Naimisha, Naimiśa, Naimiṣa, Naimiṣā: 17 definitions
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
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.
Naimiṣā (नैमिषा) or Naimiṣāraṇya is the name of a forest and one of the various Tīrthas (holy places) mentioned in the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—In the very first chapter of the Saurapurāṇa the author designates Naimiṣā as the best of the tīrthas, best of the kṣetras as well, where there is the regular abode of the sages. The sages Saunaka and others who were the devotees of Śiva performed a long sacrifice in the Naimiṣāraṇya in order to please Śiva. Sūta Romaharśaṇa arrived there to visit the sages and the sages requested Sūta to narrate the Saura-purāṇa.
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.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Naimiṣa (नैमिष) is the name of an ancient kingdom or tribe of people, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the stars of the constellation of Śravaṇa should be dimmed by the tails of or appear to be in contact with the malefic comets, the ruler of Kekaya will perish; if those of Dhaniṣṭhā, the ruler of Punjab will perish; if those of Ṣaṭbhiṣaj the ruler of Ceylon will perish; if those of Pūrvabhādra, the ruler of Bengal will perish; if those of Uttarabhādra, the ruler of Naimiṣa will perish; and if those of Revatī, the ruler of Kirāta will perish”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
India history and geography
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.
Note: Naimiṣa, modern Nimsar, is a sacred region of Uttara Pradeśa in the district of Sitāpur on the bank of Gomatī.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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 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 ||).
Naimiṣa (नैमिष).—mfn.
(-ṣaḥ-ṣī-ṣaṃ) Momentary, transient, in a twinkling. n.
(-ṣaṃ) The name of a forest. See naimiṣāraṇya. E. nimiṣa, and aṇ aff.
Naimiṣa (नैमिष).—n. The name of a forest.
Naimiṣa (नैमिष).—[neuter] [Name] of a sacred forest, [masculine] [plural] its inhabitants.
1) Naimiśa (नैमिश):—[=nai-miśa] [from nai] ([Bhāgavata-purāṇa]) = miṣa
2) Naimiṣa (नैमिष):—[=nai-miṣa] [from nai] a mf(ī)n. momentary, transient, [Horace H. Wilson]
3) [v.s. ...] n. Name of a forest and a sacred Tīrtha (where Sauti related the [Mahābhārata], and so called because in it an army of Asuras was destroyed in a twinkling), [Mahābhārata i, 1026; Harivaṃśa] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] m. [plural] the inhabitants of the Naimiṣa wood, [Mahābhārata]
5) b etc. See under nai, [column] 1.
Naimiṣa (नैमिष):—[(ṣaḥ-ṣī-ṣaṃ) a.] Momentary, transient. n. Name of a forest.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Naimiśa (ನೈಮಿಶ):—[noun] = ನೈಮಿಷ [naimisha]2.
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Naimiṣa (ನೈಮಿಷ):—[adjective] lasting for only a minute; momentary.
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Naimiṣa (ನೈಮಿಷ):—[noun] name of a forest often referred to in Mahābhārata.
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: Naimishaka, Naimishakanana, Naimishakunja, Naimishalaya, Naimishanripa, Naimisharanya, Naimisharanyamahatmya, Naimisharanyavasin rama, Naimishastha, Naimishayana.
Full-text (+54): Naimisharanya, Naimishakunja, Naimishiya, Naimisheya, Naimishakanana, Naimishanripa, Lingadharini, Naimishayana, Pancatirthi, Naimicam, Ugrasrava, Naimishi, Naimishya, Balvala, Shaunaka, Dakshinarka, Haricakra, Naimishalaya, Iraveri, Upparikai.
Relevant text
Search found 64 books and stories containing Naimisha, Naimiśa, Naimiṣa, Naimiṣā, Naimisa, Nai-misha, Nai-miśa, Nai-misa, Nai-miṣa; (plurals include: Naimishas, Naimiśas, Naimiṣas, Naimiṣās, Naimisas, mishas, miśas, misas, miṣas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Location of the Naimisa Forest < [Purana, Volume 10, Part 1 (1968)]
The Pasupata-Yoga < [Purana, Volume 1, Part 2 (1960)]
Some Aspects of the Vamana-purana < [Purana, Volume 7, Part 1 (1965)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 1 - Introductory < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Chapter 92 - Glory of Śrīśaila < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]
Chapter 55 - The mode of propitiating Śiva < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 1 - The Dialogue between Sūta and the Sages (sūta-ṛṣi-saṃvāda) < [Part 1 - Prathama-pāda]
Chapter 51 - The Treatise on Rituals (Kalpa) < [Part 2 - Dvitīya-pāda]
Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 1 - Dialogue between Sūta and Śaunaka in the Naimiśa forest < [Book 1 - First Skandha]
Chapter 3 - Glorious deeds of Kṛṣṇa < [Book 3 - Third Skandha]
Chapter 79 - Balvala Killed: Balarāma’s Pilgrimage < [Book 10 - Tenth Skandha]
Saura-purana (analytical study) (by Priyanku Chakraborty)
Part 2.1.1 - The tradition of Vedic sacrificial rituals and the Saura-purāṇa < [Chapter 4 - The Vedic and other Elements as Reflected in the Saura-purāṇa]
Part 9.9 - Description of the Mārtaṇḍa-vrata and Sūryasaptamī-varta < [Chapter 2 - A Brief Discourse on the Saura-purāṇa]
Appendix 1 - Translation of Saura-purāṇa chapter 15 (partially)
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