Glossary
A
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 process of Deity worship.
Artha—economic development.
Aérama—the four spiritual orders of life: celibate student, householder,
retired life and renounced life.
Asuras —atheistic demons.
Avatéra—a descent of the Supreme Lord.
B
Bhagavad-gita—the basic directions for spiritual life spoken by the
Lord Himself.
Bhagavan—one who unlimitedly possesses all opulences; a term of ad-
dress for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Bhagavata-saptaha—a seven-day discourse on Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Bhagavat-svariipa—the personal form of the Lord.
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.
Brahmana—one wise in the Vedas who can guide society; the first Vedic
social order.
Brahmandas—the universes.
Brahmastra—a nuclear weapon produced by chanting mantras.
C
Catur-vyaha—the Lord’s plenary expansions Vasudeva, Sankarsana,
Pradyumna and Aniruddha
355
