Raudraksha, Raudrākṣa: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Raudraksha 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.
The Sanskrit term Raudrākṣa can be transliterated into English as Raudraksa or Raudraksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraRaudrākṣa (रौद्राक्ष) is the name of a Brahmin according to appendix 6 at Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter IV.—King Candraprabha of Bhadraśilā (according to other sources, King Mahāprahāsa of Vāraṇasī) is renowned for his generosity. The brahmin Raudrākṣa comes to ask him for his head. The ministers Mahācandra and Mahīdhara offer him a head made of precious substances; the brahmin does not accept; the king attaches his hair to a tree and cuts his head off himself to give it to the brahmin.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryRaudrākṣa (रौद्राक्ष).—name of a brahman: Divyāvadāna 320.19 ff.; Rāṣṭrapālaparipṛcchā 23.3; demanded the head of Candraprabha (1), q.v.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryRaudrākṣa (रौद्राक्ष):—[from raudra] mf(ī)n. ([from] rudrākṣa) made from Elaeocarpus Ganitrus, [Anargharāghava]
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)
Full-text: Mahacandra, Mahaprahasa, Mahidhara, Candraprabha.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Raudraksha, Raudrākṣa, Raudraksa; (plurals include: Raudrakshas, Raudrākṣas, Raudraksas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 6 - Miracles of generosity accomplished by the Buddha in his past existences < [Chapter IV - Explanation of the Word Bhagavat]
Part 8 - Jātaka of the king who set fire to his body so as to hear a Buddhist stanza < [Chapter XIX - The Characteristics of Generosity]
Bhūmi 1: the joyous ground (pramuditā) < [Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna]