Kaniyas, Kanīyas: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Kaniyas 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)
Kanīyas (कनीयस्) refers to the “youngest (brother)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.1 (“Description of Tripura—the three cities”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “O great sage, when the Asura Tāraka was killed by Skanda, the son of Śiva, his three sons performed austerities. The eldest of them was Tārakākṣa, the middle one Vidyunmālī and the youngest (kanīyas) Kamalākṣa. All of them were of equal strength. They were self-controlled, well prepared, disciplined, truthful, of steady mind, heroic and inimical to the gods. [...]”.
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)
Kanīyas (कनीयस्) refers to “smallish elephants”, according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 1, “on the origin of elephants”]: “[...] Deficient in girth and length, his whole body lean, his form has a grayish color, he eats much, responds to slight stimuli (i.e., is highly sensitive), his mind is unstable and he is easily angered, he is river ranging, has large eyes (? is nearsighted) and short tail, he is born in the last (dvāpara) age and in the rainy season, he is violent and has a predominance of bile; thus is described that smallish (kanīyas) elephant known as ‘deer’”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Kanīyas (कनीयस्) refers to the “little finger”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [as the Bhagavān teaches the offering manual of the root-heart] “[...] A Nāga cross-legged hand gesture should be made. The index finger should be like a serpent head. The little finger (kanīyas) should be extended. This is the hand gesture for all Nāgas. Merely upon reciting, all Nāgas will be suppressed. Headache and migraine will arise for them. [...]”.
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
Kanīyas (कनीयस्).—a. (-sī f.) (Compar. of alpa or yuvan)
1) Smaller, less; तन्मे भूयो भवतु मा कनीयो (tanme bhūyo bhavatu mā kanīyo) Av.3.15.5.
2) Younger; कनीयान् भ्राता, कनीयसी भगिनी (kanīyān bhrātā, kanīyasī bhaginī) &c. -m.
1) A younger brother; कलत्रवानहं बाले कनीयांसं भजस्व मे (kalatravānahaṃ bāle kanīyāṃsaṃ bhajasva me) R.
2) The lover excited by passions; cf. कनीयाननुजाल्पयोः (kanīyānanujālpayoḥ) ... अतिथूनि स्त्रियां कामिन्युत्के मैथुनिभूतयोः (atithūni striyāṃ kāminyutke maithunibhūtayoḥ) | Nm.
Kaṇīyas (कणीयस्).—mfn.
(-yān-yasī-yaḥ) 1. Very small. 2. Young, younger. E. kaṇa small, and īyasun superlative affix; also kanīyasa.
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Kanīyas (कनीयस्).—mfn.
(-yān-yasī-yaḥ) 1. Very young, youngest. 2. Very small, least. 3. Younger born, a younger brother or sister. E. kaṇa small, īyasun affix, the ṇa being changed; or kan to shine, &c.: or kana substituted for yuvan and alpa.
1) Kaṇīyas (कणीयस्):—[from kaṇ] mfn. very small, young, younger, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) [v.s. ...] = kanīyas q.v.
3) Kanīyas (कनीयस्):—[from kana] mfn. younger, a younger brother or sister, younger son or daughter (opposed to jyāyas), [Ṛg-veda iv, 33, 5; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] smaller, less, inferior, very small or insignificant (opposed to bhūyas and uttama), [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda iii, 15, 5; xii, 4, 6; Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa] etc.
5) [v.s. ...] f. (yasī) the younger sister of a wife, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
1) Kaṇīyas (कणीयस्):—[(yān-yhasī-yat) a.] Very small, young, younger.
2) Kanīyas (कनीयस्):—[(yān-yasī-yaḥ) a.] Very young or small, younger.
Kanīyas (कनीयस्) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kaṇīa, Kaṇīasa, Kannasa.
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: Kaniyabhratri, Kaniyasa, Kaniyasabhratri, Kaniyasauvalli, Kaniyasi, Kaniyastva, Kaniyasvin.
Full-text: Kaniyasvin, Anukaniyas, Kaniyastva, Kaniyabhratri, Kaniyahstana, Kaniyokshara, Kania, Kaniasa, Anumadhyamam, Kannasa, Palukkappotu, Kaniyasa, Pancamula, Yuvan, Kana.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Kaniyas, Kanīyas, Kaṇīyas; (plurals include: Kaniyases, Kanīyases, Kaṇīyases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Yavanajataka by Sphujidhvaja [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 1.87 < [Chapter 1 - The Innate Nature of the Zodiac Signs and Planets]
Architectural data in the Puranas (by Sharda Devi)
Erection of Door and Banner < [Chapter 3 - Temples]
Erection and Plan of Mandapas < [Chapter 3 - Temples]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Rig Veda 4.24.9 < [Sukta 24]
Theatre Architecture in Ancient India < [November-December 1931]
Panchavimsha Brahmana (English translation) (by W. Caland)