Chakra | Literally,
a wheel or circle. Energy (prana) is said
to flow in the human body through three
main channels (nadis), namely, Susumna,
Pingala and Ida. Susumna is situated inside
the spinal column. Pingala and Ida start
respectively from the right and left nostrils,
move up to the crown of the head and course
downwards to the base of the spine. These
two nadis intersect with each other and
also the Susumna. These junctions of the
nadis are known as chakras or the fly-wheels
which regulate the body mechanism. |
|
Chandra | The moon. | |
Chatur | The number four. | |
Chaturanga | Four limbs; a push-up position a few inches off the ground. | |
Chitta | The mind in its total or collective sense, being composed of three categories: (a) Mind, having the faculty of attention, selection and rejection; (b) Reason, the decisive state which determines the distinction between things and (c) Ego, the I-maker. | |
Danda | A staff. | |
Dhanu | A bow. | |
Dharana | Concentration or complete attention. The sixth stage of Yoga mentioned by Patanjali. | |
Dharma | Dharma
is the moral law combined with spiritual
discipline that guides one's life. A Hindu's
dharma is affected by a person's age, class,
occupation, and gender. The word dharma
translates as that which upholds or
supports. |
|
Dhyana Meditation | The seventh stage of Yoga mentioned by Patanjali. | |
Dwi | Two, both. | |
Dwi-hasta | Two hands. | |
Dwi-pada | Two feet or legs. | |
Eka | One, single, alone, only. | |
Garuda | The mythic "king of the birds," the vehicle of Vishnu. | |
Gu | First syllable in the word 'Guru', meaning darkness. | |
Guru | Spiritual preceptor, one who illumines the darkness of spiritual doubt. | |
Ha | First syllable of the word 'Hatha', which is composed of the syllables 'ha' meaning the sun, and 'tha' meaning the moon. The object of Hatha-yoga is to balance the flow of solar and lunar energy in the human system. | |
Hala | A plow. | |
Hasta | The hand. | |
Hatha | Sun/moon; balance. | |
Hatha-yoga | The way towards realization through rigorous discipline. | |