Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

C

ca: Abbreviation for circa--Latin for "approximately"--used with dates that are not precise, e.g., ca 650 means "around the year 650."

cadenced: In measured, modulated, rhythmic voice.

callous: Unfeeling, not sensitive, lacking compassion or pity. See: yama-niyama.

camphor: Karpura. An aromatic white crystalline solid derived from the wood of camphor trees (or prepared synthetically from pinene), prized as fuel in temple arati lamps. See: arati, puja.

canon: The religious laws governing a sect or a religion. Body of accepted or authorized scriptures.

caste: A hierarchical system, called varna dharma (or jati dharma), established in India in ancient times, which determined the privileges, status, rights and duties of the many occupational groups, wherein status is determined by heredity. There are four main estates (varnas)--brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra--and innumerable castes, called jati. See: varna dharma.

catalyst: A person or thing acting as a stimulus upon another, whose presence brings about change. Difficulties can be a catalyst for spiritual unfoldment. Catalyst is sometimes used to name a teacher or facilitator.

causal body: Karana sharira, the inmost body; the soul form, also called anandamaya kosha, "bliss sheath," and actinic causal body. See: kosha, soul.

causal plane: Highest plane of existence, Sivaloka. See: loka.

cause: Karana. Anything which produces an effect, a result. --efficient cause: (nimitta karana) That which directly produces the effect; that which conceives, makes, shapes, etc., such as the potter who fashions a clay pot, or God who creates the world. --material cause: (upadana karana) The matter from which the effect is formed, as the clay which is shaped into a pot, or God as primal substance becoming the world. --instrumental cause: (sahakari karana) That which serves as a means, mechanism or tool in producing the effect, such as the potter's wheel, necessary for making a pot, or God's generative Shakti. See: maya, tattva.

ce: Abbreviation for "common era." Equivalent to the abbreviation ad. Following a date, it indicates that the year in question comes after the year zero in the Western, or Gregorian calender, system. E.g., 300 ce is 300 years after the turn of the millennium. Cf: bce.

celestial: "Of the sky or heavens." Of or relating to the heavenly regions or beings. Highly refined, divine.

celibacy: Complete sexual abstinence. Also the state of a person who has vowed to remain unmarried. See: brahmachari, brahmacharya.

centillion: The number 1 followed by 600 zeros. An unimaginably large figure.

ceremony: A formal rite established by custom or authority as proper to special occasions. From the Latin caerimonia, "awe; reverent rite."

cf: An abbreviation for "compare." A scholastic notation.

chaitanya: (Sanskrit) "Spirit, consciousness, especially higher consciousness; Supreme Being."A widely used term, often preceded by modifiers, e.g., sakshi chaitanya, "witness consciousness," or bhakti chaitanya, "devotional consciousness," or Sivachaitanya, "God consciousness." See: chitta, consciousness, mind (five states), Siva consciousness.

Chaitanya: (Sanskrit) A renowned Vaishnava saint (1485-1534), revered today especially in Bengal and Orissa, remembered for his ecstatic states of devotion. He taught a dualistic philosophy in which bhakti (devotion) to the divine couple Radha and Krishna is the only means to liberation. Practice revolves mainly around kirtana, devotional singing and dancing. He gave prominence to the Gaudiya Vaishnava sect, of which several branches thrive today, including ISKCON. See: Krishna, Vaishnavism, Vedanta.

chakra: (Sanskrit) "Wheel." Any of the nerve plexes or centers of force and consciousness located within the inner bodies of man. In the physical body there are corresponding nerve plexuses, ganglia and glands. The seven principal chakras can be seen psychically as colorful, multi-petaled wheels or lotuses. They are situated along the spinal cord from the base to the cranial chamber. Additionally, seven chakras, barely visible, exist below the spine. They are seats of instinctive consciousness, the origin of jealousy, hatred, envy, guilt, sorrow, etc. They constitute the lower or hellish world, called Naraka or patala. Thus, there are 14 major chakras in all.

The seven upper chakras, from lowest to highest, are: 1)muladhara (base of spine): memory, time and space; 2)svadhishthana (below navel): reason; 3)manipura (solar plexus): willpower; 4)anahata (heart center): direct cognition; 5)vishuddha (throat): divine love; 6) ajna (third eye): divine sight; 7)sahasrara (crown of head): illumination, Godliness.

The seven lower chakras, from highest to lowest, are 1)atala (hips): fear and lust; 2) vitala (thighs): raging anger; 3) sutala (knees): retaliatory jealousy; 4) talatala (calves): prolonged mental confusion; 5) rasatala (ankles): selfishness; 6) mahatala (feet): absence of conscience; 7) patala (located in the soles of the feet): murder and malice. See: pradakshina, Naraka (also: individual chakra entries).

Chalukya: (Sanskrit) Indian dynasty (450-1189) in the Punjab area. Buddhism and Saivism were prominent. This dynasty completed the Buddhist Ajanta Cave frescoes and advanced the art of Hindu temple building.

chandana: (Sanskrit) "Sandalwood paste." One of the sacred substances offered during puja and afterwards distributed to devotees as a sacrament (prasada).

Chandas Vedanga: (Sanskrit) Auxiliary Vedic texts on the metrical rules of poetic writing. Chanda, meter, is among four linguistic skills taught for mastery of the Vedas and the rites of yajna. Chandas means "desire; will; metrical science." The most important text on Chandas is the Chanda Shastra, ascribed to Pingala (ca 200 bce). See: Vedanga.

Chandogya Upanishad: (Sanskrit) One of the major Upanishads, it consists of eight chapters of the Chandogya Brahmana of the Sama Veda. It teaches the origin and significance of Aum, the importance of the Sama Veda, the Self, meditation and life after death. See: Upanishad.

chandra: (Sanskrit) "The moon." Of central importance in Hindu astrology and in the calculation of the festival calendar. Considered the ruler of emotion.

Charvaka: (Sanskrit) "Good or sweet voice or word." Indian philosopher (ca 600 bce) who fashioned the school of pure materialism bearing his name. One of the great skeptics of all time. See: nastika.

charya pada: (Sanskrit) "Conduct stage." Stage of service and character building. See: pada, Saiva Siddhanta, Saivism.

chaturdharma: (Sanskrit) "Four dharmas:" rita, ashrama dharma, varna dharma and svadharma. See: dharma.

chela: (Sanskrit) "Disciple." (Hindi.) A disciple of a guru; synonym for shishya. The feminine equivalent is chelina or cheli.

Chellappaswami: (Tamil) "Wealthy father." Reclusive siddha and 160th satguru (1840-1915) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara, he lived on Sri Lanka's Jaffna peninsula near Nallur Kandaswami Temple in a small hut where today there is a small samadhi shrine. Among his disciples was Sage Yogaswami, whom he trained intensely for five years and initiated as his successor. See: Kailasa Parampara, Natha Sampradaya.

Chennabasavanna: (Sanskrit) "Little Basavanna." The 12th-century theologian who systematized the religious doctrine of Vira Saivism.

Chidambaram: (Tamil) "Hall of Consciousness." A very famous South Indian Siva Nataraja temple. See: Nataraja.

Chinna Bomman: (Tamil) King of Vellore, an area near Chennai (1559-1579), patron and disciple of Appaya Dikshita.

chit: (Sanskrit) "Consciousness" or "awareness." Philosophically, "pure awareness; transcendent consciousness," as in Sat-chit-ananda. In mundane usage, chit means "perception; consciousness." See: awareness, chitta, consciousness, mind (universal), sakshin.

chitsabha: (Sanskrit) "Hall of consciousness." See: Nataraja.

chitta: (Sanskrit) "Mind; consciousness." Mind-stuff. On the personal level, it is that in which mental impressions and experiences are recorded. Seat of the conscious, subconscious and superconscious states, and of the three-fold mental faculty, called antahkarana, consisting of buddhi, manas and ahamkara. See: awareness, consciousness, mind (individual), mind (universal), sakshin.

chudakarana: (Sanskrit) "Head-shaving sacrament." See: samskara.

circumambulation: Pradakshina. Walking around, usually clockwise. See: pradakshina, puja.

citadel: Fortress, usually situated on a height.

clairaudience: "Clear-hearing." Psychic or divine hearing, divyashravana. The ability to hear the inner currents of the nervous system, the Aum and other mystic tones. Hearing in one's mind the words of inner-plane beings or earthly beings not physically present. Also, hearing the nadanadi shakti through the day or while in meditation. See: clairvoyance, nada.

clairvoyance: "Clear-seeing." Psychic or divine sight, divyadrishti. The ability to look into the inner worlds and see auras, chakras, nadis, thought forms, non-physical people and subtle forces. The ability to see from afar or into the past or future--avadhijnana, "knowing beyond limits."Also the ability to separate the light that illumines one's thoughts from the forms the light illumines. Also, duradarshana, "far-seeing," the modern Sanskrit term for television in India. Duradarshin names a seer or prophet. See: akasha.

coarse: Of poor quality; gross, rough cut. Not fine or refined.

coexistent: "Existing together."

cognition: Knowing; perception. Knowledge reached through intuitive, superconscious faculties rather than through intellect alone.

cognitive body: Vijnanamaya kosha. The most refined sheath of the astral, or subtle, body (sukshma sharira). It is the sheath of higher thought and cognition. See: astral body, kosha.

cohesive: Remaining together; not disintegrating.

coined: Made up; invented.

commemorative: Anything that honors the memory of a departed person or past event. See: shraddha.

commencement: Beginning.

commission: To give an order or power for something to be made or done.

commitment: Dedication or engagement to a long-term course of action.

commune: To communicate closely, sharing thoughts, feelings or prayers in an intimate way. To be in close rapport.

compatible: Capable of combining well; getting along, harmonious.

compensate: To make up for; counteract; recompense.

component: An element; one of the parts constituting a whole.

comprehend: Understand.

comprehensive: Including much or all.

comprise: To consist of; be composed of.

concealing grace: See: grace, tirodhana shakti.

conceive: To form or develop an idea, thought, belief or attitude.

concentration: Uninterrupted and sustained attention. See: raja yoga.

concept: An idea or thought, especially a generalized or abstract idea.

conception: Power to imagine, conceive or create. Moment when a pregnancy is begun, a new earthly body generated.--the point of conception; the apex of creation: The simple instant that precedes any creative impulse and is therefore the source and summit of the powers of creation or manifestation. To become conscious of the point of conception is a great siddhi.

concomitant: Accompanying a condition or circumstance.

concord: Harmony and agreement; peaceful relations.

condone: To forgive, pardon or overlook.

confer: To give or grant, especially an honor or privilege.

confession: An admission of guilt or acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

confidentiality: The ability to keep confidences or information told in trust; not divulging private or secret matters.

confine(s): Boundary, limits, border. To restrict or keep within limits.

conflagration: A large, destructive fire.

conform: To be in accord or agreement with.

conformity: Action in accordance with customs, rules, prevailing opinion.

congregational worship: Worship done as a group, such as synchronized singing, community prayers or other participatory worship by individuals sharing a strict membership to a particular organization, with no other religious affiliations. Hindu worship is strongly congregational within ashramas and tightly organized societies, but usually noncongregational in the general sphere. See: bhajana, kirtana, puja, yajna.

conquest: Act or process of overcoming.

conscience: The inner sense of right and wrong, sometimes called "the knowing voice of the soul." However, the conscience is affected by the individual's training and belief patterns, and is therefore not necessarily a perfect reflection of dharma. In Sanskrit the conscience is known as antaryamin, "inner guide," or dharmabuddhi, "moral wisdom." Other terms are sadasadvichara shakti "good-bad reflective power" and samjnana, "right conception." It is the subconscious of the person--the sum total of past impressions and training--that defines the creedal structure and colors the conscience and either clearly reflects or distorts superconscious wisdom. If the subconscious has been impressed with Western beliefs, for example, of Christianity, Judaism, existentialism or materialism, the conscience will be different than when schooled in the Vedic dharma of Shaktism, Smartism, Saivism or Vaishnavism. This psychological law has to do with the superconscious mind working through the subconscious (an interface known as the subsuperconscious) and explains why the dharma of one's sampradaya must be fully learned as a young child for the conscience to be free of conflict. The Sanatana Dharma, fully and correctly understood provides the purest possible educational creedal structure, building a subconscious that is a clear, unobstructing channel for superconscious wisdom, the soul's innate intelligence, to be expressed through the conscience. Conscience is thus the sum of two things: the superconscious knowing (which is the same in all people) and the creedal belief structure through which the superconscious flows. This explains why people in different cultures have different consciences. See: creed, dharma, mind (individual).

conscious mind: The external, everyday state of consciousness. See: mind.

consciousness: Chitta or chaitanya. 1) A synonym for mind-stuff, chitta; or 2) the condition or power of perception, awareness, apprehension. There are myriad gradations of consciousness, from the simple sentience of inanimate matter to the consciousness of basic life forms, to the higher consciousness of human embodiment, to omniscient states of superconsciousness, leading to immersion in the One universal consciousness, Parashakti. Chaitanya and chitta can name both individual consciousness and universal consciousness. Modifiers indicate the level of awareness, e.g., vyashti chaitanya, "individual consciousness;" buddhi chitta, "intellectual consciousness;" Sivachaitanya, "God consciousness." Five classical "states" of awareness are discussed in scripture: 1) wakefulness (jagrat), 2) "dream" (svapna) or astral consciousness, 3) "deep sleep" (sushupti) or subsuperconsciousness, 4) the superconscious state beyond (turiya "fourth") and
5) the utterly transcendent state called turiyatita ("beyond the fourth"). See: awareness, chitta, chaitanya, mind (all entries).

consecrate: To declare holy, or designate for sacred or religious use.

consecrated temple: A temple duly and fully established in all three worlds through formal religious ceremony known as kumbhabisheka.

consent: Accord; agreement; approval, especially for a proposed act.

console: To make someone feel less sad or disappointed. To comfort.

consolidate: To make stronger by bringing several things into a single whole.

consort: Spouse, especially of a king or queen, God or Goddess. Among the Gods there are actually no sexes or sexual distinctions, though in mythological folk-narratives, Hinduism traditionally represents these great beings in elaborate anthropomorphic depictions. Matrimony and human-like family units among the Gods are derived from educational tales intended to illustrate the way people should and should not live. See: Shakti.

contemplation: Religious or mystical absorption beyond meditation. See: enstasy, raja yoga, samadhi.

contend: To hold as a belief or assert as fact.

continence (continent): Restraint, moderation or, most strictly, total abstinence from sexual activity. See: brahmacharya.

conversely: A word used to introduce a concept with terms similar to a previous one, but in reversed order.

conversion to Hinduism: Entering Hinduism has traditionally required little more than accepting and living the beliefs and codes of Hindus. This remains the basic factor of adoption, although there are, and always have been, formal ceremonies recognizing an individual's entrance into the religion, particularly the namakarana, or naming rite. The most obvious sign of true sincerity of adoption or conversion is the total abandoning of the former name and the choosing of the Hindu name, usually the name of a God or Goddess, and then making it legal on one's passport, identity card, social security card and driver's license. This name is used at all times, under all circumstances, particularly with family and friends. This is severance. This is adoption. This is embracing Hinduism. This is conversion. This is true sincerity and considered by born members as the most honorable and trusted testimony of those who choose to join the global congregation of the world's oldest religion. Many temples in India and other countries will ask to see the passport or other appropriate identification before admitting devotees of non-Indian origin for more than casual worship. It requires nothing more than one's own commitment to the process. Belief is the keynote of religious conviction, and the beliefs vary greatly among the different religions of the world. What we believe forms our attitudes, shapes our lives and molds our destiny. To choose one's beliefs is to choose one's religion. Those who find themselves at home with the beliefs of Hinduism are, on a simple level, Hindu. Formally entering a new religion, however, is a serious commitment. Particularly for those with prior religious ties it is sometimes painful and always challenging.

The acceptance of outsiders into the Hindu fold has occurred for thousands of years. As Swami Vivekananda once said, "Born aliens have been converted in the past by crowds, and the process is still going on." Dr. S. Radhakrishnan confirms the swami's views in a brief passage from his well known book The Hindu View of Life: "In a sense, Hinduism may be regarded as the first example in the world of a missionary religion. Only its missionary spirit is different from that associated with the proselytizing creeds. It did not regard it as its mission to convert humanity to any one opinion. For what counts is conduct and not belief. Worshipers of different Gods and followers of different rites were taken into the Hindu fold. The ancient practice of vratyastoma, described fully in the Tandya Brahmana, shows that not only individuals but whole tribes were absorbed into Hinduism. Many modern sects accept outsiders. Dvala's Smriti lays down rules for the simple purification of people forcibly converted to other faiths, or of womenfolk defiled and confined for years, and even of people who, for worldly advantage, embrace other faiths (p. 28-29)." See: Hindu, Hinduism.

cope: To contend with on equal terms. To face or deal with difficulties.

cosmic: Universal; vast. Of or relating to the cosmos or entire universe.

cosmic cycle: One of the infinitely recurring periods of the universe, comprising its creation, preservation and dissolution. These cycles are measured in periods of progressive ages, called yugas. Satya (or Krita), Treta, Dvapara and Kali are the names of these four divisions, and they repeat themselves in that order, with the Satya Yuga being the longest and the Kali Yuga the shortest. The comparison is often made of these ages with the cycles of the day: Satya Yuga being morning until noon, the period of greatest light or enlightenment, Treta Yuga afternoon, Dvapara evening, and Kali Yuga the darkest part of the night. Four yugas equal one mahayuga. Theories vary, but by traditional astronomical calculation, a mahayuga equals 4,320,000 solar years (or 12,000 "divine years;" one divine year is 360 solar years)--with the Satya Yuga lasting 1,728,000 years, Treta Yuga 1,296,000 years, Dvapara Yuga 864,000 years, and Kali Yuga 432,000 years. Mankind is now experiencing the Kali Yuga, which began at midnight, February 18, 3102 bce (year one on the Hindu calendar [see Hindu Timeline]) and will end in approximately 427,000 years. (By another reckoning, one mahayuga equals approximately two million solar years.) A dissolution called laya occurs at the end of each mahayuga, when the physical world is destroyed by flood and fire. Each destructive period is followed by the succession of creation (srishti), evolution or preservation (sthiti) and dissolution (laya). A summary of the periods in the cosmic cycles:

1 mahayuga = 4,320,000 years (four yugas)

71 mahayugas = 1 manvantara or manu (we are in the 28th mahayuga)

14 manvantaras = 1 kalpa or day of Brahma (we are in the 7th manvantara)

2 kalpas = 1 ahoratra or day and night of Brahma

360 ahoratras = 1 year of Brahma

100 Brahma years = 309,173,760,000,000 years (one "lifetime" of Brahma, or the universe). We are in Brahma Year 51 of the current cycle.

At the end of every kalpa or day of Brahma a greater dissolution, called pralaya (or kalpanta, "end of an eon"), occurs when both the physical and subtle worlds are absorbed into the causal world, where souls rest until the next kalpa begins. This state of withdrawal or "night of Brahma," continues for the length of an entire kalpa until creation again issues forth. After 36,000 of these dissolutions and creations there is a total, universal annihilation, mahapralaya, when all three worlds, all time, form and space, are withdrawn into God Siva. After a period of total withdrawal a new universe or lifespan of Brahma begins. This entire cycle repeats infinitely. This view of cosmic time is recorded in the Puranas and the Dharma Shastras. See: mahapralaya.

Cosmic Dance: See: Nataraja.

Cosmic Soul: Purusha or Parameshvara. Primal Soul. The Universal Being; Personal God. See: Parameshvara, Primal Soul, purusha, Siva.

cosmology: "Cosmos-knowledge." The area of metaphysics pertaining to the origin and structure of the universe. Hindu cosmology includes both inner and outer worlds of existence. See: tattva.

cosmos: The universe, or whole of creation, especially with reference to its order, harmony and completeness. See: Brahmanda, loka, three worlds, tattva.

covenant: A binding agreement to do or keep from doing certain things.

covet: To want ardently, especially something belonging to another. To envy.

cranial chakras: The ajna, or third-eye center, and the sahasrara, at the top of the head near the pineal and pituitary glands. See: chakra.

creation: The act of creating, especially bringing the world into ordered existence. Also, all of created existence, the cosmos. Creation, according to the monistic-theistic view, is an emanation or extension of God, the Creator. It is Himself in another form, and not inherently something other than Him. See: cause, tattva.

creator: He who brings about creation. Siva as one of His five powers. See: creation, Nataraja, Parameshvara.

creed: Sh raddhadharana. An authoritative formulation of the beliefs of a religion. Historically, creeds have arisen to protect doctrinal purity when religions are transplanted into foreign cultures. See: conscience.

cremation: Dahana. Burning of the dead. Cremation is the traditional system of disposing of bodily remains, having the positive effect of releasing the soul most quickly from any lingering attachment to the earth plane. In modern times, cremation facilities are widely available in nearly every country, though gas-fueled chambers generally take the place of the customary wood pyre. Embalming, commonly practiced even if the body is to be cremated, is ill-advised, as it injures the astral body and can actually be felt by the departed soul, as would an autopsy. Should it be necessary to preserve the body a few days to allow time for relatives to arrive, it is recommended that hot ice surround the body and that the coffin be kept closed. Arrangements for this service should be made well in advance with the mortuary. Note that the remains of enlightened masters are sometimes buried or sealed in a special tomb called a samadhi. This is done in acknowledgement of the extraordinary attainment of such a soul, whose very body, having become holy, is revered as a sacred presence, sannidhya, and which not infrequently becomes the spiritual seed of a temple or place of pilgrimage. See: bone-gathering, death, reincarnation, sannidhya.

cringe: To retreat, bend or crouch in an attitude of fear, especially from something dangerous or painful.

crown chakra: Sahasrara chakra. The thousand-petaled cranial center of divine consciousness. See: chakra.

crucial: Of supreme importance; decisive; critical.

crude: Raw. Not prepared or refined. Lacking grace, tact or taste. Uncultured.

crux: The essential or deciding point.

culminate: To reach the highest point or climax. Result.

culture: Development or refinement of intellect, emotions, interests, manners, and tastes. The ideals, customs, skills and arts of a people or group that are transmitted from one generation to another. Culture is refined living that arises in a peaceful, stable society. Hindu culture arises directly out of worship in the temples. The music, the dance, the art, the subtleties of mannerism and interraction between people all have their source in the humble devotion to the Lord, living in the higher, spiritual nature, grounded in the security of the immortal Self within.