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In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstra

Meru (मेरु) refers to a type of temple (prāsāda) classified under the group named Sāndhāra, according to Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra chapter 56. The Sāndhāra group contains twenty-five out of a sixty-four total prāsādas (temples) classified under four groups in this chapter. As the last name mentioned in this group, Meru is also known as Prāsādarāja. The Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra is an 11th-century encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the Vāstuśāstra.

Meru is found in another list in the Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra, chapter 60, where it is mentioned in a list of thirty-six Prāsādas (temples) having activities of the townsmen entailing Sādhārās.

Meru is found in another list in the Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra, chapter 63, where it is listed in the group named Nāgara, containing 20 different prāsādas (temples/buildings).

Meru is also listed in the Suprabhedāgama, which describes a list of 13 temple types. This list represents the earliest form of the classification of temples in the South Indian Vāstuśāstra literature.

Meru is also listed in the Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati which features a list of 52 temple types. This list represents the classification of temples in South-India.

Meru is also listed in the Matsyapurāṇa which features a list of 20 temple types. This list represents a classification of temples in Nort-India.

Meru is also listed in the Agnipurāṇa which features a list of 45 temple types. It is listed under the group named Vairāja, featuring square-shaped temples. This list represents a classification of temples in Nort-India.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Meru (मेरु) refers to a “twelve-storied” variety of the hundred types of Temples (in ancient Indian architecture), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—It is quite difficult to say about a definite number of varieties of Hindu temples but in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa hundred varieties of temples have been enumerated. For example, Meru. These temples are classified according to the particular shape, amount of storeys and other common elements, such as the number of pavilions, doors and roofs.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Meru (मेरु).—One of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 75. Jambūdvīpa is ruled over by Āgnīdhra, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata was a son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Meru is composed of the following colours:

1. eastern side: white, represents the Brahmin.
2. southern side: yellow, represents the Vaiśya.
3. western side: black, represents the Śudra.
4. northern side: red, represents the Kṣatriya.

There are four mountains with a tree surrouding Meru in the four directions, and also four lakes:

1. eastern direction: mount Mandara; has Kadamba tree on its peak; Aruṇoda lake;
2. southern direction: mount Gandhamādana; has Jambū tree on its peak; Mānasa lake;
3. western direction: mount Vipula; has Aśvatta tree on its peak; Asitoda lake;
4. northern direction: mount Supārśva; has Vaṭa tree on its peak; Mahābhadra lake.

There are also four regions in the four directions:

1. eastern direction: Bhadrāśva,
2. southern direction: Bhārata,
3. western direction: Ketumāla,
4. northern direction: Kuru.

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

Source: archive.org: Geography in Ancient Indian inscriptions (purāṇa)

Meru (मेरु).—The entire mountain system of the world, as conceived by the Puranic writers, centres round the Meru, the mountain of gold, which is supposed to stand in the middle of Ilāvṛta, a highly elevated sub-continental region (varṣa) of Jambudvīpa. Below the central mountain are the four viṣkambha-parvatas (Sujacent hills), Mandara, Gandhamādana, Vipula and Supārśva. Six sub-continental ranges (varṣaparvata) lie to the north an south of the Meru—Nīla, Śveta and Śṛṅgī to the north and Niṣadha, Hemakūṭa and Himavat to the south.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Meru (मेरु) is the name of a mountain, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.9. Accordingly as Kāma related to Brahmā:—“[...] Even as I entered the zone, the living beings fell into my power but lord Śiva and his Gaṇas were not moved at all. O Brahmā, when Śiva went to the Himālayan ridge, Rati, Spring and I reached the place. Wherever He went whether on Meru Nāgakeśara or Kailāsa, I too went there immediately”.

Note: Meru is situated in the centre of the earth. It is described in the Purāṇas as the four-armed Svastika, evolving in four directions each with seven constituent members. It can be identified with the highland of Tartary, north of the Himalayas. It is variously called Sumeru, Hemādri (the Golden Mountain) Ratnasānu (jewel peak), Karṇikācala (lotus mountain), Amarādrī, Devaparvata, ‘mountain of the Gods’.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Meru (मेरु).—(Mt.) the hill that stands in the middle of Ilāvṛta, equal in height to the length of Jambūdvīpa, surrounded on four sides by Mandara, Merumandara, Supārśva and Kumuda. In these four ranges are four great trees— Mango, Jambu, Kaḍamba and Banyan; four pools of milk, honey, sugarcane and fresh water; four celestial gardens— Nandana, Caitraratha, Vaibhrājaka, and Sarvatobhadra. Encircling the base of Meru, stand two hills. On the east are Jaṭhara and Devakūṭa; on the west Pavana and Pāriyātra; on the south Kailāsa and Karavīra, and on the north Triśṛnga and Makara. In the central part of its summit is Brahmā's square city of gold. Surrounding the outskirts of that city, are the eight cities of the eight guardians.¹ There is a forest at its foot where Rudra sports with Pārvatī; Bhāgavan identified with;² one of the six Varṣaparvatas of Jambūdvīpa occupying the middle portion. The dwellingplace of Deva gaṇas;³ on its four sides are four countries, Bhādrāśva, Bharata, Ketumālā, and Uttarakuru.⁴ The relation of Dhruva to.⁵ Here the sages met to consider a certain question and it was announced that he, who did not arrive in time would have to submit himself to the prāyascitta of brahmicide. Vaiśampāyana unable to go, undertook to do so.⁶ Acted as milkman of hills in milking the cow-earth.⁷ Sāvarṇi Manu's penance at.⁸ North of it were ruling 15 sons of Vikukṣi and south of it 114 sons of Ikṣvāku of whom Kakuśtha was the eldest.⁹

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 16 (whole); 20. 2; VIII. 5. 18; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 69; 4. 28.
• 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 1. 25.
• 3) Ib. XI. 16. 21; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 32 and 36.
• 4) Ib. II. 15. 16, 42-51; 17. 19, 34, 84; 21, 14, 28-34; III. 7. 194, 258; 61. 24; 63. 36; 66. 7; IV. 1. 24; 9. 17; Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 1. 20-22; 2. 39-41; 8. 19; V. 1. 12, 66; 38. 72.
• 5) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 23. 108.
• 6) Ib. II. 25. 96; 35, 15-18.
• 7) Matsya-purāṇa 2. 33; 10. 26; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 223.
• 8) Matsya-purāṇa 11. 38.
• 9) Ib. 12. 26-8; 113. 12ff; 124. 13; 163. 83; 182. 21; 183. 1; 184. 18; 249. 12.

1b) A temple with 100 beautiful towers, four gates, sixteen storeys and many fine turrets; the toraṇa of Meru is 50 hastas.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 269. 28, 31, 47.

1c) A Dānava with manuṣya dharma.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 68. 15.

1d) The mother of Niyati and Āyati.^*

• * Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 10. 3.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Meru (मेरु) refers to the name of a Mountain mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.48.2, V.158.15, IX.44.13, IX.44.43). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Meru) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

Meru (मेरु) is the father of both Āyati and Niyati, who married Dhātā and Vidhātā: both daughters of Bhṛgu and Khyāti: one of the twenty-four daughters of Dakṣa and Prasūti, according to the Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, From Bhṛgu through Khyāti, Lakṣmī (the beloved of Nārāyaṇa), Dhātā and Vidhātā were born. Dhātā and Vidhātā became the Sons-in-law of Meru marrying Āyati and Niyati respectively. Prāṇa was born form Dhātā and Mṛkaṇḍu was born from Vidhātā. Prāṇa had a son named Vedaśiras and the son of Mṛkaṇḍu was Mārkaṇḍeya.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Meru (मेरु) is the name of a golden mountained situated in the middle of the nine landmasses (navakhaṇḍa), according to Parākhyatantra 5.66. Mount Meru rises above the surface of the earth (pṛthivī) by 84,000 yojanas while it penetrates the circle of the earth to a depth of sixteen yojanas. The nine landmasses are known to be Bhārata, Hari, Kimpuruṣa, Ramyaka, Ramaṇa, Kuru, Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla and Ilāvṛta. Together these khaṇḍas make up the continent known as Jambūdvīpa.

The top of mount Meru are its three peaks belonging to Viṣṇu, Brahmā and Śaṅkara and below, on its slopes, are the eight citadels of the lokapālas:

1. Amara or Amarāvatī of Indra (East),
2. Sutejaskā, Sutejovatī or Tejovatī of Agni (South-East),
3. Vivasvat, Vivasvatī or Saṃyamanī of Yama (South),
4. Asita, Asitavatī, Rakṣovatī, Kṛṣṇāṅgārā, Kṛṣṇā or Kṛṣṇavatī of Nirṛti (South-West),
5. Sita, Sitavatī or Śuddhavatī of Varuṇa (West),
6. Gandha, Gandhavatī or Gandhavahā of Vāyu (North-West),
7. Prabhā, Prabhāvatī or Mahodayā of Kubera or Soma (North),
8. Yaśaskā or Yaśovatī or Sukhāvahā of Hara (North-East).

Accordingly, “they brighten the sky in all the eight directions with the light of the radiance of their gold and jewels; they contain heavenly pleasures and sweet tastes, and in them bodies are happy and pure”.

The Parākhyatantra is an old Śaiva-siddhānta tantra dating from before the 10th century.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Shodhganga: The Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara

Merū (मेरू) is the name a locality mentioned in Rājaśekhara’s 10th-century Kāvyamīmāṃsā.—Mahāmerū or the mountain situated in the middle of the Jambudvīpa. It is encircled by the Ilāvrtavarṣa.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Meru (मेरु) refers to one of the thirteen places (sthāna) associated with the Goddess’ pilgrimage, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā (verse 1.36-37, 4.5, 4.26-132), which is an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Meru (मेरु) or Merugiri refers to a mountain belonging to “Uttaratas or Uttaradeśa (northern division)” classified under the constellations of Śatabhiṣaj, Pūrvabhādrapada and Uttarabhādrapada, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 14), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhāratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttikā. The constellations of Śatabhiṣaj, Pūrvabhādrapada and Uttarabhādrapada represent the northern division consisting of [i.e., Meru-giri] [...]”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Google Books: Jaina Iconography

Meru (मेरु).—In the center of the Jambū-dvīpa is the Mount Meru, golden and having the shape of a truncated cone. At the base of Meru is a grove Bhadraśāla resembling a surrounding wall. At five hundred yojanas from Bhadraśāla, on a terrace, is the grove called Nandana. On a second terrace, at a certain distance above Nandana is the garden Puṇḍarīka. In the last grove is performed the Janmābhiṣeka-kalyāṇaka (birth-bath ceremony) of the Tīrthaṅkaras. Each of the above mentioned groves has four śāśvata Jina Bhavanas.

Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu

Meru (मेरु) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Meru] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Meru (मेरु) or Sumeru is the name of a mountain situated in the interior of Jambūdvīpa in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.2 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“in the Middle World (i.e., madhyaloka) there are countless continents and oceans, with auspicious names Jambūdvīpa, Lavaṇa, etc.; [...] In the interior of Jambūdvīpa Meru, golden, round like a sthāla, is buried 1,000 yojanas in the ground at its base, is 99,000 yojanas high, and 10,000 yojanas in diameter at the surface of the earth. At the top it is 1,000 yojanas in diameter. It is in three parts, and its body is divided by the three worlds. [...]”.

Source: Sacred Texts: Uttaradhyayana Sutra

Meru (मेरु) is Śaileśa and its avasthā, or condition, is śaileśī (= selesī), according to the Uttarādhyayana-sūtra chapter 29 (“The Exertion in Righteousness”).—Accordingly, “By possession of conduct he obtains a stability like that of the king of mountains (viz. Meru) [i.e., selesī], whereby a houseless monk destroys the four remnants of Karman which even a Kevalin possesses; after that he obtains perfection, enlightenment, deliverance, and final beatitude, and puts an end to all misery”.

context information

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: archive.org: Geography in Ancient Indian inscriptions

Meru (मेरु).—Various inscriptions describe the mountain Meru as mighty, firm, rugged, piled with huge rocks, and as mountain of the Gods (amara-bhūdhara). In the Mandsaur inscription of the Guild of the Silk-weavers, the mountains Sumeru and Kailāsa are described as the large breasts of earth. Another Mandsaur inscription refers to the rocks of the glens of the Sumeru being split open by the blows of the horns of the bull of the God Śūlapāni. The Vasantagadh inscription of 625 A.D. makes the mention of long durability of the Meru mountain.

The mountain has been identified with the Altai mountain in Central Asia. Altai is Allain-Ula in Mongolian, which means, mountain of gold. According to the Kālikā-purāṇa, the Jambu river flows from this mountain. The God Śiva saw the summit of this mountain.

Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions

Meru (मेरु) is another for Sumeru: a mountain mentioned in the Gupta inscription No. 17 and 32. The Gupta empire (r. 3rd-century CE), founded by Śrī Gupta, covered much of ancient India and embraced the Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Sumeru is identified with Rudra Himālaya in Garhwal, where the river Gaṅgā has its source, it is near Badarikāśrama.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Meru.—(SII 3), name of a gift. (EI 2; CII 4), a kind of temple. Note: meru is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Meru (मेरु) is the name of a mountain situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Meru is referred to in the Therīgāthā Commentary, and is identical with the Rudra Himālaya in Gharwal where the river Ganges takes its rise. It is near the Badarikā Āśram, and is probably the Mount Meros of Arrian.

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

Mēru (மேரு) (in Tamil) refers to Meru in Sanskrit, 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 Mēru) 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.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Meru in Kenya is the name of a plant defined with Saba comorensis in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Landolphia martreti A. Chev. ex De Wild. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Mémoires de l’Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (1953)
· Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzenge schichte und Pflanzengeographie (1893)
· Revue internationale de botanique appliquée et d’agriculture tropicale (1948)
· Plants of the Coast of Coromandel (1820)
· Mémoires du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (1948)
· Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Françoise (1775)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Meru, for example side effects, health benefits, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, chemical composition, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.

context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

mēru (मेरु).—m (S) The sacred mountain Meru in the centre of the seven continents. Supposed to mean the high land of Tartary, immediately to the north of the Himalaya mountains. 2 fig. The large middle gem of a necklace. The two ends meet in it. 3 The stalk or standing tube of a guḍaguḍī or hubble bubble.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

mēru (मेरु).—m The standing tube of a guḍaguḍī. The mountain mēru. The middle gem of a necklace.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Meru (मेरु).—

1) Name of a fabulous mountain (round which all the planets are said to revolve and which forms the centre of the several Dvīpas; cf. dvīpa; it is also said to consist of gold and gems); विभज्य मेरुर्न यदर्थिसात् कृतः (vibhajya merurna yadarthisāt kṛtaḥ) N.1.16; स्वात्मन्येव समाप्तहेममहिमा मेरुर्न मे रोचते (svātmanyeva samāptahemamahimā merurna me rocate) Bhartṛhari 3.15.

2) The central bead in a rosary.

3) The central gem of a necklace.

Derivable forms: meruḥ (मेरुः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Meru (मेरु).—(1) name of a former Buddha: Mahāvastu iii.239.9; (2) name of a future Buddha: Mahāvastu ii.355.10 (here text Maru, probably misprint) = iii.279.15 (verse); (3) name of a cakravartin (= Pali Neru; note that Pali has Sineru for the mountain name Sumeru): Mahāvyutpatti 3574.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Meru (मेरु).—m.

(-ruḥ) 1. The sacred mountain Meru, in the centre of the seven continents, compared to the cup or seed-vessel of the lotus, the leaves of which are formed by the different Dwipas: its height is said by the Hindus to be 84,000 Yojanas, sixteen thousand of which are below the surface of the earth: the shape is variously described, as square, conical, columnar, spherical, or spiral; and the four faces of it are of various colours, or white towards the east, yellow to the south, black to the west, and red towards the north: the river Ganges falls from heaven on its summit, and flows thence to the surrounding worlds in four streams; the southern branch is the Ganges of India, the northern running into Tartary is the Bhadrasoma, the eastern is the Sita, and the western the Chacshu or Oxus: on the summit of Meru Brahma resides attended and worshipped by the Rishis, Gandharbas, &c.; the regents of the points of the compass occupy the corresponding faces of the mountain, the whole of which consists of gold and gems: considered in any but a fabulous light, mount Meru appears to mean the high land of Tartary, immediately to the north of the Himalaya mountains. 2. The central bead in a rosary. 3. The middle gem in a necklace. E. mi to scatter, (radiance,) Unadi aff. ru.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Meru (मेरु).—m. A fabulous mountain, [Bhartṛhari, (ed. Bohlen.)] 2, 41.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Meru (मेरु).—[masculine] [Name] of a mountain.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Meru (मेरु):—m. ([Uṇādi-sūtra iv, 101]) Name of a fabulous mountain (regarded as the Olympus of Hindū mythology and said to form the central point of Jambu-dvīpa; all the planets revolve round it and it is compared to the cup or seed-vessel of a lotus, the leaves of which are formed by the different Dvīpas q.v.; the river Ganges falls from heaven on its summit, and flows thence to the surrounding worlds in four streams; the regents of the four quarters of the compass occupy the corresponding faces of the mountain, the whole of which consists of gold and gems; its summit is the residence of Brahmā, and a place of meeting for the gods, Ṛṣis, Gandharvas etc., when not regarded as a fabulous mountain, it appears to mean the highland of Tartary north of the Himālaya), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.

2) a [particular] kind of temple, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

3) the central or most prominent bead in a rosary, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) the most prominent finger-joint in [particular] positions of the fingers, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) Name of the palace of Gāndhāri (one of the wives of Kṛṣṇa), [Harivaṃśa]

6) of a Cakra-vartin, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

7) (with śāstrin) of a modern teacher, [Catalogue(s)]

8) of another man, [Rājataraṅgiṇī]

9) f. Name of the wife of Nābhi and mother of Ṛṣabha, [Viṣṇu-purāṇa] (cf. -devī).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Meru (मेरु):—(ruḥ) 2. m. The sacred mountain Meru, supposed to be in the centre of seven continents.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Meru (मेरु) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Meru.

[Sanskrit to German]

Meru in German

context information

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.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Meru (मेरु):—(nm) a mythological mountain supposed to be of gold; also called [sumeru].

context information

...

Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

1) Meru (मेरु) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Meru.

2) Meru (मेरु) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Meru.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Mēru (ಮೇರು):—

1) [noun] name of a famous mythological mountain (believed to be the abode of Brahma.

2) [noun] the central bead in a rosary, that is slightly lager in size than others.

3) [noun] that which surpasses others of its kind; an excellent thing.

4) [noun] a most important, principal person in an organisation, movement, etc.

5) [noun] the central digit of the forefinger, middle-finger or ring-finger.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Mēru (மேரு) noun < mēru.

1. The golden mountain round which the planets are said to revolve, believed to be the centre of the seven Dvīpas; சத்ததீவுகளின் மத்தியபாகத்திலுள்ளதும் கிரகங்கள் சுற்றிவருவதாகக் கருதப்படுவதுமான பொன்வைத்திய மலையகராதி மாநிலத் திடைநின் றோங்கிய நெடுநிலை மேரு [sathathivugalin mathiyapagathilullathum kiragangal surrivaruvathagak karuthappaduvathumana ponmalai. manilath thidainin rongiya nedunilai meru] (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai] 28, 48).

2. Mountain; வைத்திய மலையகராதி (யாழ்ப்பாணத்து மானிப்பாயகராதி) [vaithiya malaiyagarathi (yazhppanathu manippayagarathi)]

3. Ornamental globular top, as of a car; தேர் முதலியவற்றின் சிகரத்தில் அலங்காரமாயமைந்த குடம். [ther muthaliyavarrin sigarathil alangaramayamaintha kudam.]

4. Top or ridge of a sloping roof; சாய்ந்த கூரையின் உச்சி. [sayntha kuraiyin uchi.] Local usage

5. See மேருமணிமேகலை [merumani.] Local usage

6. A temple 1000 hands wide and 1000 hands high with 1000 domes and 125 floors; ஆயிரஞ் சிகரங் களையும் நூற்றிருபத்தைந்து மேனிலைக்கட்டுக்களையு முடையதாய் ஆயிரமுழம் அகலத்தையும் அவ்வளவு உயரத்தையுங் கொண்டு விளங்குங் கோயில். [ayiragn sigarang kalaiyum nurrirupathainthu menilaikkattukkalaiyu mudaiyathay ayiramuzham agalathaiyum avvalavu uyarathaiyung kondu vilangung koyil.] (சுக்கிர நீதி [sukkira nithi], 229.)

7. Pudendum muliebre; பெண்குறி. [penkuri.] (கொக்கோகம் [kokkogam] 1, 17.)

8. Sitting plank; ஆசனப் பலகை. (யாழ்ப்பாணத்து மானிப்பாயகராதி) [asanap palagai. (yazhppanathu manippayagarathi)]

9. The mystical diagram of śrīcakram, made in relief; ஶ்ரீசக்ர யந்திரம். [shrisagra yanthiram.]

10. Carboy, jar, big bottle of rosewater; பன் னீர்ச்சாடிவகை. (யாழ்ப்பாணத்து மானிப்பாயகராதி) [pan nirchadivagai. (yazhppanathu manippayagarathi)]

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with (+87): Meru oak, Meru shastrin, Merua, Merubalapramardin, Merubhuta, Merucandratantra, Meruda, Merudamda, Merudamde, Merudana, Merudand, Merudanda-hune, Merudanda-nahune, Merudevi, Merudgatashri, Merudhaman, Merudhvaja, Merudhvajapani, Merudrishvan, Merudu.

Ends with (+44): Abhimanameru, Adad-meru, Adhomeru, Ajameru, Aparajitameru, Atameru, Bhanumeru, Bunga meru, Cumeru, Dammeru, Dharmameru, Dharmapradipashirimeru, Dharmarchimeru, Dharmarcimeru, Dimmeru, Drutameru, Gunameru, Gunasumeru, Gurumeru, Himeru.

Full-text (+964): Sumeru, Ratnasanu, Jambudvipa, Kumeru, Meruyantra, Mahameru, Suralaya, Merumandara, Shakrakridacala, Merushringa, Meruprishtha, Karnikacala, Merudevi, Merudhaman, Meruduhitar, Meruparvata, Jyotishka, Paricanniyam, Merukalpa, Merukuta.

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Search found 163 books and stories containing Meru, Maeru, Mēru, Merū; (plurals include: Merus, Maerus, Mērus, Merūs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 27: Description of Puṣkaradvīpa < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

Part 5: Incarnation as Megharatha (continued) < [Chapter IV - Tenth incarnation as Megharatha]

Part 22: Description of Meru < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]

+ 106 more chapters / show preview

Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)

Verse 4.19.13 < [Chapter 19 - A Thousand Names of Srī Yamunā]

Verse 6.14.31 < [Chapter 14 - The Glories of Ratnākara, Raivata, and Kācala]

Verse 4.8.44 < [Chapter 8 - In the Story of the Yajña-sītās, the Glories of Ekādaśī]

+ 6 more chapters / show preview

Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)

Text 10.69 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]

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Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)

Story of Merudāna

Story of Sthūlaśiras

Story of Saptadvīpas

+ 14 more chapters / show preview

The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)

Chapter 212 - Gifts granting the desired fruits

Chapter 108 - Cosmographical account (bhuvana-koṣa)

Chapter 107 - The creation of Svāyambhuva Manu

+ 4 more chapters / show preview

The Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 21 - The Stellar Region < [Book 5 - Fifth Skandha]

Chapter 16 - Mythological Geography—The Terrestrial Globe < [Book 5 - Fifth Skandha]

Chapter 22 - Description of the Moon and other Planets < [Book 5 - Fifth Skandha]

+ 22 more chapters / show preview

 

Click here for all 163 books

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