A-KA-THA — Ayudha

A-KA-THA is the triangle in the Guru Chakra, in which the entire creation is enclosed, symbolically it represents the Shabda-Brahman with its energies. It is also called Kama-kala.

"reflection", "likeness"

The way in which Shiva creates the world and its inhabitants from Himself.  The doctrine of emanation is a central concept of the monistic schools (especially Kashmir Shaivism).

«Fearlessness». One of the main virtues. Also, the name of the corresponding hasta-mudra (hand position) is the «gesture of fearlessness», abhaya-mudra, in which the fingers of the right hand are raised upward, and the palm facing forward.

An intention to remove external destructive influences.Here, as a rule, 6 magical actions of the shat-karma are included: Shantikarana, Vashikarana, Stambhana, Vidvesana, Uchchatana, Marana.

The eighth muhurta of the light half of the day, divided in half by the true (astronomical) noon. It is believed that Abhijit-muhurta is able to neutralize, at least partially, unfavorable astrological factors – doshas – one can say that it has a cleansing, pure nature.

Abhinavagupta (end of 10th - the beginning of the 11th century) is an Indian religious philosopher, poet, mystic and author of works on aesthetics.

Will to possess or strong desire to retain something; manifestation of attachment to life and the fear of death.

Abhisheka («ablution», «purification») is a Sanskrit term, which in Hinduism and other Indian religions call the ritual ablution and ablation of the murti.

Steady, continuous effort to achieve the goals of yoga and realization of Brahman.

from the lat. adeptus – the one who reached

special areas (points) on the human body, which are considered by Naths as areas of transformation of prana and support for attention

mula-bandha

 all thoughts, words and deeds that are contrary to dharma

the degree of spiritual competence of the student, which allows him or her to study spiritual discipline

"First Guru"

Shiva Adinath is the first Guru, the source of all knowledge of yoga and tantra

Epithet of the Mother Goddess, the primordial divine Power, the highest aspect of Shakti, non-different from Parabrahman. She who creates, maintains and destroys Universes; the power of illusion and the power of knowledge. She has many names – Para-shakti, Kundalini, Parvati, Lalita Tripura Sundari, Durga, Kali and many others. Any form of the Goddess is Her manifestation.

Adityas (plural) are Vedic deities mentioned in the Rigveda, descendants of the goddess Aditi, who personifies infinity. The Mahabharata and Puranas state that the father of the Adityas was the sage Kashyapa.

the most popular type of Vedanta

collections of revelations that have come from Lord Shiva

famous Vedic rishis and saint

an ascetic Shivaite spiritual tradition

southern face of Shiva manifested in the image of Panchabrahma (Panchamukha)

follower of the tradition of Aghora

God of fire or different manifestations of the element of fire

the Kundalini movement through the chakras

daily Vedic ritual of sacrificing to fire

intensive practices of kindling an internal fire

Yogic mudra, associated with the organ of perception - ears, and accordingly with the element of the ether, with sound. In fact, it is the practice of working with nada, revealing the sound of anahata-nada and immersion into it.

“strength”, “power”, “might”, as well as “the power of self-control”, 
sometimes denotes supernatural powers (siddhis)

The opposite of aishvarya is anaishvarya.

Aja Ekapada is name of one of the 11 Rudras and the controlling Deity of nakshatra Purvabhadrapada.

spontaneous, natural repetition of mantra

the spontaneous natural repetition of the mantra "So Ham"

the theory of non-causality advanced by Shri Gaudapadacharya

Ajnya, Ajna (Sanskrit ajna, lit. "order, command, will", also means "to know, notice, hear, recognize"). Sometimes it is called "bhrumadhya-chakra".

“nescience”, “ignorance”. Ignorance is associated with the feeling of duality (dvaita-pratha) when we think that one thing is different from the other. It is often used as a synonym for avidya.

Akalpita literally translates as "non-artificial", "genuine", "natural", as well as "unlimited", "formless".

“permanent siddhis”

They are possessed by beings who have achieved liberation, there were many such achievers in Nath’s and other traditions. Akalpita-siddhi can only be realized by one who has become a true disciple and adept in yoga. Akalpita-siddhis can also be possessed by a person who practiced in past incarnations and in this one was already born as a perfect being, which is immediately visible during his incarnation.

“ether”, “space”, one of the five great elements (mahabhuta). The main characteristic of akasha is śabda (sound), and it is associated with the primordial sound – nāda. Akasha is also translated as voidness or emptiness and is synonymous with vyoma.

"indestructible", from अ, a – “not” and क्षर्, kṣar – “fragile”, “perishable”

The epithet is found in the hymns (sahasranamas) of many Deities.

In Sanskrit linguistics, a unit is distinguished in the flow of speech, consisting of a vowel and a group of consonants preceding it (a vowel can also be without a consonant).

“whole”, “undivided”

Whole, uncooked grains of rice (or other grains), usually mixed with turmeric, used as an offering during a puja or to bless someone (for example, at marriages and other ceremonies). It is considered one of the best types of food and offerings to the gods.

"compression", "reduction", "bend" 

Akunchana is most often mentioned in the texts of hatha-yoga when describing the technique of performing mudras, bandhas and other actions, for example, ashvini-mudra or agnisara-kriya, where akunchana is muscle contraction, and prasarana is muscle relaxation, unclenching.

“perception without identification, without judgment, without intelligence”, “to be awakened”

Alakh means that which cannot be perceived by limited senses and mind.

"A-Lakshya" or "Alakh" also means the Absolute, which has no designation, symbols, comprehended in an unsupported state. That which cannot be perceived without abandoning the ego. Therefore, in such a state there is nothing artificial, and it is pure (Niranjana).

Nathas call the Absolute "Alakh Niranjan" (transcendent and inaccessible to ordinary perception). The Universe is created as a result of the disclosure of the creative energy of the Absolute. This energy is called Shakti, it is identical to Shiva himself. Shakti unfolds into diversity, which always, at whatever stage of disclosure it is, will be inside this incomprehensible reality of the Absolute.

• the first comes from the Kapalikas’ tradition and means using the middle part of the jet of one's own urine for ingestion or rubbing into the body.

• the second option is identical to Vajroli-kriya, it consists in retracting (or raising) the seminal fluid upwards at the end of sexual intercourse. However, the description should not be taken literally here – it is about controlling apana (and bindu – the seed in a subtle form) and raising it up, which implies the transformation of sexual energy into ojas.

  
  

"Mother", the name of Mother Goddess.

Supreme Mother, descended from the sacrificial hearth, blazing with the fire of the Greatest Consciousness (Chit), adorned with the Sun and the Moon.

(Indian gooseberry)

healing plant, known for its wide use in Indian traditional medicine.

“flow”, “tradition”, Amnaya is a tantric line, as well as sacred texts related to this line.

The famous Guru and saint in the Natha Tradition (1852-1945). 

"having no beginning", "existing in eternity". It is a transcendent reality that is always present.

chakra located in the heart, it is "sparkling like praval (coral)"

“lack of control”, “lack of power”, “superiority”

It is the opposite of aishvarya.

“bliss”, spiritual ecstasy of unity with divine consciousness, pure joy of spiritual experience. One of the essential qualities of Atman.

Ananda-shakti (hladini-shakti) is the Energy of Bliss (the energy of contentment through which God resides in complete boundless harmony):

• one of manifestation aspects of the energy of Absolute, where the energy non-different from the Absolute (“sat-chit-ananda”);

• causes the appearance of two elements: buddhi and ahamkara, the elements of mind and ego.

The source of ignorance a sense of separation from Shiva, of individuality giving the rise to duality. One of three fetters (pāśa) or contaminations (malas) in Shivaism.

"the path of the individual", in Kashmiri Shaivism philosophy, it means all forms of ritual and yogic practice, in which the main role is played by the efforts of the individual oneself. Anava-upaya – the lowest type of sadhana, correlates with kriya-yoga and is based on external aids and rituals. Next come shakta-upaya, shambhava-upaya and anupaya.

Anda is translated as "egg" or "seed", in scriptures of Hinduism it acts as an epithet of the Universe – Brahmanda.

“part”, “step or fragment”, “addition of something”. For example, a body part or additional supporting texts of Vedic canon (Vedanga).

“small”, often referred to in yoga texts as one of the eight siddhis – the ability to reduce the body and any other objects to an arbitrarily small size (anima-siddhi).

"gesture of palms joined in reverence", a gesture expressing respect, supplication or request, as well as a greeting in which the palms are folded together and the fingers are turned upwards. 

Ankusha means "dagger", and ankusha-mudra is reminiscent of discipline, about the direction on the spiritual path. In rituals, this mudra is often used to invoke sacred rivers into water, meaning to consecrate water.

The physical body, that consists of food. The densest of Atman sheaths, also called sthula-sharira (gross body).

“heavenly, airy or outer space”, “middle space”, “sky”, “atmosphere”, “maharloka”

Intermediate place of inhabitation. In Vedas, antariksha is the middle or second of three lokas (realms), which are usually listed as bhur, bhuvar and svar. 

“perception”, “direct experience”, “spiritual experience”

Personal experiences or impressions that do not come from a person's memory. Own realization of any knowledge.

"immature", "unprepared", "uncooked", in yogic literature, “apakva” is usually used in a figurative sense: an unprepared, immature sadhaka. 

Apana-mudra is connected with apana-vayu. Technique: the ring finger and little finger are straightened, the index and middle fingers touching the thumb.

"invisible", "perceptible", "perceived" – aparoksha is direct intuitive knowledge that transcends human experience.

"coming not from a man"; apaurusheya is a term denoting the original and unconditional sacredness of the nature of Vedic texts, as having no specific authorship. 

"forest [books]", the sacred scriptures of Hinduism belong to the category of revealed shruti scriptures and are part of the Vedas. The Aranyakas explain various complex Vedic sacrifices (yajnas) and the rules for performing rituals. 

"reverence"

The process of worshiping the image (murti) or symbol of the Deity, in which flowers, leaves, grains are sacrificed, sprinklings are performed, etc. actions with simultaneous repetition of mantras (usually 108 or more names of the Deity).

"The Lord is half female." Lord Shiva in androgynous form, Whose body is male on the right side and female on the left.

"Honorary water", one of the offerings to a guest or Deity. 

Metal container for offering water, made in the form of a "boat".

“straight”, “unbent”; “simplicity”, “honesty”, “sincerity”

Simplicity of life, it is understood that there should be no artificiality, duplicity, insincerity in behavior. One of the virtues that needs to be cultivated.

Arjuna is one of the main characters of the epic “Mahabharata”: an epic about the confrontation between Kaurava clan and Pandavas. Both clans are cousins to each other, going back to Rishi Vyasa and further back to the Lunar Dynasty.

"purpose", "aspiration"; "thing" or "object" (including object of senses); "welfare", "wealth".

Artha in Hinduism is material well-being, one of the four goals of human life (together they are called "purushartha" or "chaturvarga").

Aryas are the ancient Indo-Europeans, the ancestors of the modern nations of the Indo-European linguistic community: the Indo-Aryas, Persians, Greeks, Germanic, Slavic and other nations related to them in language and blood.

Aryas are also ancestors of the upper castes of Indian society.

According to the philosophy of Kapalikas, Bhairava, being the cause of the creation of the universe, and then its dissolution, manifests itself in seven forms, and also in the eighth form as the eternal Samhara-Bhairava, which is Paramatman.

The eight mystic perfections (siddhis) obtained by the person in the process of practice of yoga. Those perfections are: Anima, Mahima, Laghima, Garima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva, Vashitva

eight-part yoga, which includes:

• Yama
• Niyama
• Asana
• Pranayama
• Pratyahara
• Dharana
• Dhyana
• Samadhi

Ashvini-mudra is performed by contraction of the muscles of the anus with simultaneous concentration of attention on this area. Affects apana, helps to redirect it, transform and then lead it into sushumna.

non-stealing not only in action, but also in thoughts and desires. In other words, the freedom of the mind from base desires or inclination to appropriate any property of any being in any form. Pursuing profit in some improper way at the expense of others is seen as a form of theft. Such impulses must be eradicated.

In Jainism, an ontological category that indicates extended substances (bodies with extension), and can also denote the combination of infinitely small particles of space. Only time cannot be attributed to astikaya, since it has no extension.

an individual soul, the spirit of a living being, the true "I", a particle of the Absolute consciousness in the body

Aughar is an adherent of the Nath parampara, a yogi-ascetic. These are the sadhus who wear the ritual whistle (nadi) on the nadi janeu (black thread), this whistle used in Guru and Deity worship.

One who has discarded the conditioning of the world, in tantra - the analog of sannyasa. The Forsaken of the world is a sadhu, a saint.

It is used in tantric upasana during prana-pratistha to invite the Deity to attend worship.

«Avakunthana» means «surrounding, embracing». Avakunthana-mudra is used for protection. Technique of execution: the index fingers of both hands are straightened, the rest of the fingers are bent into a fist; then the index finger of the right hand draws a circle clockwise, and then – the index finger of the left hand counter-clockwise.

Avalambi, Satha. Those who seek to study the tradition and follow it are named this way.

Fencing, veil or cover.

One of the properties of maya. Means imposition of the «veil» on the Reality or the veil that hides the true essence of Reality from living beings.

The flow of the descent (the descending path, the channel) of Kundalini Shakti.

Ganesha-Gita (Ganesha Purana) says that each of the four Yugas corresponds to a certain avatara of Ganesha: the story of Mahotkata happened in Krita-yuga, Mayureshvara – in Treta-yuga, Gajanana – in Dvapara-yuga, and Dhumraketa – in Kali-yuga.

The Mudgala Purana outlines a more complete list of eight avatars: Vakratunda, Mahodara, Gajanana, Lambodara, Vikata, Vignaraja, Dhumravarna.

the last of the hells, the lowest world, where the most sinful sinners are reborn

unmanifested, indescribable