Cakravyuha, Cakravyūha, Cakra-vyuha: 10 definitions
Introduction
Cakravyuha 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Chakravyuha.
In Hinduism
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: ISKCON Press: GlossaryCakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—A formation of soldiers in the form of a cakra. This formation was considered impenetrable, and only the most capable warriors could penetrate it. Abhimanyu was killed while fighting in this formation. His father, Arjuna, taught him how to enter, but he did not know how to exit the gigantic formation.
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’).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaCakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—A Phalanx.
A particular pattern of army formation on ground. In the Kaurava-Pāṇḍava war Droṇācārya formed a Cakravyūha wherein Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna got himself trapped and killed. (Abhimanyu, who forced himself inside the Vyūha did not know the method of geting out of it which Arjuna alone knew). Cakravyūha is made in the form and shape of Cart-wheels. Vyāsa has described the Cakravyūha made by Droṇa as follows:—The great preceptor made the Cakravyūha and posted in it to maximum capacity kings, who were equal to Indra. In every opening of the vyūha were posted princes equal in prowess to the Sun. All the princes were organised compactly. And, all of them wore red uniforms and were adorned with other things also red in colour and held red flags. They also wore golden ornaments and garlands scented with Sandal paste. Ten thousand strong they rushed forward to fight with Abhimanyu. Duryodhana’s son, Lakṣmaṇa, led the onrush. In the centre (of the Cakravyūha) stood Duryodhana in the company of heroes like Karṇa, Duśśāsana and Kṛpa. And, at the head of the army stood Droṇa, the captain of the army, who looked like the rising sun. Then there was the King of Sindhu, and near him stood Aśvatthāmā, and there stood in front of them thirty Kauravas, all of them equal to Devas. On the flanks were great heroes like Śalya, Bhūriśravas. And then did the battle rage. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 34).
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarycakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—m S pop. cakravibhū m & cakravihū m A form of military array, the circle. 2 fig. A deep, complex plot or scheme.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishcakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—m A form of military array, the circle. A deep, complex plot or scheme.
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-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryCakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—a circular array of troops.
Derivable forms: cakravyūhaḥ (चक्रव्यूहः).
Cakravyūha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms cakra and vyūha (व्यूह).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryCakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—name of a kiṃnara-king: Kāraṇḍavvūha 3.2.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryCakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—m.
(-haḥ) The circular array of troops. E. cakra and vyūha array.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryCakravyūha (चक्रव्यूह).—m. the array in a circle, ib. 7, 1441.
Cakravyūha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms cakra and vyūha (व्यूह).
Sanskrit, 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.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Cakravyuha, Cakravyūha, Cakra-vyuha, Cakra-vyūha; (plurals include: Cakravyuhas, Cakravyūhas, vyuhas, vyūhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Shrimad Bhagavad-gita (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verses 1.4-6 < [Chapter 1 - Sainya-Darśana (Observing the Armies)]
The Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section LXVII < [Sambhava Parva]