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Satsang Glossary


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Sadguru
‘True guru’. Refers to the Satpurush. See: Satpurush.
sãdhu
Male person who has renounced worldly pursuits and has chosen an austere life of religious activities under strict vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. A Hindu renunciant.
sagun
1) ‘With gunas’. Possessing divine qualities and redemptive virtues.
2) ‘With gunas’. Possessing mãyik qualities, i.e., mãyik – not divine.
3) Extremely vast.
sãkar
Lumps of processed sugar crystals.
sãkshãtkãr
Spiritual realisation. Also used to describe something that has been so well learned or understood that it becomes second nature {Sãrangpur-3}.
samãdhi
1) ‘Trance’. Transcendental experience, usually of God or His abode, in which consciousness of the body and surroundings is lost.
2) Eighth and final step of ashtãng-yoga. Transcendental experience of union with God, which is the culmination and climax of yoga.
sampradãy
Fellowship. Body of devotees.
sanchit karmas
‘Accumulated deeds’. Immeasurable stock of all deeds performed, in infinite past lives and in the present, which is retained in the kãran body until the karmas ‘ripen’ to eventually bear fruit as prãrabdha karmas, either later in the present life or in a future life {Vartal-6.3}. See: karma.
sãnkhya
Fundamental belief of the Sãnkhya doctrine; i.e., all that evolves from mãyã is perishable and vain. Cultivating thoughts of sãnkhya, the devotee gradually becomes detached from worldly, mãyik objects allowing him/her to become further engrossed in God.
Sãnkhya
‘Enumeration’, derived from ‘sam’ + verb-root ‘khã’ – to count or number’. School of philosophy analysing the ‘categories of existence’ – ‘tattvas’ – or elements, which it understands as 25 in number. Founded by sage Kapil, author of the Sãnkhya Sutras. See also: sãnkhya.
sãnkhya-yogi
‘Yogi who has renounced activities’. Term used for a devotee who has renounced his/her worldly duties – as opposed to a karma-yogi – and is sincerely striving for liberation. Refers to a renunciant who is totally dedicated and committed to Satsang. In the time of Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan, many widows and widowers chose to become sãnkhya-yogis after their spouse passed away, i.e., to dedicate their lives to God rather than any other family members. Often refers to female renunciants when used in series with paramhansas.
sanskãr
‘Impression’. Refers to the favourable or unfavourable impression of a karma performed earlier in the present life or in a previous life that is imprinted and accumulated in the kãran body. This impression in turn influences actions and achievements in the present and/or subsequent lives.
Sant
Synonymous in the Vachanãmrut with Satpurush. See: Satpurush.
sannyãs ãshram
Derived from ‘sam’ + ‘ni’ + verb-root ‘ãs’ – to put aside, i.e., renounce. Last of the four stages of life, when one renounces all worldly duties and lives as an ascetic.
sannyãsi
Derived from ‘sam’ + ‘ni’ + verb-root ‘ãs’ – to put aside, i.e., renounce. Person who has renounced all worldly duties and is living as an ascetic.
sãrangi
Traditional Indian stringed musical instrument played by stroking with a bow and depressing strings on a fretted neck.
sarodã
Traditional Indian stringed musical instrument played by plucking with a plectrum and depressing strings on a fret-less neck, similar to a present-day sarod.
sat (pronounced sut)
1) Permanent, i.e., imperishable and unchanging. Transcending time, and thus unbound by the past, the present and the future.
2) Real. True.
satãr
Traditional Indian stringed musical instrument played by striking with a wire plectrum and depressing strings on a fretted neck, similar to a present-day sitar.
sati
Widow who, out of her total dedication and commitment to her husband, voluntary commits immolation by throwing herself on her dead husband’s burning funeral pyre.
Satpurush
Guru for a spiritual aspirant. Aksharbrahma by form and the living embodiment of Parabrahma Purushottam. Through whom God remains ever-manifest, passing on His divine energy and experience, love and guidance to all beings on earth. The continuing lineage of God-realised Satpurushes ensures that the gateway to liberation and God is forever open for all seekers. Surrendering to him, striving to obey his commands, and developing profound love for him is the root of all spiritual endeavours. Synonymous in the Vachanãmrut with Sant, Bhakta, Ekãntik Bhakta, Ekãntik Sant, Param-Bhãgwat, Param-Bhãgwat Sant, Param-Ekãntik Sant, Purush and Sadguru.
satsang
1) ‘Company of the true’. The practice of spiritually associating with the Satpurush, fellow satsangis, one’s own ãtmã and the sacred scriptures of the Satsang fellowship, i.e., observing the religious vows and spiritual practices of Satsang.
2) ‘Good company’. Opposite of bad company, whose influences cause spiritual regress.
Satsang
The entire body of satsangis. The fellowship of the devotees of Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan, i.e., those who worship Him as God and observe the basic religious vows prescribed by Him.
satsangi
Member of the Satsang fellowship. One who practises satsang.
sattvagun
‘Quality of goodness’. One of the three principle qualities of Prakruti, or mãyã {Gadhada I-12.6}, characterised by awareness {Gadhada I-30.4; Kãriyani-12.7} and vairãgya towards the vishays {Gadhada II-43.2}. When sattvagun prevails, the antahkaran is pure, and one can pleasantly worship God’s form {Gadhada I-32.15}. Also, when sattvagun is predominant, the fruits of any karmas performed by a jiva are experienced during the waking state {Gadhada I-65.13}. The products of sattvagun include happiness, gnãn, vairãgya, wisdom, tranquility, self-restraint, etc., {Loyã-10.22; Kãriyani-1.14}. See also: guna.
sãttvik
Of, or pertaining to, sattvagun. Full of sattvagun.
sãttvik-ahamkãr
One of the three types of ahamkãrs that evolve from mahattattva, and from which, in turn, the man and the presiding demigods of the indriyas evolve {Gadhada I-12}. See: ahamkãr (2nd definition).
satya
1) ‘Truth’. Permanent, i.e., imperishable and unchanging. Transcending time, and thus unbound by the past, the present and the future.
2) Real. True.
Satyalok
Realm of Brahmã. Highest realm in the 14-realm system of a brahmãnd. Also called Brahmalok.
Satya-yug
‘Age of Goodness’. First of the four ages that mark the time-scale of the world. Lasting 1,728,000 human years, it is the purest and most righteous of the ages, when people lived to be 100,000, all were Brãhmins, everyone’s wishes were fulfilled, and everyone worshipped God. See also: yug.
savikalp
‘With alternatives or doubts’. Adjective describing faith {Loyã-12} or state of being in which one sees God but doubts or distinctions still remain – in contrast to the nirvikalp state, in which no distinctions remain and one sees only God. A state of imperfect realisation.
savikalp samãdhi
State of realisation in which one sees God but doubts or distinctions still remain – in contrast to nirvikalp samãdhi, in which no distinctions remain and one sees only God. A state of imperfect realisation {Gadhada I-39; Gadhada I-40}.
sevanti
Flower of the chrysanthemum genus, found to blossom unusually out of season. There are two varieties – red and yellow, both with small pointed petals. Also known as guldãvadi.
Shakti-panthi
Follower of a Shakti cult – a cult worshipping Shakti, a form of Lakshmi or Pãrvati (Kali), as the governing power of the world – wherein the consumption of meat and alcohol is considered holy.
Shankh-likhit
Smruti One of the ancient Smruti scriptures. Ascribed to the two brothers, Shankh Rishi and Likhit Rishi.
shãligrãm
Small sacred stone worshipped by Vaishnavs as a form of Vishnu. Found in the waters of the River Gandki, flowing through the foothills of Tibet, which is considered especially sacred because of the numerous rishis who performed austerities on her banks.
sharabh
Legendary beast thought to be fiercer than a lion, and which roams in the Himalayas.
sharir
‘Embodiment’. Generally, that which is pervaded, inspired and governed by the ãtmã (2nd definition). Refers to the physical and non-physical world, which is pervaded, inspired and governed by God, its shariri.
shariri
‘That which is embodied’. Generally, that which pervades, inspires and governs the sharir. Refers to God as the pervader, inspirer and governor of the physical and non-physical world, His sharir.
Shãstras
1) Term used generally in the Vachanãmrut to refer to the Dharma-shãstras. See: Dharma-shãstras.
2) Also sometimes refers to the scriptures of the Six Darshans, particularly when specifically stated as ‘the six Shãstras’. See: Darshans.
shelu
Rich fabric with a silky finish woven with golden or silver threads and detailed, decorative edges worn as an upper garment or tied around the head or waist, or even left to rest upon the shoulders.
Shikshãpatri
Succinct scripture of 212 Sanskrit verses written by Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan for all of His followers: male and female, married or otherwise, young and old, renunciant and householder, learned and lay, even those in sovereign power. Serves as a concise, fundamental code of conduct encompassing everything from basic civic norms, i.e., from personal hygiene to social ethics, up to universal philosophy and spirituality. {Gadhada III-1.14}
shingadiyo vachhnãg
Type of aquatic plant whose leaves are potently poisonous.
shishumãr chakra
‘Shishumãr wheel’. One of the centres of spiritual energy located in the inner body, seen as a seat of instinctive consciousness. See also: chakra.
shraddhã
A virtue that incorporates the virtues of faith, trust, hope, patience, persistence and zeal.
shravan
1) ‘Listening’, derived from verb-root ‘shru’ – to listen. For example, to listen to, or do shravan of the talks of God.
2) More generally, the term also means the initial intake of gnãn from any of the outer indriyas. In this sense, darshan, intake of gnãn through the eyes, is also considered a form of shravan. However, the intake of gnãn through the process of shravan (listening) must be consolidated with manan (reflection) and nididhyãs (deep contemplation) if it is to lead to the sãkshãtkãr (realisation) of that gnãn {Sãrangpur-3}.
Shrãvan
Second month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally beginning between July and August.
Shrimad Bhãgwat
Most popular of the 18 Purãns. Narrates the life, divine actions and incidents of various incarnations of God, particularly Shri Krishna Bhagwãn. One of the eight scriptures accepted as authoritative by Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan.
Shrivatsa
Divine marking found on the chests of murtis of Vishnu and Shri Krishna, similar to a birthmark.
Shrutis
‘The heard’. Collection of divine revelations imparting philosophical and spiritual wisdom – as revealed to the rishis after strict austerities and deep contemplation. The four Vedas fall into the classification of Shrutis.
Shudra
‘Labourer’. Skilled worker traditionally serving the other three castes – the Brãhmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Considered the lowest of the four castes in the ancient Indian social system.
shuli
Sharp, pointed vertical stake to which an offender is bound and then allowed to be pierced by his/her own weight as the stake is turned. A form of brutal execution performed in public as an effective deterrent to major crimes and social deviance.
shushka-gnãn
‘Dry knowledge’. Refers to the monotheistic philosophy of the Advait school. Referred to as ‘dry’ because it disclaims the existence of a personal God, and so does not propound any form of bhakti towards Him. See also: shushka-Vedãnta.
shushka-Vedãnta
‘Dry Vedãnta’. The Advait doctrine. Monotheistic school of Vedãnta propounding that the ultimate reality is only the one, ‘non-dual’ Brahma. Referred to as ‘dry’ because it disclaims the existence of a personal God, His eternally divine form, His abode, etc., and so does not propound any form of bhakti or worship of God and His avatãrs. {Gadhada II-19; Gadhada III-28.2}
shushka-Vedãnti
‘Dry Vedãnti’. One who propounds or adheres to the shushka-Vedãnta school of philosophy {Gadhada II-18, Gadhada III-36.5}. See: shushka-Vedãnta.
Shwetdwip
‘White island’. Celestial abode of Shri Lakshmi-nãrãyan. Its muktas perform severe austerities and offer devotional worship to God. They are free from the six physical and emotional sensations14 and survive without food thus earning the name niranna-mukta.
Skand Purãn
One of the 18 Purãns. Sacred scripture of 84,000 verses narrating the killing of the demon Tãrakãsur by Skand, son of Shiv. Contains the Vãsudev Mãhãtmya, one of the eight scriptures accepted as authoritative by Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan.
Smrutis
1) ‘The remembered’. Set of scriptures not considered to be revealed, in comparison to the Shruti scriptures, but still just as recognised and revered. In general, a collective term referring to any text or body of scriptures other than the Shruti scriptures. The set of ancient texts including the secondary and complementary Vedas (Upvedas and Vedãngs), the Upanishads, the Dharma-shãstras, the 18 Purãns, the two Itihãs scriptures, the Ãgamas and the scriptures of the six Darshans. See also: Upanishads, Dharma-shãstras, Purãns, Itihãs.
2) Set of scriptures also known as the Dharma-shãstras, the most famous of which are the Manu Smruti and the Yãgnavalkya Smruti. These scriptures discuss secular matters-science, law, history, agriculture, etc. as well as spiritual lore, ranging from day-to-day rules and regulations to superconscious outpourings. See also: Dharma-shãstras, Manu Smruti, Yãgnavalkya Smruti.
sthul
‘Gross’, as opposed to sukshma, i.e., subtle. Of the three bodies of the jiva, it refers to the physical body of the jiva, which is composed of the five elements, i.e., the five bhuts {Sãrangpur-14}. Includes all of the physical, visible aspects commonly referred to as the ‘body’. Because it is evolved from the kãran body, it is also considered as the jiva’s mãyã {Kãriyani-12}. The jiva attains a different sthul body upon each birth. See also other two bodies of the jiva: kãran and sukshma.
Sudarshan Chakra
Fiery, disc-like weapon originally used by Vishnu, and later also by Shri Krishna, endowed with the power and radiance of several suns.
sudi
Bright half of a Hindu lunar month in which the moon is in its waxing phase, i.e., days between Amãs up to and including Punam.
sukshma
‘Subtle’, as opposed to sthul, i.e., gross. Of the three bodies of the jiva, it refers to the subtle body of the jiva, which is composed of 19 elements: the five gnãn-indriyas, the five karma-indriyas, the five prãns and the four antahkarans {Sãrangpur-14}. Unlike the sthul body, the sukshma body is not visible and is commonly thought of as the mental ‘body’. Because it is evolved from the kãran body, it is also considered as the jiva’s mãyã {Kãriyani-12}. See also other two bodies of the jiva: sthul and kãran.
survãl
Trouser-like lower garment.
sushumnã
1) Uninterrupted path of light from the brahma-randhra to Prakruti-Purush {Gadhada I-65}.
2) Path by which the nãd produced by Parabrahma via Aksharbrahma pervades the navel of Virãt-Purush {Sãrangpur-6}.
sushumnã nãdi
Nerve or channel transmitting cosmic energy within the inner body of a person, where the current passes through the spinal column from the base of the spine and ends in the brahmarandhra located in the crown of the head. One of the three major nãdis.
Sutal
Third realm beneath Mrutyulok, where demons reside. Fifth realm from the bottom in the 14-realm system of a brahmãnd.
sutrãtmã
Of the three bodies of Virãt-Purush and other ishwars, the subtle body. Analogous to the sukshma body of the jiva. Because it is evolved from the avyãkrut (causal) body, it is also considered as the mãyã of ishwar {Kãriyani-12}.
svedaj
‘Born from sweat’. Category of life forms ‘born’ from sweat, i.e., lower life forms such as bacteria, etc.
swabhãv
1) A person’s vicious natures such as lust, anger, greed, jealousy, egotism, etc. Also used to refer to a person’s natures in the form of habits formed after repeated actions, in this birth or in the one’s past. The eradication of all of one’s swabhãvs and feelings of body-consciousness is necessary in order to attain ultimate liberation.
2) ‘Nature’. According to the doctrine of Naturalism, the force responsible for all phenomena in the material world. This school of thought claims all events and activities can be explained by natural laws alone; i.e., everything occurs ‘naturally’ or automatically, without the need of an all-doer God {Gadhada I-62 & Varatal-2}.
swadharma
‘One’s own dharma’. Synonymous with dharma. See: dharma.
Swãminãrãyan
Mantra given by Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan to His followers in 1801 when He became head of the Fellowship. The mantra establishes the worship of ‘bhakta’ with Bhagwãn, as ‘Swãmi’ signifies Gunãtitãnand Swami, the choicest devotee, and ‘Nãrãyan’ signifies Purushottam Nãrãyan Sahajãnand Swãmi, the supreme God. Eventually people began to identify Shriji Mahãrãj by this mantra and called Him Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan.
swarg
Collective term for all six realms above Mrutyulok in the 14-realm system of a brahmãnd.
Swarglok
Second realm above Mrutyulok, where Indra and other demigods reside. Tenth realm from the bottom in the 14-realm system of a brahmãnd. Also called Indralok. Not to be confused with swarg, a collective term for all six realms above Mrutyulok in the 14-realm system of a brahmãnd.
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