Home/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.

9 resultsfor “Brãhman · clear

brahm-chãri
1) A brãhman who has been initiated as a tyãgi into the Swãminãrãyan sampradãy. Such brahm-chãris were given special priestly authority, such as personal sevaks to the murtis within mandirs, and as the performers of other religious ceremonies. 2) A person who observes brahm-chãrya; leads a life of celibacy. 3) A person who is in the first stage of life, brahm-chãrya ãshram.
brãhman
Priest. A religious and educated scholar traditionally assigned duties of worship, performing rites and rituals, and teaching. The highest of the four varnas (castes) of the ancient Indian social system.
Buddh
An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of an enlightened sãdhu. He was born a prince named Siddhãrth. A brãhman had predicted that Siddhãrth would either become a great king or a great tyãgi as a result of seeing suffering and death. Siddhãrth eventually left home and became a sãdhu. He attained great peace and knowledge, and became enlightened. He then became known as Buddh. He preached the philosophy of ahinsã to all who could hear Him. He taught that all sorrow comes from attachments and desires, so it's better to abandon all attachments in order to remain happy.
Kãyasth
Community of people or a person born of brãhman and kshatriya parents, traditionally engaged in political affairs.
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.
Satya-Yug
First of the four yugs that mark the time-scale of the world. Lasting 1,728,000 human years, it is the purest and most righteous of the yugs, where people lived to be 100,000, all were brãhmans, everyone’s wishes were fulfilled, and everyone worshipped Bhagvãn.
shudra
Labourer. Skilled worker traditionally serving the other three varnas (brãhmans, kshatriyas, and vaishyas). The lowest of the four varnas (castes) of the ancient Indian social system.
varna
A caste of the ancient Indian social system: brãhman, kshatriya, vaishya, and sudra.
yagnopavit
A sacred white thread, worn from the left shoulder to the waist. It is worn by brãhmans. A ceremony (upanayan) is performed when the yagnopavit is received, usually after the age of seven. Traditionally, the ceremony was performed to mark the point at which boys began their formal education. The yagnopavit is also given to a sant when he receives his dikshã.