Mahashankhanatha, Mahāśaṅkhanātha: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mahashankhanatha means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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 Mahāśaṅkhanātha can be transliterated into English as Mahasankhanatha or Mahashankhanatha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
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In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist IconographyMahāśaṅkhanātha (महाशङ्खनाथ) or Mahāśaṅkhanāthalokeśvara refers to number 56 of the 108 forms of Avalokiteśvara found in the Machhandar Vahal (Kathmanu, Nepal). [Machhandar or Machandar is another name for for Matsyendra.].
Accordingly,—
“Mahāśaṅkhanātha is identical in all respects with [Mahāratnakīrti Lokeśvara], except that he bears different symbols. Here the god shows the Namaskāra mudrā, and the two Vajras in his three right hands, while his three left hold the noose, the arrow and the Ghaṇṭā.—Mahāratnakīrti Lokeśvara is three-faced and six-armed and stands on a lotus. He holds the fruit, the Utpala and the conch in his three right hands, and displays the bow, the whip and the Namaskāra mudrā in his three left”.
The names of the 108 deities [viz., Mahāśaṅkhanātha] possbily originate from a Tantra included in the Kagyur which is named “the 108 names of Avalokiteshvara”, however it is not yet certain that this is the source for the Nepali descriptions. 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mahashankhanathalokeshvara.
Full-text: Mahashankhanathalokeshvara.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahashankhanatha, Mahāśaṅkhanātha, Mahasankhanatha; (plurals include: Mahashankhanathas, Mahāśaṅkhanāthas, Mahasankhanathas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)