Brahmarandhra, aka: Brahman-randhra; 6 Definition(s)
Introduction
Brahmarandhra 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
Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)
Brahmarandhra (ब्रह्मरन्ध्र) is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fourth volume of the Rasajalanidhi (chapter 2, dealing with jvara: fever). These remedies are classified as Iatrochemistry and form part of the ancient Indian science known as Rasaśāstra (medical alchemy). Pārvatīśaṅkara is an ayurveda treatment and should be taken with caution and in accordance with rules laid down in the texts.
Accordingly, when using such recipes (eg., brahmarandhra-rasa): “the minerals (uparasa), poisons (viṣa), and other drugs (except herbs), referred to as ingredients of medicines, are to be duly purified and incinerated, as the case may be, in accordance with the processes laid out in the texts.” (see introduction to Iatro chemical medicines)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra
Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Brahmarandhra (ब्रह्मरन्ध्र) is explained in terms of kuṇḍalinīyoga by Lakṣmaṇadeśika in his 11th-century Śaradātilaka.—The body is described, starting from the “bulb” (kanda), the place in which the subtle channels (nāḍī) originate, located between anus and penis (28–9). The three principal channels are iḍā (left), piṅgalā (right) and suṣumṇā (in the centre of the spine and the head). Inside the suṣumṇā is citrā, a channel connecting to the place on the top of the skull called the brahmarandhra (30–4).
Note: The brahmarandhra, the “opening of brahman”, is a small opening on the top of the skull near the fontanel; its name is based on a belief expressed in the older Upaniṣads that it is a place from which the ātman can leave the body to unite with the .
Source: academia.edu: The Śāradātilakatantra on Yoga
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Brahmarandhra (ब्रह्मरन्ध्र, “cranial apperture”) refers to one of the sixteen types of “locus” or “support” (ādhāra) according to the Netratantra. These ādhāras are called so because they “support” or “localise” the self and are commonly identified as places where breath may be retained. They are taught in two different setups: according to the tantraprakriyā and according to the kulaprakriyā. Brahmarandhra belongs to the latter system.
Source: academia.edu: The Śaiva Yogas and Their Relation to Other Systems of Yoga
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
brahmarandhra (ब्रह्मरंध्र).—n (S) The aperture, supposed to be at the crown of the head, through which the soul takes its flight on death.
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English DictionaryMarathi 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-English dictionary
Brahmarandhra (ब्रह्मरन्ध्र).—an aperture in the crown of the head through which the soul is said to escape on its leaving the body; आरोप्य ब्रह्मरन्ध्रेण ब्रह्म नीत्वोत्सृजेत्तनुम् (āropya brahmarandhreṇa brahma nītvotsṛjettanum) Bhāg.11.15.24.
Derivable forms: brahmarandhram (ब्रह्मरन्ध्रम्).
Brahmarandhra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and randhra (रन्ध्र).
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryBrahmarandhra (ब्रह्मरन्ध्र).—n.
(-ndhraṃ) An aperture in the crown of the head, through which the soul is supposed to escape.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 1566 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Brahman | Brahman (ब्रह्मन्).—m. (-hmā) 1. Brahma, the first deity of the Hindu triad, and the operative ... | |
| Brahmaloka | Brahmaloka (ब्रह्मलोक) refers to fourteen Brahmā worlds, as defined in the Śivapurāṇa 1.17. Acc... | |
| Brahmacarya | Brahmacarya (ब्रह्मचर्य), or “stage of studentship” refers to the first of the four Āśramas (“s... | |
| Brahmasutra | Brahmasūtra (ब्रह्मसूत्र).—n. (-traṃ) 1. The sacrificial or Brahminical thread. 2. An aphorism ... | |
| Brahmayajna | Brahmayajña (ब्रह्मयज्ञ) refers to the “regular study of the Vedas”, as defined in the Śivapurā... | |
| Brahmastra | Brahmāstra (ब्रह्मास्त्र).—n. (-straṃ) The Brahma'S weapon, a fabulous weapon originally from B... | |
| Brahmasthana | Brahma-sthāna.—(SII 13; SITI), explained as ‘an assembly hall’; the Brāhmaṇa quarters of a vill... | |
| Brahmavihara | Brahmavihāra (ब्रह्मविहार).—a pious conduct, perfect state; Buddh. Derivable forms: brahmavihār... | |
| Brahmanda | Brahmāṇḍa (ब्रह्माण्ड).—The word Brahmāṇḍa means the aṇḍa of Brahmā (aṇḍa-egg), the Supreme Bei... | |
| Brahmapurana | Brahmapurāṇa (ब्रह्मपुराण).—(brāhmapurāṇa) This is a great book of twenty-five thousand verses... | |
| Brahmarakshasa | Brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस).—a kind of ghost, the ghost of a Brāhmaṇa, who during his life tim... | |
| Brahmottara | Brahmottara.—(IE 8-5), Bengali; corrupt form of brahmatrā. (IA 15), explained as ‘the sanctuary... | |
| Randhra | Randhra.—(IE 7-1-2; EI 25), ‘nine’; used in the sense of ‘cypher’ in a few late works. Note: ra... | |
| Brahmavidya | In the Puranas, Brahmavidya is divided into two branches, the first one dealing with the vedic ... | |
| Brahmajnana | Brahmajñāna (ब्रह्मज्ञान).—n. (-naṃ) Spiritual wisdom. E. brahma and jñāna knowledge. |
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Brahmarandhra or Brahman-randhra. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 22 - The compulsory and optional rites of Śaivite Scriptures < [Section 7.2 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (2)]
Chapter 7 - The worship of Śiva < [Section 6 - Kailāsa-saṃhitā]
Chapter 35 - The delusion of Viṣṇu and Brahmā (2) < [Section 7.2 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (2)]
Hamsa Upanishad of Shukla-Yajurveda (by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar)
The Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)
Chapter 33 - Protective Mantra for world conquest < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]
The Garuda Purana (abridged) (by Ernest Wood)
The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Chapter 40 - The External Worship of the Devī < [Book 7]
Chapter 15 - On the rules of using the Tripuṇḍra and Ūrdhapuṇḍra marks < [Book 11]
Laghu-yoga-vasistha (by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar)
Part 4 - The Story of Prahlāda < [Chapter V - Upaṣānti-prakaraṇa]
Part 9 - The Story of Śikhidhvaja < [Chapter VI - Nirvāṇa-prakaraṇa]