Dictionary Of Hindoo Religion

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Sa   see also   Nir
Sa in Hindi language is a prefix to denote "with".
Sa-Aakaar - Aakaar means form, so Sa-Aakaar means "with form". When Bhagavaan takes Avataa and appears assuming some kind of form, it is called His Sa-Aakaar Roop.
Sa-Ashtaang      see      Saashtaang
Sa-Gun - Gun means attributes, so Sa-Gun means "with attributes". When Bhagavaan takes Avataar and appears assuming some kind of form, it is called His Sa-Gun Roop.

Saadhak
(1) Who does Saadhanaa, he is called Saadhak.  (2) The person working to achieve some goal.

Saadhanaa    see also     Saadhanaa
Continuous strict discipline. 

Saadhu
(1) Virtuous.  (2) Who doesn't care of worldly things, treats all alike with noble feelings.

Saagar
Sea, or Ocean.

Saagar Manthan

Saakaar      see also       Nir-Aakaar
Sa-Aakaar - means with a definite form.

Saalokya       see also      Saameepya,     Saaroopya,   Saayujya
One of four types of Moksh. This is the combination of two words - Sa and Lok. It means "in the same world"; or living in the same world. People attain Saalokya of Soorya or Vishnu after certain Vrat or fasts - this means that they will live in the same Lok as of Soorya's or Vishnu's.

Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed Policies
These policies are advised for a king to use for persuasion, but other people also can use them as needed. (1) Saam means by negotiation or good counseling. (2) Daam means by giving money or tempting somebody (incentives of various sorts). (3) Dand means by punishing or threatening somebody. (4) Bhed means divide and rule or by diplomacy or sowing dissention in his ranks.

Saam Ved     see     Ved, Saam

Saameepya    see also    Saalokya,   Saaroopya,   Saayujya
(1) Closeness.  (2) Being near to somebody.  (3) Proximity.  (4) One of four types of Moksh in which a person lives with God after his death.

Saankhya Shaastra
Saankhya means Adhyaatm Gyaan (spiritual knowledge); and Shasstra means organized body of knowledge.

Saaraswat
(1) Name of people living on the banks of Saraswatee River.  (2) One of the five classes of North Indian Braahman.

Saarathee
Charioteer.

Saaroopya    see also    Saalokya,   Saameepya,   Saayujya
(1) One of four types of Moksh.  (2) Conformity with God. This is the combination of two words - Sa and Roop. It means "being as the same form".  People attain Saaroopya of Soorya or Vishnu after certain Vrat or fasts - this means that they will become like Soorya or Vishnu.

Saashtaang Pranaam     see also     Pranaam
Sa+asht+ang. Sa means "with", Asht means "eight", and Ang means "parts". Pranaam means "greeting with respect". So Saashtaang Pranaam means "Greeting with respect with eight body limbs". The eight body limbs are - 2 hands, 2 knees, chest, head, and 2 feet. This is done normally lying on stomach position, and by joining both palms together saying "I greet thee" with pure heart.

Saatwik
One of the three Gun - Saatwik, Raajas and Taamas. Pure. This word may be used in several contexts - Saatwik food, Saatwik ideas, Saatwik feelings, Saatwik living, Saatwik nature etc.

Saavitra
Related to Sun.

Saavitree       see also      Gaayatree
(1) Verse 3-62-10 of Rig Ved, more popularly known as Gaayatree Mantra because of its meter.

Saayujya
One of four types of Moksh - complete identification with God

Sabhaa
(1) Assembly.  (2) Meeting.  (3) Society.

Sabzee       see   Vegetables

Sachchidaanand
Sat+Chit+Aanand = Sachchidaanand. One who is the embodiment of Sat (truth), Chit (consciousness) and Aanand (joy or bliss), means God.

Sacred Thread      see      Yagyopaveet

Sacrifice
(1) Leaving or abandoning something. It may be anything from comfort to any tangible thing.  (2)
Yagya.

Sahastraar Chakra     see       Chakra

Sahastrabaahu
(1) Another name of Shiv.  (2) King of Haihaya Vansh, killed by Parashuraam.

Samaadhi
Reaching at such a stage or state where one becomes unaware of everything around. Spiritual absorption; the eighth rung of Raaj Yog. It is the state in which the Yogee is aware of the process of the meditation, the object of the meditation and the meditator, that is called Samaadhi with seed. When the Yogee merges into Brahm (unitary consciousness), that is called Samaadhi without seed.

Samakaaleen
During the same period. 

Samaya
(1) Time.  (2) see  Tantra

Samidhaa
Sacrificial firewood - small size sticks (twigs type - 10"-12" long) for doing Havan, normally of mango tree.

Sampann
Completed.

Samput
(1) Lips. Adhar.  (2) This is an auspicious Dohaa which is read after  every Chaupaaee (normally four) plus Dohaa while reading Tulasee's Raam Charit Maanas. There are several Dohaa for this purpose, but mostly 2-3 Dohaa are very common for this purpose. 1 - Mangal Bhavan Amangal Haaree, Dravahu So Daharath Ajir Bihaaree.  2.

Samudra
(1) Sea or Ocean. (2) Samudra Devtaa (sea god)

Samvatsar   see also   Baarhaspatya Measurement
A measurement of year according to the rounds of Jupiter planet around the Sun. There are many kinds of year are in use on this earth, such as Gregorian calendar, Julian calendar. In India there are Vikram Samvat and Shak Samvat for Hindoo, Hijari year for Muslim. The most commonly used and known throughout the world is the Gregorian year measured according to the Sun.

Sanaatan
Ever living. Eternal. Which has no beginning and no end. 
Sanaatan Kaal - means from the very beginning (when the beginning point is not known). 
Sanaatan Purush - The earliest man - God, Hari, Bhagavaan
Sanaatan Dharm - The earliest Dharm (when the earliest time point is not known) - Hindoo Dharm.

Sandhyaa        see also       Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh
Sandhyaa word has its origin from the word "Sandhi" which means "joining".  
(1) Sandhyaa time - When day and night meet, i.e. in the morning at dawn and in the evening at dusk, is called Sandhyaa. Some people consider three Sandhyaas - they consider the noon time also as Sandhyaa.
(2) Sandhyaa Worship - In Hindoo religion Sandhyaa worship is considered a very necessary worship. This short worship is done at the time of dawn and dusk, when day meets the night, everyday. This worship is done at those times that is why it is called Sandhyaa worship.
(3) There is another Sandhyaa, which comes before a Yug starts, and at the end of the Yug. This is normally of the same number of years (in hundreds) which are in Yug, for example, Sat Yug is of 4,000 Divine years, so its Sandhyaa is 400 Divine years.

Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh       see also      Sandhyaa
These are the periods of beginning and end of a
Yug respectively. Since these periods also fall at the joining of two Yug, that is why it is also called Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh. Normally they are of the same number of years in hundreds as the number of years of that Yug in thousands. For example, Sat Yug consists of 4,000 Divine years, so it will have 400 years of its Sandhyaa and 400 years of Sandhyaansh. In the same way Tretaa Yug consists of 3,000 Divine years, so it will have 300 years of Sandhyaa and 300 years of Sandhyaansh. One should take it like that for the rest of the two Yug also. Sandhyaa is before starting the Yug, and Sandhyaansh is after the Yug ends, thus Yug is the middle period of Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh.

Sangam            see also      Prayaag
Sangam means "meeting". Sangam is also called the place where two rives meet (as Prayaag). Thus there may be many Sangam places. But if somebody says "Sangam", normally it is understood as Ilaahaabaad (UP) where Gangaa and Yamunaa rivers meet.

Sangeet

Sanhitaa
Most commonly, Sanhitaa means Ved, such as Rig Ved Sanhitaa means Rig Ved - in fact any methodical treatise on a subject, such as "Charak Sanhitaa" on medicine, Sushrut Sanhitaa" on surgery is called Sanhitaa.

Sanjeevanee
Which can put life in a dead body. It may be a Vidyaa (knowledge - Brihaspati's son Kach went to learn this Vidyaa from Shukraachaarya Jee), or it may be a herb (Vaidya Sushen asked somebody to bring Sanjeevanee herb from Himaalaya to revive Lakshman Jee in Raam-Raavan war). Its use - "This has worked like a Sanjeevanee for him / or for his business." means that "that particular thing has revived his business."

Sankalp
Vow, intention. Taking vow to do something. It is common to take Sankalp (vow) while donating something to a Braahman; or while doing some religious work, such as vowing for fasting.

Sankarshan
Pulling. Since Balaraam, Krishn's elder brother, was pulled from Devakee's womb to Rohinee's womb, he is called Sankarshan also.

Sankhyaa Pranaalee

Sankraanti

Sansaar
"That which continues without beginning or end". The cycle of ignorance, desire, action and longing to reap the fruits of one's actions by taking birth.

Sansaptak
Sworn to do some work. In Mahaabhaarat, Sansaptak brothers, they were five like Paandav, sworn either to kill Arjun or to die in the battlefield. At that time Susharmaa was the eldest and was the king. When Yudhishthir performed Ashwamedh Yagya their children came to fight with Arjun - Sooryavarmaa, Ketuvarmaa, Dhritvarmaa.

Sanskaar
Subtle impressions of one's own past Karm or actions. The innermost wall of the city of life is constructed by Sanskaar that holds the seeker's attachments and pleasure-seeking desires.

Sanskrit Language

Santosh        see also   Niyam
Contentment.

Sanyaas        see also      Vairaagya
It is the Fourth Aashram in a human being's life when he detaches himself from everything belonging to this world and prepares for meeting Brahm. During this period, he may worship God, serve the community

Sanyaasee

Sanyamanee Puree
It is the city of Yam Raaj where he lives. It is on Meru parvat.

Sapanaa
Dreams.

Sapt Padee     see also    Vivaah (Marriage)
Seven steps. According to Hindoo religion a girl takes up seven strides along with the groom taking seven vow, that is called Sapt Padee. After this Sapt Padee the bride becomes the wife of the groom. This is the main ceremony of Hindoo marriage.

Saptarshi
According to Bhaagvat Puraan, there are seven Rishi in every Manvantar (there are 14 Manvantar in one Kalp). In every Manvantar they are different. These Rishi can be seen as stars in sky also. Their group of seven stars is called Great Bear and is near Polar star. They always revolve around the Polar star. This Manvantar's Saptarshi are - Atri, Vashishth, Kashyap, Gautam, Jamadagni, Vishwaamitra, and Bharadwaaj.

Saptshatee
A poem of 700 verses. There are several such poems - (1) "Devee Mahaatmya" or "Durgaa Saptshatee" in Sanskrit language, as part of Maarkandeya Puraan in praise of Durgaa. The three others are - (2) "Aarya Saptshatee" by Govardhanaachaarya, (3) "Gaathaa Saptshatee" by Haal, and (4) Satsaee by poet Bihaaree.

Saralataa
Simplicity.

Saraswatee

Sarg
(1) Creation. The creation is of three types - Saatwik, Raajasik and Taamasik.
(2) Part. It is normally used in reference to the parts of book. When a book is divided in 6 parts, each part may be called as one Sarg. Then Sarg may be divided in several chapters.

Sarg, Pratisarg and Manvantar

Sarovar    see also    Kund
A pond filled with water. This can be used for taking bath, or to beautify a garden by planting flowers in it, especially the lotus flowers.

Sarshap
Mustard seeds.

Sarv
(1) All, or Omni, or Infinite, or Universally
(2) It is a prefix also which also means "all". Some of the words with this prefix are given here. Normally all is used for Bhagavaan (God), all these words are used in the context of Bhagavaan -
--Sarv-Shaktimaan - Omnipotent
--Sarv-Vyaapee - Omnipresent
--Sarv-Gyaanee - Omniscient
--Sarv-Sampann - Who has everything

Sat      see also     Yug
(1) Real or true -
God is supposed to be "Sat Chit Aanand" - means who is "Absolute Truth", who is "Pure Intellect" and who is "Pure Joy". (2) Existing. (3) Right. (4) One of the three attributes - Sat, Raj, Tam. (5) One of the four Yug - Sat, Tretaa, Dwaapar and Kali.

Satee

Sattoo
It is a north Indian poor man's food. Roasted barley flour and roasted red chickpeas flour are turned into a paste like material by mixing it with water and sugar. It's effect is cool so people normally eat it in summer afternoons. But its several other dishes are also popular. It is abundantly eaten in Bihar state and eastern UP.

Satsang
Satsang means the company of and conversation with devotees of Bhagavaan, saints, sages, Rishi, Muni etc good people. Normally in this type of Satsang people listen to or talk about God and related matters.

Satya
Truth. In religious sense, truth is the fact which is spoken considering one's Dharm, not just any truth. If it harms somebody, it should not be spoken.

Satya Naaraayan
Truth-loving God, means Vishnu.

Saubhaagya
(1) Good luck. (2) When some woman's husband is alive she is called Saubhaagyavatee. So being with husband alive is Saubhaagya for a woman.

Savitra
Savitaa. Name of an independent deity in Rig Ved. He is also called Bhag. Savitra later became the synonym of Soorya (the Sun). He is considered one of the sons of Aditi, hence an Aaditya. 11 full hymns have been devoted to Savitra in Rig Ved. The most important Mantra devoted to him is Gaayatree Mantra. He was also considered Prajaapati, the creator of men

Sea
There are 7 seas in Bhoor Lok -  Ksheer (milk), Ikshu (sugarcane juice), Kshaar (salty water), Ghrit (ghee or clarified butter), Dadhya (buttermilk),  and Jal (sweet water) - these are the seven oceans. 

Season
There are six seasons in India, of two months each. Shishir, Vasant, Greeshm, Varshaa, Sharad, and Hemant.

Seemantonnayan
The ritual of combing the hair of a pregnant woman in her 6th or 8th month. The hair is parted in the middle. The significance of this ceremony is unclear. Although it is counted among 13 Sanskar of life, but it has almost vanished.

Seepee
(1) Shells. (2) Mother of Pearl.

Senses      see      Indriyaan

Shaakaahaaree       see also   Maansaahaaree
Vegetarian food or person. It includes food made of all kinds of pulses, beans, vegetables, and fruits. No meat, no chicken, no fish, most times onion and garlic are also not included. Although people of Vaidik age used to eat meat, but later on, Vaishnav people (Who worship Vishnu or His Avataar) traditionally required to be vegetarian, and that is how this vegetarian food began to be called Vaishnav food.

Shaakhaa
(1) Branch.  (2) They are different rescensions (versions) of the Sanhitaa texts showing slight variations among different families - the effect of long oral tradition.

Shaakt       see    Shakti

Shaakya
(1) A Bauddh who wears red clothes. Who follows Buddha's teachings, or Bauddh religion he is called Shaakya. Buddha himself was called Shaakya Muni.  (2) A division of Kshatriya, not related to Shak people.

Shaal Graam
(1) Vishnu's another form in black stone. This stone comes from Shaalgraamee River.
(2) Shaal is a name and Graam means village. It is a Teerth place and is often mentioned in context of doing Tap at that place.

Shaali Rice
A kind of rice. It is called Agahanee rice also. It is considered sacred and is used in most worship.

Shaalivaahan Samvat      see      Shak Samvat

Shaalmali
Silk cotton tree.

Shaanti
(1) Peace.  (2) This word is often used three times after Aum, "Aum Shaanti, Shaanti, Shaanti" seeking peace at three levels - Aadhibhautik (in this world), Aadhidaivik (at Devtaa level), and Aadhyaatmik (at spiritual level). By pronouncing thus a Hindoo asks God to establish peace.

Shaanti Paath
The famous Shaanti Paath has two versions - one of Yajur Ved (36-17), and the other one of Atharv Ved (19-9-14). This prayer is to establish peace in different parts of the Universe and to human beings and nature; for example when it prays peace in the forest, it hopes that mankind will preserve the forest and its habitat because this in turn will preserve the human species. Thus it is an appeal to the human beings to keep the Universe free of pollution, and disturbance and their minds calm; and to God to help them do it.

Shaap
Curse.

Shaaradaa
Another name of Saraswatee

Shaastra
Organized knowledge of some subject.

Shabar
A mountain tribe in South India.

Shabd-Vedhee
Shabd means word or sound, and Vedhee means piercing - which pierces the sound. Normally this word is used in the reference of arrows. In olden times the skilled archers could hit their target just by hearing their sound. There were some mistakes in recognizing the sounds but not in hitting. Raajaa Dasharath killed Shravan Kumaar like this; Paandu killed Rishi Kindam like this; and in modern history Prithveeraaj Chauhaan killed Jayachand by releasing his Shabd-Vedhee arrow.

Shachee
Indra's wife. Known as Inndraanee also.

Shadaanan
Six-faced, means Kaartikeya.

Shadaj
he first note of North Indian music. There are seven notes in North Indian music - Shadaj, Rishabh, Gandhaar, Madhyam, Pancham, Dhaivat, and Nishaad.

Shadopachaar Poojaa

Shailesh
Lord of Himaalaya Montain, means Shiv.

Shaiv
There are three sects in Hinduism - Vaishnav, Shaiv and Shaakt. Vaishnav people worship Bhagavaan Vishnu and His Avataar (Raam, Krishn etc); Shaiv people worship Bhagavaan Shiv and his sons - Ganesh and Kaartikeya and his Gan etc; and Shaakt people worship Shakti (power or Devee - Kaalee, Bhavaanee, Saraswatee etc). Although all kinds of people are found everywhere in India, still one may find UP state people mostly Vaishnav; Southern states people mostly Shaiv; and Bengal and Panjaab people mostly Shaakt.

Shaiv Darshan

Shak
(1) Name of an Indo-Eeraanian tribe. They attacked India and established their empire what later came to be known as Afgaanistaan, Paakistaan, and parts of Gujaraat and Madhya Pradesh of India. King Shaalivaahan and King Vikramaaditya defeated them.

Shak Samvat
Shak era - which commenced in 78 AD celebrating the defeat of Shak by
Shaalivaahan, that is why it is called Shaalivaahan Samvat (era) also, but it is more commonly know as Shak Samvat.

Shakti

Shalabh
(1) Juganoo. (2) Glow worm. (3) Winged insects.

Sham
(1) To be engaged in Bhagavaan's worship. (2) Control on mind.  (3) Calmness.  (4) Tranquility.  (5) Equanimity. Hindoo scriptures lay great emphasis on Sham which brings internal peace (Shaanti). Sham brings the happiness to a person and gives him the ability to face difficulties and unpleasant events in life. It helps people to conquer anger and to think of the meaning of the life. It makes a person charitable towards other human beings.

Shaman
Subduing.

Shamashaan Bhoomi (Ghaat)
Cremation ground where dead bodies are burned.

Shambhu
Bestower of well-being, means Shiv.

Shani

Shani Amaavasyaa     see       Amaavasyaa   

Shani Vaar
Saturday, the 7th day of the week.

Shankaa
(1) Suspicion.  (2) Doubt.

Shankar
Who confers bliss - means Shiv.

Shankh
Conch shell.

Shanmukh
Six-faced, means Kaartikeya.

Shanno Devee
Name of a Mantra of Rig Ved (10-9-4). This Mantra starts as "Om Shanoo Devee Rabhishtraye .....

Sharad
(1) Autumn or Fall season

Sharanaagat
Who has come in one's refuge - means refugee.

Shareer      see       Body

Shashaank
Moon. Chandramaa.

Shastra      see also      Astra
Weapons which are used taking in hands, are called Shastra, such as sword.

Shatpath Braahman        see also    Braahman
This is a part of Shukla Yajur Ved and is perhaps the most important Braahman, but most of it, like other Braahman, has lost its importance in the present-day world.

Shauch        see also   Niyam
(1) Cleanliness. Cleanliness is of two types - internal and external. In internal cleanliness a persons cleans his ideas and mind and in external cleanliness he cleans his physical body by soap etc.
(2) Not being involved in Karm is also called Shauch.

Sheeshaa
(1) Glass (not tumbler).  Kaanch.  (2) Mirror.

Shesh
(1) Remainder.  (2) Short form of Shesh Naag.

Shesh Naag
A thousand-headed serpent whose coil forms Vishnu's bed. It is also said that he has balanced this Prithvi on his head.

Sheetaanshu
Another name of Chandramaa.

Shikhaa
A small flock of hair on the crown of head is left untouched when the hair-cut is done in Dwi-Jaati people. When it becomes long, it is tied in half knot. Now-a-days it is not in fashion, but many Braahman still keep it and maintain it.

Shikshaa       see also        Ved
(1) Education.  (2) Related to Ved phonetics.

Shikhandee
Peacock. Mayoor, Mor.

Shishir
One of the six seasons in India - very cold chilly winter.

Shiv

Shiv Puraan        see also       Puraan
One of the principal 18 Puraan.

Shivaa
Power of Shiv personified as Durgaa, his consort.

Shivaanee
Another name of Paarvatee.

Shodash Upachaar        see also  Poojaa
Worshipping with 16 types of materials.

Shoodra
The fourth and the lowest Varn. This is the serving race, it serves all other three Varn. According to Bhaagvat Puraan, 11/14, its two main characteristics are -- Serving Braahman, cow and Devtaa with plain heart; and whatever is earned through that only being satisfied with that.

Shoonyak        see also   Praanaayaam
One of the Praanaayaam's four processes - others are
Rechak, Poorak, and Kumbhak. Neither inhaling breath, nor exhaling it is called Shoonyak position. 

Shraaddh

Shraddhaa
(1) There is no single English word for Shraddhaa. Shraddhaa is a mixed feeling of devotion, faith, satisfaction, and faith with reverence. It is a Divine quality and is an essential aspect of one's spiritual practice. Such faith does not rely on the knowledge of scriptures, but it comes from within. Nobody else can create faith in anything, it has to be from within. Faith is said to put life in a stone.
(2) Shraaddh (see above)

Shree
(1) Prosperity.  (2) Honorific added before the male names, such as Shree Raam, Shree Krishn.  (3) Another name of Lakshmee.

Shree Sookt
A hymn praising goddess Lakshmee.

Shreedhar
Who bears Shree (Lakshmee), means Vishnu..

Shreephal
Bilva fruit.

Shreya         see also   Preya
According to Kath Upanishad, Shreya is "what is useful" for a man.

Shruti
Another name of Ved.

Shuddhi
Shuddhi means cleaning. Shuddhi can be of anything. There are many types of Shuddhi: taking bath is one type of Shuddhi in which one cleans his body; people become Shuddh after "Sootak and Paatak" (see below). Not only bodies are cleaned but materials are also cleaned. For cleaning the materials see   Cleaning

Shukla Paksh        see also       Krishn Paksh
Bright fortnight. According to Indian calendar, A month is divided into two parts - The first 15 days from the 1st day to 15th day, when Moon decreases, up to Amaavasyaa (New Moon), is called Krishn Paksh; while the other half, from 16th day to 30th day, when Moon increases, up to Poornimaa (Full Moon), is called Shukla Paksh.

Shwet Dweep       see          Vishnu's Lok

Shyaam
(1) Dark complexion.  (2) Dark complexioned, means Krishn.

Siddh
(1) Siddh men are higher than ordinary people and can do some extraordinary things which an ordinary man cannot do because of the powers earned through their worship or Tap etc. 
(2) To make something Siddh, means to attain the power of that thing. It may be any Mantra, or any Devtaa. When that Mantra or Devtaa is Siddh to somebody, he can do something extraordinary by using that Mantra or Devtaa. This is also done by special worship, or Jaap of any Mantra etc.

Siddhaant Kaumudee
A book written by Bhattojee Deekshit, containing the simplified form of Paanini's Sanskrit grammar. This book is very popular and is most used by students of Sanskrit language. It has been abridged as "Laghu Siddhaant Kaumudee" by Varadraaj.

Siddhaant Shiromani
A book of theorems of mathematics and astronomy by Bhaaskaraachaarya (1100-1170 AD). In this book, one chapter is on Algebra. The Arabs came to India to learn mathematics and the Europeans learnt mathematics from Arabs. For a long time Westerners considered the Arabs to be the originators of Algebra. It also contains the seeds of the theory of Calculus

Siddhi

Signs        see       Zodiac Signs

Sin     see      Paap

Sindoor
Red vermillion. Indian married women use it in worship, to apply Teekaa on their forehead and to apply in the parting line of their hair as marks of being married.

Siyaar Singee

Skand Puraan       see also       which means O whose head Chandra (Moon) sits.
One of the 18 principal Puraan.

Smaart Karm
Yagya, etc Karm. (Geetaa, 9/16)

Smriti
Another name of Dharm Shaastra. The part of scripture which is "remembered" as against "Shruti" which is heard or revealed. The term is applied to the works that deal with law and code of ethics. There are about 20 Smritis in existence written between 300 BC and 1200 AD. The most famous of them are "Manu Smriti" and "Yaagyavalkya Smriti". They contain instructions on character, conduct, charity, inheritance, business, Government, religion.

Snaan

Snake   see    Naag

Soil
Soil is of four colors - white, yellow, red and black. Among them Gopee Chandan, Haritaal, Geroo etc are used in worship.

Som
(1) Divinity in Rig Ved. The entire 9th Mandal is devoted to the prayers offered to Som.  (2) The Moon.  (3) A plant whose juice is intoxicated. Devtaa drink it - "Som Ras".  (4) Somvaar - 2nd day of the week - Monday.

Som Ras     see     Som

Somvaar    see      Som

Somvatee Amaavasya     see       Amaavasyaa

Sonnet
A sonnet is a 14-line poem in iambic pentameter with a carefully rhyme scheme. Other strict, short poetic forms occur in English poetry, such as Sestina, the Villanelle, the Haiku, but none has been used so successfully as the Sonnet. The Italian Sonnet was introduced in the early 16th century. Its 14 lines break in Octave which usually rhymes as abbaabba, sometimes abbacddc, but rarely abababab; and a Sestet which may rhyme as xyzxyz or xyxyxy, or any of the multiple variations possible using only two or three rhyme sounds. The English or Shakespearean Sonnet, developed during the same period, consists of three quatrains, and a couplet with the pattern - abab cdcd efef gg.

Sookhaa
Drought.

Sookshm Shareer       see also     Body
Subtle or Astral body.

Sookt            see also      Ved, Rig,      Bhoomi Sookt or Prithvi Sookt,   Purush Sookt,     Rudra Sookt,
             Shree Sookt
A Sookt is a hymn addressed to a Vaidik Deity. A Vaidik hymn consisting of many verses which are called Mantras on various occasions like sacrifice, worship and so on. Rig Ved is constituted of 10 Mandals, and the Mandals are constituted of several Sookts. In the Ved, elements of nature, like stone, tree, morning etc were also called Deities.  Rig Ved Sookt [Bhavishya Puraan, 3/22] - Braahman pleased Soorya with Rig Ved Sookt).

Soorya

Soot
In its English translation a Soot may be called a "bard" or "chronicler". Soots have infinite capacity to remember and recite long poems or stories. They could hand down the literature from generation to generation, and for the same reason they had a special position in the society. They were employed by the kings to preserve culture. It is though them that the great epic stories were preserved for hundreds of years. With the creation of writing facility, their importance has declined. They took the positions of chariot drivers and so the word became synonym to chariot driver.

Who is Soot? Agni Puraan, 13 says, When a child is born to a Kshatrya Varn boy and a Braahman Varn girl, he is called a Soot. In olden days Soot had only one job, and that was to serve kings by working in their stables. There are four Soot well known in Hindoo religious scriptures - (1) King Shaantanu's Saarathee Adhirath who brought up Karn as his own son was a Soot; (2) King Dhritraashtra's Saarathee Sanjaya who told the account of Mahaabhaarat war to blind Dhritraashtra was a Soot; (3) Vyaas Jee's disciple Romharshan - he is not known by his name but only by "Soot Jee", he was killed by Balaraam while he was on his pilgrimage; and (4) Ugrashravaa - Romharshan's son who is also known as Soot Jee -  he is also not known by his personal name. He has told many stories to many Saadhu and kings.

Sootak and Paatak

Sootra    see also   Darshan
(1) Thread.  (2) Mathematical or chemical formula.  (3) Aphorism or a book of instructions in the style of aphorism. A condensed work which carries meaning of immeasurable strength without mistake or fault. Numerous Hindoo religious and secular books subsidiary to main Ved Sanhitaa were written in Sootra style. One set of such books is called Kalp Sootra. Kalp Sootra can be divided in four types - Shraut Sootra, Shulva Sootra, Grihya Sootra, and Dharm Sootra. The first two have ceased to be of any significant value. Grihya Sootra describes procedure for Sanskaar (sacraments) throughout the life of a person - see
Sanskaar. The other one, Dharm Sootra, prescribes the law and rules of social and moral behavior and include some 20+ works. Besides Kalp Sootra, the other famous Sootra style compositions are Baadaraayan's "Vedaant Sootra" (also called "Brahm Sootra") and Paanini's "Ashtaadhyaayee". Sootra were composed in prose.

The reason for this style of composition was that in the absence of printing facilities, everything was to be memorized and therefore was needed to be condensed in as few words as possible. Sometimes this condensation made it difficult for a reader to understand what the author really meant. Baadaraayan's Vedaant Sootra is a typical example of this difficulty.
[Aangiras, p 396-397]

Sootraatmaa
Sootra+Aatmaa. Soul. The form of Aatmaa when it is attached to body. Thus the Aatmaa remains as Aatmaa until he takes up a body in this world. As soon as he takes up the body in the world, he is called Jeev. Jeev is the part of Paramaatmaa that lives in all living beings. He is called
Jeev or Mahat Tattwa also.

Sorrows    see also    Taap
There are three types of sorrows - Adhi-Bhautik (related to body, like diseases), Adhi-Daivik (given by Devtaa like famine, flood, earthquake etc), Adhyaatmik (natural, such as at the time of birth or death). Adhi-BHautik sorrows can be relieved by taking medicine etc; Adhi-Daivik sorrows can not be cured; and Adhyaatmik sorrows can be removed only by knowledge.

Soul
[Bhaagvat Puraan, 7/3], tells 12 characteristics of soul - immortal, clean, One, Kshetragya, Aashraya (resting place), Nir-Vikaar (without any impurities - pure), self-illuminated, cause of everything, vast, alone, and uncovered.

Sphatik
Quartz

Spices
Masaalaa. See the list of most used  spices.

Sprihaa
Desire.

Srishti
Creation.

Steya
(1) To steal. (2) To rob. In this way "A-Steya" means "not stealing" or "not robbing".

Sthaavar       see also     Creation
Who cannot move. Immovable. Trees, mountains, etc are Sthaavar.

Sthitpragya
This is a Geetaa term. It means to treat life and death, fame and defame, profit and loss, all alike. Who is Sthitpragya who treats all situations of life without any happiness and sorrow.

Sthool Shareer         see also    Body
Physical body. Five Gyaan Indriyaan, five Karm Indriyaan, five Bhoot, five subjects of Indriyaan, Buddhi, Ahankaar and mind - these 23 Tattwa (elements) jointly are called the body. This body, because of being born from Prakriti, is the function of the Prakriti, that is why the three Gun are called the cause of its origin.

Stotra

Stree
Woman. Female.

Subramanya
Very kind. Another name of Kaartikeya.

Sudarshan Chakra
The Divine disc in Vishnu's hand.

Sudharmaa
Sudharmaa was the Divine court which Krishn specially got from Brahmaa Jee for Raajaa Ugrasen - Kans' father. It had some specialties. Whoever sat in that court, he did not feel any hunger, thirst, sorrow, Moh, old age and death there.

Suhaagin
A woman who is married and whose husband is alive is called Suhaagin. These women are normally invited on most auspicious occasions.

Sukhsaagar
Name of a book.

Sumeru
(1) Sumeru Mountain made of gold.  (2) There are 108 beads in Hindoo rosaries. But there is an extra bead which is up above all of them, that is called Meru or Sumeru bead. When one has finished counting 108 beads, he should not cross that Sumeru bead, rather turn the rosary again to count the beads. It is an essential part of the rosary. It shows the end of the 108 bead counting.

Sun       see    Soorya

Surabhi
Divine cow who came out from the sea at the time of Saagar Manthan.

Swaahaa

Swadhaa
(1) Food offered to Pitar (ancestors). Shraaddh. (2) Wife of Pitar.

Swapna     see     Sapanaa
Dream

Swar
Notes. In Indian music there are seven Swar (notes) - Shadaj, Rishabh, Gaandhaar, Madhyam, Pancham, Dhaivat, and Nishaad - all these Swar are said to be Brahm Roop because of being Brahm Vyanjak. Bhaagvat Puraan 3/12 says that these Swar appeared from his play.

Swarg
Heaven.

Swaroop
Form.

Swasth
(1) Healthy. 
(2) Swa means self, Sth means to establish. Thus Swasth means to establish in self. In the same way "Yogasth" (established in Yog), Dhyaanasth" (established in Dhyaan or meditation) words are.

Swayambhoo
Self-existing, means God.

Swayamvar

Swedaj
There are four types of Creation taking birth in this world,  which are created according to one's Karm (actions) - (1) Udbhij - which are born by bursting out the Earth, such as trees and mountains, (2) Swedaj - which are born by sweat, such as bedbug etc, (3) Andaj - which are born from eggs, such as chickens, crocodiles, birds etc, and (4) Jaraayuj - which are born with Naal attached to them, such as human beings, calves, goats etc.

Syamantak Mani
Name of a Mani (gem) which Satraajit got from Soorya Dev. He later gave it to Krishn. The legend has it that it is the same Mani which was later known as Kohinoor Heeraa.

 

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Created on 03/15/2006 and Updated on 01/08/2009
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