Indian kingdom. There also was a gra-
dation among kings: a ‘great king’
(mahäräja or räjädiräja) usually had
several lesser kings (räjas) as vassals.
(See alsoCÄŒAKYA.)kinnaras, alsokimpurusas
(‘what men?’)
Mythical beings with human bodies and
horses’ heads, celestial musicians and
dancers, who live in KUBERA’s paradise.kïrtaæa
Praising, singing, usually in the context
of religious worship, mainly of
Vi•æu–Kø•æa.kleÿa (‘affliction’)
Used generally and also specifically in
the YOGASÜTRASto identify the motive
for seeking LIBERATION.knowledge
See JÑÄNA; VIDYÄ.Koil Olugu (‘temple history’)
Tamil chronicle of ŸRÏRA¢GAM, describ-
ing the vicissitudes of that famous tem-
ple since the Middle Ages. It is an
important source for the history of
ŸRÏVAIÆŒAVISM.Konärka
Also known as the ‘Black Pagoda’, a
13th-century Sun temple on the shores
of the Bay of Bengal, in Orissa, famous
for its architecture (it is conceived as the
gigantic chariot of the sun, drawn by
seven horses) and its erotic sculpture,
probably connected with tantric cults.Kosambi, Damodar
Dharmanand (1907–66)
Mathematician, author of works onearly Indian history, editor of
BHARTØHARI’s Ÿatakatraya.Kotai
See ANfiÄL.krama-päflha
A special way of reading the Veda, in
which every word is read twice, first
combined with the preceding word, and
then with the following.Kramrisch, Stella (1898–1996)
Austrian-born scholar specializing in
Indian art and architecture, author of
The Hindu Temple(1949), and of many
groundbreaking essays: The Presence of
Ÿiva (1981), for many years curator of
the Museum for Indian art in
Philadelphia. She influenced a whole
generation of Indian art historians.Krishna Prem (1898–1965)
Born Ronald Nixon in Britain, he was
initiated as a Vai•æava VAIRÄGIand lived
and taught at a small ashram in Almora.
He wrote several popular books on
Vai•æavism and became well known in
India.Krishnamurti, Jiddu
(1895–1990)
Educated at ADYARby Annie BESANT,
who expected him to be the AVATÄRAof
the 20th century, he dissociated himself
from the Theosophical Society and
became a popular speaker and writer on
spirituality in his own right, claiming
not to follow any system. Among his
works are Immortal Friend, Life, the
Goal and The Awakening of
Intelligence.kriyä (‘[ritual] action’)
Personified as a child of Dharma.99 kriyäEncyclo - Letter K 10/2/03 9:46 am Page 99