Mahima, Mahimā: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Mahima means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Nahima.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantraMahimā (महिमा):—Seventh of the eight Mahāmātṛs existing within the Mātṛcakra, according to the Kubjikāmatatantra. Mahimā stands for the element “earth”. The eight Mahāmātṛs are also called mudrās because all the directions are ‘sealed’ by them.
Mahimā (as do each of the eight Mahāmātṛs) divides herself into eight (secondary) mātṛs, presided over by a Bhairava (fearsome manifestations of Śiva) and his Mātṛkā as consorts. The Mātṛs of this sixth and north-western group are born from Mahimā’s body. They are presided over by Jhaṇṭha Bhairava and his consort Aindryā.
The eight deities originating from Mahimā are called:
- Nivṛtti,
- Pratiṣṭhā,
- Vidyā,
- Śānti,
- Śāntātītā,
- Pṛthivī,
- Vajriṇī
- and Kāmadhenavī.
All these Mātṛs are characterized as carrying a diamond (vajra) in their hand.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: YogaMahimā (महिमा) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “ability to become huge”, as described in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchMahimā (महिमा) refers to “(the supernatural power of) becoming immense”, and as one of the “eight common Yogic paranormal powers”, represents one of the various signs and paranormal powers (siddhi) experienced by the Yoga practicioner, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise.—The last fifty-two verses of the Amanaska’s first chapter describe a temporal sequence of psychosomatic signs and paranormal powers (siddhi) brought about by absorption (laya). In the Amanaska, The 8 common yogic paranormal powers are, [e.g., the power to be immense (mahimā)], [...] This list is similar to that given in Pātañjalayogaśāstra 3.45.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahimā (महिमा) refers to the “power of greatness”, representing the achievements of the western petal of the Aṣṭadala (mystical diagram of the lotus of eight petals), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.11, while explaining the mode of worshipping Śiva:—“[...] the Liṅga shall be purified and installed with various mantras beginning with Praṇava and ending with Namaḥ (obeisance). The pedestal in the form of Svastika or lotus shall be assigned with Praṇava. In the eight petals, in the eight quarters, the eight achievements are identified [viz., the western is Mahimā (greatness)]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Mahimā (महिमा).—A siddhi devī.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 19. 4; 36. 51; 44. 108.
1b) One of the eight Yogaiśvaryas; the third Yoga.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 13. 3, 13.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram1) Mahimā (महिमा) refers to one of the maids (cellakā) associated with Pūrṇagiri, one of the sacred seats (pīṭha), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Nine of the twelve female servants (three in each of the first four seats), are low-caste women who we find, in other contexts, embody the Mothers (mātṛkā). The maids (cellakā) [i.e., Mahimā] are Yoginīs and the servants their male counterparts. These replace the spiritual ‘sons’ and ‘daughters’ the goddess generates and the guardians she appoints in the sacred seats listed in the ‘Kubjikāmatatantra’.
2) Mahimā (महिमा) [=Mahimānanada] is the “secret name” of Katsāladeva —one of the Sixteen Siddhas according to the Kubjikānityāhnikatilaka: a derative text drawing from Tantras and other sources such as the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā.—These sixteen spiritual teachers represent the disciples of the Nine Nāthas who propagated the Western Transmission noted in the Kubjikā Tantras.—Katsāladeva is the Caryā name of this Nātha (i.e., the public name the Siddha uses when living as a wandering renouncer). His Gopya or “secret name” is Mahimā-Ānanada. This secret name is the one by which he is known only to fellow initiates, his teachers and disciples. It is never revealed to anybody outside the circle of initiates.
Source: Shodhganga: Saudarya Lahari of Sri Sankara A StudyMahimā (महिमा) refers to one of the ten Siddhadevīs and part of the twenty-eight Goddesses residing in the Trailokyamohanacakra which represents one of the nine Āvaraṇa-Cakras of Śrīcakra (the nucleus of Tantric philosophy) which are related to the fifteen-lettered chant called Śrīvidyā, according to Śaṅkarācārya’s Saudaryalaharī.—By the worship on Śrīcakra, the Goddess (whose presence is represented is Śrīcakra) will get awakened. This is the beginning of the spiritual consciousness in man. The nine Cakras in the Śrīcakra are called āvaraṇacakras.—Bhūpuratraya having four openings is called Trailokyamohanacakra with white (outermost), light red (middle) the and yellow (innermost) colours. Tripurādevī controls the twenty-eight goddesses [e.g., Mahimā] who exist here.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsMahima (महिम) refers to the “glories (of Kṛṣṇa)”, as discussed in the third chapter [first book] of the Jñānāmṛtasārasaṃhita: a Pāñcarātra text representing a sectarian glorification of Kṛṣṇa and Rādha (i.e., the cult of Radha-Krishna) dated among the latest of the Saṃhitā-type works.—Description of the chapter [brahmasanatkumārasaṃvāda śrīkṛṣṇamahimopalambhanam]: Sanatkumāra pursues the matter of naivedya-offerings and another story is told by Brahmā about Subhadra’s devotion being rewarded by a divine vision of Kṛṣṇa and His entourage (1-88)
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worldsMahimā (महिमा) refers to “transforming the body into bigger stature” and represents one of the eleven types of extraordinary form-changing (vikriyā), which itself is a subclass of the eight ṛddhis (extraordinary powers). These powers can be obtained by the Ārya (civilized people) in order to produce worldly miracles. The Āryas represent one of the two classes of human beings according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 3.46, the other being Mleccha (barbarians).
What is meant by extraordinary power to transform body into bigger stature (mahimā-riddhi)? It is the extraordinary power by which one transforms his body into bigger stature like a hill.
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
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarymahimā (महिमा).—m f (S) Greatness, grandeur, glory, illustriousness, majesty. Ex. patanauddhāra santāñcā ma0 || tyajāvēṃ adhamā santadvēṣṭayā ||. 2 m Magnitude as one of Shiva's attributes, immensity or illimitability. 3 Greatness or magnitude in general.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishmahimā (महिमा).—m f Greatness, glory. m Magnitude.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahima (महिम):—[from mah] in [compound] for mahiman.
2) Mahimā (महिमा):—[from mah] f. = mahiman, greatness etc., [Rāmāyaṇa]
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryMahimā (महिमा) [Also spelled nahima]:—(nf) exaltation, greatness, dignity; majesty; importance; ~[maṃḍita] exalted; dignified; majestic; bearing the stamp of greatness/importance; ~[maya/vāna] dignified, exalted, great, majestic; important.
...
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryMahima (महिम) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Mahiman.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusMahima (ಮಹಿಮ):—
1) [noun] = ಮಹಿಮೆ - [mahime -] 1.
2) [noun] a man of greatness or he who has spiritual or super-human power.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryMahimā (महिमा):—n. 1. greatness; 2. glory; majesty; might; power; 3. high rank; exalted position; dignity; 4. one of the siddhis; the power of increasing size at will;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ima, Mahanta.
Starts with (+15): Mahimabhatta, Mahimada, Mahimadasa, Mahimagha, Mahimaghavan, Mahimahendra, Mahimahikamshu, Mahimakara, Mahimamay, Mahimamaya, Mahimameru, Mahiman, Mahimana, Mahimananada, Mahimanate, Mahimandala, Mahimandaleshvara, Mahimant, Mahimanveet, Mahimarataba.
Query error!
Full-text (+81): Mahimabhatta, Mahimataramga, Mahimasundara, Mahimastava, Mahimavat, Ashtasiddhi, Siddhi, Mahiman, Yogamahima, Mahimasiddhi, Mahimataramgatika, Mahimasimhagani, Mahimakara, Mahimodaya, Aishvarya, Vratamahima, Mahamahimatva, Shrikrishnamahima, Krishnamahima, Shivasthalamahimavarnana.
Relevant text
Search found 105 books and stories containing Mahima, Mahanta-ima, Mahimā; (plurals include: Mahimas, imas, Mahimās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.8.42 < [Chapter 8 - Description of Seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa]
Verse 2.9.15 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Hari-bhakti-kalpa-latikā (by Sarasvati Thkura)
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.5.115 < [Chapter 5 - Priya (the beloved devotees)]
Verse 2.3.98 < [Chapter 3 - Bhajana (loving service)]
Verse 1.3.49 < [Chapter 3 - Prapañcātīta (beyond the Material Plane)]
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 201-202 [Kalpanā-Dhāraṇā-Kālidevata Tattvas] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Verse 272 [Kālidāsa’s Cidgaganacandrikā is for getting the grace of Kāli] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Sucindrasthala-mahatmya (critical edition and study) (by Anand Dilip Raj)
Chapter 9 - Navama Adhyaya (navamo'dhyayah) < [Chapter 5 - Sucindrasthalamahatmya: Sanskrit critical edition]
Sucindrasthalamahatmya—A literary Appraissal < [Chapter 4 - Sucindrasthalamahatmya: a critical study]
Wise Sayings from Kurma Purana < [Purana, Volume 11, Part 1 (1969)]
The Glorification of Vyasa (Part 2) < [Purana, Volume 10, Part 2 (1968)]
The Glorification of Vyasa < [Purana, Volume 9, Part 2 (1967)]