Chaya, Chāyā: 47 definitions
Introduction:
Chaya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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 Chhaya.
Ambiguity: Although Chaya has separate glossary definitions below, it also represents an alternative spelling of the word Caya. It further has the optional forms Chāya.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantraChāyā (छाया, “Shadow”):—First of the eight Mātṛs born from the body of Śaśinī, according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra. These eight sub-manifestations (mātṛ), including Chāyā, symbolize a connection to the moon. They are presided over by the Bhairava Krodha and his consort Vaiṣṇavī. Śaśinī is the third of the Eight Mahāmātṛs, residing within the Mātṛcakra (third of the five cakras) and represents the moon.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsChāyā (छाया) refers to the “shade”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[The intercourse (saṃga)]:—[...] He should dry brahmamaṇḍūkī together with its roots in the shade (chāyā-śuṣka). He should mix it with grape-juice, candied sugar and ghee. He should have it three times [a day] for three months in portions measuring a dice as food and drink and he should drink milk. His semen will not deteriorate in millions of years if he practises sex [with Māyā]. His [semen] will never ever wane. It is for the rejuvenation of the body, O Priyā. [...]”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraChāyā (छाया, “shade”):—One of the four wifes of Sūrya (the personification of the Sun), according to the Pāñcarātra literature. The Sun is the direct manifestation of Brahman (the absolute) and is worshipped by all Hindus.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaChāyā (छाया).—A substitute of Saṃjñā, daughter of Viśvakarmā. Saṃjñā got from Sūrya three children, Manu, Yama and Yamī. The heat of Sūrya, her husband, became unbearable to her and so she created a substitute in her exact form and leaving her to look after Sūrya, her husband, she left the place and went to her father. Sūrya did not know of this replacement and taking her to be Saṃjñā he produced three children by her, Śani, Sāvarṇamanu and Tapatī. Chāyā loved her sons more and this made Yama angry and he raised his legs to strike her when Chāyā cursed that Yama’s legs would fall off from his body. Yama complained to his father and he amended the curse and said that only some flesh from his limbs would fall to the ground and that flesh would serve as food to the germs in the earth. Yama would escape from further injury. After consoling his son he turned towards Chāyā. The anger of Sūrya frightened her and she told him everything. Sūrya then divorced her and brought back Saṃjñā. For details see Saṃjñā. (Chapter 9 of Harivaṃśa; Chapter 2, Aṃśa 3, Viṣṇupurāṇa).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Chāyā (छाया).—A daughter of Viśvakarman,1 a servant-maid of Samjñā engaged by the latter for her husband. Hence wife of the sun God without his knowledge and mother of Śanaiścara and Tapatī during the absence of Samjñā as a horse. Her sons were Śrutaśrava and Śrutakarma or Sāvarṇi Manu and Saturn respectively; illtreated Samjñā's children. Yama protested and was cursed to lose his legs. He reported to his father who said that they would be restored after some time. Then he asked Chāyā why she showed difference between her sons and she spoke the truth. The sun God flew into a rage and demanded Tvaṣtā to give up his daughter. He showed the place where Sarvajñā was and Tvaṣtā reduced his tejas. On seeing her, Śukra came through his nostrils from which were born the Aśvins or Nāsatya and Dasra.2
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 13. 8 and 10. Matsya-purāṇa 11. 5-9; 248. 73; Vāyu-purāṇa 84. 39-77.
- 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 59. 32-77; IV. 35. 47; Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 41.
1b) The mind-born wife of Sṛṣṭi and mother of five sons.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa II. 36. 97-98.
1c) The wife of Puṣṭi and mother of five sons, Prācīnagarbha, Vṛṣaka, Vṛka, Vṛkala and Dhṛti.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 62. 83.
1) Chāyā (छाया) is the wife of Sṛṣṭi: one of the four sons of Dhruva, according to the Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, [...] Uttānapāda’s son was Dhruva who achieved the highest place of worshipping Nārāyaṇa. Dhruva had four sons—Sṛṣṭi, Dhanya, Harya and Śaṃbhu; they all were Vaiṣṇavas. Chāyā gave birth to five sons of Sṛṣṭi; they were Ripu, Ripuṃjaya, Vipra, Vṛṣala and Vṛkatejas.
2) Chāyā (छाया) also refers to one of the four wives of Bhāskara (sun-god): the son of Aditi and Kaśyapa according to the Vaṃśānucarita section of the Saurapurāṇa.—Accordingly, the Saurapurāṇa 30.27-73 and chapter 31 descibes the vaṃśānucarita in an abridged form. It is stated that Aditi got from Kaśyapa, Bhāskara, the Sun-god. The Sun-god had four wives—Saṃjñā, Rājñī, Prabhā and Chāyā. Saṃjñā gave birth to Manu from the Sun-god in whose race were born the kings. Chāyā gave birth to Sāvarṇi (and possibly a daughter named Tapatī).
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)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammarChāyā (छाया).—A learned commentary on Nagesa's Mahabhasyapradipoddyota written by his pupil बाळंभट्ट (bāḷaṃbhaṭṭa) (possibly the same as, or the son of, वैद्यनाथ पायगुण्डे (vaidyanātha pāyaguṇḍe)) who lived in the eighteenth century.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraChāyā (छाया) refers to “shadow”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. [...] He must know the Earth’s revolution round the sun and its rotation round its axis; its shape, size and the like; the latitude of a place and its complement; the nature of the hour circle; the cāra-dala-kāla [the difference between six hours and half a day], the times of the rising of the Zodiacal signs. He must also be able to calculate time from shadow [i.e., chāyā] and shadow from time and to convert longitude into right ascension and right ascension into longitude”.
Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)Chāyā (छाया) refers to a “shadow”, according to Bhāskara’s commentary on the Āryabhaṭīya.—Accordingly, “'[...] ‘It is only a rough method (sthūlaḥ kalpaḥ) to say that the one-sixtieth part of the water that has been discharged in the course of a nychthemeron is the measure of one ghaṭikā. The more accurate method is to measure the ghaṭikā by marking the shadow [i.e., chāyā] of one ghaṭikā, cast by a gnomon of specified shape that has been set up on a level ground. The perforation in [the bowl of] the ghaṭikā-yantra should be made skilfully according to the period measured by the shadow [i.e., chāyā-kāla-vaśa].’ [...]”.
Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical TermsChāyā (छाया).—1. Shadow. 2. The R sine of the zenith distance. Note: Chāyā is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.
Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I (astronomy)Chāyā (छाया) refers to the “shadows” (thrown by the gnomon), according to the Karaṇakutūhala by Bhāskara (classified as literature dealing with astronomy, astrology, divination, medicine) of which a commentary is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—the final part of the manuscript deals with the lengths of the shadows (chāyā) thrown by the gnomon (atha saṃkuchāyāṃgulapramāṇaṃ, 3r8).
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaChāyā (छाया) refers to the “shade” (useful for drying herbs), according to 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 (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Gulikā or pill is prepared from making a paste of the four products of (bovine) cow-dung, urine, curd and ghee on the fifth day of the dark fortnight. This is a potent anti-venom antidote. Pills made from dung and urine of a new born calf, dried in the shade (chāyā-śuṣka) are said to be always very potent in removing poison; the same mixed with urine can be used as antitode.
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the HindusChāyā (छाया) refers to the “sheen” or “shadow” (of elephants), 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 8, “on marks of character”]: “16. Their ‘sheen’ (or ‘shadow,’ chāyā) is five-fold. As a thick bank of clouds may cover the sun, so it may obliterate the (significance of the) bodily characteristics of an elephant. It is (five-fold) according to the difference of (the five) elements. The first cloud-shaped (‘shadow’) is produced by earth; two (‘not-one,’ ‘more-than-one’) are produced by water and fire. These three are most valuable. The two other than these (produced by air and ether) are displeasing and highly undesirable”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms1) Chāyā (छाया):—Skin reflection based on colour and Complexion
2) Shade, shadow , a reflected image
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: ManthanabhairavatantramChāyā (छाया) refers to “shade” and is a name for the Goddess, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] The goddess who is the shade (chāyātmikā of the umbrella) (resided) there [i.e., Kula/Kaumāra mountain] (and although) unmanifest was (then in a clearly) manifest form. (The goddess) spent the time required (there) surveying the quarters”.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Chāya (छाय) refers to “complexion”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] May goddess Bhāratī shine upon me, I pray. She carries a rosary and a book in her hands, she has the stainless complexion of the full moon, and she embodies the entirety of knowledge. I venerate the beloved husband of Rati, the beautiful Mind-born [God Kāmadeva]. He carries a bow and arrows of flowers and his complexion (chāya) resembles the petals of Dhak. [Again,] I approach the beloved husband of Prīti, bent round like the full moon, [serving as] the base for the ring of goddesses, in order to draw the Śrīcakra for the sake of prosperity. [...]”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchChāya (छाय) refers to the “shadow (of Aghorī)”, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly, [while describing a haṭha-sādhana (foreceful practice)]: “[...] On the eighth day, the Sādhaka sees the shadow (chāya) of Aghorī. Thus content, she gives [a boon, saying to the Sādhaka], ‘Good, my dear! Choose a boon: either lord of the earth, immortality, levitation, [entry into the] nether-worlds, coming and going through the sky, invisibility, the elixir of mercury, the wish-fulfilling gem, the [magical] sword, the [seven-league] sandals or the [occult] eye collyrium’ [...]”
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)Chāyā (छाया) refers to “protecting (the hawk)” (from heat and cold), 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 training of hawks]: “[...] Thus gradually by touching it with the hand, by rousing it with soft words, by giving it water and meat at regular intervals, by petting it, by protecting (chāyā) it from heat and cold, and by degrees opening the eyes, it should be tamed carefully. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra1) Chāyā (छाया, “shadow”) refers to one of the ten comparisons (upamāna) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 11. These upamānas represent a quality of the Bodhisattvas accompanying the Buddha at Rājagṛha on the Gṛdhrakūṭaparvata. They accepted that dharmas are like a shadow (chāyā). A shadow is visible but cannot be grasped. It is the same for dharmas: the organs (indriya) and the sense objects are seen (dṛṣṭa), heard (śruta), cognized (vijñāta) and felt (mata), but their reality is ungraspable.
Moreover, it is necessary that light be intercepted so that the shadow (chāyā) appears: without this interception, the shadow would be absent. In the same way, it is necessary that the fetters (saṃyojana) and the afflictions (kleśa) hide the light of correct seeing (saṃyagdṛṣṭi) so that the shadow of the ātman and of dharmas appear.
2) Chāyā (छाया) refers to “shade”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 18).—Accordingly, “When one wants to have shade (chāyā), flowers (puṣpa) or fruit (phala), one plants a tree. It is the same when one is looking for reward (vipāka) by means of generosity: happiness in the present lifetime and future lifetime is like the shade; the state of Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha is like the flower; the state of Buddha is like the fruit. [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism1) Chāyā (छाया) refers to a group of deities summoned by the Yamāntaka-mantra and mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Chāyā).
2) Chāya (छाय) is the name of a Rāśi (zodiac sign) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaChāyā (छाया, “shadowy”) refers to one of the “twenty form objects” (rūpa) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 34). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., chāyā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: The Jaina IconographyChāyā (छाया) is the wife of Yama, one of the Dikpāla or “guardians of the quarters”, a class of deities within Jainism commonly depicted in Jaina art and iconography.—[...] Yama is known to be the son of the sun and accompanied by his wife called Chāyā. His chief function is not only to guard the south but also to pronounce judgment on merits and demerits of departed souls.
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 5: The category of the non-livingChāyā (छाया, “shadow”) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 5.24.—“Sound (śabda), union (bandha), fineness (saukṣmya), grossness (sthaulya), shape (saṃsthāna), division (bheda), darkness (tamas or andhakāra), image (chāya or chāyā), warm light (sunshine) (ātapa) and cool light (moonlight) (udyota) also (are forms of matter)”.
What is the meaning of shadow (chāyā)? Image caused by obstruction of light is called shadow. How many types of shadow are there? It is of two kinds namely; the images exactly like of the object as seen in a mirror and second which is just a shadow as by standing in the sunlight.
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: Wisdom Library: Teachers, Saints and SagesChāyā (छाया) or Chāyānātha refers to one of the eighty-four Siddhas (Siddhācāryas) mentioned in various sources as being representative teachers of Sahajiya Tantrism, Alchemy, Nath Sampradaya and other traditions having influence in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayas.—Many of these Mahāsiddhas [e.g., Chāyā-nātha] were historical figures whose lives and mystical powers were the subject of legends. They are often associated with teachings belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism, Ajivikism and Jainism and are evident of a caste-less interreligious spiritual society.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryChāyā.—(EI 1), an image. Note: chāyā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
Source: Academia: Ritual Period: A Comparative Study of Three Newar Buddhist Menarche ManualsChāyā (छाया) refers to “demons inducing nightmares”, according to the “Vādhā byaṃ ke vidhi”: the name of two manuscripts written by (1) Kathmandu-based priest, Badriratna Bajracharya and (2) Buddharatna Bajracharya from Lalitpur.—Badriratna’s text pays the most attention to the invocations of celestial bodies and other cosmologically grouped agents. The list consists of [e.g., demons inducing nightmares (chāyās)]. In this list, we particularly find the dark forces that are especially adept at causing problems for women, children and, more specifically, girl children, addressed and harnessed.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsChaya [ছায়া] in the Bengali language is the name of a plant identified with Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. from the Amaranthaceae (Amaranth) family having the following synonyms: Aerva elegans, Illecebrum lanatum, Achyranthes lanata. For the possible medicinal usage of chaya, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Chaya in English is the name of a plant defined with Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Jatropha aconitifolia var. papaya (Medik.) Pax (among others).
2) Chaya in India is also identified with Aerva lanata It has the synonym Achyranthes villosa Forssk. (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Systema Vegetabilium, ed. 13 (1774)
· Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information Kew (1897)
· Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2004)
· An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, ed. 2 (1913)
· Mantissa Plantarum (1771)
· Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (1923)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Chaya, for example chemical composition, extract dosage, pregnancy safety, health benefits, diet and recipes, side effects, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarychāyā : (f.) shade; shadow.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryChāyā, (f.) (Vedic chāyā, light & shade, *skei (cp. (s)qait in ketu), cp. Sk. śyāva; Gr. skiά & skoiόs; Goth. skeinan. See note on kāla, vol. II. p. 382) shade, shadow S.I, 72, 93; M.II, 235; III, 164; A.II, 114; Sn.1014; Dh.2; J.II, 302; IV, 304; V, 445; Miln.90, 298; DhA.I, 35; PvA.12, 32, 45, 81, etc.—Yakkhas have none; J.V, 34; VI, 337. chāyā is frequent in similes: see J.P.T.S. 1907, 87. (Page 276)
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 Dictionarychāyā (छाया).—f (S) Shade. 2 Shadow, reflected image. 3 Shelter, skreen, cover, lit.: shelter, defence, protection, fig. 4 Indication, prognostic, mark, token, symptom (of a disease, an emotion &c.) Ex. ḍōḷē pivaḷē jhālē tasmāt paṇḍūcī chāyā disatī; mukhāvara krō- dhācī chāyā disatī. 5 A faint, indistinct appearance, a glimmering, a shadow: also an imperfect representation, an adumbration. Ex. hā śrlōka malā lāgata nāhīṃ parantu rājanītīcī chāyā disatī. 6 A slight likeness or resemblance. Ex. rāmājīpantācī chāyā hyājavara disatī tasmāt hā tyācā putra. 7 Look, countenance, general appearance. Ex. jhāḍāṃsa ēka mahinā pāṇī miḷatāñca tyāñcī chāyā pālaṭalī. 8 The explanatory Sanskrit words written over the gibberish of the demons or Pishach, when it is introduced into plays &c. 9 Virtuous reflection. See upādhi Sig. I. Ex. sphaṭikāvara jāsvanācī chāyā māra- tī mhaṇūna tāmbūsa disatō; hā labāḍāñcē chāyēnēṃ labāḍī karūṃ lāgalā. chāyā dharaṇēṃ-pāvasānēṃ-mēghānnīṃ-ābhāḷānēṃ &c. To overshadow or overspread (the heavens)--rain, clouds.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishchāyā (छाया).—f Shade; reflected image; shelter. Fig. Mark; a faint, indistinct appear- ance; look.
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 dictionaryChāyā (छाया).—[cho-ṇa Uṇādi-sūtra 4.19]
1) Shade, shadow (changed at the end of Tat. comp. into chāyam when bāhulya or thickness of shade is meant; e. g. ikṣucchāyaniṣādinyaḥ R.4.2; so 7.4;12.5; Mu.4.21); छायामधः सानुगतां निषेव्य (chāyāmadhaḥ sānugatāṃ niṣevya) Kumārasambhava 1.5;6.46; अनुभवति हि मूर्ध्ना पादपस्तीव्रमुष्णं शमयति परितापं छायया संश्रितानाम् (anubhavati hi mūrdhnā pādapastīvramuṣṇaṃ śamayati paritāpaṃ chāyayā saṃśritānām) Ś.5.7; R.1.75;2.6;3.7; Meghadūta 67.
2) A reflected image, a reflection; छाया न मूर्छति मलोपहतप्रसादे शुद्धे तु दर्पणतले सुलभावकाशा (chāyā na mūrchati malopahataprasāde śuddhe tu darpaṇatale sulabhāvakāśā) Ś.7.32.
3) Resemblance, likeness; क्षित्यादीनामिहार्थानां छाया न कतमापि हि (kṣityādīnāmihārthānāṃ chāyā na katamāpi hi) Bhāgavata 7.15.59.
4) A shadowy fancy, hallucination; असता छाययोक्ताय सदाभासाय ते नमः (asatā chāyayoktāya sadābhāsāya te namaḥ) Bhāgavata 8.3.14.
5) Blending of colours.
6) Lustre, light; भ्रष्टश्च स्वरयोगो मे छाया चापगता मन (bhraṣṭaśca svarayogo me chāyā cāpagatā mana) Rām.2.69.2. छायामण्डललक्ष्येण (chāyāmaṇḍalalakṣyeṇa) R.4.5; रत्न- च्छायाव्यतिकरः (ratna- cchāyāvyatikaraḥ) Meghadūta 15,35.
7) Colour; Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 6.5.
8) Colour of the face, complexion; केवलं लावण्यमयी छाया त्वां न मुञ्चति (kevalaṃ lāvaṇyamayī chāyā tvāṃ na muñcati) Ś.3; मेघैरन्तरितः प्रिये तव मुखच्छायानुकारी शशी (meghairantaritaḥ priye tava mukhacchāyānukārī śaśī) S. D.; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 5.88.
9) Beauty क्षामच्छायं भवनम् (kṣāmacchāyaṃ bhavanam) Meghadūta 8,14.
1) Protection.
11) A row, line.
12) Darkness; (metaphorically) Avidyā; छायातपौ यत्र न गृध्रपक्षौ (chāyātapau yatra na gṛdhrapakṣau) Bhāgavata 8.5.27.
13) A bribe.
14) Name of Durgā.
15) The shadow of gnomon as indicating the sun's position.
16) The Sun.
17) Nightmare.
18) Name of a wife of the sun (she was but a shadow or likeness of saṃjñā, the wife of the sun; consequently when saṃjñā went to her father's house without the knowledge of her husband, she put chāyā in her own place. chāyā bore to the sun three children :-two sons Sāvarṇi and Śani, and one daughter Tapanī).
19) A Sanskrit version of a Prākṛt text.
2) The Ganges; L. D. B.
21) Method; L. D. B.
22) A servant's chit; L. D. B.
-yaḥ One who grants shade.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryChāya (छाय).—m., and chāyā (see also duśchāya, °yā, mahāchāyā), a kind of evil supernatural being, according to Tibetan on Mahāvyutpatti 4763 chāyā = grib gnon, harpy, a demon that defiles and poisons food; fem. also (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 17.8; Mahā-Māyūrī 219.10, etc.; masc., na chāyaḥ chāyasamatīye sthānaṃ Mahā-Māyūrī 226.24.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryChāyā (छाया).—f.
(-yā) 1. Shade. 2. Shadow, reflected image. 3. The wife of the sun. 4. Beauty, splendor, lustre. 5. Light. 6. Nourishing, cherishing. 7. A bribe. 8. A straight or continuous line. 9. A name of the goddess Durga. 10. Darkness, obscurity. 11. The shadow of a Gnomon, especially as indicative of the position of the sun. E. cho to cut, (to cut off the light, &c.) and ṇa Unadi aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryChāya (छाय).—I. m. Shadowing, Mahābhārata 12, 10374. Ii. f. yā. 1. Shade, [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 45, 23; [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 4, 51. 2. Reflected image, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 5, 133. 3. Reflected light, splendour, [Meghadūta, (ed. Gildemeister.)] 36. 4. Colour, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] [distich] 146. 5. When latter part of a comp. subst. noun, it becomes very often neuter, e. g. [Raghuvaṃśa, (ed. Stenzler.)] 12, 50; [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 274 (prākchāye [i. e. prāñc-] kuñjarasya, When the shadow of an elephant falls to the east).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryChāya (छाय).—[adjective] shadowing; [feminine] ā shadow (lit. & [figuratively], also personif. as wife of the Sun); image, reflection; translation ([especially] from Prākrit into Sanskrit); lustre, colour, complexion, beauty, charm, grace.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Chāyā (छाया) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[dharma] Kāṭm. 4.
2) Chāyā (छाया):—a
—[commentary] on the first āhnika of Nāgeśa’s Bhāṣyapradīpoddyota, by Vaidyanātha Pāyaguṇḍe. Io. 3042.
1) Chāya (छाय):—m. granting shade (Śiva), [Mahābhārata xii, 10374]
2) n. ([Pāṇini 2-4, 22 and 25; vi, 2, 14]) ifc. (especially after a word to be taken in the [genitive case]) shadow, [Manu-smṛti iii, 274; Raghuvaṃśa iv, 20; vii, 4; xii, 50]
3) reflection, [Naiṣadha-carita vi, 34]
4) colour, complexion, beauty, [Meghadūta 102]
5) Chāyā (छाया):—[from chāya] a f. σκιά, shade, shadow, a shady place (‘a covered place, house’ [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska iii, 4]), [Ṛg-veda i, 73, 8; ii, 33, 6; vi, 16, 38; Atharva-veda; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā v, xv; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa vii, 12; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa] etc.
6) [v.s. ...] the shadow of a gnomon, [Sūryasiddhānta]
7) [v.s. ...] shelter, protection, [Hitopadeśa iii, 8,1/2]
8) [v.s. ...] a reflected image, reflection, [Ṛg-veda v, 44, 6; x, 121, 2; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā ii, 8; Atharva-veda v, 21, 8; Praśna-upaniṣad; Manu-smṛti] etc.
9) [v.s. ...] shading or blending of colours, play of light or colours, lustre, light, colour, colour of the face, complexion, features, [Suśruta; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā lxviii, 89 ff.; Raghuvaṃśa iv, 5; Meghadūta] (ifc. f(ā). ) etc.
10) [v.s. ...] gracefulness, beauty, [77] & [101; Viṣṇu-purāṇa iv, 4, 31; Kathāsaritsāgara iic]
11) [v.s. ...] a series, multitude (paṅkti), [Pañcatantra i, 16, 8]
12) [v.s. ...] a Sanskṛt gloss on a Prākṛt text
13) [v.s. ...] a copy (of a [manuscript])
14) [v.s. ...] a little (ifc.), [Veṇīs. vi, 13/14, 1]
15) [v.s. ...] nightmare, [Buddhist literature; cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
16) [v.s. ...] a bribe, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
17) [v.s. ...] ‘Shadow’, (like Saṃjñā) wife of the sun and mother of the planet Saturn, [Harivaṃśa 545 ff.; Viṣṇu-purāṇa iii, 2; Bhāgavata-purāṇa vi, viii; Matsya-purāṇa; Kathāsaritsāgara cv]
18) [v.s. ...] (Name of a Śakti), [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi i, 5, 197]
19) [v.s. ...] the sun, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
20) [v.s. ...] a metre of 4 x 19 syllables
21) [v.s. ...] a kind of rhetorical figure, [Sarasvatī-kaṇṭhābharaṇa, by Bhoja ii, 5]
22) [v.s. ...] (in music) Name of a Rāga
23) [v.s. ...] Name of Kātyāyanī (or Durgā, [Horace H. Wilson]), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
24) [from chāya] b See ya.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryChāyā (छाया):—(yā) 1. f. Shade, shadow, the sun’s wife; light, beauty; Durgā.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Chāyā (छाया) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Chāyā, Chāhā, Chāhiyā, Chāhi.
[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 dictionaryChāyā (छाया) [Also spelled chhaya]:—(nf) a shadow; shade; image; reflection; influence; resemblance; protection; phantom; adumbration; —[aura prakāśa] light and shade; ~[kāra] photographer; -[citra] a silhouette; ~[deha] intangible form; ~[nuvāda] shadow translation, a translation carrying only an overall impression of the original; ~[loka] abstract/unreal/intangible world; ~[vāda] a romantic movement in early modern Hindi poetry; —[chūnā] to pursue the unreal; —[kī taraha sātha rahanā] to shadow constantly; —[na chū pānā] to be nowhere near, to be far behind in excellence; —[se dūra rahanā] to keep away (from), to evade the shadow (of).
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Chaya (छय) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Chada.
2) Chaya (छय) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Kṣata.
3) Chāya (छाय) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Chāta.
4) Chāya (छाय) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Chāda.
5) Chāya (छाय) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Chāta.
6) Chāyā (छाया) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Chāyā.
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 corpusChāya (ಛಾಯ):—[noun] = ಛಾಯೆ [chaye].
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 DictionaryChāyā (छाया):—n. shade; shadow; reflection;
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 (+22): Caya, Chaya-dipa, Chayaberu, Chayabhartri, Chayabhinna, Chayabhrit, Chayabhrita, Chayabhuja, Chayacitra, Chayadevi, Chayadharin, Chayadruma, Chayadvitiya, Chayagaula, Chayagraha, Chayagrahaka, Chayagrahaki, Chayagrahana, Chayagrahanamgey, Chayagrahanayamtra.
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Full-text (+381): Vicchaya, Bhucchaya, Chayakara, Chayamaya, Chayasuta, Chayapatha, Chayataru, Caya, Chayatmaja, Chayadruma, Mahachaya, Chayamrigadhara, Chayamitra, Chayatanaya, Chayayantra, Chayanataka, Chayabhrit, Chayapurusha, Chayadvitiya, Chayagraha.
Relevant text
Search found 114 books and stories containing Chaya, Chaaya, Chaayaa, Chāyā, Chāya, Chaya's, Chayan, Chayas; (plurals include: Chayas, Chaayas, Chaayaas, Chāyās, Chāyas, Chaya'ses, Chayans, Chayases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.4.17 < [Chapter 4 - The Liberation of Vatsāsura]
Verse 4.19.89 < [Chapter 19 - A Thousand Names of Srī Yamunā]
Verse 2.16.16 < [Chapter 16 - The Worship of Tulasī]
Tragedy in Hindi < [December 1947]
Mayurakkhi, Your offering-Novel on Human Love < [January – March, 2005]
The Dhvani Theory < [October 1970]
AYU (Journal of Research in Ayurveda)
A critical review of antiquity, authorship and contents of Haramekhala: A medieval work on humanities < [Volume 32 (4); 2011 (Oct-Dec)]
Efficacy of Rituharitaki (seasonal adjuvant of Haritaki) on disorders of Varsha Ritu (monsoon) w.s.r. to quality of life: An open labelled randomized controlled clinical trial < [Volume 40 (4); 2019 (Oct-Dec)]
Critical review on Bhaishajya Kaala (time of drug administration) in Ayurveda < [Volume 34 (1); 2013 (Jan-Mar)]
Brihat Jataka by Varahamihira [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 8.21 < [Chapter 9 - Ashtakavarga]
Verse 26.15 < [Chapter 27 - The Character of the Drekkana]
Verse 26.8 < [Chapter 27 - The Character of the Drekkana]
Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana (by Chaitali Kadia)
Sūrya & Candra dynasty < [Chapter 6 - Human history in the Matsya-Purāṇa]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Role of chaya and prabha to maintain skin color < [2021, Issue 6, June]
Literary research of ‘twak sharir’ w.r.t. ayurveda science < [2022, Issue 09 September]
Inside review of charakoktha indriya sthana < [2023, Issue 02, February]
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