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Satsang Glossary

Y V U T S R P N M B C D E F G H I J K L A

ãchãrya
Establisher of a religious doctrine or a school of philosophy. The later ãchãryas, starting with Shankarãchãrya, established a school of philosophy, having written commentaries on the Vyãs Sutras, the Upanishads and the Bhagwad Gitã.
adharma
'Opposite of dharma'. That which transgresses dharma. Unrighteousness. Immorality. See: dharma.
adhibhut
1) Indriyas' organs, i.e., sthul body of the jiva {Loyã-15}.
2) Five mahãbhuts, i.e., sthul body of Virãt-Purush {Gadhada II-10}.
adhidev
1) Governing demigod of the indriyas of the jiva {Loyã-15}.
2) Governing demigod of the indriyas of Virãt-Purush {Gadhada II-10}.
adhyãtma
1) Indriyas of the jiva {Loyã-15.2}.
2) Indriyas of Virãt-Purush {Gadhada II-10}.
Advait
'Non-dual'. The monotheistic doctrine propounded prominently by Shankarãchãrya that states that the ultimate reality is only one (i.e., 'non-dual') principal substance - nirgun Brahma - and that all else is merely an illusion.
ahamkãr
1) 'I-ness-maker'. One of the four aspects of the antahkaran, characterised by its function of giving rise to the sense of self, i.e., sense of individual existence.
2) On a cosmic level, a product of mahattattva, which is of three types - sãttvik-ahamkãr, rãjas-ahamkãr and tãmas-ahamkãr - and from which, in turn, the remaining elements are produced. By nature, it is passive, dense and totally ignorant {Gadhada I-12; Gadhada I-12}.
Ãhir
Specific sub-caste of the Vaishya caste traditionally engaged in commercial activities.
akartum
Extraordinary divine power of God whereby He exercises restraint in His power to eclipse the infinite muktas of Akshardhãm by His own divine light and prevail alone {Loyã-13}
ãkãsh
1) 'Space/ether' or vacuum. One of the five gross elements, from which the sthul body of Virãt-Purush, i.e., the physical world, is formed. By nature, it provides space for all jivas, is the cause of the internal and external activities of their bodies, and is also where the prãns, indriyas and antahkarans reside {Gadhada I-12}. The strongest of the five elements since it supports and pervades all of the other four {Gadhada I-56} - yet remains wholly unaffected by them {Kãriyani-8}. See also: mahãbhuts.
2) Also refers to space.
3) Also often used to refer to Chidãkãsh {e.g., Gadhada I-46; I-65.5}. See: Chidãkãsh.
Akshar
1) 'Imperishable'. Second-highest of the five eternal entities; i.e., transcends everything except Purushottam. Also referred to as Aksharbrahma or Brahma. See also other four eternal entities: jiva, ishwar, mãyã, and Purushottam.
2) In his personal form, Akshar serves Purushottam in His abode, Akshardhãm, and manifests as His ideal devotee, the Satpurush, on earth. Both forms are human in appearance.
3) In his impersonal form, Akshar is the abode of Purushottam, called Akshardhãm. See: Akshardhãm.
4) In his all-pervading anvay form, Akshar is called Chidãkãsh {Gadhada I-21; I-46; I-65}. See: Chidãkãsh.
Aksharbrahma
Akshar. See: Akshar.
Akshardhãm
The highest abode. The divine abode of Purushottam Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan, where He is forever seated before countless muktas, who have attained qualities similar to those of Akshar {Gadhada I-21}. The impersonal form of Akshar.
akshar-mukta
A jiva that has attained ultimate liberation and resides forever in Akshardhãm with a divine body.
Akshar-Purush
Also called Mahã-Purush, Mul-Purush, or simply, Purush. See: Purush.
aksharrup
1) 'Form of Akshar'. That which has qualities similar to those of Akshar. Used to describe the spiritual state of akshar-muktas. Highest level of faith or spiritual status is to become aksharrup and worship Purushottam {Loyã-12.8}.
2) Is also sometimes used to describe things that have attained qualities similar to Akshar through his contact, e.g., light {Gadhada II.13.16}.
akshividyã
'Knowledge of the eyes'. A type of brahmavidyã by which one sees one's ãtmã and the form of God within the eyes {Loyã-15.6}.
Alok
Region beyond this realm.
Amãs
'No-moon' day signifying the last day of a lunar month, i.e., the 15th day of the dark half of an Indian calendar month. New moon.
amrut
'Without death'. An exhilarating liquid churned from the ocean by the demigods and the demons, known to grant immortality to those who drink it.
analpakshi
'Bird of fire'. Large, legendary bird that never lands on the ground and has the strength to carry seven elephants with it.
andaj
'Born from egg'. Category of life forms born from eggs, i.e., all forms of birds, reptiles, etc.
angarkhu
Long, sewn upper garment worn by males, similar to a long waist-coat stretching down to the knees.
antahkaran
'Inner faculty'. The complete mind which comprises of four aspects, each characterised by its individual functions: called the man when generating thoughts and desires; the buddhi when consolidating thoughts, making decisions and resolutions, forming convictions, or discriminating; the chitt when repeatedly contemplating or focusing; and the ahamkãr when forming a sense of being. Normally used in the singular since all four are aspects of the one antahkaran, but also often referred to as being four different antahkarans.
antaryãmi
'Inner controller'. Power of God to reside within a jiva, ishwar, etc., and control its each and every action. Also implies God knowing its innermost thoughts and feelings.
anu
Fundamental, universal and atom-like unit of matter. Monad. Smallest building block of creation.
anvay
'Not separate'. Associated. Connected. When used for God, implies immanent, i.e., inherently existing within {Gadhada I-7; Sãrangpur-5; Vartal-7}.
anyathã-kartum
Extraordinary divine power of God whereby He can eclipse even Akshar - in the form of Akshardham - and uphold the infinite muktas by Himself, implying that He is the supporter of all, but that He Himself is totally independent {Loyã-13.10}.
archimãrg
'Road of fire'. Traditionally thought of as the path to the sun, but also the path to the abode of God taken by the jiva after death.
arth
One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfillment of desires for material objects, in particular wealth {Amdavad-5.11}.
ãrti
Hindu ritual of waving lighted wicks before the murti of God as an act of worship.
ãsan
1) 'Seat', derived from verb-root 'ãs' - to sit. Yogic sitting posture.
2) Third of the eight steps of ashtãng-yoga, entailing physical exercises of postures for soundness of body, which promotes concentration.
asat
1) 'Opposite of sat'. Transient, i.e., perishable, changing and bound by the constraints of time.
2) False. Not true.
asatya
1) 'Opposite of satya'. Transient, i.e., perishable and changing, and bound by the constraints of Time.
2) False. Not true.
3) 'Imaginary' or 'illusory' according to the Advait doctrine.
Ãshãdh
First month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally beginning between June and July.
ãshram
Stage of life. Traditionally in Hinduism, there are four in total, each with their corresponding duties and responsibilities. Specifically, brahmachãrya, as a student and celibate; gruhastha, as a householder with a family; vãnprasth, as an elderly advisor, literally implying 'taking to the forests'; and sannyãstha, as a recluse, literally implying 'throwing away' or 'putting aside', i.e., renouncing the world.
ashtãng-yoga
System of Yoga comprising eight progressive steps leading ultimately to yoga, i.e., union with God. The eight steps are, namely: yam (restraint), niyam (observance), ãsan (seat or posture), prãnãyãm (mastering the prãns), pratyãhãr (withdrawal), dhãrnã (concentration), dhyãn (meditation), and samãdhi (trance). See also individual entries.
Ãso
Fourth month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally beginning between September and October.
ãsopãlav
Type of tree whose leaves are used in rituals and on auspicious occasions as decoration.
ãstik
1) 'Believer'. Person who believes in the existence of God, or more generally, one who is religiously-inclined.
2) Can also describe people or scriptures that accept the authority and authenticity of the Vedas.
3) Person who firmly believes that pious or impious karmas in this realm will undoubtedly receive the respective fruits of those karmas in the realm beyond {Gadhada III-26.4}.
asuyã
Form of jealousy, in which faults are attributed to the virtues of the person of which one is jealous {Sãrangpur-8.3}.
Atal
First realm beneath Mrutyulok, where demons reside. Seventh realm from the bottom in the 14-realm system of a brahmãnd.
ãtmã
1) The pure jiva, distinct from the physical, subtle and causal bodies - i.e., distinct from the indriyas, the antahkaran, worldly desires, or any other traces of mãyã.
2) Generally, that which pervades, inspires and governs. Thus, also refers to God as the pervader, inspirer and governor of the physical and non-physical world, i.e., shariri.
ãtmanivedi
One who offers ãtmanivedanam, the ninth type of bhakti, i.e., a devotee who has totally surrendered himself to God. One whose every action is an offering to God and who has God at the centre of his/her every action.
ãtyantik-pralay
1) 'Final dissolution'. Destruction of all of the countless millions of brahmãnds, when even Prakruti-Purush - the cause of countless Pradhãn-Purushes - draws in countless brahmãnds within itself, and is then eclipsed by the light of Aksharbrahma {Bhu-Kha.14; Gadhada I-12.29; Amdavad-2.8}. In ãtyantik-pralay, only Purushottam, Akshar, and the akshar-muktas remain (Panchal-7.10). See also the other three types of dissolution: nitya-pralay, nimitta-pralay and prãkrut-pralay.
2) On the individual level, also called gnãn-pralay. See: gnãn-pralay.
ãval
Type of small shrub whose leaves have inherent healing qualities.
avatãr
Incarnation of Vishnu. Through Vishnu, God incarnates on Earth for the welfare of society and for the liberation of the jivas. God is always present in Bharat-khand through such incarnations or His sãdhu {Vartal-19.2}. He assumes various forms according to whichever task needs to be accomplished in whichever place {Loyã-7.10}. Different scriptures offer different lists of the actual incarnations, but 24 avatãrs are generally agreed upon; and of these, 10 are regarded as major incarnations - with a greater degree of the presence of God than others. The most common list of the 24 avatãrs based on the Purãns are: (1) Brahmã, (2) Varãh, (3) Matsya, (4) Hayagriv, (5) Hansa, (6) Yagnarup, (7) Kurma, (8) Dhanvantari, (9) Mohini, (10) Pruthu, (11) Nãrad, (12) Rushabhdev (13) Dattãtreya, (14) Kapildev, (15) Narnãrãyan, (16) Nrusinh, (17) Vãman, (18) Parshurãm, (19) Vyãs, (20) Rãm, (21) Balrãm, (22) Krishna, (23) Buddha, and (24) Kalki. Of these, the ten main avatãrs of Vishnu are: (1) Matsya, (2) Kurma, (3) Varãh, (4) Nrusinh, (5) Vãman, (6) Parshurãm, (7) Rãm, (8) Krishna, (9) Buddha, and (10) Kalki.
avidyã
Synonymous with mãyã {Gadhada II-19.4}. False understanding of the nature of reality. Ignorance.
avyãkrut
Of the three bodies of Virãt-Purush and other ishwars, the causal body. Analogous to the kãran body of the jivas. The body from which the ishwar's virãt (gross) body and sutrãtmã (subtle) body evolve, and is thus also considered as the mãyã of ishwar {Kãriyani-12.4}.
Ayodhyãwãsi
'Residents of Ayodhyã'. Ayodhyã, the birthplace of Rãm Bhagwãn, is a city in northern India where Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan's family lived for several years after moving from Chhapaiyã, Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan's birthplace. In the context of the Vachanãmrut, the term refers to Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan's family.
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