Adhama: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Adhama means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Adham.
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Adhama (अधम) refers to a “poor” [?] (condition of the world), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 9), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If Venus (śukra) should either disappear or reappear in a northern Vīthi there will be prosperity and happiness in the land; if in a central Vīthi there will not be much of either; and if in a southern Vīthi mankind will be afflicted with miseries. If Venus should disappear or reappear in the several Vīthis beginning from the northernmost one, the condition of the world will respectively be—1. Very excellent, 2. Excellent, 3. Good. 4. Fair, 5. Moderate, 6. Tolerable, 7. Poor [i.e., adhama], 8. Very poor, 9. Miserable”.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
1) Adhama (अधम) refers to a “base person”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.28 (“Description of the fraudulent words of the Brahmacārin”).—Accordingly, as Pārvatī said to her maid: “This base Brahmin (dvija-adhama) must be prevented strenuously. He is inclined to say something again. He will surely censure Śiva. Not only does he who disparages Śiva incur sin but also he who hears the same. A person who disparages Śiva is definitely worthy of being killed by Śiva’s attendants. If it is a brahmin he must be dismissed or the hearer shall go away from that place immediately. [...]”.
2) Adhamā (अधमा) (or Atinikṛṣṭikā) refers to the “very inferior” division of chaste ladies, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.54 (“Description of the duties of the chaste wife”).—Accordingly, as a Brahmin lady said to Pārvatī: “[...] O gentle lady, the chaste ladies can be divided into four classes. Even when they are remembered they dispel sins. The divisions comprise of the superior etc. They are superior, middling, inferior and very inferior (atinikṛṣṭikā). I shall explain their characteristics. Listen with attention. [...] She who remains chaste for fear of her husband or the family is very inferior (adhamā) among the chaste ladies, so say the ancient poets. [...]”.
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.
Shaktism
Adhama (अधम) refers to “vile persons”, according to the 17th century Kaulagajamardana (“crushing the Kaula elephant”) authored by Kāśīnātha or Kṛṣṇānandācala.—Accordingly, [as Īśvara said to Pārvatī]: “Listen, O Pārvatī, I shall give a critique of the Pāṣaṇḍas. Knowing this, a wise man is not defeated by them. [...] He who wears ash from the cremation ground and delights in wine and flesh; he who performs such [rites] as bathing and the junctures for [mere] worldly rewards; and he who is the vilest (adhama) [of them all,] having become a hater of Viṣṇu, destroys everything; [all of them] are called Pāṣaṇḍas. [Now,] my dear, hear about the Kāpālika. [...]”
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.
Shyanika-shastra (the science of Hawking and Hunting)
Adhama (अधम) refers to the “worst (kind of Hawk)”, according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the yellow-eyed division of hawks]: “There are four kinds of Vāsa. [...] The Vesaras are of three kinds. [...] The stout kind is the worst (adhama); it is named Māṇika. The medium class is called Cūlikāṅka. The best class is like the Vāsā [i.e., Vāsāpratima] both in the thickness of its plumage and in its courage”.
Shyanika-shastra (श्यैनिकशास्त्र, śyainikaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian skill of hawking/falconry (one of the ways of hunting) which were laid down in a systematic manner in various Sanskrit treatises. It also explains the philosophy behind how the pleasures derived from sense-experience could lead the way to liberation.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Adhama (अधम) refers to “less elaborate methods (of bathing the idol)”, as discussed in the nineteenth chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā, an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the annual festivals of temples and regular temple worship routines.—Description of the chapter [snapana-vidhi]: [...] Descriptions of the vessels are given (10-18), as well as of their decorations (19-35), contents (36-66a) and their arrangements into groups of 1000, 500 or 250 (66b-117a). Also some instructions for less elaborate methods [adhama-snapana] are given (117-122). The chapter ends (123-124) with a listing of rewards for him who undertakes to endow a snapana-service: [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
1) Adhama (अधम) refers to the “poorest” (class of elephants), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 6, “on determination of measurements”]: “4. Cows of the best, middling, and poorest (adhama) types (i.e., the ‘state,’ ‘slow,’ and ‘deer’ castes) [mukhyamadhyādhamā vaśāḥ ] are respectively six, five, and four (hastas) high, eight, seven, and six long, and nine, eight, and seven in girth”.
2) Adhama (अधम) refers to the “poorest” (type of elephant-guard).—[Cf. chapter 12, “On the qualities of elephant drivers, etc.”]: “3. An elephant driver may be of three sorts: ‘coming-up-to-the-scratch,’ ingenious, and powerful. Among these the first acts simply according to the qualities of his elephant; the middling one, according to those of himself and the elephant both; the poorest depends upon his own wit, strength, and powers alone. Thus elephant guards are to be conceived as best, middling and poorest (adhama). Among these the last is to be avoided. [kalpyāścottamamadhyamādhamatayā varjyo'tra teṣvantimaḥ]”.
3) Adhama (अधम) refers to the “worst periods” (of en elephants’ life).—[Cf. chapter 11, “On the keeping of elephants and their daily and seasonal regimen”]: “13. In the morning there shall be (administered) sesame oil with grass, half an āḍhaka (ca. 1½ pints) in measure (for an elephant) in the best stage (prime) of life (pravara); in middling periods of life (madhya) one-quarter less than that; in the worst periods (adhama) one-third less than that is prescribed. This is effective for strength, must, and swiftness, and cures illness”.
4) Adhama (अधम) refers to the “worst way” (of sitting in front of an elephant’s hump).—[Cf. chapter 12, “On the qualities of elephant drivers, etc.”]: “14. Between the backbone and the neck there is a hump; there are three ways of sitting in front of it, arranged in order as best (mukhya), middling (madhya), and worst (adhama). [kramāt trīṇyāsanāni syurmukhyamadhyādhamāni hi] 15. One foot is stretched out; another has the knee bent; and one method of sitting, the last (of the three), is to be recognized by the wise as kneeling (literally, ‘relating to the knees’)”.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Adhama (अधम) is the name of a Rāśi (zodiac sign) 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 Adhama).
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Adhama (अधम) refers to the “lowest” (modes of existence), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Alas! Having joined with the lowest and highest modes [of existence] (adhama-uttama-paryāya) in the period of [a life] time, this cycle of rebirth deceives the multitude of sentient beings. A god becomes [filled] with lamenting, a dog ascends to heaven, a Brāhman might become discernible in substance [as a dog] or an insect or even a low outcaste”.
Synonyms: Jaghanya.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
adhama : (adj.) mean; low; ignoble.
Adhama, (adj.) (Vedic adhama = Lat. infimus, superl. of adho, q. v.) the lowest (lit. & fig.), the vilest, worst Sn.246 (narâdhama), 135 (vasalâdhama); Dh.78 (purisa°); J.III, 151 (miga°); V, 394 (uttamâdhama), 437 (id.), 397; Sdhp.387. (Page 27)
adhama (အဓမ) [(ti) (တိ)]—
[adho+ma. adhobhāgejāto adhamo,ossattaṃ. ,ṭī.699. adho+tama-mha adhama-lāhu kraṃkra. adhara-.]
[အဓော+မ။ အဓောဘာဂေဇာတော အဓမော၊ ဩဿတ္တံ။ ဓာန်၊ဋီ။၆၉၉။ အဓော+တမ-မှ အဓမ-ဖြစ်လာသည်ဟု လည်းကြံကြသည်။ အဓရ-လည်းကြည့်။]
[Pali to Burmese]
adhama—
(Burmese text): အောက်ကျသော၊ ယုတ်ညံ့သော။ ဥတ္တမာဓမ၊ နရာဓမ၊ ပုရိသာဓမ၊ မိဂါဓမ၊ ဝသလာဓမ-တို့လည်းကြည့်။
(Auto-Translation): Below, there are crooked and nasty things. Look at the laws of Utta, Nara, Puri, Miga, and Wathala.
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.
Marathi-English dictionary
adhama (अधम).—a (S) Inferior or low. 2 fig. Mean, base, vile, bad.
adhama (अधम).—a Low; fig. vile, mean, base.
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
Adhama (अधम).—a. 'one who does not blow.' cf. अधमः कुत्सिते न्यूने अधःस्थाध्मानयोरपि (adhamaḥ kutsite nyūne adhaḥsthādhmānayorapi) Nm.
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Adhama (अधम).—a. [av-ama; avateḥ amaḥ, vasya pakṣe dhaḥ Uṇādi-sūtra 5.54.] The lowest, vilest, meanest; very bad, or low, or vile (in quality, worth, position &c.) (opp. uttama); अधम- मध्यमोत्तमाः (adhama- madhyamottamāḥ) or उत्तमाधममध्यमाः (uttamādhamamadhyamāḥ) &c.; शस्त्रावपाते गर्भस्य पातने- चोत्तमो दमः । उत्तमो वाधमो वापि पुरुषस्त्रीप्रमापणे (śastrāvapāte garbhasya pātane- cottamo damaḥ | uttamo vādhamo vāpi puruṣastrīpramāpaṇe) || Y.2.277. oft. at the end of comp.; नर°, द्विज° (nara°, dvija°); चाण्डालश्चाधमो नृणाम् (cāṇḍālaścādhamo nṛṇām) Manusmṛti 1.12 lowest in position; अधम° (adhama°) the vilest of the vile, the meanest wretch.
-maḥ 1 An unblushing sensualist (bhayadayālajjāśūnyaḥ kāmakrīḍāviṣaye kartavyākartavyāvicārakaḥ Śabda K.); वापीं स्नातुमितो गतासि न पुनस्तस्याधमस्यान्तिकम् (vāpīṃ snātumito gatāsi na punastasyādhamasyāntikam) K. P.1.
2) A sort of योग (yoga) or conjunction of planets (nṛṇāṃ vittajñānādiṣu adhamatvasūcakaḥ ravicandrayoḥ sthitiviśeṣarūpo yogabhedaḥ Tv.)
-mā A bad mistress (hitakāripriyatame'hitakā- riṇī). [cf. L. infimus].
Adhama (अधम).—mfn.
(-maḥ-mā-maṃ) 1. Inferior, low. 2. Vile, despicable. E. ava to preserve, ama Unadi affix, and va changed to dha.
Adhama (अधम).— (an old superlative, akin to adhas), adj., f. mā. Extremely low, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 65. In Karmadhāraya compounds it is generally the latter part: e. g. Dvija-, m. the meanest of twice-born men, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 140; Nara-, m. the lowest of mortals, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 10, 26; Pāpa-, m. the lowest of the wicked; Pārthiva-, m. the meanest of kings; Puruṣa-, m. the vilest of men; Śaśaka-, m. the vilest of hares.
— Cf. [Latin] infimus.
Adhama (अधम).—[adjective] undermost, lowest, worst of (—°).
1) Adhama (अधम):—mfn. (See adhara), lowest, vilest, worst, very low or vile or bad (often ifc., as in narādhama, the vilest or worst of men)
2) m. an unblushing paramour
3) Adhamā (अधमा):—[from adhama] f. a low or bad mistress
4) Adhama (अधम):—cf. [Latin] infimus.
Adhama (अधम):—I. m. f. n.
(-maḥ-mā-mam) 1) Very low or inferior in place or degree.
2) Vile, despicable. (In the vituperative sense it stands often as the latter part of a [tatpurusha compound] compound; f. i. pāpādhama, narādhama.) Ii. m.
(-maḥ) (In rhetoric, according to some.) A paramour of a low description, one without fear, pity or shame &c. Iii. f.
(-mā) (In rhetoric, according to some.) A mistress of a low description, one ungrateful, whimsical, acting unkindly towards her lover &c. E. av, uṇ. aff. ama, with v changed to dha; or according to others a [tatpurusha compound] composed of a neg. and dhama (from dhmā); but a preferable etym. is that from adhas, taddh. aff. ma, with elision of s; or better from adh (the thematic form common to adhama, adhara, adhas, adhastāt), aff. ama.
Adhama (अधम):—[(ma-mā-maṃ) a.] Inferior.
Adhama (अधम):—[Kāśikīvṛtti] zu [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 4, 3, 8.] adhama [Die Uṇādi-Affixe 5, 54.]
1) adj. f. ā der unterste (Gegens. uttama) [Amarakoṣa 3, 4, 204.] udutta.aṃ varuṇa.pāśama.madavādha.aṃ vi madhya.aṃ śrathāya [Ṛgveda 1, 24, 15. 25, 21. 7, 104, 16.] u. s. w. a.ha.ā tamāṃsi [Atharvavedasaṃhitā 9, 2, 4. 13, 1, 32.] Uebertr. der niedrigste, geringste, der Ordnung, der Qualität, dem Werthe, dem Ansehen, der Gesinnung nach, an Macht u. s. w. [Amarakoṣa 3, 2, 3. 4, 146. 161.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 3, 1, 21.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1441.] [Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 461] (l. garhya st. garha). [Medinīkoṣa Manu’s Gesetzbuch 39.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 3, 21. 34. 4, 244.] Gegens. uttama [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 6, 65. 12, 3.] [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 1, 365.] [Mitākṣarā 267, 20.] [Rāmāyaṇa 5, 77, 7.] [Pañcatantra I, 242.] Gegens. agrya [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 12, 41.] adhiguṇa [Meghadūta 6.] brahmabandhurdvijo dhamaḥ [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 855.] caṇḍālaścādhamo nṛṇām [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 10, 12. 16.] adhamo jātyā 96. adhamayonijā [9, 23.] tasmāddeyo vipulamatibhirnāvakāśo dhamānām [Pañcatantra I, 410.] adhama (voc.) [Duaupadīpramātha 5, 20.] adhamādhama der allerniedrigste [Pañcatantra I, 442.] Häufig am Ende von Zusammensetzungen: narādhama der niedrigste unter den Menschen [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 10, 26. 12, 52.] [Duaupadīpramātha 9, 7.] dvijādhama [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 3, 140. 167.] pravrājakādhama [Geschichte des Vidūṣaka 133.] Mit comparativer Bedeutung: samottamādhamai (von Gleichen, von Stärkern oder von Schwächern) rājā tvāhūtaḥ [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 7, 87.] mukhyaḥ syātprathamaḥ kalpo nukalpastu tato dhamaḥ [Amarakoṣa 2, 7, 39.] —
2) m. eine besondere Art Nebenmann (Cicisbeo): upapatibhedaḥ . tasya lakṣaṇaṃ bhayadayālajjāśūnyatvam . kāmakrīḍāviṣaye kartavyākartavyāvicārakatvaṃ ca . iti rasamañjarī . [Śabdakalpadruma] —
3) f. mā eine besondere Art Heroine: svīyādyantargatanāyikābhedaḥ . asyā lakṣaṇaṃ hitakāripriyatame hitakāritvam . asyāḥ kriyā adhamā . asyā niṣkāraṇakopatvāccaṇḍīti nāma . iti rasamañjarī . [Śabdakalpadruma]; vgl. [BHARATA] beim Sch. zu [Śākuntala 9, 6.] — In etymologischem Zusammenhange mit adhara und adhas .
Adhama (अधम):——
1) Adj. (f. ā) — a) der unterste. — b) der niedrigste , am Tiefsten stehende , geringste [104,31.161,16.163,11.] (auch in der 1ten Bed.) [13.] pannagādhama der niedrigste unter [46,9.] kurukulādhama [59,14.] adhamaḥpadīṣṭa sinke auf die tiefste Stufe. viṣvasmāt niedriger als Alles. samottamādhamāḥ Gleiche , Stärkere , Schwächere. —
2) m. eine Art Nebenmann. prabhava Adj. ( putra) [Sārāvali] bei [UTPALA] im Eingange zu [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka 23(21).] —
3) f. ā eine best. Heroine.
Adhama (अधम) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ahama.
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
Adhama (अधम) [Also spelled adham]:—(a) mean, base, vile; hence ~[tā] (nf).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Adhama (ಅಧಮ):—
1) [adjective] being at a lower level; inferior; placed at bottom.
2) [adjective] of inferior quality; mean; lacking social or moral values.
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Adhama (ಅಧಮ):—
1) [noun] a man of inferior quality; a man lacking basic values; a rascal; rogue; wretch.
2) [noun] an impudent and lustful man; a lecher.
3) [noun] (astrol.) a combination of planets foreboding an impending evil or calamity.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
1) Adhama (अधम):—n. 1. a base person; villain; 2. a term of abuse;
2) Adhama (अधम):—adj. 1. mean; low; wretched; base; vile; 2. inferior; lowly, wretched;
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 (+0): Adho, Ato, Ma.
Starts with (+12): Adhamabhrita, Adhamabhritaka, Adhamabisige, Adhamacara, Adhamaceshta, Adhamadashatala, Adhamadham, Adhamadhama, Adhamadhi, Adhamadvija, Adhamajana, Adhamamadhyama, Adhamanga, Adhamanna, Adhamaparyaya, Adhamapurusha, Adhamardha, Adhamardhya, Adhamarna, Adhamarnika.
Full-text (+89): Adhamarna, Naradhama, Adhamarnika, Adhamanga, Atamam, Adhamanna, Adhamabhritaka, Adhamardha, Vyadhama, Purushadhama, Adhamadhama, Adhamardhya, Adhamashakha, Adhamabhrita, Uttamadhama, Adhamacara, Suradhama, Vasaladhama, Kapurisadhama, Papadhama.
Relevant text
Search found 98 books and stories containing Adhama, Adhamā, Adho-ma; (plurals include: Adhamas, Adhamās, mas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
Verse 29.95 < [Anuccheda 29]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 4.8.20 < [Chapter 8 - In the Story of the Yajña-sītās, the Glories of Ekādaśī]
Verse 1.11.62 < [Chapter 11 - Description of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra’s Birth]
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 16.20 < [Chapter 16 - Daivāsura-sampada-yoga]
Verse 7.15 < [Chapter 7 - Vijñāna-Yoga (Yoga through Realization of Transcendental Knowledge)]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 449 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 1]
Page 246 < [Hindi-Marathi-English Volume 2]
Page 392 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 3]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
4. Technicalities (a): Mānāṅgula Measurements < [Chapter 2 - Author and his Works]
4. Prākāra components (5): Measure of the Uttara (architrave) < [Chapter 3 - Prākāra Lakṣaṇa]
4.1. Bhūparīkṣā (selection of the plot) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]