Brahmatirtha, Brahmatīrtha, Brahma-tirtha: 8 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Brahmatirtha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Google Books: Manusmṛti with the Manubhāṣya

Brahmatīrtha (ब्रह्मतीर्थ):—According to Ganganatha Jha in his comparative notes on the Manusmṛti-manubhāṣya verse 2.58-59:

“The line beyond the base of the thumb is the Brahma-tīrtha; through that one should sip water thrice and then wash with water.” (Vashiṣṭha-Sṃṛti, 3. 29.)

“He should sip water through the Brahma-tīrtha.” (Viṣṇu-Sṃṛti, 62. 6)

“With hands between his knees, seated on a pure spot, facing the north or the east, the twice-born should sip water.” (Yajñavalkya, 1.18)

“One should sip water through the Brahma-tīrtha.” (Bodhāyana-Dharmasūtra, 1.5.11)

“The base of the thumb is the Brahma-tīrtha” (Bodhāyana-Dharmasūtra, 5.1.12-13)

“For the twice born, at the base of the thumb is the Brāhma-tīrtha;” (Viṣṇu-Smṛti, 62.1-4)

“The base of the thumb constitute the Brahma-tīrtha;” (Yājñavalkya, 1.19)

“The Brahmatīrtha is situated to the left of the thumb, on the line pointing upwards;” (Śaṅkha-Likhita (Parāśaramādhava, p. 221))

“‘anguṣṭhamūla’ means the lower part of the thumb; and on the palm-side of this is the ‘Brāhma-tīrtha.’ ‘Tala’ is the palm; and that part of the palm which extends from the base of the thumb to the first long line in it constitutes the ‘Brāhma-tīrtha’” (Vīramitrodaya (Āhnika, p. 77))

The Smṛtisāroddhāra (p. 311), explains ‘brahma’ as the base of the aṅguṣṭha (‘thumb’).

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Brahmatīrtha (ब्रह्मतीर्थ).—A holy place in Kurukṣetra. It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 83, Stanza 113, that a non-brāhmaṇa who bathes in this holy place will attain Brāhmaṇatva. (the state of being a brāhmaṇa).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Brahmatīrtha (ब्रह्मतीर्थ).—Also Amohakam;¹ visited by Balarāma;² fit for śrāddha.³

1) Matsya-purāṇa 191. 104-5.
2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 78. 19; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 13. 56.
3) Vāyu-purāṇa 77. 55; 111. 26 and 30.

context information

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Brahmatīrtha (ब्रह्मतीर्थ) is the name of a Tīrtha (sacred bathing place) that is associated with the Naṭārambheśvara Liṅga (symbolical manifestation of Śiva). This place represents the sixteenth of the sixty-four siddhaliṅgas mentioned in the Nepalese Tyasaphu (a folding book or leporello). At each of these spots Śiva is manifest as a Liṅga. Each of these liṅgas has its own specific name, mantra, set of rituals and observances, auspicious time etc.

The auspiscious time for bathing at the Brahma-tīrtha near the Naṭārambha-īśvara-liṅga is mentioned as “jyeṣṭha-kṛṣṇa-aṣṭamī” (latin: jyeshtha-krishna-ashtami). This basically represents the recommended day for bathing there (snānadina).

context information

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Brahmatīrtha or Brahmatīrtheśvara refers to one of the sixteen liṅgas worshipped in the maṇḍapas at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple (Ādi Kumbheśvara) in Kumbakonam (Kumbhakonam), representing a sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—The Ādi Kumbheśvar Temple has three towers. The first Rājagopura is 128 feet high with 9 tiers. The tower is noted for the beauty of the sculptures carved on it. The mūlavar is Kumbheśa Āvudayar in the form of a liṅga. The figure of Lord Murukan in the temple is unique. He is seen with six faces and six hands. The big mahāmaha tank lends a unique glory to this sthala. It is called Amuda Saroruhamand Kaniyūr Tīrta. There are sixteen maṇḍapas around the temple. The sixteen liṅgas worshipped in the maṇḍapas are, [for example, Brahmatīrtha or Brahmatīrtheśvara]. They are said to have been built in 1542 by Govinda Dikṣitar who was a Minister of Achyutappa Nayakar, the king of Tanjore.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Brahmatīrtha (ब्रह्मतीर्थ):—[=brahma-tīrtha] [from brahma > brahman] n. Name of a place of pilgrimage on the Revā or Narmadā river, [Mahābhārata]

2) [v.s. ...] Costus Speciosus or Arabicus, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Brahmatirtha in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 19 books and stories containing Brahmatirtha, Brahmatīrtha, Brahma-tirtha, Brahma-tīrtha; (plurals include: Brahmatirthas, Brahmatīrthas, tirthas, tīrthas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 3.8.12 < [Chapter 8 - The Opulences of Śrī Girirāja]

Chapter 20 - In the Description of the Second Fort, the Glories of Indra-tīrtha, etc. < [Canto 6 - Dvārakā-khaṇḍa]

Verses 6.20.5-7 < [Chapter 20 - In the Description of the Second Fort, the Glories of Indra-tīrtha, etc.]

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Chapter 43 - Brahmatīrtha and other Holy Centres

Chapter 32 - Review of the Greatness of Five Tīrthas (pañcatīrtha)

Chapter 31 - Sarasvatī-saṅgama Tīrtha

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Chapter 129 - The Greatness of Brahmatīrtha (Brahma-tīrtha) < [Section 3 - Revā-khaṇḍa]

Chapter 148 - Greatness of Kuṇḍalakūpa (Kuṇḍala-kūpa) < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]

Chapter 14 - Eminence of Pañcanada Tīrtha < [Section 4 - Dvārakā-māhātmya]

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