Subhishana, Subhīṣaṇa, Subhīṣaṇā, Su-bhishana: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Subhishana means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 terms Subhīṣaṇa and Subhīṣaṇā can be transliterated into English as Subhisana or Subhishana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

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

Subhīṣaṇā (सुभीषणा) refers to “she who is horrific”, 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, “[...] Very fierce, she has fangs and, very terrible, she is frightening. Her gaze severe and fixed, she resides in her own sacred seat and is horrific [i.e., subhīṣaṇā]. She, the mother of Kula, roars with the Great Sound. She is the Kālī of the great Bhairava. Her lips are (red like the) Bimba (fruit) and she is greedy for blood. She chews on human flesh and drinks blood, excrement and urine. [...]”.

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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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Subhishana in Shaivism glossary
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Subhīṣaṇā (सुभीषणा) refers to “she who is very terrifying” and is used to describe Bhairavi, 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 10.7cd-17ab, while describing the worship of Bhairavī and Bhairava]—“[Bhairavī] has the appearance of vermillion or lac. [She has] erect hair, a large body and is dreadful and very terrifying (subhīṣaṇā). [She has the medicinal plant] śatavārī, is five-faced, and adorned with three eyes. [Her hands bear] curved talons curved [She has] eyes like the hollow of a tree and wears a garland of severed heads. [Ten-]armed, like Bhairava [she also] bears Bhairava’s weapons [of an axe and hatched]. [...]”.

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: Wisdomlib Libary: Vajrayogini

Subhīṣaṇa (सुभीषण) is the name of the southern cremation ground (śmaśāna) according to the Vajravārāhī-sādhana by Umāpatideva as found in te 12th century Guhyasamayasādhanamālā. As a part of this sādhana, the practicioner is to visualize a suitable dwelling place for the goddess inside the circle of protection which takes the form of eight cremation grounds.

Subhīṣaṇa is mentioned in the Saṃvarodaya-tantra as having various associative characteristics

tree (vṛkṣa) = Cūta,
protector (dikpati) = Yama,
serpent (nāga) = Padma,
cloud (megha) = Āvartaka,
funeral monuments (caitya) = Piśunavajra,
mountain (giri) = Malaya.

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

Prakrit-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Subhishana in Prakrit glossary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

Subhīsaṇa (सुभीसण) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Subhīṣaṇa.

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Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Subhishana in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Subhīṣaṇa (सुभीषण) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Subhīsaṇa.

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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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