Vistara, Vistāra, Vishtara, Viṣṭara: 32 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Natyashastra
2. Jyotisha
3. Ayurveda
4. Shaivism
5. Vastushastra
6. Shaktism
7. Purana
8. Yoga
9. Dharmashastra
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Vistara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

The Sanskrit term Viṣṭara can be transliterated into English as Vistara or Vishtara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Vistar.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Vistāra (विस्तार, “expansion”) refers to one of the four classes of dhātu (stroke), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 29. The four dhūtas relate to different aspects of strokes in playing stringed instruments (tata).

The vistāra-dhātu includes four kinds of strokes, each having their own varieties:

saṃghātaja (growing out of contrast),
samavāyaja (growing out of combination),
vistāraja (growing out of amplitude),
anubandhaja (growing out of mere succession).

According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, “the rules (of vistāra) have been mentioned first as follows: the vistāra is of one stroke; the saṃghātaja and the samavāyaja consist respectively of two and three strokes. The first is of four kinds, and the second of eight kinds. According, to the special ways of their production they have different rules”.

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).

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical Terms

Vistāra (विस्तार).—Length or breadth. Note: Vistāra 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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: Wisdom Library: Raj Nighantu

1) Viṣṭara (विष्टर) refers to a “tree”, as mentioned in a list of twenty-five synonyms in the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The Dharaṇyādi-varga covers the lands, soil, mountains, jungles and vegetation’s relations between trees [viz., Viṣṭara] and plants and substances, with their various kinds.

2) Vistāra (विस्तार) refers to the “branches” of a tree or a creeper, as mentioned in a list of four synonyms, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) verse 32.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: archive.org: Sardhatrisatikalottaragama

Viṣṭara (विष्टर) means “making a seat of darbha (on the earth)” which is prescribed as one of the operations/ preliminary ceremonies related to the kuṇḍa (“fire-pit”), according to the various Āgamas and related literature. Viṣṭara is mentioned in the Mṛgendra-āgama (Kriyā-pāda, chapter 6).

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

Vistāra (विस्तार) refers to “(expounding one’s philosophy) at length”, according to the Īśvarapratyabhijñāvimarśinī 1.181.—Accordingly, “And we have not taken the trouble of [detailing] here what these additional refuting arguments are; and the master Śaṅkaranandana has shown [this] at length (vistāra) in his Prajñālaṅkāra”.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

1) Vistara (विस्तर) refers to “spreading” (flowers and perfume), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 2.20-22ab]—“[The Mantrin] should worship the mother of mantras with the highest bhakti, by spreading flowers and perfume (vistara—puṣpadhūpādivistaraiḥ), O Devī. He should extract the deity invoked by the Mantra [with the mantra]. Beginning with the all-pervading and ending with manifold [oṃ], [he should] always [worship with] the nectar of the white flower. The bright sound is highest Śakti, [who] resembles one-in-the-same Śiva. By this [worship] the pearls [of the mantra] are all bound in a cord”.

2) Vistara (विस्तर) refers to the “full explanation” (of an abridgement), according to the Netratantroddyota commentary on the Netratantra.—Accordingly, [verse 4.10]—“[To bring the matter to a close,] Thus, dīkṣā has been explained in brief, the full explanation (vistara) is elsewhere. [The text says,] briefly and elsewhere because this ritual of dīkṣā is extremely long and because it has been merely touched upon [here] in an extremely abridged form. [...]”.

context information

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in Ajitāgama and Rauravāgama

1) Viṣṭara (विष्टर) refers to “- 1. substitute altar (intended to replace an image of an Assessor) § 5.13. - 2. pedestal (of Vṛṣa) § 3.13.”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

2) Vistara (विस्तर) [or vistāra] refers to “width § 2.5 (but see § 4.34).”.—(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'Ajitāgama et du Rauravāgama by Bruno Dagens)

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

Vistara (विस्तर) refers to “width” (unit of distance measurement), according to the Mohacūrottara (verse 4.234-243).—Accordingly, [while describing the construction of the maṭha]—“And a maṭha for ascetics to stay in should be in the south. For they, as devotees of Śiva, should reside to the right [of Śiva]. One should build a wall at a distance 1 temple-width (prāsāda-vistara) beyond the temple base. At a distance from there is the housing for ascetics. [...]”.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vistara (विस्तर) refers to the expanse” (that is Kula Bhairava), according to the Ciñcinīmatasārasamuccaya verse 1.34-37.—Accordingly, “Khecarī clearly manifest is the letter called Without Name (anāmā). (She is) Vāgbhava (AIṂ) (that contains) the series of letters from A to KṢa in the form of sleeping serpent. Radiant like the Wish-granting Gem, it is the expanse (vistara) that is Kula Bhairava. It is the Place (sthāna), the divine inner Place that is one’s own place (svasthāna) present on the earth. It is bliss whose body is invisible (adṛṣṭa). The pure transcendent tradition (anvaya). O goddess, this is the teaching concerning the transmission of the Divine Current”.

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

Vistara (विस्तर) refers to “further explanation”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] You are the goddess of prosperity, and prosperities depend on you. You are the goddess of speech, and authority and words depend on you. You are the goddess of wisdom, and wise ideas depend on you. You are the foremost fortress, and towns depend on you. You are the primordial power, and yours are all the properties of power. What is the use of any further explanation (vistara): this entire world is nothing but you”.

context information

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)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Vistāra (विस्तार) refers to the “vast diffusion (of spring)”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.18 (“Description of the perturbation caused by Kāma”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated: “After going there, the haughty Kāma, deluded by Śiva’s magic power, stationed himself, after first spreading the enchanting power of Spring all around. [...] At that time the Kāladīpikā (brilliant lamp) induced reticent haughty persons to love. O good sir, the wind blew gently but distressed those who were separated from their beloveds. Thus the vast diffusion of Spring [i.e., vasanta-vistāra] caused the display of emotions of love. It was unbearable to the forestdwelling sages. [...]”.

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

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

Vistara (विस्तर) refers to “prolixity” (=‘lengthy (teachings)’), according to Śivānandasarasvatī’s Yogacintāmaṇi, a 17th-century text on Haṭhayoga by consisting of 3423 verses.—Accordingly, “Meditation along with the practices [ancillary to it] have been explained briefly by me according to scripture and my understanding. Listening to and contemplating [the teachings] which are seen in detail and at length (savistara) only in the Upaniṣads, have not been discussed for fear of prolixity (vistara-bhītita). [...]”.

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Vistāra (विस्तार) refers to an “expansion (of one’s sensory knowledge)”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [Now], I shall define the nature of that highest, mind-free absorption which arises for those devoted to constant practice. [...] By means of an absorption for just the day, the highest reality of [the Yogin’s] own self becomes manifest. An expansion (vistāra) of his sensory knowledge arises for him, even to [the limits of] the universe. [...]”.

context information

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).

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Oxford Academic: Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Significance to Ritual Theory

Viṣṭara (विष्टर) refers to “preparing the seat” and represents one of the various marriage rites of the Hindu Newars, mentioned in the Daśakarmavidhi: a marriage handbook from Bhaktapur containing both Hindu and Newar marriage ceremonies.—Despite many congruencies between Hindu Parbatiyā and Hindu Newar marriage handbooks, it becomes evident that Newar marriage handbooks mention specific ritual elements that cannot be found in the Brahmanical-Sanskritic texts.—The Viṣṭara rite is usually performed at the house of the groom and is mentioned under the sub-heading of Gift of the Girl (kanyādāna)—Welcoming of the groom.

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Vistara (विस्तर) refers to a “detailed (explanation)”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then the bodhisatva Gaganagañja addressed himself to the Lord: ‘O Lord, please give the Tathāgata’s blessing over this exposition of the dharma so that, in the latter time, in the latter age, it will be disseminated and practiced throughout the Jambūdvīpa’. The Lord said: ‘For that reason, son of good family, I will invoke the Four Great Kings so that they will come and strive to keep this exposition of the dharma for a long time with detailed and analytical explanation (vistara-vibhāga-nirdeśa)’”.

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Vistāra (विस्तार) refers to the “expansion (of a lake)” (e.g., measured using yojanas), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [when the Bhagavān reached the vicinity of the residence of Vaiśravaṇa], “[...] All people, women, men, boys and girls, cattle, horses, mares, buffaloes, elephants, camels, donkeys and so on became delighted by comfort. That lotus lake had an expansion (vistāra) of two yojanas and [a depth of] a fathom all around in the four directions. [...]”

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Vistāra (विस्तार) refers to one of the four kinds of Dhātu (kind of musical composition), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra.—Dhātu is some kind of musical composition, but exactly what I have not been able to ascertain. There are 4 Dhātus: vistāra, karaṇa, āviddha, and vyañjana. Vyañjana is used for vīṇās. It has 10 subdivisions of which puṣpa is the first. This is according to the Nāṭyaśāstra 29.52ff. which Hemacandra evidently follows, but the Saṅgītaratnākara, 4.7ff., discusses dhātu from quite a different point of view. In this it seems to be vocal composition. Śruti may be used here in the technical sense of an ‘interval’.

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Vistara (विस्तर) refers to the “constitution” (of the universe), according to the Praśamaratiprakaraṇa 149-50 (p. 93-4).—Accordingly, “(A monk) should reflect, upon transcient [sic] nature of the world, helplessness, loneliness, separateness of the self from non-self, impurity (of the body), cycle of births sand [sic] rebirths, inflow of Karmas and stoppage of inflow of Karmas; Shedding of stock of Karmas, constitution of the universe (loka-vistara), nature of true religion, difficulty in obtaining enlightenment, which are (called) twelve pure Bhāvanās (reflections)”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vistara (विस्तर).—m S Prolixity, diffuseness. 2 Expansion, extension. In this sense more commonly vistāra.

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vistāra (विस्तार).—m (S) Expansion, extension, diffusion. 2 Extension in figurative senses;--amplification, explication, evolution, enlargement, augmentation, increment (as of a subject or topic; of a seed, fœtus, plant, animal; of riches, possessions, business). 3 Breadth as one of the three geometrical dimensions. 4 The spreading portion of a tree or shrub; the branches and foliage. 5 The progeny or descendants of: also a descendant.

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

vistara (विस्तर).—m Expansion. Prolixity.

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vistāra (विस्तार).—m Expansion, extension. The spreading portion of a tree. The progeny of.

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

Viṣṭara (विष्टर).—

1) A seat (a stool, chair &c.); कुशपूतं प्रवयास्तु विष्टरम् (kuśapūtaṃ pravayāstu viṣṭaram) (ādade) R.8.18; वृक्षशाखां स्वयं छित्वा विष्टराय ददौ मुदा (vṛkṣaśākhāṃ svayaṃ chitvā viṣṭarāya dadau mudā) A. Rām.4.1.32.

2) A layer, bed (as of Kuśa grass.).

3) A handful of Kuśa grass.

4) The seat. of the presiding priest (or Brahman) at a sacrifice.

5) A tree.

6) An ascetic seat made of 25 Kuśa grassshoots ('pañcāśadbhirbhaved brahmā tadardhena tu viṣṭaraḥ'); विष्टरासनयोग्यो हि कालोऽयं मामुपस्थितः (viṣṭarāsanayogyo hi kālo'yaṃ māmupasthitaḥ) Rām.2.2.28.

Derivable forms: viṣṭaraḥ (विष्टरः).

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Vistara (विस्तर).—

1) Extension, expansion.

2) Minute details, detailed description, minute particulars; संक्षिप्तस्याप्यतोऽ- स्यैव वाक्यस्यार्थगरीयसः । सुविस्तरतरा वाचो भाष्यभूता भवन्तु मे (saṃkṣiptasyāpyato'- syaiva vākyasyārthagarīyasaḥ | suvistaratarā vāco bhāṣyabhūtā bhavantu me) Śi. 2.24; (vistareṇa, vistarataḥ, vistaraśaḥ 'in detail, at length, fully, with minute details, with full particulars'; aṅgulimudrādhigamaṃ vistareṇa śrotumicchāmi Mu.1; vistareṇātmano yogaṃ vibhūtiṃ ca janārdana (bhūyaḥ kathaya) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.18).

3) Prolixity, diffuseness; अलं विस्तरेण (alaṃ vistareṇa).

4) Abundance, quantity, multitude, number; उभे पुरवरे रम्ये विस्तरैरुपशोभिते (ubhe puravare ramye vistarairupaśobhite) Rām. 7.11.14.

5) A bed, layer.

6) A seat, stool.

7) Affectionate solicitation.

8) High degree, intensity.

9) (pl.) Great wealth, riches.

Derivable forms: vistaraḥ (विस्तरः).

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Vistāra (विस्तार).—

1) Spreading, extension, expansion; प्रान्तविस्तारभाजाम् (prāntavistārabhājām) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 1.27.

2) Amplitude, breadth; पञ्चयोजन- विस्तारम् (pañcayojana- vistāram) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 14.58.39; विलोकयन्त्यो वपुरापुरक्ष्णां प्रकाम- विस्तारफलं हरिण्यः (vilokayantyo vapurāpurakṣṇāṃ prakāma- vistāraphalaṃ hariṇyaḥ) R.2.11; तत एव च विस्तारम् (tata eva ca vistāram) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 13.3.

3) Expanse, vastness, magnitude; मध्ये श्यामः स्तन इव भुवः शेषविस्तारपाण्डुः (madhye śyāmaḥ stana iva bhuvaḥ śeṣavistārapāṇḍuḥ) Meghadūta 18.

4) Details, full particulars; कण्वोऽपि तावच्छ्रुतविस्तारः क्रियताम् (kaṇvo'pi tāvacchrutavistāraḥ kriyatām) Ś.7.

5) The diameter of a circle.

6) A shrub.

7) The branch of a tree with new shoots.

Derivable forms: vistāraḥ (विस्तारः).

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

Vistara (विस्तर).—(1) nt. = Sanskrit m., (great) extent: mohapaṭala-°raṃ bhinnaṃ (n. sg.) Lalitavistara 373.12 (verse); (2) m. (special application of Sanskrit; Pali vitthāra similarly used), the full text (of a cliché, or well-known passage) is to be supplied, an indication of abbreviation: vistaraḥ Divyāvadāna 428.11 (the full text meant is found in 132.20 ff.); usually instr. adv. vistareṇa, (supply) in full, Mahāvastu i. 47.16; °ṇa kāryam Divyāvadāna 377.1, the text is to be done (i.e. recited) in full; the text may be specifically named, °reṇa rākṣasīsūtraṃ (Divyāvadāna chapter 8) sarvaṃ vādyam Divyāvadāna 524.19—20; vistareṇa yāvat, (read) in full (the part here omitted) as far as… (the following words resume the text at a later point) Mahāvastu i.1.10; Divyāvadāna 381.10; 394.5; 406.19; Bodhisattvabhūmi 230.1; compare peyāla, similarly used, and vistīrṇa; (3) (= Sanskrit Lex. id.; Sanskrit viṣṭara, Māhārāṣṭrī viṭṭhara), seat: netrāṇi cābharaṇa-vāhana-vistarāṃś ca dattvā…Mahāvastu i.83.16 (verse), (Buddhas) having given away their eyes, and ornaments, vehicles, and seats; (4) in Divyāvadāna 84.4 (verse) gṛha-vistaraḥ should mean (or represent a word that means) a poor, mean house (see description 83.20 ff.): divyaṃ cāsya sudhābhaktam ayaṃ ca gṛha-vi°, suvi- ruddham iti kṛtvā jāto me hṛdi saṃśayaḥ (mss. °yam), heavenly is his nectar-food, and (yet) this is a miserable house… I suspect a corruption. But Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya i.83.3 agrees. Perhaps, after all, and (merely) this is the size of the house (?).

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

Viṣṭara (विष्टर).—m.

(-raḥ) 1. A tree. 2. A handful of Kuśa or sacred grass. 3. A seat, a stool, a chair, a couch, &c. 4. The seat of the Brahman, either real or in effigy, as presiding at a sacrifice. 5. A bed. 6. A seat made of twenty-five straws of Kuśa grass tied up in a sheaf. E. vi before stṛ to spread, aff. ap and sa changed to ṣa .

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Viṣṭāra (विष्टार).—m.

(-raḥ) A form of metre, a species of the order termed Pankti, consisting of a verse of four lines, the first and last of which consist of eight syllables each, and the second and third of twelve each. E. vi before stṛ to spread, aff. ghañ, and sa changed to ṣa .

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Vistara (विस्तर).—m.

(-raḥ) 1. Spreading, expansion. 2. Prolixity, minute detail. 3. Affection or affectionate solicitation. 4. Number, assemblage. 5. Abundance, quantity. 6. A seat, a stool. 7. A bed, a layer. E. vi before stṛ to spread over or cover, aff. ap .

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Vistāra (विस्तार).—m.

(-raḥ) 1. Spreading, extension, diffusion. 2. Vastness, expanse. 3. Breadth, amplitude. 4. Amplification. 5. Diameter of a circle. 6. The branch of a tree with its new shoots. 7. A shrub. E. vi before stṛ to cover, aff. ghañ .

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

Viṣṭara (विष्टर).—i. e. vi-stṛ10 + a, m. 1. A handful of Kuśa or sacred grass, Mahābhārata 3, 1881. 2. A seat made of twenty-five straws of Kuśa grass tied up in a sheaf. 3. A layer, Mahābhārata 15, 739; a bed. 4. A couch, a seat, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] 86, 15. 5. The seat of a Brahman, either real or in effigy, as presiding at a sacrifice. 6. A tree.

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Vistara (विस्तर).—i. e. vi-stṛ10 + a, m. 1. Spreading. 2. Prolixity, [Pañcatantra] iii. [distich] 103. 3. Detail; instr. ºreṇa, Fully, at length, Chr. 9, 37; [Sundopasundopākhyāna] 1, 1. 4. Abundance, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 55; multitude, [Hitopadeśa] iii. [distich] 12. 5. Assemblage, a large company, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 125. 6. A bed. 7. A seat, [Bhaṭṭikāvya, (ed. Calc.)] 2, 26.

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Vistāra (विस्तार).—i. e. vi-stṛ10 + a, m. 1. Spreading, extension, [Meghadūta, (ed. Gildemeister.)] 18. 2. Vastness. 3. Length, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 40, 15. 4. Detail, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 3, 95. 5. Breadth, amplitude. 6. Amplification. 7. The diameter of a circle. 8. The branch of a tree with its new shoots.

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

Viṣṭara (विष्टर).—[masculine] a bunch of reed-grass etc. to sit upon.

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Viṣṭāra (विष्टार).—[masculine] straw (of the Barhis).

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Vistara (विस्तर).—[adjective] extensive. [masculine] extent, width; spreading, expanding; abundance, multitude, completeness, prolixity, specification. Instr., [ablative], vistaratas & vistaraśas [adverb] diffusely, fully, in detail.

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Vistāra (विस्तार).—[masculine] spreading, expansion, diffusion, specification.

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

1) Viṣṭara (विष्टर):—[=vi-ṣṭara] m. (√stṛ) anything spread out, a handful of rushes or grass for sitting on ([especially] the seat of the presiding Brāhman at a sacrifice), [Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra; Mahābhārata]

2) [v.s. ...] a seat made of 25 shoots of Kuśa grass tied up in a sheaf, [Horace H. Wilson]

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

4) [v.s. ...] Name of a divine being reckoned among the Viśve Devāḥ, [Harivaṃśa]

5) [v.s. ...] mn. any seat or couch, chair, stool etc., [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

6) [v.s. ...] mfn. = vi-stara, extensive, wide (?) See [compound]

7) Viṣṭāra (विष्टार):—[=vi-ṣṭāra] [from vi-ṣṭara] m. a layer of grass (?), [Ṛg-veda v, 52, 10] (others ‘the far spread host, [scilicet] of the Maruts’)

8) [v.s. ...] a kind of metre (cf. next and, [Pāṇini 3-3, 34; viii, 3, 94])

9) Vistara (विस्तर):—[=vi-stara] [from vi-stṛ] mfn. extensive, long (as a story), [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

10) [v.s. ...] m. (ifc. f(ā). ; cf. vi-stāra and, [Pāṇini 3-3, 31; Vāmana’s Kāvyālaṃkāravṛtti v, 2, 41]) spreading, extension, expansion, prolixity, diffuseness, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

11) [v.s. ...] m. a multitude, number, quantity, assemblage, large company, [Manu-smṛti; Rāmāyaṇa; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā] etc.

12) [v.s. ...] becoming large or great (met. applied to the heart), [Daśakumāra-carita]

13) [v.s. ...] high degree, intensity, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

14) [v.s. ...] ([plural]) great wealth or riches, [Mahābhārata]

15) [v.s. ...] m. detail, particulars, full or detailed description, amplification (also as direction to a narrator = vistareṇa kāryam, ‘give full particulars’; reṇa ind. or rāt ind. diffusely, at length, fully, in detail; rī-√kṛ, to spread, divulge, expand), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.

16) [v.s. ...] m. (ifc.) an extensive treatise, [Cūlikā-upaniṣad]

17) [v.s. ...] affectionate solicitation, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

18) [v.s. ...] a layer, bed, couch (= vi-ṣṭara), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

19) Vistarā (विस्तरा):—[=vi-starā] [from vi-stara > vi-stṛ] f. a [particular] Śakti, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]

20) Vistāra (विस्तार):—[=vi-stāra] [from vi-stṛ] m. (ifc. f(ā). ; cf. vi-stara) spreading, expansion, extent, width, [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

21) [v.s. ...] becoming large or great (met. said of the heart), [Sāhitya-darpaṇa]

22) [v.s. ...] the breadth of a circle id est. its diameter, [Colebrooke]

23) [v.s. ...] specification, detailed enumeration or description, [Yājñavalkya; Suśruta] (eṇa, diffusely, at length, [probably] [wrong reading] for vistareṇa, [Rāmāyaṇa iii, 4, 4])

24) [v.s. ...] the branch of a tree with its new shoots, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

26) [v.s. ...] the diameter of a circle, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

1) Viṣṭara (विष्टर):—[vi-ṣṭara] (raḥ) 1. m. A tree; handful of Kusa grass; a seat, bed.

2) Viṣṭāra (विष्टार):—(raḥ) 1. m. Name of a metre of the pankti genus.

3) Vistara (विस्तर):—[vi-stara] (raḥ) 1. m. Expanse; abundance; diffuseness; assemblage; affection; seat; bed.

4) Vistāra (विस्तार):—[vi-stāra] (raḥ) 1. m. Spreading, diffusion; amplification; width; diameter; branch with its new shoots; a shrub.

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

Viṣṭara (विष्टर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Viṭṭhara, Vitthara, Vitthāra.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vistara 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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Vistāra (विस्तार) [Also spelled vistar]:—(nm) expanse, span, spread; extent; extension, elaboration; enlargement; details; volume; ~[ṇa] amplification, extension, elaboration; ~[pūrvaka/-se] extensively; in details, elaborately.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Viṣṭara (ವಿಷ್ಟರ):—

1) [noun] a piece of furniture to sit on, as a chair, throne, etc.

2) [noun] a single thickness, coat, fold or stratum; a layer.

3) [noun] a tree, in gen.

4) [noun] a handful of grass-leaves.

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Vistara (ವಿಸ್ತರ):—

1) [noun] the fact of spreading or being spread over a wide area.

2) [noun] the space, amount or degree to which a thing extends; extent.

3) [noun] a series of explanatory notes; a commentary.

4) [noun] that which is spread or unrolled (as a bed, mat, etc.).

5) [noun] a piece of furniture used to sit on; a seat.

6) [noun] good or humble nature, behaviour.

7) [noun] a piece of stone.

8) [noun] that which is good; a good thing.

9) [noun] worth; value; excellence.

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Vistāra (ವಿಸ್ತಾರ):—

1) [noun] the space or degree to which a thing extends; length, area, volume or scope; extent.

2) [noun] the distance from side to side of a thing; width; breadth.

3) [noun] a detailed explanation or account.

4) [noun] a strong, woody extension of a tree extending almost horizontally or upward from the main stem; a branch.

5) [noun] (rhet.) the effect of literature which broadens the experience or knowledge of the reader.

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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Search found 72 books and stories containing Vistara, Vistāra, Vishtara, Viṣṭara, Viṣṭāra, Vi-shtara, Vi-ṣṭara, Vi-stara, Vi-ṣṭāra, Vistarā, Vi-starā, Vi-stāra; (plurals include: Vistaras, Vistāras, Vishtaras, Viṣṭaras, Viṣṭāras, shtaras, ṣṭaras, staras, ṣṭāras, Vistarās, starās, stāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 2.17.26 < [Chapter 17 - The Meeting of Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa]

Verse 1.14.54 < [Chapter 14 - The Liberation of Śakaṭāsura and Tṛṇāvarta]

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Text 10.136 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]

Text 8.9 < [Chapter 8 - Literary Qualities]

Text 8.11 < [Chapter 8 - Literary Qualities]

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Verse 13.31 < [Chapter 13 - Prakṛti-puruṣa-vibhāga-yoga]

Verse 10.40 < [Chapter 10 - Vibhūti-yoga (appreciating the opulences of the Supreme Lord)]

Verse 10.32 < [Chapter 10 - Vibhūti-yoga (appreciating the opulences of the Supreme Lord)]

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Adhyāya I, Kaṇḍikā 3