Devakanya, Deva-kanya, Devakanyā: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Devakanya 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.
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In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Devakanyā (देवकन्या) refers to the “celestial virgins”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.40 (“The Marriage Procession of Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] The Mothers of the universe, the celestial virgins (devakanyā), Gāyatrī, Sāvitrī, Lakṣmī, the celestial maidens, the wives of the gods, the mothers of the worlds went ahead with great joy, only because it was the marriage of Śiva. Lord Śiva, favourably disposed to virtue, was seated on his bull of crystal purity and beauty—the bull who is called Dharma by the Vedas, Śāstras, Siddhas and sages. Śiva was being served by the gods and sages on his way. He shone well. [...]”.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Devakanyā (देवकन्या).—a celestial damsel, a nymph; also देवकन्यका (devakanyakā).
Devakanyā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms deva and kanyā (कन्या).
Devakanyā (देवकन्या).—[feminine] celestial maiden, nymph.
Devakanyā (देवकन्या):—[=deva-kanyā] [from deva] f. idem, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa]
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Devakanyaka.
Full-text: Tian nu, Surendrabha, Devakanna, Varunakratu, Parijagarati, Parijagrati, Devamatar, Pu sa cang jing.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Devakanya, Deva-kanya, Deva-kanyā, Devakanyā; (plurals include: Devakanyas, kanyas, kanyās, Devakanyās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 213 < [Volume 14 (1904)]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 214 < [Telugu-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Chapter 10 - On Śiva’s granting boons < [Book 1]
Chapter 6 - On granting the Aśvins the right to drink the Soma juice < [Book 7]
Chapter 14 - On the birth of Vaśiṣṭha from Mitrā Varuṇa < [Book 6]
Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra (by Charles Luk)
Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)
Chapter 1 - Birth of seven sages (saptarṣi): Race of Bhṛgu and Aṅgiras < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]
The Story of Samvarana and Tapati < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]