Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

sat-putra-märga

(‘the way of the true son’)

The second stage of devotion according

to ŸAIVA SIDDHÄNTA, consisting of

preparing articles for Ÿiva PÜJÄ and

meditating on Ÿiva as a form of light.

Ÿatru-ghna (‘destroyer of enemies’)

Twin brother of LAKÆMAŒA, half-broth-

er of Räma. He supported Räma and

killed Lavaæa, a RÄKÆASAleader.

sat-sang

(‘community of true [devotees]’)

Communal worship, usually consisting of

singing hymns (bhajan) and listening to

sermons. It is enjoined to devotees as a

duty and as a means to sustain their faith.

sattva

SeeGUŒA.

satyägraha (‘truth-grasping’)

A term coined by Mahatma GANDHIin

South Africa, describing his insistence

on claiming his rights, defined as the

strength born of truth, love and non-

violence.

Satya-loka

SeeBRAHMA-LOKA.

Satya-nämi(s)

An order of SAMNYÄSISclaiming great

antiquity. Persecuted and almost eradi-

cated under Aurangzeb, they were

revived in the late 18th century by

Jagjivandäs. They are found mainly in

western India.

Satyärtha Prakäÿa

(‘light of truth’)

The title of the main work (in Hindï) by

Swami Däyänanda Sarasvatï, the founder

of the ÄRYASAMÄJ.

Satyavatï (1)

The daughter of Uparicara and the

apsara (nymph) Adrikä. She was the

mother of VYÄSAby the ø•i (sage)

Paräÿara, and later married King Ÿän-

tanu, and gave birth to VICITRA-VÏRYA

and Citräögada. She became the grand-

mother of the KAURAVASand PÄŒ¥AVAS.

(See also MAHÄBHÄRATA.)

Satyavatï (2)

The mother of JAMADAGNIand grand-

mother of PARAŸURÄMA.

ÿauca (‘purity’)

One of the traditional Hindu virtues,

whose practice is a prerequisite to

PÄTAÑJALAYOGA.

saulabhya (‘benevolence’)

One of the (six) transcendental qualities

of Vi•æu according to RÄMÄNUJA.

Ÿaunaka

A famous sage, son of Ÿunaka, the

reputed author of the Bøhaddevatä, a

major figure in the MAHÄBHÄRATAand

the Bhägavata Puräæa, where he nar-

rates large portions of VAIÆŒAVAlore.

Saura Puräæas

A group of Upa-Puräæas, dealing with

Sürya (the SUN).

sauÿilya (‘kindness’)

One of the (six) transcendental qualities

of Vi•æu according to RÄMÄNUJA.

Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar

(1883–1966)

For many years chief ideologue of the

HINDUMAHÄSABHÄ, and founder of the

ABHINAV BHÄRAT SOCIETY, who

attempted to ‘Hinduize politics and to

militarize Hinduism’. His essay

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