Glossary
A
Ācārya —a spiritual master who teaches by example.
Ahaṅgraha-upāsanā —self-worship, not recommended for anyone other than God.
Aṇimā —the mystic perfection of becoming smaller than the smallest.
Ārati —a ceremony for greeting the Lord with offerings of food, lamps, fans, flowers and incense.
Arcanā —the devotional process of Deity worship.
Artha —economic development.
Āsana —a sitting posture in  yoga  practice.
Āśrama —the four spiritual orders of life: celibate student, householder, retired life and renounced life.
Asuras —atheistic demons.
Avatāra —a descent of the Supreme Lord.
B
Bhagavad-gītā —the basic directions for spiritual life spoken by the Lord Himself.
Bhakta —a devotee.
Bhakti-yoga —linking with the Supreme Lord by devotional service.
Brahmacarya —celibate student life; the first order of Vedic spiritual life.
Brahman —the Absolute Truth; especially the impersonal aspect of the Absolute.
Brāhmaṇa —one wise in the  Vedas  who can guide society; the first Vedic social order.
Brahmarṣi —a title meaning “sage among the  brāhmaṇas .”
D
Dharma —eternal occupational duty; religious principles.
E
Ekādaśi —a special fast day for increased remembrance of Kṛṣṇa, which comes on the eleventh day of both the waxing and waning moon.
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