Ambaradhara, Ambaradharā, Ambara-dhara: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Ambaradhara means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Ambaradhara in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Ambaradharā (अम्बरधरा) refers to “she who wears clothes”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “(Jvālāmaṅgalyā), the goddess born of Jāla is very dignified and powerful. She has five faces, four arms, and sits on a white lion. She holds sword, club, fetter, and goad and is adorned with jewels. She wears clothes of various colours [i.e., citra-ambaradharā], is fierce and, when worshipped, bestows boons”.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Ambaradhara in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Ambaradhara (अम्बरधर) refers to “wearing clothes”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.27 (“Description of the fraudulent words of the Brahmacārin”).—Accordingly, as Śiva (in guise of a Brahmacārin) said to Pārvatī: “If you are stopping me with devotion, truly desirous of hearing then I shall explain everything whereby you may gain some wisdom. I know Śiva through and through with all His weighty attributes. I shall tell you the truth. Listen with attention. The great lord is bull-bannered. His body is smeared with ashes. His hair is matted. He is clad in the hide of a tiger [i.e., vyāghracarman-ambaradhara]. He has covered His body with the hide of an elephant. [...]”.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Ambaradhara in Shaivism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Ambaradhara (अम्बरधर) refers to “one dressed in garments”, as quoted by Hṛdayaśiva in his Prāyaścittasamuccaya (verse 10.27-35).—Accordingly, “[...] Dressed in white, with a white turban and a white sacred thread and white unguents and garland, he should perform the observance for the vidyādhipa-mantra. Dressed in red garments (rakta-ambaradhara) and red garlands and unguents the Mantrin should first perform for one month the stated observance for the brahmaśiras. [...]”.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Ambaradhara (अम्बरधर) refers to “one bearing (divine) garments”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 13.1-9, while describing the appearance and worship of Viṣṇu, in the form of Nārāyaṇa]—“He should always think of the four-armed Nārāyaṇa arising. [...] Deva bears divine garments (divya-ambaradhara) [and] sits atop a divine flower [i.e., a lotus]. [He is] decorated with a gleaming crown of rubies, a small bell, and a net [and] wears heavenly earrings. [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Ambaradhara (अम्बरधर) refers to the “wearer of a skin” [i.e., oṃ namo vyāghracarmāmbaradharāya hūṃ phaṭ], according to the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi [i.e., Cakrasamvara Meditation] 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.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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.

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