Asatya: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Asatya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Asaty.
In Hinduism
Shaktism
Asatya (असत्य) refers to “falsity”, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as the Goddess Kumārī said to Ṛṣi Vyāsa said: “[...] The concealment, which is falsity [i.e., asatya], is a sin and due to falsity there is hell. (The soul) is bound by falsity [i.e., asatya]. There is (frustrating) deceit in falsity. Lassitude is the result of falsity and lassitude binds with (many) impediments. Due to falsity there is an impediment at every step. Due to falsity there is no other (superior world) beyond and there is (no benefit) here of this world due to falsity. Knowledge is not transmitted due to falsity and there is no liberation due to falsity. O wise one, falsity [i.e., asatya] is death (itself). Falsity is the worst mistake. [...]”.
Asatya (असत्य) refers to one of the 64 rays of the Ājñā-Cakra which (together with the 72 rays of the Viśuddhi) are associated with the lunar plane called Brahmagranthi, according to Śaṅkarācārya’s Saudaryalaharī.—Accordingly, the Goddess is visualised (by Sādhaka) as dwelling above the six Ādhāracakras ruling over the 360 rays which emanate in them [e.g., Asatya]. These 360 rays represent 360 syllables (i.e., a consummation of the śabdaprapañca or 50 alphabets) as well as the principles of nature. For the 360 syllables, together with haṃ and saḥ, Nyāsa should be performed for Śrīcakrapūjā.
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.
Shaiva philosophy
Asatya (असत्य) refers to an “unreal (manifestation)”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñāvivṛtivimarśinī 2.131-132.—Accordingly, “[...] For this very reason, in our system the [Buddhist] externalist’s claim that a concept involves no real manifestation (asatya-prakāśana-tva) cannot be accepted at all: since the proponent of the theory that cognition has aspects says that a concept is [immediately] manifest in itself [insofar as every cognition is immediately aware of itself,] even though with respect to the object, [this concept] is a [mere] determination, how could it have a nonexistent manifestation? So enough with this”.
Shaiva philosophy is a spritiual tradition within Hinduism that includes theories such as the relationship between the Atman (individual soul) and Siva, the nature of liberation (moksha), and the concepts of maya (illusion) and shakti (divine energy). Saiva philosophy teaches that union with Shiva can be achieved through knowledge, devotion, and spiritual practice. It encompasses major branches like Shaiva Siddhanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Asatya (असत्य) refers to “untrue (speech)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.33 (“The appeasement of Himavat”).—Accordingly, as Vasiṣṭha said to Himavat (Himācala): “[...] It is only an enemy, though keen in intellect, who says what is pleasing to the ears now but what transpires to be untrue (asatya) and unwholesome afterwards. He never speaks wholesome things. Only a virtuous and sympathetic friend will speak such words as are unpleasant in the beginning but conducive to happiness in the end. But the third variety of behaviour nectar-like to the ears, conducive to happiness on all occasions, essential and truthful is considered to be the most excellent. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Asatya (असत्य) refers to “(that which is) untrue”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then, the Lord went on to speak these verses: ‘[...] (45) The morality is formless (arūpya), untrue (asatya), unmoving (aniñjya), and tranquil (vivikta) just like open space, and the wise praises it because of the whole, not on the ground of the belief of it. [...]’”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Asatya (असत्य) refers to “untruth”, desisting from which is part of the fivefold vow (vrata) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 7.1. What is meant by untruth (asatya)? What is not true is untruth.
According to the Tattvārthasūtra 7.14, “speaking what is not true or commendable is falsehood (asatya)”. What is meant by falsehood (asatya)? Not to speak truth due to passionate activities or to speak harsh words is falsehood. How many types of not commendable falsehood (asatya-abhidhāna) are there? These are of four types namely to speak of non existent entities, to negate the existence of existents, to speak of an entity in a way contrary to its existence and to speak harsh and injurious words.
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
Marathi-English dictionary
asatya (असत्य).—a (S) Untrue, unreal, false.
asatya (असत्य).—a Untrue, false. asatyabhāṣī-vaktā a False-speaking.
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
Asatya (असत्य).—a.
1) Untrue, false; पापासः सन्तो अनृता असत्याः (pāpāsaḥ santo anṛtā asatyāḥ) Ṛgveda 4.5.5; असत्यमप्रतिष्ठम् (asatyamapratiṣṭham) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 16.8.
2) Imaginary, unreal, असत्यकण्ठार्पितबाहुबन्धना (asatyakaṇṭhārpitabāhubandhanā) Kumārasambhava 5.27.
3) of uncertain result; असत्यानि च युद्धानि संशयो मे न रोचते (asatyāni ca yuddhāni saṃśayo me na rocate) Rām.5.3.35.
-tyaḥ A liar.
-tyam Falsehood, untruth.
Asatya (असत्य).—mfn.
(-tyaḥ-tyā-tyaṃ) 1. False, untrue. 2. Lying, a liar. n.
(-tyaṃ) Untruth. E. a neg. satya true.
Asatya (असत्य).—I. adj. untrue, false, Mahābhārata 3, 14133. Ii. n. untruth, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 11, 69.
— Cf. [Anglo-Saxon.] for-sodh, Forsooth.
Asatya is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms a and satya (सत्य).
Asatya (असत्य).—[adjective] untrue, false; [neuter] falsehood, lie.
1) Asatya (असत्य):—[=a-satya] [from a-sat] mfn. untrue, false, lying, [Ṛg-veda iv, 5, 5; Mahābhārata] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] n. untruth, falsehood, [Manu-smṛti etc.]
Asatya (असत्य):—[a-satya] (tyaṃ) 1. n. Falsehood.
Asatya (असत्य):—
--- OR ---
Asatya (असत्य):—
2) asatyābhidhānaprāyaścitta [Oxforder Handschriften 282,b,20.]
Asatya (असत्य):——
1) Adj. unwahr , trügerisch. —
2) n. Unwahrheit , Lüge [180,12.] [Indische sprüche 7700.]
Asatya (असत्य) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Asacca.
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.
Hindi dictionary
Asatya (असत्य) [Also spelled asaty]:—(nm) a lie, falsehood; untruth; (a) untrue, false; ~[tā] falsehood, untruth; ~[vādī] a liar; untrue (person).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Asatya (ಅಸತ್ಯ):—
1) [noun] a false statement made with intent to deceive; a lie.
2) [noun] anything that gives or is meant to give a false impression.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Asatya (असत्य):—adj. 1. untrue; false; 2. imaginary; unreal;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Satya, A.
Starts with (+0): Asatyabhashi, Asatyamanoyoga, Asatyamvelaya, Asatyapratijna, Asatyasadha, Asatyasamdha, Asatyasamudacara, Asatyasandha, Asatyasannibha, Asatyasatya, Asatyashila, Asatyata, Asatyate, Asatyatmani, Asatyavacana, Asatyavacanayoga, Asatyavada, Asatyavadi, Asatyavadin.
Full-text (+48): Asatyata, Asatyavadin, Asatyasannibha, Asatyasandha, Asatyashila, Satyasatya, Nasatya, Asatyavada, Asaty, Asatyasatya, Garhya, Asatyasamudacara, Asatyavacana, Savadya, Apriya, Asacca, Kimartha, Asatyamanoyoga, Paribhashin, Varcodhaman.
Relevant text
Search found 72 books and stories containing Asatya, A-satya; (plurals include: Asatyas, satyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 44 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Page 149 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 1]
Page 149 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 1]
Hari-bhakti-kalpa-latikā (by Sarasvati Thkura)
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 16.8 < [Chapter 16 - Daivāsura-sampada-yoga]
Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure) (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)
Lakṣmī-Devī as stated by Śrī Madhvācārya < [Chapter 1.5 - Back to Home Village]
Mundaka Upanishad (Madhva commentary) (by Srisa Chandra Vasu)
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.59 [Apahnuti] < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]