Sarvalakshana, Sarvalakṣaṇa, Sarva-lakshana: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Sarvalakshana 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.

The Sanskrit term Sarvalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Sarvalaksana or Sarvalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Sarvalakshana in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Sarvalakṣaṇa (सर्वलक्षण) refers to “one who bears all auspicious signs” and is used to describe Pārvatī (daughter of Menā and the incarnation of Goddess Śivā), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.8.—Accordingly, Sage Nārada said to Menā:—“O Menā, O king of mountains, this daughter of yours has all auspicious signs [i.e., sarvalakṣaṇa-śālinī]. Like the first digit of the moon she will increase day by day. She will delight her husband, and heighten the glory of her parents. She will be a great chaste lady. She will grant bliss to everyone always. I see all good signs in the palm of your daughter, O lord of mountains. There is an abnormal line also. Listen to the indication thereof. Her husband will be a naked Yogin, without any qualities. He will be free from lust. He will have neither mother nor father. He will be indifferent to honours. His dress and manners will be inauspicious”.

Purana book cover
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.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Sarvalakshana in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Sarvalakṣaṇa (सर्वलक्षण) refers to “(one who has) all fine characteristics”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “(The adept) should meditate on the goddess Parāparā in the middle of the triangle. (Parāparā) shines with the light of the rising sun and is (red) like a pomegranate flower. She wears red clothes and is adorned with dreadlocks and the moon. Three wrinkles and a line of hair (adorn the middle of her body). She is replete with all fine characteristics [i.e., sarvalakṣaṇa-saṃpūrṇā] and has fat upraised breasts. Tranquil and supreme, she has four arms and one face with three eyes. [...]”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

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.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Sarvalakshana in Shaivism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Sarvalakṣaṇa (सर्वलक्षण) refers to “all (favourable) characteristics”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Devī spoke]:—O God, what kind of a woman is a Yoginī? Who is Māyā and who is Pāśavī? Tell me, O Bhairava, the pros and cons of having sex with them. [Bhairava spoke]:—[...] A woman who possesses all favourable characteristics (sarvalakṣaṇa-sampannā) [but] has neither a [Yoginī] Clan/noble family nor a [human/material] form/beauty, and who is to be approached by empathic imagination, O Maheśānī, is called Māyā”.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Sarvalakṣaṇa (सर्वलक्षण) refers to “(having) all auspicious signs”, 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 18.63-68, while describing the iconography of Mṛtyujit and the consort Amṛtalakṣmī]—“After [the Mantrin] has meditated on the beautiful form as indicated earlier, he should worship Mṛtyujit and Śrī Devī [Amṛtalakṣmī], [...]. She is charming [and] wears a pure white crown. [She has] one face, three eyes, [and is] seated in the baddhapadmāsana, adorned with a Yoga strap, a conch and lotus in [her] hand, the hands [forming the gestures of] wish-granting and protection. Four armed, Mahādevī is marked with all auspicious signs (sarvalakṣaṇa-lakṣitā). [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
context information

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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Sarvalakshana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sarvalakṣaṇa (सर्वलक्षण):—[=sarva-lakṣaṇa] [from sarva] ([in the beginning of a compound]) all auspicious marks, [Rāmāyaṇa; Bhaviṣya-purāṇa, khaṇḍa 1 & 2: bhaviṣya-purāṇa & bhaviṣyottara-purāṇa]

[Sanskrit to German]

Sarvalakshana 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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