Maharatna, Maha-ratna, Mahāratna: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Maharatna means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramMahāratna (महारत्न) refers to a “large gems”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, “[...] (The gross form has) five faces, ten arms and, pure, it has a smiling face. [...] Her stomach is thin, navel, deep set and thighs large. (Her) hips and knees are very soft. She has beautiful thighs and red finger (nails) that are very beautiful. She (wears) beautiful cloths, a divine garland and an excellent shawl. (She wears) a necklace made of large gems [i.e., mahāratna-āvalī-hāra], bangles on her limbs, anklets and a blazing diadem of rubies (māṇikya). O supreme mistress, adorned with divine rings (on her fingers), she sits on a svastika (as her) seat”.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahāratna (महारत्न) refers to the “great gems and jewels”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.31 (“Description of Śiva’s magic”).—Accordingly, as Śiva (in disguise of a Brahmin) said to the Lord of Mountains: “[...] For the marriage of Pārvatī, He is not at all a deserving person. On hearing of this, the general public will smile in derision. O lord of mountains, see for yourself. He has not a single kinsman. You are the storehouse of great gems and jewels (mahāratna-ākara). He has no assets at all. O lord of mountains, you shall consult your kinsmen, sons, wife and wise counsellors, except Pārvatī. O lord of mountains, the medicine does not appeal at all to the patient. Wrong diet that brings about great defects always appeals to him”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsMahāratna (महारत्न) refers to a “large jewel”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “The jewel of enlightenment is not easily obtained again for men in the ocean of life like a jewel of great value that has fallen from the hand into a great ocean (var.—bhraṣṭaṃ mahāratnaṃ mahāmūlyaṃ yathārṇave—‘like a large jewel of great value that has fallen into the ocean’)”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahāratna (महारत्न).—
1) a precious jewel; वज्रं मुक्ता प्रवालं च गोमेदश्चेन्द्रनीलकः ॥ वैडूर्यः पुष्करागश्च पाचिर्माणिक्यमेव च । महारत्नानि चैतानि नव प्रोक्तानि सूरिभिः (vajraṃ muktā pravālaṃ ca gomedaścendranīlakaḥ || vaiḍūryaḥ puṣkarāgaśca pācirmāṇikyameva ca | mahāratnāni caitāni nava proktāni sūribhiḥ) || Śukra.4.155-56.
Derivable forms: mahāratnam (महारत्नम्).
Mahāratna is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and ratna (रत्न).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāratna (महारत्न).—[neuter] precious jewel or pearl.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāratna (महारत्न):—[=mahā-ratna] [from mahā > mah] n. a precious jewel, most pr° of all j°, [Kathāsaritsāgara; Saddharma-puṇḍarīka; Prasaṅgābharaṇa]
[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.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusMahāratna (ಮಹಾರತ್ನ):—[noun] a most precious gem.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Maharatnabhishekaramadhyana, Maharatnahetu, Maharatnakara, Maharatnaketu, Maharatnakirti, Maharatnakirtilokeshvara, Maharatnakula, Maharatnakulalokeshvara, Maharatnakuta, Maharatnamaya, Maharatnapratimandita, Maharatnavali, Maharatnavant, Maharatnavarsha, Maharatnavat.
Ends with: Shadanvayamaharatna, Shivarcanamaharatna.
Full-text: Maharatnamaya, Maharatnavat, Maharatnavarsha, Maharatnahetu, Maharatnapratimandita, Shadanvayamaharatna, Maharatnabhishekaramadhyana, Nananarghamaharatnamaya, Shashibindu, Pradiptabha, Pradipta, Marg, Havis.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Maharatna, Maha-ratna, Mahā-ratna, Mahāratna; (plurals include: Maharatnas, ratnas, Mahāratnas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 2.7.117 < [Chapter 7 - The Meeting of Gadādhara and Puṇḍarīka]
Verse 1.1.13 < [Chapter 1 - Summary of Lord Gaura’s Pastimes]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 8 - Ratikuṇḍa and other Holy Tīrthas < [Section 8 - Ayodhyā-māhātmya]
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 90 - The Powers of the Holy Places < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
The Practice Manual of Noble Tārā Kurukullā (by Dharmachakra Translation Committee)
Chapter 2 < [Appendix - Sanskrit Text]
Shukra Niti by Shukracharya (by Benoy Kumar Sarkar)
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)