Bhritya, Bhṛtya: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Bhritya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
The Sanskrit term Bhṛtya can be transliterated into English as Bhrtya or Bhritya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Bhraty.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationBhṛtya (भृत्य) refers to a “servant”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.6 (“The miraculous feat of Kārttikeya”).—Accordingly, as a Brahmin named Nārada said to Kumāra (Kārttikeya): “[...] O lord of all, ocean of mercy, favourably disposed to devotees, I am your own servant (bhṛtya). May even a hundred sins of your own servant or a leader of the Gaṇas be forgiven. O lord, you know even the slightest act of devotion done anywhere. You are the destroyer of the distress of your servants (bhṛtya-artihan). O lord, there is no other protector save you and no other wretched vulgar person than I. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexBhṛtya (भृत्य).—Servants engaged for service, those who do not do properly or neglect, are liable to be punished with a fine of 8 Kṛṣṇalas besides being deprived of their wages;1 conduct of, reported by cāras;2 not loyal in the kaliyuga.3
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.
Arthashastra (politics and welfare)
Source: Shodhganga: Kakati Ganapatideva and his times (artha)Bhritya is synonymous with Baṇṭu: the frequently referred official who appeared to have served the king in every way. Baṇṭu, Bhaṭuṇḍu and Bhritya seem to be synonyms. It appears that the meaning of the term baṇṭu changes with the context. The baṇṭus or personal attendants served the king in all activities, later on they would have been formed into a separate body known as leṃkas, the military batallions.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (artha)Bhṛtya (भृत्य) refers to a “servant”, according to the Arthaśāstra verse 1.9.9-10.—Accordingly, “He should appoint as chaplain a man who comes from a very distinguished family and has an equally distinguished character, who is thoroughly trained in the Veda together with the limbs, in divine omens, and in government, and who could counteract divine and human adversities through Atharvan means. He should follow him as a pupil his teacher, a son his father, and a servant (bhṛtya) his master”.
Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraBhṛtya (भृत्य) refers to “servants”, 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. [...] If the solar or lunar eclipse should fall in the lunar month of Kārttika, persons who live by fire, the Magadhas, the eastern princes, the Kosalas, the Kalmāṣas, the Śūrasenas and the people of Benares will suffer miseries; the ruler of Kaliṅga with his ministers and servants [i.e., bhṛtya] and the Kṣatriyas will perish but there will be prosperity and plenty in the land”.
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.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)Bhṛtya (भृत्य) refers to “servants”, 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 black-eyed division of hawks]: “[...] Like servants (bhṛtya) they become serviceable if their expectations are raised, and if they are rewarded according to their deserts. This class is quick to hear a distant call, to fall on distant prey and capture big’ quarry. The second class will now be treated of. [...]”.
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.
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
Source: Wikisource: Ashtavakra GitaBhṛtya (भृत्य) refers to “servants” (the ridicule of whom does not effect a true Yogī), according to the Aṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “[...] There is no attachment in the heart of a wise man whether he sees or pays homage to a learned Brahmin, a celestial being, a holy place, a woman, a king or a friend. A yogi is not in the least put out even when humiliated by the ridicule of servants (bhṛtya), sons, wives, grandchildren or other relatives. [bhṛtyaiḥ putraiḥ kalatraiśca dauhitraiścāpi gotrajaiḥ] [...]”.
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiBhṛtya (भृत्य) refers to “servants”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “All gods whoever in the earth and Nāgas, mountains with secret assemblies, Being a counter to, do once offer, the ghosts in each of your own directions. Seize satisfaction, along with your wives, children, servants (bhṛtya) and soldiers, Flowers, offerings, incense and ointment, seize, enjoy, and be exuberant, And enjoy granting success in this work. [...]”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarybhṛtya (भृत्य).—m S A hireling, a mercenary, a man upon wages or pay; a servant in general. Pr. bhṛtyakṛtaṃ rājanī The master gets all the honor and dishonor of the deeds of the servant.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishbhṛtyā (भृत्या).—f Wages, pay. Nourishing.
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bhṛtya (भृत्य).—m A servant.
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 dictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य).—a. [bhṛ kyap tak ca] To be nourished or maintained &c.
-tyaḥ 1 Any one requiring to be supported.
2) A servant, dependant, slave.
3) A king's servant, minister of state; भृत्यप्रणाशो मरणं नृपाणाम् (bhṛtyapraṇāśo maraṇaṃ nṛpāṇām) H.2.136.
4) A subject.
-tyā 1 Rearing, fostering, nourishing, taking care of; as in कुमारभृत्या (kumārabhṛtyā) q. v.
2) Maintenance, support.
3) A means of sustenance, food.
4) Wages.
5) Service.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य).—mfn. (-tyaḥ-tyā-tya) To be nourished or maintained. m.
(-tyaḥ) 1. A dependent. 2. A servant, a slave. 3. A minister. f.
(-tyā) Hire, wages. E. bhṛ to nourish, aff. kyap, with tuk augment.
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Bhṛtyā (भृत्या).—f.
(-tyā) 1. Rearing, nourishing. 2. Maintenance. 3. Service. 4. Wages.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य).—I. ptcple. fut. pass. of bhṛ, To be nourished. Ii. m. A servant, [Pañcatantra] 175, 16; i. [distich] 325. Iii. f. yā, Hire.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य).—[masculine] dependant, servant, minister of a king; [abstract] tā [feminine], tva [neuter]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Bhṛtya (भृत्य):—[from bhṛ] mfn. to be nourished or maintained
2) [v.s. ...] m. one who is to be m°, a dependent, servant (also the s° of a king, a minister), [Gṛhya-sūtra; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
3) Bhṛtyā (भृत्या):—[from bhṛtya > bhṛ] f. support, maintenance, wages etc. (= bhṛti), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] nursing, care of (cf. kumāra-bhṛtyā).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य):—(tyaḥ) 1. m. A servant. f. (tyā) Hire. a. Nourished, cherished.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Bhṛtya (भृत्य) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Bhicca.
[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 dictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य) [Also spelled bhraty]:—(nm) a servant, an attendant.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusBhṛtya (ಭೃತ್ಯ):—
1) [noun] a man employed by another, esp. to perform domestic or menial duties.
2) [noun] an adviser, counsel or minister.
3) [noun] an individual person, as a native, inhabitant or subject of a nation.
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 DictionaryBhṛtya (भृत्य):—n. hired servant; wage laborer;
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)
Starts with (+6): Bhrityabharana, Bhrityabhartri, Bhrityabharttri, Bhrityabhava, Bhrityabhavin, Bhrityacara, Bhrityacari, Bhrityadhyapana, Bhrityaja, Bhrityajana, Bhrityakamakrit, Bhrityanna, Bhrityaparamanu, Bhrityartham, Bhrityartihan, Bhrityashalin, Bhrityata, Bhrityate, Bhrityatva, Bhrityavarga.
Full-text (+92): Mulabhritya, Rajabhritya, Andhrabhritya, Bhrityabhava, Kaumarabhritya, Kulabhritya, Bhrityatva, Mrityubhritya, Kumarabhritya, Bhrityata, Bhrityavatsalya, Naibhritya, Sambhritya, Kimbhritya, Kubhritya, Bhrityadhyapana, Balabhritya, Bhrityavritti, Bhrityashalin, Bhrityabharana.
Relevant text
Search found 68 books and stories containing Bhritya, Bhṛtya, Bhrtya, Bhṛtyā; (plurals include: Bhrityas, Bhṛtyas, Bhrtyas, Bhṛtyās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.6.1 < [Chapter 6 - The Lord’s Meeting with Advaita Ācārya]
Verse 1.1.5 < [Chapter 1 - Summary of Lord Gaura’s Pastimes]
Verse 2.8.75 < [Chapter 8 - The Manifestation of Opulences]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.5.110 < [Chapter 5 - Priya (the beloved devotees)]
Verse 1.5.116 < [Chapter 5 - Priya (the beloved devotees)]
Verse 2.2.221 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Professions, Servants and Employed persons < [Chapter 3 - Social Aspects]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 1.7.5 < [Chapter 7 - Description of the Conquest of All Directions]
Verse 5.5.37 < [Chapter 5 - Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance Into Mathurā]
Verse 5.18.25 < [Chapter 18 - Uddhava Hears the Gopīs’ Words and Returns to Mathurā]
Manasollasa (study of Arts and Sciences) (by Mahadev Narayanrao Joshi)
1. Introduction to the ancient Indian science of Government < [Chapter 3 - Social and Political conditions reflected in Somesvara’s Manasollasa]
2.6. Element of the Fort and Army (Durga and Bala) < [Chapter 2 - Treatment of Political Theory and State Administration]
2.1. The element of the King, (Prabhu or Svamin) < [Chapter 2 - Treatment of Political Theory and State Administration]