Daksha, Daksa, Dakṣa, Dakṣā, Dākṣa: 32 definitions

Introduction:

Daksha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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 terms Dakṣa and Dakṣā and Dākṣa can be transliterated into English as Daksa or Daksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

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In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Dakṣa (दक्ष):—One of the mind-born sons of Brahmā, according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa (chapter on the Devī-yajña). They were created by the sheer power of mind.

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Dakṣā (दक्षा) refers to one of the nine attendants of Goddess Tvaritā, according to the Agnipurāṇa, the Tantrarāja verse 14.15-16 and the Kulakaulinīmata verse 3.82-88.—Accordingly, “[...] 4) Chedinī (the Piercing One) is blue. She holds a sword and club (kheṭaka). 5) Dakṣā (Skillful) is dark blue (śyāmā) and, auspicious, holds a snake and noose. 6) Strī is yellow and has a flag as (her) attribute. [...]”.

Note: These nine attendants (e.g., Dakṣā) embody the syllables of Tvaritā’s Vidyā that are the initials of their names. The same nine are listed in the Tantrarāja as the attendants of Tvaritā. They are worshipped on the eight petals of a lotus as the energies of the letters of Tvaritā’s mantra (mantrārṇaśakti).

2) Dakṣa (दक्ष) refers to “one who is skillful” (representing a characteristic of a true teacher or Guru) , according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “One should make an effort to seek a teacher who brings about eternal bliss and awakens (his disciples) to what is beneficial. (The true teacher is) is fortunate and pleasing to see. [...] He knows (whether a) time (is auspicious or not). He is well versed and skillful (dakṣa) and knows (his) capabilities and is not repulsive. [...]”.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

Dakṣa (दक्ष) refers to the “rooster” as described in the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—Dakṣa is mentioned in a discusses regarding the reaction of certain insects and other living beings on consumption of poisionous food. The after-effect of intake of poison for Dakṣa (rooster) is defined as: “die after tasting poisoned food”.

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Shodhganga: Portrayal of Animal Kingdom (Tiryaks) in Epics An Analytical study

1) Dakṣa (दक्ष) (lit. “one who is alert”) is a synonym (another name) for Garuḍa, according to scientific texts such as the Mṛgapakṣiśāstra (Mriga-pakshi-shastra) or “the ancient Indian science of animals and birds” by Hamsadeva, containing the varieties and descriptions of the animals and birds seen in the Sanskrit Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

2) Dakṣa (दक्ष) (lit. “one who is alert”) also refers to the Kukkuṭa.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Dakṣa (दक्ष) is ansother name for Kukkuṭa, which is a Sanskrit word referring to the “hen/cock/rooster”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature.

Ayurveda book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Dakṣā (दक्षा).—Name of a river (nadī) situated near the seven great mountains on the western side of mount Naiṣadha, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 83. These settlements consume the water flowing from these seven great mountains (Viśākha, Kambala, Jayanta, Kṛṣṇa, Harita, Aśoka and Vardhamāna). Niṣadha (Naiṣadha) is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Dakṣa (दक्ष).—Two Dakṣas. In most of the Purāṇas references about two Dakṣas occur. In some purāṇas both are referred to as one and the same person, whereas in some others both are considered as separate persons, so much so the stories concerning both are interlocked and entangled very often. The fact is that there was only one Dakṣa, whose life was of two stages. The first Dakṣa was killed at the sacrifice of Dakṣa, at which point, ends the first stage, or the first Dakṣa. The second stage was the rebirth of the same Dakṣa. A short biography of Dakṣa including both stages is given below:— (See full article at Story of Dakṣa from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Dakṣa (दक्ष) was created as a Sādhaka (aspirant) by Brahmā out of his vital breath named Prāṇa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“[...] I [viz., Brahmā] created many other things as well, but O sage, I was not satisfied. Then O sage, I meditated on Śiva and his consort Ambā and created aspirants (sādhakas). [...] I created the great sage Vasiṣṭha from the vital breath Prāṇa, [...] O foremost among sages, creating thus, thanks to the favour of Mahādeva, these excellent Sādhakas (e.g., Dakṣa) I became contented. Then, O dear one, Dharma, born out of my conception assumed the form of Manu at my bidding and was engaged in activity by the aspirants”.

Dakṣa was married to Prasūti: one of the three daughters of Svāyambhuvamanu and Śatarūpā:—“[...] He (Svāyambhuva Manu) begot of her (Śatarūpā) two sons Priyavrata and Uttānapāda and three daughters Ākūti, Devahūti and Prasūti, all of them very famous. He gave Ākūti in marriage to Ruci and the middle one to Kardama. He gave Prasūti the younger sister of Uttānapāda in marriage to Dakṣa. Their sons and progeny are spread over the world both mobile and immobile”.

Dakṣa begot twenty-four daughters [the first thirteen daughters Śraddhā etc. were given to Dharma in marriage by Dakṣa].

  1. Śraddhā (faith),
  2. Lakṣmī (fortune),
  3. Dhṛti (fortitude),
  4. Tuṣṭi (satiety),
  5. Puṣṭi (nourishment),
  6. Medhā (intelligence),
  7. Kriyā (rite, activity),
  8. Buddhi (intellect, wisdom),
  9. Lajjā (Bashfulness),
  10. Vasu (wealth),
  11. Śānti (peace, calmness),
  12. Siddhi (achievement, accomplishment),
  13. Kīrti (fame).
  14. Khyāti [married by Bhṛgu),
  15. Satī [married by Bhava/Śiva),
  16. Sambhūti [married by Marīci),
  17. Smṛti [married by the sage Aṅgiras),
  18. Prīti [married by Pulastya),
  19. Kṣamā [married by Pulaha),
  20. Sannati [married by the excellent sage Kratu),
  21. Anurūpā [married by Atri),
  22. Ūrjā [married by Vasiṣṭha),
  23. Svāhā [married by the fire-god/Vahni],
  24. Svadhā [married by the Pitṛs/manes].

The great aspirants Bhṛgu and others took the hands of these famous daughters. Thereupon the entire universe consisting of three worlds, mobile and immobile was filled (with progeny). Thus according to their own actions and at the bidding of Śiva innumerable famous brahmins were born out of the various living beings.

In another Kalpa, Dakṣa had sixty daughters. Of them ten were given to Dharma, twenty-seven to the Moon, thirteen to Kaśyapa. O Nārada, he gave four to Garuḍa of excellent form. Two to each of these—Bhṛgu, Aṅgiras and Kṛśāśva. Born of them are many children in the world of mobile and immobile. O foremost among the sages, the children of the thirteen daughters given to the noble-souled Kaśyapa by Dakṣa spread over the three worlds. Mobile or immobile nothing was void. Devas, sages, demons, trees, birds and mountain-creepers born of the daughters of Dakṣa filled the entire space between Pātāla and Satyaloka. The whole cosmic egg was filled. Never was it a void. Thus, at the bidding of Śiva, the creation was perfectly accomplished by Brahma.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Dakṣā (दक्षा).—A Mind-born son of Brahmā, born of his thumb, and father of Mūrti. A progenitor and guardian of the world, born for the creation of worldly beings.1 Married Prasūtī, daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu. Had sixteen daughters of whom he gave thirteen to Dharma, one to Agni, one to Pitṛs, and one to Śiva.2 To the Satra of Viśvasṛk Dakṣa came and was welcomed by all standing, except Brahmā and Śiva. On this Dakṣa burst into anger against Śiva and insulted him saying he had eyes like a monkey, was a breaker of law and convention, lord of the Bhūtas and Gaṇas; he then cursed that Śiva should have no more share in sacrifices and went away. Nandi got enraged at this and imprecated a curse on Dakṣa that he would lose all knowledge of Ātman, and assuming the face of a sheep, would become dull-witted. Bhṛgu then pronounced a counter-curse that those propitiating Śiva shall become Pākhaṇḍas.3 Appointed by Brahmā as the overlord of all Prajāpatis, Dakṣa began the sacrifice of Bṛhaspatisava to which all gods went in groups. Satī also expressed her desire to go and requested permission of Śiva, who reminded her of the insult offered to him.4 As she was persistent, she was allowed to attend. Going, she found that she was not properly welcomed by her father. The enraged Satī sat facing the northern direction in yoga and cast off her body by means of the fire of Samādhī to the distress of gods and others. On this the Gaṇa followers of Satī attacked Dakṣa, when Bhṛgu created a class of gods, Ṛbhus who vanquished these Gaṇas.5

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 12. 22-3; Ib. II. 6. 42; 7. 6; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 32. 96; 36. 84; Ib. III. 3. 30; 65. 21; Ib. IV. 2. 33, 47; Matsya-purāṇa 3. 9; 8. 4; 154. 353; 171. 27, 49; Vāyu-purāṇa 25. 2, 82, 90; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 22. 4; IV. 1. 6.
  • 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 12. 56; Ib. IV. 1. 11, 47-9; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 19-27; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 56-64; Ib. II. 37. 38-50;.
  • 3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 2 (whole). Matsya-purāṇa 13. 11-55, 60; 183. 22-3.
  • 4) Ib. IV. 3. (whole).
  • 5) Ib. IV. 4 (whole).

1b) A R. of the Ketumālā.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 44. 19.

2a) Dakṣa (दक्ष).—In previous birth son of Brahmā, now born of Māriṣā and Pracetasas. Was made a chief progenitor on the eve of the Cākṣuṣa epoch;1 a grandson of Soma; created men with two feet and four feet, of different faces, ears, etc., also mlecchas and women; also produced 1000 sons with Pāñcajani, named Haryaśvas. Nārada asked them to go into the world over but they perished in their sojourn. So he begot another 1000 of Vairiṇī, and these were Śabalas set by Nārada in quest of the whereabouts of their brothers. They also perished.2

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 30. 49-51; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 24, 39-44.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 4. 49-55; 5. 2-14.

2b) The son of Citrasena, and father of Mīḍhvān.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 2. 19.

2c) A son of Uśīnara.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 23. 3.

2d) Created from Prāṇa, half tejas of Pracetas and half of Soma; created creatures, two-legged and fourlegged, in the Vaivasvata epoch;1 Lord of Prajāpatis.2 Got Prācetasatvam in the epoch of Cākṣuṣa by the curse of Trayambaka; father-in-law of the seven sages.3

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 5. 70; Vāyu-purāṇa 63. 35-48; 65. 121-158.
  • 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 70-5; 101. 35, 49.
  • 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 40-69.

2e) An Asura, and a son of Bāṣkala.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 5. 38.

2f) Heard the purāṇa from Tṛṇabindu and narrated it to Śakti.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 4. 65.

2g) A son of Devātīthi.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 50. 37.

2h) A son of Bhṛgu; one of the twelve Viśvedevas.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 195. 13; 203. 13; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 31.

2i) A son of Angirasa;1 through his daughter a son, Priyāya.2

  • 1) Matsya-purāṇa 196. 2; Vāyu-purāṇa 65. 105.
  • 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 100. 24.

2j) A pravara sage.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 196. 30.

2k) With the sun in the months of Māgha and Phālguna.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 52. 23.

2l) A son of Jambha.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 78.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Dakṣa (दक्ष) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.11, I.65) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Dakṣa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Dakṣa (दक्ष) was created by Brahmā, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, chapter twenty-six describes Brahmā’s creation of Marīci, Dakṣa and others, the descendants of Dakṣa’s daughter.—Dakṣa married Prasūti: one of the two daughters of Manu-svāyaṃbhuva and Śatarūpā.—Dakṣa produced in Prasūti twenty-four daughters . Dakṣa gave thirteen daughters Śraddhā and others to Dharma. Khyāti was given to Bhṛgu, Satī to Śiva, Sambhūti to Marīci, Smṛti to Aṅgiras, Prīti to Pulastya, Kṣamā to Pulaha, Saṃtati (Santati) to Kratu, Anasuyā to Atri, Ūrjā to Vasiṣṭha, Svadhā to Pitṛs and Svāhā to Agni.

2) Dakṣa (दक्ष) is also mentioned in a second account of Vaṃśa in the Saurapurāṇa:—Accordingly, Dakṣa is spoken of as busy in creation. Ordered by Brahmā he creates the Sages, gods, demons etc. In order to have maithuni sṛṣṭi Dakṣa gets married to Asiknī, the daughter of Prajāpati Viraṇa and begot sixty daughters. He gave ten daughters to Dharma in marriage, thirteen to Kaśyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, four to Ariṣṭanemi, two to Bahuputra, two to Kṛśāśva and two to Aṅgirasa.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Dakṣa (दक्ष) refers to “one who is able”, representing a desirable characteristic of an astrologer (Jyotiṣa), 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 be of cleanly habits, able [i.e., dakṣa], noble-minded, eloquent and of originality and imagination; must possess a knowledge of place and time; be meek and without nervousness, must be difficult of conquest by his fellow students; must be able and devoid of vices; must be learned in matters of expiatory ceremonies, of Hygiene, of Occult Magic and of ablutions; must be a worshipper of the Devas and an observer of fast and penance; must be of remarkable genius and capable of solving any difficulties save in matters of direct divine interference; and finally, he must be learned in astronomy, natural astrology (Saṃhitā) and horoscopy”.

Jyotisha book cover
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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.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Dakṣa (दक्ष) or Dakṣabhāga refers to “one’s right side”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Visualisation of Parameśvara]:—[...] He is in the prime of his youth and has all the auspicious characteristics. He has the great Ajagava bow placed on his left side. On his right (dakṣa-bhāga), he has five glowing arrows. He is shining like a blue lotus. On his chest there is a glittering garland of blue lotuses. He is the Lord. [...]”.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Dakṣa (दक्ष) refers to the “right (nostril)”, according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 7.212cd-214ab, while describing the meditation on the kālahaṃsa]—“After [the Yogin] has meditated [on haṃsa] in the right nostril (dakṣa-nāsāpuṭa), he obtains the powers of Brahmā. He obtains length of life [and] power equal to [Brahmā]. As a result, he [the Yogin] knows the past. When he [visualizes haṃsa] in the left [nostril], he knows the future and is equal in strength to Viṣṇu. The king of Yogins [gains] a life is as long as Viṣṇu's, [and] obtains power [equal to] Viṣṇu’s. [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
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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.

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Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Dakṣā (दक्षा) refers to “she who is clever”, 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, “[...] It has been said that there are eighteen addictions. These are the outcome of the desire for earthly enjovments. [...] Wise men speak of that wife as a wife who has auspicious marks and who knows the fine arts, who is clever (dakṣā), who is loved by her husband, and who is young and modest. She is the chief instrument in attaining the three objects of life, and she is the distinguishing feature of domestic life. She looks after the children and the utensils and other articles of the household, and she charms the mind. [...]”.

Arts book cover
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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.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

According to Hindu legend, Daksha is one of the sons of Lord Brahma, who, after creating the ten Manas Putras, created Daksha, Dharma, Kamadeva and Agni from his right thumb, chest, heart and eyebrows respectively. Besides his noble birth, Daksa was a great king. Pictures show him as a rotund and obese man with a stocky body, protruding belly, and muscular with the head of an ibex-like creature with spiral horns.

Daksha is a Sanskrit word said to be a Prajapati or one of the Brahma's sons. The equivalent meaning in English is "competent." One of the daughters of Prajapati (often said to be the youngest) was Sati or Dakshayani, who had always wished to marry Shiva. Daksha forbade it, but Sati disobeyed him and did so anyway, finding in Shiva a doting and loving husband. Daksha disliked Shiva intensely, calling him a dirty, roaming ascetic and reviling the great yogi's cohort of goblins and ghouls.

According to the Puranas, Daksha had 89 daughters from his wife Prasuti and another 116 from his wife Panchajani (Virini).

According to Vishnu Purana and Padma Purana, Daksha and his wife Prasuti had 24 daughters. The names of these 24 daughters are

  1. Sraddha (faith),
  2. Srilakshmi (prosperity),
  3. Dhriti (steadiness),
  4. Tushti (resignation),
  5. Pushti (thriving),
  6. Medha (intelligence),
  7. Kriya (action, devotion),
  8. Buddhika (intellect),
  9. Lajja (modesty),
  10. Vapu (body),
  11. Santi (expiation),
  12. Siddhika (perfection),
  13. Kirtti (fame),
  14. Khyati (celebrity),
  15. Sati (truth),
  16. Sambhuti (fitness),
  17. Smriti (memory),
  18. Priti (affection),
  19. Kshama (forgiveness),
  20. Sannati (humility),
  21. Anasuya (lit. without jealousy),
  22. Urjja (energy),
  23. Swaha (offering),
  24. and Swadha (oblation).

India history and geography

Source: Epigraphia Indica Vol. 36: Tenali plates of eastern Chālukya Vijayāditya I grant

Dākṣa (दाक्ष) is the name of a garden (ārāma) found witin Triliṅga: an ancient Sanskrit name of the Andhra country, accoriding to verses on the Annavarappāḍu plates of Kāṭaya Vema Reḍḍi. The Reḍḍis (Reddy) were an ancient Telugu dynasty from the 14th century who brought about a golden age of the Andhra country. According to the plates, their captial was named Addaṅki (Addaṃki) which resembled Heaven (Amarāvatī) by the beauty of its horses, the donors and the women. King Vema, son of Anna-bhūpati of the Paṇṭa family, can be identified with Anavema of the inscription at Śrīśaila.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Dakṣa.—used in the late Tantra literature in the sense of dakṣiṇa, ‘the south’ (cf. Sircar, Studies in the Georgraphy of Ancient and Medieval India, p. 76, note 19). Note: dakṣa is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
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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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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

dakṣa (दक्ष).—a (S) Clever, competent, capable: also expert, dexterous, handy.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

dakṣa (दक्ष).—a Clever, competent; expert, dexterous.

context information

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dakṣa (दक्ष).—a. [dakṣ-kartari ac]

1) Able, competent, expert, clever, skilful; नाट्ये च दक्षा वयम् (nāṭye ca dakṣā vayam) Ratnāvalī 1.6; मेरौ स्थिते दोग्धरि दोहदक्षे (merau sthite dogdhari dohadakṣe) Kumārasambhava 1.2; R.12.11.

2) Fit, suitable; दक्षेण सूत्रेण ससर्जिथाध्वरम् (dakṣeṇa sūtreṇa sasarjithādhvaram) Bhāgavata 4.6.44.

3) Ready, careful, attentive, prompt; Y.1.76; रन्ध्रान्वेषणदक्षाणां द्विषामामिषतां ययौ (randhrānveṣaṇadakṣāṇāṃ dviṣāmāmiṣatāṃ yayau) R.12.11.

4) Honest, upright.

-kṣaḥ 1 Name of a celebrated Prajāpti. [He was one of the ten sons of Brahman, being born from his right thumb, and was the chief of the patriarchs of mankind. He is said to have had many daughters, 27 of whom became the wives of the moon, thus forming the 27 lunar mansions, and 13 the wives of Kaśyapa, becoming by him the mothers of gods, demons, men, and animals; see कश्यप (kaśyapa). At one time Daksa celebrated a great sacrifice, but did not invite his daughter Satī, nor her husband Śiva, the chief of the gods. Satī, however, went to the sacrifice, but being greatly insulted threw herself into fire and perished; cf. Kumārasambhava 1.21. When Śiva heard this he was very much provoked, and according to one account, himself went to the sacrifice, completely destroyed it and pursued Dakṣa who assumed the form of a deer, and at last decapitated him. But Śiva is said to have afterwards restored him to life, and he thenceforward acknowledged the god's supremacy. According to another account, Śiva, when provoked, tore off a hair from his matted hair, and dashed it with great force against the ground when lo ! a powerful demon started up and awaited his orders. He was told to go and destroy Dakṣa's sacrifice; whereupon the mighty demon, attended by several demigods, went to the sacrifice, routed the gods and priests, and, according to one account, beheaded Dakṣa himself; Manusmṛti 9.128-29.]

2) A cock.

3) Fire.

4) The bull of Śiva.

5) A lover attached to many mistresses.

6) An epithet of Śiva.

7) Mental power, ability, capacity.

8) An epithet of Viṣṇu.

9) The right side or part; वामतो जानकी यस्य दक्षभागे च लक्ष्मणः (vāmato jānakī yasya dakṣabhāge ca lakṣmaṇaḥ)

1) Ability, power, fitness.

11) Strength of will, energy, resoluteness.

12) Strength, power.

13) Bad disposition, wickedness; मा सख्युर्दक्षं रिपोर्भुजेम (mā sakhyurdakṣaṃ riporbhujema) Ṛgveda 4.3.13.

-kṣā 1 The earth.

2) An epithet of the Ganges.

-kṣam Strength, vigour.

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Dākṣa (दाक्ष).—a. (-kṣī f.) Relating to Dakṣa.

-kṣam The south; Manusmṛti 6.1.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Dakṣa (दक्ष).—mfn.

(-kṣaḥ-kṣā-kṣaṃ) Clever, able, dexterous. m.

(-kṣaḥ) 1. A Bramhadika; according to one legend, son of Bramha, born from the thumb of his right hand, for the purpose of peopling the world: according to another, he is the son of the Munis, called Prachetasas. Daksha, had sixty daughters, of whom twenty-seven are the nymphs who form the lunar asterisms, and wives of the Moon; one of his daughters also Sati or Durga, the wife of Siva; and seventeen were married to Kasyapa, and were the mothers of all created beings. Daksha was on one occasion decapitated by Siva: see dakṣādhvaradhvaṃsakṛt; he is sometimes regarded as an Avatara of Bramha himself. 2. A Muni and legislator, who flourished in the beginning of the Treta Yuga. 3. A kind of tree. 4. The bull of Siva. 5. A cock. 6. A scholar, a Pandit. 7. A dexterous or clever man. 8. Siva. 9. A name of Agni or fire. 10. A general lover, one attached to many mistresses. f.

(-kṣā) The earth. E. dakṣ to grow or increase, affix karttari aca .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Dakṣa (दक्ष).—[dakṣ + a], I. adj., f. ṣā. 1. Clever, able, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 7, 61; 5, 150. 2. Suitable, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 4, 6, 44. Ii. m. One of the Prajāpatis, sons of Brahman, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 128; Mahābhārata 1, 2574.

— Cf. dak- ṣiṇa; [Latin] dexter; [Gothic.] taihsvs. [Old High German.] zeso.

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Dākṣa (दाक्ष).—i. e. dakṣa + a, I. adj. Referring to Dakṣa, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 7444. Ii. m. or n. South, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 10 (with ayana, The sacrifice ordained for the winter solstice).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Dakṣa (दक्ष).—[adjective] able, capable, appropriate, suitable, fit for, clever in ([locative] or —°); strong, mighty; intelligent, wise, right (not left). [masculine] ability, power, fitness, cleverness, intelligence, energy, will, disposition, (evil) design; [Name] of an Aditya, also identif. [with] Prajapati.

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Dākṣa (दाक्ष).—[adjective] southern or belonging to Dakṣa.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Dakṣa (दक्ष) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—poet. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Dakṣa (दक्ष):—[from dakṣ] mf(ā)n. able, fit, adroit, expert, clever, dexterous, industrious, intelligent, [Ṛg-veda] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] strong, heightening or strengthening the intellectual faculties (Soma), ix f.

3) [v.s. ...] passable (the Ganges), [Mahābhārata xiii, 1844]

4) [v.s. ...] suitable, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa iv, 6, 44; Bhartṛhari iii, 64]

5) [v.s. ...] right (opposed to left), [Rāmatāpanīya-upaniṣad i, 22; Phetkāriṇī-tantra i]

6) [v.s. ...] m. ability, fitness, mental power, talent (cf. -kratu), strength of will, energy, disposition, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā]

7) [v.s. ...] evil disposition, [Ṛg-veda iv, 3, 13; x, 139, 6]

8) [v.s. ...] a particular form of temple, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi ii, 1, 390]

9) [v.s. ...] a general lover, [Horace H. Wilson]

10) [v.s. ...] a cock, [Caraka i, vi]

11) [v.s. ...] Name of a plant, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

12) [v.s. ...] fire, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

13) [v.s. ...] Śiva’s bull, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

14) [v.s. ...] Name of an Āditya (identified with Prajā-pati, [Taittirīya-saṃhitā iii; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa ii]; father of Kṛttikā, [Śāntikalpa]), [Ṛg-veda i,f., x; Nirukta, by Yāska ii, xi]

15) [v.s. ...] Name of one of the Prajā-patis ([Mahābhārata xii, 7534; Harivaṃśa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa i, 7, 5 and 22, 4; Bhāgavata-purāṇa iii., 12, 22; Matsya-purāṇa cvl, 15; Kūrma-purāṇa] etc., [Śakuntalā vii, 27]; born from Brahmā’s right thumb, [Mahābhārata i, xii; Harivaṃśa] etc.; or from A-ja, ‘the unborn’ [Bhāgavata-purāṇa iv, 1, 47]; or son of Pra-cetas or of the of 10 Pra-cetasas, whence called Prācetasa, [Mahābhārata i, xii f.; Harivaṃśa 101; Viṣṇu-purāṇa i, 15]; father of 24 daughters by Pra-sūti, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa i, 7, 17 ff.; Bhāgavata-purāṇa] etc.; of 50 [or 60 [Mahābhārata xii, 61 36; Rāmāyaṇa iii, 20, 10]; or 44 [Harivaṃśa 1 1521 ff.]] daughters of whom 27 become the Moon’s wives, forming the lunar asterisms, and 13 [or 17 [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]; or 8 [Rāmāyaṇa]] those of Kaśyapa, becoming by this latter the mothers of gods, demons, men, and animals, while 10 are married to Dharma, [Manu-smṛti ix, 128f.; Mahābhārata i, ix; xii, 7537ff.; Harivaṃśa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa] etc.; celebrating a great sacrifice [hence dakṣa syayana, ‘Name of a sacrifice’ [Manu-smṛti vi, 10]] to obtain a son, he omitted, with the disapproval of Dadhīca, to invite Śiva, who ordered Vīra-bhadra to spoil the sacrifice, [Harivaṃśa 12212] [identified with Viṣṇu] [ff.; Vāyu-purāṇa i, 30], = [Brahma-purāṇa i; Liṅga-purāṇa; Matsya-purāṇa xiii; Vāmana-purāṇa ii-v; Śiva-purāṇa i, 8; Kāśī khaṇḍa, from the skanda-purāṇa lxxxvii ff.]; named among the Viśve-devās, [Harivaṃśa 11542; Vāyu-purāṇa; Bṛhasp.]. [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi] etc.)

16) [v.s. ...] Name of a son of Garuḍa, [Mahābhārata v, 3597]

17) [v.s. ...] of a man with the [patronymic] Pārvati, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa ii, 4, 4, 6]

18) [v.s. ...] of a law-giver, [Yājñavalkya i, 5; Manu-smṛti ix, 88 [Scholiast or Commentator]] etc.

19) [v.s. ...] of a son of Uśī-nara, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa ix, 23, 2]

20) [v.s. ...] of one of the 5 Kānyakubja Brāhmans from whom the Bengal Brāhmansare said to have sprung, [Kṣitīśa-vaṃśāvalī-carita i, 13 and 41]

21) Dakṣā (दक्षा):—[from dakṣa > dakṣ] f. the earth, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

22) Dakṣa (दक्ष):—[from dakṣ] cf. a-tūrta-, dina-, samāna; su-dakṣa; mārga-dakṣaka; dākṣāyan.

23) [v.s. ...] cf. δεξιός; [Latin] dex-ter; [Gothic] taihsvs.

24) Dākṣa (दाक्ष):—mf(ī)n. ([from] dakṣa) relating to Dakṣa ([Harivaṃśa]) or to Dākṣi ([Pāṇini 4-2, 112])

25) southern, dwelling in the south, [Saṃkṣepa-śaṃkara-vijaya]

26) m. or n. the south (in ṣasyāyana n. the sun’s progress towards s°, the winter solstice and sacrifice then performed, [Manu-smṛti vi, 10] [varia lectio] dakṣ)

27) m. [plural] Name of the disciples of a [particular] school (See kumārī-d).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Dakṣa (दक्ष):—(ṅa) dakṣate 1. d. To grow or increase; dispatch; go; hurt.

2) (kṣaḥ) 1. m. A son of Brahmā, a sage; bull of Shiva, a cock; Shiva; Agni; a lover. f. (kṣā) The earth. a. Clever; right (hand).

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Dakṣa (दक्ष) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Dakkha.

[Sanskrit to German]

Daksha in German

context information

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.

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Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Dakṣa (दक्ष) [Also spelled daksh]:—(a) efficient, expert; ~[] efficiency, expertness.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Dakṣa (ದಕ್ಷ):—[adjective] having suitable or sufficient ability, power, skill, knowledge, experience, dexterity, etc., for some purpose; competent; able.

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Dakṣa (ದಕ್ಷ):—

1) [noun] an able, competent, dexterous man.

2) [noun] (myth.) name of a son of Brahma, the Creator of the universe.

3) [noun] an ascetic known for his spiritual knowledge; a sage.

4) [noun] one of the twelve celebrated sages of the old Hindu tradition.

5) [noun] a male chicken; a cock; a rooster.

6) [noun] a being able to perform, conduct, manage, etc.; the physical or mental power required for the same.

7) [noun] the fact of moving, acting or responding quickly; quickness; swiftness.

8) [noun] the act or an instance of killing.

9) [noun] the right side.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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