Naciketa, Nāciketa: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Naciketa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Nachiketa.

In Hinduism

Yoga (school of philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Naciketa in Yoga glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Yoga

Naciketa is one of the eighty-four Siddhas associated with eighty-four Yogic postures (āsanas), according to popular tradition in Jodhpur, Rājasthān. These posture-performing Siddhas are drawn from illustrative sources known as the Nava-nātha-caurāsī-siddha from Vȧrāṇasī and the Nava-nātha-caruāsī-siddha-bālāsundarī-yogamāyā from Puṇe. They bear some similarity between the eighty-four Siddhas painted on the walls of the sanctum of the temple in Mahāmandir.

The names of these Siddhas (e.g., Naciketa) to 19th-century inscription on a painting from Jodhpur, which is labelled as “Maharaja Mansing and eighty-four Yogis”. The association of Siddhas with yogis reveals the tradition of seeing Matsyendra and his disciple Gorakṣa as the founders of haṭhayoga.

Yoga book cover
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).

Discover the meaning of naciketa in the context of Yoga from relevant books on Exotic India

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Naciketa in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Nāciketa (नाचिकेत).—(naciketa) A sage of olden days. Son of Uddālaki, he lived for a long time in the āśrama serving his father, who devoted his time to performing yajñas. Naciketa, who was once sent into the forest for flowers etc. did not find them anywhere there, and he returned to the āśrama without them. Angry at this his father cursed him to be taken to Yamaloka. Accordingly he went to Yamaloka. He waited at the gates for a long time to see Yama, who appeared at last when he sang the praises of Yama. The advice then given by Yama to Naciketa forms the Kaṭhopaniṣad. After studying the advice he returned to his father, who was pleased to find him a great scholar. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 71).

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.

Discover the meaning of naciketa in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nāciketa (नाचिकेत).—1 Fire; ततो मया नाचिकेतश्चितोऽग्निरनित्यैर्द्रव्यैः (tato mayā nāciketaścito'gniranityairdravyaiḥ) Kaṭha 1.2.1.

-tam Name of an उपाख्यान (upākhyāna); नाचिकेतमुपाख्यानं मृत्युप्रोक्तं सनातनम् । उक्त्वा श्रुत्वा च मेधावी ब्रह्मलोके महीयते (nāciketamupākhyānaṃ mṛtyuproktaṃ sanātanam | uktvā śrutvā ca medhāvī brahmaloke mahīyate) || Kaṭh.1.3.16.

Derivable forms: nāciketaḥ (नाचिकेतः).

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

Naciketa (नचिकेत).—[masculine] [Name] of a man.

--- OR ---

Nāciketa (नाचिकेत).—[adjective] pertaining to Naciketa; [masculine] (±agni) a cert. sacred fire.

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

1) Naciketa (नचिकेत):—[=na-ciketa] [from na] a (metric.) (na-) m. (√4. cit) Name of a man, [Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa; Kaṭha-upaniṣad]

2) [=na-ciketa] b na-cira etc. See under 2. na, p.523.

3) Nāciketa (नाचिकेत):—mf(ī)n. relating to Naciketa or Na-ciketas, [Kaṭha-upaniṣad; Taittirīya-āraṇyaka]

4) m. (with agni) a [particular] fire, [ib.]

5) (sc. agni) any fire, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] ([wrong reading] nācikstu, or nācchiketa)

6) Name of an ancient sage (son of Uddālaki), [Mahābhārata] (cf. tri-ṇāciketa).

[Sanskrit to German]

Naciketa 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.

Discover the meaning of naciketa in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Related products

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: