Dhanushkara, Dhanus-kara, Dhanuṣkara: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Dhanushkara 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 Dhanuṣkara can be transliterated into English as Dhanuskara or Dhanushkara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर) refers to “bow-makers”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If there should be both lunar and solar eclipses in one month, princes will suffer both from dissensions among their own army and from wars. [...] If the eclipses should fall in the lunar month of Phālguna, the people of Vaṅga, of Āśmaka, of Avantikā and the Mekalās will be afflicted with disease; dancers, food crops, chaste women, bow-makers [i.e., dhanuṣkara], the Kṣatriyas and ascetics will also suffer”.
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)
Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर) refers to “one who holds a bow in the hand”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, [while describing the gross form of Navātman called Śabdarāśinavātman]: “(Navātman) has a big body and burns intensely, illumining the sky with (his) radiant energy. [...] He holds a skull and an ascetic’s staff. (Another) hand shines (as it were) with a trident. (He also holds) a bow [i.e., dhanuṣkara], an arrow, vīṇā, bell and double-headed drum. [...]”.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Dhanuṣkāra (धनुष्कार) or Dhanuṣkṛt refers to the “art of making bows”.—Cf. Dhanus (‘bow’), which is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda and later, was the chief weapon of the Vedic Indian. [...] The making of bows was a regular profession (dhanuṣkāra, dhanuṣkṛt). For the arrow see Iṣu, and for the hand-guard Hastaghna.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर).—m.
(-raḥ) A bowyer, an archer. E. dhanus a bow, and kara who makes or practises.
Dhanuṣkāra (धनुष्कार).—[masculine] bow-maker.
1) Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर):—[=dhanuṣ-kara] [from dhanuṣ > dhanu] a m. a bow-maker, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) [=dhanuṣ-kara] [from dhanuṣ > dhanu] b mfn. b° in hand, armed with a b°, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) Dhanuṣkāra (धनुष्कार):—[=dhanuṣ-kāra] [from dhanuṣ > dhanu] m. a b°-maker, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā]
Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर):—[dhanu-ṣkara] (raḥ) 1. m. A bowyer or archer.
Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर):—
1) (1. dhanus + kara machend) m. Bogenmacher [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 3, 2, 21.] —
2) (1. dhanus + kara Hand) adj. einen Bogen in der Hand haltend, mit einem Bogen bewaffnet [Śabdakalpadruma] —
3) f. ī eine best. Blume [Vyutpatti oder Mahāvyutpatti 142.] dhānuṣkari [Rgva tch’er rol pa 347.]
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Dhanuṣkāra (धनुष्कार):—(1. dhanus + 1. kāra) m. Bogenmacher [Vājasaneyisaṃhitā 30, 7.] [Rāmāyaṇa] [Gorresio 2, 90, 22.]
Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर):—1. —
1) m. Bogenmacher. —
2) f. ī eine best. Blume.
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Dhanuṣkara (धनुष्कर):—2. Adj. einen Bogen in der Hand haltend , mit einem B. bewaffnet.
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Dhanuṣkāra (धनुष्कार):—und dhanuṣkṛt m. Bogenmacher.
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)
Partial matches: Dhanus, Kara.
Full-text: Dhanushkrit, Dhanutkari, Dhanus.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Dhanushkara, Dhanuṣ-kāra, Dhanuṣ-kara, Dhanus-kara, Dhanush-kara, Dhanuṣkara, Dhanuṣkāra, Dhanuskara; (plurals include: Dhanushkaras, kāras, karas, Dhanuṣkaras, Dhanuṣkāras, Dhanuskaras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Warfare and Military System in Vedic Literature (by Rinki Deka)
Arms and Armours < [Chapter 2 - Military System as Revealed in the Vedic Texts]
Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis) (by S. Anusha)
Weapons and War in Vedas < [Chapter 1]