Lakṣaṇa

views updated

Lakṣaṇa (Skt., ‘marks’). Marks on a body, auspicious for Hindus if they appear on the right (for a man) or the left (for a woman): see also ASHES. The term has also been used for the five characteristics of a complete purāṇa: (i) creation of a cosmos; (ii) its dissolution and renewal; (iii) the origin and descent of gods and heroes; (iv) the work of the Manus (lawgivers); (v) the work of their descendants.

More From encyclopedia.com