Alakshya, Alakṣya, Ālakṣya: 21 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Vastushastra
2. Ayurveda
3. Shaktism
4. Purana
5. Yoga
6. Arts
7. Jyotisha
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
5. Nepali
See also

Introduction:

Alakshya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

The Sanskrit terms Alakṣya and Ālakṣya can be transliterated into English as Alaksya or Alakshya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Alakshy.

In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: academia.edu: Bhoja’s Mechanical Garden (vastu)

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) refers to “concealed”, representing a desirable characteristic of machines (yantra), according to the Samarāṅganasūtradhāra.—Machines, and particularly automata, are consistently associated with a cluster of terms in Sanskrit denoting wonder, marvel, surprise, strangeness, and curiosity (e.g., kautuka, āścarya, vicitra, adbhūta, and vismaya). The best machine, according to Bhoja, is one that fulfills various uses, one whose principal action is concealed (alakṣya), and one that creates astonishment (vismaya) among men (31.12).

Alakṣya (“invisible machines”) were considered the most excellent.—Bhoja reminds the planner that the most admired qualities of a machine are the invisibility (alakṣatā) of its workings and its strangeness (vicitratva; 31.14). Indeed, Bhoja pines, “What else in the world is more strange? What else is more satisfying? And what creates [such] fascination?” (31.85). For these reasons, the most excellent machines were those that were automatic (svayaṃvāhaka) and whose mechanisms were invisible (alakṣya)—together creating the appearance of unassisted movement. This “illusory” element of the automaton machine made it kindred with magic.

context information

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)

Ālakṣya (आलक्ष्य) refers to “having descried”, and is mentioned in verse 2.28 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “Having descried [ālakṣya] a man’s character, one shall adapt oneself to him in such a way that he is content, expert (as one shall be) in the pleasing of others”.

Note: Ālakṣya (“having descried”) has been rendered loosely by śes-nas (“knowing”).

context information

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) refers to “one who has no objectively distinguishable characteristics”, according to the Svacchandabhairavatantra.—[...] While contemplation of the other lower phases in the development of OṂ bestows yogic powers (siddhi) of an increasing order of perfection, it alone leads to liberation directly. Accordingly, the Tantra enjoins that the Yogi should constantly contemplate supreme and subtle Non-being by means of this energy. This is because Non-being is beyond the senses and mind and is, according to Kṣemarāja, the pure knower who has no objectively distinguishable characteristics (alakṣya).

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) refers to “invisible”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.25 (“The seven celestial sages test Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Pārvatī said to the seven Sages: “[...] Interest in embellishment and ornaments shall be found in those who are deluded by illusion and who are not in unison with the Brahman. The lord is devoid of attributes, unborn, free from illusion, of invisible movement [i.e., alakṣya-gati] and a cosmic Being. O Brahmins, Śiva does not shower His blessings on the ground of faith, caste etc. I know Śiva truly only through the blessings of the preceptor. [...]”.

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) refers to “not having any characteristics (of the absolute)”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [Now], I shall define the nature of that highest, mind-free absorption which arises for those devoted to constant practice. [...] [The Yogin] who has become absorbed in [that which has] no characteristics (alakṣya) (i.e., the absolute) for twenty-two days, has the Siddhi [called] Prāpti, which enables him to reach [whatever] is in the world. [...]”.

context information

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).

Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Alakṣyā (अलक्ष्या) refers to the “unperceivable (swiftness)” (of birds), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the outlines of hawking]: “[...] At the time of the search, [...] those who proceed in front of the horsemen, with canes ine their hands, should throw, by Muṣṭimoka, Dhūtis and Ṭonās against quails and other quarry. Their motion, on account of their swiftness, cannot be perceived (alakṣyā). They add to the enjoyment of the spectators by darting obliquely (?) on the quarry, which is discovered by the noise, cīcīkucī they make when they are captured. [...]”.

context information

This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Journal of South Asian Intellectual History: Samarasiṃha and the Early Transmission of Tājika Astrology

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) or Alakṣyaguṇa refers to “imperceptible (attributes)”, according to the Karmaprakāśa—one of the earliest preserved Sanskrit works on Perso-Arabic (Tājika) astrology authored by Samarasiṃha in the 13th century.—Accordingly, [the text opens with the three stanzas]: “Bowing to Vāc, Gaṇapati, the foremost among the planets, that witness of actions whose attributes are imperceptible (alakṣya-guṇa), and my teacher, I light a small lamp [called] Light on Actions from the Great Lamp [Illuminating] the Tājika Teaching composed by Śrī Khindika. [...]”.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

alakṣya (अलक्ष्य).—a S corruptly alakṣa a Inapprehensible in idea, incomprehensible, inconceivable. alakṣa lēkhaṇēṃ-dharaṇēṃ-mōjaṇēṃ-mānaṇēṃ-pāhaṇēṃ-jāṇaṇēṃ To esteem lightly, to disdain.

--- OR ---

alakṣya (अलक्ष्य).—n S Inattention or inadvertence.

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alakṣyā (अलक्ष्या).—f S A particular attitude of a Yogi. See under mudrā.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

alakṣya (अलक्ष्य).—a Inconceivable. n Inattention.

context information

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 dictionary

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य).—a.

1) Invisible, unknown, unobserved.

2) Unmarked.

3) Having no particular marks.

4) Insignificant in appearance.

5) Having no pretence, free from fraud.

6) Not लक्ष्य (lakṣya) or secondary (as meaning).

--- OR ---

Ālakṣya (आलक्ष्य).—pot. p.

1) Visible, apparent; आलक्ष्यपारिप्लवसारसानि (ālakṣyapāriplavasārasāni) R.13.3.

2) Slightly visible; °दन्तमुकुलान् (dantamukulān) Ś.7.17.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Ālakṣya (आलक्ष्य).—(nt. ? in Sanskrit as adj., wahrzunehmen, sichtbar), visible sign, emblem: Divyāvadāna 118.24 (idam…maṇiratnam…) cihnabhūtam ālakṣyabhūtaṃ maṇḍanabhūtaṃ ca.

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

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य).—mfn.

(-kṣyaḥ-kṣyā-kṣyaṃ) Undistinguishable, undefinable. So alakṣaṇīya.

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

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य).—[adjective] invisible, not to be observed, not appearing (thus), insignificant.

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Ālakṣya (आलक्ष्य).—[adjective] (scarcely) visible.

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

1) Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य):—[=a-lakṣya] [from a-lakṣaṇa] mfn. invisible, unobserved, [Mahābhārata] etc., unmarked, not indicated, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] having no particular marks, insignificant in appearance (See -janma-tā below)

3) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a Mantra spoken to exorcise a weapon, [Rāmāyaṇa i, 30, 5.]

4) Ālakṣya (आलक्ष्य):—[=ā-lakṣya] [from ā-lakṣ] 1. ā-lakṣya mfn. to be observed, visible, apparent, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Raghuvaṃśa etc.]

5) [v.s. ...] 2. ā-lakṣya [indeclinable participle] having observed or beheld, beholding, observing, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Raghuvaṃśa etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] 3. ā-lakṣya mfn. scarcely visible, just visible, [Śakuntalā 181 a.]

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

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य):—[a-lakṣya] (kṣyaḥ-kṣyā-kṣyaṃ) a. Undefinable.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Alakkha.

[Sanskrit to German]

Alakshya 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य) [Also spelled alakshy]:—(a) imperceptible; unnoticeable; latent.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Alakṣya (ಅಲಕ್ಷ್ಯ):—

1) [adjective] that cannot be aimed at.

2) [adjective] that cannot be seen.

3) [adjective] that cannot be understood.

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Alakṣya (ಅಲಕ್ಷ್ಯ):—

1) [noun] absence of regard or respect; disregard.

2) [noun] want of care; carelessness; negligence.

3) [noun] lack of attention.

context information

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 Dictionary

Alakṣya (अलक्ष्य):—adj. 1. invisible; 2. undirected; untargeted;

context information

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.

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