< previous page page_231 next page >

Page 231
G
garbhagriha
womb chamber, another word for the inner sanctum
garuda
a creature that is half man and half bird
gopis
milkmaids
J
jagati
temple platform or terrace
jyotish
Indian astrology
K
kalasha
the vessel on top of the temple that symbolically holds the nectar of immortality
kapha
a dosha in the body's physical constitution that is related primarily to the element of water
kurta
long flowing shirt
kilim
a woven tapestry rug
L
linga
phallus and symbol of Shiva
M
maha-mandapa
enclosed hall of a temple
mahatma
great soul
mandala
spiritual geometric diagram or grid
mandapa
initial compartment of the temple
mantra
sacred formula expressed as a chant
marmas
vulnerable points in the vastu purusha
moksha
liberation from the cycle of rebirth
mudra
symbolic hand gesture
mukha-mandapa
entrance porch of a temple
N
namaste
hands held together at the chest; symbolic Hindu gesture used to greet or say goodbye to someone. Most popular meaning: ''I bow to the divine within you"
P
pada
form of measurement equivalent to the size of a man's foot
pandit
Hindu scholar or master
Paramaatma
Supreme Soul or essence of the Supreme Creator or Divine Force
pitta
a dosha in the body's physical constitution that is related to the element of fire
prakriti
visible matter
prana
life force or energy within the body

 
< previous page page_231 next page >