Rajaka, Rājaka: 22 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
India history
Languages
1. Pali
2. Marathi
3. Sanskrit
4. Prakrit
5. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

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

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstra

Rajaka (रजक) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “cloth-dyer”. The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (also see the Manubhāṣya verse 4.216)

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1) Rajaka (रजक).—A washerman;¹ Śuklatīrtham, compared to, in washing sins; to be fined a māṣa of gold by the king for not properly washing.² the washerman of Kaṃsa was killed on his refusing cloths to Kṛṣṇa and Rāma.³

1) Matsya-purāṇa 192. 20.
2) Ib. 227. 155.
3) Viṣṇu-purāṇa V. 19. 14-17.

2) Rājaka (राजक).—Son of Viśākhayūpa, and father of Nandivardhana, the Magadha king.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa XII. 1. 3-4.

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.

Arthashastra (politics and welfare)

Source: Shodhganga: Kakati Ganapatideva and his times (artha)

Rajaka (रजक, “washermen”) is an official title designating one of the seventy-two officers (niyoga) of the Bāhattaraniyogādhipati circle, according to the Inscriptional glossary of Andhra Pradesh (Śāsana-śabdakośāmu). The bāhattaraniyoga-adhipati is the highest executive officer of this circle (including a Rajaka). For example: During the reign of Gaṇapatideva, the area extending between Pānagal to Mārjavāḍi was entrusted to Gaṇḍapeṇḍāru Gangayasāhiṇi as Bāhattaraniyogādhipati. Later on, this office was entrusted to Kāyastha Jannigadeva.

context information

Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Rajaka (रजक, “dyer”) refers a member of a theatrical party, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 35. Accordingly, “one who knows painting is a painter (citrakāra), and from his knowledge of dying (rañjana) a person is called a dyer (rajaka)”.

context information

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).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Rajaka (रजक) refers to “washer-men”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 10), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the course of Saturn should lie through the constellation of Mṛgaśīrṣa, the people of Vatsa, the officiating priests in sacrificial rites as well as the persons that perform them, revered men and the people of Madhyadeśa will suffer miseries; if through Ārdrā, the people of Pārata, of Ramaṭha, oil-mongers, washermen [i.e., rajaka] and thieves will suffer. If the course of Saturn should lie through the constellation of Punarvasu, the Pāñcālas, the border Mlecchas and the people of Saurāṣṭra, of Sindh and of Sauvīraka will suffer miseries; if his course should lie through the constellation of Puṣya, bell ringers, criers, the Yavanas tradesmen, deceitful men and flowers will suffer”.

context information

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.

India history and geography

Source: Google Books: Medieval Orissa: A Socio-economic Study

Rajaka (रजक) refers to a “washerman” and represents one of the occupational groups commonly found in Townships or Urban centers (nagari) in ancient India (Medieval Orissa).—An example (of Township) is provided by the Nagari plates of Anangabhima III, dated A.D. 1230, which describe an assigned township which contained four large houses of the dimension of royal residences and thirty other houses. The occupational groups present in the settlement were [e.g., a washerman (rajaka)]. The range of occupations is large, some of them being rural in character. The context in which the township (or Urban centres—nagari) is assigned suggest that nagaris in such cases were perhaps extended villages, formed out of a cluster of several contiguous villages and thus assuming physical and consequently, economic dimensions much larger than those of an ordinary village settlement.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

rajaka : (m.) a washer man.

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

Rajaka, (fr. rajati) a dyer (& “washerman” in the same function), more correctly “bleacher. ” See remarks of Kern’s at Toev. II. 45 on distinction of washerman & dyer.—D. I, 51 (in list of occupations); Vin. III, 45; S. II, 101=III, 152 (in simile; combined with cittakāra, here perhaps “painter”?); S. III, 131; J. V, 186; VbhA. 331 (in simile). (Page 561)

— or —

Rājaka, (adj.) (-°) (rāja+ka, the ending belonging to the whole cpd. ) characteristic of the king, king-; in cpds. arājaka without a king J. VI, 39 (raṭṭhe); sarājaka including the king Tikp 26; f. sarājikā Vin. I, 209 (parisā). Also in phrase anikkhanta-rājake (Loc. abs.) when the king has not gone out Vin. IV, 160. (Page 568)

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

rajaka (रजक).—m (S) A washerman. rajakī f S A washerwoman.

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

rajaka (रजक).—m A washerman.

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

Rajaka (रजक).—[rañj-ṇvul nalopaḥ]

1) A washerman.

2) A parrot.

-kī 1 A washerwoman; also रजिका (rajikā) in this sense.

2) The wife of a washerman.

3) An epithet of a woman on the third day of her courses.

Derivable forms: rajakaḥ (रजकः).

--- OR ---

Rājaka (राजक).—A little king, a petty prince.

-kam A number of kings or princes, a collection of sovereigns; सहते न जनोऽप्यधःक्रियां किमु लोकाधिकधाम राजकम् (sahate na jano'pyadhaḥkriyāṃ kimu lokādhikadhāma rājakam) Kirātārjunīya 2.47; राजकाय विषया विभेजिरे (rājakāya viṣayā vibhejire) Śiśupālavadha 14.43; यत्पादौ मुकुटज्योत्स्नाजलैर्नेनेक्ति राजकम् (yatpādau mukuṭajyotsnājalairnenekti rājakam) Śabda. ch.

Derivable forms: rājakaḥ (राजकः).

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

Rajaka (रजक).—m. (= prec., q.v.; Sanskrit id., applied to a [Page449-1b+ 53] washerman), dyer: Mahāvastu ii.467.11 and 468.5 (both em. by Senart); 468.13 (no v.l.).

--- OR ---

Rājaka (राजक).—(v.l. Rājyaka), name of a man who entertained the Bodhisattva: Lalitavistara 238.10; Tibetan ḥod ldan, shining.

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

Rajaka (रजक).—m.

(-kaḥ) 1. A washerman. 2. Cloth, clothes. f. (-kī) A washerman’s wife or a washer-woman. E. rañj to colour, (clothes,) ṣvun or kkun aff.; or raṇj-ṇvul na lopaḥ in the latter case the fem. is rajikā a washer-woman, and rajakī a washer-woman’s wife.

--- OR ---

Rājaka (राजक).—mfn.

(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) 1. Ruling, a ruler. 2. Splendid, irradiating, bright in itself, and the cause of brilliancy in others. n.

(-kaṃ) An assemblage of princes. m.

(-kaḥ) A petty prince. E. rājan a prince, and vuñ aff. of multitude; or rāj to shine, aff. vun .

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

Rajaka (रजक).—i. e. rañj + aka, I. m. 1. A washerman, [Hitopadeśa] 50, 1. 2. Cloth. Ii. f. kī. 1. A waṣerman’s wife. 2. A woman in her courses at the third day, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 10, 9.

--- OR ---

Rājaka (राजक).—I. adj. 1. rāj + aka, Splendid. 2. rājan + ka, A substitute for rājan when latter part of comp. adj.; e. g. a-, adj. Having no king, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 7, 3. Ii. m. A king. Iii. n. An assemblage of kings.

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

Rajaka (रजक).—[masculine] (rajikā & rajakī [feminine]) washerman (woman), who is also a dyer (a mixed caste).

--- OR ---

Rājaka (राजक).—[masculine] little king, also = rājan (—°); [neuter] a multitude of kings.

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

1) Rajaka (रजक):—[from raj] m. a washerman (so called from his cleaning or whitening clothes; regarded as a degraded caste; [according to] to [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] either ‘the son of a Pāra-dhenuka and a Brāhmaṇī’ or ‘the son of a Niṣṭhya and an Ugrī’), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] a parrot or a garment (śuka or aṃśuka), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] Name of a king, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa] ([probably] [wrong reading] for rājaka)

4) Rājaka (राजक):—[from rāj] mfn. illuminating, irradiating, splendid, [Horace H. Wilson]

5) [v.s. ...] m. a little king, petty prince, [Ṛg-veda; Harivaṃśa]

6) [v.s. ...] a king, prince (= rājan, [especially] ifc.), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

7) [v.s. ...] Name of various men, [Rājataraṅgiṇī; Lalita-vistara]

8) [v.s. ...] n. a number of kings, [Kāvya literature; Purāṇa] (cf. [Pāṇini 4-2, 39]).

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

1) Rajaka (रजक):—(kaḥ) 1. m. A washerman; clothes. f. (kī) Washerwoman.

2) Rājaka (राजक):—[(kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) a.] Ruling, splendid. n. An assemblage of princes.

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

Rajaka (रजक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Rajaka, Rajaga, Rayaya, Rāṇaya.

[Sanskrit to German]

Rajaka 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.

Prakrit-English dictionary

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

Rajaka (रजक) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Rajaka.

Rajaka has the following synonyms: Rajaga.

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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Rajaka (ರಜಕ):—[noun] a man whose occupation is to clean the clothes, garments of others.

--- OR ---

Rājaka (ರಾಜಕ):—

1) [noun] a group or multitude of a number of kings.

2) [noun] a petty king.

3) [noun] vexation or misery caused by a king.

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 19 books and stories containing Rajaka, Rājaka; (plurals include: Rajakas, Rājakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 5.5.35 < [Chapter 5 - Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance Into Mathurā]

Verse 5.14.46 < [Chapter 14 - The Meeting of King Nanda and Uddhava]

Verse 5.10.3 < [Chapter 10 - The Stories of the Washerman, Weaver, and Florist]

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Professions, Servants and Employed persons < [Chapter 3 - Social Aspects]

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Service Occupation < [Chapter 2 - Economic and Urban Processes]

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Verse 2.155 < [Section XXV - Meaning of the Title ‘Ācārya’]

Verse 8.220 < [Section XXXVII - Breach of Contract]

Verse 4.216 < [Section XIV - Other Duties]

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