Introduction and links to related topics Sivananda - (Sanskrit) "Bliss of Siva."
See: Swami Sivananda.
Sivananda - A form of Yoga integrating movement, breathing and meditation.
Swami Sivananda - (Sanskrit) One of Hinduism''s most influential modern-day saints (1887-1963). He was born in South India, practiced medicine in Malaysia, published a medical journal, became administrator of a hospital and later renounced the world.
He was initiated by Swami Vishvananda Sarasvati at Rishikesh in 1924, and founded the Divine Life Society in 1939, which has branches in many countries today. He has been a powerful force in spreading Hindu teachings in India and abroad through his many books and the travels of his numerous swamis. Emphasized hatha yoga and raja yoga and a broad, universal form of Hinduism.
Swami - (Sanskrit) "Lord; owner." He who knows or is master of himself.
A respectful title for a Hindu monk, usually a sannyasin, an initiated, orange-robed renunciate, dedicated wholly to religious life. As a sign of respect, the term swami is sometimes applied more broadly to include nonmonastics dedicated to spiritual work.
See: monk, sannyasa dharma, sannyasin.
Swami - Swami svamin (Sanskrit) [from sva one''s own + pada position, condition in evolution, abodes as bodies]
An owner, master; occasionally husband; also a spiritual preceptor, a learned Brahmin or pundit. Used as a title of honor at the end of names. In compounds the form svami is used.
Swami Paramahansa Yogananda - Born India, 1893, died 1952. Great spiritual teacher of the Kriya Yoga lineage
Nityananda - (Sanskrit) The reclusive sage (? - 1961) known as Bhagavan, "the exalted one," who lived an extraordinary mystic life near Mumbai, India, and initiated a number of disciples, including Swami Muktananda.
Conversion To Hinduism - Entering Hinduism has traditionally required little more than accepting and living the beliefs and codes of Hindus. This remains the basic factor of adoption, although there are, and always have been, formal ceremonies recognizing an individual''s entrance into the religion, particularly the namakarana, or naming rite.
The most obvious sign of true sincerity of adoption or conversion is the total abandoning of the former name and the choosing of the Hindu name, usually the name of a God or Goddess, and then making it legal on one''s passport, identity card, social security card and driver''s license. This name is used at all times, under all circumstances, particularly with family and friends. This is severance. This is adoption. This is embracing Hinduism. This is conversion. This is true sincerity and considered by born members as the most honorable and trusted testimony of those who choose to join the global congregation of the world''s oldest religion.
Many temples in India and other countries will ask to see the passport or other appropriate identification before admitting devotees of non-Indian origin for more than casual worship. It requires nothing more than one''s own commitment to the process. Belief is the keynote of religious conviction, and the beliefs vary greatly among the different religions of the world. What we believe forms our attitudes, shapes our lives and molds our destiny. To choose one''s beliefs is to choose one''s religion. Those who find themselves at home with the beliefs of Hinduism are, on a simple level, Hindu. Formally entering a new religion, however, is a serious commitment. Particularly for those with prior religious ties it is sometimes painful and always challenging.
The acceptance of outsiders into the Hindu fold has occurred for thousands of years. As Swami Vivekananda once said, "Born aliens have been converted in the past by crowds, and the process is still going on." Dr. S. Radhakrishnan confirms the swami''s views in a brief passage from his well known book The Hindu View of Life: "In a sense, Hinduism may be regarded as the first example in the world of a missionary religion. Only its missionary spirit is different from that associated with the proselytizing creeds. It did not regard it as its mission to convert humanity to any one opinion.
For what counts is conduct and not belief. Worshipers of different Gods and followers of different rites were taken into the Hindu fold. The ancient practice of vratyastoma, described fully in the Tandya Brahmana, shows that not only individuals but whole tribes were absorbed into Hinduism. Many modern sects accept outsiders. Dvala''s Smriti lays down rules for the simple purification of people forcibly converted to other faiths, or of womenfolk defiled and confined for years, and even of people who, for worldly advantage, embrace other faiths (p. 28-29)."
See: Hindu, Hinduism.
Intensive - The primary Siddha Yoga meditation program, which was designed by Swami Muktananda to give spiritual initiation by awakening the kundalini energy.
Yoga Tapas - (Sanskrit) "Fiery union."
Relentless, sustained yoga practice that awakens the fiery kundalini, bringing the transforming heat of tapas and ultimately the repeated experience of the Self God, leading to jnana, the wisdom state.
See: Advaita Siddhanta, austerity, danda, jivanmukta, Kadaitswami, karma, jnana, penance, punya, siddhi, tapas, yama, yoga.
Bhogarishi - nu (Sanskrit) One of the 18 siddhas of Saiva tradition, an alchemist and tantrika yogi, associated with the Palani Hills Murugan temple in South India, who created the Dandayuthapaniswami murti from nine poisonous metals. He is thought by some to still reside there in a cave. Chinese historical records suggest that he came from China.
See: siddha, siddhi, tantric.
Jagadacharya - (Sanskrit) "World teacher."
In 1986 the World Religious Parliament of New Delhi named five world leaders who were most active in spreading Sanatana Dharma outside India. The five are: H.H. Swami Chinmayananda of Chinmaya Missions, India; Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami of Saiva Siddhanta Church and Himalayan Academy, USA; Yogiraj Amrit Desai of Kripalu Yoga Center, USA; Pandit Tej Ramji Sharma of Nepali Baba, Nepal; and Swami Jagpurnadas Maharaj, Mauritius.
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