In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)

Nānārūpa (नानारूप) refers to “one who assumes diverse forms”, representing an aspect of Govinda, according to the Ghaṭikāyantraghaṭanāvidhi, an unpublished manuscript describing the ritual connected with the setting up of the water clock and its invocation.—Accordingly, “[Now the pala-verses]: [...] For the welfare of the world, there [manifested the incarnations of] the Fish, the Tortoise, the Boar, the Man-Lion, One who had a Short Stature, Paraśurāma, Rāma, Kṛṣṇa, Buddha and Kalkin. I bow to Govinda, the god of gods, who in this manner assumed diverse forms [i.e., nānārūpa], diverse shapes and diverse names, and who is meditated upon by sage”.

context information

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Nānārūpā (नानारूपा) refers to “one who possesses many forms”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, while describing Trikhaṇḍā: “[...] The goddess is enveloped in divine clothes and is adorned with many kinds of flowers. She is the Great Light and, shining intensely, she is in the middle of the Wheel of Mothers each of whom has four arms, three eyes and a topknot. Each holds a sword, club, skull and makes a boon bestowing gesture. They have many ornaments. Their form is divine and beautiful. They shine and, possessing many forms [i.e., nānārūpā], they are beautiful. Each is seated on her own vehicle in the lotus posture. The enemy lies at their feet and, controlled by a spell, is consumed along with (offerings of) meat and the like by (their) servants, Vetālas, Ḍākinīs, and ghosts. Very fierce, they strike (the enemy and) drink streams of (his) blood. [...]”.

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nānārūpa (नानारूप) refers to “having many forms” and is used to describe Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.44 (“Menā regains consciousness”).—Accordingly, as Himācala said to Menā: “O beloved Menā, listen to my words. How is it that you have become dispirited? How many important persons have come to our abode! And you are insulting them! You do not know Śiva. Śiva has many names and many forms (nānārūpa). Seeing a peculiar distorted form you have become excited. He has been realised by me. He is the protector of everyone. He is worthy of worship of the most adorable. He can bless and countermand. [...]”.

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.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Nānārūpa (नानारूप) refers to “various forms”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “In praise (of) Śrī Vajrasattva, highest universal guru, origin of all Buddhas, By various forms [e.g., nānārūpa—nānārūpeṇa yena], removing darkness and fear, fixed resting on Meru. Dharma sustainer, chief sage, most fortunate victor, Vajradhātu mandala, In one form with all bliss, innate bliss, embodied, the cause for liberation”.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nānārūpa (नानारूप).—a. of different forms, diverse, multiform, various.

Nānārūpa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nānā and rūpa (रूप).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nānārūpa (नानारूप).—mfn.

(-paḥ-pī-paṃ) Multiform, various. E. nānā various, and rūpa form.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nānārūpa (नानारूप).—I. n. pl. many shapes, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 1, 21 Gorr. Ii. adj. having many shapes, different, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 38.

Nānārūpa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nānā and rūpa (रूप).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nānārūpa (नानारूप).—1. [neuter] [plural] various forms or shapes.

--- OR ---

Nānārūpa (नानारूप).—2. [adjective] variously formed different, manifold.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Nānārūpa (नानारूप):—[=nānā-rūpa] [from nānā] n. [plural] v° forms or shapes, [Rāmāyaṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] mfn. multiform, manifold, [Atharva-veda; Brāhmaṇa; Manu-smṛti] etc. (pa-tā f., [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa])

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nānārūpa (नानारूप):—[nānā-rūpa] (paḥ-pī-paṃ) a. Multiform.

[Sanskrit to German]

Nanarupa in German

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Rupa, Nana.

Starts with: Nanarupadhara, Nanarupasamutthana, Nanarupata.

Ends with: Ajnanarupa, Jnanarupa.

Full-text: Nanarupata, Nanarupasamutthana, Nana, Samutthana.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Nanarupa, Nānārūpa, Nana-rupa, Nānā-rūpa; (plurals include: Nanarupas, Nānārūpas, rupas, rūpas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Vivekachudamani (by Shankara)

Verse 227

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Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)

Verse 2.20.4 < [Chapter 20 - The Glories of Murāri Gupta]

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Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)

Rig Veda 2.41.9 < [Sukta 41]

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