A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

International Transcendental Meditation Society 86
Mahesh Yogi Maharishi also set out to
teach SIDDHIS (miraculous higher powers).
He established the Maharishi International
University in Fairfield, Iowa which aims
at integrating modern Western science
with ancient Hindu traditions. Mahesh
Yogi Maharishi developed various plans
to give worldwide coverage to his ideas.
Ïÿa, also Ïÿäna (‘lord’)
Title of ŸIVA, ‘maheÿa’ (‘Mahä’ + ‘ïsä’:
Maheÿa – Great Lord).
Swami A. C. Bhaktivedänta, called
‘Prabhupäda’, founder of ISKCON.
public chanting of the Hare-Kø•æa
MAHÄ-MANTRA. It is by now established
in all Western countries and has a sizeable
presence in India. Among the innovations
that ‘Prabhupäda’ Bhaktivedanta
Swami introduced is the awarding
of brahmin status to all initiates, the
accepting of non-Hindus into SAM-
NYÄSA, and the establishment of a great
number of temples under the care of
non-Indian devotees. ISKCON is very
active in publishing, in relief work and
in maintaining authentic traditional
image worship.
International Transcendental
Meditation Society (TM)
Founded by Mahesh Yogi Maharishi in
the late 1950s, it initially attracted a
very large number of people in all
Western countries by its teaching of
Transcendental Meditation, a simplified
form of Yoga. Followers of TM claim
that it relieves tension and worries.
Ïÿa(vasya) Upani•ad
The shortest of the principal Upani•ads,
said to contain the essence of all. It is read
out to a dying person to ensure a good
passage. It has been commented upon by
ŸA¢KARA (2) and other Vedäntins.
i•fla devatä (‘deity of choice’)
The form of the divine most appealing
to a person and therefore singled out for
worship, without denying the existence
of others.
ïÿvara (‘Lord’)
A generic title given to the creator of the
world.
Ïÿvara Kø•æa (third century CE)
Author of the Säƒkhyakärikäs.
Ïÿvara Muni (tenth century CE)
A great PÄÑCARÄTRA teacher, father of
NÄfiHA MUNI, the first of the ÄCÄRYAS
of Ÿrïraögam.
itihäsa (‘so it has been said’)
A generic term for traditional history,
specifically applied to the RÄMÄYAŒA
and the MAHÄBHÄRATA.