Vilasa, Vilāsa, Vilapa: 32 definitions

Introduction:

Vilasa means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, 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.

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to a “play” (i.e., Vāgvilāsa—the play of speech), according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “Sound (nāda) has arisen from Resonance (dhvani) and is said to be of five kinds as [...]. The artificial (sound) is (brought about) by the conjunction (of objects) and is located in space. From that the series of letters which is the play of Speech [i.e., vāg-vilāsa] comes into being. Once the Self, both manifest and unmanifest, has been aroused by that, this Śāmbhava (state) of subtle being is confined by it. [...] ”.

Source: Manblunder: Lalitha Sahasranama

Vilāsa means playful. Vilāsa also means the power of projection which is called vikṣepa śakti (power of projection, through which the projection of the world is possible). This is the true act of māyā, veiling the ultimate Truth and projection it is as something else, thereby causing illusion.

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to “charming”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] O goddess, I praise you with mind and speech. [...] Dwelling originally in the abode of Śiva, you multiply yourself sixfold and prepare the path of existence where you nurture wonderful and manifold creation with your own six forms. You shed moonlight on the path of Suṣumṇā that is charming due to the beautiful appearance (vilāsa-saumya) of the six lotuses serving as [your] bases”.

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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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

1) Vilāsa (विलास, “amorousness”) represents one of the thirteen pratimukhasandhi, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 21. This element is also known as samīhā (‘longing’). Pratimukhasandhi refers to the “segments (sandhi) of the progressing part (pratimukha)” and represents one of the five segments of the plot (itivṛtta or vastu) of a dramatic composition (nāṭaka).

2) Vilāsa (विलास, “amorous gesture”) refers to one of the ten “natural graces” of women (svābhāvikā), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 24. These natural graces, also known as svabhāvaja or sahaja, represent one of the three aspects of graces (alaṃkāra) which forms which forms the support of sentiments (rasa) in drama.

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, “relevant changes of the special kind relating to the standing and sitting postures as well as to gait and the movements of hands, eye-brows and eyes, which occur at the sight of the beloved are called ‘amorous gestures’ (vilāsa)”.

Vilāsa (विलास, “graceful bearing”) also refers to one of the eight aspects of the male’s sattva, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 24.

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, “eyes moving straight, gait as graceful as that of a bull, and smiling words constitute ‘graceful bearing’ (vilāsa)”.

The natural graces (such as vilāsa) and sattvas are defined according to the science of sāmānyābhinaya, or “harmonious representation”.

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

Vilāsa (विलास).—One of the twelve elements of the ‘progression segment’ (pratimukhasandhi);—(Description:) Amorousness (vilāsa) is the desire for the sport of love (rati).

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

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to one of the 108 kinds of Karaṇa (“coordination of precise movements of legs and hands”), 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.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, karaṇas are the coordination of precise movements of legs and hands performed in a particular posture. The Nāṭyaśāstra also gives its view point in the same spirit. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, one hundred and eight kinds of karaṇas are accepted, e.g., Vilāsa.

Natyashastra book cover
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).

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Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Source: Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar

Vilāsa (विलास).—Name of a commentary by Jayakṛṣṇa Maunī on the Madhyasiddhānta Kaumudī of Varadarāja.

Vyakarana book cover
context information

Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Vilāsa (विलास).—A hermit who was the friend of Bhāsa. This hermit did penance in Paścimataṭa. It is mentioned in Yogavāsiṣṭha that Vilāsa and Bhāsa attained heaven by pure knowledge.

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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Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd Edition

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to:—Pastimes, especially the playful amorous pastimes of Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to:—Enjoyment, playful pastimes. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

Vaishnavism book cover
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’).

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to “wantonness”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Visualisation of Śakti]:—[...] Her feet are embellished with anklets. She wears divine garlands and [has been anointed] with divine ointments. She is delighted by the wine she is enjoying. Her body is filled with passion. She is restless with wantonness (vilāsa-vibhramā). [This is how the Yogin] should visualise his lover as Śakti, O Maheśvarī”.

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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In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A very rich man of Kandalisalagama. His wealth was fabulous, and the king, wishing to test its extent, asked him to supply various luxuries. The Muggagama Vihara was built on the spot where his carts, bringing green peas to the king, stopped outside the city. Ras.ii.130f.

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).

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

1) Vilāsa (विलास) is the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Vilāsī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Medinīcakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the medinīcakra refers to one of the three divisions of the dharma-puṭa (‘dharma layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Vilāsa] are yellow in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

2) Vilāsa (विलास) is also the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Vilāsinī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Jñānacakra, according to the same work. Accordingly, the jñānacakra refers to one of the three divisions of the saṃbhoga-puṭa (‘enjoyment layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Vilāsa] are white in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Vilāsa (विलास) refers to “playfulness”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Homage be to you, homage be to you, homage be to you, homage, homage, With devotion I bow to you, Guru protector be pleased with me. By whose bright rays of light, the true self suddenly appears, With an abundance of jeweled radiance, defeating darkness, Rightly understanding with clear eyes, with intense playfulness (savilāsasavilāsam uccaiḥ), This adoration is offered to them, to the illuminating Guru”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Vilāsa (विलास) is the name of an ancient king from Pṛthvī, according to chapter 4.4 [anantanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“In course of time Caṇḍaśāsana died and wandered in many birth-nuclei present in the whirlpool of the ocean of existence. He became the son, named Madhu, of King Vilāsa by his wife Guṇavatī in the city Pṛthvī in this Bharata. With a life-period of thirty lacs of years, the color of a tāpiccha-blossom, fifty bows tall, he looked like a living mountain. [...]”.

General definition book cover
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.

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India history and geography

Source: Shodhganga: a concise history of Sanskrit Chanda literature (history)

Vilāsa (विलास) is the son of Śrīrāma Miśra and father of Durgāsahāya (C. 1775-1850 C.E.), author of Vṛttavivecana. Durgāsahāya was also the father of Kālīsahāya and grandfather of Vṛndāvana. He hailed from Pañcāla (presently Punjab) and belonged to the class of Sārasvata Brahmins, who were resided on the banks of river Sarasvatī. He belonged to Vatsagotra and his family name is Jaitaliya (K. V. Sarma says that this Jaitali is modern Jaitely). Durgāsahāya describes the name of his father and grandfather in the penultimate verse of Vṛttavivecana. Other references are collected from the introduction of K. V. Sarma to his edition of Vṛttavivecana.

India history book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

vilāsa : (m.) charm; grace; beauty; appearance; coquetry.

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

Vilāsa, (fr. vilasati) 1. charm, grace, beauty J. I, 470; VI, 43; Miln. 201; ThA. 78; PvA. 3.—desanā° beauty of instruction DA. I, 67; Vism. 524, 541; Tikp 21.—2. dalliance, sporting, coquetry J. III, 408; V, 436. vilāsa is often coupled with līlā (q. v.). (Page 635)

Pali book cover
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.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vilāsa (विलास).—m (S) Sport, play, pastime, dalliance; diversion esp. with women and dancers and singers. 2 Wanton pleasure or loose airy gratification generally. 3 One of the classes of feminine action indicative of the passion of love,--amorous blandishments or affectation of coyness &c.

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

vilāsa (विलास).—m Sport, dalliance. Wanton pleasure.

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

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vilāsa (विलास).—

1) Sport, play, pastime.

2) Amorous pastime, diversion, pleasure; as in विलासमेखला (vilāsamekhalā) R.8.64; so विलासकाननम्, विलासमन्दिरम् (vilāsakānanam, vilāsamandiram) &c.

3) Coquetry, dalliance, affectation, wantonness, graceful movement or play, any feminine gesture indicative of amorous sentiment; यातं यच्च नितम्बयोर्गुरुतया मन्दं विलासादिव (yātaṃ yacca nitambayorgurutayā mandaṃ vilāsādiva) Ś.2.2; कविकुलगुरुः कालि- दासो विलासः (kavikulaguruḥ kāli- dāso vilāsaḥ) P. R.1.22; Śiśupālavadha 9.26.

4) Grace, beauty, elegance, charm; सहजविलासनिबन्धनं शरीरम् (sahajavilāsanibandhanaṃ śarīram) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 2.6.

5) Flash, gleam.

6) Liveliness, joviality (considered as a masculine virtue); शोभा विलासो माधुर्यं (śobhā vilāso mādhuryaṃ) ...... पौरुषा गुणाः (pauruṣā guṇāḥ) Daśarupaka 2.1.

7) Lust.

Derivable forms: vilāsaḥ (विलासः).

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

Vilāsa (विलास).—m.

(-saḥ) 1. One kind of feminine action, considered as proceeding from and indicative of amorous sentiments; change of place, posture, gait or look, on the approach of the lover, as hiding at his approach, assuming a look of dipleasure, &c. 2. Sport, pastime, play, especially amorous pastime, dalliance, wantonness. 3. Grace, elegance. 4. Ease, facility. E. vi before las to desire, aff. ghañ .

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

Vilāsa (विलास).—i. e. vi-las + a, m. 1. Sport, pastime, dalliance, merriness, [Pañcatantra] v. [distich] 83. 2. Coquetry, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 35. 3. Wantonness, Böhtl. Ind. Spr. 1610. 4. Charm, beauty, [Uttara Rāmacarita, 2. ed. Calc., 1862.] 154, 3.

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

Vilāsa (विलास).—[masculine] appearance (rising or semblance); joy, merriment, petulance; joke, sport, play, [especially] amorous pastime, dalliance, coquetry; grace, beauty.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Vilāsa (विलास) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[grammatical] by Lakṣmīnarasiṃha. Oppert. 843. 1574. Imperfect title.

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

1) Vilāsa (विलास):—[=vi-lāsa] [from vi-las] m. (ifc. f(ā). ) shining forth, appearance, manifestation, [Ṛtusaṃhāra; Gīta-govinda]

2) [v.s. ...] sport, play, pastime, pleasure, diversion ([especially] with women etc.; but also applied to any playful action or gesture), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc. (sāya, ‘for sport’)

3) [v.s. ...] coquetry, affectation of coyness, wantonness (a form of feminine gesture considered as indicative of amorous sentiments), [Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature; Daśarūpa; Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] liveliness, joviality (considered as a masculine virtue), [Daśarūpa ii, 9]

5) [v.s. ...] wantonness, lust, [Daśarūpa; Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

6) [v.s. ...] grace, charm, beauty, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

7) [v.s. ...] Name of a gram. [work]

8) [v.s. ...] (with ācārya) of a preceptor, [Catalogue(s)]

9) [v.s. ...] n. (and f(ā). ) Name of a metre, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

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

Vilāsa (विलास):—[vi-lāsa] (saḥ) 1. m. Coquetry; sport; dalliance; elegance.

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

Vilāsa (विलास) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vilāsa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vilasa 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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Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Vilāsa (विलास) [Also spelled vilas]:—(nm) enjoyment; luxury; amorous playfulness; wantonness; lust; -[gṛha/bhavana/maṃdira] a pleasure house; ~[pūrvaka] in a lustful/luxurious fashion, enjoyingly; wantonly; amorously; —[karanā] to enjoy, to make merry; to have fun/good time (esp. with women).

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Prakrit-English dictionary

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

1) Vilasa (विलस) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Vilas.

2) Vilāsa (विलास) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Vilāsa.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vilasa (ವಿಲಸ):—

1) [noun] beauty; attractiveness; grace; delicacy; exquisiteness.

2) [noun] an ornamented or embellished man.

--- OR ---

Vilāsa (ವಿಲಾಸ):—

1) [noun] sport; a play.

2) [noun] sensual (esp. sexual) enjoyments.

3) [noun] gracefulness; exquisiteness.

4) [noun] the state or quality of being gay; cheerfulness; gaiety.

5) [noun] graceful gestures, exquisite manners of a woman.

--- OR ---

Vilāsa (ವಿಲಾಸ):—

1) [noun] the place or the name of the place where a person organisation or the like is located or may be reached; address.

2) [noun] the writing on an envelope, parcel, etc. showing its destination in detail; address.

3) [noun] a sign; a mark.

--- OR ---

Viḷasa (ವಿಳಸ):—

1) [noun] beauty; attractiveness; grace; delicacy; exquisiteness.

2) [noun] an ornamented ornate, embellished man.

--- OR ---

Viḷāpa (ವಿಳಾಪ):—[noun] a crying audibly from pain, distress, etc.; wail.

--- OR ---

Viḷāsa (ವಿಳಾಸ):—

1) [noun] sport; a play.

2) [noun] sensual (esp. sexual) enjoyments.

3) [noun] gracefulness; exquisiteness.

4) [noun] the state or quality of being gay; cheerfulness; gaiety.

5) [noun] graceful gestures, exquisite manners of a woman.

--- OR ---

Viḷāsa (ವಿಳಾಸ):—

1) [noun] the place or the name of the place where a person organisation or the like is located or may be reached; address.

2) [noun] the writing on an envelope, parcel, etc. showing its destination in detail; address.

3) [noun] a sign; a mark.

context information

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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