Bhasmasura, Bhasmāsura: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Bhasmasura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Bhasmasur.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Bhasmāsura (भस्मासुर).—A demon. There is no mention about this demon in any of the Sanskrit purāṇas but 'Śivalīlāmṛta' in Marāṭhi contains the following story about him.
Bhasmāsura was born of the Bhasma dust (ashes) on the body of Śiva. Pleased at the great devotion of the demon towards him Śiva asked him to name any boon he wanted. Bhasmāsura said that he wanted the power to burn to ashes anybody on whose head he placed his hand. Bhasmāsura became arrogant with the boon and he became a nightmare to the whole world. Then Mahāviṣṇu appeared before him in the form of Mohinī, an attractive dancer and alluring him by her charm started on a dance called Muktanṛtya. During the course of this dance Bhasmāsura was forced to place his hand on his own head and the moment his head touched his head he was burnt to ashes.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
bhasmāsura (भस्मासुर).—m (S Proper name of a daitya or Titan.) An appellative for a person of a ravenous appetite and of wild and extravagant conduct.
Marathi 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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Bhasmāsura (भस्मासुर):—[from bhasma > bhas] m. Name of an Asura, [Vikramāṅkadeva-carita, by Bilhaṇa]
Bhasmāsura (भस्मासुर):—m. Nomen proprium eines Asura [Indische studien von Weber 14,115.]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Bhasmāsura (भस्मासुर) [Also spelled bhasmasur]:—(nm) (based on the name of a mythological demonic character) one whose touch reduces everything to ashes; one who digests everything.
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Kannada-English dictionary
Bhasmāsura (ಭಸ್ಮಾಸುರ):—
1) [noun] a mythical demon who had got the boon from Śiva, that on whatever he places his palm, would turn into ashes.
2) [noun] ಭಸ್ಮಾಸುರ ನೃತ್ಯ [bhasmasura nritya] bhasmāsura nṛtya an uncontrolled act of devastation (in a large scale).
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Bhasmāsura (भस्मासुर):—n. Mythol. a demon described in the puranas (पुराण [purāṇa] ) who had got the blessing from Shiva that whoever he touches on the head turns to ashes but he touches his own head once and burns into ashes;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Bhasmasur, Bhasmanem, Nonthok, Mohini, Durasada, Vrika.
Relevant text
Search found 11 books and stories containing Bhasmasura, Bhasmāsura; (plurals include: Bhasmasuras, Bhasmāsuras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Parables of Rama (by Swami Rama Tirtha)
Story 205 - The Story of Lord Shiva & Bhasmasura < [Chapter XXXVII - Self-realization]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 609 < [Marathi-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika) (by Ramchandra Keshav Bhagwat)
Verse 2.4 < [Chapter 2 - Samkhya-Yoga]
Humour in Indo-English Plays < [January – March, 1982]
The Man-Eater of Malgudi: An Analysis < [January – March, 1983]
Indian English Drama Models and Techniques < [July – September, 1987]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 107 < [Volume 7 (1883)]
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 17.4 < [Chapter 17 - Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga]