Mahodari, Maha-udari, Mahodarī: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Mahodari means something in 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: The Matsya-purāṇaMahodarī (महोदरी) is the name of a mind-born ‘divine mother’ (mātṛ), created for the purpose of drinking the blood of the Andhaka demons, according to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.8. The Andhaka demons spawned out of every drop of blood spilled from the original Andhakāsura (Andhaka-demon). According to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.35, “Most terrible they (e.g., Mahodarī) all drank the blood of those Andhakas and become exceedingly satiated.”
The Matsyapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 20,000 metrical verses, dating from the 1st-millennium BCE. The narrator is Matsya, one of the ten major avatars of Viṣṇu.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexMahodarī (महोदरी).—A mother goddess.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 179. 31.
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: ManthanabhairavatantramMahodarī (महोदरी) refers to “she who is very dignified”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “(Jvālāmaṅgalyā), the goddess born of Jāla is very dignified [i.e., mahodarī] and powerful. She has five faces, four arms, and sits on a white lion. She holds sword, club, fetter, and goad and is adorned with jewels. She wears clothes of various colours, is fierce and, when worshipped, bestows boons”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraMahodarī (महोदरी) is another name for Śatavārī (identified with Asparagus racemosus), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 10.7cd-17ab, while describing the worship of Bhairavī and Bhairava]—“[Bhairavī] has the appearance of vermillion or lac. [She has] erect hair, a large body and is dreadful and very terrifying. [She has the medicinal plant] śatavārī [i.e., mahodarī], is five-faced, and adorned with three eyes. [Her hands bear] curved talons curved [She has] eyes like the hollow of a tree and wears a garland of severed heads. [Ten-]armed, like Bhairava [she also] bears Bhairava’s weapons [of an axe and hatched]. [...]”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahodarī (महोदरी):—[from mahodara > mahā > mah] f. Asparagus Racemosus, [Bhāvaprakāśa]
2) [v.s. ...] Cyperus Pertenuis, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] Name of a daughter of Maya, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]
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, Udari, Utari.
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Full-text: Udari, Pancavaktra, Udara.
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Search found 6 books and stories containing Mahodari, Maha-udari, Maha-udarī, Mahodarī; (plurals include: Mahodaris, udaris, udarīs, Mahodarīs). 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)
Page 207 < [Volume 6 (1882)]
Tilakamanjari of Dhanapala (study) (by Shri N. M. Kansara)
7. Description of Religious beliefs < [Chapter 13 - Religious and Philosophical data]
Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 9 - Bharata, reborn as a Brāhmaṇa, saved by Bhadrakālī < [Book 5 - Fifth Skandha]
Vishnu Purana (by Horace Hayman Wilson)
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)