Gambhira, aka: Gambhīra, Gambhīrā; 14 Definition(s)

Introduction

Gambhira means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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)

Gambhīra (गम्भीर):—Son of Rabhasa (son of Rābha). He had a son who was called Akriya. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.17.10)

Gambhīrā (गम्भीरा) is the name of a beautiful damsel (kanyā), with black curly hair and red lips, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 92. Gambhīrā (and other innumerable ladies) arose out of the agitation of Vaiṣṇavī while she was doing penance at Viśālā. For these young women, Vaiṣṇavī created the city Devīpura, containing numerous mansions with golden balconies, crystal stairs and water fountains, with jewelled windows and gardens.

Vaiṣṇavī is the form of Trikalā having a red body representing the energy of Viṣṇu. Trikalā is the name of a Goddess born from the combined looks of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Śiva).

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

1a) Gambhīra (गम्भीर).—(Gabhīra, Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa) a son of Rabhasa and father of Akriya.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 17. 10.

1b) A son of Bhautya Manu.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 1. 114.

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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

1) A seaport village, visited by Mittavindaka in the course of his flight from Benares. J.i.239.

2) A channel branching off from the Parakkama Samudda. It started at the point of the flood escape known as Makara. Cv.lxxix.40.

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Gambhīra (गम्भीर) refers to one of the eight trees (vṛkṣa) of the Kāyacakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the kāyacakra refers to one of the four divisions of the nirmāṇa-puṭa (‘emanation layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. Gambhīra is associated with the charnel ground (śmaśāna) named Bhayaṃkara and with the hell-guardian (narakapāla) named Gambhīrī.

context information

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Gambhīra (गम्भीर) refers to a class of mahoraga deities gods according to the Digambara tradition, while the Śvetāmbara does not recognize this class. The mahoraga refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The mahoragas are are dark or black in complexion and the Nāga is their caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred-tree).

The deities such as the Gambhīras are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.

context information

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.

India history and geogprahy

Gambhīrā (गम्भीरा) is the name of a river.— Gambhīrā (the deep) is a designation of the lowest portion of the course of the Viśokā between the point where it receives the waters of the Rembyār and its own confluence with the Vitastā. I suggest that this portion of the course of the river Viśokā flowing near the village Dhyānoḍḍāra was formerly called Dhyānadhāriṇī—the sustainer of the village Dhyāna—and was later on given the appellation Gambhīrā for being there too deep to be fordable. Why is the name Gambhīrā—highly extolled in the Māhātmyas—absent in the Nīlamata, is also explained by this identification.

Gambhīrā is one of the twenty canal-systems associated with Parakkamasamudda waters that existed in the Polonnaruva (Polonnaruwa) district of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).—The Pūjāvaliya gives the name Mahāsamudra to the Parakkamasamudda at Polonnaruva. The canal system associated with Parakkamasamudda is described and named in the Cūlavamsa as follows:—[...] Gambhīrā canal, from the Makara sluice; [...].

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

gambhīra : (adj.) deep; profound; hard to perceive. (nt.), depth.

Gambhīra, (adj.) (Vedic gambhīra & gabhīra) deep, profound, unfathomable, well founded, hard to perceive, difficult.—(a) lit. of lakes: Dh.83; Pv.II, 1¹⁹ (=agādha); Pug.46; of a road (full of swamps) J.I, 196.—(b) fig. of knowledge & wisdom: dhammo g. duddaso ... M.I, 487; S.I, 136; Tathāgato g. appameyyo duppariyogāho M.I, 487; parisā g. (opp. uttāna, shallow, superficial, thoughtless) A.I, 70; g. ṭhāna w. ref. jhāna, etc. Ps.II, 21; saddhamma g. Sdhp. 530; g. gūḷha nipuṇa Nd 342; lokanātho nipuṇo g. PvA.1; also w. nipuṇa J.VI, 355; Miln.234; Bdhd. 118, 137;— (nt.) the deep; deep ground, i.e. secure foundation Sn.173; Kh VIII, 1, 3 (see KhA 217).

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

gambhīra (गंभीर).—a (S) Deep--the ocean, a river &c.; but used in Marahi only in figurative senses. Grave, serious, solemn, staid, thoughtful, reflecting, considerate. Deep or full--a sound.

gambhīra (गंभीर).—a Deep. Fig. Grave, solemn, staid, reflecting, thoughtful. Deep or full- a sound.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Gambhīra (गम्भीर).—a. [gacchati jalamatra; gam-īran ni° bhugāgamaḥ] = गभीर (gabhīra) q. v.; स्निग्धगम्भीरनिर्घोषमेकं स्यन्दनमास्थितौ (snigdhagambhīranirghoṣamekaṃ syandanamāsthitau) R.1.36; Me. 66.68.

-raḥ 1 A lotus,

2) A citron.

--- OR ---

Gambhīrā (गम्भीरा).—Name of a river; गम्भीरायाः पयसि (gambhīrāyāḥ payasi) Me.42.

See also (synonyms): gambhīrikā.

Gambhīra (गम्भीर).—mfn.

(-raḥ-rā-raṃ) 1. Deep, (as water, but applied metaphorically to sound, intellect, &c. as in English.) 2. Dull. slow. m.

(-raḥ) A Mantra or magical incantation written in prose in the Rig Veda. 2. A lotus. 3. The citron. f.

(-rā) Hiccup, violent singultus. E. gam to go, iran Unadi affix, ma changed to bha, and num inserted see gabhīra.

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