Anjali, aka: Añjali, Añjalī, Āñjali; 13 Definition(s)

Introduction

Anjali 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

Ayurveda (science of life)

Añjali (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 Āyurvedic literature.

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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)

Āñjali (आञ्जलि).—A sage who was a classmate of Śaunaka. (Skandha 12, Bhāgavata).

Añjali (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].

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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)

Añjali (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).

Añjali (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.

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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)

Añjali (अञ्जलि) refers to a measurement to fill up the palms when folded to form a hollow.

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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)

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).

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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)

One of the nuns who accompanied Sanghamitta to Ceylon. Dip.xviii.24.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

añjali : (f.) lifting of the folded hands as a token of reverence.

Añjali, (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

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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

añjali (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.

añjali (अंजलि).—m f -ḷī f añjalipuṭa m n The hollow formed by joining the two hands together.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Añjali (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).

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