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Ashtavarana
In ''Lingayat'' theology, the ''Ashtavaranas'' (ಅಷ್ಟಾವರಣ, ಎಂಬಗೆ, ಎಂಟು ಬಗೆ) refer to the eight virtues that act as shields or coverings protecting the devotee from extraneous distractions and influences of ''Maya''. ''Ashta'' means 'eight' and ''Avarana'' means 'covering'. They also protect against attachment to worldly desires. The ''Ashtavaranas'' are described as, * ''Guru'' * ''Linga Ishta-Linga'' * '' Jangama'' * ''Vibhuti or Bhasma'' * ''Rudraksha'' * '' Padodaka'' * ''Prasada'' * ''Mantra A mantra ( Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ...'' Among the ashtavarnas, Guru, Linga and Jangama are the human beings to be worshiped. Guru means religious teacher at some stage his own conscious (arivu) can also become guru. Linga is considered to b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lingayat
Lingayatism or Veera Saivism is a Hindu denomination based on Shaivism. Initially known as ''Veerashaivas'', since the 12th-century adherents of this faith are known as ''Lingayats''. The terms ''Lingayatism'' and '' Veerashaivism'' have been used synonymously, but ''Veerashaivism'' may refer to the broader ''Veerashaiva'' philosophy which predates Lingayatism, to the historical community now called ''Lingayats'', and to a contemporary (sub)tradition within Lingayatism with Vedic influences. Veerashaiva Lingayatism was revived, by the 12th-century philosopher and statesman Basava in Karnataka. ''Lingayatism'' may refer to the whole Veerashaiva Lingayat community, but also to a contemporary sub-tradition dedicated to Basava's original thought, and to a movement within this community which strives toward recognition as an independent religion. Lingayat scholars thrived in northern Karnataka during the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–18th century). In the 21st century, some Lingayats ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maya (illusion)
''Maya'' (; Devanagari: , IAST: ), literally "illusion" or "magic", has multiple meanings in Indian philosophies depending on the context. In later Vedic texts, connotes a "magic show, an illusion where things appear to be present but are not what they seem"; the principle which shows "attributeless Absolute" as having "attributes". also connotes that which "is constantly changing and thus is spiritually unreal" (in opposition to an unchanging Absolute, or Brahman), and therefore "conceals the true character of spiritual reality".Lynn Foulston and Stuart Abbott (2009), ''Hindu Goddesses: Beliefs and Practices'', Sussex Academic Press, , pp. 14-16. In the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, , "appearance", is "the powerful force that creates the cosmic illusion that the phenomenal world is real." In this nondualist school, at the individual level appears as the lack of knowledge () of the real Self, ''Atman-Brahman'', mistakingly identifying with the body-mind comp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Guru
Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential figure to the disciple (or '' shisya'' in Sanskrit, literally ''seeker f knowledge or truth'' or student, with the guru serving as a "counselor, who helps mold values, shares experiential knowledge as much as literal knowledge, an exemplar in life, an inspirational source and who helps in the spiritual evolution of a student". Whatever language it is written in, Judith Simmer-Brown explains that a tantric spiritual text is often codified in an obscure twilight language so that it cannot be understood by anyone without the verbal explanation of a qualified teacher, the guru. A guru is also one's spiritual guide, who helps one to discover the same potentialities that the ''guru'' has already realized. The oldest references to the concep ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jangama
The Jangam or Jangamaru (ಜಂಗಮರು) are a Shaiva order of religious monks. They are the priests or gurus of the Hindu Shaiva sect. Jangamas are also gurus of Veerashaiva' sect Jangamas are disciples of Lord Shiva as mentioned in Basava Puranas. A visit of a jangam to a house is treated as the visit of Lord Shiva himself and the jangam shall be given good alms and the jangam blesses the natives. The Jangam is the wandering holy man in Virashaivism. The meaning of word Jangam is 'moving linga' and considered superioir to 'sthira linga'. Jangama is one who is endowed with true spirit of Agamic knowledge, and has sacrificed his life for giving Samskara or good character building practices in all sections of the society including all Sudra castes without any discrimination. Jangama is a community which has people who are engaged in professions like priestly hood, religious preachings and some in various kings courts as advisors and some designated positions in various par ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vibhuti
In Hinduism, ''vibhuti'' ( sa, विभूति, vibhūti), also called ''bhasma'' or ''thiruneeru'', is sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. Hindu devotees apply ''vibhuti'' traditionally as three horizontal lines across the forehead and other parts of the body to honour Shiva. ''Vibhuti'' smeared across the forehead to the end of both eyebrows is called ''tripundra''. According to the ''Shiva Purana'', the particles of ash which cling to the skin when ''tripundra'' is applied are to be considered to be individual lingams. The scriptures further state that ''bhasma'' purifies the soul and elevates the devotee of Shiva, and that works done without wearing ''bhasma'' are fruitless. There are various methods for the application of the ashes, according to the ''Shiva Purana'', and various mantras to be recited during application. Other uses Another meaning of ''vibhuti'' is a 'glorious form', in contrast with ava ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rudraksha
''Rudraksha'' (IAST: ') refers to a stonefruit, the dried stones of which are used as prayer beads by Hindus (especially Shaivas), as well as by Buddhists and Sikhs. When they are ripe, ''rudraksha'' stones are covered by an inedible blue outer fruit so they are sometimes called "blueberry beads". The ''rudraksha'' stones are produced by several species of large, evergreen, broad-leaved tree in the genus ''Elaeocarpus'', the principal species of which is ''Elaeocarpus ganitrus''. The stones are associated with the Hindu deity Shiva and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting mantras such as Om Namah Shivaya ( sa, ॐ नमः शिवाय; ). The stones are primarily sourced from India, Indonesia, and Nepal for jewellery and malas (garlands); they are valued similarly to semi-precious stones. Various meanings and interpretations are attributed to ''rudraksha'' stones with different numbers of "faces" ( sa, मुख, mukha, ) or locules, and rare or unique ston ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prasada
200px, Prasad thaal offered to Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad ">Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad">Swaminarayan temple in Ahmedabad Prasada (, Sanskrit: प्रसाद, ), Prasadam or Prasad is a religious offering in Hinduism. Most often ''Prasada'' is vegetarian food especially cooked for devotees after praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Mahaprasada (also called Bhandarā),Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech, 2014The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies/ref> is the consecrated food offered to the deity in a Hindu temple which is then distributed and partaken by all the devotees regardless of any orientation.Chitrita Banerji, 2010Eating India: Exploring the Food and Culture of the Land of SpicesSubhakanta Behera, 2002Construction of an identity discourse: Oriya literature and the Jagannath lovers (1866-1936) p140-177.Susan Pattinson, 2011The Final Journey: Complete Hospice Care for the Departing Vaishnavas pp.220. ''Prasada'' is closely linked to the term Naivedya ( sa, न ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mantra
A mantra (Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, magical or spiritual powers. Feuerstein, Georg (2003), ''The Deeper Dimension of Yoga''. Shambala Publications, Boston, MA Some mantras have a syntactic structure and literal meaning, while others do not. The earliest mantras were composed in Vedic Sanskrit in India. At its simplest, the word ॐ (Aum, Om) serves as a mantra, it is believed to be the first sound which was originated on earth. Aum sound when produced creates a reverberation in the body which helps the body and mind to be calm. In more sophisticated forms, mantras are melodic phrases with spiritual interpretations such as a human longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge, and action. Some mantras without literal meaning are musically uplifting an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
