surrender: Giving up or yielding. Surrender to the Divine is called prapatti, a complete giving over of oneself to God's will in total trust and abandonment.

See: bhakti, prapatti, sacrifice.

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

bhakti yoga: n (Sanskrit) "Union through devotion." Bhakti yoga is the practice of devotional disciplines, worship, prayer, chanting and singing with the aim of awakening love in the heart and opening oneself to God's grace. Bhakti may be directed toward God, Gods or one's spiritual preceptor.

Bhakti yoga seeks communion and ever closer rapport with the Divine, developing qualities that make communion possible, such as love, selflessness and purity. Saint Sambandar described bhakti as religion's essence and the surest means to divine union and liberation. He advised heartfelt worship, unstinting devotion and complete surrender to God in humble, committed service. From the beginning practice of bhakti to advanced devotion, called prapatti, self-effacement is an intricate part of Hindu, even all Indian, culture.

Bhakti yoga is embodied in Patanjali's Yoga Darshana in the second limb, niyamas (observances), as devotion (Ishvarapranidhana). Bhakti yoga is practiced in many Hindu schools, and highly developed in Vaishnavism as a spiritual path in itself, leading to perfection and liberation. In Saiva Siddhanta, its cultivation is the primary focus during the kriya pada (stage of worship).

See: bhakti yoga, prapatti, sacrifice, surrender, yajna.

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

bhakti: n (Sanskrit) "Devotion." Surrender to God, Gods or guru. Bhakti extends from the simplest expression of devotion to the ego-decimating principle of prapatti, which is total surrender. Bhakti is the foundation of all sects of Hinduism, as well as yoga schools throughout the world. See: bhakti yoga, darshana, prapatti, prasada, sacrifice, surrender, yajna.

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

Bhakthi:

Bhakthi: Reverent Adoration, (RRV-1), devotion (BV-36). Adoring the Supreme with the greatest possible Love is called Bhakthi, the (9) modes (path) of devotion. (RRV2-2):

1. Sravanam: listening to stories of the Lord's lilas or plays

 2. Kirtanam: chanting of God's glories

 3. Smaranam: remembering the presence of the Lord constantly

 4. Padasevanam: Pada means feet. Seva means service. This is when you get to blend your practice of karma yoga (seva) with bhakti. In doing your duty and serving humanity, develop the bhava that you are serving and worshiping the Lord's Feet.

 5. Archanam: Worship of God through rituals such as puja

 6. Vandanam: prostration. The yogi expresses his respect and love to god by prostrating physically to the ground thereby developing humility

 7. Dasyam: The devotee is developing the feeling of being the Lord's servant. This will weed out pride, selfishness, arrogance and egoism which are all based on avidya.

 8. Sakhyam: Feeling of friendship. This bhava helps the devotees establish a personal relationship with God picturing him as his best friend. One should be ready to do anything for their friend.

 9. Atmanivedanam: Complete surrender of self. The term bhakti is often translated as devotion or love but rarely as surrender. Actually surrender is the highest aspect of bhakti. One's ego is totally offered to the Lord and nothing but the atman remains and non duality is experienced.

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

Caitanya-caritamrita:

Caitanya-caritamrita: The book of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami about the life and teachings of Lord Caitanya. 'The New Testament' of the Caitanya-vaishnava.

 "So here is a very specific statement about S'ri Caitanya Mahaprabhu," said Prabhupada. "He is avatara. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the same Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He is channa. Channa means covered, not directly. Because He has appeared as a devotee." S'rila Prabhupada explained why the Supreme Lord appeared in Kali-yuga as a devotee. " When Lord Krishna appeared, He ordered everyone to 'Surrender to Me.' But they took it, 'Who is this person asking like that? What right does he have? Why shall I give up?' But God Himself, the Supreme Being, He must order. That is God. But we think otherwise: 'Who is this man? Why is he ordering? Why shall I give up?' " The whole process of Krishna consciousness is submission, surrender to Krishna, S'rila Prabhupada explained. But the way to surrender to Krishna is to submit to His devotee, His representative. "S'ri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared this day for giving mercy to the fallen souls who are so foolish they cannot take to Krishna consciousness. He is personally teaching them. That is this kirtana". (Source: S'rila Prabhupada-Lilamrita, by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami)

(See also: Caitanya-caritamrita , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

prapatti: (Sanskrit) "Throwing oneself down."

Bhakti - total, unconditional submission to God, often coupled with the attitude of personal helplessness, self-effacement and resignation. A term especially used in Vaishnavism to name a concept extremely central to virtually all Hindu schools. In Saiva Siddhanta, bhakti is all important in the development of the soul and its release into spiritual maturity.

The doctrine is perhaps best expressed in the teachings of the four Samayacharya saints, who all shared a profound and mystical love of Siva marked by

1)    deep humility and self-effacement, admission of sin and weakness;

2)    total surrender in God as the only true refuge and

3)    a relationship of lover and beloved known as bridal mysticism, in which the devotee is the bride and Siva the bridegroom.

The practice of yoga, too, is an expression of love of God in Saiva Siddhanta, and it is only with God's grace that success is achieved. Rishi Tirumular states: "Unless your heart melts in the sweet ecstasy of love - my Lord, my treasure-trove, you can never possess" (Tirumantiram 272). It is in this concept of the need for self-effacement and total surrender, prapatti, that the members of all sects merge in oneness, at the fulfillment of their individual paths. Similarly, they all meet in unity at the beginning of the path with the worship of Lord Ganesha.

See: bhakti, grace, pada, surrender.

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

Saranagati - also known as saranapatti; surrender; approaching for refuge or protection. In Bhakti-sandarbha (Anuccheda 236) saranagati is described:

anukulyasya sankalpa pratikulyasya varjanam

 raksisyatiti visvaso goptrtve varanam tatha

 atma-niksepa karpanye sas-vidha saranagati

There are six symptoms of self-surrender: acceptance of that which is favorable to bhagavad-bhajana, rejection of that which is unfavorable, firm faith in the Lord as one’s protector, deliberate acceptance of the Lord as one’s guardian and nourisher, submission of the self, and humility.

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

Kundalini Dictionary

Dictionary over terms related to kundalini and kundalini awakening. Please note that words in grey like " Kundalini " are links to archives with related articles.

yajna: (Sanskrit) "Worship; sacrifice."

One of the most central Hindu concepts - sacrifice and surrender through acts of worship, inner and outer.

1) A form of ritual worship especially prevalent in Vedic times, in which oblations - ghee, grains, spices and exotic woods - are offered into a fire according to scriptural injunctions while special mantras are chanted.

-       The element fire, Agni, is revered as the divine messenger who carries offerings and prayers to the Gods.

-       The ancient Veda Brahmanas and the Shrauta Shastras describe various types of yajna rites, some so elaborate as to require hundreds of priests, whose powerful chanting resounds for miles. These major yajnas are performed in large, open-air structures called yagashala.

-       Domestic yajnas, prescribed in the Grihya Shastras, are performed in the family compound or courtyard. Yajna requires four components, none of which may be omitted: dravya, sacrificial substances; tyaga, the spirit of sacrificing all to God; devata, the celestial beings who receive the sacrifice; and mantra, the empowering word or chant.

-       While puja (worship in temples with water, lights and flowers) has largely replaced the yajna, this ancient rite still continues, and its specialized priestly training is carried on in schools in India.

-       Yajnas of a grand scale are performed for special occasions, beseeching the Gods for rain during drought, or for peace during bloody civil war. Even in temples, yajna has its Agamic equivalent in the agnikaraka, the homa or havana ceremony, held in a fire pit (homakunda) in an outer mandapa of a temple as part of elaborate puja rites.

-        

2) Personal acts of worship or sacrifice. Life itself is a jivayajna.

-       The Upanishads suggest that one can make "inner yajnas" by offering up bits of the little self into the fires of sadhana and tapas until the greater Self shines forth.

The five daily yajnas, pancha mahayajna, of the householder (outlined in the Dharma Shastras) ensure offerings to rishis, ancestors, Gods, creatures and men. They are as follows.

-       brahma yajna: (also called Veda yajna or rishi yajna) "Homage to the seers." Accomplished through studying and teaching the Vedas.

-       deva yajna: "Homage to Gods and elementals." Recognizing the debt due to those who guide nature, and the feeding of them by offering ghee and uncooked grains into the fire. This is the homa sacrifice.

-       pitri yajna: "Homage to ancestors." Offering of cakes (pinda) and water to the family line and the progenitors of mankind.

-       bhuta yajna: "Homage to beings." Placing food-offerings, bali, on the ground, intended for animals, birds, insects, wandering outcastes and beings of the invisible worlds. ("Let him gently place on the ground [food] for dogs, outcastes, svapachas, those diseased from sins, crows and insects" Manu Dharma Shastras 3.92).

-       manushya yajna: "Homage to men." Feeding guests and the poor, the homeless and the student. Manushya yajna includes all acts of philanthropy, such as tithing and charity. The Vedic study is performed in the morning.

The other four yajnas are performed just before taking one's noon meal. Manu Dharma Shastras (3.80) states, "Let him worship, according to the rule, the rishis with Veda study, the devas with homa, the pitris with shraddha, men with food, and the bhutas with bali."

Mystics warn that all offerings must be tempered in the fires of kundalini through the power of inner yajna to be true and valuable, just as the fire of awareness is needed to indelibly imprint ideas and concepts on one's own akashic window.

See: dharma, havana, homa, puja, sacrifice.

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

Definition and meaning of Surrender :

Surrender: To give up a Whole Life policy. The insurer pays the insured the cash value which the policy has built up if it is surrendered. (LI)

(Source: InsWeb)

Also see these pages: Surrender , Life Insurance, Life Insurance Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Definition and meaning of Surrender :

The termination of a life insurance policy while the life assured is still alive in return for a cash sum.

(Source Lloyd's )

Also see these pages: Surrender , Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

Definition and meaning of Surrender :

Surrender: The cancellation of life insurance by the policyholder

(Source: The Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary )

Also see these pages: Surrender , Insurance Business, Insurance Business Sitemap,  Insurance, Insurance Sitemap, Insurance Dictionary - S

saranagathi:

saranagathi (sharanaagathi). Absolute self-surrender.

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

grace: "Benevolence, love, giving," from the Latin gratia, "favor, goodwill."

God's power of revealment, anugraha shakti ("kindness, showing favor"), by which souls are awakened to their true, Divine nature.

Grace in the unripe stages of the spiritual journey is experienced by the devotee as receiving gifts or boons, often unbidden, from God. The mature soul finds himself surrounded by grace. He sees all of God's actions as grace, whether they be seemingly pleasant and helpful or not. For him, his very love of God, the power to meditate or worship, and the spiritual urge which drives his life are entirely and obviously God's grace, a divine endowment, an intercession, unrelated to any deed or action he did or could perform.

In Saiva Siddhanta, it is grace that awakens the love of God within the devotee, softens the intellect and inaugurates the quest for Self Realization. It descends when the soul has reached a certain level of maturity, and often comes in the form of a spiritual initiation, called shaktipata, from a satguru.

Grace is not only the force of illumination or revealment. It also includes Siva's other four powers - creation, preservation, destruction and concealment - through which He provides the world of experience and limits the soul's consciousness so that it may evolve.

More broadly, grace is God's ever-flowing love and compassion, karuna, also known as kripa ("tenderness, compassion") and prasada (literally, "clearness, purity").

To whom is God's grace given? Can it be earned? Two famous analogies, that of the monkey (markata) and that of the cat (marjara) express two classical viewpoints on salvation and grace.

• The markata school, perhaps represented more fully by the Vedas, asserts that the soul must cling to God like a monkey clings to its mother and thus participate in its "salvation."
• The marjara school, which better reflects the position of the Agamas, says that the soul must be like a young kitten, totally dependent on its mother's will, picked up in her mouth by the scruff of the neck and carried here and there. This crucial state of loving surrender is called prapatti.

See: anugraha shakti, prapatti, shaktipata, tirodhana shakti.

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

tapas: (Sanskrit) "Warmth, heat," hence psychic energy, spiritual fervor or ardor.

1)    Purificatory spiritual disciplines, severe austerity, penance and sacrifice. The endurance of pain, suffering, through the performance of extreme penance, religious austerity and mortification. By comparison, sadhana is austerity of a simple, sustained kind, while tapas is austerity of a severe, psychetransforming nature. Tapas is extreme bodily mortification, long term sadhanas, such as meditating under a tree in one place for 12 years, taking a lifetime vow of silence and never speaking or writing, or standing on one leg for a prescribed number of years. Scriptures warn against extreme asceticism that harm the body.

2)    On a deeper level, tapas is the intense inner state of kundalini "fire" which stimulates mental anguish and separates the individual from society. Life does not go on as usual when this condition occurs. The association with a satguru, Sadasiva, brings the devotee into tapas; and it brings him out of it. The fire of tapas burns on the dross of sanchita karmas. This is the source of heat, dismay, depression and striving until final and total surrender, prapatti. The individual can mollify this heated condition by continuing his regular sadhana as outlined by the guru. The fires of self-transformation may be stimulated by the practice of tapas, or come unbidden. One can "do" tapas, but the true tapas is a condition of being and consciousness which is a state of grace, bringing positive change, transformation and purification of one's nature. Guru bhakti is the only force that can cool the fires of tapas.

See: kundalini, penance, sadhana.

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

ENLIGHTENMENT (bodhi, Sanskrit) -

1. universal consciousness;; traditionally compared to a mind full of light like the moon in a cloudless sky or a mirror without any dust on it.

2. awareness that you are a manifestation of one Infinity, always moving according to yin and yang and the Order of the Universe. (Michi Kushi)

3. seeing not an alienated world to be gotten out of but a realized world in which we know that all plays a part. (Gary Snyder)

4. enlightenment experiences are described as; aha experience, awareness, born-again, conversion, cosmic-consciousness, convictional event, deep knowing, divine intervention. Eureka, felt shift, flash point, gestalt formation, getting it, gift of the guru, gnosis, grace, greater reality, illumination, inner feeling, inner voice, insight, awareness, left-right brain shift, miracle, moment of clarity, moment of truth, mystical experience, peak experience, quantum leap, religious experience, satari, spiritual awakening, sudden decision, surrender, transformation, turning point

(See also: ENLIGHTENMENT , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Para-bhakti:

Para-bhakti: complete devotion, self-surrender (SSS-IV)

(See also: Para-bhakti , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhakti yoga:

The path of love, devotion and surrender to the divine.

(See also: Bhakti yoga , Kundalini, Kundalini Yoga, Kundalini Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

Gajendra

The king of elephants, a human king in his previous life but cursed to be born an animal. Attacked by a crocodile and unable to free himself, Gajendra remembered Lord Vishnu and prayed to Him in full surrender. Lord Vishnu then appeared and saved him.

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

OM namah Shivaya [surrender + (to) Lord Shiva]: The mantra emitting the highest vibration of the seven seed sounds (such as eim, srim, krim, hrim) defined by Adi Shankaracharya in the “Karpooradi Stotram.”

(See also: OM namah Shivaya , Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)