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Etymology of Names

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Etymology of Names

Here is a fine etymology of names - http://www.storytellingmonk.org/downloads/metaphorical_meaning_sanskrit_terms.pdf Page 1

Metaphorical Meaning of Some Sanskrit Terms -

Abhimanyu : other name for Saubhadra. Abhimanyu comes from abhi, which means to destroy, and manyu, which means all evil and vicious qualities in human beings.

Aditi : a (no) + diti (duality), who is non-dual.

Aaditya : divine illumination arising from unity with the indwelling Self.

Ahankaar : ego. The scriptures define Ahankaar as abhimanatmika

Ahankaar : "This egoistic faculty claims that `I am the doer, I am, I am.'" It is the third of the antah-karan chatushtaya, the four internal instruments.

Airaavat (Indra's elephant) : extreme attachment to sense of touch; mind

Anant : (Vishnu's snake): divine light in pituitary; white (milk), gold (anant) and blue (Vishnu); vayu

Anjalee : comes from Anj, to get illumination.

Antah-karan Chatushtaya : the four internal instruments:

Anushaasan : which means the directive or the discipline or teachings. The realized master teaches the disciples to discipline the mind and senses and directs them in the path of perception of the inner reality.

Anuraag : means "extreme desire".

Aaratee : a means all-pervading God and rati, means devotion towards the Lord.

Argalaa : wooden bar used to lock doors from the inside in ancient India. Metaphorically, to go inside the body-house (as in Argalaa Stotra, 23 verses from the Maarkandeya Puraan by Vyaas, extolling the Divine Mother as the destroyer of demons. Customarily recited before the Chandee Saptashatee (Durgaa Saptashatee).

Arjun : a means "no", Rajju means "rope," the symbol of bondage, and na means "no." Although he is free, he thinks he is in bondage. Also from Arj, "to earn".

Arth : Arth (money) and Paramaarth (God) are both necessary for a man in the world. But without Paramaarth there is no life. With the same effort used to earn money you should pursue God realization.

Aashutosh : (another name of Shiv) meaning, "Who is quickly satisfied".

Ashwattha : Ashwattha comes from "a" (not) + shwa (for tomorrow) + ttha (to remain): the human body.

Ashwatthaamaa : is an immortal soldier and the son of the fickle person Dronaachaarya. Ashwatthaamaa means to have a disposition of being constantly on the go, or relentless like a machine that is constantly running. One desire after another comes from an endless chain without real satisfaction being obtained.

Asit : a (no) + sit (in bondage)

Asti : eldest wife of King Kans. Her name means "existence", ie the power of God is within.

Ath : the word ath has six meanings: Mangal (auspiciousness), Prashn (question), Kaarya Aarambh (initiation), Anatara (thereafter), Adhikaar (qualification / right), Pratigyaa (promise), relating to the six chakras from the Moolaadhaar (bottom center) to the Aagyaa (soul-center). (b) buddhi (intellect)  --

The second meaning of atha is "question". The general explanation of this "atha" starts with the question, "What is yoga?" The entire book explains the Yog in its every aspect. Here, Ath is also used in the second chakra, Swaadhishthaan, with a question: "Do people really want God-consciousness in daily life or not?

The fourth meaning of atha is "thereafter" . When one crosses the Naabhi Chakra and comes to the heart center with purity and love, then he wants to know atha kim. What is after this? This is the state of self-enquiry.

The fifth meaning of atha is "qualification" . When one crosses the propensities of the heart centers and reaches the neck center and transcends above, one is in the state of a qualified spiritual aspirant; to perceive, conceive and realize Yog.

The sixth meaning of atha is "promise" or Pratigyaa. When one really goes to the sixth center he enjoys peace, bliss and joy, calmness and love and promises not to be deviated from this state.

Bakaasur : was a giant bird that would swallow young children in Vrindaa Van. Shree Krishn tore off its bills when he was but three years old.

Bhaarat : bhaa (divine illumination) + rata (engrossed). India. One name of Arjun, or Dhritraashtra.

Bhaaryanee : is usually translated as "wife", but its real metaphorical meaning is "breath." In Sanskrit it is said Bhaarayeti iti bhaaryaa — "the wife, ie breath, is maintaining the whole body."

Bheem : means "ferocious and powerful." Bheem is the son of Vaayu (air, wind). The breath in each human being is the son of air.

Bheeshm : means firm determination of mind. He promised not to marry and never to enjoy sexual pleasure. It is good, but due to his extreme pride, he committed some mistakes.

Bhrigu : Bhrigu comes from Bhraj, to roast (ie the Sanskaar through meditation).

Bhoorishravaa : son of Somdatt. Bhoorishravaa means hesitation and is derived from bhoori and shravaa. Bhoori means many, and shravaa means to hear. Bhoorishravaa was a great warrior on the side of Kaurav, but he was fickle-minded.

Brahmchaaree : comes from brahmani charati iti brahmachari, which means that "he who revels in Brahman is a brahmachaaree."

Brahmhaaree : from Brahm Vicharan, to be in God-consciousness.

Brahmachaarinee : is the second name of Durga in the Nav Durgaa.

Braahman : one who always remains merged in Kutastha.

Brihaspati : Brihaspati comes from brihati (speech) + pati (Lord): Lord of speech, or air.

Buddhi : intellect. The scriptures define Buddhi as Nischayatmak Buddhi—"the intellect (Buddhi) is the deciding faculty of man." Buddhi discriminates between what is good and what is bad, and decides what should be done. It is the second of the Antah-karan Chaatushtaya, the four internal instruments. see also Ahankaar (ego).

Chandra : in the Purush Sookt, a Vaidik hymn, it is said Chandramaa Maanaso Jaataa: the Moon is born from the cosmic mind of God.

Chandraghantaa : Chandra (moon) and Ghantaa (bell). Third name of Durgaa in the Nava Durgaa.

Chekitaan : a spiritual warrior on the side of Paandav. Chekitaan comes from Chekit, which means within a short time and is also the name of a small cricket-like insect, and tan, which means the divine sound and the various melodies which are the inaudible talk of God.

Chitrarath : Chitrarath comes from Chitra (colorful) + Rath (chariot), name of the king of the Gandharv: in the body-chariot, one perceives divine colors and sounds.

Chitta : memory. The Scriptures say that Chitta is anusandhanatmika or smaranatmika— "The investigating faculty or the faculty of memory is Chitta". This chitta is born out of human experience through the mind and the mind becomes activated from memory or chitta. Chitta is the computerized memory of the brain. Chitta can be compared to the ocean, and the mind is compared to the waves. It is the fourth of the antah-karan chatustaya, the four internal instruments.

Chor Kotharee : "the secret chamber". If the mind is always fixed on the divine sound constantly and enjoy being in the secret chamber. Chitta means (mind stuff/memory).

Daitya : demon; inner propensities, thoughts.

Daksh : one who is adept, efficient. Daksh symbolizes the mind. Daksh was the father of Satee (consort of Shiv). Daksh means being perfect in anything.

Damayataam : (rulers) and daòæa (power, restraint) both come from Dam (to control, restrain)

Daamodar : a nickname given by Yashodaa to Shri Krishn, which means "very big belly".

Dasharath : Dasharath comes from dasha (ten doors) + rath (chariot): human body.

Deha : body. It is derived from Dahyati, "that which is constantly burning". The body is constantly burning with desires and attachments.

Devadatt : Cousin of Buddha. His name literally means, the gift of God" or given by God. The name of the conch of Arjun.

Deval : (aka Ashtaavakra): deva (vacuum) + lam (Beej of earth)

Devarshi : devarshi comes from Dev (he who roams in vacuum) + arshi (man of right vision).

Dhananjaya : dhanam (wealth, i.e. delusion) + jaya (victory). Dhana: 6 negative qualities: fear of birth, death, happiness, sorrow, hunger and thirst)

Dharm : explained as Dhaarayati yáà sáà dharm, "that which supports is Dharm". Religion, righteousness. True meaning is breath.

Dharmkshetra : another name for the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It comes from Dharm, which means spirituality, and Kshetra, field.

Dhrishtadyumn : he is the brother of Draupadee and the son of Drupad. Dhrisht means "obstinacy, restlessness" , and Dyumn means the power to control the obstinacy which comes from the external world.

Dhrishtketu : a great warrior on the side of Pandava. Dhrishtketu comes from dhisht ketava yaà saà. Dhrishtan means without head, having only a body, while ketu is a dragon's tail. So Dhristhaketu is always seeking his head.

Dhritarashtra : dhrit, "to hold, to control" and Raashtra, "the kingdom". Dhritam Raashtra yena sa dhritarashtra: "The one who wants to rule the kingdom is Dhritarashtra."

Dronaachaarya : comes from the word Druban, which means something that rolls this way and that way, like water on the leaf of a lotus. It is restlessness.

Drupad : is a king, as well as the father-in-law of the Paandav, father of Draupadee, Dhrishtdyumn, and Shikhandee. His name is short for Drut Pad, which means you are to walk quickly and to finish your duty. A more specific meaning is that you should meditate and complete your technique to realize the super consciousness within you without wasting time.

Duhshaasan : Prefix Duh means "with difficulty", the root verb äas, "to control, to discipline, to administrate" , and the suffix anat "one". Thus Duhshaasan symbolizes anger. He is dominant in the eyes (red, blood-shot eyes).

Durgaa : durge durgati naashinyai namah: one who relieves you from all difficulties (Durgati)

Duryodhan : Yodh: "to fight", with prefix duh: "difficult" and suffix anat: "one who". In the Geetaa it is said yahi shatru mahabaho kaam-roop dura sadam: "O mighty-armed, fight with your greatest enemy, rppp (desire)". Thus Duryodhan is the symbol of Kaam, desire, and passion.

Dwiti-Krishn : dwiti means "second." Arjun was thus known as the second Krishn.

Dyoot (dice) : illumination

Garud : Garud is the king of eagles, and Vishnu's mount. He is one who can digest even poison.

Ghantaa : (bell) represents the Naad or divine primordial sound, Deergh Pranav Naad, Anaahat Naad.

Go-maans : traditionally is translated as "beef". But metaphorically it breaks down into go + mam + sa. Go means "the whole universe", mam "to me", and sa means He, the Supreme Almighty Lord. Hence go-maanse means "He, who is abiding in the whole universe, is taking me to God."

Gopee : Gopee in their bodies in Vrindaa Van are always waiting for the manifestation of Praan Krishn (Krishn as the self).>

Govind : go means "universe", vin means "joy, energy", and da means "to give". Hence Govind is "One who gives joy in the whole universe." A name of Krishn.

Gudaakesh : Gudaakesh is another name of Arjun, derived from gudaak ("sloth, idleness, sleep"), and eesh ("controller, master"): conqueror of sleep; constant alertness. Arjun never sleeps.

Guru : gu is derived from guhyat guhayatar satta—the formless, hidden and invisible power of God, and ru is derived from tat rupam prakasayati iti—the visible beauty and luster of any living being. 49 types of breaths are ru, for material enjoyment, and one type is gu, for extreme calmness. When you attain the breathless stage of nirvikalpa samadhi, you have killed the guru—you are beyond the 50 types of breath, you have entered into heaven.

Hari : ha + ra + i. Hakara pingala varn : "the syllable ha means that there is no sense of the body." Further it is said that sarva varna varottamam "It (ha) is the supreme letter."
Rakara teja varna sat: "The syllable ra is the power of God in the body." Ikara shakti dayaka: "The letter i is the life of God given in you". So ha + ra + i is Hari, who is inhaling your breath. Hari comes from harati avidyam iti hariaa, "he who dispels darkness of ignorance". According to Lahiri Mahasaya, Hari means "one who steals". When the Jeev stage is stolen from you, the resulting stillness is Hari.

Himaalaya : Him (cold or snow) and Aalaya (house, place): from the midpoint of the eyebrows to the fontanel, ie the north of the body.

Hrisheekesh : one of Krishn's 108 names. Hrisheekesh is derived from hrisheek, which means the senses in the body, and eesh, which means soul, Lord, Master.

I : it is Shakti daayak—that which gives life, energy: the breath (praan) in the body (see Shiva).

Janaardan : Janaardan, a name of Krishn, is both the creator (janayati iti) and the destroyer (ardati iti).

Jayadrath : derived from jaya, which means win, and drath, which means to bluff with eloquent words. Jayadrath is the brother-in-law of Duryodhan. He was always bluffing many persons with his falsehoods, and people were convinced by his exaggerations.

Jeev : paça baddha bhavet jeeva paçamukta sadaashiv—one who is in bondage is Jeev and one who is free from bondage is Shiv. See Shiv.

Krishn : comes from the meanings of Krishi and na. Krishi means cultivated land, (each human body is a cultivated land) and na, the power of God, soul, our invisible body. According to Lahiri Mahasaya, Krishna comes from the root Krish - meaning "to cultivate" and na means "to negate". The union of the two results in still breath - prana krishna. Those who practice it are Gopis and prana Krishna manifests in them.

Kripaa : was the brother-in-law of Drone, the Guru of both the Paandav and Kaurav. Kripaa means kindness and affection with attachment to something bad.

Kripaa : the Guru's grace is derived from two words: kri, which means "to do", and pa meaning "to get" or "to achieve". This Kripa is of three kinds:

Kshatriya : one who works without expecting results.

Kaalraatri : Kaal means Time, limitation or death; Raatrí means night. Seventh name of Durgaa in the Nava Durgaa.

Kaalee: the Divine Mother who helps to overcome the fear of Kaal (time, limitation or death).

Kaamdhenu : (wish-fulfilling cow): soul in the body.

Kamalapatrak : Kamalapatrak comes from Kamal, which is made of Kaam (desire) + ala (to decorate). Literally, "Desire–fulfilling-eyed", "Lotus petal-eyed", ie Krishn.

Kapilaa : copper color (meditator perceives copper color).

Karn : means "ears". Famous for his generosity. Ears are always eager to receive, to hear. Two things we always want to hear: praise of self, and blame of others.

Kaarttikeya : Kaarttikeya is the six-faced god, fruit of Shiv-Paarvatee Vivaah (union of Shiv and Paarvatee), representing the Aadripu (six inner enemies) to conquer. He is also known as Kumaar, Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha. Worshipped as Dev Senaapati (commander-in-chief of the gods), the one who killed Taarakásur.

Kaashiraaj : a great spiritual king as well as a great warrior. Kaashiraaj is derived from Kashyate, which means illuminate, and Raajyam, which means divine light.

Kaatyaayanee : ka (head) + ati (extreme) + Aayanee (movement). If one keep the mind upward, you are Kaatyaayanee . She was worshipped by the Gopee (milkmaids) in Vrindaa Van to realize Krishn. Sixth name of Durgaa in the Nava Durgaa.

Kaurav : kuru rava: creating desires. Kuru means "to do", and rava is the cry or the disposition for the delusion of human beings.

Keshav : Keshava comes from ka (Brahma) + eesha (Shiva) + va (Vishnu) : total aspect of God. Also ka (in the head) + eesha (lord) + va (abode).

Kireeti : Kireeti comes from kireet : gold diadem, crown (ie who has come to fontanel).

Kooshmaandaa : Ka is head, uäa is warmth, and anda egg. Human head is like an egg-warmth is energy of the Mother. Fourth name of Durga in the Nava Durgaa.

Kuntee : "to call," "to invite," "to invoke" or "to pray." Kuntee means "One who prays and loves God."

Kuntibhoj : comes from Kuntee, which means pinpointed attention in the soul, and Bhoj, which means enjoying divine bliss.

Kurukshetra : contains Kuru and Kshetra. Kuru means "to do"—to do work. Kshetra means field. Every human being is a work field. But the dweller of the body field is the soul, Krishn.

Kurupraveer : Kuru (action, Kriyaa) + Praveera (perfect, efficient, best)

Kurushreshth : Kurushreshth comes from kuru (action) + Shreshth (the best) : one who does the best action (Arjun).

Maadree : Mad means "vanity" or "ego."

Mahaagauree : Mahaa (great) and Gauree (mountain-born, light). Eighth name of Durgaa in the Nava Durgaa.

Makar : (alligator): ma (time) + kar (act): to do right act at right time. A name of a astrological sign too (Capricorn). It is the 9th sign from among the 12 signs.

Maanas : the mind, the doubting faculty in man. The scriptures say: samsayatmika manah—"the mind always doubts." The mind loves confusion and the mind lives in confusion. The mind cannot decide what is good and what is bad. It is the first of the Antah Karan Chatushtaya, the four internal instruments.

Mantra : Mana Trayati iti mantra, "the mind that makes you free from the world, that is Mantra".

Maargsheersh : Maargsheersh comes from Maarg (passage) + Sheersh (climax of spiritual evolution): Sahasraar.

Mareechi : light of the person by which ego is destroyed; feeble breath.

Maayaadevee : mother of Buddha. Her name literally means `the Lady of Maayaa and illusion'.

Mendhaasur : meaning ???, is the name of the demon killed by Shree Krishn when he was five years old, by allowing to be swallowed by the demon and then bursting out of its stomach. This is commemorated to this day by the Dolaa Poornimaa (Full Moon day) celebration, also known as Holee (the festival of color), in March, one day before the Full Moon day. Mendhaasur is a demonic power still remains in every human being.

Meru : me (to project) + ru (brilliance).

Maun : (silence): control over the tongue

Naag : (snake): Udaan Vaayu.

Nakshatra : nakshatra is that which is beyond destruction, ie the light of the stars. Comes from na (no) + ksh (decaying) + atra (here).

Nakul : comes from na—"no" and kul—"bank of river" or "shore." Nakula means "Boundless or endless flow of water".

Naarad : naram dadaati iti – one who gives knowledge and bliss. Nara: bliss state + da: to give. Naarad moves in the vacuum.

Naaraayan : Kutastha is Naar or water. Ayan is to reside. Purush in Kutasth is Purushottam. When one goes through the door of Kutasth he realizes Purushottam.

Nava Durgaa : worship of the nine names of Mother Durgaa, to purify the Nava Dwaar (nine doors of the body-house) and nullify the negative influence of the Nava Graha (nine planets). Nava means nine, but also new.

Nirodh : made of the prefix ni (completely) and rudh (to close). Nirodh means confinement, locking up, enclosing, covering up, restraint, check, suppression, control or elimination.

Nirvaan : means liberation. Its derivation is from the prefix nir which means, "nothing, devoid of, free", and Vaan which means "arrow", "waves", and "breath". Nirvaan is the end of the battle. It means to have no need for arrows.

Neeti : Neeti means mortality, self-regulated life.

Naath : Ordinarily, people believe that the word atha means to remember God, who brings all auspiciousness in the beginning of any work. So, it is invocation to God. But this auspiciousness is really associated with the Moolaadhaar (root) chakra. Through the practice of Yog, one should bring auspiciousness into life.

Panch Kosh Parikramaa : to go around the five sheathed body by Kriyaa is Panch Kosh Parikramaa.

Paandu : Paandu comes from páòæa: asti yasya sa páòæu. Panda means knowledge. Paandu is divine knowledge.

Parantap : Parantap comes from Paraam taapayati ití parantapaa, "one who destroys all enemies is called Parantap".

Paarth : Paarth means son of Prithaa, which comes from pith: to distinguish.

Paavak : (aka Anal, one of the eight Vasu): purifying fire.

Pitri : Pitaa (ancestor). Comes from "pa": one who maintains (ie breath). In the Upanishad it is said: pitaa ha vai praanaà: the vital breath is the ancestors.

Prahlaad : pra (perfect) + hlaad (joy) : paraavasthaa.

Praan Vishnu : Pranaà Vishnu means the vital breath present in every cell is Vishnu.

Pranipata : "humble reverence" to God, guru and scriptures. Humility is the only way to eliminate ego.

praanaayaam : praan and ayaam (movement, restraint, control)

Praapti : youngest wife of king Kans, One of the to daughters of Jaraasandh, whose name means "one who has immense desire for worldly things".

Purodhas : (aka Purohit): "who always wants good for creation" ie a priest.

Purujit : a great king. Purujit is derived from Puran and Jayati. Puran means whole body sense and intellectual sense, and Jayati means one who can conquer everything.

Purush : puryam shete iti: "The one who is resting in the house."

Pootanaa : a demoness employed by Kans to try to kill Shree Krishn. Her name comes from Poot, which means "purity", and na, which means "no".

Raahul : son of Buddha, meaning "bondage".

Rasa Poornimaa : from rasa "nectar, transformation" and Poornimaa, "full Moon", is a festival occurring on the full-moon day in the month of August-September, commemorating the transformation of Raadhaa into Krishn in the forest of Vrindaa Van.

Ravi : ram (fire, illumination) + vam (vacuum) + ing (shakti): divine illumination in vacuum or inner sky.

Rudra : Praan. The Yaugik Scriptures say, ye rudraà te khalu práòaà, "the Rudra are none but the Praan"

Sahadev : Saha means "with," Deva means "vacuum."

Saam Ved : sa (white illumination) + ama (black): perceiving black and white light – balance and harmony.

Samaadhi : Sama is derived from Samaahit, meaning "balanced", "complete", "pure", or even "dissolved". Dhi refers to intellect, memory and inner reasoning. Samadhi is a state of inner calmness which is born out of sincere practice.

Sandhya : samyak ("completely" or "perfectly") + dhyaan ("meditation" ): the time when day turns into night, ie evening is the perfect time for meditation.

Sanjaya : King Dhritarashtra's minister and messenger. His name is short for Samyak Jaya, which means "thorough control".

Sampragyaat : made of sam (derived from Samyak, "completely" or "perfectly") ; pra ("clearly"); and Gya ("to know"). Thus the meaning is: knowing clearly and completely.

Sa-anand Samaadhi : sa means "with", aanand means joy, bliss. The sublimated mind is more absorbed in the intellect. One experiences bodylessness and joy. Here the mind itself is the object of meditation. Saanand Samaadhi, the third level of the four Samaadhi described in the Yog Sootra 1:17, is experiencing bliss alone.

Sasmita Samadhi : sa means "with", asmita means pure ego. When meditation is more concentrated and ripe, then one experiences the state of "I am, I am…" ie aham asmi, which is known as asmita, pure ego's existence. Sasmita samadhi, the fourth level of the four samadhis described in the Yoga Sutra 1:17, is to go beyond body and all experiences, the state of subtle ego.

Satee : sat (truth) and ee (energy)—one who directs all energy towards Truth. The spiritual urge for perfection in every human being.

Saubhadra : the son of Arjun and Subhadraa (Krishn's sister), ie Krishn's nephew. See also Abhimanyu.

Sa-Vikaar : sa means "with", vikaar means reflection, deliberation, investigation and discrimination. Vikaaran means "to roam". The mind and thought is absorbed in the source of the knowledge. Savikaar Samaadhi, the second level of the four Samaadhi described in the Yog Sootra 1:17, is analyzing what you saw, undaunted by Maayaa. When the mind is free from any Vikaar or discrimination, it is Nirvikaar Samaadhi (as explained in Sootra 44).

Sa-beej : sa means "with", Beej means "cause". Corresponds to the last two stages of Samaadhi (Saanand and Sasmit) described in the Yog Sootra 1:17.

Sa-Vitarka : sa means "with", vitark means "reasoning" or "inference through questioning". Tark is the logical reasoning to keep the mind always in a balanced state. Sa-Vitark Samaadhi, the first level of the four Samaadhi described in the Yog Sootra 1:17, is that which you experience. The state of independence of reasoning is known as Nir-Vitark which is explained in Sootra 42 and 43.

Savyashachin : ambidextrous; control over Idaa and Pingalaa; well established in Gyaan and Karm.

Shail Putree : Shilaa (stone) and Putree (daughter): first name of Durgaa in the Nava Durgaa, as the daughter of Parvat, the Himaalaya mountains.

Shaivya : a great spiritual warrior on the side of Paandav. Shaivya means one who is just like Shiv.

Shankar : Shankar comes from Sham (auspiciousness) + kar (bestower)

Shiv : paça baddha bhavet jeev paçamukta sadaa Shiv—one who is in bondage is Jeev and one who is free from bondage is Shiv. If the I is removed from Shiva, it becomes Shava (corpse). See Jeev.

Shuddhodan : father of Buddha. His name literally means "one who lives on pure food'.

Shoodra : one who serves the three other Varn (classes or castes): the Braahman, Kshatriya, and Vaishya. He is Shoodra who deviated away from Kriyaa.

Siddhi Daatree : Siddhi Daatree comes from Siddhi (success, perfection) + Daatree (giver). Ninth (andlast) name of Durgaa in the Nava Durgaa.

Skandmaataa : Skandmaataa means the mother of Skand. Fifth name of Durgaa in the Nava Durga.

Sthavaranam Himaalaya : sthavaranam Himaalaya comes from stha (establishment) + vara (best) : best establishment. Hima (cold) + alaya (house): cranium

Shukraachaarya : Sukraachaarya (a.k.a. Ushanaa) comes from Shukra (semen, vitality, strength) + aachaarya (teacher).

Suyodhan : the name by which Yudhisthir called his evil cousin Duryodhan, which means "completely good," because Yudhisthir always saw good in every one.

Taarakaasur : Taarak (stars) and Asur (demon). The millions of desires and thoughts and propensities are like the millions of stars in the cosmos. If you have no control over them, you are a Taarakaasur.

Triputi : "triple phenomena" – like the seer, the seen and seeing.

Uchchaishravaa : Indra's horse. Uchchaishravaa represents Udaan Vaayu.

Upanayan : comes from upa, "near", and nayan, "to take", literally to take the child near the Guru.

Uttishtha : Uttishtha comes from ut (above) + tishtha (to be established)

Vaishya : one who does work with expectation of results.

Vajra (thunderbolt) : breath; strong determination and will power. Vajra means very very hard too. Vajra is the name of great grandson of Krishn too.

Varun : Varun represents the Rasa Tattwa (water principle)

Vaasav : vaasa + ava: one who lives in vacuum ie the king of the gods, Indra.

Vaasu : illumination.

Vaasudev : According to Lahiri Mahasaya, Vaasudev = vaasu (vasana; ie desires or tendencies) + Dev (Lord). Give up Vaasanaa (tendencies) and you will be Vaasudev (God).

Vaasudev : comes from Vaasu (hidden jewel) + Dev (brilliance) : all-perceiving consciousness, Krishna. Son of Vasudev.

Vaasuki : Vaasu (jewel) + ka (head) : one who sees self-effulgent light in head.

Vikaar: reflection, deliberation, investigation and discrimination.

Vikaaran means "to roam". The mind and thought is absorbed in the source of the knowledge. See Sa-Vikaar.

Vikarn: a soldier of the Kaurav army. Vikarn means one who is a strong believer, is malicious, and is addicted to improper works. This disbelief, resulting from the biological force, is the main hindrance to obtaining purity and truth.

Vinataa: Vinataa was the father of Garud: humility

Viraat: a great warrior and king on the side of Paandav, who hosted the Paandav incognito for one year in his palace. Viraat comes from Vigat and rata. Vigat means that which is completely free and rata means the kingdom (body)—one who is free from body sense, free from everything.

Vishnu: comes from viäòati pravishyati iti, "he who penetrates and manifests everywhere".

Vi-tark: means "reasoning" or "inference through questioning". Tark is the logical reasoning to keep the mind always in a balanced state. (See Sa-vitark).

Vittesh: Vittesh comes from Vitta (wealth) + eesh (lord): another name of Kuber.

Vrindaavan: the place where Shree Krishn lived until the age of ten years eight months. Vri comes from Vraj Dhaam, which means to perceive Krishn in the whole body and to merge with the Divinity.

Vrishni: Vrishni comes from vri, "desire": one who has control; to radiate illumination.

Vritti: wave, flow. Chitta Vritti is the flow of thought, one wave after the other, the play of memory. Vritti Nirodh means restraint and control of Vritti. Vritti Laya means complete dissolution of Vritti. In Vritti-laya, there is no rise of Vritti. Vritti-vilaya, or complete dissolution of Vritti, is possible only at the time of death.

Yagya: Yagya (fire ceremony) means Praan Yagya. By Praan Yagya the fickle Praan is oblated into the still Praan by Praan Karm (Kriyaa Yog).

Yam: self-discipline, restraint (earth center). The name of the god of Death too.

Yashodharaa, surrogate mother of Krishn. Yashodharaa literally means "in the river of fame".

Yog: widely used in various subjects like spiritual practice, physical exercise, mathematics, astrology, astronomy, Aayurved. "Yoga" also means an opportunity. It has up to 31 different meanings. But the spiritual meaning can be correlated with the word "yoke": to unite or to be in the state of union: union of body and soul, of the individual self with the supreme Self.

Yudhaamanyu: a spiritual and powerful warrior on the side of Pandava. Yudhamanyu is derived from Yudh, which means to fight constantly and to subdue; and Manyu, which means sin, evil, malice and all other evil qualities which keep human beings far from God-realization.

Yudhishthir: Yudhi, "in the battle", and Sthira, "calm, undisturbed".

Yuyudhaan: relative and disciple of Krishn, also known as Saatyaki. Yuyudhaan means one who has the greatest desire for soul culture and deepest regard for God and Guru.

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta On 5/27/04
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on 04/14/12