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In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

1) Prabhā (प्रभा):—One of the twelveguṇasassociated with Randhra (the first seat of theSvādhiṣṭhāna-chakra). According to tantric sources such as the Śrīmatottara-tantra and the Gorakṣasaṃhitā (Kādiprakaraṇa), these twelveguṇas are represented as female deities. According to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā however, they are explained as particular syllables. They (e.g. Prabhā) only seem to play an minor role with regard to the interpretation of the Devīcakra (first of fivechakras, as taught in theKubjikāmata-tantra).

She is also known by the name Samā, according to theGorakṣa-saṃhitā.

2) Prabhā (प्रभा, “Light”):—Second of the eight Mātṛs born from the body of Bhānumatī, according to the Kubjikāmata-tantra. These eight sub-manifestations (mātṛ), including Prabhā, embody several qualities expressive of the sun’s burning heat and glaring light. They are presided over by the Bhairava Ruru. Bhānumatī is the sixth of the Eight Mahāmātṛs, residing within theMātṛcakra (third of the fivecakras) and represents the sun.

Prabhā (प्रभा) refers to the city of Kubera or Soma, situated on the northern lower slope ofmount Meru, according to Parākhyatantra 5.66. Meru is the name of a golden mountained situated in the middle of nine landmasses (navakhaṇḍa): Bhārata, Hari, Kimpuruṣa, Ramyaka, Ramaṇa, Kuru, Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla and Ilāvṛta. Together thesekhaṇḍas make up the continent known asJambūdvīpa.

Prabhā is also known by the name Prabhāvatī or Mahodayā, and is mentioned in various other sources, eg., the Svacchanda-tantra 10.132-136, Kiraṇa-āgama 8.51-54, Mṛgendra-āgama vidyāpāda 13.47-54, Sarvajñānottara-tantra adhvaprakaraṇa 34-36 and Mataṅga-āgama vidyāpāda 23.60-63

The Parākhyatantra is an old Śaiva-siddhānta tantra dating from before the 10th century.

Prabha (प्रभ) refers to the “splendor” (of the moon)”, 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 2.22cd-28ab]—“[...] That which is described is celebrated in the world as the supreme Amṛta [sa], this is the highest dwelling place. It is the highest Amṛta. Joined with thekalā nectar [visarga], filled with the splendor of the moon (pūrṇacandra-prabha-upama). It is the highest abode [of Śiva]. That is the supreme word. That is supreme strength, that is supreme amṛta. The highest of splendors is highest light of light. [...]”.

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

1) Prabhā (प्रभा).—A devī. This devī sits in the court of Brahmā worshipping him. (Chapter 11, Śānti Parva).

2) Prabhā (प्रभा).—A celestial maiden of Alakāpurī. Once when the sage Aṣṭāvakra went to Alakāpurī this maiden gave a dance performance in his honour. (Śloka 45, Chapter 19, Anu āsana Parva).

3) Prabhā (प्रभा).—Daughter of a dānava called Svarbhānu. She was married to king Āyus and Āyus begot of her sons like Nahuṣa and others (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa. 3—6—26).

4) Prabhā (प्रभा).—One of the two wives of King Puṣpārṇa. (4th Skandha, Bhāgavata).

Prabhā (प्रभा) is another name forAlakā, the “capital of Kubera”, as mentioned in theŚivapurāṇa 2.1.18.—“[...] Alakā is the capital of Kubera, the chief of the Yakṣas and Guhyakas. It is also called Prabhā, Vasudharā and Vasusthalī and is fabled to be situated on a peak of the Himālayas, inhabited also by Śiva.

1a) Prabhā (प्रभा).—A queen of Puṣpārṇa, and mother of Prāta, Mādhyandina, and Sāyam.^*

• * Bhāgavata-purāṇa IV. 13. 13.

1b) A daughter of Svarbhānu; wife of Āyu and mother of Nahuṣa and four others;¹ one of the nine Devis serving Soma;² wife of Svarbhānu.³

• 1) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 6. 23-4; 67. 1; Matsya-purāṇa 6. 21; Vāyu-purāṇa 68. 22, 24; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 21. 7.
• 2) Vāyu-purāṇa 90. 25.
• 3) Ib. 92. 1.

1c) One of the three wives of Vivasvat;¹ mother of Prabhātā; the goddess enshrined in Sūryabimba;² abandoned her consort for Soma with eight other Devis.³

• 1) Matsya-purāṇa 11. 2.
• 2) Ib. 13. 52.
• 3) Ib. 23. 25.

1d) The wife of Sagara; Yādavī and mother of 60,000 Sagaras.^*

• * Matsya-purāṇa 12. 39, 42.

Prabhā (प्रभा) is one of the four wives ofBhāskara (sun-god): the son ofAditi andKaśyapa according to theVaṃśānucarita section of the 10th centurySaurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, The Saurapurāṇa 30.27-73 and chapter 31 descibes thevaṃśānucarita in an abridged form. It is stated that Aditi got from Kaśyapa, Bhāskara, the Sun-god. The Sun-god had four wives—Saṃjñā, Rājñī, Prabhā and Chāyā. Saṃjñā gave birth to Manu from the Sun-god in whose race were born the kings. Prabhā gave birth to Prabhāta of the Sun-god.

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 eighteenmahapuranas total over 400,000shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar)

1) Prabhā (प्रभा).—, name of a commentary on the Sabdakaustubha by Raghavendracarya Gajendragadkar;

2) Prabhā.—Name of a commentary on Kaiyata's Mahabhasyapradipa.

context information

Vyakarana (व्याकरण, vyākaraṇa) refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)

Prabhā (प्रभा) refers to one of the 135 metres (chandas) mentioned byNañjuṇḍa (1794-1868 C.E.) in his Vṛttaratnāvalī. Nañjuṇḍa was a poet of both Kannada and Sanskrit literature flourished in the court of the famous Kṛṣṇarāja Woḍeyar of Mysore. He introduces the names of these metres (e.g., Prabhā) in 20 verses.

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.

Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

Prabhā (प्रभा).—The shadow of the gnomon. Note: Prabhā is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry.

context information

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष,jyotiṣa orjyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Nyaya (school of philosophy)

Prabhā (प्रभा) or Tarkacandrikā is a commentary on the Tarkasaṃgraha which is ascribed to Vaidyanātha Gāḍgīla.—TheTarkasaṃgraha ofAnnaṃbhaṭṭa is a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the ancient Indian system of logic and reasoning. It’s language is easily understandable and is meant primarily to unlock the doors of the twin-darśana of Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika. There are about twenty five commentaries [viz., the Prabhā] both traditional and modern on this treatise which undoubtedly establishes the importance of Tarkasaṃgraha.

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Nyaya (न्याय, nyaya) refers to a school of Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. The Nyaya philosophy is known for its theories on logic, methodology and epistemology, however, it is closely related with Vaisheshika in terms of metaphysics.

Ayurveda (science of life)

Prabhā (प्रभा):—Lusture, Shine, Radiance, Glim; caused due to substance with Agni mahabhuta predominance.

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.

Kavya (poetry)

Prabhā (प्रभा) refers to “(shedding) light” (e.g., ‘the ornaments shedding light on her cheeks’), according to Bāṇa’s Kādambarī (p. 225-226).—Accordingly, while describing the shire of the Goddess Caṇḍikā, “[Then follows the image of the Goddess Caṇḍikā, which matches the conception of Kālarātri in the passage from the Mahābhārata:] [...] she bore the coquettish apparel of a woman going out to meet Mahākāla at night, with a vine-like body furnished with a raiment reddened with saffron-dye, with a face with red eyes, whose brows were furrowed into a frown, whose lip was crimsoned with betel that was blood, whose cheeks were reddened by the light shed (prabhā-seka) from ear-ornaments of pomegranate flowers, with a forehead on which there was atilaka dot of vermillion made by a Śabara beauty, covered by a magnificent gold turban. She was worshipped by goats... mice... antelope and black serpents... She was praised on all sides by flocks of old crows; [...]”.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includesmahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ andnatya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

1) Prabhā (प्रभा) refers to the “nimbus-arc” (i.e., “arc-like frame around the icon”), as discussed in chapter 31 (Kriyāpāda) of thePadmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna,yoga,kriyā andcaryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [prabhā-ghaṇṭā-akṣamālā-pratiṣṭhāvidhi]: Bhagavān says that the sanctification of certain items like the arc-like frame around the icon [prabhā], the bell, the rosary for the icon, etc., may be sanctified at any time after the preceding things have been done. Then He gives directions for each;prabhā (1-8a),ghaṇṭā (8b-21a), andakṣamālā (21b-54). In each case, the ceremonies are to be concluded with feeding of Brahmins and payment to the Ācārya.

2) Prabhā (प्रभा) refers to the “arch”—one of Viṣṇu’s ornaments, as discussed in chapter 31 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā.—Description of the chapter [vighnarājotpatti-kirīṭādi-mantroddhāra]: Brahmā asks to know the origin of Vighnarāja, and Bhagavān tells him the story of Pradyumna’s anger which gave rise to the elephant-headed Gaṇapati whose purpose was always to fight on the side of the gods (1-10a). Then He (Bhagavān) turns to answer the questions put to Him about the mantras to Viṣṇu’s ornaments, etc., [e.g., to theprabhā-arch (65-74)] [...]

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.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Prabhā (प्रभा) is the name of Vidyārājñī (i.e., “wisdom queen”) mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Prabhā).

context information

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.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Prabhā (प्रभा) refers to a “flash (of lightening)”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as Bodhisattva Gaganagañja explains to Bodhisattva Ratnaśrī what kind of concentration should be purified: “[...] (40) [when the Bodhisattvas attain] the concentration called ‘Flash of lightening’ (vidyut-prabhā), they will examine the destruction of a moment of thought; (41) [when the Bodhisattvas attain] the concentration called ‘Victory of proper accomplishment’, all good qualities will be fulfilled; (42) [when the Bodhisattvas attain] the concentration called ‘Purification’, all bad qualities will be eliminated; [...]”.

context information

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 manysūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

India history and geography

Prabhā (प्रभा) by Viśvanātha (alias Viśveśvara) is the name of a commentary on theVṛttaratnākara ofKedārabhaṭṭa (C. 950-1050 C.E.), who was a celebrated author in Sanskrit prosody. The Vṛttaratnākara is considered as most popular work in Sanskrit prosody, because of its rich and number of commentaries.

Prabhā.—(SII 2), an aureole or nimbus. Cf. prabhā-valaya. Note:prabhā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Biology (plants and animals)

Prabha in India is the name of a plant defined withCalamus rotang in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonymPalmijuncus monoecus (Roxb.) Kuntze (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

·Cell and Chromosome Research (1985)
·Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. (1845)
·Proceedings of the Indian Science Congress Association (1976)
·Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden (Calcutta) (1908)
·Revisio Generum Plantarum (1891)
·Species Plantarum (1753)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Prabha, for example extract dosage, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, health benefits, side effects, chemical composition, have a look at these references.

context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

prabhā (प्रभा).—f (S) Light, esp. great or diffused light. 2 Shadow, esp. that cast by the style or gnomon of a dial. 3 (In popular misuse.) Account, regard, estimation, consideration. Neg. con. Extyācī kāya prabhā;mī kōṇhācī prabhā bāḷagīta nāhīṃ. See underkimmata.

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prabhā (प्रभा).—f S True knowledge. 2 Consciousness or perception.

prabhā (प्रभा).—f Light. Shadow cast by the style or gnomon of a dial.

Sanskrit dictionary

Prabhā (प्रभा).—2 P.

1) To appear, seem.

2) To shine forth, gleam.

3) To begin to become light, begin to dawn;ननु प्रभाता रजनी (nanu prabhātā rajanī) Ś.4;प्रभातकल्पा शशिनेव शर्वरी (prabhātakalpā śaśineva śarvarī) R.3.2.

4) To illuminate, enlighten.

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Prabhā (प्रभा).—

1) Light, splendour, lustre, effulgence, radiance;प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः (prabhāsmi śaśisūryayoḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 7.8;प्रभा पतङ्गस्य (prabhā pataṅgasya) R.2.15,31; 6.18; Ṛtusaṃhāra 1.2; Meghadūta 49;दृष्टस्त्वं प्रभया गोप्या युक्तो वृन्दावने वने (dṛṣṭastvaṃ prabhayā gopyā yukto vṛndāvane vane) Brahmavaivasvata P.

2) A ray of light.

3) The shadow of the sun on a sun-dial.

4) An epithet of Durgā;प्रभा प्रभानशीलत्वात् (prabhā prabhānaśīlatvāt) Devī. P.

5) Name of the city of Kubera.

6) Name of an Apsaras.

Prabha (प्रभ).—m., (1) = Sanskrit prabhā,light (abstracted from [compound] prabhaṃkara?), according to all mss. inLalitavistara 123.1 (verse) candrasūrya-prabhaś ca jyotiṣā…na bhāsate,thelight of the sun and moon, the stars, (etc.)do not shine; not a [bahuvrīhi]; we must interpret in this way, orem. to °prabhā; (2) name of a maharṣi:Mahā-Māyūrī 256.28; (3) Prabha- nāmā sahasrāṇi…(anantā nṛpatayo proktā Yādavānāṃ kulodbhavāḥ)(Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 625.24,thousands of kings named Prabha (literally; probably meaning,whose names contained theelement -prabha).

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Prabhā (प्रभा).—(°-) (m.c. Prabha°)-keturājamati, name of a Bud-dha:Gaṇḍavyūha 284.15 (verse).

Prabhā (प्रभा).—f.

(-bhā) 1. Light, radiance. 2. A ray of light. 3. The city of Kuvera. 4. One of the wives of the sun. 5. A name of Durga. 6. A name of an Apsara. E.pra exceeding,bhā to shine, affs.aṅ andṭāp .

Prabhā (प्रभा).—[pra-bhā], f. 1. Light, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 53, 47. 2. Radiance,Böhtl. Ind. Spr. 1155; splendour, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] [distich] 125.

Prabhā (प्रभा).—[feminine] splendour, light, beauty (often —°), [plural] rays; a woman’s name.

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Prabhā (प्रभा).—shine forth, begin to be bright (as the night), appear or be like ([nominative]±iva).

Prabhā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the termspra andbhā (भा).

1) Prabhā (प्रभा) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[nyāya] by Paṭṭābhirāma.Oppert. 5097.
—by Rāmacandra Bhaṭṭa.Oppert. 4010.
—by Śaśadhara.Oppert. 5185.

2) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Kāvyaprakāśaṭīkā by Vaidyanātha.

3) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Nyāyasiddhāntadīpaṭīkā by Śeṣānanda.

4) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Nyāyasiddhāntamuktāvalīṭīkā by Narasiṃha.

5) Prabhā (प्रभा):—a
—[commentary] on Śaṅkarācārya’s Pañcaratna by Kiśoradasa.

6) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Muhūrtārkaṭīkā by Mṛtyuṃjaya Kokila.

7) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Vṛttaratnakaraṭīkā by Viśvanātha Kavi.

8) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Śabdakaustubhaṭīkā by Rāghavendrācārya.
—by Vaidyanātha Pāyaguṇḍe.

9) Prabhā (प्रभा):—Śāstradīpikāvyākhyā by Vaidyanātha, son of Rāmacandra.

10) Prabhā (प्रभा):—[nyāya] by Rāmacandra.read by Rāmarudra.

1) Prabhā (प्रभा):—[=pra-bhā] a.pra-√1.bhā [Parasmaipada]-bhāti, to shine forth, begin to become light, shine, gleam, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.;

—to appear, seem, look like ([nominative case] with or withoutiva), [Mahābhārata; Kāvya literature] etc.;

—to illuminate, enlighten, [Taittirīya-upaniṣad]

2) [frompra-bhā] bf. light, splendour, radiance, beautiful appearance (ifc. often mfn. with f(ā). ), [Manu-smṛti; Mahābhārata] etc.

3) [v.s. ...] the shadow of the gnomon on a sun-dial, [Sūryasiddhānta]

4) [v.s. ...] light variously personified (as wife of the sun, or as wife of Kalpa and mother of Prātar, Madhyaṃ-dina and Sāyaid est. morning, midday and evening, or as a form of Durgā in the disc of the sun), [Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]

5) [v.s. ...]Name of a Śakti, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]

6) [v.s. ...] of an Apsaras, [Mahābhārata]

7) [v.s. ...] of a daughter of Svar-bhānu and mother of Nahuṣa, [Harivaṃśa]

8) [v.s. ...] of the city of Kubera, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

9) [v.s. ...] of a kind of metre, [Colebrooke]

10) [v.s. ...]Name ofsub voce works.

Prabhā (प्रभा):—[pra-bhā](bhā) 1.f. Light; city ofKuvera; wife of the sun;Durgā.

[Sanskrit to German]

Prabha in German

Prabha (प्रभ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words:Pabha,Pabhā,Pahā.

Hindi dictionary

Prabhā (प्रभा):—(nf) lustre, radiance, refulgence; ~[kara] the sun; ~[maṃḍala] a halo.

Nepali dictionary

Prabhā (प्रभा):—n. 1. light; brilliance; luster; radiance; 2. a ray of light;

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