Deshakala, Deśakāla: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Deshakala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Deśakāla can be transliterated into English as Desakala or Deshakala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Deshakala in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Deśakāla (देशकाल) or Deśakālavid refers to “one who possess a knowledge of place and time”, 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, noble-minded, eloquent and of originality and imagination; must possess a knowledge of place and time [i.e., deśakāla-vid]; 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)

[«previous next»] — Deshakala in Shaivism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (philosophy)

Deśakāla (देशकाल) refers to “(having a specific) place and time”, according to the Utpaladeva’s Vivṛti on Īśvarapratyabhijñākārikā 1.5.8-9.—Accordingly, “[...] And this mere [realization that the object is something separated from the subject] is not enough to transform this object into something on which [human] activity may be exerted; therefore [this object] is [also] made manifest as having a specific place and time (viśiṣṭa-deśakāla), because only a particular having a specific place and time can be something on which [human] activity may be exerted, since [only such a particular] can be obtained and since [only such a particular] may have the efficacy that [we] expect [from it]. [...]”.

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

Deśakāla (देशकाल) refers to “place and time”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 19.129-133, while describing daily rituals]—“[...] In whichever place and time (deśakālayasmin deśe ca kāle ca) the Mantravid lives, none [of the following] will arise near him: plagues, diseases, khārkhodas, grahas, śākinīs of various sorts, yakṣas, piśācas, rākṣasas, seizers of children, visphoṭas, vyantaras or asparas. Any of the poisons that exist, famine and eclipses, none will arise because of the Mantrin being there”.

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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Yoga (school of philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Deshakala in Yoga glossary
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Deśakāla (देशकाल) refers to “time and place”, according to the Yogatārāvalī: a short Yoga text of twenty-nine verses presenting Haṭhayoga as the means to Rājayoga (i.e., Samādhi).—Accordingly, while discussing the connection between Haṭhayoga and Rājayoga: “For great adepts [of yoga], an extraordinary absorption of the breath arises, [which is] free from the activity of all the senses. [It is brought about] by the cessation of the [normally] unrestrained process of breathing. [Such cessations] are called Kevalakumbhaka. There are no gazing points, no fixing of the mind [on a meditation-object], no time or place (deśakāla), no [deliberate] stopping of the breath, nor the effort of concentration and meditation when Rājayoga is flourishing”.

Yoga book cover
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Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Deshakala in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Deśakāla (देशकाल).—[masculine] [dual] place and time, sgl. [plural] & t. for ([genetive]); jña or vid [adjective] knowing [plural] & t.

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

1) Deśakāla (देशकाल):—[=deśa-kāla] [from deśa] m. [dual number] place and time, [Manu-smṛti iii, 126 etc.]

2) [v.s. ...] (sg.) p° and t° for ([genitive case]), [Mṛcchakaṭikā iii, 17/18]

[Sanskrit to German]

Deshakala in German

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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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