| ãchãrya |
aiciy< |
Establisher of religious doctrine or a school of philosophy |
| ãgna |
aiXi |
instruction, order, command |
| ahimsã |
a(h>si |
non-injury, in mind, action and speech |
| ahmakãr |
ah>kir |
Ego |
| ãkãsh |
aikiS |
space, ether or vacuum |
| akshar |
axr |
Akshar Brahman, see also Brahman |
| akshar mukta |
axrm&±t |
A jiva that has attained ultimate liberation and resides forever in Akshardham with a divine body |
| akshardham |
axrFim |
The divine abode of Lord Swaminarayan |
| aksharrup |
axr$p |
Form of Akshar. That which has qualities similar to those of Akshar |
| amãs |
amis |
Fifteenth day of the dark half of a lunar month |
| ãmbãwãdi |
ai>biviD) |
Mango orchard |
| amrut |
amZt |
Nectar |
| anãdi |
ani(d |
Eternal |
| anãdi tattvas |
ani(d tRvi[ |
Eternal entities |
| antahkaran |
a>t:krN |
Inner faculty'. Composite form of mind, intellect, lower mind and ego |
| antardrushti |
a>td\<IOT |
To look inwards, to introspect |
| antaryãmi |
a>tyi<m) |
Inner knower'. Power of God to reside within a jiva, ishwar, etc. |
| antrãy |
a>triy |
Obstacle, hindrance, barrier |
| anu |
aN& |
Fundamental, universal and atom-like unit of matter. |
| anvay |
aºvy |
Not separate'. Associated, connected. |
| artha |
aY< |
One of the four purusharths, allowing for the fulfilment of desires for material objects, in particular wealth. |
| asat |
ast |
Opposite of sat'. Transient, i.e. perishable, changing and bound by the constraints of time |
| ãshram |
ai~m |
Building, stage of life, e.g. Brahmacharya ãshram, Gruhastha ashram |
| ashtãng yoga |
aÖi>g yi[g |
Eight-fold yoga |
| ãtmã |
aiRmi |
The pure self, distinct from the physical, subtle and casual bodies |
| ãtmabuddhi |
aiRmb&(Ü |
Firm belief in one's true form as atma. Deep attachment or identification with God, Satpurush |
| ãtmanishtha |
aiRm(n×i |
Firm belief in one's true form as atma. |
| ãtmarup |
aiRmi$p |
see Brahmarup |
| ãtmic bhãv |
aiIRmkBiv |
To have a consciousness that one's true self is ãtma and not the body |
| ãtyãntik |
aiRy>(tk |
Ultimate, final e.g. ãtyãntik kalyãn |
| avaguna |
avg&N |
Bad or malicious attribute |
| avatãri |
avtir) |
The cause of all incarnations |
| avatãr |
avtir |
Incarnation |
| avyãkrut |
aÄyikZt |
One of the three bodies of Virat-Purush and other ishwars, the casual body. |
| bahãrwuttia |
bhirv(Tyi |
Rebels |
| bãwã |
bivi |
A renunciant |
| bhãgvati dikshã |
Bigvt) d)xi |
Initiation into sadhu-fold, following which a renunciant dresses in saffron robes and observes strictly the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience |
| bhajan |
Bjn |
To worship, a devotional song praising the Lord |
| bhakta |
B±t |
Devotee of God |
| bhakti |
BI±t |
Devotion to God |
| bhãvnã |
Bivni |
Feeling, sentiments |
| bhido |
B)Di[ |
Physical and mental discomfort during festivals or in Satsang |
| bhut |
B*t |
A gross element from which the sthul body of Virat-Purush, i.e. the physical world, is formed. |
| brãhma muhurt |
b\iM m&h&t< |
Period of three hours before sunrise |
| brahmachãri |
b\Mcir) |
One who observes brahmacharya and whose indriyas are immersed in Brahman |
| brahmachãrya |
b\Mcy< |
Eight-fold celibacy and being immersed in Brahman |
| brahman |
b\iMN |
Akshar. One of the five eternal realities, ideal Devotee of Lord Swaminaryan |
| brahmand |
b\Mi>D |
Individual 'cosmos' comprising of a system of fourteen realms. |
| brahmarup |
b\M$p |
Form of Brahma, possessing qualities similar to Brahma |
| brahmaswarup |
b\MAv$p |
Form of Brahma |
| buddhi |
b&Ü) |
Intellect. Derived from verb-root 'budh' - to know |
| chaitanya |
c]tºy |
Conciousness. The substance of the atma. |
| chaitanyarup |
c]tºy$p |
see Brahmarup |
| chandrayan |
ci>WiyN |
Strict form of fasting where one's intake of food is regulated by the waxing and waning of the moon. |
| charnarvind |
crNir(v>d |
Feet. Term used to refer to the holy feet of God or a spiritually elevated person |
| chintan |
(c>tn |
Reflection, to think |
| chitta |
(cRt |
The lower mind |
| darbãr |
drbir |
Court of residence belonging to a king or a feudal ruler, traditionally with a courtyard surrounded by rooms with verandas. |
| darshan |
dS<n |
To see, verb used only for looking reverentially at God, His Sãdhu or murti and having a feeling of being graced |
| dãsatvapanu |
disRvpN&> |
Servitude |
| dãtan |
ditN |
A babul stick. A thin stick used for cleaning teeth by chewing. |
| deva |
d[v |
Deity |
| dhãm |
Fim |
Abode of God, Akshardham |
| dharmã |
Fm< |
a term which encompasses: divine law, path of righteousness, moral duty, ethical conduct, justice, responsibility, religion and truth |
| dhãrnã pãrnã |
FirNi-pirNi |
A type of fast in which the devotees fast on alternative days |
| dhun |
F*n |
Form of jap, i.e. continuous chanting of the holy name of God |
| dhyãn |
¹yin |
Meditation |
| dikshã |
d)xi |
Initiation |
| divya |
(dÄy |
Divine |
| divyabhãv |
(dÄyBiv |
To have the attitude of seeing divinity in all actions of God and His Sãdhu |
| dosha |
di[P |
Bad attribute. |
| droha |
Wi[h |
To malign |
| ekãntik |
a[ki>(tk |
One possessing and elevated spiritual state wherein one offers bhakti to God along with dhrarma, gnan and vairagya |
| ekãntik sãdhu |
a[ki>(tk siF& |
Highest level of Sãdhu, one who has attained the ekãntik state |
| ektã |
a[±ti |
Unity |
| ektãnã |
a[kTiNi |
Form of fasting when only one meal is taken per day |
| farãri jamvãnu |
friL) jmvin&> |
Foods edible on day of Ekãdashi |
| feto |
f[>Ti[ |
Long piece of cloth twisted and tied around the head as a headdress |
| garbha gruha |
gB<gZh |
Sanctum sanctorum in a mandir where the murtis are consecrated |
| gnãn |
Xin |
Spiritual knowledge leading to enlightment, derived from verb-root 'gna' - to know |
| gnãnpanu |
XinpN&> |
Awareness |
| goshti |
gi[×) |
To discuss the kathã one has heard |
| gruhastha |
gZhAY |
Householder |
| gunas |
g&N |
The attributes of Rajas, Tamas and Sattva. Also used in a positive way to look at someone’s good attributes |
| gunãtit |
g&Nit)t |
One who is above the three gunas of Rajas, Tamas and Sattva; above Maya |
| harijan |
hr)jn |
A person of low caste |
| haveli |
hv[l) |
A grand building, usually with exquisite wooden carvings |
| hoondi |
h*>D) |
A bill of exchange, commonly used in trading before the advent of modern banking |
| indriya |
eIºWy |
Sense, through which one can 'know' and perform actions |
| ishwar |
EVr |
Second of the five eternal entities. Infinite in number and above maya and endowed by God with greater powers. |
| jad |
jD |
Non-living, inanimate. That without consciousness. |
| jãgrat |
Ôg\t |
State of wakefulness |
| jal |
jL |
Water or liquid matter |
| jatan |
jtn |
Preserve |
| jiva |
Jv |
Individual, embodied soul still bound by maya and consequently undergoing the cycle of births and deaths |
| kaivalyamurti |
k]vÃym*(t< |
Divine |
| kãl |
kiL |
Time |
| kalpavruksh |
kÃpvZx |
Special tree possessing the magical power to fulfil the wishes of anyone who sits under it. |
| kalyãn |
kÃyiN |
Salvation |
| kalyãnkãri |
kÃyiNkir) |
Redemptive |
| kanthi |
k>q) |
Double-threaded necklace, usually made of tulsi beads, received by satsangis upon initiation into the Satsang Fellowship and sign of their affiliation to God. |
| karan |
krN |
Causal of the three bodies of the jiva, the causal body, i.e. the jiva's desires or maya - which causes the jiva to take birth again. |
| karma |
km< |
Action, deed, derived from verb-root 'kru' - to do. |
| kartã |
kti< |
Doer |
| kathã |
kYi |
Spiritual talks or discourses |
| kesar |
k[sr |
Saffron |
| kirtan |
k)t<n |
Devotional song |
| kishore |
(kSi[r |
A teenager |
| kosh |
ki[S |
A container made of wood or leather to draw water from a well |
| kothãr |
ki[qir |
Storeroom |
| kul |
k&L |
Family |
| kusang |
k&s>g |
Evil company |
| lalãt |
lliT |
Forehead |
| lilã |
l)li |
Divine exploit |
| mahant |
mh>t |
The head sadhu of a mandir |
| maharãj |
mhirij |
Short for Shriji Mahãraj (Lord Swaminarayan) |
| mahatattva |
mhtRv |
Major element. Taken to be on par with the chitt of the jiva, but on a cosmic level. |
| mahãtmya |
mhiRÀy |
Glory and greatness |
| mahimã |
m(hmi |
Glory and greatness |
| manan |
mnn |
Repeated thinking, reflection |
| manas |
mns |
Mind |
| mãnsi pujã |
mins) p*Ô |
Pujã (worship) offered mentally |
| manushyabhãv |
mn&OyBiv |
To attach human attributes and failings to God and His Sãdhu |
| maund |
mi]n |
Measure of weight. One maund is equal to twenty kilograms |
| mãyã |
miyi |
One of the five eternal realities, illusion. |
| mãyik |
mi(yk |
Of, or pertaining mãyã |
| moksha |
mi[x |
Salvation, liberation, redemption |
| mudrã |
m&Wi |
Coin currency |
| mukta |
m&±t |
Free or released, derived from verb-root 'much' - to free or release. |
| mukti |
m&I±t |
Synonyms of kalyan, moksha |
| mulakgiri |
m&lkg)r) |
Making of financial claim |
| mumukshu |
m&m&x& |
Spiritual aspirant |
| murti |
m*(t< |
Sacred image of God that is worshipped |
| murti pratishthã |
m*(t< p\(t×i |
Traditional Vedic ceremony in which murtis, or images, are ritually installed in a mandir |
| nãrãyan |
niriyN |
See Parãbrahman |
| nãstik |
niIAtk |
Non-believer. Person who does not believe in the existence of God or is not religiously inclined. |
| nididhyãs |
n)(F¹yis |
Constant contemplation, derived from 'ni' + verb-root 'dhyai' - to thoroughly contemplate or ponder |
| nirbhaytã |
(nB<yti |
Fearlessness |
| nirdosh |
(ndi[<P |
Without fault, pure |
| nirdosh buddhi |
(ndi[<Pb&I¹F |
Understanding that god and Satpurush are free of all faults |
| nirgun |
(ng&<N |
Without gunas. Not possessing any attributes of the three gunas, i.e. transcends all mayik qualities. Divine. |
| nirman |
(nmi<n |
Humility |
| nirmanipanu |
(nmi<n)pN&> |
Humility |
| nirmoh |
(nmi[<h |
Absence of attachment |
| nirvasnik |
(nvi<s(nk |
Without material desires |
| nirvikalp |
(n(v<kÃp |
Without alternatives or doubts. Adjective describing faither or state of being in which one sees God. |
| nishchay |
(náy |
Faith |
| nishedh |
(nP[F |
The “don’ts” - That which one should avoid |
| nishkul |
(nAk&L |
Without kul or family |
| nishthã |
(n×i |
Faith |
| niyam |
(nym |
Moral and spiritual disciplines, and religious codes of conduct prescribed by God, the Satpurush, or the scriptures to protect a devotee on the path to God. |
| ordi |
ai[rD) |
Small room, e.g. Akshar ordi |
| ordo |
ai[rDi[ |
Room |
| pahor |
phi[r |
Unit of time - equivalent to three hours |
| paksh |
px |
Support, backing for a particular side or cause. |
| panchvishays |
p>c(vPyi[ |
The five types of objects in which the jiva indulges via the indriyas, i.e. sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches. |
| parabrahma(n) |
prb\M |
Supreme God. Also called Paramatma. Highest of the five eternal realities - transcending even Brahma. |
| param |
prm |
Highest, ultimate |
| paramãtma |
prmiRmi |
See Parãbrahman |
| paramhansa |
prmh>s |
The highest order of ascetics |
| paramparã |
pr>pri |
Lineage, usually of spiritual Gurus |
| parmeshwar |
prm[Vr |
See Parãbrahman |
| pãrshad |
piP<d |
Male renunciant in the time of Lord Swaminarayan, similar to a sãdhu, but one whose niyams were not as stringent |
| pãthshãlã |
piqSiLi |
A place of learning, a school |
| pativratãpanu |
p(tv\tipN&> |
Fidelity, faithfulness |
| prabhãt |
p\Bit |
Morning |
| pragat |
p\gT |
Manifest |
| prahãr |
p\hir |
See Pahor |
| prakruti |
p\kZ(t |
Primal nature. Divine energy or instrument of God that initiates the creation process by 'impregnated' by Purush. |
| prãn |
p\iN |
Vital airs, derived from verb-root 'pran' - to breathe. |
| prãpti |
p\iI¼t |
Attainment |
| prãrabdha |
p\ir¾F |
Fate, a type of Karma |
| prãrabdha karma |
p\ir¾F km< |
Deeds whose consequences are already set in motion. |
| prasãd |
p\sid |
Sanctified food, blessed and consecrated by having been offered to God. |
| prasang |
p\s>g |
Profound association |
| prãtahkãl |
p\it:kiL |
Morning period |
| pravrutti |
p\vZ(_i |
Activity in the form of social duties and affairs, often refers to the path of a householder. |
| pruthvi |
pZ¸v) |
Earth or solid matter. Once of the five gross elements, from which the sthul body of Virt-Purush. |
| pujã |
p*Ô |
Ritual of worship with materials such as kumkum, sandalwood paste, rice, flowers. |
| pujan |
p*jn |
Worship |
| punam |
p*nm |
See Purnimã |
| punya |
p&·y |
A measure of righteous deed, spiritual merit |
| purãni |
p&riN) |
A person reading scriptures |
| purnimã |
p*(N<mi |
Full moon, fifteenth day of Sud Paksha |
| purushãrth |
p&@PiY< |
Pursuits. Collective term for the four goals pursued by all Hindus, namely: dharma (duties), artha (material wealth), kam (desires) and moksha (liberation). |
| purushottam |
p&@Pi[_im |
See Parãbrahman |
| rajogun |
rji[g&N |
Quality of passion |
| rotlo |
ri[Tli[ |
A basic unleavened bread-like staple food of many parts of Gujarat, made of millet flour. |
| sadbhãv |
sdBiv |
Warm feelings |
| Sadguru |
sdg&$ |
True guru, refers to the Satpurush. |
| Sãdhana |
siFN |
Instrument, a means to an end |
| sãdhanã |
siFni |
Endeavour by the aspirant |
| sãdhu |
siF& |
A Hindu renunciant |
| sagun |
sg&N |
With gunas. Possessing divine qualities and redemptive virtues. |
| sãkar |
sikr |
Lumps of process sugar crystals. |
| sãkãr |
sikir |
With form |
| sãkshãtkãr |
sixiRkir |
To recall a kathã exactly as it was - as if it were manifest before one – with absolute clarity and spontaneity |
| samãdhi |
smi(F |
Trance associated with higher consciousness |
| samaiyã |
sm]yi |
Festival |
| samp |
s>p |
Unity |
| sampradãya |
s>p\diy |
An organisation in which follows the truthful sermons given by a succession of Dharma gurus. |
| samsãra |
s>sir |
Course of mundane life, worldly existence |
| sanjivani |
s>Jvn) |
A special herb/plant that rekindles/prolongs life. |
| sankhyã |
si>²y |
Fundamental belief of the Sankhya doctrine, i.e. all that evolves from maya is perishable and vain. |
| sannyãsin |
s>ºyis) |
A type of renunciate |
| sarvopari |
svi[<pr) |
Supreme |
| sat |
st |
Truth |
| sati |
st) |
Chaste woman, woman who immolated herself on the cremation pure of her dead husband. |
| satpurush |
sRp&@P |
The Sãdhu who has a constant rapport with God, the Gunatit Sãdhu |
| satsang |
sRs>g |
Synonym for the Swaminarayan faith, also used as a verb, meaning to be in the company of sãdhus, to read scriptures. |
| satsangi |
sRs>g) |
A devotee, person belonging to the Satsang |
| sattamãtra |
s_imi#i |
Independent, controller. |
| sevã |
s[vi |
Selfless service |
| shãstra |
Sià |
Scripture |
| shraddhã |
~Üi |
A virtue that incorporates qualities of faith, trust, hope, patience, persistence and zeal. |
| shravan |
~vN |
Listening, derived from verb-root 'shru' - to listen. |
| shrutis |
~&(t |
The Revealed texts - the Four Vedas |
| smruti |
AmZ(t |
To recall, to remember a divine episode of God or Satpurush |
| smrutis |
|
The Remembered texts - the Upanishads |
| sthitpragnã |
IAYtp\X |
A devotee with unshakable knowledge and understanding of the divine form of God. |
| sthul |
AY*L |
Gross, as a opposed to sukshma, i.e. subtle. |
| sud paksha |
s&d px |
Bright half of lunar month |
| suhradbhãv |
s&ãdBiv |
Spirit of friendship, co-operation, fraternity |
| suhradpanu |
s&ãdpN&> |
See suhradpanu |
| sukshma |
s&Èm |
Subtle, as opposed to sthul, i.e. Gross. |
| sushupti |
s&P&I¼t |
State of deep sleep, during which an individual is totally devoid of any form of perception. |
| sutrãtmã |
s*#iiRmi |
One of the three bodies of Virat-Purush and other ishwars, the body of the jiva. |
| swabhãv |
AvBiv |
A person's vicious natures such as lust, anger, greed, jealousy, egotism, etc. |
| swãmi |
Avim) |
A renunciate, a sãdhu, also - master, guardian |
| swapna |
Av¼n |
Dream state |
| tamas |
tims |
Part of mãyã |
| tamogun |
tmi[g&N |
Quality of darkness |
| tantra |
t>#i |
Body of religious text containing magical formularies for the worship of deities or the attainment of superhuman powers. |
| tãntric |
ti>(#ik |
One who practices tantra |
| tapta-kruchh |
tß - k|&C |
Form of stern austerity entailing fasting for twelve continuous days. |
| tej |
t[j |
Fire or energy. One of the five gross elements, from which the sthul body of Virat-Purush, i.e. the physical world. |
| trigunãtmak |
(#ig&NiRmk |
Composed of the three gunas. |
| tyãgi |
Ryig) |
A renunciate, a sãdhu |
| ung |
a>g |
A habit, a liking, e.g. an ung for kathã, sevã, etc. |
| upãsanã |
upisni |
To worship God with the belief that He is the all-doer, Has a divine form, Is supreme and forever present on earth in human form |
| utsava |
uRsv |
Festival |
| vachan |
vcn |
Word |
| vad paksha |
vd px |
Dark half of lunar month |
| vairãgya |
v]ri³y |
Detachment from material objects and pursuits |
| vãniya |
vi(Nyi |
Specific class of people of the Vaishya caste traditionally engaged in commercial activities. |
| vartamãn |
vt<min |
Vow, as in Panch Vartmãns of Sãdhus |
| vãsanã |
visni |
Worldly desire, unfulfilled desires of the past merged with the jiva |
| vãyu |
viy& |
Air or gaseous matter. One of the five gross elements, from which the sthul body of Virat-Purush, i.e. the physical world. |
| shushka vedãntins |
v[di>t) |
A cult of people who believe they are Brahmin and above the observance of ethical rules. |
| vicharan |
(vcrN |
Spiritual touring |
| vidhi |
(v(F |
Rules and rituals that are to be observed - the do's |
| vidyã |
(vwi |
Knowledge |
| virat |
(vrT |
Of the three bodies of Virat-Purush and other ishwars, the physical body |
| virya |
v)y< |
The vital fluid, whose conservation in the body is obligatory for brahmachãrya |
| vishayas |
(vPyi[ |
The sense objects |
| vishwãs |
(vVis |
Faith, trust |
| vivek |
(vv[k |
To be able to discriminate between truth and untruth |
| viveki |
(vv[k) |
One who has vivek |
| vyatirek |
Äy(tr[k |
Separate. Distinct or unassociated. |
| yagna |
yX |
Ceremonial ritual performed as a form of worship to seek the good favour and receive the blessings of the deities. |
| yoga |
yi[g |
Union derived from verb-root 'yuj' - to yoke or join. |