Glossary: U

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listen Uddhava
One of Krishna’s closest friends, His most confidential adviser in Mathura and Dvaraka.
listen uddipana
A category of bhava which means “that which lights the lamp of bhakti.
listen Ugrasena
The Bhoja king of Mathura whose throne was usurped by his son Kamsa but restored by Krishna after Krishna killed Kamsa.
listen Ugrashrava
See Suta Gosvami.
listen Ujjvala
the mood of conjugal love with the Lord.
listen Uma
Parvati, the eternal consort of Lord Siva.
listen upadesha
instruction.
listen Upadeshamrita
The Nectar of Instruction; a practical guide to the development of Krishna consciousness, written by Srila Rupa Goswami.
listen upadhi
material designation.
listen Upananda
Nanda Maharaja’s brother.
listen upanayana
A boy’s investiture with the sacred thread, a ceremony that marks the beginning of his Vedic education.
listen Upanishads
The philosophical chapters of the Vedas, organized into 108 books. They are also called Vedanta, meaning “the culmination of Vedic knowledge,” and were explained systematically by Dvaipayana Vyasa in his Vedanta-sutra.
listen Upapuranas
Minor Puranas.
listen Upendra
another name of Lord Vamana, meaning “the younger brother of Indra.”
listen Uragas
The Naga race of divine serpents who live in the sub-terranean region of Patala.
listen Usha
The daughter of the demon Bana who fell in love with Krishna’s grandson Aniruddha.
listen utsaha
enthusiasm.
listen utsaha-mayi
lit., “false enthusiasm.” Self confidence based on insufficient realization.
listen uttama
topmost or highest.
listen uttama-adhikari
a topmost devotee.
listen Uttamashloka
a name of Krishna; “He who is praised with transcendental song or poetry.”
listen Uttara
King Virata’s daughter, the wife of Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu. Krishna entered her womb to save her son, Parikshit, the last heir to the Kuru throne.