In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Sahasraphaṇi (सहस्रफणि) refers to “(one adorned with) thousands of snakes”, 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 snake) Ananta is always at her feet adorning her anklets. The snake Kārkoṭa, tied on (her) zone, adorns (her) hips. Takṣaka is (her) diadem, Vāsuki the necklace on (her) neck. Kulika is said to be (hanging) on (her) ears and (she) is adorned with Kūrma as (her) earrings. Padma and Mahāpadma are on her eyebrows and all (of her) arms are adorned with thousands of snakes [i.e., sahasraphaṇi-maṇḍita]. [...]”.

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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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Padma-purana

Sahasraphaṇi (सहस्रफणि) [=Sahasraphaṇin?] refers to “serpent-like weapon”, according to the Padmapurāṇa 6.17 (“Śukra is Confined by Kṛtyā inside Her Vulva”).—Accordingly, as Viṣṇu praises Brahmā:—“[...] The very angry demon, the lord of demons, who was without a chariot, struck Kolāhala with a sahasraphaṇin (a serpent-like weapon). Having struck him, he speedily went to another chariot. Struck with the phaṇicakra in the battle, he, in a moment, shook off his swoon, quickly got down from his chariot, took a sword and shield, and cut off everything including the chariot of Niśumbha. Again getting into his chariot, he struck the demon with arrows. [...]

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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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: One India One People: Jaina basadis of North Karnataka

Sahasraphaṇi Pārśvanātha refers to an ancient basadi (Jaina temples) found towards the west of Bijapur city (at the distance of six kilometres, near the dargah of a Sufi saint Khwajah Aminuddin Aala).—It is roughly square and is strengthened by semi-polished stones. The small entrance at the south leads to the rectangular assembly hall which opens to three doors of the temple all along the western wall. There are several Jaina images on the raised platform at the centre. The Sahasraphaṇi Pārśvanātha idol is claimed to be 1,500 years old. The graceful black idol of Pārśvanātha is sitting in the padmāsana posture. Generally a seven-hooded serpent covers the head of Pārśvanātha, but here the serpent has 1,008 hoods. Even more remarkable is the fact that all the hoods are interconnected and during the abhiṣeka, the milk poured over the central hood spreads, and all the 1008 hoods shower milk over Pārśvanātha.

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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Phani, Sahasra.

Starts with: Sahasraphanin.

Full-text: Sahasraphanin.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Sahasraphani, Sahasraphaṇi, Sahasra-phani, Sahasra-phaṇi; (plurals include: Sahasraphanis, Sahasraphaṇis, phanis, phaṇis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Triveni Journal

My Association with P.V. < [January – March, 2005]

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