Anitya: 8 definitions
Introduction
Anitya 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.
In Hinduism
Samkhya (school of philosophy)
Source: Shodhganga: Prakrti and purusa in Samkhyakarika an analytical reviewAnitya (अनित्य, “non-eternal”).—Generally, that which is not eternal is called anitya. Ordinarily anitya means vināśi. That which is able to be annihilated is called vināśi. So, vināśa means complete destruction, which brings in unending non-existence of the thing destroyed (dhvaṃsābhāva).
Samkhya (सांख्य, Sāṃkhya) is a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy (astika) and is closeley related to the Yoga school. Samkhya philosophy accepts three pramanas (‘proofs’) only as valid means of gaining knowledge. Another important concept is their theory of evolution, revolving around prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammarAnitya (अनित्य).—(l) not nitya or obligatory optional; said of a rule or paribhāṣā whose application is voluntary). Regarding the case and con= jugational affixes it can be said that those affixes can, in a way: be looked upon as nitya or obligatory, as they have to be affixed to a crude nominal base or a root; there being a dictum that no crude base without an affix can be used as also, no affix alone without a base can be used. On the other hand, the taddhita and kṛt affixes as also compounds are voluntary as, instead of them an independent word or a phrase can be used to convey the sense. For a list of such nitya affixes see M. Bh. on V. 4.7; (2) the word अनित्य (anitya) is also used in the sense of not-nitya, the word नित्य (nitya) being taken to mean कृताकृतप्रसङ्गि (kṛtākṛtaprasaṅgi) occurring before as well as after another rule has been applied, the latter being looked upon as अनित्य (anitya) which does not do so. This 'nityatva' has got a number of exceptions and limitations which are mentioned in Paribhāṣās 43-49 in the Paribhāṣenduśekhara.
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Vaisheshika (school of philosophy)
Source: Shodhganga: A study of Nyāya-vaiśeṣika categories (vaisesika)Anitya (अनित्य, “non-eternal”) or Nityaguṇa refers to a classification of the twenty-four guṇas (qualities).—Guṇas are again divided into nitya (eternal) and anitya (non-eternal). The qualities of eternal substances are known as eternal qualities and the qualities of noneternal substances are known as non-eternal qualities. Eternal substances are the atoms of earth etc., ether, time, space, self and mind.
Vaisheshika (वैशेषिक, vaiśeṣika) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. Vaisheshika deals with subjects such as logic, epistemology, philosophy and expounds concepts similar to Buddhism in nature
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAnitya (अनित्य, “impermanence”) refers to one of the eight kinds of contemplations (anupaśyanā) among the Buddha’s disciples, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XVI). Accordingly, “for them, everything is impermanent (anitya), suffering (duḥkha), empty (śūnya), egoless (anātmaka), like a sickness (roga), an ulcer (gaṇḍa), like an arrow (śalya) stuck in one’s body, like an agony (agha)”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryanitya (अनित्य).—a (S) Not enduring always; transitory, fugitive, fleeting. Ex. a0 prapañca jō anātmā. 2 Occasional, incidental.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishanitya (अनित्य).—a Not eternal, perishable, tran- sient. Unsteady. Uncertain.
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-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAnitya (अनित्य).—a.
1) Not eternal or everlasting, transient, non-eternal, perishable (naśvara) (opp. nitya); गन्धवती पृथ्वी सा द्विविधा नित्याऽनित्या च (gandhavatī pṛthvī sā dvividhā nityā'nityā ca) T. S.9 (anityā = kāryarūpā); See नित्य (nitya); यदि नित्यमनित्येन निर्मलं मलवाहिना । यशः कायेन लभ्येत तन्न लब्धं भवेन्तु किम् (yadi nityamanityena nirmalaṃ malavāhinā | yaśaḥ kāyena labhyeta tanna labdhaṃ bhaventu kim) || H.1.45. रजस्वलमनित्यं च भूतावासमिमं त्यजेत् (rajasvalamanityaṃ ca bhūtāvāsamimaṃ tyajet) Ms.6.77; धर्मोऽनित्यः सुखदुःखेऽप्यनित्ये जीवोऽनित्यो हेतुरस्या- प्यनित्यः (dharmo'nityaḥ sukhaduḥkhe'pyanitye jīvo'nityo heturasyā- pyanityaḥ) Mb.
2) Occasional, temporary, casual; not peremptory or obligatory as a rule &c., special.
3) Unusual, extraordinary; वर्णे चानित्ये (varṇe cānitye) P.V.4.31 (lohitakaḥ kopena, anyathā tu śvetavarṇa iti bhāvaḥ); आनाय्योऽनित्ये (ānāyyo'nitye) III.1.127 (sa hi gārhapatyādānīyate'nityaśca satatamaprajvalanāt Sk.) See VI.1. 147.
4) Unsteady, fickle, not permanent; अनित्यं यौवनं रूपम् (anityaṃ yauvanaṃ rūpam) H.4.68; °हृदया हि ताः (hṛdayā hi tāḥ) Rām.
5) Uncertain, doubtful; अनित्यो विजयो यस्माद् दृश्यते युध्यमानयोः (anityo vijayo yasmād dṛśyate yudhyamānayoḥ) Ms.7.199; विजयस्य ह्यनित्यत्वात् (vijayasya hyanityatvāt) Pt.3.22.
6) (in grammar) A rule or operation which is not invariable or compulsory; optional.
-tyam adv. Occasionally, not permanently, incidentally, casually; अनित्यं हि स्थितो यस्मात् (anityaṃ hi sthito yasmāt) Ms.3.12.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnitya (अनित्य).—mfn.
(-tyaḥ-tyā-tyaṃ) 1. Transient, not everlasting. 2. Occasional, incidental. 3. Irregular, unusual. E. a neg. nitya constant.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Anityabhava, Anityadatrima, Anityadatta, Anityadattaka, Anityaguna, Anityakarman, Anityakriya, Anityapratyaveksha, Anityasama, Anityasamasa, Anityasamjna, Anityata.
Ends with: Arthanitya, Atmanitya, Nityanitya, Pranitya.
Full-text (+34): Nityanitya, Anityasama, Anatma, Paratma, Aniyakriya, Anityapratyaveksha, Kameshvari, Nairnitya, Anityabhava, Anityadattaka, Anityadatrima, Anityadatta, Anityakarman, Anityakriya, Anityasamasa, Ganda, Agha, Anatmaka, Roga, Shunya.
Relevant text
Search found 17 books and stories containing Anitya, A-nitya; (plurals include: Anityas, nityas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
IV. Links between impermanence, suffering and non-self < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
Preliminary note on the ten concepts (daśa-saṃjñā) < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
VII. Ills of the world (2) Wretchedness of lands < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Tattva 6: Saṃvara (methods of impeding karma) < [Appendix 1.4: The nine tattvas]
Philosophy of Charaka-samhita (by Asokan. G)
Liberation (mokṣa) as the ultimate moral end < [Chapter 8 - Ethics]
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 19 - The consecration of the aspirant and the greatness of the Mantra < [Section 7.2 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (2)]
A study of the philosophy of Jainism (by Deepa Baruah)
Chapter IV.f - Size of the Self or Jīva < [Chapter IV - The concept of Self]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 2.140 < [Section XXV - Meaning of the Title ‘Ācārya’]