The Sanskrit term Pañcākṣa can be transliterated into English as Pancaksa or Pancaksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Panchaksha.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Pañcākṣa (पञ्चाक्ष) is the name of a gaṇa (attendant of Śiva), mentioned in the Skandapurāṇa 4.2.53. In this chapter, Śiva (Giriśa) summons his attendants (gaṇas) and ask them to venture towards the city Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) in order to find out what the yoginīs, the sun-god, Vidhi (Brahmā) were doing there.

While the gaṇas such as Pañcākṣa were staying at Kāśī, they were desirous but unable of finding a weakness in king Divodaśa who was ruling there. Kāśī is described as a fascinating place beyond the range of Giriśa’s vision, and as a place where yoginīs become ayoginīs, after having come in contact with it. Kāśī is described as having both the power to destroy great delusion, as well as creating it.

The Skandapurāṇa narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is the largest Mahāpurāṇa composed of over 81,000 metrical verses, with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Pañcākṣa (पञ्चाक्ष) is the name of a Gaṇeśvara (attendant of Śiva), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.9 (“Śiva’s campaign”).—Accordingly, as Śiva with the Gods attacked Tripura: “[...] O great Brahmins, all the Gaṇeśvaras went to the three cities. Who can enumerate them fully? I shall mention a few. These were the important ones who were there—[e.g., Pañcākṣa] [...]. These and other innumerable lords of Gaṇas who cannot be characterised and classified surrounded Śiva and went ahead. [...] They were capable of burning the entire world including the mobile and immobile beings, within a trice by their very thought. Surrounding Śiva, the great lord, they went ahead. [...]”.

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Pañcākṣa (पञ्चाक्ष) refers to “one having five senses”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “Also when a corporeal [soul] who is complete, having consciousness, with five senses (pañcākṣa) [and] possessing limbs thus comes into being among the plants and animals then it is not because of a very small diminution in shameful deeds. When sentient beings attain here the human state endowed with attributes characterized by place, birth, etc. that is because of the insignificance of [their] actions, I think”.

Synonyms: Pañcendriya.

context information

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

Sanskrit dictionary

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

Pañcākṣa (पञ्चाक्ष):—[from pañca] m. ‘5-eyed’, Name of a Gaṇa of Śiva, [Harivaṃśa]

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Aksha, Panca.

Starts with: Pancakshara, Pancaksharaguru, Pancaksharakalpa, Pancaksharam, Pancaksharamahatmya, Pancaksharamantra, Pancaksharamaya, Pancaksharashas, Pancaksharastotra, Pancakshari, Pancaksharikarma, Pancaksharimantra, Pancaksharimuktavali, Pancaksharishatprayoga, Pancaksharistotra, Pancaksharividhana, Pancakshariyantropadesha.

Full-text: Pancendriya.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Pancaksha, Pañcākṣa, Pañca-akṣa, Pancaksa, Panca-aksha, Panca-aksa, Pañcan-akṣa, Pancan-aksha, Pancan-aksa; (plurals include: Pancakshas, Pañcākṣas, akṣas, Pancaksas, akshas, aksas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)

Chapter 9 - Śiva’s campaign < [Section 2.5 - Rudra-saṃhitā (5): Yuddha-khaṇḍa]

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The Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)

Chapter 103 - The glory of Śakti (pārvatī-vivāha) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]

Chapter 72 - Construction of Rudra’s chariot < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]

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The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 26 - The Marriage of Hara and Gaurī Celebrated < [Section 2 - Kaumārikā-khaṇḍa]

Chapter 53 - Śiva’s Attendants Go to Vārāṇasī < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]

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