trisula

English

Alternative forms

• trishul, trisul, trishula

Etymology

From Sanskrit त्रिशूल (triśūla).

Noun

trisula (plural trisulas)

1. (Hinduism, Buddhism) A trident, seen as a religious symbol of Hinduism and Buddhism.
   • 1894, Eugène Goblet d'Alviella, The Migration of Symbols:

     It may be wondered, at first sight, that the innumerable texts left by Buddhism give us no positive information with regard to the meaning and origin of the trisula.

   • 1945, William J. Fielding, Strange Superstitions and Magical Practices, page ii. 15:

     The trisula placed upon a pillar surmounted by flames is the monogram of Buddha.

   • 2004, Khushwant Singh, Burial at Sea, Penguin, page 96:

     She had a trishul in one hand. Her long raven-black hair was left loose.

   • 2014, Micah Issitt, Carlyn Main, Hidden Religion, page 168:

     The trishula is most commonly associated with the god Shiva, one of the most prominent Hindu deities and the primary god in the sect of Hinduism known as "Shaivism."

Anagrams

• Uralist, rituals

Malay

Etymology

From Sanskrit त्रिशूल (triśūla).

Noun

trisula (Jawi spelling تريسولا, plural trisula-trisula, informal 1st possessive trisulaku, 2nd possessive trisulamu, 3rd possessive trisulanya)

1. (weaponry) a trident.
2. (Hinduism) the trident used by Hindu deities such as Shiva and Durga.

Synonyms

• serampang

Further reading

• “trisula” in Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu | Malay Literary Reference Centre, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2017.