A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

113 mantra
Maögalä
(‘the auspicious one’)
An aspect of the Goddess (DEVÏ).
maögala
(‘auspicious’, ‘benedictory’)
Maögala-stotra, an introductory verse
to major literary works, invoking the
blessings of gods and gurus, and often
summarizing in a few words the intentions
of the author.
Maæidvïpa (‘island of gems’)
The paradise of the Goddess (DEVÏ).
Situated above Brahmäloka, also called
Sarvaloka (‘all places’), it is described in
glowing terms in the Devï Bhägavata
Puräæa as of immense dimensions, consisting
of eighteen concentric enclosures,
each made of precious metals or
gems, filled with precious objects and
happy people. The innermost enclosure,
made of navaratna (nine jewels), contains
the seat of the Goddess: she is
seated on a throne whose legs are Vi•æu,
Brahmä, Rudra and Maheÿvara. She
dispenses enlightenment and enjoyment
and frees her devotees from the bondage
of the world. Maæidvïpa is described as
being of immense dimensions, filled
with lakes of nectar, gem-bearing trees,
beautiful birds and surrounded by rivers
of milk, honey and juices of all sorts.
The mountains of the island are made of
a variety of gems. All inhabitants enjoy
the highest bliss for ever. To come to
this place, a person only has to remember
Devï seated in Maæidvïpa at the
time of death.
Mäæikkaväcakar (c. 650–715 CE)
(‘the ruby-worded’)
Born of brahmin parents near Madurai,
he was for a time chief minister of the
kingdom of Madurai. He became a
SAMNYÄSI and one of the greatest of the
63 NÄYAŒMÄRS. He was author of the
famous Tiruväcakam (‘Sacred words’),
a collection of Tamil hymns in praise of
Ÿiva, widely used in Tamilnädü, and of
the Tirukovaiar, describing the love
between Ÿiva and Pärvatï. His IMAGE is
worshipped in many South Indian Ÿiva
temples.
Maæimat
A demon, slain by BHÏMA (2). Followers
of MADHVA spread the story that
ŸA¢KARA was in fact Maæimat, the illegitimate
son of a widow, dedicated to
misleading those destined to remain in
SAßSÄRA.
manomaya (‘made of mind’)
One of the sheaths of the self.
According to Upani•adic teaching the
self is ‘layered’, with a variable number
of ‘sheaths’ surrounding the spiritual
core, or ätman proper. The outermost
layer consists of food (annamaya koÿa),
then comes the ‘breath sheath’ (pränamaya
koÿa), the ‘mind sheath’
(manomaya koÿa), enveloping ‘understanding’
(vijñänamaya koÿa), which
surrounds the spirit–soul (ätman). All
the ‘sheaths’ are perishable and subject
to change; only the ätman (pure CON-
SCIOUSNESS) is eternal and unchanging. It
is the aim of the process of LIBERATION
to divest the ätman of these enveloping
sheaths, through which it is connected
with SAßSARA.
mantra (1)
Vedic hymn, sacred text (if it is metrical
and to be recited loudly it is called øk; if
in prose and muttered in a low tone, it
is called yajus; if intended for chanting
it is called säman).
mantra (2)
The Vedic SAßHITÄS.
mantra (3)
Spell, charm, incantation, powerful formula
or word. Part of the initiation ceremony
into a saƒpradäya consists of