List of Topics

As part of the Mission of the Adhyatmik Foundation to dissemenate Vedic wisdom and Dr Svami Purna's teachings, Sanksrit with Svamiji are being made available to all through this website, www.adfoundation.org.   A broader selection of Teachings is available under Publications.  The list of topics covered in detail below:

• Introduction to Sanksrit
• Common Terms
• More Sanskrit Terms

Introduction to Sanksrit

Many times the question arises why the Sanskrit language is so important. To address just a few aspects: Apart from the fact that the study of any language can be fascinating, Sanskrit holds a place all of its own. In the words of the late Sir William Jones, a famous 18^th century philologist addressing the Asiatic Society in 1786:

“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than Greek, more copious than  Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both of them a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and in the forms of grammar, than could possibly have been produced by accident; so strong, indeed, that no philologist could examine them all three, without believing them to have sprung from some common source, which, perhaps, no longer exists.”

Sanskrit, संस्कृतम् in particular Vedic Sanskrit is known as the oldest and most archaic formal language dating back to as early as 1500 BC and qualifying it as the origin of all Indo-Aryan languages. Similarities are still apparent in today’s European languages, such as German and Finnish, especially in their use of word compounds which can be very lengthy, comprising a number of individual words.  

Sanskrit bears the distinction of being a totally logical and precise language. Based on root syllables and words, which can be combined by anyone with a knowledge of Sanskrit will ensure that another, equally educated person, will understand the meaning perfectly. Sanskrit was regarded as the “learned”language of Ancient India - as a particularly refined or perfected manner of communicating. It was also considered sacred. Mastery of Sanskrit reflected high social status and educational accomplishment.  Sanskrit literature includes a rich tradition of poetry, drama, philosophical, as well as technical, scientific and religious texts.

Even today, Sanskrit is active as evidenced in the use of hymns and mantras for ceremonial purposes. Since every word in Sanskrit is derived from a root and many of its roots have explicit meanings, the vibratory sounds of such syllables can have specific effects upon living beings.Traditional institutions in India continue its use, and there is strong indication of a generalized revival of this pristine language. Maybe it is  exactly because of its precise and well defined structure that it has essentially retained its purity.

The word Sanskrit means ‘perfected’. Svami Purna, himself a perfected and realized Being, is keeping the language alive and thriving through his teachings. The Vedas which are the most ancient holistic system dealing with all aspects of life and nature, represent the culture of philosophers who despised the arts of commerce and lived mostly by agriculture, respecting nature. This culture was more concerned with the happiness that lies in spiritual thought and living than material possessions. They believed in a simple natural lifestyle and high thinking rather than today’s more material lifestyle and low thinking.

Thus the vast Sanskrit language and literature enable the reader to access wholeness and a unique philosophy through the beauty of the Sanskrit sounds, the exemplary rationality of its grammatical structure and the depth of its content.

Sanskrit has the power to elevate people to the ultimate perfection at the heart of all living things. Svami Purna’s aim is to blend this perennial wisdom with modern tools to help increase the immune system for the whole system of the whole person so that he or she could resist disease and demonstrate responsibility for self and health. For that purpose, he integrated the spiritual with the practical to help us all discover the wholeness that we seek.

By way of example take the word "guru" - a frequently incorrectly translated, even misused term. It consists of the Sanskrit syllables "gu" meaning darkness and "ru” meaning light. It stands for someone who In other words: teacher …a master.

In updates on this subject we shall explore many Sanskrit terms, guided by Svamiji- he who takes us from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge. He will share with us some of the very beautiful meanings of Sanskrit syllables, concepts and stanzas and how they can make a positive difference in our lives.

Some Sanskrit terms may well be familiar to you since they have already become integrated into many languages: Yoga, Mantra, Ayurveda… and many more…

Many also ask about the name purna ( पूर्ण ) derived from the Sanskrit root "Pri" meaning to fill. Thus Purna means full, whole or complete. Purna can also be interpreted to mean infinity. Therefore, rather than a name, purna becomes a title, mirroring Svamiji’s profound spiritual attainment

A beautiful mantra from the ancient texts of the Yajurveda ( यजुर्वेद ) reflects the infinite meaning within the पूर्ण मन्त् र - Purna Mantra

The Yajurveda also discusses the concept of numeric infinity (purna "fullness"), stating that if you subtract purna from purna, you are still left with purna.

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate.
Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashisyate."

Translation

This is whole; 
that is whole; 
Taking away whole
from whole,
Whole still remains whole

Or

This is infinite that is infinite; 
From that infinite this infinite comes.
From That infinite, this infinite removed;
Infinite remains infinite.

This may be enough for a first session – not just in Sanskrit terms but also for your contemplation.

Common Terms

Continuing our focus on the Sanskrit language, many will recognize the next 5 terms.  A simple translation would not suffice to truly explain the profound meanings of these Sanskrit concepts. However, the listed explanations may still further enrich your knowledge and understanding of this sacred language.

 Yoga

This Sanskrit term has become a very familiar term in modern day parlance and means practice and discipline aimed at well-being. Health is a very essential part of yoga for a simple reason that a healthy body creates mental stability and facilitates meditation and true spiritual understanding. All are really interconnected. As mentioned, Yoga is based on the word ‘yuj’ meaning to yoke or join, fasten or harness; to concentrate the mind in order to obtain union with the Universal Spirit; to be absorbed in meditation. Many systems have evolved over time: the traditional one is that of Patanjali which focused on ‘prana’ meaning breath or life-giving energy which pervades the entire universe and all that is included in it from the amoeba to the human being.

Ayurveda

The Sanskrit term embracing the world’s most ancient medical science that includes appropriate living or lifestyle. The word ‘Ayur’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge. The Indian philosophy of the oldest systems known is found in the Vedas, the Sanskrit texts containing this wisdom. Based on the theory of the tridosha or the three humors (fire, water and air), Ayurveda assigns a particular set of characteristics to each person. Any imbalance can be corrected through the practice of yoga and the chanting of mantras.

Mantra

The Sanskrit word meaning concentrated energy of certain sacred sounds or syllables that empowers one, such as AUM or OM. Aum is known as the perennial sound that is the essence of the Vedas. The sacred and mystical syllable contains the beginning, middle and end with the highest spiritual sound and vibration. It is the first sound of creation: A-U-M representing in the philosophy of Hinduism the three gods, A-Vishnu, U-Shiva and M-Brahma, meaning the preserver, the destroyer and the creator respectively. Mantras are used for healing and spiritual development.

Yantras

A yantra is the visual form of a mantra, a prayer. A Tantric text states: ‘Yantra has mantra as its soul. The deity is the soul of the mantra. The difference between mantra and deity is similar to that between a body and its soul’.

Though two dimensional, yantras are conceived of as having depth and full dimension. Yantras may be drawn or painted on any material, out of any substance. There is no parallel for the term in English but yantra may be summarised as a two-dimensional diagram in which visualised energies are concentrated or simply a field of energy. With its mantra a yantra is a complex of stored imagery of sight and sound and psychic and mystical content. Many yantras appear to be nothing more than an interwoven complex of geometrical designs centred upon a point (bindu). The whole may be enclosed by a square, signifying the cosmic dynamics and the four corners of the universe. Yantras are worshipped as containing the divine presence. The yantra is often confused with a mandala: the difference is that the yantra applies to a specific devata only, whilst a mandala applies to any devata or divine presence.

Karma

The Sanskrit term meaning act, action, word, deed or performance; the result or effect of one’s actions according to the cosmic law of cause and effect. In modern day terms one often hears ‘What goes around comes around’! The root is from the Sanskrit word ‘kri’ meaning to do, act or enhance. The entire ethical consequences of one’s acts are considered as fixing one’s likely future life (subject to correction through certain practices through yoga, mantras, meditation and ayurveda). The moral energy of a particular act is preserved and fructifies automatically in the next life according to the law of nature. In that lifetime this demonstrates and manifest in one’s class, nature, disposition and character.

More Sanskrit Terms 

Arati: आरती A ritual in which the seeker offers himself and beseeches God or Guru to relieve him of the distress and afflictions of the world.

Asanga: असङ्ग Non-attachment; without attachment. 

Acharya: आचार्य Teacher or Preceptor – the term is derived from: Achara: Immobile, referring to steadfastness and the inability to be swayed within the concepts of true knowledge. A secondary meaning refers to good conduct, practice and teaching.  Therefore the term Acharya denotes a superior guide or instructor in spiritual or religious matters or a highly learned person. The title can also be used as a prefix to the names of learned persons, for instance the well known philosopher and mystic Shankaracharya or Adi Shankara आदि शङ्कर who was known to propound and to establish the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta अद्वैत वेदान्त, non-dualism. This is a well-known quote of Shankaracharya: “Brahma satyaṃ jagat mithyā, jīvo brahmaiva nāparah” — Brahman is the only truth, the world is an illusion, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and individual self.

Ahankara: अहंकार a term derived from ancient Vedic philosophy and used to describe egoism or self-conceit. The term Ahaṃ refers to the concept of the Self whereas kāra refers to something which has been created by the mind rather than the real Self. Therefore ahankara (ahamkara) indicates the identification with the human ego or false notion of oneself, delusion or narcissism .

Ahinsa:  अहिंसा Nonviolence in thought, word or action – complete harmlessness – avoidance of harming, hurting or killing

Akasha:  आकाश lit: sky, ether, space , the subtlest of the five elements - the substance that fills and pervades the universe.

Akashik Records: can be considered as a ‘spiritual information super highway’ or a ‘cosmic internet’. Vast and infinite knowledge is said to be stored within the ether – a cosmic library of all events and thoughts from every creature which is constantly being updated. These records are described as containing all knowledge of human experience and the history of the cosmos. You could call it a ‘cosmic computer’. One who has the ability to attune can perceive this knowledge, usually very evolved or enlightened beings.

Amrita: अमृत lit: immortality (from mrityu-death and the syllable ‘a’ indicating a negation of the affixed word) ‘the Nectar of Immortality’ said to have emerged from churning the ocean of milk by the gods.

Antaryamin: The Indweller or inner guide; Antar–within/inner - yamin–guide. That spark of divinity or inner ruler who dwells within every living being - the inner witness and final observer.

Avatar: अवतार a Divine Incarnation.  Ten major divine incarnations of Vishnu are considered below.  Much detail can be given about the individual avatars but for the purpose of this glossary, let the below suffice - more detail at a future time.

Matsya:  मत्स्य the Fish

Kurma:  कुर्म the Tortoise

Varaha:  वराह the Boar

Narasimha: नरसिंह the Human-Lion

Vamana:  वामन the Dwarf

Parashuram:   परशुराम Rama with the Axe

Rama:  राम the perfect manifestation of all roles on earth and model to humanity for them to look upon their relationships and how they should be , such as father, son, disciple etc , that is perfection in all relationships and eternal inspiration for humanity including ruler and King – King of Ayodhya – and Ram Raj (the dream of Mahatma Gandhi for India), the Kingdom of Rama with perfect governance and complete democracy where everyone’ s voice is heard

Krishna:  कृष्ण the Divine Statesman

Buddha: also known as Siddhartha Gautama सिद्धार्थ गौतम the Compassionate One or Tathagat तथागत the Peace Maker

Kalki:  कल्कि the mighty warrior also considered the apocalyptic horse rider – yet to come

Brahma: ब्रह्मा Personification of God as the Creator

Brahman: ब्रह्मन् the Divine Essence, The Imperishable Creative Principle - God

Danda:  डण्डा stick - also part of punctuation, similar to a single vertical stroke

Dharma: धर्म law, duty, right conduct, righteousness. It is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion and it refers to one's personal moral and religious obligations

Adharma: (opposite of Dharma); unrighteousness - failure to perform one’s appropriate duty; lawlessness and absence of all virtue - all that is unnatural or immoral

Guna(s): गुण lit: string or thread – as an abstraction it refers to ‘tendencies’; to the three subtle qualities; the fundamental operating principles or predispositions of prakṛti, the universal nature. Each being is subject to these tools of maya, the great illusion. In fact, creation could not have taken place without these three subtle qualities, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.  These three qualities are Maya’s (worldly illusion) media of manifestation. They rotate in twenty-four hours, in a year, in a lifetime… and reflect the moods of the average human being. Only one who has gone beyond, who has attained mastery over illusion is no longer subject to the influences of these subtle qualities: 

Sattva सत्त्व - the quality of light and positivity

Rajas रजस् – the driving force for passion and activity

Tamas तमस् - the signature of darkness, inertia and negativity 

Isvara:  ईश्वर a philosophical concept of the Supreme Deity - God

Jiva:  जीव the individual soul -also referred to as – Jivatman, the embodied individual soul which is not destroyed during physical death

Kriya:  action or performance as a religious or spiritual discipline; can also refer to a rite or ceremony. Kriyas can purify the body as well as the subtle body to further spiritual growth

Lila:  लीला play, sport pastime; the Divine Play, divine love actively engaged in worldly affairs

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