A’sana: Literally meaning seat. This more commonly refers to a physical yoga posture which comes under the practice of hatha yoga. A’sanas are glandular based movements which bring about a balance of both body and mind. Specifically, it a position that is comfortably held that develops strength and flexiblity to the body and composure to the mind. Every pose in Sanskrit incorporates the a’sana term at the end. For example Warrior II is Viirbhadrasana II.
Chakra: These are the seven plexii or vortices in the human body; they are also known as psychic energy centers. In Sanskrit their names are: (1) muladhara (tailbone), (2) svadisthana (supra pubis), (3) manipura (naval), (4) anahata (heart), (5) vishuddha (throat), (6) ajina (pituitary gland or center of the head), and (7) sahasrara (pineals gland or at the crown). So the lower five cakras are along the spine from tailbone to the throat and the highest two cakras are in the head— in behind the eyes and at the crown. These seven cakras control various aspects of one’s physical and mental body: From the elements of the physical body (solid, liquid, luminous, aerial, ethereal) to the tendencies of mind, aka psychic propensities (vrttis) like fear, greed, compassion and love. Specifically, the chakras are located where two nerves (na’diis) intersect along the spinal canal (susumna). As the mind rises through each chakra point, one gains a great inner realization.
Dharma: The natural characteristic or inherent quality of something. For example the dharma of birds is to fly; the dharma of fish is to swim; and the dharma of fire is to burn. Humans also have their dharma— to expand and become great. Dharma also refers to righteousness or those benevolent and moral actions that are consistent with the laws of universal welfare.
Mudra’: This word has two basic meanings. Most commonly in class I use this as a hand positioning such as in namaskar or ainjali mudra (i.e. palms together at the heart). In that sense mudra is a hand gesture that conveys an internal idea. Read definition of namaskar further down. Just as we wave our hand to “say goodbye”, the ancient system of hand mudras (of which there are 50,000) are common in yoga, especially in dance to convey particular meanings. Secondly, mudra refers to strenuous bound positions which work the muscles and nerves, as opposed to a’sanas which focus more on the glands and chakras.
Namaska’r: This is a mudra or gesture where one joins their palms together and touches the trikuti point (spot between eyebrows) with the thumbs and then brings the palms down to the heart. It means, “I pay respects to the eternal consciousness within you with all the charms of my mind and all the love and cordiality of my heart.” It is used to greet people and the mudra may also be done to start and conclude meditation.
(Note: You are welcome to read my essay on the difference between namaskar and namaste.)
Yoga: Literally means ‘union’ or ‘yoke’. The ‘y’ in Sanskrit is pronounced like a ‘j’ when at the beginning of a word and the last ‘a’ is often silent. So the traditional pronunciation of yoga is like joag. It is an age-old, scientific system that allows one to reach their human potential in all the spheres of life: physical, mental, spiritual. Thousands of years ago a sage known as Patanjali codified the already existing practice of yoga into a particular framework: As’t'a’un’ga Yoga, or the 8 limbs of yoga as asta means eight and aunga means limb. These 8 limbs include yama and niyama (morality), asanas (postures), pranayama (specialized breathing), pratyhara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (sustained meditation), and samadhi (bliss).
Next week, more Sanskrit words and terms will be introduced. If you have any words you want to review, just let me know.
In this podcast, we explore how the law of karma works, as well as how you can improve your karma.
How does an action lead to a reaction? What is a sam’skara? What is prakrti?
What is good karma and what is bad karma? Discover how to escape all karmic reactions completely.
We discuss all the above and so much more in this short podcast about the wheel of karma.
If you would like supportive word doc’s about this topic let us know and we will certainly email them to you.
Your comments and questions are always most welcome.
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Diipava’lii or Diwali is the ‘celebration of light’.
It is celebrated on the darkest night of the year, which is the 10th new moon in the northern hemisphere. (Oct 17 / 18 2009)
Celebrations include colorful lights, fireworks, and sentient merrymaking.
The inner significance is that despite the darkness all around, one should illumine the mind and rid oneself of all kinds of ignorance, superstition and dogma through deep mediation and contemplation. In essence, one should become the embodiment of love, truth and light.
The term diipa in Sanskrit means lamp, and Diipa’valii refers to lighting the lamp within.
This is a day of universal significance for one and all and is being celebrated by more peoples and communities each and every year.
The swastika is an ancient symbol in yogic life and refers to permanent victory in life: liberation in individual life and justice in collective life.
We all know that one nefarious character in our 20th century tainted this symbol both in form and in meaning, but his wicked intentions have nothing to do with the true and inherent meaning of the swastika symbol.
In Sanskrit the prefix su means great or goodness and vasti means being. Thus, becoming the embodiment of greatness and benevolence. That is the victory depicted by the swastika.
Often this swastika symbol is used in yoga and in Diipa’vali celebrations, as shown in the above photo. Here is one special song about the Diipava’li:
“Aka’s’he a’j ranger mela’ manete a’j a’lo...” (Prabhat Samgiita #64)
In the sky there is a festival of color. In my mind there is a flow of light. The air is filled with fragrance, and everything is sweet. With the realization of the Divine within, my heart is filled with rhythm and song. With the sweet, tender touch of life, all the darkness has vanished. On such a glorious day, may we light the candle of light within, together with all…
Here is more information about the swastika:
(1)Wikipedia (2) About (3) Swastika Movement
Often we think of yoga as being the practice of asanas or physical postures, in which case one may think that progress only pertains to our physical sphere.
However, this aspect of yoga is a stepping stone that facilitates our growth and development – in all realms of life, not just by becoming more bendy and flexible.
The totality of yoga is concerned with the overall flourishing of one’s human personality. As much as anything else, our progress on the path of yoga is measured by how far we represent these following qualities.
Here below are the yogi’s list of the ten qualities of a dharmika (a follower of human dharma or expression of one’s true or highest nature.)
1. Dhriti (patience)
2. Ks’ama (forgiveness)
3. Dhamah (self-control)
4. Asteya (non-stealing)
5. Shaoca (purity & cleanliness)
6. Indriyanigraha
(control over motor and sensory organs)
7. Dhii (benevolent intellect)
8. Vidya’ (spiritual knowledge)
9. Satyam’ (love of truth)
10. Akrodha (non-anger)
With continued effort and practice, all the above manifest with greater clarity within each and every practitioner. Our asanas, our meditation, our relaxation and more help bring us forward on the path.
Note: As I mentioned on another list-serve, just because my name is #9 does not mean that I am that. I think that name was given to me because I was so terribly deficient in that attribute 
Wishing everyone well on the path to becoming a great dharmika!
This podcast – the 4th in this ongoing series – describes, in brief, the life of the Buddha as well as his foundational teaching of the eight-fold path. Learn about Buddha’s brith and early years, why he embarked on a life of renunciation, where he achieved enlightenment, as well as his great gift of madhyama ma’rga, or the middle path.
Investigate each of the limbs of his eight-fold approach: samyak dharshan (right philosophy), samyak samkalpa (right determination), samyak va’k (right expresssion), sayak ajiiva (right occupation), samyak vya’ya’m (right exercise), samyak karmanta (right finishing), samyak smrti (right memory), and samyak sama’dhi (right ideation).
I hope you find this podcast both interesting and worthwhile. Your comments are of course most welcome. Duration: 11min 43sec
Satyam
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This podcast talks about the important imagery and spiritual science related with the lotus flower. Learn about the symbolism of the lotus, Sanskrit terms, and the inner essence of the phrase thousand petaled lotus chakra.
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As the popularity of yoga spreads, as eastern and western cultures continue to merge, more and more Sanskrit words enter our daily working vocabulary.
Words like: Yoga, dharma, asana, mantra, guru, and so many more.
At the same time we should not lose sight of the original meaning and usage of the term. Here are some thoughts on the word karma, another word that is frequently used in our English language.
Karma comes from the Sanskrit very karo meaning “to do”. Hence karma is the path of action. But not just any action, only selfless action. Doing good works and sacrificing to help others physically, mentally, or spiritually is that path of karma. The yogis say this is one veritable path to enlightenment. That is one definition of the term karma.
Then there is the law of karma. This refers to yoga’s theory of cause and effect. Doing good actions (sukarma) leads to good reactions (positive samskara). Doing bad actions (vikarma or kukarma) invites bad reactions (negative samskara). There is quite a bit more to the theory than this, but that is the basic idea.
In the past we did an entire workshop on this principle (i.e. law of karma) known as The Dharma of Karma. It was quite a participatory and situational program with many examples to think about and figure out.
Anyway, that is a little bit about karma. If there is any other Sanskrit word you would like to know more about, or if you have questions about this one, here is your chance…
Have a good karma day!!
