Shankha, Saṅkha, Śaṅkha, Śaṅkhā, Śāṅkha, Saṃkha, Shamkha, Shamkha, Saṅkhā, Sankha, Samkha, Samkha: 77 definitions

Introduction:

Shankha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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 Śaṅkha and Śaṅkhā and Śāṅkha can be transliterated into English as Sankha or Shankha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conchshell”) is a Sanskrit word referring to a musical instrument, to be sounded during the ceremony of “laying the foundation” of the playhouse (nāṭyamaṇḍapa), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra 2.35-37.

Source: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)

One of the saṃyutta-hastāni (Twenty-four combined Hands).—Śaṅkha (conch) : the thumbs of Śikhara hands are joined, andthe forefinger extended. Usage: conch.

Natyashastra book cover
context information

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).

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu Purāna

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”): a Musical Instrument.—The Ṛgveda does not refer to it; but the Jātakas mention it. In the epic war-scenes use of the śaṅkhas is very common, and we find in the Gītā the śaṅkhas of various warriors mentioned by name. Kauṭilya testifies to the use of śaṅkhas in war. The Vāyu-purāṇa, however, shows its use only in connection with the worship of Śiva by the Bhūtas.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—Considered to be a great, sublime treasure, found in Kubera’s court. Brahmadatta, King of Pāñcāla attained heaven as he used to give Śaṅkha to good brahmins. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 234 and Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 137). Śaṅkha appeared on earth, according to one belief, from the bones of Śaṅkhacūḍa. (For details see under Tulasī, Para 2).

2) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—A nāga born to Kaśyapaprajāpati of Kadrū. The following information about it is from the Mahābhārata.

2) (i) Nārada once introduced Śaṅkha to Mātali, charioteer of Indra (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 103, Verse 12).

2) (ii) Śaṅkha was one of the chief nāgas which came to lead the soul of Balabhadra to Pātāla at the time of his death. (Mausala Parva, Chapter 4, Verse 7).

3) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—Son of the Virāṭa King.

(i) He was present at the wedding of Draupadī in the company of his brother Uttara and sister Uttarā. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 31, Verse 16).

(ii) He also came out to fight Duryodhana and others when they lifted the cows of the Virāṭa King. (Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 31, Verse 16).

(iii) On the first day of the great war he clashed with Bhūriśravas. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 49, Verse 26).

(iv) He was killed in fighting with Droṇa at Kurukṣetra. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 5, Verse 17).

(v) After death he got absorbed in the Viśvadevas. (Svargārohaṇa Parva, Chapter 5, Verse 17).

4) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—A maharṣi, who was the elder brother of Likhitamaharṣi. Likhita once punished Śaṅkha for plucking fruits from his garden without his permission. (For details see under Likhita).

5) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—A Kekaya prince. He and his four brothers were mahārathas on the side of the Pāṇḍavas. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 171, Verse 15).

6) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—The asura called Hayagrīva. (See under Hayagrīva).

Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a “musical instruments” that existed in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The Nīlamata says that the land of Kaśmīra was thronged with ever-sportive and joyful people enjoying continuous festivities. Living amidst scenes of sylvan beauty they played, danced and sang to express their joys, to mitigate their pains, to please their gods and to appease their demons.

The Nīlamata mentions Śaṅkha twice.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of a plant which is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“[...] a prastha of Śaṅkha flowers (puṣpa) constitutes a hundred thousand, says Vyāsa who shows the exact measurement and calculation. [...] The devotee shall perform the worship of Śiva with different flowers after considering these modes of calculation for the fulfilment of desires if he has any or for the sake of salvation if he has no desire”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—A mountain on the base of Meru.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 16. 26.

1b) An eminent Nāga of Pātāla;1 a Kādraveya nāga;2 a thousand-hooded snake.3

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 24. 31; Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 70.
  • 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 34.
  • 3) Matsya-purāṇa 6. 39.

1c) To be killed by Kṛṣṇa.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 37. 16.

1d) A mind-born son of Jaigīṣavya and Ekapāṭalā; attained heaven by tapas.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 30. 40; Vāyu-purāṇa 72. 19.

1e) A Yakṣa; a son of Puṇyajanī and Maṇibhadra.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 123.

1f) One of the eight nidhis of Kubera.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 41. 10.

1g) The conch of Viṣṇu;1 in Rāma's abhiṣeka;2 sounded by Kṛṣṇa on the eve of his battle with Indra.3 Was invoked to protect the baby Kṛṣṇa.4 Blowing of it indicated Kṛṣṇa's arrival in Ānarta; was a sign of auspiciousness;5 one of the gifts to please the planet moon;6 war music in the Tārakāmaya war;7 discovered at the confluence of the Tāmraparṇī and the ocean with pearls.8

  • 1) Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 15. 3.
  • 2) Ib. IV. 4. 100.
  • 3) Ib. V. 30. 56.
  • 4) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 6. 23.
  • 5) Ib. I. 11. 1 and 18.
  • 6) Matsya-purāṇa 57. 21; 93. 60.
  • 7) Ib. 135. 83; 136. 53; 138. 3; 149. 2; 174. 16; 177. 24; 192. 28.
  • 8) Vāyu-purāṇa 77. 25.

2) Śaṅkhā (शङ्खा).—The city of the second talam.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 50. 21.

3) Saṅkha (सङ्ख).—A son of Maṇibhadra.*

  • * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 155.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.31.8, I.35, I.177.8) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Śaṅkha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (itihasa)

Śaṅkha is the name of a Serpent (sarpa) mentioned in the thirty-fifth chapter (verses 4-17) of the Ādiparva of the Mahābhārata.—Accordingly, Sauti, on being implored by Śaunaka to name all the serpents in the course of the sarpa-sattra, tells him that it is humanly impossible to give a complete list because of their sheer multiplicity; but would name the prominent ones in accordance with their significance [e.g., Śaṅkha].

Purana book cover
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.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to the “joints” [?] representing a especially dangerous spot to get bitten by snake, as taught in the Marma (“vital points of the body”) section of the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The Kāśyapasaṃhitā specifically mentions that snake-bite in the sense organs, heart, between the eye-brows, bosom, belly, palate, joints (śaṅkha) [tālvośśaṅkhe], neck, forehead, chin, middle of the navel and joints of the feet, is highly risky.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is a Sanskrit word referring to the animal “conch snail”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Ayurvedic literature. The animal Śaṅkha is part of the sub-group named Vāriśaya, refering to animals “living in waters”. It was classified by Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.

Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume I

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख)—Sanskrit word for an animal “conch” (Turbinella sp.). This animal is from the group called Kośastha (conchiferous: ‘those which have a shell’). Kośastha itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Ānupa (those that frequent marshy places).

The flesh of animals of the Shankha orders is sweet in taste and digestion, cooling in its potency, demulcent, and beneficial to stool and the Pittam. It destroys the deranged Vāyu and produces Kapham.

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Śaṃkha (शंख):—[śaṃkhaḥ] 1. Temples 2. conch

Source: Chulalongkorn University: Department of Eastern Languages (Pali-Sanskrit Section) (ay)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) or Śaṅkhamaṇi refers to one of the Maṇis (protection amulets) mentioned in the Atharva-veda. Maṇis refer to small round objects made from natural plant parts or from the solid coverings of animal bodies. It has the properties of being an amulet for protection and warding off evil spirits. or as an herb for treating illnesses. Sudev Krishna Sharman G. listed 9 types of Maṇi [e.g., śaṅkha-maṇi [sangkhamani]—means pearl from the conch shell (Strombus gigas or Conch Pearl)] according to the Atharvaveda including specifying assumptions about the meaning.

Ayurveda book cover
context information

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.

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”):—One of the nine symbols representing the cosmic principles of the universe, according to the Pāñcarātra literature. These nine weapons and ornaments symbolize the principles which they represent as the presiding deity. The Conch (śaṅkha) represents sāttvic ahaṃkāra (‘virtuous and rightous egoism’).

Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 5

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) or Śaṅkhamudrā is the name of a mudrā described in the Īśvarasaṃhitā 31.33.—Accordingly, “the left thumb shall be grasped with the right fist. The fingers in the left hand are to be placed on those of the right. The tip of the left forefinger shall mutually adhere face to face with the right. This is śaṅkhamudrā when it is on the back”. Mūdra (eg., Śaṅkha-mudrā) is so called as it gives joy to the tattvas in the form of karman for those who offer spotless worship, drive out the defects which move about within and without and sealing up of what is done.

Source: archive.org: Isvara Samhita Vol 1

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) and Padma are the two treasures (nidhis) which dharma bears. These are intended to help those people who pursue the right course conduct in order that the pursuits (kāma and artha) would have been fruitfully taken up by them. Kāma means desires in life. Artha means wealth or economic condition. Money is required to pursue these. The two measures Śaṅkha and Padma are thus helpful for them in pursuing these goals. The Viṣvaksena-aṃhitā (XX 87-88) mentions conch, discus and yellow cloth while describing dharma.

Source: SriMatham: Vaiṣṇava Iconology based on Pañcarātra Āgama

The conch represents the first manifestation of articulate language—AUM—nāda-brahman. This monosyllable contains within itself all language and meaning in a potential state. It is the seed from which speech developed—the nutshell containing the whole of knowledge and wisdom. All matter is light and vibration. All the forms of the universe are effects of the primeval sonic vibration. Thus the conch is the symbol of the origin of exist e nce. Its shape is a spiral, starting at one point and evolving into ever increasing spheres. It comes from water, the first compact element. When blown it produces the sound AUM.

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (p)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to one of the eight Divine Serpents visualized as the decorations (nāgābharaṇa) of Garuḍa, according to the second chapter of the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā (Toxicology).—Accordingly, text text dictates that a Garuḍa-upāsaka, the aspirant, must meditate on Garuḍa of the following form—[...] He shines with his head adorned with a crown, bedecked with jewels, handsome in every limb, with tawny eyes and tremendous speed, shining like gold, long-armed, broad-shouldered and adorned with the eight divine serpents or Nāgas [e.g., Śaṅkha form his crown]. Śaṅkha form his crown.

Pancaratra book cover
context information

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.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Google Books: Elements of Hindu iconography

Śaṅkha is the ordinary chank shell which is almost always found in one of the hands of the images of Viṣṇu, The śaṅkha of Viṣṇu is known by the name of Pāñcajanya, being supposed to have been derived from the body of the asura named Pañcajana. It is declared to have been employed by Viṣṇu in war; by the blowing of this powerful conch-shell, he often struck terror into the hearts of his enemies. The conch, held in the hand with all the five fingers by its open end, or an ornamented one, having its head or spiral-top covered with a decorative meatl cap, surmounted by the head of a mythical lion, and having a cloth tied round it so that portions of it may hang on either side.

There are also tassels of pearls hanging on the sides. Curiously enough a śaṅkha of this description is show so as to be held between the first two fingers, which is indeed a difficult task to perform. In a few instances, attached to the lower end of the śaṅkha, there is a thick jewelled ribbon which is made to serve as a handle. Sometimes this ornamental variety of śaṅkha is shown with jvālās or flames of fire on the top and the sides.

Source: Red Zambala: Hindu Icons and Symbols | Trinity

The conch (Śaṅkha) in Viṣṇu’s upper left hand represents the first manifestation of articulate language— AUM— nāda Brāhman. This monosyllable contains within itself all language and meaning in a potential state. It is the seed from which speech developed — the nutshell containing the whole of wisdom.

All the forms of the universe are effects of the primeval sonic vibration. Thus the conch is the symbol of the origin of existence. Its shape is a spiral, starting at one point and evolving into ever increasing spheres. It comes from water, the first compact element. When blown it produces the sound AUM.

Source: Red Zambala: Hindu Icons and Symbols | Introduction

Śaṅkha (Conch) - In battle conveys the instruction of the commander to the troops. It represents the diffusion of the Dharma teachings and the proclamation of war upon the negative forces of the mind. Also creation through sound and the Prāṇava — AUM.

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”) refers to one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Śaṅkha is the ordinary conch, which is almost always found in one of the hands of the images of Viṣṇu. The conch is either plain, held in the hand with all the five fingers by its open end, or an ornamented one, having its head or spiral-top covered with a decorative metal cap, surmounted by the head of a mythical lion, and having a cloth tied round it so that portions of it may hang on either side. In a few instances, attached to the lower end of the śaṅkh, there is a thick-jeweled ribbon, which is made to serve as a handle. Sometimes this ornamental variety of śaṅkha is shown with jvālā or flames of fire on the top and the sides.

Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu Images

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to one of the various attributes (āyudha) of divine icons, as defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—The four attributes viz., śaṅkha, cakra, gadā and padma are very essential in the Pāñcarātra mode of worship. As per Vihagendrasaṃhitā (2.25b-26a), the four attributes i.e., padma, cakra, gadā and śaṅkha signify the creation (sṛṣṭi). sustenance (sthiti), dissolution (laya) and eternal liberation (mokṣa) respectively.

Īśvarasaṃhitā (24.119a) mentions the king of śaṅkha, i.e., Pāñcajanya is the treasure of learning. According to Sātvarasaṃhitā (13.12b-13a), the personified form of śaṅkha has the complexion of now mountain and he has lotus-like eyes; he always remains pronouncing the essence of the Āgama texts through hi mouth.

The Vaikhānasa treatises mention śaṅkha in the form of Bhūta in personified form and to be the consort of Vāruṇī. He is of milky white in hue and clad in red garments. He holds a śaṅkha on his head. According to Pādmasaṃhitā (Kriyāpāda 20.88-89a), śaṅkha may have eight, twelve or six jvālās (flames) but the jvālās are many, as per Nāradīyasaṃhitā (13.180a). The height must be twelve aṅgulas and the width is eight aṅgulas. The spiral of the śaṅkha must be clockwise (pradakṣiṇāvarta). The dimensions of the jvālā of śaṅkha are same as that of cakra.

Pādmasaṃhitā and Nāradīyasaṃhitā (13.179b-180a), while describing the position of śaṅkha on the upper hand, informs that śaṅkha must be held on the pair tarjanī (index finger) and madhyamā (middle finger) combined together. As such, the tip of the flame of śaṅkha must be to the level of keśānta (hairline) or netrasūtra (eye-line).

2) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a “bracelet of conches” and represents a type of “hand-ornaments” (hastabhūṣaṇa).—There are a number of ornaments for hand and arms. According to Bharata, [viz., kalāpī (string of pearls), śaṅkha (bracelet of conches), hastapatra (bracelet with design of creepers), pūraka (a flat bracelet) are the ornament for hand fist and upper part of wrist; and rings are meant for fingers].

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) or “temporal bone” refers to one of the various body parts whose Measurements should follow the principles of ancient Indian Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, a specific measurement of every limb of a man as well as of a woman is elaborately and systematically discussed. In this book, the writer has presented the measurement of almost all the body parts that should be maintained in a picture. For example, Śaṅkha (“temporal bone”) should be 2 X 4 aṅgulas .

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

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.

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Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख):—The Sanskrit name for a classification of a ‘temple’, according to the Agnipurāṇa, featuring a list of 45 temple types. It is listed under the group named Kailāśa, featuring circular-shaped temples. This list represents the classification of temples in North-India.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Saṃkha (संख) refers to one of the hundred types of Temples (in ancient Indian architecture), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—It is quite difficult to say about a definite number of varieties of Hindu temples but in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa hundred varieties of temples have been enumerated. For example, Saṃkha. These temples are classified according to the particular shape, amount of storeys and other common elements, such as the number of pavilions, doors and roofs. [...] The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa relates that the temple named Śaṃkha should be constructed in the shape of a Conch-shell.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—A son of King Viraṭa. He was killed Droṇa during the Kurukṣetra war; the conchshell held by Lord Viṣṇu.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a “conch with water” and represents one of the articles offered during Maṅgalārati, according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship).—Before each article is offered, purify the right hand [with a drop of water from the pañca-pātra], and then purify the article [viz., śaṅkha]. Chant the mūla-mantra for the deity and then offer the article.

Vaishnavism book cover
context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

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Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Source: Shodhganga: a concise history of Sanskrit Chanda literature

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to one of the eight kinds of daṇḍaka according to Kavikarṇapūra (C. 16th century) in his Vṛttamālā 61. Kavikarṇapūra was an exponent on Sanskrit metrics belongs to Kāmarūpa (modern Assam). Accordingly, “If there exist fourteen ra-s after two na-s, then it is Śaṅkha”.

Chandas book cover
context information

Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: academia.edu: The Yoga of the Mālinīvijayottaratantra

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) or Śaṅkhaśabda refers to the “sounds of a conch-shell” and represents one of the ten kinds of sounds (śabda) according to Jayaratha (author of the 13th century commentary Tantrālokaviveka on Abhinavagupta’s Tantrāloka) and the Haṃsa-upaniṣad. Jayaratha cites the Brahmayāmala passage giving this order of the ten sounds (e.g., Śaṅkha).

Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to one of the eight aṣṭamaṅgala and represents a type of “temple implement (instrument)” as described in the Karaṇalakṣaṇavidhi-paṭala section of the Uttara-Kāmikāgama.—The instruments should be according to the particular śāstra followed at the temple. Some of the instruments mentioned are Śaiva aṣṭamaṅgala including [viz., śaṅkha].

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Śaṃkha (शंख) refers to the “(external) rosary” symbolizing the internal Nāḍī (subtle channel) known as śaṃkhā or śaṃkhiṇī.—According to the Tantrasadbhāva, the performative acts and paraphernalia of ritual have superior, inner (adhyātma) equivalents: the outer (bāhya) finds its true meaning in the inner processes of yoga. Thus, for instance, in the section of Tantrasadbhāva (chapter 6), the external rosary made of conch (śaṃkha) has as its inner form the subtle śaṃkhā or śaṃkhiṇī channel (nāḍī) of the yogic anatomy, which extends into the crown of the head.

Shaivism book cover
context information

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.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”) (cf. Śaṅkhapāṇi, Kambu) refers to one of the attributes of Viṣṇu, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly: “[...] Then, after the goddess Kumārikā had heard Vyāsa’s words, she hid her Māyā nature from him and assumed (her) Vaiṣṇava form. Viṣṇu held a conch (śaṅkha), discus, mace and rosary [śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇiḥ akṣasūtraṃ]. Stainless (nirañjana), he wore yellow clothes and, mounted on Garuḍa, he was radiant. Keśava, that is, Janārdhaka, was accompanied by Mahālakṣmī. (He), the god Hari, born from a lotus womb, is the imperishable cause (of all things). [...]”.

2) Śaṅkha (अनादि) is the name of the Monastery (maṭhas) associated with Pūrṇagiri, one of the sacred seats (pīṭha), according to chapter 10 of the according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—If the scheme in the Yogakhaṇḍa is not the first example of this model, the other most likely candidate is found in chapter ten of the Kularatnoddyota, which is an early Tantra of the Kubjikā corpus. [...] In this set-up each of the four sacred seats corresponds to a cosmic age and has a tree, creeper, cave, monastery (maṭha) [i.e., Śaṅkha], goddess, Siddha, and guardian of the field. The layout can be tabulated as follows.

3) Śaṅkha (रक्ता) is also mentioned as the Monastery (maṭhas) associated with Oḍiyāna, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.

4) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is also mentioned as the Maṭha associated with Jālandhara, one the eight Sacred Seats (pīṭha), according to the Yogakhaṇḍa (chapter 14) of the Manthānabhairavatantra.

Shaktism book cover
context information

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.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to “conch shells”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 12), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The mighty ocean whose waters were swallowed by Agastya, exhibited gems that eclipsed the splendour of the crowns of the Devas [...] It exhibited whales, water elephants, rivers and gems scattered over its bed, and, though deprived of water, presented an appearance splendid as Devaloka. There were also seen, moving to and fro, whales, pearl oysters and conch shells [i.e., śaṅkha], and the sea altogether looked like a summer lake with its moving waves, water lilies and swans”.

2) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) or Śaṅkhadvīpa refers to an island belonging to “Dakṣiṇa or Dakṣiṇadeśa (southern division)” classified under the constellations of Uttaraphālguni, Hasta and Citrā, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 14).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhāratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttikā. The constellations of Uttaraphālguni, Hasta and Citrā represent the southern division consisting of [i.e., Śaṅkha-dvīpa] [...]”.

Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a “conch-shell” and represents one of the items offered to the priests, according to the grahaśānti (cf. grahayajña) section of the Yājñavalkyasmṛti (1.295-309), preceded by the section called vināyakakalpa (1.271-294), prescribing a rite to be offered to Vināyaka.—[verse 306: Gifts to priests]—It seems that when a specific graha was chosen as the object of appeasement, the gift (dakṣiṇā) [i.e., śaṅkha] prescribed for each graha was to be given to the priest(s) who performed the śānti ritual.

Jyotisha book cover
context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a “quintillion” (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) in various lists of numeral denominations, according to gaṇita (“science of calculation”) and Gaṇita-śāstra, ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy.—We can definitely say that from the very earliest known times, ten has formed the basis of numeration in India. While the Greeks had no terminology for denominations above the myriad (104), and the Romans above the milk (103), the ancient Hindus dealt freely with no less than eighteen denominations [e.g., śaṅkha]. Cf. Yajurveda-saṃhitā (Vājasanyī) XVII.2;  Taittirīya-saṃhitā IV.40.11, VII.2.20.1; Maitrāyaṇī-saṃhitā II.8.14; Kāṭhaka-saṃhitā XVII.10, XXXIX.6; Anuyogadvāra-sūtra 142; Āryabhaṭīya II.2; Triśatikā R.2-3; Gaṇitasārasaṃgraha I.63-68.

Ganitashastra book cover
context information

Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

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Gitashastra (science of music)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (gita)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a musical instrument classified as Suṣira (“those instruments which are filled with holes (and is hollow from inside)”) which represents one of the four kinds of Instrumental Music, produced by an instrument (ātodya), according to the Saṃgītaratnākara.—The suṣira kind of instrument is also known as wind instrument. According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, instruments like flute etc. fall under the group of suṣira kind of instrument. In the Saṃgītaratnākara, different kinds of wind instruments are mentioned, e.g., śaṅkha.

context information

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.

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Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (mantra)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”) or Śaṅkhamudrā refers to one of the Pañcamudrās (“five mudrās or signs”), according to the Śeṣa-samhitā (p.26, mudrāvidhi).—Mantras refers to “that which is chanted by people to obtain their spiritual aspirations”. Mantras must be accompanied by the prescribed mudrās or signs. Mudrā is the position of the hand and finger indicative of various moods and sentiments, and accelerate the effectiveness of the accompanying mantras. The Śeṣasamhitā states that the five Mudrās [e.g., conch (śaṅkha-mudrā)] yield the four puruṣārthas when displayed in the middle and end of a japa.

context information

Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.

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Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

[«previous next»] — Shankha in Arts glossary
Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to “conches” (which were commonly the victim of 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, “That is called hunting by snares in which animals are killed by tricking, and in which men capture fish, conches (śaṅkha), otters, and oysters. Infinite are the means resorted to in this sort of hunting. It is used by low people, by the Niṣādas and others. [...]”.

Arts book cover
context information

This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Śankha (शंख): Shankha is the divine Counch or sea shell, which is one of the insignia in the Hindu God Vishnu's hands. The sound emitted from Shankha when blown, is too divine, that is used for regular rituals for Vishnu. Śankha was also the name of one of sons of King Virata who was killed in Mahabharata.

Source: ACHC: Smarta Puja

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”) is the central object of Śaṅkhapūjā (“worship of the conch”), representing one of the various preparatory rites performed before pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—[During śaṅkhapūjā], several verses are recited describing the deities moon, Varuna, Prajapati and the rivers Gaṅga and Sarasvatī as staying at different parts of the conch (śaṅkha). The water which it contains is identified with that of the sacred rivers in the three worlds. it is remembered that the conch is one of fourteen items which appeared at the time of the churning of the ocean for nectar (amṛtamanthana) and was taken by Viṣṇu who holds it as one of his attributes. An imitation of the famous Gāyatrī (= Sāvitrī) verse eulogizes the conch by identifying it with the conch Pañcajanya, which Kṛṣṇa obtained after conquering the demon Pañcajana is recited.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

(also see Saknha Sutta)

1. Sankha. The Bodhisatta, born as a brahmin in Molininagara (Benares). See the Sankha Jataka.

2. Sankha. The Bodhisatta, born as a setthi of Rajagaha. See the Agampadana Jataka.

3. Sankha. A future king, who will be the Cakka vatti of Ketumati at the time of the appearance of Metteyya Buddha in the world. He will raise up again the palace of King Mahapanada and live there. But later he will give it to the Order and become an arahant. D.iii.75f.; Anagat. p. 42 (vs. 10).

According to the Commentary (DA.iii.856), he was one of two cane workers (nalakara), father and son, who made a hut for a Pacceka Buddha. After death, both were born in heaven. The son became Mahapanada, and, later, Bhaddaji. The father is in the deva world and will be reborn as Sankha. Mahapanadas palace still remains un destroyed, ready for his use.

4. Sankha. A Naga king; a previous birth of Rahula. SNA.i.341; but elsewhere (e.g., SA.iii.26) he is called Palita. See Palita.

5. Sankha. One of the treasure troves which arose from the earth for the use of the Bodhisatta in his last lay life. These appeared on the day of his birth. DA.i.284.

6. Sankha. The Bodhisatta born as a brahmin in Takkasila. He was the father of Susima. See the Sankha Jataka (2).

7. Sankha. A general of Kittisirimegha; he lived in Badalatthali. The king entrusted him with the celebrations in connection with the upanayana ceremony of Parakkamabahu (afterwards Parakkamabahu I.). When Parakkamabahu returned to Badalatthali in his tour of preparation, Sankha welcomed him and paid him all honour. But Parakkamabahu proved treacherous and had him slain. Cv.lxiv.8f., 22f.; lxv.13f, 27f.

8. Sankha. A Singhalese general who maintained a stronghold in Gahgadoni in the Manimekhala district, while Magha ruled in the capital. Cv.lxxxi.7f.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of a Nāga mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Śaṅkha).

Source: Google Books: Vajrayogini

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—Serpent deity (nāga) of the north-western cremation ground.—Śaṅkha is also listed as Śaṅkhapāla (Guhyasamayasādhanamālā 34). In Śmaśānavidhi 19, there is a very brief descirption of him as yellow, with spots on his hood (kalaṅkita), or a tilaka.

Source: Wisdomlib Libary: Vajrayogini

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of a serpent (nāga) associated with Kilakilārava: the north-western cremation ground (śmaśāna) according to the Vajravārāhī-sādhana by Umāpatideva as found in te 12th century Guhyasamayasādhanamālā. As a part of this sādhana, the practicioner is to visualize a suitable dwelling place for the goddess inside the circle of protection which takes the form of eight cremation grounds.

These nāga-kings (e.g., Śaṅkha) are variously known as nāgarāja, nāgeśa, nāgendra and bhujageśa and are depicted as wearing white ornaments according to Lūyīpāda’s Śmaśānavidhi. They have human tosos above their coiled snaketails and raised hoods above their heads. They each have their own color assigned and they bear a mark upon their raised hoods. They all make obeisance to the dikpati (protector) who is before them and are seated beneath the tree (vṛkṣa).

Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a “conch shell” and represents one of the items held in the right hand of Heruka: one of the main deities of the Herukamaṇḍala described in the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Heruka is positioned in the Lotus (padma) at the center; He is the origin of all heroes; He has 17 faces (with three eyes on each) and 76 arms [holding, for example, śaṅkha]; He is half black and half green in color; He is dancing on a flaming sun placed on Bhairava and Kālarātrī.

2) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is also the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Śaṅkhī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Ākāśacakra, according to the same work. Accordingly, the ākāśacakra refers to one of the three divisions of the dharma-puṭa (‘dharma layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Śaṅkha] are dark blue in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

3) Śaṅkhā (शङ्खा) is also the name of a Ḍākinī who, together with the Vīra (hero) named Śaṅkha forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Jalacakra, according to the same work. Accordingly, the jalacakra refers to one of the three divisions of the saṃbhoga-puṭa (‘enjoyment layer’). The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Śaṅkhā] and Vīras are white in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife..

4) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is also the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Śaṅkhinī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Jñānacakra, according to the work. Accordingly, the jñānacakra refers to another one of the three divisions of the saṃbhoga-puṭa (‘enjoyment layer’). The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Śaṅkha] are white in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to one of the “four mountains” (Parvata), according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

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.

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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख, “conch”) refers to a type of jewel (ratna), into which the universe was transformed by the Buddha’s miraculous power (ṛddhibala) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XV). Accordingly, “Conch (śaṅkha) comes from insects”. Also, “These jewels (eg, śaṅkha) are of three types, Human jewels (manuṣya-ratna), Divine jewels (divya-ratna) and Bodhisattva jewels (bodhisattva-ratna). These various jewels remove the poverty (dāridrya) and the suffering (duḥkha) of beings”.

2) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) and Likhita were two brothers according to the Vinaya of the Mūlasarvāstivādin mentioned in a footnote at the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXVIII). Accordingly, “Not far from the city of Vārāṇasī, two brothers lived as hermits in the forest; one was called Chang k’ie (Śaṅkha), the other Li k’i to (Likhita). The latter drank all the water from his brother’s flask so that he had nothing to drink when he went out to beg. Likhita was accused before the king of having stolen the water from his brother. The king, who was leaving for the hunt, ordered him to wait without moving, then he forgot about him for six days”.

Note: For Śaṅkha and Likhita, see also a story in Ken pen chouo… yao che, T 1448, k. 16, p. 77c, which shows striking resemblance to Chavannes, Contes, no. 79, and the Mātaṅgajātaka of the Pāli Jātaka, IV, p. 376 seq.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) (Tibetan: duṅ) refers to the “conch shell” (a type of jewel or precious stone, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “[...] Then the Bodhisattva Ratnavyūha said to the Bodhisattva Gaganagañja: ‘Son of good family, please pour down rain of all kinds of jewels from the sky’. Immediately after his words, the great rain of immeasurable, incalculable amount of jewels, equal to Mount Sumeru in size, with various kinds of names and colors, poured down from ten directions. To wit, [...] conch shell (śaṅkha), crystal, red coral, sapphire, Guṇākara gem, calm light gem, water-light gem, water-like gem, transparent gem, earthy light gem, indestructible gem, blinding gem, Śakra-holding gem, victor’s gem, the great victor’s gem, [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

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.

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General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols

The right turning white conch shell, representing the beautiful, deep, melodious, interpenetrating and pervasive sound of the Buddhadharma which being appropriate to different natures, predispositions and aspirations of disciples, awakens them from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own welfare and the welfare of others;

In Hinduism the Conch is an attribute of Vishnu as is the Wheel. Vaishnavism holds that Shakyamuni Buddha is an avatar of Vishnu.

The conch shell is thought to have been the original horn trumpet; ancient Indian mythical epics relate heroes carrying conch shells. The Indian god Vishnu is also described as having a conch shell as one of his main emblems; his shell bore the name Panchajanya meaning having control over the five classes of beings.

(Sanskrit: Sankha; Wylie: dung gyas kyil)

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the shorter name of Śaṅkhadvīpa, one of the continents (dvīpa) of the middle-world (madhyaloka) which is encircled by the ocean named Śaṅkhasamudra (or simply Śaṅkha), according to Jain cosmology. The middle-world contains innumerable concentric dvīpas and, as opposed to the upper-world (adhaloka) and the lower-world (ūrdhvaloka), is the only world where humans can be born.

Śaṅkha is recorded in ancient Jaina canonical texts dealing with cosmology and geography of the universe. Examples of such texts are the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapannatti and the Trilokasāra in the Digambara tradition.

Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Śaṅkha] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.

Source: archive.org: The Jaina Iconography

Śaṃkha (शंख) refers to the “conch-shell” and represents one of the five Dundubhis (musical instruments) or Pañcamahāśabda (five musical instruments).—(Cf. Prof. Bhandarkar’s “Jaina Iconography” Ind. Ant., 1911, June.)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) or Śaṅkhaka refers to one of the nine treasures mentioned in chapter 1.4 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly: “At the end of the four days’ fast, the nine famous treasures approached him (i.e., King Bharata), each always attended by one thousand Yakṣas, Naisarpa, Pāṇḍuka, Piṅgala, Sarvaratnaka, Mahāpadma, Kāla, Mahākāla, Māṇava, Śaṅkhaka (Śaṅkha). They were mounted on eight wheels, eight yojanas high, nine yojanas broad, twelve yojanas long, their faces concealed by doors of cat’s-eye, smooth, golden, filled with jewels, marked with the cakra, sun, and moon. [...] As their guardians, Nāgakumāra-gods with names the same as theirs, with life-periods of a palyopama, inhabited them. [...] The origin of fourfold poetry, of concerts, and dramatic art, and of all musical instruments is from the treasure Śaṅkha”.

2) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of a southern province situated in West-Videha in Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.2.—Accordingly, “[...] Between them (i.e., the Vidyutprabha and Saumanasa Mountains) are the bhogabhumis, the Devakurus. [...] Between them (i.e., the Gandhamādana and Mālyavat Mountains) are the very charming Uttarakurus [...] East of the Devakurus and Uttarakurus, they are called East Videhas, and to the west, West Videhas, like different countries to each other. In each, there are 16 provinces, inaccessible to each other, separated by rivers and mountains, suitable to be conquered by a Cakrin. [viz., Śaṅkha, etc.] are the southern provinces of West Videha. [...]”.

3) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to a mountain of the Indras of the Velādhārins in the Lavaṇoda ocean surrounding Jambūdvīpa which is situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3.—Accordingly, “Next, surrounding Jambūdvīpa, and twice as wide, is the ocean named Lavaṇoda. [...] Gostūpa, Udakābhāsa, Śaṅkha, Udakasīmaka, made of gold, aṅka, silver, and crystal are the mountains of the Indras of the Velādhārins. They are the abodes of the gods Gostūpa, Śivaka, Śaṅkha, and Manohṛda; and are in the (four) directions at 42,000 yojanas (from Jambūdvīpa). They are 1721 yojanas high; 1022 yojanas wide at the base, and 424 at the top. On top of them all there are gleaming palaces”.

4) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of an ancient king from Svarṇadruma, according to chapter 5.4 [śāntinātha-caritra].—Accordingly, as Muni Sāgaracandra narrated to Candratilaka and Sūryatilaka:—“Now, in this Airavata in the city Svarṇadruma there was a king, Śaṅkha, with virtues shining as a conch. He had a daughter by Queen Pṛthvī, named Pṛthvīsenā, heralded by the sight of a wreath of flowers placed on (the queen’s) lap in a dream. She gradually attained youth and acquired the collection of arts which nourish a high degree of beauty and distinguished cleverness. [...]”.

5) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of a merchant from Ratnapura, according to chapter 6.2 [aranātha-caritra].—Accordingly, as Sāgaradatta said to Kumbha:—“[...]. One day Vīrabhadra went in his wandering to the city Ṛatnapura, ruled over by King Ratnākara, in Siṃhaladvīpa. He sat down in the shop of Sheth Śaṅkha, who had a wealth of virtues fair as a conch, and was asked, ‘Where are you from, sir?’ Vīrabhadra replied, ‘I left my own home in Tāmralipti in anger and came here in the course of wandering, father.’ [...]”.

6) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) is the name of an ancient king from Vārāṇasī, according to chapter 6.6 [śrī-mallinātha-caritra].—Accordingly:—“Now Vasu’s jīva fell from Vaijayanta and became King Śaṅkha in Vārāṇasī. One day Malli’s pair of divine earrings was broken and his goldsmiths were ordered by the king to mend it. ‘Your Majesty, we cannot mend this divine article,’ they said, and the king in a rage expelled them from the city. They went to Vārāṇasī and told King Śaṅkha the whole story as the cause of their exile. [...]”.

Source: academia.edu: The Original Paṇhavāyaraṇa/Praśnavyākaraṇa Discovered

Saṃkhā (संखा) (Prakrit; in Sanskrit: Saṃkhyā) refers to “decision/enumeration” and represents one of the ten adhyayanas taught in the Paṇhavāgaraṇa: (Sanskrit: Praśnavyākaraṇa), according to the  Sthānāṅgasūtra (Sūtra 755).—The Paṇhavāgaraṇa is the tenth Anga of the Jain canon which deals with the prophetic explanation of queries regarding divination.

General definition book cover
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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.

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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Śaṅkha.—(CII 3, etc.), conch-shell as an emblem on seals; cf. śaṅghu (ASLV), the use of which was sometimes granted by kings to their favourites as a privilege. Note: śaṅkha is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Saṃkha (संख) refers to one of the various shops or “market places” (Sanskrit: Haṭṭa, Prakrit: Cauhaṭṭa) for a medieval town in ancient India, which were vividly depicted in Kathās (narrative poems), for example, by Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā.—The Kuvalayamala (779 A.D.) is full of cultural material which gains in value because of the firm date of its composition. [...] In the Kuvalayamālā, some names of shops according to articles displayed in them is given, [i.e., saṃkha] [...] Thus Uddyotana has in his view a complete form of a medieval market place with the number of lines full of different commodities.

Source: Yale Journal of Music & Religion: Ritual Music in Contemporary Brahmanical Tantric Temples of Kerala

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) refers to the “sound of a shell” blown between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. breaks the silence of the night and gives a start to the daily routine of the temple. In a similar way, at about 9:30 in the evening, it marks its end. In between these two sequences of sounds, a number of rituals are performed by different classes of priests to the enlivening accompaniment of the ritual musicians playing percussion instruments.

India history book cover
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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, 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.

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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Sankha in India is the name of a plant defined with Convolvulus pluricaulis in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices.

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Convolvulaceae orientales (1834)
· J. Cytol. Genet. (1978)
· Choisy, Jacques Denys (1799–1859), (1799)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Sankha, for example extract dosage, pregnancy safety, diet and recipes, side effects, health benefits, chemical composition, have a look at these references.

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This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Shankha in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

saṅkha : (m.) a chank; a conch shell. || saṅkhā (f.) enumeration; calculation; a number; definition.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Saṅkhā, (f.) & Saṅkhyā (f.) (fr. saṃ+khyā) 1. enumeration, calculation, estimating D. II, 277; M. I, 109; Miln. 59 ‹-› 2. number Dāvs. I, 25.—3. denomination, definition, word, name (cp. on term K. S. I. 321) S. III, 71 sq.; IV, 376 sq.; Nd2 617 (=uddesa gaṇanā paññatti); Dhs. 1306; Miln. 25.—saṅkhaṃ gacchati to be styled, called or defined; to be put into words D. I, 199, 201; Vin. II, 239; M. I, 190, 487; A. I, 68, 244=II. 113; Pug. 42; Nett 66 sq.; Vism. 212, 225, 235, 294 (khy); SnA 167 (khy); DhsA. 11 (khy). saṅkhaṃ gata (cp. saṅkhāta) is called DA. I, 41 (uyyānaṃ Ambalaṭṭhikā t’eva s. g.). saṅkhaṃ na upeti (nopeti) cannot be called by a name, does not count, cannot be defined It. 54; Sn. 209, 749, 911, 1074; Nd1 327; Nd2 617. (Page 664)

— or —

1) Saṅkha, 2 (etym. ?) a water plant (combined with sevāla) Miln. 35. See detail under paṇṇaka 2. (Page 664)

2) Saṅkha, 1 (cp. Vedic śaṅkha; Gr. kόgxos shell, measure of capacity, & kόxlos; Lat. congius a measure) a shell, conch; mother-of-pearl; a chank, commonly used as a trumpet D. I, 79; II, 297=M. I, 58; A. II, 117; IV, 199; Vv 8110; J. I, 72; II, 110; VI, 465, 580; Miln. 21 (dhamma°); DhA. I, 18. Combined with paṇava (small drum) Vism. 408; J. VI, 21; or with bheri (large drum) Miln. 21; Vism. 408.

Pali book cover
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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.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

śaṅkha (शंख).—m (S) The conch-shell. Used in pouring water over an idol, in offering libations &c., and as a horn to blow at sacrifices and in battles. śaṅkha is the name for all univalve sea-shells of the general appearance of the conch, as śimpa is the general name for bivalves. 2 Conch-form lines at the extremities of the fingers. 3 A term of enhancement after an epithet expressing the clearness, limpidness, or translucency of. 4 Ten billions or a hundred billions. 5 One of the nine nidhi or treasures of Kuber. 6 A term for an unlettered and rude fellow. 7 The cheek-bone. śaṅkha karaṇēṃ To beat the mouth with the back of the hand (in crying for help or in lamentation). śaṅkha vājaṇēṃ g. of s. To be consumed, expended, exhausted.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

śaṅkha (शंख).—m The conch-shell. An unlettered fellow. śaṅkha karaṇēṃ Beat the mouth with the back of the hand. śaṅkha vājaviṇēṃ Be consumed.

context information

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—[śam-kha Uṇādi-sūtra 1.12]

1) The conch-shell, a shell; न श्वेतभावमुज्झति शङ्खः शिखिभुक्तमुक्तोऽपि (na śvetabhāvamujjhati śaṅkhaḥ śikhibhuktamukto'pi) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 4.11; शङ्खान् दध्मुः पृथक् पृथक् (śaṅkhān dadhmuḥ pṛthak pṛthak) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.18.

2) The bone on the forehead; शङ्खान्तरद्योति विलोचनं यत् (śaṅkhāntaradyoti vilocanaṃ yat) Kumārasambhava 7.33; Rām.6. 48.1.

3) The temporal bone.

4) The part between the tusks of an elephant.

5) A hundred billions.

6) A military drum or other martial instrument.

7) A kind of perfume (nakhī).

8) One of the nine treasures of Kubera.

9) Name of a demon slain by Viṣṇu.

1) Name of the author of a Smriti (mentioned in conjunction with likhita q. v.).

11) A bracelet (made of conchshell); अवघ्नन्त्या प्रकोष्ठस्थाश्चक्रुः शङ्खाः स्वनं महत् (avaghnantyā prakoṣṭhasthāścakruḥ śaṅkhāḥ svanaṃ mahat) Bhāgavata 11. 9.6.

Derivable forms: śaṅkhaḥ (शङ्खः), śaṅkham (शङ्खम्).

--- OR ---

Śāṅkha (शाङ्ख).—The sound of a conch-shell.

Derivable forms: śāṅkham (शाङ्खम्).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—(also written saṃkha, Mahāvastu), (1) m. (Pali saṅkha), name of one of the four ‘great treasures’, (saṃkha) Mahāvastu iii.383.18, and of the ‘king’ who presides over it, Divyāvadāna 61.4 (see s.v. elapatra); as a nāga, known in Sanskrit; Divyāvadāna 61.4 mentions this Ś. in juxtaposition with (2) but the relation between them is not made clear; in Pali the two have no connexion, (1) being only a ‘treasure’ Dīghanikāya (Pali) commentary i.284.8 f.; (2) (= Pali id., Malalasekara (Dictionary of Pali Proper Names) Saṅkha 3), name of a future emperor: Divyāvadāna 60.14 ff.; (3) name of a rākṣasa, = Śaṅkhanābha: Divyāvadāna 104.8.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Saṃkha (संख).—see śaṅkha.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—mn.

(-ṅkhaḥ-ṅkhaṃ) The conch-shell used by the Hindus, in two ways especially; offering libations with it, or when perforated at one end blowing it as a horn at sacrifices: frequent mention of it occurs in the battle pieces of the poets, each hero being provided with a conch as his horn. m.

(-ṅkhaḥ) 1. One of Kuvera'S treasures. 2. The temple or temporal bone, sometimes comprising the frontal bone also. 3. A perfume, commonly Nak'hi, apparently a dried shell-fish. 4. A military drum. 5. One of the eight chiefs of the Nagas or serpents of Patala described as of a yellow colour. 6. An elephant’s cheek. 7. A large number, “a hundred billions.” 8. The name of a saint and legislator. 9. A poet, one of the nine ge'ns, &c. E. śam to pacify, &c., Unadi aff. kha .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—I. m. and n. The conen-shell used as a vessel for offering libations, and for blowing as a horn, [Pañcatantra] 20, 8. Ii. m. 1. A shell, [Pañcatantra] iv. [distich] 76; 158, 4. 2. A military drum. 3. The temple or temporal bone, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 2. ed. 13, 13. 4. An elephant’s cheek. 5. A large number, ten or a hundred billions. 6. One of Kuvera's treasures, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 12. 7. A particular perfume.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख).—[masculine] [neuter] conch-shell (used to blow upon or as ornament); [masculine] the temporal bone, temple, one of the treasures of Kubera, [Name] of an Asura, etc.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख):—mn. (ifc. f(ā). ) a shell, ([especially]) the conch-shell (used for making libations of water or as an ornament for the arms or for the temples of an elephant; a conch-shell perforated at one end is also used as a wind instrument or horn; in the battles of epic poetry, each hero being represented as provided with a conch-shell which serves as his horn or trumpet and often has a name), [Atharva-veda] etc. etc., [Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 403]

2) a [particular] high number (said to = a hundred billions or 100, 000 krores), [Mahābhārata]

3) m. the temporal bone, temple ([according to] to some also ‘the bone of the forehead’ or, ‘frontal bone’), [Yājñavalkya; Mahābhārata] etc.

4) an elephant’s cheek or the part between the tusks (hasti-danta-madhya), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) Name of the teeth of an elephant 23 years old, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

6) Unguis Odoratus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) a [particular] Mantra, [Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa]

8) a kind of metre, [Kedāra’s Vṛtti-ratnākara]N. of one of Kubera’s treasures and of the being presiding over it, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

9) a military drum or other martial instrument, [Horace H. Wilson]

10) Name of one of the 8 chiefs of the Nāgas (q.v.), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]

11) of a Daitya (who conquered the gods, stole the Vedas, and carried them off to the bottom of the sea, from whence they were recovered by Viṣṇu in the form of a fish), [ib.]

12) of a demon dangerous to children, [Āpastamba-gṛhya-sūtra [Scholiast or Commentator]]

13) of a mythical elephant, [Rāmāyaṇa]

14) Name of various men ([plural] Name of a Gotra), [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.

15) of a son of Virāṭa, [Mahābhārata]

16) of a son of Vajra-nābha, [Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]

17) of a law-giver (often mentioned together with his brother Likhita, q.v.), [Yājñavalkya; Mahābhārata] etc. (cf. [compound] below)

18) of the author of [Ṛg-veda x, 15] (having the [patronymic] Yāmāyana.), [Anukramaṇikā]

19) of another poet, [Catalogue(s)]

20) of a country in the south of India (said to abound in shells), [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā] (cf. [gana] śaṇḍikādi)

21) of a mountain, [Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]

22) of a forest, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

23) Śaṅkhā (शङ्खा):—[from śaṅkha] f. a kind of flute, [Saṃgīta-sārasaṃgraha]

24) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख):—cf. [Greek], κόγχη; [Latin] concha, cangius.

25) Śāṅkha (शाङ्ख):—mf(ī)n. ([from] śaṅkha) relating to or made of a conch or any shell

26) n. the sound of a conch-shell, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Śaṅkha (शङ्ख):—[(ṅkhaḥ-ṅkhaṃ)] 1. m. n. The Hindu conch; one of Kuvera's treasures; the temple-bone; a perfume; military drum; a Nāga; 100 billions; elephant’s cheek; a sage; a poet.

2) Śāṅkha (शाङ्ख):—(ṅkhaṃ) 1. n. The sound of the conch shell.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Saṃkha.

[Sanskrit to German]

Shankha in German

context information

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.

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Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Shankha in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Śaṃkha (शंख) [Also spelled shankh]:—(nm) a conch, conchshell; a number equal to a thousand billion or 10,00,000 crores; ~[khamaya] conchiferous; ~[khākāra] conchate; ~[khābha] conchoid; ~[kha-dhvani/nāda] blowing of a conch-shell signifying commencement of battle; ~[kha bajānā] to rejoice; to go about announcing one’s achievements; ~[kha phūṃkanā] to make a declaration of war; to arouse/awaken.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

1) Saṃkha (संख) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Śaṅkha.

2) Saṃkha (संख) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Saṃkhya.

3) Saṃkha (संख) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Sāṃkhya.

4) Saṃkhā (संखा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Saṃkhyā.

5) Saṃkhā (संखा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Saṃstyai.

6) Saṃkhā (संखा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Saṃkhyā.

context information

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.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Śaṃkha (ಶಂಖ):—

1) [noun] the large, spiral, univalve shell of any of various marine mollusks, a few of which are perforated at one end and used as a trumpet; a conch.

2) [noun] the bone across the upper cheek, that forms the outer side of the eye’s bony orbit; the cheek-bone.

3) [noun] the bone comprising the front part of the skull and forming the forehead in humans; the frontal-bone.

4) [noun] (myth.) name of one of the nine treasures of Kubēra, the Regent of Wealth.

5) [noun] a kind of perfume.

6) [noun] the white colour.

7) [noun] a particular military array.

8) [noun] a particular part of a horse (between the hip and the thigh ?).

9) [noun] (math.) a huge number, one hundred billion (or 1,00,000 crore).

10) [noun] (mth.) a symbol for the number seven.

11) [noun] (math.) a very huge number (1 followed by nineteen zeros).

12) [noun] (dance.) a particular gesture of the hands, in which the figures are both the hands are interlocked inside as if holding a conch for blowing it.

13) [noun] ಶಂಖದ ಹುರಿಕೆ [shamkhada hurike] ṣaṃkada hurike a kind of fragrant substance; ಶಂಖ ಬಾರಿಸು [shamkha barisu] ṣaṃka bārisu (fig.) a loud outcry or clamour; ಶಂಖ ಪುಟಿಸು [shamkha putisu] ṣaṃka puṭisu = ಶಂಖ ಬಾರಿಸು [shamkha barisu]; ಶಂಖದ ಹುಳು [shamkhada hulu] ṣaṃkada huḷu a kind of mollusk; ಶಂಖಚಕ್ರದ ಕೋಲು [shamkhacakrada kolu] ṣaṃka cakrada kōlu a metal staff, having the symbols of a conch and a wheel, used to brand on the body; ಊದುವ ಶಂಖ ಊದಿಬಿಡು [uduva shamkha udibidu] ūduvaṣaṃka ūdibiḍu to do one’s duty without bothering whether it yields the desired result or not; ಶಂಖದಿಂದ ಬಂದರೇ ತೀರ್ಥ [shamkhadimda bamdare tirtha] ṣaṃkadinda bandarē tīrtha a statement is believed or accepted only when made by an authority and not by others (even the latterś statement is true).

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Discover the meaning of shankha or sankha in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

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