Mahadanda, Mahādaṇḍā, Mahādaṇḍa, Maha-danda: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Mahadanda means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: WorldCat: Rāj nighaṇṭuMahādaṇḍā (महादण्डा) is another name for Bhadrodanī, an unidentified medicinal plant, according to verse 4.103-105 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Note: Narhari’s Bhadrodanī may be Rājabalā of Dh. [Dhanvantari?]. Together with the names Mahādaṇḍā and Bhadrodanī, there are a total of sixteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramMahādaṇḍā (महादण्डा) refers to the “she who is the great stick”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] Having entered the Cavity of Brahmā, he should think that it is in the Supreme Void. Then he should practice contemplation and (so) bring the supreme energy (there). O Śambhu, supreme (transcendent) and inferior (immanent), it shines with ripples, currents and waves within the universe filling it spontaneously right up to the Circle of Birth. Having (thus) formed the Gesture (in this way) as explained previously and raised the arm, he should extend the left hand. (This is Kuṇḍalinī who, straightened, is called) the Great Stick [i.e., mahādaṇḍā] and is well known as Alekhyā (Indescribable). [...]”.
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 BuddhismMahādaṇḍā (महादण्डा) is the name of Dūtī (i.e., messengers of Lord Vajrapāṇi) 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 Mahādaṇḍā).
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahādaṇḍa (महादण्ड).—
1) a long arm.
2) a severe punishment.
Derivable forms: mahādaṇḍaḥ (महादण्डः).
Mahādaṇḍa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and daṇḍa (दण्ड).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahādaṇḍa (महादण्ड).—m. heavy punishment,
Mahādaṇḍa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and daṇḍa (दण्ड).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahādaṇḍa (महादण्ड):—[=mahā-daṇḍa] [from mahā > mah] m. a long staff
2) [v.s. ...] ([according to] to [Scholiast or Commentator]) a long arm, [Prabodha-candrodaya]
3) [v.s. ...] severe punishment, [Mahābhārata]
4) [v.s. ...] mfn. carrying a l° st°
5) [v.s. ...] Name of a servant or officer of Yama, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
[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)
Starts with: Mahadandadhara, Mahadandanayaka.
Full-text: Mahadandadhara, Bhadrodani, Danda.
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