निर्वाण
English meaning: extinction, liberation, nirvana
Definition
The Buddhist concept of liberation achieved through the extinction of craving, aversion, and delusion, ending the cycle of rebirth. Etymologically meaning 'blowing out' (of a flame), nirvāṇa in Theravāda Buddhism is an unconditioned state beyond description, while Mahāyāna traditions interpret it more positively as the realization of Buddha-nature.
Example
“बुद्धः निर्वाणं प्राप्नोत्।”
In English: “The Buddha attained nirvāṇa.”
Another example: “बुद्धः निर्वाणं प्राप्तवान्।”
Usage — When, Where & How
Classical register; central to Buddhist (and adopted in Hindu) philosophy, denoting liberation as the extinction of craving. Highly technical soteriological term; common in philosophical and devotional texts.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From the prefix nir- ('out, away') with the root √vā ('to blow'), literally 'a blowing out (of the flame of craving)', hence extinction or liberation.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- निर्वाणप्राप्ति
- निर्वाणपद
- निर्वाणसुख
- परिनिर्वाण
- निर्वाणमार्ग
Word Forms
n., a-stem; nom./acc. निर्वाणम्, instr. निर्वाणेन, gen. निर्वाणस्य
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।”
/Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā Dhanañjaya./
“Perform actions fixed in yoga, abandoning attachment, O Arjuna.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M