Alternative spellings of this word include Upma.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Upamā (उपमा) refers to “resembling” (i.e., ‘on par with’), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.14 (“The Birth of Tāraka and Vajrāṅga”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “O sage, the penance was completed by Diti who performed it with faith. Thereafter from him she conceived and delivered of a son. That son of Diti named Vajrāṅga (of adamantine limbs) was on a par with the gods [i.e., amara-upamā]. Befitting his name, his body was strong and powerful even from his very birth. At the bidding of his mother, he immediately abducted Indra, the lord of gods, the other gods and punished them in various ways. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Upamā (उपमा).—The Goddess in Brahmakṣetra.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 59. 130.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Upamā (उपमा, “simile”) refers to one of the four “figures of speech” (alaṃkāra), used when composing dramatic compositions (kāvya), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 17.

There are five kinds of upamā defined:

1. simile of praise (praśaṃsā),
2. simile of censure (nindā),
3. simile of conceit (kalpitā),
4. simile of uniqueness (sadśṛī),
5. simile of partial likeness (kiṃcit sadṛśī).

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

Upamā (उपमा, “simile”).—One of the four alaṃkāra, or “figure of speech”;—Description of upamā: When in a poetical composition anything is compared on the basis of some similarity, it is an instance of Simile (upamā). It relates to quality and form.

Source: Shodhganga: Mankhaka a sanskrit literary genius (natya)

Upamā (उपमा, “simile”) refers to a type of Alaṃkāra (figure of speech).—The figure Upamā is the resemblance between two things expressed in a single sentence and unaccompanied with the statement of difference. In the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita, there is found, some fascinating instances of Upamā.

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).

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Upamā (उपमा).—A well-known term in Rhetorics meaning the figure of speech ' simile ' or ' comparison '. The word is often found in the Nirukta in the same sense; cf. अथात उपमाः (athāta upamāḥ) | 'यत् अतत् तत्सदृशम् (yat atat tatsadṛśam)'इति गार्ग्यः । (iti gārgyaḥ |) Nir III.13. Generally an inferior thing is compared to another that is superior in quality.

context information

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.

Kavyashastra (science of poetry)

Source: Shodhganga: The Kavyavilasa of Ciranjiva Bhattacarya (kavyashastra)

Upamā (उपमा) refers to one of the 93 alaṃkāras (“figures of speech”) mentioned by Cirañjīva Bhaṭṭācārya (fl. 17th century) in his Kāvyavilāsa and is listed as one of the 89 arthālaṃkāras (figure of speech determined by the sense, as opposed to sound).—Upamā is at the root of a large number of alaṃkāras and has been treated as a figure from the very beginning. Ālaṃkārikas like Bharata (N.Ś. XIV/12), Bhāmaha (230), Daṇḍin (214), Vāmana (421), Mammaṭa (X/P. 540), Ruyyaka (A.S, P. 25), Viśvanātha (X/14) and Jagannātha (P. 204) have treated upamā. Bharata speaks of upamā first. Appayyadīkṣita has mentioned the importance of upamā in his Citramīmāṃsā.

Cirañjīva defines upamā as follows—“upamā yatra sādṛśyalakṣmīrūllasati dvayoḥ”.—“That in which the grace of similarity between the two is expressed is known as upamā”. In this definition the word dvayoḥ indicates the thing compared to (upamāna) and the thing compared (upameya). The similarity between these two should have to be clearly expressed. When the two objects are different and still they have most of the attributes in common then the similarity exists between these two objects.

Cirañjīva classifies upamā into two varieties—

1. pūrṇopamā,
2. luptopamā.

An example of upamā where the four requisites, i.e., upameya, upamāna, words suggestive of similarity and common attribute are present, is known as pūrṇā and where anyone or two or three of the four requisites are not mentioned, it is known as luptā.

Source: Shodhganga: Bhismacaritam a critical study

Upamā (उपमा, “simile”) refers to one of the various Alaṅkāras (‘figures of speech’) classified as Artha (‘sense’), as employed in the Bhīṣmacarita (Bhishma Charitra) which is a mahākāvya (‘epic poem’) written by Hari Narayan Dikshit.— The poet’s use of ‘upamā’ is perfect and appropriate in his poem the Bhīṣmacarita. In XIV.42 he uses Upamā and compares the victory with the swing. Here the poet has perfectly used the ‘upamā-alaṅkāra’.

context information

Kavyashastra (काव्यशास्त्र, kāvyaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian tradition of poetry (kavya). Canonical literature (shastra) of the includes encyclopedic manuals dealing with prosody, rhetoric and various other guidelines serving to teach the poet how to compose literature.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

Upama (उपम) refers to the classification of medicinal drugs (auṣadhi) and substances (dravy) according to “simile, analogy or resemblance”, as defined in the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). Accordingly, “these seven [eg., Upama] are the everlasting sources of the names i.e. names spoken in different regions or countries such as Kāśmīraja, Kāmbojī, Magadhodbhavā or Vālhikā”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Upamā (उपमा):—Simility; a basis for nomenclature of plants

context information

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Upama (उपम) refers to “(being) filled” [?] (with the splendor of the moon)”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 2.22cd-28ab]—“[...] That which is described is celebrated in the world as the supreme Amṛta [sa], this is the highest dwelling place. It is the highest Amṛta. Joined with the kalā nectar [visarga], filled with the splendor of the moon (pūrṇacandra-prabha-upama). It is the highest abode [of Śiva]. That is the supreme word. That is supreme strength, that is supreme amṛta. The highest of splendors is highest light of light. [...]”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: academia.edu: The Original Paṇhavāyaraṇa/Praśnavyākaraṇa Discovered

Upamā (उपमा) (Sanskrit; in Prakrit: Uvamā) refers to “comparison/ example” and represents one of the ten adhyayanas taught in the Paṇhavāgaraṇa: (Sanskrit: Praśnavyākaraṇa), according to the  Sthānāṅgasūtra (Sūtra 755).—The Paṇhavāgaraṇa is the tenth Anga of the Jain canon which deals with the prophetic explanation of queries regarding divination.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

upama : (in cpds.) like; similar; having the qualities of. || upamā (f.), simile; parable; comparison.

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

Upama, (adj.) (compar. -superl. formation fr. upa, cp. Lat. summus fr. *(s)ub-mo) “coming quite or nearly up to”, i.e. like, similar, equal D. I, 239 (andha-veṇ°); M. I, 432 (taruṇ° a young looking fellow); A. IV, 11 udak° puggala a man like water); Pv. I, 1¹ (khett° like a well cultivated field; = sadisa PvA. 7); PvA. 2, 8 etc.—Note. ūpama metri causa see ū° and cp. opamma & upamā. (Page 145)

— or —

Upamā, (f.) (f. of upama in abstract meaning) likeness, simile, parable, example (cp. formula introducing u. S. II, 114; M. I, 148); Sn. 705 (cp. Dh. 129, 130), 1137 (= upanidhā sadisaṃ paṭibhāgo Nd² 158); It. 114; Vism. 341, 478, 512, 582 sq. , 591 sq.; PvA. 29, 112 (dhen°); SnA 329, 384; Sdhp. 29, 44, 259.

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

upamā (उपमा).—f (S) corruptly upama n A simile; the object adduced in illustration. 2 Resemblance, similitude. 3 A resemblance (as a picture, an image, an effigy, a figure).

--- OR ---

upama (उपम).—n A simile &c. v dē. See under upamā.

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

upamā (उपमा).—f A simile. Resemblance.

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.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Upama (उपम).—a. Ved.

1) Highest, uppermost.

2) Most excellent, best, eminent, first.

3) Nearest.

--- OR ---

Upamā (उपमा).—2 P., 3, 4. Ā.

1) To compare, liken; तेनोपमीयेत तमालनीलम् (tenopamīyeta tamālanīlam) Śiśupālavadha 3.8; स्तनौ मांसग्रन्थी कनककलशावित्युपमितौ (stanau māṃsagranthī kanakakalaśāvityupamitau) Bhartṛhari 3.2.

2) To give, grant (Ved.).

--- OR ---

Upamā (उपमा).—

1) Resemblance, similarity, equality; स्फुटोपमं भूतिसितेन शम्भुना (sphuṭopamaṃ bhūtisitena śambhunā) Śiśupālavadha 1.4,17.69; Kirātārjunīya 6.23; इहोपमा सताम् (ihopamā satām) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 2.8 the same is the case with the good.

2) (In Rhet.) Comparison of two objects different from each other, simile, comparison; साधर्म्यमुपमा भेदे (sādharmyamupamā bhede) K. P.1; or सादृश्यं सुन्दरं वाक्यार्थोपस्कारकमुपमालंकृतिः (sādṛśyaṃ sundaraṃ vākyārthopaskārakamupamālaṃkṛtiḥ) R. G.; or उपमा यत्र सादृश्यलक्ष्मीरुल्लसतिः द्वयोः । हंसीव कृष्ण ते कीर्तिः स्वर्गङ्गायवगाहते (upamā yatra sādṛśyalakṣmīrullasatiḥ dvayoḥ | haṃsīva kṛṣṇa te kīrtiḥ svargaṅgāyavagāhate) || Chandr.5.3; Kāv.2.14; उपमा कालिदासस्य (upamā kālidāsasya) Subhāṣ. (Daṇdin mentions 32 varieties of upamā; see Kāv.2.15-5; as to words expressive of upamā see 2.57-65); see K. P.1 ad loc also.

3) The standard of comparison (upamāna); यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता (yathā dīpo nivātastho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 6.19; (आत्मानमुपमां कृत्वा स्वेषु दारेषु रम्यताम् (ātmānamupamāṃ kṛtvā sveṣu dāreṣu ramyatām) Rām.5.21.8; see °द्रव्य (dravya) below; mostly at the end of comp., 'like', 'resembling'; बुबुधे न वुधोपमः (bubudhe na vudhopamaḥ) R.1.47; so स्वर्गोपम, अमरोपम, अनुपम (svargopama, amaropama, anupama) &c.

4) A likeness (as a picture, portrait &c.

5) Heresy, irreligious doctrine; विधर्भः परधर्मश्च आभास उपमा छलः । अधर्मशाखाः पञ्चेमा धर्मज्ञोऽधर्मवत्त्यजेत् (vidharbhaḥ paradharmaśca ābhāsa upamā chalaḥ | adharmaśākhāḥ pañcemā dharmajño'dharmavattyajet) || Bhāgavata 7.15.12.

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

Upamā (उपमा).—f.

(-mā) 1. Likeness, (but used only in composition.) 2. Resemblance, a resemblance as a picture, an image, &c. 3. A simile. E. upa like, mā to measure, affixes aṅ and ṭāp; also with lyuṭ aff. upamāna.

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

Upamā (उपमा).—[upa-mā], f. 1. Comparison, Bhāṣāp. 79. 2. Likeness, Mahābhārata 1, 6401; [Bhagavadgītā, (ed. Schlegel.)] 6, 19; ātmānam upamāṃ kṛtvā, comparing thyself (viz. with others), [Rāmāyaṇa] 5, 23, 5.

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

Upama (उपम).—[adjective] uppermost, highest; nearest, next; first, best, excellent, chief.

--- OR ---

Upamā (उपमा).—1. [adverb] quite, near.

--- OR ---

Upamā (उपमा).—2. [feminine] resemblance, similarity; comparison, image ([rhetorie]); [often] adj. resembling, equal to, like (—°).

--- OR ---

Upamā (उपमा).—apportion, grant; compare with ([instrumental]).

Upamā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms upa and mā (मा).

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

1) Upama (उपम):—1. upama mf(ā)n. uppermost, highest

2) most excellent, eminent, best, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda]

3) nearest, next, first, [Ṛg-veda; Nighaṇṭuprakāśa]

4) Upamā (उपमा):—[from upama] 1. upamā (for 2. See below, and for 3. See [column]3) ind. ([Vedic or Veda] [instrumental case] of the above) in the closest proximity or neighbourhood, [Ṛg-veda i, 31, 15; viii, 69, 13.]

5) Upama (उपम):—2. upama mfn. ifc. for 3. upa-mā q.v.

6) Upamā (उपमा):—[=upa-mā] 2. upa-√mā [Parasmaipada] [Ātmanepada] ([imperative] 2. sg. -mimīhi, -māhi, and -māsva; [subjunctive] 2. sg. -māsi) to measure out to, apportion to, assign, allot, grant, give, [Ṛg-veda] : [Ātmanepada] -mimīte, to measure one thing by another, compare, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Caurapañcāśikā etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] 3. upa-mā f. comparison, resemblance, equality, similarity

8) [v.s. ...] a resemblance (as a picture, portrait etc.), [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Mahābhārata; Kumāra-sambhava] etc.

9) [v.s. ...] a particular figure in rhetoric, simile, comparison (a full simile must include four things; See pūrṇopama, luptopamā, etc.), [Sāhitya-darpaṇa; Kāvyādarśa; Vāmana’s Kāvyālaṃkāravṛtti] etc.

10) [v.s. ...] a particle of comparison, [Nirukta, by Yāska]

11) [v.s. ...] a particular metre, [Ṛgveda-prātiśākhya]

12) [v.s. ...] (mfn. ifc.) equal, similar, resembling, like (e.g. amaropama mfn. resembling an immortal), [Mahābhārata; Raghuvaṃśa; Daśakumāra-carita; Hitopadeśa etc.]

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

1) Upama (उपम):—[upa-ma] (maḥ-mā-maṃ) a. Like.

2) Upamā (उपमा):—[upa-mā] (mā) 1. f. A simile, likeness.

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

Upamā (उपमा) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Uvamā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Upama 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Upamā (उपमा) [Also spelled upma]:—(nf) a simile; comparison.

context information

...

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ma, Upa.

Starts with (+63): Upamad, Upamada, Upamadgu, Upamadhyama, Upamadikshe, Upamadravya, Upamagu, Upamahadvipa, Upamai, Upamajj, Upamajjana, Upamakshepa, Upamal, Upamalamkara, Upamalini, Upamalinitiram, Upamalita, Upamam, Upamamtri, Upamana.

Ends with (+93): Agnishikhopama, Akritopama, Alabdhopama, Amaropama, Amritopama, Amshika-rupama, Anaupama, Antakopama, Antargatopama, Anupama, Anupopama, Arjunopama, Arthopama, Arupama, Asadrishopama, Atmopama, Bahupama, Bandhujivakopama, Candupama, Catupama.

Full-text (+165): Upamam, Nirupama, Upamana, Anupama, Luptopama, Upamiti, Upamarupaka, Lodhratilaka, Upameti, Malopama, Aupamya, Vilopa-upama, Rajanipuramdhri, Utprekshavayava, Pratishedhopama, Arjunopama, Samopama, Asadrishopama, Prashamsopama, Drishopama.

Relevant text

Search found 63 books and stories containing Upama, Upamā, Upa-ma, Upa-mā; (plurals include: Upamas, Upamās, mas, mās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)

Rig Veda 10.29.3 < [Sukta 29]

Rig Veda 8.69.13 < [Sukta 69]

Rig Veda 8.29.9 < [Sukta 29]

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The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)

Part 5g - Alaṃkāra (7): Upamā or simile < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

Part 5 - Alaṃkāra or the figures of speech < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

Part 4 - Style of the Maṅkhakośa text < [Chapter V - The Maṅkhakośa]

+ 6 more chapters / show preview

Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)

Text 10.66 [Nidarśanā] < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]

Text 10.19 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]

Text 10.1 [Upamā] < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]

+ 43 more chapters / show preview

Triveni Journal

The Prognostic Potentia1 of Kalidasa’s Similes < [April – June, 1988]

Speak no Evil < [January – March, 1983]

Dhvani in ‘Meghaduta’ < [April 1968]

+ 16 more chapters / show preview

Alamkaras mentioned by Vamana (by Pratim Bhattacharya)

1: The early traces of Sanskrit Rhetoric < [Chapter 2 - The concept of alaṃkāra in Sanskrit Poetics]

1: Definition of Upamā Alaṃkāra < [Chapter 4 - Arthālaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]

1-2: The number of Alaṃkāras (poetic figures) mentioned < [Chapter 5 - A Comparative study of the different alaṃkāras mentioned by Vāmana]

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Shishupala-vadha (Study) (by Shila Chakraborty)

Knowledge of Rhetoric (Alaṃkāra) in the Śiśupālavadha < [Introduction]

Māgha’s diversity in composition < [Introduction]

Source of the epic Śiśupālavadha < [Introduction]

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