Vasishta, Vashishta, Vāsiṣṭa, Vasiṣṭa: 9 definitions

Introduction
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In Hinduism
1. Vedanta
2. General definition
India history
Languages
1. Sanskrit
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Introduction:

Vasishta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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 terms Vāsiṣṭa and Vasiṣṭa can be transliterated into English as Vasista or Vasishta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

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In Hinduism

Vedanta (school of philosophy)

Source: Shodhganga: Siva Gita A Critical Study

Vasiṣṭa (वसिष्ट) or Vasiṣṭagītā refers to one of the sixty-four Gītās commonly referred to in Hindu scriptures.—Gītā is the name given to certain sacred writings in verse (often in the form of a dialogue) which are devoted to the exposition of particular religious and theosophical doctrines. Most of these Gītās [i.e., Vasiṣṭa-gītā] originate from the Mahābhārata or the various Purāṇas.

context information

Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

Vasishta is the chief of the SaptaRishis, the seven great sages. He is the preceptor of the Ishvahu clan, which is also refered to as the Surya dynasty. He was thus the guru of Rama and Rama's father Dasharatha. He is the son of Brahma and is his ManasaPutra (Wish-born-son).

His wife was Arundhati, who is one of the stars. In a typical Hindu wedding, there is a ritual where the bride is made to gaze at Arundhati in the heavens, emphasizing Arundhati's role as an ideal wife. Some accounts also say that the wife of Vasishta was Urja, a daughter of Daksha.

Vasishta also posesses the divine cow Nandini. This cow is the offspring of Indra's cow Kamadhenu, and was given as a gift to Vasishta by Indra. Like her mother, this cow is also capable of yielding anything desired by a seeker. Vasishta is also famous for his struggle with Vishwamitra for being the greatest sage of all time.

India history and geography

Source: Wisdom Library: Teachers, Saints and Sages

Vasista refers to one of the Siddhars (Siddhas) and Rishis mentioned by Rangarasa Desiga Swamigal in his Siddhargal Potri Thoguppu. Each name in the list starts with prefix ‘Om’ followed by the Siddhar’s names and ends with refrain ‘Thiruvadigal Potri’. For example for Vasista: ஓம் வசிஷ்டமகரிஷி திருவடிகள் போற்றி [ōm vaciṣṭamakariṣi tiruvaṭikaḷ pōṟṟi].—These Siddhas experienced union with the ultimate reality and witnessed a spiritual transformation of their intellectual, mental, vital and ultimately, physical bodies.

Vasista is also known as: Vaciṭṭar, Vaciṣṭar, Vasiṣṭha, Vasista Maharishi

[For more information regarding Vasista and other Maha-Siddhas, see the following sources: (1): the Pamphlet ‘Siddhargal Thiruvadi Potri’ issued by the Arulmighu Kalaikkōṭṭuar Sanmarga Sangam, Thanjavur; (2) List of Siddhas Compiled by Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugan Gnana Peedam Thirukovil; (3) A list of 203 Sages compiled by Agathiyan production house; (4) The 12th-century Abhidhana-Chintamani lexicon by Hemachandra]

context information

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vāsiṣṭa (वासिष्ट).—Blood.

Derivable forms: vāsiṣṭam (वासिष्टम्).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vāsiṣṭa (वासिष्ट).—n.

(-ṣṭaṃ) Blood.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vāsiṣṭa (वासिष्ट):—n. blood, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] ([probably] [wrong reading] for vāsiṣṭha; See next).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vāsiṣṭa (वासिष्ट):—(ṣṭaṃ) 1. n. Blood.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Vaśiṣṭa (वशिष्ट) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Vasiṭṭha, Vāsiṭṭha.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vasishta in German

context information

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.

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Search found 59 books and stories containing Vasishta, Vashishta, Vāsiṣṭa, Vasista, Vasiṣṭa, Vaśiṣṭa, Vāśiṣṭa; (plurals include: Vasishtas, Vashishtas, Vāsiṣṭas, Vasistas, Vasiṣṭas, Vaśiṣṭas, Vāśiṣṭas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

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