Tankadhari, Ṭaṅkadhārī, Tanka-dhari, Ṭaṅkadhārin, Tanka-dharin, Tankadharin: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Tankadhari means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

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

1) Ṭaṅkadhārin (टङ्कधारिन्) (Cf. Ṭaṅkadhāriṇī) refers to “she who holds in her hand a golden hatchet” and is used to describe the Devīs associated with Tumburu, 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 11.1-24ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Tumburu]—“[...] The Devīs are white, red, yellow, and black, four-faced, four armed, three eyed, and in [their] hands bear golden hatchets (ṭaṅkadhāriṇīca ṭaṅkakandaladhāriṇī), sticks and rosaries. [...] Mounted on a corpse, Jayā devī shines forth [in white]; four-armed, four-faced, three-eyed, red Vijayā holds grass, a bow, a shield and a sword, [while] standing upon an owl, O Devī. [...] [When one] worships and meditates on [the Devīs, as they] stand in the cardinal directions, [the Devīs grant the practitioner] the fruits of siddhi. [...]”.

2) Ṭaṅkadhārin (टङ्कधारिन्) (Cf. Ṭaṅkadhāriṇī) refers to “one who carries a stone cutter’s chisel” and is used to describe Viśvakarman.—Accordingly, [verse 13.25cd-28, while describing the appearance and worship of Viśvakarman]—“Furthermore, [I shall describe] Viśvakarman, the Lord of the world. [He] is bright as a ray of light, risen alone [i.e., from itself]. [Viśvakarman] has [either] two or four arms. [When he has four hands he] bears a stone cutter’s chisel and a book (ṭaṅkadhārinṭaṅkapustakadhāriṇam) with [his] beautiful right hand. [In the left he holds] a clamp and a cord. [...]”.

Shaivism book cover
context information

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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India history and geography

Source: archive.org: History of Nepal

Ṭaṅkadhārī (टङ्कधारी) refers to one of 64 castes of Nepal once classified by Jayasthiti Malla.—In dividing the people into castes [i.e., Tankadhari] the five councillors had to consider that the Bandyas had been converted in the Treta Yuga, by Krakuchanda Buddha, from the Brahman and Kshatri castes, and had become Bhikshus, and that these again had been made Grihasthas by Shankaracharya [...] Bandyas therefore are like Sannyasis, who are all of one class without any distinctions of caste. The rest of the people were divided into 64 castes [i.e., Tankadhari].

India history book cover
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The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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