Pashyat, Paśyat: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Pashyat 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 Paśyat can be transliterated into English as Pasyat or Pashyat, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Paśyat (पश्यत्) refers to “gazing”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.15 (“The penance and reign of Tārakāsura”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated: “[...] For a hundred years he [Tāraka] performed penance with his hands lifted up, standing on only one leg and gazing [i.e., paśyat] at the sun. With his mind steady and firm he observed all sacred rites. Then for a hundred years, the lord and king of Asuras, Tāraka performed the penance: stood steady touching the ground with the single big toe. For hundred years he performed penance by drinking only water; another hundred years by sustaining himself on air alone, another hundred years standing in water and another hundred years standing on dry land. [...]”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Paśyat (पश्यत्) refers to “looking” (as opposed to Apaśyat—‘not looking’), according to sources such as the Candrāvalokana and the Anubhavanivedanastotra.—Accordingly, while describing the highest reality through the practice of Śāmbhavī Mudrā: “When the Yogin’s mind and breath have dissolved into his inward focus, while he is looking (paśyat) outwards and below and [yet] also not looking [at anything] with a gaze in which his pupils are unmoving, [then] this, indeed, is Śāmbhavī Mudrā. O guru, by your favour, it is that state of Śambhu which manifests as the [highest] reality free from what is void and not void. [...]”.
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).
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
1) Paśyat (पश्यत्) refers to “seeing (this world)” (as pure illusion), according to the Aṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “Knowing yourself as truly one and indestructible, how could a wise man possessing self-knowledge like you feel any pleasure in acquiring wealth? [...] Seeing (paśyat) this world as pure illusion, and devoid of any interest in it [māyāmātramidaṃ viśvaṃ paśyanvigatakautukaḥ], how should the strong-minded person, feel fear, even at the approach of death? Who is to be compared to the great souled person whose mind is free of desire even in disappointment, and who has found satisfaction in self-knowledge? [...]”
2) Paśyat (पश्यत्) refers to “seeing” (i.e., living happily by just seeing, etc.—without being attracted to or feeling repulsed by wealth/sensuality, etc.).—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “[...] It is only the noble minded who is free from attraction or repulsion to religion, wealth, sensuality, and life and death too. [...] Thus fulfilled through this knowledge, contented and with the thinking mind emptied, he lives happily just seeing (paśyat), hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting. [paśyañchṛṇvanspṛśañjighrannaśnannāste yathāsukham] [...]”.
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Paśyat (पश्यत्).—a. (-ntī f.) Seeing, perceiving, beholding, looking at, observing &c. °पादः (pādaḥ) Akṣapāda, the propounder of the Nyāyaśāstra; Śāhendra.1.68.
Paśyat (पश्यत्).—mfn. (-śyan-śyantī-śyat) 1. Looking, seeing. 2. Remarking, considering. f. (-ntī) 1. A harlot, a courtezan. 2. A particular sound. E. dṛś to see, śatṛ aff. of the present participle, and root irr.
Paśyat (पश्यत्):—[from paś] mf(antī)n. seeing, beholding etc.
Paśyat (पश्यत्):—[(śyan-śyantī-śyat) a.] Looking.
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 (+0): Pashyata, Pashyatas, Pashyati, Pashyatohar, Pashyatohara, Pashyatoharan.
Full-text (+13): Prapashyat, Apashyat, Vaipashyata, Pashyatohara, Udashru, Avapash, Pashyanti, Atmadarshana, Vallava, Abhyastam, Ayodat, Utpash, Devatman, Ayodamshtra, Riddha, Abhiruda, Praghata, Sushtha, Antarghana, Samudrika.
Relevant text
Search found 68 books and stories containing Pashyat, Paśyan, Pasyan, Paśyat, Pasyat; (plurals include: Pashyats, Paśyans, Pasyans, Paśyats, Pasyats). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
Brihaddevata attributed to Shaunaka (by Arthur Anthony Macdonell)
Part 14 - Deities of Rigveda X.160-164 < [Chapter 8 - Deities of Rigveda X.98-191 (1-98); Conclusion (99-140)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
The Kalika Purana (literary study) (by Dilip Kumar Goswami)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.5.4 < [Chapter 5 - Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance Into Mathurā]
Verse 1.2.17 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Abode of Śrī Goloka]
Verse 2.19.29 < [Chapter 19 - The Rāsa-dance Pastime]