Rajju, Rajju: 25 definitions
Introduction:
Rajju means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
In Hinduism
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical TermsRajju (रज्जु).—Perimeter. Note: Rajju is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra1) Rajju (रज्जु) refers to the “measuring cord (rope)” a type of physical instrument used during architectural measurement. It is used throughout Vāstuśāstra literature such as the Mānasāra, which is a 5th-century Sanskrit treatise on architectural practice.
2) Rajju (रज्जु, “rope”) is the Sanskrit name for a unit of measurement, used in Vāstuśāstra literature, according to the Mānasāra II.40-53. A single Rajju unit corresponds to 8 Daṇḍa units.
Below follows a table of the different units of measurement in relation to one another:
- 8 Paramāṇu = 1 Rathadhūli, chariot-dust
- 8 Rathadhūli = 1 Vālāgra, hair-end
- 8 Vālāgra = 1 Likṣā, nit,
- 8 Likṣā = 1 Yūka, louse
- 8 Yūka = 1 Yava, barley-corn,
- 8 Yava = 1 Aṅgula, digit (finger-breadth),
- 12 Aṅgula = 1 Vitasti, span,
- 2 Vitasti (24 aṅgulas) = 1 Kiṣku, cubit,
- 4 Dhanurmuṣṭi (26 aṅgulas) = 1 Daṇḍa, rod,
- 8 Daṇḍa = 1 Rajju, rope
The smallest unit, which is paramāṇu, atom is stated ta be perceived (only) by the sages. For all practical purposes, aṅgula is the smallest unit of measurement. For this reason, it is seen to be treated in a special way in the text with regards to its universality that significantly downplays its semantic reference to the body.

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismRajju (रज्जु)—Sanskrit term corresponding to the english “rope”.
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and SubjectsRajju (रज्जु) in the Rigveda and later denotes ‘rope’. In the Atharvaveda the serpent is called the ‘toothed rope’ (rajju datvatī).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraRajju (रज्जु) refers to “ropes” (i.e., the simile of the ropes: ‘when two ropes are joined together into one, it is stronger’), according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]— [...] (12). The Buddha has no loss of the wisdom and the vision of deliverance.—[...] As has been said above in regard to the recollection of the Buddha, among the five elements of sainthood, the latter possesses the element consisting of the knowledge and vision of deliverance. Here it is necessary to speak about it at length.[Question].—We say ‘knowledge and vision of deliverance’: it should be enough to say ‘knowledge’ (jñāna); why add ‘vision’ (darśana) as well? [Answer].—By saying knowledge and vision, we reinforce the matter. It is like with ropes (rajju): when two ropes are joined together into one, it is stronger. [...]”.

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: Prakrit Bharati Academy: Astronomy and CosmologyRajju (रज्जु).—In some Jaina works, a rajju is defined as the diameter of the Svayamvbūramaṇa ocean. In Ratnasañcaya-prakaraṇa, a rajju is defined as follows: “A god can go 100,000 yojanas in the winking of an eye. The distance travelled by him, thus in 6 months is a rajju.”
Source: Prakrit Bharati Academy: Jainism - the Creed for all TimesRajju (रज्जु).—The measure of universal space.—When the distances are immensely incalculable, the units also have to be equally immense. Rajju is one such unit. The universal space has been mentioned in terms of this unit in the Jaina scriptures. To have an idea of the immensity of rajju, we have this formula that beats all imagination—“If a heavenly god were to go at a speed of a hundred thousand (pramāṇa) yojana in an instant, for a period of six months, the distance described by him will be one rajju. It is also the diametrical distance between one end of the outermost Svayambhūramaṇa-samudra (of the middle universe) to the other.

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.
India history and geography
Source: Project Gutenberg: Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 1Rajju (“string”) refers to a factor taken into consideration, by consulting an astrologer, before marriage among the Agamudaiyans (a cultivating case foundin all the Tamil districts).—The twenty-seven asterisms are arranged at various points on four parallel lines drawn across three triangles. These lines are called the leg, thigh, abdomen, and neck rajjus. The vertices of the triangles are the head rajjus. The asterisms of the pair should not be on the same rajju, and it is considered to be specially bad if they are both on the neck.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryRajjū.—(HRS), used in the Arthaśāstra probably in the sense of the cost realised by the government in connection with the expenses of land-measurement or survey. Note: rajjū is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryrajju : (f.) a rope; a cord.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryRajju, (f.) (Vedic rajju, cp. Lat. restis rope, Lith. r&etilde; ƶgis wicker, basket) a cord, line, rope S. II, 128; Vin. II, 120, 148 (āviñchana°); Nd2 304; J. I, 464, 483 (fisherman’s line); V, 173; Mhvs 10, 61; DhA. IV, 54; VbhA. 163; KhA 57; VvA. 207; Sdhp. 148, 153.

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 Dictionaryrajju (रज्जु).—f (S) A string, cord, rope: also a filament or fibre.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishrajju (रज्जु).—f A string, rope. A fibre.
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 dictionaryRajju (रज्जु).—(Uṇādi-sūtra 1.15) f.
1) A rope, cord, string.
2) Name of a sinew proceeding from the vertebral column.
3) A lock of braided hair.
Derivable forms: rajjuḥ (रज्जुः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryRajju (रज्जु).—m.
(-jjuḥ) 1. A rope, a cord, a tie, a string. 2. A lock of braided hair. 3. A sinew proceeding from the vertibral column. E. sṛj to create, &c., Unadi aff. u, and the radical sa rejected, the vowel changed to its semi-vowel.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryRajju (रज्जु).— (probably for original srajyu; cf. sraj and [Old High German.] striech, strie, stracchian; [Anglo-Saxon.] streccan; [Latin] stringere), f. (m., [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 376 erroneously, cf. my translation, n. 385). 1. A rope, [Hitopadeśa] ii. [distich] 131; a cord, [Pañcatantra] 76, 17. 2. A lock of braided hair.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryRajju (रज्जु).—(rajjū) [feminine] cord, rope.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Rajju (रज्जु):—f. (ifc. sometimes m.; in earlier language also f(rajjū). ; [Vedic or Veda] [accusative] rajjvam; [genitive case] rajjvās, [Manu-smṛti xi, 168]; probably [from] an unused √rasj, or rajj; cf. rasanā = raśanā) a rope, cord, string, line, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc. (rajjum ā-√sthā, to have recourse to the rope, to hang one’s self, [Mahābhārata])
2) Name of [particular] sinews or tendons proceeding from the vertebral column, [Suśruta]
3) a lock of braided hair, braid (= veṇī), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) Name of a [particular] constellation, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
5) Caryota Urens, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]; a measure of 8 Hastas or 192 inches, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) cf. [Lithuanian] rezgú, ‘I plait.’
7) Rājju (राज्जु):—Vṛddhi form of rajju, in [compound]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryRajju (रज्जु):—(jjuḥ) 2. m. A rope, a tie; a lock of braided hair.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Rajju (रज्जु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Rajju, Lajju.
[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 dictionaryRajju (रज्जु):—(nf) a rope, cord; -[mārga] ropeway.
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Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryRajju (रज्जु) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Rajju.
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 corpusRajju (ರಜ್ಜು):—
1) [noun] a cord; a rope.
2) [noun] plaited hair; a braid of hair.
3) [noun] particular sinews or tendons proceeding from the vertebral column.
4) [noun] (jain.) a unit of linear measure.
5) [noun] the branch of mathematics that deals with points, lines, planes, and figures, and examines their properties, measurement, and mutual relations in space; geometry.
6) [noun] (astrol.) a particular conjugation of planets, i.e.all the seven astrological plants (excluding Rāhu and Kētu) being distributed in the four mansions (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricornus);7) [noun] ರಜ್ಜು ಸರ್ಪ ನ್ಯಾಯ [rajju sarpa nyaya] rajju sarpa nyāya a maxim of rope and serpent, to explain that by illusion one may consider serpent as rope or vice versa.
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 (+11): Rajju Sutta, Rajju-pratihara, Rajjubandha, Rajjubhara, Rajjubharin, Rajjudala, Rajjudalaka, Rajjuddhrita, Rajjudhana, Rajjugahaka, Rajjugrahaka-amatya, Rajjuka, Rajjukantha, Rajjukanthin, Rajjukara, Rajjukri, Rajjukriya, Rajjulamba, Rajjumala, Rajjumatratva.
Ends with (+19): Adhirajju, Akshnayarajju, Anurajju, Aparajju, Arajju, Asthirajju, Avinjanakarajju, Bahirajju, Bandhanarajju, Civararajju, Cora-rajju, Darbharajju, Galurajju, Hridayarajju, Karkatakarajju, Karmarajju, Kashtharajju, Kathinarajju, Korajju, Kusharajju.
Full-text (+113): Rajjuka, Ragarajju, Padarajju, Lajju, Rajjudalaka, Dalaka, Samarajju, Bandhanarajju, Pashurajju, Pasharajju, Rajjukanthin, Rajjubharin, Rajjudala, Rajjupeda, Raju, Rajjumatratva, Rajjukri, Anurajju, Rajjvavalambin, Akshnayarajju.
Relevant text
Search found 15 books and stories containing Rajju, Rajjū, Rājju, Rajju; (plurals include: Rajjus, Rajjūs, Rājjus, Rajjus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 32: Description of the Upper World (ūrdhvaloka) < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Part 3: The birth of Ṛṣabha (the thirteenth incarnation) < [Chapter II]
Part 17: Description of the Lower World (adhaloka) < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)
Chapter 20 - Measurement of Space and Time < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]
Chapter 6 - The Business of Collection of Revenue by the Collector-General < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 3.1 - The lower world (adholoka) < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]
Verse 2.28 - Movement with bend (vigraha) < [Chapter 2 - Category of the Living]
Verse 1.7 - Another method of ascertaining knowledge (of seven categories) < [Chapter 1 - Right Faith and Knowledge]
Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka (by I. B. Horner)
Manasara (English translation) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)
Chapter 2 - The Qualifications of Architects and the system of Measurement
Chapter 31 - The Courts (prākāra)
Chapter 50 - The bodily ornaments and house-furniture (bhūṣaṇa)
Dvisahasri of Tembesvami (Summary and Study) (by Upadhyay Mihirkumar Sudhirbhai)
Incorporation of Vedānta in the Dvisāhasrī < [H. H. Ṭembesvāmī: Erudition]