independently, without sandhi), and
kramapäflha(each word read twice, first
combined with the preceding, and then
with the succeeding word).patita (‘fallen’)
Someone who is not qualified to parti-
pate in (Vedic) rites.Pauravas
Descendants of Puru of the lunar
dynasty. See MAHÄ-BHÄRATA.pavitra (‘holy’, ‘sacred’)
The sacred thread of upper CASTES.peacock (mayüra)
The peacock is frequently employed in
Indian art as a symbol both of vanity
and wealth. The peacock is KUBERA’s
VAHANA(vehicle) and peacocks are often
associated with Kø•æa and his dalliance
with the GOPÏS. The peacock is also asso-
ciated with Ÿiva in the famous Ÿiva
temple at Mylapur (Mayürapura) in
Madras.penance
See PRAYAŸCITTA.Pesh(a)was, also Pesh(a)vas
Originally a title (comparable to prime
minister). The Peshvas of Mahärä•flra,
towards the end of the rule of Aurang-
zeb, asserted themselves as independent
rulers and founded a Hindu dynasty
(with its capital in Pune) that seriously
threatened first the Mogul and then the
British rule of India. (See also ŸIVAJÏ.)phala/phalaÿloka
(‘fruit’/‘verse of promise’)
According to Hindu tradition each reli-
gious act, performed properly, carries
its reward or ‘fruit’ (phala). Many relig-
ious texts end with verses (ÿloka) thatpromise specific benefits (phala) from
reading all or part of the book, or keep-
ing a copy or part of it in one’s home.pilgrimage (yäträ)
One of the most popular Hindu reli-
gious activities is visiting the countless
holy places that dot India’s landscape.
For SAMNYÄSISit is a duty to spend most
of their time on pilgrimage. Pilgrimages
are undertaken to have certain rites,
such as ÿraddha (the last rites), per-
formed, to redeem vows or to gain
merit. Hindu ŸÄSTRASregulate pilgrim-
age by defining the mode of travel, the
resolve to be undertaken, the rituals to
undergo. The more arduous the pilgrim-
age, the more meritorious it is deemed
to be. Pilgrimage can also be undertak-
en by proxy in certain circumstances. At
any given time millions of Hindus are
on pilgrimage, and most of the sacred
places are crowded by pilgrims from far
and near all year long. Over the cen-
turies pilgrimage has certainly helped to
create a bond among Hindus, notwith-
standing sectarian differences. (See also
TÏRTHA.)Pillai Lokäcärya
(1205–1311)
A sixth-generation successor of
RÄMÄNUJAas head of the Ÿrïvai•æavas
in ŸRÏRA¢GAMand author of Tattva-
traya, a compendium of Ÿrïvai•æava
thought, arranged according to the
three principles (tattva), ïÿvara (God),
jïvätma (soul), and acit (nature). Several
other works, such as Mumuk•upatti,
Tattvaÿekhara and Ÿrïväcanabhü•ana,
are also attributed to him. Pillai
Lokäcärya recommends PRAPATTI(self-
surrender) as the means to salvation. He
became the main theologian of the
Teögalai branch of ŸRÏVAIÆŒAVISM.piæõa
A small ball of cooked rice, offered topatita 138Encyclo - Letter P 10/2/03 9:56 am Page 138