CHAUDAHA RATAN (CHATURDASA RATNAM) (Guru Angad Dev) making the churning-staff of the mountain and the rope of serpent Basak (Vasuki) churned the Guru\'s \'Word. He took out Chaudaha Ratan (fourteen precious things) of virtues and enlightened the world of transmigration. (Var of Satta Balwand, p. 967) (Guru Amar Das) made

ASAVARI See ASA ASCETICISM, derived from the Greek word askesis, connotes the `training` or `exercise` of the body and the mind. Asceticism or ascetic practices belong to the domain of religious culture, and fasts, pilgrimages, ablutions, purificatory rituals, vigils, abstinence from certain foods and drinks, primitive and strange dress, nudity,

ALLURING DAMSELS OF HEAVEN (APSARAS)If the clothes be of heat and cold and the food be of the wind, the alluring women of heaven be there everywhere. OR The alluring woffien of heaven may all go away. Still I may Praise Thee, O Lord! and the eagerness of my

BIHANGAM, from Sanskrit vihang which means a bird, is a term applied to wandering ascetics who lead a life of complete detachment. A Biharigam is a celebate who lives in poverty renouncing all worldly ties and follows the path of holiness. In the Hindu tradition, he, abjuring religious dogma,

BHAVANI You are called Bhavani, who was from the very beginning. Where did you go at the time of granting salvation ? (Gond Namdev, p. 874) Bhavani is another name for Parbati and Mahamaya. She is also called Durga and Uma. See : Ad Bhavani , Parbati (Parvati) ,

Sita was (forcibly) taken away by Dahsira (Ravana). (Shalok Varan Te Vadhik, M. l, p. 1412) The word Dahsira means \'of ten heads\' and it is an epithet used for Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. In Ramayana he is described as having ten heads, twenty arms and copper-coloured

EKADASI, from Sanskrit ekadasa; eka(one)+ dasa (ten) meaning eleven, is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, in both its dark and light halves. Among Vaisnavite Hindus, ehkadasi also harivasar (lit. Visnu`s day) is a day of fasting. Partaking of food in any form on this day is considered

HANUMAN (HANWANTAR) Though Hanuman burnt the citadel of Lanka, uprooted the garden of Ravana, brought the wound-healing herb for Lakshmana and pleased Sri Rama, yet due to his previous karmas (actions), he could not get rid of his loin-cloth. (Dhanasan Trilochan, p. 695) Within his mind Ram Chand (Sri

JANAKA You are the incarnation of king Janaka..... (Swayye Mahle Dooje Ke, p. 1391) Do not be led astray by castes. Suka, the Brahmin, meditated while sitting at the feet of the Kshatriya king Janaka. (Kanra M. 4, p. 1309) Janaka was the king of Mithila and father of

KANSA Kansa, Kesi and Chandura were not equalled by anyone; They did not comprehend the Lord, therefore they were dishonoured. (Gauri M. l, p. 225) Kansa was the son of king Ugrasena of Mathura, whom he deposed and usurped his throne with the help of his father-in-law Jarasandha, the

LUBHATA Ajamila, Pingula, Lubhata and Kunchara (elephant) went to the abode of the Lord. Such like evil persons attained salvation, why can\'t you, O Ravidas! (Kedara Ravidas, p. 1124) The word Lubhata has been used for a hunter named Lodia. He did selfless service of the saints. He got

PRAVRTTIMARGA : NIVRTTIMARGA. In ancient religious texts four madrsas or paths or roads to life are demarcated: the path of action for personal gratification, leading to sensuous pleasures (cf. J5GXVI. 16); (ii) the path of action in the form of observance of religious rituals, with a view to reaping the