Vikalpana, Vikalpanā: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Vikalpana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsVikalpana (विकल्पन):—[vikalpanam] Option; statement which do not fix a rule rigidly but give option for a suitable variant
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramVikalpanā (विकल्पना) refers to “formation” (e.g., Sthānavikalpanā—formation of a place), according to texts such as the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] The place within the cavity (“emptiness”) of (such a one) is the (location of) the Śāmbhava state, which is the contemplation of the Command (ājñādhyāna). (Attaining that place, the aspirant) is free of all means (to realisation). There is no utterance of mantra, (finite) knowledge, gesture (mudrā), meditation, thought, extent or restraint, no breaking of knots or concentration what to say of the formation of a place (sthāna-vikalpanā)”.
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: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (philosophy)Vikalpana (विकल्पन) refers to “conceptualization”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñāvivṛtivimarśinī 2.161.—Accordingly, “[...] Therefore what [we] call an inference is [not just any] conceptualization (vikalpana), [but only one] that consists in a means of [valid] knowledge since it is reliable, [and one] that concerns an object possessed of a specific time and place, [therefore being] fit to be [something on which] an activity [is exerted]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraVikalpana (विकल्पन) refers to “analyzing”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 2).—(Cf. Śrotrendriya)—Accordingly, “[...] Sound (śabda) itself, lacking intellect (avabodha) and lacking the organ (indriya), cannot hear sounds. But if the ear-organ (śrotrendriya) is intact, when the sound reaches the auditory field and when the manas wants to hear, the coming together of the object [i.e., sound] and the Manas determines the arising of an auditory consciousness. Following this auditory consciousness, there arises a mental consciousness that can analyze (vikalpana) all types of causes and conditions and succeeds in hearing sounds. This is why the objection cannot be made: ‘Who hears sound?’ In the Buddha’s doctrine no dharma is agent (kāraka), perceiver (draṣṭṛ) or cognizer (jñānin)”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryVikalpana (विकल्पन).—
1) Admitting of a doubt.
2) Allowing an option.
3) Indecision.
4) Inconsideration.
Derivable forms: vikalpanam (विकल्पनम्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryVikalpana (विकल्पन).—(nt.), °nā (adumbrated in Sanskrit; see prec. two and next), false discrimination: akalpāvikalpana-taḥ (a-kalpa plus a-vikalpana) Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 231.5 (prose); yā khalv eṣu dharmeṣv avicāraṇā a-vikalpanā (so mss.), ayam ucyate…bodhisattvasya…ācāraḥ Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 275.10 (prose), when there is no doubt or false discrimination about these conditions of being, this is called the B's (right) conduct; no ca vikalpana (m.c. for °naṃ or °nā) vidyati mahyam Gaṇḍavyūha 231.12, 14 (verses); dharmāṇām evam a-vikalpanā, no false discrimination of states of being, Bodhisattvabhūmi 260.11 (see s.v. vipaśyanā).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryVikalpana (विकल्पन).—n.
(-naṃ) 1. Admitting of uncertainty. 2. Indecision.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryVikalpana (विकल्पन).—[masculine] = [preceding]; [feminine] ā & [neuter] giving an option or alternative; fancy, imagination, (false) conception.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Vikalpana (विकल्पन):—[=vi-kalpana] [from vi-kalpa > vi-kḷp] m. a contriver, composer, [Catalogue(s)]
2) [v.s. ...] n. and f(ā). allowing an option or alternative, [Pañcarātra; Kāraṇḍa-vyūha on Pāṇini]
3) [v.s. ...] n. the use of a collateral form, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā [Scholiast or Commentator]]
4) [v.s. ...] distinction ([plural] = different opinions), [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]
5) [v.s. ...] false notion or assumption, fancy, imagination, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
6) [v.s. ...] indecision, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
7) [v.s. ...] inconsideration, [ib.]
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Vikalpana (विकल्पन) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Viappaṇa, Viappaṇā, Vikappaṇa.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Vikalpananiya.
Ends with: Nirvikalpana, Prativikalpana, Sthanavikalpana.
Full-text: Viappana, Vikappana, Viaya, Pancavijnana, Vipashyana.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Vikalpana, Vikalpanā; (plurals include: Vikalpanas, Vikalpanās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vivekachudamani (by Shankara)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 1 - Pretas (hungry ghosts) and water < [Chapter XLVI - Venerating with the Roots of Good]
3. The object, subjective creation and emptiness < [Part 12 - Non-existence of the outer object]
Part 3 - Explanation of the word ‘śrutam’ (śruta) < [Chapter II - Evam Mayā Śrutam Ekasmin Samaye]
The Tattvasangraha [with commentary] (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 2737-2742 < [Chapter 24b - Arguments against the reliability of the Veda (the Revealed Word)]
Vastu-shastra (1): Canons of Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
(ii) The Architecture (Sthāpatya) < [Chapter 3 - The Architect and Architecture]
Philosophy of Charaka-samhita (by Asokan. G)
Analytical devices (tantrayukis) < [Chapter 7 - Logic and Dialectical Speculations]
Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4 (by Vihari-Lala Mitra)
Chapter XXVI - Manki's attainment of final extinction or nirvána. < [Book VII - Nirvana prakarana part 2 (nirvana prakarana)]