Simhasana, Simha-asana, ṃhԲ: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Simhasana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. 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 Sinhasan.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
: Google Books: Elements of Hindu iconographyIn the ṃhԲ (सिंहास�) the legs are crossed as in the ūԲ; and the palms of the hands, with the fingers kept stretched out, rest supinely upon the thigh, while the mouth is kept open and the eyes are fixed upon the tip of the nose.
When used as a īٳ (seat or pedestal), this Āsana should be used as the seat for the image when it has to be bathed, according to the Suprabhedāgama. According to the Candrajñānāgama, the seat is of a rectangular shape. The ṃhԲ is a four legged seat, circular or rectangular in shape and one hasta or cubit in height. The four legs of this seat are made up of four small lions.
: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (ś貹)ṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to a type of Āsana (sitting poses), according to Ganapati Sthapati in his text Ciṟpa Cennūl, as defined according to texts dealing with ś貹 (arts and crafs), known as ś貹śāstras.—In the ṃhԲ the legs are crossed as in the ܰԲ; the palms of the hands, with the fingers kept stretched out, rest supinely upon the thigh, while the mouth is kept open and the eyes are fixed upon the tip of the nose.
According to T. A. G. Rao in his text ‘Elements of Hindu Iconography�, ṃhԲ is a rectangular seat and should be used as the seat for the image when it has to be bathed. Rao describes four types of Բ or īṻ, viz., īṻ (Բ), ūԲ, Բ and ṃhԲ. The height of the first is divided into 16 parts, of which one forms the thickness of the upana or the basal layer; four, of the jagati or the next higher layer; three, of the kumuda; one, of the pattika; three, of the kantha; one, of the second pattika; two, of the broader 貹ٳپ첹; and one, of the ṛt, the top-most layer. ṃhԲ is a four legged seat usually rectangular in shape; its legs are carved in the shape of four lions.
According to the Tamil work Saivasamayaneri, sṃhԲ is a four–legged seat usually rectangular in shape; its legs are carved in the shape of four lions, thereby laying special stress on its name.

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, ś貹śāstra) 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: Wisdom Library: YogaṃhԲ (सिंहास�) is one of the eighty-four Բ (postures) taught by Ś, according to the Haṭharatnāvalī 3.7-20. It is said that Ādinātha (Ś) hand-picked 84 yoga postures from 84,00,000 living beings and taught them for the purpose of introducing physical health and well-being to the human body. The compound ṃhԲ translates to ṃh (lion) and Բ (posture).
The 17th-century Haṭharatnāvalī is a Sanskrit reference book dealing with these Բ (e.g., ṃhԲ) which form a major constituent of the ṻDz practice. It was written by Śrīnivāsa.
: Google Books: The Hatha Yoga PradipikaṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to an Բ (posture) taught by Ś. It is one of the first four out of 84 total, thus one of the most essential, according to Haṭhayogapradīpikā I.52-54.—Accordingly, “Press the heels on both sides of the seam of Perineum, in such a way that the left heel touches the right side and the right heel touches the left side of it. Place the hands on the thighs, with stretched fingers, and keeping the mouth open and the mind collected, gaze on the tip of the nose. This is ṃhԲ, held sacred by the best of Dzī. This excellent Բ effects the completion of the three Bandhas (The ū-Ի, 첹ṇṭ-Ի or Ի-Ի and ḍḍԲ-Ի)�.
The 15th-century Haṭhayogapradīpikā by Svātmārāma is one of the oldest extant texts dealing with ṻDz: an ancient form of meditation founded by ѲٲԻٳ. The first chapter of this book describes various Բ (e.g., ṃh-Բ).
: archive.org: Yoga Tradition of the Mysore PalaceṃhԲ (सिंहास�) is a type of standing posture (Բ), according to verse 76 of the ŚīٲٳٱԾ.—Accordingly, “Place the left ankle on the right side of the perineum and the right ankle on the left side. Place the hands with extended fingers on the knees and gaze at the tip of the nose with the mouth open. This is ṃhԲ, the lion�.
The 19th-century ŚīٲٳٱԾ is a sanskrit treatise describing 80 primary Բ, or ‘posture� (e.g., ṃh-Բ) and several additional ones.
This name occurs in Iyengar but a different Բ is shown under that name. Haṭhapradīpikā II.50-52 and Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā II.14-15 describe a ṃhԲ almost identical to this. First Steps to Higher Yoga has a similar Բ. The name is found in the Mallapurāṇa list.
: archive.org: Gheranda SamhitaṃhԲ (सिंहास�) is one of the thirty-two Բ (postures) taught in the second chapter of the Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā: “One should place the two ankles kept upwards crosswise under the scrotum, front part of the head of tibia on the ground, hands on the knees, open the mouth, adopt Jālandhara-bandha and fix the gaze on the tip of the nose. This is ṃhԲ, the destroyer of all diseases�.
ṃhԲ is one of the selected 32 postures amongs 8,400,000 total mentioned by Ś, according to Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā 2.1-2, “In all, there are as many Āsanas as species of animals. Eighty-four lacs of them are mentioned by Ś. Out of them, 84 are regarded as important and among these 84, again 32 are good (enough) in this world of mortal beings�.
The 17th-century Gheraṇḍasaṃhitā (mentioning ṃh-Բ) is one of the three classic texts of Ჹṻ-Dz: a major branch of Yoga, sharing similarities with the Yoga system taught by ʲٲñᲹ, though claiming its own mythical founder known as ѲٲԻٳ. This ṇḍ-ṃh is an encyclopedic Sanskrit treatise describing thirty two such Բ.

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 Բ (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to “Ś’s throne�, according to the Śpurāṇa 2.2.25. Accordingly as Rāma narrated to Satī:—“[...] O Goddess, formerly once, Ś, the creator supreme, called Viśvakarman to His highest region. He made him erect a large hall of great beauty in His cowshed, and an exquisite throne (ṃhԲ) there�.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexṃhԲ (सिंहास�).—The lion throne for kings;1 of Devī which was placed in the Sabhā;2 of the Pāṇḍavas; Mārkaṇḍeya seated by Yudhiṣṭhira on;3 of Tāraka Asura.4

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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚaivismṃhԲ (सिंहास�) is one of five pedestals that makes up the ŚivԲ, unto which Ś is installed and invoked during the ritualistic process of śԲ, according to the Sakalāgamasāra-saṃgraha. In the process of invocation (屹Բ) Lord Ś is contemplated as seated on YogԲ: “in the process of holy bath (ṣe첹) he is contemplated as seated on ṃhԲ�. This particular Բ is associated with the shape of a square and is connected with the element Water.
: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to a “lion-seat�, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Ś (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 10.1-7ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Bhairava]—“[...] He [is] mounted on a lion (ṃhԲ-padārūḍha), wears a snake garland, bears a mālā, and begging bowl. [He has] a torn mouth from [which he emits] a great roar. [His body is] covered by a cloth of elephant skin, a flower crown, [and] the moon. [Bhairava] holds a skull-topped staff and skull bowl. [...] Having worshipped Bhairava, [the Mantrin] remembers being joined in union [with] him, [in the same way as] dissolution in fire�.

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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to “thrones� (of the body onto which the energies of the letters of the Mālinī alphabet are projected), according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, which is an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—The Goddess blesses the resident goddess (i.e., Yoginī) and Siddha to have sons and daughters who, produced at her instigation, are considered to be her “mind-born� progeny. [...] The Kubjikāmatatantra says that the sons are “kings of the thrones� (ṃhԲ-adhipa) just as the daughters are said to be “queens�. According to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā these thrones are the parts of the body onto which the energies of the letters of the Mālinī alphabet are projected. There we read: The kings of the thrones are created in association with the fifty (letters). All that (body) is garlanded (mālita) with them and is conjoined with the energies of Mālinī (the “Garlanded One�). The places within the body are (denoted) by the word ‘lion� and the ‘kings� are the kings of the thrones (ṃhԲ—lit. “lion seats�) associated with series of Mālinī and the other (alphabets).

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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
: Pure Bhakti: Brahma-samhitaṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to—Throne.

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, 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 Vishnu�).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraṃhԲ (सिंहास�, “lion-seat�).—What is this ṃhԲ? The lion in question is not a real lion but, since the Buddha is a lion among men (puruṣaṃh), the seat where he sits down, whether it be on a bed (Բ) or on the ground (ū), is called the ‘lion’s seat�. In the same way, even today the seat where the king is enthroned is called a lion’s seat, the chief who commands warriors is called a lion-man (puruṣaṃh) and people call the king of the land puruṣaṃh.
Although according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra the lion-seat should be understood in a symbolic sense as the seat of the lion-man (puruṣaṃh), the Buddha is sometimes represented seated on a ṃhԲ, ‘a throne supported by lions�.
: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to the “lion’s throne�, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “The great vehicle (Բ) is made with four wheels (cakra), namely with the means of attraction, the spokes (ara) are well fitted as the roots of good have been transformed with intention, [...] it is applied with practical knowledge and wisdom (ñԲ), it is driven by an autopilot, all buddhas in ten directions think of it, it is well adorned with a lion’s throne (ṃhԲ), is praised by all the gods (deva), the king of the gods (ś), and the highest god (brahman), has good visual form that one never be satisfied with looking at (ṛpٲ-岹śԲ), is beautiful to behold (岹śīⲹ), [...]�.

Mahayana (महायान, Բ) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many ūٰ of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā ūٰ.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiṃhԲ (सिंहास�) refers to “sitting on a lion�, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (ṇḍԲ) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary ū and practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Vairocana Buddha in the middle, Akṣyobhya abiding eastward, Amitābha in the west, and Ratnasaṃbhava in the south, Also Amoghasiddhi in the north, the permanent five Tathāgata, White, dark blue (and) yellow, one of the reds, (and) dark green, Going, sitting on a lion [e.g., ṃhԲ], elephant, horse, peacock, (and) an eagle, Five syllables arising together, Pañca Buddha, I give homage�.

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.
India history and geography
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossarySiṃha-asana.�(EI 29), literally, ‘the lion-seat�; the throne which was one of the royal insignia. Cf. ṃh-sthāna. Note: ṃh-asana is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary� as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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 DictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�).—n (S ṃh & Բ. A seat supported by lions wrought in gold, marble &c.) A throne.
: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishṃhԲ (सिंहास�).�n A throne.
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 dictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�).—a throne, a seat of honour.
-Բ� a particular mode of sexual enjoyment.
Derivable forms: ṃhԲm (सिंहासनम�).
ṃhԲ is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ṃh and Բ (आस�).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�).—n.
(-Բ�) A throne. m.
(-Բ�) A kind of coitus thus defined:� “svajaṅghādvayabāhu ca kṛtvā yoṣāpadadvaye . stanau dhṛtvā ramet kāmī bandha� sihāsanā mata� ..� E. ṃh a lion, (supported by lions, &c. wrought in gold,) and Բ a seat.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�).—n. a throne.
ṃhԲ is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ṃh and Բ (आस�).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�).—[neuter] lion-seat i.e. throne.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ṃhԲ (सिंहास�):—[from ṃh] n. ‘lion’s-seat�, ‘king’s seat�, ‘a throne� [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] a [particular] sedent posture, [Catalogue(s)]
3) [v.s. ...] m. a kind of sexual union, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amaraṃh, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�):—[ṃh+Բ] (Բ�) 1. n. A throne.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�) [Also spelled sinhasan]:�(nm) a throne; —[para baiṭhanā] to ascend the throne; —[se utāranā] to dethrone.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
: Alar: Kannada-English corpusṃhԲ (ಸಿಂಹಾಸ�):�
1) [noun] the chair or seat occupied by a sovereign on ceremonial occasion; a throne.
2) [noun] (yoga.) a yogic posture of sitting on the ground with legs folded back, knees brought together,arms are stretched straight on the respective knees, fingers are stretched apart, mouth wide opened with tongue stretched out to the maximum, with the eyes concentrating on the middle of the eyebrows.
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 DictionaryṃhԲ (सिंहास�):—n. throne; lion's seat;
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)
Partial matches: Simha, Asana.
Starts with: Simhasanabhrashta, Simhasanacakra, Simhasanadhipa, Simhasanadvatrimshat, Simhasanadvatrimshati, Simhasanadvatrimshatika, Simhasanadvatrimshatkatha, Simhasanadvatrimshatputrikavartta, Simhasanadvatrimshatputtalikavartta, Simhasanapratishtha, Simhasanarana, Simhasanarohana, Simhasanarudha, Simhasanarudhe, Simhasanasina, Simhasanasine, Simhasanastha, Simhasanasthe, Simhasanatraya, Simhasanaveru.
Full-text (+527): Simhasanastha, Simhasanadvatrimshika, Simhasanatraya, Simhasanadvatrimshat, Simhasanapratishtha, Simhasanabhrashta, Simhasanadvatrimshati, Simhasanadvatrimshatika, Shunyasimhasana, Simhasanarana, Simhasanacakra, Vira-simhasana, Simhasana-adhipati, Simhasanam, Simhasamdi, Simhasanabatrisi, Simha-sthana, Sinhasanaya, Varasimhasana, Samakra.
Relevant text
Search found 80 books and stories containing Simhasana, Simha-asana, ṃhԲ, Siṃha-Բ, Siṃha-asana, SimhԲ; (plurals include: Simhasanas, asanas, ṃhԲs, Բ, SimhԲ). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.7.7 < [Chapter 7 - The Killing of Kuvalayāpīḍa]
Verse 1.2.51 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Abode of Śrī Goloka]
Verses 8.10.20-21 < [Chapter 10 - The Paddhati and Paṭala of Lord Balarāma]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.2.13 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]
Verse 2.4.64-65 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Verse 2.4.256 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Vasudevahindi (cultural history) (by A. P. Jamkhedkar)
37. Household appliances (in ancient India) < [Chapter 3 - Social Conditions]
4. Royal Insignia (such as parasol and camara) < [Chapter 2 - Political conditions]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Act 1.1: The Buddha enters into the Samādhirājasamādhi < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
Act 7.1: The Buddha shows his ordinary body (prakṛtyātmabhāva) < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
Part 2 - The arharts who compiled the baskets (piṭaka) < [Chapter III - General Explanation of Evam Maya Śruta]
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
VajrԲ and ṃhԲ < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]
Triratna (triple refuge) < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]
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