Pancakama, Pañcakāma, Panca-kama: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Pancakama 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Panchakama.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Pancakama in Purana glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Pañcakāma (पञ्चकाम).—Kāmarāja, Kandarpa, Manmatha, Makaradhvaja, and Manobhava; all decked with Kastūri tilaka and pearls.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 19. 69.
Purana book cover
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.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Pancakama in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Pañcakāma (पञ्चकाम) refers to the “five (objects of) desire”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]— [...] (13-15). Every physical, vocal or mental action of the Buddha accompanies knowledge.—[...] Of all the bodily, vocal or mental actions of the Buddha, there is not one that is not useful to beings: this is why it is said that his actions are preceded by knowledge and accompany knowledge. Thus it is said in a sūtra: ‘In the Buddhas, even the out-breath and the in-breath are useful to beings’. How, then, would their bodily, vocal and mental actions not be useful to them? The wicked who smell the perfume of the breath of the Buddha obtain pure faith and love the Buddha. The gods who breathe perfume of his breath renounce the five objects of desire (pañcakāma-guṇa) and resolve to practice the good. This is why it is said that his bodily, vocal and mental actions accompany knowledge. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
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.

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