Amnaya, Āmnāya: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Amnaya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚaivismĀmnāya (आम्नाय) refers to a classification of Kulāgama scriptures, mostly tantras belonging to the Kula tradition within Śaivism. The oldest and commonly accepted classification of four āmnāyas is found in sources such as the Kubjikāmatatantra, the Manthānabhairavatantra (yogakhaṇḍa) and the Saṃketapaddhati.
These are the four āmnāyas, each corresponding with a direction and yuga:
- Pūrvāmnāya (eastern doctrine, kṛtayuga),
- Dakṣiṇāmnāya (souther doctrine, tretāyuga),
- Uttarāmnāya (northern doctrine, dvāparayuga),
- Paścimāmnāya (western doctrine, kāliyuga).
There are however, different classifications of āmnāya counting up to five, six or more.
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)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramĀmnāya (आम्नाय) refers to “tradition” or “transmission”.—The Kubjikā tradition is the Divyāmnāya the Divine Tradition and Kulālikāmnāya of the goddess Kulālikā. Leading to the Śāmbhava state, it is the Śāmbhava Kula, which is the Śāmbhavāmnāya. Ultimately, the Kaula Tantras came to be divided into six āmnāyas symbolically set in the four quarters of space, nadir, and zenith. The first of these to emerge were the uttarāmnāya and the paścimāmnāya.
The meaning of both the names paścima-āmnāya and uttara-āmnāya are ambiguous. ‘Uttarāmnāya’ may mean both the ‘higher tradition’ and the ‘tradition of the north’. Both were probably meant right from the inception of the use of this term. Although the name ‘paścimāmnāya’ in the sense of the ‘Western Tradition’ never appears in the earliest Kubjikā sources, it became one of the standard names for the Kubjikā school in the later ones. Moreover, with the passage of time and the development of other ‘āmnāyas’ it became a convenient way of locating it in the context of the other Kaula schools.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Āmnāya (आम्नाय) refers to the “scriptures”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] O goddess! Having worshipped you I somehow manage to govern [my] land following the path dictated by the scriptures (āmnāya-darśita-patha). [But] who among the people on the path of winning the love of the young lady called Atibhavā—the one who has transcended the world—is not disrespected by those people who are engaged in gossip?”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsĀmnāya (आम्नाय) or Rahasyāmnāya refers to the “(esoteric) levels of the Veda” (as taught by Śāṇḍilya to Sanaka), as discussed in chapter 1 (Jñānakāṇḍa) of the Pārameśvarasaṃhitā: an important Pāñcarātra text of 8700 verses followed closely by the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam—dealing with priestly concerns such as their daily routines, occasional liturgies and expiatory services.—Description of the chapter [śāstrāvatāra]: [...] Bhagavān appears and tells Sanaka to meet Śāṇḍilya, who as a master of many fields of knowledge will teach him the rahasya-āmnāya or the esoteric levels of the Veda. This teaching, composed in the anuṣṭubh-meter has as foremost among its expositions the Sāttvata, Pauṣkara and Jayākhya (1-19). [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismĀmnāya (आम्नाय) is a Sanskrit word, which means sacred tradition handed over by repetition.
Source: bhagavadgitausa.com: Sadasiva
The Amnayas (Doctrines) lead one to liberation. He who knows all the Amnayas is Siva himself. Urdhavamnaya is the most exalted doctrine and Law of all doctrines: it is the musk among fragrances, Kanchi among cities, head among the limbs, Brahmana among castes, King among men, Sanyasa among Asramas, swan among the birds, cow among the four-legged animals, sandal-wood among trees, gold among metals, gem among precious stones, sweetness among tastes, Asvamedha among sacrifices, Mount Meru among mountains, Ganga among rivers, Kasi (the old Benares or Varnasi) among Tirthas (sacred places), Sun among the luminary objects, and Vishnu among Gods. It has to come from the mouth of a Guru. The Mantra is Hamsa.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Google Books: The Lamp for Integrating the Practices (Caryamelapakapradipa)Āmnāya (आम्नाय) refers to the “tradition” (of the Great Yoga Tantra—the Glorious Esoteric Community), according to the 9th-century Caryāmelāpakapradīpa (“The Lamp for Integrating the Practices”) by Āryadeva, which represents a comprehensive exposition of the Guhyasamāja-tantra.—Accordingly, as the Vajra Mentor said: “Excellent, excellent, Great One! I will explain the practice without elaboration according to the tradition (āmnāya) of the Great Yoga Tantra, the Glorious Esoteric Community. Listen with one-pointed attention! In a region that is agreeable to the mind as described in the Tantras, [that is]: ‘In regions of great wilderness provided with fruits, flowers, and the like; on a lonely mountain should this assembly of meditation be practiced’. Having consecrated either a single-story cottage or a raised platform according to the rite as it has been explained, and having imaginatively created there a celestial palace with a vajra and a jewel peak, with features such as having four corners, and so on, thereafter, [...]”.
Note: For āmnāya, Tibetan reads “personal instruction” (man ngag, usually upadeśa).
Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of HeroesAmnāya (अम्नाय) refers to “transmissions” (based on right meditation), 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: “[...] Thus said the Blessed One, the master, Vajraḍāka, a Tathāgata, Vajrasattva, and the Supreme Bliss through the complete union with all heroes. This is the 15th chapter, the teaching of various transmissions (nānā-amnāya) based on the right meditation of the Blessed One, in the glorious Ḍākārṇava Great Yoginītantra King. [...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 9: Influx of karmasĀmnāya (आम्नाय, “recitation”).—One of the five types of self-study (svādhyāya);—What is meant by ‘recitation’ (āmnāya)? To memorize or recite repeatedly correctly and clearly is called recitation.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryĀmnāya.—(CII 4), a Jain sub-sect. (IA 20), same as kula or kula-krama; generations, succes- sions. Note: āmnāya is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryāmnāya (आम्नाय).—m S The Vedas. Ex. nēti nēti mhaṇōna || ā0 jēthēṃ taṭastha || Also ā0 āṇi vāsava || stavitī jātēṃ sarvadā ||
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 dictionaryĀmnāya (आम्नाय).—[ā-mnā-ghañ]
1) (a) Sacred tradition, sacred texts handed down by tradition or repetition. (b) Hence, the Veda, Vedas taken collectively (including Brāhmaṇas, Upaniṣads and Āraṇyakas also); अधीती चतुर्ष्वाम्नायेषु (adhītī caturṣvāmnāyeṣu) Daśakumāracarita 12; आम्नायवचन सत्यमित्ययं लोकसंग्रहः । आम्ना- येभ्यः पुनर्वेदाः प्रसृताः सर्वतोमुखाः (āmnāyavacana satyamityayaṃ lokasaṃgrahaḥ | āmnā- yebhyaḥ punarvedāḥ prasṛtāḥ sarvatomukhāḥ) || Mb.; Kirātārjunīya 11.39.
2) Study (by repetition); अनाम्नायमला वेदा ब्राह्मणस्याव्रतं मलम् (anāmnāyamalā vedā brāhmaṇasyāvrataṃ malam) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.328.2.
3) A sacred text or precept in general; आम्नायादन्यत्र नू (āmnāyādanyatra nū)नश्छन्दसामवतारः (naśchandasāmavatāraḥ) Uttararāmacarita 4.
4) Traditional usage, family or national customs; Uttararāmacarita 6.
5) Received doctrine.
6) Advice or instruction (in past and present usage).
7) A Tantra.
8) A series of families.
Derivable forms: āmnāyaḥ (आम्नायः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀmnāya (आम्नाय).—m.
(-yaḥ) 1. A Veda, or the Vedas in the aggregate. 2. Received doctrine, traditional and right. 3. Traditional usage, family or national customs. 4. Advice, instruction in past and present usage. 5. A Tantra. 6. An element of being, a property of substance. E. āṅ before mrā to learn, to remember, ghañ and yuk affs.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀmnāya (आम्नाय).—i. e. ā-mnā + a, m. 1. Holy tradition, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 7, 80. 2. A Veda, [Daśakumāracarita] 140, 3.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀmnāya (आम्नाय).—[masculine] tradition, sacred text, legend.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus CatalogorumĀmnāya (आम्नाय) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[tantric] K. 36.
—by Devasthali Np. V, 134.
1) Āmnāya (आम्नाय):—[=ā-mnāya] [from ā-mnā] m. sacred tradition, sacred texts handed down by repetition
2) [v.s. ...] that which is to be remembered or studied or learnt by heart
3) [v.s. ...] a Veda or the Vedas in the aggregate
4) [v.s. ...] received doctrine, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā-prātiśākhya; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
5) [v.s. ...] traditional usage, family or national customs
6) [v.s. ...] advice, instruction in past and present usage
7) [v.s. ...] a Tantra
8) [v.s. ...] a family, series of families, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀmnāya (आम्नाय):—[ā-mnāya] (yaḥ) 1. m. A veda; doctrine; usage; advice; element.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusĀmnāya (ಆಮ್ನಾಯ):—
1) [noun] a belief, practice, custom, ritual, etc. transmitted from generation to generation; tradition.
2) [noun] genealogical order of descendants; lineage; family.
3) [noun] the Vēdas, the sacred texts of the Hindus handed down by tradition.
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)
Partial matches: A.
Starts with (+2): Amnayabheda, Amnayabheda, Amnayadarshana, Amnayadarshita, Amnayadevi, Amnayadi, Amnayagotra, Amnayagurumandaladevatarcanakramavalli, Amnayakrama, Amnayakriyarthatvadisutravicara, Amnayamanjari, Amnayanatha, Amnayanidarshana, Amnayapaddhati, Amnayapara, Amnayapuja, Amnayarahasya, Amnayasarin, Amnayashatka, Amnayastotra.
Full-text (+124): Samamnaya, Pratyamnaya, Uttaramnaya, Duramnaya, Amnayarahasya, Pashcimamnaya, Amnayasarin, Dakshinamnaya, Yathamnayam, Pratyamnayam, Shadamnaya, Purvamnaya, Svamnaya, Amnayapara, Urdhvamnaya, Amnayayoni, Pancamnaya, Dravidamnaya, Kulalikamnaya, Abhyamnaya.
Relevant text
Search found 38 books and stories containing Amnaya, A-mnaya, Ā-mnāya, Āmnāya, Amnayas; (plurals include: Amnayas, mnayas, mnāyas, Āmnāyas, Amnayases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cidvilasastava by Amrtananda (by Brian Campbell and Ben Williams)
Varahi Tantra (English Study) (by Roberta Pamio)
Chapter 18 - The Āmnāyas (traditions), Continued < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Chapter 22 - The the Six Āmnāyas < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Chapter 15 - The worship of Siddhilakṣmī < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 9.25 - The five subdivisions of study (svādhyāya) < [Chapter 9 - Stoppage and Shedding of Karmas]
Preceptors of Advaita (by T. M. P. Mahadevan)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
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