Urdhva, Ūrdhva: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Urdhva means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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 Urdhv.
In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: YogaŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) is a Sanskrit word referring to “upwards”. It is used in Yoga.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (yoga)Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to “(traveling) upwards”, according to the Amṛtasiddhi, a 12th-century text belonging to the Haṭhayoga textual tradition.—Accordingly, “The sphere of the sun is at the base of the Central Channel, complete with twelve digits, shining with its rays. The lord of creatures (Prajāpati), of intense appearance, travels upwards (ūrdhva) on the right. Staying in the pathways in the spaces in the channels it pervades the entire body. The sun consumes the lunar secretion, wanders in the sphere of the wind and burns up all the bodily constituents in all bodies”.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch1) Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to the “upper (Kuṇḍalinī)”, according to the the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] There is no transition to the no-mind state because of piercing [Cakras, knots, etc.] with lower and upper (ūrdhva) Kuṇḍalinī [ūrdhvādhaḥkuṇḍalībhedād]. Simply by [constant] immersion [of the mind in the internal gaze of Śāmbhavī Mudrā], this yoga bestows the supernatural powers. [...]”.
2) Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to “upwards”, according to the Parājapavidhi verse 29.—Accordingly: “Every day the Sādhaka should repeat the mantras as [many times as] he is able, drawing upwards (ūrdhva) the descending breath, correctly practising the Śāmbhavī [Mudrā]”.
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).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) or Ūrdhvarekhā refers to an “upward-facing” line.—[...] Corresponding to two forms of Kuṇḍalinī, upper and lower, there are two such Triangles or Water Chestnuts, one above and another below. When Kuṇḍalinī rises from her lower seat she is represented as an upward-facing or moving line (ūrdhva-rekhā). Conversely, moving down from the upper Triangle into manifestation she is the “downward-facing” (adhomukhī) line. At both extremities she resumes her latent, potential state represented by her coiled form.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (philosophy)Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to “(existing) after (being manifest)”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñāvivṛtivimarśinī 2.132-133.—Accordingly, “Having explained that only phenomena are real entities because [only they are] established by a means of [valid] knowledge, [and] anticipating by himself the refutation of his own thesis, [Utpaladeva now] expounds [this refutation with the passage beginning with] ‘only …’ by empasizing the purity of his intentions, in order to state that [he] is free of bias. [According to him] this ‘could [still] be objected,’ [i.e.] it deserves the [following] objection. Which one? This is what [Utpaladeva says] in ‘[if these objects did not exist] after (ūrdhva) as well as before (pūrva) [their] being manifest …’”
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to “moving upwards” (to a particular cosmic level), according to the Svacchandatantra verse 4.141-145.—Accordingly, “[...] The other form [of bubhukṣu initiation] is the lokadharmiṇī, which destroys both past and future demerit. That lokadharmiṇī-dīkṣā is known to exclude the obligation to propitiate mantras [by means of purvasevā etc.]. However, when the current body breaks, [the candidate] experiences [the series of eight supernatural natural powers] starting with becoming very small. Having experienced [these] enjoyments he moves upwards (ūrdhva) to whichever [cosmic level] the Guru has joined him [by yojanikā]. Whether this is at the sakala or niṣkala level [of Śiva] depends on [the preference of] the candidate and Guru”.
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra1) Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to a “rising” (horizon), 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]—“From this authority, the seventy-million mantras arise. The terminal letter shining with various light, [which is the] split belly of the moon [j], is placed upon a hook [u], and yoked with the last rising horizon (tiryaggānta-ūrdhva) [i.e., the wind or last labial nasalization] [ṃ]. That which is described is celebrated in the world as the supreme Amṛta [sa], this is the highest dwelling place. [...]”.
2) Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) refers to the “tips (of the horns of the cow)”.—Accordingly, [verse 19.117-120, while describing the protection of the kingdom’s animals]—“The Mantrin should honor [Amṛteśa] in the middle of the cows, from this the herd should increase. He applies vermillion or red chalk infused with the mantra to the tips of the horns of the cow (śṛṅga-ūrdhva) for [their] protection. He should perform the same rite to protect the horses. After he infuses the water jug with the mantra, he should pour it over their heads. [...]”.
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 Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व, “zenith”) represents one of the “two directions above and below” (paṭidisā in Pali), itself part of the “ten directions” (diś in Sanskrit or disā in Pali) according to an appendix included in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV). Ūrdhva, Upariṣṭāt or Upariṣṭhā is a Sanskrit word which is known in Pali as uddhaṃ or uparimā, in Tibetan as steṅ and in Chinese as chang.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 7: The Five VowsŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व, “upwards”) or Ūrdhvavyatikrama refers to “exceeding the limits for movement set in the upwards directions”, representing one of the five transgressions (aticara) of the “vow of directional limits” (digvirati): one of the seven supplementary vows (śīlavrata), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 28.—What is meant by exceeding the limit of upwards direction (ūrdhva-vyatikrama)? To go on hills or fly above the limits set for upwards movements is exceeding the limits of upwards directions.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryŪrdhva.—cf. s-ādha-ūrdhva (IE 8-5), ‘[what is] above the surface of the ground’; same as uddeśa. Cf. ūrdhva-dina-pāṭikāyām (LP), ‘for the series of days afterwards.’ Note: ūrdhva is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—ad (S) Above, up, on high, in the heavens.
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ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—m (S) Gasping or heaving. 2 By eminence. The gasping of the dying hour. 3 The zenith.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—ad Above. m Gasping. The zenith. The gasping of the dying hour.
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 dictionaryŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—a. Erect, upright, above; °केश (keśa) &c.; rising or tending upwards.
2) Raised, elevated, erected; हस्तः, °पादः (hastaḥ, °pādaḥ) &c.
3) High, superior, upper.
4) Not sitting (opp. āsīna).
5) Torn (as hair).
6) Thrown up.
-rdhvam Elevation, height.
-rdhvam -ind.
1) Upwards, aloft, above. अधश्चोर्ध्वं च प्रसृतम् (adhaścordhvaṃ ca prasṛtam) Muṇḍ. Up.2.2.11; अधश्चोर्ध्वं प्रसृतास्तस्य शाखाः (adhaścordhvaṃ prasṛtāstasya śākhāḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 15.1.
2) In the sequel (= upariṣṭāt).
3) In a high tone, aloud.
4) Afterwards, subsequent to (with abl.); शरीरभेदादूर्ध्वमुत्क्रम्य पुनः (śarīrabhedādūrdhvamutkramya punaḥ) Ait. Up.4.6. ते त्र्यहादूर्ध्वमाख्याय (te tryahādūrdhvamākhyāya) Kumārasambhava 6.93; ऊर्ध्वं संवत्सरात् (ūrdhvaṃ saṃvatsarāt) Manusmṛti 9.77; Y.1.53; R.14.66; Bhaṭṭikāvya 18.36; पितुरूर्ध्वम् (piturūrdhvam) Manusmṛti 9.14 after the father's death; अत ऊर्ध्वम् (ata ūrdhvam) hence forward, hereafter.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—(?) , adj. (in fig. sense), exalted, lofty, great, of power: Mahāvastu i.116.3 adhivāsanaṃ viditvā rājāsya durjayor- dhva- (mss. °yorddha-, or °yoddha-, see prec.) bala (mss. balam) eva. Senart's note suggests em. durjayarddhi-bala. For this meaning of ūrdhva may be compared Pali uddhehi vatthehi Jātaka (Pali) iv.154.15, in rich, lofty clothes ([Pali Text Society’s Pali-English Dictionary], doubtfully); but Dutoit's translation(s) understands with up- lifted garments (presumably to wipe his eyes; the person is weeping).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—i. e. ṛdh + va, adj., f. vā. 1. Erect, [Hiḍimbavadha] 3, 2. 2. Raised (as dust), [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 11, 110. 3. Upper, Mahābhārata 1, 1034. 4. The name of a kind of flying, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 57. vam, adv. 1. Upwards, [Rāmāyaṇa] 4, 8, 5. 2. Above, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 1, 92. 3. After, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 53, 4; after death, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 104.
— Cf. ; [Latin] arduus.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—[adjective] going upwards, raised, elevated, upright, erect, high (mostly °—).
— [neuter] eminence, height; as [adverb] & [preposition] upwards, aloft, in(to) heaven ([with] gam die), above ([ablative]); in the sequel, afterwards, later; beyond, from, since, after ([ablative]); later than i.e. after the death of ([genetive]); in a high tone, aloud. — Cf. atas & itas.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व):—mf(ā)n. (√vṛdh, [Boehtlingk & Roth’s Sanskrit-Woerterbuch]; perhaps [from] √ṛ), rising or tending upwards, raised, elevated, erected, erect, upright, high, above, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Aitareya-brāhmaṇa] etc. (in class. Sanskṛt occurring generally in compounds)
2) n. height, elevation, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) anything placed above or higher (with [ablative]), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) Ūrdhvā (ऊर्ध्वा):—[from ūrdhva] also f. the upper region (zenith), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
5) Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व):—cf. [Greek] ὀρθός; [Latin] arduus; Gaël. ard.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Uḍḍha, Uddhāa, Ubbha.
[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 dictionaryŪrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) [Also spelled urdhv]:—(a) vertical; upward; —[gati] vertical/upward movement; emancipation, salvation; ~[gāmī] moving vertically; attaining salvation; ~[dṛṣṭi] ambitious; looking beyond the world; ~[loka] the heaven, other world; —[biṃdu] the zenith.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusŪrdhva (ಊರ್ಧ್ವ):—
1) [adjective] raised; elevated; being or placed at a higher place.
2) [adjective] in a higher position, condition or region or world.
3) [adjective] tending or directed toward a position that is higher or is regarded as being higher.
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Ūrdhva (ಊರ್ಧ್ವ):—
1) [noun] the upper portion, region or world.
2) [noun] (dance.) a hand gesture in which hands are thrown up.
3) [noun] a lung disease.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+235): Urdhva-patta, Urdhvaasitah, Urdhvaba, Urdhvabahu, Urdhvabahuvrati, Urdhvabala, Urdhvabarhis, Urdhvabhaga, Urdhvabhagahara, Urdhvabhagika, Urdhvabhagiya, Urdhvabhaj, Urdhvabhak, Urdhvabhaktika, Urdhvabharam, Urdhvabharas, Urdhvabhas, Urdhvabhava, Urdhvabhumi, Urdhvabindu.
Ends with: Adhamurdhva, Ankushordhva, Anurdhva, Ataurdhva, Atmordhva, Aurdhva, Bhuvanordhva, Ishvarordhva, Layordhva, Merurdhva, Padacaturdhva, Padacatururdhva, Padachaturdhva, S-adha-urdhva, Shirourdhva, Shringordhva.
Full-text (+309): Uddha, Urdhvadeha, Urdhvatala, Urdhvavenidhara, Urdhvakeshi, Urdhvam, Urdhvashin, Urdhvapundraka, Anurdhvambhavuka, Urdha, Urdhvapatha, Urdhvatilakin, Urdhvacit, Urdhvadvara, Urdhvapundra, Urdhvamana, Urdhvashosham, Urdhvatha, Urdhvamaruta, Urdhvaretas.
Relevant text
Search found 79 books and stories containing Urdhva, Ūrdhva, Ūrdhvā; (plurals include: Urdhvas, Ūrdhvas, Ūrdhvās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika (by R. Balasubramanian)
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verses 4.11.3-4 < [Chapter 11 - The Story of the Gopīs that were Residents of...]
Verses 1.5.1-2 < [Chapter 5 - The Lord’s Appearance]
Verse 2.21.25 < [Chapter 21 - The Rāsa-dance Pastime]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.3.9 < [Chapter 3 - Bhajana (loving service)]
Verse 2.2.42 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]
Verse 2.4.18 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Chandogya Upanishad (Madhva commentary) (by Srisa Chandra Vasu)
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 9.104 < [Section XI (A) - Inheritance: Equal Division among Sons]
Verse 11.98 < [Section VIII - Expiation of drinking Wine (surā)]
Verse 11.247 < [Section XXXII - Expiation of Secret Sins]