Nrityaka, Nṛtyaka: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Nrityaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Nṛtyaka can be transliterated into English as Nrtyaka or Nrityaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Nrityaka in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nṛtyaka (नृत्यक) [=nṛtya?] refers to “dancing”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.39 (“The gods arrive at Kailāsa”).—Accordingly: as the Sages performed the safety rites for Śiva: “[...] Then the lord of all started from the excellent mountain Kailāsa keeping the Brahmins and the gods ahead. Outside the mountain Kailāsa, Śiva stopped for a while along with the gods and Brahmins receiving different ovations. Then a great jovial festival was celebrated by the gods and others in order to propitiate Śiva. Songs were sung. Instruments were played. Dances were held (su-nṛtyaka)”.

Purana book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of nrityaka or nrtyaka in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Nṛtyaka (नृत्यक) refers to “dancing”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly: [while explaining the body circle (kāyacakra)]: “[...] There are also other females [who are] headless and running, headless and dancing (nṛtyaka), and legless and sleeping. [Some] have heads [in the shape] of beaks of a crow and other [birds] They also dance with joy because of being in a great meditative state. This way, he should make lunar mansions and so on [placed] in the middle of the ground. [They] should be known in [their] respective colors. Everyone has a vehicle. [...]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Discover the meaning of nrityaka or nrtyaka in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

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