The Sanskrit term Mahāścarya can be transliterated into English as Mahascarya or Mahashcarya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Mahashcharya.

In Hinduism

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Mahāścarya (महाश्चर्य) refers to the “wondrous (yoga)”, according to the Śivayogadīpikā by Sadāśivayogīśvara: a text dealing with Śaivism and Haṭhayoga in two hundred and eighty-nine verses.—Accordingly, while describing the worship of Śiva: “Therefore, reverentially practise this auxiliary of worshipping Śiva which is the wondrous (mahāścarya) yoga with eight auxiliaries”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Mahāścarya (महाश्चर्य) refers to “(gazing) wonderingly”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.10 (“Boasting of Tāraka”).—Accordingly, as Tāraka-Asura fought with the Gods: “[...] The fight between Tāraka and Kumāra was terrific and unbearable. All the living beings were afraid. O sage, even as all the persons stood gazing wonderingly (mahāścarya), both of them fought each other with spears in their hands (śaktihasta). Each was wounded in the heart by the other with the spear. Each tried to escape from the other’s. thrust. Both were equally strong like two lions. Both were fully equipped for the fight. [...]”.

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Ashcarya, Maha.

Full-text: Ashcarya, Wondrous, Nirbhinna.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Mahashcarya, Mahāścarya, Mahā-āścarya, Maha-ashcarya, Mahascarya, Maha-ascarya; (plurals include: Mahashcaryas, Mahāścaryas, āścaryas, ashcaryas, Mahascaryas, ascaryas). 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 3.5.288 < [Chapter 5 - The Pastimes of Nityānanda]

Verse 3.5.678 < [Chapter 5 - The Pastimes of Nityānanda]

Verse 1.13.199 < [Chapter 13 - Defeating Digvijayī]

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Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)

Verse 1.4.1 < [Chapter 4 - Bhakta (the devotee)]

Verse 1.7.33 < [Chapter 7 - Pūrṇa (pinnacle of excellent devotees)]

Verse 1.2.77 < [Chapter 2 - Divya (the celestial plane)]

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