BRAHMACHARI(N): celibate

(See also: BRAHMACHARI, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

brahmachari: (Sanskrit) "He who is moving in God."

An unmarried male spiritual aspirant who practices continence, observes religious disciplines, including sadhana, devotion and service and who may be under simple vows. Also names one in the student stage, age 1224,or until marriage.

See: ashrama dharma, monk.

(See also: Brahmachari, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Brahmachari:

A celibate religious student who lives with his teacher and devotes himself to the practice of spiritual discipline.

(See also: Brahmachari, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Brahmachari (Sanskrit) A Brahman ascetic; one vowed to celibacy, a monk, virtually, or a religious student.

(See also: Brahmachari, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

brahmachari (m), brahmacharini (f): One who moves in Brahman; that is, one who continually fixes the mind on the eternal Truth. The more common meaning is student, or one who practices spiritual discipline and celibacy.

(See also: brahmachari, Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Most Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks are brahmacharis, having taken the vow for life, commiting themselves to work of religious service and study. Mahatma Gandhi, the great Indian political and spiritual leader had embraced the vow and lifestyle permanently at age 36. Many brahmacharis have the final goal of nirvana, or moksha in mind when they pursue strictly disciplined lifestyles. ...

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Brahmacharya, Brahmacharya - Pronunciation, Brahmacharya - Usage, Brahmacharya - Yoga, Brahmacharya - Diet and Ahimsa, Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis, Brahmacharya - Links for more Information and Various Views

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Encyclopedia II - Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis

Brahmacharya is also observed to contain one's sensual desires for food and taste, as well as materialism. Most brahmacharis prescribe to avoiding the consumption of meat, spices and cooked foods, said to cultivate the taste buds and pleasure senses of the mind. To terminate egotism and possessiveness, as a part of curbing one's aggressiveness and tendency to commit violence, one must cease to covet all material possessions. ...

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Brahmacharya, Brahmacharya - Pronunciation, Brahmacharya - Usage, Brahmacharya - Yoga, Brahmacharya - Diet and Ahimsa, Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis, Brahmacharya - Links for more Information and Various Views

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Encyclopedia II - Brahmacharya - Diet and Ahimsa

Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha. The first incident is the birth of Ganesha and how he got his elephant head. Once, while his mother Parvati wanted to bathe, there were no attendants around to guard her and stop anyone from accidentally entering the house. Hence she created a boy's idol out of turmeric paste which she prepared to cleanse her body (Turmeric was used for its anti-septic and cooling properties) and infused life into it, and thus Ganesha was born. Parvati ordered Ganesha not to allow anyone to enter the h ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha

This word in one common usuage generally denotes a particular phase of life (first 20-25 years of Life). Ancient Hindu culture divides the life in 100 year life span. This is the stage when the young child leads a student life, (ideally in the Gurukula - the household of the Guru). This stage of life is preceded by the Upanayanam of the child, during which ceremony, he is considered to be born again. It is the first in the four phases of a man, namely, Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and finally Sanyasa, as prescri ...

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Brahmacharya, Brahmacharya - Pronunciation, Brahmacharya - Usage, Brahmacharya - Yoga, Brahmacharya - Diet and Ahimsa, Brahmacharya - Modern Brahmacharis, Brahmacharya - Links for more Information and Various Views

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Encyclopedia II - Brahmacharya - Usage

brahmacharini: (Sanskrit) Feminine counterpart of brahmachari. See: nunk.

(See also: Brahmacharini, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

brahmacharini

feminine variant of brahmachari.

(See also: brahmacharini, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

celibacy: Complete sexual abstinence. Also the state of a person who has vowed to remain unmarried.

See: brahmachari, brahmacharya.

(See also: Celibacy, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

In Monkeybone, Jumbo the Elephant God is somewhat based on Ganesha The movie Garden State begins with an invocation to Ganesha. The Ganesha Mantram is sung melodiously several times during a traumatic event. ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Other Media

Ganesha acquired his head through varying methods in different stories. In one, Shiva decapitated him because Ganesha refused to allow him to enter the house while his mother, Parvati, was bathing. Shiva was not aware that Parvati had instructed Ganesha to guard the house while she was bathing. He was not even aware that Ganesha was his son, as he had been away from home for some time. Shiva had to give him the new head to placate his wife. In another version, Parvati showed the child off to Shiva, whose face burned his head to ashes, which ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Overview

According to the strict rules of Hindu iconography, Ganesha figures with only two hands are taboo. Hence, Ganesha figures are most commonly seen with four hands which signify their divinity. Some figures may be seen with six, some with eight, some with ten, some with twelve and some with fourteen hands, each hand carrying a symbol which differs from the symbols in other hands, there being about fifty-seven symb ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Iconography

In India, there is an important festival honouring Lord Ganesha. While it is most popular in the state of Maharashtra, it is performed all over India. It is celebrated for ten days starting from Ganesh Chaturthi. This was introduced by Balgangadhar Tilak as a means of promoting nationalist sentiment when India was ruled by the British. This festival is celebrated and it culminates on the day of Ananta Chaturdashi when the murti of Lord Ganesha is immersed into the most convenient body of water. In Mumbai (earlier known as Bombay), the ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha

Ganesha has two Siddhis (symbolically represented as wives or consorts): Siddhi (success) and Riddhi (prosperity). It is widely believed that "Wherever there is Ganesh, there is Success and Prosperity" and "Wherever there is Success and Prosperity there is Ganesh". This is why Ganesh is believed to be the harbinger of good fortune, and why he is invoked first at any ritual or cermony. Whether it is diwali puja, a new house, a new vehicle, students praying before the exams, or people praying before job interviews, it is Ganesha they pray to, because it is believed that he will come to the ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh

Like other Hindu gods and goddesses, Ganesh has many other titles of respect or symbolic names, and is often worshipped through the chanting of sahasranamam (pronounced saa-HUS-ruh-naamam), or a thousand names. Each is different and conveys a different meaning, representing a different aspect of the god in question. Needless to say, almost all Hindu gods have one or two accepted versions of their own sahasranaam liturgy. Ganesha is also known by other names: Ameya, boundless (in Marathi) < ...

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Ganesha, Ganesha - Overview, Ganesha - Iconography, Ganesha - Some incidents related to Ganesha, Ganesha - Birth of Ganesha, Ganesha - Ganesha's reverence for his parents, Ganesha - Ganesha and Vyasa, Ganesha - Ganesha and the Moon, Ganesha - Ganesha as a brahmachari, Ganesha - Festivals and Worship of Ganesha, Ganesha - Vehicle of Ganesh, Ganesha - Popularity Of Ganesh, Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha, Ganesha - Other Media

Read more here: » Ganesha: Encyclopedia II - Ganesha - Other names for Ganesha

ashrama dharma: "Duties of life's stages."

Human or developmental dharma. The natural process of maturing from childhood to old age through fulfillment of the duties of each of the four stages of life- brahmachari (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (elder advisor) and sannyasa (religious solitaire)- in pursuit of the four human goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation).

See: ashrama dharma.

(See also: Ashrama dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

There are four principal kinds of dharma, as follows. They are known collectively as - chaturdharma: "four religious laws."

1. rita: "Universal law." The inherent order of the cosmos. The laws of being and nature that contain and govern all forms, functions and processes, from galaxy clusters to the power of mental thought and perception.
2. varna dharma: (Sanskrit) "Law of one's kind." Social duty. Varna can mean "race, tribe, appearance, character, color, social standing, etc." Varna dharma defines the individual's obligations and responsibilities within the nation, society, community, class, occupational subgroup and family. An important part of this dharma is religious and moral law. See: jati, varna dharma.
3. ashrama dharma: "Duties of life's stages." Human or developmental dharma. The natural process of maturing from childhood to old age through fulfillment of the duties of each of the four stages of life- brahmachari (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (elder advisor) and sannyasa (religious solitaire)- in pursuit of the four human goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation). See: ashrama dharma.
4. svadharma: "Personal path, pattern or obligation." One's perfect individual pattern through life, according to one's own particular physical, mental and emotional nature. Svadharma is determined by the sum of past karmas and the cumulative effect of the other three dharmas. It is the individualized application of dharma, dependent on personal karma, reflected on one's race, community, physical characteristics, health, intelligence, skills and aptitudes, desires and tendencies, religion, sampradaya, family and guru.

(See also: Chaturdharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Much of the maṭha activity is centered around religious institutions. A number of Vedic Schools and Temples are maintained by the maṭha. Besides this the maṭha also runs a hospital, and a few colleges. It has established branches in many parts of India. The Sharadambal Temple at Sringeri is managed by the Sringeri maṭha. There is also a spectacular library in Sringeri, with rare Sanskrit Volumes ,which is managed by the maṭha. The environment in Sringeri is highly unpolluted and beautiful. The maṭha has also played an impor ...

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Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Location, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - History, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Head of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Philosophy and Traditions of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Followers of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Activities of the maṭha, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Relationship with other maṭhas and Institutions, Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Guru Parampara

Read more here: » Sringeri Sharada Peetham: Encyclopedia II - Sringeri Sharada Peetham - Activities of the maṭha

One story about Agastya goes that once the demons had taken refuge in the ocean and it was difficult for the gods to vanquish them, so they went to Sage Agastya for help. Then, after hearing the gods, the sage drank the entire ocean water and withheld it within him until the demons were destroyed. Agastya is said to have "dedicated" all the forest animals to the deity Rudra (later called as Shiva), hence ma ...

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Agastya, Agastya - Humbling the Vindhya mountains, Agastya - Agastya and the Tamil language, Agastya - Agastya and Lopāmudrā, Agastya - Legends about Agastya, Agastya - Other facets of Agastya, Agastya - Unity of Vishnu and Shiva, Agastya - Agastya In Ayyavazhi, Agastya - Certain important Stotrams

Read more here: » Agastya: Encyclopedia II - Agastya - Legends about Agastya