1 In Hindu mythology the demon Rahu attempted to partake of the nectar of immortality when it was being served to the gods, but he was detected and beheaded by Lord Vishnu. In this story, the nectar could not make him immortal because he was evil-minded.
2 Lord Ganesha is considered to be the seat of intellect in human beings. So it is considered that all learning and accomplishment comes from him.
3 The four types speech are "Para" or original arising of thought or primal arising of speech at the region of the navel, the "Pashyanti" which is the subtle formation of the word at the level of the heart, the "Madhyama" which is the subtle manifestation of the sound of words in the form of a whisper at the region of the throat, and the "Vaikhari" which is the gross manifestation of speech or thought at the level of the mouth. Later on in the text Samartha Ramdas gives a detailed explanation of the four types of speech (Chapter 18, sub-chapter 8).
4 Neti, Neti - The Vedas could not describe in words the nature of the Sadguru (the words fall short; he is beyond words), therefore they said that he is "Not this, Not this," because it is not possible to say what he is.
5 In Hindu mythology, Shesha is a giant snake who is said to be the support of the world. The literal translation of the word Shesha means "remainder." At the time of the great dissolution of the world, what is left over, or what "remains," is Shesha. Thus, it is said that Shesha is the support of the world.
6 In rural India, the village people leave pieces of old clothing on Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree, in the hope of having their desires fulfilled.
7 In Hindu mythology, the magical stone Chintamani removes the worries of whomever possesses it, and Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow, fulfills one's desires with it's milk.
8 The Five Elements, or Panchabhooti, are Sky (Space), Air (Wind), Fire (Light), Water, and Earth.
9 The nine types of emotions according to vedic literature are love, joy, wonder, courage, peace, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust.
10 The eight parts of the body are - two feet, two knees, two arms, torso, and forehead, laying flat on the ground.
11 The six traditional streams of philosophy are Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimansa, Vedanta
12 These metaphors are attributed to ancient Indian myths about lust and greed in worldly life.
13 The three tortures; bodily tortures, worldly tortures, and cosmic tortures, are explained later in this chapter.
14 In ancient times in India, a young girl was often hastily married off before puberty.
15 For some religious occasions, it is customary to invite a married woman and a priest for food. In his miserliness he only invites family to come to his house.
16 Here Ramdas is using the word "Kala" which has a dual meaning. One meaning is time, and the other is a word for death.
17 The four streams of life are (1) life from seed, (2) life from eggs, (3) life born through live birth, and (4) life born from the combination of heat and moisture.
18 Four types of speech are also explained in more detail later in the text (Chapter 17, sub-chapter 8).
19 In Hindu mythology it is said that there are 8.4 millions species of beings in the cycle of death and rebirth.
20 The touch-stone, or Parisa, is a mythological stone that had the power to turn iron into gold by its touch.
21 The word Swami is a title or appellation signifying status that is used to refer to someone who is held in high esteem. The western equivalent would be something like "Honorable One."
22 The word "bhakti," and the word "bhajan," are used somewhat interchangeably throughout the text meaning to: adore, worship, cherish, respect, honor, revere, pay homage to, praise, devotion to, love for, or to be exceedingly delighted with or fond of. To a lesser degree, the words "bhava/bhavana" are also used extensively in the text, to indicate commitment to, faith in, and adoration of, with the connotation of a sense of deep feeling and a sense of naturalness to one's being associated with these attitudes.
23 The nine types of devotion are; (1) listening to narrations about God, (2) singing God's praises (3)remembrance of God's name, (4) service at the guru's feet, (5) worship, 6) bowing down, (7) service, (8) friendship with God and (9) self-surrender.
24 The Mahavakyas are the gist of the Upanishads put into four statements:
Pradnyanam Brahma - Consciousness is Brahman.
Ayam Atma Brahma - The Self is Brahman.
Tat Tvam Asi - You are That.
Aham Brahmasmi - I am Brahman.
25 The four bodies are: (1)Gross (2)Subtle (3)Casual (4) and Great Casual - These are explained later in the text.
26 Kali Yuga: According to the ancient scriptures the whole time span from the creation until the destruction of the universe is divided into four ages, or yugas. The current yuga, which is the last of the four, is the Kali Yuga. During this time it is said that human beings will have great intellectual capacity, but it will predominantly be a time of indulgence in sensual pleasures and passions.
27 Valmiki, who was a member of a gang of robbers, chanted the name of Rama in reverse, as "mara" which means to die. When mara-mara is chanted, it becomes Rama Rama. Thereby, with reverse chanting of Rama, he was saved, and became a great sage who went on to write the spiritual epic "Ramayana."
28 In Hindu mythology, when the sea was churned by the gods and the demons, fourteen precious objects were dispelled along with a lot of poison that was consumed by Lord Shiva. It was by chanting the name of Lord Rama that the poison was rendered ineffective.
29 The Chataka and Chakora are birds. The Chataka bird is believed to live only on rain water, and the Chakora lives on the moon light. Even if it doesn’t rain, or the moon does not rise on time, their love never diminishes.
30 There is a story in Hindu mythological stories (the Puranas) of how Lord Vishnu protected the elephant Ganjedra from a crocodile.
31 The word Brahmana in it's common usage is a priest of the Brahmin caste, which is the highest of the four classes of Hindu society. It is also used to indicate a "knower of Brahman."
32 In Hindu culture, at the age of eight, a boy of the Brahmin caste is initiated by the Guru who performs the sacred thread ceremony where a string is draped over one shoulder around the body in a loop. It is said that one's first birth is at the parent’s home, and the second birth (the spiritual life) takes place when one arrives at the Guru’s feet.
33 Mantras are sacred words or sacred syllables which are used for the purpose of meditation or achieving some effect. They are usually given by a Guru at the time of initiation. The mantras for meditation are usually repeated over and over again. This repetition is called "japa." The Mantra is usually repeated silently in the mind, but can be spoken or chanted out loud.
34 There are one thousand names of Vishnu, each describing different qualities. There are many names of Lord Krishna also describing him. The point being made is that one can repeat any one of these multitude of names according to the instruction given or one’s liking.
35 The Mahavakyas, the four "Great Statements" are - Prajnanam Brahmma (from Righveda), Aham Brahmasmi (from Yajurveda), Tat Tvam Asi (from Samveda), Ayamatma Brahmma (from Atharvaveda).
36 Brahma, the creator, is depicted with four faces, as if he is telling the knowledge of all four Vedas. This point being made here is that even the four Vedas cannot tell the greatness of the Self-Knowledge.
37 The word Siddha means "accomplished." The words Jnani, siddha, sadhu, saint and sage, and are often used interchangeably for one who is Self-Realized.
38 Bhoota is the word for ghost, but it also is the word for element. This play on words is being used to indicate that the elements are insubstantial or ghostlike. The word for the five elements is PanchaBhooti (Panch is five, and bhooti is the plural form of element).
39 In Hindu mythology, the Rajhansa, or Royal Swan drinks only the pure milk from a mixture of milk and water.
40 The three factors, or "Triputi," are always there when there is experience. For example, the trio of observer, observing, and observed, or knower, knowing, known, etc. It is for this reason that the emblem of Shiva is marked with three lines, representing that all of the three aspects are within him, and yet He is beyond them.
41 The chataka bird is thirsty for the rainwater. He longs and waits and cries, looking towards the sky for the rain shower. Only when it rains does his longing for water become pacified.
42 Patala is called the "netherworld." This is the Causal Body in the form of forgetfulness. In the Patala Loka (netherworld), there is the pitch darkness of ignorance.
43 For a detailed explanation on the final dissolution of the universe, refer to the sub-chapter titled "The Final Dissolution."
44Vyasa is the proper name of a saint and author, the supposed compiler of the Vedas and Puranas. Vyasa is considered to be the founder of Vedanta philosophy
45In Vedanta teachings Shravana, Manana, and Nididhyasana are the three activities of the listening, reflection, and verification used to gain Self-Knowledge.
46In Hindu culture, there are multitude manifestations of various gods with their particular powers and greatness, and these gods are usually associated with a particular place. So what is being indicated here by Samartha Ramdas is that a text praising a particular deity or place will only have significance in that particular place and only for that particular deity.
47The interpretation of the seven sheaths varies, but is generally considered to be the Five Elements, the ego or ignorance, and Chaitanya or the Self which is sometimes referred to as the seven sheathed creation.
48 The seven seas are 1) salt water, 2) milk, 3) wine, 4) ghee, 5) curds, 6) sugarcane juice, and 7) pure water
49 These four types of speech are explained in detail in Chapter 17, sub-chapter 8.
50The five types of nectar are classically considered to be milk, curds, clarified butter, honey, sugar
51 Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj has given a very nice commentary on symbolic meaning of this in the book "Master of Self-Realization."
52Brahmacharyashram is the bachelors life studying with a Guru, Gruhasthashram is the householders life, Vanaprasthashram is retiring after the householders life, and Sanyasashram is renouncing the worldly life
53The six virtuous activities are: studying, teaching, making offerings, helping others make offerings, giving of alms, and accepting donations.
54In the time of Samartha Ramdas, the country was in great turmoil because of Muslim invaders and a decline in social values.
55In rural India, cowdung is mixed with straw and made into flat round cakes and used as a source of fuel for cooking fires.
56In Vedic cosmology the six pure qualities of God are considered to be Jnana (Knowledge/Consciousness), Aishvarya (Omnipresence), Shakti (Energy), Bala (Strength/Power), Virya (Vitality/Life), and Tejas (Brilliance).
57Mount Meru is a mountain of Hindu mythology that is believed to be located somewhere in northern Tibet or possibly somewhere northeast of the Indian province of Kashmir. In more modern times the names of many mountains have been changed, so the exact location and the names of surrounding mountains remain a mystery.
58In the story of Ramayana, when Janaki (Sita) performed the fire sacrifice, the God of Fire appeared and said, "I accept her, she is my daughter, she is very pure."
59Here Samartha Ramdas is poetically using the double meaning of the word "KalpantaPralaya" which means the dissolution (pralaya) at the time of the end of the universe, or era (Kalpanta; Kalpa - an age or era, and Anta - the end); The second meaning is the dissolution (pralaya) of the universe that occurs when imagination or concepts come to an end (Kalpanta; Kalpa - concept, imagination, and Anta - the end).
60The fourteen names given to Brahman are: 1) Life-Energy or Chaitanya, 2) The equilibrium of the gunas, or Gunasamya, 3) The half-male/half-female principle, 4) Prakriti/Purusha, 5) Shiva/Shakti, 6) The Gunas in their pure form as God, or Shadguneshwara, 7) The Principle Element, or Mahat Tattva, 8) The stirring of the gunas, or Gunakshobhini, 9) Sattva, 10) Rajas, 11) Tamas, 12) Mind, 13) Illusion, or Maya, and 14) Jiva.