Maharana, Mahārāṇā: 8 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Vaishnavism
India history
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also
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Introduction:

Maharana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Mahāraṇa (महारण) refers to “great warfare”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.8 (“The battle between the gods and Asuras”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] In the same manner, O dear, the guardians of the quarters, though powerful, were defeated in battle by the Asuras, great experts in warfare (mahāraṇa-viśārada). The other gods too were fought and defeated by the Asuras. Unable to bear their ferocity they took to flight. The victorious Asuras, their effort having been successful, roared like lions and raised shouts of jubilation. [...]”

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Dhiti blog: The Navakalevara Ceremony at Puri

Mahārāṇā (महाराणा) refers to the “carpenter class of Daitās”.—Navakalevara is the name of a festival (symbolizing the cycle of birth, death and re-birth) which is celebrated at Puri: a sacred site home to the eternal abode of Śrī Jagannātha (a form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa).—Jagannātha is made of dāru (wood) because a dāru image cuts up the miseries of the world and imparts eternal bliss. [...] On the 10th day of Caitra, initial rituals mark the beginning of the yātrā for the search for the dārus, [...] Through the repetition of mantras, Śrī Viṣṇu is asked to assure the party, through a dream with either good or ill omens, as to whether the dāru is acceptable to Him or not. Axes of gold, silver, and iron are smeared with sandal paste, vermillion, ghee, honey, flowers, and worshipped with the astra-mantra. Amidst the chanting of Vedas by local Brahmins, the carpenter class of Daitās, called Mahārāṇās cut the trees, and carefully fashion logs of the prescribed length. The log is stripped of its bark, wrapped in silk, and sent to Puri with a group of 5-7 Daitās.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Mahārāṇā.—(EI 21, 24; BL), derived from Mahārāṇaka; feudatory title; later, also a royal title. See Rāṇā and Rāṇaka. Note: mahārāṇā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahāraṇa (महारण).—great battle, Chr. 23, 33.

Mahāraṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and raṇa (रण).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahāraṇa (महारण).—[masculine] great battle.

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

1) Mahāraṇa (महारण):—[=mahā-raṇa] [from mahā > mah] m. a gr° battle, [Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra [Scholiast or Commentator]; Mahābhārata; Pratāparudrīya]

2) [v.s. ...] [varia lectio] for mahīraṇa, (q.v.), [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

[Sanskrit to German]

Maharana 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.

Relevant text

Search found 15 books and stories containing Maharana, Mahārāṇā, Mahāraṇa, Maha-rana, Mahā-raṇa; (plurals include: Maharanas, Mahārāṇās, Mahāraṇas, ranas, raṇas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Sahajayana (in Tantric Buddhism) < [Chapter 2]

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Tantric Buddhism in Orissa (Introduction) < [Chapter 2]

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Review on role of herbal drug in the prevention and management of kidney disease < [Volume 3, issue 1: Jan- Feb 2016]

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2.8. Temples near Mount Girnar and other Temples < [Chapter 5 - Structural temples after the end of the Caulukyan period (upto 1600 A.D.)]

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26. Vishvanatha Vaidya, the Author of the Kosakalpataru < [Volume 2 (1954)]

33. Sanskrit and Hindi Works of Maharaja Vishvanathasimha < [Volume 2 (1954)]

Index (of second volume) < [Volume 2 (1954)]