A Yoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms [Paperback]

Goswami Kriyananda (Author), Goswami Kriyananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

In this Yoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms, Goswmi Kriyananda has taken a further step to include some major English mystical terms. He feels this basic dictionary will help the student to gain a deeper understanding of yoga, meeting the needs of the contemporary student as well as being helpful to the general reader of yoga literature. He has taken the liberty of dividing the sanskrit terms to make it easier for the student to pronounce them.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The need for a fresh, simple dictionary of basic Sanskrit terms that would meet the demands of the contemporary student as well as the general reader of yoga has long been acknowledged. It is my hope that this small dictionary will fulfill that need. I have added a supplementary section of basic English mystical terms which I feel will be helpful in giving added depth to this dictionary. Because the field of Hindu philosophy is so vast, an inclusion of all key words would rapidly turn this dictionary into several books. Thus, I have had to limit the key words. If you feel some key words were left out, please write me in care of the Temple of Kriya Yoga, and they will be included in the next edition. In using this dictionary please keep in mind a few basic points: 1. I have not made a distinction between long and short vowels in Sanskrit words. 2. I have hyphenated some Sanskrit words for ease of pronunciation. 3. I have also pluralized some Sanskrit words with an English ‘s.’ 4. Finally, the Sanskrit letter ‘v’ is pronounced like an English ‘w.’ Thus, ‘sattva’ is pronounced as if it were spelled ‘sattwa.’ For correct Sanskrit spelling, pluralizing, special markings, and correct euphonic rules, refer to a basic Sanskrit grammar.

Yours in the Dharma, Goswami Kriyananda

About the Author

Goswami Kriyananda, the founder and spiritual preceptor of the Temple of Kriya, carries the flame of the lineage of Babaji and Paramahansa Yogananda. He has been guiding souls along the pathway toward enlightenment for over 50 years. Kriyananda teaches the ageless wisdom of Kriya with warm humor and deep mystical understanding, offering you a system for experiencing a transformation in consciousness which enriches your life on every level, spiritually, mentally and physically.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Temple of Kriya Yoga (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929522028
• ISBN-13: 978-0929522029
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Sanskrit
  • #48 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Sanskrit

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, lucid sketch of yogic terminology, April 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Yoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms (Paperback)

Do you think that a "dictionary" of Sanskrit must needs be a heavy and scholarly read? I thought so too, but I was so, so wrong! This brief exegesis of Hindu spiritual terminology--focusing on the language of Yoga-Sankhya-Vedanta--is a light, easy, and incredibly informative read. (You will find there is no Devanagari script here--the words are all transliterated phonetically into English. The emphasis is not on linguistics but on understanding the concepts behind the words.) When I dipped in, I found it was so alluring, that I promptly read it straight through from cover to cover, and that with casual ease over a few days. This is the first time I have **ever** found a "reference" book on any subject that could be read consecutively from beginning to end, and that most advantageously. Not only that, but the concepts, which could easily be buried under a veil of occultic-cum-spiritual jargon, or layers of linguistic niceties are, on the contrary, rendered with the most dazzling simplicity and clarity, in a way directly accessible to an intelligent, modern seeker. The author seems to possess not only a deep mastery of the range of Hindu spiritual thought pertaining to Yoga, but a gift of rendering it as clear as day for others. Reading this book was as pleasant as taking a walk in the park on a fresh Spring day. An amazing small gem of a book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Yoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms, May 13, 2009

By 

W. E. Mayers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Yoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms (Paperback)

This is an excellent Sanskrit reference book. It is clear and consise, but not lacking in explanation. The definitions are not to technical and esoteric. They are clear, simple and to the point. The printing in the book is very clear, making for easy reading. I would recommend this book to students of yoga and Indian philosphy to gain an understanding of basic Sanskrit terms.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great reference!, December 29, 2011

By 

Marissa Theve (WILLIMANTIC, CT, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Yoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms (Paperback)

So far this book has been a great reference for an aspiring yogi. I was on the fence about getting more serious about the practice, but this book lends a great way to ease yourself into the study. I highly recommend it.