JAPA—Repetition of a Mantra
Jivanmukti—Liberation while still in body, the state of Jnana or Knowledge, Wisdom of Brahman
Jivatman—Individual soul
KALA—Ray, part, aspect
Kapala—Skull
Kamala—Lotus
Karma—Action (Sanchita: accumulated; Prarabdha: to be worked out in this life; Agami: being freshly formed)
Karuna—Mercy
Kevala Kumbhaka—Cessation of breath spontaneously
Khechari Mudra—Applying elongated tongue to the posterior palate in Hatha Yoga
Kriya—Action
Kumbhaka—Period between in-and-outgoing breath
Kundalini—Serpent-power coiled up at the Muladhara Chakra
Kutir—Living quarters (of a Sadhaka)
LINGA SARIRA—Subtle body
MADHYAMA—Pranayama with 32 Matras
Mahima—Siddhi of making oneself huge
Manas—Mind
Matra—A second, time-measure
Mitahara—Moderate diet
Moksha—Liberation, release
Mudra—Symbolic hand-position
Mumukshutva—Intense longing for liberation
NADI—Astral tube carrying Prana
Nauli—Abdominal churning exercise
Nirvikalpa—Without modification of the mind
Nishkama—Selfless, unselfish
Nishpatti—Consummation, ratio
PADMA—Lotus
Para—Super, higher, (highest)
Paramahamsa—The highest class of Sannyasins
Parichaya—A state reached in Pranayama
Pindanda—Microcosm
Pingala—Psychic nerve-current in right nostril, solar
Pralaya—Dissolution of the cosmos
Prana—Vital energy, life-breath, life-force
Pranava—The mystic syllable ‘OM’
Pranavadin—One who advocates the theory of Prana
Pranayama—Breath-control
Prasvasa—Expiration of Breath
Pratyahara—Abstraction of senses
Prithvi—Element of earth with density and fragrance characteristic to it
Puja—Worship, adoration
Puraka—Inhalation
SADHAKA—Spiritual aspirant
Sadhana—Spiritual practice
Sahaja—Natural, true, native
Sahasrara—1000 petalled lotus at the crown of head
Sakti—Power
Sama—Control of mind, tranquillity
Samadhi—State of superconsciousness, perfect absorption of mind in Yoga
Sambhavi—A Yogic technique of concentration
Sampat—Quality, wealth
Samsara—Life through repeated births and deaths, process of worldly life
Samskara—Impression, prenatal tendency
Sandhya—Junction (of sunrise and sunset)
Sannyasa—Renunciation of social ties, 4th state in Hindu life
Santi—Peace, quietness
Sastra—Scripture, word of authority
Satavadhani—One who does 100 things at the same time
Shatchakras—The six Chakras or nerve-plexuses
Sraddha—Faith
Sthula—Gross
Suddhi—Purity
Sukshma—Fine, subtle, indivisible
Surya—Sun
Sushumna—Nerve-current in spinal canal from Muladhara to crown of head
Svaha—Word uttered while offering an oblation, offering to God, exclamation used in offerings
TAMAS—Darkness, inertia, dullness
Tandri—Drowsiness
UDANA—Vital force near the throat
Upanishad—Vedantic scriptures, end of Vedas
Urdhvareto-Yogi—A Yogi whose energies have been sublimated into spiritual power
Utsaha—Cheerfulness, enthusiasm
VAIRAGYA—Indifference, disgust for worldly things and enjoyments
Vajra—Firmness, thunderbolt
Vak—Speech
Vasana—Subtle desire
Vayu—Wind, vital air, Prana
Vichara—Enquiry into nature of Self or Truth
Virya—Seminal fluid
Visuddha—Laryngeal plexus
Viveka—Discrimination
Vritti—Thought-wave, mental whirlpool
Vyana—All-pervading Prana
Vyavahara—Worldly activity, phenomenal, relative world
YAAMA—A period of three hours
Yajna—Sacrifice
Yatra—Pilgrimage
Yoga—Union with God
