Pakhanda, Pākhaṇḍa, Pakhamda: 20 definitions
Introduction:
Pakhanda means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, Hindi. 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)
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड).—An ancient place of habitation in Dakṣiṇa Bhārata. Sahadeva one of the Pāṇḍavas sent his messengers and subdued the country. (Śloka 70, Chapter 31 Sabhā Parva).
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड) refers to “heretics” whose company was associated unfavourably for the religiously devoted, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.17:—“[...] he [Guṇanidhi] began to speak ill of the Vedas, sacred texts, Devas and Brahmins. He did not follow the conventions and injunctions of the Smṛti code, He indulged in singing and playing. Actors (naṭa), heretics (pākhaṇḍa) etc. were his beloved friends. Although his mother wanted him to meet his father now and then, he never went near his father. Engaged in extra-domestic activities Yajñadatta used to ask his wife ‘Dear good woman, what is our son Guṇanidhi doing? He is not at home’.”.
Pākhaṇḍa (“heretics”) is used by Dakṣa to address Nandin and Śiva after cursing them, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.26:—“[...] censured and rebuked thus by Nandin, Dakṣa the patriarch who was still furious cursed Nandin too. Dakṣa said:—‘[...] You all will be confirmed heretics (pākhaṇḍa), out of the conventions of society. You will indulge in drinking wine. Matted hair, ashes and bones will be your embellishments’”.
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड).—(also Pākhaṇḍins)—deities of: kites, vultures, cranes, and banyan trees, not accepted by Ārya religion;1 Shine in Kali and oppose Vedic religion;2 created by Indra; followers of Śiva according to the curse of Bḥṛgu. Two kinds, one naked and the other wearing red clothes;3 Vṛddhaśrāvaka, Nirgrantha, Śākya, Ājivaka and Kārpaṭa are some sects: vanquished by Pramati in a Devāsura war.4
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 14. 29.
- 2) V. 20. 8 and 23.
- 3) IV. 2. 28 and 30; 19. 24-25, 35-36.
- 4) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 31. 53, 66 and 80; III. 14. 39; 74. 207.
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड) or Pāṣaṇḍa refers to “impostors”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 8), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The years of Jupiter (bṛhaspati) take their names from the several Nakṣatras in which he reappears after his conjunction with the Sun; and these names are identical with the names of the lunar months. [...] In the Śrāvaṇa year of Jupiter, mankind will be happy and crops will thrive and ripen well; wicked men and impostors [i.e., pākhaṇḍa/pāṣaṇḍa] will suffer with their followers”
Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड) refers to the “Pāṣaṇḍas”, according to the 17th century Kaulagajamardana (“crushing the Kaula elephant”) authored by Kāśīnātha or Kṛṣṇānandācala.—Accordingly, [as Īśvara said to Pārvatī]: “Listen, O Pārvatī, I shall give a critique of the Pāṣaṇḍas [i.e., pākhaṇḍa]. Knowing this, a wise man is not defeated by them. Those devoted to fake observances; those who rebuke the religion of the Vedas; those who have fallen from caste and religious duties; those who have erred and think themselves learned, they are [all] called Pāṣaṇḍas [because] they act contrary to [true] religion. They fall into a terrifying hell until the end of the world. [...]”
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड) is the name of a non-Vedic group, as discussed in chapter 8 of the (fourth part of the) Śāṇḍilyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3600 Sanskrit verses dealing with devotion towards Kṛṣṇa who is identified with the Supreme, as well as ethical behavior and pious practices to be observed by devotees (bhaktas).—Description of the chapter [parikarasvarūpanirūpaṇa]: There is an allusion made to the Cārvākas, Saugatas [Buddhists], Jainas, and other non-Vedic groups, as well as to the Pākhaṇḍas (heretic sects) who, misinterpret the Vedas (27-32). Also the Guru-Śiṣya relationship is described [in a striking metaphor concerning the kindling of a fire between two sticks, the Guru being one, the Śiṣya the other, the friction being the initiating mantra, and the resultant fire being the vidyā which results) (41-42).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड) refers to “heretics”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “[com.—Next he speaks about the nature (svarūpam) of heretics (pākhaṇḍānāṃ)]—Some person destroys himself, someone is destroyed by those who have destroyed [themselves] and someone is diverted from the path [to liberation] by the teachings of fierce heretics (caṇḍa-pākhaṇḍa-śāsana). Having abandoned the ruby of discrimination that fulfils all desires the one who is stupid is occupied with ideas that are unconsidered and pleasing”.
Synonyms: Pāṣaṇḍa
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
pākhaṇḍa (पाखंड).—n (S) Denial of the authority of the Vedas; acknowledgment only of one of the persons of the Hindu triad; heterodoxy. 2 A malicious fabrication, a calumny: also an imposture, the false story of a pretender.
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pākhāṇḍa (पाखांड).—& pākhāṇḍī Properly pākhaṇḍa & pākhaṇḍī.
pākhaṇḍa (पाखंड).—n Heterodoxy. Calumny. An imposture.
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pākhāṇḍa (पाखांड).—n Heterodoxy. Calumny. An imposture.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड).—
1) A heretic; पाखण्डचण्डालयोः पापारम्भकयोर्मृगीव वृकयोर्भीरुर्गता गोचरम् (pākhaṇḍacaṇḍālayoḥ pāpārambhakayormṛgīva vṛkayorbhīrurgatā gocaram) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5.24; दुरात्मन् पाखण्डचण्डाल (durātman pākhaṇḍacaṇḍāla) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5; पाखण्डाः पण्डितंमन्या न ते किमपि जानते (pākhaṇḍāḥ paṇḍitaṃmanyā na te kimapi jānate) Amana. Up.2.12.
2) The Jainas or Bauddhas; अस्वधर्मो ममैष पाखण्डावतारः (asvadharmo mamaiṣa pākhaṇḍāvatāraḥ) Daśakumāracarita 2.
Derivable forms: pākhaṇḍaḥ (पाखण्डः).
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड).—m.
(-ṇḍaḥ) A heretic, a heterodox Hindu, adopting the exterior marks of the classes, but not respecting the ordinances of the Vedas. E. pā for pāla what nourishes, (mankind, as virtue may be said to do,) and khaḍi to subvert or destroy, aff. aṇ; also pāṣaṇḍa.
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड).—= pāṣaṇḍa.
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड):—m. = (and [probably] only [wrong reading] for) pāṣaṇḍa, q.v.
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड):—(ṇḍaḥ) 1. m. A heretic.
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड):—s. pāṣaṇḍa .
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड):—s. pāṣaṇḍa.
Pākhanda (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 鉢健提 [bō jiàn tí]: “Pakkhandin” [name of a Deity].
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.
Hindi dictionary
Pākhaṃḍa (पाखंड) [Also spelled pakhand]:—(nm) hypocrisy; pretence, pretension, sham, dissimulation; —[karanā] to be pretentious, to indulge in hypocritical conduct, to dissimulate; —[phailānā] to contrive plans for deception; to indulge in hypocritical intrigues, to put up a show, to prepare the stage for dissimulatory acts.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Pākhaṃḍa (ಪಾಖಂಡ):—
1) [noun] a person who professes a heresy; esp. the one who refutes the authority of the vedas and does not believe existence of god; an heretic; an atheist.
2) [noun] the rejection of the authority of the vedas and nonbelief in god; heresy; atheism.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Pākhaṇḍa (पाखण्ड):—n. 1. the person or community that goes against the principle of Vedas; heretic; 2. wickedness; deception; cheating; 3. false doctrine;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Pakhamdamata, Pakhandajnana, Pakhandamat, Pakhandashasana, Pakhandavacana.
Full-text (+4): Pashanda, Pakhamdamata, Bo jian ti, Pakhand, Pakhandashasana, Candapakhanda, Pashandayatana, Rudrapakhanda, Pakhandavacana, Aryasamaya, Pakhandin, Pakantan, Asipatravana, Carvaka, Jaina, Saugata, Nada, Canda, Vibhrama, Khandana.
Relevant text
Search found 20 books and stories containing Pakhanda, Pakhamda, Pākhaṃḍa, Pākhaṇḍa, Pākhāṇḍa, Pākhanda; (plurals include: Pakhandas, Pakhamdas, Pākhaṃḍas, Pākhaṇḍas, Pākhāṇḍas, Pākhandas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Studies in the Upapuranas (by R. C. Hazra)
Srikara Bhashya (commentary) (by C. Hayavadana Rao)
Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita (by Nayana Sharma)
The Date of Caraka Saṃhitā < [Chapter 1]
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 513 < [Marathi-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Page 236 < [Hindi-Sindhi-English Volume 2]
Page 347 < [Marathi-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.125 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]