Glossary

Lit. torn ear.  A spiritual sect in Northern India, who are so called because of their tradition of piercing their ears.

Aloneness, oneness or absolute.  A state of ultimate oneness. Patanjali used the name Kaivalya to describe the goal and fulfillment of Yoga, the state of complete detachment from transmigration.  Virtually synonymous with mukthi, Kaivalya is the highest condition, resulting in liberation.

The fourth and final part of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, dealing with absolution.

Kriya involving a sound like a bird call, which makes one less available to gravity.  Taught in Isha Yoga programs.

A powerful goddess; a form of Shakthi in a fierce aspect.  She signifies annihilation through which the seed of life emerges.  She inspires terror and love at the same time.

A serene lake in the Himalayas, considered to be the abode of Shiva.

Lit. skull-brightening.  A certain powerful yoga kriya which is taught in Isha Yoga basic programs.

Refers to the volition with which one performs action.  Karma is the mechanism by which relative existence maintains itself. Referring to past action, the cause of all bondage.  That which binds one to the body and creates tendencies that rule one’s life.  Law of cause and effect. 

The region of Karma.

The path of selfless service.

 Another name for the second, six-faced son of Shiva.  He has six faces

Body or sheath.

Mudra consisting of turning the tongue backwards so that the ‘nectar’ flowing down from the Sahasrar,  after the rise of Kundalini, is arrested.

Short for Kedarnath - a pilgrimage place in the Himalayas.

Region.

 Lit. sheath, vessel, layer.

Divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, historically over 3500 years ago, Krishna is one of the most popular gods of the Hindu pantheon.  A Yadava prince and the central character of the epic Mahabharatha, His discourse to his chief disciple Arjuna in the form of the Bhagavad Gita is the most sacred of Hindu scriptures.     

Twentieth century spiritual Master of great repute.

Lit. act, rite. Refers to a certain class of yogic practices.  Inward action as opposed to karma, or external action.

Anger, aversion.

A beautiful lake at the Mysore University that has been an inspiration for many poets and writers.

A mountain peak in the Western Ghats - a powerful spiritual destination.  Samadhi of Subramanya the six faced yogi, son of Shiva.

A major spiritual and religious festival on the banks of river Ganga.  During this time millions of spiritual aspirants converge on the banks of the river Ganga and take a ceremonial dip.  A nexus of cosmic energy every twelve years, celebrated at Allahabad and other places in India by a gathering of sages and mystics.      

Breath retention during yogic practice, especially in the practice of pranayama.