Mahabhisheka, Mahābhiṣeka: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Mahabhisheka 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 Mahābhiṣeka can be transliterated into English as Mahabhiseka or Mahabhisheka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexMahābhiṣeka (महाभिषेक).—Of Bali at the hands of Bhṛgu;1 its vidhi observed by Ambarīṣa.2
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: KathāsaritsāgaraMahābhiṣeka (महाभिषेक) is the name of the fifteenth book of the Kathāsaritsāgara, written by Somadeva in the 11th-century.
The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Mahābhiṣeka, 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.
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’.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Universität Wien: Sudarśana's Worship at the Royal Court According to the AhirbudhnyasaṃhitāMahābhiṣeka (महाभिषेक) refers to the “great consecration”, according to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, belonging to the Pāñcarātra tradition which deals with theology, rituals, iconography, narrative mythology and others.—Accordingly, “The ritual procedure called Great Consecration (mahābhiṣeka), which is a means for the attainment of all purposes, should be performed for the King, for ministers and all those who are entitled and who wish to rise from their own position to the highest one. [It should also be performed] for the remaining ordinary people, whatever it is that they desire”.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahābhiṣeka (महाभिषेक):—[from mahā > mah] (hābh) m. solemn sprinkling or unction, [Aitareya-brāhmaṇa]
2) [=mahā-bhiṣeka] [from mahābhiṣeka > mahā > mah] Name of [Kathāsaritsāgara xv]
[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.
Starts with: Mahabhishekalambaka, Mahabhishekaprayoga, Mahabhishekavidhi.
Full-text: Mahabhishekavidhi, Mahabhishekaprayoga, Abhisheka, Madhuvana, Shivabhakta, Bali.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Mahabhisheka, Mahābhiṣeka, Mahabhiseka, Maha-bhisheka, Mahā-bhiṣeka, Maha-bhiseka; (plurals include: Mahabhishekas, Mahābhiṣekas, Mahabhisekas, bhishekas, bhiṣekas, bhisekas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
The Sacrifices of Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha (study) (by Aparna Dhar)
Contents of the Brāhmaṇas of the Ṛgveda < [Chapter 1 - A brief outline of the Brāhmaṇa Literature]
Chapter 7 - Major Findings and Concluding Observations
Special position and Political significance of the Sacrifice < [Chapter 3 - Political Importance]
The Matsya Purana (critical study) (by Kushal Kalita)
Part 1 - Theories of origin of Kingship < [Chapter 6 - Polity in the Matsyapurāṇa]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
The Markandeya Purana (by Frederick Eden Pargiter)
The Bhagavata Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 20 - The History of Pūru’s race—Birth of Bharata < [Book 9 - Ninth Skandha]
Chapter 4 - The Account of Nābhāga and Ambarīṣa < [Book 9 - Ninth Skandha]
Related products
