Dictionary Of Hindoo Religion

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Raadhaa
According to Aangiras (p 312) Raadhaa is a short name of Rukminee used by her father, Vrishbhaanu Bheeshmak who left Vrindaa van to become the King of Vidarbh. Raadhaa again met Krishn in Saandeepani school where the two fell in love and later got married. She is considered the incarnation of Lakshmee.

Raadhaaraman
Beloved husband of Raadhaa, means Krishn.

Raahu

Raaj Yog
The main ingredient of Raaj Yog is Hath Yog which controls the mind through Aasan (postures) and Praanaayaam. Aasan are physical postures for improving body and mind functions and Praanaayaam is for systematic regulation of breathing for a given period. Kundalinee Yog is a system considred a part of Raaj Yog by the followers of Tantra.

Raajaa           see also          Raajya
King. Its synonyms are - Narendra, Naresh

Raajas
One of the three Gun - Saatwik, Raajas and Taamas. It is called Taijas also.

Raajan
King.

Raajarshi
A Kshatriya who has achieved the status of a Rishi. Vishwaamitra is most suitable example of Raajarshi.

Raajeev
Blue lotus.

Raajgopaal
King of cowherd. Another name of Shree Krishn.

Raajneeti
(1) Politics. (2) Diplomacy.

Raajsooya Yagya         see          Yagya

Raajya
Kingdom. There are seven Ang (parts) of a kingdom - (1) Raajaa (king),  (2) Mantree (minister),  (3) Durg (fort),  (4) Kosh (treasure),  (5) Dand (punishment),  (6) Mitra (friend),  and  (7) Janapad (divisions of a kingdom). Who tries to create obstacles in a kingdom whose these seven parts are strengthened, he should be considered as enemy and should be destroyed.

Raakshas
Name of a non-Aaryan tribe of India and Shree Lankaa. The non-Aaryan tribes were called Daas (slaves) by the Aarya. Raakshas tribe is mentioned in Rig Ved (1-35-10). Later on they came to be called Raakshas. The word Raakshas meant an evil person due to the practices pf sorcery prevalent among this tribe, for the same reason they were called Yaatudhaan also. At one time they ruled Kaashee and had several kingdoms in South India. They ruled Shree Lankaa also. It is recorded that Aarya sometimes married Raakshas tribe. Vishravaa Rishi married four women - three of them were from Raakshas tribe. One of them, Kaikasee bore four children to him - Raavan, Kumbhkarn, Vibheeshan and Shoorpanakhaa. Raakshas looked like normal human beings, while Pauraanik stories depict them otherwise.

Raakshas Vivaah
One of the eight types of Vivaah (marriage). Consummating a marriage by forcibly obtaining a girl without her consent and after fighting successfully with her parents and other relatives (Manu Smriti, 3-33).

Raam

Raam Navamee
Chaitra Shukla Navamee is Raam Navamee day - birthday of Shree Raam. His story is enacted and sung in Brahmaa (Mynmaar, or Burmaa), Jaavaa and Sumaatraa islands (Indonesia), Malaya Dweep Samooh (Malayasia), Shyaam (Thailand), and Kambuj (Cambodia). For centuries, the kings of Thailand have been named Raam. There is a city in Thailand named Ayodhyaa and some of the prominent institutions there have Ayodhyaa as part of their name.

Raam Raajya
The government of Raam. The rule of Raam was perfect, a situation in which people lived in complete bliss - perfect governance..

Raamaayan

Raamchandra    see    Raam
(1758-1660 BC) The eldest son of King Dasharath, the king of Koshal, and Kaushalyaa. He is popularly known as Shree Raam. He was an ideal son, ideal brother, ideal husband, ideal friend and an ideal foe. He lived His life as an ideal life that is why He is popularly known as Maryaadaa Purushottam Raam. The words "Raam Raajya", literally mean the reign of Shree Raam, mean a government which is ideal and just and where people are happy and satisfied.
[I do not challenge Aangiras giving these dates for Raam's existence, but I do not agree with them. First of all every Yug's period is defined in Hindoo religion - Sat Yug (1,728,000), Tretaa Yug (1,296,000),  Dwaapar Yug (864,000), Kali Yug (432,000). If he dates Krishn's birth and death 1150-1064 BC, the with these years of Yug, how this is possible that Raam's birth and death dates are 1758-1660 BC? Raam did not die just only 500 years ago? And he also did not live only for 102 years? According to Vaalmeeki Raamaayan His ruling period was 11,000 years. Thus these dates raise a considerable doubt.]

Raamcharitmaanas

Raas
A type of Dance form favorite of Krishn with Gopee. This folk dance is very popular in Vrindaa Van and Gjaraat and is gradually gaining popularity throughout the Hindoo world. Gujaraatee Daandiyaa with wooden sticks is the variation of Krishn's Raas.

Raashi
(1) Pile,  (2) Sum,  (3) Quantity,  (4)
Zodiac Signs

Raatri Jaagaran   see   Jaagaran

Raaz
Secret.

Raghu
(1) Name of the grandfather of Shree Raam.

Ramaa
Another name of Lakshmee.

Rangbhoomi
(1) Amusement theater.  (2) Arena.

Rangshaalaa
The whole area of amusement, including the amusement theater and seating arrangement for audience etc.

Ras
(1) Taste. Indian food has been divided in six types of taste of food - Sweet (sugar), Salty (Lavan or salt), Bitter (Karelaa or bitter gourd), Acidic (sour like lemon), Pungent (pepper), and Astringent. Agni Puraan, p 567 says, Sweet, Acidic and salty Ras are said to be born from Chandramaa (Moon); and Bitter, Pungent and Astringent Ras are said to be born from Agni.
(2) Emotions. Indian literature (prose, poetry etc) may be divided into nine emotions - (1) Shringaar Ras -romance. Shringaar Ras is of two types - (1) Sambhog, or Sanyog - being with one's partner (2) Vipralambh or Viyog - separation; (2) Haasya Ras - humor, (3) Shok - grief, (4) Krodh - fury or anger, (5) Veer, or Utsaah - enthusiasm, or bravery, (6) Bhaya - fear, (7) Jugupsaa - disgusting, (8) Vismaya - amazement or wonder. Sometimes Vaatsalya Ras - motherly love for a child is counted as separate Ras. Tulasee's Maanas contains all these Ras in his epic -

Romance (Sanyog) - Raam's meeting with Seetaa in Pushpvatikaa
Romance (Viyog) - Raam weeps in separation of Seetaa
Humorous - Episodes of Naarad, Shoorpanakhaa and Trijataa
Grief - Dasharath, Jataayu and Baali's death
Bravery - Lakshman and Indrajit
Krodh - Parashuraam's anger on Lakshman
Veer - In Raam-Raavan war
Bhaya -
Disgusting - Viraadh, and Kabandh
Amazing - Hanumaan's leap over sea, burning Lankaa,
Vaatsalya - Kaushalyaa plays with Raam


Ratjagaa    see   
Jaagaran

Ratn
Gems, Jewels, Precious Stones.

Ravi
Sun. Synonym of Soorya.

Rechan
One of Praanaayaam's four processes - others are Poorak, Kumbhak and Shoonyak. Exhaling the breath.

Reptiles
The animals which walk on their belly.

Revatee
(1) Name of the 5th Nakshatra (constellation) from among 27
Nakshatra (2) Name of the wife of Balaraam.

Ribhu
Three brothers mentioned in Rig Ved, who through their continuous performance of virtuous works reached perfection and hence were elevated to Divine status in the eyes of men.

Richaa
Sacred verses in praise of the Lord.

Rig
One of the four Ved - Rig Ved, Yajur Ved, Atharv Ved, and Saam Ved. Some take Aayur Ved as fifth Ved.

Rig Ved Sookt

Rin
(1) Debt of money or anything to this mortal world.  (2) Credit.  (3) Obligation.  (4) Due.  (5) Negative amount.  (6) When a soul takes birth, he comes with three Rin - Dev Rin (paid by doing Yagya), Pitra Rin (paid by producing children, especially son), and Brahm Rin (paid by acquiring Brahm Gyaan). And one is supposed to pay all these Rin before he dies.

Rishabh
(1) Bull.  (2) The best, the excellent.  (3) The second note of North Indian music.

Rishi
Seer. Strictly the term is used for inspired seers to whom Vaidik Mantra are revealed; but loosely it is used for any inspired religious person. They came from many sections of the society - priests, kings, commoners etc. There are seven very distinguished families of Rishi - (1) Bhaargav from Rishi Bhrigu Angiras; (2) Aangiras also from Bhrigu, who include Kanva and Bhaaradwaaj; (3) Aatreya from Rishi Atri; (4) Kaashyap from Rishi Kashyap; (5) Vaashishth from Rishi Vashishth; (6) Aagastya from Rishi Agastya; and (7) Kaushik from Rishi Vishwaamitra who was himself descended from King Kushik.
(Aangiras, p 89)

There are three types of Rishi - Brahmarshi (who has attained knowledge of Brahm - such Brahmarshi are Vashishth, Vishwaamitra etc Rishi); Devarshi (who is a Devtaa but lives like a Rishi - Naarad Jee), and Raajarshi (who is Raajaa, king, but lives like a Rishi - Janak etc).

Rit
Whatever seems to be Dharm (duty), for example speaking truth sweet.

Ritaavaree
Dawn.

Ritu
Season. In India there are six seasons - (1) Vasant (Spring), (2) Greeshm (Summer), (3) Varshaa (Rainy), (4) Sharad (Autumn or Fall), (5) Hemant (Winter), and (6) Shishir (mild Winter).

Ritual
Ritual is to do a certain action in a prescribed way.

Ritwij

Ritwik         see         Ritwij

Rog
Disease. [Agni Puraan, p 564] says Rog are of 4 types - physical, mental, acute and natural. Fever, leprosy etc are physical diseases; anger etc are mental diseases; injuries etc are acute (Aagantuk) diseases; and hunger and old age are natural diseases.

Rohinee
(1) Red.  (2) Cow.  (3) Name of the mother of Balaraam, wife of Vasudev, Krishn's step mother.  (4) Name of the 4th Nakshatra.

Rom
(1) Fur. 

Rom Koop
Spores.

Rom Rom Pulakit Honaa
Horripilation (cause by excessive joy or fear).

Roop
(1) Form.  (2) Beauty. 

Rudra

Rudra Prashn
A long prayer to Rudra consisting of two parts - Namak and Chamak. The text as appearing in the Taittireeya Sanhitaa of Krishn Yajur Ved is followed throughout India.

Rudra Sookt

Rudraaksh

 

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Created and Maintained by Sushma Gupta
Created on 03/15/2006 and Updated on 12/26/2008
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