Mount Meru: 4 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. General definition
In Buddhism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Pali
See also
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Introduction:

Mount Meru 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.

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Meru (मेरु): An ancient mountain and mythical centre of the universe on which was situated the city of Brahma. Becoming jealous of Meru, the Vindya began to grow very high obstructing the sun, the moon and the planets. Agastya whom the Vindhya mountain respected asked it to stop growing until he crossed it on his way to the south and returned to the north again. But he did not return at all, having settled in the south.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Buddhism

Mount Meru is the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. The mountain is said to be 84,000 Yojanas high (672,000 miles). The world extends around Mount Meru. Above the peak is the realm of the Buddha fields (or heavens). On the upper slopes you find the gods. The titans live on the lower slopes. Animals and humans live on the plains around the mountain. Hungry ghosts live on or just below the surface. And hell is deep under the earth. All this is surrounded by a great ocean.

Source: Internet Archive: The gods of northern Buddhism

1. Mount Meru is the supposedly centre of the universe. (chapter 14)

2. Sumeru (Mount) or Mount Meru — supposed highest peak of the Himalayas, and believed to be the centre of the universe. In the Bhadra Kalpavadana it is written: First air, then fire, then earth, and in the centre of the earth, Sumeru, the sides of which are the residence of the thirtythree millions of gods (Devatas). Sakra lives in his paradise which is on its summit, and its four sides are guarded by the four Lokapala. (glossary)

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

meru : (m.) name of the highest mountain in the world.

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Relevant text

Search found 86 books and stories containing Mount Meru; (plurals include: Mount Merus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

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

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

Verse 8.13.141 < [Chapter 13 - A Thousand Names of Lord Balarāma]

+ 5 more chapters / show preview

Some Geography < [Second Section]

show preview

Part 2 - Measure of day and night < [Chapter 1]

Part 3 - On the commencement of rainfall < [Chapter 1]

Part 1 - On sun-rise and sun-set < [Chapter 1]

+ 7 more chapters / show preview

Verse 4.13 - The movement of the luminary beings (jyotiṣī-deva) < [Chapter 4 - The Celestial Beings]

Verse 3.9 - Position, shape and extension of Jambūdvīpa < [Chapter 3 - The Lower World and the Middle World]