Amita, Amīta, Amitā, Amiṭa: 24 definitions
Introduction:
Amita means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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.
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In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Bhagavata PuranaAmita (अमित):—Son of Jaya (one of the six sons of Purūravā and Urvaśī). (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.15.2)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationAmita (अमित) refers to “that which has no limit” (as opposed to Mita—‘limited’), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.54 (“Description of the duties of the chaste wife”).—Accordingly, as a Brahmin lady said to Pārvatī: “[...] What father gives is limited, what brother gives is limited and what the son gives is also limited. A chaste lady shall worship her husband who gives what has no limit (amita). To a wife the husband is god, preceptor, virtue, holy centre and sacred rite. She should cast off everything and adore him alone. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Amita (अमित).—A son of Jaya.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 15. 2.
1b) A Sudharmāṇa god.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 60.
1c) A mantrakṛt of the Aṅgirasa branch.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 59. 98.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraAmita (अमित) refers to “moderate” (rainfall), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 9), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The four constellations from Ārdrā form the second maṇḍala or circle; if Venus should reappear in it, the rainfall will be moderate [i.e., amita-ambu] and the growth of food crops will also be moderate; the Brāhmins will suffer, especially those who are wicked. If Venus who so reappears in the said circle, should be crossed by a planet, the Mlecchas, forestmen, persons that live by dogs, the hill men of Gomanta and Gonarda, the Cāṇḍālas, the Śūdras and the people of Videha will become wicked and lawless”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Amita (अमित) refers to “unlimited (ability)”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] Her form is the Triangle and her plane unlimited ability (amita-paṭu-padā). She is enflamed by the burning Point. Causing (nectar) to flow, she floods the entire plane of the universe with dense currents of nectar. Active in the utterance (of mantra that takes place) in the centre, she pervades all things with the mass of (her) red and beautiful rays. [...]”.
2) Amita (अमित) or Amitatejas refers to “unlimited energy”, according to the Kularatnoddyota verse 2.29-33.—Accordingly, “[...] Such (also) is this Krama lineage that has come down through the sequence of the series (of teachers). O mistress of Kula, it is worshipped by the troupes of Siddhas and by the Yoginīs. This is the reality of my life, O dear one, it is my wealth. I am myself its creator and I am (its) worshipper. This, O goddess, mistress of Kula, is the ultimate Paścima Śrīkrama. Hard to acquire, it is worshipped with this along with the associated sequences (of mantras). It should be worshipped, O fair one, by Siddhas with unlimited energy (amita-tejas)”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)Amita (अमित) refers to “limitless”, according to the Mahānayaprakāśa by Arṇasiṃha (Cf. verse 182-197).—Accordingly, “The pure Lord who consumes the destruction of the three abodes (of emanation, persistence and destruction) and, limitless (amita), attains the supreme (state) in a moment is said to be Khagendra”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAmitā (अमिता) is mentioned as one of the two daughters of Sīhahanu: an ancient king of the solar clan (āditagotra or sūryavaṃśa) according to the Singhalese chronicles mentioned in a footnote in the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter VI). According to the Singhalese chronicles (Dīpavaṃsa III.45; Mahāvaṃsa II.20), Sīhahanu had five sons and two daughters: Suddhodana, Dhotodana, Sakkodana, Sukkodana, Amitodana, Amitā, Pamitā.
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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismAmitā (अमिता) is the name of Vidyārājñī (i.e., “wisdom queen”) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Amitā).
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: BuddhismAmitā (अमिता) refers to the daughter of Siṃhahanu: an ancient king from the Solar dynasty (sūryavaṃśa) and a descendant of Mahāsaṃmata, according to the Mahāvastu chapter II.32 of the Mahāsaṃghikas (and the Lokottaravāda school).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraAmita (अमित) and Amitavāhana are the two Indras of the Dikkumāras who came to the peak of Meru for partaking in the birth-ceremonies of Ṛṣabha, according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)Amita in India is the name of a plant defined with Carica papaya in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Vasconcellea peltata A. DC. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Verhandelingen van het bataviaasch genootschap van kunsten en wetenschappen (1790)
· De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum (1790)
· Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique (Lamarck) (1804)
· Eclogae Plantarum Rariorum (1811)
· Florae Fluminensis Icones
· Flore des Antilles (1824)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Amita, for example health benefits, diet and recipes, side effects, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, chemical composition, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryamita (अमित).—a (S) Unmeasured. 2 (Freely.) Immeasurable, illimitable, incalculable &c. Ex. kāṃ a0 miḷālē taskara || tyānta dhanavanta sāvakāra ||
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishamita (अमित).—a Unmeasured. Immeasurable, incalculable.
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 dictionaryAmita (अमित).—a.
1) Unmeasured, boundless, unlimited, infinite, great, immense; मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं भ्राता मितं सुतः । अमितस्य हि दातारं भर्तारं का न पूजयेत् (mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ bhrātā mitaṃ sutaḥ | amitasya hi dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayet) Rām.2.37.3.
2) Neglected, disregarded.
3) Unknown.
4) Unpolished.
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Amīta (अमीत).—a. Unhurt; °वर्णाः (varṇāḥ) of unhurt or unextinguishable or unaltered colour; समना समानीरमीतवर्णा उषसश्च- रन्ति (samanā samānīramītavarṇā uṣasaśca- ranti) Ṛgveda 4.51.9.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryAmita (अमित).—ppp. (to root am; recorded only in Sanskrit Gr.), sick: Mahāvastu ii.430.3, mss. varaṃ te amito (Senart em. ramito, implausibly) ahaṃ, sick as I am, I am a better choice for you.
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Amitā (अमिता).—name of a sister of Śuddhodana: Mahāvastu i.352.14; 355.20.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmita (अमित).—mfn.
(-taḥ-tā-taṃ) 1. Unmeasure, boundless, infinite. 2. Neglected, unpolished, unclean. E. a neg. mita measured.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmita (अमित).—[adjective] unmeasured, unlimited.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Amita (अमित):—[from am] 1a or ānta mfn. perf. [Passive voice] p. √am, [Pāṇini 7-2, 28.]
2) 1b See √am.
3) [=a-mita] 2. a-mita mfn. (√3. mā), unmeasured, boundless, infinite, [Ṛg-veda] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] without a certain measure, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Suśruta] etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAmita (अमित):—[a-mita] (taḥ-tā-taṃ) par. Unmeasured; boundless; excessive.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Amita (अमित) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Amiya.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary1) Amīṭa (अमीट):—(a) indelible, ineffaceable; indestructible; —[chāpa] indelible imprint.
2) Amīta (अमीत):—(a) unmeasured, boundless; immense, enormous.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAmita (ಅಮಿತ):—
1) [adjective] not limited; infinite.
2) [adjective] very large; vast; huge; immense; exceeding the usual size, number or degree; enormous.
3) [adjective] not restricted by boundaries or regulations.
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Amita (ಅಮಿತ):—
1) [noun] he who is not subject to any limitations, restrictions or regulations.
2) [noun] the Supreme.
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 (+41): Amitabala, Amitabh, Amitabha, Amitabha Sutra, Amitabhaga, Amitabhagya, Amitabhalokeshvara, Amitabhoga, Amitabuddhimant, Amitadhvaja, Amitadyuti, Amitagati, Amitaguna, Amitakratu, Amitakshara, Amitalocana, Amitalochana, Amitam, Amitamanasa, Amitamati.
Ends with (+177): Abhinamita, Abhiramita, Abhisamita, Abhyamita, Abhyastamita, Abhyupagamita, Abhyupamita, Adhiniyamita, Agamita, Ajamita, Akramita, Anagamita, Anakramita, Anamita, Anastamita, Anavanamita, Aniyamita, Anupamita, Anuvyayamita, Apagamita.
Full-text (+44): Amitatejas, Amitabha, Amitam, Amitadyuti, Amitaujas, Amitakratu, Amitashana, Amitatva, Amitavirya, Amitaprabha, Amiya, Amitavikrama, Amitagati, Amitadhvaja, Amitakshara, Abhyamita, Amitaprabhasa, Amitobhava, Mita, Amitamati.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Amita, A-mita, Amīta, Amitā, Amīṭa, Amiṭa; (plurals include: Amitas, mitas, Amītas, Amitās, Amīṭas, Amiṭas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Buddhas of the present: Preliminary note (5) < [Part 7 - Seeing, hearing and understanding all the Buddhas of the present]
I. Seeing and hearing all the Buddhas < [Part 7 - Seeing, hearing and understanding all the Buddhas of the present]
Preliminary note: Hearing of the name of the Buddhas < [Part 3 - Bringing innumerable beings to abhisaṃbodhi]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 18: The Bhavanapatis < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Part 6: The birth-bath of Sambhava < [Chapter I - Sambhavajinacaritra]
Part 8: Birth-ceremonies presided over by Śakra < [Chapter II - Birth of Ajita and Sagara]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
Philosophy of Charaka-samhita (by Asokan. G)
Indian sciences (the eighteen disciplines) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Higher and lower knowledge < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Mahavamsa (by Wilhelm Geiger)