T= Tamil; all other terms are Sanskrit
abhayamudra (abhayamudrā) “fear-not” mudra of protection; the open hand faces the viewer with thumb and fingers straight up
abhichara (abhicāra) employment of spells for malevolent purposes
abhigamana cleansing rites performed before sunrise
abhijinmuhurta (abhijinmuhūrta) auspicious midday hour
Abhimanyu Arjuna’s son
abhisheka (abhiṣeka) unction or ceremonial ablution
abhun-nripa (abhun-nṛpa) unborn protector of men
abja born of water
abrahmanye (ahrāhmaṇye) in violation of the duties of a Brahman
achara (ācāra) disciplined behavior
acharya (ācārya) scholar priest
achyuta (acyuta) unfallen
adesha (ādeśa) rules of substitution
adharashakti (ādhāraśakti) the supporter’s potency
Adharma son born of Brahma’s back
adhibhautika (ādhibhautika) caused by demons and animals
adhidaivika (ādhidaivika) caused by the deities
adhipati emperor
Adhivasa-diksha (Adhivāsa-dīkṣā) a Bhagavata ritual
adhvaryu an officiating priest at a sacrifice
adhyatmika (ādhyātmika) caused by oneself
Adikacchapa (T. Ādikaccapa; Skt. Ādikaśyapa) Primordial Tortoise
Adipurana (Ādipurāṇa) ninth-century Jain text by Jinasena
adisarga (ādisarga) primordial emission of the universe
Adishesha (Ādiśeṣa) “First to Escape” and “Primordial Remainder”; Samkarshana
Aditi “Non-restraint” or “Expanson”; mother of Vamana the Dwarf and the asuras
aditya (āditya) deva; offspring of Kashyapa and Aditi
Aditya Chola (Ātitya Cōḻaṉ) (T) defeated Aparajitavarma c. 894, ending Pallava Dynasty
Adivaraha (Ādivarāha) cave-temple in Mamallapuram
adya purusha (ādya puruṣa) Person of the Beginning
agama (āgama) tradition or school of ritual practice, rites that “have come down”
agamika (āgāmika) scholar of agama
Agastya a sage who drank the sea dry
Aggalanimmati (T) wife of Dantivarman
Aghora “without fierceness”; one of the “five faces” of Shiva
Agni Fire
agnichayana (agnicayana) arranging or preparing a sacrificial fireplace
Agnidhra (Agnīdhra) eldest son of Priyavrata, ruler of Jambu
agrahya (agrāhya) ungraspable
ahamkara, ahamkarana (ahaṃkāra, ahaṃkaraṇa) ego, conception of individuality; “This am I”
ahavaniya (āhavanīya) eastern fire in Vedic sacrifice
ahi snake
ahimsa (ahiṃsā) non-injury
Ahirhudhnya-samhita (Ahirhudhnya-samhitā) a samhita of the Pancharatra Agama
ahoratra (ahorātra) a day and night
ahutimudra (āhutimudrā) gesture referring to Vedic sacrifice; the thumb touches the tips of the second and third fingers
Aimpanaiccheri (Aimpaṉaiccēri) (T) a section of Kanchipuram
Aippachi (Aippaci) (T) eleventh Tamil month (October-November)
Airavata (Airāvata) Indra’s elephant
aishvarya (aiśvarya) sovereignty
Aitareya Brahmana (Aitareya Brāhmaṇa) a brahmana associated with the Rig Veda
Aiyanar (Aiyanār) god born to Shiva and to Vishnu in the form of Mohini
Ajanabha (Ajanābha) region later named Bharata
Ajigarta (Ajīgarta) “Nothing to Swallow”; king who sold his son to be a victim in Harishchandra’s rajasuya
Ajita “The Unconquered,” a portion of the “Unobstructed”
ajivika (ājīvika) a type of ascetic
Akalankadeva (Akalahkadeva) “Without Stains”; Digambara acharya (ca. 720–780)
akasha (ākāśa) space
akirti (akīrti) infamy
Akrura (Akrūra) Yadu leader, relative of Krishna
akshara (akṣara) brahma unmanifest brahman
Akshini (Akṣinī) wife of Daksha, mother of sixty daughters
akshita (akṣita) undecaying
Akupara (Akūpāra) “the Unbounded”; Tortoise
Alakananda (Alakanandā) the Ganga River as it flows from Mt. Meru
Alarka a lila avatara; king who rules 66,000 years
Alavay (Ālavāy) (T) “mouth of poison”; Maturai
aloka nondirectional space
Alvar (Āḻvār) (T) Vaishnava Tamil poet; Alvar, like Nayanar, means ruler or master, but Shri Vaishnava acharyas later interpret it to mean “one who drowns in God.”
Amarakosha (Amarakośa) “heavenly treasury”; Sanskrit thesaurus, ca. 380 CE
Amaravati (Amarāvati) River river in Tamil Nadu, also known as the Anporunai
Amardaka (Āmardaka) dualist lineage of the Shaiva Agama
Amarka one of Shukra’s sons, a teacher of Prahlada
amarsha (amarṣa) indignation
ambara sky; garment
Ambarisha (Ambarīṣa) son of Mandhata
Amitabha (Amitābha) the “Protector”; a buddha
Amoghavarsha (Amoghavarṣa) I Rashtrakuta king (ca. 814–880)
amrita (amṛta) “non-death”; the elixir of immortality
Amsha (Aṁśa) “portion, share”; an aditya
amshabhagena (aṃśabhāgena) through a share of glorious wealth
amshakala (aṃśakalā) shares and parts
Amshuman (Aṁśumān) son of Asamanjasa
amurtika (amūrtika) one without material form
ananda (ānanda) joy
anandamaya (ānandamaya) made of joy
Ananta “Endless,” the Snake Samkarshana
Anasuya (Anasūyā) “Benevolence,” wife of Atri
Andaka clan allied with the Satvakas
andhatamisra (andhatāmisra) spiritual ignorance or blindness
Anga (Aṅga) king who established kingship in first Manu Term
Angada (Aṅgada) monkey son of Valin
angamantra (aṅgamantra) subsidiary mantras
angastra (aṅgāstra) subsidiary weapons
Angirasa (Aṅgirasa) a prajapati, born of Brahma’s mouth; father of Krishna’s teacher
Ani (Āṉi) third Tamil month (June-July)
animan (aṇiman) the power of becoming minute
Aniruddha “the Unobstructed,” one of the vyuhas of God; son of Pradyumna
anjalimudra (añjalimudrā) the two hollowed hands placed together at chest level in salutation or entreaty
ankushamudra (aṅkuśamudrā) mudra of the pointed elephant prod; the forefinger and thumb curl to form the shape of a hook, the remaining fingers curl toward the palm
anmula (anmūla) uprooted
anna food
annarasa the taste or essence of food
Anporunai (Ānporuṇai) River river in Tamil Nadu, also known as the Amaravati
Antal (Āṇṭāḷ) (T) Alvar also known as Kotai
anrita (anṛta) not true, false
antariksha (antarikṣa) “the space between”; the atmosphere
antarvyuha (antarvyūha) interior formation
antyaja born into the lowest caste
anubhava (anubhāva) personal experience
anugraha grace
Anumati “Goodwill”; fourth daughter of Angiras and Shraddha
anupura subcapital
anushravikakarma (anuśravikakarma) gross body engaged in activies enjoined by the Vedas
anushtubh (anuṣṭubh) a metrical system of four times eight syllables
anusvara (anusvāra) vowel nasality (indicated by a superscript dot)
Apah (Āpah) Water
apana (apāna) breath expelled down and out through the anus
Apantaratamas (Apāntaratamas) sage who taught the three Vedas
Aparajitavarma (Aparājitavarma) Nandivarman’s great-great grandson (ca. 875–889)
apipasa (apipāsa) without craving or thirst
apsaras a dancer in Indra’s heavenly court
apyayayoga “unification of consciousness by dissolving”
Aranyaka (Āraṇyaka) “forest-related”; class of texts closely tied to Brahmana ritual texts
archa (arcā) icon
Archi (Arci) “Luster”; part of Lakshmi, created from Vena’s arms
ardhamandapa (ardhamaṇḍapa) porch
arghya hospitality
Arhana (Arhaṇa) “Honor”; a personal attendant of Bhagavan
arhat “foe destroyer”; enlightened being, one who has escaped samsara; (cap.) a king of southern Karnataka
Arishta (Ariṣṭa) asura in the shape of a bull
Arishtishena (Ariṣṭiśena) a royal rishi
artha prosperity; meaning
Arthashastra (Arthaśāstra) treatise by Kautilya on the art of ruling
Aryama (Aryamā) leader of the ancestors (pitri)
Aryavarta (Āryāvarta) “Nobles’ Realm”; north and central India
Asamanjasa (Asamañjasa) son of Sagara and Keshini
asamchaya (asaṃcaya) not hoarding
asana (āsana) disciplined posture
asanga (asaṅga) without clinging
asatkrita (asatkṛta) performed untruly
asharira (aśarīra) without a body
Ashoka (Aśoka) Maurya (r. ca. 274–236 BCE), emperor who supported Buddhism after he had conquered his empire
Ashoka stupa (Aśoka stūpa) Buddhist relic shrine supposedly built by King Ashoka
ashokavadana (aśokāvadāna) “legend of Ashoka”
ashrama (āśrama) stage of life of a Brahman; abode of ascetics
ashraya (āśraya) place of refuge
Ashtabhujasvamin (Aṣṭabhujasvāmin) the Lord with Eight Arms
ashtanga (aṣṭāṅga) “eight-limbed”; eight miraculous powers
ashubha (aśubha) polluting, impure, inauspicious
ashunya (aśūnya) not empty
Ashva (Aśva) Krishna as Horse
ashvamedha (aśvamedha) horse sacrifice
Ashvatara (Aśvatara) naga ruling in Patala, father of Madalasa
ashvattha (aśvattha) sacred fig tree; pipal tree
Ashvatthaman (Aśvatthāman) Drona’s son, who had the power of Shiva
Ashvin (Aśvin) a class of agricultural deities
Asikni (Asiknī) wife of Daksha, mother of sixty daughters
Asita sage who taught the Pancharatra Upanishad to the Ancestors
asteya absence of theft
astikya (āstikya) affirmation of Veda
astra arrow; weapon
asura anti-deva, demon
Atala (Atāla) world below Earth
Atharva-angirasa (Atharva-aṅgirasa) tradition descending from Atharva and Aṅgirasa, founders of worship with fire and the soma sacrifice
Atharva Veda sometimes called the “fourth Veda”
Ati (Āṭi) (T) fourth Tamil month (July-August)
atikal (aṭikaḷ) (T) feet
atman (ātman) the Self, the true self
atma sharirin (ātma śarīrin) “the Self of the body”; corporeal body
atmavat (ātmavat) prudent or judicious
Atri “Devourer”; one of the Seven Seers, born from Brahma’s eye
Attiyur (Attiyūr) hamlet southeast of Kanchipuram
Aurva “Underwater Fire that Will Destroy the World”; disciple of Shandilya
avadhuta (avadhūta) a radical renunciant freed of all desire
Avalokiteshvara (Avalokiteśvara) a bodhisattva
Avani (Āvaṇi) (T) fifth Tamil month (August-September)
Avantipura home of Sandipani, guru of Krishna and Balarama
Avashyaka-niruti (Avaśyaka-niruti) of Bhadrabahu (Bhadrabāhu) II sixth-century Jain commentary
avatara (avatāra) descent, manifestation of God in the universe
avidya mistaken knowledge; misperception
avikalpa “not distinguished or particularized”; completely passive object of perception
Ay (Āy) Dynasty rulers of Kerala, ca. 300 BCE-600 CE
ayana path; resting place
Ayodhya (Ayodhyā) capital of the Kosala region
ayudhapurusha (āyudhapuruṣa) a weapon in the shape of a person
ayurveda (āyurveda) “knowledge of longevity,” traditional Indian medical science
Badari ashram of Narada on the mountain Gandhamadana
Bahlika region ruled by Kardama
bala indefatigable or transforming power; strength
Balarama (Balarāma) Krishna’s elder brother
bali offering; (cap.) asura king, ruler of Patala, tricked by Vamana into giving him heaven and earth
balimudra (balimudrā) mudra of power or of offering; the fingers bend to the palm and the thumb curls over the forefinger
balin powerful
Bana (Bāṇa) asura ally of King Kamsa, eldest son of Bali
bappa bhattaraka (bappa bhaṭṭāraka) “venerable father”; used of some Buddhist teachers and Shaiva monks
Barhishmati (Barhiṣmatī) wife of Priyavrata
Baudhayana Shrautasutra (Baudhayāna Śrautasūtra) contains methods of constructing Vedic altars
Bhadra (Bhadrā) seventh wife of Krishna
Bhadrapada (Bhādrapada) sixth Sanskrit month, August-September
bhadra pitha (bhadra pīṭha) holy seat
Bhadrashravas (Bhadraśravas) “He of Gracious Fame”; ruler of Bhadrashvas
Bhadrashvas (Bhadrāśvas) “Auspicious Horse”; region of Jambu east of Ilavrita
bhaga wealth, honor, virtue
Bhagadatta ruler allied with Jarasandha though at heart loyal to Yudhisthira
Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-gītā) “Song of God,” dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in book 6 of the Mahabharata
Bhagavan (Bhagavān) “the possessor of bhaga”; used as an honorific, e.g., Bhagavan Shiva, but in Bhagavata Dharma, “the Bhagavan” denotes Narayana Vasudeva’s four vyuha formations.
bhagavan svayam (bhagavān svayam) the Bhagavan himself
Bhagavata (Bhāgavata) “āwho belong to the Bhagavan”
Bhagavatam condensed version of Krishna’s teaching, BP 3.8.7
**Bhagavata Purana (**Bhāgavata Purāāaāthe primary textual source of Vaishnavism
Bhagiratha (Bhagīratha) Amshuman’s grandson
Bhairavi (Bhairavī) fierce form of the Goddess
bhajan devotional song
bhakta devotee, participant in bhakti
bhakti “devout sharing”; devotional worship
bhaktiyoga discipline of devotion
bhalla a kind of arrow
Bharadvaja (Bharadvāja) one of theāeers
Bharata son of Rishabha; also a brother of Rama
Bhārata India; poā Jambu continent, south of the Himalayas
**bhava (bhāva)**āce; feeling
Bhava “Coming into Being”; one of the Maruts
Bhavani (Bhavānī) conāBhava; also identified with Uma
bhaya anxiety, fear
bhikshu (bhikṣu) Buddhist monk
Bhima (Bhīma) younger brother of Simhavishnuvarman, who founded lineage from which Nandivarman Pallavamalla descended in the sixth generation; also one of the Rudras; also Bhimasena
Bhimasena (Bhīmasena) Arjuna’s brother, son of Kunti, who kills Jarasandha
Bhishma (Bhīṣma) warrior who fought on side of Kauravas
bhoga success in the material world; enjoyment
Bhoja clan ruled by Kamsa
bhojana food
Bhrami wife of Dhruva
Bhrigu (Bhṛgu) a prajapati, born of B/b> a prajapati, born of Brahma’s skin; a clan led by Shukra
**bhu, bhumi (**bhū, bhūmi) the material realm; the earth
bhujamgatrasa (bhujaṅgatrāsa) “snake-fright” posture
bhukti worldly prosperity
bhuloka (bhūloka) Earth
Bhumi, Bhumidevi (Bhūmi, Bhūmidevī) Goddess Earth
bhupati (bhūpati) “Master of Earth”
Bhurloka (Bhūrloka) Earth and the seven realms of Rasa beneath
bhuta (bhūta) ghost
bhutagrama (bhūtagrāma) the assembly of living beings
Bhutam (Bhūtam) poet from the Kanchipuram region
bhutani (bhūtāni) material beings
bhutapati (bhūtapati) “Master of Ghosts”
bhuti (bhūti) “material cause”; to bring into being
bhutishakti (bhūtiśakti) the power to bring an act into being
Bhuvana father of Vishvakarma
bhuvarloka (bhuvarloka) the atmosphere, the sphere of Surya
bija (bīja) seed
bimba icon, image
Bindumati (Bindumatī) wife of Mandhata
bodha consciousness, perception
bodhi wakefulness
Brahma (Brahmā) great god, from whom emerges spacetime
brahmacharin (brahmacārin) celibate student
brahmakhya dhama (brahmakhyā dhāma) the “home” called brahman
brahmahatya (brahmahatyā) the sin of slaying a brahmin
brahmamuhurta (brahmamuhūrta) Brahma’s hour, the hour before sunrise
brahman primordial being, leading to the derivative meanings of “growth,” “expansion,” or “evolution”
brahmana (brāhmaṇa) one of the portions of the Veda
brahmanda (brahmāṇḍa) “Brahma sphere” or “egg of Brahma”; spacetime
Brahmanda Purana (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa) one of the major puranas
brahmanirvana (brahmanirvāṇa) “extinction in brahman”; dissolurion into brahman
brahmapura fort of brahman
brahmarandhra “suture of Brahma”; aperture (or chakra) at crown of the head
brahma sanatana (brahma sanātana) ancient or eternal prayer
Brahmavada (Brahmavāda) “Doctrine of Brahman”
Brahmavadasya-samgraha (Brahmavādasya-saṃgraha) “Summary of the Doctrine of Brahman”
Brahmavadin (Brahamavādin) Jaina sect
Brahmavalli (Brahmavallī) section of the Taittiriya Upanishad
Brahmavarta (Brahmāvarta) land of Svayambhuva Manu
Brihacchloka (Bṛhachchloka) “He of Great Renown” or “of the Great Stanza”; son of Vamana and Kirti
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad) one of the oldest upanishads, contained within the Shatapatha Brahmana
Brihadratha (Bṛhadratha) ruler of Magadha, father of Jarasandha
Brihaspati (Bṛhaspati) Jupiter; “Master of Prayer”; teacher of the gods
Brihaspatisava (bṛhaspatisava) sacrifice to Brihaspati performed by Daksha
brihat (bṛhat) great
Brihatkathasaritsagara (Bṛhatkathāsaritsāgara) “Ocean of the Rivers of the Great Romance” by Somadeva
Budha the planet Mercury; Moon’s son
Chaitra, Chitra (Caitra, Citra) first Sanskrit month (March-April)
chakra (cakra) wheel
chakrabjamandala (cakrāhjamaṇḍala) “Wheel and Lotus” mandala
Chakranadi (Cakranadī) river also called Gandaki, source of shalagramas
chakravartin (cakravartin) emperor
chalamotu (calamoṭu) (T) “with water”
Chalukya (Calukya) Dynasty rulers of southest and central India from their capital at Badami, 6th-8th century
chamara (camara) fly-whisk
chamiyati (cāmiyāṭi) (T) a medium through whom a being speaks to others
Chamunda (Cāmuṇḍā) terrifying emanation of Durga
Chanda (Caṇḍa) asura slain by Durga
Chandika Durga (Caṇḍikā Durgā) fear-inspiring aspect of Durga
Chandogya Upanishad (Chāndogya Upaniṣad) one of the oldest upanishada, associated with the Sama Veda
Chandrapada (Candrapada) mountain that connects earth with Patala
Chandravaloka (Candrāvaloka) king, father of Taravaloka
Chanura (Cāṇūra) wrestler killed by Krishna in Mathura
charana (cāraṇa) celestial panegyrist
Chatakopan (Caṭakōpan) (T) Alvar better known as Nammalvar
Chattanar (Cāttaṉār) (T) Tamil poet, fl. 550 CE
Chatuhshloki Bhagavatam (Catuhślokī Bhāgavatam) “Bhagavatam in Four Stanzas”
Chatur Yuga (Catur Yuga) the set of four ages (yuga), measured by chronological time in deva years
chatvala (catvāla) open pit outside a vedi, providing dirt for altars
Chedi (Cedi) region ruled by Shishupala, ally of Jarasandha
Chelvan Apimanatunkan (Celvaṉ Apimanatuṅkaṉ) (T) “the prosperous man who is dear”; equivalent to Shri Vallabha
Chera (Cēraṉ) Dynasty (T) early rulers in Kerala
cheri (cēri) (T) section
Chermadevi (Cēraṉmātāvī) (T) town in the Pandya realm
chetas (cetas) consciousness
chid, chit, chitta (cid, cit, citta) consciousness
chihnamakhilam (cihnamalchilam) (T) complete insignia
Chilappatikaram (Cilappatikāram) (T) Tamil epic by Ilankovatikal
chintamani (cintāmaṇi) “gem of thought”; wish-fulfilling jewel
chitra (citra) picture
Chitraketu (Citrakētu) (T) ruler of the Surasenas
Chitramaya Pallavaraja (Citramāya Pallavarāja) Nandivarman’s enemy defeated by Udayachandra
Chitraratha (Citrarāthra) gandharva king
Chitrasikhandin (Citrasikhandin) the Seven Seers who composed the Satvata Shastra
chittah (cittah) those who are “reflective”
Chittrai (Cittirai) (T) first Tamil month (April-May)
chivikai (civikai) (T) balcony; palanquin
Chola (Cōḻaṉ) Dynasty (T) early Tamil rulers displaced by Pallavas and Pandyas
Dadapuram town in the Chola realm
Dadhichi (Dadhīci) sage who gave his body to create Indra’s vajra
daitya asura; descendent of Kashyapa and Diti
daiva fate; depending on fate
Daksha (Dakṣa) “Dextrous in Sacrifice”; a prajapati born of Brahma’s thumb
dakshina (dakṣiṇa) right (side); south
dakshina (dakṣiṇā) gifts made to a priest for performance of a sacrifice, or to a guru at completion of studies
Dakshinagni (Dakṣiṇāgni) “Southern Fire”; a deity
Dakshinakalika (Dakṣiṇakālikā) Kalika of the South, or Kalika Facing South
Dakshinamurti (Dakṣiṇāmūrti) “The South-Facing Material Form”
dakshinayana (dakṣiṇāyaṇa) the darkening half of the year
dakshinya-drishti-padavi (dākṣiṇya-dṛṣti-padaī) the “Path of the Southern Doctrine”
dama discipline of the breath or body; self-restraint, subduing of passions
dama (dāma) flower garland, necklace of beads
Damodara (Dāmodara) vyuha of Vasudeva
dana (dāna) ritual gift
danava (dānava) asura sons of Danu
**danda (**daṇḍa) staff; righteous punishment
Dantavaktra “Crooked Tusk”; arrogant king killed by Krishna with his mace
Dantidurga (T) also known as Sahastunga Dantidurga Khadgavaloka; mid-eighth-century ruler who aided Nandivarman Pallavamalla
Dantivarnam son of Nandivarman and Reva
Danu wife of Kashyapa, mother of Panis
darbha a sacred grass
**darshana (**darśana) vision of God or His representation
Daruka (Dāruka) Krishna’s charioteer
Dasharatha (Daśaratha) father of Rama
Dasharha (Dāśārha) clan allied with Satvatas
dasyayoga (dāsyayoga) yoga of the servant
Dattatreya (Dattātreya) emanation of Vishnu through Atri and Anasuya Devadatta; Kalki’s swift white horse
daya (dayā) compassion
deha physical body
dehin embodied being
deva god; the “bright” or “shining” inhabitants of heaven
devadasi (devadāsī) female temple dancer
Devadhani (Devadhānī) Indra’s capital, in the east
Devahuti (Devahūti) invocation of the gods
Devaka Kamsa’s brother, father of Devaki
Devaki (Devakī) Krishna’s birth mother in Mathura
Devakiputra (Devakīputra) Krishna as the son of Devaki
Devanathan Bhattachari, S. present priest of the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
Devapi (Devāpi) survivor of the Lunar Dynasty in Kali Yuga
Devi (Devī; T: Dēvi) the Goddess
Devi Mahatmyam (Devī Māhātmyam; T: Dēvi Mahātmyam) the “Glorification of the Goddess,” a portion of the Markandeya Purana
dhama (dhāma) abode
dhama parama (dhāma parama) supreme home, Highest Home (of Krishna)
Dhanuryajna (Dhanuryajña) Bow Sacrifice
Dhanvantari “He Moves in a Curve”; a portion of Hari, teacher of ayurveda
dhara bearer, one who holds up
dhara (dhārā) stream
dharana (dhāraṇā) holding in memory; fixed concentration
Dharani (Dharaṇī) Earth
dharani (dharaṇī) a spell
dharma righteousness; the true or right order of the moving universe, in which (according to the Veda) each being plays an arranged role, which changes according to place and time
Dharma “true teaching” or “right doctrine”; a system of thought and practice
Dharmaraja Ratha (Dharmarāja Ratha) temple at Mamallapuram
Dharmashastra (Dharmaśāstra) “system of right order”; law texts
Dhataki (Dhātaki) a ruler of Pushkara
dhriti (dhṛti) satisfaction
Dhruva the pole star; Brahma’s great-grandson
dhyana (dhyāna) inner vision; meditation, visualization as a mode of discipline
dhyanamudra (dhyānamudrā) the hand bends down toward the viewer, the thumb extends sideways, and the fingers curl inward
Digambara Jaina sect, “clothed by the four directions of space”
digdevata (digdevatā) directional deva
digvijaya conquering the four directions
diksha (dīkṣa) consecration
dinmurti (diṅmūrti) material forms of the eight directions
dipamudra (dīpamudrā) mudra of light; the hand bends its fingers inward with the forefinger slightly elevated
Dirghatamas (Dīrghatamas) seer in the Rig Veda
Diti “Restraint,” mother of the daityas
dosha (doṣa) harm, error
doshadaridra (doṣadaridra) “poor in faults”
Draupadi (Draupadī) wife of the Pandava brothers
drava (drāva) melting
Dravida (Draviḍa) region modern Tamil Nadu
dravya substance perceived by the sense organs
Drigishvara (Dṛgīśvara) Surya, the “Ruler of Sight”
drishti (dṛṣṭi) insight
Drona (Droṇa) acharya of the Pandavas
Drumakulya a northern region, in the Ramayana
durga fortress
Durga (Durgā) “Beyond Reach”; the warrior Goddess
durgapala (durgapāla) protector of the fort
Durvasas (Durvāsas) sage, part aspect of Shiva, who cursed Indra
dushana (dūṣaṇa) bad inclination, violation, corruption
Dushyanta (Duṣyanta) husband of Shakuntala
Dvapara Yuga (Dvāpara Yuga) the third age in the great cycle
Dvaraka (Dvarakā) “Doorway”; city founded by Krishna in the western sea
dvarapala (dvārapāla) guardian of the doorway
dvesha (dveṣa) antagonism, hatred
dvija-samskriti (dvija-saṁskṛti) “twice-born”
dvijiha-amgini (dvijiha amginī) (T) “a woman with a double tongue”
dvipa (dvīpa) one of seven concentric continents separated by oceans
Dvivida monkey chief, friend of Kamsa
dyaus heaven
Ekadasharudra (Ekadaśarudra) the eleven Rudras
Ekamreshvara (Ekamrēśvara) (T) Pashupati temple to Shiva in Kanchipuram
ekamurti (ekamūrti) single material form
ekaneka (ekāneka) single-yet-many
ekantikabhakta (ekāntikabhakta) strict monotheist
Emusha (Emūṣa) “the Terrible”; Boar who rescued Earth
Gada (Gadā) Krishna’s mace
gahana depths
gana (gaṇa) assembly
ganadhipati (gaṇādhipati) overlord
Ganapati (Gaṇapati) “Master of Hosts,” Ganesha
Gandhamadana mountain location of Badari ashram in Kimpurusha
gandharva celestial musician
Ganesha (Gaṇeśa) “Ruler of Hosts,” elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati
Ganga (Gaṅgā) Ganges River; also its goddess
Ganga (Gaṅgā)Dynasty Western Gangas: rulers based in south Karnataka, 3rd-10th centuries
Gangadvara (Gaṅgādvāra) modern Haridvara
Gangaikondacholapuram (Gaṅgaikondacōḻapuram; T: Kaṅkai koṉṭacōḻapuram) Chola capital 11th—13th centuries
Gangavadi (Gaṅgavadi) capital of the Ganga Dynasty in Karnataka
garbha embryo; womb
garbhagriha (garbhagṛha) inner sanctum, lit. “womb-room”
Garga (Gārga) acharya of the Yadava clan
Garuda (Garuḍa) kite bird that serves Vasudeva as vehicle
Gautama one of the Seven Seers
gayatri-vrata (gāyatrī-vrata) Gayatri vow
ghatakayar (ghāṭakayar) (T) members of a ghatika
gatha (gāthā) long poem or chant
ghatika (ghāṭika) (T) a learned assembly of Brahmins connected to kingship
ghora angirasa (ghora āṅgirasa) “angry son of Angiras,” epithet of Krishna’s teacher
Girisha (Girīśa) Shiva as Ruler of Mountains
Girivraja “Fenced by Mountains,” Jarasandha’s capital
go cow, cattle
Goda (T) Kotai, the Tamil poet Antal
Gokula “cowherd settlement” in Vraja, home of Krishna’s stepfather, Nanda
gomriga (gomṛga) “bovine deer,” a victim at a horse sacrifice
gopi (gopī) cowherd woman; village girl, devotee of Krishna
goshthi (goṣṭhi) learned assembly
gotra lineage through the male line
Govardhana hill in Vraja, held up by Krishna
Govinda vyuha of Vasudeva, Krishna
graha the “grasper”; there are several common meanings, including planet and eclipse
grahamudra (grahamudrā) mudra of the eclipse; the left hand is near or supports the right elbow, and the right hand faces its palm forward with thumb open and fingers bent toward the palm
Guha Skanda, son of Shiva
guha-akasha (guha-ākāśa) space within the cave of the heart
guhavasa (guhāvāsa) hidden place
guhyaka warrior yaksha, attendant of Kubera
guna (guṇa) qualities; thread
Gunabhadra (Guṇabhadra) disciple of Jinasena
guru teacher
hala plow
halahala (hālāhah) plant that produces kalakuta poison
hamsa (haṃsa) goose, signifying acute mental discrimination; (cap.) Krishna as Goose
Hamsa Upanishad (Haṃsa Upaniṣad) a upanishad devoted to practice of meditation
Hanuman (Hanumān) monkey devotee of Rama, a “Supreme Bhagavata”
Hara “Destroyer”; name given to Shiva
hari golden, greenish, or tawny in color; (cap.) name for Bhagavan that refers to the tawny color of the lion
haridasa (haridāsa) “Hari’s slave”; devotee
Harishchandra (Hariścandra) king famous for faithfulness to truth and for giving
Harivarsha (Harivarṣa) region of Jambu just south of Ilavrita
Hastinapura (Hastināpura) the Kuru capital
havirdhan (havirdhān) oblation for daily sacrifice
havya anything offered as an oblation to the gods
Hayagriva (Hayagrīva) horse-headed avatara of Vishnu; also an asura
hayamedha ashvamedha, horse sacrifice
Hehaya a people whose ruler was intoxicated with wealth and power
Himavan “He Who Possesses Snow”; Parvati’s father
himsa (hiṃsā) violence
Hiranmayavarsha (Hiraṇmayavarṣa) “Made of Gold,” region where Bhagavan is the Tortoise
Hiranyagarbha (Hiraṇyagarbha) “Golden Embryo”; Brahma
Hiranyakashipu (Hiraṇyakaśipu) “Golden Clothes,” asura son of Diti
Hiranyaksha (Hiraṇyākṣa) “Golden Eyes,” asura son of Diti
Hiranyavarman (Hiraṇyavarman) father of Nandivarman Pallavamalla
homa poured oblations
hora (horā) hour, the twenty-fourth part of an ahoratra
hotri (hotṛ) the priest offering oblations at a sacrifice
hri (hrī) modesty
hridaya (hṛdaya) heart, seat of consciousness
Hrishikesha (Hṛṣīkeśa) “Ruler of the Senses”; vyuha of Vasudeva
hritstha (hṛtstha) abiding in the center of consciousness
Huhu (Hūhū) foremost gandharva, once the “grasper”
iccha (icchā) wish, intention
Idhmajihva “Fuel’s Tongue”; second son of Priyavrata
ijya the midday liturjical service
Ikshvaku (Ikṣvāku) grandson of Surya, founder of Solar Dynasty
Ila (Ilā) Earth; also son of Kardama
Ilankovatikal (Iḻankōvaṭikaḷ) (T) Tamil writer, 5th-6th centuries CE
Ilavarta-varsha (Ilāvarta-varṣa) “Region that Changes Ila”
Ilavrita (Ilāvṛta) the central region of Jambu
Indivaraprabha (Indīvaraprabhā) daughter of Kanva and Menaka
Indra Vedic god of the atmosphere and rain; a position of benevolent ruler occupied by different beings who are born to it
Indradyumna “Indra’s Strength”; Pandya king cursed by Agastya to be an elephant, who is reborn as Gajendra
Indrani (Indrāṇī) Indra’s wife
Indraprastha Yudhishthira’s capital
indriya the sense organs
intai (iṇṭai) (T) lotus
intaikkulam (iṇṭaikkuḻām) (T) lotus formation
Irantan-tiruvantati (Iranṭām-tiruvantāti) (T) collection of poems by Bhutam
Iravat “Possessing Food,” elephant ancestor of Airavata
Iravati (Irāvatī) wife of Parikshit
isha, ishvara (īśa, īśvara) ruler, lord
Ishana (Īśāna) one of the “five faces” of Shiva
ishita (īśitā) supreme dominion
itam (iṭam) (T) this place
itihasa (itihāsa) history
itihasa puratana (itihāsa purātaṇa) “old legend”
Jada Sumati (Jaḍa Sumati) “Stupid Sumati”; narrator of stories in Markandeya Purana
Jagadishvara (Jagadīśvara) Ruler of the Moving Universe
Jagannatha (Jagannātha) Lord of the Moving Universe
jagat, jagad the moving universe
jagatadiratma (jagatādirātma) the primal atman of the moving universe
jagrat (jāgrat) waking consciousness
Jaimini sage, disciple of Vyasa
jalakalmasha (jalakalmaṣa) liquid of defilement, kalakuta
Jamadagni one of the Seven Seers, father of Parashurama
Jambavat (Jāmbavat) Brahma’s son, advisor to Rama
Jambavati (Jāmbavatī) daughter of Jambavat; mother of Krishna’s son Samba
Jambha asura who defeated Indra
Jambu (Jambū) continent at the center of the earth
Janaloka one of the worlds beyond Dhruva
Janamejaya eldest son of Parikshit
Janardana (Janārdana) “He Who Agitates People” or “Impeller of Men”; aspect of Vishnu
japa repetitive recitation of mantras for devotional purposes
japamala (japamālā) circular garland of beads used for mantra recitation
Jara (Jarā) “Decay,” “Old Age”
Jarasandha (Jarāsandha) “Joined by Decay”; Kamsa’s father-in-law
Jatavedas (Jātavedas) “all-possesing”; the threefold fire, descended from Moon
Jaya “Victory”; guardian in Vaikuntha
Jayakhya-samhita (Jayakhyā-saṁhitā) one of the samhitas of the Pancharatra Agama
Jayanta “Victorious”; also called Prishnigarbha
Jayanti (Jayantī) wife of Rishabha
Jina one of the 24 enlightened beings who taught the Jain tradition
Jinasena Digambara Jain acharya (9th century)
jiva (jīva) the hidden life of the body
jnana (jñāna) knowledge; omniscience
Jnanamritasara-samhita (Jñānāmṛtasara-saṁhitā) a Pancharatra text
jnanamudra (jñānamudrā) sign in which the little finger stands up straight, the other fingers curl into the palm, and the thumb bends over the index finger
jnana guhyatama (jñāna guhyatama) most secret knowledge
jneya (jñeya) “what should be known”
Kacchapa (Kaccapa) (T; Skt. Kaśyapa) Krishna as Tortoise
kacchiyon (kacciyōn) (T) “Kanchi’s owner”
Kadamba Dynasty rulers in Karnataka, late 4th to early 6th centuries
Kadru (Kadrū) Kaliya’s father
Kaikasi (Kaikasī) daughter of Sumali, mother of Ravana
Kaikeyi (Kaikeyī; T: Kaikēyi) co-wife of Dasharatha, mother of Bharata
Kailasa (Kailāsa) mountain where Shiva dwells
Kailasanatha (Kailāsanātha) Temple in Kanchipuram, ca. 720 CE; in Ellora, mid-8th century
Kaitabha (Kaiṭabha) “Of Desire’s Likeness”; asura who stole Veda
kaivalya aloneness; consciousness of the atman as distinct from the material world
kala (kalā) a fraction; a digit of the moon
kala (kāla) time; eternal Time; also black
kalakuta (kālakūṭa) “time’s trap” or “black deception”; poison churned up from the Milk Ocean
Kalanemi (Kālanemi) “portion of time”; asura slain by Vishnu
Kalanjara (Kālañjara) mountain where Bharata is reborn as a deer
Kalapa (Kalāpa) village where Devapi and Maru live
Kali (Kālī; T: Kāḷī) the Goddess as anger
Kalika (Kālikā) Goddess, emanation of Parvati
Kalikanri (Kalikaṉṟi) (T) “One who put down with a strong hand the might of Kali,” Alvar also known as Tirumangai
Kalindi (Kālindī) the river Yamuna as a goddess; Krishna’s fourth wife
kalirinralay (kaḷiṟiṉrala) (T) elephant’s head
Kaliya (Kāliya) serpent defeated by Krishna in the Yamuna River
Kali Yuga the fourth age in the great cycle, in which we live
Kalki (Kalkī) final avatara of Vishnu
kalmasha (kalmaṣa) stain; kalakuta
kalpa a day of Brahma, a great cycle of time containing 1,000 yugas or 432 million mortal years; (cap.) son of Dhruva
kalpataru wish-fulfilling tree
kalyana (kalyāṇa) excellent, beautiful
kama (kāma) pleasure
Kamadeva (Kāmadeva) god of desire, born of Brahma’s heart; the Lord of Senses
Kamadhenu (Kāmadhenu) wish-fulfilling cow
Kamakottam (Kamakkōttam) (T) temple for the Goddess in ancient Kanchipuram
Kamakshi (Kāmākṣī) Goddess
kamanurupam (kāmānurūpam) in whatever form desired
Kamatha (Kāmaṭha) the Tortoise
kamavasayita (kāmāvasāyitā) supressing all desires
kamavriksha (kāmavṛkṣa) wish-granting “tree of desire”
Kampavarman (r. ca. 847–880) son of Nandivarman III
Kamsa (Kaṁsa) demon ruler of Mathura, defeated by Krishna
Kanchipuram (Kāñcīpuram) capital city of the Pallava Dynasty
Kandan Marampavaiyar second wife of Nandivarman III
Kandarpa another name for Kamadeva
Kannan (Kaṇṇaṉ) (T) Krishna
kanni (kaṉṉi) (T) virgin
Kannin chiruttampu (kaṇṇiṉ ciṟutāmpu) (T) “poem of eleven stanzas”
kantakadruma (kaṇṭakadruma) thorn bush wood
Kanva (Kaṇva) seer of the Lunar Dynasty
Kapalika (Kāpālika) a type of Shaiva ascetic who carries a skull
kapi ape
Kapila seer who originated samkhya
Karabhajana (Karabhājana) shramana son of Rishabha
Karana (kāraṇa) causal necessity
karana-sukshma-sharira (kāraṇa-sūkṣma-śarīra) body of causation or causal subtle body
Karansukara (Karaṇsūkara) “Causal Boar”
Kardama “Mud,” husband of Devahuti; born of Brahma’s shadow
karma action performed with intended consequences in mind, e.g., sacrifice, ceremony, vrata
Karna (Karṇa) eldest brother among the Pandavas
Karnataka (Karṇāṭaka) area of central-western India
Kartika, Karttika (Kārtika) the eighth Sanskrit month (October-November)
Karttikai (Kārttikai) (T) eighth Tamil month (November-December)
karuna (karuṇa) compassion
Karur (Karūr) Chera capital, also known as Vanji
Karusha (Karūṣa) region ruled by Paundraka
kashaya (kāṣāya) ochre
Kashi (Kāśī) Banaras, Varanasi
Kashyapa (Kaśyapa) the prajapati “Black-teeth” or Tortoise; “Vision,” one of the Seven Rishis, mind-born son of Marichi
Kataka same as Khatakka; name of Nandivarman’s clan
katavesha (T) Katava ruler
Kathasaritsagara (Kathāsaritsāgara) “Ocean of the Stream of Stories”
Kaumodaki (Kaumodakī) Hari’s mace
kaupina (kaupīna) loincloth
Kaurava clan opposing the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war
Kausalya (Kausalyā) mother of Rama
Kaushambi (Kauśāmbi) capital of the Magadha region
Kaushika (Kauśika) one of Jarasandha’s generals
Kaushiki (Kauśikī) the golden Goddess known as Chandika and Durga
Kaushitaki Upanishad (Kauśītaki Upaniṣad) one of the older upanishads, associated with the Rig Veda
Kaushtubha (Kauṣṭubha) gem that emerged from churning the Milk Ocean
Kaveri (Kāverī; T: Kāvēri) River river in Chola and Muttaraiyar realms
Kavi son of Priyavrata
kavya oblation of food to the ancestors
kavya (kāvya) literary composition, poem
Kaya (Kāya) Body, a form of Brahma
Kena Upanishad (Kena Upaniṣad) one of the oldest upanishads, associated with the Sama Veda
Keshava (Keśava) vyuha of Vasudeva; Krishna as slayer of Keshin
Keshin (Keśin) asura in the shape of a horse
Keshini (Keśiṇī) secondary wife of Sagara
Ketumala (Ketumāla) region of Jambu west of Mt. Meru
khanda (khaṇḍa) fragment
khandava (khāṇḍava) sugarplums
Khatakka Nandivarman’s clan
khatvanga (khaṭvaṅga) one or more skulls on top of a staff; (cap.) king who was progenitor of the Raghu Dynasty
khatvanga-dhvaja (khaṭvaṅga-dhvaja) the khatvanga banner
kimpurusha (kimpuruṣa) class of celestial being with human bodies and horse heads; (cap.) region of Jambu directly north of Bharata
kinnara same as kimpurusha
kinnari (kinnarī) kinnara woman
kirtana (kīrtana) communal singing of Bhagavan’s glories
Kirti (Kīrti) “Glory, Fame,” wife of Vamana
Kirtivarman (Kīrtivarman) II Chalukya ruler defeated by Dantidurga, mid-8th century
kolam (kōlam) (T) ornamental mandala drawn each morning on the doorstep
Konka (Koṅka) territory visited by Rishabha
Kosala region ruled by the Solar Dynasty
kosha (kośa****)** level or layer of Bhagavan’s body; “sheath”
Kotai (Kōtai) poet better known as Antal
kottiyar (kōṭṭiyar) (T) “those in the assembly”
koyil (kōyil) (T) palace
Kratu “Will,” a prajapati, born of Brahma’s hand
Krauncha (Krauñca) the fifth dvipa from the center
Kraushtuki (Krauṣṭuki) Brahmin to whom Markandeya tells the Devi Mahatmyam
krida, kridartha (krīḍa, krīḍārtha) play, sport
Kripa (Kṛpa) “Compassion,” chief priest at Parikshit’s horse sadrifices
Krishna (Kṛṣṇa) Vasudeva
Krishna I son of Amoghavarsha
Krishnakatha (Kṛṣṇkathā) the Krishna Story
krita-avatara (kṛta-avatāra) one who has descended
Kritamala (Kṛtamālā; T: Kirutumāl) River also called Vaigai River, in Pandya realm
Kritavirya (Kṛtavīrya) father of Kartaviryarjuna, defeated by Parashurama
Krita Yuga (Kṛta Yuga) the first age, Satya Yuga
Krittika (Kṛttikā) the third of 27 lunar mansions
kriya ritual performance
kriyashakti (kriyaśakti)** the power to intend an act
kriyayoga “unified consciousness during ritual performance”
Krodha Anger, born of Brahma’s brow
kshama (kṣamā) forbearance
kshatra (kṣatra) dominion, might
Kshatriya (Kṣatriya) member of the second varna, the ruling or military caste
kshetra (kṣetra) field
kshetrajna (kṣetrajña) knower of the field
kshiti mandala (kṣiti maṇḍala) the globe, the earth
kshraum (kṣraum) part of a “seed mantra”
Kubera “Giver of Wealth”; a rakshasa, but leader of the yakshas
Kukura clan allied with Satvakas
kula clan
Kulachala (Kulācala) a mountain ashram
kuladeva clan deity
kulam (kuḻām) (T) an assembled group
kulamallar (T) clan’s wrestlers
kulinga (kuliṅga) shrike
Kumara (Kumāra) “son, prince”; Brahma’s four sons, protectors of the four directions
kumbhabhisheka (kumbhābiṣeka) consecration of a temple
Kumarakottam (Kumarakōttam) (T) temple for Skanda in ancient Kanchipuram
Kumbakarnam (Kumbhakarṇa; T: Kumpakarṇan) Ravana’s half-brother
kunjarapati (kuṅjarapati) “the father of master elephants”
Kunti (Kuntī; T: Kunti) mother of Arjuna
Kuram (Kūram) town north of Kanchipuram
Kurma (Kūrma) Tortoise
Kurma Purana (Kūrma Purāṇa) one of the major upanishads
Kurukurnakar (Kurukūrnakar) home of Maran Chatakopan
kusha (kuśa)** a sacred grass; (cap.) the continent immediately surrounding Shalmala; also son of Rama and Sita
Kushadhvaja (Kuśadhvaja) king who worshiped Sudarshana
Kushavati (Kuśavatī) residence of Kusha, son of Rama
Kutaka (Kuṭaka) territory visited by Rishabha
Kutakachala (Kūṭakācala) mountain where Rishibha’s body was burned up
Kuvalayapida (Kuvalayāpīḍa) “Chaplet of Blue Waterlilies,” Kamsa’s raging elephant
Kuvalayashva (Kuvalayāśva) father of Alarka
laghiman the power of attaining extreme lightness
lakshana (lakṣaṇa) topic, characteristic, mark
Lakshmana (Lakṣmaṇa) Rama’s faithful brother and devotee
Lakshmana (Lakṣmaṇā) Krishna’s eighth wife
Lakshmi (Lakṣmī) the Goddess as goddess of wealth
Lalita-mahatmya (Lalitā-māhātmya) portion of the Brahmanda Purana
lalitasana (lalitāsana) relaxed posture
Lanka (Laṅkā) island realm, south of Bharata, ruled by Ravana
Lava son of Rama and Sita
lila (līlā) play
linga (liṅga) mark, emblem; Shiva’s iconic form; penis; “subtle body”
Linga Purana (Liṅga Purāṇa) one of the major upanishads
Lobha Greed, born of Brahma’s lower lip
loka world, directional space
Lokaloka (Lokāloka) mountainous boundary between directional and nondirectional space
lokanatha (lokanātha) lord of the world
lolupa eager desire
Machi (Māci) (T) eleventh Tamil month (February-March)
Madalasa (Madālasā) wife of Kuvalayashva
madanubhava (madanubhāva) my (i.e., Hari’s) authority
madanugraha my (i.e., Hari’s) grace
Madhava (Mādhava) vyuha of Vasudeva
Madhavi (Mādhavī) goddess to whom Sita appealed
Madhu “Deluded Passion”; “Sweet Intoxicating Drink”; asura who stole Veda; also a clan allied with Satvakas
Madhurakavi see Maran Kari
Madhusudana (Madhusūdana) “Destroyer of Deluded Passion”
Madhuvana area on the Yamuna River where Dhruva practiced tapas
Madhyandina (Madhyaṅdina) a gotra consecrated to the Mantrasiddhanta Path
Madra (Madrā) Lakshmana, Krishna’s eighth wife
Madurai (T: Maturai) capital of the Pandya realm
madya wine
Magadha territory west of Mathura, ruled by Jarasandha
Magha (Māgha) eleventh Sanskrit month (January-February)
mahabala (mahābala) great force
Mahabharata (Mahābhārata) epic tale of the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas
mahabhisheka (mahābhiṣeka) “Great Unction,” great consecration
mahad same as mahat
mahakala (mahākāla) “great Time”
Mahamaya (Mahāmāyā) Goddess as transcendent and magical creativity
mahamoha (mahāmoha) great confusion as a mode of consciousness
mahapatakin (mahāpatakin) great sinners
mahaprasthana (mahāprasthāna) great departure
mahapunya (mahāpuṇya) “of great purity,” greatly auspicious
Maharloka one of the worlds beyond Dhruva
mahas performance, festival
mahasamantar (mahāsamantar) (T) superior dependent rulers
mahashantividhana (mahāśantividhāna)** “Great Pacification”; rites to pacify the world
mahasiddhi (mahāsiddhi) the eight occult powers
mahat great; “intellect or the intellectual principle (according to the samkhya philosophy the second of the 23 principles produced from Prakriti, and so called as the great source of Ahamkara and Manas)”—MW 1964: 794b
mahatman (mahātman) insightful sage
Mahavairochana (Mahāvairocana) the “effulgent One”
mahavedi (mahāvedi) sacrificial arena
Mahavira (Mahāvīra) son of Priyavrata; also a Jaina tirthankara
Mahavishnu (Mahāviṣṇu) Transcendent Vishnu
Mahendravarma I (ca. 580–630) third ruler in Pallava line after Nandivarman
Mahendravarma II (ca. 668–669) fifth ruler in Pallava line after Nandivarman
Mahendravarma III yuvaraja, son of Narasimhavarma Rajasimha II
Maheshvara (Māheśvara) “those who belong to Shiva, the Great Ruler”
Mahi Earth
mahiman illimitable bulk
Mahisha (Mahiṣa) the Buffalo Demon
Mahishasuramardini (Mahiṣāsuramardinī) Durga as Slayer of the Buffalo Demon
maithuna sexual union
Maitreya sage who learned the Bhagavatam from Parashara
makara crocodile-like beast; the “grasper”
makara samkranti (makara saṃkrānti) winter solstice as celebrated about 23 days after the actual solstice, because of the precession of the equinoxes
Mai (Māl) (T), “The Dark One” or “The Great One”; Krishna or Vishnu; or Lust, slain by Krishna to gain Pinnai as a bride
mala defilement, impurity
Mali (Mālī) asura slain by Vishnu after churning of the Milk Ocean
Malkhed capital of Amoghavarsha I
Malyavan (Mālyavān; T: Malyavān) asura slain by Vishnu after churning of the Milk Ocean
mamaka (mamaka) “This is mine”
Mamallapuram (Māmallapuram) port city, also called Mahabalipuram
mamsa (māṃsa) meat
manas mind or mental activity
Manasottara (Mānasottara) “Beyond the Mind” or “Boundary of the Mind,” mountain range of Mt. Meru
mandala (maṇḍala) “circle”; schematic map of the sacred universe
mandapa (maṇḍapa) hall
Mandara “Sluggish”; mountain used to churn the Ocean of Milk
Mandara (Mandāra) one of the pancha-vrikshas
Mandhata, Mandhatri (Māndhātā, Māndhātri) “Pious Man”; father-in-law of Saubhari
Mandukya Upanishad (Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad) 12 sentences long, it explains the syllable Om
Mangalanatalvan (T) ruler of the Mangala Country
Mangalarashtra-bhartri (Maṅgalaraṣṭra-bhartṛ) ruler of the Mangala Country
Manimekelai (Maṇimēkelai) (T) goddess of the trade routes to Southeast Asia
Manimekalai (Maṇimēkelai) (T) Tamil epic by Chattanar
Manipravala (maṇipravāḷa) “jewels and coral,” mixed Sanskrit and Tamil, language of the later Sri Vaishnavas
Mannaikudi (Maṉṉaikudi) (T) site of a battle won by Udayachandra
Mannarkoyil (Maṉṉārkōyil) (T) town in the Pandya realm
mantira (T) mantra
mantra sacred Vedic formula
mantramurti (mantramūrti) the material form of the mantra
Mantrasiddhanta Path (Mantrasiddhānta Mārga) one of four paths taught by Brahma
mantrimandala (mantrimaṇḍala) assembly of ministers
manvantara Manu Term; one-fourteenth of a Brahma year of 4,324,000 mortal years
Maran Chatakopan (Māraṉ Caṭakōpaṉ) (T) Nammalvar, “The Venerable One of Southern Kurukur”
Maran Kari (Māṟaṉ Kāri) (T), minister of Varagunavarman I; also known as Madhura Kavi
Maravarman Rajasimha (Māravarman Rājasimha) (730–765) Shaiva Pandya who supported the opponents of Nandivarman’s rule
marga (mārga) path
Margashirsha (Mārgaśīrṣa) ninth Sanskrit month (November-December)
Marichi (Marīci) “Light Ray”; mind-born son of Brahma, father of Kashyapa
Marisha (Māriṣā) daughter of an apsaras, adopted by the trees, wife of Daksha
Markali (Mārkaḻi) (T) ninth Tamil month (December-January)
Markandeya (Mārkaṇḍeya) rishi who practices severe tapas
Markandeya Upanishad (Mārkaṇḍeya Upaniṣad) one of the major upanishads
Maru survivor of the Solar Dynasty in the Kali Yuga
marukantara desert region, ancient name of Marvara
Maruts storm gods who protect worshipers, give rain and fertility
masa (māsa) month
Matarishvan (Mātariśvan) Fire
Mathura (Mathurā) city on the Yamuna, capital of the Yadus’ land
matsamyata (matsāmyata) equality with one (i.e., with Krishna)
matsya fish; (cap.) Krishna as Fish
Matsya Purana (Matsya Purāṇa) the first and oldest of the puranas
Mattavilasa Prahasana (Mattavilāsa Prahasana) Sanskrit farce by King Mahendravarman
mattrakal (T) dignitary mentioned in first inscription on prakara wall
mauna moderation in speech; taciturnity
Maya “Architect”; asura yogin
Maya (Māyā) God’s delusive creative power; Yogamaya
mayamudra (māyāmudrā) gesture in which the thumb and the ring finger touch
medas fat
Medini (Medinī) Earth “having the fat of fertility”
Menaka (Menakā) apsaras, mother of Parvati; mother of Indivaraprabha
Meru mountain at the center of Jambu, north of Bharata
Merudevi (Merudevī) wife of Nabhi
meshaya (meṣāya) act like a ram
Mimamsaka (Mīmāṁsāka) follower of Mimamsa school of Brahmin ritualists
mina (mīna) fish
mithuna a male and female couple
Mitra bright daytime, worshiped with Varuna
Mitravinda (Mitravindā) Krishna’s fifth wife
mleccha barbarian
moda delight
moha delusion; infatuation as a mode of consciousness
Mohini (Mohiṇī) “She Who Deludes”
mriga (mṛga) mountain lion; wild beast
Mrikanda (Mṛkaṇḍa) father of Markandeya
mrita (mṛta) dead, death
Mrityu (Mṛtyu) Death
Muchukunda (Mucukunda) yogin, son of Mandhatri
Mudgala an exemplar of generosity
mudra (mudrā) a position of the hands; in Tantric rites, a grain preparation
muhurta (muhūrta) “hour,” actually 48 minutes; time of day
mukti emancipation from samsara
Mukunda “He Who Gives Emancipation”; name of Krishna
mukutankal (T) parts of a crown
mula (mūla) root
muladesha (mūladeśa)** “realm of the root”
muladhara, muladharachakra (mūlādhāra, mūlādhāracakra) “root support”; chakra at the base of the spine; in Tantra, the “wheel containing the root that supports [the body]”
Mulaka (Mūlaka) kshatriya who escaped Parashurama and regnerated the Solar Dynasty
mulaprakriti (mūlaprakṛti) sovereign who is the basis of the mandala realm
Munda (Muṇḍa) asura slain by Durga
muni (muṇi) sage
Mura Yavana punished by Bhagadatta; five-headed asura killed by Krishna
murti (mūrti) material form of God; icon; (cap.) wife of Dharma, mother of Nara and Narayana
musala club or pestle
Mushtika (Muṣṭika) wrestler slain by Balarama in Mathura
mushtimudra (muṣṭimudrā) “mudra of the fist”: the four fingers fold tightly into the palm and the thumb wraps over the forefinger
mutarayar (T: muttaraiyar**)** chieftains of agricultural lands
Muyalakan (T) demon on whose head Shiva dances the tandava
Nabhi (Nābhi) eldest son of Agnidhra, ruler of Bharata region of Jambu
Nacchiyar Tirumoli **(**Nācciyār Tirumoḻi) (T) poems by Kotai
naga (nāga) snake, esp. a multiheaded snake; person of low socioritual status
Nagapattinam (T) “Naga’s port city”
nagarattar (nakarattār) (T) “leading citizens”; a group of the Chettiyar caste
Nagnajiti (Nāgnajitī) Satya, Krishna’s sixth wife
Nahusha (Nahuṣa) king intoxicated by wealth and power
Naimisha (Naimiṣa) forest setting of narration of Bhagavata Purana
Naishada (Naiṣāda) tribals; people ceated from Vena’s thigh
Nakaran (Nakarān) of bounteous Kurukur (Kurukūr) epithet of Maran Chatakopan
nakshatra (nakṣatra) star or constellation
Nala monkey son of Vishvakarman; builder of bridge to Lanka
nalayira-divya-prabandha (nālāyira-divya-prahandha) (T) “Four Thousand Divine Stanzas”
nalika (nālika) a period of 24 minutes
nama (nāma) name
namah (namaḥ) veneration
namarupa (nāmarūpa) name-and-form
Nammalvar (Nammāḻvār) Alvar also known as Chatakopan
Namuchi (Namuci) “He Does Not Release Rain”; asura killed by Indra with foam from the Milk Ocean
nanatantravidhanena (nānātantravidhānena) by means of various Tantra rites
Nanda “Pleasing”; personal attendant of Bhagavan; Krishna’s foster-father
Nanda (Nandā, Alakanandā) an aspect of Hari
Nandaka “He Makes Happy”; Krishna’s knife or sword that cuts self-doubt
Nandipuram site of a west-facing temple predating the Vaikuntha Perumal
Nandishvara (Nandīśvara) “Ruler of the Happy”; Rudra’s servant
Nandivarman called the Parama Bhagavata; founder of the ruling lineage of Kanchipuram
Nappinai see Pinnai
nara man; (cap.) the rishi who forgets
Narada (Nārada) a prajapati, born of Brahma’s lap
Naraka Purgatory; also, an asura ally of Kamsa
Narakantaka (Narakāntaka) Krishna as Naraka’s slayer
Narakari (Narakāri) Krishna as Naraka’s foe
Naranan (Nāraṇaṉ) (T) Narayana
Naranarayana (Naranārāyaṇa) “Narayana as Man” or “Nara and Narayana”
Narasimha see Nrisimha
narasimha-diksha see nrisimha-diksha
Narasimhavarman (Narasiṃhavarman) Mamalla (ca. 630–668), fourth ruler in Pallava line after the founder, Nandivarman
Narasimhavarman Rajasimha (Narasiṃhavarman Rājasimha) II (700–728) Shaiva ruler of Kanchipuram
Narayana (Nārāyaṇa) God as Supreme Self; rishi who remembers
narayanakavacha mantra (nārāyaṇakavaca mantra) mantra of protection
narayanaparayanah (nārāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ) those for whom Narayana is the last, supreme resort
Narayanastra (Nārāyaṇāstra) Narayana’s arrow or mantra
Narayana Upanishad (Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad) contains many important mantras, including the Gayatri
narendra “Indra of men”
nashana (naśana)** destruction, loss
Nayanar (Nāyaṉār) (T) Tamil Shaiva poet-saint
nenchu (nencu) (T) heart, center
Nenmeli (Neṉmeli) (T) town north of Kuram
Netiyon (Neṭiyōn) (T) Bhagavan as the “long one”
Netumal (T) the “tall Vishnu”
Netuvayil (Neṭuvāyil) (T) site of a battle to win Nandivarman the throne
nih-sparshah (niḥ-sparśaḥ)** free from contact with sensual objects
nih-sprihah (niḥ-spṛhaḥ) not possessing longing
nil (nīḷ) (T) tall, deep
Nimi king of Mithila in Videha
Nimlochani (Nimlocanī) Varuna’s city, in the west
nirodha reclining position; constraint; confined mode
Nirriti (Nirṛti) “Disorder”; born of Brahma’s anus, dwells in the southwest
nirvana (nirvāṇa) “extinction”
nishchayan (niścayan)** conviction
nishada (niṣada) sit down
nishkala (niśkalā)** without parts
nityodita ever-manifest
nivasa (nivāsa) abode
nivritti (nivṛtti) nonprocreation
niyama discipline
Nriga (Nṛga) father of Sumati
Nripatungavarman (Nṛpatungavarman) (ca. 854–880) son of Nandivarman III by Sankha
Nrisimha (Nṛsiṁha) God as Man-lion, Narasimha
nrisimha-diksha (nṛsiṁha-dīkṣā) Man-lion Consecration
nrisimhanushtubh mantra (nṛsiṁhānuṣṭubh mantra) Man-lion mantra in the anushtubh meter
Nrisimha-tapaniya Upanishad (Nṛsiṁha-tāpaniya Upaniṣad) upanishad belonging to the Atharva Veda
nyasa (nyāsa) gesture of the right hand used to place Sudarshana in mantra form on various parts of the body
nyasamudra (nyāsamudrā) mudra of trust; the hand is open, but the middle finger bends downward to the palm
Om (Oṃ) the “High Chant, “the quintessence of all essences”
Om namo narayanaya (Oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya) the “eight-syllable mantra”
oshadhi (oṣadhi) an annual plant, not perennial
pada, padam foot, footstep; realm
Padapadmamakarandanishevana (Padapadmamakarandaniṣevaṇa) “Approaching (lit. Worshiping) the Honey of the (or His) Lotus Feet”
padma lotus
Padmabrahma (Padmabrahmā) Brahma born in a lotus
Padmanabha (Padmanābha) eleventh vyuha of Vasudeva, “He who has a lotus at his navel”
padmanidhimudra (padmanidhimudrā) “lotus treasure mudra”; the left hand faces toward the right, little finger stands up, the remaining fingers curl, and the tips of the forefinger and thumb touch
Padma Kalpa (Pādma Kalpa) a previous cycle in the life of Brahma
Padma-samhita (Pādma-saṁhitā) a samhita of the Pancharatra Agama
Padmavati (Padmāvatī) Vishvasphurji’s capital, Ujjaini
pakhanda (pākhaṇḍa) imposter, heretic
Palar (Pālar) River river in Pallava realm, also called Payasvini River, on which Kanchipuram stands
Pallava Dynasty ruled from Kanchipuram, 4th–9th centuries
Palluvettaraiyar (Paḻuvēṭṭaraiyar) (T) royal family of Nandivarman III’s wife Kandan Marampavaiyar
pampu (pāmpu) (T) cobra, snake
Pampurnatu (Pāmpūrnāṭu) (T) “country of Cobra (or Snake) Village,” region of Nandipuram near Kumbhakonam
panam (pāṉam) liquor, drink
Panchajanya (Pāñcajanya) Krishna’s conch
panchamakara (pañcamakāra) the five “M-words,” the Tantric “sacraments”
panchamukhalinga (pañcamukhaliṅga) Linga of Five Faces
pancharatra (pañcarātra) five nights; (cap.) name of a Vaishnava sect
Pancharatra Agama (Pāñcarātra Āgama) the tradition with Bhagavata Dharma that teaches the four vyuhas and their worship revealed by the Bhagavan Narayana Vasudeva for devotees during the Kali Yuga. Its individual texts, called samhita, tantra, and agama, preserve rites for the worship of God in images (murti), icons (archa), mandalas, temples, and consecrations (diksha) to a disciplined mode of life (sadhana), and the use of mantras, mudras, nyasa, and dhyana in worshiping on behalf of oneself or on behalf of others. Among the Pancharatra texts relevant to this temple are: Padma-samhita, Satvata-samhita, Jayakhya-samhita, Paushkara-samhita, Paramesvara-samhita, and Ahirhudhya-samhita.
panchavarsika (pāñcavarsika) quinquennial
panchavriksha (pāñcavṛkṣa) five (wish-fulfilling) trees
Pandava (Pāṇḍava; T: Pāṇḍavan) five brothers, sons of Yudhisthira, allied with Krishna in the Mahabharata war
Pandavatutar (Pāṇḍavatūtar) (T) temple of Krishna as Messenger of the Pandavas in Kanchipuram
Pandya (Pāṇḍya; T: Pāṇḍyan) Dynasty rulers based in Madurai, 6th century onward
Pani (Paṇi) type of asura who lives in Rasa, or who lives in a hole like a snake
paninta (paṇinta) (T) serves
Pankuni (Parikuṉi) (T) twelfth Tamil month (March-April)
pantaranka white ashes
papa (pāpa) evil, sin
papiyasin (pāpiyasin) worst of sins
papman (pāpman) constituted of sin
para, parama supreme
parabrahmanya (parabrāmaṇya) piously devoted to Brahmins
parama Bhagavata (parama Bhāgavata) Supreme Bhagavata; “Bhagavan’s Supreme Slave”
paramahamsa (paramahaṃsa) “supreme goose”; a radical renouncer
paramaheshvara (paramaheśvara)** supreme Maheshvara
parama mahapurusha (parama mahāpuruṣa) the Supremely Transcendent Person
parama japya (parama jāpya) supreme prayer
paramapada transcendent realm
paramapurusha (paramapuruṣa) Supreme Person
paramatman (paramātman) God as Supreme Self
paramavaishnava (paramavaiṣṇava) supreme devotee of Vishnu
Paramecchuravinnagaram (paramēccuraviṇṇagaram) (T) “Emperor’s Vishnu-house”
parameshvara (parameśvara)** Imperial Architect
Parameshvaravarman (Parameśvaravarman) I (ca. 672–700) first Shaiva ruler of Pallava realm
Parameshvaravarman (Parameśvaravarman) II (ca. 728–731) fourth and last Shaiva ruler of Pallava realm
parameshvara-vishnugriham (parameśvara-viṣṇugṛham)** “Emperor’s Vishnu-house”
parampara (paramparā) tradition
paramtapas (paraṃtapas) “he who possesses the supreme heat that defeats the foe”
parantavan (parantavaṉ) (T) same as paramtapas
pararthapuja (parārthapūjā) worship for the benefit of others
Parashara (Parāśara) sage who learned the Bhagavatam from Sankhyayana
parashu (paraśu)** axe
Parashurama (Paraśurāma) seventh avatara of Vishnu, “Rama with an axe”
Parijata (Pārijāta) coral tree from the Milk Ocean, a granter of all desires
Parikshit (Parīkṣit) king to whom Shuka relates the Bhagavata Purana
parishuddha (pariśuddha**)** thoroughly purified
paroksha (parokṣa**)** “invisible language”; lit. “beyond the range of the senses”
parokshvada (parokṣvāda) “doctrine of the invisible”
Parshvanatha (Pārśvanātha) the twenty-third Jaina tirthankara
partha (pārtha) twelve sacred texts attributed to Prithu
Parthavasekharapuram (T) town near Trivandram
Parvati (Pārvatī) “The Mountain’s Daughter”; Shiva’s consort
pashumarana (paśumarana)** animal victim in a sacrifice
Pashupata (Pāśupata) Shaiva sect
Pashupatam (Pāśupatam) weapon given by Shiva to Arjuna
patakam (pāṭakam) (T) street or section (of a town); (cap.) pre-Pallava Bhagavata temple
Patala (Pātāla) the deepest part of Rasa, naga realm ruled by Vasuki
Paundraka (Pauṇḍraka) ally with Shishupala et al. against Krishna
Paushkara-samhita (Pauṣkara-saṁhitā) a samhita of the Pancharatra Agama
payasa (pāyasa) milk-rice
Payasvini (Payasvinī) River see Palar River
payovrata “milk vow”; “liquids vow”
Periyalvar (Periyāḻvār) (T) Alvar also known as Vishnuchittan
Periyar (Periyār; T: periya-āṛu) River “great river,” in Kerala
Periya Tirumoli (Periya Tirumoḻi) (T) large anthology by Tirumangai Alvar
Perumanatikal (Perumānṭikal) (T) “Venerable Slave of Bhagavan”; Nandivarman’s title as a Bhagavata refugee
peruntaccan (peruntaccaṉ) (T) Master Architect
peti (pēdi) (T) a man with the predominant characteristics of a woman
Pey (Pēy) (T) Alvar connected with the Pallava Dynasty
phala fruit, results
Phalguna (Phālguna) twelfth Sanskrit month (February-March)
pinda (piṇḍa) ball of rice or flour offered to pitris
Pingala (Piṇgalā) a courtesan saved by Krishna
Pinnai (Piṉṉai or Nappiṉṉai) (T) a bride of Krishna
pishacha (piśāca)** ghoul
pitri (pitṛ) “father”; ancestors, ancestral manes
pitriganadhipati (pitṛgaṇādhipati) overlord of the ancestors
pitriraja (pitṛrāja) king of the ancestors
Plaksha (Plakṣa) the first continent beyond Jambhu
Ponkal (Poṅkal) (T) festival of winter solstice, 23 days after the actual solstice
poshana (poṣaṇa) “nourishing”; protection of refugees
Potalaka mountain where Avalokiteshvara sits
Poykai (Poikai) (T) Alvar connected with the Pallava Dynasty
Prabala “Powerful”; asura who gave his body as sacrifice; also a personal attendant of Bhagavan
Prabhasa (Prabhāsa) “Glittering” or “Splendor”; asura who visited Patala to aid Suryaprabha; also the place where Yadavas destroyed themselves, and where the Kali Yuga began
Pracheta “The Attentive”; one of the ten sons of Prachinabarhis
Prachinabarhis (Prācīnabarhis) “Eastern Light”; king who ruled during Daksha’s sacrifice
pradakshina (pradakṣiṇā) moving around an object clockwise in veneration
pradhana (pradhāna) primordial substratum of matter; essence
Pradyumna Pre-eminently Mighty, one of the vyuhas of God; Kama, born to Krishna and Rukmini as their son
Pragjyotishpura (Prāgjyotiṣpura) “City of Eastern Light,” Naraka’s capital
Prahlada (Prahlāda) “Delight,” asura son of Hiranyakashipu, devotee of Krishna
prajapati (prajāpati) “master of progeny”
prajna (prajña) wisdom; enstasy of steady insight
prakamya (prākāmya) irresitible will, freedom of will
prakara (prākāra) the wall(s) enclosing a garbhagriha on all four sides
prakasha (prakāśa)** light, splendor
prakriti (prakṛti) matter
pramoda thrill
Pralamba demon in the guise of a cowherd boy
prana (prāṇa) life-breath
pranamaya (prāṇamaya) made of life-breath
pranasanshita (prāṇasaṅśita)** “one whose life breath is sharpened”
pranava (praṇava) Om or Aum
pranayama (prāṇāyama) to “stretch the breath out”; disciplined breath control
prapanna refugee; one who has taken refuge, completely dependent on God
prapatti taking refuge in God
prapti (prāpti) the power of attaining or realizing anything
prasada (prasāda) God’s grace; the “leftovers” of an offering
prasavya “turned to the left”; counterclockwise
prashasti (praśasti)** Sanskrit praise poem
pratichi cha mahanadi (pratīcī ca mahānadī) “great river flowing eastward”
pravritti (pravṛtti) ancient creativity
Prayaga (Prayāga) modern Allahabad
prayaschitta (prayascitta) rites of purification
prayoga “the hurling of missiles”; rites performed for practical goals
preta “the departed”; a disembodied soul
Prishni (Pṛśni) “Ray-of-Light”; the mother of Maruts; cow that gives milk once a year
Prishnigarbha (Pṛśnigarbha) “Embryo of the Dappled One and Ray-of-Light”; son of Brahma and Aditi
Pritha (Pṛthā) Vasudeva’s sister, also called Kunti
Prithu (Pṛthu), “Expansive”; the first king, part of Hari, created from Vena’s arms; also father of Arjuna
prithvi (pṛthvī) earth
Prithvipati (Prithvīpati) I ruler of the Gangas in Karnataka
priti (prīti) love
priya love for God; pleasure; beloved
Priyavrata son of Svayambhuva Manu, brother of Uttanapada
puja (pūjā) worship
Pulaha a prajapati, born of Brahma’s navel
Pulastya a prajapati, born of Brahma’s ear
pulkasa tribals
puman (pumān) man; person
Pumpatakam (Pūmpāṭakam) (T) “the prosperous section,” area of Kanchipuram
pumshchali (puṃścalī)** harlot
pundra (puṇḍra) forehead mark of consecrated Bhagavata
Punyajanalayam (Puṇyajanālayam) Realm of the Meritorious, where Uttama was killed
purana (purāṇa) collection of ancient lore
puranataka (puranāṭaka) victory dance (of Pradyumna)
Purattachi (Puraṭṭāci) (T) sixth Tamil month (September-October)
purnam (pūrṇam) fullness
Purodhasa Brahmin who consecrated Krishna and Balarama as “twice-born”
purohita family priest
Purujit Yudhisthira’s maternal uncle
Purukutsa son of Mandhata
Pururavas (Purūravas) son of Budha and Ila, progenitor of Lunar Dynasty
purusha (puruṣa) person
purushartha (puruṣārtha) aims of human life
purushasukta (puruṣasukta) hymn describing the Supreme Soul of the universe
Purushottama (Puruṣottama) Supreme Person
purva (pūrva) prior
Purvachitti (Pūrvacitti) apsaras wife of Aghnidra
Pushkara (Puṣkara) “Lotus”; the outermost continent
Pushpabhadra (Puṣpabhadra) river by Markandeya’s ashram
Pushya (Puṣya) a constellation or star
Pushya (Pūṣya) tenth Sanskrit month (December-January)
Putam (Pūtam) (T) Alvar connected with the Pallava Dynasty
putra son
Puvanimanikka (Puvaṉimaṇikka) (T) temple named in an inscription of Rajakesarivarman
raga (rāga) passion
Raghava Rama (Rāghava Rāma) the eighth avatara of Vishnu
Rahasyatrayasara (Rahasyatrayasāra) (T) “Essence of the Threefold Secret” by Vedanta Deshika
rahasya uttama, rahasyottama the supreme secret
Rahu (Rāhu) head of the asura Svarbhanu, severed by Sudarshana, said to eat the moon in an eclipse
Raivata son of Priyavrata, ruler of fifth Manu Term
raja (rāja) king, ruler
rajadhirajaparameshvara (rājādhirājaparameśvara)** King of Kings and Supreme Ruler
Rajanya (Rājanya) Krishna as King
rajas passion
rajasika energetic
Rajasimha (Rājasimha) see Narasimhavarman Rajasimha
rajasimheshvara koyil (rājasiṁheśvara kōyil) (T)** “temple of Rajasimha, the Lord”
rajasuya (rājasūya) the “rites of engendering a king”; royal consecration rite
raksha (rakṣa) protection
rakshasa (rākṣasa) night-stalking demon
rakta red
Rama (Rāma) “Pleasing,” exiled king of Ayodhya, hero of the Ramayana
Rama (Ramā) Goddess “Charming”; Lakshmi
rama-krida (rāmā-krīḍā) “dear one,” epithet of Shri
Ramanaka (Ramaṇaka) island home of Kaliya; also one of the rulers of Pushkara
Ramanuja (Rāmānuja) Shri Vaishnava theologian, 11th century
Ramayana (Rāmāyaṇa) epic story of King Rama and his wife Sita
Ramyaka region of Jambu north of Ilavrita
Rantideva Brahmin who always gave away his food
rasa liquid, sap, juice, flavor, taste; aesthetic sentiment
Rasa, Rasatala (Rasātala) “Taste”; the dark waters beneath Earth
rasalila (rāsalīlā) the great circle dance
Rashtrakuta (Rāṣṭrakūṭa) Dynasty ruled in Deccan, 8th-10th centuries
rati intense pleasure
ratra (rātra) night
Ravana (Rāvaṇa) rakshasa ruler of Lanka
retas semen
Reva (Rēvā) wife of Nandivarman Pallavamalla, daughter of Dantidurga
Revati (Revatī) wife of Balarama
Ribhu (Ṛbhu) a class of devas
riddhi (ṛddhi) lordliness
Rig Veda (Ṛg Veda) oldest of the four Vedas
Riksha (Ṛkṣa) mountain range in eastern Vindhyas
Rishabha (Ṛṣabha) avatara of Vasudeva, born as son of Nabhi
rishi (ṛṣi) seer
rita (ṛta) true order
ritu (ṛtu) season; period of a woman’s monthly cycle favorable for conception
Rochana (Rocana) wife of Aniruddha
Rohini (Rohiṇī) Vasudeva’s wife in Gokula, from whom Balarama was born
Rohita son of Harishchandra
romaharsha (romaharṣa) gooseflesh
Romaharshana (Romaharṣaṇa) father of Ugrashrava; suta who heard the Bhagavata Purana
Rudra “Howler”; an early, and continuing, name of Shiva
Rudra(s) sons of Rudra, beings in the atmosphere
rudraksha (rudrākṣa) berries used as beads worn by devotees of Shiva
Rukmavati (Rukmavatī) wife of Pradyumna
Rukmī Rukmini’s brother
Rukmini (Rukmiṇī) Krishna’s first wife
rupa (rūpa) shape, form
rupani divyani (rupāṇi divyāni) divine shapes
Sadashiva (Sadāśiva) Shiva as “Ever-Auspicious”
sad-bheda differentiated
sadhaka (sādhaka) consecrated devotee
sadhana (sādhanā) disciplined way of life
sadhu (sādhu) (n) a holy man, an ascetic; (adj) good
sadhya (sādhya) “means of realization”; accomplished beings
Sadyojata (Sadyojāta) one of the “five faces” of Shiva
Sagara (Sāgara) Ocean; also sponsor of horse sacrifice that results in descent of Ganga
Sahadeva “Mighty Deva”; son of Jarasandha; youngest of the five Pandavas
sahasranama (sahasranāma) the thousand names (of God)
Saka (Sāka) the sixth dvipa from the center
sakala (sakalā) having parts
salokya (sālokya) dwelling with God in His Highest Home, a form of mukti
Salva (Sālva) ally of Shishupala et al.
sama (sāma) discipline of the mind, equanimity
Sama (Sāma)** Veda** the third Veda, containing hymns chanted in the Soma sacrifice
samadhi (samādhi) enstasy; perfect absorption of mind
samagama (samāgama) association (as with sadhus)
sama samana equivalent
Samba (Sāmba) Krishna’s son by Jambavati
sambandha (saṃbandha) kinship
samdhya (saṃdhyā) juncture between yugas; twilight; (cap.) the goddess Twilight
samhita (saṃhitā) collection of hymns or other subject matter of the Vedas
Samkarshana (Saṁkarṣaṇa) the Plower, a vyuha of Bhagavan; also called Ananta
samkarshanamaha (saṁkarṣaṇamaha) drawing the one who sees and the object seen together into the “I”
samkhya (saṃkhya) metaphysical calculation
samraj (saṃrāj) universal sovereignty
samsara (saṃsāra) the world of death and rebirth
samskara (saṃskāra) life-cycle sacrament
samshlesha (saṃśleṣa) copulation
Samtana (Saṃtāna) one of the pancha-vrikshas
Samudra Ocean
samudraghosha (samudraghoṣa) the voice of the sea
Samvarta “Dissolution”; son of Aurva, who teaches him the Jayakhya-samhita
samvatsara (saṃvatsara) solar year
Samyamani (Saṁyamanī) Yama’s city, in the south
Sanaka “Ancient”; mind-born son of Brahma
Sanandana “Joyful”; mind-born son of Brahma
Sanatana (Sanātana) “Eternal”; mind-born son of Brahma; also a part of Vishnu’s realm
Sanatkumara (Sanatkumāra) “Ever Young”; mind-born son of Brahma
sanga (saṅga) clinging; an assembly
Sangam period period of early Tamil literature, from ca. 200 BCE to ca. 200 CE
sankalpa (saṅkalpa) intent
Sankarshana (Saṅkarṣaṇa) Samkarshana
Sankha (Saṅkhā) wife of Nandivarman III
Sankhyayana (Sāṅkhyāyana) sage who learned the Bhagavatam from Sanatkumara
sankirtana (saṅkīrtana) chanting or singing of God in a group
sannyasa (saṁnyāsa) renunciation
sannyasin (saṁnyāsin) renouncer
sant a renouncer who possesses an intellect (buddhi) that perceives Krishna and therefore knows brahman
sapinda (sapiṇḍa) part of the same line of descent or ascent
Sarama (Saramā) female dog who is Indra’s mesenger
Sarasvati (Sarasvatī) knowledge as a goddess; also a river
Sarayu (Sarayū) river into which Asamanjasa threw children
sarga creation; emanation of Brahma
sarpa snake
sarupa (sārūpa) a form of mukti in which one’s shape is God’s shape
sarva-ishvara, sarveshvara (sarva-īśvara, sarveśvara) ruler of everything
sarvamedha sacrifice of everything
sarvasya adhipati (sarvasya adhipati) overlord of all
sat being
sati (satī) a virtuous woman, “truly herself”; (cap.) “True Wife”; daughter of Daksha, wife of Rudra Shiva
satsanga (satsaṅga) “clinging to the true”; association with those who have “true being”; “clinging to sants”
satsankalpa (satsaṅkalpa) true resolve
satshraddhaya (satśraddhāya) through faith in the “true”
sattra (sāttra) thousand-year sacrifice
sattva purity; clarity
Satvatas (Sātvatas) descendants in the Vrishni clan of Satvat, famous for including Krishna and Balarama; also refers to Bhagavatas, specifically those following Pancharatra sadhanas, such as those prescribed in the Satvata-samhita
Satvata-samhita (Sātvata-saṃhitā) a Pancharatra scripture
satya truth; true being
Satya (Satyā) Krishna’s sixth wife
Satyabhama (Satyabhāmā) “True Luster”; wife of Krishna
Satyaloka “Realm of True Being,” Brahma’s abode; one of the worlds beyond Dhruva
Satyavrata “Of True Vows”; name of a wicked prince
Satya Yuga the first of the great ages
Saubha aerial car owned by Shalva
Saubhari sage who cursed Garuda
saucha (sauca) purification
Saunaka seer in Bhagavata Purana
Sautramani (Sautrāmaṇī) sacrifice to regenerate the patron after a Soma sacrifice
Savana son of Priyavrata
Savarni (Sāvarṇi) the eighth and next Manu of this kalpa
sayujya (sāyujya) “yoking with God”
Sendraka Dynasty rulers subordinate to the early Chalukyas from the 6th century
setu boundary; causeway, embankment
sevakan (T; Skt: sevaka) attendant
shabda (śahda) sound
Shabdabrahma (Śabdabrahma) Brahma born of Sound
Shaiva (Śaiva) worshiper of Shiva
Shaiva Agama (Śaiva Āgama) traditions of ritual practices revealed by Shiva for devotees in the Kali Yuga but including different systems. Most relevant to Kanchipuram in the seventh and eighth centuries are Shaiva Agamas or Tantras that teach the worship of brahman as pati (master) and worship of the Shiva linga as Pashupati. Three of these traditions are known as Maheshvara, Pashupati, and Kapalika.
Shaiva Siddhanta (Śaiva Siddhānta) a school of philosophy
Shakra (Śakra) Buddhist designation for Indra
shakti (śakti) power; the potency to create and delude; maya
Shakuntala (Śakuntalā) mother of Emperor Bharata
Shakyamuni (Śakyamuṇi) the Buddha
Shalmala (Śālmala) the continent immediately surrounding Plaksha
Shambara (Śambara) ally of Kamsa
Shambhala (Śambhala) village where Kalki will be born
Shambhu (Śambhu) “The Benevolent”; Shiva
Shamyaprasa (Śamyāprāsa) hermitage on the Sarasvati River
Shanda (Śaṇḍa) son of Shukra and one of Prahlada’s teachers
Shandilya (Śaṇḍilya) Brahmin to whom Narada tells the Jayakhya-samhita
Shandipani (Śāndīpani) a sage from Kashi living in Avanti, guru of Krishna and Balarama
Shankara (Śaṅkara) founder of Advaita Vedanta, mid-8th century
shankha (śaṅkha) conch
Shankhachuda (Śaṅkhacūḍa) attendant of Kubera slain by Krishna
sharana (śaraṇa) refuge
sharira (śarīra) material body
Shasta (Śāstā) “Punisher,” “Ruler,” or “Teacher”; Kalki
shastra (śāstra) “system”; text of teachings; instrument
Shatadruji (Śatadrujī) daughter of Ocean, mother of the Prachetas
Shatapatha Brahmana (Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa) text describing Vedic ritual, associated with the Yajur Veda
Shatarupa (Śatarūpā) wife of Svayambhuva Manu
Shatrughati (Śatrughāti) son of Shatrughna
Shatrughna (Śatrughna) brother of Rama
Shaunaka (Śaunaka) sage sacrificing in frame story of Bhagavata Purana
Shesha (Śeṣa) “Remainder,” Balarama
Shibi (Śibi) king who gave his body to feed a hawk
shibika (śibikā) palanquin
shila (śīla) virtuous conduct
shila (śilā) stone
shilpin (śilpin) builder, architect
Shishumara (Śiśumāra) the Crocodile Constellation; Dhruva’s father-in-law
Shishupala (Śiśupāla) “Child-protector”; Chedi king killed by Krishna at Yudhisthira’s rajasuya
Shiva (Śiva) “Auspicious”; a great god
shivoktena margena (śivoktena mārgena) by means of the path taught by Shiva
shraddha (śraddhā) faith; rites of the dead; (cap.) wife of Shraddhadeva
Shraddhadeva (Śrāddhadeva) “Faith’s Deva,” ruler of the seventh Manu Term
shramana (śramana) “exertion on oneself”; acetic, esp. Buddhist monk
shramana vatarashana (śrāmanā vātarāśanāḥ) “ascetics clothed in the wind,” nine sons of Rishabha
Shrauta (Śrauta) related to Vedic tradition; rites performed in public
Shravana (Śrāvaṇa) fifth Sanskrit month (July-August)
Shravasta (Śrāvasta) residence of Lava, son of Rama
Shri (Śrī) “Majesty”; goddess of good fortune
Shri Dandi (Śrī Dandi) son of Pallavamalla’s master architect
Shridhara (Śrīdhara) “Bearer of Majesty”; vyuha of Vasudeva
Shri Goshtipuram (Śrī Goṣṭhipuram) Sanskrit name for Tirukottiyur
Shrīmad Bhagavata Purana (Śrīmad Bhāgavata Purāṇa) see Bhagavata Purana
Shrimara Shrivallabha (Śrīmārṟa Śrīvallabha) (r. 815–862) Pandyan ruler, son of Varagunavarman I, ally of Nripatungavarman
shrimat (śrīmat) prosperous and majestic
Shrinatha (Śrinātha) monist-cum-dualist tradition of the Shaiva Agama
shri-parameshvara-mahakashtakaran (śri-parameśvara-mahākāṣṭkāran) “The Majestic Emperor’s Master Woodworker”
Shri Patra (Śrī Patra) conch shell used as amrita pot in Tantric rite
Shrisukta (śrīsukta) one of the hymns of the Rig Veda
Shrivaramangala (Śrīvaramaṅgala) location of copper plates, c. 770
Shrivatsa (Śrīvatsa) “Majesty’s favorite”; Lakshmi’s abode in a curl of hair on Hari’s breast
Shriveli Vishnugriha (Śriveḷi Viṣṇugṛha) temple in Uttaramerur
shruta (śruta) heard
shruti (śruti) “that which is heard”; the Vedas
Shubhra (Śubhra) sage, father of Vaikuntha
shuddhasattva (śuddhasattva) pure clarity, or pure material being
Shudra (Śūdra) the fourth ritual caste, traditionally servants
Shuka (Śuka) “Parrot”; teacher of Bhagavata Purana to Parikshit
shukla (śukla) white
Shukra (Śukra) “Bright,” the planet Venus; Hiranyakashipu’s purohita
Shunahshepa (Śunaḥśepa) victim tied to the stake in Harischandra’s rajasuya
shunya (śūnya) empty
Shurasena (Sūrasena) former chief of Yadus, and his territory
Shurpanakha (Śūrpaṇakhā) sister of Ravana, spurned by Rama
Shvetadvipa (Śvetadvīpa) White Island in the Ocean of Milk
shyama (śyāma) dark, black or dark blue
siddha perfected; being who has achieved release
siddhamritarasa (siddhāmṛtarasa) “magical amrita liquid”
siddhi success
Siddhipada Realm of Success
Simhavarman (Siṃhavarman) II Bhagavata ruler of Kanchipuram (ca. 535–560) son of Nandivarman, the founder of the linege
Simhavishnuvarman (Siṃhaviṣṇuvarman) Bhagavata ruler (ca. 560–580), grandson of Nandivarman, the founder of the lineage
Sindhu Ocean
Sita (Sītā) wife of Rama, abducted by Ravana
Skanda “spurting”; frustrated desire, master of deva warlords; son of Shiva; also Skandasishya Vikramavarman
Skandasishya Vikramavarman Nandivarman Pallavamalla’s rival for the throne
sneha affection
soma sacred drink, central to the Soma Sacrifice; (cap.) the Moon
Sri Vaishnava (Śrī Vaiṣṇava) sect of Vaishnavas, originating in the poems of the
Alvars
sthairya constancy
sthana (sthāna) maintenance of order
sthulasharira (sthūlaśarīra) gross material body
stupa (stūpa) Buddhist reliquary shrine
Subahu (Subāhu) son of Shatrughna; brother of Alarka
Subandhu author of Vasavadatta, mid-7th century
Subhadra (Subhadrā) daughter of Vasudeva and Devaki, married to Arjuna
Sudakshina (Sudakṣiṇa) Excellent Right Hand or Virtuous South
Sudama (Sudāmā) garland-maker in Mathura
Sudarshana (Sudarśana) “beautiful to see”; Krishna’s discus
Sudyumna son of Shraddhadeva, changed from daughter Ila
Sugriva (Sugrīva) king of the monkeys
sukha happiness
sukshma (sūkṣma) subtle
sukshma-diksha (sūkṣma-dīkṣā) “Consecration to the Subtle”
sukshma sharira (sūkṣma śarīra) subtle material body
sukta (sūkta) Vedic hymn of praise
Sumali (Sumāli) asura slain by Vishnu; Ravana’s grandfather
Sumati descendent of Bharata; seventh Jaina tirthankara; see also Jada Sumati
Sumitra (Sumitrā) one of Dasharatha’s three wives
Sunanda “Delighting”; chief of Vamana’s attendants, the eldest Kumara
Sundaravarada Bhattachari, M. R. priest of the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
Sundaravarada Perumal (Sundaravaradā Perumāḷ) Temple (T) the Shriveli Vishnugriha in Uttaramerur
Sundaravaratha Pattachari (T) see M. R. Sundaravarada Bhattachari
Suniti (Sunīti) mother of Dhruva
sura (surā) liquor
Surabhi “Fragrance”; the mother of all cattle; Kamadhenu
surasava (surāsava) beer or liquor
Surasena (Sūrasena) name of a people ruled by Chitraketu
Suratha son of Surya; as Savarni, ruler of the eighth Manu Term
Suruchi (Suruci) second wife of Uttanapada
Surya (Sūrya) the Sun
Suryaprabha (Sūryaprabha) hero aided by Prabhasa
sushumna (suṣumnā) channel of the subtle body that parallels the spine
**sushupta, sushupti (**suṣupta, suṣupti ) deep dreamless sleep
Suta (Sūta) “Charioteer,” narrator of the Bhāgavata Purana
Sutala the “auspicious level” of Rasa, the underworld, ruled by Bali
Sutapa (Sutapā) a prajapati who lived with Prishni in the last sarga
Suyajna (Suyajña) dead ruler whose wives appeal to Yama
svabhava (svabhāva) essential nature
svadhyaya the rite of study after the main meal of the day
svapna dreaming, a dream
Svarbhanu (Svarbhānu) asura who drank a portion of amrita
svarga heaven
Svarloka (Svārloka) Heaven with the constellations and planets
Svarochisha (Svārociṣa) ruler of the second Manu Term
svarthapuja (svarthapūjā) worship for one’s own benefit
svarupa (svarūpa) one’s own shape
svasukha one’s own pleasure
svayam oneself
Svayambhuva (Svāyambhuva) the previous sarga
Svayambhuva Manu (Svāyambhuva Manu) son of Brahma, father of Priyavrata
Svetambara (Svētāmbara) Jaina sect
Syamantaka jewel stolen from Krishna and regained
Tai (T) tenth Tamil month (January-February)
Taittiriya Upanishad (Taittirīya Upaniṣad) a major upanishad, associated with the Black Yajur Veda
Takshaka (Takṣaka) “Cutter”; deadly snake Parikshit is cursed to be bitten by
tamas darkness; ignorance; delusion as a mode of consciousness
Tamasa (Tāmasa) son of Priyavrata, ruler of fourth Manu Term
tamastivra (tamastīvra) thick darkness
tamisra (tāmisra) darkness as a mode of consciousness
Tamraparni (Tāmiraparaṇi) River river in the Pandya realm, also called Porunal
tandava (tandava, T: tāṇṭavam) dance of victory
Tanjavur, Thanjavur (Tanjavūr, Tañcāvūr) (T) city on the Kaveri River
tanmatra (tanmātra) the five subtle elements; the five senses
tantiram (T) Tantra
Tantra (Tāntra) body of texts, recording non-Vedic revelation; practices based on
these texts
tantrantara (tantrāntara) the essence of Tantra
tantrantariya (tantrāntarīya) samkhyan philosophers who practice tantrantara
tanu (tanū) form, body
tapa branding rite
tapas heat-generating austerity
Tapoloka one of the worlds beyond Dhruva
Tara (Tārā) Bhagavata: wife of Moon, mother of Budha; Buddhist: consort of Avalokiteshvara and “mother” to the Shakyamuni as a buddha.
Tarandikonda Bhojar (T) agamika of Hiranya, Nandivarman Pallavamalla’s father
Taravaloka (Tāravaloka) a prince
Tatpurusha (Tatpuruṣa) one of the “five faces” of Shiva
tattva one of the five traditionally distinguished elementary substances
tattvamudra (tattvamudrā) gesture in which the thumb and index finger touch and three fingers are extended
tattvasrishtimudra (tattvasṛṣṭimudrā) “emanation of the constituents” mudra; the forefinger is raised up and other fingers curl down over the thumb bent to the palm
Tayar (Tāyar) (T) Sri Lakshmi
tejas brilliance; “brilliant conquering power”
tenkurukur nampi (teṉkurukūr nampi) (T) “The Venerable One of Southern Kurukur”; epithet of an Alvar, Maran Chatakopan
**tin chilai (**tiṇ cilai) (T) hard stone image; firm bow
tirtha (tīrtha) place of pilgrimage; also, a sadhaka
tirthankara (tīrthaṅkara) “ford-crosser”; exalted Jain teacher
tirthika (tīrthika) heretic, from Buddhist point of view
tiru (T) majesty; equivalent of Skt. shri
Tirukkottiyur (Tirukkōttiyūr) (T) town east of Madurai
Tirumal (Tirumāl) (T) Vasudeva with Devi, in early Tamil poetry
Tirumangai (Tirumaṅgai) Alvar also known as Kalikanri
Tirumantiram muvayiram (Tirumantiram muvāyiram) (T) Tamil work, 7th–8th centuries
Tiruppallantu (Tiruppallāṇṭu) (T) “Many Years,” poem for Krishna by Vishnuchittan, Kotai’s father
Tiruppavai (Tiruppāvai) (T) Tamil poem by Kotai
tiruvanai (T) oath of majesty
Tiruvantati (Tiruvantāti) (T) collection of poems by Poykai
titiksha (titikṣa) forbearance
totarntu (T) “seek out,” “continue in unbroken succession”
Treta Yuga (Tretā Yuga) the second age of the grat cycle
tribhuvana three worlds of rebirth
triguna (triguṇa) tripartite process (of matter)
Trikuta (Trikūta; T: Tirikūṭa) mountain with “Three Peaks,” known as Sveta Dvipa
trimurti (trimūrti) the Three Material Forms
Tripura “three cities,” invisible vehicle built by Maya for the asuras
tripurantaka (tripurāntaka) destroyer of the Three Cities
Trishanku (Triśaṅku) father of Harishchandra
trishna (ṭṛṣṇa) craving
tritala-vimana (tritala-vimāna) three-storied palace
Trivandram (Tiruvaṉantapuram) city in modern Kerala
Trivakra (Trivakrā) woman who is “bent thrice,” hunchback servant of Kamsa
Trivikrama God as the Dwarf, the “thrice-strider”
Tryambaka monist lineage of the Shaiva Agama
Tumburu a gandharva musician
turiya (turīya), turya the “fourth person”; the person who is aware, who resides in
the heart
turyatita (turīyātita) “beyond the fourth (body)”; Narayana
Tushita (Tuṣita) “Heaven of the Delighted”
Tvashta (Tvaṣṭā) father of Vishvarupa
tyaga (tyāga) forsaking, abandoning
ubhyaganattayar (T) men of the two assemblies
ubhayakula-parishuddhar (ubhayakula-pariśuddhar) (T) purified in both clans
ubhaya “both”; perception of “two”
Ucchaishravas (Uccaiśravas) Indra’s horse “of long ears” or “loud neighing”
udana (udāna) one of the vital breaths, in the throat and rising upward
Udayachandra (Udayacandra) Nandivarman’s general
Uddhava Krishna’s foremost counsellor and devotee
udgatri (udgātṛ) priest chanting Sama Veda verses in sacrifice
udritha (udrītha) the High Chant
Ugrasena rightful king of Mathura, Kamsa’s father
Ugrashravas (Ugraśravas) Suta, the narrator of the Bhagavata Purana
Uma (Umā) Daksha’s daughter, Shiva’s consort on Mount Kailasa
upadana (upādāna) rites to gather materials for worship after sunrise
upadeshamudra (upadeśamudrā)** the teaching mudra
upanishad (upaniṣad) “secret teaching”; texts attached to the Brahmanas and expounding the inner meanings of the Vedas
uparichara (uparicara) moving or walking above or in the air
upasana (upāsanā) worship
upaya (upāya) means; skill in means
Upendra “Younger to Indra”; Vamana, son of Aditi and Kashyapa
urai (T) commentary
Urakam (Ūrakam) (T) pre-Pallava temple to Trivikrama in Kanchipuram
urdhvamula (ūrdhvamūla) the root above (the ashvattham)
urdhvareta (ūrdhvareta**)** keeping the semen “above”; living in chastity
Urvashi (Urvaśī) apsaras born of Narayana’s tapas, consort of Pururavas
Usha (Uṣā) daughter of the asura Bana
Ushanas (Uśanas) Shukra, asura acharya
Ushinara (Uśīnara) territory ruled by Suyajna
uti latent aspects of karma
uttama supreme; (cap.) son of Priyavrata and Suruchi
Uttamashloka (Uttamaśloka) “He of Most Excellent Renown”; “Highest Praise”
Uttānapāda father of Dhruva, brother of Priyavrata
uttara latter; left (side)
Uttaramerur (Uttaramērūr) (T) town south of Kanchipuram
uttara vedi raised altar at eastern end of a Vedic sacrificial arena
uttarayana (uttarāyaṇa) the light half of the year
Vach (Vāc) Speech, born of Brahma’s mouth
vadha killing
vahana vehicle, deity’s mount
vaidika of or related to Veda
vaidikatantika (vaidikatāntika) of or related to Veda and Tantra
Vaigai River see Kritamala River
Vaihayasa (Vaihāyasa) “Moving through the Air”; Bali’s magical vehicle
Vaikachi (Vaikāci) (T) second Tamil month (May-June)
vaikhanasa (vaikhānasa) forest-dwelling ascetic, vanaprastha
Vaikhanasa Agama (Vaikhānasa Āgama) tradition, parallel to Pancharatra Agama
Vaikuntha (Vaikuṇṭha) Vishnu’s heaven, on a mountain on White Island in the Ocean of Milk; also son of Shubhra, part manifestation of Hari
Vaikuntha Dhama (Vaikuṇṭha Dhāma) God as “home without ignorance” or “the presence penetrating everywhere” or “the invincible realm”
Vaikuntanatha (T: Vaikuntanātha; Skt: Vaikuṇṭhanātha) “Lord of Vaikuntha”; Bhagavan
Vaikuntha Perumal (Vaikuṇṭha Perumāḷ) temple built by Nandivarman Pallavamalla
vairagya (vairāgya) renunciation
vairaja purusha (vairāja puruṣa) “person born of viraj”
Vairochana (Vairocana) attributive founder of Vajrayana (Esoteric Buddhism)
Vaisakha (Vaisākha) second Sanskrit month (April-May)
Vaishampayana (Vaiśampayana) Vyasa Dvaipayana’s disciple; Yajnavalkya is his disciple
Vaishnava (Vaiṣṇava) related to Visnu and his worship
Vaishya (Vaiśya) third varna: tradesmen and other middling occupations
Vaivasvata son of the Sun; patronymic of Shraddhadeva
vajapeya (vājapeya) preparatory sacrifice patronized by Daksha
vajasani (vājasani) recensions of the yajus mantras taught to Yajnavalkya
vajirupa (vajirūpa) shape of a horse with a mane
vajra diamond bolt of lightning, an emblem of Krishna; means to success
vajramudra (vajramudrā) gesture in which the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger grasp the thumb, and the tip of the index finger touches the thumb’s knuckle
Valin (Vālin) monkey king, son of Indra, slain by Rama
Valmiki (Vālmīki) attributive author of Ramayana
vamachara (vāmācāra) the “left-hand” way
Vamadeva (Vāmadeva) one of the “five faces” of Shiva
Vamana (Vāmana) God as Dwarf
vamsha (vaṃṣa) lineage
vanaprastha (vānaprastha) “forest dweller,” the third stage of life for a brahman
Vanji (Vañci) Chera capital, also known as Karur
vannam (vaṇṇam) (T) varna: color; nature
varadamudra (varadamudrā) gesture of giving boons
Varadarajaswami (Varadarājaswāmi) hill-like temple for Vishnu
Varagunavarman (Varaguṇavarman) I (765–815) son of Maravaraman Rajasimha
Varagunavarman (Varaguṇavarman) II (ca. 862–885) Pandyan ruler, son of Shrimara Shrivallabha
Varaha (Varāha) Krishna as Boar
Varahagiri (Varāhagiri) western hill area of Tamil Nadu
Varana-indra (Varaṇa-indra) the elephant Airavata, “Indra of the invincible”
Vardhamana (Vardhamāna) Jina for whom a temple existed in Kanchipuram in the 6th century
vardhana prosperous increase
varman shield
varna (varṇa) ritual class; lit., color
varsha (varṣa) region (as of the Jambu continent)
Varuna (Varuṇa) deva emperor of asuras and nagas; dark night, worshiped with Mitra
Varuni (Vāruṇī) daughter of Varuna; sura (liquor)
varuna-pasa (varuṇa-pāsa) “noose of Varuna”; rope of darbha grass used to tie sacrificial victim
Vasavadatta Sanskrit romance, mid-7th century
vashita (vaśitā)** subjugating by magic
Vasishtha (Vasiṣṭha) a prajapati, born of Brahma’s breath
vasodhara (vasodhārā) “stream” or “shower of Vasu”
vastu purusha (vastu puruṣa) “person of the place”
Vasu a set of beneficent deities, including Adityas, Maruts, Ashvins, and others
Vasudeva (Vasudeva) father of Krishna the man, Devaki’s husband (always identified in the text to distinguish from the following)
Vasudeva (Vāsudeva) Krishna as the son of Vasudeva; one of the vyuhas of God
Vasudha (Vasudhā) Goddess Earth, Sita’s mother
Vasuki (Vāsuki) ruler of the nagas
Vasu Uparichara (Vasu Uparicara) king who hears the Satvata Shastra from Brihaspati
vatarashana (vātaraśana)** “clothed in the wind”
Vatsara Year, ruler of Ketumala; son of Dhruva
Vayu (Vāyu) Air, Wind
Vedavada (Vedavāda) Doctrine of Veda
vedi (vedī) sacrificial altar
Vegavati River Kanchipuram was built at its confluence with the Palar River
Vehka (Veḥkā) Vishnu reclining
velvi (vēḷvi) (T) fire sacrifice
Vena “Inordinate Desire,” “Longing,” son of Anga, ruler who fell to purgatory
Venka (Veṅka) territory visited by Rishabha
Venkatam mountain, also called Tirumalai
veshavishishta (veṣaviśiṣṭa)** distinguished in appearance
veshyastri (veśyastrī)** courtesan
Vessantara bodhisattva known for giving
vetala (vetāla) vampire
vibhava transformation of forms; secondary emanation of God
Vibhavari (Vibhāvarī) city of Soma, the Moon, in the north
Vibhishana (Vibhīṣaṇa) Ravana’s virtuous younger brother
vibhu (vibhu) omnipresent
Vibudha Krishna as the Learned One
vibhuti (vibhūti) occult powers; glorious realm
Vichitrachitta (Vicitracitta) king in South Arcot District
vidhi instructions
Vidisha (Vidiśa) region of Kosala, ruled by Shatrughati
Vidura (Vidūra) Kuru devotee who heard the Bhagavatam from Maitreya
Viduratha (Vidūratha) Dantavaktra’s brother, ally of Shishupala et al.
vidyadhara (vidyādhara) “bearer of the knowledge of spells”
vighna obstable
Vighnaraja (Vighnarāja) “King of Obstacles,” Ganesha
Vignesha (Vigneśa) “Ruler of Obstacles,” Ganesha
vihara (vihāra) Buddhist monastery
Vijaya “Conquest”; guardian in Vaikuntha
Vijaya (Vijayā) wife of Kampavarman
vijayadvadashi (vijayadvādaśī)** twelfth day of Shravana, called “victory”
vijayanti flower garland signifying victory
vijayashakti (vijayaśakti)** Shakti in her mode as Victory
Vijitashva (Vijitāśva) title given Prithu’s son when he recovers horse from Indra
vijnana (vijñāna) discriminative or subject-object consciousness
vikrama stride or step
vikritya (vikṛtya) transformation
Vikuntha (Vikuṇṭhā) wife of Shubhra, mother of Vaikuntha
villavan (villavaṉ) (T) “owner of the bow”
Villipputtur (Villipputtūr) (T) “Villi’s New Town,” south of Madurai, in poem by Kotai
vimana (vimāna) palace
vina (vīṇā) plucked string instrument
vinda rescuer
Vindhyavali (Vindhyāvali) the Vindhya mountain range; wife of Bali
vinoda play
vipra sage; (cap.) Krishna as seer
vipula great, extensive; translated by Dennis Hudson as “holy man”
Virabhadra (Vīrabhadra) “Distinguished Hero”; Anger, born of a hair from Shiva’s head
viraj (virāj) “ruling far and wide”; the womb of Purusha
virakti indifference to worldly enjoyments
virat-purusha (virat-puruṣa) Vasudeva’s fully differentiated state
Virochana (Virocana) “Illuminating”; son of Prahlada, father of Bali
virya (vīrya) prowess; ability to act without being affected by that action
visarga voiceless aspiration (in Sanskrit); Brahma’s emanation of the universe
visha (viṣa) poison
Vishakhayupa (Viśakhayūpa) the “Effulgent One”; a place of pilgrimage
vishishta (viśiṣṭa)** differentiated
vishnor dhama parama (viṣnor dhāma parama) “Pervading Actor’s Supreme Home”
Vishnu (Viṣṇu) God as “pervading actor”
Vishnuchittan (Viṣṇucittan) (T) poet better known as Periyalvar
vishnugriha (viṣṇugṛha)** “Emperor’s Vishnu-house”
vishnuhasta (viṣṇuhasta)** Krishna’s (or acharya’s) touch on the head that removes kalmasha
vishnupada (viṣṇupada)** Visnu’s realm
Vishnupada (Viṣṇupada) “Foot of Vishnu”; the four worlds beyond Dhruva
Vishnupaddam (Viṣṇupaddam) (T) the pole star beyond Dhruva
vishnusthala (viṣṇusthala)** location of a Vishnu shrine
Vishnuyashas (Viṣṇuyaśas) Kalki will be born to him at the end of the Kali Yuga
Vishravas (Viśravas) sage, father of Ravana
Vishvadeva (Viśvadeva) one of the Universal Principles
vishvajita (viśvajīta)** all-conquering
Vishvakarma (Viśvakarma) a prajapati, son of Bhuvana
Vishvaksena (Viśvaksena) attendant of Bhagavan, as he protects Lokaloka
vishvam (viśvam)** fullness; the universe
Vishvamitra (Viśvāmitra) “Friend to All”; one of the Seven Seers
Vishvarupa (Viśvarūpa) asura slain by Indra
Vishvasphurji (Viśvasphūrji) ruler of Magadha, probably Chandra Gupta II
Vishveshvara (Viśveśvara) “Ruler of All”; Surya
vishveshvara-ananta (viśveśvara-ananta)** “endless ruler of everything”
vitai (viṭai) (T) bull
vitam (viṭam) (T) poison (Skt. visha)
Vitashoka (Vītaśoka) King Ashoka’s brother
vitavel-koti-verpatai (viṭavēl-koṭi-vēṟpaṭai) (T) “the banner of the khatvanga spine of bones”
vitelvituku (viṭēlviṭuku), vitelvitukennuntiruvanai natavi (viṭēlviṭukeṉṉuntiruvāṇai naṭāvi) (T) oath Pallavamalla took during his unction
Vitelvituku (Viṭelviṭuku) Pallava (T) title of Nandivarman, first Pallava ruler
Vitihotra (Vītihotra) son of Priyavrata, father of Ramanaka and Dhataki
vittam (viṭṭam) (T) crossbeam, anything put across; the body
Vivasvat the Sun, who taught Manu
viveka discrimination
Vraja area near Mathura, Krishna’s home in his childhood and youth
vrata vowed discipline
Vrindavana (Vṛndāvana) “Vrinda’s forest”, area or town along the Yamuna River in Vraja
vrishaba-lanchana (vṛṣaba-lāñcana) bull crest
vrishadhvaja (vṛṣadhvaja) flag with bull emblem
Vrishakapi (Vṛṣākapi), “Virile Ape”; friend of Indra in Rig Veda
vrishanka (vṛṣānka) bull emblem
Vrishni (Vṛṣṇi) one of the set of clans to which Krishna belongs
Vritra (Vṛtra) “Restrainer”; demon-magician battled by Indra
vyana (vyāna) breath inhaled through the mouth to permeate the whole body
Vyasa (Vyāsa) “Compiler”; sage, attributive author of the Bhagavata Purana
Vyasa Dvaipayana (Vyāsa Dvaipayana) first priest at Yudhisthira’s rajasuya
Vyoma asura in the shape of a cowherd boy
vyuha (vyūha) “a collection”; emanation, formation of God
vyuha-antara (vyūha-antara) (material forms) interior to formations (of God)
Yadava (Yādava) one of the set of clans to which Krishna belongs
Yadu king, founder of Yadavas
yaga (yāga) offerings
yajamana (yajamāna) sponsor of a sacrifice
yajanti vedatantrabhyam (yajanti vedatantrābhyām) “They who sacrifice through Veda and Tantra”; rites of Veda and Tantra
yajna (yajña) sacrifice
Yajnapurusha (Yajñapuruṣa) Person of the Sacrfice, Sacrifice as Person
Yajnavalkya (Yājñavalkya) sage
Yajur Veda Veda containing liturgy for rituals and sacrifices
yajus particular mantras uttered in a particular manner at a sacrifice
yaksha (yakṣa) demigod, attendant of Kubera
yama (yāma) restraint; disciplined way of life
Yama ruler of the realm of the dead
Yamuna (Yamunā) a river associated with Krishna, and its goddess
Yapaniya Sangha (Yāpanīya Sangha) Jain sect of the Western Gangas, also called Yavanika Sangha
Yashoda (Yaśodā) Krishna’s mother in Vraja, Nanda’s wife
Yavana “Greeks”; people to the northwest
Yayati (Yayāti) dynasty ruling beyond Aryavarta
yoga unified consciousness; the fifth rite of the day for Vaishnavas
Yogadesha (yogādeśa)** prayer taught by Shiva
yogamaya (yogamāyā) creative power of God’s unified consciousness; (cap.) goddess embodying Krishna’s creative power
yoganidra (yoganidrā) “Sleep of Unified Consciousness”
Yogavid Vishnu as the Knower of Yoga
yogesha (yogeśa) Ruler of Unified Consciousness
Yogeshvaro Harih (Yogeśvaro Hariḥ) Hari as the Ruler of Yoga
yogin practitioner of yoga
yojana distance traversed by an oxcart in a day, about seven to nine miles
yoni womb
Yudhishthira (Yudhiṣṭhira) one of the Pandava brothers
yupa (yūpa) stake to which sacrificial animal is tied
yuvakumara (yuvakumāra) young prince
Yuvanashva (Yuvanāśva) “Young Horse”; father of Mandhata
yuvaraja (yuvarāja) junior ruler