Mokshada, Mokṣadā, Mokṣada: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Mokshada 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 Mokṣadā and Mokṣada can be transliterated into English as Moksada or Mokshada, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Mokṣada (मोक्षद) refers to a type of ācārya (“Śaiva preceptor”) qualified to teach disciples (śiṣya), according to Nigamajñāna (Śaiva teacher of the 16th century) in his Śaivāgamaparibhāṣāmañjarī. This is also known by the name Muktida.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Mokṣada (मोक्षद) refers to “that which bestows liberation”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 6.6-8]—“The method (upāya) is threefold: gross (sthūla), subltle (sūkṣma), and highest (para). The sthūla [method consists of] sacrifice, oblation, mantra recitation, [and] meditation, together with mudrās, the mohanayantras, and so forth. The king of mantras [i.e., oṃ juṃ saḥ] brings about [relief]. The sukṣma [method contains] yoga of the Cakras, etc., and by upward momentum [of breath] through the channels. The para [method], is Mṛtyujit, which is universal and bestows liberation (mokṣada)”.

Shaivism book cover
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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.

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Kavya (poetry)

[«previous next»] — Mokshada in Kavya glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgara

Mokṣadā (मोक्षदा) is the name of a female hermit that helped Niścayadatta release his friend Somasvāmin from his ape-form, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 37. Accordingly, “when she [Mokṣadā] heard that, she consented, and employing a spell, she loosed the string from his neck, and Somasvāmin abandoned that monkey form and became a man as before. Then she [Mokshada] disappeared like lightning, clothed with celestial brightness, and in time Niścayadatta and the Brāhman Somasvāmin, having performed many austerities, attained final beatitude”.

The story of Mokshada was narrated by Gomukha in order to demonstrate that “it is true that chaste women are few and far between, but unchaste women are never to be trusted”.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Mokshada, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

Kavya book cover
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Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Mokṣada (मोक्षद) refers to “that which bestows liberation”, according to the Ṭīkā (commentary) on the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] That accomplished supreme state of reality is the state of reality that has been achieved. How else is it? It bestows liberation (mokṣada) [muktidāyakaṃ mokṣadaṃ] and should be worshipped. This is the connection (between the words). Where (should the one who is in that state be worshipped)? With this question (in mind he says that) one should think that he is in the Place of Wrath. The Place of Wrath is the centre between the eyebrows. [...]”..

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Mokshada in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Mokṣada (मोक्षद) refers to “that (story) which yields salvation”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.12 (“The Gods go back to their abodes”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “Thus the exalted narrative of the moon-crested lord indicative of the annihilation of Tripuras coupled with the great divine sports has been narrated to you. It is conducive to wealth, fame, and longevity. It increases prosperity and possession of food-grains. It yields heavenly pleasure and salvation (mokṣada). What else do you wish to hear? He who reads and hears the exalted narrative will enjoy all pleasures here and attain salvation hereafter”.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Mokṣadā (मोक्षदा):—[=mokṣa-dā] [from mokṣa > mokṣ] f. Name of a female ascetic, [Kathāsaritsāgara]

[Sanskrit to German]

Mokshada in German

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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.

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