Nimittakarana, aka: Nimitta-karana, Nimittakāraṇa; 3 Definition(s)

Introduction

Nimittakarana means something in 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.

In Hinduism

Nyaya (school of philosophy)

Nimittakāraṇa (निमित्तकारण) refers to “efficient cause” and represents one of the three types of kāraṇa (cause) according to the Tarkasaṃgraha.—The third kind of cause is nimittakāraṇa (efficient cause). According to Śivāditya this kind of cause is different from both the inherent cause and non-inherent cause. Nimittakāraṇa is known as sahakārikāraṇa also because, this cause helps the material to become the effect. For example, conscious agents like the potter, weaver etc. potter’s wheel, stick, weaver’s shuttle, loom etc. in the production of pot or cloth are nimittakāraṇas. The same definition is given by Viśvanātha and Annaṃbhaṭṭa. Thus, Annaṃbhaṭṭa says that nimittakāraṇa is that which is different from the both.70 For example, the shuttle, loom etc. are the efficient causes of cloth.

According to the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣikas, the efficient cause or nimittakāraṇa is divided into two kinds–one is general and the other is special. General cause is those which are common to all effects. General cause is of eight types viz. God’s knowledge, God’s will, space (dik), time (kāla), merit, demerit, prior-non-existence and absence of counteracting factors. These causes are the common causes of all effects. Special causes are innumerable, as these are particular to particular effects.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

nimittakāraṇa (निमित्तकारण).—n S The instrumental cause; the immediate agent or efficient; esp. the Deity considered as the agent in creation. See kāraṇa.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Nimittakāraṇa (निमित्तकारण).—an instrumental or efficient cause.

Derivable forms: nimittakāraṇam (निमित्तकारणम्).

Nimittakāraṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms nimitta and kāraṇa (कारण). See also (synonyms): nimittahetu.

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