Raktambara, Raktāmbara, Raktāmbarā, Rakta-ambara: 13 definitions
Introduction:
Raktambara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramRaktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर) refers to “red clothes”, according to the Brahmayāmala verse 21.72-73ab.—The renouncer in Vedic times wore ochre coloured clothes. [...] Modern Śākta renouncers wear red clothes. A similar practice is recorded in the Brahmayāmala. In one of a series of vows (vrata) described there, the initiate may chose to perform he should wear “black and red clothes and no upper garment”. Another prescribes that: “wearing red clothes [i.e., raktāmbara-dhara], a red garland and (smeared with) unguent, he has red ornaments and holds an ascetic's staff. In particular, he should always carry a skull and a double-headed drum”.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Raktāmbarā (रक्ताम्बरा) refers to “she who wears red robes” and is used to describe Kālarātri, according to the Mahābhārata 10.8.64–68.—Accordingly, “Good sir, they saw her, Kālarātri, standing, smiling, alone, blue-black in hue, with red mouth and eyes, garlands and unguents of crimson, red robes (raktāmbara-dharā), a noose in one hand, a peacock feather [in her hair], binding men, horses and elephants with her horrifying fetters while she stood, capturing many headless ghosts trapped in her noose, leading those asleep in their dreams to other Nights. And at all times the best soldiers saw the son of Droṇa slaughtering. From the time when the battle between the Kuru and Pāṇḍava armies began, they saw [both] that evil spirit and the son of Droṇa. The son of Droṇa later felled those who had first been struck by this divinity [Kālarātri], terrorizing all creatures while shouting out ferocious bellows”.
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): (shaktism)Raktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर) refers to “red garments”, according to the 17th century Kaulagajamardana (“crushing the Kaula elephant”) authored by Kāśīnātha or Kṛṣṇānandācala.—Accordingly, [as Īśvara said to Pārvatī]: “[...] O great Goddess, hear about the Jain. He always carries a pitcher. He is simply a soul and never an enjoyer, doer and destroyer. He is called a Jain, and Buddhists and [the like] are considered [to be similar]. Some pluck out their hair and dress in white, my dear, and [some] wear red garments (raktāmbara-dhara) and [others wear] indigo and so on. Some are called, 'great guru', and others pursue nonviolence. These are the different varieties in brief; they are [all] called Pāṣaṇḍas [because] they have been excluded from the vedic path. [...]”
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsRaktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर) refers to “red garments”, as quoted by Hṛdayaśiva in his Prāyaścittasamuccaya (verse 10.27-35).—Accordingly, “[...] Dressed in white, with a white turban and a white sacred thread and white unguents and garland, he should perform the observance for the vidyādhipa-mantra. Dressed in red garments (raktāmbara-dhara) and red garlands and unguents the Mantrin should first perform for one month the stated observance for the brahmaśiras. [...]”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryraktāmbara (रक्तांबर).—a (S) Wearing red garments;--as a devotee &c. 2 Freely. Streaming with or covered with blood.
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
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryRaktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर).—a. clad in red garments.
-ram a red garment.
-raḥ a vagrant devotee wearing red garments.
Raktāmbara is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms rakta and ambara (अम्बर).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर).—mfn.
(-raḥ-rā-raṃ) Dressed in red. m.
(-raḥ) Any vagrant devotee, wearing red garments. E. rakta red, ambara vesture.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर).—1. [neuter] a red garment.
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Raktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर).—2. [adjective] wearing a red garment.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Raktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर):—[from rakta > raj] n. a red garment (-dhara mfn. wearing a red g°), [Mahābhārata]
2) [v.s. ...] mfn. clad in red g°
3) [v.s. ...] m. any vagrant religious mendicant wearing red g° (-tva, n.), [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaktāmbara (रक्ताम्बर):—[raktā+mbara] (raḥ-rā-raṃ) a. Clad in red; a devotee wearing red.
[Sanskrit to German]
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
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryRaktāṃbara (रक्तांबर):—(a) red-robed, donning red robes; (nm) an ascetic.
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ambara, Rakta.
Starts with: Raktambaradhara, Raktambaratva.
Full-text: Raktambaradhara, Raktambaratva, Red garment, White garment.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Raktambara, Raktāmbara, Raktāmbarā, Rakta-ambara, Raktāṃbara, Rakta-ambarā; (plurals include: Raktambaras, Raktāmbaras, Raktāmbarās, ambaras, Raktāṃbaras, ambarās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 4.73 < [Chapter 4 - First-rate Poetry]
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The Practice Manual of Noble Tārā Kurukullā (by Dharmachakra Translation Committee)
Chapter 5 < [Appendix - Sanskrit Text]
Hindu Pluralism (by Elaine M. Fisher)
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Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara (by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati)