Pustaka: 30 definitions
Introduction:
Pustaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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 Pustak.
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In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Pustaka (पुस्तक) means a book. It is made up either of palm leaves or of paper, the latter variety being, however, comparatively modern. In older sculptures it is always a palm leaf book that is represented as being held in the hand by Brahmā and other deities.
Pustaka (पुस्तक, “book”).—An object being held by the four-armed Sarasvatī;—The pustaka clearly belongs to the goddess of knowledge and is found in the earliest known image of Sarasvatī from about the third century C.E. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa says her hands (four in number) represents the Vedas, and her book, all Śāstras (scriptures).
Pustaka (Book) - The sacred Scriptures and all forms of book learning and theoretical knowledge. In the modern context it would include computers and all other forms of visual and sound media as well.
Pustaka (Book) - The Vedas – sacred Scriptures and the formal learning of all sorts of knowledge and theory.
Pustaka (पुस्तक, “book”) refers to one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—The śilpa texts have classified the various accessories under the broad heading of āyudha or karuvi (implement), including even flowers, animals, and musical instruments. Certain utensils and other objects that are commonly found in the hands of the images are, for example Pustaka.
Pustaka means a book. It is made up either of palm leaves or of paper. In older sculptures it is always a palm leaf book that is represented as being held in the hand by Brahmā and other deities.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Pustaka (पुस्तक, “book”).—One of the symbols that Sarasvatī is depicted as holding in one of her hands. It symbolizes all forms of learning and theoretical knowledge.
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to “books”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] Practice Yoga [i.e., yogābhyāsa] in the sphere of the Supreme Syllable. The thread (sūtra) of the Supreme Syllable is the heart that fulfils all desires. He who, established in the venerable (goddess) Kujā, knows (this) is liberated from the bondage of birth. (Perfect) contemplation (samādhi) is with (these) sixteen aspects and is (attained) within the form of the sixfold deposition (ṣoḍhānyāsa). He who knows this is (a veritable) Lord of Yogis, the others (who do not) are (just) quoting from books [i.e., pustaka-vācaka]. Once attained the plane that is Void and Non-void, the yogi is freed from bondage”.
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to a “book”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] May goddess Bhāratī shine upon me, I pray. She carries a rosary and a book (pustaka-dharā) in her hands, she has the stainless complexion of the full moon, and she embodies the entirety of knowledge. I venerate the beloved husband of Rati, the beautiful Mind-born [God Kāmadeva]. He carries a bow and arrows of flowers and his complexion resembles the petals of Dhak. [Again,] I approach the beloved husband of Prīti, bent round like the full moon, [serving as] the base for the ring of goddesses, in order to draw the Śrīcakra for the sake of prosperity. [...]”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to a “book”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 13.25cd-28, while describing the appearance and worship of Viśvakarman]—“Furthermore, [I shall describe] Viśvakarman, the Lord of the world. [He] is bright as a ray of light, risen alone [i.e., from itself]. [Viśvakarman] has [either] two or four arms. [When he has four hands he] bears a stone cutter’s chisel and a book (pustaka—ṭaṅkapustakadhāriṇam) with [his] beautiful right hand. [In the left he holds] a clamp and a cord. [...]”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
1) Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to a “book” (representing one of the symbols given to initiates after the abhiṣeka-rite), as discussed in the tenth chapter of the Nāradīyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra document comprising over 3000 verses in 30 chapters presenting in a narrative framework the teachings of Nārada to Gautama, dealing primarily with modes of worship and festivals.—Description of the chapter [abhiṣeka-vidhāna]: Gautama wants to hear details concerning the qualifying abhiṣeka-bath that admits an initiate to deśika-status. [...] One type of abhiṣeka-rite requires only one pot (kalaśa) to be used, at the conclusion of which bathing ceremony the candidate is given the symbols of his new office—[e.g., a pustaka or book]—along with a charge from his preceptor to pursue his duties (21-32). The initiate, in turn, honors this preceptor in all appropriate ways (33-37).
2) Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to a “book” (containing omens, used in dīkṣā or initiation rites), as discussed in chapter 37 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—Description of the chapter [dīkṣā-śakunavistāra]: [...] As part of the dīkṣā-initiation rites the candidates are blindfolded and this book is brought before them. Each is to select at random one leaf. These are then shown by the Ācārya to the candidates once their blindfolds are removed. Each candidate is asked to read the śloka on his leaf. If the śloka-verse speaks of an auspicious matter, then the candidate is accepted for full initiation; if the śloka-verse speaks of an inauspicious matter, he is rejected from further rites. Altogether the text (17b-24a) lists some 600 odd items that may be named in the ślokas written on the leaves (15b-103).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making)
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to “books” (placed near the couch in the householders’ residence—when settling down as a citizen), according to chapter 1.4 of Vātsyāyana’s Kāmasūtra: a Sanskrit text from the 2nd century dealing with eroticism, sexuality and emotional fulfillment in life belonging to Kāmaśāstra (the ancient Indian science of love-making).—Accordingly [while describing the bedroom of the residence of a citizen]: “[...] There should be also a sort of couch besides, and at the head of this a sort of stool, on which should be placed the fragrant ointments for the night, as well as flowers, pots containing collyrium and other fragrant substances, things used for perfuming the mouth, and the bark of the common citron tree. Near the couch, on the ground, there should be a pot for spitting, a box containing ornaments, and also a lute hanging from a peg made of the tooth of an elephant, a board for drawing, a pot containing perfume, some books (pustaka), and some garlands of the yellow amaranth flowers. [...]”.
Kamashastra (कामशास्त्र, kāmaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to a “book” (containing the teaching of the Buddha), according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as the Brahmā (the lord of Sahā) addressed himself to the Lord: “[...] As for the dharma-reciters, who, having collected this teaching of the Buddha, understand it, retain it, read it, teach it, and make it into a book (pustaka), wherever they hold religious discourses in the wilderness, forest, village, city, town, kingdom or capital, if they explain this exposition of the dharma in detail, then we will protect them, shield them, guard them, rejoice them, fulfill energy, attain recollection, acquire intelligence, be accordance with realization, fulfill eloquence, inspire the unbelieving with faith, and liberate those who have faith. According to the Tathāgata’s guiding principle of the dharma, Lord, we will uphold and disseminate it”.
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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to “books” (of the Prajñāpāramitā), according to the Nāmamantrārthāvalokinī by Vilāsavajra, which is a commentary on the Nāmasaṃgīti.—Accordingly, [while describing Mañjuśrī-jñānasattva]—“[Next] he should visualise himself as the fortunate one, the gnosis-being [Mañjuśrī], born from the syllable a situated in the middle of that [wisdom-] wheel [situated in the heart of the Ādibuddha]. He has six faces, is radiant like the autumn moon, with the best of sapphires in his beautiful hair, with a halo that has the brilliance of the orb of the newly risen sun, with all the Tathāgatas as [head-]ornaments, immersed in meditative concentration, seated on a variagated lotus throne, in tranquil mood, with a pair of books (pustaka-dvaya) of the Prajñāpāramitā above blue lotuses held in his two hands”.
Pustaka (पुस्तक) or “book” refers to one of the attributes of Mañjuśrīkīrti or Rigden Jampal Dragpa—one of the Twenty-five Kulikas as well as one of the traditional Shambhala rulers.—His attributes are a book (Sanskrit: pustaka; Tibetan poti [po ti] or legbam [glegs bam], pecha [dpe cha]) and a sword—as the only figure in the list possessing these two attributes. Mañjuśrīkīrti is together with the last Shambhala King Rudracakrī [Rudra Chakrin] a manifestation of the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. The book is in this case Tibetan religious text which is in an ornately carved wooden book cover.
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.
India history and geography
Pustaka.—cf. Tamil pottagam (SITI); register, as of land and revenue. Note: pustaka is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
Pustaka (पुस्तक) refers to “(illustrated) palm-leaf manuscripts”.—The first Buddhist sculptures and paintings to reach Tibet were brought by missionaries from the surrounding Buddhist countries. The missionaries not only carried Buddhist manuscripts with them, but also religious objects of various kinds: sculptures made of metal, stone, wood, and terracotta, in addition to illustrated palm-leaf manuscripts (pustaka) with painted manuscript covers (pustakāṣṭha), and presumably paintings on cloth (paṭa). Among the statues were examples originating from North-Eastern India, Nepal, Kashmir and Swat (Uḍḍiyāna), China, and perhaps Central Asia.
Pustaka refers to: “Book”.—It is included in the glossary section of the study dealing with the Temples and Cult of Shri Rama in Tamil-Nadu, with reference to the traditional lore, embodied in, for example the Nalayirativvaiyappirapantam (i.e., Nalayira Divyaprabandham).
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
pustaka (पुस्तक).—n (S) A book. pustakāṃvarūna ōḍhaṇēṃ To run over books cursorily; to be a superficial scholar or a smatterer.
pustaka (पुस्तक).—A book. pustakāṃvaruna ōḍhaṇēṃ To run over books cursorily;to be a smatterer.
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
Pustaka (पुस्तक).—
1) A book, manuscript.
2) A protuberant ornament, boss.
-āgāram a library.
-āstaraṇam The wrapper of a manuscript; Hch.
-mudrā a kind of mudrā mentioned in Tantraśāstra; वाममुष्टिं स्वाभिमुखीं कृत्वा पुस्तकमुद्रिका (vāmamuṣṭiṃ svābhimukhīṃ kṛtvā pustakamudrikā).
-pustikāpūlikaḥ a collection of manuscripts; Hch.3.
Derivable forms: pustakaḥ (पुस्तकः), pustakam (पुस्तकम्).
Pustaka (पुस्तक).—nf. (-kaṃ-kī) A book, a manuscript. E. kan added to the last.
Pustaka (पुस्तक).—[pusta + ka], m. and n. A book, a manuscript, [Pañcatantra] 127, 2.
Pustaka (पुस्तक).—[masculine] pustikā [feminine] the same.
1) Pustaka (पुस्तक):—[from pusta] m. or n. a protuberant ornament, boss (See below)
2) [v.s. ...] mf(ikā)n. a manuscript, book, booklet, [Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature; Varāha-mihira etc.]
Pustaka (पुस्तक):—[(kaṃ-kī)] 1. n. 3. f. A book.
Pustaka (पुस्तक):—n. [Siddhāntakaumudī.249,a,1 (251,a,2 v. u.] ist demnach pusta st. pustaka zu lesen). m. n. Manuscript, Buch [Harivaṃśa 16216.] [Mṛcchakaṭikā 49, 2.] [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 58, 38.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 8, 11.] [Spr. 1810.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī 3, 261.] [Pañcatantra 127, 9. 236, 24. 245, 1.] [Vetālapañcaviṃśati] in [Lassen’s Anthologie 18, 5. 8] (es ist wohl pustako yaṃ zu lesen). [?10. 15. Prabodhacandrodaja 48, 8. Scholiast zu Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 604, 18.] Auch pustikā [Oxforder Handschriften No. 208] am Ende. Vgl. gītapustaka .
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Pustaka (पुस्तक):—, kara [Spr. 5415.] vācana unter den 64 Kalā [217,a,10.] pustikā [Kathāsaritsāgara 76, 22. 24. fg. 122, 24. Z. 4] [Vetālapañcaviṃśati 18, 8] lesen zwei Hdschrr. richtig pustako yaṃ . — Vgl. prati .
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Pustaka (पुस्तक):—(Nachträge), schalte [Oxforder Handschriften vor 217,a,10] ein.
Pustaka (पुस्तक):——
1) Bosse , Bossage. —
2) m. f. ( pustikā) n. Handschrift , Buch [Hemādri’s Caturvargacintāmaṇi 1,546,12.16.] [Indische sprüche 4155.fgg.] f. auch Büchelchen [Kād. (1872) 155,9.]
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
Pustaka (पुस्तक) [Also spelled pustak]:—(nf) a book; ~[kakāra] writer/author of a book; ~[kīya] [jñāna] bookish knowledge.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Pustaka (ಪುಸ್ತಕ):—
1) [noun] a number of sheets of paper, parchment, etc. with writing or printing on them, fastened together along one edge, usu. between protective covers; a book.
2) [noun] (jain.) a class of jaina sages or mendicants.
3) [noun] ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಬದನೆಕಾಯಿ [pustakada badanekayi] pustakada badanekāyi knowledge got by mere book learning, lacking common sense, practicability or application to useful ends; ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಹುಳು [pustakada hulu] pustakada huḷu = ಪುಸ್ತಕಕೀಟ [pustakakita]; ಪುಸ್ತಕ ನೋಡಿಸು [pustaka nodisu] pustaka nōdisu to get opened a page randomly in a sacred book and interpreted its content as if it would apply or would give a clue to the future event.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Pustaka (पुस्तक):—n. book; volume; manuscript;
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)
Starts with (+13): Pushtakavacana, Pustaka-bhakti, Pustaka-bhandara, Pustaka-kharca, Pustaka-premi, Pustaka-sangraha, Pustaka-sangrahaka, Pustaka-vikreta, Pustakaagaar, Pustakabhyasa, Pustakadhara, Pustakadharin, Pustakadharini, Pustakadhyaksha, Pustakadvaya, Pustakagaccha, Pustakagara, Pustakahasta, Pustakakar, Pustakakara.
Full-text (+115): Pustakakara, Pratipustaka, Gitapustaka, Pustakam, Vaishyakarmapustaka, Shantipustaka, Sarvalakshanapustaka, Pathyapustaka, Vratapustaka, Prayogapustaka, Pustakashtha, Pustak, Ati-mulapustakam, Tiru-catankupustakam, Cepa-tittapustakam, Pusta, Maranapustakam, Vetapustakam, Shu, Jivapustakam.
Relevant text
Search found 87 books and stories containing Pustaka; (plurals include: Pustakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Tilakamanjari of Dhanapala (study) (by Shri N. M. Kansara)
Appendix 1 - The oldest and the other manuscripts of the Tilakamanjari
15.5. Cessation of hostilies and post-battle treatment < [Chapter 14 - Political data]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 203 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Page 510 < [Kannada-English-Malayalam (1 volume)]
Page 138 < [Malayalam-English-Kannada (1 volume)]
Studies in Indian Literary History (by P. K. Gode)
57. The identity of Vanchesvara alias Kutti Kavi < [Volume 2 (1954)]
3. Some Authors of the Arde Family and their Chronology < [Volume 3 (1956)]
32. Vyavaharamanjari, an unknown work of Bhojaraja on Dharmashastra < [Volume 1 (1945)]
Brahmasphutasiddhanta by Brahmagupta (Introduction) (by Acharyavara Ram Swarup Sharma)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
A Puranic Iconographical Account of the Image of Sarasvati < [Purana, Volume 11, Part 2 (1969)]
In Memoriam: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru < [Purana, Volume 6, Part 2 (1964)]
Conception of Sarasvati in the Puranas < [Purana, Volume 4, Part 1 (1962)]
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