Mahoraga, aka: Maha-uraga; 6 Definition(s)

Introduction

Mahoraga means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Mahoraga (महोरग).—A son of Viśveśā.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 171. 49.

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Mahoraga (महोरग).—The mahoragas are a group of deities categorised as belonging to the vyantara class of Gods (devas). The vyantaras represent a class of Gods (devas) comprising eight groups of deities that wander about the three worlds (adhaloka, madhyaloka and ūrdhvaloka).

Mahoraga (महोरग).—A class of vyantara gods;—The Tiloyapaṇṇati divides them into 10 classes:

1. Bhujaga,
2. Bhujaṅgaśāli,
3. Mahātanu,
4. Atikāya,
5. Skandhaśāli,
6. Manohara,
7. Aśanijava,
8. Maheśvara,
9. Gambhīra,
10. Priyadarśana.

The Mahoragas have dark complexion. The Nāga-tree is their Caitya-tree.

According to the Śvetāmbaras, the 10 Mahoragas are:

1. Bhujaga,
2. Bhogaśāli,
3. Mahākaya,
4. Atikāya,
5. Skandhaśāli,
6. Manorama,
7. Mahāvega,
8. Mahāyakṣa,
9. Merukānta,
10. Bhāsvanta.

Blackish in appearance, they have braod and muscular shoulders and necks and are adorned with various ornaments and sandal paste marks. The Nāga is the mark on their heralds.

The cities of Mahoraga gods situated in the vedi have palaces of square and rectangular plans, and of white, ruby, golden or various colors. These mansions contain various apartments, such as olagaśālā, mantraśālā, bhūṣaṇaśālā, abhiṣekaśālā etc.

Mahoraga (महोरग) refers to the “great serpent” class of “peripatetic celestial beings” (vyantara), itself a category of devas (celestial beings), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 4.10. Who are the lords amongst the great serpent (mahoraga) class of peripatetic (forest) celestial beings? Atikāya and Mahākāya are the two lords in the great serpent peripatetic celestial beings.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

mahoraga : (m.) a king of Nāgas.

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Mahoraga (महोरग).—a great serpent; वपुर्महोरगस्येव करालफणमण्डलम् (vapurmahoragasyeva karālaphaṇamaṇḍalam) R.12.98.

Derivable forms: mahoragaḥ (महोरगः).

Mahoraga is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and uraga (उरग).

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