Abhishtatama, Abhīṣṭatama, Abhishta-tama: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Abhishtatama 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 Abhīṣṭatama can be transliterated into English as Abhistatama or Abhishtatama, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Abhishtatama in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Abhīṣṭatama (अभीष्टतम) refers to “being a favourite”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.28 (“Description of the fraudulent words of the Brahmacārin”).—Accordingly, as Pārvatī said to Śiva (in guise of a Brahmacārin): “[...]  O wicked one, you profess knowledge of Śiva. But you should know that the eternal Śiva is not known at all. Whatever may be the form or feature of Śiva, He is multiformed. Still He is my favourite (abhīṣṭatama). He is without aberration and beloved of the good. [...]”.

Purana book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Abhishtatama in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Abhīṣṭatama (अभीष्टतम):—[=abhīṣṭa-tama] [from abhīṣṭa > abhīṣ] mfn. (superl.) dearest, [Pañcatantra]

2) [v.s. ...] m. a dearest lover, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

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.

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