Author: gildagiannoni

Dvandvātīta – overcoming opposites   «Thus, there is no assault by the pairs of opposites» (Yoga-sūtra, 2.48). Dvandvas are pairs of opposites: hot-cold, comfortable-uncomfortable, happy-unhappy, etc. Bhaghavad-gītā describes the enlightened …

Kuncikā – the key  «Kundalini Parameshvari awakens by the heat generated by the practice of yoga, by the speed of prāna, and by the power of mental concentration. Rising up …

Budha – Mercury « Pleased with him, the Lord granted him the status of being a Planet. The devotee who worships the deity installed by the son of Soma (i.e. …

Kāma – love «Shastra rules can be applied as long as man’s passion is average, but as soon as the wheel of love is set in motion, neither Shastra nor …

Manana – to reflect «To inquire in solitude into the significance of śravaṇa is manana» (Paingala Upanishad, 3.3). Shravana is listening. In the Vedic education system, the student first listens …

Abhaya – undaunted «The King who imparts security is ever to be honoured; his sacrificial session constantly prospers, accompanied as it is by the gift of ‘security» (Manusmriti, 43.8.303). You …

Nishcitya – feeling certain «The wise man, discriminating thus the real and the unreal, ascertaining the Truth through his illuminative insight, and realising his own Self which is Knowledge Absolute, …

Dakshināyana – summer solstice «Two Ayanas make a year. One human year constitutes one day and night for the celestials, Uttarāyana being the day and Dakshināyana the night» (Shiva-purana, 7.1.8.8). …

Samvāda – dialogo «With the Yajur-veda the performance takes place by murmuring (upāmshu).With the exception of addresses, replies, choosing of priests (pravara), dialogues, and commands» (Apastamba-yajna-paribhasa-sutra, 9-10).  Samvāda generally indicates …

Svādhyāya – self-study  «And it stands to reason that wisdom arises in him whose mind has been purified by svādhyāya or recitation of the sacred text» (Taittiriya Upanishad, 1.10). There …

Karmin – busy «Just as the exterior workers do not enjoy the pleasures in the royal palace, the same is the case with the karmins» (Śiva-purāna, 39.32).  The word karmin …

Samriddhi – prosperity «Proper Combination (lit. combined production), Brilliance [of Pageant] (samṛddhi), and actors capable of [good] production are the three [points of] merit [in a performance]» (Natyashastra, 27.98-99). Samriddhi …