Trinetra, Trinetrā, Tri-netra: 22 definitions

Introduction:

Trinetra means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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.

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In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śāktism

Trinetrā (त्रिनेत्रा, “three-eyed”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ॐ त्रिनेत्रायै नमः
oṃ trinetrāyai namaḥ.

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) (cf. Trilocana) refers to “one with three eyes” and is used to describe Ardhanarīśvara, according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as Bhadrakālī said to Śrīkaṇṭha: “[...] O Lord, you have appeared (before) in this way by the power of supreme knowledge. (You are) he, the Siddha who has been pierced (by the power of the Command) and, made of universal bliss, is accompanied by Yogeśvarī. He is Śaṃkara’s lord; supreme, he has five faces, three eyes [i.e., trinetra], holds a spear and, adorned with matted hair and crown, (his) divine body is covered with ashes. He is the pervasive lord Ardhanarīśvara”.

2) Trinetrā (त्रिनेत्रा) (Cf. Netratretā) refers to “she who has three eyes” and is used to describe (a) Bhadrakālī, (b) Candramaṅgalyā (Jñānamaṅgalā) or (c) Pūrṇāmaṅgalā, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra.

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»] — Trinetra in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र).—A minister of Mahiṣāsura. The cabinet of Mahiṣāsura was extremely strong and brilliant. Cikṣura, virile and an expert in military science, was the Defence minister. The great economist, Tāmra, was the minister for finance. Udarka was the Commander-in-Chief and the three advisory members were Bāṣkala, Trinetra and Kālabandhaka. Śukrācārya was the minister for education. (5th Skandha, Devī Bhāgavata).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) refers to the “three-eyed” and is used to describe Śiva, in the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.15. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] On arrival there, after paying respects to the lord [Śiva] with great excitement we lauded Him with various hymns with palms joined in reverence. The Devas said: [...] Obeisance to Thee, the three-eyed (viz., Trinetra), the five-faced and the ever-luminous. Obeisance to Thee who hast no cause and who seest all the qualities of the sense-organs”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र).—See Śiva;1 constructed the Puṣpakam.2

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 27. 69; III. 23. 31; 24. 79; 25. 2; 32. 18.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 129. 36; 130. 12.

1b) The son of Nirvṛti; ruled for 28 years.*

  • * Matsya-purāṇa 271. 27.
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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Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śilpa-śāstra

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) is a Sanskrit name referring to one of the eight manifestations of Unmatta, who is a form of Bhairava. According to the Rudrayāmala, there are eight main forms of Bhairava who control the eight directions of this universe. Each form (e.g., Unmatta) has a further eight sub-manifestations (e.g., Trinetra), thus resulting in a total of 64 Bhairavas.

When depicting Trinetra according to traditional iconographic rules (śilpaśāstra), one should depcit him (and other forms of Unmatta) having a white color and good looks; he should carry in his hands the kuṇḍa, the kheṭaka, the parigha (a kind of club) and bhiṇḍipāla. The word Śilpaśāstra refers to an ancient Hindu science of arts and crafts, dealing with subjects such as painting, sculpture and iconography.

Shilpashastra book cover
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Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) refers to one of the “eight embodiments” (mūrtyaṣṭaka) of Śiva according to the Svacchandatantra 10.1161–1162 where they are identical with the eight vidyeśvaras (lords of knowledge). The eight embodiments are also mentioned in a copper-plate inscription found in Malhar, Chhattisgarh, written around 650 CE.

All these manifestations of Śiva (e.g., Trinetra) appear at the borders of various divisions of the universe according to the Lākula system.

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

1) Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) [=netratraya?] refers to “she who has three eyes” and is used to describe Bhairavī, 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. [She has the medicinal plant] śatavārī, is five-faced, and adorned with three eyes (netratraya-vibhūṣitā). [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]. [...]”.

2) Trinetrā (त्रिनेत्रा) or “three eyed” is also used to describe the Devīs associated with Tumburu.—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 (trinetrā), and in [their] hands bear golden hatchets, sticks and rosaries. [...]”.

3) Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) or “three eyed” is also used to describe Sūrya.—Accordingly, [verse 13.17-25ab, while describing the appearance and worship of Sūrya]—“Now, I explain that which consists of light [i.e., Sūrya]. [...] Or [the Mantrin should visualize him with] eight arms, bearing the weapons of the Lokapālas. [Here Sūrya is endowed with] three terrible faces, [each with] three eyes (trinetra), [and he is] disfigured. One should worship him [visualized as] mounted on a horse in the middle of a lotus. [The worshipper] honors [his] heart, head, and topknot, enveloped with the weapon of sight. [...]”.

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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Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) or Trinetrarasa is the name of an Ayurvedic recipe defined in the fifth volume of the Rasajalanidhi (chapter 10, Śūla: pain in the belly). These remedies are classified as Iatrochemistry and form part of the ancient Indian science known as Rasaśāstra (medical alchemy). However, since it is an ayurveda treatment it should be taken with caution and in accordance with rules laid down in the texts.

Accordingly, when using such recipes (e.g., trinetra-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)

Ayurveda book cover
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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.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) refers to a country belonging to “Aiśānī (north-eastern division)” classified under the constellations of Revatī, Aśvinī and Bharaṇī, according to the system of Kūrmavibhāga, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 14), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The countries of the Earth beginning from the centre of Bhāratavarṣa and going round the east, south-east, south, etc., are divided into 9 divisions corresponding to the 27 lunar asterisms at the rate of 3 for each division and beginning from Kṛttikā. The constellations of Revatī, Aśvinī and Bharaṇī represent the north-eastern consisting of [i.e., Trinetra] [...]”.

Jyotisha book cover
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Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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Ganitashastra (Mathematics and Algebra)

Source: archive.org: Hindu Mathematics

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) represents the number 3 (three) in the “word-numeral system” (bhūtasaṃkhyā), which was used in Sanskrit texts dealing with astronomy, mathematics, metrics, as well as in the dates of inscriptions and manuscripts in ancient Indian literature.—A system of expressing numbers by means of words arranged as in the place-value notation was developed and perfected in India in the early centuries of the Christian era. In this system the numerals [e.g., 3—trinetra] are expressed by names of things, beings or concepts, which, naturally or in accordance with the teaching of the Śāstras, connote numbers.

Ganitashastra book cover
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Ganitashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, gaṇitaśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mathematics, algebra, number theory, arithmetic, etc. Closely allied with astronomy, both were commonly taught and studied in universities, even since the 1st millennium BCE. Ganita-shastra also includes ritualistic math-books such as the Shulba-sutras.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) refers to “(having) three eyes”, according to the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi [i.e., Cakrasamvara Meditation] 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, “Being in the heart with mud, a universal petaled lotus, Above the pericarp of the lotus, a moon and sun mandala, Above that, observe a Hūṃ, that changes into a two armed Saṃvara. Venerable, dark-blue color, one face, three eyes (trinetra), standing in archer's pose. [...]”.

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र) refers to “(one who has) three eyes”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, “[...]  [The Causal Vajra-holder] is white in color, [has] four faces, [has] three eyes (trinetra) [on each], [has] twelve arms, is devoted to the yoga of union with wisdom (his female consort), and is adorned with youthful ornaments. [His four faces are], counterclockwise, white, green, red, and yellow [in color, respectively]. [He has] twisted locks of hair and has a crossed vajra and a crescent moon on the face (head). [...]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

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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India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Trinetra.—(IE 7-1-2), ‘three’. Note: trinetra is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

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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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र).—epithets of Śiva; R.3. 66; Kumārasambhava 3.66;5.72.

Derivable forms: trinetraḥ (त्रिनेत्रः).

Trinetra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms tri and netra (नेत्र). See also (synonyms): trinayana, trilocana.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र).—mfn.

(-traḥ-trā-traṃ) Tri-ocular. m.

(-traḥ) Siva. E. tri, and netra eye.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र).—m. a name of Śiva, [Kumārasaṃbhava, (ed. Stenzler.)] 3, 51; Mahābhārata 12, 10357.

Trinetra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms tri and netra (नेत्र).

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

1) Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र):—[=tri-netra] [from tri] m. ‘three-eyed’, Śiva, [Mahābhārata] etc.

2) [v.s. ...] (with rasa) Name of different mixtures, [Rasendracintāmaṇi; Bhāvaprakāśa vii, 8, 157]

3) [v.s. ...] ‘Śiva’s asterism’, Ārdrā, [Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā xv, 29]

4) [v.s. ...] Name of a prince, [Matsya-purāṇa cclxx, 27]

5) Trinetrā (त्रिनेत्रा):—[=tri-netrā] [from tri-netra > tri] f. Durgā, [Kathāsaritsāgara cvii]

6) [v.s. ...] the root of Yam, [Demetrius Galanos’s Lexiko: sanskritikes, anglikes, hellenikes]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Trinetra (त्रिनेत्र):—[tri-netra] (traḥ-trā-traṃ) a. Three-eyed, triocular. m. Shiva.

[Sanskrit to German]

Trinetra in German

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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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Triṇētra (ತ್ರಿಣೇತ್ರ):—[noun] = ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರ [trinetra].

--- OR ---

Trinētra (ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರ):—

1) [noun] the three eyes (of Śiva).

2) [noun] Śiva, who has three eyes, including a fiery one on the forehead.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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