Simhasana, Simha-asana, Siṃhāsana: 27 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Shilpashastra
2. Yoga
3. Purana
4. Shaivism
5. Shaktism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
2. Tibetan Buddhism
India history
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
5. Nepali
See also
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Introduction:

Simhasana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Sinhasan.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Google Books: Elements of Hindu iconography

In the Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) the legs are crossed as in the kūrmāsana; and the palms of the hands, with the fingers kept stretched out, rest supinely upon the thigh, while the mouth is kept open and the eyes are fixed upon the tip of the nose.

When used as a pītha (seat or pedestal), this Āsana should be used as the seat for the image when it has to be bathed, according to the Suprabhedāgama. According to the Candrajñānāgama, the seat is of a rectangular shape. The siṃhāsana is a four legged seat, circular or rectangular in shape and one hasta or cubit in height. The four legs of this seat are made up of four small lions.

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

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to a type of Āsana (sitting poses), according to Ganapati Sthapati in his text Ciṟpa Cennūl, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—In the siṃhāsana the legs are crossed as in the kurmāsana; the palms of the hands, with the fingers kept stretched out, rest supinely upon the thigh, while the mouth is kept open and the eyes are fixed upon the tip of the nose.

According to T. A. G. Rao in his text ‘Elements of Hindu Iconography’, Siṃhāsana is a rectangular seat and should be used as the seat for the image when it has to be bathed. Rao describes four types of āsanas or pīṭhas, viz., bhadrapīṭha (bhadrāsana), kūrmāsana, pretāsana and siṃhāsana. The height of the first is divided into 16 parts, of which one forms the thickness of the upana or the basal layer; four, of the jagati or the next higher layer; three, of the kumuda; one, of the pattika; three, of the kantha; one, of the second pattika; two, of the broader mahāpattika; and one, of the ghṛtavari, the top-most layer. Siṃhāsana is a four legged seat usually rectangular in shape; its legs are carved in the shape of four lions.

According to the Tamil work Saivasamayaneri, siṃhāsana is a four–legged seat usually rectangular in shape; its legs are carved in the shape of four lions, thereby laying special stress on its name.

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Yoga

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) is one of the eighty-four āsanas (postures) taught by Śiva, according to the Haṭharatnāvalī 3.7-20. It is said that Ādinātha (Śiva) hand-picked 84 yoga postures from 84,00,000 living beings and taught them for the purpose of introducing physical health and well-being to the human body. The compound siṃhāsana translates to siṃha (lion) and āsana (posture).

The 17th-century Haṭharatnāvalī is a Sanskrit reference book dealing with these āsanas (e.g., siṃhāsana) which form a major constituent of the haṭhayoga practice. It was written by Śrīnivāsa.

Source: Google Books: The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to an āsana (posture) taught by Śiva. It is one of the first four out of 84 total, thus one of the most essential, according to Haṭhayogapradīpikā I.52-54.—Accordingly, “Press the heels on both sides of the seam of Perineum, in such a way that the left heel touches the right side and the right heel touches the left side of it. Place the hands on the thighs, with stretched fingers, and keeping the mouth open and the mind collected, gaze on the tip of the nose. This is siṃhāsana, held sacred by the best of yogīs. This excellent āsana effects the completion of the three Bandhas (The mūla-bandha, kaṇṭha-bandha or jālandhara-bandha and uḍḍiyāna-bandha)”.

The 15th-century Haṭhayogapradīpikā by Svātmārāma is one of the oldest extant texts dealing with haṭhayoga: an ancient form of meditation founded by Matsyendranātha. The first chapter of this book describes various āsanas (e.g., siṃha-āsana).

Source: archive.org: Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) is a type of standing posture (āsana), according to verse 76 of the Śrītattvanidhi.—Accordingly, “Place the left ankle on the right side of the perineum and the right ankle on the left side. Place the hands with extended fingers on the knees and gaze at the tip of the nose with the mouth open. This is siṃhāsana, the lion”.

The 19th-century Śrītattvanidhi is a sanskrit treatise describing 80 primary āsanas, or ‘posture’ (e.g., siṃha-āsana) and several additional ones.

This name occurs in Iyengar but a different āsana is shown under that name. Haṭhapradīpikā II.50-52 and Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā II.14-15 describe a siṃhāsana almost identical to this. First Steps to Higher Yoga has a similar āsana. The name is found in the Mallapurāṇa list.

Source: archive.org: Gheranda Samhita

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) is one of the thirty-two āsanas (postures) taught in the second chapter of the Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā: “One should place the two ankles kept upwards crosswise under the scrotum, front part of the head of tibia on the ground, hands on the knees, open the mouth, adopt Jālandhara-bandha and fix the gaze on the tip of the nose. This is Siṃhāsana, the destroyer of all diseases”.

Siṃhāsana is one of the selected 32 postures amongs 8,400,000 total mentioned by Śiva, according to Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā 2.1-2, “In all, there are as many Āsanas as species of animals. Eighty-four lacs of them are mentioned by Śiva. Out of them, 84 are regarded as important and among these 84, again 32 are good (enough) in this world of mortal beings”.

The 17th-century Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā (mentioning siṃha-āsana) is one of the three classic texts of Haṭha-yoga: a major branch of Yoga, sharing similarities with the Yoga system taught by Patañjali, though claiming its own mythical founder known as Matsyendranātha. This gheraṇḍa-saṃhitā is an encyclopedic Sanskrit treatise describing thirty two such āsanas.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to “Śiva’s throne”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.25. Accordingly as Rāma narrated to Satī:—“[...] O Goddess, formerly once, Śiva, the creator supreme, called Viśvakarman to His highest region. He made him erect a large hall of great beauty in His cowshed, and an exquisite throne (siṃhāsana) there”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—The lion throne for kings;¹ of Devī which was placed in the Sabhā;² of the Pāṇḍavas; Mārkaṇḍeya seated by Yudhiṣṭhira on;³ of Tāraka Asura.⁴

1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 26. 21.
2) Ib. IV. 14. 12.
3) Matsya-purāṇa 103. 18.
4) Ib. 148. 29;

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) is one of five pedestals that makes up the Śivāsana, unto which Śiva is installed and invoked during the ritualistic process of śivārcana, according to the Sakalāgamasāra-saṃgraha. In the process of invocation (āvāhana) Lord Śiva is contemplated as seated on Yogāsana: “in the process of holy bath (abhiṣeka) he is contemplated as seated on siṃhāsna”. This particular āsana is associated with the shape of a square and is connected with the element Water.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to a “lion-seat”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 10.1-7ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Bhairava]—“[...] He [is] mounted on a lion (siṃhāsana-padārūḍha), wears a snake garland, bears a mālā, and begging bowl. [He has] a torn mouth from [which he emits] a great roar. [His body is] covered by a cloth of elephant skin, a flower crown, [and] the moon. [Bhairava] holds a skull-topped staff and skull bowl. [...] Having worshipped Bhairava, [the Mantrin] remembers being joined in union [with] him, [in the same way as] dissolution in fire”.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to “thrones” (of the body onto which the energies of the letters of the Mālinī alphabet are projected), according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, which is an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—The Goddess blesses the resident goddess (i.e., Yoginī) and Siddha to have sons and daughters who, produced at her instigation, are considered to be her “mind-born” progeny. [...] The Kubjikāmatatantra says that the sons are “kings of the thrones” (siṃhāsana-adhipa) just as the daughters are said to be “queens”. According to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā these thrones are the parts of the body onto which the energies of the letters of the Mālinī alphabet are projected. There we read: The kings of the thrones are created in association with the fifty (letters). All that (body) is garlanded (mālita) with them and is conjoined with the energies of Mālinī (the “Garlanded One”). The places within the body are (denoted) by the word ‘lion’ and the ‘kings’ are the kings of the thrones (siṃhāsana—lit. “lion seats”) associated with series of Mālinī and the other (alphabets).

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन, “lion-seat”).—What is this siṃhāsana? The lion in question is not a real lion but, since the Buddha is a lion among men (puruṣasiṃha), the seat where he sits down, whether it be on a bed (āsana) or on the ground (bhūmi), is called the ‘lion’s seat’. In the same way, even today the seat where the king is enthroned is called a lion’s seat, the chief who commands warriors is called a lion-man (puruṣasiṃha) and people call the king of the land puruṣasiṃha.

Although according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra the lion-seat should be understood in a symbolic sense as the seat of the lion-man (puruṣasiṃha), the Buddha is sometimes represented seated on a siṃhāsana, ‘a throne supported by lions’.

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

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to the “lion’s throne”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “The great vehicle (mahāyāna) is made with four wheels (cakra), namely with the means of attraction, the spokes (ara) are well fitted as the roots of good have been transformed with intention, [...] it is applied with practical knowledge and wisdom (vidyājñāna), it is driven by an autopilot, all buddhas in ten directions think of it, it is well adorned with a lion’s throne (siṃhāsana), is praised by all the gods (deva), the king of the gods (śakra), and the highest god (brahman), has good visual form that one never be satisfied with looking at (atṛpta-darśana), is beautiful to behold (darśanīya), [...]”.

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.

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) refers to “sitting on a lion”, 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.—Accordingly, “Vairocana Buddha in the middle, Akṣyobhya abiding eastward, Amitābha in the west, and Ratnasaṃbhava in the south, Also Amoghasiddhi in the north, the permanent five Tathāgata, White, dark blue (and) yellow, one of the reds, (and) dark green, Going, sitting on a lion [e.g., siṃhāsana], elephant, horse, peacock, (and) an eagle, Five syllables arising together, Pañca Buddha, I give homage”.

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.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Siṃha-asana.—(EI 29), literally, ‘the lion-seat’; the throne which was one of the royal insignia. Cf. siṃha-sthāna. Note: siṃha-asana is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—n (S siṃha & āsana. A seat supported by lions wrought in gold, marble &c.) A throne.

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

siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—n A throne.

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.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—a throne, a seat of honour.

-naḥ a particular mode of sexual enjoyment.

Derivable forms: siṃhāsanam (सिंहासनम्).

Siṃhāsana is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms siṃha and āsana (आसन).

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

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—n.

(-naṃ) A throne. m.

(-naḥ) A kind of coitus thus defined:— “svajaṅghādvayabāhu ca kṛtvā yoṣāpadadvaye . stanau dhṛtvā ramet kāmī bandhaḥ sihāsanā mataḥ ..” E. siṃha a lion, (supported by lions, &c. wrought in gold,) and āsana a seat.

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

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—n. a throne.

Siṃhāsana is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms siṃha and āsana (आसन).

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

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन).—[neuter] lion-seat i.e. throne.

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

1) Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन):—[from siṃha] n. ‘lion’s-seat’, ‘king’s seat’, ‘a throne’ [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] a [particular] sedent posture, [Catalogue(s)]

3) [v.s. ...] m. a kind of sexual union, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन):—[siṃhā+sana] (naṃ) 1. n. A throne.

[Sanskrit to German]

Simhasana 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन) [Also spelled sinhasan]:—(nm) a throne; —[para baiṭhanā] to ascend the throne; —[se utāranā] to dethrone.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Siṃhāsana (ಸಿಂಹಾಸನ):—

1) [noun] the chair or seat occupied by a sovereign on ceremonial occasion; a throne.

2) [noun] (yoga.) a yogic posture of sitting on the ground with legs folded back, knees brought together,arms are stretched straight on the respective knees, fingers are stretched apart, mouth wide opened with tongue stretched out to the maximum, with the eyes concentrating on the middle of the eyebrows.

context information

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

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Siṃhāsana (सिंहासन):—n. throne; lion's seat;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

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Search found 53 books and stories containing Simhasana, Simha-asana, Siṃhāsana, Siṃha-āsana, Siṃha-asana, Simhāsana; (plurals include: Simhasanas, asanas, Siṃhāsanas, āsanas, Simhāsanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verses 8.10.20-21 < [Chapter 10 - The Paddhati and Paṭala of Lord Balarāma]

Verse 5.7.7 < [Chapter 7 - The Killing of Kuvalayāpīḍa]

Verse 1.2.51 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Abode of Śrī Goloka]

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Verse 2.4.64-65 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]

Verse 2.2.13 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]

Verse 1.1.38-39 < [Chapter 1 - Bhauma (the earthly plane)]

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37. Household appliances (in ancient India) < [Chapter 3 - Social Conditions]

4. Royal Insignia (such as parasol and camara) < [Chapter 2 - Political conditions]

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Chapter I - On Āsanas