Nrityat, Nṛtyat: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Nrityat means something in 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 Nṛtyat can be transliterated into English as Nrtyat or Nrityat, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramNṛtyat (नृत्यत्) means “dancing”, 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, “[...] His body is adorned on the left (by his consort) and he is adorned with a garland of wild flowers. He wears earrings made of snakes and his sacred thread is Vāsuki. The Lord is adorned with tinkling anklets and sits on a ghost in the lotus posture. He is adorned with the five insignia and a garland of severed heads that hangs from his neck up to his feet. He dances with the bliss of wine [i.e., madira-ānanda-nṛtyat] and is accompanied by heroes and Bhairavas. Sixty-four Yoginīs and great mothers encompass him. He is endowed with sixty-four energies and adorned with ghosts and demons. O Śambhu, Bhairava is said to have as his seat (āsana) the Supreme Goddess”.
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)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsNṛtyat (नृत्यत्) refers to “dancing”, according to the Guhyasūtra chapter 3.—Accordingly, “[...] One may perform the Block-of-Wood Observance in a forest full of bears, tigers and lions, conquering the urges to sleep and eat, [constantly] reciting. If one takes on the appearance of a woman and sings and dances (nṛtyat—nṛtyate), adorned with bracelets, with a winnowing fan, ball and plait, one observes the Colourful Observance. With a weapon in hand, full of compassion, if one wanders like a saviour of creatures (?) focussed upon recitation, meditation and worship, one performs the Warrior Observance. [...]”.
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)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationNṛtyat (नृत्यत्) (Cf. Nṛtyantī) refers to “dancing”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.38 (“Description of the dais or maṇḍapa”).—Accordingly, as Himavat prepared the wedding of Menā and Śiva: “[...] The watery places presented there excelled the solid grounds. Even experts could not distinguish what was water and what was solid ground. There were artificial lions. There were rows of storks. There were artificial peacocks, but very beautiful in appearance. Artificial women were represented as dancing (nṛtyantī—nṛtyantyaḥ) with artificial men casting wistful glances at them and enchanting them. [...]”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryNṛtyat (नृत्यत्).—mfn. (-tyan-tyantī-tyat) Dancing. E. nṛt to dance, śatṛ aff.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Abhyanrit, Anrit, Madirananda.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Nrityat, Nṛtyat, Nrtyat; (plurals include: Nrityats, Nṛtyats, Nrtyats). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 8.12 < [Chapter 8 - Literary Qualities]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 29 - Gaṅgā-Sahasranāma (A Thousand Names of Gaṅgā) < [Section 1 - Pūrvārdha]