Ashtanga Yoga: The "eight-limbed" Yoga of Patanjali consisting of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi (see separate entries for each "limb").

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

Ishvarapujana: (Sanskrit) "Worship."

See: yama-niyama.

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

mati: (Sanskrit) "Cognition, understanding; conviction."

See: yama-niyama.

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

daya: (Sanskrit) "Compassion." See: yama-niyama.

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

asteya: (Sanskrit) "Nonstealing." See: yama-niyama.

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

vegetarian: Shakahara. Of a diet which excludes meat, fish, fowl and eggs. Vegetarianism is a principle of health and environmental ethics that has been a keystone of Indian life for thousands of years.

Vegetarian foods include grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and dairy products. Natural, fresh foods, locally grown, without insecticides or chemical fertilizers, are preferred. The following foods are minimized: frozen and canned foods, highly processed foods, such as white rice, white sugar and white flour; and "junk" foods and beverages (those with abundant chemical additives, such as artificial sweeteners, colorings, flavorings and preservatives).

A person following a vegetarian diet is called a shakahari.

See: guna, mansahari, yama-niyama.

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

arjava: (Sanskrit) "Steadfastness." See: yama-niyama.

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

santosha: (Sanskrit) "Contentment."

See: yama-niyama.

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

hri: (Sanskrit) "Remorse; modesty."

See: yama-niyama.

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

shakahara: (Sanskrit) "Vegetarian diet." From shaka, "vegetable;" and ahara, "eating; taking food."

See: meateater, vegetarian, vegetarianism, yama-niyama.

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

dhriti: (Sanskrit) "Steadfastness." See: yama-niyama.

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

svadhyaya: (Sanskrit) "Self-reflection; scriptural study."

See: yama-niyama.

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

Hinduism Lexicon on A

From aadheenam to axis.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Hinduism Lexicon on A

Hinduism Lexicon on B

From backbiting to buddhi chitta.

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Dharana (Concentration)

Fix the mind on some object either within the body or outside. Keep it there steady for some time. This is Dharana. You will have to practise this daily. Laya-Yoga has its basis on Dharana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Dharana: Concentration in Yoga - Dharana

All aspirants commit mistakes now in jumping to Samadhi and Dhyana all at once as soon as they leave their houses without caring a bit for ethical perfection. The mind remains in the same condition although they have practiced meditation for fifteen years. They have the same jealousy, hatred, idea of superiority, pride, egoism, etc. Meditation and Samadhi come by themselves when one has the ethical perfection.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Ethics: Ethics is a Means to Yoga

 Instructions on Meditation.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Meditation: Special Instructions on Meditation

In Vaikuntha all persons dwell having the form of Vishnu and propitiate Him by means of Dharma which is not prompted by the desire of any fruit

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Lokas Or Planes: Vaikuntha Loka

Death is only a change of form. Death is only separation of the astral body from the physical body.
Birth follows death just as waking follows sleep. You will again resume the work that was left off by you in your previous life. Therefore, do not be afraid of death.

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Conquest Of Death: What Is Death And How To Conquer It

Shivaratri

THIS FALLS on the 13th (or 14th) day of the dark half of Phalgun (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Shivaratri: Hindu Rituals and Ceremonies - Shivaratri

The four main spiritual paths for God-realisation are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is suitable for a man of active temperament, Bhakti Yoga for a man of devotional temperament, Raja Yoga for a man of mystic temperament, and Jnana Yoga for a man of rational and philosophical temperament, or a man of enquiry.

Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga or Kundalini Yoga, Lambika Yoga and Hatha Yoga, are other Yogas. Yoga, really, means union with God. The practice of Yoga leads to communion with the Lord. Whatever may be the starting point, the end reached is the same.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Yoga: The Four Paths of Hindu Yoga