Ghanta, aka: Ghaṇṭā, Ghaṇṭa; 17 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ghanta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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)

Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा)—One of the Heavenly ornaments according to the Vāyu Purāṇa. (It is not certain whether it was an ornament) Śiva is often associated with its use. He loved a garland of bells. He is called ghaṇṭā-priya and ghaṇṭīka.

1) Ghaṇṭa (घण्ट).—A brahmin born in Vasiṣṭha’s family. He spent hundred years worshipping Śiva. Once Ghaṇṭa asked sage Devala to give his daughter in marriage to him. But Ghaṇṭa’s ugliness stood in the way. So he abducted the daughter of the sage and married her. Enraged at this Devala cursed and turned him into an owl. He was also given redemption from the curse that he would regain his form the day he helped Indradyumna. (Skanda Purāṇa).

2) Ghaṇṭa (घण्ट).—See under Ghaṇṭākarṇa.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा, “shining, splendid”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ घण्टायै नमः
oṃ ghaṇṭāyai namaḥ.

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा):—Sanskrit name of one of the thirty-two female deities of the Somamaṇḍala (second maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. These goddesses are situated on a ring of sixteen petals and represent the thirty-two syllables of the Aghoramantra. Each deity (including Ghaṇṭā) is small, plump and large-bellied. They can assume any form at will, have sixteen arms each, and are all mounted on a different animal.

Ghaṇṭa (घण्ट) refers to one of the ten kinds of sounds (śabda) according to the Matsyendrasaṃhitā.

context information

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Ghaṇṭā (or, the bell) is another musical instrument, which is generally found in the hands of Vīrabhadra and Kālī.

Ghaṇṭā (Bell) - Impermanence. The phenomenal world which is impermanent and evanescent. Creation of the transient universe through sound — being perceived but not held and kept.

Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा, “bell”) refers to a type of musical instrument, representing one of the several “attributes” (āyudha) or “accessories” of a detiy commonly seen depicted in Hindu iconography, defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Ghaṇṭā or the bell is another musical instrument, which is generally found in the hands of Vīrabhadra and Kālī.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Katha (narrative stories)

Ghaṇṭa (घण्ट) is the name of a Dānava, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 121. Accordingly, “... long ago there came to impede Prajāpati, in his creation of creatures, two terrible Dānavas, named Ghaṇṭa and Nighaṇṭa, invincible even by gods. And the Creator, being desirous of destroying them, created these two maidens, the splendour of whose measureless beauty seemed capable of maddening the world”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Ghaṇṭa, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

context information

Katha (कथा, kathā) refers to narrative Sanskrit literature often inspired from epic legendry (itihasa) and poetry (mahākāvya). Some Kathas reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of important historical event and exploits of the Gods, Heroes and Sages.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा) refers to a “bell” and represents one of the items held in the left hand of Heruka: one of the main deities of the Herukamaṇḍala described in the Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Heruka is positioned in the Lotus (padma) at the center; He is the origin of all heroes; He has 17 faces (with three eyes on each) and 76 arms [holding, for example, ghaṇṭā]; He is half black and half green in color; He is dancing on a flaming sun placed on Bhairava and Kālarātrī.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

ghaṇṭā : (f.) a bell.

Ghaṇṭā, (f.) a small bell (cp. kiṅkanikā) J.IV, 215; VvA.36, 37, 279 (khuddaka°). As ghaṇṭī at Vism.181. (Page 256)

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

ghaṇṭā (घंटा).—f (S) A bell: also a plate of iron or mixed metal struck as a bell, or in telling the hours. ghaṇṭā vājaṇēṃ g. of s. Also ghaṇṭā hālaṇēṃ To be exhausted, spent, consumed; to be out or clean gone.

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ghāṇṭa (घांट).—f (ghaṇṭā S) A bell. 2 fig. A blab.

ghaṇṭā (घंटा).—f The bell. ghaṇṭā vājaṇēṃ Be ex- hausted, spent, consumed. Be out or clean gone.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ghaṇṭa (घण्ट).—a. Shining, splendid

-ṇṭaḥ 1 Name of Śiva.

2) A kind of sauce, a kind of dish.

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Ghaṇṭā (घण्टा).—[ghaṇṭ-ac]

1) A bell.

2) A plate of iron or mixed metal struck as a clock.

Ghaṇṭa (घण्ट).—m.

(-ṇṭaḥ) A sort of sauce, vegetables made into a pulp with water, turmeric, mustard seeds and capsicums. f.

(-ṇṭā) 1. A bell; also a plate of iron or mixed metal struck as a bell. 2. A plant: see ghaṇṭāpāṭalī E. ghana to strike, kta affix, fem. ṭāp and deriv. irr.

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