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Sanskrit Glossary

Decode the ancient terminology of Vastu, Ayurveda, and Yoga.

Agni

Ayurveda

Fire; in Ayurveda, it refers to the digestive fire and metabolic processes.

Ahimsa

Yoga

Non-violence; avoiding harm to any living being in thought, word, or deed.

Akasha

General

Space or Ether; the first of the five great elements (Pancha Mahabhutas).

Ama

Ayurveda

Toxins; undigested food or waste that accumulates in the body.

Asana

Yoga

Posture; the physical practice of yoga poses.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda

The Science of Life; a traditional Indian system of medicine.

Brahma Sthan

Vastu

The central point of a building, considered the holiest area in Vastu Shastra.

Chakra

Yoga

Wheel; energy centers in the subtle body.

Dharma

General

Duty, cosmic law, or righteousness.

Dosha

Ayurveda

Bio-energetic forces (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) that govern the body and mind.

Guru

General

Teacher; one who dispels darkness (ignorance).

Ishanya

Vastu

North-East direction; associated with water and spirituality.

Kapha

Ayurveda

One of the three Doshas; characterized by earth and water elements (stability, heaviness).

Karma

General

Action; the law of cause and effect.

Mantra

Yoga

Sacred sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation".

Moksha

General

Liberation; freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

Nairutya

Vastu

South-West direction; associated with the earth element and stability.

Namaste

General

A respectful greeting; "I bow to the divine in you".

Ojas

Ayurveda

Vitality; the subtle essence of health and well-being.

Om

Yoga

The primordial sound; the vibration of the universe.

Pitta

Ayurveda

One of the three Doshas; characterized by fire and water elements (transformation, heat).

Prakriti

Ayurveda

Nature; also refers to an individual's unique constitution in Ayurveda.

Prana

Yoga

Life force energy.

Pranayama

Yoga

Control of the breath/life force.

Samsara

General

The cycle of death and rebirth.

Vastu Purusha

Vastu

The deity of the house; the metaphysical being that embodies a structure.

Vata

Ayurveda

One of the three Doshas; characterized by air and space elements (movement, dryness).

Vayu

General

Air; one of the five elements.

Veda

General

Knowledge; the ancient sacred scriptures of Hinduism.

Yogi

Yoga

A male practitioner of yoga (female: Yogini).