Vīṇā

Vīṇā, “the stringed instrument”

Grammar: feminine noun.

Meaning: the stringed instrument.

In the scriptures: in the marks of women, one with a voice like the vīṇā has many bhogas and servants (Brahma Parva, Chapter 5). The Gāndharvā delights in the sounds of the vīṇā (Brahma Parva, Chapter 28). Vīṇās are among the instruments sounded in hundreds and thousands during the paring of Sūrya (Brahma Parva, Chapter 121). Bhagavatī Gāyatrī holds the vīṇā, the akshamālā, the kamaṇḍalu and the book (Uttara Parva, Chapters 35–36). Sāmaveda is shown holding a vīṇā (Uttara Parva, Chapter 183).

Sources

• Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 5, 28, 121; Uttara Parva, Chapters 35–36, 183