Ganika, aka: Gaṇika, Gaṇikā; 12 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ganika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Gaṇikā (गणिका) is a Sanskrit word referring to “prostitute”. The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (also see the Manubhāṣya verse 4.209)

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)

Gaṇika (गणिक).—Courtesans.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 27. 14 and 41: 49. 23.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Gaṇikā (गणिका) is the name of a tree found in maṇidvīpa (Śakti’s abode), according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 12.10. Accordingly, these trees always bear flowers, fruits and new leaves, and the sweet fragrance of their scent is spread across all the quarters in this place. The trees (eg. Gaṇikā) attract bees and birds of various species and rivers are seen flowing through their forests carrying many juicy liquids. Maṇidvīpa is defined as the home of Devī, built according to her will. It is compared with Sarvaloka, as it is superior to all other lokas.

The Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa, or Śrīmad-devī-bhāgavatam, is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature containing cultural information on ancient India, religious/spiritual prescriptions and a range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The whole text is composed of 18,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 6th century.

context information

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Gaṇikā (गणिका, “courtezan”) refers to a character of a theatrical part according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 35. Accordingly, “a woman who is always engaged in attending the teacher (ācārya) in connection with application of various arts and crafts, and is endowed with amorous movements, Emotion (hāva) and Feeling (bhāva), Temperament (sattva), discipline, sweetness of manners, and is conversant with the sixty-four arts and crafts (kalā), is expert in dealing with the king, and free from female diseases, and has sweet and endearing words, is clear in her speech, clever and undaunted by fatigue is called a courtezan (gaṇikā)”.

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).

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

gaṇika : (adj.) having a following. || gaṇikā (f.), harlot; courtesan.

1) Gaṇikā, ² (f.)=gaṇanā, arithmetic Miln.3. (Page 241)

2) Gaṇikā, ¹ (f.) “one who belongs to the crowd, ” a harlot, a courtesan (cp. gaṇakī) Vin.I, 231 (Ambapālī) 268, (do.); II, 277 (Aḍḍhakāsī); Ud.71; Miln.122; DhA.III, 104; VvA.75 (Sirimā); PvA.195, 199.—Customs of a gaṇikā J.IV, 249; V, 134.—Cp. saṃ°. (Page 241)

context information

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

gaṇikā (गणिका).—f S A courtesan or harlot.

--- OR ---

gaṇīka (गणीक).—prep By, to &c. each severally, per. Ex. vṛkṣāgaṇīka, khiḍakīgaṇīka, gṛhāgaṇīka, khēpēgaṇīka.

--- OR ---

gaṇīka (गणीक).—m Misused for gaṇaka. An astrologer &c.

gaṇikā (गणिका).—f A courtesan or harlot.

--- OR ---

gaṇīka (गणीक) [-ta, -त].—prep By, to, &c., each severally, per.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Gaṇikā (गणिका).—[gaṇaḥ samūho'styasyāḥ bhartṛtvena gaṇ-ṭhañ]

1) A harlot, courtezan; गुणानुरक्ता गणिका च यस्य वसन्तशोभेव वसन्तसेना (guṇānuraktā gaṇikā ca yasya vasantaśobheva vasantasenā) Mk.1.6; गणिका नाम पादुकान्तरप्रविष्टेव लेष्टुका दुःखेन पुनर्निरा- क्रियते (gaṇikā nāma pādukāntarapraviṣṭeva leṣṭukā duḥkhena punarnirā- kriyate) Mk.5; निरकाशयद्रविमपेतवसुं वियदालयादपरदिग्गाणिका (nirakāśayadravimapetavasuṃ viyadālayādaparadiggāṇikā) Śi. 9.1.

2) A female elephant; कच्चिन्न गणिकाश्वानां कुञ्जराणां च तृप्यसि (kaccinna gaṇikāśvānāṃ kuñjarāṇāṃ ca tṛpyasi) Rām.2.1.5.

3) A kind of flower.

4) A kind of jasmine.

Gaṇikā (गणिका).—f.

(-kā) 1. A courtezan, a harlot. 2. A sort of Jasmin. (J. auriculatum.) 3. A tree, commonly Ganiyari, (Premnaspinosa.) 4. A female elephant. 5. Counting, enumerating. E. gaṇa to reckon, &c. ṇvul aff.

Relevant definitions

Search found 22 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:

Relevant text