Stambha; 14 Definition(s)

Introduction

Stambha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Stambha (स्तम्भ) refers to “immobilizing others”. It is a siddhi (‘supernatural power’) described in chapter one of the Kakṣapuṭatantra (a manual of Tantric practice from the tenth century).

Stambha (स्तम्भ) refers to “immoilizing others” and represents one of the various siddhis (perfections) mentioned in the Kakṣapuṭatantra verse 1.11-13. Accordingly, “by excellent Sādhakas (tantric practitioners) wishing the Siddhi (eg., stambha), the mantrasādhana should be performed in advance, for the sake of the Siddhi. One would not attain any Siddhi without the means of mantra-vidhāna (the classification of mantra)”.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Stambha (स्तम्भ, “paralysis”).—One of the eight ‘involutary states’ (sāttvikabhāva), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 7. These ‘involutary states’ are different from consequents (anubhāva) because of their arising from the inner nature (sattva). The term is used throughout nāṭyaśāstra literature. (Also see the Daśarūpa 4.6-7)

Stambha (स्तम्भ, “paralysis”) occurs as being due to joy, fear, sickness, surprise, sadness, intoxication and anger. Paralysis should be represented on the stage by being inactive, motionless, dispirited like an inert object, senseless, and stiff-bodied.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., 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) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Stambha (स्तम्भ).—One of the Saptarṣis (seven hermits) of the Manu-age (Manvantara) of Svārociṣa. The seven ṛṣis of Svārociṣa Manvantara are Ūrja, Stambha, Prāṇa, Vāta, Vṛṣabha, Niraya and Parīvān. (For further details see under Manvantara).

1a) Stambha (स्तम्भ).—(kaśyapa)—a son of Parvaśa.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 11. 16.

1b) One of the seven sages of the Svārociṣa epoch.^*

• * Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 1. 11.

1c) Of Śyāma Parāśara clan.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 201. 37.

1d) The chief types of pillars are five; rucaka (square), vajra (octogonal), dvivajra (sixteen sided), pralīnaka (thirty-two sided) and vṛtta (round); (Vāstu). If the measurements are incorrect there will be fear from kings, thieves and other troubles. The woods for the different sides of a house are vaṭa, udumbara, pippala, plakṣa, etc. Other trees which can be grown around a building are punnāga, aśoka, bakulu, śamī, śilaka, campaka, dāḍimī, pippalī, drākṣa, jambīru, pūga, panasa, ketaki, jāti-saroja, śatapatrika, mallika, nārikela, kadalī, pāṭala, etc. These give auspiciousness to the house.^*

• * ^1 Matsya-purāṇa 255. 1-4, 16. ^2 Ib. 255. 20-4.

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Stambha (स्तम्भ) refers to “pillar”.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Stambha (स्तम्भ) refers to an aspect of nṛsiṃha (‘man-lion’), according to the Vihagendra-saṃhitā 4.17, which mentions seventy-four forms (inlcuding twenty forms of vyūha). He is also known as Stambhanṛsiṃha or Stambhanarasiṃha. Nṛsiṃha is a Tantric deity and refers to the furious (ugra) incarnation of Viṣṇu.

The 15th-century Vihagendra-saṃhīta is a canonical text of the Pāñcarātra corpus and, in twenty-four chapters, deals primarely with meditation on mantras and sacrificial oblations.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Stambha (stiffness) is an Ayurvedic term.

Stambha (स्तम्भ, ‘pillar’) is found in the Kāṭhaka-saṃhitā, and often in the Sūtras. Earlier Skambha is used, but only metaphorically.

India history and geogprahy

Stambha.—(BL), a tower. (LL), a pillar. Cf. skambha. (IE 8-6; EI 3), same as Kannaḍa kamma, kamba, kambha; a land measure equal to one-hundredth of a mattaru or nivartana. (SITI), lamp-stand or lamp-post. Note: stambha 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 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

stambha (स्तंभ).—m (S) A post, pillar, or column. 2 Stopped state or the act of stopping, stoppage. 3 Stoppage or suppression (as of urine, the seminal fluid &c., or of any function or faculty): also stupefaction from fear or other affection: also loss of feeling or sensibility, paralysis. 4 Obstruction or hinderance; fixing or fixedness fast and still.

stambha (स्तंभ).—m A spot; stoppage. Obstruction.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Stambha (स्तम्भ).—[stambh-ac]

1) Fixedness, stiffness, rigidity, motionlessness; रम्भा स्तम्भं भजति (rambhā stambhaṃ bhajati) Vikr.18.29; Ki.12. 28; गात्रस्तम्भः स्तनमुकुलयोरुत्प्रबन्धः प्रकम्पः (gātrastambhaḥ stanamukulayorutprabandhaḥ prakampaḥ) Māl.2.5; तत्संकल्पो- पहितजडिम स्तम्भमभ्येति गात्रम् (tatsaṃkalpo- pahitajaḍima stambhamabhyeti gātram) 1.35;4.2.

2) Insensibility, stupefaction, stupor, numbness, paralysis.

3) Stoppage, obstruction, hindrance; सोऽपश्यत् प्रणिधानेन संततेः स्तम्भ- कारणम् (so'paśyat praṇidhānena saṃtateḥ stambha- kāraṇam) R.1.74; वाक्स्तम्भं नाटयति (vākstambhaṃ nāṭayati) Māl.8.

4) Restraint, curbing, suppressing; कृतश्चित्तस्तम्भः प्रतिहतधियामञ्जलिरपि (kṛtaścittastambhaḥ pratihatadhiyāmañjalirapi) Bh.3.6.

5) Prop, support, fulcrum; नासिराबन्धनार्थाय न शराः स्तम्भहेतवः (nāsirābandhanārthāya na śarāḥ stambhahetavaḥ) Rām.2.23.3.

6) A pillar, column, post.

7) A stem, trunk (of a tree).

8) Stupidity.

9) Absence of feeling or excitability.

1) The suppression of any force or feeling by supernatural or magical means.

11) Stiff-neckedness; जन्मकर्मवयोरूपविद्यैश्वर्य- धनादिभिः । यद्यस्य न भवेत् स्तम्भस्तत्रायं मदनुग्रहः (janmakarmavayorūpavidyaiśvarya- dhanādibhiḥ | yadyasya na bhavet stambhastatrāyaṃ madanugrahaḥ) Bhāg.8.22.26.

12) Filling up, stuffing.

Derivable forms: stambhaḥ (स्तम्भः).

Relevant definitions

Search found 172 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:

Relevant text