Pralayagni, Pralayāgni, Pralaya-agni: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Pralayagni 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.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Pralayagni in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Pralayāgni (प्रलयाग्नि) refers to the “fire of final dissolution”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.19 (“Kāma’s destruction by Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Naradā: “[...] When the gods eulogised thus, a great flame of fire sprang up from the third eye of the infuriated Śiva. That fire originating instantaneously from the eye in the middle of His forehead blazed with flames shooting up and resembling the fire of final dissolution [i.e., pralayāgni-samaprabha] in refulgence. After shooting up in the sky, it fell on the ground and rolled over the earth all round. [...]”.

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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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Pralayagni in Shaivism glossary
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Pralayāgni (प्रलयाग्नि) refers to the “fire of dissolution”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 10.1-7ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Bhairava]—“[...] He] bears a sword and shield, holds a hook and noose. [His] hand[s and posed] in the wish fulfilling and protection [mudrās. He] holds the thunderbolt of a great hero. [He also] holds an axe and a hatchet. Having worshipped Bhairava, [the Mantrin] remembers being joined in union [with] him, [in the same way as] dissolution in fire (pralayāgni-samākārā)”.

Shaivism book cover
context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Pralayāgni (प्रलयाग्नि) refers to the “destructive fire” (at the end of a kalpa), according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, “[...] [Vajravārāhī] [has her] body smeared with divine perfumes; is decorated with anklets and armlets; is adorned with a divine garland; is ornamented with the six seals; [has] three eyes; [wears] a garland of hairless heads [as a necklace]; is adorned with jewelry; is flaming like the destructive fire (pralayāgni) [at the end of a kalpa]; and is shining with great fire. [...]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Pralayagni in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Pralayāgni (ಪ್ರಲಯಾಗ್ನಿ):—[noun] (myth.) the great fire believed to destroy the universe at the end of each cycle of four mythological eras.

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Praḷayāgni (ಪ್ರಳಯಾಗ್ನಿ):—[noun] (myth.) the great fire believed to destroy the universe at the end of each cycle of four mythological eras.

context information

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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