Virakta, Viraktā: 22 definitions
Introduction:
Virakta 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Virakt.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Viraktā (विरक्ता, “hostile”).—The characteristics of a hostile woman are as follows: when kissed she wipes off her mouth, speaks unpleasant words, becomes angry even when sweet words have been spoken to her, hates his friends, praises his enemies, lies down on the bed with her back turned against him, goes to bed first, is never pleased even after a great deal of honour has been shown her, never puts up with suffering, becomes angry without any provocation, does not look at him or greet him. The woman who betrays these signs should be marked as “hostile” (viraktā).
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).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Virakta (विरक्त) means “detached”, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as the God said: “O Mother of Kula [i.e., Kulāmbikā], with you I am one whose suffering has been burnt away. I am Śrīkaṇṭha who is free of debt. My world of transmigration has been destroyed. So what wonder is it if (I have attained) Nirvāṇa, the supreme state. I am detached in every way [i.e., virakta—virakto'haṃ sarvabhāvena](and so) reveal (your) divine knowledge!”.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “unattached”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.21 (“Nārada instructs Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Nārada said to Pārvatī: “O Pārvatī, listen. I am sympathetic to you. I shall speak truly. My words will be beneficent to you in all respects. They will lead to the achievement of your desire. They are free from aberrations. The great god has been served by you without austerities. You had some pride which He, the blesser of the distressed, eradicated. O Śivā, after burning Kāma, lord Śiva though favourably disposed to His devotees, left you, since the lord is a great Yogin and so unattached [i.e., virakta] to you. [...]”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “one who is detached”, according to Brahmānanda’s Jyotsnā 1.11.—Accordingly, “Even though in statements of the Purāṇas such as: ‘[For the purification of] Brahmins [and so on...]’, qualification for [the practice] of Yoga is obtained for the whole [gamut] of living beings [including worms and insects], nonetheless it is one who is detached (virakta) who possesses the qualification in regard to yoga that has the reward of liberation. And in the Vāyusaṃhitā [it is said:] ‘When the vedic teachings have been learnt, the mind is detached from sense objects. The qualification for anyone in this yoga is nothing else whatsoever’”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Shyanika-shastra (the science of Hawking and Hunting)
1) Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “renouncing (the world)”, according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, “[...] Moreover, charming couplets are often heard chanted by the Manes for the welfare of Ruci, who was for renouncing (virakta) the world:—‘O darling, man’s karma accumulated in previous existences, that is, his merits und demerits, wears away day and night by his “enjoyments,” that is, his experiences of the joys and sorrows of life. Therefore you, who know what dharma is, will attain peace when your karma wears away’”.
2) Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “that bird which is not manned”, according to the Śyainika-śāstra.—Accordingly, [while discussing the training of hawks]: “[...] Whether it is ‘manned’ (rakta) or not (aparaktatva) is to be known by its actions. When it stands on one leg with the eyes closed, when it preens or ‘ reforms’ its feathers, when it ‘mantles’ with its wings, or looks with a gentle eye at its master, then it is known to be ‘manned’ (rakta), otherwise not (virakta). When the hawk is seen to be manned (rakta) it should be lured in a creance to a piece of meat from increasing distances. [...]”.
Shyanika-shastra (श्यैनिकशास्त्र, śyainikaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian skill of hawking/falconry (one of the ways of hunting) which were laid down in a systematic manner in various Sanskrit treatises. It also explains the philosophy behind how the pleasures derived from sense-experience could lead the way to liberation.
Vedanta (school of philosophy)
1) Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “one who is unattached” (to the things of this world or the next), according to the Aṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “Knowing yourself as truly one and indestructible, how could a wise man possessing self-knowledge like you feel any pleasure in acquiring wealth? [...] It is astonishing that one who is unattached (virakta) to the things of this world or the next, who discriminates between the permanent and the impermanent [ihāmutra viraktasya nityānityavivekinaḥ], and who longs for liberation, should still feel fear for liberation. [...]”
2) Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “abstemious” (i.e., one who has aversion towards the sense-objects), according to the Aṣṭāvakragītā (5th century BC), an ancient text on spirituality dealing with Advaita-Vedānta topics.—Accordingly, [as Aṣṭavakra says to Janaka]: “[...] One man is abstemious (virakta) and averse to the senses, another is greedy and attached to them [virakto viṣayadveṣṭā rāgī viṣayalolupaḥ], but he who is free from both taking and rejecting is neither abstemious (virakta) nor greedy. [grahamokṣavihīnastu na virakto na rāgavān] [...]”.
Vedanta (वेदान्त, vedānta) refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).
Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making)
Virakta (विरक्त) refers to a “lover who is beginning to be weary”, according to the Kāmasūtra: a Sanskrit text dealing with eroticism, sexuality and emotional fulfillment in life; being written by Mallanāga Vātsyāyana in the 2nd century A.D. it belongs to the Kāmaśāstra branch of literature which deals with the ancient Indian science of love-making.—Topics of Book VI (about courtesans) include: Of the Signs of a Lover who is beginning to be Weary (virakta-liṅga), and of the way to get rid of him [viraktaliṅgāni | viraktapratipattiḥ | niṣkāsanaprakārāḥ]
Kamashastra (कामशास्त्र, kāmaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “(one who is) detached from desire”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[4. Insults to the Disciples].—The Buddha had hard words for the Bhikṣus and treated them like fools (mohapuruṣa). There are two kinds of hard words: i) insult coming from an evil intention (duṣcitta); ii) insult out of compassion for beings and with the intention of converting them (paripācana). In the person detached from desire (virakta), there is no insult coming from a bad intention; how then would there be one in the Buddha? It is out of pity for beings and in order to convert them that the Buddha had these strong words. [...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Virakta (विरक्त) refers to “renunciation (of worldly pleasures)”, according to Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi.—Accordingly, “[...] Even with renunciation of worldly pleasures (virakta-viṣayasukha), meditation accompanied by austerities, propagation of true faith, and auspicious death are rare. If these are achieved, then the attainment of enlightenment has borne fruit. By contemplating on the difficulty in attaining true faith, one does not become negligent after attaining this rare jewel”.
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.
India history and geography
Virakta.—(SITI), an ascetic; a man free from worldly attachment; a recluse of the Śaiva order. Note: virakta is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
virakta (विरक्त).—p (S) That is freed from all worldly affections and passions; delivered from desire. 2 That is become averse or indifferent to.
virakta (विरक्त).—p That is freed from all worldly affection and passions.
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
Virakta (विरक्त).—p. p.
1) Very red, ruddy; विरक्तसंध्याकपिशं पुरस्तात् (viraktasaṃdhyākapiśaṃ purastāt) R.13.64.
2) Discoloured.
3) Changed in mind, disaffected, displeased; यां चिन्तयामि सततं मयि सा विरक्ता (yāṃ cintayāmi satataṃ mayi sā viraktā) Bhartṛhari 2.2.
4) Free from passion or worldly attachment, indifferent; विरक्तः प्रव्रजेद् धीमान् सरक्तस्तु गृहे वसेत् (viraktaḥ pravrajed dhīmān saraktastu gṛhe vaset) Nāradapari. Up.3.14.
5) Impassioned.
-ktā An unfortunate or unhappy woman.
Virakta (विरक्त).—mfn.
(-ktaḥ-ktā-ktaṃ) 1. Averse, indifferent, free from inclination or affection. 2. Stoical, void of attachment to worldly objects. 3. Impassioned, interested, feeling passion or regard for any person or any thing. 4. Discoloured. E. vi privative or pleonastic, before rañj to feel passion, aff. kta .
Virakta (विरक्त).—[adjective] discoloured, passionless, indifferent to or averse from ([ablative], [locative], [accusative] [with] prati, or —°).
1) Virakta (विरक्त):—[=vi-rakta] a etc. See under vi-√rañj.
2) [=vi-rakta] [from vi-rañj] b mfn. discoloured, changed in colour, [Raghuvaṃśa]
3) [v.s. ...] changed in disposition, disaffected, estranged, averse, indifferent to id est. having no interest in ([ablative] [locative case] [accusative] with prati, or [compound]), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] become indifferent id est. arousing no interest, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]
5) [v.s. ...] impassioned, feeling excessive passion, [Horace H. Wilson]
Virakta (विरक्त):—[vi-rakta] (ktaḥ-ktā-ktaṃ) a. Indifferent; averse; interested in.
Virakta (विरक्त):—s. u. raj mit vi. bhāva adj. gleichgiltig gesinnt, Einem nicht mehr zugethan [Spr. (II) 196.]
Virakta (विरक्त) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Viratta.
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.
Hindi dictionary
Virakta (विरक्त) [Also spelled virakt]:—(a) detached (from the world); disaffected, averse; indifferent; (nm) a recluse; ~[ktatā]/[kti] detachment, indifference; disaffection; aversion, disgust.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Virakta (ವಿರಕ್ತ):—
1) [adjective] colourless or that has lost original or natural colour.
2) [adjective] not interested; indifferent; listless; apathetic.
3) [adjective] not filled with, influenced by passions; detached from worldly attachments; not interested in or not inclined toward sensual enjoyments.
4) [adjective] red; reddish.
--- OR ---
Virakta (ವಿರಕ್ತ):—
1) [noun] a man who is indifferent; an apathetic man.
2) [noun] he who is not filled with, influenced by passions; a man who is detached from worldly attachments or not interested in or not inclined toward sensual enjoyments.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Virakta (विरक्त):—adj. 1. discolored; 2. displeased; disaffected; 3. indifferent; 4. impassioned; 5. very red;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Vi, Rakta.
Starts with (+0): Viraktabhava, Viraktacitta, Viraktagodage, Viraktahridaya, Viraktalinga, Viraktam, Viraktamatha, Viraktaprakriti, Viraktapratipatti, Viraktasarvasva, Viraktata.
Full-text (+26): Kathavirakta, Avirakta, Viraktabhava, Viraktaprakriti, Viraktacitta, Viraktam, Viraktahridaya, Raktavirakta, Vairaktya, Vairakta, Virakt, Nishamtavirakta, Viraktamatha, Viraktasarvasva, Amritalata, Pranacchid, Viraktiratnavali, Viraktata, Viratta, Vivrikta.
Relevant text
Search found 40 books and stories containing Virakta, Vi-rakta, Viraktā; (plurals include: Viraktas, raktas, Viraktās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 322 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Page 902 < [Hindi-Kannada-English Volume 1]
Page 70 < [Hindi-Marathi-English Volume 3]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Satirical works of Kshemendra (study) (by Arpana Devi)
5.16. The Bawd (kuṭṭanī) < [Chapter 5 - Kṣemendra’s objectives of Satire]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.18.170 < [Chapter 18 - Mahāprabhu’s Dancing as a Gopī]
Verse 1.2.70 < [Chapter 2 - The Lord’s Appearance]
Verse 1.8.105 < [Chapter 8 - The Disappearance of Jagannātha Miśra]
The body in early Hatha Yoga (by Ruth Westoby)
Temple worship and Rituals as per Shaiva Agamas (by Gayathri Balasubramanian)
Part 5.3.2 - The Virashaivism school of Shaivism < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]