Matsyendra: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Matsyendra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: YogaMatsyendra is one of the eighty-four Siddhas associated with eighty-four Yogic postures (āsanas), according to popular tradition in Jodhpur, Rājasthān. These posture-performing Siddhas are drawn from illustrative sources known as the Nava-nātha-caurāsī-siddha from Vȧrāṇasī and the Nava-nātha-caruāsī-siddha-bālāsundarī-yogamāyā from Puṇe. They bear some similarity between the eighty-four Siddhas painted on the walls of the sanctum of the temple in Mahāmandir.
The names of these Siddhas (e.g., Matsyendra) to 19th-century inscription on a painting from Jodhpur, which is labelled as “Maharaja Mansing and eighty-four Yogis”. The association of Siddhas with yogis reveals the tradition of seeing Matsyendra and his disciple Gorakṣa as the founders of haṭhayoga.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)Matsyendra (मत्स्येन्द्र) is another name for Matsyendranātha, one of the “four Lords (teachers) of the Ages” (Yuganātha).—Matsyendranātha is worshipped as the teacher of this Age along with three other teachers and their consorts who brought the Kaula Tantra into the world in the previous three Ages. These four Lords of the Ages (yuganātha) are highly revered in the Kālīkrama and came to be considered to be embodiments of the basic states of consciousness. Matsyendranātha has a variety of cognate names [e.g., Matsyendra] (Cf. Dyczkowski 1988: 163 n23 and Bagchi 1934: 9).
Matsyendra as the Yuganātha (lord of the ages) of the kaliyuga is associated with Kāmarūpa, one of the sacred seats (pīṭha), according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—On the basis of hardly more than a hint in the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, it outlines a scheme of sixteen parts for each seat, conscious, no doubt, that this is an ideal number. The commentary normally limits itself to do no more than explain what is presented in the text. This is one of the few instances it adds substantially to its contents [i.e., the Lords of the Ages—Matsyendra]. Presumably this is because when it was written the presentation of the features of the seats on this model was the accepted norm.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Matsyendra (मत्स्येन्द्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a teacher of yoga. Mentioned in Haṭhapradīpikā Oxf. 233^b. 234^a, in Saṃkṣepaśaṅkarajaya Oxf. 256^a.
2) Matsyendra (मत्स्येन्द्र):—Matsyendramuhūrta jy. B. 4, 170.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Matsyendra (मत्स्येन्द्र):—[from matsya > matsa] m. Name of a teacher of Yoga, [Catalogue(s)]
2) [v.s. ...] of an author (-muhūrta mn. Name of his [work]), [ib.]
[Sanskrit to German]
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)
Starts with: Matsyendramata, Matsyendramuhurta, Matsyendranatha, Matsyendrapada, Matsyendrapithasana, Matsyendrasamhita, Matsyendrasana.
Full-text (+307): Matsyendramuhurta, Matsyanatha, Matsyendrapithasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana, Paripurnamatsyendrasana, Konkanamba, Kunkunamba, Matsyendranatha, Mojaghanjabalalokeshvara, Shadaknarilokeshvara, Anandadilokeshvara, Jatamukutalokeshvara, Mayajalakramakrodhalokeshvara, Simhanathalokeshvara, Shakyabuddhalokeshvara, Jaliniprabhalokeshvara, Vajragarbhalokeshvara, Maharatnakulalokeshvara, Mahabhayaphaladalokeshvara, Mahavishvashuddhalokeshvara.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Matsyendra; (plurals include: Matsyendras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 15 - The form of the Supreme Lord < [Section 2 - Pūrvabhāga]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 263 - Origin of Matsyendranātha (Matsyendra-nātha) < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Mind over Matter < [January – March, 2001]
Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya) (by G.V. Tagare)
Dvisahasri of Tembesvami (Summary and Study) (by Upadhyay Mihirkumar Sudhirbhai)
The saints and the Monks of Dattātreya Cult < [Introduction]