The Sanskrit term Nānāveśa can be transliterated into English as Nanavesa or Nanavesha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nānāveṣa (नानावेष) refers to “(those bearing) all types of dresses and features”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.43 (“Description of Śiva’s wonderful sport”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] Immediately the army of Śiva came there consisting of wonderful arrays of Bhūtas, Pretas and Gaṇas.  [...] Some had no eyes. Some had many eyes. Some had no head. Some had deformed heads. Some had no ears. Some had many ears. The Gaṇas had all types of dresses and features (nānāveṣa-dhara). Such and other innumerable deformed Gaṇas, heroic and terrible, strong and strenuous passed by, O dear. O sage, you pointed out the Gaṇas of Śiva to her with your finger and said—‘O lovely lady, see the attendants of Śiva and Śiva Himself’. [...]”.

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 Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Nānāveśa (नानावेश) refers to “different roles”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “A god becomes [filled] with lamenting, a dog ascends to heaven, a Brāhman might become discernible in substance [as a dog] or an insect or even a low outcaste [com.—In this regard, however, because of karma (karmaṇaḥ) there is not (na asti) the best (prādhānyaṃ) of re-birth (jāteḥ)—such is the meaning of the verse. Hence he speaks about the performance of different roles (nānāveśakāritvam) like an actor (naṭavan) for the living soul (jīvasya)”.

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vesha, Nana.

Starts with: Nanaveshadhara, Nanaveshakritimant, Nanaveshakritimat.

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