Vighnaraja, Vighna-raja, Vighnarāja: 13 definitions
Introduction:
Vighnaraja means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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)
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज, “lord of hindrances”) refers to one of the fifty-six vināyakas located at Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), and forms part of a sacred pilgrimage (yātrā), described in the Kāśīkhaṇḍa (Skanda-purāṇa 4.2.57). He is also known as Vighnarājavināyaka, Vighnarājagaṇeśa and Vighnarājavighneśa. These fifty-six vināyakas are positioned at the eight cardinal points in seven concentric circles (8x7). They center around a deity named Ḍhuṇḍhirāja (or Ḍhuṇḍhi-vināyaka) positioned near the Viśvanātha temple, which lies at the heart of Kāśī, near the Gaṅges. This arrangement symbolises the interconnecting relationship of the macrocosmos, the mesocosmos and the microcosmos.
Vighnarāja is positioned in the Northern corner of the third circle of the kāśī-maṇḍala. According to Rana Singh (source), his shrine is located at “Chitrakuta Talab, J 12 / 32”. Worshippers of Vighnarāja will benefit from his quality, which is defined as “the remover of all the hindrances”. His coordinates are: Lat. 25.19650, Lon. 83.00089 (or, 25°11'47.4"N, 83°00'03.2"E) (Google maps)
Vighnarāja, and the other vināyakas, are described in the Skandapurāṇa (the largest of the eighteen mahāpurāṇas). This book narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is composed of over 81,000 metrical verses with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज).—A name of Vighneśa.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 65.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज) (in Kālañjara) refers to one of 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.—(Cf. Vārāṇasīmāhātmya 1.53-54)
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.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
1) Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज) or Vighnarājamudrā refers to one of the fifty-three Mudrās (ritual hand gestures) described in chapter 22 (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 [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., vighnarāja (30b-31a)] [...]
2) Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज) is another name for Gaṇapati, 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., [...]
3) Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज) or Vighnarājamudrā is the name of a Mudrā (“ritual hand-gestures”) mentioned in in chapter 13 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-adhyāya]: Kāśyapa asks what are the various types of mudrā-gestures, and Viśvāmitra complies by first defining mudrā as that by seeing which one derives pleasure (“mu-”) and then by counseling that whoever practices these mudrās must do so in secrecy (1-6). Thereupon he names and briefly describes how to perform a number of mudrās [e.g., vighnarāja]
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
vighnarāja (विघ्नराज).—m (S) Names of Gaṇesha, this deity being viewed as the remover of or ruler over all difficulties and impediments. He is invoked accordingly at the commencement of undertakings.
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
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज).—m. epithets of Gaṇeśa.
Derivable forms: vighnarājaḥ (विघ्नराजः).
Vighnarāja is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vighna and rāja (राज). See also (synonyms): vighnavināyaka, vighnahārin.
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज).—m.
(-jaḥ) Ganesa. E. vighna an obstacle, rāja ruler: see the last.
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज).—m. Gaṇeśa.
Vighnarāja is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vighna and rāja (राज).
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज).—[masculine] = vighnapati.
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Praśnarahasya jy. Bhuvanadīpakaṭīkā.
1) Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज):—[=vi-ghna-rāja] [from vi-ghna > vi-ghana] m. idem, [Kathāsaritsāgara; Pañcarātra]
2) [v.s. ...] Name of an author, [Catalogue(s)]
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज):—[vighna-rāja] (jaḥ) 1. m. Ganesha.
Vighnarāja (विघ्नराज):—m. = vighnajit [Amarakoṣa 1, 1, 1, 33.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 207,] [Scholiast] [Halāyudha 1, 18.] [Kathāsaritsāgara 20, 101.] [PAÑCAR. 1, 11, 23.] [WILSON, Sel. Works II, 23.]
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: Vighna, Raja.
Starts with: Vighnarajaganesha, Vighnarajamudra, Vighnarajavighnesha, Vighnarajavinayaka, Vighnarajotpatti.
Full-text (+14): Vighnarajavighnesha, Vighnarajaganesha, Vighnarajavinayaka, Vighnarajotpatti, Vikkinaracan, Prashnarahasya, Ganapati, Vighnaharin, Ashtabhairava, Vighnavinayaka, Vighnajit, Prashnagrantha, Kalanjara, Bhuvanapradipaka, Vighnarajamudra, Ganesha, Grahabhavaprakasha, Kiritamantra, Shrivatsamantra, Vanamalamantra.
Relevant text
Search found 18 books and stories containing Vighnaraja, Vighna-raja, Vighna-rāja, Vighnarāja; (plurals include: Vighnarajas, rajas, rājas, Vighnarājas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 57 - Manifestation of Dhuṇḍhi Vināyaka and Fifty-six Vināyakas < [Section 2 - Uttarārdha]
Chapter 341 - Greatness of God Vighnarāja of Āśāpūra < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]
Chapter 329 - Greatness of Unnata-Vināyaka < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]
Narada Purana (English translation) (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 66 - Daily Prayers and Ritual < [Part 3 - Pūrva-bhāga: Tṛtīya-pāda]
Chapter 79 - The Greatness of Mathura < [Part 5 - Uttara-bhāga]
Chapter 70 - The Greatness of Prabhāsa < [Part 5 - Uttara-bhāga]
Gautami Mahatmya (by G. P. Bhatt)
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Saura-purana (analytical study) (by Priyanku Chakraborty)
Part 5 - Gaṇeśa, the Gāṇapatya cult and the Saura-purāṇa < [Chapter 6 - Different Religious Cults in the Perspective of the Saura-purāṇa]
Part 6.4 - Description and worship of Skanda and Vināyaka < [Chapter 2 - A Brief Discourse on the Saura-purāṇa]
Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter XXIV - The worship of Ganapati < [Agastya Samhita]