shatter: To break into many pieces suddenly, as if struck.

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

shatsthala: (Sanskrit) "Six stages." Vira Saivism's six stages to union with Siva.

See: Vira Saivism.

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

shatkona: (Sanskrit) "Six-pointed star," formed by two interlocking triangles, the upper one representing Siva's transcendent Being, and the lower one Siva's manifest energy, Shakti. The shatkona is part of Lord Karttikeya's yantra.

See: Ardhanarishvara Karttikeya.

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

Shatapatha Brahmana: (Sanskrit) "Priest manual of 100 paths."

A priestly manual of the Shukla Yajur Veda, dealing with theology, philosophy and modes of worship.

(See also: Shatapatha Brahmana , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Shrauta Shastra: (Sanskrit) "Texts on the revelation."

1)    Refers to scriptures or teachings that are in agreement with the Vedas.

2)    A specific group of texts of the Kalpa Vedanga, and part of the essential study for Vedic priests. The Shrauta Shastras offer explanation of the yajna rituals.

See: Vedanga.

(See also: Shrauta Shastra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

shubha muhurta: (Sanskrit) "Auspicious time."

A range of time when specified activities are most likely to thrive and succeed.

See: muhurta.

(See also: Shubha muhurta , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

siddha yoga: (Sanskrit) "Yoga of perfected attainment, or of supernatural powers."

1)    A term used in the Tirumantiram and other Saiva scriptures to describe the yoga which is the way of life of adepts after attaining of Parasiva. Siddha yoga involves the development of magical or mystical powers, or siddhis, such as the eight classical powers. It is a highly advanced yoga which seeks profound transformation of body, mind and emotions and the ability to live in a flawless state of God Consciousness.

2)    The highly accomplished practices of certain alchemists.

See: siddha yogi, siddhi.

(See also: Siddha yoga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

shastra: (Sanskrit) "Sacred text; teaching."

1)    Any religious or philosophical treatise, or body of writings.

2)    A department of knowledge, a science; e.g., the Dharma Shastras on religious law, Artha Shastras on politics.

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

shaktipat: (Sanskrit) "Descent of grace." Guru diksha, initiation from the preceptor; particularly the first initiation, which awakens the kundalini and launches the process of spiritual unfoldment.

See: anugraha shakti, diksha,, grace, kundalini, shaktipat

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

Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati: (Sanskrit) "Tracks on the doctrines of the adepts."

A text of 353 highly mystical verses, ascribed to Gorakshanatha, dealing with the esoteric nature of the inner bodies and the soul's union with Supreme Reality.

See: Gorakshanatha, Siddha Siddhanta.

(See also: Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Siddha Yogi Sampradaya: (Sanskrit) Another term for Siddha Siddhanta.

See: Siddha Siddhanta.

(See also: Siddha Yogi Sampradaya , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

shaktipata: (Sanskrit) "Descent of grace."

Guru diksha, initiation from the preceptor; particularly the first initiation, which awakens the kundalini and launches the process of spiritual unfoldment.

See: anugraha shakti, diksha, deeksha, grace, kundalini, shaktipata

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

siddhanta shravana (or shravana): (Sanskrit) "Scriptural listening."

See: yama-niyama.

(See also: Siddhanta shravana , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

siddhanta: (Sanskrit) "Final attainments or conclusions." Siddhanta refers to ultimate understanding arrived at in any given field of knowledge.

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

Shakti Vishishtadvaita: (Sanskrit) The philosophy of Vira Saivism.

See: Vira Saivism.

(See also: Shakti Vishishtadvaita , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

siddha yogi: (Sanskrit) "Yogi of perfection." A perfected one, adept, a realized being who is the embodiment of the most profound yogic states and has attained magical or mystical powers.

See: siddha yoga, siddhi.

(See also: Siddha yogi , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

shaktopaya: (Sanskrit) "Way of power."

See: upaya.

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

Siddha Marga: (Sanskrit) Another term for Siddha Siddhanta.

See: Siddha Siddhanta, siddha yoga.

(See also: Siddha Marga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Shukla Yajur Veda: (Sanskrit)

See: Yajur Veda.

(See also: Shukla Yajur Veda , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

shudra: (Sanskrit) "Worker, servant."

The social class of skilled artisans, workers and laborers.

See: varna dharma.

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

Shuddhavidya: (Sanskrit) "Pure Knowledge."

The fifth tattva in the Saiva Siddhanta system.

See: tattva.

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

Shuddha Saiva Siddhanta: (Sanskrit) "Pure Saiva Siddhanta," a term first used by Tirumular in the Tirumantiram to describe his monistic Saiva Siddhanta and distinguish it from pluralistic Siddhanta and other forms of Siddhanta that do not encompass the ultimate monism of Vedanta.

(See also: Shuddha Saiva Siddhanta , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)