Mahamanasi, Mahāmānasī, Maha-manasi: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Mahamanasi means something in Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Mahamanasi in Jainism glossary
Source: archive.org: The Jaina Iconography

1) Mahāmānasī (महामानसी) or Nirvāṇī is the name of the Yakṣa accompanying Śāntinātha: the sixteenth of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—[...] Nirvāṇī in Śvetāmbara accounts, is represented as seated on a lotus and four-armed, the attributes being a book, lotus, Kamaṇḍalu and a lotus bud. The Digambara books supply descriptions of Mahāmānasī, according; to which, she has the vehicle of a peacock and holds in her hands a disc, fruit, Iḍi (sword?) and Varada.

The name Nirvāṇī connotes the idea of Nirvāṇa, llersyrn-bols of a book, lotus, Kamaṇḍalu strike one with her characteristic nature of the wife of Brahmā. Curiously, Brahmā’s wife is alsocalled Sarasvatī. As Mahāmānasī, the Yakṣiṇī holds her new function being a Vidyādevī. Mahāmānasī literally means the “great Goddess to preside over learning”. The symbol of a peacock, again, speaks of her connection with Sarasvatī, the river Goddess, who has the same bird as her riding vehicle..

2) Mahāmānasī (महामानसी) also refers to one of the sixteen Vidyādevīs (goddesses of learning).—The Śvetāmbaras describe the sixteenth Vidyādevī [viz., Mahāmānasī] as riding on a lion and bearing, in her four hands, Varada sword, kamaṇḍalu and lance. The Digambara representation of the goddess sits on a swan and holds a rosary, Varadamudrā, goad and garland. Again, the conception of this Vidyādevī is presumably based upon that of Vāgīśvarī, The sword symbol specially corresponding to the Digambara Yakṣiṇī of like name is Nirvāṇī of Jina Śāntinātha. As noticed before, her symbols of book, kamaṇḍalu and lotus befit more a Vidyādevī than a Yakṣiṇī. The Digambara conception of Mahāmānasī either as a Yakṣiṇī or Vidyādevī has symbols such as, peacock, swan, rosary, which fit in with the characteristics of the goddess of learning.

General definition book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mahamanasi in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Mahāmānasī (महामानसी).—Name of a Jain goddess.

Mahāmānasī is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and mānasī (मानसी).

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

Mahāmānasī (महामानसी).—f. (-sī) A goddess peculiar to the Jainas.

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

Mahāmānasī (महामानसी):—[=mahā-mānasī] [from mahā > mah] f. a goddess peculiar to the Jainas, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Mahāmānasī (महामानसी):—[mahā-mānasī] (mī) 3. f. A goddess peculiar to the Jainas.

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.

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