Andhakara, aka: Andhakāra, Āndhakāra, Andha-kara; 9 Definition(s)
Introduction
Andhakara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
In Hinduism
Purāṇa
Andhakāra (अन्धकार).—One of the seven major mountains in Krauñcadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 88. All of these mountains are tall and filled with gems. It is also known by the name Acchodaka. Krauñcadvīpa is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Jyotiṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, who is the son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.
The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.
(Source): Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa1a) Andhakāra (अन्धकार).—A son of Dyutimat after whom the kingdom Andhakāra came to be known.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 22, 25.
1b) The eighth battle of Devas and Asuras.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 72. 75 & 82; Vāyu-purāṇa 97. 75.
2) Āndhakāra (आन्धकार).—(c)—a kingdom after the name of Andhakāra,1 near Pīvara hill.2
(Source): Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index
The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
A village in Ceylon, one of the villages given by Aggabodhi IV. for the maintenance of the Padhana ghara built by the king for the Thera Dathasiva. Cv.xlvi.12.
(Source): Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesTheravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Pali
andhakāra : (m.) darkness; bewilderment.
(Source): BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Andhakāra (अन्धकार, “dark”) refers to one of the “twenty form objects” (rūpa) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 34). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., andhakāra). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
(Source): Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaIn Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Andhakāra (अन्धकार, “darkness”) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 5.24.—“Sound (śabda), union (bandha), fineness (saukṣmya), grossness (sthaulya), shape (saṃsthāna), division (bheda), darkness (tamas or andhakāra), image (chāya or chāyā), warm light (sunshine) (ātapa) and cool light (moonlight) (udyota) also (are forms of matter)”.
What is the meaning of darkness (tamas or andhakāra)? It is the opposite of light or absence of light.
(Source): Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 5: The category of the non-living
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
Marathi-English dictionary
andhakāra (अंधकार).—m (S) pop. andhaḥkāra m Darkness. 2 fig. Mental darkness.
(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryandhakāra (अंधकार).—m Darkness. Fig. mental darkness.
(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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 1838 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Shankara | Śaṅkara (शङ्कर) or Śaṅkarāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Sant... | |
| Alamkara | Alaṅkāra (अलङ्कार) or Alaṅkārāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the ... | |
| Karavira | Karavīra (करवीर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.35.12, V.101.14/V.103) and repr... | |
| Karakara | Karakara (करकर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.46.21) and represents one of th... | |
| Ratnakara | Ratnākara (रत्नाकर).—A Vaiśya. He was killed by an ox, but he attained Vaikuṇṭha as a brahmin c... | |
| Andha | Andha (अन्ध).—a.1) Blind (lit. and fig.); devoid of sight, unable to see (at particular times);... | |
| Prabhakara | Prabhākara (प्रभाकर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.31.15, I.35) and represents... | |
| Sukara | Sūkara (सूकर, “pig”) represents an incarnation destination of the tiryaggati (animal realm) acc... | |
| Karatoya | Karatoyā (करतोया).—A holy river. This river worships Varuṇa sitting in his court. (Śloka 22, Ch... | |
| Kara | Kāra (कार).—An affix, given in the Prātiśākhya works and,by Kātyāyana also in his Vārttika, whi... | |
| Rathakara | Rathakara (रथकर) or Rathakāra (रथकार).—1) a coachbuilder, carpenter, wheel-wright; रथकारः स्वका... | |
| Malakara | Mālākara (मालाकर) or Mālākāra (मालाकार).—1) a garland-maker, florist, gardener; कृती मालाकारो ब... | |
| Madhukara | Madhukara (मधुकर, “bee”) represents an incarnation destination of the tiryaggati (animal realm)... | |
| Shrikara | Śrīkara (श्रीकर) or Śrīkarasaṃhitā is the name of a Vaiṣṇava Āgama scripture, classified as a t... | |
| Nishakara | Niśākara (निशाकर).—1) the moon; बहुलेऽपि गते निशाकरस्तनुतां दुःखमनङ्ग मोक्ष्यति (bahule'pi gate... |
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Andhakara, Andhakāra, Āndhakāra or Andha-kara. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
V. Value of the Buddha fields < [Part 4 - Assuring the continuity of the Buddha universes]
Appendix 2 - Lokāntarikā (intermediate spaces between two worlds) < [Chapter XLVII - Praises made by the Buddhas]
III. Mastering the fire element (tejas) < [Part 3 - Mastering the four great elements]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.1.90 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya: Renunciation]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 4 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 1 - Ontology < [Chapter XXVII - A General Review of the Philosophy of Madhva]
Part 9 - Works of Vallabha and his Disciples < [Chapter XXXI - The Philosophy of Vallabha]
Part 2 - Interpretation of Brahma-sūtra I. 1. 1 < [Chapter XXVI - Madhva’s Interpretation of the Brahma-sūtras]
A study of the philosophy of Jainism (by Deepa Baruah)
Chapter III.d - Division of jaina categories or substances < [Chapter III - Categories]
Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara (by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati)
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