World: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on World

By Himalayan Academy

world: In Hindu theology, world refers to

1)    loka: a particular region of consciousness or plane of existence.

2)    maya: The whole of manifest existence; the phenomenal universe, or cosmos. In this sense it transcends the limitations of physical reality, and can include emotional, mental and spiritual, physical realms of existence, depending on its use. Also denoted by the terms prakriti and Brahmanda.

3)    pasha: In Saivism, the term world is often used to translate the term pasha in the Agamic triad of fundamentals - Pati, pashu, pasha, "God, soul, world." It is thus defined as the "fetter" (pasha) that binds the soul, veiling its true nature and enabling it to grow and evolve through experience as an individual being. In this sense, the world, or pasha, is three-fold, comprising anava (the force of individuation), karma (the principle of cause and effect) and maya (manifestation, the principle of matter, Siva's mirific energy, the sixth tattva).

See: Brahmanda, microcosm-macrocosm, sarvabhadra, Sivamaya, tattva.

worldly: Materialistic, unspiritual. Devoted to or concerned with the affairs or pleasures of the world, especially excessive concern to the exclusion of religious thought and life. Connoting ways born of the lower chakras: jealousy, greed, selfishness, anger, guile, etc. -

worldliness: The state or quality of being worldly.

worldly wise: Knowledgeable in the ways of the world. Street wise. Sophisticated.

See: materialism, samsari.

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For more articles related to World , see: Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, World , Body Mind and Soul.

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