Mahatantra, Mahātantra, Maha-tantra: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Mahatantra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: Pancaratra (Samhita list)1) Mahātantra (महातन्त्र) is the name of an ancient Pāñcarātra Saṃhitā mentioned in the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography.—For the list of works, see chapter 1, verses 14b-27. The list [including Mahātantra] was said to have comprised “108” titles, these, different saṃhitās named after different manifestations of the Lord or different teachers. They are all said to be authoritative as the ultimate promulgator of all these is the same Nārāyaṇa.
2) Mahātantra (महातन्त्र) is also mentioned in the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.
3) Mahātantra (महातन्त्र) is also mentioned in the Bhāradvājasaṃhitā or “Bhāradvāja-kaṇva-saṃhitā”: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 230 ślokas mainly concerned with basic details concerning temple construction and icon consecration.—In the first chapter of the Bhāradvāja-Saṃhitā a list of canonical titles is given—supposedly, but not actually naming “108” titles. The list is almost identical to that found in the Kapiñjala-saṃhitā.
4) Mahātantra (महातन्त्र) or Mahātantrasaṃhitā is also mentioned in the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (h)Mahātantra (महातन्त्र) is defined as “that which explains the three categories in four quarters”. Aghoraśivācārya of 1130-50 A.D. while commenting upon the Tattvaprakāśikā of Bhojadeva, provides the above mentioned definition for Mahātantra. He refers to Vidyāpāda of Mṛgendrāgama, which says that Mahātantra should explain three categories of world viz. Pati, Paśu and Pāśa. The nature of them are explained in four quarters or Pādas viz. Jñāna, Yoga, Kriyā and Caryā. These four are the major sections of Āgama. Here the word Mahātantra is employed as a synonym of Āgamas accordingly to the subject matter dealt in it.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsMahātantra (महातन्त्र) refers to the “great scripture” (of the Jain canon), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Capable soul, for purification of the mind, you must hold strongly in the mind the reflections which are established by the gods of gods (i.e. the Tīrthaṅkaras) in the great scripture (mahātantra) of the [Jain] canon”.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryMahātantra.—(SITI; ASLV), often mentioned in South Indian records in the sense of ‘the army’; the army council; the great assembly of the army. Note: mahātantra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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: Aufrecht Catalogus CatalogorumMahātantra (महातन्त्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Mentioned in Āgamatattvavilāsa.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahātantra (महातन्त्र):—[=mahā-tantra] [from mahā > mah] n. Name of a Śaiva [work]
[Sanskrit to German]
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: Maha, Tantra.
Starts with: Mahatantradhikrita, Mahatantradhyaksha, Mahatantraraja, Mahatantrasamhita.
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Full-text: Manangulamahatantra, Mahatantraraja, Shadunnayanamahatantra, Shabaramahatantra, Shishyadhivriddhida mahatantra, Nishvasakhyamahatantra, Nibandhamahatantra, Bijavyakaranamahatantra, Mahatantrasamhita, Vajradakamahatantra, Brahmajnanamahatantraraja, Shishyadhivriddhidamahatantra, Atri, Tantrapala, Lalla, Agama.
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Search found 19 books and stories containing Mahatantra, Maha-tantra, Mahā-tantra, Mahātantra, Mahatantras; (plurals include: Mahatantras, tantras, Mahātantras, Mahatantrases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)
2. Tantra: Its meaning and importance (A brief study) < [Chapter 1 - History and scope of Tantric Literature]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.2.60-62 < [Chapter 2 - Divya (the celestial plane)]
Hevajra Tantra (analytical study) (by Seung Ho Nam)
2.2. Commentaries on Hevajra Tantra < [Chapter 2 - Place of Hevajra Tantra in Tantric Literature]
1.5. The Four Energy Centres (cakra) < [Chapter 4 - Tantric Cult in Hevajra Tantra]
Matsya Purana (critical study) (by Kushal Kalita)
Part 1c - Architecture (vāstu) in the Matsyapurāṇa < [Chapter 7 - Art and Architecture in the Matsyapurāṇa]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)