# निधि (nidhi)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/nidhi

निधि (nidhi) is a Sanskrit word meaning setting down or serving up food, the bottom of the Ukha, a place for storage or a receptacle, the ocean or sea, the full moon, a store, hoard, or treasure. Its 27 recorded definitions are grouped into 9 contexts, among them Kubera's Divine Treasures, Act of Setting Down or Depositing, Epithet or Name of Divine/Mythological Beings.

- **Etymology:** E. नि in, धा to have, affix कि — E. ni in, dhā to have, affix ki
- **SLP1:** `niDi`  **IAST:** nidhi  **Devanagari:** निधि
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidhi
- **Declensions:** 72 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/nidhi/declensions.md

## Meanings by context

### Kubera's Divine Treasures (5 definitions)
- 1. A store, hoard, or treasure. 2. The nine divine treasures of Kubera, which are also personified as attendants of Kubera or Lakshmi.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a store, hoard, treasure, Ṛg-veda (Title) &c. &c. (in later language esp. the divine treasures belonging to Kubera, nine of which are enumerated, viz. Padma, Mahāpadma, Śaṅkha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Nanda, Nīla and Kharva, they are also personified as attendants either of Kubera or of Lakṣmī; cf. निधि - दत्त (nidhi-datta) and - पालित (-pālita) below) [ ID=108607.06 ]
- 1. One of Kuvera's nine divine treasures. 2. A receptacle, asylum, or treasury. 3. A treasure or quantity of wealth. 4. A medicinal plant and perfume, Jivaka. 5. The ocean.  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > नि (ni) धि (nidhi) [Printed book page 468 ] नि (ni) धि (nidhi) m. ( - धिः (-dhiḥ) ) 1 One of KUVERA'S Nidhis or divine treasures, nine of which are enumerated: viz. The Padma, Mahāpadma, Śaṅkha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Nanda, Nīla, and Kharba: their nature is not exactly defined, though some of them appear to be precious gems; according to the Tāntrika system, they are personified and worshipped as demigods, attendant either upon KUVERA or upon LAKṢMĪ, the goddess of prosperity. 2 A receptacle, a place of asylum or accumulation, as a treasury, a granary, a nest, &c.; also figuratively, as गुणनि (ni) धि (nidhi) ः (guṇanidhiḥ) a man who contains or is endowed with all good qualities. 2 A treasure, any sum or quantity of wealth or valuables. 4 A medicinal plant and perfume, commonly Jivaka. 5 The ocean. E. नि (ni) in, धा (dhā) to have, affix कि (ki). [ ID=21715 ]
- 1. One of Kuvera's nine divine treasures. 2. A receptacle, treasury, or place of asylum. 3. A treasure or store of wealth. 4. A medicinal plant and perfume. 5. The ocean. 6. An epithet of Vishnu.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > नि (ni) धि (nidhi) [Printed book page 390-b ] नि (ni) धि (nidhi) m. ( - धिः (-dhiḥ) ) 1. One of KUVERA'S Nidhis or divine treasures, nine of which are enumerated: viz. The Padma, Mahāpadma, Sankha, Makara, Kachchapa, Mukunda, Kunda, Nila, and Kharba: their nature is not exactly defined, though some of them appears to be precious gems; according to the Tāntrika system, they are personified and worshipped as demi-gods, attendant either upon KUVERA or upon LAKSHMĪ, the goddess of prosperity. 2. A receptacle, a place of asylum or accumulation, as a treasury, a granary, a nest, &c.; also figuratively, as गुणनि (ni) धि (nidhi) ः (guṇanidhiḥ) a man who contains or is endowed with all good qualities. 3. A treasure, any sum or quantity of wealth or valuables. 4. A medicinal plant and perfume, commonly Jivaka. 5. The ocean. 6. An epithet of Vishṇu E. नि (ni) in, धा (dhā) to have, affix. आधा (dhā) रे कि । (ādhāre ki.) [ ID=21702 ]
- treasures  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 517-2 ] *nidhi, pl. ( °ayaḥ ) (“treasures”): VIII, 4413 (personif.); XIV, 1924 ( Śaṅkhādīṃś ca nidhīn ). [ ID=7661 ]
- 1. Wealth. 2. The eight treasures of Kubera: Padma, Mahapadma, Makara, Kacchapa, Kumuda, Shankha, Nila, and Nandana.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Nidhi (V) — wealth; eight kinds of; wealth of Kubera; Padma, Mahapadma, Makara, Kacchapa, Kumuda, Śankha, Nila and Nandana. Vā. 41. 10-11. [ ID=7145 ]

### Act of Setting Down or Depositing (4 definitions)
- setting down or serving up food  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H3) [Printed book page 548,3] नि - (ni-) ° धि (°dhi) a m. setting down or serving up (food, &c.), Ṛg-veda (Title) i, 183, 4 &c. [ ID=108607 ]
- 1. A receptacle or storehouse. 2. A hidden treasure. 3. An embodiment.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 140-3 ] निधि (nidhi) ni-dhí, m. putting down; food set down; receptacle; fig. embodiment; (hidden) treasure: apām —, receptacle of waters, ocean; Page141-1 kalānām —, full moon; -guhyaka‿adhipa, m. ep. of Kubera; -datta, m. N. of a merchant; -pa, m. guardian of treasure; -patidatta, m. N.; -pā́, -pāla, m. guardian of a treasure; -pālita, m. N.; -maya, a. ( ī ) consisting of treasure; -vāda, m. art of finding treasure. [ ID=10582 ]
- 1. Setting down or serving up. 2. A receptacle or vessel. 3. A hidden treasure.  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 270 ] निधि (nidhi) m. setting down or serving up (of food etc. ); receptacle, vessel, (hidden) treasure. [ ID=16413 ]
- 1. The lower part or bottom of a vessel. 2. A receptacle, storehouse, or treasury. 3. A store or hoard of wealth. 4. Any of nine divine treasures belonging to Kuvera. 5. A medicinal plant. 6. A kind of perfume.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 0487-b ] Ni-dhi, is, m. setting down or serving up food &c. (Ved.); the lower part or bottom of the Ukhā (Ved.); a place where anything is laid or deposited, a receptacle, ( apāṃ nidhiḥ, the receptacle of waters, the ocean, sea; also N. of a Sāman; sometimes nidhi alone stands for ‘the ocean’); a place for storing up, a storehouse, treasury, granary, a nest, &c. (figuratively) a treasure-house of good qualities, a man endowed with many good qualities; a treasure, store, hoard, any collection of wealth or valuables; a divine treasure belonging to Kuvera, (nine of which are enumerated, viz. the Padma, Mahā-padma, Śaṅkha, Makara, Kacchapa, Mukunda, Nanda, Nīla, and Kharba; their nature is not exactly defined, though some of them appear to be precious gems; according to the Tāntrika system they are personified and worshipped as demi-gods, attendant either upon Kuvera who is sometimes called Nidhīnam adhi- paḥ, ‘lord of the Nidhis,’ or upon Lakṣmī, the goddess of prosperity); N. of a particular medicinal plant, commonly Jīvikā; a kind of perfume (= nalikā); daivo nidhiḥ, ‘the divine treasure,’ N. of a particular philosophical doctrine. —Nidhi-gopa, as, m. guardian of treasure. —Nidhi-nātha, as, m. or nidhi-prabhu, us, m. or nidhīśvara (°dhi-īś°), as, m. ‘lord of treasures,’ an epithet of Kuvera. —Nidhi-pa, as, m. guardian of treasure; [cf. nidhi-pā. ] —Nidhi-pati, is, m. ‘lord of treasures,’ an epithet of Kuvera; N. of a rich merchant. —Nidhipati-datta, as, m., N. of a merchant. —Nidhi-pā, ās, Ved., or nidhi-pāla, as, m. guardian of treasure. —Nidhi-pālita, as, m., N. of a merchant. —Nidhi-mat, ān, atī, at, Ved. pos- sessing treasure, forming a store. —Nidhīśa or ni- dhīśvara (°dhi-īś°), as, m. ‘lord of treasures,’ an epithet of Kuvera. —Nidhy-arthin, ī, inī, i, treasure seeking. [ ID=24660 ]

### Epithet or Name of Divine/Mythological Beings (4 definitions)
- 1. An epithet of Shiva. 2. An epithet of Vishnu.  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > Nidhi 1 = Śiva (1000 names 2 ).—Do. 2 = Viṣṇu (1000 names 1 ). [ ID=7662 ]
- a Sukha God  
  *The Purana Index*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 2-239 ] Nidhi (I) — a Sukha God. Br. IV. 1. 18. [ ID=7141 ]
- the Goddess enshrined at Vaishravanalaya  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Nidhi (II) — the Goddess enshrined at Vaiśravanālaya. M. 13. 51. [ ID=7142 ]
- a principal attendant of Shiva  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Nidhi (IV) — a mukhya gaṇa. Vā. 100. 18. [ ID=7144 ]

### Receptacle, Store, or Depository (4 definitions)
- 1. A place for storage or a receptacle. 2. The ocean or sea. 3. The full moon.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a place for deposits or storing up, a receptacle ( esp. अपां निधि (apāṃ nidhi), r° (°) of waters, the ocean, sea, also N. of a Sāman; कलानां न् (kalānāṃ n) ° (°), the full moon), Mahābhārata (Title); Kāvya literature (Literary category) &c. [ ID=108607.04 ]
- 1. Abode or receptacle. 2. Storehouse or treasury. 3. Treasure or hoard. 4. The ocean. 5. An epithet of Vishnu.  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 380-08 ] निधि (nidhi) m. 1. Abode, receptacle, निधि (nidhi) मिव हर्षानिधानम् (nidhimiva harṣānidhānam) Git.G. v., R. v.55; 2. a store-house, a treasury; 3. a treasure, a hoard; (for the nine treasures of Kubera, See नवनिधि (nidhi) (navanidhi) ); 4. the ocean; 5. an epithet of Vishṇu. [ ID=19459 ]
- 1. A receptacle. 2. A treasure.  
  *Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 0473-b ] निधि (nidhi) nidhi, i. e. ni-dhā ( cf. dhi and payodhi ), m. 1. A receptacle, MBh. 1, 1124. 2. A treasure, Man. 7, 82. — Comp. Ambu- and ambhas-, m. the ocean, Lass. 44, 11. Kalā-, m. the moon, Lass. 91, 15. Jala-, m. the ocean, Bhartṛ. 2, 78. Tapas-, m. a pious person, Ragh. 1, 56. Tejas-, m. a majestic person, Chr. 21, 2. Payas-, m. the ocean. Śila -jñāna-, m. a virtuous and learned person. [ ID=7465 ]
- 1. A place of deposit or store. 2. A treasure. 3. A branch of science.  
  *The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 1-450 ] Ni-dhi means primarily ‘(place of) deposit,’ ‘store,’ 1 and then ‘treasure’ generally. 2 In the Chāndogya Upaniṣad 3 Nidhi denotes some sort of science. [ Footnote: 1) Rv. i. 183, 4; v. 43, 8; vii. 67, 7; 69, 3, etc.] [ Footnote: 2) Rv. ii. 24, 6; viii. 29, 6; x. 68, 6; Av. x. 7, 23, etc.] [ Footnote: 3) vii. 1, 2. 4; 2, 1; 7, 1. The St. Petersburg Dictionary, s.v., and Böhṭlingk in his edition, take daivo nidhiḥ as one expression. See Daiva. Sāyaṇa takes each as a separate entity, and renders Nidhi as mahākālādinidhi- śāstram, presumably meaning some sort of chronology. Cf. for Nidhi as ‘treasure,’ Jolly, Recht und Sitte, 103, 104.] [ ID=1572 ]

### Treasure, Wealth, or Valuables (3 definitions)
- 1. A treasury or depository. 2. Wealth. 3. The ocean. 4. A medicinal plant.  
  *Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > निधि (nidhi) [Printed book page 417-b ] नि - धि (ni-dhi) ( धिः ) ((dhiḥ)) 2. m. A treasury, particularly Pluto's; a depository; wealth; the ocean; medical plant. [ ID=21200 ]
- one of the seven treasures of a king  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Nidhi (III) — one of the seven ratnas of the king. Vā. 57. 68. [ ID=7143 ]
- jewels, ear ornaments, necklaces, armlets, and anklets  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Nidhi (VI) — jewels; Tātaṇka, 1 Kaṇṭhasūtra, Keyura, and Nūpura. 2 [ Footnote: 1) Br. II. 29. 75; IV. 33. 76.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. IV. 15. 21; III. 27. 6.] [ ID=7146 ]

### Medicinal Plant or Perfume (2 definitions)
- Name of a particular medicinal plant  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > N. of a partic. medic. plant (= जीविका (jīvikā) ), Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=108607.12 ]
- a kind of perfume  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a kind of perfume (= नलिका (nalikā) ), Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=108607.14 ]

### Referential or Etymological Citations (2 definitions)
- See under ni-dha  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H1) [Printed book page 549,1] नि - धि (ni-dhi) b See under नि - धा (ni-dhā). [ ID=108612 ]
- See above.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > निधि (nidhi) ni-dhi. See above. [ ID=24664 ]

### Specific Objects or Technical/Scholarly Meanings (2 definitions)
- the bottom of the Ukha  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > the bottom of the Ukhā, Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa (Title) [ ID=108607.02 ]
- the science of chronology  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (with दैव (daiva) ) the science of chronology, Chāndogya-upaniṣad (Title) vii, 1, 2 ( Śaṃkarācārya [Cologne Addition] (Author) ) [ ID=108607.1 ]

### The Ocean or Sea (1 definition)
- the sea  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > the sea, Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=108607.08 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

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