Tittibha, aka: Ṭiṭṭibha; 4 Definition(s)

Introduction

Tittibha means something in 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.

In Hinduism

Dharmashastra (religious law)

1) Ṭiṭṭibha (टिट्टिभ) is a bird which is always screaming ‘ṭiṭ’, ‘ṭiṭ’. In most cases the names of birds are in imitation of their sounds: as says the Nirukta—‘The name Kāka is in imitation of the sound ; such is the case with most bird-names.’

2) Ṭiṭṭibha (टिट्टिभ) is the name of the bird that makes the ‘ṭī ṭī’ sound. (See the Manubhāṣya verse 5.11)

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Ṭiṭṭibha (टिट्टिभ).—An asura. This demon shines in the court of Varuṇa. (Śloka 15, Chapter 9, Sabhā Parva).

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.

Katha (narrative stories)

Ṭiṭṭibha (टिट्टिभ) is the name of a flea (matkuṇa), according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 59. Accordingly, “... in the bed of a certain king there long lived undiscovered a louse, that had crept in from somewhere or other, by name Mandavisarpiṇī. And suddenly a flea, named Ṭiṭṭibha, entered that bed, wafted there by the wind from some place or other”.

The story of Mandavisarpiṇī was narrated by Damanaka to Piṅgalaka in order to demonstrate that “if a wicked person is wise enough not to do an injury himself, it will happen by association with him”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Ṭiṭṭibha, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

context information

Katha (कथा, kathā) refers to narrative Sanskrit literature often inspired from epic legendry (itihasa) and poetry (mahākāvya). Some Kathas reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of important historical event and exploits of the Gods, Heroes and Sages.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ṭiṭṭibha (टिट्टिभ).—(-bhī f.) A kind of bird; उत्क्षिप्य टिट्टिभः पादावास्ते भङ्गभयाद्दिवः (utkṣipya ṭiṭṭibhaḥ pādāvāste bhaṅgabhayāddivaḥ) Pt.1.314; Ms.5.11; Y.1.172; also टिट्टिभक (ṭiṭṭibhaka).

Derivable forms: ṭiṭṭibhaḥ (टिट्टिभः).

See also (synonyms): ṭiṭibha.

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