Samcara, Sañcāra, Sañcara, Saṃcāra, Saṃcara, Sancara, Samcāra: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Samcara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Samchara.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Saṃcāra (संचार, “movement”) refers to the “movements” of notes (svara) and relates to the strong aṃśa notes, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 28. It can also be spelled as Sañcāra (सञ्चार).
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).
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Sañcāra (सञ्चार) refers to the “circulating (the breath)” (through the channels of the body), according to the Amaraughaprabodha: a short 13th century treatise on Yoga attributed to Gorakṣanātha which teaches the fourfold system of yoga (Mantra, Laya, Haṭha and Rāja).—Accordingly, “Some drink urine, their own impurity. Some eat their saliva as food. Some draw up [their] semen that falls from a woman’s vagina after having penetrated [her]. And some who are skilled in circulating (sañcāra) the breath through the channels of the entire body, consume dhātus. They do not have mastery of the body without [the state of] Rājayoga, in which their minds are absent. When the mind has attained equanimity and the breath moves into the central channel, [then] these Amarolī, Vajrolī and Sahajolī [Mudras] arise”.
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).
Shaivism
Sañcara (सञ्चर) refers to “moving on” (from womb to womb), according to Śivasūtra 3.1 (Cf. Kṣemarāja’s Śivasūtravimarśinī).—Accordingly, “The citta is the [contracted] self (ātmā cittam)”—[Kṣemarāja’s explanation]—“This citta, which is permanent because it is not coloured by the impressions left by sense-objects and which takes the form of the buddhi, ahaṅkāra and manas with their functions of judgement, [ appropriation,] and [attention], is [called] the Ātmā [here], that is, the atomic individual, [from the verb √at ‘to wander’ in the meaning ‘the wanderer’,] because it moves on (sañcara) from womb to womb by taking on the operations of Sattva, [Rajas and Tamas] as a result of its being unaware of its true nature as [unlimited] consciousness”.
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.
Shyanika-shastra (the science of Hawking and Hunting)
Sañcāra (सञ्चार) refers to “moving (towards the quarry)” (during hunting), according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, [while discussing the outlines of hawking]: “[...] At the time of the search, the circle should move slowly along (sañcāra), and after the fall of the bird still slower. Those who proceed in front of the horsemen, with canes ine their hands, should throw, by Muṣṭimoka, Dhūtis and Ṭonās against quails and other quarry. Their motion, on account of their swiftness, cannot be perceived. They add to the enjoyment of the spectators by darting obliquely (?) on the quarry, which is discovered by the noise, cīcīkucī they make when they are captured. [...]”.
Shyanika-shastra (श्यैनिकशास्त्र, śyainikaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian skill of hawking/falconry (one of the ways of hunting) which were laid down in a systematic manner in various Sanskrit treatises. It also explains the philosophy behind how the pleasures derived from sense-experience could lead the way to liberation.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Sañcāra (सञ्चार) refers to “rotating” (in circles representing holy sites), 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 explaining the body circle (kāyacakra)]: “[...] The first Yoginī in that circle is the one [who] emerged in the beginning (Vārāhī)—the twelve [classes of Yoginīs] are to be discerned by her; [they] rotate (sañcāra) in [the twelve circles representing] the pīṭha, upapīṭha, [and so on]. The other [Yoginīs] residing at the gates and corners are [expressive of] the thirteenth Level. [Every Yoginī is] to be discerned with a name starting with ‘Vajra’ at the time of offering and praise. [This is] also the case of [the names of] the heroes. [...]”.
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)
Saṃcāra (संचार) refers to the “distress (of stones)”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Here in the cycle of rebirth consisting of endless misfortune, sentient beings roam about repeatedly, struck down by spear, axe, vice, fire, corrosive liquid or razor in hell, consumed by the multitude of flames (śikhāsaṃbhāra; var.—śilā-saṃcāra—“the distress of stones”) from the fire of violent actions in the plant and animal world , and subject to unequalled trouble in the human condition [or] full of desire among the gods. [Thus ends the reflection on] the cycle of rebirth.”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
sañcāra : (m.) passage; movement; wandering.
Sañcāra, (saṃ+cāra) 1. going, movement, passing through Sdhp. 244.—2. passages entrance, road J. I, 409; II, 70, 122. (Page 669)
— or —
Sañcara, (fr. saṃ+car) passage, way, medium DA. I, 289. (Page 669)
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
Sañcāra (सञ्चार).—m (S The ca is both tsh and ts.) Penetration into and occupation of; pervasion; as bhūtasañcāra, viṣasañcāra, vātasañcāra. 2 Stirring about in; lively motion or action in. 3 Passage, progress, advance made into. 4 A slip; a turn aside; a devious or erring step; esp. a slip or blunder in a recitation. v jā g. of s.
Sañcāra (सञ्चार).—m Penetration into and occupa- tion of, pervasion; as bhūtasañcāra, viṣasañcāra, vātasacāra. Lively motion or action in; passage, progress.
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
Saṃcara (संचर).—
1) Passage, transit from one zodiacal sign to another.
2) A way, path; यत्रौषधिप्रकाशेन नक्तं दर्शितसंचराः (yatrauṣadhiprakāśena naktaṃ darśitasaṃcarāḥ) Kumārasambhava 6.43; R.16.12.
3) A narrow road, defile, difficult passage.
4) Entrance, gate.
5) The body.
6) Killing.
7) Development. -a. Going about, moving everywhere; अनिरुक्तस्त्रयोदशः स्तोभः संचरो हुंकारः (aniruktastrayodaśaḥ stobhaḥ saṃcaro huṃkāraḥ) Ch. Up.1.13.3.
Derivable forms: saṃcaraḥ (संचरः).
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Saṃcāra (संचार).—1 Going, movement, travelling or roaming through; स पुनः पार्थसंचारं संचरत्यवनीपतिः (sa punaḥ pārthasaṃcāraṃ saṃcaratyavanīpatiḥ) K. P.1; सुलभ- पुरुषसंचारेऽस्मिन् प्रदेशे (sulabha- puruṣasaṃcāre'smin pradeśe) Mṛcchakaṭika 7; R.2.15.
2) Passing through, passage, transit.
3) A course, way, road, pass.
4) A difficult progress or journey.
5) Difficulty, distress.
6) Inciting.
7) Leading, guiding.
8) Transmission, contagion.
9) A gem said to be found in the hood of serpents.
1) The entrance of the sun into a new sign.
11) Infatuating; तथाख्यातविधानं च योगः संचार एव च (tathākhyātavidhānaṃ ca yogaḥ saṃcāra eva ca) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.59.48 (com. saṃcāraḥ śravaṇadarśanābhyāṃ paramohanam).
12) Track (of wild animals).
Derivable forms: saṃcāraḥ (संचारः).
Sañcara (सञ्चर).—m.
(-raḥ) A defile, any narrow or difficult pass, a road along the edge of a mountain, or a bridge over a mountain-stream, &c. 2. Difficult passage, travelling along almost impracticable routes. 3. A road, a way. 4. The body. 5. Killing. 6. The passage of a planet from one sign of the zodiac to another. E. sam before car to go, aff. ghañ; also sañcāra .
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Sañcāra (सञ्चार).—m.
(-raḥ) 1. Difficult progress. 2. Difficulty, distress. 3. Leading, guiding. 4. Inciting. 5. Impelling, setting in motion. 6. Contagion, communication or transmission of disease. 7. Course, transition. 8. A gem supposed to be found in the head of a serpent. 9. A way, a pass. E. sam before car to go, aff. ghañ: see sañcara; or sam and car to go, causal v., ac aff.
Saṃcara (संचर).—i. e. sam-car + a, m. 1. A defile, any narrow or difficult pass, a road along the edge of a mountain, or a bridge, etc. 2. Difficult passage. 3. A road. 4. The body. 5. Killing.
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Saṃcāra (संचार).—i. e. sam-car + a, m. 1. Difficult progress. 2. Difficulty, distress. 3. Going, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 52, 34; motion, [Bhartṛhari, (ed. Bohlen.)] 1, 11. 4. Course, [Uttara Rāmacarita, 2. ed. Calc., 1862.] 42, 16 (of life). 5. Contagion. 6. Setting in motion, Bhāṣāp. 151. 7. Leading. 8. Inciting. 9. A gem supposed to be in the head of a serpent.
Saṃcara (संचर).—[adjective] wandering together, happening at the same time, belonging to or partaking of (—°); [masculine] way, road, passage.
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Saṃcāra (संचार).—[masculine] wandering, roaming, riding, driving moving i.[grammar]; going through, passage (also concr.); way, path.
1) Saṃcara (संचर):—[=saṃ-cara] [from saṃ-car] mfn. going about, moving (See divā-s)
2) [v.s. ...] going or belonging together, simultaneous, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra]
3) [v.s. ...] m. (ifc. f(ā). ) passage, a way, road, path, place for walking ([especially] the space assigned to each person who takes part in a rite), [Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; ???; Kālidāsa; Kathāsaritsāgara]
4) [v.s. ...] m. a difficult passage, defile, bridge over a torrent etc., [Horace H. Wilson]
5) [v.s. ...] (in Sāṃkhya) evolution, development, emanation, [Tattvasamāsa]
6) [v.s. ...] the body, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
7) [v.s. ...] killing, [Horace H. Wilson]
8) Saṃcāra (संचार):—[=saṃ-cāra] [from saṃ-car] m. (ifc. f(ā). ) walking about, wandering, roaming, driving or riding, any motion, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
9) [v.s. ...] transit, passage, [ib.]
10) [v.s. ...] the passage or entrance of the sun into a new sign, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
11) [v.s. ...] passing over, transition, transference to ([compound]), [Yājñavalkya]
12) [v.s. ...] transmission (of disease), contagion, [Horace H. Wilson]
13) [v.s. ...] course, path, way (also [figuratively] = ‘mode, manner’), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa]
14) [v.s. ...] track (of wild animals), [Śakuntalā [Scholiast or Commentator]]
15) [v.s. ...] course of life, career, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]
16) [v.s. ...] a [particular] class of spies, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
17) [v.s. ...] difficult progress, difficulty, distress, [Horace H. Wilson]
18) [v.s. ...] leading, guiding, [ib.]
19) [v.s. ...] inciting, impelling, [ib.]
20) [v.s. ...] a gem supposed to be in the head of a serpent, [ib.]
21) [v.s. ...] = huṃ-kāra, [Chāndogya-upaniṣad]
22) [v.s. ...] ([wrong reading] for saṃ-cara, saṃ-sāra, and sac-cāra)
1) Sañcara (सञ्चर):—(raḥ) 1. m. A difficult passage; defile, road; body; killing.
2) Sañcāra (सञ्चार):—[sa-ñcāra] (raḥ) 1. m. Difficult progress; difficulty; transition; guiding, impelling; contagion; gem in a snake’s head.
Saṃcara (संचर):—
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Saṃcāra (संचार):—(von car mit sam) m. am Ende eines adj. comp. f. ā .
1) das Sichergehen, Umherstreichen u. s. w. (von Menschen und Thieren aller Art) [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 45, 31. 3, 52, 34.] priyakānanasaṃcārā sich gern in Wäldern ergehend [68, 6.] [Mṛcchakaṭikā 110, 4.] saṃcāraṃ kar [Spr. (II) 1661.] timira in der Finsterniss [?5202. UTTARAR. 32, 14 (42, 16). Kathāsaritsāgara 72, 123. 104, 69. Rājataraṅgiṇī 3, 302] (zu schreiben na tvāsu d. i. vīthiṣu). [Oxforder Handschriften 122], b, [14.] [Sāhityadarpana 116.] krūra (krūra = vyāghrādi) [Prabodhacandrodaja 92, 16.] kastūrīmṛga [Mallinātha] zu [Kumārasaṃbhava 1, 55.] siṃha [Kathāsaritsāgara 18, 96.] matsaṃcārabila (eine Maus spricht) [61, 110.] ahi [101, 290.] matsyakacchapa [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 8, 2, 16.] kuto tra vṛṣabhayāne rākṣasasaṃcāraḥ das Fahren [Mṛcchakaṭikā 119, 18.] Bewegung überh.: pāda [Harivaṃśa 11466.] tārānakṣatra [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 3, 172.] der Sonne (und einer Kuh) [Raghuvaṃśa 2, 15.] der Wolken (und Menschen) [Spr. (II) 7188.] paṭṭa [Suśruta 1, 67, 3.] sūtrasaṃcārādhiṣṭhitadāruputraka [KUSUM. 23, 7.] netra [Spr. (II) 3807.] prāṇa [Bhāṣāpariccheda 151.] [WILSON,] [SĀṂKHYAK. S. 104.] nāḍī [Oxforder Handschriften 76], a, 14. raśmi Bewegung der Zügel so v. a. das Lenken [Mahābhārata 8, 4014.] [Rāmāyaṇa 6, 90, 7.] asaṃcāra ṛcām das nicht von der Stelle Geschobenwerden [LĀṬY. 10, 2, 15.] vākya Gang einer Rede so v. a. Art und Weise zu reden [Mahābhārata 12, 4232.] vicitrapadasaṃcārāḥ kathāḥ Fluss der Worte [15, 716.] —
2) Hindurchgang, Passage: abhavadghorasaṃcārā pṛthivī parvatairiva [Harivaṃśa 2609.] der Zunge zwischen den Zähnen [Spr. (II) 3006.] asūcī adj. wo keine Nadel hindurchgeht [785.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī 8, 980.] concret Durchgang: paryāptasaṃcārā vṛkṣāḥ [Mahābhārata 13, 280.] āyata [KĀM. NĪTIS. 16, 16.] hrasvamāsādya saṃcāraṃ nāsau vinamate kvacit [Mahābhārata 3, 2929.] —
3) Uebergang in: indriyāntara (das Uebertragen von einem Sinne auf den anderen [STENZLER]) [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 3, 174.] svaparaśarīrayoryadā śarīrasaṃcāraṃ jānāti [Oxforder Handschriften 231], a, [38. fg.] —
4) Weg, Pfad [Harivaṃśa 12240.] deva [11571.] Fährte des Wildes [Scholiast] zu [Śākuntala 23, 11.] —
5) Lebensgang: mahāpuruṣa [Sāhityadarpana 189, 6 ] (v. l. satkāra, das = guṇavarṇana sein soll). saṃcāre (saṃcare ed. Bomb., welches [Nīlakaṇṭha] durch yonisaṃcare utkrāntyādiṣu ca erklärt) pacyamānaśca doṣairātmakṛtairnaraḥ [Mahābhārata 3, 13874.] man könnte saṃsāre vermuthen. —
6) Bez. des huṃkāra ([] liest saṃcara, welches durch vikalpamānasvarūpa erklärt wird) [Chāndogyopaniṣad 1, 13, 3.] —
7) fehlerhaft für saṃcara Evolution, Entwickelung in traiguṇya [Weber’s Verzeichniss No. 636.] für saṃsāra (vgl. u.
5) [MAITRYUP. 6, 28.] für saccāra [KĀM. NĪTIS. 12, 34.] — Vgl. duḥ, duḥkha, durga, niḥ (das Nichtlustwandeln: niśīthaniḥsaṃcāraramaṇīyatā mārgasya [MĀLATĪM. 126, 6]), pātra (atītapātrasaṃcāre auch [Mahābhārata 12, 264. 13, 6503.] es entspricht dem vṛtte śarāvasaṃpāte [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 6, 56.] [Mahābhārata 14, 1278]), bhūta, sukha und saṃcara .
Saṃcāra (संचार) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Saṃcāra.
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
Saṃcāra (संचार) [Also spelled sanchar]:—(nm) communication; transmission; movement; -[maṃtrālaya] Ministry of Communications; —[maṃtrī] Minister for Communications; —[sādhana] means of communication; [vyavasthā] communication system.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
1) Saṃcara (संचर) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Saṃcar.
2) Saṃcāra (संचार) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Saṃcāra.
3) Saṃcāra (संचार) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Saṃcāra.
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
Saṃcara (ಸಂಚರ):—
1) [noun] the act or an instance of wandering or travelling.
2) [noun] a way, path or road.
3) [noun] a narrow path; a lane.
4) [noun] a structure spanning and providing passage over a river or stream; a bridge.
5) [noun] ಸಂಚರವಾಗು [samcaravagu] saṃcaravāgu to move; to pass.
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Saṃcāra (ಸಂಚಾರ):—
1) [noun] a moving about; a roaming; a wandering.
2) [noun] the act of traveling; journeying; travel; journey.
3) [noun] a path, way, road or course.
4) [noun] the passage of the sun from one zodiacal sign to another or similar movement of other astral bodies.
5) [noun] (mus.) a movement of the tone within the countour and course prescribed for a particular rāga (musical mode) for exploration of its terrain with a particular gait, progression, rest, etc.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
1) Sañcāra (सञ्चार):—n. 1. circulation (as of blood); motion (of traffic); 2. transport; 3. setting in motion (as of ideas); impelling; inciting; an impulse (of emotion); 4. communication (as of ideas/a disease); 5. Elect. current; transmission; 6. Astrol. passage of a heavenly body into a new sign of zodiac;
2) Samcāra (सम्चार):—n. colloq. → समाचार [samācāra]
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 (+0): Sam, Cam, Sha, Ca, Cara.
Starts with (+0): Samcarabhagin, Samcarajivin, Samcaraka, Samcarama, Samcaramarga, Samcaranamberu, Samcarane, Samcarani, Samcaraniya, Samcaranta, Samcarapatha, Samcaraputa, Samcarate, Samcaravicaravatkarna, Samcaravyadhi, Samcarayati, Samcarayitar, Samcarayitri, Sancarana, Sancaranaprakriya.
Full-text (+129): Durgasancara, Nihsamcara, Pratisamcara, Duhsamcara, Duhkhasamcara, Bhutasamcara, Patrasamcara, Samcarajivin, Murtisamcara, Anusancarita, Anusancarati, Bhutasancara, Samcarapatha, Samcaravyadhi, Divasamcara, Vayusancara, Anusancarana, Padasancara, Asamcara, Janasancara.
Relevant text
Search found 41 books and stories containing Samcara, Sa-ñcāra, Sa-ncara, Saṃ-cāra, Saṃ-cara, Sam-cara, Saṃcāra, Saṃcara, Saṃcara, Saṃcāra, Samcāra, Sañcāra, Sañcara, Sancara, Sancāra; (plurals include: Samcaras, ñcāras, ncaras, cāras, caras, Saṃcāras, Saṃcaras, Samcāras, Sañcāras, Sañcaras, Sancaras, Sancāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 356 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Page 77 < [Hindi-Malayalam-English Volume 1]
Page 457 < [Bengali-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.11 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Shishupala-vadha (Study) (by Shila Chakraborty)
Spies in the Arthaśāstra (2): Sañcāra < [Chapter 4 - Activities of spy]
Ubhayavetana (foreign ambassadors) < [Chapter 4 - Activities of spy]
Spies in the Arthaśāstra: Conclusion < [Chapter 4 - Activities of spy]
Apastamba Yajna-paribhasa-sutras (by Hermann Oldenberg)
Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)