ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hinduism's Online Lexicon - A-z Dictionary V Vachana: (Sanskrit) "Utterance." Short, insightful devotional poems written by the early Vira Saiva sharana saints. Full of wit and brilliant philosophy, they are the basis for Lingayat philosophy and practice. vagdana: (Sanskrit) "Word-giving." Marriage engagement ceremony. See: samskaras of adulthood.

vahana: (Sanskrit) "Bearing, carrying or conveying." Each Hindu God is depicted as riding an animal or bird vahana, which is symbolic of a function of the God. For example, Siva rides the bull, a symbol of strength and potency. Karttikeya rides the peacock, mayura, emblem of beauty and regality. vaidya: (Sanskrit) "Versed in science; learned; a doctor." See: ayurveda vaidya.

Vaikasi Vishakham: (Tamil) A festival held on Vishakha nakshatra, near the full moon day of the Tamil month of Vaikasi, May-June, to celebrate the creation, or "birth," of Lord Karttikeya. It is a time of gift-giving to panditas and great souls, weddings, feedings for the poor, caring for trees, spiritual initiation and conclaves of holy men. Vaikuntha: (Sanskrit) "Vishnu's heaven." See: Vaishnavism. vairagi: (Sanskrit) "Dispassionate one." An ascetic who lives by the principle of vairagya.

Also names a particular class of mendicants, generally Vaishnavas, of North India who have freed themselves from worldly desires. See: monk, sannyasa, tyaga. vairagya: (Sanskrit) "Dispassion; aversion." Freedom from passion. Distaste or disgust for worldliness because of spiritual awakening. Also, the constant renunciation of obstacles on the path to liberation. Ascetic or monastic life.

Vaisheshika: (Sanskrit) "Distinctionism." A philosophical school (ca 600 bce) that focuses on understanding the categories of existence. See: shad darshana. Vaishnava: (Sanskrit) Of or relating to Vishnu; same as Vaishnavite. A follower of Lord Vishnu or His incarnations. See: Vishnu, Vaishnavism. Vaishnavism (Vaishnava): (Sanskrit) "Way of Vishnu." One of the four major religions, or denominations of Hinduism, representing roughly half of the world's one billion Hindus.

It gravitates around the worship of Lord Vishnu as Personal God, His incarnations and their consorts.