Ghrana, aka: Ghrāṇa; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ghrana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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

Ghrāṇa (घ्राण).—A Tuṣita god.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 19. C

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

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

1) Ghrāṇa (घ्राण, “nostril”) refers to the “two nostrils”, from which the Buddha emitted numerous rays when he smiled with his whole body after contemplating the entire universe, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).—Accordingly, having himself arranged the lion-seat, the Bhagavat sat down cross-legged; holding his body upright and fixing his attention, he entered into the samādhirājasamādhi. Then, having tranquilly come out of this samādhi and having contemplated the entire universe with his divine eye (divyacakṣus), the Bhagavat smiled with his whole body. Wheels with a thousand spokes imprinted on the soles of his feet (pādatala) shoot out six hundred prabhedakoṭi of rays. In the same way, beams of six hundred prabhedakoṭi of rays are emitted from his two nostrils (ghrāṇa).

2) Ghrāna (घ्रान, “smell”) refers to the one of the twenty-two faculties (indriya), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 38. The word indriya, derived from the root id or ind, is synonymous with great power, with control. The twenty-two Dharmas in question [viz., ghrāna] have the characteristic of being dominant in regard to the living being (sattva) in that which concerns: his primary constitution, his distinctiveness, his duration, his moral defilement and his purification.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Ghrāṇa (घ्राण, “nose”) or ghrāṇāyatana refers to one of the “twelve sense spheres” (āyatana) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 24). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., ghrāṇa). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Ghrāṇa (“nose”) also represents one of the “eighteen elements” (dhātu) as well as one of the “eleven form components” (rūpaskandha).

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Ghrāṇa (घ्राण, “smelling”) or ghrāṇendriya refers to one of the “five sense-organs” (pañcendriya), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 2.19. What is the meaning of smell sense organ? The sense organ used by its owner for smelling an object of knowledge is called smell sense organ. (ghrāṇa-indriya).

The respective object of smelling (ghrāṇa) is odour/ smell (gandha). What is the meaning of smell? Cognition which results by smelling the object of knowledge is called smell/odour.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

ghrāṇa (घ्राण).—n (S) The nose. 2 The sense of smell.

ghrāṇa (घ्राण).—n The nose. The sense of smell.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ghrāṇa (घ्राण).—p. p. [ghrā karmaṇi-kta] Smelt.

-ṇaḥ, -ṇam 1 Smell.

2) Smelling.

3) The nose (also n.).

-ṇam 1 The act of smelling; घ्राणेन सूकरा हन्ति (ghrāṇena sūkarā hanti) Ms.3.241.

2) Odour, scent.

3) The nose; गन्धाय घ्राणमथ यो वेद (gandhāya ghrāṇamatha yo veda) Ch. Up.8.12.4; बुद्धीन्द्रियाणि चक्षुः श्रोत्रघ्राणरसनात्वगाख्यानि (buddhīndriyāṇi cakṣuḥ śrotraghrāṇarasanātvagākhyāni) Sāṅ. K.26; Ku.3.47, Ṛs.6.27; Ms.5.135.

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