Asani, Aśani, Aśanī, Ashani: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Asani means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms Aśani and Aśanī can be transliterated into English as Asani or Ashani, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantraAśanī (अशनी):—Sanskrit name of one of the thirty-two female deities of the Somamaṇḍala (second maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. She is also known as Grasanī according to the Gorakṣa-saṃhitā. These goddesses are situated on a ring of sixteen petals and represent the thirty-two syllables of the Aghoramantra. Each deity (including Aśanī) is small, plump and large-bellied. They can assume any form at will, have sixteen arms each, and are all mounted on a different animal.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: The Matsya-purāṇaAśanī (अशनी) is the name of a mind-born ‘divine mother’ (mātṛ), created for the purpose of drinking the blood of the Andhaka demons, according to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.8. The Andhaka demons spawned out of every drop of blood spilled from the original Andhakāsura (Andhaka-demon). According to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.35, “Most terrible they (e.g., Aśanī) all drank the blood of those Andhakas and become exceedingly satiated.”
The Matsyapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 20,000 metrical verses, dating from the 1st-millennium BCE. The narrator is Matsya, one of the ten major avatars of Viṣṇu.
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaAśani (अशनि).—A holy hermit. While Śrī Kṛṣṇa was going to Hastināpura this hermit met him on the way. (Mahābhārata, Udyoga Parva, Chapter 83).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Aśani (अशनि) or Bhṛṅgiriṭi is the name of a leader of Gaṇas (Gaṇapa or Gaṇeśvara or Gaṇādhipa) who came to Kailāsa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.20. Accordingly, after Śiva decided to become the friend of Kubera:—“[...] The leaders of Gaṇas revered by the whole world and of high fortune arrived there. [...] Lokāntaka, Dīptātmā and the lord Daityāntaka, lord Bhṛṅgīriṭi and the glorious Devadevapriya, Aśani, Bhānuka and Sanātana each with sixty-four crores; [...] These [viz., Aśani] and other leaders of Gaṇas [viz., Gaṇapas] were all powerful (mahābala) and innumerable (asaṃkhyāta). [...] The Gaṇa chiefs and other noble souls of spotless splendour eagerly reached there desirous of seeing Śiva. Reaching the spot they saw Śiva, bowed to and eulogised him.
2) Aśani (अशनि) refers to “thunderbolts”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.15 (“The penance and reign of Tārakāsura”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated: “[...] At the same time, several phenomena of evil portent forboding misery and distress happened, when the son of Varāṅgī was born making the gods miserable. O dear, the phenomena of three varieties indicating great calamity and terrifying the worlds occurred in the sky, heaven and earth. I shall narrate them. With a terrifying noise, thunderbolts [i.e., aśani] fell along with comets; shooting meteors rose up, making the world miserable. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexAśanī (अशनी).—A mother goddess.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 179. 29.
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 eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraAśani (अशनि) refers to a “thunderbolt”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If, at rising, the sun should be crossed by the fall of an aerolite, or thunderbolt [i.e., aśani], or by lightning, the reigning prince will die and a foreign prince will succeed. If, for several days, there should appear a halo round the sun both at rising and setting or if the sun should, at such periods, be of blood color, the reigning sovereign will be dethroned and a foreign prince will succeed.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) 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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramAśanī (अशनी) refers to “she who eats”, according to the Jayadrathayāmala 2.19.—Accordingly, “Recollect the eternal (nityā) Kālarātrī, who is very horrific. Her face is black (kālavaktrā) and she instills fear. She is adorned with a flag bearing an owl. Naked, she is very fierce. Transported by that (owl) and naked, she eats blood (rudhira-aśanī)”.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaAśani (अशनि) refers to “lightning” and is mentioned as one of the sworn enemies of Snakes (Sarpas), as taught in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse IV.33) talks about the sworn enemies of Sarpas (snakes): Boar, lightning (aśani), peacock, eagle, cat, mongoose and wolf are its sworn enemies.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismAśani (अशनि) refers to one of the various Grahas and Mahāgrahas 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 Aśani).
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: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureAśani (अशनि) refers to “thunderbolts”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [As the afflicted Nāgas said to Bhagavān]: “O Bhagavān, extremely dreadful mantrapadas have been uttered. O Bhagavān, my offence is known. But, O Bhagavān, I was overpowered by the hostile spell-master and I stroke back and emitted [the fire]. Then, O Bhagavān, the hostile Nāgas become agitated and destroy crops. They destroy flowers and fruits. They send down thunderbolts (aśani). They stir up cold winds. [...]’”.
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 many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryasani : (f.) thunderbolt.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAsani, (f.) (Vedic aśani in same meaning; with Sk. aśri corner, caturaśra four cornered (see assa), to Lat. ācer pointed, sharp, Gr. a)/kros pointed, Ags. egl sting, Ohg. ekka corner, point. Connected with this is Sk. aśan (see asana1). Cp. also aṃsa & asama2) orig. a sharp stone as hurling-weapon thence in mythol. Indra’s thunderbolt, thunder-clap, lightning J. I, 71, 167; II, 154; III, 323; Miln. 277; VvA. 83.
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 Dictionaryaśani (अशनि).—m S Lightning; a thunderbolt; the weapon of Indra &c. See vajra.
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āsaṇī (आसणी).—f C The churn-staff-rope.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishaśanī (अशनी).—m Lightning; thunderbolt, Indra's weapon.
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āsaṇī (आसणी).—f The churn-staff-rope.
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 dictionaryAśani (अशनि).—m., f. [aśnute saṃhati, aś ani Uṇ 2.11]
1) Indra's thunderbolt; शक्रस्य महाशनिध्वजम् (śakrasya mahāśanidhvajam) R.3.56.
2) Flash of lightning; अनुवनमशनिर्गतः (anuvanamaśanirgataḥ) Sk.; अशनिः कल्पित एष वेधसा (aśaniḥ kalpita eṣa vedhasā) R.8.47; अशनेरमृतस्य चोभयोर्वशिनश्चाम्बुधराश्च योनयः (aśaneramṛtasya cobhayorvaśinaścāmbudharāśca yonayaḥ) Kumārasambhava 4.43.
3) A missile. अष्टचक्रां महाघोरामशनिं रुद्रनिर्मिताम् (aṣṭacakrāṃ mahāghorāmaśaniṃ rudranirmitām) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 7.175.96.
4) The tip of a missile.
5) A sacrificial rite (anuyāja) to kill an enemy.
6) A master.
Derivable forms: aśaniḥ (अशनिः).
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Asani (असनि).—One who throws &c.
Derivable forms: asaniḥ (असनिः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryAśanī (अशनी).—(?) [ see As°.]
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Asanī (असनी).—(read Aśanī, devouring one?), name of a piśācī: Mahā-Māyūrī 239.6; name of a rākṣasī: Mahā-Māyūrī 243.19.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAśani (अशनि).—mf.
(-niḥ-niḥ) Indra'S thunderbolt. E. aśa to eat, ani Unadi affix; what eats or consumes rocks, &c.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAśani (अशनि).—[aś + ani] 1., f. (seldom m. [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 4, 45) and aśanī 1. aś + anī, f. (
Aśani (अशनि).—[feminine] ([masculine]) thunderbolt, flash of lightning.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aśani (अशनि):—[from aśan] f. (rarely m., [Rāmāyaṇa; Pāṇini [Scholiast or Commentator]]) the thunderbolt, a flash of lightning, [Ṛg-veda] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] the tip of a missile, [Ṛg-veda x, 87, 4]
3) [v.s. ...] (in astronomy) a subdivision of the phenomena called Ulkās, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
4) [v.s. ...] a hail-stone, [Kauśika-sūtra]
5) [v.s. ...] m. one of the nine names of Rudra, [Pāraskara-gṛhya-sūtra]
6) [v.s. ...] Name of Śiva, [Mahābhārata xiii]
7) [v.s. ...] m. [plural] Name of a warrior tribe, ([gana] parśv-ādi, q.v.)
8) Aśanī (अशनी):—[from aśan] f. = aśani, the thunderbolt, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa xi] ([vocative case]), [Rāmāyaṇa iii, 35, 40.]
9) Asani (असनि):—and asanika mfn. ? ([gana] ṛśyādi q.v.)
10) Āsanī (आसनी):—[from āsana > ās] f. stay, abiding, sitting, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
11) [v.s. ...] a shop, a stall, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] a small seat, a stool, [Kauśika-sūtra]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aśani (अशनि):—(niḥ) m. f. A thunderbolt.
2) Āsānī (आसानी):—(nī) 3. f. Stay; a shop; stool.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Aśani (अशनि) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Asaṇi, Asaṇī.
[Sanskrit to German]
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 dictionaryĀsānī (आसानी):—(nf) convenience, easiness; -[se jītanā] to win hands down, to win in a counter;—[se pachāḍanā] to knock a person’s head off, to win hands down; —[se māra giranā] to be at one in to fits.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Asaṇi (असणि) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Aśani.
2) Asaṇi (असणि) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Aśani.
3) Asaṇī (असणी) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Aśanī.
4) Asaṇī (असणी) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Aśanī.
5) Āsaṇī (आसणी) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Āśūnī.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAśani (ಅಶನಿ):—
1) [noun] an electric discharge with lightning an thunder; a thunderbolt.
2) [noun] a bolt or missile imagined as hurled by a stroke of lightning by Indra, the Lord of the gods.
3) [noun] (myth.) an imaginary device to hurl big boulders on the hostile army.
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Asani (ಅಸನಿ):—
1) [noun] an electric discharge with lightning and thunder; a thunderbolt.
2) [noun] a bolt or missile imagined as hurled by a stroke of lightning by Indra, the Lord of the gods.
3) [noun] (myth.) an imaginary device to hurl big boulders on the hostile army.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+13): Acanimuli, Acanipatam, Acaniyeru, Asanaggi, Asani Sutta, Asanidarshana, Asanika, Asanikri, Asanipata, Asanita, Asanivicakka, Ashanidanda, Ashanidosha, Ashanighosha, Ashanigravan, Ashanihata, Ashanijava, Ashanikala, Ashanimant, Ashanimat.
Ends with (+146): Abhayasani, Abhrasani, Agrasani, Ajwain khurasani, Ajwain-i-khurasani, Ajwane khurasani, Akalashani, Akashani, Amasani, Ambuvasani, Anushasani, Arasani, Ardhasani, Arugasani, Arukacani, Ashvasani, Atacani, Atmasani, Avasani, Avyasani.
Full-text (+54): Ashanin, Phenashani, Asana, Vajrashani, Ashanisannaha, Ashanimat, Asanika, Ashanigravan, Ashanihata, Asuni, Asanidarshana, Ashaniprabha, Putpacani, Pushpacani, Hayasani, Vicakka, Asredhant, Shushkardra, Jatu, Hutashani.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Asani, Aasaani, Āsaṇī, Aśani, Aśanī, Asanī, Āsanī, Āsānī, Aṣaṇī, Asaṇi, Asaṇī, Ashani; (plurals include: Asanis, Aasaanis, Āsaṇīs, Aśanis, Aśanīs, Asanīs, Āsanīs, Āsānīs, Aṣaṇīs, Asaṇis, Asaṇīs, Ashanis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
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Part 25 - Siddhi alias Manumasiddha I (A D. 1175-1192) < [Chapter XX - The Telugu Cholas (Chodas)]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 11.17 [Ullekha] < [Chapter 11 - Additional Ornaments]
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Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CLV < [Ghatotkacha-badha Parva]
Section CLXXV < [Ghatotkacha-badha Parva]
Section CLXXIX < [Ghatotkacha-badha Parva]
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2. Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā (c): Oblations to different names of Rudra < [Chapter 2 - Rudra-Śiva in the Saṃhitā Literature]
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2. Epithets of Rudra-Śiva tracked in the Brāhmaṇa literature < [Chapter 6b - Epithets (References)]
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Verse 3.13.3 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (13): Liṅga-samuddeśa (On Gender)]