Glossary

Abhāgya (अभाग्य) misfortune
Abhimān (अभिमान) arrogance
Abhishek (अभिषेक) anointing or bathing a deity, usually with sacred substances, as a part of worship
Abhyās (अभ्यास) study, practice
Abodh (अबोध) ignorant, naive
Achaman (आचमन) the ritual of sipping water as a purification practice
Acharan (आचरण) behaviour, conduct
Acharyas (आचार्य) spiritual teachers or preceptors
Adar (आदर) respect, honor
Adharam (अधर्म) unrighteousness, evil conduct, immorality
Adhyātmik jagat (अध्यात्मिक जगत) spiritual world
Agni (अग्नि) fire
Agyā (आज्ञा) order, permission
Ahankār (अहंकार) ego
Ahimsā (अहिंसा) non-violence
Aitihāsik (ऐतिहासिक) historical
Alochnā (आलोचना) criticism
Amar (अमर) immortal
Amit (अमित) unlimited, numerous, immeasurable
Amrit (अमृत) nectar, elixir
Anārth (अनर्थ) wrong meaning, calamity, misfortune
Andhatā (अंधता) blindness, delusion
Anek (अनेक) many, numerous
Anjān (अंजान) unknown
Anubhav (अनुभव) experience
Anubhuti (अनुभूति) experience, perception / spiritual insight
Anuchit (अनुचित) inappropriate
Anugraha (अनुग्रह) divine grace
Anushthaan (अनुष्ठान) a religious ceremony or ritual performed for a purpose
Aparyāpta (अपार्याप्त) inadequate
Apshakun (अपशकुन) ill omen
Apvād (अपवाद) exception
Asan (आसन) seat
Ashāvādi (आशावादी) optimist
Ashrai (आश्रय) shelter
Ashram (आश्रम) hermitage
Asthā (आस्था) faith
Astitva (अस्तित्व) existence, creation / universe
Atmā (आत्मा) soul
Atma linga (आत्मलिंग) linga representing the soul or self
Atut (अटूट) strong, indestructible
Avasthā (अवस्था) state, condition, situation
Avidyā (अविद्या) lack of true knowledge, misconception
Avilamb (अविलम्ब) without delay
Avshadi (औषधि) cure, medicine
Avyavasthā (अव्यवस्था) disorder, chaos
Baba (बाबा) term of respect for a holy man
Bachan / Vachan (बचन / वचन) words, promise
Bakhānā (बखाना) describe, explain, praise, appreciate
Bal (बल) strength
Bālak (बालक) child
Balwant (बलवंत) powerful, strong
Bāpū (बापू) an affectionate term used to address fatherly figure; also used as proper noun for Morari Bapu
Berkhas (बेरखा) 18-bead rosary
Bhāgya (भाग्य) fortune, destiny
Bhāshā (भाषा) language
Bhāav (भाव) emotions or sentiments
Bhāav jeevan (भाव जीवन) a life full of devotional feelings
Bhadra jeevan (भद्र जीवन) decency in life
Bhagwan (भगवान) god or deity, often used to refer to the divine
Bhandāra (भंडारा) community meal
Bhakti (भक्ति) devotion or love towards a deity
Bhay (भय) fear
Bhed (भेद) difference, discrimination
Bhiksha (भिक्षा) sacred act of seeking food as alms
Bhilani (भीलनी) relating to or resembling the female bhil in bhil community or tribe
Bhim (भीम) in the context of bhimashankar, it refers to the demon bhima from hindu mythology; otherwise herculean, formidable
Bhram (भ्रम) misconception
Bhrānti (भ्रांति) illusion
Bhītar se (भीतर से) from inside, from the heart
Bhog (भोग) offering or food presented to a deity and then consumed as prasad
Bhumi (भूमि) earth or land
Binanti (बिनती) request
Buddhi (बुद्धि) intellect
Charan (चरण) feet
Charpai (चारपाई) a traditional woven bed or cot, often used in rural areas
Chatur maas (चातुर्मास) four-month period of spiritual seclusion mainly during the rainy season
Chamatkār (चमत्कार) miracle
Chetnā (चेतना) consciousness
Chintā (चिंता) worry, concern
Chintan (चिंतन) thinking, contemplation
Chitt (चित्त) mind
Chitthi (चिट्ठी) note, letter
Dakshina (दक्षिणा) offering or donation made during religious ceremonies
Damaroo (डमरू) a small two-headed drum, often associated with lord shiva
Dampatya (दाम्पत्य) marital relationship or marriage, referring to the bond between a husband and wife
Darshan (दर्शन) to behold a deity, idol, or a holy person
Darshak (दर्शक) spectator, viewer
Dāvā (दावा) claim, solemn declaration
Dayā (दया) mercy
Dharmic (धार्मिक) relating to dharma, the moral and ethical duties in hinduism
Dharma (धर्म) duty, religion, righteousness
Dhanyavād (धन्यवाद) thank you
Dhartī (धरती) earth, world
Dhenu (धेनु) cow
Dhrishtānt (दृष्टान्त) example
Dhrishti (दृष्टि) vision, sight
Dholakhs (ढोलक) a traditional indian double-headed drum
Dhoti (धोती) traditional men's garment
Dhwaja (ध्वज) flag, banner
Diksha (दीक्षा) initiation or consecration, often involving a formal ceremony
Dishā (दिशा) direction
Divya (दिव्य) divine or heavenly
Divya drishti (दिव्य दृष्टि) divine vision or insight
Divya gyan (दिव्य ज्ञान) divine knowledge or wisdom
Divya kreeda (दिव्य क्रीडा) divine play
Dosh (दोष) fault
Dukh (दुःख) displeasure, sadness, affliction, suffering
Dwesh (द्वेष) hatred, aversion
Dvij (द्विज) brahmin, one with two births
Etbār (एतबार) trust
Ektā (एकता) oneness, unity
Ekaant (एकांत) solitude or a state of being alone
Fakir (फक़ीर) a mystic, ascetic, or wandering devotee
Farmaan (फ़रमान) divine decree, command, summon
Ganga jal (गंगा जल) holy water from the ganges river
Garbha griha (गर्भगृह) sanctum sanctorum
Ghat (घाट) a series of steps leading down to a body of water, often a river / landing
Girnar (गिरनार) a sacred mountain
Gopi or Gopika (गोपिका) a female devotee of lord krishna, often associated with the cowherd girls in vrindavan
Gopi bhaav (गोपी भाव) the emotion or disposition of a gopi (milkmaid), often associated with devotional love
Hakīkat (हक़ीक़त) reality
Hari Har (हरि हर) Vishnu-Shiva, a call to eat or to take prasad
Hetu (हेतु) motive
Himmat (हिम्मत) courage
Himsa (हिंसा) violence
Indra (इंद्र) the king of the gods in Hindu mythology, ruler of Svarga (heaven), associated with rain
Irshā (ईर्षा) jealousy, envy
Ishta (इष्ट) adored and favorite deity
Itihās (इतिहास) history
Ittr (इत्र) perfume, scent
Jadtā (जड़ता) insensibility, rigidity, irrationality
Jāgruti (जागृति) enlightenment, awareness
Janmasthān (जनमस्थान) birthplace
Jap (जप) repetition of mantra
Jhūlā (झूला) swing
Jhupda (झुपड़ा) hut
Jhūtha (झूठा) false, unreal
Jīva (जीव) soul, living being
Jīvan mukti (जीवन मुक्ति) free from the bondage of worldly life
Janmashtami (जन्माष्टमी) the celebration of Lord Krishna's birth
Jyoti (ज्योति) light or flame
Jyotirlinga (ज्योतिर्लिंग) the sacred lingam (an abstract or iconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva) that is considered to be a manifestation of the Supreme God in the form of light or flame. There are twelve prominent Jyotirlingas in different parts of India, and they hold great significance for Shiva devotees.
Kadam (कदम) step, footstep, type of tree
Kailas or Kailash (कैलास) a reference to Mount Kailash, considered sacred in Hinduism
Kal (कल) tomorrow
Kaal (काल) period of time, death
Kalā (कला) art
Kalash (कलश) a decorative water pot often used in Hindu rituals
Kalpa (कल्प) duration of time of one age, epoch
Kama (काम) desire, lust, work
Kamjor (कमज़ोर) weak
Kapat (कपट) craftiness, deceit
Karya aarambh (कार्य आरंभ) start to anything, done without any ulterior motive
Karib (करीब) near
Karuna (करुणा) compassion, mercy
Karunāmaya (करुणामय) compassionate, merciful
Kārya (कार्य) action
Kasam (कसम) oath, promise
Katha (कथा) narration or story, often used in the context of religious discourses
Kathakar (कथाकार) storyteller or narrator
Kāyam (कायम) always
Khatarnāk (खतरनाक) dangerous
Kheti (खेती) farm
Kiran (किरण) ray of light
Kirtan (कीर्तन) devotional songs
Klesh (क्लेश) distress
Kona (कोना) corner, also refers to the corner of Bapu's childhood house where he was taught the Ramayana by his grandfather Tribhuvana Das ji
Krānti (क्रांति) revolution
Kripā (कृपा) mercy, kindness
Kripā nidhān (कृपा निधान) abode of compassion
Kripā pātra (कृपा पात्र) object of compassion
Kripālā (कृपाल) one who has mercy
Krit kritya (कृतकृत्य) feeling of great contentment, eternal satisfaction
Kriyā (क्रिया) action
Krodh (क्रोध) anger
Kshamā (क्षमा) forgiveness, pardon
Kshamāshil (क्षमाशील) tolerant, readily forgiving
Kshetra (क्षेत्र) field
Kushal (कुशल) happiness, skilled
Kumbh (कुम्भ) a Hindu pilgrimage and festival held every 12 years
Kutumb (कुटुंब) family
Kutiya or kutir (कुटिया) a hut or a small cottage, Bapu's residence
Lāchār (लाचार) distraught, helpless
Līlā (लीला) divine design, divine play
Linga (लिंग or Shivlinga - शिवलिंग) sacred phallic representing cosmic Shiva
Lobh (लोभ) greed
Maan (मान) respect
Mada (मद) ego
Mahamandaleshwar (महामंडलेश्वर) a high-ranking spiritual title
Mahatma (महात्मा) saint or sage
Mala (माला) a string of 108 beads used for prayer or meditation
Mand (मंद) gentle
Mandir (मंदिर) temple
Man – मन or Mana (मना) mind, heart
Mānsiktā (मानसिकता) mentality
Manorath (मनोरथ) heartfelt wish
Manorathi (मनोरथी) someone who has a wish, desire, or an aspiration, mostly used for a person who is the organizer or sponsor of a katha
Mantra (मंत्र) a sacred word, sound, or phrase often used in meditation, prayer, or as a form of invocation
Manu (मनु) first human in creation (according to hindu mythology), lawgiver
Mārg (मार्ग) path, road
Maryādā (मर्यादा) proper decorum, dignity, limit, boundary
Mat (मत) opinion
Māyā (माया) illusion
Mela (मेला) a fair or festival, often associated with religious gatherings and celebrations
Moha (मोह) delusion
Moksha (मोक्ष) liberation or release from the cycle of rebirth
Mrityu (मृत्यु) death
Mūdhta (मूढ़ता) ignorance
Mūdita (मूदित) joyful, delighted
Mukta (मुक्त) free, independent
Mukti (मुक्ति) liberation from bondage and samskara
Mūl (मूल) root
Mūlya (मूल्य) importance, value
Muni (मुनि) a sage or ascetic in Hinduism, often devoted to spiritual pursuits
Nābhi (नाभि) navel
Nag (नाग) serpent or snake, often associated with Lord Shiva
Nagara (नगारा) a type of drum, often used in devotional music
Nāgrik (नागरिक) citizen
Nandi (नंदी) the bull mount and devoted companion of Lord Shiva
Narad muni (नारद मुनि) a celestial sage known for his travels and music
Narmada (नर्मदा) a sacred river in central India
Nidhi (निधि) treasure, valuable possession
Nidrā (नींद) sleep
Nijtā (निजता) individuality
Nimantran (निमंत्रण) invitation
Nimit (निमित्त) instrumental, cause, means
Nindā (निंदा) scorn, blame
Nirbhar (निर्भर) weightless, without worry
Nirbhay (निर्भय) fearless
Nirnay (निर्णय) judgment, decision
Nirvāna (निर्वाण) liberation, bliss
Nishthā (निष्ठा) loyalty, faith, devotion
Nīti (नीति) policy, principle
Nitya (नित्य) eternal
Nivedan (निवेदन) request
Ojas (ओजस) vital energy, spiritual strength, or inner vitality
Om (ॐ) the primordial sound; sacred syllable representing the ultimate reality or consciousness
Omkara (ओमकार) the sound form of Om, symbolizing the supreme spirit
Paagadhi (पागड़ी) a turban or headgear
Paduka (पादुका) wooden sandals
Pahechān (पहचान) to recognize, identity
Pālak (पालक) caregiver
Pandal (पंडाल) tented area for an event
Param (परम) supreme
Param guru (परम गुरु) supreme or ultimate guru
Paramātmā (परमात्मा) supreme being or god
Paramparā (परंपरा) tradition
Parikramā (परिक्रमा) circumambulation
Parikshā (परीक्षा) test
Parinām (परिणाम) result
Parivār (परिवार) family
Parthiv (पार्थिव) earthly
Paryāpta (पर्याप्त) born of earth, adequate
Pāvan (पावन) pure
Pavitra (पवित्र) pure
Pragnyā (प्रज्ञा) insight, pure wisdom
Prahār (प्रहार) assault
Prajā (प्रजा) subjects, public
Prakār (प्रकार) form, nature
Pralay (प्रलय) cataclysm or cosmic dissolution as per Hindu cosmology
Pramānik (प्रामाणिक) honest
Pranām (प्रणाम) respectful salutation or bowing down
Prāpti (प्राप्ति) gain, acquire
Prārabdh (प्रारब्ध) destiny
Prārthnā (प्रार्थना) prayer
Prasad (प्रसाद) sacred food or offerings that is distributed
Prasanna (प्रसन्न) satisfied, happy
Prashansāh (प्रशंसा) praise, admiration
Prashna (प्रश्न) question
Prathishtā (प्रतिष्ठा) reputation, prestige
Pratikshā (प्रतीक्षा) to await
Pravesh (प्रवेश) entry
Prernā (प्रेरणा) inspiration
Pukār (पुकार) call, cry
Puja (पूजा) worship or ritual performed in Hinduism
Punya (पुण्य) merit, virtue
Pūrna (पूर्ण) complete
Pūrnahuti (पूर्णाहुति) the completion of any ceremony
Purna jeevan (पूर्ण जीवन) completeness in life
Purushārtha (पुरुषार्थ) effort
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Raas (रास) a traditional form of dance associated with Lord Krishna
Rāga (राग) affection, attachment, a musical composition
Rajogun (रजोगुण) quality of passion, love, pleasure
Ramayana (रामायण) an ancient Indian epic narrating the life of Lord Rama
Rāshtra (राष्ट्र) nation
Rāste (रास्ते) road
Riktā (रिक्त) empty
Rog (रोग) illness, disease
Sadaguru (सदगुरु) a spiritual teacher or guide, enlightened master
Sadhu (साधु) holy person, often a Hindu ascetic or monk
Sādhak (साधक) devotee
Sādhan (साधन) medium, means
Sādhnā (साधना) spiritual practice
Sādhutā (साधुता) piety, simplicity
Sahaj (सहज) true to one's nature
Sahamat (सहमत) agree
Sahyog (सहयोग) cooperation
Sagar (सागर) ocean
Samādhān (समाधान) solution
Samādhi (समाधि) state of suspending connection between body and soul, deep meditative state, union with divine; grave of ancestors
Samarpan (समर्पण) surrender
Samasyā (समस्या) problem, difficulty
Sambandh (संबंध) relationship
Samvād (संवाद) conversation, dialogue
Samudra manthan (समुद्र मंथन) the churning of the ocean, a significant episode in Hindu mythology
Samsār (संसार) material world
Samskār (संस्कार) qualities
Sanhitas (संहिता) collections or compilations of sacred scriptures
Sandeha (संदेह) doubt
Sang (संग) company
Sangeet (संगीत) music
Sankalp (संकल्प) resolution
Sanket (संकेत) sign, indication
Sankirnatā (संकीर्णता) narrow-mindedness
Sankoch (संकोच) hesitation
Sankshep (संक्षेप) in short
Sankuchit (संकुचित) narrow
Sankirtan (संकीर्तन) singing or chanting of divine names
Sanmān (सन्मान) respect
Sannyāsin (संन्यासी) ascetic
Sanshaya (संशय) suspicion
Saral (सरल) easy, simple
Sarovar (सरोवर) lake
Satvaguna (सत्त्वगुण) the quality of goodness
Satsang (सत्संग) a spiritual congregation, in good company
Satya (सत्य) truth
Sāvadhān (सावधान) beware, alert
Saavan (सावन) the month of shravan, considered auspicious for Lord Shiva's worship
Setu (सेतु) bridge
Shabdakosh (शब्दकोश) dictionary
Shakun / Shukan (शकुन) good omen
Shānt (शांत) peaceful
Shānti (शांति) peace
Shapath (शपथ) oath
Shārif (शरीफ़) noble, decent
Shaurya (शौर्य) heroism, bravery
Shikāyat (शिकायत) complaint
Shikhar (शिखर) the pinnacle or peak of a temple
Shikshā (शिक्षा) education
Shīl (शील) character
Shīlwān (शीलवान) of pure character, full of etiquette
Shobhā (शोभा) elegance, grace, radiance
Shosan (शोषण) exploitation
Shraddha (श्रद्धा) faith or devotion, especially in a religious context
Shraadh (श्राद्ध) a Hindu ritual performed in honour of deceased ancestors
Shrotā (श्रोता) listeners
Shruti (श्रुति) that which is heard, passed down orally, Vedas
Shubh (शुभ) good, auspicious
Shubh karma (शुभ कर्म) good deed/act
Shuddha (शुद्ध) pure
Shunyatā (शून्यता) emptiness
Siddhi (सिद्धि) accomplishment, supernatural power
Sīmā (सीमा) border
Simit (सीमित) restricted
Smaran (स्मरण) memory
Smruti (स्मृति) remembrance
Sneha (स्नेह) affection
Spashta (स्पष्ट) clear, obvious
Sthīr (स्थिर) still, stable
Sthiti (स्थिति) position, situation, stage
Sthūl (स्थूल) tangible, physical
Sukha (सुख) pleasure, comfort
Sūkshma (सूक्ष्म) subtle
Sūtra (सूत्र) aphorism, verse; a concise and aphoristic statement or a thread
Suvidha (सुविधा) facilities
Swikaar (स्वीकार) to accept, acceptance
Swapna (स्वप्न) dream
Swayambhu linga (स्वयम्भू लिंग) a self-manifested representation of Lord Shiva
Taatvik (तात्विक) elemental or pertaining to the essence
Tapa (तप) penance
Tapasyā (तपस्या) asceticism, penance
Tarpan (तर्पण) a ritualistic offering to ancestors or deceased individuals
Tattva (तत्त्व) element, essence
Tīrtha (तीर्थ) pilgrimage
Thakur (ठाकुर) lord or deity
Trimurti (त्रिमूर्ति) the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
Tribhuvana (त्रिभुवन) universe, the name of Bapu's grandfather
Tribhuvanapati (त्रिभुवनपति) lord of the three worlds
Tamogun (तमोगुण) quality of darkness, mode of ignorance
Uchit (उचित) appropriate, best
Upāsanā (उपासना) devotion, prayer
Urjā (ऊर्जा) energy, power
Vaikuntha (वैकुंठ) the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology
Vandan (वंदन) obeisance
Vandanīya (वंदनीय) worthy of adoration, worthy of praise
Vanshaj (वंशज) descendant
Varkari (वारकरी) a Maharashtrian sect devoted to Lord Vitthal/Krishna
Vastra (वस्त्र) clothes, apparel
Vidāi (विदाई) farewell
Vidyā (विद्या) knowledge, intelligence
Vikshep (विक्षेप) disturb, distract
Viksit (विकसित) flourish
Vishay (विषय) subject, topic
Vishrām (विश्राम) rest
Vishnu sahasranama (विष्णु सहस्रनाम) a sacred text containing a list of a thousand names of Lord Vishnu
Vivek (विवेक) discrimination between right and wrong, discernment
Vruksh (वृक्ष) tree
Vyakti (व्यक्ति) personage, individual
Vyaktitva (व्यक्तित्व) personality
Vyas peeth (व्यास पीठ) a seat or pedestal associated with the sage Vyasa, often used for spiritual discourses
Wafā / Wafādār (वफ़ा / वफ़ादार) Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness (to God or guru)
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Yagna (यज्ञ) a Vedic ritual or ceremony in Hinduism; offerings are made into a consecrated fire
Yagna kund (यज्ञ कुण्ड) ritualistic fire pit or altar used in the performance of a Yagna
Yajmān (यजमान) host and sponsor
Yash (यश) fame, reputation
Yathochit (यथोचित) appropriate
Yātrā (यात्रा) pilgrimage, spiritual journey
Yudhdha (युद्ध) war
Zyādā (ज़्यादा) more, too much