Hrishikesha, Hṛṣīkeśa, Hrishika-isha: 23 definitions
Introduction:
Hrishikesha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Hindi. 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 term Hṛṣīkeśa can be transliterated into English as Hrsikesa or Hrishikesha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Hrashikesh.
In Hinduism
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: humindian: 108 names of Lord KrishnaOne of the 108 names of Krishna; Meaning: "The Lord Of All Senses"
Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) refers to “literally, īśa–‘lord’, hṛṣīka–‘of the senses’. A name for Kṛṣṇa meaning ‘one who turns the senses of His devotees towards Himself and those of the non-devotees away’”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚāktismHṛṣīkeśa (विष्णु, “He Whose Hair Stands on End [with Joy]”):—Another name for Viṣṇu, as in, one of the male offspring from Mahāsarasvatī (sattva-form of Mahādevī). Mahāsarasvatī is one of the three primary forms of Devī, the other two being Mahālakṣmī and Mahākālī. Not to be confused with Sarasvatī, she is a more powerful cosmic aspect (vyaṣṭi) of Devi and represents the guṇa (universal energy) named sattva. Also see the Devī Māhātmya, a Sanskrit work from the 5th century, incorporated into the Mārkaṇḍeya-Purāṇa.

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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश, “Master of the senses”):—One of the twenty-four forms of Viṣṇu through which Nārāyaṇa manifests himself. He is accompanied by a counterpart emanation of Lakṣmī (an aspect of Devī) who goes by the name Harṣā .
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) refers to a Mūrti of the Lord which should be honored in the month of Bhādrapada during the Saṃvatsaravrata (“supererogatory observances to be done during the year”), as discussed in chapter 8 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [saṃvatsaravrata-vidhi]: The first vrata mentioned (3-136) is one that covers a twelve-month cycle, in each month of which a different mūrti-aspect of the Lord is given especial daily honor [e.g., Hṛṣīkeśa during bhādrapada-month]—from the tenth day of the bright fortnight of one month until the tenth day of the bright fortnight of the next month.

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) is mentioned as another name for Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Obeisance to Thee, O lord, Hṛṣīkeśa, Acyuta, Mṛḍa, Śaṅkara, Adhokṣaja, enemy of the Asuras, Gaja and Kāma. Obeisance to you, O partaker of poison. Obeisance to Thee, O lord Nārāyaṇa, devoted to Nārāyaṇa, of the form of Nārāyaṇa, oh! one born of Nārāyaṇa’s body. Obeisance to Thee of all forms, the destroyer of great hells, destroyer of sins. Obeisance to you, O bull-vehicled god. [...]”.
2) Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) is another name for Viṣṇu, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.16 (“The battle of the gods”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā and the Gods eulogized Viṣṇu: “O Hṛṣīkeśa of long arms, O lord, O slayer of Madhu, O lord of gods, Obeisance to you, O destroyer of all Asuras. O Viṣṇu, of the form of fish who redeemed the Vedas through king Satyavrata, obeisance to you who sport about in the ocean of Dissolution. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश).—An epithet of Viṣṇu;1 God Viṣṇu who appeared in the dream of Brahmadatta and got him released from worldly life to one of Siddhas;2 in the Tārakāmaya;3 ety. from Hṛṣīka (Indriya) and Īśa;4 in Bhadrāśva.5
- 1) Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 15. 67; 22. 75; V. 5. 21; 30. 1.
- 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 34. 80; Matsya-purāṇa 21. 25; 100. 19; 167. 42.
- 3) Matsya-purāṇa 174. 35; 245. 81, 85; 246. 35; 247. 27.
- 4) Matsya-purāṇa 248. 44-45.
- 5) Vāyu-purāṇa 35. 23.
Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. V.82.26) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Hṛṣīkeśa) 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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: archive.org: Pratima Kosa Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography - Vol 6Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) refers to one of the many varieties of the Śālagrāma (ammonite fossil stones).—The Hṛṣīkeśa has a shape resembling crescent moon. Śālagrāma stones are very ancient geological specimens, rendered rounded and smooth by water-currents in a great length of time. They (e.g., Hṛṣīkeśa stones) are distinguished by the ammonite (śālā, described as “vajra-kīṭa”, “adamantine worms”) which having entered into them for residence, are fossilized in course of time, leaving discus-like marks inside the stone.
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (shilpa)Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) is the name of a Māsa-Adhipati (“Lords of the months”) whose iconography is discussed in chapter 22 of the Ādikāṇḍa of the Hayaśīrṣasaṃhitā: a large Pāñcarātra Āgama consisting of roughly 6500 verses dealing primarily with architecture, temple-building and consecration rituals and iconography.—Description of the chapter [keśavādi-pratimālakṣaṇa-paṭala]: The twelve mūrtis are called māsādhipatis, “the Lords of the months”—and their origins are traced to the four vyūhas (1-2). The iconography of the māsa-adhipati is described. [e.g., Hṛṣīkeśa (18b-19)] [...] In each case, their wives should be shown holding a lotus and viṇā (23-24a).
Source: academia.edu: Dvādaśa-mūrti in Tamil Tradition (iconography)Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) refers to one of the Dvādaśa-mūrti or “twelve sacred names of Viṣṇu”, whose iconographical details are mentioned in the Śrītattvanidhi (verse 2.19-42) citing the Pāñcarātrāgama-Kriyapāda.—Hṛṣīkeśa has a golden mien, the body glitters like the lightening, the garlands and garments are red-hued and śirobhūṣaṇa is a white lotus. According to the Caturviṃśatimūrtilakṣaṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa is fitted with the Cakra, Śaṅkha, Gāda and Padma, in that particular order.

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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismHrishikesha (हृषीकेश): Krishna.
India history and geography
Source: Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts, volume 3, part 1: SaduktikarnamritaHṛśīkeśa (हृशीकेश) is the name of a Poet mentioned in the 13th century Saduktikarṇāmrita by Śrīdhara Dāsa (son of Vaṭu Dāsa) who was a chief over several districts (called a mahāmaṇḍalika).—The Sadukti-Karnamrita is a collection of miscellaneous verses by different authors and on various subjects, five verses being devoted to each subject. There are 446 poets identified (for example, Hṛśīkeśa) some of which in the feminine gender (intended for females) while others are of Buddhist monks etc.

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश).—an epithet of Viṣṇu; or Kṛṣṇa; पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनंजयः (pāñcajanyaṃ hṛṣīkeśo devadattaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ) (dadhmau) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.15; et. seq. (hṛṣīkāṇīndriyāṇyāhusteṣāmīśo yato bhavān | hṛṣīkeśastato viṣṇo khyāto deveṣu keśava || Mb.)
Derivable forms: hṛṣīkeśaḥ (हृषीकेशः).
Hṛṣīkeśa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms hṛṣīka and īśa (ईश).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश).—m.
(-śaḥ) Vishnu. E. hṛṣīka an organ of sense, īśa lord.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश).—i. e. hṛṣīka -īśa, m. Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 45, 30; [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 100.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश).—[masculine] [Epithet] of Viṣṇu-Kṛṣṇa.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—poet. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa]
2) Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश):—son of Somacandra: Trivikramaśatakaṭīkā.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश):—[=hṛṣī-keśa] [from hṛṣi > hṛṣ] a See below under hṛṣīka.
2) [from hṛṣīka > hṛṣ] b m. (perhaps = hṛṣī-keśa cf. hṛṣī-vat above) idem (-tva n.), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] Name of the tenth month, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
4) [v.s. ...] of a Tīrtha, [Catalogue(s)]
5) [v.s. ...] of a poet, [ib.]
6) [v.s. ...] lord of the senses (said of Manas), [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश):—[hṛṣīke-śa] (śaḥ) 1. m. Krishna.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryHṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश) [Also spelled hrashikesh]:—(nm) an epithet of Lord Vishnu or Krishna.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusHṛṣīkēśa (ಹೃಷೀಕೇಶ):—[noun] the Supreme Being or Viṣṇu, the lord of sense organs.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Hrishi, Hrishika, Isha, Kesa, Sha, Ca.
Starts with: Hrishikeshalakshana, Hrishikeshamantra, Hrishikeshamurti, Hrishikeshapratima, Hrishikeshapratishtha, Hrishikeshashrama, Hrishikeshatva.
Full-text (+47): Hrishikeshatva, Hrishikeshamantra, Hrishikeshapratima, Hrishikeshalakshana, Rishikecan, Hrishikeshashrama, Hrashikesh, Hrishikeshamurti, Hrishikeshapratishtha, Hrishikanatha, Bhadrapada, Ketumalavarsha, Kamatha, Atindriya, Harsha, Hrishika, Vishnu, Avyakrita, Mahanaraka, Apaharini.
Relevant text
Search found 65 books and stories containing Hrishikesha, Hrishi-kesha, Hrishika-isha, Hrishike-sha, Hṛṣī-keśa, Hrsi-kesa, Hṛṣīka-īśa, Hrsika-isa, Hṛṣīke-śa, Hrsike-sa, Hṛṣīkeśa, Hrsikesa, Hṛṣīkēśa; (plurals include: Hrishikeshas, keshas, ishas, shas, keśas, kesas, īśas, isas, śas, sas, Hṛṣīkeśas, Hrsikesas, Hṛṣīkēśas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 1.20 < [Chapter 1 - Sainya-Darśana (Observing the Armies)]
Verse 11.36 < [Chapter 11 - Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga (beholding the Lord’s Universal Form)]
Verse 2.9 < [Chapter 2 - Sāṅkhya-yoga (Yoga through distinguishing the Soul from the Body)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.5.145 < [Chapter 5 - Lord Nityānanda’s Vyāsa-pūjā Ceremony and His Darśana of the Lord’s Six-armed Form]
Verse 1.15.8 < [Chapter 15 - Marriage with Śrī Viṣṇupriyā]
Verse 3.9.146 < [Chapter 9 - The Glories of Advaita]
Eulogy of Vamana by Brahma < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]
Eulogy of Visnu by Indradyumna < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 2 (1970)]
Eulogy of Visnu by Kasyapa < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 1.2.117 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]
Verse 1.1.12 < [Part 1 - Qualities of Pure Bhakti (bhagavad-bhakti-bheda)]
Verse 1.2.268 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]