Vitasta, Vitashta, Vitastā: 17 definitions
Introduction:
Vitasta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇaVitastā (वितस्ता).—Name of a river originating from Himālaya, a holy mountain (kulaparvata) in Bhārata, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 85. There are settlements (janapada) where Āryas and Mlecchas dwell who drink water from these rivers.
Bhārata is a region south of Hemādri, once ruled over by Bharata (son of Ṛṣabha), whose ancestral lineage can be traced back to Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaVitastā (वितस्ता).—A river famous in the Purāṇas. Mention is made about this river in Ṛgveda. Important rivers mentioned in Ṛgveda are, Kubhā, Sindhu, Suvāstu Vitastā, Asiknī, Paruṣṇī, Śatadrū, Sarasvatī and Yamunā. These rivers were more important than the Ganges in those days. Mention is made about the Ganges only once in Ṛgveda. Perhaps the Āryans were not acquainted with the Gangetic basin in those days. The region from the rivers Kubhā to Yamunā was Āryadeśa (the country of the Āryans). The information about this river Vitastā given in Mahābhārata is given below:—
(i) The river Vitastā is the same river as Jhelum in Kashmir. The deity (goddess) of this river stays in the palace of Varuṇa and praises him. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 9, Stanza 19).
(ii) By worshipping the Devatās and the Manes after taking bath in this river, one could obtain the fruits of performing the sacrifice Vājapeya. In Kashmir, Takṣaka the King of the Nāgas has a famous palace known as Vitasta. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 82, Stanza 39).
(iii) Once four hundred horses with black ears, owned by Brahmins were caught in the current of this river and carried away. (Mahābhārata Udyoga Parva, Chapter 119, Stanza 8).
(iv) If anybody bathes in the waves of the river Vitastā, with vow and fasts, for seven days he would become as pure as a hermit. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 25, Stanza 7).
(v) Once Pārvatī made a speech before Śiva on the duties of women, after receiving advice from rivers. The river Vitastā was one of the rivers which advised Pārvatī. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 146, Stanza 18).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Vitastā (वितस्ता).—A river in Bhārata varṣa from the Himālayas;1 sacred to the pitṛs.2
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 19. 18; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 12. 15; 16. 25; Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 90; Matsya-purāṇa 114. 21.
- 2) Ib. 22. 36.
1b) One of the sixteen wives of Havyavāhana;1 in the chariot of Tripurāri.2
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and placesVitastā (वितस्ता) refers to the name of a River mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.9.19, II.9, III.80, VI.10.15, VIII.30.35). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Vitastā) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: Wisdom Library: KathāsaritsāgaraVitastā (वितस्ता) is the name of a river on whose banks was the famous city of Vitastā according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 27. Accordingly, “there was once a city named Takṣaśilā on the banks of the Vitastā, the reflection of whose long line of palaces gleamed in the waters of the river, as if it were the capital of the lower regions come to gaze at its splendour.”
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Vitastā, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.
Source: Shodhganga: The Kavyamimamsa of RajasekharaVitastā (वितस्ता) is the name a locality mentioned in Rājaśekhara’s 10th-century Kāvyamīmāṃsā.—The River Jhelum.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraVitasta (वितस्त) or Vitastamārga refers to one of the four mārgas, comprising a set of rules used in the playing of drums (puṣkara) [with reference to Mṛdaṅga, Paṇava and Dardura] according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 33. Accordingly, “The vitasta-mārga relates to a combination of strokes of ūrdhvaka, and the right face of āṅkika. Examples of the vitasta-mārga strokes are takitān takitān sentāṃ kinnānāṃ ghisaṃketā idu hudu ketāṃ. In the vitasta-mārga [the groups of akṣaras] are ghāga geṃdrā taki ta ghṛ ghṛṅ ghro kiṭi gheṇṭān gān dhi kiṭi ketthā tha kutā kitā kiri dām”.
Also, “in connexion with the Heroic, the Marvellous and the Furious Sentiments, they should be played in the vitasta-mārga”.
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: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraVitastā (वितस्ता) is the name of a River, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 16) (“On the planets—graha-bhaktiyoga”), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] Venus presides over the town of Takṣaśīlā, the countries of Mārttīkāvata, Bahugiri, Gāndhāra, Puṣkalāvataka, Prasthala, Mālvā, Kaikaya, Dāśārṇa, Uśīnara and Śibi; over the people living on the banks of the Vitastā, the Irāvatī and the Candrabhāgā; over chariots, silver mines, elephants, horses, elephant drivers and rich men; [...]”.
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.
Gitashastra (science of music)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (gita)Vitasta (वितस्त) or Vitastamārga refers to one of the four Mārgas or “ways of playing drum”, 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 Nāṭyaśāstra as well as the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, the mārgas are related in connection with their projection of different sentiments. The instruments should be played in different mārgas for the depiction of different sentiments. For example—In the projection of vīra, raudra and adbhuta rasas, the instruments have to be played in vitasta-mārga.
Gitashastra (गीतशास्त्र, gītaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of Music (gita or samgita), which is traditionally divided in Vocal music, Instrumental music and Dance (under the jurisdiction of music). The different elements and technical terms are explained in a wide range of (often Sanskrit) literature.
India history and geography
Source: archive.org: Nilamata Purana: a cultural and literary study (history)Vitastā (वितस्ता) is the name of a river mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa that is now known as Vyatha to the Kaśmīrīs.—The Vitastā is the most important river of Kaśmīra to give the country the appellation ‘Vaitastika’. The Nīlamata regards it as an incarnation of Umā who, at the request of Kaśyapa, came bubbling forth as a river from a hole as big as a Vitasti made by Śiva with his spear. Its traditional source is the Nīlakuṇḍa called also Śūlaghāṭa and Vitastātra, but it is actually formed by the streams Sandran, Bring, Ārapath and Lidar meeting in the plain close to Anantanāga near the village Khanabal. Below Khanabal, Vitasti receives several branches of the Ledari and passes the ancient tīrthas of Vijayeśvara and Cakradhara. About three miles further down it receives the united waters of the Veśau and the Rembyāra and is thereafter united with the stream draining the ancient district of Holaḍā.
Just before reaching Śrīnagar, the Vitastā is joined by the Mahāsarit identified by me with the Māhurī of the Nīlamata. After flowing over three miles within the city, the river flows at first to the north and then turning to the southwest, it receives the river Dugdhagaṅgā.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryVitastā (वितस्ता).—Name of a river in the Punjab called Hydaspes by the Greeks and now called Jhelum or Betustā.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryVitastā (वितस्ता).—f.
(-stā) Name of a river in the Punjab, known to the Greeks as the Hydaspes and now called the Jhelum.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryVitastā (वितस्ता).—f. The name of a river, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 88; 271.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryVitaṣṭa (वितष्ट).—[adjective] carved out, fashioned.
--- OR ---
Vitastā (वितस्ता).—[feminine] [Name] of a river (Hydaspes).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Vitaṣṭa (वितष्ट):—[=vi-taṣṭa] [from vi-takṣ] a mfn. hewn or carved out, planed, fashioned, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]
2) [=vi-taṣṭa] b See [column]2
3) Vitasta (वितस्त):—[=vi-tasta] mfn. (said to be [from] √taṃs, or tas) = upa-kṣīṇa, [Nirukta, by Yāska iii, 21 [Scholiast or Commentator]]
4) Vitastā (वितस्ता):—[=vi-tastā] [from vi-tasta] a f. See below
5) [=vi-tastā] [from vi-tasta] b f. Name of a river in the Panjāb (now called Jhelum or Bitasta or Bihat = the Hydaspes or Bidaspes [Ptolemy] of the Greeks; it rises in Kaśmīr; cf. pañca-nada), [Ṛg-veda; Mahābhārata] etc. (-tva n., [Rājataraṅgiṇī])
6) [v.s. ...] = vi-tasti (in tri-vitasta q.v.)
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Vitastā (वितस्ता) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Vitatthā.
[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: Vitastadatta, Vitastadri, Vitastakhya, Vitastamahatmya, Vitastamarga, Vitastapuri, Vitastastotra, Vitastatva, Vitastotsava.
Full-text (+70): Vitastapuri, Vitastamahatmya, Vitastatva, Vitastadatta, Nilaja, Vitastakhya, Vaitasta, Trivitasta, Vitastastotra, Vitastotsava, Pancanada, Vitamsa, Vitastadri, Sataksh, Taradatta, Shadipur, Trigam, Vitastamarga, Takshashila, Paroshni.
Relevant text
Search found 53 books and stories containing Vitasta, Vi-tashta, Vi-taṣṭa, Vi-tasta, Vi-tastā, Vitashta, Vitastā, Vitaṣṭa; (plurals include: Vitastas, tashtas, taṣṭas, tastas, tastās, Vitashtas, Vitastās, Vitaṣṭas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature (by S. Karthick Raj KMoundinya)
Appendix 6 - Other Technical facts
Musical Instruments—Drum making < [Chapter 2 - Origin and evolution of Music and Musical instruments]
Nilamata Purana (by Dr. Ved Kumari)
River Jhelum -The Goddess Vitasta < [July – September, 2001]
Hymn to Sindhu < [January – March, 1978]
Hymn to Sindhu < [October – December, 1988]
The backdrop of the Srikanthacarita and the Mankhakosa (by Dhrubajit Sarma)
Part 8b - Oceans, rivers and lakes (found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita) < [Chapter IV - Socio-cultural study of the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Part 8d - Sites of pilgrimage (found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita) < [Chapter IV - Socio-cultural study of the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Part 8c - Mountains (found in the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita) < [Chapter IV - Socio-cultural study of the Śrīkaṇṭhacarita]
Rivers in Ancient India (study) (by Archana Sarma)
13. The river Vitastā or Jhelum and its present status < [Chapter 6 - Changing trends of the Rivers from Vedic to Purāṇic Age]
3c. The sacred aspect of the river Sarasvatī < [Chapter 5 - Rivers in the Purāṇic Literature]
3(a). The river Sarasvatī in the Atharvaveda-saṃhitā < [Chapter 2 - The Rivers in the Saṃhitā Literature]
Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 25 - Vitastā, Malada, Maṇimanta, Brahmavālaka etc. < [Section 3 - Svarga-khaṇḍa (section on the heavens)]
Chapter 6 - Bhāratavarṣa: Its Rivers and Regions < [Section 3 - Svarga-khaṇḍa (section on the heavens)]
Chapter 37 - Keeping Awake on Ekādaśī and Dvādaśī < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
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