Ayudha, Āyudha: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Ayudha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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 Aayudh.
Images (photo gallery)
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In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Sreenivasarao's blogs: Temple Architecture – Devalaya Vastu – Part sevenAyudha generally translates to weapons; but, in shilpa-sastra, the term indicates whatever objects the idol holds in his or her hands. The Ayudhas delineate the nature, character and functions associated with the idol. In a way of speaking, they are the symbols of a symbolism. For instance, Saraswathi holds in her hands a book symbolizing the Vedas and learning; a Kamandala (a water jug) symbolizing smruthi, vedanga and shastras; a rosary symbolizing the cyclical nature of time; and the musical instrument veena symbolizing music and her benevolent nature.
All these objects are not weapons in the conventional sense, but the shilpa employs those as symbols to expand and depict and interpret the nature of the idol and its meaning. Each of these Ayudhas signifies a certain aspect or it stands for a concept. For instance, the mirror signifies a clear mind and awareness; the flag signifies victory or celebration; the Ankusha (goad) signifies exercising control over senses and baser instincts, Damaru in the hands of shiva signifies creation and origin of sound and learning; and, the scepter signifies authority and rule of law.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexĀyudha (आयुध).—Weapons of war, enumerated and described.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 22. 10-14; Matsya-purāṇa 129. 35; 149. 7-8; 173. 5, 12, 29, etc.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Āyudha (आयुध) refers to the “attributes” or “accessories” of a detiy, as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The technical terms of the attributes (āyudha) relate to the objects which the images of Hindu gods and goddesses are shown as bearing in their hands, such as weapons, musical instruments, animals, and birds. The attributes (āyudha) also relate to the various attitudes in which the hands of images are shown and the postures which the bodies of the images are made to assume. The attributes include the costume, ornaments and head gear in which they are represented. The śilpa texts have classified the various accessories under the broad heading of āyudha or karuvi (implement), including even flowers, animals, and musical instruments.
Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu ImagesĀyudha (आयुध) refers to “attributes” or “weapons”, as defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramĀyudha (आयुध) refers to the “weapons” (of the Goddesses), according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “Having (mentally) formed (the twenty-four sacred places) beginning with Aṭṭahāsa and ending with Rājagṛha along with the goddesses with (their) weapons [i.e., āyudha] and accompanied by the guardians, by attending the sacred fields, primary and secondary, and the meeting places, he becomes pure. O dear one, he who is incompetent or careless (but nevertheless) gets up in the morning and recites (this hymn) achieves perfect purity by eulogizing the sacred seats. I will tell (you) that so that (the observance of) the Rule may be purified”.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira1) Āyudha (आयुध) or Āyudhajīvin refers to “artisans”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 4), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the Moon (candra) should be eclipsed by Ketu she will destroy prosperity, health and plenty. Artisans will perish [i.e., āyudha-jīvin-vināśa] and thieves will suffer greatly. If while the moon is eclipsed, she be crossed by the fall of a meteor, that prince will die in the star of whose nativity the moon then happens to be”.
2) Āyudha (आयुध) (Cf. Āyudhīya) refers to “weapons”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5).—Accordingly, “If the sun and moon should begin to be eclipsed when only half risen, deceitful men will suffer as well as sacrificial rites. [...] If they should be eclipsed when in the sign of Sagittarius (Dhanuṣa), ministers, fine horses, the Videhas, the Mallānas, the Pāñcālas, physicians, merchants and persons skilled in the use of destructive weapons [i.e., viṣama-āyudha-jñā] will perish. If when in the sign of Capricornus (Makara), fishes, the families of ministers, the Cāṇḍālas, skilled magicians, physicians and old soldiers will perish”.
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)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)Āyudha (आयुध) refers to the “weapons” or “attributes” (of Svacchanda), according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult. Accordingly, “O goddess, Svacchanda is in the middle, within the abode of the triangle. Very powerful, he has five faces with three times five flaming eyes. [...] O fair lady, my attributes—trident, dagger, sword, the king of the snakes, and rosary—adorn the right (arms). O beloved, a skull, double-headed drum, javelin, noose and goad—(these) are my divine, brilliant and very auspicious weapons [i.e., āyudha] that (are held) in the left (hands). The king of snakes (hangs) on the shoulder and a garland of skulls hangs (from the neck). There is a necklace of scorpions around the throat and the ears are adorned with snakes. [...]”.
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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryāyudha : (nt.) weapon.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryĀyudha, is the Vedic form of the common Pāli form āvudha weapon, and occurs only spuriously at D. I, 9 (v. l. āvudha). (Page 106)
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 Dictionaryāyudha (आयुध).—n (S) A weapon. 2 Laxly. An implement or a tool.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishāyudha (आयुध).—n A weapon; a tool.
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 dictionaryAyudha (अयुध).—A non-combatant.
Derivable forms: ayudhaḥ (अयुधः).
--- OR ---
Āyudha (आयुध).—[āyudh-ghañarthe ka]
1) A weapon, shield &c.; it is of 3 kinds (1) प्रहरण (praharaṇa), e. g. a sword; (2) हस्तमुक्त (hastamukta), e. g. a disc; (3) यन्त्रमुक्त (yantramukta), e. g. an arrow; आयुधानामहं वज्रम् (āyudhānāmahaṃ vajram) Bg.1.28. न मे त्वदन्येन विसोढमायुधम् (na me tvadanyena visoḍhamāyudham) R.3.63. An implement; वशाया यज्ञ आयुधम् (vaśāyā yajña āyudham) Av.1.1.18.
2) A vessel (Ved.).
-dham 1 Gold used for ornaments.
2) (pl.) Water (Ved.).
Derivable forms: āyudhaḥ (आयुधः), āyudham (आयुधम्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀyudha (आयुध).—m.
(-dhaḥ) A weapon in general. E. āṅ before yudh to fight, ka aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀyudha (आयुध).—[ā-yudh + a], n., A weapon, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 7, 93.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀyudha (आयुध).—[neuter] weapon, vessel; adj. —° armed with.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ayudha (अयुध):—[=a-yudha] [from a-yuddha] m. a non-fighter, [Pāṇini 5-1, 121.]
2) Āyudha (आयुध):—[=ā-yudha] [from ā-yudh] n. a weapon, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Rāmāyaṇa; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata; Raghuvaṃśa] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] implement, [Atharva-veda x, 10, 18; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa; Kauśika-sūtra]
4) [v.s. ...] gold used for ornaments, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] n. [plural] water, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryĀyudha (आयुध):—[ā-yudha] (dhaḥ) 1. m. Weapon in general.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Āyudha (आयुध) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Āuha, Ājuha.
[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 dictionaryĀyudha (आयुध) [Also spelled aayudh]:—(nm) armament; arms, weapons; ~[jīvī] a professional soldier; ~[śālā] armoury, arsenal.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusĀyudha (ಆಯುಧ):—
1) [noun] an instrument or device of any kind used to injure or kill, as in fighting or hunting; a weapon.
2) [noun] any implement, instrument or utensil held in the hand and used for cutting, hitting, digging, rubbing, etc; a tool.
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)
Starts with (+6): Ayudhabhrit, Ayudhadhari, Ayudhadharini, Ayudhadharmini, Ayudhadharmmini, Ayudhadhyaksha, Ayudhagar, Ayudhagara, Ayudhagaranara, Ayudhagarika, Ayudhajivin, Ayudhajna, Ayudhapala, Ayudhapani, Ayudhapariksha, Ayudhapishachika, Ayudhapishaci, Ayudhapishacika, Ayudhapujaprayoga, Ayudhapujavidhi.
Ends with (+84): Adayudha, Addayudha, Aindrayudha, Alayudha, Anayudha, Asamayudha, Baddhayudha, Bhadrayudha, Cakrayudha, Camdrayudha, Caranayudha, Chakrayudha, Chandoratnahalayudha, Charanayudha, Chhandoratnahalayudha, Chitrayudha, Cilayudha, Citrayudha, Dadayudha, Damdayudha.
Full-text (+248): Ayudhadharmini, Nirayudha, Ayudhagara, Ayudhajivin, Ayudhashala, Ayudhapishacika, Dantayudha, Halayudha, Ayudhapishaci, Kusumayudha, Caranayudha, Ayudhasahaya, Ayudhika, Ayudhapala, Ayudhabhrit, Ayudhasahvaya, Ayudhiya, Kaushikayudha, Tridashayudha, Potrayudha.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Ayudha, A-yudha, Ā-yudha, Āyudha; (plurals include: Ayudhas, yudhas, Āyudhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 4 - Filling all of space < [Chapter XLIX - The Four Conditions]
Part 3 - Benefits of morality < [Chapter XXI - Discipline or Morality]
Part 5 - Pañcamātra Bhikṣusahasra (section of five thousand arhats) < [Chapter VI - The Great Bhikṣu Saṃgha]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Manasara (English translation) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
Parama Samhita (English translation) (by Krishnaswami Aiyangar)
Satapatha-brahmana (by Julius Eggeling)
Kāṇḍa III, adhyāya 6, brāhmaṇa 2 < [Third Kāṇḍa]