Dictionary of common Sanskrit spiritual words
smRRiti - svechChA

smriti

refers to material “remembered” and subsequently written down. In practice, it refers to books of law (in the sense of guidance for living) which were written and based upon the knowledge in the Vedas, i.e. the so-called dharma-shAstras - Manu, Yajnavalkya, Parashara. In the context of nyaya prasthana, it is used to refer to just one of these books – the Bhagavad Gita. See pramana, nyaya prasthana, sruti.

sopadhika

nirupAdhika adhyAsa is superimposition as of the snake on the rope, as opposed to sopAdhika adhyAsa e.g. the sunrise, which is still seen even when the mistake is realized.

sparsha

touch.

sphota

sound (conceived as eternal, indivisible and creative) - the theory that the universe was brought into existence as a result of sound (c.f. ‘in the beginning was the word’).

sri

used as a title, c.f. “reverend,” to signify an eminent person. May also be used in a similar manner to refer to revered objects or works of scripture, for example.

srimat

beautiful, charming, lovely. shrImatI is used as an honorific when addressing respected ladies in the same way as shrI above.

srishti

creation.

srishti-drishti-
vada

the theory that the world is separate from ourselves, having been created (by God or big-bang) and evolving independently of ourselves, i.e. the “common sense” view of things. See also adhyasa, ajati, drishti-srishti-vada.

sthitaprajna

meaning one “standing” (sthita) in “wisdom” (praj~na); a man of steadiness and calm, firm in judgment, contented. The name given by the Bhagavad Gita to one who is Self-realized.

sthula

large, thick, coarse, dense. sthUla sharIra is the gross body.

sukha

(adj) comfortable, happy, prosperous etc; (noun) comfort, pleasure, happiness.

sukshma

subtle, as in the subtle body – sUkShma sharIra.

sushupti

the deep-sleep state of consciousness. The “sleeper ego” is called praj~na. See also, jagrat, svapna, turiya.

sva

one’s own.

svabhava

one’s natural disposition. (adj. svAbhAvika – arising from its own nature.)

svadharma

one’s own dharma. See dharma.

svadhyaya

self-study or more specifically studying the scriptures, literally reciting the Vedas in a low voice to oneself. One of the five niyama-s in Raja yoga.

svagata

belonging to oneself.

svapna

the dream state of consciousness. The “dreamer ego” is called taijasa. See also, jagrat, sushupti, turiya.

svara

Sanskrit term for a vowel, literally meaning “sound”; sounded for 1 mAtrA or measure.

svarga

heaven.

svarupa

one’s own character or nature (rUpa means 'form'); e.g., svarUpAnanda – one’s own Ananda (limitless bliss).

svata-pramanya-vada

the theory of the “self-validity of knowledge,” i.e. accepting a given explanation, if reasonable, until something better comes along. (c.f. Occam's razor)

svatantra

independent, self-willed, free. (Also svAtantrya – following one's own free will or choice).

svayam

of or by oneself.

svecha

free will.