mahā

alternative Mahā · alternative maha

1. not comparableapplied to terms from Indian history or philosophygreat, eminent

   All are classed among the eighteen mahā or ‘great’ purāṇas.

   2014, The Seduction of Shiva: Tales of Life and Love, →ISBN

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   The next step is to try them in some sitting posture such as mahā mudrā.

   1980, T. K. V. Desikachar, Religiousness in Yoga: Lectures on Theory and Practice, page 197

   This is especially true because many Hindus are looking forward to the time of the coming "Kalki" (also known as Maha Avatara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction).

   2012, N. N., 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, p. 66

   Believing the Buddha to have canceled out his power through a mastery of mahā (or “greater”) gandhāravijjā (the ability to read the minds of others and fly through the air), he entered the order to learn the Buddha's science.

   2013, Robert E. Buswell Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr., The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, page 645

   Among all the therīs, it is only her name that bears the prefix mahā- or “great”.

   2014, Thea Mohr, Jampa Tsedroen, Dignity and Discipline: Reviving Full Ordination for Buddhist Nuns, page 45

2. not comparableas an honorific for Indian titles, usually capitalized

   The main ancient sources of information with regard to these Hindu beliefs and practises are the two great epics, the "Rāmāyana" and the Mahā Bhārata.

   1910, Charles William Eliot, Sacred Writings: With Introductions and Notes, page 800

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   This force shall be employed for the defence of the Maha Raja's dominions, against all foreign or domestic enemies, and for the enlargement of his dominions, by conquest of the Murathas.

   1779, Treaty between the Company and Maha Raja Lukindar, Bahadoor, Rana of Gohud, Article III

   Of special significance is the beautiful doctrine of the Superman-so like the Chinese concept of the Superior Man, and the Indian Mahā Purusha, Bodhisattva and Jīvan-mukta.

   1918, Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, The Dance of Śiva: Essays on Indian Art and Culture, page 115

   The disturbed Mahā Yogi (Great Ascetic) looked around in anger for the source of his discomfort and, seeing Kāma, at once burned him to ashes with fire that issued from his third eye.

   1991, Vatsayana, The Kama Sutra of Vatsayana

alternative Mahā · alternative maha

1. uncountableBuddhismone of the three vehicles of mastery in means to achieve liberation

   The Tantra of Secret Essence is the ati of mahā, which is the same as the mahā of ati in terms of three divisions of the great perfection.

   2009, Jamgon Mipham, Luminous Essence: A Guide to the Guhyagarbha Tantra, page 5