Danava, Dānava, Dānavā: 31 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.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Dānava (दानव).—The sons born to Kasyapa Prajapati by his wife danu; a race of demons.
Dānava (दानव) refers to “demons”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
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)
Dānava (दानव).—Dānavas are the sons born to Kaśyapa Prajāpati by his wife Danu and their descendants. (See under Danu).
Dānava (दानव) refers to a “demon”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.22 (“Description of Jalandhara’s Battle”).—Accordingly, after Jalandhara confused Śiva: “[...] With his demonaic Māyā, [Jalandhara] assumed the form of Śiva. [...] On seeing Śiva coming, the beloved of Śiva came out from the midst of her female friends within the range of his vision. When the lord of Asuras (danujeśvara) saw the bauntiful Pārvatī, he let drops of semen fall and his limbs became benumbed. On realising that he was the demon (dānava), the terrified Gaurī vanished immediately to the northern shore of the Mānasa lake. [...]”.
Dānava (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)
1) 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)
Dānava (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)
Dānava (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)
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)
1) 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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Dānava (दानव) or Dānavasattva refers to the “Dānava-like character” (of certain 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”]: “3. Who tries to do reprehensible things, delights overmuch in fighting, is mean natured, not in the least compassionate, has the odor of the Vitex negundo berry, of aloes, or of fish, a killer elephant, he has the character of a demon (dānava-sattva)”.
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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Name 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
dānava : (m.) a Titan.
Dānava, (Sk. dānava) a kind of Asuras or Titans, the offspring of Danu J.III, 527; V, 89; Miln.153; Dpvs XVII.98. (Page 318)
dānava (ဒါနဝ) [(pu) (ပု)]—
[du+nuda+a．danu+ṇa．kucchitākārena passantānaṃ pītisukhaṃç somanassañca nudenti khipanti apanentīti dānavā．atha vā danunāmāya mātuyā apaccaṃ dānavā．jā,ṭī,1.31．(-,ṭī.14)．(dāṇavaprāç addhamāgadhī)]
[ဒု+နုဒ+အ။ ဒနု+ဏ။ ကုစ္ဆိတာကာရေန ပဿန္တာနံ ပီတိသုခံ,သောမနဿဉ္စ နုဒေန္တိ ခိပန္တိ အပနေန္တီတိ ဒါနဝါ။ အထ ဝါ ဒနုနာမာယ မာတုယာ အပစ္စံ ဒါနဝါ။ ဇာ၊ဋီ၊၁။၃၁။ (-ဓာန်၊ဋီ။၁၄)။ (ဒါဏဝပြာ,အဒ္ဓမာဂဓီ)]
[Pali to Burmese]
dānava—
(Burmese text): (၁) အသုရာ (ပဟာရာဒ-စသည်)။ (၂) အသုရာနွယ်ဝင် သားစားဘီလူး။ ဒါနဝရက္ခသ-လည်းကြည့်။
(Auto-Translation): (1) Athura (Pahlarada and others). (2) Athura lineage of carnivorous leopards. Also look at Danawaraktha.
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
dānava (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.
dānava (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
Dānava (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.
Dānava (दानव).—m.
(-vaḥ) A demon, a Titan or giant. E. danu the mother of these beings, and aṇ affix of descent.
Dānava (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.
Dānava (दानव).—[masculine] ī [feminine] son or daughter of Danu, a demon or enemy of the gods.
1) 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.]
Dānava (दानव):—(vaḥ) 1. m. A demon.
Dānava (दानव):—
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Dānava (दानव):—2. (vom vorherg.) adj. f. ī den Dānava gehörig, ihnen eigenthümlich u.s.w.: māyā [Arjunasamāgama 10, 24.] [Harivaṃśa 9222.] astra [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 1, 30, 20.] yoni [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 6, 17, 38.]
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Dānava (दानव):—1. am Ende eines adj. comp. f. ā [Kathāsaritsāgara 80, 27.]
Dānava (दानव):—1. —
1) m. (adj. Comp. f. ā) Bez. von Dämonen. Nach einer späteren Vorstellung sind die Dānava , die unversöhnlichen Feinde der Deva , Kinder der Danu und des Kaśyapa. —
2) f. dānavī f. zu 1).
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Dānava (दानव):—2. Adj. (f. ī) den Dānava eigen , ihnen eigenthümlich u.s.w.
Dānava (दानव) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Dāṇatra.
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
Dānava (दानव) [Also spelled danav]:—(nm) a demon; giant; hence ~[vī] (nf); ~[vīya] demonic; giant-like.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Dānava (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
Dānava (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)
Partial matches (+0): The, The, Du, Nuda, Dou, Danava, A, Te, Tu.
Starts with (+19): Danavacana, Danavagupta, Danavaguru, Danavahi, Danavajra, Danavakula, Danavakya, Danavakyasamuccaya, Danavakyavali, Danavamsa, Danavanashin, Danavanem, Danavant, Danavantu, Danavapati, Danavapriya, Danavapujita, Danavapungava, Danavarakkhasa, Danavari.
Full-text (+574): Danavari, Danavaguru, Danavendra, Danavapujita, Danavapriya, Turagadanava, Danu, Adanava, Danaveya, Danuja, Hayadanava, Danavapati, Mayadanava, Danavarakkhasa, Danavavairin, Dirghajihva, Gavishtha, Nicandra, Ketuvirya, Asiloman.
Relevant text
Search found 147 books and stories containing Danava, Dānava, Dānavā, Du-nuda-a, The danavas; (plurals include: Danavas, Dānavas, Dānavās, as, The danavases). 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)
Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter 43 - The Preparation of the Danavas for the Battle < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 48 - Kalanemi Goes to Vishnu < [Book 1 - Harivamsa Parva]
Chapter 64 - The Defeat of the Asura Naraka < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section XIX < [Astika Parva]
Section CLV < [Anusasanika Parva]
Section CCXXX < [Markandeya-Samasya Parva]
Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 27 - The birth of Śaṅkhacūḍa < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 29 - The previous birth of Śaṅkhacūḍa < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 38 - Kālī fights < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]
Brahma Purana (critical study) (by Surabhi H. Trivedi)
39. Description of the Demons < [Mythology]
11. Practice of Warfare < [Chapter 11 - Political Structure]
32. Women and higher studies < [Marriage, Family and Position of Women]