Naimisha, aka: Naimiśa, Naimiṣa, Naimiṣā; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Naimisha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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 terms Naimiśa and Naimiṣa and Naimiṣā can be transliterated into English as Naimisa or Naimisha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Naimiṣa (नैमिष).—(NAIMIṢĀRAṆYA). General. Naimiṣa is very famous in the Purāṇas. It is considered to be a sacred place. Nimasar is the modern name for the place, and it is in the Sītāpur zilla of North India.

Śaunaka conducted a yajña here which lasted for twelve years. All the reputed Ṛṣis participated in it, and there Sūta (Sauti) the son of Vyāsa recited to the Maharṣis Mahābhārata composed by Vyāsa. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 1; also see under Sūta). Other information.

Devas once came to this place and conducted a yajña there. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 196, Verse 1).

(ii) Arjuna once visited here the river called Utpalinī. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 214, Verse 6).

(iii) Half of the sin of those who visit Naimiṣa will at once be dispelled. The remaining portion of the sin also will be removed before they return from the place. He who stays for a month and bathes here will derive all the results of Gomeda yajña. He who quits his life here by fasting will attain all the sacred lokas. (Vana Parva, Chapter 84, Verse 59).

(iv) River Gomatī, Yajñabhūmi of the Devas and the yājñic vessel of Sūrya are found at this place. (Vana-Parva, Chapter 87, Verse 6).

(v) Dharmaputra once came to this place with his brothers and bathed here and made gifts of cows. (Vana Parva, Chapter 95, Verse 1). (See full article at Story of Naimiṣa from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Naimiṣa (नैमिष) is the name of a sacred place as mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.12, “somehow men must strive to find a residence in a holy centre. On the shores of the ocean in the confluence of hundreds of rivers there are many such holy centres (puṇyakṣetra or tīrtha) and temples. [...] The devotees of Śiva are the bestowers of Śivaloka and accord cherished desires. When the Jupiter and the sun are in the zodiac of Meṣa, the devotee shall take the holy bath in Naimiṣa and Badara”.

1) Naimiśa (नैमिश).—A R.: a fit place for performing Śrāddha.^*

• * Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 14. 18.

2) Naimiṣa (नैमिष).—The southern sun;¹ a tīrtha for performing Śrāddha.²

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 109. 21.
• 2) Ib. 106. 67

3) Naimiṣā (नैमिषा).—(also Naimiṣālaya s.v.) sacred to Viṣṇu; here Śaunaka and other sages performed a satra extending over a thousand years;¹ visited by Balarāma who was honoured by all except Śūta Romaharṣaṇa; Balarāma killed the Śūta in anger thus committing brahmicide; then at the instance of the sages and as an expiation for the offence he killed Asura Balvala here;² revisited by Balarāma who took part in the sacrifices;³ sages of, visited Dvārakā.⁴

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa I. 1. 4 and 21; III. 20. 7; VII. 14. 31; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 4. 45.
• 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 78. 20-32; 79. 5.
• 3) Ib. X. 79. 30-32.
• 4) Ib. X. 90. 28. [6]. Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 37; III. 13. 100; IV. 2. 111 and 246; 4. 41.

Naimiṣa (नैमिष) refers to the name of a Spot or Tīrtha (pilgrim’s destination) mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. III.85.4, II.82.54, III.81.173, VIII.30.60, VIII.30.75). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Naimiṣa) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Naimiśa (नैमिश) is a Sanskrit word referring to one of the sixty-eight places hosting a svāyambhuvaliṅga, one of the most sacred of liṅgas according to the Śaivāgamas. The presiding deity residing over the liṅga in this place (Naimiśa) is named Devadeveśa. The list of sixty-eight svāyambhuvaliṅgas is found in the commentary of the Jirṇoddhāra-daśaka by Nigamajñānadeva. The word liṅga refers to a symbol used in the worship of Śiva and is used thoughout Śaiva literature, such as the sacred Āgamas.

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.

India history and geogprahy

Naimiṣa (नैमिष), modern Nimsar, is a sacred region of Uttarapradeśa in the district of Sitapur, on the bank of Gomatī. Naimiṣa was sacred in the Kṛta age, as Puṣkara in the Tretā, Kurukṣetra in the Dvāpara, the Ganges in the Kali age.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Naimiṣa (नैमिष).—a. (-ṣī f.) Lasting for a 'nimiṣa' or twinkling, momentary, transient.

-ṣam Name of a sacred forest celebrated as the residence of certain sages to whom Sauti related the Mahābhārata; शिश्रिये श्रुतवतामपश्चिमः पश्चिमे वयसि नैमिषं वशी (śiśriye śrutavatāmapaścimaḥ paścime vayasi naimiṣaṃ vaśī) R.19.1; (the name is thus derived:-yatastu nimiṣeṇedaṃ nihataṃ dānavaṃ balam | araṇye'smiṃstatastena naimiṣāraṇyasaṃjñitam ||).

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