Angushtha, Aṅguṣṭha, Amgushtha: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Angushtha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Aṅguṣṭha can be transliterated into English as Angustha or Angushtha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: YogaAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “thumb”. It is used in Yoga.
Source: Google Books: Croaking Frogs: (Yoga)Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to the “big toes” representing one of the sixteen vital centres of the body (i.e., ādhāra), according to the Jyotsnā 3.73 (Cf. Gorakṣaśataka 14 and Svātmārāma’s Haṭhapradīpikā 3.72).—In Haṭhayoga, ādhāra refers to a vital point of the body, a seat of vital function. Jyotsnā verse 3.73 cites a passage attributed to Gorakṣa listing the ādhāras as [e.g., aṅguṣṭha (big toes), ...]. The Haṭhapradīpikā refers to sixteen ādhāras but does not name them or explain what they are. The Gorakṣaśataka also refers to sixteen ādhāras as something the Yogī should be familiar with, but does not name them.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to the “thumbs”, according to the Mataṅgapārameśvaratantra (Mataṅgapārameśvara’s Yogapāda) verse 2.23-27.—Accordingly, while discussing ancillary and seated poses in Yoga: “[Having adopted either paryaṅka, kamala, bhadra or svastikāsana], the wise [Yogin] places his hands obliquely, in the middle of the shanks, makes [them] upward-facing and evenly balanced, and fixes the right hand on the left, so that the right fingers are at the base of the left [hand]. The two thumbs (aṅguṣṭha—aṅguṣṭhau) are bent slightly and should be held together. [...]”.
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).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to the “big toe”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.15 (“The penance and reign of Tārakāsura”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated: “[...] For a hundred years he [Tāraka] performed penance with his hands lifted up, standing on only one leg and gazing at the sun. With his mind steady and firm he observed all sacred rites. Then for a hundred years, the lord and king of Asuras, Tāraka performed the penance: stood steady touching the ground with the single big toe [i.e., aṅguṣṭha]. For hundred years he performed penance by drinking only water; another hundred years by sustaining himself on air alone, another hundred years standing in water and another hundred years standing on dry land. [...]”.
2) Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to the “thumb”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.10 (“The burning of the Tripuras”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “[...] The lord stood in the wonderful posture of Pratyālīḍha for a hundred thousand years. The bow was well strung and kept near the head. The arrow was fixed. The fingers clenched at the bow firmly. The eyes were fixed. Gaṇeśa was stationed on the thumb (aṅguṣṭha). During this time the three cities did not come within the target path of the trident-bearing lord. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ).—Gifts, receiving of gifts, homa, feeding, bali offering, all to be done.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 79. 88.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: academia.edu: The Śaiva Yogas and Their Relation to Other Systems of YogaAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ, “big toes”) refers to one of the sixteen types of “locus” or “support” (ādhāra) according to the Netratantra. These ādhāras are called so because they “support” or “localise” the self and are commonly identified as places where breath may be retained. They are taught in two different setups: according to the tantraprakriyā and according to the kulaprakriyā. Aṅguṣṭha belongs to the latter system.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the HindusAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to “(using) one’s toes” (while driving an elephant), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 12, “On the qualities of elephant drivers, etc.”]: “11. Inserting both his feet in the neck chain, with strokes of his firmly implanted toes (aṅguṣṭha) and heels [dṛḍhanihitāṅguṣṭhapārṣṇiprahāraiḥ], and with his thighs tightly binding, with firm mind, fixed securely like a post, the driver shall take a good hold of the hook in his right hand, and with the other hand likewise a staff of reed or the like, and with concentrated mind shall gently make the elephant go (by signs made with his feet)”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsAṃguṣṭha (अंगुष्ठ):—Thumb. First toe
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: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to the “thumbs”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, as Bhairava explains: “[...] By squeezing where the channels that transport the vital breath (are located), (with) the two thumbs [i.e., aṅguṣṭha—aṅguṣṭhau dvau] consecrated with mantra, it [i.e., parāśakti—the supreme energy] heats up and (then) burns up the cage of sin. The mind attains the transmental state and (the disciple) falls on the ground unconscious”.
2) Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to “(performing austerities using the) toes”, according to the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, [while discussing the Hagiography of Siddha Pippalīnātha]: “There is a well known and fine town on the beautiful bank of the (river) Mandākinī called Bhogavardhana and Vikrama lives there. He was born in Visuli of a merchant and was very powerful. Well known as an Atharvavedin. He was very strong and possessed the Command. He practised the austerity of (standing on) one toe (aṅguṣṭha) in front of Ādinātha. For a thousand divine years he practiced tremendous austerity. A lotus grew out of the lotus of his (navel) that shone like the sun. [...]”.
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 TextsAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) or Aṅguṣṭhamudrā refers to one of the “twenty-six ritual hand gestures” (mudrās) mentioned in the sixth chapter of the Nāradīyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra document comprising over 3000 verses in 30 chapters presenting in a narrative framework the teachings of Nārada to Gautama, dealing primarily with modes of worship and festivals.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa]: Gautama asks Nārada about mudrās, by using which one can please the Lord (1) Nārada then names and describes how to form with the hands 26 gestures: namely, [e.g., aṅguṣṭha-mudrā] [....]. All the preceding are mudrās appropriate to use when worshipping the Lord in His central shrine.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) refers to the “thumb” (e.g., Aṅguṣṭhābharaṇa—‘a thumb ring’), according to the Gurupādārgha (Guru foot offering) 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.
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: academia.edu: The Original Paṇhavāyaraṇa/Praśnavyākaraṇa DiscoveredAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) (Sanskrit; in Prakrit: Aṃguṭṭha) refers to “one’s thumb”, as taught in the Paṇhavāgaraṇa: (Sanskrit: Praśnavyākaraṇa), according to the Sthānāṅgasūtra (Sūtra 755).—The Paṇhavāgaraṇa is the tenth Anga of the Jain canon which deals with the prophetic explanation of queries regarding divination.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryaṅguṣṭha (अंगुष्ठ).—m (S) A thumb or a great toe. aṅguṣṭhācī āga mastakānta jāṇēṃ g. of s. To be filled with fury; to be in a blaze from the great toe to the crown of the head. aṅguṣṭhāvaruna daśaśira karaṇēṃ (To make Rava&n2dot;a out of a thumb.) To tell the whole from seeing a small part. To deal in hyperbole or exaggeration. Also aṅguṣṭhāvaruna daśaśira karaṇārā. An exaggerator &c.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishaṅguṣṭha (अंगुष्ठ).—m A thumb or a great toe.
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 dictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ).—[aṅgau pāṇau prādhānyena tiṣṭhati; aṅgu-sthā P.VIII. 4.97]
1) The thumb; great toe.
2) A thumb's breadth, usually regarded as equal to अङ्गुल (aṅgula) [cf. Zend angusta, Pers. angust.]
Derivable forms: aṅguṣṭhaḥ (अङ्गुष्ठः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ).—m.
(-ṣṭhaḥ) The thumb. E. aṅgu here said to be the hand, and ṣṭha, from sthā to stay.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ).—i. e. aṅgu-stha (cf. aṅgula), m. 1. The thumb. 2. The great toe. 3. A thumb’s breadth as a measure.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ).—[masculine] thumb or great toe; aṅguṣṭhamātra & aṅguṣṭhamātraka [adjective] having the length of a thumb.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ):—[from aṅgula] m. the thumb
2) [v.s. ...] the great toe
3) [v.s. ...] a thumb’s breadth, usually regarded as equal to an aṅgula.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ):—[tatpurusha compound] m.
(-ṣṭhaḥ) 1) The thumb.
2) The great toe.
3) A thumb’s breadth, as a linear measure which is said to be a measure of six barley corns. This seems, however, not to be correct, because twelve aṅguṣṭhas are given by the same authority as equal to a Vitasti or span. See aṅgula. E. aṅgu here said to mean the hand, and stha.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ):—(ṣṭhaḥ) 1. m. The thumb.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Aṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Aṃguṭhṭha.
[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 corpusAṃguṣṭha (ಅಂಗುಷ್ಠ):—
1) [noun] the largest of the five fingers of the hand; the thumb.
2) [noun] the largest of the five small parts at the termination of the foot; the great toe.
3) [noun] breadth of a thumb, as a measure;4) [noun] ಅಂಗುಷ್ಠ ಕಂಡು ರಾವಣನ ಬರೆ [amgushtha kamdu ravanana bare] aŋguṣṭha kaṇḍu rāvaṇana bare (id.) to have a very sharp mental grasping and keen executing power; ಅಂಗುಷ್ಠ ಬಾತರೆ ಪರ್ವತವಾದೀತೆ [amgushtha batare parvatavadite]? aŋguṣṭha bātare parvatavādīte (prov.) do not make a mountain out of a molehill; do not blow up a slight difficulty into a very serious one.
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 DictionaryAṅguṣṭha (अङ्गुष्ठ):—n. 1. the thumb; 2. the great toe; 3. a thumb's breadth usually regarded as equal to 'अङ्गुल [aṅgula] ';
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: Amgushthaprasena, Angushthabharana, Angushthagra, Angushthamatra, Angushthamatraka, Angushthamudra, Angushthamula, Angushthana, Angushthaparvabhara, Angushthaparvan, Angushthaprahara, Angushthaprashna, Angushthasana, Angushthavibhedaka, Angushthavibhedika.
Full-text (+25): Padangushtha, Angushthamatra, Angushthamatraka, Vyangushtha, Angushthavibhedaka, Angu, Nirangushtha, Amgushthaprasena, Padangushthasana, Suptapadangushthasana, Angushthavibhedika, Padangushthadhanurasana, Angushthabharana, Angushthya, Angushthaprashna, Angushthasana, Ubhayapadangushthasana, Ubhayangushtha, Anguttha, Angushthamudra.
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Search found 29 books and stories containing Angushtha, Aṅguṣṭha, Angustha, Amgustha, Amgushtha, Aṃguṣṭha; (plurals include: Angushthas, Aṅguṣṭhas, Angusthas, Amgusthas, Amgushthas, Aṃguṣṭhas). 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)
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A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas (by Goswami Mitali)
Part 9 - Iconographic Traces of Sūrya in the Purāṇas < [Chapter 4 - Vedic Influence on the Sun-Worship in the Purāṇas]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Observational study on kshipra marma in urdhvashakha < [2016, Issue I January]
Anguli pramana shaareera in ayurveda classics: a review < [2016, Issue IX September]
A pilot study to compare the assessment of prakriti through ques-tionnaire and naadi pareeksha < [2023, Issue 07, July]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 2.59 < [Section XIII - Initiation (upanayana)]
Verse 2.58 < [Section XIII - Initiation (upanayana)]