Dictionary of common Sanskrit spiritual words
pramiti - pUrva mImAMsA

pramiti

correct notion, right conception, knowledge gained or established by pramANa.

prana

literally the “breath of life”; the vital force in the body with which we identify in the “vital sheath.”

pranamayakosha

the sheath made of breath (one of the “five Coverings” that surround our true essence).

pranava

mystical or sacred symbol (OM); OM is usually called praNava shabda, though either word separately can also be use with the same meaning. praNu means “to make a humming or droning sound.” It is also said that praNava means 'ideal name'. It is the 'ideal name' for brahman because it represents both the saguNa aspects (in the actual word OM) and the nirguNa aspects (in the silence that follows).

pranayama

usually understood to mean control of breathing in advanced yoga techniques or as a prelude to meditation. According to Swami Chinmayananda, however, it does not mean this but relates to the five “departments” of active life: prANayAma, pratyAhAra, nitya-anitya-viveka, japa and samAdhi.

pranidhana

meditation on/contemplation of/devotion to Ishvara. One of the five niyama-s of rAja yoga.

prapancha

the visible world; appearance, diversity, phenomenon.

prapta

attained, acquired, accomplished. prAptasya prApta is gaining something which has already been gained (as oppose to aprAptasya prApta – gaining something that one does not have); the expression is used of mokSha, enlightenment.

prarabdha

This literally means “begun” or “undertaken.” It is the fruit of all of our past action that is now having its effect. This is one of the three types of saMskAra (see agamin, sanchita, sanskara). Also, there are three types of prArabdha karma - ichChA, anichChA and parechChA (personally desired, without desire and due to others’ desire).

prasthana-traya

prasthAna means “system” or “course” in the sense of a journey; traya just means “threefold.” It refers to the three sources of knowledge of the Self (shabda), nyAya prasthAna, shruti and smRRiti. See nyaya prasthana, shabda, shruti, smriti.

pratibhasa (noun)
pratibhasika (adj.)

appearing or occurring to the mind, existing only in appearance, an illusion. See paramartha, vyavahara.

pratibimba

a reflection. In logic, bimba is the object itself, with the pratibimba being the counterpart with which it is compared.

pratibimba-vada

the theory that the jIva is a reflection of the atman, similar to a the reflection of an object in a mirror (bimba).

pratijna

(in logic) an assertion or proposition to be proved.

pratipadya – pratipadaka sambandha

refers to that type of knowledge where the knowledge itself brings about the goal without the need for any action. pratipAdya means “that which is to be explained or revealed”; pratipAdaka means “that which reveals, explaining or demonstrating”; sambandha means “relationship.”

pratyabhijna

recognition.

pratyaksha

“present before the eyes, clear, distinct etc.” but particularly “direct perception or apprehension” as a valid source of knowledge. Opposite of pArokSha, hidden. See pramana.

pratyagatman

the individual soul.

pratyahara

withdrawal of the senses from external objects.

prayaschitta

atonement, expiation, amends, penance.

pratyaya

belief, firm conviction, certainty; basis or cause of anything.

pravritti

active life, following one’s desires (pravRRitti mArga as opposed to the path to enlightenment – nivRRitti mArga).

prayojana

motive or purpose.

prema

love, in its pure, unselfish form (as opposed to moha).

preyas

the ‘pleasant’ as opposed to the ‘good’; more agreeable, more desired.

prithak

apart, separately, differently.

prithivi

earth – one of the five elements or pa~nchabhUta. Associated with smell.

priya

love, kindness, pleasure.

puja

honor, worship, respect, reverence.

punya

literally “good” or “virtuous”; used to refer to the “reward” that accrues to us (according to the theory of karma) through the performing of unselfish actions. See also papa.

purna

full, complete, satisfied, perfect.

purusha

person (usually male), spirit.

purusha-tantra

subjective, the result of ‘doing’ (as opposed to vastu-tantra). See also kartRRi-tantra.

purushartha

The general meaning of this term is “any object of human pursuit” but it is used here in the sense of human (i.e. self) effort to overcome “fate,” the fruit of one’s past actions. The four classical pursuits are kAma, artha, dharma and mokSha. puruShArtha-labha is fulfillment of those pursuits. See karma, sanskara.

purva

former, preceding.

purvapaksha

the first objection to an assertion in any discussion or, more generally, the “objector” in a debate.

Purva mimamsa

the philosophical system based upon the first part of the Vedas and attributed to Jaimini. Mainly concerned with enquiring into the nature of dharma or right action. See mimamsa, uttaramimamsa.