Gopaleshvara, Gopāleśvara, Gopala-ishvara: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Gopaleshvara 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.

The Sanskrit term Gopāleśvara can be transliterated into English as Gopalesvara or Gopaleshvara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Gopaleshvara in Shaivism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Gopāleśvara (गोपालेश्वर) is the name of a Liṅga (symbolical manifestation of Śiva) that is associated with the Yajñahgaṅgā-tīrtha (a sacred bathing place). It represents the eighteenth of the sixty-four siddhaliṅgas mentioned in the Nepalese Tyasaphu (a folding book or leporello). At each of these spots Śiva is manifest as a Liṅga. Each of these liṅgas (e.g., Gopāla-īśvara) has its own specific name, mantra, set of rituals and observances, auspicious time etc.

The auspiscious time for bathing near the Gopāleśvara-liṅga at the Yajñahgaṅgā-tīrtha is mentioned as “bhādra-kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī / jyeṣṭha-śukla-daśamī” (latin: bhadra-krishna-caturdashi / jyeshtha-shukla-dashami). This basically represents the recommended day for bathing there (snānadina).

Shaivism book cover
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.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Gopāleśvara (गोपालेश्वर) refers to one of the “eight passionless ones” (Aṣṭavaitarāga or Aṣṭavītarāga), according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of gopaleshvara or gopalesvara in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

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