Vedic Way of Life
Glossary
Simple meanings of the Sanskrit words used on this website.
- Agni: sacred fire; also the divine presence in fire
- Ahuti: an offering placed into the sacred fire
- Ashram: a place of spiritual life, study and practice
- Dana: giving, especially to someone in need
- Dharma: the right way to act; duty
- Gotra: a family lineage traced back to an ancient sage
- Havan: a fire ceremony; another word for a small yagya
- Jyotish: Vedic astrology
- Karma: action and its result
- Mantra: sacred words or sounds, repeated in prayer or meditation
- Muhurat: an auspicious time for an important beginning
- Nakshatra: one of the 27 star groups the moon passes through
- Paksha: one half of the lunar month, bright or dark
- Panchang: the Vedic almanac
- Pandit: a learned priest or teacher
- Sadhana: steady spiritual practice
- Sankalpa: a clear statement of intention made at the start of a Yagya
- Sanskara: a life ceremony
- Sanskrit: the ancient language of the Vedas
- Tithi: a lunar day
- Vedas: the oldest scriptures of the Hindu tradition
- Yagya: a sacred fire ceremony with offerings and mantras
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