Adhomukha, aka: Adhas-mukha; 6 Definition(s)
Introduction
Adhomukha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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.
In Hinduism
Nāṭyaśāstra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Adhomukha (अधोमुख) refers to a specific gesture (āṅgika) , or “movements made with the arms (bāhu)”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 9. These movements form a part of the histrionic representation (abhinaya).
(Source): Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra1) One of the Nine Movements of the Head. Adhomukha (face inclined): the head is bent. Usage: modesty, sorrow, bowing, regarding anything vile, fainting, things on the ground, bathing.
2) One of the Twenty-four Heads. Adhomukha: the head is bent. Usage: modesty, sorrow, bowing.
(Source): archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)
Nāṭyaśāstra (नाट्यशास्त्र, natya-shastra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition of performing arts, (e.g., 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 (nāṭya) and poetic works (kāvya).
Purāṇa
Adhomukha (अधोमुख).—See adhaśśiras.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 2. 163.
The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
In Buddhism
Pali
adhomukha : (adj.) bent over; with face cast down; turned upside down.
(Source): BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
adhōmukha (अधोमुख).—a (S) adhōvadana a (S adhaḥ Down, & mukha & vadana Face.) With the face downwards. 2 fig. Dejected, downcast: also abashed, disconcerted, crest-fallen &c. Ex. paramalajjita adhōvadana || laṅkēsi ālā rāvaṇa ||
(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryadhōmukha (अधोमुख) [-vadana, -वदन].—a With the face downwards, dejected, downcast.
(Source): DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishMarathi 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 273 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Mukha | Mukha (मुख, “mouth”) refers to that part of the human body from which the Buddha emitted numero... | |
| Gomukha | Gomukha (गोमुख) is the son of Ityaka (a minister of Udayana), according to the Kathāsaritsāgara... | |
| Kartarimukha | Kartarīmukha (कर्तरीमुख) refers to “scissors-like” and represents one of the thirty-two mudrās ... | |
| Shrimukha | śrīmukha (श्रीमुख).—n Illustrious countenance. śrīmukhānta dēṇēṃ To slap the face. | |
| Adho | Adho (“nadir”) represents one of the “two directions above and below” (paṭidisā in Pali), ... | |
| Adha | aḍhā (अढा).—m A turn with a rope. A curl, doubling.--- OR --- āḍhā (आढा).—See under अ. | |
| Simhamukha | Siṃhamukha (सिंहमुख) is the name of a ‘river mouth’ (mukha) into which the lake Anavatapta flow... | |
| Talamukha |
Talamukha (तलमुख).—A type of gesture (āṅgika) made with dance-hands (nṛttahasta);&mda... | |
| Katakamukha |
Kaṭakāmukha (कटकामुख, “elephant-apple”).—A type of gesture (āṅgika) made with a singl... | |
| Ashvamukha | Aśvamukha (अश्वमुख) is the name of a ‘river mouth’ (mukha) into which the lake Anavatapta flows... | |
| Mukharaga | mukharāga (मुखराग).—m (S) The liveliness, lightness, or lustre of the countenance; clearness or... | |
| Nandimukha | nāndīmukha (नांदीमुख).—n nāndīśrāddha n Oblations to the manes offered on festal occasions. | |
| Sakata-mukha |
Sakaṭa-mukha the front or opening of the waggon, used as adj. “facing the waggon or the cart... | |
| Adhomukhamatsyasana |
Adhomukhamatsyāsana (अधोमुखमत्स्यासन, “downward facing fish posture”) is a Sanskrit word ref... | |
| Mukhalinga |
The mukhaliṅga (मुखलिङ्ग) is one of the varieties of mānuṣa-liṅgas and is distinguished from... |
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Adhomukha or Adhas-mukha. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Mirror of Gesture (abhinaya-darpana) (by Ananda Coomaraswamy)
Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Chapter 2 - On the description of the Śaktis, etc., of the syllables of Gāyatrī < [Book 12]
Chapter 16 - On the description of Sandhyā Upāsānā < [Book 11]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Some Geography < [Second Section]
Brahma Purana (by G. P. Bhatt)
The Vishnu Purana (by Horace Hayman Wilson)
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