Urdhvakeshi, Urdhva-keshi, Ūrdhvakeśī: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Urdhvakeshi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
The Sanskrit term Ūrdhvakeśī can be transliterated into English as Urdhvakesi or Urdhvakeshi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Ūrdhvakeśī (ऊर्ध्वकेशी):—Sanskrit name of one of the twenty-four goddesses of the Sūryamaṇḍala (first maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. The Khecarīcakra is the fifth cakra (‘internal mystic center’) of the five (pañcacakra) and is located on or above the head. She presides over the pītha (‘sacred site’) called Vārāṇasī. She is also known by the name Śāṅkarī.
Ūrdhvakeśī (ऊर्ध्वकेशी) refers to “she who has erect hair” and is used to describe Bhairavi, 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 10.7cd-17ab, while describing the worship of Bhairavī and Bhairava]—“[Bhairavī] has the appearance of vermillion or lac. [She has] erect hair (ūrdhvakeśī), a large body and is dreadful and very terrifying. [She has the medicinal plant] śatavārī, is five-faced, and adorned with three eyes. [Her hands bear] curved talons curved [She has] eyes like the hollow of a tree and wears a garland of severed heads. [Ten-]armed, like Bhairava [she also] bears Bhairava’s weapons [of an axe and hatched]. [...]”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Ūrdhvakeśī (ऊर्ध्वकेशी) refers to one of the eight Yoginīs associated with Jālandhara (which is in the southern quarter), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Yoginīs: Divyayoginī, Mahāyoginī, Siddhayoginī, Gaṇeśvarī, Śākinī, Kālarātrī, Ūrdhvakeśī, Revatī
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Ūrdhvakeśī (ऊर्ध्वकेशी).—Name of a goddess; ऊर्ध्वकेशी विरूपाक्षी मांसशोणितभोजने (ūrdhvakeśī virūpākṣī māṃsaśoṇitabhojane) Sandhyā.
Ūrdhvakeśī is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ūrdhva and keśī (केशी).
Ūrdhvakeśī (ऊर्ध्वकेशी):—[=ūrdhva-keśī] [from ūrdhva-keśa > ūrdhva] f. Name of a goddess.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Urdhva, Keshi, Keci.
Full-text: Mahayogini, Divyayogini, Ganeshvari, Shankari, Kalaratri, Varanasi, Sakini, Suryamandala, Revati, Siddhayogini.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Urdhvakeshi, Urdhva-keshi, Ūrdhva-keśī, Urdhva-kesi, Ūrdhvakeśī, Urdhvakesi; (plurals include: Urdhvakeshis, keshis, keśīs, kesis, Ūrdhvakeśīs, Urdhvakesis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 104 < [Volume 13 (1912)]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 50 - The Glory of Kāśī < [Part 5 - Uttara-bhāga]
Chapter 84 - Devi Mantra Nirūpaṇa—The mantra of the goddess < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Chapter 66 - Daily Prayers and Ritual < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Contributions of Harita Samhita to Kaumarbhritya < [Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025)]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Critical analysis of balgraha in ayurveda samhita with its modern correlation < [2023: Volume 12, December special issue 22]