Sanscrit Glossary: b

a  |  b  |  c  |  d  |  e  |  g  |  h  |  i  |  j  |  k  |  l
m  |  n  |  o  |  p  |  r  |  s  |  t  |  u  |  v  |  y  |  z

Sanscrit Glossary: ba

Babaji

An ageless saint reputed to have been living in the Himalayas for hundreds of years in the body of a young man.

Bandha

A muscular lock, grip or contraction that has a profound effect on the subtle energy body.

Basti

One of the six Shatkarmas; cleaning of the intestines by drawing up water through the anus; a yogic enema.

Bhagavad Gita

One of the major scriptures of Hinduism, the original work specifically on Yoga.

Bhakti

The state and process of devotional surrender.

Bhoga

Enjoyment of the material world under the law of cause and effect, creating endless suffering.

Bindu

A drop or ‘semen’, usually of divine fluid or nectar secreted by the Bindu. Also known as the infinitesimal point at the back of the head between Sahasrara and Ajna Chakra, also symbolising ‘the eye of the needle’ where the ‘camel’ must go through to reach enlightenment and immortality.

Bija

Seed; principle.

Brahma

The first god or lord in the Hindu trinity representing creation.

Brahma Granthi

One of the three knots (of ignorance) that Kundalini must pierce on the way up from Mooladhara to Sahasrara Chakra. These knots also help to prevent a premature ascent of the Kundalini Shakti – when we are in no way ready for certain insights or higher truths.

Brahmacharya

‘A way conducive to god-realisation’; sexual abstinence or celibacy. One of the five Yamas or social vows or conducts.

Brahman

The highest existential principle immanent in all creation.

Buddhi

Intellect; mental faculty of intelligence. One of the four aspects or parts of the human mind (Manas, Chitta, Ahamkara and Buddhi) that one must develop only to finally let go of it, to transcend it, in order to go beyond, into a rare freedom on the way to Self-Realisation.