Gunakirtana, Guṇakīrtana, Guna-kirtana: 8 definitions

Introduction:

Gunakirtana 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.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

1) Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन, “extolling virtues”) refers to one of the thirty-six “characteristic features” (lakṣaṇa) of perfect ‘poetic compositions’ (kāvyabandha) and ‘dramatic compositions’ (dṛśyakāvya, or simply kāvya). According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 17, these thirty-six lakṣaṇas act as instructions for composing playwrights. The term is used throughout nāṭyaśāstra literature.

2) Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन) refers to “enumeration of the beloved one’s merits” and represents the third of the ten stages of love (kāma) arising in a woman (strī) and men (puṃs) alike, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 24.

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

1) Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन, “enumeration of merits”).—One of the thirty-six lakṣaṇa, or “excellent points of a dramatic composition”;—Description of guṇakīrtana: When merits of men who excel others in qualities in this world, are ascribed to one single person, it is an instance of Enumeration of Merits (guṇa-kīrtana).

2) Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन).—One of the ten stages of love (kāma);—To express by means of sportful movement of limbs, smiles and glance and other efforts the idea that ‘there is no one else like him’, is called enumeration of the beloved one’s merits (guṇakīrtana). Representation of love in the fourth stage (i.e. should he made by horripilation at the enumeration of merits of the beloved and wiping off tears, and sweats, and by constant confidential talk to the female Messenger.

Natyashastra book cover
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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).

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Gunakirtana in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन) refers to a “one who praises the good qualities (of people)”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, while describing the signs of one who is a Siddha: “[...] (Such a man) does not feel fear (even if) there is terrible cold or heat outside or he suffers a bad accident. He is very intelligent and his accomplishment is close at hand. He is not greedy or sick and is forbearing. (His) urine is good and sweet smelling and (he passes) little stool. (He possesses) a serene beauty and the first sign of success in Yoga (that he displays) is its fine profundity. [??] and (instead of criticizing, he) praises the good qualities (of people) [i.e., guṇakīrtana] when they are out of sight”.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Gunakirtana in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन) refers to “songs of praise”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.5 (“Kārttikeya is crowned”).—Accordingly, after the Kṛttikās spoke to Kārttikeya: “[...] Kumāra reached the foot of a Nyagrodha tree at Kailāsa in the fast chariot along with Nandin seated to his right. [...] Vīrabhadra and other Gaṇas followed them with different chiming cymbols beating the time and sporting about. Eulogising and being eulogised they sang songs of praise (guṇakīrtana). Shouting cries of ‘Victory’ and ‘Obeisance’ the delighted people went to see the excellent son of Śiva born in the grove of Śara plants. [...]”

Purana book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Gunakirtana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन).—f. praise, extolling.

Derivable forms: guṇakīrtanam (गुणकीर्तनम्).

Guṇakīrtana is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms guṇa and kīrtana (कीर्तन). See also (synonyms): guṇaślāghā, guṇastuti.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Guṇakīrtana (गुणकीर्तन):—[=guṇa-kīrtana] [from guṇa] n. telling the merits, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

[Sanskrit to German]

Gunakirtana in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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