a ̄n.ava (T) ego.
an.d.a egg.
anitya impermanence; used especially in Four Noble Truths of Buddhism
to describe the nature of reality; implies that there is no logic to the
succession inherent in karma.
annapra ̄s ́ana Hindu ceremony involving the first feeding of solids to an
infant of six months.
an
̄
pu (T) love of god toward a human being.
anuma ̄na (anu-ma ̄na)perception by analogy (taught by S ́an.kara).
aparigraha (a-parigraha)“non-possession,” one of the five Jain vows.
a ̄ rati worship involving the waving of lamps before a deity.
arcana (arch-ana)ritual offering or gift-giving.
arhat “perfected person,” refers to the ideal person in Therava ̄da Buddhist
sects. (Pa ̄li: arhant.)
artha statecraft; aim/goal of life; wealth; one of the four purus.a ̄ rthasor goals
of humankind (see also: ka ̄ma,dharma, and moks.a).
arthava ̄da (artha-va ̄da)“explanation of the purpose; praise,” expositions of
the acts of rituals, e.g., Bra ̄hman.as.
arul.(T) grace or mercy; occurs when a deity possesses an individual as a
sign of the deity’s favor.
a ̄ sana “seat”; refers to yogic postures.
asha (AV) in Zoroastrianism, the force or path of righteousness, with
emphasis on good thoughts, words, and deeds.
as
̄
h
̄ra ̄ f (A) an individual who claims to be and is accepted as a descendant
of Muh.ammad through his daughter, Fatima.
a ̄s ́rama (ashram)stage of life; monastery; stage in a brahman’s life.
asteya non-stealing; one of the precepts of Jainism.
a ̄ stika believing or pious (see also: na ̄stika).
asura demon, particularly in Vedic mythology.
as ́vamedha (ashva-medha)horse sacrifice.
a ̄ tman “self”; literally, “breath” or “life” (see also: ana ̄tman).
avaidika anyone who is not a follower of the Vedas, e.g., “heterodox” groups
like the Buddhists, Jains, and A ̄jı ̄vikas (see also: vaidika).
avata ̄ra incarnation of a deity; literally, “one who crosses down,” that is, one
who comes to earth.
avidya ̄ ignorance.
bandha that which binds together; in Jainism, the process which binds
togetherjı ̄vasanda ̄jı ̄vas.
bhakta one who is devoted to a deity or guru; hence, a devotee.
bhakti devotion to and “participation” in or with a deity.
bheda to divide; in statecraft, becoming an ally of one’s enemies’ enemy;
division, separation, splitting.
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