Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Sürsägar

SeeSÜRDÄS.

Sürya

SeeSUN.

sustenance (sthithi)

One of the three divine cosmic functions

ascribed to the Supreme Being. Within

the trimürti(Brahmä–Vi•æu–Ÿiva) Vi•æu

is called the ‘preserver’. He is immanent

in everything, and under particular cir-

cumstances descends to earth as an

AVATÄRAto save it from peril. (See also

ANNIHILATION; CREATION.)

su•upti (‘deep [dreamless] sleep’)

The third mode of CONSCIOUSNESS.

sütra (‘thread’, ‘string’)

Short formulaic statements as well as

collections of them, e.g. Vedänta-

sütra(s), Kalpasütras etc. There are

sütras on virtually every traditional sub-

ject of study. They had to be memorized

by students and were commented upon

by teachers.

sva-dharma (‘one’s own duty’)

Specific obligations for a member of a

particular VARŒA(social unit).

svädhyäya

SeeSTUDY.

svapna sthäna (‘dream state’)

The second state of CONSCIOUSNESS.

Svarga (‘heaven’)

This refers especially to INDRA’s heaven,

the abode of blessed mortals, situated

on Mount MERU. In later Hinduism it is

usually considered a lower form of ulti-

mate bliss, as compared to Vi•æu’s

Vaikuæflha or the absorption in BRAH-

MAN. (See alsoINDRALOKA.)

Svarloka

See INDRALOKA.

svastika

From svasti(hail), an ancient solar sym-

bol often found in Hindu temples as

well as on the first pages of books. It is

thought to be auspicious.

sva-tantra sädhus

Ascetics who do not belong to one of

the recognized saƒpradäyas (sects) and

have not received initiation through an

acknowledged guru.

svayam-bhü liögas

(‘self-existent liögas’)

A number of LI¢GAS(3) believed to have

originated without human agency, and

179 svayam-bhü liögas

Sürya, the sun.

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