Sanskrit Terms Starting with E

Eka (एक) is the numeral one.

In asana nomenclature, eka signifies doing a pose on one side or with one limb.

For example, Eka-pāda means one-legged – as in Eka-pāda Rājakapotāsana (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose) where one leg is forward and the other extended back.

Similarly, Eka-hasta would mean one-handed.

Beyond asana, ekāgratā in meditation refers to one-pointed concentration of the mind.

The concept of oneness is also spiritual: the realization that at the deepest level, there is only one universal consciousness (often stated as “All is One”).

Thus, “eka” signifies singular focus or unitary essence.

In teaching, you might encourage students to find “eka-pointed attention” by focusing on a drishti or the breath, bringing all awareness to one point.

Ekādaśa (एकादश) breaks down to eka (one) + daśa (ten), literally “one-ten,” which is 11.

Culturally and spiritually, Ekādaśī (the 11th day after a new or full moon) is significant in yoga circles and Hindu tradition as a day for cleansing and austerity (many do a grain-free fast on ekādaśī to support meditation).

In some classical texts, numbers are used as shorthand; for example, a verse might mention “ekādaśa-rudrās” meaning the eleven forms of Rudra (a Vedic deity).

For yoga training purposes, knowing terms like ekādaśa is mostly academic, but it enriches understanding.

If you delve into Sanskrit chants or the terminology of yoga anatomy (like the ekādaśa nāḍīs, eleven principal energy channels in some pranayama texts), familiarity with Sanskrit numbers can be helpful.

Ekāgratā (एकाग्रता) is derived from eka (“one”) and agra (“point or foremost part”) – essentially single-pointed concentration.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras present ekāgratā as both a practice and a state: initially as dhāraṇā, concentrating the mind on one spot or object, and later as a quality of mind itself.

A mind in ekāgratā is undisturbed and continuously aware of its chosen focus.

This state is cultivated through steady practice of pratyāhāra (withdrawing senses) and dhāraṇā; eventually, ekāgratā blossoms into dhyāna (meditation) when the focus flows without break.

In modern terms, training in ekāgratā might include staring at a candle flame (tratak) or repeating a mantra to the exclusion of other thoughts.

It’s considered the antidote to the scattered mind.

For yoga teachers, explaining ekagrata can help students understand why we limit external stimuli in class (for example, maintaining drishti) – to nurture that one-pointed mental clarity which is essential for progressing toward samadhi.

Ekonaviṃśati (एकोनविंशति) is a compound of ekona (“one less”) and viṃśati (“twenty”), signifying the number 19.

While not commonly referenced in everyday yoga instruction, Sanskrit number terms like this appear in classical texts or philosophical contexts.

For example, some Upanishadic or Tantric texts enumerate principles or constituents (tattvas) and might use ekonaviṃśati if listing 19 items.

In practical use, a yoga teacher might not directly use “ekonaviṃśati,” but knowing Sanskrit numbering can be helpful if you’re studying original verses or chants.

It also gives insight into how Sanskrit forms numbers through compounds.

In summary, ekonavimsati = 20 – 1 = 19, reflecting the precise and mathematical nature of Sanskrit language construction.