Fundamental Vocabulary I

Question 1

Yama

Answer 1

Universal moral commandments.

Patanjali’s five yamas: non-violence, truth, non-stealing, continence, and non-coveting

Question 2

Niyama

Answer 2

Self-purification by discipline. The second stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.

Question 3

Asana

Answer 3

Posture. The third stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.

Question 4

Pranayama

Answer 4

Rhythmic control of breath. Fourth stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.

Question 5

Pratyahara

Answer 5

Withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects. Fifth stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.

Question 6

Dharana

Answer 6

Concentration or complete attention. Sixth stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.

Question 7

Dhyana

Answer 7

Meditation. Seventh stage of yoga mentioned by Patanjali.

Question 8

Samadhi

Answer 8

A state in which the aspirant is one with the object of his meditation, the Supreme Spirit pervading the universe, where there is a feeling of unutterable joy and peace.

Question 9

Three gunas

Answer 9

Qualities, ingredients or constituents of nature: Sattva (goodness, purity), Rajas (mobility, activity), and Tamas (darkness, ignorance).

Question 10

Aum

Answer 10

All. Conveys “omniscience”, “omnipresence” and “omnipotence”.

Question 11

Yoga

Answer 11

Union, communion. Derived from the root “yuj” meaning to join, to yoke, to concentrate one’s attention on. The union of our will to the will of God, a poise of the soul which enables one to look evenly at life in all its aspects. The chief aim of yoga is to teach the means by which the human soul may be completely united with the Supreme Spirit pervading the universe and thus secure absolution.

Question 12

Guru

Answer 12

Spiritual preceptor, one who illumines the darkness of spiritual doubt.

Question 13

Chakra

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Prakriti

Answer 14

Nature, the original source of the material world, consisting of three qualities: sattva, rajas, and tamas.

Question 15

Purusha

Answer 15

the “Self” which pervades the universe. In the Rigveda, a primeval giant that was sacrificed by the gods and from whose body the world and the people were built.

Question 16

Samskara

Answer 16

Mental impression of the past.

Question 17

Samsara

Answer 17

The repeating cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.