Prarambha, Prārambha, Pra-arambha: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Prarambha 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Praramb.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ, “beginning”) refers to one of the “five stages of the action” (avasthā) in a dramatic playwright (nāṭaka), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 21. It is also known by the name Ārambha. These actions represents a Hero’s striving towards the object. The fruits of these actions (phalayoga) relates to dharma (duty), kāma (enjoyment of pleasure) and artha (wealth).
The corresponding “means of attaining objects of the plot” (arthaprakṛti), is the Seed (bīja).
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ) refers to the “beginning (of auspicious rites)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.55 (“Śiva returns to Kailāsa”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “O dear, I have thus narrated the auspicious story of the marriage of Śiva, that dispels sorrow, generates delight and increases wealth and longevity. [...] It shall be read on all occasions of Śiva’s festivals by the people who desire auspicious results. It gives satisfaction to Śiva. At the installation of the idols of the deities this shall be particularly read. At the beginning (prārambha) of all auspicious rites it shall be read with pleasure. With purity in mind and body it shall be heard. All affairs become fruitful thereby. This is true, really true. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ) refers to the “commencement (of the rite)” (of the casting of cords), according to the Bhūśalyasūtrapātananimittavidhi section of Jagaddarpaṇa’s Ācāryakriyāsamuccaya, a text within Tantric Buddhism dealing with construction manual for monasteries etc.—Accordingly, “[...] In the consecration of [images of] deities and other [sacred objects], [the officiant] should examine the [above-mentioned] omens which bring merits [to the donor] in the commencement of the rite (prārambha) of the casting of cords, and then perform [the casting of cords]. [...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ) refers to “indulgence” and is one of the twenty-four activities (kriyā) of sāmparāyika (transmigression-extending influx). Sāmparāyika is one two types of āsrava (influx) which represents the flow of karma particles towards the soul, which is due to the three activities: manoyoga ( activities of mind), kāyayoga ( activities of body) and vacanayoga (activities of speech).
Kriyā (‘activities’, such as prārambha) is a Sanskrit technical term defined in the Tattvārthasūtra (ancient authorative Jain scripture) from the 2nd century, which contains aphorisms dealing with philosophy and the nature of reality.
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
Marathi-English dictionary
prārambha (प्रारंभ).—m (S) A beginning or commencement.
prārambha (प्रारंभ).—m A beginning or commencement.
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
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ).—
1) Beginning, commencement; प्रारम्भेऽपि त्रियामा तरुणयति निजं नीलिमानं वनेषु (prārambhe'pi triyāmā taruṇayati nijaṃ nīlimānaṃ vaneṣu) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5.6; R.1.9;18.49.
2) An undertaking, deed, enterprize; फलानुमेयाः प्रारम्भाः संस्काराः प्राक्तना इव (phalānumeyāḥ prārambhāḥ saṃskārāḥ prāktanā iva) R.1.2.
Derivable forms: prārambhaḥ (प्रारम्भः).
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ).—m.
(-mbhaḥ) 1. Beginning. 2. An undertaking. E. pra and āṅ before, rabhi to begin, ghañ aff.
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ).—i. e. pra-ā-rabh + a, m. Beginning, [Daśakumāracarita] in
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ).—[masculine] beginning, undertaking.
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ):—[from prā-rabh] m. commencement, beginning, undertaking, enterprise, [Kāvya literature; Varāha-mihira; Purāṇa etc.]
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ):—(mbhaḥ) 1. m. Beginning.
[Sanskrit to German]
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Pāraṃbha.
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
Prāraṃbha (प्रारंभ) [Also spelled praramb]:—(nm) beginning, commencement; inception; initiation; the starting point.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Prāraṃbha (ಪ್ರಾರಂಭ):—
1) [noun] the act or time of commencing; beginning; starting; commencement.
2) [noun] an instance of this.
3) [noun] something that is done; a work.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Prārambha (प्रारम्भ):—n. beginning; commencement; initiation;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Pra, Arambha.
Starts with: Prarambhana, Prarambhanem, Prarambhaniya.
Full-text (+1): Prarambh, Prarambhanem, Prarambhaniya, Praramb, Prarambhana, Suvikranta, Praripsita, Parambha, Sumantrita, Nirvahin, Karya, Bija, Avastha, Avashtambha, Prakari, Samparayika, Karanem, Bindu, Pataka, Upasarga.
Relevant text
Search found 23 books and stories containing Prarambha, Prārambha, Prāraṃbha, Pra-arambha, Pra-ārambha; (plurals include: Prarambhas, Prārambhas, Prāraṃbhas, arambhas, ārambhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study) (by G. D. Jayalakshmi)
Basic features of Nāṭaka < [Chapter 6 - Dramatic aspects of the Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 689 < [Malayalam-English-Kannada (1 volume)]
Page 534 < [Kannada-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Page 297 < [Telugu-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 1.2.77 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]
Satirical works of Kshemendra (study) (by Arpana Devi)
5.19. The Student (chātra) < [Chapter 5 - Kṣemendra’s objectives of Satire]
History of Science in South Asia
A Critical Edition of the Candrārkī of Dinakara < [Vol. 6 (2018)]
Calendars, Compliments, and Computations < [Vol. 11 (2023)]