Ajiva, Ājīva, Ajīva: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Ajiva means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraĀjīva (आजीव) refers to “subsistence” (way of living), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the stars of the constellation of Mṛgāśīrṣa should be dimmed by the tails of or appear to be in contact with malefic comets, the ruler of Auśīnara will perish; if those of Ārdrā, the ruler of the people subsisting by the products of water [i.e., jalaja-ājīva-adhipa] will perish; if those of Punarvasu the ruler of Aśmaka will perish; and if those of Puṣya the ruler of Magadha will perish”.

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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English GlossaryN (Means of livelihood). Means to earn ones living.
Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines'livelihood'. About right and wrong livelihood., s. sacca (IV. 5) and micchā-magga (5).
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraAjīva (अजीव) refers to “non-soul” and represents one of the seven tattvas (principles), according to chapter 4.4 [anantanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra (“lives of the 63 illustrious persons”): a Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three important persons in Jainism.
Accordingly, as Anantanātha said:—“[...] Non-soul (ajīva) consists of the medium of motion (dharma), medium of rest (adharma), space (vihāyas), time (kāla), and matter (pudgala). These five and jīva are known as substances (dravya). Of these all, except time, are formed from an aggregate of indivisible units (pradeśa). They are all, except jīva, without consciousness and are not active agents. Except time, they are (all) embodied substances (astikāya) and are all without form (amūrta) except matter. But all have the nature of origination, perishing, and permanence. [...]”.
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha SutraAjīva (अजीव, “soulless”).—What is meant by ajīva (non-living being)? An entity without consciousness is called ajīva.
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsAjīva (अजीव) refers to the “non-sentient matter” and represents one of the seven reals (tattvas), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Consequently, the sages have said that the seven reals are sentient soul, non-sentient matter (ajīva), the influx of karma, the binding of karma, stopping the influx of karma, wearing away karma and liberation”.

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
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryājīva : (m.) livelihood; living; subsistence.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryĀjīva, (ā + jīva; Sk. ājīva) livelihood, mode of living, living, subsistence, D.I, 54; A.III, 124 (parisuddha°); Sn.407 (°ṃ = parisodhayi = micchājīvaṃ hitvā sammājīvaṃ eva pavattayī SnA 382), 617; Pug.51; Vbh.107, 235; Miln.229 (bhinna°); Vism.306 (id.); DhsA.390; Sdhp.342, 375, 392. Esp. frequent in the contrast pair sammā-ājīva & micchā-ā° right mode & wrong mode of gaining a living, e. g. at S.II, 168 sq.; III, 239; V, 9; A.I, 271; II 53, 240, 270; IV, 82; Vbh.105, 246. See also magga (ariyaṭṭhaṅgika).

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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAjīva (अजीव).—a. [na. ba.] Devoid of life; lifeless, as a jar or a dead person.
-vaḥ [na. ta.]
1) Non-existence, death.
2) (With Jainas) All that is not a living soul, i. e. the whole of जड (jaḍa) or inanimate and unsentient substance (opp. jīva).
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Ājīva (आजीव).—
1) Livelihood, subsistence, maintenance, भवत्याजीवनं तस्मात् (bhavatyājīvanaṃ tasmāt) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1.48; cf. words like रूपाजीव, अजाजीव, शस्त्राजीव, स्त्र्याजीव (rūpājīva, ajājīva, śastrājīva, stryājīva) &c; आजीवनार्थः (ājīvanārthaḥ) Manusmṛti 1.79,11.63 means of livelihood; बहुमूलफलो रम्यः स्वाजीवः प्रतिभाति मे (bahumūlaphalo ramyaḥ svājīvaḥ pratibhāti me) Rām.2.56.14.
2) Profession, the means of maintaining oneself; विशुद्ध इदानीमाजीवः (viśuddha idānīmājīvaḥ) Ś.6.
-vaḥ A Jaina beggar.
Derivable forms: ājīvaḥ (आजीवः).
See also (synonyms): ājīvana.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryĀjīva (आजीव).—m., = next: Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya ii.50.1 (prose).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAjīva (अजीव).—m.
(-vaḥ) 1. Death. 2. Non-existence. mfn.
(-vaḥ-vā-vaṃ) 1. Lifeless, dead. E. a neg. and jīva life.
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Ājīva (आजीव).—m.
(-vaḥ) Livelihood, subsistence. E. āṅ before jīva to live, ghañ aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀjīva (आजीव).—[ā-jīv + a], m. 1. Livelihood, Mahābhārata 14, 956. 2. Profession, [Daśakumāracarita] in
Ajīva (अजीव).—[adjective] lifeless.
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Ājīva (आजीव).—[masculine] vana [neuter], (vikā [feminine]*) livelihood, subsistence.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ajīva (अजीव):—[=a-jīva] mfn. lifeless.
2) Ājīva (आजीव):—[=ā-jīva] [from ā-jīv] m. livelihood, [Śvetāśvatara-upaniṣad; Manu-smṛti xi, 63; Mahābhārata] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] = ājīvika q.v., [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAjīva (अजीव):—I. [tatpurusha compound] m.
(-vaḥ) 1) Non-existence.
2) Death. E. a neg. and jīva. Ii. [bahuvrihi compound] m. f. n.
(-vaḥ-vā-vam) 1) Lifeless, dead. E. a priv. and jīva.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ajīva (अजीव):—[a-jīva] (vaḥ) 1. m. Death.
2) Ājīva (आजीव):—[ā-jīva] (vaḥ-vaṃ) 1. m. n. Livelihood.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Ajīva (अजीव) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Ajia, Ajīva, Ājīva, Ājīvaga.
[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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Ajīva (अजीव) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Ajīva.
2) Ājīva (आजीव) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Ājīva.
2) Ājīva has the following synonyms: Ājīvaga.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAjīva (ಅಜೀವ):—[adjective] not having life; non-living; lifeless.
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Ajīva (ಅಜೀವ):—
1) [noun] a non-living thing; that which has no life.
2) [noun] an inert object.
3) [noun] (jain.) the second of the seven principles.
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Ājīva (ಆಜೀವ):—
1) [noun] means of living or of supporting life; subsistence; livelihood.
2) [noun] a Jaina mendicant.
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Ājīva (ಆಜೀವ):—[adverb] till one’s death; lifelong; lasting throughout one’s life.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+12): Ajiva Parisuddhi Sila, Ajivabrahmacari, Ajivabrahmacarini, Ajivabrahmacarya, Ajivaga, Ajivaga, Ajivajanya, Ajivajanyate, Ajivaka Sutta, Ajivaka-kasu, Ajivakasavaka, Ajivakaya, Ajivam, Ajivana, Ajivanarha, Ajivanartha, Ajivani, Ajivanika, Ajivant, Ajivaparisuddhi.
Ends with (+83): Ajajiva, Ajjhajiva, Akshajiva, Alamsajiva, Amani-putrajiva, Anajiva, Apajiva, Apatyajiva, Aranyajiva, Astrajiva, Avajiva, Bhinnajiva, Carajiva, Caturvidhajiva, Devajiva, Dirghajiva, Doddajiva, Ekajiva, Gajajiva, Gandhajiva.
Full-text (+81): Ajivam, Ajivaga, Rangajiva, Stryajiva, Ajia, Gandhajiva, Pushpajiva, Panyajiva, Vriddhyajiva, Gajajiva, Ajajiva, Hastyajiva, Shanajiva, Surajiva, Mrigajiva, Shastrajiva, Ajivya, Jayajiva, Devajiva, Ajivika.
Relevant text
Search found 81 books and stories containing Ajiva, Ājīva, Ajīva, A-jiva, A-jīva, Ā-jīva; (plurals include: Ajivas, Ājīvas, Ajīvas, jivas, jīvas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 5.1 - The non-soul substances (ajīva-kāya) < [Chapter 5 - The Non-living Substances]
Verse 1.4 - The reality (‘tattva’) < [Chapter 1 - Right Faith and Knowledge]
Verse 6.7 - Definition of adhikaraṇa (substratum) < [Chapter 6 - Influx of Karmas]
Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations) (by Makarand Gopal Newalkar)
Part 4b - Nāstika Darśana (2): Concept of Nirvāṇa according to Jaina Darśana < [Introduction]
Part 4a - Nāstika Darśana (1): Concept Of Nirvāṇa According To Buddhism < [Introduction]
Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal (by Shubha Majumder)
Jain Philosophy (Introduction) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction and Scope of the Present Study]
The Buddhist Path to Enlightenment (study) (by Dr Kala Acharya)
5.1. The Two Categories of Mokṣa in Jainism < [Chapter 4 - Comparative Study of Liberation in Jainism and Buddhism]
2(b). The Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya-aṭṭhaṅgika-magga) < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]
2.5. Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva or Samyag-ājīva) < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]
Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa) (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
Factor 12-14 - The three abstinences (samma vaca (right speech), samma kammanta (right action), samma ajiva (right livelihood)) < [Chapter 3 - On kusala cetasikas (wholesome mental factors)]
Chapter 3 - On kusala cetasikas (wholesome mental factors)
Domain 2 - Síla (morality) < [Chapter 6 - Ten domains of meritorious actions (ten punna kiriyavatthu)]
Vipassana Meditation Course (by Chanmyay Sayadaw)
Part 3 - The Five Mental Factors < [Chapter 4 - Excercises In Mindfulness]
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