Avyakta, aka: Āvyakta; 11 Definition(s)

Introduction

Avyakta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—Another term for Prakṛti; shines like firefly;¹ overlordship consisting of Brahma, Viṣṇu, Sūrya and Śiva. These are to be worshipped with no difference, by means of fire and Brāhmaṇas.² One form of Brahman; also pradhānam, kāraṇa.³

• 1) Matsya-purāṇa 3. 15; 145. 73; Vāyu-purāṇa 34. 37; 101. 115; 102. 31, 34, 95; 103. 11-12, 28, 36.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 10. 37; Matsya-purāṇa 52. 22.
• 3) Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 2. 15, 18-22.

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIV.8.14, XIV.8) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Avyakta) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

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.

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

1) Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—Indistinct; inarticulate; cf. अव्यक्तानुकरणस्यात इतौ (avyaktānukaraṇasyāta itau) P. VI.1.98 also P.V.4.57; अव्यक्तं अपरिस्फुटवर्णम् (avyaktaṃ aparisphuṭavarṇam) Kāś. on P. VI.1.98;

2) Avyakta.—A fault of pronunciation cf. नातिव्यक्तं न चाव्यक्त-मेवं वर्णानुदीरयेत् । (nātivyaktaṃ na cāvyakta-mevaṃ varṇānudīrayet |)

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Avyakta (अव्यक्त) refers to “images in non-manifest form” and represents a classification of Hindu images, as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The images are again classified into vyakta or manifest form, vyaktāvyakta or manifest and non-manifest form, and avyakta or non-manifest form.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Avyakta (अव्यक्त, “non-expressible”) refers to one of the ten flaws (or transmigressions) requiring prāyaścitta (‘expiation’). Prāyaścitta means ‘purification’ of from the flaws or transmigressions.

Avyakta is a Sanskrit technical term defined according to the Tattvārthasūtra (ancient authorative Jain scripture) from the 2nd century, which contains aphorisms dealing with philosophy and the nature of reality.

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—What is meant by ‘non-expressible (avyakta) flaw’? To tell the transmigressions committed to other fellow ascetics and not the preceptor is called non-expressible flaw.

context information

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

avyakta (अव्यक्त).—a (S) Indistinct or unapparent; not evident, plain, or manifest: also invisible, imperceptible, inapprehensible by human vision--the Deity, the soul &c. 2 Unknown--an algebraic quantity. 3 Inarticulate, not formed by the organs of speech--a sound.

avyakta (अव्यक्त).—a Indistinct or unapparent, un- known, also invisible, imperceptible. Inarticulate-a sound.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—a.

1) Indistinct, not manifest or apparent, inarticulate; °वर्ण (varṇa) indistinct accents; Ś.7.17; फलम- व्यक्तमब्रवीत् (phalama- vyaktamabravīt).

2) Invisible, imperceptible.

3) Undetermined; अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयम् (avyakto'yamacintyo'yam) Bg.2.25;8.2.

4) Undeveloped, uncreated.

5) (In alg.) Unknown (as a quantity or number).

-ktaḥ 1 Name of Viṣṇu.

2) Name of Śiva.

3) Cupid.

4) Primary matter which has not yet entered into real existence.

5) A fool.

6) Name of an Upaniṣad.

-ktam (In Vedānta Phil.)

1) The Supreme Being or Universal Spirit, Brahman.

2) Spiritual ignorance.

3) The subtle body.

4) The state of sleep (suṣuptyavasthā).

5) (In Sāṅ. Phil.) The primary germ of nature (sarvakāraṇa), the primordial element or productive principle from which all the phenomena of the material world are developed; बुद्धेरिवाव्यक्तमुदाहरन्ति (buddherivāvyaktamudāharanti) R.13.6; महतः परमव्यक्तमव्यक्तात्पुरुषः परः (mahataḥ paramavyaktamavyaktātpuruṣaḥ paraḥ) Kaṭh., Sāṅ. K.2.1,14.16.58.

6) The Soul.

7) Nature. अव्यक्तः शंकरे विष्णौ क्लीबे तु महदादिके । परमात्म- न्यात्मनि च त्रिषु स्यादस्फुटे (avyaktaḥ śaṃkare viṣṇau klībe tu mahadādike | paramātma- nyātmani ca triṣu syādasphuṭe)....Nm.

-ktam ind. Imperceptibly, indistinctly, inarticulately.

--- OR ---

Āvyakta (आव्यक्त).—a. Quite clear, intelligible; तद्वाक्यमाव्यक्तपदं तासां स्त्रीणां निशम्य च (tadvākyamāvyaktapadaṃ tāsāṃ strīṇāṃ niśamya ca) Rām.7.88.2.

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—adj. (= Pali avyatta; neg. of vyakta, q.v.), (1) ignorant: SP 210.3 °tā akuśalā; LV 264.20 °to [Page079-b+ 71] bālo; Divy 301.2 °tān apy akuśalān api: 617.18; (2) (compare Sanskrit id., Pali avyatta) obscure: avyaktendriyaḥ Karmav 31.12, see s.v. jihma.

Avyakta (अव्यक्त).—mfn.

(-ktaḥ-ktā-ktaṃ) 1. Indistinct, unapparent, invisible, imperceptible. 2. (In algebra,) Unknown as quantity or number. m.

(-ktaḥ) 1. Vishnu. 2. Siva. 3. Kandarpa or Cupid. 4. A fool. n.

(-ktaṃ) 1. The Supreme Being or universal spirit. 2. Any invisible principle according to the Sankhya philosophy. 3. The soul. 4. Nature, temperament. E. a neg. vyakta evident, distinct.

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