Mantroddhara, Mantroddhāra, Mantra-uddhara: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Mantroddhara 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.
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramMantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to the “extraction of mantras”, according to the Kularatnoddyota (verse 2.4cd-10).—Accordingly, “[The Śrīkula is] accomplished by the Command and, supremely divine, it is adorned with the lineage of the Śrīkrama. [...] (Along with these things) I will tell you about the practice of the method of the Great Yoga correctly and as it truly is. (I will impart) the teaching concerning the extraction of mantras (mantroddhāra-vinirṇaya) and that concerning the Ages (yuga), the aeons of the descent (of the teaching) and the rest (along with that concerning) conduct and Yoga and the characteristic mark of (true) Yoginīs”.
Source: Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts: Volume 12 (1898) (shak)Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to one of the topics discussed in the Yoginīhṛdaya, a Sanskrit manuscript collected in volume 1 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (first series)” by Rajendralal Mitra (1822–1891), who was one of the first English-writing historians dealing with Indian culture and heritage.— The Yoginīhṛdaya manuscript contents range from magic circles to instructions on how to become a Vīra or one who can worship with spirituous liquors.—The catalogue includes the term—Mantroddhāra in its ‘subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads—[chapter 4: mantroddhārakathanaṃ].
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.
Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)1) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) (lit. “composing mantras”) is the name of the eighteenth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).
Description of the chapter [mantroddhāra]: A devotee, in order to employ mantras effectively, must first himself become a proper receptacle for all the powers inherent in the formula’s letters. Directions for achieving this fitness are generally given, along with specific directions for how to compose or construct particular mantras by employing these letters and mystic values in various combinations (1-48).
2) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) (lit. “composing mantras”) is the name of chapter 12 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.
Description of the chapter [mantroddhāra]: Viṣvaksena undertakes here to give directions for composing mantras, and how to identify the ṛṣi attached to them, the chandas-meters used with them, and the deities presiding over them the mantras to be taken up pertaining to the forms and aspects of the Lord (taking up in the preceding chapter) (1-12). He commences by telling how to arrange the syllables in the mantras addressed to the first five forms of Viṣṇu (13-36).— [A break occurs after the 43rd śloka, prior to which there has evidently been some discrepancy in arranging surviving ślokas—for what is spoken of concerns the mantra to the aspect of Jamadagni]
3) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) (lit., “on the composition of mantras”), is the name of chapter 5 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.
Description of the chapter [mantroddhāra]: The opening ślokas describe how to go about making the mātṛkā-design used for composing mantras. To each part of the design is assigned a letter which in turn refers to a particular deity. When the design is completely assigned thus, Sarasvati is worshipped (1-12a). This done, one may commence, by the usual way, to select letters from the design to compose different mantras. Detailed instuctions are given step-by-step for making several mantras and their variants: ṣaḍakṣara (12b-25), mūla or aṣṭākṣara (26-44), dvādaśākṣara (45-49) mantras are here treated. Then these three mantras are discussed again, with instructions for altering them so that they may be addressed to different deities for purposes of worship, indeed even for other more mundane, prayogic purposes (50-79).
4) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) (lit. “on constructing mantras”) is the name of chapter 2 of the Indrarātra 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 [mantroddhāra]: This chapter is solely devoted to the origin of the letters of the Sanskrit varṇakrama-alphabet. First taken up is the “appearance” of the eight short vowel-sounds (1-4), then the long vowel-sounds (5-6) followed by the other letters from “ka”- to “kṣa”- (7-16a). The name of the presiding deity of each letter is named (16b-30a). There are altogether some 64 combinations of letters—presumably, but not explicitly, referring to gaṇas—and these are enumerated (30b-55). The chapter draws to a close with an explicit discussion of how to construct the aṣṭākṣaramantra, syllable by syllable (56-63), and ends with some general observations concerning mantras (64-68).
5) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) or Mantroddhāravidhi (lit. “concerning the nature of revealed scriptures and mantras”) is the name of the twenty-third chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition).—Description of the chapter [mantroddhāra-vidhi]: The sages ask Nārada to answer six questions. In this chapter his answers to the first two questions are recorded. First what is the nature of the scriptures’ divine teaching [divyaśāstra]? Second: what is the nature of mantras used in establishing an image? [...]
6) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to the “deliverance of the (chief) mantra”, as discussed in the sixth chapter of the Jayākhyasaṃhitā:—Description of the chapter [mukhya-mantroddhāra]:—He who wants liberation through mantras should first select a pure spot—a square of one or two cubits which may be adorned and beautified. Clean sand is spread and letters of the alphabet are written in it. [...]
7) Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to “composing the mantras”, as discussed in chapter 52 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [mantroddhāra-vidhi]: Śrī asks to know the distinction between the actual mantra and the potency and power that is presumably invoked by it and whereby one comes to know about such things. The Lord replies first in terms of explaining the elements of bīja, piṇḍa, saṃjñā, and pada—the elements which constitute the actual mantra as it is recited (9-22). [...]
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa (mantra)Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to the “extraction of the mantra”.—Mantras refers to “that which is chanted by people to obtain their spiritual aspirations”. Every mantra invariably has to come under 26 kinds of chandas or metrical form. These stand for the 26 modes or ways in which different sounds can be arranged, taken one at a time, two at a time and so on. The art of discovering or decoding the mantra is called mantroddhāra. Prior to it being used in a rite, each mantra must be ritually made to manifest from its sonic source, the Mātṛkā. Mantroddhāra is the culling, extracting or invoking of the mantra when an aspirant seeks dīkṣā or its initiation.
Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: eScholarship: The descent of scripture: a history of the KamikagamaMantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to the “formation of mantras”, according to the Kāmikāgama: an ancient Śaiva Āgama scripture in 12,000 Sanskrit verses dating to at least the 5th century and represented as an encyclopedic account of ritual instructions (kriyāpāda).—In modern print editions, the Kāmika-āgama is structured in two major parts. The Pūrvabhāga consists of 75 chapters (paṭalas) [...] The first chapter opens with an account of the descent of scripture (tantrāvatāra). This is followed in Chapter 2 by a treatment of the formation of mantras (mantroddhāra).
Source: Manasa Taramgini: Skanda Sadbhava: A distinctive Kaumara Tantra?Mantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to one of the eighteen chapters of the Skandasadbhāvasaṃraha: an abbreviation of the larger Skandasadbhāva in 12000 verses having its narrative framework set in Kailāsa where Nandin and Māheśvara engage in a dialog regarding the present Śāstra.
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraMantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) [=mantroddhārakramanirūpaṇam] refers to one of the topics dealt with in the eighteenth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture dealing with the symbology of the Sudarśana weapon while also dealing with iconography, philosophy and Vaiṣṇava rituals.
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsMantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) refers to “composing mantras” (addressed to the vyūhas), as discussed in chapter 3-4 of the Sāttvatasaṃhitā: one of the most ancient of Pāñcarātra Āgamas consisting of roughly 3500 verses which stresses the theological standpoint of the oneness of God despite his various vyūhas (modes of existence), vibhavas (manifestations) and avatāras (incarnations).—Description of the chapter [suṣuptivyūha-mantroddhāra]: Bhagavān continues by returning to further description of the varṇacakra design, telling how the vyūha-manifestations are to be meditated upon. He explains that on the pericarp of the letter “Ha”, which is called the stage of “deep sleep” (suṣupti), the Unborn Supreme Being which manifests itself fourfold is to be meditated upon (1-16). [...]
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 CatalogorumMantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Hpr. 1, 275.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMantroddhāra (मन्त्रोद्धार):—[from mantra > man] m. selection or extract from s° t° or magical formulas (?)
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: Uddhara, Mantra.
Starts with: Mantroddharakosha, Mantroddharaprakarana, Mantroddharavidhana, Mantroddharavidhi.
Full-text (+112): Hanumanmantroddhara, Mantroddharavidhi, Mantroddharaprakarana, Pratyangirasiddhamantroddhara, Mantroddharakosha, Uddhara, Vishnugayatryadimantroddhara, Yajnamurtyadimantroddhara, Mantroddharavidhana, Angopangamantroddhara, Kaulini, Modini, Jayini, Varnakrama, Vimala, Vashini, Sarveshvari, Chandas, Tantravatara, Sushuptivyuhamantroddhara.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Mantroddhara, Mantroddhāra, Mantra-uddhara, Mantra-uddhāra; (plurals include: Mantroddharas, Mantroddhāras, uddharas, uddhāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Varahi Tantra (English Study) (by Roberta Pamio)
Chapter 13 - Mantras and Yantras (mystical diagrams) < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Chapter 22 - The the Six Āmnāyas < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Chapter 15 - The worship of Siddhilakṣmī < [Summary of the Vārāhī Tantra]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Principle of Shakti in Kashmir Shaivism (Study) (by Nirmala V.)
Part 4 - Audial and Visual Identities of Śakti < [Chapter 3 - Evolution of Śakti in Kashmir Śaivism]
Dvisahasri of Tembesvami (Summary and Study) (by Upadhyay Mihirkumar Sudhirbhai)
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 20 - Description of Dharā Kṣetra < [Section 2 - Dharmāraṇya-khaṇḍa]