Sthiti, aka: Sthitī; 14 Definition(s)

Introduction

Sthiti means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Sthiti (स्थिति, “the śakti of sustenance/integration”) is the third function of Nārāyaṇī (an epithet of Lakṣmī: Viṣṇu’s consort), according to the Lakṣmī-tantra (12.48-52). Through Lakṣmī’s ability to assume various forms, the function of sustaining that which exists in the period between the moment of creation and the moment my will to destroy (the creation) awakens, is called her supreme śakti of sthiti (integration.)

These are the four sthitis:

1. Viṣṇu-sthiti,
2. Manu-sthiti,
3. Saptarṣi-sthiti,
4. Kṣudra-sthiti.

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Sthiti (स्थिति, “maintenance”) refers to the “maintenance of the world” and represents one of the “five-fold duties” (pañcakṛtya), according to Śivapurāna 1.10.1-5, “[...] the permanent cycle of the five-fold duties consists of creation, maintenance, annihilation, concealment, and blessing. [...] Sarga is the creation of the world. [...] These five are my activities but are carried on by others silently as in the case of the statue at the Portal. The first four activities concern the evolution of the world and the fifth one is the cause of salvation. All these constitute my prerogatives. These activities are observed in the five elements by devotees—[...] Sthiti (maintenance) in the waters [...] everything flourishes by virtue of the waters; [...] In order to look after these five-fold activities (pañcakṛtya) I have five faces, four in the four quarters and the fifth in the middle”.

1a) Sthitī (स्थिती).—A Kalā of Brahmā.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 35. 94.

1b) A Kalā of Hari^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 35. 95.

1c) An Ajitadeva.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 33.

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.

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Sthiti (स्थिति).—Utterance of a pada or padas in the Padapatha without इति (iti); the utterance with इति (iti) being called उपस्थिति (upasthiti); cf. पदं यदा केवलमाह सा स्थितिः (padaṃ yadā kevalamāha sā sthitiḥ) R. Pr. XI.15; (2) established practice or view; cf. शाकल्यस्य स्थविरस्येतरा स्थितिः । (śākalyasya sthavirasyetarā sthitiḥ |) R. Pr. II. 44.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Sthiti (स्थिति) is a synonym for Deśa (“region”), according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands [viz., Sthiti], soil, mountains, jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees and plants and substances, with their various kinds.

context information

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.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Sthiti (स्थिति, “stability”) refers to one of the thirteen “conditions” (saṃskāra) that are “unassociated with mind” (citta-viprayukta) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 30). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., sthiti). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Sthiti (स्थिति, “duration”).—What is meant by ‘duration’ (sthiti)? Time period during which the entity exists is called duration. according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 1.7, “(Knowledge of the seven categories is attained) by definition, ownership, cause, location /resting place (substratum), duration and varieties/division”.

Sthiti (स्थिति, “state”).—How many types of state (sthiti) are there? Sthiti is of two types namely that of existence (bhava) and of body (kāya). What is meant by state of existence (bhava)? It is the time taken to exist in one mode (paryāya). What is meant by state of the body (kāya)? To be born again and again in the same body from (one mode to another) is called state of the body.

Sthiti (स्थिति, “duration”) or Sthitibandha refers to one of the four kinds of bondage (bandha) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra chapter 8.—Accordingly, “what is meant by duration of bondage (sthiti-bandha)? Time period for which various species of karmas will stay bonded with the soul is called duration of the bondage”.

context information

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 geogprahy

Sthiti.—(EI 32), decree. (IE 8-5), regulation; see ācāra-sthiti. (EI 12), usage; pratice [in respect of calculation of dates]; Mālava-gaṇa-sthiti-vāśāt=kāla-jñānāya likhiteṣu, ‘[in the years…] written for the knowledge of time (i. e. the date of some event) according to the practice [of calculation] of the Mālava republic’; Mālavānāṃ gaṇa-sthityā yāte śata-catuṣ- ṭaye, ‘four hundred years…having elapsed according to the practice [of calculation] of the Mālavas.” Note: sthiti 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

sthiti (स्थिति).—f (S) Stay, stand, rest; continuance, endurance; residence, inherence; state, condition; situation, site, position, posture &c.; stationedness or the standing or being (of any thing in any place). 2 One of the three states through which the universe or system of created things and every individual thing passes, viz. continuance or being. The three are utpatti, sthiti, laya or saṃhāra Arising into being; continuing in being; ceasing to be; or Birth or production; life or existence; death or destruction. And these are referred respectively, as their efficients, to brahmā, viṣṇu, śiva. 3 fig. Steadiness or stability (in the path of rectitude, in a determination, an undertaking &c.); stanchness, firmness, perseverance &c. 4 In astronomy. Duration of an eclipse. sthiti ōḷakhaṇēṃ To know one's place or position. sthitīvara (yēṇēṃ or asaṇēṃ) To come into, or be in, at, on &c. the right state, place, condition &c.

sthiti (स्थिति).—f Stay, situation. State. Fig. Steadiness. sthiti ōḷakhaṇēṃ Know one's place or position. sthitīvara (yēṇēṃ or asaṇēṃ) Come into, or be in, at, on, &c., the right place, state, &c.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Sthiti (स्थिति).—f. [sthā-ktin]

1) Standing, remaining, staying, abiding, living, stay, residence; स्थितिं नो र दध्याः क्षणमपि मदान्धेक्षण सखे (sthitiṃ no ra dadhyāḥ kṣaṇamapi madāndhekṣaṇa sakhe) Bv.1.52; रक्षोगृहे स्थितिर्मूलमग्निशुद्धौ त्वनिश्चयः (rakṣogṛhe sthitirmūlamagniśuddhau tvaniścayaḥ) U.1.6.

2) Stopping, standing still, continuance in one state; प्रस्थितायां प्रतिष्ठेथाः स्थितायां स्थितिमाचरेः (prasthitāyāṃ pratiṣṭhethāḥ sthitāyāṃ sthitimācareḥ) R.1.89.

3) Remaining stationary, fixity, steadiness, firmness, steady application or devotion; मम भूयात् परमात्मनि स्थितिः (mama bhūyāt paramātmani sthitiḥ) Bv.4.23; Māl.5.22.

4) A state, position, situation, condition; एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति (eṣā brāhmī sthitiḥ pārtha naināṃ prāpya vimuhyati) Bg.2.72.

5) Natural state, nature, habit; सपर्वतावनां कृत्स्नां व्यथयिष्यामि ते स्थितिम् (saparvatāvanāṃ kṛtsnāṃ vyathayiṣyāmi te sthitim) Rām.7.98.1; अथ वा स्थितिरियं मन्दमतीनाम् (atha vā sthitiriyaṃ mandamatīnām) H.4.

6) Stability, permanence, perpetuation, continuance; वंशस्थितेरधिगमान्महति प्रमोदे (vaṃśasthiteradhigamānmahati pramode) V.5.15; कन्यां कुलस्य स्थितये स्थितिज्ञः (kanyāṃ kulasya sthitaye sthitijñaḥ) Ku.1.18; Mv.7.3; R.3.27.

7) Correctness of conduct, steadfastness in the path of duty, decorum, duty, moral rectitude, propriety; अमंस्त चानेन परार्ध्यजन्मना स्थितेरभेत्ता स्थितिमन्तमन्वयम् (amaṃsta cānena parārdhyajanmanā sthiterabhettā sthitimantamanvayam) R.3.27;11.65;12.31; कन्यां कुलस्य स्थितये स्थितिज्ञः (kanyāṃ kulasya sthitaye sthitijñaḥ) (vidhinopayeme) Ku.1.18; Ś.5.1.

8) Maintenance of discipline, establishment of good order (in a state); स्थित्यै दण्डयतो दण्ड्यान् (sthityai daṇḍayato daṇḍyān) R.1.25.

9) Rank, dignity, high station or rank.

1) Maintenance, sustenance; जग्धार्धैर्नवसल्लकीकिसलयैरस्याः स्थितिं कल्पयन् (jagdhārdhairnavasallakīkisalayairasyāḥ sthitiṃ kalpayan) Māl.9.32; R.5.9.

11) Continuance in life, preservation (one of the three states of human beings); सर्गस्थितिप्रत्यवहारहेतुः (sargasthitipratyavahārahetuḥ) R.2.44; Ku.2.6.

12) Cessation, pause, stop, restriction; नासां कश्चिदगम्योस्ति नासां च वयसि स्थितिः (nāsāṃ kaścidagamyosti nāsāṃ ca vayasi sthitiḥ) Pt.1.143.

13) Wellbeing, welfare.

14) Consistency.

15) A settled rule, ordinance, decree, an axiom or maxim; अबान्धवं शवं चैव निर्हरेयुरिति स्थितिः (abāndhavaṃ śavaṃ caiva nirhareyuriti sthitiḥ) Ms.1.55.

16) Settled determination.

17) Term, limit, boundary.

18) Inertia, resistance to motion.

19) Duration of an eclipse.

2) Regard, consideration, account; नासां च वयसि स्थितिः (nāsāṃ ca vayasi sthitiḥ) Pt.1.143.

Derivable forms: sthitiḥ (स्थितिः).

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