Gunamaya, Guṇamaya: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Gunamaya 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationGuṇamaya (गुणमय) refers to that which “consists of three attributes” (i.e., Śiva’s own illusion), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.43.—Accordingly, as Śiva said to Dakṣa:—“O patriarch, listen to another statement of mine with a clear conscience. Although it is based on the qualitative aspect it is esoteric. [...] O sage, entering into my own illusion consisting of three attributes (i.e., guṇamaya), I create, sustain and annihilate the universe and acquire designations consistent with the activities”.
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
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of HeroesGuṇamaya (गुणमय) refers to “that which consists in merits”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Adamantine Circle (vajracakra)]: “[...] [On each realm], there are thirty-six [couples of heroes and Yoginīs] in total; [it] consists in all merits (sarva-guṇamaya) and is powerful. In this way, [every] realm has the nature of the heroes and Yoginīs. In [all circles inside] the ring of mountains, classes of birth of sentient beings are to be generated in order; they are again divided into thirty-six [and arranged] in the respective places [on each circle] in order. The Adamantine Circle, the first, is thus [taught]. [...]”.
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
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryGuṇamaya (गुणमय).—a.
1) Consisting of single threads.
2) Consisting of the three constituent properties of nature.
3) Possessed of merits, meritorious.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryGuṇamaya (गुणमय).—mfn.
(-yaḥ-yī-yaṃ) 1. Endowed with consisting of properties. 2. Possessed of merit. E. guṇa, and mayaṭ aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryGuṇamaya (गुणमय).—[guṇa + maya], adj., f. yī. 1. Consisting of virtues, Mahābhārata 1, 6546. 2. Referable to the three fundamental qualities, Mahābhārata 14, 1327.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryGuṇamaya (गुणमय).—[adjective] consisting of threads; containing the three qualities; virtuous.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Guṇamaya (गुणमय):—[=guṇa-maya] [from guṇa] mfn. ‘consisting of single threads’ and ‘formed by or possessing merits’ [Mahābhārata i, 6546; Śārṅgadhara-paddhati]
2) [v.s. ...] produced by or consisting of the three constituent properties of Prakṛti, resting on them or containing them, [Mahābhārata xiv, 1327; Bhagavad-gītā vii; Bhāgavata-purāṇa i, iii.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryGuṇamaya (गुणमय):—[(yaḥ-yī-yaṃ) a.] Meritorious.
[Sanskrit to German]
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Ends with: Rajogunamaya, Sarvagunamaya.
Full-text: Rajogunamaya.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Gunamaya, Guna-maya, Guṇa-maya, Guṇamaya; (plurals include: Gunamayas, mayas, Guṇamayas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.3.112 < [Chapter 3 - Bhajana (loving service)]
Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres) (by Arthur Avalon)
Verse 39 < [Section 7]
Serpent Power (Kundalini-shakti), Introduction (by Arthur Avalon)