Mandala, aka: Maṇḍala, Maṇḍalā; 26 Definition(s)

Introduction

Mandala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. 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

Ayurveda (science of life)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल):—One of the eighteen types of Kuṣṭha (“skin disease”), according to the Caraka-saṃhitā (cikitsāsthāna), which is an important Sanskrit work dealing with Āyurveda. This condition of the skin (kuṣṭha) is caused by the corruption of the three doṣas (tridoṣa: vāta, pitta and kapha) which in turn corrupts the skin, blood, muscle and lymph. Maṇḍala-kuṣṭha is characterized by white and red colors, dense, oily and raised circles. Maṇḍala is caused by a preponderance of Pitta-doṣa (‘bodily bile’).

Source: Wisdom Library: Āyurveda and botany

Mandala (or sub-divisions or circles of the eye-ball). The Mandalas of the eye are the following, viz.,

1. the Pakshma-mandala (the circle of the eye-lashes),
2. the Vartma-mandala (the eye-lid)
3. the Sveta-mandala (the Sclerotic and Cornea), the Krishna-mandala (the choroid)
4. and the Drishti-mandala (the pupil).

These circles are so arranged that the one preceding lies within the next in the list.

Source: archive.org: Sushruta samhita, Volume III

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल):—According to Śākta-tantra, in the cakra or maṇḍala, the highest principle (gradual evolution of cosmic creation) is represented in the central point and unfolds itself outwards, thus expressing the idea of creative multiplication. The powers which are active on both the phenomenal and phonic levels in this process may be symbolized as divine figures, male or female, who are either depicted in iconographic form or represented in sonic form by their seed-syllables. The centre is thus occupied by the main deity who is surrounded by partial manifestations. In this way the components of the manifested world, as well as related philosophical concepts, are arranged into a system according to the underlying religious-philosophical theories about creation.

As an object of meditation, the diagram is a means to effect a mental reconstruction of the process of creation into its original source. By meditating on the powers the practitioner is enabled to identify himself with them, by which process he gradually realizes his identity with the ultimate reality.

Source: Wisdom Library: Śāktism

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

The Vastu Purusha Mandala is an indispensable part of vastu shastra and constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. It is the metaphysical plan of a building that incorporates the coursly bodies and supernatural forces. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. Mandala is the generic name for any plan or chart which symbolically represents the cosmos.

Source: The India Center: Architecture (Vastu Shastra)

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल) refers to the “group of powerful sovereigns”. It is used throughout Dharmaśāstra literature such as the Manusmṛti and the Baudhāyana-dharmasūtra.

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstra

Maṇḍala (मण्डल):—The maṇḍala is a technical term to indicate the group of power ful sovereigns. There are all total seventy two varieties of king included in the maṇḍala. The circle of sovereigns (mūlamaṇḍala) includes four types of powerful kings.

These are named as

1. Madhyama (intermediate),
2. Vijigīṣu (ambitious),
3. Udāsīna (nutrel)
4. and Śatru (enemy).

These are four main (prakṛ) in a Rājamaṇḍala. The very important duty of king is to ponder on each and every movement of these strong political powers.

Source: Shodhganga: Facts of society in the Manusamhita

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

1) Maṇḍala (मण्डल) refers to “combination of three or four khaṇḍas”. According to the Nāṭyaśāstra, it is one of the four classes of ‘movements of the feet’. These movements are part of the ‘physical representation’ (āṅgika), which is used in communicating the meaning of the drama and calling forth the sentiment (rasa).

2) Maṇḍala (मण्डल) also refers to a specific gesture (āṅgika) , or “movements made with the arms (bāhu)”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 9. These movements form a part of the histrionic representation (abhinaya).

2) Maṇḍala (मण्डल) also refers to a combination of cārīs (“dance-steps”), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 12. Accordingly, “these maṇḍalas to be used in fight and personal combat, are to be performed with sportiveness and graceful movements of limbs, and should be accompanied by suitable instrumental music.”

There are ten maṇḍalas of the ‘aerial’ (ākāśa) type defined:

1. atikrānta,
2. vicitra,
3. lalitasañcara,
4. sūcividdha,
5. daṇḍapāda,
6. vihṛta,
7. alāta (alātaka),
8. vāmaviddha,
9. lalita,
10. krānta.

There are ten maṇḍalas of the ‘earthly’ (bhūmi) type defined:

1. bhramara,
2. āskandita,
3. āvarta,
4. samotsarita,
5. eḍakākrīḍīta,
6. aḍḍita,
7. śakaṭāsya,
8. adhyardha (adhyardhaka),
9. piṣṭakuṭṭa,
10. cāṣagata.

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

Maṇḍala (मण्डल).—A type of standing-posture (sthāna);—Instructions: it relates to Indra (i.e. its presiding deity is Indra). In it the feet are four Tālas apart and they are obliquely placed and turned sideways, the waist and the knee are in the natural position.

(Uses): The Maṇḍala Sthāna should be assumed in the use of weapons like the bow and the thunderbolt, driving of elephants, and mimicking large birds.

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

1) Maṇḍala means to “separate the legs leaving twelve toes’ interval” and represents one of six positions of the legs used in kūttu (dance) as defined in the the first book of the Pañcamarapu (‘five-fold traditional usage’) which deals with niruttam (dance, one of the sixty–four arts) and represents an important piece of Tamil literature.—The Pañcamarapu (“five-fold traditional usage”) refers to a book on five established literary usages (five-fold traditional usages) defines terms such as Maṇḍala. It was composed by Cerai Aṟivanār in the 9th century AD during the time of Pandyan Tirumaran of the last Caṅkam Period.

2) Maṇḍala also referers to the “interval between the two heels”, representing one of five actions of the foot used in kūttu (dance)

3) Maṇḍala (मण्डल) refers to the “various postures of the feet” and represents one of the four “movements of the feet” (pāda) according to the Abhinayadarpaṇa. The feet (pāda) also represents one of the seven “major limbs” (aṅga), which represents a division of Āṅgikābhinaya (gesture language of the limbs) as used within the classical tradition of Indian dance and performance, also known as Bharatanatyam.

The ten maṇḍalas-bhedas (postures of the feet) are:—

1. sthānaka,
2. āyata,
3. ālīḍha,
4. preṅkhaṇa,
5. prerita,
6. pratyālīḍha,
7. moṭita,
8. samasūcī,
9. pārśvasūcī.

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

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, e.g., 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) and poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1a) Maṇḍala (मण्डल).—A mountain kingdom.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 114. 56.

1b) (Vartula): a palace in the form of a circle; the toraṇa is twenty hastas.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 269. 36, 49.

1c) Of the sun; the place of all planets, stars and the moon.^*

• * Vāyu-purāṇa 53. 28.

1d) (Brāhmaṇam) to be selected for recitation at śrāddha.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 17. 39.

1e) A place near Prayāgā protected by Hari;¹ five yojanas in extent;² every step there, is equal to an aśvamedha.³

• 1) Matsya-purāṇa 104. 9.
• 2) Ib. 108. 9.
• 3) Ib. 111. 8.

2) Maṇḍalā (मण्डला).—One of the ten pīṭhas for images; round in shape with a number of mekhalas.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 262. 6, 9, 17.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल).—Being an artistic device, maṇḍala incorporates in itself all the significant aspects of symbols, sounds, forms, colours and divinities, with a stronghold on metaphysical and ontological principles. The Āgamas excel all other scriptures with their elaborate and effective details and descriptions of various maṇḍalas. In the Saivagamic group, the Kiraṇāgama is held in high esteem owing to its copious details and directions on the mechanism of maṇḍalas.

Maṇḍala is an aesthetic and mystic design in which the combination and in-tersection of various forms related to the gross elements and to the deities concerned have their full play. The correspondence of colours, the distribution of letters (mātṛkā-akṣaras) and the esoteric significance enhance the mystic value of maṇḍalas. 

Source: IGNCA: Āgamic Treatment Of Mahābhūtas In Relation To Maṇḍalas And Arts

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.

Arthashastra (politics and welfare)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल) denoted in the Arthaśāstra and other legal texts, a diplomatic circle of twelve neighbouring kings, some friendly and others unfriendly, in relation to a king desirous of conquest. The term could also be used for the territory under the possession of a feudatory.

Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions (artha)

context information

Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र, arthaśāstra) literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल).—Circle, revolution. Note: Maṇḍala is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

Source: Wikibooks (hi): Sanskrit Technical Terms

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

A diagrammatic circular picture used as an aid in meditation or ritual, sometimes a symbol of the universe, or a representation of a deed of merit. Sometimes, it represents a place of enlightenment, where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are existent. Mandalas also reveal the direct retribution of each of the ten worlds of beings (see Ten Realms). Each world has its mandala which represents the originating principle that brings it to completion. It is one of the three mystics in Tantric Buddhism.Source: Buddhist Door: Glossary

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Maṇḍala (मण्डल) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in Svayambhūdeva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or Rāmāyaṇapurāṇa) chapter 57ff. Svayambhū or Svayambhūdeva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular Rāma story as known from the older work Rāmāyaṇa (written by Vālmīki). Various chapters [mentioning Maṇḍala] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as akṣauhiṇīs) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.

Source: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van Svayambhūdeva’s Paümacariu

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.

India history and geogprahy

Maṇḍala (मण्डल) refers to a name-ending for place-names mentioned in the Gupta inscriptions (reigned from 3rd century CE). Maṇḍala is a territorial unit which is found in the inscriptions of many dynasties of the early medieval period. In the Gupta period maṇḍala is used for some kind of administrative division though in early medieval period its use was in feudalistic association. In Cālukyan records, the governor of a maṇḍala was usually called a Maṇḍaleśvara or Mahamaṇḍaleśvara. In the records of the Imperial Guptas it denoted a unit smaller than a vīthī. Literally meaning a circle or round it denotes a district, province, country in general or it may signify a surrounding district or neighbouring state.

Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions

Maṇḍala (मण्डल, “circle”) refers to an “administrative designation”.—Maṇḍala, literally a circle (of territory), is alluded to in the Nāsik eulogy of Gautamīputra Śātakarṇi, in which that great king is described as one ‘whose feet were saluted by all provinces’. In the time of the Chālukyas of Vātāpi and Veṅgī, and the Rāṣṭrakūṭas of Mānyakheṭa, three designations largely held the field—deśa, maṇḍala, and viṣaya. The term viṣaya occurs most frequently.

Source: Early History Of The Deccan Pts.1 To 6: Principal Administrative Divisions from the Rise of the Sātavāhanas

Mandala or Mandalam is one of the terms designating an ‘administrative division’ used in the inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh.—It is equivalent to a district or province. Sometimes a mandala is smaller than, and included in, a vishaya, sometimes vice-versa and also at times it is identical with a vishaya. In Andhra Pradesh this division was introduced by the Cholas. The mandalam division of the Cholas were generally very large ones having kottams and nadus as sub-divisions.

Source: Shodhganga: A study of place names of Nalgonda district

Maṇḍala.—(IE 8-4; EI 29, 30; CII 4), an administrative unit; a district or province. (SITI), a province consisting of several koṭṭams or valanāḍus. (IE 8-4), sometimes mentioned as bigger than a viṣaya and sometimes smaller than it; sometimes a viṣaya was included in a maṇḍala, but sometimes a maṇḍala was included in a viṣaya; some- times maṇḍala and viṣaya are identical; sometimes a maṇḍala was smaller than the vīthī or subdivision. (IE 8-4; SII 3; ASLV), sometimes used in a wider sense to indicate a country. Cf. Kona-maṇḍala (EI 22), also called an avani-maṇḍala or deśa. Here maṇḍala means a kingdom or territory. (ASLV), an assembled body. Cf. mātṛ-maṇḍala. Note: maṇḍala is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

maṇḍala : (nt.) a circle; disk; round platform; circus ring; a round flat surface.

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

Maṇḍala, (cp. Vedic maṇḍala) 1. circle D. I, 134 (paṭhavi°, cp. puthavi° Sn. 990); Vism. 143 (°ṃ karoti to draw a circle, in simile), 174 (tipu° & rajata° lead- & silver circle, in kasiṇa practice); VvA. 147 (of a fan=tālapattehi kata°-vījanī).—2. the disk of the sun or moon; suriya° VvA. 224, 271 (divasa-kara°); canda° Vism. 174; PvA. 65.—3. a round, flat surface, e.g. jānu° the disk of the knee, i.e. the knee PvA. 179; naḷāta° the (whole of the) forehead D. I, 106; Sn. p. 108.—4. an enclosed part of space in which something happens, a circus ring; e.g. M. I, 446 (circus, race-ring); assa° horse-circus, raceground, Vism. 308; āpāna° drinking circle, i.e. hall; kīḷa° play-circle, i.e. games J. VI, 332, 333; DhA. III, 146; keḷi° dice board (?) J. I, 379; gā° Th. I, 1143, cp. trs. ib. n. 3; go° ox-round Sn. 301; jūta° dicing table J. I, 293; yuddha° fightingring Vism. 190; raṅga° play-house VvA. 139; vāta° tornado J. I, 73.—5. anything comprised within certain limits or boundaries, a group J. V, 418 (chāpa° litter of young animals).—6. border as part of a bhikkhu’s dress, hem, gusset Vin. I, 287; II, 177.

—agga (cp. Sk. maṇḍal’āgra Halāyudha 2, 317 at Aufrecht p. 301) a circular sword or sabre Miln. 339. —māla (sometimes māḷa) a circular hall with a peaked roof, a pavilion D. I, 2, 50 (ḷ); Miln. 16 (ḷ); Sn. p. 104; SnA 132 (Npl.); VvA. 175. (Page 516)

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

maṇḍala (मंडल).—n (S) A circle; a ring; an orbit; the sensible horizon; a circumference in general: also the area included. 2 The disk of the sun or moon. 3 A province, a region, a circle, a district exceeding twenty, or, according to some, forty Yojanas every way. 4 The country over which the twelve princes termed Chakrawarti are supposed to have reigned; whence the term Mandel to signify a province; as in Coromandel (kurumaṇḍala). 5 A company, an assembly, a band or an association. 6 Leprosy with circular spots. 7 A sort of mystical diagram inscribed in summoning a divinity upon occasions. 8 A kind of harmless snake. 9 A figure (circular, square, triangular &c.) described upon the ground underneath the leaf off which one eats his meal. 10 A form of military array,--the circle. 11 The wheel-rut of a limemill. 12 In comp. A region of the body. Ex. mastakamaṇḍala, kucamaṇḍala, karṇamaṇḍala. 13 A period of forty-two days. Used with reference to taking medicine or observing regimen. Ex. ēka maṇḍalaparyanta tuhmī maṇḍūra ghēta jā hmaṇajē barē vhāla. maṇḍalāvara dharaṇēṃ To ring (a horse &c.), to lounge.

--- OR ---

maṇḍaḷa (मंडळ).—& maṇḍaḷī From maṇḍala & maṇḍalī, and used nearly to the same extent. 2 maṇḍaḷī is further A circular stack of sheaves (of wheat, barley, rice).

--- OR ---

māṇḍaḷa (मांडळ).—f (maṇḍala S) The ring which binds the head of mallets, pestles, rammers, staves &c., a ferrule.

--- OR ---

māndaḷa (मांदळ) [or ळा, ḷā].—m (maṇḍala S) A mṛdaṅga or tabor, esp. a large kind. Ex. karuniyā ṭirī āpulā māndaḷa || vājaviti ṭāḷa dagaḍācē ||. 2 The nave of a wheel.

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

māndaḷa (मांदळ) [-ḷā, -ळा].—m A tabor. The nave of a wheel.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Maṇḍala (मण्डल).—a. [maṇḍ-kalac] Round, circular; मण्डलाग्रा बृसीश्चैव गृहान्याः पृष्ठतो ययुः (maṇḍalāgrā bṛsīścaiva gṛhānyāḥ pṛṣṭhato yayuḥ) Rām.5.18.12.

-laḥ 1 circular array of troops.

2) A dog.

3) A kind of snake.

-lam 1 A circular orb, globe, wheel, ring, circumference, anything round or circular; न्यग्रोधं च सुमण्डलम् (nyagrodhaṃ ca sumaṇḍalam) Mb.12.169. 12; करालफणमण्डलम् (karālaphaṇamaṇḍalam) R.12.98; आदर्शमण्डलनिभानि समुल्लसन्ति (ādarśamaṇḍalanibhāni samullasanti) Ki. 5.41; स्फुरत्प्रभामण्डलया चकाशे (sphuratprabhāmaṇḍalayā cakāśe) Ku.1.24; so रेणुमण्डल, छाया- मण्डल, चापमण्डल, मुखमण्डल, स्तनमण्डल (reṇumaṇḍala, chāyā- maṇḍala, cāpamaṇḍala, mukhamaṇḍala, stanamaṇḍala) &c.

2) The charmed circle (drawn by a conjurer); मण्डले पन्नगो रुद्धो मन्त्रैरिव महाविषः (maṇḍale pannago ruddho mantrairiva mahāviṣaḥ) Rām.2.12.5; जानन्ति तन्त्रयुक्तिं यथास्थितं मण्डलमभि- लिखन्ति (jānanti tantrayuktiṃ yathāsthitaṃ maṇḍalamabhi- likhanti) Mu.2.1.

3) A disc, especially of the sun or moon; तेनातपत्रामलमण्डलेन (tenātapatrāmalamaṇḍalena) R.16.27; अपर्वणि ग्रहकलुषेन्दुमण्डला (aparvaṇi grahakaluṣendumaṇḍalā) (vibhāvarī) M.4.15; दिनमणिमण्डलमण्डन भवखण्डन ए (dinamaṇimaṇḍalamaṇḍana bhavakhaṇḍana e) Gīt.1.

4) The halo round the sun or moon.

5) The path or orbit of a heavenly body.

6) A multitude, group, collection, assemblage, troop, company; एवं मिलितेन कुमारमण्डलेन (evaṃ militena kumāramaṇḍalena) Dk.; अखिलं चारिमण्डलम् (akhilaṃ cārimaṇḍalam) R.4.4.

7) Society, association.

8) A great circle.

9) The visible horizon.

1) A district or province.

11) A surrounding district or territory.

12) (In politics) The circle of a king's near and distant neighbours; मण्डलचरितम् (maṇḍalacaritam) Kau. A. 1.1.1; सततसुकृती भूयाद् भूपः प्रसादितमण्डलः (satatasukṛtī bhūyād bhūpaḥ prasāditamaṇḍalaḥ) Ve.6.44; उपगतोऽपि च मण्डलनाभिताम् (upagato'pi ca maṇḍalanābhitām) &c. R.9.15. (According to Kāmandaka quoted by Malli. the circle of a king's near and distant neighbours consists of twelve kings:-- vijigīṣu or the central monarch, the five kings whose dominions are in the front, and the four kings whose dominions are in the rear of his kingdom, the madhyama or intermediate, and udāsīna or indifferent king. The kings in the front as well as in the rear are designated by particular names; see Malli. ad loc; cf. also Śi. 2.81. and Malli. thereon. According to some the number of such kings is four, six, eight, twelve or even more; see Mit. on Y.1.345. According to others, the circle consists of three kings only:-the prākṛtāri or natural enemy, (the sovereign of an adjacent country), the प्राकृतमित्र (prākṛtamitra) natural ally, (the sovereign whose dominions are separated by those of another from the country of the central monarch with whom he is allied), and प्राकृतोदासीन (prākṛtodāsīna) or the natural neutral, (the sovereign whose dominions lie beyond those of the natural ally).

13) A particular position of the feet in shooting.

14) A kind of mystical diagram used in invoking a divinity.

15) A division of the Ṛigveda (the whole collection being divided into 1 Maṇḍalas or eight Aṣṭakas).

16) A kind of leprosy with round spots.

17) A kind of perfume.

18) A circular bandage (in surgery).

19) A sugar-ball, sweetmeat.

2) Sexual dalliance; नानाविचित्र- कृतमण्डलमावहन्तीम् (nānāvicitra- kṛtamaṇḍalamāvahantīm) Bil. Ch. (uttarapīṭhikā) 38.

21) A circular gait; हय इव मण्डलमाशु यः करोति (haya iva maṇḍalamāśu yaḥ karoti) Rām.6.33.35; Mb.3. 19.8.

22) A play-board (dyūte śārīsthāpanapaṭṭam); Mb.8.74. 15.

-lī 1 A circle, orb &c.

2) A group, assemblage; तन्मोचनाय तेनाशु प्रेरिता शिष्यमण्डली (tanmocanāya tenāśu preritā śiṣyamaṇḍalī) Bm.1.648.

3) Walking round, circular motion.

4) Bent grass (dūrvā).

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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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