Medha, Medhas, Medhā: 34 definitions

Introduction:

Medha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Hindi. 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.

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In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śāktism

Medhā (मेधा, “mental vigour, intelligence”):—Name of one of the goddesses to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva (“The truth concerning Durgā’s ritual”). They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.

Her mantra is as follows:

ह्रीं ओं मेधायै नमः
hrīṃ oṃ medhāyai namaḥ

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Medhā (मेधा, “intellect”):—One of the names attributed to Devī, as chanted by the Vedas in their hymns, who were at the time incarnated in their personified forms. See the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa chapter 5.51-68, called “the narrative of Hayagrīva”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

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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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Medhā (मेधा, “intellectual prowess”):—One of the twenty-four emanations of Lakṣmī accompanying Nārāyaṇa. This particular manifestation couples with his counterpart form called Śrīdhara and together they form the ninth celestial couple. Lakṣmī represents a form of the Goddess (Devī) as the wife of Viṣṇu, while Nārāyaṇa represents the personification of his creative energy, according to the Pāñcarātra literature.

Pancaratra book cover
context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Medhas (मेधस्).—One of the ten sons of Priyavrata, who was a son of Svāyambhuva Manu, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 74. Svāyambhuva Manu was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Medhā (मेधा).—One of the twentyfour daughters born to Dakṣaprajāpati of his wife Prasūti. Of these, thirteen daughters including Medhā were married by Dharmadeva. (Chapter 7, Viṣṇu Purāṇa).

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Medhā (मेधा, “intelligence”) is one of the twenty-four daughters of Dakṣa by Prasūti: one of the three daughters of Svāyambhuvamanu and Śatarūpā, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“Dakṣa begot twenty-four daughters. Thirteen daughters Śraddhā etc. were given to Dharma in marriage by Dakṣa. O lordly sage, listen to the names of Dharma’s wives. Their names are [... Medhā (intelligence),...]. Thereupon the entire universe consisting of three worlds, mobile and immobile was filled (with progeny). Thus according to their own actions and at the bidding of Śiva innumerable famous Brahmins were born out of the various living beings”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1a) Medha (मेध).—One of the ten sons of Svāyambhuva Manu.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 104; Matsya-purāṇa 9. 5; Vāyu-purāṇa 31. 17; 33. 9.

1b) One of the ten sons of Kardama.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 14. 9.

1c) A god of the Sumedhasa group.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 36. 58.

1d) A son of Priyavrata: given to Yoga as he had no inclination for kingship.*

  • * Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 1. 7 and 9.

1e) A pupil of Devadarśa.*

  • * Viṣṇu-purāṇa III. 6. 10.

2a) Medhā (मेधा).—A daughter of Dakṣa and a wife of Dharma: Mother of Smṛti [Śruta and Viṣṇu-purāṇa].*

  • * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 1. 50-52; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 9. 49, 59; Vāyu-purāṇa 10. 25. 34; 55. 43; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 23. 29.

2b) A kalā of Brahmā.*

  • * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 26. 45; IV. 35. 94.

2c) A Śakti;1 the goddess enshrined at Kāśmīramaṇḍala.2

  • 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 44. 72.
  • 2) Matsya-purāṇa 13. 47; 246. 62.
Source: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and places

Medhā (मेधा) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.13). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Medhā) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

Purana book cover
context information

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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Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra

1) Medhā (मेधा) is the Sanskrit name for a deity to be worshipped during raṅgapūjā, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra 3.1-8. Accordingly, the master of the dramatic art who has been initiated for the purpose shall consecrate the playhouse after he has made obeisance (e.g., to Medhā).

2) Medhā is also the Sanskrit name of one of the seven Nāṭyamātṛ (‘mothers of nāṭya’) mentioned in the Nāṭyaśāstra 3.86-87. They should be offered worship during ceremonies such as ‘consecration of the mattavāraṇī’ and ‘pouring ghee into sacrificial fire’.

Accordingly (85-87), “After saying these words for the happiness of the king, the wise man should utter the Benediction for the success of the dramatic production. [The Benediction]: Let mothers such as Sarasvati, Dhṛti, Medhā, Hrī, Śrī, Lakṣmī, and Smṛti protect you and give you success.”

Natyashastra book cover
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).

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Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: archive.org: Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita (first 5 chapters)

Medhā (मेधा) refers to “intellect”, as mentioned in verse 5.37-39 of the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayasaṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna) by Vāgbhaṭa.—Accordingly, “[...] [ghee is] recommended for wit, memory, intellect [viz., medhā], digestion, strength, longevity, sperm, eyes, [...]: ghee [viz., ghṛta] (is) possessed of a thousand powers (and), by its (many) ways of application, productive of a thousand effects”.

Note: Dhī (“wit”), smṛti (“memory”), medhā (“intellect”), and—a little later—svara (“voice”) have been specified by suitable attributes: blo rno (“sharp wit”), dran gsal (“bright memory”), yid gźuṅs (“keen intellect”), and skad sñan (“melodious voice”).

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Medhā (मेधा):—That component of mental faculty which is responsible for grasping, understanding and retaining power

Ayurveda book cover
context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Source: Journal of the University of Bombay Volume V: Apabhramsa metres (2)

Medhā (मेधा) is the name of a catuṣpadi metre (as popularly employed by the Apabhraṃśa bards), as discussed in books such as the Chandonuśāsana, Kavidarpaṇa, Vṛttajātisamuccaya and Svayambhūchandas.—Medhā has 25 mātrās in each of its four lines, divided into the groups of 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 and 5 mātrās.

Chandas book cover
context information

Chandas (छन्दस्) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Medhas (मेधस्) refers to “wisdom”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 6.46-48ab]—“Lifespan, strength, victory, loveliness, firmness, wisdom (medhas), a beautiful form, and good fortune, the highest kingdom for kings, all of these arise. Tormented by pain, [the ritual beneficiary] will be without pain; someone marked by disease will be without disease; a barren woman [will] obtain a son; a girl [will] attract a husband. [The beneficiary] will surely attain whatever pleasures he wants”.

Shaivism book cover
context information

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.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Medhā (मेधा, “intelligence”):—She is the wife of Agni, one of the most important Vedic gods representing divine illumination.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

medha : (m.) a religious sacrifice. || medhā (f.) wisdom.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Medha, (Vedic medha, in aśva, go°, puruṣa° etc. ) sacrifice only in assa° horse-sacrifice & purisa° human s. (q. v.). e.g. at A. IV, 151; Sn. 303.—Cp. mejjha. (Page 541)

— or —

Medhā, (f.) (Vedic medhā & medhas, perhaps to Gr. maq° in manqάnw (“mathematics”)) wisdom, intelligence, sagacity Nd1 s. v. (m. vuccati paññā); Pug. 25; Dhs. 16, DhsA. 148; PvA. 40 (=paññā).—adj. sumedha wise, clever, intelligent Sn. 177; opp. dum° stupid Pv. I, 82.—khīṇa-medha one whose intelligence has been impaired, stupefied J. VI, 295 (=khīṇa-pañña). (Page 541)

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

mēḍha (मेढ).—f A forked stake. Used as a post. Hence a short post generally whether forked or not. Pr. hātīṃ lāgalī cēḍa āṇi dhara māṇḍavācī mēḍha. 2 The polar star.

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mēḍhā (मेढा).—m A stake, esp. as forked. 2 A dense arrangement of stakes, a palisade, a paling. 3 fig. A supporter or backer. 4 A twist or tangle arising in thread or cord, a curl or snarl.

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mēdha (मेध).—m S Sacrifice. In comp. as aśvamēdha, naramēdha.

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mēdhā (मेधा).—f S Sharpness of understanding, acumen, ready apprehension. 2 (Mistaken for śraddhā) Liking to or fondness for.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

mēḍha (मेढ).—f A forked stake. The polar star.

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mēḍhā (मेढा).—m A stake, esp. as forked.

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mēdha (मेध).—m Sacrifice.

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mēdhā (मेधा).—a Sharpness of understanding.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Medha (मेध).—

1) A sacrifice, as in नरमेध, अश्वमेध, एकविंशतिमेधान्ते (naramedha, aśvamedha, ekaviṃśatimedhānte) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 14.29.18. (com. medho yuddhayajñaḥ | 'yajño vai medhaḥ' iti śruteḥ |).

2) A sacrificial animal or victim.

3) An offering, oblation.

4) Ved. The juice of meat, broth.

5) Ved. Sap, pith, essence.

Derivable forms: medhaḥ (मेधः).

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Medhā (मेधा).—[medh-añ] (changed to medhas in Bah. comp. when preceded by su, dus and the negative particle a)

1) Retentive faculty, retentiveness (of memory); धी- र्धारणावती मेधा (dhī- rdhāraṇāvatī medhā) Ak.

2) Intellect, intelligence in general; यत् सप्तान्नानि मेधया तपसाजनयत् पिता (yat saptānnāni medhayā tapasājanayat pitā) Bṛ. Up.1.5.1; Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.34; आयुष्मन्तं सुतं सूते यशोमेधासमन्वितम् (āyuṣmantaṃ sutaṃ sūte yaśomedhāsamanvitam) Manusmṛti 3.263; Y. 3.173.

3) A form of Sarasvathī.

4) A sacrifice.

5) Strength, power (Ved.).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Medha (मेध).—m.

(-dhaḥ) Sacrifice, offering oblation. f.

(-dhā) 1. Apprehension, conception, understanding. 2. Retentiveness. E. medh to associate, aff. ap or aṅ .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Medha (मेध).— (i. e. mah and perhaps dhā), I. m. (and ved., also n., Chr. 293, 3 = [Rigveda.] i. 88, 3), Sacrifice, 1. 1. Ii. f. dhā, Understanding, [Daśakumāracarita] in Chr. 180, 4.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Medhas (मेधस्).—[-medhas], a substitute for medhā, when latter part of a comp. adj.; e. g. alpa-, Having little understanding, [Pañcatantra] ii. [distich] 92. dus-, Stupid, [Rāmāyaṇa] 1, 25, 11. parama-dus-, adj. Most stupid, [Pañcatantra] 3, 12. su-, I. adj. Intelligent. Ii. m. Heart pea.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Medha (मेध).—[masculine] juice of meat, broth; sap or essence, [especially] of the sacrificial animal; the victim or sacrifice itself.

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Medhā (मेधा).—[feminine] prize, reward; mental vigour or power, intelligence, wisdom.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Medhas (मेधस्).—1. [neuter] sacrifice.

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Medhas (मेधस्).—2. [adjective] intelligent, wise; —° intelligence, wisdom.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Meḍha (मेढ):—m. an elephant-keeper, [Demetrius Galanos’s Lexiko: sanskritikes, anglikes, hellenikes] (cf. meṭha).

2) Medha (मेध):—[from medh] m. the juice of meat, broth, nourishing or strengthening drink, [Ṛg-veda; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra]

3) [v.s. ...] marrow ([especially] of the sacrificial victim), sap, pith, essence, [Atharva-veda; Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Brāhmaṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] a sacrificial animal, victim, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Brāhmaṇa; ???]

5) [v.s. ...] an animal-sacrifice, offering, oblation, any sacrifice ([especially] ifc.), [ib.; Mahābhārata] etc.

6) [v.s. ...] Name of the reputed author of [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā xxxiii, 92; Anukramaṇikā]

7) [v.s. ...] of a son of Priya-vrata ([varia lectio] medhas), [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

8) Medhā (मेधा):—[from medha > medh] a f. See below

9) Medha (मेध):—[from medh] mfn. [gana] pacādi.

10) Medhā (मेधा):—[from medh] b f. mental vigour or power, intelligence, prudence, wisdom ([plural] products of intelligence, thoughts, opinions), [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

11) [v.s. ...] Intelligence personified ([especially] as the wife of Dharma and daughter of Dakṣa), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]

12) [v.s. ...] a form of Dākṣāyaṇī in Kaśmīra, [Catalogue(s)]

13) [v.s. ...] a form of Sarasvatī, [Horace H. Wilson]

14) [v.s. ...] a symbolical Name of the letter dh, [Upaniṣad]

15) [v.s. ...] = dhana, [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska ii, 10.]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Medhas (मेधस्):—[from medh] n. = medha, a sacrifice, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Śāṅkhāyana-śrauta-sūtra]

2) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a son of Manu Svāyambhuva, [Harivaṃśa]

3) [v.s. ...] of son of Priya-vrata ([varia lectio] medha), [Viṣṇu-purāṇa]

4) [v.s. ...] (ifc.) = medhā, intelligence, knowledge, understanding.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Medha (मेध):—[(ña, ṛ) medhati-te] 1. c. To understand; to hurt; to associate.

2) (dhaḥ) 1. m. Sacrifice. f. (dhā) Apprehension; conception.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Medhā (मेधा) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Mehā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Medha in German

context information

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.

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Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

1) Meḍhā (मेढा):—(nm) a ram, tud; ~[siṃgī] a medicinal creeper.

2) Medha (मेध) [Also spelled medh]:—(nm) a sacrifice; killing.

3) Medhā (मेधा):—(nf) intellect, brilliance, mental sharpness.

context information

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Mēdha (ಮೇಧ):—[noun] a religious sacrifice.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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