Significance of Greatest

The term "Greatest" in various contexts signifies the utmost in rank, quality, or significance. In Vaishnavism, it identifies entities like Lord Krishna and Narayana, showcasing their supreme attributes. Purana references highlight prominent figures like Ganesha and pilgrimage sites such as Kamarupa. In Jyotisha, Damodara stands out among scholars, while Vedanta affirms Lord Shiva's supremacy. Mahayana emphasizes the wind's unparalleled nature among elements. Overall, "Greatest" encapsulates the highest status across spiritual and philosophical realms.1
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Synonyms: Great, Supreme, Outstanding, Excellent, Remarkable, Best, Superior, Top, Foremost, Unmatched, Preeminent, Unsurpassed, Peerless

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Greatest'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Greatest" signifies the immense power of the wind, one of the four elements, characterized by its formlessness and remarkable mobility, highlighting its superior influence compared to other elements.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The power of the wind is the greatest of the four great elements, and it is described as having neither form nor odor nor taste, and its mobility is very great, as stated in the text.[1]

Mahayana 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 sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Greatest'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Greatest" signifies the utmost quality, rank, or status, often identifying supreme entities like Narayana, Lord Krishna, and Lord Shiva, while also emphasizing significant pilgrimage sites and exceptional beings like Damodara and Vinayaka.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) A term that denotes the unsurpassed and supreme nature, used to describe the Supreme Personality of Godhead.[2] (2) The "greatest" is a description of the divine being, referred to as parat para, indicating a supreme transcendence and unparalleled greatness.[3] (3) Krishna is described as greater than this, emphasizing his supreme position.[4] (4) A comparative term used to describe the superlative nature of a divine entity, where this entity is considered superior to all others, as mentioned in the text.[5] (5) A superlative adjective indicating the highest status or importance, used to describe Brahma.[6]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) The Supreme Personality of Godhead is this, splendid and transcendental, with a form beyond the understanding of the material mind.[7] (2) The conclusion reached by the sages that Narayana holds the highest status among all beings.[8] (3) Refers to the act of determining or identifying the most significant or superior person among a group.[9]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)

(1) A description of Kamarupa, highlighting its significance as one of the foremost pilgrimage sites associated with Sati.[10]

The Purana 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.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Prashna Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary

(1) Refers to the most significant or important Deva among those present.[11]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology

(1) The greatest of the learned is a description of Damodara, showing his standing among scholars.[12]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha 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.

The concept of Greatest in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Greatest" pertains to the temple of worship considered the human soul, as per Vedanta teachings, and signifies the ultimate book housing infinite knowledge, representing the self and its profound significance.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) The aspect that the agnostic does not perceive, causing them to be frightened by the universe, as they fail to grasp the deeper meanings.[13] (2) The greatest book that ever was or ever will be, the infinite depository of all that is, which is the self.[14] (3) This describes the temple of worship, which is the human soul, greater than all heavens, according to the Vedanta's teachings.[15]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Of utmost importance, surpassing all others, and achievable through diligence in any task.[16]