Mahakshara, Mahākṣara: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Mahakshara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, biology. 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 Mahākṣara can be transliterated into English as Mahaksara or Mahakshara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Mahākṣara (महाक्षर) is the name of a Vākchomā (‘verbal secrect sign’) which has its meaning defined as ‘mahāpaśu’ according to chapter 8 of the 9th-century Vajraḍākamahātantrarāja, a scripture belonging to the Buddhist Cakrasaṃvara (or Saṃvara) scriptural cycle. These Vākchomās (viz., mahākṣara) are meant for verbal communication and can be regarded as popular signs, since they can be found in the three biggest works of the Cakrasaṃvara literature.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Mahakshara in India is the name of a plant defined with Rumex vesicarius in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices.
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Candollea (1990)
· Bocconea, Monographiae Herbarii Mediterranei Panormitani (1992)
· Berichte des Geobotanischen Institutes der Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Stiftung Rübel (1990)
· Species Plantarum (1753)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Mahakshara, for example side effects, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, health benefits, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.
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
Mahākṣāra (महाक्षार):—[=mahā-kṣāra] [from mahā > mah] m. a kind of natron, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Mahākṣāra (महाक्षार):—m. eine Art Natrum [Rājanirghaṇṭa im Śabdakalpadruma] u. sarvakṣāra .
Mahākṣāra (महाक्षार):—m. eine Art Natrum [Rājan 6,260.]
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)
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Mahakshara, Mahā-kṣāra, Maha-ksara, Maha-kshara, Mahākṣara, Mahaksara, Mahākṣāra; (plurals include: Mahaksharas, kṣāras, ksaras, ksharas, Mahākṣaras, Mahaksaras, Mahākṣāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Review of Trivrit (Operculina turpethum Linn.) in Ayurvedic literature < [Vol. 8 No. 8 (2023)]
Svacchandatantra (history and structure) (by William James Arraj)
Translation of Chapter 12, verses 1-83a < [Translation excerpts]
Arka Kalpana - A Review of Traditional and Modern Methods < [Volume 11, Issue 3: May-June 2024]