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Achara: |
The
right conduct that
helps an aspirant
refine his actions
resulting in mental
purification. |
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Anubhava: |
Inner
experience of
absolute truth;
discussions amongst
Sharanas on divine
experience. |
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Arivu: |
The
true knowledge
enlightening the
innermost faculties
of a person. |
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Ashtaavarana: |
Ashtaavarana
literally means
eight-fold sheaths.
The eight-fold
spiritual practices
that an aspirant in
the path of Guru
Basavanna is given –
guru,
linga,
jangama, vibhuti,
rudraakshi,
mantra,
paadodaka,
and prasada. |
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Bhakti: |
Devotion;
True love towards
God. |
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Bhava: |
The
canvass for the life
of Samsara. |
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Dhyana:
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Meditation;
dhyana is
the process of
contemplating on dhyeya,
the object of
meditation by dhyeyu,
the meditator. |
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Guru: |
Literally
means one who sheds
light in the
darkness. Guru is
the teacher who
sheds light of
knowledge on the
darkness of
ignorance of a
discipline. |
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Jangama:
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One
who is endowed with
the true knowledge. |
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Jnana: |
Knowledge;
in spirituality it
is used to denote
the ultimate
realization of the
absolute. |
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Karma:
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The
results of any
action (and
inaction) performed
by an individual.
The laws of Karma
govern the workings
of the individual
soul. It is this Karma
that accompanies the
soul in its journey
through the cycles
of birth and death.
In fact, it is Karma
that is instrumental
for the birth, life,
and death of a soul. |
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Kriye:
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The
action performed
by an individual.
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Linga:
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The
word 'linga'
literally means a
mark or
characteristic.
Traditionally, the
word linga
is used to symbolize
shivalinga
or sthavaralinga.
However, Sharanas
use the word 'linga'
to represent the
ultimate God. In
their own words, 'li'
represents the
infinite, 'n'
the sport of
creation, and 'ga'
the consciousness. |
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Lingangayoga: |
The
yoga given by Guru
Basavanna that
enables an
individual to
achieve the union
with the divine
while living in this
mortal realm. The
word 'yoga' means
union, typically
used to denote the
union of an
individual soul with
divine. There are
many forms of yoga
that lead to the
union of individual
with the divine. Lingangayoga
is the novel form of
yoga given by Guru
Basavanna. Here,
divine unites with
the individual
enabling the
transformation of an
individual to
Sharana. |
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Mantra: |
Sacred
sound syllables that
are potent with
spiritual power. |
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Maya: |
A
force that
encompasses all
beings in the
creation. It is
under the delusional
effect of this Maya
that a being forgets
his true nature. |
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Paadodaka: |
The
sacred water of
blessings flowing
from the feet of
guru-linga-jangama. |
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Panchaachaara: |
The
five codes of
conduct consisting
of lingachara
(performing all
actions for God), sadachara
(right conduct), shivachara
(upholding the
equality of all
under God), ganachara
(being steadfast and
helping others), and
bruthyachara
(practicing
humility). |
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Prasaada: |
The
grace of blessings
from
guru-linga-jangama. |
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Rudraakshi: |
Symbolizes
the opening of the
inner eye that
witnesses the truth.
The holy seeds of
Rudraksha tree,
originally from the
Himalayas. |
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Samsaara: |
The
word ‘Samsaara’ is
often used to denote
life in this
material world.
Sharanas use it to
denote the mental
agitation that the
life leaves on a
person. |
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Sharana: |
The
ultimate state of an
aspirant following
in the path of Guru
Basavanna. |
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Shivayoga: |
A
stage in the
spiritual path of
Guru Basavanna where
an aspirant will
enjoy the divine
bliss that is within
himself. |
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Vachanas: |
Mystic
verses penned by
Sharanas. |
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Vibhuti: |
Refined
ashes symbolizing
the burning of
one's negative
qualities.
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