Bhagavan, aka: Bhagavān; 6 Definition(s)
Introduction
Bhagavan 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.
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
The term Bhagavān indicates the one who possesses Bhaga—the ṣaḍguṇas, or the group of six blessed qualities. They are
- jñāna (knowledge),
- aiśvarya (sovereignty),
- śakti (ability, potency),
- bala (strength),
- vīrya (virility, unaffectedness)
- and tejas (splendour).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Purana
1a) Bhagavān (भगवान्).—The principal and eternal god;^1 the sum and substance of the three Vedas; bha.— cherisher and supporter of the universe; ga,—the leader or creator; bhaga indicates six properties, dominion, might, glory, splendour, wisdom and detachment; va, elemental spirit in which all beings exist and which exists in all beings; thus it is the name of Vāsudeva.*
- * Viṣṇu-purāṇa VI. 5. 69-79.
1b) A Tuṣita God.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 10.
1c) The quality of bhaga and sadbhāva.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 5. 36.
1d) One of Danu's sons.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 68. 5.
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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Bhagavan (भगवन्, “holy one”) refers to a specific “mode of address” (nāman) used in drama (nāṭya), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 19. Bhagavan is used to address the Gods and certain ascetics.
(Source): Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).
General definition (in Hinduism)
The 6 attributes of the Lord (Bhagavān) that relate to sentient beings are:
- jñāna = knowledge,
- bālā = strength,
- aiśvarya = sovereignty,
- śakti = omnipotence,
- vīrya = creative potency,
- tejas = splendour.
It is because of these six that He is called ‘Bhagavān.’
(Source): Red Zambala: On the Salvific Activities of GodLanguages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
bhagavān (भगवान्).—m (S) The Supreme Being, God.
(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarybhagavān (भगवान्).—m The Supreme Being, God.
(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 116 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
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Relevant text
Search found 63 books and stories containing Bhagavan or Bhagavān. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Practice Manual of Noble Tārā Kurukullā
Chapter 6 < [Appendix - Sanskrit Text]
Chapter 8 < [Appendix - Sanskrit Text]
Chapter 7 < [Appendix - Sanskrit Text]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.3.74 < [Chapter 3 - Bhajana: Worship]
Verse 1.4.119 < [Chapter 4 - Bhakta: The Devotee]
Verse 1.5.61 < [Chapter 5 - Priya: The Beloved]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Note (2): The Mahāyānist dharmatā < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna
Act 9.3: Question of the bodhisattva Samantaraśmi < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 1.2 < [Section I - Question of the Sages]
Verse 12.117 < [Section XIII - Summing up of the Esoteric Teaching]
Verse 8.16 < [Section III - Constitution of the Court of Justice (continued)]