Mahatantra, Mahātantra, Maha-tantra: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Mahatantra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India. 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
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (h)Mahātantra (महातन्त्र) is defined as “that which explains the three categories in four quarters”. Aghoraśivācārya of 1130-50 A.D. while commenting upon the Tattvaprakāśikā of Bhojadeva, provides the above mentioned definition for Mahātantra. He refers to Vidyāpāda of Mṛgendrāgama, which says that Mahātantra should explain three categories of world viz. Pati, Paśu and Pāśa. The nature of them are explained in four quarters or Pādas viz. Jñāna, Yoga, Kriyā and Caryā. These four are the major sections of Āgama. Here the word Mahātantra is employed as a synonym of Āgamas accordingly to the subject matter dealt in it.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsMahātantra (महातन्त्र) refers to the “great scripture” (of the Jain canon), according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Capable soul, for purification of the mind, you must hold strongly in the mind the reflections which are established by the gods of gods (i.e. the Tīrthaṅkaras) in the great scripture (mahātantra) of the [Jain] canon”.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryMahātantra.—(SITI; ASLV), often mentioned in South Indian records in the sense of ‘the army’; the army council; the great assembly of the army. Note: mahātantra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus CatalogorumMahātantra (महातन्त्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Mentioned in Āgamatattvavilāsa.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahātantra (महातन्त्र):—[=mahā-tantra] [from mahā > mah] n. Name of a Śaiva [work]
[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)
Partial matches: Maha, Tantra.
Starts with: Mahatantradhikrita, Mahatantradhyaksha, Mahatantraraja.
Ends with: Ajitamahatantra, Bijavyakaranamahatantra, Manangulamahatantra, Nibandhamahatantra, Nishvasakhyamahatantra, Shabaramahatantra, Shadunnayanamahatantra, Shishyadhivriddhida mahatantra, Shishyadhivriddhidamahatantra, Vajradakamahatantra, Vajramritamahatantra.
Full-text: Mahatantraraja, Shadunnayanamahatantra, Shishyadhivriddhidamahatantra, Brahmajnanamahatantraraja, Shabaramahatantra, Shishyadhivriddhida mahatantra, Atri, Tantrapala, Lalla, Agama.
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Mahatantra, Mahātantra, Maha-tantra, Mahā-tantra; (plurals include: Mahatantras, Mahātantras, tantras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.2.60-62 < [Chapter 2 - Divya (the celestial plane)]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
The Matsya Purana (critical study) (by Kushal Kalita)
Part 1c - Architecture (vāstu) in the Matsyapurāṇa < [Chapter 7 - Art and Architecture in the Matsyapurāṇa]
Vastu-shastra (1): Canons of Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
(iv) Other Ācāryas (chief preceptors) of Vastuśāstra < [Chapter 4 - An outline History of Hindu Architecture]
Varahi Tantra (English Study) (by Roberta Pamio)
Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po) (by George N. Roerich)
Chapter 8 - Second incarnation series (iii): yag sde pan chen < [Book 8 - The famous Dakpo Kagyü (traditions)]
Chapter 13 - Staglungpa (vii): Maṅgala guru < [Book 8 - The famous Dakpo Kagyü (traditions)]
Chapter 29 - Sonam Gyatso (vii): Labors for the doctrine < [Book 10 - The Kālacakra]