Nanabharana, Nānābharaṇa, Nana-abharana: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Nanabharana means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Nanabharana in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Nānābharaṇa (नानाभरण) refers to “(one adorned with) many ornaments”, 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, “(Kubjikā’s) iconic form is threefold (according to whether it is) in (the transmission) of the Child, Middle One or the Aged. [...] She is said to be a short vowel at the beginning and appears to be slightly bent. She is dark blue like the petal of a blue lotus and is covered with the ashes of heroes. She has six faces and aspects. As the power of consciousness, she moves within. She sees with her eighteen round eyes. She has twelve arms and is adorned with many garlands. She sits on a ghost as her throne and is adorned with many ornaments [i.e., nānābharaṇa-bhūṣitā]. She is mounted on the Kula teaching of thousands of millions of Kulas. The teaching concerning her body is said to be hard to acquire even by the gods. [...]”.

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»] — Nanabharana in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Nānābharaṇa (नानाभरण) refers to “various ornaments”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.42 (“Description of the meeting of the Lord and the Mountain”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] Seeing Śiva in front, Himavat bowed to Him. The mountains and the Brahmins bowed to Sadāśiva. He was seated on his bull, fully bedecked in ornaments (nānābharaṇa-bhūṣita) and beaming in the face. The beauty of his divine person illuminated the quarters. His body shone in the delicate silken garments. His crown was lustrous with the gems set in it. He was smiling shedding pure brilliance everywhere. [...]”.

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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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Nanabharana in Mahayana glossary
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Nānābharaṇa (नानाभरण) refers to “various ornaments” (suitable for worship), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [after the Bhagavān entered the assembly of Nāgas], “Then the great Nāga king Samantākāracchatrākaraparikara arose from his seat, arranged his outer robe on one shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, approached the Bhagavān and, having bowed down at his feet, circumambulated him three times, and worshipped the Bhagavān with different flowers, fragrances, garlands, ointments, ornaments [e.g., nānābharaṇa] and cloths. Having worshipped him, he sat down in front of him”.

Mahayana book cover
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Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Nānābharaṇa (नानाभरण) refers to “various ornaments”, 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, [while describing the Adamantine Circle (vajracakra)]: “ [Every] Yoginī on all [twelve] circles—she [has] four arms, [has] one face, holds a skull bowl and a skull staff [in the two left hands], also [holds] a small drum and a knife [in the two right hands], [has her] hair untied, is naked, [has her] body [ornamented with] the five seals, is adorned with a string of Vajras, stands on a corpse, and is very terrifying; [she] wears various [good] ornaments (nānābharaṇa) and is a wisdom accompanying a means (her male consort). [...]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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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