Yoga Ayush Portal

S.No.	Word - N	Sound	Description	Key Word
1	nabhi	Navel; middle; Maṇipūraka (cakra)	Nābhi means ‘navel’. It can also figuratively refer to the ‘middle’ of some object. The navel is the location of the maṇipūraka cakra and nābhi can sometimes (in yoga texts) refer to it (q.v.).	n
2	nabhicakram	See maṇipūraka	See maṇipūraka	n
3	nada`	Sound; Nāda (yoga)	Nāda means ‘sound’. Haṭhayoga texts indicate the presence of a certain sound called nāda within the body. Through certain practices such as dhyāna on the anāhata cakra or regular nāḍīśuddhi, this sound becomes audible. A yogī then performs dhyāna on this sound in a specific way. This brings calmness and leads the mind into samādhi.	n
4	nadabhivyakti	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	n
5	nadanusandhanam	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	n
6	nadi	Pipe; tube; channel; Nāḍī (yoga)	Nāḍī, in a literal sense, means ‘pipe’, ‘tube’ or ‘channel’. With respect to the body, this refers to the various channels that exist within the body. This includes blood vessels, other tubules and sometimes nerves as well. Different texts give different numbers of nāḍīs in the body. However, out of all nāḍīs, three are considered the most important in yoga. These are Iḍā, Piṅgalā and Suṣumnā (see respective words for details). One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is purification of the nāḍīs by clearing these channels of any blockages (see nāḍīśuddhi).	n
7	nadishuddhi	Purification of the nāḍīs	Nāḍīśuddhi is composed of nāḍī meaning ‘channel’ (within the body) and śuddhi meaning ‘cleaning’ or ‘purification’. The channels in the body often suffer from blockages. One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is to help prāṇa move freely through the nāḍīs, especially the Suṣumnā nāḍī. Various procedures such as the ṣaṭkarma (ṣaṭkriyā) and prāṇāyāma are prescribed in order to remove these blockages.	n
8	naga	Snake; a class of beings; Nāga (vāyu)	Nāga means snake, esp. the Indian cobra. It is also the name given to a special class of beings. In the context of yoga, nāga is a vāyu in the ten vāyu system. It is responsible for belching and a few other tasks in the body.	n
9	naraka	Asura	Nāraka refers to the residents of naraka (hell), the group which is otherwise well-known as ‘the asuras’. They are referred to in the Vyāsabhāṣya (3.18) as one of the four major divisions of creatures, which are: deva (Gods, q.v.), manuṣya (humans), tiryak (animals) and nāraka.	n
10	nauli	Nauli (procedure)	Nauli is a procedure in Haṭhayoga. After bending the shoulders down, the stomach should be rotated to the left and right like a fast-moving current in water. Nauli removes all diseases, improves a weak jaṭharāgni and removes disorders of doṣas.	n
11	neti	Neti (procedure)	Neti is one of the ṣaṭkarma procedures. To accomplish it, the yogī must insert a thread which is oiled (and free from knots, etc.) and a hand-span (vitasti) in length into the nose and remove it from the mouth. In some cases, it can be inserted into one nostril and removed from the other. Neti cleanses the cranium, provides clairevoyance and removes the diseases of the head (above the neck joint).	n
12	nidra	Sleep	Sleep (nidrā) is one of the five cittavṛttis (mental function), which are pramāṇa (correct thinking), viparyaya (false notion), vikalpa (imagination), nidrā and smṛti (memory) (see vṛtti). Nidrā is a cittavṛtti whose object is the cognition of absence, that is to say, the mind is anchored onto the comprehension of absence while sleeping. Sleep is defined as a separate vṛtti so as to distinguish the state of sleep from the state of samādhi.	n
13	nigarbha	See sagarbha	See sagarbha	n
14	nihshvasa	Inhalation	Niḥśvāsa is ‘inhalation’. It occurs in the context of prāṇāyāma, which involves suspending the flow of niḥśvāsa and ucchvāsa (exhalation) (see prāṇāyāma).	n
15	nimittam	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	n
16	nirashraya	अकारान्तः, त्रिलिङ्गः । आ + श्रि—कर्मणि अच्, आश्रयणीये आधारे गृहे आधारत्वे च आश्रीयते असौ आश्रय: । आश्रयो नास्त्यस्येति निराश्रयः ।	Without āśraya (q.v.) – epithet of Brahman	n
17	nirbija	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	n
18	nirnaya	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	n
19	nirodha	Control; restraint	Nirodha means ‘control’. It is usually used with citta (q.v.) and vṛtti (mental function, q.v). When the vṛttis stop occurring in the mind, the mind is at a standstill. Such a mind clearly shows that what is below it, i.e. puruṣa, just as still and clear waters show the floor below them. This state is called nirodha. The definition of yoga given in the Yogasūtra (1.2) is cittavṛttinirodha or ‘the restraint of mental functions’.	n
20	niruddha	Controlled; restrained	Something that is ‘controlled’ or ‘restrained’ is called niruddha. It is primarily used in two contexts: with prāṇa and with citta. With prāṇa, it means that prāṇa is wholly under control, a situation which happens when mastery is attained over prāṇāyāma. With citta, it is one of the five states of citta, the others being kṣipta (fickle), mūḍha (forgetful), vikṣipta (distracted) and ekāgra (one-pointed). The first three states are not conducive to samādhi. But through the practice of yoga, citta becomes ekāgra and enters saṃprajñāta samādhi. When the cittavṛttis (mental functions) cease to act, then citta becomes niruddha and the person enters asaṃprajñāta samādhi.	n
21	nirvicara	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	n
22	nirvitarka	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	n
23	nirvruta	See pratiprasava	See pratiprasava	n
24	nishcala	Motionless; stationary; steady	Niścala meaning ‘without motion’ or ‘steady’, is used as an epithet of Brahman or puruṣa (q.v.). These do not exist in any particular place and are all-pervading, hence, they cannot move.	n
25	nishcaya	Ascertainment; fixed opinion; conviction; resolution	Niścaya is most often used in the sense of ‘fixed opinion’, ‘conviction’ or ‘resolution’. Niścaya is the task of buddhi. The forms niścayena and niścayāt are used to mean ‘certainly’, ‘definitely’ or ‘for sure’.	n
26	nishpatti	Niṣpatti (state)	All process in Haṭhayoga that aim to raise kuṇḍalinī through the Suṣumnā, are characterized in four stages: ārambha, ghaṭa, paricaya and niṣpatti. Niṣpatti occurs when prāṇa pierces the Rudragranthi, which is the seat of Śiva. In this stage, the yogī hears the sounds of vīṇā (veena) and veṇu (flute). It is soon followed by the stage where the mind becomes one-pointed, after which the yogī is expected to follow the injunctions of Rājayoga.	n
27	nissanga	Without saṅga (q.v.)	Without saṅga (q.v.)	n
28	niyama	Rule; Niyama (aṅga)	Niyama means ‘rule’. In yoga, niyama is the second aṅga. It is closely related to yama, the first aṅga. The yamas represent a set of restrictions that are imposed on oneself to cultivate a sense of discipline while the niyamas represent a set of good practices that propel the person towards success in yoga. The standard list of niyamas is the list of five provided in the Yogasūtra (2.32): śauca (cleanliness), saṃtoṣa (contentment), tapas (penance), svādhyāya (study) and īśvarapraṇidhāna (renunciation to Īśvara) (see respective words for details). Variant lists exist in several places, including the Yoga Upaniṣads, some Purāṇas and other texts. Each niyama list caters to the the methods of yoga that are mentioned in that particular text.	n
29	niyata	Restrained; controlled; constant; fixed; established; certain; indriyas	Niyata has two meanings: ‘restrained’ and ‘fixed’. The first meaning is often used with prāṇa to refer to the fact that the prāṇa of that person has been brought into control through prāṇāyāma. The second meaning is used with vipāka in Vyāsabhāṣya (2.13) to refer to the fact that the fruition of the karmāśaya is already certain. In Sāṅkhya, it occasionally refers to the indriyas as well (q.v.).	n
30	nabhi	Navel; middle; Maṇipūraka (cakra)	Nābhi means ‘navel’. It can also figuratively refer to the ‘middle’ of some object. The navel is the location of the maṇipūraka cakra and nābhi can sometimes (in yoga texts) refer to it (q.v.).	n
31	nabhicakram	See maṇipūraka	See maṇipūraka	n
32	nada`	Sound; Nāda (yoga)	Nāda means ‘sound’. Haṭhayoga texts indicate the presence of a certain sound called nāda within the body. Through certain practices such as dhyāna on the anāhata cakra or regular nāḍīśuddhi, this sound becomes audible. A yogī then performs dhyāna on this sound in a specific way. This brings calmness and leads the mind into samādhi.	n
33	nadabhivyakti	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	n
34	nadanusandhanam	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	n
35	nadi	Pipe; tube; channel; Nāḍī (yoga)	Nāḍī, in a literal sense, means ‘pipe’, ‘tube’ or ‘channel’. With respect to the body, this refers to the various channels that exist within the body. This includes blood vessels, other tubules and sometimes nerves as well. Different texts give different numbers of nāḍīs in the body. However, out of all nāḍīs, three are considered the most important in yoga. These are Iḍā, Piṅgalā and Suṣumnā (see respective words for details). One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is purification of the nāḍīs by clearing these channels of any blockages (see nāḍīśuddhi).	n
36	nadishuddhi	Purification of the nāḍīs	Nāḍīśuddhi is composed of nāḍī meaning ‘channel’ (within the body) and śuddhi meaning ‘cleaning’ or ‘purification’. The channels in the body often suffer from blockages. One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is to help prāṇa move freely through the nāḍīs, especially the Suṣumnā nāḍī. Various procedures such as the ṣaṭkarma (ṣaṭkriyā) and prāṇāyāma are prescribed in order to remove these blockages.	n
37	naga	Snake; a class of beings; Nāga (vāyu)	Nāga means snake, esp. the Indian cobra. It is also the name given to a special class of beings. In the context of yoga, nāga is a vāyu in the ten vāyu system. It is responsible for belching and a few other tasks in the body.	n
38	naraka	Asura	Nāraka refers to the residents of naraka (hell), the group which is otherwise well-known as ‘the asuras’. They are referred to in the Vyāsabhāṣya (3.18) as one of the four major divisions of creatures, which are: deva (Gods, q.v.), manuṣya (humans), tiryak (animals) and nāraka.	n
39	nauli	Nauli (procedure)	Nauli is a procedure in Haṭhayoga. After bending the shoulders down, the stomach should be rotated to the left and right like a fast-moving current in water. Nauli removes all diseases, improves a weak jaṭharāgni and removes disorders of doṣas.	n
40	neti	Neti (procedure)	Neti is one of the ṣaṭkarma procedures. To accomplish it, the yogī must insert a thread which is oiled (and free from knots, etc.) and a hand-span (vitasti) in length into the nose and remove it from the mouth. In some cases, it can be inserted into one nostril and removed from the other. Neti cleanses the cranium, provides clairevoyance and removes the diseases of the head (above the neck joint).	n
41	nidra	Sleep	Sleep (nidrā) is one of the five cittavṛttis (mental function), which are pramāṇa (correct thinking), viparyaya (false notion), vikalpa (imagination), nidrā and smṛti (memory) (see vṛtti). Nidrā is a cittavṛtti whose object is the cognition of absence, that is to say, the mind is anchored onto the comprehension of absence while sleeping. Sleep is defined as a separate vṛtti so as to distinguish the state of sleep from the state of samādhi.	n
42	nigarbha	See sagarbha	See sagarbha	n
43	nihshvasa	Inhalation	Niḥśvāsa is ‘inhalation’. It occurs in the context of prāṇāyāma, which involves suspending the flow of niḥśvāsa and ucchvāsa (exhalation) (see prāṇāyāma).	n
44	nimittam	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	n
45	nirashraya	अकारान्तः, त्रिलिङ्गः । आ + श्रि—कर्मणि अच्, आश्रयणीये आधारे गृहे आधारत्वे च आश्रीयते असौ आश्रय: । आश्रयो नास्त्यस्येति निराश्रयः ।	Without āśraya (q.v.) – epithet of Brahman	n
46	nirbija	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	n
47	nirnaya	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	n
48	nirodha	Control; restraint	Nirodha means ‘control’. It is usually used with citta (q.v.) and vṛtti (mental function, q.v). When the vṛttis stop occurring in the mind, the mind is at a standstill. Such a mind clearly shows that what is below it, i.e. puruṣa, just as still and clear waters show the floor below them. This state is called nirodha. The definition of yoga given in the Yogasūtra (1.2) is cittavṛttinirodha or ‘the restraint of mental functions’.	n
49	niruddha	Controlled; restrained	Something that is ‘controlled’ or ‘restrained’ is called niruddha. It is primarily used in two contexts: with prāṇa and with citta. With prāṇa, it means that prāṇa is wholly under control, a situation which happens when mastery is attained over prāṇāyāma. With citta, it is one of the five states of citta, the others being kṣipta (fickle), mūḍha (forgetful), vikṣipta (distracted) and ekāgra (one-pointed). The first three states are not conducive to samādhi. But through the practice of yoga, citta becomes ekāgra and enters saṃprajñāta samādhi. When the cittavṛttis (mental functions) cease to act, then citta becomes niruddha and the person enters asaṃprajñāta samādhi.	n
50	nirvicara	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	n
51	nirvitarka	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	n
52	nirvruta	See pratiprasava	See pratiprasava	n
53	nishcala	Motionless; stationary; steady	Niścala meaning ‘without motion’ or ‘steady’, is used as an epithet of Brahman or puruṣa (q.v.). These do not exist in any particular place and are all-pervading, hence, they cannot move.	n
54	nishcaya	Ascertainment; fixed opinion; conviction; resolution	Niścaya is most often used in the sense of ‘fixed opinion’, ‘conviction’ or ‘resolution’. Niścaya is the task of buddhi. The forms niścayena and niścayāt are used to mean ‘certainly’, ‘definitely’ or ‘for sure’.	n
55	nishpatti	Niṣpatti (state)	All process in Haṭhayoga that aim to raise kuṇḍalinī through the Suṣumnā, are characterized in four stages: ārambha, ghaṭa, paricaya and niṣpatti. Niṣpatti occurs when prāṇa pierces the Rudragranthi, which is the seat of Śiva. In this stage, the yogī hears the sounds of vīṇā (veena) and veṇu (flute). It is soon followed by the stage where the mind becomes one-pointed, after which the yogī is expected to follow the injunctions of Rājayoga.	n
56	nissanga	Without saṅga (q.v.)	Without saṅga (q.v.)	n
57	niyama	Rule; Niyama (aṅga)	Niyama means ‘rule’. In yoga, niyama is the second aṅga. It is closely related to yama, the first aṅga. The yamas represent a set of restrictions that are imposed on oneself to cultivate a sense of discipline while the niyamas represent a set of good practices that propel the person towards success in yoga. The standard list of niyamas is the list of five provided in the Yogasūtra (2.32): śauca (cleanliness), saṃtoṣa (contentment), tapas (penance), svādhyāya (study) and īśvarapraṇidhāna (renunciation to Īśvara) (see respective words for details). Variant lists exist in several places, including the Yoga Upaniṣads, some Purāṇas and other texts. Each niyama list caters to the the methods of yoga that are mentioned in that particular text.	n
58	niyata	Restrained; controlled; constant; fixed; established; certain; indriyas	Niyata has two meanings: ‘restrained’ and ‘fixed’. The first meaning is often used with prāṇa to refer to the fact that the prāṇa of that person has been brought into control through prāṇāyāma. The second meaning is used with vipāka in Vyāsabhāṣya (2.13) to refer to the fact that the fruition of the karmāśaya is already certain. In Sāṅkhya, it occasionally refers to the indriyas as well (q.v.).	n
59	nabhi	Navel; middle; Maṇipūraka (cakra)	Nābhi means ‘navel’. It can also figuratively refer to the ‘middle’ of some object. The navel is the location of the maṇipūraka cakra and nābhi can sometimes (in yoga texts) refer to it (q.v.).	n
60	nabhicakram	See maṇipūraka	See maṇipūraka	n
61	nada`	Sound; Nāda (yoga)	Nāda means ‘sound’. Haṭhayoga texts indicate the presence of a certain sound called nāda within the body. Through certain practices such as dhyāna on the anāhata cakra or regular nāḍīśuddhi, this sound becomes audible. A yogī then performs dhyāna on this sound in a specific way. This brings calmness and leads the mind into samādhi.	n
62	nadabhivyakti	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	n
63	nadanusandhanam	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	n
64	nadi	Pipe; tube; channel; Nāḍī (yoga)	Nāḍī, in a literal sense, means ‘pipe’, ‘tube’ or ‘channel’. With respect to the body, this refers to the various channels that exist within the body. This includes blood vessels, other tubules and sometimes nerves as well. Different texts give different numbers of nāḍīs in the body. However, out of all nāḍīs, three are considered the most important in yoga. These are Iḍā, Piṅgalā and Suṣumnā (see respective words for details). One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is purification of the nāḍīs by clearing these channels of any blockages (see nāḍīśuddhi).	n
65	nadishuddhi	Purification of the nāḍīs	Nāḍīśuddhi is composed of nāḍī meaning ‘channel’ (within the body) and śuddhi meaning ‘cleaning’ or ‘purification’. The channels in the body often suffer from blockages. One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is to help prāṇa move freely through the nāḍīs, especially the Suṣumnā nāḍī. Various procedures such as the ṣaṭkarma (ṣaṭkriyā) and prāṇāyāma are prescribed in order to remove these blockages.	n
66	naga	Snake; a class of beings; Nāga (vāyu)	Nāga means snake, esp. the Indian cobra. It is also the name given to a special class of beings. In the context of yoga, nāga is a vāyu in the ten vāyu system. It is responsible for belching and a few other tasks in the body.	n
67	naraka	Asura	Nāraka refers to the residents of naraka (hell), the group which is otherwise well-known as ‘the asuras’. They are referred to in the Vyāsabhāṣya (3.18) as one of the four major divisions of creatures, which are: deva (Gods, q.v.), manuṣya (humans), tiryak (animals) and nāraka.	n
68	nauli	Nauli (procedure)	Nauli is a procedure in Haṭhayoga. After bending the shoulders down, the stomach should be rotated to the left and right like a fast-moving current in water. Nauli removes all diseases, improves a weak jaṭharāgni and removes disorders of doṣas.	n
69	neti	Neti (procedure)	Neti is one of the ṣaṭkarma procedures. To accomplish it, the yogī must insert a thread which is oiled (and free from knots, etc.) and a hand-span (vitasti) in length into the nose and remove it from the mouth. In some cases, it can be inserted into one nostril and removed from the other. Neti cleanses the cranium, provides clairevoyance and removes the diseases of the head (above the neck joint).	n
70	nidra	Sleep	Sleep (nidrā) is one of the five cittavṛttis (mental function), which are pramāṇa (correct thinking), viparyaya (false notion), vikalpa (imagination), nidrā and smṛti (memory) (see vṛtti). Nidrā is a cittavṛtti whose object is the cognition of absence, that is to say, the mind is anchored onto the comprehension of absence while sleeping. Sleep is defined as a separate vṛtti so as to distinguish the state of sleep from the state of samādhi.	n
71	nigarbha	See sagarbha	See sagarbha	n
72	nihshvasa	Inhalation	Niḥśvāsa is ‘inhalation’. It occurs in the context of prāṇāyāma, which involves suspending the flow of niḥśvāsa and ucchvāsa (exhalation) (see prāṇāyāma).	n
73	nimittam	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	n
74	nirashraya	अकारान्तः, त्रिलिङ्गः । आ + श्रि—कर्मणि अच्, आश्रयणीये आधारे गृहे आधारत्वे च आश्रीयते असौ आश्रय: । आश्रयो नास्त्यस्येति निराश्रयः ।	Without āśraya (q.v.) – epithet of Brahman	n
75	nirbija	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	n
76	nirnaya	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	n
77	nirodha	Control; restraint	Nirodha means ‘control’. It is usually used with citta (q.v.) and vṛtti (mental function, q.v). When the vṛttis stop occurring in the mind, the mind is at a standstill. Such a mind clearly shows that what is below it, i.e. puruṣa, just as still and clear waters show the floor below them. This state is called nirodha. The definition of yoga given in the Yogasūtra (1.2) is cittavṛttinirodha or ‘the restraint of mental functions’.	n
78	niruddha	Controlled; restrained	Something that is ‘controlled’ or ‘restrained’ is called niruddha. It is primarily used in two contexts: with prāṇa and with citta. With prāṇa, it means that prāṇa is wholly under control, a situation which happens when mastery is attained over prāṇāyāma. With citta, it is one of the five states of citta, the others being kṣipta (fickle), mūḍha (forgetful), vikṣipta (distracted) and ekāgra (one-pointed). The first three states are not conducive to samādhi. But through the practice of yoga, citta becomes ekāgra and enters saṃprajñāta samādhi. When the cittavṛttis (mental functions) cease to act, then citta becomes niruddha and the person enters asaṃprajñāta samādhi.	n
79	nirvicara	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	n
80	nirvitarka	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	n
81	nirvruta	See pratiprasava	See pratiprasava	n
82	nishcala	Motionless; stationary; steady	Niścala meaning ‘without motion’ or ‘steady’, is used as an epithet of Brahman or puruṣa (q.v.). These do not exist in any particular place and are all-pervading, hence, they cannot move.	n
83	nishcaya	Ascertainment; fixed opinion; conviction; resolution	Niścaya is most often used in the sense of ‘fixed opinion’, ‘conviction’ or ‘resolution’. Niścaya is the task of buddhi. The forms niścayena and niścayāt are used to mean ‘certainly’, ‘definitely’ or ‘for sure’.	n
84	nishpatti	Niṣpatti (state)	All process in Haṭhayoga that aim to raise kuṇḍalinī through the Suṣumnā, are characterized in four stages: ārambha, ghaṭa, paricaya and niṣpatti. Niṣpatti occurs when prāṇa pierces the Rudragranthi, which is the seat of Śiva. In this stage, the yogī hears the sounds of vīṇā (veena) and veṇu (flute). It is soon followed by the stage where the mind becomes one-pointed, after which the yogī is expected to follow the injunctions of Rājayoga.	n
85	nissanga	Without saṅga (q.v.)	Without saṅga (q.v.)	n
86	niyama	Rule; Niyama (aṅga)	Niyama means ‘rule’. In yoga, niyama is the second aṅga. It is closely related to yama, the first aṅga. The yamas represent a set of restrictions that are imposed on oneself to cultivate a sense of discipline while the niyamas represent a set of good practices that propel the person towards success in yoga. The standard list of niyamas is the list of five provided in the Yogasūtra (2.32): śauca (cleanliness), saṃtoṣa (contentment), tapas (penance), svādhyāya (study) and īśvarapraṇidhāna (renunciation to Īśvara) (see respective words for details). Variant lists exist in several places, including the Yoga Upaniṣads, some Purāṇas and other texts. Each niyama list caters to the the methods of yoga that are mentioned in that particular text.	n
87	niyata	Restrained; controlled; constant; fixed; established; certain; indriyas	Niyata has two meanings: ‘restrained’ and ‘fixed’. The first meaning is often used with prāṇa to refer to the fact that the prāṇa of that person has been brought into control through prāṇāyāma. The second meaning is used with vipāka in Vyāsabhāṣya (2.13) to refer to the fact that the fruition of the karmāśaya is already certain. In Sāṅkhya, it occasionally refers to the indriyas as well (q.v.).	n
88	nabhi	Navel; middle; Maṇipūraka (cakra)	Nābhi means ‘navel’. It can also figuratively refer to the ‘middle’ of some object. The navel is the location of the maṇipūraka cakra and nābhi can sometimes (in yoga texts) refer to it (q.v.).	n
89	nabhicakram	See maṇipūraka	See maṇipūraka	n
90	nada`	Sound; Nāda (yoga)	Nāda means ‘sound’. Haṭhayoga texts indicate the presence of a certain sound called nāda within the body. Through certain practices such as dhyāna on the anāhata cakra or regular nāḍīśuddhi, this sound becomes audible. A yogī then performs dhyāna on this sound in a specific way. This brings calmness and leads the mind into samādhi.	n
91	nadabhivyakti	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	Manifestation of nāda (q.v.)	n
92	nadanusandhanam	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	Absorption in nāda (see samādhi and nāda)	n
93	nadi	Pipe; tube; channel; Nāḍī (yoga)	Nāḍī, in a literal sense, means ‘pipe’, ‘tube’ or ‘channel’. With respect to the body, this refers to the various channels that exist within the body. This includes blood vessels, other tubules and sometimes nerves as well. Different texts give different numbers of nāḍīs in the body. However, out of all nāḍīs, three are considered the most important in yoga. These are Iḍā, Piṅgalā and Suṣumnā (see respective words for details). One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is purification of the nāḍīs by clearing these channels of any blockages (see nāḍīśuddhi).	n
94	nadishuddhi	Purification of the nāḍīs	Nāḍīśuddhi is composed of nāḍī meaning ‘channel’ (within the body) and śuddhi meaning ‘cleaning’ or ‘purification’. The channels in the body often suffer from blockages. One of the aims of Haṭhayoga is to help prāṇa move freely through the nāḍīs, especially the Suṣumnā nāḍī. Various procedures such as the ṣaṭkarma (ṣaṭkriyā) and prāṇāyāma are prescribed in order to remove these blockages.	n
95	naga	Snake; a class of beings; Nāga (vāyu)	Nāga means snake, esp. the Indian cobra. It is also the name given to a special class of beings. In the context of yoga, nāga is a vāyu in the ten vāyu system. It is responsible for belching and a few other tasks in the body.	n
96	naraka	Asura	Nāraka refers to the residents of naraka (hell), the group which is otherwise well-known as ‘the asuras’. They are referred to in the Vyāsabhāṣya (3.18) as one of the four major divisions of creatures, which are: deva (Gods, q.v.), manuṣya (humans), tiryak (animals) and nāraka.	n
97	nauli	Nauli (procedure)	Nauli is a procedure in Haṭhayoga. After bending the shoulders down, the stomach should be rotated to the left and right like a fast-moving current in water. Nauli removes all diseases, improves a weak jaṭharāgni and removes disorders of doṣas.	n
98	neti	Neti (procedure)	Neti is one of the ṣaṭkarma procedures. To accomplish it, the yogī must insert a thread which is oiled (and free from knots, etc.) and a hand-span (vitasti) in length into the nose and remove it from the mouth. In some cases, it can be inserted into one nostril and removed from the other. Neti cleanses the cranium, provides clairevoyance and removes the diseases of the head (above the neck joint).	n
99	nidra	Sleep	Sleep (nidrā) is one of the five cittavṛttis (mental function), which are pramāṇa (correct thinking), viparyaya (false notion), vikalpa (imagination), nidrā and smṛti (memory) (see vṛtti). Nidrā is a cittavṛtti whose object is the cognition of absence, that is to say, the mind is anchored onto the comprehension of absence while sleeping. Sleep is defined as a separate vṛtti so as to distinguish the state of sleep from the state of samādhi.	n
100	nigarbha	See sagarbha	See sagarbha	n
101	nihshvasa	Inhalation	Niḥśvāsa is ‘inhalation’. It occurs in the context of prāṇāyāma, which involves suspending the flow of niḥśvāsa and ucchvāsa (exhalation) (see prāṇāyāma).	n
102	nimittam	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	Instrumental cause (see kāraṇa)	n
103	nirashraya	अकारान्तः, त्रिलिङ्गः । आ + श्रि—कर्मणि अच्, आश्रयणीये आधारे गृहे आधारत्वे च आश्रीयते असौ आश्रय: । आश्रयो नास्त्यस्येति निराश्रयः ।	Without āśraya (q.v.) – epithet of Brahman	n
104	nirbija	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	Samādhi where the seeds of saṃskāra have been burnt and mokṣa is attained (see samādhi, mokṣa and jñānāgni)	n
105	nirnaya	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	Decision; absence of the questions that occur in ātmabhāvabhāvanā (q.v.) due to realization of Higher Truth	n
106	nirodha	Control; restraint	Nirodha means ‘control’. It is usually used with citta (q.v.) and vṛtti (mental function, q.v). When the vṛttis stop occurring in the mind, the mind is at a standstill. Such a mind clearly shows that what is below it, i.e. puruṣa, just as still and clear waters show the floor below them. This state is called nirodha. The definition of yoga given in the Yogasūtra (1.2) is cittavṛttinirodha or ‘the restraint of mental functions’.	n
107	niruddha	Controlled; restrained	Something that is ‘controlled’ or ‘restrained’ is called niruddha. It is primarily used in two contexts: with prāṇa and with citta. With prāṇa, it means that prāṇa is wholly under control, a situation which happens when mastery is attained over prāṇāyāma. With citta, it is one of the five states of citta, the others being kṣipta (fickle), mūḍha (forgetful), vikṣipta (distracted) and ekāgra (one-pointed). The first three states are not conducive to samādhi. But through the practice of yoga, citta becomes ekāgra and enters saṃprajñāta samādhi. When the cittavṛttis (mental functions) cease to act, then citta becomes niruddha and the person enters asaṃprajñāta samādhi.	n
108	nirvicara	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	Without vicāra (see savicāra)	n
109	nirvitarka	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	Without vitarka (see savitarka)	n
110	nirvruta	See pratiprasava	See pratiprasava	n
111	nishcala	Motionless; stationary; steady	Niścala meaning ‘without motion’ or ‘steady’, is used as an epithet of Brahman or puruṣa (q.v.). These do not exist in any particular place and are all-pervading, hence, they cannot move.	n
112	nishcaya	Ascertainment; fixed opinion; conviction; resolution	Niścaya is most often used in the sense of ‘fixed opinion’, ‘conviction’ or ‘resolution’. Niścaya is the task of buddhi. The forms niścayena and niścayāt are used to mean ‘certainly’, ‘definitely’ or ‘for sure’.	n
113	nishpatti	Niṣpatti (state)	All process in Haṭhayoga that aim to raise kuṇḍalinī through the Suṣumnā, are characterized in four stages: ārambha, ghaṭa, paricaya and niṣpatti. Niṣpatti occurs when prāṇa pierces the Rudragranthi, which is the seat of Śiva. In this stage, the yogī hears the sounds of vīṇā (veena) and veṇu (flute). It is soon followed by the stage where the mind becomes one-pointed, after which the yogī is expected to follow the injunctions of Rājayoga.	n
114	nissanga	Without saṅga (q.v.)	Without saṅga (q.v.)	n
115	niyama	Rule; Niyama (aṅga)	Niyama means ‘rule’. In yoga, niyama is the second aṅga. It is closely related to yama, the first aṅga. The yamas represent a set of restrictions that are imposed on oneself to cultivate a sense of discipline while the niyamas represent a set of good practices that propel the person towards success in yoga. The standard list of niyamas is the list of five provided in the Yogasūtra (2.32): śauca (cleanliness), saṃtoṣa (contentment), tapas (penance), svādhyāya (study) and īśvarapraṇidhāna (renunciation to Īśvara) (see respective words for details). Variant lists exist in several places, including the Yoga Upaniṣads, some Purāṇas and other texts. Each niyama list caters to the the methods of yoga that are mentioned in that particular text.	n
116	niyata	Restrained; controlled; constant; fixed; established; certain; indriyas	Niyata has two meanings: ‘restrained’ and ‘fixed’. The first meaning is often used with prāṇa to refer to the fact that the prāṇa of that person has been brought into control through prāṇāyāma. The second meaning is used with vipāka in Vyāsabhāṣya (2.13) to refer to the fact that the fruition of the karmāśaya is already certain. In Sāṅkhya, it occasionally refers to the indriyas as well (q.v.).	n

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