In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Articles with detailed descriptions of spiritual terms used by Shri Maharaj Ji and His literature

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

ragatmika bhakti - the leader

Ragatmika Bhakti (Devanagari: रागात्मिका भक्ति ISO15919: rāgātmikā bhakti) is the spontaneous thirst of Shri Krishna-love in the hearts of the eternal associates of Shri Krishna. The natural love of the inhabitants of Braj is the example of Ragatmika Bhakti. It is found in Nand, Yashoda,

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Raganuga bhakti - the follower

Spontaneous love for Shri Krishna aroused in the heart of a most fortunate jiva is known as raganuga bhakti (Devanagari: रागानुगा भक्ति ISO15919: rāgānugā bhakti) . Those who follow the precepts of raganuga bhakti are not ruled by the scriptures at all. Still, beware, disobeying or dishonoring

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Maharaas-The divine dance

The more extensive form of Raas is Maharaas (Devanagari: महारास ISO15919: mahārāsa). It happens once in each kalpa (4.32 billion years). It is an exceptional pastime of Shri Radha Krishna-the divine couple. During Maharaas Shri Krishna reveals Himself in numerous forms to dance individually with each gopi.

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Bhakt vatsal-Shri Krishna

Shri Krishna’s love for his devotees is unfathomable. that is why he is called Bhakt Vatsal (Devanagari: भक्त वत्सल ISO15919: bhakta vatsala). Shri Krishna's dominion There are countless brahmands in the vast sansar. Our scriptures tell us that, संख्या चेत रजसामस्

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Siddhi-Mystical powers

Mystical supernatural powers are called siddhi (Devanagari: सिद्धि ISO15919: siddhi). This Sanskrit word which also means perfection. So, attaining any of these psychic powers is also called siddhi. There are many kinds of siddhis. All siddhis, which are attainable by jeev, can be classified into three categories * Tamas

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Namaparadh-Spiritual Transgressions

There are several categories of sins. The spiritual transgressions known as namaparadh (Devanagari: नामापराध ISO15919: nāmāparādha ) are the gravest of all sins. For other sins Vedas prescribe repentant Vedic rituals. Also, other sins can be washed away by seeking refuge at the lotus feet of Shri Krishna.

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Tririn-Three spiritual debts

Bhagavan - Shri Krishna graced the creator Lord Brahma with the knowledge of the Vedas. Then Lord Brahma created the brahmand.  Shri Krishna also apprised Lord Brahma that each jeev is born with three types of spiritual debts called tririn (Devanagari: त्रिऋण ISO15919: trir̥ṇa). Also, Lord Brahma

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Rasik saint

Those who are submerged in exclusive love for Shri Radha Krishna are termed as Rasik saints (Devanagari: रसिक संत ISO15919: rasika saṁta). A jeev can be in the following three categories- * The Supreme soul (परमात्मा):  The Supreme God * The great soul (महात्मा): The soul,

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Prema bhakti-Perfect devotion

God has an intimate divine power called Svarupa Shakti. As soon as the seeker starts sadhana bhakti, by the grace of Guru, Svarupa Shakti enters the seeker’s mind and starts cleansing it of all material desires. At the zenith of bhav bhakti, mind is cleansed of all material desires

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Ratyabhas

Occasionally a reflection of few symptoms of ecstasy of divine love might appear in material bodies for a brief duration. When such symptoms appear in material bodies they are called ratyabhasa (Devanagari: रत्याभास ISO15919: ratyābhāsa ). Some people deeply study scriptures, some might have practiced a lot of

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Asht Satvik Bhav-Ecstasy of Divine Love

There are eight symptoms of divine love that appear in divine bodies. Each of those symptoms is called satvika bhava (Devanagari: सात्विक भाव ISO15919: sātvika bhāva ). Collectively those eight symptoms are called ashta sattvika bhava (Devanagari: अष्ट सात्विक भाव ISO15919: aṣṭa

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Sadhana bhakti-Preparatory devotion

Preparatory devotion is called sadhana bhakti (Devanagari: साधना भक्ति ISO15919: sādhanā bhakti). This is the beginning stage of bhakti. Mind, the doer of all actions, is attracted to sansar since eternity. So, mind pursues worldly possessions for finding eternal bliss. Sansar is insipid whereas God is bliss. That

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

PanchPran-Five vital airs

Pran means vayu - air. Panch means five. Panch pran (Devanagari: पंचप्राण ISo15919: paṁcaprāṇa) are the vital vayu that ensure proper functioning of body. Sthool sharir of the jeev is made up of Panch Mahabhoot. These pran are the vital force to keep the sthool sharir functioning

Ultimate goal of life

Darshan Shastra-Schools of Philosophy

There are six schools of philosophy in Sanatan dharma. Each of those philosophies are written in a scripture. So, there are six scriptures which are collectively referred to as Darshan shastra (Devanagari: दर्शन शास्त्र ISO15919: darśana śāstra). In are Sanskrit the word darshan (Devanagari: दर्शन

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Tritaap-Three Sufferings

The three types of sufferings experienced by mind and body of the material world are called tritaap (Devanagari: त्रिताप ISO15919: tritāpa).  Tri (त्रि) means three and taap (ताप) means afflictions. So, as the name suggests these afflictions can be divided into three categories. Daihik taap

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Sharanagati-Surrender

In Scriptures being forced into submission is not surrender. The meaning of the word surrender in the Dictionary is "to cease resistance and submit to the authority".  The dictionary definition doesn't mention whether the opinion and will of the surrendered one, are in congruence with the

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Trisharir-Three Bodies

Trisharir (Devanagari: त्रिशरीर ISO15919: triśarīra) means three bodies. God has given three bodies to jeev under the bondage of Maya. These bodies are all made by Maya hence are material and transient.  These bodies and their brief description are given below. Sthool sharir Sthool sharir (Devanagari: स्

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Bhagavan-Shri Krishna

Sanskrit  word for God is Bhagavan (Devanagari: भगवान् ISO15919: bhagavān ). This blended word is made of 2 parts; bhag (भग) and van (वान ). So the word bhagavan means the beholder (van) of unlimited divine powers (bhag). Those divine powers together are called shad-aishwarya (Devanagari: षड-ऐश्वर्य ISO15919:

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Yogmarg-Path of yoga

Yoga is a spiritual science. योगश्चित्तवृत्ति निरोधः yogaścittavr̥tti nirodhaḥ "Yoga is a science to control the mind", as mind is the only source to free us or to bind us. The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word yoga (Devanagari:

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Karma-Actions

The word karma (Devanagari: कर्म ISO15919: karma) is used in a couple of different ways * Every action human beings perform is called karma. These actions bear fruits in present life and also carries over to future lives. * The path of karma called karma marg (Devanagari: कर्म मार्

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Ashram-Four stages of Vedic life

Indian scriptures state that there are four stages of life, which are known as ashram (Devanagari: आश्रम ISO15919: āśrama). The root of the word ashram is shram (Devanagari: श्रम ISO15910: śrama), which means effort. Thus, ashram can be defined as a place where we strive to reach the

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Mukti-Liberation

The literal meaning of the word mukti (Devanagari: मुक्ति ISO15919: mukti) is liberation. Let us understand the concept of liberation with an example. A convict was sentenced to time in prison for a crime. After he has served his time in jail he is released from the prison.

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Gyanmarg-Path of gyan

An unwavering realization of reality is called gyan (Devanagari: ज्ञान ISO15919: jñāna). The word gyan means true knowledge. Firm knowledge of God is gyan. Knowledge of God is comprised of the knowledge of eternal and temporary matters, which results in detachment from the entire realm of Maya i.

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Pralaya-Dissolution

Cessation of all activities is called pralaya (Devanagari: प्रलय ISO15919: pralaya). The Sanskrit word pralay means dissolution or annihilation. There are many types of pralay. Naityik Pralay Vedas say when God embraces the jeev. That embrace is so full of bliss that it overwhelms the mind. Mind cannot bear

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Sansar-The Material World

The material manifestation of Maya is infinitely large. The term sansar (Devanagari: संसार ISO15919: saṁsāra) represents the entire material creation. It is made up of the assemblage of innumerable cosmic eggs called brahmanad. God gives jeev one of these life forms and after death jeev gets another life-form.