Avyakta, Āvyakta: 31 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Vyakarana
3. Shilpashastra
4. Vaishnavism
5. Ayurveda
6. Shaktism
7. Ganitashastra
8. Shaivism
9. Yoga
10. Pancaratra
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Avyakta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Avyakt.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Avyakta (अव्यक्त) or Avyaktarūpa refers to one who assumes the “unmanifest” form and represents and epithet of Goddess Durgā, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.11. Accordingly as Brahmā said to Nārada:—“[...] O sage, seeing her [Durgā] who was Śiva’s Energy herself, directly in front of me, my lofty shoulders bent down with devotion and I eulogised her after due obeisance. [...] Thou art the Vidyā of diverse sorts. Thou art endowed with illumination, purity and detachment. Thou assumest Kūṭastha (perpetually immovable), Avyakta (unmanifest) and Ananta (infinite) form and Thou art the eternal time holding all the worlds”.

2) Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to the “immovable”, and is used as an epithet of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.19. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] thus commanded by Śiva in the presence of all, Viṣṇu spoke thus propitiating the great lord:—‘[...] O Śiva, you are the supreme brilliance, the firmament, having your own abode. You are the primordial Being, the immovable (avyakta), the unmanifest, of endless forms, the eternal and devoid of attributes—length etc. From this form alone everything has emanated’”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—Another term for Prakṛti; shines like firefly;¹ overlordship consisting of Brahma, Viṣṇu, Sūrya and Śiva. These are to be worshipped with no difference, by means of fire and Brāhmaṇas.² One form of Brahman; also pradhānam, kāraṇa.³

1) Matsya-purāṇa 3. 15; 145. 73; Vāyu-purāṇa 34. 37; 101. 115; 102. 31, 34, 95; 103. 11-12, 28, 36.
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 10. 37; Matsya-purāṇa 52. 22.
3) Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 2. 15, 18-22.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIV.8.14, XIV.8) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Avyakta) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to the seventh covering of the universe, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Mahat, Ahaṃkāra and the five Tanmātras are in themselves unable to produce the orderly universe which is effected through the superintendence of the Puruṣa (puruṣā dhiṣṭhitatvācca) and by the help of Avyakta (avyaktānugraheṇa). As the universe grows up, they form into an egg which gradually expands from within like a water-bubble, and this is called the materialistic body of the Lord. This universe is encircled on the outer side by water, fire, air, the ākāśa and the bhūtādi and then by the mahat and the avyakta, each of which is ten times as large as the earth.There are thus seven coverings.

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 eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

1) Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—Indistinct; inarticulate; cf. अव्यक्तानुकरणस्यात इतौ (avyaktānukaraṇasyāta itau) P. VI.1.98 also P.V.4.57; अव्यक्तं अपरिस्फुटवर्णम् (avyaktaṃ aparisphuṭavarṇam) Kāś. on P. VI.1.98;

2) Avyakta.—A fault of pronunciation cf. नातिव्यक्तं न चाव्यक्त-मेवं वर्णानुदीरयेत् । (nātivyaktaṃ na cāvyakta-mevaṃ varṇānudīrayet |)

context information

Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “images in non-manifest form” and represents a classification of Hindu images, as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The images are again classified into vyakta or manifest form, vyaktāvyakta or manifest and non-manifest form, and avyakta or non-manifest form.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “(1) Unmanifest (2) Beyond the perception of the senses”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

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’).

Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Avyakta (अव्यक्त):—Unmanifestated state , unapparent, indistinct, invisible, imperceptible. A feature of Vāta.

context information

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “unmanifest”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “The sacred seat Jāla is the Unmanifest (avyakta). It is well placed in the southern quarter. It is black and called the most excellent. The mother (avvā) is the venerable lioness Kālikā. It bestows the boon of the mantra of nine (letters i.e. Navātman). The tree is called Bilva. The cave is called Ratnā; it contains the best Rule and is well known by the name 'Vīra'. The cremation ground is called Laguḍa. [...]”.

2) Avyakta (अव्यक्त) is the name of a sacred place classified as a Pīṭha, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.—The eight seats are the main group of eight groups [i.e., Avyakta] of eight types of sacred sites. The figure sixty-four is a common ideal number as it is often configured into eight groups of eight.

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.

Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) or Avyaktagaṇita (“algebra”) refers to the “science of calculation by the ‘unknown’”.—It is a technical term commonly found in gaṇita-śāstra (ancient Indian mathematics).—The carrying out of mathematical calculations was sometimes called dhūlīkarma (“dust-work”), because the figures were written on dust spread on a board or on the ground. Some later writers have used the term vyakta-gaṇita (“the science of calculation by the ‘known’”) for pāṭī-gaṇita to distinguish it from algebra which was called avyakta-gaṇita (“the science of calculation by the ‘unknown’”).

context information

Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) 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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “unadorned” [?] and is used to describe Viṣṇu, according to 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 13.1-9, while describing the appearance and worship of Viṣṇu]—“Or, [the Mantrin] worships a very handsome, eight-armed, yellow Deva. [...] He remembers [Viṣṇu’s] many forms. Thus, he thinks [of him] with a collection of many faces, many weapons and [many] arms [i.e., the cosmic Viṣṇu], reclining, taking a wife, joined with Lakṣmī, alone, [as] Narasiṃha, Varāha, or Vāmana, Kapila, or an honorable man, unadorned (avyakta—pūjyaḥ cāvyaktaḥ), or even without parts. [...]”.

Source: HAL: The function of the Vṛṣasārasaṃgraha in the Śivadharma corpus

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to the “secret performance” (of actions), according to Kauṇḍinya’s comments on Pāśupatasūtra 3.1.—Accordingly, “At this stage of the ascetic’s life, actions are to be performed secretly (avyakta), in a way in which the taught sectarian marks are not ascertained, without having any of the sectarian marks of the six āśramas”.

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “unmanifest”, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 6th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly: while describing the aspectless Śiva (which is beyond the mind): “[Śiva], the agent of grace for all, has the form of the supreme effulgence, and is pervasive, with form unmanifest (avyakta-rūpin), beyond mind, and great”.

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).

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to one of the three divisions of Bhūti (the latter of the two-fold nature of Lakṣmī), as discussed in the third chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—Description of the chapter [vaiśvarūpya-saṃkṣepa]: [...] That śakti-power which is found always associated with the Lord Viṣṇu is Lakṣmī—and She, then, also, has a two-fold nature, Kriyā and Bhūti. The former of these sets into motion the divine energy; the latter has three sub-divisions [avyakta, kāla, puṃbhāva] and as these continue to proliferate, we witness creation; as these withdraw back toward their source, we witness dissolution. The released, proliferating power—as well as the contraction of the same—through all the stages of creation is to be identified with sudarśana. (26-56).

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Avyakta (अव्यक्त, “non-expressible”) refers to one of the ten flaws (or transmigressions) requiring prāyaścitta (‘expiation’). Prāyaścitta means ‘purification’ of from the flaws or transmigressions.

Avyakta is a Sanskrit technical term defined according to the Tattvārthasūtra (ancient authorative Jain scripture) from the 2nd century, which contains aphorisms dealing with philosophy and the nature of reality.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 9: Influx of karmas

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—What is meant by ‘non-expressible (avyakta) flaw’? To tell the transmigressions committed to other fellow ascetics and not the preceptor is called non-expressible flaw.

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “imperceptible”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “After [the meditator] whose unsteadiness has disappeared has a mind that has become fixed on the form [of the Jina], then he commences to meditate on what is formless, imperceptible (avyakta) [and] existing from all eternity”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

avyakta (अव्यक्त).—a (S) Indistinct or unapparent; not evident, plain, or manifest: also invisible, imperceptible, inapprehensible by human vision--the Deity, the soul &c. 2 Unknown--an algebraic quantity. 3 Inarticulate, not formed by the organs of speech--a sound.

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

avyakta (अव्यक्त).—a Indistinct or unapparent, un- known, also invisible, imperceptible. Inarticulate-a sound.

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—a.

1) Indistinct, not manifest or apparent, inarticulate; °वर्ण (varṇa) indistinct accents; Ś.7.17; फलम- व्यक्तमब्रवीत् (phalama- vyaktamabravīt).

2) Invisible, imperceptible.

3) Undetermined; अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयम् (avyakto'yamacintyo'yam) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 2.25;8.2.

4) Undeveloped, uncreated.

5) (In alg.) Unknown (as a quantity or number).

-ktaḥ 1 Name of Viṣṇu.

2) Name of Śiva.

3) Cupid.

4) Primary matter which has not yet entered into real existence.

5) A fool.

6) Name of an Upaniṣad.

-ktam (In Vedānta Phil.)

1) The Supreme Being or Universal Spirit, Brahman.

2) Spiritual ignorance.

3) The subtle body.

4) The state of sleep (suṣuptyavasthā).

5) (In Sāṅ. Phil.) The primary germ of nature (sarvakāraṇa), the primordial element or productive principle from which all the phenomena of the material world are developed; बुद्धेरिवाव्यक्तमुदाहरन्ति (buddherivāvyaktamudāharanti) R.13.6; महतः परमव्यक्तमव्यक्तात्पुरुषः परः (mahataḥ paramavyaktamavyaktātpuruṣaḥ paraḥ) Kaṭh., Sāṃkhyakārikā 2.1,14.16.58.

6) The Soul.

7) Nature. अव्यक्तः शंकरे विष्णौ क्लीबे तु महदादिके । परमात्म- न्यात्मनि च त्रिषु स्यादस्फुटे (avyaktaḥ śaṃkare viṣṇau klībe tu mahadādike | paramātma- nyātmani ca triṣu syādasphuṭe)....Nm.

-ktam ind. Imperceptibly, indistinctly, inarticulately.

--- OR ---

Āvyakta (आव्यक्त).—a. Quite clear, intelligible; तद्वाक्यमाव्यक्तपदं तासां स्त्रीणां निशम्य च (tadvākyamāvyaktapadaṃ tāsāṃ strīṇāṃ niśamya ca) Rām.7.88.2.

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—adj. (= Pali avyatta; neg. of vyakta, q.v.), (1) ignorant: Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 210.3 °tā akuśalā; Lalitavistara 264.20 °to [Page079-b+ 71] bālo; Divyāvadāna 301.2 °tān apy akuśalān api: 617.18; (2) (compare Sanskrit id., Pali avyatta) obscure: avyaktendriyaḥ Karmavibhaṅga (and Karmavibhaṅgopadeśa) 31.12, see s.v. jihma.

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—mfn.

(-ktaḥ-ktā-ktaṃ) 1. Indistinct, unapparent, invisible, imperceptible. 2. (In algebra,) Unknown as quantity or number. m.

(-ktaḥ) 1. Vishnu. 2. Siva. 3. Kandarpa or Cupid. 4. A fool. n.

(-ktaṃ) 1. The Supreme Being or universal spirit. 2. Any invisible principle according to the Sankhya philosophy. 3. The soul. 4. Nature, temperament. E. a neg. vyakta evident, distinct.

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—[adjective] undisclosed, unmanifested, not clear, indistinct, imperceptible, transcendental; [neuter] [adverb]

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

1) Avyakta (अव्यक्त):—[=a-vyakta] mfn. undeveloped, not manifest, unapparent, indistinct, invisible, imperceptible, [Upaniṣad; Pāṇini; Manu-smṛti] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] (in [algebra]) unknown as quantity or number

3) [v.s. ...] speaking indistinctly

4) [v.s. ...] m. (= paramātman) the universal Spirit, [Manu-smṛti ix, 50]

5) [v.s. ...] Name of Viṣṇu, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] of Śiva, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] of Kāma, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

8) [v.s. ...] a fool, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

9) [v.s. ...] Name of an Upaniṣad

10) [v.s. ...] (also) a young monk who has not finished his studies, [Śīlāṅka]

11) [v.s. ...] n. (in Sāṅkhya [philosophy]) ‘the unevolved (Evolver of all things)’, the primary germ of nature, primordial element or productive principle whence all the phenomena of the material world are developed, [Kaṭha-upaniṣad; Sāṃkhyakārikā etc.]

12) Āvyakta (आव्यक्त):—[=ā-vy-akta] [from āvy-añj] mfn. quite clear or intelligible, [Rāmāyaṇa vii, 88, 20.]

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त):—[a-vyakta] (ktaḥ) 1. m. Vishnu. n. Supreme being; unknown quantity or principal. a. Unapparent.

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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Avagga, Avatta, Aviyatta, Avvatta, Avvataya.

[Sanskrit to German]

Avyakta 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

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) [Also spelled avyakt]:—(a) not manifest, not apparent; imperceptible; indistinct; hence ~[tā, avyakti] (nf); [avyaktivāda] impersonalism; [avyaktivādī] impersonalist; impersonal(istic).

context information

...

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Avyakta (ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ):—

1) [adjective] not expressed; not manifest or apparent; indistinct.

2) [adjective] invisible; not seen.

--- OR ---

Avyakta (ಅವ್ಯಕ್ತ):—

1) [noun] (phil.) the Supreme; the universal spirit.

2) [noun] the soul.

3) [noun] Viṣṇu.

4) [noun] Śiva.

5) [noun] Manmatha, the Love God.

6) [noun] spiritual ignorance.

7) [noun] a stupid person.

8) [noun] gold.

9) [noun] (phil.) the primary germ of nature; the primordial element or productive principle from which all the phenomena of the material world are developed.

10) [noun] the act of singing with a false voice or without clarity of sound or the lyrics, considered as a fault.

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 98 books and stories containing Avyakta, A-vyakta, Avy-akta, Āvy-akta, Āvyakta; (plurals include: Avyaktas, vyaktas, aktas, Āvyaktas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 12.1 < [Chapter 12 - Bhakti-yoga (Yoga through Pure Devotional Service)]

Verse 8.21 < [Chapter 8 - Tāraka-brahma-yoga (the Yoga of Absolute Deliverance)]

Verse 7.24 < [Chapter 7 - Vijñāna-Yoga (Yoga through Realization of Transcendental Knowledge)]

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Part 5 - Avyakta and Brahman < [Chapter XIV - The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-gītā]

Part 11 - God and Man < [Chapter XIV - The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-gītā]

Part 11 - The Theory of Rasas and their Chemistry < [Chapter XIII - Speculations in the Medical Schools]

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(4): Cosmological ideas reflected in the mythology of Hayaśira Viṣṇu < [Chapter 3]

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Verse 3.9.222-223 < [Chapter 9 - The Glories of Advaita]

Verse 2.18.132 < [Chapter 18 - Mahāprabhu’s Dancing as a Gopī]