Glossary
339
M
Mahā-bhāgavata —a pure devotee of the Lord.
Mahājana —the Lord's authorized devotee who by his teachings and behavior establishes the true purpose of religious principles.
Mahā-mantra —the great chanting for deliverance:
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
Mantra —a sound vibration that can deliver the mind from illusion.
Mathurā —Lord Kṛṣṇa's abode, surrounding Vṛndāvana, where He took birth and later returned to after performing His Vṛndāvana pastimes.
Māyā —(mā—not; yā—this), illusion; forgetfulness of one's relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
Māyāvādis —impersonal philosophers who say that the Lord cannot have a transcendental body.
Mṛdaṅga —a clay drum used for congregational chanting.
P
Paramahaṁsa —the topmost class of devotees.
Paramātmā —the Supersoul, an expansion of the Supreme Lord situated in every living entity's heart and in every atom.
Paramparā —the chain of spiritual masters in discipline succession.
Prasāda —food spiritualized by being offered to the Lord.
R
Rākṣasas —man-eating demons.
Rṣi —a great sage.
S
Sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha —the Lord's transcendental form, which is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss.
Sāṅkhya —the analytical study of matter and spirit.
Saṅkirtana —public chanting of the names of God, the approved  yoga  process for this age.
Sannyāsa —renounced life; the fourth order of Vedic spiritual life.
Śāstras —revealed scriptures.