Madhvacarya (Madhva)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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Founder of the Dvaita of Vedānta. He was born in a village near Udupi, Karnātak in 1199
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maha-naivedya
(Language: Sanskrit)
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See under "naivedya"
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| Related Terms: naivedya |
maha-pralaya
(Language: Sanskrit)
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in Hinduism, the "great" or final "dissolving" of the universe.
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Mahapralaya
(Language: Sanskrit)
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In Hinduism, the “great” or final “dissolving” of the universe at the end of a kalpa, or “day in the life of Brahmā”.
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mahasamadhi
(Language: Sanskrit)
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In Hinduism, the final merging into the Absolute with no return to corporeal existence
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mahatma
(Language: Sanskrit)
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great soul; sage (in Hinduism)
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Mahavakyas
(Language: Sanskrit)
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four "great sentences" from the Vedas, proclaiming the truth of ātman/Brahman identity
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Mahendravarman I
(Language: Tamil)
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7th Century Pallava ruler who excavated temples from living rock and had a great interest in art.
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maingala-sasanam
(Language: Tamil)
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Places that have been sung by the Vaisnava hymnodists and been made specially sacred by their words with their grace and power of creating auspiciousness.
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maitri
(Language: Sanskrit)
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benevolence; kindness
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manana
(Language: Sanskrit)
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constant reflection upon the Truth as given by a spiritual Master (guru)
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| Related Terms: shravana and nididhyasana |
manas
(Language: Sanskrit)
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mind
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Mangaiyarkkarasi
(Language: Tamil)
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Pandyan queen who humbled herself, along with her minister Kulacciraiyar, in the service of Siva.
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mangala-sutra (mangalya-sutra)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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The auspicious string worn by the bride at her wedding
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mangalya-dharana
(Language: Sanskrit)
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Wearing of the mangala-sūtra during the marriage ceremony.
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mani
(Language: Sanskrit)
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"jewel," often in the shape of a tear-drop
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Manikkavacakar
(Language: Tamil)
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A Saiva saint and composer who spent his early years as a minister to a Pandyan king.
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manomaya-kosha
(alternate spellings: manomaya-kosa)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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the sheath of the mind
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| Related Terms: panchakoshas |
manonasha
(Language: Sanskrit)
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extinction of the mind
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mantra
(alternate spellings: mantram)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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literally, "instrument of thought"
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mantraksata
(Language: Sanskrit)
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Simply stated, unbroken rice grains that are imbued with the power of mantras are mantrāksata.
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mantrapuspa
(Language: Sanskrit)
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The recitation of a sacred text with the offering of flowers.
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mantravadin
(Language: Sanskrit)
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One who recites mantras; one who tries to cure diseases, etc., with the chanting of mantras
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mantrika
(Language: Sanskrit)
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See under mantravādin".
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| Related Terms: mantravadin |
Manu-niti-cola
(alternate spellings: manu-niti-kanda-cola)
(Language: Tamil)
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An ancient king of legendary fame held up as an ideal in dispensing justice.
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manvantara
(Language: Sanskrit)
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The regnal period of a Manu.
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marga
(Language: Sanskrit)
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In Hinduism, a spiritual “way, path”; see bhakti, jnāna, karma.
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marjana
(Language: Sanskrit)
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wiping away, cleaning, washing, purifying
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Mastan Sahib
(Language: Tamil)
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Mastan Sahib (1800-1847) was a man of great devotion and one of the first to translate the Qur'an into Tamil.
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matha
(alternate spellings: math)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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The dwelling of an ascetic.
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matra
(Language: Sanskrit)
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literally, "measure, element"
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Maya
(alternate spellings: Māyā)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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"artifice, illusion"; in Advaita Vedānta, the beguiling concealment of Brahma
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Menaka
(Language: Sanskrit)
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The name of a divine dancer, who was considered one of the most beautiful of the celestial damsels (apsaras).
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| Related Terms: Apsara |
Minaksisundaram Pillai
(Language: Tamil)
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Minaksisundaram Pillai (1815-1876) was a man of great erudition with profound knowledge of the Tamil heritage.
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mleccha
(Language: Sanskrit)
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foreigner; "barbarian"; one who deprecates the Vedas
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| Related Terms: varna |
Mt. Meru
(Language: Sanskrit)
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in Purānic legend, the mythical golden mountain; the axis of the world.
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mudita
(Language: Sanskrit)
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sympathetic joy; joy at the happiness of others.
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mudra
(Language: Sanskrit)
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In Sanskrit, “seal, sign.” In Hinduism and Buddhism, a stylized and symbolic gesture, especially one involving the hands and the fingers.
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muhurta
(Language: Sanskrit)
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A period of 48 minutes; an instant; auspicious time for the performance of a rite.
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mukta
(Language: Sanskrit)
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In Hinduism, one who has attained moksha or “liberation”; see jivan-mukta.
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mumukshutva
(alternate spellings: mumuksutva)
(Language: Sanskrit)
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the desire for liberation; one of the four prerequisites for qualification as a spiritual aspirant of Vedānta
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| Related Terms: sadhanacatushtaya; viveka vairagya and shatkasampatti. |
murti
(Language: Sanskrit)
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Anything that has a definite shape; an image or idol; personification.
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Murugan
(alternate spellings: Muruga)
(Language: Tamil)
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Litteraly meaing, beautiful. The Tamils regard him as their god.
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Muvar
(Language: Tamil)
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The three great Saiva saint-poets
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Muvendar
(Language: Tamil)
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The rulers of the three Tamil kingdoms
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©2003 Dictionary of Spiritual Terms
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