Alankrita, Alaṅkṛta, Alamkrita: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Alankrita 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.
The Sanskrit term Alaṅkṛta can be transliterated into English as Alankrta or Alankrita, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
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In Hinduism
Gitashastra (science of music)
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत, “ornate”) refers to one of the ten good qualities (guṇa) of a song (gīta), according to the Saṅgītaśiromaṇi 14.75-76, where they are commonly known as the gītaguṇa. It can also be spelled as Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत). The Saṅgītaśiromaṇi (“crest-jewel of music”) is a 15th-century Sanskrit work on Indian musicology (gāndharvaśāstra). Accordingly, “when the song is colourful in the three registers, it should be regarded as ornate (alaṃkṛta)”.
Gitashastra (गीतशास्त्र, gītaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of Music (gita or samgita), which is traditionally divided in Vocal music, Instrumental music and Dance (under the jurisdiction of music). The different elements and technical terms are explained in a wide range of (often Sanskrit) literature.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत) or Alaṅkṛtāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Vimalāgama which is one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing upāgamas (e.g., Alaṅkṛta Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of mūlāgamas (e.g., Vimala-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in mūlāgamas.
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत) or Alaṃkṛta refers to a division of Ādiśaiva priests, as defined in Śaivāgama literature.—In the temple, the Ādiśaiva priests are classified by the āgama into five levels—Ācārya, Arcaka, Sādhaka, Alaṅkṛta and Vācaka. The Alaṅkṛta performs the alaṅkāra of the main deities and utsava deities.
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) or Alaṅkṛta refers to a division of Ādiśaiva priests, as defined in Śaivāgama literature.—In the temple, the Ādiśaiva priests are classified by the āgama into five levels—Ācārya, Arcaka, Sādhaka, Alaṅkṛta and Vācaka. The Alaṅkṛta performs the alaṅkāra of the main deities and utsava deities.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत) means “adorned” (i.e., decorated with), according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “The venerable sacred seat of Jālandhara is in the locus of the cavity (of the mouth). It is adorned with flames of Fire and shines brilliantly and burns with the Doomsday Fire in the form of a (radiant) spark (of light). The venerable Cakrīśanātha is the emperor in the middle of the wheel (located here) and is mounted on the power of his knowledge surrounded by many troupes of Yoginīs and is adorned with sixteen energies [i.e., ṣoḍaśakala-alaṅkṛta]. (This is the) second sacred seat should be known by means of (the deity’s) energy (to be) within the locus of the cavity shining (there) surrounded by a tree, creeper, guardian, cremation ground, monastery, gesture and cave”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत) or Alaṃkṛta is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment. His name can also be spelled as Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत).
Alaṅkṛta is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) or Alaṅkṛta is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment. His name can also be spelled as Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत).
Alaṃkṛta is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) refers to the “adorations” of the Buddha’s body with the thirty-two marks according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter VII).—“The Buddha whose body is adorned (alaṃkṛta) with the thirty-two marks is beautiful (abhirūpa) and well-arranged (avikṣipta). If he had less than thirty-two marks his body would be ugly; if he had more than thirty-two marks he would be untidy. Thanks to the thirty-two marks, he is beautiful and well-arranged. Their number cannot be increased or decreased. The bodily marks are like the other attributes of the Buddha (buddhadharma) which cannot be increased or decreased”.
Why does the Bodhisattva adorn (alaṃkṛta) his body with marks?
1) Some people have attained purity of faith by seeing the bodily marks of the Buddha. This is why he adorns his body with marks.
2. Furthermore, the Buddhas triumph in every way: they triumph by means of their physical beauty (kāyarūpa), power (prabhāva), clan (gotra), family (jāti), wisdom (prajñā), dhyāna, deliverance (vimukti), etc. But if the Buddhas did not adorn themselves with marks, these superiorities would not be as numerous.
3. Finally, some say that supreme perfect enlightenment (anuttara-samyaksaṃbodhi) resides in the body of the Buddhas but that if the corporeal marks did not adorn their body anuttara-samyaksaṃbodhi would not reside in them. This is why the Bodhisattva cultivates the thirty-two marks and adorns his body with them, to attain anuttara-samyaksaṃbodhi.
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) refers to “adornation”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly as The Lord said: “O Śāriputra, in the buddha-field of the Tathāgata Ekaratnavyūha, there is a Bodhisattva, the great being Gaganagañja who is resplendent by the splendor of merit (puṇya-tejas), [...] who enters the intention of thought of all living beings as adorned with knowledge (jñāna), penetrates the roots of good of all living beings as adorned with consciousness (buddhi-alaṃkṛta), is purified in the realm of five eyes adorned with the [divine] sight (cakṣus), [...]”.
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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) refers to “(being) adorned” (by a crown of skulls), according to the Guru-maṇḍala-arcana [i.e., “Guru Mandala Worship]” ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Standing on top of Mahābhairava and Kālirātrī, embracing Vajravārāhī, With both arms holding a vajra and bell, adorned by a crest of dreadlocks, Decorated by a crown of skulls (kapālamālā-alaṃkṛta), holding a half moon on top of the head, Topped by the form of the Viśva Vajra, a fierce face, horrible gigantic fangs, Possessing the emotions beginning with the erotic, putting on a tiger skin, Wearing a garland of half a hundred human heads together, Possessing the six seals, adorned with a necklace, bracelets, Ear-rings, girdle, a crest jewel, (and) covered in ashes”.
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) refers to “being adorned” (with mantras and mudrās), according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly: “[...] Adorned (alaṃkṛta) with mantras and seals [mantramudrādyalaṃkṛtām], a great yoga practitioner should make bali offering The great accomplishment is [attained] through the recitation [of mantras] ten million times, also a hundred thousand times and below. If he makes offering of various pledge [articles] according to rule, afterwards, yogic accomplishment can be attained, [and] he can wander for pleasure anywhere. [...]”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
alaṅkṛta (अलंकृत).—p S Adorned, decorated, ornamented.
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
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत).—name of a former Buddha: Mahāvastu i.137.2.
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत).—mfn.
(-taḥ-tā-taṃ) Ornamented, adorned, lit. or fig. E. alam as before, kṛta made.
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत):—[=alaṃ-kṛta] [from alaṃ > alam] (ataṃ-) mfn. adorned, decorated, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa etc.], (cf. araṃ-kṛta sub voce aram,)
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत):—[(taḥ-tā-taṃ) p.] Ornamented.
[Sanskrit to German]
Alaṃkṛta (अलंकृत) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Alaṃkariya, Alaṃkiya.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Alaṃkṛta (ಅಲಂಕೃತ):—[adjective] decorated; ornamented; beautified.
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Aḷaṃkṛta (ಅಳಂಕೃತ):—[adjective] decorated or aesthetically improved ; embellished.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Alaṅkṛta (अलङ्कृत):—adj. ornamented; adored; decorated;
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)
Full-text (+30): Svalamkrita, Samalamkrita, Analamkrita, Shalankrita, Abhyalamkrita, Mangalalamkrita, Sadhvalamkrita, Mantralamkrita, Mudralamkrita, Suveshalankrita, Buddhyalamkrita, Ratnalamkrita, Saptaratnalamkrita, Akshobhyalamkrita, Malalamkrita, Alaakrut, Alankari, Alamkiya, Sagalankrita, Alankirutam.
Relevant text
Search found 26 books and stories containing Alankrita, Alaṅkṛta, Alankrta, Alamkrta, Alam-krita, Alaṃ-kṛta, Alam-krta, Alamkrita, Alaṃkṛta, Aḷaṃkṛta, Aḷaṅkṛta; (plurals include: Alankritas, Alaṅkṛtas, Alankrtas, Alamkrtas, kritas, kṛtas, krtas, Alamkritas, Alaṃkṛtas, Aḷaṃkṛtas, Aḷaṅkṛtas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 67 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 3]
Page 216 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 2]
Page 212 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 3]
Arts in the Puranas (study) (by Meena Devadatta Jeste)
9. Music in the Narada Purana < [Chapter 1 - Music in the Puranas]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.9.10 < [Chapter 9 - The Happiness of the Yadus]
Verse 1.2.54 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Abode of Śrī Goloka]
Verse 2.23.30 < [Chapter 23 - The Killing of Śaṅkhacūḍa During the Rāsa-dance Pastime]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.2.8-9 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]