Parayana, Parāyaṇa, Pārāyana, Parāyana, Para-ayana: 17 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Parayana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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 Parayan.
In Hinduism
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammarPārāyaṇa (पारायण).—Oral recital of a sacred work. See पारण (pāraṇa).
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationParāyaṇa (परायण) refers to the “great goal”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.3.—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Umā with devotion:—“[...] we worship you, Śiva the cause of welfare, the pure, the gross, the subtle, the great goal (i.e., parāyaṇa) and the one delighted with the inner and good learning. You are faith, fortitude and prosperity. You alone have control over everything; you are the splendour and energy of the sun illuminating your own universe”.

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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryparāyaṇa : (nt.) support; rest; relief; the final end (in cpds.) aiming at; ending in; destined to; finding one's support in.
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pārāyana : (nt.) final aim; chief object.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryParāyana, (Parāyaṇa) (nt.) (fr. parā+i, cp. Vedic parāyaṇa highest instance, also BSk. parāyaṇa e.g. Divy 57, 327) 1. (n.) final end, i.e. support, rest, relief S. I, 38; A. I, 155, 156 (tāṇa lena dīpa etc.); J. V, 501=VI, 375 (dīpañ ca p.).—2. (adj.—°) (a) going through to, ending in, aiming at, given to, attached to, having one’s end or goal in; also: finding one’s support in (as daṇḍa° leaning on a stick M. I, 88; A. I, 138), in foll. phrases prevalent: Amata° S. V, 217 sq.; tama° Pug. 51; Nibbāna° S. IV, 373; V, 218; brahmacariya° S. I, 234; Maccu° S. V, 217; sambodhi° D. I, 156; II, 155; Pug. 16. Cp. also Sn. 1114 (tap°=tad°, see Nd2 411); Miln. 148 (ekantasoka°); DhA. I, 28 (rodana, i.e. constantly weeping). ‹-› (b) destined to, having one’s next birth in. , e.g. Avīci° J. III, 454; IV, 159; duggati° PvA. 32; devaloka° J. I, 218; brahmaloka° J. III, 396; Miln. 234; sagga° J. VI, 329; PvA. 42, 160; sugati° PvA. 89 similarly nīlamañca° Pv. II, 25. See also pārāyana. (Page 421)
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Pārāyana, (nt.) (late Sk. pārāyaṇa, the metric form of parāyana) the highest (farthest) point, final aim, chief object, ideal; title of the last Vagga of the Sutta Nipāta A. III, 401; Sn. 1130; Nd2 438; SnA 163, 370, 604. (Page 454)

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryparāyaṇa (परायण).—a (S) Following after, adhering, attached, devoted to: also appertaining or subject to: also bearing respect, reference, relation to. Ex. hyā manōvṛtti īśvaraparāyaṇa jhālyā; hī vihīra brāhmaṇa- parāyaṇa āhē; jñānaparāyaṇaśāstra, puṇyaparāyaṇa, dharmaparā- yaṇa, nindāparāyaṇa &c.
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pārāyaṇa (पारायण).—n (S) Perusal, reading through (esp. of a purāṇa). 2 S Going through or across.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishparāyaṇa (परायण).—a Attached to. Appertaining to or bearing respect to.
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pārāyaṇa (पारायण).—n Perusal, reading through.
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
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryParāyaṇa (परायण).—See under पर (para) (para-ayana).
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Pārāyaṇa (पारायण).—
1) going across.
2) reading through, perusal, thorough study.
3) the whole, completeness, or totality of anything; as in ब्रह्मपारायणम्, मन्त्रपारायणम् (brahmapārāyaṇam, mantrapārāyaṇam) &c. याज्ञवल्क्यो मुनिर्यस्मै ब्रह्मपारायणं जगौ (yājñavalkyo muniryasmai brahmapārāyaṇaṃ jagau) Mv.1. 14.
Derivable forms: pārāyaṇam (पारायणम्).
Pārāyaṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms pāra and ayaṇa (अयण).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryPārāyaṇa (पारायण).—name of a Buddhist work, presumably = the P°-vagga of Pali Sn (976—1149): Divyāvadāna 20.23; 34.29.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryParāyaṇa (परायण).—mfn. subst.
(-ṇaḥ-ṇā-ṇaṃ) 1. Adherence to any pursuit, attachment to any object. 2. Dependance upon. 3. Best refuge. adj. 1. Adhering or attched to. 2. Connected with, depending upon. 3. Wished, desired. n.
(-ṇaṃ) A religious order or division. E. para only, (one object,) ayana going.
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Pārāyaṇa (पारायण).—n.
(-ṇaṃ) 1. Totality, entireness, completeness. 2. Going over, reading or doing any thing completely. 3. Going across. 4. Reading a Purana, or causing it to be read. f. (-ṇī) 1. The goddess Sara- Swati. 2. Action, act. 3. Considering, meditating. 4. Light. E. pāra the boundary or limit, and ayana going to, extending: when used attributively it remains always neuter.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryParāyaṇa (परायण).—i. e. para-ayana, I. n. 1. Chief, principal, Mahābhārata 1, 1624. 2. with kṛ, To do one’s utmost, 6, 3929. Ii. adj. 1. Principal, 4, 2269. 2. Adhering (with accus.), [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 7, 9. 3. Connected with (gen.), Mahābhārata 7, 8252 (leading to victory). Iii. When latter part of a comp. adj. it implies, 1. Wholly occupied with, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 4, 10, 2. Intent on, Mahābhārata 3, 2482. 3. Affected by, [Nala] 23, 1.
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Pārāyaṇa (पारायण).—i. e. pāra-ayana, n. 1. Study, [Uttara Rāmacarita, 2. ed. Calc., 1862.] 34, 10. 2. Totality, Mahābhārata 13, 2701; [Uttara Rāmacarita, 2. ed. Calc., 1862.] 98, 4.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryParāyaṇa (परायण).—[neuter] going away, departure, last way or exit; final end or aim, last resort or refuge; essence, sum, chief matter; [Name] of a work. —° having a thing as highest object or occupation, i.e. quite filled with, devoted to, or intent upon (cf. para). — Adj. violent, strong, being the last refuge or essential matter of, conducive to, dependent on ([genetive]).
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Pārāyaṇa (पारायण).—[neuter] going through, perusal, study.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus CatalogorumPārāyaṇa (पारायण) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—abridged from Dhātupārāyaṇa. Quoted by Kṣīrasvāmin, Puruṣottamadeva Oxf. 161^a, etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Parāyaṇa (परायण):—[from para] 1. parāyaṇa n. (for 2. See p. 590, col. 3) final end or aim, last resort or refuge, principal object, chief matter, essence, summary (ṇaṃ-√kṛ, to do one’s utmost), [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Upaniṣad; Mahābhārata] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] (in [medicine]) a universal medicine, panacea, [Caraka]
3) [v.s. ...] a religious order or division, [Horace H. Wilson]
4) [v.s. ...] (ifc.; f(ā). ) making anything one’s chief object, wholly devoted or destined to, engaged in, intent upon, filled or occupied with, affected or possessed by (-tā f., [Daśakumāra-carita]), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
5) [v.s. ...] mf(ā)n. violent, strong (as pain), [Mahābhārata i, 8367] ([Nīlakaṇṭha])
6) [v.s. ...] principal, being the chief object or final aim, [ib.]
7) [v.s. ...] dependent on ([genitive case]), [Rāmāyaṇa]
8) [v.s. ...] leading or conducive to ([genitive case]), [Mahābhārata]
9) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a pupil of Yājñavalkya, [Vāyu-purāṇa]
10) 2. parāyaṇa n. (parā +√i) going away, departure or way of departure, final end, last resort, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa] (cf. 1. parāyaṇa, p.587.)
11) Pārāyaṇa (पारायण):—[from pāra] n. going over, reading through, perusing, studying, [Ṛgveda-prātiśākhya; Āpastamba]
12) [v.s. ...] ([especially]) reading a Purāṇa or causing it to be read, [Horace H. Wilson]
13) [v.s. ...] the whole, totality, [Mahābhārata xiii, 2701; Pāṇini 3-2, 130 [Scholiast or Commentator]]
14) [v.s. ...] ([especially]) complete text, c° collection of (cf. dhātu-p, nāma-p)
15) [v.s. ...] Name of a gram. [work] (abridged [from] dhātu-p)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Parāyaṇa (परायण):—[parā+yaṇa] (ṇaḥ-ṇā-ṇaṃ) a. Adhering to; dependent on; desired. n. A religious order or division.
2) Pārāyaṇa (पारायण):—[pārā+yaṇa] (ṇaṃ) 1. n. Totality; going over or across. f. Saraswatī; action; meditation; light.
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)
Starts with: Parayana Vagga, Parayanakrama, Parayanamahatmya, Parayanastotra, Parayanata, Parayanavagga, Parayanavant, Parayanavat, Parayanavidhi, Parayanavratabandha, Parayanavratabandhavisarga.
Ends with (+25): Ananyaparayana, Aparayana, Brahmaparayana, Daivaparayana, Dandaparayana, Dhanurvedaparayana, Dharmaparayana, Dhatuparayana, Jagatparayana, Japaparayana, Jotiparayana, Maccuparayana, Mancaparayana, Mantraparayana, Matparayana, Mohaparayana, Mokshaparayana, Nakulishayogaparayana, Namaparayana, Nariparayana.
Full-text (+69): Tatparayana, Japaparayana, Svarthaparayana, Brahmaparayana, Palayanaparayana, Dandaparayana, Traiparayanika, Ananyaparayana, Nariparayana, Parayani, Shokaparayana, Shishnodaraparayana, Turayana, Parayanika, Parayanakrama, Parayanamahatmya, Parayanavidhi, Mantraparayanakrama, Tvarayana, Parayanata.
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Search found 19 books and stories containing Parayana, Para-ayana, Pāra-ayaṇa, Parāyaṇa, Pārāyana, Parāyana, Pārāyaṇa; (plurals include: Parayanas, ayanas, ayaṇas, Parāyaṇas, Pārāyanas, Parāyanas, Pārāyaṇas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
Part 5 - Suttampata Pali < [Chapter VIII - Khuddaka Nikaya]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 6 - Why the arhats surround the Buddha < [Chapter VI - The Great Bhikṣu Saṃgha]
Appendix 3 - The theory of the laukikāgradharma < [Chapter XXX - The Characteristics of Prajñā]
The Śāriputra-siṃhanāda-sūtra < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Addenda: Bāvarī the Brahmin Teacher (continued) < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Biography (10): Kaccāyana Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Biography (41): Mogharāja Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Apadana commentary (Atthakatha) (by U Lu Pe Win)
Commentary on the poem on friends (mittā) and men of good hearts (suhajjā) < [Commentary on biography of Silent Buddhas (Paccekabuddha)]
The Life of Sariputta (by Nyanaponika Thera)
The Turner Of The Wheel < [Part II - Maturity Of Insight]