see Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe),
Shakti and Shakta, 1978; and Philip S.
Rawson, The Art of Tantra, 1973.
Mulamantra
(“root mantra”) A mulamantra is a
sacred sound or sounds (mantra) that
are considered to be the most subtle
form of a deity. Every Hindu deity has a
mulamantra. Different manifestations
of the deity usually have different
mantras, which are associated with
them alone. The mulamantra is usually
considered to be the highest and truest
form of the deity, since it is nothing but
sacred sound.
Munda
A demongeneral killed by the Goddess
in the Devimahatmya, a Sanskrittext
which is the earliest and most important
mythic source for the cult of the
Goddess. This text describes the
Goddess in several different manifesta-
tions. The seventh book tells how the
goddess Ambika’sanger takes form as
the terrifying goddess Kali. Kali attacks
the demon armies commanded by
Munda and his companion Chanda.
After destroying the armies, Kali
beheads the two generals. As a memorial
of this mythic deed, the Goddess is
worshiped by the name Chamunda, the
slayer of Chanda and Munda.
Mundan
(“shaving”) In general terms, mundan
refers to any type of haircutting or shav-
ing done for religious purposes, such as
the head-shaving traditionally done at
certain pilgrimage places (tirtha). In
Tirupatiin southern India, the hair is
given as an offeringto the presiding
deity; shaving is also a means of ritual
purification, as in the rites for the dead.
In a more specific sense, mundan is
often used as a synonym for the chu-
dakarana samskara, a life-cycle rite in
which a young child’s head is shaved,
removing the last residual impurities
from birth. See also hair.
Muni
A term of ancient provenance, dating
back to theVedas, the earliest Hindu
religious text. In the Vedas this term
is used to denote an ascetic, sage,
or seer, particularly one keeping a
vow of silence.Murali
In Hindu mythology, murali is the god
Krishna’sflute. As recounted in sectarian
texts such as the Bhagavata Purana, and
countless vernacular devotional
(bhakti) poems, the sound of this flute
has an enticing quality that is irresistible
to Krishna’s devotees (bhakta). When
they hear its melody, they rush to
Krishna’s presence. The flute and its
siren song are seen as an extension of
Krishna’s own enticing presence.Murals
Sanskritliterature contains numerous
references to mural painting. In early
medieval times, these were common
forms of decorating both temples and
the homes of the wealthy. The heat and
moisture of the Indian climate have not
been kind to such artwork; few exam-
ples remain today. The most famous
murals are at Buddhist sites—Ajanta in
central India and Sigiriya in Sri Lanka.
These murals convey themes about
everyday life. There are also traces of
painting in the caves at Ellora. Paintings
from the Chola era were recently discov-
ered at the Rajrajeshvar temple in
Tanjore; they are being restored. See
also Chola dynasty.Murari
(“Mura’s enemy”) Epithet of the god
Krishna. Mura is an extremely powerful
demonwho conquers all of the gods. He
is eventually killed in battle by Krishna.
See Krishna.Murari Gupta
(16th c.) Author of the earliest version of
the Chaitanya-Charitramrta (“NectarMurari Gupta