Drishtanta, Drishta-anta, Drishtamta, Dṛṣṭānta: 29 definitions
Introduction:
Drishtanta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, 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 term Dṛṣṭānta can be transliterated into English as Drstanta or Drishtanta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त, “graphic illustration”) refers to one of the thirty-six “characteristic features” (lakṣaṇa) of perfect ‘poetic compositions’ (kāvyabandha) and ‘dramatic compositions’ (dṛśyakāvya, or simply kāvya). According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 17, these thirty-six lakṣaṇas act as instructions for composing playwrights. The term is used throughout nāṭyaśāstra literature.
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त, “favourable precedent”).—One of the thirty-six lakṣaṇa, or “excellent points of a dramatic composition”;—Description of dṛṣṭānta: That which supporting the case in hand is an expression of its reason and is pleasing to all people, is a Precedent Favourable to the speaker (dṛṣṭānta, lit. “example”).
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त, “exemplification”) refers to a type of Alaṃkāra (figure of speech).—Dṛṣṭānta or exemplification is the reflective representation of a similar subject.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—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), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Nyaya (school of philosophy)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) refers to an “example” (a familiar instance). It is one of the sixteen categories of discussion (padārtha) according to the doctrine of the Nyāya-sūtras by Akṣapāda. The sixteen padārthas represent a method of intellectual analysis and categorize everything that is knowable and nameable.
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त, “example”) refers to the fifth of the sixteen padārthas (“categories”) in the first chapter of Gautama’s Nyāyasūtra (2nd century CE). Dṛṣṭānta or example is that about which a well-known person and an ordinary person give the same notion.12 It is a very important and useful part of any discussion dṛṣṭānta helps in the clear understanding of something. As for example, in case of the proposition ‘where there is smoka, there is fire’, dṛṣṭānta is the kitchen in which smoke and fire are perceived together by both an ordinary person and a learned person.
Nyaya (न्याय, nyaya) refers to a school of Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. The Nyaya philosophy is known for its theories on logic, methodology and epistemology, however, it is closely related with Vaisheshika in terms of metaphysics.
Mīmāṃsā (school of philosophy)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त, “allegory”) refers to one of the various tools used by authors displaying their skill in the art of writing.—A story, poem, or word picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. Though it is similar to other rhetorical comparisons, an allegory (dṛṣṭānta) is sustained longer and more fully in its details than a metaphor and appeals to imagination. The Rāmāyana is an allegory of the search for spiritual enlightenment.
Mimamsa (मीमांसा, mīmāṃsā) refers to one of the six orthodox Hindu schools of philosophy, emphasizing the nature of dharma and the philosophy of language. The literature in this school is also known for its in-depth study of ritual actions and social duties.
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त).—Similar instance,generally quoted to explain effectively some rules or conventions laid down; cf. ननु चायमप्यस्ति दृष्टान्तः समुदाये वाक्यपरिसमाप्ति-रिति । तद्यथा गर्गाः शतं दण्ड्यन्तामिति (nanu cāyamapyasti dṛṣṭāntaḥ samudāye vākyaparisamāpti-riti | tadyathā gargāḥ śataṃ daṇḍyantāmiti) M.Bh. on P.I. 1. 7.
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Kavyashastra (science of poetry)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) refers to one of the 93 alaṃkāras (“figures of speech”) mentioned by Cirañjīva Bhaṭṭācārya (fl. 17th century) in his Kāvyavilāsa and is listed as one of the 89 arthālaṃkāras (figure of speech determined by the sense, as opposed to sound).—Dṛṣṭānta is one of the important figures of speech which has been treated by most of the Ālaṃkārikas like Mammaṭa (X/102), Viśvanātha (X/69), Ruyyaka (A.S./P.75) Jagannātha (II/P. 452), though it has not been admitted by ancients like Bhāmaha, Ubhaṭa and Vāmana.
Cirañjīva defines dṛṣṭānta as—“cedbimbapratibimbatvaṃ dṛṣṭāntālaṅkṛtistadā”.—When there is a relation of bimba and pratibimba between two objects, it is the figure dṛṣṭānṭa. Cirañjīva has perhaps followed the definition of dṛṣṭānta furnished by Jayadeva. In fact this relation of bimba and pratibimba has been incorporated in the definition of dṛṣṭanta by so many Ālaṃkārikas like Mammaṭa, Viśvanātha, Jagannātha etc. When two ideas are represented as extremely similar to each other, so much so that one seems to be the reflection of another, the relation of the image and its reflection or bimbapratibimbabhāva is said to exist between them. This bimbapratibimbabhāva predominates in dṛṣṭānta. There is another relation called vastuprativastubhāva which comes as a contrast against bimbapratibimbabhāva and which is predominant in prativastūpamā.
Example of the dṛṣṭānṭa-alaṃkāra:—
anargalaparisphuranmadhuradivyakāvyaṃvadaṃ haṭhodgatapadadvayasphuritadhirapi spardhate |
dinaiḥ katipayairitaḥ kathayitaiva dillīpateḥ padaṃ tṛṇamiti sphuṭaṃ manasi bhillapallīpatiḥ ||“A poet in whose mind only two lines have flashed by chance challenges to one who composes sweet and devine poetry flashed incessantly. The chief of the region of Bhills considers apperantly in his mind that (ascending) the throne of the emperor of Delhi even for a few days from this time is comparable to grass”.
Notes: In this verse the first object is that a poet of low calibre who have suddenly composed two lines only is found to throw a challenge to a poet with genius who is in the continuous habit of composing sweet and great poetry for a long long time. The second object is that the chief of the region of Bhills (tribals) considers the throne of the ruler of Delhi as trifle like grass. These two objects have got similarity and the relation of image and its reflection bimbapratibimbabhāva lies between the two. Here the challenge of a poet of low merit and the consideration of the chief of the region of Bhills both are objects of ridicule. So the challenge of a poet of low calibre and the consideration of the chief of the region of Bhills are like an image and its reflection hence it is an example of dṛṣṭānta and it bears definitely the poetic genius of Cirañjīva.
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त, “exemplification”) refers to one of the various Alaṅkāras (‘figures of speech’) classified as Artha (‘sense’), as employed in the Bhīṣmacarita (Bhishma Charitra) which is a mahākāvya (‘epic poem’) written by Hari Narayan Dikshit.—Few examples of ‘dṛṣṭānta-alaṅkāra are found in the poem Bhīṣmacarita. With the help of this figure of speech, the poet has aptly presented Exemplification in VI.21. Here the poet has aptly exemplified Hastināpurī for a beautiful woman. Due to celebration Hastināpurī is looking more beautiful than Amarāvatī, the city of Gods and thus Amarāvatī starts feeling sorrow and jealous like a lady jealous of a beautiful lady. The other examples are XI.6 and XV.7.
Kavyashastra (काव्यशास्त्र, kāvyaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):—[dṛṣṭāntaḥ] Description of universal truth fully comprehensible by the wise and ignorant person
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) refers to an “example”, according to the Devīpañcaśataka, an important source of the Kālīkrama that developed in Kashmir after the Kālī Mata of the Jayadrathayāmala.—Accordingly, “The Great God—Mahādeva—is beyond Śakti, supreme bliss, free of qualities and supports, unchanging, supreme, pure, free of cause and (without) example [i.e., hetu-dṛṣṭānta-varjita], present within all existing things, beyond the Void, free of defects, omnipresent, the doer of all things, free, full of nectar and, unconditioned, is present in all living beings. [...]”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) refers to “exemplify”, according to the Sarvajñānottara verse 20.34-39.—Accordingly, while discussing the culmination of detachment (for the process of attaining the no-mind state): “[...] Having made the mind supportless, he constantly meditates on the inconceivable. Know that the ultimate, incomparable bliss is that bliss, free of thought, inconceivable, transcending anything that might prove or exemplify (dṛṣṭānta) [its existence], which he experiences when his self has transcended [all] the Tattvas and has become devoid of [all] aspects”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) refers to “comparisons”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 1.—Accordingly: In the Tripiṭaka, the Buddha developed many kinds of comparisons (dṛṣṭānta), but when he preached to the Śrāvakas, he did not speak about the Bodhisattva path. It is only in the Pūrvāparāntakasūtra of the Madhyamāgama that the Buddha predicted to Bodhisattva Maitreya: “Later you will become the Buddha with the name of Maitreya”. But even there, he said nothing about the various Bodhisattva practices. Here the Buddha wishes to explain the Bodhisattva practices to Maitreya, etc., and this is why he preaches the Mahāprajñāpāramitāsūtra.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) refers to an “example”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Families, armies, empires, decorations and wealth are asserted by the great seers as acting like a series of clouds [com.—In every case (sarvatra) it is an example (dṛṣṭāntaḥ) to be construed (yojyaḥ) as acting like a series of clouds (ghanamālānukārīṇi)]”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टांत).—m (S) An illustration, example, parable, allegory &c. 2 Personal cognizance or observation. Ex. tyānēṃ praśna sāṅgitalā tō mājhē dṛṣṭāntāsa ālā or tyācā malā dṛ0 ālā. 3 A vision or divine appearance (in a dream &c.) Ex. aisēṃ jāṇūni rukmiṇī- pati || kautuka kēlēṃ kaiśā rītī || mahādājīpantāsī || dṛ0 rātrīṃ dākhavilā ||.
dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टांत).—m An illustration, example. A vision or divine appearance (in a dream &c.)
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
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त).—
1) an example, illustration, parable; पूर्णश्चन्द्रोदयाकाङ्क्षी दृष्टान्तोऽत्र महार्णवः (pūrṇaścandrodayākāṅkṣī dṛṣṭānto'tra mahārṇavaḥ) Śiśupālavadha 2.31; साध्यसाधर्म्यात् तद्धर्मभावो दृष्टान्त उदाहरणम् (sādhyasādharmyāt taddharmabhāvo dṛṣṭānta udāharaṇam) Gautamasutra.
2) (in Rhet.) a figure of speech in which an assertion or statement is illustrated by an example (distinguished from upamā and prativastūpamā; see K. P.1 and R. G. ad. loc.).
3) a Śāstra or science; शोभार्थं विहितास्तत्र न तु दृष्टान्तः कृताः (śobhārthaṃ vihitāstatra na tu dṛṣṭāntaḥ kṛtāḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 2.3.13.
4) death (cf. diṣṭānta).
Derivable forms: dṛṣṭāntaḥ (दृष्टान्तः), dṛṣṭāntam (दृष्टान्तम्).
Dṛṣṭānta is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms dṛṣṭa and anta (अन्त).
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त).—m., a high number: Mahāvyutpatti 7870 (cited from Gaṇḍavyūha); Gaṇḍavyūha 133.13 (text corruptly dṛṣṭvānta).
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त).—m.
(-ntaḥ) 1. A science, a Sastra. 2. An example, an illustration. 3. Death, dying. E. dṛṣṭa obvious or seen, and anta end.
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त).—m. (n. [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 109, 37 Gorr.) 1. a prototype, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 5298. 2. an example, [Hitopadeśa] ii, [distich] 97. 3. comparison,
Dṛṣṭānta is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms dṛṣṭa and anta (अन्त).
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त).—[adjective] serving for an example or standard; [masculine] example, standard, precedent.
1) Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):—[from dṛṣṭa > dṛś] m. (n. only, [Rāmāyaṇa ii, 109, 37]) ‘the end or aim of what is seen’, example, paragon, standard, allegory, type, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] instance, exemplification ([rhetoric])
3) [v.s. ...] a Śāstra, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] a [particular] high number, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] death, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf. diṣṭ)
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):—(ntaḥ) 1. m. A science; an example, a fable or parable.
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):—(dṛṣṭa + anta) m.
1) Muster, Musterbild, Gleichniss, Beispiel (der Gipfel des Gesehenen oder was sich vor allem Andern dem Auge als sein Ziel, Object, darstellt) [Amarakoṣa 3, 4, 19, 65.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 268.] [Medinīkoṣa t. 115.] dṛṣṭāntastu sadharmasya vastunaḥ pratibimbanam [Sāhityadarpana 698.] yatra yūpā maṇimayāścaityāścāpi hiraṇmayāḥ . śobhārthaṃ vihitāstatra na tu dṛṣṭāntataḥ kṛtāḥ .. so v. a. nicht etwa als einzelne Prachtstücke [Mahābhārata 2, 70.] vaiṣamyādatha vā lobhātkāmādvāpi paraṃtapa . brāhmaṇasya bhavecchūdrā (bhāryā) na tu dṛṣṭāntataḥ smṛtā .. nicht um ein Beispiel daran zu nehmen [13, 2506. 2547.] nātmā śakyate hantuṃ (im Sohne) dṛṣṭāntopagato hyasau [2629.] lokadṛṣṭāntakovida [Harivaṃśa 5298.] dṛṣṭāntaṃ (neutr.!) jīvitaṃ yeṣāṃ kaccitte te surakṣitāḥ [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 2, 109, 37.] śakuniḥ śakaṭāraśca dṛṣṭāntāvatra bhūṣateḥ [Hitopadeśa II, 97.] kathamiveti dṛṣṭānta ucyate [] zu [Bṛhadāranyakopaniṣad Pāṇini’s acht Bücher 88. 319.] [Suśruta 1, 149, 11.] [Kapila 1, 37.] [TARKASAM̃GR. 38. 41.] [Madhusūdanasarasvatī’s Prasthānabheda] in [Weber’s Indische Studien 1, 18, 5 v. u.] [KUVALAY. 51],b. śataka [HAEB. Anthol. 217 - 226.] —
2) Lehrbuch (śāstra) [Amarakoṣa] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] —
3) eine best. grosse Zahl [Vyutpatti oder Mahāvyutpatti 182.] —
4) Tod (vgl. diṣṭānta) [Medinīkoṣa]
--- OR ---
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):—
1) Beispiel, Exemplification: dṛṣṭānto yastu pakṣārthasādhanāya nidarśanam [Sāhityadarpana 441. 434.] dṛṣṭāntastu sadharmasya vastunaḥ pratibimbanam [698.] [PRATĀPAR. 93,b.]
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):——
1) Adj. als Muster dienend , maassgebend [R.GORR.2,109,37.] Am Anf. eines Comp. als Adv. [Mahābhārata 13,49,17] ( = pratyakṣam [Nīlakaṇṭha]). —
2) m. — a) Muster , Praecedens , Beispiel , Exemplification [Kāvyaprakāśa 10,16.] na tu dṛṣṭāntataḥ nicht aber in Folge eines Praecedens und auch nicht aber als Praecedens. [Harivaṃśa 5298.] wohl fehlerhaft für vṛttānta , wie die neuere Ausgabe liest. — b) *Lehrbuch. — c) *Tod. — d) *eine best. grosse Zahl.
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Diṭṭhaṃta.
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
Dṛṣṭāṃta (दृष्टांत) [Also spelled drashtant]:—(nm) an instance; illustration (a figure of speech); precedent; —[kathā] a parable.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Dṛṣṭāṃta (ದೃಷ್ಟಾಂತ):—
1) [noun] that which is physically seen.
2) [noun] something selected to show the nature or character of another; an example; an illustration.
3) [noun] an obvious mark or symbol.
4) [noun] the cessation of life; a dying; death.
5) [noun] (rhet.) the fact of two sentences or expressions being similar or comparable in almost all respects as in meaning, sense, purport, significance, etc.
6) [noun] (logic.) similarity in some respets between things which are basically different; an analogy.
7) [noun] (dial.) a clue got in one’s dream, for a future event.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Dṛṣṭānta (दृष्टान्त):—n. 1. an example; illustration; parable; 2. Rhet. a figure of speech in which an assertion or statement is illustrated by an example;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Drishta, Anta.
Starts with: Drishtamtalamkara, Drishtantabhasa, Drishtantaka, Drishtantakalika, Drishtantara, Drishtantashataka, Drishtantatas, Drishtantavat, Drishtantay, Drishtantaya.
Full-text (+56): Drishtantakalika, Pratidrishtanta, Drishtantatas, Drishtantashataka, Drishtantavat, Grihakokiladrishtanta, Sadharmyadrishtanta, Vaidharmyadrishtantahetu, Darshtanta, Vaidharmyadrishtanta, Pi-yu, Hetudrishtanta, Darshtantika, Dharanendradrishtanta, Cilatiputradrishtanta, Candarudrashishyadrishtanta, Mammanadrishtanta, Ilatiputradrishtanta, Nalarajadrishtanta, Cillanadrishtanta.
Relevant text
Search found 98 books and stories containing Drishtanta, Drishta-anta, Drishtamta, Dṛṣṭa-anta, Drsta-anta, Drstamta, Dṛṣṭāṃta, Dṛṣṭānta, Drstanta; (plurals include: Drishtantas, antas, Drishtamtas, Drstamtas, Dṛṣṭāṃtas, Dṛṣṭāntas, Drstantas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Reverberations of Dharmakirti’s Philosophy (by Birgit Kellner)
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 75 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 2]
Page 721 < [Hindi-Malayalam-English Volume 2]
Page 528 < [Malayalam-English-Kannada (1 volume)]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.92 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 10.94 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 10.90 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
A critical study of Ānandajñāna’s Tarkasaṅgraha (by Satyan Sharma)
Part 2.12 - The refutation of Pañcāvayava-vākya < [Chapter 3 - Refutations in the Dvitīya Pariccheda]
Part 8.4 - Tools of refutation used in Tarkasaṅgraha < [Chapter 1 - Overview of Darśana and Ānandajñāna's Tarkasaṅgraha]
Part 2.11 - The refutation of Buddhi < [Chapter 3 - Refutations in the Dvitīya Pariccheda]
Alamkaras mentioned by Vamana (by Pratim Bhattacharya)
19: Definition of Nidarśanā Alaṃkāra < [Chapter 4 - Arthālaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]
1-2: The number of Alaṃkāras (poetic figures) mentioned < [Chapter 5 - A Comparative study of the different alaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]
20: Definition of Arthāntaranyāsa Alaṃkāra < [Chapter 4 - Arthālaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]
Related products
