Glossary of Terms
This is a list of common Sanskrit words you may encounter in the study of yoga. Note: it is common for words in Sanskrit to have multiple meanings. These are the common definitions in the context of the practice and study of yoga.
A
Abhyasa [Abh-yaa-sa]
Regular spiritual practice
Adho-mukha
Face downwards
Adharma [A-dhar-ma]
Non-righteous behaviour
Adi [Aa-di]
First
Advaita [Aad-vai-ta]
Non-dualism; the philosophy that declares that all existence is One. Sankaracharya, living in the ninth century, was one of the great teachers of this philosophy.
Agami [Aa-gaa-mee]
Current action, karma now produced to be enjoyed in the hereafter.
Agni [Ag-ni]
Fire
Ahamkara [A-ham-kaa-ra]
The ego; the egoism; the individuation principle
Ahimsa [A-him-sa]
Non-injury, non-violence of thought, word, and deed. This is one of the yamas.
Ajna [Aaj-naa]
The sixth chakra; the center of spiritual energy located between and just above the eyebrows; the mystical ‘third’ eye.
Akasha [Aa-kaa-sha]
Space; ether.
Anahata [A-naa-ha-ta]
The fourth chakra, corresponding to the heart plexus. Literal meaning ‘unstruck’ or soundless sounds. Mystical sound heard by the yogis.
Ananda [Aa-nan-da]
Bliss, joy, infinite happiness.
Anandamaya kosha [Aa-nan-da-ma-ya ko-sha]
Bliss sheath contained within the causal body. The most subtle of the five sheaths or ‘coverings’. Its substance is bliss.
Ananta [Aa-nan-ta]
(1) The thousand-headed serpent on which Vishnu reclines
(2) Endless
Anga [An-ga]
A limb or a part (of the body)
Anjeneya [Aan-ja-ne-ya]
A name for Hanuman
Annamaya kosha [An-na-ma-ya ko-sha]
The food sheath; the physical body
Antahkarana [An-tah-ka-ra-na]
The inner instrument. The ‘self-arrogating’ principle.
Apana [A-paa-na]
The downward moving manifestation of Prana, controls excretion and all the functions of the lumbar region of the autonomic nervous system.
Aparigraha [Aa-par-ee-gra-ha]
Non-greed (one of the yamas)
Ardha [Ar-dha]
Half
Apas [Aa-pas]
Water, one of the five gross elements of which the physical realm is composed
Arjuna [Ar-ju-na]
Third of the Pandavas. As the hero of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna symbolizes the student, spiritual aspirant, or individual soul.
Asamprajnata samadhi [A-sam-praj-naa-ta sa-maa-dhi]
Superconscious state where the mind is totally annihilated and Supreme Reality is experienced. The knower, knowledge, and the known become One. The highest state of Raja Yoga.
Asamsakti [A-sam-sak-ti]
A person who is unaffected by anything. The yogi is now known as Brahmavidvara. This is the fifth stage of Jnana (knowledge)
Asana [Aa-sa-na]
Seat, physical posture or position.
Ashram [Aash-ram]
Hermitage or monastery
Asmita [Aas-mee-ta]
One of the five kleshas; ego.
Asta [Aa-sta]
The number eight
Ashtanga [Ash-taan-ga]
Eight limbed. Ashtanga Yoga is another name for Raja yoga. This method is described by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras.
Asteya [As-te-ya]
Non-stealing (one of the yamas)
Asura [A-su-ra]
A demon or being of darkness. The dark tendencies within a human being
Atma(n) [Aat-ma]
The individual soul; the Self; the transcendental Self, or Spirit.
Atma bodha [Aat-ma bo-dha]
Knowledge of the Self; title of a work written by Sankaracharya.
Avarana [Aa-va-ra-na]
Veil of ignorance
Avastha [A-va-sthaa]
State of being
Avatara [A-va-taa-ra]
An incarnation of God in physical form.
Avidya [A-vid-yaa]
Ignorance; spiritual blindness; illusion; the root cause of suffering.
Avyakta(m)
Unmanifest; invisible; when the three gunas are in a state of equilibrium; the undifferentiated.
Ayama [aa-ya-ma]
Extension, length, expansion
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Baddha [Baa-dhaa]
Bound, caught, restrained, firm.
Bakasana [Baa-kaa-sa-na]
Elbow balancing pose.
Balasana [Ba-la-sa-na]
Child's pose.
Bandha [Ban-dha]
To bond or join. A subtle muscular lock used to direct and unite prana and apana.
Basti [Bas-ti]
Lower colon cleanse. One of the Shadkriyas.
Bhagavad Gita [Bhaa-ga-vad Gee-ta]
Literally translates as the ‘Song of God’. One of the great Hindu and yogic scriptures.
Bhagavan [Bhaa-ga-vaan]
Lord; Narayana; Hari.
Bhagavatam [Bhaa-ga-va-tam]
The Purana (a category of Hindu scriptures) dealing with the exploits and incarnations of Vishnu.
Bhajan [Bha-jan]
Devotional song; singing the glories of God.
Bhakta [Bhak-ta]
Devotee; follower of the path of Bhakti Yoga.
Bhakti [Bhak-ti]
Worship, adoration, devotion.
Bhakti yoga [Bhak-ti yo-ga]
The path of devotion.
Bhastrika [Bhas-tri-ka]
Categorized as an advanced pranayama. A practice of forceful inhalation and exhalations that brings balance to the body.
Bhava(na) [Bhaa-va]
Attitudinal feeling.
Bhava samadhi [Bhaa-va sa-ma-dhi]
The highest state of Bhakti Yoga in which the devotee has the attitude of identification with the divine.
Bhima [Bhee-ma]
Second eldest of the Pandavas, noted for his physical strength.
Bhishma [Bheesh-ma]
Paternal uncle of both the Pandavas and Kauravas, often referred to as the ‘grandsire’.
Bhoomika [Bhoo-mi-ka]
Step or stage; state; degree.
Bhuja [Bhoo-jaa]
The arm or the shoulder.
Bhuja-pida [Bhoo-jaa pee-da]
Pressure on the arm or shoulder.
Bhujanga [Bhoo-jan-ga]
A serpent, a snake.
Bhujangasana [Bhoo-jang-aa-sa-na]
Cobra pose.
Bija [Bee-ja]
Seed, source.
Bija mantra
The seed or root syllable which contains a specific power.
Bindu [Bin-do]
Point; dot; seed; source; the basis from which the first principle (mahat-tattva) emanated. The point which is the center of the nucleus. Static energy.
Bodhi [Bow-dee]
Enlightenment, the state of the awakened.
Bodhisattva [Bow-dee saat-va]
Individual committed to enlightenment of others.
Brahma [Braah-ma]
The Creator in the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.
Brahmacharya [Braah-ma-char-ya]
Purity, chastity, non-lust, conservation of energy (one of the yamas).
Brahma granthi [Braah-ma gran-ti]
First ‘knot’ in the sushumna nadi, location is muladhara chakra.
Brahmamuhurta [Braah-ma-mu-hoor-ta]
The early morning hours between 4-6am that are most conducive to spiritual practice.
Brahman [Braah-man]
Absolute Reality; the Supreme Reality that is one and indivisible, infinite and eternal; all-pervading, changeless Existence; Absolute Consciousness.
Brahmin [Braah-min]
Member of the highest class in traditional Indian society.
Brahmavidya [Braah-ma-vid-ya]
The science of Brahman: Knowledge of Brahman; learning pertaining to Brahman, or the Absolute Reality.
Buddhi [Bud-dhi]
The intellect.
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Chaitanya [Chai-tan-ya]
Pure consciousness
Chakra [Chak-ra]
Literally, a wheel or disk. A subtle or vital energy center.
Chandra [Chan-dra]
The moon.
Chatur [Cha-toor]
The number four.
Chaturanga [Chat-u-raan-ga]
Four limbs; a low push-up position.
Chid (or Chit)
Consciousness; the principle of universal intelligence or consciousness.
Chidananda [Chid-aa-nan-da]
Bliss consciousness.
Chitta [Chit-ta]
Subconscious mind; mind-stuff.
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Dakshina [Dak-she-na]
South; right side.
Dakshinayana [Dak-she-na-ya]
Southward course of the Sun; winter half of the year.
Dana [Daa-na]
Giving of charity.
Danda [Dan-da]
A staff, a stick.
Darshan(a) [Dar-shan]
Insight; way of seeing; vision; system of philosophy; making visible.
Dattatreya [Dat-taa-tre-ya]
Author of Avadhuta Gita; teacher of raja yoga. His name is used to symbolise the guru.
Deva [Day-va]
A god or angel; a celestial being.
Devanagari [Day-va-naa-ga-ri]
Sanskrit; the language of the gods.
Devata [Day-va-ta]
A deity; also, the Lord.
Devi [De-vi]
Divinity in its female aspect.
Dhanu [Dhan-u]
A bow.
Dhanurasana [Dhan-ur-aa-sa-na]
Bow pose.
Dhanwanthari [Dhan-van-tha-ri]
Patron god of ayurveda.
Dharana
Concentration or complete attention; the sixth limb of raja yoga.
Dhatus [Dhaa-toos]
Tissues of the body: skin, flesh, blood, bones, marrow, fat and semen.
Dhauti [Dhow-ti]
Cleansing the upper digestive tract (mouth, oesophagus and stomach); one of the shadkriyas.
Dhritarashtra [Dhri-ta-raash-tra]
Father of the Kauravas, often referred to as the ‘blind king’.
Dhyana [Dhyaa-na]
Meditation; the seventh limb of raja yoga.
Drishti [Drish-ti]
Seeing; viewing; focused gaze. Seeing with the mental eye.
Draupadi [Drow-pa-dee]
Wife of the Pandavas.
Drona [Dro-na]
Teacher of both the Pandavas and Kauravas.
Duhkha [Doo-ka]
Suffering.
Durga [Dur-gaa]
The Divine Mother; pictured riding on a lion and carrying various weapons.
Duryodhana [Dur-yo-dha-na]
Leader of the Kauravas.
Dvesha [Dvai-sha]
Repulsion; hatred.
Dwaraka [Dvaa-ra-kaa]
Ancient capital of Krishna, located in the modern Gujarat.
Dwi [Dwee]
Two, both.
Dwi-hasta [Dwee-haa-sta]
Two hands.
Dwi-pada [Dwee-paa-da]
Two feet or legs.
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Eka [Ek-aa]
One, only.
Ekadasi [Ek-aa-da-si]
Eleventh night of each fortnight of the moon; considered to be an optimal time to fast.
Ekagra [Ek-aa-gra]
One-pointedness of mind; fourth stage of evolution of mind.
Ekagrata [Ek-aa-gra-ta]
One-pointedness of mind.
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G
Ganapati [Gan-a-pa-ti]
A name for Ganesha; Lord of the ganas.
Ganas [Gaa-nas]
The attendants of Siva.
Gandhari [Gann-dha-ree]
Wife of Dhritarashtra; mother of the Kauravas.
Ganesha [Ga-nay-sha]
God as the remover of obstacles; pictured with an elephant head. Son of Siva and Parvati.
Ganga [Gan-gaa]
The Ganges River; the river goddess; has important spiritual, religious and esoteric significance in the Hindu culture; symbolizes ida nadi and chitta shakti in yoga.
Garuda [Ga-roo-da]
Eagle; vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
Gayatri [Gaa-ya-tree]
One of the most sacred Vedic mantras; goddess
Gita [Gee-taa]
Song; usually referring to the Bhagavad Gita.
Gerunda Samhita
One of the main scriptures dealing with the path of hatha yoga.
Ghee
Clarified butter.
Ghomukhasana [Go-mookh-aa-sa-na]
Cow’s Head/Face pose.
Granthi [Gran-tee]
Knot. These are three (Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra) protective mechanisms in the Sushumna whose purpose is to block the upward flow of prana. They function as fuses or circuit breakers to protect the practitioner from an energy overload. The knots will only open when sufficient purification and strengthening has taken place.
Grihastha [Gri-has-tha]
A householder, married person; the second of the four stages of life.
Guna [Goo-na]
Quality; attribute. One of three qualities of Nature (Prakriti): sattva, rajas, tamas.
Gu [Gou]
Darkness.
Guru [Gou-rou]
Spiritual teacher or preceptor; one who removes ‘darkness’.
Gurukula [Goo-roo-koo-la]
The system by which the student went to live in the teachers’ ashram; the preceptors’ hermitage.
Guruparampara [Goo-roo-pa-ram-pa-raa]
The guru-discipline lineage.
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Halahala [Haa-laa-ha-la]
Mythological poison which appeared at the time of the churning of the ocean of milk; it was swallowed by Siva for the protection of the world.
Hala [Ha-laa]
A plough.
Halasana [Ha-laa-sa-na]
The plough pose.
Hanuman [Ha-new-man]
Monkey god; devotee of Rama; symbolic of the mind which has been brought under control.
Hari [Har-ee]
Vishnu.
Hasta [Has-ta]
The hand.
Hastinapura [Ha-sti-na-poo-ra]
Capital of the Kauravas, ancient site of Delhi.
Hatha [Ha-tha]
Sun/moon; balance.
Hatha yoga [Ha-tha yo-ga]
The way towards realisation through rigorous discipline. The path of yoga giving first attention to the physical body, which is the vehicle for the for the spirit; preference is given to the mobilization of the body and the control of the vital breath. Hatha can be divided as follows:
Kriyas - Internal and external purification of the physical body.
Asanas - Physical postures.
Mudras and Bandhas - seals and locks.
Pranayama - Control of the vital energy.
Pratyahara - Withdrawing the mental energy from external stimulation.
Dharana - Concentration.
Dhyana - Meditation.
Samadhi - Superconscious state; when the individual consciousness, or ego, merges with the Supreme Consciousness, or Brahman.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika [Ha-tha yo-ga pra-dee-pi-ka]
One of the main scriptures dealing with the path of Hatha yoga written by Yogi Swatmarama.
Hiranyagarbha [He-ran-ya-gar-bha]
Literally meaning ‘born of a golden egg’. Cosmic mind.
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Ida nadi [Ee-daa naa-di]
The nadi to the left of the sushumna. Its nature is intuitive, holistic, inner directed, emotional, subjective, feminine, cool.
Indra [In-dra]
King of the devas.
Indriya [In-dree-ya]
Sense organ. The five jnana indriyas (organs of knowledge: taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and five karma indriyas (organs of action: hands, feet, tongue, anus and genitals).
Ishta-devata [Eesh-ta day-va-ta]
Chosen form of God.
Ishwara [Eesh-wa-ra]
God in the chosen form. Brahman, filtered through the upadis.
Ishwara pranidhana [Eesh-wa-ra-pra-nee-dhaa-na]
Self surrender; surrender of the ego. One of the niyamas (prescribed observances) in raja yoga.
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Jagrat [Jaag-rat]
Awake state of consciousness.
Jai
Victory; hail.
Jala-samadhi [Jaa-la saa-ma-dee]
Instead of cremation, the dead body is placed in the river. Jala samadhi is usually reserved for swamis.
Jalandhara bandha [Jaa-lan-dha-ra ban-dha]
The chin lock,forcing the prana downward. The chin is brought down to touch the sternal notch.
Jala neti [Jaa-la ne-ti]
One of the shadkriyas; nasal cleansing by passing saline water through each nostril alternately.
Janaka [Jnaa-naa-ka]
Name of a royal sage.
Janu [Ja-nu]
The knee.
Japa
Continuous repetition of mantra, or God’s name.
Jaya [Jai]
Hail, victory.
Jiva [Jee-va]
Individual soul with ego.
Jivanmukta [Jee-van-muk-ta]
One who is liberated in this life.
Jivamukti [Jee-van-muk-ti]
Liberated while living.
Jivatma(n) [Jee-vaat-maa]
Individual soul.
Jnana yoga [Jnaa-na yo-ga]
The intellectual or philosophical path.
Jnani [Jnaa-nee]
A sage; wise person.
Jyoti [Jo-ti]
Light; illumination; luminosity; effulgence.
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Kaivalya [Ki-val-ya]
Absoluteness. Isolated freedom; state of absolute independence; highest stage of samadhi.
Kali [Kaa-li]
Black.
Kali [Kaa-lee]
The black goddess; primal manifestation of Shakti; deity, divine mother; destroyer of time, space and object, i.e. ignorance.
Kali-yuga
The last of the four Hindu time cycles; the present ‘Iron Age’.
Kapalabhati [Ka-paa-la-bhaa-ti]
Literally translated as ‘shining skull’. Breathing exercise used for cleansing the respiratory system. One of the shadkriyas (six cleansing exercises).
Kapha
One of the three doshas; phlegm, mucus.
Karma [Kar-ma]
Action; the law of action and reaction; or cause and effect.
Karma indriya [Kar-ma in-dree-ya]
Organ of action, i.e. hands, feet, tongue, anus and genitals.
Karma yoga [Kar-ma yo-ga]
Spiritual path selfless service; remaining in oneness in the field of action.
Karna [Kar-na]
(1.) One of the heros in the Mahabharata, half brother of the Pandavas; he joined forces with the Kauravas. Son of the Sun god, Karna epitomizes generosity.
(2.) the ear.
Kartikeya [Kaar-tee-kay-ya]
Second son of Siva and Parvati; brother of Ganesha; also known as Subramanya, Skanda, Murugan, Sharavanabhava.
Kashaya [Ka-shaa-ya]
The subtle influence of the mind produced by enjoyment and left there to fructify in time to come and distract the mind from samadhi; hidden impressions.
Kaurava(s) [Kur-aa-va]
Hundred and one sons of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari; cousins and enemies of the Pandavas.
Keshava [Kay-sha-va]
Name for Krishna.
Kirtan [Keer-tan]
Singing the Lords Name.
Klesha [Kle-sha]
Pain; anguish; suffering; distress; trouble; afflictions.
Kosha [Ko-sha]
Sheath; five concentric envelopes, namely of bliss, intellect, mind, life-force and the gross body.
Kriya [Kree-ya]
Cleansing or purificatory exercise; activity.
Kriyamana [Kree-ya-maa-na]
Current action; action performed in the current birth.
Kshetra
Field.
Kshipta
One of the five bhoomikas; distracted or dissipated mind.
Kshetrajna [Kshet-ra-jna]
Witness of the field.
Kumbhaka [Kum-bha-ka]
Retention of breath.
Kumkum
Sacred red powder worn on the forehead; symbolic of the Divine Mother.
Kundalini [Kun-da-lee-nee]
Serpent Power; the primordial cosmic energy located in the individual; potential psychic energy.
Kunja(r) kriya [Kun-ja kri-yaa]
In this form of Dhauti, a large quantity of lukewarm salt water is drunk then vomited up.
Kunti [Kun-tee]
Mother of the Pandavas.
Kuru [Koo-roo]
Dynasty to which both the Pandavas and Kauravas belonged.
Kurukshetra [Koo-roo-kshe-tra]
Literal meaning is ‘place of the Kurus’; battlefield on which the Mahabharata War was fought.
Kutir [Koo-tir]
Cottage; a yogi’s hermitage.
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Lakshmi [Lak-shmee]
Goddess of (spiritual as well as material) wealth. Consort of Vishnu.
Laya [Lie-ya]
Absorption of the mind; merging; dissolution.
Likhita japa
Writing of mantra, done as a sadhana.
Linga(m) [Lin-ga]
Symbol of Siva, representing the unmanifested; an imageless image.
Linga sarira [Lin-ga sha-ree-ra]
The subtle body; astral body.
Loka [Lo-kaa]
A realm; a dimension of cosmic existence; world of names and forms.
Lota [Lo-taa]
Neti pot.
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Madri [Maa-dree]
Second wife of Pandu; mother of the last two Pandava (Nakula and Sahadeva).
Maha [Ma-haa]
Great.
Maha-samadhi [Ma-haa sa-maa-dhi]
Final emancipation from the body and absorption in the Lord.
Mahabharata [Ma-haa-bhaa-ra-ta]
One of the two great epic poems of India. It contains the Bhagavad Gita.
Maharishi [Ma-haa-ri-shi]
A great seer.
Mahat [Ma-haat]
Great; according to Sankhya philosophy, the first product from Prakriti in evolution; cosmic intelligence.
Mahatma [Ma-haat-maa]
A great soul; a saint.
Maheswara [Ma-hesh-wa-ra]
The Great Lord; a name of Siva.
Mala [Maa-laa]
(1.) An impurity of the mind: lust, anger, greed etc.
(2.)A garland; wreath; necklace.
Manas [Maa-nas]
Mind; the thinking facility.
Manipura chakra [Ma-ni-poor-a chak-ra]
Literally means ‘city of jewels’; psychic and pranic center behind the naval within the spinal column; corresponding to the solar plexus in the physical body.
Manomaya kosha [Man-o-my-aa ko-sha]
The mental sheath.
Mantra [Maan-tra]
Sacred syllable, word or set of words; subtle sound vibration; through repetition the mantra liberates energy and expands consciousness from the limitations of mundane thinking.
Marga [Mar-ga]
Path, road
Matsya [Mats-yaa]
A fish.
Matsyendra [Mats-yend-ra]
Discipline of Lord Siva; teacher of Goraksha; first human to practice hatha yoga.
Matsyendrasana [Mats-yend-raa-sa-na]
Seated spinal twist; named after the yogi Matsyendra.
Mauna
Silence, practiced as a sensual fast.
Meru [May-roo]
(1.)The fabulous mountain at the center of the universe.
(2.) The central bead in a mala.
Moksha [Mok-sha]
Liberation; release; the term is particularly applied to the liberation from the bondage of karma and the wheel of birth and death.
Mudra [Mood-ra]
A seal; gesture; a sealing posture used in Hatha yoga to seal the union of prana-apana.
Mukha [Moo-ka]
Face.
Mukti [Mook-tee]
Emancipation; synonym for ‘moksha’.
Mula (or Moola) bandha
Root, the contraction in the perineal body in the make and the cervix in the female body intended to move the apana upward.
Muladhara chakra [Moo-la-dhaa-ra cha-kra]
The first, or lowest, center of spiritual energy located at the base of the spine connected to the coccygeal plexus.
Mumukshutva [Moo-muk-shoot-va]
A burning desire for liberation and intense striving for it. One of the four necessary qualifications for a serious student of yoga.
Murti [Moor-ti]
An idol; physical manifestation of the Divine that is worshipped, invoked or meditated upon.
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Nada [Naa-da]
Mystical sound; sound or energy wave; nada and bindu are represented by Siva and Shakti; the primal sound, or fist vibration from which all creation is emanated; the first manifestation of the unmanifested Absolute; Omkara or Sabda Brahman; also the mystic inner sound or anahata on which the yogi concentrates.
Nadi [Naa-dee]
An astral nerve; The Sanskrit term equivalent to the ‘meridians’ of acupuncture; psychic current.
Nakula
Youngest of the Pandavas; twin of Sahadeva.
Nama [Na-ma]
Name.
Namaskar [Na-mas-kaar]
Salutation.
Namaste [Na-ma-stay]
This salutation says "the divine in me honors the divine in you."
Narada [Naa-ra-da]
A very famous sage in the Puranas; son of Brahma; author of Bhakti Sutras.
Narayan(a) [Naa-raa-ya-na]
Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity.
Narayani [Naa-raa-ya-nee]
Name for Lakshmi.
Nataraja [Na-ta-raa-ja]
The cosmic dancer; the dancing Lord Siva.
Nauli [Na-oo-lee]
Manipulation and churning of the abdomen; one of the six shadkriayas (six cleansing exercises).
Neelakantha (or Nilakantha)
‘blue-throated’; another name for Siva.
Neti
Cleansing of the upper respiratory tract; one of the six shadkriyas (six cleansing exercises).
Nidra [Nee-dra]
Sleep.
Nirguana
Without quality; formless; abstract; without attribute.
Nirodha
Restraint; blocking; stopping.
Nirvikalpa samadhi [Nir-vi-kal-pa sa-maa-dhi]
The superconscious state where the mental modification cease to exist; the term used in jnana yoga.
Niyama [Nee-ya-ma]
Fixed observances, including internal and external purification, contentment, austerity, study of scriptures and worship of God; the second limb of raja yoga.
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Ojas [O-jas]
Vigour; spiritual energy; vitality; the spiritual force developed through the creative power of celibacy and sadhana.
OM [Aa-uu-mm]
The Pranava, or sacred monosyllable which symbolizes Brahman, the Absolute; cosmic vibration of the universe; universal mantra; represents the four states of consciousness: conscious, subconscious, unconscious and supraconscious.
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Pada [Pa-da]
The foot or leg; also part of a book.
Padangustha
The big toe.
Padma [Pad-ma]
A lotus.
Padmasana [Pad-maa-sa-na]
Lotus pose; recommended for pranayama and meditation.
Pandava(s) [Paan-da-va]
The five sons of King Pandu: Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.
Pandu [Paan-doo]
Father of the Pandavas.
Para(m)
Highest, supreme.
Paramatma(n) [Pa-ram-aat-ma]
The Supreme Self; universal or cosmic self.
Para(m)brahman [Pa-ram-brah-man]
The Supreme Absolute; the transcendental Reality.
Parampara [Pa-ram-paa-ra]
Guru-disciple lineage; a chain of oral transmission of teachings.
Parashakti [Pa-raa-shak-ti]
The highest energy; Kundalini; the Supreme Goddess.
Parigha
A beam or a bar used for bolting or shutting a gate.
Parighasana
Lateral side stretch.
Paripurna
Entire, complete.
Parivrtta
Turned around, revolved.
Parsva
The side, the flank.
Parvati [Paar-va-tee]
The Divine Mother; Lord Siva’s consort.
Pasa
Trap or noose.
Paschima [Pas-chi-ma]
West; the back side of the body.
Paschimottanasana [Pas-chi-mot-taan-aa-sa-na]
Seated forward bend.
Patanjali [Pa-tan-ja-li]
Author of the Yoga Sutras; propounder of ashtanga yoga.
Pingala nadi [Pin-ga-laa naa-dee]
The nadi to the right side of the Sushumna; its nature is aggressive, logical, sequential, analytical, outer-directed, rational, objective, hot, masculine; directing left brain (mathematical and verbal) activities.
Pitta [Pi-taa]
One of the three doshas; bile.
Pooaka
Inhalation.
Prajapati [Pra-jaa-pa-ti]
Creator; also called Brahma; the name given to Brahma’s ten sons who were the original ancestors of the human race.
Prajna
Intelligence, wisdom.
Prajna shakti
The power of awareness.
Prakriti [Prak-ri-tee]
Mother Nature; causal matter; Shakti.
Pralaya
Complete merging; dissolution when the cosmos merges into (1) its unseen immediate cause viz., the unmanifested cosmic energy, or (2) the Ultimate Substratum of Absolute Reality.
Prana [Praa-na]
The vital force; life energy, life force, or life current. Although prana is one, it takes five major forms (i.e. prana, apana, samana, udana and vyana). Prana governs the cervical portion of the autonomic nervous system, the verbal mechanism and vocal apparatus, the respiratory system and the movements of the gullet. The seat of prana is in the heart.
Pranayama [Praa-naa-yaa-ma]
The science of breathing and breath retention which increases the pranic capacity; knowledge, expansion and control of prana; fourth step of Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga.
Pranayama kosha [Praa-naa-yaa-ma ko-sha]
The ‘vital sheath’ in the astral body.
Pranava [Praa-naa-va]
The sacred monosyllable OM.
Prarabdha [Praa-rab-dha]
The karma which has been chosen to be worked out in this lifetime.
Pradad(a) [Pra-saad]
Blessed food. Food dedicated to god during worship and eaten afterwards by devotees; tranquility; grace.
Prasarita
Spread out, stretched out.
Pratyahara [Prat-yaa-haa-ra]
Abstraction from the senses; withdrawal of the mental energy from the senses. The fifth step of raja yoga.
Prem
Divine love (for God).
Prithivi [Pri-ti-vee]
Earth; solid; the element of earth with density and fragrance as its characteristic features.
Puja [Poo-ja]
Ritual worship; adoration.
Purana [Poo-raa-na]
Eighteen ancient scriptures of Hindu myths and legends. Sacred works dealing with the doctrines of creation, etc.
Purna [Poor-na]
Full; complete; infinite; absolute.
Purusha [Poo-roo-sha]
The Supreme Being; the Transcendental Self.
Purushottama [Poo-roo-sho-ta-ma]
The Supreme Person; the Lord of the universe.
Purva
East, the front of the body.
Purvottana
The intense stretch of the front side of the body.
Purvottanasana
Pose of the intense stretch of the front side of the body.
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R
Raga [Raa-ga]
(1) Attachment; blind love; attraction; attachment that binds the soul to the universe.
(2) A tune.
Raja [Raa-ja]
A king; a ruler.
Raja-kapota
King pigeon.
Raja Yoga [Raa-ja yo-ga]
The kingly science; the eight-limbed Yoga of Maharishi Patanjali.
Rajas
Activity; passion; stimulation; restlessness.
Rajasic [Raa-ja-sik]
The quality of rajas, activity; one of its symptoms is fickleness of mind.
Rakshamaam [Rak-sha-maam]
Protect me.
Rama [Raa-ma]
Ancient prince of Ayodhya; seventh incarnation of Vishnu; hero of Ramayana. He is usually pictured carrying a bow.
Ramakrishna [Raa-ma krish-na]
Modern saint and spiritual giant; guru of Swami Vivekananda.
Ramayana [Raa-ma-ya-na]
The Hindu epic dealing with the life of Sri Rama.
Rig Veda
Most ancient of the four Vedas.
Rishi
A seer or sage.
Rudra
A name for Siva.
Rudra granthi
The last knot in the Sushumna; it is located at Ajna chakra.
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Sabdabrahman [Shab-da-braah-man]
Creation (of the universe) by sound.
Sadhaka [Saa-dha-ka]
A spiritual aspirant; a seeker.
Sadhana [Saa-dha-ka]
Spiritual practice.
Saguna
With attributes, with form.
Sahadeva
Youngest Pandavas; twin of Nakula.
Sahasranama
The thousand names.
Sahasrara [Sa-has-raa-ra]
The seventh or the crown chakra; the ‘thousand petal lotus’. The highest psychic center wherein the yogi attains union between the individual soul with the universal soul.
Salabha [Sa-la-bhaa]
Locust.
Salamba
Supported.
Sama
Tranquility; one of the Shadsampat, the sixfold virtues.
Samadhi [Sa-maa-dhi]
The Superconscious state.
Samana [Sa-maa-na]
One of the five major pranas; performs digestion and controls secretions of the digestive system throughout the sympathetic nervous system in the thoracic region. Its seat is in the region of the naval.
Samanu
Mental cleansing of the nostrils; pranayama does with mantras.
Samhita
Classical texts on Hatha Yoga include: Siva Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, Goraksha Samhita.
Samprajnata samadhi
Contemplation where the consciousness of duality still lingers.
Samsara [Sam-saa-ra]
The continuous round, or wheel, or births and deaths.
Samskara [Sam-skaa-ra]
Subtle impressions of past lives; a deep mental impression caused by past experience; a mental or behavioural pattern.
Samyama
An all complete condition of balance and repose; the simultaneous occurrence of concentration, meditation, and samadhi in a developed yogi.
San
Six.
Sanchita
The accumulated storehouse of karma in each individual birth. Karma that has not yet become manifest.
Sanjaya
Sage who narrates the Bhagavad Gita to Dhritarashtra.
Sankalpa
Thought; imagination; mental activity (especially will or desire).
Sankara
A name of Siva, it literally means, ‘bringing about eternal welfare’. The name is also used to refer to Sankaracharya.
Sankaracharya [Shan-kar-raa-chaar-ya]
Ninth century philosopher and exponent of Advaita Vedanta; founder of the ‘swami’ orders of monks.
Sankhya [Shan-khya]
A system of philosophy formulated by Kapila.
Sankirtan(a)
Devotional chanting.
Sannyasa [San-yaa-sa]
Renunciation of social ties.
Sannyasi(n) [San-yaa-si]
A renunciate; a monk.
Santosh(a)
Contentment. One of the Niyamas (prescribed observances) of Raja Yoga.
Saraswati [Sa-ras-va-tee]
Goddess of music, knowledge and art.
Saravanabhava
Name for Subramanya.
Sarva
All, whole.
Sarvanga
The whole body.
Sarvangasana [Sar-van-gaa-sa-na]
Shoulderstand.
Satsang
Association with spiritually minded people; company with wise people.
Satchidananda [Sat-chid-aan-an-da]
Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute.
Sattva
The quality of purity.
Satya(m)
Truthfulness. One of the Yamas (restrictions) of Raja Yoga; Truth; reality.
Saucha
Cleanliness or purity. One of the Niyamas (prescribed observances) of Raja Yoga.
Savasana [Sha-vaa-sa-na]
Corpse pose.
Savikalpa
Lower state of samadhi, in which duality exists. The devotee becomes absorbed in union with the Lord, without becoming One with him.
Setu: Bridge.
Setu-bandha
Posture in which the back is arched.
Shadkriyas
The six cleansing exercises, i.e. neti, nauli, dhauti, basti, tratak and kapalabhati.
Shaivite
A devotee of Siva.
Shakta
A devotee of the Divine Mother.
Shakti
Power; energy; Goddess; female power.
Shambhu
Happiness; one who grants prosperity; a name for Siva.
Shanmuga
Having six faces; a name for Subramanya.
Shanti [Shaan-tea]
Peace.
Sharira
Body
Shastra [Shaas-traa]
Scripture.
Shatsampat
The sixfold virtues; sama, dama, titiksha, uparathi, shraddha, samadhana.
Shraddha
Faith.
Shyam
Name of Krishna; bija mantra of Krishna.
Siddha [Sid-dha]
One who possesses Siddhis or psychic powers.
Siddhi
Psychic power.
Simhasana [Sim-haa-sa-na]
Lion pose.
Sirsa
Head.
Sirshasana [Shirsh-aa-sa-na]
Headstand.
Sita [See-taa]
Heroine of the epic ‘Ramayana’; incarnation of Lakshmi; wife of Sri Rama.
Sitali [See-ta-li]
A minor pranayama performed with the tongue folded in half; a light breathing exercise which is cooling to the body.
Sitkari [Sheet-ka-ri]
A minor pranayama performed with the tongue folded back; a light breathing exercise which is cooling to the body.
Siva [She-va]
The destructive aspect of Godhead, the third of the Hindu trinity; also the Supreme Lord. The bestower of auspiciousness on His devotees.
Siva Samhita
An important scripture dealing with hatha yoga.
Sloka
A scriptural verse.
Soham
A vedantic assertion meaning ‘I am that I am’.
Soma
Nectar of the moon; divine nectar.
Srimad Bhagavatam [Shree-mad Bhaa-ga-va-tham]
The holy scripture of the Hindus wherein the life and teachings of Krishna appear; the incarnations of Vishnu and attendant philosophy are explained.
Srutis
Scriptures which are heard.
Stotra
Hymn.
Sthula
Gross.
Subechcha [Su-bech-chaa]
Longing for the Truth; the first stage of jnana (knowledge).
Subramanya
Leader of the army of the gods; son of Siva and Parvati
Sukhasana
Simple cross-legged sitting pose.
Sukshma sarira
The subtle body.
Supta
Sleeping or supine.
Supta Virasana
Supine hero pose.
Surya
Sun.
Surya bheda [Soor-ya bhe-da]
An advanced pranayama which increases the heat in the body.
Sushumna [Soo-shum-naa]
The central nadi, or astral nerve, which runs through the spinal cord.
Sushupti [Shoo-shup-ti]
Deep sleep; one of the five avasthas (states of consciousness).
Sutratma [Soo-traat-maa]
The immanent deity of the totality of the subtle bodies; the lower Brahman; Hiranyagarbha.
Sutra neti [Soo-tra ne-ti]
One of the shadkriyas in which a string (or catheter) is passed through the nose and comes out the mouth with the purpose of cleansing the nasal passage.
Svadhisthana [Svaa-dhish-taa-na]
Literally means one’s own abode; second of the seven chakras.
Svadhyaya [Svaa-dhyaa-ya]
Self-study; study of scriptures or spiritual books; one of the niyamas (prescribed observances) of raja yoga.
Svana
Dog.
Swabhava [Swa-bhaa-va]
Nature.
Swadharma [Swa-dhar-ma]
One’s own prescribed duty in life according to the eternal law.
Swami
A sannyasi; a monk.
Swamiji
Respectful way of addressing a swami.
Swapna
Dream state of consciousness.
Swaroopa
Essential nature of Brahman.
Swatmarama [Swaat-maa-raa-ma]
Author of Hatha Yoga Pradipika; the literal translation of his name is ‘he who is sporting with his own Atman’.
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Tada
Mountain.
Tadasana
Mountain pose; standing tall.
Tamas [Taa-mas]
The quality (guna) of darkness, inertia and lethargy.
Tanmatra [Tan-maa-tra]
Atom; rudimentary element in an undifferentiated state before panchikarana (quintuplication).
Tantra [Tan-tra]
Science and philosophy of man which expands the mind and liberates the potential energy and inner consciousness from matter; texts concerning the philosophy and techniques of expansion of mind and liberation of energy, sixty four in number.
Tanumanasa [Ta-new-maa-na-sa]
Fading out of the mind; the third stage of jnana (knowledge).
Tapas
Austerities; burning away impurities through self-discipline; one of the niyamas (prescribed observances) of Raja Yoga.
Tattva
Principle; the Supreme Principle or Brahman.
Tejas
Spiritual brightness; shining with spiritual brilliance.
Tola
A balance.
Tratak [Traa-tak]
Steady gazing with the purpose of cleansing and strengthening the eyes and frontal region; it also improves concentration; one of the shadkriyas.
Tri
Three.
Trikona
A triangle.
Turiya [Tur-ee-ya]
(1) The state wherein the yogi sees God everywhere.
(2) The state of superconsciousness, the fourth state transcending the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states.
Tyaga
Sacrifice; renunciation.
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Udana [Oo-daa-na]
One of the five major pranas with its seat in the throat, Udana controls the swallowing food and the duties which take the individual to sleep. Its realm of activity is above the larynx and it controls all the automatic functions of the autonomic nervous system that take place in the skull. Udana also functions as a psychic force that separates the astral body from the physical body at the time of death.
Uddiyana bandha [Ood-dee-yaa-na ban-dha]
‘Abdominal massage lock’; drawing in of the abdomen towards the backbone after exhaling.
Ujjayi
‘Psychic breath’ performed by contracting the epiglottis producing a light sonorous sound.
Umani avastha [Oo-ma-ni a-vas-tha]
Hatha yoga samadhi through control of the prana.
Upadhi [Oo-paa-dhi]
Limiting abjunct
Upavistha
Seated.
Urdhva
Raised, elevated, tending upwards.
Urdhva-mukha
Face upwards.
Ustra
A camel.
Utkata
Powerful, fierce.
Uttanasana
Standing forward bend intense stretch.
Utthita
Extended, stretched.
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Vaikhari
Articulate form of sound; spoken speech.
Vairagya [Vai-raag-ya]
Dispassion; perfect indifference to any object of desire of earthly life.
Vaishnavite
Worshiper of Lord Vishnu.
Vajra
Thunderbolt; firmness
Valmiki [Val-mee-key]
Famous Indian poet; author of the epic Ramayana.
Vasanas [Vaa-sa-naas]
Subtle desires.
Vasistha
Celebrated sage; author of several Vedic hymns including Yoga Vashistha; guru of Sri Rama.
Vastra dhauti
Cleansing of the stomach and esophagus using a cloth.
Vayu [Vaa-you]
Air; gaseous matter.
Vedanta [Ve-daan-ta]
Literal meaning is ‘the end of the Vedas’. The school of thought based primarily on the Upanishads; the philosophy of Oneness; the end (goal) of Knowledge.
Vedas [Ve-daas]
The revealed scripture of the Hindus containing the Upanishads.
Vichara
Right enquiry.
Vicharana [Vi-chaa-ra-na]
Right inquiry; the second stage of jnana (knowledge).
Vidya [Vid-yaa]
Knowledge; science; art.
Vijnanamaya kosha [Vi-jnaa-na ma-ya ko-sha]
The intellectual sheath; one of the three layers of the astral body.
Vikshepa
Tossing of the mind.
Vira
Hero; brave.
Vishnu
God as the Preserver; one of the Hindu Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Siva.
Vishnu granthi
The second ‘knot’ in the sushumna nadi, located at Manipura chakra.
Vishuddha
The fifth chakra, located at the throat.
Vishwamitra
Famous sage.
Vishwarupa
The Lord in His cosmic form.
Viveka
Discrimination between what is permanent and impermanent.
Vivekananda
One of the first yogis to come to the West; he attended the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893; disciple of Ramakrishna.
Vrata
Vow; religious observance.
Vritti
Thought wave; fluctuation; mental modification; a wave on the mind-lake.
Vrksa
Tree.
Vyana [Vee-aana]
One of the five types of vayus or prana.
Vyasa
Legendary sage; compiler of the Vedas and Puranas; author of the Mahabharata.
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X
Y
Yajna
Sacrifice.
Yama
(1) Ethics; the first limb of Raja Yoga; internal purification through moral training.
(2) Death (time); the Lord of Death.
Yantra
Geometric representation of the levels and energies of the cosmos, including the microcosm.
Yoga
Union, Yoke.
Yoga Vasistha
An important scripture on Advaita Vedanta philosophy, written in the form of a conversation between Rama and his guru, the sage Vasistha.
Yogi or Yogini
Man or woman who follows the path of yoga.
Yudhishthira [You-dish-thira]
Eldest of the five Pandava brothers; also known as Dharmaraja.
Yuga [You-ga]
Division of time. All yugas, i.e. Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, together form a Chaturyuga. We are now in the Kali yuga.
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