Disha, Disa, Disā, Diśā, Diśa: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Disha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi. 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 Diśā and Diśa can be transliterated into English as Disa or Disha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Wisdom Library: Elements of Hindu IconograpyDiśā (दिशा):—The consort of Bhīma (aspect of Śiva, as in, one of the eight names of Rudra) according to the Pādma-purāṇa. (according to the Viṣṇu-purāṇa she is called Vikesī)

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 Index1a) Diśa (दिश).—One of the Marutgaṇas.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 129.
1b) Directions as the wives of Bhīma; Ākāśa tanu of the Lord; svarga as the sun.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 10. 82; Vāyu-purāṇa 27. 54.
Diśa (दिश) refers to the name of a River mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. VI.10.18). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Diśa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.
Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)
Source: archive.org: Hindu MathematicsDiśā (दिशा) represents the number 10 (ten) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 10—diśā] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismDiśā (दिशा):—Directions in Hindu tradition are called as Diśā, or Dik. There are four primary directions and a total of 10 directions.
- East, Pūrva, Prācī, Prāk
- West, Paścima, Pratīcī, Aparā
- North, Uttara, Udīcī
- South, Dakṣīṇa, Avāchip
- North-East, Īśānya
- South-East, Āgneya
- North-West, Vāyavya
- South-West, Nairṛti
- Zenith, Ūrdhvā
- Nadir, Adho
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesA slave woman of Okkaka. She was the mother of Kanha, ancestor of the Kanhayana gotta. D.i.93.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryDiśā.—(IE 7-1-2), ‘ten’; rarely used to indicate ‘four’ also. Note: diśā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
See also (synonyms): Diś.
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Diśā.—(IA 7), precepts. Note: diśā 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 Dictionarydisa : (m.) enemy.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryDisa, (Sk. dviṣant & dviṣa (-°); dveṣṭi & dviśati to hate; cp. Gr. deinόs (corynthic dveini/a, hom. dέdvimen) fearful; Lat. dīrus=E. dire) an enemy Dh.42, 162; J.III, 357; IV, 217; V, 453; Th.I, 874—6; cp. Pss. Breth., 323, n. I. (Page 323)
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Disā, (f.) (Ved. diś & diśā, to diśati “pointing out, ” point; cp. Gr. di/kh=diśā) point of the compass, region, quarter, direction, bearings. The 4 principal points usualy enumerated are puratthimā (E) pacchimā (W) dakkhiṇā (S) uttarā (N), in changing order. Thus at S.I, 101, 145; II, 103; III, 84; IV, 185, 296; Nd2 302; Pv.II, 126 (caturo d.); PvA.52 (catūsu disāsu nirayo catūhi dvārehi yutto), and passim.—To these are often added the two locations “above & below” as uparimā & heṭṭhimā disā (also as uddhaṃ adho S.III, 124 e. g.; also called paṭidisā D.III, 176), making in all 6 directions: D.III, 188 sq. As a rule, however, the circle is completed by the 4 anudisā (intermediate points; sometimes as vidisā: S.I, 224; III, 239; D.III, 176 etc.), making a round of 10 (dasa disā) to denote completeness, wide range & all pervading comprehensiveness of states, activities or other happening: Sn.719, 1122 (disā catasso vidisā catasso uddhaṃ adho: dasa disā imāyo); Th.2, 487; Ps.II, 131; Nd2 239 (see also cātuddisa in this sense); Pv.I, 111; II, 110; Vism.408. sabbā (all) is often substituted for 10: S.I, 75; D.II, 15; Pv.I, 21; VvA.184; PvA.71.—anudisā (sg.) is often used collectively for the 4 points in the sense of “in between, ” so that the circle always implies the 10 points. Thus at S.I, 122; III, 124. In other combinations as 6 abbreviated for 10; four disā plus uddhaṃ & anudisaṃ at D.I, 222=A.III, 368; four d.+uddhaṃ adho & anudisaṃ at S.I, 122; III, 124; A.IV, 167. In phrase “mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṃ disaṃ pharitvā viharati” (etc. up to 4th) the allcomprehending range of universal goodwill is further denoted by uddhaṃ adho tiriyaṃ etc., e.g. D.I, 250; Vbh.272; see mettā.—As a set of 4 or 8 disā is also used allegorically (“set, circle”) for var. combinations, viz. the 8 states of jhāna at M.III, 222; the 4 satipaṭṭhānā etc. at Nett 121; the 4 āhārā etc. at Nett 117. ‹-› See also in other applications Vin.I, 50 (in meaning of “foreign country”); II, 217; S.I, 33 (abhayā), 234 (puthu°); III, 106; V, 216; D.III, 197 sq.; It.103; Th.1, 874; Vv 416 (disāsu vissutā).—disaṃ kurute to run away J.V, 340. diso disaṃ (often spelt disodisaṃ) in all directions (lit. from region to region) D.III, 200; J.III, 491; Th.1, 615; Bu II.50; Pv III, 16; Miln.398. But at Dh.42 to disa (enemy), cp. DhA.I, 324=coro coraṃ. See also J.P.T.S. 1884, 82 on Abl. diso=diśatah. Cp. vidisā.

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 Dictionarydiśā (दिशा).—f (S) A region, quarter, direction; a point of the compass. cārahī diśā mōkaḷyā hōṇēṃ in. con. To have the wide world open before one. diśadiśāṃ paḷaṇēṃ To flee in every direction. diśā dākhaviṇēṃ To afford some hints or faint instructions; to give an inkling (on the way or manner of doing). diśā phākaṇēṃ-phulaṇēṃ- pālaṭaṇēṃ To be flushed with light; to be irradiated with the coming day--the heavens. diśā bhāraṇēṃ or bāndhaṇēṃ To charm the country around; to bind the people under the influence of a spell. diśēsa jāṇēṃ To go out to exonerate nature.
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dīsa (दीस).—m (Corr. from divasa) A day. Pr. bhararē pōṭā āṇi jārē disā.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishdiśā (दिशा).—f A direction, region; a point of the compass. daśadiśā paḷaṇēṃ To flee in every direction. diśā dākhaviṇēṃ To afford some hints or faint instructions, to give an inkling (on the way of manner of doing). diśā phāṅkaṇēṃ Be flush- ed with light, be irradiated with the coming day-the heavens. diśā bāndhaṇēṃ māraṇēṃ Charm the country around. cārahī diśā mōkaḷyā hōṇēṃ Have the wide world open before one.
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 dictionaryDiśā (दिशा).—Direction, quarter of the compass, region, &c.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryDiśa (दिश).—[; m.-nt. forms occur from stem diś(ā), as from other f. ā-stems, § 9.4; ex. daśa-diśebhir Lalitavistara 416.2.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryDiśa (दिश).—[-diś + a], a substitute for diś when latter part of comp. adv.; see yathādiśam, yathābhīṣṭadiśam.
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Diśā (दिशा).—[diś + ā], f. A quarter or point of the compass, Mahābhārata 4, 1716.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryDiśā (दिशा).—[feminine] direction, region.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Diśā (दिशा):—[from diś] f. direction, region, quarter or point of the compass, [Mahābhārata iv, 1716 etc.; Hārīta 2243] (cf. antaraand avāntara-)
2) [v.s. ...] Name of the wife of Rudra-Bhīma, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Diśa (दिश) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Disa.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryDiśā (दिशा):—(nf) a direction; line; [diśāṃtaraṇa] redirection; —[nirdeśa] guidance, direction.
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Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Disa (दिस) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Diś.
2) Disa (दिस) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Diśa.
3) Disa (दिस) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Diśya.
4) Disā (दिसा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Diś.
Disā has the following synonyms: Disi.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+11): Disampati, Disamta, Disata, Disati, Dishabali, Dishabandhana, Dishabhedajnanaprabhaketumati, Dishabhula, Dishabhuli, Dishacakshu, Dishacakshus, Dishachakshu, Dishadeshamukhajaga, Dishadhipa, Dishagaja, Dishah, Dishakari, Disham, Dishamudha, Dishana.
Ends with (+44): Adharadisha, Adhodisha, Adisha, Anandisha, Ankid-kodisha, Antaradisha, Anudisha, Anvashtamadisha, Apadisa, Asadisa, Ashtadisha, Avantaradisha, Avividisha, Badisha, Bamdisha, Candisha, Caturdisha, Cedisa, Chandisa, Chaturdisha.
Full-text (+273): Dishas, Dish, Pratidisham, Kandish, Dishagaja, Antaradisha, Upadisha, Anudisham, Apadisham, Dishapala, Disata, Sarvatodishas, Caturdisham, Sarvatodisham, Dishi, Disati, Yathabhishta, Kamdish, Yathadisham, Dishadeshamukhajaga.
Relevant text
Search found 83 books and stories containing Disha, Disa, Disā, Diśā, Diśa, Dīsa, Ḍīśa; (plurals include: Dishas, Disas, Disās, Diśās, Diśas, Dīsas, Ḍīśas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.20.58 < [Chapter 20 - The Liberation of Ṛbhu Muni During the Rāsa-dance Festival]
Verse 2.3.10 < [Chapter 3 - Description of the Yamunā’s Arrival]
Verse 1.6.49 < [Chapter 6 - Description of Kaṃsa’s Strength]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.1.165 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]
Verse 2.1.54 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]
Verse 1.6.92 < [Chapter 6 - Priyatama (the most beloved devotees)]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 1 - Parable of the perfume of flowers (puṣpagandha) < [Chapter XXI - Discipline or Morality]
The Mallikā-Jātaka [notes] < [I. Puṇyakriyāvastu consisting of generosity]
Appendix 2 - The ten directions (diś) < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas (by Goswami Mitali)
Part 8 - Savitṛ (the God of Atmosphere) < [Chapter 2 - Salient Traits of the Solar Divinities in the Veda]
Part 36 - Symbolic relevance of the Goat in Sun-worship < [Chapter 2 - Salient Traits of the Solar Divinities in the Veda]
Part 42 - Different Rituals and the Sun-Worship < [Chapter 2 - Salient Traits of the Solar Divinities in the Veda]