In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Kubjikāmata-tantra

Mahotkaṭā (महोत्कटा):—Sanskrit name of one of the thirty-two female deities of the Somamaṇḍala (second maṇḍala of the Khecarīcakra) according to the kubjikāmata-tantra. These goddesses are situated on a ring of sixteen petals and represent the thirty-two syllables of the Aghoramantra. Each deity (including Mahotkaṭā) is small, plump and large-bellied. They can assume any form at will, have sixteen arms each, and are all mounted on a different animal.

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Mahotkaṭa (महोत्कट) is the Sanskrit name of a deity presiding over Mahākoṭa, one of the sixty-eight places hosting a svāyambhuvaliṅga, which is one of the most sacred of liṅgas according to the Śaivāgamas. The list of sixty-eight svāyambhuvaliṅgas and presiding deities (e.g., Mahotkaṭa) is found in the commentary on the Jirṇoddhāra-daśaka by Nigamajñānadeva. The word liṅga refers to a symbol used in the worship of Śiva and is used thoughout Śaiva literature, such as the sacred Āgamas.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Mahotkaṭa (महोत्कट).—Name of a settlement (janapada) situated near the seven great mountains on the western side of mount Naiṣadha, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 83. These settlements consume the water flowing from these seven great mountains (Viśākha, Kambala, Jayanta, Kṛṣṇa, Harita, Aśoka and Vardhamāna). Niṣadha (Naiṣadha) is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Mahotkaṭa (महोत्कट) refers to “terrific”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.4.8 (“The battle between the gods and Asuras”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] The Asuras too, the dependants of the demon Tāraka, all equally strong and heroic, began to smash the Gaṇas furiously. The terrific (mahotkaṭa) mutual fights between the demons and the Gaṇas happened again and again. Ultimately the Gaṇas, experts in the use of great missiles, came out victorious and were jubilant. Defeated by the Gaṇas of great strength, the Asuras turned their faces and began to flee. They were distressed and agitated. [...]”.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Mahotkaṭā (महोत्कटा) refers to “she who is very powerful”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “(Jvālāmaṅgalyā), the goddess born of Jāla is very dignified and powerful [i.e., mahotkaṭā]. She has five faces, four arms, and sits on a white lion. She holds sword, club, fetter, and goad and is adorned with jewels. She wears clothes of various colours, is fierce and, when worshipped, bestows boons”.

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva (shaktism)

Mahotkaṭa (महोत्कट) or Mahotkaṭatantra refers to one of the twenty Bhūtatantras, belonging to the Śāktāgama (or Śāktatantra) division of the Āgama tradition. The Śāktāgamas represent the wisdom imparted by Devī to Īśvara and convey the idea that the worship of Śakti is the means to attain liberation. According to the Pratiṣṭhālakṣaṇasamuccaya of Vairocana, the Śāktatantras are divided into to four parts, the Mahotkaṭa-tantra belonging to the Bhūta class.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Maha, Utkata.

Starts with: Mahotkatatantra.

Full-text: Mahotkatatantra, Mahakota, Kledini, Somamandala, Pracanda.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Mahotkata, Mahotkaṭa, Mahotkaṭā, Maha-utkata, Maha-utkaṭā, Maha-utkaṭa; (plurals include: Mahotkatas, Mahotkaṭas, Mahotkaṭās, utkatas, utkaṭās, utkaṭas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)

Verse 2.23.7 < [Chapter 23 - The Killing of Śaṅkhacūḍa During the Rāsa-dance Pastime]

Verse 1.6.44 < [Chapter 6 - Description of Kaṃsa’s Strength]

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The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 109 - Greatness of Aṣṭaṣaṣṭi Tīrthas < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]

Chapter 6 - Battle Between the Goddess and Mahiṣāsura < [Section 1 - Setu-māhātmya]

Chapter 71 - Exploits of Durgā < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]

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The Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)

Chapter 27 - The description of the Jaya ablution < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]

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