Pakal: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Pakal means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Pakal (पकल्).—Malayālam word meaning Day. A story about the origin of day, night, dawn and dusk is contained in Viṣṇu Purāṇa. At the time of the great Deluge everything from gods down to the rocks lay submerged in Parabrahman (Supreme Being). Brahmā sat in meditation to initiate what he termed as Jagatsṛṣṭi, the four species of living beings like the devas, asuras, pitṛs and men. When the meditation proceeded, the Tamoguṇa in Brahmā became prominent and so first and foremost of all, the asuras were born from his waist. Then Brahmā discarded his Tamoguṇa and the manifestation of the discarded Tamoguṇa became Night. Brahmā sat again in meditation and from his face sprang out the devas, who were embodiments of sattvaguṇa. Brahmā discarded the sattvaguṇa and it then became Day. That is why asuras are powerful at night and devas by day. Then another manifestation with sattvaguṇa predominating sprang out from Brahmā and it was called Pitṛs. Brahmā discarded that also and it became Dusk. Brahmā sat again in meditation and then were born men who were a manifestation of Rajoguṇa. Brahmā discarded that also and it then became Dawn. That is why men are strong at dawn and the pitṛs strong at dusk. It is because of these that it is said that day, night, dawn and dusk are bodies of Brahmā. All the above four are an asylum of the three guṇas. (See full article at Story of Pakal from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

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.

Discover the meaning of pakal in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Pākal (ಪಾಕಲ್):—[noun] = ಪಾಗಾರ [pagara].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Discover the meaning of pakal in the context of Kannada from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: