Mantrakosha, Mantrakośa, Mantrakoṣa, Mantra-kosha: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Mantrakosha 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 terms Mantrakośa and Mantrakoṣa can be transliterated into English as Mantrakosa or Mantrakosha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramMantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश) refers to the “treasure of mantras”, 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, “[...] The Seat of Yoga, which is the Heart of the Goddess (AIṂ), (is formed) by (their) conjunction. Pure, it consists of the three and a half measures (of Speech). In the middle is the seat of OṂ, which is that of the divine syllable of the Mothers, ḌĀ (Ḍākinī), RĀ (Rākinī), LĀ (Lākinī), KĀ (Kākinī), SĀ (Sākinī), HĀ (Hākinī) and YĀ (Yākinī). (The seed-syllable of) Māyā (HRĪṂ), called Jālandhara, is the manifest energy of the Age of Strife and the descent (into the world) of the Seat of Knowledge. That mantra (ŚRĪṂ) which is in Pūrṇagiri is in the abode of Śiva’s energy and is the treasure of mantras [i.e., mantrakośa] that has been filled (with it)”.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश) or Mantrakośavidhi (lit. “concerning the ‘treasury’ of mantras”) is the name of the twenty-fifth chapter of the Kapiñjalasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ācārya, architecture, town-planning and iconography. Description of the chapter [mantrakośa-vidhi]:—Kapiñjala first of all points out the necessity of mantras (1-2a). Then he gives [in prose] the mantras as follows—five varieties of pañcopaniṣad-mantras, śrī and other mantras addressed to the consorts, the praṇava-mantra, aṣṭākṣarī-mantra (along with how to do nyāsa-concentration on it), dvādaśākṣarī-mantra, pañcatanmātra-mantras, the four caturmūrti-mantras, other mantras to the female deities, the five āyudha-mantras, the three guṇa-mantras, etc. Those not found here may be, says Kapiñjala, found elsewhere.
2) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश) (lit. “the treasury of mantras”) is the name of the sixth chapter of the Paramasaṃhitā: one of the older texts of the Pāñcarātra canon consisting of over 2100 verses in 31 chapters which, being encyclopedic in scope, deals with philosophy, worship routines, mantras, initiation, social behavior, temple-building, etc.
Description of the chapter [mantrakośa]: Brahmā asks about the collection of mantras addressed to Paramātman, the manner of their use, and the effects of employing them (1). Parama defines mantras (4a) as so-called because they are “secret” [mantraṇa], and, praising their secrecy and potency, goes on to say that “Oṃ” is the “bīja”-seed of all mantras and should be duly esteemed (2-7). Alluding to some of the various śaktis, guṇas, elements and senses, etc. (mentioned in Chapter Two), Parama gives some esoteric directions for adding certain syllables to particular bījas in order to bring out their respective symbolic representations (8-20). As for constructing mantras to Vāsudeva and others, a cakramaṇḍala is to be used, and Parama gives cursory instructions for placing bīja-letters in the divisions of and around the perimeters surrounding the wheel-motif (21-30).
[The remainder of the chapter (31-61) reveals a disorderly exposition, taking up such matters as:] the fruits enjoyed by those who use certain mantras (32-39, 45-49a, 57-59); the directions for worshipping with mantras with fire-offerings (40-44, 56), and without (45); and the way in which to construct specific mantras to Sudarśana (49-52), to the Lord’s Mace (53-54), to the Lord’s form as Vaiśravaṇa (55)—each with its specific effects mentioned. The chapter closes (60-61) on a note, however, warning that the best kind of service to God is worship that is done without selfish motives.
3) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश) (lit. “treasury of mantras”) is the name of chapter 11 of the Brahmarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).
Description of the chapter [mantrakośa]: Here Sanatkumāra offers to give the most important knowledge of all (spoken of in the last chapter), namely that concerning the most important mantras. He prefaces what he is about to give by saying that the whole world can be traced back to a primordial mantraic form; that the Lord Himself is contained in mantras; that everything in this world can be obtained by employing mantra-formulas properly (1-4a). He then gives (in prose) the mantras that Brahmā revealed to him, in each case citing the bīja, astra, kavaca, etc. The mantras given are: Dvādaśākṣara, Aṣṭākṣara, Narasiṃha, Varāha, Brahmā, Pañcopaniṣad, Vāsudeva, Saṃkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. Also, Śānti, Śrī, Sarasvatī and Rati. Then, Sudarśana, Nandaka, Śārṅga, Pāñcajanya, Vāgīśvarī, Kriyā, Kīrti, Lakṣmī, Sṛṣṭi, Vidyā and Kānti. Finally, Garuḍa, Sūrya and Agni-mantras are given. The chapter closes by stating that the fruits obtained through reciting mantra-formulas can be selected and varied by adding particular suffixes and prefixes to the set formulas. Sanatkumāra then remarks that he will now turn to the Śivarātra section of teaching (4b-16).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[tantric] by Āditya Tripāṭhin. K. 46. Rādh. 27. Same author as the following.
—or Mantraratnāvalīkośa, by Āśāditya. Kh. 75. B. 4, 260. Ben. 41. Poona. Ii, 35. Peters. 3, 400.
—by Jagannātha Bhaṭṭācārya. L. 2378.
—by Dakṣiṇāmūrti (?). Oudh. X, 22.
—by Vināyaka. Ben. 44.
—from Vāmakeśvaratantra. Proceed. Asb. 1869, 138. A Mantrakośa is quoted in Śaktiratnākara Oxf. 101^b, in Śāktānandataraṅgiṇī Oxf. 104^a, by Raghunandana in Ekādaśītattva, in Ācāramayūkha.
2) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश):—[tantric] by Āśāditya. Stein 232 (inc.).
3) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश):—from the Bhūtaḍāmaratantra. Ulwar 2262.
—by Āśāditya Tripāṭhin. Ulwar 2263. Extr. 651.
4) Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश):—See Vīrabhadratantra.
—[tantric] by Āśāditya. Bd. 942.
Mantrakośa (मन्त्रकोश):—[=mantra-kośa] [from mantra > man] m. Name of [work]
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Kosha, Koca, Mantra.
Starts with: Mantrakoshavidhi.
Full-text (+63): Mantrakoshavidhi, Aditya tripathin, Jagannatha bhattacarya, Mantraratnavalikosha, Ashaditya, Asharka, Dakshinamurti, Virabhadratantra, Pranavamamtra, Dvadashaksharimantra, Dvadashakshari, Pancatanmatramantra, Caturmurtimantra, Gunamantra, Vinayaka, Pancatanmatra, Ashtaksharimantra, Mantra, Kriya, Vidya.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Mantrakosha, Mantrakośa, Mantrakosa, Mantra-kośa, Mantrakoṣa, Mantra-kosha, Mantra-kosa, Mantra-koṣa; (plurals include: Mantrakoshas, Mantrakośas, Mantrakosas, kośas, Mantrakoṣas, koshas, kosas, koṣas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
Insights on Surya namaskar from its origin to application towards health < [Volume 13 (issue 2), Apr-Jun 2022]