Anahata, Anāhata: 16 definitions
Introduction:
Anahata 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
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Chakras: HinduismAnāhata Nāda = unlimited, infinite sound. The Anāhata Chakra is one of the most beautiful and richest Chakras, and invites us to dwell longer in its inexhaustible treasures of delightful feelings and experiences. It is located in the region of the heart, in the centre of the chest, and this is why it is also known as the Heart Centre. And it is not without reason that the heart is regarded as the symbol of love, for the Anāhata Chakra is the seat of love.
The Anāhata Chakra is our inner temple in which the divine Ātmā, “the flame of life”, resides. Self-Realisation, also known as God-Realisation, involves the recognition of our own Self, the Ātmā. To show that something belongs to us or concerns us we spontaneously point to the centre of the chest, the site of the Anāhata Chakra. No-one points to the head, the stomach or any other part of the body. This shows clearly that we spontaneously identify ourselves with the Ātmā within the heart centre.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchAnāhata (अनाहत) refers to the “unstruck sound”, 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. [...] By means of an absorption for two Palas (i.e., twelve breaths), a sound in the heart rises up. [The Yogin] should recognize it to be the unstruck sound (anāhata) and should not fix his mind on it. [...]”.
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).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Anāhata (अनाहत) refers to “unstruck sound” and represents one of the three kinds of Caitanya (“consciousness”), 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, “Consciousness (caitanya) is said to be (of three kinds) gross, very subtle and Unstruck Sound [i.e., anāhata]. The Body (piṇḍa) made of these principles is the differentiated (sakala) (aspect) whose form is the ghost (which is the goddess's vehicle). Complete and made of the six parts (noted below), it is sustained by Pure Knowledge (śuddhavidyā). Above it is the measure (called) Sound (nādamātrā), which is just a straight (line) (ṛjumātrā). [...]”.
2) Anāhata (अनाहत) or Anāhatadhvani refers to the “unstruck sound” symbolizing the energy of transcendental consciousness, according to Kṣemarāja in his commentaries on the Netratantra and the Svacchandabhairavatantra, which is well known to the Kubjikā Tantras.—Sound is the reflective awareness of the energy of transcendental consciousness, which, becoming conscious of itself, assumes the form of ‘Unstruck Sound’ (anāhata-dhvani). It is not manifest as the individual phonemic energies of Speech, but is the phonemic energy (varṇa) of all these as the instrumental cause of their manifestation, and underlies them when they are manifest individually. As such it can be identified with the emissive power of consciousness (visarga), as yet unmanifest, that resides in the junction between transcendent Śiva and his immanent energy. [...]
3) Anāhata (अनाहत) or Anāhatacakra refers one of the “sixteen stations of the ascent of kuṇḍalinī” 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, “[...] (4) One should think of the Wheel of Unstruck Sound [i.e., anāhata-cakra] above that (in the heart) as white and red. In the middle of that is the Great Sound (mahārāva), the most excellent Heart of the Yoginī, which is said to be dark blue, and red. [...] (Perfect) contemplation (samādhi) is with (these) sixteen aspects and is (attained) within the form of the sixfold deposition (ṣoḍhānyāsa). He who knows this is (a veritable) Lord of Yogis, the others (who do not) are (just) quoting from books. Once attained the plane that is Void and Non-void, the yogi is freed from bondage”.
Cf. Anāhatatattva (lit. “principle of unstruck sound”), which is the ninth station of the ascent of kuṇḍalinī.
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: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraAnāhata (अनाहत) refers to the “unstruck (active ideation)”, according to the Netratantroddyota commentary on the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 22.14]—“Praṇava is the universal pulse or throb that is unstruck (anāhata), active ideation (verbalization that is not the result of contact with organs) which is like kalpa, the first acceptance of the cognition and action of all that is to be known and done for all living beings, because there could be no knowing and no doing without [praṇava]. [...]”.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismAnahata is the fourth primary chakra according to the Hindu Yogic, Shakta and Buddhist Tantric traditions. In Sanskrit the word anahata means unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten. Anahata Nad refers to the Vedic concept of unstruck sound, the sound of the celestial realm. Ananhata is usually associated with a calm serene sound void of violence.
The Anahata chakra is positioned in the central channel in the spine at the heart region, with its kshetram, or superficial activation site, actually in the heart region between the two breasts.
Anahata is represented by a smoke-grey lotus flower, with 12 petals. Inside of it is a smoke-coloured region that is made from the intersection of two triangles, creating a shatkona. The shatkona is a symbol used in Hindu Yantra that represents the union of both the masculine and feminine form. More specifically, it is meant to represent Purusha (the supreme being), and Prakriti (mother nature, or causal matter). Often this is represented as Shiva – Shakti. The deity of this region is Vayu, who is smoke coloured and four-armed, holding a kusha and riding upon an antelope, the animal of this chakra.
The seed syllable is the mantra 'Yam', dark-grey in colour. Within the bindu or dot above the syllable resides the deity Isha (Lord in an all pervading form). Isha is either shining white or blue in color, has either one or five faces with three eyes on each face; has two, four or ten arms; is clad in a tiger skin, holds a trident and a drum and/or is making gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear. His shakti is Kakini, who is shining yellow or rose in colour. She has a number of variations, having either one, three or six faces, two or four arms, and holding a variety of implements, occasionally a sword, shield, skull and trident. She is seated on a red lotus.
The twelve petals are vermilion coloured, and upon them are inscribed the syllables kam, kham, gam, gham, ngam, cham, chham, jam, jham, nyam, tam and tham in Sanskrit. They match the vrittis of lust, fraud, indecision, repentance, hope, anxiety, longing, impartiality, arrogance, incompetence, discrimination and defiance.
Function:
Anahata is considered the seat of the Jivatman, and Para Shakti. In the Upanishads, this is described as being like a tiny flame that resided inside the heart. Anahata is so called because it is in this place that sages hear that sound (Anahata – Shabda) which comes without the striking of any two things together." It is associated with the element of air, the sense of touch, and with actions of the hands.
Anahata is associated with the ability to make decisions outside of the realm of karma. In Manipura and below, man is bound by the laws of karma, and the fate he has in store for him. In Anahata, one is making decisions, 'following your heart', based upon one's higher self, and not from the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature. As such, it is known as the heart chakra.
It is also associated with love and compassion, charity to others, and forms of psychic healing.
Source: Hindupedia: The Hindu EncyclopediaSound is produced through contact, vibration and obstruction. This is called āhata. However cosmic hiss if one can hear is eternal and existent. This is called Anāhata. It is not produced by us but only heard. A yogi can hear this.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAnāhata (अनाहत).—a.
1) Unbeaten, unwounded, intact.
2) [āhataṃ chedo bhogo vā tannāsti yasya] New and unbleached (as cloth) (Mar. koreṃ).
3) Not produced by beating (as sound).
4) Not multiplied.
-tam, -taḥ The 4th of the mystical Chakras in the body, (tantraśāstre prasiddhaṃ hṛdayasthitaṃ suṣumṇā- madhyasthaṃ dvādaśadalapadmam); शब्दो ब्रह्ममयः शब्दोऽनाहतो यत्र दृश्यते । अनाहताख्यं तत् पद्मं मुनिभिः परिकीर्तितम् (śabdo brahmamayaḥ śabdo'nāhato yatra dṛśyate | anāhatākhyaṃ tat padmaṃ munibhiḥ parikīrtitam) ||
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnāhata (अनाहत).—mfn.
(-taḥ-tā-taṃ) 1. Unhurt, unbeaten, unwounded, intact. 2. New and unbleached, (as cloth.) m.
(-taḥ) The fourth of the mystical Chakras or circles of the body. E. an neg. and āhata beaten.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnāhata (अनाहत).—[adjective] unbeaten (drum); — unhurt*; *unwashed, new (cloth).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Anāhata (अनाहत):—[=an-āhata] mfn. unbeaten, unwounded, intact
2) [v.s. ...] new and unbleached (as cloth)
3) [v.s. ...] produced otherwise than by beating
4) [v.s. ...] not multiplied
5) [v.s. ...] n. the fourth of the mystical cakras, or circles of the body.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnāhata (अनाहत):—[tatpurusha compound] I. m. f. n.
(-taḥ-tā-tam) 1) Unhurt, unbeaten, unwounded.
2) Unwashed, new (as cloth).
3) (In music.) Not beat or struck, not produced in the ordinary way (as a sound). See anāhatanāda. Ii. n.
(-tam) 1) A new garment (see āhata).
2) The fourth of the six mystical Chakras or circles of the body. E. a neg. and āhata.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnāhata (अनाहत):—[anā+hata] (taḥ-tā-taṃ) m. f. n. New and unbleached (cloth). a. Unhurt.
[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 corpusAnahata (ಅನಹತ):—[noun] the fourth of the six mystical circles in human body, as the centres of mystical power.
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Anāhata (ಅನಾಹತ):—[adjective] unbeaten; unwounded; intact; unstruck.
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Anāhata (ಅನಾಹತ):—
1) [noun] a cloth that is never-washed.
2) [noun] that which cannot be broken through.
3) [noun] that which is not multiplied.
4) [noun] the mystical circle, fourth of six such circles, in the human body, awakening of which is supposed to release super-human powers.
5) [noun] (mus.) the sound below the hearing threshold (having lesser loudness, believed to be heard only by mystics).
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 DictionaryAnāhata (अनाहत):—adj. 1. unbeaten; unhurt; unwounded; 2. not produced by beating;
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)
Starts with: Anahatacakra, Anahatadhvani, Anahatagraha, Anahatalile, Anahatam, Anahatamati, Anahatanada, Anahatanatha, Anahatatattva.
Ends with: Apamanahata, Chanachanahata, Cikanahata, Ganaganahata, Ishanahata, Janahita, Jhanajhanahata, Lakshanahata, Pavanahata, Sanasanahata.
Full-text (+15): Anahatanada, Shatcakra, Anahatacakra, Cakra, Anahatam, Yam, Anahath, Anupahata, Unstruck sound, Pada, Nadicakra, Shabda, Shadadhara, Ahata, Rising, Paladvaya, Dvipala, Anacka, Ishana, Anahatatattva.
Relevant text
Search found 29 books and stories containing Anahata, Anāhata, An-ahata, An-āhata; (plurals include: Anahatas, Anāhatas, ahatas, āhatas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres) (by Arthur Avalon)
Shankaracharya and Ramana Maharshi (study) (by Maithili Vitthal Joshi)
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 140 [Ṣaṭcakra Mānasa Sthiti] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
Verse 38 [Śakti emanates as Varṇa] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]
Verse 39 [Nine-fold Nāda] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]
Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations) (by Makarand Gopal Newalkar)
Sūtra 2.27 < [Book II - Sādhana-pāda]
Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri (study) (by Lathika M. P.)
Tāntric Measures < [Chapter 3 - References to Śaṅkara’s Philosophy]
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