Sveshta, Sveṣṭa, Sva-ishta: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Sveshta 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 term Sveṣṭa can be transliterated into English as Svesta or Sveshta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationSveṣṭa (स्वेष्ट) refers to “one’s favourite deity”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.53 (“Description of Śiva’s return journey”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “Then Viṣṇu and other gods, the sages and ascetics sent message to the mountain about their intention to leave after finishing their immediate duties. Then the lord of mountains finished his ceremonial ablution and the worship of his favourite deity (sveṣṭa). Calling his kinsmen in the city, he came to the audience hall joyously. There he worshipped the lord with pleasure and requested him to stay in his house for a few days more along with all the people. [...]”.
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
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (tantric Buddhism)Sveṣṭa (स्वेष्ट) refers to “one’s own chosen (deity)”, according to Kuladatta’s Kriyāsaṃgrahapañjikā, a text within Tantric Buddhism representing a construction manual for monasteries.—Accordingly, [kalaśādhivāsanā, chapter 3]—“If an Ācārya does not have a strong conviction in the Vajradhātu, there is no obstacle to his doing all the rites from purification of the site to consecration [of images etc.] with a strong conviction in his own chosen deity (sveṣṭa-devatā)”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionarySveṣṭa (स्वेष्ट).—[adjective] dear to one’s self, nearest to one’s heart.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Sveṣṭa (स्वेष्ट):—[from sva] a mfn. dear to one’s self
2) b svaitu, svaiṣa See p. 1277, col. 3.
[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)
Starts with: Sveshtadaivata, Sveshtadevata.
Full-text: Sveshtadevata, Sveshtadaivata.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Sveshta, Sva-ishta, Sva-ista, Sva-iṣṭa, Sveṣṭa, Svesta; (plurals include: Sveshtas, ishtas, istas, iṣṭas, Sveṣṭas, Svestas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.1.196 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]