bïja–mantra 40may be preferable to indifference, because
it is at least a reaction to his presence.bïja–mantra (‘seed-mantra’)
Single syllables believed to be the sonic
equivalent of certain divine powers.
They are especially used by Tantrikas.
(See alsoTANTRA(2).)bilva
Tree, sacred to Ÿiva. Its leaves are
offered in worship.biƒba–pratibiƒba
(‘image and reflection’)
MADHVA’s description of the relation-
ship between the supreme and the
human. While rejecting the Advaitins’
assumption of the identity of ÄTMAN
and BRAHMAN, he nevertheless admits to
a concept of the human being as ‘reflect-
ing’ certain features of brahman.biæõu ‘drop’ (1)
A coloured spot in the middle of the
forehead of a woman, indicating her
married status.biæõu (2)
Name for moon.biæõu (3)
In the title of a book, a very short sum-
mary of a longer text.birth
The birth of a child is surrounded by a
great many rituals and festivities, such as
establishing a HOROSCOPE, giving a NAME,
feeding brahmins etc. Hindus speak of a
‘second’ birth which is accomplished
through UPA-NAYANAby which a person
becomes a full member of the Hindu
community. Some also talk about a
‘third birth’, i.e. the birth of one’s own
child, in which the father is‘reborn’.Bïrünï, al- (973–1051)
Persian Muslim scholar, scientist and
diplomat who travelled through India
from 1030 to 1042. He learned Sanskrit
and was the first foreigner to give exten-
sive and correct descriptions of the major
branches of Hindu learning and sum-
maries of important Hindu writings. His
al-Hindbecame the single most impor-
tant source of information about India
and Hinduism for centuries to come.Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna
(1831–1891)
Born Helena Petrovna Hahn-Hahn in
Ekaterinoslav (Russia), she developed
occult powers early on. Married at 17
to a much older man, whom she soon
left, she travelled through Europe,
America, Egypt, India and Tibet, where
she claimed to have met the ‘Master’ she
had seen long before in her dreams.
Settling in New York in 1873 and join-
ing the spiritual movement she became
acquainted with Colonel Henry S.
Olcott with whom she formed the
Theosophical Society in 1875. She
became widely known through her
occult writings, especially Isis Unveiled
(1877) and The Secret Doctrine(1888).
She moved to India in 1878, transfer-
ring the headquarters of the
Theosophical Society to ADYAR
(Madras), and founding a journal, The
Theosophist, dedicated to uniting
Eastern spirituality and Western sci-
ence. The day of her death, 8 May
1891, is celebrated as ‘White Lotus
Day’ by the members of the
Theosophical Society.bliss
SeeÄNANDA.bodha (‘understanding’)
Personified as son of Buddhi, one of the
daughters of DAKÆA.Encyclo - Letter B 10/2/03 9:37 am Page 40