Sindura, Sindūra, Simdura: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Sindura 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.
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In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to either “red lead”, “mercury oxide” or “vermilion” (powdered mineral cinnabar). It is used in Ayurvedic literature such as the Rasaprakāśasudhākara (Sanskrit book on rasaśāstra, or ‘Indian medicinal alchemy’).
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to “vermilion”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] (6) The Wheel of the Command is between the eyebrows. It is a fire in the form of a Point. In the middle of it is the seed of power (śaktibīja), red like vermilion [i.e., sindūra-aruṇa-sannibha]. [...] (Perfect) contemplation (samādhi) is with (these) sixteen aspects and is (attained) within the form of the sixfold deposition (ṣoḍhānyāsa). He who knows this is (a veritable) Lord of Yogis, the others (who do not) are (just) quoting from books. Once attained the plane that is Void and Non-void, the yogi is freed from bondage”.
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to “(the hue of) vermillion”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] Her body is beautiful and bears the hue of vermillion (sindūra-sundaratanu). Its middle part is slim, [and] she is the repository of beauty. She is slightly bent like a young elephant because of her pitcher-like breasts, resembling the temples of a young elephant. Her eyes are moving and wide like those of a deer. She is moon-faced, her smiles are gentle, and she serves as the felicitous banner of the Love-god. [...]”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to “vermillion”, 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 10.7cd-17ab, while describing the worship of Bhairavī and Bhairava]—“[Bhairavī] has the appearance of vermillion or lac (lākṣā-sindūra-saprabhā). [She has] erect hair, a large body and is dreadful and very terrifying. [She has the medicinal plant] śatavārī, is five-faced, and adorned with three eyes. [Her hands bear] curved talons curved [She has] eyes like the hollow of a tree and wears a garland of severed heads. [Ten-]armed, like Bhairava [she also] bears Bhairava’s weapons [of an axe and hatched]. [...]”.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to “red powder” (applied to the head during the marriage ceremony), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.50 (“Description of fun and frolic”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] At the behest of the Brahmins, Śiva applied Red powder (sindūra) on the head of Pārvatī. The lustre of Pārvatī at that time was beyond description and very wondrous. Thereafter at the bidding of the Brahmins both sat on the same cushion and attained such a lustre as accentuated joy in the hearts of the devotees. O sage, then they returned to their apartment and, at my behest performed the rite of Saṃsrava Prāśana, of wonderful sportive nature that they were. [...]”.
Note: The printing of red lead on the head of the bride by the bridegroom is the most striking feature of the present day marriage ceremonies, nowhere mentioned in the Gṛhyasūtras. The later Paddhatis, however, refer to this custom. Cf. Gadādhara on P.G.S. 1.8.9.
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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) or “vermilion” refers to one of the materials used to make Colours in the ancient Indian tradition of 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, five colours are regarded as the primary ones, (viz., white, yellow, colour of vilomata, black, dark blue.). Various materials are seen to be used to make colours. e.g., sindūra (“vermilion”). A painter can create hundreds or thousands of colours by amalgamating the primary colours
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.
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to “applying of vermilion” 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 Sindūra rite is usually performed at the House of the Groom and is mentioned under the sub-heading of “other marriage rites”.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) refers to a “powder of red lead” (used in Pūjā), according to William Stablein’s A Descriptive Analysis of the Content of Nepalese Buddhist Pujas as a Medical-Cultural System (with References to Tibetan Parallels).—The tshog shin (sacred tree) is also mentally visualized.—In all pūjās above and to the right of the gurumaṇḍala there are bali [food offerings] and gojā (Newari) [rice cakes] included which have the function of attracting the protective divinities of dikpāla [space]. [...] A pot is filled with dadhipatra [curd] and set on a svastika drawn with the sindūra [powder of red lead] which stands for the four caturbrahmavihāra [holy dwellings], i.e., friendliness, detachment, joy, and compassion. The main flask should not be confused with the divine serpent flask (nagābandha).
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Sindūra (सिन्दूर).—Red lead (sindūra) was used in ancient paintings and its hue is light, used by western Indian painters. The colour was prepared by roasting white lead in open air till it attained deep colour. The nῑm gum was used as a medium with it.
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.
India history and geography
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) is the name of a member of the mahāparṣad (assembly) mentioned in the “Ciñcaṇī plate of the reign of Cittarāja”. Accordingly, “Now, while the Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, the illustrious Cāmuṇḍarāja, who, by his religious merit, has obtained the right to the five mahāśabdas... is governing Saṃyāna, he addresses all persons, whether connected with himself or others (such as Sindūra)...”.
This plate (mentioning Sindūra) was found together with eight others at Chincaṇī in the Ḍahāṇu tāluka of the Ṭhāṇā District, North Koṅkaṇ, in 1955. The object of the inscription is to record the grant, by Cāmuṇḍarāja, of a ghāṇaka (oil-mill) in favour of the temple Kautuka-maṭhikā of the goddess Bhagavatī at Saṃyāna. The gift was made by pouring out water on the hand of the Svādhyāyika (scholar) Vīhaḍa, on the fifteenth tithi of the dark fortnight (i.e. amāvāsyā) of Bhādrapada in the śaka year 956.
Sindūra.—(IA 19), corruption of sindhura, an elephant. Note: sindūra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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
Pali-English dictionary
sindūra : (m.) red arsenic.
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.
Marathi-English dictionary
sindūra (सिंदूर).—m n (S Popularly śēndūra) Red lead, minium.
sindura (सिंदुर).—m n Red lead.
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
Sindūra (सिन्दूर).—[syand-uran saṃprasāraṇam Uṇādi-sūtra 1.68] A kind of tree.
-ram Red lead; स्वयं सिन्दूरेण द्विपरणमुदा मुद्रित इव (svayaṃ sindūreṇa dviparaṇamudā mudrita iva) Gītagovinda 11; N.22.45.
Derivable forms: sindūraḥ (सिन्दूरः).
Sindūra (सिन्दूर).—n.
(-raṃ) Red lead, minium. m.
(-raḥ) A sort of tree. f. (-rī) 1. Red cloth or clothes. 2. Rochani, (a sort of Crinum.) 3. A plant, (Lythrum fruticosum.) E. syanda to ooze, Unadi aff. ūran; also sindura
Sindūra (सिन्दूर).— (vb. syand ?), I. m. A sort of tree. Ii. f. rī. 1. Red clothes. 2. The name of two plants. Iii. n. Red lead, minium, [Ṛtusaṃhāra] 1, 24; [Kathāsaritsāgara, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 23, 78 (red colour).
Sindūra (सिन्दूर).—[neuter] red lead, minium.
1) Sindūra (सिन्दूर):—m. ([according to] to [Uṇādi-sūtra i, 69], [from] √syand) a sort of tree, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) a proper Name [Catalogue(s)]
3) n. red lead, minium, vermilion, [Kāvya literature; Kathāsaritsāgara] etc.
4) (= rakta-śāsana, rāja-lekha, and rāja-lekhitadakṣiṇa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.])
Sindūra (सिन्दूर):—(raṃ) 1. n. Red lead. m. Sort of tree. f. (ī) Red clothes; a sort of crinum.
Sindūra (सिन्दूर):—[Uṇādisūtra 1, 69.]
1) m. a) ein best. Baum [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha 3, 618. fg.] [Medinīkoṣa r. 237.] [VIŚVA][PR.] bei [UJJVAL.] — b) n. pr. [Oxforder Handschriften 79,a,14. 19.] —
2) f. ī = raktacelikā, rocanī (rocanā) und dhātakī [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] [VIŚVA][PR. a. a. O.] = sindūrapuṣpī [Rājanirghaṇṭa 10, 73.] —
3) n. [Amarakoṣa 3, 6, 3, 31.] a) Mennig [Amarakoṣa 2, 9, 105.] [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 9, 33.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1061.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] (raktacū st. raratnacū zu lesen). [Hārāvalī 44.] [VIŚVA][PR. a. a. O.] [Rājanirghaṇṭa 13,52.] [Ṛtusaṃhāra.1,24.] [morgenländischen Gesellschaft 27,34.] [Gītagovinda.4,23. 11,34.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 12,169. 18,122. 19,68. 23,78. 24,1. 35,112. 44,1. 149. 54,77. 57,1. 72,7.] [Naiṣadhacarita 22,45.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī.1,453.] [Caurapañcāśikā.16.] [Prabodhacandrodaja 81,9. 85,6.] [PAÑCAR.1,4,58. 11,13. 35. 14,61.2,4,40. fg.] [Oxforder Handschriften 103,a,24. 121,b, No. 214.] [WILSON, Sel. Works 2,300.] — b) = rājalekha [VIŚVA][PR. a. a. O.] = rājalekhitadakṣiṇa [DHARAṆĪ] [?(nach AUFRECHT).] = raktaśāsana (schwerlich Mennig, wie unter dem Worte angegeben worden ist; vielleicht fehlerhaft für rājaśāsana) [Hārāvalī 175.]
Sindūra (सिन्दूर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Siṃdūra.
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
Siṃdūra (सिंदूर) [Also spelled sindur]:—(nm) vermilion; symbol of an Indian woman’s happy state of enjoying coverture (husband’s protection); ~[dāna] a case for storing vermilion; putting vermilion mark on the head of a bride for the first time (at the time of wedding); —[ujaḍanā/luṭanā] (said in respect of a woman) to lose coverture, to be deprived of husband’s protection; husband to pass away.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Siṃdūra (सिंदूर) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Sindūra.
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Siṃdura (ಸಿಂದುರ):—[noun] = ಸಿಂಧೂರ [simdhura]1.
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Siṃdura (ಸಿಂದುರ):—[noun] = ಸಿಂಧುರ [simdhura].
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Siṃdura (ಸಿಂದುರ):—[noun] = ಸಿಂಧುವಾರ [simdhuvara].
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Siṃdūra (ಸಿಂದೂರ):—[noun] = ಸಿಂಧೂರ [simdhura]1.
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Siṃdūra (ಸಿಂದೂರ):—[noun] = ಸಿಂಧುರ [simdhura].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Siṃdura (सिंदुर):—[=सिँदुर] n. vermilion; lead powder;
Sindūra (सिन्दूर):—n. 1. red lead; vermilion; 2. dignity of the government official; 3. service;
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+9): Simdurambore, Sindura-dana, Sindura-dani, Sindura-halnu, Sindura-lagaunu, Sindura-puchinu, Sindura-yatra, Sindurabha, Sindurabhushana, Sindurabindu, Sinduradi, Sinduraditaila, Sinduraditaila, Sinduradya, Sinduradya, Sinduradyataila, Sinduradyataila, Sindurakarana, Sinduranirgama, Sinduraprakara.
Full-text (+66): Rasasindura, Sinduratilaka, Sindurakarana, Sindurapushpi, Sinduraprakara, Sindurarasa, Shen tou luo, Simdura-jatra, Sinduraruna, Sindura-dani, Sindura-lagaunu, Sinduranirgama, Sindura-puchinu, Sindura-halnu, Sindura-yatra, Sinduravarna, Svarnasindura, Sindura-dana, Sindur-jatra, Sindurika.
Relevant text
Search found 73 books and stories containing Sindura, Simdura, Siṃdūra, Siṃdura, Sindūra; (plurals include: Sinduras, Simduras, Siṃdūras, Siṃduras, Sindūras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 267 < [Hindi-Malayalam-English Volume 3]
Page 270 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 3]
Page 270 < [Hindi-Gujarati-English Volume 3]
Research in progress < [Volume 1 (issue 4), Apr-Jun 1982]
Mercurial, metallic, and mineral remedies for alimentary ailments. < [Volume 4 (issue 1), Jul-Sep 1984]
Post-surgical management of pontine hemorrhage with Ayurvedic treatment < [Volume 32 (issue 4), Apr-Jun 2013]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
An overview of kupipakava kalpana < [2017, Issue IX, September]
Qualitative analysis of mrigankarasa employing namburi phased spot test < [2022, Issue 09 September]
Rasa sindura yoga: a panacea for urinary tract infections < [2024, Issue 05, May]
Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture) (by Bhagyashree Sarma)
6. Materials for Colours Used in Painting < [Chapter 5 - Painting and Image Making]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.19.20 < [Chapter 19 - The Festival on Śrī Kṛṣṇa Return]
Verse 2.9.26 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Verses 4.14.19-20 < [Chapter 14 - The Story of the Jālandharīs]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Analysis of Vajra Kandi Chenduram for safety and COVID-19 benefits. < [2020: Volume 9, May issue 5]
Pharmaceutico - analytical study of soma yoga < [2017: Volume 6, August special issue 9]
A review on kupipakwa rasayana in the management of dyspnoea < [2022: Volume 11, October special issue 14]