Nanaratna, Nānāratna, Nana-ratna: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Nanaratna means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationNānāratna (नानारत्न) refers to “multifarious gems”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.1.—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] O excellent sage, there in the northern region is a mountain called Himavat who is the lord of mountains and has great splendour and prosperity. His twofold aspects—that of a mobile nature and that of the immobile one—are well known. I succinctly describe his subtle form. He is beautiful and is the storehouse of multifarious gems (i.e., nānāratna). Extending from the eastern to the western ocean he appears like a measuring rod of the Earth”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramNānāratna (नानारत्न) refers to “many gems”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, while describing Trikhaṇḍā: “[...] She has three sections, three faces, a divine form and large belly. [...] (The second face) is dark like a storm cloud and the eyes red as blood. It has fierce fangs and is adorned with snakes for earrings. The expression is mildly fierce and a skull (adorns) the topknot on the head. The third face is on the left. It is yellow and red and shines with brilliant rays, its light (pure) divine radiant energy. It is beautiful with many gems [i.e., nānāratna-kṛtāṭopa] and the ears are adorned with earrings. It bears a radiantly brilliant diadem and crown”.
Source: Manblunder: SaundaryalaharīNānāratna (नानारत्न) refers to “precious gems”, according to verse 1.40 of the 8th century Saundaryalaharī composed by Ādi Śaṃkarācārya in praise of Supreme Goddess Śaktī.—There is a reference about a rainbow that is formed out of the effulgence of the ornaments made out of precious gems (i.e., nānāratna), worn by Her. This poetic parlance speaks about the rays emanating from the gems, appearing like a rainbow. Why rainbow is drawn as a comparison? It is because the bows of Śiva and Śakti have no strings, in their Kāmeśvara and Kāmeśvarī forms. Their bows are made of sugarcanes and their bows have no strings signifying infinity, meaning that they cannot be bound.
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.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Prabhupada Books: Sri Caitanya CaritamrtaNānāratna (नानारत्न) refers to “all kinds of jewels and ornaments”, mentioned in the Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta 2.2.38—Accordingly, as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recited in verse:—“[...] whenever I had the chance to see Lord Kṛṣṇa's face and His flute, even in a dream, two enemies would appear before Me. They were pleasure and Cupid, and since they took away My mind, I was not able to see the face of Kṛṣṇa to the full satisfaction of My eyes. If by chance such a moment comes when I can once again see Kṛṣṇa, then I shall worship those seconds, moments and hours with flower garlands and pulp of sandalwood and decorate them with all kinds of jewels and ornaments (i.e., nānāratna-ābharaṇa). [...]”.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiNānāratna (नानारत्न) refers to “(being made of) various jewels”, according to the Kalaśa Pūjā [i.e., Kalasha Worship] ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Instantly the letter Vaṃ transforms, into a Kalaśa made of various jewels (nānāratna-maya-kalaśa), Observe the shape produced, the white residing inside the Dharmodayā”.
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.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureNānāratna (नानारत्न) refers to “various (wonderful) gems”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, “Now the Bhagavān was residing in the abode of Brahmā. [...] [There was] the Garuḍa Lord, the Great King, the one with golden wings, the one with a Vajra Beak, the magnanimous one, the one with a blazing body, the wrathful one, the one of frightful power. He was adorned with various wonderful gems (nānāratna-vicitra), pearls and gold. [...]”.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Nanaratnakaravat, Nanaratnavasundhara, Nanaratnavyuha.
Ends with: Pratyabhijnanaratna.
Full-text: Samuncita, Utsrijana, Ludita, Ratnavibhushita, Gotra.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Nanaratna, Nānāratna, Nana-ratna, Nānā-ratna; (plurals include: Nanaratnas, Nānāratnas, ratnas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 8.13.95 < [Chapter 13 - A Thousand Names of Lord Balarāma]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 1.15.132 < [Chapter 15 - Marriage with Śrī Viṣṇupriyā]
Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)
Text 24 < [Chapter 8 - Aṣṭama-yāma-sādhana (Rātri-līlā–prema-bhajana sambhoga)]
Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara (by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati)
Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure) (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)
Talking with the Learned Scholar Vaṃśaropaṇa Siṃha < [Chapter 1.5 - Back to Home Village]
Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)