Pashanda, Pāsaṇḍa, Pāṣaṇḍa, Pashamda, Pashamda, Pasamda, Pasanda: 25 definitions
Introduction:
Pashanda means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Pāṣaṇḍa can be transliterated into English as Pasanda or Pashanda, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationPāṣaṃḍa (पाषंड) refers to “heretics”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.4 (“The Tripuras are initiated).—Accordingly, after Viṣṇu instructed his self-created Puruṣa to delude the Asuras in the Three Cities: “[...] Then the ascetic of shaven head acting in accordance with Viṣṇu’s behest created four disciples of the like form as himself and taught them the deceptive cult. [...] The four disciples with shaven heads followed the heretic cult (pāṣaṃḍa) [pāṣaṃḍamāśritāḥ]. They had the wicker vessel in their hands. They covered their mouths with a piece of cloth. They habitually wore dirty clothes. They did not talk much. Delightedly they used to speak ‘Dharma is the great gain, the true essence’ and some similar words. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड).—Heretics in Kali;1 came out of the Devāśura war—Nirgranthas, Kārpaṭas and Nagnas;2 not fit for ritual purposes;3 one connected with temple worship must not be a member of the Pāṣaṇḍa family;4 their deities not to be honoured;5 quelled by Pramati, God incarnate;6 put down by Kalki;7 sell Vedas and tīrthas;8 should be given up by a tīrthayātri.9
- 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 33. 60; Matsya-purāṇa 99. 14; 144. 40; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 18. 22.
- 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 78. 30.
- 3) Matsya-purāṇa 57. 6; 69. 34; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 18. 70-103; VI. 1. 37 etc.
- 4) Matsya-purāṇa 265. 3.
- 5) Ib. 267. 34.
- 6) Ib. 144. 54.
- 7) Ib. 47. 249; 273. 27.
- 8) Vāyu-purāṇa 58. 40, 52, 65.
- 9) Ib. 99. 396; 105. 42.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: academia.edu: Religious Inclusivism in the Writings of an Early Modern Sanskrit Intellectual (Shaivism)Pāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) refers to “heretical”, according to Rāmakaṇṭha’s commentary on Sadyojyotis’s Mokṣakārikā. Accordingly, while proving the validity of Śaiva teachings: “So this [teaching of Śiva (śivaśāsana)] is not heretical (pāṣaṇḍa) even from your point of view. This is because it does not conflict with the Veda, and because there is [Brahminical] scriptural evidence that it was accepted by men learned in the Veda (vedavit)”.
Source: HAL: The function of the Vṛṣasārasaṃgraha in the Śivadharma corpusPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) refers to one of the Six Āśramas referred to by Kauṇḍinya in his comments on Pāśupatasūtra 3.1.—The system of the four Brahmanical Āśramas also survived practically intact during the time of the Tantric and non-Tantric manifestations of Śaivism and Vaiṣṇavism The editor of the Trivandrum edition of the Pāśupatasūtra gives a list in explanation of the phrase ‘Six Āśramas’ [e.g., Pāṣaṇḍa]. This interpretation is probably based on Kauṇḍinya ad Pāśupatasūtra 1.6 and 4.18 (“the paths of the householder, the chaste student, the forest-dweller, the mendicant, and the heretic are wrong paths”).
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) or Pākhaṇḍa refers to “impostors”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 8), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The years of Jupiter (bṛhaspati) take their names from the several Nakṣatras in which he reappears after his conjunction with the Sun; and these names are identical with the names of the lunar months. [...] In the Śrāvaṇa year of Jupiter, mankind will be happy and crops will thrive and ripen well; wicked men and impostors [i.e., pāṣaṇḍa/pākhaṇḍa] will suffer with their followers”
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Pāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) refers to “heretics”, according to the Devīpurāṇa.—The importance for kṣatriyas is emphasized in the Devīmāhātmya, from perhaps the late-eighth century CE. [...] On the other hand, that the Goddess’s worship was meant for all varṇas and also heretics (pāṣaṇḍas), Tantric physicians (gāruḍikas) and Buddhists, is still registered by the slightly later Devīpurāṇa, in which an ecumenical devotee-base, including even women, is envisaged in such verses as Devīpurāṇa 91.136 and 35.17cd (on the right of women to worship and the inherence of the Goddess in girls), 22.24ab (on the worship of the Goddess by all varṇas including śūdras) and 88.1-339 (on the Goddess’s worship by heretics, Tantric physicians, Buddhists and those engaged in other faiths).
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)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) refers to “non-vedic (religious observances)”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] Putting on ochre garments, carrying a skull, plucking out clumps of hair, maintaining non-vedic religious observances (pāṣaṇḍa), ashes, ascetic clothing and matted locks, behaving as if mad, [the ascetic practice of] nakedness, [studying] the Vedas, Tantras and so on and the meeting [of learned people] for [reciting] poetry in the assembly: All [this] is exertion for the sake of filling one's stomach and is not the cause of the highest good. [...]”.
Note: The Amanaska unequivocally condemns those who abandon their Vedic rites in vain (2.103), and it proclaims the folly of those who adopt a non-vedic religion (pāṣaṇḍa) (1.6, 2.35, 103). Yet, it is clear that the Rājayogin would have held no belief in the salvific power of Vedic rites, and ultimately he abandons rites (karma) (1.100) in the sense that he himself is abandoned by them (1.104) because he has no desire for their potential rewards (2.105).
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).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) refers to “heterodox” (i.e., ‘opposing philosophies’ ?), according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 3).—Accordingly, “All who had come to the assembly accepted this command and remained. Then Kāśyapa the Great chose a thousand individuals. With the exception of Ānanda, all were Arhats, having acquired the six super-knowledges (abhijñā), liberation (vimokṣa) complete and without any doubt. All had acquired the three knowledges, mastery of Samādhi (samādhivaśitā). They could practice the Samādhis in a forward or reverse direction. All were without obstacles. They recited the three baskets and understood the inner and outer sacred scriptures. They recited and knew fully the eighteen kinds of great sūtras of the heretical sects (tīrthika) and all of them were able to conquer the heterodox (pāṣaṇḍa) in debate”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड) refers to “heretics”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “[com.—Next he speaks about the nature (svarūpam) of heretics (pākhaṇḍānāṃ)]—Some person destroys himself, someone is destroyed by those who have destroyed [themselves] and someone is diverted from the path [to liberation] by the teachings of fierce heretics (caṇḍa-pāṣaṇḍa-śāsana). Having abandoned the ruby of discrimination that fulfils all desires the one who is stupid is occupied with ideas that are unconsidered and pleasing”.
Synonyms: Pākhaṇḍa.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarypāsaṇḍa : (nt.) heresy.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryPāsaṇḍa, (cp. late Sk. pāṣaṇḍa) heresy, sect S. I, 133, A. II, 466; Th. 2, 183 Miln. 359; ThA. 164.—°ika heretic, sectarian Vin. IV, 74. (Page 456)
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 Dictionarypāṣaṇḍa (पाषंड).—& pāṣaṇḍī S pop. pāṣāṇḍa & pāṣāṇḍī See pākhaṇḍa & pākhaṇḍī.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishpāṣaṇḍa (पाषंड).—
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 dictionaryPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड).—a. Impious, heretical.
-ṇḍaḥ A heretic, an unbeliver, a hypocrite; पाषण्डमाश्रितानां (pāṣaṇḍamāśritānāṃ)......... योषिताम् (yoṣitām) (nivartetodakakriyā) Manusmṛti 5.9;9.225; पाषण्डसङ्घद्रव्यमश्रोत्रिय- भोग्यम् (pāṣaṇḍasaṅghadravyamaśrotriya- bhogyam);......चिकित्सकवाग्जीवनपाषण्डछद्मभिर्वा (cikitsakavāgjīvanapāṣaṇḍachadmabhirvā)...... Kau. A.1.15.
-ṇḍaḥ, -ṇḍam Heresy; also पाषाण्ड्यम् (pāṣāṇḍyam).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड).—m.
(-ṇḍaḥ) 1. A heretic, an impostor, one who not conforming to the orthodox tenets of Hindu faith, assumes the external characteristics of tribe or sect, a Jain, a Baudd'ha &c. 2. Any sect not Hindu. E. pāpa sin, ṣaṇ to give, ḍa aff., deriv. irr.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड).—I. m. n. Heresy, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 5, 90. Ii. adj. Heretical, Mahābhārata 12, 11284. Iii. m. A heretic, [Prabodhacandrodaya, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 21, 1.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड).—[feminine] ī heretical; [masculine] heretic, [masculine] [neuter] = seq.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Pāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड):—mf(ī)n. (wrongly spelt pākhaṇḍa) heretical, impious, [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa]
2) m. a heretic, hypocrite, impostor, any one who falsely assumes the characteristics of an orthodox Hindū, a Jaina, Buddhist, [ib.] etc.
3) m. or n. false doctrine, heresy, [Manu-smṛti; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
4) Pāṣāṇḍa (पाषाण्ड):—[from pāṣaṇḍa] [varia lectio] for pāṣaṇḍa, ḍin.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāṣaṇḍa (पाषण्ड):—(ṇḍaḥ) 1. m. A heretic.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Pāsaṇḍa (पासण्ड) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Pāsaṃḍa.
[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
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary1) Pasaṃda (पसंद) [Also spelled pasand]:—(nf) liking; choice; taste, ~[dagī] liking, choice; ~[dīdā] liked, chosen.
2) Pāṣaṃḍa (पाषंड):—(nm) see [pākhaṃḍa].
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryPāsaṃḍa (पासंड) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Pāsaṇḍa.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusPasaṃda (ಪಸಂದ):—[noun] = ಪಸಂದು [pasamdu].
--- OR ---
Pāṣaṃḍa (ಪಾಷಂಡ):—[adjective] not having belief in god; holding beliefs opposed to vedas.
--- OR ---
Pāṣaṃḍa (ಪಾಷಂಡ):—
1) [noun] a philosophic system denying the existence of god and holding beliefs that are contrary to vedas.
2) [noun] a follower of this system.
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: Pasandaka, Pashamdamata, Pashandacapetika, Pashandadalana, Pashandakhandana, Pashandamukhacapetika, Pashandamukhamardana, Pashandarak, Pashandashasana, Pashandastha, Pashandasyacapetika, Pashandata, Pashandavacana, Pashandavidambana, Pashandavrata, Pashandavratadharin, Pashandavratadharitva, Pashandavrittita, Pashandayatana, Pashantan.
Ends with: Apashanda, Candapashanda, Ghanapashanda, Rudrapashanda.
Full-text (+133): Pashandin, Pakhanda, Ghanapashanda, Pashamdamata, Tarakki, Pashandata, Imtaha, Imsapha, Pasandaka, Intaha, Pasand, Hamgama, Julma, Hungama, Parshada, Arama, Amana, Aaram, Aman, Pashandakhandana.
Relevant text
Search found 19 books and stories containing Pashanda, Pāsaṇḍa, Pāṣaṇḍa, Pashamda, Pāṣāṇḍa, Pāṣaṃḍa, Pasaṃda, Pāsaṃḍa, Pashamda, Pasamda, Pasanda, Pasamda, Pasaṃda, Pāṣaṃḍa; (plurals include: Pashandas, Pāsaṇḍas, Pāṣaṇḍas, Pashamdas, Pāṣāṇḍas, Pāṣaṃḍas, Pasaṃdas, Pāsaṃḍas, Pasamdas, Pasandas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
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Chapter CCXXI - The Vishnu-Dharma Vidya < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
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Verse 2.1.8 < [Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Lord’s Manifestation and His Instructions on Kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana]
Verse 3.9.337 < [Chapter 9 - The Glories of Advaita]
Verse 2.17.2 < [Chapter 17 - The Lord’s Wandering Throughout Navadvīpa and Descriptions of the Devotees’ Glories]
Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)
Chapter 18 - A Prince kept under Restraint < [Book 1 - Concerning Discipline]
Chapter 16 - Resumption of Gifts, Sale without Ownership, and Ownership < [Book 3 - Concerning Law]
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