Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Ÿibi

An ancient tribe in north-western India,

described as going about clad in the

skins of wild animals and using clubs as

weapons, believed to be the original

Ÿiva worshippers.

siddha (1) (‘accomplished’)

Semi-divine beings, said to number

88,000, believed to be pure and holy.

siddha (2)

A person who has reached perfection

within a specific SÄDHANA.

siddha-rüpa (‘perfect form’)

One’s true and original being; in

GAU¥ÏYAVAIÆŒAVISM, one of the origi-

nal characters of the Kø•æa LÏLÄ in

Braja, with which the devotees identify

and through which they engage in

rägänuga (passionate) BHAKTI.

siddhi (‘accomplishment’)

Usually designates the exercise of occult

faculties, such as making oneself invisi-

ble, understanding the languages of ani-

mals etc. They are mentioned in the

Yogasütrasas potential obstacles on the

way to KAIVALYA, but eagerly sought

after by many lesser YOGIS. The

Transcendental Meditation Society

offered courses in siddhis.

ÿikhä

The tuft of hair kept at the back of the

head after tonsure. It is also called chofli.

It had to be worn by Hindu house-

holders (supposed to cover the Brahmä-

randhra, the place at which the soul

leaves the body at the time of death). It

is shorn off during the initiation (dïk•ä)

of a SAMNYÄSI.

ÿikhara

The ‘spire’ of a Hindu temple (of the

Northern or nägara type).

ÿik•ä

Phonetics, one of the six VEDÄŒGAS,

which teaches proper pronunciation

and recitation of the Veda.

Ÿik•ä•flaka

(‘eight couplets of instruction’)

A short text said to be the only written

work of CAITANYA, embodying the gist

of his teachings.

ÿïla

SeeETHICS.

silence

Keeping silent for extended periods of

time (maunasädhana) is a common

practice for Hindu ascetics.

ÿilpa (‘skill’, ‘craft’)

Artistic creation, production of some-

thing beautiful. It can be through archi-

tecture, painting, dance or music.

Ÿilpa-ÿästra, also Västu-ÿästra

The traditional teaching of temple

building and IMAGEmaking, originally

believed to have been imparted by semi-

divine beings to human craftsmen. The

two most important manuals are the

Mänasära and the Mayamata, supposed

to be by the architects of the gods and

the demons respectively. In addition to

technical detail the Ÿilpaÿästras also

contain mythological and religious

materials.

ÿilpin

Traditional craftsman, architect, sculptor,

artist.

sin (päpa, pätaka, do•a)

Offences against the moral and ritual

law, which require penances (praya-

ÿcittas). Vedic religion used the distinction

171 sin

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