GLOSSARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

R

Rajas: It refers to the law of nature that maintains life. It is one of the three gunas characterized by action, energy, passion and stimulation that leads to the life of sensual enjoyment, pleasure and pain, efforts and restlessness.
Rakshasa: It is a synonym for demons or demonic beings whose minds are unable to distinguish between right and wrong and is diverted towards conflicts and anger.
Raktha: Literally meaning the blood, rakta is one of the seven dhatus supported by rasa and is responsible for the nourishment of the permanent dhatus, providing physical strength and color to the body. This circulating blood vessel is considered as the basis of life.
Ram: In Hindu mythology ram is the seventh incarnation of Vishnu and the warrior hero of the holy Hindu epic, the Ramayana. He is also regarded as the embodiment of righteousness.
Ranjaka: Located in the stomach, liver and spleen it is one of the five pitta subdoshas, liver and spleen. Its function is to give color to the lymph chyle when it is transformed into blood as it passes through the liver and spleen.
Rasa: It is derived from the digested food and is circulated the entire body by channels. The main function of this first of the seven dhatus is to provide nutrition to all cells of the body and the plasma dhatu.
Rasayana: Literally means rejuvenation i.e. the therapy that rejuvenates or regenerates body- mind, prevents decay and postpones aging.
Rechaka: It refers tot he exhalation aspect of pranayama, the out breath.
Rasa-vaha srotas: Channels carrying plasma or lymph.
Rasi: Quantity, a measure for quantity, a heap, a pile, mass.
Ratricarya: Routine to be followed in night or evening, night regime.
Ritucarya: Seasonal regimes, routine to be followed in various seasons.
Ruksa: Dry, arid, not greasy, emaciated, thin.
Rupa: Sign, symptoms, mark (of diseases).

S

Sadhaka:* Located in the heart and responsible for intelligence, knowledge, memory, enthusiasm and consciousness by maintaining rhythmic contraction sadhaka is one of the five-pitta subdoshas.
Samadhi: It is the stage of self realization where harmony, calmness, concentration, awareness and mastery over mind, desires and body is achieved.
Samana vayu: It means equalized movement of air. Located in the stomach and the duodenum this type of vata subtypes has the function of digestion of food materials, separation of waste products, regulation of composition of body fluids, body temperature and the movement of pitta and kapha.
Samkhya: This word means both "discriminative knowledge" and "enumeration". It is one of the schools of Hindu philosophy founded by Kapila that gives a systematic account of cosmic evolution according to twenty-five categories, namely
Purusha or cosmic spirit, Prakruti or cosmic substance, Mahat or cosmic intelligence, Ahamkara or individuating principle, Manas or cosmic mind Indriyas or ten abstract sense powers of cognition and action, Tanmatras or five subtle elements Mahat bhutas or the five great elements.
Samskara: The impression left in ones mind followed by any experience, imprints or some incident of the past consciously or unconsciously leaves samskara. It represents the root impressions derived from past experiences maybe of recent past or distant past. Sandhaniya: It means to join. There are natural herbs that helps the body in healing of broken bones and torn ligaments and in uniting fractured and divided body parts. Sarasvati: In Hindu mythology she is regarded as the goddess of speech and learning and is represented as the wife of Brahma.
Sat-Chid-Ananda: It means existence, reality, pure consciousness, the spirit, brahman, a being, bliss and delight.
Sattva: It means purity. First of the three gunas, it is the purest aspect and the sentient principle characterized by purity, luminosity, lightness, harmony and the production of pleasure.
Sattvic: It refers to the qualities that are pure, realistic and have the clarity of perception , which is responsible for goodness and happiness.
Shakha: It is a Sanskrit word meaning extremity.
Shirah: In Sanskrit it means head.
Shleshaka: Located in the body joints of the body, it is the fifth subtype of kapha, is viscous and oily and has the function to protect the bony joints by keeping them firm and united. It also helps in keeping the bones' function smooth.
Shodan: It refers to the cleansing methods. There are basically five cleansing methods, namely, Vaman or therapeutic vomiting or emesis, Virechan or purgation Basti or enema Nasya or elimination of toxins through the nose Raktamoksha or detoxification of the blood.
Shukra: It is the last of the seven dhatus, the semen or the male reproductive tissue and has the major functions of producing sensation of ejaculation, fondness and strengthens the body.
Skandhas: It is a Sanskrit word meaning a heap, pile or aggregate. They are important tools for understanding the Buddhist doctrine of no self as they include with them all transitory, impermanent phenomena. The Five Skandhas as they are found in the body are as follows: Body form, feelings of enjoyment and pleasure, Cognition of how to get what you want? How to actually indulge in pleasure? Formations, Consciousness.
Smrti: It is a Sanskrit word meaning the memory
Srotas: Literally means the source. It is a canal for nutrition in the body. All the dhaatus have their own minute channels or srotas made up of extremely fine pores, originating from the heart cavity, and spreading throughout the body; they transport the nutrient fluid to all parts of the body for nourishment and growth.
Sukha: It is a Sanskrit word meaning happiness. Vata persons' experience of sukha is boring as in vata, sukha is superficial, physical, and shaky. Pitta sukha involves solving problems, understanding, and solving puzzles whereas Kapha sukha is passive, involving napping, eating or sitting.
Surya: It means the sun.
Sushumna Nadi: Nadi is the subtle energy field or channel by which the movements and configurations of sentient beings are controlled. Sushumna nadi starts from the first chakra and extends up to the crown chakra.
Sabda: Sound, tone, voice.
Sada: Six.
Sadavidha: Six types.
Sadhaka (Pitta): Energizing, effective, accomplishing, one of the five types of pitta. Sakuna: Relating to birds, having the nature of a bird, bird catcher.
Salakya tantra: Science using probes or cylindrical sticks for investigation and treatments, branch dealing with eyes, ears, nose and throat.
Salya tantra: Splinter (extraction) science, surgery.
Samanyaja: A result (disease) caused my many factors (two or all three dosas).
Samhita: Methodically arranged collection of verses, texts.
Samprapti: Pathogenesis, the complete route of manifestation of disease.
Samsarjana (karma): Diets and activities practiced after a treatment to get back to normal routine and food.
Samyaka: Accurate, proper, correct.
Samyoga: Combination, connection, conjunction.
Sancaya: Accumulation, collection, gathering.
Sandra: Dense, thick, solid, compact.
Sankhapuspi: An herb used as a tonic for nervous system: Latin Name: Convolvulus pluricaulis.
Sanskrit: Purified, sanctified, the language used in Vedic age.
Sapta: Seven.
Sapta-dhatu: The seven constitutional elements or tissues of the body.
Sara: Liquid, fluid, moving, wandering.
Sarira: Body, physical body.
Sarpa: Snake, serpent.
Sarpagandha: Name of an herb used for lowering high blood pressure- Latin name: Rouwolfia serpentina.
Sarvangasana: A yoga posture.
Sastriya: According to original texts (Sastra), confirmable to sacred precepts.
Savasana: Dead body posture of Yoga.
Silajita: A black sticky mineral that leaks out of some mountains, black bitumen.
Sira: Any tubular vessel in the body - a vein, nerve or artery.
Sira: The head, skull.
Sirodhara: Pouring oil or any other liquid on forehead from a special pot.
Sirsasana: Head stand posture of Yoga.
Sita: Cold, chilly, frigid.
Slakshana: Smooth, polished, soft, tender, gentle.
Slesaka: Attaching, connecting.
Snehana: Lubricating, anointing, rubbing with oil, unction.
Snigdha: Sticky, viscid, unctuous, smooth, adhesive.
Sodhana: Cleaning, purifying, refining.
Sparsa: Touching, sense of touch.
Sringa: Horn.
Srvanam: The act of hearing, acquiring knowledge by hearing, transportation, carrying. Sthana samsraya: Location in a place, relocation of dosas.
Sthira: Firm, hard, solid, compact, strong, immovable, fixed.
Sthula: Large, thick, big, gross, massive, stout.