SpiritualĀcārya — A spiritual teacher, or guru, particularly one who teaches by example and holds a prominent position in a religious tradition. In the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, ācāryas play a crucial role in guiding the spiritual development of devotees. Asat-saṅga — The association with materialistic or worldly-minded people. Such association is considered detrimental to spiritual advancement as it draws the mind away from devotion and leads to entanglement in sense gratification. Bhagavad-gītā — The Bhagavad-gītā (The Song of Bhagavān) presents a dialogue between Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, offering profound insights into the nature of the soul, the Supreme Lord, material nature, the law of karma and time. Bhagavān — The Supreme Personality of Godhead who is full in six opulences: wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation. Bhakti — Loving devotion. In the context of Vaiṣṇavism, it refers to pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord, which is the constitutional function of the spirit soul. Bhakti-yoga — The process of cultivating bhakti. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura — A 19th-century Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava saint and reformer who wrote extensively on Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He is known for his books and songs on bhakti, and his efforts to revive the pure teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Brahmā — The demigod responsible for the creation of the material universe. Brahmānanda — The bliss experienced by realization of Brahman, the impersonal aspect of the Absolute Truth. Caitanya Mahāprabhu — An incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa who appeared in the 15th century to inaugurate the saṅkīrtana movement, the congregational chanting of the holy names of God as the primary
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method for attaining spiritual enlightenment and love of God in the age of Kali. Caitanya-caritāmṛta — A key text in the bhakti-tradition, written by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, documenting the life and teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Dainya — Humility, the first principle of surrender, referring to the feeling of lowliness and self-awareness of one's fallen condition. Vaiṣṇava songs often emphasize the need for humility on the path of spiritual progress. Devahūti — The mother of Kapiladeva, an incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, who explained to her the nature of material existence and the process of devotional service. Gaura/Gorā/Gaurāṅga/Gauracandra/Gaurasundara — Names for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Gopīs — The cowherd girls of Vṛndāvana who are deeply devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa and are famous for their loving exchanges with Him, particularly their spiritual relationship with Kṛṣṇa in His rāsa-līlā (divine dance). Govinda dāsa Kavirāja — A 17th century poet-saint and disciple of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, renowned for his devotional songs that inspire surrender to the Lord and the chanting of His holy names. Guru-paramparā — a lineage of teachers and disciples tracing back to Kṛṣṇa Himself. Hari-nāma mahā-mantra — The "Great Mantra" of the holy names of Kṛṣṇa, consisting of the repeated chanting of "Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare; Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare." This mantra is the essence of the saṅkīrtana movement initiated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. ISKCON — The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, founded by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda in 1966. ISKCON aims to spread the teachings of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, particularly those found in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam, and emphasizes the congregational chanting of the holy names, associating with devotees, and engaging in devotional service. Jñāna — Knowledge, particularly in reference to philosophical or spiritual understanding. In comparison to bhakti, it generally refers to the pursuit of speculative knowledge without devotion, which can still entrap the soul in material existence. Jagai and Madhai —Two notorious brothers from Navadvīpa who were transformed into pure devotees through the mercy of Lord Nityānanda and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Their story demonstrates the redeeming power of Kṛṣṇa's holy name and divine forgiveness. Jīva — The individual soul, an eternal part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. In the conditioned state, the jīva becomes entangled in material existence and forgets its true spiritual identity. The goal of spiritual practice is for the jīva to realize its eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa and return to its original state of pure devotion. Kali-yuga — The Age of Kali, our present time period in history, characterized by quarrel and strife. Kapiladeva — An incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu who appears in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. His teachings to His mother Devahūti focus on devotional service, material nature and the nature of the soul’s entanglement in the material world. Karma — Actions or deeds, especially those performed with the expectation of enjoying their results. In this context, it refers to fruitive activities that bind the soul to the material world. Kāma-krodha-lobha-moha-mada-mātsarya — The six enemies of the conditioned soul: lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride, and envy. These emotions lead to suffering and are obstacles to spiritual progress. Kṛṣṇa — The Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the central figure in bhakti (devotional service) and is worshiped as the source of all joy and the ultimate object of love and surrender.
Kṛṣṇa-prema — Love of Kṛṣṇa. It is the highest goal in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, representing pure, selfless love for the Supreme Lord. Achieving kṛṣṇa-prema is the ultimate objective of a devotee’s life. Kṛṣṇa Caitanya — See: Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Kuntī (Queen Kuntī) — The mother of the Pāṇḍavas, known for her famous prayers in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, where she expresses her desire to face calamities so that she can continuously remember Kṛṣṇa. Locana dāsa Ṭhākura — A 16th-century Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava saint and poet. He is the author of Caitanya-maṅgala, which narrates the life and teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. His songs express deep devotion and surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Lotus Feet — A common term in bhakti literature referring to the divine feet of the Supreme Lord or His pure devotee, which are the ultimate shelter for devotees. The term emphasizes the Lord's purity and the devotee's desire for a humble position in relation to Him. Mādhava — A name of Kṛṣṇa, often used in devotional songs and scriptures, highlighting His association with divine sweetness and love. It is also used to address Him as the husband of the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī. Mahājanas — Great spiritual authorities or saints. In Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, following the path set by the mahājanas is considered crucial for attaining spiritual success. Mahā-mantra — The Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra: “Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare; Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.” This is the central chant in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition. It purifies the heart and brings the chanter closer to Kṛṣṇa. Mahā-Viṣṇu — An expansion of Kṛṣṇa who generates the universes. Māyā — The illusory energy that covers the living entity's spiritual nature and keeps it bound to the material world. It creates a false perception of reality and distracts the soul from its eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
Mukunda — A name of Kṛṣṇa, meaning "the bestower of liberation" (mukti). Kṛṣṇa as Mukunda grants freedom from the cycle of birth and death to those who take shelter under His lotus feet. Nanda (Māhārāja) — Kṛṣṇa’s foster father. Nanda-nandana — Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura — A 16th-century Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava saint and poet, famous for his deeply introspective devotional songs, describing the fleeting nature of material pleasures and emphasizing surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Nṛsiṁha(deva) — A half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, who appeared to protect His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja and defeat the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu. Prahlāda is famous for praying to Nṛsiṁhadeva for the deliverance of all conditioned souls suffering in material existence. Nityānanda — An incarnation of Lord Balarāma and a close associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Nityānanda is known for His boundless mercy in delivering even the most fallen souls. Nitya-siddha — An eternally liberated soul. Paramātmā — The Supersoul, who resides in the hearts of all living beings, overseeing and guiding their movements and activities. It is a manifestation of the Supreme Lord, present with every soul, witnessing and permitting their actions. Prahlāda Mahārāja — A great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu and one of the central figures in the Nṛsiṁhadeva pastime. Despite being persecuted by his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Prahlāda remained steadfast in his devotion, which led to his protection by Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. Prasādam — Sanctified food, spiritualized by offering it to the Lord. Rādhā/ Rādhārāṇī — The internal potency of the Lord. Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa — The divine couple in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism. Rādhā represents the highest form of devotional love, while Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord.
Rāmānanda Rāya — An intimite associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Rūpa Gosvāmī — A principal disciple of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and a leading figure in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition. His works, particularly Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (The Nectar of Devotion), are foundational texts for the practitioners of bhakti-yoga. Sādhana-bhakti — Devotional service according to rules and regulations. Śaraṇāgati — The process of surrender to Kṛṣṇa, involving six essential principles: accepting anything favorable for devotional service, rejecting anything unfavorable, depending on the Lord's protection, accepting the Lord as one's maintainer, becoming humble and dedicating everything to the Lord’s service. Sādhaka — A practitioner of bhakti-yoga. Sādhu-saṅga — Association with devotees or saintly people. It is considered an essential factor for advancing in spiritual life. Through sādhu-saṅga, one becomes inspired and guided in the practice of bhakti-yoga. Śāstra — The Vedic scriptures, like the four Vedas, the Upaṇiṣads, the Purāṇas, Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrīla Prabhupāda — An affectionate honorific title used to address or refer to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the founder-ācārya of ISKCON. His translations, commentaries, and teachings are unparalleled in spreading the practice of bhakti-yoga on a global scale. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam — A central scripture in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, containing 18,000 verses that describe the pastimes and teachings of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. It is regarded as the essence of Vedic wisdom.