Vishveshvara, Viśveśvara, Vishva-ishvara: 18 definitions

Introduction:

Vishveshvara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Viśveśvara can be transliterated into English as Visvesvara or Vishveshvara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Shaivism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर, “Lord of the universe”):—One of the eleven epithets of Rudra, as adressed to in the second chapter of Śrī-rudram. These names represent his various attributes.

Shaivism book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

1a) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) refers to one of twelve Jyotirliṅgas, according to the Śivapurāṇa 1.22 while explaining the importance of the partaking of the Naivedya of Śiva. Viśveśvara is located at Benares.

1b) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) refers to the foremost among all the Jyotirliṅgas, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.2 (“The Prayer of the gods).—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Śiva: “[...] Among the Yogas you are the Vyatīpāta; among creepers you are the Soma creeper; among intellectual activities you are the virtuous inclination, among intimate ones you are the wife. Among the pure activities of the aspirant, O great lord, you are Prāṇāyāma; among all Jyotirliṅgas you are Viśveśvara. [...]”.

2) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) is another name for Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.10.—Accordingly, after Śiva spoke to the Earth (Dharaṇī):—“[...] The child acquired the name Bhauma (son of the Earth). He attained youth immedately. For a long time he worshipped lord Śiva at Kāśī. By the grace of lord Śiva [i.e., viśveśvara-prasāda], the son of the Earth, acquired the status of a planet. He went to the heavenly sphere beyond the region of Venus. O sage, thus I have told you the story of Śiva and His separation from Satī. Now listen to the story of His performance of penance”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर).—Sacred to Goddess Viśvā.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 13. 29.

1b) The God enshrined at Benares.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 184. 69.

1c) A name of Hari.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa II. 2. 14; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 41. 42.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIV.8.27, XIV.8) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Viśveśvara) 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

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) or Viśveśvaraliṅga is the name of a Tīrtha (holy places) situated at Vārāṇasī, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Vārāṇasī has remained a place dear to Śiva. It is supposed to be a place of mokṣa for all living creatures. There are many sacred places and innumerable liṅgas which are even unknown to Brahmā, so says the Saurapurāṇa. [...] A bath at Maṇikarṇa takes away sins and by the sight of Viśveśvara a devotee becomes fit for liberation. [....] The Viśveśvara-liṅga at Vārāṇasī is a Jyotirliṅga.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fourth volume of the Rasajalanidhi (chapter 2, dealing with jvara: fever). These remedies are classified as Iatrochemistry and form part of the ancient Indian science known as Rasaśāstra (medical alchemy). However, as an ayurveda treatment, it should be taken twith caution and in accordance with rules laid down in the texts.

Accordingly, when using such recipes (e.g., viśveśvara-rasa): “the minerals (uparasa), poisons (viṣa), and other drugs (except herbs), referred to as ingredients of medicines, are to be duly purified and incinerated, as the case may be, in accordance with the processes laid out in the texts.” (see introduction to Iatro chemical medicines)

Ayurveda book cover
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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.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) refers to one of the eight Bhairavas (bhairava-aṣṭaka) associated with Tisrapīṭha (located in the ‘end of sound’—nādānta), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Bhairavas (bhairavāṣṭaka): Candragarbha, Arghīśa, Mahānanda, Kāmāri, Pralamba, Viśveśvara, Śrīkaṇṭha, Vilamba.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) is another name for Uttarāṣāḍha, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 15) (“On the nakṣatras—‘asterisms’”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “Those who are born on the lunar day of Uttarāṣāḍha [i.e., viśveśvara] will be chief ministers or wrestlers; will keep elephants and horses, will be religious; will be men of principles; soldiers; happy and of bright appearance”.

Jyotisha book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Marathi glossary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

viśvēśvara (विश्वेश्वर).—m S Lord of the universe. A title of the Deity, and esp. of Shiva considered as the Supreme. 2 The name of one of the lingams of Shiva.

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.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर).—(also viśvamīśvaraḥ as one word used in the Mahābhārata and Kūrmapurāṇa ch.26.)

1) the Supreme Being, lord of the universe.

2) an epithet of Śiva.

Derivable forms: viśveśvaraḥ (विश्वेश्वरः).

Viśveśvara is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms viśva and īśvara (ईश्वर). See also (synonyms): viśveśa.

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

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर).—m.

(-raḥ) Siva, under a form or appellation in which especially he is worshipped at Benares, where a celebrated temple is appropriated to him in the character of lord or god of the universe. E. viśva the universe, and īśvara god; also similar compounds, as viśveśa, viśvanātha, &c.

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

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर).—[masculine] = [preceding] ([feminine] ī); a man’s name.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—guru of Advayānanda and paramaguru of Rāghavānanda Sarasvatī (Tattvārṇava). Hall. p. 6.

2) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—guru of the astronomer Kamalākara. L. 1896.

3) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—guru of Vāsudeva Adhvarin (Mīmāṃsākautūhalavṛtti). Hall. p. 182.

4) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—poet. [Sūktikarṇāmṛta by Śrīdharadāsa]

5) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Alaṃkārakulapradīpa. Alaṃkāramuktāvalī.

6) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Aṣṭāvakragītāṭīkā Adhyātmapradīpa. Gopālatāpanīyaṭīkā.

7) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Gargamanoramāṭīkā jy. Pañcasvarāṭīkā.

8) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Gṛhapatidharma.

9) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Tārkakutūhala.

10) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Dṛgdṛśyaviveka, vedānta.

11) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Nirṇayakaustubha [dharma]

12) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Nyāyaprakaraṇa.

13) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Bhagavadgītābhāṣya.

14) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Manoramākhaṇḍa [grammatical]

15) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Rasacandrikā alaṃk.

16) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Romāvalīśataka.

17) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Līlāvatyudāharaṇa.

18) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Viśveśvarapaddhati.

19) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Vedapādastava.

20) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Śabdārṇavasudhānidhi [grammatical]

21) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Śrutirañjinī Gītagovindaṭīkā.

22) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Saptaśatī kāvya.

23) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Sāhityasāra kāvya.

24) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Siddhāntaśikhāmaṇi [tantric]

25) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—son of Bhūteśvara, father of Sarveśvara (Vyavahārasarvasva).

26) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Kramadīpikāṭīkā.

27) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Citrakāvya and—[commentary].

28) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—author of the Tarkakutūhala, Rasacandrikā, Romāvalīśataka. See Viśveśvara, son of Lakṣmīdhara.

29) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Rāmapūrvatāpanīyopaniṣaṭṭīkā.

30) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—son of Dinakara: Samayanaya, written for Śambhurāja in 1681.

31) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—son of Lakṣmīdhara: Alaṃkārakulapradīpa.

Viśveśvara has the following synonyms: Viśvanātha.

32) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—son of Rāmeśvara, son of Gaṅgārāma, son of Ratnākara, wrote by request of king Pratāpa, son of Mādhava, grandson of Jayasiṃha: Pratāpārka.

33) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—Yogavāsiṣṭhasāra.

34) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—son of Vaidyanātha: Puṣkaraprādurbhāvaṭīkā Mitākṣarā.

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

1) Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—[from viśva] m. idem, [Upaniṣad; Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] Name of a form of Śiva ([especially] worshipped in Benares), [Religious Thought and Life in India 50; 437 etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] of various authors and other persons, [Catalogue(s)]

4) [from viśva] n. ([probably]) Name of a place, [Catalogue(s)]

5) [v.s. ...] the Nakṣatra Uttarāṣāḍhā, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

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

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर):—[viśve-śvara] (raḥ) 1. m. Idem.

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

Viśveśvara (विश्वेश्वर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vissesara.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vishveshvara 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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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Vishveshvara in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Viśvēśvara (ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರ):—

1) [noun] Śiva, the Lord of the entire universe and the presiding deity of Kāśi, holiest city.

2) [noun] (jain.) the first spiricual teacher, Ādi Tīrthaṃkara.

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

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