Madra, aka: Madrā; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Madra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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)

1) Madrā (मद्रा).—One of the ten wives of Atrimaharṣi. Atri got of Madrā a son named Soma. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa).

2) Madra (मद्र).—An ancient place of habitation in Bhārata. This is situated near the river Jhelum. Mādrī, the wife of Pāṇḍu was a princess of this place. Bhīṣma went to Madra and brought Mādrī for Pāṇḍu. (Chapter 112, Ādi Parva). At the time of Arjuna’s birth there was a voice from heaven which said, "This child will grow up and capture many countries like Madra". Aśvapati, father of Sāvitrī, was a king of Madra. Karṇa condemned Madra and Vāhīka as countries which had fallen low in virtue. (Chapter 44, Karṇa Parva).

1) Madra (मद्र).—An ancient tribe: enlisted by Jarāsandha against the Yadus, their king went to Syamantapañcaka for the solar eclipse^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 208. 5; Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. [54 (V) 4] 82. 13.

2a) Madrā (मद्रा).—One of the ten wives of Atri: mother of Soma.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 75.

2b) A R. originating from the Vindhyas.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 45. 102.

2c) A daughter of Ghṛtācī and Bhadrāśva.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 70. 68.

2d) One of the ten daughters of Raudrāśva.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 125.

Madra (मद्र) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. II.29.13, II.31.7, II.48.13, VI.10.40, VI.112.38, VIII.4.23, VIII.17.3, VIII.23.1, VIII.23.2, VIII.30.1, VIII.30.7, VIII.30.9) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Madra) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Madra (मद्र) is the name of a country pertaining to the Pāñcālī (Pāñcālamadhyamā) local usage (pravṛtti) according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 14. These pravṛttis provide information regarding costumes, languages, and manners in different countries of the world. It is mentioned that this local usage (adopted by these countries) depends on the grand style (sāttvatī) and the violent style (ārabhaṭī).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

India history and geogprahy

Madra (मद्र) is an example of a name based on a trial heritage mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions. The Gupta empire (r. 3rd-century CE), founded by Śrī Gupta, covered much of ancient India and embraced the Dharmic religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Derivation of personal names (eg., Madra) during the rule of the Guptas followed patterns such as tribes, places, rivers and mountains.

Madra (मद्र) is the name of a tribe mentioned as inhabiting the region around ancient Kaśmīra (Kashmir valley) according to the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Famous since the Vedic times, the Madras were, according to the Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad, well versed in sacrificial studies. They were a corporation of warriors and enjoyed the title of rājas. In the Mahābhārata they are condemned for their close relations with the Vāhīkas. Their country Madra which finds mention in the Aṣṭādhyāyī, the Mahābhāṣya and the Jātakas, corresponds to the modern Sialkot (ancient Śākala) and the surrounding regions between the Irāvatī and the Candrabhāgā.

Madra (मद्र) (or Madda in Pali) is the name of an ancient kingdom situated in Uttarāpatha (Northern District) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—The Madras had a monarchical constitution and their territory may be said to correspond roughly to Sialkot and its adjacent districts which were known as late as the 18th century as the Madradeśa. That Sāgala or Sākala (modern Sialkot in the Punjab) was the capital of the Madra country is also attested to by the Mahābhārata, as also by several Jātakas (cf. the Kāḷiṅgabodhi Jātaka and the Kusa Jātaka).

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Madra (मद्र).—[mad-rak Uṇ.2.13]

1) Name of a country; विराटपाण्ड्ययोर्मध्ये पूर्वदक्षक्रमेण च । मद्रदेशः समाख्यातः (virāṭapāṇḍyayormadhye pūrvadakṣakrameṇa ca | madradeśaḥ samākhyātaḥ) ......

2) A ruler of that country.

-drāḥ (pl.) The inhabitants of Madra.

-dram Joy, happiness. (madrākṛ = bhadrākṛ 'to shave or shear').

Derivable forms: madraḥ (मद्रः).

Madra (मद्र).—m.

(-draḥ) 1. Joy, delight. 2. A country enumerated amongst those to the N. W. of Hindustan proper. 3. A sovereign of that country. f.

(-drā) The name of a river. E. madi to be delighted, Unadi aff. rak .

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