The Sanskrit term Ślakṣṇavāc can be transliterated into English as Slaksnavac or Shlakshnavac, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Shlakshnavach.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Ślakṣṇavāc (श्लक्ष्णवाच्) refers to “gentle words”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[4. Insults to the Disciples].—[...] There are beings who are not introduced into the path by gentle words (ślakṣṇavāc) or by friendly instructions. They need strong words and heavy instructions for them to enter into the Dharma. They are like a good horse (aśva) who starts up when he sees the shadow of the whip (kaśācchāyā) or the stupid donkey (gardabha) who starts walking only when he receives a blow. There are wounds that are cured only by a gentle herb (mṛḍvoṣadhi), by saliva (kheṭa) or a magic spell (mantra): there are wounds that are cured only when the sick flesh is cut out with a knife and a strong medicine applied to it. [...]”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ślakṣṇavāc (श्लक्ष्णवाच्).—kindly speaking.

Ślakṣṇavāc is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ślakṣṇa and vāc (वाच्).

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

Ślakṣṇavāc (श्लक्ष्णवाच्):—[=ślakṣṇa-vāc] [from ślakṣṇa] f. kindly speaking, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Shlakshna, Vac.

Starts with: Shlakshnavach.

Full-text: Kasa, Kashachaya, Mridvoshadhi, Shlakshna, Satyavac.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Shlakshnavac, Shlakshna-vac, Ślakṣṇa-vāc, Slaksna-vac, Ślakṣṇavāc, Slaksnavac; (plurals include: Shlakshnavacs, vacs, vācs, Ślakṣṇavācs, Slaksnavacs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

The Padhāna-sutta < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]

Digression on a case brought against the Buddha < [Part 1 - Mahāyānist list of the eighteen special attributes of the Buddha]

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