I add words to this glossary as unusual or foreign terms arise in my posts. If you see a word somewhere on this blog that you don’t understand, please comment and let me know and I’ll add it here.
Ayurveda – (from “ayus” meaning “life” and “veda” meaning “knowledge or science” ) Roughly translated as “the science of life” or “knowledge of the life span”; the natural healing system developed in India and practiced for the last 5,000 years. It is based on the concept that illness arises when the body-mind systems or doshas (see below) go out of balance. Treatment typically consists of diet and lifestyle changes, herbal medicines, and therapeutic treatments such as oil massage, sweat baths, and yogic practices. See “What is Ayurveda?” tab at top of page for more information.
Brahma– the god of creation and birth; one member of the main triumvirate of Hindu gods along with Vishnu and Shiva.
Dosha – (a term that does not translate easily into English, as modern anatomy or medicine does not have an equivalent concept) the three organizing principles in the body-mind (vata, pitta, and kapha – see entries below) that work together to maintain balance in the organism. According to Ayurvedic theory, the three doshas are the way that the five elements are manifested in the body. The concept of the ancient Greek humors (blood, bile and phlegm) was based on the Ayurvedic tri-dosha theory. Each of us is born with a particular ratio of the three doshas that serves as our unique baseline (called prakruti in Sanskrit). As long as we maintain that ratio, we maintain health, while when one or more doshas is elevated or “aggravated,” the condition is ripe for disease if the dosha is not pacified or reduced. In this way, the doshas serve as a buffer, such that an imbalance is expressed in the doshas before the actual cellular tissues are affected, so we can take actions to restore balance before more serious symptoms or tissue damage occurs.
Guna – a quality or attribute. Understanding the gunas of a substance can tell you the action or effect it will have. For example, if a medicinal herb has the guna of “heavy,” it can help treat emaciation, a condition of excess “lightness.” There are twenty primary gunas, although it could be said that there are an infinite number of gunas.
Jyotish – the science/art of vedic astrology, based on the movements of the seven planets visible to the naked eye plus the north and south nodes. The extremely complex inter-relationships of the planets are considered to be influential over every aspect of a person’s life. In jyotish, one’s rising sign, or ascendant, is given more importance than one’s sun sign, unlike western astrology. A jyotishi, or astrologer, is often consulted to gain insight into patterns in one’s life or for guidance on an issue or upcoming event.
Kapha – The “earth and water” dosha. In the body-mind, kapha is responsible for structure and lubrication. It provides mass for tissue development and growth, and it creates lubrication, such as saliva, gastrointestinal juices, mucus, tears and plasma. Its seat is in the stomach and lungs, and it is also found in the sinuses, nose, mouth, tongue, pancreas, brain, heart, sebum and synovial joints. When kapha is out of balance, tumors or masses can occur, as can edema, excess mucus production, weight gain and diabetes.
Mandir – a temple.
Murti – a small sculpture of a god or goddess, often found in a temple.
Namaha – a word of praise or honor, usually said in conjunction with a particular god or goddess (e.g., Om ganapataye namaha).
Pitta – The “fire” dosha. In the body-mind, pitta oversees all transformations, including digestion, cellular metabolism, and the transformation of information into knowledge. Its seat is in the small intestines, and it is also found in the blood, liver, spleen, skin, heart, brain, and eyes. Pitta contains all the “heat” in the body, such as digestive acids, sweat, and anger. When pitta is out of balance, common symptoms include digestive issues (usually diarrhea), ulcers, headache, some skin conditions, and “hot” emotions like envy, rage and irritation.
Shiva – the god of transformation or destruction, which allows for new growth to occur; one member of the main triumvirate of Hindu gods along with Brahma and Vishnu.
Shlokas – brief verses set in meter.
Vastu Shastra – the vedic science of placement, the predecessor of the Chinese feng shui system.
Vata – the “air and ether” dosha. In the body-mind, vata manages all movement, including peristalsis (intestinal movement), swallowing, bowel movements, menstruation, respiration, and nerve conduction. Its seat is the large intestines (colon), and it is also found in the bones, diaphragm, pelvis, lower back, thighs, heart, brain and skin. When vata is out of balance, symptoms include tremors or unintentional movement, neurological conditions, constipation, agitation, anxiety or fear, and dry skin.
Vishnu – the god of preservation, the sustainer of life; one member of the main triumvirate of Hindu gods along with Brahma and Shiva.