Gayashira, Gayaśira, Gayāśira: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Gayashira 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 terms Gayaśira and Gayāśira can be transliterated into English as Gayasira or Gayashira, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1) Gayaśira (गयशिर).—Sacred to Hari.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VII. 14. 30.
2) Gayāśira (गयाशिर).—One krośa in extent;1 Śrāddha there lifts 100 generations.2
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and placesGayaśira (गयशिर) refers to the name of a Spot mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.85.8). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Gayaśira) 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.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Wisdom Library: KathāsaritsāgaraGayaśira (गयशिर) or Gayaśiras, is the name of a sacred hill, as mentioned in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 93. Accordingly, “... and so he crossed the forest districts and reached the sacred hill of Gayā (Gayāśira or Gayaśira). And there he duly performed a śrāddha, in which he bestowed many gifts on Brāhmans, and then he entered the Holy Wood (Dharmāranya). And while he was offering the sacrificial cake to his father in the well of Gayā there rose out of it three human hands to take the cake.”.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Gayaśira, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Gayashiras.
Full-text: Gayashiras, Gayashirsha, Gayashikhara, Gayatirtha, Dharmaranya.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Gayashira, Gayaśira, Gayāśira, Gayasira; (plurals include: Gayashiras, Gayaśiras, Gayāśiras, Gayasiras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Chapter 115 - Mode of making a pilgrimage to Gayā (yātrā)
Chapter 116 - Mode of making a pilgrimage to Gayā (continued)
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 17 - Vidūratha Goes Ahunting < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Chapter 55 - Kāśīrāja Attains Mokṣa < [Section 3 - Revā-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 19 - Greatness of Pitṛkūpikā Tīrtha < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Rig Veda 1.22.17 < [Sukta 22]
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section LXXXVII < [Tirtha-yatra Parva]
Section XCV < [Tirtha-yatra Parva]
Section CII < [Anusasanika Parva]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)