Adhivasa, Adhivāsa, Adhīvāsa: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Adhivasa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, 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 Adhivash.
In Hinduism
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstraAdhivāsa (अधिवास) refers to the “the teacher’s abobe”, as in, living in the house of the teacher. Also see vivāsa (solitude). It is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti and the Baudhāyana-dharmasūtra.

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationAdhivāsa (अधिवास) refers to the “offering of fragrance” and is mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.20 while explaining the mode of worshipping an earthen phallic image (pārthiva-liṅga) according to the Vedic rites:—“[...] with the mantra ‘Yāmiṣum’ etc. the Nyāsa (ritualistic touching of the body in various parts) shall be performed. The offering of fragrance (adhivāsa) shall be performed endearingly with the mantra ‘Adhyavocat’ etc.”.

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 (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Tantra Literature of Kerala- Special Reference to MātṛsadbhāvaAdhivāsa (अधिवास) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the Mātṛsadbhāva, one of the earliest Śākta Tantras from Kerala.—Mātṛsadbhāva is a Kerala Tantric ritual manual dealing with the worship of Goddess Bhadrakālī (also known as Rurujit) along with sapta-mātṛs or Seven mothers. The text is believed to be the first Śākta worship text from Kerala. The text is a summary of Southern Brahmayāmala texts and it systematizes and organizes the Yāmala cult of mothers in twenty-eight chapters. The text includes the topics such as [e.g., adhivāsa, ...] The Mātṛsadbhāva was written based on the South Indian version of Brahmayālatantra. [...]

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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Adhivāsa (अधिवास) refers to “sanctification rituals” (designed for unlearned yet devout persons), as discussed in the eighteenth chapter of the Paramasaṃhitā: one of the older texts of the Pāñcarātra canon consisting of over 2100 verses in 31 chapters which, being encyclopedic in scope, deals with philosophy, worship routines, mantras, initiation, social behavior, temple-building, etc.
Description of the chapter [adhivāsa]: Continuing on the subject of rich and busy men, but now focusing on those who are unlearned (as opposed to the “wise” of the preceding chapter) yet nonetheless devout, Parama outlines how they can achieve highest benefits. It turns out that they can win inestimable rewards if they underwrite the financing necessary to build a temple (1-10). [...] Having finished the [temple] construction, a priest should assist in the sanctification procedures of the icon to be worshipped in the temple—beginning with adhivāsa-rites, and continuing through jalādhivāsa-ceremonies, netronmīlana-rituals, mantranyāsa-invocations and ending with fire oblations and rewards to participant priests (28-75).
2) Adhivāsa (अधिवास) or Adhivāsadīkṣā refers to certain “initiation ceremonies”, as discussed in chapter 18 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [adhivāsa-dīkṣā]: Saṃkarṣaṇa says he now wants to know how three-fold dīkṣā-initiation ceremonies proceed for those who are Brahmins, as well as for those who are free from sin, and also for those who have faith (2-3). Bhagavān begins by telling him that the place selected for the important adhivāsa-rites must be carefully chosen, purified, levelled, etc. (4-13). A maṇḍapa-pavilion is to be erected there according to certain specifications, and in it a pīṭha is to be provided. On top of that, a smaller pedestal is to be made for placement of naivedya-offerings. A closed, securable place should also be made ready for homa (14-22a); alternatively, arrangements may be made in a Brahmin’s house or in the Ācārya’s dwelling (22b-23). [...]
3) Adhivāsa (अधिवास) refers to “consecration”, as discussed in chapter 37 of the Ādikāṇḍa of the Hayaśīrṣasaṃhitā: a large Pāñcarātra Āgama consisting of roughly 6500 verses dealing primarily with architecture, temple-building and consecration rituals and iconography.—Description of the chapter [adhivāsa]: For the Presence of the Lord in all His Power to dwell in the icon it is necessary to invoke various divine energies with specific mantras (1-44a). The Real Presence of Vāsudeva is also to be invoked in each part of the icon in the form of deities, only following which may various honors be given to the icon (44b-70). Homas are done, and then four cows representing the four major rivers are milked (and this is offered as a homa?) whereupon Brahmins are fed (71-92).

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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Manasa Taramgini: Skanda Sadbhava: A distinctive Kaumara Tantra?Adhivāsa (अधिवास) [=adhivāsavidhi] refers to one of the eighteen chapters of the Skandasadbhāvasaṃraha: an abbreviation of the larger Skandasadbhāva in 12000 verses having its narrative framework set in Kailāsa where Nandin and Māheśvara engage in a dialog regarding the present Śāstra.

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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)Adhivāsa (अधिवास) refers to “bathing (the building blocks)”, as discussed in chapter 11 of the Ādikāṇḍa of the Hayaśīrṣasaṃhitā: a large Pāñcarātra Āgama consisting of roughly 6500 verses dealing primarily with architecture, temple-building and consecration rituals and iconography.—Description of the chapter [śilā-adhivāsa]: [...] Two maṇḍapas are now constructed to the East and South-east of the pit, and the bricks (or stones) are bathed (adhivāsa). Pots having been filled with water, the bricks are ritually cleansed again with purified water to the accompaniment of mantras. Pūjā is to be offered to the bricks prior to the performance of iṣṭakāhoma (24-39).

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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryAdhivāsa.—cf. adhivāsa-sakta-cāturvarṇya-samakṣam (LP), ‘in the presence of the people of the four castes living in the vicinity’; cf. adhivāsa-saktīya (LP); neighbours. Note: adhivāsa is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAdhivāsa, (fr. adhi + vas) endurance, forbearance, holding out; only as adj. in dur° difficult to hold out Th.1, 111. Adhivāsaka (& °ika) (adj.) (fr. adhivāsa) willing, agreeable, enduring, patient Vin.IV, 130; M.I, 10, 526; A.II, 118; III, 163; V, 132; J.III, 369 (an°); IV, 11, 77. (Page 30)
Source: Sutta: Pali Word Grammar from Pali Myanmar Dictionaryadhivāsa (အဓိဝါသ) [(pu) (ပု)]—
[adhi+vasa+ṇa]
[အဓိ+ဝသ+ဏ]
[Pali to Burmese]
Source: Sutta: Tipiṭaka Pāḷi-Myanmar Dictionary (တိပိဋက-ပါဠိမြန်မာ အဘိဓာန်)adhivāsa—
(Burmese text): (၌)နေခြင်း၊ (ကို)လွှမ်းမိုး-စိုးအုပ်-၍နေခြင်း။ ဒုရဓိဝါလ-ကြည့်။
(Auto-Translation): (Being) present, (to) dominate-suppress-while present. Observe the dual meanings.

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
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryadhivāsa (अधिवास).—m S A neighbor.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishadhivāsa (अधिवास).—m A neighbour.
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 dictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास).—
1) Abode, residence; dwelling; सतत°सुभगापिंतस्तनम् (satata°subhagāpiṃtastanam) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5.8; तस्यापि स एव गिरिरधिवासः (tasyāpi sa eva giriradhivāsaḥ) K.137; लक्ष्मीभृतोऽम्भोधितटाधिवासान् (lakṣmībhṛto'mbhodhitaṭādhivāsān) Śiśupālavadha 3.71 situated on; settlement, habitation. वसन्ति मन्नियोगेन अधिवासं च राक्षसाः (vasanti manniyogena adhivāsaṃ ca rākṣasāḥ) Rām.3.36.4.
2) An inhabitant, neighbour.
3) Obstinate pertinacity in making a demand, sitting without food before a person's house till he ceases to oppose or refuse it (Mar. dharaṇeṃ).
4) [adhivāsayati devatā anena, karaṇe ghañ] Consecration of an image especially before the commencement of a sacrificial rite; see अधिवासनम् (adhivāsanam) also. शुद्धाधिवासाश्च विशुद्धसत्त्वाः (śuddhādhivāsāśca viśuddhasattvāḥ) Bu. Ch.1.39.
5) A garment, mantle (adhīvāsaḥ also).
6) A birth-place; जातिश्रेण्यधि- वासानां कुलधर्माश्च सर्वतः । वर्जयन्ति च ये धर्मं तेषां धर्मो न विद्यते (jātiśreṇyadhi- vāsānāṃ kuladharmāśca sarvataḥ | varjayanti ca ye dharmaṃ teṣāṃ dharmo na vidyate) || Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.36.19.
Derivable forms: adhivāsaḥ (अधिवासः).
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Adhivāsa (अधिवास).—Application of perfumes or fragrant cosmetics; scenting, perfuming; fragrance, scent, fragrant odour itself; अधिवासस्पृहयेव मारुतः (adhivāsaspṛhayeva mārutaḥ) R.8.34; Śiśupālavadha 2.2, 5.42; K.183.
Derivable forms: adhivāsaḥ (अधिवासः).
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Adhīvāsa (अधीवास).—[vas acchādane karaṇe ghañ] A long coat or mantle covering the whole person (upariṣṭādāvarakaṃ vāsaḥ)
Derivable forms: adhīvāsaḥ (अधीवासः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास).—(?): Mahāvastu i.253.4, 5, and 6 (prose): app. adj. with rogajāta, defined as a kind of disease which carries off a region or country (pradeśaṃ harati). Opp. maṇḍalaka, q.v. Perhaps enduring? See s.v. ārddha.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास).—m.
(-saḥ) 1. A house, an abode. 2. Place, situation. 3. Continuance, perseverance. 4. Perfuming the person, &c. 5. A neighbour. 6. Neighbourhood. E. adhi, and vasa to dwell, with ghañ affix; or vāsa to fumigate, with ac
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास).—m., i. e. 1. adhi -vas + a. A house, an abode, [Devīmāhātmya, (ed. Poley.)] 4, 10. 2. adhi-vās + a, Perfuming the person, [Bhartṛhari, (ed. Bohlen.)] 1, 12.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास).—1. [masculine] inhabitant, neighbour; dwelling, abode.
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Adhivāsa (अधिवास).—2. [masculine] cover, upper garment.
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Adhivāsa (अधिवास).—3. [masculine] perfume; [abstract] tā [feminine]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Adhivāsa (अधिवास):—[=adhi-vāsa] [from adhi-vas] 1. adhi-vāsa ([Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata]) m. an upper garment, mantle.
2) Adhīvāsa (अधीवास):—[=adhī-vāsa] [from adhi-vas] a ([Ṛg-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata] etc.) m. an upper garment, mantle.
3) Adhivāsa (अधिवास):—[=adhi-vāsa] [from adhi-vas] 2. adhi-vāsa m. an inhabitant
4) [v.s. ...] a neighbour
5) [v.s. ...] one who dwells above
6) [v.s. ...] a habitation, abode, settlement, site
7) [v.s. ...] sitting before a person’s house without taking food till he ceases to oppose or refuse a demand (commonly called ‘sitting in dharṇā’)
8) [v.s. ...] pertinacity.
9) [=adhi-vāsa] [from adhi-vās] 3. adhi-vāsa m. perfume, fragrance
10) [v.s. ...] application of perfumes or fragrant cosmetics.
11) Adhīvāsa (अधीवास):—[=adhī-vāsa] b = adhi-vāsa1, q.v.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास):—[tatpurusha compound] m.
(-saḥ) I.
1) One who dwells above others.
2) One who dwells near others, a neighbour.
3) An inhabitant.
4) An abode, a place or situation. E. vas (to dwell &c.) with adhi, kṛt aff. ghañ. Ii. A cover, an upper garment. Also adhīvāsa. E. vas (to cover with dress) with adhi, kṛt aff. ghañ. Iii. Continuance, perseverance, esp. fig.: fixing one’s self at a person’s door in order to enforce compliance with some demand. E. vas (vasu) with adhi, kṛt aff. ghañ. Iv.
1) Perfuming or dressing the person &c.; (as materials and objects of toilet by which this is done, are enumerated the following: mṛttikā, gandhaḥ, śilā, dhānyam, dūrvā, puṣpam, phalam, dadhi, ghṛtam, svastikam, sindūram, śaṅkhaḥ, kajjalam, rocanā, śvetasarṣapaḥ, svarṇam, raupyam, tāmram, cāmaram, darpaṇam, dīpaḥ, praśastapātram).
2) See adhivāsana. E. vās with adhi, kṛt aff. ac.
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Adhīvāsa (अधीवास):—[tatpurusha compound] m.
(-saḥ) . The same as adhivāsa Ii., the i in adhi being made long.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास):—[adhi-vāsa] (saḥ) m. 1. A house; a site; perfuming; continuance.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Adhivāsa (अधिवास) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ahivāsa.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास) [Also spelled adhivash]:—(nm) domicile.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAdhivāsa (ಅಧಿವಾಸ):—
1) [noun] the place where one abides; a dwelling place; a house.
2) [noun] the place where one was born or reared; one’s own city, state or country.
3) [noun] (law.) one’s fixed place of dwelling, where one intends to reside more or less permanently; domicile.
4) [noun] consecration of an idol of a deity in the heap of grain or in a water tank, before installing in a temple.
5) [noun] the area and environment including the conditions, circumstances, and people; environment.
6) [noun] act of anointing perfume to the human body.
7) [noun] a perfumery or an ointment used to perfume the body.
8) [noun] the scent of something sweet-smelling; perfume; good odour.
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Adhivāsa (ಅಧಿವಾಸ):—[noun] a cloth used for covering.
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Adhīvāsa (ಅಧೀವಾಸ):—[noun] a cloth used for covering.
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 DictionaryAdhivāsa (अधिवास):—n. 1. a residence; domicile; 2. taking up residence; 3. a house;
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: Adhi, Na, Ati, Vaca, Vasa.
Starts with: Adhivasabhumi, Adhivasadiksha, Adhivasahoma, Adhivasaka, Adhivasamandapa, Adhivasana, Adhivasanakarmakrama, Adhivasanasila, Adhivasanata, Adhivasaniya, Adhivasanta, Adhivasapeti, Adhivasarthamandapa, Adhivasas, Adhivasati, Adhivasavidhi, Adhivasay, Adhivasayati, Ativacam.
Full-text (+59): Adhivasas, Adhivasabhumi, Krittyadhivasa, Jaladhivasa, Ativacam, Sayamadhivasa, Adhivasapeti, Adhivasana, Adhivasanta, Duradhivasa, Adhivasavidhi, Yatradhivasa, Jalativacam, Shuvetana, Cakradhivasin, Adhivash, Vanadhivasa, Pancavidhana, Adhivasahoma, Adhivas.
Relevant text
Search found 28 books and stories containing Adhivasa, Adhi-vasa, Adhi-vāsa, Adhī-vāsa, Adhi-vasa-na, Adhi-vasa-ṇa, Adhivāsa, Adhīvāsa; (plurals include: Adhivasas, vasas, vāsas, nas, ṇas, Adhivāsas, Adhīvāsas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
2. Description of Adhivasa Diksha < [Chapter 3 - The preliminary rites of Diksha]
Appendix: Glossary of Pancaratra terms
1. Introduction to the aspects and types of Diksha < [Chapter 2 - Aspects of Diksa]
Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India (by Remadevi. O.)
2.24. Sacrificial Dress < [Chapter 2 - Costumes]
2. Various other Upper Garments and Lower Garments < [Chapter 2 - Costumes]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 1.15.101 < [Chapter 15 - Marriage with Śrī Viṣṇupriyā]
Verse 1.15.73 < [Chapter 15 - Marriage with Śrī Viṣṇupriyā]
Verse 1.10.79 < [Chapter 10 - Marriage with Śrī Lakṣmīpriyā]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
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