The Sanskrit terms Mahāśāstrī and Mahāśāstṛ can be transliterated into English as Mahasastri or Mahashastri or Mahasastr, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Mahāśāstrī (महाशास्त्री).—A mother goddess.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 7. 72.

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: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Mahāśāstṛ (महाशास्तृ) refers to the “great teacher”, according to  the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 1.—Accordingly: “In order that people accept his doctrine, the Buddha says to them: ‘I am the great teacher (mahāśāstṛ), I possess the ten strengths and the four fearlessnesses; I am established in the abodes of the saints; my mind enjoys the masteries. Uttering the lion’s roar, I turn the wheel of the Dharma; in all the universes I am the supreme being’”.

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.

India history and geography

Source: Institut Français de Pondichéry: The Shaivite legends of Kanchipuram

Mahāśāstṛ (महाशास्तृ) (in Sanskrit) refers to the Tamil Mācāttaṉṟaḷi, and represents one of the proper nouns mentioned in the Kanchipuranam, which narrates the Shaivite Legends of Kanchipuram—an ancient and sacred district in Tamil Nadu (India). The Kanchipuranam (mentioning Mahāśāstṛ) reminds us that Kanchipuram represents an important seat of Hinduism where Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed since ancient times.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Maha, Shastri.

Full-text: Macattanrali.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahashastri, Mahā-śāstṛ, Maha-sastr, Mahāśāstṛ, Mahasastr, Mahāśāstrī, Mahasastri; (plurals include: Mahashastris, śāstṛs, sastrs, Mahāśāstṛs, Mahasastrs, Mahāśāstrīs, Mahasastris). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

Part 6 - Why the arhats surround the Buddha < [Chapter VI - The Great Bhikṣu Saṃgha]

Part 1 - For what reasons did the Buddha preach Mahāprajñāpāramitāsūtra? < [Chapter I - Explanation of Arguments]

show preview