Page 150 - SBV (English)

524 Glossary

Çyämänandé—(1) a discipular follower of Çyämänanda Prabhu, a great sixteenth-
century Gauòéya preacher; (2) the sect within the Gauòéya sampradäya
comprising such followers. (See vol. 1, p. 44, fn *)
Tämasic—characterized by the mode of ignorance (tamas). See also Modes of
material nature.
Tantra—a genre of texts that describe esoteric practices of some Hindu, Buddhist,
and Jain sects, and include theology, rituals, yoga, and construction of
temples and images, and encompass the Vaiñëava saàhitäs, Çaiva ägamas,
and Çäkta tantras (which deal with spells, rituals, and mystic symbols).
Among these, only the Vaiñëava- or Sätvata-tantras are Vedic.
Tantric—(1) of or relating to tantra; (2) a practitioner of tantrism.
Tantrism—practices based on tantra. It is generally identified with rituals of
the “left-hand” Çäkta system, including ritual copulation and black magic,
but also correctly refers to the more staid practices of various mainstream
Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sects.
Tattva—(1) metaphysical principle; (2) philosophical topic, particularly as
described in Vedic scripture and elucidated by äcäryas.
Öhäkura—a title designating a Vaiñëava situated on the topmost level of
devotional service. See also Paramahaàsa.

Öékä—commentary on scripture, especially a commentary on or based on a
bhäñya (q.v.).

Tilaka—auspicious clay-markings on the upper part of the body, principally
the forehead. The design varies according to, and thus indicates, one’s
sampradäya.
Timiìgila—(described in Vedic literature) an aquatic that preys on whales.
Tirobhäva—Vaiñëava terminology for the apparent demise of a Viñëu-avatar or
an exalted devotee, in contradistinction to the death of conditioned souls
as per the law of karma. Rendered in English as disappearance, for rather
than ceasing to exist, such eternal personages simply become indiscernable
to mortal vision, like the disappearance of the sun upon setting.
Tirobhäva-tithi—the anniversary day of the disappearance of an exalted devotee
or Viñëu-avatar. See also Ävirbhäva-tithi; Tithi.
Tértha—(1) a holy place, person, or object; (2) a sannyäsa title (one of ten
awarded to sannyasis of the Çaìkara sampradäya, one of a hundred and
eight awarded to Gauòéya sannyasis, and the only title awarded to Mädhva
sannyasis).