A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Nadi : in the yogic subtle body knowledge, nadi (etymological "water path") are ways by which energy flows throughout the body. They are similar to the chinese acupuncture meridians. In fact, nadi means "what is flowing". There are three main Nadi (according to the Tradition, there would be 72000 in number - this figure is obviously symbolic - in the human body) which flow in the backbone area :
 Ida Nadi, channel of the "negative", or lunar energy, entering the body through the left nostril, carries a tamasic (See Guna) energy,
 Pingala Nadi, channel of the "positive" or solar energy, entering the body through the right nostril, carries a râjasic energy,
 Sushumna Nadi, between the two latter, through which the Sattwa energy flows

Nâga : serpents, genius of waters and underground regions, guards of spiritual treasures. The Naga cult is widespread all over south India where it is associated with fertility believes and rituals; they are many times represented surmounted by a five or seven-headed cobra canopy

Nâginî : female (Shakti) of a Nâga; they are told to be very beautiful



Nandi : white bull, mount (vâhana) of God Shiva. Nandi is represented as a magnificent and mighty bull with a hump, many times sitting under a stone canopy and facing the main entrance of Shiva temples. He is widely worshipped by everybody

Narasimha : one of the Vishnu avatâra who came on earth as a half-man half-lion being. So, he succeeded to kill the invincible asurâ (demon) Hiranyâksha. Indeed, the latter had obtained a boon from god Brahmâ, after a severe and successful penance. Brahmâ had granted him not to be killed by a man or a demon, by a wild or a domesticated animal, during day or during night, in or out his palace. In order to kill this dangerous demon, Vishnu took a form which is neither human, nor animal and nor divine, and He eviscerated him at the palace gate. This legend is often represented on temple sculptures

Narmadâ : flowing from east to west over 1230 km, the Narmadâ River makes a northern natural border of the Dekkan plateau. Hindu people believe it a holy waterway. Important places benchmark its course : Bheraghat (Marble Rocks), near Jabalpur, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar

Navagrahâ : the Nine Planets, which are considered as deities in hinduism. They are : Sûrya, the Sun, Chandra, the Moon, Angaraka or Mangalam (Mars), Budha (Mercur), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), then the two demons of the eclipses, Râhu and Ketu. The Navagrahâ are widely worshipped in south India, mainly Tamil Nadu; all these deities are standing on a pedestal in the north-east temple corner, so that no one is looking at another. The worshippers use to make a circumambulation nine times. Ganesh is sometimes associated with the Navagrahâ on rare ancient temple stone lintels. One of the best set of Navagrahâ can be seen near the Sûrya temple in Konarak (Orissa)

Nayak : they took advantage of the Vijayanagar decay, after they were defeated at the Tilacota battle against the muslim armies, to take their place in Madurai, the Pandya fief, in southern Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the Madurai Nayak dynasty lasted from about 1565 to 1736, when they were overthrown. In fact, the British took the real power from 1564 forward

Newâr : name given to the Nepalese people originating from the Kathmandu valley; in ancient times, they probably came from the tibeto-birmanian area

Nîlakantha : name given to Shiva after he drank the mortal poison who had appeared when gods and demons churned the Milk Ocean, at the very beginning of the Universe. This poison was able to kill all living creatures; so, to avoid this disaster, Shiva drank it. But the poison gave a blue color to Shiva's throat : Nîlakantha means blue-colored throat

Nirriti : one of the eight Dikpâla, ruler of the south-western part of the World. His mount is a human being

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