confession: An admission of guilt or acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

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

Cosmic Dance: See: Nataraja.

(See also: Cosmic Dance , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

consort: Spouse, especially of a king or queen, God or Goddess.

Among the Gods there are actually no sexes or sexual distinctions, though in mythological folk-narratives, Hinduism traditionally represents these great beings in elaborate anthropomorphic depictions. Matrimony and human-like family units among the Gods are derived from educational tales intended to illustrate the way people should and should not live.

See: Shakti.

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

cremation: Dahana. Burning of the dead. Cremation is the traditional system of disposing of bodily remains, having the positive effect of releasing the soul most quickly from any lingering attachment to the earth plane. In modern times, cremation facilities are widely available in nearly every country, though gas-fueled chambers generally take the place of the customary wood pyre.

Embalming, commonly practiced even if the body is to be cremated, is ill-advised, as it injures the astral body and can actually be felt by the departed soul, as would an autopsy. Should it be necessary to preserve the body a few days to allow time for relatives to arrive, it is recommended that hot ice surround the body and that the coffin be kept closed. Arrangements for this service should be made well in advance with the mortuary.

Note that the remains of enlightened masters are sometimes buried or sealed in a special tomb called a samadhi. This is done in acknowledgement of the extraordinary attainment of such a soul, whose very body, having become holy, is revered as a sacred presence, sannidhya, and which not infrequently becomes the spiritual seed of a temple or place of pilgrimage.

See: bone-gathering, death, reincarnation, sannidhya.

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

Charvaka: (Sanskrit) "Good or sweet voice or word."

Indian philosopher (ca 600 bce) who fashioned the school of pure materialism bearing his name. One of the great skeptics of all time. See: nastika.

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

compensate: To make up for; counteract; recompense.

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

chandana: (Sanskrit) "Sandalwood paste." One of the sacred substances offered during puja and afterwards distributed to devotees as a sacrament (prasada).

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

commemorative: Anything that honors the memory of a departed person or past event. See: shraddha.

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

Chidambaram: (Tamil) "Hall of Consciousness."

A very famous South Indian Siva Nataraja temple. See: Nataraja.

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

conflagration: A large, destructive fire.

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

compatible: Capable of combining well; getting along, harmonious.

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

causal plane: Highest plane of existence, Sivaloka.

See: loka.

(See also: Causal plane , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

cadenced: In measured, modulated, rhythmic voice.

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

Chennabasavanna: (Sanskrit) "Little Basavanna."

The 12th-century theologian who systematized the religious doctrine of Vira Saivism.

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

centillion: The number 1 followed by 600 zeros. An unimaginably large figure.

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

callous: Unfeeling, not sensitive, lacking compassion or pity. See: yama-niyama.

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

ce: Abbreviation for "common era." Equivalent to the abbreviation ad. Following a date, it indicates that the year in question comes after the year zero in the Western, or Gregorian calender, system. E.g., 300 ce is 300 years after the turn of the millennium. Cf: bce.

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

crux: The essential or deciding point.

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

coexistent: "Existing together."

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

cranial chakras: The ajna, or third-eye center, and the sahasrara, at the top of the head near the pineal and pituitary glands.

See: chakra.

(See also: Cranial chakras , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

chudakarana: (Sanskrit) "Head-shaving sacrament." See: samskara.

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

confidentiality: The ability to keep confidences or information told in trust; not divulging private or secret matters.

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