Pitha, ±Êīṻ·²¹, ±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹, ±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹, PÄ«á¹hÄ: 42 definitions
Introduction:
Pitha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, biology. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Pith.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Åšaivism±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to the “pedestalâ€� of a ±ô¾±á¹…g²¹. It is also known as ±è¾±á¹‡á¸¾±°ìÄå. The word ±ô¾±á¹…g²¹ refers to a symbol used in the worship of Åšiva and is used thoughout Åšaiva literature, such as the sacred Ä€gamas.
: Google Books: The Canon of the ÅšaivÄgama and the The KubjikÄ Tantras1) The word “±èīṻ·²¹â€�, in a non-technical sense, means a stool, seat or bench and, by extension, the pedestal upon which an idol is installed. In the Tantras it commonly means a sacred place. In this present context, however, it means a “collection,â€� or “aggregateâ€� (²õ²¹³¾Å«³ó²¹) with reference to a group of scriptures and so denotes a class of Ä€gamas. It also signifies a range of matters that, taken collectively, concern a single Tantric topic. The two usages of the word are closely related: sometimes one applies, sometimes the other and, occasionally, both.
There are four ±èīṻ·²¹²õ, namely,
- ³Õ¾±»å²âÄå-±èīṻ·²¹,
- ²Ñ²¹²Ô³Ù°ù²¹-±èīṻ·²¹,
- ²Ñ³Ü»å°ùÄå-±èīṻ·²¹ and
- ²Ñ²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹-±èīṻ·²¹.
2) According to Abhinava’s exposition of the division of the ±èīṻ·²¹²õ found in the Ä€nandaÅ›Ästra:
: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)‘±Êīṻ·²¹â€� [is a term referring] to a class [of Tantras]. It is of two types: right and left, called Mantra and VidyÄ respectively, from which are derived the two associated with MudrÄ and Maṇá¸ala.
±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) or ±Êīṻ·²¹ka in the early SiddhÄntÄgamas denotes the “location of a deityâ€�, sacred person or entity, [although] it not generally used to denote a sacred site. A ±èīṻ·²¹ is a part of the ³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹ where the deity sits. The NiḥśvÄsatattvasaṃhitÄ refers to the central square of its primary ³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹ as the ±èīṻ·²¹ that is ‘the best of seatsâ€�. Similarly, the term ±èīṻ·²¹ may denote the pedestal on which a Liá¹…ga is placed and bathed (snÄna±èīṻ·²¹) in a pavilion erected for that purpose. The same word also denotes the part of the plinth on which a Liá¹…ga is erected. It may be of various kinds and variously named according to its size, shape, layers and the like. Such ±èīṻ·²¹²õ are described in the SiddhÄntÄgamas
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric Traditions±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to “external genital organ of the female partnerâ€�, according to the BrahmayÄmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Åšaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.â€�(Cf. Csaba Kiss, The BrahmayÄmala or Picumata. Vol. II, 2015, 49, 47â€�48)

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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—A demon. He was killed by ÅšrÄ« Kṛṣṇa. (Åšloka 5, Chapter 11, Droṇa Parva).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—The commander of Mura's forces; killed by Kṛṣṇa.*
- * BhÄgavata-purÄṇa X. 59. 12-14.

The Purana (पà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤�, purÄṇas) 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.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
: Google Books: Elements of Hindu iconography±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).â€�³¢¾±á¹…g²¹²õ are almost always set up in pedestals known as the ±è¾±á¹‡á¸¾±°ìÄå or ±èīṻ·²¹. In a square ±èīṻ·²¹, which is the one commonly met with, the length of one side of it may be twice the length of the ±èÅ«ÂáÄå²ú³óÄå²µ²¹, or equal to the total length of the ±ô¾±á¹…g²¹; in other words two-thirds of or equal to the total length of the ±ô¾±á¹…g²¹. The ±èīṻ·²¹, the length of whose side is equal to the total length of the ±ô¾±á¹…g²¹ is said to belong to the uttamottama class and that whose side is equal to two-thirds the total length of the ±ô¾±á¹…g²¹, to the ²¹»å³ó²¹³¾Äå»å³ó²¹³¾²¹ class.
These pedestals (±èīṻ·²¹, or, ±è¾±á¹‡á¸¾±°ìÄå) may be square, oblongular, octogonal, elongated octagon, hexagon, elongated hexagon, duodecagon, elongated duodecagon, 16-sided, regular or elongated, circular, elliptical, triangular and semi-circular in plan.
: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu Images±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to “pedestalsâ€�, as defined in treatises such as the PÄñcarÄtra, PÄdmasaṃhitÄ and VaikhÄnasa-Ägamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.

Shilpashastra (शिलà¥à¤ªà¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤°, Å›ilpaÅ›Ästra) 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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: VÄstu-Å›Ästra±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to “pedestalâ€�. It is sculptured as a part of the pillar (stambha).
: Google Books: Consecration Rituals In South Asia±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to the “seatâ€� of the ³Ù²¹³Ù³Ù±¹²¹°ì²¹±ô²¹Å›²¹ pot used in the ritual for the re-installation of damaged idols from the temple, according to Kerala ritual texts such as the ÅšaivÄgamanibandhana, PrayogamañjarÄ« and the Īśanagurudevapaddhati.—[...] After the ablution the pot used for the ³Ù²¹³Ù³Ù±¹²¹°ì²¹±ô²¹Å›²¹ is kept upside down on the seat (±èīṻ·²¹) and the bundle of darbha grass (°ìÅ«°ù³¦²¹) on top of the pot, facing the south, which is unusual in temple rituals. Then the priest sits facing the idol while the door of the sanctum is closed and imagines that his own ¾±á¸Ä�, ±è¾±á¹…g²¹±ôÄå and ²õ³Üá¹£u³¾²ÔÄå and those of the idol are one. [...]
: Shodhganga: Temples of Salem region Up to 1336 AD±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�, “pedestalâ€�).—Part of the pillar (stambha);—It is the lowest member of the pillar. It has three major functions:
- It gives a solid support to the shaft of the pillar.
- It adds height to the pillar.
- It enriches the beauty of the pillar.
Pedestals are also decorated with decorations like kapota punctuated with ²ÔÄå²õ¾±²õ and sometimes also with scalloped lotus petals.
: OpenEdition books: Architectural terms contained in AjitÄgama and RauravÄgama±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to â€�- 1. pedestal §§ 2.16; 3.1; 4.7, 28; 5.3-4. - 2. substitute altar (in place of an image of an Assessor) § 5.13. - 3. - mahıèīṻ·²¹ §§ 5.11, 12.â€�.â€�(For paragraphs cf. Les enseignements architecturaux de l'AjitÄgama et du RauravÄgama by Bruno Dagens)

Vastushastra (वासà¥à¤¤à¥à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤�, vÄstuÅ›Ästra) 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)
: Google Books: Hinglaj Devi±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—The term ±èīṻ·²¹ (Skt. seat, altar) specifically describes holy sites relating to Goddess worship all over South Asia.
: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) (“sacred seatâ€�) is a general term for a place where a goddess or YoginÄ« resides. Internalized, these places may be represented as the ‘locationâ€� of the fifty letters within the goddess’s triangular Yoni. When viewed in this form the Yoni is called the MeruprastÄra. This is described in detail in chapter eight of the KumÄrikÄkhaṇá¸a.

Shakta (शाकà¥à¤�, Å›Äkta) or Shaktism (Å›Äktism) 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.
Kavya (poetry)
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric Traditions (kavya)±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to the “seat (of the Goddess)â€�, according to BÄṇa’s KÄdambarÄ« (p. 225-226).—A³¦³¦´Ç°ù»å¾±²Ô²µ±ô²â, while describing the shire of the Goddess Caṇá¸ikÄ, “[Then follows the image of the Goddess Caṇá¸ikÄ, which matches the conception of KÄlarÄtri in the passage from the MahÄbhÄrata:] Her feet were never bereft of cloths [dyed with] red lac thrown upon the mound of her seat [on the altar] (±è¾±á¹‡á¸¾±°ìÄå-±èīṻ·²¹-±èÄåtin) as if they were the lives of all creatures arrived there for shelter; she resembled an inhabitant of the Underworld because of the intense darkness obstructed [only] by the flashes from axes, spears, etc., weapons deadly for beings, that seemed to hold nets of hair stuck from decapitations because of the reflections of black yak-tail whisks cast [upon their surfaces]; [...]â€�.

Kavya (कावà¥à¤�, 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 poetryâ€� and natya, or ‘dramatic poetryâ€�.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric Traditions (yoga)±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to “seats (of deities)â€�, according to the Amá¹›tasiddhi, a 12th-century text belonging to the Haá¹hayoga textual tradition.—A³¦³¦´Ç°ù»å¾±²Ô²µ±ô²â, “There are oceans, rivers, regions [and] guardians of the regions; gathering places, sacred sites, seats (±èīṻ·²¹) [of deities and] the deities of the seatsâ€�.

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 Äå²õ²¹²Ô²¹s (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Pancaratra (worship of NÄrÄyaṇa)
: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) ±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to a “pedestalâ€� or an “altar (e.g., for offerings)â€�, as discussed in the thirty-second chapter of the ´¡²Ô¾±°ù³Ü»å»å³ó²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒh¾±³ÙÄå, an ancient PÄñcarÄtra Ä€gama text dealing with the annual festivals of temples and regular temple worship routines.—Description of the chapter [bali-±èīṻ·²¹-pratiá¹£á¹hÄpana-vidhi]: In the temple the four most important items are the central building [±è°ùÄå²õ²¹»å²¹], the inner sanctuary [²µ²¹°ù²ú³ó²¹²µá¹›h²¹], the pedestal [±èīṻ·²¹] for the idol, and the idol [±è°ù²¹³Ù¾±³¾Äå] itself (1-2). The altar for offerings [bali-±èīṻ·²¹] located in front of the central building should be constructed so as to be proportionate with the size of the idol’s pedestal, and of the same materials (3-5). [...]
2) ±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to a “seating objectâ€� (representing one of the symbols given to initiates after the ²¹²ú³ó¾±á¹£e°ì²¹-rite), as discussed in the tenth chapter of the ±·Äå°ù²¹»åÄ«²â²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒh¾±³ÙÄå: a PÄñcarÄtra document comprising over 3000 verses in 30 chapters presenting in a narrative framework the teachings of NÄrada to Gautama, dealing primarily with modes of worship and festivals.—Description of the chapter [²¹²ú³ó¾±á¹£e°ì²¹-vidhÄna]: Gautama wants to hear details concerning the qualifying ²¹²ú³ó¾±á¹£e°ì²¹-bath that admits an initiate to »å±ðÅ›¾±°ì²¹-status. [...] One type of ²¹²ú³ó¾±á¹£e°ì²¹-rite requires only one pot (°ì²¹±ô²¹Å›²¹) to be used, at the conclusion of which bathing ceremony the candidate is given the symbols of his new office—[e.g., an Äå²õ²¹²Ô²¹ and a ±èīṻ·²¹ for seating purposes]—along with a charge from his preceptor to pursue his duties (21-32). The initiate, in turn, honors this preceptor in all appropriate ways (33-37).
3) ±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) or ±Êīṻ·²¹mantra is the name of a Mantra discussed in chapter 29 (CaryıèÄåda) of the ±Ê²¹»å³¾²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒh¾±³ÙÄå: the most widely followed of SaṃhitÄ covering the entire range of concerns of PÄñcarÄtra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matterâ€�ÂáñÄå²Ô²¹, yoga, °ì°ù¾±²âÄå and ³¦²¹°ù²âÄå) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [Å›°ù²âÄå»å¾±±è²¹°ù¾±±¹Äå°ù²¹-³¾²¹²Ô³Ù°ù²¹±¹²¹°ùṇa²Ô²¹]: In this chapter BhagavÄn tells about the mantras to be used in the worship of ÅšrÄ« and of the deities in Her retinue found in the precincts of the first ±è°ùÄå°ìÄå°ù²¹-courtyard. [...] A ±èīṻ·²¹-mantra follows (1516-170a), as well as the mantra for BrahmÄ and the succeeding 57 ±è²¹°ù¾±±¹Äå°ù²¹»å±ð±¹²¹³ÙÄå²õ (170b-172a), along with the mantras addressed to other deities in the first courtyard [±è°ùÄå°ìÄå°ù²¹] (172b-174a). [...]

Pancaratra (पाञà¥à¤šà¤°à¤¾à¤¤à¥à¤°, ±èÄåñcarÄtra) 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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
: Pure Bhakti: Brahma-samhita±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to—Place of pastimes; seat.

Vaishnava (वैषà¥à¤£à¤µ, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnuâ€�).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (tantric buddhism)±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to a “sacred seatâ€� and represents one of the various classes of sacred sites, according to the Netravibhaá¹…ga, a commentary on the Hevajratantra by DharmakÄ«rti.—A³¦³¦´Ç°ù»å¾±²Ô²µ±ô²â, “It is called a ‘seatâ€� (±èīṻ·²¹) because one always stays there and performs the practice, also because the yogis stay there. Because it is near to that place, it is called ‘nearby seatâ€� (upa±èīṻ·²¹). It is called ‘fieldâ€� (°ìá¹£e³Ù°ù²¹), because it produces good qualities, also because the mother-goddesses stay there. Because it is near to there, it is called ‘near-by fieldâ€� (upa°ìá¹£e³Ù°ù²¹). Because one desires and yearns, it is called Chando. Because it is near there, it is called ‘near-by Chandoâ€�. It is called ‘meeting placeâ€� (³¾±ð±ôÄå±è²¹°ì²¹) because it is the site of a place, [for example] Magadha and Aá¹…gamagadha. It is called ‘near-by meeting placeâ€� because it is near there. It is called ‘cemeteryâ€� (Å›³¾²¹Å›Äå²Ô²¹) because no discriminating thought (vikalpa) arises and because there are many corpses. It is called ‘near-by cemeteryâ€�, because it is near to thereâ€�.
: academia.edu: A Critical Study of the Vajraá¸ÄkamahÄtantrarÄja (II)±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) is one of the PÄ«á¹hÄdis (group of districts) present within the Cittacakra (‘circle of midâ€�) which is associated with the ḌÄkinÄ« named KhecarÄ« (‘a woman going in the skyâ€�), according to the 9th-centruy ³Õ²¹Âá°ù²¹á¸Äk²¹³Ù²¹²Ô³Ù°ù²¹.
The PÄ«á¹hÄdi named ±Êīṻ·²¹ within the Cittacakra contains the following four districts or seats:
- ±Ê³Ü±ô±ôÄ«°ù²¹³¾²¹±ô²¹²â²¹,
- ´³Äå±ô²¹²Ô»å³ó²¹°ù²¹,
- °¿á¸yÄå²Ô²¹,
- Arbuda.
±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to a type of power place where Yogins and YoginÄ«s congregate, according to the Sampuá¹odbhavatantra chapter 5.—A³¦³¦´Ç°ù»å¾±²Ô²µ±ô²â, “[Vajragarbha asked:]—‘Blessed One, what places are places of gatherings?â€� [The Blessed One said:]—‘There are ±èīṻ·²¹²õ and auxiliary ±èīṻ·²¹²õ, And likewise, °ìá¹£e³Ù°ù²¹s and auxiliary °ìá¹£e³Ù°ù²¹s. There are also chandohas and auxiliary chandohas, ³¾±ð±ôÄå±è²¹°ì²¹s and auxiliary ³¾±ð±ôÄå±è²¹°ì²¹s. There are charnel grounds and auxiliary charnel grounds, ±èÄ«±ô²¹±¹²¹²õ and auxiliary ±èÄ«±ô²¹±¹²¹²õ. These are the twelve types of meeting places. The lord of the ten ²ú³óÅ«³¾¾±²õ has not specified Any places other than these twelveâ€�. [...]â€�.
±Êīṻ·²¹ in Tibetan: གནས༠[gnas].
: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to the “power placesâ€�, according to the Guru-³¾²¹á¹‡á¸²¹±ô²¹-arcana [i.e., “Guru Mandala Worship]â€� ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara SamÄdhi, which refers to the primary ±èÅ«ÂáÄå and ²õÄå»å³ó²¹²ÔÄå practice of Newah MahÄyÄna-VajrayÄna Buddhists in Nepal.—A³¦³¦´Ç°ù»å¾±²Ô²µ±ô²â, “Drinking the only essence, the liquor of union, purifies the mind, By going to the power places (±èīṻ·²¹â€�±èīṻ·Äå»å¾±»å±ðÅ›²¹²µ²¹³¾²¹²Ô±ð²Ô²¹), and so on, the body is purified, In the middle of the holy seat, the highest mandala, Cakra NÄtha, With the head bowed, in praise of the eternally highest Guruâ€�.

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 (±¹²¹Âá°ù²¹²âÄå²Ô²¹) are collected indepently.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) refers to one of the sons of king Vajrasena, according to chapter 1.1 [Äå»åīś±¹²¹°ù²¹-³¦²¹°ù¾±³Ù°ù²¹] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triá¹£aá¹£á¹iÅ›alÄkÄpuruá¹£acaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly,
“in the continent JambÅ«dvÄ«pa, in the East Videhas, in the province Puá¹£kalÄvatÄ« in the vicinity of the ocean, in the city Puṇá¸arÄ«kiṇÄ�, they were born in succession as the five sons of King Vajrasena by his wife DhÄriṇÄ�. [...] The souls of the sons of the merchant and trader were named ±Êīṻ·²¹ and Mahıèīṻ·²¹â€�.
±Êīṻ·²¹ and BÄhu later incarnated as twins from Sumaá¹…galÄ (one of Ṛṣabha’s wifes), as mentioned in chapter 1.2.—A³¦³¦´Ç°ù»å¾±²Ô²µ±ô²â,
: HereNow4u: Lord VṛṣabhanÄtha“[...] when a little less than six pÅ«rvas had passed after the wedding, while the Lord enjoyed himself with them, the JÄ«vas of BÄhu and ±Êīṻ·²¹ fell from SarvÄrthasiddhi and entered Sumaá¹…galÄ’s womb as twins. Likewise the jÄ«vas of SubÄhu and Mahıèīṻ·²¹ fell from SarvÄrthasiddhi and entered SunandÄ’s womb. [...] Sumaá¹…galÄ bore children, Bharata and BrÄhmÄ«, as the east bears the sun and (morning) twilight lighting up the quarter of the skyâ€�.
±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) was one of the four friends and brother of VajranÄbha: VṛṣabhanÄtha’s eleventh incarnation (bhava).—After completing his life as a deva JÄ«vÄnanda was born in Puá¹£kalÄvatÄ« to the wife of king Vajrasena, DharaṇÄ�. At the time of conception the mother saw 14 great dreams. Vajrasena named his son VajranÄbha, who went on to become a ³¦²¹°ì°ù²¹±¹²¹°ù³ÙÄ« (emperor). His four friends were born as his brothers BÄhu, SubÄhu, ±Êīṻ·²¹ and Mahıèīṻ·²¹ and became provincial kings. When his father, TÄ«rthaá¹…kara Vajrasena, after attaining omniscience (°ì±ð±¹²¹±ôÄ«), started delivering his religious sermons, the ³¦²¹°ì°ù²¹±¹²¹°ù³ÙÄ« VajranÄbha (due to his past good merits) too accepted initiation (renounced the world).

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
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹.â€�(Chamba), a grain measure; also spelt p¾±á¸Ä�, peá¸Ä�, pyoá¸Ä�. Note: ±è¾±á¹»·²¹ is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossaryâ€� as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
--- OR ---
±Êīṻ·²¹.â€�(CII 4; IA 12), receptacle of a Åšiva-±ô¾±á¹…g²¹; the ablution trough of a Åšiva-±ô¾±á¹…g²¹; also called Yoni-paá¹á¹a. (SITI), pedestal for the image of a deity. Note: ±èīṻ·²¹ is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossaryâ€� as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
: Shodhganga: Vernacular architecture of Assam with special reference to Brahmaputra ValleyPitha is an Assamese term referring to “the outer layer / rind of bamboo and strand prepared from outer layer�.—It appears in the study dealing with the vernacular architecture (local building construction) of Assam whose rich tradition is backed by the numerous communities and traditional cultures.

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.
Biology (plants and animals)
: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Pitha in India is the name of a plant defined with Sapindus emarginatus in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Sapindus emarginatus Hort. Alger. (among others).
2) Pitha is also identified with Sapindus trifoliatus It has the synonym Sapindus trifoliatus Turcz. (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Taxon (1982)
· Catalogue des Plantes de Madagascar, Sapind. (1931)
· Rev. Hortic. (1895)
· Bulletin de la Société Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou (1863)
· Species Plantarum (1753)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Pitha, for example extract dosage, diet and recipes, health benefits, pregnancy safety, chemical composition, side effects, have a look at these references.

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary±èīṻ·²¹ : (nt.) chair; a seat.
: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary±Êīṻ·²¹, (nt.) (cp. Fpic Sk. ±èīṻ·²¹) a seat, chair, stool, bench.â€�4. kinds are given at Vin. IV, 40=168, viz. masÄraka, bundikÄbaddha, kuḷira±èÄådaka, Ähacca±èÄådaka (same categories as given under mañca).â€�Vin. I, 47, 180; II, 114, 149, 225; A. III, 51 (mañca°, Dvandva); IV, 133 (ayo°); Ps. I, 176; Vv 11 (see discussed in detail at VvA. 8); VvA. 295 (mañca°).—±èÄåda° footstool J. IV, 378; VvA. 291; bhadda° state-chair, throne J. III, 410.—sappin “one who crawls by means of a chair or bench, â€� i.e. one who walks on a sort of crutch or support, a cripple (±èīṻ·²¹ here in sense of “hatthena gahana-yoggaâ€� VvA. 8; exlpd by Bdhgh as “chinn’iriyÄpathaâ€� Vin. Texts I. 225) J. I, 76, 418; V, 426 (khujja+) VI, 4, 10; Miln. 205, 245, 276; Vism. 596 (& jaccandha, in simile); DhA. I, 194; II, 69; PugA 227; PvA. 282. (Page 461)

Pali is the language of the Tipiá¹aka, which is the sacred canon of TheravÄda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary±è¾±á¹»·Ä (पिठा).—m (A Bombay-word). A spirit-shop, or a liquor-tavern.
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±è¾±á¹»·Ä (पिठा).—a (±èīṻ·²¹) Gritty, friable, crumbling--sorts of stone &c. 2 Clammy; like badly-baked dough--the pulp of certain fruits.
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±èīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—n (±è¾±á¹£á¹²¹ S) Meal in general except that of wheat, which, par excellence, is termed °ì²¹á¹‡Ä«k²¹ (from °ì²¹á¹‡a). Applied, sometimes however, to wheaten meal. 2 fig. Crushed, crumbled, ruined state: also defeated or overcome state: also the state of utter expenditure or dissipation, of consumption or exhaustion, of whatever subject or of whatever specific character. Used largely as its derivative ±è¾±á¹»·Äåá¸a, or as cÅ«ra, curÄá¸Ä�, dhūḷa, mÄtÄ«, rÄkha &c. &c. 3 Used enhancingly after ²µÅ°ùÄå; as ²µÅ°ùÄå ²µÅ°ùÄå ±èīṻ·²¹ Surpassingly fair. 4 Used as ad in the sense Clearly and brightly of the shining of the moon. v ±è²¹á¸a; as cÄndaṇēṃ ±èīṻ·²¹ ±è²¹á¸atÄ“á¹�.
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±èīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—n (S) A stool, a low chair or seat. 2 The seat of the religious student, made of the grass °ì³ÜÅ›²¹. 3 ±èīṻ·²¹á¹�, in the sense of Seat or spot of eminent residence or abiding, forms compounds such as guru±èīṻ·²¹, vidyıèīṻ·²¹, rÄja±èīṻ·²¹. 4 also ±èīṻ·²¹²õthÄna n A place where a limb of Parvati is supposed to have fallen when her dead body was cut to pieces by the cakra of ±¹¾±á¹£á¹‡³Ü. There are fifty-one such places. See mahıèīṻ·²¹.
: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English±è¾±á¹»·Ä (पिठा).â€�m A spirit-shop, or a liquor-tavern.
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±è¾±á¹»·Ä (पिठा).â€�a Gritty, crumbling. Clammy.
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±èīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).â€�n Meal. Crushed, or ruined state. ÄdhÄ« ±è¾±á¹»·ÅbÄ (±èÅá¹ÅbÄå) maga viá¹hÅbÄ Let us satisfy the belly, then we'll think of worship.
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±èīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).â€�n A low chair. The seat, as guru±èīṻ·²¹, vidyıèīṻ·²¹, rÄja±èīṻ·²¹. See mahıèīṻ·²¹.
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 dictionary±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹ (पिà¤�).—Affliction, distress.
Derivable forms: ±è¾±á¹»·²¹á¸� (पिठः).
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±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).â€�
1) A seat (a stool, chair, bench, sofa &c.); जवेन पीठादà¥à¤¦à¤¤à¤¿à¤·à¥à¤ दचà¥à¤¯à¥à¤¤à¤� (javena pÄ«á¹hÄdudatiá¹£á¹hadacyutaá¸�) ÅšiÅ›u±èÄålavadha 1.12; R,4.84;6.15.
2) The seat of a religious student made of Kuśa grass.
3) The seat of a deity, an altar.
4) A pedestal in general, basis.
5) A particular posture in sitting.
6) (In geometry) The complement of a segment.
7) Name of various temples; पीठं जालंधरà¤� नाà¤� तिषà¥à¤ तà¥à¤¯à¤¤à¥à¤� चतà¥à¤°à¥à¤®à¥à¤– (±èīṻ·²¹á¹� jÄlaṃdharaá¹� nÄma tiá¹£á¹hatyatra caturmukha) Yoga- Å›ikhopaniá¹£ad, 5.11.
8) A royal seat, throne.
9) A district, province.
Derivable forms: ±èīṻ·²¹m (पीठमà¥�).
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±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ (पीà¤�).â€�1 The sun.
2) Time.
3) Fire.
4) Protection.
5) Drink; यसà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤§à¥à¤µà¤°à¥‡ à¤à¤—वानधà¥à¤µà¤°à¤¾à¤¤à¥à¤®à¤¾ मघोनà¤� मादà¥à¤¯à¤¤à¥à¤¯à¥à¤°à¥à¤¸à¥‹à¤®à¤ªà¥€à¤¥à¥‡ (yasyÄdhvare bhagavÄnadhvarÄtmÄ maghoni mÄdyatyurusomapÄ«the) BhÄgavata 5.15.12.
-tham 1 Water.
2) Ghee.
Derivable forms: ±èÄ«³Ù³ó²¹á¸� (पीथः).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹ (पिà¤�).—m.
(-á¹»·²¹á¸�) Pain, distress. E. ±è¾±á¹»·²¹, and ka aff.
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±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—mfn.
(-á¹»·²¹á¸�-á¹hÄ«-á¹haá¹�) 1. A stool, a seat, a chair. 2. The seat of the religious student, made properly of KuÅ›a grass. 3. A place where some limb of Parvati is supposed to have fallen, as after Daksha’s sacrifice, her dead body was carried about by Siva, and cut in pieces by the discus of Vishnu: there are fifty-one such places. 4. Complement of a segment, (in Geometry.) 5. A pedestal. 6. A particular posture in sitting. E. ±è¾±á¹»· to be weary, to feel pain, aff. ²µ³ó²¹Ã±; deriv. irr. or ±èÄå-á¹hak ±è¾±á¹»·²¹-ka vÄ pṛṣo0 dÄ«rghaá¸� .
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±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ (पीà¤�).—m.
(-³Ù³ó²¹á¸�) 1. The sun. 2. Fire. 3. Time. n.
(-³Ù³ó²¹á¹�) Water. E. ±èÄå to drink, Unadi aff. thak, and the radical vowel changed.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).â€� n. and m. 1. A stool, a seat, a chair, MahÄbhÄrata 5, 1399; a bench. 2. A base or pedestal, [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä�] 2, 126. 3. The seat of a deity, an altar, [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä�] 5, 46; 473. 4. A kind of ornament, [Harivaṃśa, (ed. Calc.)] 8063.
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±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ (पीà¤�).—i. e. 1. ±èÄå + tha, I. m. A drink. Ii. n. Water.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�).—[neuter] seat, stool, bench, pedestal.
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±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ (पीà¤�).—[masculine] drink or protection.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹ (पिà¤�):—[from ±è¾±á¹»·] m. pain, distress, [Horace H. Wilson]
2) ±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�):â€�n. (rarely f(Ä«). ; possibly corrupted [from] pi-sad, to sit upon) a stool, seat, chair, bench, [Gá¹›hya-sÅ«tra; MahÄbhÄrata] etc.
3) a religious student’s seat (made properly of Kuśa grass), [Horace H. Wilson]
4) case, pedestal ([especially] of an idol), [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä�; VarÄha-mihira [Scholiast or Commentator]]
5) royal seat, throne, [RÄmatÄpanÄ«ya-upaniá¹£ad]
6) place, office (cf. ±èīṻ·Äå»å³ó¾±°ìÄå°ù²¹)
7) Name of various temples (erected on the 5 1 spots where the limbs of PÄrvatÄ« fell after she had been cut to pieces by the discus of Viṣṇu), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) a district, province, [Pañcatantra]
9) a [particular] posture in sitting, [Catalogue(s)]
10) (in [geometry]) the complement of a segment, [Colebrooke]
11) m. a kind of fish, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) the sun, [Demetrius Galanos’s Lexiko: sanskritikes, anglikes, hellenikes]
13) Name of an Asura, [MahÄbhÄrata]
14) of a minister of Kaṃsa, [Harivaṃśa]
15) ±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ (पीà¤�):—[from ±èÄ«³Ù²¹] 1. ±èÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ m. a drink, draught (cf. go-p, ²õ³Ü°ùÄå-±è, soma-p)
16) [v.s. ...] n. water, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
17) [v.s. ...] melted butter, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
18) [from ±èÄ«³Ù¾±] 2. ±èÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ m. idem (See go-p).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹ (पिà¤�):â€�(á¹»·²¹á¸�) 1. m. Pain.
2) ±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�):—[(á¹haá¸�-á¹hÄ«-á¹haá¹�) a.] A stool, a seat of kusa grass; a sacred spot; complement of a segment.
3) ±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹ (पीà¤�):â€�(³Ù³ó²¹á¸�) 1. m. Idem; time. n. Water.
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: ±ÊÄ«á¸h²¹.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संसà¥à¤•ृतमà¥� (²õ²¹á¹ƒs°ìá¹›t²¹³¾), 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
: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�) [Also spelled peeth]:â€�(nf) the back; spine; (nm) a seat; an institute; —[kÄ/-para kÄ] born next in succession; —[cÄra±èÄåÄ« se laganÄ] to be bedridden; to be confined to bed; to be reduced to skeleton; —[á¹»·´Ç°ì²¹²ÔÄå] to pat on the back appreciatively; to praise; to give encouragement; —[»å¾±°ì³óÄå²ÔÄå] to show the white feather, to turn tails, to flee from the battlefield; —[»å±ð²ÔÄå] to turn tails, to flee, to part company (in a venture); —[para hÄtha ±è³ó±ð°ù²¹²ÔÄå] to part appreciatively, to give encouragement, —[para hÄtha rakhanÄ] to support; —[para honÄ] to be at the back of; —[pÄ«che, ke] in the absence of; —[±è³ó±ð°ù²¹²ÔÄå] to turn one’s back upon; —[meá¹� churÄ ghoṃpanÄ/bhoṃkanÄ] to stab in the back, to play (one) foul; —[meá¹� chÅ«la/miá¹á¹Ä« milanÄ] to be felled, to suffer defeat; —[³¾´Çá¸a²ÔÄå] to turn to go, to leave the scene; —[laganÄ, kisÄ« kÄ«] to be defeated (in Indian style wrestling); to be thrown flat on the back; —[²õ²¹³ó²¹±ôÄå²ÔÄå] to soothe.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
: Alar: Kannada-English corpus±Êīṻ·²¹ (ಪೀà²�):â€�
1) [noun] a piece of furniture to sit on; a seat.
2) [noun] a solid base on which an idol is placed, installed, etc.
3) [noun] a small, circular platform for keeping the offferings made to a god.
4) [noun] the supporting part of the wall, which usu. lies below the surface of the earth; foundation; basement.
5) [noun] the office, authority of a religious pontifs or political leaders.
6) [noun] a centre for education (as a school, university, etc.).
7) [noun] a facility created in a university or research centre, for studying a subject or conducting a research on a particular discipline of knowledge.
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) ±Êīṻ·²¹ (पीà¤�):—n. 1. market-place; 2. market; 3. pilgrimage site; 4. throne; 5. the back; 6. a seat; 7. the seat of a religious student made of kush grass;
2) PÄ«á¹hÄ (पीठा):—n. â†� पीठो [±èīṻ·´Ç]
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 (+21): Pitha Jataka, Pitha Vagga, Pitha-tamal, Pithabali, Pithabheda, Pithabija, Pithacalana, Pithacatushtaya, Pithacintamani, Pithadevata, Pithadevi, Pithadhipati, Pithadi, Pithakrama, Pithakshara, Pithakshetra, Pithalakshana, Pithamardaka, Pithamardana, Pithamardda.
Full-text (+1362): Padapitha, Mahapitha, Bhadrapitha, Yogapitha, Mancapitha, Ratnapitha, Dharmapitha, Pugapitha, Pithasarpin, Pithamarda, Gopitha, Lingapitha, Pithakeli, Vidyapitha, Pithasarpa, Balipitha, Pithacakra, Upapitha, Pithalakshana, Pithabhu.
Relevant text
Search found 154 books and stories containing Pitha, ±Êīṻ·²¹, Piá¹hÄ, ±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹, ±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹, PÄ«á¹hÄ, Peetha, Pithas; (plurals include: Pithas, ±Êīṻ·²¹s, Piá¹hÄs, ±Ê¾±á¹»·²¹s, ±ÊÄ«³Ù³ó²¹s, PÄ«á¹hÄs, Peethas, Pithases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary) (by D. N. Shukla)
Chapter 71 - Iconography of the Phalli (±ô¾±á¹…g²¹) and their Pedestals (±èīṻ·²¹)
Chapter 25 - The Measurement of the Pedestal (±Êīṻ·²¹mÄna)
Chapter 63-64 - The five-fold terraces (±Êīṻ·²¹-pañcaka) and DrÄviá¸a PrÄsÄda
Cidvilasastava by Amrtananda (by Brian Campbell and Ben Williams)
The concept of Yoga in Yoga Upanishads (by Philomina T.L)
2.2. Influence of Åšaktism on the Yogopaniá¹£ads < [Chapter 5 - Textual Analysis]
2.1. Influence of Åšaivism on the Yogopaniá¹£ads < [Chapter 5 - Textual Analysis]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati DÄsa)
Verse 3.2.495 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Lord’s Travel Through BhuvaneÅ›vara and Other Placesto JagannÄtha PurÄ«]
Verse 3.1.64 < [Chapter 1 - Meeting Again at the House of ÅšrÄ« Advaita Ä€cÄrya]
Verse 3.2.401 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Lord’s Travel Through BhuvaneÅ›vara and Other Placesto JagannÄtha PurÄ«]
Preceptors of Advaita (by T. M. P. Mahadevan)
59. ÅšrÄ« KÄmakoá¹i ±Êīṻ·²¹ and ÅšrÄ« Åšaá¹…karÄchÄrya
Bhagavatpadabhyudaya by Lakshmana Suri (study) (by Lathika M. P.)
TÄntric Measures < [Chapter 3 - References to Åšaá¹…kara’s Philosophy]
Åšaá¹…karadigvijaya (list of available works) < [Chapter 4 - Similarities and Dissimilarities]
Cosmology and the powers of MÄya < [Chapter 3 - References to Åšaá¹…kara’s Philosophy]
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