Shaila, Śaila: 15 definitions
Introduction
Introduction:
Shaila means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.
The Sanskrit term Śaila can be transliterated into English as Saila or Shaila, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Alternative spellings of this word include Shale.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Raj NighantuŚaila (शैल) refers to “mountain” and is mentioned together with a list of 24 synonyms for the word “mountain” according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil, mountains [viz., Śaila], jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees and plants and substances, with their various kinds.
The following synonyms for mountain (śaila) are mentioned:
- Giri,
- Dharaṇīdhra,
- Gotrā,
- Bhūbhṛt,
- Śikhari,
- Śiloccaya,
- Sānumān,
- Kṣitibhṛt,
- Aga,
- Naga,
- Avanīdhara,
- Adri,
- Sthira,
- Kudhara,
- Dharādhara,
- Dhara,
- Ahārya,
- Parvata,
- Grāvā,
- Kaṭakī,
- Prasthavān,
- Śṛṅgī,
- Vṛkṣavān,
Śaila (शैल) refers to “(water from) rocks”, as mentioned in verse 5.13-14 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] as concerns (water from) wells, ponds [viz., śaila: jāṅgalānūpaśailataḥ], etc., one should know (if it comes) from jungle, swamp, or rock. No water or, in case of incapability, little (is) to be drunk by those suffering from weak digestion and visceral induration (and) by those suffering from jaundice, abdominal swellings, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, dysentery, and cutaneous swellings. Except in autumn and summer, even a healthy man shall drink only little”.

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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraŚaila (शैल) is the name of a Brāhmaṇa, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 52.—Accordingly, “[...] Also, the Brāhmaṇa Che-yi-lo (Śaila) first heard the name of ‘Buddha’ at the home of the Jaṭila-Brahmacārin Ki-ni-ye (Keṇiya); his mind was overjoyed; he went straight to the Buddha; he heard the Dharma and obtained bodhi”.
Note: The conversion of Śaila (in Pāli, Sela) is told, partially in the same words, by the Selasutta of the Suttanipāta and of the Majjhima.—See also the Tseng yi a han.

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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryŚaila.—(IE 7-1-2; EI 25), ‘seven’. Note: śaila 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 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
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśaila (शैल).—m S corruptly śailya m A mountain.
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śaila (शैल).—a S Mountainous, relating to a mountain.
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saīla (सईल).—&c. See under saila.
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sāilā (साइला).—m C and Local--Jungle animals or an animal killed or captured (and brought to the idol-house to be killed) at the hunting of the village-god. Ex. gāṃvānta dēvaskīcā sāilā paḍēla tyācē pharē khōtāsa yētāta.
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sāīla (साईल).—m C See sāilā.
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saila (सैल).—f The dāṇḍā in which kaṅgaṇī and similar ornaments are fashioned.
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saila (सैल).—a (śithila S) Slack, loose, lax, flaccid; not tight, not firm, not compact. saila sōḍaṇēṃ To let loose; to let run with slack rein or under slack hand; as mūla saila sōḍalā mūrkha jhālā.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishśaila (शैल).—m A mountain. a Mountainous.
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saila (सैल).—a Loose, slack; not tight. saila sōḍaṇēṃ Let loose.
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 dictionaryŚaila (शैल).—a. (-lī f.) [शिलाः सन्त्यस्य प्रज्ञा° अण् (śilāḥ santyasya prajñā° aṇ)] Rocky, craggy, stony; शैलनीव च दृश्यन्ते (śailanīva ca dṛśyante) Mb.5.1.11; शैली दारुमयी लौही (śailī dārumayī lauhī)... प्रतिमाष्टविधा स्मृता (pratimāṣṭavidhā smṛtā) Bhāg.11.27.12.
2) Stone-like, rigid.
-laḥ 1 A mountain, hill; शैले शैले न मणिक्यं मौक्तिकं न गजे गजे (śaile śaile na maṇikyaṃ mauktikaṃ na gaje gaje) Chāṇ.55; शैलौ मलयदुर्दुरौ (śailau malayadurdurau) R.4.51.
2) A dike, dam.
3) A rock, big stone.
-lam 1 Borax, benzoin.
2) Bitumen.
3) A kind of collyrium.
4) A heap of stones; तेनाभि- पतिता दावं शैलेन महता भृशम् (tenābhi- patitā dāvaṃ śailena mahatā bhṛśam) Mb.1.227.52.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryŚaila (शैल).—(see also Śela, Saila, and Pūrva-śaila, Apa- ra-ś°), name of a brahmanical ascetic (ṛṣi), Kaineya's sister's son: Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya i.264.3 ff.
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Śailā (शैला).—(= Pali Selā), name of an important nun, follower of Śākyamuni: Divyāvadāna 552.18 ff.; 573.8 ff.
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Saila (सैल).—(read Śaila?), name of a yakṣa: Mahā-Māyūrī 2.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaila (शैल).—mfn.
(-laḥ-lī-laṃ) 1. Mountainous, mountaineer, &c. 2. Stony, rocky. m.
(-laḥ) A mountain. n.
(-laṃ) 1. Bitumen. 2. Storax. 3. A sort of collyrium: see rasāñjana. f. (-lī) 1. A concise interpretation of a grammatical aphorism. 2. A mode of interpretation. 3. Course, conduct. E. śilā a rock, a stone, aṇ aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaila (शैल).—i. e. śilā + a, I. adj. 1. Stony, [Arjunasamāgama] 8, 10; rocky. 2. Mountainous, mountaineer. Ii. m. 1. A mountain, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 1, 27; [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] 10, 6. 2. A dike, [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 115. Iii. n. 1. Bitumen. 2. Storax.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaila (शैल).—[feminine] ī stony, stone-like; [masculine] (adj. —° [feminine] ā) rock, mountain, [abstract] tā [feminine], tva [neuter]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śaila (शैल):—mf(ī)n. ([from] śilā) made of stone, stony, rocky, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa] etc.
2) stone-like, rigid (with āsana n. a [particular] manner of sitting), [Catalogue(s)]
3) m. (ifc. f(ā). ) a rock, crag, hill, mountain (there are seven [or, [according to] to some, eight] mythical mountain ranges separating the divisions of the earth, viz. niṣadha, hema-kūṭa, nīla, śveta, śṛṅgin, mālyavat, gandha-mādana, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
4) m. Name of the number ‘seven’ [Gaṇitādhyāya]
5) a dike, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
6) Śailā (शैला):—[from śaila] f. Name of a nun, [Divyāvadāna]
7) Śaila (शैल):—n. (only [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]) benzoin or storax
8) bitumen
9) a sort of collyrium.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚaila (शैल):—[(laḥ-lī-laṃ) m.] A mountain. n. Bitumen, storax, collyrium. f. (ī) Concise interpretation of a grammatical aphorism. a. Stony, mountainous.
[Sanskrit to German] (Deutsch Wörterbuch)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Böhtlingk and Roth Grosses Petersburger WörterbuchŚaila (शैल):—(von śilā)
1) adj. (f. ī; im [Bhāgavatapurāṇa] ā wohl fehlerhaft) steinern: mahāstra [Mahābhārata 3, 12141.] bhūdhara [Harivaṃśa 4407.] pātra [Suśruta 1, 240, 13.] daśa varṣasahasrāṇi śailī sthāsyasi [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 64, 12. 4, 44, 77.] pratimā [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 60, 5.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 11, 27, 12.] āsana steinähnlich, Bez. einer best. Art des Sitzens [Oxforder Handschriften 11,a, Nalopākhyāna 1.] —
2) m. a) Fels, Felsgebirge, Berg, Gebirge [Amarakoṣa 2, 3, 1. 3, 4, 3, 20.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 3, 1.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1027.] [Anekārthasaṃgraha 2, 514.] [Medinīkoṣa l. 54.] [Halāyudha 2, 10. 5, 20.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 1, 24. 10, 50.] [Mahābhārata 1, 1123. 6022. 3, 15250.] [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 1, 39. 34, 8. 2, 25, 7. 48, 10. 54, 38. 4, 36, 8. 44, 115. 6, 108, 19.] [Meghadūta 12.] [?ad 112. Raghuvaṃśa 4, 51. 71. 12, 73. Śākuntala 50. 167. Spr. 3021. 5080. (II) 541, v. l. Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 4, 23. 11, 42. 12, 1. 70, 10.] pakṣabhaṅga [32, 6.] sapakṣakāḥ [Kathāsaritsāgara 25, 43.] [Naiṣadhacarita 22, 44.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī 4, 381.] [Prabodhacandrodaja 43, 5.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 28, 22.] varga [Oxforder Handschriften 183,a,13. 191,b,21. 192,b, No. 437. 193,a,25.] śailānāṃ śikharāṇi [Rāmāyaṇa 4, 8, 5.] śikhara [Vikramorvaśī 10, 6.] śṛṅga [Mahābhārata 1, 1164.] [Spr. (II) 2094. 3466.] kūṭa [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 12, 6.] śailāgra [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 3, 2.] mūla [Suśruta 1, 227, 8.] [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 24, 16.] śilā [Prabodhacandrodaja 67, 10.] mahāśailaśilā [Spr. 3188.] mahā [Mahābhārata 3, 2318.] [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 71, 4.] am Ende eines adj. comp. (f. ā) [Mahābhārata 3, 10258. 9, 442.] [Rāmāyaṇa] [Gorresio 2, 45, 16. 4, 36, 9. 6, 3, 51.] [KĀM. NĪTIS. 19, 14.] praviralālpa [Suśruta 1, 130, 14.] — — b) aus metrischen Rücksichten für śilā Stein: śailodbhava steinern [Suśruta 2, 356, 5.] — c) Bez. der Zahl sieben (wegen der sieben Hauptgebirge) [GAṆIT.] [MADHYAM. 4.] —
3) f. ī hardness, stoniness [WILSON] nach [ŚABDĀRTHAK.] (unter śailya). —
4) n. Bez. verschiedener Erdharze, = śaileya und tārkṣyaśailaka [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] = śilājatu [Ratnamālā 290.] — [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 77,11.] [Oxforder Handschriften 321,a, No. 761.] — Vgl. krīḍā, caitya, tārkṣya, tuhina, pañca, pāda, pūrva, badarī, maṇi, mantha, mahā, rāja, śrī . Ein etymologisch verschiedenes śailī s. bes.
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 dictionaryŚaila (शैल) [Also spelled shale]:—(nm) a rock; hill, mountain; ~[rāja] the Himalayas; -[saṃdhi] a valley; pass.
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+100): Shaila-devagriha, Shaila-griha, Shaila-karman, Shaila-rupakarman, Shaila-vardhakin, Shailabahu, Shailabha, Shailabhadra, Shailabhana, Shailabheda, Shailabhitti, Shailabija, Shailacarya, Shailada, Shailadhanvan, Shailadhara, Shailadhatu, Shailadhatuja, Shailadhipa, Shailadhiraja.
Ends with (+52): Ambarashaila, Aparashaila, Ashaila, Astashaila, Avarashaila, Badarishaila, Bhadrashaila, Caitya-shaila, Caityaka-shaila, Catuhshaila, Chatuhshaila, Dhanyashaila, Dharanidharashaila, Durgashaila, Gajashaila, Gandashaila, Gandhashaila, Ghritashaila, Haimashaila, Hemashaila.
Full-text (+236): Tarkshyashaila, Gandashaila, Shailapati, Shailasara, Shailata, Purvashaila, Kalindashailajata, Shailakataka, Krimishaila, Shailaja, Caitika, Shailagra, Shailajana, Shailahva, Shailasetu, Shailadhanvan, Shailaniryasa, Shailabhitti, Caitya-shaila, Manthashaila.
Relevant text
Search found 37 books and stories containing Shaila, Śaila, Saila, Saīla, Sāilā, Sāīla, Śailā; (plurals include: Shailas, Śailas, Sailas, Saīlas, Sāilās, Sāīlas, Śailās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya (by E. Sowmya Narayanan)
Chapter 42 - The Other Classifications of the Categories
Śrī Hari-bhakti-kalpa-latikā (by Sarasvati Thkura)
Text 47 < [Second Stabaka]
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter LVI - Enumeration of the names of princes of the continent of Plaksha, etc. < [Agastya Samhita]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.1.7 < [Chapter 1 - Bhauma (the earthly plane)]
Verse 2.4.213 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter 128 - Kartikeya Goes to the Battle-field < [Book 2 - Vishnu Parva]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 5 - The conversion of Śaila (Sela) < [Chapter LII - Elimination of the Triple Poison]
Appendix 5 - Description of Indrasālaguhā or Indraśailaguhā < [Chapter V - Rājagṛha]
II. Hearing the name of the Buddhas < [Part 3 - Bringing innumerable beings to abhisaṃbodhi]