Upakarana, Upakaraṇa: 24 definitions

Introduction:

Upakarana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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 Upkaran.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

The characteristics of the accessories (upakaraṇa):—And d at the production of a play (lit. here) one should use differently in relation to dramatis personae many kinds of accessories (upakaraṇa) demanded by the art of theatre. Now, all the manufactures or crafts that are executed in this world of moving and immobile objects, are to be known as the accessories in a performance. And to obtain them one is to go to a country which has got it. For [obtaining] such accessories in a dramatic production men have no other means.

Natyashastra book cover
context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Natyashastra from relevant books on Exotic India

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण) refers to “emblems”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The dark spots, also known as ketus, the sons of Rāhu are Tāmasa, Kīlaka and the like, and are 33 in number. How they affect the earth depends upon their color, position and shape. [...] If the solar spots should be of the shape of the emblems of royalty [i.e., rāja-upakaraṇa] such as chatra (umbrella), dhvaja (flag staff) and cāmara (hairy fan) and the like, the reigning prince will be dethroned and a foreign prince will begin to reign. If the spots should appear like sparks of fire, like the smoke and the like, his subjects will suffer”.

Jyotisha book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Jyotisha from relevant books on Exotic India

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण) refers to “one who is engaged in rendering help (to others)” and is used to describe Sage Nārada, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.8.—Accordingly, as Himavat said to Sage Nārada:—“O sage Nārada, of good knowledge, O lord, foremost among the sons of Brahmā, you are omniscient. You are sympathetic. You are engaged in rendering help to others [i.e., para-upakaraṇa]. Please read the horoscope of my daughter and tell me about her good and bad fortune. Whose beloved wife will my fortunate daughter be?”.

Purana book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण) refers to “various utensils” and is mentioned among the “material benefits” granted by the Bodhisattva, according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLVI.—Accordingly, “other utensils (upakaraṇa), i.e., everything that beings have need of. As it would be impossible to mention them completely, the sūtra gathers them all together into one group”.

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण) refers to “copious acquisitions” [?], according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, “Now there lived a Brahmin called Viṣṇudatta in Navanagara. He was wealthy with great riches, great revenues; he was endowed with copious acquisitions (upakaraṇa-saṃpanna) and means of subsistence. He had mastered the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. He was a mantra-reciter and mantra-practitioner. He summoned Nāgas again and again. He sacrificed fire oblations. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Jainism glossary
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 6: Influx of karmas

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—One of the two types of saṃyoga (combining);—What is meant by ‘combining implements’ (upakaraṇa-saṃyoga)? To wipe cold books /body, water pot etc by warm whisk or to combine hot and cold implements is combining implements. It can also be defined as assembling things together for any act or effect.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 2: the Category of the living

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण, “instruments”) refers to one of the two types of dravyendriya (physical sense organ), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 2.15. Dravyendriya represents one of the to types of indriya (sense-organs) of which there are five (pañcendriya)

What is the meaning of instrument /means (upakaraṇa)? It means an entity which assists in the completion or protection of the formation. How many types of instruments are there and which are those? These are two namely external and internal. What are the external instruments? For example the eye lids and the eye lashes are the instruments of the eye sense. What is the meaning of internal formations? Formations inside the external physical sense organ etc. for example retina, white and black balls inside the eye.

General definition book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

upakaraṇa : (nt.) instrument; outfit; utensils; requisites; help; support; provisions.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Upakaraṇa, (nt.) (fr. upa + kṛ) help, service, support; means of existence, livelihood D. II, 340; A. II, 86; J. I, 7; PvA. 60 (commodities), 133 (°manussa, adj. suitable, fit); Sdhp. 69. In general any instrument or means of achieving a purpose, viz. apparatus of a ship J. IV, 165; tunnavaya° a weaver’s outfit J. II, 364; dabb° fit to be used as wood Vism. 120; dān° materials for a gift PvA. 105 (so read & cp. upakkhaṭa); nahān° bathing requisites VvA. 248; vitt° luxuries A. V, 264 sq. , 283, 290 sq.; PvA. 71. (Page 139)

Pali book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Pali from relevant books on Exotic India

Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—n (S) An instrument or implement; a means. 2 A constituting or a subsidiary particular, an ingredient, an element. 3 or upakaraṇēṃ n A common term for the articles used in dēvapūjā (bells, censers, dishes, vessels). 4 Used pl The calculations made as preparatory to the framing of an almanac. 5 pl The insignia of royalty.

--- OR ---

upākaraṇa (उपाकरण).—n S upākarma n S The annual ceremony of renewing the sacrificial or the characteristic thread. 2 Studying the Vedas after investiture with the thread.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—n An instrument. A constitu- ent element. Apparatus.

--- OR ---

upākaraṇa (उपाकरण).—n The annual ceremony of renewing the sacrificial or the characteristic thread.

context information

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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Marathi from relevant books on Exotic India

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—

1) Doing service or favour, helping, assisting.

2) Material, implement, instrument, means; यथैवोपकरणवतां जीवितं तथैव ते जीवितं स्यात् (yathaivopakaraṇavatāṃ jīvitaṃ tathaiva te jīvitaṃ syāt) Bṛ. Up.2.4.2.; स्वेषूपकरणेषु (sveṣūpakaraṇeṣu) Uttararāmacarita 5; °द्रव्यम् (dravyam) Mṛcchakaṭika 3; उपकरणीभावमायाति (upakaraṇībhāvamāyāti) Uttararāmacarita 3.3 serve as helping instruments, or assistants; परोप- कारोपकरणं शरीरम् (paropa- kāropakaraṇaṃ śarīram) K.27; so स्नान° (snāna°) bathing materials; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1; व्यायाम° (vyāyāma°) athletic materials; आत्मा परोपकरणीकृतः (ātmā paropakaraṇīkṛtaḥ) H.2.24; K.8,12,198,24; Y.2.276, Manusmṛti 9.27.

3) An engine, machine, apparatus, paraphernalia (in general).

4) Means of subsistence, anything supporting life.

5) A means or expedient; कर्म°, वेद°, यज्ञ° (karma°, veda°, yajña°) &c.

6) Fabricating, composing, elaborating.

7) The insignia of royalty.

8) The attendants of a king.

Derivable forms: upakaraṇam (उपकरणम्).

--- OR ---

Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण).—

1) An invitation to begin, bringing near; पवमान°, प्रातरनुवाक° (pavamāna°, prātaranuvāka°) &c.

2) A term given to certain sentences called Praiṣas (with which one priest calls another to perform a sacrifice).

3) Immolation, sacrifice of an animal consecrated according to rites.

4) Preparation, beginning, commencement.

5) Commencement of reading the Veda after the performance of the preparatory rite; cf. उपाकर्मन् (upākarman); वेदोपाकरणाख्यं कर्म करिष्ये (vedopākaraṇākhyaṃ karma kariṣye) Srāvaṇī-mantra.

Derivable forms: upākaraṇam (उपाकरणम्).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—= bhoga, food: Bodhisattvabhūmi 246.24 upakaraṇa-vaikalya-jaṃ (duḥkham), one of 5 kinds of duḥkha, clearly = 293.10 bhoga-vaikalya-duḥkha-, pain due to defects in food; probably in this meaning Bodhisattvabhūmi 11.1 upakaraṇa- vikalasya jīvikāpekṣāyaṃ caturtha upakleśaḥ; Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya iii.19.20; 134.10. Cf. upakāraṇa.

--- OR ---

Upakāraṇa (उपकारण).—(?) (compare AMg. uvagāraṇa = Sanskrit upakāra? or for Sanskrit and Pali upakaraṇa?), in (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 48.10 evaṃ laḍḍukāgarbhoktārakaviśeṣān (? seems corrupt) pūpopa- kāraṇān sarvadevabhūtagaṇān sarvasattvāṃś ca mantrope- tān vidhinā niryātayet. We seem to need dat. instead of acc. forms for °gaṇān and °sattvāmś (as in the following parallel sentence); with that change, pūpopakāraṇān might mean benefactions consisting of cakes, or instruments (compare upakaraṇa) of (making) cakes; or, with a meaning character- istic of upakaraṇa in Pali rather than Sanskrit, commodities consisting of cakes; or finally, if = [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] upakaraṇa in Bodhisattvabhūmi 246.24 (see s.v.), food consisting of cakes.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—n.

(-ṇaṃ) 1. Apparatus, paraphernalia, as the vessels and offerings at a sacrifice. 2. Implements, machines. 3. The insignia of royalty. 4. Sauces, condiments. 5. Helping, assisting. 6. Object of art or science, fabricating, composing, &c. 7. Means of subsistence, any thing supporting life. E. upa implying command or help, kṛ to make, lyuṭ aff.

--- OR ---

Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण).—n.

(-ṇaṃ) 1. Performance of a preparatory rite before reading the Vedas. 2. Immolation, sacrifice of an animal duly consecrated. E. upa and āṅ prefixed to kṛ to do, aff. lyuṭ.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—i. e. upa-kṛ + ana, n. Benefitting, [Pañcatantra] 86, 3. 2. Implements, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 2, 276. 3. Complement, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 105 (of the Veda, viz. the Vedāngas).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण).—[neuter] doing a service, helping, assistance; instrument, supplement, means, expedient; p. ṇavant.

--- OR ---

Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण).—[neuter] bringing near, fetching, also = seq.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Āpast. B. 1, 146.

2) Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण):—[dharma] L.. 566.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Upakaraṇa (उपकरण):—[=upa-karaṇa] a etc. See upa- √1. kṛ.

2) [=upa-karaṇa] [from upa-kṛ] b n. the act of doing anything for another, doing a service or favour, helping, assisting, benefiting, [Pañcatantra; Sāhitya-darpaṇa; Subhāṣitāvali] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] instrument, implement, machine, engine, apparatus, paraphernalia (as the vessels at a sacrifice etc.), [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Śāṅkhāyana-gṛhya-sūtra; Yājñavalkya; Manu-smṛti] etc.

4) [v.s. ...] anything added over and above, contribution, expedient

5) [v.s. ...] means of subsistence, anything supporting life

6) [v.s. ...] any object of art or science

7) [v.s. ...] anything fabricated, [Manu-smṛti; Suśruta; Kathāsaritsāgara; Caraka] etc.

8) [v.s. ...] the insignia of royalty, [Horace H. Wilson]

9) [v.s. ...] the attendants of a king, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

10) [v.s. ...] (according to some also) heaping earth ([from] √kṝ), [Viṣṇu-smṛti, viṣṇu-sūtra, vaiṣṇava-dharma-śāstra]

11) Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण):—[=upā-karaṇa] [from upā-kṛ] n. the act of bringing near, fetching, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Pāraskara-gṛhya-sūtra] etc.

12) [v.s. ...] setting about, preparation, beginning, commencing, [Āpastamba-dharma-sūtra; Āśvalāyana-śrauta-sūtra] & [Āśvalāyana-gṛhya-sūtra; Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra] etc.

13) [v.s. ...] commencement of reading the Veda (after the performance of preparatory rites, as initiation etc.), [Śāṅkhāyana-gṛhya-sūtra iv, 5, 1]

14) [v.s. ...] Name of a particular Stotra or prayer at sacrifices, [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra iii.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Upakaraṇa (उपकरण):—[upa-karaṇa] (ṇaṃ) 1. n. Apparatus; insignia; sauces; helping; means.

2) Upākaraṇa (उपाकरण):—[upā+karaṇa] (ṇaṃ) 1. n. Study of the Vedas after initiation, immolation.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Uvagaraṇa, Uvayaraṇa, Uvayāraṇa, Oaraṇa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Upakarana in German

context information

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.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Upakaraṇa (उपकरण) [Also spelled upkaran]:—(nm) appliance; equipment, apparatus.

context information

...

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Hindi from relevant books on Exotic India

Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Upakarana in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Upakaraṇa (ಉಪಕರಣ):—

1) [noun] a service or favour done to another.

2) [noun] an implement, instrument, apparatus, etc. used as a means to do something or bring something about.

3) [noun] a royal contingent; attendants of a king.

--- OR ---

Upākaraṇa (ಉಪಾಕರಣ):—

1) [noun] a bringing closer; a receiving; a reception.

2) [noun] commencement of reading of the Vedas after the performance of the preparatory rites.

3) [noun] the act of consecration of an animal intended to be immolated in a sacrifice.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Discover the meaning of upakarana in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: