Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Oldenberg, Hermann (1854–1920) One of the pioneers of Indology whose works proved to have wide appeal and lasting value. He init ...

131 outcaste some serious infringement of caste reg- ulations were excommunicated. Many outcastes originated from unlawful mixed ...

padapaflha The text of the Veda in which each word (päda) stands distinct, not joined to preceding or following words. padma A l ...

133 Päæinï Pañcatantra (fifth century CE) A collection of moral tales and fables in five (pañca) books (tantra), by Vi•æuÿarman, ...

panth(a) 134 accomplishments of the human mind. From ancient times Päæinï was revered as a ØÆI(sage) and his work was considered ...

Janamejaya. When YUDHIÆfiHIRAretired from the throne, Parik•it followed him as king of Hastinäpura. He died from a snake-bite. I ...

of its concern is psychological, it differs radically from contemporary Western psychology: it assumes the reality of a spirit-s ...

137 päflha While the Yoga that is taught in the West usually concentrates on the learn- ing of a variety of postures supposed to ...

independently, without sandhi), and kramapäflha(each word read twice, first combined with the preceding, and then with the succe ...

139 präcärya the ancestors in connection with the last rites by the nearest (male) relation. By connotation it then means (close ...

pradak•iæa See CIRCUMAMBULATION. pradak•iæa pätha A CIRCUMAMBULATORY pathway in a temple. pradhäna (‘the first’) Primary matter, ...

141 prati-sarga praæava See AUM. präæäyäma (‘breath-control’) An important part of ritual practice and of YOGA, a method of puri ...

prati-•flhäpana 142 prati-•flhäpana The solemn installation and consecration of an IMAGE(mürti) through which the presence of a ...

143 Puräæa punar-janma SeeREBIRTH. puæya SeeMERIT. Puräæa (‘old (books)’) An important class of bible-like texts of varying leng ...

Purï SeeJAGAN-NÄTHAPURÏ. purity (ÿuddhi, ÿauca) A central notion in Hinduism (as in all religions), with ritual, physical, psy- ...

pu•flimärga (‘way of nourishment [grace]’) A school of VAIÆŒAVISMfounded by Vallabha (1481–1533) which exalts the uncaused grace ...

Rädhä, alsoRädhikä The favourite GOPÏof Kø•æa, wife of Ayana Gho•a, a cowherd of Vøndävana. Rädhä is seen as the earthly appeara ...

147 Räma Räghava Räma, a descendant of RAGHU. Raghu A king of the solar race and an ancestor of RÄMA. KÄLIDÄSAwrote the celebrat ...

AVATÄRAof Vi•æu. His story is told at great length in the RÄMAYAŒA. He is one of the most popular deities of India, considered t ...

149 Rämäyaæa saƒpradäya, calledbara sthäna, is in Ayodhyä. As part of the initiation rites the Rämänandis burn the name of Räma ...