In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Asidhāravrata (असिधारव्रत) or simply Asidhāra refers to the “sword-blade observance”, according to the Guhyasūtra chapter 3.—Accordingly, “[...] If one torments the body with rain, cold and heat, …, devoted to recitation and meditation, this is called the Great Observance. A woman skilled in the pleasures of love-making, endowed with beauty and youth; such a woman one should procure, holding one’s senses back from the objects of the senses, and one should kiss and embrace [her], placing the penis upon her sex while remaining focussed upon recitation and meditation—one performs [thus] the Sword-Blade Observance (asidhāravrata). If one should succumb to the control of desire, then one certainly falls into hell. [...]”.

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.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Asidhārā-vrata.—(EI 16), name of a vow. Note: asidhārā-vrata is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Asidhārāvrata (असिधाराव्रत).—[asidhārāyāṃ sthitiriva duṣkaraṃ vratam]

1) (according to some) the vow of standing on the edge of a sword; (according to others) the vow of keeping constant company with a young wife and yet steadily resisting the temptation of sexual intercourse with her; यत्रैकशयनस्थापि प्रमदा नोपभुज्यते । असिधाराव्रतं नाम वदन्ति मुनिपुंगवाः (yatraikaśayanasthāpi pramadā nopabhujyate | asidhārāvrataṃ nāma vadanti munipuṃgavāḥ) || or शयने मध्ये खड्गं विधाय स्त्रीपुंसौ यत्र ब्रह्मचर्येण स्वपतस्तत् (śayane madhye khaḍgaṃ vidhāya strīpuṃsau yatra brahmacaryeṇa svapatastat); or युवा युवत्या सार्धं यन्मुग्धभर्तृवदाचरेत् । अन्तर्निवृत्तसङ्गः स्यादसिधाराव्रतं हि तत् (yuvā yuvatyā sārdhaṃ yanmugdhabhartṛvadācaret | antarnivṛttasaṅgaḥ syādasidhārāvrataṃ hi tat) Yādava.

2) (hence fig.) any hopelssly difficult task; सतां केनोद्दिष्टं विषममसिधाराव्रतमिदम् (satāṃ kenoddiṣṭaṃ viṣamamasidhārāvratamidam) Bhartṛhari 2.28,64; असिधारा- व्रतमिदं यदरिणा सह संवासः (asidhārā- vratamidaṃ yadariṇā saha saṃvāsaḥ) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 3.

Derivable forms: asidhārāvratam (असिधाराव्रतम्).

Asidhārāvrata is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms asi and dhārāvrata (धाराव्रत).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Asidhārāvrata (असिधाराव्रत).—[Asi-dhārā-], n. a vow to stand on the edge of a sword, [Pañcatantra] 196, 15.

Asidhārāvrata is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms asidhārā and vrata (व्रत).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Asidhārāvrata (असिधाराव्रत).—[neuter] a vow to stand on the edge of a sword; i.e. a hopeless task.

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

Asidhārāvrata (असिधाराव्रत):—[=asi-dhārā-vrata] [from asi-dhārā > asi] n. an exceedingly difficult task, [Pañcatantra etc.]

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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Asidhārāvrata (ಅಸಿಧಾರಾವ್ರತ):—

1) [noun] a very difficult proposition or practice, as walking or sitting on the sharp blade of a sword.

2) [noun] a controlling of passions and appetites, esp. sexual, despite strong stimulants.

3) [noun] an avowed declaration to slay one’s enemies in a straight combat (as in sword fighting).

context information

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: Dharavrata, Vrata, Asidhara, Asi, Aci.

Full-text: Asipattravrata, Asidhara, Asipatravrata, Asidharaka, Asipattra, Khadgadhara.

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