Chvasa, Chvāsa: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Chvasa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Oxford Academic: Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Significance to Ritual Theory

Chvāsa (छ्वास) refers to “absorbing stones” [?], which forms part of certain Newar rituals.—Books such as the Daśakarmavidhi detail on the most common rules to be followed by the Newar priests, the priest’s clients, or the clan’s oldest men or women who are mostly ritually responsible for the ritual, and the individual(s) for whom the life-cycle ritual is performed.—One of the main rites is sending a clay cup with fire, together with other things to the protective and absorbing stones (pikhālākhu, chvāsa).

Dharmashastra book cover
context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

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India history and geography

Source: Nepalese Heritage documentation project: DANAM Glossary

Chvāsa (छ्वास) is an area designated for ritually discarding certain items at times of death, birth and warding off spirits.—Chvāsa represents a designated space usually marked by a large stone where certain items are ritually discarded at times of a birth or death in the family and also at times of warding off evil elements. In case of a birth in the family, a pibhyagaḥ, a clay pot that contains a piece of umbilical cord attached to the navel of a newborn baby, is ritually discarded at the chvāsa. At times of a death in the family, the clothes, mattress, bed-sheet, pillow and other items used by the deceased are discarded at the chvāsa along with a set of three kaciaḥpā.

India history book cover
context information

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.

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See also (Relevant definitions)

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