Shadanga, Ṣaḍaṅga, Sadamga, Shadamga, Shash-anga: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Shadanga means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Ṣaḍaṅga can be transliterated into English as Sadanga or Shadanga, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
1) Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) or Ṣaḍaṅgamantra is the name of a mantra that is chanted during Dhārāpūjā, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“ after performing the regular worship of Śiva, with great devotion in accordance with prescribed rules, the devotees shall pour water in a continuous stream (jaladhārā). This Dhārā worship [viz., Dhārāpūjā] is very efficacious in delirium due to fever (jvarapralāpa). At that time [...] Ṣaḍaṅga-mantra, [... etc.,] shall be repeated. The Dhārā worship [viz., Dhārāpūjā] is very excellent in regard to flourishing series of pleasures. [...]”.
2) Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to the “six Vedāṅgas”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.8 (“The detailed description of the chariot etc.”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “The divine chariot of lord Śiva consisting of all the worlds was built by Viśvakarman with devoted effort. [...] O excellent sage, the cosmic sense-organs constituted the embellishments of this chariot on all sides. Faith was its movements. The six Vedāṅgas (ṣaḍaṅga) were its ornaments [tadānīṃ bhūṣaṇānyeva ṣaḍaṃgānyupabhūṣaṇam]. O great ones of good rites, the Purāṇas, Nyāya, Mīmāṃsā and Dharma Śāstras constituted the side trinkets. [...]”.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग).—The six limbs of the state including the king who must protect it with great care.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 220. 21; Vāyu-purāṇa 30. 293; 99. 39.
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Ṣaḍaṅga (“six limbs”).—Dramatic performance in its entirety relates to the six limbs including the major and the minor ones.
The six major limbs (aṅga) are
- head (śiras),
- hands (hasta),
- breast (uras),
- sides (pārśva),
- waist (kaṭi),
- and feet (pāda).
The six minor limbs (upāṅga) are
- eyes (netra),
- eyebrows (bhrū),
- nose (nāsā),
- lower lip (adhara),
- cheek (kapola),
- and chin (cibuka).
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)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) is another name for Kṣudragokṣura, a medicinal plant related with Gokṣura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.), according to verse 4.40-43 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Note: Gokṣura is of two kinds i.e. with smaller and bigger fruits. Both these species have more than three spikes. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Ṣaḍaṅga and Kṣudragokṣura, there are a total of sixteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
ṣaḍaṅga refers to a medicinal recipe mentioned in the Kaṣāyakhaṇḍa (verse 1.5) of the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Kaṣāyakhaṇḍa [mentioning ṣaḍaṅga] deals with decoctions (kaṣāya) and gruels (peyas) administered to patients suffering from a variety of conditions (viz., alcoholism, vomiting, syncope, burning sensations, etc.).
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to one of the topics discussed in the Madhumatī, a Sanskrit manuscript ascribed to Nṛsiṃha Kavirāja collected in volume 12 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (second series)” by Mahamahopadhyaya Haraprasad Shastri.—The Madhumatī manuscript, consisting of 5,586 ślokas (metrical verses), is housed in Dhaka with Babu Bhagavancandra Dasa Kaviraja. It seemingly addresses topics related to Medicinal, Herbal, and Iatrochemical preparations. The catalogue includes the term Ṣaḍaṅga in its ‘subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads—āmajvare ṣaḍaṅgādividhiḥ.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to the “she who has six limbs”, 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, “The subtle form of the goddess is Kuṇḍalinī. Her names in the three transmissions—Khañjinī, Vakrā and Kubjikā—all imply her identity as Kuṇḍalinī. [...] Resting on the Kula, she has three natures and six limbs and faces [i.e., ṣaḍaṅga-vaktra-saṃyutā]. Profoundly tranquil and very terrible, she sits on the Great Ghost who is her seat. She has great snakes as her ornaments and is adorned with large earrings. Her topknot is adorned with a great Moon and the Sun is above it. She is called Anackā (Unstruck Sound) and has a copious and good menses. (As Kuṇḍalinī) she transports (the individual soul) along the path of Suṣumṇā. Endless, she is at the extreme end of the Endless. Stainless, she is free of defects”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) [=aṅgaṣaṭka?] refers to the “six Aṅgas” (of the Mṛtyuñjaya-mantra), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 2.28cd-33]—“Now, I shall explain the limbs of the mantra, with which, tied together, he achieves perfection. [...] The netra [aṅgamantra], [which is] most powerful and destroys all faults, begins with Bhairava [j], and an oṃ [and] situated with a head always in motion [y]. That astramantra is proclaimed ajīvaka [pha] joined with ṭa. The six Aṅgas (aṅgaṣaṭka) of the mantrarāṭ [i.e., the mṛtyuñjayamantra], which confers siddhis, is declared”.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to the “six factors” (of the rite of worshipping the Liṅga), according to the Śivadharmottara: an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with the merit generated by ritual action and methods for attaining rewards after death.—Accordingly, “If [the king] performs this rite [of worshipping the Liṅga] with its six factors (ṣaḍaṅga-vidhi) Śiva will show his favour. In both this world and the next he will grant all his desires. So a king who is a devotee of Śiva should worship him in this way. If he does so he will rescue twenty-one generations of his patriline. He will install them in heaven and then go on himself to the eternal domain of Īśvara...”.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to the “six limbs” of the ancient Indian Art of Painting, according to Vātsyāyaṇa’s Kāmasūtra.—In the Kāmasūtra, Vātsyāyaṇa mentions about the six limbs (ṣaḍaṅga) of Painting (citra) through the combination of which an art could be complete and flawless. These are—rūpabheda, pramāṇa, bhāva, lāvaṇyayojana, sādṛśya and varṇikābhaṅga.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) or Ṣaḍaṅgadevī is a form of Devī whose Pratimālakṣaṇa (Śakti-based iconographical details) are discussed in verse 1.33 of the Śrītattvanidhi of Śrī Kṛṣṇarāja Uḍaiyar (in its Tañcāvūr Sarasvatī Mahal Library edition).
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to one of the Nyāsas performed during the Bhūtaśuddhi (“purification of the spirits”), according to the eleventh chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā (agastya-suīkṣṇa-saṃvāda edition), an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the worship of Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān.—[Cf. the bhūtaśuddhi]:—[...] Preliminary to worship, the instruments and objects used in worship are to be cleansed by prokṣaṇa and kṣālana. Only when such matters are taken care of will God be effectively worshipped; otherwise all the rites will be futile. Thereupon the nyāsas called mātṛkā, keśavādi, tattva, mūrtipañjara, ṛṣicchandas, mantradevatā, and ṣaḍaṅga are done along with repetition of their mystic syllables, after which God is to be contemplated and acknowledged by offering everything one has to Him. His retinue is also (mentally) honored. [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Gitashastra (science of music)
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) refers to the “six limbs” (of a prabandha) (used while playing instrumental music), according to the Kohalamatam, one of the works ascribed to Kohala—a celebrated authority of the ancient period along with others such as Bharata, Yāṣṭika, Śārdūla, Kāśyapa etc.—Gīta is first classified into two main divisions, viz. nibaddha and anibaddha. Nibaddhagīta is sung with dhātus and aṅgas while Anibaddhagīta is sung with ālapti, svara and mātrā.
The ṣaḍaṅgas are as follows:
- svara,
- biruda,
- pada,
- tenaka,
- pāṭa,
- tāla.
Gitashastra (गीतशास्त्र, gītaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of Music (gita or samgita), which is traditionally divided in Vocal music, Instrumental music and Dance (under the jurisdiction of music). The different elements and technical terms are explained in a wide range of (often Sanskrit) literature.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
ṣaḍaṅga (षडंग).—n S (ṣaṣ & aṅga) The six parts of the body; viz. the two arms, the two legs, the head, the waist. 2 The six supplementary parts of the Vedas; viz. grammar, prosody, astronomy, pronunciation, the meaning of unusual terms, and the ritual of the Hindu religion (vyākaraṇa, chanda, jyōtiṣa, nirukti, kalpasūtra, śikṣā).
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ṣaḍaṅga (षडंग).—a S Having six limbs or members. 2 Having six parts, constituents, or components.
ṣaḍaṅga (षडंग).—n The six parts of the body. The six supplementary parts of the vēda, vyākaraṇa, chanda &c. a Having six limbs or parts.
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
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग).—(misprinted Saḍ°), name of a nāga king: Mahā-Māyūrī 246.19.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग).—mfn.
(-ṅgaḥ-ṅgī-ṅgaṃ) 1. Having six limbs or members. 2. Having six parts, six ingredients, &c. n.
(-ṅgaṃ) 1. Six parts of the body collectively; as the two arms, two legs, and the head and waist. 2. The six supplementary parts of the Vedas or grammar, prosody, astronomy, pronunciation, the meaning of unusual terms, and the ritual of the Hindu religion. E. ṣaṣ six, and aṅga a limb or part.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग).—1. [neuter] the six limbs or appendages of the Veda, i.e. the six Vedāṅgas.
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Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग).—2. [adjective] having six limbs or six Vedāṅgas.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Verses taken from the Vājasaneyisaṃhitā and divided into eight adhyāyās, including as a principal part the Rudrādhyāya. These mantras were used at the bathing of an image of Śiva. Paris. (D 10. 24). Ben. 9. 10. Rādh. 2 (and—[commentary]). Peters. 2, 170.
—[commentary] Oudh. Xvi, 22.
—[commentary] Rūpākhyaṣaḍaṅga by Bhaktarāma. Kāśīn. 4.
—[commentary] by Mahīdhara. B. 1, 130. Oudh. Iii, 8. Bhr. 113.
Ṣaḍaṅga has the following synonyms: Ṣaḍaṅgarudra.
1) Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग):—[=ṣaḍ-aṅga] [from ṣaḍ > ṣaṣ] n. sg. the six principal parts of the body (viz. the two arms, two legs, head, and waist), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) [v.s. ...] six auspicious things id est. the six things obtained from a cow (go-mūtraṃ go-mayaṃ kṣīram, sarpir dadhi ca rocanā), [Apte’s The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
3) [v.s. ...] [plural] the six limbs or works auxiliary to the Veda, six Vedāṅgas, [Gautama-dharma-śāstra; Manu-smṛti] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] any set of six articles, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
5) [v.s. ...] = -rudra (q.v.)
6) [=ṣaḍ-aṅga] [from ṣaḍ > ṣaṣ] mfn. six-limbed, having six parts, [Brāhmaṇa; Amṛtabindu-upaniṣad; Suśruta; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
7) [v.s. ...] having six Vedāṅgas, [Pāraskara-gṛhya-sūtra; Āpastamba; Rāmāyaṇa]
8) [v.s. ...] m. a kind of Asteracantha, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग):—[ṣaḍa+ṅga] (ṅgaṃ) 1. n. Six parts of the body collectively, viz. two arms, two legs, head and waist; the six supplementary parts of the Vedas.
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग):—1.
1) n. a) die sechs Haupttheile des Körpers: jaṅghe bāhū śiro madhyaṃ ṣaḍaṅgamidamucyate [Śabdacandrikā im Śabdakalpadruma] — b) die sechs Vedāṅga: pradhānaṃ ca ṣaḍaṅgeṣu vyākaraṇam [Patañjali] in [MAHĀBH. ed. BALL. 15.] vid [Weber’s Indische Studien 3, 259.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 3, 185.] —
2) f. ī die sechs Vedāṅga [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 253.]
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Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग):—2.
1) adj. sechsgliederig: śarīra (vgl. u. 1. ṣaḍaṅga
1) [Suśruta 1, 337, 4.] ātman [Aitareyabrāhmaṇa 2, 39.] [Śāṅkhāyana’s Brāhmaṇa 13, 3.] veda [Pāraskara’s Gṛhyasūtrāṇi 2, 6.] [MAHĀBH. ed. BALL. 15.] vedavidvaṃs [Rāmāyaṇa 5, 16, 41.] nigamādhyetar [Weber’s Verzeichniss No. 877.] yoga (nämlich pratyāhāra, dhyāna, prāṇāyāma, dhāraṇā, tarka und samādhi) [AMṚTANĀDOP.] in [Weber’s Indische Studien 9, 25.] homa [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 46, 31.] —
2) m. = kṣudragokṣuraka [Rājanirghaṇṭa im Śabdakalpadruma]
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Khaḍaṃga, Saḍaṃga.
Ṣaḍaṅga (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 六根 [liù gēn]: “six faculties”.
Note: ṣaḍaṅga can be alternatively written as: ṣaḍ-aṅga.
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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Saḍaṃga (सडंग) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Ṣaḍaṅga.
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
Ṣaḍaṃga (ಷಡಂಗ):—
1) [noun] the four divisions of human army (viz. elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry), the army of the gods and that of Khēcaras (a class of beings who travel in the sky).
2) [noun] the six principal parts f the body (the two arms, two legs, head and waist).
3) [noun] the six things obtained from a cow (milk, curd, ghee, urine, dung and an yellow pigment prepared from its bile).
4) [noun] the six vēdangas (a group of texts dealing with six subjects that are considered essential for the understanding of the vedas).
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Ṣaḍaṅga (षडङ्ग):—n. 1. the six limbs of the body (the head, the waist, two hands, and two feet); 2. the six Vedangas: शिक्षा, कल्प, व्याकरण, निरुक्त, छन्द, ज्योतिष [śikṣā, kalpa, vyākaraṇa, nirukta, chanda, jyotiṣa]
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): Shash, Anga, Anka, Sat.
Starts with (+0): Shadamgabala, Shadamgasene, Shadangadevi, Shadangadi, Shadangaguggulu, Shadangaguggulughrita, Shadangajit, Shadangaka, Shadangamantra, Shadanganyasa, Shadangapaniya, Shadangarudra, Shadangasamanvagata, Shadangavid, Shadangavidhi, Shadangavimana, Shadangayoga, Shat-ankamantiram, Shatankam, Shatankapalam.
Full-text (+44): Shadangapaniya, Shadangajit, Shadangavid, Shadangarudra, Shadanganyasa, Shadangaguggulu, Shadangayoga, Shadangavidhi, Shadangasamanvagata, Shadamgabala, Shadamgasene, Angashas, Shatankam, Goshadangavidhi, Shadangamantra, Piramacatankam, Catankam, Shatankapalam, Shadangadi, Catankappatu.
Relevant text
Search found 65 books and stories containing Shadanga, Ṣaḍ-aṃga, Sad-amga, Ṣaḍ-aṅga, Sad-anga, Sadamga, Ṣaḍaṃga, Saḍaṃga, Ṣaḍaṅga, Ṣaḍanga, Sadanga, Saḍaṅga, Ṣaṣ-aṅga, Sas-anga, Shad-amga, Shad-anga, Shadamga, Shadangas, Shash-anga; (plurals include: Shadangas, aṃgas, amgas, aṅgas, angas, Sadamgas, Ṣaḍaṃgas, Saḍaṃgas, Ṣaḍaṅgas, Ṣaḍangas, Sadangas, Saḍaṅgas, Shadamgas, Shadangases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Conceptual approach towards rachana sharir w.s.r. to shadanga sharir < [2023: Volume 12, August issue 13]
A critical perspective on rachana sharir w.s.r. to shadanga sharir < [2023: Volume 12, October issue 17]
A literature review on fundamental aspect of sharir rachana < [2023: Volume 12, June issue 9]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Review on Shadanga Sharira < [Vol. 5 No. 06 (2020)]
To study the Efficacy of Jalaukavacharan and Shadanga Guggulu in Puyalasa... < [Vol. 1 No. 04 (2016)]
Clinical study on Sandhigata Vata w.r.s. to Osteoarthritis and its management... < [Vol. 5 No. 05 (2020)]
Yoga Upanishads (study) (by Heena B. Kotak)
Part 1.4 - Description of Sadanga Yoga < [Chapter 3 - Analytical and Critical study of 20 Yoga-Upanishads]
Part 4 - Summary of the Kshurika-upanishad (Ksurikopanisad) < [Chapter 2 - Brief survey of the 20 Yoga Upanishads]
Part 15 - Summary of the Yogacudamani-upanishad (Yogacudamanyupanisad) < [Chapter 2 - Brief survey of the 20 Yoga Upanishads]
Hevajra Tantra (analytical study) (by Seung Ho Nam)
2. Hevajra Tantra, as a Buddhist Tantric Literature < [Chapter 2 - Place of Hevajra Tantra in Tantric Literature]
3.2. The Completion Stage < [Chapter 3 - Tantric Doctrine in Hevajra Tantra]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Importance of radiology in anatomy < [2022, Issue 1, January]
Pharmaceutico ñ analytical study of shadanga guggulu < [2016, Issue VII July]
Study of anguli pramana of shadanga - a review < [2020, Issue 9, September]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 73 - The worship of Rāma etc. < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Chapter 65 - The procedure of repeating the mantras < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Chapter 71 - The worship of Nṛsiṃha < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]