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.
16 resultsfor “yam” · clear
- ashtãng-yog
- The practice of focusing and quieting the fluctuations of the mind through various physical and mental practices, and ultimately aiming for the yog, the union with Bhagvãn. The eight progressive steps of ashtãng-yog are: yam (restraint), niyam (observance), ãsan (seat or
- Dharma-Rãj
- The lord of Yampuri, who protects dharma by punishing those who have sinned. Also called Yam-Rãj.
- ekadmal
- Former sãdhu, who left satang due to some personal misconduct or his inability to conform to the life of a tyãgi, and travels alone without a companion sãdhu. This is against the niyams set by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn in which sãdhus should never travel alone.
- kriyamãn karma
- Deeds whose consequences are in the process of being formed. Current deeds - including words and thoughts - which will eventually be added to the stock of karmas (sanchit karmas) until they 'ripen' to give rewards as prãrabdha karmas, either later in the present life or in a future life.
- madhyam
- Medium. Intermediate.
- madhyamã
- When the ‘parã’ speech reached the throat of Virãt- Purush, it became known by the name of ‘madhyamã’.
- Narak
- Where nãstiks and sinners are sent after death to suffer for their sins at the hands of Yam-Rãj and the yamduts. After suffering for their sins, these jeevs continue to go on the cycle of births and deaths. Also called Yampuri.
- 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.
- pãrshad
- 1) Male tyãgi in the time of Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn, similar to a sãdhu, but whose niyams were not as strict; they observed brahm-chãrya in general but were allowed to talk with women, and were allowed to touch money but not keep it for themselves. Most pãrshads shaved their heads like other sãdhus but wore a white dhoti and upper garment. 2) Attendant of Bhagvãn.
- 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.
- svayam-prakãsh
- To emit own light. Bhagvãn is described as svayam- prakãsh as he is luminous.
- yagna
- Sacrificial worship. Ceremonial ritual performed as a form of worship to seek the good favour and receive the blessings of the devs. Different items, such as ghee, grains, wood, and spices, are offered into a sacred pit of fire in accordance with strict scriptural niyams with the chanting of mantras that are prescribed in the Veds.
- yam
- Restraint. First step of ashtãng-yog, which involves moral living for purity of mind and unobstructed concentration.
- Yam-Rãj
- The dev of justice. The lord of Yampuri, who protects dharma by punishing those who have sinned. Also called Dharma-Rãj.
- yamduts
- The terrifying servants of Yam-Rãj, who punish those who have sinned.
- Yampuri
- The city of Yam-Rãj. Where nãstiks and sinners are sent after death to suffer for their sins at the hands of Yam-Rãj and the yamduts. After suffering for their sins, these jeevs continue to on the cycle of births and deaths. Also called Narak.