Ribhu rbhu (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root rabh]

Clever, skillful, inventive; applied to Indra, Agni, and the adityas in the Rig-Veda. As a noun, an artist, smith, builder. Also the name of three semi-divine beings, Ribhu, Vaja, and Vibhvan, the name of the first being applied to the three; "thought by some to represent the three seasons of the year, and celebrated for their skill as artists; they are supposed to dwell in the solar sphere, and are the artists who formed the horses of Indra, the carriage of the Asvins, and the miraculous cow of Brihaspati; they made their parents young, and performed other wonderful works; they are supposed to take their ease and remain idle for twelve days (the twelve intercalary days of the winter solstice) every year in the house of the Sun. (Agohya); after which they recommence working; when the gods heard of their skill, they sent Agni to them with the one cup of their rival Tvashtri, the artificer of the gods, bidding the Ribhus construct four cups from it; when they had successfully executed this task, the gods received the Ribhus amongst themselves and allowed them to partake of their sacrifices; they appear generally as accompanying Indra, especially at the evening sacrifice" (M-Wms Dict). In the Puranas, Ribhu is a son of Brahman, while Sankaracharya's guru enumerates him as one of the seven kumaras (SD 1:457).

Ribhu thus is a generalizing term corresponding to one aspect of one of the manasaputras (sons of mind).

(See also: Ribhu, rbhu , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Lambika Yoga

Practice of Khechari Mudra is Lambika Yoga. The technique of the Mudra is explained below. He who practises this Mudra will have neither hunger nor thirst. He can walk in the sky. This Yoga is beset with difficulties.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Lambika Yoga: Practice of Khechari Mudra - Lambika Yoga

Altar (from Latin altare from altus high)

Usually an elevation of earth, stone, or wood for the worshiper to kneel on, or for the offering of sacrifices, or as the pedestal of an invisible divinity or its statue. In the Old Testament it appears as part of the furniture of the Jewish tabernacle, that sacred shrine of the Deity. This altar has horns at each end, which is said to symbolize the fecund cow -- in common with the ideas of Hindus and ancients Egyptians -- which again represents Mother Nature; so the connection with the Holy of Holies, which stands for the great Mother, resurrection, and birth, is apparent.

In general the altar is the earthly throne or supposed seat of a deity; and its familiar metaphorical use suggests both this and also the idea of sacrifice. The altar has been taken over by Christendom, where it has become the communion table. It also has the idea of refuge and sanctuary, for it was commonly so used both with the Hebrews and the Classical ancients.

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

The funny thing about life is that there usually isn't much to laugh about!

"I'm not very happy most of the time," quipped Woody Allen. "The rest of the time I'm not happy at all."

On television, the joke is on someone else, so we laugh. Someone else's slip-up, struggles, loss of face, sleepless nights. In real life, however, the joke is usually on us. Maybe comedies bring us relief from our own frustrations and failures by drawing our attention to the fictional disasters of others. Or is it that we get to view a reflection of ourselves in those characters on the screen and so present a disguised opportunity to see the humorous angle of what happens to all of us; a form of catharsis; a chance to unwind and ease the tension of our troubled minds?

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Love and Happiness: Listen to the Cosmic Laughter

Nanda-vraja

“The cow pastures of Nanda,” the sacred district of Mathura that is the manifestation on earth of Goloka Vrindavana, the supreme abode of Krishna.

(See also: Nanda-vraja , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Bull, Bull Worship The bull has been worshiped as a symbol of generative creation in its celestial or cosmic aspect -- in contrast with the terrestrial and human aspect represented by the ram and sometimes the lamb.

Generally the bull or cow was used as a symbol of the moon cosmogonically, although occasionally associated with solar deities. Sometimes a white bull is represented, as seen in the Egyptian Apis, who legendarily is Osiris "incarnate" in that form; with the Hindus the white bull Nandi was associated with Siva. However, the significance of the ram is terrestrial, usually phallic, and lunar in the productive sense. Thus the bull represents cosmic evolutionary power, while the ram symbolizes the terrestrial generative powers. The sacred bulls did not necessarily represent male animals, but were mystically considered to be hermaphrodite or even sexless: thus the Egyptian bull, Apis, was depicted as being hermaphrodite, which showed his cosmic character.

The bull was at times considered to be one of the four sacred animals, corresponding to the four points of the compass and other quaternaries, such as the four Maharajas. In Assyrian and other sculptures in Asia Minor we often see a king in the act of seizing a bull by the horns and stabbing it in the belly, the significance of which is reason prevailing over impulse, mind over generative power, or the solar over the lunar elements in mankind and nature. Frequently the bulls were carved as winged, implying the creative or productive nature of the cosmogonic spirit and its all-permeant power throughout nature. The entire series of ideas here was akin to the theme associated with the Mithraic Mysteries, in one stage of which the bull figured prominently.

The preponderance of bull symbols in ancient Assyrian and other sculptures was connected with a time when the zodiacal sign Taurus, due to the precession of the equinoxes, was ascendant: this would be approaching three precessional cycles ago (more than 75,000 years). Thus the bull would then naturally be a favorite emblem and would have featured very largely in association with the iconographical elements of exoteric worship.

(See also: Bull, Bull Worship , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

kama-dhenu:

kama-dhenu - the heavenly cow

(See also: kama-dhenu , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

dhenu:

dhenu - a cow

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Madan (Tamil) One that looks like a cow; wicked elementals or other astral and subastral sprites or nature spirits, half-brutes or half-monsters. They are particularly helpful to sorcerers of evil intent, as they are used for striking people and cattle with sudden illness and even death.

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

tripundra: (Sanskrit) "Three marks."

The Saivite sectarian mark, consisting of three horizontal lines of vibhuti (holy ash) on the brow, often with a dot (bindu) at the third eye. The three lines represent the soul's three bonds: anava, karma and maya. Holy ash, made of burnt cow dung, is a reminder of the temporary nature of the physical body and the urgency to strive for spiritual attainment and closeness to God.

See: bindu, tilaka, vibhuti.

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

Vasishta:

Vasishta (Vashishtha). One of the greatest rishis (sages) of ancient times; priest of the solar race of kings; revealer of several Vedic hymns. Had sacred, wishfulfilling cow called Nandini.

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

Ymir

The primeval being of Scandinavian mythology, father of all the giants. He was nourished by the four milky streams, which flowed from the cow Audhumla. The sons of Bor - Odin, Vili and Ve - slew Ymir and all the frost giants were drowned in his blood, which formed the world's lakes and seas. His bones and flesh became the mountains and the land, and his skull became the vault of heaven. A race of dwarfs grew within his carcass.

(See also: Ymir , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Gopa (Sanskrit) (from go cow + the verbal root pa to protect, cherish)

Protector, guardian, cowherd, herdsman, milkman; in the mythology concerning Krishna, Gopa is applied to him as chief herdsman -- or shepherd, to use the Christian form of the idea.

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

Kamadhenu:

Kamadhenu: Divine cow granting all wishes. [SB, 9:15-24]

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

dhenu-vratha:

dhenu-vratha. Ritual of cow worship.

(See also: dhenu-vratha , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Gopala:

Gopala: Krishna as cowherd lad (BV-38), Gopala is Lokapala, and not a cowherd boy, Go means cow, pala means he who fosters and protects, Loka means the World (BV-39).

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

Dhuni:

Dhuni. Sacred "fire". It only smolders. Made of wood or cow dung. Of non-Vedic origin. Usually circular (yoni image) about 10-12 inches in diameter. Sadhus at their homes tend it.

(See also: Dhuni , Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

gomukhasana:

gomukhasana - the cow-faced posture

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

Dwija Brahman (Sanskrit). The investure with the sacred thread that now constitutes the "second birth". Even a Sudra who chooses to pay for the honour becomes, after the ceremony of passing through a silver or golden cow - a dwija.

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

Gomatha:

Gomatha: The cow that gives its milk and the bullock that is the partner in growing its food throughout life (SSS-III)

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

dhuni:

sacred "fire". It only smolders. Made of wood or cow dung. Of non-vedic origin. Usually circular (yoni image) about 10-12 inches in diameter. It is tended by sadhus at their homes.

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

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