Kanti, aka: Kānti; 11 Definition(s)

Introduction

Kanti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi. 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

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Kānti (कान्ति, “beauty, splendour”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ कान्त्यै नमः
oṃ kāntyai namaḥ.

context information

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)

Kānti (कान्ति, “beauty, loveliness”):—One of the twenty-four emanations of Lakṣmī accompanying Nārāyaṇa. This particular manifestation couples with his counterpart form called Nārāyaṇa and together they form the second celestial couple. Lakṣmī represents a form of the Goddess (Devī) as the wife of Viṣṇu, while Nārāyaṇa represents the personification of his creative energy, according to the Pāñcarātra literature.

context information

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)

Kānti (कान्ति).—A city in ancient India. (Mahābhārata Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 40).

1a) Kānti (कान्ति).—A śakti.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 72.

1b) A Brahma kalā.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 35. 94.

context information

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)

1) Kānti (कान्ति, “loveliness”) refers to one of the ten merits (guṇa) of a dramatic play (kāvya), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 17. They are characterised by their sweetness and depth of meaning.

2) Kānti (कान्ति, “charm”) refers to one of the ten “ involuntary graces” of women (svābhāvikā), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 24. These involuntary (spontaneous) graces, represent one of the three aspects of graces (alaṃkāra) which forms which forms the support of sentiments (rasa) in drama. These involuntary graces (such as kānti) are defined according to the science of sāmānyābhinaya, or “harmonious representation”.

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, “beauty which is full of a lover’s passion, is called ‘charm’ (kānti)”.

Kānti (कान्ति, “loveliness”).—One of the ten guṇas (merits) of a kāvya (dramatic play);—Description of kānti: When a composition gives delight to the ears as well as to the mind on account of its well-put-together words, it is an instance of Loveliness (kānti).

context information

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).

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

kanti : (aor. of kantati) spined; cut; sheared; incised.

context information

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

kāṇṭī (कांटी) [or काटी, kāṭī].—f (kāṇṭā) A thorny tree or bush: also a detached branch of such. 2 The name of the two side-lines of the square drawn in the play āṭyā pāṭyā: the other line from end to end is pāṭī. 3 Applied to the bābhaḷa (Acacia) whilst small and young. kāṇṭī lāvaṇēṃ (gharāsa-saṃsārāsa-vyavahārāsa-rōjagārāsa) To ruin, destroy, crush. Ex. āpulyā saṃsārāsa lā- vūna kāṇṭī || āmacē pāṭhīṃ lāgalāsa kāṃ ||. kāṭyā āpalyā pōṭāvara ōḍhaṇēṃ To be ready to draw thorny bushes over one's belly--rather than not stuff it. To be very greedy or selfish. kāṭyākuṭyā f pl Thorny bushes and shrubs. Pr. durūna ḍōṅgara sājarā javaḷa gēlē kā0 Things (or matters) agreeable in the distance often show roughnesses on near approach to them. kāṇṭyā ghāsaṇēṃ with sīṃ of o. To scold roughly: also to harass, worry, torment. kāṇṭyāñcē kōlhē karaṇēṃ (To make jackals out of thorn-bushes.) To make a serious charge out of little matter. kāṇṭyāṃvarūna ōḍhaṇēṃ (To drag over thorny bushes) To worry grievously: also to scold coarsely and vehemently.

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kānti (कांति).—f (S) Beauty, splendor, light, lustre. 2 pop. kāntī f The exuvies or slough of a snake.

kāṇṭī (कांटी).—f A thorny tree or bush. kāṇṭī lavaṇēṃ Ruin, destroy.

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kānti (कांति).—f Beauty, lustre. The slough of a snake.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Kānti (कान्ति).—[kam bhāve ktin]

1) Loveliness, beauty, Me. 15; अक्लिष्टकान्ति (akliṣṭakānti) Ś.5.19.

2) Brightness, lustre, brilliance; Me.84.

3) Personal decoration or embellishment.

4) Wish, desire.

5) (In Rhet.) Beauty enhanced by love; (S. D. thus distinguishes kānti from śobhā and dīptiḥ -rūpayauvanalālityaṃ bhogādyairaṅgabhūṣaṇam | śobhā proktā saiva kānti- rmanmathāpyāyitā dyutiḥ | kāntirevātivistīrṇā dāptirityabhidhīyate 13, 131).

6) A lovely or desirable woman.

7) An epithet of Durgā.

8) A digit of the moon.

9) Name of Lakṣmī; भूषणानि महार्हाणि ददौ कान्तिः शुभां स्रजम् (bhūṣaṇāni mahārhāṇi dadau kāntiḥ śubhāṃ srajam) Bhāg.1.65.29.

Derivable forms: kāntiḥ (कान्तिः).

Kanti (कन्ति).—mfn. (-ntiḥ-ntiḥ-nti) Happy. E. kam and ti aff.

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Kānti (कान्ति).—f.

(-ntiḥ) 1. Beauty, splendor, light. 2. Female beauty. 3. Wish, desire. 4. A lovely or desirable woman. 5. Persoual decoration or embellishment. E. kam to desire or be desired, ktin aff.

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