Nishka, Niṣka: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Nishka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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 Niṣka can be transliterated into English as Niska or Nishka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Niṣka (निष्क).—One palam (about one-sixth of a pound) of gold. (Manusmṛti, Cnapter 8).
Niṣka (निष्क).—A gold coin for gifts;1 sin, a fine for wounding or hurting;2 necklace?3 Bala staked 1000 at the first game of gambling, another 1000 at the second and one crore at the succeeding one.4
- 1) Matsya-purāṇa 77. 11; Vāyu-purāṇa 80. 16.
- 2) Matsya-purāṇa 227. 86; Vāyu-purāṇa 101. 160.
- 3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 23. 31.
- 4) Viṣṇu-purāṇa V. 28. 13-14, 18.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Niṣka (निष्क) is another name for Karṣa: a unit of measurement of weight (1 akṣa equals 12mg; 2 karṣas = 1 śukti = 24g), as defined in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning niṣka] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
A relative overview of weight-units is found below, niṣka/karṣa indicated in bold. In case of liquids, the metric equivalents would be the corresponding litre and milliliters.
1 Ratti or Guñjā = 125mg,
8 Rattis - 1 Māṣa = 1g,
4 Māṣa - 1 Kaḻañc = 4g,
12 Māṣas - 1 Karṣa = 12g,
1 Karṣa /Akṣa - 1 Niṣka = 12g,
2 Karṣas - 1 Śukti = 24g,
2 Śukti - 1 Pala = 48g,
2 Palas - 1 Prasṛti = 96g,
2 Prasṛtis - 1 Kuḍava = 192g,
2 Kuḍava - 1 Mānikā = 384g,
2 Mānikās - 1 Prastha (Seru) = 768g,
4 Prasthas - 1 Āḍhaka (Kaṃsa) = 3.072kg,
4 Āḍhakas or Kalaśas - 1 Droṇa = 12.288kg,
2 Droṇas - 1 Surpa = 24.576kg,
2 Surpas - 1 Droṇī (Vahi) = 49.152kg,
4 Droṇīs - 1 Khari = 196.608kg,
1 Pala = 48g,
100 Palas - 1 Tulā = 4.8kg,
20 Tulās - 1 Bhāra = 96kg.
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.
Kavya (poetry)
Niṣka (निष्क) in Sanskrit refers to a “gold coin” (hence by extension “gold”), as is mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).—(Sircar 1966 p. 219).
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)
Niṣka (निष्क) refers to a “golden coin”, and represents a technical term occurring in the Gaṇitasāra-saṅgraha—an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with ancient Indian algebra and mathematical problems written by Mahāvīra (Mahāvīrācārya) in the 9th century.
Ganita (गणित) or Ganitashastra refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Niṣka (निष्क) is frequently found in the Rigveda and later denoting a gold ornament worn on the neck, as is shown by the two epithets niṣka-kaṇṭha and niṣka-grīva, ‘having a gold ornament on the neck’. A Niṣka of silver is mentioned in the Pañcaviṃśa-brāhmaṇa. As early as the Rigveda traces are seen of the
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Niṣka (निष्क) refers to a “necklace”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 46.—Accordingly, “Morality is the root of bliss for all beings. It is like a great treasure bringing pearls and jewels. Morality is a great protector that suppresses fears. It is like a great army that destroys thieves. Morality is an ornament to be worn like a necklace (keyūra, niṣka). Morality is a great ship capable of crossing the great ocean of saṃsāra. Morality is a great vehicle capable of transporting heavy jewels to the city of nirvāṇa. [...]”.
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.
India history and geography
Niṣka.—(IE 8-8; EI 15, 27, 30), name of a gold coin; name sometimes applied to śatamāna, śāna, ṭaṅka, gaṇḍa-māḍa, etc.; cf. gaṇḍa-niṣka, also called gaṇḍa-māḍa. See JNSI, Vol. XVI, pp. 41 ff. (IE 8-8), a gold coin equal to sixteen silver drammas. (EI 5), a coin equal to a half-pagoda. (JNSI, Vol. XV, p. 139), a silver coin equal to one śata- māna. Note: niṣka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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Niṣka.—gold coin or weight equal to one karṣa (80 ratis or about 146 grains) of 16 māṣas or to 4 or 108 or 150 suvarṇas (q. v.); silver coin equal to one śatamāna (320 ratis); some- times identified with māḍa (q. v.). Note: niṣka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Niṣka (निष्क).—
1) A golden coin (of different values, but generally taken to be equal to one Karṣa or Suvarṇa of 16 Māsas; 'varāṭakānāṃ daśakadvayaṃ yat sā kākiṇī tāśca paṇaścatasraḥ | te ṣoḍaśa dramma ihāvagamyo drammaistathā ṣoḍaśabhiśca niṣkaḥ || māṃsabhettā tu ṣaṣṇiṣkān (daṇḍaḥ) Manusmṛti 8.284.
2) A weight of gold equal to 18 or 15 Suvarṇas q. v.
3) A golden ornament for the neck or the breast; हरिचक्रेण तेनास्य कण्ठे निष्कमिवार्पितम् (haricakreṇa tenāsya kaṇṭhe niṣkamivārpitam) Kumārasambhava 2.49; निष्ककण्ठीः (niṣkakaṇṭhīḥ) (upadevavarastriyaḥ) Bhāgavata 4.3.6.
4) Gold in general.
5) A golden vessel.
6) A die or dice; L. D. B.
7) Departure, going away; Nm.
-ṣkaḥ A Chāndāla.
Derivable forms: niṣkaḥ (निष्कः), niṣkam (निष्कम्).
Niṣka (निष्क).—mn.
(-ṣkaḥ-ṣkaṃ) 1. A weight of gold, applied however to different quantities: it is considered as synonimous with the Dinara of thirty-two small, or sixteen large Rattis; with the Karsha or Suvarna of sixteen Mashas; with the Pala of four or five Suvarnas; and with the larger Pala or Dinara, which is sometimes reckoned at 108, and othertimes at 150 Suvarnas. 2. Gold in general. 3. Any ornament of the breast. 4. An ornament of the neck. 5. A weight of four Mashas. 6. A weight of silver of four Suvarnas. 7. A value of sixteen Kahons or Dramyas. 8. A chandala. E. ni before, sad to go, Unadi aff. kan, and the radical final rejected or nis + kai-ka or niṣka-ac .
Niṣka (निष्क).—m. and n. 1. An ornament of the neek or breast, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 13892; [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 9, 12. 2. A weight of gold, applied, however, to different quantities, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 8, 137. Ii. f. kā, A measure of length, Mārk. P. 49, 37.
Niṣka (निष्क).—[masculine] ([neuter]) a golden ornament for breast or neck (p. niṣkin); [adjective] cert. coin.
1) Niṣka (निष्क):—[from niṣk] mn. (rarely n.) ([Uṇādi-sūtra iii, 45] [gana] ardharcādi) a golden ornament for the neck or breast (also used as money), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
2) [v.s. ...] later a [particular] coin varying in value at different times (= 1 Dīnāra of 32 small or 16 large Rettis, = 1 Karṣa or Suvarṇa of 16 Māṣas, = 1 Pala of 4 or 5 Su-varṇas, = 1 larger Pala or Dīnāra variously reckoned at 108 or 150 Su-varṇas, = 4 Māṣas, = 16 Drammas; also a weight of silver of 4 Su-varṇas)
3) [v.s. ...] a golden vessel, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] gold, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] m. a Cāṇḍāla, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) Niṣkā (निष्का):—[from niṣka > niṣk] f. a measure of length, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
Niṣka (निष्क):—[(ṣkaḥ-ṣkaṃ)] 1. m. n. A eight of gold; a golden ornament.
Niṣka (निष्क):—
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Niṣka (निष्क):—
1) am Schluss, panniṣka und pāda gehören wohl zu
2) in der Bed. (1/4) Niṣka. —
2) = ṭaṅka, śāṇa [Śārṅgadhara SAṂH. 1, 1, 30.]
Niṣka (निष्क):——
1) m. und (seltener) n. — a) ein goldener (auch silberner) Halsoder Brustschmuck. — b) ein solcher Schmuck von bestimmtem Gewicht (das mit der Zeit variirt) , der die Stelle von Geld vertritt ; eine best. Münze (von variirendem Werthe). — c) *ein goldenes Gefäss. —
2) *m. ein Caṇḍāla. —
3) f. ā ein best. Längenmaass.
Niṣka (निष्क) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇikkha.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Niṣka (ನಿಷ್ಕ):—
1) [noun] one of the precious metals; gold.
2) [noun] an archaic monetary coin of gold.
3) [noun] a kind of gold necklace.
4) [noun] a unit of weight, used in weighing precious things as gold.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+16): Nishkaaran, Nishkadi, Nishkadipramana, Nishkagriva, Nishkakantha, Nishkakshkshit, Nishkakuru, Nishkal, Nishkala, Nishkala-Shiva, Nishkalabhava, Nishkalabindu, Nishkaladhyatma, Nishkalaji, Nishkalajitana, Nishkalaka, Nishkalam, Nishkalamkini, Nishkalamudra, Nishkalana.
Full-text (+82): Dvinishka, Nishkas, Pannishka, Trinishka, Nishkakantha, Bahunishka, Padanishka, Nishkagriva, Sunishka, Naishkashatika, Pratinishka, Naishkika, Trainishkika, Nihka, Nishk, Ganda-nishka, Nishkam, Pataka, Shadnishka, Dramma.
Relevant text
Search found 70 books and stories containing Nishka, Niṣka, Niska, Niṣkā; (plurals include: Nishkas, Niṣkas, Niskas, Niṣkās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Numismatic Gleanings from the Puranas < [Purana, Volume 6, Part 2 (1964)]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 8.220 < [Section XXXVII - Breach of Contract]
Verse 8.284 < [Section XLII - Assaults]
Verse 8.131 < [Section XXIII - Measures]
Archaeology and the Mahabharata (Study) (by Gouri Lad)
Chapter 16 - Coinage in the Mahabharata
Chapter 7 - Ornaments and Raw Materials (as reflected in the Mahabharata)
Glories of India (Culture and Civilization) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
Currency and Coinage (of ancient India) < [Chapter 2 - Economic life of Material progress]
Manufacture of goods (in ancient India) < [Chapter 2 - Economic life of Material progress]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 30 - The Mode of Expiation < [Part 1 - Pūrva-bhāga: Prathama-pāda]
Chapter 68 - Description of Gaṇeśa Mantra < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
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