Sahasradhara, Sahasra-dhara, Sahasradhāra: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Sahasradhara 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
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार).—A Vaṃśavartin god.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 29; Vāyu-purāṇa 62. 26.
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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Sahasradhārā (सहस्रधारा) and Sahasraliṅga refers to the pair of Goddess and God appearing in the seventeenth Kalpa (aeon), according to the Kularatnoddyota.—Chapter nine of the Kularatnoddyota opens with the goddess asking how the Kula tradition (kulāmnāya) will be worshipped along with its mantras and Vidyās and who will bring it down (avatāraka) into the world in the various cosmic aeons (kalpa). After explaining that it is brought down into the world by incarnations or aspects of both the god and the goddess (aṃśamātra), the god goes on to list the names of these aspects—a goddess and her consort [i.e., Sahasradhārā—Sahasraliṅga]—in nineteen aeons (kalpa), many of which we recognize from the earlier version in the Tantrasadbhāva.—(cf. Jayadrathayāmala-tantra of the Kāpālikas).
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Sahasradhārā (सहस्रधारा) refers to a “vessel of numerous holes” (used in bathing ceremonies), as discussed in the nineteenth chapter of the Nāradīyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra document comprising over 3000 verses in 30 chapters presenting in a narrative framework the teachings of Nārada to Gautama, dealing primarily with modes of worship and festivals.—Description of the chapter [mahotsava-vidhi]: Nārada here offers to describe the procedure for mahotsava festivities. [...] [The remainder of the chapter, because of overlapping topics taken up, interrupted, then returned to, is difficult to present in clear outline-in fact the exposition seems not to be designed to present the mahotsava-procedures in the format of a day-by-day calendar, but instead simply in the random mention of observances as they come up. Among the major subjects taken up are:] [e.g., sahasradhārā-snāna (bathing with water poured out a vessel of numerous holes) (74-76)] [...]
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार).—the discus of Viṣṇu.
-rā a stream of water for the ablution of an idol poured through a vessel pierced with a number of holes.
Derivable forms: sahasradhāraḥ (सहस्रधारः).
Sahasradhāra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms sahasra and dhāra (धार).
Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार).—m.
(-raḥ) The discus of Vishnu. E. sahasra a thousand, dhāra an edge.
Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार).—[adjective] flowing in a thousand streams.
1) Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार):—[=sahasra-dhāra] [from sahasra] a mf(ā)n. (sahasra-) ‘th°-streamed’, discharging a th° streams, [Ṛg-veda]
2) [v.s. ...] flowing in a th° st°, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
3) Sahasradhārā (सहस्रधारा):—[=sahasra-dhārā] [from sahasra-dhāra > sahasra] f. a st° of water conveyed through a vessel pierced with a th° little holes, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc. 2.]
4) Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार):—[=sahasra-dhāra] [from sahasra] b mfn. having a th° edges
5) [v.s. ...] m. the discus of Viṣṇu, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Sahasradhāra (सहस्रधार):—[sahasra-dhāra] (raḥ) 1. m. The discus of Vishnu.
[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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Sahasra, Tara.
Starts with: Sahasradharasnana, Sahasratarai.
Full-text: Sahasratarai, Cakasrarattattu, Cakattirataram, Sahasradharasnana, Sahasralinga, Ayodhya, Abhisheka.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Sahasradhara, Sahasra-dhara, Sahasra-dhāra, Sahasra-dhārā, Sahasradhāra, Sahasradhārā; (plurals include: Sahasradharas, dharas, dhāras, dhārās, Sahasradhāras, Sahasradhārās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Eulogy of Visnu by Kasyapa < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 2 - Brahmakuṇḍa and Sahasradhārā < [Section 8 - Ayodhyā-māhātmya]
Chapter 3 - The Tīrthas: Svargadvāra, etc. < [Section 8 - Ayodhyā-māhātmya]
Chapter 1 - The Greatness of Viṣṇuhari < [Section 8 - Ayodhyā-māhātmya]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 95 < [Volume 11 (1911)]
Yuktimallika by Vadiraja (critical study) (by Gururaj K. Nippani)
13. Regarding ‘taptasudarsana mudradharana’ < [Critical exposition (5) Phalasaurabha]
Nilamata Purana (by Dr. Ved Kumari)