Shraddha, aka: Śrāddha, Śraddhā, Śraddha; 18 Definition(s)



The Sanskrit terms Śrāddha and Śraddhā and Śraddha can be transliterated into English as Sraddha or Shraddha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[Shraddha in Shaktism glossaries]

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”):—One of the names attributed to Devī, as chanted by the Vedas in their hymns, who were at the time incarnated in their personified forms. See the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa chapter 5.51-68, called “the narrative of Hayagrīva”.

(Source): Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam
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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[Shraddha in Pancaratra glossaries]

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”):—One of the twenty-four emanations of Lakṣmī accompanying Nārāyaṇa. This particular manifestation couples with his counterpart form called Padmanābha and together they form the eleventh celestial couple. Lakṣmī represents a form of the Goddess (Devī) as the wife of Viṣṇu, while Nārāyaṇa represents the personification of his creative energy, according to the Pāñcarātra literature.

(Source): Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra
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[Shraddha in Purana glossaries]

1a) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—A daughter of Kardama married to Angirasa. Mother of four daughters—Sinīvālī, Kuhū, Rākā and Anumatī and sons Utathya and Bṛhaspati.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 24. 22; IV. 1. 34 and 35.

1b) A daughter of Dakṣa and wife of Dharma; mother of Śubha and Kāma.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 1. 49-50; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 49 and 58; Vāyu-purāṇa 10. 25, 35; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 23 and 28.

1c) A wife of Śrāddhadeva and mother of ten sons; observed payovrata and wanted the birth of a daughter. Ilā was born.*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 1. 11, 14-16.

2a) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—A son of Śatrughna, the son of Anādhṛṣṭhi.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 46. 24.

2b) Certain days considered good for the performance of; sumptuous feeding of many people on the day; no offering of or eating of flesh.1 Feeding of yogins recommended; presiding deity is Ravi.2

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 7. 33; VII. 14. 19-26; 15. 3-7.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 13. 6; 15. 43.

2c) A karma;1 the wherefrom and why of the ceremony is questioned for answer; ceremony for disliked Pitṛs will be enjoyed by the Rākṣasas and Dānavas; tends to the growth of Soma who is the cause of the world growth; three piṇḍas according to name and gotra; Pitṛs give all including knowledge; at the tīrthas and rivers; Bṛhaspati on śrāddha; once there was a thick haze of darkness in all worlds when Brahmā engaged himself in yoga and created the worlds, Santānaka and the first gods Vairājās; the formless groups of Gods attained absolution through yoga which is the strength of the Pitṛs; and through this yoga Soma increases in power; hence feed thousands learned in the Vedic lore; feeding of a snātaka equals that of many; atheists and the unrighteous should not be fed;2 to be performed with faith using silver or silver-coated vessels and the Purodha to be given svadhā; health and wealth are the fruits; superior to deva worship; even gods propitiate the Pitṛs as also sages and other semi-divine beings; for yogaiśvarya or mokṣadharma;3 details of the vedi and offerings during srāddhas; Pitṛs eat in the guise of Vāyu; offerings in Agni when it burns, otherwise it will lead to the blinding of eyes;4 the ruling of Bṛhaspati that first offerings are to be made to piṇḍa and then feeding Brahmans; by offering once the Pitṛs become pleased.5

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 4. 24.
  • 2) Ib. III. 9. 4; Matsya-purāṇa 20. 6; 21. 33.
  • 3) Ib. III. 10. 100; Matsya-purāṇa 15. 31.
  • 4) Ib. III. 11. 6, 49, 100.
  • 5) Ib. III. 12. 26; 13. 1; Matsya-purāṇa 10. 34.
(Source): Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index
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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

[Shraddha in Natyashastra glossaries]

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध, “faith, trust, belief”) is the most important ceremony connected with Hindu ancestor-worship. It is a development of the ancient custom of eating at funerals and providing food for the dead. Manu (Institutes, iii, 267 - 271) gives a detailed list of the offerings of food and drink which are to be made, with regulations for the correct ritual to be observed. The modern śrāddha is most intricate and elaborate.

(Source): Natya Shastra
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Dharmashastra (religious law)

[Shraddha in Dharmashastra glossaries]

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—This term indicates the duty by its proper name. Śrāddha is the name of the rite laid down as to be done in honour of one’s ancestors, on the amāvasyā day; and the whole process of that rite is indicated by the name śrāddha. Rites in honour of the gods shall he performed in the forenoon; that in honour of the pitṛs in the afternoon; the śrāddha offered to a single person shall be performed at mid-day, while that in connection with auspicious rites shall be performed in the morning.

(Source): Google Books: Manusmṛti with the Manubhāṣya
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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.

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Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

[Shraddha in Vyakarana glossaries]

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—A technical term for nounstems ending in आ (ā) in the feminine gender used in the Katantra Grammar; cf. आ श्रद्धा (ā śraddhā) Kat. II. 1.10.

(Source): Wikisource: A dictionary of Sanskrit grammar
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Itihasa (narrative history)

[Shraddha in Itihasa glossaries]

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIII.116.1, XIII.115) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Śrāddha) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Śraddhā also refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.13).

(Source): JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places
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Itihasa (इतिहास, itihāsa) refers to ‘epic history’ and represents a branch of Sanskrit literature which popularly includes 1) the eighteen major Puranas, 2) the Mahabharata and 3) the Ramayana. It is a branch of Vedic Hinduism categorised as smriti literature (‘that which is remembered’) as opposed to shruti literature (‘that which is transmitted verbally’).

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General definition (in Hinduism)

[Shraddha in Hinduism glossaries]

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा):—Sanskrit word meaning “faith”.

(Source): Wisdom Library: Hinduism

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) is a Sanskrit term loosely translated as “faith”. It is important in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist literature and teachings. It can be associated with faith, trust, confidence, and loyalty. Sri Aurobindo describes Śraddhā as “the soul’s belief in the Divine’s existence, wisdom, power, love and grace.”

2) Śrāddha (श्राद्ध) is a Sanskrit word which literally means ‘anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith (śraddhā)’. In the Hindu religion, it is the ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ‘ancestors’ (pitṛs), especially to one’s dead parents.

(Source): WikiPedia: Hinduism

Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—The ceremony of making offerings to one's ancestors to free them from suffering; firm faith and confidence.

(Source): ISKCON Press: Glossary

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[Shraddha in Mahayana glossaries]

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to one of ten constituents (dravya) of the thirty-seven auxiliaries to enlightenment (bodhipākṣika), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.—Accordingly, “these thirty-seven auxiliaries (bodhipākṣika) have ten things (dravya) as roots (mūla). Faith (śraddhā) constitutes: a. the faculty of faith (śraddhendriya); b. the power of faith (śraddhābala)”.

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to one of the twenty-two faculties (indriya), according to chapter 38. The word indriya, derived from the root id or ind, is synonymous with great power, with control. The twenty-two Dharmas in question [viz., śraddhā] have the characteristic of being dominant in regard to the living being (sattva) in that which concerns: his primary constitution, his distinctiveness, his duration, his moral defilement and his purification.

(Source): Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
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General definition (in Buddhism)

[Shraddha in Buddhism glossaries]

1) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to one of the fourty “conditions” (saṃskāra) that are “associated with mind” (citta-samprayukta) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 30). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., śraddhā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Śraddhā also refers to one of the “five faculties” (pañcendriya) as well as one of the “five strengths” (pañcabala) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 47-48), both forming part of the “thirty-seven things on the side of awakening” (bodhipākṣika-dharma).

2) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा, “faith”) refers to the “four factors of faith” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 81):

  1. āryasatya (noble truths),
  2. triratna (three jewels),
  3. karma (deeds),
  4. karmaphala (deeds and fruit).

The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., śraddhā). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

3) Śraddhā (श्रद्धा) also refers to one of the “eight practices for the abandoning of conditions” (saṃskāra) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 119).

(Source): Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Shraddhā (śraddhā), Skt., lit., “belief, faith”; (Pali saddhā); the inner attitude of faith and devotion toward the Buddha and his teaching. Shraddhā is the basis of the first two elements of the eightfold path—perfect view and perfect resolve. In the Mahāyāna shraddhā plays an even more important role, being regarded as the virtue out of which all the others develop and which opens the door of liberation to even those who do not have the self-discipline to tread the path of meditation. In Buddhism, however, faith in the sense of “pure faith” of Christianity is out of place. Shraddhā consists rather in the conviction that grows in students through their own direct experience with the teaching; blind faith in the words of the Buddha and the master goes against the spirit of Buddhism, and the Buddha himself warned his followers against it.

Trust and belief in the Buddha Amitābha is nevertheless the principal factor in the practice of the Pure Land school, which is often described as a “Way of Faith.”       

(Source): Shambala Publications: General

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[Shraddha in Jainism glossaries]

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—What is meant by faith/trust (śraddhā)? Faith or trust is synonymous with firm belief (āsthā).

(Source): Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 1
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Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

[Shraddha in Marathi glossaries]

śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—f (S) Reverence or veneration. 2 Implicit faith or belief. 3 (Cant.) Ventris crepitus. v sōḍa, kara, & sara, suṭa, hō.

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śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—n (S) A funeral ceremony observed at various fixed periods, consisting of offerings with water and fire to the gods and manes, and of gifts and food to the relations present and assisting Brahmans. It is especially performed for a parent recently deceased, or for three paternal ancestors, or for all ancestors collectively; and it is supposed to be necessary to secure the ascent and residence of the souls of the deceased in the world appropriated to the manes. There are many varieties of the mode of performing this ceremony; and many purposes or objects are specified. See A. R., vol. 7, p. 245, et seq.

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śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—a S Confiding, trusting, believing.

(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—f Reverence; implicit faith or belief.

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śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—n A funeral ceremony, an anni- versary.

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Sanskrit-English dictionary

[Shraddha in Sanskrit glossaries]

Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—3 U.

1) To confide, believe, put faith in (with acc. of thing); कः श्रद्धास्यति भूतार्थम् (kaḥ śraddhāsyati bhūtārtham) Mk.3.24; कामिन्यः श्रदधुरनार्जवं नरेषु (kāminyaḥ śradadhuranārjavaṃ nareṣu) Śi.8.11;9.69; U.7.6; श्रद्दधे त्रिदशगोप- मात्रके दाहशक्तिमिव कृष्णवर्त्मनि (śraddadhe tridaśagopa- mātrake dāhaśaktimiva kṛṣṇavartmani) R.11.42.

2) To consent, assent.

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Śraddha (श्रद्ध).—a. Believing, trusting.

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Śraddhā (श्रद्धा).—

1) Trust, faith, belief, confidence.

2) Belief in divine revelation, religious faith; श्रद्धा वित्तं विधिश्चेति त्रितयं तत्समागतम् (śraddhā vittaṃ vidhiśceti tritayaṃ tatsamāgatam) Ś.7.29; R.2.16; अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगात् चलितमानसः (ayatiḥ śraddhayopeto yogāt calitamānasaḥ) Bg.6.37;7.21;17.3.

3) Sedateness, composure of mind.

4) Intimacy, familiarity.

5) Respect, reverence.

6) Strong or vehement desire; तथापि वैचित्र्य- रहस्यलुब्धाः श्रद्धां विधास्यन्ति सचेतसोऽत्र (tathāpi vaicitrya- rahasyalubdhāḥ śraddhāṃ vidhāsyanti sacetaso'tra) Vikr.1.13; युद्धश्रद्धा- पुलकित इव प्राप्तसख्यः करेण (yuddhaśraddhā- pulakita iva prāptasakhyaḥ kareṇa) Mu.6.18.

7) The longing of a pregnant woman.

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Śrāddha (श्राद्ध).—a. [śraddhā hetutvenāstyasya aṇ] Faithful, believing.

-ddham 1 A funeral rite or ceremony performed in honour of the departed spirits of dead relatives; श्रद्धया दीयते यस्मात्तस्माच्छ्राद्धं निगद्यते (śraddhayā dīyate yasmāttasmācchrāddhaṃ nigadyate); it is of three kinds:-नित्य, नैमित्तिक (nitya, naimittika), and काम्य (kāmya); यः संगतानि कुरुते मोहाच्छ्राद्धेन मानवः (yaḥ saṃgatāni kurute mohācchrāddhena mānavaḥ) Ms.3. 14.

2) An obsequial oblation, a gift or offering at a Śrāddha; विहाय शोकं धर्मात्मा ददौ श्राद्धमनुत्तमम् (vihāya śokaṃ dharmātmā dadau śrāddhamanuttamam) Mb.14.62. 1; सर्वं श्रद्धया दत्तं श्राद्धम् (sarvaṃ śraddhayā dattaṃ śrāddham) Pratimā 5.

(Source): DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary
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Relevant definitions

Search found 502 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:

Śraddhendriya (श्रद्धेन्द्रिय) refers to the “faculty of faith” and represents one of the five ...
Śrāddhada (श्राद्धद).—the offerer of a Śrāddha or funeral oblation. Derivable forms: śrāddhadaḥ...
Āmaśrāddha (आमश्राद्ध).—a Śrāddha performed with uncooked food; आपद्यनग्नौ तीर्थे च चन्द्रसूर्य...
Śraddhājāḍya (श्रद्धाजाड्य).—blind faith.Derivable forms: śraddhājāḍyam (श्रद्धाजाड्यम्).Śraddh...
Vṛddhiśrāddha (वृद्धिश्राद्ध).—an offering made to the Manes on prosperous occasions, such as t...
Śrāddhadevī (श्राद्धदेवी).—One of Vasudeva's wives: mother of Ganeṣa.** Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa ...
Śrāddhabhuj (श्राद्धभुज्).—a. eating food prepared at a श्राद्ध (śrāddha); श्राद्धभुग्वृषलीतल्प...
Śraddhābala (श्रद्धाबल) or simply Śraddhā refers to the “strength of faith” and represents one ...
Yātrāśrāddha (यात्राश्राद्ध).—a श्राद्ध (śrāddha) performed before setting out on a journey; V....
Śrāddhadina (श्राद्धदिन).—the aniversary of the death of a relative in whose honour a Śrāddha i...
Navaśrāddha (नवश्राद्ध).—a श्राद्ध (śrāddha) performed on odd days after death i. e. on the thi...
Śrāddhamitra (श्राद्धमित्र).—making friends through a श्राद्ध (śrāddha); cf. श्राद्धम् (śrāddha...
Pretaśrāddha (प्रेतश्राद्ध).—an obsequial offering made to a departed ralative during the year ...
Śrāddhakṛt (श्राद्धकृत्).—m. the performer of a funeral rite. Śrāddhakṛt is a Sanskrit compound...
Pārvaṇaśrāddha (पार्वणश्राद्ध).—Done in Parvas without the invocation of deities; three f...

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