Rekha, Rekhā: 25 definitions
Introduction:
Rekha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Rekh.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)Rekhā is one of the saṃyutta-hastāni (Twenty-seven combined Hands).
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).
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraRekhā (रेखा, “line/streak”):—One of the five ordinary defects (sādhāraṇa-doṣa) of the precious stones (ratna) according to rasaśāstra literature. This particular defect (doṣa) is referring to ‘lined appearance’. It is also know as the Resā (रेसा) doṣa, according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara (Sanskrit work on the subject of rasaśāstra, or medicinal alchemy).
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Rekhā (रेखा) refers to a “line (of the palm)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.8.—Accordingly, Sage Nārada said to Menā:—“O Menā, O king of mountains, this daughter of yours has all auspicious signs. Like the first digit of the moon she will increase day by day. She will delight her husband, and heighten the glory of her parents. She will be a great chaste lady. She will grant bliss to everyone always. I see all good signs in the palm of your daughter, O lord of mountains. There is an abnormal line [i.e., rekhā] also. Listen to the indication thereof. Her husband will be a naked Yogin, without any qualities. He will be free from lust. He will have neither mother nor father. He will be indifferent to honours. His dress and manners will be inauspicious”.
2) Rekhā (रेखा) refers to “streaks (of the moon)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.40 (“The Marriage Procession of Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] These and other leaders of Gaṇas of great strength and multitudinous in number joined the procession with joy and enthusiasm. They had a thousand hands. They wore matted hair and crowns. They were bedecked with streaks of the moon (candra-rekhā-avataṃsa). They had three eyes and blue necks (like lord Śiva). All of them wore garlands of Rudrākṣa beads. They had the holy ashes smeared over the body. They had the ornaments of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, crowns etc. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexRekhā (रेखा).—A Śakti.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 36. 76.
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.
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammarRekhā (रेखा).—Termed also 'लेखा (lekhā) '; one of the subdivisions of the krama-pāțha.
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and RauravāgamaRekhā (रेखा) refers to “line (stone defect) § 2.10.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Rekhā (रेखा) refers to a “line” (e.g., a ‘straight line’—the awakened Kuṇḍalinī), according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as Bhagavat (Viṣṇu) said to Śaṃkara: “O Śrīkaṇṭha! Great Rudra! You have come into being due to (this) drop of nectar. I am Kumārikā, Viṣṇu’s supreme energy, (the awakened Kuṇḍalinī whose form is like) a straight line [i.e., ṛju-rekhā]. O foolish one, you previously committed suicide due to (your) mistaken knowledge. You did not see (that) great body (mahāpiṇḍa) in the form of a Liṅga. I, Hari's energy, Mahālakṣmī, abide in your body. O Rudra, tell me the truth. Why have you taken refuge in me?”.
2) Rekhā (रेखा) refers to an “(auspicious) line (on the one’s foot)”, 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, while describing the signs of one who is a Siddha: “There is (an auspicious) line [i.e., rekhā] on his foot and (the lines) on his hand (are shaped) like an auspicious lotus. His shoulders are equal as are (his) teeth; his neck and breasts are upraised. Or else he may be bent over. Such a one is part of the Siddha lineage. (His) thigh is (strong as if) issuing from a wheel and he has a faint auspicious line of hair (on his belly). His gait is playful and his body well proportioned. Such is the mark of a Siddha”.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraRekhā (रेखा) refers to “lines” (appearing on the disc of the sun), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the sun should appear like a pot; he brings on hunger and death; if he should appear broken, the reigning prince dies; if without rays, mankind will be afflicted with fears; if like a gate, then the capital city, if like an umbrella then the country, will perish. If the sun should appear like a flag staff, or a bow, or quivering or of sharp rays he will bring on wars; if there should appear black lines [i.e., kṛṣṇa-rekhā] on his disc the reigning prince will die by the hand of his own minister”.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (arts)Rekhā (रेखा) refers to one of the qualities of good painting, according to the Citrasūtra, as mentioned by Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—[...] In the Citrasūtra, rekhā, varṇa, vartanā and bhūṣaṇa are mentioned as four qualities of a good painting. A motif of a princess of a Citrapata was popular in medieval literature and also found in the Tilakamañjarī.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiRekha (रेख) refers to the “(beautiful) lines”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “All Tathāgatas abide in the beautiful lines (su-rekha) Svāhā!”.
Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of HeroesRekhā (रेखा) refers to the “lines” (drawn on a circle), according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Merit Circle (guṇacakra)]: “[...] He should make [mantras of all Yoginīs] on all circles [in this manner]. Outside that, he should give a circle, [on which there are] two lines (dvi-rekhā) [colored] black and dark blue. Gates, arched doorways, and altars are [on the circle], adorned with garlands of pearls and half-garlands of pearls. [...] Two colors should be evenly assigned [to them] in accordance with the [directions they] face, respectively. [...]”.
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)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsRekhā (रेखा) refers to the “row” (of lotus feet), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “The thirty gods, whose heads are bowed, bow down to the line of lotus feet [com.—padakamala-rekhā—‘the row of lotus feet’] of those whose hearts have become a refuge only for the doctrine. That very same doctrine, which is devoted to the helpless, is a preceptor and a friend, and the doctrine is a master and a brother. It is a protector without a motive”.
Synonyms: Rājikā.
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: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryRekhā.—(EI 19), a land measure. Cf. rekai, rekai-ppon (SITI), irekai; regarded as the name of a gold coin (probably bearing signs in straight lines); used in Vijayanagara inscriptions; probably, revenue income in cash. Note: rekhā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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Rekhā.—cf. rekai-ppon. Note: rekhā 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 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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryRekhā, (f.) (fr. rikh, for which the Pāli form is likh, cp. Sk. rekhā, Lat. rīma, Ohg. rīga row) line, streak Abhp 539. See lekhā. (Page 576)
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 Dictionaryrēkhā (रेखा).—f (S) A line. 2 A line drawn from Lanka to Meru, i. e. from the equator to the north pole; the first meridian.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishrēkhā (रेखा).—f A line. The first meridian.
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 dictionaryRekhā (रेखा).—[likh-ac lasya]
1) A line, streak; मदरेखा, दानरेखा, रागरेखा (madarekhā, dānarekhā, rāgarekhā) &c.
2) The measure of a line, small portion, as much as a line; न रेखामात्रमपि व्यतीयुः (na rekhāmātramapi vyatīyuḥ) R.1.17.
3) A row, range, line, series; मुदाश्रु मोक्ष्यसे क्षिप्रं मेघरेखेव वार्षिकी (mudāśru mokṣyase kṣipraṃ megharekheva vārṣikī) Rām.2.44.27.
4) Delineation, sketch, drawing; लावण्यरेखया किंचिदन्वितम् (lāvaṇyarekhayā kiṃcidanvitam) Ś.6.13.
5) The first or prime meridian of the Indian astronomers drawn from Laṅkā to Meru and passing through Ujjayinī.
6) Fulness, satisfaction.
7) Deceit, fraud.
8) A straight position of all limbs in dancing.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryRekhā (रेखा).—f.
(-khā) 1. A line, a continuous line. 2. Deceit, fraud. 3. A little. 4. Fulness, satisfaction. 5. A small portion, a jot. 6. Drawing, delineating. 7. The prime meridian drawn from Ceylon to Meru through Ujjayini. E. See lekhā, the initial being changed to ra .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryRekhā (रेखा).—i. e. likh + a, f. 1. A line, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 183. 2. Drawing, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 141. 3. A stripe, [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 209. 4. A little, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 148. 5. Fraud. 6. Fulness, satisfaction.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryRekhā (रेखा).—[feminine] streak, line ([rarely] rekha [masculine]); also = seq.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Rekha (रेख):—m. (mc. for rekhā, [from] √rikh = likh) a scratch, line, [Caurapañcāśikā]
2) Name of a man [gana] śivādi
3) Rekhā (रेखा):—[from rekha] a f. See below.
4) [from rekha] b f. a scratch, streak, stripe, line, [Gṛhyāsaṃgraha; Yājñavalkya; Mahābhārata] etc.
5) [v.s. ...] a continuous line, row, range, series, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
6) [v.s. ...] the first or prime meridian (considered to be a line drawn from Laṅkā to Meru id est. from Ceylon [supposed to lie on the equator] to the north pole), [Sūryasiddhānta]
7) [v.s. ...] a right or straight position of all the limbs in dancing, [Saṃgīta-sārasaṃgraha]
8) [v.s. ...] delineation, outline, drawing, sketch, [Kāvya literature; Kathāsaritsāgara]
9) [v.s. ...] appearance (rekhayā ifc. under the app° of [Bālarāmāyaṇa]; rekhāṃ na-√labh, not to attain even to the app° of, not to be at all equal to, [Vikramāṅkadeva-carita, by Bilhaṇa])
10) [v.s. ...] deceit, fraud (= chadman), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
11) [v.s. ...] fulness, satisfaction (= ābhoga), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] a small quantity, little portion, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (cf. -mātram).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryRekhā (रेखा):—(khā) 1. f. A line; deceit; a little; fulness, satisfaction.
[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 dictionary1) Rekha (रेख) [Also spelled rekh]:—(nf) a line; mark; just-grown whiskers in early youth; -, [patthara kī] bound to be true/happen, a certain eventuality; —[ānā/bhīṃjanā/bhīganā/phūṭanā] whiskers to make their first appearance; —[khīṃcanā] to delimit; to aver; —[meṃ mekha māranā] to accomplish a very diffiult task, to accomplish an impossibility.
2) Rekhā (रेखा):—(nf) a line; lineament; mark; furrow; (~[eṃ] -pl.) lines on the palm of the hand—fate; destiny; ~[kāra] one who draws a line or demarcates; linear; ~[kṛti] a plan; sketch; liniature line-drawing; ~[gaṇita] geometry; ~[gaṇitīya] geometrical; ~[citra] a sketch; figure; line-drawing; ~[citraṇa] sketching; drawing a figure: ~[cchādana] hachure; ~[lekha] a diagram.
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+31): Rekha-danda, Rekhaatmak, Rekhaatmak-paddati, Rekhabandha, Rekhabhara, Rekhacatushtaya, Rekhacatushtayakalpana, Rekhacitra, Rekhacitrana, Rekhadekha, Rekhadekha-garnu, Rekhaganita, Rekhaganitakshetravyavahara, Rekhajatakasudhakara, Rekhajokha, Rekhaka, Rekhakara, Rekhakarma, Rekhakriti, Rekhala.
Ends with (+98): Agnirekha, Akararekha, Aksharekha, Anangarekha, Arekha, Atirekha, Ayanarekha, Ayurekha, Bahurekha, Balarekha, Banarekha, Bhagya-rekha, Bhagyarekha, Bhumadhyarekha, Bindurekha, Brahmarekha, Candrarekha, Caturrekha, Chandrarekha, Citrarekha.
Full-text (+145): Trirekha, Candrarekha, Kamarekha, Samarekha, Raikha, Rekhantara, Padmarekha, Rekhaganita, Rekhamatram, Indurekha, Rekhakara, Surekha, Varnarekha, Madhyanha-rekha, Rekhapratiti, Kapalaresha, Samacapa-rekha, Rekhapradipa, Rekhanyasa, Karka.
Relevant text
Search found 34 books and stories containing Rekha, Rekhā, Rēkhā; (plurals include: Rekhas, Rekhās, Rēkhās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.21.22 < [Chapter 21 - The Rāsa-dance Pastime]
Verse 2.21.25 < [Chapter 21 - The Rāsa-dance Pastime]
Verse 2.9.7 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Paduka-panchaka (the five-fold footstool) (by Arthur Avalon)
Vastu-shastra (1): Canons of Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
(iv.c) Aparājitapṛcchā (Summary) < [Chapter 5 - Study of Hindu Science of Architecture]
(iii) Proportionate measurements (Māna, Aṅgula, Hasta) < [Chapter 6 - Fundamental Canons of Hindu Architecture]
Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary) (by D. N. Shukla)
Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal (by Shubha Majumder)
Jain Caumukha/Caumukhi or Caturmukhas < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]
Archaeological sites in Burdwan (Sadar North and Sadar South) < [Chapter 4 - Distribution of Sites Yielding Jaina Remains]
Abandoned Temples/Structural Ruins Containing Sculptural Specimens < [Chapter 5 - Jaina Architectural and Sculptural Remains]
Better Human Than True < [October 1955]
Better Human Than True < [October 1955]
Triple Stream < [July – September, 2005]