Krishna asserts that action cannot be avoided, and should be performed without consideration of the "fruit of action". Progression on the ladder of karma was associated with good action: one who did good things in life moved up the ladder.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Life and Death: Discover The Truth, Set Yourself Free

Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the World. The mundane understanding of sound and language is that it is only used for communication between two or more people. But at another level, the science of sound and language is a huge field of wisdom that affect many aspects of life, not the least our spiritual wellbeing. This article explain in detail the science of sound and language and how this wisdom has been an imbedded key component of the ancient sciences of India for thousands of years. Yoga, chanting and the use of mantras are all closely connected to the conscious use of sound and language for healing and spiritual awakening.

Read more here: » Spirituality & Science: Sanskrit - a divine Language?

Azazel `aza'zel (Hebrew) (from `azaz to be firm, strong, powerful (or from `ez goat) + 'el divinity, god)

Also Azaziel, Azazyel. God of victory; equivalent of Greek Prometheus, he was chief of the 'ishin (Chaldean) or 'ishim (Hebrew), men-spirits who, according to the Zohar, mixed themselves with mortal men, having come to earth to do so (Genesis 6:2-4). The 'ishin are chained on a mountain in the desert, which means that they undergo descent into material life and confinement in incarnation. Azazel and the six other 'ishin teach humankind to make weapons and utensils, and impart the knowledge of various other arts. These seven were the first instructors of the fourth root-race.

The story is a form of the universal myth which represents the descent of the manasaputras and, as usual, the god of might or victory has been turned into a god of evil, his benefits into seductions, and his chivalrous sacrifice into a rebellion. He was, like Baphomet, turned into a goat -- the scapegoat of the Old Testament, whose name in the Hebrew is Azazel. The goat in ancient animal symbology signified regeneration and reproductive power, hence strength, might.

Suggested additional material: Many experts in ancient Hebrew hold that the name of the old Syriac desert spirit/deity Azazel (Azazyel from the Ethiopian text) was confused with the Hebrew term "oz-oz-el" which literally meant "A goat that goes away." This confusion was fueled by the use of a sacrificial goat "for Azazel" (actually released, not killed) in the Jewish Old Testament rite of atonement. Later, in comparatively modern times, the term "azazel" became synonymous with the idea of the scapegoat.

 While a firm connection has never been established, it seems likely that the 3,000-year-old Syriac Azazel is the same one mentioned about 200 BC in the apocryphal "Book of Enoch" (Henoch) as the eventual leader of the "Sons of God" or "Watchers" sent to earth to watch over mankind, but later punished for taking human wives and teaching hidden knowledge to mankind. Confined to a thousand years' bondage in the "abyss," he was guarded by Archangels Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Phanuel.

Although modern Christians often equate Azazel with Satan (Lucifer/Heylel), there is little scholarly evidence to support this view. A more likely view holds that the ancient worshippers of Yahweh sought to incorporate a link to existing, older belief systems while demonizing competing deities.

(See also: Azazel , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Bondage Dictionary

Purva Mimamsa or Karma-Mimamsa is an enquiry into the earlier portion of the Vedas, an enquiry into the ritual of the Vedas or that portion of the Vedas which is concerned with the Mantras and the Brahmanas only. The Purva Mimamsa is so called, because it is earlier (Purva) than the Uttara Mimamsa, not so much in the chronological as in the logical sense.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Purva Mimamsa: Hindu Philosophy - The Purva Mimamsa

Satan [197]

• To dream of Satan, foretells that you will have some dangerous adventures, and you will be forced to use strategy to keep up honorable appearances.
• To dream that you kill him, foretells that you will desert wicked or immoral companions to live upon a higher plane.
• If he comes to you under the guise of literature, it should be heeded as a warning against promiscuous friendships, and especially flatterers.
• If he comes in the shape of wealth or power, you will fail to use your influence for harmony, or the elevation of others.
• If he takes the form of music, you are likely to go down before his wiles.
• If in the form of a fair woman, you will probably crush every kindly feeling you may have for the caresses of this moral monstrosity.
• To feel that you are trying to shield yourself from satan, denotes that you will endeavor to throw off the bondage of selfish pleasure, and seek to give others their best deserts.

[197] See also: Meaning of Dreams about Devil.

Source: 10 000 Dream Interpretations, by Gustavus Hindman Miller

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Satan , Meaning of Dreams about Satan , Dream Interpretation Satan )

For more dictionary entries, see » Bondage Dictionary

An introduction to Vedanta.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Vedanta: Introduction to Vedanta

Hinduism Lexicon on B

From backbiting to buddhi chitta.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Hinduism Lexicon on B

Sanskrit dictionary. From Advaita to Yoga.

Please note that all words in grey, like "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.

For more dictionary entries, see » Bondage Dictionary

Who is a good human being? Charles Dickens said people were good and bad. But he couldn"t figure out what made them that way. Unfortunately, Dickens missed - by about 50 years - the revolution in psychology brought about by Sigmund Freud.

Freud believed an individual'spersonality was shaped in his infancy, with later influences having only a negligible impact. However, Freud erred in focusing on natural instincts to the exclusion of social structures.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Peace of Mind: Goodness, a Lighter State of Being

A Dictionary of Spiritual Terms. From Acupuncture to Zoroaster.

Please note that all words in grey, like "yoga", "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.

For more dictionary entries, see » Bondage Dictionary

The doctrine of reincarnation or transmigration of souls is a fundamental tenet of Hinduism. The word reincarnation literally means embodiment again, coming again into a physical body. The individual soul takes again a fleshy covering. The word transmigration means passing from one place to another - passing into a new body.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Reincarnation: The Doctrine Of Reincarnation

Festive bonhomie apart, many myths, legends and spiritual insights are woven around the customs and rituals associated with Diwali.

Celebrations commence a day before amavas on Naraka Chaturdasi , which marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama. According to the puranas , demon king Naraka had acquired immense power through penance and had imprisoned the gods. He had also held captive 16,000 celestial princesses.

(See also: Diwali , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Diwali: It's Time to Light Lamps of Wisdom - about Diwali  

What is the Law of Attraction?

Law of attraction has many different labels, "Success consciousness", "Law of Magnetism", "Power of Thought" etc.

What it says is; all your thoughts, all images in your mind, and all the feelings connected to your thoughts will later manifest as your reality. In other words; everything you have in your life - now - has been attracted to you thru your mind.

This means that both the things you are happy with and those you are not - is your own creation.

Most importantly it means; you can from now on create your life consciously. You can start attracting only those circumstances that creates happiness for you - and leave out those you do not desire.

As The Law of Attraction is the most important law in the universe - there is a lot to say about it! Here you will find over 100 links to articles related to the Law of Attraction sorted under different topics. Indulge in all the knowlwdge and inspiration and learn how to become your own Creator!

(See also: Law of Attraction)

Read more here: » Law of Attraction: The Ultimate Guide to the Law of Attraction

Gayatri Mantra: (Sanskrit)

1) Famous Vedic mantra used in puja and personal chanting. Om (bhur bhuvah svah) tat savitur varenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. "(O Divine Beings of all three worlds,) we meditate upon the glorious splendor of the Vivifier divine. May He illumine our minds." (Rig Veda 3.62.10 VE). This sacred verse is also called the Savitri Mantra, being addressed to Savitri, the Sun as Creator, and is considered a universal mystic formula so significant that it is called Vedamatri, "mother of the Vedas."

2) Any of a class of special tantric mantras called Gayatri. Each addresses a particular Deity. The Siva Gayatri Mantra is: Tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam, urvarukamiva bandhanan mrtyormukshiya mamrtat. "We adore the fragrant three-eyed one who promotes prosperity. May we be freed from the bondage of death as a cucumber from its stalk, but not from immortality." This is a famous verse of the Yajur Veda (from Rudranamaka, or Sri Rudram), considered an essential mantra of Siva worship used in all Siva rites.

(See also: Gayatri Mantra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Bondage Dictionary

Destiny and the dynamics of living often remove us from the place we belong to, from what we refer to as our hometown. Living away, we tend to get "hometown-sick".

We split ourselves, and suffer a 'body here, mind there' syndrome. Interestingly, this can happen not just to an individual or a family, but even collectively to a whole people.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Life and Death: Freedom From Exile  

Being alone with yourself and understanding yourself is a way to peace.

Man, as he is and as he lives, is a crowd. He appears to be a single unit, but in reality, a crowd of people lives in him: all his relationships exist in him at the same time. So when he enters within himself, images of all his different relationships come floating to him.

At no point is he able to feel himself in entirety, in purity � just himself. This situation continues through his whole life. Sometimes, in the next life too. He carries with him this load of memories and images � that's what makes him a crowd.

(See also: Essence of Meditation , Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

Read more here: » Essence of Meditation: Flight Of The Alone

Everybody speaks: - This is right, that is wrong; you are right, he is wrong; - but he cannot tell you exactly what he means by right and wrong.

What is the criterion by which we judge an action to be right or wrong, and good or bad? - Right and wrong - and - good and bad - are relative terms. Right and wrong refer to the moral standard, as law. Good and bad refer to it, as end. You will have to adjust your conduct according to this moral standard. That which is in accordance with a rule is right. That which is worthy of achievement is good.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Ethics: Philosophy Of Right And Wrong

Guru Purnima:

THE FULL moon day in the month of Ashad (July-August) is an extremely auspicious and holy day of Guru Purnima. On this day, sacred to the memory of the great sage, Bhagavan Sri Vyasa, Sannyasins settle at some place to study and discourse on the thrice-blessed Brahma Sutras composed by Maharishi Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic, philosophical investigation.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Guru Purnima: Holy Days in Hinduism - Guru Purnima

A dictionary with common spiritual words from Hinduism and Sanskrit. Also see these links: Hinduism, Spirituality, Enlightenment, Spiritual Dictionary and Hinduism Dictionary.

For more dictionary entries, see » Bondage Dictionary

According to Hindu tradition, Rāma is an Avātara, an incarnation of Vishnu or God. The main purpose of his incarnation is to demonstrate the ideal human life on earth. Ultimately, Rāma slays the rākshasa king Ravana and reestablishes the rule of religious and moral law on earth known in Hinduism as dharma. It has been said that Brahma promised Valmiki, so long as the mountains and seas endure, so long ...

See also:

Ramayana, Ramayana - Timeline, Ramayana - Synopsis, Ramayana - Book I: Bal Kand or The Book of Youth, Ramayana - Book II: Ayodhya Kanda or The Book of Ayodhya, Ramayana - Book III: Aranya Kanda or The Book of the Forest, Ramayana - Book IV: Kishkindha Kanda or The Book of Kishkindha the kingdom of monkeys, Ramayana - Book V: Sundara Kanda or The Book of Sundara another name of Hanuman, Ramayana - Book VI: Yuddha Kanda or The Book of War, Ramayana - Book VII: Uttara Kanda or The Book Beyond, Ramayana - Lessons from the Ramayana, Ramayana - Literary works inspired by the Ramayana, Ramayana - Sugriva's cave of Hampie

Read more here: » Ramayana: Encyclopedia II - Ramayana - Synopsis

Dattatreya Jayanthi

DATTATREYA Jayanthi falls during December-January on the full moon day of the month of Margaseersha.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Dattatreya Jayanthi: Hindu Worshipping - Dattatreya Jayanthi

Meditation can either be on an object, or otherwise, can be objectless. In the initial stages, it is easier if you start by concentrating your mind on a selected object. Later, if you have brought over karma of spiritual practices from the past, you will yourself quickly be led to another technique that might be more appropriate to you inner nature.

The selected object may be a symbol, a flame, an image of a deity, a saint, or if you initially prefer, even an animal or ordinary individual you really love ... This really is the right approach too, for in each and every thing in Nature is the Light of God. What really is essential is that we inherently feel a great drawing towards the chosen object, symbol, image, person ...

(See also: Meditation Techniques , Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

Read more here: » Meditation Techniques: Meditation on an object