Purvavaktra, Pūrvavaktra, Purva-vaktra: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Purvavaktra means something in 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
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)Pūrvavaktra (पूर्ववक्त्र) refers to the “eastern face” (of Svacchanda), according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult. Accordingly, “O goddess, Svacchanda is in the middle, within the abode of the triangle. Very powerful, he has five faces with three times five flaming eyes. He has ten arms and, very fierce, is adorned with many garlands, ornaments, necklaces and anklets. He has beautiful matted hair and the half moon is his crest jewel. O beloved, the face in the east [i.e., pūrvavaktra-īdṛśa] is white like cow’s milk, it shines brilliant white. Generating great energy, contemplate it thus. One should think that the northern face is like the young rising sun, the form of a pomegranate flower and (red) like a Bandhūka”.
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraPūrvavaktra (पूर्ववक्त्र) refers to the “eastern face” of Sadāśiva, 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 9.19cd-26, while instructing to visualize Sadāśiva in order to worship the formless Amṛteśa]—“[He] resembles the swelling moon, a heap of mountain snow. [...] [Sadāśiva has] a shield, a mirror, a bow, a citron tree, and a water jar. At his head is a half moon. [He who meditates of Sadāśiva] should perceive the Eastern face (pūrvavaktrata—pūrvavaktrataḥ) as yellow; the Southern a wrathful, terrible black [that has] an unnatural, tusked mouth. [...]”.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramPūrvavaktra (पूर्ववक्त्र) refers to the “eastern face” (of Goddess Kubjikā), 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, “(Kubjikā’s) iconic form is threefold (according to whether it is) in (the transmission) of the Child, Middle One or the Aged. [...] The face of the goddess Parā is on top of the heads and shines auspiciously. It is white as milk, beautiful and shines like millions of moons. It exudes a current of nectar and is endowed with the eighteenth energy (of the Moon). The second one is the upper face. It is the Void called Mālinī. It is white and is venerated, part by part, by (both) the gods and demons. The third one is the eastern face [i.e., pūrvavaktra]. White, it is distraught with anger. Attended by Siddhas and Yoginīs, it is called Siddhayogeśvarī. [...]”.
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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Search found 2 books and stories containing Purvavaktra, Pūrvavaktra, Purva-vaktra, Pūrva-vaktra; (plurals include: Purvavaktras, Pūrvavaktras, vaktras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter CCXXIII - The Tripura Vidya < [Dhanvantari Samhita]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)