Composing…
757 terms drawn from Vedānta, Yoga, ritual, scripture, iconography, and cosmology — each with Sanskrit, IAST, definition, and cross-references.
A sacred pilgrimage circuit (Vaishnava (Sri Vaishnava)) in Hindu religious geography. Context: 108 Vishnu temples praised by the 12 Alvars in the 4,000-verse Divya Prabandham. Predominantly south Indian (especially TN), with 2 in heaven (Vaikuntha and Tiruparkadal), 1 in Nepal (Saligramam — Muktinath), and others spread across India. Key sites: .
A sacred pilgrimage circuit (Shaiva) in Hindu religious geography. Context: Twelve self-manifest (svayambhu) lingas of Shiva spread across India. Each emerged spontaneously and is associated with a specific story. Key sites: Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar.
A sacred pilgrimage circuit (Shakta) in Hindu religious geography. Context: Sites where parts of Sati's body fell after Vishnu's Sudarshana cut her corpse, which Shiva had been carrying in grief through the cosmos. Each site has a specific body part, a name of Devi (Shakti), and a Bhairava form. 51 main; 18 considered Maha; Key sites: .
ārtī
The lighted-lamp ritual at the conclusion of puja; the lamp (deepa) is circled before the deity while a hymn is sung. From Sanskrit ārātrika (the lamp lit at night). Aarti is part of the ritual vocabulary of Sanatana Dharma. This is a ritual term used in puja, vrata, samskara, temple worship, or household observance. Aarti is useful when reading Hindu texts, listening to pravachan, following puja or vrata instructions, and connecting related ideas such as puja, deepa, kapur. Related terms include puja, deepa, kapur, which give the word its surrounding vocabulary. References for this entry include Skanda Purana, Garuda Purana, Puja practice traditions, Bhakti song traditions; exact usage can vary by sampradaya, text, and family practice.
ārtī
Devotional hymn sung while performing aarti — typically in the local language with chorus. 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' (Vishnu), 'Jai Ambe Gauri' (Devi), 'Sukhakarta Dukhaharta' (Ganesha).
Abhaya Mudra (Gesture of Fearlessness) — a sacred hand gesture (hasta-mudra) in Hindu ritual, yoga, and iconography. Right hand raised, palm facing outward — the universal gesture of 'do not fear.' Seen in virtually all Hindu and Hindu deity images. Usage: Deities showing protection; Teachers blessing disciples; Welcoming guests. Benefits: .
abhiṣeka
Bathing of the deity. Pouring of consecrated liquids — water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugarcane juice, sandalwood paste, panchamrit. The most-loved ritual at Shiva temples (rudrabhishekam).
ācamana
Sipping of water for purification before any ritual. Three sips with three names of Vishnu (Achyuta, Govinda, Keshava). The first act of every puja.
ācārya
A traditional spiritual master who not only teaches but also exemplifies (acharati = he conducts). The founding figures of sampradayas (Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya).
Adhi Yoga — an auspicious or notable planetary configuration (yoga) in Vedic astrology. Type: Auspicious yoga. Formation: Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus together in 6th, 7th, and 8th houses from the Moon (or from lagna). Effects: Wealth, leadership; Intelligence, charisma; Long life.
ādityahṛdayam
31-verse hymn to Surya from Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda 105), taught to Rama by sage Agastya before the final battle with Ravana. Recited daily at sunrise for victory and energy.
āditya
Twelve sons of Aditi — solar deities, one per month. Vivaswan, Aryaman, Pusha, Tvashta, Savita, Bhaga, Dhata, Vidhata, Varuna, Mitra, Indra, Vishnu (in some lists). Surya is the chief Aditya.
advaita
Non-dualism; Adi Shankara's school. Brahman alone is real, the world is mithya, the jiva is ultimately Brahman. Key texts: Brahma Sutras, Upanishads, Gita with Shankara's bhashyas.
āgama
Authoritative ritual scripture, distinct from Veda (Nigama). Three streams: Shaiva (28 + 207), Vaishnava (Pancharatra/Vaikhanasa), Shakta (Tantras). Govern temple architecture, idol-making, and consecration.
agni
Fire god; second-most invoked in Rig Veda. Mediator between gods and humans (carries oblations). Dikpala of southeast. Trayi-vidya (three forms): Garhapatya, Ahavaniya, Dakshinagni.
Agni Purana is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas of Sanātana Dharma. Traditional focus: Agni (fire god) / Vishnu. Guṇa classification: tamasika. It contains approximately 15,000 ślokas. It is arranged in 1 khaṇḍa. Traditional narration: Agni to Vasishtha. The Agni Purana is an encyclopedic work — it is essentially a compendium of all knowledge. It covers ritual procedures, iconography, grammar, poetics, politics, medicine, military science, and geography. It contains one of the earliest texts on Indian poetics (Kavya) and is a crucial source for understanding classical Indian culture. Key teachings include: Comprehensive temple ritual and iconography; Indian poetics (Kavya) and literary theory; Medical science.
ahaṃ brahmāsmi
'I am Brahman' — Mahavakya from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10. Realisation of the seer.
ahaṃkāra
The 'I-maker'; the ego-faculty that appropriates experience as 'mine.' In Sankhya, the second evolute of Prakriti, from which the senses and elements arise.
ahiṃsā
Non-violence in thought, word, and deed; the first and foremost yama in the Yoga tradition and a foundational Hindu ethical discipline.
Ahoi Ashtami is observed on Krishna Ashtami of Kartik (8 days before Diwali). The observance lasts 1 day. Principal deities or sacred focus: Ahoi Mata (Parvati as protector of children). Ahoi Ashtami is a fast observed by mothers for the longevity and well-being of their sons. The origin story involves a woman who accidentally killed a lion cub while digging clay from the forest. The lioness cursed her children. The woman repented and worshipped Ahoi Mata (a form of Parvati) on this day. Her children were restored. The word Ahoi is said to come from 'aho' (auspiciousness) or from the Hindi 'a-hoi' (not lost). Mothers fast throughout the day without water, breaking their fast only after seeing the stars at night. Observances include: Fast throughout the day without food or water; Draw the image of Ahoi Mata and the lion cub on the wall; In the evening, perform puja with rice grains, water in a copper pot, and a thread with 8 knots. Celebrated across North India — Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi.
Airavata — the divine vehicle (vāhana) of Indra in Hindu iconography. White elephant — emerged from samudra-manthan; mount of Indra and king of all elephants Symbolism: Royalty; rain; auspiciousness. In Sanātana Dharma, the vāhana is not merely a mount but an extension of the deity, symbolizing the taming of the energy it represents.
Aitareya Upanishad is a principal Upaniṣad associated with Rig Veda (Aitareya Aranyaka 2-4). It contains approximately 33 verses. Traditional type: Aranyaka Upanishad. Central theme: The origin of the universe through Atman's will; the evolution of the organs; the birth of Man; the nature of cosmic Prajnanam (Pure Awareness) as Brahman. The Aitareya Upanishad from the Rig Veda contains one of the four mahavakyas: 'prajñānaṃ brahma' — Consciousness is Brahman. In three chapters it narrates the cosmogony (how Atman created the world through successive emanations), the birth of the Cosmic Person and the entry of the self into the body, and the nature of Pure Awareness as the one Self permeating all life from the worm to the gods. Mahāvākya: prajñānaṃ brahma — Consciousness is Brahman (verse 3.3 — one of the four mahavakyas).
Aja — the divine vehicle (vāhana) of Pushan in Hindu iconography. Goat Symbolism: Travel; agility. In Sanātana Dharma, the vāhana is not merely a mount but an extension of the deity, symbolizing the taming of the energy it represents.
Ajna (Command / authority) — the sixth of the seven primary cakras (energy centers) in the yogic subtle-body (sūkṣma-śarīra). Location: Between the eyebrows (third eye). Petals: 2; element: Manas (mind); bīja-mantra: ॐ (Om). Color: Indigo / midnight blue. Presiding deity: Shambhu / Ardhanarishvara (with Hakini as Shakti). Qualities when balanced: Intuition; Insight; Inner vision; Wisdom.
Akhand Samrajya Yoga (Universal Empire) — an auspicious or notable planetary configuration (yoga) in Vedic astrology. Type: Royal yoga. Formation: Lord of 2nd, 5th, 9th, and 11th houses all in kendras or trikonas; specific configurations cited differently in different texts. Effects: Massive wealth, power; Lasting fame and influence; Multiple sources of income.
akhāḍā
Order of warrior-ascetics. 13 traditional akharas at Kumbh Mela (7 Shaiva, 3 Vaishnava, 2 Udasin, 1 Nirmal). Naga sadhus belong to Shaiva akharas.
akṣa
Bead; also 'eye' or 'axis.' 'Akshamala' is another word for japa-mala. 'Akshat' is unbroken rice grain used as offering.
akṣamālā
Rosary of beads — synonym for japa-mala. Held by Saraswati and Brahma in iconography (representing the rhythm of speech).
akṣara
Akshara means a syllable, letter, or imperishable sound unit in Sanskrit learning. In spiritual usage it can also point to the imperishable Brahman, especially in expressions such as akshara-brahman. The term therefore connects language, mantra recitation, and Vedantic reflection on what does not decay.
akṣata
Unbroken rice grain (often turmeric-coloured) offered to deities — symbolizing wholeness, prosperity, and continuity. A standard upachara.
Akshaya Tritiya is observed on Vaishakha shukla tritiya (April-May). The observance lasts 1 day. Principal deities or sacred focus: Vishnu; Lakshmi; Parashurama. (1) Treta Yuga began this day; (2) Parashurama's birth; (3) Veda Vyasa began composing the Mahabharata; (4) Krishna gifted Sudama with eternal wealth; (5) Ganga descended; (6) Pandavas received the Akshaya Patra (inexhaustible vessel) from Surya. Observances include: Buy gold, silver, or property — believed to multiply (akshaya = imperishable); Lakshmi-Narayana puja; Tarpana for ancestors. Celebrated across pan-india.
āmalaka
Ribbed cushion-like ornament crowning a Nagara shikhara, named after the amla fruit. Topped by a kalasha.
amāvāsyā
New-moon day; the last tithi of krishna-paksha. Sacred for shraddha (ancestor rites). Specific amavasyas: Mauni, Somvati, Bhaumvati, Mahalaya.
amṛta
The nectar of immortality obtained from samudra-manthan. Drops fell at four places — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik — making them the sites of the Kumbh Mela.
Anahata (Unstruck (sound)) — the fourth of the seven primary cakras (energy centers) in the yogic subtle-body (sūkṣma-śarīra). Location: Heart center. Petals: 12; element: Vayu (air); bīja-mantra: यं (Yam). Color: Green. Presiding deity: Isha (with Kakini as Shakti). Qualities when balanced: Love; Compassion; Forgiveness; Connection.
ānanda
Bliss; the third element of sat-chit-ananda. The natural condition of the Self when free of vrittis. Taittiriya Upanishad has the 'Anandamimansa' enumeration of bliss-degrees.
