A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

179 svayam-bhü liögas
Sürsägar
See SÜRDÄS.
Sürya
See SUN.
collections of them, e.g. Vedäntasütra(s),
Kalpasütras etc. There are
sütras on virtually every traditional subject
of study. They had to be memorized
by students and were commented upon
by teachers.
sva-dharma (‘one’s own duty’)
Specific obligations for a member of a
particular VARŒA (social unit).
svädhyäya
See STUDY.
svapna sthäna (‘dream state’)
The second state of CONSCIOUSNESS.
Svarga (‘heaven’)
This refers especially to INDRA’s heaven,
the abode of blessed mortals, situated
on Mount MERU. In later Hinduism it is
usually considered a lower form of ultimate
bliss, as compared to Vi•æu’s
Vaikuæflha or the absorption in BRAH-
MAN. (See also INDRALOKA.)
Svarloka
See INDRALOKA.
Sürya, the sun.
sustenance (sthithi)
One of the three divine cosmic functions
ascribed to the Supreme Being. Within
the trimürti (Brahmä–Vi•æu–Ÿiva) Vi•æu
is called the ‘preserver’. He is immanent
in everything, and under particular circumstances
descends to earth as an
AVATÄRA to save it from peril. (See also
ANNIHILATION; CREATION.)
su•upti (‘deep [dreamless] sleep’)
The third mode of CONSCIOUSNESS.
sütra (‘thread’, ‘string’)
Short formulaic statements as well as
svastika
From svasti (hail), an ancient solar symbol
often found in Hindu temples as
well as on the first pages of books. It is
thought to be auspicious.
sva-tantra sädhus
Ascetics who do not belong to one of
the recognized saƒpradäyas (sects) and
have not received initiation through an
acknowledged guru.
svayam-bhü liögas
(‘self-existent liögas’)
A number of LI¢GAS (3) believed to have
originated without human agency, and