Samaprabha, Sama-prabha: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Samaprabha 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.

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Samaprabha in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Samaprabha (समप्रभ) refers to that “having equal splendour” (i.e., having light like the lustre of the moon), according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] (These energies) [i.e., of the syllables of the Goddess’s Vidyā?] are (white) like the foam of a stream of milk and their light is like the lustre of the moon [i.e., jyotsnā-dyuti-samaprabha]. They rain down in a great stream onto the body with drops that are (like) streams of milk. One should think that the Self is there in middle (of the body) and its colour is (white like) milk. O goddess, this is the Wheel of the Moon”.

2) Samaprabhā (समप्रभा) refers to the “light” (of the sun), according to the Devīpañcaśataka, an important source of the Kālīkrama that developed in Kashmir after the Kālī Mata of the Jayadrathayāmala.—Accordingly, “[...] It is Śiva’s will in the form of the Transmental and With Mind, (arisen as) both non-dual and dual (respectively). [...] Linked to Moon, Sun and Fire, she generates the seeds of (her) energies. Her form is one and, transcendent (nirālokā), is the supreme abode. She assumes a state of oneness in the middle of one who possesses (her) radiant energy. She shines, present in multiplicity (nānākhya) like the light of many suns [i.e., bhūri-bhānu-samaprabhā]. [...]”.

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Samaprabha in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Samaprabha (समप्रभ) refers to “that which resembles”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.19 (“Kāma’s destruction by Śiva”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Naradā: “[...] When the gods eulogised thus, a great flame of fire sprang up from the third eye of the infuriated Śiva. That fire originating instantaneously from the eye in the middle of His forehead blazed with flames shooting up and resembling the fire of final dissolution [i.e., pralayāgni-samaprabha] in refulgence. After shooting up in the sky, it fell on the ground and rolled over the earth all round. [...]”.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Samaprabha in Shaivism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Samaprabha (समप्रभ) refers to “shining (like millions of suns)”, according to the 13th-century Matsyendrasaṃhitā: a Kubjikā-Tripurā oriented Tantric Yoga text of the Ṣaḍanvayaśāmbhava tradition from South India.—Accordingly, “[Visualisation of Parameśvara]:—In a hidden sanctuary, the mantra master should sit on a soft cushion and should visualise himself as having the body of Parameśvara, as if [he were transformed into] Kāmeśvara, having no beginning and no end, shining like millions of suns (sūryāyuta-samaprabha). [...] ”.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Samaprabha (समप्रभ) refers to “(resembling) the splendor” (of ten million moons), 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 3.17-23, while describing a meditation on Amṛteśa in his form as Mṛtyujit]—“And so now, having constructed the amṛtāmudrā or the padmamudrā, [the mantrin] should meditate on the Ātman. The deity is equal in splendor [to that] of ten million moons (candrakoṭi-samaprabha), as bright as pellucid pearls, and as magnificent as quartz stone, he resembles drop of cow's milk or jasmine, mountain snow, and is everywhere. [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
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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.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Samaprabha (समप्रभ) refers to “equally (splendid)”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Incense and light, the end of all consecrations, is equally splendid (dīpajvālā-samaprabha), I invite calmness and tranquility, rendering all knowledge clear”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Samaprabha in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Samaprabha (समप्रभ).—a. having equal splendour; तदण्डमभवद्धैमं सह- स्रांशुसमप्रभम् (tadaṇḍamabhavaddhaimaṃ saha- srāṃśusamaprabham) Manusmṛti 1.9.

Samaprabha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms sama and prabha (प्रभ).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Samaprabha (समप्रभ):—[=sama-prabha] [from sama] mfn. having equal splendour, [Manu-smṛti i, 9.]

context information

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.

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