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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 “shãstra” · clear

ãstik: 1) A person who believes in the existence of Bhagvãn, and is religious. Opposite of nãstik. 2) Describes people or shãstras that accept the authority and authenticity of the Veds.

Bhagvad Geetã: Song of Bhagvãn. One of the most popular Hindu shãstras. It comprises of a dialogue between Arjun and Shree Krishna, at the beginning of the battle between the feuding cousins, the Pãndavs and the Kauravs. The

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.

Mãgdhi: Dialect specific to Magadh, the southern region of present-day Bihãr. It is the language of the ancient Jain and Buddhist shãstras.
Mahãbhãrat: The great epic of India. A shãstra revolving around the family feud between the Pãndavs and the Kauravs, which ends in a great battle. With over 100,000 verses, it is the world's longest poem.

nãstik: 1) Atheist. Non-believer. Opposite of ãstik. Person who does not believe in the existence of Bhagvãn, or who is not religious. One of the four types of kusangis. 2) Often refers specifically to the Jains, who propose that all activities and events are direct results of karmas, but who do not accept Bhagvãn as the all-doer or the giver of the rewards of karmas. 3) A person who states that the vidhi and nishedh prescribed by the shãstras are false. 4) Can also describe people or shãstras that do not accept the authority and authenticity of the Veds, or a person who does not trust the words of greats such as Nãrad, the Sanakãdik, Vyãs, and Vãlmiki.
niyam: 1) Moral and spiritual disciplines and religious codes of conduct prescribed by Bhagvãn or the shãstras, to protect a bhakta on the path to Bhagvãn. Niyams may relate to either dharma or bhakti. Niyams keep the bhakta fit to travel closer to Bhagvãn and ultimately earn the grace of Bhagvãn. Disobeying niyams causes the bhakta to fall from the path of Bhagvãn. Basic niyams for bhaktas are outlined in the Shikshãpatri. 2) The second step of ashtãng-yog, which involves the observance of religious practices and code of dharma for the control and refinement of the mind.

Purãn: Ancient. A set of eighteen shãstras recording ancient Hindu events that incorporate ethical and spiritual teachings, most popular of which is the Shreemad Bhãgvat Purãn. The other seventeen Purãns are, namely: the Brahma Purãn, Padma Purãn, Vishnu Purãn, Vãyu Purãn, Nãrad Purãn, Mãrkandey Purãn, Agney Purãn, Bhavishya Purãn, Brahma-Vaivart Purãn, Ling Purãn, Varãh Purãn, Skand Purãn, Vãman Purãn, Kurma Purãn, Matsya Purãn, Garud Purãn, and Brahmãnd Purãn. Forms a portion of the Smruti.

Rãmãyan: The story of Rãm. A shãstra narrating the story of Shree Rãm Bhagvãn, which includes His 14-year exile from the throne of Ayodhyã to the forest; Sitã’s abduction by the evil demon Rãvan; Rãm’s ultimate victory over Rãvan and his armies; and the return of Rãm and Sitã to Ayodhyã. It contains principles for society through the characteristics exhibited by Rãm, Sitã, Lakshmanji, and Bharatji.

satsang: 1) True company. The practice of associating with Bhagvãn’s sant, other satsangis, the ãtmã, and the sacred shãstras, and also observing vartmãns and niyams. 2) Also refers to the sampradãy, which is the presence of good company.
shãstra: Religious and scared scripture.
Shikshãpatri: Concise shãstra of 212 Sanskrit verses written by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn on Vasant Panchmi (Mahã sud 5), for all of His followers: male and female, married, young and old, tyãgi and grahastha, educated and uneducated, and even those in sovereign power. Serves as a fundamental code of conduct encompassing everything from basic civic norms (from personal hygiene to social ethics), up to universal philosophy and spirituality.
shlok: A verse from shãstras.
Shreemad Bhãgvat: Most popular of the eighteen Purãns written by Vyãsji. It narrates the life, leelãs, and charitras of various avatãrs of Bhagvãn, particularly Shree Krishna Bhagvãn. One of the eight shãstras accepted as trustworthy by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn.
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.
skandh: Chapter. Section. Volume of a shãstra.
Smruti: That which is remembered. The Smruti shãstras were written after remembering past events. These include the Purãns, Upanishads, Mahãbhãrat, Rãmãyan, and Shreemad Bhãgvat.

Vachanãmrut: Amrut in the form of words. A collection of 273 spiritual talks delivered by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn, that were carefully noted and collated by His senior sãdhus in His presence, and were authenticated by Him. Central philosophical shãstra of the Swãminãrãyan Sampradãy that summarises the essence of all Hindu shãstras.
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.
Vidur-Niti: The code of political ethics explained Vidur, the educated statesman, to his elder brother, Dhrutrãshtra Rãjã. It forms portion of the Mahãbhãrat. One of the eight shãstras accepted as trustworthy by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn.
Vyãs Sutra: Extremely concise, cryptic sayings, explaining the essence of the Upanishads, written by Vyãs. Also known as the Brahm Sutra or Vedãnt Sutra. One of the eight shãstras accepted as trustworthy by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn.