Alternative spellings of this word include Kanchukiya.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Kāñcukīya (काञ्चुकीय) is a type of inhabitant (inmate) of the royal harem of a king, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 34. Accordingly, “Those who have learning, truthfulness, are free from sexual passion, and have deep knowledge and wisdom, are known as Kañcukīyas. The king should employ them in business connected with polity”.

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 35, the role (bhūmikā) of actors playing kañcukīyas is defined as, “persons who have brown eyes, long nose, and who are short or tall, should be employed in the role of Kañcukīyas and Śrotriyas”.

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

Kāñcukīya (काञ्चुकीय) or Kañcukin should be translated as ‘armour-bearer’ and not as ‘chamberlain’ which term should be used for sannidhātṛ; See Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra (2.4.23). Śāradātanaya in his Bhāvaprakāśana defines the Kañcukīya as follows: Passionless Brahmins who have knowledge and wisdom being in charge of (the king’s) armour and crown, and holding a cane-stick (as symbol of their authority), are called Kañcukīya by the wise.

context information

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).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kañcukīya (कञ्चुकीय).—A Chamberlain; Nātyasāstra.

Derivable forms: kañcukīyaḥ (कञ्चुकीयः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Kañcukīya (कञ्चुकीय).—m. (defined in Sanskrit as attendant in the harem; see s.v. kāñcukīya), eunuch (?): Mahāvastu ii.432.17 varṣavarā kañcukīyā ca rājño nivedayanti; 433.3 varṣavarā kañcukīyā āha.

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Kāñcukīya (काञ्चुकीय).—m. (occurs in Sanskrit, see [Boehtlingk], which calls it a false reading for kañc°, q.v.; according to Tibetan on Lalitavistara, e.g. 186.2, = ñuṅ rum, more specifically eunuch), eunuch (? Sanskrit kañc°, usually defined less specifically as attendant in a harem): Lalitavistara 42.17; 135.3; 186.2; 198.7, 8; Mahāvastu ii.422.4 kubja-vamana-kirāta-varṣavara-kāñcukīyehi; 426.9, 10; 427.13—14 rājā varṣavarāṃ kāñcukīyāṃś ca pṛcchati; 427.15.

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

1) Kañcukīya (कञ्चुकीय):—[from kañcuka] m. a chamberlain, [Nāṭyaśāstra]

2) Kāñcukīya (काञ्चुकीय):—[from kāñcukin] m. = kañc, [Lalita-vistara 241, 17.]

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Kañcukīya (कञ्चुकीय) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Kaṃcuijja.

[Sanskrit to German]

Kancukiya 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Kamcuijja, Shrotriya.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Kancukiya, Kāñcukīya, Kañcukīya; (plurals include: Kancukiyas, Kāñcukīyas, Kañcukīyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)

Chapter XIII - Different Gaits (gati)

Chapter XXXIV - Types of Characters (prakṛti)

Chapter XXXV - Distribution of Roles (bhūmikā)

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Dasarupaka (critical study) (by Anuru Ranjan Mishra)

Part 8 - Styles (vṛtti) of the Vyāyoga < [Chapter 5 - Vyāyoga (critical study)]

Part 7 - Characters in the Dūtavākya < [Chapter 5 - Vyāyoga (critical study)]

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