Urdhva, aka: Ūrdhva; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Urdhva means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व) is a Sanskrit word referring to “upwards”. It is used in Yoga.

context information

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).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Ūrdhva (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.

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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)

Ūrdhva (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.

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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 geogprahy

Ūrdhva.—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.

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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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

ūrdhva (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.

ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—ad Above. m Gasping. The zenith. The gasping of the dying hour.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ūrdhva (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) Bg.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) Ku.6.93; ऊर्ध्वं संवत्सरात् (ūrdhvaṃ saṃvatsarāt) Ms.9.77; Y.1.53; R.14.66; Bk.18.36; पितुरूर्ध्वम् (piturūrdhvam) Ms.9.14 after the father's death; अत ऊर्ध्वम् (ata ūrdhvam) hence forward, hereafter.

Ūrdhva (ऊर्ध्व).—(?) , adj. (in fig. sense), exalted, lofty, great, of power: Mv 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 Jāt. iv.154.15, in rich, lofty clothes (PTSD, doubtfully); but Dutoit's transl. understands with up- lifted garments (presumably to wipe his eyes; the person is weeping).

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