શબ્દ

Transliteration

Definition/Description

અક્ષરબ્રહ્મ

Aksharbrahm

Second-highest of the five eternal entities; i.e., transcends everything except Purushottam. Also refered to as just Akshar or Brahma. In his personal form Akshar serves Purushottam in His abode, and manifests as His ideal devotee, the Satpurush, on Earth. Both forms are human in appearance. In his impersonal form, Akshar is the abode of Purushottam, called Akshardhām. In his all-pervading form, Akshar is called Chidākāsh.

અક્ષરધામ

Akshardhām

The highest abode. The divine abode of Purushottam Bhagwān Swāminārāyan, where He is forever seated before countless muktas, who have attained qualities similar to those of Akshar. The impersonal form of Akshar.

અંકુશ

Ankush

A three pronged elephant prod. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

અર્ધચંદ્ર

Ardhachandra

Half-moon . One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahāhāraj’sleft foot.

અષ્ટકોણ

Ashtakon

Eight Sided. An octagon. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

બિંબ લાલ

Bimba lāl

Red as a ટીંડોળું. Tindolu = a vegetable found in India

બ્રહ્મા

Brahmā

The demigod responsible for the creation of an individual cosmos consisting of 14-realms and the life forms within it. Not to be confused with Brahma, the second-highest of the five eternal entities.

બ્રહ્મચારી

Brahmchāri

A ‘Brāhmin’ who has been initiated as a renunciant into the holy order of the Swāminārāyan Fellowship. Such brahmchāris were invested with special priestly authority i.e., appointed as personal attendants to the murtis within mandirs, and as the performers of other religious rites.

બ્રહ્મરસ

Brahmras

The divine nectar of Brahma’ - in the form of happiness

ચાખડી

Chākhdi

Wooden, strapless sandals worn specifically by renunciants for simplicity and personal discipline.

ચકોર

Chakor

A mythological bird that is said to constantly stare at the moon.

ચળું

Chalu

A special process of washing your hands and rinsing you mouth after meals.

ચૌદલોક

Chaud Lok

14 Realms. A cosmos consists of these 14 realms in descending order: Satyalok, Taplok, Janlok, Maharlok, Swarglok, Bhuvarlok, Mrutyulok, Atal, Vital, Sutal, Talātal, Mahātal, Rasātal, and Pātāl.

છોગું

Chhogu

Crest-like tuft of cloth either emerging from the end of a pāgh or left hanging from one side. Sometimes inserted into a pāgh when made out of a string of flowers.

ધનુષ

Dhanush

A bow. One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s left foot.

ઢોલિયો

Ḍholiyo

A decorated cot with 2 cylindrical pillows on either side. It is usually meant to be sat on rather than slept on.

ધૂન્ય

Dhunya

A form of melodious chanting of the holy name of God, often to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Commonly pronounced as ‘dhun’.

ફેંટો

Fento

Long piece of cloth twisted and tied around the head as a headdress.

ઘેલા

Ghelā

A holy river which runs through the town of Gadhadā.

ગોપદ

Gopad

Cow foot-print . One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s left foot.

હરે

Hare

An enthusiastic exclamation to denote that you are done speaking or agree with what the speaker is saying.

હરિજન

Harijan

A devotee of God. Often refered to as Haribhaktos.

જંબુ

Jambu

A purple fruit found in India. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

જવ

Jav

Barley. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

કળશ

Kalash

A water pot. One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s left foot.

કેતુ

Ketu

A flag. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

ખેસ

Khes

An unstitched, long piece of cloth traditionally worn by males as a lower garment, usually wound around the waist with one end tucked in after passing between the legs. Can also be worn as an upper garment.

લાડુ

Lādu

Sweet item of food made principally of flour, ghee, and gor or sugar, shaped into small balls.

મહોશ

Mahesh

Another name for Lord Shivā. The demigod responsible for the destruction of an individual cosmos consisting of 14-realms and the life forms within it.

માયા

Māyā

Instrument or power of God used as the fundamental ‘substance’ of creation. The jivas and ishwars must transcend māyā i.e. eradicate it within themselves, in order to attain Akshardhām. One of the 5 eternal entities.

મીન

Meen

Fish. One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s left foot.

મુખવાસ

Mukhvās

A combination of betel-leaves with spices which are chewed after a meal to freshen the mouth and often help with digestion.

મૂર્તિ

Murti

A sacred idol of God used to offer worship.

નિગમ

Nigam

Vedas - Knowledge. Most sacred and authoritative set of Hindu scriptures, the oldest portions of which are also recognised as the most ancient writings in history. Collection of divine revelations imparting philosophical wisdom as revealed to the rishis after strict austerities and deep contemplation. Body of scriptures consisting of over 100,000 verses with additional prose. Collated into four parts: the Rig Veda, Sām Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda, collectively known as the Vedas.

પદ્મ

Padma

Lotus . One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

પાઘ

Pāgh

Long thin piece of cloth twisted and tied around the head like a turban to form a traditional headdress.

પંચરાત્ર

Panchrātra

Sacred scripture of the Vaishnavs composed by Vāsudev Bhagwān serving as authority regarding rites and rituals, mandir construction, etc. Revered by Vaishnavs on par with the Vedas.

પંગત

Pangat

A dining style in which either sadhus or devotees sit cross-legged on the ground in straight lines so they can be served easily.

પૂજા

Pujā

A form of worship in which one devoutly performs ārti, thāl, etc. to God. Devotional offerings can be given to God as well.

રસચોર

Raschor

One who steals the ‘divine nectar’ of God i.e. His happiness.

સાધુ

Sādhu

Male person who has renounced worldly pursuits and has chosen an austere life of religious activities under strict vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. A Hindu renunciant.

સમાધિ

Samādhi

Trance. Transcendental experience, usually of God or His abode, in which consciousness of the body and surroundings is lost. Eighth and final step of ashtāng- yoga, transcendental experience of God, which is the culmination and climax of yoga.

સાંખ્ય

Sānkhya

School of philosophy analysing the ‘categories of existence’ - ‘tattvas’ - or elements, which it understands as 25 in number. Founded by the sage Kapil, author of the Sānkhya Sutras.

શરદ

Shārad

The goddess Laxmi. The goddess of wealth and the wife of Lord Vishnu.

શેષ

Shesh

A serpent with a 1000 mouths who acts as a bed for Lord Vishnu to lie upon.

શુકજી

Shukji

A realised sage who helped King Parikshit attain soul realisation by reciting the Bhāgvat to him.

સ્વસ્તિક

Swastik

The sign of one who redeems. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

તકિયો

Takiyo

A large enlongated cylindrical pillow.

ત્રિકોણ

Trikon

Three sided. A triangle. One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s left foot.

તુલસી

Tulsi

Basil . Variety of plant in the mint family, native to warm regions. Its aromatic leaves have inherent healing qualities and are also often used as seasoning. Considered extremely holy and auspicious in Hinduism, so much so that most traditional Hindu homes reserve a special place for a shrub just outside their houses. Used as a fragrant offering to God.

Wood of the plant is also used in the making of beads for rasaries.

ઊર્ધ્વરેખા

Urdhvarekhā

A long auspicious line. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

વજ્ર

Vajra

Thunderbolt. The demigod Indra’s weapon which was made out of the bones from the body of the sage Dadhichi. One of the 9 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s right foot.

વેદાંત

Vedānt

Conclusion of the Vedas . School of thought embodied in the Upanishads which reveal the conclusive teachings of the Vedas, centering primarily on the nature of the ātma, the world, reality and personal experience. Also called Uttar Mimānsā, ‘the later inquiry’.

વ્યોમ

Vyom

Sky. One of the 7 signs found on Shrījī Mahārāj’s left foot.

યોગ

Yog

Union. School of philosophy focusing on quieting the fluctuations of the mind through various physical and mental practices and ultimately aiming at the transcendental experience of God.