Susukshma, Susūkṣma, Susūkṣmā, Su-sukshma: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Susukshma means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 terms Susūkṣma and Susūkṣmā can be transliterated into English as Susuksma or Susukshma, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramSusūkṣmā (सुसूक्ष्मा) refers to “she who is very subtle”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “(Mālinī) is endless, supreme, subtle, omnipresent and both supreme (transcendent) and inferior (immanent). The supreme energy (kalā), she is the goddess who is consciousness present in the End of the Twelve. She is the subtle energy (kalā) and, very subtle [i.e., susūkṣmā], she flows forth as the supreme (life-giving) nectar. Her form is (wonderfully diverse) like a peacock's tail and she resides in the Adamantine Wheel (vajracakra). [...]”.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraSusūkṣma (सुसूक्ष्म) or Susūkṣma refers to “invisible”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).— Accordingly, “Maṇi Ketu is a comet which appears for only 3 hours occasionally; it possesses an invisible disc [i.e., susūkṣma-tāra] and appears in the west; its tail is straight and white and it resembles a line of milk drawn from a human breast. There will be happiness in the land from the very time of its appearance for four and a half months; reptiles and venomous creatures will come into existence”.
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Susūkṣma (सुसूक्ष्म) refers to “delicate (silken garments)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.42 (“Description of the meeting of the Lord and the Mountain”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] Seeing Śiva in front, Himavat bowed to Him. The mountains and the Brahmins bowed to Sadāśiva. He was seated on his bull, fully bedecked in ornaments and beaming in the face. The beauty of his divine person illuminated the quarters. His body shone in the delicate (susūkṣma) silken garments. His crown was lustrous with the gems set in it. He was smiling shedding pure brilliance everywhere. [...]”.
2) Susūkṣma (सुसूक्ष्म) refers to “minute particles”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.10 (“The burning of the Tripuras”).—Accordingly, as Tārakākṣa said to Śiva: “O sage, at the bidding of Śiva, those Asuras were burnt and reduced to ashes by the fire even as they were muttering thus. [...] Some who were partially burnt woke up and rushed here and there. They fell unconscious and fainted. There was not even a minute particle (susūkṣma) whether mobile or immobile which escaped unscathed by that terrible Tripura fire excepting Maya, the imperishable Viśvakarman of the Asuras. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraSusūkṣma (सुसूक्ष्म) refers to a “very small (seed)”, according to the Kośavyākhyā.—Accordingly: “It is said that a man asked for admission into the monastic Order. The noble Śariputra looked for some root of good in him before producing the deliverance but, as he saw none, he refused him and did not allow him into the Order. The Buddha, however, found one and allowed him into the Order. [...] And the Buddha said: ‘I definitely see in him a very small (susūkṣma) seed of deliverance, like a speck of gold caught in the interstices of a mineral’.”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionarySusūkṣma (सुसूक्ष्म).—adj. very small, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 42.
Susūkṣma is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms su and sūkṣma (सूक्ष्म).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Susūkṣma (सुसूक्ष्म):—[=su-sūkṣma] [from su > su-saṃyata] mf(ā)n. very minute or small or delicate, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] very subtle or keen (as understanding), [Mahābhārata]
3) [v.s. ...] very difficult to be fathomed or understood, [Muṇḍaka-upaniṣad; Rāmāyaṇa]
4) [v.s. ...] m. or n. (?) an atom, [Viṣṇu-smṛti, viṣṇu-sūtra, vaiṣṇava-dharma-śāstra [Scholiast or Commentator]]
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Cu, Sukshma, Shu.
Starts with: Susukshmapattra.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Susukshma, Susūkṣma, Susuksma, Susūkṣmā, Su-sukshma; (plurals include: Susukshmas, Susūkṣmas, Susuksmas, Susūkṣmās, sukshmas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vivekachudamani (by Shankara)
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 109 - Greatness of Aṣṭaṣaṣṭi Tīrthas < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 1 - The story of Śrīvṛddhi < [Chapter XXXIX - The Ten Powers of the Buddha according to the Abhidharma]
Part 1 - The auxiliaries belong to the Greater Vehicle as well < [Chapter XXXI - The Thirty-seven Auxiliaries to Enlightenment]
Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres) (by Arthur Avalon)
Verse 3 < [Section 1]
Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary (by S. Sitarama Sastri)
Verse 1.1.6 < [Mundaka I, Khanda I]
Preceptors of Advaita (by T. M. P. Mahadevan)