Vasishtha, ղṣṭ, ṣṭ, Vashishtha: 36 definitions
Introduction:
Vasishtha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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 terms ղṣṭ and ṣṭ can be transliterated into English as Vasistha or Vasishtha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
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In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatamղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ):—One of the mind-born sons of Brahmā, according to the ٱī-岵ٲ-ܰṇa (chapter on the Devī-ⲹñ). They were created by the sheer power of mind.
: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantramղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) refers to one of the eight Guardians (ṣeٰ-ṣṭ첹) associated with Tisrapīṭha (located in the ‘end of sound’�Գٲ), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Guardians (ṣeٰṣṭ첹): Śrīdhara, Bhāsura, Raudra, Durācāra, Śāntika, Kṛttika, Kālavṛṣṭi, ղṣṭ.
: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) refers to the leading Sage of the “groups of sages� (ܲԾṇa), according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] The fourteen worlds, all Gods headed by Mahendra, the three embodiments [of the ultimate reality], and also the groups of sages headed by ղṣṭ, come into existence or cease to exist, O goddess, by the opening and closing of your eyes, because you embody all�.

Shakta (शाक्�, 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: Wisdom Library: Brahma Puranaղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is mentioned as one of the seven mind-born sons of Brahmā, also known as the seven 貹پ, or the seven , according to the first chapter of the Brahma-purāṇa (on the origin of Devas and Asuras). Accordingly, “Desirous of evolving creation befitting these, he created Prajāpatis (Lords of subjects) viz. Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and ղṣṭ. Thus the lord of great refulgence created seven mental sons. In the Purāṇas these are known as the seven Brahmās�.
The ܰṇa (mentioning Atri) is one the eighteen ܰṇa originally composed of over 10,000 verses. The first three books of the extant edition contains a diverse amount of topics such as creation theory, cosmology, mythology, philosophy and genealogy. The fourth and last part represents pilgrimage’s travel guide (ٳⲹ) and narrates the legends surrounding numerous holy spots (īٳ) around the Godāvarī region in India.
: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia1) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).—A hermit who was the son of Brahmā. The three births of ղṣṭ. ղṣṭ with the radiance of Brahmā, is very famous in the Purāṇas. He had three births. (See full article at Story of ղṣṭ from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
2) ṣṭ (वासिष्�).—An Agni (fire). (Ѳٲ, Vana Parva, Chapter 220, Stanza 1).
3) ṣṭ (वासिष्�).—ղṣṭ� īٳ. It is mentioned in Ѳٲ, Vana Parva, Chapter 84, that he who bathes in this īٳ would become a Brahmin.
: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translationղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) was created as a Sādhaka (aspirant) by Brahmā out of his vital breath named Samāna, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“[...] I [viz., Brahmā] created many other things as well, but O sage, I was not satisfied. Then O sage, I meditated on Śiva and his consort Ambā and created aspirants (첹). [...] I created the great sage ղṣṭ from the vital breath Samāna, [...] O foremost among sages, creating thus, thanks to the favour of Mahādeva, these excellent Sādhakas (e.g., ղṣṭ) I became contented. Then, O dear one, Dharma, born out of my conception assumed the form of Manu at my bidding and was engaged in activity by the aspirants�.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).—A sage who called on Bhīṣma lying on his death-bed; also called on Parikṣit practising DZ貹ś;1 was invited for Yudhiṣṭhira's Rājasūya;2 came to see Kṛṣṇa at Syamantapañcaka;3 one of the sages who left for Piṇḍāraka.4
1b) A son of Brahmā, born of his breath; married Kardama's daughter, Arundhatī. Father of seven sons, all Brahmaṛṣs; cursed the fires Pāvaka, Pavamāna and Śuci who were born sons of Vijitāśva;1 when invited to be Nimi's ṛt, he went away to Indra's ⲹñ to which he had been called earlier and asked Nimi to wait till his return. On Nimi continuing his sacrifice with the help of other ṛts, ղṣṭ cursed him and was in turn cursed to be born of Ūrvaśī and Mitrāvaruṇa.2 A sage of the Kṛtayuga: Heard the Nīlakṇṭha legend from Kārtikeya; present at Rati's marriage;3 suggested to Diti the observance of the 岹Բ屹岹śīٲ.4
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 12. 22-3; 24. 23; IV. 1. 40; 24. 4; 29. 43; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 32. 96 and 115; III. 8, 82; Matsya-purāṇa 187. 45.
- 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 18. 5; IX. 13. 1-6.
- 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 25. 15; 27. 103; IV. 40. 48; Matsya-purāṇa 201. 1, 14-6.
- 4) Matsya-purāṇa 3. 7 and 34; 7. 5, 9.
1c) A siddha;1 the 峦ⲹ of Śrāddha deva. Finding no issue to him. ղṣṭ offered a sacrifice to Mitra and Varuṇa. At this time Śrāddhā, the king's wife desired to have a daughter and expressed it to the Hotā who uttered the mantra in such a way as to get a daughter. Ilā was born; but Śrāddhadeva was not pleased. So ղṣṭ converted Ilā into a male by name Sudyumna;2 was present at Ambarīṣa's asvamedha;3 the ideal Purohīta.4
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 15. 13.
- 2) Ib. IX. 1. 13-22, 36-7; Matsya-purāṇa 245. 86.
- 3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 4. 22.
- 4) Ib. XI. 16. 22.
1d) A sage of the Vaivasvata epoch; his sons Mānasa pitṛs; fought in the form of a bird for years a battle with Viśvāmitra concerning Hariścandra;1 acted as Sāmaga in his Puruṣamedha;2 cursed Saudāsa to become a Rākṣasa; with the king's assent, ղṣṭ begot Aśmaka on Madayantī.3
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 13. 5; 1. 24; Matsya-purāṇa 9. 27; 12. 4-5; 15. 12; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 1. 32.
- 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 7. and 23.
- 3) Ib. IX. 9. 18-23, 38.
1e) The sage presiding over the months of Śuci (Āṣāḍha) and Śukra;1 in the Viśvacakra.2
1f) The eighth Veda Vyāsa. Heard the brahmāṇḍa purāṇa from Indra and narrated it to Sārasvata;1 āśrama of, on the Ūrjjanta hill.2
1g) Born in the vāruṇi-ⲹñ from the centre of Vasu (sacrificial fire), and hence Vasumat; progenitor of Pitṛs, Sukātas.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 1. 21 and 46; 10. 96; Matsya-purāṇa 195. 11; 200. 1.
1h) Cursed Haihaya to be ruined; of madhyama bhakti;1 a mahaṛṣ and a Brahmavādin.2
1i) A contemporary of Sagara; the kulaguru of the Ikṣvākus; narrated Paraśurāma's story to Sagara; blessed Sagara who enjoyed rule after world conquest; consoled him on the death of Sāgaras; agreed to anointing Aṃśumat as yuvarāja.1 Gave Prathiṣṭhāna to Sudyumna.2 Took Ikṣvāku to task for getting hare's flesh already tasted by Vikukṣi; was in charge of the kingdom when Trayyāruṇi went to the forest; met Kalmāṣapāda's queen for Aśmaka's birth;3 Purohita of Daśaratha and Rāma.4 Observed 徱ٲⲹśⲹԲٲ.5
- 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 31. 1; 47. 99; 48. 29; 49. 1 and 38; 54. 20-22.
- 2) Ib. III. 60. 21.
- 3) Ib. III. 63. 15, 82-93, 177; 64. 4; 73. 91.
- 4) Ib. IV. 15. 40; 20. 103; 40. 48 and 89; Matsya-purāṇa 47. 245; Viṣṇu-purāṇa IV. 4. 99.
- 5) Matsya-purāṇa 55. 32.
1j) Another name for Āpava sage.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 69. 44.
1k) (Dvaipāyana) a sage of the first epoch of Sāvarṇa Manu;1 father's father of Parāśara; on the evils of anger.2
1l) The younger brother of Agastya cursed Nimi to become bodyless, a purohita of Nimi.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 61. 19, 32-33; 201. 14-16.
1m) The purohita of Dharmamūrti of Bṛhatkalpa;1 praised Śiva out to burn Tripuram2
1n) A master of the science of architecture.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 252. 2.
1o) A son of Vāli the of the Lord.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 23. 160.
1p) A resident of Brahmakṣetra.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 59. 105.
1q) (Hirṇyanābha Kauśalya). a disciple of Jaimini who taught him 500 ṃhٲ; he in his turn taught them to Yājñavalkya.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 88. 207; 98. 92.
1r) See ṣṭs; to them the Pravara is Ekārṣeya.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 200. 2.
2a) ṣṭ (वासिष्�).—A deva gṇa of eleven groups.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 35. 64; III. 1. 50; 8. 100; IV. 39. 55.
2b) Had seven sons by Urjā: they are Raja, Putra, Ardhabāhu, Savana, Ādhana, Sutapa and Śukla; also daughter Puṇḍarīkā; according to the Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa the seven are Rakṣa, Garta, Urdhvabāhu, Savana, Pavana, Sutapa and Śamku.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 28. 34-6; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 11. 41-2.
ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is a name mentioned in the Ѳٲ (cf. I.61.68) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Ѳٲ (mentioning ղṣṭ) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 śǰ첹 (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
ṣṭ also refers to the name of a Tīrtha (pilgrim’s destination) mentioned in the Ѳٲ (cf. III.82.43).
: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study1) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) married Ūrjā: one of the daughters of ٲṣa and ʰūپ: one of the two daughters of Manu-svāyaṃbhuva and Śatarūpā, according to the ղṃśa (‘genealogical description�) of the 10th century ܰܰṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Ākūti was married to Ruci and ʰūپ to ٲṣa. ٲṣa produced in ʰūپ twenty-four daughters. [...] [Ūrjā was given to ղṣṭ.] From ղṣṭ and Ūrjā, seven sons—Raja, Gotra, Ūrdhvabāhu, Savana, Anagha, Sutapā and Śukla and a daughter Puṇḍarikā were born.
2) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) married Arundhati according to another account of ղṃśa in the ܰܰṇa.—Accordingly, Nārada gave a daughter to ղṣṭ. She was Arundhati and Śakti was born to her. Śakti begot Parāśara and from Parāśara was born Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana.
3) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is the name of one of the seven sages (ٲṣi) in the Vaivasvatamanvantara: one of the fourteen Manvantaras.—Accordingly, “The present, the seventh manvantara is Vaivasvata [viz., vaivasvatamanvantara]. In this manvantara, Purandara is the Indra who is the Subduer of the pride of the Asuras; The gods are the Ādityas, the Rudras, the Vasus and the Maruts. The seven seers are ղṣṭ, Kaśyapa, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, Viśvāmitra and Bharadvāja�.
: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (itihasa)ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is the purohita (royal chaplain) and Guru of the Sūryavaṃśa, according to the Kālidāsa’s Raghuvaṃśa.—ղṣṭ’s timely interventions help the continuance of the [Sūrya] dynasty throughout the whole epic.—A legend in theTaittirīya Saṃhitā tells us that among the sages it was ղṣṭ alone who could see Indra. The god taught him the Stomabhāgas with the charge that any king who had him as purohita would thereby flourish if ղṣṭ did not tell the Stomabhāgas to other sages. “Therefore—teaches the text—one should have a descendant of ղṣṭ (a ṣṭ) as one’s Brahman priest�. The Brahman was the priest who silently monitored the ritual. He was associated with the Atharvaveda and with the office of the family priest, the purohita of the patron of the sacrifice, the ⲹᲹԲ. We may connect with these Vedic passages the tradition that ղṣṭ or several ղṣṭs were the purohitas of the kings of Ayodhyā, the members of the Ikṣvāku—or Sūryavaṃśa. Pargiter (1922, 203ff.) distinguished seven ղṣṭs in the legends, but, as he pointed out, these ղṣṭs merged into one person.

The Purana (पुरा�, 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.
Dhanurveda (science of warfare)
: archive.org: Dhanurvedaղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) was one of the seven great sages (Sapta Ṛṣis) whose activities can be traced from the Vedas down to 10th century A.D, inscriptions. He is first noticed in the Ṛgvedas and later in the Aitareya Brāhmṇa. He wasa great teacher. He taught many disciples the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas.

Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेद) refers to the “knowledge of warfare� and, as an upaveda, is associated with the Ṛgveda. It contains instructions on warfare, archery and ancient Indian martial arts, dating back to the 2nd-3rd millennium BCE.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śٰղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is the name of a sage who was in the company of Bharata when he recited the Nāṭyaveda them, according to the Nāṭyaśٰ chapter 35. Accordingly, they asked the following questions, “O the best Brahmin (lit. the bull of the twice-born), tell us about the character of the god who appears in the Preliminaries (ūṅg). Why is the sound [of musical instruments] applied there? What purpose does it serve when applied? What god is pleased with this, and what does he do on being pleased? Why does the Director being himself clean, perform ablution again on the stage? How, O sir, the drama has come (lit. dropped) down to the earth from heaven? Why have your descendants come to be known as Śūdras?�.

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, ṭyśٰ) 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).
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śivaśṣṭ (वाशिष्�) or Vāśiṣṭhāgama refers to one of ܱ岵 (supplementary scriptures) of the ṃśu岵 which is one of the twenty-eight Գ岵: a classification of the Śaiva division of Ś岵. The Ś岵 represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing ܱ岵 (e.g., śṣṭ Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of ū岵 (e.g., Aṃśumān-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in ū岵.

Shaiva (शै�, 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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: Pancaratra (Samhita list)1) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the 辱ñᲹṃh: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography.—For the list of works, see chapter 1, verses 14b-27. The list [including ṣṭ-saṃhitā] was said to have comprised �108� titles, these, different ṃh named after different manifestations of the Lord or different teachers. They are all said to be authoritative as the ultimate promulgator of all these is the same Nārāyṇa.
2) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the ʲ峾ṃh: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter�ñԲ, yoga, and ) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—[Cf. Jñānapāda chapter 1, verses 99-114]—First is explained the folly of following more than one Saṃhitā for a single series of rituals. Then the names of the 108 Tantras of the Pāñcarātra corpus are named [e.g., ṣṭ]. Even those who repeat these 108 titles will gain salvation.
3) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) or ṣṭsaṃhitā is also mentioned in the ʳܰṣoٳٲṃh: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.
4) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) or ṣṭsaṃhitā is also mentioned in the 屹Ჹṃh or “Bhāradvāja-kṇva-saṃhitā�: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 230 śǰ첹 mainly concerned with basic details concerning temple construction and icon consecration.
5) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) or ṣṭsaṃhitā is also mentioned in the 첹ṇḍⲹṃh: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, ū (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and ⲹśٳٲ (expiatory measures).
6) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) or ṣṭsaṃhitā is also mentioned in the վś峾ٰṃh: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (īṣ�) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.�
7) ṣṭ (वासिष्�) or ṣṭsaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Ჹⲹśīṣaṃh: a large Pāñcarātra Āgama consisting of roughly 6500 verses dealing primarily with architecture, temple-building and consecration rituals and iconography.
: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Textsղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is the name of a Sage who taught a number Ṛṣis the Pāñcarātra-Śāstra, as discussed in chapter 1 of the ʳܰṣoٳٲṃh: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—Description of the chapter [śٰ屹-]: A number of Ṛṣis have gathered to seek knowledge from ղṣṭ of the ways and means to attain liberation. Vasistha says that what he is about to tell them deals with devotion to the Lord [bhagavadbhakti] as is taught in the Pāñcarātra school [śٰ]. This teaching was revealed by Viṣṇu to Brahmā in 1½ crores of granthas to remove Ჹṇa-defects and it was a teaching given over a period of five nights (1-7a). [...] After an eulogy of the Pāñcarātra teaching (17b-20), ղṣṭ describes how he himself got the essence of the teaching from Brahmā, his father. [...]
: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (pancaratra)ṣṭ (वासिष्�) or ṣṭsaṃhitā is the name of a Vaiṣṇava Āgama scripture, classified as a ٳٱ첹 type of the Muniprokta group of Pāñcarātra Āgamas. The ṣṇ岵 represent one of the three classes of 岵 (traditionally communicated wisdom).—Texts of the Pāñcara Āgamas are divided in to two sects. It is believed that Lord Vāsudeva revealed the first group of texts which are called Divya and the next group is called Muniprokta which are further divided in to three viz. a. Sāttvika (e.g., ṣṭ-saṃhitā). b. Rājasa. c. Tāmasa.

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Vastushastra (architecture)
: archive.org: Bharatiya vastu-sastraղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ) is the name of an ancient teacher (峦ⲹ) of Vāstuśta (science of architecture) according to the Matsyapurāṇa.—All these great teachers cannot be said to be legendary. Some used to be propagated in ancient India. No nation can flourish without its care for its material prosperity. All this technique and training and their systematic and successful teaching and transmission were of equal importance. Most of the treatises of Vāstuśٰ carry many of these names [i.e., ղśṣṭ], yet a good many of them are quoted as authorities, yet still others are honoured with actual passages being quoted from their works.

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्�, vāstuśٰ) 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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira1) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is the name of an author of Astronomical texts, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a dzپṣa첹. [...] He must have studied the works of Pauliśa, Romaka, ղṣṭ, Sūrya and Pitāmaha; he must have a correct, knowledge of a yuga (43,20,000 Solar years), [...]�.
2) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) refers to one of the Seven Ṛṣis (ٲṣi), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 13).—Accordingly, “During the reign of Yudhisthira, 2526 years before the commencement of Vikrama Śaka, the Seven Ṛṣis (ٲṣi) were at the constellation of Maghā (Regulus). The Ṛṣis take a period of 100 years to go over each of the 27 asterisms. They rise in the north-east and are accompanied by the chaste Arundhatī—the consort of ղṣṭ. The eastern-most of the group is Bhagavān Marīci; the next to him is ղṣṭ; the next is Aṅgiras and the next two are—Atri and Pulastya. The next in order are the Ṛṣis—Pulaha and Kratu. The chaste Arundhatī closely attends her husband the sage ղṣṭ�.

Jyotisha (ज्योति�, dzپṣa 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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
: WikiPedia: HinduismVashistha is one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis) in the seventh, i.e. the present Manvantara, or age of Manu. Vashista is a manasputra of God Brahma. He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu, and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners. Arundhuti is the name of the wife of Vashista. RigVeda 7:33 mentions Vashistha rishi as son of MitraVaruṇa and Urvasi.
Vashistha, as one of 9 Prajapatis, is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. Vashistha and his family are glorified in RV 7.33, extolling their role in the Battle of the Ten Kings, making him the only mortal besides Bhava to have a Rigvedic hymn dedicated to him. Another treatise attributed to him is "Vashistha Samhita" - a book on the Vedic system of electional astrology.
In the Vinaya Pitaka of the Mahavagga (I.245)[6] section the Buddha pays respect to Vashistha by declaring that the Veda in its true form was declared to the Vedic rishis "Atthako, Vâmako, Vâmadevo, Vessâmitto, Yamataggi, Angiraso, Bhâradvâjo, Vâsettho, Kassapo, and Bhagu" and because that true Veda was altered by some priests he refused to pay homage to the altered version.
etymology: Vashistha (Sanskrit: वशिष्ठ, वसिष्ठ, Thai: Vasit, Tamil: வசிஷ்டர்)
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhismղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) refers to one of the various Ṛṣis (sages) and Mahārṣis (great sages) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including ղṣṭ).

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 (Բ) are collected indepently.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
: HereNow4U: Lord Śrī Pārśvanāthaղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).—He was the Lord’s third Gṇadhara. He was the son of the king Mahendra of Kampilapura. He came to the Lord’s first Samavaśarṇa and being initiated there, became the third Gṇadhara.
: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 4: The celestial beings (deva)ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) refers to one of the two Indras (lords) of the Dvīpakumāra (island youths) class of “residential celestial beings� (Բ), itself a main division of devas (celestial beings) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.3. The Dvīpakumāras perform miraculous activities in the continents. Pūrṇa and Vaśiṣṭa (ղṣṭ?) are the two lords in the Fiendish-youths residential celestial beings.

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
Source: Wisdom Library: Teachers, Saints and Sagesղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) is another name for Vasista—one of the Siddhars (Siddhas) and Rishis mentioned by Rangarasa Desiga Swamigal in his Siddhargal Potri Thoguppu. Each name in the list starts with prefix �Om� followed by the Siddhar’s names and ends with refrain �Thiruvadigal Potri�. For example for ղṣṭ: ஓம� வசிஷ்டமகரிஷி திருவடிகள் போற்றி [ōm vaciṣṭamakariṣi tiruvaṭika� pōṟṟi].—These Siddhas experienced union with the ultimate reality and witnessed a spiritual transformation of their intellectual, mental, vital and ultimately, physical bodies.

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
: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ).—m S The name of an eminent Rishi or saint. Used, appellatively, of a man carefully observant of all commanded or established rites and usages. Also śṣṭ vāmadēva A name applied to a person both practical and contemplative.
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śṣṭ (वाशिष्�).—m A tribe, or an individual of it, of Brahmans in S. Konk�.
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
: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ).—See वसिष्ठ (ṣṭ).
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ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).�(also written śṣṭ)
1) Name of a celebrated sage, the family priest of the solar race of kings, and author of several Vedic hymns, particularly of the seventh Mṇḍala of the Rigveda. He was the typical representative of true Brāhmanic dignity and power, and the efforts of Viśvāmitra to rise to his level from the subject of many legends; cf. विश्वामित्� (ś峾ٰ).
2) Name of the author of a Smṛti (sometimes ascribed to the sage himself).
-ṣṭ Flesh.
Derivable forms: ṣṭ� (वसिष्ठ�).
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ṣṭ (वासिष्�).�a. (-ṣṭī f.) [वस�-शिष्�-अण� (-śṣṭ-�)] Belonging to or composed by (rather revealed to) ղṣṭ, as a Mṇḍala of the Ṛgveda.
-ṣṭ� A descendant of ղṣṭ.
-ṣṭī 1 The Gomatī river.
2) The north; काष्ठा� चासाद्� वासिष्ठीम् (kāṣṭhā� cāsādya vāsiṣṭīm) Ѳٲ (Bombay) 5.19.16.
See also (synonyms): śṣṭ.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionaryղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).�(= Pali Vāseṭṭha), (1) name of a brahman convert to Buddhism (= Pali Vās° 4), associated with Bhāradvāja 2: Karmavibhaṅga (and Karmavibhaṅgopadeśa) 157.6; (2) name of a ṛṣ living in Anomiya, q.v., in the Malla country (compare Pali Vās° 3 in Malalasekara (Dictionary of Pali Proper Names)): Ѳ屹ٳ ii.164.18, etc.; 195.12 ff.; (3) name of a brother of Bharadvāja 4: ū-پ岹-վԲⲹ i.211.6 ff.
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śṣṭ (वाशिष्�).—for Vās°, q.v.
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ṣṭ (वासिष्�).�(= Pali Vāseṭṭha, so used e.g. Dīghanikāya (Pali) ii.158.32; 159.5; iii.209.8, compare Senart, Ѳ屹ٳ i note 403; mss. of Ѳ屹ٳ usually Vāśiṣṭa; the meaning not recognized in Pali Dictt.), voc. in polite address to anyone without regard to ancestry, sirs! gentlemen! mes amis! (Senart, l.c.): sg. Ѳ屹ٳ i.257.9, King Śreṇiya Bimbisāra to Tomara the Licchavi; iii.368.4 (mss. Vāśiṣṭo), to Śarabhaṅga, whose gotra was Kauṇḍinya 370.12, as in Pali Koṇḍañña Jātaka (Pali) v.140.17; generally pl., ā or (oftener) -āho; -ā Ѳ屹ٳ i.283.13 (v.l. -āho), 14; 286.14 (in all three Buddha to Licchavis); -āho Ѳ屹ٳ i.38.4 (Abhiya to two unnamed perfume-merchants in Vasumata); to Licchavis, the speaker being usually the Buddha, i.257.13, 15, 19; 271.12, 18, 19; 283.9; 286.13, 22; 288.1, 4, 11, 13; 289.12, 14, 16; 290.1, 3, 4; 300.1 ff.; Śuddhodana to Śākyas, iii.108.7; Buddha to men of Vaiśālī, ū-پ岹-վԲⲹ i.225.18; 228.22.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ).—m.
(-ṣṭ�) Vashist'Ha, a Rishi or divine sage of the first order, he is also a Brahmadika, a Prajapati, and one of the seven stars of Ursa Major. E. ava before, ś to govern, to instruct, (the other saints,) aff. kta; the first vowel of the prefix rejected: also written śṣṭ and vasiṣṭa . atiśayena vaśī iṣṭhan inerluk .
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ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).—m.
(-ṣṭ�) A celebrated Muni. E. vas to abide, (in the practice of religious austerities,) aff. ṇini, vasin, superlative aff. ṣṭ added; pre-eminent amongst the ascetics; also śṣṭ &c.
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śṣṭ (वाशिष्�).—mfn.
(-ṣṭ�-ṣṭī-ṣṭha�) Relating to the sage Vasisht'Ha. f. (-ṣṭī) The Goomti river, which rising in the Kumaun hills, pursues a winding and south-easterly course, and passing Lucknow and Jonpur falls into the Ganges, below Benares. E. śṣṭ the saint, � aff., derived from him; also read ṣṭ .
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ṣṭ (वासिष्�).—mfn.
(-ṣṭ�-ṣṭī-ṣṭha�) Explained or composed by the sage Vasisht'Ha, a part of the Vedas or a particular prayer, &c. E. ṣṭ, � aff.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ).� (in the Vedas ṣṭ ṣṭ, properly superl. of vasu), m. The name of a Ṛṣi, [Mānavadharmaśٰ] 1, 35;
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ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).—m. The name of a Ṛṣi; cf. śṣṭ.
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ṣṭ (वासिष्�).—i. e. ṣṭ + a, adj. 1. Composed by ղṣṭ, [Mānavadharmaśٰ] 11, 249. 2. Explained by ղṣṭ.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionaryղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ).�([superlative]) most excellent, best, richest; [masculine] [Name] of an ancient Ṛṣi, deified as a star in the Great Bear.
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ṣṭ (वासिष्�).—[feminine] ī belonging to or descended from ղṣṭ; [with] śٲ [neuter] the hundred sons of V.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[+ṣṭ] Itihāsa. Gṇḍāntādidoṣavicāra. Ben. 25. Grahaśāntipaddhati. Śāntividhi. Gu. 5. See Vāsiṣṭīśānti.
2) ṣṭ (वासिष्�):—See Yogaṣṭ.
3) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ):—Homavidhi.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ):—[wrong reading] for ṣṭ.
2) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ):—[from vas] a mfn. (superl. [from] 1. vasu; cf. īⲹ and under �3. vas) most excellent, best, richest, [Ṛg-veda; Atharva-veda; Brāhmṇa; Chāndogya-upaniṣad; Ѳٲ]
3) [v.s. ...] m. (wrongly written śṣṭ), ‘the most wealthy�, Name of a celebrated Vedic Ṛṣi or sage (owner of the ‘cow of plenty�, called Nandinī, offspring of Surabhi, which by granting all desires made him, as his name implies, master of every vasu or desirable object; he was the typical representative of Brāhmanical rank, and the legends of his conflict with Viśvā-mitra, who raised himself from the kingly or Kṣatriya to the Brāhmanical class, were probably founded on the actual struggles which took place between the Brāhmans and Kṣatriyas; a great many hymns of the [Ṛg-veda] are ascribed to these two great rivals; those of the seventh Mṇḍala, besides some others, being attributed to ղṣṭ, while those of the third Mṇḍala are assigned to Viśvā-mitra; in one of ղṣṭ’s hymns he is represented as king Su-dās’s family priest, an office to which Viśvā-mitra also aspired; in another hymn ղṣṭ claims to have been inspired by Varuṇa, and in another [Ṛg-veda vii, 33, 11] he is called the son of the Apsaras Urvaśī by Mitra and Varuṇa, whence his patronymic Maitrāvaruṇi ; in Manu, [i, 35], he is enumerated among the ten Prajā-patis or Patriarchs produced by Manu Svāyambhuva for the peopling of the universe; in the [Ѳٲ] he is mentioned as the family priest of the solar race or family of Ikṣvāku and Rāma-candra, and in the Purāṇas as one of the arrangers of the Vedas in the Dvāpara age; he is, moreover, called the father of Aurva [Harivaṃśa], of the Sukālins [Manu-smṛti], of seven sons [Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa], and the husband of Akṣa-mālā or Arundhatī [Ѳٲ] and of Ūrjā [Purāṇa]; other legends make him one of the 7 patriarchal sages regarded as forming the Great Bear in which he represents the star ζ See ṛṣ), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc. (cf. [Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 361; 402 n.1 etc.])
4) [v.s. ...] Name of the author of a law-book and other works ([probably] intended to be ascribed to the Vedic Ṛṣi above)
5) [v.s. ...] [plural] the family of ղṣṭ, [Ṛg-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmṇa; ???] (ṣṭsyāṅkuśa� etc. Name of Sāmans, [Ārṣeya-brāhmṇa])
6) [v.s. ...] Name of an Anuvāka, [Patañjali on Pāṇini 4-3, 131], [vArttika] 2
7) [v.s. ...] n. flesh, [Demetrius Galanos’s Lexiko: sanskritikes, anglikes, hellenikes]
8) b īⲹ See p.930.
9) śṣṭ (वाशिष्�):—incorrect for ṣṭ.
10) ṣṭ (वासिष्�):—mf(ī)n. (also written śṣṭ) relating or belonging to ղṣṭ, composed or revealed by him (as the 7th Mṇḍala of the Ṛg-veda)
11) with śٲ n. the hundred sons of V°, [Aitareya-brāhmṇa; Ѳٲ; Rāmāyṇa] etc.
12) m. a son or descendant of V° (applied as a [patronymic] to various Ṛṣis), [Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Brāhmṇa; ???] etc.
13) n. Name of various Sāmans, [Ārṣeya-brāhmṇa]
14) = yoga-ṣṭ q.v.
15) blood, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
16) Name of a Tīrtha, [Ѳٲ]
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ):�(ṣṭ�) 1. m. Vashishtha; name of a Rishi or sage of the first order; a star of Ursa major.
2) ղṣṭ (वसिष्ठ):�(ṣṭ�) 1. m. A celebrated sage.
3) śṣṭ (वाशिष्�):—[(ṣṭ�-ṣṭ-ṣṭ�)] 1. f. The Gumti river. a. Of Vasishtha.
4) ṣṭ (वासिष्�):—[(ṣṭ�-ṣṭ-ṣṭ�) a.] Explained or composed by Vasishtha.
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)ղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: ղṭṭ.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम� (ṃsṛt), 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.
Kannada-English dictionary
: Alar: Kannada-English corpusղśṣṭ (ವಶಿಷ್ಠ):�
1) [noun] one of the seven ancient great sages and many hymns of the Řgveda are ascribed to him.
2) [noun] (astron.) a double star with a magnitude of 2.2 in the middle of the constellation Ursa Major; the Mizar.
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ղṣṭ (ವಸಿಷ್ಠ):�
1) [adjective] very rich; very wealthy.
2) [adjective] most excellent; best.
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ղṣṭ (ವಸಿಷ್ಠ):�
1) [noun] one of the seven ancient great sages and many hymns of the Řgvēda are ascribed to him.
2) [noun] (astron.) a double star with a magnitude of 2.2 in the middle of the constellation Ursa Major; the Mizar.
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ṣṭ (ವಾಸಿಷ್�):—[adjective] of or relating to or written by the sage ղṣṭ.
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ṣṭ (ವಾಸಿಷ್�):—[noun] any of several sons the sage of ղṣṭ.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary1) ղśṣṭ (वशिष्ठ):—n. � वसिष्ठ [ṣṭ]
2) śṣṭ (वाशिष्�):—adj. of/pertaining to sage Vasistha or composed by him;
3) ṣṭ (वासिष्�):—adj. � वाशिष्� [śṣṭ]
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)
Starts with (+16): Vasishthabhrigvatrisama, ղٳ岹¨, Vasishthadharmashastra, Vasishthagotra, Vasishthahanus, Vasishthahomapaddhati, Vasishthahomaprakara, Vasishthajataka, Vasishthaka, Vasishthakalpa, Vasishthakashyapika, Vasishthalaghukarika, Vasishthalainga, Vasishthalaingapurana, Vasishthalaingopapurana, Vasishthalaingya, Vasishthamantra, Vasishthanihava, Vasishthapraci, Vasishthapramukha.
Full-text (+1309): Yoga-vasishtha, Brihadvasishtha, Vasishthasmriti, Vasishthasamhita, Vasishthashrama, Uhuvayivasishtha, Vasishtha Shiksha, Vasishthasiddhanta, Vasishthatantra, Vasishthasara, Vriddhavasishtha, Vasishtharamayana, Vasishthapurana, Arundhati, Aidavasishtha, Vasishthasutra, Laghujnanavasishtha, Vasishthatva, Laghuvasishtha, Vasishthamantra.
Relevant text
Search found 242 books and stories containing Vasishtha, ղṣṭ, ṣṭ, Vasistha, ղśṣṭ, Vashishtha, śṣṭ; (plurals include: Vasishthas, ղṣṭs, ṣṭs, Vasisthas, ղśṣṭs, Vashishthas, śṣṭs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation) (by Swami Lokeswarananda)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.4.28 < [Chapter 4 - The Liberation of Vatsāsura]
Verse 1.10.30 < [Chapter 10 - Description of the Birth of Lord Balarāma]
Verse 2.4.25 < [Chapter 4 - The Liberation of Vatsāsura]
Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture) (by D. N. Shukla)
(iv) Other Ācāryas (chief preceptors) of Vastuśٰ < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
(v,11) Vāstu in the Śilpa-texts < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
(ii) Rise of the Śāstra and the place of Viśvakarmā < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 11.249 < [Section XXXII - Expiation of Secret Sins]
Verse 1.34-35 < [Section XX - Creation of Marīci and other Sages]
Verse 8.140 < [Section XXV - Rates of Interest]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
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