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Glossary
(Explanations of some sanskrit words,
some of them are often misunderstood):

avataara(Av:t:ar): descent of a deity on earth, in Vaishnavism it especially refers to the descents of Vis'n'u.
as't'aangga-yoga(AÄa¤y:<g:): a system where one aspires for yoga through the eightfold system described in yoga-suutra.
aacaarya(Aac:ay:ü): a spiritual teacher.
aas''rama(AaÂ:m:): the classification of human beings into categories based on stages of life. Can also refer to a hermitage.
iis''vara(IÃ:r): the supreme being, the supreme god. There is one iis''vara, but there are many deva.
karma(km:ü): acts, works.
karma-phala(km:üPl:): the results of one's former actions.
karma-yoga(km:üy:<g:): a system where one aspires for yoga through pious works.
kiirtana(kit:ün:): loud repeating of mantras in glorification.
ks'atriya(x:e*:y:): a person in the second varn'a, working with military or administrative work.
guru(g:Ø,): a teacher, often a spiritual teacher, but can also mean teacher in general.
gr'hastha(g:àhsT:): a person in the second aas''rama, a family supporter.
japa(j:p:): silent repeating of mantras in glorification. Can also refer to whispering or low-voice repetition of mantras.
jnjaana(wan:): knowledge, especially philosophical religious knowledge.
jnjaana-yoga(wan:y:<g:): a system where one aspires for yoga through knowledge.
tantra(t:n*:): magical, mystical doctrines.
diiks'aa(dix:a): religious ceremonial initiation into knowledge or a mantra.
deva(dðv:): a god. This is not the same as iis''vara. There is one iis''vara, but there are many deva.
dharma(D:m:ü): religion, established practice in accordance with scriptures, virtue, morality.
nirvaan'a(en:v:aüN:): dissolution of material existence.
pan'd'ita(p:¡NRt:): a learned, wise person, a scholar.
prasaada()s:ad): sanctified food, remnants of a muurti. Can also mean purity in general.
buddhi(b:Øe¹): intelligence, intellect. Can also refer to enlightenment.
brahma(b:ÒÉ): the impersonal manifestation of the supreme god.
brahmacaarii(b:ÒÉc:ari): a person in the first aas''rama, a student.
brahmaa(b:ÒÉa): a deity, who creates the universe.
braahman'a(b:ÒaÉN:): a person in the first varn'a, working with priestly or scholarly work.
bhakti(B:¡Vt:): devotion to one's deity.
bhakti-yoga(B:¡Vt:y:<g:): a system where one aspires for yoga through devotion.
mantra(m:n*:): a prayer for meditation of one's deity. The word means "instrument for thinking".
mahaaraaja(m:haraj:): a great king. Can also refer to a special kind of divine entities.
mukti(m:Ø¡Vt:): liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
muurti(m:Üet:ü): a divine image of a god or goddess.
moks'a(m:<x:): liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
yantra(y:n*:): mystical diagram. Can also mean a mechanical machine.
yoga(y:<g:): religious systems, aimed at uniting the individual soul with the supreme god. The word can also mean "union".
yogii(y:<g:i): a person who practises yoga.
varn'a(v:N:ü): the classification of human beings into categories based on work.
vaanaprastha(v:an:)sT:): a person in the third aas''rama, a family supporter whose children are grown up.
vais''ya(v:òSy:): a person in the third varn'a, working with business or farming.
vais'n'ava(v:ò\Nav:): a worshipper of Vis'n'u.
s''uudra(S:ÜdÒ): a person in the fourth varn'a, working with physical work
s''aiva(S:òv:): a worshipper of S''iva.
sangkiirtana(s:¢it:ün:): repeating of mantras in glorification, when it is done together with other devotees.
sannyaasii(s:nny:as:i): a person who renounces worldly affairs, a person in the fourth aas''rama, a retired person.
samaadhi(s:m:aeD:): the final stage of as't'aangga-yoga, an advanced form of deep meditation.
saadhu(s:aD:Ø): a virtuous, righteous person, a saintly person.