Nimesha, aka: Nimesa, Nimeṣa; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Nimesha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 term Nimeṣa can be transliterated into English as Nimesa or Nimesha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Dharmaśāstra (religious law)

Nimeṣa (निमेष) is the natural winking of the Eye-lashes, which accompanies every opening of the eye. Other people have declared that ‘Nimēṣa’ is that time which is taken in the distinct utterance of one letter-sound.

Eighteen ‘Nimeṣas’ go to make that measure of time which is known as ‘Kāṣṭhā’; thirty ‘Kāṣṭhās’ make one ‘Kalā’; thirty ‘Kalās’ make one ‘Muhūrta,’ and thirty ‘Muhurtas’ make one ‘Ahorātra’ (Day and Night).
 

context information

Dharmaśāstra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharma-shastra) is a category of Hindu literature containing important instructions regarding religious law, ethics, economics, jurisprudence and more. It is categorised as smṛti, an important and authorative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Purāṇa

1a) Nimeṣa (निमेष).—A small unit of time measured by the wink of the eye;¹ from Nimi: 15 of them equal a Kāṣṭḥa² the same mātra for laghvakṣara such as {#a, Dha, u#} some equal to a laghvakṣara.³

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 21. 116, 126; 29. 6; 24. 143.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 61. 35; 142. 3; 201. 19; Vāyu-purāṇa 50. 179; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 3. 8; VI. 3. 6.
• 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 16 and 111; Vāyu-purāṇa 31. 24; 30. 13; 53. 115; 57. 6; 100. 213; 104. 33.

1b) (Vaiṣṇava)—equal to 100 Śaiva years; when Viṣṇu wakes up, the world is active and when he sleeps the world is sleepy.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 290. 21-2.

context information

The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Nāṭyaśāstra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Nimeṣa (निमेष, “closing”) refers to a specific gesture (āṅgika) made with the eyelids (puṭa), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 8. These gestures of the eyelids (puṭa) are supposed to follow the corresponding movements of the eyeballs (tārā). These gestures form a part of the histrionic representation (abhinaya).

Nimeṣa (निमेष, “closing”).—A type of gesture (āṅgika) made with the eyelids (puṭa);—Instructions: bringing together the eyelids. Uses: in anger (krodha).

context information

Nāṭyaśāstra (नाट्यशास्त्र, natya-shastra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition of performing arts, (e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nāṭya) and poetic works (kāvya).

In Buddhism

Pali

nimesa : (m.) winking; a wink.

Nimesa, (=nimisa, cp. Vedic nimesa) winking Miln. 194. (Page 367)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

nimēṣa (निमेष).—m (S) See nimiṣa.

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