Shveta, Śvetā, Sveta, Śveta: 43 definitions

Introduction
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In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
2. Shaivism
3. Shaktism
4. Vaishnavism
5. Purana
6. Kavya
7. Natyashastra
8. Shilpashastra
9. Chandas
10. Jyotisha
11. Ganitashastra
12. Vastushastra
13. General definition
In Buddhism
1. Tibetan Buddhism
2. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
Biology
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
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Introduction:

Shveta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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 Śvetā and Śveta can be transliterated into English as Sveta or Shveta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Swet.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

1) Śvetā (श्वेता) is another name for Aśvakṣurā, a medicinal plant identified with Clitoria ternatea (Asian pigeonwings, butterfly pea or bluebellvine) from the Fabaceae or “legume family” of flowering plants, according to verse 3.87-89 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The third chapter (guḍūcyādi-varga) of this book contains climbers and creepers (vīrudh). Together with the names Śvetā and Aśvakṣurā, there are a total of fourteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

2) Śvetā (श्वेता) is also mentioned as a synonym for Śvetabṛhatī, a medicinal plant identified with Solanum torvum Swartz (“turkey berry” or “prickly nightshade”) from the Solanaceae or “nightshades” family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.28-29. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Śvetamahoṭikā and Śvetabṛhatī, there are a total of five Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

3) Śvetā (श्वेता) is also mentioned as a synonym for Śvetakaṇṭakārī, a medicinal plant related to Kaṇṭakārī, according to verse 4.33-36. Together with the names Śvetā and Śvetakaṇṭakārī, there are a total of twenty-four Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

4) Śvetā (श्वेता) is also mentioned as a synonym for Pāṣāṇabheda, a medicinal plant commonly identified with Bergenia ligulata (Wall.) Engl. from the Saxifragaceae family of flowering plants, according to verse 5.39-40. The fifth chapter (parpaṭādi-varga) of this book enumerates sixty varieties of smaller plants (kṣudra-kṣupa). Together with the names Śvetā and Pāṣāṇabheda, there are a total of eight Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

5) Śvetā (श्वेता) is also mentioned as a synonym for Śvetaśilā, an unidentified medicinal plant, according to verse 5.43-44. Together with the names Śvetā and Śvetaśilā, there are a total of seven Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

6) Śvetā (श्वेता) is the Sanskrit name for an unidentified medicinal plant, according to verse 5.132.

Śvetā is mentioned as having three synonyms: Churikāpatrī, Parvamūlā and Avipriyā.

Properties and characteristics: “Śvetā is very sweet, cooling, galactogogue and a good appetiser.

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Śveta (श्वेत) or Śvetamaṇḍalī refers to one of the sixteen varieties of Maṇḍalī snakes, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Kāśyapa sources his antidotes from a multitude plants, a few minerals, salts and animal products available in nature. All these plants fall under various groups called gaṇas, as pronounced by the Ayurvedic Nigaṇṭus.

Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)

Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient India

Śveta (श्वेत) refers to the “white-colored (flowers)” which were commonly manipulated using recipes prescribed in the Vṛkṣāyurveda by Sūrapāla (1000 CE): an encyclopedic work dealing with the study of trees and the principles of ancient Indian agriculture.—Accordingly, “The white flowers (śveta-puṣpa) of a tree [śvetaṃ puṣpaṃ taroḥ] turn into a golden colour if the tree is watered with a mixture of Curcuma longa powder, Butea monosperma, Gossypium herbaceum seed, Rubia cordifolia and the Symplocos racemosa tree. [...] The white flowers (śveta-puṣpa) of a tree turn into a golden colour if it is smeared at the roots with the mixture of Rubia cordifolia, red lead, milk, a kind of fragrant earth and flesh of pigeon”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume II

The third fold or layer (of the skin) is called Śvetá, which measures in thickness, a twelve-twentieth of a Vrihi (rice grain).

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Śveta (श्वेत):—White colour

context information

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Śveta (श्वेत), one of the fifty Rudras according to the Caryāpāda section of the Makuṭāgama (one of the 28 Saiva Siddhanta Agamas).

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Śveta (श्वेत) is the name of a mountain-range situated to the north of Ilāvṛta, according to the Parākhyatantra 5.76. Ilāvṛta is a region (navakhaṇḍa) situated within Jambūdvīpa: one of the seven continents situated within the world of the earth (pṛthivī). These continents are located above the seven pātālas and may contain even more sub-continents within them, are round in shape, and are encircled within seven concentric oceans.

According to the Parākhyatantra, “beyond that to the North like Nīla there is the mountain Śveta, wherethe great sage Śveta, though being devoured by Death, was protected by Śiva”.

The Parākhyatantra is an old Śaiva-siddhānta tantra dating from before the 10th century.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Śveta (श्वेत) refers to a “white (offering)”, 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 10.39-45]—“[...] Outside of the lotus, [the Mantrin] should draw the very white śaśimaṇḍala, and outside of that [he is to draw] a square endowed with the mark of a vajra. Thus, having written [all this] with saffron, bile, and white milk he should worship in peace with an all white [offering] (sarva-śveta-upacārata). In this way, he [gives] edible offerings and liquor to the appropriate, voracious form [of the deity]. [...]”.

context information

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śāktism

Śvetā (श्वेता, “white”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ श्वेतायै नमः
oṃ śvetāyai namaḥ.

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Śvetā (श्वेता) refers to the “White Goddess”, according to the Mukundarāja’s Saṃvartārthaprakāśa.—Accordingly, while explaining Kubjikā’s three forms: “1) In the world of the gods she is in the sattva state and is the white goddess of the Divine Current [i.e., śvetā—śvetā divyaughā devī]. 2) In the rājasika state she is in the world of men and, red in colour, she is the woman of the Current of Men. 3) In the world of the demons she is in a tāmasika state and, as Nature, she is Māyā, and the Kālī of the Current of Siddhas”.

context information

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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Sveta (स्वेत).—A son of King Virāṭa. He was killed in a ferocious battle with grandfather Bhīṣma. (Bhīṣma Parva in Mahābhārata)

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Śveta (श्वेत).—A King in ancient India. By his moral and spiritual power he was able to restore his dead son to life. He did not eat meat. Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 150 mentions that he was one of the few Kings who deserve to be remembered with reverence at dawn and dusk. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 1, Verse 233; Śānti Parva, Chapter 153, Verse 68; Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 66).

2) Śveta (श्वेत).—A King. Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Dākṣiṇātya Pāṭha, Chapter 14 mentions that he was one of the prominent Kings in India.

3) Śveta (श्वेत).—A son of the Virāṭa King. Śveta was the son of King Virāṭa by his chief wife Surathā, who was a princess of Kosala. Śveta had attended Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya. This distinguished warrior was killed by Bhīṣma in Bhārata Yuddha. (Mahābhārata Dākṣiṇātya Pāṭha, Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 16; Sabhā Parva, Chapter 44, Verse 20; Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 48).

4) Śveta (श्वेत).—A warrior of Subrahmaṇya. (Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Verse 64).

5) Śveta (श्वेत).—Son of the elder brother of King Sudeva. There is a story of how Śveta, who was a sinner, attained mokṣa (salvation) by a vision of sage Agastya. Towards the end of his life, Śveta attained Mokṣa by performing austere tapas. But since he failed to earn God’s grace by giving food to the hungry, even in Heaven, he was tormented by hunger and thirst. His hunger was so severe that he began eating his own flesh. At last as suggested by Brahmā he was born again on earth and after a visit to Agastya re-entered Heaven.

6) Śvetā (श्वेता).—A daughter of Dakṣa. Ten daughters were born to Dakṣa by his wife Krodhavaśā, including Śvetā. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇya Kāṇḍa, 14th Sarga).

7) Śveta (श्वेत).—A mountain in Uttarā Khaṇḍa. In Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 139, Verse 1, we find that the Pāṇḍavas crossed the Śveta mountain during their life in the forest.

8) Śveta (श्वेत).—A country situated on the northern side of the Nīla mountain. The region known as "Hiraṇyakam" is situated to the north of this country. (Mahābhārata Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 6, Verse 37).

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

Śveta (श्वेत) refers to one of the seven nether worlds (lower regions) according to the Nīlamatapurāṇa. The Nīlamata mentions the threefold division of the universe indicated by the expressions like Tribhuvana, Trailokya etc. Evidently, the earth is the middle part, above and below which, are the heavens and the nether worlds (e.g., Śveta). But as a matter of fact, the division seems to be twofold only, for the earth itself is regarded as the lowest of the seven upper regions.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Śveta (श्वेत).—(Varṣaparvata) a mountain range to the north of Ilāvṛta, and a boundary limit of Hiraṇmaya; residence of Daityas and Dānavas; centres round the Kumuda hill of Śālmalidvīpam; for Asuras.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 16. 8; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 1. 69; II. 15. 22 and 28; 17. 35; 20. 52; III. 7. 194; Matsya-purāṇa 113. 23, 84; 144. 57; Vāyu-purāṇa 1. 85; 42. 68; 45. 2; 46. 35. 49. 39; 50. 50.

1b) A chief Nāga of Pātāla;¹ with the sun in Āvaṇi and Puraṭṭāśi.²

1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 24. 31.
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 23. 10; Vāyu-purāṇa 52. 11.

1c) A son of Vapuṣmat after whom came the Śvetadeśa.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 32-3; Vāyu-purāṇa 33. 28; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 23, 29.

1d) A son of Devajanī and a Yakṣa.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 128.

1e) A son of Bṛhati.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 256; Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 247.

1f) A son of Vipracitta the dānava in the Tārakāmaya war.^*

* Matsya-purāṇa 173. 19; 177. 7.

1g) The form of a great seer which Śiva assumes at the end of the four Yugas of the Kalpa; (Vārāha) in the Chagala hillock of the Himālayas;¹ the avatār of the 23rd dvāpara in the Kalañjara hill.²

1) Vāyu-purāṇa 23. 115.
2) Ib. 23. 203-4.

1h) One of the four Vedic disciples of Śveta, an avatār of the Lord Śiva.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 23. 117.

1i) A son of Maṇivara.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 159.

1j) A ṛtvik at Brahmā's sacrifice.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 106. 36.

1k) A division of Jambūdvipa.^*

* Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 1. 21. 2. 11.

1l) A region of Śālmalidvīpa adjoining the Kumuda hill;¹ the kingdom of Hiraṇvān.²

1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 44.
2) Ib. II. 14. 50; 15. 34; 19. 44.

1m) A Parāśara clan; a dynasty of kings.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 95; 74. 268; Vāyu-purāṇa 70. 89; 73. 62.

1n) The sages who sprang out of the side of Kumāra (Deveśa) in the 29th Kalpa.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 22. 15.

1o) A Janapada of the Ketumālā.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 44. 11; 99. 455.

2a) Śvetā (श्वेता).—A daughter of Krodhavaśā (Krodhā, Vāyu-purāṇa) and wife of Pulaha; mother of Vānaras;¹ mother of four Diggajas.²

1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 172, 180-203; Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 205.
2) Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 214.

2b) A daughter of Bṛhati.^*

* Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 256; Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 247.

3) Sveta (स्वेत).—A varṣa round the Kumuda hill in Śālmalidvīpam.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 39.

Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (mahābhārata)

Śveta (श्वेत) is a son of King Virāṭa with his wife Surathā. On the first day of the battle of the Mahābhārata Śveta enters the battlefield. He faces first Śalya and then Bhīṣma. Śveta starts fighting with Śalya. When the Kaurava party notices that Śalya is almost in the jaws of death, Duryodhana advances with Bhīṣma, the great old man well versed in archery. The inscription might be mentioning the name of Bhīṣma, who, on entering the battlefield, before setting out to fight, offers his homage to Kṛṣṇa first. Śalya escapes from the war field. Bhīṣma comes to the spot. Then he advances in a chariot towards Śveta. But on seeing Śveta descending from the chariot Bhīṣma too gets down from his chariot. Then both the opponents are fighting on foot. “Śveta took up a sword and cut off Bhīṣma’s bow” (Mahābhārata, part III, VI, Bhīṣmaparva, adhyāya 48, 103).

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Śveta (श्वेत) is the name of an ancient who was saved from the clutches of Yama, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—On the question of Nārada as to why Maheśvara is called Kālakāla Brahmā narrates the legend of Śveta thus:—“In ancient times there was a sage named Śveta engaged in the worship of Śiva. The terrible Kāla, with fetter in his hands, came to take him. Seeing Kāla, out of fear that sage touched with his hands the śivaliṅga and meditated on Mahādeva. Yama smilingly told the sage that nobody has escaped from the clutch of Kāla. Śveta on the contrary told that those who worship Śiva are not afraid of Yama, and he is now engaged in the worship of Śiva, Yama is unable to take him. Being angry Yama caught him tightly with the fetters. Then Śiva appeared before them and told Yama to leave the sage. As Yama paid no heed to Śiva’s words the latter burnt Kāla in no time and released the sage and granted him the status of an eternal Gaṇa. As he burnt Kāla, therefore Śaṃbhu is called Kālakāla”.

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Shodhganga: A critical appreciation of soddhalas udayasundarikatha

Śveta (श्वेत).—Nīla, Śveta and Śṛṅgavān are three varṣaparvatas to the north of Jambūdvīpa and they divide the three continents namely Ramyaka, Hiraṇmaya and Uttarakurudeśa respectively.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Śveta (श्वेत, “white”) refers to one of the four primary colors, according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. It is also known by the name Sitā. According to the science of āhāryābhinaya (extraneous representation), there are four main colors (varṇa) from which various derivative and minor colors (upavarṇa) are derived. Colors are used in aṅgaracanā (painting the limbs), which forms a section of nepathya (costumes and make-up).

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, “Soma (the Moon), Bṛhaspati. Śakra (Indra) Varuṇa and the stars (tāraka, tārakagaṇa), the ocean (samudra), the Himalayas, and Gaṅgā (the Ganges) are to be made white in colour (śveta)”.

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).

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: archive.org: Illustrations of Indian Music and Dance in Western Indian Style

Śveta (श्वेत) refers to one of the forty-seven tānas (tone) used in Indian music.—The illustration of Śveta (as a deity) according to 15th-century Indian art is as follows.—The colour of his body is yellow. His face is similar to the face of a bull. A viṇā is held with both hands.

The illustrations (of, for example Śveta) are found scattered throughout ancient Jain manuscripts from Gujarat. The descriptions of these illustrations of this citrāvalī are based on the ślokas of Vācanācārya Gaṇi Sudhākalaśa’s Saṅgītopaniṣatsāroddhāra (14^th century) and Śārṅgadeva’s Saṅgītaratnākara (13^th century).

Source: Archaeological Survey of India: Śaiva monuments at Paṭṭadakal (śilpa)

Śveta (श्वेत) is depicted as a sculpture on the sixth pillar of the southern half of the maṇḍapa of the temple of Lokeśvara.—According to the Liṅgapurāṇa (vol. 1, chap. 30), Śveta was one of the best ascetics. He was engaged in performing the pūjā, cult of Śiva, reading the Rudrādhyāya etc. to please Śiva. In his right hand Śveta is holding a round thing when Yama has put his noose on his neck. Probably, it is the Liṅga he is holding to perform the pūjā. The Liṅgapurāṇa mentions that an effigy of a Liṅga is given to the disciple by the preceptor at the time of the initiation and the disciple should worship that Liṅga in a Śiva temple. In our opinion this idea is visible here. Śveta is worshipping the Liṅga which was given to him at the time of his initiation. Śiva with four arms is emanating from the main Liṅga.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

Śveta (श्वेत) or “white” refers to one of the five primary colours in the ancient Indian tradition of Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, colours have been classified in two categories (viz., primary/natural and mixed/artificial). Five colours are regarded as the primary ones, (viz., Śveta or “white”). A painter can create hundreds or thousands of colours by amalgamating the primary ones.

context information

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.

Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Source: Journal of the University of Bombay Volume V: Apabhramsa metres (2)

Śvetā (श्वेता) is the name of a antarasama-catuṣpadi metre (also known as Ardhasama), as discussed in books such as the Chandonuśāsana, Kavidarpaṇa, Vṛttajātisamuccaya and Svayambhūchandas.—Śvetā is made up of 12 (4, 5, [IS]) and 14 (4, 4, [ISI]. [S]) mātrās in their odd and even lines respectively.

context information

Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

1) Śveta (श्वेत) refers to a “white-colored sun”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If, when the rays are turned away from the earth the colour of the sun be that of copper the commander-in-chief [i.e., senāpati] dies; if it be green or yellow the king’s son dies; if it be white [i.e., śveta] the royal chaplain dies. If the sun (āditya) be variegated in colour or of the colour of smoke there will be either immediate rain or mankind will suffer from robbers and from weapons”.

2) Śveta (श्वेत) or Śvetaketu refers to a particular type of Ketus (i.e., luminous bodies such as comets and meteors), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11).— Accordingly, “Śveta Ketu is a comet which appears in the east about midnight with its tail pointing to the south. Ka Ketu is a comet of the shape of a carriage pole and appears in the west. Both the above Ketus are seen simultaneously for 7 days. If both should appear glossy, there will be prosperity and happiness in the land; if the Ka Ketu should be visible for over 7 days, there will be much suffering from wars for ten years”.

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.

Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

1) Śveta (श्वेत) represents the number 1 (one) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 1—śveta] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

2) Śveta (श्वेत) or Śvetaka refers to the “color white” which were used as symbols for the unknowns, according to the principles of Bījagaṇita (“algebra” or ‘science of calculation’), according to Gaṇita-śāstra, ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.—Āryabhaṭa I (499) very probably used coloured shots to represent unknowns. Brahmagupta (628) in the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta mentions varṇa as the symbols of unknowns. As he has not attempted in any way to explain this method of symbolism, it appears that the method was already very familiar. [...] In the case of more unknowns, it is usual to denote the first yāvattāvat and the remaining ones by alphabets or colours [e.g., śveta].—Cf. Pṛthūdakasvāmī (860) in his commentary on the Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta by Brahmagupta (628) and Bhāskara II in the Bījagaṇita.

context information

Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Śveta (श्वेत) refers to one of the hundred types of Temples (in ancient Indian architecture), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—It is quite difficult to say about a definite number of varieties of Hindu temples but in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa hundred varieties of temples have been enumerated. For example, Śveta. These temples are classified according to the particular shape, amount of storeys and other common elements, such as the number of pavilions, doors and roofs.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Sveta (स्‍वेत): A son of King Virata who fell in battle to Bhishma's arrow.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

1) Śvetā (श्वेता) 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 Śvetā).

2a) Śveta (श्वेत) is the name of a Nāga mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.

2b) Śveta (श्वेत) also refers to one of the various Grahas and Mahāgrahas mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Śveta (श्वेत) refers to the “white color”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, “[...] [The Causal Vajra-holder] is white in color, [has] four faces, [has] three eyes [on each], [has] twelve arms, is devoted to the yoga of union with wisdom (his female consort), and is adorned with youthful ornaments. [His four faces are], counterclockwise, white (śveta), green, red, and yellow [in color, respectively] [śvetaharitaraktañca pītāvarteṣu vāmatah]. [He has] twisted locks of hair and has a crossed vajra and a crescent moon on the face (head). [...]”.

context information

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.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Śveta (श्वेत) or Śvetahastin refers to a “white elephant”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 22, v2).—Accordingly, “In all his births, the Bodhisattva is born apparitionally.—(a) According to some, the Bodhisattva mounted on a white elephant (śveta-hastin-abhirūḍha), surrounded, venerated, respected, esteemed and served by innumerable Tuṣita gods, penetrated along with them into the belly of his mother.—(b) According to others, the Bodhisattva’s mother, possessing the concentration like a magic show caused her belly to expand inordinately; all the Bodhisattvas of the trisāhasramahāsāhasradlokadhātu, the Devas, Nāgas and Asuras were able to enter into it and come out. In this belly there is a palace and a platform. The deities set a bed there, hung banners, spread it with flowers and burned incense; all this was the result of the meritorious actions of the Bodhisattva. Next the Bodhisattva comes down and takes his place there and, by the power of his concentration, enters into the womb while staying as previously in the heaven of the Tuṣita gods”.

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Śveta (श्वेत) and Mahāśveta are the two Indras of the Kūṣmāṇḍa class Vyantaras living in the first 100 yojanas of the Ratnaprabhā-earth in the “lower world” (adhaloka), according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly: “[...] In the first 100 yojanas of Ratnaprabhā, with the exception of 10 above and 10 below, i.e., in 80 yojanas, there are 8 classes of Vyantaras: [viz., the Kūṣmāṇḍas, ...] The two Indras in these classes are respectively: [viz., Śveta and Mahāśveta;...]”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

1) Shveta in India is the name of a plant defined with Aconitum heterophyllum in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Aconitum heterophyllum Wall..

2) Shveta is also identified with Bergenia ciliata It has the synonym Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (etc.).

3) Shveta is also identified with Bergenia pacumbis It has the synonym Saxifraga ligulata var. minor Wallich ex DC. (etc.).

4) Shveta is also identified with Calotropis procera It has the synonym Asclepias gigantea Willd. (etc.).

5) Shveta is also identified with Clitoria ternatea It has the synonym Lathyrus spectabilis Forssk. (etc.).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Mémoires de la Société Linnéenne de Paris (1826)
· Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien (1890)
· Hort. Calcuttensis (1845)
· The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. (1985)
· Contributions to the Botany of India (1834)
· Fitoterapia (1994)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Shveta, for example health benefits, diet and recipes, extract dosage, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, side effects, have a look at these references.

context information

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

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

śvēta (श्वेत).—a (S) White. śvētakṛṣṇa hōṇēṃ (To become white and black.) To die.

--- OR ---

śvēta (श्वेत).—m (Corr. from sētu S) A bridge.

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

Śveta (श्वेत).—a. (-śvetā or -śvetī f.) [श्वित्-अच् घञ् वा (śvit-ac ghañ vā)] White; ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ (tataḥ śvetairhayairyukte mahati syandane sthitau) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.14.

-taḥ 1 The white colour.

2) A conch-shell.

3) A cowrie.

4) The planet Venus.

5) Śukra, the regent of the planet; न शेकुः पाण्डवा द्रष्टुं श्वेतं ग्रहमिवोदितम् (na śekuḥ pāṇḍavā draṣṭuṃ śvetaṃ grahamivoditam) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 6.82.12.

6) A white cloud.

7) Cumin seed.

8) Name of a range of mountains; शृङ्गैः श्वेतमिव स्थितम् (śṛṅgaiḥ śvetamiva sthitam) Bhāgavata 1.39.45. (according to some com. kailāsa); see कुलाचल (kulācala) or कुलपर्वत (kulaparvata).

9) Name of a division of the world.

1) A white goat; वायव्यं श्वेतमालभेत (vāyavyaṃ śvetamālabheta) | cf. तस्मात् प्रत्यक्षोऽपि श्वेतशब्दश्छागमेव परिच्छिन्द्यान्नान्यं पशुम् इति (tasmāt pratyakṣo'pi śvetaśabdaśchāgameva paricchindyānnānyaṃ paśum iti) ŚB. on MS.1.2.68.

11) A white horse.

12) A silver coin.

13) A comet; श्वेतो ग्रहस्तिर्यगिवापतन् खे (śveto grahastiryagivāpatan khe) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 5.37.43.

-tam 1 Silver.

2) The white of the eye.

3) Butter-milk and water mixed half and half.

--- OR ---

Śvetā (श्वेता).—

1) A cowrie.

2) Hog-weed.

3) White Dūrvā grass.

4) A crystal.

5) Candied sugar.

6) Bamboomanna.

7) Name of various plants.

8) Name of one of the tongues of fire.

9) Alum.

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

Śveta (श्वेत).—name of a Pratyekabuddha: (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 64.13.

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

Śveta (श्वेत).—mfn.

(-taḥ-tā or nī-taṃ) White. m.

(-taḥ) 1. White, (the colour.) 2. The planet Venus, or its regent Sukra. 3. The sixth range of mountains, dividing the known continent, the white mountains separating the Varshas of Hiranmaya and Romanaka. 4. One of the minor Dwipas or divisions of the world; in fable the White Island, identified geographically by Wilford, with Britain. 5. A white cloud. 6. Cummin-seed. 7. A conch. mf.

(-taḥ-tā) A small white shell used as a coin, a Cowrie. n.

(-taṃ) Silver. f.

(-tā) 1. A grass, (Andropogon aciculatum.) 2. A plant, Kasht'ha-Patala. 3. A flower, (Clitoria ternatea.) 4. Hogweed. 5. Bent grass with white blossoms. 6. Bamboo-manna. 7. Crystal. 8. Clayed or candied sugar. 9. A cowrie. E. śvit to be white, aff. ac or ghañ .

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

Śveta (श्वेत).— (i. e. śvit + a, or from śvi in śvit, śvind), I. adj., f. tā and nī, White, [Pañcatantra] 60, 24; wearing a white dress, [Pañcatantra] iii. [distich] 73. Ii. m., and f. tā, A small white shell used as a coin. Iii. m. 1. White (the colour). 2. A white cloud. 3. The planet venus. 4. A fabulous range of mountains. 5. One of the Dvīpas, or divisions of the world. 6. A conch. 7. Cumin seed. Iv. f. tā. 1. Crystal. 2. Candied sugar. 3. The name of several plants. V. n. Silver.

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

Śveta (श्वेत).—[adjective] white, bright. [masculine] white horse, [Name] of a serpent-demon etc.

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

1) Śveta (श्वेत):—[from śvit] mf(ā or śvenī)n. white, dressed, in white, bright (with parvata m. ‘snow-mountain’ [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]; with kaṭākṣa m. ‘a bright side-glance’ [Saṃgīta-sārasaṃgraha]), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

2) [v.s. ...] m. white (the colour), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] a white horse, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] a small white shell, cowry, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) [v.s. ...] a silver coin, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] a white cloud, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] the planet Venus or its regent Śukra, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

8) [v.s. ...] a [particular] comet (cf. -ketu), [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

9) [v.s. ...] a [particular] plant (= jīvaka), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

10) [v.s. ...] cumin seed, [Horace H. Wilson]

11) [v.s. ...] Name of a serpent-demon (with vaidārva or vaidārvya or vaidarvya; others give śvaita-vaidārava as signifying ‘a [particular] deity connected with the sun’), [Gṛhya-sūtra; Purāṇa]

12) [v.s. ...] Name of one of Skanda’s attendants, [Mahābhārata]

13) [v.s. ...] of a Daitya (son of Vipra-citti), [Harivaṃśa]

14) [v.s. ...] of a Muni, [Mahābhārata; Kathāsaritsāgara]

15) [v.s. ...] of a [particular] Avatāra of Śiva, [Catalogue(s)]

16) [v.s. ...] of a pupil of Śiva, [Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 122 n. 3]

17) [v.s. ...] of a manifestation of Viṣṇu in his Varāha incarnation (worshipped in a [particular] part of India), [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]

18) [v.s. ...] of a Rājarṣi, [Mahābhārata]

19) [v.s. ...] of a son of the king Sudeva, [Rāmāyaṇa]

20) [v.s. ...] of a general, [Mahābhārata]

21) [v.s. ...] of a son of Vapuṣmat, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]

22) [v.s. ...] of a preceptor, [Catalogue(s)]

23) [v.s. ...] of a mythical elephant, [Mahābhārata]

24) [v.s. ...] of the sixth range of mountains dividing the known continent (the white or ‘snowy’ mountains separating the Varṣas of Hiraṇmaya and Ramyaka), [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa] ([Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 420 n. 1])

25) [v.s. ...] of one of the minor Dvīpas or divisions of the world (cf. -dvīpa), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]

26) Śvetā (श्वेता):—[from śveta > śvit] f. one of the seven tongues of Fire, [Gṛhyāsaṃgraha]

27) [v.s. ...] a small white shell, cowry, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

28) [v.s. ...] Name of various plants ([according to] to [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] the birch tree, a white bignonia, Boerhavia Procumbens, Achyranthes Atropurpurea etc.), [Suśruta; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

29) [v.s. ...] crystal, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

30) [v.s. ...] alum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

31) [v.s. ...] white or candied sugar, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

32) [v.s. ...] bamboo-manna, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

33) [v.s. ...] a mystical term for the letter s, [Upaniṣad]

34) [v.s. ...] Name of one of the Mātṛs attendant on Skanda, [Mahābhārata]

35) [v.s. ...] of the mother of the elephant Śveta (or Śaṅkha), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]

36) [v.s. ...] of a princess, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]

37) Śveta (श्वेत):—[from śvit] n. the white of the eye, [Suśruta]

38) [v.s. ...] the growing white (of the hair), [Chāndogya-upaniṣad]

39) [v.s. ...] silver, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

40) [v.s. ...] butter-milk and water mixed half and half, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Śveta (श्वेत):—(taḥ) 1. m. White colour; Venus; white mountain, island, or cloud; cummin seed; conch. 1. m. f. A cowrie. 1. f. Name of several plants; crystal; candied sugar. n. Silver. a. White.

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

Śveta (श्वेत) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Sea.

[Sanskrit to German]

Shveta 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Śveta (श्वेत) [Also spelled swet]:—(a) white; bright; blemishless; spotless; fair-complexioned; ~[kuṣṭha] lenconderma; —[keśa] grey hair; —[patra] a white paper; ~[pradara] leucorrhoea.

context information

...

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Śvēta (ಶ್ವೇತ):—[adjective] of the colour of pure snow; white.

--- OR ---

Śvēta (ಶ್ವೇತ):—

1) [noun] the colour of pure snow; white colour.

2) [noun] silver.

3) [noun] Kailāsa, the snow-clad mountain.

4) [noun] Vaikuṇṭha, the abode of Viṣṇu.

5) [noun] the tree Butea bojapatra of Papilionaceae family, the smooth bark of which can easily be peeled off in thin sheets; a birch tree.

6) [noun] the tree Boerhaavia diffusa ( = b. procumbens, = B. repens) of Nyctaginaceae family; hog weed.

7) [noun] the plant Achyranthes atropurpurea.

8) [noun] a white horse.

9) [noun] ಶ್ವೇತಕೃಷ್ಣಕಾರಕ [shvetakrishnakaraka] svēta Křṣṇa kāraka (fig.) a man who habitually cheats; a cheat.

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 90 books and stories containing Shveta, Śvetā, Sveta, Śveta, Śvēta, Svēta; (plurals include: Shvetas, Śvetās, Svetas, Śvetas, Śvētas, Svētas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rig Veda 9.74.7 < [Sukta 74]

Rig Veda 7.77.3 < [Sukta 77]

Rig Veda 7.90.3 < [Sukta 90]

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Verse 2.97 < [Book 2 - Vākya-kāṇḍa]

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Verse 2.108 < [Book 2 - Vākya-kāṇḍa]

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Verse 1.13.17 < [Chapter 13 - The Liberation of Pūtanā]

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Verse 4.8.43 < [Chapter 8 - In the Story of the Yajña-sītās, the Glories of Ekādaśī]

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