Agnimandala, Agnimaṇḍala, Agni-mandala, Agnimamdala: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Agnimandala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
In Hinduism
Shaktism
Agnimaṇḍala (अग्निमण्डल) (or Vahnimaṇḍala) refers to the “circle of fire”, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “(She is the principle called) the Doomsday Fire (vaḍava). Above the Trident, it is the triple principle and is located within power (kalā). The Doomsday Fire is the Wheel of Fire in the centre of (the reality) within the triangle. The Trident consists of the three energies (tejas) and is the Circle of Moon, Sun, and Fire [i.e., agnimaṇḍala]. The denote the principle of the Self, Vidyā, and Śiva. Power (kalā) is said to be Kuṇḍalinī. All of this is within that and its purity (śuci) is beyond doubt. [...]”.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Agnimaṇḍala (अग्निमण्डल) refers to the “halo of fire”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.9 (“Boasting of Tāraka”).—Accordingly, as Tāraka-Asura fought with the Gods: “[...] Within a moment, the powerful Vīrabhadra, the slayer of enemies, got up lifting his trident aloft, that had the lustre of lightning and was blazing forth. The trident had a halo around, like that of the sun, the moon and the fire (agnimaṇḍala) [sūryendubimbāgnisamānamaṃḍalam]. It illuminated the quarters by means of its brilliance; caused terror even in the hearts of the brave. It had a deadly splendour and blazed well. [...]”.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Agnimaṇḍala (अग्निमण्डल) refers to the “Mandala of the fire element”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) 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, “Oṃ in the middle of mantra inhabited ground, arisen of the four seeds, yaṃ, etc., a maṇḍala of the great elements, wind, fire (agnimaṇḍala), water, and earth [e.g., mahābhūtaṃ vāyvagnijalāvanimaṇḍalopari], Above that, (arising from) the letter suṃ, is the merumaṇḍala, Above that, on a jeweled lion-throne, lotus, and a lunar-disc, Śrī Vajrasattva, two arms, one face, white color, Holding a vajra (and) vajra-bell, (and) adorned wearing various colors, Bearing a monk’s headdress, (and) a sapphire Akṣobhya adorned crown, Thus imagine the worshipful guru[...]”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Agnimaṇḍala (अग्निमण्डल) or Vahnimaṇḍala refers to one of the four Maṇḍalas (or Ākāras) for the breath, as mentioned in chapter 1.5 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism. Accordingly:—“[...] Attended by good soldiers, with a chariot of unequaled speed, he [i.e., Bharata] left Vinītā, like an embodied command of the King. As he went along the road, his left eye twitched constantly as if seeing a fate unfavorable to the transaction of the undertaking. His right nostril blew constantly in the agnimaṇḍala, like a goldsmith’s blow-pipe in a fire, even in the absence of sickness”.
Note: There are 4 maṇḍalas, or ākāras, for the breath: vāyu, pṛthvī, jala, agni. The favorableness, or unfavorableness, of each maṇḍala depends on various circumstances. Agni (vahni) is bad for beginning work. It is good, e.g., for taking food. It is also of importance from which nostril the breath comes. In sickness, it is normal for the breath to come from the right nostril in the case of the agnimaṇḍala. In the absence of sickness it is abnormal and therefore a bad omen. This subject is treated in the Svarodayaśāstras.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Agnimaṃḍala (ಅಗ್ನಿಮಂಡಲ):—[noun] a circle or a ring of fire.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Agni, Ani, Mandala.
Full-text (+0): Vahnimandala, Tryambakka.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Agnimandala, Agni-mandala, Agni-maṇḍala, Agnimamdala, Agnimaṃḍala, Agnimaṇḍala; (plurals include: Agnimandalas, mandalas, maṇḍalas, Agnimamdalas, Agnimaṃḍalas, Agnimaṇḍalas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 40-41 [Soma, Sūrya and Agni Maṇḍalas] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]
Verse 66 [Mūrti, Prakāśa and Ānanda Cakras] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]
Yoga Upanishads (study) (by Heena B. Kotak)
Part 4.1 - Measurements of the Body < [Chapter 3 - Analytical and Critical study of 20 Yoga-Upanishads]
Yogashikha Upanishad (critical study) (by Sujatarani Giri)
Part 2.1c - Maṇipura cakra (The naval centre) < [Chapter 5 - Nature of Yoga practice in Upaniṣad]
A Quaint Bond < [July – September, 1983]
MEDICINAL PLANT WEALTH OF ANDHRA PRADESH – Part II < [Volume 7 (issue 1), Jul-Sep 1987]
Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres) (by Arthur Avalon)
Verse 37 < [Section 6]