Mahasudarshana, Mahāsudarśana: 8 definitions

Introduction:

Mahasudarshana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.

The Sanskrit term Mahāsudarśana can be transliterated into English as Mahasudarsana or Mahasudarshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Mahasudarshana in Pancaratra glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Mahāsudarśana (महासुदर्शन) [=mahāsudarśanayantralakṣaṇam] refers to one of the topics dealt with in the twenty-sixth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture dealing with the symbology of the Sudarśana weapon while also dealing with iconography, philosophy and Vaiṣṇava rituals.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Mahāsudarśana (महासुदर्शन) or Mahāsudarśanacakra refers to the “twelve-spoked wheel” and represents one of the various manifestations of ādhāra (“the sustaining force of the world”), as discussed in the eighth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—Description of the chapter [jagad-ādhāra-nirūpaṇa]: [...] Nārada asks “what is the support [ādhāra] (by which all these things adhere)?” (29-33). To this, Śiva replies that none other than Sudarśana is that internal force [ādhāra] (which keeps all disparate activities together and moving in one particular direction or on one particular plane of action)—and that ādhāra-force is worshipped by those who perceive its power in several different forms: [e.g., as the twelve-spoked mahāsudarśana-cakra carried by Viṣṇu Himself (49-51) ] [...]

2) Mahāsudarśana (महासुदर्शन) or Mahāsudarśanamantra is the name of a mantra mentioned in chapter 7 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [chandovidhi]: The chapter promises to give the ṛṣi, chandas-meter and the presiding deity for mantras. The mantras dealt with are [e.g., mahāsudarśana] [...]. In most cases merely the meter is given; but sometimes the ṛṣi and the presiding deity is also given. The chapter concludes (716-74) by urging a practitioner to employ japa-repetitions and to make bali-offerings, yajña-sacrifices, etc. in order to tap the power of the mantras.

Pancaratra book cover
context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Discover the meaning of mahasudarshana or mahasudarsana in the context of Pancaratra from relevant books on Exotic India

Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)

[«previous next»] — Mahasudarshana in Mantrashastra glossary
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)

Mahāsudarśana (महासुदर्शन) is the name of a Mantra mentioned in chapter 3 of the Śivarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [mantravāda]: Sanatkumāra allows that all divine powers can be brought under control and—put to particular uses by employing the aṣṭākṣara, the dvādaśākṣara, and the viṣṇugāyatrīmantras. Other mantras are mentioned [...]. The mahāsudarśana-mantra, which has two variants, can be used to gain advantage over other persons (11b-29). [...]

context information

Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.

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In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Mahasudarshana in Buddhism glossary
Source: academia.edu: The Chronological History of Buddhism

Arya Mahasudarshana (1400-1320 BCE) or Sudarshana was the disciple of Arya Krishna. He was the son of Darshana and Kshatriya by birth. He belonged to Bharukachcha. Taranatha mentions that Arya Sudarshana visited Hingalaj temple in modern Balochistan. He preached Buddha doctrine there and ensured that no flesh or blood offered to Hingalaj Devi. Taranatha also mentions that Sudarshana spread Buddha Doctrine in Maha-China. Thus, it appears that Buddhism entered China in a limited form for the first time in the 14 th century BCE.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mahasudarshana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Mahāsudarśana (महासुदर्शन).—(1) (= Pali °dassana; compare Sudar- śana 7). name of a cakravartin: MPS 34.14 ff.; Mahāvyutpatti 3570; Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya i.97.14; (2) name of a nāga king (compare Sudarśana 6): Mäy 247.34.

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

Mahāsudarśana (महासुदर्शन):—[=mahā-su-darśana] [from mahā > mah] m. Name of a Cakravartin, [Buddhist literature]

[Sanskrit to German]

Mahasudarshana 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.

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