Mahaprithivi, Mahāpṛthivī, Maha-prithivi: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Mahaprithivi means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.
The Sanskrit term Mahāpṛthivī can be transliterated into English as Mahaprthivi or Mahaprithivi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismMahāpṛthivī (महापृथिवी) refers to a group of deities summoned by the Yamāntaka-mantra and mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Mahāpṛthivī).
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.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraMahāpṛthivī (महापृथिवी) refers to the “great earth”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 8).—Accordingly, “[Question: How does the Bodhisattva fulfill the virtue of wisdom (prajñāpāramitā)?]—[Answer]—When his great mind reflects and analyses. Thus the Brahmin Govinda, the great minister (mahāmātya), divided the great earth (mahāpṛthivī) of Jambudvīpa into seven parts; he also divided into seven parts a determined number of large and small cities (nagara), of villages (nigama) and hamlets (antarāpaṇa). Such is the virtue of wisdom”.
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāMahāpṛthivī (महापृथिवी) refers to the “great earth”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as the Lord said: “[...] It is like this, friends, this great earth (mahāpṛthivī) is based on water, water is supported by wind, wind is founded on space, but space is dependent on nothing. Thus, among these four elements, namely earth, water, wind, and space, space is more powerful and firmer than any of the other elements, and is not accumulated. Since it is not accumulated, it is neither originated nor destroyed and is stable with its own essence. [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāpṛthivī (महापृथिवी):—[=mahā-pṛthivī] [from mahā > mah] f. the gr° earth (-tva n.), [Sāṃkhyapravacana]
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)
Partial matches: Prithivi, Maha.
Starts with: Mahaprithivitva.
Full-text (+8): Mahaprithivitva, Toshaniya, Samvedhati, Niruttrasam, Harshaniya, Samharshaniya, Praranati, Nitya, Govinda, Antarapana, Adhyashayati, Ap, Pashcimaka, Mahabhuta, Samudagacchati, Pacchimaka, Samudagacchate, Prajnaparamita, Nagara, Simhavikridita.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Mahaprithivi, Mahāpṛthivī, Maha-prithivi, Mahā-pṛthivī, Mahaprthivi, Maha-prthivi; (plurals include: Mahaprithivis, Mahāpṛthivīs, prithivis, pṛthivīs, Mahaprthivis, prthivis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Act 5.1: The Buddha shakes the trisāhasramahāsāhasralokadhātu in six ways < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
II. Mastering the water element (ap) < [Part 3 - Mastering the four great elements]
Appendix 1 - The four great elements (mahābhūta) < [Chapter XLIX - The Four Conditions]
Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali (by Ganganatha Jha)
Text 40: Process of Creation and Destruction < [Chapter 5 - Of the Mahābhūtas (Ultimate Material Substances)]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XX - The Mahāgovindīya-sūtra < [Volume III]