Mahishasuramardini, Mahiṣāsuramardinī, Mahishasura-mardini: 5 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Shilpashastra
2. Shaktism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Mahishasuramardini 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 Mahiṣāsuramardinī can be transliterated into English as Mahisasuramardini or Mahishasuramardini, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Images (photo gallery)

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In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Mahiṣāsuramardinī is the name of a deity depicted at the Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli, representing a sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—Mahiṣāsuramardinī is represented with six pairs of hands. The right set of hands hold śūla (trident), khaḍga (sword), śakthāyuḍa (devi’s weapon), cakra (discus), a stringed bow, and gadā (mace) while the left hands hold pāśa, aṅkuśa, śaṅkh (shell), ghanṭa (bell), paraśu (axe) and shield. These pairs of hands are represented in kartarīmukha-hasta. While depiciting in dance, the hands are in kapittha-hasta and one pair of hands is in kartarīmukha-hasta.

Mahiṣāsuramardinī is also depicted at the Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli, representing a sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—Mahiṣāsuramardinī is represented with six pairs of hands. The right set of hands hold śūla (trident), khaḍga (sword), śakthāyuḍa (devi’s weapon), cakra (discus), a stringed bow, and gadā (mace) while the left hands hold pāśa, aṅkuśa, śaṅkh (shell), ghanṭa (bell), paraśu (axe) and shield. These pairs of hands are represented in kartarīmukha-hasta. While depiciting in dance, the hands are in kapittha-hasta and one pair of hands is in kartarīmukha-hasta.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (shaktism)

Mahiṣāsuramardinī (महिषासुरमर्दिनी) refers to one of the manifestations of Pārvatī or Śakti.—While seeing the Śakti avatāra images namely Durgā and Mahiṣāsuramardinī, who are vigorous and ferocious in their forms and character, the perceiver gets scared of the weapons held in their hands. The most scaring gestures are the tongue projecting outwards, the skull in one hand, the kapāla with blood in one hand and the wide opened eyes with full of anger. But regardless of all this the perceiver admires the force with which the goddess fights for her devotees against the enemies who harass them. While depicting her in dance, so many variations can be brought in. The goddess is said to possess ten pairs of hands and each hand holds different weapons. So in sañcāribhāvas (improvisation of a particular sentiment or a story in various ways), all these characteristics can be very well brought out.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mahiṣāsuramardinī (महिषासुरमर्दिनी):—[=mahiṣāsura-mardinī] [from mahiṣāsura > mahiṣa > mah] f. = -ghātinī (dinī-stotra n. Name of a Stotra)

[Sanskrit to German]

Mahishasuramardini in German

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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Mahiṣāsuramardini (ಮಹಿಷಾಸುರಮರ್ದಿನಿ):—[noun] (myth.) Cāmuṇḍi, who slew Mahiṣāsura a demon whose country is now known as Maisūru or Karnāṭaka.

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 14 books and stories containing Mahishasuramardini, Mahiṣāsura-mardinī, Mahisasura-mardini, Mahiṣāsura-mardini, Mahiṣāsuramardinī, Mahisasuramardini, Mahiṣāsuramardini, Mahishasura-mardini; (plurals include: Mahishasuramardinis, mardinīs, mardinis, Mahiṣāsuramardinīs, Mahisasuramardinis, Mahiṣāsuramardinis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

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