Common Voc Flashcards
1
Q
योग (योगः)
yogaḥ
A
Union; discipline
Union of the individual self with universal consciousness or disciplined practice to achieve that goal.
2
Q
चित्त (चित्तम्)
cittam
A
Mind; consciousness
The mind-stuff comprising thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, which yoga seeks to master.
3
Q
वृत्ति (वृत्तिः)
vṛttiḥ
A
Fluctuation; modification; function
Mental activities or patterns that can disturb the stillness of the mind.
4
Q
अभ्यास (अभ्यासः)
abhyāsaḥ
A
Practice; repeated effort
Steady and consistent effort to control mental modifications.
5
Q
वैराग्य (वैराग्यम्)
vairāgyam
A
Detachment; dispassion
Freedom from desires for sensory objects and attachment to the external world.
6
Q
क्लेश (क्लेशः)
kleśaḥ
A
Affliction; obstacle
The five obstacles: ignorance, ego, attachment, aversion, and fear of death.
7
Q
अविद्या (अविद्या)
avidyā
A
Misconception, ignorance; delusion
Misunderstanding reality, misconception, the root cause of all other afflictions.
8
Q
अहंकार (अहंकारः)
ahaṃkāraḥ
A
Egoism; sense of ‘I’
The identification of the self with the ego or individuality.
9
Q
स्मृति (स्मृतिः)
smṛtiḥ
A
Memory; recollection
The process of recalling past impressions or experiences.
10
Q
साधन (साधनम्)
sādhanam
A
Means; tool; practice
The techniques or methods used to achieve spiritual goals.
11
Q
समाधि (समाधिः)
samādhiḥ
A
Absorption; meditative focus
The state of complete mental absorption and unity with the object of meditation.
12
Q
तपः (तपः)
tapaḥ
A
Austerity; discipline
Self-discipline or purification practices for spiritual growth.
13
Q
स्वाध्याय (स्वाध्यायः)
svādhyāyaḥ
A
Mantra Recitation
Self-study; study of scriptures
The practice of introspection or studying sacred texts to understand the self.
14
Q
ईश्वर (ईश्वरः)
īśvaraḥ
A
Supreme Being; Lord
A special consciousness free from afflictions, regarded as a guide in yoga.
15
Q
प्रमाण (प्रमाणम्)
pramāṇam
A
Valid means of knowledge
Sources of accurate knowledge: perception, inference, and testimony.
16
Q
विपर्यय (विपर्ययः)
viparyayaḥ
A
Misconception; error
False knowledge or misunderstanding that contradicts reality.
17
Q
विकल्प (विकल्पः)
vikalpaḥ
A
Verbal or conceptual cognition that is without a corresponding objective referent (devoid of an actual object)
Imagination; fantasy
Mental activity creating ideas without a corresponding reality.
18
Q
निद्रा (निद्रा)
nidrā
A
Sleep
A state of consciousness marked by the absence of awareness and mental activity.
19
Q
धारणा (धारणा)
dhāraṇā
A
Concentration; focus
Fixation of the mind on a single object, a precursor to meditation.
20
Q
ध्यान (ध्यानम्)
dhyānam
A
Meditation
Prolonged concentration leading to a deep state of awareness and stillness.
21
Q
अन्तःकरण (अन्तःकरणम्)
antaḥkaraṇam
A
Inner instrument; mind
The internal faculty comprising mind, intellect, ego, and memory.
22
Q
ज्ञान (ज्ञानम्)
jñānam
A
Knowledge; understanding
True knowledge that arises from self-realization or higher perception.
23
Q
आनन्द (आनन्दः)
ānandaḥ
A
Bliss; joy
A state of profound happiness and contentment, free from external conditions.
24
Q
वैराग्य (वैराग्यम्)
vairāgyam
A
Detachment; dispassion
Freedom from desires for sensory objects and attachment to the external world.
25
कर्म (कर्म)
karma
Action; deed
The law of cause and effect governing actions and their results.
26
गुण (गुणः)
guṇaḥ
Quality; attribute
The three fundamental qualities of nature: sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia).
27
विभूति (विभूतिः)
vibhūtiḥ
Power; manifestation
Spiritual powers or abilities attained through yoga practice.
28
प्रक्रति (प्रकृतिः)
prakṛtiḥ
Nature; material reality
The primal matter or source of creation, comprising the three guṇas.
29
पुरुष (पुरुषः)
puruṣaḥ
Self; pure consciousness
The eternal, unchanging observer distinct from material reality.
30
सत्त्व (सत्त्वम्)
sattvam
Purity; harmony; clarity
The guṇa associated with lightness, balance, and wisdom.
31
रजस् (रजः)
rajas
Activity; passion
The guṇa representing energy, action, and restlessness.
32
तमस् (तमः)
tamas
Inertia; darkness
The guṇa signifying heaviness, ignorance, and stagnation.
33
वैराग्य (वैराग्यम्)
vairāgyam
Detachment; dispassion
The ability to let go of attachments and cravings.
34
अपरिग्रह (अपरिग्रहः)
aparigrahaḥ
Non-possessiveness; non-hoarding
A Yama (ethical restraint) that advocates freedom from greed and attachment to material possessions.
35
संकल्प (संकल्पः)
saṅkalpaḥ
Intention, will, or mental resolve. It represents a specific aspect of mental functioning that plays an important role in the yogic path.
In this philosophical framework, saṅkalpaḥ is understood as:
- The formative power of conscious intention or volition
- A specific function of the mind that creates determination toward a goal
- The faculty that gives shape and direction to one's practice
In the context of meditation and samadhi states, saṅkalpaḥ represents a subtle mental activity that must eventually be transcended to reach the highest states of consciousness. While Sankalpa can be positively directed toward spiritual goals (as in "Saṅkalpaḥ Shakti" or the power of intention), the ultimate aim is to move beyond even these subtle mental formations.
For the advanced practitioner, the goal is to reach a state where even saṅkalpaḥ dissolves, allowing consciousness to rest in its pure, unmodified form.
36
निर्विचार (निर्विचारः)
nirvicāraḥ
Nirvicāraḥ (or Nirvichara) refers to a specific stage or state within Samprajnata samadhi.
Nirvichara is understood as "beyond reflection-descrimination" or "without deliberation" and represents a very subtle form of cognitive meditation. In this state:
- The meditator transcends the need for logical analysis or reasoning
- There is direct intuitive perception without discursive thought
- Awareness becomes extraordinarily refined and subtle
- The object of meditation is perceived in its most subtle essence
- The mind's modifications become extremely fine and barely perceptible
This state follows after Savichara (with reflection/deliberation) in the progressive refinement of concentration. In the traditional classification of Samprajnata samadhi stages, Nirvichara is considered one of the higher subtle states where the meditation becomes increasingly profound and moves closer to complete absorption.
Nirvichara is still considered a form of Samprajnata samadhi because there remains an object of meditation, though perceived in its subtlest form, and the mind still maintains some minimal level of activity directed toward this object. However, it represents an important transition point that can eventually lead to Asamprajnata samadhi where all mental fluctuations cease entirely.
37
संप्रज्ञात (संप्रज्ञातः)
saṁprajñātaḥ
Cognitive absorption, a state of cognitive meditation where the mind remains conscious of an object. This is a form of samadhi (meditative absorption) in which the meditator maintains awareness of the distinction between the knower, the act of knowing, and the object known.
In this state, thought processes haven't completely ceased, but have become highly refined and focused. The mind still engages with an object of meditation, though with progressively subtler levels of cognitive activity.
Saṁprajñātaḥ samadhi is often contrasted with asaṁprajñātaḥ samadhi, which represents a higher state where all thought processes cease completely.
38
असंप्रज्ञात (असंप्रज्ञातः)
asaṁprajñātaḥ
Super-cognitive absorption
Pure awareness, meditative absorption where all thought processes completely cease.
Unlike saṁprajñātaḥ samadhi where the mind remains conscious of an object and maintains the distinction between knower, knowing, and known, asaṁprajñātaḥ samadhi is characterized by:
- Complete cessation of all mental modifications (vrittis)
- Absence of any object of meditation
- Dissolution of the subject-object relationship
- Pure consciousness without content or form
- Transcendence of all cognitive functions
In this state, only latent impressions (samskaras) remain. The mind does not perceive any difference between itself and the object of meditation - all duality dissolves. This is often described as a seedless (nirbija) state of consciousness that leads toward complete liberation (kaivalya).
39
परम (परमम्)
paramam
Supreme; ultimate
The highest or ultimate state, often used to describe liberation or truth.
40
उपाय (उपायः)
upāyaḥ
Means; method
Techniques or strategies employed to achieve spiritual goals.
41
प्रत्यय (प्रत्ययः)
pratyayaḥ
Cognition; idea
The content or object of awareness in the mind.
42
प्रशान्त (प्रशान्तः)
praśāntaḥ
Calm; peaceful
A state of deep inner peace and tranquility.
43
संस्कार (संस्कारः)
saṁskāraḥ
Impression; mental tendency
Subtle mental imprints formed by past experiences, which influence future behavior.
44
विवेक (विवेकः)
vivekaḥ
Discernment; discrimination
The ability to distinguish between the real (eternal) and the unreal (temporary).
45
धैर्य (धैर्यम्)
dhairyam
Patience; steadfastness
The quality of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.
46
स्वरूप (स्वरूपम्)
svarūpam
True nature; essence
The intrinsic nature or form of something, especially the self.
47
संपत्ति (संपत्तिः)
saṁpattiḥ
Attainment; accomplishment
The achievement of a desired state or goal, often used in a spiritual context.
48
अनुष्ठान (अनुष्ठानम्)
anuṣṭhānam
Practice; performance
The consistent observance of spiritual disciplines or rituals.
49
व्युत्थान (व्युत्थानम्)
vyutthānam
Distraction; externalization
The opposite of meditation, when the mind moves outward toward distractions.
50
अक्लिष्ट (अक्लिष्टः)
akliṣṭaḥ
Unafflicted; pure
Actions or thoughts that are free from mental disturbances or negative karma.
51
धर्म (धर्मः)
dharmaḥ
Virtue; law; duty
Universal principles of righteousness, morality, and ethical behavior.
52
सौम्य (सौम्यम्)
saumyam
Gentle; serene
A quality of calmness and gentleness, often associated with sattva (purity).
53
वैर (वैरम्)
vairaṁ
Hostility; enmity
A negative mental state characterized by animosity or hatred.
54
प्रज्ञा (प्रज्ञा)
prajñā
Wisdom; higher knowledge
Intuitive wisdom that arises from spiritual insight and self-realization.
55
आवरण (आवरणम्)
āvaraṇam
Covering; veil
Refers to the obscurations of ignorance that hide the true nature of reality.
56
निवृत्ति (निवृत्तिः)
nivṛttiḥ
Nivṛttiḥ represents a fundamental spiritual principle that is contrasted with Pravṛttiḥ (outward movement or worldly engagement).
In this philosophical framework, nivṛttiḥ is understood as:
- The inward path or return to the source
- Withdrawal from external objects and sensory engagement
- Cessation of outward-directed mental and physical activity
- A turning away from worldly pursuits and material existence
- The process of returning consciousness to its original, pure state
Nivṛttiḥ is considered a core principle in spiritual practice that leads toward liberation. While Pravṛttiḥ represents the outward flow of energy that binds one to the world of phenomena and karmic cycles, nivṛttiḥ represents the counter-movement - the reversal of this flow back toward the Self or pure consciousness.
In the context of meditation practice, cultivating nivṛttiḥ means systematically withdrawing attention and interest from external objects and sensory stimuli, redirecting that energy inward. This process of withdrawal (pratyahara) and internal focus leads to progressively deeper states of meditation.
The nivṛttiḥ path culminates in the complete cessation of mental modifications described in Asamprajnata samadhi. It represents the fundamental direction of spiritual evolution - from multiplicity to unity, from complexity to simplicity, from outward engagement to inner stillness.
57
उदासीन (उदासीनः)
udāsīnaḥ
Udāsīnaḥ refers to a state of neutrality, detachment, or equanimity that is cultivated on the spiritual path.
In this philosophical framework, udāsīnaḥ is understood as:
- A balanced state of consciousness that transcends both attraction and aversion
- The quality of being "seated above" or unaffected by dualities
- Impartial witnessing without emotional reactivity
- Freedom from prejudice, preference, or partiality
- A middle position between extremes that doesn't lean toward either side
Udāsīnaḥ represents an important psychological attitude that allows the practitioner to remain centered and unaffected by the fluctuations of pleasure and pain, gain and loss, praise and blame. It's not a state of indifference or apathy, but rather a mature equanimity that comes from deep understanding.
In meditation practice, cultivating udāsīnaḥ helps one observe mental and sensory phenomena without becoming entangled in them. This neutral witnessing stance facilitates the progressive detachment from identification with thoughts and sensations, which is necessary for deeper states of samadhi.
The quality of udāsīnaḥ also relates to the concept of the witness consciousness -sākṣī bhāva (सा॒क्षी॒ भा॒व) - the capacity to observe all experiences, including thoughts and emotions, from a position of non-identification. This witnessing quality is considered essential for transcending the habitual patterns of mind and reaching higher states of consciousness.
58
अनुग्रह (अनुग्रहः)
anugrahaḥ
Grace; favor
Divine assistance or benevolence received during spiritual practice.
59
परिणाम (परिणामः)
pariṇāmaḥ
Transformation; change
Refers to the process of change or modification in the mind and nature.
60
व्याधि (व्याधिः)
vyādhiḥ
Illness; disease
A physical or mental disturbance that can hinder spiritual practice.
61
अलम्बन (अलम्बनम्)
ālambanam
Support; basis
The focus or object of meditation, which supports concentration.
62
एकाग्रता (एकाग्रता)
ekāgratā
Single-pointedness
The focused state of mind required for deep meditation.
63
अनात्मन् (अनात्मन्)
anātman
Not-self; non-self
Anything that is not the true self or eternal consciousness.
64
संसार (संसारः)
saṁsāraḥ
Cycle of birth and death
The continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth caused by karma and ignorance.
65
वितर्क (वितर्कः)
vitarkaḥ
Reasoning; logical thought
The initial stage of meditation involving analytical thinking and reasoning.
66
अनन्त (अनन्तः)
anantaḥ
Infinite; endless
A term often used to describe the limitless nature of the self or consciousness.
67
विवेकख्याति (विवेकख्यातिः)
vivekakhyātiḥ
Knowledge of discernment
Clear understanding or realization of the difference between the real and unreal.
68
तत्त्व (तत्त्वम्)
tattvam
Essence; principle
The fundamental principles or truths underlying reality.
69
अध्यात्म (अध्यात्मम्)
adhyātma
Spirituality; inner self
Pertains to the inner self or spiritual practices directed inward.
70
प्रशमन (प्रशमनम्)
praśamanam
Pacification; calming
The process of calming the mind and reducing mental fluctuations.
71
चेतना (चेतना)
cetanā
Consciousness; awareness
Refers to the intrinsic quality of awareness or sentience.
72
साधक (साधकः)
sādhakaḥ
Practitioner; seeker
One who engages in spiritual discipline or practice to achieve liberation.
73
प्रत्यक्ष (प्रत्यक्षम्)
pratyakṣam
Direct perception
Knowledge gained through immediate sensory experience.
74
अनुमान (अनुमानम्)
anumānam
Inference
Knowledge obtained through logical reasoning based on observation.
75
शब्द (शब्दः)
śabdaḥ
Word; sound
Often refers to scriptural testimony or authoritative verbal knowledge.
76
संकर्षण (संकर्षणः)
saṅkarṣaṇaḥ
Attraction; withdrawal
The drawing inward of the senses and mind during meditation.
77
अन्तराय (अन्तरायः)
antarāyaḥ
Obstacle; hindrance
Anything that disrupts or obstructs progress on the yogic path.
78
बुद्धि (बुद्धिः)
buddhiḥ
Intellect; understanding
The faculty of discernment, decision-making, and higher reasoning.
79
प्रज्ञा (प्रज्ञा)
prajñā
Wisdom; insight
The intuitive knowledge or direct realization arising from meditation.
80
अधिकार (अधिकारः)
adhikāraḥ
Qualification; eligibility
The suitability or preparedness of a practitioner for spiritual practice.
81
आधार (आधारः)
ādhāraḥ
Support; foundation
The base or foundation upon which something rests, often used in meditative contexts.
82
अनन्तता (अनन्तता)
anantatā
Infinity; boundlessness
A quality of being limitless, often associated with the nature of the self or consciousness.
83
सहज (सहजः)
sahajaḥ
Innate; natural
Refers to qualities or states that arise naturally without effort.
84
शरण (शरणम्)
śaraṇam
Refuge; shelter
Taking support or protection, often in the divine or in spiritual practices.
85
निष्ठा (निष्ठा)
niṣṭhā
Steadfastness; commitment
Complete dedication or immersion in a practice or path.
86
अशुभ (अशुभः)
aśubhaḥ
Unwholesome; impure
Refers to thoughts or actions that are spiritually detrimental.
87
शुभ (शुभः)
śubhaḥ
Auspicious; pure
Qualities or actions that are spiritually beneficial or conducive to growth.
88
प्रतिबन्ध (प्रतिबन्धः)
pratibandhaḥ
Blockage; impediment
Any obstruction that hinders spiritual progress.
89
चिन्तन (चिन्तनम्)
cintanam
Reflection; contemplation
The act of thinking deeply or meditating on a concept or truth.
90
स्मरण (स्मरणम्)
smaraṇam
Remembrance; recall
The practice of remembering spiritual teachings or one's true nature.
91
अनुभूति (अनुभूतिः)
anubhūtiḥ
Experience; realization
Direct experience or realization of a spiritual truth.
92
प्रसन्नता (प्रसन्नता)
prasannatā
Clarity; cheerfulness
A calm, clear, and joyful state of mind achieved through yoga.
93
तपस्वि (तपस्वी)
tapasvī
Ascetic; disciplined one
A person devoted to self-discipline and austerity for spiritual growth.
94
उपासना (उपासना)
upāsanā
Worship; devotion
The act of reverent contemplation or service to a higher principle.
95
चैतन्य (चैतन्यम्)
caitanyam
Consciousness; awareness
The pure, eternal, and unchanging essence of awareness.
96
व्याप्ति (व्याप्तिः)
vyāptiḥ
Pervasion; omnipresence
The quality of being all-encompassing or present everywhere.
97
आकाङ्क्षा (आकाङ्क्षा)
ākāṅkṣā
Aspiration; desire
The longing or aspiration for spiritual progress or liberation.
98
संयोग (संयोगः)
saṁyogaḥ
Union; conjunction
The joining together of the self and consciousness, or the interaction of puruṣa and prakṛti.
99
वियोग (वियोगः)
viyogaḥ
Separation; disjunction
The dissociation of the self from the fluctuations of the mind.
100
आशय (आशयः)
āśayaḥ
Disposition; receptacle
The underlying mental tendencies or substratum of the mind.
101
कृपा (कृपा)
kṛpā
Compassion; mercy
An attitude of kindness and empathy toward others.
102
आरोप (आरोपः)
āropaḥ
Superimposition
Attributing qualities or characteristics to something that does not inherently possess them.
103
निर्वाण (निर्वाणम्)
nirvāṇam
Liberation; extinction
The ultimate freedom from suffering and the cycle of birth and death.
104
आनुपूर्व (आनुपूर्वः)
ānupūrvaḥ
Sequential; orderly progression
The orderly and logical progression of spiritual practices.
105
विशेष (विशेषः)
viśeṣaḥ
Particular; specific
A distinct or unique quality or aspect of something.
106
परिणाम (परिणामः)
pariṇāmaḥ
Transformation; change
The alteration of mental states or qualities through spiritual practice.
107
अवस्थ (अवस्थः)
avasthaḥ
Condition; state
A particular state or condition of the mind or self.
