Ardhanaraca, Ardhanārāca, Ardha-naraca: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Ardhanaraca means something in Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Ardhanaracha.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Ardhanārāca (अर्धनाराच) refers to the fourth of the “six varieties of joints” (saṃhanana).—There are 6 varieties of joints; the fourth (ardhanārāca) has a mortise on one side and a bolt on the other.—(cf. Samavāyāṅgasūtra 155, p. 150; Sthānāṅgasūtra 494, p. 357.)
Ardhanārāca (अर्धनाराच) refers to “weak joint” and represents one of the six types of Saṃhanana (bone-joint karma), representing one of the various kinds of Nāma, or “physique-making (karmas)”, which represents one of the eight types of Prakṛti-bandha (species bondage): one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8. What is meant by weak joint (ardha-nārāca) body-making (nāma) karma? The karmas rise of which cause bone-joints with nails keeping them together partially are called weak joints body-making karma.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Ardhanārāca (अर्धनाराच).—a crescent-shaped iron-pointed arrow; नाराचानर्धनाराचाञ्शस्त्राणि विविधानि च (nārācānardhanārācāñśastrāṇi vividhāni ca) Mahābhārata 2.51.35; गृध- लक्षवेधी अर्धनाराचः (gṛdha- lakṣavedhī ardhanārācaḥ) V.5.
Derivable forms: ardhanārācaḥ (अर्धनाराचः).
Ardhanārāca is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ardha and nārāca (नाराच).
Ardhanārāca (अर्धनाराच):—[=ardha-nārāca] m. a particular kind of arrow, [Mahābhārata ii, 1855.]
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)
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Ardhanaraca, Ardhanārāca, Ardha-naraca, Ardha-nārāca; (plurals include: Ardhanaracas, Ardhanārācas, naracas, nārācas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Appendix 1.2: types of karma < [Appendices]
Tattva 4: Pāpa (sin) < [Appendix 1.4: The nine tattvas]
Part 2: Divisions of time and description of the Golden Age < [Chapter II]
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 8.11 - The subdivisions of physique-making or name-karma (nāma) < [Chapter 8 - Bondage of Karmas]
Archaeology and the Mahabharata (Study) (by Gouri Lad)
Part 1 - Bows and Arrows in the Mahabharata < [Chapter 14 - Weapons]