Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Mahābalā (महाबला):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.

Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)

Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭu

1) Mahābalā (महाबला) is the Sanskrit name for a medicinal plant identified with Sida rhombifolia Linn. (“arrowleaf sida” or “Indian hemp”) from the Malvaceae or mallows family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.98-100 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Mahābalā is known in the Hindi language as Sahdevī, Pītapuṣpī or Pītabariyār; in the Bengali language as Pītabedelā or Haldebedelā; and in the Gujurati language as Khetraubat-atibalā.

Mahābalā is mentioned as having seventeen synonyms: Jyeṣṭhabalā, Kaṭambharā, Keśāruhā, Kesarikā, Mṛgādanī, Varṣapuṣpā, Keśavardhinī, Purāsaṇī, Devasahā, Sāriṇī, Sahadevī, Pītapuṣpī, Devārhā, Gandhavallarī, Mṛgā and Mṛgarasā.

Properties and characteristics: “Mahābalā increases semen and also the general strength of the body. This is indicated in heart diseases, diseases due to vitiated vāta, piles, oedema and malarial fevers”.

2) Mahābalā (महाबला) is also mentioned as a synonym for Vatsādanī, a medicinal plant identified with Cocculus hirsutus (broom creeper or ink berry) from the Menispermaceae or “moonseed” family of flowering plants, according to verse 3.102-104. The third chapter (guḍūcyādi-varga) of this book contains climbers and creepers (vīrudh). Together with the names Mahābalā and Vatsādanī, there are a total of six Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

2) Mahābalā (महाबला) is also mentioned as a synonym for Nīlī, a medicinal plant possibly identified with Indigofera tinctoria Linn. (“true indigo”), according to verse 4.80-83. Together with the names Mahābalā and Nīlī, there are a total of thirty Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra

Mahābalā (महाबला):—Sanskrit name of one of the thirty-two female deities of the Somamaṇḍala (second maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. She is also known as Mahāmbikā according to the Ṣaṭsāhasra-saṃhitā. These goddesses are situated on a ring of sixteen petals and represent the thirty-two syllables of the Aghoramantra. Each deity (including Mahābalā) is small, plump and large-bellied. They can assume any form at will, have sixteen arms each, and are all mounted on a different animal.

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Mahābala (महाबल) is the Sanskrit name of a deity presiding over Gokarṇa, one of the sixty-eight places hosting a svāyambhuvaliṅga, which is one of the most sacred of liṅgas according to the Śaivāgamas. The list of sixty-eight svāyambhuvaliṅgas and presiding deities (e.g., Mahābala) is found in the commentary on the Jirṇoddhāra-daśaka by Nigamajñānadeva. The word liṅga refers to a symbol used in the worship of Śiva and is used thoughout Śaiva literature, such as the sacred Āgamas.

Source: academia.edu: A Critical Study of the Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja (II) (shaivism)

1) Mahābala (महाबल) is the name of a Kṣetrapāla (field-protector) and together with Kṛṣṇā they preside over Caritrā: one of the twenty-four sacred districts mentioned in the Kubjikāmatatantra. Their weapon is the śakti and their abode is the karañja-tree. A similar system appears in the 9th century Vajraḍākatantra (chapter 18).

2) Mahābalā (महाबला) is the name of a Goddess (Devī) presiding over Kuhudī: one of the twenty-four sacred districts mentioned in the Kubjikāmatatantra (chapter 22). Her weapon is the mudrā and lakuṭa. Furthermore, Mahābalā is accompanied by the Kṣetrapāla (field-protector) named Ulkāmukha.

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Mahābalā (महाबला) (seed-syllabe: hā) refers to one of the four Dūtīs (or Kiṅkarīs) of the pantheon of Mantra-deities, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Patterning the processes of inner and outer ritual is the Brahmayāmala’s pantheon of mantra-deities, whose core comprises the Four Goddesses or Guhyakās [e.g., Mahābalā], Four Consorts or Handmaidens, and their lord, Kapālīśabhairava.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

1) Mahābala (महाबल) refers to “very strong”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 11.1-24ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Tumburu]—“[...] [He worships] Deva as Tumburu in the middle of an eight petaled lotus, in the maṇḍala, [starting] in the East, O Devī. [...] [Tumburu is] adorned with all jewels, a tiger skin on the ground [below his] hips, a garment of elephant skin, mounted on a very strong bull (mahābala—vṛṣārūḍhaṃ mahābalam), and wears a rhino hide. [...]”.

2) Mahābala (महाबल) refers to one of the four Kiṅkaras (servants) associated with Tumburu.—Accordingly, [verse 11.1-24ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Tumburu]—“[...] Devīs and Dūtis stand in all directions, beginning in the East, etc. Thus, the female servants are in their proper places at the entries [of the maṇḍala]. The Dūtīs are called Jambhanī, Mohanī, Subhagā, and Durbhagā. The servants are called Krodhana, Vṛntaka, Gajakarṇa, and Mahābala. [...]”.

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.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Mahābala (महाबल) is a Sanskrit word referring to a Nāga king. Acording to the Nāṭyaśāstra 1.82-88, when Brahmā, Indra and all other gods went to inspect the playhouse (nāṭyamaṇḍapa) designed by Viśvakarmā, he assigned different deities for the protection of the playhouse itself, as well as for the objects relating to dramatic performance (prayoga).

As such, Brahmā assigned Mahābala and Nāgamukhya to the two blades of the door (door-shafts, dvārapatra). The protection of the playhouse was enacted because of the jealous Vighnas (malevolent spirits), who began to create terror for the actors.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—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), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

1) Mahābala (महाबल).—Minister of Śrīdatta (See under the word Śrīdatta).

2) Mahābala (महाबल).—A follower of Lord Subrahmaṇya. (Mahābhārata Śalya Parva, Chapter 45, Verse 71).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Mahābala (महाबल) is mentioned twice as the name of a leader of Gaṇas (Gaṇapa or Gaṇeśvara or Gaṇādhipa) who came to Kailāsa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.20. Accordingly, after Śiva decided to become the friend of Kubera:—“[...] The leaders of Gaṇas revered by the whole world and of high fortune arrived there. [...] Another (leader of Gaṇas) Kākapāda with six crores and the lord Santānaka with six crores, Mahābala, Madhupiṅga and Piṅgala each with nine crores. [...] Lokāntaka, Dīptātmā and the lord Daityāntaka, lord Bhṛṅgīriṭi and the glorious Devadevapriya, Aśani Bhānuka and Sanātana each with sixty-four crores; Nandīśvara the supreme chief of Gaṇas, and Mahābala each with hundred crores. [...]”.

These [viz., Mahābala] and other leaders of Gaṇas [viz., Gaṇapas] were all powerful (mahābala) and innumerable (asaṃkhyāta). [...] The Gaṇa chiefs and other noble souls of spotless splendour eagerly reached there desirous of seeing Śiva. Reaching the spot they saw Śiva, bowed to and eulogised him.

Mahābala participated in Vīrabhadra’s campaign against Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.33. Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“O Nārada, listen to the numerical strength of the most important and courageous of those groups. [...] Mahābala as well as Puṅgava went with nine crores each. [...] Thus at the bidding of Śiva, the heroic Vīrabhadra went ahead followed by crores and crores, thousands and thousands, hundreds and hundreds of Gaṇas [viz., Mahābala]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Mahābala (महाबल).—An attendant on Hari.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa XI. 27. 28.

1b) A son of Danu.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 6. 16; Vāyu-purāṇa 68. 7.

1c) One of the ten sons of Hṛdīka.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 44. 82.

1d) An Asura in the sabhā of Hiraṇyakaśipu.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 161. 80.

1e) A Kinnara gaṇa, horse-faced.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 32.

Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Mahābala (महाबल) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. IX.44.40, IX.44.104) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Mahābala) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Mahābalā also refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. IX.45.9).

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Mahābala (महाबल) is the name of a minister and friend of Śrīdatta, a Brāhman whose story is told in the “story of Śrīdatta and Mṛgāṅkavatī”, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 10. Śrīdatta was the son of Kālanemi, who was the son of Yajñasoma, a Brāhman from the country of Mālava

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Mahābala, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: academia.edu: Tithikarmaguṇa in Gārgīyajyotiṣa

Mahābalā (महाबला) or Mahābalatithi is the name of the eighth of fifteen tithis (cycle of time) according to both the Gārgīyajyotiṣa and the Śārdūlakarṇāvadāna. The associated deity for Mahābalā according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā is Vasavaḥ (the Vasus). A tithi was defined as one thirtieth of a synodic month (c. 29.5 days), resulting in an average tithi being slightly less than a day.

Accordingly, “(25) The eighth tithi is called Mahābalā. One should make army armors, appoint officials, and [produce] military machines and bows. (26) He should make fortification, as well as underground passages and ditches in the city. He should employ elephants and horses. The Vasus are the gods on this tithi”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Mahābala (महाबल) refers to one of the eight Servants (ceṭa-aṣṭaka) associated with Candrapīṭha (or Candrapīṭhapura), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—[...] The eight Servants (ceṭāṣṭaka): Capala, Lelihāna, Mahākāya, Hanumata, Mahābala, Mahotsāha, Devadatta, Durāsada.

2) Mahābala (लम्बोदर) refers to “one who is very strong” and is used to describe Navātman, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, [while describing the visualized form of Navātman Bhairava]: “[...] Navātman’s mind is blissful with his own energy and he is delighted by the bliss of (spiritual) wine. [...] (He is) adorned with a garland of skulls and is beautiful in all (his) limbs. Replete with all (the good) characteristics, he is in the midst of the host of Yoginīs. He has a large chest and a big belly and is very strong (mahābala). A corpse is placed (under) the soles of (his) feet and, burning intensely, he is very powerful. [...]”.

Source: academia.edu: The Śāradātilakatantra on Yoga

Mahābala (महाबल) is author of the Muktiphala and great-grandfather of Lakṣmaṇadeśika, according to his 11th-century Śaradātilaka verse 25.83-84.—“(83) I bow to that Mahābala, who is cooled by the embrace of the creeper of knowledge, by whom the ripe “fruit of liberation” (Muktiphala) has been offered from the branches of the Veda [tree] to those who approach [him]. (84) From that [Mahābala] was born the most excellent elephant among all teachers, who habitually sported playfully in the ocean of the six rites (of magic) (ṣaṭkarmasāgara), whose victorious title Ācārya-Paṇḍita, spread out over the triple world, good people proclaim”.

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.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Mahābala (महाबल) refers to one of the male Vidyā-beings mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Mahābala).

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

1) Mahābala (महाबल) refers to one of the various forms of Amitābha having their Sādhana described in the 5th-century Sādhanamālā (a collection of sādhana texts that contain detailed instructions for rituals).—His Colour is red; his Āsana is the pratyālīḍha; he has four arms.—Only one Sādhana in the Sādhanamālā is devoted to the worship of Mahābala, a fierce emanation of the Dhyāni Buddha Amitābha.

The Dhyāna (meditation instructions) of Mahābala described in the Sādhanamālā as follows:

“The worshipper should think himself as Mahābala with one face, four arms and red complexion. His brown hair rises upwards and is tied by a snake. He carries in his two right hands the white staff and the chowries while the two left show the mudrā of bowing and the raised index finger. He is clad in tiger-skin, wears ornaments of snakes and stands in the pratyālīḍha attitude His face looks terrible with bare fangs and he is bright like the orb of the sun. He holds the effigy of Amitābha on the crown”

2) Mahābala (महाबल) presides over the Vāyu-corner and represents one of the ten deities of the quarters (Dikpāla) commonly depicted in Buddhist Iconography, and mentioned in the 11th-century Niṣpannayogāvalī of Mahāpaṇḍita Abhayākara.—His Colour is blue; he has three faces and six arms.—The seventh deity in the series is Mahābala, who is the presiding deity of the intermediate corner of Vāyu.

Mahābala is described in the Niṣpannayogāvalī (mañjuvajra-maṇḍala) as follows:—

“In the Vāyu corner appears Mahābala of blue colour with three faces of blue, white and red colour. He holds the triśula, the sword, the jewel and the lotus”.

[As usual, with the principal hands he holds the śakti. In the vajrahūṃkāra-maṇḍala he is given the name of Mahākāla. But in the dharmadhātuvagīśvara-maṇḍala he is known as Paramāśva.]

Source: Wisdomlib Libary: Vajrayogini

Mahābalā (महाबला) is the goddess presiding over one of the six petals of the southern lotus of the vārāhyabhyudaya-maṇḍala, according to the Vārāhyabhyudayatantra (largerly extracted from the 10th century Abhidhānottaratantra). These six petals are presided over by a kuleśvarī (presiding lady) named Pāṇḍaravāsinī. The central deity of the vārāhyabhyudaya-maṇḍala is the twelve-armed Vajravarāhī.

Mahābalā is associated with the sacred site (pīṭha) named Sindhu. All the goddess of the southern lotus petals are to be visualised as dancing naked and being half-male / half-female (ardhanarīśvarī) with their two sides being yellow and red. In their four arms they brandish a bowl and staff, with a ḍamaru and their familial attribute.

Source: academia.edu: A Critical Study of the Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja (II)

1) Mahābalā (महाबला) is the name of a Ḍākinī (‘sacred girl’) presiding over Sindhu: one of the four Śmaśāna (‘sacred spot’) present within the Kāyacakra (‘circle of body’) , according to the 9th-centruy Vajraḍākatantra. The Kāyacakra is one of three Cakras within the Tricakra system which embodies twenty-four sacred spots or districts resided over by twenty-four Ḍākinīs (viz., Mahābalā) whose husbands abide in one’s body in the form of twenty-four ingredients (dhātu) of one’s body.

Mahābalā has for her husband the hero (vīra) named Padmanarteśvara. She is the presiding deity of Sindhu and the associated internal location are the ‘insteps’ and the bodily ingredients (dhātu) are the ‘tears’.

2) Mahābala (महाबल) is the husband of Cakravegā: the name of a Ḍākinī (‘sacred girl’) presiding over Pretādhivāsinī: one of the four Melāpaka (‘sacred spot’) also present within the Kāyacakra (‘circle of body’) , according to the same work.

Cakravegā has for her husband the hero (vīra) named Mahābala. She is the presiding deity of Pretādhivāsinī and the associated internal location are the ‘genitals’ and the bodily ingredient (dhātu) is the ‘mucus’.

3) Mahābala (महाबल) is mentioned as an alternative name for both Mahāghaṇṭa and Mahānada, both names of Kṣetrapālas (field-protectors),mentioned in the 9th century Vajraḍākatantra (chapter 18).

Note: In the Kubjikāmatatantra (chapter 22), the Kṣetrapāla Mahābala is associated with the Devī named Kṛṣṇā, presiding over Caritrā. Their weapon is the śakti and their abode is the karañja-tree.

Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

1) Mahābalā (महाबला) is the name of a Ḍākinī who, together with the Vīra (hero) named Padmanarteśvara forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Vajracakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the vajracakra refers to one of the four divisions of the sahaja-puṭa (‘innate layer’), situated within the padma (lotus) in the middle of the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Mahābalā] and Vīras each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum and a knife; they are dark-bluish-black in color.

2) Mahābala (महाबल) is the name of two Vīras (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinīs named Cakravegā [and Yāminī] forms two of the 36 pairs situated in the Vajracakra, according to the same work. These 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Mahābala] each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum and a knife; they are dark-bluish-black in color.

3) Mahābalā (महाबला) and Mahābala (महाबल) also form one of the 36 pairs situated in the Hṛdayacakra, according to the same work. These 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Mahābalā] and Vīras [viz., Mahābala] are reddish yellow in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife. Mahābalā is also known as Mahābalī.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

1) Mahābala (महाबल) is the name of a Ḍāka (male consort) and one of the deities of the Cakrasaṃvara-maṇḍala or Saṃvaramaṇḍala of Abhayākaragupta’s Niṣpannayogāvalī, p. 45 and n. 145; (Cf. Cakrasaṃvaratantra, Gray, David B., 2007).—The Cakrasaṃvara mandala has a total of sixty-two deities. [...] Three concentric circles going outward, the body, speech and mind wheels (kāya-vāka-citta), in the order: mind (blue), speech (red), and body (white), with eight Ḍākinīs each in non-dual union with their Ḍākas, "male consorts".

Associated elements of Cakravegā and Mahābala:

Circle: kāyacakra (body-wheel) (white);
Ḍākinī (female consort): Cakravegā;
Ḍāka (male consort): Mahābala;
Bīja: preṃ;
Body-part: pen./clit [penis/clitoris?];
Pīṭha: Pretapuri;
Bodily constituent: śleṣmā (mucus);
Bodhipakṣa (wings of enlightenment): prītibodhyaṅga (awakening of joy).

2) Mahābalā (महाबला) is the name of a Ḍākinī (female consort) coupled with Padmanṛtyeśvara.

Circle: kāyacakra (body-wheel) (white);
Ḍākinī (female consort): Padmanṛtyeśvara;
Ḍāka (male consort): Heruka;
Bīja: siṃ;
Body-part: soles;
Pīṭha: Sindhu;
Bodily constituent: aśrūni (tears);
Bodhipakṣa (wings of enlightenment): samyagdṛṣṭi (right view).

Source: WikiPedia: Tibetan Buddhism

Mahābala (महाबल) (in Tibetan: Tobpo Che) (1827–1927 CE) refers to the twentieth of the twenty-five Kalki kings (of Shambhala) who represents the holders of the Kalachakra (“wheel of time”) teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.—The king Mahābala is described as “tamer of all false leaders by means of the sound of mantra”.

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.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Mahābala (महाबल) refers to “great strength” (according to the Jvalitavajrāśanituṇḍā-dhāraṇī) [i.e., namaś caṇḍavajradharāya mahābalaparākramāya ], according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Mahābala (महाबल) refers to the seventh of the “ten wrathful ones” (daśakrodha) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 11). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., daśa-krodha and Mahābala). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Source: Wisdom Library: Buddhism

Mahābala (महाबल) is the forty-fifth of sixty digits (decimal place) in an special enumeration system mentioned by Vasubandhu in his Abhidharmakośa (“treasury of knowledge”). The explanations of the measure of years, eons, and so forth must be comprehended through calculation based on a numerical system. Enumeration begins from one and increases by a factor of ten for each shift in decimal place. The sixtieth number in this series is called “countless”.

Among these decimal positions (e.g., mahābala), the first nine positions from one to one hundred million are called ‘single set enumeration’. From a billion up to, but not including countless is “the enumeration of the great companion” and is called the ‘recurring enumeration’.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Mahābala (महाबल) is an incarnation of Dhana and a previous incarnation of Ṛṣabha, according to chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, “[...] when he [i.e., Dhana] had fallen from Saudharma, then he was born as a son of King Śatabala, the crest-jewel of the Vidyādharas, by his wife Candrakāntā, in the West Videhas, in the province Gandhilāvatī, on Mt. Vaitāḍhya, in the country named Gandhāra, in the city Gandhasamṛddhaka. He was exceedingly strong, and was named ‘Mahābala’ because of his strength. [...] At the proper time his parents, who knew the proper time, married him [viz., Mahābala] to a maiden Vinayavati, who was the Śrī of modesty embodied. He attained young manhood, which is the sharp weapon of Kāma, magic for young women, the pleasure-grove of Rati”.

2) Mahābala (महाबल) is the name of an ancient king from Ratnasañcayā and a previous incarnation of Abhinandana, according to chapter 3.2.—Accordingly: “[...] In [Ratnasañcayā] there was a king, like Kubera in wealth, like another wind in strength, named Mahābala. He was resplendent with regal powers—energy, good counsel, and preeminence of treasure and army, like Himavat with the rivers Gaṅgā, Sindhu, and Rohitāṃśā. He ruled by the four methods conquering troops of enemies, like a young elephant by its tusks. [...]”.

3) Mahābala (महाबल) is the name of an ancient king from Nandapurī, according to chapter 4.4 [anantanātha-caritra].—Accordingly:—“Now in Jambūdvīpa in East Videha there is a fair city, Nandapurī, the birth-place of great joy. Its king was Mahābala, who gave sorrow to his enemies’ wives, the ornament to the garden of his family, like an aśoka. Noble-minded, he felt disgust with worldly existence, like a clever city-man disgusted with living in a village. [...]”.

4) Mahābala (महाबल) is the son of king Bala from Vītaśoka, according to chapter 6.6 [śrī-mallinātha-caritra].—Accordingly:—“[...] A son, named Mahābala, having complete power, indicated by the dream of a lion, was borne to the king [i.e., Bala] by his wife Dhāriṇī. When he was grown, Mahābala married on one day five hundred princesses, Kamalaśrī and others. He had childhood-friends, Acala, Dharaṇa, Pūraṇa, Vasu, Vaiśravaṇa, and Abhicandra. [...]”.

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Mahābala (महाबल) refers to “(having) great power”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “The cosmos is the shape of a palm tree, filled with the three worlds, surrounded by the three winds having great speed [and] great power (mahābala) in between [the cosmos and non-cosmos]. That [cosmos] is not at all produced by anyone, not at all sustained by anyone, so also not destroyed by anyone. Nevertheless, that exists by itself without support in the atmosphere”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

1) Mahabala in India is the name of a plant defined with Abutilon guineense in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Abutilon indicum var. guineense (Schumach. (among others).

2) Mahabala is also identified with Ficus lacor.

3) Mahabala is also identified with Garcinia morella It has the synonym Garcinia morella (Gaertn.) Desr. (etc.).

4) Mahabala is also identified with Indigofera tinctoria It has the synonym Indigofera houer Forssk. (etc.).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum (1791)
· Novon (1994)
· The Gardeners Dictionary
· Cuscatlania (1989)
· Revisio Generum Plantarum (1891)
· Pharmazie (1987)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Mahabala, for example chemical composition, side effects, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, health benefits, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.

context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Mahābala (महाबल).—a. very strong; नियुज्यमानो राज्याय नैच्छद्राज्यं महाबलः (niyujyamāno rājyāya naicchadrājyaṃ mahābalaḥ) Rām (-laḥ) 1 wind, storm.

2) a Buddha.

3) a solid bamboo.

4) a palm.

5) a crocodile.

Mahābala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and bala (बल).

--- OR ---

Mahābalā (महाबला).—Name of a plant; महाबला च पीतपुष्पा सहदेवी च सा स्मृता (mahābalā ca pītapuṣpā sahadevī ca sā smṛtā) Bhāva. P.

-lam lead. °ईश्वरः (īśvaraḥ) Name of a Liṅga of Śiva near the modern Mahābaleśwara.

Mahābalā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and balā (बला).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Mahābala (महाबल).—(1) nt., a high number: Mahāvyutpatti 8033; compare bala 4; (2) m., name of two former Buddhas, in the same list: Mahāvastu iii.231.5; 237.3; (3) perhaps name of a disciple of Śākyamuni (or merely adj.?): Mahāvastu i.182.18; (4) name of a nāga: Mahāvyutpatti 3343; (5) name of a king: Samādhirājasūtra p. 16 line 15 ff.; (6) name of one of the krodha, q.v.: Dharmasaṃgraha 11; Sādhanamālā 137.12 etc.

--- OR ---

Mahābalā (महाबला).—name of a yoginī: Sādhanamālā 427.7.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahābala (महाबल).—mfn.

(-laḥ-lā-laṃ) Strong, robust, powerful. m.

(-laḥ) 1. Air, wind. 2. A Budd'ha or Baudd'ha deified saint. n.

(-laṃ) Lead. f.

(-lā) A sort of Sida with yellow flowers, (S. rhombifolia.) E. mahā great or much, and bala strong, &c.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahābala (महाबल).—I. adj. very strong, powerful, [Hitopadeśa] 89, 22. Ii. m. air, wind. Iii. n. lead. Iv. f. lā, a sort of Sida with yellow flowers, S. rhombifolia. Yatha-bala + m, adv. to the utmost of one’s power, [Johnson's Selections from the Mahābhārata.] 48, 84. Vṛhadbº, i. e.

Mahābala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and bala (बल).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahābala (महाबल).—[adjective] very strong or mighty.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Mahābala (महाबल) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—son of Rāmadeva, grandson of Vyāsa, father of Nārāyaṇa (Gobhilagṛhyabhāṣya). Oxf. 365^a.

2) Mahābala (महाबल):—an author, quoted by Utpala in Spandapradīpikā.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Mahābala (महाबल):—[=mahā-bala] [from mahā > mah] mf(ā)n. exceedingly strong, very powerful or mighty, very efficacious, [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Harivaṃśa] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] m. wind, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] borax, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

4) [v.s. ...] a Buddha, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

5) [v.s. ...] ([scilicet] gaṇa), a [particular] class of deceased ancestors, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]

6) [v.s. ...] Name of one of Śiva’s attendants (?), [Harivaṃśa]

7) [v.s. ...] of Indra in the 4th Manv-antara, [Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa]

8) [v.s. ...] of a Nāga, [Buddhist literature]

9) [v.s. ...] of one of the 10 gods of anger, [Dharmasaṃgraha 11]

10) [v.s. ...] of a king and various other persons, [Hitopadeśa; Viṣṇu-purāṇa] etc.

11) Mahābalā (महाबला):—[=mahā-balā] [from mahā-bala > mahā > mah] f. Sida Cordifolia and Rhombifolia, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

12) [v.s. ...] Name of one of the Mātṛs attending on Skanda, [Mahābhārata]

13) Mahābala (महाबल):—[=mahā-bala] [from mahā > mah] n. lead, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

14) [v.s. ...] a [particular] high number, [Buddhist literature]

15) [v.s. ...] Name of a Liṅga, [Catalogue(s)]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahābala (महाबल):—[mahā-bala] (laḥ-lā-laṃ) a. Strong, powerful. m. Wind; a Buddha. f. Sida rhombifolia. n. Lead.

[Sanskrit to German]

Mahabala in German

context information

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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Mahābala (ಮಹಾಬಲ):—[noun] very strong; mighty; powerful.

--- OR ---

Mahābala (ಮಹಾಬಲ):—

1) [noun] the wind.

2) [noun] a large army.

3) [noun] Śiva.

4) [noun] Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

5) [noun] a strong, powerful man.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Bala, Maha.

Starts with: Mahabala kavi, Mahabaladhikaranika, Mahabaladhikrita, Mahabaladhyaksh, Mahabaladhyaksha, Mahabalakavi, Mahabalakoshthika, Mahabalaksha, Mahabalaparakrama, Mahabalarasa, Mahabalasamanvita, Mahabalashakya, Mahabalasutra, Mahabalavegasthama.

Ends with: Dashabala-mahabala, Shakyamahabala, Sumahabala.

Full-text (+261): Jyeshthabala, Mahabaleshvara, Sindhu, Mahabalarasa, Mapelai, Mahabalashakya, Mahabalasutra, Makapela, Mahabalakavi, Mahabalaparakrama, Shakyamahabala, Mapalan, Cakravega, Mahabalaksha, Mudrabala, Kuhudi, Sumahabala, Anadhrishta, Anadhrishya, Dashabala-mahabala.

Relevant text

Search found 42 books and stories containing Mahabala, Maha-bala, Mahā-bala, Mahā-balā, Mahābalā, Mahābala; (plurals include: Mahabalas, balas, balās, Mahābalās, Mahābalas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)

Starting with M

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Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)

Verse 2.18.149 < [Chapter 18 - Mahāprabhu’s Dancing as a Gopī]

Verse 2.131 < [Chapter 2 - The Lord’s Manifestation at the House of Śrīvāsa and the Inauguration of Saṅkīrtana]

Verse 2.10.86 < [Chapter 10 - Conclusion of the Lord’s Mahā-prakāśa Pastimes]

+ 5 more chapters / show preview

Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)

Verse 5.9.32 < [Chapter 9 - The Happiness of the Yadus]

Verse 1.6.1 < [Chapter 6 - Description of Kaṃsa’s Strength]

Verse 5.1.12 < [Chapter 1 - Advice to Kaṃsa]

+ 2 more chapters / show preview

Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Part 2: Incarnation as Mahābala < [Chapter VI - Śrī Mallināthacaritra]

Part 7: Previous birth of Suprabha as Mahābala < [Chapter IV - Anantanāthacaritra]

Part 1: Incarnation as Mahābala < [Chapter II - Abhinandanacaritra]

+ 11 more chapters / show preview

The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)

Chapter 8 - The greatness of Mahābala < [Section 4 - Koṭirudra-Saṃhitā]

Chapter 10 - The greatness and glory of Mahābala < [Section 4 - Koṭirudra-Saṃhitā]

Chapter 9 - The attainment of good goal by the outcaste woman < [Section 4 - Koṭirudra-Saṃhitā]

+ 9 more chapters / show preview

Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)

Part 4 - Mercurial operations (2): Boiling of Mercury (svedana) < [Chapter IV-V - Mercurial operations]

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Click here for all 42 books

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