Ankusha, aka: Ankusa, Aṅkuśa, Aṅkusa, Aṅkuśā, Aṅkūṣa; 17 Definition(s)



The Sanskrit terms Aṅkuśa and Aṅkuśā and Aṅkūṣa can be transliterated into English as Ankusa or Ankusha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Aṅkuśa (अंकुश, ‘elephant-goad’) is a weapon (āyudha or bādhra) according to the Vāstusūtra Upaniṣad.

Source: Google Books: The Theory of Citrasutras in Indian Painting

Aṅkuśa or the elephant goad is a weapon consisting of a sharp metal hook attached to a wooden handle.

Source: Google Books: Elements of Hindu iconography

The elephant goad (aṅkuśa) of Gaṇeśa — represents perseverance on the path of spiritual practice. The spiritual path is very arduous and difficult but if we are committed then Gaṇeśa when propitiated will prod us by means of the Goad, and guide us to our supreme destination — union with the Divine. But that incentivization will require pain and suffering!!


Aṅkuśa (Elephant Goad) - Incentive to continue in spiritual practice and the application of the teachings. The urging of the guru which drives us to practice and apply. Also - the control of anger.

Source: Red Zambala: Hindu Icons and Symbols | Introduction

Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश, “goad”) refers to one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Aṅkuśa or the elephant goad is a weapon consisting of a sharp metal hook attached to a wooden handle.

Aṅkuśa also represents “colourlessness”, referring to one of the attributes of Lord Śiva.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

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Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश):—It was probably not a weapon of war, and was probably used only to control elephants.

Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu Purāna

Aṅkuśā (अङ्कुशा).—A Śakti on the Drāviṇikā mudrā.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 36. 76.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index
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Dhanurveda (science of warfare)

Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश) refers to a weapon (“hook”, “elephant goad”). It is a Sanskrit word defined in the Dhanurveda-saṃhitā, which contains a list of no less than 117 weapons. The Dhanurveda-saṃhitā is said to have been composed by the sage Vasiṣṭha, who in turn transmitted it trough a tradition of sages, which can eventually be traced to Śiva and Brahmā.

Source: Wisdom Library: Dhanurveda
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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश) or Aṅkuśāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Prodgītāgama which is one of the twenty-eight Siddhāntāgama: a classification of the Śaiva division of Śaivāgamas. The Śaivāgamas represent the wisdom that has come down from lord Śiva, received by Pārvatī and accepted by Viṣṇu. The purpose of revealing upāgamas (eg., Aṅkuśa Āgama) is to explain more elaborately than that of mūlāgamas (eg., Prodgīta-āgama) and to include any new idea if not dealt in mūlāgamas.

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva
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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)



Source: Wisdom Library: Lokottaravāda
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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

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Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश).—From the time of his birth, Vṛṣabhanātha’s body had the insignia of thunderbolt, aṅkuśa, etc. which is Viṣṇu’s sings. King Nābhi called him Vṛṣabhanātha (par excellence) on account of his beautiful body, exceeding brilliance, strength, wealth, valour and courage.

Source: HereNow4u: Lord Vṛṣabhanātha
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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

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aṅkusa : (m.) a pole with a hook used for plucking fruits or to guide an elephant.

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

Aṅkusa, (Vedic aṅkuśa; to anc, see aṅka2) a hook, a pole with a hook, used (1) for plucking fruit off trees, a crook J.I, 9 (°pacchi hook & basket); V, 89 = VI, 520 (pacchikhanitti°), 529 (= phalānaṃ gaṇhanatthaṃ aṅkusaṃ). ‹-› (2) to drive an elephant, a goad (cp patoda & tutta) Vin.II, 196 (+ kasā); J.VI, 489; ThA.173 (ovādaṃ aṅkusaṃ katvā, fig. guide); Sdhp.147 (daṇḍ°). — (3) N. of a certain method of inference in Logic (naya), consisting in inferring certain mental states of a general character from respective traits where they are to be found Nett 2, 4, 127; Nett A 208;— acc° beyond the reach of the goad D.II, 266 (nāga). See also aṅkusaka.

—gayha (the art) how to grasp and handle an eleph.‹-› driver’s hook M.II, 94 (sippa). —gaha an eleph.-driver Dh.326. (Page 6)

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
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Marathi-English dictionary

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aṅkuśa (अंकुश).—m (S) An elephant goad. 2 Also aṅkuśī f A pole with a hook or blade at the extremity, for gathering fruits or flowers; a meak. hattīlā aṃ0 kēvaḍhā asatō Behold how small a goad governeth the great elephant! Used where little and mean persons or things rule or manage great ones.

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

aṅkuśa (अंकुश).—m An elephant goad.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English
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Sanskrit-English dictionary

Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश).—[aṅk-lakṣaṇe uśac Uṇ 4.17] A hook, a goad; Proverb: विक्रीते करिणि किमङ्कुशे विवादः (vikrīte kariṇi kimaṅkuśe vivādaḥ) why higgle about a trifling thing when the whole bargain (of which it forms part) has been struck; the goad ought to follow the elephant; संनिवेश्य कुशावत्यां रिपुनागाङ्कुशं कुशम् (saṃniveśya kuśāvatyāṃ ripunāgāṅkuśaṃ kuśam) R.15.97; (fig.) one who checks, a corrector, governor, director; त्यजति तु यदा मोहान्मार्गं तदा गुरुरङ्कुशः (tyajati tu yadā mohānmārgaṃ tadā gururaṅkuśaḥ) Mu.3.6; कुशं द्विषामङ्कुशम् (kuśaṃ dviṣāmaṅkuśam) R.16.81; (= Preventor) सिद्धेः पूर्वोऽङ्कुशस्त्रिविधा (siddheḥ pūrvo'ṅkuśastrividhā) Sānkhya. K.51. a restraint or check; निरङ्कुशाः कवयः (niraṅkuśāḥ kavayaḥ) poets have free license or are unfettered; pinching; पादावकर्षसन्धानैस्तोमराङ्कुशलासनैः (pādāvakarṣasandhānaistomarāṅkuśalāsanaiḥ) Mb.7.142.45.

-śī one of the 24 Jaina Goddesses. [cf. Germ. angel.]

Derivable forms: aṅkuśaḥ (अङ्कुशः).

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Aṅkūṣa (अङ्कूष).—[aṅk-ūṣac] = अङ्कुश (aṅkuśa) q. v.

Derivable forms: aṅkūṣaḥ (अङ्कूषः).

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Aṅkuśa (अङ्कुश).—mn.

(-śaḥ-śaṃ) The hook used to drive an elephant. E. aka to go, and uśac Unadi aff. with num inserted.

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Aṅkūṣa (अङ्कूष).—mn.

(-ṣaḥ-ṣaṃ) The hook or goad for driving an elephant. E. See aṅkuśa, u being made long.

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Relevant definitions

Search found 100 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:

Niraṅkuśa (निरङ्कुश).—mfn. (-śaḥ-śā-śa) Unchecked, uncontrolled, self-willed, independant E. ni...
Jvarāṅkuśa (ज्वराङ्कुश) is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fourth volume of the ...
Aṅkuśagraha (अङ्कुशग्रह).—m. (-haḥ) An elephant-driver E. aṅkuś—, and graha Who takes.
Kāmāṅkuśa (कामाङ्कुश).—m. (-śaḥ) 1. A finger-nail. 2. Membrum virile. E. kāma, and aṅkuśa shoot...
Avamatāṅkuśa (अवमताङ्कुश).—m. (-śaḥ) A restive elephant, or one in rut. E. avamata disregarded,...
Kaṭhāri-aṅkuśa-gadyāṇa.—probably, ‘a gadyāṇa bearing the representation of a dagger and a goad’...
Aṅkuśāsana (अङ्कुशासन) is a type of posture (āsana), according to verse 3 of the Śrītattvanidhi...
Aṅkuśadurdhara (अङ्कुशदुर्धर).—[tṛ. ta. aṅkuśena duḥkhena dhāryate] a restive elephant. Derivab...
Navajvarebhāṅkuśa (नवज्वरेभाङ्कुश) is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fourth vol...
Grīvāṅkuśa (ग्रीवाङ्कुश).—a camel. Derivable forms: grīvāṅkuśaḥ (ग्रीवाङ्कुशः).Grīvāṅkuśa is a ...
Amlāṅkuśa (अम्लाङ्कुश).—a variety of sorrel (°vetas). Derivable forms: amlāṅkuśaḥ (अम्लाङ्कुशः)...
Hattica Ankusha
hattīcā aṅkuśa (हत्तीचा अंकुश).—m (Elephant-goad.) A term for a rigorous taskmaster or enforcer...
Aṅkuśadhārin (अङ्कुशधारिन्).—m. a keeper of an elephant. Aṅkuśadhārin is a Sanskrit compound co...
Smarāṅkuśa (स्मराङ्कुश).—1) a finger-nail. 2) a lover, lascivious person. Derivable forms: smar...
Madanāṅkuśa (मदनाङ्कुश).—1) the penis. 2) a finger-nail, or a wound inflicted by it in cohabita...

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