Alternative spellings of this word include Kautuk.

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In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kakṣapuṭa-tantra

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).

Source: Shodhganga: Mantra-sādhana: Chapter One of the Kakṣapuṭatantra

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”.

context information

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)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

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. [...]”.

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu Images

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.

context information

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)

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

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”.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and 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.

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

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.

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.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English 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).

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

Kautuka (कौतुक).—m. (Sanskrit only nt.), curiosity: Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya iii.129.20 (prose) kautukaś ca me mahān.

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

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.

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

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 Chr. 201, 4.

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

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.

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

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]

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

Kautuka (कौतुक):—(kaṃ) 1. n. Eagerness, joy, sport, wish, festival, curiosity; salutation; marriage ring; dance.

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

Kautuka (कौतुक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kouga, Kouya.

[Sanskrit to German]

Kautuka 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Kautuka (कौतुक) [Also spelled kautuk]:—(nm) curiosity; amazement; fun, fun and frolic; spectacle; ~[kī] frolicsome.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

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.

context information

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 (+18): Kautukabandhanaprayoga, Kautukabera, Kautukacintamani, Kautukadarshaka, Kautukagara, Kautukagriha, Kautukajanaka, Kautukakriya, Kautukalakshana, Kautukalam, Kautukalamkara, Kautukalilavati, Kautukamangala, Kautukamanjari, Kautukamaya, Kautukambadu, Kautukamdal, Kautukamgol, Kautukamgolisu, Kautukani.

Ends with (+10): Adbhutakautuka, Agnikautuka, Ahnikakautuka, Autthanikakautuka, Danakautuka, Grahakautuka, Harililakrishnakautuka, Hridayakautuka, Ishvarikautuka, Jatakautuka, Kalanirnayakautuka, Karatikautuka, Kathakautuka, Kavikautuka, Kavirajakautuka, Kavyakautuka, Kodakautuka, Kridakautuka, Kritakautuka, Mahakautuka.

Full-text (+107): Kautukin, Kautukamangala, Kutuka, Kautukagara, Vikautuka, Kautukatorana, Kridakautuka, Sakautukam, Jatakautuka, Kritakautuka, Kautukakriya, Kautukagriha, Mithyajivatu, Mrishavacana, Mithyarnava, Dharmanala, Panditapidavisharada, Bhandaniya, Pandaravayasa, Madanatrishna.

Relevant text

Search found 15 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)]

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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)]

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Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara (Study) (by Debabrata Barai)

Part 19 - Rājaśekhara’s Praśasti < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]

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Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)

Verse 2.17.30 < [Chapter 17 - The Lord’s Wandering Throughout Navadvīpa and Descriptions of the Devotees’ Glories]

Verse 2.22.82 < [Chapter 22 - Delivering Śacīdevī from Offense and Descriptions of Nityānanda’s Qualities]

Verse 2.18.101 < [Chapter 18 - Mahāprabhu’s Dancing as a Gopī]

+ 26 more chapters / show preview

Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study) (by G. D. Jayalakshmi)

Analysis of Śṛṅgāra-rasa < [Chapter 6 - Dramatic aspects of the Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]

Analysis of Śānta-rasa < [Chapter 6 - Dramatic aspects of the Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]

Advaitic aspects of Act I < [Chapter 5 - Advaitic principles in Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]

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The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)

Part 2e - Rasa (5): Karuṇa or the sentiment of pathos < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

Part 5 - Some prominent Kashmiri Sanskrit poets < [Chapter I - Introduction]

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