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| chaitanya
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'Consciousness'. The
substance of the ãtmã. A higher consciousness that
transcends the physical realm which is jad and mãyik.
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| chaitanya
prakruti |
Term denoting all
things that are chetan or animate, i.e., that possess chaitanya
or consciousness. Living elements.
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| Chaitra |
Tenth month of the
Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally beginning between
March and April.
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| chãkhdis |
Wooden, strapless
sandals worn specifically by renunciants for simplicity and personal
discipline.
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| chakra |
'Wheel'. According to yogic practices, any of the nerve plexuses
or centres of spiritual energy located within the inner body of
every individual. Each one is thought to be a seat of instinctive
consciousness.
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| chameli |
Delicate, fragrant
and usually white flower of the jasmine genus - found to blossom
especially in the month of Shrãvan.
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| champã |
Specific type of
flower, usually yellow in colour.
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| chanã |
A type of gram, similar
to dried chickpeas.
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| chãndlo |
Small, round mark
- usually either of kumkum or of sandalwood paste - applied in
the centre of the forehead indicating one's Hindu affiliation.
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| chãndrãyan |
Strict form of fasting where one's intake of food is regulated
by the waxing and waning of the moon. For example, one form is
to increase food intake from one morsel of food at the beginning
of a new lunar month rising to 15 morsels on Punam, then decreasing
again to a complete fast by Amãs; or, beginning with 15
morsels of food at the beginning of a new month and decreasing
to a complete fast on Punam, then increasing again to 15 by Amãs.
Other forms involve having only eight morsels a day, or four morsels
twice a day, or merely three morsels a day.
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| chãran |
Celestial minstrel.
Member of a specific class of people, considered demigodly in
origin, as they were employed by demigods to compose and recite
verses celebrating their exploits.
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| chetan |
That which possesses
chaitanya, i.e., is full of consciousness.
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| Chhãndogya
Upanishad |
One of the most important of the principal Upanishads, belonging
to the Sãm Veda. Teachings centre around the origin and
significance of the divine resonation 'AUM', the ãtmã,
contemplation, and life after death.
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| chhint |
Type of rich, embroidered
cloth.
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| chhoglu |
Crest-like tuft of
cloth either emerging from the end of a pãgh or left hanging
from one side. Sometimes inserted into a pãgh when made
of a string of flowers.
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| Chidãkãsh |
Formless and pure chaitanya form of Akshar {Gadhada I-21.7}. By
nature, it is the all-supporting and all-pervading ãkãsh,
extremely luminous, not subject to change and eternal, within
which Purush and Prakruti undergo their states of expansion and
contraction. Also known as Brahma. Although the term Chidãkãsh
is sometimes abbreviated as ãkãsh, it is not to
be confused with the ãkãsh evolved from tamogun,
which is one of the five gross elements and which undergoes creation
and destruction {Gadhada I-46.5,9,10}.
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| chintãmani |
Divine gemstone that
fulfills all of the wishes of its possessor.
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| chitt |
'Mind/consciousness'. One of the four aspects of the antahkaran,
characterised by its functions of contemplating or pondering and
especially focusing. Mental impressions and experiences are recorded
and recalled from it. By nature, the entire jagat inherently resides
in a subtle form within it, and it is itself unchanging, luminous,
pure, full of pure sattvagun and passive {Gadhada I-12.9; Gadhada
II-6}.
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