The Sanskrit term Mahāpāśa can be transliterated into English as Mahapasa or Mahapasha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Mahāpāśa (महापाश) refers to a “great noose”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, “That, O goddess, is said to be the subtle (form), now listen to the gross one. [...] She holds a skull, dagger, javelin and ascetic’s staff. Fierce, she holds a knife, a great noose and sword [i.e., mahāpāśa-asi-dhāriṇī]. (She also holds) a thunderbolt, spear, bow, arrows and double-headed drum. Her neck is adorned with the great lord of snakes. She wears a snake as a sacred thread and (her) girdle is tied with that also. She is adorned with the thousand-headed lord of the snakes (who is) on (her) head. Snakes are (her) anklets and bangles. Her topknot has the form of a burning fire and scorpions are (her) rings”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Mahāpāśa (महापाश) refers to “numerous chains” (such as women), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Travelling living beings, fettered very tightly by numerous chains such as women (mahāpāśa—aṅganādimahāpāśaiḥ), etc., fall into a deep pit of darkness called life”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Mahāpāśa (महापाश).—name of a nāga: Mahāvyutpatti 3335.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Mahāpāśa (महापाश):—[=mahā-pāśa] [from mahā > mah] m. Name of an officer of Yama, [Purāṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] of a Nāga, [Buddhist literature]

[Sanskrit to German]

Mahapasha in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Pasha, Maha, Mahanta, Paca.

Starts with: Mahapashadharin, Mahapashadharini.

Query error!

Full-text: Mahapashadharin, Mahapashadharini.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Mahapasha, Mahā-pāśa, Maha-pasa, Maha-pasha, Mahanta-pasa, Mahanta-pāsa, Mahāpāśa, Mahapasa, Mahāpāsa; (plurals include: Mahapashas, pāśas, pasas, pashas, pāsas, Mahāpāśas, Mahapasas, Mahāpāsas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)

Chapter 65 - Thousand names of Śiva (Rudra-sahasranāma) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]

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Studies in the Upapuranas (by R. C. Hazra)

Chapter 6.2 - The Devi-purana (study)

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