My Hindu Page Glossary - C

 

 

Chakra, Chidambaram, Chin Mudra, Chola, Circumambulation, Clairvoyantly, Consciousness

Chakra: Literally 'wheel' or 'disc'. In spiritual context chakras usually refer to psychic or spiritual force centers that are situated along the length of the spine and in the brain, though there are also chakras below the base of the spine to the feet and also above the head in the body of the soul. In all there are 21 main chakras, however for spiritual progress on earth gurus mainly teach about the development of the seven chakras along the spine and in the brain. These seven chakras, from the base of the spine are: Muladhara Chakra (base chakra), Svdhishtana Chakra (navel), Manipura Chakra (solar plexus), Anahatha Chakra (the heart), Vishuddha Chakra (throat), Ajna Chakra (third eye) and Sahasrara Chakra (crown of the head). These chakras control functions of the mind, the nervous system and endocrine system. 

Chidambaram: One of the holiest shrine to God Shiva. Chidambaram is a large temple complex dedicated to God Shiva, especially to His form as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. It is situated in the southern state of Tamilnadu in India.

Chin mudra: A hand gesture, where the index finger and thumb are touching, while the other three fingers are outstretched. This pose is commonly used during meditation. It signifies perfect concentration and peace.

Chola: Chola is the name of the largest ancient Tamil empire of South India. At its height the Chola dynasty’s empire covered the whole of South India and Sri Lanka and stretched northward following the Eastern coast of India until present day Myanmar and covered a big area of Southeast Asia. The Pandiyans, Pallavas and Cheras were rival dynasties to the Cholas.

Circumambulation: Meaning to go around. In a Hindu temple it refers to the practice of walking around the temple’s main sanctum a few times on a designated path. It is done before entering the temple’s sanctum for worship. The practice serves as a walking meditation to help concentrate the mind on God. Pradakshina in Sanskrit or Tamil.

Clairvoyantly: The faculty of perceiving things beyond normal sensory perception. Such as seeing visions while meditating.

Consciousness: To be conscious. The ability to be aware of oneself and one's surroundings. In mystical Hindu writings, there are two main levels of consciousness. One is the awareness of an individual, through which a person is able to maintain indviduality or personality. This conciousness is usually translated into english as individual consciousness or awareness. The sanskrit word for this consciousness is saakshin, which means witness. The second level of consciousness, is the All-Pervasive consciousness of God. This is God's Omniscient mind that forms the foundation of Creation. In sanskrit, this level of consciousness is called chit, as in Sat-Chit-Ananda. In english it is often translated as universal consciousness, divine consciousness or pure consciousness. Awareness or individual consciousness (saakshin) arises from the universal consciousness (chit) as part of God's creation of an individual.