Woman, Women: 3 definitions

Introduction
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In Hinduism
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Introduction:

Woman means something in 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.

Images (photo gallery)

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

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

Women are associated with Mṛgaśīrṣa-hasta: one of the twenty-two Single-hand Gestures (in Indian Dramas) (known as asaṃyuktahastas), 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.—The word mṛgaśīrṣa is the union of two words viz., mṛga and śīrṣa. The word mṛga means deer and śīrṣa means head. So, it can be said that the hand posture which is called mṛgaśīrṣa identifies a posture that looks like the head of a deer. [...] In the Abhinayadarpaṇa, the mṛgaśīrṣa-hasta posture is used to denote various things. This book states that this posture is used to show woman, cheek, wheel, limit, terror, quarrel, attire and to call someone or the beloved, the lute, foot massage, female organ, holding umbrella etc.

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).

Shilpashastra (iconography)

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

Women are classified into five kinds which are defined according to the principles of ancient Indian Painting (citra), 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.—In the third part of the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, nine chapters i.e., chapters from 35th to 43rd are dedicated to Painting where portraits of different kinds of men and women. According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa there are five types of women and the divisions of women follow the varieties of men. In the 37th chapter of the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa it is said that-each woman should be placed near her man,[41] which indicates that the names of the variety of the women may be equated with the concerned varieties of men.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

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

Women commonly practiced Yoga in ancient India, as evident from the Yogayājñvalkya 6.12, 16-6.19ab.—Also, the Yogayājñvalkya prescribes the study of the Upaniṣads for Brahmins and Kṣatriyas, and the Purāṇas for Vaiśyas, Śūdras and women. Though it has a Vedic and Vaiṣṇava orientation that is absent in the Amanaska and though the Amanaska has not one reference to a female yoga practitioner, it is certainly possible that the Amanaska permitted all four castes and women to practise Yoga as in the Yogayājñvalkya, for the former has a stronger universalist flavour than the latter.

Two later commentators, namely the early sixteenth-century Godāvaramiśra and the seventeenth-century Śivānandasarasvatī, quote a verse from Śivānanda’s Yogacintāmaṇi (p. 57), which includes women among those who can benefit from Yoga. [...] Though Godāvaramiśra and Śivānanda quote the verse without attribution, it probably originates from the Viṣṇudharma (98.16), because there it occurs in a chapter on yoga in a context for which it seems to have been written.

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).

Relevant text

Search found 447 books and stories containing Woman, Women; (plurals include: Womans, Womens). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter 33 - On Conduct Toward Women

Chapter 32 - Women In The Sangha

Chapter 75 - The Woman At The Well

+ 12 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 7 - The Story Of Mahatissa Thera < [Part 6]

Chapter 1 - Tanha Causes Upadana < [Part 7]

Chapter 17 - Superstition And Evil Rebirth < [Part 8]

+ 15 more chapters / show preview

Intimacy < [Chapter 2 - Relationships]

A Womans View < [Appendix D]

Matchmaking < [Chapter 2 - Relationships]

+ 23 more chapters / show preview