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Glossary

Sanskrit and Vraj philosophical terms used across the Vachanamrut, Shikshapatri, and Bhaktachintamani, sourced verbatim from Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Bhuj-Kutch's own published Vachanamrut glossary appendix — not written by us.

21 resultsfor “Tap” · clear

Ayodhyãprasãdji: Adopted by Swaminarayan Bhagwan from His elder brother Rampratapji; became the first Acharya of the Nar-Narayan Dev Gadi at Amdavad (Ahmedabad), one of the Sampraday's two hereditary acharya lineages.

Badrikãshram: 1) An ãshram with orchards of badri-trees – trees bearing small, slightly sour apple-like fruits, called badri-fruits in Sanskrit. 2) The dhãm of Nar-Nãrãyan. Considered to be full of orchards of badri-trees. 3) The muktas that reside in this dhãm are ãtmãs who have been freed from the cycle of births and deaths, but have not yet attained Akshardhãm. So, they perform continuous tap, in order to attain ultimate moksh.
brahmãnd: Individual 'universe' comprising of a system of fourteen loks. There are countless millions of brahmãnds on various planes. Each brahmãnd, created and sustained by a Pradhãn-Purush pair, contains a trinity of Brahmã, Vishnu, and Shiv as the controlling devs. The fourteen loks of each brahmãnd are: Satya-Lok, Tap-Lok, Jan-Lok, Mahar-Lok, Svarg-Lok, Bhuvar-Lok, Mrutyu-Lok, Atal, Vital, Sutal, Talãtal, Mahãtal, Rasãtal, Pãtãl.
brahmarshi: A tyãgi or a person engaged in strict tap, with characteristics like that of a rushi. At a higher level than a rãjarshi.

Dharma-Shãstra: A set of shãstras coding the basic laws and principles of civil and social conduct. They integrate spirituality and political law by including the discussion of creation, stages of life, duties of daily living, tap, and study of the Veds. A part of the Smruti literature.

Gopãl Yogi: A yogi Nilkanth Brahmachari met performing tap under a banyan tree during His forest wanderings (van vicharan). He stayed with Gopal Yogi for twelve months and learned the practice of ashtang-yog from him.

kailãs: The place where Shiv resides and performs tap.

Naimishãranya: 1) Wherever the jagged edges of the manomay chakra are Kshetra worn away. A person should understand the mind to be the manomay chakra, and the ten indriyas to be its jagged edges. Wherever those jagged edges of the mind (the indriyas) wear away and become blunt, that place should be known as Naimishãranya Kshetra. Religious deeds (jap, tap, vrat, dhyãn, and pujã) commenced in that place flourish rapidly, day by day. Naimishãranya Kshetra should be known to be wherever Bhagvãn’s ekãntik sant resides. 2) A tirth in India.
Nar-Nãrãyan: An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of twin brothers to kill a demon named Kunchi. Nar incarnated as Arjun, and Nãrãyan incarnated as Shree Krishna. Nar- Nãrãyan Bhagvãn forever performs tap in Badrikãshram for His bhaktas.
niranna-mukta: A ‘food-less’ mukta. The muktas of Shvet-Dvip are called niranna-muktas, as they do not consume water (nir) or food (ann). Also, they are free from the shad-urmi (six physical and emotional feelings). The muktas that reside in this dhãm are ãtmãs who have been freed from the cycle of births and deaths, but have not yet attained Akshardhãm. So, they perform continuous tap, in order to attain ultimate moksh.

pãrãk-kruchhra: Form of harsh tap which involves fasting for twelve continuous days.

rushi: A sage. A tyãgi who performs severe tap and dhyãn. The Veds were revealed by Brahmã to rushis.

Sanakãdik: An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of the four sons of Brahmã: Sanak, Sanãtan, Sanandan, and Sanat-Kumãr. Born from Brahmã's mind, the four sons are described as great rushis who undertook lifelong vows of brahm-chãrya against the wishes of their father. From the Sanakãdik, the brãhmans got the inspiration regarding the values and importance of tap and brahm-chãrya. Although they are eternally liberated souls from birth, they still became attracted to the devotional service of Bhagvãn. Despite being very senior in age, the Sanakãdik are said to wander the universe in the forms of small children. Also called Chãtur Kumãr or Kumãr San.
shãligrãm: A small sacred stone (usually black) worshipped by Vaishnavs as a form of Vishnu. Found in the waters of the River Gandki, flowing through the foothills of Tibet, which is considered especially sacred because of the numerous rushis who performed tap on her banks.
Shruti: That which is revealed and heard. Philosophical and spiritual wisdom – as revealed to the rushis after strict tap and deep dhyãn. The four Veds are Shruti shãstras.
Shvet-Dvip: The dhãm of Vãsudev Bhagvãn. The muktas of Shvet-Dvip are called niranna-muktas, as they do not consume water (nir) or food (ann). Also, they are free from the shad-urmi (six physical and emotional feelings). The muktas that reside in this dhãm are ãtmãs who have been freed from the cycle of births and deaths, but have not yet attained Akshardhãm. So, they perform continuous tap, in order to attain ultimate moksh.
sthitapragna: A person with a stable understanding. A bhakta of Bhagvãn who has no doubts at all regarding the svarup of Bhagvãn, and glorifies His strengths. He also glorifies those charitras of Bhagvãn that appear to be inappropriate, in exactly the same way that he glorifies charitras that are appropriate. [Gadhadã II – 17].

tap: Physical strictness. Penance. Enduring harsh weather (pronounced tup) conditions.
tapasvi: A person who performs tap.
tapta-kruchhra: Form of harsh tap which involves a twelve-day vrat: three days on three pali (340g) of warm water, followed by three days on two pali (227g) of warm milk, followed by three days on one pali (113g) of warm ghee, follow by three days of complete fasting.

Ved: Knowledge. Most sacred and respected set of shãstras, the oldest portions of which are also recognised as the most ancient writings in history. It is a collection of divine revelations imparting philosophical wisdom as revealed to the rushis after strict tap and deep dhyãn. Therefore, the Veds are called Shruti shãstras, as the knowledge was revealed and heard. Consists of four parts: Rig Ved, Sãm Ved, Yajur Ved, and Atharva Ved.