A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

jätï 90
jätï
(‘birth-group’)
Lineage, sub-caste. Each jätï consists of
a number of gotras (clans).
jauhar
Group self-immolation in a fire, practised
by Räjput women to escape capture
by enemies. Several historical
instances have been recorded at Chitor
from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
Jayadeva (12th century)
Pen name of the author of the Gïtagovinda,
celebrating the love between
Kø•æa and RÄDHÄ, which is sung at the
JAGANNÄfiHA temple in Purï as part of
the daily ritual.
Jayantï
One of the names of the Goddess (DEVÏ).
Jaya-Vijaya (‘victory and defeat’)
Names of the two gatekeepers in
Vi•æu’s heaven.
Jha, Ganganatha
(1871–1941)
Eminent Indian Sanskritist, educated
both in the old Pandit tradition and along
modern lines, a specialist in Pürva
MÏMÄßSA. He taught at Muir Central
College in Allahäbad, served as principal
of Benares Sanskrit College and was vicechancellor
of Allahäbad University. He
translated many major Sanskrit works
into English: Ÿabarabhä•ya, Ÿlokavärttika,
Tantravärttika, and his books include
Prabhäkara School of Pürva Mïmäƒsa
(1909), Pürva Mïmäƒsa in its Sources
(1942). He was honoured with the title
‘Mahämahopädhyäya’ (great teacher).
Ji•æu (‘victorious’)
Epithet of INDRA, ARJUNA and VIÆŒU.
jïva, jïvätma
Individual (finite) living being.
jïvan-mukta
(‘liberated while alive’)
A person who has achieved ultimate
emancipation while still in a body.
jïvan-mukti
The state of being liberated while still in
a body. Some Hindu schools, such as
ADVAITA VEDÄNTA, admit such a possibility,
others deny it.
jñäna (‘knowledge’)
This is especially in the specific sense of
spiritual wisdom, insight, realization of
one’s own true nature. (See also VIDYÄ.)
(Jñäna) Sambandhar
(c. 750–825 CE)
One of the most prominent NÄYANMÄRS,
Ÿaivite teachers of South India. Author
of the Tevaram, which ridicules and
attacks Jainas.
Jñäneÿvara, also Jñänadeva
(c. 1275–1350)
Poet-saint from Mahärä•flra, author of
the Jñäneÿvari, a lengthy commentary
on the Bhagavadgïtä.
joint family
The traditional Hindu family consisted
of groups of related families belonging
to several generations. It provided security
and shelter to all its members and
created a strong bond between them. It
allowed for little privacy and did not
leave much room for individual decisions
concerning vital issues. While it is
still to be found in rural India, in the
Westernized large cities of India the
norm today is the nuclear family.
Jones, Sir William (1746–94)
Orientalist and jurist. He studied
Oriental languages at Oxford. Appointed
judge at the Supreme Court in Calcutta