Shirodhara, Śirodhāra, Shiras-dhara: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Shirodhara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Śirodhāra can be transliterated into English as Sirodhara or Shirodhara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationŚirodharā (शिरोधरा) refers to the “neck”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.15 (“The penance and reign of Tārakāsura”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated: “[...] At the same time, several phenomena of evil portent forboding misery and distress happened, when the son of Varāṅgī was born making the gods miserable. [...] Within villages, inauspicious vixens howled hideously vomitting fires; as it were, through their mouths along with the hissing and twanging sounds of the hootings and howlings of owls and jackals. Lifting up their necks [i.e., śirodharā], the dogs barked in diverse ways producing sounds of singing or lamenting here and there. [...]”.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Ayurveda College: ShirodharaShirodhara is a unique, blissful therapy that balances and stabilizes the mind. To receive shirodhara, the client lies down upon a massage table with their eyes covered. Next, specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured in a thin steady stream directly onto the forehead and sixth chakra. Shirodhara purifies the mind, alleviates anxiety, reduces headaches, and expands awareness. Shirodhara can be administered on its own or as part of a panchakarma detoxification regime.
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsŚirodhara (शिरोधर):—[śirodharaḥ] Neck
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Aryacharya: Hinduismशिरो (Śiro) means "Head" and धार (Dhāra) means "Stream". शिरो धार (Śiro Dhāra) is the application of warm medicated oil to the forehead over the आज्ञा चक्र (Ājñā Cakra). In शिरो धार (Śiro Dhāra), a stream of warm oil pours continuously through the spout of a bowl that is suspended above one's head. शिरो धार (Śiro Dhāra) is a relaxing treatment for matters of the mind, such as chronic headaches, insomnia, anxiety and nervousness.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚirodharā (शिरोधरा).—f.
(-rā) The neck. E. śiras the head, and dhara what upholds.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚirodharā (शिरोधरा).—i. e. śiras-dhṛ + a, f. The neck, [Daśakumāracarita] in
Śirodhara (शिरोधर).—[masculine] ā [feminine] the neck (head-bearer).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śirodhara (शिरोधर):—[=śiro-dhara] [from śiro > śiras] m. ([Rāmāyaṇa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]) ([Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature etc.]; ifc. f(ā). ) ‘h°-supporting’, the neck.
2) Śirodharā (शिरोधरा):—[=śiro-dharā] [from śiro > śiras] f. ([Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature etc.]; ifc. f(ā). ) ‘h°-supporting’, the neck.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚirodharā (शिरोधरा):—[śiro-dharā] (rā) 1. f. The neck.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusŚirōdhara (ಶಿರೋಧರ):—[noun] the neck, the holder of the head.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shiras, Dhara.
Starts with: Shirodharaniya.
Ends with: Mahakayashirodhara, Mahashirodhara, Shankushirodhara, Stabdhakarnashirodhara, Ushtrashirodhara.
Full-text: Ushtrashirodhara, Mahashirodhara, Shirodhi, Mahakayashirodhara, Shirodhare, Adhishirodharam, Shirahpitha, Stabdhakarnashirodhara, Godhumapishta, Shishumarashiras, Kamdhara, Upasad.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Shirodhara, Shiras-dhara, Shiro-dhara, Śiras-dhāra, Śiras-dharā, Siras-dhara, Śiro-dhara, Siro-dhara, Śiro-dhāra, Śiro-dharā, Sirodhara, Śirodharā, Śirodhara, Śirodhāra, Śirōdhara; (plurals include: Shirodharas, dharas, dhāras, dharās, Sirodharas, Śirodharās, Śirodharas, Śirodhāras, Śirōdharas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 71 - Exploits of Durgā < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]
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