Upavita, Upavīta: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Upavita means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi. 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
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚaivismUpavīta (उपवीत, “sacred thread”) refers to one of the five kinds of external marks of an ācārya (“Śaiva preceptor”), according to Nigamajñāna (Śaiva teacher of the 16th century) in his Śaivāgamaparibhāṣāmañjarī.
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraUpavīta (उपवीत) refers to a “sacred thread”, according to the Svacchanda-tantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.8-13, while describing auspicious dreams]—“[...] [It is auspicious when one dreams of] a pill, wood for cleaning the teeth, yellow pigment on a sword or sandal, sacred thread (upavīta), ointment, nectar, mercury, medicinal herbs, śakti, a water jar, lotus, rosary, red arsenic or blazing objects of siddhas, which have red chalk as their ends. [...]”
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaUpavīta (उपवीत).—The sacred string or Uttarīya. The twiceborn (the three upper castes) wear this. When it is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm it is called Upavīta, when it is worn over the right shoulder and under the left arm it is called Prācīnāvīta and if it is worn around the neck as a garland it is called Nivīta. (Manusmṛti, Chapter 2 Stanza 63).
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd EditionUpavīta (उपवीत) or Yajñasūtra refers to the “sacred thread” and represents one of the various articles offered during worship, according to the Arcana-dīpikā (manual on deity worship), while explaining procedures performed in the morning.—According to time and place, sixteen [viz., upavīta], twelve, ten or five articles can be employed in the worship of Śrī Bhagavān.
Note: Upavīta refers to the sacred thread received by men at the time of dīkṣā; it is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm. ūrdhva-puṇḍra tilaka–(ūrdhva–vertical; puṇḍra–lines), the vertical clay markings of the Vaiṣṇavas that are worn on the forehead and other parts of the body to symbolize devotion to lord kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu.
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’).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramUpavīta (उपवीत) refers to the “sacred thread”, 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, “(Kubjikā) is the colour of (dark) blue collyrium. [...] (The snake) Ananta is said to be the anklet of her feet. Karkoṭa around (her) waist is said to be (her) belt. Takṣaka is the sacred thread [i.e., upavīta] and the necklace around (her) neck is Vāsuki. Kulika, adorned with tortoise earrings, is said to be on (her) ears. Padma and Mahāpadma are on the middle of (her) eyebrows. Thousands of snakes adorn all (her) arms. (She is) adorned with a garland of flames (that surrounds her) and she shines like thousands of lightning flashes. Such is the venerable Kubjikā’s form. One should think of it as such until it is complete”.
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)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsUpavīta (उपवीत) or Upavītamudrā refers to one of the Mudrās (gestures) discussed in chapter 31 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).—Description of chapter [mudrā-vidhāna]: As a part of worship [pūjāṅga], it is ordained in the śāstras that certain mudrā-gestures be done to please the gods (1). The ones listed and described are [e.g., Upavīta-mudrā] [...]. When some of these are to be used in the worship of God is given (49b-58).
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: ACHC: Smarta PujaUpavīta (उपवीत) refers to “offering the sacred thread”, representing one of the various services (upacāra) of a pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—To male deities the worshipper offers the sacred thread (upavīta) which is to be worn by Brahmins, Kṣatriyas and Vaiśyas on the left shoulder and under the right arm. It is customary to offer the sacred thread after offering both garments (vastra) as no ritual act—like wearing the yajñopavita—can be performed without being properly dressed.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryupavīta : (pp. of upavīyati) woven.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryUpavīta, (?) covered (?) at VvA. 8 in phrase “vettalatâdīhi upavītaṃ āsanaṃ” should prob. be read upanīta (vv. ll. uparivīta & upajita); or could it be pp. of upavīyati (woven with)? (Page 147)
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 Dictionaryupavīta (उपवीत).—n S The cord worn by the three first classes of Hindus over the left shoulder and under the right.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishupavīta (उपवीत).—n The sacred thread worn by the three classes of Hindus.
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 dictionaryUpavīta (उपवीत).—[upa-ve-kta]
1) Investiture with the sacred thread.
2) The sacred thread worn by the first three classes of the Hindus; पित्र्यमंशमुपवीतलक्षणं मातृकं च धनु- रूर्जितं दधत् (pitryamaṃśamupavītalakṣaṇaṃ mātṛkaṃ ca dhanu- rūrjitaṃ dadhat) R.11.64; मुक्तायज्ञोपवीतानि (muktāyajñopavītāni) Kumārasambhava 6.6; Śiśupālavadha 1.7; Kirātārjunīya 12.23; Manusmṛti 2.44,64,4.36,66.
Derivable forms: upavītam (उपवीतम्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpavīta (उपवीत).—n.
(-taṃ) The thread or cord worn by the three first classes of Hindus, over the left shoulder and under the right. E. upa much, vī to shine, affix kta; see upanaya.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpavīta (उपवीत).—[neuter] investiture with the sacred cord the sacred cord itself.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Upavīta (उपवीत):—[=upa-vīta] a etc. See upa-√vye.
2) [=upa-vīta] [from upa-vye] b mfn. invested with the sacred thread
3) [v.s. ...] n. the being invested with the sacred thread
4) [v.s. ...] the sacred thread or cord (worn by the first three classes over the left shoulder and under the right arm), [Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Manu-smṛti ii, 44; 64; iv, 66; Yājñavalkya i, 29; Harivaṃśa; Raghuvaṃśa etc.] (cf. yajñopavīta.)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpavīta (उपवीत):—[upa-vīta] (taṃ) 1. n. A thread worn by the Hindu brāhmaṃs.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Upavīta (उपवीत) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Uvavīa.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusUpavīta (ಉಪವೀತ):—
1) [noun] the sacred thread worn by three of the four castes of the Hindus.
2) [noun] the act of wearing the sacred thread as per the religious code.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryUpavīta (उपवीत):—n. sacred thread;
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: Upavitai, Upavitaka, Upavitakarman, Upavitakketi, Upavitam, Upavitamudra, Upavitarka.
Full-text (+7): Yajnopavita, Balopavita, Pracinopavita, Upavitam, Vyupavita, Aupavitika, Vitasutra, Upavitin, Upavitaka, Upavit, Uvavia, Sarvopavita, Upavitamudra, Yajnopavitavant, Yajnasutra, Shanasutra, Yannopavita, Pracinavita, Nivita, Bhringi.
Relevant text
Search found 35 books and stories containing Upavita, Upa-vita, Upa-vīta, Upavīta; (plurals include: Upavitas, vitas, vītas, Upavītas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 2.44 < [Section XIII - Initiation (upanayana)]
Verse 2.63 < [Section XIII - Initiation (upanayana)]
Verse 7.85 < [Section VII - Domestic Duties]
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Gobhila-grihya-sutra (by Hermann Oldenberg)
Stupas in Orissa (Study) (by Meenakshi Chauley)
Drum slabs at at Ratnagiri < [Chapter 4]
Minor Votive Stupas at Ratnagiri < [Chapter 4]
Minor Structural Stupas at Ratnagiri < [Chapter 4]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 312 < [Volume 2 (1872)]
Related products
