Nirnaya, Nirṇaya: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Nirnaya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Nirnay.
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In Hinduism
Nyaya (school of philosophy)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to “ascertainment”, or “settlement”. It is one of the sixteen categories of discussion (padārtha) according to the doctrine of the Nyāya-sūtras by Akṣapāda. The sixteen padārthas represent a method of intellectual analysis and categorize everything that is knowable and nameable.
Nirṇaya (निर्णय, “confutation”) refers to “settlement” or “ascertainment” and represents the ninth of the sixteen padārthas (“categories”) in the first chapter of Gautama’s Nyāyasūtra (2nd century CE). By rejecting the opposite arguments establishment of the self-opinion is called nirṇaya. Nirṇaya is the last result of tarka. Nirṇaya is a certain knowledge about anything. It is stated in the Nyāyasūtra that nirṇaya is the establishment of something by stating two opposite sides.

Nyaya (न्याय, nyaya) refers to a school of Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. The Nyaya philosophy is known for its theories on logic, methodology and epistemology, however, it is closely related with Vaisheshika in terms of metaphysics.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय, “ascertainment”) refers to ‘settlement’ of the plot. Nirṇaya represents one of the fourteen nirvahaṇasandhi, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 21. Nirvahaṇasandhi refers to the “segments (sandhi) of the concluding part (nirvahaṇa)” and represents one of the five segments of the plot (itivṛtta or vastu) of a dramatic composition (nāṭaka).
Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—One of the fourteen elements of the ‘concluding segment’ (nirvahaṇasandhi);—(Description:) Declaration of facts personally known is called Ascertainment (nirṇaya).

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).
Mīmāṃsā (school of philosophy)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) is one of the five types of adhikaraṇa (exegetical format).—Nirṇaya refers to arguments for the conclusion reached

Mimamsa (मीमांसा, mīmāṃsā) refers to one of the six orthodox Hindu schools of philosophy, emphasizing the nature of dharma and the philosophy of language. The literature in this school is also known for its in-depth study of ritual actions and social duties.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—[nirṇayaḥ] Decisissive statements which establish a conclusion, settlement of a subject after detailed consideration of all relevant and related facts

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)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to the “teaching (concerning the thirty-two syllable vidyā)”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “Next I will proclaim the teaching concerning the thirty-two (syllable) Vidyā [i.e., vidyā-dvātriṃśa-nirṇaya] by just knowing which one clearly attains insight. Nityā, Klinnā and Raktā (are the goddesses in the transmissions of the) Aged, Youth and the Child. These three divisions are said to be the auspicious arising of the teachers. Other, secondary divisions are (those of) the common initiate, adept and apprentice. [...]”.
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to a “critique” (of a particular doctrine), according to the 17th century Kaulagajamardana (“crushing the Kaula elephant”) authored by Kāśīnātha or Kṛṣṇānandācala.—Accordingly, [as Īśvara said to Pārvatī]: “Listen, O Pārvatī, I shall give a critique (nirṇaya) of the Pāṣaṇḍas. Knowing this, a wise man is not defeated by them. Those devoted to fake observances; those who rebuke the religion of the Vedas; those who have fallen from caste and religious duties; those who have erred and think themselves learned, they are [all] called Pāṣaṇḍas [because] they act contrary to [true] religion. They fall into a terrifying hell until the end of the world. [...]”

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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to an “exposition” (of a doctrine or conduct), according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “After this, O Śivā, hear the exposition of the Kula Conduct (kulācāranirṇaya—kulācārasya nirṇayam). After he has joined the tradition of the Siddhas, he should worship his guru as divine. [...]”.

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to the “scope and authority” (of the scriptures), as discussed in chapter 39 of the Pauṣkarasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text of almost 5900 verses divided into forty-three chapters presented as a frame-work dialogue between Pauṣkara and Bhagavān dealing with the esoteric meaning of maṇḍala-designs, worship routines and temple-building.—Description of the chapter [āgama-nirṇaya]: Pauṣkara wants to know about the authoritativeness of the Āgamas. Bhagavān says that there are three classes of works according to length—the smallest comprising only a few hundred ślokas, the medium-sized ones of only a few thousand ślokas, and the largest ones being of ten or more thousands of ślokas. A different kind of classification may be based on the guṇas—some works being predominantly Sāttvic in nature, other Rājasic, and still others Tāmasic. [...]

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Samkhya (school of philosophy)
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to “(a statement of) determination”, 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 (saṃśaya-nirṇaya-ukti), brief statement, detailed statement, 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).
Shaiva philosophy
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) refers to the “settled view” (e.g., of the thirty-six principles), according to Bhaṭṭa Rāmakaṇṭha’s 10th-century Tattvatrayanirṇayavivṛti—a commentary on the 7th-century Tattvatrayanirṇaya by Sadyojyoti which discusses philosophical aspects of Śiva including the theories of Puruṣas (souls), Māyā (primal matter) and Mala (the innate impurity afflicting souls).—Accordingly, [commentary before first verse]: “Although the settled view of the thirty-six principles (ṣaṭtriṃśattattva-nirṇaya) according to this system has certainly been enunciated in such works as the Tattvasaṅgraha, [our author] now [pays] obeisance to the Supreme Lord in order to obviate obstacles so as to be able to teach here a further treatise that is intended to settle the nature of three main entities, namely that which experiences, that which is experienced and that which enables experience—[a nature] that may be defined by what they do and do not have in common, both with each other and with the other principles”.
Shaiva philosophy is a spritiual tradition within Hinduism that includes theories such as the relationship between the Atman (individual soul) and Siva, the nature of liberation (moksha), and the concepts of maya (illusion) and shakti (divine energy). Saiva philosophy teaches that union with Shiva can be achieved through knowledge, devotion, and spiritual practice. It encompasses major branches like Shaiva Siddhanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
nirṇaya (निर्णय).—m (S) Determination or settlement; decision or conclusion after investigation. 2 In law. Sentence, decision, decree.
nirṇaya (निर्णय).—m Determination, decision after investigation. Sentence, decree.
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
Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—&e. See under निर्णी (nirṇī).
Derivable forms: nirṇayaḥ (निर्णयः).
See also (synonyms): nirṇīta, nirṇetṛ.
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Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—
1) Removing, removal.
2) Complete ascertainment, decision, affirmation, determination, settlement; संदेहनिर्णयो जातः (saṃdehanirṇayo jātaḥ) Ś.1.27; Manusmṛti 8.31,49;9.25; Y.2.1; हृदयं निर्णयमेव धावति (hṛdayaṃ nirṇayameva dhāvati) Kirātārjunīya 2.29.
3) Deduction, inference, conclusion, demonstration (in logic).
4) Discussion, investigation, consideration
5) Sentence, verdict, judgment; बाहुवीर्याश्रिते मार्गे वर्तसे दीप्तनिर्णये (bāhuvīryāśrite mārge vartase dīptanirṇaye) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 3.292.2; सर्वज्ञस्याप्येकाकिनो निर्णयाभ्युपगमो दोषाय (sarvajñasyāpyekākino nirṇayābhyupagamo doṣāya) M.1.
6) Application of a conclusive argument.
7) (In Rhet.) Narration of events.
Derivable forms: nirṇayaḥ (निर्णयः).
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Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—
1) Ascertainment, determination.
2) Positive conclusion, settlement.
Derivable forms: nirṇayam (निर्णयम्).
Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—m.
(-yaḥ) 1. Certainty, positive conclusion. 2. Doubt, discussion, investigation. 3. (In Law,) Sentence, decision. 4. (In the Mimansa.) The application of a conclusive argument. 5. (In Logic,) Complete ascertainment. E. nir affirmative prefix, ṇī to guide, affix, bhāve ac.
Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—i. e. nis-nī + a, m. 1. Removal, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 12, 112. 2. Decision, Mahābhārata 13, 7535.
Nirṇaya (निर्णय).—[masculine] taking away, removal; composing, settling; decision, determination; sentence, verdict ([jurisprudence]).
1) Nirṇaya (निर्णय) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—in [dharma] See Ācāranirṇaya, Kālanirṇaya, etc. by Gopāla.
2) Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—belonging to the Śāṅkhāyanaśrautasūtra. B. 1, 192.
1) Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—a etc. See nir-ṇī.
2) [=nir-ṇaya] [from nir-ṇī] b m. taking off, removing, [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] complete ascertainment, decision, determination, settlement, [ib.]
4) [v.s. ...] (in logic) deduction, inference, conclusion, demonstration
5) [v.s. ...] application of a conclusive argument
6) [v.s. ...] (in law) sentence, verdict (cf. -pāda below)
7) [v.s. ...] (in [rhetoric]) narration of events, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]
8) [v.s. ...] discussion, consideration (= vicāra), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—[nir-ṇaya] (yaḥ) 1. m. Certainty; doubt; decision; demonstration.
Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—(von nī mit nis) m.
1) Entfernung, Wegschaffung, Hebung: dharaṇyā bhāranirṇaye [Harivaṃśa 2898.] cintayāmāsa rudatī tasya (duḥkhasya) nirṇayam [Mahābhārata 4, 505.] dharmasaṃśaya [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 12, 112.] saṃdeha [Śākuntala 27.] —
2) Entscheidung, Bestimmung, ein entscheidendes Wort, Urtheil, Urtheilsspruch; = niścaya [Amarakoṣa 1, 1, 4, 12.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1374.] saṃśayaḥ sugamastatra nirṇayastatra durgamaḥ [Mahābhārata 13, 7535. 7533.] nāsti deveṣu nirṇayaḥ [3,13252.] [Suśruta 2,559,7.] [Oxforder Handschriften 156,a,29.] praśna [Śatruṃjayamāhātmya 14, 148.] mārge dīptanirṇaye so v. a. wo Alles klar zu Tage liegt [Mahābhārata 3, 16603.] asya sarvasya śṛṇuta karmayogasya nirṇayam [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 12, 2.] eṣo khilenābhihito daṇḍapāruṣyanirṇayaḥ [8, 301. 278.] nānāvidhānāṃ dravyāṇāṃ śuddheḥ śṛṇuta nirṇayam [5, 110.] vyavahārasya [8, 409. 9, 250.] kārya [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 2, 10.] kāryārtha [Mahābhārata 15, 203.] sabhāsthāna [Mahābhārata 2, Adhy. 1] in der Unterschr. [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 1, 8.] sīmā [Kullūka] zu [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 8, 248.] sāmarthya [Hitopadeśa II, 141.] [] zu [Bṛhadāranyakopaniṣad S. 288.] [Vedānta lecture No. 115.] liṅga [Scholiast] zu [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 19. 294.] mantra Beschlussfassung [Rāmāyaṇa 5, 77, 14.] [Pañcatantra III, 6.] jayaparājayanirṇayaṃ kariṣyāmi [167, 5.] jñātvā lokasya nirṇayam das Urtheil der Welt [Mahābhārata 7, 4495.] [Rāmāyaṇa 6, 11, 16. 21, 31.] śāstrāṇāmeṣa nirṇayaḥ [Oxforder Handschriften 10,a, Nalopākhyāna 4.] nirṇaye vayaṃ (ein Richter spricht) pramāṇam [Mṛcchakaṭikā 154, 22.] [Mālavikāgnimitra 15, 18. 17, 8.] taddharmaśāstradvāreṇāsmākaṃ nirṇayaṃ dehi [Pañcatantra 166, 18.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī 3, 85. 6, 37.] Statt nirṇeya [Colebrooke I, 293] ist nirṇaya zu lesen; vgl. [Madhusūdanasarasvatī’s Prasthānabheda] in [Weber’s Indische Studien 1, 18, 5 v. u.] —
3) in der Rhet. Mittheilung eines Erlebnisses: nirṇayaḥ punaḥ . anubhūtārthakathanam [Sāhityadarpana 395. 391.] [DAŚAR. 1, 46.] —
4) = vicāra Erwägung, Prüfung [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 1, 1, 114.] — Vgl. kāla, jvara (unter jvara), deśa .
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Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—
3) = bījānuguṇakāryaprakhyāpana [PRATĀPAR. 22,b,2.]
Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—m. —
1) Entfernung , Wegschaffung , Hebung. —
2) Entscheidung , Bestimmung , ein entscheidendes Urtheil , Urtheil , Urtheilsspruch. dīpta Adj. wo die Entscheidung klar zu Tage liegt , keinem Zweifel unterworfen. —
3) in der Dramatik Mittheilung eines Erlebnisses.
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇiṇṇaya.
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
Nirṇaya (निर्णय) [Also spelled nirnay]:—(nm) a judgment, decision, conclusion; ~[kartā] a judge, referee, umpire.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Nirṇaya (ನಿರ್ಣಯ):—
1) [noun] a terminating of being terminated; termination.
2) [noun] the act of deciding or settling a dispute or question by giving a judgment.
3) [noun] determination; firmness of mind.
4) [noun] a judgment or conclusion reached or given.
5) [noun] a formal statement of opinion or determination adopted by an assembly or any other formal group;a resolution.
6) [noun] the discrete knowledge about what is right or wrong.
7) [noun] a statement made to explain or to make something clear; explanation.
8) [noun] (logic.) consideration and discussion of alternatives before reaching a decision; deliberations.
9) [noun] ನಿರ್ಣಯ ಮಾಡು [nirnaya madu] nirṇaya māḍu to decide; to judge; ನಿರ್ಣಯವಾಗು [nirnayavagu] nirṇayavāgu to be decided; to be judged.
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Nirnaya (ನಿರ್ನಯ):—[noun] = ನಿರ್ಧಾರ [nirdhara].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Nirṇaya (निर्णय):—n. 1. coming to conclusion; decision; determination; 2. Law. judgment; verdict;
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)
Starts with (+18): Nirnaayak-mandal, Nirnayaatmak, Nirnayabhaskara, Nirnayabindu, Nirnayacandrika, Nirnayacintamani, Nirnayadarpana, Nirnayadhikaar, Nirnayadhikara, Nirnayadipa, Nirnayadipaka, Nirnayadipika, Nirnayak, Nirnayaka, Nirnayaka-mandala, Nirnayakam, Nirnayakamalakara, Nirnayakamata, Nirnayakatva, Nirnayakaumudi.
Full-text (+611): Anirnaya, Vinirnaya, Nirnayapada, Karyanirnaya, Nirnayopama, Kalanirnaya, Tatparyanirnaya, Deshanirnaya, Ashaucanirnaya, Madhavakalanirnaya, Gaudavyavaharanirnaya, Kalidharmanirnaya, Matinirnaya, Nirnayasindhu, Pradoshanirnaya, Bhaktihetunirnaya, Nirnayadipa, Sambandhanirnaya, Nirnayakamalakara, Nirnayadarpana.
Relevant text
Search found 166 books and stories containing Nirnaya, Nir-naya, Nir-ṇaya, Nirṇaya; (plurals include: Nirnayas, nayas, ṇayas, Nirṇayas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
A Summary of the Vishvakarma-Shilpa < [Chapter 4 - Shilpa Shastras]
A Summary of the Samarangana-Sutradhara of King Bhojadeva < [Chapter 4 - Shilpa Shastras]
Contribution of Vachaspati-Mishra to Nyaya Philosophy (by Champak Kalita)
Part 3.9 - Nirṇaya or Ascertainment < [Chapter 2 - The Categories]
Part 2 - The Sixteen types of Categories (Padārtha) < [Chapter 2 - The Categories]
Part 4 - Vaiśeṣika categories included in Nyāya categories < [Chapter 2 - The Categories]
Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali (by Ganganatha Jha)
Text 120 < [Chapter 6a - On Qualities]
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
Verse 1.1 < [Anuccheda 1]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)





