Chapter Four of the Devi Gita starts a fascinating journey for us to understand the language of the Goddess. In His infinite wisdom, Swamiji has provided below, the meaning of key Sanskrit words for us to study and absorb.
Devi Gita Vocabulary
Cit– consciousness
Samvit– totality of knowledge
Para Brahma– Supreme Divinity
Maya– one inherent power, the Infinite Energy
Shushupti– deep dreamless sleep
Caintanya– consciousness
Maya Tapas– that which produces Heat or Purifying Activity in Maya
Tama– darkness
Jada– inert material
Vimarsha– experience
Avidya– ignorance
Nigamas– as spoken by Divine Mother
Agamas– as spoken by Lord Shiva
Anavastha– an endless series of causes and effects; a logical fallacy
Jagrat– waking
Swapna– dreaming
Karmas– actions
Samskaras– tendencies
Tattwas– principles of existence
Buddhi– intelligence
Avyakrta– unmodified
Avyakta– unmanifested
Maya shabala– the force or power of Maya
Saccidananda Vigraha– the repository of True Existence, consciousness, and bliss
Iccha Shakti– energy of desire
Jnana Shakti– energy of wisdom or intelligence
Kriya Shakti– energy of all action
Akash– ether or space
Vayu– air
Sutra– string
Linga deha– subtle body
Panchakarana– various combinations of the 5 elements
Virat deha– universal body
Sattwa– pure qualities
Jnanendriyas– organs of knowledge
Antahkarana– inner cause: man, buddhi, citta, ahamkara
Sankalpas– determinations or definition of an objective; also a positive affirmation
Vikalpas– doubts or value judgments
Man– mind or subjective knowledge
Buddhi– intellect or objective knowledge
Citta– all objects of consciousness, both subjective and objective
Ahankara– ego, sense of I
Karmendriyas– organs of action
Jihva– tongue
Pani– hands
Pada– feet
Payu– anus
Upastha– organs of generation
Pranas– breath, vital airs, winds or life force: prana (inhale), apana (exhale), samana (equilibrium), udana (rising), vyana (diffusing)