Anjali, Añjali, Añjalī, Āñjali: 24 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Anjali means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Images (photo gallery)
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In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botanyAñjali (अञ्जलि) is the Sanskrit word representing a measure of corn (sufficient to fill both hands when placed side by side). This measurement equals a single Kuḍava unit, which is a weight unit used throughout Ayurvedic literature.

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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaĀñjali (आञ्जलि).—A sage who was a classmate of Śaunaka. (Skandha 12, Bhāgavata).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexAñjali (अञ्जलि).—A mode of worship with both hands. He who worships a god by raising only one hand is liable to have that hand cut off.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 22. 19[1-3].

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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraAñjali (अञ्जलि) refers to a gesture (āṅgika) made with ‘combined hands’ (saṃyuta), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 8. The hands (hasta) form a part of the human body which represents one of the six major limbs (aṅga) used in dramatic performance. With these limbs are made the various gestures (āṅgika), which form a part of the histrionic representation (abhinaya).
Source: archive.org: Natya ShastraAñjali (अञ्जलि).—A type of gesture (āṅgika) made with combined hands (saṃyuta-hasta);—(Instructions): Putting together of the two Patāka hands is called Añjali.
(Uses): It is used to greet gods, venerable persons (guru) and friend. In greeting gods it is to be held on the head, in case of venerable persons like father, teacher etc. it is to be held near one’s face, and for greeting the friends it is to be placed on the chest and in case of the remaining persons there is no fixed rule.

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 1Añjali (अञ्जलि) refers to a measurement to fill up the palms when folded to form a hollow.

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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Añjali (अञ्जलि) or Añjalihasta refers to “devotion” and represents one of the four gestures with both hands, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Accordingly, pratimā-lakṣaṇa (body postures of the icons) is comprised of hand gestures (hasta, mudrā or kai-amaiti), stances/poses (āsanas) and inflexions of the body (bhaṅgas). There are thirty-two types of hands [viz., añjali-hasta] classified into two major groups known as tolirkai (functional and expressive gestures) and elirkai (graceful posture of the hand).
Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu ImagesAñjali (अञ्जलि) or Añjalimudrā refers to one of the various hand-poses (hastas or mudrās) defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—Añjali-mudrā signifies salutation and adoration. In this saṃyuta hand-pose the open hands are placed side-by-side and slightly hollowed with the hands are clasped together with the palms touching together. Añjali-mudrā held close to the chest is called hṛdaya-añjali.

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesOne of the nuns who accompanied Sanghamitta to Ceylon. Dip.xviii.24.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryañjali : (f.) lifting of the folded hands as a token of reverence.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAñjali, (cp. Sk. añjali, fr. añjati1) extending, stretching forth, gesture of lifting up the hands as a token of reverence (cp. E. to “tender” one’s respect), putting the ten fingers together and raising them to the head (VvA.7: dasanakha-samodhāna-samujjalaṃ añjaliṃ paggayha). Only in stock phrases (a.) añjaliṃ paṇāmeti to bend forth the outstretched hands Vin.II, 188; D.I, 118; Sn.352; Sn.p. 79. (b.) °ṃ paggaṇhāti to perform the a. salutation J.I, 54; DhA.IV, 212; VvA.7, 312 (sirasmiṃ on one’s head); PvA.93. (c.) °ṃ karoti id. PvA.178; cp. katañjali (adj.) with raised hands Sn.1023; J.I, 17; PvA.50, and añjalikata id. Pv.II, 1220. Cp. pañjali

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryañjali (अंजलि).—m f (S) añjalipuṭa m n (S) pop. añjaḷī f The cavity formed by putting the hands side by side, hollowing the palms; Scottice, gowpen. a0 jōḍaṇēṃ To apply the palms together rather hollowed or curved;--as in humble or respectful address.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishañjali (अंजलि).—m f -ḷī f añjalipuṭa m n The hollow formed by joining the two hands together.
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 dictionaryAñjali (अञ्जलि).—m. [añj-ali Uṇ.4.2.]
1) A cavity formed by folding and joining the open hands together, the hollow of the hands; hence, a cavity. full of anything (changed to añjala or °li after dvi and tri in dvigu comp., P.V.4.12); न वार्यञ्जलिना पिवेत् (na vāryañjalinā pivet) Ms.4.63; सुपूरो मूषि- काञ्जलिः (supūro mūṣi- kāñjaliḥ) Pt.1.25; अरण्यबीजाञ्जलिदानलालिताः (araṇyabījāñjalidānalālitāḥ) Ku.5.15; प्रकीर्णः पुष्पाणां हरिचरणयोरञ्जलिरयम् (prakīrṇaḥ puṣpāṇāṃ haricaraṇayorañjalirayam) Ve.1.1. a cavityful of flowers; so जलस्याञ्जलयो दश (jalasyāñjalayo daśa) Y.3.15.1 cavityfuls or libations of water; श्रवणाञ्जलिपुटपेयम् (śravaṇāñjalipuṭapeyam) Ve.1.4. to be drunk by the cavity of the ear; अञ्जलिं रच्, बन्ध्, कृ (añjaliṃ rac, bandh, kṛ) or आधा (ādhā) fold the hands together and raise them to the head in supplication or salutation; बद्धः, कातर्यादरविन्द- कुङ्मलनिभो मुग्धः प्रणामाञ्जलिः (baddhaḥ, kātaryādaravinda- kuṅmalanibho mugdhaḥ praṇāmāñjaliḥ) U.3.37.
2) Hence a mark of respect or salutation; कः शक्रेण कृतं नेच्छेदधिमूर्धानमञ्जलिम् (kaḥ śakreṇa kṛtaṃ necchedadhimūrdhānamañjalim) Bk.8.84; बध्यतामभययाचनाञ्जलिः (badhyatāmabhayayācanāñjaliḥ) R.11.78.
3) A measure of corn = कुडव (kuḍava); another measure = प्रसृत (prasṛta), or one-half of a मानिका (mānikā).
Derivable forms: añjaliḥ (अञ्जलिः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAñjali (अञ्जलि).—m.
(-liḥ) 1. The cavity formed by putting the hands together, and hollowing the palms: being in this form carried to the forehead, it forms the appropriate salutation from inferiors of respectabiliy to their superiors. 2. A measure, a Kud'ava. See kuḍava. E. añja to go, and lic Unadi aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAñjali (अञ्जलि).—m. 1. The cavity formed by putting the hands together and hollowing the palms, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 4, 63. 2. This cavity as measure: two handfuls. 3. Putting the hands together and raising them to the forehead, as humble salutation of inferiors to their superiors.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAñjali (अञ्जलि).—[masculine] the two hollowed hands put together (as a measure or a token of reverence). liṃ kṛ or bandh put the hands together and raise them to the forehead.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Añjali (अञ्जलि):—[from añj] a See sub voce below.
2) b m. (√añj), the open hands placed side by side and slightly hollowed (as if by a beggar to receive food; hence when raised to the forehead, a mark of supplication), reverence, salutation, benediction
3) a libation to the Manes (two hands full of water, udakāñjali), [Viṣṇu-purāṇa etc.]
4) a measure of corn, sufficient to fill both hands when placed side by side, equal to a kuḍava.
[Sanskrit to German] (Deutsch Wörterbuch)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Böhtlingk and Roth Grosses Petersburger WörterbuchAñjali (अञ्जलि):—[Die Uṇādi-Affixe 4, 2.] m. [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 3, 5, 3.] [Siddhāntakaumudī 250], a, [5.]
1) die beiden hohl an einander gelegten Hände [Amarakoṣa 2, 6, 2, 36.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 598.] [Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 624.] [Medinīkoṣa l. 60.] sarvābhiḥ (aṅgulībhiḥ) samasyāñjalinādhyāvapati [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 3, 3, 2, 13.] [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 7, 7, 18.] yadyanulabheranprasṛtamātraṃ vāñjalimātraṃ vā [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 4, 5, 10, 7.] caturṇāṃ pātrāṇāmañjaliprasṛtānāṃ ca [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 20, 1, 4.] añjalau manthamādhāya [Chāndogyopaniṣad 5, 2, 6.] vātahomāñjuhotyañjalināhṛtya [Kātyāyana 18, 6, 1.] bei [Mahīdhara] zu [Vājasaneyisaṃhitā 18, 45.] apo ñjalinādāya id. bei id. zu [20, 19.] añjalināpa upācati [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 13, 8, 4, 5.] avicchandatyañjalīn [ĀŚV. GṚHY. 1, 8.] na vāryañjalinā pibet [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 4, 63.] [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 1, 138.] añjalipānānbrāhmaṇān [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 68, 18.] śiśnavṛṣaṇāvutkṛtyādhāya cāñjalau [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 11, 104.] dūrvāsarṣapapuṣpāṇāṃ dattvārghaṃ pūrṇamañjalim [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 1, 289.] jalasyāñjalayo daśa [3, 105.] patrairañjalimāpūrya [Mitākṣarā 147, 7.] vījāñjaliḥ [Mṛcchakaṭikā 6, 20.] salilāñjali 2 Handvoll Wasser zu Ehren eines Verstorbenen (vgl. udakakriyā): pitaro pi na gṛhṇanti taddattaṃ salilāñjalim [Pañcatantra II, 111.] tīrtheṣu toyāñjaliḥ [Amaruśataka 25.] mānasyāpi jalāñjaliḥ lokena dattaḥ [97.] mūṣikāñjali die an einander gelegten Vorderpfotchen einer Maus: supūro mūṣikāñjaliḥ [Pañcatantra I, 31. II, 145]; vgl. añjalikā . Die Hände hohl an einander legen und dieselben zur Stirn führen ist ein Zeichen der Ehrerbietung und Unterwürfigkeit: añjaliṃ nidhā [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 1, 4, 5, 1.] añjaliṃ kar [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 3, 1, 15.] [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 33, 23. 2, 12, 33,] [Duaupadīpramātha 1, 10.] kṛtāñjali adj. [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 4, 154. 7, 91.] [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 3, 2.] rāghavāya — [4, 12, 1.] kṛtvā śirasi cāñjalim [5, 62, 11. 4, 11, 7.] mayāyaṃ racito ñjaliḥ [2, 13, 12.] eṣo ñjalirmayā baddhaḥ [4, 6, 12. 9, 6.] śirasyañjalimādhāya [5, 31, 1. 6, 112, 4.] udyatāñjali [2, 13, 14. 3, 44, 9.] niyatāñjali [3, 18, 15.] prayatāñjali [3, 68, 23.] saṃhatāñjali [5, 33, 16, 6, 111, 49.] pragṛhītāñjali [2, 14, 56.] gṛhyāñjalau [2, 3, 32.] añjaliṃ pratigrah Ehrenbezeugungen empfangen [2, 12, 45.] Häufig wird añjali mit puṭa Höhlung verbunden: kṛtāñjalipuṭa [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 9. 62. 39, 9] (f. puṭā). [43, 18. 2, 3, 32.] baddhāñjalipuṭa [1, 68, 3. 6, 37, 73.] f. puṭā [6, 101, 26.] śliṣṭāñjalipuṭā [3, 4, 1.] prahvāñjalipuṭa [2, 16, 25.] śravaṇāñjalipuṭapeya [Weber’s Verzeichniss No. 556.] mit karapuṭaḥ baddhvā karapuṭāñjalim [Rāmāyaṇa 5, 64, 5.] Vgl. prāñjali, brahmāñjali . —
2) Name eines Hohlmaasses (zwei Handvoll) = kuḍava [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 624.] [Medinīkoṣa l. 60.] [Vopadeva’s Grammatik 6, 57.] [Suśruta 1, 146, 18. 2, 165, 7.]
--- OR ---
Añjali (अञ्जलि):—
2) = 2 Prasṛta = (1/2) Mānikā [Oxforder Handschriften 307,b,8.] — Vgl. karṇāñjali .
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Anjali Mudra, Anjalibandhana, Anjalihasta, Anjalika, Anjalikamma, Anjalikaraniya, Anjalikarika, Anjalikarman, Anjalikarmman, Anjalikasana, Anjalikashrama, Anjalikavedha, Anjalikrita, Anjalikya, Anjalimaladharin, Anjalimudra, Anjalipata, Anjalipriya, Anjaliputa, Anjalivaibhava.
Ends with (+49): Abaddhanjali, Avahitanjali, Baddhanjali, Bhagavatipadyapushpanjali, Bijanjali, Brahmanjali, Catupushpanjali, Chatupushpanjali, Danakusumanjali, Dhautanjali, Ekanjali, Gangapadyapushpanjali, Gangapushpanjali, Hastanjali, Hridayanjali, Jalanjali, Janjali, Kanjali, Karaputanjali, Karnanjali.
Full-text (+153): Pranjali, Kritanjali, Anjalikarika, Baddhanjali, Anjalibandhana, Nyanjalika, Udanjali, Purnanjali, Anjalikrita, Dvyanjala, Anjaliputa, Sanjali, Hastanjali, Anjala, Anjalika, Tryanjali, Putanjali, Karnanjali, Prahvanjali, Pranjala.
Relevant text
Search found 35 books and stories containing Anjali, Añjali, Añjalī, Āñjali; (plurals include: Anjalis, Añjalis, Añjalīs, Āñjalis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram) (by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy)
Nayanar 66: Mangayarkkarasiyar (Mankaiyarkkaraciyar) or Mani < [Volume 4.1.1 - A comparative study of the Shaivite saints the Thiruthondathogai]
Nayanar 18: Nandanar (Thirunalai Povar) < [Volume 4.1.1 - A comparative study of the Shaivite saints the Thiruthondathogai]
Nayanar 52: Munaiyaduvar (Munaiyatuvar) < [Volume 4.1.1 - A comparative study of the Shaivite saints the Thiruthondathogai]
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)
108 forms of Avalokiteśvara (4): Harihariharivāhana Lokeśvara
108 forms of Avalokiteśvara (22): Maṇipadma Lokeśvara
The Mirror of Gesture (abhinaya-darpana) (by Ananda Coomaraswamy)
Plate VIII - Seated image with Anjali Hands < [Plates]
Chapter 13 - Twenty-four Combined Hands
Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 3.2.135 < [Part 2 - Affection and Service (dāsya-rasa)]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 25 - Ar-Razi and the Indian knowledge of metallic chemistry < [A Brief History of Indian Chemistry and Medicine]
The Ramayana of Valmiki (by Hari Prasad Shastri)
Chapter 45 - Rama and Lakshmana are struck down by Indrajita < [Book 6 - Yuddha-kanda]