Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Sa™dhyäbhä•a

(‘twilight language’)

Compositions with double meaning,

used by Tantrikas; their ‘surface’ mean-

ing is accessible to everybody, the sec-

ond, ‘secret’, meaning is only under-

stood by the initiates. (See also TANTRA

(2).)

sa™hitä (‘collection’)

An expression used to designate the

mantra portion of the Vedas (e.g.

Øgveda Sa™hitä) or the later sectarian

writings of VAIÆŒAVAS (e.g. Ahir-

budhnya Sa™hitä), to which a great

amount of authority was attributed due

to their authors.

samïpa (‘nearness [to God]’)

One of the modalities of salvation in

theistic Hinduism. Another would be

SARÜPA(sameness of form).

saƒkalpa (‘intention’)

A declaration of intent at the beginning

of a pilgrimage. Without it, the pilgrim-

age would not earn any merit.

Saƒkar•aæa

One of the four vyühas (emanations) of

Vi•æu, characterized by lordship (aiÿ-

varya) and heroism (vïrya).

Säƒkhya (‘number’)

One of the six orthodox systems, found-

ed by Kapila (sixth century BCE); it

assumes that the whole universe con-

sists of combinations of 24 elements

(tattvas) in addition to puru•a(spirit).

Säƒkhya is a dualistic system: spirit

(puru•a) and matter (prakøti) have

opposite but complementary character-

istics. Everything originates from a

combination of the two, and ultimate

liberation is due to a separation of spir-

it from matter. Spirit is originally mani-

fold, matter is one. Matter is character-

ized by three guæas(elementary princi-

ples): sattva (lightness); rajas(passion);

and tamas (darkness). These three are

originally in equilibrium, but under the

influence of spirit, evolution begins. The

first product of the process is mahat (the

great One), also called buddhi (the intel-

lect). From mahat issues ahaƒkära, the

principle of egoity. When one suffers

under the frustrations of life one begins

a quest for freedom from misery. This

quest leads to a reversal of the evolu-

tionary process and a final separation of

spirit from matter. The ultimate stage is

called kaivalya (aloneness), when the

spirit is all by himself and fully satisfied.

Säƒkhya-kärikä

The oldest preserved text of the

SÄßKHYA system, ascribed to Ïÿvara

Kø•æa (third century CE). It explains in a

brief and systematic manner the basic

principles of Säƒkhya.

Säƒkhya-sütra

Ascribed to Kapila (sixth century BCE),

but probably later than the Säƒkha-

kärikä. It consists of a brief exposition

of Säƒkhya in sütra form.

sam-kïrtaæa

Congregational singing of hymns, especi-

allyamong GAU¥ÏYAVAIÆŒAVAS, usually

accompanied by cymbals and drums,

often also by dancing. Nägara sam-

kïrtaæa, popularized by CAITANYA, is

public singing and dancing on the

streets of towns.

samnyäsa (‘renunciation’)

The fourth and last ÄŸRAMA(2) (stage in

life) of a brahmin, in which all attachment

to home and possessions, including

family, are to be given up. It has become

popular to enter into samnyäsa without

going through the äÿramas of house-

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