Glossary of Non-English & Technical Terms

Below is a list of non-English and technical terms used in the novel. The meanings given are intended only to convey the sense in which I have used the words. I have, in general not offered translations of proper names or foreign words common in English (karma, nirvana, etc.)

Amatotola (Zulu) Whistling Spirits. They manifest in the roof to guide seers.
Arti (Sanskrit) Fire-offering ceremony.
Ashram (Sanskrit) A centre devoted to religious enterprises.
Asura (Sanskrit) Titans or Jealous Gods.
Babaji (Hindi) Beloved Father
Bezel The top section of a ring, usually where the stone is set
Burin A small hand-held engraver’s chisel.
Bidi (Hindi) A cigarette with a scrap of Turkish tobacco wrapped in a eucalypt leaf.
Deva (Sanskrit) A god.
Ghee (Hindi) Clarified butter.
Gi (Japanese) Martial arts uniform.
Gulab (Hindi) A rose.
Hamsa (Sanskrit) A swan - a figure for the spirit.
Joot Singh (Hindi) The king of liars. A figure in folklore.
Kali Yuga (Sanskrit) The Age of Iron, the current and most degenerate age in the cycle of Yugas, or Æons.
Kalpa  (Hindi) An Æon.
Kurta (Hindi) A shirt or blouse.
Lakh  (Hindi) A hundred thousand.
Loupe A monocular magnifier, held in the eye socket.
Mantra (Sanskrit) Spell, chant, or sacred sound.
Mataji (Hindi) Beloved mother.
Namo (Sanskrit) I pay homage.
Niello A compound of the sulphides lead and other metals, used as an inlay material because of its low melting point.
Optivisor  Binocular magnifiers used by jewellers and watchmakers.
Paramukta (Sanskrit) Supremely liberated one.
Peepul (Hindi) A large ficus tree with heart-shaped leaves.
Puja (Sanskrit) Ceremonial worship.
Premi (Hindi?) Lover - term used for devotees of a teacher.
Rakshasa (Sanskrit) A devil or spirit devoted to malice.
Rinpoche (Tib) Precious. A title of respect.
Samadhi (Sanskrit) Mental absorbtion.
Satsang (Sanskrit) A gathering in the name of truth. A talk given at such a gathering.
Sangoma (Xhosa) A healer.
Shakudo (Japanese)  A pink alloy of 4% to 10% gold in copper, which goes black in air or under chemical treatment.
Shank The band of a ring.
Sri Shyam (Hindi) Beautiful darkness.
Tilak (Hindi) A mark or decoration in the middle of the forehead.
Veena (Sanskrit) A stringed instrument regarded as sacred.
Vikalpa-samadhi (Sanskrit) Absorbtion in doubt or false notions.
Yama (Sanskrit) Hindu god of death.
Yarmulke (Hebrew) Small skull-cap worn by Jewish men.
Ye Ma (Sanskrit) Oh mother.