Ardhacandra, Ardha-candra, Ardhacamdra: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Ardhacandra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Ardhachandra.
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In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र, “crescent moon”) refers to a gesture (āṅgika) made with a ‘single hand’ (asaṃyuta), 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: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)One of the Twenty-eight Single Hands (hasta):—Ardha-candra (half-moon): the thumb of the Patāka hand isstretched out. Usage: the moon on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, a hand seizing the throat, a spear, consecrating animage, a platter, origin, waist, anxiety, one’s self, meditation,prayer, touching the limbs, greeting common people.
Note: This hand often replaces the Patāka, e.g., in the Abhaya-mudrā.
According to another book: same definition. This hand originatesfrom the desire of Śiva for ornaments, of which the moonis one. Its sage is Atri, its race Vaiṣya, its colour smoky, itspatron deity Mahādeva. Usage: bangle, wrist, mirror, astonishment, effort, intemperance, entirety, beating time, tying up the hair, supporting the cheek in grief, the ear of an elephant, expelling evil-doers, wiping sweat from the brow, adolescence, ability, moon, greeting common people, consecration, eyebrow, cloth, bow, preëminence, tightening the girdle, making a vessel, the body, movement of the feet, carrying a child, the back, white colour, Vaiṣya caste.
Source: archive.org: Natya ShastraArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र, “crescent moon”).—A type of gesture (āṅgika) made with a single hand (asaṃyuta-hasta);—(Instructions): The fingers and the thumb so bent as to make a curve like a bow.
(Uses): With this should be represented young trees, crescent moon, conch shell, jar (kalaśa), bracelet, forcible opening, exertion, thinness and drinking. With this [very] Ardhacandra hand women should represent girdle, hip waist, face, Tālapatra and earring.
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).
Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraArdhacandrā (अर्धचन्द्रा):—One of the sixty-eight Rasauṣadhi, very powerful drugs known to be useful in alchemical processes related to mercury (rasa), according to Rasaprakāśa-sudhākara (chapter 9).
Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Ardhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र) or Ardhacandrahasta refers to “half moon” and represents one of the twenty-four gestures with a single hand, 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., ardhacandra-hasta] classified into two major groups known as tolirkai (functional and expressive gestures) and elirkai (graceful posture of the hand).
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र, “half-moon”) refers to one of the seventeen stages of the rise of kuṇḍalinī, according to Abhinavagupta as drawn from the Devyāyāmala.—Cf. The seventeen syllables [i.e., saptadaśākṣara] of Mantramātā.—[...] These seventeen units [are] to be arranged in as many locations along the axis of the subtle body, [as was] clearly known to Abhinava. Thus he presents an ascending series marking the stages of the rise of Kuṇḍalinī, the highest stage of which is that of the ‘Pure Self’ heralded by the Transmental just below it. In this set-up, drawn by Abhinavagupta from the Devyāyāmala, there are seventeen stages. These are [e.g., the Half Moon (ardhacandra), ...].
Jayaratha quotes this [Devyāyāmala] Tantra as a source of [Kālasaṃkarṣiṇī’s] Vidyā consisting of seventeen syllables. As the Devyāyāmala tells us that these places are related to the recitation of mantra, we may conclude that the seventeen syllables are contemplated in these seventeen places [e.g., Half Moon (ardhacandra)]. Accordingly, the Wheel of the Self can be said to be at the end of (i.e. after) the sixteen [i.e., ṣoḍaśānta].
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryArdha-candra.—(SITI), literally, ‘half-moon’; a part of the tiruvāśi; a variety of ornament. (SII 2), the arch of an aureola. Note: ardha-candra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryardhacandra (अर्धचंद्र).—m (S) The moon in her half increase or decrease, half-moon. 2 fig. The hand curved semicircularly, as for the purpose of clutching. 3 A clutch by the neck and push. v dē 4 A semicircular object or appearance gen.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishardhacandra (अर्धचंद्र).—m The half-moon, crescent moon. The hand bent into a semi-circle, for the purpose of seizing or clutching anything. ardhacandra dēṇēṃ To seize by the neck and turn out.
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 dictionaryArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र).—a. crescent-shaped.
-ndraḥ
Ardhacandra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ardha and candra (चन्द्र).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र).—m. (? or nt.; in Sanskrit half-moon, crescent, etc.), (1) a kind of (presumably crescent-shaped) personal ornament (also °draka, q.v.): Lalitavistara 201.19; Mahāvastu ii.317.7 (here hung on the bodhi-tree); (2) as in Sanskrit according to Schmidt, Nachtr., s.v., from Haravijaya, a (crescent-shaped) de- coration on a building (Schmidt Torbogenschmuck): Gaṇḍavyūha 167.16 °drā(ḥ), n. pl.; 154.4, 202.23 (all prose).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र) or Arddhacandra.—m.
(-ndraḥ) 1. A crescent or half moon. 2. The hand bent into a semicircle or the shape of a claw, as for the purpose of seizing or clutching any thing. 3. The semicircular marks on a peacock’s tail. 4. An arrow, with a head like a crescent. 5. The semicircular scratch of the finger nail. f.
(-ndrā) A plant, vulgarly Teori, the black kind. E. ardha half, and candra moon, or with kan added ardhacandrakaḥ.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र).—[ardha-candra], m. 1. A half-moon, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 49, 35.
— Cf. ardha -bhāṣara. 2. An arrow with a head like a half-moon, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 34, 30; cf. 6, 36, 77. 3. The hand bent into a semicircle or the shape of a claw, as for the purpose of seizing or clutching any thing. ardhacandraṃ dā. To seize one by the neck, [Pañcatantra] 63, 24.
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Ardhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र).—see separately.
Ardhacandra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ardha and candra (चन्द्र).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryArdhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र).—[masculine] half-moon, crescent.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ardhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र):—[=ardha-candra] m. half moon
2) [v.s. ...] the semi circular marks on a peacock’s tail, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] the semicircular scratch of the finger nail, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] an arrow, the head of which is like a half-moon, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Kathāsaritsāgara] (cf. ardhacandra-mukha and ardha candrāpama below)
5) [v.s. ...] the hand bent into a semicircle or the shape of a claw (as for the purpose of seizing anybody by the neck; generally [accusative] am with √1. dā, to seize any one by his neck), [Kathāsaritsāgara; Pañcatantra; Vetāla-pañcaviṃśatikā]
6) [v.s. ...] Name of the Anusvāra (from its being written in the older [manuscripts] in a semilunar form), [Rāmatāpanīya-upaniṣad]
7) [v.s. ...] Name of a constellation, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
8) Ardhacandrā (अर्धचन्द्रा):—[=ardha-candrā] [from ardha-candra] f. the plant Convolvulus Torpethum
9) Ardhacandra (अर्धचन्द्र):—[=ardha-candra] mfn. crescent shaped, of a semilunar form, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]
[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 corpusArdhacaṃdra (ಅರ್ಧಚಂದ್ರ):—
1) [noun] = ಅರ್ಧಚಂದ್ರಯೋಗ [ardhacamdrayoga].
2) [noun] the moon in a phase, when it appears to have one concave edge and one convex edge just after new moon (waxing crescent) or just before new moon (waning crescent); the crescent moon.
3) [noun] an arrow with crescent shaped head.
4) [noun] (dance) a single hand-gesture with fingers extended close to each others, thumb stretched away, as to form the shape of a crescent, as if to seizing or clutching anything.
5) [noun] a pushing out of a person holding his nape.
6) [noun] (fig.) the act or an instance of removing or ousting a person unceremoniously.
7) [noun] the semicircular mark on a peacock’s tail.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ardha, Candra.
Starts with: Ardhacamdracuda, Ardhacamdradhvaja, Ardhacamdraprasava, Ardhacamdraprayoga, Ardhacamdrayoga, Ardhacandra Hasta, Ardhacandrabhagin, Ardhacandrahasta, Ardhacandraka, Ardhacandrakara, Ardhacandrakrita, Ardhacandrakriti, Ardhacandrakunda, Ardhacandramukha, Ardhacandrapura, Ardhacandrardhabhaskara, Ardhacandrasana.
Ends with: Sardhacandra.
Full-text (+37): Ardhendu, Ardhacandraka, Ardhacandrakara, Angulitorana, Ardhacandrabhagin, Ardhacandrakunda, Palasha, Shimshapa, Ardhacandrakrita, Cakra, Karkareta, Garuda, Shivalinga, Ganda-bherunda, Ardhacandrakriti, Bhagiratha, Ardhacandropama, Garudapaksha, Ardhacamdra, Ardhacandrika.
Relevant text
Search found 11 books and stories containing Ardhacandra, Ardha-candra, Ardha-candrā, Ardhacamdra, Ardhacaṃdra, Ardhacandrā; (plurals include: Ardhacandras, candras, candrās, Ardhacamdras, Ardhacaṃdras, Ardhacandrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Abhinaya-darpana (English) (by Ananda Coomaraswamy)
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Forms of Praṇava < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Verse 183 [Cidānandamayī Śakti enfolds the projection in one’s Self] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Verse 124 [Vṛnda-krama and Mudrāpañcaka] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Chapter 26 - On the killing of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa < [Book 5]
Chapter 13 - On the killing of Vāskala and Durmukha < [Book 5]
Chapter 5 - On the defeat of the Dānava forces of Mahiṣa < [Book 5]
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
Sushruta Samhita, volume 4: Cikitsasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)