Japa: 24 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Japa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Jaap.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: PurāṇasJapa (जप) is a Sanskrit technical term translating to “the muttering of a mantra”. It is used throughout vedic and purāṇic literature.
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaJapa (जप).—A group of Gods (devas) of the third Manvantara (age of Manu). In that Manvantara the Manu was Uttama, Indra was Suśānti, and the Devagaṇas (groups of gods) were Sudharmas, Satyas, Japas, Pratardanas, and Vaśavartins, the five groups, each consisting of twelve members. (See under Manvantara).
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationJapā (जपा) refers to the “China rose”, which is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“[...] the worship with Japā flowers (China rose) brings about the death of enemies (śatrumṛtyu). Karavīra flowers drive away all ailments (rogoccāṭa)”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexJapa (जप).—A group of gods of Uttama epoch.*
- * Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 1. 4.
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraJapa (जप) refers to a “muttering” of mantras; it is a Sanskrit technical term defined in the Nāṭyaśāstra.
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).
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Shodhganga: Mantra-sādhana: Chapter One of the KakṣapuṭatantraJapa (जप, “recitation”).—There are three kinds of japa: reciting in oneʼs mind,in a low voice, and aloud. The first is applied for śāntika (expelling evil), pauṣṭika (increasing welfare), and mokṣa (liberation); the second for vaśya (controlling others) and ākṛṣṭi (attracting others); the third for minutiae of daily life.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Ancient Science of Life: Vaidyavallabha: An Authoritative Work on Ayurveda TherapeuticsJapā (जपा) or Jāsuda refers to Hibiscus rosa sinensis and is the name of a medicinal plant dealt with in the 17th-century Vaidyavallabha written by Hastiruci.—The Vaidyavallabha is a work which deals with the treatment and useful for all 8 branches of Ayurveda. The text Vaidyavallabha has been designed based on the need of the period of the author, availability of drugs (viz., Japā-puṣpa) during that time, disease manifesting in that era, socio-economical-cultural-familial-spiritual-aspects of that period Vaidyavallabha.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)Japa (जप) refers to “the chanting of the holy name on a garland of 108 prayer beads”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd EditionJapa (जप) refers to:—Loud chanting or soft utterance of the holy name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa to oneself. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).
Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad BhagavatamrtamJapa (जप) refers to:—Meditation in the form of uttering a mantra to oneself; often referring to the practice of chanting the holy name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa on tulasi beads. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).
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’).
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismJapa (जप) is a Sanskrit term referring to “mantra repetition”.
Source: Google Books: Tantra, Its Mystic and Scientific BasisWhen repetition or meditation (japa) of a mantra is coupled with ideation it gives the desired result. The meditational form of a mantra is rhythmic and ideational. It starts with a single note and develops into chord and symphony. When the musical vibration created by the mantra-jap becomes one with the inner cosmic vibration, man hears the hitherto unheard sound of Praṇava and secs the unseen effulgence of Vajra-Sattva. He is lost into the utter state of motionlessness, the tranquil void which is the origin of all waves and vibrations. The process of repetition of a mantra is not mechanical.
When a mantra is rehearsed over and over again with the ideation of God it produces the spiritual condition essential for the ascent of consciousness. After a long practice and devotion, the meditation of a mantra can be perfected and mastered. The mantra is not to be read and re-read or to be recited without any esoteric and ethical discipline but it is to be worked out and every devatā must be made a living devatā. The potential power of a mantra is made kinetic when it is vivified and drenched with consciousness and incantation. With the incantation of a mantra, mind becomes pure and sublime, and the Sādhaka penetrates into the mystic and richer realm of consciousness and is united with the Bodhi-citta.
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismJapa (जप): A spiritual discipline in which a devotee repeats a mantra or the name of God. The repetition can be aloud, just the movement of lips or in the mind.
Source: Sanjay Rath: Maha Mrtyunjaya MantraJapa is the repetition of a mantra for a fixed number of times. Normally this is in multiples of 108. Based on the teachings of Harihara in Praśna Mārga, we advise that this mantra should be recited for 8000 times in a period of forty days.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryjapa : (m.) muttering. || japā (f.) China-rose.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryJapa, (& jappa vv. ll.) (fr. japati) 1. muttering, mumbling. recitation A. III, 56=J. III, 205 (+manta); Sn. 328 (jappa) (=niratthaka-kathā SnA 334).—2. studying J. III, 114 (=ajjhena). (Page 278)
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
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryjapa (जप).—m (S) Repeating, in a muttering manner, passages from the Vedas, charms, names of a god &c.: also counting silently the beads of a rosary. 2 fig. Reiterated mention or expression (of a purpose or desire). v dhara & ghē.
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japā (जपा).—f S Shoe-flower or China rose,--the flower or the plant.
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jāpa (जाप).—m (Corr. from P) An answer. 2 A word uttered, an utterance or expression. 3 An engagement (i. e. a petition or requisition backed with a promise or menace) contracted before an idol.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishjapa (जप).—m Repeating in a mattering manner names of a god, also counting silent- ly the beads of a rosary. Fig. Reiterat- ed mention or expression (of a pur- pose or desire).
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jāpa (जाप).—m An answer. An utterance. An engagement contracted before an idol.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryJapa (जप).—a. [jap-kartari ac] Muttering, whispering.
-paḥ 1 Muttering prayers, repeating prayers &c. in an under-tone.
2) Repeating passages of the Veda or names of deities &c.; Ms.3.74; Y.1.22.
3) A muttered prayer.
4) Counting silently the beads of a rosary &c.
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Japā (जपा).—[jap-ac ṭāp] The China rose (the plant or its flower); सान्ध्यं तेजः प्रतिनवजपापुष्परक्तं दधानः (sāndhyaṃ tejaḥ pratinavajapāpuṣparaktaṃ dadhānaḥ) Me.36; निजदृशा स निपीय जपावलिम् (nijadṛśā sa nipīya japāvalim) Rām. Ch.4.73; जपापुष्पमिव रक्तलोचनः (japāpuṣpamiva raktalocanaḥ) Pratijnā.
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Jāpa (जाप).—[jap-ghañ]
1) Muttering prayers, whispering, murmuring.
2) A muttered prayer.
Derivable forms: jāpaḥ (जापः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryJapa (जप).—m.
(-paḥ) Muttering prayers, repeating inaudibly passages from the scriptures, charms, names of a deity, counting silently the beads of a rosary, &c. f.
(-pā) The China rose, the flower or plant; also javā. E. jap to repeat inaudibly, affix karttari ac; the flower is a sacred object.
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Jāpa (जाप).—m.
(-paḥ) Muttering prayers by beads, or reciting passages of the Vedas, &c. inaudibly. E. jap to mutter, &c. affix ghañ, deriv. irr.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryJapa (जप).—[jap + a], m. 1. Muttering prayers, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 74. 2. A prayer, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 25, 3.
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Japā (जपा).—f. The China rose, [Kirātārjunīya] 5, 8; [Śiśupālavadha] 9, 8.
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Jāpa (जाप).—i. e. jap + a, m. A prayer, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 31, 31.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryJapa (जप).—[adjective] whispering, muttering; [masculine] muttering prayers, a muttered prayer or spell.
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Japā (जपा).—[feminine] the China rose.
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Jāpa (जाप).—[masculine] muttering ([especially] prayers).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Japa (जप):—[from jap] mfn. ‘muttering, whispering’ See karṇe-, ku-
2) [v.s. ...] m. ([Pāṇini 3-3, 61]; oxyt. [gana] uñchādi) muttering prayers, repeating in a murmuring tone passages from scripture or charms or names of a deity, etc., muttered prayer or spell, [Aitareya-brāhmaṇa ii, 38; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa ii; Śāṅkhāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Nirukta, by Yāska etc.]
3) Japā (जपा):—f. (= javā) the China rose, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā xxviii, 14; Brahma-purāṇa ii, 1, 7.]
4) Jāpa (जाप):—m. (√jap) ‘whispering’ See karṇa-
5) muttering prayers, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] a muttered prayer, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] ([Rāmāyaṇa i, 51, 27] for japa; See also jāpya).
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+14): Japagayatrisamkalpa, Japahoma, Japahomaka, Japahomapaddhati, Japajapya, Japaka, Japakhya, Japakusuma, Japakusumasamnibha, Japala, Japamala, Japana, Japanem, Japanese Art, Japanese Buddhism, Japanga, Japani, Japaniya, Japapaddhati, Japaparayana.
Ends with (+32): Ajapa, Ajapagayatrijapa, Ajapajapa, Amajjapa, Balajapa, Bhakshajapa, Brahmajapa, Devajapa, Gahajapa, Gayatrijapa, Grahajapa, Hamsamantrajapa, Hotrijapa, Hotrisamsthajapa, Karnajapa, Karnejapa, Kathajapa, Kaujapa, Khajapa, Kujapa.
Full-text (+147): Japayajna, Karnajapa, Japamala, Java, Anvaroha, Japapida, Japajapya, Ajapa, Japaparayana, Jabanem, Japakusuma, Japapushpa, Japahoma, Japaka, Sadhana, Japakusumasamnibha, Shivamantrajapa, Rudrajapapancadhyaya, Pratijapa, Javapushpa.
Relevant text
Search found 62 books and stories containing Japa, Japā, Jāpa, Jāpā; (plurals include: Japas, Japās, Jāpas, Jāpās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 17 - The glorification of the syllable Om and the five-syllabled mantra < [Section 1 - Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā]
Chapter 14 - The glory of the five-syllabled Mantra (3) < [Section 7.2 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (2)]
Chapter 23 - The glorification of the Rudrākṣa and of the names of Śiva < [Section 1 - Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā]
Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya) (by G.V. Tagare)
Chapter 38 - Procedure of Practising the Royal mantra
Chapter 43 - Types of Initiation and True Service of the Preceptor
Parama Samhita (English translation) (by Krishnaswami Aiyangar)
Chapter 15 - Wishes to be gained (kāmya)
Chapter 16 - Wishes to be gained (kāmya), part 2
Chapter 5 - The prescribed disposal of articles of worship (dravya-vidhāna)
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 232 - Vratas and Niyamas to Be Observed in Cāturmāsa < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Chapter 6 - The Greatness of Vasudhārā < [Section 3 - Badarikāśrama-māhātmya]
Chapter 9 - The Regions of Celestial Damsels and of the Sun < [Section 1 - Pūrvārdha]
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 79 - The Story of Bhadreśvara < [Section 1 - Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa (section on creation)]
Chapter 92 - Rules for the Vow of Kārtika < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Chapter 152 - Bālāpendra-tīrtha < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
The Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)
Chapter 13 - Enumeration of holy spots (tīrtha) for Śrāddha < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]
Chapter 56 - The descent of Gaṅgā < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]
Chapter 36 - Agastya recites the Hymn Kṛṣṇāmṛta < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]