Upakaraka, Upakāraka: 15 definitions
Introduction:
Upakaraka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Upkarak.
In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchUpakāraka (उपकारक) refers to “assisting” (Samādhi), according to the Bhojadeva’s Rājamārtaṇḍa (commentary on Yogasūtra of Patañjali) Sūtra 2.29.—Accordingly, while discussing Prāṇāyāma and Samādhi: “In this system, some [of the auxiliaries] such as concentration directly assist (upakāraka) Samādhi; some [others] such as Yamas and the like, assist Samādhi [indirectly] by destroying hindrances such as violence to living beings [which is] contrary [to the aim of Samādhi]. Among these, posture and the like help the higher [auxiliaries]. For example, when posture is mastered, steadiness [of the body is achieved] for Prāṇāyāma. Thus, it also applies to the higher [auxiliaries]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationUpakāraka (उपकारक) refers to “helping someone”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.2 (“The birth of Śiva’s son”).—Accordingly, after Śiva spoke to Agni: “On hearing these words of Śiva, Agni replied to Śiva, the benefactor of the devotees with pleasure and bowing down with palms joined in reverence. ‘O lord Śiva, this splendour of yours is inaccessible and unbearable. There is no woman in the three worlds except Pārvatī to hold it in her womb’. O excellent sage, when fire said like this, you, urged by Śiva, said thus in order to help (upakāraka) Agni”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryupakāraka : (adj.) helping; effective; one who helps.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryUpakāraka, (adj.) (fr. upakāra) serviceable, helping, effective J. V, 99; Vism. 534.—f. upakārikā 1. benefactress, helper J. III, 437.—2. fortification (strengthening of the defence) on a city wall D. I, 105, see DA. I, 274 & cp. parikkhāra; M. I, 86 (= Nd2 1996).—3. (philosophy) = cause (that which is an aid in the persistence or happening of any given thing) Tikapaṭṭhāna I. 11 (Page 139)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryupakāraka (उपकारक).—a S That benefits, helps, assists, furthers, promotes.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryUpakāraka (उपकारक).—a. Doing service or favour, helping, contributing to, assisting, productive (of good results); उपकारकमायतेर्भृशम् (upakārakamāyaterbhṛśam) Kirātārjunīya 2.43.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpakāraka (उपकारक).—mfn.
(-kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) A friend, a protector, one who befriends. E. upa and kṛ to do, ṇvul aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpakāraka (उपकारक).—i. e. upa-kṛ + aka, adj., f. rikā. 1. Benefitting, [Hitopadeśa] 97, 21. 2. Helping, Bhāṣāp. 102.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpakāraka (उपकारक).—([feminine] rikā) & rin [adjective] serviceable, officious, useful, kind.
— *[feminine] rikā royal tent.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Upakāraka (उपकारक):—[=upa-kāraka] [from upa-kṛ] mf(ikā)n. doing a service or favour, assisting, helping, benefiting
2) [v.s. ...] suitable, requisite, [Hitopadeśa; Kathāsaritsāgara; Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] subsidiary, subservient
4) [v.s. ...] accessory, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpakāraka (उपकारक):—[upa-kāraka] (kaḥ-kā-kaṃ) a. Helping.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Upakāraka (उपकारक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Uaāraa, Uvagāraga, Uvayāraya.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryUpakāraka (उपकारक) [Also spelled upkarak]:—(nm) benefactor; (a) beneficial, beneficient; favourable.
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Upakarakan, Upakarakarana, Upakarakaritva, Upakarakatva.
Ends with: Aradupakaraka, Rupakaraka, Sopakaraka, Svamyupakaraka, Svavamyupakaraka.
Full-text: Upakarakatva, Svamyupakaraka, Aradupakaraka, Upakarika, Upakarakan, Uvayaraya, Uaaraa, Upkarak, Uvagaraga, Sopakaraka, Ara, Gopa.
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Search found 10 books and stories containing Upakaraka, Upakāraka, Upa-karaka, Upa-kāraka; (plurals include: Upakarakas, Upakārakas, karakas, kārakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Mimamsa interpretation of Vedic Injunctions (Vidhi) (by Shreebas Debnath)
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 78 - The Story of Venerable Channa < [Chapter 6 - Paṇḍita Vagga (The Wise)]
Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari (by K. A. Subramania Iyer)
Verse 3.7.27 < [Book 3 - Pada-kāṇḍa (7): Sādhana-samuddeśa (On the Means)]
The Patthanuddesa Dipani (by Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw)
Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya) (by George Thibaut)
II, 2, 19 < [Second Adhyāya, Second Pāda]
Dasarupaka (critical study) (by Anuru Ranjan Mishra)
Part 10 - Application of the Junctures (sandhi) in a Prakaraṇa < [Chapter 10 - Prakaraṇa (critical study)]