Mahabandha, Mahābandha, Maha-bandha: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Mahabandha 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.
In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: YogaMahābandha (महाबन्ध).—From the Haṭha Yogha Pradīpikā (chapter III): “Press the left heel to the perineum and place the right foot on the left thigh.” (śl. 19) and “Fill in the air, keeping the chin firm against the chest, and, having pressed the air, the mind should he fixed on the middle of the eyebrows or in the suṣumnā (the spine).” (śl. 20) and “Having kept it confined so long as possible, it should be expelled slowly. Having practised on the left side, it should be practised on the right side.” (śl. 21) and “This stops the upward motion of all the Nādīs. Verily this Mahā Bandha is the giver of great Siddhis.” (śl. 23)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (yoga)Mahābandha (महाबन्ध) refers to one of the methods of manipulating the constituents of the yogic body, according to the Amṛtasiddhi, a 12th-century text belonging to the Haṭhayoga textual tradition.—The text of the Amṛtasiddhi consists of 303 verses divided into 35 short vivekas. The first ten vivekas teach the constituents of the yogic body. Vivekas 11–13 teach three methods of manipulating those constituents (e.g., mahābandha) and viveka 14 teaches the practice, i.e. how the three methods are to be used together. Vivekas 15–18 teach the four grades of aspirant, 19–33 the four states of yoga, and 34–35 the final transformation of the body leading up to nirvāṇa.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahābandha (महाबन्ध) refers to “bondage” [?], according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.24 (“Śiva consents to marry Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Śiva said to Viṣṇu: “[...] Anyone bound with nooses of iron and timber can secure release but one bound with nooses of women never frees oneself. Worldly enjoyment tightens the bondage [i.e., mahābandha—mahābaṃdhanakāriṇaḥ]. Salvation is inaccessible to a man drawn to worldly enjoyment even in his dream. If he wishes for happiness, an intelligent man shall duly forsake all worldly pleasures. Worldly enjoyment that dooms persons is on a par with poison. [...]”.
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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismMaha bandha (Sanskrit: महा बंध, Mahā Bandha), translated as "The great bandha" is one of the internal locks or bandhas described and employed in yoga.
In a meditation pose for the duration of Bahir Kumbhaka all three bandhas are gradually assumed and held, in the following order: Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and finally Mula Bandha. Releasing of the bandhas goes in the same order.
All precaution from all three assumed bandhas should be considered.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahābandha (महाबन्ध).—a peculiar position of hands or feet.
Derivable forms: mahābandhaḥ (महाबन्धः).
Mahābandha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and bandha (बन्ध).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahābandha (महाबन्ध):—[=mahā-bandha] [from mahā > mah] m. a peculiar position of the hands or feet (in Yoga), [Catalogue(s)]
[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)
Partial matches: Maha, Bandha.
Starts with: Mahabandhana.
Full-text: Bandha, Amritasiddhi, Dattatreyayogashastra, Mudra, Mahavedha, Amaraughaprabodha.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Mahabandha, Maha-bandha, Mahā-bandha, Mahābandha; (plurals include: Mahabandhas, bandhas, Mahābandhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Varahi Tantra (English Study) (by Roberta Pamio)
Chapter 26 - Haṭhayoga (according to the Haṭhayogapradīpikā) < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda) (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Sūtra 2.46 < [Second Chapter (Sadhana Pada)]
Thirty minor Upanishads (by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar)
Serpent Power (Kundalini-shakti), Introduction (by Arthur Avalon)