The Yogic Encyclopedia

The preserving aspect of the cosmic vibration AUM. Also the personification of this aspect.

One of the three main systems of Indian thought, which describes the nature of Brahman or divine consciousness.

A person characterized by cleverness, creativity, and selfish motivations; a merchant. One of the four Hindu castes.

The state beyond deep, dreamless sleep, in which the superconscious becomes overtly active.

The darkening quality of nature. That which obscures the underlying unity of life.

The deep (astral or energetic, not physical) spine, through which Kundalini energy rises as a person advances spiritually. Generally, energy is not rising in the sushumna, but going outward through the senses. However, when one redirects this energy through pranayama techniques, it rises us through the sushumna to the spiritual eye, giving enlightenment. Kriya Yoga, a technique made popular by … Read More

A person at the lowest stage of consciousness; a peasant. Sudra is one of the four Hindu castes.

In its root form smriti means “memory” or “remembrance.” In spiritual terms, it is the or memory of our soul nature — thus it also means “divine memory.” Smriti is referred to in the Bible, which says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring … Read More

A perfected being who has worked out all past karma and freed himself from entanglement in the world of maya.