Mahamatra, Mahāmātra, Maha-matra: 8 definitions
Introduction
Mahamatra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexMahāmātra (महामात्र).—Kaṃsa addressed the hastipa thus;1 there was more than one mahāmātra in charge of the elephant, Kuvalayāpīḍa; all of them were killed by Kṛṣṇa.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.
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraMahāmātra (महामात्र) refers to the “high royal officer”, who should be represented with an ardhamukuṭa (small crown), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 23. Providing masks is a component of nepathya (costumes and make-up) and is to be done in accordance with the science of āhāryābhinaya (extraneous representation).
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., 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) and poetic works (kavya).
India history and geogprahy
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryMahāmātra.—(IE 8-3), cf. Prakrit Mahāmāta (EI 3); a high executive officer employed in various capacities; cf. Nagara- vyavahārika-mahāmātra, Stryadhyakṣa-mahāmātra, Dharma-mahāmātra, etc.; adopted in Greek as Mamātrai. See CII, Vol. I, p. 92, etc.; Arthaśāstra, I. 12, V. 1; etc.; Kāmasūtra, V. 5. 17. 33 and 35. The word Mahāmātra in Manu, IX. 259, is explained by Medhātithi as ‘the Mantrin, Purohita and others’ and by Kullūka as meaning ‘the professional tamers of elephants’. (SITI) explained as ‘a senior minister.’ See Mātra in a similar sense. Cf. Antaḥpura-mahāmātra in the Masulipatnam plates of Amma II (Ep. Ind., Vol. XXIV, p. 276). (EI 28; CII 4), ‘an elephant-driver’. Note: mahāmātra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahāmātra (महामात्र).—a.
1) great in measure, very great or large.
2) most excellent, best; वृष्ण्यन्धकमहामात्रैः सह (vṛṣṇyandhakamahāmātraiḥ saha) Mb.1.221.27; 5.22.37. (-traḥ) 1 a great officer of state, high stateofficial, a chief minister; (mantre karmaṇi bhūṣāyāṃ vitte māne paricchade | mātrā ca mahatī yeṣāṃ mahāmātrāstu te smṛtāḥ); Ms. 9.259; गूढपुरुषप्रणिधिः कृतमहामात्रापसर्पः (gūḍhapuruṣapraṇidhiḥ kṛtamahāmātrāpasarpaḥ) (v. l. mahāmātyāpasarpaḥ) पौरजानपदानपसर्पयेत् (paurajānapadānapasarpayet) Kau. A.1.13.9; Rām.2.37.1.
2) an elephant-driver or keeper; मदोन्मत्तस्य भूपस्य कुञ्जरस्य च गच्छतः । उन्मार्गं वाच्यतां यान्ति महामात्राः समीपगाः (madonmattasya bhūpasya kuñjarasya ca gacchataḥ | unmārgaṃ vācyatāṃ yānti mahāmātrāḥ samīpagāḥ) || Pt.1.161.
3) a superintendent of elephants. (-trī) 1 the wife of a chief minister.
2) the wife of a spiritual teacher.
Mahāmātra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and mātra (मात्र).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāmātra (महामात्र).—m.
(-traḥ) 1. A king’s minister or associate, any high officer in a kingdom: as a counsellor, a general, &c. 2. An elephant-driver, a Mahut. 3. Superintendent of the elephants. 4. A man of wealth and consequence. f. (-trī) 1. The wife of a spiritual preceptor. 2. The wife of an officer of state, &c. E. mahā great, mātra wealth or retinue, &c.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāmātra (महामात्र).—I. m. 1. a king’s minister. 2. an elephant driver, or breaker, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 9, 259. 3. superintendent of the elephants. 4. a man of wealth and consequence. Ii. f. trī. 1. the wife of an officer of state. 2. the wife of a spiritual teacher.
Mahāmātra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and mātra (मात्र).
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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: Mahamatra-gana, Mahamatra-nagaravyavaharika.
Ends with: Anta-mahamatra, Antahpura-mahamatra, Dharmamahamatra, Gananamahamatra, Stryadhyaksha-mahamatra.
Full-text (+1): Dharmamahamatra, Isila, Mahamatra-gana, Antahpura-mahamatra, Stryadhyaksha-mahamatra, Mahamatra-nagaravyavaharika, Gananamahamatra, Ahara, Mahata, Anta-mahamatra, Nagara-vyavaharika, Mahut, Mamatrai, Mahamatri, Matra, Stryadhyaksha, Ardhamukuta, Antapala, Anta, Tosali.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Mahamatra, Mahāmātra, Maha-matra, Mahā-mātra; (plurals include: Mahamatras, Mahāmātras, matras, mātras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 9.259 < [Section XXXVI - Who are ‘Thorns’ (kaṇṭaka)?]
Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)
Chapter 13 - Protection of Parties < [Book 1 - Concerning Discipline]
Chapter 10 - The Character of Ministers < [Book 1 - Concerning Discipline]
Chapter 7 - The Business of Keeping up Accounts in the Office of Accountants < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
IV. The perfections are causes and conditions of the thirty-two marks < [Part 3 - Possessing a body endowed with the marks]
Settlement in Early Historic Ganga Plain (by Chirantani Das)
Part 11 - Main Shrine of Sārnāth < [Chapter VII - Sārnāth: The Satellite Religious Centre]
The Natyashastra (by Bharata-muni)