Sanskrit Basics

Question 1

Yoga

Answer 1

To yoke; yoking; union

Question 2

Om

Answer 2

Mantra and vibration of primordial, universal sound; the sound of god

Question 3

Namaste

Answer 3

I bow to you

Question 4

Nama

Answer 4

Bow

Question 5

‘as’

Answer 5

I

Question 6

Te

Answer 6

You

Question 7

Hatha

Answer 7

Sun and moon

Question 8

Asana

Answer 8

Seat; posture

Question 9

Bhakti

Answer 9

Devotion, love

Question 10

Karma

Answer 10

Action

Question 11

Janna

Answer 11

Knowledge, wisdom

Question 12

Raja

Answer 12

Royal/ king

Question 13

Dharma

Answer 13

Right way of living; path of rightness

Question 14

Seva

Answer 14

Selfless service

Question 15

Atman

Answer 15

Inner soul; highest self

Question 16

Purusha

Answer 16

The soul, the self, pure conscious, the universal principal

Question 17

Prakriti

Answer 17

That which is created, nature

Question 18

Lila

Answer 18

Devine “play”

Question 19

Prana

Answer 19

Life force energy

Question 20

Mantra

Answer 20

Word, sound, or phrase repeated to increase concentration

Question 21

Mudra

Answer 21

Hand position or gesture that creates an energetic “seal”

Question 22

Surya

Answer 22

Sun

Question 23

Drishti

Answer 23

Focal point

Question 24

Shanti

Answer 24

Peace

Question 25

Ananda

Answer 25

Bliss The condition of utter joy

Question 26

Avidya

Answer 26

Ignorance

Question 27

Vidya

Answer 27

Wisdom, clarity

Question 28

Sutra

Answer 28

An aphoristic statement; a statement embodying a general truth

Question 29

Ayurveda

Answer 29

One of India’s traditional systems of medicine; the “sister science” of yoga

Question 30

Guru

Answer 30

Spiritual teacher; literally means to move from “darkness to light”

Question 31

Pranayama

Answer 31

Extension/ control of life force energy

Question 32

Chakra

Answer 32

Wheel

Question 33

Satsang

Answer 33

A spiritual discourse or sacred gathering of like minded people

Question 34

Kirtan

Answer 34

A devotional song that a group sings together to raise the collective vibration

Question 35

Nadi

Answer 35

River energy channel

Question 36

Kundalini Shakti

Answer 36

Coiled power

Question 37

Kosha

Answer 37

Veil of illusion

Question 38

Paschima

Answer 38

West

Question 39

Purva

Answer 39

East

Question 40

Anga

Answer 40

Lim

Question 41

Uttana

Answer 41

Intense stretch

Question 42

Vrksha

Answer 42

Tree

Question 43

Chandra

Answer 43

Moon

Question 44

Danda

Answer 44

Stacked

Question 45

Bala

Answer 45

Baby/ child’s

Question 46

Virabhadra

Answer 46

Warrior

Question 47

Sava

Answer 47

Corpse

Question 48

Padma

Answer 48

Lotus

Question 49

Eka

Answer 49

One

Question 50

Dwi

Answer 50

Two

Question 51

Tri

Answer 51

Three

Question 52

Chatur

Answer 52

Four

Question 53

Hasta

Answer 53

Hand

Question 54

Pada

Answer 54

Foot

Question 55

Janu

Answer 55

Knee

Question 56

Padangusta

Answer 56

Big toe

Question 57

Sirsa

Answer 57

Head

Question 58

Utthita

Answer 58

Extended

Question 59

Parivrtta

Answer 59

Revolved

Question 60

Parsva

Answer 60

Sideways

Question 61

Baddha

Answer 61

Bound

Question 62

Kona

Answer 62

Angle

Question 63

Adho

Answer 63

Downward

Question 64

Urdhva

Answer 64

Upward

Question 65

Ardha

Answer 65

Half

Question 66

Supta

Answer 66

Reclined

Question 67

Sukha

Answer 67

Easy

Question 68

Mukha

Answer 68

Facing

Question 69

Ahimsa

Answer 69

“Nonharming” “Himsa” means injustice or cruelty. Ahimsa is as the absence of violence but also conscious consideration and love for ones self and others.