Metal, Mēṭal: 9 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
In Buddhism
1. Tibetan Buddhism
Languages
1. Tamil
See also
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Introduction:

Metal means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, Tamil. 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.

Images (photo gallery)

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana

Knowledge of Metals (in Sanskrit: Dhātuvāda) refers to one of the “sixty four kinds of Art”, according to the Kamasutra of Vatsyayana.—Indian tradition, basically includes sixty four Art forms are acknowledged. The history of Indian Art covers approximately five thousand years which presents a rich and almost continuous record. The references of sixty four kinds of Kala (कला, kalā) are found in the Bhagavatapurana, Shaiva-Tantras, Kamasutra of Vatsyayana etc.

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.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (vastu)

Metals were traditionally used in crafting Hard Cement, which was used as a Material for the Construction of Temples and other buildings, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The fourth kind of vajralepa is made by the mixture of some metals like eight parts of nāga i.e., tin, two of kāṃsya i.e., bell metal and one of rīti i.e., rust of iron. In the Bṛhatsaṃhitā, along with iron rust and bell-metal, sīsaka i.e., lead is suggested to be mixed instead of tin for making the glue. It is seen that the portions of the metals, suggested in the Bṛhatsaṃhitā are similar as stated in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa

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.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (shilpa)

1) Metal refers to one of the materials which can be used for making icons (pratimā), as discussed in chapter 14 of the Vishnu-Samhita: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pancaratra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagayana and Siddha Sumati.—Description of the chapter [pratimā-lakṣaṇa]: Icons may be made from gems, metals, stone, colored stones [dhātu], clay, wood—or one may be represented by a painted picture (1-2). Stones for images are to be gathered from certain places only, and should be selected according to specific classifications or desirable qualities (3-27); the ritual procedures for doing this are given (28-46). [...]

2) Metal refers to a material for creating “icons” (pratimā), as discussed in chapter 7 of the Brahma-ratra section of the Sanatkumara-Samhita: 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 [pratimā-lakṣaṇa-uddeśa]: Icons may be made of stone, metal, gems, wood or clay. As for stones, these are classified into four groups-named according to the four castes—and it is told which kinds should be used for making proper icons. The discussion includes details about measurements, mistakes to be avoided in fashioning various parts of the icon, what evil effects will come from such defects, etc. (1-75.). [...]

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Google Books: The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems

Metal refers to one of the “Five Elements” (Tibetan: 'byung ba lnga) in the Chinese tradition (but it is not mentioned in the list of five elements in the Indo-Tibetan Tradition).

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

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Mēṭal (மேடல்) noun See மேடோவர். [medovar.] Local usage

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

Relevant text

Search found 351 books and stories containing Metal, Mēṭal, Medal, Maedal, Metals; (plurals include: Metals, Mēṭals, Medals, Maedals, Metalses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Godly < [October – December, 1996]

The Godly < [April – June, 1997]

Prof. Chandrasekhar -The Noble Laureate < [January – March, 1993]

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USM Medical School: Research Activities and Strategies in Malaysia < [v.11(1): 1–120 2004 Jan]

Of Roots, Barks, Paracetamol and EDTA < [v.13(2): 1–120 2006 Jul]

The Serum Levels of Trace Metals in Nigerian Males with Different PSA Values < [v.15(2): 1–51 2008 Apr]

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Exploring competence of fluorescent pseudomonas spp. for heavy metal tolerance < [2015: Volume 4, June issue 6]

Biosorption of heavy metals by clostridium sp bacteria < [2016: Volume 5, October issue 10]

Heavy metal concentrations in edible crabs, Tamil Nadu coast. < [2015: Volume 4, January issue 1]

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