Kalajna, Kālajña, Kala-jna: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Kalajna means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Kālajña (कालज्ञ).—A synonym of the Kālakeyas. (See under Kālakeya).
Kālajña (कालज्ञ) refers to “those who know the proper time”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.48 (“Description of Marriage of Śiva and Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] Then the Brahmins were requested by Himavat ‘May the rite be formally started after narrating the Tithi etc. The auspicious hour has come’. After saying ‘So be it’, the excellent Brahmins who knew the proper time (kālajña) proclaimed the Tithi etc. very delightedly. Then Himācala mentally urged with pleasure by lord Śiva, the cause of great enjoyment, smilingly spoke to Śiva. ‘O Śiva, please do not delay. Please mention your genealogy, saintly lineage, family, name and your Veda along with your branch of the Vedas’”.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Kālajña (कालज्ञ) (lit. “one who is is the knower of time”) is a synonym (another name) for the Kukkuṭa, according to scientific texts such as the Mṛgapakṣiśāstra (Mriga-pakshi-shastra) or “the ancient Indian science of animals and birds” by Hamsadeva, containing the varieties and descriptions of the animals and birds seen in the Sanskrit Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Kālajña (कालज्ञ) refers to “one who knows (whether a) time (is auspicious or not)” (representing a characteristic of a true teacher or Guru) , according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “One should make an effort to seek a teacher who brings about eternal bliss and awakens (his disciples) to what is beneficial. (The true teacher is) is fortunate and pleasing to see. [...] He knows (whether a) time (kālajña) (is auspicious or not). He is well versed and skillful and knows (his) capabilities and is not repulsive. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Kālajñā (कालज्ञा) refers to “one who knows the proper time”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then the Bodhisattva Gaganagañja, having praised the Lord with these verses, addressed himself to the Lord: ‘[...] The Lord, having known the meaning (artha), is skilled in the knowledge of the division of words. The Lord, having known the proper time (kālajñā), is always free of faulty prediction. The Lord, having known the proper measure (mātrajñā), teaches the dharma accordingly to each individual of all living being.[...]’”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Kālajña (कालज्ञ).—a. knowing the proper time or occasion (of any action); अत्यारूढो हि नारीणामकालज्ञो मनोभवः (atyārūḍho hi nārīṇāmakālajño manobhavaḥ) R.12.33; Śiśupālavadha 2.83. (-jñaḥ) 1 an astrologer.
2) a cock.
Kālajña is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms kāla and jña (ज्ञ).
Kālajña (कालज्ञ).—mfn.
(-jñaḥ-jñā-jñaṃ) One who knows times or season. m.
(-jñaḥ) 1. An astrologer. 2. A cock. E. kāla, and jña who knows.
Kālajña (कालज्ञ).—[kāla-jña] (vb. jñā), adj. Knowing the proper season, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 7, 217.
Kalājña (कलाज्ञ).—[adjective] knowing the arts; [masculine] an artist.
--- OR ---
Kālajña (कालज्ञ).—[adjective] knowing the (proper) times.
1) Kalājña (कलाज्ञ):—[=kalā-jña] [from kalā] mf(ā)n. skilled in arts, [Subhāṣitāvali]
2) [v.s. ...] m. an artist.
3) Kālajña (कालज्ञ):—[=kāla-jña] [from kāla] mfn. knowing the fixed times or seasons, [Manu-smṛti vii, 217; Raghuvaṃśa xii, 33]
4) [v.s. ...] m. an astrologer, [Horace H. Wilson]
5) [v.s. ...] a cock, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Kālajña (कालज्ञ):—[kāla-jña] (jñaḥ-jñā-jñaṃ) a. Time-knowing. m. An astrologer; a cock.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Kālajña (ಕಾಲಜ್ಞ):—
1) [noun] a man believed to know the events happened in the past, happening at present, and will happen in future.
2) [noun] a man who fixes auspiscious moments for undertaking something; an astrologer.
3) [noun] a man who has perfect knowledge of seasons of a particular region.
4) [noun] a common gallinaceous farm bird (Gallus domesticus) which drows at or before sunrise everyday. a hen or rooster.
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)
Starts with: Kalajnana, Kalajnani, Kalajnanin.
Full-text: Deshakalajna, Trikalajna, Kalajnani, Kalavid, Sarvakalajna, Kalaveshin.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Kalajna, Kālajña, Kala-jna, Kāla-jña, Kalājña, Kalā-jña; (plurals include: Kalajnas, Kālajñas, jnas, jñas, Kalājñas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihat Jataka by Varahamihira [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 27.3 < [Chapter 27 - The Character of the Drekkana]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 230 < [Volume 8 (1910)]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 152 < [Volume 15 (1911)]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter I - Prologue < [Volume I]
Chapter XVI - The great renunciation again < [Volume II]