Significance of Fear
Synonyms: Apprehension, Dread, Anxiety, Worry, Panic, Horror, Trepidation
In Dutch: Angst; In Finnish: Pelko; In Spanish: Miedo
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Fear'
In Buddhism, fear is viewed as a negative emotion that can hinder meditation, influence moral judgment, and lead to suffering. It must be managed through awareness and recollection to foster confidence and focus.
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) An emotional response to perceived threats; the text discusses misconceptions around fear—fearing what should not be feared and not fearing what should be.[1]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) An emotional response that can lead a monk to act inappropriately; such an influence must be managed.[2]
From: Cetasikas
(1) An emotional response linked to dosa that involves disliking the object experienced and can lead to suffering.[3]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) An emotional response that can lead practitioners to lose focus, constituting part of Mara's Sixth Army.[4]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (4): Parivara
(1) A feeling of anxiety regarding potential danger or harm, influencing one’s moral judgement and actions.[5]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) A negative emotion that is removed from a meditator, allowing them to experience greater confidence.[6]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) An emotional response experienced during meditation in various settings, which the Buddha addresses by suggesting recollections.[7]
Hindu concept of 'Fear'
Fear in Hinduism encompasses a range of emotional responses linked to anxiety and perceived threats, affecting deities and humans alike, influencing actions and interactions, and prompting profound reactions in spiritual contexts.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) An emotion that causes Vishvambhara to leave, indicating a sense of apprehension or anxiety.[8] (2) An emotion acknowledged in the teachings, emphasizing that individuals should not fear the process of surrendering to the Supreme Lord.[9] (3) The emotion that motivated Shri Mishra to surrender his son, indicating desperation or deep concern.[10] (4) The emotion elicited in the individuals that prompted the Lord's intervention.[11] (5) A powerful emotion that causes the Lord's parents to stop trying to restrain Him.[12]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The emotion that Radha experiences upon seeing Shankhacuda's advances towards her.[13] (2) An emotional state that influences certain characters, like Kamsa, in their relationship with the divine.[14] (3) An emotional response that prompts the subject to attempt to flee.[15] (4) An emotional response to a perceived threat, which can trigger a range of reactions in individuals.[16] (5) The emotional response experienced by the wrestler upon seeing Krishna in the arena.[17]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The emotion being questioned within the context of the dialogue, particularly the fear that the demigods supposedly exhibit.[18] (2) an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger[19] (3) The emotion that prevented the vaishyas from communicating with the Lord.[20] (4) A feeling of anxiety or apprehension; in the text, it refers to the fear experienced even by the demigod Brahma.[21] (5) An emotional response to perceived danger or threat.[22]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The concerns of the speaker regarding their spiritual safety and the potential for slippage back into worldly cares.[23]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki
(1) The emotion felt by the people over Prince Asumanjas's dangerous behavior.[24] (2) The anxieties that trouble the queen, prompting concern from the king.[25]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) Refers to the Astra Bhaya, representing the emotion of fear which can control actions.[26]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A condition described in the context of the Trigartas, who are overwhelmed by the oppressions of the Matsyas.[27]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Bhaya, the sthayi-bhava related to anxiety and trepidation, linked with bhayanaka-rasa.[28] (2) An emotional response that is typically classed as a stable emotional state (sthayi-bhava) but can act in a temporary manner in certain contexts.[29]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) Describes another tactic employed by celestial beings to challenge Yogis, manifested as terrifying forms during meditation.[30]
From: Mudrarakshasa (literary study)
(1) The common factor that binds the behavior of the servant towards different powerful persons in the hierarchy depicted in the play.[31]
From: Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture)
(1) An emotional state that is listed as a factor preventing the performance of nrittahastas.[32]
Jain concept of 'Fear'
In Jainism, Fear is understood as a quasi-passion arising from anxiety or perceived threats, highlighting its influence on emotions and actions, and emphasizing the need for overcoming such fear to achieve spiritual growth.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) A quasi-passion triggered by anxiety or perceived threats.[33]
The concept of Fear in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Fear" highlights the emotional response experienced by characters, influencing their actions, such as Sigiris Sinno and the giant's encounter, Eknath's apprehension towards the fakir, and others fleeing due to their terror.
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) An emotional response that drives various characters to act in ways that result in fleeing from the man in the story.[34] (2) The emotion experienced by both Sigiris Sinno and the other giant during their encounter.[35]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Fear describes Eknath's emotional state as he approaches the fakir, indicating his apprehension.[36]