Ghora, aka: Ghorā; 6 Definition(s)
Introduction
Ghora 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
Śaivism (Śaiva philosophy)
1) Ghorā (घोरा):—One of the twelve guṇas associated with Dhvaja, the fourth seat of the Svādhiṣṭhāna-chakra. According to tantric sources such as the Śrīmatottara-tantra and the Gorakṣasaṃhitā (Kādiprakaraṇa), these twelve guṇas are represented as female deities. According to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā however, they are explained as particular syllables. They (eg. Ghorā) only seem to play an minor role with regard to the interpretation of the Devīcakra (first of five chakras, as taught in the Kubjikāmata-tantra).
2) Ghorā (घोरा):—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 Ghorā) 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.
Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra
Śaiva (शैव, shaiva) or Śaivism (shaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Śiva as the supreme being. Closeley related to Śāktism, Śaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Purāṇa
Ghora (घोर).—The 25th kalpa.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 290. 9.

The Purāṇas (पुराण, purana) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahāpurāṇas total over 400,000 ślokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Pāñcarātra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Ghora (घोर) refers to an aspect of nṛsiṃha (‘man-lion’), according to the Vihagendra-saṃhitā 4.17, which mentions seventy-four forms (inlcuding twenty forms of vyūha). He is also known as Ghoranṛsiṃha or Ghoranarasiṃha. Nṛsiṃha is a Tantric deity and refers to the furious (ugra) incarnation of Viṣṇu.
The 15th-century Vihagendra-saṃhīta is a canonical text of the Pāñcarātra corpus and, in twenty-four chapters, deals primarely with meditation on mantras and sacrificial oblations.
Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra
Pāñcarātra (पाञ्चरात्र, pancaratra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Nārāyaṇa is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaiṣnavism, the Pāñcarātra literature includes various Āgamas and tantras incorporating many Vaiṣnava philosophies.
In Buddhism
Pali
ghora : (adj.) terrible; awful.
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English DictionaryGhora, (adj.) (Vedic ghora, orig. meaning, wailing, howling, lamenting, to *gher, *ger, see note on gala & cp. ghuru. A root ghur is given by Dhtp 487 in meaning of “bhīma, ” i.e. horrible.—Rel. to Goth. gaurs, sad; Ohg. gōrag, miserable; & perhaps Lat. funus, funeral. See Walde, Lat. Wtb. s. v.) terrible, frightful, awful Vin.II, 147. Freq. as attr. of niraya (syn. with dāruṇa; PvA.87, 159, 206) Pv.I, 1012; IV, 18. Of an oath (sapatha) Pv.I, 68; II, 1216.—ghorassara of a terrible cry (Ep. of an ass) Miln.363, 365. (Page 258)
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
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.
Vajrayāna (Tibetan Buddhism)
Ghora (घोर) is the name of a cloud (megha) associated with Karaṅkaka: the western cremation ground (śmaśāna) according to the Vajravārāhī-sādhana by Umāpatideva as found in te Guhyasamayasādhanamālā. As a part of this sādhana, the practicioner is to visualize a suitable dwelling place for the goddess inside the circle of protection which takes the form of eight cremation grounds.
These clouds (eg., Ghora) are known as cloud-kings (megharāja) and have names that are associated with the loud noises of thunderclouds and the noise of rain, according to the Guhyasamayasādhanamālā 11.77. Their presence in the cremation grounds may be connected with the nāgas, for they are known to be responsible for the rain.
The Guhyasamayasādhanamālā by Umāptideva is a 12th century ritualistic manual including forty-six Buddhist tantric sādhanas. The term sādhana refers to “rites” for the contemplation of a divinity.
Source: Wisdomlib Libary: Vajrayogini
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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 13 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
Ghoranrisimha | Ghoranṛsiṃha (घोरनृसिंह) is short for Ghora, one of the aspects of nṛsiṃha (‘man-lion’), accord... | |
Ghoranarasimha | Ghoranarasiṃha (घोरनरसिंह) is short for Ghora, one of the aspects of nṛsiṃha (‘man-lion’), acco... | |
Aghora | Aghora (अघोर).—The southern face of Sadāśiva is called Aghora literally "not terrific"; but it ... | |
Daruna | Dāruṇa (दारुण).—A Gandharva.** Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 11. | |
Mahavidya | Mahāvidyā (महाविद्या).—A name of Lalitā;1 symbolical of Devī.21) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 18... | |
Niraya | 1a) Niraya (निरय).—A son of Bhaya and Mṛtyu.** Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 8. 4.1b) One of the s... | |
Vijja | Vijja, (adj.) (—°) (=vijjā) having vijjā, possessed of wisdom; in vatthu°, tiracchāna°, nakkha... | |
Katuka |
1) Kaṭuka (कटुक) is a Sanskrit word referring to Helleborus niger, a perennial flowering pla... | |
Atighora | Atighora, (adj.) (ati + ghora) very terrible or fierce Sdhp. 285. (Page 18) | |
Vijja Sutta | Vijjā, (f.) (cp. Vedic vidyā knowledge: etym. see under vindati) one of the dogmatic terms of B... | |
Karankaka | Karaṅkaka (करङ्कक) is the name of the western cremation ground (śmaśāna) according to the Vajra... | |
Jvalakula | Jvālākula (ज्वालाकुल) is the name of the western cremation ground (śmaśāna) according to the Va... | |
Somamandala |
Somamaṇḍala (सोममण्डल):—One of the four maṇḍalas that make up the Khecarīcakra, accord... |
Relevant text
Search found books containing Ghora or Ghorā. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.6.234 < [Chapter 6 - Abhīṣṭa-lābha: The Attainment of All Desires]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Subala Upanishad of Shukla-yajurveda (by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar)
Śrī Syamananda-sataka (by Srila Rasikananda Prabhu)
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Manu)
Verse 3.217 < [Section XIV - Method of Feeding]
Early Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Tirunaraiyur < [Chapter VIII - Temples of Uttama Chola’s Time]
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