Rashmi, Raśmi, Rasmi, Raśmī: 32 definitions
Introduction:
Rashmi means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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 terms Raśmi and Raśmī can be transliterated into English as Rasmi or Rashmi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstraRaśmi (रश्मि) is a Sanskrit technical term referring the “reins” of a chariot (yāna). The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (See the Manubhāṣya, verse 8.291-292)
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: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationRaśmi (रश्मि) refers to the “bridle” (of a chariot), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.8 (“The detailed description of the chariot etc.”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “The divine chariot of lord Śiva consisting of all the worlds was built by Viśvakarman with devoted effort. [...] Lord Brahmā was the charioteer, the gods were holders of the bridle (raśmi-dhara) [devā raśmidharāḥ smṛtāḥ]. Praṇava the Vedic divinity constituted the long whip of Brahma. The syllable A constituted the great umbrella, Mandara the side staff. The lord of mountains became his bow and the lord of serpents the bowstring. [...]”
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexRaśmi (रश्मि).—One of the 20 Sutapa gaṇas.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 100. 15.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramRaśmi (रश्मि) refers to the “rays of (the sun)”, according to the Devīpañcaśataka, an important source of the Kālīkrama that developed in Kashmir after the Kālī Mata of the Jayadrathayāmala.—Accordingly, “The permutation (of the Transmental) is said to be the Light that precedes the mistress of the Wheel of Rays [i.e., puñjacakra-īśī] (of divine consciousness). [...] (That light) is not the moon, (or) the light of the stars; it is not the light of the rays of (the sun), the lord of the sky [i.e., vyomeśa-raśmi-bhā], nor is it the brilliance of lightning—nor is it like the beautiful sun (of energy). That Light (bhāsā) is seen in the belly (of consciousness) with the eye of knowledge, that is, in the eye on the path of opening (unmeṣa). She is not seen otherwise. All (things) shine due to her: Fire, Moon, Sun and stars. As the division of Sun and Moon, she bestows the plane of oneness. Thus she is the aggregate (kula) of rays and, ferocious, she is the Supreme One (Parā) who has reached the final end of Kula and devours duality with the Yoga of the Fire of (Universal) Destruction.”.—(Cf. Puñjacakra).
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraRaśmi (रश्मि) or Raśmiketu refers to a particular type of Ketus (i.e., luminous bodies such as comets and meteors), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).— Accordingly, “Raśmi Ketu is a comet possessing a tail slightly coloured like smoke; it appears in the constellation of Kṛttikā. The effects are the same as those assigned to Sveta Ketu. Dhruva Ketu is a comet possessing no fixed course, colour or shape and appears anywhere in the heavens, in the sky and on Earth. When it appears glossy, mankind will be happy. To those whose death might be near this Ketu appears in the several divisions of the King’s army, in houses, in trees, in hills and in household utensils”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (yoga)Raśmi (रश्मि) refers to the “rays (of the sun)”, 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 (sva-raśmi). 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 in all bodies”.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchRaśmi (रश्मि) refers to a “ray of light”, according to the Bhāṣya (commentary) on the Pātañjalayogaśāstra Sūtra 3.42.—Accordingly, “... [The yogin] who has mastered the connection [between body and space] becomes light. Because he is light, he can walk on water. Then, having walked on merely a spider’s thread, he walks on a ray of light (raśmi). Then, he moves in the ether as he wishes”.
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).
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra1) Raśmi (रश्मि) refers to a “bridle”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 13.17-25ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Sūrya]—“Now, I explain that which consists of light [i.e., Sūrya]. [...] [The Mantrin] should imagine [Sūrya] with one hand [holding] a vajra [and] one a bridle (raśmi—raśmimekena dhārayet). [He is] mounted on a chariot [on which are yoked] seven horses. [He] wears a serpent as a sacred thread [and] a garland of red flowers [and is] anointed with red perfume. [...]”.
2) Raśmi (रश्मि) refers to a “ray of light”.—Accordingly, [verse 13.25cd-28, while describing the appearance and worship of Viśvakarman]—“Furthermore, [I shall describe] Viśvakarman, the Lord of the world. [He] is bright as a ray of light (raśmi-saṃyuta), risen alone [i.e., from itself]. [Viśvakarman] has [either] two or four arms. [When he has four hands he] bears a stone cutter’s chisel and a book with [his] beautiful right hand. [In the left he holds] a clamp and a cord. [...]”.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects1) Raśmi (रश्मि) is not rarely found in the sense of ‘rope’ generally; but more usually it denotes either the ‘reins’ or the ‘traces’ of a chariot, either sense being equally good in most passages.
2) Raśmi (रश्मि) in the Rigveda and later regularly denotes a ‘ray’ of the sun.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraRaśmi (रश्मि, “rays”).—According to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV), there are occasions (samaya) when the Buddha emits great rays (raśmi) and manifests his great miraculous power (ṛddhibala): when he attains bodhi, when he turns the wheel of Dharma (dharmacakra), when a great assembly of Devas and Āryas gathers, when he astounds the heretics (tīrthika). He emits great rays on all these occasions. Indeed, it is in order to manifest his superiority (viśeṣa) that he emits great rays, so that all the beings of the ten directions, human and divine, so that all the Arhats, Pratyekabuddhas and Bodhisattvas might know him by sight. This is why he enters into the samādhirājasamādhi.
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāRaśmi (रश्मि) refers to the “infinite rays”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “The great vehicle (mahāyāna) is made with four wheels (cakra), namely with the means of attraction, the spokes (ara) are well fitted as the roots of good have been transformed with intention, [...] has the pure and wide light of infinite rays (raśmi) so that it can illuminate the ten directions, is always filled with flowers because the rain of flowers (puṣpavarṣa), namely the limbs of awakening (bodhyaṅga), continually pours down, is equipped with musical instruments which always produce the sound of dharma (dharmasvara), [...]”.
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureRaśmi (रश्मि) refers to the “rays (coming forth from one’s body)”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, “Now there lived a Brahmin called Viṣṇudatta in Navanagara. [...] He enchanted an iron stake and placed it on the head of that Nāga. The head of the Nāga burst and it felt great pain. The Nāga became extremely angry with great fury. Then in a moment, an instant, a short time, the Nāga’s body was overcome with great pain by the intensity of swaying. Then because of this rays (raśmi) came forth from its body and the fields of the Brahmin were burnt. [...]”.
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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism1) Raśmi (रश्मि) is the name of Vidyārājñī (i.e., “wisdom queen”) 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 Raśmi).
2) Raśmī (रश्मी) is the name of Vidyārājñī (i.e., “wisdom queen”) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryRaśmi.—(IE 7-1-2), probably confused with śīta-raśmi and used to indicate ‘one’. Note: raśmi is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Rasmi in India is the name of a plant defined with Alpinia galanga in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Amomum medium Lour. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Bull. Bur. Pl. Industr. U.S.D.A. (1912)
· Bot. Mat. Med. (1812)
· Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie (1899)
· Plants of the Coast of Coromandel (1820)
· Guihaia (1984)
· Not. Pl. Asiat. (1851)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Rasmi, for example health benefits, pregnancy safety, chemical composition, diet and recipes, extract dosage, side effects, have a look at these references.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryrasmi : (f.) a cord; a rein; ray of light.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryRasmi, see raṃsi. (Page 567)
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 Dictionaryraśmi (रश्मि).—m S A ray of light.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishraśmi (रश्मि).—m A ray of light.
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 dictionaryRaśmi (रश्मि).—[aś-mi dhāto ruṭ, raś-mi vā; cf. Uṇādi-sūtra 4.46]
1) A string, cord, rope; अपतद्देवराजस्य मुक्तरश्मिरिव ध्वजः (apataddevarājasya muktaraśmiriva dhvajaḥ) Rām.4.17.2.
2) A bridle, rein; मुक्तेषु रश्मिषु निरायतपूर्व- कायाः (mukteṣu raśmiṣu nirāyatapūrva- kāyāḥ) Ś.1.8; रश्मिसंयमनात् (raśmisaṃyamanāt) Ś.1; Kirātārjunīya 7.19.
3) A goad, whip.
4) A beam, ray of light; ज्योतीषि वर्तयति च प्रवि- भक्तरश्मिः (jyotīṣi vartayati ca pravi- bhaktaraśmiḥ) Ś.7.6; N.22.56; so हिमरश्मि (himaraśmi) &c.
5) An eyelash.
6) A measuring cord; परि यो रश्मिना दिवो (pari yo raśminā divo) Ṛv.8. 25.18.
7) A finger (Ved.).
Derivable forms: raśmiḥ (रश्मिः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryRaśmi (रश्मि).—f. (in Sanskrit m. except Ch. U. 8.6.2 etā… raśmayaḥ, em. Boehtl. ete; but in Pali f. forms, such as rasmiyo n.-acc. pl., are not rare), ray: sā hi raśmir Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 24.1 (verse); raśmiś cacāra, sā sarvā…Lalitavistara 3.14, and tasyā… raśmyā(ḥ, abl.) 4.6 (both prose).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaśmi (रश्मि).—m.
(-śmiḥ) 1. A ray of light. 2. A rein, a bridle. 3. An eye-lash. E. aś to pervade, Unadi aff. mi, raśa substituted for the radical.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaśmi (रश्मि).— (i. e. raś + mi; with raś cf. probably [Latin] laqueus, cf. rasanā), m. 1. A rein, [Nala] 19, 22. 2. A ray of light, [Pañcatantra] 162, 11. 3. An eyelash.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaśmi (रश्मि).—[masculine] ([feminine]) line, cord, trace, rein, whip, measuring rope; ray or beam of light.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Raśmi (रश्मि):—m. (exceptionally f.; cf. raśanā and, [Uṇādi-sūtra iv, 46]) a string, rope, cord, trace, rein, bridle, leash, goad, whip (also [figuratively] applied to the fingers), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
2) a measuring cord, [Ṛg-veda viii, 25, 18]
3) a ray of light, beam, splendour, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
4) = anna, food, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā xv, 16]
5) = pakṣa, or pakṣman, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaśmi (रश्मि):—(śmiḥ) 2. m. A ray of light; a rein; an eyelash.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Raśmi (रश्मि) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Rassi.
[Sanskrit to German]
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 dictionary1) Raśmi (रश्मि):—(nf) a ray; ~[mālī] the sun.
2) Rasmī (रस्मी):—(a) formal, ceremonial; related with or conforming to a ritual; —[tāllukāta] formal relations; -[taura para] formally, formally speaking.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusRaśmi (ರಶ್ಮಿ):—
1) [noun] a ray of light.
2) [noun] great luster or brightness; brilliance.
3) [noun] a narrow strap of leather attached to each end of the bit in the mouth of a horse, and held by the rider or driver to control the animal; reins.
4) [noun] a rope; a cord; a string.
5) [noun] the eye-lash.
6) [noun] a stick or rod for poking; a goad.
7) [noun] an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash that is used for whipping; a whip.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Tamil dictionary
Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil LexiconRaśmi (ரஶ்மி) noun < raśmi. Ray of light; கிரணம். சூரியரஶ்மியே இன்றைக்கு இல்லை. [kiranam. suriyarashmiye inraikku illai.]
Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+41): Rashmibha, Rashmibhi, Rashmicakra, Rashmicandrapratimanditavidyuttejaghosheshvararaja, Rashmicandrornamegha, Rashmichakra, Rashmichandrapratimanditavidyuttejaghosheshvararaja, Rashmichandrornamegha, Rashmidhara, Rashmidhvaja, Rashmigraha, Rashmigunamakutajnanaprajnabha, Rashmijala, Rashmijvala, Rashmijvalanachuda, Rashmijvalanacuda, Rashmika, Rashmikalapa, Rashmiketu, Rashmikrida.
Ends with (+60): Abhitigmarashmi, Ahimarashmi, Amritamshurashmi, Amritarashmi, Anekasahasrarashmi, Apratihatarashmi, Arunarashmi, Ashishirarashmi, Ashitarashmi, Atuhinarasmi, Bhutarashmi, Candarashmi, Candrarashmi, Chitrarashmi, Citrarashmi, Dashashatarashmi, Dharmadhatuvidyotitarashmi, Dhumrarashmi, Ekarashmi, Gharmarashmi.
Full-text (+163): Ushnarashmi, Shubhrarashmi, Rashmin, Rashmijala, Shitarashmi, Rashmivat, Sahasrarashmi, Pancarashmi, Gharmarashmi, Rashmiketu, Rashmikalapa, Mandarashmi, Atuhinarasmi, Muca, Tikshnarashmi, Khararashmi, Praleyarashmi, Syumarashmi, Dumpa-rasmi, Rasmi sanna.
Relevant text
Search found 37 books and stories containing Rashmi, Raśmi, Rasmi, Raśmī, Rasmī; (plurals include: Rashmis, Raśmis, Rasmis, Raśmīs, Rasmīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.10.5 < [Chapter 10 - Description of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Herding the Cows]
Verse 5.20.4 < [Chapter 20 - The Liberation of Ṛbhu Muni During the Rāsa-dance Festival]
Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas (by Goswami Mitali)
Part 5 - Sūrya (the Healer) < [Chapter 2 - Salient Traits of the Solar Divinities in the Veda]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.1.347 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.258 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 8.4 < [Chapter 8 - Literary Qualities]
Text 10.68 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Indivisible Heritage of Indian Literature < [April – June 1992]
Gokak’s Ministry of letters < [July – September 1991]
Dr. Vinayak Krishna Gokak < [April – June 1992]
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