Glossary of common Sanskrit and Tamil Terms Tamil words are marked (T) >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << A Aanmikam (T) = spirituality Abhaya = without fear Abhayankara = he who destroys fear, name of Shiva Abhirami = She who delights, name of the Divine Mother Achyutha = indestructible, name of Sri Krishna Adhara = basis Adi = first, original, primordial Adideva = first or primeval God Akhanda = entire, indivisible, without a break Akhila = the whole Akhilandeshwari = Mother of the whole egg-universe Amba = Mother, general name for all Goddesses Ambika = The Mother, name of Goddess Parvati Amma (T) = Mother Amrita = The immortal, nectar of immortality Ananda = bliss, supreme happiness, joy Ananta = infinite or endless Anatha = orphan or abandoned one Annai (T) = mother Annapurna = Mother Parvati, filled with food Antar = inner Antarjyoti = the inner light Antaryami = the internal ruler, inner guide Aravinda = a day-lotus Arati = waving the camphor flame Arul (T) = blessing, grace Arumugam (T) = six-faced God, a name of Muruga Aruna = red, rosy Arunachala = sacred mountain of Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu Asha = hope Athale (T) = name of the Divine Mother Atma = the soul, the Self Avatara = an incarnation of God Ayodhya = city where Rama ruled >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << B Bala = power Bala (baala) = child Bandhu = relation, friend Bansidhara = he who holds the flute Bhagavan = Lord Bhagavati = having good fortune, a name of the Divine Mother Bhairava = the fear-inspiring, name of Lord Shiva Bhairavi = fear-inspiring Goddess Bhaja, bhajo = sing in praise of God Bhajan = devotional song Bhakta = devotee Bhakti = devotion Bhanjana = one who destroys bondage Bharat = a name for India Bharati = Goddess of Bharata's country (India) Bhava = existence, a name of Lord Shiva Bhava, bhaya, bhanjana = one who destroys the fear of birth and death Bhavani = Goddess of the living world, a name of Parvati Bhaya = fear Bhayankara = Shiva who destroys fears Bholanath = name of Shiva Bhuta = beings Bhuvaneshwara = Lord of the worlds Bhuvaneshwari = Sovereign Goddess of all worlds Bimbadhara = Holder of the crescent moon Bolo = speak, sing Brahma = the Creator Brahmamayi = She who consists of the Absolute Brahmani = consort of Brahma (Saraswati, Goddess of learning) Brahmarupa = embodiment of the Absolute Brindavana = forests where Lord Krishna played as a child Buddhi = awakened intelligence Bushana = decoration >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << C Chandi = the fierce Goddess, name of Goddess Durga Chandra = the shining moon Chandramauli = the moon- crested, name of Lord Shiva Chandrashekara = who has the moon as a crown, name of Lord Shiva Charana = the feet of the spiritual master Chatur = four Chidambara = he who is clothed in knowledge, name of Lord Shiva Chidambaram = name of town in Tamil Nadu where Lord Shiva performed the Tandava dance Chidambaresha = Lord of the Chidambaram temple Chitta = mind, consciousness Chitta chora = he who steals the mind Chora = thief Chit = pure awareness >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << D Dakshinamurti = embodiment of wisdom, manifestation of Lord Shiva as the spiritual master Dala = petal Dam, damma = sound of Shiva's drum, the damaru Damaru = the drum of Shiva Damodara = he who becomes known through the perfect mind,Yasoda, Krishna's foster mother, tied Him with a rope (dama) around the waist (udara) - Damodara Darshana = vision of God Dasa = servant of God Dasharatha = father of Rama, king of Ayodha Daya = mercy, compassion Dayaka = he who gives Dayalo = the merciful or compassionate Deva = God, the Divine Devaki = mother of Krishna Devasena = divine commander,name of Muruga Devi = Goddess, Divine Mother Dhara = holding, supporting, carrying Dharma = religious law, righteous action in life Dhimi = sound of Shiva's drum Dhimika = sound of Shiva's anklet bells as he dances Dhyana = meditation Deena dayalo = one who has compassion for the suffering Deenabandhu = friend of the afflicted Deepa = lamp Divya = the Divine Dukha = sorrow, suffering Durga = one who is hard to attain, name of Goddess Parvati Durlabha = one who is hard to obtain Dustara = hard to overcome Dwaraka = city where Lord Krishna ruled >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << E Eka = the One G Gajanana = elephant-faced Gajavadana = elephant-faced Gajamukha = elephant-faced Gana = troop of demi-gods attending Lord Shiva Gananatha = Lord of the Ganas, name of Lord Ganesha Ganapati = Lord of the Ganas, name of Lord Ganesha Ganesha = Lord of the Ganas Ghanashyama = Krishna's complexion dark like rain clouds Ganga = the river Ganges as Goddess Gangadhara = bearer of the Ganges, name of Lord Shiva Garuda = name of the powerful eagle who is Lord Vishnu's vehicle Gauri = shining, brilliant, fair-skinned, name of Goddess Parvati Gaurinatha = Lord of Gauri, name of Lord Shiva Gauripati = Lord of Gauri, name of Lord Shiva Gaurisha = Lord of Gauri, name of Lord Shiva Gauritanaya = son of Gauri, name of Lord Ganesha Ghana = raincloud Ghana, Ghanta = sound of bells Ghana (Ghaana) = entire, whole Giri = mountain Giridhara = mountain-supporter, name of Lord Krishna referring Giridhari to when He lifted up Mount Govardhana with one finger sheltering the cowherds from a rainstorm sent by Indra, King of the gods to test His divinity Girija = the mountain-born, name of Goddess Parvati Girisha = mountain-Lord Gita = song of God, teachings of Sri Krishna to Arjuna Gokul, Gokula = village where Lord Krishna lived Gopal, Gopala = protector of cows, name of Lord Krishna Gopi = cowherd girls, Lord Krishna's devotees who were said to be incarnations of sages Gopijana = beloved of the Gopis, name of Lord Krishna Govardhana = the mountain lifted by Krishna Govinda = Lord of the cows, He who is known through the scriptures, name of Lord Krishna Guha = the unmanifested, who dwells in the cave of the heart, name of Lord Muruga Guna = quality, virtue Gunalaya = abode of virtues Gunj = sing Gunju thao = echo Guru = spiritual teacher >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << H Haima = the golden Haima = malar golden garland Halahala = poison which could destroy the world Haladhara = Shiva, who held the Halahala poison in his throat Hara = the destroyer, name of Lord Shiva Harana = destroying Hare = expression of address to God Hari = remover of sins of men, name of Lord Vishnu Hari Om = Hari is Om, universal mantra of the cosmic vibration Harini = golden, name of Goddess Lakshmi Hasa = smile Hasta = who holds in his hand Heramba = name of Lord Ganesha Hey = a respectful form of calling, O! Himalaya = abode of snow Hridayan = the heart, which is the Self Hridaya = being in the heart, innermost Hridaya vihari = (the Lord) playing in and charming the heart >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << I Inbum (T) = happiness Iccha = will Idetrum (T) = praised Isha = Lord, ruler Ishwara = the great Lord, God, name of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu Ishwari = ruling, royal Goddess, name of Goddesses Parvati, Lakshmi, Saraswati J Jagat = Universe, all that moves Jagadamba = Mother of the Universe, name of Goddess Durga Jagadambika = Mother of the Universe, name of Goddess Durga Jagadisha = Lord of the Universe, name of Shiva and Vishnu Jagadishwara = Lord of the Universe, name of Shiva and Vishnu Jagadishwari = sovereign Goddess of the Universe Jagadjanani = mother or producer of the Universe Jagadodharini = supporter of the Universe Jaganmata = mother of the Universe Jagannatha = master of the Universe Jago = wake up Jai = Victory! Glory to! Jaladhi = ocean Janaka = father of Sita, a king who was a realised soul Janaki = Sita, daughter of Janaka Janani = she who gives birth, the Mother Janardhana = he who punishes the wicked, name of Sri Krishna Japa = repetition of the name of God Jata = matted hair Jatadhara = he who wears matted locks of hair, Lord Shiva Jaya = victory ! Jayadeva = victorious God Jayadevi = victorious Goddess Jivan, Jivana = the enlivener, giving life Jnana = knowledge, wisdom Jyoti = light, He who shines by Himself >> A - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y << K Kaakkum (T) = protect Kadamba = an orange flower Kaho = tell me! Kailasha = crystal mountain, Lord Shiva's home in the Himalayas Kaivalya = realisation of the Self Kala (Kalaa) = fine arts, a part of the moon, crescent moon Kaladhara = bearer of the crescent moon, Lord Shiva controlling the mind Kala (Kaala) = time Kalatitaya = ruler of time Kalyana = beautiful, auspicious, blessed Kalyani = beautiful, auspicious, blessed, blissful Kali yuga = the present age Kali = she who is black, name of the Goddess Durga Kamakshi = having loving eyes, name of Goddess Parvati Kamala = lotus, name of the Goddess Lakshmi Kamaniya = desirable, endearing Kameshwara = Lord or master of desire Kanchi = holy city of Tamil Nadu, South India, where Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Kamakshi Kannan (T) = name of Sri Krishna Kanta = brilliant, lustrous Kanya = young virgin girl Kapalini = Goddess Kali with a garland of skulls which represent the destruction of the ego Kara = who possesses Karana = cause Karini = she who is the cause Karttikeya = name of Lord Muruga, son of the six Krttikkas, river Goddesses who later became the Pleides