Aishvarya, Aiśvarya: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Aishvarya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
The Sanskrit term Aiśvarya can be transliterated into English as Aisvarya or Aishvarya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Eswary.
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In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य, “sovereignty”):—One of the four wifes of Sūrya (the personification of the Sun), according to the Pāñcarātra literature. The Sun is the direct manifestation of Brahman (the absolute) and is worshipped by all Hindus.
1) Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य, “sovereignty”) refers to one of the Ṣāḍguṇya (“six ideal and immutable virtues”), as discussed in the second chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—[Cf. the chapter ṣaḍguṇya-brahmaviveka]: [...] The six ideal and immutable virtues (ṣāḍguṇya) which characterise the Eternal Being (parabrahman) are: jñāna—Intellect, śakti—Energy, aiśvarya—Sovereignty, bala—Inexhaustibility, vīrya—Immutability and tejas—self-sufficiency. The latter five of which are comprehended in the first. When these are concentrated, it is the Eternal Being in His essence; when the five radiate out of the one, then it is Sudarśana in his own visible aspect (54-62).
2) Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) or Aiśvaryacakra refers to the “four-spoked wheel” and represents one of the various manifestations of ādhāra (“the sustaining force of the world”), as discussed in the eighth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—Cf. the chapter jagadādhāranirūpaṇa.
aiśvarya (sovereignty) Iccha shakti this attribute can be described as activity based upon total independence, or unimpeded activity.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to the “wealth (of the three worlds)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.13 (“Resuscitation of Indra”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “O sage, on being asked by Indra thus, he did not say anything. Indra asked him again. But the naked person did not say anything. Indra, the supreme lord of the worlds, asked again. The lord the great Yogin who assumes forms variously kept quiet. The naked lord, though asked repeatedly by Indra, did not say anything, for he wanted to test the knowledge of Indra. Then the lord of Gods, proud of the wealth (aiśvarya) of the three worlds, became enraged. Rebuking the lord with matted hair he spoke these words.—[...]”.
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य).—Eightfold: aṇimā and others; of kings in Tretāyuga; they are animā, laghimā, mahimā, prāpti, prākāmyam, īśītvam, vaśītva, and kāmāvasāyitā (garimā); from these come three other kinds of aiśvarya:—sāvadyam, niravdya and sūkṣma.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 27. 127; Matsya-purāṇa 142. 68; Vāyu-purāṇa 13. 2-6; 102. 97; 54. 52.
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “(1) Majestic opulence (2) Derived from the word īśvara. In regard to bhakti, this refers to devotion that is inspired by the majesty of Bhagavān, rather than by His mādhurya (sweetness). It especially applies to His feature as Nārāyaṇa. Aiśvarya restricts the intimacy between Bhagavān and His devotees”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to:—Opulence, splendour, majesty or supremacy; in regard to bhakti, this refers to devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa in a mood of awe and reverence rather than sweetness (mādhurya). (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to—Sense of awe and reverence.
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’).
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “complete supremacy”, 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 1, “on the origin of elephants”]: “21. The creation of elephants (as told in the following) was holy, and for the profit of sacrifice to the Gods, and especially for the welfare of kings. Therefore it is clear that elephants must be zealously tended. [...] 25. Durvasas respectfully gave the Lord of the Gods a marvelous garland. It was crushed by Airāvata, which seeing the sage mercilessly cursed him. By his curse he was destroyed, and then was (re-) born (as) the mate of Abhramu in the ocean when it was churned (by Indra) to win him back and to win complete supremacy (aiśvarya). Hence he is reputed to be born of the milk ocean”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “power” and is mentioned in verse 2.48 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] having one’s awareness fixed constantly on this (idea), one does not become participant in distress.—Such (is), in short, the conduct (during the day); observing (it), one attains long life, health, power [viz., aiśvarya], fame, and the eternal worlds”.
Note: Aiśvarya (“power”) has been translated by dbaṅ-pkyug, which ordinarily means “master” (lit. “he who is rich in power”), but occasionally stands for “power” (lit. “richness in power”) as well; cf. Mahāvyutpatti 6539.
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—1. Supremacy, Sovereignity 2. of such powers as vision , audition , cogitation , discrimination , and omniscience ; and of active powers such as swiftness of thought , power of assuming forms at will , and faculty of expatiation
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “wealth”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 15) (“On the nakṣatras—‘asterisms’”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “Those who are born on the lunar day of Kṛttikā will delight in white flowers, will perform sacrificial rites, will be Brāhmins, potters, priests or astronomers. Those who are born on the lunar day of Rohiṇī will be devout men, merchants, rulers, rich men, Yogis, drivers, or men possessed of cows, cattle and the animals of water, farmers and men possessed of wealth derived from mountain produce (śiloccaya-aiśvarya-sampannā)”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “sovereignty”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñākārikā III.2.12.—Accordingly, “When further [the layers of the objective “self”] from the Void to the [very] tissues of the body are transmuted by means of the ‘alchemical elixir,’ i.e. by the [fundamental] ‘I’-sense which is certainly conjoined with the qualities of magnificent power, eternality, sovereignty (aiśvarya), [and others] of such nature that are cognized [as aspects of that ‘I’], then in this state [called] Beyond the Fourth they abandon (as it were) their objectivity”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to a “(Yogic) power”, according to verse 10.16 of Sureśvarācārya’s Mānasollāsa.—Accordingly, “All the worlds along with even their kings are under the [Yogin’s] own control. This power (aiśvarya) is called Vaśitva [which] is easily obtained by Śaiva Yogins”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “full ownership”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 19).—Accordingly, “Furthermore, some say that generosity is the cause and condition (hetupratyaya) for obtaining the thirty-two marks. Why is that? [...] As one gives in such a way that the recipient (pratigrāhaka) alone enjoys full ownership (aiśvarya), one obtains the marks consisting of having a hair growing from each of one’s pores (ekaikaroma) and a tuft of white hair between the eyebrows (ūrṇā bhruvor madhye jātā). [...]”.
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)
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) refers to “vitality” (lit., ‘power’), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “You must understand that the body is overcome by disease, youth is overcome by old age, vitality (aiśvarya) is oppressed by decay and life is oppressed by death”.
Synonyms: Rājya, Ādhipatya.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य).—[īśvara-ṣyañ]
1) Supremacy, sovereignty; एकैश्वर्यस्थितोऽपि (ekaiśvaryasthito'pi) M.1.1; निशाचर° (niśācara°).
2) Might, power, sway.
3) Dominion.
4) Affluence, wealth, greatness; °मत्तेषु (matteṣu) Ś.5.18.
5) Super-human power.
6) The divine faculties of omnipotence, omnipresence &c. cf. अणिमा लघिमा व्याप्तिः प्राकाम्यं महिमा तथा । ईशित्वं च वशित्वं च तथा कामावसायिता (aṇimā laghimā vyāptiḥ prākāmyaṃ mahimā tathā | īśitvaṃ ca vaśitvaṃ ca tathā kāmāvasāyitā) ||
7) Pervasion, comprehensiveness; एष सप्तविधः प्रोक्तो गुण आकाशसम्भवः । ऐश्वर्येण तु सर्वत्र स्थितोऽपि पटहादिषु (eṣa saptavidhaḥ prokto guṇa ākāśasambhavaḥ | aiśvaryeṇa tu sarvatra sthito'pi paṭahādiṣu) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.184.4.
Derivable forms: aiśvaryam (ऐश्वर्यम्).
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) or Aiśvaryya.—n.
(-ryaṃ) 1. Super-human power, the divine faculties of omnipresence, omnipotence, invisibility, &c. 2. Supremacy, dominion, away, power, might. E. īśvara a master, a deity, ṣyañ aff.
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य).—i. e. īśvara + ya, n. 1. Control, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 95. 2. Dominion, [Rāmāyaṇa] 5, 22, 31. 3. Supreme dominion, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 4, 235. 4. Superhuman power, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 3, 25, 37.
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य).—[neuter] = [preceding] [neuter] ([with] [genetive], [locative], or —°); reign, realm, dominion; superhuman power; poss. vant.
1) Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—[from aiśvara] n. the state of being a mighty lord, sovereignty, supremacy, power, sway, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa xiii; Mahābhārata; Manu-smṛti] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] dominion, [Kathāsaritsāgara]
3) [v.s. ...] superhuman power (either perpetual or transient, consisting, according to some, of the following eight: aṇiman, laghiman, mahiman, prāpti, prākāmya, vaśitva, īśitva, and kāmāvasāyitva, qq.v.; or, according to others, of such powers as vision, audition, cogitation, discrimination, and omniscience; and of active powers such as swiftness of thought, power of assuming forms at will, and faculty of expatiation, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha etc.])
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—(ryyaṃ) 1. n. Super-human power; supremacy; wealth.
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—(wie eben) n. Vermögen, Macht, Majestät, übernatürliche Kraft; Herrschaft, Oberherrlichkeit: sarvāsu devatāsvaiśvaryaṃ vidyate [Yāska’s Nirukta 8, 2.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 4, 232.] [Bhagavadgītā 2, 43.] [Suśruta 1, 317, 1.] aiśvaryasthāste na śakyā draṣṭum [2, 382, 15.] [Rāmāyaṇa 3, 35, 8.] [SĀṂKHYAK. 23. 45.] mamāṣṭaguṇamaiśvaryaṃ dattaṃ bhagavatā purā [Mahābhārata 13, 1333.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 25, 37.] [Amarakoṣa 1, 1, 1, 31.] aufgezählt [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 202.] Von fünf übernatürlichen Kräften in Bezug auf die fünf Elemente wird gesprochen [Harivaṃśa 11734. fgg. -] [Yāska’s Nirukta 1, 3. 3, 11.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 8, 313.] [Nalopākhyāna 17, 15.] aiśvaryātpracyutaḥ [9, 18.] aiśvaryeṇa vihīnasya [Rāmāyaṇa 4, 3, 13.] aiśvaryamatta [Śākuntala 66, 4.] sarvāsāṃ viśāmaiśvaryamādhipatyaṃ gacchati [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 13, 4, 3, 15. 2, 7, 13.] vānarāṇām über die Affen [Rāmāyaṇa 5, 18, 32.] lokānām [2, 31, 5.] tāsāṃ tvamaiśvaryaṃ kuru [5, 22, 31.] aiśvaryaṃ ca viśālāyāṃ pṛthivyām [36, 60.] viśvaiśvarya [ŚVETĀŚV. Upakośā 1, 11.] dhanaiśvarya (Kuvera's) [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 7, 42.] niśācaraiśvarya [Raghuvaṃśa 12, 69.] mit dem subj. compon.: putraiśvarye unter der Herrschaft des Sohnes [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 6, 95.]
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Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—fuge noch der Stand eines grossen, reichen Herrn und [Spr. 581. 3854. fgg.] hinzu. Uebernatürliche Macht [SARVADARŚANAS. 76,4. 77,11. fg. 117,21.] [Oxforder Handschriften] [?51,a,11; vgl. Nalopākhyāna 1.] Herrschaft so v. a. Reich: ehi madaiśvarye tvaṃ nivasa [Kathāsaritsāgara 111, 104.]
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—n. —
1) der Stand eines grossen Herrn. Herrschaft. Oberherrlichkeit über (Gen. , Loc. oder im Comp. vorhergehend). putraiśvarye unter der Herrschaft des Sohnes. —
2) eine übernatürliche Kraft. —
3) Herrschaft , so v.a. Reich.
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Īsariya, Esajja.
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
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य) [Also spelled eswary]:—(nm) opulence; prosperity, glory and grandeur; ~[vāna/śālī] opulent; prosperous.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Aiśvarya (ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯ):—
1) [noun] the supreme authority; sovereignty.
2) [noun] the divine power.
3) [noun] riches; wealth.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Aiśvarya (ऐश्वर्य):—n. 1. affluence; wealth; prosperity; 2. supremacy; sovereignty; lordliness; majesty; 3. might; power; sway; 4. dominion; 5. grandeur; majesty;
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)
Starts with (+5): Aishvaryacakra, Aishvaryagarvita, Aishvaryagedi, Aishvaryaguna, Aishvaryajnana, Aishvaryakadambini, Aishvaryakarini, Aishvaryalakshmi, Aishvaryalobha, Aishvaryamatta, Aishvaryapriya, Aishvaryasangraha, Aishvaryashakti, Aishvaryasukha, Aishvaryavade, Aishvaryavajra, Aishvaryavajri, Aishvaryavamta, Aishvaryavamte, Aishvaryavant.
Full-text (+116): Anaishvarya, Paramaishvarya, Dhanaishvarya, Mahaishvarya, Sarvaishvarya, Aishvaryavivarana, Aishvaryamatta, Aishvaryavat, Aishvaryakadambini, Putraishvarya, Savadya, Cidaishvarya, Aishvaryakarini, Aishvaryalakshmi, Aishvaryajnana, Aishvaryashakti, Aishvaryavajri, Naraishvarya, Uragaishvarya, Suraishvarya.
Relevant text
Search found 108 books and stories containing Aishvarya, Aishvaryas, Aiśvarya, Aisvarya; (plurals include: Aishvaryas, Aishvaryases, Aiśvaryas, Aisvaryas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 88 - Review of Pāśupata yoga < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Chapter 90 - The expiatory rites of the ascetics (yati-prāyaścitta) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Chapter 27 - The description of the Jaya ablution < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
Samkhya thoughts in the Mahabharata (by Shini M.V.)
Mahat (synonym of Buddhi) < [Chapter 2 - The Principles of Sāṃkhya Philosophy]
Vṛtra-gītā (Summary) < [Chapter 3 - The Philosophical Tenets in the Śānti-parva]
Liberation (Mukti or Kaivalya) < [Chapter 2 - The Principles of Sāṃkhya Philosophy]
Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure) (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)
Difference between Aiśvarya and Mādhurya < [Chapter 2.12 - Early ISKCON Conversations with Śrīla Gurudeva]
The Glory of Gauḍīya Guru-paramparā < [Chapter 2.1 - Śrī Guru Tattva and Śrī Guru-sevaka]
The Mercy of a Rasika Vaiṣṇava < [Chapter 2.4 - The Uttamā Bhāgavata and Kṛpa-Pātra]
Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice) (by Geetika Kaw Kher)
Apparent Monotheism < [Chapter 4 - The Philosophical Context]
Philosophical nature of Pasupata-sutra and Pancharthabhasya < [Chapter 4 - The Philosophical Context]
Overall Structure and Methodological considerations < [Introduction]
Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study) (by Susmi Sabu)
Yoga in the Upanishad Bhashyas < [Chapter 3 - The Authorship Problem of Patanjala-yogasutra-bhashya-vivarana]
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