Bala, Bāla, Balā, Bālā: 46 definitions
Bala 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.
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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)Source: SriMatham: Vaiṣṇava Iconology based on Pañcarātra Āgama
bala (Strength) this is omnipotence; defined as the total absence of fatigue, and the power to manifest and sustain all things.
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.
Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra
Balā (बला):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.
Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra
Balā (बला):—Sanskrit name of one of the thirty-two female deities of the Somamaṇḍala (second maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. These goddesses are situated on a ring of sixteen petals and represent the thirty-two syllables of the Aghoramantra. Each deity (including Balā) is small, plump and large-bellied. They can assume any form at will, have sixteen arms each, and are all mounted on a different animal.
Shaiva (शैव, 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.
Ayurveda (science of life)Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany
1) Balā (बला) is a Sanskrit word referring Sida cordifolia (flannel weed), a plant species in the Malvaceae family. Certain plant parts of Balā are eaten as a vegetable (śāka), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work. The plant is therefore part of the Śākavarga group of medicinal plants, referring to the “group of vegetables/pot-herbs”. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic value of the plant.
According to the Mādhavacikitsā (7th century Ayurvedic work), this plant (Balā) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers, as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) chapter.
2) Balā (बाल) is another name for Balāka, which is a Sanskrit word referring to Pavonia odorata (fragement mallow plant), from the Malvaceae family. It is classified as a medicinal plant in the system of Āyurveda (science of Indian medicine) and is used throughout literature such as the Suśrutasaṃhita and the Carakasaṃhitā.
2) Bala (बल) is another name for Rājamāṣa (Vigna unguiculata “cow-peas”) according to the Bhāvaprakāśa, which is a 16th century medicinal thesaurus authored by Bhāvamiśra. The term is used throughout Ayurvedic literatureSource: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda
Bala (बल, “strength”) is the power generated by development of the body. According to degree it is of three types—
- Pravara (superior),
- Madhya (average)
- and Avara (inferior).
It is again of three types according to source—
- Sahaja (congenital),
- Kālaja (derived from the time-factor) and
- Yuktikṛta (produced from application of drugs etc.)
1) Bala (बल) refers to “strength”, as mentioned in verse 5.12 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] (those) [rivers, viz., nadī] again springing from the Sahya and Vindhya; [produce] leprosy, jaundice, and diseases of the head; (those) coming from the Pāriyātra (are) destructive of the (three) humours (and) promotive of strength and virility [viz., bala-pauruṣa-kārin]”.
2) Balā (बाल) refers to “children”, as mentioned in verse 5.37-39.—Accordingly, “[...] [ghee is] recommended for [...] children [viz., bāla], old people, those desirous of offspring, beauty, great tenderness, and voice, [...]: ghee [viz., ghṛta] (is) possessed of a thousand powers (and), by its (many) ways of application, productive of a thousand effects”.Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India
Bāla (बाल) refers to a type of fish whose meat (māṃsa) is classified as “aquatic” (apcara) according to the 17th century Bhojanakutūhala (dravyaguṇāguṇa-kathana), and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—The text [māṃsa-prakaraṇa] says the three fold division of meat [such as aquatic (apcara)...]. Here different types of meat and their properties are discussed in detail. The aquatic animals are [viz., bāla].Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu
1) Balā (बला) is the Sanskrit name for a medicinal plant identified with Sida cordifolia Linn. (“country mellow” or “flannel weed”) from the Malvaceae or mallows family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.94-95 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Balā is known in the Hindi language as Bariyāra, Barīye or Khareṇṭī; in the Bengali language as Beḍeṭā; in the Marathi language as Cikṇā; in the Gujarati language as Balā or Khareṭī; in the Tamil language as Paniyār-tuthī; in the Telugu language as Tellāntisā; and in the Kannada language as Heṭṭuthī.
Balā is mentioned as having ten synonyms: Samaṅgā, Udakikā, Bhadrā, Bhadrodanī, Kharakāṣṭhikā, Kalyāṇinī, Bhadrabalā, Moṭā, Bāṭī and Balāḍhyā.
Properties and characteristics: “Balā is very bitter but sweet in vipāka (the metabolic end product). It controls pitta and diarrhoea. It is nourishing and gives strength to the body and also considered as aphrodisiac. It is useful in the diseases arising out of the vitiated kapha”.
2) Balā (बला) is also mentioned as a synonym for Nāgabalā, a medicinal plant identified with Grewia tenax Forsk. (“white Crossberry”) from the Malvaceae or mallows family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.96-97. Together with the names Balā and Nāgabalā, there are a total of fifteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.Source: Advances in Zoology and Botany: Ethnomedicinal List of Plants Treating Fever in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, India
1) Bala in the Marathi language refers to the medicinal under-shrub “Sida acuta Burm.f.”, and is used for ethnomedicine treatment of Fever in Ahmednagar district, India. The parts used are: “Roots”. Instructions for using the under-shrub named Bala: An infusion of 5 g roots mixed with ginger—a teacupful 2 times a day.
2) Bala in the Marathi language refers to the medicinal under-shrub “Sida cordifolia L.”, and is used for ethnomedicine treatment of Fever in Ahmednagar district, India. The parts used are: “Roots”. Instructions for using the under-shrub named Bala: Decoction of the roots with the rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officinale) 50 ml-relieves shivering in fever.Source: Ancient Science of Life: Evaluation of Cyavanaprāśa on Health and Immunity related Parameters in Healthy Children
Balā (बला) refers to the medicinal plant known as Sida cordifolia, Rt., and is used in the Ayurvedic formulation known as Cyavanaprāśa: an Ayurvedic health product that helps in boosting immunity.—Cyavanaprāśa has been found to be effective as an immunity booster, vitalizer and a preventer of day to day infections and allergies such as common cold and cough etc. It is a classical Ayurvedic formulation comprising ingredients such as Balā. [...] Cyavanaprāśa can be consumed in all seasons as it contains weather friendly ingredients which nullify unpleasant effects due to extreme environmental and climatic conditions.Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha
Balā (बला) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Sida rhombifolia Linn. ssp. retusa (Linn.) Borssum” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning balā] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
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.
Dharmashastra (religious law)Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstra
Bala (बल) refers to the “forces”, as in, the forces of an army. It is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti and the Baudhāyana-dharmasūtra.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)Source: Wisdom Library: The Matsya-purāṇa
Balā (बला) is the name of a mind-born ‘divine mother’ (mātṛ), created for the purpose of drinking the blood of the Andhaka demons, according to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.8. The Andhaka demons spawned out of every drop of blood spilled from the original Andhakāsura (Andhaka-demon). According to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.35, “Most terrible they (eg., Balā) all drank the blood of those Andhakas and become exceedingly satiated.”
The Matsyapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 20,000 metrical verses, dating from the 1st-millennium BCE. The narrator is Matsya, one of the ten major avatars of Viṣṇu.Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia
1) Bala (बल).—A sacred incantation. (See Atibala).
2) Bala (बल).—(vala) A demon born to Kaśyapa Prajāpati of his wife Danāyu. This demon had three brothers: Vikṣara, Vīra and Vṛtra. It was this Bala who later on became the king of Pāṇḍyadeśa. (Śloka 42, Chapter 67, Śloka 33; Chapter 65, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).
2) Chapter 168 of Vana Parva states that this Bala was killed by Indra. (For details see Vala).
3) Bala (बल).—A deva born to Varuṇa of his elder brother’s wife. (Śloka 52, Chapter 66, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).
4) Bala (बल).—The son born to Parīkṣit of the Ikṣvāku dynasty of the daughter of Maṇḍūkarāja. This Bala had two wives, Śalā and Dalā. (Śloka 38, Chapter 192, Vana Parva, Mahābhārata).
5) Bala (बल).—A monkey. In the battle with Kumbhakarṇa this monkey did many brave deeds. (Śloka 6, Chapter 287, Vana Parva, Mahābhārata).
6) Bala (बल).—One of the two warriors whom Vāyu Bhagavān gave as a gift to Subrahmaṇya. The name of the other was Atibala. (Śloka 44, Chapter 91, Śalya Parva, Mahābhārata).
7) Bala (बल).—A Maharṣi of ancient Bhārata. He was the son of Maharṣi Aṅgiras. (Śloka 27, Chapter 208, Śānti Parva, Mahābhārata).
8) Bala (बल).—A sanātana Viśvadeva. (Śloka 30, Chapter 91, Anuśāsana Parva, Mahābhārata).
9) Bala (बल).—A pārṣada of Viṣṇu. When Vāmana trampled over the head of emperor Bali and sent him to the underworld, the followers of Bali ascended the yajña maṇḍala and created a commotion. Bala was one of the pārṣadas who then came to the scene to quell the trouble. (Aṣṭama Skandha, Bhāgavata).
10) Bala (बल).—A son of Māyāsura. He lived in a place in the netherlands called Atala. He created ninetysix different kinds of magic and gave them to the asura magicians who by the use of them gave the devas immense trouble.
Once when Balāsura yawned three bad women, Svairiṇī, Kāminī and Puṃścalī were born. They had with them a potable substance called Hāṭaka which they gave to men whom they liked and after enlivening the sex impulse in them enjoyed a sexual life with them to their heart’s content. (Pañcama Skandha, Bhāgavata). Once during a fight between Indra and Jalandhara Bala defeated Indra in a pathetic way. Indra then sought refuge in him and praised him with songs. Flattered by this Bala asked Indra to ask of him whatever he wanted and the sly Indra requested for the physical body of Bala. Without the least hesitation Bala cut his body into pieces and gave him. Indra threw away the cut pieces to different sides and all the places where these pieces fell were at once transformed into Diamond mines.
"taṃ tālumūlam pradahantamagnivad gopālasūnum pitaraṃ jagadguroḥ cacchardda sadyo 'tiruṣākṣatam baka-stuṇḍena hantum punarabhyapadyata tamāpatantam sa nigṛhya tuṇḍayor dorbhyām bakaṃ kaṃsasakhaṃ satām patiḥ paśyatsu bāleṣu dadāra līlayā mudāvaho vīraṇavaddivaukasām." (Chapter II, Daśama Skandha, Bhāgavata). After the death of Balāsura his wife Prabhāvatī went to their preceptor (Kulaguru) Śukrācārya and told him all that took place and requested to bring back to life her lost husband. But Śukrācārya regretted that he could not give life again to her dead husband but could by his powers make her hear his voice again. Prabhāvatī agreed to that and then she heard her husband say "Leave your body and join me". Prabhāvatī immediately courted death and joining Bala became a river. (Padma Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 6).
11) Bala (बल).—To know what are Daśabalas see under Pattu.Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index
1a) Bala (बल).—A son of Maya residing in Atala; created 96 magical performances some of which are practised even now; when he yawned, out of his mouth came three groups of women—Svairiṇī, Kāminī, and Puṃścalyā who administered Hāṭakarasa to frequenters of those regions and made them enjoy like Siddhas; resisted Indra in the Devāsura war and was slain.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 24. 16; VIII. 11. 19-21, 28.
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 46; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 71. 171; Viṣṇu-purāṇa V. 8. 1; 33. 12.
- 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 21. 16.
1c) A son of Kṛṣṇa and Mādrī.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 61. 15.
1d) A son of Anāyuṣa and father of Nikumbha and Cakravarman.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 6. 31.
1e) A son of Śukī and Garuḍa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 450.
1f) A son of Dala and father of Aunka.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 63. 204; Vāyu-purāṇa 88. 204.
1g) A son of Havirdhāna.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 4. 45.
1h) A Kauśika Brahmiṣṭha.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 145. 111.
2a) Balā (बला).—One of the ten wives of Atri.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 75.
2b) A mind-born mother.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 179. 12.
3a) Bāla (बाल).—A son of Gargya, put to trouble by Janamejaya.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 68. 22.
3b) A son of Viśveśā; a sage.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 171. 50; 200. 14.
3c) A son of Maṇivara.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 160.
4) Bālā (बाला).—A daughter of Prajāpati, fell down upon the earth while going across the sky.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 75. 40.
Bala (बल) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.32, I.65, I.60.50) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Bala) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
Balā also refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. IX.45.14).
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra
Bāla (बाल) refers to “boys”, whose mask should be represented as having three śikhaṇḍa (tuft of hair at the sides of the head), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. Providing masks is a component of nepathya (costumes and make-up) and is to be done in accordance with the science of āhāryābhinaya (extraneous representation).
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., 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) and poetic works (kavya).
Shilpashastra (iconography)Source: archive.org: Illustrations of Indian Music and Dance in Western Indian Style
Bala (बल) refers to one of the forty-seven tānas (tone) used in Indian music.—The illustration of Bala (as a deity) according to 15th-century Indian art is as follows.—The colour of his body is yellow. His face is similar to the face of a Krauñca. A viṇā is held with both hands.
The illustrations (of, for example Bala) are found scattered throughout ancient Jain manuscripts from Gujarat. The descriptions of these illustrations of this citrāvalī are based on the ślokas of Vācanācārya Gaṇi Sudhākalaśa’s Saṅgītopaniṣatsāroddhāra (14th century) and Śārṅgadeva’s Saṅgītaratnākara (13th century).
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) 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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)Source: academia.edu: Tithikarmaguṇa in Gārgīyajyotiṣa
Balā (बला) or Balatithi is the name of the third of fifteen tithis (cycle of time) according to the Gārgīyajyotiṣa while the Śārdūlakarṇāvadāna considers Calā or Calatithi as the third. The associated deity for Balā or Calā according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā is Hari. A tithi was defined as one thirtieth of a synodic month (c. 29.5 days), resulting in an average tithi being slightly less than a day.
Accordingly, “(15) The third tithi is said to be Balā. One may have an army on this tithi. One should perform the taming of tamable cows, horses, elephant and servants. (16) One should perform all kinds of rites and sow seeds. Or, one should engage in the act of strength. One should know Viṣṇu as the deity”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)Source: Kamakoti Mandali: The Yoginis of Narasimha Vyuha
Balā (बला) is the name of a Mātṛkā-Śakti created by Mahārudra in order to control the plague of demons created by Andhakāsura.—Accordingly, Andhaka-Asura tried to kidnap Umā (Devī Pārvatī), and was fiercely attacked by Mahārudra who shot arrows at him from his mahāpināka. when the arrows pierced the body of Andhakāsura, drops of blood fell to earth and from those drops, thousands of Andhakas arose. To control this plague of demons, Mahārudra created Mātṛkā-Śaktis [viz., Balā] and ordered them to drink the blood of the demons and drain them dry.Source: Kamakoti Mandali: Nrisimha matrika-mandala
Balā (बला) refers to one of the various Mātṛkā-Śaktis created by Rudra in order to destroy the clones that spawned from Andhaka’s body.—Accordingly, [...] Andhakāsura attempted to abduct Girājanandinī (Pārvatī) and thus ensued a fierce battle between Andhakāsura and the great Rudra, the Lord of Umā. Like raktabīja, every drop of blood that fell from the body of Andhaka created another Asura like him and in no time, the entire world was filled with Andhakas. To destroy the growing number of Andhakas, Rudra created innumerable Mātṛkā-Śaktis [viz., Balā]. These Śaktis of immense power at once began to drink every drop of blood that flowed from the body of Andhaka, but they could still not effectively contain the emergence of more and more demons.
Shakta (शाक्त, 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.
General definition (in Hinduism)Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism
Bāla (बाल, “strength”):—One of the sons of Varuṇa, who is the presiding deity of the invisible world and represents the inner reality of things.
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossary
N (Strength, stability) Immovable stability of dhamma. Unavoidable factor when we practice dhamma.The five balas
- saddha: faith
- viriya: effort
- sati: attention
- samadhi: concentration
- panna: wisdom
Among various groups of powers the following five are most frequently met with in the texts:
- (1) faith (saddhā),
- (2) energy (viriya),
- (3) mindfulness (sati),
- (4) concentration (samādhi),
- (5) wisdom (paññā).
Their particular aspect, distinguishing them from the corresponding 5 spiritual faculties (indriya), is that they are unshakable by their opposites:
- (1) the power of faith is unshakable by faithlessness (unbelief);
- (2) energy, by laziness;
- (3) mindfulness, by forgetfulness;
- (4) concentration, by distractedness;
- (5) wisdom, by ignorance (see Pts.M., Ñāna Kathā).
They represent, therefore, the aspect of firmness in the spiritual faculties.
According to A.V.15,
- (1) the power becomes manifest in the 4 qualities of the Stream-winner (sotāpannassa angāni),
- (2) in the 4 right efforts (s. padhāna),
- (3) in the 4 foundations of mindfulness (satipatthāna),
- (4) in the 4 absorptions (jhāna),
- (5) in the (full comprehension of the) 4 Noble Truths (sacca).
Cf. S.XLVIII.43; S.L. (Bala Samyutta).
In A.VII.3, the powers of moral shame (hiri) and moral dread (ottappa) are added to the aforementioned five Several other groups of 2 (s. patisankhāna-bala), 4, 5 and more powers are mentioned in the texts. -
About the 10 powers of a Buddha, s. dasa-bala.Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines
the 5 spiritual: s. bala. -
- For the 6 higher p., s. abhiññna.
- For the 10 p. of a Buddha, s. dasabala. -
- For the 4 roads to p., s. iddhipāda.
- For magical p., s. iddhi.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
Bala (बल, “powers”) or Pañcabala refers to one of the seven classes of the thirty-seven auxiliaries to enlightenment (bodhipākṣika), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.—Accordingly, “when a mind of sharp knowledge (tīkṣṇajñāna-citta) is acquired, there is “powers” (bala)”. Note: Śraddhā, vīrya, smṛti and prajñā are called faculties (indriya) when they are weak, called powers or strengths (bala) when they are strong.
Also, “when the five faculties (pañcendriya) have been developed (vṛddha), they are able to intercept the afflictions (kleśa): this is like the power of a big tree (mahāvṛkṣa) that is able to block off water. These five faculties, when they have been developed, are able to gradually penetrate the profound Dharma (gambhīradharma): this is called ‘power’ (bala)”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) 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 sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha
1) Bala (बल, “strength”) or balapāramitā represents the ninth of the “ten perferctions” (daśapāramitā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 18). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., daśa-pāramitā and bala). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
2) Bala (बल, “strength”) or Daśabala refers to the “ten strengths of the Bodhisattvas” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 75):
- adhimukti-bala (the strength of resolution),
- pratisaṃkhyāna-bala (the strength of observation),
- bhāva-bala (the strength of behaviour),
- kṣānti-bala (the strength of patience),
- jñāna-bala (the strength of knowledge),
- prahāṇa-bala (the strength of abandoning),
- samādhi-bala (the strength of concentration),
- pratibhāna-bala (the strength of inspired speech),
- puṇya-bala (the strength of merit),
- pratipatti-bala (the strength of practice).
3) Bala (बल) or Tribala also refers to “three kinds of strengths” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 113):
- karma-vyāvartaka (revolution through deeds),
- kleśopakarṣaka (the torment of the defilements),
- māna-pramādādi-vyāvartaka (revolution through heedlessness of mind and so on).
Bala (बल) is the forty-fourth of sixty digits (decimal place) in an special enumeration system mentioned by Vasubandhu in his Abhidharmakośa (“treasury of knowledge”). The explanations of the measure of years, eons, and so forth must be comprehended through calculation based on a numerical system. Enumeration begins from one and increases by a factor of ten for each shift in decimal place. The sixtieth number in this series is called “countless”.
Among these decimal positions (eg., bala), the first nine positions from one to one hundred million are called ‘single set enumeration’. From a billion up to, but not including countless is “the enumeration of the great companion” and is called the ‘recurring enumeration’.
General definition (in Jainism)Source: archive.org: Jaina Yoga
Bala (बल, “strength”) as in bala-mada refers to “pride in one’s strength” and represents one of the eight forms of vainglory (mada), according to Samantabhadra in his Ratna-Karaṇḍa-śrāvakācāra (with commentary of Prabhācandra). These eight madas are included in the twenty-five blemishes (dṛg-doṣas), which are generally held to be the eight madas, the three mūḍhatās, the six anāyatanas, and the eight doṣas.Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu
Bala (बल) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Bala] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.Source: archive.org: The Jaina Iconography
Balā (बला) (or Acyutā, Vijayā) is the name of the Yakṣiṇī accompanying Kunthanātha: the seventeenth of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—Jaina tradition as preserved in their literature, has always connected the symbol of a goat with this Tīrthaṃkara. He has as his Yakṣa Gandharva and Yakṣiṇī Balā (Digambara: Vijayā). The contemporary King, who carries his Chowrie-bearer is called Kuṇāla. The tree selected by him to sit under for attaining the Kevala knowledge is Tilaka-taru.
We find her described in the Śvetāmbara books as a Yakṣiṇī riding a peacock and bearing four hands symbolised with a citron, spear, Bhuṣuṇḍī and lotus. Canonically different account is given of Vijayā, the Digambara counterpart of the Yakṣiṇī, in their literature. According to it, she should be represented as riding a black boar and carrying the attributes of a conch, sword, disc and Varada-mudrā. Balā or Acyutā of the Śvetāmbaras from the nature ofher vehicle of a peacock seems to be a form of Sarasvatī. This supposition may be supported by the fact that her consort Gandharva rides on a sun and is a divine musician. Sarasvatī is known to be also presiding over the art of music. The symbolof a citron, indicating the Yakṣa characteristic is borne by boththe husband and the wife. Vijayā of the Digambaras, on the other hand, shown by her boar vehicle, a Yakṣiṇī goddess whose form must have been borrowed from Mārīcī of Buddhism and Vārāhī of Brahmanism. Her other symbols provided by the Digambara books of a disc, sword, conch and Varada speak of her origin from Vārāhī.Source: HereNow4u: Lord Śrī Mahāvīra
Bala (बल) is the father of Prabhāsa: the twelfth of the eleven gaṇadharas (group-leader) of Mahāvīra.—Śramaṇa Lord Mahāvīra’s congregation had 11 gaṇadharas. All these were Brahmin householders from different places. All these gaṇadharas (for example, Prabhāsa) were Brahmins by caste and Vedic scholars. After taking initiation, they all studied the 11 Aṅgas. Hence, all of them had the knowledge of the 14 pūrvas and possessed special attainments (labdhis).Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worlds
Bala (बल, “strength”) or Balariddhi refers to “extraordinary strength of mind, body and speech to achieve the desired objectives” and represents one of the eight types of ṛddhi (extraordinary powers), that can be obtained by the Ārya (civilized people): one of the two classes of human beings, according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.46.—Some ascetics attain extraordinary powers to produce worldly miracles. Such attainments are called ṛddhi. There are eight types of such extraordinary powers (eg., Bala).
Bala-ṛddhi (extraordinary power of strength) is of three types, namely: mind, body and speech.
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 geogprahySource: Wisdom Library: India History
Bala refers to one of the thirty-six Rajput clans, according to various inscriptions and literature. They are possible part Padmanabha list, who compiled the 15th-century Kanhadadeprabandha, a work describing the Muslim invasion of Gujarat of 1298 AD. The kingdom or dynasty of the Balas had their own princes and nobles and were further separated into sub-clans and families. Their name can also be spelled as Balā.
The Rajputs are a Hindu race claiming to be descendants of the ancient Kṣatriya-varṇa (warrior caste). Originally, the Rajputs consisted of two principal branches: the Sūryavaṃśa (solar race) and the Candravaṃśa (lunar race), to which later was added the Agnivaṃśa (fire-born race).Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary
Bala.—an escort; cf. pañcāṅga-prasāda. Note: bala 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 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
Pali-English dictionarySource: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary
bala : (nt.) strength; power; force; an army; military force. || bāla (adj.) young in years; ignorant; foolish. (m.) a child; a fool. bālā (f.) a girl.Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
1) Bala, 2 (cp. *Sk. bala: Halāyudha 5, 23; & P. balākā) a species of carrion crow J. V, 268; also in cpd. Bal’aṅkapāda having crow’s feet, i.e. spreading feet (perhaps for balāka°?) J. VI, 548 (C. explns by pattharita-pāda, read patthārita°). (Page 483)
2) Bala, 1 (nt.) (Vedic bala, most likely to Lat. de-bilis “without strength” (cp. E. debility, P. dubbala), and Gr. bέltistos (superl.)=Sk. baliṣṭha the strongest. The Dhātupāṭha (273) defines b. with pāṇane. At DhsA. 124 bala is understood as “na kampati”) 1. strength, power, force D. II, 73; A. I, 244; Th. 1, 188; Dh. 109 (one of the 4 blessings, viz. āyu, vaṇṇa, sukha, bala; cp. DhA. II, 239); Pv. I, 512 (=kāya-bala PvA. 30); I, 76; VvA. 4 (iddhi°); PvA. 71 (id.), 82 (kamma°).—Of cases used as adv. balasā (Instr.) is mentioned by Trenckner at Miln. 430 (notes), cp. Prk. balasā (Pischel, Gr. § 364). yathā balaṃ according to one’s power, i.e. as much as possible PvA. 1, 54. The compn form of bala in conn. with kṛ is balī°, e.g. dubbalīkaraṇa making weak M. III, 4; Pug. 59, 68; °karaṇin id. D. III, 183.—adj. bala strong J. V, 268, abala weak Sn. 770, 1120, dubbala id. S. I, 222; J. II, 154; Nd1 12; PvA. 55; compar. °tara M. I, 244, nt. n. abalaṃ weakness S. I, 222.—2. an army, military force Mhvs 25, 57; SnA 357. See cpds. below.—Eight balāni or strong points are 1. of young children (ruṇṇa-balaṃ).—2. of womanhood (kodha°).—3. of robbers (āvudha°).—4. of kings (issariya°), — 5. of fools (ujjhatti°).—6. of wise men (nijjhatti°).—7. of the deeply learned (paṭisaṅkhāna°).—8. of samaṇas & brāhmaṇas (khanti°) A. IV, 223 (where used as adj.—° strong in ... ); cp. Sn. 212, 623.—Five balāni of women are: rūpabalaṃ, bhoga°, ñāti°, putta°, sīla° S. IV, 246—8. The five-fold force (balaṃ pañca-vidhaṃ) of a king J. V, 120, 121 consists of bāhābalaṃ strength of arms, bhoga° of wealth, amacca° of counsellors, abhijacca° of high birth, paññā° the force of wisdom; in the religious sense five balāni or powers are commonly enumd: saddhābalaṃ, viriya°, sati°, samādhi°, paññā° A. III, 12; D. II, 120; M. II, 12, III, 296; S. III, 96, 153; IV, 366, V, 219, 249; Ps. II, 56, 86, 166, 174, 223; II, 84, 133, 168 etc. They correspond to the 5 indriyāni and are developed with them. S. V, 219, 220; Nett 31; they are cultivated to destroy the five uddhambhāgiyāni saṃyojanāni S. V, 251. They are frequent referred to in instructions of the Buddha about the constituents of the “Dhamma,” culminating in the eightfold Path, viz. cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, samappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyani, p. balāni, sattabojjhaṅgāni, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo e.g. S. III, 96; Ps. II, 56; Nd1 13=360 =Nd2 420; Nd2 s. v. satipaṭṭhāna; and passim. (Cp. BSk. catvāra ṛddhipādāḥ pañc’endriyāni p. balāni, sapta bodhyaṅgāni etc. Divy 208. ) Two balāni are specially mentioned A. I, 52 (paṭisaṅkhānabalaṃ and bhāvanā°), also D. III, 213, followed here by the other “pair” satibalaṃ and samādhi°. There are four balāni of the ariyasāvaka, by which he overcomes the five fears (pañca bhayāni q. v.); the four are paññābalaṃ, viriya°, anavajja° saṅgāha° A. IV, 363 sq. , as given at A. II, 141, also the foll. 3 groups of cattāri balāni: ‹-› (1) saddhābalaṃ, viriya°, sati°, samādhi°, cp. D. III, 229.—(2) sati° samādhi, anavajja°, saṅgāha°. (3) paṭisaṅkhāna°, bhāvanā°, anavajja°, saṅgāha°.—For 4 balāni see also D. III, 229 note, and for paṭisaṅkhānabala (power of computation) see Dhs. trsl. 1353. The ten balāni of the Tathāgata consist of his perfect comprehension in ten fields of knowledge A. V, 32 sq. ; M. I, 69; Nd2 466; Miln. 105, 285; VbhA. 397.—In a similar setting 10 powers are given as consisting in the knowledge of the Paṭiccasamuppāda at S. II, 27, 28. ‹-› The balāni of the sāvaka are distinct from those of the Tathāgatha: Kvu 228 sq.—There are seven balāni D. III, 253, and seven khīṇāsava-balāni 283 i.e. saddhābalaṃ, viriya°, sati°, samādhi°, paññā°, hiri° and ottappa°. The same group is repeated in the Abhidhamma; Dhs. 58, 95, 102; DhsA. 126. The Ps. also enumerates seven khīṇāsavabalāni I. 35; and sixty-eight balāni II. 168 sq.—agga front of an army, troops in array D. I, 6; Vin. IV, 107, cp. DA. I, 85.—ânīka (adj.) with strong array Sn. 623; Dh. 399 (cp. DhA. IV, 164).—kāya a body of troops, an army cp. Fick, Sociale Gliederung p. 52 note; (also in BSk. e.g. Divy 63, 315) A. I, 109; IV, 107, 110; S. I, 58; J. I, 437 (°ṃ saṃharati to draw up troops); II, 76; III, 319; V, 124; VI, 224, 451; DhA. I, 393; PugA 249.—koṭṭhaka fortress, camp J. I, 179; Mhvs 25, 29.—(k)kāra application of force, violence J. I, 476; II, 421; III, 447; Instr. °ena by force PvA. 68, 113.—gumba a serried troop J. II, 406.—cakka wheel of power, of sovereignty Dpvs VI, 2.—ṭṭha a military official, palace guard, royal messenger Miln. 234, 241, 264, 314; Mhvs 34, 17.—da strength-giving S. I, 32; Sn. 297.—dāyin id. A. II, 64.—deva “God of strength” N. of the elder brother of Kaṇha J. IV, 82; Nd1 89, 92 (Vāsudeva+); Vism. 233 (id).—(p)patta grown-strong DhsA. 118 (v. l. phala°).—vāhana troops, an army J. II, 319, IV. 170, 433; VI, 391, 458.—vīra a hero in strength Vv 531, cp. VvA. 231.—sata for palāsata, q. v. (cp. J. P. T. S. 1908, 108 note). (Page 482)
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1) Bāla, 2 (for vāla) the hair of the head PvA. 285 (°koṭimatta not even one tip of the hair; gloss BB vālagga°). (Page 486)
2) Bāla, 1 (adj.) (cp. Sk. bāla (rarely Vedic, more frequent in Ep. & Class. Sk.); its orig. meaning is “young, unable to speak,” cp. Lat. infans, hence “like a child, childish; infantile”) 1. ignorant (often with ref. to ignorance in a moral sense, of the common people, the puthujjana), foolish (as contrasted with paṇḍita cp. the Bālapaṇḍita-sutta M. III, 163 sq. ; D. II, 305 sq. ; Vism. 499, and contrasts at Sn. 578; Dh. 63, 64; Pv IV. 332; Dhs. 1300), lacking in reason, devoid of the power to think & act right. In the latter sense sometimes coupled with andha (spiritually blind), as andhabāla stupid & ignorant, mentally dull, e.g. at DhA. I, 143; II, 89; PvA. 254.—A fanciful etym. of b. at KhA 124 is “balanti ananti ti bālā.” Other refs. : D. I, 59, 108; S. I, 23; A. I, 59, 68, 84; II, 51, 180; Sn. 199, 259, 318, 578, 879; It. 68; Dh. 28, 60 sq. , 71 sq. , 206 sq. , 330; J. I, 124 (lola° greedy-foolish); V, 366 (bālo āmaka-pakkaṃ va); Vv 835; Pv. I, 82; IV, 129; Pug. 33; Nd1 163, 286 sq. , 290; SnA 509 (=aviddasu); PvA. 193. Compar. bālatara J. III, 278, 279; VvA. 326.—2. young, new; newly risen (of the sun): °ātāpa the morning sun DA. I, 287; DhA. I, 164; Mhbv 25; °vasanta “early spring” (=Citramāsa), N. of the first one of the 4 summer months (gimha-māsā) KhA 192;—suriya the newly risen sun J. V, 284; PvA. 137, 211.—3. a child; in wider application meaning a youth under 16 years of age (cp. Abhp 251) DA. I, 134. Cp. bālaka.—nakkhatta N. of a certain “feast of fools,” i.e. carnival DhA. I, 256.—saṅgatacārin one who keeps company with a fool Dh. 207. (Page 485)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionarySource: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary
bala (बल).—n (S) Strength, force, might, power, ability, lit. fig. Applied with the latitude of these English words. candrabala, tārābala, grahabala, lagnabala, gurubala The benign or favorable influence, the auspiciousness (of moon, stars &c.) dravyabala, vidyā- bala, buddhibala, bāhubala, manuṣyabala, puṇyabala and other useful compounds are common. 2 An army, a force, a power.
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baḷa (बळ).—f (bali S) A religious sacrifice or offering in general; any oblation (whether of life or bloodless). v vāha, lōṭa, arpa.
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baḷa (बळ).—n (bala S) Force, strength, might, power, ability. Used freely as bala q. v. baḷa karaṇēṃ To come to force; to use compulsory or violent measures. 2 To make great exertion; to apply or put out one's strength. baḷa dharaṇēṃ To gather strength; to become vigorous and flourishing. baḷa bāndhaṇēṃ To gather strength or force. 2 To buckle to; to prepare for a contest or an effort. baḷācā Strong. 2 That has the support of another--a piece at chess. baḷāsa yēṇēṃ To come to force; to begin to use compulsion or violence. N. B. For compounds not occurring below see under bala.
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bāla (बाल).—n (S) A child. For compounds with bāla other than these occurring below see in order under bāḷa. 2 m A boy. 3 In comp. Young, immature.
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bāla (बाल).—m ( H) Hair. bāla bāla khūṣa hōṇēṃ To be highly delighted; to be in horripilation or ecstasy. bāla bāla bōlaṇēṃ -sāṅgaṇēṃ To chatter, prate, run on with incessant clack.
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bālā (बाला).—f (S) A female from the age of five to that of sixteen; a girl or young woman. There are three stages,--bālā, mugdhā, prauḍhā.
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bālā (बाला).—m A stamp for coins: also the impression made by it. bālā dēṇēṃ -māraṇēṃ -hākaṇēṃ To cheat and give the slip; to impose upon (i. e. make one's impression) and run off.
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bāḷa (बाळ) [or बाळक, bāḷaka].—n (bāla S) A child. 2 m A boy.
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bāḷa (बाळ).—a (bāla) Young, immature. For compounds with bāḷa other than these occurring below see in order under bāla.
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bāḷā (बाळा).—f (Poetry. bālā S) A young woman. Ex. prasūta jhālī bāḷā || vājavā mhaṇatī thāḷā ||.
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bāḷā (बाळा).—m (bāḷa Child.) A term of endearment or coaxing to a bullock. Hence bāḷyā hākaṇēṃ -māraṇēṃ- dēṇēṃ To run off. Because the mōṭakarī, when his mōṭa (water-bucket) is filled in the well, utters this word bāḷyā to his bullocks as signal for them to move on and draw it up. By some this phrase is affirmed to be but a mistaken form of the phrase bālā dēṇēṃ under bālā. The wise will judge.
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bāḷā (बाळा).—a (Commonly bāhaḷā) Streaked--cattle &c.Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English
bala (बल).—n Strength. The benign or favour- able influence. An army.
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baḷa (बळ).—f Oblation.
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baḷa (बळ).—n Force. Army. baḷa karaṇēṃ To come to force; to use compulsory or violent measures. To make great exertion. baḷa dharaṇēṃ To gather strength. baḷa bāndhaṇēṃ To gather strength or force. To buckle to. baḷācā Strong. That has the support of another-a piece at chess. baḷāsa yēṇēṃ To come to force.
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bāla (बाल).—n A child. m A boy. Hair. bāla bāla khuṣa hōṇēṃ To be in ecstasy.
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bālā (बाला).—f A girl. m A stamp for coins.
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bāḷa (बाळ).—n A child. m A boy.
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bāḷā (बाळा).—f A young woman.
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-English dictionarySource: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary
1) Strength, power, might, vigour; क्षत्त्रियाणां बलं युद्धम् (kṣattriyāṇāṃ balaṃ yuddham) Brav. P.
2) Force, violence; as in बलात् (balāt) q. v.
3) An army, host, forces, troops; भवेदभीष्म- मद्रोणं धृतराष्ट्रबलं कथम् (bhavedabhīṣma- madroṇaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrabalaṃ katham) Ve.3.24,43; बलं भीष्मा (balaṃ bhīṣmā)(bhīmā)भिरक्षितम् (bhirakṣitam) Bg.1.1; R.16.37.
4) Bulkiness, stoutness (of the body).
5) Body, figure, shape.
6) Semen virile.
8) Gum myrrh.
9) A shoot, sprout.
1) Force or power of articulation; वर्णः स्वरः । मात्रा बलम् । साम संतानः । इत्युक्तः शीक्षाध्यायः (varṇaḥ svaraḥ | mātrā balam | sāma saṃtānaḥ | ityuktaḥ śīkṣādhyāyaḥ) T. Up.1.2.1.
11) The deity of power (such as Indra); नमो बलप्रमथनाय (namo balapramathanāya) Mb.12.284. 94.
12) The hand; क्रान्ते विष्णुर्बले शक्रः कोष्ठेऽग्निर्भोक्तुमिच्छति (krānte viṣṇurbale śakraḥ koṣṭhe'gnirbhoktumicchati) Mb.12.239.8.
13) Effort (yatna); विधिः शुक्रं बलं चेति त्रय एते गुणाः परे (vidhiḥ śukraṃ balaṃ ceti traya ete guṇāḥ pare) Mb.12.32.11 (com. balaṃ vāsanāviṣayaprāptyanu- kūlo yatnaḥ). (balena means 'on the strength of', 'by means or virtue of'; bāhubalena jitaḥ, vīryabalena &c.; balāt 'perforce', 'forcibly', 'violently', 'against one's will'; balānnidrā samāyātā Pt.1; hṛdayamadaye tasminnevaṃ punarvalate balāt Gīt.7.).
-laḥ 1 A crow; Rām.6.54.9.
2) Name of the elder brother of Kṛṣṇa; see बलराम (balarāma) below.
3) Name of a demon killed by Indra.
Derivable forms: balam (बलम्).
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1) Name of a powerful lore or incantation (taught by Viśvāmitra to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa); तौ बलाति- बलयोः प्रभावतः (tau balāti- balayoḥ prabhāvataḥ) R.11.9. (For some description see the quotation under atibalā).
2) Name of medicinal herbs नागबेल (nāgabela) and जयन्ती (jayantī).
3) The earth; Gīrvāṇa.
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1) Young, infantine, not full-grown or developed (of persons or things); बालेन स्थविरेण वा (bālena sthavireṇa vā) Ms. 8.7; बालाशोकमुपोढरागसुभगं भेदोन्मुखं तिष्ठति (bālāśokamupoḍharāgasubhagaṃ bhedonmukhaṃ tiṣṭhati) V.2.7; so बालमन्दारवृक्षः (bālamandāravṛkṣaḥ) Me.77; R.2.45;13.24.
2) Newly risen, young (as the sun or its rays); बालार्कप्रतिमे- वाप्सु वीचिभिन्ना पतिष्यतः (bālārkapratime- vāpsu vīcibhinnā patiṣyataḥ) R.12.1.
3) New, waxing (as the moon); पुपोष वृद्धिं हरिदश्वदीधितेरनुप्रवेशादिव बाल- चन्द्रमाः (pupoṣa vṛddhiṃ haridaśvadīdhiteranupraveśādiva bāla- candramāḥ) R.3.22; Ku.3.29.
5) Ignorant, unwise; अनर्थकुशला ह्येते बालाः पण्डितमानिनः (anarthakuśalā hyete bālāḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ) Rām.2.1.38.
6) Pure (as an animal fit for sacrifice).
-laḥ 1 A child, an infant; बालादपि सुभाषितम् (bālādapi subhāṣitam) (grāhyam); Ms.2.239.
2) A boy, youth, young person.
3) A minor (under 16 years of age); बाल आषोडशाद्वर्षात् (bāla āṣoḍaśādvarṣāt) Nārada.
4) A colt, foal.
5) A fool, simpleton; नीरसायां रसं बालो बालिकायां विकल्पयेत् (nīrasāyāṃ rasaṃ bālo bālikāyāṃ vikalpayet) Pt.4.91.
6) (a) A tail. (b) An elephant's or a horse's tail.
7) Hair; तं केशपाशं प्रसमीक्ष्य कुर्युर्बालप्रियत्वं शिथिलं चमर्यः (taṃ keśapāśaṃ prasamīkṣya kuryurbālapriyatvaṃ śithilaṃ camaryaḥ) Ku.1.48.
8) An elephant five years old; 'पञ्चवर्षो गजो बालः पोतस्तु दशवार्षिकः (pañcavarṣo gajo bālaḥ potastu daśavārṣikaḥ)' Vaijayantī. According to Mātaṅga L. (5.2.) however it means an elephant in the first year.
9) A kind of perfume.
1) The cocoa-nut.
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1) A girl, a female child.
2) A young woman under sixteen years of age.
3) A young woman (in general); जाने तपसो वीर्यं सा बाला परवतीति मे विदितम् (jāne tapaso vīryaṃ sā bālā paravatīti me viditam) Ś.3.2; इयं बालां मां प्रत्यनवरतमिन्दीवरदलप्रभाचोरं चक्षुः क्षिपति (iyaṃ bālāṃ māṃ pratyanavaratamindīvaradalaprabhācoraṃ cakṣuḥ kṣipati) Bh.3.67; Me.85.
4) A variety of jasmine.
5) The cocoanut.
6) The plant घृतकुमारी (ghṛtakumārī).
7) Small cardamoms.
8) Turmeric.Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary
Bala (बल).—(1) m., name of a yakṣa: Mahā-Māyūrī 48; (2) m. = Sanskrit (and usual [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit]) nt., force, power: balāś ca, n. pl., Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 47.2 (verse); abalo balo Lalitavistara 301.4 (verse), (Māra's) power (force, host) is powerless; daśa-balāṃ = °lān, acc. pl., the ten bala (see 3), Lalitavistara 343.4 (verse); (3) nt., technically, power, especially one of the 10 bala of a Tathāgata: often referred to, e.g. Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 67.14; Lalitavistara 343.4 (above, 2); Mahāvastu iii.64.5; Divyāvadāna 9516; Avadāna-śataka i.7.5; hence daśabala, q.v., means a Buddha; so also in Pali, where the ten bala are listed and elaborately ex- plained Majjhimanikāya (Pali) i.69.31 ff.; Aṅguttaranikāya (Pali) v.33.7 ff.; virtually the same list Mahāvyutpatti 119—129 (all but the tenth are various kinds of jñāna, viz., sthānāsthāna-jñānabalaṃ, karmavipāka-, nānādhimukti-, nānādhātu-, indriyavarāvara- [others °parāpara-, probably orig.], sarvatragāmanīpratipaj-, sarva- dhyānavimoksasamādhi-samāpattisaṃkleśavyavadānavy- utthāna-, pūrvaniyāsānusmṛti-, cyutyutpatti-, and as No. 10, āśravakṣaya-, but Dharmasaṃgraha and Bodhisattvabhūmi add jñāna-, balam); Dharmasaṃgraha 76; Bodhisattvabhūmi 384.18 ff.; Mahāvastu i.159.10 ff. (here more variation from the standard; Senart's long note, 502 ff., cites inter alia a list as from Mahāvyutpatti, which differs, notably in the last three items, from our Mahāvyutpatti, which is confirmed by Mironov); see also Burnouf, Lotus, App. XI; no complete list in Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra), but four of the ten (approx- imatelv = Mahāvyutpatti 1, 2, 7, and 5) listed xx-xxi.51 commentary; [Page398-a+ 71] ten wholly different bala of a Bodhisattva are listed Mahāvyutpatti 759-769, and a still different list Dharmasaṃgraha 75; five bala, (moral) powers, corresponding to the five moral faculties identically named (see indriya 1), Mahāvyutpatti 982—7; Divyāvadāna 208.8; Dharmasaṃgraha 48; four bala leading to a bodhisattva's cittotpāda, Bodhisattvabhūmi 13.22, listed 17.8-9 as adhyātma-, para-, hetu-, prayoga-b°; a trividhaṃ balam Dharmasaṃgraha 113, listed (no parallel found); (4) nt., a high number (compare ojas): Mahāvyutpatti 8032.
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Balā (बला).—(1) name of a village chief's daughter: Lalitavistara 265.4; (2) name of a rākṣasī: Mahā-Māyūrī 243.15.Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary
(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) Strong, stout, robust, powerful. m.
(-laḥ) 1. Bala- Deva, the elder brother of Krishna, and the third of the three incarnations termed Ramas. 2. A crow. 3. A demon, slain by In- Dra. 4. The Varuna tree. n.
(-laṃ) 1. Strength, power. 2. Bulkiness. 3. Form, figure. 4. An army, forces. 5. Gum myrrh. 6. Semen virile. 7. The body. 8. The leaf of a tree. 9. Blood. 10. Rigour, severity. f.
(-lā) An aquatic plant, (Sida cordifolia.) E. bal to live, aff. ac; in some of the senses it may be derived from val to go or surround, and may then be written with the semi-vowel; see vala .
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(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) 1. Ignorant, unwise, uninstructed. 2. Young, infantine, a child. mf.
(-laḥ-lā) 1. An infant, a child; it usually means the young child, under five years old, but is equally applicable till sixteen years of age. 2. A colt. 3. An elephant of five years old. 4. An elephant’s tail. 5. A horse’s tail. 6. Any tail. 7. Hair. 8. A sort of fish, (Cyprinus Rohita, Ham.) mn.
(-laḥ-laṃ) A perfume perhaps a sort of fragrant grass, (Andropogon schænanthus.) f.
(-lā) 1. Small cardamoms. 2. A woman, a female. 3. Aloes. 4. Another plant, commonly Akanadi. 5. The cocoa-nut. 6. Turmeric. 7. A sort of jasmine. 8. A flower, (Hibiscus tortuosus, Rox.) 9. Pure, (applied specially to a female animal, as a heifer, &c. fit for an oblation.) f. (-lī) A sort of ear-ring. E. bal to live, aff. ghañ, it sometimes occurs, but less accurately perhaps, with a palatial initial.Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary
Bala (बल).—I. m. 1. Baladeva. 2. A crow,
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Bāla (बाल).—I. adj. 1. Young, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] [distich] 26. 2. Ignorant, [Pañcatantra] 169, 16. Ii. m., and f. lā. 1. A child (till sixteen years of age), [Pañcatantra] iv. [distich] 41; 219, 3; a foolish boy, [Pañcatantra] iv. [distich] 62. 2. A colt. 3. A five years' old elephant. 4. A tail, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 8, 234. 5. An elephant’s or horse’s tail, [Rājataraṅgiṇī] 5, 386. 6. Hair. Iii. m. and n. A perfume, Andropogon schoenanthus. Iv. f. lā. 1. A woman, [Lassen, Anthologia Sanskritica.] 59, 10. 2. Small cardamoms. V. f. lī, A sort of earring.Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary
Balā (बला).—[adverb] = baṭ.
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Bala (बल).—1. [neuter] (sgl. & [plural]) might, power, strength, force; forces i.e. troops, army. balena, balāt & balatas by force, forcibly; by the power or by means of, through, by.
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Bala (बल).—2. [masculine] a crow; [Name] of a demon (cf. vala), a brother of Kṛṣṇa, etc.; [feminine] ā a woman’s name; [neuter] bala = vala cave, cavern.
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Bāla (बाल).—1. [adjective] young, not full-grown, newly risen (sun), waxing (moon); childish, ignorant. [masculine] child, boy, fool, [Name] of a Rakṣas etc.; [feminine] ā girl, young woman, a cow of one year.
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Bāla (बाल).—2. v. vāla.Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary
1) Balā (बला):—or baḍā ind. = baṭ, [Ṛg-veda viii, 69, 1.]
2) Bala (बल):—[from bal] n. (or m. [gana] ardharcādi) power, strength, might, vigour, force, validity, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc. (balāt, ‘forcibly, against one’s will, without being able to help it’; also = bala [in the beginning of a compound], or balena, bala-tas, with [genitive case] or ifc., ‘by force, by the power or on the strength or in virtue or by means of, by’)
3) [v.s. ...] force or power of articulation, [Taittirīya-upaniṣad]
4) [v.s. ...] force considered as a sixth organ of action (cf. karmendriya), [Mahābhārata]
5) [v.s. ...] (the Buddhists reckon 10 forces, the ascetic Śaivas four, which according to [Scholiast or Commentator] on [Rāmāyaṇa] [B.] are sāman, dāna, bheda, and nigraha)
6) [v.s. ...] Force personified as one of the Viśve-Devāḥ, [Mahābhārata]
7) [v.s. ...] power of, expertness in ([locative case]), [Nalopākhyāna]
8) [v.s. ...] stoutness, bulkiness, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
9) [v.s. ...] (also [plural]; ifc. f(ā). ) military force, troops, an army, [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
10) [v.s. ...] ([cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] also shape; body; semen virile; gum; blood; a young shoot; bone)
11) [v.s. ...] m. a crow, [Mahābhārata]
12) [v.s. ...] Crataeva Roxburghii, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
13) [v.s. ...] half-ripe barley, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
14) [v.s. ...] Name of a demon conquered by Indra (the brother of Vṛtra, in older texts vala), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.
15) [v.s. ...] of an elder brother of Kṛṣṇa (also called Bala-deva, Balabhadra, Bala-rāma etc.), [Mahābhārata; Purāṇa]
16) [v.s. ...] cf. [Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams 332 etc.]
17) [v.s. ...] (with Jainas) a white Bala or elder brother of Vāsudeva (9 in number, viz. Acala, Vijaya, Bhadra, Su-prabha, Su-darśana, Ānanda, Nandana, Padma, and Rāma)
18) [v.s. ...] Name of a son of Varuṇa and brother of Surā, [Mahābhārata]
19) [v.s. ...] of an attendant on Skanda, [ib.]
20) [v.s. ...] of a son of Aṅgiras, [ib.]
21) [v.s. ...] of a son of Parikṣit, [ib.]
22) [v.s. ...] of a son of Parijātra, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
23) [v.s. ...] of a son of Kṛṣṇa, [ib.]
24) [v.s. ...] of a lexicographer (also written vala), [Naiṣadha-carita [Scholiast or Commentator]]
25) [v.s. ...] of a horse of the Moon, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
26) Balā (बला):—[from bala > bal] f. Sida Cordifolia, [Suśruta] ([dual number] the plants Balā and Ati-balā, [ib.])
27) [v.s. ...] Name of a [particular] charm, [Rāmāyaṇa; Raghuvaṃśa] (cf. ati-b)
28) [v.s. ...] the youngest sister in a drama, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
29) [v.s. ...] Name of a daughter of Dakṣa, [Rāmāyaṇa]
30) [v.s. ...] of a daughter of Raudrāśva, [Harivaṃśa]
31) [v.s. ...] of a female divinity who executes the orders of the 17th Arhat of the present Avasarpiṇī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
32) [v.s. ...] of a peasant girl, [Lalita-vistara]
33) Bala (बल):—[from bal] n. = vala, a cavern, [Atharva-veda]
34) [v.s. ...] mfn. strong, robust, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]; sick (= amin), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
35) [v.s. ...] cf. [Latin] valere, valor etc.
36) Bāla (बाल):—mf(ā)n. (cf. vāla) young, childish, infantine, not full-grown or developed (of per. sons and things), [Gṛhya-sūtra; Upaniṣad; Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
37) newly risen, early (as the sun or its rays), [Raghuvaṃśa]
38) new or waxing (as the moon), [ib.; Kumāra-sambhava]
39) puerile, ignorant, simple, foolish, [Manu-smṛti; Harivaṃśa; Kāvya literature]
40) pure (as an animal fit for sacrifice), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
41) m. a child, boy ([especially] one under 5 years), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
42) (in law) a minor (minors are classified as kunāra, or boys under 5 years of age, śiśu under 8, pogaṇḍa from the 5th to the end of the 9th or till the 16th year, and kiśora from the 10th to the 16th year)
43) a fool, simpleton, [Manu-smṛti; Pañcatantra]
44) any young animal, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
45) a colt, foal, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
46) a five years old elephant, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
47) Cyprinus Denticulatus or Rohita, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
48) Name of a Rakṣas, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
49) of a prince, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]
50) Bālā (बाला):—[from bāla] f. a female child, girl, young woman ([especially] one under 16 years), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.
51) [v.s. ...] a one year new cow, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
52) [v.s. ...] small cardamoms, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
53) [v.s. ...] Aloe Indica, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
54) [v.s. ...] a kind of metre, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
55) [v.s. ...] a [particular] mystical prayer, [Catalogue(s)]
56) [v.s. ...] Name of the mother of Vālin and Su-grīva (said to have been formed by Prajā-pati out of some dust which had fallen into his eyes), [Rāmāyaṇa]
57) Bāla (बाल):—n. Andropogon Muricatus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
58) heat, [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. 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+687): Bala Ganapati, Bala Samyutta, Bala Vagga, Bala-denem, Bala-sutta, Bala-yashti, Balaamba, Balaba, Balabada, Balabahu, Balabala, Balabalabijabhanga, Balabalakshepaparihara, Balabalasutra, Balabalasutrabrihadvritti, Balabali, Balabalita, Balabandhana, Balabandhu, Balabarddhana.
Ends with (+382): Abala, Abalabala, Abhibala, Adhibala, Adhimuktibala, Adibala, Agnibala, Ahibala, Ahobala, Ajitabala, Ajitakesakambala, Akabaicem Bala, Alambala, Alpabala, Ambala, Amitabala, Amoghabala, Andhabala, Angabala, Anghribala.
Full-text (+1271): Balata, Nagabala, Vala, Balahatya, Balabhid, Pancabala, Abala, Balatapa, Balaraja, Balahan, Balatantra, Prabala, Balada, Balakavaca, Baladikshita, Balapancaratna, Balakalpa, Balapaddhati, Balatripurasundaripujanaprayoga, Balavarnana.
Search found 109 books and stories containing Bala, Bāla, Balā, Bālā, Baḷa, Bāḷa, Bāḷā; (plurals include: Balas, Bālas, Balās, Bālās, Baḷas, Bāḷas, Bāḷās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Preliminary note (2): The lists of Bodhisattva dharmas < [Part 2 - The ten powers and the four fearlessnesses according to the Mahāyāna]
Preliminary note (1): The ten powers and the four fearlessnesses < [Part 2 - The ten powers and the four fearlessnesses according to the Mahāyāna]
I. The emptiness of nonexistence (anupalambha-śūnyatā) < [Part 2 - The ten powers and the four fearlessnesses according to the Mahāyāna]
The Ramayana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter XXII < [Book 1 - Bāla-kāṇḍa]
Chapter XLVII < [Book 1 - Bāla-kāṇḍa]
A study of the philosophy of Jainism (by Deepa Baruah)
Chapter IV.b - Two bodies of the Self (subtle and gross) < [Chapter IV - The concept of Self]
Chapter I.c - The lives of the Tīrthaṅkaras < [Chapter I - Introduction]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 29: The people in the Manuṣyaloka < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Part 31: Description of Nandīśvara < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Part 9: Kunthu’s śāsanadevatās (messenger-deities) < [Chapter I - Śrī Kunthusvāmicaritra]
Preceptors of Advaita (by T. M. P. Mahadevan)