Gajavaktra, Gaja-vaktra, Gajavaktrā: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Gajavaktra means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantraGajavaktrā (गजवक्त्रा, “elephant-faced”):—One of the nine Dūtī presided over by one of the nine bhaivaravas named Mudreśa (emanation of Ananta, who is the central presiding deity of Dūtīcakra), according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra and the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationGajavaktra (गजवक्त्र) refers to “one who has the face of an elephant” and is use to describe Gaṇeśa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.17 (“The Resuscitation of Gaṇeśa”).—Accordingly, after the Gods joined a head to Gaṇeśa’s body: “[...] Immediately after the contact of the holy water the boy was resuscitated to life and joined with consciousness. As Śiva willed, the boy woke up as from a sleep. He was handsome, extremely comely. He had the face of an elephant (gajavaktra). He was red-complexioned. He was delighted with face beaming. He was brilliant and had fine features. O great sage, on seeing the son of Pārvatī resuscitated to life, they all rejoiced and their miseries came to an end. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexGajavaktra (गजवक्त्र).—See Gaṇeśa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 66.
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.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstraGajavaktra (गजवक्त्र) refers to one of the four classes of praṇālas (“water-drains”) constructed into the sanctum for the purpose of draining oblation water and rainwater. It is a Sanskrit technical term used throughout Vāstuśāstra literature. The gajavaktra-praṇāla is connected with the Vaiśya caste. It is also known a Gajādhara, Gajoṣṭa and Ibhavaktra.
Source: Shodhganga: Temples of Salem region Up to 1336 ADGajavaktra (गजवक्त्र).—A type of praṇāla, or ‘water-drain’.—A praṇāla possessing the decoration of an elephant face is called by the name gajavaktra. The synonymous terms mentioned in the texts are gajādhara, gajoṣṭa and ibhavaktra. The head of the elephant is relieved at the beginning of the shaft. The spiral trunk of the elephant is also carved near the face. The ears are carved distinctly to look like those of an elephant. From the mouth of the elephant emerges a heavy square shaft, which bends immediately downwards. It terminates in the form of a lotus. It is even possible that the bud carved at the bottom is lost.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Gajavaktra (गजवक्त्र) refers to “elephant-faced”, according to the King Vatsarāja’s Pūjāstuti called the Kāmasiddhistuti (also Vāmakeśvarīstuti), guiding one through the worship of the Goddess Nityā.—Accordingly, “[...] I approach the great temple of goddess Mṛḍānī that opens to the west. It is guarded outside by Indra and the other [gods who guard the directions], and shines beautifully with utmost richness. I venerate the young elephant-faced (gajavaktra) master of Śiva’s gaṇas, the destroyer of obstacles. His lotus-hands are decorated with a noose, goad, fruit, and lotus. [...]
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiGajavaktra (गजवक्त्र) is the name of a deity [i.e., oṃ gajavaktrāya svāhā], according to the Kalaśa Pūjā [i.e., Kalasha Worship] ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryGajavaktra (गजवक्त्र).—epithets of Gaṇeśa; Bṛ. S.58.58; Kathāsaritsāgara 1.44.
Derivable forms: gajavaktraḥ (गजवक्त्रः).
Gajavaktra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms gaja and vaktra (वक्त्र). See also (synonyms): gajamukha, gajavadana.
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: Vaktra, Gaja.
Full-text: Gajoshta, Gajadhara, Ibhavaktra, Aviraladharasara, Gajamukha, Gajavadana, Pranala.
Relevant text
Search found 11 books and stories containing Gajavaktra, Gaja-vaktra, Gaja-vaktrā, Gajavaktrā; (plurals include: Gajavaktras, vaktras, vaktrās, Gajavaktrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Chapter 71 - Mode of worshipping Gaṇeśa (gaṇeśapūjā)
Chapter 313 - The mantras relating to the worship of different gods
Brahma Purana (critical study) (by Surabhi H. Trivedi)
9. Description of Ganapati (Ganesa) < [Mythology]
Isanasivagurudeva Paddhati (study) (by J. P. Prajith)
8. Initial ceremonial steps for Shiva Puja (worship) < [Chapter 4 - Worship of Gods and Goddesses]
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 72 - Victory of Durgā < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]