Caturbahu, Caturbāhu, Catur-bahu: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Caturbahu 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Chaturbahu.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु).—A son and commander of Bhaṇḍa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 21. 80; 26. 47, 72.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु) refers to “she who has four arms”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “(Jvālāmaṅgalyā), the goddess born of Jāla is very dignified and powerful. She has five faces, four arms [i.e., caturbāhu], and sits on a white lion. She holds sword, club, fetter, and goad and is adorned with jewels. She wears clothes of various colours, is fierce and, when worshipped, bestows boons”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: University of Vienna: Sudarśana's Worship at the Royal Court According to the AhirbudhnyasaṃhitāCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु) refers to “four arms” and is used to describe Nārāyaṇa, according to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, belonging to the Pāñcarātra tradition which deals with theology, rituals, iconography, narrative mythology and others.—Accordingly, “One desirous of a kingdom, one who has been deprived of it or one conquered by [other] rulers, after having paid respect with large masses of wealth to the supreme Guru, the giver of Sudarśana’s Yantra, considering [him] superior to all, should propitiate God Nārāyaṇa—who has large eyes like lotuses, is [of] dark [complexion], clad in a yellow garment, adorned with all ornaments and with four arms (caturbāhu)—following the rules given by the teacher. [...]”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु) refers to “four-armed” and is used to describe Nārāyaṇa, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 13.1-9, while describing the appearance and worship of Viṣṇu, in the form of Nārāyaṇa]—“Thus, [I have] spoken the kaulika rule of the mantrarāṭ. I again shall tell another method by which [the deity] grants fruits. He should always think of the four-armed (caturbāhu) Nārāyaṇa arising. [Nārāyaṇa has] two, long, lotus petal eyes, one face, has the appearance of a [blue] linseed flower, [and is] adorned with all [of his] instruments: a conch, discus, mace, and lotus. [...]”.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु).—an epithet of Viṣṇu.
-hu n.) a square.
Derivable forms: caturbāhuḥ (चतुर्बाहुः).
Caturbāhu is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms catur and bāhu (बाहु).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु).—1. adj. having four arms, [Pañcatantra] 251, 24. 2. m. Viṣṇu, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 8, 17, 4; Śiva.
Caturbāhu is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms catur and bāhu (बाहु).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु).—[adjective] four-armed.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Caturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु):—[=catur-bāhu] [from catur > catasṛ] mfn. four-armed, [Pañcatantra v, 8, 8/9]
2) [v.s. ...] (Viṣṇu), [Bhāgavata-purāṇa viii, 17, 4]
3) [v.s. ...] m. Name of Śiva.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryCaturbāhu (चतुर्बाहु):—[(huḥ-hu) a.] Having four arms.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Caturbhuja, Catushtaya.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Caturbahu, Caturbāhu, Catur-bahu, Catur-bāhu; (plurals include: Caturbahus, Caturbāhus, bahus, bāhus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya) (by G.V. Tagare)
Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture) (by Bhagyashree Sarma)
8(b): The Image of Various Gods < [Chapter 5 - Painting and Image Making]
Song 7 < [Grantharambha (the book begins)]
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 35 - Śiva-sahasranāma: the thousand names of Śiva < [Section 4 - Koṭirudra-Saṃhitā]
The Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 98 - Thousand names of Śiva (Sahasranāma) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]