Nisheka, Niṣeka: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Nisheka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Niṣeka can be transliterated into English as Niseka or Nisheka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstraNiṣeka (निषेक, “impregnation”) refers to “conception, depositing of the semen” and is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manu-smṛti or the Yājñavalkya-smṛti.
Source: Shodhganga: Facts of society in the ManusamhitaNiṣeka (निषेक):—The first saṃskāra mentioned in the Manusaṃhitā is to be performed in the life of a man is Niṣeka. The niṣeka saṃskāra is an important saṃskāra for twice born class in impregnation. The aim of this ceremony is to give birth of a child. The Manusaṃhitā is silent about any discussion in this ceremony. This saṃskāra relates to proper conception which is the very basis of life.
Source: Shodhganga: Vaikhanasa Grhyasutra Bhasya (Critical Edition and Study)Niṣeka (निषेक) refers to the “first sexual intercourse of the newly-wed couple” (in the fourth night after the marriage rituals) and represents one of the eighteen bodily rituals (śārīraka-saṃskāras) mentioned in the Vaikhānasagṛhyasūtra (viz., vaikhānasa-gṛhya-sūtra) which belongs to the Taittirīya school of the Black Yajurveda (kṛṣṇayajurveda).—The original Gṛhyasūtra of Vaikhanāsa consists of eleven chapters or “praśnas”. Each praśna is subdivided into sub-divisions called “khaṇḍa”. But only the first seven chapters deal with actual Gṛhyasūtra section. Of these, the first three chapters dealing with the bodily rituals [viz., Niṣeka].
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraNiṣeka (निषेक) or Niṣekakāla refers to the “time of the conception (of a person)”, 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 jyotiṣaka. [...] He must know the temperament of the planets; the parts of the body lorded over by each; the mineral division of each; the caste, sex and authority of each and the like; he must be able to state, from the time of conception or birth of a person [i.e., niṣeka-kāla], particulars connected with these occasions so as to insure belief; he must be able to say in what cases a child will die in infancy, and to calculate the period of one’s existence; he must be able to divide one’s life into planetary divisions and sub-divisions; [...]”.
Source: Journal of South Asian Intellectual History: Samarasiṃha and the Early Transmission of Tājika AstrologyNiṣeka (निषेक) or “impregnation” refers to the astrological doctrine generally known as the “trutine of Hermes”, as discussed in the fifth chapter of the Karmaprakāśa—one of the earliest preserved Sanskrit works on Perso-Arabic (Tājika) astrology authored by Samarasiṃha in the 13th century.— Chapter 5 (niṣeka-adhikāra) sets out the doctrine generally known in western literature as the trutine of Hermes, positing an astrological correlation between the times of conception and birth—the ascendant degree in one being the ecliptical longitude of the moon in the other, and vice versa. This in turn makes it possible to adjust an approximate ascendant and its concomitant time of birth. The average duration of a normal pregnancy is assumed to be 273 days or exactly ten sidereal months, with a maximum deviation of a fortnight either way. The antecedents of this doctrine, ascribed by Hellenistic writers to Petosiris, are quite ancient: the average value of 273⅓ days for the gestational period is known from Babylonian astrological sources
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Niṣeka (निषेक) refers to the “consummation” (of marriage), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.51 (“The resuscitation of Kāma”).—Accordingly, as the Gods said to Kāma: “O Kāma, you are blessed. Burnt by Śiva you have been blessed by Him. The lord of all has resuscitated you by means of his sympathetic glance, the Sāttvika part. No man causes happiness or sorrow to another man. Man experiences the fruits of what he does. Who can ward off the destined protection, marriage or consummation (niṣeka) at the proper time? [...]”.
2) Niṣeka (निषेक) refers to a “(seminal) discharge”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.1 (“The dalliance of Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Lord Viṣṇu said to Brahmā: “[...] If any one separates the copulated pair by a tricky expedient, he will have the pangs of separation from his wife and sons in every birth. He will fall from perfect wisdom. [...] Everything can be achieved through the discharge of the semen. O Brahmā, the process of discharge (niṣeka) is very effective. The discharge that is fruitful none can withhold. [...]”.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Agriculture (Krishi) and Vrikshayurveda (study of Plant life)
Source: Shodhganga: Drumavichitrikarnam—Plant mutagenesis in ancient IndiaNiṣeka (निषेक) refers to “showering (a seed)” (with milk) as used in the recipe for producing flowers and fruits round the year (puṣpaphala-āpatti), according to the Vṛkṣāyurveda by Sūrapāla (1000 CE): an encyclopedic work dealing with the study of trees and the principles of ancient Indian agriculture.—Accordingly: “A healthy seed of a properly ripened Mangifera indica should be soaked in the blood of a tortoise and a hare and then should be dried in the direct heat of the sun. After a month it should be planted in a pit, previously prepared as per the method described before. Thereafter it should be showered (niṣeka) with the milk of a she-goat. Then it blossoms into a tree with thousands of branches and produces lovely flowers and fruits round the year. This is no wonder”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 2: the Category of the livingNiṣeka (निषेक).—What is the meaning of niṣeka? The number of karmas which become active in a small instant (called samaya) is niṣeka.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryNiṣeka (निषेक).—1 Sprinking, infusion; सुखसलिलनिषेकः (sukhasalilaniṣekaḥ) Ṛtusaṃhāra 1.28.
2) Dripping, trickling, distilling; तैलनिषेकबिन्दुना (tailaniṣekabindunā) R.8.38, 'a drop of dripping oil.'
3) Effusion, discharge,
4) Seminal effusion or discharge, infusion of semen, impregnation, seed; योषित्सु तद्वीर्यनिषेकभूमिः (yoṣitsu tadvīryaniṣekabhūmiḥ) (saiva) Kumārasambhava 3.16; प्रजानिषेकं मयि वर्तमानम् (prajāniṣekaṃ mayi vartamānam) R.14.6.
5) The ceremony performed upon impregnation; निषेकादिश्मशानान्तो मन्त्रैर्यस्यो- दितो विधिः । तस्य शास्त्रेऽधिकारोऽस्मिन् ज्ञेयो नान्यस्य कस्यचित् (niṣekādiśmaśānānto mantrairyasyo- dito vidhiḥ | tasya śāstre'dhikāro'smin jñeyo nānyasya kasyacit) || Manusmṛti 2.16; Bhāgavata 7.15.52.
6) Irrigation.
7) Water for washing.
8) Seminal impurity; Manusmṛti 4.151.
9) Dirty water.
1) Drawing essence by distillation.
Derivable forms: niṣekaḥ (निषेकः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryNiṣeka (निषेक).—m.
(-kaḥ) 1. The ceremony performed upon impregnation taking place. 2. Sprinkling, aspersion. 3. Effusion. 4. Seminal infusion. 5. Irrigation. 6. Dirty water. E. ni, and sic to sprinkle, aff. bhāve ghañ .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryNiṣeka (निषेक).—i. e. ni-sic + a, m 1. Sprinkling, [Ṛtusaṃhāra] 1, 28. 2. Distilling [Raghuvaṃśa, (ed. Stenzler.)] 8, 38. 3. Impregnation, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 16. 4. The ceremony performed on conception, 26. 5. Water for washing, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 4, 151 (according to another, Seminal impurity).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryNiṣeka (निषेक).—[masculine] sprinkling, infusion; impregnation ([ritual or religion]); water used for washing.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Niṣeka (निषेक):—[=ni-ṣeka] [from ni-ṣic] m. sprinkling, infusion, aspersion, dripping, distilling, [Kāvya literature]
2) [v.s. ...] seminal infusion, impregnation and the ceremony connected with it, [Manu-smṛti; Varāha-mihira; Suśruta]
3) [v.s. ...] water for washing, dirty water, wash (impurities caused by seminal effusion ?), [Manu-smṛti iv, 151]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryNiṣeka (निषेक):—[ni-ṣeka] (kaḥ) 1. m. Sprinkling; a ceremony after conception; effusion.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Niṣeka (निषेक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Ṇiseya.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusNiṣēka (ನಿಷೇಕ):—
1) [noun] the act of pouring (a liquid) down or into.
2) [noun] the act of sprinkling.
3) [noun] the instance of the married couple having sexual intercourse for the first time.
4) [noun] a ceremony observed on that day.
5) [noun] (fig.) the end; termination; death.
--- OR ---
Niseka (ನಿಸೆಕ):—[noun] ನಿಸೇಕ [niseka].
--- OR ---
Nisēka (ನಿಸೇಕ):—
1) [noun] the act of pouring (a liquid) down or into.
2) [noun] the act of sprinkling.
3) [noun] the instance of the married couple having sexual intercourse for the first time.
4) [noun] a ceremony observed on that day.
5) [noun] (fig.) the end; termination; death.
6) [noun] a uniting or being united; union.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Nishekadhikara, Nishekadhyayatika, Nishekadi, Nishekadishmashanantasamskaravidhi, Nishekakala, Nishekam, Nishekaphala, Nishekaphalada, Nishekaprakara, Nishekaprasta, Nishekasadhya, Nishekasvara, Nishekavicara, Nishekodaharana.
Query error!
Full-text (+3): Prajanisheka, Nishekaprakara, Nishekasvara, Nishekavicara, Cirannisheka, Nishekaprasta, Salilanisheka, Sukhasalilanisheka, Nishekodaharana, Nishekam, Nishekadi, Sukhasalila, Nishekasadhya, Nishekaphalada, Nishekaphala, Nishekakala, Nishekadhikara, Niseya, Nitekam, Samacar.
Relevant text
Search found 16 books and stories containing Nisheka, Ni-ṣeka, Ni-seka, Ni-sheka, Niṣeka, Niseka, Niṣēka, Nisēka; (plurals include: Nishekas, ṣekas, sekas, shekas, Niṣekas, Nisekas, Niṣēkas, Nisēkas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 4.151 < [Section XIV - Other Duties]
Verse 2.142 < [Section XXV - Meaning of the Title ‘Ācārya’]
Verse 2.26 < [Section VIII - Duties and Sacraments]
Ritual drink in the Iranian and Indian traditions (by Nawaz R. Guard)
3. Description of the Garbhadhana, Nisheka and Ritu-sangamana rites < [Chapter 2 - Ritual Drinks in Samskaras]
Brihat Jataka by Varahamihira [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 4.22 < [Chapter 4 - Impregnation]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Yavanajataka by Sphujidhvaja [Sanskrit/English] (by Michael D Neely)
Verse 5.29 < [Chapter 5 - Rules of Impregnation]
Verse 5.3 < [Chapter 5 - Rules of Impregnation]
Verse 5.17 < [Chapter 5 - Rules of Impregnation]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
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