Glossary
Advaita-vada:
Philosophical system founded by Adi Shankara in the 9th century,
emphasizing the oneness of everything. Later other philosophers
such as Sri Ramanujacharya, Sri Madhvacharya and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
revealed more and more complete pictures of reality.
Badarika Ashrama: A holy place on the banks of
the Alakananda and Sarasvati Rivers, among the peaks of the Himalayas,
where Lord Nara-Narayana and Dvaipayana Vyasa (the compiler of the
Vedic scriptures) reside.
Bhagavan: God, he who in full possesses the six
opulences: beauty, strength, wealth, knowledge, fame and renunciation.
He is of such nature that everyone who comes in contact with Him
will want to serve Him and sacrifice themselves for his satisfaction.
Bhagavad-Gita: The song of God. A conversation
between Sri Krishna (God in person) and Arjuna. The first-mentioned
educates the latter in the science of yoga.
Bhagavata Purana: Another name for Srimad Bhagavatam,
the central revealed scripture of India, the ripen fruit of Vedic
knowledge.
Bhakti: Devotion to God.
Brahmana: One who is situated in the mode of goodness
(see CD35). Adj: Brahminical.
Buddha (Gautama): Saint who taught non-violence
and the path of enlightenment, 500 B.C.
Jnana yoga: The path of knowledge to attain liberation.
Karma yoga: The path of fulfilling duties to attain
liberation.
Madhvacarya, Sri: 13th century Vaishnava philosopher
emphasized the difference between us and God.
Paramatma: The localized aspect of God present
in the hearts of all living beings.
Purana: The puranas is a collection of ancient
Indian revealed scriptures.
Ramanuja, Sri: 11th century Vaishnava philosopher
and teacher Sankaracarya, Sripad: See Advaita-vada
Vaishnava: Worshipper of Vishnu, the supreme God
upon whom all other Gods as well as all living entities depend.
Veda: Revealed knowledge of the truth, compiled
in scriptures called the Vedas. Adj. Vedic.
Vishnu: see Vaishnava |
