Mahattari, Mahattarī, Mahattārī: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Mahattari means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Mahattarī (महत्तरी, “matrons”) refers to one of the classes of “women” (strī) who have dealings with the king, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 34. Accordingly, “women who, for the protection of the entire harem and for the king’s prosperity, take pleasure in singing hymns to gods, and in performing auspicious ceremonies, are known as mahattarīs (matrons)”.

Natyashastra book cover
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Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Mahattari in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Mahattārī (महत्तारी) refers to an aspect of Green Tārā and could be similar to Goddess Mahāntārikā.—There are several variant forms of the name of the goddess Mahāntārikā—the Great Saviouress. [...] The form Mahāntārikā is also found in the Kubjikāmatatantra, but only once, others are Mahantārikā, Mahattārikā, or Mahantāryā found in other Kubjikā sources. [...] Schoterman suggests that she is: ‘probably the same deity which features in the Buddhist Sādhanāmālā as Mahattārī, an aspect of Green Tārā’. Tārā also means ‘star’.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Mahattarī (महत्तरी) or Mahattarītārā refers to a deity from the Green Tārā family, according to Buddhist Iconography.—Mahattarī-Tārā may be distinguished by the Vajraparyaṅka attitude in which she sits, and also by the fact of her being represented without any companion whatsoever. [...] Strictly speaking, only those deities can be called Tārās to whom the mantra: “oṃ tārā tuttāre ture svāhā” is assigned. [...] From the colour of the different Tārās it will be possible to refer them [viz., Mahattarī] to their respective Kulas or families presided over by the five Dhyāni Buddhas.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mahattari in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahattarī (महत्तरी):—[=mahat-tarī] [from mahat-tara > mahat > mah] f. Name of a form of the goddess Tārā, [Buddhist literature]

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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.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mahattari in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Mahattari (ಮಹತ್ತರಿ):—[noun] an old woman who has the eminence to bless, wish well (in a palace).

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Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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