Dhatu, Dhātu: 54 definitions

Introduction:

Dhatu means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

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In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Dhātu (धातु) is the Sanskrit word for “metal”, and is often used in Rasaśāstra literature such as the Rasaprakāśasudhākara. It is also known by its synonym Loha (लोह).

There are three sub-groups described in the above-mentioned book:

  1. śuddhaloha,
  2. pūtiloha,
  3. miśraloha.

Each sub-group has its own varieties of metals and alloys.

Source: Indian Journal of History of Science: Rasaprakāśa-sudhākara, chapter 4-5

Metals are divided in three subgroups i.e.

Two śuddhalohas:

  1. suvarṇa / svarṇa (gold),
  2. rajata (silver).

Four pūtilohas:

  1. tāmra (copper),
  2. aśmasāra (Iron),
  3. nāga (lead),
  4. vaṅga (tin).

Three miśralohas:

  1. sauraṣṭra / kāṃsya (bell-metal),
  2. rītī (brass),
  3. vartaloha (an alloy made of four metals).

These (nine) types are known as subtypes of Metals. Note: Metals are called as dhātus and also as lohas.

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): (rasashaastra)

Dhātu (धातु) or Dhātuvedha refers to one of the Eight Vedhas (of piercing the body) (associated with dehasiddhi), according to the Rasārṇava (vere 18.147-49).—[...] There are, indeed, alchemical procedures which transform bodily constituents but do not involve “eating Dhātus” nor moving vitality (and thus seem unrelated to Amanaska 2.32c). One such example is the eight kinds of piercing the body [e.g., dhātu-vedha], which are described in connection with dehasiddhi in Rasārṇava.

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “metallic products” of the mountains (śaila) according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil, mountains [viz., Dhātu], jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees and plants and substances, with their various kinds.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Dhātu is a medical term used in Ayurveda meaning "fundamental bodily principles".

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Dhātu (धातु, “supporting tissues and entities”).—Dhātus are those which maintain as well as nourish the body. They are seven in number, e.g.

  1. Rasa (‘chyle’, ‘lymph’ or ‘plasma’),
  2. Rakta (‘blood’),
  3. Māṃsa (‘muscles’ or ‘flesh’),
  4. Meda (‘fat’ or ‘adipose’),
  5. Asthi (‘bone’),
  6. Majjā (‘marrow’ or ‘nervous system’),
  7. Śukra (‘semen’ or ‘reproductive tissue’).

They are all formed successively by their respective agnis. Generally it is held that Rasa traverses in the body through channels, as water flows in irrigating channels in the field, and its suitable portion acted upon by the respective agni at the selected site is converted into the specific Dhātu.

The final essence of all these Dhātus is known as ‘ojas’ which has characters like those of kapha and provides the power of immunity against diseases.

Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)

Dhātu (धातु) refers to “elements” and is mentioned in verse 3.8 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] having (only) little fuel, it may cook the elements [dhātu] (when) kindled by wind. In this cold (season), therefore, one shall turn to the sweet, sour, and salt flavours.”.

Note: Dhātu (“element”) has been translated etymologically by lus-zuṅs (“body-hold”) cf. 1.13.

Source: Hand book of domestic medicine: Basic principles of Āyurveda

The word ‘Dhātu’ is derived from the verb ‘Dha’ which means to hold. The matters which hold the body are termed as Dhātu. In general, it is a term signifying bodily fluids and tissues.

Dhātu are of seven types viz.

  1. Rasa (nourishing fluid of plasma),
  2. Rakta (blood),
  3. Māṃsa (muscular tissue),
  4. Meda (fatty tissue),
  5. Asthi (bone and connective tissues),
  6. Majjā (bone marrow)
  7. and Śukra (vital substance).

There are three types of pathological changes in these Dhātu viz.

  1. Kṣaya (decrease),
  2. Vṛddhi (increase)
  3. and Pradoṣa (vitiation).

The Kṣaya of the one and Vṛddhi of other may be simultaneous in the same disease and in the same patient. In this condition, the Dhātu increases at one place at the cost of other.

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

1) Dhātu (धातु):—Mineral or metal

2) The seven major structural componants that stabilize and sustain the body (Rasa, Rakta, Māṃsa, Meda, Asthi, Majjā and Śukra). The previous Dhātu nourishes the next in a sequential fashion. Each Dhātu is of two forms: Sthāyī (stable) and Poṣaka (norishing). Each Dhātu undergoes a cyclical process of origin, maturation and degeneration.

Ayurveda book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Dhātu (धातु).—(Minerals). To understand the Purāṇic stories regarding the origin of iron, copper, tin etc. see under Irump (iron).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Dhātu (धातु) refers to “metals” (such as gold, etc.), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Among the mountains you are the Himālaya mountain. Among the cows you are the Kāmadhenu, Among the oceans you are the milk ocean. Among the metals (dhātu) you are gold. Among the four castes you are the brahmin. O Śiva, among men you are the king. Among holy centres of salvation you are Kāśī. Among the sacred rivers you are the supreme sacred river. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Dhātu (धातु).—A Marut of the III Gaṇa.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 5. 94.
Purana book cover
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.

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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

1) Dhātu (धातु) refers to “roots” in Sanskrit grammar, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 15.

2) Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “four kinds of radical sounds” for playing of stringed instruments, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 29. All of these have subdivisions, and they relate to different types of stroke, their pitch, number, grouping and the manner of production.

There are four major classes of dhātus defined:

  1. expansion (vistāra),
  2. production (karaṇa),
  3. breaking up (ābiddha),
  4. indication (vyañjana).
Source: Google Books: Kalātattvakośa (nāṭya-śāstra)

Dhātu (धातु).—In music, dhātu finds a place in three contexts—(i) the tonal and temporal dimensions in the rendering on vīṇā as well as fingering techniques, (ii) the tonal and rhythmic component of a musical composition, contradistinct from mātu, the textual component and (iii) the sections of a musical composition.

Natyashastra book cover
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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).

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Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Shodhganga: Vaiyākaraṇabhūṣaṇasāra: a critical study

Dhātu (धातु).—A word which denotes action and result. The Pāṇinian dhātupāṭha includes about 2200 roots which can be called primary roots as contrasted with the secondary roots. The letter are divided into two main groups: 1. Roots derived from the roots. 2. Roots derived from the basic elements other than the roots.

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Dhātu (धातु).—A root; the basic word of a verbal form,defined by the Bhasyakara as क्रियावचनो धातुः (kriyāvacano dhātuḥ) or even as भाववचने धातुः (bhāvavacane dhātuḥ), a word denoting a verbal activity. Panini has not defined the term as such, but he has given a long list of roots under ten groups, named dasagani, which includes about 2200 roots which can be called primary roots as contrasted with secondary roots. The secondary roots can be divided into two main groups (l) roots derived from roots (धातुजधातवः (dhātujadhātavaḥ)) and (2) roots derived from nouns (नामधातवः (nāmadhātavaḥ)). The roots derived from roots can further be classified into three main subdivisions : (a) causative roots or णिजन्त (ṇijanta), (b) desiderative roots or सन्नन्त (sannanta), (c) intensive roots or यङन्त (yaṅanta) and यङ्लुगन्तः (yaṅlugantaḥ) while roots derived from nouns or denominative roots can further be divided into क्यजन्त, काम्यजन्त, क्यङन्त, क्यषन्त, णिङन्त, क्विबन्त (kyajanta, kāmyajanta, kyaṅanta, kyaṣanta, ṇiṅanta, kvibanta) and the miscellaneous ones (प्रकीर्ण (prakīrṇa)) as derived from nouns like कण्डू (kaṇḍū)(कण्ड्वादि (kaṇḍvādi)) by 25 the application of the affix यक् (yak) or from nouns like सत्य,वेद, पाश, मुण्ड,मिश्र (satya, veda, pāśa, muṇḍa, miśra), etc. by the application of the affix णिच् (ṇic). Besides these, there are a few roots formed by the application of the affix आय (āya) and ईय (īya) (ईयङ् (īyaṅ)). All these roots can further be classified into Parasmaipadin or Parasmaibhasa, Atmanepadin or Atmanebhasa and Ubhayapadin. Roots possessed of a mute grave (अनुदात्त (anudātta)) vowel or of the mute consonant ङ् () added to the root in the Dhatupatha or ending in the affixes यड्, क्यङ् (yaḍ, kyaṅ) etc. as also roots in the passive voice are termed Atmanepadin: while roots ending with the affix णिच् (ṇic) as also roots possessed of a mute circumflex vowel or a mute consonant ञ़़् (ña़़्) applied to them are termed Ubhayapadin. All the rest are termed Parasmaipadin. There are some other mute letters or syllables applied by Panini to the roots in his Dhatupatha for specific purposes; e.g. ए (e) at the end to signify prohibition of vrddhi to the penultimate अ (a) in the aorist, e.g. अकखीत् (akakhīt) cf. P. VII.2.5; इर् (ir) to signify the optional substitution of अ (a) or अङ् (aṅ) for the affix च्लि (cli) of the aorist, e.g. अभिदत्, अभैत्सीत् (abhidat, abhaitsīt) ; cf. P.III. 1.57; उ (u) to signify the optional application of the augment इ (i) (इट् (iṭ)) before क्त्वा (ktvā) e.g. शमित्वा, शान्त्वा (śamitvā, śāntvā); cf. P.VII. 2. 56; ऊ (ū) to signify the optional application of the augment इ (i) (इट् (iṭ)) e.g. गोप्ता, गेीपिता (goptā, geीpitā), cf. P.VII.2.44; आ (ā) to signify the prohibition of the augment इट् (iṭ) in the case of the past pass. part. e.g. क्ष्विण्णः, स्विन्नः (kṣviṇṇaḥ, svinnaḥ), cf. P. VII.2.16; इ (i) to signify the addition of a nasal after the last vowel e. g. निन्दति (nindati) from निदि (nidi), cf. P. VII.1.58: ऋ () to signify the prohibition of ह्रस्व (hrasva) to the penultimate long vowel before णिच् (ṇic), e. g. अशशासत् (aśaśāsat), cf. P.VII. 4.2;लृ (lṛ) to signify the substitution of अङ् (aṅ) for च्लि (cli) in the aorist, e.g. अगमत् (agamat) cf. P. III.1.55: ओ (o) to signify the substitution of न् (n) for त् (t) of the past pass.part. e.g. लग्नः, आपीनः, सूनः, दूनः (lagnaḥ, āpīnaḥ, sūnaḥ, dūnaḥ) etc.; cf. P. VIII. 2.45. Besides these,the mute syllables ञि, टु (ñi, ṭu) and डु (ḍu) are prefixed for specific purposes; cf. P. III.2.187, III.3.89 and III. 3.88. The term धातु (dhātu) is a sufficiently old one which is taken by Panini from ancient grammarians and which is found used in the Nirukta and the Pratisakhya works, signifying the 'elemental (radical)base' for nouns which are all derivable from roots according to the writers of the Nirukta works and the grammarian Siktaayana; cf. नाम च धातुजमाह निरुक्ते व्याकरणे शकटस्य च तोकम् (nāma ca dhātujamāha nirukte vyākaraṇe śakaṭasya ca tokam) M. Bh. on P. III.3.1. Some scholars have divided roots into six categories; cf. तत्र धातवः षोढा (tatra dhātavaḥ ṣoḍhā) (a) परिपठिताः भूवादयः (paripaṭhitāḥ bhūvādayaḥ), (b) अपरिपठता आन्दोलयत्यादयः (aparipaṭhatā āndolayatyādayaḥ), (c) परिपठितापरिपठिताः (paripaṭhitāparipaṭhitāḥ) (सूत्रपठिताः (sūtrapaṭhitāḥ)) स्कुस्कम्भस्तम्भेत्यादयः (skuskambhastambhetyādayaḥ), (d) प्रत्ययधातवः सनाद्यन्ताः (pratyayadhātavaḥ sanādyantāḥ), (e) नामघातवः कण्ड्वादयः (nāmaghātavaḥ kaṇḍvādayaḥ), (f) प्रत्ययनामधातवः होडगल्भक्ली (pratyayanāmadhātavaḥ hoḍagalbhaklī). बप्रभृतयः (baprabhṛtayaḥ); cf Sringara Prak. I. For details see M.Bh. on P.I.3.I as also pp 255, 256 Vol. VII Vyakarana-Mahabhasya published by the D.E. Society, Poona.

Vyakarana book cover
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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.

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Nirukta (Sanskrit etymology)

Source: Knowledge Traditions & Practices of India: Language and Grammar (nirukta)

Dhātu (धातु) refers to a “verb root” as used by Yāska (9th century BCE) in his works dealing with Nirukta (etymology): the science of study of the meaning of words used in texts. Yāska takes a word and derives it from a verb root (dhātu) on the basis of its phonetic and semantic similarities. For example, the word pāka, “a cooked dish”, is made from the root √pac, ‘to cook’. He gives examples of such meanings by quoting examples of use from various works.

context information

Nirukta (निरुक्त) or “etymology” refers to the linguistic analysis of the Sanskrit language. This branch studies the interpretation of common and ancient words and explains them in their proper context. Nirukta is one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

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

Dhātu (धातु) refers to “minerals”, representing materials used for the making of images (Hindu icons), as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The materials listed in the Āgamas for the making of images are wood, stone, precious gems, metals, terracotta, laterite, earth, and a combination of two or three or more of the materials specified above. The materials recommended in the śilpaśāstra for the fashioning of images are unburnt clay, burnt clay as in brick or terracotta, sudhā (a special kind of mortar/plaster), composite earth, wood, stone, metal, ivory, dhātu (mineral), pigment, and precious stones.

Shilpashastra book cover
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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.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

Dhātu (धातु) refers to “coloring substance (for the deposit of foundation) § 2.24.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra book cover
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Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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Kavya (poetry)

Source: OpenEdition books: Vividhatīrthakalpaḥ (Kāvya)

Dhātu (धातु) in Sanskrit (or Dhāu in Prakrit) refers to “sanguine” [?] (or, “metals” [?], cf. dhātuvāda), as is mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).—(Jacobi 1886 p. 112)

Kavya book cover
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Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Dhātu (धातु) refers to “minerals”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If Mars should be eclipsed by Rāhu [—the eclipsed or eclipsing lunar or solar disc as the case may be], the people of Āvanti, those living on the banks of the Kāverī and the Narmada and haughty princes will be afflicted with miseries. [...] If Saturn should be so eclipsed, the people of Marubhava, of Puṣkara and of Saurāṣṭra, the minerals [i.e., dhātu], the low classes inhabiting the Arbuda hills, and the hillmen of Gomanta and Pāriyātrā will perish immediately”.

Jyotisha book cover
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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.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “tissues (of the body)”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñākārikā III.2.12.—Accordingly, “When further [the layers of the objective “self”] from the Void to the [very] tissues of the body (deha-dhātu) are transmuted by means of the ‘alchemical elixir,’ i.e. by the [fundamental] ‘I’-sense which is certainly conjoined with the qualities of magnificent power, eternality, sovereignty, [and others] of such nature that are cognized [as aspects of that ‘I’], then in this state [called] Beyond the Fourth they abandon (as it were) their objectivity”.

Shaivism book cover
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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.

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Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (yoga)

Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “bodily constituents”, according to the Amṛtasiddhi, a 12th-century text belonging to the Haṭhayoga textual tradition.—Accordingly, “The sphere of the sun is at the base of the Central Channel, complete with twelve digits, shining with its rays. The lord of creatures (Prajāpati), of intense appearance, travels upwards on the right. Staying in the pathways in the spaces in the channels it pervades the entire body. The sun consumes the lunar secretion, wanders in the sphere of the wind and burns up all the bodily constituents (sarva-dhātu) in all bodies”.

Yoga book cover
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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).

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Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Dhātu (धातु) represents the number 7 (seven) 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., 7—dhātu] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

Ganitashastra book cover
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.

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Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making)

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

Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “metals”.—Cf. Dhātuvāda which refers to “knowledge of metals”, representing one of the “sixty four kinds of Art”, according to the Kāmasūtra of Vātsyāyaṇa.—Indian tradition, basically includes sixty four Art forms are acknowledged. The references of sixty four kinds of kalā are found in the Bhāgavatapurāṇa, Śaiva-Tantras, Kāmasūtra of Vātsyāyaṇa etc.

Kamashastra book cover
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Kamashastra (कामशास्त्र, kāmaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: DOcFoc: A study on Sarira Gunas and its Application

The word Dhātu is derived from the verb Dhrī, which means to support. There are 7 Dhātus which supports the body. When Dhātus in the body of an individual become discordant then there is disease or destruction of the body. Any article which increases a particular Dhātu is also responsible for the decrease of the Dhātu of opposite Guṇa.

The term Dhātu plays both physiological and anatomical roles in the Śarīra. Dhātus are considered as Dravyas and this also gives Adhiṣṭāna for various Guṇas.

The predominant Guṇas of the seven Dhātus can be listed as below:

  1. Rasa: drava,
  2. Rakta: drava
  3. Māṃsa: sthira and ślakṣṇa,
  4. Meda: ślakṣna and snigdha,
  5. Asthi: khara,
  6. Majja: snigdha, mṛdu,
  7. Śukra: snigdha, picchila and drava.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsElement; property, impersonal condition. The four physical elements or properties are earth (solidity), water (liquidity), wind (motion), and fire (heat). The six elements include the above four plus space and consciousness.Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossary

M (Element).

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

Dhātu (‘elements’), are the ultimate constituents of a whole.

The 4 physical elements (dhātu or mahā-bhūta), popularly called:

  • earth, (pathavī-dhātu)
  • water, (āpo-dhātu)
  • fire, (tejo-dhātu)
  • wind, (vāyo-dhātu)

are to be understood as the primary qualities of matter.

In Vis.M. XI, 2 the four elements are defined thus: Whatever is characterized:

  • by hardness (thaddha-lakkkhana) is the earth or solid-element;
  • by cohesion (ābandhana) or fluidity, the water-element;
  • by heating (paripācana), the fire or heat-element;
  • by strengthening or supporting (vitthambhana), the wind or motion-element.

All four are present in every material object, though in varying degrees of strength. If, for instance, the earth element predominates, the material object is called ‘solid’, etc. - For the analysis of the 4 elements, see: dhātu-vavatthāna.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

dhātu. - Analysis of the 4 e.: dhātu-vavatthāna.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

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

Dhātu (धातु, “ingredients”) represents the internal location of one’s body presided over by twenty-four “heroes” (vīra), according to the 9th-centruy Vajraḍākatantra.—A list of names of such Ḍākinīs and of their internal seats told before is given, accompanied with a list of these Ḍākinīs’ husbands who are called heroes (vīra). These heroes abide in one’s body in the form of twenty-four ingredients (dhātu) of one’s body (fingernails, teeth, hair on the head and body and so on).

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

Dhātu (धातु) refers to a list of 16 “ingredients” connected with sixteen great vidyās, according to the 9th century Vajraḍākatantra chapter 1 and 42.—The adhyātma-maṇḍala mainly consists of sixteen dhātus (ingredients). Dhātus are connected with sixteen great vidyās, that is, sixteen syllables which appear in the opening verse of the Vajraḍākatantra.

  1. ra: rakta,
  2. sye: gandhapatra,
  3. ra: gandha,
  4. ra: vāri,
  5. sa: kunduru,
  6. tma: nalaja,
  7. sa: daṃśakaraja,
  8. sthi: sārasāra,
  9. ha: girija,
  10. pa: tvaca,
  11. me: kusuma,
  12. mye: piśita,
  13. rvā: śiras,
  14. ni: gandhataila,
  15. dā: sāgaraja,
  16. ta: karpūra.

These dhātus of Vajraḍākatantra are also explained in chapter 17 as materials for rasāyana, “nectar of yaga for Yogins” (yogiyogāmṛta). Now they are contemplated with those syllables in one’s body.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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.

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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “realms of perception”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Son of good family, there are eight purities of meditation (dhyāna) of the Bodhisattvas, which are like the expanse of the sky. What are these eight? To wit, (1) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in the parts of personality; (2) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in realms of perception (dhātu); (3) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in fields of the senses; (4) while meditating, one he not meditate abiding in this world; (5) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in the next world; (6) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in the world of desire; (7) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in the world of form; (8) while meditating, he does not meditate abiding in the world without form; Son of good family, those eight are the pure meditations of the Bodhisattvas”.

Mahayana book cover
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 many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

1) Dhātu (धातु) or aṣṭādaśadhātu refers to the “eighteen elements” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 25):

  1. cakṣus (eye),
  2. śrotra (ear),
  3. ghrāṇa (nose),
  4. jihvā (tongue),
  5. kāya (body),
  6. manas (mind),
  7. rūpa (form),
  8. gandha (smell),
  9. śabda (sound),
  10. rasa (taste),
  11. sparśa (tangible),
  12. dharma (though),
  13. cakṣurvijñāna (eye-consciousness),
  14. śrotravijñāna (ear-consciousness),
  15. ghrāṇavijñāna (nose-consciousness),
  16. jihvāvijñāna (tongue-consciousness),
  17. kāyavijñāna (body-consciousness),
  18. manasvijñāna (mind-consciousness).

The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., aṣṭādaśa-dhātu). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

2) Dhātu (धातु) or ṣaḍdhātu refers to the “six elements” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 58):

  1. pṛthvī (earth),
  2. āpas (water),
  3. tejas (fire),
  4. vāyu (wind),
  5. ākāśa (space),
  6. vijñāna (consciousness).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “seven elements” and is mentioned in chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly, “then he [viz., Mahābala, previous incarnation of Ṛṣabha] was born in the hollow of a couch in the palace Śrīprabha, like a mass of lightning in a cloud. He had a divine form, symmetrical, his body free from the seven elements [viz., dhātu], [etc...]”.

Note: In Jain terminology [the seven dhātus] are chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, semen. (cf. Karma Granthas I.48, p. 46a).

2) Dhātu (धातु) refers to some kind of musical composition, according to chapter 1.6.—Dhātu is some kind of musical composition, but exactly what I have not been able to ascertain. There are 4 Dhātus: vistāra, karaṇa, āviddha, and vyañjana. Vyañjana is used for vīṇās. It has 10 subdivisions of which puṣpa is the first. This is according to the Nāṭyaśāstra 29.52ff. which Hemacandra evidently follows, but the Saṅgītaratnākara, 4.7ff., discusses dhātu from quite a different point of view. In this it seems to be vocal composition. Śruti may be used here in the technical sense of an ‘interval’.

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

Dhātu (धातु) refers to the “(five-fold) nature” (of the cycle of rebirth), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “[com.—Next he speaks about the five-fold nature [of the cycle of rebirth] (pañcadhātvam) for living souls (jīvānāṃ)]—Sentient beings, inflamed by very intense pleasure [and] unsteady from affliction by wrong faith, wander about in a five-fold life that is difficult to be traversed. It has been stated at length that the cycle of rebirth which is full of suffering is five-fold on account of combining substance, place, right time, life and intention”.

Source: academia.edu: The Original Paṇhavāyaraṇa/Praśnavyākaraṇa Discovered

Dhātu (धातु) refers to “metals”, as taught in the Paṇhavāgaraṇa (Sanskrit: Praśnavyākaraṇa): the tenth Anga of the Jain canon which deals with the prophetic explanation of queries regarding divination.—The Praśnavyākaraṇa deals with the praśnavidyā in a rather complex way. It is divided into at least 33 short chapters [e.g., dhātu-bheda-prakaraṇa], some of which are further divided into sub-chapters. Some contents of the text, mainly those related with articulation and pronunciation can have significance far beyond the scope of the praśnavidyā.

General definition book cover
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.

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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Dhātu.—(ML), Buddhist; corporeal relics [of the Buddha]. (IE 7-1-2; EI 25), ‘seven’. Cf. Dhātu-parigṛhīta, an epithet of the Buddha; probably, salvation (Select Inscriptions, p. 228). Note: dhātu is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

dhātu : (f.) an element; natural condition; a relic; root of a word; humour of the body; faculty of senses.

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

Dhātu, (f.) (Sk. dhātu to dadhāti, Idg. *dhē, cp. Gr. ti/qhmi, a)nά—qhma, Sk. dhāman, dhāṭr (=Lat. conditor); Goth. gadēds; Ohg. tāt, tuom (in meaning —°=dhātu, cp. E. serf-dom “condition of . . .”) tuon=E. to do; & with k-suffix Lat. facio, Gr. (e)/)qhk(a), Sk. dhāka; see also dhamma) element. Closely related to dhamma in meaning B 1b, only implying a closer relation to physical substance. As to its Gen. connotation cp. Dhs. trsl. p. 198.

— 1. a primary element, of which the usual set comprises the four paṭhavī, āpo, tejo, vāyo (earth, water, fire, wind), otherwise termed cattāro mahābhūtā(ni): D.I, 215; II, 294; III, 228; S.I, 15; II, 169 sq., 224; IV, 175, 195; A.II, 165; III, 243; Vbh.14, 72; Nett 73. See discussed at Cpd. 254 sq.—A definition of dhātu is to be found at Vism.485.—Singly or in other combinations paṭhavī° S.II, 174; tejo° S.I, 144; D.III, 227; the four plus ākāsa S.III, 227, plus viññāna S.II, 248; III, 231; see below 2 b.

— 2. (a) natural condition, property, disposition; factor, item, principle, form. In this meaning in var. combinations & applications, esp. closely related to khandha. Thus mentioned with khandha & āyatana (sensory element & element of sense-perception) as bodily or physical element, factor (see khandha B 1 d & cp. Nd2 under dhātu) Th.2, 472. As such (physical substratum) it constitutes one of the lokā or forms of being (khandha° dhātu° āyatana° Nd2 550). frequent also in combination kāma-dhātu, rūpa° arūpa° “the elements or properties of k. etc.” as preceding & conditioning bhava in the respective category (Nd2 s. v.). See under d.—As “set of conditions or state of being (-°)” in the foll.: loka° a world, of which 10 are usually mentioned (equalling 10, 000: PvA.138) S.I, 26; V, 424; Pv.II, 961; Vbh.336; PvA.138; KS.II, 101, n. 1;

(2.b) elements in sense-consciousness: referring to the 6 ajjhattikāni & 6 bāhirāni āyatanāni S.II, 140 sq. Of these sep. sota° D.I, 79; III, 38; Vbh.334; dibbasota° S.II, 121, 212; V, 265, 304; A.I, 255; III, 17, 280; V, 199; cakkhu° Vbh.71 sq.; mano° Vbh.175, 182, 301; mano-viññāṇa° Vbh.87, 89, 175, 182 sq. ‹-›

(2.c) various: aneka° A.I, 22; III, 325; V, 33; akusala° Vbh.363; avijjā° S.II, 132; ābhā° S.II, 150; ārambha° S.V, 66, 104 sq.; A.I, 4; II, 338; ṭhiti° S.II, 175; III, 231; A.III, 338; dhamma° S.II, 56; nekkhamma° S.II, 151; A.III, 447; nissāraṇiyā dhātuyo (5) D.III, 239; A.III, 245, 290. See further S.I, 134, 196; II, 153, 248 (aniccā); III, 231 (nirodha); IV, 67; A.I, 176; II, 164; IV, 385; Dhs.58, 67, 121; Nett 57, 64 sq.; ThA.20, 49, 285,

(2.d) Different sets and enumerations: as 3 under kāma°, rūpa°, arūpa A.I, 223; III, 447; Ps.I, 137; Vbh.86, 363, 404 sq.; under rūpa°, arūpa°, nirodha° It.45.—as 6 (pathavī etc.+ākāsa° & viññāṇa°): D.III, 247; A.I, 175 sq.; M.III, 31, 62, 240; Ps.I, 136; Vbh.82 sq.—as 7 (ābhā subha etc.): S.II, 150.—18: Ps.I, 101, 137; II, 230, Dhs.1333; Vbh.87 sq., 401 sq.; Vism.484 sq.

— 3. a humour or affection of the body DA.I, 253 (dhātusamatā).

— 4. the remains of the body after cremation PvA.76; a relic VvA.165 (sarīra°, bodily relic); Dāvs.V, 3 (dasana° the toothrelic).—Abl. dhātuso according to one’s nature S.II, 154 sq. (sattā sattehi saddhiṃ saṃsandanti etc.); It.70 (id.); S.III, 65.

Pali book cover
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.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

dhātu (धातु).—f (S and masc) Semen virile. 2 m A metal or mineral. 3 The root of a verb. 4 A principle or humor of the body; as phlegm, wind, bile. 5 A constituent part of the body, of which seven are enumerated; viz. blood, marrow, fat, flesh, bones, medullary substance, semen. 6 A primary or elementary substance; viz. earth, water, fire, air, ākāśa. 7 A property of a primary element,--odor, flavor, color, touch, and sound. dhātu phuṭaṇēṃ g. of s. To be affected with a gleet. 2 in. con. To come of age; to become adult.

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

dhātu (धातु).—f Semen virile; A metal or mineral. m The root of a verb. A principle or humor of the body.

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dhātu (धातु).—[dhā-ādhāre tun]

1) A constituent or essential part, an ingredient.

2) An element, primary or elementary substance, i. e. पृथिवी, अप्, तेजस्, वायु (pṛthivī, ap, tejas, vāyu) and आकाश (ākāśa); Bhāgavata 7.15.6.

3) A secretion, primary fluid or juice, essential ingredients of the body (which are considered to be 7:-rasāsṛṅmāṃsamedo'sthimajjāśukrāṇi dhātavaḥ, or sometimes ten if keśa, tvac and snāyu be added); Mahābhārata (Bombay) 3.213.1.

4) A humour or affection of the body, (i.e. vāta, pitta and kapha); यस्यात्मबुद्धिः कुणपे त्रिधातुके (yasyātmabuddhiḥ kuṇape tridhātuke) Bhāgavata 1.84.13.

5) A mineral, metal, metallic ore; न्यस्ताक्षरा धातुरसेन यत्र (nyastākṣarā dhāturasena yatra) Kumārasambhava 1.7; त्वामालिख्य प्रणयकुपितां धातुरागैः शिलायाम् (tvāmālikhya praṇayakupitāṃ dhāturāgaiḥ śilāyām) Meghadūta 17; R.4.71; Kumārasambhava 6.51.

6) A verbal root; भूवादयो धातवः (bhūvādayo dhātavaḥ) P.I.3.1; पश्चादध्ययनार्थस्य धातोरधिरिवाभवत् (paścādadhyayanārthasya dhātoradhirivābhavat) R.15.9.

7) The soul.

8) The Supreme Spirit; धातुप्रसादान्महिमानमात्मनः (dhātuprasādānmahimānamātmanaḥ) Kaṭha.

9) An organ of sense.

1) Any one of the properties of the five elements, i. e. रूप, रस, गन्ध, स्पर्श (rūpa, rasa, gandha, sparśa) and शब्द (śabda); तत्र तत्र हि दृश्यन्ते धातवः पाञ्चभौतिकाः । तेषां मनुष्यास्तर्केण प्रमाणानि प्रचक्षते (tatra tatra hi dṛśyante dhātavaḥ pāñcabhautikāḥ | teṣāṃ manuṣyāstarkeṇa pramāṇāni pracakṣate) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 6.5.11.

11) A bone.

12) A part, portion.

13) A fluid mineral of a red colour.

14) Ved. A supporter.

15) Anything to be drunk, as milk &c. -f. A milch cow.

Derivable forms: dhātuḥ (धातुः).

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

Dhātu (धातु).—m. or f. (nt. forms occur rarely; in Sanskrit recorded only as m.; in Pali app. usually, according to [Pali Text Society’s Pali-English Dictionary] only, f., but according to Childers m. and f.); in [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] most commonly m.; f. examples, ākāśadhātuṃ yaḥ sarvām Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 253.13, pṛthivīdhātuṃ ca yaḥ sarvāṃ 254.1; yattikā pṛthivīdhātu Mahāvastu i.126.12; svakāye tejodhātūye (instr.) 357.16—17; see also lokadhātu, often f. as well as m.; nt., tāni dhātūni Mahāvastu ii.93.20 (verse); in Mahāvastu iii.65.10 ff. adj. forms of all three genders, catvāro (dhātavaḥ), repeatedly, 10—12; catvāri, 11; tiṣṭhamānāvo (f. n. pl.) and bhajyamā- nīyo, 11; (= Pali id. in all mgs. except 6; in some included here, viz. 1 and 2, more or less similarly in Sanskrit; some [Page282-b+ 71] Pali mgs. etymologically explained in Vism. 485.2 ff.;) the most fundamental meaning is perhaps element, compare Lévi, Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) i.18 note 1, ‘l’idée centrale reste toujours celle de élément primordial, original, principe’; Tibetan regularly ren- ders khams, except in [compound] dharma-dh° where it renders dbyiṅs; once (below, 6) it uses rluṅ; conscious recognition of several different mgs. in a four-pāda verse: sattvadhātu paripācayiṣyase, lokadhātu pariśodhayiṣyasi, jñānadhātum utthāpayiṣyase (meter!), āśayasya tava dhātu tādṛśaḥ Gaṇḍavyūha 484.15—16, you will completely mature the (or, a) mass of creatures, you will completely purify the world-system(s), you will raise up on high the sphere (state of mind? see below) of knowledge; such is the natural character of your disposition; (1) physical element, constituent of the material world, of which, like Pali, [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] normally recognizes (a) four, earth, water, fire, and air or wind, pṛthivī, ap, tejas, vāyu; listed Mahāvyutpatti 1838—41 pṛthivī-dhātuḥ etc. but given the caption catvāri mahābhūtāni 1837; and compare Śikṣāsamuccaya 250.14 under (b) below; in a cliché, na…karmāṇi kṛtāny upa- citāni vāhye pṛthivīdhātau vipacyante nābdhātau na tejodhātau na vāyudhātāv api tūpātteṣv (em., but prob- able), eva skandhadhātvāyataneṣu vipacyante Divyāvadāna 54.5 ff.; 131.9 ff.; 141.9 ff.; (with slight alterations 191.16;) 311.18 ff.; 504.19 ff.; 581.29 ff.; 584.16 ff.; Avadāna-śataka i.74.4 ff., (the effects of) deeds done do not mature in the four external physical elements, but in the skandha, dhātu (sense 4, q.v.), and āyatana (q.v.); iha dhātu-bhūta (so divide) caturo… viśoṣitā me bhavasamudrā Lalitavistara 373.13(—14; verse), here I have dried up the four ‘oceans’ of existence (there are four oceans in normal Hindu geography, surrounding the earth) which consist of (-bhūta) the (four) elements; catvāro… dhātavaḥ Mahāvastu iii.65.10; caturo dhātava Lalitavistara 284.5 (verse; Foucaux renders directions, claiming support of Tibetan, but Tibetan khams, the regular rendering of dhātu); abdhātuṃ pratyāpibanti Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 122.5 (pratically simply water); tejo- dhātu, see this separately; pṛthivīdhātu Mahāvastu i.126.12; Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 254.1; but also (b) again as in Pali, not five as in Sanskrit but six, the above four plus ākāśa (as in Sanskrit; note ākāśa- dhātu alone Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 253.13; 342.11) and also vijñāna (Pali viññāṇa), listed Dharmasaṃgraha 58 as ṣaḍ dhātavaḥ; important is Śikṣāsamuccaya 244.11 ff. (similarly Bcṭ 326.24 ff.): ṣaḍdhātur ayaṃ …puruṣaḥ…katame ṣaṭ? tad yathā: pṛthivīdhātur abdh° tejodh° vāyudh° ākāśadh° vijñānadh° ca…ṣaḍ imāni…sparśāyatanāni (see āyatana 5)…cakṣuḥ sparśāyatanaṃ rūpāṇāṃ darśanāya, (and so) śrotraṃ… ghrāṇaṃ…jihvā…kāya(ḥ) sparśāyatanaṃ spraṣṭavyā- nāṃ sparśanāya, manaḥ spa° dharmāṇāṃ vijñānāya… (245.1 ff.) adhyātmikaḥ pṛthivīdhātuḥ, which is whatever is hard in the body, as hair, nails, teeth, etc.; (245.4) bāhyaḥ pṛthivīdhātuḥ is whatever is hard in the outside world. Similarly with abdhātu 246.16 ff.; tejodhātu 248.2 ff.; vāyudhātu 248.11—249.3; ākāśadhātu 249.3 ff., in the body of man, is such things as the mouth, throat, etc. (empty space, we would say); in the outside world, what is hollow and empty (as a hole in the ground); vijñānadhātu 250.5 ff., (line 7) ṣaḍindriyādhipateyā (see ādhipateya) ṣaḍviṣayā- rambaṇā (read °baṇa-, in accord with line 5 cakṣurindriyā- dhipateyā rūpārambaṇaprativijñaptiḥ; see ārambaṇa 3) viṣayavijñaptir ayam ucyate vijñānadhātuḥ (this is only adhyātmika; there is no external vijñāna); in 250.14 ff. it is made clear that the sparśāyatanāni, i.e. the sensory organs or powers (244.15 ff.), are constituted by equili- brtum or tranquillity (prasāda 2, q.v.) of the four physical elements (a, above, here called mahābhūtāni, as in Mahāvyutpatti 1837): katamac cakṣurāyatanam? yac caturṇāṃ mahā- bhūtānāṃ prasādaḥ, tad yathā, pṛthivīdhātor abdhātos tejodhātor vāyudhātor yāvat, etc.; these four only make up the several senses; ākāśa, emptiness, cannot be involved, and vijñāna (six-fold) is what results from the operation of each sense on its appropriate objects; (2) element in the body exclusively and specifically (aside from 1 above [Page283-a+ 71] which applies to the body but also to all the external world), pretty much as in Sanskrit ([Boehtlingk and Roth] s.v. dhātu 3), but I have found no numerical listing of them in [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] (in Sanskrit various numbers occur, rarely 3 = the 3 doṣa, wind, gall, phlegm; but regularly 7, sometimes 5 or 10), main con- stituent of the body: in Suvarṇabhāsottamasūtra 179.5 six (ṣaḍdhātu-kauśalya, see below, end, note*); abhiṣyaṇṇā vātātapā saṃvṛttā Mahāvastu iii.143.16, compare abhiṣyaṇṇehi dhātūhi 144.6; 153.11; 154.8, see s.vv. abhiṣyaṇṇa and vātātapa, excessive or over- exuberant bodily humors (a cause of disease; Pali uses abhi(s)- sanna of the dosa, Sanskrit doṣa, [three] bodily humors); dhātu- vaiṣamyāc ca glānaḥ Divyāvadāna 191.28, sick from an upset con- dition of the humors; tvaṃ vaidya (n. sg.; so divide) dhātu- kuśalas Lalitavistara 184.21 (verse), thou, a physician skilled in the humors or bodily elements; kaccid dhātavaḥ pratikurvanti Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 429.4, I hope your bodily humors (or elements) are acting properly?; (3) the 18 dhātu, psycho-physical constituent elements of the personality in relation to the outside world (Pali id.), are the 12 āyatana (i.e. the 6 senses plus 6 sense-objects, see s.v. 5) plus the 6 corresponding sensory perceptions, vijñāna; listed Mahāvyutpatti 2040—58, cakṣur-dhātuḥ, rūpa-dhātuḥ, cakṣur-vijñāna-dhātuḥ, and so with śrotra (śabda), ghrāṇa (gandha), jihvā (rasa), kāya (spraṣṭavya), mano (dharma); same in abbreviated form (with sparśa for spraṣṭavya) Dharmasaṃgraha 25; aṣṭādaśa dhātavaś Lalitavistara 372.7; see also varṇa-dhātu; (4) constituent element of the mind, ‘heart’, or character, and so by extension (psychic) char- acter, nature, natural disposition; as element of the citta, Avadāna-śataka ii.140.13 ff., śamatha-vipaśyanā-paribhāvitam…(14) āryaśrāvakasya cittaṃ dhātuśo (compare Pali dhātuso in quite similar sense, SN ii.154.19 ff., referring to dhātu 153.23 ff.; note avijjā-dhātu 153.29) vimucyate. tatra sthavira katame dhātavaḥ? yaś ca…(141.1) prahāṇa-dhātur yaś ca virāga-dhātur yaś ca nirodha-dhātuḥ, kasya nu…pra- hāṇāt (2) prahāṇadhātur ity ucyate?…(3) sarvasaṃskā- rāṇāṃ…prahāṇāt prahāṇadhātur ity ucyate, and so identically with virāga and nirodha; in this sense I under- stand nānādhātu-jñāna-balam Mahāvyutpatti 123 (one of the 10 balāni of a Buddha), and (also one of the 10 balāni) nānādhātukaṃ (-ka [bahuvrīhi]; = °dhātuṃ) lokaṃ vidanti Mahāvastu i.159.14; nānādhātum imaṃ lokam anuvartanti paṇ- ḍitāḥ (= Tathāgatāḥ) Mahāvastu i.90.17; Pali similarly has anekadhātu and nānādhātu as eps. of loka, and knowledge of them as one of the 10 balāni, e.g. Majjhimanikāya (Pali) i.70.9—10, where commentary ii.29.20 ff. is uncertain, cakkhudhātu-ādīhi (see 3 above) kāmadhātu-ādīhi (see 5 below) vā dhātūhi bahu- dhātuṃ…lokaṃ ti khandhāyatanadhātu-lokaṃ (see be- low); but Dīghanikāya (Pali) ii.282.25 ff. seems to prove that the meaning is different, anekadhātu nānādhātu kho…loko…, yaṃ yad eva sattā dhātuṃ abhinivisanti, taṃ tad eva thāmasā …abhinivissa voharanti: idam eva saccaṃ moghaṃ aññaṃ ti; tasmā na sabbe…ekantavādā ekantasīlā ekantachandā ekanta-ajjhosānā ti (here, dhātu is surely something like nature, disposition, as commentary says, ajjhāsaya, iii.737.18); similarly, nānādhimuktānāṃ sattvānāṃ nānā- dhātv-āśayānām āśayaṃ viditvā Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 41.3; 71.8, knowing the disposition of creatures who vary in interests and who vary in character and disposition; Critical Pali Dictionary s.v. anekadhātu (as epithet of loka) is not quite clear, saying with many elements, or natural conditions (or dispositions); confirmation of this interpretation may be found in a cliché, (bhagavāṃs teṣāṃ, or the like)…āśayānuśayaṃ (see anuśaya) dhā- tuṃ prakṛtiṃ ca jñātvā (evidently disposition, character, or state of mind) Divyāvadāna 46.23; 47.9—10; 48.12—13; 49.11—12; (in 209.12 [compound] āśayānuśayadhātuprakṛtiṃ ca, in view of ca probably to be read °dhātuṃ;) 462.9—10; 463.18—19, etc.; Avadāna-śataka i.64.12—13; also āśayasya tava dhātu tādṛśaḥ Gaṇḍavyūha 484.16, above, and possibly jñāna-dhātu in the same line, but here sphere (5, below) may be meant; here also, it seems, must be included dhātu, state of mind, psychic characteristic, when used parallel (or in composition) with [Page283-b+ 71] skandha and āyatana (where, if sense 3 were intended, āyatana would be included in dhātu so that tautology would result), as: te skandhā tāni dhātūni tāni āyatanāni ca, ātmānaṃ ca adhikṛtya bhagavān tam (mss. etam; Senart's em. leaves the meter still bad) arthaṃ vyākare (v.l. °ret) Mahāvastu ii.93.20—21 (verses); na skandha-āyatana- dhātu (read as one dvandva [compound], as suggested by Tibetan phuṅ po skye mched khams rnams, the last syllable being the plural suffix, put after the third noun only, saṅs rgyas yin mi smra) vademi Buddhaṃ Lalitavistara 420.17 (verse), I do not say that the skandha, sense-organs and their objects, and states of mind are Buddha; skandhadhātvāyataneṣu Divyāvadāna 54.5 ff. etc. (see 1a, above), roughly, in the mental (not gross-physical) constitution; in Lalitavistara 177.5 (verse) read, skandhāyatanāni dhātavaḥ, with citation of the line Śikṣāsamuccaya 240.5, as required by meter and supported by Tibetan (Lefm. skandhadhātvāyatanāni dhātavaḥ); (5) sphere, region, world, state of existence (Pali id.); so in lokadhātu, q.v.; sometimes dhātu alone appears to be short for loka-dhātu, world(-region): ratnāvatī nāma dhātv aika (read ekā?) yatrāsau bhagavān vaset (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 139.1 (verse, bad meter); evam aśeṣata dharmata dhātuṃ sarv’ adhimucyami pūrṇa jinebhiḥ Bhadracarī 3, thus completely according to what is right I devote myself to the world(-region) that is all full of Buddhas (wrongly Leumann); three states of existence, kāma-dh°, rūpa-dh° (qq.v.), and ārūpya- (q.v.) dh° (all in Pali); nirvāṇa-dhātu (Pali nibbāna°, usually with adj. anupā- disesa), the sphere or state, condition, of nirvāṇa, usually with adj. anupadhiśeṣa, Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 21.9; 411.5; Kāraṇḍavvūha 18.19 (text arūpaviśeṣe, read anupadhiśeṣe, nirvāṇadhātau), or niru- padhiśeṣa, Divyāvadāna 22.9; 242.16; 394.8; asadṛśa nirvāṇa- dhātu-saukhyam Sukhāvatīvyūha 9.1 (verse); see also dharma-dhātu, sphere of religion; jñānadhātum utthāpayiṣyase Gaṇḍavyūha 484.16 (above), you will raise up on high the sphere (? possibly state of mind, meaning 4) of knowledge; (6) from this last, world, sphere, develops the meaning mass, abundance, large quantity (not recorded in Pali nor recognized by Lévi, Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) i.18 note 1), chiefly in composition with sattva: tvayā Mañjuśrīḥ kiyān sattvadhātur vinītaḥ Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 261.8, how large a quantity of creatures have you, Māhārāṣṭrī, trained (religiously)? (so both Burnouf and Kern; no other interpretation seems possible); dūrapraṇaṣṭaṃ sattvadhātuṃ viditvā Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 187.1 (Burnouf, la réunion des êtres; Kern creatures, adopting a v.l. sattvān which is not recorded in either ed.); (yathā- bhinimantritasya) sattvadhātoḥ paripākakālam Lalitavistara 180.4 (Tibetan khams = dhātoḥ); vyavasthāpitaḥ sattvadhātuḥ Lalitavistara 351.9 (see s.v. dharmadhātu; note that Tibetan renders dhātu by dbyiṅs after dharma-, but by khams after sattva-); na tv eva śakyaṃ gaṇayituṃ sarvasattvadhātū (v.l. °tuṃ) daśasu diśāsu…Mahāvastu ii.295.11; yāvanti buddhakṣetrasmiṃ sattvadhātu (so mss., evidently pl.; Senart °tū) acintiyā 352.12; sattvadhātavaḥ parimokṣitāḥ Kāraṇḍavvūha 13.24; sattva- dhātu- (in composition) 15.5; °tu paripācayiṣyase Gaṇḍavyūha 484.15 (verse, above); na ca sattvadhātuṃ parityajanti Gaṇḍavyūha 471.23; rarely with any other word than sattva, śiśire hi yathā himadhātu mahān (a great mass of snow) tṛṇagulmavanau- ṣadhi-ojaharo (one [compound] word) Lalitavistara 175.3 (verse), cited Śikṣāsamuccaya 206.1; here Foucaux translates wind, claiming support of Tibetan rluṅ, which does indeed primarily mean wind, but is also used of the bodily humors, which is one of the mgs. of dhātu (2, above); Foucaux's meaning could only be right if we em. to vāyu (or vāta), but Śikṣāsamuccaya confirms dhātu, which cannot possibly mean wind in the ordinary natural sense; it seems that Tibetan misunderstood the passage and used a word which is a synonym of khams (= dhātu) in one of its senses, but does not fit here; (7) (orig. elemental bodily substance, 2 above; hence) relics, bodily remains (after death; = Pali id.), sg. or pl.: (buddhānāṃ) dhā- tustūpāḥ Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 7.3; 340.12, relic-stūpas; dhātu Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 99.1 (sg.); 324.1 (pl.); jina-dhātuṣu 341.2; (yaś ca parinirvṛtasya, v.l. adds tathāgatasya,) sarṣapaphalamātram api dhātum [Page284-a+ 71] (so read) satkareyā Mahāvastu ii.362.15; lokanāthasya dhātuṣu Mahāvastu ii.367.3; dhātu-vibhāgaṃ kṛtvā Divyāvadāna 90.9, division, distribution of the relics; śarīra-dhātūn Divyāvadāna 368.27, °tuṃ 380.19; dhātu-pratyaṃśaṃ dattvā 380.20; dhātavaḥ 381.2; dhātu, sg., Suvarṇabhāsottamasūtra 13.6 ff.; dhātu- (in composition) Rāṣṭrapālaparipṛcchā 6.9; dhātū- nām 57.3; see also dhātu-vigraha and (dhātv-) avaro- paṇa. — [Note*: on the medical use of dhātu, see No- bel, JAOS Supplement 11 to Vol. 71 No. 3, 1951; on Suvarṇabhāsottamasūtra 179.5 (above; 2) especially p. 8.]

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

Dhātu (धातु).—m.

(-tuḥ) 1. A principle or humour of the body, as phlegm, wind, and bile. 2. Any constituent part of the body, as blood, flesh, &c. 3. A primary or elementary substance, viz. earth, water, fire, air and Akasa or atmosphere. 4. The property of a primary element viz. ordour, flavour, colour, touch, and sound. 5. An organ of sense. 6. A mineral, a fossil. 7. A metal. 8. A grammatical root; in Sanskrit this radical performs no other office, and cannot be used as a word without undergoing some change. E. dhā to possess, to contain, (life, substance, &c.) tun aff.

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

Dhātu (धातु).—[dhā + tu], m. 1. A primary or elementary substance, Mahābhārata 12, 6821. 2. Any constituent part of the body (usually said to be three), Mahābhārata 1, 3633. 3. An organ of sense, Mahābhārata 12, 6842. 4. m. and n. A metal, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 71. 5. A grammatical root, Mahābhārata 3, 17110.

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

Dhātu (धातु).—1. [masculine] layer, part of a whole, ingredient. [especially] element or elementary matter (ph.), mineral, metal, ore; a verbal root (as the primary elements of the earth and the language).

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Dhātu (धातु).—2. [adjective] fit to be sucked or sipped; [feminine] a milch cow.

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

1) Dhātu (धातु):—[from dhā] 1. dhātu m. layer, stratum, [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Kauśika-sūtra]

2) [v.s. ...] constituent part, ingredient ([especially] [and in [Ṛg-veda] only] ifc., where often = ‘fold’ e.g. tri-dhātu, threefold etc.; cf. triviṣṭi-, sapta-, su-), [Ṛg-veda; Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] element, primitive matter (= mahā-bhūta, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa] etc. (usually reckoned as 5, viz. kha or ākāśa, anila, tejas, jala, bhū; to which is added brahma, [Yājñavalkya iii, 145]; or vijñāna, [Buddhist literature])

4) [v.s. ...] a constituent element or essential ingredient of the body (distinct from the 5 mentioned above and conceived either as 3 humours [called also doṣa] phlegm, wind and bile, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa] cf. purīṣa, māṃsa, manas, [Chāndogya-upaniṣad vi, 5, 1]; or as the 5 organs of sense, indriyāṇi cf. sub voce and, [Mahābhārata xii, 6842], where śrotra, ghrāṇa, āsya, hṛdaya and koṣṭha are mentioned as the 5 dh° of the human body born from the either and the 5 properties of the elements perceived by them, gandha, rasa, rūpa, sparśa and śabda, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]; or the 7 fluids or secretions, chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, semen, [Suśruta] [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] rasādi or rasa-raktādi, of which sometimes 10 are given, the above 7 and hair, skin, sinews, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa])

5) [v.s. ...] primary element of the earth id est. metal, mineral, ore ([especially] a mineral of a red colour), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc. element of words id est. grammatical or verbal root or stem, [Nirukta, by Yāska; Prātiśākhya; Mahābhārata] etc. (with the southern Buddhists dhātu means either the 6 elements [see above] [Dharmasaṃgraha xxv]; or the 18 elementary spheres [dhātu-loka] [ib. lviii]; or the ashes of the body, relics, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] cf. -garbha).

6) [v.s. ...] a cause, [Sukhāvatī-vyūha i].

7) 2. dhātu mfn. (√dhe) to be sucked in or drunk (havis), [Ṛg-veda v, 44, 3]

8) f. = dhenu, milch cow, [Lāṭyāyana vii, 5, 9.]

9) 3. dhātu n. (with rauhiṇa) Name of a Sāman, [Ārṣeya-brāhmaṇa]

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

Dhātu (धातु):—(tuḥ) 2. m. A humour of the body; an element; a mineral; a metal; root of a word.

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

Dhātu (धातु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Dhāu.

[Sanskrit to German]

Dhatu 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.

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Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Dhātu (धातु):—(nf) a metal; constituent elements (of the body); semen; root; ~[karma] metallurgy; ~[karmī] metallurgist; -[kṣaya] elemental/vital decay; ~[nāśaka] causing elemental decay, vitality—exhausting; -[puṣṭi] vitalisation of the semen; -[yuga] metal age, metallikum; ~[varddhaka] vitality—raising, augmenting vitality; ~[vāda] alchemy; ~[vādī] an alchemist; -[vijñāna/vidyā] metallurgy; ~[śodhana] metallurgical operation.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Dhātu (ಧಾತು):—

1) [noun] (chem.) any substance that cannot be separated into different substances by ordinary chemical methods.

2) [noun] any of the five (the earth, air, fire, water and ether) formerly believed to constitute all physical matter (sometimes, four, without considering the ether).

3) [noun] any of the seven elements in the body (chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and semen).

4) [noun] any of the three humours in the body (wind, bile and phlegm).

5) [noun] an inorganic (sometimes organic also, as coal) substance occurring naturally in the earth and having a consistent and distinctive set of physical properties, and a composition that can be expressed by a chemical formula; a mineral.

6) [noun] any of a class of chemical elements, as iron, gold or aluminium, got in the form of ore from the earth; a metal.

7) [noun] the individual soul or the Supreme Soul.

8) [noun] any of the five sense organs.

9) [noun] any of the five impressions (sound, light, taste, odour, and sense got through the skin) received through five sense organs.

10) [noun] any of the separate parts of the hard connective tissue forming the skeleton of most full-grown vertebrate animals; a bone.

11) [noun] an earthy clay coloured by iron oxide, usu. yellow or reddish brown, used as a pigment in paints; ochre.

12) [noun] the essential character of a thing; quality or qualities that make something what it is; essence; nature.

13) [noun] the thick, whitish fluid secreted by the male reproductive organs and containing the spermatozoa; the semen.

14) [noun] a being able; power to do; ability.

15) [noun] courage; bravery.

16) [noun] the tenth year in a cycle of sixty years.

17) [noun] the state of being conscious; consciousness.

18) [noun] (arith.) a symbol for the number seven.

19) [noun] (gram.) the element of a word; a grammatical or verbal root or stem of a word.

20) [noun] (mus.) modulated sound produced using different notes differently on different occasions.

context information

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

Discover the meaning of dhatu in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

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