Tamas, Tamāṣ, Tāmāṣ: 33 definitions
Introduction:
Tamas means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi, biology, 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.
In Hinduism
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Tamas (तमस्).—One of the three guṇas, representing the quality of ignorance. These three qualities are to be seen as all-pervading and interpenetrating all beings. The Sanskrit word tamas is a technical term used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti.
According to the Manusmṛti XII.29: “What is mixed with stupefaction, undiscernible, of the nature of sensual objects, incapable of being reasoned about and uncognisable,—one should recognise as ‘tamas’”.
According to the Manusmṛti XII.33: “Avarice, drowsiness, irresolution, cruelty, disbelief, bad character, habit of begging, and inattentiveness are the characteristics of the quality of ‘tamas’”.
According to the Manusmṛti XII.35: “When, having done, or doing, or going to do a certain act, a man happen to feel ashamed,—every such act should be understood by the learned to be characterised by the quality of ‘tamas’”.
Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Samkhya (school of philosophy)
1) Tamas (तमस्, “indifference”).—In the Sāṃkhya school of philosophy, tamas (darkness) is one of the three guṇas (or qualities), the other two being rajas (passion and activity) and sattva (purity, goodness). Tamas is the template for inertia or resistance to action. It has also been translated from Sanskrit as “indifference”.
2) Tamas (तमस्, “dullness”) is the first type of viparyaya (ignorance), according to the Sāṃkhya theory of evolution. Viparyaya refers to a category of pratyayasarga (intellectual products), which represents the first of two types of sarga (products) that come into being during tattvapariṇāma (elemental manifestations), which in turn, evolve out of the two types of pariṇāma (change, modification).
Samkhya (सांख्य, Sāṃkhya) is a dualistic school of Hindu philosophy (astika) and is closeley related to the Yoga school. Samkhya philosophy accepts three pramanas (‘proofs’) only as valid means of gaining knowledge. Another important concept is their theory of evolution, revolving around prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness).
Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)
Tamas (तमस्).—One of the three elements constituting all objects. The other two are sattva and rajas and the state of evenness of the three elements is neuterness.
Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Tamas (तमस्) refers to “primordial darkness (chaos)”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 1), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] There was darkness (chaos) [i.e., tamas] in the beginning. Then came water (into existence). On it (floated) a golden-coloured egg, the (divine) seed consisting of the Earth and the Firmament from which there arose Brahmā, the creative agent with the sun and moon for his eyes. Kapila says that the universe had its origin in pradhāna; Kaṇātha in dravya and the like; a few in kāla (time); others in Svabhāva (nature); and some in karma. [...]”.
Tamas (तमस्).—Section of Earth's shadow cone at the Moon's distance. Note: Tamas is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.
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)
1) Tamas (तमस्).—A hell.
2) Tamas (तमस्).—One of the three qualities of the soul. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the three qualities. It is through the union of these three qualities that the inner soul enters the life of all animate and inanimate objects. The attributes of Tamas are greed, sleep, bravery, cruelty disbelief in god, bad habits, begging and indifference. It is because of the action of tamoguṇa that one becomes a prey to lust. It is the worst result of tāmasic activities that people are born as inanimate objects, worms, insects, fishes, serpents, tortoises, cows and deer. As a better result of Tāmasic activities people are born as elephants, horses, Śūdras, barbarous people, lions, tigers and hogs. It is the good result of tāmasic deeds that produce pilgrims, good castes, egoistic people, demons and devils. (Chapter 2, Manusmṛti).
Tamas (तमस्) refers to “darkness”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.15:—“[...] even as I [viz., Brahmā] stood desirous of creation, the Evil creation, viz. the set of five Illusions (avidyā) appeared before me. It was of the nature of darkness (tamas) endowed with knowledge. Then I created the chief creation (mukhyasarga) consisting of immobile beings with a delightful mind. At the bidding of Śiva, I continued my meditation in a detached spirit”.
Tamas (तमस्) refers to one of the five Avidyās, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—When Brahmā meditates there is creation of five types of avidyā known as creation predominated by tamas (prādurbhūtaḥ tamomoyaḥ). This avidyā is spoken of as fivefold—tamas, moha, mahāmoha, tāmisra and andhatāmisra. After the creation of this five fold avidyā Brahmā again meditates as, a result of which the world of vegetation is produced. This is termed as mukhyasarga. It is the fourth in order (“mukhyā nagā iti proktā mukhya sargastu sa smṛtaḥ”).
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.
Mīmāṃsā (school of philosophy)
Tamas (तमस्, “darkness”).—According to Bhāṭṭa school of Mīmāṃsakas, tamas (darkness) is a dravya (substance). They opine that darkness has blue colour and movement. According to the definition of dravya, that which has quality and action is to be regarded as a dravya. Hence darkness is also a dravya, since it has the quality of blue colour and action. Moreover, tamas is not like any one of the five i.e., ākāśa, kāla, dik, ātmā and manas because of the absence of rūpa in them. It cannot be included in air as darkness does not possess touch and constant motion. Darkness cannot also be included in tejas because of the absence of bright colour and hot touch. It cannot come under water because of the absence of cold-touch. Similarly darkness is different from earth also, for earth has smell as its special quality and possesses the quality of touch. Both these are absent in darkness. Therefore, darkness (tamas) is to be accepted as the tenth substance (dravya).
Mimamsa (मीमांसा, mīmāṃsā) refers to one of the six orthodox Hindu schools of philosophy, emphasizing the nature of dharma and the philosophy of language. The literature in this school is also known for its in-depth study of ritual actions and social duties.
Nyaya (school of philosophy)
Tamas (तमस्, “darkness”).—Annaṃbhaṭṭa points out that darkness (tamas) cannot be the tenth substance. Darkness is only the negation of light. Annaṃbhaṭṭa argues that darkness cannot be regarded as a substance having colour. Though it is perceived by the eyes, it is perceived only when there is no light. But it is the general rule that in the visual perception of any substance having colour, light is a cause, while darkness is perceived only in the absence of light. There is no coexistence between darkness and light. Annaṃbhaṭṭa maintains that the experience as ‘Blue darkness moves’ is illusory. In his view, darkness is the absence of vivid and luminous light. Thus, tamas cannot be considered as a tenth substance and substance is only nine.
Nyaya (न्याय, nyaya) refers to a school of Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. The Nyaya philosophy is known for its theories on logic, methodology and epistemology, however, it is closely related with Vaisheshika in terms of metaphysics.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Tamas (तमस्):—Delusion, ignorance : the property of mind, one of the three ‘qualities’ of primordial matter conceived as the fundamental substratum of the universe.
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.
Shaktism
Tamas (तमस्) refers to the “fearsome ocean of darkness”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as the Goddess says to the God:—“O god, when the moving and immobile (universe) was a void, there were (none of) the endless number of gods, heavenly musicians (gandharva), Yakṣas, Snake (divinities) or Rākṣasas, nor the moon, sun, planets, constellations, hermitages or the Ṛṣis. O god, I did not exist; neither did you. The host did not exist and there were no mountains and forests. In the (one) nondual, formless, and fearsome ocean of darkness (tamas), the Divine Command was impelled out of the Abode of the Supreme Goddess (parāsthāna), the Bliss of Stillness (nirānanda). [...]”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Tamas (तमस्) refers to one of the Five Pains (kleśas) of Jīvas [=sa kleśaḥ pañcadhā], as discussed in chapter 12 of the Lakṣmītantra: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 3600 Sanskrit verses exclusively devoted to Goddess Lakṣmī or Śrī (the consort of Viṣṇu) besides dealing with cosmology and practical regarding Vaishnava priests and temple-building programs.—Description of the chapter [śakti-prakāśa]: Indra wants to know what are the pains [kleśa] of jīva, and how many there are of these? (1-3). [...] The kleśas are five—tamas, moha, mahāmoha, tāmisra and avidyā (8-12). These [pañcakleśa] are explained thus in their inter-relating and casual relationships (13-27).
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Tamas (तमस्) refers to—Material mode of ignorance.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
Tamas (तमस्) refers to “darkness” (as opposed to Prakāśa—light), according to the Aṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “[...] For the wise man who is always unchanging and fearless there is neither darkness (tamas) nor light (prakāśa) [kva tamaḥ kva prakāśo vā hānaṃ kva ca na kiñcana] nor destruction, nor anything. There is neither fortitude, prudence nor courage for the yogi whose nature is beyond description and free of individuality. There is neither heaven nor hell nor even liberation during life. In a nutshell, in the sight of the seer nothing exists at all. [...]”.
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
General definition (in Hinduism)
Tamas is commonly associated with inertia, darkness, insensitivity. Souls who are more tamasic are considered imbued in darkness and take the longest to reach liberation.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Tamas (तमस्) refers to “darkness”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, after the exposition of the dharma, ‘A Chapter of the Collection of Dharma’ (dharmasaṃgraha), was taught: “[...] The following verses issued from the sound of musical instruments: ‘[...] (186) He, who is filled with sublime confidence, who is free from impurities (rajas) and darkness (tamas), purifying a hundred [previous] existences, leading gods and humans to the sphere without destruction, being endowed with ten powers and the sky-like mind, becomes free from existence. [...]’”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Tamas (तमस्, “darkness”) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 5.24.—“Sound (śabda), union (bandha), fineness (saukṣmya), grossness (sthaulya), shape (saṃsthāna), division (bheda), darkness (tamas or andhakāra), image (chāya or chāyā), warm light (sunshine) (ātapa) and cool light (moonlight) (udyota) also (are forms of matter)”.
What is the meaning of darkness (tamas or andhakāra)? It is the opposite of light or absence of light.
Tamas (तमस्) refers to “ignorance” or “mental darkness”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “[com.—Next he speaks about the removal of ignorance (tamonirākaraṇam) of yogis (yogināṃ)]—Those who know the self certainly destroy mental darkness (tamas), which is produced by the great quantity of ignorance [and] is a barrier to reality, with the sunbeams of knowledge. One who is restrained who is intent on stopping the influx of karma fearlessly drives away the discharge of the poison of non-restraint with the nectar waters of true restraint”.
Synonyms: Avidyā, Ajñāna, Vibhrama.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Tamas in India is the name of a plant defined with Borassus flabellifer in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Lontarus domestica Gaertn., nom. superfl. (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Systema Vegetabilium. (1774)
· Taxon (1979)
· Webbia (1914)
· Palmiers (1878)
· Fl. Cochinch. (1790)
· Species Plantarum
If you are looking for specific details regarding Tamas, for example diet and recipes, extract dosage, health benefits, chemical composition, side effects, pregnancy safety, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Tamas (तमस्).—n. [tam-asun]
1) Darkness; किं वाऽभविष्यदरुणस्तमसां विभेत्ता तं चेत्सहस्रकिरणो धुरि नाकरिष्यत् (kiṃ vā'bhaviṣyadaruṇastamasāṃ vibhettā taṃ cetsahasrakiraṇo dhuri nākariṣyat) Ś.7.4.; V.1.7; Meghadūta 39.
2) The gloom or darkness of hell; धर्मेण हि सहायेन तमस्तरति दुस्तरम् (dharmeṇa hi sahāyena tamastarati dustaram) Manusmṛti 4.242.
3) Mental darkness, ignorance, illusion, error, मुनिसुताप्रणयस्मृतिरोधिना मम च मुक्त- मिदं तमसा मनः (munisutāpraṇayasmṛtirodhinā mama ca mukta- midaṃ tamasā manaḥ) Ś.6.8.
4) (In Sāṅ. phil.) Darkness or ignorance, as one of the three qualities or constitutents of every thing in nature (the other two being sattva and rajas); अन्तर्गतमपास्तं मे रजसोऽपि परं तमः (antargatamapāstaṃ me rajaso'pi paraṃ tamaḥ) Kumārasambhava 6.6; Ms. 12.24.
5) Grief, sorrow; Bhāgavata 5.14.33.
6) Sin; Bhāgavata 1.15.5.
7) Stupefaction, swoon; तथा भिन्नतनु- त्राणः प्राविशद्विपुलं तमः (tathā bhinnatanu- trāṇaḥ prāviśadvipulaṃ tamaḥ) Rām.7.8.14.
8) Anger; Bhāg. 1.59.42. -m., -n. An epithet of Rāhu; तमश्चन्द्रमसीवेद- मुपरज्यावभासते (tamaścandramasīveda- muparajyāvabhāsate) Bhāgavata 4.29.7.
Tamas (तमस्).—n.
(-maḥ) 1. Third of the qualities incident to the state of humanity, the Tama guna, or property of darkness, whence proceed folly, ignorance, mental blindness, worldly delusion, &c. 2. Darkness, gloom. 3. Sin. 4. Sorrow, grief. mn.
(-māḥ-maḥ) Rahu or the personified ascending node: see rāhu. E. tam to be disturbed, and asun Unadi affix; that property by which the mind is troubled, the world perplexed, &c.; also tamasa and tama.
Tamas (तमस्).—[tam + as], n. 1. Darkness, [Hitopadeśa] pr. 16. 2. The gloom of hell, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 4, 242. 3. The name of a hell, Mārk. P. 12, 10. 4. = Rāhu, or the personified ascending node, [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 63, 2. 5. One of the three guṇas, or qualities incident to creation, the property of darkness, whence proceed folly, ignorance, stupidity, worldly delusion, etc., [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 12, 24. Comp. Dīrgha-, m. The name of a Ṛṣi, Mahābhārata 2, 293.
— Cf. [Old High German.] demar; A. S. dim thystre; [Latin] tenebrae.
Tamas (तमस्).—[neuter] darkness, gloom; mental darkness, illusion; error, ignorance (ph.).
1) Tamas (तमस्):—[from tam] a n. darkness, gloom (also [plural]), [Ṛg-veda] (maḥ praṇīta, ‘led into darkness’, deprived of the eye’s light or sight,[ i, 117, 17]) etc.
2) [v.s. ...] the darkness of hell, hell or a particular division of hell, [Manu-smṛti iv, viii f.; Viṣṇu-purāṇa ii, 6, 4; Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa xii, 10]
3) [v.s. ...] the obscuration of the sun or moon in eclipses, attributed to Rāhu (also m., [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]), [Rāmāyaṇa; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā v, 44; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhajjātaka ii; Varāha-mihira’s Yogayātrā; Sūryasiddhānta]
4) [v.s. ...] mental darkness, ignorance, illusion, error (in Sāṃkhya [philosophy] one of the 5 forms of a-vidyā, [Mahābhārata xiv, 1019; Sāṃkhyakārikā] etc.; one of the 3 qualities or constituents of everything in creation [the cause of heaviness, ignorance, illusion, lust, anger, pride, sorrow, dulness, and stolidity; sin, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]; sorrow, [Kirātārjunīya iii]; See guṇa and cf. [Religious Thought and Life in India p. 45]] [Manu-smṛti xii, 24 f. and 38; Sāṃkhyakārikā] etc.), [Ṛg-veda v.31, 9; Rāmāyaṇa ii; Śakuntalā; Rājataraṅgiṇī v, 144]
5) [v.s. ...] Name of a son (of Śravas, [Mahābhārata xiii, 2002]; of Dakṣa, [i [Scholiast or Commentator]]; of Pṛthu-śravas, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa iv, 12, 2])
6) [v.s. ...] cf. timira; [Latin] temere etc.
7) b sa, etc. See [column]1.
Tamas (तमस्):—(maḥ) 5. n. Darkness; ignorance, folly, delusion, sin, sorrow. m. Rāhu, the ascending node.
Tamas (तमस्):—n.
1) Finsterniss, Dunkel [das 1, 7.] [Amarakoṣa 1, 2, 1, 3. 3, 4, 17, 105. 30, 233.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 155.] [Anekārthasaṃgraha 2, 581.] [Medinīkoṣa s. 23.] Auch pl. atāriṣma.tamasaspā.ama.ya [Ṛgveda 1, 183, 6.] agūha.tamo.vyacakṣaya.svaḥ [2, 24, 3. 3, 5, 1.] jyotirvṛṇīta.tamaso vijā.an [39, 7. 4, 51, 2. 7, 75, 1.] raja.tamo.mopa gā.mā pra meṣṭhāḥ [Atharvavedasaṃhitā 8, 2, 1. 24. 9, 2, 17.] tama āsī.tamasā gū.ahamagre prake.aṃ sali.aṃ sarvamā i.am [Ṛgveda 10, 129, 3.] nāharāsīnna rātrirāsītso sminnandhe tamasi prāsarpat [Pañcaviṃśabrāhmaṇa 16, 1.] [The Śatapathabrāhmaṇa 1, 9, 2, 35. 2, 4, 2, 5.] tamobhyaye bei Einbruch der Dunkelheit [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 4, 15, 13.] putreṇa pitaro tyāyanbahulaṃ tamaḥ [Aitareyabrāhmaṇa 7, 13.] vanaṃ ghoreṇa tamasā vṛtam [Sāvitryupākhyāna 5, 76.] ekaścandrastamo hanti [Prooemium im Hitopadeśa 16.] [Śākuntala 111.] tamasi prasṛte [Geschichte des Vidūṣaka 36.] tamasyandhe [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 5, 6, 12.] tamo ndham [?1, 2, 3. 4, 19, 34. pl. Ṛgveda 2, 17, 4. 23, 2. 40, 2.] ti.astamāṃsi darśa.aḥ [3, 27, 13. 5, 80, 5.] carmeva.yaḥ sa.avivya.tamāṃsi [7, 63, 1. 78, 2.] [Atharvavedasaṃhitā 2, 25, 5. 9, 5, 1.] aruṇa stamasāṃ vibhettā [Śākuntala 163.] sūcibhedyaistamobhiḥ [Meghadūta 38.] Vom Dunkel in der Hölle, von der Hölle selbst und auch Bez. einer best. Hölle: tamasyandhe kilviṣī narakaṃ vrajet [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 8, 94.] tādṛśaṃ phalamāpnoti kuputraiḥ saṃtaraṃstamaḥ [9, 161.] dharmeṇa hi sahāyena tamastarati dustaraṃ [4, 242.] so saṃvṛtaṃ nāma tamaḥ saha tenaiva majjati [81.] tathānyastu tamo nāma so tiśītaḥ svabhāvataḥ . mahārauravaddīrghastathā sa tamasā vṛtaḥ .. [Mārkāṇḍeyapurāṇa 12, 10.] [Viṣṇupurāṇa 207.] —
2) die bei Finsternissen eintretende Verdunkelung des Mondes oder der Sonne; personif. Rāhu (der aufsteigende Knoten) [Amarakoṣa 1, 1, 2, 28. 3, 4, 30, 233.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 121.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] āviveśopasargastaṃ tamaḥ sūryamivāsuram [Daśaratha’s Tod 1, 2.] savyagate tamasi [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 5, 44.] [BṚH. 2, 5.] [Sūryasiddhānta 4, 5. 6, 11. 19.] Nach [Medinīkoṣa] (wo vā nā st. bālā zu lesen ist) und [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi,] [Scholiast] auch m. Vgl. tamogu . —
3) die über den Geist ausgebreitete Finsterniss, Irrthum, Verblendung, Wahn: (niḥ) ma.hono hṛ.o varatha.tamāṃsi [Ṛgveda 5, 31, 9.] munisutāpraṇayasmṛtirodhinā mama ca muktamidaṃ tamasā manaḥ [Śākuntala 135.] smṛtibhinnamohatamasaḥ (me) [181. 183.] bhartaryapetatamasi [191.] yena tamaścājñānajaṃ bhinnam [Pāṇini’s acht Bücher], Einl. ninye tamasi hāsyatām [Rājataraṅgiṇī 5, 144.] Eine der fünf Formen der avidyā im Sāṃkhya [Mahābhārata 14, 1019.] [SĀṂKHYAK. 48.] [Sânkhya Philosophy 34.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 12, 2. 20, 18.] [Viṣṇupurāṇa 34.] [Mārkāṇḍeyapurāṇa 47, 15.] = pāpa Sünde [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1381.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] = śoka Trauer [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 3, 3, 445.] [Medinīkoṣa] —
4) Finsterniss, Irrthum, Unwissenheit als eine der drei Grundeigenschaften alles Seienden (s. guṇa 1, g, β) [Amarakoṣa 1, 1, 4, 7. 3, 4, 30, 233.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] sattvaṃ rajastamaścaiva trīnvidyādātmano guṇān [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 12, 24.] sattvaṃ jñānaṃ tamo jñānaṃ rāgadveṣau rajaḥ smṛtam [25.] tamaso lakṣaṇaṃ kāmaḥ [38.] guru varaṇakameva tamaḥ [SĀṂKHYAK. 13. 54.] [Sânkhya Philosophy 25.] [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 69, 9.] [LAGHUJ. 4, 1. fg.] [BṚH. 2, 7.] —
5) Nomen proprium eines Nachkömmlings von Gṛtsamada, eines Sohnes des Śravas und Vaters des Prakāśa; nom. tamaḥ, gen. tamasaḥ [Mahābhārata 13, 2002.] Nomen proprium eines Sohnes des Pṛthuśravas und Vaters des Uśanas [Viṣṇupurāṇa 420.] — Das Wort geht wohl auf tam zurück: die Finsterniss erscheint als eine Hemmung des allgemeinen Lebens. Vgl. timira .
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Tamas (तमस्):—
2) Rāhu [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka 2, 3.] [Weber’s Indische Studien 10, 175.] —
3) nāsti śokasamaṃ tamaḥ [Spr. 3024.] — Vgl. mahā .
Tamas (तमस्):—n. —
1) Sg. und Pl. Finsterniss , Dunkel. tamaḥ praṇitaḥ so v.a. des Augenlichtes beraubt [Ṛgveda (roth). 1,117,17.] —
2) das Dunkel der Hölle , Hölle und eine best. Hölle [Wilson's Uebersetzung des Viṣṇupurāṇa ,6,4.] —
3) Beiname Rāhu’s , des Sonne und Mond verfinsternden Dämons. Nach den Lexicographen auch m. —
4) die über den Geist ausgebreitete Finsterniss , Irrthum , Verblendung , Wahn. —
5) Finsterniss , Irrthum , Unwissenheit als eine der drei Grundeigenschaften alles Seienden. —
6) im Sāṃkhya eine der fünf Formen der Avidyā. —
7) *Sünde. —
8) *Trauer. —
9) Nomen proprium eines Sohnes des Śravas , des Pṛthuśravas ([Viṣṇupurāṇa 4,12,2]) und des Dakṣa ([VP.².1,103]).
Tamas (तमस्) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Tama, Tamasa, Tamuya.
Tamas (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 翳質 [yì zhì]: “obscuration”.
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.
Hindi dictionary
1) Tamas (तमस्):—(nm) the third of the three qualities incidental to creation or the state of humanity, viz. the quality of darkness or ignorance; darkness; ignorance.
2) Tamas in Hindi refers in English to:—(nm) see [tamoguna]..—tamas (तामस) is alternatively transliterated as Tāmasa.
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Tamil dictionary
Tamāṣ (தமாஷ்) noun < Urdu tamāshā. Colloq.
1. Show, pomp; உல்லாசம். [ullasam.]
2. Spectacle, sight; காட்சி. [kadsi.]
3. Sport, fun; வேடிக்கை. [vedikkai.]
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Tāmāṣ (தாமாஷ்) noun < Urdu dāmāsāhi. Fair and equitable distribution (R. F.); சரியாகப் பகிர்ந்து கொடுக்கை. [sariyagap pagirnthu kodukkai.] (W. G.)
Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.
Nepali dictionary
Tamas is another spelling for तमस [tamasa].—n. 1. darkness; gloom; 2. ignorance; 3. sin; crime;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+20): Tamahkalpa, Tamahkanda, Tamahprabha, Tamahpravesha, Tamahsundari, Tamasa, Tamasaguna, Tamasahamkara, Tamasashastra, Tamastati, Tamasvan, Tamasvat, Tamasvati, Tamasvini, Tamobhid, Tamobhrakrit, Tamodharma, Tamoghna, Tamogu, Tamoguna.
Full-text (+427): Tamoguna, Tamonuda, Tamomaya, Tamasa, Tamoghna, Tamahprabha, Tamomani, Tamovikara, Tamonud, Tamopaha, Dirghatamas, Tamastati, Tamovrita, Tamojyotis, Vitamas, Tamohara, Tamobhid, Guna, Tamori, Apantaratamas.
Relevant text
Search found 258 books and stories containing Tamas, Damash, Dhamash, Tamaas, Tamāṣ, Tāmāṣ, Tamash, Thaamaash, Thamaash, Thamash; (plurals include: Tamases, Damashes, Dhamashes, Tamaases, Tamāṣs, Tāmāṣs, Tamashes, Thaamaashes, Thamaashes, Thamashes). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 148 < [English-Urdu-Hindi (1 volume)]
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International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
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