Dashi, aka: Daśi, Dāsī, Dasi, Dāsi; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Dashi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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 term Daśi can be transliterated into English as Dasi or Dashi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Daśi (दशि) refers to the person in charge of Ten villages. The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (See the Manubhāṣya verse 7.119)

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Dāsī (दासी).—An important river in India. (Mahābhārata Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 31).

1a) Dāsi (दासि).—Slaves as present to learned men.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 34. 39.

1b) Of four kinds, devadāsi, brahmadāsi, svatantra and śūdradāsika; the first two occupy the status of a Kṣatriya lady; the third enjoys the status of a dancing girl (veśi), and the last that of a low caste (hīnajāti).¹ A synonym of Paricārika or a servant-maid.²

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 8. 11-12.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 29. 17-23.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

dāsī : (f.) a female slave.

Dāsī, (f.) (Sk. dāsī, cp. dāsa. Nom. pl. dasso for dāsiyo J.IV, 53; in cpds. dāsi°) a female servant, a handmaiden, a slave-girl Vin.I, 217, 269, 291; II, 10 (kula°), 78= III, 161; M.I, 125; II, 62 (ñāti°); Pv.II, 3²¹ (ghara°); PvA.46, 61, 65.—Cp. kumbha°.

—gaṇa a troop of slave-girls J.II, 127; —dāsā (pl.) maid& man-servants DhA.I, 187; freq. to cpd. d-d-paṭiggahaṇa slave-trading D.I, 5≈(cp. DA.I, 78); —puttå the son of a slave, an abusive term (gharadāsiyā va putto Dh.I, 257; cp. Sk. dāsīsuta) D.I, 93 (°vāda); —bhoga the possessions of a slave Vin.III, 136. (Page 320)

context information

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

daśī (दशी).—f (daśā S) An end or unwoven thread of a cloth. Commonly used pl daśā (the thrum). Pr. kāmbaḷyācī daśī āṇi pāsōḍyā aiśī. Pr. sadaivācī daśī naradēvācā pālava (lāgāvā &c.) daśī vāhaṇēṃ To throw an end or unwoven thread of cloth at the new moon. A rite to obtain new clothes.

--- OR ---

dāsī (दासी).—f (S) A female slave or servant. 2 The wife of a Shudra.

daśī (दशी).—f An end or unwoven thread of a cloth.

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dāsī (दासी).—f A female slave or servant.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dāsī (दासी).—

1) A female servant or slave.

2) The wife of a fisherman.

3) The wife of a Śūdra.

4) An altar.

5) A harlot.

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