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7 words found.

		Word	Meaning
1		Vairagya	The usual meanings attributed to this word are 'Unattachment' and 'Dispassion'. When a human being encounters in his/her daily existence a series of ever multiplying conflicts, in the initial stage they try their best to solve those oddities. At this stage, one is quite ignorant of the inherent nature of these conflicts. The outside world is perceived as the reason for the hardships that one is encountering. Hence, the whole emphasis of the humankind is to struggle constantly, until the conflicts are solved. Though one is unconscious of the true reason, the fact is, as we try to solve the problems, we also seem to be endlessly encountering "newer-problems". The naivety of human mind is unable to quickly discern that though the problems appear new, they are essentially the same! But, in the process of living, life's daily lessons, work on our naivety slowly yet steadily. None can avoid learning such lessons. Sooner or later, the 'message' reaches home! We SEE the real cause. This profundity alters one's attitude radically, in relation to the value based worldly contents of daily life. This radical inner state is termed as 'Vairagya'. 'Vai' = Beyond, Shun + 'Rag' = Likes and dislikes. Thus much before 'Unattachment' and 'Dispassion', the mind has to go beyond the snares of values based likes and dislikes.
2		Vedanta	This word consists of two parts. a) 'Veda'= Vedas are four great collections of compositions in Sanskrit language, expressing extraordinary level of profundity of ancient Vedic civilizations. Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva are the names of these four Vedas. All these ancient scriptures are still very much in active use in today's India. b) 'Anta'= 'At the end'. Hence, 'At the end of Vedas is Vedanta'. The root of the word 'Veda' is 'Vid' = 'To know', 'Divine knowledge'. The 'Upanishads' are the quintessence of profound investigations, undertaken by the Seers and Saints in the ancient Vedic India (Bharat). These 'Upanishads' are placed at the end of these four Vedas. While the main portion of 'Vedas' deal with intricate ritualistic approach ('Karma-Kanda') to religiosity, the 'Upanishads' unfold the analytical and investigative approach ('Gnana-Kanda') to comprehend the ultimate TRUTH of the Absolute. The one who comprehends this ultimate truth is called as SEER ('Drishta'). To SEE within oneself the all encompassing absolute TRUTH is realization. 'Vedanta' provides ample scope for such a realization to dawn in anyone who diligently undertakes to study 'Vedanta' (Upanishads). A SEER in our own lifetime unfolded a very profound insight into the word 'Vedanta'. He pointed out an unseen vista by revealing that, 'Veda'=Knowledge and 'Anta'=Ending. That is, 'Ending of knowledge is Vedanta'! The ultimate TRUTH governing both the micro and the Macrocosm is beyond the reach of all our clever concepts and astute analysis. Only, when one realizes the utter futility of trying to reach the dizzy summit of realization, by using the rope made out of our sandy knowledge, that one will reach spontaneously the auspicious point of 'Ending of knowledge predominance' in his/her life!
3		Vibhooti	This word in Sanskrit is both a noun and as well an adjective. First, let us look into the adjective aspect of this word. 'Vibhooti' means 'Might', 'Prosperity', 'Super human power'. This word has two parts: 'Bhooti' ('Boo') = 'Being', 'Existence', 'Springing from', 'Arising from'. 'Ve' = 'Greatness', 'Manifoldness'. Thus 'Vibhooti' denotes ' A Thing or A Power, arising from a Source of 'Manifold Greatness' possesses the quality of imperishable 'Being' and 'Existence'. In the parlance of Science of Yoga, 'Vibhooti' is used to denote the 'Super human power' (Siddhi). 'Vibhooti' as a noun is the 'Holy Ash'. In the 'Shaivite' approach of pursuing non-dual transcendent divinity, 'Lord Shiva' is their deity. Though in the divine trinity, 'Shiva' is dedicated to the honorable task of 'DISSOLUTION' of the Creation, HE is looked upon as the most auspicious of the three. Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution are the rhythm of the inexorable creative cycle. 'Holy Ash' is the sacrament, which is shared with great reference by the 'Shaivite' group of worshipers. The devotee smears this on the forehead, with implicit empathy with the principle for which 'Shiva' is the poignant symbol, that is: DISSOLUTION! The very fundamental cause of birth is seen as, ignorance. Ignorance of, the illusory nature of separate self-identity, EGO (Ahamkar). Hence, dissolution is of paramount importance to dissolve the ongoing power of deception and ignorance. Dissolution of the ego-sense both at its notional level (Mind) and as well the obsessive physical identity is the most complete ending. The most popular way of disposing the dead in the Hindu tradition is, to cremate the body by lighting a funeral pyre. The only residual yield of this process is ASH. This is the irrefutable destination both for a prince and a pauper, a scholar and an idiot. Everyone has to get ultimately reduced to a heap of ash. Hindu outlook is not to allow oneself to be overcome by soul crushing melancholy and morbidity while encountering imminent dissolution. Instead, the DEATH is seen as the most positive and auspicious happening! The ending of innate ignorance of ego and its resulting bondage is the most auspicious possibility to terminate suffering. Thus a 'Shiva' devotee, right through his/her life reminds oneself the importance of DISSOLUION by smearing the 'Vibhooti' (Holy Ash) on their forehead. 'Vibhooti' is either simply smeared on oneself or applied on one's forehead, in the form three horizontal lines. These three horizontal lines symbolize that; all the qualities (Three 'Gunas) have to be turned subdued and subordinated in us. All qualities and traits are only a discord, in respect to original non-dual BALANCE! While one is alive, in the process of daily living, this salient aspect of the incontestable TRUTH has to be profoundly seen and realized. One's response in their daily life should emerge bearing in, the spirit of this alchemic adventure. Death without realization is not a transcendental solution. Dying while steeped in spiritual ignorance ensures only continuity! 'Vibhooti' constantly present in our life, both in form and spirit can accomplish this ultimate challenge of ENLIGHTENMENT!
4		Vijnana	The realized knowledge of 'GOD principle', is taken as 'Vijnana'. But, before such a higher knowledge dawns, the word 'Vijnana' outlines a very critical 'INNER' change. 'Vi' = Off, Separation + 'Jnana' = Knowledge. Thus, the Sanskrit word 'Vijnana' directly indicates the state of 'Being free (Separated) from the grip of knowledge'! By 'knowledge' it is only meant here, the burdensome knowledge based on our ignorance of egoistic individuality! For the realized knowledge of 'GOD principal' to dawn, first our mind has to be totally free of image based egoistic knowledge. Thus, the ultimate INNER state is indirectly connoted by the spiritual word 'Vijnana'.
5		Vishnu	It is also generally known as 'Maha Vishnu'. In the holy trinity of divinity denoted in Hindu religion, 'Vishnu' is the sustainer. Normally in the human parlance, the 'Sustainer' is always some one who is physically different from the one who is being sustained. Whereas, 'Maha Vishnu' is the one who has spread everywhere and has literally 'entered-into' every aspect of creation. 'Maha' = The greatest. 'Vish' = Spread everywhere. 'Anu' = In each atomic particle. Thus, the whole of creation is nothing but the authentic presence of 'Maha Vishnu'. In fact, the ultimate nourisher 'Maha Vishnu' has the very creator 'Brahma' as an integral part of his WHOLENESS. 'Vishnu's' consort is 'Maha Lakshmi'. She is the embodiment of all riches and bounty of resources essential for sustaining innumerable Universes! In 'Dwaita' philosophy, 'Maha Vishnu' the nourisher and the 'Prakriti' the creatrix of creation is seen as the one integral absolute substratum. 'Vishnu' is also called as 'Narayan'. 'Nara' = Human being (generally indicating life-forms), 'Ayana' = Decisive path, route. 'Naryana', indicates, the single unified realm of sustenance for the entire Creation. 'Narayana' also has a meaning denoting that, 'The creator Brahma', who according to Manu, was so called because the waters (Nara) were his first place of motion (Ayana). One should note that this is quite close to the modern theory of creation, which has found evidence that life-forms got formed first in the ocean waters! 'Maha Vishnu', who is otherwise depicted as one who is always in a reclined state, symbolizing stability, sends a part of His divinity to our world of relativity to restore order and peace. This principle is indicated clearly in The Bhagavad-Gita, under the IV chapter 'Jnana Yoga' (Sloka 6,7 and 8). * "Though I am unborn, of imperishable nature and though I am the Lord of all beings, yet ruling over My own nature (Non-dual), I am born by My own Maya (Apparent-reality). " * "Whenever there is a decay of religion (Virtue) , O Bharata, and an ascendancy of irreligion (Egoistic arrogance) , Then I manifest (As Flux) Myself." * " For the protection of the good (Truth) , for the destruction of evil-doers (Mental delusions) , for the firm establishment of religion (Realization) , I am born in every age (Each moment of the day)." 'The Absolute Noumenon' ('Maha Vishnu') through the inscrutable corrective force of constant change (Flux) governing the manifested reality, prods to wake up the intoxicated ignorant human ego. Until realization of falsity of ego-notion dawns, LIFE'S battering will continue. The realization of TRUTH dawns, only when all efforts of defending and escaping in pursuit of securing our sense of "Ego" are exhausted. Until then, the compassionate corrective principle of LIFE will continue its dharma of shocking our ignorance!
6		Viveka	The power of discrimination and discernment is taken as 'Viveka'. But, before such a higher capability can dawn in us, 'Viveka' outlines a very important prerequisite to take place. 'Vi' = Off, Separation + "Veka' = Foolishness, Immaturity, Impulsiveness. Thus the word 'Viveka' directly indicates the prerequisite of 'Being free (Separated) from immaturity in our perception, which is dominated by EGO'. Thus, for the power of discrimination and discernment to appear in us, first we have to be free from our immaturity of egoistic nature. Thus, the resulting higher capability is indirectly connoted by the word 'Viveka'. This is like, 'Absence of ignorance is intelligence'! Absence of foolish immaturity is the power of discrimination. Now at least, no one needs to ask as to "how" to get 'Viveka'! Absence of darkness is light!
7		Void	The term 'Void' in spirituality is quite akin to the 'Quantum-state' of science of Particle-physics, in which it is said that 'Particle-and-Wave' quality manifest in an enigmatic 'Uncertainty-Principle'. 'Quantum-state' is governed by 'Uncertainty-Principle'. Hence this state is not available for Direct measurement. The ultimate building block of the Universe simultaneously possesses the contradictory qualities of both 'Particle' and 'Wave'. This appears to be the state of modern day physical science. It sounds quite paradoxically philosophic! The spiritual noumenal state is also beyond the ken of senses and hence beyond all measurements. A continuous shower of teeming phenomena eternally manifest and stay sustained for a while and get dissolved back into the imperceptible noumenal state. Only this creative-process of the noumenal state is visible for our sense perception. Foundation of the creative-process is the unknowable state. Though unknowable, ITS presence is a certainty, because the creative-process of birth, growth, decay and death is happening continuously, forever. This unseen, yet the most potential noumenal state is the Spiritual-Void. In the Buddhist philosophy, the word 'Sunya' is used to indicate this fecund state. But, many quarrel with this term because they fear that this word indicates a negative state. Yes, 'Sunya' is of course the state of 'Nothingness'. But not to fear! 'Nothing', indicates only a state of No-thingness. Only in our pluralistic world of concepts based reality, man-made value attributes, fashion "Things". The unfathomable noumenal realm cannot be netted by our make-believe attributes. Hence the only way something can be uttered about this realm is by the negation approach. Thus, the word 'Sunya' is said to be the state of No-thing. 'Sunya' is equivalent to 'Void'. Manifestations happen out of an inexplicable 'Unmanifest-Principle'. Hence in spiritual parlance, manifestation is denoted as Heart and the Unmanifest as 'Void', 'Sunya', 'Brahman', and 'Hiranya-Garbha'. The 'Void' of science cannot account for 'Consciousness'. The only level at which the scientists see the presence of consciousness, is as the limiting and a dividing factor, not as a revealing realm. That is, the either/or position of particle or wave is only due to the perceiving consciousness of the 'Observer' (the human scientist)! Human perception can see only one thing at a given moment. Thus for science, at best consciousness is only a dividing factor. Their non-duality deals only with non-conscious matter and energy (force). Thus one can say that, their non-duality is materialistic in quality. They say that, 'the particle of wave' and 'the particle of matter' are different aspects of the same fundamental entity and thus are unified (non-dual). BUT, notwithstanding even their most recent 'String Theory' and the current 'Theory Of Everything' (TOE), ' Consciousness' seems to be way beyond the ken of science! Whereas, the noumenal 'Void' of spirituality is seen as the quintessential 'Consciousness' (Chaitanya). Every aspect of Creation contains the 'Void's' essential quality of consciousness. The common ground of Togetherness, which spirituality asserts, is this sharing of 'Void's' consciousness. Thus, the 'Void' of science is cold and forlorn. Whereas, the 'Void' of spirituality is warmly unifying with 'Togetherness'! Hence, LIFE is a celebration for a spiritually balanced person.

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