Harini, aka: Hariṇī, Hariṇi; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Harini means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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

Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)

Hariṇī (हरिणी):—One of the sixty-eight Rasauṣadhi, very powerful drugs known to be useful in alchemical processes related to mercury (rasa), according to Rasaprakāśa-sudhākara (chapter 9).

context information

Rasaśāstra (रसशास्त्र, rasashastra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Purāṇa

Hariṇī (हरिणी).—Mother of Hari, in the Tāmasa epoch.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 1. 30; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 116.

context information

The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Nāṭyaśāstra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Hariṇī (हरिणी) is another name for Vṛṣabhaceṣṭita, which refers to a type of syllabic metre (vṛtta), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 16. In this metre, the first five, the eleventh, the thirteenth, the fourteenth, and the sixteenth syllables of a foot (pāda) are light (laghu), while the rest of the syllables are heavy (guru).

⏑⏑⏑¦⏑⏑⎼¦⎼⎼⎼¦⎼⏑⎼¦⏑⏑⎼¦⏑⎼¦¦⏑⏑⏑¦⏑⏑⎼¦⎼⎼⎼¦⎼⏑⎼¦⏑⏑⎼¦⏑⎼¦¦
⏑⏑⏑¦⏑⏑⎼¦⎼⎼⎼¦⎼⏑⎼¦⏑⏑⎼¦⏑⎼¦¦⏑⏑⏑¦⏑⏑⎼¦⎼⎼⎼¦⎼⏑⎼¦⏑⏑⎼¦⏑⎼¦¦

Hariṇī falls in the Atyaṣṭi class of chandas (rhythm-type), which implies that verses constructed with this metre have four pādas (‘foot’ or ‘quarter-verse’) containing seventeen syllables each.

Hariṇī (हरिणी) is the name of a Sanskrit metre (chandas) of the Vṛtta-type (akṣarachandas: metres regulated by akṣaras, syllabes).—The metre, Hariṇī contains seventeen syllables in each and every quarter and it possesses the gaṇas viz. na, sa, ma, ra, and sa. This metre is found to be employed in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita.

context information

Nāṭyaśāstra (नाट्यशास्त्र, natya-shastra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition of performing arts, (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 (nāṭya) and poetic works (kāvya).

Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

1) Hariṇī (हरिणी) refers to one of the 27 metres mentioned in Kṣemendra’s Suvṛttatilaka. The Suvṛttatilaka is a monumental work of Sanskrit prosody considered as unique in its nature. In this work Kṣemendra neither introduces any new metre nor discusses all the metres used in his time. He discusses 27 popular metres (eg., Hariṇī) which were used frequently by the poets.

2) Hariṇī (हरिणी) is the alternative name of a Sanskrit metre (chandas) mentioned by Hemacandra (1088-1173 C.E.) in his auto-commentary on the second chapter of the Chandonuśāsana. Hariṇī corresponds to Vṛṣabhalalita. Hemacandra gives these alternative names for the metres by other authorities (like Bharata), even though the number of gaṇas or letters do not differ. This is a peculiar feature of Sanskrit prosody.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

hariṇī (हरिणी).—f (S) A doe. 2 An individual of one of the four classes of womankind. See citriṇī 3 A form of metre.

hariṇī (हरिणी).—f A doe.

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