Catushtaya, Catuṣṭaya, Cātuṣṭaya: 17 definitions
Introduction:
Catushtaya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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 terms Catuṣṭaya and Cātuṣṭaya can be transliterated into English as Catustaya or Catushtaya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Chatushtaya.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) or Catuṣṭayarasa is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fifth volume of the Rasajalanidhi (chapter 3, Kāsaroga: cough-related-diseases). These remedies are classified as Iatrochemistry and form part of the ancient Indian science known as Rasaśāstra (medical alchemy). However, since it is an ayurveda treatment it should be taken with caution and in accordance with rules laid down in the texts.
Accordingly, when using such recipes (e.g., catuṣṭaya-rasa): “the minerals (uparasa), poisons (viṣa), and other drugs (except herbs), referred to as ingredients of medicines, are to be duly purified and incinerated, as the case may be, in accordance with the processes laid out in the texts.” (see introduction to Iatro chemical medicines)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) refers to the “fourth year” (of an elephants’ life), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 5, “on marks of the stages of life”]: “5. Deep red in the vilāga and niṣkośa, averse to milk, stout in the proha and saṃdāna, fond of (eating) grass, with black-tipped palate, broad, with tusks projecting somewhat (from their sockets), in the fourth year (catuṣṭaya) he is a barbara”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) refers to the tetrad of 1) initiation (dīkṣā), 2) knowledge (jñāna), 3) yoga and 4) caryā, according to the Guhyasūtra, the largest book of the Niśvāsa-corpus (a collection of early Śaiva Tantras comprising the Niśvāsamukha, Mūlasūtra, Uttarasūtra, Nayasūtra, and Guhyasūtra).—Accordingly, “[...] (110) Knowing this, one should not give [lightly] the supreme nectar of Lord Śiva. (111) According to this scripture of the Lord, one may attain Śiva by each of the following [practised individually]: initiation, knowledge, yoga and caryā in due order. [...] (114) This tetrad (catuṣṭaya) has been taught to destroy the dangers of saṃsāra. It should not [lightly] be given to others if one desires supernatural power for oneself”.
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.
Shaiva philosophy
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) [=Catur?] refers to “four (elements)”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñāvivṛtivimarśinī 2.131:—“[...] For the former [i.e., Ṣaḍdhātusamīkṣā] acknowledge that ordinary human practice is accounted for if this much [is admitted]: the five elements and consciousness, because such other [things as] the sense organs are included in these; whereas the latter admit that the ordinary human practice [consisting in the relationship between] an apprehending [subject] and an apprehended [object] is accounted for if a particular transformation called ‘consciousness’ arises in the four elements (bhūta-catuṣṭaya) from [some of their] various combinations, and if this transformation does not arise [from other combinations of the four elements]”.
Shaiva philosophy is a spritiual tradition within Hinduism that includes theories such as the relationship between the Atman (individual soul) and Siva, the nature of liberation (moksha), and the concepts of maya (illusion) and shakti (divine energy). Saiva philosophy teaches that union with Shiva can be achieved through knowledge, devotion, and spiritual practice. It encompasses major branches like Shaiva Siddhanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) [=Catur?] refers to “four (hands)”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] I honour Padmā, [beautiful and tender like] a lotus plant. Her eyes are lotus-like and she dwells in a bed of lotuses. Her four arms (pāṇi-catuṣṭaya) look splendid with two lotuses [in two hands] and the gestures of grace and safety [in two others]. May the virgin goddess Durgā annihilate my hardships, I pray. Her hands are marked by the conch and discus. She has curly locks and rides [a lion,] the king of wild animals. [...]
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) refers to the “four positions” (i.e., Gṛhakṣata, Yama, Gandharva and Bhṛṅga), according to the Mayasaṃgraha (verse 5.156-187).—Accordingly, [while describing the pura on a 9-by-9-plan and the 32 padas]—“At Gṛhakṣata one should set up [a storeroom for] bows, arrows, swords, and other weapons. At Yama there should be a place for ascetics to achieve contemplation of the self. Singers are stationed at Gandharva. At Bhṛṅga is a hall for the exposition [of the śāstras]. Or one may construct a large maṭha on the four [positions] (catuṣṭaya) which are Gṛhakṣata and [Yama, Gandharva and Bhṛṅga]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) refers to a “fourfold (circle)”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Merit Circle (guṇacakra)]: “[...] He should make [mantras of all Yoginīs] on all circles [in this manner]. [...] There are east, north, west, and south divisions in all [four layers]. He should make [the four divisions] blackish-dark blue, green, red, and yellow in color, [respectively]. The Innate Maṇḍala (viz., the Innate Layer) is thus [described]. As [the whole maṇḍala is] a fourfold circle (cakra-catuṣṭaya) (viz., comprises four layers), he should subsequently make the Dharma, Enjoyment, and Emanation Layers in order. [...]”.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय).—a.
1) (-yī f.) [चत्वारोऽवयवा विधा अस्य तयप् (catvāro'vayavā vidhā asya tayap)] Four-fold, consisting of four; पुराणस्य कवेस्तस्य चतुर्मुख- समीरिता । प्रवृत्तिरासीच्छब्दानां चरितार्था चतुष्टयी (purāṇasya kavestasya caturmukha- samīritā | pravṛttirāsīcchabdānāṃ caritārthā catuṣṭayī) || Kumārasambhava 2.17.
-yam A group or collection of four; एकैकमप्यनर्थाय किमु यत्र चतुष्टयम् (ekaikamapyanarthāya kimu yatra catuṣṭayam) H. Pr.11; Kumārasambhava 7.62; मासचतुष्टयस्य भोजनम् (māsacatuṣṭayasya bhojanam) H.1.
2) A square.
3) The first, fourth, seventh, and tenth signs of the zodiac.
4) The centre of a circle.
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Cātuṣṭaya (चातुष्टय).—a. [cātuṣṭayaṃ vetti, aṇ] Knowing or familiar with the चतुष्टय (catuṣṭaya).
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय).—mfn.
(-yaḥ-yī-yaṃ) 1. Four. 2. Four-fold. n.
(-yaṃ) 1. A square. 2. The centre of a circle. 3. The aggregate of four. E. catur, and tayap aff. catvāro'vayavā vidhā asya tayapr .
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय).—i. e. catur + taya, I. adj., f. yī. 1. Of four different sorts, Mahābhārata 12, 11965. 2. Being four, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 3, 15, 28. Ii. n. A collection of four things, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 8, 180.
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय).—[feminine] ī fourfold, consisting of four; [neuter] the number four or a collection of four.
1) Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय):—[from catasṛ] mf(ī)n. ([nominative case] [plural] ye, [Pāṇini 8-3, 101; Kāśikā-vṛtti]) fourfold, consisting of 4 [Atharva-veda x, 2, 3; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa xiii; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa iii, viii; Śāṅkhāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Mahābhārata] etc.; 4 [Bhāgavata-purāṇa iii, 15, 28]
2) [v.s. ...] n. a set of 4, quaternion, [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra viii; Gṛhyāsaṃgraha; Manu-smṛti] etc. (ifc. f(ā). , [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi])
3) [v.s. ...] n. a square, [Horace H. Wilson]
4) [v.s. ...] the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th signs of the zodiac, [Varāha-mihira’s Yogayātrā iv, 48]
5) [v.s. ...] ‘a collection of Sūtras consisting of 4 sections’ See cāt.
6) Cātuṣṭaya (चातुष्टय):—[from cātura] mfn. ([from] cat) versed in the Sūtras consisting of 4 sections, [Pāṇini 4-2, 65; Kāśikā-vṛtti]
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय):—[catu-ṣṭaya] (yaḥ-yī-yaṃ) a. Four-fold; a square; centre of a circle.
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय):—(von catvar)
1) adj. f. ī viererlei, aus Vieren bestehend [Vopadeva’s Grammatik 7, 46.] [Atharvavedasaṃhitā 10, 2, 3.] vānaspatyāni [Aitareyabrāhmaṇa 8, 16.] āpaḥ [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 13, 1, 1, 4.] paśavaḥ [Śāṅkhāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 16, 23, 2.] duḥkha [Mahābhārata 3, 603.] brāhmaṇānāṃ niketam [10661.] catuṣṭaye (nom. pl.; vgl. [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 1, 1, 33]) brāhmaṇānāṃ niketāḥ [Kāśikīvṛtti] zu [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 8, 3, 101.] [Mahābhārata 12, 11965.] [Kumārasaṃbhava 2, 17.] [Amarakoṣa 2, 8, 2, 1.] asitacatuṣṭayabāhumadhye = caturbāhu [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 15, 28.] —
2) n. a) Vierzahl, Verein von Vieren [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 8, 1, 16. 7, 5.] [Gṛhyasaṃgrahapariśiṣṭa 2, 72.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 8, 130.] [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 3, 86.] [Mahābhārata 3, 13765.] [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 23, 32.] [Suśruta 1, 86, 6.] [Kumārasaṃbhava 7, 12.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 7, 5, 19.] — b) Bez. einer aus 4 Abtheilungen bestehenden Sammlung von Sūtra; vgl. cātuṣṭaya . — c) das erste, vierte, siebente und zehnte Zodiakalbild [Weber’s Indische Studien 2, 259. 281.]
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Cātuṣṭaya (चातुष्टय):—adj. das Catuṣṭaya (s. catuṣṭaya [2,b]) kennend, damit vertraut [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 4, 2, 65,] [Scholiast]
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Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय):—
1) [Aitareyabrāhmaṇa 3, 43.]
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय):——
1) Adj. (f. ī) viererlei , aus Vieren bestehend , vier ([Bhāgavatapurāṇa] ). —
2) n. — a) Vierzahl , ein Verein von Vieren. An Ende eines adj. Comp. f. ā [Hemādri’s Caturvargacintāmaṇi 1,725,16.] — b) das erste , vierte , siebente und zehnte Zodiakalbild [Varāhamihira’s Yogayātrā 4,48.] — c) *eine best. aus vier Abtheilungen bestehende Sammlung von Sūtra.
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Cātuṣṭaya (चातुष्टय):—Adj. das Catuṣṭaya 2)c) kennend.
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
Catuṣṭaya (चतुष्टय) [Also spelled chatushtay]:—(nm) an aggregate of four (things, persons, etc.).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Catuṣṭaya (ಚತುಷ್ಟಯ):—
1) [adjective] consisting, made of four components; having or including four things, persons, etc.
2) [adjective] having four times as much or as many; four-fold.
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Catuṣṭaya (ಚತುಷ್ಟಯ):—[noun] a group of four persons, animals, things, etc.
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: Catushtayam.
Full-text (+53): Avasthacatushtaya, Kshuracatushtaya, Upayacatushtaya, Sadhanacatushtaya, Bhavacatushtaya, Shrirangarajacatushtaya, Vivahacatushtaya, Bhutacatushtaya, Sattiyacatushtayam, Anantacatushtaya, Catushtayam, Pratyekabuddhacatushtaya, Bhagajaticatushtaya, Dhatucatushtaya, Dvaracatushtaya, Salokyadicatushtaya, Gaticatushtaya, Angacatushtaya, Satyacatushtaya, Catur.
Relevant text
Search found 60 books and stories containing Catushtaya, Catuṣṭaya, Catustaya, Cātuṣṭaya, Catu-shtaya, Catu-ṣṭaya, Catu-staya; (plurals include: Catushtayas, Catuṣṭayas, Catustayas, Cātuṣṭayas, shtayas, ṣṭayas, stayas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihat Jataka by Varahamihira [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Ganitatilaka (Sanskrit text and English introduction) (by H. R. Kapadia)
Samkhya elements in the Bhagavata-purana (by Jumli Nath)
Part 3 - Numbers of Purāṇas < [Chapter 1b - An introduction to the Bhāgavatapurāṇa]
Yavanajataka by Sphujidhvaja [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 1.81 < [Chapter 1 - The Innate Nature of the Zodiac Signs and Planets]
Verse 8.29 < [Chapter 8 - The Birth of Sovereigns]
Verse 10.2 < [Chapter 10 - The Application of the Yogas of the Moon]
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 23 [The Naure of ever-liberated soul] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]
Verse 63 [Eight-fold path] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]
Verse 10 [The inseparable form of Śiva-Śakti] < [Chapter 1 - First Vimarśa]
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