Karuna, Karuṇā, Karuṇa: 46 definitions

Introduction:

Karuna means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology, Tamil. 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 Karun.

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

1) Karuṇa (करुण) refers to the “pathetic” sentiment (rasa). It is one of the eight rasas mentioned in the Nāṭyaśāstra 6.15. The color associated with the karuṇa is grey (kapota), and the presiding deity of of the pathetic (karuṇa) sentiment is Yama.

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, “The Pathetic (karuṇa) Sentiment arises from the Durable Psychological State of sorrow. It grows from Determinants such as affliction under a curse, separation from dear ones, loss of wealth, death, captivity, flight accidents or any other misfortune.”.

2) Karuṇā (करुणा, “pathetic”) refers to a specific “glance” (dṛṣṭi), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 8. This is a type of glance that expresses the ‘pathetic sentiment’ (karuṇārasa). There are a total thirty-six glances defined. The Glance in which the upper eyelid has descended, the eyeball is at rest due to mental agony, and the gaze is fixed at the tip of the nose, and there is tear, is called Karuṇā (pathetic).

Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)

A type of glance (or facial expression): Karuṇa: a downcast glance, half-vouchsafed, with tears, benevolent, the black pupil slowly moving, regarding the tip of the nose. Usage: the pathetic.

Source: Shodhganga: Mankhaka a sanskrit literary genius (natya)

Karuṇa (करुण) or the “sentiment (rasa) of pathos”.—Karuṇarasa generates from the advent of what is unpleasant or from the loss of what is loved. The learned call it to be of dove-coloured and its presiding deity is the god of death. Its sthāyibhāva is sorrow and the ālamabavibhāva is the thing sorrowed for. The uddīpanavibhāva here, is such things as when this i.e. the dead body of the loved one is being burnt. Its anubhāvas are the cursing one’s destiny, falling on the ground, wailing etc., changes of colour, sighs and sobs, stupefaction and raving. Its vyabhicāribhāvas are indifference to all worldly objects, fainting, epilepsy, sickness, debility, reminiscences, weariness, distress, insensibility, madness, anxiety etc.

The karuṇa-rasa has been suggested in the sadness of Sarasvatī, the goddess of learning, at the demise of the great poets like Meṇṭha, Subandhu, Bhāravi and Bāṇa. Maṅkhaka here, as if, tries to console the goddess and promises to create poetry which would make Her forget the pain and sorrow, that She feels at their death.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

1) Karuṇa (करुण) refers to the “pathetic sentiment” and represents one of the nine kinds of Rasa (“soul of Drama”), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—Karuṇa i.e., pathos is the sentiment delineated in the circumstances of sorrow. The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa says that it is enacted through frightened limbs, crying in grief, pale and dry face. This sentiment arises at the death of the beloved one or lovable friends or because of loss of wealth. In this context the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa is seen to follow the Nāṭyaśāstra. According to the Sāhityadarpaṇa, pathos arises in loss of desired things as well as in attainment of unwanted things. Śoka is the sthāyibhāva of karuṇa-rasa. Kapota i.e., the colour of pigeon is the colour of this sentiment. Yama is the God of this sentiment. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, it is said that to project the karuṇa-rasa, the acting is to be done by frightened limbs, sighs, crying in lamentation, pale face and drying up of mouth

2) Karūṇa (करूण) refers to one of the four types of the Vipralambha variety of Śṛṅgāra (“the erotic sentiment”) which represents one of the nine kinds of Rasa (“soul of Drama”), according to the Sāhityadarpaṇa.—Rasa or Sentiment is a very important component in poetry. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa both the terms viraha and vipralambha are used to denote the second variety of śṛṇgāra sentiment. But most of the Rhetoricians of Sanskrit poetics like Mammaṭa and Viśvanāthakavirāja use the term vipralambha only. In the Sāhityadarpaṇa four types of vipralambha-śṛṇgāra are accepted, e.g., karūṇa.

3) Karuṇā (करुणा) refers to one of the Thirty six kinds of Glances (dṛṣṭi) or “proper accomplishment of glances” (in Indian Dramas).—Dṛṣṭi is very important in a dance form. The appropriate movements of eyes, eyeballs and eyebrows of an artist make the performance more charming. There are thirty six kinds of glances (dṛṣṭi) accepted in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, for example karuṇā, belonging to the rasadṛṣṭi division.

Natyashastra book cover
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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).

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Karuṇa (करुण).—See under Dhanañjaya.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Karuṇa (करुण) or Sakaruṇa refers to “one who is sympathetic” and is used to describe Sage Nārada, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.8.—Accordingly, as Himavat said to Sage Nārada:—“O sage Nārada, of good knowledge, O lord, foremost among the sons of Brahmā, you are omniscient. You are sympathetic [i.e., sa-karuṇa]. You are engaged in rendering help to others. Please read the horoscope of my daughter and tell me about her good and bad fortune. Whose beloved wife will my fortunate daughter be?”.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Kavya (poetry)

Source: archive.org: Naisadhacarita of Sriharsa

Karuṇa (करुण) refers to a “variety of the citron tree” (the shaddock) and is mentioned in the Naiṣadha-carita 1.88 and 15.31. Karuṇa is a small tree with whitish, sweet-smelling flowers in bunches.

Kavya book cover
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Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

Karuṇa (करुण) or “pathos sentiment” refers to one of the Nine Sentiments (citrarasa) in ancient Indian Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa nine kinds of sentiments [e.g., karuṇa—pathos] are reflected through Paintings and these are termed as citrarasas in this work. [...] The karuṇa-rasa i.e., the pathetic sentiment is reflected through a Painting in which a painter creates pathos (karuṇa) on the basis of the actions projecting begging, separation, calamity, compassion etc.

Shilpashastra book cover
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Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Karuṇa (करुण) refers to the “piteous (cries)” (of animals) (in the summer season), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the treatment of hawks]: “In summer, [...] when birds cry out piteously (karuṇa-svara), then the season, like the forest fire, becomes intolerable to these birds [i.e., hawks], who are accustomed to the valleys of the Himalayas, on which fine slabs of stone lie scattered, cleanly washed by the waterfalls and overgrown with young shoots of emerald-green grass, and where the breezes blow fragrant with the exudation of the pine-trees. Therefore cooling processes should be now resorted to”.

Arts book cover
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This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Karuṇā (in both Sanskrit and Pali) is generally translated as compassion. It is part of the spiritual path of both Buddhism and Jainism.

In Theravāda Buddhism, karuṇā is one of the four "divine abodes" (brahmavihāra), along with loving kindness (Pāli: mettā), sympathetic joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha). In the Pali canon, the Buddha recommends cultivating these four virtuous mental states to both householders and monastics.

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, karuṇā is one of the two qualities, along with enlightened wisdom (Sanskrit: prajña), to be cultivated on the bodhisattva path. Avalokiteśvara is a bodhisattva who embodies karuṇā.

Karuṇā is associated with the Jain practice of compassion. For instance, karuṇā is one of the four reflections of universal friendship — along with amity (Sanskrit: maitri), appreciation (pramoda) and equanimity (madhyastha)—used to stop (samvara) the influx of karma.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsCompassion; sympathy; the aspiration to find a way to be truly helpful to oneself and others. One of the ten perfections (paramis) and one of the four "sublime abodes" (brahma vihara).Source: Journey to Nibbana: Patthana Dhama

Part of the Sobhana Cetasikas. Karuna arises when poor sattas are encountered and mudita arises when fulfilled sattas are encountered. Karuna is compassion while mudita is sympathetic joy.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

Compassion (karunā); s. brahma-vihāra.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

'compassion', is one of the 4 sublime abodes (brahma-vihāra).

Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikas

compassion;

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Karuṇā (करुणा, “compassion”) refers to one of the “four immeasurables” (apramāṇa), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32.—Accordingly, “Karuṇā is to think with compassion of beings who are suffering in the five destinies (gati) all sorts of bodily suffering and mental suffering. Karuṇā is practiced to remove harm (vihiṃsā) toward beings”.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Karuṇa (करुण) refers to “compassion”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly as The Lord said: “O Śāriputra, from innumerable aeons ago (asaṃkhyeya-kalpa), the Bodhisatvas in the Mahāvyūha universe have been in accordance with the [perfection of] giving as adorned with generosity, [...] have practiced the protection of all living beings as adorned with great friendliness (mahā-maitrī), have practiced never giving up any being as adorned with great compassion (mahā-karuṇa), have never ceased to make joy, happiness, and great delight of all living beings as adorned with great happiness (mahā-mudita), and have been punctilious in the practice without interruption, which has made all living beings not to be conceited or depressed as adorned with great equanimity (mahā-upekṣa) [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

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.

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

1) Karuṇā (करुणा) is the name of Vidyārājñī (i.e., “wisdom queen”) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Karuṇā).

2) Karuṇa (करुण) is the name of a Kinnara mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Karuṇā (करुणा, “compassion”) refers to “compassion”, according to Vajrayāna or Tibetan Buddhism.—The Bodhi mind is further called Karuṇā (compassion) and the ultimate reality as Śūnyata, and when the two commingle, it is called Advaya or non-duality. As copper leaves its dirty colour (and become gold) when it comes in contact with the magic tincture (of alchemy), even so, the body leaves off its attachment, hatred, etc. when it comes in contact with the tincture of Advaya. This Advaya is a form of cognition where the Bodhi mind (bodhicitta) commingles with Śūnya and becomes one with it. To symbolize this principle Vajrayāna brought in the conception of the Yab-yum form of deities in which the deity appears locked in close embrace with his Śakti or the female counterpart. When the deity is single, it means that the female counterpart has merged into the deity even as salt melts in water. The deity is Śūnya and the female principle is the Bodhi mind, or the first is the ultimate reality and the female is Karuṇā (compassion). The Bodhi mind (bodhicitta) can become ultimate reality through the one principle of Karuṇā. This Karuṇā is symbolized in the form of Avalokiteśvara, the great compassionate Bodhisattva who sacrificed his Nirvāṇa in order to serve his fellowmen.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Karuṇā (करुणा) refers to “compassion”, according to the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi [i.e., Cakrasamvara Meditation] ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Benevolence, compassion (karuṇā), sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Oṃ the natural state of all conditions is pure... First crossing onto a cremation ground, fixed high on a mountain, A yogi having all the sacred threads, loose hair, and facing southward, The five ambrosias and lamps, interpolated into the face”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Karuṇā (करुणा, “kindness”) refers to one of the “four spiritual states” (brahmavihāra) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 16). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., brahma-vihāra and Karuṇā). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Source: Buddhist Information: A Simple Guide to Life

Karuna is the attitude conveyed by such terms as compassion, sympathy, pity, and mercy. Its basic characteristic is sympathy for all who suffer, and it arouses a desire to relieve or remove the pain and suffering of others. Karuna helps to eliminate callousness and indifference to others woes. It is the direct antidote to cruelty, another vice common in the world today. It is compassion that prompts one to serve others selflessly, expecting nothing, not even gratitude, in return.

Source: Shambala Publications: General

Karunā (karunā) Skt., Pali; compassion, active sympathy, gentle affection. The outstand­ing quality of all bodhisattvas and buddhas; one of the four brahma-vihāras. Compassion ex­tends itself without distinction to all sentient be­ings. It is based on the enlightened ex­perience of the oneness of all beings. Karunā must be accompanied by wisdom (prajñā) in order to have the right effect. The virtue of com­passion is embodied in the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

Karunā is often translated as “pity” or “sym­pathy”; since these notions tend to suggest pas­sive attitudes that do not contain the quality of active help that is an essential part of karunā, the concept of “compassion” is more suitable.

Source: Knowledge Traditions & Practices of India: Indian Ethics: Individual and Social (buddhism)

Karuṇa (करुण, “compassion”) is a concept defined within Buddhist ethical conduct (nītiśāstra).—In Buddhism, the two most important ethical virtues are compassion (karuṇa) and friendliness (maitrī). One should have deep sympathy and goodwill for the suffering people and should have the qualities of a good friend.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: JAINpedia: Jainism

Karuṇā (करुणा) refers to “pity” or “compassion” and represents one of the “nine sentiments” (navarasa) in poetics and dramaturgy and represents one of the topics dealt with in the Anuyogadvārasūtra : a technical treatise on analytical methods, a kind of guide to applying knowledge.—In Muni Puṇyavijaya’s words, “the Nandi which is of the form of five Jñānas serves as a mangala in the beginning of the study of the Āgamas; and the Anuyogadvāra-sūtra serves as a key to the understanding of the Āgamas”.

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Karuṇā (करुणा, “compassion”) refers to one of  the four brahmavihāras “four practices”, according to the Yogaśāstra 4.75 (vol. 2, p. 863).—Hemacandra explains that by the phrase “friendliness, etc.” (maitryādi), he means to say “friendliness” (maitrī), “joy” (muditā), “compassion” (karuṇā) and “equanimity” (upekṣā). These constitute the four practices known as the brahmavihāras mentioned in various Buddhist texts. They are also listed by Patañjali in Yogasūtra 1.33 as means for purification of the mind (see Mukerji 2000: 77-8; Bryant 2009: 128-30).

General definition book cover
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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Karuṇā.—(CII 4), one of the bhāvanās. Note: karuṇā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Karuna [କରୁଣା] in the Oriya language is the name of a plant identified with Citrus medica L. from the Rutaceae (Lemon) family having the following synonyms: Citrus bicolor, Citrus cedra, Citrus limetta, Citrus limetta. For the possible medicinal usage of karuna, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.

Karuna [करुण] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck from the Rutaceae (Lemon) family having the following synonyms: Citrus costata, Citrus pompelmos, Citrus maxima.

Biology book cover
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This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

karuṇā : (f.) compassion; pity.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Karuṇā, (f.) (cp. Vedic karuṇa nt. (holy) action; Sk. karuṇā, fr. kṛ. As adj. karuṇa see under 3. ) pity, compassion. Karuṇā is one of the 4 qualities of character significant of a human being who has attained enfranchisement of heart (ceto-vimutti) in the 4 sentiments, viz. mettā k. ° upekhā muditā frequent found in this formula with °sahagatena cetasā. The first two qualities are complementary, and SnA 128 (on Sn. 73) explains k° as “ahita-dukkh-âpanaya-kāmatā, ” the desire of removing bane and sorrow (from one’s fellowmen), whilst mettā is expl. as “hita-sukh-ûpanayakāmatā, ” the desire of bringing (to one’s fellow-men) that which is welfare and good. Other definitions are “paradukkhe sati sādhūnaṃ hadayakampanaṃ karotī ti” Bdhd 21; “sattesu k° karuṇāyanā karuṇāyitattaṃ karuṇā cetovimutti” as expl. of avihiṃsa dhātu Vbh. 87; paradukkhāsahana-rasā Vism. 318. K°-sahagatena cetasā denotes the exalted state of compassion for all beings (all that is encompassed in the sphere of one’s good influence: see cātuddisa “extending over the 4, i.e. all, directions): D. I, 251; III, 78, 50, 224; S. IV, 296, 322, 351; V, 115; A. I, 183, 196; II, 129, 184; III, 225; V, 300, 345; J. II, 129; Nd2 on Sn. 73; Vbh. 273, 280; Dhs. 1258. The def. of karuṇā at Vism. 318 runs “paradukkhe sati sādhūnaṃ hadaya-kampanaṃ karoti. ” Frequently referred to as an ideal of contemplation (in conn. w. bhāvanā & jhāna), so in “karuṇaṃ cetovimuttiṃ bhāveti” S. V, 119; A. I, 38; V, 360; in k° cetovimutti bhāvitā bahulī-katā, etc. D. III, 248; A. III, 291; IV, 300; in k°-sahagataṃ saddhindriyaṃ A. I, 42; unspecified S. V, 131; A. III, 185; Nett 121, 124; Ps. I, 8; k°+mettā Nett 25; k°+muditā Bdhd 16 sq. , 26 sq. , 29; ananta k° pañña as Ep. of Buddha Bdhd 1; karuṇaṃ dūrato katvā, without mercy, of the Yamadūtā, messengers of Death Sdhp. 287; mahā° great compassion Ps. I, 126, 133; —°samāpatti a “gest, ” feat of great compassion: in which Buddha is represented when rising and surveying the world to look for beings to be worthy of his mercy and help D. II, 237; Ps. 1, 126 f. DhA. I, 26, 367; PvA. 61, 195;— 3. As adj. only in cpds. (e.g. °vācā merciful speech; neg. akaruṇa merciless Mhbv 85, & ati° very merciful J. IV, 142) and as adv. karuṇaṃ pitifully, piteously, mournfully, in k° paridevati J. VI, 498, 513, 551; Cp. IX. 54; also in Abl. karuṇā J. VI, 466.—See also kāruñña.

Pali book cover
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.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

karūṇa (करूण).—a S Moving, affecting, pity-exciting. 2 Pitiful, compassionate, merciful.

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karūṇa (करूण).—m S karūṇā f (S) Pity, compassion, tenderness, mercy. karūṇā bhākaṇēṃ To appeal to pity; to make pitiful complaints; to supplicate movingly. As karūṇā signifies (not pitiful accents or speech, but) pity, the explication of the phrase is, to speak so that pity be excited. Ex. myāṃ ka0 bhākitāṃ thōra || uḥśāpa bōlilā kubēra || For other ex. see bhākaṇēṃ. See under dayā certain common compounds.

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karūna (करून).—prep By or through: noting means or instrumentality, medium or channel. 2 Used as although not so correctly as hōūna in the sense of Of one's own accord. See hōūna.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

karuṇa (करुण).—a Moving, pity-exciting, pitiful.

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karuṇa (करुण).—m-ṇā f Mercy, pity. karuṇā bhākaṇēṃ To implore mercy, to appeal to pity.

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karuna (करुन).—prep By or through; noting means.

context information

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Karuṇa (करुण).—a. [karoti manaḥ ānukūlyāya, kṛ-unan Tv.] Tender, pathetic, pitiable, exciting pity, mournful; करुणध्वनिः (karuṇadhvaniḥ) V.1; Śiśupālavadha 9.67; विकलकरुणैरार्यचरितैः (vikalakaruṇairāryacaritaiḥ) Uttararāmacarita 1.28.

-ṇaḥ 1 Pity, compassion, tenderness.

2) Pathetic sentiment, grief, sorrow (as one of the 8 or 9 sentiments); पुट- पाकप्रतीकाशो रामस्य करुणो रसः (puṭa- pākapratīkāśo rāmasya karuṇo rasaḥ) Uttararāmacarita 3.1,13;7.12; विलपन् (vilapan)... करुणार्थग्रथितं प्रियां प्रति (karuṇārthagrathitaṃ priyāṃ prati) R.8.7.

3) The Supreme Being.

4) A Jaina saint.

-ṇam Ved. An action, a holy or sacred rite. स विश्वस्य करुणस्येश एको (sa viśvasya karuṇasyeśa eko) Ṛgveda 1.1.7; ममेदु- कर्मन् करुणेऽधि जाया (mamedu- karman karuṇe'dhi jāyā) Av.12.3.47. ind. mournfully, woefully; अधस्ताच्छिंशपामूले साध्वी करुणमास्थिता (adhastācchiṃśapāmūle sādhvī karuṇamāsthitā) Rām.5.59.21.

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Karuṇā (करुणा).—Compassion, pity, tenderness; प्रायः सर्वो भवति करुणावृत्तिरार्द्रान्तरात्मा (prāyaḥ sarvo bhavati karuṇāvṛttirārdrāntarātmā) Meghadūta 93; so सकरुण (sakaruṇa) kind; अकरुण (akaruṇa) unkind.

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

Karuṇā (करुणा).—(?) , name of a yakṣiṇī: Mahāsamāj 187.1 (Wald-schmidt, Kl. Sanskrit Texte 4). But Pali Aruṇā, which may be right (reading Kaḍambakā before it for Kaḍambā, q.v., and see ed. note).

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Kāruṇa (कारुण).—(nowhere recorded), (1) adj. (= Sanskrit kāruṇika), compassionate: Mahāvastu i.179.6 (verse, metrical(ly) indifferent) tato lokānukampārthaṃ kāruṇo (mss. °ṇā) mahadviśāradaḥ; (2) subst. nt. (= Sanskrit kāruṇya), compassion: Mahāvastu i.51.2—3 …samyaksaṃbuddhasya mahatā kāruṇena (no v.l.) sam- anvāgatasya sattveṣu mahākāruṇaṃ (no v.l.) okrami.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Karuṇa (करुण).—mf.

(-ṇaḥ-ṇā) Tenderness, pity, compassion, the feeling or sentiment. adv.

(-ṇaṃ) Pitifully, in distress. m.

(-ṇaḥ) 1. Sorrow, affliction, one of the eight sentiments. 2. The name of a fruit-tree, the pamplemouse, (Citrus decumana.) 3. A Jina or Jaina saint. E. kṝ to send or cast, unan Unadi aff.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Karuṇa (करुण).—I. adj., f. ṇā, 1. Doleful, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] 4, 1; [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 63, 32. 2. Lamentable, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 51, 25. Ii. ṇam (acc. sing. n.), adverbially, Miserably, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 2, 14; [Śiśupālavadha] 9, 67. Iii. m. Moving compassion, one of the rasas, or sentiments of a poetical production, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 4, 7. Iv. f. ṇā, Compassion, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 1, 2, 3.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Karuṇa (करुण).—[adjective] pitiable, miserable, [neuter] [adverb]; [feminine] ā pity, compassion.

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

1) Karuṇa (करुण):—mf(ā)n. (√1. kṝ, [Uṇādi-sūtra iii, 53]; but in some of its meanings [from] √1. kṛ), mournful, miserable, lamenting, [Mahābhārata; Daśakumāra-carita] etc.

2) compassionate, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

3) m. ‘causing pity or compassion’, one of the Rasas or sentiments of a poem, the pathetic sentiment, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa] etc.

4) Citrus Decumana, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) a Buddha, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) Name of an Asura, [Harivaṃśa]

7) Karuṇā (करुणा):—[from karuṇa] f. pity, compassion, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa; Raghuvaṃśa; Pañcatantra] etc.

8) [v.s. ...] one of the four Brahma-vihāras ([Buddhist literature])

9) [v.s. ...] the sentiment of compassion (cf. above), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

10) [v.s. ...] a particular tone (in mus.)

11) Karuṇa (करुण):—n. an action, holy work, [Ṛg-veda i, 100, 7; Atharva-veda xii, 3, 47; Taittirīya-saṃhitā i.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Karuṇa (करुण):—[(ṇaḥ-ṇā)] 1. m. f. Pity. 1. m. Sorrow; a fruit tree (Citrus decumana). n. (ṇaṃ) Pitifully.

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

Karuṇā (करुणा) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Karuṇā, Kaluṇa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Karuna 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.

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Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Karuṇa (करुण) [Also spelled karun]:—(a) touching; pathetic, tragic; ~[hṛdaya] merciful, compassionate.

2) Karuṇā (करुणा):—(nf) pity, compassion, pathos; benignity; tenderness of feelings; ~[kara/ ~nidhāna/ ~nidhi] attributes of God—The Merciful; ~[maya] tender-hearted, abounding in compassion.

context information

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Prakrit-English dictionary

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

Karuṇā (करुणा) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Karuṇā.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Karuṇa (ಕರುಣ):—

1) [noun] sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, accompanied by an urge to help; deep sympathy; pity; compassion.

2) [noun] (rhet.) a sentiment in poetical works, drama etc. generating compassion.

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Kāruṇa (ಕಾರುಣ):—[noun] = ಕಾರುಣ್ಯ [karunya].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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