In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Mahāsāgara (महासागर) or Mahāsāgararasa is the name of a Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fifth volume of the Rasajalanidhi (chapter 16, Tṛṣṇā: thirst). These remedies are classified as Iatrochemistry and form part of the ancient Indian science known as Rasaśāstra (medical alchemy). However, since it is an ayurveda treatment it should be taken with caution and in accordance with rules laid down in the texts.

Accordingly, when using such recipes (e.g., mahāsāgara-rasa): “the minerals (uparasa), poisons (viṣa), and other drugs (except herbs), referred to as ingredients of medicines, are to be duly purified and incinerated, as the case may be, in accordance with the processes laid out in the texts.” (see introduction to Iatro chemical medicines)

context information

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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. A king of Uttaramadhura; Sagara and Upasagara were his sons. J.iv.79.

2. The name of Mahameghavana in the time of Kassapa Buddha. Mhv.xv.126ff.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhism

Mahāsāgara (महासागर) 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 Mahāsāgara).

context information

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: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Mahāsāgara (महासागर) refers to the “great ocean”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] Just as the great ocean is of a single taste, so the dharma of the Bodhisattva is also of a single taste since he knows the taste of liberation. Just as [the tide of] the great ocean is punctual, so the Bodhisattva is never late for the seat of awakening by investigating when is the right time and wrong time. Just as the great ocean (mahāsāgara) decomposes a rotting corpse, so the Bodhisattva breaks down any habitual pattern of vices or any thought of disciples and isolated Buddhas”.

context information

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: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Mahāsāgara (महासागर).—nt., a high number, = 10 sāgara, q.v.: (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 343.23, 24.

context information

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: Maha, Sagara.

Starts with: Mahasagaraprabhagambhiradhara, Mahasagararasa.

Ends with: Prashanta-mahasagara.

Full-text: Praghara, Mahaasaagar, Mahasagaraprabhagambhiradhara, Prashamta, Pracamda, Mandadipa, Vishala, Prashant, Asokamalaka, Mahasagararasa, Sagara, Lanka, Asecanaka, Mahameghavana, Madhura.

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Search found 2 books and stories containing Mahasagara, Maha-sagara, Mahā-sāgara, Mahāsāgara; (plurals include: Mahasagaras, sagaras, sāgaras, Mahāsāgaras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Mahavamsa (by Wilhelm Geiger)

Chapter 15 - The Acceptance Of The Mahavihara

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The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)

Jataka 454: Ghata-jātaka < [Volume 4]

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