A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

Sadhyäbhä•a 162
Sadhyäbhä•a
(‘twilight language’)
Compositions with double meaning,
used by Tantrikas; their ‘surface’ meaning
is accessible to everybody, the second,
‘secret’, meaning is only understood
by the initiates. (See also TANTRA
(2).)
sahitä (‘collection’)
An expression used to designate the
mantra portion of the Vedas (e.g.
Øgveda Sahitä) or the later sectarian
writings of VAIÆŒAVAS (e.g. Ahirbudhnya
Sahitä), to which a great
amount of authority was attributed due
to their authors.
samïpa (‘nearness [to God]’)
One of the modalities of salvation in
theistic Hinduism. Another would be
SARÜPA (sameness of form).
saƒkalpa (‘intention’)
A declaration of intent at the beginning
of a pilgrimage. Without it, the pilgrimage
would not earn any merit.
Saƒkar•aæa
One of the four vyühas (emanations) of
Vi•æu, characterized by lordship (aiÿvarya)
and heroism (vïrya).
Säƒkhya (‘number’)
One of the six orthodox systems, founded
by Kapila (sixth century BCE); it
assumes that the whole universe consists
of combinations of 24 elements
(tattvas) in addition to puru•a (spirit).
Säƒkhya is a dualistic system: spirit
(puru•a) and matter (prakøti) have
opposite but complementary characteristics.
Everything originates from a
combination of the two, and ultimate
liberation is due to a separation of spirit
from matter. Spirit is originally manifold,
matter is one. Matter is characterized
by three guæas (elementary principles):
sattva (lightness); rajas (passion);
and tamas (darkness). These three are
originally in equilibrium, but under the
influence of spirit, evolution begins. The
first product of the process is mahat (the
great One), also called buddhi (the intellect).
From mahat issues ahaƒkära, the
principle of egoity. When one suffers
under the frustrations of life one begins
a quest for freedom from misery. This
quest leads to a reversal of the evolutionary
process and a final separation of
spirit from matter. The ultimate stage is
called kaivalya (aloneness), when the
spirit is all by himself and fully satisfied.
Säƒkhya-kärikä
The oldest preserved text of the
SÄßKHYA system, ascribed to Ïÿvara
Kø•æa (third century CE). It explains in a
brief and systematic manner the basic
principles of Säƒkhya.
Säƒkhya-sütra
Ascribed to Kapila (sixth century BCE),
but probably later than the Säƒkhakärikä.
It consists of a brief exposition
of Säƒkhya in sütra form.
sam-kïrtaæa
Congregational singing of hymns, especially
among GAU¥ÏYA VAIÆŒAVAS, usually
accompanied by cymbals and drums,
often also by dancing. Nägara samkïrtaæa,
popularized by CAITANYA, is
public singing and dancing on the
streets of towns.
samnyäsa (‘renunciation’)
The fourth and last ÄŸRAMA (2) (stage in
life) of a brahmin, in which all attachment
to home and possessions, including
family, are to be given up. It has become
popular to enter into samnyäsa without
going through the äÿramas of house-