Avalokana: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Avalokana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, 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.
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Avalokana (अवलोकन) refers to a “planetary look” (at eclipsed disc), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If there should be both lunar and solar eclipses in one month, princes will suffer both from dissensions among their own army and from wars. [...] These evil effects, resulting from planetary look [i.e., avalokana] at eclipsed disc, apply as well to the time of termination of the eclipse as to its commencement. If Jupiter, a beneficent planet, should also see the eclipsed disc, the evils described will vanish in just the same way as the flame of fire dies out when water is poured over it”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Avalokana (अवलोकन) refers to “visualizing” (the paths), according to the Netratantroddyota commentary on 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 4.3cd-4ab]—“[...] This means, he should contemplate each of these paths [that has to be purified]. After [he] makes it the principle [path of worship he becomes the] pervader, [i.e., that which permeates the others] with the form of [potential or manifest] explicitness in the remaining five paths. Included within [the path], as it has spread (vyāpya), is the form of potential. As has been said in the Svacchanda-tantra, ‘[he should] visualize (avalokana) the adhvans as pervaded by [the others and the others] pervaded by it’”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Avalokana (अवलोकन) refers to “one who can see” (the world of Brahma), according to verse 3-52 of the Śivasaṃhitā.—Accordingly, “A man who dwells in the subterranean realms can see (avalokana) [up to] the world of Brahma. [This] power called Prāpti is very difficult to attain for those who are not Yogins”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Avalokana (अवलोकन) refers to the “sight” (of a hawk), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the training of hawks]: “[...] Whether it is ‘manned’ or not is to be known by its actions. When it stands on one leg with the eyes closed, when it preens or ‘reforms’ its feathers, when it ‘mantles’ with its wings, or looks (avalokana) with a gentle eye at its master [āsyāvalokane saumyāṃ dṛṣṭiṃ saṃcārayanti ca], ther it is known to be ‘manned’, otherwise not. When the hawk is seen to be manned it should be lured in a creance to a piece of meat from increasing distances. [...]”.
This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Avalokana (अवलोकन) refers to the “gaze” (of an intense Command), according to 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, [while discussing the Hagiography of Siddha Pippalīnātha]: “[...] He, the lord of the gods, went again to the great city of Laṅkā. He looked in the four directions with the gaze (avalokana) of an intense Command and 86,000 demons were pierced while Vibhīṣaṇa, (their) king, was in a state of divine inebriation. [...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Avalokana (अवलोकन).—At the sight of the peak called Avalokana sanctified by the lotus-like feet of Śrī Nemi, one’s desires are satiated. On its summit, Śāmba (son of Jāmbavatī), Pradyumna and Mahādyumna practised great religious austerities.
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.
India history and geography
Avalokana (अवलोकन) is the name of a Girnar peak, as is mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).
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
Marathi-English dictionary
avalōkana (अवलोकन).—n (S) Looking, contemplating, beholding: also seeing.
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
Avalokana (अवलोकन).—
1) Looking at, beholding, seeing; नो बभूवुरवलोकनक्षमाः (no babhūvuravalokanakṣamāḥ) R.11.6.
2) Looking over, commanding a view of; दीर्घिकावलोकनगवाक्षगता (dīrghikāvalokanagavākṣagatā) M.1.
3) Sight, eye.
4) A look, glance; योगनिद्रान्तविशदैः पावनैरवलोकनः (yoganidrāntaviśadaiḥ pāvanairavalokanaḥ) R.1.14.
5) Looking out for, inquiry, seeking.
Derivable forms: avalokanam (अवलोकनम्).
Avalokana (अवलोकन).—n.
(-naṃ) Sight, seeing. E. ava, lokṛ to see, lyuṭ aff.
Avalokana (अवलोकन).—[ava-lok + ana], n. 1. Sight. 2. Observation. 3. A glance, [Raghuvaṃśa, (ed. Stenzler.)] 10, 14.
1) Avalokana (अवलोकन):—[=ava-lokana] [from ava-lok] n. seeing, beholding, viewing, observing, [Raghuvaṃśa xi, 60, etc.]
2) [v.s. ...] a look, glance, [Raghuvaṃśa x, 14, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] ‘looking like’, appearance of (in [compound]), [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
4) [v.s. ...] (ā). the aspect (of planets), [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
Avalokana (अवलोकन):—[ava-lokana] (naṃ) 1. n. Sight.
[Sanskrit to German]
Avalokana (अवलोकन) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Avaloyaṇa, Oloyaṇa, Oloyaṇā.
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
Avalōkana (ಅವಲೋಕನ):—
1) [noun] a thorough looking.
2) [noun] an inquisitive examination; a critical analysis.
3) [noun] the sense of sight; vision.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Avalokana (अवलोकन):—n. view; inspection; observation; scrutiny; scanning; examination;
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.
Pali-English dictionary
avalokana (အဝလောကန) [(na) (န)]—
[ava+loka+yu]
[အဝ+လောက+ယု]
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Lokana, Yu, Loka, Ava.
Starts with: Avalokanagriha, Avalokanaka, Avalokanam, Avalokanartha, Avalokanasutra.
Full-text (+10): Simhavalokana, Dantatthikamattavalokana, Avalokanem, Oloyana, Avalokanasutra, Duravalokana, Vyavalokana, Candravalokana, Avaloka, Avalokanam, Avlokan, Avaloyana, Ratanavalokana, Ajnavalokana, Nirupana, Brahmalokavalokana, Lokavalokana, Acinnavasita, Mahatarika, Kailasa.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Avalokana, Ava-loka-yu, Ava-lokana, Avalōkana, Avalokanā; (plurals include: Avalokanas, yus, lokanas, Avalōkanas, Avalokanās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
A book review on veerasimha avalokam- classical text on medical astrology < [2020, Issue 9, September]
A conceptual study - garbhopaghatakara bhavas < [2022, Issue 08 August]
Nyayas found in ashtanga hridaya samhitha < [2017, Issue X, october,]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 144 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 1]
Page 144 < [Hindi-Kannada-English Volume 1]
Page 143 < [Hindi-Kashmiri-English Volume 1]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
To study “maleenaihi bhuktaihi” hetu in udara rog w.s.r. to hetu leshokta < [2021: Volume 10, May issue 5]
Role of dinacharya in skin health - a review < [2022: Volume 11, December special issue 17]
Review of Charak Samhita's role in Kaumarbhritya and Balroga. < [2022: Volume 11, February issue 2]
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 192 [Reflection of Self as in the mirror is Sṛṣṭi] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Utility of Karya Karana Bhava of Sankhya Darshana in Ayurveda < [Vol. 5 No. 03 (2020)]
A Critical Analysis of Medhya Rasayana < [Vol. 4 No. 01 (2019)]
Conceptual review of Ghrita w.s.r. to its Medhya Karma < [Vol. 6 No. 01 (2021)]
Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Foreword to the second volume < [Volume II]
Chapter XXVIII - The first Avalokita-sūtra < [Volume II]
Chapter XXX - The second Avalokita-sūtra < [Volume II]