Vadhaka, Vādhaka: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Vadhaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraVadhaka (वधक) or Vadhika refers to “butchers”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 16) (“On the planets—graha-bhaktiyoga”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] Mars presides over citizens, farmers, chemists, firemen, soldiers, forest-men, citadels, chief towns, butchers (vadhika/vadhaka), sinners, haughty men, kings, children, elephants, fops, infanticides, shepherds, red fruits, red flowers, corals, commanders of armies, jaggery, wine, cruel men, storehouses, Agnihotrins, metal mines, the Śākyas in red robes, the Buddhists, thieves, rogues, vindictive and gluttonous persons. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāVadhaka (वधक) or Vadhakapuruṣa refers to “robbers”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “[...] Then all those, terrified with the fear of death, said together in one voice: ‘Homage to the Bodhisattva, the great being Gaganagañja!’ In that very moment, five hundred men, having descended from open space and arrived at that place, said this to robbers (vadhaka-puruṣa): ‘Why do you kill these poor men? Kill us, take our clothes and ornaments, and set them free’. [...]”.
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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryvadhaka : (m.) an executioner; one who inflicts punishment.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryVadhaka, (fr. vadh) slaying, killing; murderous; a murderer S. III, 112 (in simile); IV, 173 (id.); A. IV, 92 (id.); Th. 2, 347; D. III, 72 (°citta); KhA 27; VvA. 72 (°cetanā murderous intention); Vism. 230, 231 (in sim.); Sdhp. 58. ‹-› f. vadhikā J. V, 425 (pl. °āyo). (Page 600)
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryVadhaka (वधक).—a. (-dhakā, -dhikā f.) [हनः क्वुन्, वध च (hanaḥ kvun, vadha ca) Uṇādi-sūtra 2.35] Killing, destructive, injurious.
-kaḥ 1 An executioner, a hangman.
2) A murderer, an assassin.
3) A kind of reed.
--- OR ---
Vādhaka (वाधक).—See वाध्, बाध, बाधक, बाधन-ना, बाधा (vādh, bādha, bādhaka, bādhana-nā, bādhā).
See also (synonyms): vādh, vādha, vādhana.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryVadhaka (वधक).—intending to kill (§ 22.3): dhruvaṃ khu mahyaṃ °kā upasthitāḥ Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 113.8 (verse); vadhake 'pi Jātakamālā 163.21 (prose), even towards one who intended to kill (him).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryVadhaka (वधक).—[vadh + aka], also badhaka, I. adj. Destructive, injurious. Ii. m. A murderer, [Kathāsaritsāgara, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 3, 43.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryVadhaka (वधक).—[masculine] murderer, executioner.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Vadhaka (वधक):—[from vadh] mfn. killing, destructive, [Uṇādi-sūtra ii, 36]
2) [v.s. ...] intending to strike or kill, [Jātakamālā]
3) [v.s. ...] m. a murderer, assassin, [Mahābhārata; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā; Rājataraṅgiṇī]
4) [v.s. ...] an executioner, hangman, [Kathāsaritsāgara]
5) [v.s. ...] a [particular] sort of reed or rush, [Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Vadhaka (वधक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vahaga.
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Vadhakama, Vadhakamya, Vadhakankshin, Vadhakapurusha, Vadhakara, Vadhakarmadhikarin.
Ends with: Sirivadhaka.
Full-text: Vahaga, Rosh, Vadhana, Ghataka, Ukkhittasika, Vadharthiya, Vadh, Badha, Vadhakapurusha, Vadhika, Vadha, Cetana.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Vadhaka, Vādhaka; (plurals include: Vadhakas, Vādhakas). 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)
III. Mind of malice (vyāpadacitta) < [Part 4 - Avoiding evil minds]
VIII. Recollection of Death (maraṇānusmṛti) < [Part 2 - The Eight Recollections according to the Abhidharma]
Gemstones of the Good Dhamma (by Ven. S. Dhammika)
Warfare and Military System in Vedic Literature (by Rinki Deka)
Types of War in Vedic Period < [Chapter 4 - Principles and Ethics related to the Warfare]
Religious Beliefs and other Practices related to Warfare < [Chapter 3 - The Religious observances and other Beliefs related to the Warfare]
Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh (early history) (by Prakash Narayan)
Husband and Wife < [Chapter 4 - Social Process, Structures and Reformations]
Somadeva’s “Yasastilaka” < [July 1951]
Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka (by I. B. Horner)
On root medicince, etc. < [6. Medicine (Bhesajja)]