krakacha = a saw
krounch (krouncha, krauncha) = heron
kukkuta = rooster, cock
kulpa = ankle
kundalini = a coiled female serpent; the divine cosmic energy, the obstacle that closes the mouth of
sushumna; the rising of shakti in the sushumna; this force or energy is symbolized as a coiled and
sleeping serpent lying dormant in the lowest nerve center at the base of the spinal column, the
muladhara-chakra. This latent energy has to be aroused and made to ascend the main spinal
channel, the sushumna piercing all the chakras right up to the sahasrata, the thousand-petaled
lotus in the head. Then the yogi is in union with the Supreme Universal Soul.
Kundalini Yoga = a mode of yoga that focuses on the raising of the life force
kunja = grove, alcove
kunta = spear, lance
kurma (koorma) = a tortoise, it is also the name of one of the subsidiary vital airs whose function is
to control the movements of the eyelids to prevent foreign matter or light that is too bright going
into the eyes
L
laghu = little, small, simple; it also means “handsome”
lasya = beauty, happiness, and grace; also a dance performed by Goddess Parvati in response to her
husband Shiva’s tandava
Linga (Lingam, Shivalinga) = symbol of union and origin of all life associated with Lord Shiva and
Goddess Shakti
lola = tremulous, dangling, pendant; charm, swing; swinging like a pendulum, moving to and fro
M
madhya (madya) = middle of the body, central
maha = great, mighty, powerful, lofty, noble
maha bandha = the great lock
maha mudra = the great seal
Mahabharata = the celebrated epic, the largest piece of literature created by humankind, authored by
Rishi Vyasa and containing the Bhagavad Gita, dating to the first century BCE; dharma shastra
(scripture dealing with right action), which comes to the conclusion that however hard you try, you
can never be completely right
makara = a mythological sea creature, who is the vehicle of the river Goddess Ganga; a crocodile
makshika = fly
mala = a garland or a wreath, often of prayer beads or flowers
manas-chakra = nervous plexus situated between the navel and the heart
mandala = a circle ambulation, a circular drawing or design that exemplifies sacred geometry that
draws your eye to the center and is used as a focal point while meditating; it also means a
“collection,” a division of Rig Veda
manduka = frog