Mudita, Muditā: 35 definitions
Introduction:
Mudita means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Mudit.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaMuditā (मुदिता).—Wife of the Agni named Saha. (Śloka 1, Chapter 222, Vana Parva).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexMuditā (मुदिता).—A river of the Plakṣadvīpa.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 49. 17.
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraMuditā (मुदिता) is the name of a meter belonging to the Uṣṇik class of Dhruvā (songs) described in the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 32:—“the metre which has in its feet of seven syllables the second, the third and the last two long, is called muditā”.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by VarahamihiraMudita (मुदित) refers to “joy”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 5), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “If the eclipse should commence on the left side of the disc, it is technically known as Savya-gata: the earth will then be flooded with water and there will be joy [i.e., mudita] and freedom from fear. If it should commence on the right side of the disc, it: is technically known as Apasavyagata: mankind will suffer from their rulers and from robbers”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramMudita (मुदित) refers to “that which is delighted (by phenomenal existence)”, according to the according to the Ciñcinīmatasārasamuccaya.—Accordingly, “[...] (The Command is the goddess) Nityaklinnā (Perpetually Wet). Free and desirous of herself, she bestows perpetual bliss, which is delighted by phenomenal existence (bhava-mudita). In the middle of that (Drop) is the Divine Liṅga, which is eternal bliss that generates supreme bliss, (its) form the Drop and nature the Void. Churned by both, it is divided by the six parts. I salute the venerable (goddess) called Kubjikā whose beautiful body is aroused and makes love there. I salute the one whose name is the Nameless, who contemplates the phenomenal being of the Wheel of the Earth (which is the syllable AIṂ). Salutations to the goddess of bliss. Salutations to you whose form is the Yoni”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsMudita (मुदित) refers to “(being) delighted”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Visualisation of Śakti]:—[...] She is anointed with divine ointments and she is dressed in divine clothes, with her loins exposed. Her thighs and shanks are beautiful. Her body is the ultimate essence of gracefulness. Her feet are embellished with anklets. She wears divine garlands and [has been anointed] with divine ointments. She is delighted by the wine she is enjoying (madirā-svāda-muditā). Her body is filled with passion. She is restless with wantonness. [This is how the Yogin] should visualise his lover as Śakti, O Maheśvarī”.
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.
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchMuditā (मुदिता) refers to “being self-satisfied (with pride)”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] Some have intellects which have become insensitive through reasoning and [philosophical] speculations, [and some] are elevated by [their] conceit and ego. Some are self-satisfied with pride (abhimāna-muditā), [rendered] stupid by [their obsession with] caste, and [some] are confounded by activities such as meditation. Generally speaking, the multitudes of people have deluded minds and various [mental] disturbances, for, those who experience nothing but the bliss of the undisturbed, natural [no-mind] state, are not seen in the world. [...]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsAppreciative/sympathetic joy. Taking delight in ones own goodness and that of others. One of the four "sublime abodes"
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names1. Mudita: Daughter of Cadakumara, son of Vasavatti. J.vi.134.
2. Mudita Thera: He belonged to a commoners family in Kosala, and when, for some reason, his clan fell into disfavour with the king, Mudita ran away into the forest and came across the dwelling of an arahant. The latter, noting Muditas terror, comforted and ordained him at his request. Mudita practiced insight, and refused to leave his cell till he had attained arahantship.
In the time of Vipassi Buddha he was a householder and gave the Buddha a bed (Thag.311 14; ThagA.i.401f). He is identified with Mancadayaka (wrongly called Sajjhadayaka) of the Apadana. Ap.i.284f.
Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines
'altruistic (or sympathetic) joy', is one of the 4 sublime abodes (brahma-vihāra).
Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikassympathetic joy;
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraMuditā (मुदिता, “joy”) refers to one of the “four immeasurables” (apramāṇa), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32.—Accordingly, “Muditā is to wish that beings obtain joy as a result of happiness (sukha). Muditā is practiced to remove dissatisfaction (arati) toward beings”.
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāMudita (मुदित) refers to “happiness”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly as The Lord said: “O Śāriputra, from innumerable aeons ago (asaṃkhyeya-kalpa), the Bodhisatvas in the Mahāvyūha universe have been in accordance with the [perfection of] giving as adorned with generosity, [...] have practiced the protection of all living beings as adorned with great friendliness (mahā-maitrī), have practiced never giving up any being as adorned with great compassion (mahā-karuṇa), have never ceased to make joy, happiness, and great delight of all living beings as adorned with great happiness (mahā-mudita), and have been punctilious in the practice without interruption, which has made all living beings not to be conceited or depressed as adorned with great equanimity (mahā-upekṣa) [...]”.
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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiMudita (मुदित) refers to “(sympathetic) joy”, according to the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi [i.e., Cakrasamvara Meditation] ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Benevolence, compassion, sympathetic joy (mudita-upekṣā), and equanimity. Oṃ the natural state of all conditions is pure... First crossing onto a cremation ground, fixed high on a mountain, A yogi having all the sacred threads, loose hair, and facing southward, The five ambrosias and lamps, interpolated into the face”.
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaMudita (मुदित, “gladness”) refers to one of the “four spiritual states” (brahmavihāra) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 16). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., brahma-vihāra and Mudita). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Source: Amaravati: Glossary(mu di taa) happiness at anothers good fortune; sympathetic joy.
Source: Buddhist Information: A Simple Guide to LifeMudita is altruistic joy, appreciative joy: the desire to see others rejoicing in their happiness, the ability to share the happiness and success of others. This attitude is the complement of karuna: while karuna shares the sorrow of others, mudita shares their joy. Mudita is the direct antidote to envy. Envy arises over the good fortune of others: it resents those who achieve position, prestige, power, and success. But one who practices mudita will not only be happy when others do well, but will try to promote their progress and welfare. Hence this attitude is of vital importance for achieving social concord and peace.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraMudita (मुदित) refers to one of the sons of Upayogā and Amṛtasvara: the messenger of king Vijayaparvata from Padminī, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.5 [The kidnapping of Sītā] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly, as Kulabhūṣaṇa related to Rāma: “There was a king, Vijayaparvata, in the town Padminī. He had a messenger, Amṛtasvara, and the messenger had a wife, Upayogā, and two sons, Udita and Mudita. There was a friend of the messenger, a Brāhman, Vasubhūti; and Upayogā was in love with him and wished to kill Amṛtasvara. [...]”.
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsMuditā (मुदिता, “joy”) refers to one of the four brahmavihāras “four practices”, according to the Yogaśāstra 4.75 (vol. 2, p. 863).—Hemacandra explains that by the phrase “friendliness, etc.” (maitryādi), he means to say “friendliness” (maitrī), “joy” (muditā), “compassion” (karuṇā) and “equanimity” (upekṣā). These constitute the four practices known as the brahmavihāras mentioned in various Buddhist texts. They are also listed by Patañjali in Yogasūtra 1.33 as means for purification of the mind (see Mukerji 2000: 77-8; Bryant 2009: 128-30).
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 GlossaryMuditā.—(CII 4), cheerfulness; one of the Buddhist bhāvanās. Note: muditā 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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarymudita : (adj.) glad; satisfied. || muditā (f.), sympathy in other's welfare.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryMuditā, (f.) (abstr. fr. mudu, for the usual mudutā, which in P. is only used in ord. sense, whilst muditā is in pregnant sense. Its semantic relation to mudita (pp. of mud) has led to an etym. relation in the same sense in the opinion of P. Commentators and the feeling of the Buddhist teachers. That is why Childers also derivers it from mud, as does Bdhgh.—BSk. after the Pali: muditā Divy 483) soft-heartedness, kindliness, sympathy. Often in triad mettā (“active love” SnA 128), karuṇā (“preventive love, ” ibid.), muditā (“disinterested love”: modanti vata bho sattā modanti sādhu sutthū ti ādinā mayena hita-sukh’âvippayogakāmatā muditā SnA 128); e.g. at D. I, 251; S. V, 118; A. I, 196 etc. (see karuṇā).—Cp. also Sn. 73; D. III, 50, 224, 248; Miln. 332 (°saññā; +mettā°, karuṇā°); Vism. 318 (where defined as “modanti tāya, taṃ-samaṅgino, sayaṃ vā modati etc. ”); DhsA. 192. See on term Dhs. trsl. §251 (where equalled to sugxairosu/nh); Cpd. 24 (called sympathetic & appreciative), 97 (called “congratulatory & benevolent attitude”); Expos. 200 (interpretation here refers to mudutā DhsA. 151 “plasticity”). (Page 537)
— or —
Mudita, (pp. of mud, modati) pleased, glad, satisfied, only in cpd. °mana (adj.) with gladdened heart, pleased in mind Sn. 680 (+udagga); Vv 8315 (+pasanna-citta). Cp. pa°. (Page 537)
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.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarymudita (मुदित).—p S Happy, rejoiced, pleased.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishmudita (मुदित).—p Happy, rejoiced, pleased.
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 dictionaryMudita (मुदित).—p. p. [mud-kta]
1) Pleased, rejoiced; delighted, glad, joyous.
-tā, -tam 1 Pleasure, delight, joy, happiness; दीने तथा न करुणा मुदिता च पुण्ये (dīne tathā na karuṇā muditā ca puṇye) Bhagawat S.13.
2) A kind of sexual embrace.
-tā Joy, delight.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryMuditā (मुदिता).—(1) (= Pali id.; according to Senart, Mahāvastu i.629 and iii.523, also [Pali Text Society’s Pali-English Dictionary] s.v., an altered form of mudutā, = Sanskrit mṛdutā, which has a quite diff. meaning in Pali), joy (especially of the spirit); so the unanimous tradition, both of Pali comms., and of northern texts and translation(s); if orig. derived from Sanskrit mṛdu-tā, all practical traces of this origin have certainly been lost; the word is always asso- ciated with root mud, as is proved by a number of clear descriptions, cited below; especially as one (usually the 3d) of the four apramāṇa or brahmavihāra, qq.v. (with maitrī or maitrā, karuṇā, and upekṣā), Lalitavistara 8.4; 112.6; 183.3; 275.18; 297.12; 376.1, 2; 426.4; Mahāvastu i.357.19; ii.362.5 (here upekṣā omitted); iii.421.14, 22; Mahāvyutpatti 1506; Daśabhūmikasūtra 34.21; Bodhisattvabhūmi 209.4; 236.7; 241.16; Sādhanamālā 57.13 ff.; Abhidharmakośa LaV—P. viii.196 (joie), citing the vyākhyā, muditā cārateḥ pratipakṣaḥ saumanasyarūpatvāt; with this compare Mahāvyutpatti 1599, aratiniḥsaraṇaṃ muditā; similar de- scription in Sādhanamālā l.c. (57.18 hṛṣṭacittatā); especially elaborate description Śikṣāsamuccaya 183.4, katamā muditā?…prītiḥ pra- sādaḥ prāmodyaṃ cittasyānavalīnatā…cittasya prāmo- dyaṃ kāyasyaudbilyaṃ buddheḥ saṃpraharṣaṇaṃ manasa utplavaḥ etc.; Tibetan regularly dgaḥ ba, joy; (2) rarely, and only in verses (probably m.c.), = pramuditā as name of the first bodhisattva-bhūmi: Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra 286.15; Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) xx—xxi.32.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMudita (मुदित).—mfn.
(-taḥ-tā-taṃ) Pleased, delighted. n.
(-taṃ) Pleasure, happiness. E. mud to rejoice, aff. kta .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryMudita (मुदित).—[adjective] joyful, glad, merry; delighted with (instr, or —°).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mudita (मुदित):—[from mud] mfn. delighted, joyful, glad, rejoicing in ([instrumental case] or [compound]), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] m. a [particular] sort of servant, [Rāmāyaṇa]
3) Muditā (मुदिता):—[from mudita > mud] f. joy, gladness, complacency, [Lalita-vistara]
4) [v.s. ...] sympathy in joy, [Divyāvadāna]
5) Mudita (मुदित):—[from mud] n. a kind of sexual embrace, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] a [particular] Siddhi, Sāṃkhyas. [Scholiast or Commentator]
7) [v.s. ...] [wrong reading] for nudita and sūdita.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryMudita (मुदित):—[(taḥ-tā-taṃ) a.] Pleased.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Mudita (मुदित) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Muia.
[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.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryMudita (मुदित) [Also spelled mudit]:—(a) pleased, happy, delighted.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusMudita (ಮುದಿತ):—
1) [adjective] pleased; delighted.
2) [adjective] pleasing; delighting.
--- OR ---
Mudita (ಮುದಿತ):—
1) [noun] the state of being delighted; delight.
2) [noun] a man who is pleased, delighted.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary1) Mudita (मुदित):—adj. pleased; delighted; rejoiced; n. 1. pleasure; entertainment; fun; 2. a kind of sexual embrace;
2) Muditā (मुदिता):—n. 1. (Buddhism) the first stage of meditation; 2. first land of Chaitya (चैत्य [caitya] );
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mudita Sutta, Mudita-thera, Mudita-vritti, Muditabhabhadra, Muditabhadra, Muditamadalasa, Muditamana, Muditana, Muditapushpa, Muditaraghava, Muditatmaka, Muditopeksha.
Ends with (+1): Abhimanamudita, Akhilamudita, Apramudita, Asatpramudita, Bhavamudita, Kusumasamudita, Mahamudita, Maitrikarunamudita, Nityapramudita, Pamudita, Prahrishtamudita, Pramudita, Sadamudita, Sadapramudita, Sammudita, Sampramudita, Samudita, Satpramudita, Sumudita, Svayamudita.
Full-text (+64): Brahmavihara, Pramudita, Karuna, Mud, Apramana, Upeksha, Pramuditavat, Appamanna, Muditamadalasa, Muditabhadra, Pramuditahridaya, Muditapushpa, Pramuditavadana, Joy, Altruistic Joy, Pramuditapralambasunayana, Mudita Sutta, Sajjhadayaka, Umudita, Mutitam.
Relevant text
Search found 71 books and stories containing Mudita, Muditā; (plurals include: Muditas, Muditās). 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)
Introduction to the eight classes of dharmas < [Chapter XXXII-XXXIV - The eight classes of supplementary dharmas]
I. Definition of the immeasurables (apramāṇa) < [Class 3: The four immeasurables]
II. Aspects of the immeasurables (apramāṇa) < [Class 3: The four immeasurables]
Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa) (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
Factor 10 - Mudita (sympathetic joy) < [Chapter 3 - On kusala cetasikas (wholesome mental factors)]
Factor 11 - Upekkha (equminity) < [Chapter 3 - On kusala cetasikas (wholesome mental factors)]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 3.3.84 < [Part 3 - Fraternal Devotion (sakhya-rasa)]
Verse 3.3.126 < [Part 3 - Fraternal Devotion (sakhya-rasa)]
Gratitude to Parents (by Ajahn Sumedho)
A Simple Guide to Life (by Robert Bogoda)
Mindfulness Meditation Made Easy (by Dhammasami)