Shakuna, aka: Śakuna, Sakuṇa, Sakuna, Śākuna, Śākuṇa; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Shakuna means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi. 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 terms Śakuna and Śākuna and Śākuṇa can be transliterated into English as Sakuna or Shakuna, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Śākuna (शाकुन, “birds”).—Description of a women of bird (śākuna) type;—A woman who has a very large mouth, energetic character, loves streams, enjoys spirituous liquor and milk, has many offsprings, likes fruits, is always given to breathing and is always fond of gardens and forests, is very fickle and talkative, is said to possess the nature of a bird (śākuna or patatrin).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., 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) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana

Śakuna (शकुन).—(omens) General. In ancient times people in all countries used to consider Śakunas to be harbingers of good or evil things. Today also many people believe in omens. In India Śakuna had developed as a science even in olden days. A general description about omens, good and bad, according to the Indian concept, is given below. (See full article at Story of Śakuna from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

1a) Śakuna (शकुन).—An Asura follower of Hiraṇyakaśipu, and a son of Hiraṇyākṣa.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VII. 2. 5 and 18; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 5. 30; Matsya-purāṇa 6. 14; Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 67; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 21. 3.

1b) A Pṛthuka god.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 73.

2) Śākuna (शाकुन).—The flesh of the parrot for śrāddha.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 17. 31.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Śakuna (शकुन, ‘bird’) is mentioned frequently in the Rigveda and later. It usually denotes a large bird, or a bird which gives omens. Zimmer compares kvkvos, which also is a bird of omen.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

sakuṇa : (m.) a bird.

Sakuṇa, (Vedic śakuna) a bird (esp. with ref. to augury) D. I, 71 (pakkhin+); Vin. III, 147; S. I, 197; A. II, 209; III, 241 sq. , 368; J. II, 111, 162 (Kandagala); KhA 241. pantha° see under pantha.—f. sakuṇī S. I, 44. adj. sakuṇa J. V, 503 (maṃsa).

—kulāvaka a bird’s nest KhA 56. —patha bird-course, Npl. Nd¹ 155. —pāda bird foot KhA 47. —ruta the cry of birds Miln. 178. —vatta the habit (i.e. life) of a bird J. V, 254. —vijjā bird craft, augury (i.e. understanding the cries of birds) D. I, 9; DA. I, 93. (Page 660)

context information

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

śakuna (शकुन).—m n (S) An omen, a prodigy, a portent, a prognostic generally. Pr. ēkā nākēṃ bahu śiṅkā sahadēva mhaṇē śakuna nikā. 2 The point or matter upon which an astrologer &c. is consulted and required to foreshow futurity. 3 The oracle or response delivered. 4 A sort of hymn sung to solicit favorable events.

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śakūna (शकून).—m ( A) A word, speech, utterance. śakunānta asaṇēṃ-cālaṇēṃ-vāgaṇēṃ To be obedient to the command or word of. śakūna ghēṇēṃ g. of o. To speak with; to hold intercourse with. Neg. con. It resembles vārā na ghēṇēṃ &c. 2 To listen to the counsel or suggestion of.

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sakūna (सकून).—n Corr. from śakuna

śakuna (शकुन).—m n An omen. The oracle deli- vered.

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śakūna (शकून).—m A word, speech, utterance.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śakuna (शकुन).—[śak-unan Uṇ.3.49]

1) A bird (in general); केनेदृशी जातु परा हि दृष्टा वागुच्यमाना शकुनेन संस्कृता (kenedṛśī jātu parā hi dṛṣṭā vāgucyamānā śakunena saṃskṛtā) Mb.3. 197.11; शकुनोच्छिष्टम् (śakunocchiṣṭam) Y.1.168.

2) A kind of bird, a vulture or kite.

3) A kind of song (sung at festivals).

-nam 1 An omen, a prognostic, any omen presaging good or evil, अशकुनेन स्खलितः किलेतरोऽपि (aśakunena skhalitaḥ kiletaro'pi) Śi.9.83.

2) An auspicious omen.

Derivable forms: śakunaḥ (शकुनः).

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Śākuṇa (शाकुण).—a. (-ṇī f.)

1) Repentent.

2) Afflicting others (paratāpaka).

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Śākuna (शाकुन).—(-nī f.) [śakuna-aṇ]

1) Relating to birds; शाकुनेनाथ पञ्च वै (śākunenātha pañca vai) (pitaraḥ prīyante) Ms.3.268.

2) Relating to omens.

3) Ominous.

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