Abdul Baha
- see Baha'ism.
Abdu'l Qadir Jilani
- see Jilani.
Abhanga
- unbroken, continuous. Poem without stanzas. Marathi devotional
song.
Abhedananda Swami
- one of the disciples of Shri Ramakrishna, who renounced the
worldly life some time after the Master's passing away. He worked
at the Vedanta Society in New York where he gave many lectures
afterwards published as books e.g. "Why a Hindu accepts Christ
and rejects Churchianity".
Abrams, Dr. Albert
- American physician (1863-1924) who published "New Concepts
in Diagnosis and Treatment" in 1916, which holds that disease
is disharmony of electric oscillations in the body.
Abu al Ala Ahmad al Maari
- Arab poet (973-1057) who wrote on morals and philosophy.
Advaita
- School of Vedantic philosophy, doctrine of non-dualism, which
teaches the oneness of God, the soul and the universe, the exponent
of which is Shankaracharya (8th or 9th century).
Afsar
- officer. Afsar-ul-Mulk = Aide de Camp.
Ahl-i-Hadith
- Literary : the people of the Tradition. A modernist neo-orthodox
sect or trend of thought existing already in the 10th century
A.D. (4th century of the Hegira). Advocating a return to the
pure sources of Islam, especially the Traditions about the Prophet,
it condemns all later innovations or synthesis with non-Muslim
currents and reasserts Islam over against Hindu (Arya Samaj)
Christian and Ahmadia missionary efforts.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani,
- (1835-1908) founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement.
Ahmadiyya Movement
- a Muslim sect founded in 1880 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (Qadian is a district of the Punjab province in India),
who wrote "Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya''- the arguments of the Ahmadiyya.
At the time of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's birth and Mehr Bakhsh's
student days in his native Punjab, Ghulam Ahmad still was well
regarded by Muslims, amongst other things for his reaction against
the propaganda of Christian missionary. Later, however, acceptance
of British rule, claims of prophethood and other
controversial issues led
to the Ahmadiyya's virtual rejection from the main body of Islam.
Akbar
- the greatest of the Mogul emperors (1542-1605). He made of
his Court a center of culture and favored religious toleration;
he discussed religious matters with Hindus, Muslims, Christians
and Zoroastrians. After 1582 he formulated his "din-i ilahi",
a monotheistic religion.
Ali
- literary: eminent, noble.
Ali, Hazrat
- Cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and fourth Khalif
in succession to him, head of most of the Sufi Orders.
Aligarh College
- Anglo-Oriental College founded in 1875 by Sayyed Ahmed Khan.
It was originally intended to give education to children and
later became a Muslim University, also attended by many Hindus.
Alt, Miss Angela
- see biographical sketches.
Amir, emir
- commander.
Amir Khusru
- see Khusru.
Anjuman
- assembly, meeting, society. A nomination used by a great many
Muslim-associations.
Anthroposophy
- created in 1913 by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) as the result
of his break with the Theosophical Society. He put Christianity
above the Eastern religions and gave ample scope to science.
For Rudolf Steiner science is the knowledge of reality not limited
by senses and intellect. He also created a pedagogic philosophy
and founded the Waldorf School in Stuttgart.
Arbabi nishat
- arab words meaning "masters of pleasure", dancers and musicians.
Arjuna
- friend and disciple of Shri Krishna, one of the heroes of
the Mahabharata. He hesitated to fight his own kinsmen and this
was the occasion of the delivery by Lord Krishna of the best
known Hindu sermon, the Bhagavad-Gita.
Armstrong, Mr. R. A. L. (Khalif Mumtaz)
- see biographical sketches.
Arnold, Sir Edwin
- English poet (1833-1904), Principal of the Sanskrit College
in Puna. His poetry was influenced by the Orient and inspired
by Oriental themes and legends e.g. "The Light of Asia". He
translated the Gita Govinda: "The Indian Song of Songs" love
songs of Krishna and Radha.
Arya Samaj
- literary: Aryans' Society. An orthodox religious association
of Hindu Vedic revivalism founded in 1875 by Swami Dayananda
Saraswati (1824-1883).
Aryan
- name applied to the Indo-European language family.
Ashrafi
- originally a gold coin worth about 16 rupees.
Assagioli, Dott. Roberto
- emphasised the necessity of making one's conscious personality
strong enough to cope with all that psycho-analysis reveals.
He wished to teach the patient "the harmonious co-ordination
of the subconscious with the higher elements or the soul-qualities
of the personality". The patient then draws on his own spiritual
resources. Among his works are: "Denaro e Vita Spirituale" (Roma
1937), (Money and Spiritual Life), "Il Mistero dell'Io" (Firenze
1954), (The Mystery of the ego).
Assam
- a State in the north-east of India.
Astai
- first section of a Hindustani melody.
Augener & Co.
- Publishing Company in London.
Baba
- Father, old man, faqir.
Babism
- see Baha'ism.
Babu
- a title of respect, like Sir.
Bahadur
- Persian word for hero, also used as a title.
Baha'ism
- in 1844 Mirza Ali Muhammad proclaimed himself "Bab" (the door)
and tried to reform the Islamic institutions. He was executed
in 1850 in Persia and a revolt of his adherents was cruelly
suppressed. The Movement was continued by Baha Ullah who passed
forty years in prison. He preached a world-religion, recognizing
the eternal truth of the essence of all the previous God-revelations
and he strove towards a world-federation in which all men would
be free and equal. His son Abdul Baha succeeded him in 1892
and spread Baha'ism in the Western world.
Bailly, Edmond
- French author of many books on music and sound e.g. "Du Merveilleux
dans la Musique et de la Therapeutique Musicale" (On the Marvelous
in Music and on Healing by Music) and "Les Vibrations du Son
et la Vie Universelle" (The Vibrations of Sound and the Universal
Life). Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan wrote in "The Sufi" of November
1916: "In memoriam – This modest and quiet gentleman with his
childlike simplicity was a most enthusiastic and earnest student
of Eastern music and philosophy."
Baker, Mrs. Mary Eddy
- see Eddy Baker, Mrs. M.
Bala Sabha
- children's association.
Bala sangit mala
- a garland of music for girls.
Banda Nawaz Sayyed Muhammad Gesu Daraz
- Indian Sufi Saint of the Chishti Order and healer (1320-1422),
writer of a great many books on Sufism and on Islamic doctrine.
His tomb is situated just outside Gulbarga (Deccan) and is a
well-known place of pilgrimage.
Bandagi
- Persian word for slavery, service, humility.
Baum, Mr. G. (Sheikh)
- see biographical sketches.
Becharagi, be charegi
- Persian word, meaning: being without remedy, helplessness,
poverty,
Beecham, Sir Thomas
- internationally acclaimed English conductor (1879-1961) who
founded the British National Opera Company and the London Philharmonic
Orchestra.
Belgachia
- a place West of Calcutta also called Bargachia, whose Maharaja
was Saraswati Chendra Bahadur.
Bengal
- a region in the north-east of India.
Benton, Miss Rose
- one of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's early mureeds in London.
About her Pir-o-Murshid wrote in "The Sufi" of January 1919
that her interest in the beauty and harmony of Oriental music
and dance had taken up her life in the cultivation of beauty
in body, mind and soul,
Besant, Mrs. Annie
- English lady (1847-1934) who became President of the Theosophical
Society in India. She contributed much to the foundation of
an Order of Freemasonry open to men and women both, which originated
in France under the name of "Le Droit Humain" (Human Rights)
in 1899 and spread rapidly. With Mr. Leadbeater she founded
"The Order of the Star in the East" (Benares/ Varanasi 1911),
with the object of preparing humanity to receive the coming
world-teacher. The Order was dissolved in 1929. She also established
the Liberal Catholic Church.
Best, Mr. Cecil E. B. (Sheikh Shahbaz)
- see biographical sketches.
Bhagavad-Gita
- The Song of the Lord. Sacred Scripture of the Hindus in which
Shri Krishna gives spiritual instruction to Arjuna before the
great battle.
Bhairava raga
- raga of asceticism and reverence.
Bhajana
- a favorite form of religious musical recital, in which a choir
sings after a leader, accompanied by an orchestra.
Bhajia, bhujiya
- fried balls made of flour and vegetables.
Bharata Muni
- a sage who is regarded as the founder of the present system
of Indian music; some scholars assign his work to the first
century after Christ. In his well-known book "Natya Shastra"
the theory of music is explained.
Bharati, Baba Premanand
- author of 'Shri Krishna, the Lord of Love".
Bhatkhande, Mr.
- could be Pandit Vidvan N.V. Bhatkhande, who patronized the
All-India Academy of Music from 1916 and strove to develop Indian
music, collecting and preserving the best classical compositions
and trying to arrange the ragas according to a uniform method.
Bhau [likely should be Bhay भय which is Hindi]
- fear, dread, terror.
Bhau, bhav
- sentiment, relationship.
Bibhen Biy
- = Biy Behen Bi(bi); her ladyship sister. The use of proper
names especially of elder respectable ladies is considered in
the East to be rather impolite.
Bibi
- see Biy.
Biblioteca filosofica
- the name of some study-centers for the study of philosophy,
founded at Florence, Italy, in 1907. Courses and lectures on
the main philosophical and religious problems were arranged
and then published.
Bilgrami, Sayyad Hassan
- born in 1844, professor of Arabic at the College of Lucknow,
India, director of education to H.E.H. the Nizam, as whose private
secretary he was appointed in 1911.
Bima Biy
- = Biy Ma Bi(bi): her ladyship mother.
Bin, Bina
- name used in Northern India for the vina.
Biy, bi
- Lady. When not contracted the word "bibi" ("biwi'": lady of
the house, wife) is often associated with the married state,
seniority or special reverence and affection.
Bjerregaard, Carl H.A.
- lecturer and author of many books on mysticism and inner life.
Before writing "Sufism, Omar Khayyam & E. Fitzgerald" (London
1915), he had written "A Sufi Interpretation of the quatrains
of Omar Khayyam" (New York 1902). Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
wrote about him in "The Sufi" of November 1915 : "He has explained
how the conventional phraseology of Sufi poets has been so often
misinterpreted by writers who have only been linguists – no
mystics."
Björset, Mr. B.
- see biographical sketches.
Blavatski, Mrs. Elena Petrovska
- (1831-1891) founder of the Theosophical Society and author
of "The Secret Doctrine" which she said was inspired by great
Masters from Tibet and the Himalayas and which contains her
main teachings.
Bloch, Regina Miriam
- author of "The Book of Strange Loves" (London 1918) and other
books.
Bois, Jules
- French author of novels, plays and poems, well-known in Paris
before the 1914-1918 war. He was particularly interested in
esotericism and feminism. During the Congress of Religions held
on the occasion of the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1900,
he received Vivekananda in his house.
Brahman
- Hindu caste of priests.
Brahmo Samaj
- a liberal religious Hindu Movement founded by Raja Ram Mohan
Roy in 1830. It broke with the ritualism and the clericalism
of orthodox Hinduism. In England it was introduced by Keshoba
Chandra Sen.
Breteuil, Francois Marquis de
- made an arrangement for the theatre of "The Light of Asia",
adapted from Sir Edward Arnold's poem.
Bridges, Sir Robert
- English poet (1844 - 1930), poet laureate from 1913 until
his death. He published "The Testament of Beauty", a philosophical
poem, on his 85th birthday.
Brown, Bishop William Montgomery
- was unfrocked by the Protestant Episcopal Church for heresy
because of his book "Communism and Christianity". His defense
was presented with mocking insolence.
Burbank, Luther
- American plant cultivator (1840-1926) who developed over 800
new varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables by taking advantage
of a plant's heredity and by influencing its surroundings.
Burkhardt, Fräulein Martha
- see biographical sketches.
Burma
- part of the Indian Empire until 1937- Forming a natural geographical
entity in Southern Asia. Throughout its history it has been
inward-looking; its capital was called "the center of the universe".
Caillet, Albert
- French author of several books e.g. "Hymnaire de ma Paredre"
(Paris 1922) where he mentions his initiation in the Sufi Order.
He founded the "Societe Unitive" which aimed at teaching the
practice of the science of life in order to attain to individual
and collective harmony. Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan was an honorary
member of the "Societe Unitive" and in its review "Bulletin
Mensuel" several of his early lectures are published.
Calvinism
- a Christian doctrine centering in the Sovereignty of God and
the predestination of every human being either to a state of
bliss in God's presence or to eternal perdition.
Carpenter, Edward
- English writer (1844-1929) revolting against the social and
religious conventions of his time, became a traveling lecturer
for the instruction of persons unable to attend universities.
He wrote on the relation of art to life.
Carrel, Alexis
- French-American surgeon (1873-1944) who was awarded the Nobel
Prize in medicine in 1012 for his development of a new technique
for sewing up blood-vessels end to end. He joined the Rockefeller
Institute, New York, for medical research in 1906 and there
mainly studied the transplantation of organs. Author of "Man,
the Unknown" (1935) and other works.
Chaliapin, Feodor Ivanovitch
- famous Russian bass-singer (1873 - 1938), interpreter of "Boris
Godunov" (opera by Mous-sorgski). He introduced the treasures
of Slavonic music in Paris.
Chamar, chamur
- a stick of honor. One of the old distinctions used by Maharaja
Krishnaraj of Mysore.
Charanam
- melody consisting of a number of parts.
Chatri
- gold canopy or umbrella. One of the old distinctions used
by Maharaja Krishnaraj of Mysore.
Cherag(a)
- literally: lamp, light. Denoting a function in the Universal
Worship of the Sufi Movement.
Chhanda
- sacred hymn, a measure in music.
Chicago
- Universal Exhibition of Chicago 1803, held to celebrate the
400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher
Columbus. Its main purpose was to show the progress of civilization
and simultaneously a Parliament of Religions was organized.
Chishti Order
- founded by Khwaja Abu Ishaq of Syria, who migrated from Asia
Minor and settled in Chisht (now called Shaqalan) in the Persian
province of Khorasan. He was a disciple of Mimshad Ali Dinwari.
A spiritual descendant of Khwaja Abu Ishaq, eighth in the line
of succession, was Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, born in
Persia in 1135 A.D. and brought up in Sanjar. In Samarqand and
Bukhara he completed his religious education and was initiated
in the Chishti Order by Khwaja Uthman Haruni in 1156. At Baghdad
Muinuddin met the great Abdu-l-Qadir Jilani, the founder of
the Qadiri Order and also Abu-n-Najib Suhrawardi, the renowned
Saint of the Suhrawardi Order. At Tabriz he met the spiritual
Teacher of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi: Shams Tabrizi. In 1191/1192
he came to Ajmer (Rajesthan, India) and established the center
of the Order there. After having appointed Khwaja qutb Sahib
as his spiritual successor, he passed away in 1229. His tomb
in Ajmer still at the present time is visited by Muslims from
all over India and Pakistan and is a well-known place of pilgrimage
for Indians and people from many other countries of the world,
of different religions and beliefs. The main idea of the Chishti
Order which is one of the most important Sufi Orders in India,
is the concept of the Unity of Being. Conversion to Islam was
no prerequisite to initiation in this Order. Besides special
practices, the efficacy of music to attune the heart to the
Infinite, is emphasized.
Chitti, Babu Naidu
- author of "A Key to Hindu Music".
Cholias
- name of Muslims in Malabar.
Christian Science
- created by Mrs. M. Eddy Baker. Denying the reality of matter,
it strives toward the deliverance from error by a right understanding
of God and man, which will cause all egoism, fear and illness
to disappear.
Chromatics, International College of
- see International College of Chromatics.
Cingalese, Sinhalese
- largest ethnic group in Shri Lanka (Ceylon),
City College
- a publicly controlled co-educational institution in New York
City.
Columbia University
- a private non-sectarian university in New York City. It dates
from 1754 when it was granted its charter as King's College
by King George II of England.
Congress of Paris 1914, Musical
- see Ecorcheville.
Connaughton, Mr. E. (Khalif)
- see biographical sketches
Coomaraswamy, Ananda K.
- (1877 Colombo - 1947 Boston). Leading Indian Art Historian.
Keeper of the Indian, Persian and Muslim Art Section of the
Boston Museum of Fine Arts from 1917-1947. Author of approx.
500 books and articles on Indian Art, such as: "The dance of
Siva (1912); Myths of Hindus and Buddhists (1914); Buddha and
the Gospel of Buddhism (1916); History of Indian and Indonesian
Art (1927); Yaksas (1931); The Transformation of Nature in Art
(1934); Am I my Brother's Keeper (1943)", etc.
Coue
- French psycho-therapist (1857-1926), invented a curative method
by self-suggestion. Patients were instructed to repeat to themselves
phrases such as "Every day in every way I am getting better
and better".
Craig, Mr. D. (Sheikh)
- see biographical sketches.
Cushing, Mrs. Marya (Sheikha Khushi)
- see biographical sketches.
Cynosure
- center of attraction.
Dadra
- a Hindustani melody – a syncopated tala (time measure), especially
used with the dadra class of song.
Dadu
- Indian Saint/poet (1544-1603), devotee of Shiva. The ideas
expressed in his poetry are much like Kabir's.
Dalcroze, Emil Jaques
- Swiss composer (1865-1950). He taught eurythmics aiming at
blending intellectual, emotional and muscular functions by means
of music.
Darbar (durbar)
- Court.
Dargah (durgah)
- threshold, shrine, tomb, a Royal Court.
Darwin, Charles
- British naturalist and physiologist (1809-1882) who stated
that all living beings follow the same line of evolution; they
have not been created individually but have evolved by natural
selection from more primitive species. His theory of evolution
is called Darwinism.
Darwish (Dervish)
- see Faqir.
Dasei, festival of
- see Dassera.
Dassera, Dasehra
- a Hindu festival for the commemoration of the battle between
Ram and Rawan, when Sita was restored to Ram; the victory of
honor over dishonor, of right over wrong. The festival is named
after Ram's father, the great king Dasarath (Ramayan).
Dayananda Saraswati
- see Arya Samaj.
Debussy, Claude
- French composer (1862-1918). He enlarged the scope of musical
composition by introducing the use of exotic gamuts thus including
Oriental musical characteristics in Western music. He also endeavored
to preserve improvisation in music.
Dervish (Darwish)
- see Faqir.
Detraux, Yvonne
- French painter and disciple of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan.
She painted mainly landscapes and still life.
Devendranath Tagore
- see Tagore.
Dewan, diwan
- Prime Minister of the Governor of a State in India. Collection
of poems.
Dharma
- socially approved conduct in relation to one's fellow men
and other living beings or superhuman powers. Law, morality
and most of what we ordinarily mean by religion. Righteous way
of living, as enjoined by the Sacred Scriptures.
Dhikr (see Zikr)
Dholuk, dholak
- a kind of drum, used in Northern India. It is cylindrical
in shape, made of wood bored out of the solid and played with
sticks or struck by the palm of the hand.
Dhumri
- see Thumri.
Dhurpad, dhrupad
- popular form of the Sanskrit word Dhruvapada, meaning an outstanding
category of melodies in use in Northern and Southern India,
a solemn religious song (see also Pallavi).
Dikshitar, dikshitr
- literally: one who has received initiation.
Dikshitar, Muttuswami
- Indian musician, contemporary of Tyagaraja (1776 - 1835).
He invented a new system of Indian notation and composed a well-known
hymn to Shri Ganesh in the raga hamsadhvani.
Din Dayal, Raja
- appointed painter to the Court of H.H. Mir Mahbub Ali Khan,
the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Dowland, Miss J.E. (Khalifa Nargis)
- see biographical sketches.
Doyle, Sir A. Conan
- English physician born in Edinburgh (1859-1930), author of
the Sherlock Holmes detective stories. He was honorary President
of the International Spiritualist Federation and proprietor
of "The Psychic Bookshop" in London.
Dulac, Edmond
- French born English artist (1882 - 1953), illustrator of fairy
tales and also of the "Rubaiyat" of Omar Khayyam (1909) and
of "The Arabian Nights" (1907).
Duncan, Isadora
- American dancer (1878 - 1925) whose movements were inspired
by her observation of nature; she was the precursor of the modern
free-dance school and created schools in Germany, France and
Russia. Author of "Dancing in Relation to Religion and Love"
(New York 1927), "My Life" (New York 1927) and other works.
Duncan Westbrook Jessie
- She rendered the "Diwan of Inayat Khan" into English and helped
Pir-o-Murshid to translate other poems from the Urdu, Hindi
and Persian. In 1913 her translation of the Diwan of Zebunnisa
was published.
Dussaq, Monsieur E. (Khalif Talewar)
- see biographical sketches.
"East and West"
- a Movement founded in England by Mr. Gupta, son of Keshoba
Chandra Sen. See also Brahmo Samaj.
Ecorcheville, Dr. Jules
- French music-lover (1872 - 1915) who contributed much to the
bringing together of the different Music Societies in Europe.
In June 1914 he organized the Congress of Music for the "Societe
Internationale de Musique" in Paris and he was the editor of
the Magazine of this Society, to which many famous musicians
contributed.
Eddy Baker, Mrs. M.
- American lady (1821-1910) who founded "Christian Science"
in 1902. Author of "Science and Health" based on an interpretation
of texts from the Bible.
Egeling, Mrs. N. (Murshida Fazal Mai)
- see biographical sketches.
Eichthal, Madame M. C. la Baronne d' (Sheikha)
- see biographical sketches.
Ellis Island
- island in Upper New York Bay. In 1892 it became the site of
the chief immigration station in the United States of America.
Engle, Mr. E. (Sheikh Fatha)
- see biographical sketches.
Ethnographical Museum
- Several Russian newspapers – among which the "Russian Newspaper"
and "News" of 5th and 7th March, 17th, 20th, 27th and 30th April
and 3rd May 1914 – write about Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's lectures
with musical illustrations, organized by the Ethnographical
Section of the "Imperial Society of Amateurs in Physics". The
lectures given in April and May were organized by the Russian
Theosophical Society in Moscow. All these lectures were held
in the old auditorium of the Polytechnical Museum in Moscow.
Eucken, Professor Rudolf
- German philosopher, promoter of "Idealistic Thought". He attached
great importance to the inner life of man in whom nature and
spirit meet. In 1908 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature.
Author of "Der Sinn und Wert des Lebens" (The Meaning and Value
of Life) (1908) "Können wir noch Christen sein" (Can we still
be Christians) (1911) and "Rudolf Eucken, his Life, Work and
Travels by himself" (1922).
Faqir
- poor before God. Particularly the one who follows the path
of contemplation; equivalent of the Persian "dervish".
Farinola, Marchesa
- under the Sufi name of Zebunnisa she wrote many poems and
mystery plays, e.g. "Pierrot", "Trois Mysteres Franciscains",
"L'Art Universel".
Fazal Manzil
- Literally: Blessed Abode; name of the house in Suresnes where
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan lived from 1922 to 1926.
Ford, Henry
- American automobile manufacturer (1863-1947) who revolutionized
industry by his assembly methods. Author of "My Life and Work"
(1922) and "Today and Tomorrow" (1926).
Freemasonry
- an international fraternal Order of men, evolved from the
medieval guilds of stonemasons. Members are bound to secrecy
by an oath. It teaches spiritual morality and charity using
the mason's working tools as symbols (see also sub Besant, Mrs.
Annie).
Frossard, Henri, Jean
- Professor of vocal technics, author of various books on the
culture of the voice, e.g. "La Science et l'Arte de la Voix"
(Science and Art of the Voice), Paris 1927, and a complete handbook
for the singer explaining how to form sounds and giving rules
for correct breathing as well as for an hygienic life (diet,
clothing, sleeping). To the purchaser of his book a free singing-lesson
or voice-consultation was offered.
Furnee, Miss J. E. D. (Khalifa Sakina, later named Nekbakht)
- see biographical sketches.
Gaekwad
- name of a dynasty of the Marathi kings.
Gaekwad, Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda
- a great Indian reformer in the State of Baroda (1862-1939).
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan wrote about him in "The Sufi" of October
1920 that he was a patriot but at the same time appreciated
many points of Western civilization, considering neither East
nor West superior. Every reform had his full attention. He started
mills and model farms, was interested in cattle breeding and
introduced all sorts of crafts. He was also a pioneer of thought,
philosophy and art, and the first school of comparative religion
was founded in his Kingdom. In the following words some of his
ideas find expression: "We ignorantly often take the form for
the ideal. There is only one spirit of Truth, there is only
one Truth behind all ideals."
Gaekwad, Shrimant Sampat Rao
- Bar-at-Law, brother of the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of
Baroda. He constituted a private library of over 3,000 books
in Gujerati and Marathi language, which he offered as a gift
to the Central Library of Baroda, together with an adequate
budget to enrich the stock.
Gandhi, Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand
- (1869 - 1948). Social reformer, philosopher and politician,
leader of the Indian nationalist Movement, "The Father of modern
India".
Ganesh, Shri
- elephant-headed Hindu God. He is the remover of obstacles
and is the first God invoked on beginning a new enterprise.
Garba
- special song sung in the days of the festival of Shri Krishna.
Garbawali
- containing garbas, a book of garbas.
Garthawali, Granthwall
- containing the Granth, a book with parts of the Granth.
Gasparri, Cardinal
- Italian Roman Catholic Canon. During World War I (1914-1918)
tried to end the hostilities and to aid the war-victims through
diplomatic channels.
Gayan
- singing, song.
Gayanshala
- abode of singing, Academy of Music.
Ghada
- a musical instrument.
Ghazal, gazal
- Hindustani melody, usually a love lyric.
Gibran, Kahlil
- poet, painter and philosopher (1883-1931). He was born in
Syria, spent twenty years of his life in Lebanon and in 1912
made New York his permanent home. Among his many books are "The
Prophet" (1923) and "Jesus the Son of Man" (1928). His books,
illustrated by himself, were translated in thirty languages.
Goodenough, Miss L. (Murshida Sharifa)
- see biographical sketches.
Graeffe-van Gorckum, Madame E.
- see biographical sketches.
Grainger, Percy Aldridge
- Australian-American composer and pianist (1882-1961). He was
interested in the collecting and the notation of English folk-songs.
Granth
- Sacred Book of the Sikhs.
Green, Miss Saintsbury (Murshida Sophia)
- see biographical sketches.
Gregory, Mrs. D.A. (Sheikha)
- see biographical sketches.
Griffith, R. T. H.
- well-known translator from the Sanskrit.
Gruner, Dr. O. G. (Khalif)
- see biographical sketches.
Guillon, Colonel
- see biographical sketches.
Guimet, Musee
- museum of religions in Paris having a remarkable collection
of art from Japan, China and India. It was founded by Emile
Guimet, a French scholar and industrialist (1836-1918).
Gujerat, Gujarat
- Province in Western India.
Gujerati
- language spoken in Gujerat.
Guni
- talented; also used as a title.
Guru
- spiritual Teacher, Murshid.
Gwalior
- city in the north of the Indian Province of Madhya Pradesh,
native town of Tan Sen, famous singer at Akbar's Court, whose
mausoleum at Gwalior attracts many visitors from India and abroad.
Hafiz, Khwaja Shamsuddin Muhammad
- Persian poet (2nd half 14th century) known for his piety and
learning. It is told that when he died some of his verses were
considered too heretic by the Muslim divines to allow him to
be buried with the Muslim funeral prayers. In order to settle
the dispute that followed, a child was directed to draw a couplet
of Hafiz' verse. It said: "Do not retire from Hafiz' 'bait'
(means : abode and couplet), for though he was a sinful man
he goes to Paradise." The prayers were then read over his body.
His poetry is remarkable for its beauty and sincerity. Among
other works he wrote his "Diwan", a collection of poems.
Hal
- condition, ecstasy.
Hamsa
- a bird which can discard the water and drink the milk from
a mixture of milk and water. It absorbs the essence and leaves
what is of minor importance, i.e. it distinguishes between Heaven
and earth.
Harding, W. G.
- 29th President of the United States of America elected in
1920. In 1921 he called the Washington Conference, where the
governments of the big nations agreed to a certain limitation
of armament.
Harish Chandra
- Legendary king, famous for his benevolence and loyalty. This
theme is dealt with in the Markandeya Purana and is taken up
by Rawachandra in a well-known play.
Hazrat
- from the Arabic, a title which may be used for any great man
or woman out of respect.
Hedemann, Prof. Wilhelm
- German professor in Law at the University of Jena, born in
1878, Author of books on Law.
Hidayat Inayat Khan
- see Inayat Khan.
Hindi
- The official language of North India, containing many words
of Sanskrit origin.
Hindol
- one of the six principal Hindustani ragas, named after the
word hindol which means swing.
Hindustan, Hindusthan
- a persian word meaning India; properly restricted to the Northern
provinces.
Hindustani
- belonging to India. The language of Hindustan.
Hoeber, Mrs. L. (Sheikha)
- see biographical sketches.
Hori
- a song of the Holi festival in Northern India.
Hoyack, Louis
- Dutch scholar. One of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's early mureeds
much inspired by his teachings. He wrote many books covering
a vast field of thought. His personality as well as his work
is well rendered by the following poem written by his friend,
the Dutch editor Nico Kluwer, for Hoyack's 60th Birthday (Translation)
: Louis Hoyack I built myself a system ready made Which has
Inayat's teaching as its base, Yet something new and great was
wrought by me, On which Hoyack's proud emblem shines. On the
Master's Message I gave my own comment, To Western minds I opened
the Quran, In Galilea I brought to life a man, You'll find it
all in my works' contents. Still my own doctrine daily I amend,
In which I'm caught as a spider in its web, My view on boredom
I expressed. And yet my deep unconscious self implores: Deliver
me, oh Lord, from system and doctrine, This is my soul's true
yearning and my aim. The books referred to in the poem are:
"De Boodschap van Inayat Khan" (The Message of Inayat Khan),
"De onbekende Korn" (The unknown Quran), "Een Man stond op in
Galilea" (A Man arose in Galilea) and "De Philosophie van de
Verveling" (The Philosophy of Boredom).
Huzur
- presence of a superior authority. Highness.
Hyderabad
- capital of the Indian province of Madya Pradesh. From the
arab word "hyder" meaning lion, and the Persian word "abad"
meaning inhabited, populated, city, town. It was the capital
of the Nizams (see Nizam) and was founded in 1591.
Hypnotism, hypnosis
- a sleeplike state during which the subject is submitted to
suggestions; also used for therapeutic purposes.
Imam
- Literary: one who is followed or imitated; guide, leader,
head of a religion (especially of the Muslim religion), reader
of a mosque.
Inayat Khan, Hidayat Murshid Zade
- Pir-o-Murshid's youngest son, who composed several musical
works, e.g. "La Monotonia" and "The Message Symphony".
Inayat Khan, Noorunnisa Pir Zadi
- Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's eldest daughter, who wrote stories
for children, e.g. "Twenty Jataka Tales" (London 1939, The Hague
1975).
Inayat Khan, Vilayat Pir Zade
- Pir-o-Murshid's eldest son, who wrote "The Light of Truth"
(a play, 1932), "Stufen einer Meditation" (1962), "Towards the
One" and recently "Samadhi with Open Eyes" (1977) and several
other works.
International College of Chromatics
- founded in London, for the study of the science of color.
It gave instruction in the use of color in architecture, archaeology,
costumes, ethnology, etc.
Irwin, Beatrice
- author of "The Gates of Light" – a record of progress in the
engineering of color and light (London 1930) and a collection
of poems called "The Pagan Trinity" (London & New York 1912).
Ivanov, Viatoslav
- leading Russian poet of the Russian Symbolist Movement (1866-1949).
He lived in St. Petersburg where he gathered the important Russian
literary world. His chief poetical work is "Cor Ardens'" (1911).
Jalatarang
- music played on a number of cups containing various quantities
of water. By dipping the fingers in the water and rubbing them
around the rims of the cups, 18 notes in two octaves can be
produced.
Jami, Maulana Nuruddin
- Persian scholar, mystic and poet (1414-1492) author of "The
Seven Thrones", a poetical work including the story of Yusuf
and Zulaikha, and other works.
Javadi
- a song sung by Kanarese Singers and consisting only of the
third part of a certain melody, viz. charanam.
Jilani, Abdu'l Qadir
- Sufi lecturer (1077-1166) with many disciples all over Iraq,
who lived in Baghdad and gave his name to the Sufi Order of
the Qadiris. In some parts of India the Qadiris celebrate the
Urs of their founder with a ceremony in which a large green
flag is carried in procession. With torches and music the standard
is then put up.
Jinn, djinn, genius
- generally explained in Quran as a spirit or an invisible or
hidden force, created from a flame of fire. In "The Soul, whence
and whither" Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan says: "The genius is
an entity with a mind, but not such a mind as that of man; a
mind more pure, more clear, which is illuminated by the light
of intelligence."
Kaba
- Muslim sanctuary in Mecca, built by Abraham.
Kabbala
- Hebrew tradition, esoteric Jewish mysticism claiming secret
knowledge of the unwritten Torah, which God communicated to
Moses.
Kabir
- Indian mystic poet (1440 - 1518). His poems were translated
by Rabindranath Tagore. Hindus and Muslims both claim him as
their Saint. He taught ardent personal devotion instead of ritual
and formalism.
Kaiser
- Kaiser Wilhelm (William) II (1859-1941), Emperor of Germany
from 1888 to 1918 when he was forced to abdicate toward the
end of World War I. He took refuge in the Netherlands where
he lived a retired life.
Kala Bhawan
- temple of art. A center for dance, drama, music and plastic
art.
Kalgi, Kalaggai, Kalagi
- ornament on the turban: a gold circlet with a plume. One of
the old distinctions used by Maharaja Krishnaraj of Mysore.
Kalidasa
- name of a celebrated poet between the 1st and 6th century
A.D. – Literally: the Goddess Durga (Kali), slave (dasa).
Kalingda raga
- a very popular raga, especially for religious folk-songs and
also for earnest songs of devotion.
Kanari
- language spoken in Mysore.
Kanwali
- see Qawwal.
Karma
- the law of action and the consequences it produces in the
present or in a future birth.
Karnatak
- from "Karnat" in the South of India. The Karnatic race are
Dravidians and the Karnatic music is their music produced in
Southern India.
Kathiawar
- peninsula on the West-coast of India, in the State of Gujerat.
Kavi
- lit. : poet and sage.
Keshoba (Keshab), Chandra Sen Babu
- one of the leaders of the Brahmo Samaj.
Keyserling, Count Hermann Alexander
- German philosopher (1880-1946) deeply interested in Oriental
philosophy. At Darmstadt he established the "School of Wisdom",
which sought to blend the best of Eastern and Western thought.
Author of "Reisetagebuch eines Philosophen" (Travel Diary of
a Philosopher) published in 1919.
Khadava raga
- uses five notes in both ascent and descent, like the Odava
raga.
Khalif(a)
- esoteric title conferred by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan upon
some of his mureeds.
Khan, Ali
- Cousin of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan (1881 - 1958), musician
and healer, one of the "Royal Musicians of Hindustan".
Khan, Sayyad Ahmad
- (1817 - 1897), founder of the Aligarh College, India, and
author of a series of essays on the life of Muhammad, representing
Islam as the most tolerant religion.
Khandan
- meaning: family, lineage, dynasty.
Khankah
- word of Persian origin. A convent for Sufi recluses; a convent,
a monastery.
Khatidja, Khadija
- originally with "d", but in India generally pronounced as
a "t".
Khayal, khyal
- style of classical music of Northern India, developed in the
17th and 18th century. It is a short melody, like the dhrupad,
lengthened by repetitions and variations; a light melodic air.
Khayyam, Omar
- His real name was Giyasuddin Abulfath Omar ibn Ibrahim al
Khayyami, a famous Persian mathematician, astronomer, free-thinker
and poet. In his own days he was best known as a scientist,
now in the West as a poet. Among other things he wrote the "Rubaiyat".
He died at Nishapur in 1123.
Khilafet Movement
- a Movement in favor of the Sultan of Turkey, recognized by
the Indian Muslims as their Khalif and as suzerain of the Holy
City (Mecca). After the peace treaty of 1918 his position was
greatly weakened in spite of allied promises to the contrary.
This was considered humiliating and against the honor of Islam.
In March 1920 the cause of the Khalifat was pleaded in London
by several representatives of India but in vain. Thereupon the
All India Muslim League joined the non-cooperation Movement
of Mahatma Gandhi.
Khusru, Amir
- Indian poet, singer and musician. He was probably the first
to introduce the sitar and among the first to use the Urdu language
for his literary work. A disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi,
he died short after his Murshid and was buried close to him.
Kirtana
- a form of melody from Southern India.
Kismet
- literally: destiny, fate. Play in three acts by Edward Knoblauch
after an Arabic tale. The "Royal Musicians of Hindustan" were
engaged to perform their music as an intermezzo in a bazar-scene.
Kjösterud Miss S. (Sheikha)
- see biographical sketches.
Krishna, Shri
- Divine incarnation of Vishnu, whose teachings are given in
the Bhagavad-Gita.
Kriti
- is in the South of India what a khayal is in the North. The
wording may be either sacred or secular and the main emphasis
is on the musical elaboration. Most of Tyagaraja's songs are
Krities.
Kshatriya, kshatra
- belonging to the second or military caste of the Hindus.
Lakme
- Opera by Leo Delibes, first performed in Paris in 1883. The
scene is laid in India and in order to introduce some touches
of realism the "Royal Musicians of Hindustan" were invited to
perform their music in a bazar-scene. The contrast between the
Western idea of orientalism in Delibes' music and the genuine
Indian art was obvious.
Laszlo de Lombos
- English painter (1860-1037) born in Hungary, who gained international
fame for his portraits of eminent men.
Laya, lay
- style of expression in rhythm, time movement. Tune.
League of Nations
- International Organization established in Geneva by the peace-treaties
ending World War I. It functioned from 1920 till 1946.
Leon, Professor Henri M.
- born in Paris in 1856, he was professor in English literature
and in geology at the Imperial Ottoman University. In 1912 he
went to England where he was appointed General Secretary of
the "Societe Internationale de Philologie, Sciences et Beaux
Arts".
Lewis, Samuel L.
- (1896-1971). He studied Oriental philosophy and was received
in several Oriental esoteric schools such as Zen, Yoga and Sufi
schools. He believed in speaking openly about his experiences
and initiations and in bringing peace through the dance. He
created numerous dances – partly inspired by Ruth St. Denis
– representative of all religions. Author of "Toward Spiritual
Brotherhood" (San Francisco 1972) and of mystical poems.
Liberal Catholic Church
- see Besant, Mrs. Annie.
Liberty, Statue of
- name of a colossal statue in New York harbor, originally called
"Liberty enlightening the World". It was a gift from France
to the U.S.A. in 1886 and was conceived by the sculptor Bartholdi.
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan made a poem on this statue.
Lincoln, Abraham
- 16th President of the U.S.A., elected in 1860. In 1863 he
issued the emancipation proclamation abolishing slavery.
LLoyd, Mrs. Gladys I. (Sheikha Kefayat)
- see biographical sketches.
Lodge, Sir Oliver
- English Physicist (1851 - 1940). He was the first to suggest
that the sun might be a source of radio-waves. After 1910 he
became prominent in psychic research.
L.R.A.M.
- Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Luther Burbank
- see Burbank, Luther.
Madani, Sayyad Abu Hashim
- Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's Murshid, a Sufi of the Chishti-line.
In 1923 after her journey through India Murshida Rabia Martin
wrote: "The blessed Murshid of our Murshid Inayat Khan was Sayyad
Abu Hashim Madani, who was born in Madras. He was one of the
most profound and blessed of sages. His sacred remains are near
the Puran Pul (old bridge) in the compound of Mian Paisa Dargah
at Hyderabad. There are three tombs there in a row. This man
was of a very gentle disposition, soft and kindly, yet inwardly
powerful. He had an almost hypnotic ability to purify the minds
and hearts of all he contacted through his inner purity and
perfection of personality."
Madar-ul-Maham
- the center of affairs, the minister. A title given by Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan to the Secretary of the Esoteric School.
Mahadeva
- name of Shiva or Vishnu, meaning: the great God.
Mahajan Mandal
- society of the bankers' caste; caste of the Mahajani; society
of great people. A magazine published in Baroda, in which an
article in Gujerati about Maula Bakhsh by his grandson Inayat
Khan appeared in 1806.
Maharaja
- a Sanskrit word meaning: great king. A title given to ruling
chiefs of the States of India, sometimes applied to persons
of high rank and to holy men.
Mahatma
- large-minded, noble, eminent, one of great, divine soul.
Maheboob Khan
- see biographical sketches.
- (Mahebboob Khan, brother of Inayat Khan; also the name of
the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan)
Majzub
- one whom God has drawn to Himself, one absorbed in God. Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan says: "The majzub is the lover of God, who does
everything to hide his love of God before his fellow men, so
that it confuses them and he is called by them foolish or insane.
He does not care, he is a harmless person and his love of God
gives him a great power."
Mala
- garland.
Malayali
- a Dravidian language spoken in the South of India.
Marathi
- an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Maharashtra (south of Gujerat
in the west-central part of India, including Bombay). Marathi
literature begins in the 13th century with a number of poets
drawing their inspiration from the worship of Vishnu.
Martin, Mrs. A. (Murshida Rabia)
- see biographical sketches.
Mashal
- torch. One of the old distinctions of Maharaja Krishnaraj
of Mysore.
Masnavi, Mathnavi
- main poetical work of Jalaluddin Rumi.
Masonry
- see Freemasonry.
Mata Hari
- in Malay language meaning: eye of the day. Born Margaretha
Geertruida Zelle, in 1876 in the Netherlands. She became a dancer
and – invited by Mr. Emile Guimet – she performed oriental dances
at the Musee Guimet in Paris with considerable success. During
World War I (1914 - 1918) she was executed as a spy by the French
but it is still a question if she really was guilty.
Maula Bakhsh
- Inayat Khan's grandfather. An article written by Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan about him, was published in the magazine "The Sufi"
of September 1915. The name means "God-gifted" (Maula – lord,
master; Bakhsh – a persian word meaning giving, giver.)
Maulana
- a title given to learned persons.
Maulavi
- lordship.
Maya
- making, art, conveying at the same time the sense of illusion.
As a vedic term it is used for the cosmic illusion which makes
the Only Being appear as a multitude of beings.
Maya civilization
- one of the great civilizations of Mexico and Central America.
The Maya were famous for their astronomers and mathematicians.
Mehr Bakhsh
- brother-in-law of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan. Here Bakhshe
is a Turkish word meaning Sheikh.
Mesmerism
- was for a long time the term for what is now called hypnosis.
Meyer-de Reutercrona, Mrs. H. (Sheikha)
- see biographical sketches.
Miller, Mrs. R. C. (Khalifa Mushtari)
- see biographical sketches.
"Minqar-i Musiqar"
- a book on music in Hindustani, written by Inayat Khan about
1903 and issued in 1912 by the Indian Press, Allahabad. Literally:
the beak of the sound-bird, the phoenix of music.
Mir Mahbub Ali Khan
- H.E.H. (His Exalted Highness) the Nizam of Hyderabad. He succeeded
in 1869 at the age of three as the ninth Nizam and was invested
with full powers in 1884.
Miran Datar/Ditta
- a Sufi Saint at whose tomb in Ujjain in Central India possessed
people are often healed. His name has the meaning of "great
healer".
Mitchell, Edgar Austin (Shahbaz)
- (1877 - 1939). He was a journalist and leader writer of the
"Southern Daily Echo" of Southampton and wrote under the nom
de plume of "Townsman". For over 20 years "Mike" as his many
friends used to call him, was an active member of the Sufi Movement
after he met Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan in London during the
war (1914 - 1918). He worked both as a preacher, a lecturer
and a literary worker to spread the Sufi ideals. He wrote a
book: "Southampton Notes", which has become a collector's piece.
Mogul, Mughal
- Dynasty of Mongol rulers of India, founded in 1526 by Babar,
a descendant of Tamerlane. Under Akbar the Great the Mogul Empire
embraced Central and Northern India. Bahadur Shah II was the
last of the Mogul Emperors and was deposed by the British in
1857.
Morax, Rene
- Swiss author of poems and of plays for the puppet-theatre.
Mridanga
- a barrel-shaped drum about two feet long with a girth of about
three feet in the center.
Mudaliyar
- a respectful title or address to natives in the Tamil provinces
of India.
Muhur, muhr
- a gold coin of the value of 16 rupees, the same as an ashrafi.
Muinuddin Chishti
- see Chishti Order.
Mukti
- liberation from the bondage of the world, the goal of spiritual
practices.
Müller, Friedrich Max
- German Orientalist (1823-1900) who settled in Oxford, England,
in 1848, specialized in Sanskrit. He translated many Sanskrit
and Pali texts and wrote among other things "Essays on Hindi
Philosophy".
Munsif
- magistrate.
Mureed
- from the Arabic, meaning desirous, willing, a follower, called
chela among the Hindus.
Murshid
- from the Arabic, meaning guide, a spiritual teacher, head
of a religious Order, called Guru among the Hindus and Starets
in the Russian Church.
Musee Guimet
- see Guimet, Musee.
Musharaff Moulamia Khan
- youngest brother of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, (1895 - 1967)
author of "Pages in the Life of a Sufi" (London 1932 and 1971),
containing memories of his youth. One of the "Royal Musicians
of Hindustan".
Mutiny
- also known as the revolt of the Cipayes, in 1857 when the
different regiments of this militia, mainly consisting of Hindus,
rebelled against the British rulers who ignored their hereditary
customs. Probably some foreign countries took advantage of this
situation and by stirring up the national feelings of the Indian
people, the existing dissatisfaction developed into a fierce
and widespread mutiny.
Nambudri
- a caste of Brahmans.
Nanak, Guru
- founder of Sikhism (1469 - 1539), a religious Movement which
has its roots in Hinduism. The Sikhs follow the idea of joining
the Hindus and Muslims in love and devotion to God and service
to man. Their sacred Scripture, the Adi Grantha Sahab, is a
compilation of teachings and songs of Guru Nanak and his successors
and of the Saints in the Sikh Movement.
Naqib
- a leader, an adjutant. A title given by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat
Khan to some of his mureeds.
Narada
- lived between the 7th and 11th century A.D. He wrote a Sanskrit
treatise on music which was discovered in 1919 at Gadwal and
which is known as the Sangita Makaranda. It was edited and published
under the auspices of the Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda and has
proved a most valuable contribution to the history of Indian
music.
Narayan, Shri Guru
- born in Malabar in 1854, he was first a wandering monk and
became later a famous spiritual leader in South India and Ceylon.
As a spiritual and social reformer he showed that the principles
of Vedanta could be applied. His message was one of all-embracing
unity: "One God, one Religion, one Caste. There being only one
Eternal Reality, dedicated service to That is the true religion;
and since all men are capable of that service, and since all
people, all life and all things move and have their existence
by that One, all separateness and division into race, caste,
color and creed are nothing but illusion foisted on the minds
of men by ignorance and forgetfulness of this sole Universal
Reality."
Narsiji, Narsingi
- a Maharashtrian Hindu Saint living in the 16th century, by
whom Mahatma Gandhi was influenced.
Narsiji, Narsingi
- the name of the hereditary Guru of the (Mandir) Hindu temple
in Baroda.
Navarat
- name of a festival in India, meaning nine nights.
Nawab
- title of a provincial governor of the Mogul Empire. Viceregent,
deputy, lord.
Nazar
- gift.
Nepal
- Kingdom North of India in the Himalaya region. Its capital
is Katmandu.
Newbolt, Sir Henri
- English poet (1862-1938) best known for his patriotic verse.
He also edited anthologies of English poetry.
Nirvana
- meaning; no difference. Extinction, annihilation, eternal
bliss. Realization of the soul's freedom.
Nizam
- from the Arabic meaning order, arrangement, governor, composer.
A title originally conferred by the Mogul Emperors upon the
ruler of the State of Hyderabad, in the Deccan, India, and held
by his descendants.
Nizam-ul-Mulk
- Governor of the kingdom.
Noorunnisa Inayat Khan
- see Inayat Khan, Noorunnisa.
Nuralja
- Nurvara Eliya of Ceylon (Shri Lanka).
Odava raga, audava raga
- a raga which only uses five notes in both ascent and descent.
Olcott, Colonel Henry Steel
- see Theosophical Society.
Oratorio
- musical composition for chorus, orchestra and solo voices
on a sacred subject, first introduced in the 16th century in
Europe, in the Church in Rome.
Order of the Star in the East
- see Besant, Mrs. Annie.
Oudh
- the old Ayodhya, a holy place of the Hindus, the birth place
of Ram, in the North-West of India.
Paderewski, Ignace Jean
- Polish composer and pianist (1860-1941). He interrupted his
musical career to work for the reestablishment of an independent
Polish State after World War I and became its first President
in 1919.
Pakhawaj
- a sort of drum with two heads covered with parchment.
Pallavi
- a section of dhurpad as it is known in Southern India, which
contains the main subject and usually possesses a well-defined
rhythm. A chorus.
Panama Canal World Fair
- a Congress of religious philosophy at the Panama Pacific International
Exposition, San Francisco 29th - 31st July 1915. The honorary
President was Rabindranath Tagore. There was a Christian day,
a Hindu day and an Oriental day. Murshida Rabia Martin spoke
on the latter about "Sufi Philosophy" (published in the magazine
"The Sufi" of November 1915).
Pandit (pundit)
- learned man.
Panjab (Punjab)
- five waters or rivers. A province in the North-West of India.
Pariah, paria
- a person of the lowest Hindu caste formerly known as "untouchables"
but named "Harijans" – children of God – by Mahatma Gandhi.
Parsi
- a Persian. A follower of Zarathushtra, especially found in
the West of India.
Pathan
- name of Iranian tribes in what is nowadays the North West
of Pakistan and Afghanistan and of their descendants who immigrated
to India in the 15th century. There they formed a dynasty that
ruled in Delhi, and also groups of land-owners and martial tribes.
During the British rule the frontier Pathans were the only people
of the subcontinent never wholly subjugated. Due to this record
of independence Pathans have enjoyed the reputation of being
a knightly and war-waging class among the Indo-Islamic community.
"Dr. Pathan" (Alaoddin Khan) adopted this name when in England
he needed a family-name and Inayat Khan adopted the same name
during his musical tour (see References).
Paul, Saint
- great Apostle of Christianity. Very little is certain about
the historical person of St. Paul. Of the Letters ascribed to
him, which are known to be anterior to the Gospels, a certain
number is also attributed to several other authors. Equally
little is known about the origin of the Gospels, which have
come down to us in their actual form only about or after the
year 200. A study of this epoch reveals very scarce and contradicting
data of the facts and of the spiritual climate in which Gospels
and Letters were written. It might therefore be interesting
and important to take Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's view on the
matter into consideration.
Peshkar
- a word used by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan to indicate the head
of the Brotherhood (an activity of the Sufi Movement). The word
in Urdu means: assistant, deputy, manager.
Pickthal, Marmaduke
- English Muslim who translated the Quran: "The meaning of the
Glorious Koran, an Explanatory Translation", published in London
in 1930 and reprinted in 1948.
Pieri, Comtesse M. L.
- see biographical sketches.
Pillay, T. Lakshmana
- author of "Travancore Music and Musicians". (Trivandrum 1918.)
Pir
- Persian word, meaning old, the oldest, a holy man. A spiritual
Guide, the founder or head of a religious Order, the one who
helps individuals towards the unfoldment of the soul.
Pir-o-Murshid
- meaning Pir and Murshid.
Pool, Rev. John J.
- Principal of the International College of Chromatics, author
of "Color and Health" (London 1919).
Prabhandha
- ancient name of a musical composition (song), used in the
13th century.
Prakrit
- popular language developed from the Sanskrit.
Premanand, Bharati Baba
- see Bharati Baba, Premanand.
Purana(s)
- belonging to ancient times. Sacred Scriptures supposed to
have been compiled by the poet Vyasa and containing Hindu theology
and mythology.
Pyaro miyan
- Urdu translation of the Arabic "Mahbub Khan"; Pyar – Mahbub
(beloved), miyan – Khan (a title of respect).
Qawwal
- musician, singer. Singer or player of spiritual songs at the
Sama and at other occasions, especially during Urs celebrations.
Quran
- the sacred Scripture of the Muslims, containing the divine
revelations as received by the Prophet Muhammad and faithfully
and promptly taken down by his followers.
Rabia
- a renowned woman Sufi-Saint of Basra (Iraq) who lived in the
8th century A.D. and about whose ascetic saintly life many stories
and anecdotes are known.
Rabindranath Tagore
- see Tagore, Rabindranath.
Raga
- a pattern of music designed in a certain pitch of the scale,
which is improvised upon by the artist. Literally: passion;
from ancient times each raga has been associated with particular
passions and emotions.
Raga Hamsadhwani
- a South Indian raga.
Ragtime
- negro syncopated music.
Rahusen, Miss (Morad)
- painter and illustrator among other things of children-books.
Railway Institute
- erected buildings for the Railway Companies in India for the
benefit of their employees, equipped with a reading-room and
a central hall which could be hired for performances.
Raja
- a title of hereditary princes of the Hindus.
Raja Yoga
- the king of yoga. The yoga of control of the mind. Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan calls it the yoga of the path of learning from life's
experiences.
Rajbar
- royal garden.
Ram Das
- Sri Samarth Ramdas, (1608-1681 AD) Marathi saint, poet and
religious leader. His works include Manache Shlok (Verses to
the Mind), Dasbodh and Aatma Ram.
Ram Mohan Roy
- see Brahmo Samaj.
Rama, Shri, Shri Ram
- seventh incarnation of Vishnu, whose story is told in the
Ramayana, the famous Sanskrit epic poem. (Sanskrit Rama, Hindi
Ram)
Ramakrishna, Shri
- a God-realized Sage (1834-1886) who lived an ascetic life
in Dakshineswar (Calcutta) and attracted many disciples. He
considered the different religions as one.
Ramyar
- a friend and admirer of Inayat Khan in Hyderabad (Deccan),
India. In a letter dated ioth December 1926 he wrote to Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan: "You will be pleased to learn that during your
absence the Government of India have been pleased to confer
upon me the title of Khan Sahib in 1916 and on the first of
January 1926 I got the distinction of Khan Bahadur. At present
I am a special Bench Magistrate Honorary of Secunderabad."
Ranz des Vaches
- "Ranz" from the German word "Reihe" meaning row, range, series
and in this case probably "flock"; originally a melody without
words, a kind of improvisation used by shepherds to gather their
flock.
Ratnavali
- necklace of gems. Album of songs by Inayat Khan (about 1903).
Reformation
- religious revolution, going on simultaneously in several countries
of Europe, which led to the formation of the Protestant Church
in the 16th century.
Reps, Paul (Saladin)
- an American mureed of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, author of
"Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" (Tokyo 1958) and "Zen Telegrams" (Tokyo
1959).
Rissalat, Risalat
- Persian word from arabic origin: Message, Apostleship. Muhammad
was the seal of Rissalat ...: The discussion centers on "Khatim
al Mursalin" (Seal of the Apostles), used in Indian Sufism to
combine the finality and supremacy of the prophethood and religious
law of Muhammad as "Khatim al Nabiyyin" (Seal of the prophets)
with the continuity of inspired spiritual experience – one of
the oldest problems in Islam. "Rassul" thus primarily becomes
the highest initiatic stage and esoteric degree rather than
a socio-religious apostleship : "His words, the law; his message,
the wisdom; his being, that peace." Inayat Khan further contributes
a concept of the "aspects" of messengership: those of message-bearing
and prophethood have been terminated; now only that of teacher
remains ("Unity of Religious Ideals", first ed., p. 282-283).
The Rissalat-concept is fused with the gnostic "NurMuhammadi"
("Spirit of Guidance") hence "the light of Rissalat shines before
him" (i.e. the Sufi mystic) "in every being and thing in the
universe"; Shahada, the final revelation, implies that "every
soul has the source of the divine message within itself". Further,
it is "the prophets' words" that are "the seals upon the secret
of God"; hence, the "Kamal" (perfect) mystic may become entitled
to open them as long as spiritual perception and transmission
remain "without claim", i.e. of modifying revelations and religious
law.
Robe
- garment, conferred by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan upon certain
of his mureeds, chosen for a certain function.
Rockefeller Foundation, Institute
- philanthropic organization, founded in 1901 by the American
industrialist John Davison Rockefeller (1839-1937) for the promotion
of knowledge throughout the world.
Roshan chauki
- illuminated platform, the place where the musicians were playing
and singing.
Rosing, Wladimir
- Russian tenor singer. He was a member of the Imperial Opera
in Moscow, then a concert singer in London. He organized the
opera-season in London in 1915.
Royal Academy of Music
- established in London in 1823. L.R.A.M. indicates that somebody
is a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Royal Musicians of Hindustan
- as Inayat Khan, his two brothers, his cousin and Rama Swami
called themselves. They also called themselves "The servants
of the Sufi-Order". The Indian Magazine wrote about them: "The
Royal Musicians of Hindustan have persevered in establishing
the Order of Sufism by touring throughout the world. They appeared
in strange lands, wearing their native dress and playing their
own instruments, regardless of the response, people or place.
They expressed Sufism in the realm of music and have devoted
their profession to the Order as a means of support. With lectures
and concerts they have attracted the prepared minds to the Truth
of Sufism."
Rubaiyat
- a quatrain, a poem by Omar Khayyam.
Rumi, Jalaluddin
- a Sufi mystic poet (1207-1273): born in Balkh (Afghanistan)
he lived in Konia and other places in Asia Minor. In 1244 he
met his spiritual Guide, the wandering dervish Shams Tabriz.
He founded the Order of the Maulawi dervishes (Mevlevis). Rumi's
famous works are the "Masnavi" and the "Discourses" or "Fihi
ma fihi".
Rummel, Walter
- a virtuosos, conductor and composer (1887-1953), well-known
in Paris in the period before World War I (1914-1918), a friend
of Debussy and of Isadora Duncan.
Russell, Edmund
- American scholar of Oriental art and philosophy, poet and
portrait-painter. He has painted many famous people in America
and Europe. He visited India several times. The Royal Musicians
of Hindustan played at his renowned studio-receptions, both
in New York and in Paris.
Sadi, Muslihuddin
- Persian Sufi poet (13th century A.D.) born at Shiraz. He received
instruction from Abdul Qadir Jilani and Suhrawardi (see Jilani
and sub Chishti Order). He called his books "Bustan" – place
of fragrance and "Gulistan'' – rosegarden, and Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan said about Sadi that in simple language, without
mystification, he has tried to give man a helping hand towards
the development of his personality, explaining how the heart
can be turned into a flower. His poetry is full of wit and intelligence.
Sabha, shabha
- public hall, meeting-place, council.
Sahib
- lord, master, sir.
St. Denis, Ruth
- founded the "Ruth St. Denis School of Dancing and its Related
Arts" in Los Angeles after having made two tours from coast
to coast in the United States of America and given performances
in Paris, London, Vienna and Berlin. Among the subjects of her
repertoire were: Radha, the Cobras, the Yogi, the Incense, and
Egyptian and Japanese productions. Author of "Lotus Light",
a collection of poems (New York 1932) and "An Unfinished Life",
an autobiography (New York and London 1939).
Salar Jung, Sir (Jang)
- was appointed Minister of the State of Hyderabad in 1853 and
was regent during the minority of H.E.H. the Nizam Mir Mahbub
Ali Khan. He was an efficient and hard-working man whose ambition
it was to prove the independence of the State. He reorganized
the entire system of government.
Sama
- hearing, ear, a term applied to a special musical gathering
of Sufis, in which the hearing of harmonious sounds moves the
heart and kindles the fire of love for God.
Samadhi
- state of consciousness in which the mind becomes identified
with the object of meditation. Sufis call it hahut.
Samaj
- meeting, assembly, society.
Sammelan
- assembly, meeting.
Sampurna
- a raga containing all the notes of the octave in both ascent
and descent.
Sangit
- music, song of many voices, symphony.
Sangit Sammilani
- musical Society.
Sa ra gam
- like do re mi, the notation of a melody on which the musician
improvises.
Saraswati Davananda
- see Arya Samaj.
Sarpachi
- chaplet of pearls for the turban. One of the old distinctions
of Maharaja Krishnaraj of Mysore.
Sauvrezis, Alice
- composer and pianist. She organized artistic evenings consisting
partly of authentic Oriental music and partly of Occidental
music inspired by the Orient.
Sayaji Garbawali
- name of a book of songs composed by Inayat Khan and dedicated
to the Maharaja of Baroda whose name is "Sayaji". See also "Garbawali".
Sayyad, Sayyed
- a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, a title, lord, chief.
Sayyad Abu Hashim Madani
- see Madani, Sayyad Abu Hashim.
Sayyad Ahmad Khan
- see Khan, Sayyad Ahmad.
Sayyad Hassan Bilgrami
- see Bilgrami, Sayyad Hassan.
Scott, Dr. A. B. (Khalif)
- see biographical sketches.
Scott, Cecil
- should probably be Cyril Scott, a friend of Percy Grainger,
composer, and author of books on occult subjects.
Scriabine, Alexander Nicolajevitch
- Russian composer and pianist (1871 - 1915). He had a religious
and mystical conception of art and believed in the redeeming
nature of music. He was interested in Oriental philosophy which
inspired his compositions "Poem of Ecstasy", "Divine Poem" and
others. He consecrated the last years of his life to a work
that united music, poetry, dance, light-show and perfume, culminating
in the ecstatic return of the cosmos to the Only Being.
Shake
- vibrato on the instrument, thrill.
Shakuntala
- a poetic work by Kalidasa (in verse).
Shams-i-Tabrez, Tabriz
- a dervish Sufi mystic and poet who became the spiritual Guide
of Jalaluddin Rumi. The latter dedicated "The Diwan of Shams-i-Tabriz"
to his Murshid.
Shankaracharya
- one of the greatest philosophers of India, exponent of the
Advaita Vedanta (8th or 9th century A.D.).
Shastra
- scripture, science.
Shastri
- a learned man.
Shaughnessy, Mr. R. (Sheikh)
- see biographical sketches.
Shishya
- disciple, mureed.
Shiva
- the disintegrating or destroying and reproducing Deity who
is the third God of the Hindu Trinity. Literally the name means:
"in whom all things lie".
Shruti
- an interval smaller than the semi-tone.
Shuhud
- visible. The vision of the God of Truth seen by Himself. Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan says in "Manifestation": "the fourth step of the
consciousness, viz. its conscious experience of life from the
depth to its utmost height."
Sikh
- follower of the religion taught by Guru Nanak.
Sirkar, Sarkar
- chief, master, Your Honor.
Sirkar Ali
- Your Eminent Honor.
Sitar
- a stringed instrument, smaller than the vina, without the
curved neck and gourd of the vina and with a single bridge.
The strings are made of steel and brass. The Karnatic sitar
is somewhat different from the sitar used in Northern India.
Skrine, F. H.
- wrote "The Heart of Asia" in collaboration with E. D. Ross.
Societe Unitive
- see Caillet, Albert.
Söderblom, Nathan
- Swedish Lutheran theologian. In 1914 he became archbishop
of Uppsala and in 1030 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.
He promoted unity among the Christian Churches and was a propagator
of the Oecumenic Movement.
Sorbonne
- Paris University, founded by Robert de Sorbon (1201 - 1274)
as an Establishment for poor students to study Theology. In
1554 the Sorbonne became the official meeting-place of the faculty
of Theology. In 1808 its buildings were given to the Paris University.
Spiritualism
- Doctrine of the existence of the spirit as a substantial reality
; also belief in spirit-communication. It spread from the United
States of America to several countries in Europe.
Stam, Miss D. (Kismet)
- see biographical sketches.
Statue of Liberty
- see Liberty, Statue of.
Steer, Janette
- English actress and popular lecturer, who wrote articles about
"the Woman's Part in the Life of the British Nation".
Steindamm, Dr.
- see biographical sketches.
Steiner, Dr. Rudolf
- see Anthroposophy.
Stolk, Mr. A. van (Sheikh Sirkar)
- see biographical sketches.
Strangways, Arthur Henry Fox
- author of "The Music of Hindostan" with illustrations and
musical notes (Oxford 1914)-
Subedar
- Chief of a province. Collector of taxes. A title.
Sudra, shudra
- a man of the fourth or servile caste of the Hindus.
Sufism
- "Sufism is the religious philosophy of love, harmony and beauty.
It is the essence of religions." As a School its descent and
tradition go back to the earliest times, and can be traced from
Egypt, through the Hebrew prophets, spreading later to Persia
and throughout the East. The Sufi Message descends from this
School and yet is new. "It can only be explained as a certain
light thrown upon life. It is the process by which this light,
the divine inheritance of man, is unveiled." (The words between
quotation marks are from Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan.)
Summerschool
- also called Urs by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan. The idea of
holding a Summerschool was first carried out in 1921, when Pir-o-Murshid
gathered a small group of mureeds from different countries at
Wissous, near Paris, where he was then living. From 1922 on
Summerschools took place at Suresnes and more and more mureeds
attended. A letter was sent out explaining the object of the
Summerschool as being "a meeting of a sacred character which
takes place at the time when Pir-o-Murshid is taking a time
of tranquility after all the months spent in spreading his ideas
throughout the world. During this season Murshid gives a part
of his time to talks, meditation and interviews with his mureeds.
. . ."
Sundar
- Indian Saint-poet.
Surendra Mohan Tagore
- see Tagore, Surendra Mohan.
Sur taranga
- a stringed instrument, probably similar to the sur behar,
which has a similar shape as the sitar but a finer tone and
wider range. This instrument is found in Bengal.
Svarga
- going to or being in Heaven. Heaven.
Swara(m)
- from the Sanskrit svar, note, notes within a certain raga.
Swiss Guards
- Swiss troops forming part of the military house of Charles
VIII, king of France (1496) and his successors. From the 15th
to the 19th century numerous Swiss soldiers served in foreign
armies, especially in France. Today still exists a corps of
Pontifical Swiss guards at the Vatican (Italy).
Tabarruk
- sacred relics, sacred gift, looking for a blessing by partaking
of rose petals or food which has been exposed on the tombs of
saints or other holy places. In Hindi: prasad.
Tabla, dabla
- a pair of small drums, one of larger size and one of medium
size, each one with one head, which are played with the full
hand and the fingers.
Tagore, Devendranath
- (1817 - 1905), founder of the Brahmo Samaj, father of Rabindranath
Tagore.
Tagore, Rabindranath
- (1861 - 1941). Bengali poet and mystic who won the Nobel Prize
for literature in 1913. He founded a School where he tried to
blend the best of Indian and Western literature.
Tagore, Surendra Mohan
- (second half 19th century) – Bengali Pandit, author of important
works on music, e.g. "Universal History of Music", a compendium
of musical knowledge.
Tala
- a time measure in Indian music. Clapping of hands.
Tambura
- a stringed instrument without which no Indian orchestra is
complete. Its varieties are numberless. In shape it is something
like the vina, without the extra gourd and without the elaborate
headpiece.
Tan, than
- keynote.
Tanasukh
- transformation, transmigration, reincarnation.
Tandav
- a frantic dance.
Tansen, Tan Sen
- famous musician and composer (second half 16th century), born
and buried at Gwalior. He was summoned to the Court of the emperor
Akbar. Homage is still paid at his tomb. Pir-o-Murshid Inayat
Khan wrote a play about Tansen, published in "The Sufi" of April
1916.
Tanzih
- the first three steps towards manifestation, the identification
of the Only Being by negation: "He is not this . . . not that."
Tappa
- a typical Muslim song with very rich melody, consisting as
a rule of two movements only; usually a love-song.
Tashbih
- the last three steps towards manifestation. The identification
of the Only Being by the way of comparison: "He is like this
. . . like that."
Tawhid
- being single or alone, declaring God to be One alone.
Telugu
- Dravidian language spoken in Southern India.
Theosophical Society
- founded in 1875 in the United States of America by Helena
Petrovna Blavatski and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. The later
became its first President and at his death in 1906 Mrs. Annie
Besant succeeded him. In 1882 the headquarters were established
in India, first at Benares (Varanasi) and then at Adyar (Madras).
The objects of the Theosophical Society are to form a nucleus
of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction
of race, creed, sex, caste or color, to encourage the study
of comparative religion, philosophy and science and to investigate
the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man.
The Theosophists consider that belief should be the result of
individual study or intuition and should rest on knowledge.
Thumri, tumri
- a Hindustani love-song combining different ragas. The music
is lively and well adapted to dancing.
Ticca gharry, tikka gari
- horse-cab.
Todi
- one of the most common of the Karnatic ragas.
Traz, Robert de
- French-Swiss writer, born in Paris in 1884, author of novels
and essays. He founded "La Revue de Geneve".
Trigunatita, Swami
- Priest of the Hindu-temple and Teacher of the Vedanta Society
in San Francisco, disciple of Shri Ramakrishna.
Tripech
- mark of honor. One of the old distinctions used by Maharaja
Krishnaraj of Mysore.
Tukaram
- Marathi Saint-poet (1598 - 1649). Unsuccessful in his business
as a graindealer, he became a wandering ascetic and devoted
his life to spiritual exercises and to the composing of religious
songs. His abhangas are among the most famous of Indian poems.
Tuyll van Serooskerken, H. P. Baron van (Sheikh Sirdar)
- see biographical sketches.
Tuyll van Serooskerken, H. Baronesse van (Saida)
- see Willebeek le Mair, Henriette.
Tyaga Raja, Swami (Tyagaiya)
- a well-known Karnatic musician, great singer and poet (1759
- 1847) who lived and died at Tanjore, Southern India. He wrote
over 800 songs and found the source of his inspiration in his
worship of Ram. He gathered around himself a group of disciples
who have continued his tradition. He was a creative musical
genius and his competitions mark a definite advance in the musical
development of Southern India.
"Universel, The"
- the Sufi Temple first to be built at Suresnes. Pir-o-Murshid
Inayat Khan gave the outline for its construction and further
indications. It is meant to be a place for Universal Worship
and a center for art, study and meditation.
Urdu
- literally: army, camp, the Hindustani language spoken by the
Muslims of India. It contains Hindi, Arabic and Persian words.
Urs
- wedding festivity, generally indicating the anniversary of
the death of a Saint. It may refer to the union with the Divine
Beloved, attained by him and completed at the time of his death.
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan also used to indicate the Summerschool
at Suresnes as an Urs.
Ustad
- teacher.
Ustadi
- superior.
Vainic
- with report to the Vina.
Vairagya
- a Sanskrit word meaning indifference. Pir-o-Murshid Inayat
Khan explains it in the following words: "Renunciation of the
desires of the senses", "Vairagya means satisfaction, the feeling
that there is no desire more to be satisfied, that there is
nothing on earth that is desired."
Vajad Ali Shah (Wajd...)
- Last Nawab of Oudh, a great patron and innovator of Indian
dance.
Vakil, Wakil
- advocate, lawyer, administrator.
Vallabhacharya
- born in 1479. Devotee of Shri Krishna; a celebrated Vaishnava
teacher and founder of a Vaishnava Sect, a poet and philosopher.
At an early age he began traveling throughout India to propagate
his doctrine and finally settled down at Benares (Varanasi)
where he composed seventeen works the most important of which
were his commentaries on the Vedanta and on the Bhaga-vata-Purana.
He taught a non-ascetical view of religion.
Vedanta
- the one sole orthodox exponent of the creed of the Hindus,
called Vedanta either as teaching the ultimate scope of the
Veda or simply as explained in the Upanishads which come at
the end of the Veda, Vedanta meaning: the end of the Vedas.
Vidurniti
- a book on morals and politics of State during the reign of
Shri Krishna written by Vidura.
Viladat
- birth. Viladat Day, the 5th of July, being the birthday of
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, still celebrated by his mureeds,
Vilayat Inayat Khan
- see Inayat Khan, Vilayat.
Vina
- a stringed instrument having a large wooden hollow bowl on
one side and a detachable gourd on the other side near the neck.
Besides the main strings (4) stretched over the body of the
instrument, it has a number of side strings on a separate bridge
(3), which is fastened to the main bridge and to the wooden
bowl. It is played either with the fingernails or with a plectrum.
Vinayak
- Vina-player. The suffix "ak" expresses action, a name of Vishnu.
Vishnu
- literally : immanent spirit, the God who preserves. One of
the Hindu Trinity of Gods, the other two being Brahma, the Creator,
and Shiva, the Destroyer.
Vivekananda, Swami
- (1863-1902), disciple of Shri Ramakrishna. Founder of the
monastic Order of Ramakrishna and of the Vedanta Society in
New York in 1896.
Vodyer, Bahadur Krishna Rajindra
- Maharaja of Mysore, whose dynasty dates from the beginning
of the 15th century.
Waiz
- preacher.
Wajad, Wajd
- ecstasy, rapture.
Walaja
- dignitary,
Walsh, Walter
- leader of the Free Religious Movement, who wrote "The Free
Religious Movement explained" (London 1925) and "My Spiritual
Pilgrimage from Sectarianism to Free Religion",
Willebeek le Mair, Henriette (Saida)
- (1889 - 1966). Illustrator of many books for children, among
others "Little songs of long ago" and "Christmas Carols for
young children". Between 1911 and 1917 she published her popular
books of illustrated nursery rhymes. Besides this she decorated
a children's chapel in a church and a children's ward in a hospital
in the Netherlands. Apart from her many drawings, paintings
and designs, she made water color pictures of various episodes
in Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan's life. When on a visit to India
she made a drawing of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti's tomb in Ajmer.
Her artistic temperament found also expression in dancing and
playing the vina. She married Mr. H. P. Baron van Tuyll van
Serooskerken.
Wise Rabbi Dr. S. S.
- From the "New York Herald", European edition, Paris 26th December
1925 : "... Rabbi Wise's announcement in a sermon earlier in
the week that the Jews must acknowledge the teachings of Jesus
as that of a great Jewish scholar, created a storm in Jewry
throughout the country."
Wujud
- existence, manifestation. Inayat Khan calls it in "'Manifestation":
"the third step of the consciousness, viz. the creation of vehicles
such as mind and body."
Yoga
- yoking: setting to work, effort, concentration of the mind,
meditation, contemplation, a discipline aiming at the obtaining
of the union of the individual soul with the Universal Soul.
Yogi, yogin
- who practices yoga.
Zamindar
- landlord, landowner.
Zanetti, Mr. E. de Cruzat (Sheikh)
- see biographical sketches.
Zikr
- remembering, recital of the praise and names of God. A Sufi
practice.
(Note: The Arabic word
(dhikr) is written exactly the same in Arabic, Farsi and Urdu,
but is pronounced like 'thikr' in Arabic, while it is pronounced
like 'zikr' in Farsi and Urdu. Since Hazrat Inayat Khan spoke
Urdu, Zikr is the transliteration that is being used on this
website.)