Lilavatara, Līlāvatāra, Lila-avatara: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Lilavatara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार) refers to “incarnation out of sheer sport”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.19. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] then Viṣṇu stood up. Approaching Śiva with palms joined in reverence [viz., kṛtāñjali] and accompanied by Lakṣmī, the Garuḍa-vehicled God Viṣṇu spoke thus: ‘[...] You have taken incarnation out of sheer sport [viz., līlāvatāra] for the welfare of the good and suppression of the wicked—so says the eternal scripture’”.
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार) refers to “kṛṣṇa’s pastime manifestations eg. Nṛṣiṃha, Varāha and Kūrma”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार) refers to:—Kṛṣṇa’s pastime incarnation. E.g. Balarāma, Kūrma, Nṛsiṃhadeva and Matsya. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार) refers to:—These are incarnations of the Lord who descend to the material world to perform specific activities and to display certain pastimes. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
līlāvatāra (लीलावतार).—m (Play-descent; incarnation for sport.) A common term for the Avatars of the Hindu god Viṣṇu, they being held to have been movements for diversion or pastime.
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
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार).—the descent (of Viṣṇu) on the earth for amusement.
Derivable forms: līlāvatāraḥ (लीलावतारः).
Līlāvatāra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms līlā and avatāra (अवतार).
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार).—m.
(-raḥ) The descent of Vishnu on the earth for amusement.
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार):—[from līlā] (lāv) m. the descent (of Viṣṇu on the earth) for his own amusement, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार):—m. das Erscheinen Viṣṇu’s auf Erden zu seiner eigenen Belustigung [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 1, 2, 34. 2, 6, 45. 8, 24, 29.]
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार):—m. das Erscheinen Viṣṇu’s auf Erden zu seiner eigenen Belustigung.
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.
Nepali dictionary
Līlāvatāra (लीलावतार):—n. Mythol. the descent of Vishnu on the earth for amusement;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Avatara, Lila.
Full-text (+0): Ramacandra, Rama, Leelavatar, Gunavatara, Lila.
Relevant text
Search found 22 books and stories containing Lilavatara, Līlāvatāra, Lila-avatara, Līlā-avatāra, Lila-avataras; (plurals include: Lilavataras, Līlāvatāras, avataras, avatāras, avatarases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.5.9 < [Chapter 5 - Priya (the beloved devotees)]
Verse 2.2.194 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 1.1.20 < [Chapter 1 - Summary of Lord Gaura’s Pastimes]
Verse 1.2.21 < [Chapter 2 - The Lord’s Appearance]
Verse 1.2.12 < [Chapter 2 - The Lord’s Appearance]
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)
Sri Krishna-Chaitanya (by Nisikanta Sanyal)
Chapter 10 - History of Divine Descents (Avataras) < [Volume I - Introductory]
Chapter 6 - History of Theism < [Volume I - Introductory]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verses 2.18.20-21 < [Chapter 18 - The Sight of Śrī Kṛṣṇacandra]