Shiksha (Sanskrit: शिक्षा IAST: śikṣā ISO: Śikṣā) is a Sanskrit word, which means “instruction, lesson, learning, study of skill” It also refers to one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of Vedic studies, on phonetics and phonology in Sanskrit Shiksha is the field of Vedic study of sound, focussing on the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, accent, quantity, stress, melody and rules of euphonic combination of words during a Vedic recitation...
The guru–shishya tradition, or parampara (“lineage”), denotes a succession of teachers and disciples in Indian-origin religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism (including Tibetan and Zen traditions) Each parampara belongs to a specific sampradaya, and may have its own gurukulas for teaching which might be based at akharas, gompas, mathas, viharas or temples It is the tradition of spiritual relationship and mentoring where teachings are transmitted from a guru “teacher” (Sanskrit: गुरु) or lama to a śiṣya (Sanskrit: शिष्य, disciple), shramana (seeker), or chela (follower) after the formal diksha (initiation)...
Shiva (; Sanskrit: शिव, romanized: Śiva, lit ‘The Auspicious One’ [ɕɪʋɐ]), also known as Mahadeva (; Sanskrit: महादेव:, romanized: Mahādevaḥ, lit ‘The Great God’ [mɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ]), is one of the principal deities of Hinduism Lord Shiva is said to be the deity of death and time In Sanskrit language, kālá means time He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hinduism Shiva has pre-Vedic tribal roots, and the figure of Shiva as we know him today is an amalgamation of various older non-Vedic and Vedic deities, including the Rigvedic storm god Rudra who may also have non-Vedic origins, into a single major deity...
Shiva Samhita (IAST: śivasaṃhitā, also Siva Samhita, meaning “Shiva’s Compendium”) is a Sanskrit text on yoga, written by an unknown author The text is addressed by the Hindu god Shiva to his consort Parvati The text consists of five chapters, with the first chapter a treatise that summarizes nondual Vedanta (Advaita Vedanta) philosophy with influences from the Sri Vidya school of South India The remaining chapters discuss yoga, the importance of a guru (teacher) to a student, various asanas, mudras and siddhis (powers) attainable with yoga and tantra...
The Śiva·sūtras, technically akṣara·samāmnāya, variously called māheśvarāṇi sūtrāṇi, pratyāhāra·sūtrāṇi, varṇa·samāmnāya, etc , refer to a set of fourteen aphorisms devised as an arrangement of the sounds of Sanskrit for the purposes of grammatical exposition as carried out by the grammarian Pāṇini in the Aṣṭādhyāyī Pāṇini himself uses the term akṣara·samāmnāya whereas the colloquial term “Shiva sutra” is a later development, as per claims by Nandikeśvara in his Kāśikā, that the god Śiva sounded his drum fourteen times to reveal these sounds to Pāṇini...
Maha Shivaratri (IAST: Mahāśivarātri) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava In every month of the luni-solar Hindu calendar, there is a Shivaratri – “night of Shiva” – on the day before new moon But once a year, in late winter and before the arrival of Summer (February/March), this night is called “Maha Shivaratri” – “the Great Night of Shiva”...
Shloka or śloka (Sanskrit: श्लोक Ślōka , from the root śru, lit ‘hear’) is a poetic form used in Sanskrit, the classical language of India In its usual form it consists of four pādas or quarter-verses, of 8 syllables each, or (according to an alternative analysis) of two half-verses of 16 syllables each The metre is similar to the Vedic anuṣṭubh metre, but with stricter rules The śloka is the basis for Indian epic verse, and may be considered the Indian verse form par excellence, occurring as it does far more frequently than any other metre in classical Sanskrit poetry...
Manibhai Haribhai Desai (1897 – 1989), known as (Shri) Yogendra was an Indian yoga guru, author, poet, researcher and was one of the important figures in the modern revival of Hatha Yoga, both in India and United States He was the founder of The Yoga Institute, the oldest organized yoga center in the world, established in 1918 He is often referred as the Father of Modern Yoga Renaissance He was one of the figures responsible for reviving the practice of asanas and making yoga accessible to people other than renunciates...
Shruti (Sanskrit: श्रुति, IAST: Śruti, IPA: [ɕrʊtɪ]) in Sanskrit means “that which is heard” and refers to the body of most authoritative, ancient religious texts comprising the central canon of Hinduism Manusmriti states: Śrutistu vedo vijñeyaḥ (Sanskrit: श्रुतिस्तु वेदो विज्ञेय:) meaning, “Know that Vedas are Śruti” Thus, it includes the four Vedas including its four types of embedded texts—the Samhitas, the Upanishads, the Brahmanas and the Aranyakas Śrutis have been variously described as a revelation through anubhava (direct experience), or of primordial origins realized by ancient Rishis...
Shuddhi is Sanskrit for purification. It is a term used to describe a Hindu religious movement aimed at the religious conversion of non-Hindus of Indian origin to Hinduism.
Shukra (Sanskrit: शुक्र, IAST: Śukra) is a Sanskrit word that means “clear” or “bright” It also has other meanings, such as the name of an ancient lineage of sages who counselled Asuras in Vedic history In medieval mythology and Hindu astrology, the term refers to the planet Venus, one of the Navagrahas
Siddha (Sanskrit: सिद्ध siddha; “perfected one”) is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture It means “one who is accomplished " It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual perfection or enlightenment In Jainism, the term is used to refer to the liberated souls Siddha may also refer to one who has attained a siddhi, paranormal capabilities...
Siddha (Sanskrit: सिद्ध siddha; “perfected one”) is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture It means “one who is accomplished " It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual perfection or enlightenment In Jainism, the term is used to refer to the liberated souls Siddha may also refer to one who has attained a siddhi, paranormal capabilities...
Siddha Yoga is a spiritual path founded by Muktananda (1908–1982) The organization states in its literature that the Siddha Yoga tradition is “based mainly on eastern philosophies” It also states that it “draws many of its teachings from the Indian yogic texts of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism, the Bhagavad Gita and the poet-saints " The present head of Siddha Yoga is Gurumayi Chidvilasananda Ashrams and meditation centers provide places to learn and practice Siddha Yoga...
In Indian religions, Siddhis (Sanskrit: सिद्धि siddhi; fulfillment, accomplishment) are material, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of yogic advancement through sādhanās such as meditation and yoga The term ṛddhi (Pali: iddhi, “psychic powers”) is often used interchangeably in Buddhism