Mahavisha, Mahāviṣa, Maha-visha: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Mahavisha means something in 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.
The Sanskrit term Mahāviṣa can be transliterated into English as Mahavisa or Mahavisha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationMahāviṣa (महाविष) refers to the “root of all worldly attachments”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.12.—Accordingly, as Śiva said to Himācala (i.e., Himālaya): “[...] A woman is a phase of illusion. As the scholars who have mastered the Vedas say particularly, a young damsel is a hindrance to ascetics. [...] O mountain, by contact with a woman, worldliness springs up; non-attachment perishes and the virtuous penance is destroyed. Hence, O mountain, no ascetic shall have any truck with women. A woman is the root of all worldly attachments [i.e., mahāviṣa]. She destroys all wisdom and detachment together”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahāviṣa (महाविष).—a serpent having two mouths.
Derivable forms: mahāviṣaḥ (महाविषः).
Mahāviṣa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and viṣa (विष).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāviṣa (महाविष).—m.
(-ṣaḥ) A small venomous snake, supposed to be two-headed. E. mahā great, and viṣa venom.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāviṣa (महाविष).—m. a small venomous snake, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 53, 55.
Mahāviṣa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and viṣa (विष).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahāviṣa (महाविष):—[=mahā-viṣa] [from mahā > mah] n. ‘gr° poison’, a kind of p°, [Suśruta]
2) [v.s. ...] mfn. very poisonous or venomous, [Rāmāyaṇa; Suśruta]
3) [v.s. ...] m. Coluber Naga, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāviṣa (महाविष):—[mahā+viṣa] (ṣaḥ) 1. m. A venomous snake. a. Venomous.
[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 corpusMahāviṣa (ಮಹಾವಿಷ):—
1) [noun] a kind of deadly poison.
2) [noun] a kind of venomous serpent supposed to have two heads.
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)
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Mahavisha, Mahāviṣa, Maha-visha, Mahā-viṣa, Mahavisa, Maha-visa; (plurals include: Mahavishas, Mahāviṣas, vishas, viṣas, Mahavisas, visas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
Miscellaneous (2): Varieties of poison (Viṣabheda) < [Chapter 3 - Social Aspects]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 18 - Tuber Poison (18): Keshara, Pradipana or Mahabisha (Mahavisha) < [Chapter XXX - Visha (poisons)]
Kautilya Arthashastra (by R. Shamasastry)
Chapter 17 - The Superintendent of Forest Produce < [Book 2 - The duties of Government Superintendents]
Sushruta Samhita, Volume 5: Kalpasthana (by Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna)