Svacchandabhairava, Svacchanda-bhairava: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Svacchandabhairava 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Svachchhandabhairava.
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)
Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fourth volume of the Rasajalanidhi (chapter 2, dealing with jvara: fever). These remedies are classified as Iatrochemistry and form part of the ancient Indian science known as Rasaśāstra (medical alchemy). However, as an ayurveda treatment, it should be taken twith caution and in accordance with rules laid down in the texts.
Accordingly, when using such recipes (e.g., svacchanda-bhairava-rasa): “the minerals (uparasa), poisons (viṣa), and other drugs (except herbs), referred to as ingredients of medicines, are to be duly purified and incinerated, as the case may be, in accordance with the processes laid out in the texts.” (see introduction to Iatro chemical medicines)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
1) Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) refers to one of the topics discussed in the Madhumatī, a Sanskrit manuscript ascribed to Nṛsiṃha Kavirāja collected in volume 12 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (second series)” by Mahamahopadhyaya Haraprasad Shastri.—The Madhumatī manuscript, consisting of 5,586 ślokas (metrical verses), is housed in Dhaka with Babu Bhagavancandra Dasa Kaviraja. It seemingly addresses topics related to Medicinal, Herbal, and Iatrochemical preparations. The catalogue includes the term Svacchandabhairava in its ‘subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads— svacchandabhairavavidhānam.
2) Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) or Svacchandabhairavarasa refers to one of the topics discussed in the Rasakaumudī.—The Rasakaumudī by Mādhavakara represents a treatise on practice of medicine and therapeutics. It is a leading work on Hindu medicine, very largely studied in Bengal containing causes and symptoms of diseases. It contains 3,092 ślokas.—The complete entry reads: svacchandabhairavarasaḥ.
3) Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) also refers to one of the topics discussed in the Yogāmṛta, a large Ayurvedic compilation dealing with the practice of medicine and therapeutics authored by Gopāla Sena, Kavirāja, of Dvārandhā. It is dated to the 18th century and contains 11,700 ślokas.—The complete entry reads: svacchandabhairavaḥ .
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) or Svacchandabhairavatantra refers to one of the thirty-three Dakṣiṇatantras, belonging to the Śāktāgama (or Śāktatantra) division of the Āgama tradition. The Śāktāgamas represent the wisdom imparted by Devī to Īśvara and convey the idea that the worship of Śakti is the means to attain liberation. According to the Pratiṣṭhālakṣaṇasamuccaya of Vairocana, the Śāktatantras are divided into to four parts, the Svacchanda-bhairava-tantra belonging to the Dakṣiṇa class.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) or Svacchanda (in Jayantika) refers to one of the “seven Bhairavas”, according to the Vārāṇasīmāhātmya 1.53-54.—Cf. The “eight Bhairavas” (originating from the blood of Andhaka when Śiva strikes him correspond with a set of eight Bhairavas), according to the Vāmanapurāṇa 44.23-38ff.
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.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव) is the name of a deity [i.e., oṃ svacchandabhairavāya svāhā], according to the Vāruṇī Pūjā [i.e., Varuni Worship] 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.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव):—[=sva-cchanda-bhairava] [from sva-cchanda > sva] m. Name of [work]
Svacchandabhairava (स्वच्छन्दभैरव):—Titel einer Schrift [Oxforder Handschriften 95,b,25. fg.]
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: Svacchanda, Bhairava.
Starts with: Svacchandabhairavarasa, Svacchandabhairavatantra.
Full-text: Svacchandabhairavarasa, Svacchandabhairavatantra, Chommaka, Vyadhibhakshani, Pancanana, Shikhasvacchanda, Jushtacandeshvara, Vishveshvarakujeshvara, Aghoreshvari, Pashupatasutra, Mahamelapa, Ekadharmin, Ambaraugha, Ekadharmini, Svacchanda, Ashtakapala, Pranava, Aghora.
Relevant text
Search found 14 books and stories containing Svacchandabhairava, Svacchanda-bhairava; (plurals include: Svacchandabhairavas, bhairavas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Svacchandatantra (history and structure) (by William James Arraj)
1.3 Tradition Criticism < [Introduction]
Svacchandatantra, chapter 1 (Summary) < [Summaries]
1.4 Source Criticism < [Introduction]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
A comparative clinical trial evaluating the therapeutic effect of svacchanda bhairava rasa in janu sandhigatavata (osteo arthritis) < [2016, Issue VIII August]
Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)
5.2. Classification of the Āgamas < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
The Body Divine < [Volume 5, Issue 3 (2014)]
Feeding the Enemy to the Goddess: War Magic in Śaiva Tantric Texts < [Volume 13, Issue 4 (2022)]