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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.

13 resultsfor “rushi” · clear

brahmarshi: A tyãgi or a person engaged in strict tap, with characteristics like that of a rushi. At a higher level than a rãjarshi.

Dattatrey: An avatãr of Bhagvãn, born to Ansuyã and Atri Rushi. Bhagvãn incarnated in the combined svarup Brahmã, Vishnu, and Shiv. He has three heads (Brahmã, Vishnu, and Shiv) with one body. Dattãtrey had twenty-four gurus: earth, air, sky, water, fire, sun, moon, python, pigeon, sea, moth, bee, elephant, bear, deer, fish, osprey, child, maiden, prostitute, blacksmith, serpent, spider, and wasp. He perceived gun in His twenty-four gurus. He believed that in the world, a man can learn from each and every thing.

Kapil-Dev: An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a rushi to compile all the divine knowledge that had been destroyed. He gave the knowledge of the Sãnkhya philosophy to his mother Devhuti, which was later written in the Shreemad Bhãgvat by Vyãsji.

Nãrad: An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a travelling rushi. Nãrad showed that bhakti is the best way of attaining moksh. He was also a great bhakta of Bhagvãn and has guided many souls on the path of kalyãn by travelling all over the brahmãnd.

Pruthu: An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a king as it was the wish of the rushis. The earth had concealed all vegetation within herself and as a result the whole land had become barren. Pruthu returned all the vegetation to earth, and made the world beautiful and attractive again.

rãjarshi: A householder or royal person with characteristics like that of a rushi. At a lower level than a brahmarshi.
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.

Upanishad: Collection of philosophical texts written by the ancient rushis, that primarily revolves around the discussion of the nature of the ãtmã, the world, mãyã, and reality. Of the 108 Upanishads, ten are considered to be the ‘principal Upanishads’ upon which philosophers and ãchãryas have written commentaries.

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.
Vyãs: An avatãr of Bhagvãn born to Satyavati and Parãshar Rushi. Bhagvãn incarnated in the svarup of a great scholar. Vyãs made divisions in the Veds, and wrote eighteen Purãns, including Shreemad Bhãgvat.