Vashitva, Vasitvā, Vaśitva, Vasitva: 15 definitions
Introduction:
Vashitva means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali. 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 Vaśitva can be transliterated into English as Vasitva or Vashitva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Vaśitva (वशित्व) refers to the “power of control”, representing the achievements of the north-western petal of the Aṣṭadala (mystical diagram of the lotus of eight petals), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.11, while explaining the mode of worshipping Śiva:—“[...] the Liṅga shall be purified and installed with various mantras beginning with Praṇava and ending with Namaḥ (obeisance). The pedestal in the form of Svastika or lotus shall be assigned with Praṇava. In the eight petals, in the eight quarters, the eight achievements are identified [viz., the north-western is Vaśitva (power of control)]”.
Vaśitva (वशित्व).—One of the eight attributes of yoga; controls all creatures; whatever he desires results.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 13. 4, 16.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Vaśitva (वशित्व) refers to “one who controls”, according to the Guhyasūtra, the largest book of the Niśvāsa-corpus (a collection of early Śaiva Tantras comprising the Niśvāsamukha, Mūlasūtra, Uttarasūtra, Nayasūtra, and Guhyasūtra).—Accordingly, “I am Puruṣatattva and you are Prakṛti and also Niyati; … Maheśvara is Time; you are Māyā and Vidyā, while I am Īśvara-tattva. I, O goddess, am Sadāśiva [and] you are mistress of the 4 kalās. (137–138) Because I rule, I control (vaśitva), I am omniscient, because I am permanently at rest, without division and in equilibrium, I am Śiva. (139) You are my Will, not to be crossed, for you are the one from whom the power of the śaktis arises! The whole universe has sprung from you; You bestow Śiva-nature, O you of true compassion! (140)”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Vaśitva (वशित्व) refers to “(the supernatural power of) control over the world”, and as one of the “eight common Yogic paranormal powers”, represents one of the various signs and paranormal powers (siddhi) experienced by the Yoga practicioner, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise.—The last fifty-two verses of the Amanaska’s first chapter describe a temporal sequence of psychosomatic signs and paranormal powers (siddhi) brought about by absorption (laya). In the Amanaska, The 8 common yogic paranormal powers are, [e.g., the power of control over the world (vaśitva)], [...] This list is similar to that given in Pātañjalayogaśāstra 3.45.
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)
Vaśitva (वशित्व) refers to one of the ten Siddhadevīs and part of the twenty-eight Goddesses residing in the Trailokyamohanacakra which represents one of the nine Āvaraṇa-Cakras of Śrīcakra (the nucleus of Tantric philosophy) which are related to the fifteen-lettered chant called Śrīvidyā, according to Śaṅkarācārya’s Saudaryalaharī.—By the worship on Śrīcakra, the Goddess (whose presence is represented is Śrīcakra) will get awakened. This is the beginning of the spiritual consciousness in man. The nine Cakras in the Śrīcakra are called āvaraṇacakras.—Bhūpuratraya having four openings is called Trailokyamohanacakra with white (outermost), light red (middle) the and yellow (innermost) colours. Tripurādevī controls the twenty-eight goddesses [e.g., Vaśitva] who exist here.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Vaśitva (वशित्व) refers to “domination” and represents one of the eleven types of extraordinary form-changing (vikriyā), which itself is a subclass of the eight ṛddhis (extraordinary powers). These powers can be obtained by the Ārya (civilized people) in order to produce worldly miracles. The Āryas represent one of the two classes of human beings according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.46, the other being Mleccha (barbarians).
What is meant by extraordinary power to domination (vaśitva-riddhi)? It is the extraordinary power by which one dominates over human and subhuman beings.
Vaśitva (वशित्व) refers to the “power” (of death), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Fools mourn for relations experiencing the results of their own actions [but] because of the confusion of [their] intelligence [they do] not [mourn for] themselves situated in Yama’s fangs.—[com.—Next he speaks about the power (vaśitvaṃ) of death (mṛtyoḥ) even over the three times (traikālye) for the men of old (purāṇapuruṣāṇām)]—In this forest that is the cycle of rebirth dwelt in by Yama the serpent-king, the men of olden times, who were eternal previously, have come to an end”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
vasitvā : (abs. of vasati) having lived; having abided; having dwelt; having stayed.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Vaśitva (वशित्व).—
1) Subjection, control.
2) Bewitching, fascinating.
3) The supernatural or magical power of subduing others to one's own will (one of the aṣṭasiddhis).
4) Self-command.
Derivable forms: vaśitvam (वशित्वम्).
See also (synonyms): vaśitā.
Vasitvā (वसित्वा).—Ind. Having put on, (as clothes,) wearing. E. vas to wear, ktvā aff.
Vaśitva (वशित्व).—[neuter] self-control or power over ([locative]).
1) Vaśitva (वशित्व):—[=vaśi-tva] [from vaśi > vaś] n. freedom of will, the being one’s own master, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa]
2) [v.s. ...] power or dominion over ([locative case]), [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]
3) [v.s. ...] the supernatural power of subduing to one’s own will, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa; Pañcarātra] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] mastery of one’s self, self-command, [Kumāra-sambhava; Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]
5) [v.s. ...] subduing by magical means, fascinating, bewitching, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
[Sanskrit to German]
Vaśitva (वशित्व) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vasitta.
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
Vaśitva (ವಶಿತ್ವ):—
1) [noun] the act or power of controlling; regulation; domination or command; control.
2) [noun] an overcoming by physical, mental or moral force; a conquering; subjugation.
3) [noun] (yoga.) a yogic accomplishment by which one can control other people’s mind and make them obey him.
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)
Partial matches: Tva, Vasi, Vaci, Vaca, Vassa.
Starts with: Vashitvakhya, Vashitvasiddhi.
Full-text (+17): Avashitva, Upavasitva, Ajjhavasitva, Anuvasitva, Vippavasitva, Vashitvakhya, Vasita, Aishvarya, Vashitvasiddhi, Vasi, Siddhartha, Ashtasiddhi, Vacittuvam, Vasitta, Nivi, Animan, Sulabha, Vashavartin, Svavasha, Shivayogin.
Relevant text
Search found 40 books and stories containing Vashitva, Vasa-tva, Vasa-tvā, Vashi-tva, Vaśi-tva, Vasi-tva, Vasitvā, Vaśitva, Vasitva; (plurals include: Vashitvas, tvas, tvās, Vasitvās, Vaśitvas, Vasitvas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Markandeya Purana (Study) (by Chandamita Bhattacharya)
9. Outcome of Yoga Practice < [Chapter 4]
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 2 - Greatness of the Immovable Liṅga of Śaṅkara < [Section 3a - Arunācala-khaṇḍa (Pūrvārdha)]
Chapter 55 - The Characteristics of Yoga < [Section 2 - Kaumārikā-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 7 - The Importance of Pradoṣa: The Procedure of Śiva’s Worship < [Section 3 - Brāhmottara-khaṇḍa]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 8.9.10 < [Chapter 9 - Lord Balarāma’s Rāsa Dance]
Devala-smriti (critical study) (by Mukund Lalji Wadekar)
4.5. The eight supernatural powers < [Chapter 10 - Philosophical aspect of the Devalasmriti]
References to section [A] < [Chapter 10 - Philosophical aspect of the Devalasmriti]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 11.122 < [Section XII - Expiation for the Immoral Religious Student (avakīrṇa)]
Verse 4.116 < [Section XIII - Days unfit for Study]
Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)
Verse 689: In Vasitva the Yogi Visions Chit-Sakti < [Tantra Three (munran tantiram) (verses 549-883)]
Verse 688: Vasitva Confers Immenence < [Tantra Three (munran tantiram) (verses 549-883)]
Verse 668: The Eight Siddhis Enumerated < [Tantra Three (munran tantiram) (verses 549-883)]