Kritya, Kṛtya: 24 definitions
Introduction:
Kritya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
The Sanskrit term Kṛtya can be transliterated into English as Krtya or Kritya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Kraty.
In Hinduism
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Kṛtya (कृत्य).—lit. that which should be done; the word कृत्य (kṛtya) is used as a tech nical term in grammar in the sense of kṛt affixes which possess the sense 'should be done'. Pāṇini has not defined the term कृत्य (kṛtya) but he has introduced a topic (अधिकार (adhikāra)) by the name कृत्य (kṛtya) (P. III.1.95), and mentioned kṛt afixes therein which are to be called कृत्य (kṛtya) right on upto the mention of the affix ण्वुल् (ṇvul). in P.III. 1.133; cf. कृत्याः प्राङ् ण्वुलः (kṛtyāḥ prāṅ ṇvulaḥ) P. III. 1.95 The kṛtya affixes, commonly found in use, are तव्य, अनीय (tavya, anīya) and य (ya) (यत्, क्यप् (yat, kyap) and ण्यत् (ṇyat)).
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
1) Kṛtyā (कृत्या).—(KṚTYAKĀ) I. A Rākṣasī who is born when the black arts as enunciated in the Atharvaveda are practised to annihilate enemies. Kṛtyā may appear in male form too. Some of the activities of Kṛtyā are given below. Carried off Duryodhana. While the Pāṇḍavas were living in exile in the forest, Duryodhana and others went in a procession to the forest. Though Duryodhana was taken into captivity in the forest by a Gandharva, Arjuna saved him out of fraternal consideration for him. Duryodhana returned to Hastināpura. Now the question was whether half of the kingdom should be given to the Pāṇḍavas or not. Śakuni and others advised Duryodhana to give it, but the latter remained adamant against it. Dhṛtarāṣṭra decided to end his life and for the purpose spread darbha grass on earth and sat thereon. The Asuras heard about these developments and created a Kṛtyā by mantras. The Kṛtyā took Duryodhana to Pātāla where the Asuras advised him against any compromise with the Pāṇḍavas. On the other hand they wanted him to intensify his hatred against the Pāṇḍavas, and they assured him all support. After that Kṛtyā took Duryodhana back to Hastināpura. (Vana Parva, Chapter 252). (See full article at Story of Kṛtyā from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
2) Kṛtyā (कृत्या).—A river. Indians used to drink water from this river. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 9 Verse 18).
Kṛtyā (कृत्या) is the name of a deity that appeared out of the Rudra’s mouth, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.20 (“The fight between the Gaṇas and the Asuras”).—Accordingly, as Jalandhara laid siege to Kailāsa: “[...] On hearing it, lord Śiva became terribly furious. He became terrific blazing the quarters as it were. A terrible Kṛtyā came out of Rudra’s mouth. Her calves were as stout as Palmyra trees. Her mouth was huge and deep like mountain caverns. With her breasts she crushed huge trees. O excellent sage, she rushed immediately to the battle ground. The terrible Kṛtyā roamed the battleground devouring the great Asuras. [...]”.
Kṛtyā (कृत्या) refers to the name of a River mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. VI.10.17). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Kṛtyā) 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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Kṛtyā (कृत्या) refers to “(the treatment of) supernatural power produced from mantras”, and is mentioned in the 10th century Yogaśataka written by Pandita Vararuci.—The Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci is an example of this category. This book attracts reader by its very easy language and formulations which can be easily prepared and have small number of herbs. It describes only those formulations which are the most common and can be used in majority conditions of diseases (viz., Kṛtyā).
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Shaiva philosophy
Kṛtya (कृत्य) refers to an “object of action”, according to the Cittānubodhaśāstra by Rājanaka Bhāskarakaṇṭha: an 18th century text dealing with aspects of Kashmir Śaivism such as the Pratyabhijñā (lit. “divine recognition”) philosophical branch.—The purport of the Cittānubodhaśāstra is to awaken the mind and to make it realize the truth of its own nature. [...] The twelfth chapter differentiates between kṛtya (object of action) and meya (object of knowledge) and their place in relation to the subjects from Śiva down to the individual.
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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Kṛtya (कृत्य) refers to the “celebration (of one’s birthday)”, as discussed in chapter 30 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—Description of the chapter [kṛṣṇa-jayantī-kṛtya]: Viṣvaksena turns here to Kṛṣṇa’s birthday—He Who was born of Vāsudeva and Devakī for the good of the world. The celebrations (jayantī-kṛtya) are to be in 8th day of the dark fortnight of śrāvaṇa-month under the constellation rohiṇī (1-2). [...]
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Kṛtyā (कृत्या) refers to “sorcery”.—In order to counter the sorcery (kṛtyā) of someone who wishes evil for the bride, a purifying bath is prescribed as part of the Vedic marriage rites (Atharvaveda 14.2.65). The couple recite the following verse while looking at the red and blue evening sky in order to propitiate the goddess Kṛtyā:—“Her hue is blue and red: the fiend (kṛtyā) who clingeth close is driven off. Well thrive the kinsmen of this bride: the husband is bound first in bonds”.—(cf. Ṛgveda 10.85.28 = Atharvaveda 14.1.26).
Note: The Vedic goddess Kṛtyā, the embodiment of sorcery, is said to be this colour [i.e., dark (red and blue) like ‘blue collyrium’], reflecting that of the cloth that has been soiled by the bride on the night of the consummation of her marriage. — On the morning after the garbhādhāna ceremony, which is performed on the fourth day after marriage, the cloth worn by the bride, which has been soiled by the nuptial consummation, is given over to the priest. Indeed, the red and blue blood spots on the cloth are regarded as representing Kṛtyā and hence as inauspicious. The garment, which is called śāmulya, is supposed to be extremely ominous if retained in the house. It becomes a walking Kṛtyā and associates herself with the husband thereby bringing all disasters upon him
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Kṛtya (कृत्य) refers to “role”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]—[...] (4). The Buddha has no notion of variety.—[...] Furthermore, it is said in the Sarvadharmāpravṛttinirdeśa: ‘The Buddha considers all beings as his own self, as having fulfilled their role (kṛtya) and having neither beginning, middle or end’. That is why he has no notion of variety.. [...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Kṛtya (कृत्य) refers to “that which is proper to be done”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Fool, do you not perceive the transitory behaviour of the whole world? You must do what is proper to be done (kṛtya—kuru kṛtyaṃ). You must not deceive yourself by amusing yourself with false knowledge”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
kṛtya (कृत्य).—n (S) An act, action, deed, fact. 2 A problem.
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kṛtyā (कृत्या).—f (S) A female deity to whom sacrifices are offered for destructive and magical purposes. Hence applied to a clamorous and quarrelsome woman; a vixen, scold, virago.
kṛtya (कृत्य).—n An act, action, deed. A problem.
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kṛtyā (कृत्या).—f A female deity to whom sacri- fices are offered for destructive or magical purposes. Hence applied to a clamorous and quarrelsome woman, a vixen, scold, virago.
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
Kṛtya (कृत्य).—a. [kṛ-kyap; cf. P.III.1.12]
1) What should or ought to be done, right, proper, fit; साधु पर्याप्तमेता- वत्कृत्यश्चारित्रसंग्रहः (sādhu paryāptametā- vatkṛtyaścāritrasaṃgrahaḥ) Rām.7.13.18.
2) Feasible, practicable.
3) One who may be seduced from allegiance, treacherous; Rāj. T.5.247.
-tyam 1 What ought to be done, duty, (itikṛtya) function; Manusmṛti 2.237;7.67.
2) Work, business, deed, commission; बन्धुकृत्यम् (bandhukṛtyam) Meghadūta 116; अन्योन्यकृत्यैः (anyonyakṛtyaiḥ) Ś.7.34.
3) Purpose, object, end; कूजद्भि- रापादितवंशकृत्यम् (kūjadbhi- rāpāditavaṃśakṛtyam) R.2.12; Kumārasambhava 4.15.
4) Motive, cause; किमागमनकृत्यं ते देवगन्धर्वसेवित (kimāgamanakṛtyaṃ te devagandharvasevita) Rām.7.21.4.
-tyaḥ A class of affixes used to form potential (future) passive participle; these are तव्य, अनीय, य (tavya, anīya, ya) and also एलिम (elima).
-tyā 1 Action, deed.
2) Magic.
3) A female deity to whom sacrifices are offered for destructive and magical purposes; परं यत्नमकरोद्यो मे पापकृत्यां शमयेदिति (paraṃ yatnamakarodyo me pāpakṛtyāṃ śamayediti) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.31.11.
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Kṛtya (कृत्य).—(from kṛnt) An instrument of an architect; अन्येषु शिल्पेषु च यान्यपि स्युः सर्वाणि कृत्यान्यखिलेन तत्र (anyeṣu śilpeṣu ca yānyapi syuḥ sarvāṇi kṛtyānyakhilena tatra) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.194.6.
Derivable forms: kṛtyam (कृत्यम्).
Kṛtya (कृत्य).—(1) m., a kind of demon (compare Sanskrit kṛtyā, of which this may be a masc. correspondent created for the nonce, in this passage which is a list of masc. evil spirits): Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 401.5—6 kṛtyo vā vetāḍo vā…(6) yakṣakṛtyo vāmanu- ṣyakṛtyo vā manuṣyakṛtyo vā; (2) nt., or at end of adj. cpds., business etc., in some cases apparently transcending normal Sanskrit usage; bhakta-kṛtya (= Pali bhatta-kicca), lit. business of food, so a meal: Divyāvadāna 185.22 °tyaṃ kartum ārabdhaḥ; āhāra-kṛtya, id., Divyāvadāna 82.26 nānenāhāreṇāhāra- kṛtyaṃ kariṣyati, he will not make his meal(s) on this food, i.e. live on this alone; Divyāvadāna 236.6, text āhāraṃ (read °ra-?) kṛtyaṃ kuru, get your sustenance; according to Senart, note on Mahāvastu i.349.18 (p. 622), used like the Prakrit quasi- suffix -kera(ka) as substantial equivalent of gen. case- ending (Prakrit -kera is to be derived from Sanskrit kārya with Pischel 176; see -keraka); Senart's Index further inter- prets -kṛtye ii.97.13 as ‘periphrasis for instrumental’, but this is certainly wrong, since there gītakṛtye pramattā jaladardarake ca clearly means careless in their occupation with singing and the (musical instrument) jaladardaraka; the cases where -kṛtya is alleged to be a ‘periphrasis for the gen.’ are also, in some cases, doubtful; in Mahāvastu i.349.18 and 350.1 Senart rāja-kṛtyā kośāto, supposedly = from the king's treasury, but the mss. read rāja-kṛto or (v.l. in 349.18) °kṛtāto, and the latter, at least, could be inter- preted (the treasury made by the king); ii.95.4 rājakṛtyato (abl.; v.l. °tāṃ) odhṛtabhāro, having laid down the burden of (lit. from, away from) royal duty; in ii.446.14 rājakṛtye siṃhāsane rājeti kṛtva (°tvä?) upaviśāpito, he (who was actually not the king) was caused to sit upon the throne which was appropriate (really belonged) to the king; ii.478.10 rājakṛtye (v.l. °kṛte) mahānase, and 12 rājakṛtyehi sūpehi, as in prec.; Senart's interpretation may however be substantially correct in the last three, and in ii.113.9 rājakṛtyaṃ udyānaṃ, the park that belonged to the king. Since Sanskrit kṛtya is in fact a synonym of kārya in some of its uses, the comparison with Prakrit -kera(ka), from Sanskrit kārya, is apposite. But the two alleged parallels from Lalitavistara cited by Senart in his note, above, are not sound; one rests on a false reading of the Calcutta ed., and the other is to be interpreted otherwise. (3) -kṛtya, -kṛtyaṃ, = -kṛtvā for Sanskrit -kṛtvas, q.v.
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Kṛtyā (कृत्या) or Kṛtvā.—(-kṛtyā, -kṛtvā) for Sanskrit -kṛtvas, q.v.
Kṛtya (कृत्य).—mfn.
(-tyaḥ-tyā-tyaṃ) 1. To be done or performed. 2. To be rendered murderous or mischievous, hired as an assassin, seduced from allegiance or alliance, hostile through covetousness, &c. f.
(-tyā) 1. Action, act. 2. A female deity, to whom sacrifices are offered for destructive and magical purposes. 3. Magic. 4. A pestilence. n.
(-tyaṃ) 1. Motive, cause. 2. The class of affixes in grammar forming nouns corresponding to gerunds and supines, chiefly with a passive signification, but sometimes active, and sometimes abstract nouns. E. kṛt, to injure, to divide &c. kyap or yat affixed, or kṛt, to injure, vun affix, and ya inserted.
Kṛtya (कृत्य).—[kṛ + tya], I. ptcple. of the fut. pass. of kṛ. 1. To be done or performed, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 60, 27. 2. Seducible, bribable, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 247. Ii. n. 1. Right, [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 309. 2. Need, with instr., e. g. na me jīvitena kṛtyam, I do not want (or wish) to live, [Mṛcchakaṭikā, (ed. Stenzler.)] 154, 3. 3. Duty, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 237. 4. Service, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 193. guṇa-kṛtye niyojitā, is used to serve as a string, [Kumārasaṃbhava, (ed. Stenzler.)] 4, 15. 5. Business, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 47, 15. 6. motive, [Rāmāyaṇa] 6, 33, 18. Iii. f. yā. 1. Causing, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 11, 67. 2. Act, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 11, 125. 3. Charm, witchery, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 290.
Kṛtya (कृत्य).—[adjective] to be done, fit, proper, right; [neuter] [impersonally] it imports or matters ([with] [genetive] of [person or personal] & [instrumental] of th.). —[masculine] a suffix of the [future] pass. [particle] [feminine] kṛtyā act, action, deed; magic, spell. [neuter] business, task, duty, purpose, end.
1) Kṛtya (कृत्य):—[from kṛ] mfn. ‘to be done or performed’
2) [from kṛ] mfn. practicable, feasible, [Horace H. Wilson]
3) [v.s. ...] right, proper to be done, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] one who may be seduced from allegiance or alliance, who may be bribed or hired (as an assassin), [Rājataraṅgiṇī v, 247]
5) [v.s. ...] (in med.) to be treated or attended with (in [compound]), [Suśruta]
6) [v.s. ...] m. ([scilicet] pratyaya) the class of affixes forming the [future] p. [Passive voice] (as tavya, anīya, ya, elima, etc.), [Pāṇini]
7) [v.s. ...] a kind of evil spirit (named either with or without the addition of yakṣa, mānuṣa, asura, etc.), [Buddhist literature] (perhaps [varia lectio] for tyā below)
8) Kṛtyā (कृत्या):—[from kṛtya > kṛ] a f. ([Pāṇini 3-3, 100]) action, act, deed, performance, achievement, [Atharva-veda v, 9, 8; Manu-smṛti xi, 125; Mahābhārata xii, 3837]
9) [v.s. ...] (with [genitive case] rujas) ill usage or treatment, [Manu-smṛti xi, 67]
10) [v.s. ...] magic, enchantment, [Atharva-veda] etc.
11) [v.s. ...] (especially personified) a kind of female evil spirit or sorceress, [Ṛg-veda x, 85, 28 & 29; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā] etc.
12) [v.s. ...] a female deity to whom sacrifices are offered for destructive and magical purposes, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
13) [v.s. ...] Name of a river, [Mahābhārata vi, 9, 18]
14) Kṛtya (कृत्य):—[from kṛ] n. what ought to be done, what is proper or fit, duty, office, [Manu-smṛti; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
15) [v.s. ...] action, business, performance, service, [Śakuntalā; Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha] etc.
16) [v.s. ...] purpose, end, object, motive, cause, [Mahābhārata etc.]
17) Kṛtyā (कृत्या):—[from kṛ] b f. of kṛtya q.v.
Kṛtya (कृत्य):—(tyaṃ) 1. n. Motive, cause; (in Gram.) an affix. f. (tyā) An action; magic; penitence. a. Performable; hired for mischief.
[Sanskrit to German]
Kṛtya (कृत्य) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Kacca, Kicca, Kiccā.
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
Kṛtya (कृत्य) [Also spelled kraty]:—(nm) performance; duty; function.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Kṛtya (ಕೃತ್ಯ):—[noun] a tāntric worship of a deity with an intention of achieving an evil supernatural power over people and their affairs; witchcraft; black magic; sorcery.
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Kṛtya (ಕೃತ್ಯ):—[adjective] what should or ought to be done; that is proper to be done.
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Kṛtya (ಕೃತ್ಯ):—
1) [noun] that which is done; a work; consequence of an action.
2) [noun] that which is ought to be done; duty.
3) [noun] the quality, state or instance of being loyal; faithfulness or faithful adherence.
4) [noun] one who betrays another’s trust; a betrayer.
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 (+21): Krityabhumiti, Krityacandrika, Krityacinta, Krityacintamani, Krityadipa, Krityadushana, Krityadushi, Krityahata, Krityajna, Krityaka, Krityakalavinirnaya, Krityakalpalata, Krityakalpataru, Krityakaumudi, Krityakrit, Krityakritya, Krityakrityarakshana, Krityamaharnava, Krityamanjari, Krityanushthana.
Full-text (+553): Kritakritya, Pratahkritya, Akritya, Pancakritya, Bhutikritya, Pretakritya, Apakritya, Kukritya, Grihakritya, Kaukritya, Nityakritya, Rajakritya, Krityakritya, Apatrakritya, Sukritya, Punyakritya, Arthakritya, Dharmakritya, Karmakritya, Padakritya.
Relevant text
Search found 123 books and stories containing Kritya, Krityas, Kṛtya, Krtya, Kṛtyā; (plurals include: Krityas, Krityases, Kṛtyas, Krtyas, Kṛtyās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Women in the Atharva-veda Samhita (by Pranab Jyoti Kalita)
11. Goddess Kṛtyā < [Chapter 4 - Female Deities and the Glorification of Women in the Atharvaveda]
6. Goddess Āsurī < [Chapter 4 - Female Deities and the Glorification of Women in the Atharvaveda]
32. Glorification of Women through the Eulogy of the Female Deities < [Chapter 4 - Female Deities and the Glorification of Women in the Atharvaveda]
Brihaddevata attributed to Shaunaka (by Arthur Anthony Macdonell)
Part 9 - Deities of Rig-veda X.121-129; Three khilas < [Chapter 8 - Deities of Rigveda X.98-191 (1-98); Conclusion (99-140)]
Brahma Sutras (Govinda Bhashya) (by Kusakratha das Brahmacari)
Adhikarana 13: Some Fine Points of Karmic Reactions < [Adhyaya 4, Pada 1]
Sūtra 1.2.33 < [Adhyaya 1, Pada 2]
Rivers in Ancient India (study) (by Archana Sarma)
3(a). The river Sarasvatī in the Atharvaveda-saṃhitā < [Chapter 2 - The Rivers in the Saṃhitā Literature]
Liberation in early Advaita Vedanta (by Aleksandar Uskokov)
5. Attaining Brahman < [Chapter 4 - Liberation in the Brahma-sūtra]