Mahavajradhrik, Mahāvajradhṛk: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mahavajradhrik means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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 Mahāvajradhṛk can be transliterated into English as Mahavajradhrk or Mahavajradhrik, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Images (photo gallery)
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist IconographyMahāvajradhṛk (महावज्रधृक्) or Mahāvajradhṛglokeśvara refers to number 68 of the 108 forms of Avalokiteśvara found in the Machhandar Vahal (Kathmanu, Nepal). [Machhandar or Machandar is another name for for Matsyendra.].
Accordingly,—
“Mahāvajradhṛk also is identical in form with [Mahāviśvaśuddha Lokeśvara], with this difference that here the god carries the sword, the Vajra, the bow, and the Aṅkuśa in his four right hands, and the Utpala, the Ghaṇṭā, the arrow and the noose in his four left.—Mahāviśvaśuddha Lokeśvara is four-faced and eight-armed and stands on a lotus. He carries in his four right hands the sword, the flag, the Vajra and the goad, while the four left have the Ghaṇṭā, the conch, the Utpala and the lotus”.
The names of the 108 deities [viz., Mahāvajradhṛk] possbily originate from a Tantra included in the Kagyur which is named “the 108 names of Avalokiteshvara”, however it is not yet certain that this is the source for the Nepali descriptions. Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mahavajradhriglokeshvara.
Full-text: Mahavajradhriglokeshvara.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahavajradhrik, Mahāvajradhṛk, Mahavajradhrk; (plurals include: Mahavajradhriks, Mahāvajradhṛks, Mahavajradhrks). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)