Kripalu Vedic Wisdom

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

suhagini | सुहागिनी

Suhagini (Devanagari: सुहागिनी; ISO 15919: suhāginī) refers to a married woman whose husband is living. In devotional contexts, Shri Radha is revered as Sada Suhagini (Eternally Unwidowed). This title signifies that because Her beloved, Shri Krishna, is eternal, Her auspicious status can never diminish. Further Reading and

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

suhaga | सुहाग

Suhag (Devanagari: सुहाग; ISO 15919: suhāga) refers to the husband of a married woman, symbolizing her marital auspiciousness. For example, Shri Ram is revered as the suhag of Mother Sita. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: suhagini (Married woman), Sindoor (Symbol of Suhag). * Reference: Prema Rasa Madira -

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

sthula sharira | स्थुल शरीर

Sthula Sharira (Devanagari: स्थूल शरीर; ISO 15919: sthūla śarīra) refers to the gross body (or physical body). It is the perceptible, physical form composed of the five gross elements (Pancha Mahabhuta): earth, water, fire, air, and space. It is the outermost of the three bodies (Trisharira) that

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

smarana | स्मरण

Smarana (Devanagari: स्मरण; ISO 15919: smaraṇa) refers to remembrance—specifically, the loving absorption of the mind in God. It is considered the very life force of devotion. Without Smarana, the other practices of Navadha Bhakti (nine forms of devotion) are akin to a lifeless body. In the context of

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

sindura | सिंदुर

sindura (Devanagari: सिंदुर ISO15919: siṁdura) refers to vermillion, a brilliant red powder (traditionally made from red lead). In Hindu tradition, it is applied by a married woman along the parting of her hair (maang). This mark serves as a sacred symbol signifying her married status. Further Reading and

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

siddha | सिद्ध

siddha (Devanagari: सिद्ध ISO15919: siddha) generally signifies "perfected," "accomplished," or "fulfilled." The term carries specific nuances depending on the context: * Spiritual Status: It refers to a Siddha Mahapurush—a God-realized saint who has attained the ultimate goal of life. * Metaphorical (Ripening): It

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shukla paksha | शुक्ल पक्ष

shukla paksha (Devanagari: शुक्ल पक्ष ISO15919: śukla pakṣa) refers to the waxing phase of the moon (literally the "bright fortnight"). It encompasses the fifteen-day period starting from the New Moon (Amavasya) and culminating in the Full Moon (Purnima), during which the moon's illumination

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shruti prasthana | श्रुति प्रस्थान

Shruti prasthana (Devanagari: श्रुति प्रस्थान ISO15919: śruti prasthāna) refers to the Upanishads that serve as the final and irrefutable authority on spiritual matters. Of the estimated 1,130 original Upanishads, only 108 are available in the present age. Among these, nine are considered the most

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shrotriya | श्रोत्रिय

Shrotriya (Devanagari: श्रोत्रिय; ISO 15919: śrotriya) refers to one who possesses a thorough theoretical knowledge of the scriptures. Qualifications of a Guru While being Shrotriya is a fundamental condition for a spiritual teacher, knowledge alone is insufficient. One should not settle for a Guru who is

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shrivatsa | श्रीवत्स

Shrivatsa (Devanagari: श्रीवत्स; ISO 15919: śrīvatsa) is same as dakshinavarta. Further Reading and Reference * Reference: Practise Powerful Meditation, Ch. 8

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shringara rasa | श्रृंगार रस

Shringara Rasa (Devanagari: श्रृंगार रस; ISO 15919: śr̥ṅgāra rasa) refers to the divine selfless amorous sentiment. It is revered as the topmost or supreme expression of divine love. Unlike mundane romance, this amorous sentiment is characterized by absolute selflessness. Further Reading and Reference * Alternate Spelling: shringaar

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shringara | श्रृंगार

shringara (Devanagari: श्रृंगार; ISO 15919: śrr̥ṅgāra) is adornment, decoration or ornamentation. In a devotional context, it refers to the loving act of decorating the Divine form using beautiful garments, flowers, and jewelry to express your sweet sentiments. Further Reading and Reference * Alternate Spelling: shringaar * Related Concepts:

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shreya / shreya marga | श्रेय / श्रेय मार्ग

Shreya Marga (Devanagari: श्रेय मार्ग; ISO 15919: śreya mārga) refers to the Path of the Ultimate Good (the path of attaining God). Its eternal counterpart is preya marga (Devanagari: प्रेय मार्ग; ISO 15919: preya mārga), the Path of the Pleasant. Both paths

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shraddha | श्रद्धा

Shraddha (Devanagari: श्रद्धा; ISO 15919: śraddhā) signifies unwavering faith. It specifically refers to having absolute trust in the words of the Guru and the authority of the Vedas. In the progression of sadhana bhakti (devotional practice), this is recognized as the foundational first step. Further Reading and Reference

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shmasana vairagya | श्मशान वैराग्य

Shmashana Vairagya (Devanagari: श्मशान वैराग्य; ISO 15919: śmaśāna vairāgya) signifies "cremation ground detachment," a form of temporary renunciation. It refers to the momentary realization of life's impermanence that arises when one accompanies a body to the cremation ground, understanding for a

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shloka | श्लोक

Shloka (Devanagari: श्लोक; ISO 15919: ślōka) refers to a poetic verse in Sanskrit, traditionally composed of two lines with a specific rhythm and structure. Many major Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam, are poetic compositions constructed entirely of these verses. Further Reading and

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shishaphula | शीशफुल

Shishaphula (Devanagari: शीशफूल; ISO 15919: śīśaphūla) literally translates to "Head Flower." It is a specialized type of pattika (head ornament) worn on the crown of the head or the forehead. As the name suggests, it is distinguished by its intricate floral design. Further Reading and Reference

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shaddarshana | षड्दर्शन

shaddarshana (Devanagari: षड्दर्शन ISO15919: ṣaḍdarśana) are same as darshan shastra. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: Darshan Shastra — Schools of Philosophy * Reference: The Supreme Spiritual Master - His Biography

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shastrartha | शास्त्रार्थ

Shastrartha (scriptural debate) was used by scholars to deepen understanding. The winner of all debates earns the title Jagadguru or Digvijayi Pandit.

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

sharirika dharma | शरीरिक धर्म

Same as varnashrama dharma Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: karma * Reference: Bhakti Shatak - Hundred Gems of Devotion - an in-depth analysis

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shakha | शाखा

Shakha (Devanagari: शाखा; ISO 15919: śākhā) literally means "branch." In the context of Vedic literature, it refers to a specific concept. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: Upanishad * Reference: Who am I? Who is Mine? Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

shahnai | शहनाई

Shahnai (Devanagari: शहनाई; ISO 15919: śahanāī) is a short, pipe-like wind instrument similar to a clarinet. In Indian tradition, its sound is considered deeply auspicious. Therefore, it is customarily played during weddings, festivals, and other happy occasions to invoke good fortune. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: vina, chang

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

satsangi | सत्संगी

Satsangi (Devanagari: सत्संगी; ISO 15919: satsaṁgī) refers to an individual who mentally engages in Satsanga (divine association). This implies that the practitioner is not merely physically present, but is intellectually and emotionally absorbed—or striving to be absorbed—in the Divine. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: Sadhana,

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

satsampradaya | सत्सम्प्रदाय

See Shri Krishna Sampradaya under sampradaya. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: Maya, Brahm—The Supreme God * Reference: Sadhan Sadhya - The Way to God's Love, July 2023

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

sat | सत्

Sat (Devanagari: सत्; ISO 15919: sat) signifies eternal existence. It is one of the innate attributes of God, forming the foundational aspect of the Supreme Reality (Sacchidananda). Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: chit, anand, Brahm—Supreme God, samvit shakti * Reference: Who am I? Who is Mine? Vol. 1, Ch.