Mahanidra, Mahānidra, Maha-nidra: 9 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)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahānidrā (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)
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of termsMahānidrā (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)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraMahānidrā (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
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahānidra (महानिद्र).—a. fast asleep.
-drā 'the great sleep', death.
Mahānidra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and nidra (निद्र).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahānidrā (महानिद्रा).—f.
(-drā) Death, dying. E. mahā great, nidrā sleep.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) 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.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahānidrā (महानिद्रा):—[mahā-nidrā] (drā) 1. f. Death.
[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.
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Search found 4 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:
Lord Hayagriva in Sanskrit Literature (by Anindita Adhikari)
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 72 - Victory of Durgā < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]
The 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]