The pious Brahmin, longing to attain the summum bonum on the dissolution of his material body, was enjoined to pass through a succession of four Ashramas ("phases" or "stages"). They are Brahmacharya, Grihasthya, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. The first quarter of one's life, brahmacharya (literally "grazing in Brahma") is spent in celibate, sober and pure contemplation of the divine under a Guru, building up body and mind for the responsibilities of life. Grihastya is the householder's stage, alternatively known as samsara, in which ...

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Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - The four stages of life

The three first castes, however unequal to each other in privilege and social standing, are yet united by a common bond of sacramental rites (samskaras), traditionally connected from ancient times with certain incidents and stages in the life of the Hindu, as conception, birth, name-giving, the first taking out of the child to see the sun, the first feeding with boiled rice, the rites of tonsure and hair-cutting, the youths investiture with the sacrificial thread, and his return home on ...

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Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - Sacramental rites

Orthodox Brahmanical scholasticism makes the attainment of final emancipation (mukti, moksha) dependent on perfect knowledge of the divine essence, Brahman. This knowledge can only be obtained by complete detachment of the mind from external objects and intense meditation on the divine, which again presupposes the total extinction of all sensual instincts by means of austere practices (tapas). The chosen few who succeed in gaining complete mastery over their senses and a full knowledge of the divine nature become absorbed into the universal ...

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Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - Moksha

As the language of the Early Aryans has undergone continual processes of modification, dialectic division, and amalgamation with other native languages so has their religious belief passed through various stages of development broadly distinguished from one another by certain prominent features. The earliest phases of religious thought in India of which a clear idea can now be formed are exhibited in a body of writings, looked upon by later generations in the light of sacred writ, under the colle ...

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Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism

Most Christians believe that the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity is so central to the Christian faith, that to deny it is to reject the Christian faith entirely. However a number of nontrinitarian groups, both throughout history and today, identify themselves as Christians but reject the doctrine of the Trinity in any form, arguing that theirs was the original pre-Nicean understanding. Some ancient sects, such as the Ebionites, said that Jesus was not a "Son of God", but rather an ordinary man who was a prophet. Many modern groups also teac ...

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Trinity, Trinity - Scripture and tradition, Trinity - Baptism as the beginning lesson, Trinity - Scriptural texts cited as implicit support for the doctrine of the Trinity, Trinity - Ontology of the Trinity, Trinity - Historical view and usage, Trinity - One God, Trinity - God exists in three persons, Trinity - Orthodox Roman Catholic and Protestant distinctions, Trinity - Historical development, Trinity - Dissent from the doctrine, Trinity - Other views of the Trinity, Trinity - Theory of pagan origin and influence, Trinity - Christian life and the Blessed Trinity, Trinity - Similarities in the 16th-century Jewish Kabbalah, Trinity - In popular culture

Read more here: » Trinity: Encyclopedia II - Trinity - Dissent from the doctrine

Brahmanism - Buddhism. Such a man arose in the person of a prince of Kapilavastu, Siddhārtha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism (about the 6th century BC). Had it only been for the philosophical tenets of Buddha, they need scarcely have caused, and probably did not cause, any great uneasiness to the orthodox theologians. He did, indeed, go one step beyond Kapila, by altogether denying the existence of the soul as a substance, and admitting only ...

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Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System

Murti(Sanskrit). A form, or a sign, or again a face, e.g., "Trimurti", the "three Faces" or Images.

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

Aum (Sanskrit) The ancient Indians held that Om, when considered as a single letter ((Sanskrit character)) was the symbol of the Supreme; when written with three letters -- Aum -- it stood among other things for the three Vedas, the three gunas or qualities of nature, the three divisions of the universe, and the deities of the Hindu Trimurti -- Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva -- concerned in the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe or the beings composing it. "The mystic formula, r�sum� of every science, contained in the three mysterious letters, AUM which signify creation, conservation, and transformation" (IU 2:31).

These three letters are supposed by some Hindus to have correspondences as follows: "The letter A is the Sattva Guna, U is the Rajas, and M is the Tamas; these three qualities are termed Nature (Prakriti). . . . A is Bhurloka, U is Bhuvarloka, and M is Svarloka; by these three letters the spirit exhibits itself" (Laheri in Lucifer 10:147). This word is said to have a morally spiritualizing effect if pronounced during meditation and when the mind is at peace and cleansed of all impurities.

See also OM

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

Murti (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root murch to become solid, take shape]

A shape, a manifestation, imbodiment, or personification. The Trimurti, the "three manifestations" of divinity, is the Triad of the Hindu pantheon.

(See also: Murti, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Practitioners of Agama Hindu Dharma share many common beliefs, which include: A belief in one supreme being called 'Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa', 'Sang Hyang Tunggal', or 'Sang Hyang Cintya'. A belief that all of the gods are manifestations of this supreme being. This belief is same as the belief of Smartism, which also holds that the different forms of God, Vishnu, Siva are different aspects of the same Supreme Being. A belief in the Trimurti, consisting of: Brahma, the creator ...

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Agama Hindu Dharma, Agama Hindu Dharma - General beliefs and practices, Agama Hindu Dharma - Hinduism in Bali, Agama Hindu Dharma - Javanese Hinduism, Agama Hindu Dharma - Hinduism elsewhere in the archipelago, Agama Hindu Dharma - See Also

Read more here: » Agama Hindu Dharma: Encyclopedia II - Agama Hindu Dharma - General beliefs and practices

He is a Lokapala and an Aditya. In art, he is depicted with green or red skin, red clothes, and riding a buffalo. He holds a loop of rope in his left hand with which he pulls the soul from the corpse. He is the son of Surya (Sun) and twin brother of Yami, or Yamuna, traditionally the first human pair in the Vedas. He was also worshiped as a son of Vivasvat and Saranya. He is one of the Ashta-Dikpalas and represents the south. He reports to Lord Shiva the Destroyer, an aspect of Trimurti (Hinduism's triune Godhead). Three hymns (10, 14, and 3 ...

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Yama, Yama - Characteristics of Yama, Yama - Subordination to Shiva and Vishnu, Yama - Yamas as codes of conduct, Yama - Yama in popular culture

Read more here: » Yama: Encyclopedia II - Yama - Characteristics of Yama

Trigunas (Sanskrit). The three divisions of the inherent qualities of differentiated matter - i.e., of pure quiescence (satva), of activity and desire (rajas), of stagnation and decay (tamas) They correspond with Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. (See " Trimurti ".)

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

Three Faces. The Trimurti of the Indian Pantheon; the three persons of the one godhead. Says the Book of Precepts: "There are two Faces, one in Tushita (Devachan) and one in Myalba (earth); and the Highest Holy unites them and finally absorbs both."

(See also: Three Faces, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Chatur-mukha catur-mukha (Sanskrit) (from chatur four + mukha face)

Four faces, four-faced; applied to each member of the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Siva), each being represented as four-faced. Also applicable to the side or face of a square.

(See also: Chatur-mukha, catur-mukha, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Atmabhu (Sanskrit) (from atman self + bhu to become)

Self-existent, self-becoming, hence self-born. Applied to each member of the Hindu Trimurti -- Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva -- likewise to the god of cosmic desire or unity, Kama-deva.

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

Agni (Sanskrit). The God of Fire in the Veda; the oldest and the most revered of Gods in India. He is one of the three great deities: Agni, Vayu and Surya, and also all the three, as he is the triple aspect of fire; in heaven as the Sun; in the atmosphere or air (Vayu), as Lightning; on. earth, as ordinary Fire. Agni belonged to the earlier Vedic Trimurti before Vishnu was given a place of honour and before Brahma and Siva were invented.

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

Siva (Sanskrit). The third person of the Hindu Trinity (the Trimurti). He is a god of the first order, and in his character of Destroyer higher than Vishnu, the Preserver, as he destroys only to regenerate on a higher plane. He is born as Rudra, the Kumara, and is the patron of all the Yogis, being called, as such, Mahadeva the great ascetic, His titles are significant Trilochana, "the three-eyed", Mahadeva, "the great god ", Sankara, etc., etc., etc.

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

VISHNU INCARNATION

One of the Gods of the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), who volunteered for incarnation in order to help the righteous and bring them to enlightenment. Some say there have been eleven so far and the 12th is the coming incarnation, which will take place in this century, whilst others claim it to have taken place, 2000 years ago with the birth of X. Prithivi (earth) is supposed to have been the first avatar. HPB gives the ten subsequent avatars in this progression:

(See also: VISHNU INCARNATION, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

Brahma (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as "brəhmα:") is the Hindu creator god, and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. He must not be confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit of Hindu philosophy Brahman (the word stems of both are the same). Brahmā is identied with the Vedic deity Prajapati. Brahmacharya The word Brahmacharya symbolises a person who is leading a life in quest of Brahma, or in other words a student. The root "Bra ...

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Glossary of terms in Hinduism, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - A, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - B, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - C, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - D, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - E, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - F, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - G, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - H, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - I, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - J, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - K, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - L, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - M, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - N, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - O, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - P, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Q, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - R, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - S, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - T, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - U, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - V, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - W, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Y, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Z, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Notes

Read more here: » Glossary of terms in Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - Glossary of terms in Hinduism - B

Tridasa (Sanskrit) [from tri three + dasa ten]

Thirty; as used in ancient India, it refers in round numbers to the general cycles of the Vedic deities, of which there were 33 ordinary ones: the 12 adityas, the 8 vasus, the 11 rudras, and 2 asvins. When the Hindu trimurti or triad is added to these, the number becomes 36, one of the archaic numbers of esoteric computation, not only in chronology but likewise in theology and theogony. Thirty-six is half of 72, which is 1/5 of 360, and 1/6 of the highly mystical key number 432, with ciphers added or not, according to the computation undertaken.

 Following the law of chronological analogy, thirty, which is 1/12 of 360, is the foundation number of esoteric computation, to which ciphers may be added according to the scheme held in mind. The 33 crores (330 million) deities usually enumerated in the Hindu pantheon are to be understood similarly, 33 being a round number for 36; for here too the 33 crores must be taken in connection with the trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, themselves aggregates, giving the important figure 36.

(See also: Tridasa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Regeneration [from Latin re again + generare to beget]

Renewal, regrowth, spiritual rebirth; as rebirth follows upon death, regeneration follows upon destruction, hence it implies immortality. It is one meaning of the serpent or dragon symbol. The Holy of Holies of the Hebrews, and the King's Chamber in the Egyptian pyramid of Cheops, were symbols of regeneration with the ancients, but in certain materializing interpretations became transformed into symbols of generation. Siva in the Hindu Trimurti, sometimes described as representing destruction, is better called the regenerator. The end of one cycle is the birth of another, as typified in the rebirth of the year, the festival of Easter, etc.

Regeneration is also often used in those cases where the lower through inner regeneration becomes transformed into the higher.

(See also: Regeneration, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Vishnu (Sanskrit). The second person of the Hindu Trimurti (trinity), composed of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. From the root vish, "to pervade". in the Rig -Veda, Vishnu is no high god, but simply a manifestation of the solar energy, described as "striding through the seven regions of the Universe in three steps and enveloping all things with the dust (of his beams ".) Whatever may be the six other occult significances of the statement, this is related to the same class of types as the seven and ten Sephiroth, as the seven and three orifices of the perfect Adam Kadmon, as the seven "principles" and the higher triad in man, etc., etc. Later on this mystic type becomes a great god, the preserver and the renovator, he "of a thousand names - Sahasranama ".

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