Desika, Deśika, Deshika, Deśikā: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Desika 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 terms Deśika and Deśikā can be transliterated into English as Desika or Deshika, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Wisdom Library: Elements of Hindu IconograpyDeśika (additional aspect of Subrahmaṇya, according to the Śrītatvanidhi) is the aspect in which Subrahmaṇya taught Śiva, his own father, the significance of the sacred syllable om. As a teacher he should be represented as possessing one face, six arms and as seated upon the peacock. His head should be adorned with a karaṇḍa-makuṭa; two of his hands should carry the śakti, one an akṣamālā and two others kept in the varada and the abhaya poses+ the remaining hand should perhaps be held in the chinmudrā pose.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexDeśikā (देशिका).—Ordinary teachers.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 8. 5.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsDeśika (देशिक) refers to an “Ācārya”, according to the Kiraṇatantra chapter 49 (dealing with vratacaryā).—Accordingly, “Garuḍa spoke: ‘You have taught me, O great Lord, the activities of the Neophyte, the Putraka and the Ācārya [i.e., deśika]. Tell me those of the Sādhaka’. The Lord spoke: ‘The excellent Sādhaka [should be] full of sattva, firm, capable of endurance, his mind fixed on [his] mantra, unassailable, of great wisdom, looking impartially on mud, stones and gold engaged, regular in [the performance of] oblations, always devoted to recitation and meditation, dexterous in the dispelling of obstacles, firm in [the practice of his] religious observance, calm, pure. [...]’”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramDeśika (देशिक) refers to the “teacher”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] (The one goddess) bestows accomplishment in three ways (as) Ambā, Siddhā and Ghorā. Here (in this case, the goddess) in the transmission of the Child is Ghorā and Siddhā is said to be in the Middle One. The Vidyā called Ambikā is in the middle of the transmission of the Eldest. Raktā is in the transmission of the Current of the Eldest. Klinnā is in the Middle Transmission and the one called Nityā, who resides in the teacher’s mouth (deśika—deśikānāṃ mukhe sthitā) is in (the transmission) of the Child”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchDeśika (देशिक) refers to the Guru, according to the Kiraṇatantra verse 9.7-8.—Accordingly: while discussing the importance of the gnosis of Śiva: “Experience is a thought on an object of thought and is [thus] mental. Therefore, what is mental can be understood and what is beyond mind and formless [cannot]. [So], how can a Guru (deśika), having not known [Śiva’s] highest reality [which is beyond mind and formless] give initiation? For an object can be known entirely, [but] he cannot be known in every respect”.
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).
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)Deśika (देशिक) refers to the “director” (of the construction of a temple), as discussed in chapter 42 of the Pauṣkarasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text of almost 5900 verses divided into forty-three chapters presented as a frame-work dialogue between Pauṣkara and Bhagavān dealing with the esoteric meaning of maṇḍala-designs, worship routines and temple-building.—Description of the chapter [prāsādapāda-pratiṣṭhā]: When a temple is to be built, the site already having been selected, the patron [kartā], director [deśika] and śilpin and others go to the site at an auspicious time all the while chanting mantras. A temple-in-miniature [devālaya] is provided there, and into a small golden pot filled with water brought from various holy places the Lord's Presence is invoked as apāṃmūrti. [...]
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsDeśika (देशिक) refers to a classification of Pāñcarātra initiation (dīkṣā), as discussed in chapter 2 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—Description of the chapter [tantra-vyākhyā]: This chapter concerns itself with a clarification of certain ideas and terms, viz., [...] how the people who undergo dīkṣā-initiation are to be distinguished [Samayin, Putraka, Sādhaka, Deśika and Guru—40-49a] [...]
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryDeśika.—(SII 1), a [Jain] teacher. Note: deśika is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarydesika : (adj.) belonging to a country or province.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryDesika, (adj.) (Sk. deśika)=desaka, su° one who points out well, a good teacher Miln.195. (Page 331)
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 Dictionarydēśika (देशिक).—m S A Guru or spiritual teacher. 2 A sojourner, passenger, traveler, a wanderer in foreign lands.
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 dictionaryDeśika (देशिक).—a. [deśe prasitaḥ ṭhan] Local, pertaining to a particular place, native, अदेशिका महारण्ये ग्रीष्मे शत्रुवशं गताः (adeśikā mahāraṇye grīṣme śatruvaśaṃ gatāḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 4.47.23.
-kaḥ 1 A spiritual teacher (guruḥ) धर्माणां देशिकः साक्षात् स भविष्यति धर्मभाक् (dharmāṇāṃ deśikaḥ sākṣāt sa bhaviṣyati dharmabhāk) Mb.
2) A traveller.
3) A guide.
4) One familiar with places.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryDeśika (देशिक).—m.
(-kaḥ) 1. A traveller, a stranger, a so-journer. 2. A Guru or spiritual teacher. E. deśa a country, &c. ṭhak aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryDeśika (देशिक).—i. e. deśa + ika, m. 1. A guide, Mahābhārata 7, 143. 2. A teacher, 13, 6847.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryDeśika (देशिक).—[adjective] & [masculine] showing the way, guide, teacher.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Deśika (देशिक):—[from deśa] mfn. familiar with a place, a guide ([literally] and [figuratively]), [Mahābhārata i, 3599] ([varia lectio] daiś cf. a- [add.])
2) [v.s. ...] m. a Guru or spiritual teacher, [Mahābhārata; Agni-purāṇa]
3) [v.s. ...] a traveller, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryDeśika (देशिक):—(kaḥ) 1. m. A traveller, stranger; a guru or teacher.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Deśika (देशिक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Desia.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusDēśika (ದೇಶಿಕ):—
1) [noun] a man who guides, directs or advises.
2) [noun] a religious teacher.
3) [noun] a traveller.
4) [noun] a destitute or forsaken man.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Deshikarana, Deshikastotra, Deshikati, Deshikatodi, Deshikattari, Deshikavijaya, Deshikopanishad, Desikara, Desikarti, Desikartitana, Devasikavetana.
Full-text (+245): Pradeshika, Paradeshika, Naideshika, Nairdeshika, Adeshika, Samanadeshika, Sarvadeshika, Vedantadeshika, Deshikavijaya, Deshikopanishad, Sudeshika, Margadeshika, Deshikatodi, Lakshmidhara deshika, Varada deshika, Deshikastotra, Varada deshika acarya, Lakshmana deshika, Tarapradipa, Daishika.
Relevant text
Search found 45 books and stories containing Desika, Deśika, Deshika, Deśikā, Dēśika, Deshikas; (plurals include: Desikas, Deśikas, Deshikas, Deśikās, Dēśikas, Deshikases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
9. Dwellings outside the Prākāras < [Chapter 3 - Prākāra Lakṣaṇa]
Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya (by E. Sowmya Narayanan)
Chapter 42 - The Other Classifications of the Categories
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
1. Introduction to the aspects and types of Diksha < [Chapter 2 - Aspects of Diksa]
4. Home of Pancaratra < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation (by S. Satyamurthi Ayyangar)
Introduction to Section 1.3 < [Section 3 - Third Tiruvaymoli (Pattu utai Atiyavar)]
Introduction to Section 1.7 < [Section 7 - Seventh Tiruvaymoli (Piravittuar ara)]
Vivekachudamani (by Shankara)
Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study) (by R. Laxmi)
Original philosophical treatises < [Chapter 1 - Date, life and works of Venkatanatha]
Theses on Sri-vaisnava Theology and Ritualism < [Chapter 1 - Date, life and works of Venkatanatha]
Commentaries by Venkatanatha < [Chapter 1 - Date, life and works of Venkatanatha]
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