Danava, Dānava, Dānavā: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Danava 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Danav.
In Hinduism
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: ISKCON Press: GlossaryDānava (दानव).—The sons born to Kasyapa Prajapati by his wife danu; a race of demons.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaDānava (दानव).—Dānavas are the sons born to Kaśyapa Prajāpati by his wife Danu and their descendants. (See under Danu).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexDānava (दानव).—A class of demons from Danu residing in Rasātala; Śvetaparvata their abode;1 were fascinated by Hari but they hated him;2 Vipracitti was their overlord.3
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa II. 7. 13; V. 24. 30. Vāyu-purāṇa 39. 29; 46. 35; 66. 1.
- 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 40. 22; 85. 41; XI. 14. 5.
- 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 255; 8. 7; 20. 3; IV. 4. 2.
Dānava (दानव) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.7, I.65, I.61.1) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Dānava) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra1) Dānava (दानव) refers to a classification of women according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 24.—“A woman who transgresses laws and practices trickery, is confirmed in anger, very cruel, fond of wine and meat, always irascible in temper, very proud, fickle-minded, very covetous, harsh, fond of quarrel, jealous and inconstant in affection, is said to possess the nature of an dānava (or, asura)”.
2) Dānava (दानव).—According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 35, the role (bhūmikā) of actors playing Dānavas is defined as, “persons who are fat, and have a large body and a voice like the peal of thunder (lit. cloud), furious looking eyes and naturally knit eyebrows, should be employed to take up the role of Rākṣasas, Dānavas and Daityas; for the performance of male actors should be in conformity with their limbs and movements.”.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraDānava (दानव) refers to the Asuras, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 13), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “I shall now expound about the movements of the Seven Ṛṣis (saptarṣi), [...] If Marīci should be affected as described above the Gandharvas, the Devas, the Asuras, skilled magicians and physicians, the Yakṣas, the Nāgas and the Vidyādharas will also be afflicted. If Vasiṣṭha should be crossed by meteoric falls or otherwise affected, the Scythians, the Yavanas, the Daradas, the Pāratas, the people of Kāmboja and the Ṛṣis of the forests will suffer; but if Vasiṣṭha should appear bright, he will cause happiness”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramDānava (दानव) refers to a “supernatural being”, according to Mukunda’s Saṃvartārthaprakāśa.—Accordingly, [while describing the three currents of teachers]: “(1) Divyaugha: One should think of the essential nature of the teachers belonging to the Divine Current as the quality of sattva, as the worlds of the Sun and Fire etc and as possessing the nature of deity. (2) Mānavaugha: One should contemplate the essential nature of the teachers belonging to the Current of Men as the quality of rajas, as the Moon and Water etc and as possessing a human nature. (3) Siddhaugha: One should recollect the essential nature of the teachers belonging to the Current of Siddhas as the quality of tamas, as darkness, Space and the Air etc and possessing a supernatural being’s (dānava) nature”.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)Dānava (दानव) refers to a certain class of personalities which follows specific guidelines in the tradition of ancient Indian Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the rules of Painting of different classes have been elaborately discussed. According to this work, the personalities like [e.g., Dānava], [...] are to be drawn to project them as noble and polite. The picture of the wives of Daityas, Dānavas, Yakṣas and Rākṣasas should be very beautiful. Thus the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa establishes the fact that even in the pictures; the people belonging to different class and profession [e.g., Dānava] were projected with specific attire so that general people can equate the picture with the practical character.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Dānava (दानव) refers to a group of inhabitants of the seven nether worlds, as discussed in chapter 11 (Jñānapāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [atalādiloka-parimāṇa]: Turning now to the nether worlds beneath the earth—named atala, vitala, nitala, gabhastimān, mahat, sutala, pātāla—these are the realms where people are reborn who have puṇya-merit. Each of these nether regions measures 1000 yojanas in extent, and each is populated by Dānavas, Daityas, Kālayas and Phaṇis, whose lives are full of joys and pleasures. [...]
2) Dānava (दानव) is another name for Somaka: a demon from Kṛtayuga times, as discussed in chapter 2 of the Bhāradvājasaṃhitā or “Bhāradvāja-kaṇva-saṃhitā”: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 230 ślokas mainly concerned with basic details concerning temple construction and icon consecration.—Accordingly, Kaṇva asks about the origin of the Pāñcarātra system. Bharadvāja tells the following story: in Kṛtayuga-times the demon Somaka [v.l. Hemaka, Dānava] stole the Vedas and all creation was in turmoil because creatures no longer knew how to perform their ritual obligations. [...]
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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesName given to the Asuras because they were descendants of Danu. E.g., Mil.153.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarydānava : (m.) a Titan.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryDānava, (Sk. dānava) a kind of Asuras or Titans, the offspring of Danu J.III, 527; V, 89; Miln.153; Dpvs XVII.98. (Page 318)
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 Dictionarydānava (दानव).—m (S) A demon, a titan or giant.
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dānavā (दानवा).—m dānavēṃ n sometimes dānavāra m A long slimy worm, the common earth-worm: otherwise called gāṇḍavaḷa, kāḍū, & davaṇā.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishdānava (दानव).—m A demon.
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dānavā (दानवा).—m dānavēṃ n A long slimy worm, the common earth-worm.
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 dictionaryDānava (दानव).—[danorapatyaṃ aṇ] A demon, Rākṣasa; त्रिदिवमुद्धृतदानवकण्टकम् (tridivamuddhṛtadānavakaṇṭakam) Ś.7.3.
Derivable forms: dānavaḥ (दानवः).
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Dānava (दानव).—q. v.
See also (synonyms): dānaveya.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryDānava (दानव).—m.
(-vaḥ) A demon, a Titan or giant. E. danu the mother of these beings, and aṇ affix of descent.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryDānava (दानव).—i. e. dānu, ved. (a demon; cf. also danu, danuja), + a, 1. m. A demon, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 201. 2. adj., f. vī, Peculiar to the Dānavas, [Arjunasamāgama] 10, 24.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryDānava (दानव).—[masculine] ī [feminine] son or daughter of Danu, a demon or enemy of the gods.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Dānava (दानव):—[from dā] m. ([from] 2. dānu) a class of demons often identified with the Daityas or Asuras and held to be implacable enemies of the gods or Devas, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc. (described as children of Danu and Kaśyapa, sometimes reckoned as 40 in number, [Mahābhārata i, 252]; sometimes as 100 etc.)
2) [from dā] mf(ī)n. belonging to the D°, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryDānava (दानव):—(vaḥ) 1. m. A demon.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Dānava (दानव) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Dāṇatra.
[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 dictionaryDānava (दानव) [Also spelled danav]:—(nm) a demon; giant; hence ~[vī] (nf); ~[vīya] demonic; giant-like.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusDānava (ದಾನವ):—
1) [noun] a mythological race believed to be the enemies of the gods, and to whom wicked, cruel an fiendish qualities are ascribed.
2) [noun] a male member of this race; a demon.
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 DictionaryDānava (दानव):—n. 1. a demon; devil; giant; 2. an evil spirit;
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 (+27): Danavagupta, Danavaguru, Danavahi, Danavajra, Danavakula, Danavakya, Danavakyasamuccaya, Danavakyavali, Danavanashin, Danavanem, Danavant, Danavapati, Danavapriya, Danavapujita, Danavar, Danavari, Danavarman, Danavarshabha, Danavarshin, Danavas.
Ends with: Adanava, Devadanava, Hayadanava, Karidanava, Mayadanava, Samuddanava, Turagadanava.
Full-text (+493): Danaveya, Danavari, Ketuvirya, Danu, Asiloman, Daityadanavamardana, Candralocana, Tribhuvanaprabha, Kalakeya, Danuja, Nivatakavaca, Ashvashiras, Mamsapa, Mahaparshva, Mahagiri, Gavishtha, Kalakendra, Danavaguru, Mridupriya, Dirghajihva.
Relevant text
Search found 88 books and stories containing Danava, Dānava, Dānavā; (plurals include: Danavas, Dānavas, Dānavās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara (Study) (by Debabrata Barai)
Part 7.18 - Poetic conventions regarding to the Daityas, Danavas and Asuras < [Chapter 5 - Analyasis and Interpretations of the Kāvyamīmāṃsā]
Part 7.3 - Classifications of Kavisamaya (poetic conventions) < [Chapter 5 - Analyasis and Interpretations of the Kāvyamīmāṃsā]
Part 22 - The Kāvyamīmāṃsā of Rājaśekhara: A General Introduction < [Chapter 2 - A General Outlines of Sanskrit Poetics]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 29 - The previous birth of Śaṅkhacūḍa < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 27 - The birth of Śaṅkhacūḍa < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 38 - Kālī fights < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 35 - Glorification of Meghanāda Tīrtha < [Section 3 - Revā-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 121 - Mahisāṣura Defeated < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Chapter 119 - Defeat of the Army of Gods < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter 43 - The Preparation of the Danavas for the Battle < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 64 - The Defeat of the Asura Naraka < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]
Chapter 46 - The Battle of the Gods < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Vastu-shastra (1): Canons of Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
(iii) Maya: The Founder of the Dravidian school of Architecture < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
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