Gajamukha, Gaja-mukha: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Gajamukha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexGajamukha (गजमुख).—A people, perhaps Gandharvas.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 22. 56.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra1) Gajamukha (गजमुख) refers to a sub-division of the Mlecchas: one of the two-fold division of men born in Mānuṣottara and in the Antaradvīpas, situated in the “middle world” (madhyaloka), according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“In these 35 zones on this side of Mānuṣottara and in the Antaradvīpas, men arise by birth; on the mountains, Meru, etc., by kidnapping and power of learning, in the 2½ continents and in 2 oceans. [...]. From the division into Āryas and Mlecchas they are two-fold. [...] The Mlecchas—[e.g., the Gajamukhas, ...] and other non-Āryas also are people who do not know even the word ‘dharma’”.
2) Gajamukha (गजमुख) also refers to one of the Antaradvīpas.—Accordingly, “The Mlecchas are free from (knowledge of) virtue and vice, and also those born in the Antaradvīpas. The 56 Antaradvīpas are as follows: Half of them are to the east and west of Kṣudrahimavat in the four intermediate directions, beginning with northeast. [...] Beyond them (i.e., after Hayakarṇa, Gajakarṇa, Gokarṇa, Śaṣkulīkarṇa) at a distance of 500 yojanas and with the same length and width are the 4 Antaradvīpas, Ādarśamukha, Meṣamukha, Hayamukha, and Gajamukha, in the northeast, etc., as before”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryGajamukha (गजमुख).—epithets of Gaṇeśa; Bṛ. S.58.58; Kathāsaritsāgara 1.44.
Derivable forms: gajamukhaḥ (गजमुखः).
Gajamukha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms gaja and mukha (मुख). See also (synonyms): gajavaktra, gajavadana.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryGajamukha (गजमुख):—[=gaja-mukha] [from gaja > gaj] m. ‘elephant-faced’, Gaṇeśa, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā lviii, 58.]
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Gajamukha (गजमुख) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Gayamuha.
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusGajamukha (ಗಜಮುಖ):—
1) [noun] the face of an elephant.
2) [noun] Gaṇēśa, the elephant-headed god.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Gajavadana, Gayamuha, Anaimukan, Kayamukan, Gajanana, Gajavaktra, Kayamukappillai, Ashvamukha, Simhamukha, Hastimukha, Vyaghramukha, Adarshamukha, Mleccha, Meshamukha, Hayamukha.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Gajamukha, Gaja-mukha; (plurals include: Gajamukhas, mukhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 30: Mlecchas < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Part 31: The Antaradvīpas < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 57 - Manifestation of Dhuṇḍhi Vināyaka and Fifty-six Vināyakas < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]