Kutakshara, Kūṭākṣara, Kuta-akshara: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Kutakshara means something in 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 Kūṭākṣara can be transliterated into English as Kutaksara or Kutakshara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Kutakshara in Shaktism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Śāktism

Kūṭākṣara (कूटाक्षर) refers to “cunningly formulated” and represents one of the sixty defects of mantras, according to the 11th century Kulārṇava-tantra: an important scripture of the Kaula school of Śāktism traditionally stated to have consisted of 125.000 Sanskrit verses.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Śrī Devī: “For those who do japa without knowing these defects [e.g., kūṭākṣara—cunningly formulated], there is no realization even with millions and billions of japa. [...] Oh My Beloved! there are ten processes for eradicating defects in Mantras as described. [...]”.

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Kūṭākṣara (कूटाक्षर) refers to “peak or heaped syllables”, according to Tantric texts such as the Kubjikāmata-tantra, the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—The seed-syllable of the goddess, like that of any deity, is her sonic body. [...] Kubjikā has two such seed-syllables, probably due to changes and developments in doctrine. One of these is mentioned in the extended form of the Saṃvartāsūtra with which the Kumārikākhaṇḍa and Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā begin. This is the syllable HSKHPHREṂ. The letters are written vertically above one in such a way as to form a kūṭa, which literally means a ‘peak’ or ‘heap’ of letters. This is why such syllables are called kūṭākṣaras—literally ‘peak or heaped syllables’.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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