Margashirsha, aka: Mārgaśīrṣa, Marga-shirsha; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Margashirsha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

The Sanskrit term Mārgaśīrṣa can be transliterated into English as Margasirsa or Margashirsha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Mārgaśirṣa (मार्गशिर्ष) is the first month of the “winter season” (hemanta) in the traditional Indian calendar, according to the second chapter (dharaṇyādi-varga) of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu (an Ayurvedic encyclopedia). The physician (bhiṣaj) should pay attention to the seasonal (ṛtu) factor in the use of medicinal drugs. Accordingly, “the bulbous roots in winter season (viz., Mārgaśirṣa), other roots in cold season and flowers during spring season are supposed to contain better properties. The new leaves or shoots in summer and the drugs, which grow in mud, like Lotus etc., should be used in autumn season”.

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.

Purana

Mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष) or “Mārgaśīrṣa Paurṇamāsī” is the name of a festival that once existed in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra) as mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—Mārgaśīrṣa Paurṇamāsī proceeds as follows: On this day, a fast to be broken at night after the worship of the moon with white garlands, grains, eatable offerings etc., and the worship of the Brāhmaṇas is prescribed. The Brāhmaṇa lady, the sister, the aunt and the wife of a friend, each is to be honoured with a pair of red clothes.

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

During the month of Margasirsha, every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds would take one another’s hands and, singing of Krishna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers and other items.

Grammatically, Mārgaśīrṣa means "of Mṛgaśira" or "related to Mṛgaśira". Mārgaśīrṣa is the name of the month related to Mṛgaśira, i.e., the month in which moon will be in conjuncture with the Mṛgaśira nakṣatra.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

mārgaśīrṣā (मार्गशीर्षा).—a Relating to the month mārgaśīrṣa.

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mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष).—m (S) pop. mārgaśīra or mārgēśvara m The ninth Hindu, month, November-December.

mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष) [-śīra, -शीर].—m The ninth Hindu month.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष).—m., [mārgaśīrṣaḥ] Name of the ninth month of the Hindu year (corresponding to NovemberDecember) in which the full moon is in the constellation मृगशिरस् (mṛgaśiras); शुक्ले मार्गशिरे पक्षे (śukle mārgaśire pakṣe) Bhāg.6.19.2; मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहम् (māsānāṃ mārgaśīrṣo'ham) Bg.1.35.

Derivable forms: mārgaśīrṣaḥ (मार्गशीर्षः).

See also (synonyms): mārgaśira, mārgaśiras.

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