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108 words found.

		Word	Meaning
1		Aham Brahmasmi	This is one of the four 'Great Utterances' (Maha Vakya) appearing in the Upanishads. 'Maha'=Great and 'Vakya'=Utterance. At the point of time free moment of realization, a spontaneous exclamation comes forth as 'Aham Brahmasmi'. It means, 'Myself is the ABSOLUTE'. The 'Brahman' is the Absolute and 'Aham' is one's self. The usual human ignorance is to deeply feel that, one is a separate and a limited "Identity". This notion of "Self-identity" engulfs the physical body, "Within IT'S" identity notion. Thus, 'I AM MY FORM' sense crystallizes. This self-identity is obsessed with a further notion that, ITS self-identity has to be protected and preserved only by struggling with LIFE in general and "Other-Identities" in particular. This in gist is human existence. "I, ME and MINE" as opposed to "Others and Theirs" is the hypnotic divide, in which human consciousness is trapped. At the moment of realization, the all-encompassing TRUTH that dawns, completely unifies, transcending mind's notional divisions. This palpable reality sends out a spontaneous joyful exclamation of 'Aham Brahmasmi' (I AM BRAHMAN).
2		Ahamkar	Usual English equivalent to this Sanskrit word is 'EGO'. But, the original word 'Ahamkar' ('Aham' + 'Kar') deals with much deeper ground of meanings and implications. The first part 'Aham' ('A' + 'Ham') has to be seen segmented as, 'Ham' = 'Amness', ('Am' = The undifferentiated ABSOLUTE Consciousness, Self)/ Noumenon. The second step is: 'A + Ham' (Aham) = 'I Am' (Individualized limited consciousness, self / Phenomenon. This is the very first step towards the formation of 'Ego' notion.) The Vedic scheme of spirituality attributes an undivided state of CONSCIOUSNESS as the noumenal substratum, WITHIN which all sentient and insentient aspects of Creation, spring up, get sustained for a while and dissolve back into the substratum. Such a continuous creative-process has been happening forever, without a beginning and an end. But, this continuous creative-process of birth, growth, decay and death, does neither exhaust nor affect the wholeness of the undivided substratum. This state of undivided CONSCIOUSNESS exudes 'Amness', which is the root of all levels of Intelligence. Thus 'Ham' (Amness) is the generic state of 'Pristine Intelligence'. From the above point of undivided singularity, through the causeless creative-process, infinitely teeming many 'Atman' spring up. The state of consciousness of 'Atman' is 'Aham' (I Am). A rudimentary sense of individuality gets surfaced in the 'Aham' of 'Atman'. When 'Atman' gets embodied, it is 'Jivatma' ('Jiva' + 'Atma' = 'Jivatma'). 'Jiva' = Organic existence. The further modification in the manifested 'Atman' (Jivatma) is, their 'Aham' sense deeply identify with the respective physical structure, in a tacit manner. This strong identification brings forth the notion of independent dweller-animator role in 'Aham' (I Am). Thus an acute conditioning as 'I Am This' (Ahamkar) gets crystallized. This hardened sense of limitation as 'I Am This', further propagates an unshakable sense of 'Doership' ('Karta'). This sense of 'Doership' also includes the deception of 'Enjoyer' (Bhokta), which covers both pleasure and pain syndrome ('Sukha' and 'Dhuka'). 'I Am This' sense ("Ahamkar'), unavoidably apprehends 'I Am NOT That'. There is always a hidden fear in 'I Am Not That' feeling. Thus, 'I', 'ME' and 'MINE' notions, as against the 'OTHER' and 'THEIRS' (The World) idea get deeply fortified. Such an 'Ahamkar' (Ego) wages endless battle in the world (Jagat) during the life-time, which is termed in Sanskrit as 'Samsar' (Essence of ALL false notions!) Freedom from this is possible, only by realizing the falsity of one's assumed self-identity of 'I Am This' and 'I Am The Doer (Ahamkar). Instead of questioning as to why at all these sequence of notional identifications begin in the first place, if one is feeling the heat and dust of 'Samsar' (deceptive life), then the ONLY WAY is to experientially work backwards from one's present state and realize how much false one's self-identity (Ego) truly is! If one's house is on fire, no one wastes time in asking the cause of the fire. In like manner, let a serious 'Sadhak' (student) not get distracted by seeking causes, to find cure for one's ego ailment. Let us get on with the curative 'Sadhana' (Diligent quest) of 'Who Am I?' Only way to end the horror of one's nightmare is to wake up! Egotic mind is not merely ticking in individuals with power and possessions. Even a derelict and a destitute are pre-occupied with egoistic outlook. Those who suffer humiliation are only hurt. Humankind seldom learns true humility. Whatever may be the hard lessons, the LIFE imparts to us, still our 'Ahamkar' stays intact! This has to be seen as the main issue of our life. Amness - I Am - I Am This - Doer - Enjoyer - I Am Not That - Others. Ham - Aham - Ahamkar - Karta - Bhokta - Bhaya Bhit - Jagat (Phobia) This is the path the Consciousness goes through from the Absolute to the Relative state. But this entire sequence of modification is said to be only a make-believe notion ( 'Maya'). Nothing is apart from the 'Absolute' and the CONSCIOUSNESS in its essence is 'NO-THING'! The whole show, is only a play ('Leela') of the divine! Actually 'No Creation' has taken place. What is being perceived is something like features in a dream. No reality and solidity can be attributed to dream-features. Only this 'Insight' can result in a living, as the water drops on a lotus-leaf. The water drops are on the leaf, yet not attached (sticking) to the leaf. Thus, one lives 'in' the world, but not 'of' the world. Detachment born out of such bird's eye view only can comprehensively dissolve 'Ahamkar' (EGO).
3		Ahimsa	The base word is 'Himsa', which means 'Harming', 'Disturbing', 'Destroying'. The prefix 'A' denotes 'Not'. Thus the word 'Ahimsa' means, 'Not harming', 'Not destroying', 'and Not disturbing'. But, Non-violence is not in merely talking heatedly and also sharing some group opinion about it. Thought, speech and action are the three dimensions, in which 'Ahimsa' (Non-violence) has to be alive and unhesitatingly work from moment-to-moment in one's life. Actually, much before physically assaulting, we destroy each other many a time, in our thought and speech level! The noisy ideology of non-violence must be sensitive to this fact.
4		Ajiva	Insentient; non-living.
5		Anekantavad	Generally this can be said to be the word in 'Prakrit' language, equivalent to the English title of 'The Theory of Relativity'. 'Anekantavad' is a doctrine in Jain philosophy, to highlight the relative state of all perceptions. 'Aneka-Anta' means 'Endlessly many', 'Vad' means 'Perceptions', 'Outlook', 'Grasp', 'Doctrine'. Usually, the starting point of all human conflicts is due to our 'pathological' inability to accept without resistance that actually no viewpoint represents 'The Absolute TRUTH'. Each perception is surely limited by the relativistic constraints. But, we for ever tediously struggle and quarrel without ever realizing the fundamental all encompassing principle. Human mind cannot concede to that single indisputable TRUTH, that is, 'Onething which is absolutely CONSTANT in Creation is CHANGE!' 'Anekantavad' is based on this simple yet stupendous TRUTH. It gives acceptance for other views. One is not stuck with his own views. The unmoving absolute substratum is beyond the realm of thoughts and words. The noise of concepts and chattering of values are the eternal hindrance to empathically dwell in the profundity of ABSOLUTE. The Substratum always defies all estimations and explanations. Only the inspired SILENCE is the most eloquent WAY to partake the fullness of the ABSOLUTE!
6		Anekantavada	Relativity.
7		Antarmukhi	'Antar' = Inward + 'Mukhi' = Faced. Though this word is the opposite word for 'Bahiramukhi', implying 'Introversion', it does not mean introversion of sense organs per se! Sense organs are not meant to be kept turned inward. They have to do their innocuous work of life preservation. The word 'introversion', actually connotes to educating the ego ridden mind, to 'self-observe' with diligence of AWARENESS. It is to come upon the illusive nature of one's stubborn sense of individuality through acute ATTENTION. It is to 'Choicelessly-Witness' within, as to how the egoistic fears and desires germinate and exert immense pressure, which gets expressed as 'Abnormal Behaviors'. It is also to realize, that all our efforts of 'on the surface' correction and as well suppressions, only deepen the dis-ease of EGO and irretrievably complex our make-believe existential difficulties.(The issues in our midst may be are fictional, but the reactions they unleash are factually destructive. This should be noted without fail). 'Introversion' is also to KNOW without a trace of doubt, that there is no other force, except our own initiative of 'CHOICELESS ATTENTION', which can both expose and also radically cure our ego ailment. Completely emptying of our consciousness to regain purity within is, only possible through the decisive introversion (Antarmukhi). This state is to surrender, one's entire vitality unfragmented to the very basic issue of existence.
8		Ardhanareeshwar	Perhaps, amongst the all-religious symbolisms in Hindu religion, 'Ardhanareeshwar' is the most ingeniously outstanding creation. The meaning is: 'Ardha' = Half + 'Naree' = Woman + 'Eshwar' = God. That is, the God who has half 'feminine form' and half 'male form'! Apart from the interesting mythological story behind this appearance, this form very clearly exemplifies the deep insight the ancient Seers of India had in understanding the nature of the ultimate noumenal reality. They realized that 'The Ultimate Substratum', is BIPOLAR in its quality. They knew well that the conundrum of 'seed first OR the tree first', leads to only a vexing doldrums state. They were also too advanced to propose a superintending human male as a creator, who went about the job of creation as an external agency. The ancient Vedic Seers profoundly realized that the multifarious infinite manifestations are inexhaustibly arising out of one common nondual substratum. This is the conclusion; the modern science is also encouraged to accept. Though nondual, this noumenal factor could not be SINGLE-POLAR, in its quality. The ancient Masters knew this for certain. For the endless dynamism of creation to emerge, the Ultimate factor (The ONE without the second) has to be complete ('Purnam') in ITSLEF. The male-female creative factors have to be fused into one single BIPOLAR Creatrix. This is outstandingly expressed in the form of 'Ardhanareeshwar'. Even the science of biology discovered that the primordial life-form was a hermaphrodite! The 'Ardhanareeshwar' symbolization, apart from adequately depicting the state of the Absolute TOTALITY (Macrocosm), it also unfolds the nature of each one of us (Microcosm). No "Male' is exclusively all masculine and no 'Female' is all feminine. Each type has in it, a trace of its opposite. Male has in him few feminine qualities and female has in her few masculine traits. This has to be first and foremost recognized as a natural feature and should be owned up in complete humility. Resisting arbitrarily something, which is seen as undesirable, creates psychological disorders. Instead, they have to be seen as the complementing factors. This is as intended by the nature. The latest findings of specialists in neurology, about the human brain, come fascinatingly close to 'Ardhanareeshwar'. The perceiving modality of human brain is having two distinct divides. The two hemispheres of human brain are reported to have two distinctly opposite ways of sensing and responding to the incoming sensations. The left cerebral half of human brain, functions through 'Word' dominated (Concepts and Logic) way, while the right cerebral half functions through 'Direct Spatial perception'. While the 'Right Brain' is naturally capable of creative perception involving insights and intuition, the 'Left Brain' is specialized in conceptual reasoning and verbal descriptions. For a balanced living both these capabilities are essential. Thus, though both halves of our brain differ in their quality, they perfectly complement each other to ensure a harmonious existence. The 'Right' and 'Left' cerebral hemispheres of human brain are perfectly synchronized by evolution, as portrayed by the ancient SEERS of India through 'Ardhanareeshwar'. In a human being, when the light of intuition fully complements the power of reasoning, he/she is said to have fulfilled the complete potentials of LIFE!
9		Asrav	In Jaina philosophy, there is nothing non-material about anything in the Creation. There are only gradations of "density" from the most gross to the purely subtle. Even the 'Soul' accordingly, is only absolutely subtle, yet having qualities and density. The power of 'Asrav' (Influx of Karma), conforming to the law of 'Karma', propels the appropriate 'Karmic-particles' to the corresponding 'Soul' and makes the bondage to happen. 'Karmic-particles' (Anu = Atom), differ in their composition from one another, depending on their intrinsic karmic-gravity. The word asrava, etymologically means 'flowing ' or influx. According to Jaina philosophy, asrava means the influx of matter into the soul, due to actions of the body, mind and speech. The state of consciousness which causes the influx of karmic matter into a soul is known as Bhavasrava. In other words the Bhavasrava are thought activities which prepare the way for the influx of karma, whereas Drayasrava in the actual flowing in of matter into the soul by which different kinds of karmas are produced.
10		Atman	All creatures in general (including plants) and human beings in particular are intrinsically made of 'Atman'. 'Atman' is essentially same as the noumenal 'Brahman'. 'MAN' in Sanskrit language denotes 'Consciousness'. The word 'At' (Aath / Anthar) indicates 'within' and 'residing in'. Which means, the spirit (Consciousness) residing 'within' each human being is 'Atman'. Consciousness also includes 'Awareness' and 'Intelligence'. Even the English word MAN, is etymologically derived from the Sanskrit root-word of 'MAN", meaning Consciousness. The word MIND also comes from this source Sanskrit word 'MAN'!
11		Awareness	The basis of perception in a human being is five sensory inputs of touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste. The surrounding ambience is perceived due to sense stimuli being processed by the brain's sense-centers and responded to, as per the urgency of importance. In the animal-world, their awareness as attention is always bound to self-preservation efforts. Awareness in humankind is the basis for thoughts and perception, as the protoplasm is the visible basis for organic existence. Usually, awareness in human beings is always tethered to thinking. Constant mentation is the human mental state. This condition is so, both while being awake and as well asleep. Conscious, Sub-conscious and Unconscious states of human consciousness are always in a "clutched" state. Clutched by the egoistic self-centered thought process. Whereas, only in the "de-clutched" state, the AWARENESS regains the original pure state of undivided togetherness. Peace, quietitude and fullness are possible only in a declutched awareness. Freed from goals and pursuits, the awareness is just simply open. The capacity of ATTENTION in human beings, regains its full potential only in the declutched receptive state.
12		Bahiramukhi	'Bahir' = Extroverted + 'Mukhi' = Faced. In the process of infinite species formation, obviously the factor, which was of paramount importance, was 'Self-Preservation'. In the impeccable evolution of features, accomplished by the enigmatic creative-process, not a single feature is purely for an ornamental value. Even the color of the feathers in birds and sound of croaking in the frogs are to meet the very specific requirements for species propagation. Thus, each and everything that is part of creation is highly factual and as well exacting. The moment something turns redundant, be it just a feature or the entire species, the creative-process is spontaneously sensitive to efface it out through the process of extinction. There is no room for sick sentiments in the grand order of the nameless Creative-process. Every moment, IT is in the state of peak performance! The sense organs provided to each of the species, though they are of a great range in their capacity and specialty, but all of them are uniformly kept extroverted ('Bahiramukhi'). Only this design decision ensures appropriate sensation-response chain, so as to preserve the life of the creature. Conforming to this natural requirement, sense organs in human beings are also 'extroverted'. But, unlike other creatures, due to a complex central nervous system in humankind, apart from responding to physical sensations, an enduring "Center" gets crystallized out of memory bedrock of past sensations. This Center exudes with the notion of 'I Am' and 'Myself'. In factuality, there is really no such "Center" in existence. This issue is indeed a paradox! "That", which is not real, yet "IT" creates delusions! This self-identity center of "ME", is merely a projection of an image, happening due to neurological condition in the humankind. The human EGO is purely a thought based formulation. Human thought ("I"), is innately divisive, causing "ME" and "YOU". While the life preservation work is being spontaneously carried out by the extroverted sense organs, the extroverted "CENTRE of EGO" vainly tries to carry out the preservation of "ITS" identity, without realizing the least that "IT" does not really exist! Our mind is totally pre-occupied with the fictional ego-sense and stays all the time focused extroverted filled with one too many abnormal phobia. The Sanskrit word 'Bahiramukhi' denotes this most peculiar extroverted state of our egoistic mind. This is indeed the state, which is the root-cause of all our problems in life.
13		Bahirmukhi	One who is seeking sensory pleasures; extrovert.
14		Bandha	It means the bondage of soul with karmas. First of all there is an influx of karmas thru asrava. Then there are some activities of consiousness consisting of attachment or aversion by which karmas are tied to the soul is known as Bhavabandha. This union consists of the interpenetration of the soul and karmas, and the bondage resulting from this is known as Drava-bandha.
15		Beeja-Mantra	These are intricate combinations of Sanskrit alphabets, having power of phonetic resonance intended to awaken by sonic reverberation, certain neural plexus in the Sadhak. Usually, the 'Beeja-Mantra' does not contain in them any verbal or conceptual meanings. This area of spiritual practice is esoteric in nature. Hence, it can be undertaken only under the able guidance of a fully capable teacher (Guru). If the 'Beeja-Mantras' (Seed-Mantras) are handled lackadaisically in a flippant manner, one will surely land in psychic and physical calamity.
16		Bhakti	Devotion.
17		Bhakti, Karma and Gnyan YOGA	Apart from the eight-fold path of 'Yoga' formulated by Sage Patanjali, Hindu philosophy unfolds three principle ways of Yoga taking into consideration, the three principal mental dispositions of human beings in general. But, at the very outset it has to be clearly understood that these three qualities are NOT rigid divisions, made arbitrarily to divide human beings into "Superior" and "Inferior" classification. In fact, these three ways are complementary between them, because each human being in his/her lifetime does not remain exclusively locked up in one single temperament. The goal of all these three ways of Yoga is one single point. That is, to dissolve the human 'Ahamkar' (Ego). Emotion, Proactive and Intellectually reflective, are the three principal traits correspond to Bhakti, Karma and Gnyan respectively. In some portion, all these three qualities are surely present in each and every human being. Bhakti Yoga: Spiritual liberation through devotion. In this approach, human ego can identify with deep devotion with a chosen deity and surrender its sense of individuality. The identifications range from, 'Child-Mother', 'Master-Servant', 'Lover-Beloved', Supportive and protective friend etc. The whole soul of Bhakti Yoga is, the art of 'Surrender' and complete 'Let-go' of the ego. Karma Yoga: Spiritual liberation through action. In this approach, the human ego is weaned away from its obsession of 'Expectations'. In each and every activity, we expect not only an outcome as an end result but also more so we long for appreciation and recognition from others. Not being recognized is perhaps the deepest sorrow and anguish we undergo in our life. Notwithstanding financial gain, human ego hungers for recognition. In fact, the factors of power, wealth, physical beauty, influence, knowledge, skills etc are sought after only for one single goal in mind, that is RECOGNITION! The sad reality of life's dynamic is such, all recognitions, if at all they come, are quite short-lived. Not being recognized and loosing recognition, are the most painful experience for our ego! Karma Yoga guides us to engage in each and every activity with full interest and application, but FREE of EXPECTATIONS for recognition. The sense of ego in us changes and becomes totally impotent, if one understands Karma Yoga correctly. Crude understanding of Karma Yoga is, 'Do not expect fruit of your actions'. Hence many take this to be a license for their inefficiency and irresponsibility! The subtle clue is: In one's life, satisfaction and sense of fulfillment is only possible, when the mind is totally free from the anxiety of expectations! Karma Yoga, fully teaches this lesson to the confusedly struggling human beings. Gnyan Yoga: Spiritual liberation through knowledge. In this approach, through the medium of reasoning and analysis the human ego is taught that "ITS" self-identity is only ILLUSIVE. It is an innate nature of human mind to perceive an irrefutable identity of individuality. The sense of "I" and "ME" in us struggles endlessly to protect itself, not realizing the least that this identity is only an erroneous assumption. Making use of human daily experience of wakeful, dream and deep-sleep states of consciousness, one is helped to arrive through reasoning, to question one's sense of permanent self-identity. The 'Waker' is not there during the dream and the' Dreamer' is not there in the waking-state. Both the 'Waker' and the 'Dreamer' are completely lost in the deep-sleep state! The knowledge (Gnyan) thus arrived is so conclusive that it eradicates all traces of doubt. The self-identity of us is clearly seen, to be totally impermanent and thus freedom from ignorance (Avidya) and illusive deception (Maya) is accomplished! Freed from the limitation of individuality, one spontaneously feels intimately one with the primal LIFE, which is beyond all naming!
18		Brahmacharya	In the 'Vedic' approach, to indicate the regulated flow of the life-span of an individual in a most natural and congenial way, for the common good of both the individual and collective living, four stages were marked out. They are: 'Brahmacharya', 'Grahasthashrama, 'Vanaprasthashrama and 'Sanyasashrama'. Correspondingly these stages pertain to: Childhood-to-Youth-hood, Householder's life, Retire-to-retreat (Into forest) and finally Renounce-the-very life. The substantial part of childhood-to-Youth stage, one lives with a teacher (Guru), as the member of his household (Gurukul) leading a very obedient life serving the teacher and as well learning. During this period the student has to maintain complete chastity, both in mind and body level by being a celibate. When one steps out of the 'Gurukul' with the blessings of 'Guru' into the world, the family and the social tradition demanded the person to play a responsible role of a house-holder. After having reared a family and done his bit to the society, the cultural system encouraged the individual along with the spouse, to methodically withdraw from the worldly pursuit, to the life of meditation and contemplation. If the person makes substantial progress inwardly, the last stage of renunciation is the most appropriate opening before him. The early three stages are marked out to be followed automatically, but pursuing the last stage is left to the individual's initiative, earnestness and steadfastness. The general perception of people, as the most important significance of 'Brahmacharya' is observing a very strict continence. Many traditions have emphasized that complete suppression of sexual urges, is the important prerequisites for undertaking religious-life in search of liberation. Thus, what has to be the outcome as response from a person, due to a profound realization, the tradition has positioned it as the prerequisite for the very realization itself to dawn! Like, 'putting the cart before the horse'! One has to deeply ponder here to grasp, whether renunciation of worldly possessions is the prerequisite for "Realization", OR one of the expressions of a realized person, is, a sense of natural detachment for worldly possessions? 'Brahmacharya, is the inward state of the human being, who has comprehensively seen the falsity of his/her ego and the appended sense of individuality. The delusion of incompleteness and separation has withered away from such a Being. It has come upon FULLNESS, without the aid of any externally stimulating thing or situation. Its 'Purnatva' (Fullness) is absolutely unconditioned and hence fully alive! In such a complete Being, all shades of psychological urges and propensities have become extinct. Its source of joy and delight is in the sense of abiding togetherness with everything else in the Creation. Thus 'Brahmacharya is not a morose and a morbid state of neither suppression nor avoidance. 'Brahman'= 'Fullness', 'Completeness', 'Togetherness' 'Oneness' + 'Achariya' = 'Conduct', 'Conducting oneself', 'Observing'. Thus, the other name for identity free, 'Non-dual Togetherness' with the TOTALITY is 'Brahmacharya! One should not be tempted into indulgence, taking the opposing stand to continence. One should clearly KNOW the way of one's own mind! The undue emphasis on sexual continence became popular in the tradition only due to the coming of monistic order, created to competitively spread a particular religious dogma and cult faith. The undertaking of a monk, demands unfettered life, so as to plunge into the monistic pursuits undistracted. In the ancient Bharat (India), those SEERS ('Rishis') who composed the astounding Upanishads, Vedas, Puranas and Dharma shastras, many of them were householders. Many could also lead their wives in the pursuits of 'Self-Knowledge'. There are also instances, where a wife of a Rishi, instructs and leads her husband in the path of 'Self-Realization'. Thus the true path of spirituality is not a life-denying brittle negation. Life-assertion is the cornerstone of true spirituality. Only the deceptions and the misgivings, which have got gathered due to our hoary ignorance, have to be understood and deeply realized.
19		Brahman	The word syllable 'Brah' denotes 'Vast', 'Total', 'ALL encompassing' etc. The syllable 'Man', as stated above means 'Consciousness', 'Awareness', 'Intelligence' etc. Thus the Sanskrit word 'Brahman' means 'The ALL pervading TOTAL Consciousness'. Hence, 'Brahman' is the non-dual ultimate noumenal substratum, from which all 'Atman' emerge and get reabsorbed. 'Brahman' is also indicated by the word 'Self' with the capital letter 'S'. 'Self' also indicates the rudimentary sense of PRESENCE, underlying our egoistic mode of perception. The 'thought-flow' is made possible only by THIS unmoving constant PRESENCE in us. But, instead of realizing the unmoving nature of our core 'Being-state', out of ignorance a condition of alienation has crept in us. This stigma is the essence of individuality, which is merely a hypnotic aberration!
20		Charitra	Conduct.
21		Cosmic-Dance	The Sanskrit word for 'Cosmic-Dance' is "Nataraja'. In the field of iconography, this is a very famous icon. The hair locks dramatically swirling around, with a stunning gait and agility the dancing form is frozen in its breath-taking movement with one leg poised on the ground and the other leg lifted high. God Shiva as 'Nataraja' is depicted as the relentless cosmic whirling movement. It was quite well known in the ancient India, that nothing in the 'Grand-creation' is static and solid. They knew that everything is in constant whirl. The apparent stability is only due to imperceptible rapid movement. One-within-the-other, the whole of creation is in eternal synchronized movement. Though it is indeed quite orderly, the whole magnificent mind-boggling rapid movement is also un-nerving, if the puny human being begins to visualize this! The ancient Seers portray such a movement of the TOTALITY, as 'Nataraja' (King of Dance)! Modern science of astronomy and as well the particle physics share this very same view of whirling dance matching the speed of light, at the levels of both minuscule sub-atomic particles and also the gigantic galaxies. They also confirm that the stability in the whole of creation is only due to the all governing movement. It is mentioned in the scriptures extolling Lord Shiva that HE dances eternally in the 'Space' of 'Consciousness'. This is known in Sanskrit as "Chitambaram' ("Chit' = Consciousness + 'Ambaram' = Space). This symbolism has in it yet another path breaking insight. According to this insight, the absolute substratum is nothing but a 'Dance (Play) of Consciousness'! The fundamental cause of the whole creation can only be understood in a 'Unified Theory Of Everything'. Only towards such a theory, the most modern physicists are precisely working. All manifestations are transient and they are the expressions of the inscrutable play of subtle CONSCIOUSNESS. All the infinite manifestations unfailingly decay, except the very process of endless manifestation! This undeniable fact surely indicates that: * The POWER (Intelligence) that causes manifestation IS NOT in the same category of fleeting manifestations. *The potential of this primordial POWER is inexhaustible. *All manifestations disintegrate and dissolve back into this subtle realm. This all governing movement of dissolution is FLUX and which is akin to PLAY. *The primordial SOURCE POWER has no second-thing, apart from ITSEF, in ITS category. *As no manifestation lasts for eternity, all manifestations are only an illusory appearance. *Humankind is one such fleeting manifestation, with a very significant difference! That is, it can either, ignorantly be preoccupied with a separated self-consciousness and suffer, OR it can realize the TRUTH and be FREE of self-identity ignorance. Under the light of above outlined truism, separate self-identity is highly untenable. Sense of "I" and "ME" are indeed aberration. Only the eternal Unified Cosmic Dance of 'Nataraja' is 'Satya' (Truth). Seeing the fleeting relative features (Including oneself) with such a vision of ABSOLUTENESS is wisdom!
22		DEATH	The greatest of all challenges to human emotion, intellect and religiosity, is the incomprehensible enigma of 'DEATH'. It also goes without having to specially mention that, the modern science is also totally baffled by the inevitable universal happening of DEATH. All remarkable breakthroughs in medical science are only to postpone death, nothing could yet conquer death and escape for ever! Humankind is perhaps the only creature that 'Knows' very starkly about its own impending end, by way of death. This is the only creature, which also undertakes an elaborate procedures to dispose the dead and deals with the dead body with a heightened sensitivity. Behind all human daredevil acts and postures of bravado, there is a lurking fear and deep revulsion about the inevitability of one's own death. Though human beings have the intelligence to objectively observe death all around, subjectively we are not able to reconcile that one has to surely die and more so that there is going to be an END for the "person in us". All of us pine for our sense of individuality to continue ad infinitum. More we entertain this desire as a longing, more the phenomenon of DEATH becomes hard and heavy on us! Thus, a SEER had mentioned appropriately that, "The whole learning orientation in one's life time should be, as to, how to be ready for death with no resistance whatsoever." But, this does not mean that one should turn morbidly pessimistic and indifferent to oneself and one's surroundings. "The Search For TRUTH', is not looking for something abstract 'beyond the hills and above the clouds'! These types of efforts, are purely an attempt to desperately escape from the fact of DEATH and our own fear for its inevitability. To explore one's own consciousness choicelessly and encounter the falsity of one's sense of individuality, which is averse to death, is the essence of true spirituality. Free of all supernatural assumptions, one has to clearly see that one's sense of 'I', 'ME' and 'Self-identity' is fictitious. In our own daily life, one has to discern that this notion has no continuity at all. Perceiving the ever changing identity emphasis from our wakeful period to dreaming moments to deepsleep period, daily, is indeed a telling lesson. Also, from the very formative days in our life, ever so many identities have appeared in our consciousness and stayed for a duration and have departed. Simultaneously also, we don quite a few identities and the play of mutual interaction takes place, hopping and slipping from one identity to another. But, all these gymnastics of consciousness is happening rather 'UNCONSCIOUSLY' (Un aware). It is seldom noticed that such a quicksilver like self-conscious identity spectrum, through the habit of unending repetition, assumes constancy as one's ego sense. This enduring notion notwithstanding many in-between breaks in the 'waking-dream-deepsleep' sequences, due to the peculiar human capacity to project any notion as an objective reality, 'KNOWS and FEARS" ITS end in the physical death! The death that it sees all around is only the physical death, about which it is intelligent enough to understand the reason. What this self-identity notion ever for the first time encounters in 'ITS OWN DEATH" is the "DEATH OF IDENTITY"! For we human beings, the death of self-identity is immensely more painful than physical death. Our self-identity amazingly survives through even a most blood curdling physical mutilations, dementia and senility. May be, even in the state of coma, the self-identity is still sticking. Perhaps, only this deep-rooted conditioning makes us eagerly accept the theory of transmigration of "Soul", so as to reincarnate in a new birth after the present impending death! Notwithstanding the theory of reincarnation, our self-identity writhes in fear and delirium at the prospects of DEATH. The only known cure, for this illness of self-identity, is to come upon the unalterable fact of the illusoriness of the very self-identity. But for the fictitious center of human "Self-identity", there is no struggle and resistance against the most natural event of DEATH. 'The BIRTH' and 'The DEATH' are two sides of the very same enigmatic coin of LIFE. One without the other is just not possible. Except the human EGO, no other facet of Creation, strives to separate death away from birth. Let us realize the truth hidden in the basic issue of our existence. *DEATH of organic forms through the process of growth-and-decay is an inevitable 'All-embracing life-process'. This process governs humankind too! * The life-potency of all creatures is composed of bio-magnetic energy quotient. Universally at the very foundation of Cosmos, this energy is inexhaustibly present, perennially aiding organic creation. In the humankind, a very deep sense of self-identity appears as an image. This projected image firmly latches on to the bio-magnetic energy base. Thus, the notion of 'I' and 'ME' is too deeply entrenched. * The post-death lingering of "Self-Identity" is only a shadow existence, akin to magnetically recorded audio-video images! Replay happens, when the appropriate conditions get organized. Even then, their quality is only of latent images. * While the human being is alive, "Self-Identity" cannot escape repeated distinct discontinuity, through 'Waking-Dreaming-Deep-sleeping' state. This makes it very much evident that continuous individualized sense of self-identity is only a notion and hence an illusion. All human beings can understand this, without any need for high pressure convincing! * Deep-sleep state conclusively proves that life is intact, even in the total absence of self-identity. This lesson can help us devalue the undue importance of certainty given to the sense of 'I' and 'ME' notion. * There is a very strong resistance prevailing in a human being, to avoid death of one's "Self-Identity". This is the cause of "Birth" of reincarnation theory! * All shades of "Soul" theories propagated by different religions are meant to console the fears of human psyche. Still, none of these theories can restore peace and quietude in human beings. Fears and insecurity related to the death of one's self-identity continues! *While being alive in this world, if one realizes profoundly the illusory nature of the pranks of human self-identities, the unconditional freedom from the fear of death dawns. This human being, who is full of freedom brims with love and togetherness, which cannot be measured by words. Such a living torch of LOVE is the true 'JEEVAN MUKTA'. ('JEEVAN' = Alive here-and-now. 'Mukta' = Liberated Being). Even the silent PRESENCE of a 'Jeevan Mukta', is the most potential inspiration for the suffering ignorant humankind. * If at all any purpose that can be attributed to our human existence, it is only to grow and go beyond our death-pang for the demise of self-identity.
23		Description is NOT the Described!	Human beings are slaves of concepts and to the words, which express those concepts. We are deeply conditioned to perceive the world and as well communicate with each other in this slavish way. We seldom discern that words are only images, mere description of something, which is REAL! As the reality is stored in our memory as images and this deposit get triggered by the corresponding words, we are not sensitive to the fact that, 'Description (words) is NOT the Described!' If we are sensitive to this fact, we would neither get insulted nor get flattered by hearing a word! A mind, which is not hurt, will never hurt another. A mind, which cannot be misled by a flattery, will never mislead others by flattery. A world peopled by such sane beings, is it not a 'Paradise'?!
24		Dharma	The ancient saying in the Sanskrit language, to aptly explain this loaded word of 'Dharma' is "Dhaarati lokam iti Dharma". The meaning is: "That which protects the WORLD, is Dharma". Here the most important word that has to be correctly understood is "WORLD". This does not indicate the human world of "Values, Bias, Judgments, Prejudice and Fancy". The WORLD that is indicated in this saying is, 'the pure and natural balance of Organic Existence'. The 'Wheel' of Dharma is the inexorable cycle of birth, growth, decay and death. Compassionately, Dharma also contains scope for realization, from the ignorance of 'Self-identity', which is causing illusory values and concepts. But, this scope can be actualized only through an earnest quest. Until the moment one questions and doubts one's self-identity and the connected endless struggle, this scope for realization lies quite outside the purview of one's consciousness. Hence, instead of blindly struggling and reacting, one has to question the entire proceedings very profoundly and dead seriously. But in the majority of humanity, the full scope of Dharma does not get played out. Till such moment, the cycle of Dharma re-cycles the human ego!
25		Durga	Ignorant people in their arrogance always gloat with a pride of invincibility. The ego in humankind has been symbolized in the Hindu religious mythology as demon with destructive power. Unbridled avarice, extreme ill temper of craving to overlord the whole surrounding, are demonic qualities of ego. Seldom we realize that, what is portrayed as a despicable demon is none other than, our each one's venomous ego. Instead, we foolishly believe that these symbolic depictions of 'Good over the Evil', as mere mythological stories! It has been the human folly since the dawn of 'Time', that we see evil only in others. One group finds the rival group is full of evil. We are blind to our own evil ego. The evil of ego is at play in the meek and the strong alike! Those who are intoxicated with power of authority and wealth are generally the frightened type. Notwithstanding their paranoia, their sense of vanity and bravado compel them to imagine, that nothing can overthrow their present vice grip. Our swaggering ego invariably gets repeatedly deflated from the most unexpected quarter of the enigmatic LIFE! This is the exact aspect each of the demon stories repeatedly, but in a most absorbing manner, portray. The demon kings amass enormous powers and thus get arrogantly foolish and overlook some very unassuming sources from where a suitable power can emanate to rout them out completely! Divine retributions take the form of a innocuous looking child (Sri.Krishna), a tender lad (Kartikeya), a young girl (Durga), a dwarf (Vaman Avatar), an ordinary man without an army (Sri.Rama) helped only by a bunch of monkeys), to vanquish the evil. The apparently vulnerable exterior of such avenues of retributions, escape the otherwise sharp attention of the evil intelligence of Demons. Intoxicated by the brutal power, the arrogance totally blinds the perception of the 'What Is?' All the demonic characters portrayed in the mythologies without an exception are highly accomplished and endowed generously with astounding physical and mental powers. They had even conquered the heavens and sent the inhabitants scattering. They had uniformly established their hegemony in all the three regions and terrorized even gods! The above details of evil come dangerously close to our own ego. Ego is perhaps the most battle hardened "entity" in the survival techniques. It is the master of all 'tricks in the pack'! It pervades all the three of states of consciousness in us. Its presence is obvious in the waking and dreaming part of consciousness. We normally underestimate our ego and feel that it is absent in the third part, our deep-sleep state. It is only lying low, hibernating and awaiting the daybreak! Such is the pervasive nature of our egoistic state of existence. Such an "invincible" deception shall surely meet a 'DURGA', to be blown into pieces! This is the immutable law of LIFE. In all those demon stories, the evil one is always given innumerable opportunities to mend its way and embark the life of virtue (Egolessness). In each and every day of our lives, there are enough moments drawing our attention to the fact of deception behind our sense of ego. There are ample proofs, the life provides to indicate that the only cause for our suffering and anguish is our EGO. But the "clutch" of ego is so severe that the warnings are always unheeded to. Nevertheless, always the final moment of reckoning comes, when the evil gets summarily vanquished. Our ego shall meet inescapably, this destiny! Sooner, we wake up to this unfailing law; it is beneficial for all of us and as well to all other aspects of Creation. "DURGA' awaits all of us. 'Du'= 'To burn', 'Consume with fire', 'To torment', 'Distress', 'Produce sorrow'. "Ga' = 'To remove', 'To redeem, 'To resolve'. Thus, DURGA will end our self-inflicted torments and redeem us to realization.
26		Dwaita (Naming of the Nameless)	'Dwaita' is DUALITY. Our each one's memory-kettle is all the while unavoidably kept hung on the constant fire of incoming sensations and thus its contents boiling continuously to send out the swishing steam of huff and puff self-conscious thinking. Inexplicably, while all other creatures are in a state of psychologically unresisting togetherness (Non-dual), the humankind is stuck in a state of 'Dwaita' (Duality). The basic power source of 'Dwaita' is our irresistible 'Naming Propensity'. This naming is the outcome of constant mental chattering. 'Advaita' and 'Dwaita' is not a clash between two lifeless "Schools of Philosophies", undertaken by uptight Pundits. 'Dwaita' is the actual plight of existence for the humankind. However strongly it may be philosophized against it, the sense of 'ME' and the 'OTHER' is ticking very vividly in us. The divisive 'Dwaita' governs all our social value systems and inter personal traits. The economic parameter of 'MINE' and 'THINE', adds momentum to our sense of separated individuality ('Dwaita'). There is an absolute sense of conclusiveness about the authenticity of our individuality and its separate "Destiny". Our "ME" does not allow any sensation to pass, without it being named as good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable, fair and unfair, correct and incorrect etc. All these judgments are from the security of one's sense of individuality. This anxiety most often has least to do with our actual physical existence. This egoistic anxiety does not improve our security. Ironically, this uncalled for concern, only formants conflicts and strife in human inter personal relationship and endanger the factual security! The way, unquestioningly we feel and see ourself "clearly" separate from our behavioral deviations, is yet another potent form of 'Dwaita'. Thus, "I am" quite different from "My" anger, fear, desire, jealousy etc. Our 'Self-identity', is an absolute certainty for us. Even to merely hear that our self-identity is a suspect, is quite uncanny for us. In our daily life, it is the most basic functioning "reality"! Such is the enigma of 'Dwaita'. It is like the perceptual feature 'Horizon'. It is very much "seen" but can never be 'reached'! Even after realizing the deceptiveness of 'Horizon', still one cannot escape the feature 'Horizon'. Yes, the relief is, one may not chase the horizon to catch the 'Rainbow' there! The only way-out of 'Dwaita' is in such a realization. We will perceive the mirage, but would never run towards it, to quench our thirst! The realized person lives in Dwaita but not of it! This is the essence and as well the extent of freedom, spiritual realization unfolds to a human being.
27		Enlightenment	Enlightenment is not the outcome of "Knowledge" seeking. It is also not a mystical point of arrival through any occult experience. When one is absolutely clear, without a speck of doubt, that one's sense of ego and its arrogant individuality is only an illusion, that white-light of clarity is Enlightenment. In an utilitarian manner, one cannot do anything with enlighten. It is also very easy to mislead oneself that one is enlightened. The truly enlightened being cannot be challenged or provoked to offer a proof of his/her enlightened state. If we have the proper sensitivity, it is for us to SEE that the moment-to-moment life of them is the living testimony. Of course, ordinarily every one cannot perceive this. Most of us have fatal attraction towards false ideas and false values, hence to a false prophet!
28		Gaudapada	'Adi Sankara's' teacher's teacher ('Parama Guru'). Amongst the great Masters, who had unfolded the subtle nuances of 'Advaita Vedanta' (Advaita = Non-dual, Vedanta = Philosophy as in Upanishads) Gaudapada, perhaps stands the tallest. Master Gaudapada had the distinction of having been the teacher's teacher (Parama Guru) of great Adi Sankara. The "British-made" Indian history of ancient India (Bharat) chronicles, suiting the need of the British Crown, Adi Sankara in the period of 8th century A.D. Whereas, there is ample documented evidence available to place Adi Sankara in the 5th century B.C.! The historians are not looking into this very crucial point of Indian history in the modern India, with the seriousness that it deserves. They are very much contented to carry on and repeat their "Master's Voice" (British-made Indian history). Freedom from British yoke, has not yet liberated them from the hangover for things of "foreign" origin. Department of History in the Universities all over India, are headed and run by intellectually most dishonest educationist. These academicians lack both competence and initiative, to take up this long pending corrective step. In the ancient India, there has been an infallible system of calculating the time period, through the method of astronomical data, by way of recording the position of constellations of stars at the moment of a particular event. To grasp these intricacies, the modern-day historians need to learn the science of astronomy and astrology, above all the language of Sanskrit. All these tasks are a nightmare for them, so very conveniently they dub this ancient methodology, very much valid even today, as "Mythology"!? They are happy to re-cycle the "British-made" Indian history, ad nauseam. Thus, if Adi Sankara is dated 5th century B.C., then his Master's Master Gaudapada lived and explored the subtle realms of Ultimate TRUTH, which is Non-duality (Advaita), more than 2500 years before, from today! Unlike Western Psychology, which is just about two hundred years old and has no roots in the fertile ground of philosophy, the field of Psychology in India has been an integral part of religious philosophy. The practitioners of psychology in ancient India were not mere shallow analyst of symptoms. They were highly evolved Beings, called as SEER, in the art and science of LIFE in its entirety. Gaudapada, was one such exceptionally a great Master! The magnum opus contribution of Gaudapada, is the sustentative and explanatory commentary he wrote for one of the most difficult to understand Upanishad, 'Mandukya - Upanishad'. Adi Sankara was the great resurrecter of 'Sanathana -Dharma' of Hindu religion in general and 'Advaita - Vedanta' in particular. He could accomplish such a daunting undertaking only due to the sound preparatory work done by Master Gaudapada. Gaudapada established through his thoroughgoing reasoning and analysis that the ULTIMATE REALITY is NON-DUAL (Advaita). He went even further to establish that this non-dual absolute state which is unborn, immutable and all pervading cannot undergo any modification due to its blemishless purity (Uttama Satya). Hence, what appears as creation in actual fact, has not really taken place! This is his remarkable 'Ajativada' (Theory of No creation) ! Though these may sound highly far-fetched for an ordinary human being to comprehend, Master Gaudapada had come down to our level to teach us conclusively through reasoning, how our sense of individuality is only an illusion. Irrespective of any exception, the whole humankind forever undergoes daily the experience of three states of consciousness by way of 'Waking, Dreaming and Deep-sleep'. Human self-identity universally goes through, a sequence of experience due to involuntary play of consciousness from waking to dreaming and deep-sleep. One-third period of our lifetime is spent in sleep, which fortunately also includes dreaming. Gaudapada makes use of this intimate daily experience of each one of us and points out very appropriately as follows: The self-identity during our waking state, 'Waker', is not present during the dream state. The 'Dreamer' of the dream state cannot be present during waking state. The experience of waking state is as much valid as the experience of dream state. The sorrow of waking state cannot produce sadness in the dream state. The fulfillment of a dream state cannot bring happiness in the waking state. Both these states of experience while being valid in their respective state, they also stay limited to their respective domain. Both these limited self-identities of 'Waker' and 'Dreamer' are completely lost during the 'Deep-sleep' state. The state of experience in deep-sleep is a state of 'Not-Knowing'. That is, there is no identity present in the deep-sleep to claim that, 'I Do Not Know'! This play of three states is happening repeatedly and unfailingly. There is no instance that a person comes out of deep-sleep and cannot recognize himself, in the realm of limited waking state identity. This is the evidence for the fourth state of consciousness, which while containing and supporting the play of three states of consciousness, by itself, it does not get caught in any self-identity. The all-supporting fourth state of Consciousness, is beyond both the limited identification of waking and dreaming and as well the dark ignorance of deep-sleep state. Thus, this is the pure Consciousness, totally FREE of identity limitation. This is the essential nature of all of us, who are presently out of primordial ignorance are suffering by assuming limited self-identity (Persona) . In Latin language the word 'Persona' also means 'Mask', 'Character'. Thus, the identity of a 'Person' we "feel" about ourself, is as good as a 'Mask' and a character in a drama. In short, the whole game of self-identity is totally make-believe notion. This is only being continued out of ignorance. Master Gaudapada, with an overflowing compassion for the suffering humanity, most conclusively proved to us the whole CATCH hidden in the ordeal of self-identity. This is sure to make all of us to wake up from our ignorance and become unconditionally FREE! Let peace and fullness be the order of our life. Let us express our humble gratitude to Master Gaudapada!
29		Gnyani	One having knowledge that is reflected in his conduct.
30		Grace	This is one of the most enticing oriental words in the field of religion and spirituality. It is termed enticing because, most people assume that without much of initiative and diligence on their part, something mystical will "descend" into them and bring positive features in their life! They term it as 'Grace descending'! In reality, the state of the recipient of grace has to be free from personal will and volition, but has to be with initiative and diligence. This seems a paradox. In actuality, water flows from the higher to a lower level, things fall from higher place to a lower point. There is also yet another factor playing a key role in conveying 'forces' from higher potential to the lower potential, i.e., 'Resistance'. Notwithstanding the realm of physical forces, in the domain of 'Consciousness' this factor of Resistance plays the pivotal role. As the mode of movement in the physical realm is 'Conveyance' (transfer), in the level of 'Consciousness' the mode of movement is by 'Communion'. Let us not overlook the fact that 'Communication' is a very limited facility, which at best can mechanically transfer informative data. This cannot bring transformation in the recipient. Data based accumulated knowledge is denoted by the Vedic culture as 'Lower-knowledge' ('Apara-Vidya'). In respect of spiritual realization, Vedanta views that the lower-knowledge is in fact only 'Ignorance' ('Avidya')! Communion is the only path for GRACE to reach us. Communion is not a routine religious ceremony, carried out with a deadened spirit. This is an inner state of 'availability'. The only hurdle in this path is one's sense of EGO. The 'ego-eddy' of humankind is the worst "resistor" for the transmission of 'Grace'. When a true sense of humility floods our BEING, the ego-hurdle gets dissolved, thus the state of availability with complete sense of inward openness happens. LIFE always brings before us opportunities, which is known as 'Grace'. Each such opportunity is a lesson to learn the TRUTH, which is hidden from our view due to our egoistic outlook. Even the hardest hitting lesson in our life, is not able to uproot our ego. Thus the rain of grace, which each day brings into our life, gets evaporated by the searing heat of our ego-desert. It can also be said that, for most of us, 'Grace' is like a un-encashed check! Hence, it is very essential to pay attention to the fact that, while there is really no dearth for 'Grace' in LIFE, not all of us are able to BE the worthy recipients! Initiative free of will and diligence free of volition, can surely transform us into worthy recipients.
31		Grahastha	HOUSEHOLDER. A householder's existence is full of attachments, fears, desires, greed, jealousy, sense of insecurities and above all a chilling sense of loneliness (Alienation), not withstanding all modes of relationships. Pairs of opposites such as good and bad, virtue and sin, divine and profane, attraction and revulsion, friend and foe operate and influence imperceptibly a Grahastha's (Householder) daily life. It is indeed quite fair to point out here, that in anyone's life if the above-mentioned snags are operating, he/she is indeed a householder!
32		Guru	This word in the Sanskrit language is evolved as follows. a) 'Gu'=Darkness, 'Ru'=Remover. i.e. 'The remover of darkness' is Guru b) Also `Gu'=The cave (Heart), 'Ru'=To lead i.e. The one who leads the ignorant beings to one's 'Heart' (Consciousness) is Guru. Ordinarily, Guru refers to a religious preceptor (guide), leading a novice through a prescribed method to attain inner peace and fulfillment. 'Guru' can also refer to the non-verbal inspiration, which the very process of 'LIFE' (birth, growth, decay and death), imparts to each human being. BUT, we seldom pay heed to this perennial source of inspiration. Hence, the need for a human facilitator, a Guru.
33		Hello ME, Who Am I?	A Self-dance of strip-IT-ease, which each of us should assiduously learn. While the standard lyrics are as follows, the tune and beat can be set by each one of us as per our rhythm choice! Question: Who are YOU? Answer: I am Ramu. Q: That is just your name, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am a man. Q: That is your gender, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am a successful professional. Q: That is just your occupation, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am a 'Rotarian'. I am a husband, a son and a brother too! Q: Those are just your relationships, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am a Hindu, a Brahmin, and a vegetarian. Q: That is your sect and food habits. But, 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am a South-Indian, a Tamilian. Q: That is just a place, from where you hail from and the language you speak, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I live in peaceful Pune, at such and such address. Q: That is just a place where you presently reside, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I have a good deal of knowledge in various schools of philosophies and scriptures. Q: These are just your accumulated knowledge, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I have all the latest gadgets. I travel with my family to popular holiday resorts. I lead a comfortable life. Q: Those are what you have amassed and indulge to amuse yourself, but 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I have an intimate group of influential friends of much means. Q: They are just with whom you identify and interact with, But, 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I have had shattering disasters in my life. Q: Those are your sorrows, about which you sulk and self-pity. But, 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am this particular body structure. Q: This is just your form. Loss of a limb or an eye does not reduce your sense of ME in you. But, 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I am the 'Atman', the indestructible SOUL, which is in fact the BRAHMAN! Q: That is what you have been taught to repeat by your religion and also in that, by a particular school of philosophy, the 'Advaita'. But, 'Who are YOU?' Ans.: I DON'T KNOW...I...REALLY...DON'T...KNOW! Yes, this exactly is the fact! The ultimate irreducible point. The state of 'NOT KNOWING'. There is really no "Entity" there, even to "Know", the NOT KNOWING. Truly, there is no-thing in particular either singularly or collectively as "ME" and "I". The "YOU" is born, only out of "ME". All those above listed features and attributes are mere images and identities. An unchecked fundamental error of identity impulse, has been weaving these network of complex notional identities. 'I AM', is the unchecked notional error. Pondering into this labyrinthine issue of existence has deep cleansing effect! When the fire of AWARENESS burns down the entire "Personal" identity edifice, what remains is only an intelligently functioning creature, in a moment-to-moment existence. Sri Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi had graphically illustrated this intriguing challenge as follows: "A wooden stick, which is used to rekindle the funeral pyre, ultimately gets consumed by the very same fire, which it was kindling all along! Likewise, the fire of pondering, finally consumes the enquiring identity itself. Not only the 'Questions' disappear, but also the very QUESTIONER also tracelessly disappears! Until then, the pondering should be kept finely rekindled!
34		Jaganmithya	A very well-known 'Advaitic' maxim of "Brahman Satyam, Jaganmithya" is attributed Sri. Adi Sankara. Sri. Sankara asserts that, "Only the Absolute noumenal substratum is the valid reality, whereas the entire phenomenal world of manifestation is an ILLUSION". 'Brahman' is indicative of the enigmatic inexhaustible foundation IN which all aspects of creation manifest and get sustained for a while and finally get reabsorbed. Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution is the eternal cycle, underlying the world of plurality. The fundamental state of 'Brahman' is the unchanging non-dual state. Apart from indicating the transient quality of the material manifestations of phenomenal physical world, 'Jaganmithya' directly zeroes in on the "World" fabricated out of human values, concepts, images, fears and desires. Our mental world, which we call as "Human-World" is an illusion ('Mithya'). This world gets formulated only out of human mental delusions. All our delusions are the outcome of our fundamental notion of "I and ME" (EGO). This 'Jagan' (WORLD) of "I" and "ME", is 'Mithya' (ILLUSION)!
35		Japa and Tapa	To constantly repeat a particular religious name ('Nama') or a cryptic maxim ('Mantra') is 'Japa'. Undergoing hard penances for considerable length of duration is 'Tapa'. These two words contain within them following insightful meanings. 'Japa': 'Ja' = 'Born from or in', 'Produced or caused by' + 'Pa' = 'Guarding', Protecting', 'Ruling'. Thus the meaning that emerges for 'Japa' is 'That which ('Nama' and 'Mantra') is born or produced 'within', guards and protects oneself'. What is indicated here very subtly is, it is not mere mechanical repetition of 'Nama' and 'Mantra' is of any real help in our spiritual quest. They have to be literally 'born from or in' one's undivided consciousness. Only then they have the quality of 'guarding and protecting' our inner sanity. 'Tapa': The word 'Tapa' means 'Heat', 'Glow', 'Torment', 'Pain', 'Agony'. What is THAT, which has to undergo the sustained tormenting, painful and agonizing heating, so as to GLOW? One's sense of ego has to get repeatedly subjugated through the tormenting heat of painfully agonizing self-denials, so as to get purified and glow free of arrogating madness of individuality. One has to be 'Mindful' with total awareness, to repeatedly deny the wanton ways of one's ego. This cannot be a mere brutal denial. Without the subtle power of insight into the core-issue, if one undertakes self-denial as a blind method, the malady would only get compounded. The power of ego will only grow more in its strength, by further appropriating the energy present in the act of brutal self-denial as well! The power of ego-energy is gross. Blind 'self-denial' is equally gross in its nature. Thus, it gets only added to one's ego-energy, whereas, the ego can be dissolved only by a subtler power of INSIGHT. Thus, 'Tapa' of self-denial has to be undertaken with insight ('Shukshma-Gyana'), to make true progress in our spiritual quest. It is indeed quite evident that both 'Japa' and 'Tapa' are essential factors in one's spiritual endeavor.
36		Jiva	Sentient; living.
37		Jiva and Ajiva	These two words mean, 'Animate and Inanimate' and also 'Sentient and Insentient'. The modern science has only found out that 'Matter and Energy' are mutually convertible, one form into the other. The scientist discovered to their amazement that, 'Matter is the grossest form of Energy' and 'Energy is the subtlest form of Matter'! Whereas, the Vedic SEER of yore, asserted out of realization that the Absolute noumenal substratum apart from creating matter and energy, IT ingrains in each and every aspect of creation, ITS essential quality of CONSCIOUSNESS (Chaitanya). The teeming manifestations are pulsating with consciousness. Hence, the SEER wherever he glimpses, he only senses Consciousness in varying intensity. He found to his great amusement that the transient forms are emerging and dissolving as an eternal cosmic play of the Absolute source, CHAITANYA! Consciousnesses in varying intensity as SEEN by the Vedic SEER, are three types. They are 'Satva, Rajas and Tamas'. These three are called as 'Guna' (Quality). The qualities that are represented by these three words are: 'Satva'= Balance, Peace, Fullness, Subtle, Stability. 'Rajas'= Movement, Drive, Unrestrained, Engulfing, Assertive, Resplendent. 'Tamas'= Passive, Inert, Stagnate, Immobility, Sloth, Gross. All aspects of creation are composed of these ranges of qualities in infinite combinations. Even Gods and Goddess are not free from qualitative attributes! Thus, from the lowest of low, to the highest-ranking manifestation, each is ingrained in some combination, the above discussed qualities of CONSCIOUSNESS (Chaitanya). Thus in the Vedic perception, even in a piece of wood and a stone, leave alone plants and animals, the divinity of the Absolute is seen! The deep sense of togetherness, which is brimming in a realized human being, can only be attributed to such an organic state of EXISTENCE! As everything in the Cosmic-universe is essentially containing Consciousness, however ignorant (Non-conscious) presently they may be, realization of TRUTH is an inescapable possibility, for all and everything! This is the path, Vedanta shows to humankind.
38		Kaivalyam	The ultimate realized state in the realm of spirituality is 'Kaivalyam'. Sage Patanjali brings his magnum opus work on 'The Science Of YOGA' with a most comprehensive Sutra about 'Kaivalya'. "Kaivalya is that state of Self-realization in which the 'Purusa' (Spirit of pure Consciousness) gets established finally when the purpose of ITS long evolutionary unfoldment has been attained. In this state the 'Guna' (Tendencies) having fulfilled their purpose, recede to a condition of equilibrium and therefore the power of pure Consciousness can function without any obscuration or limitation". No verbal description can convey the state of unconditional absolute freedom. All that can be indicated is that, in one's daily existence, a general sense of resistance free living, profoundly positive co-operation, communing with others through peace and wisdom, will prevail. These qualities obviously indicate that the divisive factor of EGO, stands dissolved. The identity "in" such a person, is only functional and not psychological! This state of freedom from ego, is 'Kaivalya'
39		Karma	According to Jainism, Karma are a type of subtle particles that, when bonded with Atman, create bondage of Jiva with Atman. This Sanskrit word means both 'The effect of past actions' and also 'One's present daily activities'. This is the reason, 'Karma-Yoga' teaches us as to how one ought to think and act in the present moment of one's daily life. 'Nishkama Karma' is the WAY! If the daily life is lived, with wholesome thoughts and deeds, the accumulated effect of them in future would also be wholesome and peace-bearing. The wholesome quality cannot be the living reality in one's life, by merely adhering to social and religious tenets and values. Only when one's sense of ego steps-down from its present autocratic position, the thoughts and actions that emerge will naturally be wholesome. An abiding sense of humility and acceptance are the nature of such a person.
40		Karuna	One may think that the English equivalent to this word is 'Sympathy'. No, it is not. Sympathetic state is a dual state. Sympathy is a momentary reaction coming out of one's sense of pity. Whereas, 'Karuna' is 'Empathy', 'Compassion'. The full extent of agony and pain of the other can be felt emphatically. In empathy there is no scope for any distracting melodrama and pathos. Empathy ensures spontaneous and appropriate response, free from the egoistic sense of a Giver and Receiver. The great Karuna of Buddha is a well-known example. All true Masters have this divine quality.
41		Koham TO Soham	("Who Am I?' to 'I Am That!') Within these two magnificent Sanskrit words, the entire soul stirring spiritual journey is condensed and artistically presented to mankind. This is indeed the ultimate spiritual formula! But, a profound study is essential to fully imbibe the total significance of this 'Sutra' (formula). 'Koham' = 'Who Am I?' 'Soham' = 'I Am THAT!' The mother of all spiritual enquiry is to ask in a relentless quest as to, 'Who Am I?' The crisis in the human world is the crisis in human consciousness and nowhere else. This crisis is due to our ignorance about our 'Self-Identity". From our very birth, through growth, decay and finally death, we are harassed by a kaleidoscopic play of "Self-Identity". No aspect of our long list of self-identities, gives us a lasting satisfaction and abiding sense of peace. But, we seldom earnestly question the pageantry of self-identities passing through our mind. Many of us are not quick-witted enough, to subject ourself to such a self-questioning. Whereas, the genuine spiritual journey is said to have begun, only when an authentic question arises as a quest, 'Who Am I?' ('Koham'). This question of 'Who Am I?" is not really meant for weak-hearted and clay-footed. Most of us cannot hold out for long. Hastily, we adorn ourself with one identity or the other and get stuck-up with it! But, the enigmatic law of LIFE seems to be such; it just does not spare us to rest contented in distraction. Yes, an identity is indeed a distraction for 'Consciousness'. Hence, one's consciousness should be fully AWARE of any identity and its make-believe nature. As the distraction of identity has upset the neutral-poise of ATTENTION, dissatisfaction creeps in us and once again our window-shopping for identity begins. In the plethora of 'Identities' none of them are either superior or inferior. All of them bind one's 'Being' alike. Whereas, if one is steadfast in not getting head-on involved with any form of identity and has the swift ALERTNESS to perceive the transient quality of passing identities, only then, a so far unknown freedom dawns in our Being. This frees us from the very craving for seeking identities. When such an unlimited and unconditioned freedom floods our consciousness, one is truly TOGETHER with everything else simultaneously. A profound sense of harmony exudes from one's BEING. In this state, the BEING exclaims, 'SOHAM!' 'I AM THAT!' Here the word 'THAT' is not limited to a particular thing or an aspect. 'THAT' truly signifies 'EVERYTHING', the TOTALITY of Creative-process as a whole. What is of immense importance and significance is, there is a loss of stubborn sense of egoistic individuality, when such a wholistic SEEING happens. 'Koham' to 'Soham' is such a transmutative spiritual journey! *In the beginning one's inner state is egoistic 'AHAM" (I AM). *Then the quest of 'KOHAM' (WHO AM I?). *Finally 'SOHAM' (I AM THAT!), is the state of realization. "AHAM-KOHAM-SOHAM", is the WAY!
42		Kundalini Shakti	Secret and also sacred 'Serpent-Power' dormant in each human being is 'Kundalini Shakti'. The connecting door-way between biological energy and spiritual energy is quite subtle. For that matter, even the very "familiar" biological energy by itself has not yet been objectively seen by science. Only the effects of this energy are available for measuring by our gross devices. In like manner, electrical and magnetic energy forms are also not possible to be seen directly by us. Only their effects are measurable, to prove their existence. In the very same way, no one can dismiss by flippantly saying that 'Kundalini Shakti' is only a lot of hot air! In spite of astounding breakthroughs in the science of medical anatomy, there are still very many questions for which the specialists have to yet get answers. Even by employing the most advanced diagnostic mapping contraptions, some parts of human brain are still a mystery for neuro scientists. The advancements accomplished in the field of Endocrinology, still has not unraveled the entire mysterious biochemical significance of glandular inputs from Pineal and Thymus glands. What the specialists in this field know regarding this mystery, is abysmally peripheral and limited. They have hastily concluded that Thymus gland has no function in adult life and stays shrunken as an atrophied vestige. It is active only from infancy upto adolescence period. They will perhaps, never realize, that the emerging ego-sense as it hardens completely during adolescence, this Thymus gland which is called by occult science as 'Spiritual HEART', turns frigidly in-operative. As the psychological abnormalities flood our consciousness, this doorway to spiritual growth stays shut inaccessible. Apart from the missing link of hormones, in the autonomic nervous system of humankind there are 'Sympathetic System' consisting of 'PLEXUS', which have not been understood yet regarding their total functions. Occult science of many thousand years old explain 'Kundalini Shakti' with the help of seven CHAKRAS, which have a striking resemblance of these PLEXUS. The correspondence between them are shown as follows: 1) Muladhara = Spine-base (Genital regions), 2) Swadhishthana = Abdomen, 3) Manipura = Navel, 4) Anahata = Heart, 5) Vishuddha = Throat, 6) Ajna = Middle of eyebrows and 7) Sahasrara = Brain. In human being, of course also in every creature, the spiritual energy is present. Its manifestation to the full potential is possible in human beings, due to their highly refined nervous system and a most developed brain. Apart from the spiritual energy of 'Kundalini Shakti', the Indian science of YOGA also identifies 'Prana Shakti'. This is not just the same as breath. Though the inhaling and exhaling of breath upkeeps the 'Prana Shakti', over and above a sense of Consciousness is also attributed to this 'Prana'. 'Kundalini-Shakti' responds to highly vitalized 'Prana'. There are two quite opposite approaches, found in the traditional knowledge-system of 'The Science Of Yoga' to make the 'Spiritual-Heart' in a human being to come alive. One of this, is distinctly named as 'left-handed' approach. This system contains methods to shock the ego dominated human mind, to purge the values of pairs of opposites. Human ego-sense thrives by playing with pairs of opposites like: good and bad, beautiful and ugly, virtue and sin, cleanliness and filth, morality and immorality, attraction and revulsion etc. All the methods adopted in 'Vama-Marg' (Left-handed system), makes the ego face the oddity of ACTUALITY by compulsively going through undesirable experiences. It is indeed a bizarre approach. More often, as there is surely an element of brutal compulsion in this method, the Sadhak's can turn mentally morbid. Thus it can turn totally counterproductive and deepen the complexity of the ego-sense, which is already in a state of neurosis. Hence the left-handed way of 'Tantra', is indeed not quite popular, as an appropriate method for attaining 'Atma-Gnyan' (Self-realization). Always, only a very close knit group in great secrecy undertakes this approach! 'Samaya Marg', the right-handed approach (VEDIC, YOGIC, VEDANTIC, PURANIC) to Self-realization is the popular WAY. While Puranic method relies on Bhakti through total surrender (Devotional orientation), Vedic method relies on elaborate rituals to initiate the student's one-pointed attention to transcend the sense of separation (EGO). Yogic method is popularly known as 'HATA YOGA', which contains a very systematic science of awakening 'Kundalini Shakti' through accurately designed physical postures (Asana) accompanied by purifying and invigorating 'Prana' by 'Prana Yama'(Systematic breath control). Here too, the word 'HATA' indicates an emphasis on 'compulsion' and 'enforcement'. But at this juncture, an important fact has to be taken note of: That is, as per the wont of Egoistic disposition, human mind does not desire any challenge to its habitual outlook. It cannot tolerate any obstacle in its egoistic way of living. It hungers and thirsts only to continue its misadventure of image based 'Self-preservation". It abhors the TRUTH of Self-knowledge. Such a die-hard state deserves an element of 'Compulsion' in the initial stages of Sadhana. 'HATA YOGA' inculcates the much needed orientation through mental discipline and physical and pranic vitality. Mental and physical discipline and invigoration of breath brings suppleness in the otherwise brittle ego-sense. Only then, there is a substantial sense of humility in the human perceiving mode. It is ready to let go its conceit of individuality! The ultimate point of self-realization, nevertheless is in UNDERSTANDING. The human ego (Ahamkar) has to comprehensively realize its illusory state and thus SEE that the values and judgments that it had woven are equally fictional. The complete loss of isolating ego-sense, naturally integrates the microcosm into Macrocosm. The miraculous spontaneity of The Ultimate Absolute Substratum is ever, ' HERE and NOW'. The self-realized human being, comes into this flow of spontaneity. This is the time free auspicious moment when the 'Kundalini Shakti' expresses its full potential. This liberated state has no utilitarian purpose whatsoever, save peaceful existence! Only this TRUTH in view, a Seer cryptically pointed out that, "Kundalini Shakti is the natural-state, it cannot be organized!" ( "Ye Avastha hai, vevastha nahi hai.") Let us bear this fact in our attention.
43		Mahavira	Popularly, Jain religion is associated with this enlightened Master. HE lived way back 2500 years ago in Bharat (India). He deeply experimented with all realms of spirituality and out of compassion taught the TRUTH to people at large. Actually, according to Jainism, Mahavira was the twentyfourth fully realized Master (Teerthankar) of Jaina religion, took birth for human salvation. Jain religion has about 5000 years of recorded evidence of active existence. Mahavira's original name was 'Vardhamana'. "Mahavira' is the honorific name conferred to him respectfully by his disciples and followers. 'Mahavira' means, 'Greatly Courageous'. He was called courageous, not because he won many bloody battles and over powered people with his brutal force. HE emerged victorious in his epic quest, which he relentlessly undertook. The quest was on his sense of ego and mind structure. Once again 'courageous', because he lived vulnerably with utmost spontaneity. Mahavira lived a long span of life and tirelessly taught people the essence of 'Right-Living' (Samyag-Charitra), 'Right-Perception' (Samyag-Darshan) and finally 'Right-Knowledge' (Samyag-Gnyan).
44		Mai Atman Hoon	This is an expression in Hindi language indicating that after hearing and reading Vedantic texts (Second-hand knowledge), one simply claims that 'I am Atman!' The popular and as well the ignorant perception is 'One is one's form'. The Upanishads declare that, one's essential state is ego-free 'Atman'. Qualitatively, this state is same as 'Brahman' (The Absolute). This declaration is surely the fact. But, one has to be consumed by this enormous realization and not just utter it as a mere cliché. Master Gurdjieff clarified that, it is wrong to assume that in birth itself all human beings are born with a 'Soul'. No, they are not! SOUL is something a human being acquires, if only he/she evolves to the full potentials. Thus, SOUL is the higher possibility towards which one has to diligently work. Most people are born asleep, live in sleep and also finally die asleep!
45		Maitri	Only in whom 'Karuna' (Empathy), has sprung, can be a true friend. 'Maitri' means 'Unfailing friendliness'. A true friend of this exalted order, unconditionally only gives. This is not our mundane, 'Give-and-Take' policy. Friendship based on this policy is what is being taught as a success strategy in "Self-development" coaching sessions. Human relationships based on such demeaning strategy have no spiritual quality. This is the reason, as we are now, our entire human relationship are avenues of mutual-gratification. Such relationships only exhaust the human spirit. To feel the 'Fullness' in our living, one should learn the healing way of 'Maitri'.
46		Mantra	A Collection of terse syllables having profound religious import, chanted as an inspiring aphorism, is termed as 'Mantra'. The etymological connection to the word 'Mantra' is 'MAN'. This root-word 'MAN' means,' Mind', 'Consciousness', and 'Perceiving-Modality'. The suffix part of 'Tra' is derived from 'Trayete', which means, 'Protecting', 'Balancing', 'Centering'. These chantings operate favorably on the Sadhak, at two levels. The first level is- At the very physical level, the quality of sound produced within the Sadhak, who is chanting the Mantra, unfolds a healing and a soothing condition. This induces a palpable experience of deep rest and profound depth of quietude in the Sadhak. Along with this, the inner energy level of the Sadhak also gets toned-up to an optimal level. Of course, one has to learn the correct method of chanting by way of proper phonetics and appropriate meter connected to each Mantra. Only this can produce, while chanting, the perfect quality of effects, as intended by the knowledge-system. This knowledge has reached our present times through an unbroken tradition. The science of harmonics and resonance is operating, in the formation and chanting of Mantras. While chanting the Mantras, one has to place one's attention to follow without any resistance, the path of harmonics and resonance of the sound of Mantra. This is the sure way to derive 'Protecting and Balancing' effect in one's 'Perceiving-Modality' and 'Consciousness'. The second of the abovementioned two levels of effects is verbal meaning of Mantras. The imagery connected to the verbal meaning, can help the Sadhak in meditation to visualize and 'enter' into those visuals. This is fully possible, only when the Sadhak deeply contemplates and reflects upon the awe-inspiring connotations these Mantras reveal. Thus the Mantras, if handled correctly, can wholistically elevate and alter the level of consciousness.
47		Mauna	SILENCE, is 'Mauna'. The thought-spindle rattles to-and-fro across incessantly, in the weaving loom of human mind. The noise decibel of this rattle is indeed incredible. The Consciousness, which is supporting the biological existence surely registers the undue stress produced by such continuous mentation. Through ageing, the natural sensitivities of the human mind are progressively and as well swiftly lost. But, during our lifetime it never ever occurs to us to pay our attention to this ongoing malady. Though we react adversely to the outer shrill noises, we are not caring to notice in us, the thought-mill that is clanking all the while. In fact, as we are presently, we are the thought-mill! We seek external silence, not realizing the least that we dare not cut off power supply to our thought-mill. If by some factor, the mill comes to a grinding halt, as most of us are so much steeped into its rhythm, we will go insane unable to face the SILENCE. Like an infant gets used to the rocking of the cradle to sleep, we are used to the maddening rhythm of mentation. All the 99.9% contents of our meandering mentation are absolutely irrelevant for factual existence. Some of us who have attempted meditation to quieten the inner chattering, surely realize as to how strong the addiction of mentation is. In fact, more than the meditation techniques bringing inner quietness, it is only our direct realization of the utter futility of addiction to the habit of mentation, can usher SILENCE ('Mauna'). To let go the passing thoughts, without irresistibly latching on to it, is the essence of all spiritual endeavor. This inner poise, drastically changes the compulsive nature of mentation. The resulting SILENCE, is not opposite of SOUND! Let this is not be, just a fashion-statement. One should slip into this state and SEE!
48		Maya	The crux of the philosophy of 'Advaita' is 'Maya'. The word 'Maya' carries such a shocking range of meaning, even in the day-to-day usage. 'Maya' = Deceit, Fraud, Trickery, Phantom, Illusion, magic, Enchantment, False, Unreality etc. While endeavoring to comprehend the nature of the whole creation, in which we human beings are also an integral aspect, the Seers realized that the ever-changing Creation is UNREAL! But, contrary to this fact, all human beings are overcome by a power of hallucination ('Maya'), thus very deeply and strongly feel that everything including themselves are concrete certainties! In the word 'Maya', the part 'Ma' stands for 'To measure', 'Mark off', 'Compare with', 'See', 'Limits'. The part 'Ya' stands for 'To go', 'Proceed', 'Attempt'. The human mind attempts 'to measure' the WORLD that it experiences. But, what it tries to measure is turning out to be immeasurable because THAT is an 'illusion'! The ever-changing features of created reality do not lend themselves to any conclusive measurement and assessment! The crowning irony is that the mind of human beings along with their physical bodies is part of the all-embracing illusion. Thus the situation is, the illusion is attempting vainly to measure illusion! Till the human grasp is bound by and limited to names and forms, 'Illusion will only beget Illusion!' This way 'Maya' is endless. But, if the fundamental realization dawns, gaining profound insight into this core-issue, then the spell of the illusion ends. This way 'Maya' can be ended! The fear and anguish of dreaming can only end by waking up. The spell of 'Maya' can only end by realizing the fundamental TRUTH of one's self-identity. As individuals we are only illusions ('Maya' and 'Mithya'). As an integral aspect of the unknowable essence, all phenomenal manifestations are relevant ('Satya'). If the relative-relevance of plurality ('Yathartha') present in our daily world is deeply understood, then we are free from their baffling contradictions. Then it is possible to live, without superimposing on them undue importance. Such a person has enough of free inner-space to contemplate and comprehend the subtlety of the Absolute non-dual substratum ('Paramartha'). Thus, even though one has to deal with 'Maya' in one's daily life, our attention and awareness can remain free without having to be caught and lost in it.
49		Meditation	'Meditation' is for one's consciousness, as 'Medication' is for one's physical body! But, as in medication, in meditation also proper curative inputs should be ingested. Inappropriate medication, instead of curing the disease only creates what is called 'medicine-induced diseases'! These diseases are as much dangerous, if not more, than the old ailments. In like manner, inappropriate meditation will only induce newer maladies in our already unbalanced mind (Consciousness/Psyche). Instead of healing our fractured egoistic self-conscious mind, newer complexities will crop up and increase the neurosis. The individualized human consciousness should get unified with the Universal Consciousness, through the integrating portals of AWARENESS. The stress in human life is due to our stubborn sense of isolation, which one's egoistic mind constantly feels. Such a mind imagines ever so many irrational dangers. Meditation is the inner balancing poise, which should facilitate cure from the above pointed Dis-ease. In medication, one should know when to stop the medicines, so as to allow our body's natural healing capacity to take charge of the healing process. In like manner, one should be sensitive to discern as to when to let go all our efforts, including meditation. Only this can naturally allow our rigid self- consciousness to loosen up and BE vulnerably open. Human will and volition are a hindrance in meditation, after the preliminary stage. Meditation usually commences from a secondary knowledge inputs, but it should soon become sustainable by 'Direct-Knowledge'. This is called in Sanskrit language as 'Gnyan' (Insights). Meditation is called as 'Dhyan' in Sanskrit, which is the original root-word for 'ZEN'. Thus 'Dhyan' (Meditation) should contain 'Gnyan' (Insights/Direct-Knowledge). After the starting stage, the will has no role to play in this realm. Only humility and a sense of surrender can thaw our ego-frost. Even in this, no deliberate put on effort can work. The brutal force of human will and the sly deceptions contained in our pretensions have to stay out. 'Meditation' is neither a noun (Thing), nor it is a verb (Method). Though it is very difficult to teach, a diligent human being can quickly learn and turn meditative!
50		Moksha	A very general meaning for this loaded word is given in English as, 'Liberation'. This is a compound Sanskrit word made up of two part words. 'Moha'= Desire, 'Kshaya'= 'Finished' 'Terminated', 'End', 'No more'. Thus the full-fledged meaning of 'Moksha' is 'No more desires', 'Ending of ALL desires'. Only when one's desires are completely finished from their very roots, there can be 'Peace and Fulfillment'. No one can reach a life of unending satisfaction, by attempting to fulfill their each and every desire. It is only by transcending the very sprouting of desires in oneself, a genuine sense of FULLNESS dawns in one's existence. The limitation for this to happen is our sense of ego. Only deeper understanding of the futility of egoistic mental mode can dislodge the ego from its arrogating position. Then only the higher possibility of 'Moksha' open. The Sanskrit word 'Mukti' (meaning 'Freedom from bondage) also refer to this 'Issue of Existence'.
51		Mudita	Appreciative joy.
52		Mukti	The meaning for this Sanskrit word, given in English language is `To be free from all bondages'. Normally, it is understood only in a limited scope that the visible gross social possessions and forms of relationships are bondages. This burden should be renounced to become free. Actually, the intrinsic bondage is the subtle psychological-tug, which underlies all human thoughts and actions. It is fairly easy to discard external possessions and relationships. But it is indeed quite arduous even to sense the presence of this 'tug' within oneself, leave alone going beyond its ambit. This calls for an earnest resolve, which takes one's attention to the very root of any issue. Such a resolve in Sanskrit language is named as 'Vairagya'. Only such a resolve, can uproot our egoistic self-identification (The' TUG')!
53		Muni	A sage is referred in Sanskrit as 'Muni'. The root of this word is 'Mauna', meaning SILENCE of speech. Mere silence at speech level is not indicated by the word 'Mauna'. Usually such a silence is always enforced and hence not genuine. The Masters of the ancient India knew thoroughly well, the structure and the genesis of speech. They had traced its origin from the very nascent stage. In a lighter vein it is said that, "The speech is a great-grandson of subtle thought-forms rolling in human consciousness!" The ancient wisdom had even identified and named these preceding stages of speech, which is finally voiced by us. 'Para', 'Pashyanti, 'Madhyama' and ultimately 'Vaikhari', in their order from subtlest to the grossest form. These four Sanskrit words are somewhat equivalent to psychological terms such as: Collective Consciousness, Individual Unconsciousness, Individual Sub-consciousness and Individual Consciousness. Such are the deep-roots of our voiced speech! Hence, there is very little spiritual sense if there is silence only at the 'Vaikhari' (Gross vocal speech) level. The word 'Muni' indicates the one who has found SILENCE in him/her at the very originating point of mentation. That is the reason, 'Munis' were also called 'Swamis', the Master of one's self! 'Muni' is aware and awake within, through-and-through. Hence, 'Muni's Mauna' is natural and alive. This is the reason; their very silence is palpably eloquent. It affects most positively, whoever comes in their PRESENCE! Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi in the recent times lived as one such 'Muni'. The power of his silence is felt even today, in the old-hall of Ramana Ashram, at Tiruvannamalai, in Tamilnadu, India. In the rich spiritual heritage of India, Lord Dakshinamurti, a personification of God Siva, is the world-teacher, who sitting underneath the banyan tree teaches the supreme truth through SILENCE. He is pictured as a youth (meaning the ultimate wisdom is ever young), dispelling the doubts of aged disciples (signifying that realization is way beyond the dim-witted tedious efforts undertaken over a long period of time), without the aid of words (meaning that the Ultimate TRUTH is beyond the reach of words). Lord Dakshinamurti is depicted as merely showing a gesture with his right hand, which stands for the ultimate TRUTH. This gesture ('Chinmudra') indicates the following spiritual significance. HE shows the first three fingers (little-finger, ring-finger and middle-finger) of his right hand closely kept with each other and the index finger bent to touch the thumb-finger. This means: The first three fingers are the three qualities (Satva, Rajas, Tamas), present in each human being which has to be transcended by the 'Atman' (Soul) represented by the index-finger and move away to meet the Supreme Brahman, represented by the thumb-finger. Due to the admixture of three qualities, presently the 'Atman' is living as 'Ahamkar' (Ego). The 'Atman' has to move away from this entangled condition. Thus, the quintessence of the entire spiritual endeavor is taught in such an eloquent yet simple silence! Such is the mysterious power of SILENCE ('Mauna').
54		Nirjara	The destruction of karma is called nirjara. This destruction may be of two kinds. Bhavanirjara and Dravyanirjara. Bhava-nirjara consists of that modification of the soul which precedes and favours the separation of the karmic matter from the soul. Dravya nirjara is the actual separation of the karmic matter from the soul. As a result of spiritual 'Sadhana', when one's daily life undergoes qualitatively profound transformation, the bondage of past 'Karmic-Anu' to the 'Atman' (Soul), spontaneously gets loosened and undergo dissolution. Thus, the bonding of new 'Karmic-Anu' is avoided ('Samvar') and the old bondage undergoes dissolution ('Nirjara'). The arising ('Udaya'), of passion ('Kshaya'), which precedes the 'Asrav' (Influx of Karma) happens at three levels. They are Mental, Vocal and Physical. Thus by deeds, even if one has exercised appreciable control to avoid unwholesome activities, the influx of new Karma cannot be avoided until further subtler realms of 'Vocal and Mental' are also brought under vigilant control. One's thoughts and speech also have to be thoroughly cleansed, for transformation to happen in a fundamental sense. The 'Atman', which undergoes such profound transformation, ultimately does not reach a state of 'nil' quality. It exudes with following positive qualities: 'Ananta Gnyan' (Infinite Knowledge), 'Darshan' (Complete Perception), 'Sukha' (Unalloyed Bliss) and 'Veerya' (Infinite Power). Thus, such a transformed Soul is full of 'Karuna Bhava' (Compassion) and "Maitri Bhava' (Profound friendliness) towards all other aspects of the Creation. A fully realized Being, who while still living in this world of space and time, which is populated with human beings with their own values and also a score of other creatures, forces and elements, just simply lives in their midst in an uninvolved neutral state ('Upeksha'), with an abiding sense of satisfaction and fulfillment ('Mudita') born out of 'Right-Knowledge' (Samyag-Gnyan).
55		Nirvana	The equivalent for this word is usually given in English as, 'Realisation', 'Liberation'. In Sanskrit language this word 'Nirvana' indicates a state of being, which is, 'Naked from all attributes'. It is easy for all of us to know, physical nakedness by dis-robbing. Whereas, this word 'Nirvana' points at a mental perceiving modality, which has shed the scintillating robes of make-believe values and judgments, not about the mere outer world, but essentially about it's own ego-self. It is only by dying of one's psychological memory bias; the state of 'Nirvana' is realized.
56		Nishkama Karma	This is composed of two words. 'Nishkama' means 'Desireless' (Kama=Desire, Nish=Not).'Karma' means 'Deeds',' Pursuits'. Thus, 'Nishkama Karma'= 'A pursuit or deed undertaken free of desire'. The word 'Motivation' is very popular in our midst. All our actions are motivated, with an expectation for end-results. Apart from the physically tangible end-produce as results, all our activities are supposed to bring us SATISFACTION in a good measure. No one will be motivated to act to get as the end-result dissatisfaction! Even dangerous pursuits of a soldier or a so called terrorist, is undertaken by people only because they are motivated to receive a bravery medal or a glorified martyrdom, as their compensation for throwing away their life. We all gloat over our roles we play in our monstrous society, even though we are nagged by a sense of dissatisfaction. But, seldom we ask ourself a candid question. That is, in spite of our invariable demand for satisfaction and fulfillment, do we ever get a lasting satisfaction in our lifetime? Even, if there were a few crumbs of satisfaction, were they not only a fleeting phenomenon? Mostly, for a large part of our existence, we are engulfed with disillusionments, dissatisfaction and depression. Particularly in our old age, most of us are surely overcome by distaste about the way our lifetime was vainly spent in pursuit of satisfaction. Then, where have we gone wrong? The fact is satisfaction and fulfillment cannot be got as a wage for our activities in our life. Only for an UNSEEKING mind, there is a rich possibility to encounter satisfaction and fulfillment. Satisfaction is not the outcome of social recognition and power over others. In fact, our very expectation is the insurmountable hindrance for the unconditional visitation of sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. All forms of expectations result only mental morbidity. The only way that satisfaction and fulfillment can come into our life is to function without expecting to reap satisfaction. Particularly to expect a lasting satisfaction through social acceptance is a sure way of landing oneself in to depression and disillusionments. Thus, the key is "NISHKAMA KARMA", that is to live without desiring fame, fortune and power. We are erroneously conditioned by the social value system to naively consider that the route to satisfaction and fulfillment is through amassing fame, fortune and power. 'Nishkama Karma' profoundly corrects those age-old anomalies. Non-expectation frees the mind and opens its sensitivity. This very transformed mental state is the sign of fulfillment. In short, NOT HANKERING FOR SATISFACTION, BRINGS SATISFACTION! But, this cannot operate as a subtle strategy. This has to be the natural state of human mind. Sheer joy of 'Being' and acting from that spontaneous state, fulfills the spirit of EXISTENCE! 'Nishkama Karma' will lead us to this fullness.
57		Observer is the Observed	In any self-improvement system, there is a very strong understanding that, through a method, one can change any aspect of himself, which is causing problem in the daily life. Such self-improvements are always destined to be deceptive. The stress and problems will only have their modified continuity! Then, where is the CATCH? Why the self-improvement is not taking place, in the actual sense, in spite of our best efforts? The foundation of human mental structure is, an unchecked notion of a separate individuality. An individuality of 'I' and "ME' as opposed to the 'Others'. No one in their entire lifetime ever reviews, this tacit (non-verbal) conclusion, based on which the entire contents of one's life get formulated. This sense of individuality (Ego) and the division between the 'ME' and the 'Other' is taken for granted as an unquestionable fact. With this deep-rooted ignorance unshakably intact, the self-improvement efforts are undertaken! The 'Observer', who says that something "in" him should be changed, is none other than this delusive notion of 'I' and 'ME'. The particular undesirable "something", which is needing change, is not at all different from the notional entity of 'I'. The 'self-identity and the undesirable trait', both are two sides of the very same coin! The coin is delusion. It is never ever realized that, unless, 'the bath-tub along with bath-water and the "baby", is thrown away', the ego deception shall continue to give crisis. We do not grasp that, keeping our sense of ego intact, trying to change a trait here and a habit there, is only amounting to shadow-boxing. This way, 'The Observer' will survive to create endless deceptions, in spite of trying to change many 'Observed' traits! Every time the stable door is closed, the horse has already bolted! This game will continue, until the point where it is choicelessly seen that 'The Observer is the Observed!'
58		OM	It is indeed a riddle, whether the 'Sound' creates the corresponding 'Vibration' or the 'Vibration' causes the 'Sound'. Both in the known and as well the unknown Universe, the Sound and Vibration are two sides of the same coin of the creative-process of manifestation. In the range of sounds, a substantial extent is beyond the sensing range of human ears. There are scores of pulsing vibrations, which are beyond the sense of our everyday extroverted state. The "normal" human perception is that the planet Earth and the realm of matter in it including one's own body-form, is in a stable and solid-state. The TRUTH is far from this faulty and limited perception. There seems to be a stupendous order of controlled fluidity ruling the existence of everything in the Universe, ranging from the gigantic galaxies to a blade of grass on the roadside. All aspects of the grand Creation are vibrantly dynamic within a synchronous state of flux. There is an impeccable ORDER governing the infinitely multifarious manifestations, appearing and disappearing in a blinding rapidity. Each apparently independent unit of manifestation is a bundle of scintillating vibration, strung exquisitely in the grand order of togetherness, which in 'Itself' (The 'Togetherness' state) is the primeval nodal vibration. 'OM' points to this fundamental state of Absolute resonance. But, 'OM' is unlike any other sound in the universe, because it is the uncaused primal sound and vibration. This acausal state is, 'The Only Support' ('Adhar') of the total creation. Within 'Its' enormity, the whole teeming manifestations appear and disappear as vibrating 'soundlets'! Each one of our heart beats and the pulse rhythm is intimately connected to 'OM'. If one can internalize the awareness, this deeply absorbing harmonics of sound and vibration play, can be palpably witnessed! The sound of the roaring sea, the whistling wind, the river in spate, the downpour of rain, the engulfing inferno etc have their sound perfectly tuned to the uncaused hum of 'OM'. The 'OM' contains in it three syllables of 'AUM'. The resonance of 'OM' hums through these three levels of sonorous tonality. At the end of each cycle of hum, there a poignant gap is present. These three syllables are associated with; human waking, dreaming and deepsleep state. The teacher initiates a student in the spiritual path, by directing the student's attention to get poised while chanting 'AUM' to the play of his own consciousness through the three states of waking, dreaming and deepsleep. The poignant fourth state (Turiya) is the transcendent state of Universal-Togetherness, in which the student's conscious merges, after the completion of each cycle of chanting. Thus, 'AUM' is the most potent aid for deeper meditation. The three syllables of 'AUM' also point at the three states of universal cyclic creative-process of 'Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution'. 'OM' is indeed encoded with volumes of spiritual insights.
59		Pilgrimage	To undertake travel for the sole purpose of visiting religious places is 'Pilgrimage'. 'The Pilgrimage To SELF' indicates that the true religious destination is not situated in the outer physical world of space and time. 'IT IS' enshrined within oneself. Only our hoary ignorance distracts us from this fact. Thus, in terms of distance 'The Destination' is indeed closest to each one of us!
60		Pooja	Worshipping with an utmost sincerity, one's chosen deity by offering water, incense, lamp, flowers and fruits, daily at a prescribed time, usually the early morning and/or at the sun-set hours, is called as 'Pooja'. These above mentioned five items have a very deep religious symbolic relevance. They are: Water=Purity, Incense=Ambience, Lamp=Inner-attention aflame, Flowers=To open up inwardly, Fruits=Fructification in consciousness. Over and above to these five, camphor is lit and waved before the deity. Perhaps, camphor is the only known material when burnt, does not leave behind any residue. This is to symbolize that one's EGO has to be burnt, without retaining any residue behind! Pooja can be such an intense and as well an integrated orientation, in search for TRUTH.
61		Prajna	The essential quality of being alive is to be conscious. But, this seems to be not sufficient for actualizing the full potential of we humankind. Apart from the knowledge through various levels of skills and also the intelligence based on information, it is essential for us to have WISDOM, which comes when there is an appropriate sense of discrimination applied in our daily inter-active life. A fine sense of discernment is indeed essential for us to evolve further to actualize our full potentials. Such wisdom is named as 'Prajna'.
62		Pranava	'OM' ('AUM'), the sacred uncaused primordial sound is also called as 'Pranava'. It is also referred as 'Nada-Brahman' ('The Creative reverberation of the SOURCE). The word 'Pranava' gets composed as follows: 'Pra' = Source, Origin, Excess, Intensity + 'Nava', 'Va' = Fire, Air, Wind, Fresh, Auspicious, Dwelling. Thus, the excessive expanding energy, which spreads sound, wind and fire, dwelling ever fresh in the auspicious SOURCE is 'AUM'.
63		Prayer and Penance	However primitive a religion may be, prayer and penance are the inevitable ingredients. But the object of prayer and the objective for the penance makes the quantum difference, between religions. There are infinite stages of human minds, differing in their grasp and clarity. Within a single human being, with the passage of time, understandings of various depth can occur. Notwithstanding their apparent differences, all human beings are born with 'Aham' (Sense of 'I' and 'ME'). Thus all of us experience a sense of incompleteness in the very depth of our BEING, which compel us to exert towards seeking fulfillment. The uncertainty of securing our satisfaction and fulfillment instigates fear in the very depth of our mind. Thus, DESIRE for satisfaction and FEAR of not being fulfilled, is the functioning rhythm of our mind. Such an anxious inner condition is driven to seek consolation, so as to restore some semblance of "order" , within! Such a source of anchorage for the struggling human mind is 'Prayer' and 'Penance'. Religion is not a redundant luxury, as some unevolved "Intellectuals" arrogate. For humankind, religion is the psychological necessity. As food and water is for the upkeep of one's body, religion is needed for one's psychic health and behavioral balance. Human mind, which is inherently, gripped by fear and desire rhythm, at the very outset it needs a good-deal of metaphysical reassurances. This is exactly the popular version of religion imparts. All religions have worked out extensive prayers and demanding penances, to be undertaken by the faithful. Persons who are overcome by deep anguish of longings and also possessing strong religious faith, if they undertake the prescribed prayer and penance, they will surely derive a palpable relief. Such relief, are therapeutic in their function. This enables people to reattempt their pursuits with renewed vigor and gusto. However, these relief's can offer only temporary inner ease. This because, human propensity for desires, really has no end. Even if some fulfillments happen through prayer and penance, the human sense of 'I' and 'ME' (Ahamkar) comes up with endless demands! Thus the fear and desire chain link in human mind continues. There is yet another level of prayer and penance, which addresses the human predicament from a radically different angle. To undertake this approach, the individual should have got sufficiently prepared by the vicissitudes of worldly life. When one's attention gets spontaneously drawn to the fact of ever multiplying contradictory desires within oneself and also to the inevitable law of LIFE by way of FLUX, which has the ultimate say, as to, 'What should be?' then one's attention wants to unravel the very mystery behind this very odd situation! The emphasis gets drastically shifted from the mere egoistic self-fulfillment. The human intelligence begins to climb the higher spirals on the evolutionary path, where it wants to understand "ITSELF"! The center of 'Awareness' gets shifted to a higher vantage point. One cannot afford to treat this, 'Wanting to understand ONESELF', in the same level of intensity, as the other wants, which we at random pursue blindly in our life. This undertaking demands much more commitment than a mere passing interest of a shallow inspiration. It is indeed an arduous challenge. One has to swim against the current of one's own habit ridden mind. The deep-rooted fears, desires and urges shall surely crop up time-and-again as hindrances. To counter this psychological gravitational pull, one needs a different quality of prayer and penance. In this prayer, the person should be able to surrender totally one's sense of egoistic individuality to the inscrutable power of LIFE. Though this POWER cannot be fully and easily described as an objective reality, the earnestness in one's being gives sufficient insights into this subtler higher realm. The seeker in quest should invoke profound faith and surrender one's ego through prayer to this 'ALL Governing Realm'. The sense of humility should fill one's being, for ushering the state of surrender. Ego is the most difficult to handle enigma. It is the past master of million tricks and a sharpshooter of many encounters. The only penance that can outwit such an enigma is self-denial through skeptical negation. All impulsive promptings and emotional blackmails of one's egoistic state, has to be Choicelessly watched and negated, by grasping the cunning ways of our habitual ignorance. One should have the healthy inner resilience, to stay free of the social value pressure. This is perhaps the most difficult penance of all other penances! Under these aseptic conditions, the unconditional inner let go happens. Enduring steadfastly to prayer and penance can surely lead us to freedom through realization. The delusion of ego cannot be cast out without the help of such prayer and penance. Without the dissolution of ego, there can be no peace and freedom. Thus, "Prayer and Penance' play a very important role in a human being's life. It is the raft, which will surely help us cross the choppy sea of our own inner ignorance.
64		Purnatva	Fullness and Completeness are the nearest meanings in the English language for this word. But, 'Purnatva' goes far beyond these meanings. 'Fullness' can indicate a state of satiation and the word 'Completeness' can denote a state arrived through the 'Sum of the parts'. But 'Purnatva' is far from these two conditional states. 'Purnatva' is a state of profound realization, when the sense of limitation, as "Individuality" drops off, as a redundant vestige from one's consciousness. Any extent of acquisition OR renunciation cannot hasten the arrival of 'Purnatva'! When the microcosm totally dissolves into the state of Macrocosm, as a sugar doll dissolves into water, 'Purnatva' is THAT non-verbalized state. Following peace invocation 'Sloka' in the 'Isavasya Upanishad' most brilliantly conveys the total import of 'Purnatva'. "Om Purnamadah purnamidam purnaat purnamudachyate Purnasya purnamaadaaya Purnamevaavasishyate" "THAT is Whole; this is Whole; from the Whole the whole becomes manifest. From the Whole, when the whole is negated, what remains is again the Whole." In this Sloka, the word 'THAT' indicates the totality of Macrocosm. The word 'that' indicates the infinitely teeming microcosm. Thus, if one substitutes accordingly, the whole stunning import of WHOLENESS is revealed! 'Poornatva' is such all devouring FULLNESS!
65		Purusha and Prakriti	These two Sanskrit words sum up both the manifest and the unmanifest. They between them, compress the quintessence of the Absolute TOTALITY. 'Puru' = Abundant, Excessive. 'Purusha' = CONSCIOUSNESS, The ALL pervading universal passive substratum. This is referred as "Male" principle, which is simultaneously both immanent and as well transcendent, with regards to the whole of creation. 'Prakriti' = Origin, 'Source-Material-cause' contains three Gunas (Qualities) of 'Satva' 'Rajas' and 'Tamas' and five elemental-quotients ('Bhoo-Tatva'). They are, Space (Ether), Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Everything that is seen and as well sensed is derived out of these five elemental-quotients, combined in some intrinsic permutation and combination. This is referred as the "Female" principle and looked upon as divine delusion (MAYA). Divine because, it is the most primordial reality, almost uncaused! 'The Science of Yoga' describes, that a human being is made of five layers of 'Prakriti'. These layers are called as 'Kosha'. They are: 'Annamaya Kosha' (Gross body), 'Pranamaya Kosha' (In coming and outgoing breath), 'Manomaya Kosha' (Emotions), 'Vijnanamaya Kosha' (Intellect) and 'Anandamaya Kosha' (Bliss). All these are deemed as gross state. The non-dual 'Purusha' is beyond all these five sheaths. 'Atman' being same as 'Purusha', is also beyond these five sheaths! These five sheaths are categorized under three heads: The physical body, the astral body and the causal body. But all of them are only bodies, meaning gross and inert in nature! The Life-principle ('Purusha') is beyond this realm. 'Prakriti' is solely dependent on the immutable 'Purusha'. It arises from and merges back into the all-supporting principle. Though ALL supporting, the changeless substratum remains uninvolved in the ever changing play of three Gunas. "Purusha' is inexhaustible, because it is uninvolved. IT is blemishless, due to the neutral-state. This is a potent clue for us to lead a life free of undue involvement, so as to live without feeling the exhaustion! Seen and Unseen, Manifest and Unmanifest, Phenomenon and Noumenon, Finite and Infinite, Ephemeral and Eternal, Relative and Absolute, Perishable and Imperishable are some of the verbal indicators of the state 'Purusha' and 'Prakriti'. The 'Creatrix', is not just limited to the obviously visible! "IT" is much more grander than that. Sensing this hidden dimension can usher in us a quantum change!
66		Purushartha	Full efforts with firm determination.
67		Raga, Dvesha and Moha	'Attraction, Aversion and Attachment. These three are the principle contents of our mentation. At any given point, if we intercept our thought-process with our attention and observe, the content of the passing thought at that moment will contain one of these three ingredients. Even unconsciously, we are pre-occupied with these mental arsenals, gunning imaginarily for something or other! All those stuffs, our thought-process is running after are indeed illusory and hence are unconnected for factual living. It is only a deep-seated psychotic habit of mind, which is playing itself out endlessly. Compassionately understanding this situation, can open the door of freedom from the ego habit! Let us earnestly begin.
68		Renunciation	Traditionally, when a person embarks on religious/spiritual quest, leaving behind his/her householder's life (Worldly-life), it is said to be renunciation. Whereas, intrinsically, renunciation means the psychological freedom from popular worldlyvalue-system and a spontaneous (Not cultivated) acute inner clarity about the psyche's death pangs. One need not and also CANNOT discard fear and attachment by exercising one's will and volition. When an appropriate inner clarity takes place due to DIRECT-PERCEPTION into the ultimate TRUTH of existence, fears and attachments fall off, without any effort. Until then, even a herculean effort cannot succeed in removing a tiny tip of our deep-rooted fears and attachments.
69		Sadguru	See Satguru.
70		Sadhaka	The link root-word for 'Sadhaka' is 'Sadhana'. This word means,' To accomplish with diligence'. Sadhaka is the one, who endeavors to accomplish his undertaking with diligence. In the realm of spirituality, the pursuit to realize the 'Ultimate TRUTH' is the endeavor. In this, a Sadhaka is relentlessly engaged.
71		Samadhi	The gateway to realization is 'Samadhi'. All spiritual quests and Yogic efforts have to necessarily lead to 'Samadhi', so as to finally culminate into realization. In fact, it is very arduous to separate 'Samadhi' as the route and the 'Realization' as the destination. In a way, without 'Realization' as the pre-condition,'Samadhi' cannot happen. This is the reason, a SEER had mentioned that, "The First Step Is The Last Step!' Then, What is "Samadhi"? This is one of the most complete words in Sanskrit, which invites one's attention to journey into the deepest realm of LIFE. 'Sama' = Balance, Equilibrium, Poise, Composure. 'Aadhi' = Primal, Original, Beginning. Thus 'Samadhi' means 'Original-Equilibrium', 'Primal-Balance', and 'Poise of the Beginning moment'. Can there be a more 'complete' word than this ultimate expression? Can the ultimate state of 'Samadhi', which is reached through infinite devotion, be considered as a "means" for realization OR that only 'Realization' could have set the consciousness of the student to journey through relentless negation to reach the ultimate twilight zone of 'Original-Equilibrium' ('Samadhi')? Let us not enter into hair-splitting squabble of "Egg first or Chick first?" Our attention should instead delve in the sublime quality of the word 'Samadhi'. This state of Consciousness is not a blinking state of blighted inertia. On the contrary, this is the deepest source of all surface manifestations, which is ever pure and full of concepts-free innocence, in spite of confounding surface modifications. When the consciousness returns from this rejuvenating source to daily life, it brings along and imparts to the daily life a remarkable sense of directness as spontaneity and abounding peace. In one's life, frequent opportunities should be made possible, out of one's own initiative, to repeatedly journey to 'THE SOURCE'. Only this way, the individual and as well the collective life going disastrously astray can be averted. Only this gives the vitality to transcend the surface oddity, which otherwise submerges our sensitivities and turns it violent. 'Samadhi' is the source of symbiotic intuitive intelligence. This is the all-containing realm of BALANCE!
72		Samvar	Restraint.
73		Samvara	Samvara is the autoagonistic principle of asrava. To be more specific, asrava being the influx of karma, samvara is the stoppage of the openings leading to the stoppage of asrava, Thus the modification of consciousness which is void of attachment and aversion and by which influx of karmas is stopped is called Bhavasamvara. And by which one stops all kinds of influx thru great vows and meditation is called Dravya-samvara.
74		Samwad	Dialogue.
75		Samyag charitra	Actions with right attitude and right knoweldge is smayag or right i.e. not pervert and is known as samyag charitra (right conduct). The conditions of worldly existance consists in the three fold elements of perverted attitude (mithyatva darshan), perverted cognition (mithya jnana) and perverted conduct (mithya charitra). The opposite of these three viz. right attitude, right knowledge and right conduct constitutes the pathway to emancipation.
76		Samyag-Darshan	This is a terminology in Jaina philosophy. This indicates 'Right-Perception'. The purified state of consciousness that enables the soul to realize and comprehend the things as they are is known as samyagarshan (right attitude or right faith towards the substances of universe).
77		Samyag-Gnyana	Right knowledge of Truth. Knowledge gained through Samyag-Darshan.
78		Samyagjnana	All knowledge becomes samyagjnana (right knowledge) in the presence of samyagdarshana (right faith) as the process of purification has started to act upon the soul.
79		Sanskara	Past or present Karma.
80		Sat-Chit-Ananda	'Truth - Knowledge - Bliss'. Human sense faculties have limited capacities even to sense the WHOLE range of physical sensations. Under this condition, 'The Ultimate Absolute Substratum' of the universal creative-process totally defies all human efforts of estimations and explanations. But the modern scientific field has extended the range of human senses by devising extensive tools to aid, like microscope, radio-telescope, x-rays, ultra-sonic detectors, satellite aided imaging, satellite aided communication, super-sonic travel etc. All sciences only rely on physical cause and effect and thus limit themselves and conform to physical realm of existence. Hence, their extension devices are also limited only to physical realm! Whereas, a spiritually evolved human being SEES the whole of creative-process as not only the play OF Consciousness, but also, it is happening IN Consciousness. Hence the sensing improvement accomplished by them is in the realm of Consciousness. They could experientially (Not only experimentally) imbibe the qualitative state of The Ultimate Absolute Substratum. In the very word "Experimental", its limitation gets mentioned, i.e., "Mental". The "Mental" state though a very important mode of perception, it indeed has many shortcoming by way of producing deceptions through errors. To overcome this limitation, one needs to develop through the path of 'Inward' evolution, one's level of consciousness. The error through deception is due to spiritual division within us creating a separate egoistic individuality. Until this self-limitation is completely gone beyond, evolution in consciousness is not possible. A Seer, who has experienced by communing with The Ultimate Absolute Substratum, when he wants to relate that quality to the uninitiated ordinary people, he has no other choice but to use the words of daily language. Whereas, when one realized human being conveys to another equally realized being, even a smile is adequately eloquent. Words are only a pointer. They convey different connotations for differently evolved minds. An epithet such as: "Sat-Chit-Anand" can convey many levels of meanings. Ordinarily, this is rendered as, "Truth-Knowledge-Bliss" Sat = Truth, Chit = Knowledge , Anand = Bliss. These qualities can be mistakenly equated to a person, who is, "Righteous, Intelligent, Successful"! Ordinarily, we human beings understand, Truth as Righteousness, Knowledge as Intelligence and Anand as Successful! Unevolved minds, when they hear and repeat such pointers comprehend only in a shallow manner. They foolishly try to bolster their sense of self-esteem, which is already a stumbling block. The SEER, who uttered 'Sat - Chit - Anand' pointer meant surely something exalted and profound. 'Sat' stands for the quality of undiminishing and unchanging PURITY.' Chit' stands for underlying Consciousness as 'Chaitanya' (Continuous AWARENESS). 'Anand' stands for unchanging 'Purnatva' (Fullness). All these astounding qualities are 'KAAL' (Time) defying. There is no past and future for this all prevailing and all containing and all embracing quality. There is only an eternal PRESENT, as moment-to-moment existence for this awe-inspiring Ultimate Absolute Substratum. A human being who is evolved in consciousness, looks at the micro and Macrocosm in such an unconventional way!
81		Satguru	In this word the part 'Sat' means 'Eternal', 'Constant', 'Always'. The part 'Guru' stands for 'Inspiration', 'Guidance', 'To lead'. Guru is the one, who always unfailingly leads a person in sorrow due to ignorance, away from the darkness of confusion, to the light of awareness and enlightenment. "Satguru', is that type of 'Guru', who has a constant and unbroken PRESENCE in each one's life. The light of awareness as 'Atman' residing in each one's consciousness is essentially one's 'Satguru'! The world renowned Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi used to point out that, " A Sadhak while getting pushed from outside by the human Guru, the Satguru from inside draws the Sadhak (disciple) inward!" This means, 'One's Being is drawn to the undivided SOURCE'.
82		Satori	Revelation/Serendipity.
83		Satsang	This word means, 'Seeking in earnestness, the company of good and religiously pious'. Hindu Dharma makes few basic prescriptions to all human beings, irrespective of their social status and psychological propensities, to enable them to lead their life with least of commotion. Apart from lofty philosophical and metaphysical directions aimed at the transcendental realm, the wise sages of the ancient India (Bharat) were men of great pragmatism. They realized quite adequately that all human beings should lead their day-to-day life with their full mental health. Mere absence of abnormal behavior in a human being, they knew is not 'Mental-Health'. They recognized the absolute necessity of each human being to be a cohesive positive factor, to make the collective society full of peace and balance. Though Hindu religion may give an impression of propagating philosophic 'individualism', as regards to working out the riddle of destiny, in the matters of community living, they advocated and practiced perfect sense of togetherness. Each one was made to feel that they are only performing their bit of duty, for the common good, as ordained by cosmic divine order. Thus, according to Vedic vision, no one is free from the chain of cause-and-effect (Karma), which connects endless cycle of birth-and-death, until absolute realization dawns. Thus, whosoever does any sort of violation against any form of life; they cannot escape without having to reap the "fruit" of their crime. All actions, either good or bad, have their corresponding situations by way of residual effects, which have to be inescapably faced. All human activities are born out of egoistic self-consciousness. Thus, being self-centered, our activities surely produce residual fruit to be reaped. This is the broadest based cultural and religious belief-system prevailing in the length and breadth of India, for many millennia. Notwithstanding such an in-built corrective factor to check human behavior, due to the innate human temperamental shortcomings, misbehaviors by way of violence and exploitations could not be ruled out. Psychological inadequacies of humankind have their roots in a very deep-seated abnormality, which is the sense of egoistic individuality. Seers of the east were extremely alert to this reality. Hence, they worked out a regimen for one's daily life, which kept to a greater extent human ego well under check and subdued. 'Satsang' was one of the most positive ways of life, which was prescribed to people for balancing their egoistic outlook. The popular connotation of this word is, 'To be in the company of pious and good people'. But, this word has much deeper reach of implications. 'Sat' = 'Truth', 'Eternal', 'Changeless', 'Good', 'Wholesome'. 'Sang' = 'To meet', To mix with', 'To befriend', 'Confluence', 'To merge into'. Thus, it is easily discernible that 'Satsang' is not just to be in the company of pious. Apart from seeking the company of good and pious people, one should change inwardly, so as to emotionally merge with the sublime realm of ego free state. Hence, it is not just while in the proximity of good and pious one is sober, even while engaged in the worldly activities one has to be in constant touch with THAT, which is 'Wholesome' and 'Good'. This quality of constant mentation is called as 'Manan' (Contemplation). In olden times, in India even activities like music, poetry, art, dance, sculpture were not merely entertainment oriented. All these activities of aesthetics were devotedly god oriented. In each of these, the attention of the practitioner and the audience both alike were drawn to the godliness, which was seen as the changeless reality, eternally pervading the ever-changing everyday world. Music and poetry was prevalent in every walk of life. All activities like agriculture, weaving, house building, pot making etc., were done to the tune and beat of music and poetry. There are special folk songs and dances in every region of this country, whose contents are the praises, in great devotion of some godly personifications. There is also a very rich and colorful heritage of tribal art, song and dance containing transcendental messages! Even proverbs and adages, which are used in the daily life, draw the human attention away from egoistic self-conscious limitation, towards the transcendental possibility. Religious festivals and even marriage ceremonies are full of such songs and dances! All these are various forms of 'Satsang'. Thus, 'Satsang' has a far reaching implication. Even in today's India, notwithstanding the onslaught of western culture, still 'Satsang' in all its ramifications, are present in the collective consciousness of people in India.
84		SELF	This word in common usage denotes the 'subject' of experience as contrasted with the 'object' of experience. The first person singular pronoun of 'I' (the grammatical individual identity) and 'EGO' (the psychological individual identity), both refer to the word SELF. Spiritually, the word Self indicates a noumenal substratum, defying space-time definition, which brings-forth infinite manifestations as phenomena. These manifestations get nourished for a while and subsequently get dissolved back into the unfathomable noumenal state. The convention is, this noumenal state is denoted with a capital letter "S" as 'Self', whereas, the microcosmic individuality of ego is indicated with lower-case "s" as 'self'. The spiritual journey is that the small self of individuality should merge back tracelessly into the ALL encompassing "big" Self.
85		Shakshi-Bhav and Tatasta-Bhav	The former means, 'Witness-Consciousness' and the latter means, 'Choiceless-Awareness'. 'Shakshi' = Witness. 'Tatasta' = As it is, Choiceless. 'Bhav' = Attitude, Awareness, Feeling in an outlook. Both these two very potent words are taken together because they are closely connected to each other. It is not at all wrong to say that they both mean the same state of consciousness. The true spiritual approach is, much before trying to understand the outer world of men and matter, one has to understand deeply the inner world of one's thought-process. The root of all problems in our life is that, we do not know ourself. The fact that, each one of us is a bundle of contradictions is completely unknown to us. We are not sensitive to this hard fact. Not knowing this, we are engaged continuously in solving problems of our life! If at all a moment comes, which makes us face ourself, we only see it with a squint of self-justification. Even self-condemnation is only an imbalanced perception. Both self-justification and self-condemnation make us escape from facing the fact of 'WHAT IS'. 'WHAT IS' in each one of our lives is beyond the social values of morals, ethics and religious commandments. No penal code or reward and punishment can transform the 'WHAT IS' in us. In fact, presently as we are, there are no two, ME and my 'What Is'. I am, my What Is! Only an acute SEEING, directly 'What Is', can radically transform the consciousness. This very important way of 'Directly Seeing' is only possible when there is no resistance or motive to reach somewhere. Such a state of seeing is 'Witness-Consciousness' and 'Choiceless-Awareness'. This profound state of observation reveals 1) One's own self is a bundle of conflicts and contradictions. 2) It is incessantly restless in the unending pursuit of preserving its self-identity. 3) 'Self-identity' is only a myth, because, in the passage of time ever so many different identities have come and gone, but the search for identity has not stopped. 4) Satisfaction and fulfillment expected to yield through self-identity is a deception. This is so because, the center which is constantly seeking, in itself is a make-believe notion. In actuality, there is no such entity there at all! 5) It is only an unchecked past habitual momentum, which continues seeking newer self-identity and through that satisfaction and fulfillment. 6) If this wild chase is not SEEN and UNDERSTOOD and thus STOPED, it can go on forever and ever! 'Witness-Consciousness' and 'Choiceless-Awareness' is the state in which the ENDING of delusions is possible.
86		Shiva	This word denotes, 'Auspicious', 'Bliss', "Final Beatitude', and 'Conducive to confer happiness'. These qualities indicate the state of noumenal absolute 'Purusha'. These shades of meanings for the word 'Shiva' appear to be "Positive", as opposed to "Negative" state of experiencing. The TRUTH is, far from such limitation arising out of pairs of opposites. The ground of opposites is the reactions of limitation. The egoistic self-identity reacts with likes and dislikes, attraction and revulsion. The all-supporting realm of 'Shiva' is the ripples free neutral state. Hence the bliss and beatitude emanating from the 'Shiva' principal is 'Auspicious'. As in ignorant human beings, the so-called "Positive" experiences, which are make-believe and short-lived, are incapable of being auspicious. They only engender conflicts and struggle in our midst. Thus, no other symbolization of divinity in Hindu philosophy comes close to the state of 'Shiva'. It is said that, "If the quality of 'Shiva' is not present in a person, then he is as good as a 'Shava' (Corpse)!" In the pantheon of Hindu gods, the name 'Shiva' is attributed to that aspect of divinity, which is responsible for DISSOLUTION in the ceaseless creative-process of the Universes! Thus, Hindu view of death is very much auspiciousness!
87		Shlokas	See Slokas.
88		Siddhi	Supra-normal psychic capabilities is 'Siddhi'. The usual meaning attributed to this "mystical" word is, to arouse para-normal psychic capacities like clairvoyance, clairaudience, de-materialization and rematerialization, transmigration etc. Magicians, who neither possess nor claim any spiritual breakthrough in them, also perform these feats. They attribute all these to the skill of 'sleight of hand'. Here is a very interesting and as well an instructive anecdote in this context. Once Sri. Ramakrishna Paramahansa (Guru of world renowned Swami Vivekananda), was sitting with his eyes open, yet immersed in total state of sense-absorption, cut off from the outer reality, on the bank of river Hoogly in Calcutta. That time a Yogi came crossing the river by 'Walking on the river-water!' He came to the bank where Paramahansa was sitting. The Yogi approached very haughtily and asked Ramakrishna whether he noticed the way he came walking on the water? Ramakrishna pleaded ignorance, because he was immersed within. But, he with a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes, yet in a serious tone asked the Yogi as to what is the fare that the boatman charges for a ride to cross the river. The unsuspecting haughty Yogi replied, "Don't you know? The fare is only two paisa?" Paramahansa compassionately looked at the Yogi and said the TRUTH. "Then your yogic feat is worth only two paise!" Yes, the goal of spiritual quest is not for such peripheral gains, which after all are only misguiding distractions. A true Master always warns the student to be wary of such hindrances. The genuine 'Siddhi' (Accomplishment) is to stay unaffected by the 'Siddhi' (Para normal capabilities). It was pointed out more comprehensively by a Master that, "No one establishes a sugar factory to produce molasses. It is always a by-product!"
89		Slokas	These are descriptive poetic verses in Sanskrit language, dealing with religious and spiritual subjects. Sanskrit language is renowned for both terse-brevity and as well poetic excellence. Hence, while most Slokas are quite brief, they carry in them a very rich import of edifying meanings. The full extent of such rich meanings can only be uncovered by acquiring mastery in Sanskrit language.
90		Spirituality	Ordinarily our mental conditionings make us perceive our self, as an alienated and also a separate entity. The 'ME' and 'MINE' as opposed to the 'OTHER' and "THEIR'S". This divided perception generates endless conflicts both in our individual and collective existence. The systematic method of skeptically questioning one's conditioned way of perceiving oneself and the world around in a divisive manner, can be called as "Spirituality". Esoterically, all creatures and amongst them particularly the humankind are considered to be made up of a non-material conscious entity. This entity is innately peaceful with an amiable sense of non-divisive togetherness. But ordinarily, in the process of living a veil of ignorance comes over the non-dual peaceful disposition of this entity. This ignorance instigates a sense of limitation regarding oneself as an alienated Being! A stubborn EGO gets established. Human existence is the futile struggle, waged within oneself bearing this sense of alienation. Altering this pitiable state of alienated consciousness, back to the undivided peaceful existence of togetherness, is the realm of Spirituality. The correction has to take place in the 'Spirit' of each 'Being', and not the ordinary approach of gross material level correction. In short, altering the state of one's alienated consciousness is SPIRITUALITY.
91		Sushka Gnyani	One having knowledge but not reflected in his conduct.
92		Teertham Kanishtam, Bhakti Madhyamum, Gyanam Utammam	This aphorism enunciates in a gist, the whole complex matter of religious pursuits! That is going on a pilgrimage is of ordinary importance. To be engaged in an elaborate Pooja based on Bhakti (Faith/belief) is of middle order importance. BUT, realizing the TRUTH (Gyanam) is of extraordinary consequence!" The above maxim throws a searching powerful light of clarity, into the otherwise obscure depths of spiritual challenge. Not that going on a pilgrimage and the faith based devotion and worship have to be high-handedly shunned. But a Sadhak needs to know about oneself, whether he/she is making the appropriate progress in their spiritual endeavor, OR they are simply stuck on the way stagnated and stunted. Every step is very important in the religious undertaking, provided one is making progress towards realizing the TRUTH obscured by the hypnotic self-identity! Any step on the path of spiritual quest, if it becomes a compulsive habit providing only a sense of security and a pleasure-movement for oneself, then surely that step ceases to be a STEP. It has become a hindering hurdle. A sincere Sadhak should candidly recognize this fact. A STEP SHOULD NOT TURN INTO A TRAP! One should be keenly watchful of all feel good sensations. It is only our sense of ego craves and also gets these sensations.
93		Thought	The dictionaries normally identify the word 'Thought' as a noun, meaning a thing. While amplifying the entry 'noun', following categories are listed: "Class of things, people, places or ideas". Thus, "Thought' comes under the last class of "Ideas" . Some of the biologists call the 'Thought' as the non-material matter! They are perhaps "seeing", that thoughts are stored in the neurons as biochemical substance. Yet the whole scientific fraternity is deeply baffled by the human thought-process. Though they do find some similarity between human thinking mode and the supposed to be thought based responses of animals, the enigma of 'Thought' has not lessened for them. They have modeled computers on the basis of just one aspect of human thinking mode (Binary-system) of 'Yes' and 'No' options. The entire human 'Thought-World' cannot be confined to this rather a mechanical binary system. Human response to 'Metaphors', 'Humor', 'Similes', 'Emotive-words' etc go far beyond the realm of binary thinking process. The field of 'Artificial-Intelligence' encounters uncharted domain of enigmatic human thinking-process. The specialists in the field of 'AI' are increasingly seeing human thinking as 'ANALOGOUS' mode of functioning. That is: The human 'Thought-matrix' functions parellely, looped and inter-connected. Human thinking mode is operating in a gestalt pattern, which is as yet, very difficult to duplicate in the computer-robotics. The in-depth understanding of this challenging realm is indeed a daunting task. The most commonplace responses of humankind by way of laughter, crying out of emotion, grasp of the unmentioned 'directly' etc., are a grey area. Robotics and Protein interfaced electronic chips in Bioelectronics are the examples of Scientist's desperation to de-code the 'THOUGHT' enigma. But, their utilitarian attempts are only aimed to frivolously exploit in the marketplace the range of power hidden in THOUGHT! The responses of human beings are easily seen, but the 'PERCEPTIONS', which produces these responses, are not available for our seeing. All the while the human beings are busy 'THINKING', but seldom we pay attention (Think) , to the compulsive 'THINKING', that is happening in us. The greatest source of disturbance, distraction and at times even terror for human beings is our own thoughts. The one single essence of all 'Thoughts' is to arrogate an independent "Existence"! Though we usually externalize the reason for our thoughts, we should realize that no single external situation produces the same intensity of identical thought in all the people, at the same moment. Thus, some intrinsic realm of consciousness ticking as self-consciousness in each human being sends forth thinking. Common data fed into many memories, bring forth a wide range of responses. Though the essential generic qualities of thoughts such as fear, desire, anger, greed, jealousy, insecurity etc may be are common to the entire humankind, the individual responses are based on the set of priorities present as pressure, in each human being. Thus, 'Thoughts' are universal for the human world, yet at the same time they are intimately personal to each person. Only this situation creates, the psychological realm for each person. The state of self-consciousness, which in humankind is engaged constantly with an arrogating sense of 'I' and 'ME', is THAT mysterious ground from where human psychological realm germinate. Hence without deeply comprehending this enigma, 'Thought-control', 'Thought-sublimation' and 'Thought-moderation' through religious and psychiatric methods can only yield shallow results, leaving the ailment intact. So far, the 'THOUGHT OF INDIVIDUALITY' is continuing, the psychological traits (Klesha) shall surely prevail and bias our behavior. Thus, human self-conscious condition of 'I' and 'ME' (EGO) is the pre-psychological state. This is the hoary abnormality present in Consciousness of the entire humankind. Thus, innately by the very birth as human beings, we are neurotically egoistic! This human condition is called by 'Vedanta' as 'Avidya' = Ignorance and 'Maya' = Deception. Instead of teaching some methods of mere adjustments and compromise with 'Maya' (Which is the way of Psychology), spirituality makes the student to learn the truth ('Para-Vidya') underlying the very deception and turn oneself unconditionally free. Thus, realization means, unconditional freedom from the age-old ignorance harboring "in us". Such realized ones are called 'SWAMI', which means 'MASTER OF ONESELF'. The one, who has put the very 'Genesis of THOUGHT', at its correct sub-ordinate place, is the true MASTER! Only HE is the man of FREEDOM.
94		Time	Sunrise and Sunset produce the effect of ever speeding TIME ('KAAL'), of a given passing day. Actually the Sun neither rises nor sets. It is only the planet Earth's rotation on its axis around the Sun creates the effect of TIME of each Day. Waking and sleeping cycle of creatures, is quite akin to the photosynthesizing and breathing cycle of plants. Both these cycles are governed by the sunrise and sunset cycles. This fundamental TIME is 'Organic-Time'. This realm of 'Time' also produces the effect of ageing for the organic life forms and the process of weathering for inorganic substances. Life-cycle of each cell and tissue though seems independent; the entire network of creation is interrelated by the primordial unwinding of 'Organic-Time'. The cycle of ' Birth, growth, decay and death', are the only way to measure the inexorable unwinding of 'Organic Time'. This realm of TIME, has nothing to do with minutes, hours, days, weeks.... etc. Humankind is the only creature, which due to its extroverted self-conscious perceiving state, apprehends the 'Chronological-Time'. Even in the primitive human society, though the accuracy could be lacking while gauging the 'Chronological-Time', still they also due to their self-conscious state apprehend the ticking of "Time and Tide". Human beings, thus are enslaved by the spell of 'Chronological-Time', which is their exclusive invention! Human beings are engaged compulsively in the habit of measuring and counting 'Chronological-Time' and are anxious about it. The root-cause of human anxiety is 'Psychological-Time'. Human mind is very rigidly structured by the memory, containing images of past experiences. 'Psychological-Time' is composed of such self-conscious "Yesterdays and Tomorrows". Hopes and fears, regret and relish, guilt and pride are the unavoidable features of 'Psychological-Time'. The human invented 'Chronological-Time' strongly reinforces the 'in-felt' 'Psychological-Time'. Our psychological "Yesterdays and tomorrows" gain unquestionable authenticity by masquerading as chronological yesterdays and tomorrows! None of us are clearly sensitive to the fact that the contents belonging to our "Personal-Memory" of "ME" is an admixture of psychological and chronological time. In fact, the chronological-time is only a container, containing the rubbish of psychological-time. This gathers throughout one's life-time and gets extended into chronological future, which includes the speculated "Next-Birth". This confused state of psychological and chronological time-mix is our sense of EGO. All the three above outlined realms of TIME (Organic-Time, Chronological-Time and Psychological-Time) are referred in Hindu parlance as 'KAAL'. Between this, the 'Organic-Time' is symbolized as the deity goddess 'Kali'. Only this aspect of TIME is the factual certainty ('Satya'). This realm defies all our attempts to trace a beginning and an end to frame this enigma. In other words this realm is 'The Absolute Totality'. The goddess 'Kali' is depicted as a relentless slayer of humankind. This only symbolizes that the 'Organic-Time' is the only solvent, which dissolves the make-believe projections created by way of 'Chronological and Psychological' time. The string of human heads as a garland around the neck of goddess 'Kali' and the string of human hands girdled around HER waist, aptly symbolize the human psyche (the Heads) and their deeds (the Hands) which are relentlessly dissolved into 'no-thingness', by the creative-cycle of 'Birth' growth' decay and death'. SHE is described to be of black in color, signifying the grave blue-black vastness of unfathomable infinite. 'Kali' is worshiped in great reverence, only to deliver the devotee freed from the bondages of delusion. The quintessence of all human delusion is our-self, which is the admixture of Psychological-Time and Chronological-Time. 'Kali' is seen both as the 'Maya' (the creator of delusion) and also the redeemer (the slayer of) from delusions. If one can fundamentally comprehend the hypnotic play of TIME, then he is truly a 'SWAMI' (The Master). To flow without any resistance, in the eternal FLOW of 'Organic-Time' is liberation from bondage.
95		Tirtha	Water from sacred place. Also, see Tirtha-Sthal.
96		Tirtha-Sthal	In the Hindu religious tradition, pilgrimage points are called 'Tirtha-Sthal'. Each such point consists of a temple accompanied by a water-spot, by way of a pond, tank, river, sea-beach or at least a well. The respective water-spots are also considered along with the temples as a venerable holy aspect, worthy of reverence and worship. Normally a typical tree is also included as a holy point. These trees are referred as 'Sthal-Vriksha' (Sthal = Place of pilgrimage and Vriksha=Tree). A dip in these holy water, is considered to provide healing and cleansing of one's past bad deeds and ailments as well. Indeed, this is a powerful psychological therapy. This also inculcates non-verbally a positive sense in the devotee's mind towards the environment.
97		TRUTH	In spiritual endeavor the word 'TRUTH' connotes to an unrelenting and also an all-inclusive search for realizing the relevance of the TOTALITY. The SEEKER in the SEARCH is also integrally included into the field, which is SOUGHT. This is the reason, the KNOWLEDGE gained by realizing the TRUTH, is identified as SELF-KNOWLEDGE.
98		Umed	Generally, a well-wisher having a positive expectation of betterment in other person's life is denoted as 'Umed'. A person when is truly concerned about the need for the opening up of higher spiritual possibilities for the seekers is said to be in the state of 'Umed'. A true Master constantly brims with this noble feeling towards the whole humanity.
99		Upeksha	Equanimity.
100		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.
101		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!
102		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!
103		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'.
104		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!
105		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!
106		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.
107		Yagnas	Ritualistically invoking, worshipping and appeasing gods and goddess, who are the representation of certain cosmic powers, for the common good of one's society and also the entire world-community is Yagna. It is a very elaborate and as well an intricate field of religious tradition. This is not a part of the Sadhana, which a Sadhak in quest for TRUTH need to learn or master.
108		Yoga	The basic meaning of this most popular Sanskrit word is, 'To unite', 'Joining', 'Union'. Many thousand years ago, a school of philosophy was established by the Sage Patanjali, which is considered to be the part of 'Sankhya' philosophy. But practically it is reckoned as a separate spiritual system under the name, 'YOGA'. Patanjali sums up in a very short aphorism the total essence of 'Yoga'. "Yoga, Chita vrutti nirodha." This means, " Yoga is to prevent (cease) the mental modifications." Involuntarily, thinking-process takes place in the human mind. Most of the content of this uncontrollable mentation is irrelevant. This activity exhausts human energy and induces deep-rooted mental and behavioral disorder. The originating point of all disorders in a human being, is his/her thought process. None seem to have any control on this essential aspect of "Oneself"! 'YOGA' is the system, which helps to restore order and peace in this most personal realm of a human being. There is a state of 'fracture' in each and every human mental perception. This separation is felt due to a limited 'Self-identity', which the perceiving modality stubbornly feels, within. This 'Self-notion' has divided and isolated each one in the humankind, from the state of togetherness prevailing in the Creation. Thus there is an unbridgeable division between human beings and also between humankind and rest everything else in the Creation. A systematic approach aimed to unify (not just bridge) such a division is 'YOGA' The unifying act should first and foremost, has to take place 'Within' a human being. The 'self-identity', which creates the divisive thought process, has to be fundamentally cured. This cure brings a profound unification within the person. An individual becomes deeply balanced from within, if the unification by Yoga has worked. Only a deeply balanced person can relate wholistically with other human beings and as well with the natural environment. This in-depth balance is not psychological, but spiritual in nature. Thus, Yoga is not a psychological 're-adjustment' method. This has to be clearly understood, before undertaking the pursuit of unification through 'YOGA'. The entire authentic doctrine of YOGA, if it is studied faithfully, it is immensely beneficial for the student. But, some teachers of Yoga have attempted to meet the need of popular-demand by oversimplifying the subject itself! They have presented before the students, just a few preliminary aspects of the total Yoga-system, which are easy to understand without much deeper attention. Many of these practices like 'Asana' (Yogic physical postures) and 'Pranayama' (Breath-control) are purely physical in nature. When they are divorced from the higher and most essential teachings of Yoga-system, they only get reduced to a science of physical culture. They are then, on par with many other systems of physical fitness and muscle building exercises doing their rounds in the market place. Thus, what the vast majority under the name of YOGA normally practice is the soulless structure. This cannot bring about the qualitatively radical transformation in the Being of the student, which authentic YOGA addresses itself to.

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