Nilavastra, Nīlavastra: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Nilavastra means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nilavastra in Mahayana glossary
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Nīlavastra (नीलवस्त्र) refers to a “blue dress” (suitable for performing rituals and offerings), according to the 2nd-century Meghasūtra (“Cloud Sutra”) in those passages which contain ritual instructions.—Accordingly, “[...] For thrice seven days uninterruptedly, with cow-dung, in the eastern quarter the snake-king called Triple-crest, with his retinue, must be painted; in the western, the snake king called Avabhāsanasikhin is to be painted, seven crested, with a retinue of serpents; in the north, the snake-king called Meghasaṃcodana, nine-crested, is to be depicted; a blue canopy and blue dress (nīlavastra), blue banner and all the offering is to be made blue; but the sweet offering to the snakes, and the triple-sweet, must be offered,—an oblation of all; [...]”

Mahayana book cover
context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Nilavastra in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Nīlavastra (नीलवस्त्र).—mfn.

(-straḥ-strā-straṃ) Dressed in dark black vesture. n.

(-straṃ) Dark coloured cloth. m.

(-straḥ) A name of Balarama. E. nīla, and vastra clothes.

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

Nīlavastra (नीलवस्त्र).—[neuter] blue cloth or garment.

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

1) Nīlavastra (नीलवस्त्र):—[=nīla-vastra] [from nīla > nīl] n. = [preceding] n., [Gāruḍa-purāṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] m. Name of Balarāma, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) Nīlavastrā (नीलवस्त्रा):—[=nīla-vastrā] [from nīla-vastra > nīla > nīl] f. Name of Durgā, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Nīlavastra (नीलवस्त्र):—[nīla-vastra] (straḥ) 1. m. Balarāma. n. Black cloth. a. Dressed in blue.

[Sanskrit to German]

Nilavastra 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.

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