Shitavata, Śītavāta, Shita-vata: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Shitavata means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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 Śītavāta can be transliterated into English as Sitavata or Shitavata, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Viṣṇu-purāṇaŚītavāta (शीतवात) refers to “cold wind” and represents a type of Ādhidaivika pain, according to the Viṣṇu-purāṇa 6.5.1-6. Accordingly, “the wise man having investigated the three kinds of worldly pain, or mental and bodily affliction and the like, and having acquired true wisdom, and detachment from human objects, obtains final dissolution.”
Ādhidaivika and its subdivisions (e.g., śītavāta) represents one of the three types of worldly pain (the other two being ādhyātmika and ādhibhautika) and correspond to three kinds of affliction described in the Sāṃkhyakārikā.
The Viṣṇupurāṇa is one of the eighteen Mahāpurāṇas which, according to tradition was composed of over 23,000 metrical verses dating from at least the 1st-millennium BCE. There are six chapters (aṃśas) containing typical puranic literature but the contents primarily revolve around Viṣṇu and his avatars.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureŚītavāta (शीतवात) refers to “cold winds”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [As the afflicted Nāgas said to Bhagavān]: “O Bhagavān, extremely dreadful mantrapadas have been uttered. O Bhagavān, my offence is known. But, O Bhagavān, I was overpowered by the hostile spell-master and I stroke back and emitted [the fire]. Then, O Bhagavān, the hostile Nāgas become agitated and destroy crops. They destroy flowers and fruits. They send down thunderbolts. They stir up cold winds (śītavāta). [...]’”.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Sita-vata.
Ends with: Dushtashitavata, Sita-vata.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Shitavata, Śītavāta, Shita-vata, Śīta-vāta, Sita-vata, Sitavata; (plurals include: Shitavatas, Śītavātas, vatas, vātas, Sitavatas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 2 - Episode of Hastaka of Āḷavi < [Chapter XLII - The Great Loving-kindness and the Great Compassion of the Buddhas]
IV. The traces of passion are destroyed in the Buddha < [VIII. Destroying the traces of the conflicting emotions]
Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)