Vishalaksha, Viśālākṣa, Vishala-aksha: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Vishalaksha means something in 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.
The Sanskrit term Viśālākṣa can be transliterated into English as Visalaksa or Vishalaksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī BhāgavatamViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष):—One of the persons joining Śiva during the preparations of the war between Śankhacūḍa and the Devas, according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa (9.20.22-53). All persons attending were remained seated on beautiful aerial cars, built of jewels and gems. The war was initiated by Puṣpadanta (messenger of Śiva) who was ordered to restore the rights of the Devas. .
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) refers to “one who has large eyes”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, [while describing the gross form of Navātman called Śabdarāśinavātman]: “(Navātman) has a big body and burns intensely, illumining the sky with (his) radiant energy. (He has) five faces (with) large eyes (viśālākṣa) and is adorned with ten arms and the moon. He has a large chest and, auspicious, has a serene face. He has long arms (that extend up to) the knees, (large) thighs and shanks (like a) palm tree. (His) stomach is thin. He has beautiful hands and feet and thin fingers (like tender) shoots. The lustre of (his) nails is like the moon and his face shines with (his) radiant teeth. The middle (part of his body) is marked by a deep navel and the lotus of the navel is a clockwise spiral”.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—One of the hundred sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Mention is made in Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 88, Stanza 15, that this Viśālākṣa was killed by Bhīmasena in the battle of Bhārata.
2) Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—Younger brother of King Virāṭa. He had another name Madirākṣa. (Mahābhārata Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 32, Stanza 19).
3) Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—A son of Garuḍa, (Mahābhārata, Udyoga Parva, Chapter 101, Stanza 9).
4) Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—A King of Mithilā. He was present at the sacrifice of Rājasūya (Imperial consecration) of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 10).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) is the name of a Gaṇa of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.4 (“Search for Kārttikeya and his conversation with Nandin”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “Urged by the gods, sages and mountains, the lord sent his Gaṇas as his emissaries to the place where his son was staying. O Nārada, he sent [e.g., Viśālākṣa], [...], and innumerable others of the same exploit as that of Śiva and of hideous features. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—The king of Mithilā: went to Syamantapañcaka for the solar eclipse.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 82. 26.
1b) A Nāga in the third Talam.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 20. 30.
1c) The name of a Śiva gaṇa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 41. 27.
1d) A mountain the abode of the Nāgas.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 163. 79.
1e) One of the 18 authors on architecture.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 252. 2.
Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.108.10) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Viśālākṣa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Wisdom Library: Śilpa-śāstraViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) is a Sanskrit name referring to one of the eight manifestations of Asitāṅga and Saṃhāra, both forms of Bhairava. According to the Rudrayāmala, there are eight main forms of Bhairava who control the eight directions of this universe. Each form (e.g., Asitāṅga and Saṃhāra) has a further eight sub-manifestations (e.g., Viśālākṣa), thus resulting in a total of 64 Bhairavas.
When depicting Viśālākṣa according to traditional iconographic rules (śilpaśāstra), one should depcit him (and other forms of Asitāṅga) with golden complexion and having good looking limbs; he should carry the triśūla, the ḍamaru, the pāśa and the khaḍga. The word Śilpaśāstra refers to an ancient Hindu science of arts and crafts, dealing with subjects such as painting, sculpture and iconography.
When depicting Viśālākṣa as a form of Saṃhāra, one should depict him having a color resembling lightning; he should carry in his hands the kuṇḍa, the kheṭaka, the parigha (a kind of club) and bhiṇḍipāla. The word Śilpaśāstra refers to an ancient Hindu science of arts and crafts, dealing with subjects such as painting, sculpture and iconography.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Source: Shodhganga: Portrayal of Animal Kingdom (Tiryaks) in Epics An Analytical studyViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) (lit. “one who is large eyed”) is a synonym (another name) for Garuḍa, according to scientific texts such as the Mṛgapakṣiśāstra (Mriga-pakshi-shastra) or “the ancient Indian science of animals and birds” by Hamsadeva, containing the varieties and descriptions of the animals and birds seen in the Sanskrit Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: archive.org: Bharatiya vastu-sastraViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) is the name of an ancient teacher (ācārya) of Vāstuśāsta (science of architecture) according to the Matsyapurāṇa.—All these great teachers cannot be said to be legendary. Some used to be propagated in ancient India. No nation can flourish without its care for its material prosperity. All this technique and training and their systematic and successful teaching and transmission were of equal importance. Most of the treatises of Vāstuśāstra carry many of these names [i.e., Viśālākṣa], yet a good many of them are quoted as authorities, yet still others are honoured with actual passages being quoted from their works.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) refers to a “large-eyed deity”, 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 3.17-23, while describing a meditation on Amṛteśa in his form as Mṛtyujit]—“And so now, having constructed the amṛtāmudrā or the padmamudrā, [the Mantrin] should meditate on the Ātman. [...] [He is] one-faced, three-eyed, seated on a white lotus, fixed in the bound lotus seat. [He is] four-armed, large-eyed (viśālākṣa), the hand [fixed in the position] of granting wishes and safety, [holding] a full moon, radiant, filled with amṛta, holding a water pot, [and] completely full of the world, the moon in his lovely hand. [The Mantrin] should remember him adorned with a reverence that is all white”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष) refers to “wide-eyed”, according to Kṣemarāja’s Svacchandoddyota on verse 2.89c.—Accordingly, “Wide-eyed (viśālākṣa) means, his [point of] focus is inwards, his gaze outwards and he does not open or close his eyes. It concerns the wide [eyes] of the supreme Śiva who has been described thus by our tradition”.
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).
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—a. largeeyed. (-kṣaḥ) 1 Name of Viṣṇu.
2) of Garuḍa.
3) an epithet of Śiva.
4) Name of an ancient authority on the science of Govt. referred to by Kauṭilya; Kau. A. 1.15.
-kṣī an epithet of Pārvatī.
Viśālākṣa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms viśāla and akṣa (अक्ष).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—(1) name of a disciple of Buddha: Mahāvastu i.183.1; (2) name of a yakṣa: Mahā-Māyūrī 51.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—mfn.
(-kṣaḥ-kṣī-kṣaṃ) Having large or beautiful eyes. m.
(-kṣaḥ) 1. Siva. 2. Garuda. f. (-kṣī) Parvati. E. viśāla large, and akṣi the eye, ṭac aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष).—[feminine] ī the same.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Viśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष):—[from viśāla] mf(ī)n. large-eyed, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]
2) [v.s. ...] m. a screech-owl, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] Name of Śiva (also as author of a Śāstra), [Mahābhārata; Kāmandakīya-nītisāra; Daśakumāra-carita]
4) [v.s. ...] of Garuḍa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] of a son of Garuḍa, [Mahābhārata]
6) [v.s. ...] of a serpent-demon, [Harivaṃśa] of a son of Dhṛta-rāṣṭra, [ib.]
7) [from viśāla] n. Name of the Śāstra composed by Śiva Viśālākṣa, [Mahābhārata xii, 2203.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष):—[viśālā+kṣa] (kṣaḥ-kṣī-kṣaṃ) 1. m. Shiva, Garuḍa. f. Durgā. a. Having large eyes.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusViśālākṣa (ವಿಶಾಲಾಕ್ಷ):—[adjective] having wide eyes; large-eyed.
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Viśālākṣa (ವಿಶಾಲಾಕ್ಷ):—[noun] a large-eyed deity, Viṣṇu or Śiva.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryViśālākṣa (विशालाक्ष):—adj. large-eyed;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Aksha, Vishala.
Ends with: Sitavishalaksha, Suvishalaksha.
Full-text: Vaishalaksha, Vishalakshimahatmya, Suvishalaksha, Wide, Lakshaneya, Shac, Ashtadashashilpashastropadeshaka, Vishalakshi, Asitanga, Samhara, Purandara, Padavinyasa.
Relevant text
Search found 23 books and stories containing Vishalaksha, Viśālākṣa, Vishala-aksha, Visalaksa, Viśāla-akṣa, Visala-aksa, Viśalākṣa; (plurals include: Vishalakshas, Viśālākṣas, akshas, Visalaksas, akṣas, aksas, Viśalākṣas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
2 (a). Literary Evidence to Art-Activity < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.1.76 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter XIII - The prayer of Vishnu Panjaram < [Agastya Samhita]
Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India) (by Nidheesh Kannan B.)
6. Tradition (behind the formation of Arthaśāstra) < [Chapter 4 - Positioning Kāma among the Puruṣārthas]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verses 3.10.9-10 < [Chapter 10 - The Glory of Śrī Girirāja]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)