Ashtadala, Aṣṭadala, Ashtan-dala: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtadala means something in 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.
The Sanskrit term Aṣṭadala can be transliterated into English as Astadala or Ashtadala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationAṣṭadala (अष्टदल) refers to a “mystical diagram of the lotus of eight petals”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.11, while explaining the mode of worshipping Śiva:—“[...] or he shall make the mystical diagram of the lotus of eight petals (aṣṭadala) and install Śiva in its middle. He himself shall sit near all the materials of worship around him. [...] The Liṅga shall be purified and installed with various mantras beginning with Praṇava and ending with Namaḥ (obeisance). The pedestal in the form of Svastika or lotus shall be assigned with Praṇava”.
In the eight petals, in the eight quarters, the eight achievements are identified viz:—
- The eastern petal is Aṇimā (minuteness),
- the southern is Laghimā (lightness),
- the western is Mahimā (greatness),
- the northern is Prāpti (power of reaching),
- the south-eastern is Prākāmya (power of sufficiency),
- the south-western is Īśitva (lordliness);
- the north-western is Vaśitva (power of control),
- the north-eastern is Sarvajñatva (omniscience),
- the pericarp is the moon (Soma)”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraAṣṭadala (अष्टदल) refers to an “eight petaled (lotus)”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 2.17-19]—“The pure-souled Ācārya should draw an eight petaled lotus (aṣṭadala—padmam aṣṭadalaṃ kṛtvā), in smooth, pure earth [that is] smeared with sandal and aloe wood [and] scented [with] fragrant camphor and strong saffron. After he has drawn [the lotus] with a great undertaking, [the Ācarya,] decorated and adorned with a crown, smeared with sandalwood, [writes] the mātṛkā. Having placed oṃ in the middle [on the pericarp of the lotus], he should draw [the phonemes of the mātṛkā on the petals] starting in the East”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryaṣṭadala (अष्टदल).—n (S) pop. aṣṭadaḷa n A figure of eight petals or divisions, as described to resemble a lotus-leaf.
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aṣṭadala (अष्टदल).—a (S) Octopetalous: also eight-leaved.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishaṣṭadala (अष्टदल).—a Eight-leaved, octopetalous.
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 dictionaryAṣṭadala (अष्टदल).—
1) a lotus having eight petals.
2) an octagon.
Derivable forms: aṣṭadalam (अष्टदलम्).
Aṣṭadala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms aṣṭan and dala (दल).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aṣṭadala (अष्टदल):—[=aṣṭa-dala] [from aṣṭa > aṣṭan] mfn. having a flower of eight leaves, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]
2) [v.s. ...] n. a lotus flower with eight leaves.
[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 corpusAṣṭadala (ಅಷ್ಟದಲ):—[noun] = ಅಷ್ಟದಳ [ashtadala].
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Aṣṭadaḷa (ಅಷ್ಟದಳ):—
1) [noun] (pl.) eight petals (of a flower).
2) [noun] that which has eight divisions.
3) [noun] an ornament (in the shape of eight-petalled flower).
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: Ashta, Dala, Tala.
Full-text: Dala, Ashta, Ashtapattra, Sarvajnatva, Laghima, Anima, Mahima, Ishitva, Prakamya, Vashitva, Padma, Prapti, Shri Chakra.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Ashtadala, Ashta-dala, Ashtan-dala, Aṣṭa-dala, Asta-dala, Aṣṭadala, Astadala, Aṣtadala, Aṣṭadaḷa, Aṣtadaḷa, Aṣṭan-dala, Astan-dala; (plurals include: Ashtadalas, dalas, Aṣṭadalas, Astadalas, Aṣtadalas, Aṣṭadaḷas, Aṣtadaḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)
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