Glossary

Acarya—a spiritual master who teaches by example.

Arati—a ceremony for greeting the Lord with offerings of
food, lamps, fans, flowers and incense.

Arcana—the devotional practice of Deity worship.

Asrama—a spiritual order of life.

Asuras —atheistic demons.

Avatéra—a descent of the Supreme Lord.

Bhagavad-gita—the basic directions for spiritual life spoken
by the Lord Himself.

Bhakta—a devotee.

Bhakti-yoga—linking with the Supreme Lord in ecstatic
devotional service.

Brahmacarya—celibate student life; the first order of Vedic
spiritual life.

Brahman —the Absolute Truth; especially, the impersonal
aspect of the Absolute.

Brahmana—a person in the mode of goodness; first Vedic
social order.

Dharma—eternal occupational duty; religious principles.

Ekadasi—a special fast day for increased remembrance of
Krsna, which comes on the eleventh day of both the
waxing and waning moon.

Goloka (Krsnaloka)—the highest spiritual planet, con-
taining Krsna’s personal abodes, Dvaraka, Mathura
and Vrndavana.

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