Brahmanda, Brahmāṇḍa, Brahman-anda, Brahmamda: 25 definitions
Introduction:
Brahmanda means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, 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
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Google Books: The Khecarividya of AdinathaBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to “skull” rather than the more usual “macrocosm”, in to the Khecarīvidyā; (also see the Śivasaṃhitā where the physical body is called Brahmāṇḍa).—Ballāla however, takes brahmāṇḍa to mean “macrocosm”. Later Sanskrit and hatha-yogic works have a system of 21 brahmāṇḍas in (and above?) the head. See Gorakhbāṇīpad and the Vairāṭapurāṇa (Kavirāj 1987:52). At Tantrāloka 4.133cd Brahmāṇḍa (understood to mean the universe by Jayaratha ad loc.) is said to arise from the sahasrāra cakra at the top of the head.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason BirchBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to the “universe”, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “[...] [Now], I will teach the practice of that, which produces absorption. [...] Having abandoned the thought that the universe (brahmāṇḍa) exists of five elements; that the body consists of five elements; and that everything consists of the elements, cultivate the thought, ‘[everything consisting of the elements] does not exist’. [...]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—The word Brahmāṇḍa means the aṇḍa of Brahmā (aṇḍa-egg), the Supreme Being which is the root of the origin of the universe. At a time long ago, which is beyond reckoning, there was nothing but an egg. This egg was split into two and from it a male child with the radiance of innumerable suns came out. This wonderful child was helpless. After his birth he cried for a while, because of hunger and thirst. He got no help. There was nobody to feed it. So this wonderful child looked up and lay there. This helpless child was called 'Virāṭpuruṣa' (the next emanation from Brahmā) by those versed in the Purāṇas. The boy was so called because he was the most material of materiality. But he was an atom of atoms and the first figuration of God. From each pore of the skin of the great virāṭ, who was the base of all the worlds a universe came into being. Thus all the countless universes were born. Each universe has its own trinity of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva and devas (the bright ones), the protectors of the eight zones. One universe comprises fourteen worlds or realms, from Pātāla to the Brahmaloka (from the nether world to the upper world or the realm of Brahmā). Countless such universes exist. Over and above all these universes there is Vaikuṇṭha, and above Vaikuṇṭha there is another world with an area of fifty crore yojanas (leagues), called 'Goloka' (the world of cow). Only the two worlds Vaikuṇṭha and the Goloka are eternal. Bhūloka (the earth) consists of seven islands and sixty-four peninsulas. There are seven worlds above and seven worlds below. The seven upper worlds are Bhūloka, Bhuvarloka, Svarloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka. Satyaloka and Brahmaloka. Thus a universe consists of fourteen worlds. This is the idea given by the Purāṇas about Brahmāṇḍa. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandhas 9).
Mention is made, in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Aṃśa 2, Chapter 7, about the construction of Brahmāṇḍa. (See full article at Story of Brahmāṇḍa from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to the “cosmic egg”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.15:—“[...] after getting the blessings of Śiva and going out of the cosmic egg (brahmāṇḍa), Viṣṇu made Vaikuṇṭha his permanent abode [viz., vaikuṇṭhanagara]. Desiring to create, I remembered Śiva and Viṣṇu. In the waters (jala) that had already been created I offered handfuls of water as libation (añjali). Then the cosmic egg arose consisting of twenty-four Principles. O Brahmin, then a splendid, huge form Virāṭ appeared and the form of waters (jalarūpa) was not seen”.
Brahmā said:—“[...] O Viṣṇu, you have now appeared before me; thanks to the blessings of Śiva. Confer sentience on this cosmic egg (brahmāṇḍa) originating from Śiva’s power. When I said this, the great Viṣṇu adhering strictly to the directives of Śiva assumed infinite forms and entered the cosmic egg. Viṣṇu with a thousand heads, a thousand eyes and a thousand feet encompassed the cosmic egg touching the earth everywhere. When Viṣṇu who was properly eulogised by me entered it, the cosmic egg consisting of the twenty-four principles became sentient”.
Note: According to the Paurāṇic account of creation, the Cosmic Egg (brahmāṇḍa) constituted of twenty-four tattvas was entirely material. In the beginning, it was a dead egg and it remained so until it was activated by the principle of Brahmā which having entered into it split the egg into two halves by the process of fission.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—(Purāṇam) one among the {%Mahāślokas dealing with the future kalpas; narrated by Brahmā; contains a description of Brahmāṇḍa; he who gives it with two yellow woollen garments and a golden cow in the Vyatīpāta attains the merit of performing a thousand Rājasūyas.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa XII. 7. 24; 13. 8. Matsya-purāṇa 53. 56; Vāyu-purāṇa 104. 5; Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 6. 23.
1b) The whole universe; above this are mānasa worlds of Somapā-manes.1 Īśvara entered into;2 was split by Bhaṇḍa.3
- 1) Matsya-purāṇa 15. 25; 249. 29; 266. 28; 289. 13.
- 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 103. 20-1; 104.
- 3) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 10. 82.
1c) A dāna of the image of the universe in gold weighing not less than 20 palas and up-to 1000 according to capacity with 8 guardian elephants, Vedas and Angas, and all the deities beginning from Brahmā; then worship of the different manifestations of Viṣṇu—Anantaśayana, Pradyumna, Samkarṣaṇa, Aniruddha, Vāsudeva; the giver enjoys in heaven with the heavenly damsels.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 274. 7.
Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—According to the version in the Matsyapurāṇa, the God Brahmā created the Brahmāṇḍa, cosmic egg. Viṣṇu broke it and the upper portion became the sky, the lower portion the earth and the netherworlds. The earth was suffering from the heavy weight of oceans and mountains. The goddess Earth prayed to Viṣṇu to lighten her load. In order to lessen her burden and at the same time to enjoy her company Viṣṇu took the form of an aquatic Boar and plunged into the sea to play with the Goddess Earth. At that time came Hiraṇyākṣa, sure of his power and with an ardent desire to fight invited Viṣṇu for a combat. Viṣṇu kept the earth on the surface of the ocean and without any effort hurled his discus and put an end to the life of the demon.
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: McGill: The architectural theory of the MānasāraBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—According to the Mānasāra II.2-4, the brahmāṇḍa, literally, “egg of Brahmā”, here to mean cosmos, is “self-created”, in other words, “begotten”, by Viśvakarman.
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to one of the hundred types of Temples (in ancient Indian architecture), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—It is quite difficult to say about a definite number of varieties of Hindu temples but in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa hundred varieties of temples have been enumerated. For example, Brahmāṇḍa. These temples are classified according to the particular shape, amount of storeys and other common elements, such as the number of pavilions, doors and roofs.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad BhagavatamrtamBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to:—Material universe, which is compared to an egg. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to the “physical universe”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—The Kularatnoddyota enumerates a series of emanations (sṛṣṭi) projected out of their corresponding metaphysical principles progressively down into outer gross manifestation. They are: 1) The emanation from Śiva (Śāmbhavī). 2) The emanation from the goddess. 3) The emanation from the Īśvara principle. 4) The emanation from the Vidyā principle. 5) The emanation pertaining to Puruṣa. 6) The emanation from Prakṛti. 7) The emanation from Brahmā. The physical universe (brahmāṇḍa) is generated through the last four forms of emanation. [...]
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (p)Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) refers to the “heavens”, according to the second chapter of the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā (Toxicology).—Accordingly, text text dictates that a Garuḍa-upāsaka, the aspirant, must meditate on Garuḍa of the following form—[...] His right foot is in the Svastika shape while the left is curved. His feet touch the Nether world while his head reaches the heavens (brahmāṇḍa-gata), Brahmaloka. He has a bright face with a sharp nose and eyes. He has a huge face with sharp teeth.
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.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryBrahmāṇḍa.—(EI 16, 21), name of a mahādāna. Note: brahmāṇḍa is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarybrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्मांड).—n (S The egg of Brahma.) The universe, the fourteen worlds. See caturdaśabhuvana & saptalōka. 2 The crown of the human head. 3 Used in comp. to convey the sense of Monstrousness, extensiveness, or exorbitance in general; as brahmāṇḍa nadī-parvata-pāṣāṇa-vṛkṣa-sāmpa-hattī &c. A vast river, mountain &c.; an enormous serpent, elephant &c.; brahmāṇḍa kāma-kārakhānā-kārabhāra-pasārā An extensive and immense work, affair, business, establishment, concern, outlay; brahmāṇḍa karja-kharca-saṃsāra A world of debt, expense, business, dealing. brahmāṇḍānta na māṇēṃ (To be uncontainable in the universe. ) To be exceedingly numerous, large, great, extensive &c.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishbrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्मांड).—n The universe; bramhāṇḍānta na māṇēṃ Be exceedingly numerous, large.
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
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—'the egg of Brahman', the primordial egg from which the universe sprang, the world, universe; ब्रह्माण्डच्छत्रदण्डः (brahmāṇḍacchatradaṇḍaḥ) Daśakumāracarita 1. °कपालः (kapālaḥ) the hemisphere of the world. °भाण्डोदरम् (bhāṇḍodaram) the hollow of the universe; ब्रह्मा येन कुलालवन्नियमितो ब्रह्माण्ड- भाण्डोदरे (brahmā yena kulālavanniyamito brahmāṇḍa- bhāṇḍodare) Bhartṛhari 2.95. °पुराणम् (purāṇam) Name of one of the eighteen Purāṇas.
Derivable forms: brahmāṇḍam (ब्रह्माण्डम्).
Brahmāṇḍa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and aṇḍa (अण्ड).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—m.
(-ṇḍaḥ) 1. The globe, the world. 2. One of the Puranas. E. brahma Brahma and aṇḍa an egg, to which it is compared; in creation there are said to have been innumerable Brahmandas.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—n. the world.
Brahmāṇḍa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and aṇḍa (अण्ड).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—[neuter] Brahman's egg, i.e. the Universe.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड):—[from brahma > brahman] n. ‘Brahmā’s egg’, the universe, world (also [plural]), [Harivaṃśa; Sūryasiddhānta; Purāṇa] (also -kaṭāha m., [Āryabhaṭa [Scholiast or Commentator]])
2) [v.s. ...] Name of a Purāṇa and an Upapurāṇa
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryBrahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड):—[brahmā+ṇḍa] (ṇḍaḥ) 1. m. The globe; a Puran.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Baṃbhaṃḍa.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusBrahmāṃḍa (ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ):—[adjective] very much exceeding the usual size, number or degree; of great size; huge; vast; immense; enormous.
--- OR ---
Brahmāṃḍa (ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ):—
1) [noun] the totality of all the things that exist; creation; the cosmos.
2) [noun] name of one of the eighteen main Purāṇas, revealed by Brahma.
3) [noun] (Dvaita phil.) one of the twenty elements.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Brahman, Anda, Anta.
Starts with (+10): Brahmandabhandodara, Brahmandadanaprayoga, Brahmandadanda, Brahmandadhipati, Brahmandadhipatitva, Brahmandagamini, Brahmandagarima, Brahmandagata, Brahmandagolaka, Brahmandajnana, Brahmandajnanamaharajatantra, Brahmandakalana, Brahmandakalpa, Brahmandakapala, Brahmandakataha, Brahmandakharpara, Brahmandamandapa, Brahmandanandanatha, Brahmandanatha, Brahmandanti.
Ends with: Akhilabrahmanda, Sarvabrahmanda.
Full-text (+5036): Brahmandapurana, Andakataha, Sujata, Nagara, Upapurana, Aniruddha, Brahmandatantra, Brahmandakalpa, Brahmandakataha, Brahmandayamalepancamisadhana, Brahmandajnanamaharajatantra, Vikata, Sukesha, Kanti, Pancaratha, Vaka, Mahendri, Tankarini, Ekapada, Savya.
Relevant text
Search found 77 books and stories containing Brahmanda, Brahmāṇḍa, Brahman-anda, Brahman-aṇḍa, Brahmamda, Brahmāṃḍa; (plurals include: Brahmandas, Brahmāṇḍas, andas, aṇḍas, Brahmamdas, Brahmāṃḍas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 1.6.40 < [Chapter 6 - Description of Kaṃsa’s Strength]
Verse 2.9.35 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Verse 1.2.11 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Abode of Śrī Goloka]
Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana (by Chaitali Kadia)
Table: Janapadas or State < [Chapter 4 - Geographical history in the Matsya-Purāṇa]
The River Gaṅgā or Ganges < [Chapter 4 - Geographical history in the Matsya-Purāṇa]
Classification of the Purāṇas < [Chapter 1 - An Introduction of the Purāṇas]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.18.172-174 < [Chapter 18 - Mahāprabhu’s Dancing as a Gopī]
Verse 3.9.354-355 < [Chapter 9 - The Glories of Advaita]
Verse 1.2.159 < [Chapter 2 - The Lord’s Appearance]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.4.23 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Verse 2.3.86-87 < [Chapter 3 - Bhajana (loving service)]
Verse 1.7.1 < [Chapter 7 - Pūrṇa (pinnacle of excellent devotees)]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.1.202 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Verse 1.2.280 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]
Verse 2.1.199 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Related products
