Nishvasa, Niśvāsa: 17 definitions
Introduction:
Nishvasa 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.
The Sanskrit term Niśvāsa can be transliterated into English as Nisvasa or Nishvasa, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) or Niśvāsāgama refers to one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The Śaivāgamas are divided into four groups viz. Śaiva, Pāśupata, Soma and Lākula. Śaiva is further divided in to Dakṣiṇa, Vāma and Siddhānta (e.g., niśvāsa).
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) refers to “respiration”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.10, while explaining the span of life of the deities (Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Hara):—“[...] in the case of all living beings, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Hara, Gandharvas, serpents, Rākṣasas, etc., twenty one thousand six hundred respirations (niśvāsa) constitute the period of one day and one night, O foremost among Devas. Six respirations (niśvāsa) constitute the period of time one Pala. Sixty such Palas constitute one Ghaṭī. Sixty Ghaṭīs constitute one day and one night. (6 x 60 x 60 = 21600). There is no limit to the number of respirations of Sadāśiva. Hence He is undecaying”.
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)
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) refers to “heavy laboured breathing”, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Sage Kaśyapa gives a very accurate and graphic description of the lightening speed in which poison spreads in a snake-bite victim. The rapid speed which the dhātus or vitals of a snake-bite victim go through successive symptoms is called viṣavega, characterised by seven stages. Heavy laboured breathing (niśvāsa) and loss of consciousness symptomise the sixth stage.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Niśvāsa (निश्वास):—Breath (exhalation)
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)
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) or Niśvāsatattvasaṃhitā probably represents the oldest surviving tantric Śaiva scripture (as early as the fifth century C.E.).—The most fascinating material is present in the Niśvāsa’s treatment of cosmology (i.e., cosmogony and cosmography)—subjects expounded in a variety of contexts, especially those of initiation—and to the origins of mantra, scripture, and language. The cosmology of the Niśvāsa has been the subject of groundbreaking studies by Sanderson (2006) and Goodall (forthcoming), who demonstrate that the universe of the Niśvāsa’s Mūlasūtra consists of an ascending hierarchy of worlds (bhuvanas), rather than the ontic levels or tattvas which come to characterize more developed systems.
The scripture’s five books were composed in the following chronological order:
- Mūlasūtra,
- Uttarasūtra,
- Nayasūtra,
- Guhyasūtra,
- Mukhāgama.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) refers to “breathing”, according to the Yogatārāvalī: a short Yoga text of twenty-nine verses presenting Haṭhayoga as the means to Rājayoga (i.e., Samādhi).—Accordingly, while describing the no-mind state: “We see the Amanaska Mudrā manifesting in [those] most eminent sages because [their] breathing has disappeared (niśvāsa-lopa), [their] bodies are firm and [their] lotus-eyes are half closed”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
niśvāsa (निश्वास).—m (S) Expiration or an expiration. v dē, ṭāka, sōḍa.
niśvāsa (निश्वास).—m Expiration or an expiration.
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
Niśvāsa (निश्वास).—
1) Breathing out, expiration.
2) Sighing, a sigh, breath.
Derivable forms: niśvāsaḥ (निश्वासः).
See also (synonyms): niḥśvāsa.
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Niśvāsa (निश्वास).—Inspiration, inhaling, sighing; cf. निःश्वास (niḥśvāsa).
Derivable forms: niśvāsaḥ (निश्वासः).
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) or Niśśvāsa.—m.
(-saḥ) 1. Breath expired, breathing out, expiration. E. nir out, and śvāsa breath.
Niśvāsa (निश्वास).—[masculine] breathing in or out, sigh.
1) Niśvāsa (निश्वास):—[=ni-śvāsa] [from ni-śvas] m. idem
2) [v.s. ...] a sigh, [Rāmāyaṇa; Sāhitya-darpaṇa; Suśruta] (opp. uc-chvāsa).
[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
Niśvāsa (निश्वास) [Also spelled niswas]:—(nm) exhalation; sigh.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Niśvāsa (ನಿಶ್ವಾಸ):—
1) [noun] the breath let out; exhaled breath.
2) [noun] a long, deep, audible breath in expressing disappointment, pain, helplessness, relief, fatigue etc,; a sigh.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Niśvāsa (निश्वास):—n. 1. breathing in; breathing; 2. breath; respiration; 3. sigh;
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: Nishvasadaurgandhya, Nishvasagama, Nishvasakarika, Nishvasakhyamahatantra, Nishvasalopa, Nishvasamukhodaya, Nishvasana, Nishvasanayana, Nishvasaparama, Nishvasasamgraha, Nishvasasamhita, Nishvasasamrodha, Nishvasatattva, Nishvasatattvasamhita, Nishvasavaigandhya, Nishvasottara.
Full-text (+54): Kshananishvasa, Vinishvasa, Dirghanishvasa, Sanishvasam, Nishvasagama, Nishvasavaigandhya, Nishvasadaurgandhya, Nishvasasamgraha, Nishvasasamrodha, Nishvasasamhita, Nishvasaparama, Nishvasottara, Nishvasamukhodaya, Nishvasakarika, Nishvasatattva, Niccuvacam, Nishvasalopa, Ucchvasanishvasa, Nihshvasa, Guhyasutra.
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