Ghantakarna, Ghaṇṭākarṇa, Ghanta-karna: 18 definitions

Introduction:

Ghantakarna means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, biology. 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)

[«previous next»] — Ghantakarna in Purana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण) is the name of a gaṇa (attendant of Śiva), mentioned in the Skandapurāṇa 4.2.53. In this chapter, Śiva (Giriśa) summons his attendants (gaṇas) and ask them to venture towards the city Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) in order to find out what the yoginīs, the sun-god, Vidhi (Brahmā) were doing there.

While the gaṇas such as Ghaṇṭākarṇa were staying at Kāśī, they were desirous but unable of finding a weakness in king Divodaśa who was ruling there. Kāśī is described as a fascinating place beyond the range of Giriśa’s vision, and as a place where yoginīs become ayoginīs, after having come in contact with it. Kāśī is described as having both the power to destroy great delusion, as well as creating it.

The Skandapurāṇa narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is the largest Mahāpurāṇa composed of over 81,000 metrical verses, with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—General. Ghaṇṭa and Karṇa were two Rākṣasa brothers who attained salvation by worshipping Viṣṇu. (Bhāgavata, daśama Skandha). But the elder brother, Ghaṇṭa alone is sometimes called by the name Ghaṇṭākarṇa in the Purāṇas. (See full article at Story of Ghaṇṭākarṇa from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

2) Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—One of the four attendants presented by Brahmā to Subrahmaṇya. Nandisena, Lohitākṣa, Ghaṇṭākarṇa and Kumudamālī are the four attendants. (Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Verses 23-24).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—A Gaṇeśvara.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 183. 65.
Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical study

1) Ghaṇṭakarṇa (घण्टकर्ण) or Ghaṇṭakarṇahrada is the name of a Śivaliṅga in Vārānasī glorified in the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, The Sixth Chapter contains the mention of different holy places and śivaliṅgas in Vārānasī like Avimukteśvara, Lāṅgaliśa, Śūlapāni, Tārakeśvara, Śukreśvara, Ratneśvara, Vṛddhakāleśvara, Madhyameśvara, Kapardīśvara, Ghaṇṭakarṇa-hrada and Piśācamocana-tīrtha; while the seventh gives the importance of Dakṣeśvara citing the episode of Dakṣa’s sacrifice.

2) Ghaṇṭakarṇa (घण्टकर्ण) also refers to one of the various Gaṇas (Śiva’s associates), according to the Saurapurāṇa.—Accordingly, the text refers the leaders of the Gaṇas who attended the marriage of Śiva and Pārvatī. They are [viz., Ghaṇṭākarṇa] [...]. The text further describes that after the marriage of the divine pair, the Lord went to Kailāsa for sport. There he played with various Gaṇas of different forms.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: academia.edu: A Few Fierce Images of Siva and Four Image Inscriptions

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण) is the name of a deity who removes a disease accrued from sins according to the Agnipurāṇa 50.41-42. Ghaṇṭākarṇa is assigned eighteen-arms with attributes like vajra, asi, daṇḍa, cakra, iṣu, mūṣala, aṅkuśa, mudgara, tarjanī, kheṭa, śakti, muṇḍa, pāśa, cāpa, ghaṇṭā, kuṭhāra and śūla (in both hands). The description agrees well with the Bhaior image which is eighteen-armed.

The Pratiṣṭhālakṣaṇasārasamuccaya (11-12th century) states about a Gaṇa of Śiva, as Ghaṇṭākarṇa under the heading Ghaṇṭeśa (6.251-255). He has eighteen-arms and the same attributes as those we and in the Agnipurāṇa. He is said to have a malicious disease under him. Being a tantric text, the fiercer hue about the features of Ghaṇṭākarṇa is clear. He is terrific, dark, destructive, with three-blood-shot eyes, like flames of fire, and so on. It also states that the deity is adorned with ornaments made of ghaṇṭās.

Shilpashastra book cover
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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.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Kālacakra: The perimeter beings of the Kālacakra maṇḍala

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (dril bu'i rna ba can)—“bell-ears”, a terrible rākṣasa created by Śiva. He was at first an enemy of Viṣṇu and wore bells on his ears so that he would not even hear Viṣṇu's name. Eventually achieved salvation through performing austerities (tapas, dka' thub) and became a devotee of Viṣṇu.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Ghantakarna in Jainism glossary
Source: Google Books: Jaina Iconography

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—Ghaṇṭākarṇa, originally an old non-Āryan deity, was incorporated into the Hinduu pantheon as one of the gaṇas of Śiva and the Jainas comparatively recently attempted to introduce his worship. Late manuscripts of Ghaṇṭākarṇakalpa are obtained in Gujarat and Marwar.

Source: Prakrit Bharati Academy: Jainism: a way of life

Another deity worshipped highly is Ghantākarna Mahāvir who is believed to be a God who fulfils one’s wishes. His temple is at Mahudi in the state of Gujarāt.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण) or Ghaṇṭākarṇamahāvīra is the name of a deity, according to the Ghaṇṭākarṇamahāvīrastotra (dealing with early teachers, Gods or Goddesses), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—This short hymn is very popular among Jains. Ghaṇṭākarṇa Mahāvīra is a popular deity who is often called for protection and is ascribed with magic powers. A Tantric cult has also developed around this powerful figure of a young mustachioed man shown with bow and arrow. For more details see John e. Cort, ‘Tantra in Jainism: the cult of Ghantakarn Mahavir, the great hero Bell-ears’, [...]

General definition book cover
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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.

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Biology (plants and animals)

[«previous next»] — Ghantakarna in Biology glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Ghantakarna [ঘণ্টাকৰ্ণ] in the Assamese language is the name of a plant identified with Crotalaria pallida var. pallida from the Fabaceae (Pea) family having the following synonyms: Crotalaria javanica, Crotalaria striata var. acutifolia. For the possible medicinal usage of ghantakarna, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Ghantakarna in India is the name of a plant defined with Crotalaria retusa in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Dolichos cuneifolius Forssk. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Flora (1843)
· Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany (1985)
· Journal of the Arnold Arboretum (1957)
· Cell and Chromosome Newsletter (1978)
· Boletim da Sociedade Broteriana (1985)
· Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden (1980)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Ghantakarna, for example chemical composition, diet and recipes, extract dosage, side effects, pregnancy safety, health benefits, have a look at these references.

Biology book cover
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This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Ghantakarna in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—

1) Name of a demigod under Śiva, (of Skanda or of Kubera) worshipped in the month of Chaitra (also -īśvaraḥ).

2) a fabulous demon, Rākṣasa; H.2.; Kathā. 3.

Derivable forms: ghaṇṭākarṇaḥ (घण्टाकर्णः).

Ghaṇṭākarṇa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ghaṇṭā and karṇa (कर्ण).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—m.

(-rṇaḥ) One of Siva'S attendants, and is worshipped to preside over cutaneous complaints, and is worshipped for exemption from them in the month Chaitra. E. ghaṇṭā, and karṇa and ear; having ears as broad as a bell.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण).—[masculine] [Name] of a Rakṣasa, [Epithet] of [several] gods.

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

1) Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण):—[=ghaṇṭā-karṇa] [from ghaṇṭā > ghaṇṭa] m. ‘bell-eared’, Name of an attendant of Skanda, ix, 2526

2) [v.s. ...] of an attendant of Śiva (supposed to preside over cutaneous complaints, and worshipped for exemption from them in the month Caitra, [Tithyāditya]), [Harivaṃśa 14849; Śiva-purāṇa]

3) [v.s. ...] of a Piśāca attendant on Kubera, [Harivaṃśa 14630]

4) [v.s. ...] of a Rākṣasa, [Hitopadeśa ii, 5, 0/1]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ghaṇṭākarṇa (घण्टाकर्ण):—[ghaṇṭā-karṇa] (rṇaḥ) 1. m. An attendant on Shiva, who cures the itch, &c.

[Sanskrit to German]

Ghantakarna in German

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.

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