Cakramudra, Cakramudrā, Cakra-mudra: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Cakramudra means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Chakramudra.
In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) or simply Cakra is the name of a mudrā described in the Īśvarasaṃhitā 33-34.—Accordingly, “the two hands are to be joined with each other and clearly stretched out and moved about like a wheel. This is called cakramudrā, which destroys all miseries. This is the supreme mudrā”. Mūdra (eg., Cakramudrā) is so called as it gives joy to the tattvas in the form of karman for those who offer spotless worship, drive out the defects which move about within and without and sealing up of what is done.
1) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) is the name of a Ritual Hand-gesture (mudrā), discussed in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa-bhagavaddhyāna-ādi-prakāra]: Nārada tells how one prepares himself for the practice of mudrā-gestures—washing the hands with sandal-paste, doing certain exercises with the fingers, ritually touching the chest with the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, executing certain motions with the palms joined, etc. (3-11). Different mudrā-gestures are named and described (12-72): [e.g., cakramudrā (34a)] [...]
2) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) also refers to one of the twenty-six “ritual hand gestures” (mudrās) mentioned in the sixth chapter of the Nāradīyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra document comprising over 3000 verses in 30 chapters presenting in a narrative framework the teachings of Nārada to Gautama, dealing primarily with modes of worship and festivals.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa]: Gautama asks Nārada about mudrās, by using which one can please the Lord (1) Nārada then names and describes how to form with the hands 26 gestures: namely, [e.g., cakramudrā] [....]. All the preceding are mudrās appropriate to use when worshipping the Lord in His central shrine.
3) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to one of the fifty-three Mudrās (ritual hand gestures) described in chapter 22 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [mudrālakṣaṇa-vidhi]: Brahmā asks the meaning, uses and varieties of mudrā-gestures. Bhagavān says these finger movements are ways to fend off evil and to prevent those taking pleasure in harming others. Furthermore, they please the Lord-so long as they are demonstrated in private (1-5a). He then names and describes 53 mudrā-gestures: [e.g., cakramudrā (48b-49a)] [...]
4) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to one of the Mudrās (gestures) discussed in chapter 31 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).—Description of chapter [mudrā-vidhāna]: As a part of worship [pūjāṅga], it is ordained in the śāstras that certain mudrā-gestures be done to please the gods (1). The ones listed and described are [e.g., Cakramudrā] [...]. When some of these are to be used in the worship of God is given (49b-58).
5) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) is the name of a Mudrā (“ritual hand-gestures”) mentioned in in chapter 13 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-adhyāya]: Kāśyapa asks what are the various types of mudrā-gestures, and Viśvāmitra complies by first defining mudrā as that by seeing which one derives pleasure (“mu-”) and then by counseling that whoever practices these mudrās must do so in secrecy (1-6). Thereupon he names and briefly describes how to perform a number of mudrās [e.g., cakramudrā]
6) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) is the name of a Mudrā mentioned in chapter 4 of the Viṣṇutilakasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3500 Sanskrit verses covering the typically “agamic” subjects which are being narrated by Brahmā to a number of sages.—Description of the chapter [yoga-adhyāya]: [...] The namatraya-mantra (Acyuta, Ananta and Govinda) is then mentioned, as is the agniprākāra-mantra. This is followed by brief descriptions of mudrās [e.g., cakra-mudrā]—which “please” Him (649-680).
7) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to one of the 37 Mudrās (hand-gestures) described in chapter 7 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—[Cf. the chapter mudrā-lakṣaṇa].
8) Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to one of the 81 Mudrās (hand-gestures) described in chapter 2 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—[Cf. the chapter mudrā-lakṣaṇa].
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to:—A hand gesture representing a disc. cāmara–a whisk made traditionally from a yak-tail. (cf. Glossary page from Arcana-dīpikā).
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’).
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to one of the Pañcamudrās (“five mudrās or signs”), according to the Śeṣa-samhitā (p.26, mudrāvidhi).—Mantras refers to “that which is chanted by people to obtain their spiritual aspirations”. Mantras must be accompanied by the prescribed mudrās or signs. Mudrā is the position of the hand and finger indicative of various moods and sentiments, and accelerate the effectiveness of the accompanying mantras. The Śeṣasamhitā states that the five Mudrās [e.g., disc (cakramudrā)] yield the four puruṣārthas when displayed in the middle and end of a japa.
Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Cakramudrā (चक्रमुद्रा) refers to the “circle gesture” [i.e., oṃ vajra-cakre hūṃ—cakra mudrā kyane], according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Mudra, Cakra.
Full-text: Cakra, Disc, Pancamudra, Pancamrita, Prapa, Nityarcana, Jaladhivasa, Jaladhivasavidhi.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Cakramudra, Cakramudrā, Cakra-mudra, Cakra-mudrā; (plurals include: Cakramudras, Cakramudrās, mudras, mudrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 200 < [Volume 5 (1879)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 268 < [Volume 14 (1912)]
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 215-216 [Knowledge of Prakāśa Bindu is ultimate] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.16.141 < [Chapter 16 - The Lord’s Acceptance of Śuklāmbara’s Rice]
Parama Samhita (English translation) (by Krishnaswami Aiyangar)