Alphabet: 1 definition

Introduction:

Alphabet means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I (hinduism)

The Alphabet is considered as a concentrate of the universe (and representing Brahma, being used for meditation), according to the “Vaḍā Bhale Bhavāṃnī” (dealing with Hymns and Rituals), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The alphabet (mātṛkā) considered as a concentrate of the universe and representing Brahma being used for meditation because it is the manifestation of the śabdabrahman as anāhata and represents the trimūrti. The letters have to be laid out in six concentric lotuses, with six letters in lotus no. 1, 2, 3, and 6, twelve in lotus no. 4 and sixteen in lotus no. 5. Then the letters are detailed. Their total should be 52. There are the 16 vowels, which have to be understood as a, ā, i, ī, u, ū, , long , , long , e, ai, o, au, aṃ and aḥ. Verse 20 to 54 each start with a word containing the consonant dealt with in succession, with two verses for ka and ca, no verse for ṇa and one verse for the others (kha, ga, ṅa, cha, ja, jha, ña, ṭa, ṭha, ḍa, ḍha, ta, tha, da, dha, na, pa, pha, ba, bha, ma, ya, ra, la, va, śa, ṣa, sa, ha and kṣa in 54). Although tra and jña have to be included to reach the total of 52, they are not treated separately.

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