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Nadee see also
Teerth
River.
Naadee
(1) Nerves. It is said that there are 72,000 nerves in our body.
(2) Pulse. The movement of blood in our body which may be checked at
several places in our body. The most common one is on our wrist towards
inside the arm, near hand joint, others are at the back of the ear and
neck etc.
Naag
Naag
Paash
(1) Naag means snake, and Paash means noose. Naag Paash means a serpent
which is used as a noose. (2) A noosed to capture the enemy or the
lover.
Naamkaran
One of the 16 main Sanskaar,
through which a name is given
to a newborn child. This is normally done 11th or 12th day of the birth.
Naaraayan
Bhagavaan. Parameshwar. God.
(1) This word is composed of two words - Nar
and Ayan. Nar means man and Ayan means the dwelling place; so Naaraayan
means the dwelling place for man. Since all human being have appeared
from Him and get absorbed in Him; so He is Naaraayan - normally denotes
Vishnu.
(2) Since water has appeared form Nar, that is why it is called Naar;
and Ayan means dwelling place. So Naaraayan means whose dwelling place
is in water. Bhagavaan Vishnu lives in water that is why He is called
Naaraayan. (3) Since the Truth is the most important aspect of
God, the Supreme Being Visnu is called Satyanaaraayan also.
Naaraayanee
(1) Another name of Durgaa. (2) Name of a river.
Naarad Puraan
see also
Puraan
Naarad Jee is one of the 10 Maanas Putra (brain children) of Brahmaa Jee.
This Puraan is on his name.
Naariyal or
Narikel
Coconut with its shell. It is a prominent article among others in many
worship rituals. If a guest does not come on a certain occasion, the
hostess puts Teekaa on the coconut. In southern India a coconut is
broken after the Poojaa is over. Its kernel is used for Prasaad (grace).
In many ceremonies, coconut is kept on water-filled Kalash as a wish for
the well-being of the guests.
Naasdeeya
Sookt
This Rig Ved Sookt reflects on the creation of the Universe. According
to it God created the Universe by manifesting Himself through the power
of His own fervor. Later on, in the Upanishads, God is considered both
the efficient and the material cause of the Universe.
Naastik
Atheist.
Naatak
Naath
(1) Protector, such as Jagan+Naath means who protects the world.
(2) Lord. (3) Husband, such as Jaanakee+Naath means who is the
husband of Jaanakee, means Raam.
Nagar or
Nagaree
Town.
Nairritya
see also Dishaa
Southwest direction.
Naivedya
It may be any kind of food offered to God while worshipping Him,
but mostly it is fruits, or sweets, or dry fruits. According to Agni Puraan,
p 381,
Naivedya is all what is offered to Bhagavaan before His
Visarjan. But as soon as the
Visarjan is done, it immediately becomes Nirmaalya.
Nakshatra
see also Astrology
Nakt Vrat
In this type of fast one eats only once a day - only in the night. After
that nothing is eaten until next sunrise.
Nalin
Lotus flower.
Nalinee
(1) Kamalinee. (2) Lotus stalk.
Nam or Namah (in Sanskrit)
(1) To bow. (2) To pay homage. (3) To greet.
Namaskaar
see also Abhivaadan
Namaskaar word comes from Sanskrit word "Namah" which means
"to bow". While doing Namaskaar, the palms of the hands are
pressed together and the head is bowed. This is Sanaatan Dharm's ritual
greeting. The bowing makes one naturally humble and it affects the other
person immensely. It instantly makes him comfortable and he feels like
talking to the person greeting to him. Even he is angry or in a bad
mood, he will be calm at least for a few moments. Thus by doing
Namaskaar, instead of a handshake, one respects the other with humility
which makes the other person also soft. While doing Namaskaar, one may
or one may not pronounce "Namaskaar" or "Namastey".
This is normally done to elder people, in age, in education, in status,
or in other matters.
Namastey
see also Namaskaar
This is a joint word, Namo + Astu; meaning "I bow to you". It
is the same as Namaskaar given above - greeting the other person by
pressing one's palms together and bowing head; and by pronouncing or not
pronouncing "Namaskaar" or "Namastey".
Nandan
(1) Delighter. (2) Son, such as Devakee-Nandan means Devakee's son (Krishn).
Nandinee
(1) Durgaa. (2) Daughter, such as Janak-Nandinee means Janak's daughter (Seetaa)
Nandan Van
This garden is in Indra Puree or Swarg (Heaven) and belongs to Indra.
Nandee
Name of the bull of Shiv. The stone sculpture of Nandee in sitting
posture is found in almost all Shiv temples in India. Some of these
statues are gigantic in size, such as one in Chaamundee Hill on the
road, leading to the temple of Mahishaasur-Mardinee.
Nar
(1) Man. (2) Human being.
Narak
Nataraaj
(1) Another name of Shiv who is considered the cosmic dancer. (2)
The temple of Shiv, built around 850 AD, located in Chidaambaram (Tamilnaadu).
This pose of Shiv is so popular that it has been copied a million times
in bronze in all sizes and it adorns the living room of many Hindoo families.
Natavar
(1) Another name if Shiv. (2) Another name of Krishn.
Nava
(1) New. (2) Nine
Nava Grah
Nine planets - (1) Prithvi (Earth), (2) Soorya (Sun), (3) Chandra
(Moon), (4) Budh (Mercury), (5) Brihaspati (Jupiter), (6) Shukra
(Venus), (7) Shani (Saturn), (8) Raahu, and (9) Ketu. Athough there is
no Vaidik support for worshipping them but many people worship them
Nava Ratn
Nine gems - (1)
Heeraa (Diamond), (2) Laal or Chunnee (Ruby), (3) Topaz, (4) Pannaa
(Emerald), (5) Neelam (Sapphire), (6) Lapis-lazuli, (7) Motee (Pearl),
(8) Moongaa (Coral), and (9) Turquoise.
Nava Ratn
Nine members in the court of the King Vikramaaditya (c 80 BC) and the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605 AD).
Nava Raatri
First nine days of the month of Chaitra Shukla Paksh, and Aashwin Shukla
Paksh. During these nine day nine Devee are worshipped. Many people keep fast on those days.
Neel Mani
Gem. A precious stone. Sapphire. Neelam.
Neelam
Blue Sapphire. Indraneel, Neel Mani. One of the nine gems or precious stones -
(1) Heeraa - Diamond; (2) Pannaa - Emerald; (3) Laal - Ruby, Chunnee, (4) Motee or Muktaa - Pearl;
(5) Moongaa - Red Coral; (6) Vaidoorya Mani; (7) Pukharaaj - Yellow Sapphire,
Pushp-raag - all are called Mani or Ratn.
Sometimes white sapphires, rubies and blue sapphires are found in the
same mine and that is why there is a mixture of colors in the crystals
of these gems. Ruby is harder than white sapphire and blue sapphire is
harder than ruby. What distinguishes them from each other is their
hardness. Blue sapphire is the hardest. Blue sapphire crystals are found
as twelve-sided prisms.
Neeraajan
Offering water oblations to Deity.
Neeraj
see Kamal
A compound word - Neer + aj - which is born from water (masculine).
Neerajaa
A compound word - Neer + ajaa - which is born from water (feminine).
Neeti
(1) Policy. (2) Guidelines.
Neeti Shaastra
Ethics.
Neetishatakam
Name of a book of 100 verses on moral law written by Bhartrahari.
Nemi
(1) Rim. (2) Felly of a wheel.
Neti-Neti
Literally "not this, not that". God is not this, God is not that.
According to Upanishad, those who try to define God or claim that they
know Him, do not know Him. Those who say that they are ignorant about
Him, are somewhat better. This expression suggests that nothing in our
experience cn enable us to define or describe God.
Nidhaan
In whichever form all Bhoot get absorbed in Pralay Kaal, that form is called Nidhaan.
Nigam
(1) Ved. (2) Scriptures.
Nigraha
Control, for example Indriya Nigraha means to control Indriyaan.
Nimesh
see also Unmesh
(1) Closing of the eyes, while winking. (2) It represents Pralaya - the
destruction of the Creation. In this state the whole Universe subsides in Brahm power.
Nindaa
Censure.
Nir
see also Sa,
Nir is a prefix which means "without" (as A).
Nir-Aakaar - which has no form. Formless.
Nir-Aamaya - Without sickness, healthy.
Nir-Dosh - Faultless.
Nir-Gun - Without attributes - Bhagavaan (see also Sa-Gun) - see below "Nir-Gun
and Sa-Gun".
Nir-Jal - Without water.
Nir-Jeev - Lifeless.
Nir-Lipt - Which is not Lipt (attached), means detached.
Nir-Vikaar - (1) Unimpaired. (2) Unchanged. (3) Uniform
Nir-Gun and Sa-Gun
They literally mean "without attributes" and "with attributes". HIndu
elieve that God is formless and without attributes. He is best defined
as the Supreme Soul or the Supreme Being. He is also Parameshwar, He is
Creator, He is destroyer. But at the same time Hindoo believe that God in
His mercy takes on human incarnation and when He does so, He is with
attributes He does so to let people know Him better and love Him more.
Nir-Jalaa
Ekaadashee or Nir-Jalaa Vrat
Nir-Jalaa means without water. Anything Nir-Jal is without water.
Nir-Jalaa Ekaadashee is the day that falls on Jyeshth Shukla Ekaadashee.
On this day a fast is undertaken without taking any water. In the same
way any Vrat (fast) may be called Nir-Jalaa when no water is sipped on
that day till one breaks the fast.
Niranjan
Another name of Shiv.
Nirukt
The etymological explanation of words. It is especially related to Ved
study. Name of one and the most famous books on etymology by Yaask (700-620
BC), which deals with the origin and meaning of the Vaidik words.
Nirvaan
Emancipation. The end of this materialistic life. Moksh.
Nirved
Vairaagya. Detachment. There are three kinds of Nirved -
(1) Jaati-Nirved (produced by the feeling of being born) - When one
feels Vairaagya from his body thinking about the pains and sorrows
because of being born, it is called "Jaati-Nirved".
(2) Karm-Nirved (produced by Karm) - When one feels Vairaagya thinking
about the pains and sorrows of Narak and being born in various species
because of Karm, it is called "Karm-Nirved".
(3) Sarv-Nirved - When one feels Vairaagya from all around thinking
about the immortality of everything in this world, it is called "Sarv-Nirved".
Nish
Nish means "without" as "Nir", thus
Nish-Kaam - (1) Desireless. (2) Unselfish.
Nish-Paap - Sinless.
Nishaad
(1)
Name of a tribe living in Vindhya mountains. (2) The
seventh and the last note in North Indian music. There are seven notes
in North Indian music - Shadaj, Rishabh, Gandhaar, Madhyam, Pancham,
Dhaivat, and Nishaad.
Nishk
see also Money
Gold coin in very ancient days in Bhaarat Varsh. It was used in
MBH times also.
Nishthaa
(1) Loyalty. (2) Trust. (3) Faith.
Nispraha
Without any desire.
Nitya
Eternal.
Nitya Karm
Daily rites as written in scriptures.
Niveet
A Yagyopaveet worn like garland is called "Niveet".
Nivritti
and Pravritti
Ni means no, and Vritti means living. So Nivritti means not doing
anything for living; or non-indulging in something, or washing away one's hands
from something. When one has nothing to do with any of his actions that
is called Nivritti. Abstention from
actions is called superior state to Pravritti. Efforts made to enjoy worldly comforts and pleasures, or to
make living, or acts done in pursuance of the religion is called
Pravritti
Niyam
see also Yog
(1) Control. (2) Restraint. (3) Regulation. (4) A part
of Ashtaang Yog.
Niyati
(1) Which keeps something in order or discipline. (2) Control.
(3) Fate.
(4) Destiny.
The predetermined course of events, Destiny, fate. The Manu Smriti
(7-205) describes Niyati like thus - In this world happenings are either
in the hands of Destiny or in the power of man. Destiny seems to decide
those things which are the results of our previous deeds. Over these we
have no control. Yet, man can influence those happenings which are
related to the present and the future. Men should, therefore, act
righteously in regard to happenings over which they still have power.
Thus according to Manu Smriti man himself is the architect of his Niyati.
Niyog
It may be called as legal adultery in which an infertile husband allows
his wife to beget progeny from another man. Such as in MBH, Ved Vyaas Jee had Niyog with Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa,
inseminating deceased brother's widows; and thus Dhritraashtra and Paandu
were born from them. Several examples are found of this in Hindoo
scriptures.
Nrasinh
The 4th Avataar of Vishnu in man-lion form taken to kill Hiranyakashyap.
Numbers see also Numbers
According toBhaagvat Puraan, 9/12,
A Baddh = 13,084.
[If you want to know which number denotes what, go to Numbers.]
Nyaas
Pledge
Nyaaya
(1) Justice. (2) comparing with something. Such as. With the simile of.
[by Bimb-Pratibimb Nyaayaa there were father and son]
Nyagrodh
see also Names of Trees
Banyan tree. This tree shoots new trunks downwards and in so doing
becomes extremely large. In Chhaandogya Upanishad, Shwetketu's father
gives the example of the seed of Nyagrodh tree which is so small as to
be almost invisible and yet contains in it a giant tree. He compares God
to this seed saying that God is subtle and yet all things exist in Him.
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