Short Glossary of Sanskrit Terms (cont.)

K

kaivalya................liberation
kirtana..................songs, chanting
kriya.....................activity, practice, method
kumbhaka.............breath retention
kundalini...............liberating energy located at the base of the spine

M

mala....................string of 108 beads for japa
manipura.............chakra located at the naval
mantra................sacred syllable or words, sound vibration
mauna................silence; a self-discipline
mastaka granthi..."head knot" at the base of the skull
mudra.................pose or gesture for stillness
mula..................."root"; upper side of the bindu of sahasrara chakra
muladhara...........chakra located at the base of the spine

N

nada...................subtle sound
nadi....................subtle energy channel through which prana flows
nauli...................intestinal wash
neti....................nasal cleaning
nivritti................without thaought; inward direction of the mind
niyama...............observances
nyasa.................placing divine energy onto the body

O

ojas....................electrical energy
OM (or Aum)........primordial sound

P

pingala nadi........subtle energy channel
prana.................vital energy
prana vayu.........vital air between throat and naval
prasad................food offered to a deity
pratyhara...........withdrawal of mind from the senses
pravritti.............with thought; ouflowing of the mind, manifestation
puja...................worship
pujari.................one who conducts worship

Glossary Part III