Sira, Sīra, Sirā, Śira, Shira: 16 definitions
Introduction
Sira means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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 Śira can be transliterated into English as Sira or Shira, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Dhanurveda (science of warfare)
Source: Wisdom Library: DhanurvedaSīra (सीर) refers to a “plough”. It is a Sanskrit word defined in the Dhanurveda-saṃhitā, which contains a list of no less than 117 weapons. The Dhanurveda-saṃhitā is said to have been composed by the sage Vasiṣṭha, who in turn transmitted it trough a tradition of sages, which can eventually be traced to Śiva and Brahmā.
Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेद) refers to the “knowledge of warfare” and, as an upaveda, is associated with the Ṛgveda. It contains instructions on warfare, archery and ancient Indian martial arts, dating back to the 2nd-3rd millennium BCE.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu1) Śirā (शिरा) refers to “fibrous roots” (of trees or plants), as mentioned in a list of five synonyms in the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil, mountains, jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees [viz., Śirā] and plants and substances, with their various kinds.
2) Śira (शिर) refers to the “end part” of a tree or a creeper , as mentioned in a list of four synonyms, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) verse 32.
Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany1) Śira (शिर) is a Sanskrit technical term, referring to the “brain”. The term is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Suśruta-saṃhitā and the Caraka-saṃhitā.
2) Sirā (सिरा) is a Sanskrit technical term, referring to “blood vessels” and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Carakasaṃhitā and the Suśrutasaṃhitā.
Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume IIThe Sanskrita term Sirā (सिरा) denotes veins, nerves, arteries and lymphatic vessels as well. Some read Śirā-varna (different colours of the Sirās) in lieu of Sirā-varnana (description of Sirās).
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: Wisdom Library: HinduismSirā is a medical term used in Ayurveda meaning "veins".
India history and geogprahy
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossarySīrā.—(IA 18), a land measure equal to four halas. See hala. Note: sīrā 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 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
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarysira : (m.; nt.) (mano-group) the head. || sirā (f.) a tendon; vein.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionarySira, (nt. and m.) (cp. Vedic śiras, śīan; Av. sarō, Gr. karaρa head, kέras horn, krani/on; Lat. cerebrum; Ohg. hirni brain) head, Nom. siraṃ Th. 2, 255, Acc. siraṃ A. I, 141; siro Sn. 768; sirasaṃ J. V, 434; Instr. sirasā Vin. I, 4; D. I, 126; Sn. 1027; Loc. sirasmiṃ M. I, 32; sire DA. I, 97; in compounds siro- A. I, 138.—sirasā paṭiggaṇhāti to accept with reverence J. I, 65; pādesu sirasā nipatati to bow one’s head to another’s feet, to salute respectfully Vin. I, 4, 34; Sn. p. 15, p. 101. siraṃ muñcati to loosen the hair J. V, 434; cp. I. 47; mutta° with loose hair KhA 120=Vism. 415; adho-siraṃ with bowed head, head down A. I, 141; IV, 133; J. VI, 298; cp. avaṃ°; dvedhā° with broken head J. V, 206; muṇḍa° a shaven head DhA. II, 125. (Page 711)
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Sirā, (Sk. sirā) (f.) a bloodvessel, vein Mhvs 37, 136; nerve, tendon, gut J. V, 344, 364; °-jāla the network of veins J. V, 69; PvA. 68. (Page 711)
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Sīra, (Vedic sīra) plough ThA. 270 (=naṅgala). (Page 712)
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
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśira (शिर).—n (S) The head. 2 The crop or top of a tree. 3 The van of an army. 4 śira or śīra is used, like the word rāsa q. v., in the sense A head or an individual, in expressing the number of a body of horses; as ghōḍā śīra cāra. śira surī tujhyā hātīṃ (My &c.) life awaits your disposal. śira hātāvara ghēṇēṃ To take one's head in one's hand; to be heroically daring: also to be reckless of life. See Judges xii. 3; 1 Sam. xix. 5, xxviii. 21. śirātōrā or śirāturā asaṇēṃ g. of s. To possess superiority over or in. śirāṃ tōrā or -turā lāvaṇēṃ -dākhaviṇēṃ -miraviṇēṃ To put a plume upon one's head. Hence To assert superiority or preeminence. śirīṃ On the head of, i. e. at the very moment of; as lagnācyā śirīṃ, prasaṅgācyā śirīṃ kāmācyā śirīṃ. śirīṃ asaṇēṃ To be at or over (as a protector or keeper of) the head of. See 1 Sam. xxviii. 2. Ex. śirīṃ asatāṃ paṇḍharīnātha || cintā kimapi na karāvī ||.
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śira (शिर).—ind The sound uttered in driving off a cat.
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śirā (शिरा).—f (S) Any vessel of the body really, or supposed to be, tubular; as an artery or a vein, a nerve, a tendon or sinew, a muscle or fibre, a bowel or gut. See the popular form śīra.
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śirā (शिरा).—m ( P) Sirup, sugar boiling in order to be candied: also juice of fruits, essence of herbs, roots &c. obtained by decoction, a vegetable extract. rob. 2 A certain sweetmeat.
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śirā (शिरा).—m ( H Extremity or end.) The border or boundary (of a field, village, hill &c.)
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śirā (शिरा).—a ind Excellent, capital, fine, superior, superlatively good. A very popular word.
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śīra (शीर).—f (śirā S) A vein or an artery: also a muscle or fibre: any vessel of the body (really or as supposed to be) tubular; a nerve, a tendon or sinew, a bowel or gut. 2 A vein or fibre (of a leaf, cocoanut, or other fruit): also a streak resembling it in wood or stone: also, hence, the edge of a plank, post, or piece of timber. śirā ghēṇēṃ To undergo venesection. śirā or śīra ghēṇēṃ -kāḍhaṇēṃ -tōḍaṇēṃ -dēṇēṃ To open veins or a vein; to perform venesection. śirā tānaṇēṃ or śirā tānūna ōraḍaṇēṃ -bōlaṇēṃ -bhāṇḍaṇēṃ -raḍaṇēṃ -vāda karaṇēṃ &c. To call -speak -quarrel or dispute -cry or wail -argue &c. loudly or with vehement straining or effort. śirā or śīra tōḍaṇēṃ To hough or hamstring (a horse &c.) śirā nighaṇēṃ g. of s. To have one's veins standing out conspicuously; i. e. to be lean and gaunt. śirā phugaviṇēṃ To puff and pout (in high dudgeon or anger). śīra phuṭaṇēṃ in. con., as mhaśīlā, gāyīlā, ghōḍīlā, bāyakōlā, To have one's milk set a flowing. 2 (as ghōḍyālā, pōrālā) To begin to grow vigorously.
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śīra (शीर).—f n C A platted half-branch of a Cocoanut.
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śīra (शीर).—n (śira S through H) The head. Pr. śīra salāmata tō pagaḍyā pacāsa. For phrases and compounds see under śira. Note. The compounds śīrakhaṇḍa, śīragōmī, śīraṭōpa, śīraphōḍyā &c., as compounded with śīra, should be written thus and be inserted in order here, but, as popularly confounded with the compounds with śira S and with P, and therefore ordinarily written śira- khaṇḍa, śiragōmī &c., they appear so written and in order under śira.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishśira (शिर).—n The head. The top of a tree. The van of an army. śira surī tujhyā hātī (My, &c.) life awaits your disposal. śira hātāṃvara ghēṇēṃ. Take one's head in one's hand; be reckless of life. śirīṃ On the head of, i. e. at the very moment of. Ex. prasaṅgācyā śirīṃ. śirī asaṇēṃ Be at or over the head of.
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śirā (शिरा).—m Syrup. A sweetmeat. f A vein. a Excellent.
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śīra (शीर).—n The head. f A vein. A fibre. śirā ghēṇēṃ Undergo venesection. śirā ghēṇēṃ-kāḍhaṇēṃ Perform venesection. śirā tāṇaṇēṃ or śirā tāṇūna ōraḍaṇēṃ-bōlaṇēṃ-bhāṇḍaṇēṃ Call, speak, quarrel or dispute loudly or with vehement straining or effort. śirā phugaviṇēṃ To puff and pout (in anger).
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-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryŚira (शिर).—1 The head.
2) The root of the pepper plant (m. also according to some, in these senses).
-raḥ 1 A bed.
2) A large serpent.
Derivable forms: śiram (शिरम्).
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Śirā (शिरा).—Any tublar vessel of the body, a nerve, vein, artery, blood-vessel.
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Śīra (शीर).—[śīṅ-rak Uṇ.2.13] A large snake; see सीर (sīra) also.
Derivable forms: śīraḥ (शीरः).
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Sira (सिर).—The root of long pepper.
Derivable forms: siraḥ (सिरः).
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Sirā (सिरा).—
1) Any tubular vessel of the body (as a vein, artery, nerve &c.).
2) A bucket, baling vessel.
3) Ved. A stream; त्वं वृत्रमाशयानं सिरासु महो वज्रेण सिष्वपो वराहुम् (tvaṃ vṛtramāśayānaṃ sirāsu maho vajreṇa siṣvapo varāhum) Ṛ.v.1.121.11.
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Sīra (सीर).—[si-rak pṛṣo° Uṇ.2.25]
1) A plough; सीरभेदैः कृषिः प्रोक्ता मन्वाद्यैर्ब्राह्मणादिषु (sīrabhedaiḥ kṛṣiḥ proktā manvādyairbrāhmaṇādiṣu) Śukra.4.26; सद्यः सीरोत्कषण- सुरभि क्षेत्रमारुह्य मालम् (sadyaḥ sīrotkaṣaṇa- surabhi kṣetramāruhya mālam) Me.16.
2) The sun.
3) The Arka plant.
Derivable forms: sīraḥ (सीरः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionarySīra (सीर).—[, n. pl. sīrāḥ, error for sītāḥ, furrows, to Sanskrit sītā: (sa yadaikaṃ) halasīraṃ (q.v.) kṛṣati tadā sapta sīrāḥ (read sītāḥ) kṛṣṭā bhavanti Divyāvadāna 124.7, and similarly 134.7, when he drew (plowed with) a single plow(-share), then seven furrows were plowed (by magic power). Proved by Pali Vin. i.240.18—19 ekena naṅgalena kasantassa satta sītāyo gacchanti.Corruption due to preceding (hala-) sīraṃ.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryŚira (शिर).—n.
(-raṃ) 1. The head. 2. The root of the pepper plant. f.
(-rā) Any vessel of the body, really or supposed to be, of a tubular form, as a nerve, a tendon, a gut, &c. m.
(-raḥ) 1. A bed. 2. A large serpent. E. śṝ to injure, ka aff.: see śiras .
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Śīra (शीर).—m.
(-raḥ) A large snake, (Boa constrictor.) 2. A plough. E. śī to sleep, rak Unadi aff.
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Sira (सिर).—m.
(-raḥ) The root of long-pepper. f.
(-rā) 1. Any tubular vessel of the body, or one so considered, as a nerve, a vein, an artery, a tendon, &c. 2. A bucket. E. ṣi to bind, aff. rak, form irr.; also śira .
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Sīra (सीर).—m.
(-raḥ) 1. A plough. 2. The sun. 3. The Arka plant. E. ṣi to bind, Unadi aff. ran, and the vowel made long; also śīra .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Śira (शिर):—[from śiras] 1. śira m. = śiras, the head, [Mahābhārata; Pañcarātra] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] the root of Piper Longum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] ([varia lectio] sira)
3) [v.s. ...] Betula Bhojpatra, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] a Boa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) [v.s. ...] a bed, couch, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [from śiras] 2. śira in [compound] for śiras.
7) Śirā (शिरा):—śirāla See sirā, sirāla.
8) Śīra (शीर):—1. śīra mfn. ([from] √śo) pointed, sharp, [Ṛg-veda]
9) m. a large snake, the Boa Constrictor, [Pañcatantra]
10) 2. śīra śīra-deva etc. See sīra.
11) Sira (सिर):—m. = śira1, the root of Piper Longum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) Sirā (सिरा):—f. ([from] √sṛ) a stream, water, [Ṛg-veda i, 121] (cf. [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska i, 12]; often written śirā)
13) any tubular vessel of the body, a nerve, vein, artery, tendon etc., [Suśruta; Yājñavalkya; Mahābhārata] etc.
14) a vein-like channel or narrow stream of river water, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
15) lines which cross each other like veins, [ib.]
16) a bucket, baling-vessel, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
17) Sīra (सीर):—mn. (for derivation See sītā) a plough, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
18) m. an ox for ploughing, draught-ox, [Kauśika-sūtra]
19) the sun, [Nirukta, by Yāska ix, 40]
20) Calotropis Gigantea, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+143): Shira Khajura, Shirabhari, Shiracashma, Shiraccheda, Shirada, Shiradakhora, Shiradala, Shiradali, Shiradavinem, Shiradem, Shiradhvaja, Shiradi, Shiradi Khapati, Shiragata, Shiraghosali, Shiragira, Shiragola, Shiragomi, Shirah, Shirah-pradhanin.
Ends with (+131): Adabashira, Adhashshira, Adhosira, Adishishira, Agnishira, Aindrashira, Ajakshira, Allasira, Anantashira, Anaushira, Anubhavashira, Appakasira, Aramashira, Ashira, Ashishira, Ashvashira, Astikshira, Asushira, Aushira, Avamsira.
Full-text (+438): Shiras, Mrigashira, Saptashira, Shiroruh, Shirala, Shiraja, Shiramoksha, Siravyadha, Shirapatra, Shirastra, Trishiras, Siravahaka, Unnatashiras, Sirin, Shiropanishad, Sirotpata, Sirajala, Shiradhvaja, Inkhika, Vishira.
Relevant text
Search found 38 books and stories containing Sira, Sīra, Sirā, Śira, Shira, Śirā, Śīra, Sīrā; (plurals include: Siras, Sīras, Sirās, Śiras, Shiras, Śirās, Śīras, Sīrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Sushruta Samhita, volume 3: Sharirasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Chapter VII - Description of Sira (vascular system)
Chapter VI - The Marmas (vital parts of the body)
Chapter IX - The description of the arteries, nerves and ducts
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 2 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 10 - The Circulatory and the Nervous System < [Chapter XIII - Speculations in the Medical Schools]
Part 9 - Head and Heart < [Chapter XIII - Speculations in the Medical Schools]
Part 3 - Organs in the Atharva-veda and Āyurveda < [Chapter XIII - Speculations in the Medical Schools]
Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)
Chapter XV - Treatment of eye-diseases which require Excision < [Canto I - Shalakya-tantra (ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat)]
Chapter VI - Pathology of the diseases affecting the eyes as a whole < [Canto I - Shalakya-tantra (ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat)]
Chapter I - Diseases of the eye and its appendages < [Canto I - Shalakya-tantra (ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 5 - Perfection of generosity < [Chapter XX - The Virtue of Generosity and Generosity of the Dharma]
Part 7 - Inner Generosity < [Chapter XIX - The Characteristics of Generosity]
1. Generosity and the virtue of generosity. < [Part 14 - Generosity and the other virtues]
Satapatha Brahmana (by Julius Eggeling)
Kāṇḍa VII, adhyāya 2, brāhmaṇa 2 < [Seventh Kāṇḍa]
Kāṇḍa II, adhyāya 6, brāhmaṇa 3 < [Second Kāṇḍa]
Kāṇḍa VI, adhyāya 1, brāhmaṇa 1 < [Sixth Kāṇḍa]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.4.71 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha: The Spiritual Kingdom]