Stupi, Stūpī: 9 definitions

Introduction:

Stupi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Tamil. 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

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra

Stūpi (स्तूपि) refers to the “pinnacle” of a temple (prāsāda or vimāna). It is considered the fifth part in the ṣaḍvarga structure.

Source: Google Books: Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation

Stūpī (स्तूपी).—A type of moulding;—The stūpī (finial) is an essential part of a vimāna, indeed a separate element from the roof on which it stands. Whereas kūṭa domes have a single finial, śālā roofs often have several along the ridge. Symbolising the primal waters, the stūpī is shaped like a bulbous pot.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)

Stūpī (स्तूपी) refers to the “dome (finial)”, as discussed in chapter 9 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [mūrdheṣṭakāvidhi-vimānadevatākalpana]: [...] [After the “last bricks” or mūrdheṣṭakā-ceremonies]—A stūpikā-kīla (axis rod) is mounted over the bricks which, in turn, have been covered in their pit with a cache of precious gems, grains, etc. The stūpī-finial is cemented over this by the Ācārya, and surmounting the stūpī-dome a śikhākumbha-pot is placed, having been filled with precious metals and gems (24-41). [...]

Source: Shodhganga: Temples of Salem region Up to 1336 AD

Stūpi (स्तूपि).—Above the śikhara a globular stūpi is placed. This stūpi is firmly placed at the top of the śikara with the help of a stone or metal dowel or tenon.

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

Stūpi (स्तूपि) [or stūpikā] refers to “motive for crowning §§ 2.8, 26; 3.12, 27, 30-31; 4.6, 12, 18, 20.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra book cover
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.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (shilpa)

Stūpī (स्तूपी) refers tot the “dome of a temple”, as discussed in chapter 8 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—Description of the chapter [pratimā-lakṣaṇa]: Nārada asks to know the characteristics of various images, as well as the different types of images, and also about the placement of the stūpī-dome of a temple. Viṣvaksena commences his answer by naming the various forms of the Lord and His consorts and entourage (1-11). He then turns (12-22) to describing the system of measurement to be used in constructing an icon, and, before continuing on matters more directly concerned with icons themselves, he reviews the proportionate measurement of other parts of the temple in relation to the chief icon and to the pīṭha-pedestal’s dimensions, etc. (23-54a). [...]

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Stūpi (स्तूपि) refers to the “finial” or the “apex” of the Hindu temple.—The temple contains the sanctuary known as vimāna or towered sanctuary. Over the vimāna is the śikhara or the spire/tower. The topmost part of the śikhara, whose sloping walls lead towards a point, is the stūpi or the finial or the apex.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

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.

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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Stupī.—same as vimāna (IA 9), q. v. Note: stupī is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

India history book cover
context information

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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Stūpi (ஸ்தூபி) noun < stūpa. See தூபி [thupi], 1, 2.

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

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See also (Relevant definitions)

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