Utsaha, Utsāha: 26 definitions
Introduction:
Utsaha 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.
In Hinduism
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstraUtsāha (उत्साह) is a Sanskrit technical term, used in warfare, referring to “energy”. It forms part of the three characteristics of the srtength (śakti) of the King. The word is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti. (See the Nītiprakāśikā 8.86)

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraUtsāha (उत्साह, “energy”).—One of the eight ‘permanent states’ (sthāyibhāva), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 7.31. These ‘permanent states’ are called ‘the source of delight’ and are not interfered with by other States. The term is used throughout nāṭyaśāstra literature. (Also see the Daśarūpa 4.43-44)
Source: archive.org: Natya ShastraUtsāha (उत्साह, “energy”) relates to persons of the superior type. It is caused by determinants (vibhāva) such as absence of sadness, power, patience, heroism and the like. It is to be represented on the stage by consequents (anubhāva) such as steadiness, munificence, boldness in an undertaking, and the like.
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)Utsāha (उत्साह) or “excitement” is the sthāyībhāva (“durable psychological state”) associated with Vīra or the “ heroic sentiment”, which represents one of the nine kinds of Rasa (“soul of Drama”), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa gaura i.e., radish white is the colour of this sentiment. Mahendra is the God of this sentiment. The Nāṭyaśāstra states that the vīra-rasa relates to the superior type of persons and has excitement (utsāha) as its basis.

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).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationUtsāha (उत्साह) refers to “enthusiasm”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.24 (“Śiva consents to marry Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu said to Śiva: “[...] O lord Śiva, please go and grant Śivā the boon. O lord, destroy our misery and bestow happiness on us. O Śiva, there is a great enthusiasm [i.e., maha-utsāha] in my heart as well as in those of the gods to witness your marriage. Please get it performed in a fitting manner. The opportune moment for the fulfilment of the boon granted by you to Ratī has arrived. Make your promise fruitful”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexUtsāha (उत्साह).—A son of Nārāyaṇa and Śrī.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 28. 2.

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.
Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)
Source: Journal of the University of Bombay Volume V: Apabhramsa metres (2)Utsāha (उत्साह) is the name of a catuṣpadi metre (as popularly employed by the Apabhraṃśa bards), as discussed in books such as the Chandonuśāsana, Kavidarpaṇa, Vṛttajātisamuccaya and Svayambhūchandas.—Utsāha has 24 mātrās in each of their four lines. Out of the 6 caturmātras with which the lines Utsāha are formed, 3rd and 5th must be either Jagaṇas or formed with all short letters, while the others must not be of the Jagaṇa type.

Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsUtsāha (उत्साह):—Enthusiasm, motivation, effort, activness, to have willingness to do adventure.

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: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsUtsāha (उत्साह) refers to “energy”, according to the Mataṅgapārameśvara (with Rāmakaṇṭha’s commentary).—Accordingly, “The Guru should consecrate [as an Ācārya] a man who is skilled in what is taught in all four pādas, who has great energy (maha-utsāha), who is beyond reproach, who expounds the meaning of the teachings [encapsulated] in the six topics [of this scripture], who is devoted to the welfare of all beings, who has performed the observance for [the propitiation of his] mantra. [...]”.

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: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāUtsāha (उत्साह) refers to “resolution”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as Gaganagañja said to Ratnapāṇi: “Son of good family, those sixty-four dharmas are included in one hundred twenty-eight dharmas. What are those one hundred twenty-four? [...] (51) courage is included in resolution (utsāha) and overcoming others; (52) exertion is included in not being attached to anything and never turning back; (53) spiritual friends is included in honoring and serving; (54) striving for the dharma is included in desire for knowledges and liberation; [...]’”.
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureUtsāha (उत्साह) refers to “(body) energy”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [as the Bhagavān teaches an offering manual]: “A wax Garuḍa should be made. [...] Having placed it at a high place [covered] with cloths of various kinds [and colours], the mantra should be recited day and night a thousand times. If there is no body-energy (kāya-utsāha), one should take white foods. Besides one should bathe and it should be thus [continued to be] practised. [...]”.

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: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraUtsāha (उत्साह) refers to an apabhraṃśa-meter, according to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra (“lives of the 63 illustrious persons”): a Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three important persons in Jainism. Accordingly, “[...] After reciting a hymn of praise delightful with various dhruvakas, ślokas, utsāhas and skandhakas also, with galitas, vastuvadanas, and prose, the Indra of Acyuta with, his gods slowly emptied the pitchers over the Lord of the World. Being turned over the Master’s head, the water-pitchers shone like rain-clouds over the peak of Sumeru”.—(cf. See Hemacandra Chandonuśāsana, chapter 5, padas 10 and 11, pp. 35f.)

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 GlossaryUtsāha.—(Ep. Ind., Vol. XIV, p. 189), generous gift, bounty. Note: utsāha 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 Dictionaryutsāha (उत्साह).—m (S) Ardor, alacrity, joyful readiness or forwardness. 2 Joy, delight, gratification. 3 Rejoicing or merry-making; public rejoicings or festivities; a festival, a holyday, a jubilee. Betwixt u0 & saṇa there is a difference. Whilst both signify A holyday or festival day, u0 bears especial reference to A HOLY DAY strictly--a festival sacred to a god or goddess, or as an ordinance of Religion; and saṇa, although, as are all and every institution and practice and usage and act amongst the Hindus, of a Religious character or connection, is a holyday popularly,--a festivity or feast; a season of eating and sporting, of reveling and merry-making, of diversions and pastimes and frolic and fun.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishutsāha (उत्साह).—m Ardour; joy Festival; rejoicing.
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 dictionaryUtsāha (उत्साह).—[ud-sah-ghañ]
1) Effort, exertion; धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः (dhṛtyutsāhasamanvitaḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 18.26.
2) Energy, inclination, desire; त्वद्दर्शनकृतोत्साहौ (tvaddarśanakṛtotsāhau) Rām.5.67.28. मन्दोत्साहः कृतोऽस्मि मृगया- पवादिना माठव्येन (mandotsāhaḥ kṛto'smi mṛgayā- pavādinā māṭhavyena) Ś.2; ममोत्साहभङ्गं मा कृथाः (mamotsāhabhaṅgaṃ mā kṛthāḥ) H.3. do not damp my energy.
3) Perseverance, strenuous effort, energy, one of the three Śaktis or powers of a ruler (the other two being mantra and prabhāva); नीताविवोत्साहगुणेन सम्पद् (nītāvivotsāhaguṇena sampad) Kumārasambhava 1.22.
4) Determination, resolution; हसितेन भाविमरणोत्साहस्तया सूचितः (hasitena bhāvimaraṇotsāhastayā sūcitaḥ) Amaruśataka 1.
5) Power, ability; सौरान्मन्त्रान् यथोत्साहम् (saurānmantrān yathotsāham) (japet) Manusmṛti 5.86.
6) Firmness, fortitude, strength.
7) (In Rhet.) Firmness or fortitude, regarded as the feeling which gives rise to the वीर (vīra) or heroic sentiment; कार्यारम्भेषु संरम्भः स्थेयानुत्साह उच्यते (kāryārambheṣu saṃrambhaḥ stheyānutsāha ucyate) S. D.3; परपराक्रमदानादिस्मृतिजन्मा औन्नत्याख्य उत्साहः (paraparākramadānādismṛtijanmā aunnatyākhya utsāhaḥ) R. G.
8) Happiness.
9) A thread.
1) Rudeness.
Derivable forms: utsāhaḥ (उत्साहः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryUtsāha (उत्साह).—m.
(-haḥ) 1. Effort, perseverance, strenuous and continued exertion. 2. A thread. 3. Happiness. 4. Firmness, fortitude. E. ut much, sah to bear, to be able, affix ghañ.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryUtsāha (उत्साह).—i. e. ud-sah + a, m. 1. Effort, [Draupadīpramātha] 8, 56. 2. Energy, [Pañcatantra] i. [distich] 44. 3. Ardour, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 33, 4. 4. Perseverance, [Pañcatantra] 79, 1; will, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] 23, 12.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryUtsāha (उत्साह).—[masculine] strength, resolution, energy, exertion, endeavour, eagerness, inclination for, delight in (—°).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Utsaha (उत्सह):—[=ut-saha] [from ut-sah] See dur-utsaha.
2) Utsāha (उत्साह):—[=ut-sāha] [from ut-sah] m. power, strength
3) [v.s. ...] strength of will, resolution
4) [v.s. ...] effort, perseverance, strenuous and continuous exertion, energy
5) [v.s. ...] firmness, fortitude, [Rāmāyaṇa; Manu-smṛti; Suśruta; Śakuntalā; Hitopadeśa] etc.
6) [v.s. ...] joy, happiness, [Vetāla-pañcaviṃśatikā]
7) [v.s. ...] a thread, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryUtsāha (उत्साह):—[utsā+ha] (haḥ) 1. m. Effort, firmness.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Utsāha (उत्साह) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Ucchāha, Ūsāha.
[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 dictionaryUtsāha (उत्साह) [Also spelled utsah]:—(nm) enthusiasm, zeal; ~[pūrṇa] full of beans, in high spirits, as keen as mustard; —[bhaṃga karanā] to demoralise; ~[vardhaka] encouraging; ~[vardhana] encouragement; —[kī lahara dauḍanā] a wave of enthusiasm to spread out, to be infected by a sense of enthusiasm.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusUtsaha (ಉತ್ಸಹ):—
1) [noun] a pleased feeling; enjoyment; delight; satisfaction; pleasure; gladness.
2) [noun] merrymaking; gaiety; joyful celebration.
--- OR ---
Utsāha (ಉತ್ಸಾಹ):—
1) [noun] the using of energy to get something done; exertion of strength or mental power; an effort; exertion.
2) [noun] energy; strength.
3) [noun] the persistent and continued effort; perseverance; determination; resolution.
4) [noun] inclination of the mind; a liking or preference for.
5) [noun] intense or eager interest; zeal; fervor; enthusiasm.
6) [noun] the state of the mind overflowing with enthusiasm, high spirit, etc., ebullience.
7) [noun] happiness; pleasure; good feeling.
8) [noun] (rhet.) firmness or fortitude regarded as the feeling which gives rise to heroic sentiment.
9) [noun] (pros.) the meter having four lines each of which consists of seven groups of three prosodic units (Brahma gaṇa) followed by a long one.
10) [noun] (pros.) a meter having indefinite number of lines, each of which has four groups of three units each or three groups of three units each, followed by a long unit.
--- OR ---
Utsāha (ಉತ್ಸಾಹ):—[noun] wrongly used for utsava.
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 (+24): Utsahabhanga, Utsahabhramsha, Utsahabuddhi, Utsahagatra, Utsahagatrata, Utsahahani, Utsahahetuka, Utsahahina, Utsahahinate, Utsahahine, Utsahaka, Utsahakarana, Utsahakshaya, Utsahalaya, Utsahamgumdu, Utsahamurti, Utsahana, Utsahanata, Utsahani, Utsahapurita.
Ends with (+1): Abhyutsaha, Anutsaha, Atyutsaha, Bhagnotsaha, Dhrityutsaha, Durutsaha, Ganotsaha, Gatotsaha, Kayotsaha, Kritotsaha, Mahotsaha, Mandotsaha, Manotsaha, Nirutsaha, Ranotsaha, Samutsaha, Sattvotsaha, Satyapuramahavirautsaha, Sotsaha, Svanotsaha.
Full-text (+87): Utsahasampanna, Utsahavat, Utsahashakti, Utsahavardhana, Utsahayoga, Nirutsaha, Anutsaha, Utsahagatrata, Ganotsaha, Utsahin, Durutsaha, Sthayibhava, Nirutsahata, Utsahashauryadhanasahasavat, Utsahavarddhana, Vanotsaha, Ranotsaha, Samutsaha, Sattvotsaha, Yathotsaham.
Relevant text
Search found 26 books and stories containing Utsaha, Utsāha, Ut-saha, Ut-sāha; (plurals include: Utsahas, Utsāhas, sahas, sāhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 4.3.3 < [Part 3 - Chivalry (vīrya-rasa)]
Verse 2.5.40 < [Part 5 - Permanent Ecstatic Mood (sthāyī-bhāva)]
Verse 4.3.4 < [Part 3 - Chivalry (vīrya-rasa)]
Shishupala-vadha (Study) (by Shila Chakraborty)
The three Śaktis, Udayas and Siddhis < [Chapter 1 - Concept of Vijigīṣu king]
Ṣāḍguṇya in the Śiśupālavadha < [Chapter 3 - Six fold policies of a king (Ṣāḍguṇya)]
Amātya in the Śiśupālavadha < [Chapter 2b - Activities of Minister (Amātya)]
Shrimad Bhagavad-gita (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 18.26 < [Chapter 18 - Mokṣa-yoga (the Yoga of Liberation)]
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 7.33 - The transgressions of Sāmāyika-vrata < [Chapter 7 - The Five Vows]
Verse 7.34 - The transgressions of Proṣadhopavāsa-vrata < [Chapter 7 - The Five Vows]
The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)
Part 2a - Rasa (1): Vīra or the sentiment of heroism < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Part 2c - Rasa (3): Raudra or the sentiment of furiousness < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)
Text 35 < [Chapter 2 - Dvitīya-yāma-sādhana (Prātaḥ-kālīya-bhajana)]