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324 Glimpses of Traditional Indian Life

Rāmāyaṇa — ancient epic and religious classic describing
the pastimes of Lord Rāma.
Ratha-yātrā — religious procession in which a deity is
mounted on a chariot and pulled through the streets
(ratha — chariot; yātrā — journey). In Orissa, Ratha-
yātrā means that of Lord Jagannātha.
Śākta — worshipper of Durgā, the female personification
of the material energy.

Śālagrāma-śilā — a particular type of stone worshiped
as nondifferent from Lord Viṣṇu.
Sāmbār — thin vegetable soup cooked with dāl and soured
with tamarind.
Sampradāya — lineage of spiritual practitioners,
maintained by the principle of disciplic succession
and distinguished by a unique philosophical position.

Sandhyā-vandanam — prayers and rituals conducted
three times daily by brāhmaṇas.

Saṅkīrtana — “congregational kīrtana;” often used
interchangeably with the term kīrtana.
Sannyāsa — celibate renounced order of life.

Śāstra — the Vedas and literatures that represent Vedic
tradition and are approved by traditional Vedic
authorities.
Sevā — service, particularly a particular formal service
offered to a deity.