Vajratunda, Vajratuṇḍa, Vajratuṇḍā, Vajratumda, Vajra-tunda: 12 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
2. Purana
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Vajratunda means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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

Ayurveda (science of life)

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Shodhganga: Portrayal of Animal Kingdom (Tiryaks) in Epics An Analytical study

1) Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) (lit. “one who is hard beaked”) is a synonym (another name) for Garuḍa, according to scientific texts such as the Mṛgapakṣiśāstra (Mriga-pakshi-shastra) or “the ancient Indian science of animals and birds” by Hamsadeva, containing the varieties and descriptions of the animals and birds seen in the Sanskrit Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

2) Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) (lit. “one who is hard beaked”) also refers to a Vulture (Gṛdhra).

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: The Agni Purana

1) Vajratuṇḍā (वज्रतुण्डा) is the name of a Goddess (i.e., “the messenger of Indra”), according to the Agnipurāṇa chapter 310 (“The narration of the spell relating to Tvaritā”).—Accordingly, as Agni narrated to Vasiṣṭha: “[...] Listen to me! I shall describe the constituent parts of the mantra relating to (the worship of Goddess) Tvaritā. The first two (letters in the mantra) are said to be the heart. The third and fourth are said to be the head. The fifth and sixth are said to be the tuft and the seventh and eighth as the armour. The pupil (of the mantra) would be the eye. It has the characteristic (of containing) nine and half letters. It is known to be (the mantra of) Totalā (Tvaritā). Then (the worship of) Vajratuṇḍā (would be described). There are ten syllables in (Her worship). Kha, kha, hūṃ (obeisance to) Vajratuṇḍā, the messenger of Indra. [...]”.

2) Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) is the name of a Mudrā (“hand postures”), according to the same chapter.—Accordingly, “[...] When the tip of the thumb is placed beneath the middle finger and the fingers are mutually resting on the middle (part) of the fore-fingers, it is said to be the Bhedanī. This (mudrā) held in the navel region and the thumbs raised upwards is known as the great mudrā Karālī. The same located in the heart of the votary and the middle finger resting on the aperture on the head and raised upwards is said to be the Vajratuṇḍa. It should be placed on the vajradeśa (the part of the body known as vajra) and the wrist should be locked up by the two hands stretching the three fingers (of each hand); it is said to be the Vajramudrā. [...]”.

Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) refers to the “adamantine snouts” of animals in the Vaitaraṇī river of Yama’s world, according to the Skandapurāṇa 5.3.159 (“The Greatness of Anarakeśvara”).—Accordingly: as Mārkaṇḍeya said to Yudhiṣṭhira: “[...] The great river at the threshold of Yama’s world, named Vaitaraṇī, is very deep. It is vast and shoreless, Even at the very sight it strikes terror. Putrid blood constitutes its water and flesh is its mud. That water whirls swiftly like ghee in a melting pot. It is full of worms and putrid matter (like pus). Alligators and sharks of adamantine snouts (vajratuṇḍa) and iron-like bills resembling big scissors fill it. There are other aquatic beings of violent features capable of tearing vulnerable joints. [...]”.

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

1) Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) or Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja is the name of an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rainmaking, weather control and prescriptions for the use of specially empowered pesticides to eliminate crop damage.—Vajratuṇḍa (“adamantine beak”) occur in various Buddhist and Brahmanical sources, sometimes in a general meaning and occasionally as a proper name. In Buddhism, the Amoghapāśakalparāja includes the mantra “oṃ amoghaśara vajratuṇḍa thara thara svāhā”, which is called an “arrow mantra” and should be recited seven times. The Kriyāsaṃgraha describes the Vajrasattvābhinaya (“gesture of Vajrasattva”), giving the mantra “oṃ vajratuṇḍābhinaya vajramahākrodha krāmaya krāmaya sarvavighnān hūṃ phaṭ”.

2) Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) refers to the “one with a Vajra Beak” and is used to describe the Garuḍa Lord, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja.—Accordingly, “Now the Bhagavān was residing in the abode of Brahmā. [...] [There was] the Garuḍa Lord, the Great King, the one with golden wings, the one with a Vajra Beak (vajratuṇḍa), the magnanimous one, the one with a blazing body, the wrathful one, the one of frightful power. He was adorned with various wonderful gems, pearls and gold. [...]”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड) is the name of a cock, according to chapter 5.4 [śāntinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“[...] Queen Manoramā said (to King Ghanaratha), ‘Let my cock fight herewith that cock on that wager, Your Majesty’. The king agreed and Queen Manoramā at once had a servant-girl bring her cock, named Vajratuṇḍa. The two were set down on the ground and attacked each other, dancing with various steps like foot-soldiers in an exhibition. [...]”.

context information

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड).—

1) a vulture.

2) mosquito, gnat.

3) Name of Garuḍa.

4) of Gaṇeṣa.

Derivable forms: vajratuṇḍaḥ (वज्रतुण्डः).

Vajratuṇḍa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vajra and tuṇḍa (तुण्ड).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड).—(Sanskrit Lex. id.), vajra-beaked, n. or epithet of Garuḍa: Lalitavistara 270.9 (prose).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड).—m.

(-ṇḍaḥ) 1. The deity Ganesa. 2. Garuda, the bird and vehicle of Vishnu. 3. A vulture. 4. A gnat, a musquito. E. vajra the thunder-bolt, and tuṇḍa face or beak, (as hard.)

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

1) Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड):—[=vajra-tuṇḍa] [from vajra > vaj] mfn. ‘hard-beaked’ [Bhāgavata-purāṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] m. (only [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]) a vulture

3) [v.s. ...] a mosquito, gnat

4) [v.s. ...] Name of Garuḍa

5) [v.s. ...] of Gaṇeśa

6) [v.s. ...] Cactus Opuntia.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vajratuṇḍa (वज्रतुण्ड):—[vajra-tuṇḍa] (ṇḍaḥ) 1. m. Ganesha, Garuḍa; a vulture; a musquito.

[Sanskrit to German]

Vajratunda 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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vajratuṃḍa (ವಜ್ರತುಂಡ):—

1) [noun] a strong beak.

2) [noun] a strong-beaked one, a kite.

3) [noun] Gaṇeśa, the elephant-headed God.

4) [noun] a mosquito.

5) [noun] (jain.) a kind of mythological weapon, a jaina emperor is supposed to possess.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 5 books and stories containing Vajratunda, Vajra-tuṇḍa, Vajra-tunda, Vajra-tuṇḍā, Vajratumda, Vajratuṃḍa, Vajratuṇḍa, Vajratuṇḍā; (plurals include: Vajratundas, tuṇḍas, tundas, tuṇḍās, Vajratumdas, Vajratuṃḍas, Vajratuṇḍas, Vajratuṇḍās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

2. Plot (summary) of the Subalavajratunda < [Chapter 15: Subalavajratunda (Study)]

6. Dramatic effect of the Subalavajratunda < [Chapter 15: Subalavajratunda (Study)]

3.5. Characterisation of Sage Lizard < [Chapter 15: Subalavajratunda (Study)]

+ 13 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 310 - The narration of the spell relating to Tvaritā

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Part 2: Story of the cocks < [Chapter IV - Tenth incarnation as Megharatha]

Part 2: Conquest of Māgadhatīrtha by Bharata < [Chapter IV]

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Part 2 - Consequences ascribered to misconduct in Atithi-saparyā < [Chapter 10 - Virtues and Adversities]

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Review on khagendramani darpana – an unexplored treasure < [2023: Volume 12, December issue 21]