Archives Glossary of special terms

vada-sala

hall of disputation

vahana

a vehicle; generally applied to animal mount of various deities; mount on which a deity rides

vaikakshaka

cross belt

vaishika-nayaka

libertine

vaishnava

pertaining to Vishnu

Vaishya

one of four castes in Hindu society, the occupations are consists mainly of agriculture, taking care of cattle, trade and other business pursuits

vaivahika-murti

bridal form

vajra

a thunderbolt weapon represented with double trident joined together, associated with Indra

vajrahumkara

This is symbolic of the Supreme and Eternal Buddha. The wrists are crossed at the chest and hold the vajra and ghanta (thunderbolt and bell).

vajrayudha

vajra instrument

valagra

unit of measurement

valamsuli

the proboscis of Ganesa turned right instead of the usual left

valaya

wristlet (cf. kankana)

valayal

a simple wristlet

vanamala

Vishnu’s garland

vanki

a stiff decorated ornament worn on the upper arm

vara

The hand-pose which confers grace or boon. In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the hand with fingers extended downward, is held below the waist, as far as the hand can reach.; see varada, varada-hasta and varada-mudra

varada

a gesture bestowing boon; see vara

varada-hasta

a hand lowered; palm forward, fingers pointing downwards; The hand-pose which confers grace or boon. In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the hand with fingers extended downward, is held below the waist, as far as the hand… Continue Reading →

varada-mudra

hand-pose conferring a boon; The hand-pose which confers grace or boon. In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the hand with fingers extended downward, is held below the waist, as far as the hand can reach.; see vara

vasal

(also vayil) the doors of the monumental entrances of the gopuram is ordinarily twice as hight as it wide. The height is often considerable. The two shutters (flaps of a door) are made of wood and have partitions. (vasal, Tamil:… Continue Reading →

vatayana

window

vatuka

boy

vayil

(also vasal) the doors of the monumental entrances of the gopuram is ordinarily twice as hight as it wide. The height is often considerable. The two shutters (flaps of a door) are made of wood and have partitions. (vayil, Tamil:… Continue Reading →

vedas

‘knowledge’ – sacred Hindu scriptures, regarded by orthodoxy as divine revelation

vedika

railing

vel

a single edged spear

ventalai

a human skull

veshti

male skirt (also lungi or dhoti)

veshya

prostitute

vidyadhara

celestial being shown as flying in the air

vihara

Buddhist monastery; in India especially associated with rock-cut halls

Vikrama-chola-ula

procession of Vikrama Chola

vimalasana

Hexagonal in shape and is used when offerings are to be made

vimana

The sanctum together with its superstructure (from the upapitam to the stupi); (vimana, Tamil: விமானம்); ‘chariot of the gods’ – main tower of temple, considered to be a divine aerial palace inhabited by the gods; also applied to temple as… Continue Reading →

vimana-devata

sculpture of a deity placed in a niche on the outer wall of the garbhagriha or on the upper tala of the vimana

vina

a lute, a long-necked stringed instrument with globular resonator

vina-danda

the hollow shaft of the vina instrument

vinadhara

‘Player of the vina’- Shiva represented holding a vina, denoting his role as divine teacher of music

virakkazal

an ornament worn in token of heroic deeds, usually worn high up on the ankle

virasana

hero’s seated pose with one leg on the other

visarjana

ritual performed by priest at end of worship (puja) to send away the deity after temporary inhabitation of icon

vishva-padmasana

also viśva-padmasana; double-petalled lotus pedestal

vismaya

This hand-pose is indicative of astonishment and wonder. In the hand-gesture, the fore-arm is lifted and the palm turned inward with the fingers spread out in a circular manner to denote inquiry.

visvapadma

inverted lotus

vitarka

The mudra of argument. In this hand-pose, the thumb and index finger are joined to make a ring. All the other fingers are extended upwards.

vritta

circular

vyakhyana

hand gesture of explanation, especially associated with Shiva and his followers

vyakhyana-mudra

hand-pose in the attitude of teaching or exposition; In this hand-pose, the tips of the thumb and the forefinger touch each other to form a circle, while the other fingers are kept open. The palm faces outwards.

vyala

Loenine figure

vyala-mala

Decorative frieze with vyala’s usually as part of the adhishthana and on top of the entablature of each tala, marking the end of the cross-joists in original timberwork.

vyala-vari

Decorative frieze with vyala’s usually as part of the adhishthana and on top of the entablature of each tala, marking the end of the cross-joists in original timberwork.

vyasa

the great seer who edited the Vedas

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