Nila, Nīlā, Nīḷa, Nīla: 57 definitions

Introduction:

Nila means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology, Tamil. 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 Nīḷa can be transliterated into English as Nila or Nilia, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Neel.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata Purana

Nīla (नील):—Son of Ajamīḍha (one of the three sons of Hastī) and his wife Nalinī. He had a son named Śānti. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.21.30)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

1) Nīla (नील).—One of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 75. Jambūdvīpa is ruled over by Āgnīdhra, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata was a son of Svāyambhuva Manu.

2) Nīla (नील) is the name of a mountain situated at lake Mahābhadra and mount Supārśva, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 75. The Supārśva mountain lies on the western side of mount Meru, which is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu.

3) Nīla (नील).—One of the five mountains situated near Bhadrāśva, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 82.

Svāyambhuva Manu was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu Purāna

Nīla (नील), an ancestor of Pṛṣata was a king of Pañcāla. He was killed by king Kṛta, who was a compiler of the twenty-four Sāma-Saṃhitās.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Nīla (नील).—A prominent nāga born to Kaśyapa Prajāpati of Kadrū. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 35, Verse 7). (See full article at Story of Nīla from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

2) Nīla (नील).—General. A King born in the Hehaya dynasty. His was a rebirth of the asura called Krodhavaśa. Nīla was called Duryodhana also. Māhiṣmatī was the capital of his kingdom. He attended the Svayaṃvara of Draupadī. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 67, Verse 61). Other Information

2) (i) Once he fought a fierce battle with Sahadeva, but ultimately yielded to the latter at the instance of Agnideva. (See under Agni, Para 8).

2) (ii) He gave his daughter Sudarśanā in marriage to Agnideva. (See under Agni, Para 8).

2) (iii) During his triumphal tour, Karṇa defeated Nīla. (Vana Parva, Chapter 254, Verse 15).

2) (iv) In the battle of Kurukṣetra he fought on the side of the Kauravas. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 19, Verse 23).

2) (v) He was reckoned as one of the mahārathis on the side of Duryodhana. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 164, Verse 4).

2) (vi) Sudarśanā was a daughter born to him of his wife Narmadā. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 2).

3) Nīla (नील).—A monkey-chief, who was a dependant of Śrī Rāma. He was Agni’s son. 'Nīla, son of Pāvaka (fire) shone forth like agni (fire). He stood foremost among the monkeys in the matter of effulgence, reputation and prowess'. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, Canto 17).

This monkey-chief was also included in the set of monkeys deputed by Śrī Rāma to search for Sītā. In the Rāma-Rāvaṇa war Nīla killed Pramāthī, the younger brother of the Rākṣasa called Dūṣaṇa. (Vana Parva, Chapter 287, Verse 27).

4) Nīla (नील).—A warrior who fought on the Pāṇḍava side. He was king of Anūpadeśa. He fought against Durjaya and Aśvatthāmā and was killed by Aśvatthāmā. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 31, Verse 25).

5) Nīla (नील).—A famous king in nothern Pāñcāla. The Purāṇas refer to sixteen famous kings of this royal dynasty from Nīla to Pṛṣata.

6) Nīlā (नीला).—A daughter born to Kapiśa of Keśinī. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapter 3).

7) Nīlā (नीला).—A Gopikā. Śrī Kṛṣṇa was one day picnicking in Vṛndāvana with the Gopī women, and they were proud that he was mad after them. To dispel their pride Kṛṣṇa disappeared abruptly from their midst and sported with the woman called Nīlā. Then she also became proud that Kṛṣṇa loved her more than the others, and she asked him to carry her on his shoulders. He stood there ready stretching his neck to carry her. But, when she stood with her legs parted to mount on Kṛṣṇa’s neck and looked for him he was missing; he had already disappeared. The Gopikās ultimately shed their pride and then Kṛṣṇa appeared before them. (Ceruśśeri’s Malayālam Epic Kṛṣṇa Gāthā).

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

Nīla (नील) is the name of a Nāga and narrator of the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The very name “Nīlamata” i.e. Teachings of Nīla is associated with a Nāga named Nīla through whose mouth is related more than two-thirds of the whole Nīlamata-purāṇa.

The Nāga king Nīla was very considerate towards the Mānavas who had come from different parts of the country to inhabit the valley of Kaśmīra. He gave a nice welcome to the old Brāhmaṇa Candradeva and took action against the Nāga Ṣaḍaṅgula to please people of Kaśmīra.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Nīla (नील) is the name of a leader of Gaṇas (Gaṇapa or Gaṇeśvara or Gaṇādhipa) who came to Kailāsa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.20. Accordingly, after Śiva decided to become the friend of Kubera:—“[...] The leaders of Gaṇas revered by the whole world and of high fortune arrived there. [...] Nīla, Deveśa and Pūrṇabhadra each with ninety crores and the strong Caturvaktra with seven crores. [...]”.

These [viz., Nīla] and other leaders of Gaṇas [viz., Gaṇapas] were all powerful (mahābala) and innumerable (asaṃkhyāta). [...] The Gaṇa chiefs and other noble souls of spotless splendour eagerly reached there desirous of seeing Śiva. Reaching the spot they saw Śiva, bowed to and eulogised him.

2) Nīla (नील) is the name of a deity mentioned the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.41.—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu and others eulogized Śiva:—“[...] obeisance, obeisance to one who is omni-formed and the plentiful; obeisance to Nīla, Nīlarudra, Kadrudra and Pracetas. Obeisance to the most bounteous lord who is pervaded by rays, who is the greatest, and the destroyer of the enemies of the gods”.

3) Nīla (नील) is the name of a Mountain, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.37 (“The letter of betrothal is dispatched”).—Accordingly, as Himavat prepared the wedding of Menā and Śiva: “[...] O celestial sage, listen to a detailed narration of the arrival of those mountains. [...] Krauñca the chief of mountains, came with a large army of attendants. He had articles of presentation with him. He was accompanied by his kinsmen and relatives. Puruṣottama mountain came with many presentation articles. He was highly honoured along with his followers. The mountain Nīla with plenty of wealth came along with his sons and womenfolk. [...]”.

Note: Nīla or Nīlagiri, “the Blue Mountain” seems to be the Nīlādri or Nīlakūṭa, the name of the “Kāmākhyā hill” according to the Kālikāpurāṇa 79.74 Cf. Śaktisaṅgama-tantra III. 7.?0.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Nīla (नील).—A mountain range in Bhāratavarṣa and to the north of Ilāvṛta; formed the boundary limit of Ramyaka;1 one of the six varṣaparvatas in Jambūdvīpa; diamond like;2 residence of the monkey tribes;3 the residence of Brahmaṛṣis.

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 16. 8; 19. 16; Matsya-purāṇa 113. 22; Vāyu-purāṇa 34. 20, 25; 35. 8.
  • 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 69; II. 15. 22, 28; 17. 35; Vāyu-purāṇa 1. 85; 42. 67; 46. 34.
  • 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 194; IV. 31. 17.

1b) A monkey chief, a friend of Rāma; followed Rāma in the Lankā expedition.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 10. 16, 19.

1c) A Rākṣasa resident in Sutalam.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 20. 22; Vāyu-purāṇa 50. 22.

1d) One of the five sons of Yadu.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 69. 2; Matsya-purāṇa 43. 7; Vāyu-purāṇa 94. 2.

1e) A king of Pāñcāla, slain by Ugrāyudha;1 son of Ajamidha and Nīlinī; by great austerities Suśānti (Śanti) was born.2

  • 1) Matsya-purāṇa 49. 78; Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 192.
  • 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 21. 30; Matsya-purāṇa 50. 1; Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 194; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 19. 56-7.

1f) A Bhārgava gotrakara.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 195. 19.

1g) A Kulaparvata of the Bhadrāśva;1 bordering on Jambūdvīpa.2

  • 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 43. 14; 48. 8; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 4. 26; II. 2. 39.
  • 2) Ib. II. 1. 20; 2. 11.

1h) A son of Pāra; father of a hundred sons.*

  • * Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 19. 38-39.

1i) Of Vānarajāti, born of Hari and Pulaha.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 176, 319.

1j) A Parāśara clan.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 95; Vāyu-purāṇa 70. 87.

1k) The kingdom of Ramya.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 50; 15. 33; Vāyu-purāṇa 33. 44.

1l) To be uttered in installing an image.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 265. 28.

2a) Nīlā (नीला).—One of the eight nidhis of Kubera.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 41. 10.

2b) A daughter of Keśinī, and a low type of Rākṣasī; gave birth to Kṣudra Rākṣasas called after her the Naila clan.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 7. 147. Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 178, 181.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Nīla (नील) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.35.7, I.59.25, I.65, I.61.56) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Nīla) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (itihasa)

Nīla is the name of a Serpent (sarpa) mentioned in the thirty-fifth chapter (verses 4-17) of the Ādiparva of the Mahābhārata.—Accordingly, Sauti, on being implored by Śaunaka to name all the serpents in the course of the sarpa-sattra, tells him that it is humanly impossible to give a complete list because of their sheer multiplicity; but would name the prominent ones in accordance with their significance [e.g., Nīla].

Purana book cover
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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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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Ṣaṭsāhasra-saṃhitā

Nīlā (नीला):—One of the twelve guṇas associated with Randhra, the first seat of the Svādhiṣṭhāna-chakra. According to tantric sources such as the Śrīmatottara-tantra and the Gorakṣasaṃhitā (Kādiprakaraṇa), these twelve guṇas are represented as female deities. According to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā however, they are explained as particular syllables. They (e.g. Nīlā) only seem to play an minor role with regard to the interpretation of the Devīcakra (first of five chakras, as taught in the Kubjikāmata-tantra).

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Nīla (नील) is the name of a mountain-range situated to the north of Ilāvṛta, according to the Parākhyatantra 5.76. Ilāvṛta is a region (navakhaṇḍa) situated within Jambūdvīpa: one of the seven continents situated within the world of the earth (pṛthivī). These continents are located above the seven pātālas and may contain even more sub-continents within them, are round in shape, and are encircled within seven concentric oceans.

According to the Parākhyatantra, “to the north of Ilāvṛta is the mountain-range Nīla, extending from east to west, two thousand yojanas broad, frequented by Siddhas (celestial beings) and Gandharvas. Śani became dark-bodied (sunīlāṅga) there, and so it is known as Nīla”.

The Parākhyatantra is an old Śaiva-siddhānta tantra dating from before the 10th century.

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva

Nīla (नील) or Nīlāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Kiraṇāgama which is one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing upāgamas (e.g., Nīla Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of mūlāgamas (e.g., Kiraṇa-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in mūlāgamas.

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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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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra

Nīla (नील):—The Sanskrit name for a classification of a ‘temple’, according to the Suprabhedāgama, which describes a list of 13 types. This list represents the earliest form of the classification of temples in the South Indian Vāstuśāstra literature. The name is also mentioned in the Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati which features a list of 52 temple types. This list represents the classification of temples in South-India.

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

Nīla (नील) refers to one of the hundred types of Temples (in ancient Indian architecture), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—It is quite difficult to say about a definite number of varieties of Hindu temples but in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa hundred varieties of temples have been enumerated. For example, Nīla. These temples are classified according to the particular shape, amount of storeys and other common elements, such as the number of pavilions, doors and roofs.

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: Shodhganga: A critical appreciation of soddhalas udayasundarikatha

Nīla (नील).—Nīla, Śveta and Śṛṅgavān are three varṣaparvatas to the north of Jambūdvīpa and they divide the three continents namely Ramyaka, Hiraṇmaya and Uttarakurudeśa respectively.

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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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Nīla (नील, “blue”) refers to one of the found original (natural) colors (varṇa), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. From these colors come numerous derivative and minor colors (upavarṇa).

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

Nīla (नील) or “blue (colour)” is associated with Bībhatsa or the “odious sentiment”, which represents one of the nine kinds of Rasa (“soul of Drama”), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the sentiment of bībhatsa arises from jugupsā i.e., disgusting sight and it is showed by shaking of nose. [...] Nīla i.e., blue is the colour and Mahākāla is the god of this sentiment.

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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Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Source: Shodhganga: a concise history of Sanskrit Chanda literature

Nīla (नील) refers to one of the 130 varṇavṛttas (syllabo-quantitative verse) dealt with in the second chapter of the Vṛttamuktāvalī, ascribed to Durgādatta (19th century), author of eight Sanskrit work and patronised by Hindupati: an ancient king of the Bundela tribe (presently Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh). A Varṇavṛtta (e.g., nīla) refers to a type of classical Sanskrit metre depending on syllable count where the light-heavy patterns are fixed.

Chandas book cover
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Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

1) Nīlā (नीला) is another name for Nīlī, a medicinal plant possibly identified with Indigofera tinctoria Linn. (“true indigo”), according to verse 4.80-83 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Nīlā and Nīlī, there are a total of thirty Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

2) Nīlā (नीला) also represents a synonym for Nīlabhṛṅgarāja, which is the blue/black variety of Mārkava, a medicinal plant identified with Eclipta nigra, according to verse 4.138-141. Together with the names Nīla and Mārkava, there are a total of twenty  Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant. Note: R. P. T. claims he himself has seen its miraculous effect in normalising blood pressure and its rejuvenating effect.

3) Nīlā (नीला) is also mentioned as a synonym for Nīlapunarnavā, a medicinal plant identified with Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. or “desert horsepurslane” from the Aizoaceae or “fig-marigold” family of flowering plants, according to verse 5.115-122. The fifth chapter (parpaṭādi-varga) of this book enumerates sixty varieties of smaller plants (kṣudra-kṣupa). Together with the names Nīlā and Nīlapunarnavā, there are a total of seven Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Nīla (नील):—Blue colour

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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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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Nīla (नील) (or Nīlahrada) is the name of a lake within the Mahocchuṣma forest, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “She [i.e., the Goddess—Kubjikā] quickly went (to the place) where the auspicious river Ucchuṣmā (flows). It is in the Mahocchuṣma forest and transports the Divine and Mortal Currents (of the transmission). The goddess, endowed with the attributes of the divine Command, sports there where the lakes Mahocchuṣma and Nīla (are located). [...]”.—(cf. Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā verse 1.36-37, 4.5, 4.26-132)

According to the Śrīmatottara: “[... ] The Supreme Goddess (Parameśvarī) (resides) to the north of lake Nīla within the Mahocchuṣma forest and has authority over the sacred seat of Kāma”.

According to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā: “[The Goddess] went all the way to Ucchuṣmā, the big river, which is situated in the forest called Mahocchuṣma, and which bears along its stream the host of gods and mortals. In the forest Mahocchuṣma where one finds the [pools] Nīla and Mahāhrada, there Devī rested in between the left and right eye”.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Nīla (नील) or Nīlaka refers to the “color blue” which were used as symbols for the unknowns, according to the principles of Bījagaṇita (“algebra” or ‘science of calculation’), according to Gaṇita-śāstra, ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.—Āryabhaṭa I (499) very probably used coloured shots to represent unknowns. Brahmagupta (628) in the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta mentions varṇa as the symbols of unknowns. As he has not attempted in any way to explain this method of symbolism, it appears that the method was already very familiar. [...] In the case of more unknowns, it is usual to denote the first yāvattāvat and the remaining ones by alphabets or colours [e.g., nīla].—Cf. Pṛthūdakasvāmī (860) in his commentary on the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta by Brahmagupta (628) and Bhāskara II in the Bījagaṇita.

Ganitashastra book cover
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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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Shilpashastra (iconography)

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

1) Nīla (नील) or “dark blue” refers to one of the five primary colours in the ancient Indian tradition of Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, colours have been classified in two categories (viz., primary/natural and mixed/artificial). Five colours are regarded as the primary ones, (viz., Nīla or “dark blue”). A painter can create hundreds or thousands of colours by amalgamating the primary ones.

2) Nīla (नील) or “indigo” refers to one of the materials used to make Colours in the ancient Indian tradition of Painting (citra).

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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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Nīla (नील): Son of Agni; One of the monkey host placed at the gate guarded by Prahasta.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Nila

A friend of Mahinda I. He died early, and Mahinda refused the kingship out of sorrow for his friend. Cv.xlviii. 27ff.

2. Nila Thera

He belonged to a family of flower sweepers. He joined the Order and became an arahant in the tonsure hall. When he came to Savatthi in search of a rag robe a Mahabrahma saw him and stood worshipping him. Other brahmas heard of this, and all worshipped him. SA.ii.217.

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: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Nīla (नील) is the name of a Nāga mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Nīla).

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (tantric Buddhism)

Nīla (नील) refers to the “dark blue” (colour), according to the Nāmamantrārthāvalokinī by Vilāsavajra, which is a commentary on the Nāmasaṃgīti.—Accordingly, [while describing Ādibuddha]—“[...] [The Ādibuddha] has five faces. [...] [His five faces] have five [different] colours: dark blue for the east (nīlapūrveṇa nīlaṃ) [and forward-facing face], yellow for the south, red for the west, [and] green for the north. On the top, he has a white face, the face of [the deity] Paramāśva. [...]”.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Nīla (नील) refers to a “dark-blue (color)”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Locanī, having a golden color, arrow and shining appearance, Māmakī, having a dark-blue color (nīlavarṇā), water, grain and a bouquet, Pāṇḍarā, having a red color, and drawing a bow and arrow, Holy goddess Ārya Tārā, having a green color and blue lotus”.

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: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Nīla (नील) refers to a “blue (seat)” (suitable for performing rain-making rituals), according to the 2nd-century Meghasūtra (“Cloud Sutra”) in those passages which contain ritual instructions.—Accordingly, “He who desires a mighty rain must perform this rite ‘the great-cloud-circle’ in an open space, overspread by a blue canopy, shaded by a blue banner, on a clear spot of earth; [being] a prophet of the Law, seated on a blue seat (nīla-āsana-upaviṣṭa), fasting according to the aṣṭāṅga, with well-washed limbs, clad in pure raiment, anointed with fragrant odour, wearing the three white stripes, he must recite it for a day and night continuously facing the east; [...]”.

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

Nīla (नील, “black”) refers to one of the “twenty form objects” (rūpa) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 34). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., nīla). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Nīla (नील).—One of the seven mountain ranges (varṣadharaparvata) of Jambūdvīpa according to Jaina cosmology. On top of Nīla lies a lake named Kesari, having at its centre a large padmahrada (lotus-island), home to the Goddess Kīrti. Jambūdvīpa sits at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.

Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu

Nīla (नील) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Nīla] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Nīla (नील) refers to one of the seven mountain ranges of Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-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: “Now, there are 7 zones here in Jambūdvīpa: Bhārata, Haimavata, Harivarṣa, Videha, Ramyaka, Hairaṇyavata, and Airāvata from south to north. Making the division between these there are 7 mountain-ranges, bounding the zones: Himavat, Mahāhimavat, Niṣadha, Nīla, Rukmin, and Śikharin with equal diameter at the base and top. [...] The lake Keśarin on Nīla is equal to Tigiñchi. [...] To the north of Meru and to the south of the Nīla Mts. are the Gandhamādana and Mālyavat Mts., with the shape of an elephant’s tusk. [...] Mālyavat is between the Nīla and Rukmin Mountains”.

2) Nīla (नील) refers to one of the sons of Ṛkṣarajas and Harikāntā, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest].—Accordingly, “Now, Daśāsya gave the city Kiṣkindhā to Ādityarajas and the city Ṛkṣapura to Ṛkṣarajas. He himself went to Laṅkā, his power adequate for anything, praised like a deity by relatives and citizens. Daśāsya ruled his grandfather’s great kingdom, established in Laṅkā like Indra in Ardarāvatī. [...] Ṛkṣarajas had two sons by his wife Harikāntā, famous throughout the world, Nala and Nīla. [...]”.

3) Nīla (नील) is the name of a Kapi or Monkey-chief, according to chapter 7.6 [Bringing news of Sītā].—Accordingly, as Hanumat said to Rāma: “There are many Kapis like me. King Sugrīva says this from affection. [e.g., Nīla, ...], and many other Kapi-chiefs are here, master. Completing their number, I am ready to do your work. Shall I lift up Laṅkā with Rākṣasadvīpa and bring it here? Or shall I capture Daśakandhara and his relatives and bring them here? [...]”.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds

Nīla (नील) is the name of a mountain in Jambūdvīpa separating the regions Videha and Ramyaka. Jambūdvīpa refers to the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10. The hues of the six mountains (e.g., Niṣadha and Nīla) are hot gold/ rising sun and blue (like the neck of peacock) respectively. Why do the mountains Niṣadha and Nīla have their specific hues? They have the hues as the sand and stones which constitute these mountains have the colour of molten gold or the rising sun and blue (like the neck of peacock) respectively.

Which lakes are there on tops of the Nīla, Rukmi and Śikhari (Śikharin) mountains? The lakes on the summits of Nīla, Rukmī and Śikharī mountains are Kesari, Mahāpuṇḍarīka and Puṇḍarīka respectively.

Jambūdvīpa (where stands the Nīla mountain) is in the centre of all continents and oceans; all continents and oceans are concentric circles with Jambūdvīpa in the centre. Like the navel is in the centre of the body, Jambūdvīpa is in the centre of all continents and oceans. Sumeru Mount is in the centre of Jambūdvīpa. It is also called Mount Sudarśana.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 8: Bondage of karmas

Nīla (नील, “blue”) refers to one of the five types of Varṇa (color) and represents one of the various kinds of Nāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. The karmas rise of which gives the colour attributes to the body are called colour body-making karma (nīla).

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: Project Gutenberg: Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 1

Nila (“blue”) refers to one of the exogamous septs (divisions) among the Medaras: workers in bamboo in the Telugu, Canarese, Oriya and Tamil countries. The Medara people believe that they came from Mahendrachala mountain, the mountain of Indra. They are also known as the Meda, Medarlu or Medarakaran.

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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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Nila [ನೀಲ] in the Kannada language is the name of a plant identified with Staphylea cochinchinensis (Lour.) Byng & Christenh. from the Staphyleaceae (Bladdernut) family having the following synonyms: Turpinia cochinchinensis, Turpinia microcarpa, Turpinia nepalensis. For the possible medicinal usage of nila, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.

Nila in the Tamil language, ibid. previous identification.

Nila [ନୀଳ] in the Odia language is the name of a plant identified with Indigofera tinctoria L. from the Fabaceae (Pea) family having the following synonyms: Indigofera indica Lam., Indigofera sumatrana.

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

1) Nila in India is the name of a plant defined with Boerhavia diffusa in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Boerhavia diffusa Vahl (among others).

2) Nila is also identified with Carum carvi It has the synonym Carum carvi var. gracile (Lindley) H. Wolff (etc.).

3) Nila is also identified with Ficus benghalensis It has the synonym Ficus cotoneifolia Vahl (etc.).

4) Nila is also identified with Indigofera aspalathoides It has the synonym Lespedeza juncea Wall. ex Wight & Arn. (etc.).

5) Nila is also identified with Indigofera oblongifolia It has the synonym Bremontiera ammoxylon DC. var. burmannii DC. (etc.).

6) Nila is also identified with Nymphaea cyanea It has the synonym Nymphaea cyanea Roxb. & G. Don.

7) Nila is also identified with Nymphaea stellata It has the synonym Nymphaea stellata F. Muell..

8) Nila is also identified with Swertia chirayita It has the synonym Gentiana chirarta Roxb. (etc.).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi (1867)
· The Gardeners Dictionary (1768)
· Species Plantarum. (1797)
· of the Himalayan Mountains (1835)
· Bot. Mat. Med. (1812)
· Description de l’Égypte (1814)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Nila, for example extract dosage, health benefits, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, chemical composition, side effects, have a look at these references.

Biology book cover
context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

nīla : (adj.) blue; m. the blue colour. || nīḷa (nt.), a nest.

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

Nīḷa, (Vedic nīḍa) a nest (J. V, 92): see niḍḍha: cp. °pacchi bird cage J. II, 361; roga° It. 37; vadharoga° Th. I, 1093. (Page 376)

— or —

Nīla, (adj.) (Vedic nīla, perhaps conn. with Lat. nites to shine, see Walde, Lat. Wtb. s. v. ) dark-blue, blue-black, blue-green. Nīla serves as a general term to designate the “coloured-black, ” as opposed to the “colouredwhite” (pīta yellow), which pairs (nīla-pīta) are both set off against the “pure” colour-sensations of red (lohitaka) & white (odāta), besides the distinct black or dark (see kaṇha). Therefore n. has a fluctuating connotation (cp. Mrs. Rh. D. Buddh. Psych. p. 49 & Dhs. trsl. p. 62), its only standard combination being that with pīta, e.g. in the enumeration of the ten kasiṇa practices (see kasiṇa): nīla pīta lohita odāta; in the description of the 5 colours of the Buddha’s eye: nīla pītaka lohitaka kaṇha odāta (Nd2 235, Ia under cakkhumā); which goes even so far as to be used simply in the sense of “black & white, ” e.g. VvA. 320. Applied to hair (lomāni) D. II, 144; M. II, 136. See further enumeration at VvA. 111 & under kaṇha.—A. III, 239; IV, 263 sq. , 305, 349; V, 61; Vism. 110, 156, 173; ThA. 42 (mahā° great blue lotus); Dhs. 617; Pv. II, 25; PvA. 32, 46, 158; Sdhp. 246, 270, 360.

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

niḷā (निळा).—a (nīla) Dark blue; indigo blue. 2 Of a white color;--used of horses. 3 Green, young, tender;--used of standing crops, grass &c. Pr. iḷyācē ghāyīṃ niḷēṃ kāpaṇēṃ.

--- OR ---

niḷā (निळा).—m f (nīḷa) Freshness of look or appearance.

--- OR ---

nīla (नील).—a (S) Dark blue.

--- OR ---

nīla (नील).—m or nīlakānta m (S) A sapphire.

--- OR ---

nīḷa (नीळ).—f (nīla S) Indigo plant. 2 Indigo. 3 m A species of monkey. 4 A sapphire. 5 f The green matter of stagnant water. nīḷa nāsalī or rāmpalī or niḷīcā raṅganāsalā Phrases founded upon a popular story, and used in rejecting any report or statement as utterly fabulous and incredible.

--- OR ---

nīḷa (नीळ).—a (nīla S) Dark blue, indigo blue.

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

niḷā (निळा).—a Dark blue; indigo blue. Young tender-used of standing crops, &c.

--- OR ---

nīla (नील).—a Dark blue.

--- OR ---

nīla (नील).—m nīlakānta m A sapphire.

--- OR ---

nīḷa (नीळ).—f Indigo plant. Indigo. m A spe- cies of monkey. A sapphire. f The green matter of stagnant water.

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

Nīla (नील).—a. (lā -lī f.; the former in relation to clothes &c., the latter in relation to animals, plants &c.)

1) Blue, dark-blue; नीलस्निग्धः श्रयति शिखरं नूतनस्तोयवाहः (nīlasnigdhaḥ śrayati śikharaṃ nūtanastoyavāhaḥ) Uttararāmacarita 1.33.

2) Dyed with indigo.

-laḥ 1 the dark-blue or black colour.

2) Sapphire.

3) The Indian fig-tree.

4) Name of a monkey-chief in the army of Rāma.

5) 'The blue mountain', Name of one of the principal ranges of mountains.

6) A kind of bird, the blue Mainā.

7) An ox of a dark-blue colour.

8) One of the nine treasures of Kubera; see नवनिधि (navanidhi).

9) A mark.

1) An auspicious sound or proclamation.

-lā 1 The indigo plant.

2) A Rāgiṇī.

-le f. (du.)

1) The two arteries in front of the neck.

2) A black and blue mark on the skin; (for other senses see nīlī.)

-lam 1 Black-salt.

2) Blue vitriol.

3) Antimony.

4) Poison.

5) Indigo, indigo dye.

6) Darkness.

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

Nīlā (नीला).—name of a rākṣasī: Mahā-Māyūrī 244.1.

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

Nīla (नील).—mfn.

(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) Blue, dark blue or black. m.

(-laḥ) 1. Black or dark blue, (the colour.) 2. The blue mountain, one of the principal ranges of mountains, dividing the world into nine portions, and lying immediately north of Ilavrata or the central division. 3. One of the monkey chiefs. 4. One of the Nidhis or divine treasures of Kuvera. 5. A gem, (the sapphire.) 6. A name of the Buddha Manjughosha. 7. The blue or hill Maina, a bird so called. n.

(-laṃ) 1. Indigo, the dye. 2. A mark, a characteristic mark. 3. A medical plant, apparently distinct from the Indigofera. 4. Blue vitriol. 5. Black salt. 6. Poison. 7. Antimony. f.

(-lā) 1. A blue fly. 2. A Ragini or mode of music, personified as the wife of the Raga Mallar. f. (-lī) 1. The indigo plant, (Indigofera tinctoria.) 3. A complaint of the eyes, a darkening of the pupil. 3. A bruise, a black and blue mark on the skin. E. nīla to dye or tinge, Unadi aff. ac; or nīlī indigo, an aff., implying being coloured or stained by it.

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

Nīla (नील).—i. e. niś + la, I. adj., f. and , Black or dark-blue, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 11, 136. Ii. m. 1. A proper name, Mahābhārata 1, 2697. 2. The name of a mountain, 6, 198. Iii. f. , 1. The indigo plant, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 10, 89. 2. A proper name, Mahābhārata 1, 3722. Iv. n. Indigo, the dye, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 3, 38.

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

Nīla (नील).—[masculine] [neuter] resting-place, [especially] a bird’s nest; the interior or seat of a carriage.

--- OR ---

Nīla (नील).—[adjective] dark-coloured, [especially] dark-blue or black. —[masculine] sapphire; [Name] of a serpent-demon, [several] men, etc.; [feminine] nīlā a woman’s name, nīlī indigo (plant or dye); [neuter] dark colour or substance, indigo.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Nīla (नील) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—poet. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa] Padyāvalī.

2) Nīla (नील):—Vedāntasāra. Kh. 72.

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

1) Nīla (नील):—[from nīl] mf(ā or ī; cf. [Pāṇini 4-1, 42], [vArttika], [Vāmana’s Kāvyālaṃkāravṛtti v, 2, 48])n. of a dark colour, ([especially]) d°-blue or d°-green or black, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

2) [v.s. ...] dyed with indigo, [Pāṇini 4-2, 2], [vArttika] 2, [Patañjali]

3) [v.s. ...] m. the sapphire, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (with maṇi, [Rāmāyaṇa iii, 58, 26])

4) [v.s. ...] the Indian fig-tree (= vaṭa), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) [v.s. ...] = nīla-vṛkṣa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] a species of bird the blue or hill Maina, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] an ox or bull of a dark colour, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

8) [v.s. ...] one of the 9 Nidhis or divine treasures of Kubera, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

9) [v.s. ...] Name of a man [gana] tikādi

10) [v.s. ...] of the prince of Māhiṣmatī, [Mahābhārata]

11) [v.s. ...] of a son of Yadu, [Harivaṃśa]

12) [v.s. ...] of a son of Aja-mīḍha, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

13) [v.s. ...] of a son of Bhuvana-rāja, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]

14) [v.s. ...] of an historian of Kaśmīra, [ib.]

15) [v.s. ...] of sub voce authors (also -bhaṭṭa), [Catalogue(s)]

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

17) [v.s. ...] of a Nāga, [Mahābhārata; Rājataraṅgiṇī]

18) [v.s. ...] of one of the monkey-chiefs attending on Rāma (said to be a son of Agni), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.

19) [v.s. ...] the mountain Nīla or the blue m° (immediately north of Ilāvṛta or the central division; cf. nīlādri), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]

20) Nīlā (नीला):—[from nīla > nīl] f. the indigo plant (Indigofera Tinctoria), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf. nīlī)

21) [v.s. ...] a species of Boerhavia with blue blossoms, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

22) [v.s. ...] black cumin, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

23) [v.s. ...] a species of blue fly, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

24) [v.s. ...] ([dual number]) the two arteries in front of the neck, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

25) [v.s. ...] a black and blue mark on the skin, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

26) [v.s. ...] Name of a goddess, [Horace H. Wilson]

27) [v.s. ...] (in music) of a Rāgiṇī (personified as wife of Mallāra)

28) [v.s. ...] of a river, [Mahābhārata] ([varia lectio] nālā)

29) Nīla (नील):—[from nīl] n. dark (the colour), darkness, [Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Kauṣītaki-upaniṣad]

30) [v.s. ...] any dark substance, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Chāndogya-upaniṣad]

31) [v.s. ...] = tālī-pattra and tālīśa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

32) [v.s. ...] indigo, [Yājñavalkya iii. 38]

33) [v.s. ...] black salt, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

34) [v.s. ...] blue vitriol, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

35) [v.s. ...] antimony, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

36) [v.s. ...] poison, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

37) [v.s. ...] a [particular] position in dancing, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

38) [v.s. ...] a kind of metre, [Colebrooke]

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

Nīla (नील):—[(laḥ-lā-laṃ) a.] Dark blue. m. Blue colour; blue mountain; a monkey chief; Kuvera's treasure; a gem or a saphire; blue Maina. f. () A blue fly; a Rāginī. () Indgo plant; a bruise. n. Indigo; a mark; blue vitriol; black salt; poison.

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

Nīla (नील) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Ṇīla, Ṇila, Ṇilā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Nila 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

1) Nīla (नील) [Also spelled neel]:—(nm) indigo, the plant and the dye; ten billions; (a) blue; (in mediaeval usage) also black; ~[kaṃṭha] the blue-necked jay: Coracias Indica; an epithet of Lord Shiv; —[kamala] blue lotus; ~[gāya] a species of deer; —[nilaya] the sky; ~[maṇi] a sapphire; —[lohita] reddish blue, purple; [nīlāṃjana] blue vitriol; —[paḍanā] to be beaten blue, to be belaboured; to develop a blue scar (on the skin etc.).

2) Nīlā (नीला):—(a) blue, azure; —[thothā] copper sulphate; ~[pana] blueness; -[] bluish; —[karanā] lit. to beat blue, to belabour; -[pīlā honā] to be in a terrible temper, to be enraged/infuriated.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

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

1) Ṇīla (णील) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Niḥsṛ.

2) Ṇīla (णील) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Nīla.

3) Ṇila (णिल) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Nīla.

4) Ṇilā (णिला) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Nīlā.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Nila (ನಿಲ):—[noun] = ನಿಲವು [nilavu].

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Nīla (ನೀಲ):—[adjective] having the colour of the clear sky or the deep sea; blue.

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Nīla (ನೀಲ):—

1) [noun] the colour of the clear sky or the deep sea; blue.

2) [noun] any colour between green and violet in the spectrum; indigo.

3) [noun] the plant Turpinia cochinchinensis (= T. nepalensis) of Staphyleaceae family.

4) [noun] any of a genus (Indigofera) of plants, esp. Indigofera tinctoria, of Papilionaceae family; indigo plant.

5) [noun] the blue dye obtained by these plants.

6) [noun] a clear, deep-blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone; sapphire.

7) [noun] (myth.) one of the nine treasures of Kubēra, the Regent of Wealth.

8) [noun] the bird Coracias benghalensis of Coraciidae family with brown body having blue wings and head; Indian roller.

9) [noun] the sky.

10) [noun] a horse which has white ears.

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Nīḷa (ನೀಳ):—

1) [noun] the quality or fact of being long, longer; lengthiness.

2) [noun] elevation or distance above a given level, as above the surface of the earth or sea; altitude; height.

3) [noun] the measure of a bounded region on a plane or of the surface of a solid; area; ನೀಳದು [niladu] nīḷadu that which is long or lengthy.

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Nīḷa (ನೀಳ):—[adjective] having the colour of the clear sky or the deep sea; blue.

--- OR ---

Nīḷa (ನೀಳ):—

1) [noun] the colour of the clear sky or the deep sea; blue.

2) [noun] any colour between green and violet in the spectrum; indigo.

3) [noun] the plant Turpinia cochinchinensis (= T. nepalensis) of Staphyleaceae family.

4) [noun] any of a genus (Indigofera) of plants, esp. Indigofera tinctoria, of Papilionaceae; indigo plant.

5) [noun] the blue dye obtained from this plant.

6) [noun] a clear, deep-blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone; sapphire.

7) [noun] (myth.) one of the nine treasures of Kubēra, the Regent of Wealth.

8) [noun] the bird Coracias benghalensis of Coraciidae family with brown body having blue wings and head; Indian roller.

9) [noun] the sky.

10) [noun] a horse which has white ears.

context information

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

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Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Nilā (நிலா) noun < நிலாவு-. [nilavu-.] [Malayalam: nilā.]

1. Moonlight; சந்திரிகை. விசும்பி னகனிலாப் பாரிக்குந் திங்களும் [santhirigai. visumbi naganilap parikkun thingalum] (நாலடியார் [naladiyar], 151).

2. [Telugu: nela.] Moon; சந்திரன். துணிநிலா வணியினான் [santhiran. thuninila vaniyinan] (திருவாசகம் [thiruvasagam] 35, 5).

3. Light, splendour; ஒளி. நிலாவிரித்து முச்சக முற்றும் நிழல்செய [oli. nilavirithu muchaga murrum nizhalseya] (திருநூற்றந்தாதி [thirunurrandathi] 78).

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Nīlā (நீலா) noun < idem. Indigo plant. See அவுரி. ((சங்கத்தகராதி) தமிழ்சொல்லகராதி) [avuri. ((sangathagarathi) thamizhsollagarathi)]

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Nīḷa (நீள) adverb < idem.

1. To a great length or distance; நெடுந்தூரமாக. [nedunthuramaga.]

2. All along; நெடுங் காலமாக. நீளநினைந் தடியே னுமை நித்தலுங் கை தொழுதேன் [nedung kalamaga. nilaninain thadiye numai nithalung kai thozhuthen] (தேவாரம் [thevaram] 825, 1).

3. At a great distance; வெகுதொலையில். [vegutholaiyil.] Local usage

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

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