The Sanskrit terms Viśvāvasu and Viśvavasu can be transliterated into English as Visvavasu or Vishvavasu, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—A leader of the Gandharvas, singers in the heavenly planets.

Source: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd Edition

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) is the thirty-ninth of sixty years (saṃvatsara) in the Vedic lunar calendar according to the Arcana-dīpikā by Vāmana Mahārāja (cf. Appendix).—Accordingl, There are sixty different names for each year in the Vedic lunar calendar, which begins on the new moon day (Amāvasyā) after the appearance day of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (Gaura-pūrṇimā), in February or March. The Vedic year [viz., Viśvāvasu], therefore, does not correspond exactly with the Christian solar calendar year.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Viśvavasu (विश्ववसु).—A brother of Paraśurāma, who had four brothers named Rumaṇvān, Suhotra, Vasu and Viśvavasu. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapter 58).

2) Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—A Gandharva King. The following information about this King is taken from the Purāṇas.

2) (i) The father of this Devagandharva was Prajāpati Kaśyapa and his mother was Pradhā. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 25, Stanza 47).

2) (ii) Pramadvarā was born to Viśvāvasu by the celestial maid Menakā. (See under Pramadvarā).

2) (iii) Viśvāvasu was present at the Birth-festival of Arjuna. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 122, Stanza 22).

2) (iv) This Viśvāvasu learned from Soma, Cākṣuṣīvidyā (the art of seeing all) and taught Citraratha, a Gandharva the same art. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 169, Stanza 43).

2) (v) He was present at the Svayaṃvara (marriage) of Draupadī. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 186, Stanza 7).

2) (vi) Viśvāvasu stays in the palace of Indra glorifying him. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 22).

2) (vii) It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 10, Stanza 25, that he stays in the palace of Kubera praising him.

2) (viii) This Gandharva recited a poem at the sacrifice performed by Jamadagni. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 90, Stanza 18).

2) (ix) Kabandha, the asura, who stopped Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, was the changed form of Viśvāvasu by a curse (See under Kabandha).

2) (x) It was this Viśvāvasu who played the lute in the sacrifice performed by emperor Dilīpa. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 61, Stanza 7).

2) (xi) Once Viśvāvasu asked hermit Yājñavalkya twentyfour questions. When he got satisfactory answers, the Gandharva returned to heaven. (Mahābhārata Śānti Parva, Chapter 318, Stanza 26).

2) (xii) It was Viśvāvasu and some other Gandharvas who took away Urvaśī from Purūravas. (See under Purūravas).

2) (xiii) At the time of emperor Pṛthu, when the earth was milked, the thing the Gandharvas got were those befitting them, In the course of the milking Viśvāvasu stood as the calf. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 4).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) refers to the chief of the Gandharvas in Indra’s heaven, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.45 (“Śiva’s comely form and the Jubilation of the Citizens”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “Extremely surprised on hearing your words, Menā the beloved wife of the mountain, saw Śiva’s form that afforded great bliss. [...] The Siddhas, the secondary gods, the extremely delighted sages went in company of Śiva. The others too were equally delighted. Thus the fully decorated gods, were very jubilant and in the company of their wives they eulogised Śiva, the Supreme Brahman. Viśvāvasu and others along with the celestial damsels sang songs of Śiva’s glory. [...]”.

Note: Viśvāvasu is a famous musician and is said to possess all girls from the advent of their youth and transfer them to Agni from whom the bridegrooms obtain them for producing wealth and sons.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—A Gandharva got infatuated at the sight of Devahūti playing on the terrace of her house: served as calf for Gandharvas and Apsarasas to milk GandharvaMadhu from earth;¹ praised Hīraṇyakaśipu, the over lord of all worlds: sang the glory of Indra defeating Namuci.²

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 20. 39; 22. 17; IV. 18. 17. Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 12. IV. 14. 4.
• 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VII. 4. 14; VIII. 11. 41; XI. 16. 33.

1b) The Gandharva presiding over the month of Nabha;¹ in the sun's chariot, with the sun in Āvaṇi and Puraṭṭāśi, (śarat season);² in the sun's chariot during the month of Kārtika.³

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa XII. 11. 37; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 23. 10; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 10. 9.
• 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 52. 10, 13; 62. 188.
• 3) Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 10. 12.

1c) A son of Krodhā and a Devagandharva.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 6. 39.

1d) A son of Purūravas and Ūrvaśī;¹ the Gandharva who brought back Ūrvaśī to heaven from earth.²

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 66. 23; IV. 20. 48 and 101; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 7. 1.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 66. 16.

1e) A Sādhya.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 171. 43.

1f) A Vasu, a son of Dharma and Sudevī.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 171. 46.

1g) A Gandharva and the best of speakers; deprived Ūrvaśī and Purūravas of the two sheep.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 91. 16-22; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 9. 102; IV. 6. 51.

1h) A Gandharva;¹ an expert in divine music.²

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 30. 86.
• 2) Ib. 69. 47.

1i) A class of musicians who sang the Sāma Veda.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 1. 25.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.46, I.65) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Viśvāvasu) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) is the name of a Gandharva who fought with Viśruta: son of Vitihotra (Vītihotra?), according to the Vaṃśānucarita section of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, [...] On the way to Himālaya [king Viśruti] saw the famous Gandharva named Viśvāvasu who was adorned with a beautiful divine garland. On seeing that garland the king remembered Urvaśī and thought that she was alone fit to wear such type of garland. In order to attain the garland he had to fight with the Gandharva. Achieving that garland [from Viśvāvasu] he roamed throughout the earth in quest of Urvaśī but in vain. By the grace of Maheśvara he went to Mahāloka and there he met with Nāradamuni. He expressed that he was desirous of seeing Urvaśī. Nārada told that Urvaśī was near Mānasa Lake situated on the southern side of the Meru. Then immediately the king rushed to that place and offered the garland to her.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) refers to three ancient masters of music. They are to be worshipped in the gandharvamantra, during the ceremony called the ‘consecration of the mattavāraṇī’. According to the Nāṭyaśāstra 3.40-44 gods and demigods should be worshipped with offerings (e.g. different kinds of foodstuff ) and mantras.

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).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) refers to the thirty-ninth of the sixty-year cycle of Jupiter, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 8), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The first year of the next yuga sacred to Viśvedeva is Śobhakṛt; the next year is known as Subhakṛt; the third is Krodhī; and the remaining years are known as Viśvāvasu and Parābhava. During the first two years mankind will be happy; during the third they will feel exceedingly miserable and during the last two years they will be neither happy nor miserable; but in the year Parābhava there will be fear from fire and suffering from weapons and from disease; the Brāhmins and cows will also suffer”.

Source: The effect of Samvatsaras: Satvargas

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) refers to the thirty-ninth saṃvatsara (“jovian year)” in Vedic astrology.—The native whose birth has occurred in the ‘samvatsara’ of ‘vishvavasu’ is blessed with a virtuous wife and son, is excessively generous, has excellent conduct, excessive patience and endurance, likes sweet foods and is endowed with all the virtues.

According with Jataka Parijata, the person born in the year vishvavasu (2025-2026 AD) will have a high sense of honour, will be fond of the comic and will evince admiration for those who are rich in moral worth.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) is the name of a king of the Siddhas (siddharāja) dwelling at the Malaya mountain (malayādri), according to the sixteenth story of the Vetālapañcaviṃśati in the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 90. Accordingly, “... there he [Jīmūtavāhana] made him a retreat in the valley of a brook, the stream of which was hidden by sandalwood-trees, and spent his time in waiting on his parents. And there he made a friend of the name of Mitrāvasu, the son of Viśvāvasu, the King of the Siddhas, who dwelt on that mountain (Malaya)”.

The story of Viśvāvasu is mentioned in the Vetālapañcaviṃśati (twenty-five tales of a vetāla) which is embedded in the twelfth book of the Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’). The main book is a famous Sanskrit epic detailing the exploits of prince Naravāhanadatta in his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The Kathā-sarit-sāgara is is explained to be an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā which consisted of 100,000 verses and in turn forms part of an even larger work containing 700,000 verses.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Apam Napat: Indian Mythology

Vishvavasu is one of the prominent Gandharvas. Sometimes, he is referred to as their King (which is somewhat confusing, as Chitrasena, Tumburu and some others are also said to be their kings). He enjoyed close relations with many Apsaras, particularly Menaka, upon whom he begat the maiden Primadvara. Both parents took no interest in the child and abandoned her as an infant. She was found by a Rishi named Sthulakesa, who brought her up as his own daughter and married her to Ruru, the grandson of the sage Chyavana.

He is said to have mastered the art of illusions, the science called Chakshushi, which was communicated to him by Chandra, who obtained it from Manu. Vishvavasu in turn communicated this science to his friend Angaraparana, who taught it to Arjuna.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) is the name of a gandharva god according to the Śvetāmbara tradition, while the Digambara does not recognize this. The gandharvas refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The gandharvas have a golden appearance according to the Digambaras and the Tumbaru tree is their caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred-tree). They have a blackish complexion and are beautiful in appearance, have excellent physiognomy, sweet voices and are adorned with crowns and neckalces according to the Śvetāmbaras.

The deities such as Viśvāvasu are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) refers to one of the ten sons of Vasu, the son of Abhicandra (an ancient king from Śaktimatī), according , according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, as Muni Nārada said to Rāvaṇa: “[...] Then King Vasu, destroyed by the gods who were angered by that falsehood, went to a terrible hell. Vasu’s sons, Pṛthuvasa, Citravasu, Vāsava, Śakra, Vibhāvasu, Viśvāvasu, and the seventh, Śūra, and the eighth, Mahāśūra, seated at their father’s feet, were killed by the gods at that time from anger. The ninth son, Suvasu, fled to Nāgapura and Vasu’s tenth son, Bṛhaddhvaja went to Mathurā. Much ridiculed by the citizens, Parvata was banished from the city and was received by the Asura Mahākāla”.

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—Name of a Gandharva; Bhāgavata 7.4.14.

Derivable forms: viśvāvasuḥ (विश्वावसुः).

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

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—m.

(-suḥ) One of the Gand'harbas or celestial singers. f.

(-suḥ) A particular night.

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

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—i. e. viśva-vasu, m. 1. One of the Manus. 2. One of the Gandharvas, [Indralokāgamana] 2, 18.

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

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु).—[adjective] blessing all (Viṣṇu); [masculine] [Name] of a Gandharva, a son of Purūravas, etc.

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

1) Viśvavasu (विश्ववसु):—[=viśva-vasu] [from viśva] m. ‘wealth of all’, Name of a son of Purū-ravas, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary] (cf. viśvā-vasu).

2) Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु):—[=viśvā-vasu] [from viśvā > viśva] mfn. (viśvā-) beneficent to all (said of Viṣṇu), [Mahābhārata]

3) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a Gandharva (regarded as the author of the hymn, [Ṛg-veda x, 139]), [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā] etc.

4) [v.s. ...] of a Sādhya, [Harivaṃśa]

5) [v.s. ...] of a Marut-vat, [ib.]

6) [v.s. ...] of a son of Purū-ravas (said to be one of the Viśve Devāḥ), [ib.; Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

7) [v.s. ...] of a prince of the Siddhas, [Kathāsaritsāgara; Nāgānanda]

8) [v.s. ...] of a son of Jamad-agni, [Mahābhārata]

9) [v.s. ...] of one of the Manus, [Uṇādi-sūtra [Scholiast or Commentator]]

10) [v.s. ...] of a poet, [Catalogue(s)]

11) [v.s. ...] of the 39th year in Jupiter’s cycle of 60 years, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

12) [v.s. ...] of the 7th Muhūrta, [Atharva-veda; Jyotiṣa]

13) [v.s. ...] f. night, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

14) [v.s. ...] Name of a [particular] night, [Horace H. Wilson]

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

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु):—(suḥ) 2. m. One of the gandharbas or celestial singers. f. A particular night.

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

Viśvāvasu (विश्वावसु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vissāvasu.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vishvavasu 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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Viśvāvasu (ವಿಶ್ವಾವಸು):—

1) [noun] name of a deity.

2) [noun] name of the thirty ninth year in the Hindu cycle of sixty years.

context information

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: Vasu, Vishva.

Starts with: Vishvavasu kapalika, Vishvavasugandharvamantravidhi, Vishvavasumantra, Vishvavasumati, Vishvavasumdhare, Vishvavasumukha.

Full-text (+52): Mitravasu, Vaishvavasava, Vishvavasumantra, Paravasu, Madalasa, Samvatsara, Padmapatra, Ganadevata, Vissavasu, Vishvavasu kapalika, Purarava, Patalaketu, Urvashi, Varshaganya, Citrasena, Cakshushi, Devagandharva, Kumbhinasi, Shrikumara, Gandharva.

Relevant text

Search found 37 books and stories containing Vishvavasu, Viśvāvasu, Visvavasu, Viśvavasu, Vishva-vasu, Viśva-vasu, Visva-vasu, Viśvā-vasu; (plurals include: Vishvavasus, Viśvāvasus, Visvavasus, Viśvavasus, vasus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)

Rig Veda 10.85.21 < [Sukta 85]

Rig Veda 10.139.4 < [Sukta 139]

Rig Veda 10.45.11 < [Sukta 45]

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The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)

Chapter XLI - Enumeration of diverse incantations, Mantras (Nana Vidya) < [Agastya Samhita]

Chapter LVIII - Positions and dimensions of the sun and other planets < [Agastya Samhita]

Chapter LXVI - Description of the specific marks of Salagrama < [Agastya Samhita]

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Harivamsha Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)

Chapter 5 - Indra Ravishes Vapusthama: Vishvavasu Pacifies Janamejaya’s Wrath < [Book 3 - Bhavishya Parva]

Chapter 14 - Brahma’s Creation < [Book 3 - Bhavishya Parva]

Chapter 6 - Janamejaya Lives Happily: Effect of the Rishi’s Words < [Book 3 - Bhavishya Parva]

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The Gautami Mahatmya (by G. P. Bhatt)

Chapter 62 - Holy Centres Yakṣiṇīsaṅgama etc.

Chapter 101 - Urvaśītīrtha and other Holy Centres

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Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)

Story of Kabandha

Story of Ṛtadhvaja

Story of Citraratha

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The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 17 - The breaking of ego of Rukmi and the servants of God < [Section 4 - Dvārakā-māhātmya]

Chapter 14 - Greatness of Siddheśvara (Siddha-īśvara) < [Section 3 - Arbuda-khaṇḍa]

Chapter 10 - The Service Rendered by the Merchant Class (Vaṇik or Vaiśya) < [Section 2 - Dharmāraṇya-khaṇḍa]

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Click here for all 37 books