Page 134 - SBV (English)

508 Glossary

Mahäprabhu—See Caitanya Mahäprabhu.
Mahä-puruña—See Mahäjana.
Mahäräja—“great king”; (1) a title and term of address for a king; (2) a term
of address for a sannyasi or saint; (3) used in conjunction with guru to
accentuate the absolute majestry of the spiritual master; (4) a title and
term of address for a brähmaëa cook.
Mahäçaya—venerable person (generally used as a title or mode of address).
Mahätmä—“great soul” (generally refers to a particularly venerable sadhu, or
used as a title or mode of address for a venerable sadhu).
Mahotsava—festival.
Mälä—(1) garland, string of beads, necklace, rosary; (2) 108 recitations of the
mahä-mantra, counted on a string of 108 beads.
Mälpuyä—a succulent sweet preparation, standard in Gauòéya festivals,
consisting of sweetened rice-flour puris soaked in thick sugar syrup.
(ISKCON-style mälpuyäs are usually soaked in thick sweet yogurt, and are
referred to according to their Hindi name, malpura.)
Maëòala—(1) area; (2) surrounding district or territory.
Mandira—(1) (primary usage) temple; (2) any building or residence.

Maìgala-ärati—the first ärati of the day, performed before dawn.
Maìgaläcaraëa—a prayer to invoke auspiciousness at the beginning of an
undertaking, by praising the Supreme Lord and His intimate devotees and
seeking their blessings. Particularly (a) a recital before a formal religious
talk, or (b) a poetic invocation preceding a written work.
Maïjaré(s)—the class, or a member thereof, of pre-pubescent female assistants
to the principal gopés in their service to Çré Rädha-Kåñëa.
Mano-’bhéñöa—the yearning (abhéñöa) of the heart (manas).
Mantra—a Vedic utterance that delivers the mind from illusion.
Märga—path, way, method.
Märjana—cleaning, purification.
Marwaris—a class of people originating in Marwar, Rajasthan, and now spread
throughout India. Many are merchants, and their establishments dominate
bazars in numerous Indian towns. Traditionally pious and inclined to give
charity for religious causes, Marwaris were among the principal donors to
Gauòéya Maöha activities, especially in Calcutta, where they comprised a
significant community.