Kautuka: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Kautuka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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 Kautuk.
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In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to “conjuring tricks”. It is a siddhi (‘supernatural power’) described in chapter one of the Kakṣapuṭatantra (a manual of Tantric practice from the tenth century).
1) Kautuka (कौतुक) is the name of an Āgama or Tantra mentioned in the Kakṣapuṭatantra verse 1.5-7.—“At a previous time, when Pārvatī asked him, Śaṅkara told of the attainments of vidyā in the wide worldly life, in various ways. I observed each teaching taught also by the troops of Gods, Siddhas (those who have attained supernatural power), Munis (saints), Deśikas (spiritual teachers), and Sādhakas (tantric practicioners). They are [, for example]: Kautuka... I shall carefully extract all the above-mentioned āgamas, which are transmitted from mouth to mouth, like butter extracted from coagulated milk”.
2) Kautuka (कौतुक) or Kautūhala refers to “conjuring tricks” and represents one of the various siddhis (perfections) mentioned in the Kakṣapuṭatantra verse 1.11-13. Accordingly, “by excellent Sādhakas (tantric practitioners) wishing the Siddhi (e.g., kautuka), the mantrasādhana should be performed in advance, for the sake of the Siddhi. One would not attain any Siddhi without the means of mantra-vidhāna (the classification of mantra)”.
According to verse 1.74, “[By focusing] on the two-petalled [lotus] between the eyebrows, one will accomplish the small vidyā, great vidyā, mokṣa, and kautūhalas (syn. kautuka, conjuring tricks), using the rightward flow”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
1) Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to “curiosity”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.22. Accordingly as Śiva said to Sitā:—“[...] O my beloved, beautiful woman, clouds will not reach the place where I have to make an abode for you. [...] On the Himālayan mountains, songs exciting your curiosity (kautuka) and enthusiastic gaiety shall be sung by clusters and swarms of bees with sweet humming sounds as they play about as they please”.
2) Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to “articles (presented as gifts during a wedding)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.1.—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] after receiving many articles as gifts (kautuka—kautukaṃ bahu samprāpya) and marrying the beloved lady Menā, the lord of mountains returned to his abode and rejoiced”.
3) Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to the “(auspicious) thread”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.39 (“The gods arrive at Kailāsa”).—Accordingly: “[...] Lord Śiva thus requested by Viṣṇu, and being himself eager to follow worldly conventions performed the same duly. Authorised by Him, I performed all the rites conducive to prosperity, assisted by the sages. The sages [...], Vyāsa, with his disciples, and other sages came to Śiva. Urged by me they performed the sacred rites duly. All of them who had mastered the Vedas and Vedāṅgas performed the safety rites for Śiva and tied the auspicious thread (kautuka-maṅgala) round his wrist. [...]”.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Kautuka (कौतुक) or Kautukabera refers to a classification of icons, as defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—The Kautuka-bera may be made of wood, stone. copper, silver, gold or precious stones, each succeeding one being superior to the preceding one in that order. Atri and Marīci prescribe different material for Kautuka-bera and the results: the wooden icon yield progeny; the tone icon cause long life; copper icon help to achieve all sorts of prosperity; silver icon enables to get fame; golden icon i meant for nourishment, prosperity, happiness and all good results in both here (aihika) and hereafter (āmuṣmika); and the Kautuka-bera made of precious stones (ratna) brings peace to all the worlds and enables one to reach spontaneously Sāyujyaloka of Viṣṇu.
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.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to a “pleasure-giving (bird)”, 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 yellow-eyed division of hawks]: “The Vājas are of five kinds. Their descriptions are given separately. [...] Mahārāvaṇa, the king of Vājas, is that in whose tail and feathers are to be found marks like the Aśvatha or pipal leaf. Only one who has heaped up much religious merit becomes the possessor of such a pleasure-giving bird (kautuka-āspada). It is called Mahārāvaṇa because it makes other birds cry in fear on its approach”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to Kautukabera (or Kautukabimba) which represents a type of icon, as discussed in the eleventh chapter of the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography. Description of the chapter [pratimālakṣaṇa]:—The chapter opens with a description of how and from where to collect the materials-metal, stone, clay, gems or wood-that are permissible for use in constructing the kautuka-bera-icon (2-10a), followed by details for the rituals related to collecting wood from a forest (10b-20), and details concerning collection of stones (21-36). The iconometry of the kautuka-bera-icon is briefly dealt with (37-45), depending on what material it is made of, before turning to general proportions of the icon's size to the temple-building itself (46-49), to the door (50-52) and to the stambha-post (53). [...]
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to “wearing a thread on the wrist” employed during rituals related to the re-installation of damaged idols from the temple, according to Kerala ritual texts such as the Śaivāgamanibandhana, Prayogamañjarī and the Īśanagurudevapaddhati.—[...] Then the priest, accompanied by four Brahmins, perambulates the temple and enters the sanctum, all of them wearing a thread on the wrist (kautuka). Puṇyāha is performed and the puṇyāha water sprinkled on the four Brahmins who then change the position of their sacred thread looping it as if it were a garland; then they all do the prāṇāyama with the mantras of Nirmālyadhāri. [...]
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
Kautuka (कौतुक) refers to the “having interest” (in the illusory world—viśva), according to the Aṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “Knowing yourself as truly one and indestructible, how could a wise man possessing self-knowledge like you feel any pleasure in acquiring wealth? [...] Seeing this world as pure illusion, and devoid of any interest in it (vigata-kautuka) [māyāmātramidaṃ viśvaṃ paśyanvigatakautukaḥ], how should the strong-minded person, feel fear, even at the approach of death? Who is to be compared to the great souled person whose mind is free of desire even in disappointment, and who has found satisfaction in self-knowledge? [...]”
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
kautuka (कौतुक).—n (S) A wonder or marvel; any object (a person, thing, act, event, appearance) exciting surprise, admiration, fondness, or delight. Ex. tyācē bōlaṇyācēṃ kau0 vāṭatēṃ; jyā padārthācēṃ jyāsa kau0 vāṭata nāhīṃ tyāsa tō dēuṃ nayē. 2 Holding admiringly or fondly: also caressing, fondling, cockering, and indulging (of a child, a hobby gen.): also treating delicately and daintily. v rākha or ṭhēva with nēṃ. 3 Festivities, sports, diversions, shows, plays, song, dance. 4 Amusement, enjoyment, entertainment, sport.
kautuka (कौतुक).—n A wonder or marvel, any object exciting surprise, admiration, fond- ness or delight. Holding admiring- ly or fondly; also caressing, fondling, indulging. Amusement, enjoyment, entertainment.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Kautuka (कौतुक).—[kutukasya bhāvaḥ aṇ]
1) Desire, curiosity, wish.
2) Eagerness, vehemence, impatience.
3) Anything creating curiosity or wonder.
4) The marriage thread (worn on the wrist); करोयमामुक्तविवाहकौतुकः (karoyamāmuktavivāhakautukaḥ) Kumārasambhava 5.66; R.8.1.
5) The ceremony with the marriage thread preceding a marriage; सबाष्पा कौतुकक्रिया (sabāṣpā kautukakriyā) Pratijña 4.24.
6) Festivity, gaiety.
7) Particularly auspicious festivity, solemn occasion (such as marriage); 'कौतुकं मङ्गले हर्षे हस्तसूत्रे कुतूहले (kautukaṃ maṅgale harṣe hastasūtre kutūhale)' इति शाश्वतः (iti śāśvataḥ); प्रस्थान° (prasthāna°) Ś.4; Kumārasambhava 7.25.
8) Delight, joy, pleasure, happiness; निवृत्त- नानारसकाव्यकौतुकम् (nivṛtta- nānārasakāvyakautukam) Bhartṛhari 3.14; °रसाः (rasāḥ) Uttararāmacarita 6.33; Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 1.3; Uttararāmacarita 3.37.
9) Sport, pastime.
1) A song, dance, show or spectacle.
11) Joke, mirth.
12) Friendly greeting, salutation.
Derivable forms: kautukam (कौतुकम्).
Kautuka (कौतुक).—m. (Sanskrit only nt.), curiosity: Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya iii.129.20 (prose) kautukaś ca me mahān.
Kautuka (कौतुक).—n.
(-kaṃ) 1. Eagerness, vehemence, impatience. 2. Joy, pleasure, happiness. 3. Sport, pastime. 4. A festivity. 5. Wish, inclination. 6. Curiosity. 7. Kind or friendly greeting, civility, salutation. 8. The marriage thread or ring. 9. The enjoyment of public diversions. 10. Song, dance, shew or spectacle. 11. Season of enjoyment. E. kutuka, and aṇ aff.
Kautuka (कौतुक).—i. e. kutuka + a, n. 1. Eagerness, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 359; desire, [Pañcatantra] 128, 18. 2. Pleasure, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 43, 11. 3. Happiness, [Pañcatantra] iv. [distich] 35. 4. An interesting spectacle, [Kathāsaritsāgara, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 6, 65. 5. A festival, [Bhartṛhari, (ed. Bohlen.)] 3, 15; [Mālavikāgnimitra, (ed. Tullberg.)] 64, 6. 6. Marriage, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 4, 3, 13. 7. The marriage string. [Daśakumāracarita] in
Kautuka (कौतुक).—[neuter] curiosity, interest, eagerness, vehement desire or longing for ([locative] or —°), anything curious or interesting, show, festival, ceremony, [especially] the marriage-thread ceremony, also the marriage-thread itself; blessing, happiness.
1) Kautuka (कौतुक):—n. ([from] kut; [gana] yuvādi), curiosity, interest in anything, vehement desire for ([locative case] or in [compound]), eagerness, vehemence impatience, [Pañcatantra; Kathāsaritsāgara] (ifc. f(ā). ) etc.
2) anything causing curiosity or admiration or interest, any singular or surprising object, wonder, [Pañcatantra; Kathāsaritsāgara; Vetāla-pañcaviṃśatikā]
3) festivity, gaiety, festival, show, solemn ceremony ([especially] the ceremony with the marriage-thread or necklace preceding a marriage), [Kumāra-sambhava; Daśakumāra-carita; Bhartṛhari; Bhāgavata-purāṇa] etc.
4) the marriage-thread or necklace, [Kathāsaritsāgara li, 223]
5) pleasure, happiness, prosperity, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa i, 17, 26]
6) Name of nine particular substances, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi i, 110, 19; ii, 49, 10]
7) sport, pastime, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) public diversion, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
9) song, dance, show, spectacle, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
10) season of enjoyment, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
11) kind or friendly greeting, civility, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) the place for a [particular] nuptial ceremony, [Mānava-gṛhya-sūtra]
Kautuka (कौतुक):—(kaṃ) 1. n. Eagerness, joy, sport, wish, festival, curiosity; salutation; marriage ring; dance.
[Sanskrit to German]
Kautuka (कौतुक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kouga, Kouya.
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.
Hindi dictionary
Kautuka (कौतुक) [Also spelled kautuk]:—(nm) curiosity; amazement; fun, fun and frolic; spectacle; ~[kī] frolicsome.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Kautuka (ಕೌತುಕ):—
1) [noun] a person, thing or event that causes astonishment and admiration; a wonder.
2) [noun] an intense desire to learn or know.
3) [noun] a celebration, a festival; a festive occasion.
4) [noun] a pleased feeling; enjoyment; delight; satisfaction; pleasure.
5) [noun] any activity or experience that gives enjoyment or recreation; pastime; a sport.
6) [noun] anything said or done to arouse laughter; a joke.
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 (+11): Kautukabandha, Kautukabandhana, Kautukabandhanaprayoga, Kautukabera, Kautukabimba, Kautukacintamani, Kautukadarshaka, Kautukagara, Kautukagriha, Kautukajanaka, Kautukakriya, Kautukalakshana, Kautukalilavati, Kautukamangala, Kautukamanjari, Kautukamaya, Kautukamocana, Kautukapadu, Kautukaparayana, Kautukaprerita.
Full-text (+135): Kridakautuka, Kautukagriha, Kautukamangala, Kautukagara, Kautukakriya, Kautukatorana, Kritakautuka, Kautukacintamani, Ramakautuka, Vrittakautuka, Vikautuka, Kautukapura, Kautukin, Pancangakautuka, Karatikautuka, Kavirajakautuka, Kathakautuka, Kautukavat, Kautukalilavati, Kutuka.
Relevant text
Search found 42 books and stories containing Kautuka; (plurals include: Kautukas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.2.144 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]
Verse 2.4.32-33 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Verse 1.4.1 < [Chapter 4 - Bhakta (the devotee)]
The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)
Part 5 - Some prominent Kashmiri Sanskrit poets < [Chapter I - Introduction]
Part 2e - Rasa (5): Karuṇa or the sentiment of pathos < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.1.345 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Verse 4.6.4 < [Part 5 - Dread (bhayānaka-rasa)]
Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara (Study) (by Debabrata Barai)
Part 19 - Rājaśekhara’s Praśasti < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)