Avayava, Avayavā: 30 definitions
Introduction:
Avayava means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, 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 Avayav.
In Hinduism
Nyaya (school of philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: NyāyaAvayava (अवयव) refers to “members (of syllogism)”. It is one of the sixteen categories of discussion (padārtha) according to the doctrine of the Nyāya-sūtras by Akṣapāda. The sixteen padārthas represent a method of intellectual analysis and categorize everything that is knowable and nameable.
Source: Shodhganga: A study of Nyāya-vaiśeṣika categoriesAvayava (अवयव, “doctrine”) refers to “members of syllogism” and represents the seventh of the sixteen padārthas (“categories”) in the first chapter of Gautama’s Nyāyasūtra (2nd century CE).
According to Gautama, avayavas are:—
- pratijñā (proposition),
- hetu (reason),
- udāharaṇa (example),
- upanaya (application),
- nigamana (conclusion).

Nyaya (न्याय, nyaya) refers to a school of Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. The Nyaya philosophy is known for its theories on logic, methodology and epistemology, however, it is closely related with Vaisheshika in terms of metaphysics.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraAvayava (अवयव) refers to one of the twenty aspects of tāla (time-measure), according to the Nāṭyaśāstrahapter chapter 28. In musical performance, tāla refers to any rhythmic beat or strike that measures musical time. It is an important concept in ancient Indian musical theory (gāndharvaśāstra) traceable to the Vedic era.

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammarAvayava (अवयव).—Member or portion, as opposed to the total or collection (समुदाय (samudāya)) which is called अवयविन् (avayavin); cf. अवयवप्रसिद्धेः समुदायप्रसिद्धिर्बलीयसी (avayavaprasiddheḥ samudāyaprasiddhirbalīyasī) Par.Śek. Pari. 98. The conventional sense is more powerful than the derivative sense.

Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaAvayava (अवयव) refers to the “limbs” (of the body), as taught in the Ceṣṭita (“symptoms of snake-bites”) section of the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—Sage Kāśyapa adds a graphic description of the features of a fatally bitten victim. Blackish-blue coloured blood oozing from the site of a fatal snake-bite, thirst, sweat, stiffness of limbs (avayava-jaḍatā), horripilation, trembling of organs, ungainly appearance of lips and teeth, nasal speech, loss of consciousness and disfigurement—all these are surefire signs of a fatally bitten person.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsAvayava (अवयव):—[avayavaḥ] Body

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Avayava (अवयव) refers to “parts” (e.g., one fashioned with a number of ‘parts’), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “The New Moon (amā) is the seventeenth (lunar) energy (kalā). She is the primordial womb (bhagādyā), located in the middle of the womb. The secret one of the womb who contains the womb, she has risen from within the middle of the womb. Fashioned with sixteen parts [i.e., ṣoḍaśa-avayavā], she resides at the End of the Sixteen”.
2) Avayava (अवयव) refers to “limbs” (of the body), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.—Accordingly, “(A true practitioner) is a hero (vīra) who exerts himself and is courageous. He is content, devoted to the teacher, not greedy, compassionate, industrious, self-controlled, of good appearance, sāttvika, deep, all his limbs are intact [i.e., sarva-avayava-saṃyuta] (and) active, he knows (true) devotion and the scriptures and crosses over into (higher) realities. He is devoted to the transmission which is free of thought (nirvikalpakrama), he eats what he has begged and is desireless. [...]”.

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
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (philosophy)Avayava (अवयव) refers to “parts”, according to the Vṛtti on the Īśvarapratyabhijñākārikā 1.5.6, 20-21.—Accordingly, “Moreover, [the existence of] the external object is refuted by a means of [valid] knowledge if it has parts (sa-avayava), because of [the necessity then] of attributing to it contradictory properties, etc.; [and it is contradicted] in many ways if it has no parts (nir-avayava), because [then] it must be in contact with the six directions, etc.”.
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Samkhya (school of philosophy)
Source: SOAS: The Soteriological Role of the Ṛṣi Kapila in the YuktidīpikāAvayava (अवयव) refers to the “members of formal inference”, according to the 7th century Yuktidīpikā: an anonymous commentary on the Sāṃkhyakārikā by Īśvarakṛṣṇa which represents the core text of the Sāṃkhya school of Hidnu philosophy.—[...] The remainder of the introductory section of the Yuktidīpikā is devoted to an explanation in prose of the characteristics of a proper tantra, which include proper ‘naming’ (saṃjñā) according to etymological significance. [...] The other key characteristics of a tantra discussed by the commentator are adequacy of aphorisms, adequacy of means of knowledge, adequacy of the members [of formal inference] (avayava), completeness, statement of uncertainty and determination, brief statement, detailed statement, succession [of categories discussed], and instruction.

Samkhya (सांख्य, Sāṃkhya) is a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy (astika) and is closeley related to the Yoga school. Samkhya philosophy accepts three pramanas (‘proofs’) only as valid means of gaining knowledge. Another important concept is their theory of evolution, revolving around prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).
In Jainism
Jain philosophy
Source: archive.org: Anekanta Jaya Pataka of Haribhadra SuriAvayava (अवयव) (=Avayavārtha) refers to the “word-by-word exposition” (of a philosophical doctrine), as used in the Anekāntajayapatākā-prakaraṇa, a Śvetāmbara Jain philosophical work written by Haribhadra Sūri.—[Cf. Vol. I, P. 3, ll 19-20]—Haribhadra as a commentator has here first given the sum and substance (samudāyārtha) of v 1-10 and has then explained the same word by word (avayava-artha). He has adopted this very method on p. 167 but the opposite one m Vol. II, on p. 29. [...] Synonyms of Avayava-artha:—Akṣarayojanā.
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General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsAvayava (अवयव) refers to the “limbs”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Also when a corporeal [soul] who is complete, having consciousness, with five senses [and] possessing limbs (avayava-anvita) thus comes into being among the plants and animals then it is not because of a very small diminution in shameful deeds. When sentient beings attain here the human state endowed with attributes characterized by place, birth, etc. that is because of the insignificance of [their] actions, I think”.

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
Source: Shodhganga: a concise history of Sanskrit Chanda literature (history)Avayava (अवयव) is the name of a work ascribed to Gokunātha Upādhyāya (C. 1650-1740 C.E.), son of Pītāmbara Upādhyāya, who was exponent on Navya Nyāya system on Indian Philosophy and well-versed in Tantrasāra. Some of Gokulanātha’s verses are mentioned in Vidyākarasahasraka (pp. 92-93).

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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryavayava : (m.) limb; a part; a constituent.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAvayava, (Dern uncertain. Cp. mediaeval Sk. avayava) limb, member, constituent, part VvA. 53 (sarīra° = gattā). 168, 201, 276; PvA. 211 (sarīra° = gattā), 251 (mūl° the fibres of the root). As t. t. g. at SnA 397. In the commentaries avayava is often used where aṃga would have been used in the older texts. (Page 83)

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.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryavayava (अवयव).—m (S) A limb or member: also a part or appendage. 2 fig. A bubby, and pl a woman's breast. v yē. Ex. mulīlā a0 ālē.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishavayava (अवयव).—m A limb; a part.
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 dictionaryAvayava (अवयव).—[avayūyate kāryadravyeṇa saṃbadhyate, ava-yu-karmaṇi-ap]
1) limb (of the body); मुखावयवलूनां ताम् (mukhāvayavalūnāṃ tām) R.12.43, Amaru. 45,51; a member (in general); कस्मिंश्चिदपि जीवति नन्दान्व- यावयेव (kasmiṃścidapi jīvati nandānva- yāvayeva) Mu.1.
2) A part, portion (as of a whole); पदे न वर्णा विद्यन्ते वर्णेष्ववयवा न च (pade na varṇā vidyante varṇeṣvavayavā na ca) Bhartṛ; द्रव्याणां केनचिदवयवेन (dravyāṇāṃ kenacidavayavena) Dk. 61; क्तेनाहोरात्रावयवाः (ktenāhorātrāvayavāḥ) P.II.1.45; II.1.46.
3) A member or a component part of a logical argument or syllogism, (these are five :pratijñā, hetu, udāharaṇa, upanaya and nigamana).
4) The body.
5) A component, constituent, ingredient (in general), as of a compound &c.
6) A means (sādhana, upakaraṇa).
Derivable forms: avayavaḥ (अवयवः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAvayava (अवयव).—m.
(-vaḥ) 1. A limb, a member. 2. A part, a portion. 3. Division of a logical argument or syllogism. E. ava, yu to join, ac aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAvayava (अवयव).—i. e. ava-yu + a, m. 1. A limb, [Daśakumāracarita] in
Avayava (अवयव).—[masculine] limb, member; p. vin.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Avayava (अवयव) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[nyāya] by Bhavānanda. Bp. 307.
2) Avayava (अवयव):—[nyāya] by Goloka. Stein 144 (inc.).
3) Avayava (अवयव):—[nyāya] Hz. 1351.
—Avayavaṭippanī on Gaṅgeśa’s chapter Avayava (Bibl. Ind. p. 686) by Kaṇāda Tarkavāgīśabhaṭṭācārya. Cs 3, 335 (inc.). 582. Hpr. 1, 14.
—C. by Gadādhara. Cs 3, 243 (inc.). 246 (inc.). 260. 286 (inc.). 305 ([fragmentary]). 322 (inc.). 519 (inc.). Hz. 826. 928. 1248. 1372. Io. No. 1894.
—[sub-commentary] by Kṛṣṇambhaṭṭa. Hz. 996. 1238.
—C. by Jagadīśa. Cs 3, 253. 259 (inc.). 323.
1) Avayava (अवयव):—[=ava-yava] a etc. See ava-√yu.
2) [=ava-yava] [from ava-yu] b m. (ifc. f(ā). ) a limb, member, part, portion, [Pāṇini etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] a member or component part of a logical argument or syllogism, [Nyāya] etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryAvayava (अवयव):—(baḥ) 1. m. A limb or member; a part or portion; a syllogism.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Avayava (अवयव) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Avayava.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryAvayava (अवयव) [Also spelled avayav]:—(nm) a part, portion; member; limb; component, ingredient; a member or component part of logical argument of syllogism; [avayavī] the whole consisting of members/limbs/organs.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryAvayava (अवयव) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Avayava.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAvayava (ಅವಯವ):—
1) [noun] in animals and plants, a part composed of specialised tissues and adapted to the performance of a specific function or functions; an organ.
2) [noun] a part of a whole; one of the portions which make a whole; a part; a portion; a constituent.
3) [noun] the quality or state of being easy to do or get or of being at ease; easiness.
4) [noun] the quality or condition of being negligent; negligenceas a) habitual failure to do the required thing; b) carelessness in manner or appearance; indifference.
5) [noun] a fig. of speech in a literary work in which individual components, constituents or ingredients are described well to get a beautiful delineation of the whole.
6) [noun] a member or a component part of a logical argument or syllogism.
7) [noun] the tendency of being fond of play or fun; playfulness.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryAvayava (अवयव):—n. 1. a limb; 2. part; portion; 3. member/a component part of a logical argument/syllogism; 4. body; organ; 5. component; constituent; ingredient;
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: Yava, A, Yu, Ava.
Starts with (+8): Avayavabhava, Avayavadharma, Avayavadidhitividyota, Avayavagrantha, Avayavagrantharahasya, Avayavakroda, Avayavam, Avayavamanididhitivivarana, Avayavanirupana, Avayavanvita, Avayavaprabha, Avayavaprasiddhi, Avayavarkkam, Avayavartha, Avayavarupaka, Avayavasambamdha, Avayavasara, Avayavasha, Avayavashah, Avayavashas.
Full-text (+87): Niravayava, Avayavashas, Savayava, Pancavayava, Antaravayava, Pratyavayavam, Avayavarupaka, Yajnavayava, Avayavartha, Avayavadharma, Avayavin, Trutyavayava, Avayavabhava, Khanavayava, Avayavam, Ekavayava, Pratyavayava, Sarvavayava, Avayavabhuta, Avayavadhikata.
Relevant text
Search found 65 books and stories containing Avayava, Ava-yava, Ava-yu-a, Avayavā, Avayavas; (plurals include: Avayavas, yavas, as, Avayavās, Avayavases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Nyaya-Vaisheshika categories (Study) (by Diptimani Goswami)
Categories in the Nyāya system < [Chapter 2 - Salient features of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika System]
Reality of Relation < [Chapter 6 - Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika theory of Relation]
Different types of Action (Karma) < [Chapter 4 - Quality and Action]
Anumana in Indian Philosophy (by Sangita Chakravarty)
(C). Avayavas of Anumāna (Indian syllogism) < [Chapter 2 - Treatment of Anumāna in Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika Philosophy]
(C). Avayavas of Anumāna (in Mīmāṃsā-Vedānta Philosophy) < [Chapter 4 - Treatment of Anumāna in Mīmāṃsā-Vedānta Philosophy]
A study of the philosophy of Jainism (by Deepa Baruah)
Chapter III.f - Prabhācandra’s view regarding matter < [Chapter III - Categories]
Chapter III.c - Concept of relation (sambandha) < [Chapter III - Categories]
The validity of Anumana (inference) in Nyaya system (by Babu C. D)
Chapter 4.3.4 - Navya Nyaya (d): Five parts of syllogism
Chapter 4.3.3 - Navya Nyaya (c): Three kinds of inference (Anumana)
Chapter 4.2.2 - The Prakaranas (b): Tarkikaraksha by Varadaraja
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 1.51 < [Book 1 - Brahma-kāṇḍa (or Āgama-samuccaya)]
Verse 2.220 < [Book 2 - Vākya-kāṇḍa]