Kshanika, Ksanika, Kṣaṇika: 19 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
2. General definition
In Jainism
1. Jain philosophy
2. General definition
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
5. Nepali
See also

Introduction:

Kshanika means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

The Sanskrit term Kṣaṇika can be transliterated into English as Ksanika or Kshanika, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Kshanik.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक) (Cf. Ekakṣaṇika) refers to a “moment” [?], according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “[...] The past mind (atīta-citta), being already destroyed (bhagna), does not experience the happiness; the future mind (anāgatacitta), being not yet born (utpanna), does not experience the happiness; the present mind (pratyutpannacitta), being momentary (ekakṣaṇika) and fleeting (kṣipra), does not have the awareness to experience the happiness”.

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.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: archive.org: A History of Indian Philosophy (buddhism)

The word kṣaṇika, which is translated as “momentary,” is, according to Śāntarakṣita, a technical term. The character in an entity of dying immediately after production, is technically called kṣaṇa, and whatever has this quality is called kṣaṇika; kṣaṇa therefore does not mean time-moment. It means the character of dying immediately after being produced. The objection of Uddyotakara that what only stays for a moment of time (kṣaṇa) cannot be called kṣaṇika, because at the expiry of the moment nothing remains which can be characterized as momentary, is therefore inadmissible. There is, however, no entity separate from the momentary character, and the use of the term kṣaṇika, which grammatically distinguishes the possessor of the momentary character from the momentary character itself, is due only to verbal license.

In Jainism

Jain philosophy

Source: International Journal of Jaina Studies: Haribhadra Sūri on Nyāya and Sāṃkhya

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक) or Kṣaṇikavāda refers to the “(doctrine of) momentariness”.—The Śāstravārtāsamuccaya by Haribhadra Sūri’s is not a compendium of philosophical systems (darśana) but a comprehensive account (samuccaya) of doctrinal (śāstra) expositions (vārtā/vārttā) or simply doctrines (vāda). The Śāstravārtāsamuccaya (also, Śāstravārttāsamuccaya) is subdivided into stabakas, chapters or sections, for example: Kṣaṇika-vāda—on the doctrine of momentariness of the Sautrāntika Buddhists.

context information

General definition (in Jainism)

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक) or Kṣaṇikatva refers to “momentariness”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Those who are wise speak about momentariness (kṣaṇikatva) with the striking of the clock of kings. The betterment of oneself must be accomplished. That [time] which is past will not return”.

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

kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—a (S) Momentary, transitory, fugitive, passing, perishing.

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

kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—a Momentary, transitory.

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—a. [kṣaṇaḥ svasattāvyāpyatayā'styasya ṭhan] Momentary, transient; स्वप्नेषु क्षणिकसमागमोत्सवैश्च (svapneṣu kṣaṇikasamāgamotsavaiśca) R.8.92; एकस्य क्षणिका प्रीतिः (ekasya kṣaṇikā prītiḥ) H.1.64.

-kā Lightning.

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—adj., empty (of the hands): read in Mahāvastu ii.252.14 kṣaṇikena (Senart °tena with 1 ms., v.l. kṣami- kena) hastena gṛhaṃ gacchati, hato bhavati, went home empty-handed and was depressed (of a fowler who caught no birds); iii.171.6, read svakaṃ ca hastaṃ kṣaṇikaṃ (so 1 ms., v.l. kṣeṇikaṃ; Senart em. implausibly) paśyati (having given away a beautiful lotus, and now regretting the gift); repeated 171.9. Is this an extension of the meaning of [Jaina Māhārāṣṭrī] khaṇika, idle, unemployed, out of work (which is itself derived from Sanskrit kṣaṇin, at leisure)? In any case the two Mahāvastu passages confirm each other; kṣaṇika is certainly the true form in both, and the meaning is certain.

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—mfn.

(-kaḥ-kā-kī-kaṃ) Momentary, transient. f.

(-kā) Lightning. E. kṣaṇa a moment, affix kan or ṭhak.

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—i. e. kṣaṇa + ika, adj. Momentary, [Hitopadeśa] i. [distich] 60.

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक).—[feminine] ī momentary, transient; [abstract] tā [feminine], tva [neuter]

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

1) Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक):—[from kṣaṇa] mf(ī)n. momentary, transient, [Raghuvaṃśa; Prabodha-candrodaya; Bhāṣāpariccheda] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] having leisure, profiting of an opportunity, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa xi, 27, 44; Hitopadeśa]

3) Kṣaṇikā (क्षणिका):—[from kṣaṇika > kṣaṇa] f. lightning, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक):—[(kaḥ-kā-kī-kaṃ) a.] Momentary. kṣaṇin (ṇī) 3. f. Night.

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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Khaṇiya.

[Sanskrit to German]

Kshanika 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

Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक) [Also spelled kshanik]:—(a) momentary, transient, fleeting, transitory; ~[jīvī] ephemeral; ~[vāda] momentaryism, the Buddhist philosophy which lays down that things die, i.e. change, every moment.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Kṣaṇika (ಕ್ಷಣಿಕ):—

1) [adjective] that lives, prevails, exists for a few seconds.

2) [adjective] lasting or of use for only a short time; transitory; ephemeral; transient.

context information

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

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

1) Kṣaṇika (क्षणिक):—adj. instantaneous; momentary; temporary; transitory; fleeting; transient;

2) Kṣaṇikā (क्षणिका):—n. lightning; electricity;

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 33 books and stories containing Kshanika, Ksanika, Kṣaṇika, Kṣaṇikā; (plurals include: Kshanikas, Ksanikas, Kṣaṇikas, Kṣaṇikās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

II.6. Dharma of unhindered penetration < [II. Recollection of the Dharma (dharmānusmṛti)]

Appendix 2 - Notes regarding the kṣaṇa time unit < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]

Act 5.5: Beings that were reborn among humans or the gods of kāmadhātu < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]

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Sūtra 3.12 < [Book III - Vibhūti-pāda]

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Dharmottara on the viparyaye bādhaka-pramāṇa and Trairūpya

Jñānaśrīmitra on Viparyaya-bādhaka-pramāṇa

Dharmakīrti’s Notion of Permanence

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Verse 390 < [Chapter 8 - Examination of the Doctrine of the Permanence of Things]

Verse 388 < [Chapter 8 - Examination of the Doctrine of the Permanence of Things]