manipuraka = a nervous plexus situated in the region of the navel; the third chakra, the navel chakra,
the fire energy center, site of the sense of fear and apprehension
mantra = a mystical syllable designed to create and alter reality by influencing the vibrational
patterns that make up creation; a sacred sound or phrase that has a transformative effect
Marichi = a sage, son of Brahma, the great-grandfather of Manu, the Vedic Adam and the father of
humanity, the creator of the universe, and the father of Kasyapa
marjarai = cat
matsya = fish
Matsyendra = a Hindu sage and one of the first teachers of Hatha Yoga; a legend, king or lord of the
fish
mayura = peacock
moksha (moksha) = liberation from bondage, final emancipation of the soul from recurring births
mrita (mrta, mritra) = dead, corpse
mudra = a seal; a pleasant hand gesture or seal posture; directs the life current (life energy) through
the human body, usually a combination of asana, pranayama, and bandha
mukha = face
mukta = free, unbound, liberated
mukti = release, liberation, final absolution of the soul from the chain of birth and death
mula = root, foundation, bottom; a yoga pose where the body from the anus to the navel is contracted
and lifted toward the spine
mula bandha (mula-bandha) = rectal lock, root lock; contraction of the pubococcygeus, a yoga pose
where the body from the anus to the navel is contracted and lifted up and toward the spine
muladhara = root foundation, the name of the first chakra
muladhara chakra = the first chakra, the base chakra, the earth energy center situated at the root of
the spine, nervous plexus situated in the pelvis above the anus at the base or root of the spine, the
main support of the body that controls sexual energy
mushti = fist
mutra kosa = bladder
N
nabi = navel
nadi = river; nerve or conduit, channels that distribute energy from the chakras throughout the body, a
tubular organ of the subtle body through which energy flows, subtle vibratory passages of
psychospiritual energy; it consists of three layers, one inside the other, like insulation of an electric
wire. The innermost layer is called the sira and the middle layer, damani. The entire organ as well
as the outer layer is called nadi; they connect at special points of intensity (chakras).
naga = great mythological snake; one of the subsidiary vital airs that relieves abdominal pressure,
causing one to belch
Nahusha = Hindu King of Aila Dynasty
nakra = crocodile
namaskar = greeting, worship, salutation with hands in prayer
namaste mudra = a mudra in which the hands are placed together in a prayerlike fashion to honor the