Vatsala, Vatsalā: 19 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Vatsala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Vatsal.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: Mankhaka a sanskrit literary genius (natya)

Vatsala (वत्सल) or the “sentiment (rasa) of parental affection”.—Vatsala is accepted by Bharata and subsequently by Viśvanātha also, as the tenth rasa. The feeling of parental affection is the corresponding mood of this sentiment, while son and the like are the ālambanas. The actions, learning, heroic brilliance and compassion of them are the uddīpanas, whereas, embrace, touching of the body, kissing on the head, gazing, delight, tears etc. are the anubhāvas. Again, probable evil consequences, ecstasy, pride etc. are considered as the vyabhicāribhāvas.

context information

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: Puranic Encyclopedia

Vatsalā (वत्सला).—An attendant of Subrahmaṇya. (Mahābhārata Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Stanza 72).

context information

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vatsala (वत्सल) refers to “one who is loved”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “(A true practitioner) is a hero (vīra) who exerts himself and is courageous. [...] He is always content and is loved by the Yoginīs. He is free of attachment, aversion and ego. He is loved by his (spiritual) clan [i.e., svagotra-vatsala]. He is wise and he observes the Rules. He is the joy of those who are devoted to him and always does what he promises to do. He who has these characteristics is an accomplished soul (siddha) (already) in his previous life. Otherwise he is not a Siddha and his tradition is not Kaula”.

context information

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Semantic Scholar: The Brahmayāmalatantra (dissertation)

Vatsalā (वत्सला) or Vīravatsalā is a substitute for Vīranāyikā or “heroine”, according to Kṣemarāja’s quote while commenting on Netratantra verse 19.55.—Accordingly, “A woman who at night becomes naked, urinates, then circumambulates, and would consume blood—and then with hair unbound, would subdue—she sādhakas should know to be an ucchuṣmikā, a heroine [i.e., vīra-nāyikā]”.

Note: The Nepalese manuscripts collated attest two substantive variants: prāśayate for prāśayed, and vīra-vatsalā for vīra-nāyikā.

context information

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Vatsala (वत्सल) (gum) is used as an ingredient of a mixture of Vajralepa (“a special kind of hard cement”) which was used in the construction of a Temple and as a binding agent for joining bricks, 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. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, five procedures of preparing the vajralepa are suggested. [The first method]—It is incorporated there that the equal portion of some particular objects should be boiled in water for eight times till it reduces to one eighth portion of the original value. After that, some more ingredients [e.g., gum of mallakī] are added with the mixture and again boiled properly to make the first variety of vajralepa.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Vatsala (वत्सल) refers to a “slave”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]— [...] (13-15). Every physical, vocal or mental action of the Buddha accompanies knowledge.—[...] The Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas do not have this privilege. First they do good in their mind and then only afterwards by means of bodily or vocal actions Sometimes even their mental action is indeterminate and is produced without accompanying knowledge. [If that is so for them], what can be said for other people? [...] See also the Bhikṣu-Arhat Madhuvāsiṣṭha who climbed onto scaffolding (gosāraka), walls (bhitti) and trees (vṛkṣa). Finally, see Pilindavatsa who insulted the Ganges and treated it as a little slave (vatsala). [...]”.

context information

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: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Vatsala (वत्सल) refers to “(being) devoted” (to the helpless), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “That very same doctrine, which is devoted to the helpless (anātha-vatsala), is a preceptor and a friend, and the doctrine is a master and a brother. It is a protector without a motive. This doctrine saves the three worlds [from] sinking into the pit of hell. Also, it confers happiness beyond the senses for corporeal [souls]”.

context information

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

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vatsala (वत्सल).—a (S) Affectionate, loving, tenderly fond or anxiously careful of. Some compounds are anāthavatsala, dīnavatsala, bhaktavatsala.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

vatsala (वत्सल).—a Affectionate, loving.

context information

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 dictionary

Vatsala (वत्सल).—a. [vatsaṃ lāti lā-ka Uṇādi-sūtra 3.74]

1) Child-loving, affectionate towards children or offspring; as वत्सला धेनुः, माता (vatsalā dhenuḥ, mātā) &c.

2) Affectionate towards, fondly loving, devoted to, fond of, kind or compassionate towards; त्वद्वत्सलः क्व स तपस्विजनस्य हन्ता (tvadvatsalaḥ kva sa tapasvijanasya hantā) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 8.8;6.14; R.2. 69;8.41; so शरणागतवत्सल, दीनवत्सल (śaraṇāgatavatsala, dīnavatsala) &c.

-laḥ 1 A fire fed with grass.

2) Name of Viṣṇu.

3) The sentiment of affection (vātsalyarasa).

-lā A cow fond of her calf.

-lam Affection, fondness; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 2.9.

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

Vatsala (वत्सल).—mfn.

(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) Afflctionate, kind. n.

(-laṃ) Affection, fondness. f.

(-lā) A cow anxious for her calf. m.

(-laḥ) A fire fed with grass. E. vatsa a child, and lac aff.

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

Vatsala (वत्सल).—[vatsa + la], I. adj., f. lā, Affectionate, loving, [Pañcatantra] 222, 14; tender, [Uttara Rāmacarita, 2. ed. Calc., 1862.] 48, 1. Ii. f. lā, A cow anxious for her calf. Iii. n. Fondness.

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

Vatsala (वत्सल).—[feminine] ā loving her calf, as subst. such a cow; adj. affectionate, tender, kind i.[grammar], fond of, wholly given up or devoted to ([locative], [genetive], prati, or —°). Abstr. tā [feminine], tva [neuter]

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

1) Vatsala (वत्सल):—[from vatsa] mf(ā)n. child-loving, affectionate towards offspring (ā f. with or [scilicet] go or dhenu, a cow longing for her calf), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] kind, loving, tender, fond of or devoted to ([locative case] [genitive case] [accusative] with prati, or [compound]), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] m. (with rasa) the tender sentiment in a poem, [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] a fire fed with grass (id est. quickly burning away), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) [v.s. ...] Name of one of Skanda’s attendants, [Mahābhārata]

6) [v.s. ...] n. = next, [Horace H. Wilson]

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

Vatsala (वत्सल):—[(laḥ-lā-laṃ) a.] Affectionate kind. f. One anxious for her young. n. Affection, fondness.

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

Vatsala (वत्सल) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vacchala.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vatsala 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Vatsala (वत्सल) [Also spelled vatsal]:—(a) affectionate, tender; ~[tā] affection, fondness, tenderness; —[bhāva] affectionate feeling, tenderness.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vatsala (ವತ್ಸಲ):—

1) [adjective] child-loving; affectionate.

2) [adjective] kind; tender.

3) [adjective] fond of; liking intensely.

--- OR ---

Vatsala (ವತ್ಸಲ):—

1) [noun] the quality of being affectionate, loving or liking intensely.

2) [noun] a man having fondness for; an affectionate, loving man.

--- OR ---

Vatsaḷa (ವತ್ಸಳ):—[adjective] = ವತ್ಸಲ [vatsala]1.

--- OR ---

Vatsaḷa (ವತ್ಸಳ):—[noun] = ವತ್ಸಲ [vatsala]2.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 25 books and stories containing Vatsala, Vatsalā, Vatsaḷa; (plurals include: Vatsalas, Vatsalās, Vatsaḷas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 2k - Rasa (11): Vatsala or parental affection < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

Part 2 - Rasa or the sentiment < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

Part 2i - Rasa (9): Śānta or the sentiment of tranquility < [Chapter III - Literary Assessment Of The Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]

+ 1 more chapters / show preview

Verse 3.4.78 < [Part 4 - Parenthood (vātsalya-rasa)]

Verse 4.8.79 < [Part 8 - Compatible & Incompatible Mellows (maitrī-vaira-sthiti)]

Verse 4.8.80 < [Part 8 - Compatible & Incompatible Mellows (maitrī-vaira-sthiti)]

+ 41 more chapters / show preview

Verse 2.2.112 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]

Verse 2.1.60 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]

Verse 1.6.69 < [Chapter 6 - Priyatama (the most beloved devotees)]

+ 11 more chapters / show preview