Saptashirsha, Saptaśīrṣa, Saptan-shirsha: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Saptashirsha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
The Sanskrit term Saptaśīrṣa can be transliterated into English as Saptasirsa or Saptashirsha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureSaptaśīrṣa (सप्तशीर्ष) refers to a “seven-crested” (Snake-king—nāgarāja), according to the 2nd-century Meghasūtra (“Cloud Sutra”) in those passages which contain ritual instructions.—Accordingly, “[...] For thrice seven days uninterruptedly, with cow-dung, in the eastern quarter the snake-king called Triple-crest, with his retinue, must be painted; in the western, the snake king called Avabhāsanasikhin is to be painted, seven crested (saptaśīrṣa), with a retinue of serpents; in the north, the snake-king called Meghasaṃcodana, nine-crested, is to be depicted; a blue canopy and blue dress, blue banner and all the offering is to be made blue; but the sweet offering to the snakes, and the triple-sweet, must be offered,—an oblation of all; [...]”
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionarySaptaśīrṣa (सप्तशीर्ष).—([feminine] śīrṣṇī) = [preceding]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Saptaśīrṣa (सप्तशीर्ष):—[=sapta-śīrṣa] [from sapta > saptan] mfn. 7-headed, [Mahābhārata]
2) [v.s. ...] Name of Viṣṇu (interpreted in different ways), [Viṣṇu-smṛti, viṣṇu-sūtra, vaiṣṇava-dharma-śāstra]
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shirsha, Sapta.
Starts with: Saptashirshaka, Saptashirshan.
Full-text: Saptashirshaka, Avabhasanashikhin.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Saptashirsha, Sapta-shirsha, Sapta-śīrṣa, Sapta-sirsa, Saptan-shirsha, Saptan-śīrṣa, Saptan-sirsa, Saptaśīrṣa, Saptasirsa; (plurals include: Saptashirshas, shirshas, śīrṣas, sirsas, Saptaśīrṣas, Saptasirsas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Nilamata Purana (by Dr. Ved Kumari)