Fish: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Fish means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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.
Images (photo gallery)
(+29 more images available)
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)The Fish is denoted by the Sanskrit term Matsya, whereas Matsyāvatāra refers to one the Daśāvatāra (“ten incarnations”) (of Lord Viṣṇu) to which are assign various hand gestures (in Indian Dramas), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The word matsyāvatāra stands for the incarnation of fish of lord Viṣṇu. So, it is an authentic reason to create a shape of fish with hands to show this āvatāra. According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the ardhacandra-hasta indicates the matsya-avatāra. Point to be noted here is that, only the single hand in ardhacandra does not look like a fish and it does not justify the name of this hasta.
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).
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)Fish in a painting follow specific guidelines in the ancient Indian tradition of Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, a picture having water or so to say showing water sources should be drawn with numerous fishes, tortoises and aquatic animals. [...] Thus, the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa addresses various elements of nature, such as fish, since painting has much connection with time, mood and activity.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)Fish were commonly depicted on the Saṃsāracakra paintings (representing scenes of human life), in ancient India, as mentioned in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of a printed scroll illustrating the Jaina conception of saṃsāracakra. [...] The saṃsāra-cakra illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods. [For example:] A man entering the sea to save some drowning relation; a man stealing others' money; a fisherman catching a haul of fish with his net.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Fish belly, Fish catching coral tree, Fish eyes, Fish poison, Fish poison tree, Fish scale, Fish-berry, Fish-bone cassia, Fish-fuddle tree, Fish-killer tree, Fish-poison bean, Fishbone fern, Fisherman, Fishfuddle, Fishing rod, Fishtail palm, Fishwort.
Ends with: Dwarfish, Fish belly, Golden Fishes, Salt fish.
Full-text (+1898): Matsya, Pathina, Rohita, Shakula, Timi, Rajiva, Mina, Maccha, Jhasha, Gargara, Shakalin, Matsyada, Shaphara, Sashalka, Matsyavatara, Matsyadhani, Laghugarga, Madarmada, Citravadala, Ambhasika.
Relevant text
Search found 280 books and stories containing Fish; (plurals include: Fishes). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3 (by Henry Parker)
Story 64 - The Heron And The Crab < [Part II (c) - Stories of the Durayas]
Story 53 - The Pots Of Oil < [Part II (b) - Stories of the Tom-tom Beaters]
Story 7 - The Turtle Dove < [Part I - Stories told by the Cultivating Caste and Vaeddas]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CXXXVII < [Apaddharmanusasana Parva]
Section L < [Anusasanika Parva]
Section LI < [Anusasanika Parva]
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Fauna (7): Aquatic Animals < [Chapter 5 - Aspects of Nature]
Fauna (12): Synonyms added by Kṣīrasvāmin < [Chapter 5 - Aspects of Nature]
Economics (3): Goods of trade < [Chapter 3 - Social Aspects]
The Gospel of Buddha (by Paul Carus)
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 114: Mitacinti-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
Jataka 75: Maccha-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
Jataka 288: Macch-Uddāna-jātaka < [Book III - Tika-Nipāta]
Folklore of the Santal Parganas
Chapter XVIII - The Laughing Fish < [Part I]
Chapter LXIX - Dukhu and His Bonga Wife < [Part I]
Chapter 15 - The Sons of the Raban Rājā < [Appendix]
Related products
(+14 more products available)