Abhicara, aka: Abhicāra, Ābhicāra; 6 Definition(s)
Introduction
Abhicara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Abhichara.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Ābhicāra (आभिचार).—Incantations done by purohita and ministers for defeating the enemy—according to Bhaṇḍa;1 Brhaspati did this on behalf of Indra to vanquish Rāji's sons.2
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Abhicāra (अभिचार) refers to “black magic” or “witchcraft”.
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismAbhicāra (अभिचार):—The following seven abhicāra rites are listed in the Tantrasārasaṃgraha (cf. also Agni-Purāṇa 306.1) and the Mantrapāda:
- immobilization (stambha),
- causing dissension (vidveṣa),
- eradication (uccāṭa),
- liquidation (māraṇa),
- creating confusion or madness (bhrānti, bhrama),
- destruction (utsādana)
- and creating illness (roga, vyādhi), especially fever.
These rites are briefly defined in the anonymous commentary on the Tantrasārasaṃgraha.
Source: Professor Gudrun Bühnemann: Buddhist Deities and Mantras in the Hindu TantrasLanguages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
abhicāra (अभिचार).—n S Incantation or magic to destroy or injure.
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryabhicāra (अभिचार).—n Incantation or magic employ- ed for malevolent purposes.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishMarathi 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-English dictionary
Abhicara (अभिचर).—A follower, servant, attendant.
Derivable forms: abhicaraḥ (अभिचरः).
--- OR ---
Abhicāra (अभिचार).—
1) Exorcising, enchanting, employment of magical spells for malevolent purposes; magic itself (being regarded as one of the Upapātakas or minor sins); दिग्गजैर्दन्दशूकैश्च अभिचारावपातनैः (diggajairdandaśūkaiśca abhicārāvapātanaiḥ) Bhāg 7.5.43; अभिचारेषु सर्वेषु कर्तव्यो द्विशतो दमः (abhicāreṣu sarveṣu kartavyo dviśato damaḥ) Ms.9.29;11.63.197; K.19; ब्रह्मद्विषो ह्येष निहन्ति सर्वानाथर्वणस्तीव्र इवाभिचारः (brahmadviṣo hyeṣa nihanti sarvānātharvaṇastīvra ivābhicāraḥ) Mv. 1.62.
2) Killing गतः क्रियां मन्त्र इवाभिचारिकीम् (gataḥ kriyāṃ mantra ivābhicārikīm) Ki 3.56.
Derivable forms: abhicāraḥ (अभिचारः).
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 14 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Abhicaramantra | Abhicāramantra (अभिचारमन्त्र).—a magical formula, an incantation or formula for working a charm... | |
| Abhicarahoma | Abhicārahoma (अभिचारहोम).—a sacrifice made for magical purposes.Derivable forms: abhicārahomaḥ ... | |
| Abhicarakalpa | Abhicārakalpa (अभिचारकल्प).—Name of a work on incantations regarded as part of the Atharvaveda.... | |
| Abhicarajvara | Abhicārajvara (अभिचारज्वर).—a fever caused by magical spells. Derivable forms: abhicārajvaraḥ (... | |
| Abhicarayajna | Abhicārayajña (अभिचारयज्ञ).—a sacrifice made for magical purposes.Derivable forms: abhicārayajñ... | |
| Kashi | Kaṣi (कषि).—mfn. (-ṣiḥ-ṣiḥ-ṣi) Injurious, mischievous. E. kaṣ to hurt, and in aff.--- OR --- Kā... | |
| Sudakshina | Sudakṣiṇa (सुदक्षिण).—m. (-ṇaḥ) A sovereign of Vidarbha. f. (-ṇā) The wife of Dilipa. Adj. 1. V... | |
| Dakshinagni | Dakṣiṇāgni (दक्षिणाग्नि).—m. (-gniḥ) One kind of sacred fire. that which is taken from the dome... | |
| Brahmadanda | Brahmadaṇḍa (ब्रह्मदण्ड).—1) the curse of a Brāhmaṇa; एकेन ब्रह्मदण्डेन बहवो नाशिता मम (ekena b... | |
| Atharva | Atharvā (अथर्वा) or Atharvvan or Atharvvā or Atharvan.—1. A Brahman. 2. A name of Vasishtha. n.... | |
| Abhicarika | Abhicārika (अभिचारिक).—mfn. (-kaḥ-kī-kaṃ) Magical, magician, relating to spells or magic. E. ab... | |
| Atatayin | Ātatāyin (आततायिन्).—a. or s. [आततेन विस्तीर्णेन शस्त्रादिना अयितुं शीलमस्य (ātatena vistīrṇena... | |
| Himsakarmana | Hiṃsākarmana (हिंसाकर्मन).—n. 1) any hurtful or injurious act. 2) magic used to effect the ruin... | |
| Abhicarita | Abhicārita (अभिचारित).—mfn. (-taḥ-tā-taṃ) Inchanted, charmed. E. abhicāra and kta aff. |
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Abhicara, Abhicāra or Ābhicāra. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Bhagavata Purana (by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Chapter 66 - Paundraka, the False Vasudeva < [Canto X - The Summum Bonum]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 11.197 < [Section XXII - Expiation for Brāhmaṇas acquiring Property by Improper Means]
Verse 11.63 < [Section VI - Offences: their Classification]
Baudhāyana Dharmasūtra (by Baudhāyana)
Brihat Samhita (by N. Chidambaram Iyer)
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 6 - Different types of sins (pāpa) < [Section 5 - Umā-Saṃhitā]
The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)