In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Gadāpāṇi (गदापाणि) (cf. Gadā) refers to “one who holds a mace” and represents one of the attributes of Viṣṇu, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly: “[...] Then, after the goddess Kumārikā had heard Vyāsa’s words, she hid her Māyā nature from him and assumed (her) Vaiṣṇava form. Viṣṇu held a conch, discus, mace (gadā—gadāpāṇi) and rosary [śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇiḥ akṣasūtraṃ]. Stainless (nirañjana), he wore yellow clothes and, mounted on Garuḍa, he was radiant. Keśava, that is, Janārdhaka, was accompanied by Mahālakṣmī. (He), the god Hari, born from a lotus womb, is the imperishable cause (of all things). [...]”.

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Gadāpāṇi (गदापाणि) refers to “holding a mace in one’s hand”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.17 (“The fight between Viṣṇu and Jalandhara”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “[...] Then a great battle ensued between Viṣṇu and Jalandhara, the ruler of Asuras, both filling up the sky with their arrows. [...] Striking with a single arrow, Viṣṇu smote the heart of the Asura. With innumerable arrows he cut off the umbrella, banner, bow and arrows of the demon. Seizing the mace with his hand (gadāpāṇi), the Asura jumped up quickly, hit Garuḍa on his head and felled him to the ground. [...]”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

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

Gadāpāṇi (गदापाणि):—[=gadā-pāṇi] [from gadā > gad] m. Name of Viṣṇu, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Pani, Gada.

Full-text: Gada.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Gadapani, Gadāpāṇi, Gada-pani, Gadā-pāṇi; (plurals include: Gadapanis, Gadāpāṇis, panis, pāṇis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 95 - Vyāsa’s Arms Get Paralysed < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]

Chapter 82 - Exploits of Amitrajit < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]

Chapter 46 - Vīreśvara (vīra-īśvara-liṅga) < [Section 2 - Caturaśīti-liṅga-māhātmya]

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