Naraka, Nāraka, Nāyaka, Nayaka, Narakaṉ: 82 definitions

Alternative spellings of this word includeNarak.

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source:archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Naraka (नरक).—(NARAKĀSURA). A valiant Asura.Birth. Once the Asura Hiraṇyākṣa was amusing himself by wading through the ocean and beating at the waves with his club. Varuṇa, the god of water, was alarmed at this and ran to Mahāviṣṇu and told him every thing. Hearing this Mahāviṣṇu got up to kill Hiraṇyākṣa. Hiraṇyākṣa who had assumed the form of a Boar carried the earth on his tusks and ran to Pātāla. As the goddess earth had come into contact with the tusks of Hiraṇyākṣa she became pregnant and gave birth to an asura infant of immense might and power. That infant was Narakāsura. (See full article atStory of Naraka from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

2) Naraka (नरक).—Mention is made about another Narakāsura who was born to Prajāpati Kaśyapa by his wife Danu, in Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 65, Stanza 28. Once Indra defeated this Narakāsura. It is seen in Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 9 that this asura after his death, stayed in the palace of Varuṇa worshipping him.

3) Naraka (नरक).—Bhagadatta the son of Narakāsura ruled over the part of Pātāla called Naraka, and being the ruler of Naraka, Bhagadatta seems to have been known by the name of Naraka also.

4) Naraka (नरक).—See under Kāla I.

Source:archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “leader” (e.g., of the three worlds), according to theŚivapurāṇa 2.3.15 (“The penance and reign of Tārakāsura”).—Accordingly, after Tāraka requested boons from Brahmā: “[...] That great demon [i.e., Tāraka] was crowned the king of the three worlds with the permission of Śukra, the preceptor of the demons. Then the great demon became the leader of the three worlds [i.e.,trailokya-nāyaka]. He inaugurated his commanding position by harassing the mobile and immobile beings. He duly established his suzerainty over the three worlds. He protected his subjects but inflicted pain on the gods and others. [...]”.

Source:archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Naraka (नरक) refers to “hell”, according to theŚivapurāṇa 2.3.31 (“Description of Śiva’s magic”).—Accordingly, as Bṛhaspati said to the Gods: “All of you gods seem to be selfish in nature. You want to destroy other’s interests. Indeed I will go to hell (naraka) by disparaging Śiva. O gods, one of you shall go to the mountain. Let him urge the lord of the mountains and achieve the desired object. Let him stay in Bhārata after giving his daughter without willingness. It is certain he will attain salvation if he gives his daughter with devotion. [...]”.

Source:Sacred Texts: The Vishnu Purana

Naraka (नरक) refers to the hells which are situated beneath the earth and beneath the waters, and into which sinners are finally sent.

The names of the differentnarakas are as follows:

1. Raurava,
2. Śūkara,
3. Rodha,
4. Tāla,
5. Viśasana,
6. Mahājvāla,
7. Taptakumbha,
8. Lavaṇa,
9. Vimohana,
10. Rudhirāndha,
11. Vaitaranī,
12. Krimīśa,
13. Krimibhojana,
14. Asipatravana,
15. Kṛṣṇa,
16. Lālābhakṣa,
17. Dāruṇa,
18. Pūyavāha,
19. Pāpa,
20. Vahnijvāla,
21. Adhośiras,
22. Sandansa,
23. Kālasūtra,
24. Tamas,
25. Avīchi,
26. Śvabhojana,
27. Apratiṣṭha,
28. Avīchi.

These and many other fearful hells are the awful provinces of the kingdom of Yama, terrible with instruments of torture and with fire; into which are hurled all those who are addicted when alive to sinful practices

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Naraka (नरक).—A son of Anṛta; another name of Raurava.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 64; Vāyu-purāṇa 10. 39.

1b) A nephew of Hiraṇyakaśipu and son of the Earth and Vipracitti; lived in Prāgjyotiṣa;¹ took away a number of women belonging to sages and kings to his palace, robbed Mandara of its crest jewel, Aditi of her earrings and Varuṇa of his umbrella; demanded the Airāvata from Indra; at Indra's request was cut in twain by Kṛṣṇa in his own city Prāgjyotiṣa;² spoils distributed among his followers while all women were appropriated to Kṛṣṇa's harem.³ Friend of Vānara Dvivida who was killed by Baladeva.⁴

• 1) Matsya-purāṇa 6. 27; 161. 78; 163. 81-2; 245. 12. Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 21. 128; V. 1. 24; 12. 21.
• 2) Ib. V. 29. 8-21.
• 3) Ib. V. 31. 14-15.
• 4) Ib. V. 36. 2-21.

1c) A Dānava withmanuṣya dharma;¹ a Saimhikeya;² killed by Kṛṣṇa.³

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 68. 15.
• 2) Ib. 68. 19.
• 3) Ib. 98. 102.

1d) Is bhaumam (earth).^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 39. 4, 7-8; 41. 6.

1e) 27 hells under Yama; to them go the unrighteous according to their respective sins; after a certain period they are born as low beings according to theirkarma.¹ Seven under the earth below the Śeṣaloka— Raurava, Śītastapa, Kālasūtu, Apratiṣṭha, Avīcī, Lohapṛṣṭha, and Avidhya.²

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 2. 146-150.
• 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 101. 144-92; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 6. 1. (whole).

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Nāyaka (नायक).—An army leader; ten in Tāraka's army; their names, ensigns, chariots, etc., detailed.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 148. 43-56.

Source:JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Naraka (नरक) is a name mentioned in theMahābhārata (cf. I.59.28, I.65, II.9.12, II.13.13) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Naraka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteenmahapuranas total over 400,000shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Naraka (नरक) refers to the “hells” mentioned in theDevī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 8.21 (on the narrative of hells). The hells are destinations where dead beings brought by messengers of Yama (the God of the Pitṛs), and get punished by him according to their karmas and faults.

There are variously twenty-one or twenty-eight hells described. The following is a list of thirty:

1. Tāmisra,
2. Andha-tāmisra,
3. Raurava,
4. Mahāraurava,
5. Kumbhīpāka,
6. Kālasūtra,
7. Asipatrakānana,
8. Śūkaramukha,
9. Andhakūpa,
10. Krimibhojana,
11. Taptamūrti,
12. Saṃdaṃśa,
13. Vajrakaṇṭaka,
14. Śālmalī,
15. Vaitaraṇī,
16. Pūyoda,
17. Prāṇarodha,
18. Viśasana,
19. Lālābhakṣa,
20. Sārameyādana,
21. Avīci,
22. Apahpāna,
23. Kṣārakardama,
24. Rakṣogaṇa,
25. Saṃbhoja,
26. Śūlaprota,
27. Dandaśūka,
28. Avaṭārodha,
29. Paryāvartanaka,
30. Sūcimukha.

The Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa, or Śrīmad-devī-bhāgavatam, is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature containing cultural information on ancient India, religious/spiritual prescriptions and a range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The whole text is composed of 18,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 6th century.

Source:Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “leader” (viz., in the Kula liturgy) and is used to describe Bhairava, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as the Goddess said to Bhairava: “By virtue of (your intense) desire to achieve (this) in (our) friendship, I have given (you) the accomplishment of the Command. [...] Generate the fame (which is the energy called the) Nameless (Anāmā) and authority in the six sacred seats. O Siddhanātha, along with me, you are the leader (nāyaka) in the Kula liturgy. Now you will possess knowledge that has not been seen or heard (by the senses). It is the knowledge announced in the past and brought down (to earth) by Ādinātha. [...]”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Arthashastra (politics and welfare)

Source:Shodhganga: Kakati Ganapatideva and his times (artha)

Nāyaka (नायक) literally means royal officer or a ruling chief or a local leader or a person of prominence. The termnāyaka is a general designation of power or warrior who was at tiroes associated with military enterprises of the king’s but who at all times was a territorial chief in his own right.

context information

Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Dhanurveda (science of warfare)

Source:Shodhganga: Kakati Ganapatideva and his times (weapons)

Nāraka refers to a kind of weapon employed in warfare by the soldiers, according to Śrīnātha’s 15th century Palanāṭivīra-caritra. Nāraka refers to the instrument used for wounding the infernal regions. The Vardhmānapuram inscription states that the king should be proficient in dealing several varieties of weapons.

context information

Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेद) refers to the “knowledge of warfare” and, as anupaveda, is associated with the Ṛgveda. It contains instructions on warfare, archery and ancient Indian martial arts, dating back to the 2nd-3rd millennium BCE.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to “heroes” of which there are four classes defined (according to their conduct), defined to theNāṭyaśāstra chapter 34. Accordingly, “heroes (nāyaka) are known to be of four classes, and they belong to the superior and the middling types and have various characteristics”.

The four kinds of heroes (nāyaka) are as follows:

1. the self-controlled and vehement (dhīroddhata),
2. the self-controlled and light-hearted (dhīralalita),
3. the self-controlled and exalted (dhīrodātta),
4. the self-controlled and calm (dhīrapraśānta).

Gods are self-controlled and vehement, kings are self-controlled and light-hearted, ministers are self-controlled and exalted, and Brahmins and merchants are self-controlled and calm Heroes.

Source:Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “hero” in a dramatic representation, as used within the classical tradition of Indian dance and performance, also known asBharatanatyam.—In the depiction of any mood or sentiment, a dance performance or a dramatic representation takes the medium of the hero (nāyaka) and the heroine (nāyikās). Quite often, the hero’s role may be that of gods or divine personalities and the heroine’s role may be of goddesses or devotees of the gods and the goddesses. In a solo dance recital, an individual dancer depicts the roles of both the hero (nāyaka) and the heroine (nāyikās) and all the characters that are present in the song are also portrayed by the individual through his/her gestures, actions, emotions and the song.

Thenāyakas (heroes) are classified into three types depending on their relationship with thenāyikās (heroines). They are:

1. Patī (hero married to a woman),
2. Upapatī (hero married to a woman and also attracting the attention of another woman),
3. Vaiśika (hero who spends his money on women to buy love).

The heroes are again classified on the basis of their erotic sentiments into four types. They are:

1. Anukūla (hero who is faithful and pleasing and is pleased only by his wife).
2. Dakṣiṇa (hero who has several wives and treats each one equally without partiality).
3. Śaṭha (hero who is cunning and lives openly with any number of women and does not keep any secret about himself),
4. Dṛṣṭa (hero who is shameless and unfaithful to his beloved and secretly harms her).

The heroes are once again classified on the basis of their nature into four types. They are as follows:

1. Dhīrodātta (hero who is passionate and ambitious;sāttvatī-vṛtti);
2. Dhīroddhata (hero who is high-spirited, firm and balanced;ārabhaṭī-vṛtti);
3. Dhīralalita (hero who is interested in fine arts and always happy and carefree;kaiśikī-vṛtti);
4. Dhīraśānta (hero who is virtuous and kind;bhāratī andkaiśikī-vṛtti).

There is another classification of the heroes on the basis of their characters in the song or the play. They are three in number, namely (1) Uttama, (2) Madhyama, and (3) Adhama. The above three classifications of the heroes are very important as they form the main part in choreography. When a song is heard, the first analysis is whether the hero is uttama or madhyama or adhama. The next thought goes to his nature, then to his marital status and finally to his erotic sentimental type.

Source:Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “Heroes” in Indian Dramas, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—

In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, five types of hero are accepted. These are—

1. dhīroddhata,
2. dhīralalita,
3. dhīrapraśānta,
4. dhīrodātta and
5. uddhata.

The Sāhityadarpaṇa accepts only four and theuddhata variety is absent in this book. The worddhīra is associated with each of the [first four] varieties. The termdhīra means firmness. So, it can be said that according to the Sāhityadarpaṇa, all the four types of hero should be associated with the quality of firmness. The Nāṭyaśāstra also gives same view point with the Sāhityadarpaṇa in this matter.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र,nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source:VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Naraka (नरक) means “hell”. Similarly, everyone who exists in this material world is called Nāraka because this material existence itself is known as a hellish condition of life.

Source:Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to:—Hero; especially refers to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (cf. Glossary page fromBhajana-Rahasya).

Source:Pure Bhakti: Brahma-samhita

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to—Hero.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Kavyashastra (science of poetry)

Source:Shodhganga: Bhismacaritam a critical study

Nāyaka (नायक, “Hero”) refers to one of the primary or the principal characteristics of aMahākāvya (‘epic poem’).—He is called the Netā, Nāyaka, or the hero because the entire action of a drama or amahākāvya culminates in his benefit and revolves round him, in the main. Due to numerous complexities of human-nature, the hero may be of as many different types as human-begins can possibly be, so the classification of the hero seems to be a difficult task. Still, the ancient scholars have tried to determine broadly the characteristics of different heroes as characters. In the first place, they have defined the personal merits of a hero.

The hero as the principal character is classified into four types and they are:

1. dhīrodātta,
2. dhīroddhata,
3. dhīralalita,
4. dhīrapraśānta.

These are the four popular types of heroes who lead other characters whether their action is directed towards success in love or any heroic exploit. Generally, a hero has his counter-part, who is known as the subsidiary hero or theanunāyaka. The leaders of the Episode (patākā;) or the Incident (prakarī;) are generally such characters. They are the principal supplementary to the hero in achieving his end. Ananunāyaka is therefore a character whose part is comparatively much less important than that of the hero.

context information

Kavyashastra (काव्यशास्त्र,kāvyaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to “lord”, according to theBṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 12), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “I shall now expound about the movements of the Seven Ṛṣis (Saptarṣi), through whom the northern region shines as though bedecked with a pearl necklace, like a maiden with a smiling countenance wearing a garland of white lotuses. Or by the direction of her lord—the Pole-Star (Seven Ṛṣis) [i.e.,dhruva-nāyaka-upadeśa], the northern maiden (quarter) appears to dance round as the Seven Ṛṣis move in their course. I begin to treat of these stars adopting the views of Vṛddha Garga”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष,jyotiṣa orjyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source:Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Naraka (नरक) refers to “hell”, according to the Guhyasūtra chapter 3.—Accordingly, “[...] If one torments the body with rain, cold and heat, …, devoted to recitation and meditation, this is called the Great Observance. A woman skilled in the pleasures of love-making, endowed with beauty and youth; such a woman one should procure, holding one’s senses back from the objects of the senses, and one should kiss and embrace [her], placing the penis upon her sex while remaining focussed upon recitation and meditation—one performs [thus] the Sword-Blade Observance. If one should succumb to the control of desire, then one certainly falls into hell (naraka). [...]”.

Source:SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to a “leader” and is used to describe Śiva, according to the Netratantroddyota commentary on the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 22.11]—“[...] [Śiva] projects [all conditions] outward and he also causes them to be made one with himself [internally, inside his consciousness]. And for this reason, he can also be understood as their leader (nāyaka). Untainted, transcending the impurities, beginning with minuteness, and free of afflictions. In the same way, one should construeniṣprapañca andnirābhāsa. [...]”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source:archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Nāyaka (नायक) represents the number 1 (one) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 1—nāyaka] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

context information

Ganita (गणित) or Ganitashastra refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source:ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “leaders (of the spirits)”, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly, [while describing ahaṭha-sādhana (foreceful practice)]: “[...] O goddess, he could slay everyone [through] the weapon Mantra taught earlier [and] with the Vidyā mantra. Having become fearless and situated in the state of [liberation from which there is] no return, the [Sādhaka] could subdue me along with you. What [to speak of] other leaders of the spirits (bhūta-nāyaka)? [...]”

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Vedanta (school of philosophy)

Source:Wikisource: Ashtavakra Gita

Naraka (नरक) refers to “hell” (considered as a product of one’s imagination—kalpana), according to theAṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Janaka says to Aṣṭavakra]: “[...] So now abandoning the body and everything else, by some good fortune or other my true self becomes apparent. [...] I have recognized that all this and my body are nothing, While my true self is nothing but pure consciousness, so what can the imagination work on now? The body, heaven and hell (naraka), bondage and liberation, and fear too [śarīraṃ svarganarakau bandhamokṣau bhayaṃ tathā], All this is pure imagination. What is there left to do for me whose very nature is consciousness? [...]”.

Source:Wikisource: Ashtavakra Gita

Naraka (नरक) refers to “body” (considered as a product of one’s imagination—kalpana), according to theAṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Janaka says to Aṣṭavakra]: “[...] So now abandoning the body and everything else, by some good fortune or other my true self becomes apparent. [...] I have recognized that all this and my body (śarīra) are nothing, While my true self is nothing but pure consciousness, so what can the imagination work on now? The body (śarīra), heaven and hell, bondage and liberation, and fear too [śarīraṃ svarganarakau bandhamokṣau bhayaṃ tathā], All this is pure imagination. What is there left to do for me whose very nature is consciousness? [...]”.

context information

Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source:academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I (hinduism)

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to “young men”, representing one of the topics of the Vasantavilāsa by Nayacandrasūri (dealing with poetry and riddles), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The Vasantavilāsa is a concentrate of the author’s literary orientations: [...] Nayacandrasūri’s Vasantavilāsa has nothing Jain. It is secular poetry devoted to the evocation of young men (nāyaka) spring (vasanta) and young ladies’ love (yuvatīśṛṅgāra). It is composed of stanzas in Sanskrit but even more inapabhraṃśa, in different poetic forms and metres.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Naraka (नरक) is the name of a Rāśi (zodiac sign) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Naraka).

Source:academia.edu: A Critical Study of the Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja (II)

Naraka (नरक) is the name of aVākchomā (‘verbal secrect sign’) which has its meaning defined as ‘maṇḍala’ according to chapter 8 of the 9th-century Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja, a scripture belonging to the Buddhist Cakrasaṃvara (or Saṃvara) scriptural cycle. These Vākchomās (viz.,naraka) are meant for verbal communication and can be regarded as popular signs, since they can be found in the three biggest works of the Cakrasaṃvara literature.

Source:academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

Nāraka (नारक) is the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Nārakī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in theCittacakra, according to the 10th centuryḌākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, thecittacakra refers to one of the three divisions of thenirmāṇa-puṭa (‘emanation layer’), situated in theHerukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Nāraka] are black in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

Source:OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to “heroes”, according to theGuru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with theCakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primarypūjā andsādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Whatever injuries to the three jewels, or to father and mother by me, Abuses to the gurus or other teachers, done by body, speech and mind, Corrupted by much wickedness, by me and by my sins, heroes (nāyaka), Whatever dreadful sin was done, all of that I confess”.

Source:MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “leader (Heruka)”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Heart Circle (hṛdayacakra)]: “[...] Then, he should discern Leader (nāyaka) [Herukas on the first circle]. Light Herukas are proclaimed [on the second circle]. Lotus Herukas are on the third. Space [Herukas] are taught on the fourth. Wind Herukas are on the fifth. Earth Herukas are taught on the sixth. Fire Herukas are on the seventh. Water Herukas are on the eighth. Knowledge Herukas are on the ninth. Mind Herukas are on the tenth. Speech Herukas are on the eleventh. Body [Herukas] are taught on the twelfth. [...]”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Naraka (नरक) refers to the “hell”, according toMahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 21).—Accordingly, “If the immoral man takes the monastic robes, these are like burning brass for him, like an iron ring around his body; his alms bowl is like a jar filled with melted copper; when he takes his food, it is as if he were swallowing balls of burning iron or drinking boiling brass; the people paying homage to him with their offerings are like the guardians of hell (naraka-pāla) watching over him; when he enters the monastery, it is as though he were entering the great hell; when he sits on the monastic benches, it is as if he were taking his place on a bed of burning iron”.

Source:academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to a “leader”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] The Bodhisattva Gaganagañja then sustained the jewel-canopy of ten thousand yojanas high over the Lord’s lion throne in the sky, joined the palms of his hands, saluted, and praised the Lord with these suitable verses: ‘[...] (18) [No matter] how much living beings praise (praśaṃsita) the Victorious One (jina) by means of examples (udāharaṇa), it is still an attachment (saṅga) that they see him with respect to the praising. Because his own qualities (svaguṇa) as the Leader (nāyaka) are just like open space (gagamasama), the praising for non-duality (advaya) is to praise the Victorious One. [...]”.

Source:academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Naraka (नरक) refers to the “inhabitants of hell”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “Then the Bodhisattva Apāyajaha addressed himself to the Bodhisattva Gaganagañja: ‘Son of good family, please pacify three evil existences’. Immediately after that, a bright light shone from the open space, and the inhabitants of hell (naraka), animals, and the inhabitants of Yāma’s world, all those who were touched by the light were filled with happiness, and so all beings in the three evil existences were pacified. [...]”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are manysūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

1) Naraka (नरक, “hell”) refers to one of the“six destinations” (gata) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 57). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g.,naraka). The work is attributed toNagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

2) Naraka also refers to one of the“seven lower regions” (pātāla ) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 123).

Source:WikiPedia: Buddhism

Naraka or Niraya (Tib: dmyal.ba) is the name given to one of the worlds of greatest suffering, usually translated into English as "hell" or "purgatory". As with the other realms, a being is born into one of these worlds as a result of his karma, and resides there for a finite length of time until his karma has achieved its full result, after which he will be reborn in one of the higher worlds as the result of an earlier karma that had not yet ripened. The mentality of a being in the hells corresponds to states of extreme fear and helpless anguish in humans.

Physically, Naraka is thought of as a series of layers extending below Jambudvipa into the earth. There are several schemes for counting these Narakas and enumerating their torments. One of the more common is that of the Eight Cold Narakas and Eight Hot Narakas.

Cold Narakas

• Arbuda and – the "blister" Naraka
• Nirarbuda and – the "burst blister" Naraka
• Atata and – the Naraka of shivering
• Hahava and – the Naraka of lamentation
• Huhuva and – the Naraka of chattering teeth
• Utpala and – the "blue lotus" Naraka
• Padma and – the "lotus" Naraka
• Mahapadma and – the "great lotus" Naraka

Each lifetime in these Narakas is twenty times the length of the one before it.

Hot Narakas

• Sanjiva and – the "reviving" Naraka.
• Kalasutra and – the "black thread" Naraka.
• Samghata and – the "crushing" Naraka.
• Raurava and – the "screaming" Naraka.
• Maharaurava and – the "great screaming" Naraka.
• Tapana and – the "heating" Naraka.
• Pratapana and – the "great heating" Naraka.
• Avici and – the "uninterrupted" Naraka.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source:Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Nāraka (नारक) refers to “infernal beings”: those living beings that cannot be happy in any state or moment (i.e.naraka), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.3. The infernal beings have incessantly more and more inauspicious / impure thought-colouration (leśyā), environment (pariṇāma), body (śarīra), suffering (vedanā), and shape of body or deeds (vikriyā) in successive lands (bhumī). The infernal beings think of undertaking auspicious activities but always end up performing inauspicious activities i.e. they transform their bodies as deformed. Similarly they think of happiness but only end up being unhappy.

Infernal beings (nāraka) cause misery and suffering to each other. Extreme environment (heat and cold) are some of the other examples of causes of their sufferings. How do the infernal beings cause misery and sufferings to each others? As they are able to foresee the causes of sufferings by their wrong clairvoyant knowledge (ku-avadhi) by birth, they change their body in the form of lethal weapons, sharp objects, frightening animals, etc to cause misery to others. The infernal beings suffer miserys also inflicted by the wicked demons (malevolent / mean demons / (asurakumaras). Infernal beings have to live full life determined by their life-span-karma and suffer miserys all through (i.e. miserys and sufferings cannot cause death to infernal beings).

Source:Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 8: Bondage of karmas

1) Nāraka (नारक) or Nārakāyu refers to “infernal /hellish realms or states of existence” and represents one of the four divisions ofĀyu, or “life determining (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types ofPrakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds ofbondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. What is meant by life in hell or hellish life (naraka-āyu)? The karmas rise of which causes the body of the living beings stay in the infernal realm to suffer intense miserys due to heat, cold, hunger, thurst etc is life in hell.

2) Nāraka (नारक) refers to “infernal state of existence body-making karma” and represents one of the four types ofGati (state of existence), which represents one of the various kinds ofNāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which in turn represents one of the eight types ofPrakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds ofbondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. What is meant by infernal (nāraka) state of existence (gati) body-making (nāma) karmas? The karmas, rise of which causes birth in the hellish realm are called infernal state of existence body-making karma.

3) Nāraka (नारक, “infernal”) or Nārakānupūrvī refers to the “infernal migratory form” and represents one of the four types ofĀnupūrvī (migratory form), representing one of the various kinds ofNāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types ofPrakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds ofbondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. What is the migratory form (ānupūrvī) body-making (nāma) karma for movement to infernal existence (nāraka)? When a human or sub human dies and heads towards infernal existence in his next birth, the soul retains its old form during the transitory period (i.e. from previous existence to infernal existence). This is due to the rise of infernal migratory form body-making karma.

Source:The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Naraka (नरक) refers to “hells”, according to the commentary on the 11th century Jñānārṇava (verse 2.1), a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Is one not disturbed by [family] attachments? Is this body not cut down by diseases? Does death not open its mouth? Do calamities not do harm every day? Are hells [com.—naraka—narakāḥ] not dreadful? Are not sensual pleasures deceiving like a dream? Because of which, having discarded one’s own benefit, you have a desire for the world which is like a city of Kiṃnaras”.

Synonyms: Śvabhra.

Source:The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Nāyaka (नायक) refers to the “lord (of death)”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “This world totters to the limit of the world of Brahmā with the fear of the beginning of a frown, and mountains immediately fall asunder by force of [the fact that] the earth is overcome by the weight of the heavy feet, of those heroes who are all led to death by the king of time [com.—mṛtyu-nāyaka—‘by the lord of death’] in [the space of] some days. Nevertheless, desire is intense only in a living being who is bereft of sense”.

Synonyms: Rāja.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or,shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geography

Source:academia.edu: The Chronological History of Ancient Sri Lanka

Total four Nayaka kings reigned in Kandy. The last Nayaka king Kannasamy surrendered to British in 1815. In fact, the cunning British started provoking Simhalese against Nayaka king Kannasamy. Simhalese saw Nayaka kings as Tamil. British cleverly made Nayaka king Kannasamy villainous. Finally, Kannasamy had no other option to sign the Kandy convention in 1815 and lived in exile in Vellore. Thus, Kandy became a princely state under British colonial rule of Sri Lanka. HMS Cornwalis brought Kannasamy and his family to Vellore in 1816. Kannasamy died in 1832 in Vellore. His descendants are still living in Tamilnadu.

Source:What is India: Inscriptions of the Śilāhāras

Nāyaka (commissioner) is the official title of a minister belonging of the administration of the state during, the rule of the Śilāhāra dynasty (r. 765-1215 A.D.).—The administration of the State was carried on with the help of Governors (rāṣṭrapati), Collectors (viṣayapatis) and village headmen (grāmapati). In some later records like the Dive Āgar plate of Mummuṇi, they are calledsāmanta (Governor),nāyaka (the Commissioner of a division) andṭhākura (the Collector of a district). The Governors of provinces were often military officers, who were calleddaṇḍādhīpati.

Source:Knowledge Traditions & Practices of India: Painting: A Survey (h)

Nayaka dynasty.—After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565, the Nāyakas ruled from the 16th to the 18th century and left behind a prolific collection of mural and wall paintings whose best example is the painted ceiling of the Thiruvarur temple in Tamil Nadu, depicting the story of Mucukunda, a legendary Cola king.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Nāyaka.—(EI 33; CII 4), a royal officer or ruling chief. Cf. Ep. Ind., Vol. XXVII, p. 142, text line 35. (HD), explained as ‘the head of ten villages.’ See Artha- śāstra, I. 12; Śukra, I. 192. (EI 32; BL), title of a subordinate ruler. (ASLV), one who held lands from the Vijayanagara kings on the condition of offering military service (cf. Amara-nāyaka). (EI 7), a general. (Ep. Ind., Vol. IX, p. 313), head of a nāḍu or district. (IE 7-1-2), ‘one’. Note:nāyaka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source:BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

naraka : purgatory; the hell.

Source:BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

nāyaka :(m.) leader; master.

Source:Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Nāyaka, (BSk. nāyaka (cp. anāyaka without guide AvŚ I. 210); fr. neti; cp. naya) a leader, guide, lord, mostly as Ep. of the Buddha (loka° “Lord of the World”)Sn. 991 (loka°); Mhvs VII. 1 (id.);Sdhp. 491 (tilokassa); bala-nāyakā gang leadersJ. I, 103. (Page 350)

Source:Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Naraka, (Sk. naraka; etym. doubtful, problematic whether to Gr. nέrteros (=inferus), Ags. nord=north as region of the underworld) 1. a pitD. I, 234;Th. 1, 869;J. IV, 268 (°āvāṭa PvA. 225).—2. a name for Niraya,i.e. purgatory; a place of torment for the deceased (see niraya & cp. list of narakas at Divy 67)S. I, 209;Sn. 706; PvA. 52;Sdhp. 492 (saṃsāraghora°), 612.

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

Source:DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

naraka (नरक).—m (S) Hell; a hell or a division of the infernal regions; of which there are eighty-four. 2 fig. A mass or heap of ordure and filth. na0aṅgāvara ghēṇēṃTo take up any bad business of another. na0upasaṇēṃTo stir any disgusting question or foul affair. na0tōṇḍānta sāṇṭhaviṇēṃTo be very scurrilous or obscene.narakācī vāṭa dākhaviṇēṃTo exhibit (the road to hell) a bad example.narakānta dhōṇḍā ṭākūna śintōḍā ghēṇēṃ-uḍaviṇēṃTo delight one's self in dirty doings.narakānta jībha ghālaṇēṃTo tell lies: also to promise something disgusting in the performance.narakānta pacaṇēṃTo lie soaking or lingering in any bad place, case, or condition.narakānēṃ aṅga bharaṇēṃTo be deeply in debt.narakāsārakhā ghāṇērāorghāṇaṇēṃUsed of a spirit-drinker or other stinkard, of a dun, taskmaster, disagreeable business &c.narakīṃ dhajā lāvaṇēṃTo achieve exploits leading to eminence in hell.lōkācyā narakānta buḍaṇēṃTo be extensively involved in debt.

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nāraka (नारक).—, ornārakīyaa S Relating tonarakathe infernal regions.

Source:DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

nāyaka (नायक).—m (S) A chief, head, leader, conductor, commander; a head or principal gen. Ex.sēnā- nāyaka, grāmanāyaka, naṭanāyaka, nakṣatranāyaka. 2 In dramatic or amatory composition. The man; the husband or lover; as disting. fromnāyikāThe female or mistress. Ex.karuni vandana jānakī nāyakā. 3 The hero of a drama or poem. 4 The chief gem (of a necklace &c.) 5 Seenāīka.

Source:DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

naraka (नरक).—m Hell. A mass or heap of ordure and filth.naraka aṅgāvara ghēṇēṃTo take up anybad business of another.naraka upasaṇēṃTostir any disgusting question or foulaffair.naraka tōṇḍānta sāṇṭhaviṇēṃTo be very scur-rilous or obscene.narakācī vāṭa dākhaviṇēṃToexhibit (the road to hell) a bad ex-ample.narakānta dhōṇḍā ṭākūna śintōḍā ghēṇēṃ-uḍaviṇēṃ.To delight one's self in dirty doings.narakānta jībha ghālaṇēṃTo tell lies: also to pro-mise something disgusting in theperformance.narakānta pacaṇēṃTo lie soak-ing or lingering in any bad place,case or condition.narakānēṃ aṅga bharaṇēṃTo bedeeply in debt.narakīṃ dhvajā lāvaṇēṃTo

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nāraka (नारक).—a Relating tonarakathe infernal regions.

Source:DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

nāyaka (नायक).—m A chief, head, leader. In dra- matic or amatory composition. Theman; the husband or lover; as disting.fromnāyikāThe female or mistress.The hero of a drama or poem.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source:DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nayaka (नयक).—

1) A skilful manager.

2) One versed in policy, a statesman.

Derivable forms:nayakaḥ (नयकः).

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Nāyaka (नायक).—a. [nī-ṇvul] Guiding, leading, conducting.

-kaḥ 1 A guide, leader, conductor.

2) A chief, master, head, lord.

3) A pre-eminent or principal person, distinguished personage;सैन्यनायकः (sainyanāyakaḥ) &c.

4) A general, commander.

5) (In Rhet.) The hero of a poetic composition (a play or drama); (according to S. D. there are four main kinds ofnāyaka:--dhīrodātta, dhīroddhata, dhīralalita, anddhīrapraśānta, q. v.; these are again subdivided, the total number of kinds being 48; see S. D.64-75. The Rasamañjarī mentions 3 classespati, upapati, andvaiśika; 95.11).

6) The central gem of a necklace;नायको नेतरि श्रेष्ठे हारमध्य- मणावपि (nāyako netari śreṣṭhe hāramadhya- maṇāvapi)'इति विश्वः (iti viśvaḥ).

7) A paradigm or leading example;दशैते स्त्रीषु नायकाः (daśaite strīṣu nāyakāḥ).

8) An epithet of Śākyamuni.

Source:DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Naraka (नरक).—

1) Hell, infernal regions (corresponding to the realm of Pluto; there are said to be 21 different parts of these regions where different kinds of tortures are inflicted upon sinnerstāmisra, andhatāmisra, mahāraurava, raurava, naraka, kālasūtra, mahānaraka, saṃjīvana, māhavīci, tapana, saṃpratāpana, saṃhāta, kākola, kuḍmala, pratimūrtika, lohaśaṅku, ṛjīṣa, panthā, śālmalī, asitapatravana, lohadāraka are the 21 Narakas; cf. Manusmṛti 4. 88-9).

2) A liquor-vessel;नरकं मद्यभाजने (narakaṃ madyabhājane) Nm.

-kaḥ Name of a demon, king of Prāgjyotiṣa. [According to one account he carried off Aditi's ear-rings and Kṛṣna at the request of the gods killed him in a single combat and recovered the jewels. According to another account, Naraka assumed the form of an elephant and carried off the daughter of Viśvakarman and outraged her. He also seized the daughters of Gandharvas, gods, men and the nymphs themselves, and collected more than 16 damsels in his harem. These, it is related, were transferred by Kṛṣṇa to his own harem after he had slain Naraka. The demon was born of earth, and hence called 'Bhauma']

Derivable forms:narakaḥ (नरकः),narakam (नरकम्).

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Nāraka (नारक).—a. (-kīf.) [नरक एव प्रज्ञा° अण् नरकस्येदम् अण् वा (naraka eva prajñā° aṇ narakasyedam aṇ vā)] Hellish, relating to hell, infernal.

-kaḥ 1 The infernal regions, hell;कुभ्मीपाकं गुरुमपि हरे नारकं नापनेतुम् (kubhmīpākaṃ gurumapi hare nārakaṃ nāpanetum) Mukundamālā 6.

2) An inhabitant of hell.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक).—guide, very common epithet of Buddha, as in Pali:Mahāvyutpatti 20 = Tibetan ḥdren pa,guide;Lalitavistara 4.4, et passim.

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Nāyaka (नायक) or Nāyin.—but applied to a Bodhisattva (Mañjuśrī): bhāṣitā bodhisattvena Mañjughoṣeṇa nāyinā(Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 32.18 (verse).

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Naraka (नरक).—mn.

(-kaḥ-kaṃ) Hell, the infernal regions, including a number of places of torture of various descriptions. m.

(-kaḥ) The name of a Daitya or demon. E.nṛ to guide or lead, affixvun, whither the wicked are conducted: It is sometimes readnāraka .

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Nāraka (नारक).—mfn.

(-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) Infernal, hellish. m.

(-kaḥ) Hell or the infernal regions. E.naraka hell.aṇ aff.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक).—m.

(-kaḥ) 1. A guide, a leader, a conductor. 2. A chief, a head, pre-eminent, principal. 3. A general, a commander, 4. The central gem of a necklace. 5. (In Erotic poetry,) The man, the husband or lover. f.

(-yikā) 1. mistress, a wife, the female in the amatory poetry of the Hindus. 2. A sort of gooddess, an inferior form of Durga, and attendant upon her: there are eight Nayikas. E.ṇī to guide,ṇvul aff.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Naraka (नरक).—m. 1. Hell, the infernal regions, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 116. 2. The name of a demon, Mahābhārata 1, 2537. 3. The name of a country, Mahābhārata 2, 578.

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Nāraka (नारक).—i. e.naraka + a, I. adj., f.kī, Infernal, hellish, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 3, 30, 30. Ii. m. 1. An inhabitant of the infernal regions, 2, 10, 41. 2. Hell.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक).—i. e.nī + aka, I. m. 1. A guide, [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 64, 33. 2. A chief, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 4, 7, 22. 3. A general, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 33, 14. 4. A husband, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 4, 25, 20. 5. A lover, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] 15, 12. 6. The central gem of a necklace, Vāsav. 17, 1. 7. A proper name, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 158. Ii. f.yikā, A mistress, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 24, 17.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Naraka (नरक).—[masculine] ([neuter]) the lower world, hell (also personif.); [masculine] [Name] of a demon killed by Kṛṣṇa.

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Naraka (नरक).—[masculine] ([neuter]) the lower world, hell (also personif.); [masculine] [Name] of a demon killed by Kṛṣṇa.

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Nāraka (नारक).—1. [feminine]ī hellish, infernal; [masculine] inhabitant or lord of the infernal regions.

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Nāraka (नारक).—2. [masculine] hell or the infernal regions.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक).—[masculine] (adj. —°ā) leader, guide ([abstract]tva [neuter]); chief, general (±sainyasya); lord, husband; lover, hero, [feminine]nāyikā ([drama]).

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Nayaka (नयक):—[fromnaya]mfn. clever in policy, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

2) Nāyaka (नायक):—[fromnāya]m. a guide, leader, chief, lord, principal, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc. (with or [scilicet]sainyasya, a general, commander;ifc. f(akā).cf.a-nāyaka)

3) [v.s. ...] a husband, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] (in [dramatic language]) the lover or hero

5) [v.s. ...] the central gem of a necklace (implying also ‘a general’cf.nāyakāya andmahā-nāyaka)

6) [v.s. ...] a paradigm or example (in gram.)

7) [v.s. ...]Name of Gautama Buddha, [Buddhist literature]

8) [v.s. ...] of a Brāhman, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]

9) [v.s. ...] of an author (alsobhaṭṭa-n), [Catalogue(s)]

10) [v.s. ...]mn. a kind of musk, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf.nāyikā-cūrṇa)

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Naraka (नरक):—mn. ([Nirukta, by Yāska];naraka, [Taittirīya-āraṇyaka]) hell, place of torment, [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.

2) (distinguished frompātālaq.v.; personified as a son of Anṛta and Nirṛti or Nirkṛti, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]; there are many different hells, generally 21 [Manu-smṛti iv, 88-90; Yājñavalkya; Purāṇa] etc.)

3)m.Name of a demon (son of Viṣṇu and Bhūmi or the Earth, and therefore called Bhauma, haunting Prāg-jyotiṣa and slain by Kṛṣṇa), [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa; Rājataraṅgiṇī] etc.

4) of a son of Vipra-citti, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

5) =deva-rātriprabheda (?), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6)mn.Name of a place of pilgrimage, [Mahābhārata] ([varia lectio]anaraka)

7) Nāraka (नारक):—mf(ī)n. ([from]naraka) relating to hell, hellish, infernal

8)m. (withloka) hell, [Atharva-veda] (alsonāraka m., [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā])

9)m. inhabitant of hell, [Purāṇa]

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Naraka (नरक):—(kaḥ) 1.m. Hell.m. A demon.

2) Nāraka (नारक):—(kaḥ) 1.m. Hell.a. Hellish.

Source:Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक):—(kaḥ) 1.m. A guide; a chief; a central gem; a lover.f. (yikā) A mistress; a sort of goddess.

Source:DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Naraka (नरक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words:Ṇaraga,Ṇaraya,Ṇāraya.

Source:DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Nāyaka (नायक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word:Ṇāyaga.

[Sanskrit to German]

Naraka in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Hindi dictionary

Source:DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Naraka (नरक) [Also spelled narak]:—(nm) the hell, inferno; a place of great torture or agony; a place unfit for human habitation; —[kuṃḍa] an inferno; a hell-pool (wherein evil souls are supposed to be dipped or dropped for torture); ~[gāmī] hell-going, heading for the hell; ~[pāla] Yamraj—Lord of the hell; -[yātanā] infernal agony, damnation; ~[vāsa] living in hell, infernal stay, a stay involving great torture and agony; —[kā kīḍā] a hellish creature, low sinful man; —[bhoganā] to suffer (the agonies of) hell, to undergo immense suffering; —[meṃ paḍanā] to go to hell.

Source:DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक) [Also spelled nayak]:—(nm) a hero; leader, chief; a military official of a low rank; ~[tva] leadership; hegemony.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source:Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Naraka (ನರಕ):—

1) [noun] (myth.) the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death; the abode of evil and condemned spirits; hell.

2) [noun] punishment awarded to the wicked in the hell.

3) [noun] (myth.) a daemon, slain by Kṛṣṇa.

4) [noun] (jain.) a class of beings that are condemned in the hell.

5) [noun] (Jain.) one of the seven hells.

6) [noun] (fig.) waste matter from the bowels; faeces; excrement.

7) [noun] (fig.) a very miserable, deeply distressed condition; a wretched state.

8) [noun]ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೂ ನರಕದ ಭಯ ತಪ್ಪದು[nagaradalliddaru narakada bhaya tappadu] nagaradalliddarū narakada bhaya tappadu (prov.) your current position can never save you from being punished after death (if you are a sinner);ನರಕಕ್ಕೆ ನವದ್ವಾರ, ನಾಕಕ್ಕೆ ಏಕದ್ವಾರ[narakakke navadvara, nakakke ekadvara] narakakke navadvāra, nākakke ēkadvāra (prov.) there are lot ways that lead to hell, while virtuousness is the only path for heaven;ನರಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕರುಣವಿಲ್ಲ, ಸ್ವರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರಣವಿಲ್ಲ[narakadalli karunavilla, svargadalli maranavilla] narakadalli karuṇavilla, svargadalli maraṇavilla (prov.) (said as a warning) once committed to hell, one cannot expect sympathy;ನರಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದವನಿಗೆ ಹರುಕು ಬಟ್ಟೆಯಾದರೇನು[narakadalli biddavanige haruku batteyadarenu]? narakadalli biddavanige haruku baṭṭeyādarēnu (prov.) rags do not deepen the completely wretched state of life one is in;ನರಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೀಳುವವನು ಹರಕೆ ಹೊತ್ತರೆ ತಪ್ಪೀತೆ[narakadalli biluvavanu harake hottare tappite]? narakadalli bīḷuvavanu harake hottare tappīte (prov.) a vow in propitiation can never be a perfect expiation for a sinner; one has to pay the price for one’s own sins;ನರಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇದವಿಲ್ಲ, ಸ್ವರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ರೋಗವಿಲ್ಲ[narakadalli bhedavilla, svargadalli rogavilla] narakadalli bhēdavilla, svargadalli rōgavilla (prov.) once committed to hell, no discrimination can be expected;ನರಕದಲ್ಲಿರುವವರು ನಾಕವನ್ನು ಬಯಸಿದ ಹಾಗೆ[narakadalliruvavaru nakavannu bayasida hage] narakadalliruvavaru nākavannu bayasida hāge (prov.) committed to hell, one cannot imagine going to heaven without undergoing the punishment ordained;ನರಕವುಂಟು ಎಂದು ಅಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೆ, ತಪ್ಪೀತೆ[narakavumtu emdu aluttiddare, tappite]? narakavuṇṭu endu aḷuttiddare tappīte (prov.) dead sure are the repercussions that one’s sins bring, however one grieves;ನಾ ಅಂದರೆ ನರಕ, ನೀ ಅಂದರೆ ನಾಕ[na amdare naraka, ni amdare naka] nā andare naraka, nī andare nāka (prov.) egoism hatches sins, while renunciation brings heaven.

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Nāraka (ನಾರಕ):—[adjective] of, from or like hell; hellish.

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Nāraka (ನಾರಕ):—

1) [noun] (myth.) the world believed to be below the earth, where wicked and condemned are punished after death; hell.

2) [noun] a person suffering punishment in the hell for the wicked acts committed during one’s life-time.

3) [noun] a wicked act; sin.

Source:Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Nāyaka (ನಾಯಕ):—

1) [noun] a man who leads; he who directs, commands or guides a group of people; a leader.

2) [noun] a male ruler of a state; a male sovereign or monarch.

3) [noun] the chief officer of a military unit; a commander.

4) [noun] a man with reference to the woman to whom he is married.

5) [noun] the main pearl placed, usu. at the centre of a necklace.

6) [noun] a guiding factor, thing or principle.

7) [noun] a surname of particular families.

8) [noun] any of the various castes the members of which usu. take this as their surname.

9) [noun] the central male character in a novel, play, poem, etc., usu. portrayed as courageous, noble, etc., with whom the reader or audience is supposed to sympathise; the hero.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Tamil dictionary

Source:DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Narakaṉ (நரகன்)noun < idem.

1. An inhabitant of the infernal region; நரகலோகத்திலுள்ளவன். [naragalogathilullavan.] (நன். [nan.] 261.)

2. Great sinner, as deserving of hell; மாபாவி. நரகன்வெல்வதே [mapavi. naraganvelvathe] (கம்பராமாயணம் சடாயுவுயி. [kambaramayanam sadayuvuyi.] 133).

3. See நரகாசுரன். [naragasuran.] (நாலாயிர திவ்யப்பிரபந்தம்பெரிய.ாழ். [nalayira thivyappirapandam periyazh.] 4, 3, 3.)

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainlyin southern India and Sri Lanka.

Nepali dictionary

Source:unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

1) Naraka (नरक):—n. 1. hell; inferno; the place for suffering as prescribed by Hindu Law; 2. excrement; 3. a place where one has to suffer; the pangs of hell;

2) Nāraka (नारक):—adj. hellish; pertaining to hell; n. 1. hell; 2. a creature in hell;

Source:unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Nāyaka (नायक):—n. 1. leader; 2. chief; principal; a pre-eminent or distinguished personage; 3. leading character; hero; protagonist; 4. a chief; master; lord; 5. Mil. a general; commander; 6. the central gem of a necklace; 7. a paradigm or leading example;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches:Naka,Nara,Nana.

Starts with (+12):Narakabadhe,Narakabhajana,Narakabhajane,Narakabhaya,Narakabhumi,Narakabhutale,Narakabila,Narakacakravartin,Narakacora,Narakadayaka,Narakadhvamsa,Narakagami,Narakagamini,Narakagati,Narakajivi,Narakaka,Narakakarma,Narakakomda,Narakakupa,Narakamadhya.

Full-text (+860):Vinayaka,Anaka,Mahanaraka,Anayaka,Narakakunda,Nirnayaka,Narakavasa,Dandanayaka,Pratinayaka,Narakajit,Narakantaka,Narakadevata,Gananayaka,Narakamaya,Grahanayaka,Narakastha,Upanayaka,Nakanayaka,Narakapala,Koshanayaka.

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Search found 191 books and stories containing Naraka, Nara-naka, Nara-ṇaka, Naragan, Nāraka, Narakaṉ, Nāyaka, Ni-nvu, Nī-ṇvu; (plurals include: Narakas, nakas, ṇakas, Naragans, Nārakas, Narakaṉs, Nāyakas, nvus, ṇvus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)

Verse 1022: Sakti Affirms Sacredness of Sacrificial Fire < [Tantra Four (nankam tantiram) (verses 884-1418)]

Verse 243: Ruler's Duty to Protect Cow, Women and Brahmins < [Tantra One (mutal tantiram) (verses 113-336)]

Verse 320: Middle Path Is Wisdom < [Tantra One (mutal tantiram) (verses 113-336)]

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Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)

Verse 2.4.134 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]

Verse 1.6.48 < [Chapter 6 - Priyatama (the most beloved devotees)]

Verse 1.2.9-10 < [Chapter 2 - Divya (the celestial plane)]

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Acta Orientalia

The Spice Road ‘Vaṭakarai Zamīndāri’ Its Historicity and Architectural Remains1 < [Volume 74 (2013)]

Nāyaka Chefs-d’œuvre Structure and Iconography of the Śrīvilliputtūr Tēr 1 < [Volume 77 (2016)]

Daśāvatāras in Tamil bhakti and Vijayanagara Nāyaka sculptures. < [Volume 73 (2012)]

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Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 26 - Greatness of Gokarṇa Tīrtha < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 226 - Tortures in Twenty-one Hells < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 29 - The Great Efficacy of Anaraka Tīrtha < [Section 1 - Avantīkṣetra-māhātmya]

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Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages (by Satya Vrat Shastri)

Page 582 < [Sanskrit words in the Southeast Asian Languages]

Page 144 < [Sanskrit words in the Southeast Asian Languages]

Page 732 < [Sanskrit words in the Southeast Asian Languages]

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Vishnu Purana (abridged)

Some Geography < [Second Section]

Yama < [Third Section]

The Death of Dvivida < [Fifth Section]

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