In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Mahārandhra (महारन्ध्र) refers to the “great cavity”, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] The Wick of Smoke (dhūmravarti) that is said to rise up into the End of the Twelve is above the Great Cavity (mahārandhra) and travels (upwards for the span of) of twelve fingers. The supreme Transmission (krama), realised by Being (bhāvagamya), stands perpetually present at its extremity. The Yogi should worship the divine Transmission there by moving (through these) stages (padacāreṇa)”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)

Mahārandhra (महारन्ध्र) or Pṛthucchidra refers to a “large aperture” at the bottom of a bowl, used in the creation of a water-clock.—(Cf. Astronomical instruments in Bhāskarācārya’s Siddhāntaśiromaṇi).—According to Munīśvara (1603 A.D.) in his Marīci commentary on Bhāskara II: “The bowl should be so made that it has a large hole (pṛthucchidra = mahārandhra) at the bottom. Through this statement it is indicated that the hole should be made in such a manner that, when the bowl is placed on the water of the basin and when water enters [the bowl], the hole is not blocked by any dirt that may be in the water of the basin. Because of the possibiliy of a small hole getting blocked by dirt an the like, assuming here a coalescene of the vowel a (akāra-praśleṣa) [by reading apṛthu] is not proper”.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Maha, Randhra.

Full-text: Prithu, Prithucchidra, Parakrama, Divyakrama, Padacara, Dhumravarti, Varti, Dvadashangula, Kramapujya, Pratibandhaka, Pratibandha, Adhobhaga, Mala, Sukshma, Sukshmacchidra, Ghatikayantra, Kapalayantra.

Relevant text

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