Parabala, Para-bala: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Parabala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: University of Vienna: Sudarśana's Worship at the Royal Court According to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā

Parabala (परबल) refers to the “army of enemies”, according to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, belonging to the Pāñcarātra tradition which deals with theology, rituals, iconography, narrative mythology and others.—Accordingly, “When kings are overpowered by enemies with an army (or: by strong enemies), when cities are burnt down and the Kings’ army is driven away, when people in various districts do not have access to food [and other goods]—if the kingdom is thus oppressed by the enemies’ army (parabala), oh Great Sage, and if in this inadequate situation the King’s enemies are unimpeded, he should have a sixteen-armed Sudarśana constructed [and properly installed, for his power is] without obstacles”.

Pancaratra book cover
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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.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Parabala (परबल) refers to “supreme power”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, [while discussing how Vajrabodhi was converted by Siddhanātha]: “(There was a) Brahmin Bodhisattva in (the city) called the Moon * * * (?) with anger, the great soul again and with force appointed him to authority. He disappeared and that instant (all his) transitory desires came to an end by (his) divine thought. I bow to that Nātha with devotion, the venerable Oṃkāranātha who is the churning of supreme power (parabala-mathana)”.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Parabala (परबल) refers to the “power of others”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, after the exposition of the dharma, ‘A Chapter of the Collection of Dharma’ (dharmasaṃgraha), was taught: “[...] The following verses issued from the sound of musical instruments: ‘[...] (188) He, who trains himself with confidence, recollection, intelligence and understanding, conquers the power of others (parabala) by means of ten powers (daśabala) and superior powers, defeats enemy troops, and attains the state of immortality. O good man, beyond existence, the voice of the wise resonates.. [...]’”.

Mahayana book cover
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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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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

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

Parabala (परबल):—[=para-bala] [from para] n. the foe’s army, [Manu-smṛti vii, 174.]

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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.

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Hindi dictionary

[«previous next»] — Parabala in Hindi glossary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Parabala (परबल):—(nm) see [paravala].

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Parabala (ಪರಬಲ):—[noun] the army of one’s enemy.

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Parabaḷa (ಪರಬಳ):—[noun] = ಪರಬಲ [parabala].

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

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