The Sanskrit terms Viśākha and Viśākhā and Viśakha can be transliterated into English as Visakha or Vishakha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jyotiṣa

Viśākha (विशाख):—Name for a particular section of the ecliptic. It is also known as Viśākhanakṣatra. Nakṣatra means “Lunar mansion” and corresponds to a specific region of the sky through which the moon passes each day. Viśākha means “forked, having branches” and is associated with the deity known as Indrāgni (God of sacrificial fire). The presiding Lord of this lunar house is Guru (Jupiter).

Indian zodiac: |20° Tulā| – |3°20' Vṛścika|
Tulā (तुला, “balance”) corresponds to Libra and Vṛścika (वृश्चिक, “scorpion”) corresponds with Scorpio.

Western zodiac: |16°| – |29°20' Scorpio|
Scorpio corresponds with Vṛścika (वृश्चिक, “scorpion”)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Viśākhā (विशाखा) refers to the 16th constellation, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 4), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the moon should pass to the south of Jyeṣṭha (the 18th constellation), Mūla (the 19th constellation) and the two Āṣāḍhas (20th and 21st constellations) she destroys seeds, creatures in water and forests; and there will also be fear from fire. If the moon should pass to the south of Viśākhā (the 16th constellation) and Anurādhā (the 17th constellation) she will bring on evil. If she should pass through the middle of Maghā (the 10th constellation) or of Viśākhā (the 16th constellation) she will bring on prosperity”.

Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical Terms

Viśakha (विशख).—The nakṣatra, Visākhā. Note: Viśakha is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Viśākha (विशाख).—One of the seven major mountains situated on the western side of mount Niṣadha, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 83. These mountains give rise to many other mountains and various settlements. Niṣadha is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Viśākha (विशाख) is the name of a gaṇa (attendant of Śiva), mentioned in the Skandapurāṇa 4.2.53. In this chapter, Śiva (Giriśa) summons his attendants (gaṇas) and ask them to venture towards the city Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) in order to find out what the yoginīs, the sun-god, Vidhi (Brahmā) were doing there.

While the gaṇas such as Viśākha were staying at Kāśī, they were desirous but unable of finding a weakness in king Divodaśa who was ruling there. Kāśī is described as a fascinating place beyond the range of Giriśa’s vision, and as a place where yoginīs become ayoginīs, after having come in contact with it. Kāśī is described as having both the power to destroy great delusion, as well as creating it.

The Skandapurāṇa narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is the largest Mahāpurāṇa composed of over 81,000 metrical verses, with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Viśākha (विशाख).—One of the three brothers of Skandadeva. The other two were Śākha and Naigameya. There is a story regarding them in Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, as follows:—

Skandadeva approached his father Śiva. At that time Śiva, Pārvatī, Agni and Gaṅgā, all wished in their minds that Skanda should come to him or her. Understanding the desire of each, by Yogabala (the power obtained by union with the Universal Soul) Skanda divided himself into four persons, Skanda, Viśākha, Śākha and Naigameya and went to each of them respectively and fulfilled their desire. (For further details see under Subrahmaṇya).

2) Viśākha (विशाख).—A hermit. Mention is made in Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7, Stanza 19, that this hermit stays in the palace of Indra, glorifying him.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1) Viśākha (विशाख) is the name of a leader of Gaṇas (Gaṇapa or Gaṇeśvara or Gaṇādhipa) who came to Kailāsa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.20. Accordingly, after Śiva decided to become the friend of Kubera:—“[...] The leaders of Gaṇas revered by the whole world and of high fortune arrived there. [...] Viśākha with sixty-four crores; Pāriyātraka with nine crores, Sarvāntaka with six crores and the glorious Dunduma with eight crores. [...]”.

These [viz., Viśākha] and other leaders of Gaṇas [viz., Gaṇapas] were all powerful (mahābala) and innumerable (asaṃkhyāta). [...] The Gaṇa chiefs and other noble souls of spotless splendour eagerly reached there desirous of seeing Śiva. Reaching the spot they saw Śiva, bowed to and eulogised him.

Viśākha participated in Vīrabhadra’s campaign against Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.33. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“O Nārada, listen to the numerical strength of the most important and courageous of those groups. [...] Viśākha with sixty-four crores, Pāriyātraka with nine crores; Sarvāṅkaka and the heroic Vikṛtānana each with six crores. [...] Thus at the bidding of Śiva, the heroic Vīrabhadra went ahead followed by crores and crores, thousands and thousands, hundreds and hundreds of Gaṇas [viz., Viśākha]”.

2) Viśākha (विशाख) refers to a part of Guha / Kārttikeya (i.e., Śiva’s son), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.3 (“The boyhood sports of Kārttikeya”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “Guha [i.e., Śiva’s son] took the spear and ascended the peak. He hit the peak with his spear and the peak fell down. [...] There was great hue and cry. The Earth, the mountains and the three worlds quaked. Indra the lord of gods came there. With his thunderbolt he hit on his right side. A person named ‘Śākha’ of great strength came out of that side. Śakra struck him again with his thunderbolt on his left side. Another strong person named Viśākha (viśākhākhya) came out of that side. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Viśākha (विशाख).—A son (brother vā. p., vi. p.) of Skanda: an aṃśa of Skanda, Vāyu-purāṇa [a son of Agni (Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa and Matsya-purāṇa)];¹ from him originated the planet Sūrya;² an epithet of Kumāra;³ commander.⁴

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 25; Matsya-purāṇa 5. 26. Vāyu-purāṇa 53. 104; 66. 24; 101. 280. Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 15. 115.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 24. 129.
• 3) Matsya-purāṇa 159. 3.
• 4) Ib. 230. 7.

1b) A mountain on the south of the Mānasa;¹ temple of Guha at.²

• 1) Vāyu-purāṇa 36. 23;
• 2) Ib. 39. 55.

1c) When the sun is in Viśākha, fourth aṃśa, the moon is then at the head of Kṛttikā.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 50. 196; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 21. 145; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 8. 76-7.

1d) Is Skanda.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 14.

2) Viśākhā (विशाखा).—A constellation: Śrāddha performance on that day leads to birth of sons.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 18. 8; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 50; 82. 9.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Viśākha (विशाख) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.23) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Viśākha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra

Viśākhā (विशाखा) refers to the sixteenth of twenty-seven constellations (ṛkṣa), according to the Mānasāra. Ṛkṣa is the third of the āyādiṣaḍvarga, or “six principles” that constitute the “horoscope” of an architectural or iconographic object. Their application is intended to “verify” the measurements of the architectural and iconographic object against the dictates of astrology that lay out the conditions of auspiciousness.

The particular nakṣatra, also known as ṛkṣa (e.g., viśākhā) of all architectural and iconographic objects (settlement, building, image) must be calculated and ascertained. This process is based on the principle of the remainder. An arithmetical formula to be used in each case is stipulated, which engages one of the basic dimensions of the object (breadth, length, or perimeter/circumference). In the context of village planning and measurement, the text sates that among the stars (ṛkṣa), the ones that are pūrṇa (odd), are auspicious and the ones that are karṇa (even), inauspicious.

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

1) Viśākha (विशाख) is one of the two mighty sons of Kārttikeya that sprung from his body after being struck by Indra’s thunderbolt, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 20. Kārttikeya is the name of Śiva’s son born for the purpose of slaying the asura Tāraka and to protect the realm of Indra.

2) Viśākha (विशाख) was a soldier in Sunītha and Sūryaprabha’s army whose strength is considered as equaling a fourfold-power warrior (caturguṇaratha), according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 47. Accordingly, as the Asura Maya explained the arrangement of warriors in Sunītha’s army: “... [Viśākha, and others], these princes are warriors of fourfold power”.

The story of Viśākha was narrated by the Vidyādhara king Vajraprabha to prince Naravāhanadatta in order to relate how “Sūryaprabha, being a man, obtain of old time the sovereignty over the Vidyādharas”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Viśākha, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a 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’.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

Viśākha (विशाख) is another name for Punarnavā, a medicinal plant identified with Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. or “desert horsepurslane” from the Aizoaceae or “fig-marigold” family of flowering plants, according to verse 5.115-116 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fifth chapter (parpaṭādi-varga) of this book enumerates sixty varieties of smaller plants (kṣudra-kṣupa). Together with the names Viśākha and Punarnavā, there are a total of eight Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Viśākhā (विशाखा) (Nakṣatra) is considered negative for the recovery for a person to be bitten by snake, as taught in the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Agadatantra or Sarpavidyā).—The malignant asterisms and baneful lunar phases and astral combinations, with reference to snake-bite, are discussed in the tail-end of the fourth Adhyāya. [...] The Kāśyapasaṃhitā mentions the following details regarding the Nakṣatras:—The stars of a malignant nature that determine the virulence of the poison of the snake bite are [e.g., Viśākhā] (Cf. verse IV.108)

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and Subjects

Viśākha (विशाख), (dual: viśākhe) is the couple of stars α and β Libræ. This mansion is later called Rādhā according to the Amarakośa, and it is curious that in the Atharvaveda the expression rādho Viśākhe, ‘the Viśākhe are prosperity’, should occur. But probably Rādhā is merely an invention due to the name of the next Nakṣatra, Anurādhā, wrongly conceived as meaning ‘that which is after or follows Rādhā’.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Visakha. Husband of Dhammadinna. He was a rich merchant of Rajagaha and accompanied Bimbisara on his visit to the Buddha, who was then at Rajagaha for the first time after his Enlightenment. Visakha, on that occasion, became a Sotapanna, after hearing the Buddha preach; he later became a sakadagami and then an anagami. After he became an anagami his behaviour to his wife completely changed, and when he explained to her the reason, offering her all his wealth and freedom to do as she wished, she asked his leave to join the Order. Visakha informed Bimbisara of her wish, and, at his request, the king ordered that the city be decked in her honour on the day of her renunciation and that she be taken to the nunnery in a golden palanquin.

After Dhammadinna had joined the Order, she left the city and retired into the country, returning to Rajagaha after she had attained arahantship. Visakha, hearing of her return, visited her at the nunnery and asked her various questions regarding the Buddhas teachings, all of which she answered (MA.i.514f.; ThigA.15, 19). Their conversation is recorded in the Culla Vedalla Sutta (M.i.299f.; cf. DhA.iv.229f.; AA.i.197). Visakha then visited the Buddha and reported their conversation to him, winning the Buddhas praises for Dhammadinna.

In the time of Phussa Buddha, Visakha and Dhammadinna had been husband and wife. (For details see PvA.20ff.; of. KhpA.202f.; DhA.i.86f. AA.i.144f.) Visakha had been the treasurer, appointed by the three sons of Jayasena, in charge of the provisions given by them for the almsgiving held in honour of Phussa Buddha and his monks.

Visakha is mentioned (SA.iii.223) as one of the seven lay disciples in the time of the Buddha who had each five hundred followers.

2. Visakha. Called Pancaliputta. He was son of a provincial governor (mandalikaraja) of Magadha, and was called Pancaliputta because his mother was the daughter of the Pancala king. (AA.ii.511 calls him the son of Pancalibrahmani). He succeeded his father, and, hearing one day that the Buddha had arrived near his village, he visited him, heard him preach and joined the Order. He then accompanied the Buddha to Savatthi, where he became an arahant. Later, out of compassion, he visited his relations.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

1) Viśākhā (विशाखा) refers to one of the twenty-seven constellations (nakṣatra) according to according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).—Viśākhā is the Sanskrit equivalent of Chinese Ti, Tibetan Sa-ga and modern Librae.

Viśākhā is classified in the first group: “The moon revolves around the earth in 28 days. If the moon enters one of the six following constellations (e.g., Viśākhā), then at that moment, the earth trembles (bhūmicala) as if it would collapse, this shaking extends up to the god of fire (Agni). Then there is no more rain, the rivers dry up, the year is bad for grain, the emperor (T’ien tseu) is cruel and the great ministers are evil”.

2) Viśākhā (विशाखा) is the mother of thirty-two boys that were born from eggs, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).—The thirty-two sons of P’i chö k’ia mi k’ie lo mou (Viśakhā Mṛgāramātā): Viśākhā, their mother, gave birth to thirty-two eggs which on breaking open, released thirty-two boys who all were strong men; the oldest of them was Mṛgāra. Viśākhā obtained the fruit of the threefold Path.

Source: archive.org: Bulletin of the French School of the Far East (volume 5)

Viśākhā (विशाखा) is the name of a Nakṣatra mentioned in chapter 18 of the Candragarbha: the 55th section of the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra, a large compilation of Sūtras (texts) in Mahāyāna Buddhism partly available in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Chinese.—Chapter 18 deals with geographical astrology and, in conversation with Brahmarāja and others, Buddha explains how he entrusts the Nakṣatras [e.g., Viśākhā] with a group of kingdoms for the sake of protection and prosperity.

The Viśākhānakṣatra comprises the following realms:

1. K'ia-seou-kia (Khasuka?),
2. Sin-t'eou-p'o-tch'e (Sindhuvaṭi?),
3. A-mo-li (Amali?),
4. Yu-ni-mou-k'ia (Yonimukha?),
5. Nan-t'o-p'o (Nandava?),
6. Kia-cha (Gaṣa?),
7. Po-che-kiu-chö (Paśikuśa?),
8. Yeou-p'o-kia (Yuvaka?),
9. P'o-k'ia-lo (Vakhara?),
10. Cha-p'o-lo (Ṣavara?),
11. Kia-leou-tch'a (Garuḍa?),
12. Lieou-tch'eou-kia (Kujuka?),
13. P'o-tchö-li-p'o (Vacariva?).

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.

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

1) Viśākhā (विशाखा) refers to one of the female Śrāvakas mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Viśākhā).

2) Viśākhā (विशाखा) also refers to one of the various Nakṣatras mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa.

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Viśākhā (विशाखा) refers to the sixteenth of the 28 nakṣatras (“constellations”) of the zodiac, as commonly depicted in Buddhist Iconography, and mentioned in the 11th-century Niṣpannayogāvalī of Mahāpaṇḍita Abhayākara.—The nakṣatras are described collectively in the dharmadhātuvāgīśvara-maṇḍala of the Niṣpannayogāvalī. In this maṇḍala the nakṣatras are given one face and two arms, which are clasped against the chest in the añjalimudrā:—“the deities [viz., Viśākhā] are decked in bejewelled jackets and they all show the añjali-mudrā”.—In colour, however, they differ. [viz., Viśākhā is given the colour blue].

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Buddhism

Visākhā (विसाखा) refers to one of the five wives of Okkāka: an ancient king from the Solar dynasty (sūryavaṃśa), according to the Mahābuddhavaṃsa or Maha Buddhavamsa (the great chronicle of Buddhas) Anudīpanī chapter 1, compiled by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw. The wives of King Okkāka, the last of the 252,556 kings, were five: Hatthā, Cittā, Jantu, Jālinī, and Visākhā. Each of them had five hundred ladies-in-waiting.

India history and geography

Source: Piotr Balcerowicz: Royal Patronage of Jainism

Viśākha (विशाख) is the name of one of the sixteen Jain Ācāryas (teachers) mentioned in the inscription of Pārśvanātha Bastī (which was engraved in 522 Śaka era, i.e. Vikram 657 years and 1127 V.N.).—Accordingly, “[...] when a calamity in Ujjayinī lasting for a twelve-year period was foretold by Bhadrabāhu-svāmin, who comes from an impeccable old race which is a lineage of great men coming in succession within the lineage of teachers [viz., Viśākha], and who possesses the knowledge of the truth of the Great Omens (mahānimitta) in eight parts (canonical books, aṅga), who sees the three times (past, present and future), after he had seen it with the help of the omens, the whole congregation [of Jaina monks] set out from the northern region towards the southern region. Gradually, they [viz., Viśākha] reached a locality of several hundred villages, full of happy people, riches, gold, grain, herds of cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep. [...]”.

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.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Visakha in India is the name of a plant defined with Boerhavia diffusa in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Boerhavia adscendens Willd. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Flora Indica, or ‘Descriptions of Indian Plants’ (1832)
· Fl. Cochinch. (1790)
· The Gardeners Dictionary (1768)
· Phytographia (1794)
· Mant. Pl. Altera (1771)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Visakha, for example chemical composition, pregnancy safety, diet and recipes, side effects, health benefits, extract dosage, have a look at these references.

context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

visākhā : (f.) name of a lunar mansion, and that of a female devotee of the Buddha.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Visākhā, (f.) (vi+sākhā, Sk. viśākhā) N. of a lunar mansion (nakkhatta) or month (see vesākha), usually as visākha° (—puṇṇamā), e.g. SnA 391; VvA. 165. (Page 639)

— or —

Visākha, (adj.) (visākhā as adj. ) having branches, forked; in ti° three-branched S. I, 118=M. I, 109. (Page 639)

context information

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

viśākhā (विशाखा).—f pl S The sixteenth lunar asterism.

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

viśākhā (विशाखा).—f pl The 16th lunar asterism.

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

Viśākha (विशाख).—

1) Name of Kārtikeya; वक्षो विशाखविशिखव्रणलाञ्छितं मे (vakṣo viśākhaviśikhavraṇalāñchitaṃ me) Mv.2.38.

2) An attitude in shooting (in which the archer stands with the feet a span apart).

3) A beggar, petitioner.

4) A spindle.

5) Name of Śiva.

6) Name of a god, frequently mentioned by Paṇini and Patañjali along with Skanda; e. g. see Mahābhārata on P.VI.3.26, VIII.1.15. -a. also विशाखक (viśākhaka); Branched, forked.

Derivable forms: viśākhaḥ (विशाखः).

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Viśākhā (विशाखा).—(usually in the dual) Name of the 16th lunar mansion consisting of two stars; किमत्र चित्रं यदि विशाखे शशाङ्कलेखामनुवर्तेते (kimatra citraṃ yadi viśākhe śaśāṅkalekhāmanuvartete) Ś.3.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Viśākha (विशाख).—(1) name of a deer-prince (= Pali Sākha, in the Nigrodha-Jātaka): Mahāvastu i.359.19 ff.; (2) name of a son of Mṛgāra, who married Viśākhā: Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya ii.53.4.

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Viśākhā (विशाखा).—(1) name of the ‘woman-jewel’ of King Śaṅkha: Dvy 61.18; (2) name of Śākyamuni's leading female lay- disciple, called Mṛgāramātar, q.v. (= Pali Visākhā Migāramātā): Divyāvadāna 77.28; 466.24; Avadāna-śataka i.224.3; ii.9.7; Karmavibhaṅga (and Karmavibhaṅgopadeśa) 87.15; 97.3 (in 97.3 spelled Viśākhyā); Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya ii.53.16 ff. (her story in full, different in many ways from the Pali).

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

Viśākha (विशाख).—mfn.

(-khaḥ-khā-khaṃ) Branchless. m.

(-khaḥ) 1. Kartikeya. 2. An attitude in shooting, standing with the feet a span apart. 3. A solicitor, a petitioner, a beggar. 4. A spindle. f.

(-khā) 1. The sixteenth lunar asterism, figured by a festoon, and containing four, or according to some, two stars. 2. A cucurbitaceous plant, (Momordica charantia.) E. vi without, śākha a branch; or viśākhā the asterism, (by which personified the god was cherished,) aṇ aff., and the vowel unchanged.

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

Viśākha (विशाख).—[vi-śākha] [I.] (cf. śākhā), adj. Branchless. Ii. m. 1. Kārttikeya. 2. An attitude in shooting, standing with the feet a span apart. 3. A solieitor, a beggar. 4. A spindle. Iii. f. khā, The sixteenth lunar asterism, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 16, 18.

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

Viśākha (विशाख).—[adjective] branchless or having spreading branches, forked; [feminine] ā sgl. [dual] [plural] [Name] of a lunar mansion, [feminine] ī a forked pole (also khikā [feminine]); [neuter] fork, ramification.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Viśākha (विशाख) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—abridged from the following name. Rāyamukuṭa and others.

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

1) Viśākha (विशाख):—[=vi-śākha] [from vi] mf(ā)n. (vi-; once vi-sākha, [Atharva-veda xix, 7, 3]) branched, forked, [Atharva-veda; Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra]

2) [v.s. ...] branchless, [Harivaṃśa]

3) [v.s. ...] handless, [ib.]

4) [v.s. ...] born under the constellation Viśākhā, [Pāṇini 4-3, 34]

5) [v.s. ...] m. a beggar, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

6) [v.s. ...] a spindle, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) [v.s. ...] a [particular] attitude in shooting, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

8) [v.s. ...] Boerhavia Procumbens, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

9) [v.s. ...] Name of Skanda, [Mahābhārata]

10) [v.s. ...] a manifestation of Skanda (regarded as his son), [ib.; Harivaṃśa; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā] etc.

11) [v.s. ...] Name of a demon dangerous to, children (held to be a manifestation of Sk°), [Suśruta; Śārṅgadhara-saṃhitā; Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]

12) [v.s. ...] of Śiva, [Mahābhārata]

13) [v.s. ...] of a Devarṣi, [ib.]

14) [v.s. ...] of a Dānava, [Kathāsaritsāgara]

15) [v.s. ...] of a Daśa-pūrvin and other persons, [Bhadrabāhu-caritra; Rājataraṅgiṇī] etc.

16) [v.s. ...] = viśākha-datta below, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

17) Viśākhā (विशाखा):—[=vi-śākhā] [from vi-śākha > vi] f. a species of plant, [Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra] (Dūrvā grass [commentator or commentary]; = kaṭhillaka, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.])

18) [v.s. ...] (also [dual number] or [plural]) the 14th (later 16th) lunar asterism (figured by a decorated arch and containing four or originally two stars under the regency of a dual divinity, Indra and Agni; it is probably to be connected with the quadrangle of stars ι, α, β, γ Librae; See nakṣatra), [Atharva-veda] etc. etc.

19) [v.s. ...] Name of a woman, [Buddhist literature]

20) Viśākha (विशाख):—[=vi-śākha] [from vi] n. a fork, ramification, [Gobhila-śrāddha-kalpa]

21) Viṣakhā (विषखा):—[=viṣa-khā] [from viṣa > viṣ] See bisa-khā.

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

Viśākha (विशाख):—[vi-śākha] (khaḥ-khā-khaṃ) 1. m. Kartikeya; attitude in shooting; a beggar; a spindle. f. 15th lunar asterism; a gourd. a. Branchless.

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

Viśākha (विशाख) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Visāha, Visāhā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vishakha 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

Viśākha (ವಿಶಾಖ):—[adjective] (said of trees) not having branches.

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Viśākha (ವಿಶಾಖ):—

1) [noun] Skanda, son of Śiva.

2) [noun] a posture of an archer, standing with feet apart.

3) [noun] a man begging for something; a beggar.

--- OR ---

Viśākha (ವಿಶಾಖ):—[noun] name of a star in the Southern Constellation Scorpius; the Zubenel Genubi.

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: Shakha, Visha, Kha, Vi.

Starts with (+1): Vishakha bhatta, Vishakhadatta, Vishakhaddi, Vishakhadeva, Vishakhaja, Vishakhaka, Vishakhakara, Vishakhakhya, Vishakhala, Vishakhamahatmya, Vishakhanakshatra, Vishakhanandin, Vishakhapara, Vishakhapattana, Vishakhaprasada, Vishakharpara, Vishakharparika, Vishakhavant, Vishakhavarman, Vishakhavat.

Ends with: Avishakha, Bhallavishakha, Dvishakha, Skandavishakha, Skandhavishakha, Suvishakha.

Full-text (+322): Vishakhaja, Indragnidaivata, Dvidevata, Mridutikshna, Vishakhala, Vishakhayupa, Jaradgavavithi, Pancaliputta, Aindragna, Vishakhavat, Skandavishakha, Vishakhadeva, Shakragni, Mudrarakshasa, Vishakhanakshatra, Vishakhi, Vishakhakara, Vishakhadatta, Nakshatra, Vishakhe.

Relevant text

Search found 106 books and stories containing Vishakha, Vi-śākha, Vi-sakha, Vi-śākhā, Vi-shakha, Viṣa-khā, Visa-kha, Visakha, Viśākha, Visākhā, Visākha, Viśākhā, Viśakha, Viṣakhā, Visha-kha; (plurals include: Vishakhas, śākhas, sakhas, śākhās, shakhas, khās, khas, Visakhas, Viśākhas, Visākhās, Visākhas, Viśākhās, Viśakhas, Viṣakhās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Sanskrit sources of Kerala history (by Suma Parappattoli)

8. The Visakhavijaya by Kerala Kalidasa < [Chapter 3 - Historical Details from Mahakavyas]

6.5. Visakharaja-prasasti < [Chapter 2 - Historical details from Mahatmyas and Prashastis]

Appendix 1 - Sanskrit Works bearing on Kerala History

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Tibetan tales (derived from Indian sources) (by W. R. S. Ralston)

Chapter 7 - The story of Viśākha

Chapter 21 - How a Woman Requites Love

Chapter 8 - The story of Mahauṣadha and Viśākhā

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Metta (by Ācariya Buddharakkhita)

Chapter 8 - The Power Of Metta

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Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)

Verses 3.10.28-30 < [Chapter 10 - The Glory of Śrī Girirāja]

Verse 2.15.8 < [Chapter 15 - Description of Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa’s Falling in Love]

Verse 3.9.23 < [Chapter 9 - The Birth of Śrī Girirāja]

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The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)

Biography (5) Dhammadinnā Therī < [Chapter 44 - Life Histories of Bhikkhunī Arahats]

Biography (2): Visākhā, Donor of Pubbārāma Monastery < [Chapter 45b - Life Stories of Female Lay Disciples]

Buddha Chronicle 14: Atthadassī Buddhavaṃsa < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]

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A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada (by Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw)

Chapter 4 - Ignorance And Illusion < [Part 2]

Chapter 20 - Attavadupadana < [Part 8]

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