Nirdesha, Nirdeśa: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Nirdesha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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 Nirdeśa can be transliterated into English as Nirdesa or Nirdesha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Nirdesh.
In Hinduism
Arthashastra (politics and welfare)
Source: Wisdom Library: ArthaśāstraNirdeśa (निर्देश) refers to “mention of a fact in detail” and is the name of a yukti, or ‘technical division’, according to which the contents of the Arthaśāstra by Cāṇakya are grouped. Cāṇakya (4th-century BCE), aka Kauṭilya, was the chief minister of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the famous Maurya Empire.
Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraNirdeśa (निर्देश, “specific mention”) refers to one of the twelve froms of verbal representation (vācika), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 24. These verbal representations are to be expressed using the various representations of the body (śārira). Vācika forms a part of abhinaya (techniques of representation) which is used in communicating the meaning of the drama (nāṭya) and calling forth the sentiment (rasa).
According to the Nāṭyaśāastra, “‘it is the same I that is speaking’, is an example of specific mention (nirdeśa)”.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—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 (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammarNirdeśa (निर्देश).—Mention, actual statement; the word is often used in the Mahabhasya in sentences like स तथा निर्देशः कर्तव्यः, निर्देशं कुरुते (sa tathā nirdeśaḥ kartavyaḥ, nirdeśaṃ kurute) etc.; cf. also V.Pr. I. 36;cf. also the maxim तस्मिन्निति निर्दिष्टे पूर्वस्य (tasminniti nirdiṣṭe pūrvasya) P. I.1.66 and V. Pr. I. 134; cf. also अवश्यं कयाचिद्विभक्त्या केन-चिद्वचनेन निर्देशः कर्तव्यः (avaśyaṃ kayācidvibhaktyā kena-cidvacanena nirdeśaḥ kartavyaḥ) M.Bh. on P. I. 2. 39 Vart. 1. Sometimes the mention or exhibition made by a word shows the particular type of word; cf. Durghata Vrtti on P. I. 2. 6 and VII. 4. 73 as also Kas. on P. IV. 3. 11 and V. 2. 20.
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Sacred Texts: The Grihya Sutras, Part 2 (SBE30)Nirdeśa (निर्देश) is explained as viśeṣa-śruti [“special rules”], and the meaning is supposed to be that unless such a special rule is given, the Aṅgas of all the Pradhāna acts remain the same, as, for instance, the Paryagnikaraṇa, the Prayājas, &c. Special instructions are when it is said: “he cooks the Maitravaruṇa with milk, he anoints the Puroḍāśa with the spoon, &c”.
Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsNirdeśa (निर्देश):—[nirdeśaḥ] Statements which elaborate a theme briefly said with a detail of description
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramNirdeśa (निर्देश) refers to “teachings”, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “O Lord, by means of the Command [i.e., ājñā] you have imparted the essence of (all) that has occurred in the past, all that has been heard in the previous recitation (of the scripture) (pūrvapāṭha) and the teaching (nirdeśa) of the previous age. O god, the Great Awakening (mahodaya) of the qualities of the Command has been revealed in the past; by falling from that there has been a (general) falling (from the Path), so tell (me) clearly about (that) reality. [...]”.
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 TranslationNirdeśa (निर्देश) refers to “instruction” (“direction”), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.24 (“Śiva consents to marry Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu said to Śiva: “[...] For attaining you Śivā is born of mountain Himācala. The demon’s death can be at the hands of your son alone begotten of her. This is the boon granted to him by Brahmā. Incapable of being killed by others, the demon harasses the entire universe. At the instance [i.e., nirdeśa] of Nārada, she is performing a great penance. All the three worlds consisting of the mobile and immobile beings have been enveloped by her refulgence. [...]”.
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.
Samkhya (school of philosophy)
Source: SOAS: The Soteriological Role of the Ṛṣi Kapila in the YuktidīpikāNirdeśa (निर्देश) refers to a “detailed statement” (representing a key characteristics of a tantra), according to the 7th century Yuktidīpikā: an anonymous commentary on the Sāṃkhyakārikā by Īśvarakṛṣṇa which represents the core text of the Sāṃkhya school of Hidnu philosophy.—[...] The remainder of the introductory section of the Yuktidīpikā is devoted to an explanation in prose of the characteristics of a proper tantra, which include proper ‘naming’ (saṃjñā) according to etymological significance. [...] The other key characteristics of a tantra discussed by the commentator are adequacy of aphorisms, adequacy of means of knowledge, adequacy of the members [of formal inference], completeness, statement of uncertainty and determination, brief statement, detailed statement (nirdeśa), succession [of categories discussed], and instruction.
Samkhya (सांख्य, Sāṃkhya) is a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy (astika) and is closeley related to the Yoga school. Samkhya philosophy accepts three pramanas (‘proofs’) only as valid means of gaining knowledge. Another important concept is their theory of evolution, revolving around prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraNirdeśa (निर्देश) refers to an “explanation”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]—[...] This is why, although he preaches the limitless emptiness (atyantaśūnyatā) of dharmas, the Buddha also speaks of his unhindered penetration of the three times; there is nothing wrong in this. This is a brief explanation (saṃkṣepa-nirdeśa) of the meaning of the eighteen special attributes of the Buddhas”.
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāNirdeśa (निर्देश) refers to an “explanation”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then the bodhisatva Gaganagañja addressed himself to the Lord: ‘O Lord, please give the Tathāgata’s blessing over this exposition of the dharma so that, in the latter time, in the latter age, it will be disseminated and practiced throughout the Jambūdvīpa’. The Lord said: ‘For that reason, son of good family, I will invoke the Four Great Kings so that they will come and strive to keep this exposition of the dharma for a long time with detailed and analytical explanation (vistara-vibhāga-nirdeśa)’”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha SutraNirdeśa (निर्देश, “definiton”).—What is meant by ‘definiton’ (nirdeśa)? Definition means to state the true nature of an entity (vastu). according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 1.7, “(Knowledge of the seven categories is attained) by definition, ownership, cause, location /resting place (substratum), duration and varieties/division”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarynirdēśa (निर्देश).—m (S) Description, depicting, indicating, pointing out. 2 Order, command, authoritative direction.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishnirdēśa (निर्देश).—m Description, indicating, order, command.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश).—
1) Pointing out, showing, indicating.
2) Order, command, direction; तमशक्यमपाक्रष्टुं निर्देशात् स्वर्गिणः पितुः (tamaśakyamapākraṣṭuṃ nirdeśāt svargiṇaḥ pituḥ) R.12.17 (v. l. nideśāt).
3) Advice, instruction.
4) Telling, saying, declaring.
5) Specifying, particularization, specification, specific mention; अयुक्तोऽयं निर्देशः (ayukto'yaṃ nirdeśaḥ) Mahābhārata ; ऊँ तत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः (ūṃ tatsaditi nirdeśo brahmaṇastrividhaḥ smṛtaḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 17.23.
6) Ascertainment.
7) Vicinity, proximity.
8) Description, designation.
9) Agreement, promise; कृताशं कृत- निर्देशं कृतभक्तं कृतश्रमम् । भेदैर्ये व्यपकर्षन्ति ते वै निरयगामिनः (kṛtāśaṃ kṛta- nirdeśaṃ kṛtabhaktaṃ kṛtaśramam | bhedairye vyapakarṣanti te vai nirayagāminaḥ) || Mahābhārata (Bombay) 13.23.7.
Derivable forms: nirdeśaḥ (निर्देशः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश).—(1) (m.) elucidation, particularly of religious or philosophical questions; in this sense only slight speciali- zation (as in Pali niddesa) of Sanskrit id.: lokadhātu-paripṛcchā- nirdeśeṣu Daśabhūmikasūtra 72.14; (2) m., once nt., a high number: °śaḥ Mahāvyutpatti 7792; 7921 = Tibetan ṅes bstan; in 7921 cited from Gaṇḍavyūha 134.2, where °śaṃ, nt.; read -nirdeśasya Gaṇḍavyūha 106.18 (1st ed. nidaśasya, or perhaps nird° ?); -nirdeśaḥ Gaṇḍavyūha 324.11, and ff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश).—m.
(-śaḥ) 1. Order, command, authoritative instruction or direction. 2. Description, designation. 3. Depicting, pointing out or exhibiting. 4. Certainty, ascertainment. 5. Saying, telling. 6. Vicinity, proximity. E. nir before, diśa to show, affix, bhāve ghañ .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश).—i. e. nis-diś + a, m. 1. Order, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 45. 2. Description, [Bhagavadgītā, (ed. Schlegel.)] 17, 23. 3. Detail, [Mālavikāgnimitra, (ed. Tullberg.)] 8, 15.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश).—[masculine] pointing out, direction, order, command to (—°), description, designation.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Nirdeśa (निर्देश):—[=nir-deśa] [from nir-diś] m. pointing out, indicating, directing, order, command, instruction (often ifc.), [Manu-smṛti; Kāvya literature; Purāṇa]
2) [v.s. ...] description, specification, special mention, details or particulars, [Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra; Rāmāyaṇa; Suśruta] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] vicinity, proximity, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] certainty, ascertainment, [Horace H. Wilson]
5) [v.s. ...] a [particular] number, [Buddhist literature]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश):—[nir-deśa] (śaḥ) 1. m. Order, command; description; certainty; vicinity.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Nirdeśa (निर्देश) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇiddesa.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश) [Also spelled nirdesh]:—(nm) specification; mention; reference; direction; ~[śana] director, directing; ~[śana] direction, guidance; ~[śāṃka] coordinates.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusNirdēśa (ನಿರ್ದೇಶ):—[noun] = ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ [nirdeshana].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryNirdeśa (निर्देश):—n. 1. pointing out; 2. direction; instruction; guidance; 3. command; order; 4. description; detail;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Desha, Nir, Teca.
Starts with: Nirdeshacihne, Nirdeshak, Nirdeshak-siddhanth, Nirdeshaka, Nirdeshaka-siddhanta, Nirdeshakamamdala, Nirdeshakamamdali, Nirdeshakarin, Nirdeshaki, Nirdeshana, Nirdeshana-vibhaga, Nirdeshanalaya, Nirdeshanapatra, Nirdeshaniya, Nirdeshapalana, Nirdesharthaka, Nirdeshayati.
Full-text (+79): Namanirdesha, Anirdesha, Pratinirdesha, Sadhananirdesha, Kriyanirdesha, Anunirdesha, Tathagatagunajnanacintyavishayavataranirdesha, Bodhisattvapakshanirdesha, Paramarthasamvritisatyanirdesha, Vastunirdesha, Shabdabhedanirdesha, Sarvadharmapravrittinirdesha, Prashantavinishcayapratiharyanirdesha, Shuramgamasamadhinirdesha, Nirdeshapalana, Nirdeshakarin, Nairdeshika, Nirdeshacihne, Nakshatranirdesha, Vimalanirdesha.
Relevant text
Search found 62 books and stories containing Nirdesha, Nirdeśa, Nirdesa, Nirdēśa, Nir-desha, Nir-deśa, Nir-desa; (plurals include: Nirdeshas, Nirdeśas, Nirdesas, Nirdēśas, deshas, deśas, desas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 1.7 - Another method of ascertaining knowledge (of seven categories) < [Chapter 1 - Right Faith and Knowledge]
Verse 1.8 - Further means of ascertaining knowledge (of seven categories) < [Chapter 1 - Right Faith and Knowledge]
Numismatic Gleanings from the Puranas < [Purana, Volume 6, Part 2 (1964)]
Purana references in ancient Works < [Purana, Volume 4, Part 1 (1962)]
Discussion on the Kalki Purana < [Purana, Volume 10, Part 2 (1968)]
Chathuska methodology: nectar of charaka samhita sutrasthana < [Volume 8, Issue 1: January - February 2021]
Anatomy of Janu Sandhi w.s.r. to Knee joint: An Ayurveda Overview < [Volume 9, Issue 6: November-December 2022]
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 3.1.58-59 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (1): Jāti-samuddeśa (On the Universal)]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Critical review of Swastha in Swasthyachatushka, Charak Samhita. < [2022: Volume 11, February issue 2]
Chatuska methodology in Charaka Samhita's Sutra Sthana study. < [2018: Volume 7, June issue 11]
Chatuska described in classics of ayurveda-a review < [2022: Volume 11, March issue 3]
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