Vanamala, Vanamāla, Vanamālā, Vana-mala: 26 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Pancaratra
3. Shilpashastra
4. Vaishnavism
5. Shaktism
6. Ayurveda
7. Dhanurveda
In Jainism
1. General definition
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Nepali
4. Pali
See also
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Introduction:

Vanamala means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi. 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

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Bhavishya-purana

Vanamāla (वनमाल):—The consequences of using various flowers in worship, (e.g. vanamāla flowers) leads to the extinction of tiredness, according to the Bhaviṣya-purāṇa (brahmaparva, 197:1-11)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Vanamālā (वनमाला) is the name of a river mentioned in a list of rivers, flowing from the five great mountains (Śailavarṇa, Mālākhya, Korajaska, Triparṇa and Nīla), according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 82. Those who drink the waters of these rivers live for ten thousand years and become devotees of Rudra and Umā.

One of the five mountains situated near Bhadrāśva, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 82. The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, instructions for religious ceremonies and a whole range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The original text is said to have been composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Vanamālā (वनमाला).—A river of the Bhadrā country.^*

* Vāyu-purāṇa 43. 27.

context information

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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Vanamāla (वनमाल, “garland”):—One of the nine symbols representing the cosmic principles of the universe, according to the Pāñcarātra literature. These nine weapons and ornaments symbolize the principles which they represent as the presiding deity. The Garland (vanamāla) represent the elements.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to the “garland”—one of Viṣṇu’s ornaments, as discussed in chapter 31 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [vighnarājotpatti-kirīṭādi-mantroddhāra]: Brahmā asks to know the origin of Vighnarāja, and Bhagavān tells him the story of Pradyumna’s anger which gave rise to the elephant-headed Gaṇapati whose purpose was always to fight on the side of the gods (1-10a). Then He (Bhagavān) turns to answer the questions put to Him about the mantras to Viṣṇu’s ornaments, etc., [e.g., to the vanamālā-garland (43b-64)] [...]

2a) Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to one of the Mudrās mentioned in the eighteenth chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā (agastya-suīkṣṇa-saṃvāda edition), an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the worship of Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān.—[Cf. the chapter pūjāsādhanalakṣaṇa].—[...] One should offer pūjā with devotion [bhakti] and orderliness [saṃkalpa]. Further, the devotee should accompany his worship with the practice of mudrās for this delights the gods. The following mudrās are described: [e.g., vanamālā]. One can “melt the heart” [drāvayet] of God if he uses all of the mudrās in daily worship.

2b) Vanamālā (वनमाला) or Vanamālāmudrā refers to one of the fifty-three Mudrās (ritual hand gestures) described in chapter 22 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [mudrālakṣaṇa-vidhi]: Brahmā asks the meaning, uses and varieties of mudrā-gestures. Bhagavān says these finger movements are ways to fend off evil and to prevent those taking pleasure in harming others. Furthermore, they please the Lord-so long as they are demonstrated in private (1-5a). He then names and describes 53 mudrā-gestures: [e.g., vanamālā (55)] [...]

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu Images

Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to a type of special decorative symbol, as defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—Vanamālā, a longer garland generally stretched up to the knees, is one of the important characteristics of Viṣṇu who, therefore, has a special epithet “Vanamālin”.

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (shilpa)

Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to a kind of Gem which associated with Viṣṇu, whose iconography is described in the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa as well as the Bṛhatsaṃhitā, the image of Viṣṇu should be adorned with kaustubha and a vanamālā. Kaustubha is a kind of celebrated gem which is obtained with thirteen other jewels during the churning of ocean. In the Garuḍapurāṇa, the image of Viṣṇu is prescribed as adorned with kaustubha and vanamālā. Thus it is clear that the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa offers a great field of knowledge regarding the nuances of Indian art of Image making [e.g., the vanamālā gem] during 10th–11th century A.D.

Source: academia.edu: Dvādaśa-mūrti in Tamil Tradition (iconography)

Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to a “tuḷaci garland”, according to the Śrītattvanidhi (verse 2.19-42) citing the Pāñcarātrāgama-Kriyapāda.— Viṣṇu has white silk garments, garland of holy basil, tuḷaci (vanamālā) and ornaments including keyūra and aṅgada. According to the Caturviṃśatimūrtilakṣaṇa, The Pāñcarātra tradition (describing Keśava) got a stronghold over the Vaiṣṇava tradition by about the fourth century CE, e.g. the Ahirbhūdhnya-saṃhitā and so its impact on the Tamil Paripāṭal and hymns of the Āḻvārs is quite natural.

context information

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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to:—A garland made from leaves and forest flowers that reaches down to the Lord’s lotus feet. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to a “garland of wild flowers” and is used to visualize Bhairava, 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, “[...] His body is adorned on the left (by his consort) and he is adorned with a garland of wild flowers [i.e., vanamālā-vibhūṣita]. He wears earrings made of snakes and his sacred thread is Vāsuki. The Lord is adorned with tinkling anklets and sits on a ghost in the lotus posture. He is adorned with the five insignia and a garland of severed heads that hangs from his neck up to his feet. He dances with the bliss of wine and is accompanied by heroes and Bhairavas. Sixty-four Yoginīs and great mothers encompass him. He is endowed with sixty-four energies and adorned with ghosts and demons. O Śambhu, Bhairava is said to have as his seat (āsana) the Supreme Goddess”.

context information

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.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Vanamālā (वनमाला) is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment (cikitsā) of rat poison (ākhu-viṣa), according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Kāśyapa has recommended a slew of generic formulae that successfully neutralise rat poison.—According to Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse 11.36cd-7ab): “A victim suffering from the debilitating effects of rat-poison must be given to drink a solution of seven leaves of tender Vanamālā, found in the weswtern direction, skin of Sahasrāṅghri and Kapittha, mixed with milk”.

context information

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.

Dhanurveda (science of warfare)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (dh)

Vanamālā (वनमाला) or “garland” is the name of a weapon produced by Nārāyaṇa, as discussed in chapter 10 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [śastralakṣaṇa]: Sanatkumāra offers to recount the story of how the weapons of the Lord came into being when the gods requested Nārāyaṇa to help them in their encounters with the demons. At their request He produced [e.g., the vanamālā-garland] [...]. He also composed a handbook, known as the Dhanurveda, which has been passed down from generation to generation. It tells how to use these weapons, both as astra or as śastra effectively.

context information

Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेद) refers to the “knowledge of warfare” and, as an upaveda, is associated with the Ṛgveda. It contains instructions on warfare, archery and ancient Indian martial arts, dating back to the 2nd-3rd millennium BCE.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

1) Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to a garland and represents one of the nine gifts of the Gods given to Tripṛṣṭha, according to chapter 4.1 [śreyāṃsanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—Accordingly:—“[...] The Vidyādharas, Jvalanajaṭin and others, mounted their chariots like lions a mountain-plateau. Then drawn by merit, the Gods gave Tripṛṣṭha a divine bow named Śārṅga, a club Kaumodakī, a conch Pāñcajanya, and a jewel named Kaustubha, a sword Nandaka, and a garland Vanamālā. They gave Balabhadra a plough named Saṃvartaka, a pestle named Saumanda, and a club named Candrikā. [...]”.

Note: Vanamālā refers to a “wreath of wild flowers” and is possibly related to Śaśimālā (or the vernacular candrahāra), “a sort of necklace composed of circular pieces of gold, silver, etc”. (Bate). MC says it is a “woman’s necklace made of bits of gold, etc.”. The parallel passage in the Prakrit story has vanamālā, “a wreath of wild flowers”.

2) Vanamālā (वनमाला) is the wife of the weaver Vīra, according to chapter 6.7 [śrī-munisuvratanātha-caritra].

3) Vanamālā (वनमाला) is the daughter of Indrāṇī and king Mahīdhara from Vijayapura, according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.5 [The kidnapping of Sītā].—Accordingly: “[...] The king in this city [Vijayapura] was named Mahīdhara, his wife was named Indrāṇī, and their daughter Vanamālā. Even as a child, Vanamālā desired Saumitri for a husband, no one else, because she had heard of his wealth of virtues and beauty. Mahīdhara heard at that time that King Daśaratha had become a mendicant and that Rāma and Saumitri had departed, and he was much depressed. Mahīdhara promised Vanamālā to Surendrarūpa, the son of King Vṛṣabha in Candranagara. [...]”.

4) Vanamālā (वनमाला) refers to one of the eight chief-queens of Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā and Daśaratha), according to chapter 7.8 [The abandonment of Sītā].

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

vanamālā (वनमाला).—f (S) The chaplet worn by kṛṣṇa. 2 A garland or wreath of wild flowers. 3 A series of woods.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

vanamālā (वनमाला).—f A garland of wild flowers.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vanamālā (वनमाला).—a garland of wood-flowers, such as was usually worn by Kṛṣṇa; ग्रथितमौलिरसौ वनमालया (grathitamaulirasau vanamālayā) R.9.51; it is thus described :आजानुलम्बिनी माला सर्वर्तुकुसुमोज्ज्वला । मध्ये स्थूल- कदम्बाढ्या वनमालेति कीर्तिता ॥ °धरः (ājānulambinī mālā sarvartukusumojjvalā | madhye sthūla- kadambāḍhyā vanamāleti kīrtitā || °dharaḥ) an epithet of Kṛṣṇa.

Vanamālā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vana and mālā (माला).

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

Vanamālā (वनमाला).—f.

(-lā) The chaplet or garland worn by Krishna. E. vana a wood, and mālā necklace.

--- OR ---

Vanāmala (वनामल).—m.

(-laḥ) A fruit, (Carissa carondas.) E. vana wood, and āmala for āmalaka myrobalan.

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

Vanamāla (वनमाल).—f. lā, the chaplet worn by Kṛṣṇa.

Vanamāla is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vana and māla (माल).

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

Vanamālā (वनमाला).—[feminine] garland of wood flowers; poss. lin, [masculine] [Epithet] of Kṛṣṇa.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Vanamālā (वनमाला) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[dharma] by Vanamālidāsa. K. 192. Quoted Oxf. 185^b.

2) Vanamālā (वनमाला):—Taittirīyopaniṣadvyākhyā by Acyutakṛṣṇānandatīrtha.

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

1) Vanamāla (वनमाल):—[=vana-māla] [from vana > van] mfn. wearing a garland of f°-flowers (said of Viṣṇu-Kṛṣṇa), [Harivaṃśa]

2) Vanamālā (वनमाला):—[=vana-mālā] [from vana > van] f. a garland of f°-flowers, ([especially]) the chaplet worn by Kṛṣṇa, [Kāvya literature; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] a kind of metre, [Colebrooke]

4) [v.s. ...] Name of [work] on Dharma

5) [v.s. ...] of various women, [Hemacandra’s Pariśiṣṭaparvan]

6) Vanāmala (वनामल):—[from vana > van] m. Carissa Carandas, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

1) Vanamālā (वनमाला):—[vana-mālā] (lā) 1. f. The chaplet or garland worn by Krishna.

2) Vanāmala (वनामल):—[vanā+mala] (laḥ) 1. m. A fruit (Carissa carondas).

[Sanskrit to German]

Vanamala 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.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Vanamālā (वनमाला):—n. garland of wood-flowers;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Pali-English dictionary

Source: Sutta: Pali Word Grammar from Pali Myanmar Dictionary

vanamālā (ဝနမာလာ) [(thī) (ထီ)]—
[vana+mālā]
[ဝန+မာလာ]

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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