Vyakarana Dictionary

Prophecy of future enlightenment

(Skt.: vyakarana; Pali.: veyŸakarana; Jpn.: juki or kibetsu or wagarana)

A Buddha's prediction that a disciple (or disciples) will attain enlightenment in the future. One of the twelve divisions of the teachings, vyakarana is rendered as the prophecy of future enlightenment and indicates the part of a sutra in which Shakyamuni Buddha pronounces that a practitioner will attain Buddhahood in a future existence. Such prophecies are common in Mahayana sutras.

The Lotus Sutra contains a number of passages in which the Buddha predicts enlightenment for his disciples and foretells what their titles as future Buddhas will be as well as the names of their respective kalpas (eras) and Buddha lands.

In the "Simile and Parable" (third) chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha predicts the enlightenment of Shariputra, and in the "Bestowal of Prophecy" (sixth) chapter, Shakyamuni predicts enlightenment for the four great voice-hearers, Mahakashyapa, Subhuti, Katyayana, and Maudgalyayana. In the "Five Hundred Disciples" (eighth) and the "Prophecies" (ninth) chapters, Shakyamuni predicts enlightenment for other individual disciples as well as for groups of disciples, thousands in all. According to the Jataka, stories of the Buddha's previous lives, in a past existence Shakyamuni himself received a prophecy of enlightenment from the Buddha Burning Torch (Skt Dipamkara).

(See also: Prophecy of future enlightenment , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Vedanga:

Vedanga: Veda-limb. Six branches of post-Vedic studies revered as auxiliary to the Vedas. Four Vedangas govern correct chanting of the Vedas: 1. Shiksha (phonetics), 2. Çhandas (meter), 3. Nirukta (etymology), 4. Vyakarana (grammar). The two other Vedangas are 5. Jyotisha Vedanga (astronomy-astrology) and 6. Kalpa Vedanga (procedural canon) which includes the Shrauta and Shulba Shastras (ritual codes), Dharma Shastras (social law) and Grihya Shastras (domestic codes).

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

Vedanga: (Sanskrit) "Veda-limb." Six branches of post- Vedic studies revered as auxiliary to the Vedas.

Four Vedangas govern correct chanting of the Vedas:

1)    Shiksha (phonetics),

2)    ‚handas (meter),

3)    Nirukta (etymology),

4)    Vyakarana (grammar). The two other Vedangas are

5)    )Jyotisha Vedanga (astronomy-astrology) and

6)    Kalpa Vedanga (procedural canon) which includes the Shrauta and Shulba Shastras (ritual codes), Dharma Shastras (social law) and Grihya Shastras (domestic codes).

See: Kalpa Vedanga, Vedas, and individual entries for named texts.

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

Vyakarana Vedanga: (Sanskrit) Auxiliary Vedic texts on

Sanskrit grammar. Vyakarana is among four linguistic

skills taught for mastery of the Vedas and the rites of

yajna. The term literally means "separation, or

explanation." The most celebrated Vyakarana work is

Panini's 4,000-sutra Ashtadhyayi, which set the linguistic

standards for classical Sanskrit (ca 400 bce).

See:

Vedanga.

(See also: Vyakarana Vedanga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

A Bhashya is an elaborate exposition, a commentary on the Sutras, with word by word meaning of the aphoristic precepts, their running translation, together with the individual views of the commentator or the Bhashyakara. The best and the exemplary Bhashya in Sanskrit literature is the one written by Patanjali on the Vyakarana Sutras of Panini.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Bhashya : Bhashya in the Hindu Scriptures

The Vedangas: There are six Angas or explanatory limbs, to the Vedas: the Siksha and Vyakarana of Panini, the Chhandas of Pingalacharya, the Nirukta of Yaska, the Jyotisha of Garga, and the Kalpas (Srauta, Grihya, Dharma and Sulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Vedangas: The Vedangas in the Hindu Scriptures

Introduction to Hinduism

Statistically, there are over 700 million Hindus, mainly in Bharat (India), and Nepal. Hinduism is referred to as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal faith. Hinduism is not strictly a religion. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. Since Hinduism has no founder, anyone who practices Dharma can call himself a Hindu. He can question the authority of any scripture, or even the existence of the Divine.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Introduction to Hinduism

Vasthu in The Vedas

Each Veda has a subsidiary: ayurveda (knowledge of life) for rgveda, dhanurveda (knowledge of tools and weapon) for yajurveda, gandharvaveda (knowledge of arts) for samaveda and sthapatyaveda (architecture) for atharvaveda. In addition, puranas, nyayasastras, mimamsas and dharma sastras (smrtis) are also considered as upangas. Sthapatyaveda which is the subsidiary of atharvaveda is the subject of this discussion. Because it is the subsidiary of Veda, its authority is clear and undisputed.

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Vasthu in The Vedas

The orthodox systems of philosophy believe in the authority of the Vedas. The heterodox systems of philosophy do not believe in the authority of the Vedas.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Orthodox And Heterodox Systems: Vedic Philosophy - The Orthodox And The Heterodox Systems Of Indian Philosophy