Baba Words, The Master's Glossary, Complete

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Among the references for Meher Baba are Shri, Master and Perfect Master; as well as Avatar. Meher Baba was given these respectful titles (including "Meher Baba" itself, which means "Compassionate Father"; for His birth name is Merwan Sheriar Irani.) years before He publicly acknowledged His Divinity. To ensure the integrity of the original writings, (and the unfolding story they are historically a part of), these have not been changed. And, Meher Baba is the Avatar of our age. Baba is God.

Editing has been kept to a minimum (my choice of capitalization, certain transpositions from the former names of cities to the current, etc.). Editing has also given me choices; i.e., where an author in one book (versus another book by the same author) has defined a word similarly enough I have gone with the more comprehensive of the two. However, where this has been the case and there are interesting enough differences, I have given both definitions; crediting accordingly the differing source materials. If one authors definition is extremely close to another, I have generally credited the author whose last name falls first alphabetically; excepting here Meher Baba, who, out of respect, is always first. There is no judgment on my part as to which definition is most definitive. It therefore behooves the reader to read all the definitions and make one’s own judgment. There are likely protocols I am overlooking; the aid of others is invited here.

Language distinctions are only noted where they have been so in the original source (there are 16 languages in India, innumerable dialects, Baba "spoke" at least a half dozen with some regularity, and referenced the mystic tradition of Sufi as well as Vedantic tradition regularly in printed matter. As with other differences that may be noted (i.e., definitions), there are differing language sources referenced. These are not necessarily in conflict. (Perhaps someone else will take on that sorting out.) Similarly, pronunciations only appear as they had in the original source material, if at all; excepting the fancy punctuation marked areas that my keyboard is incapable of. (Again, perhaps someone else will take that on.). A note on the languages of India postscripts this forward.

Problematic is where certain words have not been included in anyone’s glossary. By what means of measure do I presume to submit a definition? For now, this edition will be "pure"; lacking that presumption as well as that comprehensiveness. Still, seeking to be a singular resource; i.e., a comprehensive collection of as many glossary and similar type notes, the only boundary of what is and is not included (at this writing) is what is available to me in printed Baba literature. Spiritual terms will appear side by side with words like manuka (raisins) for no other reason except that an author had a reason to include that word. Future editions (if any) may include more glossary contributions as yet unseen by me or unpublished. If it appeared, and I found it, it’s here.

Likewise, as with other inclusions, various people are here noted. In the glossary of God Speaks Dr. Donkin can be found (for example), which set this precedent. Similarly, other entities of note also appear both in the aforementioned book as in others; i.e., buildings and locations, sacred objects, other books, and so forth. While this could easily extend even to foods, flowers, etc. (and often does), unless they were already included elsewhere and/or have a bearing, my specific focus is to items of note as regards Baba’s life and spirituality generally. This is meant to be a resource of a type and not a collection of dictionaries. Naturally, there have been many other relevant words not yet fleshed out, (names, terms, et. al.), which beg future inclusion. Bhau’s Lord Meher goes a long way toward this end. Regarding names, because persons are sometimes known by only one name; and moreover sometimes known primarily by only first, sometimes last, name an effort to include entries as they are known most often has been made. To honor this convention "See" and "See also"s are included on the name least familiar as much as possible. This should also lend to a historical integrity of familiarity years hence.

Other similar works may follow to fill in the gaps: "Baba Games", "Baba Foods", etc. This work has it’s own focus.

As this glossary is compiled from a variety of literature, and credit is due the original sources; please note the key below as the primary indicator for those as well as other codes.

It should be noted that the words collected here have some relationship to Baba through the literature. That is not to say that these are all of equal weight by any means. Some carry almost no weight, being used illustratively or as a kind of garnish by a given author; all the way through a progressive relationship to words coined by Him.

As is constructive input of any nature, new sources and contributions with sources welcomed always for future consideration. The intention of this work is to be a singular resource of it’s kind, and as such ought be as comprehensive and accurate as possible. This is my contribution as far as I can take it at this time; and as with much of life, I have found I can not do it all alone.

And a final postnote: "Languages: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people, Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official), Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani a popular variant of Hindu/Urdu, is spoken widely throughout northern India."

note: "24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible".

CIA Factbook, Spring 1999

Internet sites that may have relevence to related pursuits are as follows as of the date noted here: Thursday, September 28, 2000:

English to Hindi dictionary

Hindi Language and Literature

Indian Spirituality/Religious dictionaries (Jainism particularly; there are three.)

The Internet Sacred Text Archive (A nice collection of a bit of it all.)

Glossary - Shri Shirdi Sai Baba

KEY:

1a = Baba, Meher; GOD SPEAKS, The Theme of Creation and Its Purpose , Copyright (1955*) 1973, Sufism Reoriented, Inc., 1300 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek, Ca., U.S.-Vail-Ballou Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY (*1st edition does not contain a glossary, so 2nd edition was used. Originally compiled by Ludwig H. Dimpfl, April 5th, 1971. -Ed.)

1b = Baba, Meher; DISCOURSES , Copyright (1947*) 1987, Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Trust-Sheriar Foundation, 3005 Highway 17 North ByPass, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 US (*4th edition did not contain a glossary, the 7th edition was used.)

C = Cohen, Allan Y.; The MASTERY of CONSCIOUSNESS , An Introduction and Guide to Practical Mysticism and Methods of Spiritual Development as given by MEHER BABA , Copyright 1977, Ira G.Deitrick-Harper Colophon Books, Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 10 East 53rd Street, NY, NY, 10022

Du = Duce, Murshida Ivy Oneita, HOW A MASTER WORKS , Copyright & published by, 1975, Sufism Reoriented, Inc., 1300 Boulevard Way, Walnut Creek, Ca., US

EBF = (for "extended Baba family"): text-Anne Giles, John Conner, Gwendolyn Moss Small. source material-Jack C. Small, Irene Holt. travel advice-Jal Dastoor, Naosherwan Anzar Nalavala., WELCOME HOME, A Guide for Traveling to Meherabad and Meherazad, India; fourth revised edition , Copyright 1983, Meher House, Inc.-Friends of the Avatar Meher Baba Trust, Box 11356, Washington, DC, 20008, USA

Gr = Grant, John; Practical Spirituality with Meher Baba , Copyright 1985, John Grant & Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Charitable Trust, Shivnagar, India (for quotations)-Merwan Publications, P.O.Box 530, Milsons Point, N.S.W. 2061 Australia

I = Irani, Mehera J.; compiled and edited by Janet Judson and Shelley Marrich; MEHERA , Copyright 1989, Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Charitable Trust, Shivnagar, India-Naosherwan Anzar, Beloved Books, 599 Edison Drive, East Windsor, NJ 08520 USA

Ka = Kalchuri, Bhau; MEHER PRABHU - LORD MEHER, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age Meher Baba , Copyright 1973, english translation held by Lawrence Reiter, MANifestation, Inc., PO Box 7335, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. (Using the footnotes here. Page numbers will be included as opposed to individual volume distinctions so as to facilitate future direct cross reference. -Ed.)

Ka2= Kalchuri, Bhau; Meher Roshani , Copyright 1984, MANifestation, Inc., PO Box 991, Myrtle Beach, SC 29597. (Using the footnotes here. Footnote numbers will be included so as to facilitate future direct cross reference. -Ed.)

Ke = Kerkhove, Ray; AVATAR MEHER BABA, His Life, His Message and His Followers , Copyright 1996, Ray Kerkhove-Peter Milne and Ray Kerkhove, C/-Woombye Post Office, Woombye, Queensland 4559 Australia

N3 = Natu, Bal; Glimpses of the God-Man, Meher Baba, Volume 2 (January 1949- January 1952), Copyright 1979-Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India-R. J. Mistry for Meher House Publications, Bombay, Maharashtra, India

N4 = Natu, Bal; Glimpses of the God-Man, Meher Baba, Volume 3 (February 1952-February 1953), Copyright 1982-Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India-Sheriar Press, MB, SC, USA.

N5 = Natu, Bal; Glimpses of the God-Man, Meher Baba, Volume 4 (February-December 1953), Copyright 1984-Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India-Sheriar Press, MB, SC, USA.

N6 = Natu, Bal; Glimpses of the God-Man, Meher Baba, Volume 5 (January 1-March 6, 1954), Copyright 1987-Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India-Sheriar Press, MB, SC, USA.

N7 = Natu, Bal; Glimpses of the God-Man, Meher Baba, Volume 6 (March 1954-April 1955), Copyright 1994-Avatar Meher Baba Perpetual Public Charitable Trust, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India-Sheriar Press, MB, SC, USA.

Acknowledgement and dedication:

Really, for Love alone.

To the Divine: Meher Baba. The Divine joke: the world as I know it. And, specifically, to the joke that this book represents: a collection of words related to an incarnation of God who remained "wordless" the last two thirds of His physical life; having said, "...you’ve been given enough words." I am reminded of the title for a fictitious sequel to a Daniel Ladinsky book, I thought I heard God laughing...at you, (a John Migliorisi-ism). Never loose your sense of humor.

To my family of origin for the context of Love; my parents Frank & Shirley, sister Helane, brother Joe, gram Josephine, and great-gram Adelina (who must have been a wali).

And to my spiritual family for fertile ground for the content of Love; the Tampa Bay Area Baba Lovers in particular, as well as my extended family of fellow lovers of our Lord. Special thanks for extending my personal library to make this project possible go to those who contributed to the library in Bhau’s apartment; most notably Dr. Thomas Decker.

3 Incredible Weeks: I had not yet met Beloved Baba physically but, while dear Darwin Shaw shared with a group of us the events of his "Three Incredible Weeks with Meher Baba" -- the 1954 Sahavas in India -- the Beloved appeared before me. - Bernice Ivory (N2-20th Anniversary, May, 1986, p. 24)

3^rd eye: In addition to our two outward eyes, there is a third eye internally which sees through the two outward eyes and is situated between the eyebrows -- the yogis know about it. The real yogi, in his advanced state, sees God, or Brahmand (the God of the universe), through this third eye contained in his mind -- within the skull.

The Perfect Master sees three different things as it pleases his fancy. With his external eyes, he can see the universe and the world; with his inner eye, he sees God. And with his external eyes he actually sees all that exists coming out of himself in the form of innumerable circles -- through the point of his inner third eye. Those yogis who see through the Brahmand are many, while Perfect Masters always number only five.(1)

(1) There exists on earth at all times fifty-six God-Realized Perfect Persons (the Shiv-Atmas), five of whom are Perfect Masters. In Vedanta, the five Masters are called Sadgurus, and in Sufism they are Qutubs. Refer to GOD SPEAKS, pages 158-164, regarding the types of God-Realized souls. (Ka, pg. 449)

Abba: Father. (N2)

abdal: A master who has the characteristics that he can and does exchange one of his physical bodies for another at will -Sufi. (1a)

Spiritually advanced souls who can take different physical forms at will. -Sufi. (1b)

(plural of badal) A spiritual agent or master who has the characteristic that he can and does exchange one of his physical bodies for another at will. -Arabic. (Du)

abhanda (also abhanga): A meter used in Marathi poetry. (N4)

abhangs’: Spiritual verses. (CJ pg. 36)

Abraham: The Prophet; the Patriarch. In the Koranic story, Abraham (Ibrahim) is called upon to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail); in the Bible he is called upon to sacrifice his son Isaac. (1b)

abrar: A saint of the fifth plane -Sufi. Vedanta: mahapurush (sant) (1a)

See: wali. -Sufi. (1b)

Absolute Vacuum state: See: Nirvana. (1b)

accidents-Prauge, OK, USA, the (automobile):

accidents-Satara, India, the (automobile): It was only after the accident in 1956 in Satara in which Eruch was driving, that Eruch recalled Baba’s words. (Ka 2299 )

Adam: The first soul who completed the cycle of evolution (from stone to man), and involution (from Man back to God). Traditionally, the first man. Also, the first Avatar. (1a)

adept pilgrim: A person either on the fifth or sixth plane of consciousness, or in between them. (N2)

adhyatma marga (also adhyatmic marga, moksha marga): The spiritual Path. -Vedanta. Sufi: tariqat, rah-e-tariqat. (1a)

The inner path of spiritual advancement. -Vedanta. Sufi: tariqat. (1b)

Adi Purush: The Ancient One. (N4)

Adi Shakti: The Primal Power. (N4)

adum: Nothingness. -Sufi. (1a)

advaita: Absolute Oneness. One without a second. -Vedanta. Sufi.: tauhid-e-tanzihi. (1a)

Advaitism: The "non-dualist" school of Vedanta founded by Sankaracharya. Comparable views are held by the Sufi Wujudiyyah. -Vedanta. (1a)

advanced pilgrim: A person either on the third or fourth plane of consciousness, or in between them. (N2)

afrad: An adept pilgrim on the sixth plane. -Sufi. Vedanta: satpurush. (1a)

afreed: Literally, one who creates. One of the powerful divine agents. -Persian. (Du)

Afridgar: The Creator. -Sufi. Vedanta: Brahma. (1a)

afsoony: Literally, a magic or miraculous power. (Afsoony masiha is the power to raise the dead.) One of the powerful divine agents. -Persian. (Du)

agents, Baba’s: Special incarnate souls who help Baba with His work and are known only to Him. (Da)

Meher Baba explained that three types of spiritual agents work from the inner planes for Him. Each holds a definite and distinct office and carries out instructions to further the Avatar’s spiritual work. Direct agents are few and receive instructions directly from the Avatar. Indirect agents are few, also, and receive orders from the direct agents. Borrowed agents are many and receive orders from the indirect agents. (Ka 2045 )

Agiary: Zoroastrian fire temple used as a place of worship. (AJ)(Gr)

Agrakuti (also Agra Kuti): Literally, the front cottage. The first cottage built by the mandali at Meherabad. (N4)

Literally, "First Hut"; the original name given to the small structure in Lower Meherabad which later came to be known as Baba’s "Jhopdi" (see jhopdi). (I)

ahadiyat: Literally, Oneness. Conscious Unity. The highest consciousness. halat-e-Muhammadi. -Sufi. Vedanta: vidnyan. (1a)

See under: vidnyani sanskaras. (1b)

Aham Brahmasmi: "I am God". -Vedanta. Sufi: Anal Haqq. (1a)

"I am the Reality"; the affirmation of the God-realized state. See also: "I am God"; Realization. -Vedanta. Sufi: Anal Haqq (1b)

Literally, "I am God". God-realization. -Sanskrit. (Du)

ahimsa: See also Jainism. –Ed.

ahl-e-tauhid: Members of mystic schools concerned with tauhid, the Unity of God. Wujudiyyah and Shuhudiyyah. (1a)

Ahmednagar: Ahmednagar (often shortened to Nagar) is located about 117 km (73 miles) northeast of Pune in a predominantly agricultural district. The city itself has grown rapidly in recent years. A drive through downtown Shivnager is a challenging obstacle course round yellow and red S.T. buses (the "State Transport" buses), trucks, rickshaws, scooters and bicycles that materialize out of nowhere, horse drawn tongas, and the ever present stray cow or dog.

Outside the city, village life still follows traditional patterns. Women dressed in brilliant saris with large brass pots balanced solidly on their heads visit the village well each day to draw water. Farmers work the land with bullocks and handheld plows, and carry their crops to market in small wooden carts. If there is enough rain, village fields are green with millet, wheat, sugar cane, mangos, and other fruits. In recent years, scooter factories and other industrial plants have also begun to dot the landscape.

Meher Baba first visited the Ahmednagar area in 1923, staying at Khushru Quarters, the present site of the Avatar Meher Baba Trust. Throughout the years, He made Ahmednagar a center for His work, first at Meherabad near the village of Arangaon, 10 km (6 miles) to the south, and later at Meherazad near the village of Pimpalgaon-Malvi, 14 km (9 miles) to the north. (EBF)

Ahmednagar Avatar Meher Baba Centre: This Centre was opened by Meher Baba in 1959. Meetings, consisting mainly of Indian devotional music, are held every Saturday between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Visitors are welcome. Extensive musical programs are held during Meher Baba’s birthday celebration. (Part of the Meher Nazar Compound, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) (EBF)

Ahuramazda (also Ahura Mazda): Almighty God. -Zoroastrian. Sufi: Allah. Vedanta: Paramatma. (1a)

Almighty God; the supreme Being in Zoroastrianism. Cf. Oversoul, Glossery Part I. -Avestan. (1b)

Another name for Yazdan, the good principal in Zoroastrianism, and opposed to Ahriman. (A)

Almighty God. (Da)(Gr)(L)(N2)

aikya: Union. -Vedanta. Sufi: haqiqat, vasl. (1a)

See: Union; Vasl. (1b)

ain-ul-yaqin: See: yaqin. (1a)

Ajanta: An area with 30 Buddhist caves dating back to the 2nd century BC containing a number of painted murals and sculpture on the life of Buddha. Meher Baba visited Ajanta at least once. (A location within Maharashtra State. -Ed.) (EBF)

Akbar Press: The home in Ahmednagar of the extended family of Eruch Jessawala, one of Meher Baba’s resident men mandali. (I)

akhada: A camp. (N4)

akhyar: An advanced pilgrim on the Path. -Sufi. Vendanta: mahatma. (1a)

Akmal: A Most Perfect One. A rare type of God-realized Salik in baqa-billah who has duty in Duality, but no circle of disciples. Also called Salik-e-Akmal. -Sufi. (1a)

A most Perfect One. A rare type of God-realized person who has a duty towards Creation but no circle of disciples. (N4)

al-: (The Arabic article is not alphabetized.) (1a)

al Ama: The Dark Mist. A designation of the Beyond-Beyond state of God. -Sufi. (1a)

alam-e-hahut: The sphere of Mastery. The aspect of the fifth (Real) sphere from which the Qutub and Avatar direct the universe. -Sufi. Vedanta: vidnyan bhumika. (1a)

alam-e-jabrut: The mental sphere, comprising the fifth and sixth planes of consciousness. -Sufi. Vadanta: mano bhuvan. (1a)

See: mental sphere. (1b)

alam-e-kabir: The macrocosm, comprising the five kinds of existence, khamsa wujudat. -Sufi. (1a)

alam-e-lahut: The sphere of Perfection. -Sufi. Vadanta: vidnyan. (1a)

alam-e-malakut: The subtle sphere, which comprises the first through the fourth planes of consciousness. -Sufi. Vedanta: pran bhuvan. (1a)

See: subtle sphere. (1b)

alam-e-nasut: The gross sphere. The world of matter, of which most human beings are exclusively conscious. -Sufi. Vedanta: anna bhuvan. (1a)

See: gross sphere. (1b)

alam-e-saghir: The microcosm. The human body. -Sufi. (1a)

Alekum Salam: Peace be with you; good morning to you; farewell. (Gr) (see also salam ‘alekum. -Ed.)

Al-Futuhat-al-Makkiyya: (See: Ibn Arabi. -Ed.)

Al-Insan-ul-Kamil: (filed alphabetically under Insan. -Ed.)

Allah: God in the Beyond State. Almighty God. -Sufi. Vedanta: Paramatma. Zoroastrian: Ahuramazda, Yezdan. (1a)

Almighty God; the supreme being in Islam. Cf. Oversoul, Glossery Part I. (1b)

The Muslim name for the One God. -Arabic. (Du)

Allah-o-Akbar: God is the Greatest. (N5)

alphabet board: A board with English alphabet letters and numbers 1 to 9 and 0. Shortly after Meher Baba began His silence He pointed to letters printed in a newspaper to form words. The first board was made by one of the early mandali to make it easier for Baba, and He used this method until October 1954. (L)

amal: Desires, hopes. It is the impression of these (nuqush-e-amal) which are sanskaras, q.v. -Arabic. (Du)

Amartithi: Literally, amar, deathless; tithi, day. The anniversay of the day (31 January) that Meher Baba, the deathless One, dropped His body. -Hindi, Marathi. (1b)

Literally: "eternal date". A commemoration of the day, January 31st, 1969, when Avatar Meher Baba, the Eternal Beloved, put aside His physical body. On this day each year, Baba lovers from all over the world gather * at Meherabad where His body is interred. (N1)

*or otherwise especially remember; often including gatherings. (Ed)

Literally, date with the Eternal One. (N5)

amavasya: The darkest night of the lunar month. (1b)

Anal Haqq: "I am God." -Sufi. Vedanta: Aham Brahmasmi. (1a)

(sounds like "hock") "I am the Reality"; the affirmation of the God-realized state. See also: "I am God"; Realization. -Sufi. Vedanta: Aham Brahmasmi. (1b)

anand (also ananda): Bliss. -Vedanta. Sufi: musarrat. (1a)

Bliss. -Sanskrit. (Du)

Anand is a Sanskrit word meaning bliss or happiness. (Ka 2119 )

anant: Infinite. -Vedanta. Sufi: la mahdood. (1a)

angels: It might be interesting to know a little bit about angels. They seem always to be pictured with wings. When we do not have to travel in our gross bodies, but live in our subtle bodies in other dimensions, we can transport ourselves as fast as we can think. I presume the only way this concept could be conveyed to people was by painting wings on the angels. Birds in the skies provided the analogy. In the same way, they are shown playing harps to indicate the celestial music always sounding in the spheres.

On a cold, wintry day in places where the snow falls you will notice that as a person exhales, his breath begins to be visible a few inches from his mouth. The breath forms a vapor of minute droplets when exposed to the frosty atmosphere. With this in mind, you can understand why many ancient writings portray creation as having been blown out from God's mouth in one mighty breath, and that one day He will inbreathe the whole manifestation and have another sleep. This inhalation is referred to in literature as Mahapralaya, or the day of Quiamat.

Following this concept, the angels comprise that portion of the great breath not yet visible. They never did get far from the source of their being. They are "unembodied" souls who are pure and uncontaminated with physical embodiment. This is why the Bible states that man is higher than the angels, because man has to wrestle with all the temptations of the gross world and still surmount them and ascend back to God. Neither angels nor arch-angels ever suffer -- they always enjoy God, although they do not "see" Him in the way a spiritual man of the sixth plane does. Instead of wishing to be an angel, one could feel a little sorry for them, that they cannot reach the seventh plane, but we have to keep remembering that there IS only God, and the angelic soul-rays are all part of His being, just as we are.

The concept of Mahapralaya is interestingly set forth in a translation, as follows: "A spider weaves a web out of its saliva. It does not require any outside help for it. Similarly, God does not require any outside help in creating the universe. The spider moves on the fibre from one end to the other, or it hangs by it in the middle. Even so the Jiva -- the worldly soul passes from one birth to another. But it is all his own making, his own creation. At the end the spider takes its web back into its own mouth, and there is an end to its play. Likewise, at the end of the sport, at the time of the Great Destruction, God re-absorbs the whole universe into His own consciousness, and nothing remains but Him." (Translated from Kalyan, Spiritual Stories from India, edited by Chaman Lal, Charles E. Tuttle Co., publishers.) (Du2, Pages 47-48)

animals: Baba occasionally remarked that a certain animal he held was pushed through its evolution and entered human form in its next incarnation. (Ka 2375 )

It was because of Elizabeth Patterson’s love for animals that Baba virtually kept a miniature zoo in the ashram. When Elizabeth was sent back to America in 1942, Baba disbanded the zoo and gave away those animals. (Ka 2416 )

anna: A small coin, one sixteenth of a rupee. -Hindi. (1a)

A small coin, no longer in use, worth one sixteenth of a rupee. -Hindi. (Du)

anna bhumi: The gross world. -Vedanta. Sufi: alam-e-nasut. (1a)

anna bhumika: The gross plane. -Vedanta. (1a)

The gross (physical) plane. (CJ pg. 18)

anna bhuvan: The gross sphere. -Vedanta. Sufi: alam-e-nasut. (1a)

See: gross sphere. (1b)

antar drishti: Literally, inner "seeing" (seeing God). Conviction by sight. -Vedanta. Sufi: ain-ul-yaqin. See: yaqin. (1a)

anwar: plural of nur, q.v. See also under tajalli. -Sufi. (1a)

anwaya: synthetic activity of the mind; connective process. (1b)

aparoksha: Manifest, perceptible, not invisible. -Sanskrit. (Du)

aql-e-kull: The Universal Mind. Acquired by Perfect Masters. -Sufi. Vedanta: sarvabhaumic manas. (1a)

A’ramgah: Literally, the place of rest. A "burial ground" of the Zoroastrians; a place where the last rites of the Zoroastrians are performed. (N4)

Arangaon: A small village five miles outside of Ahmednagar, near which Meher Baba established Meherabad. (I)

aray: An interjection of calling. -Sanskrit. (Du)

ardasa: A Sikh prayer. (N5)

arif: Literally, knower. A soul on the fifth plane of consciousness. -Sufi. (1a)

arif-ul-wujud: See: wujud. (1a)

Arjuna: See under: Krishna. (1b)

arsh-e-ala: Literally, the highest throne. The highest spiritual state, i.e., of Avatar and Perfect Masters. -Sufi. Vedanta: vidnyan bhumika. (1a)

arti (also arati): (plural, -s). A devotional song or prayer with a refrain or theme expressing the yearning for and the offering of oneself to the one worshipped; an act of devotion; the performance of devotional songs and prayers. -Vedanta. (1b)

A devotional song; a song in praise of God. (C)

A devotional song of prayer with a refrain or theme which expresses the yearning for the offering of oneself to the One worshipped; the performance of devotional songs or prayers. (Da)(I)

A traditional Hindu ceremony performed in the worship of gods by moving a lighted lamp of camphor circularly around the idol. In the case of Meher Baba, Hindu devotees would move a tray with burning camphor circularly before Him. (Du)

A traditional Hindu ceremony of worship to the pantheon of Gods. To Meher Baba, arti was a song sung in His praise, describing His divine attributes. (Gr)

An ancient Hindu method of concluding worship. Traditionally, at the time of arti, small lighted lamps of camphor are slowly waved in a circle before the person, idol or picture of the diety, saint, Man-God or God-Man being worshipped, while a special song with a theme or refrain of offering oneself to the One worshipped is sung. Meher Baba’s lovers do not necessarily do this when His art is sung. (L)

A traditional Hindu way of worshipping by waving a lighted lamp or joss sticks in a circle in front of the idol, picture, or person being worshipped. In the case of Meher Baba, His lovers do not necessarily do this when the arti (song of praise and dedication) is recited or sung. (N1)

A traditional Hindu ceremony performed in the worship of gods by moving a lighted lamp, camphor or joss sticks circularly around the idol. In the case of Meher Baba, His lovers do not necessarily follow this conventional ceremony when the arti (song or songs of dedication) was recited or sung. (N2)

A traditional Hindu way of worshipping gods, a saint, a Sadguru or the Avatar by waving a lighted lamp or joss sticks in a circle in front of the idol or picture of a saint, Sadguru or the Avatar. In the case of Meher Baba, His lovers do not necessarily do this when the arti (song of praise and dedication) is recited or sung. (N4)

A cry of the yearning heart; an ancient Hindu method of concluding worship. Traditionally, at the time of arti, small lighted lamps or joss sticks are slowly waved in a circle before the person, idol or picture of the deity, saint, Man-God or God-Man being worshipped, while a special song with a theme or refrain of offering oneself to the One worshipped is sung. Meher Baba’s lovers do not necessarily do this when His arti is sung. (N6)

asan (also asana): Posture, as for meditation. -Vedanta. (1a)

Posture, as for meditation. -Sanskrit. (Du)

asar: The influence (of God experienced by the recipient of hal). -Sufi. (1a)

ascenseur: An elevator. -French. (Du)

ashiq: Literally, lover. A soul on the sixth plane of consciousness. -Sufi. (1a)

ashiq-o-mashuq: Lover and the Beloved in One, the aspect of God in the sphere of Perfection, alam-e-lahut. -Sufi. (1a)

ashqiyyat: The state of being a lover. The epiphany of glory in the first manifestation, wherein God is the Beloved and man the lover. -Sufi. (1a)

ashram: An unostentatious establishment where the Guru and his mandali, as well as other close disciples, live. (A)

Abode; spiritual center. (C)

A simple, humble retreat; the abode of a spiritual teacher. (AJ)(Da)(Gr)

A place of retirement from the ordinary business of life, whether a private hut or the abode of a spiritual teacher. -Sanskrit. (Du)

A place of retreat. (N2)

A place of residence for spiritual aspirants. (N5)

A place for contemplation on the Divine; a place of residence for spiritual aspirants. (N7)

ashramite: A person living in an ashram. (N5)

asman: Plane. -Sufi. Vedanta: bhumika. (1a)

aspirant: See: sadhak; yogi. (1b)

asthana: A threshold. (N4)

astitva: Existence, reality. -Sanskrit. (Du)

astral body: The form that experiences the astral world, which serves as a link between the gross and subtle worlds. See also: semisubtle world. (For further information see God Speaks). (1b)

atma (also atman): The soul. Atmapratisthapana (Vedanta) = Sahaj Samadhi. See: baqa-billah. -Vedanta. Sufi: jan or ruh. (1a)

The soul. Atmapratisthapana. See: Sahaj Samadhi. -Vedanta. Sufi: jan, jaan, ruh, rooh. (1b)

The individualized soul that is really identical with Paramatma, the Oversoul. (C)

Attar, Sheikh Fariduddin. Of Nishapur. Author of Mantiq-ut-Tayr (Conference of the Birds). Killed in the Mongol sack of Nishapur in 1229 A.D. (1a)

Aum: See under: Om. (1b)

aura: The emanation surrounding each individual, which can be sensed by others as vibrations (or "vibes"). It takes on different colors with changing moods and thoughts and is sometimes visible to those with clairvoyant faculties. -Greek. (Du)

In this instance, red sanskaras mean mental sanskaras, those in seed form. White refers to subtle sanskaras, those taking energy. Yellow equates with gross sanskaras, a form of matter. Colors relate to the aura of an animate body. (Ka 2114 )

Aurangabad: A city 109 km (68 miles) north of Ahmednagar midway between the Ellora and Ajanta caves. Aurangabad contains a number of Western-style hotels and restaurants. Commercial tours can be arranged to the historic spots in the area. The Bib-ka-Maqbara, or so called "Mini-Taj", is also located here. This tomb was built by the Emperor Aurangzeb in memory of his wife and modeled after the Taj Mahal, built by his father. (A location within Maharashtra State. -Ed.) (EBF)

avadhoot: A spiritually advanced person who generally wears no clothes. (N2)

Avatar (also Avatara): The Christ, the Savior, the Ancient One. -Vedanta. Sufi: Rasool, Saheb-e-Zaman. (1a)

(also Avatarhood, Avataric) The total manifestation of God in human form on earth, as the Eternal Living Perfect Master; the direct descent of Reality into Illusion; the Savior, the Highest of the High, the Ancient One. Also called God-Man, the Messiah, the Buddha, the Christ, the Rasool. -Vedanta. Sufi: Saheb-e-Zaman. (1b)

God-man; the total manifestation of God in human form. The Avatar awakens contemporary humanity to a realization of its true spiritual nature, gives liberation to those who are ready, and quickens the life of the spirit in His time. (A)

...the descent of God into human form.; adj. Avataric. (C)

Literally, "descent of God"; the term refers to the appearance of God in human form which constitutes The Advent. (Da)(I)

The God-Man, Messiah, Christ. -Sanskrit. (Du)

The God-Man, The Christ; the descent of God as man on earth to make His being and His attributes more tangible to mankind. (AJ)(Gr)

the: The Incarnation of God, the Infinite in (finite (L)) human form. The God-Man, Messiah, Christ, Rasool, Saheb-e-Zaman. (N1)

the: "God-become-man." The incarnation of God, the infinite, in a finite human form. (N5)

avatar: an: An incarnation manifesting a specific divine quality. (N1)

Avatar’s Abode (Kiel Mountain/Woombye): On a sub-tropical hill in Woombye (Queensland, Australia), this 100-acre property was identified by Meher Baba as His other main centre and as a future "place of world pilgrimage". It has a few buildings and areas visited by Meher Baba during His 1958 stay, the focus of these being His room. The site features forest walks, gardens, a reception centre/library and some pilgrim accomidations. (Ke)

Avatar Meher Baba Centre, Mumbai: Visitors are always welcome at the Mumbai Avatar Meher Baba Centre. The Centre is open each evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Special meetings are held on Sundays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Avatar Meher Baba Centre (opposite Minerva Cinema), Navyug Nivas, 3rd floor, Lamington Road, Mumbai, 400 007. (EBF)

Avatar Meher Baba Centre, Pune: This centre is somewhat difficult to find. It is located on a side road behind the K.E.M. Hospital. Meher Baba gave darshan a number of times in its large hall. A wide variety of Baba books and pamphlets are also on sale here. Visitors are welcome at meetings on Mondays at 7:00 pm. Avatar Meher Baba Pune Centre, 441/1, Somwar Peth, Pune 411 001. Hours: Daily 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Phone: 627846. (EBF)

Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai: Hail to Avatar Meher Baba; may He be victorious, (in the sense of God being victorious over our lower self). (AJ)(Gr) (see also ki jai, ki and jai independently. -Ed.).

Avatar Meher Baba Trust: This is a public charitable organization set up by Meher Baba in 1959 and supported today by donations from Baba followers all over the world. Divided into two parts, the Trust provides for Meher Baba’s close mandali and others He named as beneficiaries, and administers a variety of other charitable projects. Recent activities at the Meherabad site of Meher Baba’s Tomb have included the development of surrounding lands, construction of residential facilities for pilgrims and staff, as well as a clinic, hospital, school buildings, and pilgrim hostel. (Part of the Meher Nazar Compound, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.)(EBF)

Another reason for forming the Trust was because of persons such as K. J. Dastur writing to Meher Baba for money. With the creation of the Trust, Baba could reply that all financial matters were out of His hands. (Ka 2036 )

avataran: Coming down. (N4)

Avataric: Pertaining to the Avatar. (N5)

Avesta: See under Zoroaster. (1b)

The commentary still used today as sacred scripture among the Parsis, the basic text of which was composed by the followers of Zoroaster. (A)

The Holy Book of the Zoroastrians. (N4)

avtad: (plural of watad). The principal agents of the Qutubs (q.v.). They act as messengers of information. -Arabic. (Du)

awagawan: See: rij’at. -Hindi. (1a)

Awarif-ul-Maarif: The Gifts of Gnosis, treatise by the thirteenth century Sufi, Sheikh Suhrawardi. -Sufi. (1a)

ayn (also ain): The Essence, synonymous with zat. Also, the eye, or sight. -Sufi. (1a)

ayurvedic: An ancient Indian science of medicine based on ingesting herbs. (AJ)

Azad-e-Mutlaq: The liberated Incarnate. God in the ninth state. -Sufi. Vedanta: Jivanmukta. (1a)

See: Jivanmuktas. (1b)

Azl-ul-Azal: The Eternity of eternities. A designation of the Beyond-Beyond state of God. -Sufi. (1a)

ba sifat ba surat: Qualitied and manifest in form. -Sufi. Vedanta: saguna sakar. (1a)

Baba Farid/Fariduddin: See: Ganj-e-Shakkar. (1b)

Baba House (India): Down an alley off Dastur Meher Road is the home where Meher Baba and His family lived from 1918 on. The address is 765 Dastu Road, and the alley is located to the left of Fatima General Stores and across from Ahuramazda Cycle Stores. Inside is a room (known as Baba’s room) where Meher Baba kept Himself secluded after being unveiled by Hazrat Babajan. The room contains a number of personal items associated with Meher Baba’s life. Baba’s house is a private family residence, but Baba followers are welcome to visit Baba’s room between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. (EBF)

The house owned by Meher Baba’s parents, Sheriar and Shireenmai Irani, on "Dastur Meher Road" in Pune, where Baba periodically resided; during the early 1920s when the Perfect Master Upasni Maharaj was preparing Baba for His ministry as the Avatar, owing to the agony Baba experienced from being brought down from the Bliss-state to awareness of Illusion, Baba often secluded Himself in His room at this house and knocked His forehead against a particular stone which protruded from the floor. (I)

Baba House (USA): The house built for Meher Baba at the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which He referred to as His "home in the West"; Baba stayed there during each of His three visits to Myrtle Beach in 1952, 1956 and 1958. (I)

Baba House (elsewhere): There were a number of sequels to this. Baba stayed overnight on Memorial Day 1958 at the new house we had built. He named it "Baba House" after this stay. (Du, pp. 278-280; by way of Lud Dimpfl)

Baba’s Room: (Part of the Meher Nazar Compound, Ahmednagar proper, India. -Ed.) This room in the compound, dedicated to Meher Baba, contains a number of photos and mementos from the past. Upasni Maharaj Himself came and performed Baba’s arti in this room on February 16, 1936. (EBF)

(Part of Upper Meherabad, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) This tin and wooden building is the place where Meher Baba’s body lay on January 31, 1969, before being placed in His Tomb. The English stretcher used to transport Baba’s body still rests there. This cabin was built in 1935 by Padri, one of Meher Baba’s close disciples. The contrast between the sturdy stone foundation and tin walls is explained by the fact that Baba originally gave Padri several months to erect the building. Then when it was only partly done, Baba ordered it finished in a week, and started using it for His work. (EBF)

(Part of Meherazad, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) Baba’s room in the main bungalow was the one where He rested at night after 1956. It is still furnished as it was in the latter years. The bed was the one He used up until January 26th, 1969. (EBF)

Babajan High School: Originally Hazrat Babajan School, it was a school established by Meher Baba in 1925 in Lower Meherabad for the children of Arangaon village, many of whom were untouchables; it was named for Hazrat Babajan of Poona, one of the five Perfect Masters of Baba’s time; sometime after it was started, the school was extended to become a high school. (I)

Babajan’s Tomb: Hazrat Babajan’s Tomb. About three blocks south of Baba’s house on Dastur Meher Road (Pune. -Ed.) is Hazrat Babajan’s Tomb. Part of the neem tree still remains where Babajan used to sit and where Meher Baba first met Her. The tomb is clearly marked and open to the public during daylight hours. Please remove your shoes before entering. (EBF)

Backett, Will and Mary: Will, a commercial insurance broker in England for about thirty years, and his wife Mary were initiated into the Sufi Order by Hazrat Inayat Khan and remained under his guidance until his death in 1927. They met Meher Baba in London in 1932, visited Him in India later, and were his faithful, hardworking disciples until Mary died in 1962 and Will in 1963. They were married about fifty years; Baba always referred to them as his "archangels". (Du)

Bahlul: A Persian king who left all and became a great mystic. (1b)

bairagi: (plural: -s.) Wandering ascetics or renunciates. (1b)

A mendicant with long matted hair and ashes smeared over the body. (N2)

bakri: Heavy tortilla bread made from millet flour. (EBF)

baksheesh: A gratuity, tip, or gift. -Persian. (Du)

balak: Child. (Gr)

bandah: Literally, slave, servant. The limited soul bound in illusion. -Sufi. (1a)

(see also bandhan. -Ed.)

bandhan: (verb) To bind, tie, fix, fasten, chain, or fetter. (adjective) Bound. (noun) A binding. -Sanskrit. (Du)

(see also bandah. -Ed.)

baqa: Abiding. See: fana-baqa. -Sufi. (1a)

Abiding. -Arabic. (Du)

Abiding, in the sense of ‘Abiding in God’. (Gr)

baqa-billah: Abiding in God at the end of the Second Divine Journey. -Sufi. Vedanta: atmapratisthapana, sahaj samadhi. (1a)

See: Sahaj Samadhi. (1b)

The "abiding in God" by some souls after God-realization. -Arabic. (Du)

Abiding in God; the state of consciousness experienced by the Perfect Ones. (N6)

baqa-ul-baqa: The state of God becoming God-Man (God’s knowing Himself as Avatar). -Sufi. (1a)

barfi: Sweet milk fudge. (EBF)

barzac: Darwin Shaw also had a chance to wheel Baba around on this Zoo trip. At one point we entered the Penguin House. I was ahead of Baba and facing Him. At the top of the rock, in the penguin pool, a large handsome penguin was poised in his Grover Whelan tux. The moment Baba entered, he "bowed," dove into the pool, and came up against the glass, waving his flippers at Baba, so it seemed. I know Dar tells it differently. Anyway Baba's eyes twinkled, and He made His "circle" gesture of approval. Don't forget, Baba had said the penguin is the "barzac" or last bird form, also the most intelligent of all birds. (FF; From "Memories of '52, Volume XIV, No. 2, Page 19)

basundi: A sweet dish of condensed milk. (N4)

Bayazid of Bistami :Bayazid of Bistami, an eleventh- century Perfect Master. (N8, pg.s 34 – 41)

Beheram: Baba’s brother Beheram’s daughter, Gulnar, was three years old and his son, Sheroo, was four. Sheroo was named after his grandfather, Sheriar. (Ka 2403 )

Behram Roj: Behram is the "archangel of protection" in Zoroastrian lore; one of the five auspicious days of the month according to the Parsi calendar. (I)

bemaries: Illness. (N4)

Benares: Benares is among the oldest cities in the world, thriving since the time of Babylon. When Buddah was there, it was called Kasi. There are over one thousand five hundred temples of worship in the city, many dedicated to Shiva. (Ka 2368 )

Beyond state: A state of God beyond time and space; also the highest state, in which God in manifested form is infinitely conscious of both Reality and Illusion. (See God Speaks for further information). (1b)

Bhagavad Gita: See under: Krishna. (1b)

Sacred book of the Hindus, featuring the teachings of the Avatar as Krishna discoursing with His chief disciple Arjuna. (Gr)

Literally, "Song of the Blessed One". A section of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, consisting of a colloquy between Krishna and Arjuna on the eve of battle. (N2)

Literally, "Song of the Lord"...It was in the Bhagavad Gita that the Avatar, as Krishna, revealed the Avatar’s status as being everyone and everything, and also beyond everyone and everything. (L)(N5)

Bhagavan: The Supreme Being. The God Vishnu, q.v. A revered person. -Hindi. (Du)

God. (Gr)

The Supreme Being. The God Vishnu (The Sustainer). A revered person. (N2)

Bhagwan: See: Bhagavan (N2)

bhajan: A devotional song sung in (a traditional style of (-Ed.)) India in praise of God. (Da)

A devotional song. -Hindi. (Du)

A devotional song sung in (a traditional style of (-Ed.)) India in praise of the Lord in His Avataric form. (Gr)

A devotional song, or the singing of devotional songs. (L)(N2)

bhaji: A dish prepared from rice, curds, etc., cooked together. -Hindi. (Du)

bhajia: A traditional Indian snack food made from very thin slices of vegetables dipped in a batter of chick-pea flour and deep-fried. (I)

bhakta: (plural: -s.) A devotee. -Vedanta. (1b) -Sanskrit. (Du)

bhakti: Devotion or love. See also para-bhakti. -Vedanta. (1b)

Deep devotion; intense love. (C)

Devotion. (N4)

Wholehearted devotion. (N6)

bhakti yoga: See: yoga. -Sanskrit. (Du)

The yoga (path) of devotion and love. (N4)

A path of devotion. (N6)

bhas (also bhasa): (singular) Illusion. Cf. Maya. -Vedanta. (1b)

bhav: Ecstasy. Form of devotion (in relation to the Deity). Trance. -Vedanta. Sufi: hal. (1a)

bhayya: Dear, beloved. -Hindi. (Du)

bhed: A secret. (N4)

bhiksha: Charity, alms. -Hindi. (Du)

Charity, alms. Anything received by one who goes out begging, especially for food. (N2)

bhujiya: Tempura-type vegetables fried in batter. (EBF)

bhumika: Plane. Stage. -Vedanta. Sufi: asman. (1a)

Bible: See under: Abraham, Jesus Christ. (1b)

bidi: An Indian cigarette. (N3)

bihoshi: Literally, unconsciousness. An involuntary loss of interest in the world caused by setbacks or personal tragedy. Of little spiritual value. -Sufi. (1a)

bikhudi: Forgetfulness of self. Among the first steps on the Path. -Sufi. (1a)

Billo, Irene: Met Meher Baba in Zurich at the age of nineteen. When He stayed at Cannes, she spent three months helping Hedi Mertens take care of the household. She went to India with Nadine Tolstoy, Hedi Mertens and Helen Dahm after the Nasik ashram period, and they stayed in Ahmednagar in an old office; Norina, Elizabeth, Kitty and Rano were already there. Later they all lived at Meherabad. She accompanied Baba on His far-flung mast trips; when she got ill, Margaret Craske took very good care of her. Irene was in India some seven to eight years. She is today * (* at this authors writing. -Ed.) back in Switzerland and works for the telephone company. We all hope she will write her memoirs. (Du)

biryani: Spicy rice dish with almonds and sliced meat. (EBF)

Blue bus: This bus carried Meher Baba and His women disciples throughout India in the late 1930s through the early 1940s. In 1949 its body was put on a brick foundation. After this it served as a small cabin where Meher Baba spent forty days during the period known as the Great Seclusion. The bed inside is the one Meher Baba used from January 26 through January 31, 1969 (the day that He dropped His physical form). (Part of Meherazad, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.)(EBF)

boka: Literally, a large male cat. (N4)

Bombay: See: Mumbai. (-Ed.)

Book, The: Refers to the book written in the 1920’s directly by Meher Baba which contains many of the secrets of Creation; it is the only book written in Baba’s own hand. This book remains unpublished. * (I)

*(current whereabouts ostensibly unknown is the major factor in this book remaining unpublished. Baba said it would be published when the time was right. The Book traveled with Baba at times, including the US. Gandhi was one of the few to have read The Book; and is said to have a significant role in the book’s future, in a future lifetime of Gandhi’s. -Ed.)

Meher Baba’s book (actually handwritten pages of short "points;" for example, King of the angels = Zeus = Jupiter = Indra; angels = devas = hooris or fairies) was at that time brought back to India and given into Ramjoo Abdulla’s, Sarosh Irani’s and Kaka Baria’s care with instructions that it be kept locked up in a safe deposit box under their names in a bank in Bombay. The Book remained there for the next twenty-one years before it was brought back to Baba and then disappeared in 1958. One person (as recounted by Frank Eaton suspected to be either Malcolm Schloss or Elizabeth Paterson) had been chosen by Baba to be responsible for the safe keeping of The Book while it was in a bank safety deposit box in America. (Ka 2044 )

boy (also good boy, ideal boy, perfect boy, udley): When Baba used the expression "good boy" He was referring to the ideal or perfect boy that He was always in search of and that different men mandali, such as Raosaheb, Chhagan, brother Jal, had to find and bring to Him. (Ka 2319 )

Udley was the name or term Baba used for the ideal or perfect boy, or simply a good boy. (Ka 2320 )

See also sexuality and work, Baba’s. -Ed.

Brahma: The Creator. -Vedanta. Sufi: Afridgar. (1a)

The Creator (in the Hindu trinity Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). -Sanskrit. (Du)

Brahman: Reality. -Vedanta. Sufi: Haqq. (1a)

brahmananda: The bliss experienced by the Mukta, q.v. -Sanskrit. (Du)

brahmand: The cosmos. The illusory universe. -Vedanta. (1a)

Brahmi Bhoot: The God-merged soul. God in State VIII. -Vedanta. Sufi: Majzoob-e-Kamil. (1a)

See: Majzoobs-e-Kamil. (1b)

For an explaination about the state of the God-Realized majzoobs or brahmi-bhoots refer to God Speaks, pages 137 – 140 and 196 – 197. (Ka 2383 )

Brahmin: A Hindu of the priestly class who is ordained to perform religious ceremonies. (A)

Member of the orthodox Hindu religious class; Hindu priests. (AJ)

A Hindu who belongs to the priestly caste. (I)

Buddha (also Siddhartha Gautama): The Avatar whose teachings come to us through the Buddhist religion. He was born in Magadha (Bihar, India) around 568 BC and died about 477 BC (1a)

Gautama Buddha, the Enlightened One; the Avatar (q.v.) whose teachings come to us through Buddhism. (1b)

The Enlightened One, The Avatar who lived in India around 560-480 BC. (L)

Buddha, the: The Enlightened One, the Avatar (q.v. for full definition). (1b)

Bujawe Nar Arti (also Gujarati Arti): Arti composed by Avatar Meher Baba in Gujarati. (Da)

Bund Gardens: Meher Baba often visited these gardens on the banks of the Mula River. Near the parapet wall is a large mango tree with a cement base where Babajan often sat. Later Meher Baba also sat here on various occasions with His followers. (EBF)

buraq: The animal which the Prophet Muhammad rode on the miraj (the night journey to heaven) during the twelfth year of His mission. The place of His departure is enshrined at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. -Arabic. (Du)

(my house is) burning: When one loves the Beloved, fire is lit in the heart and tears flow. They are described here as "rain", which adds fuel to the fire so that the fire rages even more. "House" refers to the heart. The rain (tears) is the outward expression of fire which actually sets the heart on fire and goes on adding fuel to the fire. The outward expression of the fire remains, temporarily, and the fire dries the tears after some time. But the tears remain within -- and these tears become fire itself. So the expression is, that "my house is burning" and at the same time "it is raining." (Ka3)

Burrakatha: A ballad story. (N4)

Cage Room: The small building immediately behind the Tomb contains a room encaged with bamboo bars. Here Meher Baba stayed in seclusion and did His work with certain masts (God-intoxicated souls), including the fiery Karim Baba. (Part of Upper Meherabad, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) (EBF)

Caretaker’s Office: The Caretaker’s Office provides emergency assistance at times when the Registration Office is closed. The Caretaker’s Office has a list of doctors and medical clinics in the area. (Part of the Meher Nazar Compound, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) (EBF)

carrom: A board game commonly played in India. (Da)

causal body: See: karan sharir; manas; mental body. (1b)

Cemeteries: Buried here are the physical remains or personal effects of Meher Baba’s parents and a number of close female disciples. These include Mehera’s mother, Nadine Tolstoy, Nonny Gayley, Mildred Kyle, Norina Matchabelli, Elizabeth Patterson, Adi’s mother Gulmai, Naja Irani, Rano Gayley, Margaret Craske and Kitty Davy. Nearby are the graves of a number of pets - Chum, Foundy, Kippy, Cracker, Warrior, and the peacock Moti. (part of Upper Meherabad, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) (EBF)

Buried here are the physical remains or personal effects of Meher Baba’s male disciples and several masts. These include Ali Shah, Adi K. Irani, Dr. Nilu, Vishnu, Gustadji, Pleader, Baidul, Dr. Donkin, Sarosh, Nariman, Kaikobad, Chhagan Master, Harry Kenmore, Padri, Feramji Workingboxwalla, Pendu, Adi Jr., and Meherjee Karkaria. (Part of Lower Meherabad, Ahmednagar, India. -Ed.) (EBF)

chai: Tea with milk and sugar. (EBF)

(The classic means of serving Indian tea. Darjeeling leaves brought to a boil along with a "massala", or mixture of spices, is later strained upon boil to separate the liquid from the tea and spices. Brought to a boil again, this time with milk. Recipes abound, and the massala usually includes ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, sugar and a touch of whole black peppercorn. It may or may not include nutmeg, allspice, etc. -Ed.)

Chaitanya: Chaitanya was a Hindu Perfect Master, during the time of Shankara. He originated the ecstatic song or evocation, "Hare Krishna, Hare Ram!" (Ka 2391 )

champa: A tree and the flowers it bears. (N5)

chapatti (also chapati, roti.): Thin tortilla bread made from wheat flour. (EBF)

An unleavened soft, pancake-like, whole wheat bread which is cooked on a heavy iron frying pan; commonly made throughout most parts of India. (I)

Unleavened, flat wheat bread. (N3)

chappals: Sandals with straps passing over the instep but not (necessarily (N5)) around the ankle. (N2)

charpai (also charpoy): A bed consisting of a frame strung with ropes. -Hindi. (Du)

A wooden bed frame strung with thin ropes. (N4)

chaupai: A verse. A meter used in Hindi poetry. (N4)

chilla (also chillah): The period of forty days (of austerities). -Sufi. (1a)

Engaging for forty days in worship, austerities. (N6)

(see also Sheriar (properly: Shahr-Yar) Moondegar Irani )

chilla-nashini: The undertaking of forty days’ of austerities. -Hindi & Sufi. (1a)

(see also Sheriar (properly: Shahr-Yar) Moondegar Irani )

chimta: Literally, a pair of tongs. A metal clapper used as a percussion instrument. (N5)

Chishti, Muinuddin, Khwaja (also Khwaja Saheb, Moenuddin Chisti): 12th century Sufi Perfect Master of Ajmer, India. (1b)

chit: Divine Knowledge. -Vedanta. Sufi: marefat. (1a)

Knowledge. Principal of consciousness. (N5)

chitananda: Human bliss. -Sanskrit. (Du)

choultry: A resting place for visitors where rooms and food are provided by a charitable institution for nominal rates. (N6)

chowkidar: A watchman. (N5)

Christ, the: The Messiah, the Savior, the Avatar (q.v. for full definition). See also Jesus Christ. (1b)

The Incarnation of God, the Infinite in human form. The God-Man, Messiah, Avatar, Rasool, Saheb-e-Zaman. (N1) (see also Avatar; -Ed.)

Christianity: See under: Jesus Christ. (1b)

chutney: Spicy relish made from mangos, coconut, peppers, mint, and garlic. (EBF)

A condiment or relish usually made from fruits or vegetables and seasoned with various spices and herbs. (I)

A paste made of spices, chilies, and other ingredients. (N7)

(A relish/condiment for which recipes, as well as application, abound. -Ed.)

Circle: The intimate disciples of a Sadguru (Perfect Master, Qutub) or Avatar (Rasool). A Sadguru has a Circle of twelve disciples. The Avatar has ten concentric Circles of twelve men and/or women each. The inner circle consists of twelve men plus two women "appendages", for a total of 122 mandali. (Du)

There are 122 persons in one "boat" which reaches the sixth world. There are millions of boats which contain millions and millions of people in the beginning, but one boat reaches the sixth world, having 122 persons in it. (Ka3)

Circle Cinema: The film, Born To Dance, wherein a sailor falls in love with a girl, was a musical starring Eleanor Powell and featured songs written by Cole Porter such as I’ve Got You Under My Skin. When in Nasik, Baba would also take them to the Circle Cinema to watch a movie. (Ka 2169 )

coconut: The symbolism of the coconut fruit, conventionally offered to the Master in certain areas, may be explained as follows.

The outer threads on the hard cover of the coconut represent the physical body. The outer hard covering represents the subtle body with all its surging impressional desires. The inner kernel in the coconut represents the mind with seeds of impressions. And the inmost water is essentially not different from the water of the ocean, from which it is ultimately soaked up by the roots of the trees on the shore. It may therefore be likened to a portion of divinity itself.

Now, because of the sheaths of the inner kernel, the outer cover and the thick layer of threads, the inmost water remains completely hidden from view; and the identity of the inmost being of the coconut with the ocean itself is not even suspected. So the coconut, with all the covers, is symbolically offered to the Master in order that he may reveal the inmost essence of the soul as it is.

The Master takes off the threads on the exterior one by one. This is like relieving the burdened mind of ordinary men. It corresponds to taking from them all bodily attachments one by one and ultimately taking away from them the attachment to body itself. Destruction of the body through physical death does not solve any problem, because the ego-mind grows new bodies in new incarnations.

Through utter non-attachment to the physical body, the soul is relieved of the limitations of the outermost covering, symbolized by the threads of the coconuts. When the hindrance of the physical body is removed the body begins to function consciously. This is the state of the Yogis.

But the sheath of the subtle body, with all its surging desires, has also to be shed. This corresponds to the Master's breaking open the outer hard covering of the coconut. And when the obstructivity of the subtle body is removed, the soul begins to function consciously through its mental ego-body. This the stage of the advanced souls.

The ego-mind corresponds to the inner kernel of the coconut; and the Master has to break open even this inner kernel to take the soul to its own essence, which, in this analogy, corresponds to the inmost water in the coconut. Breaking the inner kernel means that the mind of the person ceases to function completely. It comes to a standstill since the seeds that activate the ego-mind are all burnt up.

When the hindrance of the ego-mind is removed, the Master, as it were, drinks the inmost sweet water and makes it unite with the ocean of life that He is. Lover and Beloved have become one consciously. (De pp. 13-14)

consciousness, planes of: See: planes of conciousness. (1b)

Craske, Mary Margaret: Born in England. She has a worldwide reputation as a great and famous teacher of ballet and now at the age 82 * (* at this authors writing. -Ed.) is still active in this vocation. She studied under Maestro Enrico Cecchetti, world famous teacher of Anna Pavlova, Nijinsky and such artists, and later under the great Russian impresario Serge Diaghileff. After a career as prima ballerina of several ballet companies, she decided to teach rather than perform on stage and founded several schools in England, taught for the Royal Ballet, etc. In 1931 she met and surrendered to Meher Baba, obeying His guidance for the rest of her life, whether traveling with or apart from Him, and spent seven years in the ashram in India. Meher Baba directed Margaret to go to America in 1947, and after touring as guest teacher, she and Anthony Tudor directed the ballet school at the Metropolitan Opera in New York; at the same time she conducted classes at the Julliard School of Music. She taught at the Metropolitan for roughly eighteen years and then went to a smaller school. Many of her students have been drawn to Baba through her love for Him. (Du)

Delia DeLeon and Margaret Craske would, at times, comb Baba’s hair and massage His scalp as He dictated from the alphabet board to the group. Baba’s remark was meant in a humorous vein.

(Ka 2187 )

Creation Point: See: Om Point.

crore: 100 lakhs. Ten million (10,000,000). -Hindi. (1a)

daaman (also daman): Hem of a garment; as used by Meher Baba, holding on to His daaman implies holding on to Him, the Avatar (q.v., Glossery Part I). -Urdu. (1b)

Hem of the robe. (A)

The hem of a garment; signifies holding onto the Master’s garment as an act of surrender. (AJ)

...Symbolically ("holding" or "holding on to" the daaman), the process of holding on to the Master. (C)

Literally, "the hem of a garment"; the meaning is derived from the idea of a child holding onto the "daaman" of its mother’s skirt for safety and security; "holding the daaman" with regard to Meher Baba means obeying Him completely. (Da)(I)

The hem of a garment. -Hindi. (Du)(L)

Literally, the hem of a garment. ‘Holding on to My daaman’ means becoming totally dependent upon the Master, as a small child is totally dependent upon the mother and holds onto her skirt for protection and to prevent becoming lost. (Gr)

Literally, hem of a garment. (N4)

Dadachanji, Naoroji: The architect Naoroji Dadachanji arrived from Bombay that same day, December 1st, 1939. (Ka 2475 )

dacoit: Roadside or country bandit. (I)

A highway robber. (N5)

dahi: Curds or yogurt. (EBF)

Dahm, Helen: A Swiss-German, Helen Dahm not only was too weak to be left alone, but also she did not speak English, whereas Irene Billo did. (Ka 2402 )

(It was she who painted the murals within Baba’s tomb. -Ed.)

dak (also dak bungalow): A post (mail) station, or traveler’s rest house, located originally on post roads. -Hindi, English. (Du)

A government rest house, originally established by the British as a place for officers serving and traveling in India to rest and collect their mail; ("dak" means "mail"). (I)

bungalow: A post (mail) station, or travelers rest house, located originally on post roads. (N2)

Mail. (N4)

A rest house built at the turn of the century by the British for officials and travelers. It was located on the mail (dak) roads; currently a government rest house. (N5)

dakshana (also dakshina): Acting to the satisfaction of. -Sanskrit. (Du)

Acting to the satisfaction of. Colloquially, a holy gift given or received in the form of money or kind. (N2)

Money given as a fee to a person, usually a priest, who offers prayers or worships on behalf of someone. (N5)

...a gift in the name of God. (N7)

BABA WORDS

The Master's Glossary

Edition One