Page 40 - OPIHI (English)

172 glossAry

Räga—musical mode.
Samädhi—tomb of a departed Vaiñëava.
Sampradäya—sect of spiritual practitioners, maintained by the principle of
preceptorial succession and distinguished by a unique philosophical
position.
Çästra—revealed scripture; the four Vedas and literature in pursuance of
the Vedic version.
Çré—“opulence” or “possessed of opulence”; (1) name for Lakñmé, the
eternal consort of Lord Viñëu, and originator of the Çré Vaiñëava
sampradäya; (2) prepositioned term used as an honorific address or
to denote reverence for a sacred book, place, or other object.
Çréla—prepositioned term used as an honorific address to exalted
devotees.
Çréla Prabhupäda—Çréla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, founder-
äcärya of iskcon and most prominent Vaiñëava in the modern age.

Çrémad-Bhägavatam—the topmost Puräëa, that presents confidential
and definitive understanding of Lord Kåñëa, His devotees, and pure
devotional service to Him. Also known as Bhägavata and Bhägavata
Puräëa. See also Puräëa.
Shenai—wind instrument played in temples and at auspicious functions.

Åñi—sage, holy man.
Tulasé—(1) sacred plant most dear to Lord Kåñëa and thus worshiped by
the Lord’s devotees; (2) in her original form, a gopé (divine cowherd
damsel) of Våndävana. Tulasé wood is utilized in two kinds of beads
essential to Gauòéya Vaiñëavas: neckbeads and chanting beads (japa-
mälä). Her leaves are essential in offering food to Lord Viñëu, who
does not accept any offering sans tulasé leaves.
Vimäna—carrier.

Vaiñëava—devotee of Viñëu, Lord Kåñëa.
Viñëu—the Supreme Lord; an expansion of Lord Kåñëa.
Yuga—one of a cycle of four recurring ages in the history of the universe.