Smara, Smāra: 16 definitions
Introduction:
Smara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
1a) Smara (स्मर).—A son of Devakī killed by Kaṃsa: taken back to Dvārakā: after embracing by mother goes to heaven with his five brothers.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 85. 51 and 56.
1b) Is Manmatha.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 30. 65; Matsya-purāṇa 23. 30 ch.
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.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)
Smara (स्मर) refers to “love”, according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, “[...] If women, with languishing eyes beaming with love (smara-smera), are to be altogether avoided, the birth of a son, who delivers his father from the hell named Put, becomes impossible. If hunting is to be altogether prohibited, how can meat, skin, horn and other articles prescribed for sacrifices be obtained? [...]”.
This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)
Smara (स्मर) refers to the “love” (of an elephant), according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 5, “on marks of the stages of life”]: “12. Strenuous, handsome with clearly developed joints in his forelegs, fecund, sensitive to pain, with wrinkles in the proha, etc., dealing vigorous blows, having yellow-covered surface of the tusks, delighting in places that are hard of access, with well-rounded buttocks, avaskāra, and ear lobes, mighty in love (smara), speed, and prowess [smaravegavikramabalī], he has arrived at the second stage (decade), and is known as a ‘colt’”.
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)
Smara (स्मर) refers to one of the 62 rays of the Maṇipūra-Cakra which (together with the 54 rays of the Anāhata) are associated with the solar plane called Viṣṇugranthi, according to Śaṅkarācārya’s Saudaryalaharī.—Accordingly, the Goddess is visualised (by Sādhaka) as dwelling above the six Ādhāracakras ruling over the 360 rays which emanate in them [e.g., Smara]. These 360 rays represent 360 syllables (i.e., a consummation of the śabdaprapañca or 50 alphabets) as well as the principles of nature. For the 360 syllables, together with haṃ and saḥ, Nyāsa should be performed for Śrīcakrapūjā.
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 Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Smara (स्मर) is another name for the God of Love, as mentioned in chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly, as Mahābala (i.e., previous incarnation of Ṛṣabha) incarnated in the Īśāna heaven:—“There the lord of Śrīprabha, greatly delighted, saw a goddess, Svayamprabhā by name, who surpassed the lightning in radiance. [...] She had ears that were thieves of the grace of Ratipati’s pleasures-wing, eye-brows that stole the beauty of Smara’s bow. [...]”
Smara (स्मर) refers to “lust”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “The three worlds, which are made foolish by the action of the poison of lust (smara-gara—smaragaravyāpāramugdhīkṛtam), are fast asleep in this gaping mouth of Yama’s serpent which is marked by fangs of destruction. While this one whose disposition is pitiless is devouring everyone, certainly there is no way out from this for you, noble fellow, by any means [even] with some difficulty without knowledge of what is beyond the senses. [Thus ends the reflection on] helplessness”.
Synonyms: Kandarpa.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Smara (स्मर).—[smṛ-bhāve ap]
1) Recollection, remembrance; स्मरो वावाकाशाद्भूयः (smaro vāvākāśādbhūyaḥ) Ch. Up.7.13.1,2.
2) Love; स्मर एव तापहेतुर्निर्वापयिता स एव मे जातः (smara eva tāpaheturnirvāpayitā sa eva me jātaḥ) Ś.3.11.
3) Cupid, the god of love; स्मर पर्युसुक एष माधवः (smara paryusuka eṣa mādhavaḥ) Kumārasambhava 4.28,42,43.
4) The 7th astrological mansion.
Derivable forms: smaraḥ (स्मरः).
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Smāra (स्मार).—a. Relating to Smara or the god of love; रूक्षस्मारेक्षुचापच्युतशरनिकरक्षीणलक्ष्मीकटाक्ष (rūkṣasmārekṣucāpacyutaśaranikarakṣīṇalakṣmīkaṭākṣa)...... Viṣṇupāda. S.43; स्मारं पुष्पमयं चापं बाणाः पुष्पमया अपि । तथाप्यनङ्गस्त्रैलोक्यं करोति वशमात्मनः (smāraṃ puṣpamayaṃ cāpaṃ bāṇāḥ puṣpamayā api | tathāpyanaṅgastrailokyaṃ karoti vaśamātmanaḥ) ||
-ram Recollection, memory; स सभाद्वारमागम्य विदुरः स्मारमोहितः (sa sabhādvāramāgamya viduraḥ smāramohitaḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 3.6.3.
Smara (स्मर).—m.
(-raḥ) 1. Kamadeva, the deity of love. 2. Recollection. E. smṛ to remember, ac aff.
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Smāra (स्मार).—f.
(-rā) Adj. Relating to love. n.
(-raṃ) Recollection.
Smara (स्मर).—i. e. smṛ + a, m. 1. Recollection. 2. Love, [Hitopadeśa] 86, 4, M. M. 3. Kāma, the god of love, [Pañcatantra] 226, 1; [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 119 (and at the same time, perhaps, Remembrance).
Smara (स्मर).—[masculine] remembrance, love or the god of love.
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Smāra (स्मार).—[masculine] remembrance, longing.
1) Smara (स्मर):—a etc. See p.1272, [column] 1.
2) [from smṛ] b mf(ā)n. remembering, recollecting (See jāti-smara)
3) [v.s. ...] m. (ifc. f(ā). ) memory, remembrance, recollection, [Chāndogya-upaniṣad; Uttararāma-carita]
4) [v.s. ...] m. loving recollection, love, ([especially]) sexual love, [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.
5) [v.s. ...] Kāma-deva (god of love), [Kālidāsa; Kathāsaritsāgara] etc.
6) [v.s. ...] an interpreter or explainer of the Veda (and ‘the god of love’), [Naiṣadha-carita]
7) [v.s. ...] the 7th [astrology] mansion, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]
8) Smāra (स्मार):—[from smṛ] m. remembrance, recollection of ([compound]), [Taittirīya-āraṇyaka]
9) [v.s. ...] ([from] smara) relating or belonging to the god of love, [Naiṣadha-carita]
Smara (स्मर):—(raḥ) 1. m. Kāma; recollection.
[Sanskrit to German]
Smāra (स्मार) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Samara, Sara, Sāra, Sumara, Sumarāva.
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
Smara (स्मर) [Also spelled smar]:—(nm) cupid—the god of love.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Smara (ಸ್ಮರ):—
1) [noun] the act of remembering or that which is remembered.
2) [noun] Manmatha, the God of Love.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+23): Smarabali, Smarabhasita, Smarabhu, Smaracakra, Smaracandra, Smaracchattra, Smarachatra, Smaradahana, Smaradasha, Smaradayin, Smaradhi, Smaradhivosa, Smaradhvaja, Smaradipana, Smaradipika, Smaradurmada, Smaragara, Smaragriha, Smaraguru, Smarahara.
Full-text (+152): Apamara, Jatismara, Smaragriha, Smaravithika, Smarasava, Smarasakha, Smarastambha, Smarahara, Smaradhvaja, Smaratura, Smaramandira, Smaram, Duhsmara, Smaralekhani, Upasmaram, Smarankusha, Smarapriya, Smarakupaka, Smaragara, Smaraguru.
Relevant text
Search found 73 books and stories containing Smara, Smāra; (plurals include: Smaras, Smāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brahma Sutras (Govinda Bhashya) (by Kusakratha das Brahmacari)
Sūtra 1.2.24 < [Adhyaya 1, Pada 2]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.4.130 < [Part 4 - Transient Ecstatic Disturbances (vyābhicāri-bhāva)]
Verse 4.8.72 < [Part 8 - Compatible & Incompatible Mellows (maitrī-vaira-sthiti)]
Verse 3.5.35 < [Part 5 - Conjugal Love (mādhurya-rasa)]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
An Insight into the Samprapti of Apasmara w.r.t. Shatkriyakala < [Vol. 3 No. 06 (2018)]
Pharmaceutical and Analytical Evaluation of Suta Bhasma Yoga w.s.r. to its... < [Vol. 9 No. 7 (2024)]
Yavanajataka by Sphujidhvaja [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 74.8 < [Chapter 74 - Result of the Lagna on Military Expeditions]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 4.84 < [Chapter 4 - First-rate Poetry]
Text 10.242 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 4.90 < [Chapter 4 - First-rate Poetry]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)