Varnini, Varṇinī: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Varnini means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making)
Varṇinī (वर्णिनी) refers to “those courtesans belonging to a particular caste”, according to chapter 1.5 of Vātsyāyana’s Kāmasūtra: a Sanskrit text from the 2nd century dealing with eroticism, sexuality and emotional fulfillment in life belonging to Kāmaśāstra (the ancient Indian science of love-making).—Accordingly, “Goṇikāputra has expressed an opinion that there is a fourth kind of Nāyikā, viz. [Pākṣikī:] a woman who is resorted to on some special occasion even though she be previously married to another. These special occasions are when a man thinks thus: ‘This woman is self-willed, and has been previously enjoyed by many others besides myself. I may, therefore, safely resort to her as to a public woman though she belongs to a higher caste (uttama-varṇinī) than mine, and, in so doing, I shall not be violating the ordinances of Dharma’. [...]”.
Kamashastra (कामशास्त्र, kāmaśāstra) deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Varṇinī (वर्णिनी) refers to one of the four classes of Ḍākinīs (Tibetan: rigs-bzhi mkha’-’gro-ma), according to the Guhyagarbhatattvaviniścayamahātantra and its XIVth Century Tibetan Commentary: Phyogs-bcu munsel (pp. 961-7 and n. 14)..—In this context, the term may refer to ḍākinīs of the four peripheral enlightened families, i.e. the Jewel, Lotus, Action, and Buddha or Vajra families; or to ḍākinīs belonging to four of the six classes, i.e. Padminī, Śaṅkhinī, Mṛginī, Hastinī, Varṇinī and Citriṇī.
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 (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Varṇinī (वर्णिनी).—
1) A woman (in general).
2) A woman belonging to any one of the four principal castes.
3) Turmeric.
1) Varṇiṇī (वर्णिणी):—[from varṇin > varṇ] f. a woman belonging to one of the higher castes, [Vāgbhaṭālaṃkāra]
2) [v.s. ...] any woman or wife, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] turmeric, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
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
Varṇini (ವರ್ಣಿನಿ):—
1) [noun] a woman belonging to any of the four classes or to any of the castes of the Hindu society.
2) [noun] a woman (in gen.).
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)
Full-text (+0): Varavarnini, Devavarnini, Gauravarnini, Varadarshini, Uttamavarnini, Varavannini, Padmini, Hastini, Citrini, Mrigini, Shankhini, Varunam.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Varnini, Varṇinī, Varṇiṇī, Varṇini; (plurals include: Varninis, Varṇinīs, Varṇiṇīs, Varṇinis). 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 4.19.43 < [Chapter 19 - A Thousand Names of Srī Yamunā]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
Review of haridra w.s.r. to its synonyms and the therapeutic uses from kosha and nighantu literature < [2017, Issue I January,]
Role of navkashaya in skin disease < [2020, Issue 1, January]
Krishna Sandarbha of Jiva Goswami (by Kusakratha Prabhu)
Verse 106.31 < [Anuccheda 106]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 87 - Durgā Mantra Nirūpaṇa—Description of the mantras of Durgā < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Svacchandatantra (history and structure) (by William James Arraj)
Translation of Chapter 5, verses 1-43a < [Translation excerpts]
A classical ayurveda review on haridra < [Volume 7, Suppl 1: September - October 2020]