Prasadhaka, Prasādhaka: 13 definitions
Introduction:
Prasadhaka 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.
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक) refers to “decorators”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 16) (“On the planets—graha-bhaktiyoga”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] Mercury also presides over painters, grammarians, mathematicians, [+ prasādhaka ?] physicians, sculptors, spies, jugglers, infants, poets, rogues, tale-bearers, black-magicians, messengers, eunuchs, buffoons, sorcerers and conjurers; over sentinels, dancers and dancing masters; over ghee, gingelly and other oils; over seeds, over bitter flavour, over observers of religious ceremonies, over chemists and mules”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक) refers to “correctly practising”, according to the Parājapavidhi verse 29.—Accordingly: “Every day the Sādhaka should repeat the mantras as [many times as] he is able, drawing upwards the descending breath, correctly practising (prasādhaka) the Śāmbhavī [Mudrā]”.
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).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक) refers to “one who accomplishes (all activities)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.19 (“Jalandhara’s emissary to Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Jalandhara said to Rāhu: “O Rāhu of great intellect, most excellent of my emissaries, go to the mountain Kailāsa, O accomplisher of all activities (sarvakārya-prasādhaka). A sage and a Yogin named Śiva lives there. He has matted locks of hair. He is detached. He has controlled his senses. His body is smeared with ashes. O messenger, you shall go there and tell the detached Yogin Śiva with matted locks of hair, fearlessly. [...]”.
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
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक).—a. (-dhikā f.)
1) Accomplishing, or perfecting.
2) Purifying, cleansing.
3) Decorating, ornamenting.
-kaḥ A valet-de-chambre, an attendant who dresses his master; प्रसाधका भोजकाश्च गात्रसंवाहका अपि (prasādhakā bhojakāśca gātrasaṃvāhakā api) Kām.; आकल्पसाधनैस्तैस्तैरुपसेधुः प्रसाधकाः (ākalpasādhanaistaistairupasedhuḥ prasādhakāḥ) R.17.22.
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) 1. Who or what accomplishes or perfects. 2. Who or what cleanses or purifies. 3. A valet-de-chamber. f.
(-kā) 1. Wild-rice. 2. A dresser, a female attendant, one who decorates or adorns. E. pra before, sādh to accomplish, aff. ṇvula.
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक).—[feminine] dhikā dressing, adorning; man-or maid-servant.
1) Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक):—[=pra-sādhaka] [from pra-sādh] mf(ikā)n. (ifc.) adorning, beautifying, [Vāsavadattā; Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
2) [v.s. ...] accomplishing, perfecting, [Horace H. Wilson]
3) [v.s. ...] cleansing, purifying, [ib.]
4) [v.s. ...] m. an attendant who dresses his master, valet de chambre, [Kāmandakīya-nītisāra; Raghuvaṃśa]
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक):—[pra-sādhaka] (kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) a. Perfecting. f. (kā) Wild rice; a dressing woman.
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Pasāhaga.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Prasādhaka (ಪ್ರಸಾಧಕ):—
1) [adjective] cleaning; purifying.
2) [adjective] adding charm, beauty; adoring; decorating.
--- OR ---
Prasādhaka (ಪ್ರಸಾಧಕ):—[noun] he who decorates, trims, adorns makes up another or others (as with required costume, wig, cosmetics, etc.).
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Prasādhaka (प्रसाधक):—adj. 1. decorating, ornamenting; n. a valet-de-chamber; an attendant who dresses his master;
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, Sadhaka.
Full-text: Mantraprasadhaka, Sarvakaryaprasadhaka, Karyaprasadhaka, Pasahaga, Prasadhak, Prasadhika, Siddhayogeshvari, Siddhayogeshvarimata, Saptadvipa, Ganay.
Relevant text
Search found 16 books and stories containing Prasadhaka, Prasādhaka, Pra-sadhaka, Pra-sādhaka; (plurals include: Prasadhakas, Prasādhakas, sadhakas, sādhakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India (by Remadevi. O.)
4. Art of Decoration < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]
Tilakamanjari of Dhanapala (study) (by Shri N. M. Kansara)
6.2. Alankaras (28): Ullekha (intuitive description) < [Chapter 15 - The Tilakamanjari as a Prose Poetic work]
The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha (by E. B. Cowell)
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 3.3.62 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (3): Sambandha-samuddeśa (On Relation)]
Tattvasangraha [with commentary] (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 147-148 < [Chapter 5 - The Doctrine of Sound (‘Word-Sound’) being the Origin of the World]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 122 < [Volume 8 (1886)]