Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

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sacrament: 1) Holy rite, especially one solemnized in a formal, consecrated manner which is a bonding between the recipient and God, Gods or guru. This includes rites of passage (samskara), ceremonies sanctifying crucial events or stages of life. 2) Prasada. Sacred substances, grace-filled gifts, blessed in sacred ceremony or by a holy person. See: prasada, samskara.

sacred thread: Yajnopavita. See: upanayana.

sacrifice: Yajna. 1) Making offerings to a Deity as an expression of homage and devotion. 2) Giving up something, often one's own possession, advantage or preference, to serve a higher purpose. The literal meaning of sacrifice is "to make sacred," implying an act of worship. It is the most common translation of the term yajna, from the verb yuj, "to worship." In Hinduism, all of life is a sacrifice--called jivayajna, a giving of oneself--through which comes true spiritual fulfillment. Tyaga, the power of detachment, is an essential quality of true sacrifice. See: tyaga, yajna.

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

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

sadhaka: (Sanskrit) From sadh, "going straight to the goal." A spiritual aspirant; a devotee who performs sadhana. A serious seeker who has undertaken spiritual disciplines, is usually celibate and under the guidance of a guru. He wears white and may be under simple vows, but is not a yogi or sannyasin. See: sadhana.

sadhana marga: (Sanskrit) "The way of sadhana." A term used by Sage Yogaswami to name his prescription for seekers of Truth--a path of intense effort, spiritual discipline and consistent inner transformation, as opposed to theoretical and intellectual learning. See: mysticism, pada, sadhana, spiritual unfoldment.

sadhana: (Sanskrit) "Means of attainment." Self-effort, spiritual discipline; the way." Religious or spiritual disciplines, such as puja, yoga, meditation, japa, fasting and austerity. The effect of sadhana is the building of willpower, faith and confidence in oneself and in God, Gods and guru. The effect of sadhana is the building of willpower, faith and confidence in oneself and in God, Gods and guru. Sadhana harnesses and transmutes the instinctive-intellectual nature, allowing progressive spiritual unfoldment into the superconscious realizations and innate abilities of the soul. See: purity-impurity, pada, raja yoga, sadhana marga, spiritual unfoldment.

sadhu: (Sanskrit) "Virtuous one; straight, unerring." A holy man dedicated to the search for God. A sadhu may or may not be a yogi or a sannyasin, or be connected in any way with a guru or legitimate lineage. Sadhus usually have no fixed abode and travel unattached from place to place, often living on alms. There are countless sadhus on the roads, byways, mountains, riverbanks, and in the ashramas and caves of India. They have, by their very existence, a profound, stabilizing effect on the consciousness of India and the world. See: vairagi.

sadhvi: (Sanskrit) Feminine counterpart of sadhu. See: sadhu.

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

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

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

Saiva Agamas: (Sanskrit) The sectarian revealed scriptures of the Saivas. Strongly theistic, they identify Siva as the Supreme Lord, immanent and transcendent. They are in two main divisions: the 64 Kashmir Saiva Agamas and the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas. The latter group are the fundamental sectarian scriptures of Saiva Siddhanta. Of these, ten are of the Sivabheda division and are considered dualistic: 1) Kamika, 2) Yogaja, 3) Chintya, 4)Karana, 5) Ajita, 6) Dipta, 7) Sukshma, 8) Sahasraka, 9) Amshumat and 10)Suprabheda. There are 18 in the Rudrabheda group, classed as dual-nondual: 11) Vijaya, 12) Nihshvasa, 13) Svayambhuva, 14) Anala, 15) Vira (Bhadra), 16) Raurava, 17) Makuta, 18) Vimala, 19) Chandrajnana (or Chandrahasa), 20) Mukhabimba (or Bimba), 21) Prodgita (or Udgita), 22)Lalita, 23) Siddha, 24) Santana, 25) Sarvokta (Narasimha), 26) Parameshvara, 27) Kirana and 28) Vatula (or Parahita). Rishi Tirumular, in his Tirumantiram, refers to 28 Agamas and mentions nine by name. Eight of these--Karana, Kamika, Vira, Chintya, Vatula, Vimala, Suprabheda and Makuta--are in the above list of 28 furnished by the French Institute of Indology, Pondicherry. The ninth, Kalottara, is presently regarded as an Upagama, or secondary text, of Vatula. The Kamika is the Agama most widely followed in Tamil Saiva temples, because of the availability of Aghorasiva's manual-commentary (paddhati) on it. Vira Saivites especially refer to the Vatula and Vira Agamas. The Saiva Agama scriptures, above all else, are the connecting strand through all the schools of Saivism. The Agamas themselves express that they are entirely consistent with the teachings of the Veda, that they contain the essence of the Veda, and must be studied with the same high degree of devotion. See: Agamas, Vedas.

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

Saiva Siddhanta: (Sanskrit) "Final conclusions of Saivism." The most widespread and influential Saivite school today, predominant especially among the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and South India. It is the formalized theology of the divine revelations contained in the twenty-eight Saiva Agamas. The first known guru of the Shuddha ("pure") Saiva Siddhanta tradition was Maharishi Nandinatha of Kashmir (ca bce 250), recorded in Panini's book of grammar as the teacher of rishis Patanjali, Vyaghrapada and Vasishtha. Other sacred scriptures include the Tirumantiram and the voluminous collection of devotional hymns, the Tirumurai, and the masterpiece on ethics and statecraft, the Tirukural. For Saiva Siddhantins, Siva is the totality of all, understood in three perfections: Parameshvara (the Personal Creator Lord), Parashakti (the substratum of form) and Parasiva (Absolute Reality which transcends all). Souls and world are identical in essence with Siva, yet also differ in that they are evolving. A pluralistic stream arose in the middle ages from the teachings of Aghorasiva and Meykandar. For Aghorasiva's school (ca 1150) Siva is not the material cause of the universe, and the soul attains perfect "sameness" with Siva upon liberation. Meykandar's (ca 1250) pluralistic school denies that souls ever attain perfect sameness or unity with Siva. See: Saivism.

Saiva Vishishtadvaita: (Sanskrit) The philosophy of Siva Advaita. See: Siva Advaita.

Saivism (Saiva): (Sanskrit) The religion followed by those who worship Siva as supreme God. Oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. The earliest historical evidence of Saivism is from the 8,000-year-old Indus Valley civilization in the form of the famous seal of Siva as Lord Pashupati, seated in a yogic pose. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama worshiped Siva, as did his rival Ravana. Buddha in 624 bce was born into a Saivite family, and records of his time speak of the Saiva ascetics who wandered the hills looking much as they do today. There are many schools of Saivism, six of which are Saiva Shiddhanta, Pashupata Saivism, Kashmir Saivism, Vira Saivism, Siddha Siddhanta and Siva Advaita. They are based firmly on the Vedas and Saiva Agamas, and thus have much in common, including the following principle doctrines: 1) the five powers of Siva--creation, preservation, destruction, revealing and concealing grace; 2) The three categories: Pati, pashu and pasha ("God, souls and bonds"); 3) the three bonds: anava, karma and maya; 4) the three-fold power of Siva: iccha shakti, kriya shakti and jnana shakti; 5) the thirty-six tattvas, or categories of existence; 6) the need for initiation from a satguru; 7) the power of mantra; 8) the four padas (stages): charya (selfless service), kriya (devotion), yoga (meditation), and jnana (illumination); 9) the belief in the Panchakshara as the foremost mantra, and in rudraksha and vibhuti as sacred aids to faith; 10) the beliefs in satguru (preceptor), Sivalinga (object of worship) and sangama (company of holy persons). See: individual school entries, Saivism (six schools).

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

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

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

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

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

samadhi: (Sanskrit) "Enstasy," which means "standing within one's Self." "Sameness; contemplation; union, wholeness; completion, accomplishment." Samadhi is the state of true yoga, in which the meditator and the object of meditation are one. Samadhi is of two levels. The first is savikalpa samadhi ("enstasy with form or seed"), identification or oneness with the essence of an object. Its highest form is the realization of the primal substratum or pure consciousness, Satchidananda. The second is nirvikalpa samadhi ("enstasy without form or seed"), identification with the Self, in which all modes of consciousness are transcended and Absolute Reality, Parasiva, beyond time, form and space, is experienced. This brings in its aftermath a complete transformation of consciousness. In Classical Yoga, nirvikalpa samadhi is known as asamprajnata samadhi, "supraconscious enstasy"--samadhi, or beingness, without thought or cognition, prajna. Savikalpa samadhi is also called samprajnata samadhi, "conscious enstasy." (Note that samadhi differs from samyama--the continuous meditation on a single subject or mystic key [such as a chakra] to gain revelation on a particular subject or area of consciousness. As explained by Patanjali, samyama consists of dharana, dhyana and samadhi.) See: enstasy, kundalini, Parasiva, raja yoga, samarasa, Satchidananda, Self Realization, trance.

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

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

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

samhara: (Sanskrit) "Dissolution; destruction." See: mahapralaya, Nataraja.

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

sampradaya: (Sanskrit) "Tradition," "transmission;" a philosophical or religious doctrine or lineage. A living stream of tradition or theology within Hinduism, passed on by oral training and initiation. The term derives from the verb samprada, meaning "gift, grant, bestowing or conferring; handing down by tradition; bequeathing." Sampradaya is thus a philosophy borne down through history by verbal transmission. It is more inclusive than the related term parampara which names a living lineage of ordained gurus who embody and carry forth a sampradaya. A sampradaya may be represented by many paramparas. See: parampara.

samsara: (Sanskrit) "Flow." The phenomenal world. Transmigratory existence, fraught with impermanence and change. The cycle of birth, death and rebirth; the total pattern of successive earthly lives experienced by a soul. A term similar to punarjanma (reincarnation), but with broader connotations. See: evolution of the soul, karma, punarjanma, reincarnation.

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

samskara: (Sanskrit) "Impression, activator; sanctification, preparation." 1) The imprints left on the subconscious mind by experience (from this or previous lives), which then color all of life, one's nature, responses, states of mind, etc. 2) A sacrament or rite done to mark a significant transition of life. These make deep and positive impressions on the mind of the recipient, inform the family and community of changes in the lives of its members and secure inner-world blessings. The numerous samskaras are outlined in the Grihya Shastras. Most are accompanied by specific mantras from the Vedas. See: mind (five states), sacrament.

samskaras of birth: From the rite of conception to the blessings of the new-born child.--garbhadhana: "Womb-placing." Rite of conception, where physical union is consecrated with the intent of bringing into physical birth an advanced soul.--punsavana: (Sanskrit) "Male rite; bringing forth a male." A rite performed during the third month of pregnancy consisting of prayers for a son and for the well-being of mother and child. A custom, found in all societies, based on the need for men to defend the country, run the family business and support the parents in old age. The need for male children in such societies is also based on the fact that women outlive men and leave the family to join their husband's family.--simantonnayana: "Hair-parting." A ceremony held between the fourth and seventh months in which the husband combs his wife's hair and expresses his love and support.--jatakarma: "Rite of birth." The father welcomes and blesses the new-born child and feeds it a taste of ghee and honey. See: samskara.

samskaras of childhood: From naming to education.--namakarana: "Name-giving" and formal entry into one or another sect of Hinduism, performed 11 to 41 days after birth. The name is chosen according to astrology, preferably the name of a God or Goddess. At this time, guardian devas are assigned to see the child through life. One who converts to or adopts Hinduism later in life would receive this same sacrament.--annaprashana: (Sanskrit) "Feeding." The ceremony marking the first taking of solid food, held at about six months. (Breast-feeding generally continues).--karnavedha: "Ear-piercing." The piercing of both ears, for boys and girls, and the inserting of gold earrings, held during the first, third or fifth year. See: earrings.--chudakarana: (Sanskrit) "Head-shaving." The shaving of the head, for boys and girls, between the 31st day and the fourth year.--vidyarambha: (Sanskrit) Marks the beginning of formal education. The boy or girl ceremoniously writes his/her first letter of the alphabet in a tray of uncooked rice.--upanayana: Given to boys at about 12 years of age, marks the beginning of the period of brahmacharya and formal study of scripture and sacred lore, usually with an acharya or guru.--samavartana: Marks the end of formal religious study. See: samskara.

samskaras of adulthood: From coming-of-age to marriage.--ritukala: (Sanskrit) "Fit or proper season." Time of menses. A home blessing marking the coming of age for girls.--keshanta: Marking a boy's first beard-shaving, at about 16 years. Both of the above are home ceremonies in which the young ones are reminded of their brahmacharya, given new clothes and jewelry and joyously admitted into the adult community as young adults.--nishchitartha "Settlement of aim." Also called vagdana, "word-giving." A formal engagement or betrothal ceremony in which a couple pledge themselves to one another, exchanging rings and other gifts.--vivaha: Marriage." An elaborate and joyous ceremony performed in presence of God and Gods, in which the homa fire is central. To conclude the ceremony, the couple take seven steps to the Northeast as the groom recites: "One step for vigor, two steps for vitality, three steps for prosperity, four steps for happiness, five steps for cattle, six steps for seasons, seven steps for friendship. To me be devoted (Hiranyakeshi Grihya Sutras 1.6.21.2 VE)." See: samskara.

samskaras of later life: --vanaprastha ashrama: Age 48 marks the entrance into the elder advisor stage, celebrated in some communities by special ceremony.--sannyasa ashrama vrata: The advent of withdrawal from social duties and responsibilities at age 72 is sometimes ritually acknowledged (different from sannyasa diksha). See: sannyasa dharma.--antyeshti: (Sanskrit) The various funeral rites performed to guide the soul in its transition to inner worlds, including preparation of the body, cremation, bone-gathering, dispersal of ashes, home purification. See: cremation, death, pinda, shraddha, bone-gathering, samskara, shashtyabda purti, transition.

San Marga: (Sanskrit) "True path." The straight spiritual path leading to the ultimate goal, Self Realization, without detouring into unnecessary psychic exploration or pointless development of siddhis. A San Margi is a person "on the path," as opposed to a samsari, one engrossed in worldliness. San Marga also names the jnana pada. See: pada, sadhana marga, samsari.

San Marga Sanctuary: A meditation tirtha at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mount Waialeale, on Hawaii's Garden Island, Kauai. Here pilgrims follow the H-mile path, San Marga, to a natural Sivalinga, walk the path of the Tamil Nayanars around picturesque lotus lakes and ponds and visit the six shrines of the Kailasa Parampara on the banks of Saravanabhava Lake in Rishi Valley. Paths lead visitors to the sacred Wailua River, then up stone stairs to the Chola-style white-granite Iraivan Temple, hand-carved in Bangalore, India. In the sanctum sanctorum, the Supreme God, Siva (Parameshvara-Parashakti-Parasiva), will be enshrined as a massive 700-pound, single-pointed earthkeeper quartz crystal. San Marga Sanctuary, founded in 1970, is among many public services of Saiva Siddhanta Church, one of America's senior Hindu religious institutions. See: Subramuniyaswami, tirtha.

Sanatana Dharma: (Sanskrit) "Eternal religion" or "everlasting path." It is a original designation for the Hindu religion. See: Hinduism.

Sanatkumara: (Sanskrit) "Ever-youthful; perpetual virgin boy." See: Karttikeya.

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

sanctify: To make holy.

sanctum sanctorum: "Holy of holies." Garbhagriha. The most sacred part of a temple, usually a cave-like stone chamber, in which the main icon is installed. See: darshana, garbhagriha, temple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

sannidhya: (Sanskrit) "(Divine) presence; nearness, proximity." The radiance and blessed presence of shakti within and around a temple or a holy person.

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

sannyasa dharma: (Sanskrit) "Renunciate life." The life, way and traditions of those who have irrevocably renounced duties and obligations of the householder path, including personal property, wealth, ambitions, social position and family ties, in favor of the full-time monastic quest for divine awakening, Self Realization and spiritual upliftment of humanity. Traditionally, this dharma is available to those under age 25 who meet strict qualifications. Alternately, the householder may embrace sannyasa dharma after age 72 through the customary initiatory rites given by a sannyasin and then diligently pursuing his spiritual sadhana in a state of genuine renunciation and not in the midst of his family. These two forms of sannyasa are not to be confused with simply entering the sannyasa ashrama, the last stage of life. See: sannyasa, sannyasa diksha, sannyasin, videhamukti.

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

sannyasa: (Sanskrit) "Renunciation." "Throwing down or abandoning." Sannyasa is the repudiation of the dharma, including the obligations and duties, of the householder and the acceptance of the even more demanding dharma of the renunciate. The ancient shastras recognize four justifiable motivations for entering into sannyasa: vidvat, vividisha, markata and atura. Vidvat ("knowing; wise") sannyasa is the spontaneous withdrawal from the world in search for Self Realization which results from karma and tendencies developed in a previous life. Vividisha ("discriminating") sannyasa is renunciation to satisfy a yearning for the Self developed through scriptural study and practice. Markata sannyasa is taking refuge in sannyasa as a result of great sorrow, disappointment or misfortune in worldly pursuits. (Markata means "monkey-like," perhaps implying the analogy of a monkey clinging to its mother.) Atura ("suffering or sick") sannyasa is entering into sannyasa upon one's deathbed, realizing that there is no longer hope in life. See: sannyasa dharma, sannyasa diksha, videhamukti.

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

sannyasin: (Sanskrit) "Renouncer." One who has taken sannyasa diksha. A Hindu monk, swami, and one of a world brotherhood (or holy order) of sannyasins. Some are wanderers and others live in monasteries. The seasoned sannyasin is truly the liberated man, the spiritual exemplar, the disciplined yogi and ultimately the knower of Truth, freed to commune with the Divine and bound to uplift humanity through the sharing of his wisdom, his peace, his devotion and his illumination, however great or small. The sannyasin is the guardian of his religion, immersed in it constantly, freed from worldliness, freed from distraction, able to offer his work and his worship in unbroken continuity and one-pointed effectiveness. He undertakes certain disciplines including the purification of body, mind and emotion. He restrains and controls the mind through his sadhana, tapas and meditative regimen. He unfolds from within himself a profound love of God and the Gods. His practice of upasana, worship, is predominantly internal, seeking God Siva within. See: sannyasa, sannyasa dharma, sannyasa diksha, swami.

Sanskrit (Sanskrita): (Sanskrit) "Well-made; refined, perfected." The classical sacerdotal language of ancient India, considered a pure vehicle for communication with the celestial worlds. It is the primary language in which Hindu scriptures are written, including the Vedas and Agamas. Employed today as a liturgical, literary and scholarly language, but no longer used as a spoken vernacular.

sant: (Sanskrit) "Saint." A Hindi or vernacular term derived from the Sanskrit sat, meaning "truth; reality."

santosha: (Sanskrit) "Contentment." See: yama-niyama.

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

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

sari: (Hindi, (Sanskrit) ) The traditional outer garment of a Hindu woman, consisting of a long, unstitched piece of cloth, usually colorful cotton or silk, wrapped around the body, forming an ankle-length skirt, and around the bosom and over the shoulder.

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

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

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

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

Satchidananda (Sachchidananda): (Sanskrit) "Existence-consciousness-bliss." A synonym for Parashakti. Lord Siva's Divine Mind and simultaneously the pure superconscious mind of each individual soul. It is perfect love and omniscient, omnipotent consciousness, the fountainhead of all existence, yet containing and permeating all existence. It is also called pure consciousness, pure form, substratum of existence, and more. One of the goals of the meditator or yogi is to experience the natural state of the mind, Satchidananda, holding back the vrittis through yogic practices. In Advaita Vedanta, Satchidananda is considered a description of the Absolute (Brahman). Whereas in monistic, or shuddha, Saiva Siddhanta it is understood as divine form--pure, amorphous matter or energy--not as an equivalent of the Absolute, formless, "atattva," Parasiva. In this latter school, Parasiva is radically transcendent, and Satchidananda is known as the primal and most perfectly divine form to emerge from the formless Parasiva. See: atattva, Parashakti, tattva.

satguru (sadguru): (Sanskrit) "True weighty one." A spiritual preceptor of the highest attainment--one who has realized the ultimate Truth, Parasiva, through nirvikalpa samadhi--a jivanmukta able to lead others securely along the spiritual path. He is always a sannyasin, an unmarried renunciate. All Hindu denominations teach that the grace and guidance of a living satguru is a necessity for Self Realization. He is recognized and revered as the embodiment of God, Sadasiva, the source of grace and of liberation. See: guru bhakti, guru, guru-shishya relationship, padapuja.

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

satsanga: (Sanskrit) "Holy gathering." Association of a group of devotees for non-temple worship and religious study.

sattva guna: (Sanskrit) "Purity." The quality of goodness or purity. See: guna.

satya: (Sanskrit) "Truthfulness." See: yama-niyama.

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

saucha: (Sanskrit) "Purity." See: purity-impurity, yama-niyama.

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

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

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

scarlet: The color red with orange tint.

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

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

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

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

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

Self Realization: Direct knowing of the Self God, Parasiva. Self Realization is known in Sanskrit as nirvikalpa samadhi; "enstasy without form or seed;" the ultimate spiritual attainment (also called asamprajnata samadhi). Esoterically, this state is attained when the mystic kundalini force pierces through the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head. This transcendence of all modes of human consciousness brings the realization or "nonexperience" of That which exists beyond the mind, beyond time, form and space. But even to assign a name to Parasiva, or to its realization is to name that which cannot be named. In fact, it is "experienced" only in its aftermath as a change in perspective, a permanent transformation, and as an intuitive familiarity with the Truth that surpasses understanding. See: God Realization, enstasy, liberation, kundalini, Parasiva, raja yoga, samadhi.

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

self-assertive: Quality of one who makes himself, his ideas, opinions, etc., dominant. Demanding recognition.

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

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

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

servitude: Condition of a slave subject to a master.

seva: (Sanskrit) "Service." Karma yoga. An integral part of the spiritual path, where the aspirant strives to serve without thought of reward or personal gain. The central practice of the charya pada. See: yoga.

seval: (Tamil) The large, red, fighting rooster (kukkuta in Sanskrit) that adorns Lord Murugan's flag, heralding the dawn of wisdom and the conquest of the forces of ignorance. See: Karttikeya.

sexuality: Hinduism has a healthy, unrepressed outlook on human sexuality, and sexual pleasure is part of kama, one of the four goals of life. On matters such as birth control, sterilization, masturbation, homosexuality, bisexuality, petting and polygamy, Hindu scripture is tolerantly silent, neither calling them sins nor encouraging their practice, neither condemning nor condoning. The two important exceptions to this understanding view of sexual experience are adultery and abortion, both of which are considered to carry heavy karmic implications for this and future births. See: abortion, bisexuality, homosexuality.

shabda kosha: (Sanskrit) "Sheath of sounds, or words." Vocabulary; a dictionary or glossary of terms.

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

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

Shakta: (Sanskrit) "Powerful." Of or relating to Shaktism. See: Hinduism, Shaktism, tantrism.

Shakta Tantrism: (Sanskrit) See: Shaktism, tantrism.

Shakti: (Sanskrit) "Power, energy," from the root shak, "to be able." The active power or manifest energy of Siva that pervades all of existence. Its most refined aspect is Parashakti, or Satchidananda, the pure consciousness and primal substratum of all form. This pristine, divine energy unfolds as iccha shakti (the power of desire, will, love), kriya shakti (the power of action) and jnana shakti (the power of wisdom, knowing), represented as the three prongs of Siva's trishula, or trident. From these arise the five powers of revealment, concealment, dissolution, preservation and creation.

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

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

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

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

Shakti Vishishtadvaita: (Sanskrit) The philosophy of Vira Saivism. See: Vira Saivism.

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

Shaktism (Shakta): (Sanskrit) "Doctrine of power." The religion followed by those who worship the Supreme as the Divine Mother--Shakti or Devi--in Her many forms, both gentle and fierce. Shaktism is one of the four primary sects of Hinduism. Shaktism's first historical signs are thousands of female statuettes dated ca 5500 bce recovered at the Mehrgarh village in India. In philosophy and practice, Shaktism greatly resembles Saivism, both faiths promulgating, for example, the same ultimate goals of advaitic union with Siva and moksha. But Shaktas worship Shakti as the Supreme Being exclusively, as the dynamic aspect of Divinity, while Siva is considered solely transcendent and is not worshiped. There are many forms of Shaktism, with endless varieties of practices which seek to capture divine energy or power for spiritual transformation. Geographically, Shaktism has two main forms, the Srikula "family of the Goddess Sri (or Lakshmi)," which respects the brahminical tradition (a mainstream Hindu tradition which respects caste and purity rules) and is strongest in South India; and the Kalikula, "family of Kali," which rejects brahminical tradition and prevails in Northern and Eastern India. Four major expressions of Shaktism are evident today: folk-shamanism, yoga, devotionalism and universalism. Among the eminent mantras of Shaktism is: Aum Hrim Chandikayai Namah, "I bow to Her who tears apart all dualities." There are many varieties of folk Shaktism gravitating around various forms of the Goddess, such as Kali, Durga and a number of forms of Amman. Such worship often involves animal sacrifice and fire-walking, though the former is tending to disappear. See: Amman, Goddess, Ishta Devata, Kali, Shakti, tantrism.

shaktopaya: (Sanskrit) "Way of power." See: upaya.

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

shamanism (shamanic): From the Sanskrit shramana, "ascetic," akin to shram, meaning "to exert." Generally refers to any religion based on the belief that good or evil spirits can be influenced by priests, or shamans, who serve as intermediaries between man and divine forces. Descriptive of many of the world's tribal, indigenous faiths. See also: folk-shamanic, pagan, incantation, mysticism, Shaktism.

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

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

Shankara: (Sanskrit) "Conferring happiness;" "propitious." An epithet of Siva.

Shankara: (Sanskrit) One of Hinduism's most extraordinary monks (788820) and preeminent guru of the Smarta Sampradaya. Noted for his monistic philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, his many scriptural commentaries, and formalizing ten orders of sannyasins with pontifical headquarters at strategic points across India. He lived only 32 years, but traveled throughout India and transformed the Hindu world in that time. See: Dashanami, Shankaracharya pitha, shanmata sthapanacharya, Smarta Sampradaya, Vedanta.

Shankaracharya pitha: (Sanskrit) Advaita monasteries established by Shankara (ca 788820) as centers of Smarta authority in India, each with a distinct guru parampara and a reigning pontiff entitled Shankaracharya, and one of the four Upanishadic mahavakyas as a mantra. East coast: Govardhana Matha, in Puri (center of the Aranya and Vana orders). Himalayas: Jyotih Matha, near Badrinath (Giri, Parvata and Sagara orders). West coast: Sharada Matha, in Dvaraka (Tirtha and Ashrama orders). South: Sringeri Matha (Bharati, Puri and Sarasvati orders). A fifth prominent pitha, associated with Sringeri Matha, is in Kanchipuram, also in the South. See: Dashanami, Smarta, Shankara.

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

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

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

sharana: (Sanskrit) "Refuge." See: Sivasharana, Vira Saivism.

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

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

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

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

Shatapatha Brahmana: (Sanskrit) "Priest manual of 100 paths." A priestly manual of the Shukla Yajur Veda, dealing with theology, philosophy and modes of worship.

shatkona: (Sanskrit) "Six-pointed star," formed by two interlocking triangles, the upper one representing Siva's transcendent Being, and the lower one Siva's manifest energy, Shakti. The shatkona is part of Lord Karttikeya's yantra. See: Ardhanarishvara Karttikeya.

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

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

sheath: A covering or recepticle, such as the husk surrounding a grain of rice. In Sanskrit, it is kosha, philosophically the bodily envelopes of the soul. See: kosha, soul, subtle body.

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

Shiksha Vedanga: (Sanskrit) Auxiliary Vedic texts on Sanskrit phonetics, among four linguistic skills taught for mastery of the Vedas and rites of yajna. Shiksha means "wish to accomplish; learning, study method." See: Vedanga.

Shilpa Shastra: (Sanskrit) "Art or craft manual." 1) A particular class of works which formed the primary teachings on any of the fine arts or sacred sciences, such as architecture, dance, painting, jewelry-making, pottery, weaving, and basketry, garlandry, metal-working, acting, cooking and horsemanship. The earliest Shilpa Shastras are thought to date to 200 bce. Many were written between the 5th and 14th centuries. See: kala64, Sthapatyaveda.

shishya: (Sanskrit) "A pupil or disciple," especially one who has proven himself and has formally been accepted by a guru.

shloka: (Sanskrit) "Verse," from the verbal root, shlok,"to compose." A verse, phrase, proverb or hymn of praise, usually in a specified meter. Especially a verse of two lines, each of sixteen syllables. Shloka is the primary verse form of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. See: bhashya, sutra.

shraddha: (Sanskrit) "Faith; belief." See: pancha shraddha.

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

shraddhadharana: (Sanskrit) "Collection or concentration of faith or belief." A term used in Dancing with Siva for creed, a concise synopsis of religious doctrine. See: creed, faith.

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

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

shruti: (Sanskrit) "That which is heard." Hinduism's revealed scriptures, of supreme theological authority and spiritual value. They are timeless teachings transmitted to rishis, or seers, directly by God thousands of years ago. Shruti is thus said to be apaurusheya, "impersonal," or rather "suprahuman." Shruti consists essentially of the Vedas and the Agamas, preserved initially through oral tradition and eventually written down in Sanskrit. Among the many sacred books of the Hindus, these two bodies of knowledge are held in the highest esteem. For countless centuries shruti has been the basis of philosophical discussion, study and commentary, and this attention has given rise to countless schools of thought. It is also the subject of deep study and meditation, to realize the wisdom of the ancients within oneself. Most mantras are drawn from shruti, used for rites of worship, both public and domestic, as well as personal prayer and japa. It is a remarkable tribute to Hindu culture that so much of shruti was preserved for thousands of years without alteration by means of oral instruction from guru to shishya, generation after generation. In the Veda tradition this was accomplished by requiring the student to learn each verse in eleven different ways, including backwards. Traditionally shruti is not read, but chanted according to extremely precise rules of grammar, pitch, intonation and rhythm. This brings forth its greatest power. In the sacred language of shruti, word and meaning are so closely aligned that hearing these holy scriptures properly chanted is magical in its effect upon the soul of the listener. See: Agamas, smriti, Vedas.

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

Shuddha Saiva Siddhanta: (Sanskrit) "Pure Saiva Siddhanta," a term first used by Tirumular in the Tirumantiram to describe his monistic Saiva Siddhanta and distinguish it from pluralistic Siddhanta and other forms of Siddhanta that do not encompass the ultimate monism of Vedanta.

Shuddhavidya: (Sanskrit) "Pure Knowledge." The fifth tattva in the Saiva Siddhanta system. See: tattva.

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

Shukla Yajur Veda: (Sanskrit) See: Yajur Veda.

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

Shum: A Natha mystical language of meditation revealed in Switzerland in 1968 by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.

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

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

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

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

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

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

siddha yoga: (Sanskrit) "Yoga of perfected attainment, or of supernatural powers." 1) A term used in the Tirumantiram and other Saiva scriptures to describe the yoga which is the way of life of adepts after attaining of Parasiva. Siddha yoga involves the development of magical or mystical powers, or siddhis, such as the eight classical powers. It is a highly advanced yoga which seeks profound transformation of body, mind and emotions and the ability to live in a flawless state of God Consciousness. 2) The highly accomplished practices of certain alchemists. See: siddha yogi, siddhi.

Siddha Yogi Sampradaya: (Sanskrit) Another term for Siddha Siddhanta. See: Siddha Siddhanta.

siddha yogi: (Sanskrit) "Yogi of perfection." A perfected one, adept, a realized being who is the embodiment of the most profound yogic states and has attained magical or mystical powers. See: siddha yoga, siddhi.

siddhanta: (Sanskrit) "Final attainments or conclusions." Siddhanta refers to ultimate understanding arrived at in any given field of knowledge.

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

siddhi: (Sanskrit) "Power, accomplishment; perfection." Extraordinary powers of the soul, developed through consistent meditation and deliberate, grueling, often uncomfortable tapas, or awakened naturally through spiritual maturity and yogic sadhana. Through the repeated experience of Self Realization, siddhis naturally unfold according to the needs of the individual. Before Self Realization, the use or development of siddhis is among the greatest obstacles on the path because it cultivates ahamkara, I-ness, and militates against the attainment of prapatti, complete submission to the will of God, Gods and guru. Six siddhis in particular are considered primary obstacles to samadhi: clairvoyance (adarsha siddhi or divya siddhi), clairaudience (shravana siddhi or divyashravana), divination (pratibha siddhi), super-feeling (vedana siddhi) and super-taste (asvadana siddhi), super-smell (varta siddhi). The eight classical siddhis are: 1) anima: to be as small as an atom; 2)mahima: to become infinitely large; 3) laghima: super-lightness, levitation; 4) prapti: pervasiveness, extension, to be anywhere at will; 5)prakamya: fulfillment of desires; 6) vashitva: control of natural forces; 7) ishititva: supremacy over nature; 8) kama-avasayitva: complete satisfaction. The supreme siddhi (parasiddhi) is realization of the Self, Parasiva. See: ahamkara, prapatti, siddha yoga.

Sikhism: "Discipleship." Religion of nine million members founded in India about 500 years ago by the saint Guru Nanak. A reformist faith which rejects idolatry and the caste system, its holy book is the Adi Granth, and main holy center is the Golden Temple of Amritsar. See: Adi Granth.

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

sin: Intentional transgression of divine law. Akin to the Latin sons, "guilty." Hinduism does not view sin as a crime against God, but as an act against dharma--moral order--and one's own self. It is thought natural, if unfortunate, that young souls act wrongly, for they are living in nescience, avidya, the darkness of ignorance. Sin is an adharmic course of action which automatically brings negative consequences. The term sin carries a double meaning, as do its Sanskrit equivalents: 1) a wrongful act, 2) the negative consequences resulting from a wrongful act. In Sanskrit the wrongful act is known by several terms, including pataka (from pat, "to fall") papa, enas, kilbisha, adharma, anrita and rina (transgress, in the sense of omission). The residue of sin is called papa, sometimes conceived of as a sticky, astral substance which can be dissolved through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya). This astral substance can be psychically seen within the inner, subconscious aura of the individual. Note that papa is also accrued through unknowing or unintentional transgressions of dharma, as in the term aparadha (offense, fault, mistake).--inherent (or original) sin: A doctrine of Semitic faiths whereby each soul is born in sin as a result of Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Sometimes mistakenly compared to the Saiva Siddhanta concept of the three malas, especially anava. See: pasha.--mortal sin: According to some theologies, sins so grave that they can never be expiated and which cause the soul to be condemned to suffer eternally in hell. In Hinduism, there are no such concepts as inherent or mortal sin. See: aura, evil, karma, papa.

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

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

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

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

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

Siva Rakshamani Dipika : (Sanskrit) A purely nondual commentary and interpretation by Appaya Dikshita (15541626) on the writings of Srikantha. See: Saivism.

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

Siva: (Sanskrit) "The auspicious, gracious or kindly one." Supreme Being of the Saivite religion. God Siva is All and in all, simultaneously the creator and the creation, both immanent and transcendent. As personal Deity, He is creator, preserver and destroyer. He is a one being, perhaps best understood in three perfections: Parameshvara (Primal Soul), Parashakti (pure consciousness) and Parasiva (Absolute Reality). See: Ishta Devata, Parameshvara, Parashakti, Parasiva, Nataraja, Sadasiva, Saivism, Satchidananda.

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

Sivachaitanya: (Sanskrit) "God consciousness." See: Siva consciousness.

Sivachara: (Sanskrit) "Treating all as God." See: Vira Saivism.

Sivacharya: (Sanskrit) The hereditary priests of the Saiva Siddhanta tradition. The title of Adisaiva Brahmins. An Adisaiva priest who has received the necessary training and dikshas to perform public Siva temple rites known as Agamic nitya parartha puja. A fully qualified Sivacharya is also known as archaka. Sivacharya, too, names the family clan of this priest tradition. See: Adisaiva. brahmin.

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

Sivakarnamrita: (Sanskrit) A text by Appaya Dikshita (15541626) written to reestablish the superiority of God Siva in the face of widespread conversion to Vaishnavism. See: Appaya Dikshita.

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

Sivalinga: (Sanskrit) "Mark, or sign, of Siva." The most prevalent icon of Siva, found in virtually all Siva temples. A rounded, elliptical, aniconic image, usually set on a circular base, or pitha. The Sivalinga is the simplest and most ancient symbol of Siva, especially of Parasiva, God beyond all forms and qualities. The pitha represents Parashakti, the manifesting power of God. Lingas are usually of stone (either carved or naturally existing, svayambhu, such as shaped by a swift-flowing river), but may also be of metal, precious gems, crystal, wood, earth or transitory materials such as ice. According to the Karana Agama (6), a transitory Sivalinga may be made of 12 different materials: sand, rice, cooked food, river clay, cow dung, butter, rudraksha seeds, ashes, sandalwood, dharba grass, a flower garland or molasses. See: murti, Saivism, svayambhu Linga.

Sivaloka: (Sanskrit) "Realm of Siva." See: loka.

Sivamaya: (Sanskrit) "Formed, made, consisting of or full of Siva." Denotes that all of existence--all worlds, all beings, all of manifestation, that which undergoes creation, preservation and destruction, all dualities and paradoxes--consists of and is pervaded by Siva. An important concept of monistic Saivism. See: sarvabhadra, world, tattva.

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

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

Sivananda: (Sanskrit) "Bliss of Siva." See: Swami Sivananda.

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

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

Sivaratri: (Sanskrit) "Night of Siva." See: Mahasivaratri.

Siva's five faces: See: Sadasiva.

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

Siva-Shakti: (Sanskrit) Father-Mother God, both immanent and transcendent. A name for God Siva encompassing His unmanifest Being and manifest energy. See: Ardhanarishvara, Parameshvara, Primal Soul, Siva.

Sivasharana: (Sanskrit) "One surrendered in God." See: Vira Saivism.

Sivathondan: (Tamil) "Servant of Siva." Conveys the same mystic meaning as Sivanadiyar, denoting a devotee who regularly performs actions dedicated to God Siva; selfless work in service to others. See: karma yoga.

Sivathondu: (Tamil) "Service to Siva." Akin to the concept of karma yoga. See: karma yoga.

Sivaya Namah: (Sanskrit) "Adoration to Siva." Alternate form of Namah Sivaya. See: Namah Sivaya.

Sivena saha Nartanam: (Sanskrit) "Dancing with Siva."

Skanda: (Sanskrit) "Quicksilver; leaping one." One of Lord Karttikeya's oldest names, and His form as scarlet-hued warrior God. See: Karttikeya.

Skanda Shashthi: (Sanskrit) A six-day festival in October-November celebrating Lord Karttikeya's, or Skanda's, victory over the forces of darkness.

slaughter: The killing of animals for food; the murder of many people.

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

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

Smartism: (Sanskrit) Sect based on the secondary scriptures (smriti). The most liberal of the four major Hindu denominations, an ancient Vedic brahminical tradition (ca 700 bce) which from the 9th century onward was guided and deeply influenced by the Advaita Vedanta teachings of the reformist Adi Shankara. Its adherents rely mainly on the classical smriti literature, especially the Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharata, the latter of which includes the Bhagavad Gita), Puranas and Dharma Shastras. These are regarded as complementary to and a means to understanding the Vedas. Smartas adhere to Shankara's view that all Gods are but various depictions of Saguna Brahman. Thus, Smartas are avowedly eclectic, worshiping all the Gods and discouraging sectarianism. The Smarta system of worship, called panchayatana puja, reinforces this outlook by including the major Deity of each primary Hindu sect of ancient days: Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Siva and Shakti. To encompass a sixth important lineage, Shankara recommended the addition of a sixth Deity, Kumara. Thus he was proclaimed shanmata sthapanacharya, founder of the six-fold system. One among the six is generally chosen as the devotee's preferred Deity, Ishta Devata. For spiritual authority, Smartas look to the regional monasteries established across India by Shankara, and to their pontiffs. These are the headquarters of ten orders of renunciate monks who spread the Advaita Vedanta teachings far and wide. Within Smartism three primary religious approaches are distinguished: ritualistic, devotional and philosophical. See: dashanami, panchayatana puja, Shankara.

smriti: (Sanskrit) "That which is remembered; the tradition." Hinduism's nonrevealed, secondary but deeply revered scriptures, derived from man's insight and experience. Smriti speaks of secular matters--science, law, history, agriculture, etc.--as well as spiritual lore, ranging from day-to-day rules and regulations to superconscious outpourings. 1) The term smriti refers to a specific collection of ancient Sanskritic texts as follows: the six or more Vedangas, the four Upavedas, the two Itihasas, and the 18 main Puranas. Among the Vedangas, the Kalpa Vedanga defines codes of ritual in the Shrauta and Shulba Shastras, and domestic-civil laws in the Grihya and Dharma Shastras. Also included as classical smriti are the founding sutras of six ancient philosophies called shad darshana (Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta). 2) In a general sense, smriti may refer to any text other than shruti (revealed scripture) that is revered as scripture within a particular sect. From the vast body of sacred literature, shastra, each sect and school claims its own preferred texts as secondary scripture, e.g., the Ramayana of Vaishnavism and Smartism, or the Tirumurai of Saiva Siddhanta. Thus, the selection of smriti varies widely from one sect and lineage to another. See: Mahabharata, Ramayana, Tirumurai.

snare: A trap for catching animals.

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

solace: A comforting or easing of distress, pain or sorrow.

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

soliloquy: An act of speaking to oneself.

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

Somananda: (Sanskrit) Disciple of Vasugupta and author of Sivadrishti (ca 850900), which was said to be a highly influential explanation and defense of the Kashmir Saiva philosophy. See: Kashmir Saivism.

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

soul: The real being of man, as distinguished from body, mind and emotions. The soul--known as atman or purusha--is the sum of its two aspects, the form or body of the soul and the essence of the soul (though many texts use the word soul to refer to the essence only).--essence or nucleus of the soul: Man's innermost and unchanging being--Pure Consciousness (Parashakti or Satchidananda) and Absolute Reality (Parasiva). This essence was never created, does not change or evolve and is eternally identical with God Siva's perfections of Parashakti and Parasiva.--soul body: anandamaya kosha ("sheath of bliss"), also referred to as the "causal body" (karana sharira), "innermost sheath" and "body of light." Body of the soul, or soul body, names the soul's manifest nature as an individual being--an effulgent, human-like form composed of light (quantums). It is the emanational creation of God Siva, destined to one day merge back into Him. During its evolution, the soul functions through four types of outer sheaths that envelope the soul form--mental, instinctive-intellectual, vital and physical--and employs the mental faculties of manas, buddhi and ahamkara, as well as the five agents of perception (jnanendriyas), and five agents of action (karmendriyas). The "soul body" is not a body in sense of a case, a vessel, vehicle or enclosure for something else. The soul body is the soul itself--a radiant, self-effulgent, human-like, super-intelligent being. Its very composition is Satchidananda in various subtle levels of manifestation. It is the finest of subatomic forms, on the quantum level. The soul form evolves as its consciousness evolves, becoming more and more refined until finally it is the same intensity or refinement as the Primal Soul, Parameshvara. The experiences of life, in all the various planes of consciousness, are "food for the soul," reaping lessons that actually raise the level of intelligence and divine love. Thus, very refined souls, whether embodied or in the disembodied, ajiva, state, are like walking intelligences with inventive creativeness and powers of preservation, beaming with love and luminosity in their self-effulgent bodies of quantum light particles. See: atman, evolution of the soul, indriya, kosha, Parashakti, Parasiva, purusha, quantum, Satchidananda, spiritual unfoldment.

Soundless Sound: Paranada. See: nada.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

speculate (speculation): To conjecture, reflect, think or meditate on a subject. See: meditation, self-reflection.

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

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

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

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

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

spiritual unfoldment: Adhyatma vikasa. The unfoldment of the spirit, the inherent, divine soul of man. The very gradual expansion of consciousness as kundalini shakti slowly rises through the sushumna. The term spiritual unfoldment indicates this slow, imperceptible process, likened to a lotus flower's emerging from bud to effulgent beauty. Contrasted with development, which implies intellectual study; or growth, which implies character building and sadhana. Sound intellect and good character are the foundation for spiritual unfoldment, but they are not the unfoldment itself. When philosophical training and sadhana is complete, the kundalini rises safely and imperceptively, without jerks, twitches, tears or hot flashes. Brings greater willpower, compassion and perceptive qualities. See: adhyatma vikasa, kundalini, liberation, pada, sadhana, sadhana marga, San Marga, tapas.

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

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

Sri Chakra: (Sanskrit) "Venerated wheel." See: yantra.

Sri Lanka: "Venerable lion." Island country off the southeast tip of India, formerly called Ceylon, 80% Buddhist, home to several million Tamil Saivites who live mostly in the arid north. It was a British colony until independence in 1948 as a member of the Commonwealth; became a republic in 1972; 25,000 square miles, 15 million population.

sri paduka: (Sanskrit) The guru's holy sandals. See: paduka.

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

sri: (Sanskrit) "Radiant, beautiful, majestic; prosperous." An honorific prefix meaning "sacred, holy," often attached to the names of Deities (as in Sri Ganesha); to the names of scriptural works or eminent persons; similar to the English reverend or, more commonly, Mr. (the feminine equivalent is shrimati).

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

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

Srinagara: (Sanskrit) A principal city of Kashmir.

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

srishti (Sanskrit) "Creation." See: Nataraja.

stave off: To push back, impede, keep from happening.

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

sthapati: (Sanskrit) From stha, "building" or "place," and pati, "lord or father." A master of Agamic temple architecture, sculpture, city planning and other traditional building arts. A sthapati must be well versed in the Shilpa Shastras, experienced in all aspects of temple construction, pious, mystically trained and a good administrator, able to direct and guide a team of shilpis, stonecutters, carvers, sculptors, woodworkers, etc. See: Shilpa Shastras, Stapatyaveda.

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

sthiti: (Sanskrit) "Preservation." See: Nataraja.

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

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

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

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

stranglehold: Any action that suppresses freedom or cuts off life.

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

stri dharma: (Sanskrit) "Womanly conduct." See: dharma.

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

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

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

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

sublime: Noble, grand. Inspiring awe or reverence.

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

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

Subramuniyaswami: Current and 162nd satguru (1927) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. He was ordained Sivaya Subramuniyaswami by Sage Yogaswami on the full-moon day of May 12, 1949, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, at 6:21 pm. This was just days after he had attained nirvikalpa samadhi in the caves of Jalani. Yogaswami, then 77, ordained the 22-year old yogi with a tremendous slap on the back, saying, "This will be heard in America," and conferring upon him the mission to bring the fullness of Saivism to the West. Local devotees called the initiation a coronation. That same year, while still in Sri Lanka, Subramuniyaswami founded the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order and Saiva Siddhanta Church at the Sri Subramuniya Ashrama in Alaveddy. Returning to America, he spent the next six years preparing for his teaching mission through intense sadhana and tapas. He began actively teaching in 1957 when he founded the Himalayan Academy. In 1970, he established his international headquarters and monastery complex, Kauai Aadheenam, on Hawaii's Garden Island of Kauai. Five years later, he designated a portion of the 51-acre holy site as the San Marga Sanctuary, future site of Iraivan Temple, carved of white granite stone in Bangalore, India. To spearhead a growing Hindu renaissance, he founded Hinduism Today in 1979, an international monthly, full-color magazine acclaimed the world over as the the greatest advent in Hindu publishing this century. In August of 1986, the World Religious Parliament in New Delhi honored Subramuniyaswami as one of five Hindu spiritual leaders outside of India who had most dynamically promoted Sanatana Dharma in the past 25 years. He was given the title Jagadacharya, "World Teacher." In 1995 the Parliament bestowed on him the title of Dharmachakra for his remarkable publications. In April of 1988, he was selected to represent Hinduism at the five-day Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders for Human Survival, held in England at Oxford University, and again in Moscow from January 11 to 15, 1990; and in Brazil, June 57, 1992. At Chicago's historic centenary Parliament of the World's Religions in September, 1993, he was elected to the Presidents' Assembly, a core group of 25 men and women representing the world's faiths. In late 1996 Gurudeva transformed "Hinduism Today" to a magazine, a quantum leap that extended its global reach and impact in Hindu communities. In 1997 he responded to President Bill Clinton's call for religious opinions on the ethics of human cloning and spearheded the 125th anniversary and diaspora pilgrimage of Sri Lanka's Sage Yogaswami. In Kerala, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad honored him as "The Hindu Voice of the Century." Throughout that same year he was a key member of Vision Kauai, a small group of indigenous and political leaders meeting to fashion the island's future based on ethical values.

Over the years Subramuniyaswami has written hundreds of tracts and books, which have been distributed in the tens of thousands in many languages. Especially in the 1980s, he lectured worldwide and established the worship in numerous Hindu temples. Gurudeva teaches the traditional Saivite Hindu path to enlightenment, a path that leads the soul from simple service to worshipful devotion to God, from the disciplines of meditation and yoga to the direct knowing of Divinity within. His insights into the nature of consciousness provide a key for quieting the external mind and revealing to aspirants their deeper states of being, which are eternally perfect, full of light, love, serenity and wisdom. He urges all seekers to live a life of ahimsa, harmlessness towards nature, people and creatures, an ethic which includes vegetarianism. From his ashrama in Hawaii, Gurudeva continues to follow his satguru's instruction to bring Saivism to the Western world by teaching others to "know thy Self by thyself" and thus "see God Siva everywhere." Through the ordained swamis of the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order, he trains young men in the ancient path of brahmacharya, enlightenment and service to humanity. Over 30 full-time monks, along with extended family groups in eight countries, have joined to fulfill this parampara's mission to further monistic Saiva Siddhanta and Hindu solidarity.

The name Subramuniya is a Tamil spelling of the Sanskrit Shubhramunya (not to be confused with Subramanya). It is formed from shubhra meaning "light; intuition," and muni, "silent sage." Ya means "restraint; religious meditation." Thus, Subramuniya means a self-restrained soul who remains silent or, when he speaks, speaks out from intuition.

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

substance: Essence; real nature.

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

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

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

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

subtle plane: See: loka, three worlds.

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

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

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

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

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

Sundaranathar: (Tamil) "Beautiful lord." Original name of Natha Siddha Tirumular before he trekked to South India from the Himalayas. See: Tirumular.

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

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

supernatural: Beyond or transcending the natural laws of the physical cosmos. Of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible universe, referring to events, agencies or knowledge superseding or mystically explaining the laws of nature. See: mysticism, shamanism.

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

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

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

supreme: Highest in rank, power, authority.

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

surpass: To excel; to be superior to.

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

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

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

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

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

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

sutala: (Sanskrit) "Great depth." Region of obsessive jealousy and retaliation. The third chakra below the muladhara, centered in the knees. Corresponds to the third astral netherworld beneath the earth's surface, called Samhata ("abandoned") or Sutala. See: chakra, loka, Naraka.

sutra: (Sanskrit) "Thread." An aphoristic verse; the literary style consisting of such maxims. From 500 bce, this style was widely adopted by Indian philosophical systems and eventually employed in works on law, grammar, medicine, poetry, crafts, etc. Each sutra is often accompanied by a commentary called bhashya and sometimes subcommentary called tika, vyakhyana or tippani. Through the media of short, concise, easily memorized sutras, vast amounts of knowledge were preserved. Reciting relevant sutra texts from memory is a daily sadhana in various Hindu arts and sciences. Sutra also names the wife's wedding pendant (mangala sutra). See: bhashya, wedding pendant.

svadharma: (Sanskrit) "One's own way." See: dharma.

svadhishthana: (Sanskrit) "One's own base." See: chakra.

svadhyaya: (Sanskrit) "Self-reflection; scriptural study." See: yama-niyama.

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

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

Svatmarama: (Sanskrit) See: Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

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

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

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

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

swami: (Sanskrit) "Lord; owner." He who knows or is master of himself. A respectful title for a Hindu monk, usually a sannyasin, an initiated, orange-robed renunciate, dedicated wholly to religious life. As a sign of respect, the term swami is sometimes applied more broadly to include nonmonastics dedicated to spiritual work. See: monk, sannyasa dharma, sannyasin.

Swami Sivananda: (Sanskrit) One of Hinduism's most influential modern-day saints (18871963). He was born in South India, practiced medicine in Malaysia, published a medical journal, became administrator of a hospital and later renounced the world. He was initiated by Swami Vishvananda Sarasvati at Rishikesh in 1924, and founded the Divine Life Society in 1939, which has branches in many countries today. He has been a powerful force in spreading Hindu teachings in India and abroad through his many books and the travels of his numerous swamis. Emphasized hatha and raja yoga and a broad, universal form of Hinduism.

swamini: (Sanskrit) The feminine equivalent of the term swami. See: monastic, nunk, sannyasa, swami.

swastika (svastika): (Sanskrit) "Sign of auspiciousness," From su ("wellness," "auspiciousness") and astu, "be it so." The ancient Hindu symbol of good fortune, representing the sun. The right-angled arms of the swastika denote the indirect way Divinity is reached--through intuition, not by intellect. It has been a prominent icon in many cultures. See: murti.

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

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

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

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

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