Brahmani, aka: Brāhmaṇī, Brahmāṇī; 12 Definition(s)

Introduction

Brahmani means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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

Ayurveda (science of life)

Brāhmaṇī (ब्राह्मणी) is another name for Bhāraṅgī, which is a Sanskrit word referring to Clerodendrum serratum (beetle killer). It is classified as a medicinal plant in the system of Āyurveda (science of Indian medicine) and is used throughout literature such as the Suśrutasaṃhita and the Carakasaṃhitā. The synonym was identified in the Rājanighaṇṭu (verses 5.149-150), which is a 13^th-century medicinal thesaurus.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Brahmāṇī (ब्रह्माणी):—Name of one of the mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ ब्रह्माण्यै नमः
oṃ brahmāṇyai namaḥ.

Brahmani or Brahmi refers to one of the seven mother-like goddesses (Matrika).—The Matrikas emerge as shaktis from out of the bodies of the gods: Brahmi form Brahma. The order of the Saptamatrka usually begins with Brahmi symbolizing creation. It is often represented by the all-comprehensive primordial Nada Om (pranava). The most important significance of Saptamatrka symbolism is the implication of the cyclical universal time and its cessation. In the standard versions, Brahmi symbolizes creation.

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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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Brahmāṇī (ब्रह्माणी).—The image of; four faces and four hands with the swan for riding.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 261. 24.

Brahmāṇī (ब्रह्माणी) refers to the name of a River mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. VI.10.32). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Brahmāṇī) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Brāhmaṇī (ब्राह्मणी) is a Sanskrit word referring to the wife of a Brāhmana.

Brahmani; a woman of the Brahman class.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Brahmāṇī (ब्रह्माणी):—One of the six Īśvarī performing the rites of pacification.—In the southern direction stands the yellowish-white snake-headed Brahmāṇī who holds a lotus. She embodies the functions of the petal that directs prāṇas to the pancreas, whose secretions represent the physical externalisation of the energies of the Solar Plexus centre, as well as to the Inner Round of small chakras. Being a physical organ the pancreas therefore is a repository of the most Earthy prāṇas from the Watery Solar Plexus centre. The lotus symbolises the attributes of all the small chakras that ascribe to the potency of the vitalisation from the Solar Plexus centre, the central processing organ and directing agent for their prāṇas.

The counterpart of this pair is Manurākṣasī.

context information

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.

India history and geogprahy

Brahmani or Daivampati refers to one of the castes recognised as included in the generic name of Ambalavasi: a generic name applied to all classes of temple servants in Malabar. There are many sub-divisions of the caste (eg., Brahmani) which are assigned different services in the Hindu temples, such as the preparation of garlands, the sweeping of the floor, the fetching of fire-wood, the carrying of the idols in procession, singing, dancing, and so on.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as 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

brāhmaṇī (ब्राह्मणी).—a Relating to the Brahman.

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brāhmaṇī (ब्राह्मणी).—f (S) A female of the Brahman-caste.

brāhmaṇī (ब्राह्मणी).—a Relating to the Brahmans. f A female of the brāmhaṇa-caste.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Brahmāṇī (ब्रह्माणी).—

1) The wife of Brahman.

2) An epithet of Durgā.

3) A kind of perfume (= reṇukā).

4) A kind of brass.

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Brāhmaṇī (ब्राह्मणी).—

1) A woman of the Brāhmaṇa caste.

2) The wife of a Brāhmaṇa.

3) Intellect; (buddhi according to nīlakaṇṭha).

4) A kind of lizard; हृष्टः पश्यति तस्यान्तं ब्राह्मणी करकादिव (hṛṣṭaḥ paśyati tasyāntaṃ brāhmaṇī karakādiva) Rām.3.29.5.

5) A kind of wasp.

6) A kind of brass (Mar. sonapitaḷa).

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