Naadee
Naadee Jyotish
Naadikaa
Make a pot of 6 Pal (46.4 gms x 6 = 278.4 gms) copper, which can
hold 1 Prasth (12 handfuls x 4 = 48 double handfuls) water. Make a
golden rod of 4-finger length weighed 4 Maashaa and make the hole from
that needle in that pot. Drop that pot in water. Whatever time it will
take to fill that pot with water and sink in the water is called one
Naadikaa time.
Naag
Naag Mani
Naag Paash
(1) Naag means snake, and Paash means noose. Naag Paash means a serpent
which is used as a noose. (2) A noosed to capture the enemy or the lover.
Naag Stambh
see also Tadaag
When a tank is first dug out, a thick column or piece of wood is driven
into its center, that is called Naag Stambh or Yoop.
Naamkaran
One of the 16 main Sanskaar, through which a name is given
to a newborn child. This is normally done 11th or 12th day of the birth.
Naaraayan Sookt
Naaraayan and Satya-Naaraayan
Naaraayanee
(1) Another name of Durgaa. (2) Name of a river.
Naaraayaneeyam
Naarad Ghaat
Naarad haat is on the banks of Gangaa River in Vaaraanase. This is the
only Ghaat on which people don't bathe
because it is believed
that a couple bathing on this Ghat will start fighting amongst
themselves!. In
mythology, Naarad Jee is depicted as the naughty saint who always
creates trouble (with the best motives of course!), that is why people
do not take bath there.
Naarad Puraan
see also Puraan
Naarad Jee is one of the 10 Maanas Putra (brain children) of Brahmaa Jee.
This Puraan is on his name.
Naariyal or Naarikel
Naasdeeya Sookt
This Rig Ved Sookt reflects on the creation of the Universe. According
to it God created the Universe by manifesting Himself through the power
of His own fervor. Later on, in the Upanishad, God is considered both
the efficient and the material cause of the Universe.
Naastik
see also Aastik
Atheist. Who does not believe in God.
Naatak
Naath
(1) Protector, such as Jagan+Naath means who protects the world.
(2) Lord. (3) Husband, such as Jaanakee+Naath means who is the husband of Jaanakee, means Raam.
(4) Naath Sampradaaya - there is a Naath Sampradaaya also
Naath Sampradaaya
Naayikaa
Nadee
Nagar or Nagaree
Town.
Naimittik Kaaran
see also Kaaran
There are two Kaaran - Upaadaan and Naimittik. Upaadaan
Kaaran is Material cause and Naimitt Kaaran is Instrumental or Efficient
cause, as opposed to Upaadaan or Material Cause.
Nairritya
see also Dishaa
Southwest direction.
Naivedya
It may be any kind of food offered to God while worshipping Him,
but mostly it is fruits, or sweets, or dry fruits. According to Agni Puraan,
p 381, Naivedya is all what is offered to Bhagavaan before His
Visarjan. But as soon as the
Visarjan is done, it immediately becomes Nirmaalya.
Nakshatra
see also Astrology
Nakshatra by Aaryabhatt
Nakshatra Devtaa
Nakshatra
Sookt
Kakshatra Sookt is a wonderful hymn for Nakshatra and is part of Ved.
There is a minor variation or difference in the texts of Rig Ved and
Atharv Ved but both narrate the benefits these stars bestow on Earth.
Hence natives may expand their belief to stars also besides planets, for
even stars too are indicators or givers of benefit. Nakshatra Shaanti,
Nakshatra Hom, Nakshatra Poojaa etc are normal in southern parts of
India but is not so popular in its other parts.
Nakt Vrat
see also
A-Yaachit Vrat,
Ek-Bhukt Vrat, Vrat and Fasts
In this type of fast one eats only once a day - only in the night. After
that nothing is eaten until next sunrise.
Nalin
Lotus flower.
Nalinee
(1) Kamalinee. (2) Lotus stalk.
Nam or Namah (in Sanskrit)
(1) To bow. (2) To pay homage. (3) To greet.
Namakam
Chamakam see
Rudra Chamakam
Namaskaar or Namastey
see also Abhivaadan
Namastey
or Namaskaar
This is a joint word, Namo + Astu; meaning "I bow to you". It
is the same as Namaskaar given above - greeting the other person by
pressing one's palms together and bowing head; and by pronouncing or not
pronouncing "Namaskaar" or "Namastey".
Nandan
(1) Delighter. (2) Son, such as Devakee-Nandan means Devakee's son (Krishn).
Nandinee
(1) Durgaa. (2) Daughter, such as Janak-Nandinee means Janak's daughter (Seetaa)
Nandan Van
This garden is in Indra Puree or Swarg (Heaven) and belongs to Indra.
Nandee
Name of the bull of Shiv. The stone sculpture of Nandee in sitting
posture is found in almost all Shiv temples in India. Some of these
statues are gigantic in size, such as one in Chaamundee Hill on the
road, leading to the temple of Mahishaasur-Mardinee.
Nar
(1) Man. (2) Human being.
Narak
Narasinh (Avataar)
The 4th Avataar of Vishnu in man-lion form taken to kill Hiranyakashyap.
Nataraaj
(1) Another name of Shiv who is considered the cosmic dancer. (2)
The temple of Shiv, built around 850 AD, located in Chidaambaram (Tamilnaadu).
This pose of Shiv is so popular that it has been copied a million times
in bronze in all sizes and it adorns the living room of many Hindoo families.
Natavar
(1) Another name if Shiv. (2) Another name of Krishn.
Nava
(1) New. (2) Nine
Nava Grah
Nine planets - (1) Prithvi (Earth), (2) Soorya (Sun), (3) Chandra
(Moon), (4) Budh (Mercury), (5) Brihaspati (Jupiter), (6) Shukra
(Venus), (7) Shani (Saturn), (8) Raahu, and (9) Ketu. Athough there is
no Vaidik support for worshipping them but many people worship them.
Nava Nidhi
Nava Ratn
Nine gems - (1) Heeraa (Diamond), (2) Laal or Chunnee (Ruby), (3) Topaz, (4) Pannaa
(Emerald), (5) Neelam (Sapphire), (6) Lapis-lazuli, (7) Motee (Pearl), (8) Moongaa (Coral),
and (9) Firozaa (Turquoise).
Nava Ratn
Nine members in the court of the King Vikramaaditya (c 80 BC) and the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605 AD).
Nava Raatri
First nine days of the month of Chaitra Shukla Paksh, and Aashwin Shukla
Paksh. During these nine day nine Devee are worshipped. Many people keep fast on those days.
The Aashwin Nava Raatri is called "Shaaradotsav" also - the vernal
worship being called Vaasantee.
Neel Mani
Gem. A precious stone. Sapphire. Neelam.
Neelam
Neeraajan
Offering water oblations to Deity.
Neeraj
see Kamal
A compound word - Neer + aj - which is born from water (masculine).
Neerajaa
A compound word - Neer + ajaa - which is born from water (feminine).
Neeti
(1) Policy. (2) Guidelines.
Neeti Shaastra
Ethics.
Neetishatakam
Name of a book of 100 verses on moral law written by Bhartrahari.
Nemi
(1) Rim. (2) Felly of a wheel.
Neptune
Neti-Neti
Literally "not this, not that". God is not this, God is not that.
According to Upanishad, those who try to define God or claim that they
know Him, do not know Him. Those who say that they are ignorant about
Him, are somewhat better. This expression suggests that nothing in our
experience cn enable us to define or describe God.
Nidhaan
In whichever form all Bhoot get absorbed in Pralay Kaal, that form is called Nidhaan.
Nidhi
Nigam
see also Aagam
(1) Ved. (2) Scriptures.
Nigraha
Control, for example Indriya Nigraha means to control Indriyaan.
Nimesh
see also Unmesh
(1) Closing of the eyes, while winking. (2) It represents Pralaya - the
destruction of the Creation. In this state the whole Universe subsides in Brahm power.
Nimitta
That is "Instrumental" or Efficient Cause, as opposed to Upaadaan or
Material Cause. Prakriti is latter, whilst Purush is the former.
Prakriti cannot move without the Purush. The proximity of the Prakriti
affects the Raj Gun or stirring passionate quality in Prakriti; and with
this string the Evolution of matter commences. Under the influence of
the gaze o Purush, Prakriti commences the world dance.
[Tantra of the Great Liberation, p 49]
Nindaa
Censure.
Nine Idols
The nine idols which Vaishnav people worship are of : (1) Vaasudev, (2)
Sankarshan, (3) Pradyumn, (4) Aniruddh, (5) Naaraayan, (6) Hayagreev,
(7) Varaah, (8) Narasinh, and (9) Brahmaa.
Nir
see also Sa,
Nir is a prefix which means "without" (as A).
Nir-Aadhaar - which has no basis
Nir-Aakaar - which has no form. Formless.
Nir-Aakul - Serene
Nir-Aamaya - Without sickness, healthy.
Nir-Anjan - see below
Nir-Dosh - Faultless.
Nir-Gun - Without attributes - Bhagavaan (see also Sa-Gun) - see below "Nir-Gun and Sa-Gun".
Nir-Jal - Without water.
Nir-Jeev - Lifeless.
Nir-Lipt - Which is not Lipt (attached), means detached, like the drop of water on a lotus leaf
Nir-Vikaar - (1) Unimpaired. (2) Unchanged. (3) Uniform
Nir-Vikalp - devoid of false imaginings (see also Vikalp and Nir-Vikalp)
Nir-Vishesh - which does not change
Nir-Anjan
Anjan means a substance which is applied to eyes (Kaajal).
(1) Nir-Anjan means incomprehensible to the ignorant; (2)
The one from ignorance as been driven out - means the perfect knower.
Nir-Gun and Sa-Gun
They literally mean "without attributes" and "with attributes". HIndu
elieve that God is formless and without attributes. He is best defined
as the Supreme Soul or the Supreme Being. He is also Parameshwar, He is
Creator, He is destroyer. But at the same time Hindoo believe that God in
His mercy takes on human incarnation and when He does so, He is with
attributes He does so to let people know Him better and love Him more.
Nir-Jalaa Ekaadashee or Nir-Jalaa Vrat
Nir-Jalaa means without water. Anything Nir-Jal is without water.
Nir-Jalaa Ekaadashee is the day that falls on Jyeshth Shukla Ekaadashee.
On this day a fast is undertaken without taking any water. In the same
way any Vrat (fast) may be called Nir-Jalaa when no water is sipped on
that day till one breaks the fast.
Niranjan
Another name of Shiv.
Nirmaalya
Nirmaalya is the remains of the offerings made to Devtaa. The flowers
etc, other leftover after the worshi or ceremony. These are also sacred
and Nirmaalya-Vaasinee is the Devee of it. Normally, Nirmaalya means
flowers, but in some temples (as in Puree),food offerings are so called.
The word is from Nir-mal=stainless or dirtless. Things offered to the
Devtaa become stainless.
Nirukt
The etymological explanation of words. It is especially related to Ved
study. Name of one and the most famous books on etymology by Yaask (700-620
BC), which deals with the origin and meaning of the Vaidik words.
Nirvaan
Emancipation. The end of this materialistic life. Moksh.
Nirvaan
Shatak
A six-stanzas poem written by Aadi Shankarachaarya at the age of eight,
when his Guru asked him "Who are you?" It is called Aatm Shatakam too.
Nirved
Vairaagya. Detachment. There are three kinds of Nirved -
(1) Jaati-Nirved (produced by the feeling of being born) - When one
feels Vairaagya from his body thinking about the pains and sorrows
because of being born, it is called "Jaati-Nirved".
(2) Karm-Nirved (produced by Karm) - When one feels Vairaagya thinking
about the pains and sorrows of Narak and being born in various species
because of Karm, it is called "Karm-Nirved".
(3) Sarv-Nirved - When one feels Vairaagya from all around thinking
about the immortality of everything in this world, it is called "Sarv-Nirved".
Nish
Nish means "without" as "Nir", thus
Nish-Kaam - (1) Desireless. (2) Unselfish.
Nish-Paap - Sinless.
Nishaad
(1) Name of a tribe living in Vindhya mountains. (2) The
seventh and the last note in North Indian music. There are seven notes
in North Indian music - Shadaj, Rishabh, Gandhaar, Madhyam, Pancham,
Dhaivat, and Nishaad.
Nishk
see also Money
Gold coin in very ancient days in Bhaarat Varsh. It was used in MBH times also.
Nishthaa
(1) Loyalty. (2) Trust. (3) Faith.
Nispraha
Without any desire.
Nitya
Eternal.
Nitya Karm
Daily rites as written in scriptures.
Nityaa Devee
see Chandramaa's 16 Kalaa
Niveet
A Yagyopaveet worn like garland is called "Niveet".
Nivritti
and Pravritti
Ni means no, and Vritti means living. So Nivritti means not doing
anything for living; or non-indulging in something, or washing away one's hands
from something. When one has nothing to do with any of his actions that
is called Nivritti. Abstention from actions is called superior state to
Pravritti. Efforts made to enjoy worldly comforts and pleasures, or to
make living, or acts done in pursuance of the religion is called Pravritti
Niyam
see also Yog
(1) Control. (2) Restraint. (3) Regulation. (4) A part of Ashtaang Yog.
Niyati
(1) Which keeps something in order or discipline.
(2) Control.
(3) Fate.
(4) Destiny. The predetermined course of events, Destiny, fate. The Manu Smriti
(7-205) describes Niyati like thus - In this world happenings are either
in the hands of Destiny or in the power of man. Destiny seems to decide
those things which are the results of our previous deeds. Over these we
have no control. Yet, man can influence those happenings which are
related to the present and the future. Men should, therefore, act
righteously in regard to happenings over which they still have power.
Thus according to Manu Smriti man himself is the architect of his Niyati.
Niyog
Nritya (Dance)
Nritya, Taandav
Numbers see also Numbers;
Numbers 1-5;
Numbers 6-9;
Numbers 10-108;
Numbers-9;
Importance of Number 108;
According to Bhaagvat Puraan, 9/12,
a Baddh = 13,084.
Nyaas
Nyaaya
(1) Justice. (2) comparing with something. Such as. With the simile of.
[by Bimb-Pratibimb Nyaayaa there were father and son]
Nyagrodh
see also Names of Trees
Banyan tree. This tree shoots new trunks downwards and in so doing
becomes extremely large. In Chhaandogya Upanishad, Shwetketu's father
gives the example of the seed of Nyagrodh tree which is so small as to
be almost invisible and yet contains in it a giant tree. He compares God
to this seed saying that God is subtle and yet all things exist in Him.