Alakananda, Alakanandā, Alaka-nanda: 12 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also
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Introduction:

Alakananda means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा).—One of the four rivers originating from the “river of the sky”, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 82. This ‘river of the sky’ starts at the ‘ocean of the sky’ and, being agitated by the elephant of Indra, falls at the top of mount Meru, where at the bottom it forms into these four rivers. Meru is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, which is ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा).—River Gaṅgā of devaloka. The river gaṅgā of the earth when it flows through devaloka is called Alakanandā and is called Vaitaraṇī when it flows through Pitṛloka (nether world). Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana (Vyāsa) declares that Deva Gaṅgā with crystal pure water flowing in devaloka under the name Alakanandā and Vaitaraṇī of the nether world, a terror to sinners, are the same as the Gaṅgā of the earth. (Ślokas 21 and 22, Chapter 170, Bhāṣā Bhārata, A.P.).

Starting from Viṣṇupāda Alakanandā flows through Devayāna which blazes with the splendour of a crore of beautiful many-storeyed buildings. Flowing from there to Candramaṇḍala (moon) and flooding it completely flows down to Brahmaloka. From there it divides into four rivulets and flows to the four different sides with the names Sītā, Cakṣus, Alakanandā and Bhadrā. Of these Sītā falls on the thickly wooded mountain tops of Mahāmeru and flowing from there through Gandhamādana by the side of Bhadrāśvavarṣa falls down in the eastern ocean. Cakṣus falls on the top of Mālyavān mountain and flowing through Ketumāla falls down in the western ocean. The most sacred of the group, Alakanandā, falls on the mountain of Hemakūṭa and from there flows through Bhāratavarṣa and falls down in the southern ocean. The fourth, Bhadrā, falling on the top of the Mountain, Sṛṅgavān flows to the northern ocean. Of these the most sacred is Alakanandā which flows through Bhāratavarṣa and it is believed that even those who think of taking a bath in that will acquire the benefit of performing yāgas like Aśvamedha and Rājasūya. (Eighth Skandha of Śrī Mahādevībhāgavata).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा) is the name of a river situated near Saugandhika, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.40.—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] Near [Kailāsa], the gods saw Alakā, the beautiful and divine city of Kubera. [...] Near that they saw the sylvan park Saugandhika [...]. Outskirting it are the two holy rivers Nandā and Alakanandā that quelled sins by their mere sight. The celestial damsels descending to them from their world drank their waters. Emaciated for their sexual dalliance with their menfolk they entered them for their sports”.

Note: Nandā, Alakanandā and Bhāgīrathī are three famous branches of Gaṅgā in the upper course in the Pauri-Garhwal region.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा).—The R. in Kailāsa: a branch of Gaṅgā issuing out of the city of Brahmā descends the southern slopes of Meru. Her course can be traced from the Gandhamādana. Traversing the Hemakūṭa and Himalayas as also the continent of Bharata and dividing itself into seven branches it enters the sea on the south. A bath in this stream is equal to performing aśvamedhas and other sacrifices. A mahānadī: borne by Śiva on his head for more than a hundred years: Elevated Sagara's sons to heaven.^*

* Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 6. 24; V. 17. 5 and 9; IX. 29. 42; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 41. 21; 56. 12; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 2. 34, 36; 8. 113-20; Vāyu-purāṇa 41. 18. 42. 25-35; 108. 80.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Hindupedia: The Hindu Encyclopedia

Of many rivers of India, Gaṅgā (Ganges) stands unparalleled and supreme with regard to holiness and the number of places of pilgrimage associated with it. Alakanandā is one of its important tributaries which joins it at an early stage. Taking its birth on the Indo-Tibetan border of Uttar Pradesh, it is joined by four rivers at four different places:

Nandākinī at Nandaprayāga
Piṇḍar at Karṇaprayāga
Mandākinī at Rudraprayāga
Bhāgīrathī at Devaprayāga

Here-after the rivers merged together go by the name Gaṅgā. The famous Viṣṇu temple at Badarīnātha is situated on the bank of Alakanandā.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा).—

1) Name of the Gaṅgā, or a river falling into it. ईक्षयालकनन्दाया विधूताशेष- कल्मषः (īkṣayālakanandāyā vidhūtāśeṣa- kalmaṣaḥ) Bhāgavata 11.29.42.

2) a girl from eight to ten years of age.

Alakanandā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms alaka and nandā (नन्दा).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा).—f.

(-ndā) 1. A young girl from eight to ten years old. 2. A river, the Alakananda, a stream that runs from the Himalaya mountains, and falls into the Ganges near Srinagara. It is also a name of the terrestrial Ganges. E. alakā, and nandā who delights, the fiual of the first dropped.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा).—f. The name of a river, and surname of the Ganges.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा):—[=alaka-nandā] [from alaka] f. a young girl from eight to ten years old, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of a river that runs from the Himālaya mountains and falls into the Gaṅgā, [Mahābhārata i, 6456; Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Alakanandā (अलकनन्दा):—[alaka-nandā] (ndā) 1. f. A young girl from eight to ten years old; name of a river.

[Sanskrit to German]

Alakananda in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 29 books and stories containing Alakananda, Alaka-nanda, Alaka-nandā, Alakanandā; (plurals include: Alakanandas, nandas, nandās, Alakanandās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 7 - On the Ganges and the Varṣas < [Book 8]

Chapter 12 - On the origin of Gaṅgā < [Book 9]

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Badarinath – A Holy Place < [July – September, 2003]

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Verse 1.12.95 < [Chapter 12 - The Lord’s Wandering Throughout Navadvīpa]

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2. Brahma-purana: World Geography < [Chapter 9 - Geography]

10. Identification of Geographical Places < [Chapter 9 - Geography]

Appendix 8 - Geographical and Ethnic Data

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Page 157 < [Volume 5 (1879)]