The Lord of Death, the ruler of the nether world. Riding a buffalo, his vehicle, a visit from Yama means the time of death for a person has come. Also refers to the first limb of Yoga, used along with the second limb, niyama, to codify the ‘do’s and donts’ of Yoga.
A place above Gomukh, on the banks of Gangotri, the glaciatic origin of the river Ganga.
Sacred, consecrated ash. Applied to different parts of the body, makes one more sensitive to subtle life forces. Application to the upper chakras activates the chakras and makes them more receptive. Some sects of Shaivites also smear vibhuthi all over the body to sensitize the system and ward off cold.
Element, as in the five elements; principle or philosophy
One of the seven chakras, is the centre of power and vision. Located at the pit of the throat.
An important festival held on the day of pushya nakshatra of the Tamil month of Thai (near the full moon day of January- February). Celebrated with great intensity and fervour, it is a day on which many South Indian sages have chosen to leave their body.