Mahaguna, Mahāguṇa, Maha-guna: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Mahaguna 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahāguṇa (महागुण) refers to “great qualities”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.29 (“Śivā-Śiva dialogue”).—Accordingly, as Śiva said to Pārvatī: “[...] O daughter of the mountain, I will not go up to Himavat your father. I will not become a mendicant and beg of him for you. O daughter of the lord of mountains, even a weighty person endowed with great qualities (mahāguṇa), even a noble soul, is considered base immediately after uttering the words—‘Please give me’. O benevolent lady, after knowing this what is it that you say is our duty? Gentle lady, do as you wish”.
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: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāMahāguṇa (महागुण) refers to the “great qualities”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, after the exposition of the dharma, ‘A Chapter of the Collection of Dharma’ (dharmasaṃgraha), was taught: “[...] The following verses issued from the sound of musical instruments: ‘[...] (192) The water in the ocean of three thousandfold worlds is measurable, a bird-track in the sky in ten directions is expressible, and someone can have the same thought as all living beings; but the great qualities (mahāguṇa) of the son of the Sage are inexhaustible. [...]’”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahāguṇa (महागुण).—a. very efficacious, sovereign (as a medicine); त्वया ममैष संबन्धः कपिमुख्य महागुणः (tvayā mamaiṣa saṃbandhaḥ kapimukhya mahāguṇaḥ) Rām.5.1.12.
-ṇaḥ a chief quality, cardinal virtue.
Mahāguṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and guṇa (गुण).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāguṇa (महागुण).—1. [masculine] chief or cardinal virtue.
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Mahāguṇa (महागुण).—2. [adjective] possessing great qualities or merits, distinguished; [abstract] tva [neuter]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahāguṇa (महागुण):—[=mahā-guṇa] [from mahā > mah] m. a chief quality, cardinal virtue, [Kāmandakīya-nītisāra]
2) [v.s. ...] mfn. possessing gr° excellencies, distinguished, very meritorious, [Mahābhārata; Prabodha-candrodaya]
3) [v.s. ...] very efficacious, [Suśruta]
4) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a teacher, [Buddhist literature]
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mahagunadhara, Mahagunadharabuddhipraptabhijna, Mahagunatva.
Full-text: Mahagunatva, Mahakula.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Mahaguna, Mahāguṇa, Maha-guna, Mahā-guṇa; (plurals include: Mahagunas, Mahāguṇas, gunas, guṇas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 3.3.23 < [Part 3 - Fraternal Devotion (sakhya-rasa)]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.13.312 < [Chapter 13 - The Deliverance of Jagāi and Mādhāi]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 11 - Non-existence of the thing given < [Chapter XX - The Virtue of Generosity and Generosity of the Dharma]
Part 7 - Assuring a rebirth among humans < [Chapter LI - Seeing all the Buddha Fields]
Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure) (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)
A Thief of Hearts < [Chapter 1.1 - Śrī Guru Tattva and Śrī Guru Sevaka]