Life: 2 definitions

Introduction
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In Hinduism
1. Yoga
India history
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Introduction:

Life means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Life (i.e., “that state of being alive”) is denoted by the Sanskrit term Jīvita, according to the Yogatārāvalī: a short Yoga text of twenty-nine verses presenting Haṭhayoga as the means to Rājayoga (i.e., Samādhi).—Accordingly, while describing the states of waking, sleep, life and death: “For those [Yogins] situated in [the state of] Rājayoga whose gaze is free from all sense objects, here there is no waking, no state of sleep, no life (jīvita), no death and no mind”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

India history and geography

Source: Suomen Antropologi: Sacred Trees among the Tamil people of South India

For the Hindus all life is sacred. The divine soul is believed to permeate all that exists in nature: stones, plants, animals and humans. [...] Before the Vedic period, forests were experienced as the home of wild forces of animal and vegetative life, beyond the control of village life guided by the priests. A division was perceived between orderly village life controlled by the Brahmins (priests) who guided the people in the practice of dharma (the cosmic law that refers to the duty of human beings to their family, to society, humanity, nature and towards God), and the adharmic world of the forests (that which is not in accord with the law of dharma) over which the priests had no control. The Brahmins were seen as the transformers of the forces between men and gods, heaven and earth that have been awakened by the power of ritual sacrifices.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Relevant text

Search found 556 books and stories containing Life; (plurals include: Lives). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter LXIII - A brief discourse on the auspicious and inauspicious marks on the persons of males < [Agastya Samhita]

Chapter CVIII - Synopsis of rules of conduct < [Brihaspati (Nitisara) Samhita]

Chapter LXV - Auspicious marks on men and women as disclosed by the science of Samudrikam < [Agastya Samhita]

+ 103 more chapters / show preview

Chapter XIV - Depreciation of human life < [Book I - Vairagya khanda (vairagya khanda)]

Chapter LXII - Speech of the divine messenger < [Book IV - Sthiti prakarana (sthiti prakarana)]

Chapter LXXVII - Deliberation of karkati < [Book III - Utpatti khanda (utpatti khanda)]

+ 476 more chapters / show preview

Part 3 - Last life of a devotee < [Chapter 10]

Chapter 6: Council of Śakrendra < [Book 10]

Part 21 - On the course of life of the non-restrained < [Chapter 1]

+ 143 more chapters / show preview