Marjara, aka: Mārjāra; 11 Definition(s)

Introduction

Marjara means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Mārjāra (मार्जार) is a Sanskrit word referring to the animal “cat”. The meat of this animal is part of the māṃsavarga (‘group of flesh’), which is used throughout Āyurvedic literature. The animal Mārjāra is part of the sub-group named prasaha, refering to animals “who take their food by snatching”. It was classified by Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Āyurvedic work. Caraka defined such groups (vargas) based on the dietic properties of the substance.

Mārjāra (मार्जार)—Sanskrit word for the animal “cat”. This animal is from the group called Guhāśaya (‘which have a lair’, or, ‘cave-dwelling mammals’). Guhāśaya itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Jāṅghala (living in high ground and in a jungle).

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 and Itihasa (epic history)

Mārjāra (मार्जार).—Son of Jāmbavān. It is said in Brahmapurāṇa that the mārjāras (cats) have their origin from this son of Jāmbavān.

1a) Mārjāra (मार्जार).—A Vānara jāti; born of Hari and Pulaha.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 177. 305, 319; 51. 11.

1b) A son of Jāmbavān.^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 7. 303.

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Mārjāra (मार्जार, “cat”) represents an incarnation destination of the tiryaggati (animal realm) according to the “world of transmigration” section in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXVII).—The Bodhisattva sees the animals (tiryak) undergoing all the torments: they are made to gallop by blows of the whip or stick; they are made to make long journeys carrying burdens; their harness is damaged; they are branded with hot iron. Guilty of evil desires (mithyārāga), hatred and jealousy (īrṣyā), they take the form of [for example], a cat (mārjāra).

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Mārjāra (मार्जार) is the name of a Vīra (hero) who, together with the Ḍākinī named Mārjārikī forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Medinīcakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava chapter 15. Accordingly, the medinīcakra refers to one of the three divisions of the dharma-puṭa (‘dharma layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs and Vīras [viz., Mārjāra] are yellow in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

mārjāra (मार्जार).—m S The common cat: also the wild or pole cat.

mārjāra (मार्जार).—m A cat.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Mārjāra (मार्जार).—[mṛj-āran vā rasya laḥ]

1) A cat; कपाले मार्जारः पय इति कराँल्लेढि शशिनः (kapāle mārjāraḥ paya iti karāṃlleḍhi śaśinaḥ) K. P.1.

2) A pole-cat.

3) Name of some plants.

Derivable forms: mārjāraḥ (मार्जारः).

See also (synonyms): mārjāla.

Mārjara (मार्जर).—m. (compare Prakrit maṃjara; Sanskrit mārjāra), cat: Mvy 4790 (so also Mironov, with v.l. mārjāra).

Mārjāra (मार्जार).—mf. (-raḥ-rī) 1. The common cat. 2. The wild or pole-cat. f. (-rī) 1. A female cat. 2. Musk. E. mṛj to cleanse, (its skin and face,) āran aff., and the vowel made long; also read mārjjāla .

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