Dictionary of common Sanskrit spiritual words
arthApatti - avyapadeshya

Note that words appear in order of the Roman alphabet, not the Sanskrit alphabet.

arthapatti

inference from circumstances, presumption ; one of the 6 means of obtaining knowledge. See pramana.

asana

sitting in special (and peculiar) postures for long periods supposedly in order to gain spiritual benefit. One of the eight steps of Raja yoga.

asat

non-existent. See sat.

asatkarya vada

the doctrine which denies that the effect pre-exists in the cause (usually in reference to the creation).

asha

wish, desire, hope, expectation; aspiration.

ashrama

generic term for one of the four “stages” in the life of a Hindu brahmin, viz. brahmacharya, gRRihastha, saMnyAsa, vanaprastha.

ashraya

locus.

ashtanga

consisting of eight parts, as in the aShTA~Nga yoga of Patanjali.

asparsha

intangible, touchless; name given to the “contentless” yoga of Gaudapada in the Mandukya Upanishad.

Astavakra

the eponymous Sage of the Astavakra Gita (or Samhita). The word literally means “twisted” (vakra) in “eight” (aShTan) ways. Astavakra was so called because he was born severely deformed after being cursed in the womb by his father (because the unborn child had criticised him for making mistakes whilst reading the scriptures!). (Later in life, after he had secured his father’s release through defeating the court philosopher in debate, his father blessed him and, after swimming in a sacred river, he was cured.) See gita, samhita.

asteya

not stealing. One of the five yama-s in Raja yoga.

asti

existent, it exists.

astika

literally “there is or exists”; used to refer to one who believes in the existence of God or, more specifically, one who defers to the authority of the Vedas. See nastika, veda.

asura

demon, spirit, opponent of the gods.

atah

hence, therefore.

atha

now, then therefore; often used to express the sense of an auspicious beginning e.g. to reading a key verse of scripture.

atma or atman

the Self. Usually used to refer to one’s true (individual) nature or consciousness but Advaita tells us that there is no such thing as an ‘individual’ and that this atman is the same as the universal Consciousness, Brahman. see also jiva.

atmabodha

knowledge of Self or supreme spirit; a book attributed to Shankara.

atmavichara

vichAra in this context means reflection or examination upon the Atman, the Self. See atman.

atmavid

someone who knows the truth of Atman, as opposed to a mantravid, someone who just knows the ‘magical formulae’.

avacheda-vada

theory that the Self is limited by ignorance in the forms of upAdhi-s. avachCheda literally means “cut-off.” See upadhi.

avantara

intermediate.

avarana

the veiling power of mAyA. In the rope-snake metaphor, this power prevents us from seeing the reality of the rope. See maya, vikshepa.

avastha

state; literally “to stay, abide, exist, remain or continue doing (anything).” In Advaita, it is most frequently encountered as avasthA traya – the three states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep.

avidya

ignorance (in a spiritual sense) i.e. that which prevents us from realizing the Self. See also maya.

avrita

covered or concealed.

avyakta

unmanifest, imperceptible, invisible; the universal spirit (paramAtman).

avyapadeshya

not to be defined, indescribable.