Dhriti, aka: Dhṛti; 22 Definition(s)

Introduction

Dhriti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Dhṛti can be transliterated into English as Dhrti or Dhriti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1) Dhṛti (धृति)—One of the eleven wives of Rudra, called a Rudrāṇī.

2) Dhṛti (धृति):—Son of Vītahavya (son of Śunaka). He had a son named Bahulāśva. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.13.26)

Dhṛti (धृति) is the name of a mind-born ‘divine mother’ (mātṛ), created for the purpose of drinking the blood of the Andhaka demons, according to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.8. The Andhaka demons spawned out of every drop of blood spilled from the original Andhakāsura (Andhaka-demon). According to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.35, “Most terrible they (eg., Dhṛti) all drank the blood of those Andhakas and become exceedingly satiated.”

The Matsyapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 20,000 metrical verses, dating from the 1st-millennium BCE. The narrator is Matsya, one of the ten major avatars of Viṣṇu.

1) Dhṛti (धृति).—One of the seven sons of Jyotiṣmān, who was a son of Priyavrata, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 74.

2) Dhṛti (धृति) is another name for Mahatī, one of the seven major rivers in Kuśadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 87. Kuśadvīpa is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Vapuṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata.

Priyavrata was a son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

1) Dhṛti (धृति).—A daughter of Prajāpati Dakṣa. She was one of the wives of Dharmadeva. Mādrī, the mother of Nakula and Sahadeva, was the rebirth of Dhṛtī. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 67). Dhṛti had given birth to Niyama when she was the wife of Dharmadeva, who had married Śraddhā, Lakṣmī, Dhṛti, Tuṣṭi, Medhā, Puṣṭi, Kriyā, Buddhī, Lajjā, Vapus, Śānti, Siddhi and Kīrti, thirteen of the daughters of Dakṣa. Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Aṃśa I, Chapter 7).

2) Dhṛti (धृति).—A Viśvadeva god. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 91).

3) Dhṛti (धृति).—The son of Vītahavya, the king of Videha. He was a contemporary of Vyāsa and Vicitravīrya the king of the Kurus. Bahulāśva was the son of this Dhṛti. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva).

1a) Dhṛti (धृति).—A son of Vītahavya and father of Bahulaśva.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 13. 26; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 64. 23; Vāyu-purāṇa 89. 22; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 5. 31.

1b) A son of Vijaya and father of Dhṛtavrata.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 23. 12; Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 116; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 18. 24-5.

1c) A daughter of Dakṣa; wife of Dharma and mother of a son Niyama;¹ one of nine devis serving Soma.²

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 49, 59; Vāyu-purāṇa 10. 25, 34; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 23, 28.
• 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 55. 43; 90. 25.

1d) A son of Jyotiṣman, after whom came Dhṛtimatvarṣa.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 27-9; Vāyu-purāṇa 33. 24; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 36.

1e) A Sudhāmāna god.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 26. 45; 36. 27.

1f) A son of Sṛṣti (Puṣṭi, Vāyu-purāṇa) and Chāyā.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 98; Vāyu-purāṇa 62. 83-4.

1g) A son of Brahmadhāna.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 98.

1h) A Devī attending on Soma.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 65. 26.

1i) A son of Ārdraka? or Āhuka, said to have had 80 horses; equal to Bhoja of Nāgas in the Eastern region.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 124; Vāyu-purāṇa 96. 123-5.

1j) A Sutapa god.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 15; Vāyu-purāṇa 100. 15.

1k) A son of Sāvarṇa Manu.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 9. 33.

1l) A mother goddess; enshrined at Piṇḍāraka.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 13. 48; 179. 20; 246. 62.

1m) Same as Mahatī; left her consort Nandi for Soma.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 23. 26; 122. 74.

1n) A son of Vṛṣṇi and father of Kapotaromā.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 44. 62.

1o) A son of Vibudha.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 89. 12.

1p) A son of Babhru and father of Kauśika.^*

• * Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 12. 39.

Dhṛti (धृति) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.13). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Dhṛti) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

“The word 'dhṛti' is also used when one is fully perfect in knowledge. When, due to having obtained the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one has no material miseries, he attains mahā-pūrṇa, the highest level of perfection.” (Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya 24.181)

“'Dhṛti is the fullness felt due to the absence of misery and the attainment of knowledge of the Supreme Lord and pure love for Him. The lamentation that accrues from not obtaining a goal or from losing something already attained does not affect this completeness.'” (Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya 24.180)

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Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Dhṛti (धृति, “firmness”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ धृत्यै नमः
oṃ dhṛtyai namaḥ.

A similar mantra is mentioned by the same text, prefixed with ह्रीं (hrīṃ), to be worshipped at the goddess’s right.

Dhṛti (धृति, “fortitude”):—One of the names attributed to Devī, as chanted by the Vedas in their hymns, who were at the time incarnated in their personified forms. See the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa chapter 5.51-68, called “the narrative of Hayagrīva”.

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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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Dhṛti (धृति, “fortitude, endurance”):—One of the twenty-four emanations of Lakṣmī accompanying Nārāyaṇa. This particular manifestation couples with his counterpart form called Viṣṇu and together they form the fifth celestial couple. Lakṣmī represents a form of the Goddess (Devī) as the wife of Viṣṇu, while Nārāyaṇa represents the personification of his creative energy, according to the Pāñcarātra literature.

context information

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Dhṛti (धृति) is a Sanskrit technical term, translating to “determination”. The term is used throughout Āyurvedic literature such as the Suśruta-saṃhitā and the Caraka-saṃhitā.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

1) Dhṛti (धृति) is the name of an Apsara created for the sake of a type of dramatic perfomance. Acording to the Nāṭyaśāstra 1.46-51, after Brahmā asked Bharata for materials necessary for the Graceful Style (kaiśikī: a type of performance, or prayoga), Bharata answered “This Style cannot be practised properly by men except with the help of women”. Therefore, Brahmā created with his mind several apsaras (celestial nymphs), such as Dhṛti, who were skillful in embellishing the drama.

2) Dhṛti is also the Sanskrit name of a deity to be worshipped during raṅgapūjā, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra 3.1-8. Accordingly, the master of the dramatic art who has been initiated for the purpose shall consecrate the playhouse after he has made obeisance (eg., to Dhṛti).

3) Dhṛti is also the Sanskrit name of one of the seven Nāṭyamātṛ (‘mothers of nāṭya’) mentioned in the Nāṭyaśāstra 3.86-87. They should be offered worship during ceremonies such as ‘consecration of the mattavāraṇī’ and ‘pouring ghee into sacrificial fire’.

Accordingly (85-87), “After saying these words for the happiness of the king, the wise man should utter the Benediction for the success of the dramatic production. [The Benediction]: Let mothers such as Sarasvati, Dhṛti, Medhā, Hrī, Śrī, Lakṣmī, and Smṛti protect you and give you success.”

4) Dhṛti (धृति) refers to a class of rhythm-type (chandas) containing eighteen syllables in a pāda (‘foot’ or ‘quarter-verse’), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 15. There are twenty-six classes of chandas and out of them arise the various syllabic meters (vṛtta), composed of four pādas, defining the pattern of alternating light and heavy syllables.

Dhṛti is the name of a metre belonging to the Vṛtta (syllabic) class of Dhruvā (songs) described in the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 32:—“when the first syllable in its feet of three syllables is short the metre is dhṛti”.

5) Dhṛti (धृति, “confirmation”) refers to ‘confirmation’ of the outcome of the plot. Dhṛti represents one of the fourteen nirvahaṇasandhi, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 21. This element is also known as Kṛti. Nirvahaṇasandhi refers to the “segments (sandhi) of the concluding part (nirvahaṇa)” and represents one of the five segments of the plot (itivṛtta or vastu) of a dramatic composition (nāṭaka).

Dhṛti (धृति, “contentment”) is caused by determinants (vibhāva) such as heroism, spiritual knowledge, learning, wealth, purity, good conduct, devotion to one’s superiors, getting excessive amount of money, enjoying sports, and the like. It is to be represented on the stage by consequents (anubhāva) such as enjoyment of objects gained, and not grumbling over objects unattained, the past, [objects] partially enjoyed and lost and the like.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

Katha (narrative stories)

Dhṛti (धृति) is the name of a big forest in Jambūdvīpa mentioned by Soḍḍhala in his Udayasundarīkathā. Jambūdvīpa is one of the seven continents (dvīpa) of Bhūrloka (earth). The soldiers were asked to seek Udayasundarī in these forests.

The Udayasundarīkathā is a Sanskrit work in the campū style, narrating the story of the Nāga princess Udayasundarī and Malayavāhana, king of Pratiṣṭhāna. Soḍḍhala is a descendant of Kalāditya (Śilāditya’s brother) whom he praises as an incarnation of a gaṇa (an attendant of Śiva).

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Katha (कथा, kathā) refers to narrative Sanskrit literature often inspired from epic legendry (itihasa) and poetry (mahākāvya). Some Kathas reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of important historical event and exploits of the Gods, Heroes and Sages.

Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Dhṛti (धृति) is one of the twenty-six varieties of Sanskrit metres (chandas) mentioned in the Chandaśśāstra 1.15-19. There are 26 Vedic metres starting with 1 to 26 letters in each pāda. It is a common belief that the classical metres are developed from these 26 metres. Generally a metre has a specific name according to it’s number of syllables (akṣara). But sometimes the same stanza is called by the name of another metre from the point of view of the pādas.

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Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Dhṛti (धृति).—The name of a Goddess residing over the padmahrada (big lotus-island) which lies in the center of a lake named Tigiñcha. This lake is situated on top of the mountain range (varṣadharaparvatas) named Niṣadha, one of the six mountain ranges in Jambūdvīpa. Jambūdvīpa lies at the centre of madhyaloka (‘middle world’) and is the most important of all continents and it is here where human beings reside.

Dhṛti (धृति, “patience”) is the name of a deity residing in the lotus (puṣkara) in the middle of the Tigiñcha lake, which lies on top of the Niṣadha mountain. This mountain is situated in Jambūdvīpa: the first continent of the Madhya-loka (middle-word), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.10.

Jambūdvīpa (where Dhṛti resides) is in the centre of all continents and oceans; all continents and oceans are concentric circles with Jambūdvīpa in the centre. Like the navel is in the centre of the body, Jambūdvīpa is in the centre of all continents and oceans. Sumeru Mount is in the centre of Jambūdvīpa. It is also called Mount Sudarśana.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geogprahy

Dhṛti.—(LP), consolation or encouragement. (IE 7-1-2), ‘eighteen’. Note: dhṛti is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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

Marathi-English dictionary

dhṛti (धृति).—f S Steadiness, firmness, fortitude. 2 Holding, having, keeping. 3 The eighth of the twenty-seven Yog.

dhṛti (धृति).—f Steadiness, fortitude. Holding.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dhṛti (धृति).—f. [dhṛ-ktin]

1) Taking, holding, seizing.

2) Having, possessing.

3) Maintaining, supporting.

4) Firmness; steadiness, constancy.

5) Fortitude, energy, resolution, courage, self-command. भज धृतिं त्यज भीतिमहेतुकाम् (bhaja dhṛtiṃ tyaja bhītimahetukām) N.4.15; Bg.16.3; Ki.6.11; R.8.66.

6) Satisfaction, contentment, pleasure, happiness, delight, joy; धृतेश्च धीरः सदृशीर्व्यधत्त सः (dhṛteśca dhīraḥ sadṛśīrvyadhatta saḥ) R.3.1;16.82; न चक्षुर्बध्नाति धृतिम् (na cakṣurbadhnāti dhṛtim) V.2.8; Śi.7.1,14.

7) Satisfaction considered as one of the 33 subordinate feelings (in Rhetoric); ज्ञानाभीष्टागमाद्यैस्तु संपूर्णस्पृहता धृतिः । सौहित्यवचनोल्लास- सहासप्रतिभादिकृत् (jñānābhīṣṭāgamādyaistu saṃpūrṇaspṛhatā dhṛtiḥ | sauhityavacanollāsa- sahāsapratibhādikṛt) S. D.198,168; cf. Ki.1.36; R.3.1; Ms.1.116.

8) A sacrifice.

9) Name of metre; Nm.

1) consideration, care for; अनादृतस्यामरसायकेष्वपि स्थिता कथं शैलजनाशुगे धृतिः (anādṛtasyāmarasāyakeṣvapi sthitā kathaṃ śailajanāśuge dhṛtiḥ) Ki.14.1.

11) Name of the numeral 18.

12) Name of one of the 16 kalās of the moon.

Derivable forms: dhṛtiḥ (धृतिः).

--- OR ---

Dhṛti (धृति).—[dhṛtiṃ kṛ]

1) 1 To keep ground, to stand still; इतश्चेतश्च धावन्तो नैव चक्रुर्धृतिं रणे (itaścetaśca dhāvanto naiva cakrurdhṛtiṃ raṇe) Mb.7.114.11.

2) To find pleasure or satisfaction.

Derivable forms: dhṛtim (धृतिम्).

--- OR ---

Dhṛti (धृति).—

1) To show firmness; मानं धत्स्व धृतिं बधान ऋजुतां दूरे कुरु प्रेयसि (mānaṃ dhatsva dhṛtiṃ badhāna ṛjutāṃ dūre kuru preyasi) Amar.7.

2) To fix the mind on; यद्ध्यायति यत्कुरुते धृतिं बध्नाति यत्र च (yaddhyāyati yatkurute dhṛtiṃ badhnāti yatra ca) Ms.5.47.

Derivable forms: dhṛtim (धृतिम्).

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