Mahanidra, Mahānidra, Maha-nidra: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Mahanidra 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.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा) refers to the “supreme slumber”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.4.—Accordingly, as the Gods eulogized Umā (Durgā/Satī) with devotion:—“[...] thus eulogised by the Gods, the Goddess Durgā, the mother of the universe, the destroyer of impassable distress, appeared in front of them. [...] She was the mother of the three deities, Caṇḍī, Śivā, the destroyer of the distress of all, the mother of all supreme slumber (i.e., mahānidrā) and the redeemer of all her own people”.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—Excessive sleep
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा) refers to “great sleep”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 19.94cd-99ab, while describing the ritual that protect the king and his kingdom]—“[...] Great sleep (mahānidrā), who bewilders the world, is there. For the king’s well-being at night and for his digestion when he eats, etc., this worship should continue [throughout the night] by the order of the God of Gods. Then [the king] should sleep the entire night. He should remain at ease, free of the dangers of Yakṣas, Rakṣas, Pisācas, fear of disrupted sleep—which bring about Mātṛs—and trembling from those afflictions”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Mahānidra (महानिद्र).—a. fast asleep.
-drā 'the great sleep', death.
Mahānidra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and nidra (निद्र).
Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा).—f.
(-drā) Death, dying. E. mahā great, nidrā sleep.
1) Mahānidra (महानिद्र):—[=mahā-nidra] [from mahā > mah] mfn. sleeping soundly, sl° long, [Rāmāyaṇa]
2) Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—[=mahā-nidrā] [from mahā-nidra > mahā > mah] f. ‘the gr° sleep’, death, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—[mahā-nidrā] (drā) 1. f. Death.
Mahānidra (महानिद्र):—[(ma + nidrā)] adj. dessen Schlaf fest ist oder lange währt, fest —, lange Schlafend [Rāmāyaṇa 6, 35, 30.]
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Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—(wie eben) f. langer Schlaf so v. a. Tod [Jaṭādhara im Śabdakalpadruma]
Mahānidra (महानिद्र):—Adj. fest — , lange schlafend. [Rāmāyaṇa 6,37,30.]
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Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—f. der lange Schlaf , so v.a. Tod.
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.
Nepali dictionary
Mahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—n. death;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Makanittirai, Bodhana, Nidra.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Mahanidra, Mahānidra, Maha-nidra, Mahā-nidra, Mahānidrā, Mahā-nidrā; (plurals include: Mahanidras, Mahānidras, nidras, Mahānidrās, nidrās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 177 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Page 64 < [Bengali-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Page 184 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 118 < [Volume 7 (1883)]
Lord Hayagriva in Sanskrit Literature (by Anindita Adhikari)
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 72 - Victory of Durgā < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]
Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 245 - The Brave Deeds of Kṛṣṇa < [Section 6 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa (Concluding Section)]
Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita (by Laxmi Maji)
1b. Study of Fever (Jvara) in the Caraka-Saṃhita < [Chapter 5 - Diseases and Remedies in Atharvaveda and Caraka-Saṃhitā]