Shraddha, Śrāddha, Śraddhā, Śraddha, Śrāddhā: 45 definitions

Introduction:

Shraddha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 terms Śrāddha and Śraddhā and Śraddha and Śrāddhā can be transliterated into English as Sraddha or Shraddha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”):—One of the names attributed to Devī, as chanted by the Vedas in their hymns, who were at the time incarnated in their personified forms. See the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa chapter 5.51-68, called “the narrative of Hayagrīva”.

Shaktism book cover
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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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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”):—One of the twenty-four emanations of Lakṣmī accompanying Nārāyaṇa. This particular manifestation couples with his counterpart form called Padmanābha and together they form the eleventh celestial couple. Lakṣmī represents a form of the Goddess (Devī) as the wife of Viṣṇu, while Nārāyaṇa represents the personification of his creative energy, according to the Pāñcarātra literature.

Pancaratra book cover
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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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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—The ceremony of making offerings to one's ancestors to free them from suffering; firm faith and confidence.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to “faith in the statements of scripture awakened when one has accumulated pious devotional activities over many births or by the association and mercy of a pure Vaiṣṇava; the first manifestation of the creeper of devotion. The inner essence of the seed of śraddhā is the conception implanted within the disciple’s heart to serve Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in a particular capacity”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

2) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to “ceremony in honour of and for the benefit of deceased relatives”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

1) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to:—A ceremony in honour of and for the benefit of deceased relatives. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to:—Faith in the statements of the śāstras which is awakened after accumulating pious devotional credits over many births. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

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

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to the ceremony of “making an offering to the deceased forefathers”, according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship), while explaining special instructions to be followed.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to:—Faith; the firm conviction that all of one’s obligations will be fulfilled by performing kṛṣṇa-bhakti. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

Vaishnavism book cover
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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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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Shraddha in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—A daughter born to Dakṣa Prajāpati by his wife Praṣūti. Twentyfour daughters were born to them. Of them, thirteen were the wives of Dharmadeva including Śraddhā.

Dharmadeva had a son named Kāma by Śraddhā. (Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Part 1, Chapter 7).

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—Sūrya’s daughter. She had several other names such as, Vaivasvatī, Sāvitrī, Prasavitrī etc. (For more details, see under Sāvitrī I),

3) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—Wife of Vaivasvata Manu. (See under Vaivasvata Manu).

4) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—Daughter born to Kardama Prajāpati by Devahūti. She became the wife of Aṅgiras. They had two sons, Utatthya and Bṛhaspati and four daughters, Sinīvālī, Kuhū, Rākā and Anumati. (Bhāgavata, 3rd Skandha).

5) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—The offering given to Pitṛs. According to the Purāṇas Śrāddha is a very important ceremony. Here, "Pitṛs" does not mean "the souls of the dead". Pitṛs belong to a special class of gods.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) is one of the twenty-four daughters of Dakṣa by Prasūti: one of the three daughters of Svāyambhuvamanu and Śatarūpā, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“Dakṣa begot twenty-four daughters. Thirteen daughters Śraddhā etc. were given to Dharma in marriage by Dakṣa. O lordly sage, listen to the names of Dharma’s wives. Their names are [Śraddhā (faith),...]. Thereupon the entire universe consisting of three worlds, mobile and immobile was filled (with progeny). Thus according to their own actions and at the bidding of Śiva innumerable famous Brahmins were born out of the various living beings”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—A daughter of Kardama married to Angirasa. Mother of four daughters—Sinīvālī, Kuhū, Rākā and Anumatī and sons Utathya and Bṛhaspati.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 24. 22; IV. 1. 34 and 35.

1b) A daughter of Dakṣa and wife of Dharma; mother of Śubha and Kāma.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 1. 49-50; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 49 and 58; Vāyu-purāṇa 10. 25, 35; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 23 and 28.

1c) A wife of Śrāddhadeva and mother of ten sons; observed payovrata and wanted the birth of a daughter. Ilā was born.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 1. 11, 14-16.

2a) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—A son of Śatrughna, the son of Anādhṛṣṭhi.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 46. 24.

2b) Certain days considered good for the performance of; sumptuous feeding of many people on the day; no offering of or eating of flesh.1 Feeding of yogins recommended; presiding deity is Ravi.2

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 7. 33; VII. 14. 19-26; 15. 3-7.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 13. 6; 15. 43.

2c) A karma;1 the wherefrom and why of the ceremony is questioned for answer; ceremony for disliked Pitṛs will be enjoyed by the Rākṣasas and Dānavas; tends to the growth of Soma who is the cause of the world growth; three piṇḍas according to name and gotra; Pitṛs give all including knowledge; at the tīrthas and rivers; Bṛhaspati on śrāddha; once there was a thick haze of darkness in all worlds when Brahmā engaged himself in yoga and created the worlds, Santānaka and the first gods Vairājās; the formless groups of Gods attained absolution through yoga which is the strength of the Pitṛs; and through this yoga Soma increases in power; hence feed thousands learned in the Vedic lore; feeding of a snātaka equals that of many; atheists and the unrighteous should not be fed;2 to be performed with faith using silver or silver-coated vessels and the Purodha to be given svadhā; health and wealth are the fruits; superior to deva worship; even gods propitiate the Pitṛs as also sages and other semi-divine beings; for yogaiśvarya or mokṣadharma;3 details of the vedi and offerings during srāddhas; Pitṛs eat in the guise of Vāyu; offerings in Agni when it burns, otherwise it will lead to the blinding of eyes;4 the ruling of Bṛhaspati that first offerings are to be made to piṇḍa and then feeding Brahmans; by offering once the Pitṛs become pleased.5

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 4. 24.
  • 2) Ib. III. 9. 4; Matsya-purāṇa 20. 6; 21. 33.
  • 3) Ib. III. 10. 100; Matsya-purāṇa 15. 31.
  • 4) Ib. III. 11. 6, 49, 100.
  • 5) Ib. III. 12. 26; 13. 1; Matsya-purāṇa 10. 34.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIII.116.1, XIII.115) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Śrāddha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Śraddhā also refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.13).

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to one of the daughters of Dakṣa and Prasūti: one of the two daughters of Manu-svāyaṃbhuva and Śatarūpā, according to the Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Ākūti was married to Ruci and Prasūti to Dakṣa. Dakṣa produced in Prasūti twenty-four daughters. [...] [Dakṣa gave thirteen daughters Śraddhā and others to Dharma.]

Purana book cover
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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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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध, “faith, trust, belief”) is the most important ceremony connected with Hindu ancestor-worship. It is a development of the ancient custom of eating at funerals and providing food for the dead. Manu (Institutes, iii, 267 - 271) gives a detailed list of the offerings of food and drink which are to be made, with regulations for the correct ritual to be observed. The modern śrāddha is most intricate and elaborate.

Natyashastra book cover
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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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Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Google Books: Manusmṛti with the Manubhāṣya

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—This term indicates the duty by its proper name. Śrāddha is the name of the rite laid down as to be done in honour of one’s ancestors, on the amāvasyā day; and the whole process of that rite is indicated by the name śrāddha. Rites in honour of the gods shall he performed in the forenoon; that in honour of the pitṛs in the afternoon; the śrāddha offered to a single person shall be performed at mid-day, while that in connection with auspicious rites shall be performed in the morning.

Source: Sacred Texts: The Grihya Sutras, Part 2 (SBE30)

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to one of the seven Pākasaṃsthās or Pākayajñas (groups of seven sacrifices).—Hārīta says: “Let a man offer the Pākayajñas always, always also the Haviryajñas, and the Somayajñas (Soma sacrifices), according to rule, if he wishes for eternal merit”.—The object of these sacrifices [viz., Śrāddha] is eternal happiness, and hence they have to be performed during life at certain seasons, without any special occasion (nimitta), and without any special object (kāma). According to most authorities, however, they have to be performed during thirty years only. After that the Agnihotra only has to be kept up.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study (dharma)

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to the ritual of “sacrificing material to the Pitṛs” and represents an aspect of Dharmaśāstra, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—The word Śrāddha is derived from Śraddhā.—The Mitākṣara on Yājñavalkya-smṛti (1.217) defines śrāddha as “abandonment with faith of an article of food or some substitutes there of intending, it for the benefit of the departed”. The Kalpataru on śrāddha defined it as “the giving up of sacrificial material intending it for, Pitṛs and its acceptance by Brāhmaṇas”. According to some śrāddha denotes homa, the offering of piṇḍa (ball of cooked food) and gratification of the Brāhmaṇas invited to a dinner.

Chapter nineteen of the Saurapurāṇa describes the śrāddha-vidhi. It is stated that śrāddha should be performed particularly in the sacred places on the new-moon day, two aṣṭakā days (eighth tithi of both fortnights), on viṣuva day and when the sun and the moon are in opposite course. Food offering is to be given to the Brāhmaṇas conversed in the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas, especially those who are the devotees of Śiva.

Source: Oxford Academic: Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Significance to Ritual Theory

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) refers to “ancestor worship” and represents one of the various marriage rites of the Hindu Newars, mentioned in the Daśakarmavidhi: a marriage handbook from Bhaktapur containing both Hindu and Newar marriage ceremonies.—Despite many congruencies between Hindu Parbatiyā and Hindu Newar marriage handbooks, it becomes evident that Newar marriage handbooks mention specific ritual elements that cannot be found in the Brahmanical-Sanskritic texts.—The Śrāddha rite is usually performed at the House of the Groom and is mentioned under the heading of “pre-marriage rituals”.

Dharmashastra book cover
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Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

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Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—A technical term for nounstems ending in आ (ā) in the feminine gender used in the Katantra Grammar; cf. आ श्रद्धा (ā śraddhā) Kat. II. 1.10.

Vyakarana book cover
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Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

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Vedanta (school of philosophy)

Source: Shodhganga: Siva Gita A Critical Study

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to “faith”.—Śraddhā is to believe in what you do not see and the reward is in seeing what you believed.

Vedanta book cover
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Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा):—Desire

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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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Gitashastra (science of music)

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

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to one of the Seven mūrcchanās belonging to gāndhāragrāma, 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.—The Mūrcchanās represent the “ascending (ārohaṇa) and the descending (avarohaṇa) movement of the seven svaras (i.e., the scale) in successive order”, according to the Saṃgītaratnākara. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa twenty-one types of mūrcchanās [e.g., śraddhā] are accepted and those are said to be related to seven svaras and are dependent on each of three grāmas.

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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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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा):—Sanskrit word meaning “faith”.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) is a Sanskrit term loosely translated as “faith”. It is important in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist literature and teachings. It can be associated with faith, trust, confidence, and loyalty. Sri Aurobindo describes Śraddhā as “the soul’s belief in the Divine’s existence, wisdom, power, love and grace.”

2) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) is a Sanskrit word which literally means ‘anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith (śraddhā)’. In the Hindu religion, it is the ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ‘ancestors’ (pitṛs), especially to one’s dead parents.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to one of ten constituents (dravya) of the thirty-seven auxiliaries to enlightenment (bodhipākṣika), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.—Accordingly, “these thirty-seven auxiliaries (bodhipākṣika) have ten things (dravya) as roots (mūla). Faith (śraddhā) constitutes: a. the faculty of faith (śraddhendriya); b. the power of faith (śraddhābala)”.

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to one of the twenty-two faculties (indriya), according to chapter 38. The word indriya, derived from the root id or ind, is synonymous with great power, with control. The twenty-two Dharmas in question [viz., śraddhā] have the characteristic of being dominant in regard to the living being (sattva) in that which concerns: his primary constitution, his distinctiveness, his duration, his moral defilement and his purification.

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

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) refers to “(the ability of) faith”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as the Lord said to Brahmā Prabhāvyūha: “[...] (11) Further, ‘the root of good’ is the entrance into the ability of faith (śraddhā-indriya), ‘merit’ is in accordance with vigour, recollection, and awareness, and ‘knowledge’ is the cultivation of concentration and insight. (12) Further, ‘the root of good’ is to be established in the five powers, ‘merit’ is to understand the limbs of awakening, and ‘knowledge’ is to know the entrance into the path. [...]”.

Source: WikiPedia: Mahayana Buddhism

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) (Tibetan: dad-pa) refers to “faith” (which is applied as an antidote for laziness), and represents one of the eight Pratipakṣa (“applications”) or Abhisaṃskāra (“applications”) (applied to overcome the five faults), according to Kamalaśīla and the Śrāvakabhūmi section of the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra.

Mahayana book cover
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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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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Śrāddhā (श्राद्धा) refers to one of the female Śrāvakas 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 Śrāddhā).

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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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General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to one of the fourty “conditions” (saṃskāra) that are “associated with mind” (citta-samprayukta) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 30). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., śraddhā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Śraddhā also refers to one of the “five faculties” (pañcendriya) as well as one of the “five strengths” (pañcabala) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 47-48), both forming part of the “thirty-seven things on the side of awakening” (bodhipākṣika-dharma).

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to the “four factors of faith” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 81):

  1. āryasatya (noble truths),
  2. triratna (three jewels),
  3. karma (deeds),
  4. karmaphala (deeds and fruit).

The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., śraddhā). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

3) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) also refers to one of the “eight practices for the abandoning of conditions” (saṃskāra) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 119).

Source: Shambala Publications: General

Shraddhā (śraddhā), Skt., lit., “belief, faith”; (Pali saddhā); the inner attitude of faith and devotion toward the Buddha and his teaching. Shraddhā is the basis of the first two elements of the eightfold path—perfect view and perfect resolve. In the Mahāyāna shraddhā plays an even more important role, being regarded as the virtue out of which all the others develop and which opens the door of liberation to even those who do not have the self-discipline to tread the path of meditation. In Buddhism, however, faith in the sense of “pure faith” of Christianity is out of place. Shraddhā consists rather in the conviction that grows in students through their own direct experience with the teaching; blind faith in the words of the Buddha and the master goes against the spirit of Buddhism, and the Buddha himself warned his followers against it.

Trust and belief in the Buddha Amitābha is nevertheless the principal factor in the practice of the Pure Land school, which is often described as a “Way of Faith.”       

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—What is meant by faith/trust (śraddhā)? Faith or trust is synonymous with firm belief (āsthā).

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

Śrāddha.—(CII 4), funeral rite. Note: śrāddha is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
context information

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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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—f (S) Reverence or veneration. 2 Implicit faith or belief. 3 (Cant.) Ventris crepitus. v sōḍa, kara, & sara, suṭa, hō.

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śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—n (S) A funeral ceremony observed at various fixed periods, consisting of offerings with water and fire to the gods and manes, and of gifts and food to the relations present and assisting Brahmans. It is especially performed for a parent recently deceased, or for three paternal ancestors, or for all ancestors collectively; and it is supposed to be necessary to secure the ascent and residence of the souls of the deceased in the world appropriated to the manes. There are many varieties of the mode of performing this ceremony; and many purposes or objects are specified. See A. R., vol. 7, p. 245, et seq.

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śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—a S Confiding, trusting, believing.

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

śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—f Reverence; implicit faith or belief.

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śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—n A funeral ceremony, an anni- versary.

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

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—3 U.

1) To confide, believe, put faith in (with acc. of thing); कः श्रद्धास्यति भूतार्थम् (kaḥ śraddhāsyati bhūtārtham) Mṛcchakaṭika 3.24; कामिन्यः श्रदधुरनार्जवं नरेषु (kāminyaḥ śradadhuranārjavaṃ nareṣu) Śiśupālavadha 8.11;9.69; Uttararāmacarita 7.6; श्रद्दधे त्रिदशगोप- मात्रके दाहशक्तिमिव कृष्णवर्त्मनि (śraddadhe tridaśagopa- mātrake dāhaśaktimiva kṛṣṇavartmani) R.11.42.

2) To consent, assent.

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Śraddha (श्रद्ध).—a. Believing, trusting.

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Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—

1) Trust, faith, belief, confidence.

2) Belief in divine revelation, religious faith; श्रद्धा वित्तं विधिश्चेति त्रितयं तत्समागतम् (śraddhā vittaṃ vidhiśceti tritayaṃ tatsamāgatam) Ś.7.29; R.2.16; अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगात् चलितमानसः (ayatiḥ śraddhayopeto yogāt calitamānasaḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 6.37;7.21;17.3.

3) Sedateness, composure of mind.

4) Intimacy, familiarity.

5) Respect, reverence.

6) Strong or vehement desire; तथापि वैचित्र्य- रहस्यलुब्धाः श्रद्धां विधास्यन्ति सचेतसोऽत्र (tathāpi vaicitrya- rahasyalubdhāḥ śraddhāṃ vidhāsyanti sacetaso'tra) Vikr.1.13; युद्धश्रद्धा- पुलकित इव प्राप्तसख्यः करेण (yuddhaśraddhā- pulakita iva prāptasakhyaḥ kareṇa) Mu.6.18.

7) The longing of a pregnant woman.

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—a. [śraddhā hetutvenāstyasya aṇ] Faithful, believing.

-ddham 1 A funeral rite or ceremony performed in honour of the departed spirits of dead relatives; श्रद्धया दीयते यस्मात्तस्माच्छ्राद्धं निगद्यते (śraddhayā dīyate yasmāttasmācchrāddhaṃ nigadyate); it is of three kinds:-नित्य, नैमित्तिक (nitya, naimittika), and काम्य (kāmya); यः संगतानि कुरुते मोहाच्छ्राद्धेन मानवः (yaḥ saṃgatāni kurute mohācchrāddhena mānavaḥ) Manusmṛti 3. 14.

2) An obsequial oblation, a gift or offering at a Śrāddha; विहाय शोकं धर्मात्मा ददौ श्राद्धमनुत्तमम् (vihāya śokaṃ dharmātmā dadau śrāddhamanuttamam) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 14.62. 1; सर्वं श्रद्धया दत्तं श्राद्धम् (sarvaṃ śraddhayā dattaṃ śrāddham) Pratimā 5.

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

Śraddha (श्रद्ध).—adj. (= śrāddha, q.v., and Pali saddha; Vedic śraddha, not Class. Sanskrit), believing: Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 36.10, mss. śraddhā or śraddhāḥ, KN em. śrāddhāḥ; WT śraddhā- prasannāḥ as [compound]; Avadāna-śataka i.83.8 (ms., ed. em. śrā°).

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Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—name of a devakumārikā in the northern [Page534-b+ 71] quarter, Lalitavistara 391.4 = Mahāvastu iii.309.9; one of four daughters of Indra, Mahāvastu ii.57.18 ff., see Āśā.

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—adj. (see also śraddha, a-śr°; in Sanskrit literature cited only from Hemacandra (Jain); = Pali saddha, believing, having true faith, and rarely in bad sense credulous, compare aśraddha), believing, having (true) faith, sometimes with loc. of what is believed in: Lalitavistara 238.21 yasmin śr° = Mahāvastu ii.118.9 and 119.16 yatra śr°; Divyāvadāna 305.27; Avadāna-śataka i.383.4 (also i.83.8 in text, but ms. śraddha); Sukhāvatīvyūha 99.11.

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

Śraddha (श्रद्ध).—nf.

(-ddhaṃ-ddhā) 1. Respect, reverence. 2. Wish, desire. 3. Faith, belief, confidence. 4. Purity. 5. Composure of mind. 6. Belief in divine revelation. E. śrat a particle implying belief, &c., dhā to hold or have, affs. aṅ and ṭāp .

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—mfn.

(-ddhaḥ-ddhā-ddhaṃ) Faithful, believing. n.

(-ddhaṃ) A funeral ceremony observed at various fixed periods and for different purposes, consisting of offerings with water and fire to the gods and manes, and gifts and food to the relations present and assisting Brahmans; it is especially performed for a present recently deceased, or for three paternal ancestors or for all ancestors collectively, and is supposed necessary to secure the ascent and residence of the souls of the deceased in a world appropriated to the manes, The following distributions of this ceremony are specified: the pārvaṇaṃ in honour of three ancestors, ekoddiṣṭaṃ of one, nityaṃ regular, naimittikaṃ occasionally, kāmyaṃ for the attainment of some particular object, āhnikaṃ daily, vṛddhiḥ for the obtaining of increase of prosperity, and sapiṇḍanaṃ in which the balls of meat offered to the deceased individually and collectively are blended together. There are many other kinds: those for a person recently deceased are one on the day after mourning expires, and twelve others in twelve successive months; one at the end of the third fortnight, one in the sixth month, and one in the twelfth, concluding with a Sapindana, on the anniversary of the person’s death; in general they are all performed in the course of the two or three first days, and the Shradd'ha for the deceased is only annually repeated. There is also a short of Shradd'ha performed daily during the days of mourning, usually ten, on which a funeral cake is presented, increasing one or more each day till ten cakes are offered. E. śraddhā faith, aṇ or ṇa aff. of possession or relation, as the abandonment or presentation of meat, &c., through faith of its efficacy, in behalf of the souls of the deceased.

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

Śraddha (श्रद्ध).—i. e. śrat-dhā, n., and f. dhā. 1. Faith, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 202 (f.); [Bhagavadgītā, (ed. Schlegel.)] 6, 37 (f.). 2. Trust, intimacy, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 285. 3. Respect, reverence, [Pañcatantra] 265, 15 (f.). 4. Purity. 5. Wish, hope, [Bhartṛhari, (ed. Bohlen.)] 1, 89.

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—i. e. śraddhā + a, I. adj. Faithful. Ii. n. I. A funeral ceremony and worship of the Manes, consisting of offerings to the gods and Manes, and gifts and food to the relations and assisting Brāhmaṇas, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 1, 112; 3, 81; 82; 204; [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 101. 2. Gifts given at the śrāddha, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 89, 1.

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

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—[adjective] trusting, faithful ([dative]).

— [feminine] ā trust, faith, belief in ([locative] or —°); fidelity, sincerity (also personif.); wish, desire, longing for ([locative], [accusative] [with] prati, infin., or —°); curiosity, whim, appetite.

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—1. [neuter] oblation to the Manes, funeral meal.

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—2. [feminine] ī faithful, pious; relating to a Śrāddha (cf. [preceding]).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—W. p. 324. 325. Oxf. 294^b. 295^a. Oudh. Xix, 22.
—Av. B. 1, 144.
—Sv. W. p. 79.
—Aṣṭakāpūrvaka. Oxf. 384^b.

2) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध):—on obsequies. Oudh. Xxi, 20. Xxii, 34. Stein 105.

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

1) Śraddha (श्रद्ध):—[=śrad-dha] [from śrad] mfn. having faith, believing in, trusting, faithful, having confidence, [Kāṭhaka; Taittirīya-saṃhitā]

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा):—[=śrad-dhā] [from śrad-dha > śrad] a f. See below

3) Śraddha (श्रद्ध):—[=śrad-dha] [from śrad] n. = śraddhā, [Horace H. Wilson]

4) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा):—[=śrad-√dhā] [from śrad] b [Parasmaipada] [Ātmanepada] -dadhāti, -dhatte ([present participle] śraddadhat, śrad-dadhāna; [Vedic or Veda] [infinitive mood] śraddhe cf. śrat above), to have faith or faithfulness, have belief or confidence, believe, be true or trustful (with na, ‘to disbelieve’ etc.), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.;

—to credit, think anything true (two [accusative]), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.;

—to believe or have faith in or be true to (with [dative case], and in later language with [genitive case] of thing or person, or with [locative case] of thing), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.;

—to expect anything ([accusative]) from ([ablative]), [Mahābhārata];

—to consent, assent to, approve, welcome (with [accusative]; with na, ‘to disapprove’), [Kathāsaritsāgara];

—to be desirous of ([accusative]), wish to ([infinitive mood]), [ib.; Bhāgavata-purāṇa] :

—[Causal] -dhāpayati, to make faithful, render trustful, inspire confidence, [Ṛg-veda x, 151, 5.]

5) [from śrad] c f. faith, trust, confidence, trustfulness, faithfulness, belief in ([locative case] or [compound]; śraddhayā-√gam, ‘to believe in’, with [genitive case] [Divyāvadāna]), trust, confidence, loyalty (Faith or Faithfulnesses is often personified and in [Ṛg-veda x, 151] invoked as a deity; in [Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa] she is the daughter of Prajā-pati, and in [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa] of the Sun; in [Mahābhārata] she is the daughter of Dakṣa and wife of Dharma; in [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa] she is the mother of Kāma, and in [Bhāgavata-purāṇa] the daughter of Kardama and wife of Aṅgiras or Manu), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

6) [v.s. ...] wish, desire (śraddhayā ind. ‘willingly, gladly’), longing for ([locative case] [accusative] with prati [infinitive mood], or [compound]), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

7) [v.s. ...] desire of eating, appetite, [Suśruta]

8) [v.s. ...] the longing of a pregnant woman, [Caraka]

9) [v.s. ...] curiosity (śraddhām ākhyāhi nas tāvat, ‘just satisfy our curiosity and tell us’), [Kathāsaritsāgara]

10) [v.s. ...] purity, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

11) [v.s. ...] respect, reverence, [Horace H. Wilson]

12) [v.s. ...] calmness or composure of mind, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]

13) [v.s. ...] intimacy, [ib.]

14) [v.s. ...] a term for the fem. nouns in ā, [Kātantra]

15) [v.s. ...] (with kāmāyanī) Name of the authoress of [Ṛg-veda x, 151] (cf. above)

16) [v.s. ...] [dual number] (with prajā-pateḥ) Name of two Sāmans, [Ārṣeya-brāhmaṇa]

17) d śrad-dadhāna etc. See p. 1095, col. 3.

18) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध):—mf(ī)n. ([from] śrad-dhā) faithful, true, loyal, believing, [Hemacandra’s Pariśiṣṭaparvan; Saddharma-puṇḍarīka] (cf. [Pāṇini 5-2, 101])

19) relating to a Śrāddha ceremony, [Catalogue(s)]

20) n. a ceremony in honour and for the benefit of dead relatives observed with great strictness at various fixed periods and on occasions of rejoicing as well as mourning by the surviving relatives (these ceremonies are performed by the daily offering of water and on stated occasions by the offering of Piṇḍas or balls of rice and meal [see piṇḍa] to three paternal and three maternal forefathers id est. to father, grandfather, and great grandfather; it should be borne in mind that a Śrāddha is not a funeral ceremony [antyeṣṭi] but a supplement to such a ceremony; it is an act of reverential homage to a deceased person performed by relatives, and is moreover supposed to supply the dead with strengthening nutriment after the performance of the previous funeral ceremonies has endowed them with ethereal bodies; indeed until those antyeṣṭi, or ‘funeral rites’ have been performed, and until the succeeding first Śrāddha has been celebrated the deceased relative is a preta or restless, wandering ghost, and has no real body [only a liṅga-śarīra q.v.]; it is not until the first Śrāddha has taken place that he attains a position among the Pitṛs or Divine Fathers in their blissful abode called Pitṛ-loka, and the Śr° is most desirable and efficacious when performed by a son; for a full description of the Śrāddha ceremonies See, [Religious Thought and Life in India 276, 304 etc.]), [Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.

21) gifts or offerings at a Śrāddha, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]

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

1) Śraddha (श्रद्ध):—[(ddhaṃ-ddhā)] 1. n. f. Respect, reverence; wish; faith; purity.

2) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध):—[(ddhaḥ-ddhā-ddhaṃ) n.] Funeral ceremony to the manes. a. Faithful.

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

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Saḍḍha, Saḍḍhā, Saddaha, Saddha, Saddhaḍa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Shraddha 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»] — Shraddha in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) [Also spelled sraddha]:—(nf) faith, veneration; reverence; ~[maya/yukta] see ~[vāna; ~rahita/śūnya/hīna] faithless, infidel; ~[hīnatā] infidelity, faithlessness.

2) Sraddha in Hindi refers in English to:—(nf) faith, veneration; reverence; ~[maya/yukta] see ~[vana; ~rahita/shunya/hina] faithless, infidel; ~[hinata] infidelity, faithlessness..—sraddha (श्रद्धा) is alternatively transliterated as Śraddhā.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Śrāddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ):—

1) [adjective] faithful; loyal.

2) [adjective] trusting; believing.

3) [adjective] relating to the annual ceremonies performed for a dead person.

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Śrāddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ):—

1) [noun] an annual ceremony in which oblations are given to a dead ancestor.

2) [noun] gen. any established or prescribed procedure for a religious or other rite.

context information

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

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