Sanscrit Glossry: p

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Sanscrit Glossary: pa

Para(m)

Supreme; highest.

Paramatman

The absolute Self.

Paramesvara

The divine.

Parvati

Consort of Lord Shiva.

Pattabhi Jois

A contemporary Indian Yogateacher of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, student of Krishnamacharya.

Patanjali

The revered patriarch of Yoga, who systematised yogic teachings. Author of the Yoga Sutras.

Pingala

One of the three major subtle energy channels in the body, running around the spine and corresponding to solar energy.

Pitta

One of the three dominant physiological forces in man acc. to Ayurveda, characterised by gall, temperament, heat, fire etc.

Prajna

Intuitive wisdom (penetrating all things and phenomena in the entire universe); cognitive acuity; revelation.

Prakasha

Light; illumination.

Prakriti

The web of manifestation apparent as the natural world. The uncaused cause; eternal nature with three constituents, the Gunas.

Pramana

Right, relative knowledge.

Prana

The most subtle energy of manifestation, underlying all other energies and matter; cosmic energy.

Pranava

Aum.

Prana Vayu

One of the five internal ‘winds’ (Vayus), currents or organic Prana inside our body, that regulate the body’s energies and bodily functions.

Pranayama

The fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, using the breath to regulate the accumulation and circulation of prana in the body.

Pranidana

Total commitment to the spiritual path.

Prasadanam

Making peaceful; grace; purification.

Pratyahara

The fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Internalisation of awareness.

Puraka

Inhalation during Pranayama.

Puranas

Ancient scriptures extolling in legendary form the powers and deeds of positive gods.

Purusha

Supreme or transcendental Self. Pure, eternal spirit, immutable, unchangable under all circumstances. The eternal conscious principle, counterpart to eternal nature (Prakriti); analogous to Atman.

Pushkara

One of two mythological isles between which lies the ocean of milk; also symbol for Sahasrara Chakra.