Dvadashakshara, Dvādaśākṣara, Dvadasha-akshara: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Dvadashakshara 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.
The Sanskrit term Dvādaśākṣara can be transliterated into English as Dvadasaksara or Dvadashakshara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexDvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर).—Those who medidate on the 12 letters are not re-born.*
- * Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 6. 40; 12. 97.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Dvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर) refers to a class of Mantras, according to the twenty-third 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 [mantroddhāra-vidhi]: The sages ask Nārada to answer six questions. In this chapter his answers to the first two questions are recorded. [...] Second: what is the nature of mantras used in establishing an image? He replies that among mantras of Viṣṇu which are “vyāpaka”, there are three—namely, the aṣṭākṣara, dvādaśākṣara and ṣaḍakṣaramantras. All images may be worshipped with these mantras; some particular images, however, must have, in addition, their own appropriate, special mantras. But of all the mantras, the aṣṭākṣaramantra is best (51-61).
2) Dvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर) is the name of a Mantra associated with 12 Tattvas, as discussed in the third 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 [caturmūrtilakṣaṇa-vidhāna]: Nārada commences with instructions for the construction of the dvādaśākṣara-mantra, and along with these gives an analysis of the main mantra while also telling about the twelve subsidiary Mantras (aṅgamantra) connected with it—including certain colors associated with the subsidiary mantras and the tattva-realities symbolically referred to by them (1-20). This dvādaśākṣara-mantra is said to be the most efficacious, secret, divinely-empowered, blessed, etc. (21-39). [...]
3) Dvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर) refers to the “twelve-syllable mantra”, as discussed in chapter 24 (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 [dvādaśākṣara-kalpa]: This chapter turns in particular to a discussion of the 12-syllable mantra how to “compose” it by selecting the appropriate, potent letters or syllables from the mātṛkācakra-design (1-32a), a eulogy of those who employ the dvādaśākṣara-mantra (32b-41), the rules for japa-repetitions of this particular mantra (42-76a), and the benefits accruing to one who successfully perseveres in its use (76b-86[...]
4) Dvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर) is the name of a Mantra discussed in chapter 7 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 [dvādaśākṣara-vidhi]: Continuing, Viśvāmitra here treats the “king of mantras”, the twelve-syllable formula, in much the same way as before (1-23a). In a similar manner, he says, one is to handle and understand the Saṃkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha-mantras (23b-25). [...]
5) Dvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर) is the name of a Mantra mentioned in chapter 11 of the Brahmarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [mantra-kośa]: Sanatkumāra says that everything in this world can be obtained by employing mantra-formulas properly (1-4a). He then gives (in prose) the mantras that Brahma revealed to him, in each case citing the bīja, astra, kavaca, etc. The mantras given are: [e.g., Dvādaśākṣara] [...] The chapter closes by stating that the fruits obtained through reciting mantra-formulas can be selected and varied by adding particular suffixes and prefixes to the set formulas .
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.
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)Dvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर) or Dvādaśākṣaramantra is the name of a Mantra associated with japa (repetition), as discussed in chapter 53 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [mantrajapa-ādi-viṣaya-vidhi]: After completing the homa-portion of this first initiating sequence into the mantra, the aspirant will attend to the feeding of Brahmins and to certain liturgical cycles (1-7). As for japa-repetitions these are to be done with comprehension of their meaning and toward this end the dvādaśākṣara-mantra is explained (14-19) as well as the aṣṭākṣaramantra (20-24), and some others (25-55). [...]
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryDvādaśākṣara (द्वादशाक्षर):—[from dvā-daśa > dvā] mf(ā)n. (dvā-) containing 12 syllables, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa]
[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)
Partial matches: Akshara, Dvadasha.
Starts with: Dvadashaksharakalpa, Dvadashaksharamala, Dvadashaksharamalika, Dvadashaksharamantra, Dvadashaksharavidhi, Dvadashaksharavidya.
Full-text (+39): Dvadashaksharamantra, Dvadashaksharamala, Dvadashaksharavidya, Mulavidya, Dvadashaksharavidhi, Dvadashaksharakalpa, Dvadashapattraka, Caturmurtilakshanavidhana, Vyapakamantra, Saumya, Agneya, Saumyagneya, Vishnugayatri, Vishnugayatrimantra, Garudamantra, Mahasudarshana, Vaishnavamantra, Mahasudarshanamantra, Durgamantra, Varahamantra.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Dvadashakshara, Dvādaśa-akṣara, Dvadasa-aksara, Dvādaśākṣara, Dvadasaksara, Dvadasha-akshara; (plurals include: Dvadashaksharas, akṣaras, aksaras, Dvādaśākṣaras, Dvadasaksaras, aksharas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 8 - The eight-syllabled Mantra < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra (by Shanta Srinivasan)
14. The concepts of Mantras < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
11. Post-activities of Diksha < [Chapter 4 - The Process of Diksha]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 295 < [Volume 4 (1877)]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.4.153 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Verse 2.2.166 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna (knowledge)]
Verse 1.1.12 < [Chapter 1 - Bhauma (the earthly plane)]
Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)
3. Summary of contents of the Sarada-tilaka < [Chapter 5 - Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati and Saradatilaka]
4. Comparing the Sarada Tilaka and Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati < [Chapter 5 - Isanasivagurudeva-paddhati and Saradatilaka]
Parama Samhita (English translation) (by Krishnaswami Aiyangar)