Ghata, aka: Ghaṭa, Ghāṭa, Ghāta; 15 Definition(s)

Introduction

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

Vastushastra (architecture)

Ghaṭa (घट).—Part of the standard pilaster;—This is the head of the column, the capital. Held by the neck and shoulders of the pillar (tātī and laśuna), and at first a rounded, swollen member, the ghaṭa is unmistakably a head. It is at the centre-line, or eye-level of the ghaṭa, that the visual forces of a pillar form find equilibrium. From here the predominant flow of the mouldings diverges. Maṇḍi and potikā strain upwards to meet the descending weight, and it will be seen that mainly the lower parts fall, hang or sweep downwards.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Ghaṭa (घट, “vase”) refers to a cushion-like captial in pillars and pilasters.

context information

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Ghāta (घात).—Blemishes (ghāta) in the production of a play are of three kinds;

1. that coming from gods (daiva),
2. from the actors themselves (ātman),
3. and from an enemy (para).

Sometimes a fourth variety of it is what comes up due a portentous calamity. Blemishes resulting from portents (autpātika) are those due to earthquake, storm, the falling of meteors and the like.

An expert in dramatic production should record blemishes (ghāta) as “mixed” (miśra), “total” (sarvagata) and “partial” (ekadeśaja), but should not record merely success (siddhi) or blemishes without any detailed information about these. Blemishes which may be accidental (lit. caused by the gods, daiva), the portents or the enemy are not to be recorded by the wise observers. But the blemishes relating to the play as well as the blemishes arising from the actors themselves (ātman) should be recorded.

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).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Ghāta (घात).—Product; multiplication. Note: Ghāta is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1) Ghaṭa (घट).—An urban area in ancient India. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 63). (See full article at Story of Ghaṭa from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

2) Ghaṭa (घट).—A notorious thief. He had a friend called Karpara. They were jointly known as Ghāṭakarparas. Once both the friends went to commit theft. Leaving Ghaṭa at the door-steps Karpara entered the chamber of the princess who after enjoying sexual pleasures with him gave him some money asking him to repeat such visits in future. Karpara told Ghaṭa all that had happened and handed over to him the money which the princess had given him. Karpara went again to the princess. But, owing to the weariness caused by the night’s enjoyment both the princess and he slept till late in the morning. Meantime the palace guards found out the secret and took the lovers into custody. Karpara was sentenced to death and led out to be hanged. Ghaṭa was present on the spot and Karpara asked him secretly to save the princess. Accordingly Ghaṭa, without anybody knowing about it, took the princess over to his house.

2) The King ordered enquiries about the absence of the princess. Under the natural presumption that some relation or other of Karpara alone might have carried away his daughter the King ordered the guards of Karpara’s corpse to arrest anybody who approached the corpse and expressed grief. Ghaṭa came to know of this secret order of the King. Next day evening Ghaṭa posing himself as a drunkard and with a servant disguised as* a woman walking in front and with another servant carrying rice mixed with dhatūrā (a poisonous fruit) following him came to the guards keeping watch over Karpara’s body. Ghaṭa gave the poisoned rice to the guards who after eating it swooned under the effect. Ghaṭa used the opportunity to burn the corpse of Karpara there itself. After that Ghaṭa disappeared.

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.

Katha (narrative stories)

Ghaṭa (घट) is the name of a thief (caura), according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 64. Accordingly, “... there were in a certain city two thieves, named Ghaṭa and Karpara. One night Karpara left Ghaṭa outside the palace, and breaking through the wall, entered the bed-chamber of the princess...”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Ghaṭa, 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.

context information

Katha (कथा, kathā) refers to narrative Sanskrit literature often inspired from epic legendry (itihasa) and poetry (mahākāvya). Some Kathas reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of important historical event and exploits of the Gods, Heroes and Sages.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

1. Ghata (also called Ghatakumara). The Bodhisatta, born as the king of Benares. One of his ministers misconducted himself in the royal harem and the king, catching him in the act, banished him. The minister took service with Vanka, king of Savatthi, and persuaded him to attack Benares. Ghata was captured and thrown into prison, where he entered into ecstatic meditation. But Vanka was seized by a burning sensation, and he ordered the release of Ghata and the restoration of his kingdom. J.iii.168f; cf. Ekaraja.

2. Ghata (also called Ghatapandita) - The Bodhisatta, born as the ninth of the ten Andhakavenhudasaputta. When a son of his brother, Vasudeva, died, Vasudeva lamented beyond all measure, and Ghata, wishing to cure him, feigned madness and went about Dvaravati asking for the hare in the moon. When Vasudeva heard of this from his courtier Rohineyya, he hastened to Ghata and argued with him about the ridiculousness of his quest. The plan succeeded and Vasudeva was cured of his grief. J.iv.81, 84ff; Pv.ii.6; PvA.93f.

India history and geogprahy

Ghāṭa.—(EI 21), name of a tax. Cf. ghatṭa. Note: ghāṭa is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

ghata : (nt.) ghee; clarified butter. || ghaṭa (m.), a water-pot. ghaṭā (f.), a cluster; a swarm; a crowd. ghāta (m.), killing; slaughter; destruction; robbery; brigandage.

Ghāta, (usually —°) (Sk. ghāta & ghātana; to han (ghan), strike, kill; see etym. under ghana² & hanti) killing, murdering; slaughter, destruction, robbery D.I, 135 (gāma°, etc. village robbery); setu° the pulling down of a bridge (fig.) Vin.I, 59, etc. (see setu); pantha° highway robbery, brigandage, “waylaying” J.I, 253. ‹-› Th.2, 474, 493 (=samugghāta Com.); Sn.246 (ina°); VvA.72 (pāṇa°+pāṇa-vadha & °atipāta). Cp. next & vi°; saṃ°. (Page 257)

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1) Ghaṭa, ² (m. & f.) (Sk. ghaṭā; conn. with ganthati to bind together) multitude, heap, crowd, dense mass, i.e. thicket, cluster. itthi° a crowd of women J.IV, 316; maccha° a swarm of fish J.II, 227; vana° dense forest J.II, 385; IV, 56; V, 502; VI, 11, 519, 564; brahma° company of brahmins J.VI, 99. (Page 256)

2) Ghaṭa, ¹ (Non-Aryan?) a hollow vessel, a bowl, vase, pitcher. Used for holding water, as well as for other purposes, which are given under pānīya° paribhojana° vacca° at Vin.I, 157=352=M.I, 207. In the Vinaya freq. comb^d with kolamba, also a deep vessel: I.209, 213, 225, 286.—As water-pitcher: J.I, 52, 93 (puṇṇa°), 166; VvA.118, 207, 244 (°satena nhāto viya); PvA.66 (udaka°), 179 (pānīya°), 282.—In general: S.IV, 196. For holding a light (in formula antoghaṭe padīpo viya upanissayo pajjalati) J.I, 235 (cp. kuṭa), PvA.38. Used as a drum J.VI, 277 (=kumbhathūna); as bhadda° Sdhp.319, 329.

— or —

Ghata, (nt.) (Vedic ghṛta, ghṛ to sprinkle, moisten) clarified butter VvA.326; Miln.41; Sdhp.201 (-bindu). With ref. to the sacrificial fire (fire as eating ghee, or being sprinkled w. ghee) ghatāsana; J.I, 472; V, 64, 446; Pv.I, 8⁵ (ghatasitta). (Page 256)

— or —

Ghāṭa, see saṃ°; ghāṭana see ghaṭati. (Page 257)

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

ghaṭa (घट).—m (S) A vessel gen. (earthen or metal), esp. for holding water. 2 The universe, the body &c. considered as the work of the Deity; a creature, any created thing. Ex. tēṃ vistārilēṃ sarva ghaṭīṃ ||. 3 A vessel filled with water. Used in the ceremonies of navarātra. 4 f Loss or decrease (as by wastage, dryage, leakage, spillage). ghaṭīṃ basaṇēṃ To rest on the ghaṭa or pot--the divinity, in the ceremonies of navarātra. 2 Hence To be fixed to the house; to be obliged to stay at home. 3 In covert phraseology. To be under menstruation--a woman.

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ghaṭa (घट).—a Commonly ghaṭṭa.

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ghaṭā (घटा).—m Callous skin, a callosity. 2 C A small and young pumpion or melon. 3 C A pod of the gram-plant or Cicer arietinum. 4 ( H) A mass of clouds. 5 f P Form, fashion, make.

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ghāṭa (घाट) [or घांट, ghāṇṭa].—f (ghāṭa S) f The throat, esp. the upper part or larynx; and often the prominence of this, or Adam's apple. Pr. gēlēṃ ghāṇṭīṃ jhālēṃ mātī Used to signify the transiency of pleasures of the palate, or the worthlessness of things generally after a brief enjoyment or use. 2 Used in certain constructions for the voice, as in ghāṇṭīṃ phuṭaṇēṃ To become voice-cracked (on attaining puberty). Ex. ghāṇṭīṃ phuṭalā badasūra jhālā. Also To become hoarse or husky (with reference to power of modulating the voice): to have the singing voice impaired. ghāṇṭīṃ śēndūra ōtaṇēṃ To cause one to swallow minium (by mixing it with his food or drink). This is often done to a vocalist to destroy his voice.

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ghāṭa (घाट).—m (ghaṭṭa S) A mountainous range dividing countries. 2 The Sayhadri range in particular. 3 A pass or difficult passage over a hill. 4 A quay, wharf, stairs, landing-place (on banks of rivers or tanks). Hence applied by washermen, tanners, dyers, Brahmans &c. to their respective places of resort. 5 The country eastward of the Sayhadri range. Ex. sālamajakurīṃ ghāṭa cāṅgalā pikalā. ghāṭānta aḍaviṇēṃ-dharaṇēṃ-māraṇēṃ (As thieves assault at a ghāṭa or narrow passage.) To take advantage of one's extremity or hard necessity.

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ghāṭa (घाट).—m (ghaḍaṇēṃ) Form, figure, fashion, shape (of a pot &c.) Hence 2 fig. Form, semblance, external appearance (of a plot, project, undertaking). Ex. tyā masalatīcā ghāṭa kasā disatō. 3 The show, signs, demonstrations, indications (of a design &c.) Ex. tumhī khārī kāḍhāyācā ghāṭa ghālā mhaṇajē tō khaṇḍaṇī kabūla karīla.

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ghāṭa (घाट).—f (ghāṭaṇēṃ) Gram or pulse stirabout. 2 Boiled flour (of corn gen.) in preparation for certain sweetmeats. 3 A blight attacking gram. The pods do not fill. v paḍa.

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ghāṭā (घाटा) [or घांटा, ghāṇṭā].—m A pod of gram or of masūra.

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ghāṭā (घाटा).—m (ghāṭaṇēṃ) A stick with a cloth at the end. Used to stir about grain &c. under parching. 2 A stirabout or mash of boiled bājarī, uḍīda, mūga &c. (for cows or cattle): also husked and boiled bājarī or jōndhaḷā gen.

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ghāta (घात).—m (S) Killing or striking: also a stroke or blow. 2 fig. Destruction or smash (of a business or work): ruining, foiling, confounding (of a person, counsel, scheme). Compounds at pleasure; as ātmaghāta, pakṣaghāta, prāṇaghāta, sarvasvaghāta, śastraghāta: also another class of compounds, as ghāta- karaṇa, ghātayōga, ghātavēlā or -vēḷa and others following in order; signifying An inauspicious karaṇa, yōga; or vēḷa. 3 Amount of a multiplication, product: also multiplication or multiplying; but popularly, multiplication of a quantity into itself, i. e. involution: also a power of a number.

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ghāta (घात).—f The proper time or period (of a work or an action): season, period of abundance (as of the products of the earth). Ex. pēraṇyācī ghāta Seedtime; kāpaṇyācī ghāta Harvest time; āmbyācī ghāta; usācī ghāta; lagnācī ghāta. ghāta ghēṇēṃ To mar, blast, ruin (a person, work, project, at some critical juncture); to rob one (through disappointing &c.) of one's opportunity; or to carry off (away from) an opportunity. Ex. pēraṇīcī or kāpaṇīcī ghāta pāvasānēṃ nēlī. ghātīcē divasa Sunshiny days; harvest time; the season of opportunity, power, enjoyment.

ghaṭa (घट).—m A vessel for holding water. f Loss. ghaṭī basaṇēṃ Be fixed to the house; be under menstruation.

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ghaṭā (घटा).—m Callous skin, a callosity.

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ghāṭa (घाट).—or ghāṇṭa f The throat, esp. the upper part of larynx. ghāṭī phuṭaṇēṃ To become voice–cracked (on attaining puberty). nārō śaṅkarī ghāṭa A bell. Fig. A plop. A woman or man talking in a very loud voice.

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ghāṭa (घाट).—m A mountainous range dividing countries. A pass or difficult passage over a hill. A quay, wharf, stairs, landing-place. ghāṭānta aḍaviṇēṃ-dharaṇēṃ-māraṇēṃ (As thieves assault at a ghāṭa or narrow passage). To take advantage of one's extremity or hard necessity.

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ghāṭa (घाट).—m Form, figure, fashion. Form, sem- blance, external appearance.

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ghāṭā (घाटा) [or ghāṇṭā, or घांटा].—m A pod of gram or of masūra.

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ghāṭā (घाटा).—m A stick with a cloth at the end. A stir-about or mash of boiled bājarī.

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ghāta (घात).—m Killing or striking. Destruction or smash (of a business or work). Amount of multiplication, product, involution; a power of a number.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ghaṭa (घट).—[ghaṭa-ac]

1) A large earthen water-jar, pitcher, jar, watering-pot; आकाशमेकं हि यथा घटादिषु पृथग्भवेत् (ākāśamekaṃ hi yathā ghaṭādiṣu pṛthagbhavet) Y. 3.144; कूपे पश्य पयोनिधावपि घटो गृह्णाति तुल्यं जलम् (kūpe paśya payonidhāvapi ghaṭo gṛhṇāti tulyaṃ jalam) Bh.2.49.

2) The sign Aquarius of the zodiac (also called kumbha).

3) An elephant's frontal sinus.

4) Suspending the breath as a religious exercise.

5) A measure equal to 2 droṇas.

6) A part of a column; स्तम्भं विभज्य नवधा वहनं भागो घटोऽस्य भागोऽन्यः (stambhaṃ vibhajya navadhā vahanaṃ bhāgo ghaṭo'sya bhāgo'nyaḥ) Bṛ. S.53.29.

7) A border.

8) A peculiar form of a temple; Bṛ. S.56.18,26.

9) The head; 'घटः समाधिभेदे ना शिरः कूटकटेषु च (ghaṭaḥ samādhibhede nā śiraḥ kūṭakaṭeṣu ca)' Medinī; Mb.1.155.38.

Derivable forms: ghaṭaḥ (घटः).

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Ghaṭā (घटा).—[ghaṭ bhāve aṅ]

1) An endeavour, effort, exertion.

2) A number, troop, assemblage; प्रलयघनघटा (pralayaghanaghaṭā) K.111; कौशिकघटा (kauśikaghaṭā) U.2.29;5.6; Māl.5.19; Bhāg.3.17.6.

3) A troop of elephants assembled for martial purposes; मातङ्गघटा (mātaṅgaghaṭā) Śi.1.64.

4) An assembly.

5) A plate of iron or mixed metal struck as a clock.

6) लम्बिनी (lambinī), one of the Mātṛs attending on Skanda;' स्त्रियां तु घण्टा- लम्बिन्योः (striyāṃ tu ghaṇṭā- lambinyoḥ) Nm.

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Ghāṭa (घाट) or Ghāṭā (घाटा).—[ghaṭ-ac] The back of the neck.

-ṭaḥ 1 A pitcher.

2) A landing place.

Derivable forms: ghāṭaḥ (घाटः).

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Ghāta (घात).—[han-ṇic ghañ]

1) A blow, stroke, bruise, hit; ज्याघात (jyāghāta) Ś.3.13; नयनशरघात (nayanaśaraghāta) Gīt.1; so पार्ष्णिघातः शिरोघात (pārṣṇighātaḥ śiroghāta) &c.

2) Killing, hurting, destruction, slaughter, deathsentence; वियोगो मुग्धाक्ष्याः स खलु रिपुघातावधिरभूत् (viyogo mugdhākṣyāḥ sa khalu ripughātāvadhirabhūt) U.3.44; पशुघातः (paśughātaḥ) Gīt.1; Y.2.159;3.252. तत्र रत्नोपभोगे घातः (tatra ratnopabhoge ghātaḥ) Kau. A.2.8.

3) An arrow.

4) Power.

5) The product of a sum in multiplication.

6) Whipping; कोशाधि- ष्ठितस्य कोशावच्छेदे घातः (kośādhi- ṣṭhitasya kośāvacchede ghātaḥ) Kau. A.2.5.

7) (in Astr.) Entrance. (In comp. translated by 'inauspicious'; °divasaḥ)

Derivable forms: ghātaḥ (घातः).

Ghaṭa (घट).—m.

(-ṭaḥ) 1. A large earthen water jar. 2. The sign Aquarius. 3. A measure; see kumbha. 4. An elephant’s frontal sinus. 5. Suspending the breath as a religious exercise. 6. A man who makes effort or exertion. f.

(-ṭā) 1. A troop of elephants assembled for martial purposes. 2. Effort, endeavour. 3. An assembly. 4. A number, a collection, an assemblage. f. (-ṭī) 1. The Ghari or Indian clock, a plate of iron or mixed metal on which the hours are struck. 2. A small water jar, a ewer. E. ghaṭ to endeavour, &c. affix ac or aṅ and fem. affix ṭāp or ṅīp.

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Ghāṭa (घाट).—mf. (-ṭaḥ-ṭī) The nape or back of the neck. E. ghaṭ to unite, affix ac; the radical is of the 10th class of roots, whence the penultimate is long. grīvayoḥ paścādbhāge avaṭau (ghāḍ) .

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Ghāta (घात).—n.

(-taṃ) 1. Striking, wounding, killing. 2. A bruise, a blow. 3. An arrow. 4. Product (of a sum in multiplication.) E. hana to to kill, ghañ affix, and the radical letters changed respectively, to gha and ta.

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