Arthakriya, Arthakriyā, Artha-kriya: 8 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Shaivism
In Buddhism
1. General definition
In Jainism
1. Jain philosophy
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also
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Introduction:

Arthakriya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (philosophy)

Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया) refers to the “efficacy” (of manifestations capable of fulfilling our needs) according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñākārikā.—In the course of ordinary existence we are content to deal with mere manifestations, because these manifestations are endowed with an efficacy (arthakriyā) capable of fulfilling our needs (when we are hungry, we do not ask ourselves whether mangoes exist outside our consciousness: we look for the phenomenon of a mango and are content with experiencing its perceptible effects, since no entity by nature imperceptible can be consumed or utilized).

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Revue internationale de philosophie: Dharmakīrti by Vincent Eltschinger

Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया) refers to “causal efficacy”.—According to Dharmakīrti, ultimate reality (paramārtha) is reducible to non-interpreted particulars (svalakṣaṇa). These particulars are momentary (kṣaṇika) and owe their transient existence to causal complexes (hetusāmagrī) that entail no relations at all, the mere co-presence of the different factors being enough to account for the rise of an effect. Causal efficacy (arthakriyā) is the hallmark and only definition of what is real: to exist only consists in being endowed with arthakriyā, a term whose meaning ranges from “causal efficacy” to “fulfilment of a (human) purpose” (see §6), and for which “telic function” or “functionality” may provide working equivalents.

In Jainism

Jain philosophy

Source: HereNow4U: Applied Philosophy of Anekanta

Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया) refers to the “potency inherent in the substance for doing any work”.—It was quite natural that in the beginning of the rise of philosophy, every school used to speak in support of its own doctrine and against the invalidity of those of others. But in the age of logic, the Indian scholars advanced the argument that the entity which is capable of performing a function (arthakriyākārin) can be only sat or reality and nothing else. The credit of advancing this logical criterion of arthakriyākāritva, (causal efficiency) goes to the Buddhist tradition. The word ‘arthakriyā’ occurs in the early Buddhist work Lalitavistara in the sense of being useful to others without any metaphysical significance.

context information

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया).—(a) An implied act, an act which is to be performed as a matter of course (as opposed to śabdoktakriyā); असति शब्दोक्ते अर्थक्रिया भवति (asati śabdokte arthakriyā bhavati) ŚB. on MS.12.1.12. (b) A purposeful action. (see arthakarman).

Arthakriyā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms artha and kriyā (क्रिया).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया).—action for the benefit (of others), one of the four saṃgraha-vastu (q.v.), but only in Lalitavistara (in- stead of the usual arthacaryā, q.v.): Lalitavistara 38.17; 160.6; 182.6; 429.13.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया):—[=artha-kriyā] [from artha] f. an action performed with a special purpose, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]

2) [v.s. ...] the being useful (to others), [Lalita-vistara]

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Arthakriyā (अर्थक्रिया) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Atthakiriā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Arthakriya in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 11 books and stories containing Arthakriya, Arthakriyā, Artha-kriya, Artha-kriyā; (plurals include: Arthakriyas, Arthakriyās, kriyas, kriyās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

5.3. Dharmakīrti’s Definition of Perception < [Chapter 3 - The Buddhist Theory of Perception]

6. Nature of Illusion < [Chapter 1 - The Nature and Criterion of Knowledge]

2. Comparative study on Perception < [Chapter 5 - Perception: A Comparative Study]

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Two Kinds of Causal Capacity: Sāmānyā śaktiḥ and Pratiniyatā śaktiḥ

Prajñākaragupta’s Argument for Two Means of Valid Cognition

Dharmottara on the viparyaye bādhaka-pramāṇa and Trairūpya

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Part 5 - Pauṣkarāgama < [Chapter XXXIV - Literature of Southern Śaivism]

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Bodhisattva quality 3: the equalities (samatā) and the patiences (kṣānti) < [Chapter X - The Qualities of the Bodhisattvas]

II. Aspects of the immeasurables (apramāṇa) < [Class 3: The four immeasurables]