8.Luxembourg. The famous Garden, beloved of the poets, in Paris. Built in the sixteenth century, the Palace of Luxembourg has played a historic role in the chronicles of the country. The Garden around it is in the well-known Latin Quarter of Paris, which has the University of Paris (the Sorbonne), many famous schools, and intellectual institutions, so that students often come there to read or spend a pleasant afternoon. With the going down the slight rise, on which is situated the Luxembourg, you come to the Seine, and the great Cathedral of Notre Dame. All this area has, as it were, been, since the eleventh century, the centre of European intellectual life. In a way, the Luxembourg implies all this—especially, its connection with the poets.

9.Manasa-Gangotri. Lake near Kailas, in the Himalayas. Manasa means, of the mind. So, the name implies, the Gangetic source of the mind.

10.Mara. The Evil One, the tempter, in Buddhism.

11.Muchalinda. The serpent that spread its hood, to protect Gautama from the fierce sun and winds.

12.Nachiketas. One of the most moving figures in the Upanishads. Nachiketas was the young son of Vajasravas, who had given away everything, because he was going to retire into the forest a seeker after Truth. And when he had given away everything that belonged to him, Nachiketas asked his father, to whom was he going to give him, his son. The father said he would be given away to Yama, Lord of Death. So Nachiketas goes to the kingdom of Yama and asks Yama for three boons. But finally when he asked the god of Death to explain the meaning of death, Yama refused to answer, saying he would give away anything but not this secret, the most secret of secrets. The young Nachiketas was so insistent, however, and so earnest, the god of Death had to finally give the proper answer, which is: Beyond the mind and the intellect, is the Deathless, Atman, the Self.

13.Purana. The legendary history of India, or histories of India, both human and divine.

14.Shadowless. Some traditions say, he who has no ego left, is shadowless. Only the body, the person, can have a shadow. But when one has gone beyond where the person is, one can have no shadow, because one has no ego.

15.Sudhama. A poor Brahmin, once a class fellow of Sri Krishna, came on foot, with just a handful of rice, as offering to his friend. Sri Krishna himself came down from his royal seat and washed the feet of Sudhama, and after a warm, friendly talk and meal, sent Sudhama back with coach and four, but when Sudhama reached home, he finds his broken down house has flowered into a mansion. An ancient and famous legend in India.

16.Tanmatras. The subtlest aspects of creation, akin to particles in modern physics.

17.Upasaka. Follower of a metaphysical discipline.