Ratri, aka: Rātrī, Rātri; 4 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ratri means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

The word Rātri (night) is symbolically derived from the root rā “to give,” and is taken to mean “the giver” of bliss, of peace, of happiness.

context information

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.

Purana

1) Rātrī (रात्री).—Name of a river originating from Ṛkṣa, a holy mountain (kulaparvata) in Bhārata, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 85. There are settlements (janapada) where Āryas and Mlecchas dwell who drink water from these rivers.

Bhārata is a region south of Hemādri, once ruled over by Bharata (son of Ṛṣabha), whose ancestral lineage can be traced back to Svāyambhuva Manu.

2) Rātrī (रात्री).—One of the seven major rivers situated in Krauñcadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 88. It is also known by the name Sukhāvahā. Krauñcadvīpa is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Jyotiṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, who is the son of Svāyambhuva Manu.

Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

1a) Rātri (रात्रि).—A river in Krauñcadvīpa.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 19. 75; Matsya-purāṇa 122. 88; Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 69; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 4. 55.

1b) A Śakti.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 75.

1c) Pārameśvara; pralaya or destruction at the end of which recurs the creation of the universe.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 5. 2 and 6.

1d) When the Asuras were born to Prajāpati night came into being; ety.; three yāmas of the night are full of darkness—Triyāmikā; then Prajāpati took another guise and created the devas; āsuri of tamas quality;¹ no night for the region to the north of Meru and south of Lokāloka as the sun is far removed and the earth is surrounded by the lekha;² for the Pitṛs is Suklapakṣa;³ enters water in the morning.⁴

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 9. 6-15; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 14.
• 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 50. 108.
• 3) Ib. 51. 11; 57. 9.
• 4) Ib. 53. 14.

context information

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

Marathi-English dictionary

rātri (रात्रि).—f (S) Night.

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