Dhvaja, aka: Dhvajā; 15 Definition(s)

Introduction

Dhvaja means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Dhvaja (ध्वज, ‘flag’) is a weapon (āyudha or bādhra) according to the Vāstusūtra Upaniṣad.

Dhvaja (flag) - Making oneself known to others, indicating that one is a source of charity and safety to all sentient beings. An indication of the triumph of the Dharma.

context information

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Dhvaja (ध्वज, “banner”):—Fifth seat of the Svādhiṣṭhāna (2nd chakra), according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra. It is identified with the fifth of the seven worlds, named janaloka. Together, these seven seatsthey form the Brahmāṇḍa (cosmic egg). The Dhvaja seat points to the south-west.

The associated pura is called prakṛti, at the head of which is the Siddha named Khagīśa. These Siddhas are considered to have been the expounders of the kula doctrine in former times.

The associated dhātu (constituents of the physical body) is the Bones (asthi).

context information

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.

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Dhvaja (ध्वज) refers to “that which marks a temple or such other places”. The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (See the Manubhāṣya, verse 9.285)

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1a) Dhvaja (ध्वज).—Flag; of Śiva (bull)—of Lalitā with mahiṣa, mṛga and siṃha emblems:¹ of Arjuna, Kārtavīrya.² Vṛṣadakṣa, given by Surabhi.³

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 79; 27. 15; 49. 13; 55. 15; IV. 16. 35; 19. 84; 21. 8.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 43. 19; 44. 67; 257. 17; 281. 9.
• 3) Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 76; 94. 15.

1b) The 9th battle where Dhvaja was killed by Mahendra Viṣṇu.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 72. 75; Vāyu-purāṇa 97. 75, 85.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Dhvaja (ध्वज) refers to a “banner-staff”, which is an accessories used in a dramatic play, according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. Such accessories and weapons should be made by experts using proper measurements and given to persons in their respective conditions. It forms a component of āhāryābhinaya (extraneous representation).

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).

Vastushastra (architecture)

Dhvajā (ध्वजा, “mare”) refers to the first of eight yoni (womb), according to the Mānasāra. It is also known by the name Aśvā. Yoni is the fourth of the āyādiṣaḍvarga, or “six principles” that constitute the “horoscope” of an architectural or iconographic object. Their application is intended to “verify” the measurements of the architectural and iconographic object against the dictates of astrology that lay out the conditions of auspiciousness.

The particular yoni (eg., dhvajā) of all architectural and iconographic objects (settlement, building, image) must be calculated and ascertained. This process is based on the principle of the remainder. An arithmetical formula to be used in each case is stipulated, which engages one of the basic dimensions of the object (breadth, length, or perimeter/circumference). The first, third, fifth and seventh yonis are considered auspicious and therefore to be preferred, and the rest, inauspicious and to be avoided.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Dhvaja (ध्वज) occurs twice in the Rigveda in the sense of ‘banner’ used in battle. It is characteristic of Vedic fighting that in both passages reference is made to arrows being discharged and falling on the banners.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols; Dhvaja (Skt. also Dhwaja; Tib. rgyal msthan), meaning banner or flag. Dhvaja banner was a military standard of ancient Indian warfare. Makara Dhvaja has become latter an emblem of the Vedic god of love and desire - Kamadeva. Within the Tibetan tradition a list of eleven different forms of the victory banner is given to represent eleven specific methods for overcoming defilements. Many variations of the dhvajas design can be seen on the roofs of Tibetan monasteries to symbolyze the Buddhas victory over four maras.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Dhvaja (ध्वज, “flag”).—The eighth of “fourteen dreams” of Triśalā.—The eighth dream manifested as the flag fluttering on the top of a golden staff comprising of sober colors such as blue, red, yellow and gold, it’s hoisting caused sounds like the roar of a lion.

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

Dhvaja.—(CII 3), banner or standard as distinguished from lāñchana or crest. Cf. cihna (Ep. Ind., Vol. XXXIV, pp. 135 ff.). Note: dhvaja is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

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

dhvaja (ध्वज).—m (S) pop. dhvajā f A flag, an ensign, a banner. dhvaja lāvaṇēṃ To signalize one's self by feats of valor, display of learning &c.: also to become infamously notorious.

dhvaja (ध्वज).—m dhvajā f A flag, an ensign, a ban- ner. dhvaja lāvaṇēṃ To signalize one's self by feats of valour, display of learn- ing &c.; to become infamously noto- rious.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Dhvaja (ध्वज).—[dhvaj-ac]

1) A flag, banner, standard, ensign; R.7.4;17.32; आरोहति न यः स्वस्य वंशस्याग्रे ध्वजो यथा (ārohati na yaḥ svasya vaṃśasyāgre dhvajo yathā) Pt.1.26; ध्वजं चक्रे च भगवानुपरि स्थास्यतीति तम् (dhvajaṃ cakre ca bhagavānupari sthāsyatīti tam) Mb.

2) A distinguished or eminent person, the flag or ornament (at the end of comp.); as in कुलध्वजः (kuladhvajaḥ) 'the head, ornament, or distinguished person of a family'.

3) A flagstaff.

4) A mark, emblem, sign, a symbol; वृषभ°, मकर° (vṛṣabha°, makara°) &c.

5) the attribute of a deity.

6) The sign of a tavern.

7) The sign of a trade, any trademark.

8) The organ of generation (of any animal, male or female).

9) One who prepares and sells liquors; Ms.4.85; सुरापाने सुराध्वजः (surāpāne surādhvajaḥ) Ms.

1) A house situated to the east of any object.

11) Pride.

12) Hypocrisy.

13) A skull carried on a staff (as a mark of ascetics) or as a penance for the murder of a Brāhmaṇa; see खट्वाङ्ग (khaṭvāṅga).

14) (In prosody) An iambic foot. (dhvajīkṛ to hoist a flag; (fig.) to use as a plea or pretext.)

15) part of a sword; श्रेष्ठखड्गाङ्गयोरपि (śreṣṭhakhaḍgāṅgayorapi) Nm.

Derivable forms: dhvajaḥ (ध्वजः).

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