Lesha, aka: Leśa, Lesa; 8 Definition(s)

Introduction

Lesha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, 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.

The Sanskrit term Leśa can be transliterated into English as Lesa or Lesha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Leśa (लेश, “wit”) refers to one of the thirty-six “characteristic features” (lakṣaṇa) of perfect ‘poetic compositions’ (kāvyabandha) and ‘dramatic compositions’ (dṛśyakāvya, or simply kāvya). According to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 17, these thirty-six lakṣaṇas act as instructions for composing playwrights. The term is used throughout nāṭyaśāstra literature.

Leśa (लेश, “wit”).—One of the thirty-six lakṣaṇa, or “excellent points of a dramatic composition”;—Description of leśa: Words which are spoken in a clever manner by expert disputants and which relate to accomplishment of similar objects, constitute Wit (leśa).

context information

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).

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

Leśa (लेश).—Such a slow or indistinct utterance or pronunciation of the letter य् (y) or व् (v) preceded by अ (a), as shows that it is almost dropped. This indistinct or slurred utterance of य् (y) or व (va), which is described as advocated by the Prātiśākhyakāra Vātsapra, corresponds to the utterance of य् (y) or व् (v) with a very low tone as mentioned by Pāņini in the rule व्योर्लघुप्रयत्नतरः शाकटायनस्य (vyorlaghuprayatnataraḥ śākaṭāyanasya); e.g. आप उन्दन्तु (āpa undantu); या जाता ओषधयः (yā jātā oṣadhayaḥ) etc.; cf. लेशो वात्सप्रस्य एतयोः (leśo vātsaprasya etayoḥ) T.Pr. 10.23; cf. also लेशेन प्रयत्नशैथिल्येन ब्यञ्जनानां वचनमुच्चारणं क्रियते (leśena prayatnaśaithilyena byañjanānāṃ vacanamuccāraṇaṃ kriyate) Uvvața on R.Pr. XIV.5.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

lesa : (m.) a trifle; a pretext; trick.

Lesa, (cp. Sk. leśa particle; as Kern, Toev. s. v. points out, it occurs in Sk. also in the P. meaning at Mbh V, 33, 5 although this is not given in BR.—As “particle” only at Dhtp 444 in defⁿ of lisati) sham, pretext, trick Vin. III, 169 (where ten lesas are enum^d, viz. jāti°, nāma°, gotta°, linga°, āpatti°, patta°, cīvara°, upajjhāya°, ācariya°, senāsana°); J. II, 11; VI, 402.—lesa-kappa pretext Vin. II, 166; Vv 84⁴³ (=kappiya-lesa VvA. 348); Th. 1, 941; DA. I, 103. (Page 586)

context information

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 dictionary

lēśa (लेश).—m (S) A particle or bit; a minute portion or quantity; a little.

--- OR ---

lēśa (लेश) [or लेस, lēsa].—a ( H) Ready or prepared (for a work or an action).

lēśa (लेश).—m A particle; a minute portion. a Ready.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Leśa (लेश).—[liś-ghañ]

1) A small bit or portion, a particle, an atom, a very small quantity; क्लेश (kleśa) (v. l. sveda)- लेशैरभिन्नम् (leśairabhinnam) Ś.2.4; श्रमवारिलेशैः (śramavārileśaiḥ) Ku.3.38; so भक्ति°, गुण° (bhakti°, guṇa°) &c.;

2) Smallness, littleness.

3) A measure of time (equal to two kalās).

4) (In Rhet.) A figure of speech which consists in representing what is usually considered as an advantage to be a disadvantage and vice versa. It is thus defined in R. G. :-गुणस्यानिष्टसाधन- तया दोषत्वेन दोषस्येष्टसाधनतया गुणत्वेन च वर्णनं लेशः (guṇasyāniṣṭasādhana- tayā doṣatvena doṣasyeṣṭasādhanatayā guṇatvena ca varṇanaṃ leśaḥ); for examples see ad loc. (Mammaṭa appears to include this figure under viṣeśa. See K. P.1 under viśeṣa and commentary.) cf. Ve.2.4.

Derivable forms: leśaḥ (लेशः).

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