Ekamasha, Ekamāṣa, Ekamāsa, Eka-masha: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Ekamasha 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 Ekamāṣa can be transliterated into English as Ekamasa or Ekamasha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Ekamāṣa (एकमाष) [=Māṣaika?] refers to a measure “made of one māṣa”, according to the Ghaṭikāyantraghaṭanāvidhi, an unpublished manuscript describing the ritual connected with the setting up of the water clock and its invocation.—Accordingly, “Salutation to Śrī Gaṇeśa. Now the method of setting up the water clock. A pure vessel, made of copper of ten palas in weight, of the shape of a hemisphere, measuring six aṅgulas from the bottom to the top, evenly dense, in width twelve aṅgulas; pierced by a golden needle, made of one māṣa [i.e., māṣaika] increased by three (tripacayā?). After measuring with that vessel, if it sinks sixty times (or, if it is filled in sixty palas of time), then it is a [proper] water clock”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Ekamāsa (एकमास) refers to “one month”, as quoted by Hṛdayaśiva in his Prāyaścittasamuccaya (verse 10.27-35).—Accordingly, “[...] Dressed in white, with a white turban and a white sacred thread and white unguents and garland, he should perform the observance for the vidyādhipa-mantra. Dressed in red garments and red garlands and unguents the Mantrin should first perform for one month (ekamāsa—māsam ekam) the stated observance for the brahmaśiras. [...]”.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Ekamashaka.
Full-text: Ekamasa Ekahada, Mashaika.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Ekamasha, Eka-māṣa, Eka-masa, Eka-māsa, Eka-masha, Ekamāṣa, Ekamāsa, Ekamasa; (plurals include: Ekamashas, māṣas, masas, māsas, mashas, Ekamāṣas, Ekamāsas, Ekamasas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 3.5.391 < [Chapter 5 - The Pastimes of Nityānanda]
Verse 2.14.12 < [Chapter 14 - Yamarāja’s Saṅkīrtana]