Kirita, Kirīṭa: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Kirita means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
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In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Kirīṭa (किरीट)—One of the Heavenly ornaments according to the Vāyu Purāṇa. Hari or Viṣṇu is called Kirīṭin.
Kirīṭa (किरीट).—Of Viṣnu;1 of Kaṃsā.2
Kirīṭa (किरीट) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.24.20) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Kirīṭa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)
Kirīṭa (किरीट) refers to one of the 130 varṇavṛttas (syllabo-quantitative verse) dealt with in the second chapter of the Vṛttamuktāvalī, ascribed to Durgādatta (19th century), author of eight Sanskrit work and patronised by Hindupati: an ancient king of the Bundela tribe (presently Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh). A Varṇavṛtta (e.g., kirīṭa) refers to a type of classical Sanskrit metre depending on syllable count where the light-heavy patterns are fixed.
Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Kirīṭa (किरीट) or Kirīṭamudrā is the name of a mudrā described in the Īśvarasaṃhitā 24.23-24.—Accordingly, “The two hands should be formed to resemble a bud and placed on the head uttering the (concerned) mantra. This is to be known as kirīṭamudrā, resembling ten thousand suns (in splendour)”. Mūdra (e.g., Kirīṭa-mudrā) is so called as it gives joy to the tattvas in the form of karman for those who offer spotless worship, drive out the defects which move about within and without and sealing up of what is done.
1a) Kirīṭa (किरीट) refers to the “crown”—one of Viṣṇu’s ornaments, as discussed in chapter 31 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [vighnarājotpatti-kirīṭādi-mantroddhāra]: Brahmā asks to know the origin of Vighnarāja, and Bhagavān tells him the story of Pradyumna’s anger which gave rise to the elephant-headed Gaṇapati whose purpose was always to fight on the side of the gods (1-10a). Then He (Bhagavān) turns to answer the questions put to Him about the mantras to Viṣṇu’s ornaments, etc., [e.g., to the kirīṭa-crown (10b-24)] [...]
1b) Kirīṭa (किरीट) or “crown” refers to one of the various ornaments and weapons of Viṣṇu to be contemplated upon, as discussed in chapter 13 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [astra-bhūṣaṇa-devatā-dhyāna-vidhi]: Although generally speaking the gods have four arms, four faces, many ornaments, yet when they are worshipped they are to be imagined with only two arms, one head, etc. (1-2). Bhagavān says Viṣṇu has the following ornaments, and the descriptions are given as if the items are personified: [e.g., kirīṭa-crown (3b)] [...] It is said that they are to be contemplated standing beside the Lord, with one hand on the hip, the other hand by some in waving a fly-whisk and by others in brandishing a warning finger. Some of the above are also identified with cosmic entities—sun, moon, death, etc. (26-34).
2) Kirīṭa (किरीट) is the name of a Mudrā (“ritual hand-gestures”), discussed in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa-bhagavaddhyāna-ādi-prakāra]: Nārada tells how one prepares himself for the practice of mudrā-gestures—washing the hands with sandal-paste, doing certain exercises with the fingers, ritually touching the chest with the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, executing certain motions with the palms joined, etc. (3-11). Different mudrā-gestures are named and described (12-72): [e.g., kirīṭa (24a)] [...]
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Kirīṭa (किरीट) refers to the “crown of a metal icon”, 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 Vaiṣṇava Āgamas insist that the metal icons should be made through a casting process called Madhūcchiṣṭa-kriyā. [...] After fine carving work the metal icon is fit on the pedestal which is known as jaṭibandhana. The metal icon is created and cast separately in two parts—a) the pīṭha and, b) the body of the icon from kirīṭa to the metal footplate (phalakā). The lower most part of the main icon (phalakā attached to the feet of the icon) is inserted into the socket (on top) of the pedestal after depositing the precious gems (ratna) into it.
In some icons, from kirīṭa to padmapīṭha is a single cast. In such, the padmapīṭha is placed and fit on the upapīṭha.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Kirīṭa (किरीट) refers to a “diadem”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, while describing the Mūrti (visualized iconic form) of the goddess Mālinī: “She is like the rising sun and is blissful with wine. Very beautiful, she has five faces and is radiant with five time three eyes. She is adorned with beautiful earrings and shines with diadem and crown [i.e., kirīṭa-mukuṭa-ujjvalā]. She has ten arms adorned with many ornaments. O beloved, (she holds) a bow, javelin, conch, makes the gesture of fearlessness and holds a mirror. (Such) is the divine weapon in her left hands. (She holds) a thunderbolt, arrow, snake, makes a boon bestowing gesture and holds a rosary. O goddess, such is the divine weapon (held) by (her) right (hands)”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Kirīṭa (किरीट) refers to “diadems”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Visualisation of Parameśvara]:—[...] He is adorned with nice anklets, armlets, rings and bracelets, and he shines with small toe rings, channahīras, etc., and diadems (kirīṭa) and a crown. His face is gracious, beautiful, his lips are smeared with betel leaves. His mind is filled with the joy of wine, and his body is supreme bliss [itself]. [...]”.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Kirīṭa (किरीट, “crown”):—The crown is said to be the Unknowable Reality. (G.u.t.Up 59: kūṭasthaṃ sattvarūpaṃ ca kirīṭaṃ pravadanti mām |)
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
kirīṭa : (nt.) a crown; diadem.
kirīṭa (ကိရီဋ) [(pu,na) (ပု၊န)]—
[kira+īṭa．dvayaṃ makuṭe．kiravikiraṇe īṭo．,ṭī．283．]
[ကိရ+ဤဋ။ ဒွယံ မကုဋေ။ ကိရဝိကိရဏေ ဤဋော။ ဓာန်၊ ဋီ။ ၂၈၃။]
[Pali to Burmese]
kirīṭa—
(Burmese text): မကိုဋ်။
(Auto-Translation): My friend.
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
kirīṭa (किरीट).—m n S A crest or diadem.
kirīṭa (किरीट).—m A crest or diadem.
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
Kirīṭa (किरीट).—[kṝ-kiṭan; Uṇādi-sūtra 4.184]
1) A diadem, crown, crest, tiara; किरीटबद्धाञ्जलयः (kirīṭabaddhāñjalayaḥ) Kumārasambhava 7.92.
2) A trader. See किराट (kirāṭa).
Derivable forms: kirīṭaḥ (किरीटः), kirīṭam (किरीटम्).
Kirīṭa (किरीट).—mn.
(-ṭaḥ-ṭaṃ) A crest, a diadem. E. kṝ to scatter, (pearls, &c.) and kīṭan Unadi aff.
Kirīṭa (किरीट).—m. and n. A diadem. [Arjunasamāgama] 5, 13.
Kirīṭa (किरीट).—[neuter] diadem; [masculine] = kirāṭa.
1) Kiriṭa (किरिट):—See ati-kir.
2) Kirīṭa (किरीट):—mfn. See ati-kir
3) n. [as m. [gana] ardharcādi], a diadem, crest, any ornament used as a crown, tiara, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
4) n. Name of a metre of four lines (each containing twenty-four syllables)
5) m. (= kirāṭa) a merchant, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa xii, 3, 35]
Kirīṭa (किरीट):—[(ṭaḥ-ṭaṃ)] 1. m. n. A crest, a diadem; a turban.
[Sanskrit to German]
Kirīṭa (किरीट) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kirīḍa, Tirīḍa.
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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Kirīta (किरीत) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Krīta.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Kirīṭa (ಕಿರೀಟ):—
1) [noun] a circlet or headdress, often of gold and jewels, worn by a monarch as an emblem of sovereignty or by the winner of some contests as the beauty contest.
2) [noun] (fig.) a reward or honour.
3) [noun] a man who trades; a merchant; a trader.
4) [noun] ಕಿರೀಟ ಇಡು [kirita idu]/ಹೊರಿಸು [horisu] kirīṭa iḍu/horisu (fig.) (a distinctive accomplishment, achievement) to happen to make one feel proud of; to add a feather in one’s cap; 2. (sarc.) to reward or honour for one’s merits.
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)
Partial matches: Kira.
Starts with (+8): Kirita-piramavati, Kiritabhrit, Kiritacakkiri, Kiritadhamani, Kiritadharana, Kiritadharane, Kiritadharin, Kiritaggi, Kiritai, Kiritaka, Kiritam, Kiritamalin, Kiritamantra, Kiritamudra, Kiritamukuta, Kiritamukutojvala, Kiritan, Kiritana, Kiritanvita, Kiritapam.
Full-text (+44): Kiriti, Kiritadharin, Kiritam, Kiritadharana, Kiritamalin, Atikirita, Kiritabhrit, Kiritamukuta, Indukirita, Pankakkiritam, Kiritamudra, Bhujakirita, Kiritataranam, Kiritapraya, Makuta, Kiritatari, Kiritadhamani, Kiritatikta, Kiritacakkiri, Kiritamantra.
Relevant text
Search found 54 books and stories containing Kirita, Kira-ita, Kira-īṭa, Kirīṭa, Kiriṭa, Kirīta, Kiritas; (plurals include: Kiritas, itas, īṭas, Kirīṭas, Kiriṭas, Kirītas, Kiritases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 8.13.4b < [Chapter 13 - A Thousand Names of Lord Balarāma]
Verse 2.9.29 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Verse 4.10.6 < [Chapter 10 - The Story of the Pulindā Women]
Pallava period (Social and Cultural History) (by S. Krishnamurthy)
Crowns for Men (a): Kirita-makuta < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Head-dress of Men (Crowns) < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Head-dress of Women (d): Kirita-makuta < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)
Verse 1316: Evoke Bhuvaneswari's Form < [Tantra Four (nankam tantiram) (verses 884-1418)]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 192 < [Kannada-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Page 440 < [Tamil-Hindi-English, Volume 1]
Page 483 < [Tamil-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Archaeology and the Mahabharata (Study) (by Gouri Lad)
Arts in the Puranas (study) (by Meena Devadatta Jeste)
13. Aharyabhinaya (extraneous representation) < [Chapter 2 - Dance in the Puranas]
7.2. Images of Vishnu < [Chapter 4 - Sculpture in the Puranas]
4. Mudras or the Hand-poses of the Images < [Chapter 4 - Sculpture in the Puranas]
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