Macdonell, Arthur Anthony

(1854–1930)

Orientalist and Sanskrit scholar. He

was born at Muzaffarpur, he was a

Taylorian teacher of German at Oxford

University (1880–99), and later Boden

Professor of Sanskrit. His works as edi-

tor and translator include Sarvänu-

kramaæika of the Øgveda (1886); a

Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1892),

Vedic Mythology (1897), History of

Sanskrit Literature(1900), and Sanskrit

Grammar(1901).

macrocosm–microcosm

The Øgveda assumes a close correspon-

dence between the universe and the

individual person: the Puru•asükta

depicts the creation of everything on

earth as the result of the sacrifice of

PURUÆA, a human-shaped primeval

cosmic being. The Upani•ads not only

equate the human ÄTMANwith the cos-

mic BRAHMAN, but also categorize

human properties and cosmic phenome-

na in corresponding pentads. SÄßKHYA

YOGAis based on the assumption of a

thoroughgoing structural parallelism

between human and cosmic realities.

The VAIÆŒAVAnotion of the universe as

the body of God, and Vi•æu as the soul

and immanent ruler of the world, gives

concrete expression to the micro-

cosm–macrocosm parallelism. Parallels

were also drawn between the various

components of the human body and the

sacred geography of India: the Gaögä

(Ganges) was equated with the Ïõä, and

the Yamunä with the Piögalä of the sub-

tle body. Popular Hindu writings

expand these parallelisms vastly and

base the process of LIBERATIONon it.

mada (‘intoxication’)

Personified as a monster created by the

Vedic sage Cyavana, with fearful teeth

and long jaws. Intoxication is forbidden

by Hindu ethics, but forms one of the

‘five ms’ of tantric practices. (See also

TANTRA(2).)

Mädhava (1) (‘made of honey’)

Name of KØÆŒAor VIÆŒU.

Mädhava (2), also Vidyäraöya

(14th century)

An important teacher in the ADVAITA

VEDÄNTAtradition. Brother of Säyaöa, a

commentator on the Veda. He was

prime minister at the court of

VIJÄYANÄGARAbefore taking SAMNYÄSA

and becoming ÄCÄRYAof the Ÿringerï

mätha. He is the author of Sarva-

darÿanasaƒgraha, a critical compendi-

um of all philosophical and religious

systems, the Pañcädaÿï, a manual for

the study and practice of Advaita

Vedänta, and the Ÿaökara Digvijäya, a

summary of ŸA¢KARA’s (2) victorious

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