Brahmashirsha, Brahmaśīrṣa, Brahma-shirsha: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Brahmashirsha means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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 Brahmaśīrṣa can be transliterated into English as Brahmasirsa or Brahmashirsha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexBrahmaśīrṣa (ब्रह्मशीर्ष).—A deadly weapon discharged by Rudra against Soma.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 23. 43.
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 AgricultureBrahmaśīrṣa (ब्रह्मशीर्ष) is the name of a Nāga-king (i.e., Nāgarāja), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, 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 rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [after the Bhagavān explained the great heart-dhāraṇī], “Then Samantākāraparikaracchatra, the great Nāga king, [...] Brahmaśīrṣa, [...]: These leaders of 84,000 Nāga kings, each surrounded by 77,000 of Nāga troops belonging to their abode, approached the Bhagavān, went up to him, circumambulated him three times, worshipped him with great worship, and having bowed down at his feet said to the Bhagavān, ‘[...]’”.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shirsha, Brahma.
Starts with: Brahmashirshan.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Brahmashirsha, Brahmaśīrṣa, Brahma-shirsha, Brahmasirsa, Brahma-śīrṣa, Brahma-sirsa; (plurals include: Brahmashirshas, Brahmaśīrṣas, shirshas, Brahmasirsas, śīrṣas, sirsas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis) (by S. Anusha)
Saṃhāra weapons (1): Sopasaṃhāra-astras < [Chapter 3]
Sarga II: Dhanurveda-viveka-kathana (64 Verses) < [Chapter 2]