LOHARIPA, a Gorakhpanthi yogi, whose name occurs in Guru Nanak`s Sidh Gosti in the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sidh Gosti is a versified account of the Guru`s discourse with a group of Natha ascetics. Among them is mentioned Loharipa which is taken to be the Punjabi form of Luipa,

PANCHAMI, lit. the fifth day of either phase {vadior sudi) of the moon. Panchami of the sudi, i.e. the brighter, phase is considered an auspicious day in the Hindu tradition, with some ritualistic observances attached to it. In the three Sikh hymns entitled Thitin/ Thiti devoted to the lunar days

RUDRA Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (Shiva) are in the service of the Lord. (Maru M. 3, p. 1053) Brahmaloka, Rudraloka and Indraloka have been invaded by maya, but it cannot even look towards Sadh Sangat. (Gujri M. 5, p. 500) With the concentration of Rudra and the knowledge of

SAUNA (SAUNAKA) Saturday—Consideration of the Shastra of Sauna (Saunaka, a sage) dealing with omens (whether an action is good or bad, which time is suitable or unsuitable for that action) is merely whim and ego; the whole world is deluded in it. (Bilawal M. 3. Var Sat, p. 841)

ASAVARI See ASA ASCETICISM, derived from the Greek word askesis, connotes the `training` or `exercise` of the body and the mind. Asceticism or ascetic practices belong to the domain of religious culture, and fasts, pilgrimages, ablutions, purificatory rituals, vigils, abstinence from certain foods and drinks, primitive and strange dress, nudity,

ALLURING DAMSELS OF HEAVEN (APSARAS)If the clothes be of heat and cold and the food be of the wind, the alluring women of heaven be there everywhere. OR The alluring woffien of heaven may all go away. Still I may Praise Thee, O Lord! and the eagerness of my

BIHANGAM, from Sanskrit vihang which means a bird, is a term applied to wandering ascetics who lead a life of complete detachment. A Biharigam is a celebate who lives in poverty renouncing all worldly ties and follows the path of holiness. In the Hindu tradition, he, abjuring religious dogma,

BHAVANI You are called Bhavani, who was from the very beginning. Where did you go at the time of granting salvation ? (Gond Namdev, p. 874) Bhavani is another name for Parbati and Mahamaya. She is also called Durga and Uma. See : Ad Bhavani , Parbati (Parvati) ,

Sita was (forcibly) taken away by Dahsira (Ravana). (Shalok Varan Te Vadhik, M. l, p. 1412) The word Dahsira means \'of ten heads\' and it is an epithet used for Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. In Ramayana he is described as having ten heads, twenty arms and copper-coloured

EKADASI, from Sanskrit ekadasa; eka(one)+ dasa (ten) meaning eleven, is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, in both its dark and light halves. Among Vaisnavite Hindus, ehkadasi also harivasar (lit. Visnu`s day) is a day of fasting. Partaking of food in any form on this day is considered

HANUMAN (HANWANTAR) Though Hanuman burnt the citadel of Lanka, uprooted the garden of Ravana, brought the wound-healing herb for Lakshmana and pleased Sri Rama, yet due to his previous karmas (actions), he could not get rid of his loin-cloth. (Dhanasan Trilochan, p. 695) Within his mind Ram Chand (Sri

JANAKA You are the incarnation of king Janaka..... (Swayye Mahle Dooje Ke, p. 1391) Do not be led astray by castes. Suka, the Brahmin, meditated while sitting at the feet of the Kshatriya king Janaka. (Kanra M. 4, p. 1309) Janaka was the king of Mithila and father of