Glossary of Spiritual Words

Abhiṣekam

Its literal meaning is sprinkling. Abhiṣekam is a consecration ritual in which we pour water or sacred liquid on the statue of a deity.

 

Ādiśeṣa

Ādiśeṣa is the serpent who represents time.

 

Aṇṇa Dāna

Aṇṇa means food, and Dāna refers to the practice of giving.

 

Ārathi

In this ceremony, we use lamps that have wicks. We soak the wick in ghee / oil, light it up, and conduct the ritual with it.

 

Āśram

It is a place, usually far away from urban areas. Devotees gather here, and often get the guidance of a guru for spiritual and yogic activities.

 

Bhajan

It is a devotional song. We can chant a one-line mantra, or recite complex hymns, to express our love for the Divine.

 

Bhakta

Devotee

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Darśan

When a guru meets with devotees, it is a darśan. Even if we only see the holy person from afar,

we call it a darśan.

 

Deva

God / Divine Being

 

Devi

Goddess

 

Gñāna / Gyāna

It generally means knowledge and wisdom, and in a spiritual context, we seek knowledge about ourselves.

 

Guru

In our daily lives, we meet people with great knowledge about a particular field, and call them gurus. We look up to a guru when we need mentorship or guidance.

 

Karma

A person’s actions have an effect on their life. We sometimes face effects of karma from a past life, and get the chance to resolve it in this lifetime.

 

Liṅgam

It is a symbol of Divine cosmic generative energy. Also, the Liṅgam is a symbol of Lord Shiva, the masculine aspect.

 

Lord Gaṇeśa

Lord Gaṇeśa is a deity of Hinduism, known as the remover of obstacles.

 

Lord Shiva

He is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, with benevolent and fearsome attributes.

 

Mandiram

We believe that a deity resides in a temple or abode, which we call Mandiram.

 

Mantra

During meditation, we chant a word or phrase many times, and with this mantra, we improve our concentration.

 

Mokṣa

When we get freed from the endless cycle of earthly life and death, we attain a state of bliss – called Mokṣa.

 

Mahāsamādhi

It is the act of consciously leaving one’s body during the time of death.

 

Māla

It can either mean a string of beads (rosary) or a garland.

 

Nāga

A semi-divine half-human and half-cobra entity is called Nāga.

 

Om

It is a sacred syllable, and the most supreme of every mantra.

 

Prasadam

During daily prayers (pūjā), the food and water which we offer to a deity is called prasadam.

 

Pūjā

A pūjā refers to either daily prayers at home or magnificent temple rituals. We usually give flowers or fruits as offerings.

 

Rudrābhiśekam

It is a ritual where we offer flowers and puja materials, along with a sacred bath, for Lord Shiva.

 

Sādhana

We attain a state of realization, through meditation. During this spiritual exercise, we position our body in a particular way, and chant mantras. We also evoke a divinity in the process.

 

Sarvadharma

All faiths

 

Sai

Divine Mother and Father

 

Sangam

Coming together / gathering / union

 

Satsaṅg

Spiritual discourse which is shared during a sacred gathering

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Shanti

Inner peace

 

Shirdi

It is a place in Maharashtra, India, and is known as the home of Sai Baba of Shirdi.

 

Shiva Shakti

Shiva (masculine principle) is The Godhead, and Shakti (feminine principle) is the Divine Mother.

 

Swami

A Spiritual Guide / Saint / Master

 

Theertham

Sacred water

 

Vibhūti

Sacred ash