Wheel: 4 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Natyashastra
In Buddhism
1. Tibetan Buddhism
See also
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Introduction:

Wheel means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity. 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.

Images (photo gallery)

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

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

The Wheel is associated with Mṛgaśīrṣa-hasta: one of the twenty-two Single-hand Gestures (in Indian Dramas) (known as asaṃyuktahastas), according to 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.—The word mṛgaśīrṣa is the union of two words viz., mṛga and śīrṣa. The word mṛga means deer and śīrṣa means head. So, it can be said that the hand posture which is called mṛgaśīrṣa identifies a posture that looks like the head of a deer. [...] In the Abhinayadarpaṇa, the mṛgaśīrṣa-hasta posture is used to denote various things. This book states that this posture is used to show woman, cheek, wheel, limit, terror, quarrel, attire and to call someone or the beloved, the lute, foot massage, female organ, holding umbrella etc.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Wheels (in Sanskrit: cakra) refers to the “energy systems along the center of the spine” in Tantra.—Many of the techniques used by Tantra are what latter became known as Hatha Yoga, such as meditations based on the cakras, "wheels", the energy systems along the center of the spine, nāḍīs, "tubes", the energy channels that run throughout the entire body, and kuṇḍalinī, "the coiled snake", a set of breathing techniques for generating internal heat, elevating one's life force (vīrya), and injecting it into the central channel. These Yogic practices were combined with sādhanā, "the act of mastery", a daily or periodic practice of communing with the divine, usually through the visualization and worship (pūjā) of divine beings, [...].

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.

Relevant text

Search found 459 books and stories containing Wheel, The wheel, Wheels; (plurals include: Wheels, The wheels, Wheelses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

1. The yogic body < [Chapter 16 - Shaiva Tantra and Yoga]

Chapter 13 - Psychedelic and Oneiric experiences in Shaiva Tantra

Chapter 9 - Mystical Eroticism (in Tantra)

+ 10 more chapters / show preview

Rig Veda 2.11.20 < [Sukta 11]

Rig Veda 1.164.2 < [Sukta 164]

Rig Veda 1.139.3 < [Sukta 139]

+ 89 more chapters / show preview

Verse 1.22 < [Section X - Creation of the Gods]

Verse 8.291-292 < [Section XLII - Assaults]

Verse 8.156 < [Section XXVII - Limitation of Interest (kusīdavṛddhi)]

+ 7 more chapters / show preview