is now being held all over the world by the arrangement of Çréla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Ratha—temple cart or chariot, used during religious festival to carry the Deities.

Rati—a strong attraction to God that precedes bhäva (mature ecstasy) and prema (mature love of God).

Rationalism—The approach to philosophy that holds reason (Lat. ratio) to be the primary cause of knowledge. See Anumäna, Descartes, Existentialism, Hawking, Kant, Marxism, Natural theology, Phenomenology, Positivism, Pragmatism.

Raty-äbhäsa—a preliminary glimpse of attachment.

Raudra-rasa—one of the indirect relationships, anger.

Rävaëa—a powerful ten-headed demon king of Laìkä who wanted to build a staircase to heaven but was killed by Kåñëa in His incarnation as Lord Rämacandra. The pastime is described in the epic poem Rämäyaëa, by the sage Välméki.

Reality—That which is. Reality is opposite to appearance. The Sanskrit equivalent is tattva. See Tattva.

Recaka—the state of equilibrium attained by offering the exhaled breath into the inhaled breath.

Reflective, creative, and critical thinking—Three modes of anumäna. Reflective thinking begins in wonder about something perceived. Out of wonder, questions arise. Creative thinking begins as a mental effort to answer the questions of reflection. Sometimes these questions are answered spontaneously, by intuition, insight or inspiraton, rather than by deliberate effort. At its highest stage of development, creative thinking is çästramülaka philosophical speculation. Critical thinking examines to what extent an idea or argument fits the evidence and meets the requirements of logic. See Logic.

Reflexivity—The condition in which something is directed (reflected) back to itself. Hence, reflexive criticism is self-defeating. It comes from the Latin reflectare, to bend back.

Reincarnation—From the Latin re (again) and incarnare (make into flesh). Reincarnation it is the return of the soul to a physical body after death, also called transmigration. See Karma, Life after death, Saàsära.

Relativism—Also known as the homo mensura (man is the measure) theory. Relativists reject any truth that is absolute. They argue that because each person sees things differently, truth exists individually for each person. It is therefore false to say one person is right and another is wrong. Relativism in Western philosophy is traced back to Protagoras, a contemporary of Socrates. See Absolute, Humanism. Relativity theory Albert Einstein compared his theory of relativity to a building with two stories. The ground floor is the special theory of relativity. It applies to all physical phenomena except gravitation. The general theory of relativity is the upper floor; it explains the law of gravitation. Einstein's theory combines two principles. One is that motion is relative. For example, when a table-tennis ball rolls across the surface of the playing table, its motion is relative to the table. In the classical physics of Newton, the rolling ball is considered to be the object in motion, and the table is considered to be at rest. However, if at first the ball was at rest on the tabletop, and we were to move the table, then both the table and the ball would move in relation to one another. Relativity theory argues that since all matter in the universe is in motion, the ball rolling upon the surface of a moving table is the actual model for motion in the universe. If space and time are taken to be the table, they contribute motion to the movement of all things. The old model of a ball rolling upon a tabletop at rest is therefore an illusion. The second principle of relativity is that the speed of light is always the same, even when light is emitted from a source that moves at a great speed towards, or away from, the observer. One of the significant differences between relativity theory and classical theory is seen in the calculation of the mass of a physical object. Mass is defined as the amount of matter in a physical object which is measured as that object's resistance to acceleration. Mass is different from, but proportional to, weight. Classical theory attributes a steady mass to any given physical object. Relativity theory predicts that the mass of a thing will vary according to its motion. Relativity is considered an advancement over, but not a replacement of, classical physics, which is still useful. From a logical point of view, the two theories are incompatible. The third important physical theory, quantum mechanics, is likewise incompatible with classical theory, and also differs significantly from relativity theory. See Quantum mechanical theory.

Revelation—Literally, it means an unveiling or a revealing. In Latin, velare means to cover or to veil (from velum, curtain or veil). Thus revelare means to pull back the veil. As light and darkness are separated by a veil, so too are good and evil. To step behind that veil into darkness is evil. By revelation, the veil is pulled back, removing by light the darkness of evil. See Problem of evil.

Åg Veda—one of the four Vedas, the original scriptures spoken by the Lord Himself.

Rickshaw—two or three wheeled passenger vehicle.

Rishi—a sage.

Åk-saàhitä—the mantra text of the Åg Veda.

Rohiëé—the wife of Vasudeva, and the mother of Lord Balaräma.

Romaharñaëa—the father of Süta Gosvämé. He was killed by Lord Balaräma for his offenses.

Åñabhadeva—an incarnation of the Supreme Lord as a devotee king who, after instructing his sons in spiritual life, renounced His kingdom for a life of austerity.

Åñi—a synonym for a sage who performs austerities.

Åtvik—one who acts on behalf of his preceptor.

Rüòha-bhäva—the love of the gopés.

Rüòha—advanced symptom of conjugal mellow found among the queens of Dvärakä; included in mahäbhäva.

Rudras—the expansions of Lord Çiva who rule over the material mode of ignorance.

Rudra—see: Çiva

Rukmaratha—the son of Çalya, the King of Madras. He was killed by Çveta, the son of Drupada, during the Kurukñetra war.

Rukmé—the son of King Bhéñmaka, the King of Vidarbha, and the brother of Rukmiëé, the first wife of Lord Kåñëa. His hatred for Lord Kåñëa eventually got him killed by Lord Baladeva during a chess game.

Rukmiëé—Lord Kåñëa's principal queen in Dvärakä; the chief of Lord Kåñëa's wives.

Rukmini-Dvarakädhisa—the transcendental couple manifested as Kåñëa, the Lord of Dvärakä, and His queen Rukminé; name of the Deities of ISKCON Los Angeles.

Rüpa Gosvämé—chief of the six great spiritual master Gosvämés of Våndävana who were authorized by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu to establish and distribute the philosophy of Kåñëa consciousness. He extensively researched the scriptures and established the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya on an unshakable foundation. Thus Gauòéya Vaiñëavas are known as Rüpänugas, followers of Rüpa Gosvämé. He is also known as the rasäcärya, or the teacher of devotional mellows, as exemplified by his book, Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu. It is the duty and the aspiration of every Gauòéya Vaiñëava to become his servant and follow his path.

Rüpänuga—one who follows in the footsteps of Rüpa Gosvämé.

Rupee—main unit of currency used in India.

Russel, Bertrand—Very influential British philosopher of the twentieth century (1872-1970) who was especially interested in mathematical logic and the basic problems of philosophy (appearance and reality, general principles, the value and limits of philosophy, and so on). In a letter of 20 September 1966, Russel suggested to his editor at Oxford University Press that a book of his then in production ought to have a cover illustration of a monkey tumbling over a precipice and exclaiming, 'Oh dear, I wish I hadn't read Einstein.' On no account should the monkey look like me.

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Çabda-brahma—transcendental sound vibration; the injunctions of the Vedas and Upaniñads.

Çabda-pramäëa—the evidence of transcendental sound, especially of the Vedas.

Çabda-tanmätra—the material element of sound vibration.

Çabda—transcendental sound; Sound, especially the Vedic sound, which is the self-evident proof of knowledge. As an authoritative testimony, the third of the three Vaiñëava pramäëas. See Anumäna, Pramäëa, Pratyakña.

Sabji—vegetable or vegetable dish.

Sac-cid-änanda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1]—the Lord's transcendental form, which is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss; the eternal transcendental form of the living entity.

Sac-cid-änanda—the natural condition of spiritual life: eternal, full of knowledge and bliss; The three qualities of Kåñëa and His spiritual world: eternality, knowledge and bliss. See Brahmajyoti, Kåñëa, Rädhäräëé.

Çacé-devé—the mother of Çri Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Çacépati—Indra-the chief demigod of heaven and presiding deity of rain, and the father of Arjuna. He is the son of Aditi.

Sacred thread—a thread worn by persons initiated into the chanting of the Gäyatré mantra.

Ñaò-aiçvarya-pürëa—the Supreme Lord who is complete with six opulences.

Ñaò-bhüja—the form of the Lord with six arms-two arms of Rämacandra, two arms of Kåñëa and two arms of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Çaò-darçana—Six views or systems of Vedic philosophy. See Six systems.

Sadäçiva—see: Çiva

Sädhaka—a practitioner of sädhana-bhakti; one who is nearing the perfection of Brahman realization; one who is a suitable candidate for liberation.

Sädhana-bhakti—following the rules and regulations of devotional service to develop natural love for Kåñëa.

Sädhana-siddha—one who has attained perfection by executing the rules and regulations of devotional service.

Sädhana—the beginning phase of devotional service, consisting of regulated practice.

Sädhu-nindä—the offense of criticizing a Vaiñëava.

Sadhu-saìga—the association of saintly persons [Madhya 22.83].

Sädhu-varya—the best of gentlemen.

Sädhu—a saint or Krishna conscious devotee, or Vaiñëava. A wandering holy man; A saintly person, a devotee of the Lord; one of the three authorities for a Vaiñëava. See Guru, Çästra.

Sädhyas—demigods inhabiting the heavenly planets.

Sagarbha-yogé—a yogé who worships the Supersoul in the Viñëu form.

Sagar—lake.

Saguëa—"possessing attributes or qualities." In reference to the Supreme Lord, the term signifies that He has spiritual, transcendental qualities.

Sahadeva—Nakula's twin, and the fifth of the sons of Päëòu, and younger brother of Arjuna. He was born of the union of the Açviné-kumära demigods and Kunté. He was reputed for knowledge of scriptures, and he was exceptionally handsome.

Sahadeva—the son of Jaräsandha. He took the side of the Päëòavas during the Kurukñetra war and was killed by Droëa.

Sahajiyäs—a class of so-called devotees who, considering God cheap, ignore the scriptural injunctions and try to imitate the Lord's pastimes; an offensive, immature devotee who does not follow proper devotional regulations.

Sahasra-çérñä—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who has a thousand heads;" Ananta-Çeña-an incarnation of the Supreme Lord in the form of His thousand-headed serpent, on which Viñëu rests, and who sustains the planets on His hoods.

Sahasra-giti—thousand prayers composed by Nämmälvära.

Sahasra-vadana—the thousand-mouthed snake incarnation, called Çeña Näga.

Sahib "Lord"—title given to any gentlemen and usually to Europeans. This is a compliment.

Çaibyä—one of the great archers on the side of the Päëòavas during the Kurukñetra war; one of the four horses that drove Lord Kåñëa's chariot; one of the wives of Lord Kåñëa, after the Lord's disappearance she entered fire and attained the spiritual world.

Sainika—the condition of threefold miseries.

Sairandhré—a name used by Draupadé during the Päëòavas last year of exile in the kingdom of Viräöa.

Çaivism—the philosophy of the Çiva-sampradaya, the disciplic succession descending from Lord Çiva

Çaivite—devotee of Lord Çiva; one who worships Çiva as the Supreme Lord.

Sajätéyäçaya-snigdha—pleasing to people of a similar nature.

Sajätéya—a person within the intimate circle of the Lord.

Çäka—a leafy vegetable that was a favorite of Lord Caitanya's.

Sakäma-bhakta—a devotee with material desires.

Sakhé—gopés who are close associates of Çrématé Rädhäräëé's and who expand the conjugal love of Kåñëa and His enjoyment among the gopés.

Sakhya-prema—love of God in friendship.

Sakhya-rasa—a relationship with the Supreme Lord in devotional friendship.

Sakhya-rati—see: Sakhya-rasa above.

Sakhya—the devotional process of maintaining friendship with Kåñëa.

Säkñi-gopäla—the Deity of Kåñëa who acted as a witness to the promise of an elder brähmaëa to a younger one.

Çakti-tattva—persons who are plenary expansions of the Lord's internal potency; the various energies of the Lord.

Çaktyäveça-avatära—an empowered living entity who serves as an incarnation of the Lord; empowered by the Supreme Lord with one or more of the Lord's opulences.

Çaktyäveça-jévas—see: Çaktyäveça-avatära above.

Çakuni—the evil brother of Gändhäré and notorious friend of Duryodhana. He master-minded the great gambling match that sent the Päëòavas into exile for 13 years. In the great Kurukñetra war he was killed by Sahadeva.

Çälagräma-çilä—the worshipable Deity of Lord Näräyaëa in the form of a round stone. It is described in detail in the final canto of the Padma Puräëa.

Çäla—a hardwood tree found in northern India.

Çala—he was one of the sons of Somadatta, a Kuru King. His brothers were Bhüri and Bhüriçravas. He was killed by Sätyaki during the Kurukñetra war.

Sälokya-mukti—liberation of residing on the same planet as the Lord.

Sälokya—the liberation of residing on the same planet as the Supreme Lord.

Çälva—a demon who desired Ambä for his wife. He was defeated by Bhéñma in his attempt to win Ambä. He attacked Dvärakä with an airship made by the demon Maya. He was killed by Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Çalya—the King of Madras. His sister was Mädré who was married to Päëòu. He wanted to join the side of the Päëòavas during the Kurukñetra war, but was tricked by Duryodhana into offering him his services. He was killed by Yudhiñöhira during the Kurukñetra war.

Salvation—See Life after death.

Säma Veda—one of the four original Vedas. It consists of musical settings of the sacrificial hymns. The Säma Veda is rich with beautiful songs played by the various demigods. One of these songs is the Båhat-säma, which has an exquisite melody and is sung at midnight.

Sama-darçé—seeing with equal vision. Therefore, one who has knowledge of the soul and how the soul transmigrates from one body to another does not pay attention to the body, which is nothing but a covering dress. Paëòitäù sama-darçinaù [Bg. 5.18]. Such a person sees the soul, which is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Therefore he is a sama-darçi, a learned person.

Samädhi—total absorption and trance of the mind and senses in consciousness of the Supreme Godhead and service to Him. The word samädhi also refers to the tomb where a great soul's body is laid after his departure from this world.

Samana-vayu—the internal bodily air which adjusts equilibrium. It is one of the five bodily airs controlled by the breathing exercises of the añtanga-yoga system.

Samatä—stage when one is fully attached to Kåñëa's lotus feet.

Sama—control of the mind.

Çambhu-tattva—the principle of Lord Çiva.

Sambandha-jïäna—knowledge of one's original relationship with the Lord.

Sämba—one of the heroic sons of Lord Kåñëa born of Jämbavaté.

Sambhoga—the ecstasy of the meeting and embracing of lovers.

Sambhrama-däsya—one of the indirect relationships, respect.

Saàhitäs—supplementary Vedic literatures expressing the conclusions of particular self-realized authorities.

Sämépya-mukti—liberation of living as a personal associate of the Lord.

Sämépya—the liberation of becoming a personal associate of the Supreme Lord.

Sampradäya-äcäryas—founders of the four Vaiñëava schools; they include Çré Rämänujäcärya, Madhväcärya, Viñëu Svämé and Nimbärka.

Sampradäya—a disciplic succession of spiritual masters, along with the followers in that tradition, through which spiritual knowledge is transmitted; School of thought. See Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas.

Samprekñya näsikägram—keeping one's eyes half-open in the practice of yoga.

Saàsära—the cycle of repeated birth and death in the material world; The baddha-jéva (conditioned soul), captivated by the modes of material nature, is moved as if on a wheel through 8,400,000 kinds of births, lifetime after lifetime. At the lower range of the cycle are births within aquatic, vegetative and animal forms. At the middle range are births within human forms. At the upper range are births within superhuman forms, such as the demigods. But as high as the soul may reach, even up to the position of Brahmä, there is no freedom from saàsära. Impelled by prakåti, käla and karma, the jéva will surely be forced into another womb, until the day that soul surrenders to the origin of the force that turns the wheel of saàsärathe éçvara, Kåñëa. The materialistic theory of evolution put forward by Anaximander and Darwin imperfectly recapitulates the Vedic description of the cycle of birth and death. It is true that we were once microbes, fish, reptiles, mammals and apes. But who are we? We are spirit souls. Materialists have no knowledge of the soul. They are unable to explain how and why dead matter assumes the forms of the gradient species. The Vedas explain that the gradient species mark the evolution and devolution of the soul's material desires. See Evolution, Karma, Life after death, Reincarnation.

Saàçaya—Doubt. One of the five functions of buddhi. See Buddhi.

Saàsåti—the cycle of repeated birth and death.

Saàskära—one of the Vedic reformatory rituals performed one by one from the time of conception until death for purifying a human being.

Saàskåta—purified.

Samvit-çakti—the knowledge portion of the Lord's spiritual potency.

Sanätana Gosvämé—one of the Six Gosvämés of Våndävana who was authorized by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu to establish and distribute the philosophy of Kåñëa consciousness. He was the older brother of Rüpa Gosvämé and was accepted by Rüpa Gosvämé as his spiritual master. He and Rüpa Gosvämé were both ministers in the Mohammedan court in Gauòa, but renounced everything for the service of Lord Caitanya. The two brothers were ordered by Çré Caitanya to write books establishing the philosophy of Gauòéya Vaiñëavism and to excavate the holy places in Våndävana.

Sanätana-dhäma—the eternal abode, the Vaikuëöha planets in the spiritual sky.

Sanätana-dharma—literally, the "eternal activity of the soul", or the eternal religion of the living being-to render service to the Supreme Lord, which in this age is executed mainly by chanting the mahä-mantra. See also: Bhägavata-dharma.

Sanätana-yoga—eternal activities performed by the living entity.

Sanätana—eternal, having no beginning or end.

Sanctum sanctorum—inner sanctuary or altar room that contains the main Deity of the temple

Sandeça—a delicate sweetmeat made with curd and sugar.

Sandhiné-çakti—the existence potency of the Lord.

Saìgam—meeting point of two or more rivers.

Saïjaya—charioteer and minister to King Dhåtaräñöra. Saïjaya narrated the events of the Kurukñetra war to Dhåtaräñöra by the mercy of Vyäsa; also a former king of the Ikñväku dynasty.

Çaìkaräcärya—an incarnation of Lord Çiva who appeared in South India at the end of the 7th century A.D. to re-establish the authority of the Vedic scriptures. He was a philosopher and lived about three hundred years before Rämänuja. He did this at a time when India was under the sway of Buddhism, whose tenets deny the authority of the Vedas. He took sannyäsa at a very tender age and wrote commentaries establishing an impersonal philosophy similar to Buddhism, substituting Brahman (Spirit) for the void. He traveled all over India defeating the great scholars of the day and converting them to his doctrine of Mäyäväda, the advaita (non-dualism) interpretation of the Upaniñads and Vedänta. He left the world at the age of 33; The incarnation of Çiva who appeared about 1400 years ago in South India to propagate Advaita Vedänta. He taught that Brahman is impersonal, there is no individuality apart from Brahman (all souls are really one soul), the cosmic manifestation does not emanate from Brahman, and the cosmic manifestation is without reality, like a hallucination. Though his philosophy is a distortion of the Vedic teachings, his mission was very important. He turned the Indian people away from Buddhism, back to the Vedas. See Advaita, Brahmajyoti, Brahman, Buddhism, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Mäyäväda philosophy, Six systems, Vedänta.

Çaìkä—doubt, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Çaìkha—a son of King Viraöa. He was killed Droëa during the Kurukñetra war; the conchshell held by Lord Viñëu.

Saìkara—see: Çiva

Saìkarñaëa—one of the four original expansions of Lord Kåñëa in the spiritual world; also, another name of Balaräma, given by Garga Muni.

Saìkértana-yajïa—the sacrifice prescribed for the Age of Kali, namely, congregational chanting of the name, fame and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Saìkhoddhära—the place where the Lord killed Sankhäsura.

Säìkhya-yoga—the process of linking with the Supreme by intellectually tracing out the source of creation.

Säìkhya—analytical discrimination between spirit and matter and the path of devotional service as described by Lord Kapila, the son of Devahüti in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam; analytical understanding of the body and the soul. Säìkhya-yoga-the process of linking with the Supreme by intellectually tracing out the source of creation; An analysis of matter and spirit taught by sage Niréçvara Kapila. One of the six systems of Vedic philosophy. See Analysis, Six systems.

Saìkértana—The congregational glorification of the Lord through chanting His holy name. The most recommended process of spiritual upliftment in the present age (Kali-yuga). See Caitanya Mahä-prabhu, ISKCON, Kértana.

Saìkränté—the day when a Bengali month ends. Also, the passage of the sun or any other planet from one Zodiacal sign to another.

Çänta-bhaktas—devotees in the neutral stage of devotional service.

Sannipäti—a convulsive disease caused by combination of kapha, pitta, väyu.

Sannyäsa-daëòa—the staff carried by a sannyäsé.

Sannyäsa—the renounced order, and fourth stage of Vedic spiritual life in the Vedic system of varëäsrama-dharma, which is free from family relationships and in which all activities are completely dedicated to Kåñëa. It is the order of ascetics who travel and constantly preach the message of Godhead for the benefit of all. The sannyäsé has no other purpose in life but to serve and please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and he acts as the guru for the other divisions of society; The order of renunciation accepted by males in the Vedic culture. The fourth spiritual devision of life, according to the social system of four äçramas, sannyäsa is meant for ending material existence. It is usually accepted at age fifty, after a man has fulfilled his household responsibilities. The original Vedic sannyäsés carried the tridaëòa, three bamboo rods wrapped together around a fourth, symbolizing that the body, minds and words are dedicated to the Supreme. The fourth stood for the soul. Mäyävädé sannyäsés in the line of Çaìkaräcärya carry only one daëòa; the Buddhists carry none. All bona fide sannyäsés wear orange or saffron robes and keep their heads shaven; all must follow standard principles: no meat-eating, sexual activity, gambling or intoxication, and all are meant to travel and preach as their only duty in life. See Brahmacäré, Gåhastha, Vänaprastha.

Sannyäsé—one in the sannyäsa (renounced) order.

Sanskrit—the oldest language in the world. The Vedas, or India's holy scriptures, are written in Sanskrit; From saàs (together) and kåta (made), hence speech made together (refined), Sanskrit is an ancient language of culture, learning and spiritual wisdom. The Vedas are all written in Sanskrit.

Çänta-rasa—the marginal stage of devotional service, passive love of God; the relationship with the Supreme Lord in neutrality.

Çänta-rati—see: Çänta-rasa above.

Çantanu—the father of Bhéñma by Gaìgä. He gave Bhéñma the benediction that he could die only when he wanted to. It was said that anything he touched with his two hands would become youthful.

Çänta—peaceful.

Çäntipur—a village in the Ranaghat subdivision of the West Bengal district of Nadia. It is famous as the home of Çré Advaita Äcärya, the associate of Lord Caitanya and incarnation of Mahä-Visëu. It is close to Mäyäpura.

Santan—Coconut milk-known as santan in Indonesian cooking, this creamy white liquid with a fresh, coconut flavour is extracted from fresh coconut pulp and is used in varieties of South East Asian and Indonesian dishes. It is available in cans from supermarkets and Asian grocers.

Çäpa—a brähmaëa's curse.

Sapta-dvépa—the seven islands of the earth.

Sapta-suta—the seven sons, namely hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, worshiping the Deity and becoming a servant of the Lord.

Sapta-täla—the seven palm trees in Rämacandra's forest.

Çaradvän—the son of Gautama, and the father of Kåpäcärya.

Sära grass—a whitish reed.

Saralatä—simplicity.

Sarasvaté—goddess of learning. Wife of Lord Brahmä. She usually sits on a white swan and holds a veena (stringed instrument) in her hands.

Sarga—the first material creation by Viñëu.

Çäréraka-bhäñya—Çaìkaräcärya's commentary on the Vedänta-sütra.

Çaréré—the soul, owner of the body.

Sari—traditional Indian dress worn by Hindu women-six yards long as a rule; Vedic women's dress.

Çärkaräkña—lit. "those who have sand in their eyes"; those situated in the gross bodily conception of life.

Sarmiñöhä—the second wife of King Yayäti. On account of overattachment to her, the king was cursed by Çukräcärya to lose his youth.

Çärìga—the bow of Lord Kåñëa.

Särñöi-mukti—the liberation of achieving opulences equal to those of the Lord.

Särñöi—the liberation of achieving equal opulence with the Lord.

Särüpya-mukti—the liberation of having the same bodily features as the Lord's.

Särüpya—the liberation of attaining a spiritual form like that of the Supreme Lord.

Sarva-jïa—omniscient; one who knows everything-past, present and future.

Sarva-käma-deha—the body engaged for the satisfaction of all kinds of material desires.

Sarva-kämada—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who fulfills the desires of His devotees."

Sarva-käma—one who desires material perfection.

Sarva-käraëa-käraëam—Kåñëa, the cause of all causes [Bs. 5.1].

Sarva-loka—all the material worlds.

Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya—a famous logician, adviser to King Pratäparudra of Orissa who surrendered to Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Sarvärambha-parityägé—one who is indifferent to both pious and impious activities. [Bg. 12.16]

Sarvätma-nivedana—Ätma-nivedana-the devotional process of surrendering everything to the Lord.

Sarvätmä—Paramätmä-the Supersoul, the localized aspect Viñëu expansion of the Supreme Lord residing in the heart of each embodied living entity and pervading all of material nature.

Çästra-cakñuù—seeing everything through the medium of the Vedic literature; Cakñuña means eyes; çästra-cakñuña means seeing through the eyes of scripture, as opposed to gross sense perception or mental speculation.

Çästra—the revealed scriptures, obeyed by all those who follow the Vedic teachings. Çäs means "to regulate and direct" and tra means "an instrument"; Vedic literature; The Vedic scriptures; one of the three authorities for a Vaiñëava. In his purport to Cc., Ädi-lélä 17.157, Çréla Prabhupäda writes: The word çästra is derived from the dhätu, or verbal root, ças. Sas-dhätu pertains to controlling or ruling. A government's ruling through force or weapons is called çastra. Thus whenever there is ruling, either by weapons or by injunctions, the ças-dhätu is the basic principle. Between çastra (ruling through weapons) and çästra (ruling through the injunctions of the scriptures), the better is çästra. Our Vedic scriptures are not ordinary law books of human common sense; they are the statements of factually liberated persons unaffected by the imperfectness of the senses. Çästra must be correct always, not sometimes correct and sometimes incorrect. In the Vedic scriptures, the cow is described as a mother. Therefore she is a mother for all time; it is not, as some rascals say, that in the Vedic age she was a mother but she is not in this age. If çästra is an authority, the cow is a mother always; she was a mother in the Vedic age, and she is a mother in this age also. If one acts according to the injunctions of çästra, he is freed from the reactions of sinful activity. For example, the propensities for eating flesh, drinking wine and enjoying sex life are all natural to the conditioned soul. The path of such enjoyment is called pravåtti-märga. The çästra says, pravåttir eñäà bhütänäà nivåttis tu mahä-phalä: [Manu-småti 5.56] one should not be carried away by the propensities of defective conditioned life; one should be guided by the principles of the çästras. A child's propensity is to play all day long, but it is the injunction of the çästras that the parents should take care to educate him. The çästras are there just to guide the activities of human society. But because people do not refer to the instructions of çästras, which are free from defects and imperfections, they are therefore misguided by so-called educated teachers and leaders who are full of the deficiencies of conditioned life.

Çästramülaka—Müla means root; çästramülaka means rooted in scripture, as opposed to laukika. See Laukika.

Säñöänga-pranäma (Daëòavat)—a respectful obeisance executed by prostrating eight limbs of the body, namely the thighs, feet, hands, chest, thoughts or devotion, head, voice, and closed eyes.

Sat—eternal, unlimited existence.

Ñaö-sandarbha—six Sanskrit works on the science of devotional service or Vaiñëava philosophy by Çréla Jéva Gosvämé. These works present the entire philosophy and theology of Gauòéya Vaiñëavism in a systematic form. The six Sandarbhas are as follows: Tattva-sandarbha, Bhägavat-sandarbha, Paramätma-sandarbha, Kåñëa-sandarbha, Bhakti-sandarbha and Préti-sandarbha. The Ñaö-sandarbha is also called Bhägavata-sandarbha, as it is an exposition on the Çrémad-Bhägavatam The first four Sandarbhas are devoted to sambandha-tattva, which establishes Krñëa as the highest Deity and the most exclusive object of worship. The Bhakti-sandarbha deals with abhidheya-tattva, which is bhakti (devotion to Krñna), and the Préti-sandarbha is concerned with prayojana-tattva, pure love of Godhead.

Çatänéka—the son of Nakula who was killed by Açvatthämä while awaking from sleep in his tent; the brother of King Viräöa. He was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Çatarüpä—the wife of Sväyambhuva Manu and mother of Devahüti.

Saté rite—voluntary suicide by a chaste widow at her husband's funeral.

Saté—the wife of Lord Çiva and the daughter of Dakña, who burned herself alive when her father insulted her husband; when a widow burns herself in her husband's cremation/funeral fire.

Sattva-guëa—the mode of material goodness, predominated by Lord Viñëu.

Sattvatanu—Viñëu who expands the quality of goodness.

Sättvika—symptoms of ecstatic love coming from the transcendental platform; in the mode of goodness.

Sätvata-saàhitäs—scriptures that are products of the mode of goodness.

Sätvata scriptures—Vedic scriptures meant especially for the devotees of the Lord.

Sätvata-païcarätra—one of the Païcarätras, consisting of a conversation between Närada Muni and Lord Saìkarñaëa describing the rules and regulations of devotional service.

Satya-käma—directing all of one's desires to the Supreme Truth.

Satya-yuga—the first and best of the four cyclic ages of a mahä-yuga in the progression of universal time. Satya-yuga is characterized by virtue, wisdom and religion. It is known as the golden age, when people lived as long as one hundred thousand years. It lasts 1,728,000 solar years.

Satyaà param—the Supreme Absolute Truth, Kåñëa.

Satyabhämä—one of the principal queens of Lord Kåñëa during His pastimes in the city of Dvärakä.

Satyadeva—a warrior from Kaliìga who was killed by Bhéma during the Kurukñetra war.

Satyadhåti—a renowned archer on the side of the Päëòavas. He was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Satyägraha—fasting for political purposes performed by Mahatma Gandhi.

Satyajit—a brother of King Drupada. He was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Sätyaki—the son of Çini, and a prominent member of the Yadu dynasty. He was an intimate friend of Lord Kåñëa and student of Arjuna. He fought during the Kurukñetra war and killed many kings on the side of the Kauravas.

Satyaloka—Lord Brahmä's abode, the highest planet in the material universe; also called Brahmaloka.

Satyaratha—a brother of King Suçarma, the King of the Trigartas.

Satyasena—another brother of King Suçarma, the King of the Trigartas. He was killed by Arjuna during the Kurukñetra war.

Satyavarma—another brother of King Suçarma, the King of the Trigartas.

Satyavaté—the daughter of the fisherman King. She was the mother of Vyäsadeva by Paraçara Muni. She later married Mahäräja Çantanu and begot two children, Citräìgada and Vicitravérya.

Satyavrata Manu—one of the administrative demigods who are the fathers and lawgivers of mankind.

Satyavrata—another brother of King Suçarma, the King of the Trigartas.

Satya—truthfulness.

Satyeñu—another brother of King Suçarma, the King of the Trigartas. He was killed by Arjuna during the Kurukñetra war.

Saubhari Muni—a powerful mystic who accidentally fell down to sex attraction.

Saubha—the airship of King Çälva. It was created by the demon Maya, and Çälva used this airship to attack Dvärakä. It was destroyed by Lord Kåñëa.

Çaunaka Åñi—one of the chief sages at the conclave of sages gathered at the forest of Naimiñäraëya when Süta Gosvämé spoke Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Sauhådya—endeavor.

Sauträmaëi—a particular Vedic fire sacrifice offered to Lord Indra.

Savitri—lady who saved her husband from death by her chastity.

Säyujya-mukti—the liberation of merging into the Brahman effulgence.

Säyujya—the liberation of merging into the spiritual effulgence of the Lord.

Scepticism—A state of doubting that may range from a tentative doubt in the process of reaching certainty to complete, total disbelief in everything. Usually, scepticism refers to a philosophy of disbelief, of which there are many. In India, the philosophies of Cärvaka Muni, the Buddhists and the Jains are founded upon disbelief in the Vedas. Mäyävädés claim to accept the Vedas, but they sceptically reject the Vedic philosophy of Vaiñëavism. As Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, a famous Mäyävädé scholar, wrote about the teachings of äcärya Rämänuja: Rämänuja's beautiful stories of the other world, which he narrates with the confidence of one who had personally assisted at the origination of the world, carry no conviction. These are the words of a man confined to a miniscule spectrum of awareness by his pratyakña and anumäna. Yet he thinks he can pass judgement on that which is beyond his senses and mind. There are many forms of Western scepticism as well, which go back to the ancient Greeks. See Buddhism, Materialism, Mäyävädé philosophy, Six systems, Voidism.

Semantics—From the Greek sma, sign. The study of how words (or linguistic symbols) make sense, and how words apply to the things they refer to. Semantics attempts to define the conditions under which a statement can be analyzed as true or false.

Semi-deism—A variant of deism in which God, the first cause, is supposed to sometimes intervene in the regular course of nature through geological catastrophes and the sudden rise of species. Noted semi-deists were nineteenth century British natural theologicans William Buckland (1784-1856), Adam Sedgewick (1785-1873), W.D. Conybeare (1787-1857), and Charles Lyell (1797-1875). See Atheism, Deism, Theism.

Sentimentalism—A mental attitude permeated by or predisposed to emotions produced of sense perception. For example, the sceptic David Hume rejected the standard moral obligations of his time, and argued that morality could only be valid when based upon what he termed sympathy and sentiment.

Çeña Näga—an expansion of Lord Balaräma or Saìkarñaëa who takes the form of a many-hooded serpent and serves as Lord Viñëu's couch and other paraphernalia. He also holds the millions of universes on His hoods.

Çeña-lélä—the last twenty-four years of Lord Caitanya's pastimes.

Sevä-aparädha—offenses in Deity worship.

Sevä-püjä—Deity worship.

Sevaka—a servant.

Sevä—devotional service.

Sevya—one who is served.

Shyama—Krsna appearing bluish in the Dvarapa-yuga.

Shukla—white in the Satya-yuga.

Siddha-deha—a perfected spiritual body.

Siddhaloka—the heavenly planet whose inhabitants possess all mystic powers; the planets of materially perfect beings.

Siddha—a perfected person, or mystic; a demigod from Siddhaloka; one who has realized the Brahman effulgence; a perfect devotee.

Siddhänta—Essential conclusion. See Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas.

Siddhi-lobhé—one who is greedy for material perfection.

Siddhi-traya—philosophical work of Yämunäcärya

Siddhi-vraja—the mystic perfections.

Siddhis—mystic perfections usually acquired by yoga practice and natural to residents of Siddhaloka: becoming small like a particle (aëimä-siddhi), or lighter than a soft feather (laghimä-siddhi), Get anything from everywhere (präpti-siddhi), becoming heavier than the heaviest (mahimä-siddhi), create something wonderful or annihilate anything at will (éçitva-siddhi), to control all material elements (vaçitva-siddhi), possessing such power as will never be frustrated in any desire (präkämya-siddhi), assuming any shape or form one may even whimsically desire (kämävasäyitä-siddhi).

Çikhariëé—a blend of yogurt and sugar candy.

Sikhaëòé—the son of King Drupada, and the rebirth of Ambä, the daughter of the King of Käçé. He was born to kill Bhéñma, who he hated from his previous life. During the battle of Kurukñetra, he fought in front of Arjuna, while attacking Bhéñma. Bhéñma dropped his weapons and this allowed Arjuna to fill Bhéñma with arrows. Çikhaëòé was later killed by Açvatthämä, while awaking from sleep in the Päëòavas camp.

Çikhara—curved temple tower or spire The roof of the sanctum sanctorum It is crowned by a cakra in a Lord Viñëu temple and a trident in a Lord Çiva temple

Çikñä-guru—an instructing spiritual master.

Çikñäñöaka—eight verses by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu glorifying the chanting of the Lord's holy name.

Siàha-dvära—the main gate of the Jagannätha temple.

Siàhäsana—sitting place.

Çimulé—silk cotton tree.

Sindhu—a province in Bharata that was ruled by Jayadratha.

Çini—the father of Sätyaki, and a king of the Yadu dynasty.

Çiçumära-cakra—the orbit of the polestar.

Çiçupäla—a king who was an enemy of Kåñëa. The son of Damaghoña and King of Cedi. He was an incarnation of Jaya, a gatekeeper of Vaikuëöha. He was killed by Lord Çré Kåñëa during the Räjasüya sacrifice.

Çétä—subordinate ecstatic symptoms including singing, yawning, etc.; a division of anubhäva.

Sétä-Räma—the transcendental couple manifested as Lord Rämacandra, Kåñëa's incarnation as the perfect king, and Lord Räma's eternal consort, Sétä.

Sétä—the beloved consort of Lord Rämacandra. She appeared in the house of Janaka Mahäräja, one of the twelve leading spiritual authorities in the universe. She was abducted by ten-headed demon, Ravana.

Çiva-liìga—a rounded stone representation of Lord Çiva's genitals often worshiped as a Deity by Çaivites.

Çiva-püjä—worship of Lord Çiva's linga. See above.

Çiva-rätré—Lord Çiva's appearance day, celebrating his advent from between Lord Brahmä's eyebrows.

Çivatama—the most auspicious.

Çiva—the guëa-avatära who is the superintendent of the mode of ignorance (tamoguëa) and who takes charge of destroying the universe at the time of annihilation. He disguised himself as a Kiräta and fought with Arjuna over a boar. Lord Çiva was pleased with Arjuna and gave him a benediction of the Paçupati astra by which he could kill Jayadratha. He also gave a benediction to Açvatthämä that he could kill the remaining soldiers on the side of the Päëòavas while they were sleeping in their tents. He is also considered the greatest Vaiñëava, or devotee, of Lord Kåñëa. He is confused by some with the Supreme Lord.

Sivänanda Sena—a great householder devotee of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Six Gosvämés—they were deputed to go to Våndävana to excavate the present places of pilgrimage. The present city of Våndävana and the importance of Vrajabhümi were thus disclosed by the will of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. See also: Rüpa Gosvämé, Sanätana Gosvämé, Jéva Gosvämé, Gopäla Bhaööa Gosvämé, Raghunätha Däsa Gosvämé and Raghunätha Bhaööa Gosvämé.

Six systems—There are six systems of philosophy associated with the Vedic scriptures. These together are known as the ñaò-darçana. The ñaò-darçana (six views) are: 1) Nyäya (logic), 2) Vaiçeñika (atomic theory), 3) Säìkhya (analysis of matter and spirit), 4) Yoga (the discipline of self-realization), 5) Karma-mémäàsä (the science of fruitive work) and 6) Vedänta (the science of God realization). The ñaò-darçana are termed ästika philosophies (from asti, or it is so), because they all acknowledge the Veda as authoritative, as opposed to the nästika philosophies of the Cärvakas, Buddhists and Jains (nästi, it is not so), who reject the Vedas. Beginning with Nyäya, each of the ñaò-darçana in their turn presents a more developed and comprehensive explanation of the aspects of Vedic knowledge. Nyäya sets up the rules of philosophical debate and identifies the basic subjects under discussion: the physical world, the soul, God and liberation. Vaiçeñika engages the method of Nyäya or logic in a deeper analysis of the predicament of material existence by showing that the visible material forms to which we are all so attached ultimately break down into invisible atoms. Säìkhya develops this analytical process further to help the soul become aloof to matter. Through Yoga, the soul awakens its innate spiritual vision to see itself beyond the body. Karma-mémäàsä directs the soul to the goals of Vedic ritualism. Vedänta ultimately focuses on the supreme spiritual goal taught in the Upaniñads. As can be seen in Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the basis of these darçanas was an original, unified spiritual science (bhagavad-tattva-vijïäna) taught in very olden times by the twelve Mahäjanas: Brahmä, Närada, Çiva, Kumäras, Kapila, Manu, Prahläda, Janaka, Bhéñma, Bali, Çukadeva and Yamaräja. But due to the influence of mäyä, scholars who followed the teachings of later sages like Gautama, Kaëäda, Niréçvara Kapila, Pataïjali and Jaimini, became divided and contentious. The Vedic philosophy was misunderstood, and opposing schools came into being to serve sectarian ends. For instance, Karma-mémäàsä (which by 500 BC had become the foremost philosophy of the brähmaëa class) was misused by bloodthirsty priests to justify their mass slaughter of animals in Vedic sacrifices. But the unexpected rise of a novel non-Vedic religion challenged the power of Karma-mémäàsä. This new religion was Buddhism. By 250 BC, the influence of Karma-mémäàsä and other darçanas had weakened considerably. When King Açoka instituted the Buddha's doctrine as the state philosophy of his empire, many brähmaëas abandoned Vedic scholarship to learn and teach nästika concepts of ahiàsä (nonviolence) and çünyatä (voidism). Buddhism in its turn was eclipsed by the teachings of the Vedäntist Çaìkaräcärya, who revived the Vedic culture all over India in the seventh century after Christ. But Çaìkaräcärya's special formulation of Vedänta was itself influenced by Buddhism and is not truly representative of the original Vedänta-darçana. After Çaìkaräcärya, Vedänta was refined by the schools of great teachers (äcäryas) like Rämänuja and Madhva. Having shed the baggage of Çaìkaräcärya's crypto-Buddhism, Vedänta philosophers brought Vedic studies back to their original form as seen in Çrémad-Bhägavatam. See Advaita, Analysis, Dvaita, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Mäyäväda philosophy, Veda, Vedänta.

Skanda Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas, or Vedic historical scriptures. It extensively describes Kali-yuga.

Çleñokti—a statement having two meanings.

Çloka—a Sanskrit verse.

Smaraëam—the devotional process of remembering the Supreme Lord; constant thinking of Kåñëa (one of the nine methods of devotional service).

Smärta-brähmaëa—a brähmaëa interested more in the external performance of the rules and rituals of the Vedas than in attaining Lord Kåñëa, the goal of the Vedas; one who strictly follows the Vedic principles on the mundane platform.

Smärta-guru—a professional spiritual master.

Smärta-vidhi—the regulations of mundane religious activity.

Smarta—the popular name for followers of the Vedas who are overly attached to elevation and salvation. They are very careful about the latter, but often not the spirit, of scriptural injunctions, confounding the mundane with the spiritual. They are very fond of the småti-çästras and are thus known as smartas.

Småti—remembrance, a vyabhicäri-bhäva; revealed scriptures supplementary to the çruti, or original Vedic scriptures, which are the Vedas and Upaniñads; scriptures compiled by living entities under transcendental direction; the corollaries of the Vedas; One of the five functions of buddhi. See Buddhi.

Småti-çästra—A section of the Vedic scriptures including the Mahäbhärata and the Puräëas. See Çästra, Çruti-çästra.

Småty-äcärya—a spiritual master expert in the supplementary Vedic literatures.

Snäna-yäträ—the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannätha.

Sneha—affection for Kåñëa, at which stage the lover cannot be without the beloved.

Snigdha—very peaceful.

Socrates—Socrates (470-399 BC) is the most influential philosopher in the recorded history of the Western world. Plato was his disciple and Aristotle his grand-disciple. Socrates lived in Athens and taught a doctrine of the soul that is similar in many ways to the Vedic conception. In a 1966 Bhagavad-gétä lecture, Çréla Prabhupäda said Socrates was a mukta-puruña (a liberated soul). According to his biographer Plato, Socrates was unjustly convicted for anti-state activities by the Athenean authorities, who ordered him drink poison. He did so cheerfully, and died preaching we are not these bodies to his followers.

Solipsism—From the Latin solus, (alone), and ipse, (self). A Western doctrine stating that the self is all that exists or can be known. There are two forms of solipsism: epistemological and metaphysical. The first form holds that since there is nothing to be known beyond the content of one's own consciousness, one's own consciousness is the underlying justification for, and cause of, the existence and nonexistence of knowledge of anything. The second form holds that there is no reality other than one's own self. All things are creations of one's consciousness at the moment one is conscious of them. In other words, there is no existence apart from my own awareness. Like Mäyäväda philosophy, solipsism arrives at a philosophical dead end. The questions that remain unanswered are: If my consciousness is the only reality, why can't I change the universe at will, simply by thought? And if only I myself truly exist, why am I dependent for my life, learning and happiness upon a world full of living entities that refuse to acknowledge this truth? See Mäyäväda philosophy.

Soma-rasa—a life-extending heavenly beverage available on the moon to demigods on the higher planets.

Somadatta—the son of King Bälhéka and the grandson of King Pratépa. He had three sons name Bhüri, Bhüriçravas, and Çala. He was killed by Sätyaki during the battle of Kurukñetra.

Somaka—a former king of Päïcäla.

Somaräja—Candra, the demigod in charge of the moon.

Soma—the presiding deity of the moon.

Soul—the eternal living entity, who is the marginal energy, eternally part and parcel of the Supreme Lord; Known in Sanskrit as jéva, jéva-ätmä or ätmä, the soul is the eternal individual self, who is a tiny particle of Lord Kåñëa's spiritual potency located in the heart of the material body. The symptom of the soul is consciousness, and the power of the soul is taöastha-çakti, the power of choice. Thus the soul is responsible for his liberation or bondage, though he has no power to either liberate himself or enjoy matter. The result of his choice, whether auspicious or inauspicious, is arranged by the Supersoul. As the air is always different from the smells it carries, so the soul is always different from the material designations it assumes due to the influence of the modes of nature. How a yogé perceives the soul's direct relationship with the Supreme Soul is described in SB 11.14.45: He sees the individual souls united with the Supreme Soul, just as one sees the sun's rays completely united with the sun. The sun is jyotiñi, the source of light. Similarly, Kåñëa, the Supreme Soul, is the source of the light of consciousness of all living entities. Sunlight is composed of photons, which are tiny units of light. Similarly, each individual soul (jéva-ätmä) is a tiny unit of consciousness. See Consciousness, Ecstasy, Modes of nature, Supersoul.

Sparças—the consonants in the Sanskrit alphabet.

Spirit soul—Jéva (jévätmä)-the living entity, who is an eternal soul, individual but part and parcel of the Supreme Lord.

Sphoöaväda—Also known as çabda-tattva, sphoöaväda is the philosophy of a metaphysical school of Sanskrit grammarians that goes back to one Sphoöäyaëa, whose followers include Bhartåhari and Jayanta Bhaööa. The famous karma-mémäàsä philosopher Madana Miçra also accepted the sphoöaväda doctrine, though other teachers of mémäàsä opposed it. Accordingly, there is a continuum of vibration (ekam eva yad ämnätam), which is partless (akhaëòa) and unbroken (akrama), which becomes manifest in sounds (dhvani) or syllables (varëa). The sounds and syllables are not important. They are used as aids to achieve meditation upon the underlying continuum, where the indivisible unit of meaning (sphoöa) is realized through çabda-pürva-yoga. When the sphoöa is realized, liberation is achieved in the monistic absolute. Clearly, this is a form of Mäyäväda philosophy. Interestingly, Çaìkaräcärya rejected the sphoöaväda of the grammarians. Yet he accepted the basis of the sphoöaväda philosophy, which is the çabda-yoga of Pataïjali. In his Prabodhasudhäkara 13.144, Çaìkaräcärya wrote, When one's essential nature is contemplated upon for a moment or half a moment, then the subtle sound called anähata is heard in the right ear. In 148 he explained further: If the mind is completely absorbed for a long time in that Light comprised within the subtle sound, it is surely not slated for the bondage of worldly existence again. Many modern forms of mysticism and meditation can be traced to this doctrine: Transcendental Meditation, Radha-Soami Satsang, Kirpal Singh Satsang, and so on. The subtle sound sought in these systems is the egoistic sound at the root of material existence. Beyond this, however, is the pure name (çuddha-näma), which cannot be extracted from the äkäça by çabda-yoga, but which must be received from the pure devotee of Kåñëa. What these çabda-yogés really seek is explained by Kåñëa Himself: I am the sound in ether. ... Of vibrations I am the syllable oà. ... Of letters I am the letter A, and among compound words I am the dual compound. ... Of poetry I am the Gäyatré mantra. (Bg. 7.8, 10.33, 10.35) Hence, they seek Kåñëa but He is to be known only by pure devotion (bhakti-yoga). See Mäyäväda philosophy.

Spiritual world—Referred to as Vaikuëöha, Goloka, the supreme abode (param-dhäma), and the spiritual sky (param-vyoma), it is the transcendental, eternal, three-quarters display of Lord Kåñëa's personal splendor. The names, form, qualities, activities and relationships of the spiritual world are ever-fresh and ever-free of the defects of birth, death, disease, and old age. Here the Lord displays His divine pastimes (lélä) which overflood the spiritual world with the sweetest nectar, the very life and soul of the liberated devotees who dwell there. As a tree on the bank of a river is reflected upside-down in the water, so the material world is a reflection of the spiritual world. What is highest in the spiritual world is lowest here. The highest lélä is Kåñëa's conjugal affairs with the gopés. That is reflected here as sex life, the most entangling activity for the embodied soul. See Kåñëa.

Çräddha-pätra—a plate (containing remnants of prasädam) offered to the forefathers and then to the best of the brähmaëas.

Çräddha—the ceremony of making offerings to one's ancestors to free them from suffering; firm faith and confidence.

Çrama—fatigue, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Çrauta-panthä—the acquirement of knowledge by hearing from scriptural authorities.

Çrauta-väkya—acceptance of the words of the revealed scripture and of the spiritual master.

Sravaëam kértanaà viñëoù [Bhäg. 7.5.23]—the devotional process of hearing and chanting about Lord Viñëu, or Kåñëa.

Sravaëam—hearing from an authorized source. (This is the chief of the nine methods of devotional service).

Sravaëa—the devotional process of hearing about the Supreme Lord.

Çreyas—activities that are ultimately beneficial and auspicious.

Çré-bhäñya—the commentary on the Vedänta-sütra by Rämänujäcärya.

Çré Kåñëa-vijaya—a book of poems by Guëaräja Khän, considered to be the first poetry book written in Bengal.

Çré—the energy of Godhead that maintains the cosmic manifestation; Çréla-a title indicating possession of exceptional spiritual qualities. The most beautiful (spiritual) person.

Sri (sree, shree, shri)—honorific prefix, to be used before the Deities name.

Çré Saila—sacred hill near Tirupati.

Sré-kaëtha—a name for Lord Çiva meaning "he whose throat is beautifully blue."

Çrédhara Svämé—the author of the earliest extant Vaiñëava commentaries on Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Though a resident of Benares and a sannyäsé of Çaìkara's Mäyäväda school of philosophy, he taught pure Vaiñëava philosophy. He was a devotee of Lord Nåsiàha-deva, and his works were highly regarded by Lord Caitanya, especially his Çrémad-Bhägavatam gloss, Bhävärtha-dépikä. The Lord commented that anyone who wanted to write a commentary on Srémad-Bhagavatam must follow the commentary of Srédhara Svämé.

Çréla Prabhupäda—(1896-1977) His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. He is the tenth generation from Caitanya Mahäprabhu. The founder-äcärya, spiritual master of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Çréla Prabhupäda was the widely-acclaimed author of more than seventy books on the science of pure bhakti-yoga, unalloyed Kåñëa consciousness. His major works are annotated English translations of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, and the Bhagavad-gétä As It Is. He was the world's most distinguished teacher of Vedic religion and thought. Çréla Prabhupäda was a fully God conscious saint who had perfect realization of the Vedic scriptures. He worked incessantly to spread Kåñëa consciousness all over the world. He guided his society and saw it grow to a worldwide confederation of hundreds of ashrams, schools, temples, institutes, and farm communities. See Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda.

Çréla—a title indicating possession of exceptional spiritual qualities. The most beautiful (spiritual) person.

Çrémad-Bhägavatam—the foremost of the eighteen Puräëas, the complete science of God that establishes the supreme position of Lord Kåñëa. It was glorified by Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu as the amalam puräëam, "the purest Puräëa." It was written by Çréla Vyäsadeva as his commentary on the Vedänta-sütra, and it deals exclusively with topics concerning the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Lord Kåñëa) and His devotees. Çréla Prabhupäda has given Bhaktivedanta purports in English and wonderfully presented it to the modern world, specifically to give a deep understanding of Lord Kåñëa; Also known as the Bhägavata Puräëa, this is a work of eighteen thousand verses compiled by sage Vyäsa as his natural commentary on the Vedänta-sütra. It takes up where the Bhagavad-gétä leaves off. In Bg. 4.9, Lord Kåñëa says that by knowing His transcendental appearance and activities in this world, one becomes free of the cycle of repeated birth and death. Çrémad-Bhägavatam recounts with great relish the details of the Lord's appearance and activities, beginning with His puruña incarnations and their lélä of cosmic manifestation, and culminating with Kåñëa's own appearance in Våndävana 5000 years ago, and His most sweet rasa-lélä with the His cowherd girlfriends, the gopés headed by Rädhäräëé. See Bhagavad-gétä, Caitanya-caritämåta, Vedänta-sütra.

Çréniväsa—a name of Viñnu.

Çréniväsäcärya—a chief follower of the Six Gosvämés of Våndävana.

Çrévatsa—the sign of the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, on the chest of Lord Viñëu, or Näräyaëa.

Sréväsa Öhäkura—the incarnation of Çri Närada Muni in Lord Caitanya's pastimes. An intimate associate of Lord Caitanya. His courtyard served as the birthplace of Lord Caitanya's saìkértana movement, and his altar was the site of the mahä-prakäça pastime (twenty-one hours of ecstatic manifestation) of Çré Caitanya.

Çåìgära—conjugal love of God; an array of garments worn for amorous purposes.

Såñöi-çakti—the power to create the cosmic manifestation.

Çrutäyudha—a king of Kaliìga. He was the son of Varuëa by Parëäçä. He died on the battlefield of Kurukñetra when he released his mace at Lord Çré Kåñëa. His mace could not be thrown at one who was not engaged in combat or it would come back and kill the one who threw it. Since Lord Kåñëa was not engaged in combat, the mace came back and killed Çrutäyudha.

Çruti-çästra-nindana—offense of blaspheming the Vedic literature.

Çruti-çästra—Literally, hearing. The core Vedic literature including the four Vedas (Åg, Säma, Yajur and Atharva) and the Upaniñads. See Çästra, Småti-çästra.

Çruti-gaëa—the personified Vedas.

Çruti-mantras—the hymns of the Vedas.

Çruti—knowledge via hearing; the original Vedic scriptures (the Vedas and Upaniñads), given directly by the Supreme Lord.

Srutakarmä—the son of Sahadeva by Draupadé. He fought in the battle of Kurukñetra and was killed by Açvatthämä while rising from sleep in his tent.

Srutakérti—a son of Arjuna by Draupadé. He fought in the battle of Kurukñetra and was killed by Açvatthämä while rising from sleep in his tent.

Sthäëu-puruña—mistaking a dry tree without leaves for a person.

Sthäna—the maintenance of the universe by Viñëu.

Sthäyi-bhäva—continuous love of Godhead in devotional service.

Sthita-dhér-muni—(sthita-steady + dhéra-undisturbed + muni-sage) one who is always fixed in Kåñëa consciousness and as a result is undisturbed by material nature.

Sthüla-çaréra—See Gross body.

Stotra-ratna—book of prayers composed by Yamunäcärya.

Stotra—a prayer.

Stré-sambhäñaëa—talking with women.

Stré—women.

Stupa—hemispheric Buddhist monument of worship.

Su-snigdha—affectionate.

Su-viñaya—regulated sense gratification according to the Vedas.

Subjective—In philosophy, that which is derived from the mind and not external sources, or that which exists in the mind without any external reference or possible confirmation. It also refers to the particular way an individual understands an experience. Even though others experienced the same thing, because of his subjective attitude and outlook, he forms an opinion of what happened that is different from theirs. See Objective reality, Reality.

Subala—the father of Çakuni and Gändhäré. He was the King of Gändhära.

Çubha-dä—description of pure devotional service indicating that it bestows all good fortune.

Subhadrä—younger sister of Lord Çré Kåñëa, and an incarnation of Yogamäyä, the internal potency of the Supreme Lord. She married Arjuna, and begot Abhimanyu as her son. She is the yellow Deity found between Lord Jagannätha and Baladeva.

Subrahmaëya—Kärtikeya, the son of Lord Çiva. The god of war. Also known as Skanda.

Substance—From the Latin substare, be under, be firm, support. Substance (vastu in Sanskrit) is the underlying support of all phenomena. It is the eternal Brahman, the cause, of which the world is the effect. The Vedic view of the substance of the world is different from the Christian view, called creatio ex nihilo. According to this theory put forward by Augustine (175-242), God created the world out of nothing. Augustine's reasoning was based on the Biblical statement that in the beginning there was only God. Creatio ex nihilo was an attempt to break out of the paradoxical question, If in the beginning there was only God, and God is eternal, why is the world ever-changing? It was assumed that a doctrine of the material world's direct emanation from God's own substance could be true only if the material world had the same nature as God. But since it does not, and since God was alone in the beginning, He must have created the world from nothing. There is a paradox upon which creatio ex nihilo stumbles: ex nihilo, nihil fit, From nothing, nothing comes. According to the Vedic view, the substance of creation is tattva, true, just as God is true. The tattva of matter (prakåti) is eternal, but it assumes temporary forms as God wills. Like a shadow, the material creation resembles the original form of the substance. But it does not have the potency of the original. Yet it has no other source than the substance. Its source is not nothing. See Absolute, Brahman.

Subtle body—Called liìga-çaréra in Sanskrit, and also known as the astral body, the subtle body is the result of the conditioning of consciousness by the three modes of material nature. It includes the false ego, intellect and mind and is composed of cetana, consciousness under material influence. As long as the living entity remains within the cycle of saàsära, the subtle body is retained. But the steady practice of bhakti-yoga dissolves the subtle body, thus freeing consciousness from matter. See Consciousness, Ecstasy, False ego, Gross body, Intellect, Mind, Modes of nature, Saàsära, Soul, Supersoul.

Sudakñiëa—a King of Kämbhoja. He brought an akñauhiëé division of troops for Duryodhana. He was killed by Arjuna during Kurukñetra war. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Sudämä Vipra—a poor householder friend and devotee of Lord Kåñëa who was given immeasurable riches by the Lord.

Sudämä—one of the cowherd boy associates of Lord Kåñëa.

Sudarçana cakra—the disc weapon of the Supreme Lord.

Sudarçana—the discus of Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Çuddha-bhakti—pure devotional service.

Çuddha-bhäva—pure consciousness.

Çuddha-sattva—the spiritual platform of pure goodness; The transcendental mode of purified goodness. See Kåñëa, Modes of nature.

Süddépta—the manifestation in a devotee of all eight ecstatic symptoms multiplied a thousand times and all visible at once.

Sudeñëä—the wife of King Viräöa. Draupadé spent the last year of exile as a maidservant to this queen. (Viräöa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Sudharmä—the royal assembly court of the Yadus at Dvärakä.

Çüdra-mahäjana—a person born in a low family but raised to the platform of brähmaëa by initiation.

Çüdräëé—the wife of a çüdra.

Çüdra—a member of the fourth social order, laborer class, in the traditional Vedic social system. He is meant to render service to the three higher classes, namely the brähmaëas, the kñatriyas, and the vaiçyas.

Sughoña—the conchshell of Nakula.

Çuka—parrot.

Sukadeva Gosvämé—an exhalted devotee who recited the Çrémad-Bhägavatam to King Parékñit during the last seven days of the King's life.

Sukham—happiness or pleasure.

Çukla-yajur Veda—a version of the Yajur Veda.

Çukla—a person in the mode of goodness; also, a name for Lord Viñëu.

Çukräcärya—the spiritual master of the demons.

Çukra—see: above

Sukåtina—pious persons who obey the rules of scripture and are devoted to the Supreme Lord.

Sukåti—auspicious activity; pious persons.

Sulocana—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Sumeru—a great mountain situated at the center of the universe. It is the hub of the chariot of the sun.

Sunäbha—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Sunanda—one of the chief personal servants of Lord Näräyaëa in His spiritual abode, Vaikuëöha.

Sunéthä—the wife of King Aìga and mother of Vena.

Sunéti—the mother of Dhruva Mahäräja.

Suparëa—another name for Garuòa.

Supersoul—Paramätmä-the Supersoul, the localized aspect Viñëu expansion of the Supreme Lord residing in the heart of each embodied living entity and pervading all of material nature; Known as Paramätmä in Sanskrit, He is the third of Lord Kåñëa's three puruña incarnations: 1) Mahä-Viñëu, from whom unlimited universes emanate; 2) Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu, who enters each universe and is the source of birth of Brahmä; and 3) Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu, who expands into the heart of every living entity and every atom within the universe. The Supersoul dwells within the hearts of all living beings next to the soul. His spiritual form is four-armed and the size of a thumb. From him come the living entity's knowledge, rememberance and forgetfulness. The Supersoul is the witness and permitter of karma. What He witnesses is punished or rewarded by prakåti (see Bg. 13.23). See Brahman, Intellect, Éçvara, Karma, Life after death, Kåñëa, Modes of nature, Soul.

Supratéka—the name of King Bhagadatta's elephant that was very formidable during the battle of Kurukñetra. He was killed by Arjuna.

Supti—deep sleep, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Çürasena—the father of Vasudeva and Päthä.

Surabhé cows—the cows in the spiritual world, which yield unlimited quantities of milk.

Suras—demigods, devotees.

Suruci—the stepmother of Dhruva Mahäräja.

Süryadatta—a brother of King Viräöa. He was killed by Droëa during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Karëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Suryaloka—the sun planet.

Sürya—the sun-god, who became the father of Karëa. He is said to be the right eye of the Supreme Lord.

Suçarmä—the King of the Trigartas. He was an ally of Duryodhana and brought an akñauhiëé division of troops to Kurukñetra. He was very envious of Arjuna and was ultimately killed by Arjuna.

Suñupti—deep sleep, one of the levels of material consciousness.

Süta Gosvämé—the son of Romaharsaëa. He was the great sage who related the discourse between Parékñit Mahäräja and Çukadeva Gosvämé, which forms the basis of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam;.Naimiñäraëya-a sacred forest in central India where the eighteen Puräëas were spoken and which is said to be the hub of the universe.

Sutapä—the name of Vasudeva in a previous birth.

Sutasoma—the son of Bhémasena and Draupadé. He was killed by Açvatthämä while awaking from sleep on the last night of the Kurukñetra war.

Suta—the son of Vaidarbhé, or, in other words, one who is somewhat advanced in fruitive activities and who comes in contact with a devotee spiritual master. Such a person becomes interested in the subject matter of devotional service.

Süta—a mixture of different castes.

Sütra—the intermediate manifestation of the mahat-tattva, when it is predominated by the mode of passion; an aphorism expressing essential knowledge in minimum words; a book of such aphorisms.

Çva-paca—dog-eater.

Sva-sevana-çakti—the power to perform the personal service of the Supreme Lord.

Svabhäva—Nature, especially one's individual nature; intuitive psychology; instinct.

Sväbhävya—a scripture.

Svadharmas—specific duties of a particular body performed in accordance with religious principles in order to achieve liberation.

Svädhyäya—personal study of Vedic literature.

Svähä—the wife of Agni, the fire-god.

Svakéyä-rasa—relationship with Kåñëa as a formally married wife.

Sväàça—Kåñëa's plenary portions.

Svämé-näräyaëa—the impersonalist misconception that one can become God simply by adopting the dress of a sannyäsé.

Svämé—one fully in control of his senses and mind; title of one in the renounced, or sannyäsa, order; Gosvämé-a person who has his senses under full control: the title of a person in the renounced order of life, sannyasa. (go-senses + svamé-master) master of the senses.

Sväìga-viçeñäbhäsa-rüpa—the form by which the Lord begets living entities in the material world .

Sväpa—Sleep, dreaming. One of the five functions of buddhi. See Buddhi.

Svarga—Heaven. See Demigods, Life after death, Tri-loka.

Sväräjya-lakñmé—the personal spiritual potency of the Lord.

Svaräö—fully independent.

Svargaloka—the heavenly planets or abodes of the demigods in the material world.

Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämé—the incarnation of the gopé Viçäkha. He served as the secretary and intimate associate of Lord Caitanya at Puré and used to ease the pain of the Lord's feelings of separation by reciting appropriate verses and singing devotional songs.

Svarüpa-gata—the stage of understanding Kåñëa in truth while still maintaining some material connection.

Svarüpa-lakñaëa—the characteristics of the soul when purified of all material contamination.

Svarüpa-sandhi—the meeting of similar ecstasies from separate causes.

Svarüpa-siddhi—the perfection of one's eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord.

Svarüpa-upalabdhi—realization of one's eternal service relationship with the Lord.

Svarüpa-vismåti—forgetting one's real constitutional position.

Svarüpa—the living entity's original eternal relationship of service to the Lord, the real form of the soul.

Svar—the upper material planets.

Svayaà-rüpa—Kåñëa's original form as a cowherd boy in Våndävana.

Svayaàvara—the ceremony in which a princess is allowed to choose her husband.

Sväyambhuva Manu—the Manu who appears first in Brahmä's day and who was the grandfather of Dhruva Mahäräja.

Svetäçvatara Upaniñad—one of the 108 Upaniñads. It very clearly presents the Vaiñëava point of view regarding the Lord and the living entity.

Svetadvépa—the spiritual planet where Lord Viñëu resides within the material universe.

Sveta—a son of King Viräöa. He was killed in a ferocious battle with grandfather Bhéñma. (Bhéñma Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Çyämasundara—the name of Kåñëa meaning "He who has a very beautiful blackish form."

Syämänanda Gosvämé (1535-1631)—one of the great Vaiñëava äcäryas who lived in Våndävana after the time of Çré Caitanya. He received the direct mercy of Rädhäräëé in Våndävana, was tutored in the bhakti-çästras by Jéva Gosvämé and delivered countless souls, especially in Orissa. He was initiated by Hådäya Caitanya däsa and got the name Duùkhi Kåñëadäsa, but later he was called Syämänanda by Jéva Gosvämé, who noted his attraction for the Deity Çyämäsundara.

Syllogism—From the Greek syllogisms, a reckoning all together, it is a logical structure of reasonable thought (step-by-step argument). The Sanskrit equivalent is parärthänumäna, reasoning for others' understanding. See Logic.

-T-

Tad-ekätma-rüpa—forms of the Lord which are nondifferent from His original form, but which have different bodily features and specific activities.

Tadéya—everything belonging to the Lord.

Takñaka—the king of the snakes. He killed Mahäräja Parékñit.

Takuwan—Japanese white daikon radish, pickled in rice bran and salt.

Tamäla—a tree whose color resembles Lord Kåñëa's. It is found mostly in Våndävana, India.

Tamasaù—the coverings of the universe.

Tamas—the material mode of ignorance.

Tamo-guëa—the mode of ignorance, or darkness of material nature. It is controlled by Lord Çiva. See Modes of nature.

Tänava—the ecstatic symptom of thinness.

Täëòava-nåtya—Lord Çiva's dance, which he performs at the time of universal devastation, and at other times also.

Tan-mätras—The five qualities of the mahä-bhütas that subtly manifest in the mind as sound, touch, form, taste and smell. See Mahä-bhütas, Modes of nature, Pradhäna.

Tantras—minor scriptures describing various rituals, mostly for persons in the mode of ignorance; Vedic literatures consisting mostly of dialogues between Lord Çiva and Durgä. They contain instructions on Deity worship and other aspects of spiritual practice; special hymns for conjuring magic or producing mystical effects.

Tapasvés—persons who undergo severe penances for elevation to higher planets.

Tapasya—austerity; voluntary acceptance of some material trouble for progress in spiritual life.

Tapas—austerity or penance. There are many rules and regulations in the Vedas which apply here, like rising early in the morning and taking a bath. Sometimes it is very troublesome to rise early in the morning, but whatever voluntary trouble one may suffer in this way is called penance. Similarly, there are prescriptions for fasting on certain days of the month. One may not be inclined to practice such fasting, but because of his determination to make advancement in the science of Kåñëa consciousness, he should accept such bodily troubles when they are recommended.

Tapaù—the acceptance of hardships for spiritual realization.

Tapoloka—a heavenly planet.

Tärä—the wife of Båhaspati. She was kidnapped by the moon-god.

Täruëyämåta—the nectar of youth.

Taöastha-çakti—the living entities, the marginal potency of the Supreme Lord.

Tattva-darçé—one who has seen the truth.

Tattvas—the Absolute Truth's multifarious categories.

Tattvavädés—the followers of Madhväcärya.

Tattvavit—one who knows the Absolute Truth in His three different features.

Tattva—truth, reality. According to Baladeva Vidyäbhüñaëa, Vedic knowledge categorizes reality into five tattvas, or ontological truths: éçvara (the Supreme Lord), jéva (the living entity), prakåti (nature), käla (eternal time) and karma (activity).

Tava—a slightly concave cast-iron frying pan used for cooking capatis and other flat Indian breads.

Technology—This term is derived from the Greek tchne, handicraft, skill, and that term in turn is derived from takña (cutting through), the Sanskrit word for the work of a carpenter. Thus modern technology is glorified carpentry.

Teleology—From the Greek tlos, purpose, goal and lgos, knowledge of. The logic of teleology is that one can know the purpose of something by deducing it from its origin. See Deduction.

Theism—According to the Harper Collins Dictionary of Philosophy, p. 120, the philosophy of theism in most interpretations is, God is partly immanent in the universe and partly transcendent. In essence, this definition is the Vedic philosophy of the Supreme Person. As stated in Puruña-çukta (Åg-Veda 10.90.4): With three-fourths of Himself, the Puruña ascended; the other fourth was born here. From here on all sides He moved, toward the living and the non-living. Again and again in the Vedic literatures we find references to tripäda-vibhüti and ekapäda-vibhüti, the three-fourths of the Lord's splendor displayed as the spiritual world, and the one-fourth by which He pervades the material world. About the material manifestation, Lord Kåñëa says in Bg. 10.41: yad yad vibhütimat sattvaà çrémad ürjitam eva vä tat tad evävagaccha tvaà mama tejo-'àça-sambhavam. Know that all these opulent, beautiful and glorious creations are born from a part of My total splendor. Because they oppose theism, the theories of deism, monism, pantheism and dualism are actually atheism. Deism separates God completely from His material creation. Monism renders God partless. Pantheism confines Him to the material universe. And dualism divides creation against Him, placing part of it in the hands of a rival. Even major religious traditions like Christianity are influenced by deism and dualism. The English natural theologian Robert Boyle (1627-1691) expressed open contempt for theism as a doctrine of infidels. When he drew up his last will and testament, he bequeathed fifty pounds per annum for ever, or at least for a considerable number of years in order to institute a series of lectures for proving the Christian Religion, against notorious Infidels, viz. Atheists, Theists, Pagans, Jews, and Mahometans. Monotheism and panentheism are synonyms for theism. Monotheism means belief in one God. In the Vedic religion, there is only one God, though He empowers servants who act as demigods on His command. These demigods are worshiped as God only by foolish people. Panentheism teaches that all things are imbued with God's presence, because all things are in God. God is more than all there is. He is all-conscious and the supreme unifying factor. See Atheism.

Tempo—three-wheeler vehicle used like a small bus.

Theogony—A poem written around 700 BC by the Greek shepherd Hesiod who was inspired by the angelic Muses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. The Theogony, along with the works of Homer, formed the scriptural basis of the historical Greek religion. There was a religious culture in Greece long before this historical period, but from the empirical point of view, it is largely shrouded in mystery.

Thes—God.

Öhäkura Haridäsa—Haridäsa Öhäkura-although born in a Muslim family, he was a confidential associate of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. He was so absorbed in the nectar of the Holy Name that he chanted day and night, and it was his regular practice to chant 300,000 names of the Lord daily. Lord Caitanya made him the nämäcärya (teacher of chanting of the holy name).The Muslim government and caste-conscious Hindus attempted to persecute him, but all of their efforts failed, as he was under the direct protection of the Lord.

Öhäkuräëés—the wives of devotees.

Thali—vegetarian meal which includes many different preparations, usually all you can eat; a low-rimmed metal plate.

Theodore Parker (1810-1860)—an American Unitarian clergyman and social reformer who promoted the antislavery cause.

Öékä—a commentary.

Tilaka—sacred clay markings placed on the forehead and other parts of the body to designate one as a follower of Viñëu, Räma, Çiva, Vedic culture, etc.

Timiìgila—a huge aquatic monster that can swallow whales.

Tértha (teertha)—a sacred place of pilgrimage associated with a pastime of an incarnation of God, such as a holy river, a temple of the Lord, or the residence or place of meditation of a holy sage or saintly person.

Tithis—days of the Vedic calendar measured according to the phases of the moon.

Titikñä—tolerance; endurance of unhappiness.

Tonga—two-wheeled horse carriage.

Toovar dal—also called arhar dal, toor dal, or pigeon peas, these cream-coloured split lentils, which are paler in colour, flatter, and larger than yellow split peas, are widely used for cooking in Northern and Southwestern India. They have a delightful, slightly sweet flavour and are easy to digest, especially in the famous South Indian soup-like dishes rasam and sambar. Toovar dal is available at Indian grocers.

Öoöä-gopénätha temple—a temple in Jagannätha Puré housing a Deity which was found by Lord Caitanya and given to Gadädhara Prabhu to worship. He also gave Gadädhara a place to live in the garden of Yameçvara, where the temple was later built. Gadädhara Prabhu stayed there for the duration of his life, absorbing himself in the service of Lord Caitanya and Gopénätha.

Träsa—shock, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Trayé—the three Vedas. (Åg, Säma and Yajur), which explain fruitive activities for material benefits.

Trayodaçé—the thirteenth day after the new and full moons.

Threefold miseries—This is another feature of the influence of the three modes of material nature. All living entities within this material world are controlled by material nature (prakåti), who subjects them to threefold miseries: adhidaivika-kleça (sufferings caused by the demigods, such as droughts, earthquakes and storms), adhibhautika-kleça (sufferings caused by other living entities like insects or enemies), and adhyätmika-kleça (sufferings caused by one's own body and mind, such as mental and physical infirmities). Daiva-bhütätma-hetavaù: the conditioned souls, subjected to these three miseries by the control of the external energy, suffer various difficulties. This suffering is the impetus for seeking answers to the fundemental questions of life: Who am I? Why am I suffering? How can I get free of suffering? See Modes of nature, Prakåti.

Tretä-yuga—the second in the cycle of the four ages of the universe or mahä-yuga. It lasts 1,296,000 years. In this age Lord Rämacandra appeared.

Tribunga—Lord Krsna's famous three-curved stance.

Tri-daëòa—a staff, made of three rods, carried by Vaiñëava sannyäsés who are devotees of Lord Kåñëa, signifying service with mind, body and words.

Tridaëòi-sannyäsé—a member of the renounced order of life who accepts the personal nature of the Absolute Truth.

Trigarta—a province in ancient Bharata. The King of this country, Suçarma, fought on the side of Duryodhana and was killed by Arjuna.

Tri-loka—The Sanskrit term tri-loka is often found in Vedic scriptures. Tri-loka means three worlds. The universe is divided into three worlds, or realms of consciousness: bhür, bhuvaù and svaù (the gross region, the subtle region and the celestial region). In Svargaloka or the celestial heaven, superhuman beings called demigods (devatas) exist, enjoying a life that in human terms is almost unimaginable. In the subtle region exist ghosts and elemental beings. And in the gross or earthly realm exist human beings and other creatures with tissue-bodies, including the animals and plants. There is also a subterranean region where powerful demons reside. And there is a region known as naraka, hell. As explained in Bg. 3.27, the souls within these regions of material consciousness wrongly identify themselves as the doers of physical and mental activities that are actually carried out by three modes of material nature. This wrong identification is called ahaìkära, or false ego, the basis of our entanglement in material existence. See Demigods, Svarga.

Time—In his purport of SB 3.10.11, Çréla Prabhupäda writes as follows about time: The impersonal time factor is the background of the material manifestation as the instrument of the Supreme Lord. It is the ingredient of assistance offered to material nature. No one knows where time began and where it ends, and it is time only which can keep a record of the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material manifestation. This time factor is the material cause of creation and is therefore a self expansion of the Personality of Godhead. Time is considered the impersonal feature of the Lord. The time factor is also explained by modern men in various ways. Some accept it almost as it is explained in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. For example, in Hebrew literature time is accepted, in the same spirit, as a representation of God. It is stated therein: God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets... Metaphysically, time is distinguished as absolute and real. Absolute time is continuous and is unaffected by the speed or slowness of material things. Time is astronomically and mathematically calculated in relation to the speed, change and life of a particular object. Factually, however, time has nothing to do with the relativities of things; rather, everything is shaped and calculated in terms of the facility offered by time. Time is the basic measurement of the activity of our senses, by which we calculate past, present and future; but in factual calculation, time has no beginning and no end. Cäëakya Päëòita says that even a slight fraction of time cannot be purchased with millions of dollars, and therefore even a moment of time lost without profit must be calculated as the greatest loss in life. Time is not subject to any form of psychology, nor are the moments objective realities in themselves, but they are dependent on particular experiences.

Tripura—a large district on the far eastern side of Bengal, just south of the Çré Hatta (Sylhet) area of Assam. In olden times Tripura was part of Bengal. The kings of Tripura had a long-standing relationship with Öhäkura Bhaktivinoda and later with Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura.

Triveëé—the confluence of the three sacred rivers Ganges, Yamunä and Sarasvaté at Prayäga.

Trivikrama—a name for the Supreme Lord indicating His incarnation as the dwarf brähmaëa Vämanadeva. Meaning literally "He who took three big steps," this name recalls the Lord's pastime of extending His foot through the coverings of the material universe and into the Causal Ocean.

Triyuga—a name of Viñëu meaning one who appears in only three yugas.

Triyugé—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who appears in three yugas," namely Satya, Tretä, and Dväpara. The Lord appears in a covered incarnation in Kali-yuga, as Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Tåëävarta—a whirlwind-shaped demon who was sent by Kaàsa to kill Kåñëa, but whom Kåñëa killed instead.

Try-adhéçvara—the proprietor of the three worlds.

Tulasé—a pure devotee in the form of a basil plant held sacred by the Vaiñëavas and is very dear to Çré Kåñëa. Its leaves and maïjarés (buds) are always offered to His lotus feet; Maïjaré- the small, purplish flowers of the tulasé plant. Maïjarés, along with tulasé leaves, are offered only to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They must be fresh.

Tyäga—renunciation of activities performed with material consciousness.

-U-

Uccaiùçravä—a horse born from nectar and considered to be a representative of Kåñëa.

Ucchåìkhala—whimsical.

Udäna-väyu—bodily air which moves upwards and which is controlled by the breathing exercises of the añöäìga-yoga system.

Udära—magnanimous.

Udbhäsvara—eternal ecstatic symptoms or bodily transformations which indicate ecstatic emotions in the mind.

Uddhava—a learned disciple of Båhaspati and confidential friend of Lord Kåñëa in Dvärakä; In Kåñëa's Mathurä and Dvärakä lélä, Uddhava is Kåñëa's best friend. He visited the residents of Våndävana to console them in their grief due to Kåñëa's absence. In the Eleventh Canto of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Kåñëa imparts most important transcendental knowledge to Uddhava.

Uddépta—the manifestation in a devotee of five, six or all eight ecstatic symptoms simultaneously.

Udghätyaka—a dancing appearance of a player in drama.

Udvega—the ecstatic symptom of mental agitation.

Ugra-karma—evil activities.

Ugrasena—the King of the Yadus, and the father of Kaàsa.

Ujjvala-nélamaëi—a Sanskrit work that describes the complete science of mädhurya-rasa, the conjugal relationship with Lord Kåñëa. It was compiled by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé in the sixteenth century.

Ulüka—the son of Çakuni. He was killed by Sahadeva during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Çalya Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Ulüpé—the wife of Arjuna and the mother of Irävän.

Umä—wife of Lord Çiva. See also: Durgä

United Provinces of Agra and Oudh—the present Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Unmäda—craziness, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Upadeçämåta—a short Sanskrit work by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé containing important instructions about devotional service to Lord Kåñëa.

Upädhis—material designations.

Upädhyäya—a teacher who makes a living teaching Sanskrit grammar.

Upala-bhoga—morning refreshments offered to Lord Jagannätha.

Upaniñads—one-hundred and eight Sanskrit treatises that embody the philosophy of the Vedas. Considered the most significant philosophical sections and crest jewels of the Vedas, the Upaniñads are found in the Äraëyaka and Brähmaëa portions of the Vedas. They are theistic and contain the realizations and teachings of great sages of antiquity; The term upaniñad literally means that which is learned by sitting close to the teacher. The texts of the Upaniñads teach the philosophy of the Absolute Truth (Brahman) to those seeking liberation from birth and death, and the study of the Upaniñads is known as Vedänta, the conclusion of the Veda. The contents of the Upaniñads are extremely difficult to fathom; they are to be understood only under the close guidance of a spiritual master (guru). Because the Upaniñads contain many apparently contradictory statements, the great sage Vyäsa systematized the Upaniñadic teachings in the Vedänta-sütra. His natural commentary on the Vedänta-sütra is the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. See Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Vedänta-sütra.

Upaplavya—the capital city of King Viräöa.

Uparasa—the first kind of rasäbhäsa, occurring when one tastes one kind of mellow and something extra is imposed.

Upäsanä-käëòa—portions of the Vedas dealing with ceremonies of worship, especially demigod worship; The path of devotional service. One of the three departments of Vedic knowledge, upäsanä-käëòa is taught by Närada Muni. See Bhakti, Jïäna-käëòa, Karma-käëòa, Para-vidyä.

Upäsya—worshipable.

Upendra—Vämanadeva, who sometimes appears as the younger brother of Indra.

Urugäya—the name of the Lord meaning "He who is glorified with sublime prayers."

Urukrama—the Supreme Lord, who takes wonderful steps (especially as the dwarf brähmaëa incarnation, Vämanadeva).

Urvaçé—one of the heavenly Apsaräs. She tried to seduce Arjuna when he was in the heavenly kingdom. Arjuna refused to satisfy her because he considered her the mother of the Kuru dynasty having taken Puru for her husband. Because of Arjuna's refusal, Urvaçé cursed Arjuna to become a eunuch for one year. This curse took its effect during last year of exile of the Päëòavas in the kingdom of Viräöa; a woman from the heavenly planets who became enamored of King Purüravä.

Üti—the urge for creation that is the cause of all inventions.

Utkala—the eldest son of Dhruva Mahäräja.

Uttama-adhikäré—a first-class devotee who is expert in Vedic literature and has full faith in the Supreme Lord; he can deliver the whole world.

Uttamaçloka—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, who is worshiped by select poetry.

Uttamaujas—a prince of Päïcäla, and a valiant warrior during the Kurukñetra battle. He was killed by Açvatthämä while in his bed during the last night of the Kurukñetra war.

Uttama—the brother of Dhruva Mahäräja.

Uttänapäda—the king who was a son of Sväyambhuva Manu and the father of Dhruva Mahäräja.

Uttara—a son of King Viräöa. He was afraid to confront the Kurus when they stole the cows from his father's kingdom. Arjuna revealed his disguise to this prince and then single-handedly fought with the Kauravas and defeated them all. Uttara was killed in the first day's fighting at Kurukñetra by Çalya.

Uttarä—the daughter of King Viräöa and the wife of Abhimanyu. Viräöa first want Arjuna to marry his daughter, but Arjuna declined and said that his son, Abhimanyu, should marry her. Uttarä became the mother of King Parékñit.

-V-

Väcäla—a person who can speak according to Vedic authority.

Vahana mandapa—where the mount of the Deity (vahana) such as Lord Viñëu carrier's Garuòa or Çiva's bull Nandi is located.

Vaibhäñikas—a class of philosophers, akin to the Buddhists, who existed when Lord Kåñëa spoke Bhagavad-gétä and who accept that life is a product of a mature combination of material elements.

Vaidarbhé—the woman who was formerly a man but took birth as a woman in his next life because of too much attachment to woman. Darbha means kuça grass. In fruitive activities, or karma-käëòéya ceremonies, one requires kuça grass. Thus vaidarbhé refers to one who takes birth in a family of karma-käëòéya understanding. However, if by karma-käëòa activities one by chance comes in contact with a devotee, as Vaidarbhé did when she married Malayadhvaja, his life becomes successful. He then pursues the devotional service of the Lord. The conditioned soul becomes liberated simply by following the instructions of the bona fide spiritual master.

Vaidhi-bhakti—see: Vidhi-bhakti.

Vaidürya-maëi—a spiritual gem that can display different colors.

Väli—name of a monkey who was the son of Indra, the King of heaven, and elder brother of Sugréva, the monkey king in the epic Rämäyaëa.

Vaijayanté—a garland containing flowers of five colors and reaching down to the knees. It is worn by Lord Kåñëa.

Vaikäli-bhoga—food offered to the Deity at the end of the day.

Vaikuëöha lokas—variegated spiritual planets situated in the brahma-jyotir.

Vaikuëöha-jagat—see: Vaikuëöha lokas above.

Vaikuëöha-nätha—the Lord of Vaikuëöha.

Vaikuëöha—the eternal planets of the spiritual world, the abode of Lord Näräyaëa, which lies beyond the coverings of the material universe. Literally, "the place with no anxiety". See Spiritual world.

Vaiçya (Vaishyas)—member of the mercantile or agricultural class, according to the system of four social orders and four spiritual orders.

Vairägé—a person in the renounced order of life.

Vairägya—renunciation; detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit.

Vaiçeñikä—Kaëäda-the propounder of Vaiçeñika philosophy, which states that atoms are the original cause of the creation; One of the six systems of Vedic philosophy. See Six systems.

Vaiñëava-aparädha—an offense to the devotee of Kåñëa.

Vaiñëava-dharma—the eternal principle of service to the Supreme Lord, Viñëu.

Vaiñëava—a devotee of the Supreme Lord, Viñëu, or Kåñëa.

Vaiñëavism—the science of bhakti-yoga, devotional service to Viñëu, or Kåñëa.

Vaivasvata Manu—the current Manu, the seventh of fourteen.

Vaiyäsaki—Sukadeva Gosvämé-great devotee who recited the Çrémad-Bhägavatam to King Parékñit during the last seven days of the King's life.

Vajradatta—the son of King Bhagadatta. He fought with Arjuna for the sacrificial horse.

Vajra—the great grandson of Lord Çré Kåñëa. He became the king of Mathurä when Lord Kåñëa left this world.

Välméki—the author of the original Rämäyaëa-the original epic history about Lord Rämacandra and Sétä, written by Välméki Muni.

Vämadeva—a great sage who was a competitor of Gautama Åñi's. He was the secretary of Daçaratha Mahäräja, the father of Lord Räma.

Vämanadeva—the Supreme Lord's fifth incarnation as a dwarf brähmaëa, to whom Bali Mahäräja surrendered everything; Trivikrama-a name for the Supreme Lord indicating His incarnation as the dwarf brähmaëa Vämanadeva. Meaning literally "He who took three big steps," this name recalls the Lord's pastime of extending His foot through the coverings of the material universe and into the Causal Ocean.

Väma—left-wing group of gopés, who are eager to be jealously angered.

Vänaprastha—retired family life, in which one quits home to cultivate renunciation and travels from holy place to holy place in preparation for the renounced order of life; the third order of Vedic spiritual life; A retired householder. A member of the third spiritual devision of life, according to the Vedic social system of four äçramas. See Brahmacäré, Gåhastha, Sannyäsé.

Vana—forest.

Vandana—the devotional process of offering prayers to the Lord.

Väëé—the words of the spiritual master, which exist eternally.

Vaëik—a merchant.

Vapu—the physical presence of the spiritual master.

Varadaräja—Deity of Lord Viñëu worshiped Käïcépuram.

Väräëasé—one of the oldest and most famous places of pilgrimage in India; also known as Käçé and Benares. It is a center of impersonalistic, or Mäyäväda, philosophy. Here is where Lord Caitanya defeated Prakäçänanda Sarasvati, the leading Mäyävädé of his day.

Väraëävata—the place where Duryodhana built the palace of lac. (Ädi Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Varäha Puräëa—one of the eighteen Puräëas. It deals with the transcendental pastimes of the Lord's boar incarnation.

Varäha—the gigantic boar incarnation of Lord Kåñëa.

Varëa-saìkara—children conceived without regard for Vedic religious principles; thus, unwanted population.

Varëäçrama-dharma—the system of four social and four spiritual orders established in the Vedic scriptures and discussed by Çré Kåñëa in the Bhagavad-gétä.

Varëa—one of the four Vedic social-occupational divisions of society, distinguished by quality of work and situation with regard to the modes of nature (guëas); Brähmaëa-a member of the intellectual, priestly class; a person wise in Vedic knowledge, fixed in goodness and knowledgeable of Brahman, the Absolute Truth; One of the four orders of occupational life, brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya and çüdra. The brähmaëas are the intellectual class and their occupation is hearing Vedic literature, teaching Vedic literature, learning deity worship and teaching deity worship, receiving charity and giving charity. Brähmaëa; Kñatriya-third of the four orders of the varëäçrama system. A warrior who is inclined to fight and lead others. The administrative or protective occupation according to the system of four social and spiritual orders. Kñatriya; Vaiçya (Vaishyas)-member of the mercantile or agricultural class, according to the system of four social orders and four spiritual orders. Vaiçya; Çüdra-a member of the fourth social order, laborer class, in the traditional Vedic social system. He is meant to render service to the three higher classes, namely the brähmaëas, the kñatriyas, and the vaiçyas.

Vartma-pradarçaka-guru—the one who first gives information about spiritual life.

Varuëa—the demigod in charge of the oceans.

Väsanä—a wish or desire.

Vasiñöha—a great sage who was a rival of Viçvämitra Muni's. He was the family priest of Mahäräja Daçaratha, the father of Lord Rämacandra.

Vastra-haraëa-lélä—Kåñëa's pastime of stealing the gopés' clothes.

Vastu—See Substance.

Vastu-gata—the stage of being completely uncontaminated by the material body and mind.

Vätsalya-rasa—the relationship with Kåñëa as His parent.

Vätsalya-rati—see: Vätsalya-rasa above.

Väsudeva-paräyaëa—one whose desire is fixed on the Supreme Lord.

Vasudeva—the father of Kåñëa, and the half-brother of Nanda Mahäräja; the state of pure goodness, which transcends the material modes of nature and in which one can understand the Supreme Lord.

Väsudeva—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, son of Vasudeva, and proprietor of everything, material and spiritual.

Vasundharä—a name for mother earth meaning "she who has very fertile soil and unlimited wealth.

Vasuñeëa—a name for Karëa during his younger years.

Vatsäsura—a demon who came to Våndävana in the form of a calf to kill Kåñëa but who was instead killed by Him.

Väyu—air, one of the three major elements of the gross body; the demigod in charge of the wind. He was the father of Bhéma and Hanumän.

Veda-cakñuù—literally, seeing through the eyes of the Vedas.

Veda-väda-rata—one who gives his own explanation of the Vedas a smärta; fruitive workers who become entangled in material activities disguised as spiritual activities.

Vedäçraya-nästikya-väda—agnosticism under the shelter of Vedic culture.

Vedänta-darçana—the philosophy of Çréla Vyäsadeva, which culminates in bhakti-yoga.

Vedänta-sütra (Brahma-sütra)—Çréla Vyäsadeva's conclusive summary of Vedic philosophical knowledge, written in brief codes. The philosophy of the Absolute Truth, which finds implicit expression in the Vedas and the Upaniñads, was put into a systematic and more explicit form in the Vedänta-sütra. All apparent contradictory statements of the vast literature of the Vedas are resolved by the great Vyäsa in this work. In this work there are four divisions 1) reconciliation of all scriptures; 2) the consistent reconciliation of apparently conflicting hymns; 3) the means or process of attaining the goal (spiritual realization); and 4) the object (or desired fruit) achieved by the spiritual process. The Vedänta-sütra establishes that Godhead exists, that devotion is the means of realizing transcendental love for Godhead, and that this love is the final object of man's endeavors. This book is the textbook of all theistic philosophy, and, as such, many commentators have elaborated on the significance of its conclusions; This most important work of nyäya-prasthäna (Vedic logic), which is also known as Brahma-sütra, Çäréraka, Vyäsa-sütra, Bädaräyaëa-sütra, Uttara-mémäàsä and Vedänta-darçana, was composed by the great sage Vyäsa 5000 years ago. Sütra means code. The Vedänta-sütra is a book of codes that present, in concise form, brahma-jïäna, i.e. conclusive Vedic knowledge. These codes are very terse, and without a fuller explanation, their meaning is difficult to grasp. In India there are five main schools of Vedänta, each established by an äcärya (founder) who explained the sütras in a bhäñya (commentary). The natural commentary on the Vedänta-sütra is the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. See Advaita, Dvaita, Brahmajyoti, Brahman, Four Vaiñëava Sampradäyas and Siddhäntas, Çaìkaräcärya, Six systems, Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Upaniñads, Vedänta, Vyäsa.

Vedänta—the conclusion of Vedic philosophy; the philosophy of the Vedänta-sütra of Çréla Vyäsadeva, containing a conclusive summary of Vedic philosophical knowledge and showing Kåñëa as the goal; One of the six systems of Vedic philosophy; taught by the great sage Vyäsadeva. Vedänta (literally the end of all knowledge or the conclusion of the Veda) is the highest degree of Vedic education, traditionally reserved for the sannyäsés (renunciates). Vedänta is mastery of the texts known as the Upaniñads. See Six systems, Vyäsa.

Vedänté—a person who knows Vedänta, that is, who perfectly knows Kåñëa.

Vedas—the original Veda was divided into four by Çréla Vyäsadeva. The four original Vedic scriptures, Saàhitäs (Åg, Säma, Atharva and Yajur) and the 108 Upaniñads, Mahäbhärata, Vedänta-sütra, etc. The system of eternal wisdom compiled by Çréla Vyäsadeva, the literary incarnation of the Supreme Lord, for the gradual upliftment of all mankind from the state of bondage to the state of liberation. The word veda literally means "knowledge", and thus in a wider sense it refers to the whole body of Indian Sanskrit religious literature that is in harmony with the philosophical conclusions found in the original four Vedic Saàhitäs and Upaniñads. The message of the transcendental realm that has come down to this phenomenal world through the medium of sound is known as the Veda. Being the very words of Godhead Himself, the Vedas have existed from eternity. Lord Kåñëa originally revealed the Vedas to Brahmä, the first soul to appear in the realm of physical nature, and by him they were subsequently made available to other souls through the channel of spiritual disciplic succession; Veda, Vedas, Vedic knowledge. The Sanskrit root of the word Veda is vid, knowledge. This root is widespread even in modern Western language: e.g. video (from the Latin word to see) and idea (Gr. ida). The term Vedic refers to the teachings of the Vedic literatures. From these literatures we learn that this universe, along with countless others, was produced from the breath of Mahä-Viñëu some 155,250,000,000,000 years ago. The Lord's divine breath simultaneously transmitted all the knowledge mankind requires to meet his material needs and revive his dormant God consciousness. This knowledge is called Veda. Caturmukha (four-faced) Brahmä, the first created being within this universe, received Veda from Viñëu. Brahmä, acting as an obedient servant of the Supreme Lord, populated the planetary systems with all species of life. He spoke four Vedas, one from each of his mouths, to guide human beings in their spiritual and material progress. The Vedas are thus traced to the very beginning of the cosmos. Some of the most basic Vedic teachings are: 1) every living creature is an eternal soul covered by a material body; 2) as long as the souls are bewildered by mäyä (the illusion of identifying the self with the body) they must reincarnate from body to body, life after life; 3) to accept a material body means to suffer the four-fold pangs of birth, old age, disease and death; 4) depending upon the quality of work (karma) in the human form, a soul may take its next birth in a subhuman species, or the human species, or a superhuman species, or it may be freed from birth and death altogether; 5) karma dedicated in sacrifice to Viñëu as directed by Vedic injunctions elevates and liberates the soul.

Veda—see: Vedas above.

Vedic culture—life-style based on the tenets of the four original scriptures of India, the Vedas.

Vedic—pertaining to a culture in which all aspects of human life are under the guidance of the Vedas.

Vena—the demoniac son of King Aìga and father of King Påthu.

Veìkateçvara—Deity of Lord Viñëu worshiped at Tirupati.

Vidyanagara—at the time of cosmic desolution, Lord Matsya preserves the Vedic wisdom.

Vébhatsu—one of the ten names of Arjuna.

Vibhäva—the causes or bases for relishing transcendental mellows.

Vibhéñaëa—a grandson of Pulastya Muni and the pious brother of Rävaëa. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Räma, who offered him the kingdom of Çré Lankä for four yugas. He is one of eight personalities who lives for more than one cycle of four yugas.

Vibhinnäàça—the separated expansions of the Supreme Lord, the minute living entities, who are part and parcel of Kåñëa.

Vibhu-ätmä—the Supersoul.

Vibhüti—a secondary incarnation indirectly empowered by the Supreme Lord; opulence by which Kåñëa controls the entire material manifestation.

Vicära—Consideration, philosophical speculation, as opposed to mental speculation.

Vidyanagara—at the time od cosmic desolution, Lord Matsya preserves the Vedic wisdom.

Vidagdha-mädhava—a seven-act play written by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé describing the pastimes of Çré Kåñëa in Våndävana.

Vidagdha—one who is expert in the art of attracting women.

Vidarbha—an ancient province of old India. Rukmiëé, the wife of Lord Kåñëa, was the daughter of the King of this province.

Vidarbha-räjasiàha—the best of persons who are expert in fruitive activities.

Viddha-bhakti—mixed devotional service.

Videharäja Nimi—a devotee king, ruler of Videha.

Videha—the kingdom of Mithilä in India ruled by King Nimi.

Vidhi-bhakti—devotional service under scheduled regulations.

Vidhi-märga—see vidhi-bhakti above

Vidüra-vigata—Caëòäla-an outcaste or untouchable; dog-eaters, the lowest class of human beings.

Vidura—the son of Vyäsadeva by a maidservant of Ambalikä and the half brother of Dhåtaräñöra. He was an incarnation of the great devotee mahäjana, Yamaräja, and an uncle of the Päëòavas. A great devotee of Kåñëa who inquired and heard from Maitreya Muni, as narrated in Çrémad-Bhägavatam. He was cursed to become a Çüdra by Mäëòavya Muni. He was constantly trying to restrain Dhåtaräñöra from mistreating the Päëòavas. In the end when Dhåtaräñöra lost everything Vidura was able to deliver his brother to the path of self-realization.

Vidyädharas—a race of celestial beings who are attendants of Lord Çiva and who possess material mystic knowledge.

Vidyäpati—an author of Vaiñëava poetry who was particularly admired by Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Vidyä—knowledge.

Vihara—Buddhist monastery

Vijara—not subjected to the miseries of old age.

Vijätéya—one who is outside devotional service.

Vijayä-daçamé—the celebration of the conquest of Laìkä by Lord Rämacandra.

Vijayadhvaja Tértha—a Vaiñëava spiritual master in the line of Madhväcärya. He was a commentator on Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Vijighatsa—free from desire for material enjoyment.

Vijita-ñaò-guëa—one who has conquered the six material qualities.

Vijitäçva—the eldest son of King Påthu (also known as Antardhäna).

Vijïänam—specific knowledge of spirit soul, his constitutional position and his relationship with the Supreme Soul.

Vijïänamaya—with full knowledge, that is, conscious of the self as different from matter.

Vijïäna—the practical realization of spiritual knowledge; Transcendental knowledge of the self's relationship to the Supreme Self. See Jïäna.

Vikarëa—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was the only one to stand up in defense of Draupadé during the gambling match. He was killed by Bhéma during the battle of Kurukñetra. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Vikarma—unauthorized or sinful work, performed against the injunctions of revealed scriptures.

Viläsa-vigrahas—expansions of the Lord who manifest bodily differences.

Viläsa—symptoms manifested in a woman's body when she meets her lover.

Vimänam—the tower over the sanctum of the deity; an airplane.

Vimüòhas—foolish rascals.

Véëä—a stringed musical instrument.

Vinda—a prince of Avanti. He was the bother of Mitravindä, a queen of Lord Kåñëa. He was very envious of Lord Kåñëa and Arjuna. He was killed along with his brother Anuvinda during the Kurukñetra war. Both brothers were killed by Arjuna.

Vindhyäcala—a range of mountains west of the Himälayas; Agastya Muni-a great sage who authored many Vedic hymns and writings on Äyurvedic medicine. The son of Mitra and Varuëa, he was born from a water jar. Once he swallowed the ocean and forced the Vindhya mountain range to prostrate itself before him.

Viparyäsa—Misapprehension. One of the five functions of bu-ddhi. See Buddhi.

Vipralambha—ecstasy in separation.

Vipralipsä—the cheating propensity.

Vipra—Brähmaëa-a member of the intellectual, priestly class; a person wise in Vedic knowledge, fixed in goodness and knowledgeable of Brahman, the Absolute Truth; One of the four orders of occupational life, brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya and çüdra. The brähmaëas are the intellectual class and their occupation is hearing Vedic literature, teaching Vedic literature, learning deity worship and teaching deity worship, receiving charity and giving charity.

Véra-rasa—chivalry, one of the indirect relationships with Kåñëa.

Véra-vrata—fully determined.

Vérabhadra—the demon created by Lord Çiva to destroy the sacrifice of Mahäräja Dakña.

Véraräghava Äcärya—a Vaiñëava spiritual master in the line of Rämänujäcärya, and commentator on Çrémad-Bhägavatam.

Viraha—transcendental bliss in separation from the Lord.

Virajä River—the river that divides the material world from the spiritual world.

Virakti—detachment.

Viräö-puruña—the universal form of the Supreme Lord as the totality of all material manifestations.

Viräö-rupa—the universal form of the Supreme Lord. See also: Viçva-rüpa

Viräöa—the King of the Matsyas. He unknowingly sheltered the Päëòavas during their last year of exile. He took the side of the Päëòavas and was killed by Droëa during the Kurukñetra war.

Vérya—one who has mercy.

Visrama-ghata—After Varaha killed Hiranyaksa, He spoke the Ädi-varaha-Purana to mother Bhumi (Earth) while relaxing at Visrama-ghata. Thousands of years He rested here after killing Kamsa and dragging his body to shores of the Yamuna.

Viñäda—moroseness, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Viñaya-taraìga—the waves of material existence.

Viñaya—the object of worship; an object of material sense gratification.

Viñayé—one who is interested only in material sense gratification.

Visrama-ghata—After Varaha killed Hiranyaksa, He spoke the Ädi-varaha-Purana to mother Bhumi (Earth) while relaxing at Visrama-ghata. Thousands of years He rested here after killing Kamsa and dragging his body to shores of the Yamuna.

Visarga—the secondary creation by Brahmä.

Viçiñöädvaita-väda—the Vaiñëava philosophy established by Rämänujäcärya's Çré-bhäñya commentary on the Vedänta-sütra.

Viñëoù smaraëa—the devotional process of remembering.

Viñëu-bhaktas—devotees in Kåñëa consciousness.

Viñëu-bhakti—devotional service to Lord Viñëu.

Viñëu-dharma—one of the eighteen Puräëas, or Vedic historical scriptures.

Viñëu-mürté—the Deity form of the Lord worshiped in the temple.

Viñëu-purana—scripture describing the glories of Lord Viñëu.

Viñëu-tattva—a primary expansion of Kåñëa having full status as Godhead. The term applies to primary expansions of the Supreme Lord.

Viñëu-yajïa—a sacrifice performed for the satisfaction of Lord Viñëu.

Viñëudütas—the messengers of Lord Viñëu who come to take perfected devotees back to the spiritual world at the time of death, the personal servants of Lord Viñëu, they closely resemble If Him in appearance.

Viñëuloka—the abode of Lord Viñëu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. See also: Vaikuntha

Viñëupriyä-devé—the second wife of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, whom He left to accept sannyäsa, the renounced order of life.

Viñëu—the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His four-armed expansion in Vaikuëöha; A plenary expansion of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa. Viñëu supervises the maintenance of the created universe, and enters into the material universe before creation. He is worshiped by all the demigods and sages, and described throughout the Vedas as the summum bonum of all knowledge-the Absolute Truth; Literally, the all-pervading God; a prominent Sanskrit name of the Personality of Godhead. See Kåñëa, Supersoul, Vaiñëava.

Viçoka—callous to material distress and happiness.

Viçoka—the charioteer of Bhéma.

Viçrambha—devotional service devoid of a respectful attitude toward the Lord.

Viçruta—the son begotten by the Pracetäs through Märiñä.

Viçuddha-sattva—the spiritual platform of pure goodness.

Viçva-rüpa (viraö-rüpa)—the universal form of Lord Kåñëa, as described in the Eleventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gétä.

Viçva-dharma—universal religion.

Viçvakarmä—the architect of the devas or demigods. He built the city of Indraprastha for the Päëòavas at the request of Lord Çré Kåñëa.

Viçvakoça—an ancient Sanskrit dictionary.

Viçvambhara—one who maintains the entire universe and who leads all living beings; the name of Lord Caitanya before He entered the renounced order.

Viçvämitra—a prominent sage and rival of Vasiñöha Muni.

Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura—a great äcärya in the Caitanya school of Vaiñëavism and the most prominent äcärya after Narottama däsa Öhäkura. On the order of his guru he went to Våndävana and by his life's end he had composed twenty-four valuable books on the science of bhakti. He established the Gokulänanda Temple. In his final years he lived at Rädhä-kuëòa; he has written commentaries on Çrémad-Bhägavatam and Çrémad Bhagavad-gétä.

Viçväsa—a government secretary; confidence.

Visvarupa—brother of Lord Caitanya, he took sanyassa at an early age; the life-breath of Nimai.

Viçvävasu—a leader of the Gandharvas, singers in the heavenly planets.

Vitarka—argument, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Véthé—beginning of a drama consisting of only one scene.

Viväha-yajïa—the sacrifice of marriage.

Vivarta-väda—the erroneous concept; propounded by Çaìkaräcärya, that God is no longer complete after He expands His energies for creation; the Mäyävädé interpretation of the Vedänta-sütra that the Supreme Lord becomes changed when He expands and that all manifest varieties are unreal.

Vivarta—illusion; also, sorrow and confusion due to nonfulfillment of material desires.

Vivasvän—the name of the present sun-god, to whom Bhagavad-gétä was instructed at least 120,400,000 years ago.

Viviàçati—one of the one hundred sons of Dhåtaräñöra. He was killed by Bhéma. (Droëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Viyoga—the stage of separation when the mind is fully absorbed in thoughts of Kåñëa.

Voidism—The mind has two functions, accepting and rejecting. Voidism is the result of total frustration, when the mind negates and rejects everything as just too troublesome. Voidism in Sanskrit is çünyaväda, a doctrine associated with Buddhism. As the Bodhicaryävatära-panjikä, a Buddhist scripture, puts it, niùsvabhävavatä çünyatä the absence of the self-existence of all things, voidness is the paramärtha (supreme goal) of Buddhism. In ancient Greece, Democritus and other atomists reduced reality down to atoms and the void. Modern physicists propose scenarios of the universe popping out of a primordial void. Çréla Prabhupäda writes: The Çaìkarites and Buddhists claim that the world beyond is void, but Bhagavad-gétä does not disappoint us like this. The philosophy of voidness has simply created atheists. We are spiritual beings, and we want enjoyment, but as soon as our future is void, we will become inclined to enjoy this material life. In this way, the impersonalists discuss the philosophy of voidism while trying as much as possible to enjoy this material life. One may enjoy speculation in this way, but there is no spiritual benefit. (Beyond Birth and Death, Chap. Four) The ultimate paradox of voidism is that if everything is void, then there is nothing to philosophize about. Consequently, those professing voidism logically ought to behave as Cratylus did. See Buddhism, Cratylus, Impersonalism, Mäyäväda philosophy, Mind, Çaìkaräcärya, Scepticism.

Vrajabhümi—Våndävana-Kåñëa's eternal abode, where He fully manifests His quality of sweetness; the village on this earth in which He enacted His childhood pastimes five thousand years ago; the topmost transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord. It is His personal spiritual abode descended to the earthly plane. It is situated on the Western bank of the river Yamunä. He was present on earth about 5,000 years ago. Also see Vraja-the 168-square-mile (84 kroça) area in the district of Mathurä where five thousand years ago Lord Krñëa displayed His pastimes. It is the principal holy place of pilgrimage for all Vaiñëavas. It is said in the çästras that Vraja is the essence and sum total of all holy places.

Vraja—the 168-square-mile (84 kroça) area in the district of Mathurä where five thousand years ago Lord Krñëa displayed His pastimes. It is the principal holy place of pilgrimage for all Vaiñëavas. It is said in the çästras that Vraja is the essence and sum total of all holy places. See also: Våndävana.

Vrajendra-kumära—Kåñëa, the child of King Nanda.

Vrajendra-nandana—Kåñëa, the son of Nanda Mahäräja.

Vrajendra—Nanda Mahäräja, the foster father of Lord Kåñëa.

Våddhakñatra—the father of Jayadratha.

Vréòä—shame, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Våkodara—a name for Bhémasena meaning "he of the voracious appetite."

Våndävana däsa Öhäkura—the incarnation of Vedavyäsa in Lord Caitanya's pastimes and the author of Caitanya-bhagavata, one of the earliest biographies of Lord Caitanya, in which he especially describes Caitanya Mahäprabhu's early pastimes.

Våndävana-vihära—the pastimes of Våndävana.

Våndävana—Kåñëa's eternal abode, where He fully manifests His quality of sweetness; the village on this earth in which He enacted His childhood pastimes five thousand years ago; the topmost transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord. It is His personal spiritual abode descended to the earthly plane. It is situated on the Western bank of the river Yamunä. He was present on earth about 5,000 years ago. Also see Vraja.

Våñasena—the son of Karëa. He was considered a Mahärathi. He was killed by Arjuna in the presence of his father Karëa. (Karëa Parva in Mahäbhärata)

Våñëi—a famous king of the Yadu dynasty. Lord Kåñëa took birth in his dynasty.

Våtra—Våträsura, a great demon killed by Indra. He was actually the devotee Citraketu, who had been cursed to take a low birth.

Vyabhicäré-bhävas—the thirty-three transitory bodily symptoms manifest in ecstatic love.

Vyädhi—disease, a vyabhicäri-bhäva.

Vyakta—material creation when it is manifested from the total energy of mahat-tattva.

Vyäna-väyu—one of the internal bodily airs which is controlled by the añöäìga-yoga system. The vyäna-väyu acts to shrink and expand.

Vyäsa-püjä—worship of the compiler of the Vedas, Vyäsadeva; worship of the bona fide spiritual master as the representative of Vyäsadeva on his appearance day.

Vyäsadeva (Vyäsa)—the literary incarnation of God, and the greatest philosopher of ancient times. The son of Paräçara, and the compiler of the original Vedic scriptures, including the eighteen Puräëas, Vedänta-sütra, the Mahäbhärata, and the Upaniñads. He played a very important part in guiding the Päëòavas during crucial times. He gave the vision of the battle of Kurukñetra to Saïjaya so that he could relate it to Dhåtaräñöra. He is still living in this world.

Vyäsäsana—the seat of Vyäsa, on which the representative of Vyäsadeva sits.

Vyäsa—Vyäsadeva (Vyäsa)-the literary incarnation of God, and the greatest philosopher of ancient times. The son of Paräçara, and the compiler of the original Vedic scriptures, including the eighteen Puräëas, Vedänta-sütra, the Mahäbhärata, and the Upaniñads. He played a very important part in guiding the Päëòavas during crucial times. He gave the vision of the battle of Kurukñetra to Saïjaya so that he could relate it to Dhåtaräñöra. He is still living in this world; The son of Paräçara Muni and Satyavaté-devé, Vyäsa is the empowered (çaktyäveça-)avatära of God who rendered the Vedic çabda into written texts some 5000 years ago. He is also known as Vedavyäsa, Bädaräyaëa and Dvaipäyana. See Avatära (Çaktya-aveça), Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Veda, Vedänta-sütra.

-W-

Wittgenstein, Ludwig—Austrian-born logician and philosopher (1889-1951) who taught at Cambridge University. He is probably the most influential theorist of language in the twentieth century. In Tractatus Logico-philosophicus he wrote, My propositions serve as elucidations in the following way: anyone who understands me eventually recognizes them as nonsensical. ... He must transcend these propositions, and then he will see the world aright.

-Y-

Yädava dynasty—see: Yadu dynasty below.

Yadavadri—town of Melkot in South India.

Yädava—a name for the Supreme Personality of Godhead meaning "He who appears in the Yadu dynasty."

Yadu (Yädava) dynasty—the dynasty in which Lord Kåñëa appeared.

Yadu-kumära—Kåñëa as the young darling of the Yadus in Mathurä and Dvärakä.

Yadupati—the name of Kåñëa meaning "King of the Yadu dynasty."

Yadus—the descendants of Yadu.

Yadu—one of the sons of King Yayäti. He was the founder of the Yadu dynasty.

Yadvä-tadvä kavi—one who writes poetry without proper knowledge.

Yajamänas—those for whom a priest executes sacrifices.

Yajana—the duty of a brähmaëa to perform Vedic rituals.

Yajïa-puruña—the supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices.

Yajïa—a Vedic sacrifice; also, a name for the Supreme Lord meaning "the personification of sacrifice"; the goal and enjoyer of all sacrifices.

Yajïeçvara—an epithet of Kåñëa, "Lord of sacrifice."

Yakña—ghostly followers of the demigod Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods. They were born from the feet of Lord Brahmä.

Yamadütas—the messengers of Yamaräja, the lord of death.

Yamaräja—the demigod of death, who passes judgment on non-devotees at the time of death. He is the son of the sun-god and the brother of the sacred river Yamunä.

Yama—the process of controlling the senses.

Yämunäcärya—a great Vaiñëava spiritual master and author in the Çré-sampradäya, one of the important disciplic lines.

Yamunä—the sacred river where Kåñëa performed many pastimes. One of the holy rivers of India, flowing through Våndävana. It was here that Lord Çré Kåñëa sported when He was a young child. The personification of the Yamunä River, known as Kälindé, is the daughter of the sun god and the sister of Yamaräja, the god of death. She is also called Yamé. In Krñëa-lélä she became one of Krñëa's queens at Dvärakä.

Yaçodä-nandana—the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa, who played as the son of Yaçodä.

Yaçodä—the foster mother of Kåñëa, who was the Queen of Vraja and wife of Mahäräja Nanda.

Yäträ—a journey.

Yavana—a class of humans fallen from the Vedic culture; a low-class person, generally a meat-eater; a barbarian.

Yavana—the servant of Yamaräja.

Yayäti—the king who, because of his lust, was cursed by Çukräcärya to prematurely accept old age.

Yoga-märga—the path of developing mystic powers.

Yoga-mäyä—the internal, spiritual energy of the Supreme Lord, to which the external energy, mahä-mayä, is subordinate, and which hides Him from non devotees..

Yoga-nidrä—mystic slumber in which Mahä-Viñëu creates universes.

Yoga-siddhis—mystic perfections; mystic powers.

Yogarudha—the highest stage of yoga.

Yogarurukña—the beginning stage of yoga.

Yoga—a spiritual discipline meant for linking one's consciousness with the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa; Literally, connection; the discipline of self-realization. One of the six systems of Vedic philosophy, taught by Pataïjali. According to Bhagavad-gétä, the most sublime form of yoga is bhakti-yoga (the yoga of pure devotion). Through the process of bhakti-yoga, the consciousness of the individual soul connects with its source, Kåñëa. This is called Kåñëa consciousness. By Kåñëa consciousness, the soul rids itself of the bondage of the three modes of material nature and returns back home, Back to Godhead. See Bhakti-yoga, Six systems.

Yogeçvara—the supreme master of all mystic powers, Kåñëa.

Yogendras—nine devotee sons of Åñabhadeva.

Yogé—a transcendentalist who practices one of the many authorized forms of yoga, or processes of spiritual purification; those who practice the eight-fold mystic yoga process to gain mystic siddhis or Paramätmä realization.

Yojana—a standard Vedic measurement equal to eight miles.

Yuddha—the Sanskrit word for war.

Yudhämanyu—a prince of Päïcäla. He fought on the side of the Päëòavas and was killed on the last night of the battle when Açvatthämä entered his tent severed his head.

Yudhiñöhira—the eldest of the Päëòavas in the Mahäbhärata, and the son of Dharmaräja or Yamaräja, the god of death. It was the dispute over his succession to the throne in India that led to the Battle of Kurukñetra; he ruled the earth after the Kurukñetra war.

Yuga-avatära—an incarnation of the Lord in each millennium who prescribes the appropriate process of self-realization for that age.

Yuga-dharma—the religion for the age.

Yugala-piréti—the conjugal love between Rädhä and Kåñëa.

Yuga—one of the four ages of the universe, which differ in length and which rotate like calendar months. See also: Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dväpara-yuga and Kali-yuga.

Yukta-vairägya—befitting, real renunciation, in which one utilizes everything in the service of the Supreme Lord.

Yuyutsu—a son of Dhåtaräñöra by a Vaiçya wife. He took the side of the Päëòavas during the Kurukñetra war. He lived through the battle and performed the last funeral rites for the slain warriors on the side of Kurus.

-Z-

Zamindär—a wealthy landowner.

Bhagavad-gétä As It Is 1972

A

Äcärya—a spiritual master who teaches by his own example.

Acintya—inconceivable.

Acintya-bhedäbheda-tattva—Lord Caitanya’s “simultaneously one and different” doctrine, which establishes the inconceivable simultaneous existence of the Absolute Truth as both personal and impersonal.

Acyuta—(lit., one who never falls down) infallible, an attribute of Kåñëa’s.

Adhibhütam—the physical nature.

Adhidaivatam—the universal form of the Supreme Lord.

Adhiyajïa—the Supersoul, the plenary expansion of the Lord in the heart of every living being.

Adhyätma-cetasä—one who depends solely on Kåñëa.

Aditi—the mother of the demigods.

Ädityas— the demigod sons of Aditi.

Advaita—nondual (indicating, when referring to the Lord, that there is no difference between His body and He Himself).

Advaitäcärya—one of the four principal associates of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

Agni—the demigod who controls fire.

Agnihotra-yajïa—fire sacrifice.

Ahiàsä—nonviolence.

Ajam—unborn.

Akarma (naiñkarma)—action for which one suffers no reaction because it is performed in Kåñëa consciousness.

Änanda—transcendental bliss.

Ananta—the name of the serpent with unlimited heads on which Viñëu rests.

Anantavijaya—name of King Yudhiñöhira's conchshell.

Aëu-ätmä—the minute spirit soul, who is part and parcel of Kåñëa.

Apäna-väyu—one of the internal bodily airs which is controlled by the añöäìga-yoga system. The apäna-väyu travels downwards.

Aparä prakåti—the inferior, material nature of the Lord.

Apauruñeya—not made by man (that is, revealed by God).

Arcanä—the process of Deity worship, or engaging all the senses in the service of the Lord.

Arcä-vigraha—the incarnation of the Supreme Lord in a form apparently made of matter to facilitate worship by neophyte devotees.

Aryan—one who knows the value of life and has a civilization based on spiritual realization.

Asäìga—detachment from material consciousness.

Asat—temporary.

Äçrama—one of the four spiritual orders of life—brahmacäré-açrama, or student life; gåhastha-açrama, or married life; vänaprastha-açrama, or retired life; and sannyäsa-äçrama, or the renounced order of life.

Añöäìga-yoga—(añöa—eight + aìga—part) a mystic yoga system propounded by Pataïjali in his Yoga-sütras and consisting of eight parts—yama, niyama, äsana, präëäyäma, pratyähära, dhäraëä, dhyäna and samädhi.

Asura—(a—not + sura—godly) demon, one who does not follow the principles of scripture.

Asuraà bhavam äçrita—persons who are openly atheistic.

Ätmä—the self (refers sometimes to the body, sometimes to the soul, and sometimes to the senses).

Avatära—(lit., one who descends) an incarnation of the Lord who descends from the spiritual sky to the material universe with a particular mission described in scriptures.

Avidyä—(a—non + vidyä—knowledge) nescience, ignorance.

Avyakta—unmanifested.

B

Bhagavän—(bhaga—opulence + van—possessing) the possessor of all opulences, which are generally six—wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation; an epithet of the Supreme Person.

Bhakta—a devotee, or one who practices devotion (bhakti).

Bhakti—love of God; purified service of the senses of the Lord by one’s own senses.

Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja Prabhupäda—the spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda.

Bhaktivinode Öhäkur—the grand-spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda.

Bhakti-yoga—the system of cultivation of bhakti, or pure devotional service, which is untinged by sense gratification or philosophical speculation.

Bhäva—the preliminary stage of transcendental love of Godhead.

Bhéma—one of the five Päëòava brothers.

Bhéñma—a great devotee and senior family member of the Kuru dynasty.

Brahmä—the first created living being.

Brahma-bhüta—state of being freed from material contamination. One in this state is characterized by transcendental happiness, and he engages in the service of the Supreme Lord.

Brahmacäré—celibate student under the care of a bona fide spiritual master.

Brahmäcarya—the vow of strict abstinence from sex indulgence.

Brahma jijïäsä—spiritual inquiry into one’s own identity.

Brahmajyoti—(brahma—spiritual + jyoti—light) the impersonal effulgence emanating from the body of Kåñëa.

Brahmaloka—the abode of Lord Brahmä.

Brahman—(1) the infinitesimal spiritual soul; (2) the all-pervading impersonal aspect of Kåñëa; (3) the Supreme Personality of Godhead; (4) the total material substance.

Brähmaëa—the intelligent class of men, according to the system of social and spiritual orders.

Brahma-saàhitä—a very ancient Sanskrit scripture of the prayers of Brahmä to Govinda, recovered from a temple in South India by Lord Caitanya.

Brahmä-sütra—see Vedänta-sütra.

Buddhi-yoga—(buddhi—intelligence + yoga—mystic elevation) the practice of devotional service. Action in Kåñëa consciousness is buddhi-yoga, for that is the highest intelligence.

C

Caitanya-caritämåta—the authoritative scripture by Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja which describes Lord Caitanya’s teachings and pastimes.

Caitanya Mahäprabhu—an incarnation of Kåñëa Himself who appeared in the 15th Century at Navadvépa in Bengal. He was the inaugurator of the congregational chanting of the mahä-mantra, Hare Kåñëa, and His life was the most perfect example of the practice of the teachings of Bhagavad-gétä.

Caëòälas—dog-eaters, the lowest class of human beings.

Candra—the demigod who rules the moon.

Candraloka—the moon.

Cäturmäsya— a vow of austerity accepted for four months during the year.

Citi-çakti—(citi—knowledge + sakti—potency) internal or enlightening potency of the Lord.

D

Daçendriya—the ten sense organs: ear, eye, tongue, nose, skin, hands, legs, speech, anus and genitals.

Deva— a demigod or godly person.

Devaki—the mother of Lord Kåñëa. When Kåñëa appears in the material world, He first sends some of His devotees to act as His father, mother, etc.

Devaké-nandana—(Devaki—Kåñëa’s mother + nandana—joy) Kåñëa, the joy of Devaki.

Dharma—the capacity to render service, which is the essential quality of a living being.

Dharmakñetra—a holy place of pilgrimage.

Dhéra—one who is undisturbed by the material energy.

Dhåñöadyumna—the son of Drupada who arranged the military phalanx of the Päëòavas on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra.

Dhåtaräñöra—the father of the Kurus. Bhagavad-gétä was related to Dhåtaräñöra by his secretary as it was being spoken on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra.

Draupadé—daughter of King Drupada and wife of the Päëòavas.

Droëäcärya—the military teacher of Arjuna and the other Päëòavas and the commander-in-chief of the Kurus on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra.

Drupada—a warrior for the Päëòavas on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra. His daughter Draupadé was the wife of the Päëòavas, and his son Dhåñöadyumna arranged their military phalanx.

Duryodhana—the chief of the evil-minded sons of Dhåtaräñöra. It was for the sake of establishing Duryodhana as king of the world that the Kurus fought the Battle of Kurukñetra.

Duñkåtam— miscreants who do not surrender to Kåñëa.

Dväpara-yuga—the third age of the cycle of a mahä-yuga. It lasts more than 4,320,000 years.

E

Ekädaçé—a special day for increased remembrance of Kåñëa which devotees observe twice a month by fasting and hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord.

G

Gandharvas—the celestial singers of the heavenly planets.

Gäëòéva—the name of Arjuna’s bow.

Ganges—the sacred river which runs throughout the entire universe, beginning from the lotus feet of Viñëu. One is recommended to bathe in the Ganges for purification.

Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu—the Viñëu expansion of the Supreme Lord who enters each universe to create diversity.

Garuòa—a giant eagle who acts as the carrier of Lord Viñëu.

Gäyatré—a transcendental vibration chanted by the duly qualified twice-born classes for spiritual realization.

Godäsa—servant of the senses.

Goloka—a name of the planet of Kåñëa.

Gosvämé—(go—senses + svämé—master) master of the senses.

Govinda—name of Kåñëa. “One who gives pleasure to the land, the cows and the senses.”

Gåhastha—householder stage of life. One who lives in God conscious married life and raises a family in Kåñëa consciousness.

Guëa—a material quality, of which there are three—ignorance, passion and goodness.

Guëävatäras—the three incarnations who control the three modes of material nature. Brahmä controls passion, Viñëu goodness, and Çiva ignorance.

Guru—spiritual master.

H

Hanumän—the famous monkey devotee who served the Supreme Lord in His incarnation as Lord Rämacandra and assisted Him in defeating the demon Rävaëa.

Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare—the mahä-mantra, or great chant for deliverance. Kåñëa and Räma are names of the Lord, and Hare addresses the energy of the Lord. These names have been particularly recommended for chanting in this age.

Haridäsa Öhäkur—a great devotee recommended by Lord Caitanya as nämäcärya (teacher of chanting of the holy name).

Haöha-yoga—a system of bodily exercises to help control the senses.

Hiraëyakaçipu—a great atheist killed by Kåñëa in His incarnation as Nåsiàhadeva. Hiraëyakaçipu’s son was the great devotee Prahläda Mahäräja.

Håñékeça—a name of Kåñëa, the master of all senses.

I

Ikñväku—a son of Manu who received the knowledge of Bhagavad-gétä in the past.

Indra—the King of the heavenly planets.

Indraloka—the planet where Lord Indra resides.

Éçävasya—(éça—the Lord + väsya—control) the concept that everything is owned and controlled by the Lord and should be used in His service.

Éçvara—a controller. Kåñëa is parameçvara, the supreme controller.

J

Janaka—a great self-realized king and father-in-law of Lord Rämacandra.

Japa—soft chanting of the holy names of God performed with the aid of 108 prayer beads.

Jéva (jévätmä)—the soul or atomic living entity.

Jïäna—knowledge. Material jïäna does not go beyond the material body. Transcendental jïäna discriminates between matter and spirit. Perfect jïäna is knowledge of the body, the soul and the Supreme Lord.

Jïäna-käëòa—the division of the Vedas which deals with empirical speculation in pursuit of truth.

Jïäna-yoga—the predominantly empirical process of linking with the Supreme, which is executed when one is still attached to mental speculation.

Jïäné—one who is engaged in the cultivation of knowledge (especially by philosophical speculation). Upon attaining perfection, a jïäné surrenders to Kåñëa.

K

Kaivalyam—the state of realization of one’s constitutional position as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, which is preliminary to manifestation of activities on the platform of devotional service.

Kala— eternal time.

Kälé—a demigoddess to whom worshipers may offer meat.

Kali-yuga—the age of quarrel, the fourth and last age in the cycle of a mahä-yuga. This is the age in which we are now living. It lasts 432,000 years, of which 5,000 years have already passed.

Kalpa—a day in the time calculation of Lord Brahmä.

Kaàsa—Kåñëa’s uncle, who was always trying to kill Him.

Kapila—an incarnation of Kåñëa who appeared in Satya-yuga as the son of Devahüti and Kardama Muni and expounded the devotional Säìkhya philosophy. (There is also an atheist named Kapila, but he is not an incarnation of the Lord.)

Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu (Mahä-Viñëu)—the Viñëu expansion of Lord Kåñëa from whom all the material universes emanate.

Karma—(1) material action performed according to scriptural regulations; (2) action pertaining to the development of the material body; (3) any material action which will incur a subsequent reaction; (4) the material reaction one incurs due to fruitive activities.

Karma-kanda—the division of the Vedas which deals with fruitive activities performed for the purpose of gradual purification of the grossly entangled materialist.

Karma-yoga—(1) action in devotional service; (2) action performed by one who knows that the goal of life is Kåñëa but who is addicted to the fruits of his activities.

Karëa—son of Kunté and half brother of Arjuna. He fought against the Päëòavas on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra.

Kaunteya—the son of Kunté (Arjuna).

Kértana— glorification of the Supreme Lord.

Kåpaëa—one who is miserly and does not make use of valuable assets; specifically, one who wastes his life by not striving for spiritual realization.

Kåñëa—the original name of the Supreme Lord in His original transcendental form; the Supreme Personality of Godhead, speaker of Bhagavad-gétä.

Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämi— the author of Caitanya-caritämåta.

Kåñëa-karma—doing all work for the sake of Kåñëa.

Kåñëaloka—the planet in the spiritual world where Kåñëa resides.

Kñara— perishable.

Kñatriya—the administrative or protective occupation according to the system of four social and spiritual orders.

Kñetra—field of activities, the body of the conditioned soul.

Kñetrajïa—(kñetra— field or body + jïa— knowing) one who is conscious of the body. Both the soul and the Supersoul are kñetrajïa, for the individual soul is conscious of his own particular body and the Supersoul is conscious of the bodies of all living beings.

Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu—the Viñëu expansion of the Supreme Lord who enters within each atom and between each atom of the universe and enters the heart of every living entity. He is also called the Supersoul.

Kumäras—four great impersonalist sages, sons of Lord Brahmä, who became great devotees of the Lord and great authorities on devotional service.

Kumbhaka-yoga—complete stoppage of the air currents within the body as part of the eightfold mystic process.

Kunté—Påthä, the mother of Arjuna and aunt of Lord Kåñëa.

Kurukñetra—name of a place of pilgrimage held sacred since ancient times. It is located near modern New Delhi, India.

Kurus—all of the descendants of King Kuru, but specifically the 100 sons of Dhåtaräñöra. The Päëòavas were also descendants of King Kuru, but Dhåtaräñöra wished to exclude them from the family tradition.

Kuvera—the treasurer of the demigods.

L

Lakñmé— the goddess of fortune, consort of the Supreme Lord.

Lélä— pastime.

Lélävatäras—innumerable incarnations, like Matsya, Kürma, Räma and Nåsiàha, who descend to display the spiritual pastimes of the Personality of Godhead in the material world.

Loka—planet.

Lokäyatikas—a class of philosophers, akin to the Buddhists, who existed when Lord Kåñëa spoke Bhagavad-gétä and who accept that life is a product of a mature combination of material elements.

M

Madhusüdana—a name of Kåñëa, “killer of the Madhu demon.”

Mahäbhärata—great epic poem written by Vyäsadeva and describing the adventures of the Päëòavas. Bhagavad-gétä is included within Mahäbhärata.

Mahäbhüta—(mahä—great + bhuta—element) the five great material elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether.

Mahä-mantra—the great chanting for deliverance: Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare.

Mahätma—a great soul, one who factually understands that Kåñëa is everything and who therefore surrenders unto Him.

Mahät-tattva—the total material energy.

Mahä-Viñëu—See Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu.

Mantra—(man—mind + tra—deliverance) a pure sound vibration to deliver the mind from its material inclinations.

Manu—the administrative demigod who is the father of mankind.

Manu-saàhitä—the lawbook for mankind which was written by Manu.

Manvantara-avatäras—the Manu incarnations, fourteen of whom appear in one day of Brahmä.

Mäyä—(mä—not + yä—this) illusion; an energy of Kåñëa’s which deludes the living entity into forgetfulness of the Supreme Lord.

Mayävädé—impersonalist or voidist adhering to the belief that ultimately God is formless and without personality.

Mukti—liberation, freedom from material consciousness.

Mukunda—name of Kåñëa, “giver of liberation.”

Muni—a sage or self-realized soul.

N

Naiñkarma—see Akarma.

Nakula—one of the younger brothers of Arjuna.

Nanda Mahäräja—Lord Kåñëa’s foster father.

Närada Muni—a great devotee of the Supreme Lord who can travel anywhere in the spiritual or material worlds to preach the glories of the Lord.

Narädhama—(lit., “lowest of mankind”) those who are socially and politically developed but have no religious principles.

Näräyaëa—the four-handed expansion of the Supreme Lord Kåñëa.

Nirguëa—(nir—without + guëa—quality) not possessing attributes (when applied to God, refers to the appearance of material attributes).

Nirmama—consciousness that nothing belongs to oneself.

Nirväëa—the end of the process of materialistic life.

Nitya-baddha—eternally conditioned.

Nåsiàha—an incarnation of Lord Kåñëa in the form of half-lion, half-man.

O

oàkära—om, the transcendental syllable which represents Kåñëa and which is vibrated by transcendentalists for attainment of the Supreme when undertaking sacrifices, charities and penances.

om tat sat—the three transcendental syllables used by brähmaëas for satisfaction of the Supreme when chanting Vedic hymns or offering sacrifice. They indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead.

P

Päïcajanya—the conchshell of Lord Kåñëa.

Païca-mahäbhüta—the five gross elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether.

Päëòavas—the five sons of King Päëòu: Yudhiñöhira, Arjuna, Bhéma, Nakula and Sahadeva.

Päëòu—a younger brother of Dhåtaräñöra’s who died early, leaving his five young sons, the Päëòavas, under the care of Dhåtaräñöra.

Parag-ätmä—the soul, when attached to sense enjoyment.

Paramahaàsa—the topmost class of God realized devotees.

Paramätmä—the Supersoul, the localized aspect of the Supreme Lord within the heart of all living entities.

Param Brahman—the Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa.

Param dhäma—the eternal planets of the spiritual world.

Paramparä—the disciplic succession through which spiritual knowledge is transmitted.

Parantapaù—a name of Arjuna, “chastiser of the enemies.”

Para-Prakåti— the superior, spiritual energy or nature of the Lord.

Paräçara Muni—a great sage, the father of Vyäsadeva.

Paraçuräma—an incarnation of Lord Kåñëa who appeared in ancient times to overthrow the warrior class when they had become degraded.

Partha-sarathi—Kåñëa, the chariot driver of Arjuna (Pärtha).

Päñaëòé—an atheist who thinks God and the demigods to be on the same level.

Pataïjali—a great authority on the añöäìga-yoga system and author of the Yoga-sütra.

Pavitram—pure.

Pitåloka—the planet of the departed forefathers.

Prajäpati—(l) a progenitor of living entities; (2) Lord Brahmä.

Prahläda Mahäräja—a great devotee of Lord Kåñëa who was persecuted by his atheistic father but was always protected by the Lord.

Prakåti—nature (lit., that which is predominated). There are two prakåtis—apara-prakåti, the material nature, and para-prakåti, the spiritual nature (living entities)—which are both predominated over by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Präëa—the life air.

Praëava oàkära—see Oàkära.

Präëäyäma—control of the breathing process (one of the eight parts of the añöäìga-yoga system).

Prasädam—food offered to Kåñëa, which becomes spiritual when offered and which can purify the living entity.

Pratyag-ätmä—the soul, when purified of material attachment.

Pratyähära—withdrawal from sensual activities (one of the eight parts of the añöäìga-yoga system).

Premä—real love of God, the highest perfectional stage of life.

Påthä—the wife of King Päëòu, mother of the Päëòavas and aunt of Lord Kåñëa.

Püraka—the stage of equilibrium attained by offering the inhaled breath into the exhaled breath.

Puräëas—the eighteen very old books which are histories of this and other planets.

Pürëam—complete.

Puruñam—supreme enjoyer.

Puruñävatäras—the primary Viñëu expansions of Kåñëa who are involved in the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material universe.

R

Rajo-guëa—the mode of passion of material nature.

Räma—(1) name of the Absolute Truth as the source of unlimited pleasure for transcendentalists; (2) incarnation of the Supreme Lord as a perfect king (Lord Rämacandra).

Rasa—relationship between the Lord and the living entities. They are of five principal varieties—neutral relationship (çänta-rasa), relation-ship as servant (däsya-rasa), as friend (säkhya-rasa), parent (vätsalya-rasa) and conjugal lover (mädhurya-rasa).

Rävaëa—a powerful demon who wanted to build a staircase to heaven but was killed by Kåñëa in His incarnation as Lord Rämacandra.

Recaka—the state of equilibrium attained by offering the exhaled breath into the inhaled breath.

Rüpa Gosvämé—chief of the six great spiritual masters of Våndävana who were authorized by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu to establish and distribute the philosophy of Kåñëa consciousness.

S

Çabda-brahma—the injunctions of the Vedas and Upaniñads.

Sac-cid-änanda vigraha—(sat—eternal existence + cit—knowledge + änanda—bliss; vigraha—form) the eternal form of the Supreme Lord, which is full of bliss and knowledge; or, the eternal transcendental form of the living entity.

Sädhaka—one who is a suitable candidate for liberation.

Sädhu—holy man, devotee.

Saguëa—possessing attributes (when applied to God, refers to spiritual qualities).

Sahadeva—one of the younger brothers of Arjuna.

Samädhi—trance, absorption in consciousness of God.

Samäna-väyu—the internal bodily air which adjusts equilibrium. It is one of the five bodily airs controlled by the breathing exercises of the añöäìga-yoga system.

Sanätana—eternal.

Sanätana-dhäma—the eternal abode, the Vaikuëöha planets in the spiritual sky.

Sanätana-dharma—the eternal religion of the living being—to render service to the Supreme Lord.

Sanätana Gosvämé—one of the six great spiritual masters of Våndävana who were authorized by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu to establish and distribute the philosophy of Kåñëa consciousness.

Sanätana-yoga—eternal activities performed by the living entity.

Saïjaya—the secretary of Dhåtaräñöra who related Bhagavad-gétä to Dhåtaräñöra as it was being spoken on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra.

Çaìkaräcärya—an incarnation of Lord Çiva who appeared in the Eighth Century to propagate an impersonalist philosophy with the aim of erasing Buddhism from India and reestablishing the authority of the Vedas.

Säìkhya—(1) the devotional yoga process described by Lord Kapila in Çrémad-Bhägavatam; (2) analytical understanding of the body and the soul.

Saìkértana-yajïa—the sacrifice prescribed for the age of Kali; that is, congregational chanting of the name, fame and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Sannyäsa—the renounced order of life, which is free from family relationships and in which all activities are completely dedicated to Kåñëa.

Sarasvaté—the demigoddess in charge of learning.

Çästra—revealed scripture.

Sattva—the mode of goodness of material nature.

Satya-yuga—the first of the four ages of a mahä-yuga. Satya-yuga is characterized by virtue, wisdom and religion, and it lasts 1,728,000 years.

Sétä—the wife of Lord Rämacandra, an incarnation of Kåñëa.

Çiva—the personality in charge of the mode of ignorance and the destruction of the material universe.

Smaraëam— constant thinking of Kåñëa (one of the nine methods of devotional service).

Småti—scriptures compiled by living entities under transcendental direction.

Soma-rasa—a heavenly beverage available on the moon.

Sravaëam— hearing from an authorized source. (This is the chief of the nine methods of devotional service).

Çrémad-Bhägavatam—the scripture composed by Vyäsadeva to describe and explain Kåñëa’s pastimes.

Çruti—scriptures received directly from God.

Sthita-dhéra-muni—(sthita— steady + dhéra—undisturbed + muni—sage) one who is always fixed in Kåñëa consciousness and as a result is undisturbed by material nature,

Çüdra—the laborer class of men, according to the system of four social orders and four spiritual orders of life.

Sukadeva Gosvämé—great devotee who recited the Çrémad-Bhägavatam to King Parékñit during the last seven days of the King’s life.

Sukham—happiness or pleasure.

Sukåtina—pious persons who obey the rules of scripture and are devoted to the Supreme Lord.

Surabhé— the cows in Kåñëaloka, They can give unlimited milk.

Suryaloka—the sun planet.

Svadharmas—specific duties of a particular body performed in accordance with religious principles in order to achieve liberation.

Svämé— one who can control his mind and senses.

Svargaloka—the heavenly planets or abodes of the demigods.

Svarüpa—(sva—own + rüpa—form) the living entity’s eternal relationship of service to the Lord, the real form of the soul.

Svarüpa-siddhi— perfection of one’s constitutional position.

Çyämasundara—(çyäma—black + sundara—very beautiful) a name of the original form of Lord Kåñëa.

T

Tamo-guëa—the mode of ignorance of material nature.

Tapasya—voluntary acceptance of some material trouble for progress in spiritual life.

Tattvavit—one who knows the Absolute Truth in His three different features.

Tretä-yuga—the second age in the cycle of a mahä-yuga. It lasts for 864,000 years.

Tulasé—a great devotee in the form of a plant. This plant is very dear to the Lord, and its leaves are always offered to His lotus feet.

Tyäga—renunciation of activities performed with material consciousness.

U

Uccaiùçravä—a horse born from nectar and considered to be a representative of Kåñëa.

Udäna-Väyu—bodily air which moves upwards and which is controlled by the breathing exercises of the añöäìga-yoga system.

Upaniñads—the philosophical portions of the Vedas, as Éça Upaniñad, Kena Upaniñad, etc. They are 108 in number.

V

Vaibhäñikas—a class of philosophers, akin to the Buddhists, who existed when Lord Kåñëa spoke Bhagavad-gétä and who accept that life is a product of a mature combination of material elements.

Vaikuëöhas—(lit., without anxiety) the eternal planets of the spiritual sky.

Vairägya—detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit.

Vaiñëava—a devotee of the Supreme Lord Viñëu, or Kåñëa.

Vaiçya—the class of men involved in business and farming, according to the system of four social orders and four spiritual orders.

Vänaprastha—retired life, in which one quits home and travels from holy place to holy place in preparation for the renounced order of life.

Varäha—the incarnation of Lord Kåñëa as a gigantic boar.

Vasudeva—the father of Lord Kåñëa.

Väsudeva—(l) Lord Kåñëa, “the son of Vasudeva”; (2) the state of pure goodness, which transcends the material modes of nature and in which one can understand the Supreme Lord.

Vedänta-sütra (Brahmä-sütra)— the philosophical treatise written by Vyäsadeva to give the conclusion of all the Vedas.

Vedas—the four Vedic scriptures (Åg, Yajur, Säma and Atharva-Vedas) and their supplements, the Puräëas, Mahäbharata, Vedänta-sütra, etc.

Vibhu-ätmä— the Supersoul.

Vibhüti—opulence by which Kåñëa controls the entire material manifestation.

Vidyä—knowledge.

Vijïänam—specific knowledge of spirit soul, his constitutional position and his relationship with the Supreme Soul.

Vikarma—unauthorized or sinful work, performed against the injunctions of revealed scriptures.

Viräö-rüpa—see Visva-rüpa.

Viñëu—the all-pervading Personality of Godhead (a plenary expansion of Kåñëa) who enters into the material universe before creation.

Viñëu-tattva—innumerable primary or Viñëu expansions of Kåñëa.

Viçvakoça—an ancient Sanskrit dictionary.

Visva-rüpa (virata-rüpa)—the universal form of Lord Kåñëa, as described in the Eleventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gétä.

Vivasvän—the name of the present sun-god, to whom Bhagavad-gétä was instructed at least 120,400,000 years ago.

Våndävana—the site of Kåñëa’s transcendental village pastimes, exhibited when He was present on earth about 5,000 years ago.

Vyäna-väyu—one of the internal bodily airs which is controlled by the añöäìga-yoga system. The vyäna-väyu acts to shrink and expand.

Vyäsadeva—the greatest philosopher of ancient times. He was an incarnation of Viñëu empowered for literary activities, and he compiled the Vedas, Puräëas, Mahäbharata, Vedänta-sütra, etc.

Y

Yajïa—sacrifice.

Yajïeçvara—an epithet of Kåñëa, “Lord of sacrifice.”

Yamaräja—the demigod who punishes sinful living entities after their deaths.

Yämunäcärya—a great spiritual master in the Çré-sampradäya, one of the important disciplic lines.

Yaçodä—Lord Kåñëa’s foster mother.

Yaçodä-nandana—the child of Yaçodä, Kåñëa.

Yoga—linking of the consciousness of the infinitesimal living entity with the supreme living entity, Kåñëa.

Yoga-mäyä—the internal potency of the Lord, which hides Him from nondevotees.

Yogärüòha—the highest stage of yoga.

Yogärurukña—the beginning stage of yoga.

Yogeçvara—name of Kåñëa, “the master of all mystic power.”

Yudhiñöhira— the eldest of the five Päëòava brothers.

Yuga—one of the four ages of the universe, which differ in length and which rotate like calendar months. See also Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dväpara-yuga and Kali-yuga.